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Chapter 2 – Awakening Potential
Uchiha Tatsumi glared at the system panel in frustration.
"This is ridiculous… My Taijutsu, Chakra, Shuriken, and Hand Seal are only at Level 2. That's barely the standard of an Academy student. Everything else is still Level 0."
He gritted his teeth.
"System, don't hide my true strength. At this rate, becoming a Genin feels like it will take forever."
> "Host, this is your true strength," the system replied calmly.
Tatsumi's lips curled into a bitter smile. He understood immediately. The system monitored thirteen attributes — the most standard indicators for a ninja's talent. Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, elemental affinities, and chakra levels — all were there, untouched and honest.
In the past few years, Tatsumi had only practiced chakra extraction, basic Taijutsu, hand seals, and shuriken. At his young age, he had no guidance, no mentor to accelerate his growth. Even with two years of training, he had only reached the standard level of an Academy student.
Among his peers, his overall strength was respectable — but just barely. Nothing extraordinary.
Tatsumi couldn't help but think of Kakashi: graduating from the Academy at five and becoming a Chunin at six. Exceptional talent paired with proper instruction made all the difference. Without guidance, even a naturally gifted child could stagnate.
The Uchiha Clan, proud and strict, nurtured many of its children carefully. But for Tatsumi… he had been quietly left out. Perhaps because his father, Uchiha Kagami, had been a disciple of the Second Hokage — a man whose vision exceeded the narrow confines of the clan. Those like Kagami rarely received the clan's full acceptance.
So Tatsumi had relied on the scrolls his father had left behind. But no matter how much he studied, it wasn't enough to call him a genius. Compared with children trained rigorously under the clan's guidance, he was ordinary at best.
"Is talent not hereditary?" he muttered, frustration flaring.
Tatsumi knew he would have to be merciless with himself. He couldn't rely on his name alone. Being "the father of Shisui" meant nothing if he couldn't back it up with power.
He resolved to make himself noticed at the Academy. To be assigned a capable Jonin teacher after graduation, he would need to demonstrate innate talent — no one would favor a child who seemed average.
Konoha cultivated two types of people: the future of the village, or cannon fodder. In the coming Second Shinobi World War, those left unnoticed would die without ceremony on the battlefield.
None of this could be allowed to happen to him.
Tatsumi's current goal was simple: become stronger.
He understood the system's pattern now. Ninja points increased through effort, regardless of immediate results. He imagined pouring 2000 points into each attribute — the thought made his eyes sparkle.
Impossible!
He checked his ninja points again.
Zero.
"What?! This must be a mistake!"
> "Host, what's the matter?" the system asked.
"Where are my 2000 points?" Tatsumi ground his teeth.
> "2000 points were used to unlock the panel."
He clenched his fists. "I had to spend points just to see the panel?!"
> "Correct. You now have 1 ninja point added as a reward for unlocking the panel."
Tatsumi exhaled. Not enough. He pressed further.
"Do I have any newbie packages?"
> "Yes," the system replied.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
> "You didn't ask."
Tatsumi scowled. Fine. I'll wait until I'm peerless, then toss this system aside.
> "Host opens the panel, completes the novice mission, and receives a Newbie Gift Package. Good luck."
Mechanical sounds signaled the arrival of a new item: Newbie Pack.
"Let's see what you've got!" Tatsumi growled and activated it.
> "Newbie package successfully opened. Congratulations, host. You have received an 1888-point rebate."
He blinked. "Wait… I spent 2000 points and only got 1888 back?"
> "Yes. These points were originally yours."
Tatsumi buried his face in his hands. This system… always a step ahead in teasing me.
Regardless, he redeemed the 1888 points and added 1,000 to his Taijutsu.
Taijutsu – Level 3 (2000)
> "Congratulations. Host's Taijutsu has been upgraded to Level 3. Speed, endurance, strength, and understanding in Taijutsu have greatly improved."
Tatsumi grinned. Finally, I'm at the level of a top Academy student.
He would sign up for the Academy tomorrow. Even at five years old, with limited chakra, Taijutsu and shuriken mastery could make a huge difference.
After adding points, Tatsumi felt his body light and agile — capable of running two hundred laps without breaking a sweat. He even noticed his Taijutsu movements had become intuitive, almost instinctive.
He tested his strength further, focusing chakra into his legs. Instantly, he moved, leaving behind a faint afterimage — faster and farther than ever before.
"This… is amazing!"
He stopped abruptly as he ran into a sturdy elm table.
Bang!
The table shattered beneath him. Tatsumi stumbled to the ground, clutching his legs.
"Ow… maybe I went a bit too far…"
Even so, with his sharp black hair and the flawless Uchiha uniform, he looked every bit the part of a prodigious young ninja.
For the first time in his life, Tatsumi truly felt his strength growing.
This is only the beginning.
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