Chapter 2 — First Steps
The next morning, I woke up before dawn.
My body ached in ways I didn't expect. Not sharp pain — more like every muscle had been wrung out. It took me a moment to realize why: the tutorial simulation. Ten years of repetitive drills compressed into an hour… yeah, that'd do it.
I sat up, stretched, and let out a sharp hiss.
"Damn… so this is what a century of push-ups feels like."
The system pinged in my mind.
[Physical synchronization: 2% complete.]
[Estimated adaptation: 14 days for full synchronization.]
Two weeks. Two whole weeks for my body to naturally adjust to the reflexes and micro-movements I'd earned.
Fine. I could live with that.
But it also meant I needed to start real-world conditioning if I didn't want to snap my own tendons the first time I swung a real sword.
Breakfast was thin porridge and a slice of stale bread. My "uncle" sneered at me for eating slowly but said nothing.
Good. Let him think I was still the same useless boy.
By the time I'd finished hauling water and chopping wood, my body was screaming, but in a good way. Every swing of the axe synced a little better with the movements ingrained in my mind.
By the time night fell, I was exhausted but satisfied.
And then the system chimed.
[Cooldown expired. Simulation slot available.]
I almost sprinted to my room.
The moment the door shut, I flopped onto my straw bed and pulled up the glowing menu.
[Available Simulations:]
– Basic Combat (John Wick: 10-Year Contract)
– Chakra Fundamentals (Naruto: Academy Arc)
– Breathing Techniques (Demon Slayer: Butterfly Estate)
– Haki Introduction (One Piece: East Blue)
– Martial Arts (Ip Man: Wing Chun Training Hall)
I hesitated.
John Wick's world would be brutal, and my body wasn't ready.
Demon Slayer breathing would help my physical conditioning, but I couldn't fully utilize it without a stronger body.
Haki? Forget it — I'd just die.
That left…
"…Naruto."
Chakra control. Energy refinement. The building blocks for everything else.
I tapped the option mentally.
[Simulation selected: Naruto — Academy Arc.]
[Duration: 5 simulated years / 30 minutes real time.]
[Warning: Synchronization stress likely. Proceed?]
I grinned. "Proceed."
The world shattered again.
When I opened my eyes, I was standing in a sunny courtyard, surrounded by kids in bright clothing. The air was alive with laughter, shouts, and the distant rumble of a village at peace.
Konoha. The Hidden Leaf Village.
And in front of me stood a familiar figure — an academy instructor, clipboard in hand, smiling patiently.
"All right, class," he said, "time for chakra exercises. Remember: feel the flow, focus your intent, and maintain balance."
The next five simulated years were… humbling.
I spent the first six months just finding my chakra. The next year learning to control it without collapsing from exhaustion.
By the end of the second year, I could walk up walls without a wobble.
By the third, water-walking felt natural.
By the fourth, I could mold basic transformations and even pull off a clumsy clone.
By the fifth…
I wasn't a ninja, but I understood my body and energy in a way I never had before.
[Simulation complete.]
[Reward: Chakra Sensory unlocked.]
[Reward: Energy Control (Basic) integrated.]
[Cooldown: 7 days.]
The world snapped back, and I was lying in my bed again.
And I felt it.
The hum of energy deep inside my body. A warmth that pulsed with every breath. It wasn't profound strength yet, but it was mine.
I sat up slowly, focusing on that faint hum, and tried to channel it to my fingertips.
A faint tingle sparked across my skin, like static electricity.
I grinned like an idiot.
"Step two," I whispered, staring at the faint light dancing between my fingers, "has officially begun."
But reality hit the next morning.
Every movement felt clumsy, unbalanced. My muscles screamed as I tried to channel energy into my swings while chopping wood. The skill was there — but my body lagged behind, refusing to cooperate fully.
[Synchronization Progress: 4%]
"Fine," I muttered through gritted teeth. "Then we do it the hard way."
Each day, I pushed harder. Running laps before dawn. Practicing basic stances until my legs shook. Channeling tiny threads of chakra just to improve circulation and muscle repair.
By the end of the week, I could feel the difference. My stamina lasted longer. My swings were sharper. My mind clearer.
And then, right on schedule:
[Cooldown expired. Simulation slot available.]
I lay in bed that night, staring at the glowing list.
John Wick's world was tempting — ten years of survival and combat experience.
But my body wasn't ready yet.
No, for now, I needed a foundation. Something that would push my physical limits safely.
My eyes slid down the list until they landed on the option that made my pulse quicken.
[Simulation selected: Demon Slayer — Butterfly Estate Breathing Training.]
[Duration: 3 simulated years / 20 minutes real time.]
[Proceed?]
I smiled.
"Oh, this is going to hurt."
And I confirmed.