[Settlement in progress...]
[Settlement complete.]
[Dimensional Points acquired: 500]
[Significant fate alteration detected: Naruto Uzumaki]
[Host rewards calculated:]
[- Naruto Uzumaki's complete Chakra reserves (Wind affinity)]
[- Uzumaki Bloodline]
[- Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu]
[- Rasengan (all variations: Standard, Great Ball, Super Great Ball, Rasenshuriken, Tailed Beast Rasengan)]
[Note: Tailed Beast power incomplete - Tailed Beast Rasengan currently unusable]
[First dimensional channel opening - accelerated settlement. Time flow ratio will gradually synchronize with primary world. Future settlements will require extended periods.]
[Additional functions available for exploration.]
"YES!"
Eugene jumped up from his couch, pumping his fist in the air. A grin split his face from ear to ear.
"Jackpot! That's basically everything Naruto is known for except for Kurama!!"
His plan had worked perfectly. After choosing Naruto as his target, he had used the Cube's abilities to create what he called the "Clone Stream"—a duplicate of Naruto in the Pirate World that could share abilities with the original. Then he had subtly influenced Kaido's trajectory, making sure the King of Beasts "accidentally" landed right where Naruto would be.
The rest had been out of his control but the result was fantastic. Two powerhouses meeting, one becoming the other's teacher and Naruto's fate changing dramatically enough to generate massive energy returns.
Warm energy surged through Eugene's body, spreading from his core to every limb. It felt amazing—euphoric, even. Knowledge flooded his mind: hand signs, chakra control, every variation of the Rasengan as if he'd trained them for years.
At the same time, something new formed inside him. Chakra began flowing through newly created pathways throughout his body, establishing a network that settled into place like it had always been there.
Eugene stretched, and his bones cracked in a satisfying way. He could feel the difference. The Uzumaki bloodline's immense vitality was already affecting him—his body felt stronger, denser, more resilient. His recovery ability had skyrocketed.
"Okay, okay, that's incredible," Eugene muttered, rolling his shoulders and testing his new strength. "But now let's see what else this baby can do."
He focused on the Dimensional Cube interface. "Cube, what are Dimensional Points for?"
[Dimensional Points function as currency within the system. Points may be expended to fulfill designated requests within system parameters. Greater expenditures enable more significant alterations. Specificity in requests increases efficiency and reduces waste. Further mechanics available for host exploration.]
Eugene scratched his head. The Cube's explanation was clinical as always. Then his eyes lit up. "Oh! I think I get it!"
An idea had struck him—something he'd read in countless web novels from his previous life. If the system could grant abilities from altered fates, it should also grant abilities from the same worlds directly?
"Cube, exchange for Naruto World's Transformation Jutsu!"
[Request acknowledged. Processing...]
[Exchange complete. 20 Dimensional Points deducted.]
[Remaining balance: 480 Points]
"Ha! I knew it!" Eugene laughed. "Alright, let's keep going. Exchange for Genin-level taijutsu!"
[Exchange complete. 50 Dimensional Points deducted.]
[Remaining balance: 430 Points]
"Exchange for a complete shinobi weapon set!"
[Exchange complete. 2 Dimensional Points deducted.]
[Remaining balance: 428 Points]
He paused, centering himself to examine the new knowledge. The exchanged jutsu came with maxed-out proficiency—he could perform the Transformation Jutsu with or without hand signs. The taijutsu training flooded his muscles with memory, combat instincts settling into his body like he'd practiced them for years. And in his inventory, a full set of kunai, shuriken, and other ninja tools had materialized.
So the exchange works on a sliding scale, Eugene thought. Experience cost more than techniques, which cost more than items. I'll need to budget carefully and plan out what I really need.
He also had another idea—something he wanted to test, but it would require the right subject. For now, he'd save those points.
Finally, he checked the time differential. From activating the Dimensional Cube to settlement completion, only an hour had passed in his world. But in the One Piece world, an entire year had elapsed.
A ratio of 1:8760.
"That means the time flow will slowly decrease and synchronize," Eugene murmured. "I wonder how slow 'slowly' actually is. Guess I'll find out."
Zzzzzzz!
A faint electrical hum cut through his thoughts.
The lights flickered once, twice, then died completely. Darkness swallowed the apartment.
Eugene's body tensed immediately. A kunai materializing in his hand—it felt quite natural in his hand, like he had used it for years.
He moved silently to the window and carefully pulled back the curtain just enough to peek outside.
In the darkness below, several blurry figures moved along the wall with practiced efficiency. They avoided the security cameras with expert precision.
A smile spread across Eugene's face.
"Well, well. Looks like dear Richard couldn't wait any longer." His voice was barely a whisper. "Good. Neither could I."
A gentleman's revenge is best served hot.
Bang!
The sound of his back door being forced open echoed through the apartment.
Heavy footsteps followed—multiple sets, not even trying to be quiet anymore. They were heading straight for his bedroom.
Eugene moved quickly and silently. His hands flowed through the signs for Transformation Jutsu almost automatically.
Poof!
A small cloud of smoke, and Eugene's form shifted into a large decorative statue, perfectly mimicking the cheap art piece that sat in the corner of his room.
He held perfectly still, barely breathing, as his bedroom door was violently kicked open.
Five figures entered, all dressed in tactical gear. Four of them carried suppressed pistols and knifes. The fifth, leading them, was unarmed. It was the scarred man. Marcus. Richard's right hand.
Eugene recognized him immediately from the office confrontation.
Marcus scanned the bedroom, his expression darkening. He grabbed one of his men by the collar and pulled him close.
"Where the fuck is he? You said thermal imaging showed the kid in this room!"
"Boss, I swear, he was here two minutes ago!" The man's voice was nervous. "Thermal's still showing a heat signature—he can't have gone far. Must be hiding somewhere in here."
"He better be." Marcus released him roughly. "Search everything. Tear this place apart if you have to."
The four armed men spread out, checking under the bed, in the closet, behind furniture. Their movements were methodical, professional.
Eugene watched from his corner, transformed into the statue, tracking each man's position.
Four with guns, one unarmed. Take out the guns first—can't risk them getting shots off even with suppressors. Then deal with the leader.
As one of the men passed close to his position, back turned while checking the bathroom, Eugene made his move.
The transformation released silently. Eugene materialized behind the man, hands moving with the precision of his new taijutsu experience. One hand covered the man's mouth while the other grabbed his head and twisted sharply.
Crack!
The sound of the neck snapping was drowned out by the noise of the others still searching.
One down.
Eugene lowered the body silently to the floor and immediately moved. Another man was crouched down, looking under the bed, completely exposed.
He crossed the distance in two silent steps and drew the kunai across the man's throat in one fluid motion.
The man gasped wetly, hands going to his neck, but Eugene was already moving away.
Two down.
"Hey, Marcus, I can't find—"
The third man turned just in time to see Eugene's fist coming at his face. The punch, enhanced by chakra and his new physical strength, caught him square in the temple. The man dropped like a puppet with cut strings.
Three down.
Whoosh!
Eugene's enhanced reflexes—courtesy of his new experience and the Uzumaki bloodline—screamed danger. He twisted sideways as a knife whistled past his head, embedding itself in the wall behind him.
Marcus stood near the doorway, another knife already in his hand. The other armed man had his suppressed pistol raised, aiming at Eugene.
"Well, well." Eugene straightened up, a smile on his face despite his racing heart. "Gentlemen, visiting so late at night? You really should have called ahead. I could've prepared snacks."
"It seems we all underestimated you, Eugene miller!"
Marcus's expression was flat, completely unbothered by his dead subordinates. "Boss still hopes Mr. Miller will sign that agreement. Of course, your corpse pressing the fingerprint works just as well."
Although Eugene was already sure, he still asked the one question he had for them.
"Were my parents killed by you?" His voice came out surprisingly calm despite the rage burning in his chest.
Marcus smiled cruelly. "Haha! I'll send you down to ask them yourself. How about that?"
"Shoot him!" Marcus barked.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Eugene moved before the man finished pulling the trigger. His taijutsu training made it look effortless—he was simply faster. He closed the distance as bullets hit where he'd been standing.
The armed man's eyes widened. Eugene's palm strike hit his wrist, sending the gun flying. A knee to the gut doubled him over. An elbow to the back of his head sent him crashing down.
Four down.
"What the—" Marcus threw his knife. Eugene deflected it with a kunai, then rushed forward.
Marcus was good—decades of experience showed in every move. His knife work was professional, his footwork solid. In a fair fight a week ago, he probably would've killed Eugene without breaking a sweat.
But Eugene wasn't the same person from a week ago. Hell, he wasn't even the same person from an hour ago.
Enhanced by chakra, Uzumaki vitality, and combat instincts that felt as natural as breathing, Eugene moved like water. Every attack Marcus threw, Eugene either dodged or deflected. Every opening Marcus created, Eugene exploited.
Their weapons clashed once, twice, three times. Marcus tried to create distance, to pull his backup gun.
Eugene didn't let him. A spinning kick sent the pistol skittering across the floor. A punch to the ribs cracked bone. Another to the jaw snapped Marcus's head back, blood spraying from his lips.
Marcus stumbled, his professional composure finally cracking.
While Eugene could have finished him easily he didn't want to. He wanted the man to feel powerless to save his own life.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Three copies of Eugene appeared.
"What the fuck?!" Marcus backed away. "Cloning abilities?!"
"You're... you're a mutant!" His voice came out raspy. "A mutant this young, with these abilities... you're worth a fortune! Richard doesn't even know what he's got!"
The clones attacked from three sides. Marcus managed to disperse one with his knife, but the other two grappled him, holding him in place.
Eugene walked forward slowly, chakra gathering in his hand.
"This is for my parents."
"Wait—" Marcus's eyes went wide with terror. "I can tell you where Richard—"
Eugene drove his hand into Marcus's torso. Marcus flew backward, smashing into the wall. He slid down, leaving a bloody smear, a massive wound torn open in his chest.
"Guh..." Blood poured from his mouth. "What... what kind of mutant...?"
Eugene pulled out Marcus's phone, dialed 911, but didn't press send. He held it in front of Marcus's face.
"Last question. Richard Johnson. Where is he?"
Marcus looked at the phone. Struggle flashed in his eyes, then faded.
"He's... pharmaceutical building... top floor... always works late..."
Eugene nodded, then turned and walked away.
Relief flashed in Marcus's eyes. His trembling hand reached for the phone on the floor.
Thunk!
A kunai shattered the phone, pinning it down.
Marcus looked up. "You... you said..."
Eugene glanced back, expression cold. "I never said I'd let you go. You killed my parents. Did you really think I'd save you?"
He walked out without looking back. "Besides, even if I promised—you wouldn't have kept your word either."