2. Crafting His Path

Chapter 2: Crafting His Path

The sun hung high over Konoha as Sasuke wandered through the training grounds, still adjusting to the strange reality of his new system. His mind raced with possibilities. If he could gather resources and craft tools, could he also build things? Could he strengthen himself beyond normal ninja training?

He clenched the wooden sword in his hand, staring at the weapon with mild disappointment. This won't be enough. He needed something stronger.

DING!

> New Quest: Craft a Stone Tool

Mine 10 Cobblestone (0/10)

Reward: Stone Tools + 20 EXP

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Cobblestone? He looked down at the dirt beneath his feet, then toward the rocky cliffs at the edge of the training grounds. Without hesitation, he dashed toward them.

Standing before a large boulder, he gripped his wooden pickaxe and swung.

CHINK!

A cube of stone disappeared.

> +1 Cobblestone

Sasuke exhaled sharply, his Sharingan flickering for a moment as he analyzed the bizarre phenomenon. He continued mining, the rhythmic CHINK CHINK CHINK of his pickaxe breaking through the silence.

Before long—

> Quest Complete!

Reward: Stone Tools + 20 EXP

A new set of tools materialized in his inventory—a stone sword, pickaxe, axe, and shovel. He pulled out the sword, testing its weight. Much better. It wasn't as refined as a kunai, but it felt sturdy in his hands.

He smirked. If he could reach iron or even diamond-level weapons…

This system might be my greatest weapon.

---

Mission Announcement

The next morning, Team 7 stood before the Hokage, awaiting their next mission. Naruto fidgeted impatiently. "C'mon, old man! Give us something cool!"

Hiruzen chuckled. "You're still just genin, Naruto. Most of your missions will be simple tasks for now."

Naruto groaned as Iruka read from the mission scrolls. "Your options are: Helping with farmwork, babysitting a noble's child, or—"

"BORING!" Naruto shouted. "Give us something real!"

Kakashi sighed. "Naruto…"

But before he could scold him, another voice interrupted.

"Hokage-sama," Sasuke spoke up, eyes sharp. "Isn't there something… more challenging?"

Hiruzen stroked his beard. "Hmm… There is one mission that requires an escort. A C-rank."

"A real mission?!" Naruto's eyes sparkled. "We'll take it!"

Sakura gulped. "Wait, shouldn't we hear the details first—"

"Send them in," Hiruzen instructed.

The door opened, and a short, scruffy man with a straw hat and a bottle of sake stumbled in. "Hah! So these brats are my bodyguards?" He took a swig of his drink. "I'm Tazuna, the bridge builder. If you kids can keep up, I won't complain."

Naruto grinned. "Heh! No problem, old man!"

Sasuke, meanwhile, was deep in thought. A mission outside the village… new materials, new terrain… I wonder…

As they accepted the mission and prepared to leave, Sasuke's fingers brushed over his stone sword.

This was just the beginning.

---

To Be Continued…