The first morning after the system activated, John awoke with a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in years. His back ached, his limbs trembled, but the screen in his vision glowed softly.
[Daily Task: BREAKING PAST ONE'S LIMIT]
[Progress: 0%]
It was simple, almost cruel in its subtlety. Move a few meters. Stretch. Flex his fingers. Focus his mind. Each action sent shocks through his body, but it was enough. By evening, his progress ticked to 0.5%.
This is going to take forever… he muttered, but the spark of determination burned brighter than the pain.
The days blurred together, each one a repetition of struggle.
Day 3: Gai barged in as usual, insisting on a "youthful warm-up," which left John sprawled on the floor after a half-hearted attempt at push-ups. Still, the system credited him: +0.5% healing.
Day 7: Tenten arrived with a tray of food and gentle encouragement. "You're moving more today," she noted. John grunted, silently counting the steps he managed to shuffle toward the window. Strength 13, Vitality 11.
Day 10: Neji appeared unexpectedly. His sharp gaze swept over John's body. "Careful with overexertion," he warned. For the first time, John found himself wanting Neji's approval. He attempted a small stretch, nearly collapsing—but the system flickered: +0.5% healing.
The system's screen became a constant companion. It wasn't friendly. It didn't speak. It simply existed, displaying his slow progress in stark, precise numbers:
[Strength: 20]
[Vitality: 18]
[Tenacity: 27]
[Chakra: 3]
[Wisdom: 14]
[Luck: 5]
[Daily Task Completed: 15%]
[Estimated Recovery: 8%]
John realized that patience was now his greatest weapon. The numbers crept upward with each small victory, each tiny push past pain, each step taken against the body that screamed to stay still.
By mid-month, the daily tasks began to take a toll on his mind as well as his body. Dreams were filled with shadowy visions of past battles and untrained movements. He woke screaming sometimes, fists clenching imaginary opponents.
Yet, something extraordinary happened.
The Rokushiki skills, once mere floating text in his vision, began to awaken in subtle ways:
A flicker of Kami-e as he shifted to avoid falling off his bed.
A tiny burst of Soru, enough to lurch a few inches toward the window.
Fingers twitched with Shigan, instinctive pressure on bedrails.
Still ineffective for combat. Still raw. But tangible. 10% mastery began to grow.
By Day 20, the transformation was undeniable. He could sit unaided. Small stretches caused discomfort, but he moved more fluidly than the first week. His stats reflected the progress:
Strength: 28
Vitality: 25
Tenacity: 37
Chakra: 5
Wisdom: 20
Luck: 5
[Daily Task Progress: 75%]
John's reflection in the window startled him. The eyes staring back were Lee's… but sharper, harder, and with a spark he hadn't seen before. I'm not just surviving. I'm fighting back.
On Day 30, the final day before his expected discharge from the hospital, the system updated with a soft flicker he had never noticed before:
[Healing Complete: 95%]
[Daily Task: BREAKING PAST ONE'S LIMIT – Complete]
[Skills Mastery – Rokushiki: 10%]
[Story Quest Available: Unlocked]
John blinked. 95% Healed… that means I can finally try using them…
Pain lingered, a dull hum across his back, but with careful effort, he experimented. Kami-e allowed him to roll lightly as he sat up; Soru let him move across the room in a blur of motion; Geppo gave him the tiniest hop in the air. Each skill worked, imperfect but alive.
The system remained silent, indifferent, but the numbers and skills told him everything he needed: he was ready for the next step.
John stood slowly, trembling. The hospital room no longer felt like a cage. It was a training ground, a crucible, and soon… a gateway.
Now, he thought, fists clenching. Now I can fight like Lee was always meant to. Now I can break every limit.
Outside, Konoha stirred, oblivious to the quiet awakening of its indomitable young shinobi.
[Next Objective: Story Quest Available – Activate When Ready]