The world shimmered faintly as the spar concluded, and before John could even wipe the sweat from his brow, the familiar system prompt blinked into existence before his eyes.
[Battle Complete!]
Rokushiki Mastery: +2%
Stamina: +5
Vitality: +5
Strength: +5
New Feature Unlocked: Combat Analysis
[Ultimate Fighter System – Status Update]
Rokushiki Skills: 12% mastery
Stats: Strength 45, Vitality 44, Stamina 45, Chakra 8, Wisdom 28, Luck 5
Daily Task: Locked
His breath still came ragged, chest rising and falling as he blinked at the floating words. Slowly, his gaze shifted downward to the icon pulsing at the edge of his vision.
Curiosity pricked at him. With a thought, the analysis window unfolded, displaying a strange recording of his fight with Tenten from moments ago.
Combat Analysis Report
Footwork: Unstable. Over-reliance on bursts of speed led to openings.
Stamina Management: Inefficient. Rokushiki techniques drain energy excessively.
Integration: Moves performed in isolation. Taijutsu not yet fully combined with Rokushiki.
Potential: High. Foundation strong, adaptability noted.
John swallowed, eyes narrowing at the blunt critique. It was like having a merciless sensei pointing out every flaw, but also showing him the road forward. He exhaled slowly. Good. I need this. Every edge matters.
But the relief of the reward was short-lived. He felt it, the weight of a gaze boring into him. Looking up, he found Neji Hyūga's pale eyes fixed on him, sharp and unblinking.
"When did you learn this?" Neji's voice was quiet but carried across the yard, cutting into the silence. "You didn't show those moves during the exam, and you couldn't have learned them while lying in a hospital bed."
John's heart skipped. The Byakugan prodigy was no fool. Still, Lee's earnest nature demanded a believable explanation.
"I… began practicing before the exam," John answered carefully, forcing his tone into Lee's confident rhythm. "It came from a sudden inspiration while training. I never mastered it enough to use back then. This was… my first chance to try it."
Tenten stepped in before Neji could retort, adjusting her bandaged arm where his kick had landed. "Whatever the case, those moves weren't just for show. Beside your usual taijutsu, you beat me using those strange techniques. They're… impressive, Lee." Her eyes softened slightly with something between respect and curiosity.
Neji's gaze hardened, the faintest curl of disdain tugging at his lips. "Impressive or not, a failure remains a failure. No matter how many new tricks you stumble upon, it won't change your fate."
The words struck cold, sharp as steel. John felt them dig deeper than he wanted to admit.
But Gai would have none of it. His booming voice shattered the air as he bounded forward, eyes wet with emotion. "NEJI! How dare you call Lee a failure when his flames burn so brilliantly! A true shinobi is not defined by fate, but by their determination to defy it! Lee, my beloved student, you must ignore such cruel words! Continue on your path! Work hard! Sweat, bleed, cry if you must, but never give up!"
John forced a small smile, nodding. "Yes, Gai-sensei."
The scene closed with Gai's fiery encouragement echoing through the training yard, but the weight of Neji's words clung to John like a shadow.
That evening, the silence of his home felt heavier than usual. John sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at the faint glow of the system menus hovering before him.
Daily Task Unlocked: Routine of Youth
Morning Run: 15 km
Push-ups: 1000
Sit-ups: 1000
Kicks: 1000
Squats: 1000
Reward: +0.5 to all physical stats
He let out a low whistle. "So it's really pushing me to live Lee's life. Fine. Guess there's no easy route here."
His eyes drifted shut, thoughts racing. Rokushiki mastery creeping upward. Combat Analysis dissecting every move. A grind, but one that promised growth.
And beyond it… the future.
His memories of Naruto's story were patchy, blurred by time. He remembered the big moments: Orochimaru's attack on the village. The invasion during the Chūnin Exams. Konoha's crushing loss. The Third's death. Jiraiya bringing back Tsunade. Sasuke's descent. Pain's attack. The Fourth Shinobi War. But so many details slipped through his grasp, little cracks in the narrative where his certainty failed him.
It was enough to keep him awake.
"If I can't recall everything," he muttered, staring at the ceiling, "then I need to prepare for the worst. Assume the timeline holds… and be strong enough to survive, no matter what changes."
His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms. "I won't let Lee's dream end in failure. Not this time."
The night settled, but John's resolve burned hotter than ever. Tomorrow, the grind would begin anew.