~~~POV: Fuyuki Uchiha~~~

  I slowly pull myself out of bed before the sun even rises on Konoha. Around six months ago, I adjusted my sleep schedule to get the maximum benefit of Gaia’s Blessing. Since then, I’ve been using most hours of the day to train. It’s been eight months since I unlocked my Sharingan.

  According to Aiko, the first day of the academy is a few months away, so the free time I have to train will decrease severely. However, all the work I’ve put in hasn’t gone to waste, as I’ve upgraded my Sharingan to the 2nd tomoe.

  Once I’m inside the bathroom alone, I look into the mirror. I channel chakra into my eyes, and they morph before me. The two tomoe in each eye appear with a slight spin, and looking back at me is the Dojutsu of the Uchiha clan. I deactivate them a second later and pull up their information.

  Sharingan (2nd Tomoe) - Active (Lvl. 20 (47%) Auto-upgrades to 3rd 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: +600% increase in reaction time when Sharingan is Active. (It may look like time is slowing down.)

  +600% increase to your reflex speed when Sharingan is Active. (It may look like you’re moving way faster than others.)

  +600% 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.)

  +600% to damage with Genjutsu used with Sharingan.

  -300% to damage received by Genjutsu.

  -300% likelihood of ordinary Genjutsu working against you.

  CP Cost: 11/sec

  The Sharingan's power is real and one I didn’t anticipate. The CP cost is probably the most unexpected change to the Sharingan, aside from its absurd abilities. It lowered by seven CP when it leveled up to the second tomoe.

  Based on that, I can assume it’ll lower again at 3rd tomoe. When that day comes, I’ll be excited to see the changes. From the rate of progression, I’d say it’s taken twice as long to level up 2nd tomoe compared to the 1st tomoe. I’ve had it unlocked for a few months, and training it daily has only brought it up to level 20.

  I’d say sometime near the end of my first year of the academy, I’ll have the 3rd tomoe unlocked. Considering all my EXP boosts, I don’t want to know how long it’d take without them.

  I don’t know at what age a child unlocks the Sharingan or how fast they progress the eye. What I know is that I’ll be using my Dojutsu to learn Taijutsu and Ninjutsu.

  That’s enough about the progress here. I’ve already wasted precious minutes and won’t waste any more.

  It doesn’t take me long, but I leave the orphanage without a problem. Aiko is sound asleep, and the demands of the other orphans cause her to let my disappearing habit slip by.

  ‘I love Aiko, and I know she wouldn’t approve if she knew what I was doing every morning if it weren’t for the other kids.’

  The warmth of the summer greets me even though it’s still dark. I sneak out of the orphanage, knowing I’ll be working up a sweat today. Making my way to the secluded training area where I’ve been training every day. It’s empty, as always, and I don’t see anyone nearby on the mini-map.

  I place my backpack against the tree and do a few stretching exercises. While I love the convenience of my inventory, it’d be hard to explain how I carry around the kunai’s, shurikens, and books without a bag of some sort. So, I play the part of lugging around when I don’t have to.

  The sun still hasn’t risen over the village, and working in the dark isn’t a problem. I channel chakra into my eyes and begin my training session with my kunais and shurikens. With Shurikenjutsu maxed out, I’m learning the creative and exciting ways to use kunais and shurikens.

  My Sharingan slows down the world as I throw my ninja tools at the targets I have set up. Guiding them in masterful ways that a child shouldn’t be able to do.

  ‘No matter where or how I search, I still can’t find any Ninjutsu of D-rank that actually allows me to use one of my elemental releases. I’ve checked the library plenty of times, but I’ve found out through trial and error I’m not learning anything from the public library.’

  Thoughts go through my head as I throw the last few shurikens against the targets. Everything is a perfect bullseye. A small sigh escapes my lips as I sit on the cold grass.

  ‘There has to be something else I can try today… C’mon, what do I remember from the anime that young Shinobi’s can do… Something simple… To break the monotony of the same training every day.’

  I take a moment and clear my head. Going over the few times I watched an episode from the original Naruto series. All I can really remember was how annoying Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were. The three main characters were so boring to me, that I just skipped to the cool fights.

  ‘The only redeeming quality of the original Naruto series in my mind are the side characters. Kakashi, Might Guy, Shikamaru. You’d have to compensate with good side characters when your main cast is so terrible…’

  I’m getting distracted again.

  Clear your mind…

  My Meditate skill activates, and I start trying to recall something a rookie Shinobi might use. After a second, I remember something I had only seen on an old Reddit post.

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  I slowly open my eyes, and my Sharingan is active again. Knowing what I have in mind, I stand up and make my way over to the tree. First, I channel my chakra into my feet and place the bottom of my sandal on the large base.

  You have discovered a chakra technique using your knowledge from your past life.

  You have unlocked [Tree Climbing Technique.]

  Would you like to learn this skill?

  ‘Finally, something new to my growing arsenal of techniques! Yes, I want to learn it.’

  Once my confirmation to learn the skill goes through, I guide my chakra to my other foot and start walking up the side of the tree. It’s a nice drain when paired up with Sharingan, but my chakra stat is almost 100, and I’ve got more than 10k of chakra. So I’m good for a few minutes.

  After I reach the top of the tree, I sit on a wide branch and look out at the open field. Taking a breath, and then I open the new skill and see what it says.

  Tree Climbing Technique - Active (Lvl. 14 (87%)): This skill allows the user to channel chakra to their feet and climb trees and other solid surfaces. Grants greater control of an individual's chakra. One of the fundamental techniques for a developing shinobi.

  Effects: +70% increase in Chakra Control.

  +70% increase in Growth Rate of Chakra stat.

  +70% increase to maximum Chakra.

  -70% decrease in Chakra cost for Chakra based techniques.

  CP Cost: 9/sec

  You’ve leveled this skill 14x times!

  ‘Seems this increases by 5% every level up. This means this is a stronger chakra control-based skill. I’m glad it’s adding more chakra to me and helping my chakra stat. I need as much as I can get.’

  Well, it’s something new to work on. But I should get to work on my ‘Path to the Peak’ daily workout. Once I finish that, I can try other stuff with the Tree Climbing Technique. I make my way down from the tree while using my new skill.

  “Let’s get this work in!”

  Chasing your goals becomes much easier when you see tangible improvement in your body and effort. In my old life, I gave up on so many things regarding personal body health because it’d take months for the slightest change.

  I don’t suffer that here.

  ~~~POV: Aiko Hikara~~~

  All the children talk, argue, or laugh at the table. Enjoying their lunch as they do. As I watch the kids under my care, my eyes land on the one empty chair at the table. It’s always empty these days. Fuyuki doesn’t eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner with us.

  From before dawn to night, he’s away. He’s just a kid… He’ll turn six in a few days… Knowing him, he’s probably forgotten it’s his birthday.

  ‘Even his mother didn’t train like this… How is he able to function at all with this regiment… He comes home exhausted and then goes to bed, ready to do it all again tomorrow… It’s like his body completely heals when he’s asleep.’

  A small sigh leaves my lips as I try to rationalize Fuyuki’s strange behavior. Soon, lunch ends as the kids place their dirty dishes in the sink and race off to have fun on their own. Leaving me to my usual duty of cleaning up after them.

  Cleaning the dishes allows me time to think, and something I’ve been thinking about for a long time comes to the forefront of my thoughts. I’ve been debating it inside my head for a while, and even though I want to, it’ll cause problems here.

  ‘Adopting Fuyuki… It’ll help protect him from the Uchiha… I’m almost certain he’s a genius in the shinobi arts… It’s only a matter of time before his eyes awaken, and he comes to me with questions… He doesn’t know he’s a Uchiha…’

  Like the rest of the orphans here, Fuyuki doesn’t know his surname. Some of them don’t have any since no one knows who their parents are. As of right now, I’m the only one aware of Fuyuki’s true heritage. If the Uchiha found out and saw his potential, they’d want him back with the clan…

  ‘I’m doing my best, Asuna… But Fuyuki isn’t making it easier for your plans for him… I wish you were here… You’d know what to do with your son…”

  Fuyuki’s mother is someone I can’t replace. Adopting Fuyuki officially causes problems in the long run. But a woman can dream, y’know… I don’t think I’ll ever have a kid of my own. Fuyuki makes it look like being a mother would be amazing. He’s such a good kid.

  “I hope you can grow up to be a good man, Fuyuki… With talent like yours, many people can become hurt if you misuse your gifts…”

  No one else to talk to other than the reflection in the water within the sink. After a few minutes, I clean all the dishes, allowing me free time to finish some things for the orphanage. But the first task I need to do is prepare a birthday cake for Fuyu. Last-minute shopping isn’t my style.

  I don’t even know what kind of cake he likes. He’s always eating healthy food. I don’t remember the last time I saw him eat anything a kid his age would love to have.

  Maybe chocolate?

  ~~~POV: Fuyuki Uchiha~~~

  I dash through all the hand signs I know from the beginner books I’ve studied. Gathering chakra is part of the process of my practice. I haven’t got any jutsu to use these hand signs with, but memorizing them early has been one of my goals.

  I don’t know all the hand signs in the Naruto world, so I couldn’t say if I already know them all, but I know a healthy bunch for a person my age.

  As I keep repeating the hand signs in random orders to get used to all of them and using them in any order. The thoughts I’ve had the last few days come creeping back.

  I won’t be learning any jutsu that could be considered strong any time soon from teachers or books, but that doesn’t mean I can’t create my own. The problem is I don’t know how to create a jutsu. There aren’t any books that explain it, so I don’t know where to start.

  “What’s the worst that could happen if I try to make something? I naturally have Fire and Lightning nature releases, and I know the signs associated with those elements. But I guess coming up with an idea for a jutsu is the first step, not jumping straight into it.”

  As those words leave my lips, something interesting happens.

  Quest created - ‘Jutsu Creator’

  You want to create a Fire or Lightning nature release Ninjutsu. Since you don’t have any Ninjutsu’s that requires a nature release, you don’t know where to start or what to do. However, you know all possible hand signs and can mold chakra. It’s up to you what your Ninjutsu is and what it does.

  Rewards:

  A massive increase in Rep with Konoha citizens. (When the truth comes out that you’re the creator of a Ninjutsu.)

  A large increase in Rep with Hiruzen Sarutobi. (When the truth comes out that you’re the creator of a Ninjutsu.)

  An astronomical increase in Rep with Aiko Hikara. (When the truth comes out that you’re the creator of a Ninjutsu.)

  30,000 EXP.

  A created and one-of-a-kind Ninjutsu that you’ve made.

  New Title.

  Failure:

  There are no penalties for failing this quest.

  The first significant bit of information I pull out from the quest is it says that I know all possible hand signs. I guess the books about hand signs I’ve read and memorized have provided everything I need about casting Ninjutsu regarding hand signs.

  What tells me that I can create and cast a Ninjutsu is the quest telling me it’s up to me what my Ninjutsu is and what it does.

  ‘Based on all of this, I can make a Ninjutsu. It’s just gonna be some trial and error figuring out how hand signs and chakra molding correlate to a nature-release Ninjutsu and actually casting it.’

  A smile starts to creep onto my lips as I take my eyes off the screen and move to a more open area. I still have six hours of daylight, and I’m done with my daily exercises. There isn’t a reason for me not to start training right now.