Night Before the Mission
I sat on the orphanage roof, staring at the moon. Kushina climbed up behind me, holding two rice balls.
"You're quiet today, ya know," she said, handing one over.
"Just thinking," I replied. Thinking about how to keep someone alive who's supposed to die.
Kushina frowned. "Is this about that ROOT thing again?"
"…No. Just… people I don't want to lose."
She looked at me for a moment, then smiled softly. "You're weird. But… I like that about you."
System Alert – Social
Kushina Affection: 50% → 60% (Emotional Bond).
Trait Upgrade:Bond of Red II (When fighting to protect Kushina or her friends, +10% Speed, +5% Chakra Regen).
The Mission Briefing
Next morning, we gathered at the village gates. Nawaki practically bounced with excitement.
"Finally! My first real mission outside the village!"
He wore a standard flak vest that was slightly too big, a smile wide enough to light up Konoha.
I smiled faintly. Canon says you die in an explosion trap on a scouting mission. Not this time.
The mission leader, a chūnin, briefed us:
"Scouting bandit activity near the western forest. Low risk, but stay sharp."
System Warning
Fatal Probability for Nawaki: 78%
Optional Quest Activated:Prevent Nawaki's Death.
Reward: Uzumaki Sealing Arts (Lv.1).
On the Road
Nawaki walked beside me, grinning. "So, Kuro, you really beat a Hyūga on day one?"
I shrugged. "He tripped."
He laughed. "I like you. When I'm Hokage, you'll be my right-hand man!"
Hokage, huh? I thought, hiding a smile. Just don't die before then.
The Ambush
By afternoon, we reached the forest clearing. That's when I felt it—chakra signatures ahead, too many for simple bandits.
System Alert:Explosive Tags detected 15m north.
*Fatal Trigger for Nawaki in 2 minutes if no action taken.
My eyes widened. This is it.
"Everyone stop!" I shouted.
The chūnin frowned. "What are you—"
A whistling sound cut him off—kunai with explosive tags rained down.
Battle Mode
HP: 100/100
Chakra: 70/70
Skills:
- Shadow Threads Bind (Lv.1)
- Shadow Bind (Lv.1)
- Chakra Threads (Lv.1)
- White Fang Taijutsu (Beginner)
Buffs: Bond of Red II (Active)
Saving Nawaki
One tag landed near Nawaki. Without thinking, I dove, threads snapping to pull him away—just as the blast consumed the tree he had been standing under.
Smoke and fire filled the clearing. Bandits—no, mercenaries—charged in, wearing mismatched armor.
Combo Unlock
Skill Evolution: Shadow Threads Bind (Lv.2) → Shadow Threads Lancer
Creates a spear-like shadow thread strike, stunning and damaging target (2 sec).
I lashed out, pinning two mercenaries to the ground while using my new skill to knock out a third.
Nawaki's Awakening
Nawaki, shaking from shock, clenched his fists. "I… I almost died."
Then he gritted his teeth. "Not again."
His chakra surged faintly—a sign of potential far greater than most.
Mission End – Aftermath
The mercenaries retreated after the chūnin captain took down their leader.
Nawaki sat down heavily, trembling. "You… you saved me."
I smiled faintly. "What are friends for?"
System Reward
Quest Complete: Prevent Nawaki's Death.
Reward: Uzumaki Sealing Arts (Lv.1).
Special Bonus:Nawaki Affection 40% (Brotherly Bond).
Return to Konoha
Back at the gates, Kushina sprinted up, hugging Nawaki first, then looking at me. "You're hurt again! Idiot!"
But there was relief in her eyes—both for him, and… for me.
Cliffhanger
As we walked home, my System flashed:
Hidden Event Triggered: Danzo's ROOT reviewing mission footage.
ROOT Assessment: "Target Kuro – High Potential, Unaligned. Acquire or Neutralize."
Great… I just made myself a bigger target.