The academy courtyard was quiet that night. Shadows stretched long under the pale glow of the moon, and the air was heavy with the silence only late hours could bring.
Most students were asleep. Even Rin had scolded me earlier for staying out too late. Obito was snoring in his bunk, and Kakashi was no doubt training somewhere else in his relentless pursuit of strength.
But for me, tonight wasn't about sleep.
The system pulsed awake in my vision, golden text hovering in the dark.
[System Update: Survival Trial Complete]
New Features Unlocked:
– Skill Tree (Basic)
– Stat Allocation Menu
– Daily Shop (Limited)
My heart raced. Finally. Something more than just missions and rewards.
The Skill Tree
A glowing lattice unfolded before me, branches weaving into paths that represented potential futures.
Taijutsu Path – Strength, speed, close combat techniques.
Ninjutsu Path – Elemental mastery, chakra efficiency.
Genjutsu Path – Illusions, mental disruption.
Support Path – Healing, sealing, sensory skills.
Each path had nodes, locked and waiting for points to be invested.
I had 5 Skill Points from previous quests.
"Alright," I whispered to myself. "Time to choose."
Taijutsu called to me—it was reliable, always there when chakra ran out. But ninjutsu… that was the heart of shinobi power.
In the end, I split it: 3 points into Ninjutsu, 2 into Taijutsu.
[Skill Learned: Basic Chakra Control Lv.1]
[Skill Learned: Quick Step Lv.1]
Chakra Control… that was huge.
Stat Allocation
Next came the stat menu. For the first time, raw numbers appeared:
Strength: 12
Agility: 13
Stamina: 11
Intelligence: 15
Willpower: 14
Chakra: 10
10 points to allocate.
I thought back to the rogue shinobi, the crushing feeling of being powerless. Speed and chakra had nearly killed me—without enough of either, I couldn't keep up.
I put 4 points into Agility, 3 into Chakra, 2 into Stamina, 1 into Willpower.
The system chimed.
[Stat Update Complete]
Agility: 17
Chakra: 13
Stamina: 13
Willpower: 15
Already, I felt lighter, sharper, more aware of the night breeze against my skin.
The Shop
Finally, the shop.
[Daily Shop – Limited Stock]
– Chakra Recovery Pill (Common) – 50 EXP
– Shuriken (Bundle of 10) – 30 EXP
– Skill Scroll: Clone Jutsu (Basic) – 200 EXP
I had just over 250 EXP. Buying the clone scroll would wipe most of it out, but… Clone Jutsu was a foundational ninjutsu, one every shinobi learned to build upon.
I bought it.
The scroll burned with light before dissolving into motes of energy, sinking into my hands. Knowledge surged in, precise hand signs and chakra control instructions embedding into my memory.
[Skill Acquired: Clone Jutsu Lv.1]
Trial in the Shadows
I stepped into the training field, hands trembling with anticipation.
"Clone Jutsu!"
Chakra surged, spilling out unsteadily. A puff of smoke erupted—and a misshapen, drooping clone flopped to the ground like a puppet with cut strings.
I groaned. "Okay. Not instant mastery then."
But failure didn't sting. It only fueled me.
Hours passed as I drilled it again and again. Each attempt was better than the last. From pale, half-formed shells to solid figures that held form longer each time. Sweat poured down my face, exhaustion clawed at my body, but the fire in my chest burned brighter.
Finally, after countless tries, two stable clones stood beside me, blinking with faint life.
[Clone Jutsu: Proficiency Increased → Lv.2]
I collapsed onto the grass, laughter bubbling out of me. For the first time, I felt like I was truly moving forward—not just surviving, but growing.
Quiet Resolve
As dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink, I sat there in silence.
I wasn't strong yet. Not by a long shot. But the path was opening. With the system, with training, with bonds—I had a chance.
And when the real storms came, I wouldn't be caught powerless again.
[End of Chapter – System Sync Complete]
Rewards: Chakra +1, Willpower +1
Hidden Perk: Night Training (Passive) – Slight boost to learning efficiency when training alone at night.
Author's Note
Hey everyone! 👋
This chapter was all about the MC's personal growth and system awakening. After the Survival Test, it was finally time to dig into the system's deeper features—skill trees, stat allocation, and even a shop. 🌟
Highlights this chapter:
The Skill Tree was unlocked, and the MC invested in both Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, gaining Basic Chakra Control and Quick Step.
Stats were upgraded, making the MC faster, stronger, and more chakra-efficient.
The Shop debuted, leading to the MC's first big purchase—Clone Jutsu!
A night of solo training unlocked a hidden perk: Night Training, making personal grind even more rewarding.
💬 Question for you all:
If you had the system, where would you invest first—Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, or something else entirely?
Do you enjoy these system/development chapters, or prefer action-packed missions?
Thanks again for reading and supporting! Every little step makes the MC closer to standing tall in the ninja world. ⚔️