c2: Refine Chakra
After dinner, Yakumo carefully reviewed the chakra theory their academy instructor had explained earlier that day. Without delay, he began his first real attempt at refining chakra. As an orphan with no clan backing, no elite jonin sensei, and no kekkei genkai, he understood one brutal truth: strength could only come from himself. In a world where even children are trained for war, he had to seize every sliver of progress.
From the textbooks, he recalled: Chakra is formed by molding two sources of energy the physical energy produced by the body's trillions of cells and the spiritual energy gained through experience and mental discipline. A perfect balance between these sources is the key to success in chakra control and ninjutsu.
Yakumo quieted his mind, sank his awareness inward, and focused on the tenketsu located in his lower abdomen his chakra core. A faint pulse began to stir. A thread-thin flow of chakra was born, sluggishly circulating along his chakra network. He followed the path outlined in the school's diagram: lower abdomen to spine, up to the head, then branching out through the limbs.
Everyone in this world possesses chakra to some extent, but only those with the capacity to consciously mold and manipulate it can call themselves shinobi.
By the time darkness swallowed the sky beyond his paper-shuttered windows, Yakumo's eyes fluttered open. His breath was shallow, sweat beaded at his brow. The fragile chakra he had generated seemed liable to fade with a single exhale.
Still two hours of effort bore fruit. His body, gifted with above-average aptitude thanks to his late parents, had responded. Their legacy lived in his cells, if not in bloodlines as famous as the Uchiha or Hyūga.
〖Personal Information〗
Name: Jing Yakumo
Age: 7
Stamina: 3.4 (endurance, resistance, recovery)
Strength: 2.3 (lifting power, melee force)
Agility: 3.1 (reaction speed, mobility)
Intelligence: 4.2 (learning speed, genjutsu resistance)
Chakra: 0.05 (10 points = Genin threshold)
〖Personal Skills〗
Passive: Chakra Refinement – "Acceleration"
Gold Coins: 550
Upon successfully initiating chakra flow, the system interface updated. A new skill tab emerged within his strange, game-like overlay. His attention was drawn to a newly unlocked ability.
『Chakra Refinement – Acceleration』
Would you like to consume 100 gold coins to accelerate this skill?
(Note: Acceleration is irreversible and non-refundable.)
"Confirm."
–100 Gold Coins Deducted.
『Enjoy your game! Channel joy through your effort!』
With a faint mechanical chime, Yakumo felt a sudden, violent swell of chakra within him. It multiplied exponentially like he had been refining uninterrupted for a full day.
It was staggering. Under normal conditions, ninja academy students below the age of ten were advised to refine chakra for no more than three hours per day. This limit existed to protect developing bodies. Elite clans such as the Senju or descendants of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline could push those boundaries using inherited vitality or rare stamina-boosting medicine.
But to simulate twenty-four hours of uninterrupted chakra molding? It was biologically impossible except for him.
Liver-busting mini-game... eternal god-tier!
"Accelerate."
Four hundred more gold coins vanished in an instant. Chakra surged again, stronger than before. No hunger, no exhaustion, no side effects. His reserves grew without pushing his body beyond its limits.
The raw volume of chakra pouring through his coils was undeniable. It wasn't illusionary, nor temporary it was truly his.
By the end of the boost, his chakra gauge now read:
Chakra: 3.0
At this rate, gaining the minimum chakra reserve of a certified Geninn10 points would take only ten days. However, volume alone didn't equate to combat strength. Without control, jutsu, or combat experience, it meant little against true prodigies like Uchiha Itachi, who'd already awakened his Sharingan at age 8, or Mitarashi Anko, a kunoichi proficient in mid-range assassination by the time she was in Year Two.
"Still too weak," Yakumo muttered.
He flicked on his desk lamp, opened his day's notes, and began his third daily task. Beside him lay a thick biography: The Great Shinobi: Sarutobi Hiruzen. It was assigned reading and critical to his ongoing Will of Fire essay.
He read aloud softly:
"The Will of Fire was conceived by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, refined by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and championed by the Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen."
"I learned today that we the youth are considered the hope of Konoha. The Third Hokage's words made me realize that the sacrifices of the older generation form the foundation of our village's peace. It is our duty to inherit that will."
"I want to follow in the footsteps of Hokage-sama and devote myself to the prosperity of Konoha. I will not let their faith be in vain."
Summary:
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns.
The fire illuminates the village… and causes new leaves to sprout.
Yawning, Yakumo stretched and carefully placed his completed essay titled "Perception and Analysis of the Will of Fire" in the most prominent spot on his desk. He knew, even now, it would serve him again in future missions and exams.
That belief, that legacy, wasn't just ideology anymore.
It was part of his path forward.
It was still early in the evening when Yakumo discovered two battered notebooks tucked away in the rear compartment of an old chest. Worn leather covers, frayed edges, yellowed pages their condition testified to the years they had endured. Despite the damage, they were undeniably the most valuable legacy left behind by his parents, both former Konoha ninjas who died in active service.
Inside, the notebooks described the fundamentals and techniques of their respective chakra natures. His father had specialized in Water Release, his mother in Earth Release. Yakumo himself had inherited both natures Suiton and Doton a rare but not unheard-of combination among Konoha genin. These journals could accelerate his learning far beyond the standard academy curriculum.
Among the techniques was the Suiton: Teppōdama (Water Bullet), a C-rank offensive ninjutsu. It was a streamlined derivative of the more advanced Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu (Water Dragon Bullet Technique), a B-rank technique frequently used by Hōzuki clan members and even the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Teppōdama required only three hand seals Shin, Tora, Ushi and produced a high-velocity, fist-sized projectile of compressed water capable of knocking down a target.
The second jutsu was Doton: Doryūheki (Earth-Style Wall), a B-rank defensive technique. Often used by ninjas like Kakashi Hatake and the Third Hokage himself, it created a formidable earthen barrier after forming the seals Hare, Dog, and Boar allowing the user to defend against frontal attacks or block line of sight. However, it demanded far more chakra than Yakumo currently possessed.
Considering his meager chakra reserves, he focused on Water Release. "Sometimes," he reasoned, "the best defense is to attack first."
Yakumo sat cross-legged, his chakra flowing steadily after the earlier refinement session. He studied the jutsu's hand seals again and again, visualizing the water's formation and trajectory. But after thirty minutes, his concentration flagged. At that moment, Task Three's system reward triggered.
Warm, invigorating energy surged through his brain like a rush of hot spring water. A familiar comfort. His fatigue melted, and his mind sharpened. Rejuvenated, Yakumo resumed practice.
He formed the hand seals with measured speed.Shin, Tora, Ushi and directed chakra through his coils. Beneath his palm, a small water sphere began to materialize, no larger than a ping-pong ball then burst apart in a splash.
Failure.
He tried again. Still failed.
Again. Again. Again.
Five straight failures. Eight complete breakdowns.
"ATMD, I'll win next time!" Yakumo grumbled, cursing in frustration.
Fed up, he grabbed a kunai from his weapons pouch and hurled it at the round paper target pinned to the far wall. The black-bladed projectile traced a near-perfect arc in the air, its trajectory evidence of constant practice.
Thunk.
The kunai embedded firmly though far from the red bullseye.
He scowled. "How the hell do the Uchiha make this look easy?"
Their Sharingan allowed them to perceive motion and angles at an absurd level, he knew. That was why people like Uchiha Shisui or Itachi could hit moving targets blindfolded. But Yakumo? He had no dōjutsu, no legendary surname.
Still, there was time.
The Third Great Ninja War was projected to erupt in seven years. If he trained now smart and hard he could survive what was coming.
Later, Yakumo curled onto his stiff, wooden-frame bed. Beneath his pillow, a kunai rested in easy reach. In a village built for war, nowhere was ever truly safe.
The next morning, just as sunlight crept across the rooftops, Yakumo opened his interface and selected [Daily Tasks].
"Task One: Start the Day with Discipline."
Run five kilometers before 7:30 a.m.
Reward: 50 gold coins, +0.1 Strength
"Task Two: Scarlet Praise"
Compliment a red-haired girl, declaring that red is the most beautiful color.
Reward: 50 gold coins, +0.1 Constitution
"Task Three: Insight from Diligence"
Summarize the chakra refinement process.
Reward: 50 gold coins, +0.1 Intelligence
While jogging along the outer ring road of Konoha, his thoughts circled Task Two. The target had to be Uzumaki Kushina. There were no other red-haired girls in the village that matched the description. But... she wasn't just anyone.
She was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Every shinobi knew though no one ever said it aloud that the Jinchūriki was under 24/7 surveillance. ANBU watched from rooftops. Root operatives, if involved, would act without hesitation. Was it worth the risk just for 50 gold coins?
...It might be.
"Yakumo, Yakumo, what's got you frowning so early?" a gentle voice called.
Mori Yoshiko had followed him on his jog, worry etched into her features. She had watched him grow more withdrawn over the years ever since the mission that took his parents. Her concern for him was genuine. As his only close friend, she'd resolved to break through the walls he built. No matter how long it took.
"Ah..." Yakumo snapped out of it.
Without thinking, he cupped a hand to his mouth and shouted across the plaza.
"I think... red hair is the most beautiful color!"
From the open ramen stand, a girl turned long, bright-red hair tied back in a ponytail, slurping miso ramen from a bowl.
Uzumaki Kushina blinked. "Huh?"
Yakumo froze for a heartbeat. Then the system prompt pinged.
"Task Two: Complete."
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