A gentle breeze swept across the training grounds, kicking up clouds of dust.
Rikka looked at his opponent, who was rubbing his arm as he staggered to his feet. Rikka understood the situation perfectly.
He knew all too well that he was full of weaknesses. He had just been transmigrated from a world where he was a law-abiding citizen.
Trying to contend with a ninja who had been trained as a killing machine since childhood was utterly absurd.
What's more, the rewards he'd gotten from his golden-finger system couldn't perfectly solve his current predicament.
Only by playing to his strengths and avoiding his weaknesses could he find a sliver of opportunity in this dire situation.
*Now this is interesting!*
An intense fighting spirit erupted in Rikka's eyes.
"You're pretty good. As the first side character to survive past chapter three, I'll allow you to state your name after you lose."
The response was his opponent's silhouette pouncing like a hungry tiger.
Ordinarily, for two Uchiha boys to be standing here, they would have already received the clan's training and been deemed worthy of becoming ninja.
This duel was merely a formality. Judging by the abilities the two had displayed, they were already qualified.
The reason the instructor hadn't declared the end of the duel was that the Third Hokage had taken over as referee.
He wanted to see just how far these two Uchiha boys could go.
To prevent today's paperwork from piling up, the Third Hokage had even used his Shadow Clone Jutsu, letting the clone handle the documents for him.
Back on the training ground, the two boys had progressed to the taijutsu phase.
After getting a taste of Rikka's power, his opponent had clearly switched to a more agile offensive style.
He nimbly dodged Rikka's attacks while looking for an opportunity to wear him down.
Rikka saw through his opponent's strategy, his heart tightening as he grumbled to himself.
"You really can't underestimate any of these extras. For a Soulslike player, he's being awfully cautious, isn't he?"
It was time to execute his plan.
*First, I'll reveal an opening to bait him into attacking.*
With that in mind, Rikka feigned an empty-handed punch while secretly building up power, ready to react the moment his opponent struck.
But as if he had predicted it, his opponent swiftly pulled back.
"Haha, coward Rikka! Is that all you've got?"
As he spoke, he began forming hand seals with clumsy movements.
"Wait! Those seals are-- Lord Third, please stop him!" a chunin instructor said hurriedly.
But the Third Hokage calmly stopped everyone. He saw no panic on Rikka's face--only an unprecedented level of focus.
*Come, boy of the Uchiha. Show me what you're capable of.*
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" A massive sphere of fire rushed toward Rikka.
"Coward! At this distance, not even a god can save you! Accept your defeat!"
The scorching fireball surged forward, but Rikka just left behind a single, airy sentence.
"See? There's your recovery lag."
The searing flames exploded. When the thick smoke cleared, only a charred log remained on the ground.
The chunin instructor shot to his feet.
"Substitution Jutsu? Impossible! I didn't see him form any hand seals!"
The Third Hokage, however, was stunned for only a second before speaking calmly. "His speed with hand seals is incredible. Watch, the duel is about to end."
Having just unleashed the Great Fireball Jutsu, his opponent, now completely drained of chakra, was also in shock.
"Where is he? Not around, not in the sky… then he must be…"
An immense force dragged the opponent underground, leaving only his head above the surface.
Rikka's figure quietly emerged. He placed a hand on his opponent's head and said flatly:
"Earth Style: Inner Decapitation Jutsu."
"You lose. What's your name, loser?"
Without needing to be told, the chunin instructor stepped forward to make the announcement.
"Uchiha Rikka and Uchiha Takeru are both qualified and accepted."
He then freed Takeru from the earth-style jutsu.
"Now, form the Seal of Reconciliation."
Rikka chuckled.
"The name suits you, Uchiha Takeru. It was a pleasure *not* to meet you. Try not to do that again, 'kay?"
An indignant look crossed Uchiha Takeru's face.
"Rikka, just you wait! I'll make you pay for this!"
Just as Rikka was stepping off the field, a spiky-haired boy pounced on him with lightning speed.
It was Obito.
"Idiot Rikka! What was that all about? Why'd you have to be so cool?"
"Rin is asking me about you now! How could you do this to me!"
Looking at Uchiha Obito, who clearly prized romance over friendship, Rikka was once again speechless.
"Let's go, silly Obito. Time to go home and eat."
The moment the words left his mouth, Rikka froze.
He had lived two lives, and in this one, he was all alone. Where was his home?
Suddenly, an arm draped over Rikka's shoulder.
"I really don't know why Rin's curious about you. A dummy is a dummy, I say."
"Come on, Grandma made us a ton of good food."
"Obito!" Rikka feigned anger, but he couldn't hide the smile at the corner of his mouth.
The two walked off toward the Uchiha clan grounds, arm in arm.
After watching Rikka's duel, the Third Hokage slowly made his way back to the Hokage's office.
"Excellent chakra control, genius-level speed with hand seals, and brilliant tactics… but on the other hand, zero actual combat experience."
"This Uchiha kid is interesting." Thinking this, the Third Hokage raised his left hand slightly.
"Gaku, I want you to investigate Uchiha Rikka's personal file for me."
A light breeze rustled through the room, as if nothing had happened, but Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that the Hokage's personal Anbu was already carrying out his order without question.
As for our protagonist, Rikka, he followed his memories back to his own house after dinner.
He began to take stock of his gains from his first day since transmigrating.
"System, open my personal panel."
Host: Uchiha Rikka
Ninjutsu: Three Basic Jutsu, Great Fireball Jutsu, Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu, Great Waterfall Jutsu, Inner Decapitation Jutsu, Mud Wall, Shadow Clone Jutsu, Telescope Jutsu, Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, Water Formation Wall
Taijutsu: None
Genjutsu: None
Chakra: Micro-Kashi (A fraction of Kakashi's; can only cast one jutsu at full power)
Savings: 10,000 ryo
*You have one reward pending. Please claim it.*
Only then did Rikka remember that he had casually patted Takeru's head.
"Claim!"
*DING!* Head-pat on D-Rank Ninja: Uchiha Takeru. Please choose one of the following rewards:
50,000 ryo
U-shaped neck pillow
"The Big Book of Trash Talk"
He chose the money without hesitation. He knew Takeru wouldn't drop anything good.
After reviewing his progress for the day, Rikka began to plan for the future.
There were still ten days until the Ninja Academy officially began.
*First off, my current weaknesses are taijutsu, chakra reserves, and kunai throwing. Chakra needs to be refined slowly, but I need to start training my taijutsu and kunai skills as soon as possible.*
*I'll go buy new ninja tools and training weights tomorrow and start an intense taijutsu regimen.*
*And I'll have to find that taijutsu partner of mine, or else I'll never be able to stick with it.*
At the same time, in the Uchiha clan grounds…
Takeru was complaining to his parents.
"Dad, Mom, you have to get revenge for me!"
Though Takeru was a troublemaker, he wasn't a liar. He told his parents the entire story from beginning to end.
Takeru's father trembled with rage and roared:
"Who told you to talk to someone like that! You were in the wrong, yet you challenged him. You lost the fight, and now you come crying to your parents? Is that all the character you have?"
"Tomorrow, you will go and apologize to Rikka!…"
It was bound to be a restless night…