Yuichi left Ichiraku Ramen feeling a little disappointed.
He hadn't succeeded in creating a Shadow Clone. Fortunately, he did gain his third chakra attribute and learned his first Earth Style ninjutsu—the Earth Substitution.
Behind him, Naruto silently turned away after Yuichi rejected his offer of kindness.
"Tch! That guy—pretending he doesn't want to eat when he clearly does. Just trying to save face," Naruto muttered.
Yuichi giving the side eye and ignored the kid.
"Go home."
Back in his room, Yuichi opened his character panel:
[Host: Nagano Yuichi]
[Age] 12 years old
[Chakra Attributes] Water, Earth, Wind
[Physique] Entry-level Ninja Physique (20/100)
[Mastered Ninjutsu] Substitution / Transformation / Clone (Perfect), Body Flicker – Advanced (613/4000)
[Water Style]
Water Clone (Perfect)
Great Waterfall – Advanced (1275/4000)
Water Turbulence – Advanced (0/3500)
Water Barrier – Advanced (0/3800)
Hard Vortex Water Blade – Elementary (1/10000)
[Wood Style] (1.5% ability inheritance)
Tree-Binding Eternal Burial – Elementary (634/800)
Wood Array – Elementary (634/900)
Silent Binding Technique – Elementary (634/800)
[Earth Style]
Earth Substitution – Elementary (0/650)
[Illusion Techniques] None
[Special Physique] Wood Style physique
[Bloodline] Wood Release
[Chakra Volume] Slightly above Genin level
His hard work that afternoon had pushed both Water Turbulence and Water Barrier into advanced proficiency.
Even the Great Waterfall Technique was nearing perfection.
Tomorrow, he was confident it would reach the next level.
As for Wood Style, Yuichi hadn't had time to improve it. But since Wood Release proficiency rose just by practicing control of Wood-style chakra, he wasn't worried. Progress would come naturally.
He glanced at the stars outside his window. It was still too early to sleep.
"One more round of training…"
Tonight's focus—tree climbing practice.
If he couldn't even climb trees or walk on water, it would be far too embarrassing.
Yuichi recalled how, in the original story, Kakashi had taught Naruto and Sasuke this same training.
Elsewhere, in a dimly lit room.
The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, watching Yuichi through the crystal ball.
"A very hardworking kid," Hiruzen mused.
"Leaving the village during the day to train in secret… If his talent is good, he's worth nurturing."
Boom!
At that exact moment, Yuichi had managed only two steps up the wall before slipping and crashing back to the ground.
"..."
Even the Hokage was speechless.
In general, even average Genin wouldn't fall so quickly on their first try.
Hiruzen shook his head.
"Seems his chakra control talent is… lacking."
But Yuichi himself also felt something was strange.
At first, the chakra on his soles stuck just fine. Then, all of a sudden, it was gone—like he couldn't feel it anymore.
"How do you control chakra if you can't even sense it!?"
What Yuichi didn't know was that his problem wasn't poor control at all.
His chakra was regenerating too quickly, disrupting the steady output needed for the exercise.
But Yuichi hadn't realized that yet.
He simply thought he was terrible at chakra control.
So he did the only thing he could—work harder.
Again and again, Yuichi climbed the wall.
Again and again, he fell.
And again and again, he stood back up.
From Hiruzen's perspective, Yuichi looked like a hopeless case.
But his persistence… his unyielding spirit… that was worth something.
"Whether or not he's the Water Style user who defeated Sasuke… this child may have potential after all."
Three hours later.
Yuichi collapsed onto his bed, exhausted.
Thanks to his Wood Style physique, his chakra was endless and his body recovered quickly.
But his mind—his spirit—was worn out.
After a full day of ninjutsu training, plus three hours of wall-climbing practice, Yuichi could only manage five steps before slipping.
Still, he felt lucky to have the system. Without it, with just his "talent," true strength would have been impossible.
The next morning.
Yuichi dressed in a black short-sleeved jacket over a faded white shirt, with black trousers and standard Jōnin sandals.
He fastened his forehead protector casually.
Today was his first day as a Genin—his first mission.
Though, honestly, he had no expectations.
Genin missions usually meant cleaning, weeding, and picking up trash.
"Basically janitorial work," Yuichi muttered.
"Why does Konoha make ninja do what actual cleaners could handle?"
He arrived at the meeting spot, certain he was early.
To his surprise, his teammates and their Jōnin instructor were already waiting.
"Yuichi, good morning!" his two companions greeted.
Yuichi smiled politely and returned the greeting.
After some small talk, Jidou Kazuta eagerly asked their sensei, Kazuya, about today's mission.
Looking at their expectant faces, Yuichi held back a sigh.
What's so exciting about garbage duty…?
But Kazuya-sensei surprised them.
"Don't worry. We'll get to missions soon. But first, a new test today."
"New… test?" Yuichi blinked.
Kazuya launched into a long lecture about the importance of chakra to a shinobi. His words dragged on and on until Yuichi nearly dozed off.
Finally, she pulled out three slips of chakra paper and handed them out.
"Fengtai's attribute is Fire, and Jidou's is Lightning. Both excellent elements—very strong offensively."
Then she turned to Yuichi.
"Now it's your turn. Channel your chakra into the paper."
Yuichi, still half-asleep, held the slip of paper lazily.
Kazuya frowned at his attitude.
He didn't even pay attention during my explanation. So dismissive of chakra's importance… This Nagano Yuichi will probably stay a Genin for life.