Dennis Spiral-flame 55, this bonus release early is for you. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

  ~~~POV: Fuyuki Uchiha~~~

  The amazing smell of cooked, hot, and fresh food awakens me from my sleep. I look around the bunk room, and other orphans are starting to get up from their beds. Making a quick exit to the door. Yuuto looks at me over his shoulder as he’s the last one out.

  His eyes squinting slightly as he does. I don’t know what’s on his mind, but I’m sure it has something to do with the freedom Aiko has given me recently. I'll be following up on all the training I did yesterday. It was important I unlocked Taijutsu, a Chakra Control Exercise, and Shurikenjutsu.

  All I need to do to finish and complete the ‘Get ahead of your peers’ quest is to make my Shurikenjutsu level 50 and learn 1 E-rank Ninjutsu. Those are my objectives today. I don’t know how long it’ll take to train my Shurikenjutsu to level 50, but Prodigy Boost will make it much easier.

  ‘It’s time I got out of bed and went downstairs for breakfast. Before I begin training today, I must ask Aiko for shurikens and kunai. Without them, I can’t train my Shurikenjutsu at all. One thing I’m definitely looking forward to is learning my first Ninjutsu.’

  I moved downstairs, and the large table was full of little kids. They’re smiling happily as Aiko places food on individual plates. She has a motherly smile on her lips as she does this. I can’t help the half grin on my lips as I watch this.

  It doesn’t take me long to find a seat.

  Around an hour passes as we all eat and fill our stomachs. Soon, the rest of the kids are off doing their own thing, and I begin my regular duty of helping Aiko with the dishes. Luckily for her and me, my Dishwashing skill is maxed out after all the dishes I’ve helped clean the last couple of weeks.

  We stand next to each other. Sadly, I need a stool to help me reach the sink. I’m still not tall enough to do it alone, and I won’t be for a while.

  “The academy is around 11 months away… I know you plan to go, but you don’t need to train yourself so hard. You’ve already proven that you’re serious about being a Shinobi. How about having some fun today instead of training?”

  The motherly concern in Aiko’s voice doesn’t slip past me. When I first started training under her instructions, I believed she doubted that I’d be able to do it. But I’ve proved her wrong at every corner, and I’m advancing at a rate Aiko hasn’t seen before.

  “No, today I’m starting my Shurikenjutsu training.”

  She stiffens her body with a jolt at my words and stops washing the plate that’s in her hand. After a second, she gently places it inside the sink. Her long, dark hair frames her face, and bangs hang over her eyes. Obscuring them from sight and what might be visible to someone looking at her.

  ‘Aiko is a real adult to me. Someone who’s lived longer than me in my old life and in this one. That reaction has to be from all the stuff she’s been through. She may be a trained Shinobi, but it’s not like she’s a robot either.’

  I don’t say anything at first.

  Just wait until she looks at me.

  Her eyes look into mine with concern but not overbearing. I see great worry but the control not to interfere. Aiko is a mother to all of us here. I can only imagine how good she’d be to a child she gave birth to.

  My hands are now empty as I place the plate in the dish drainer, and breaking eye contact with her as I do so. I don’t know what else I’m supposed to say here. Again, I’m a kid, and I’ve already pushed my luck with how smart I sound.

  “I know that you’re progressing fast, Fuyu… But are you really starting on Shurikenjutsu?”

  The genuine worry in Aiko’s eyes doesn’t slide off me. She cares for me more than anyone else in this world does. Even now, seeing this side of her, I can’t stop my training. When my potential is as limitless as I think it is, the only time I should take a break is when I need it.

  Not when I want a break or see someone who cares about me worried. That’ll be my death in the end. I stop looking at her for a second, taking on a thinking look. Only to look at her back in the eyes.

  “Shurikenjutsu is one of the foundational skills of a Shinobi, and I’ve reached the point where I need to take my training to the next level. If you have any shurikens, I’ll take them. But even if you don’t give me any. I’ll find them somewhere else.”

  The determination in my childish voice doesn’t do me any favors. My declaration causes Aiko to look away from me for a second, and she closes her eyes. Taking in a breath and releasing a short sigh.

  “I’ll give you my old kunai and shurikens from my days as a Shinobi. They’re not in the best shape, but they’ll do the job. Just promise you’ll be careful; you can really hurt yourself if you’re not careful.”

  There is an edge to the concern in her voice. Warning me that if I come back hurt or cut, there will be a price to pay. I nod my head with a nervous gulp, and she smiles while losing the sharp gaze she once held. There isn’t a reason for me to be at the orphanage any longer today.

  Time to get those kunai and shurikens and get to work. Once I level the skill to 50, I’ll open that Ninjutsu book and learn an E-rank Ninjutsu.

  ~~~POV: Aiko Hikara~~~

  He’s already been gone for a few hours, and it’s getting closer to lunch. He missed it yesterday and has missed every meal except for breakfast since his training began. Everyone would call me a bad caretaker for letting a kid like Fuyuki skip meals, but it’s not like I’m seeing any signs of malnutrition.

  ‘That kid is gonna be the death of me… How can he skip meals, train all day, and work himself to exhaustion? Just to do it the next day with no ill side effects or repercussions. He has the body of a child but the stamina and recuperative powers of seasoned Shinobi.’

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  I know that he’s a Uchiha, and they’re all impressive. But I’ve never seen or heard about a child that can do what Fuyuki does…

  ‘If I don’t let him train, he’ll just find other ways to do it without my permission or supervision. At least I know what he’s up to and doing every day.’

  If only his mother could see him… She’d teach him everything and go everywhere with him… She was one of the most impressive Kunoichi I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with.

  ‘I hope the day never comes he awakens those accursed eyes… The Mangekyo Sharingan is the most impressive ocular power I’ve ever seen or learned about. If Fuyu ends up awakening it at some point in his life, that’ll mean…’

  All I can do is hope he never has to go through something like that. His mother awakened hers in the third Shinobi world war. If that’s what it takes to awaken the Mangekyo, Fuyuki is safe for now. Lord Third is a peace-seeking man who cherishes Konoha's youth.

  ~~~POV: Fuyuki Uchiha~~~

  My arms and hands ache as I walk back to the tree. Pulling the kunai and shurikens from its bark. I’ve been at this for almost seven hours now. And with it, my Shurikenjutsu is nearly maxed out. Once I retrieve the kunai and shurikens, I return to my spot and throw them again.

  Several perfect thunks against the bark fill the air for a split second. Wanting to try something more interesting, I take the remaining kunai and throw them in a cone toward the trunk. I pull out the remaining shuriken and throw those, using them to redirect the kunai and hit the tree.

  All the while, I’m still getting the shuriken to hit the targets, too. It’s become so easy to aim and control them. And with that little show, I max out my Shurikenjutsu.

  Shurikenjutsu - Active (Lvl. MAX): The skill to use shuriken or kunai, usually as projectile weapons.

  Effects: +200% Increase in Accuracy.

  +200% Increase in damage dealt.

  You have maxed out this skill!

  +10,000 EXP.

  You’ve leveled up 3x times.

  You’ve obtained 21 stat points.

  You have 235 unspent stat points.

  I stare at the skill as I gently place the kunai and shuriken in the pouch Aiko gave me to carry them. I still have around three hours until it’s time to go home, and it’s time that I opened that Ninjutsu book and tried one of those E-ranks.

  Learning an E-rank Ninjutsu is my only objective left before I complete ‘Get ahead of your peers’ and unlock the follow-up quest.

  Instead of rushing this, I sit under the tree and pull out the Ninjutsu book. Looking through the pages until I find something that actually interests me and is easy enough to do.

  ‘I don’t know much about the world of Naruto or the things held within it. I haven’t watched a lot of anime. Mostly just the awesome fights. Now, I’m walking in the dark regarding stuff like this.’

  My eyes land on the Clone Technique. The book I’m reading says that all academy students must master this jutsu to graduate from the academy. It’s probably best if I get a handle on it now. I spend the next 30 minutes reading everything about it in the book.

  You have understood the basics of the Clone Technique and thus gained [Clone Technique].

  Would you like to learn this skill?

  ‘You don’t need to ask me about this. Give it!’

  Clone Technique - Active (Lvl. 1 (1%)): The most basic clone jutsu a Konoha Shinobi uses. It allows you to create after-images without substance, and they can’t attack opponents. Usually used for distracting enemies.

  Effects: Creates after-images of the castor.

  CP Cost: 14/sec.

  As the Ninjutsu is added to my skill list, it only comes in second to what’s important right now. I'm given the rewards as I complete this final step in the quest.

  ‘Get ahead of your peers.’ COMPLETED!

  Prove to Aiko Hikara that you have what it takes to become a powerful Shinobi. Convince her to start training you within the month. And then train hard and prepare for the academy.

  Rewards:

  15000 Exp

  +5 Levels

  +5 To all awakened stat points

  +3 Lvls. to all Skills

  +24 Stat Points

  Rep increases with everyone

  Rep massively increases with Aiko Hikara

  New Title: Once in a Generation Genius

  Special Reward: Sharingan Advancement Ticket.

  You’ve leveled up 9x Times.

  You’ve obtained 28 stat points.

  You have 287 unspent stat points.

  ‘Path to the Peak’ quest is now unlocked and ready to be viewed in the Quests tab.

  All I can do is stare as the changes pour through. Goosebumps form on my skin as I feel a change. Something about this boost in power is tangible.

  I first notice two new skills since my intelligence and wisdom have passed 50 in stat points.

  Enhanced Intelligence - Passive (Upgradable at 100 Intelligence): A skill obtained by increasing your inherent intellect with knowledge and bringing your mind to an advanced level. Increases the user’s ability to learn Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu.

  Effects: +100% increase in all EXP gains toward Ninjutsu skills.

  +100% increase in all EXP gains toward Taijutsu skills.

  +100% increase in all EXP gains toward Genjutsu skills.

  Enhanced Wisdom - Passive (Upgradable at 100 Wisdom): A skill obtained by increasing your rational decision-making and reasoning. Increases the user's ability to use Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu in better ways during a fight.

  Effects: +100% damage increase with all Ninjutsu.

  +100% damage increase with all Taijutsu.

  +100% damage increase with all Genjutsu.

  ‘Wow… These are amazing and symbiotic in ways that I can’t believe. At this rate, before I’m 14, I’ll be the strongest person walking around the world of Naruto. But what’s that thing? Sharingan Advancement Ticket? Along with a title I think is super ostentatious.’

  After the fantastic skills are shown to me, my focus shifts toward the two final rewards from this quest. One is a title, and the other is a weird ticket.

  ‘Well, it's time to see what they do.‘

  I click on the title and see what it’s all about.

  Once in a Generation Genius - Title: The holder of this title will eventually be recognized as a genius who comes around once in a generation or even a century. Over time, people will say this about you.

  Effects: +500% increase to EXP gains from all sources.

  +500% damage increase from Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu created by you.

  -500% damage reduction from Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu you know about.

  This is amazing…

  ‘When I was sent to this world, was I put on easy mode or something?’

  My attention shifts to the final reward from the quest, and my thoughts instantly start to consider when I should use the ticket.

  Sharingan Advancement Ticket - Consumable: This ticket is for the user to use at any time to advance the Sharingan to its next evolution. There are three levels to which you can use this ticket to unlock. You can’t unlock more than one level at a time. The three levels are the 1st tomoe, 2nd tomoe, and 3rd tomoe.

  This can’t be used to unlock the Mangekyo Sharingan due to the evolution's unique requirements.

  This can’t be used to unlock the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan due to a second pair of eyes being needed from a blood relative.

  You don’t have to use this ticket now. You can save it for a later date and use it at any time.

  Sharingan is currently locked.

  1st Tomoe - Unlockable.

  Would you like to use this ticket to unlock your Sharingan? (Y/N)

  This item is currently in your player inventory.

  Many people wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation of using the ticket right now…

  Am I one of those people…