~~~POV: Fuyuki Uchiha~~~

  I slowly walk down the street as the evening sun sets. Aiko has kept a sharper eye on me since I started intensifying my training a few weeks ago after finishing ‘Get ahead of your peers’ and unlocking my Sharingan with the ticket.

  She doesn’t know about the awakening of my Dojutsu. It’s better if I stay the only one who knows. The fewer people that know, the better I’m off.

  I’ve been training the shit out of my body, and all of my stats have risen a reasonable amount. Walking, I mentally summon my stats to see where I am now.

  Name: Fuyuki Uchiha

  Social Class: Orphan

  Age: 5

  Title: Once in a Generation Genius

  Level: 40

  HP: 2640

  CP: 7910

  SP: 2000

  Primary Stats

  Strength - 63

  Vitality - 56

  Dexterity - 74

  Agility - 79

  Intelligence - 59

  Chakra - 78

  Wisdom - 58

  Special Stats

  Sense (LOCKED)

  Stamina - 50

  Indomitable (LOCKED)

  Charisma - 25

  Persistence (LOCKED)

  Dignity (LOCKED)

  Luck (LOCKED)

  Nature Affinities - Fire, Lightning.

  Stat Points - 308

  Ryo - 0

  ‘The first day of the academy is still around ten months away. I’ve been crazy about my physical training but haven’t learned any new Ninjutsu or Taijutsu. The books in the public library only have E-rank Jutsu’s. And those don’t have many benefits.’

  However, my Sharingan has made progress. Due to the chakra demand, I can’t train it for long periods of time, but I can train it in bursts after recuperating my chakra. I don’t want to know how high the chakra cost would be without the boosts I’ve got.

  Sharingan (1st Tomoe) - Active (Lvl. 16 (77%) Auto-upgrades to 2nd Tomoe at Lvl. Max): One of the two legendary Dojutsu of Konoha. The Sharingan is a Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan. Astronomically enhances reaction time, reflexes, and perception and provides photographic memory. Allows you to copy Taijutsu moves. Allows you to copy hand seals for Ninjutsu. Allows you to see the Chakra and Chakra flow of others.

  Effects: +80% increase in reaction time when Sharingan is Active. (It may look like time is slowing down.)

  +80% increase to your reflex speed when Sharingan is Active. (It may look like you’re moving way faster than others.)

  +80% increase in perception of everything within the Sharingan's field of view when Active. (Everything will appear clearer and sharper. Able to see far more detail.)

  +80% to damage with Genjutsu used with Sharingan.

  -100% to damage received by Genjutsu.

  -100% likelihood of ordinary Genjutsu working against you.

  CP Cost: 18/sec

  ‘It’s the first skill I’ve gotten that has taken me more than a day to max out. At the rate I improve my Sharingan, I should have the 2nd tomoe unlocked in a few months. Who knows how long it’ll take to get to the 3rd tomoe.’

  Maxing out my Leaf Academy Taijutsu has also helped my physical development. It’s nice to have a Taijutsu to lean on in case anything dangerous might happen. I haven’t gotten into any fights yet, but when I do, it’ll be easy to win against anyone my age.

  Leaf Academy Taijutsu - Active (Lvl. MAX): A basic Taijutsu style taught in the Leaf Academy. Increases the attack power and defense power.

  Effects: +200% Increase in attack power.

  +200% Increase in defense.

  +200% Increase in speed

  -200% Decrease in damage taken.

  I don’t know how strong I am compared to any adults or seasoned Shinobi from the anime, but all my skills and stats look healthy for someone who isn’t six yet.

  Eventually, I make it to my favorite spot to relax. It’s a pleasant grassy hill with trees that overlook the village. The sun is almost completely gone now, and I take a seat. Leaning against the tree and folding my hands behind my head as I do.

  The cicadas make their sounds, and so do other bugs of the night. Fireflies are starting to emerge as darkness descends with the sun’s disappearance. It’s one of the latest times I’ve stayed out, but Aiko knows I need a break from Yuuto. He’s been giving me a lot of grief lately.

  ‘It’s hard to believe the village has so many dark sides to it. I don’t know much, but many people talked about a man named Danzo. Along with how much they hated the third Hokage, Hiruzen.’

  Maybe the reason this world was selected for me is cause I know so little about it. Along with all the boosts to my power… Maybe it’s compensating for what I’m missing.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Due to a reasonable and sound deduction, you’ve obtained +1 WIS.

  All I can do is crack a half-smile as I watch the notification disappear. It’s not exactly a ‘yes,’ but it tells me I’m on the right track.

  My thoughts in the silent peace are interrupted as someone approaches me on my mini-map from behind in the trees. Their little dot isn’t red, so they’re not hostile. They’re completely silent, so I guess they want to stay hidden.

  I turn my body and look on the other side of the tree, in the direction of the dot on my mini-map.

  “I know you’re out there. You don’t need to hide; I’m not mean.”

  Going the kid route here is the best choice. The Player’s Mind helps me in more ways than one. As my words hang in the air, I see a notification.

  You‘ve impressed Hiruzen Sarutobi with your ability to find him.

  Rep increased with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

  I don’t show an outward or internal reaction with my chakra. But it’s not something I thought I’d see today. I watch the man walk out of the trees, but he’s not wearing his Hokage attire. He’s in something more casual. He grabs the pipe in his mouth and pulls it out.

  “Well, these old bones are pretty noisy these days. I can’t go anywhere without them giving me away. Still, I’m impressed you knew I was there. Mind if I join you?”

  I don’t know enough about Hiruzen to hate him like people in my old world did. Still, I should be cautious.

  “Yeah, I don’t mind. I’m taking a break from all the noise at the orphanage.”

  When I say that, I feel a subtle and almost unnoticeable shift in Hiruzen’s chakra. He slowly walks toward me and takes a seat. The tree is big enough for both of us to lean on. Once he’s sat down, I notice three other new dots around the mini-map.

  Curiosity gets the better of me, and I look off in their direction. They’re perfectly hidden, just like trained Shinobi.

  “Something the matter, my boy?”

  My attention turns back to Hiruzen, and I see him looking at me with a raised eyebrow and some smoke coming from his pipe. Since I’ve been given this chance, I shouldn’t waste it. Getting on the third Hokage’s good side can go a long way.

  “I don’t know… There are other people out there. Hiding in the trees and keeping out of sight. Do you know them?”

  You’ve impressed Hiruzen Sarutobi with your ability to find the Anbu protecting him.

  Rep greatly increased with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

  You’ve impressed Yugao Uzuki with your ability to find her.

  Rep increased with Yugao Uzuki.

  You’ve impressed Guzi Mako with your ability to find him.

  Rep increased with Guzi Mako.

  You’ve impressed Yogura Hizoku with your ability to find her.

  Rep increased with Yogura Hizoku.

  The man known as the third Hokage doesn’t outwardly react to my calling out his Anbu. Obviously, a kid my age shouldn’t be able to do something like this. Showing off just the right amount can help someone a lot, too. But I’m playing a dangerous game here.

  “Hahaha! That’s quite impressive, my boy! Not a lot of people can sense my friends.”

  He releases a jovial laugh and lets out the smoke building in his lungs and mouth from his pipe. I play the kid here and look at him, a little confused.

  “My name is Hiruzen Sarutobi. I’m the third Hokage and leader of the village. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your name, my boy?”

  My acting is passable, thanks to Player’s Mind. I immediately stand up and give hasty bows. Apologizing for not knowing who he was before he told me. He laughs some more and asks me to sit down. Waiting for me to tell him my name.

  “I’m Fuyuki. One of Aiko’s many orphans from the Kyuubi attack. It’s nice to meet you, Third Hokage.”

  I introduce myself with a smile that reaches my eyes. There is a brief moment of silence, but after a second, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a seal. I still haven’t learned anything about Fuinjutsu, so I don’t know what I’m looking at, but he pours some chakra into it, and some snacks pop out.

  Fuinjutsu is awesome.

  “Aiko isn’t the type to let her kids out of sight for too long. What are you doing out so late at night? If there is one thing I know, you don’t want to upset Aiko about matters like this.”

  It makes sense that Hiruzen would know Aiko since she’s an ex-anbu member. Probably even served with her at some point. He grabs one of the bags of jerky and opens it. Handing me a few pieces. I don’t take a bite right away, preferring to answer his question before I do.

  “Aiko lets me do stuff the other orphans don’t. It makes the other orphans jealous, so I needed a break from them.”

  I don't want to drop the bomb on my training and progress right now. My Clone Technique is almost MAX level, but I’m not quite there yet. If I show him the progress I’ve made with that at the age of five, I’ll gain a lot of attention.

  He smiles and asks me some other menial questions about my day and what I do. I keep it vague, but at the same time, adding specific details to pass it off as the truth. I know I can’t lie to an expert Shinobi like Hiruzen, but I hope it’s good enough for him not to dig too deep.

  “I must say, you’re an impressive child, Fuyuki. Aiko has done a great job raising you. I haven’t had a conversation with a child your age like this before.”

  He slowly brings himself to his standing height and reaches his hand out to help me up. I do the same, and he walks over to the hill's highest point. Looking back at me to follow. I do, and we’re looking out at the village. The lights from the houses make it prettier than you’d expect.

  A breath enters him, and he takes a long drag from his smoking pipe as he does. Releasing the smoke from his nose and mouth after a second.

  “It’s a breathtaking view from up here…”

  I fill the silence with an observation about the village that he’s likely thinking at the same time. It takes a moment, but he looks at me with kind but slightly critical eyes.

  “What do you see when you look at the village from up here?”

  His voice is slow and even, still carrying some emotion. He’s testing me right now. I don’t know what I did to earn such a test, but maybe I’ve stuck out a little too much. I turn my eyes from him and look out at the village again. Taking in the incredible sight and thinking about my response.

  “Sacrifice…”

  The word leaves my lips slowly. No hesitation or doubt. I don’t need to look at Hiruzen to feel his eyes narrow in my direction. A slight and ever so subtle flicker in his chakra as he does.

  “My word, Fuyuki… Do you know what that means?”

  Personally, a bit.

  Not on the grand scale of a village, though. There was a famous quote from my old life about sacrifice, one that will answer Hiruzen’s question perfectly.

  “True love. It’s the only thing selfless enough to sacrifice.”

  There is no readable expression on Hiruzen’s face when I look at him. The soft and calm words that leave my lips are far more sophisticated than they should be at this moment. I don’t even remember the person who created that quote. Wish I did so that I could thank them.

  Rep massively increased with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

  Rep massively increased with Yugao Uzuki.

  Rep massively increased with Guzi Mako.

  Rep massively increased with Yogura Hizoku.

  “HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

  A boisterous and loud laugh leaves the lips of the third Hokage. His serious expression is now gone, and his smile causes the crinkle around his eyes to appear more prominently. He gently smacks my shoulder and looks out to the village.

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself, Fuyuki.”

  He takes a moment and releases the long, smokey breath from his pipe. Looking at me again as he finishes.

  “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

  This doesn’t sound like a test to me. He sounds like he wants to learn more about me. Seeing potential in me. I break eye contact with him and look at the village.

  “I want to be a Shinobi and protect my home. Protect the people I care about.”

  Nothing needs to be said as I respond to his final question. He places his hand on my head and ruffles my hair. Disappearing after I blink. I look around and at the mini-map. They’re not here anymore. Seems I did something right today.

  I need to make it home before Aiko decides to do more than yell at me for being gone for so long.