The air reeked of scorched earth and smoldering wood as another explosion rocked the training ground. Kayomi stood at the center of the devastation, his tiny chest heaving. His crimson eyes, glowing faintly in the midday sun, locked onto the crumbling remains of his latest earthen wall.
"Again."
His hands moved in sharp, practiced seals. Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu! The massive fireball roared to life, streaking across the air with destructive force, followed by Earth Style: Mud Wall!
The collision was deafening, sending shockwaves through the dirt and kicking up a storm of debris. Kayomi gritted his teeth, his arms trembling from the strain. The effort left him winded, but he didn't stop.
[System Update]
Training Efficiency: 78% Improved
Chakra Reserves: Below Average → Average
Beast Magic [Lvl 3]: Summon capacity increased to two fire-wolf pups (size: medium dog)
Six Eyes [Lvl 2]: Chakra perception extended to 50m (still blurry beyond 20m)
Fire Dragon Slayer [Lvl 3]: Flame duration increased to 4.5 seconds (heartburn reduced by 15%)
Kayomi wiped soot from his face, eyes scanning the carnage. Two and a half years old, and already turning training grounds grey with ash
His thoughts darkened as they drifted toward the war toward everything looming on the horizon. The Third Shinobi War. He was born just four years before Kakashi and Obito's generation. The Kannabi Bridge mission. Rin's death. The Nine-Tails attack. All of it would happen soon enough. And he had no idea if he'd be ready when the storm hit.
"Kayomi!"
His mother's voice sliced through the tension, snapping him back to the present. Saori Inuzuka stood at the edge of the field, her arms crossed, an unamused look on her face. "Training's over. Come eat before you burn down the whole compound."
Kayomi dispelled the fire-wolves with a flick of his wrist. He trudged toward the house, his mind still racing. As he passed the rain barrel, he caught his reflection.
Crimson eyes darker than any Uchiha's gazed back at him. His Beast Magic had sharpened his fangs, and his nails had taken on a claw-like curve. Wild black hair framed his face, giving him an almost feral look.
I look like a demon.
The kitchen smelled of roasted meat and citrus. His mother, unfazed by his soot-covered appearance, ruffled his hair. "Wash up, little wolf. You're tracking ash everywhere."
Kayomi gave a half-hearted nod and washed his hands, all the while mentally reviewing his training. The Six Eyes were still barely functional, the chakra cost too high, and his fire-based abilities felt like they could burn him out before he even had a chance to use them in combat. But his system's "rewards" were progress. Even if his flames had the intensity of a campfire and his wolves looked more like slightly aggressive puppies.
Sitting down at the table, Kayomi dug into his meal. His thoughts raced. I need to refine my control, get better chakra management, and maybe, just maybe, try to focus more on my physical training.
"System," he muttered between bites. "Show me the afternoon training schedule."
[Afternoon Training Schedule]
1. Bodyweight Exercises (40x squats, 15x modified push-ups)
2. Chakra Meditation (Focus: Rainbow Ember Circulation)
3. Tree-Walking Practice
4. Trait Refinement:
Fire Wolf Summoning Duration Tests
Dragon Slayer Flame Concentration Drills
Six Eyes Chakra Observation Trials
5. Rest? ( Unlikely )
Kayomi scoffed at the last option. Rest? Not in this world.
"You're really going to make me do another round of tree-walking?" Kayomi muttered under his breath as he finished his meal. "I get it. Control is key, but I want something stronger." He shoved his bowl aside and stood up, ready to return to the training ground.
His mother's voice drifted from the kitchen. "Be careful, Kayomi. Don't break anything this time."
He smirked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "No promises."
Returning to the training ground, he summoned the fire-wolves again. This time, instead of full-on destruction, he focused on refining their summoning and flame control. The pups appeared, their molten eyes glowing as they bounded around him.
[System Notification]
Next Milestone: Academy Enrollment (2 years, 6 months)
Warning: Excessive training may stunt growth (literally)
Kayomi's mouth twitched into a grin. "Sorry, System. In this world, monsters survive."
He focused his attention back on the fire-wolves, honing his control. His chakra still flickered unsteadily, but every small improvement counted. He'd get better. He had to get better.
And when the war came, Kayomi would be ready not just to survive but to win.