The morning sun filtered through the thin paper windows, painting long shadows across the hospital room. John, still in Lee's battered body, stirred uneasily. His entire back screamed in protest. Every movement reminded him of Gaara's brutal attack and the long months of recovery ahead.
He tried to sit upright, but pain forced him back into the pillow. This is hopeless…
A sudden flicker caught the corner of his vision. The air seemed to shimmer, a thin veil of light crawling along the walls, the bed, even across his bandages.
[System Initialization… 99%]
John's chest tightened. What the hell is that? He blinked, trying to focus. The faint letters shimmered and twisted, and a sharp, electric jolt shot through his nerves.
"Lee? Are you okay?!" Tenten's voice cracked through the room.
Gai shouted something incomprehensible about youthful spirit and perseverance, but before John could respond, the pain became unbearable. His vision blurred, and a sharp scream escaped his throat.
The staff rushed in immediately. Nurses and doctors pushed the visitors out, their voices frantic.
"Clear the room!" one ordered. "The patient is going into shock!"
John's world became a haze of white light and agony. His heart pounded against his ribs. And then, suddenly, he collapsed into darkness.
When he opened his eyes again, the pain was still there, but oddly… dulled. He blinked, confused. Across his vision, a screen floated in midair: glowing, sharp, and unyielding.
[Ultimate Fighter System – Activated]
Name: Rock Lee (John)
Strength: 12
Vitality: 10
Tenacity: 15
Chakra : 2
Wisdom: 7
Luck: 5
Status: [Crushed Spine – Severe]
John stared. Stats? This isn't… a hallucination.
The system's voice rang out in his mind. Not robotic, not friendly, simply present.
"Daily Task: BREAKING PAST ONE'S LIMIT"
"Reward: +0.5% Healing."
Below that, another section displayed new skills:
Beginner Package – Martial Arts Mastery
- Rokushiki: 10% Mastery
*Tekkai (Iron Body)
*Soru (Shave Step)
*Geppo (Moon Jump)
*Kami-e (Paper Body)
*Rankyaku (Storm Leg)
*Shigan (Finger Pierce)*
John flexed his fingers experimentally. So these are the "Marine Seven Styles" everyone talks about in the other worlds… but I can barely stand straight.
The system did not explain how to use the skills. No tutorials. No guidance. Just raw information. A faint note at the bottom flickered:
Skill effectiveness limited while Status: Crushed Spine – Severe. Recommended healing ≥ 90% for effective deployment.
John groaned, pressing his forehead against the pillow. The numbers made sense. His physical stats hovered between 10–30% of their true potential, chained by injury.
Daily task… 0.5% healing? he muttered. Months in this bed, and that's all I get?
Yet, despite the small gains, hope fluttered. At least it's something. The task itself was simple, designed not to kill him in his fragile state: move a few meters, attempt basic stretches, maintain focus, push limits without collapsing. Every day would inch him closer to full recovery.
[System Note]
- Story Quests: Locked until Healing ≥ 95%
- Limited Time Quests: Will appear intermittently; recommended for accelerated growth.
John leaned back against the pillow, taking in the numbers and floating skills. It was… overwhelming. Like being handed a toolset capable of godlike feats, but with his hands tied.
Okay, he whispered, teeth gritted. One step at a time. I'll do the daily task. I'll get better. And when I'm ready… I'll finally be able to fight without my body holding me back.
The room was quiet again, only the faint beeping of monitors. But somewhere deep in him, a spark ignited.
This isn't just Rock Lee's body anymore. This is my chance to surpass limits. My chance to take every ounce of potential this body has… and break it.
And for the first time since awakening in this world, John smiled.
[Daily Task Accepted: BREAKING PAST ONE'S LIMIT]
[Progress: 0%]