A little over three months had passed since the System had made its grand entrance. Winter had arrived in Konoha, dusting the rooftops and trees with a thin layer of snow.
Inside his small apartment, Naruto sat cross-legged on his futon, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he stared at the familiar blue interface.
(Host : Naruto Uzumaki)
(Chakra Capacity : Lower Genin)
(XP : 820)
Additional :
[Chakra Battery : Tail Beast Level (Yang Half Kurama)]
"Finally," he thought.
"Enough to buy the first card."
Despite his aversion to strenuous exercise, the daily trips to Ichiraku had proven surprisingly beneficial. Running to and from the ramen shop, even at a leisurely pace, had accumulated XP steadily.
It wasn't his preferred method, but 30 XP for roughly an hour of activity, spread throughout the day, was better than nothing.
He'd also learned that the System was strict; even if that hour of activity was spread over two or three days, the XP was only granted upon the full hour's completion.
"Alright, System," Naruto said aloud, "open the Shop."
The familiar cards appeared. Without hesitation, he focused on the [Genin Level Card] and mentally confirmed his purchase.
(XP : 20)
Naruto watched as his XP count plummeted back to a meager twenty.
"Ugh,"
He grumbled, "it always feels bad seeing the numbers drop again."
He shook his head, a determined glint in his eyes. "No matter. Time to put this to good use."
After a quick breakfast of instant noodles, Naruto bundled up in his winter clothes and headed out into the chilly village streets.
His goal: find a suitable Genin to use his newly acquired card on. He'd tried loitering around the Academy training grounds earlier, hoping to catch someone, but the instructors had quickly shooed him away.
"Damn those Academy instructors. Treating me like I'm going to contaminate their precious little students."
He pushed the annoyance aside. It wasn't worth dwelling on.
Around midday, after his simple breakfast, he finally spotted a lone figure exiting one of the training grounds. A Konoha headband glinted on their forehead.
'Perfect.'
He quickly activated the Genin Level Card.
[Genin Level Card Activated]
[Target Level : Average Genin]
(Chakra replicated successfully, adding to host's current chakra capacity...)
A subtle warmth spread through Naruto's core. He could feel his internal energy expanding, growing significantly. He mentally checked his status.
(Host : Naruto Uzumaki)
(Chakra Capacity : Elite Genin)
(XP : 20)
A wide grin stretched across his face. "Yes!" he whispered.
'Elite Genin level chakra just like that! And no one will suspect a thing.'
"Now that I think even if my chakra suddenly increased to Chunin or Jonin, they'll just chalk it up to the Kyuubi's influence, right?"
As he started making his way back to his apartment, his mind already strategizing about learning some basic jutsu to match his increased reserves, he overheard a commotion.
Three children, around his own age, were taunting a smaller girl. He caught snippets of their cruel words – "eyed monster," "creepy." The girl was crying.
Instantly, a memory surfaced – a hazy recollection from the anime of a young Naruto standing up for Hinata against similar bullies. But Naruto paused, a flicker of indifference in his eyes.
'Romance? Not interested. Not now anyway, Even if it is Hinata Hyuga.'
He started to walk past, intent on continuing his journey home. But then, one of the bullying children spotted him.
"Hey, look!" the kid shouted, pointing a mocking finger. "It's the demon fox!"
Something snapped within Naruto. He froze, his earlier apathy vanishing. He spun on his heel, his gaze hardening as he stalked towards the three bullies.
The children, initially emboldened, faltered at his sudden attention. They exchanged nervous glances, their laughter dying in their throats.
"Look, the white-eye monster and the demon fox are both here!" one of them stammered, trying to regain some bravado.
Thwack!
Before they could react further, Naruto moved with a speed and force that surprised even himself.
He lashed out, his fist connecting squarely with the jaw of the boy who had called him "demon fox." The kid yelped and stumbled backward, clutching his face.
'I don't care what these ignorant villagers say about me,' Naruto thought coldly, his knuckles aching slightly. 'But that word… it just gets on my nerves.'
His mind flashed to the Hokage. 'And that old man… Hiruzen. He knows what I go through, yet he has the gall to visit me in my apartment, acting all grandfatherly. What a hypocrite.'
He scowled, his thoughts spiraling.
'The original Naruto was so naive, so easily manipulated by the village elders and their ridiculous "Will of Fire" ideology. They use it to control everyone, especially the Academy students. Even Itachi and Minato were victims of it.'
'Without that twisted "Will of Fire," Itachi wouldn't have been forced to slaughter his entire clan. He would have gone after Danzo, the real culprit behind Shisui's suicide.'
'And Minato… he wouldn't have chosen to die and burden his newborn son with the Kyuubi if he hadn't think of village, not out of some noble sacrifice solely for me.'
His internal rant ended as he registered the whimpering of the three bullies, now sprawled on the snowy ground, clutching their bruises.
Behind him, the small Hyuga girl had stopped crying. She had stood up and was now staring at him with wide, lavender eyes.