Chapter 2: Guess What Happened?
As Mikami Yuu made his choice,
The text box began to change:
"Sorry, Transformation Jutsu. I was too clumsy last time. I'll definitely work harder this time."
[Transformation Jutsu: Hmph, good that you know! But… since you're being this sincere, I'll cooperate with you a little more during practice this time!]
The dialogue box disappeared.
Mikami Yuu waited for a moment, then tapped on [Practice] again. Nothing seemed to change.
"What does that mean… Do I have to practice on my own?"
He scratched his head.
He had rested enough by now anyway, so with a try-it-and-see mindset, he stood up and walked to a corner of the training field. Bringing his hands together, he formed hand seals and began circulating the chakra within his body.
The Three Basic Techniques were the most fundamental of all ninjutsu.
But fundamental did not mean simple.
Take the Transformation Jutsu, for example; different people could produce vastly different results. Some could transform so realistically that it was nearly flawless, while others would be exposed at a glance. Then there were creative types like Naruto, who practically turned the Transformation Jutsu into a divine skill; he even hard-stunned Kaguya Ōtsutsuki for a full second.
As a civilian-born student, Mikami Yuu's chakra reserves and control were both average at best. His mastery of the Three Basic Techniques was the same.
Now—
As he focused his mind and guided the flow of chakra, a puff of white smoke burst forth. In an instant, he transformed into a young Kakashi, complete with the broom-like silver hair and black face mask, perfectly replicated.
"Huh?"
This transformation…
felt much smoother than before?
Mikami Yuu narrowed his eyes, recalling the sensation just now. Then he formed hand seals again, this time transforming into Might Guy.
Once again, it was vivid and lifelike.
[Your practice catches the eye of the Transformation Jutsu. She notices your improvement and speaks up to praise you.]
[Transformation Jutsu: Wow, this one's much better! You even copied their temperament! Not bad, not bad. Little Yuu is improving!]
[A: It's all thanks to your help. Thank you, Transformation Jutsu!]
[B: Of course! I'm a genius, y'know! Don't underestimate me!]
[C: (Silent, simply gazing at her with focus.)]
"…A."
[Transformation Jutsu Affection +1]
Oh?
There's potential here.
Mikami Yuu nodded slightly. Just as he was about to keep going and see what happened when affection increased further, another dialogue box suddenly popped up:
[Clone Jutsu: Sis, why are you wasting your breath on him? He's just an utterly mediocre loser. Who knows, maybe he'll die pointlessly on the battlefield one day.]
[Clone Jutsu: Besides, these ninja are only enthusiastic when they first meet us. Before long, they all get tempted away by stronger, flashier ninjutsu. Their sweet words are nothing but empty flattery.]
"…?"
Excuse me?
Who are you calling a loser?
Mikami Yuu waited to see how the Transformation Jutsu would respond.
Nothing came.
But since he had already started training, he couldn't just quit halfway. After steadying his chakra flow, he used the Transformation Jutsu again, this time turning into one of the Academy instructors.
He maintained it for half a minute. Release. Then transform again.
And again.
And again.
…
As mentioned earlier, Mikami Yuu's chakra reserves weren't large.
Not even a full "Kakashi unit"—more like a "Kurenai unit."
Yes, that Yūhi Kurenai.
Although she ranked last in chakra reserves among the four Jonin team leaders during Naruto's generation, she still came from a ninja clan. Compared to an ordinary civilian, she was undoubtedly stronger. As for Guy—he didn't lack chakra; he lacked talent for ninjutsu. In fact, his total chakra reserves were quite astonishing.
"Haa…"
After using the Transformation Jutsu seven or eight times in succession,
The chakra he had refined earlier was nearly exhausted.
Adjusting his breathing, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. His undershirt was soaked and clinging to his back, and his silver-white hair hung damp over his brow. His well-shaped face now carried a trace of exhaustion.
"Rest a bit… then keep going!"
He sat down at the edge of the field and glanced toward the distance. That green-clad figure, resembling a lively green frog, was still running lap after lap as if he would never tire.
See? Another monster.
Though Might Guy was also civilian-born, his steel-like physique, durable and absurdly resilient, was something Mikami Yuu simply couldn't compare to.
Sure, children in the ninja world supposedly had 130 trillion cells in their bodies like normal humans. But if everyone trained with this kind of self-destructive intensity, half of them would probably die before graduating from the Academy.
But look at Guy.
Guess what?
These 1,000 laps were merely his daily appetizer. After finishing, he'd head to the back mountain to continue with push-ups, straight punches, and kicks.
After resting for more than ten minutes,
Mikami Yuu stood up once more and resumed practicing the Transformation Jutsu.
This repeated three times.
By the third complete depletion of chakra, he was utterly drained. Leaning against the wall, he gasped for breath, his entire body drenched as though he had just been pulled from water. He could barely stand steady.
At that moment, the long-absent text box appeared again:
[Seeing you train to the point of exhaustion, the Transformation Jutsu, who had been watching for some time, finally speaks to stop you. She says that the path of training cannot be rushed—only by balancing work and rest can one go far.]
[Transformation Jutsu: That's enough, Little Yuu. You've worked very hard today. No need to keep going. Get some proper rest, or you'll be sore all over tomorrow.]
[Transformation Jutsu Affection +4]
[Transformation Jutsu (Current Affinity: 15/100 – Stranger)]
Only four points…
That's a bit stingy.
Still, considering he had just unlocked the system, Mikami Yuu wasn't expecting to become best friends overnight. He silently replayed the sensations from his training.
Then, another line of text appeared:
[The Substitution Jutsu observed your entire training session from outside the field. She feels gratified by your effort, but due to her personality, she does not approach you and simply leaves quietly.]
[Substitution Jutsu Affection +2]
"…Hm?"
An unexpected gain?
But why the Substitution Jutsu and not the Clone Jutsu, who just interrupted earlier?
While Mikami Yuu was pondering this,
On the other side, Might Guy had already finished his 1,000 laps and returned to the field, panting slightly.
"Yuu! How's your recovery? Want to join me at the training ground for 1,000 push-ups? If we can't finish those, then 2,000 straight punches!"
"…First of all, just call me Yuu. Don't add the extra flair."
Mikami Yuu corrected him.
Honestly, ever since arriving in this world, he had always found his name a bit strange. Unfortunately, his father in this lifetime had given it to him. Having been called that since childhood, he had no choice but to go along with it.
"Second, you go ahead. I'm exhausted today. I need to head back early and rest."
"Alright."
Might Guy nodded, looking at Mikami Yuu, who was drenched in sweat.
"You're indeed very tired. You should go rest. Then I'll complete those push-ups in your place! If I can't finish 2,000 push-ups, then I'll do 4,000 straight punches!"
"…"
Mikami Yuu raised a thumb.
Guy immediately returned the gesture, flashing a brilliant white-toothed grin.
"Thanks for the encouragement, Yuu! You're amazing too!"
End of Chapter