💎 WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎
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⏰ Resets Monday!
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"Alright, listen up! Today's mission," Instructor Satou Kazuki announced gravely. "Everyone runs fifty laps around the track."
Fifty laps?
Tsuru took a deep breath. He knew this was the ninja world, but he was still a kid.
"The host's physical fitness is more than sufficient to complete this task," the System reminded him.
He didn't need the System to tell him that. Of course, Tsuru knew he could do it. But being able to and being willing to were two completely different things.
The power of the Six Eyes demanded a powerful vessel. That was why Tsuru hadn't collapsed when receiving other skills—only when the Six Eyes integrated. The process had forcefully enhanced his physique. Running fifty laps was nothing to his current body.
"What?!"
"Fifty laps?"
"That's impossible!"
The girls around Tsuru immediately started to complain. Some of the boys at the back of the line also looked pale, but pride kept their mouths shut.
Instructor Satou watched the whispering little radishes with a flicker of helplessness in his eyes. He knew this pace was brutal for them, but the orders from above were harsh. As their teacher, his only option was to make them grow up fast. He pushed down the weight in his chest, his expression hardening.
"Move it! Anyone who doesn't finish today stays until they do! No one goes home until the mission is complete!"
Grumbles rippled through the group. Dissatisfaction was clear on many small faces, but under Satou's stern gaze, the protests died in their throats.
"Hmph!"
Sarutobi Aoki, sensing the low mood, puffed out his chest with disdain. "Fifty laps? What's the big deal! I, the future number one ninja in the world, am not afraid of fifty laps!" he declared loudly, his eyes darting toward Tsuru, clearly hoping for praise.
"…"
Aoki's expression was punchable, but right now, his bravado might spark some fighting spirit. Instructor Satou also looked at Tsuru. He knew Tsuru's influence in the class.
Feeling the instructor's burning gaze, Tsuru pasted on a gentle smile. He clenched his fist, giving a determined thumbs-up. "That's right! We're all going to become ninjas! We can't give up in the face of a little difficulty like this!"
All eyes locked onto him. His silver hair, tied high with a purple ribbon, fluttered in the breeze. His sapphire-blue eyes shone brighter than stars. Unconsciously, a spark of confidence and resolve ignited in the eyes of the other children.
"Hah! Tsuru-chan is right! What's this to us!"
"Yeah! If a girl like Tsuru-chan can do it, I won't let her look down on me!"
"I'll give it my all! I'm gonna be an Elite Jonin!"
"Right! I'm the man who's gonna marry Tsuru-chan!"
"No fear!"
… Hm? Tsuru narrowed his eyes. Did he just hear something weird slip in there?
Listening to the shouts, Instructor Satou's gaze softened. He looked at Tsuru, a warmth spreading in his chest. This child… truly has a born leader's charisma. So encouraging. Just like Lord Minato, the "Yellow Flash."
Aoki was the first to bolt from the starting line. Soon, more followed. Two girls remained, hesitating, unwilling to take that first step.
Tsuru, shamelessly leveraging his girl's attire, boldly took their soft, small hands in his. "Let's go too!" He beamed a brilliant smile. "We're not one bit worse than them!"
Bewitched by that smile, the two adorable girls found themselves taking that first, fateful step.
"Right!"
"We're not weak!"
The girls exchanged a look, a stubborn light filling their eyes. They pulled their hands from Tsuru's grip, their expressions full of concern. "Don't worry, Tsuru-chan! We'll finish the mission on our own!"
Tsuru looked at his now-empty palms, a pang of regret in his heart. He really wouldn't have minded helping them finish. No special requests. Just holding their soft little hands would have been enough.
He started his laps at a steady pace. In his past life, Tsuru had been a shut-in. In college, he was the only boy in his class to fail the one-kilometer run. Every time, his lungs felt like they were exploding, his soul fleeing his body. This was the first time he felt this… mystical sensation. The more he ran, the less he wanted to stop. It was effortless, like he could fly.
Watching the panting, struggling Aoki, an idea struck Tsuru. Slowing his pace, he asked in his mind, "System, any skills that can make me look drenched in sweat?"
System: "Yes. Requires Affection Points."
Tsuru calculated. This wasn't a combat skill; a small amount from someone should suffice. His eyes landed on Aoki.
[Select Sarutobi Aoki as a Target?]
[Yes] [No]
Tsuru chose Yes.
Ding!
[Target: Sarutobi Aoki. Affection: 89.]
Tsuru blinked, looking at the sweaty, disheveled little radish. Wow. It was only the second day, and Aoki's affection was already this high.
Ding!
[Target: Sarutobi Aoki. Affection: 90.]
Huh? Why the sudden jump? Tsuru glanced at Aoki.
Aoki noticed the gaze. A fire suddenly blazed in his chest. His exhausted, leaden legs found new strength.
"GAAAAAAAAH!"
Charge! He couldn't lose face in front of Tsuru!
On the sidelines, Instructor Satou, observing the kids, was puzzled. He'd seen Aoki flagging. Why the sudden burst? It shouldn't be possible. His eyes followed Aoki's line of sight to Tsuru. Ah. Of course. The power of belief!
"Starting tomorrow, I'll give one of my breakfast snacks to Aoki," Tsuru decided. Compared to the stingy Uchiha Shisui and the unpredictable Kakashi Hatake, Sarutobi Aoki was practically an angel! In Tsuru's heart, only Tobi and Obito could rival his standing!
[Automatically allocated skill ready. Receive?]
[Yes] [No]
Tsuru pressed Yes.
[Skill: Sweat Like a Waterfall]
[Description: Adjust sweat production at will. Promotes blood circulation. A little health tip!]
[System Guarantee: Premium Quality.]
Premium Quality, my foot. Pure salesmanship. Utterly useless. But it was exactly what he needed right now.
Time passed. Tsuru completed lap 38. His breathing grew deliberately labored. His pace slowed. A delicate flush spread across his fair cheeks. Beads of crystalline sweat dotted his forehead.
Instructor Satou, watching from afar, sighed inwardly. With his experienced eye, he could tell Tsuru was hitting his limit. Compared to the girls who gave up around lap 20, Tsuru had done incredibly well. Yet, a flicker of disappointment remained. His expectations for Tsuru had been too high, making the perceived shortfall sting.
"Tsuru… you… maybe… rest…" Panting footsteps drew near. Aoki, dragging his leaden legs, stumbled to Tsuru's side. Hearing the broken words, Tsuru genuinely thought Aoki needed the break more.
"Tsuru, don't push yourself. Take a rest," Uchiha Shisui's voice came from his other side. Compared to Aoki's sorry state, Shisui was holding up much better—breathing slightly quickened, a sheen of sweat on his brow, but clearly able to finish.
Seeing Shisui, Aoki gritted his teeth. The contrast in their states was too stark.
"GAAAAAAAAH!" A blazing light erupted in Aoki's eyes. He forced his legs to move again.
Instructor Satou revised his assessment. This kid is tenacious. Such willpower is praiseworthy!
The few kids still running gathered around Tsuru, urging him with concern to take a break.
It was time.
Tsuru's lips even seemed to pale. He shook his head firmly at them. A steely resolve shone on his stubborn little face.
"No."
"I won't give up."
"Someone with a weak will doesn't deserve to be a ninja!"
"Me?"
"I'm going to become an outstanding ninja, just like the Hokage!"
"How can I give up so easily in the face of a small challenge?"
"To strive relentlessly toward your goal, to never give up… that's true strength!"
Tsuru's gaze swept over the concerned faces. A slow, determined smile touched his lips. "If I gave up here… I'd never forgive myself!"
Everyone froze. They stared at him, stunned. The noisy cicada chorus, the sounds from the street outside—it all seemed to fade away. The sun beat down with scorching light, but in their eyes, at this moment, the world's true source of light was Tsuru.
"Sniff…"
Watching Tsuru clench his fists and stubbornly force his legs to move again, the little radishes behind him felt tears welling up.
"I'm gonna charge too!"
"I'm a real ninja!"
"I'm not a coward who gives up!"
The kids who had stopped to rest, faces flushed red, one by one started running again, chasing after Tsuru's figure ahead.
"Hmph!"
"We won't let you stinky boys steal all the glory!"
"Sisters, charge!"
"If a delicate beauty like Tsuru-chan can do it, so can I!"
Watching the suddenly re-energized brats, tears also misted Instructor Satou's eyes. This… this is a teacher's joy! To see his students united, helping each other, never saying die! He had underestimated Tsuru. And he had underestimated these children.
He looked at the small figures on the track, each now etched with determination. These are Konoha's future. These are the new leaves of Konoha.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, watching through his Telescope Technique, also felt his eyes grow moist. Pushed by the war to accelerate the children's training, a thread of guilt had lingered in his heart. He'd used the technique to check on their progress, never expecting to witness this scene.
"What good children…" Hiruzen murmured, his gaze fixed on a small figure with a purple hair ribbon in the crystal ball. An orphan, yet possessing virtues many clan children lack.
Ding!
[Target: Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Affection: 55.]
On the track, immersed in his performance, a sly smile formed in Tsuru's mind. He'd guessed right. The odds of the Hokage peeping on training today were high. And this little act would cement his persona perfectly. Kind. Diligent. Unyielding. With beauty and brains like his, how could he not harvest Affection Points?
Ding!
[Target: Kakashi Hatake. Affection: 30.]
Hm? Tsuru's eyes shifted. Kakashi? That inscrutable mask-wearer? Why now? Had his "unyielding will" moved the guy? No. More likely, his "unyielding will" reminded Kakashi of his dear, departed friend, Obito. That made the affection gain make sense. Tsk. Still thinking of his lifelong bro. What a dedicated friendship.
"Kakashi."
A figure appeared silently behind Kakashi.
Kakashi's pupils contracted. His hand instinctively went to the sword on his back. Then he recognized the voice and relaxed.
"Teacher." Kakashi, hidden among the tree branches, turned to face the newcomer.
Minato Namikaze's eyes held gentle regret. "Your surveillance mission is terminated. The front lines need you more." He was here to relay the Hokage's order. He hated sending his student back to the bloody battlefield, but he had no choice. Protecting the village was their duty as ninjas.
"Yes." Kakashi lowered his head, his tone devoid of emotion.
Seeing Kakashi grow colder, more inscrutable, Minato suppressed a sigh. Kakashi's form dissolved into an afterimage, leaping across rooftops until he vanished.
Minato glanced at Kakashi's former surveillance target down on the track and smiled faintly. A very well-behaved little girl.
Ding!
[Target: Minato Namikaze. Affection: 20.]
Minato?
Tsuru, who had been wholly immersed in his act, refocused. He noticed Kakashi was gone. He figured as much. A talent like Kakashi would be recalled to the war. Today's display probably convinced the Hokage he was no threat, making it pointless to waste such combat power on surveillance. Minato was Kakashi's teacher. Coming to fetch him made sense. As for the sudden affection points… well, Tsuru believed no one could see him and not feel some initial goodwill.
Hehe… Today was a major score.
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