Chapter 3: The First Mission
Mizuki and Iruka sat at a table in the now-empty classroom, its surface littered with the glint of metal forehead protectors.
(Get a forehead protector, become a Genin… that's the ticket to those Almighty Points.)
The thought of the points made Ryouma swallow hard. He had idly browsed the exchange list in his mind earlier, and the possibilities he saw there made his heart race with ambition.
"Begin when you're ready," Mizuki instructed, his tone neutral.
Ryouma nodded, his hands quickly forming the familiar seals: Ram, Snake, Tiger. "Clone Technique!"
Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!
Suddenly, five slightly shimmering, but otherwise identical, copies of Ryouma appeared in a line beside him.
"This is… he passed?!" Iruka rubbed his eyes in disbelief, then a wide, genuine smile spread across his face. He stood up and gave Ryouma a hearty pat on the back. "Congratulations, Ryouma! You've passed the graduation exam!"
As Ryouma tied the Konoha forehead protector proudly around his head, the system's voice resonated in his mind.
"Mission Completed: Become a Ninja. Reward: 100 Almighty Points."
"New Mission Acquired: Eliminate the Konoha Rogue Ninja, Naraku Ryosuke. Reward: 300 Almighty Points. Penalty for Failure or if Target is Killed by Another: Deduction of 100 Almighty Points."
(Huh? There's a penalty? What happens if my Almighty Points hit zero and I get a deduction?)
The answer that came back sent a chill down his spine.
"If Almighty Points reach negative 1000, the host will be erased."
Back in the classroom, the news of Ryouma's success was met with stunned silence and looks of pure astonishment.
The reaction made Ryouma's eye twitch slightly.
(The identity the system gave me is just the worst… Passing the Genin exam at sixteen is this shocking? How utterly embarrassing…)
"Congratulations, Ryouma-nii…" Hinata said softly, her cheeks tinged with pink.
Ryouma gave her a warm smile in return, then glanced toward Naruto's seat, finding it empty. According to the plot's trajectory, Naruto would be manipulated by Mizuki into stealing the Scroll of Seals, leading to him learning the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique and finally graduating.
But that had little to do with him right now. His immediate problem was figuring out how to find this rogue ninja, Naraku Ryosuke.
Furthermore, teams would be assigned in a few days. If he wasn't placed in a team with Hinata… the thought was deeply unsatisfying.
With that in mind, he stole a glance at the shy Hyūga heiress, only to find her gaze also fixed on Naruto's empty seat. He sighed inwardly.
(It seems the plan to get closer to Hinata still has a long way to go.)
Shaking his head, he refocused his energy on the sphere of light in his mind. The system was divided into seven main categories: Weapons, Magic, Exercises, Pupil Techniques, Genes, Amplification, and Skills. Aside from Pupil Techniques and Genes, the others had numerous sub-categories.
"Since I have the World Eye that enhances ocular jutsu, focusing on them makes the most sense," he reasoned. "Show me the Pupil Technique category."
Hum…
The light sphere shimmered and differentiated into a list:
[Pupil Techniques - Primary Tier]
Sharingan: 100 Almighty Points
Momentary Eye: 200 Almighty Points
Instant Eye: 100 Almighty Points
*Illusion-Breaking Eye: 200 Almighty Points*
Byakugan: 100 Almighty Points
Red Eye: 50 Almighty Points
Evil Eye: 100 Almighty Points
Radiation Eye: 150 Almighty Points
Hypnotic Eye: 50 Almighty Points
…
(So many… and the point costs aren't astronomical. The Sharingan is only 100 points.)
"Since this is the primary tier, there must be an advanced one, right?" he asked the void.
"Yes."
"Show me the advanced list."
"Host authority level is insufficient."
"…"
After careful consideration, he settled on a pupil technique called the Instant Eye. As the name suggested, it was similar to the Body Flicker Technique or teleportation, allowing for short-range, line-of-sight teleportation. It consumed very little chakra—or in his case, Divine Power. For someone who only knew the Clone Technique, it was the most cost-effective survival tool, ensuring he wouldn't be taken out by a stray shuriken.
As for the Sharingan or Byakugan, he had no intention of acquiring them yet. Wielding those famed dōjutsu at his level would only paint a target on his back for ANBU or worse.
Selecting the exchange, a stream of light flew from the list into his eyes. A strange, cool sensation flowed through his optic nerves, and just like that, his Almighty Points returned to zero.
After exchanging the new technique, Ryouma headed to a training ground. He focused on a large rock about fifty meters away. A silvery light flickered in his eyes, and in the space of a heartbeat, he vanished from his original spot and reappeared, standing atop the boulder.
(Line of sight… or even just a mental image?)
He closed his eyes, willing the power of the Instant Eye to leak out and spread around him like an invisible net. The surrounding scenery imprinted itself directly into his mind. With a thought, he teleported to another designated spot within that mental map.
"A useful ability," he murmured. "But the range is limited. It's a far cry from true, long-range teleportation."
He focused again, this time channeling the unique, amplifying power of his World Eye into the Instant Eye. A silver-white energy blended with the technique's normal power, and he felt the coverage area strain and then push outward, expanding until it had doubled in size.
"Excellent! The World Eye actually doubles the range. A 500-meter radius… that should be more than enough for now."
Satisfied with his defensive capabilities, his thoughts turned to offense. He frowned, pulling a kunai from his pouch and hurling it at a tree. It flew straight but embedded itself with a weak, unsatisfying thud.
He couldn't rely solely on the system's exchanges. His own physical skills, reaction time, and weapon proficiency were just as crucial. It was clear he needed to train, and train hard.
After spending the next few hours practicing his kunai throws and teleportation drills, the sky began to darken. By his reckoning, Naruto would have stolen the scroll by now. He considered intervening but decided against it. The Third Hokage was likely watching events through his crystal ball, and drawing that kind of attention would be a massive mistake.
With a few quick, silent teleports, he emerged from the forest's edge, the Konoha insignia clearly visible on his headband. The looks he received from passing villagers were noticeably different from before—less dismissive, more respectful.
A wry smile touched his lips. "It's true no matter which world you're in," he muttered to himself. "Strength is the only thing that truly commands respect."