It's here! The golden finger every transmigrator dreams of has arrived!
Chiren was thrilled, looking at Kushina in his arms, her face as red as a ripe tomato, eyes closed in shyness.
He instinctively reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek.
Kushina, you're my lucky star!
Kushina's eyes snapped open, and she scrambled out of his embrace.
Her face flushed, she glared at Chiren, half-shy, half-annoyed. "You… you! The whole class is watching! They say you're aloof, but you… you touched my face!"
Her mind was a mess: This morning, he stood up for me; at noon, he shared his food; and now, he… he touched my face!
Does he like me?!
"Chiren, how could you… without my permission…"
Her voice trailed off, but before she could finish, the teacher called dismissal.
Looking up, she saw her classmates scattering. School was over.
And the fastest to leave? Chiren himself!
As if nothing happened, he headed straight for the school gate.
Damn it, is this what Tsunade-nee meant by playing hard to get?
Fine, I'll catch up and get answers!
Meanwhile, Chiren was walking home, checking his system panel:
Name: Uchiha Chiren
Age: 6
Physique: 6
Spirit: 6
Chakra: 4
Bloodline Limit: None
Ninjutsu: Three Basic Jutsu
Other: Chakra Nature: Fire
His attention locked onto the three flickering options.
The system offered no descriptions for "Chakra Amount +1," "Physique +1," or "Uzumaki Clan Constitution." Which was best?
Chakra could be built through training, and Physique +1 seemed less impactful than the last option.
The Uzumaki Clan Constitution was the clear winner—a top-tier vitality talent in the Naruto world!
Choosing it, a cool yet warm surge coursed through his body.
The fatigue and soreness from nights of training vanished, as if every cell had awakened.
Checking the panel again, his stats had improved:
Name: Uchiha Chiren
Physique: 7
Chakra: 8
Other: Uzumaki Clan Constitution, Chakra capacity increased by 100%, strong vitality, small wounds heal quickly (Primary Physique).
Chiren clenched his fists, feeling raw power surge through him.
His muscles felt rewoven, his bones denser. So strong! A single +1 to Physique matched months of training, boosting speed, strength, and recovery!
If he weren't on the road, he'd let out an Uchiha cackle!
At this rate, punching Sarutobi Hiruzen and kicking Shimura Danzo was within reach!
Without the system, he'd considered going rogue. But now?
Restoring the Uchiha's glory is my duty!
It was a pity the system only triggered once daily. He'd need excuses to spar with Kushina often.
"Chiren, why are you walking so fast?!" Kushina's breathless voice called from behind.
Chiren slowed, letting her catch up.
"What's up?" he asked, curious.
Kushina, panting, walked beside him and rolled her eyes.
Hmph, still pretending! Playing hard to get! He touched my face, and only family's done that!
"I want the truth!" she said, lifting her chin arrogantly, though her sneaky glances betrayed her nerves.
Chiren saw her expression and knew she was overthinking. Was this Kushina different from the original story? Maybe her age?
Girls here were precocious, and the Uchiha's handsome face didn't help. If he looked like Danzo, he'd have been mobbed by now.
"Mainly because you're cute, Kushina. Your face is red like a tomato—sour, sweet, juicy, and tasty."
"You're the tomato!" Kushina snapped, but the word "cute" made her heart flutter, forgetting the earlier "tomato" taunts.
"Speaking of tomatoes," Chiren said, as if struck by inspiration, "let's make scrambled eggs with tomatoes for lunch tomorrow. Sweet and sour, perfect for hot days."
"Then… I want some too!" Kushina blurted out.
She couldn't face Tsunade-nee's "dark cuisine" again.
Chiren nodded. "Fine, but no free lunch. Minato copies my notes for a day if he wants my bento."
"No problem! Even if I can't beat you, I can copy notes!"
Chiren shook his head. With Kushina's personality, her notes would be a mess. "No, you do something else."
"Something… else?" Kushina's mind crashed, shoujo manga scenes flooding her thoughts. Kisses? Hugs? We just met! Even if I—no, he—likes me, it's too fast! Konoha's wild!
"Okay, but only once…" she mumbled, dazed.
Chiren poked her forehead. "What 'only once'? I want you to spar with me daily."
"Huh?" Kushina's eyes opened, filled with confusion and a hint of disappointment. "Sparring? There's a huge gap between us. I couldn't even see you move today."
Chiren turned serious. "That's why we spar—to train. Don't you want to be Hokage? Brute strength isn't enough. Your punches have power but no technique. I'll guide you. Deal?"
Kushina's eyes lit up. I misunderstood! He's not a bad boy—he's been thinking of me!
Chiren's such a good guy!
"Okay, Chiren-kun, I'll rely on your guidance!" she said excitedly.
They chatted casually, soon reaching the Uchiha Compound.
Chiren turned. "Kushina, do you live in the Uchiha Compound?"
"Huh?" Kushina stared at the giant Uchiha fan crest, dumbfounded. How had she followed him here in a daze?
Tsunade-nee had told her not to wander, and now she couldn't find her way home.
"Um… Chiren…" Kushina bit her lip, dropping her earlier bravado. "Can you… take me home? I think I'm lost."
Chiren shook his head helplessly.
"I really can't do anything with you."