Naruto sat on the edge of his apartment roof, legs hanging over the side.
The afternoon air was hot, almost stifling.
"…Heh."
He looked down at his hands.
Calloused.
Ink-stained.
Steady.
Not long ago—
He couldn't even perform an illusory bunshin jutsu.
Now?
A minor country was safe thanks to his team's effort.
He'd stood against jonin.
Beat the Rookie of the year, Sasuke.
Led the others.
A pause.
"…Still not enough."
The words came easy.
Not bitter.
Just honest.
His eyes drifted upward.
Stars.
"…Chuunin Exams, huh."
A slow breath in.
Then—
A memory of yesterday:
Ping.
Inventory Accessed.
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Right."
He pulled out the scroll.
Chakra Control Training — Water Walking
"…Let's see what the hype is about."
Training Ground — River Edge
A blazing sun reflected off the surface of the water.
Still.
Calm.
Naruto stood at the edge.
"…Tree walking was easy."
A beat.
"…This should be the same."
He stepped forward.
Splash.
"…"
Naruto resurfaced, hair soaked and plastered to his face.
"…Tch—"
Attempt 2
Step.
Chakra—
Balance—
Surface tension—
Splash.
"…Okay that's different."
Attempt 5
He managed half a step.
Then sank again.
Attempt 12
One full step.
A second—
Ripple—
Collapse.
"…Too much chakra."
Next attempt—
"…Too little."
Another—
"…Uneven."
Hours passed.
Clones appeared.
Dispersed.
Fed back information.
Naruto adjusted.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Finally—
He stepped.
And didn't sink.
One step.
Two—
Three—
The water rippled beneath him violently—
But he stayed up.
Barely.
Shaking.
"…Hah…"
A grin.
"…Got it."
Water Walking – LVL 1 (5/10)
"…Kinda shit."
He dropped back onto the riverbank, completely soaked.
"…But it works."
Back to the Roof
Naruto sat cross-legged now.
Dripping.
Thinking.
"…Alright."
His eyes sharpened.
"…Time to spend."
Shinobi Codex Shop
System Points: 400
Naruto didn't rush.
Didn't scroll randomly.
He thought.
What did he lack?
Control.
Consistency.
Scalability.
"…No point gambling everything."
A pause.
"…But no point playing it safe either."
Purchases
Water Affinity – 60 Points
"…Future investment."
Water Affinity Passive - Increased compatibility with water-based techniques, Reduced chakra cost for water jutsu, Enhanced water creation potential when not near a source of water!
Skill Experience Pack (Small) x6 – 90 Points
"…Flexible growth."
Skill Evolution Stone x1 – 200 Points
A grin.
"…Saving this."
Remaining Points: 50
Naruto leaned back.
"…Alright."
A smirk.
"…Now we gamble."
Lottery System
5 Rolls
[Roll 1 — Common] +1 AgilityA slight boost to speed and reaction.
[Roll 2 — Common] +1 IntelligenceSharper processing and adaptability.
[Roll 3 — Rare] Chakra Stabilization Band
A thin wristband that passively stabilizes chakra flow.
Effect:
+15% Experience boost to Chakra Control rtraining
Naruto's eyes widened slightly.
"…That solves my water walking problem."
[Roll 4 — Common] +1 Endurance
[Roll 5 — Rare] Water Release: Water Wall Scroll
Naruto yipped with joy. The system must be watching, otherwise why would he receive a water jutsu right after purchasing water release! Deciding to keep the water flowing he held up the scroll and began reading.
*Ping*
Water Release: Water Wall LVL 1 (1/10) has been learned!
Not one to half ass things, Naruto used his newly gained Skill evolution Stone on his new technique.
*Ping*
Water Release: Water Wall — LVL 1 (Newly Acquired)→ Skill Evolution Stone Applied
Skill transformed into: Water Release: Tidal Wave — LVL 1 (1/10)
Description:An advanced water-style technique that transforms a standard defensive wall into a massive, forward-surging wave. Upon activation, a dense wall of water erupts in front of the user before immediately collapsing forward into a powerful, crushing surge.
It defends—
Then overwhelms.
Naruto knew in that instant, as the memories of how to properly use the technique to maximaze damage/defend allies that it was a much needed choice given the incoming invasion.
'Come to think of it, Doesn't my mission timer for the national crisis end right when the Chuunin exams should be finishing up?
*Ping*
For logical thinking +1 Intelligence!
That essentially confirmed his new smart brain. The invasion would happen at the end of the Chuunin exams. It was up to him to put a stop to the events seen in his vision.
System...Use all 11 experience packs on Water Release: Tidal Wave
*Ping*
Skill LVL Up! Water Release: Tidal Wave LVL 1 (1/10) -> LVL 3 (15/30)
Not bad. This should surprise the hell out of any normal ninja. The handsigns required aren't too bad either, only 8. For such a widespread technique it makes sense that it'd have some build up time.
His hands clenched slightly.
"…I'm ready."
Morning — Chuunin Exam Site
The building loomed tall.
Crowded.
Filled with noise, tension, and unfamiliar faces.
Genin from other villages.
Different headbands.
Different energies.
Naruto walked forward—
Hands in pockets.
Calm.
Behind him—
Sakura.
Sasuke.
Team 7.
"Yo!"
Kiba waved.
Choji eating beside him.
Ino standing with arms crossed.
Shikamaru half-asleep.
Shino silent.
Hinata—
Watching Naruto quietly.
Nine.
All here.
Naruto stopped in front of them.
Looked around.
A small grin.
"…Everyone made it."
Kiba smirked.
"…Obviously."
Ino flipped her hair.
"…Took you long enough."
Shikamaru sighed.
"…This is already troublesome."
Sasuke stepped forward slightly.
Eyes scanning the crowd.
"…Most of the people here are weaklings."
Naruto's grin widened.
"…Don't cause a scene young padawan. You have much to learn."
A pause.
Wind moved through the space between them.
"…Lose, we must not"
"Naruto...shut up." Said Sakura as she decked him in the head for old times sake. Naruto, the good sport he is took it with a smile. 'Huh...Sakura's gotten a bit stronger"
And just like that—
The exams began.