CHAPTER 8

The morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees surrounding the academy's training grounds. Aiko stood at the edge of the clearing, her grey eyes scanning the field as her classmates trickled in. Her mind, however, was elsewhere—focused on the glowing interface of her system that only she could see.

System Status:

Level: 7

Attribute Points Available: 3

Skills Mastered:

 Substitution Jutsu: Level 3

 Chakra Flow: Level 2

 Silent Step: Level 4

 Combat Analysis: Level 2

 Teamwork Awareness: Level 1

Active Buffs: Reflex Boost (+15%)

The progress she had made was undeniable. Weeks of careful training, both in the academy and in secret, had allowed her to refine her abilities—but she knew it wasn't enough. Her body still had limits, and every decision to allocate her precious attribute points required strategic planning.

Her attention shifted as Kushina bounded onto the field, her fiery red hair catching the sunlight. "Morning, Aiko!" she called out, her voice brimming with energy. "Ready to kick some butt today?"

Aiko offered a small smile. "Let's see how the day goes."

The academy instructor clapped her hands, drawing the group's attention. "Listen up! Today's exercise will focus on stealth and retrieval. You'll be split into teams, and your objective is to recover the target without being detected by the guards. Remember—this isn't just about individual skill. Teamwork is key."

As the students murmured among themselves, Aiko noticed a figure standing at the edge of the field. Kurosawa, a Jonin, observed the group with a calculating gaze. His presence was unusual—Jonin rarely attended academy training sessions unless there was a specific reason.

"Why is he here?" Aiko wondered, the system flickering faintly in her mind. A notification appeared:

Observation: Evaluator. Reason: Classified.

Her chest tightened. She had always been careful to keep her abilities subtle, but the idea of being watched so closely unsettled her.

"Hey, Aiko." Minato's voice pulled her from her thoughts. He stood beside her, his usual warm smile slightly tempered by curiosity. "You okay? You've been zoning out a lot lately."

"I'm fine," she replied quickly. "Just... trying to stay focused."

"Don't worry," he said with a wink. "We've got this."

The exercise began in the dense woods surrounding the training grounds. Aiko crouched low, moving with practiced ease as her Silent Step: Level 4 skill rendered her movements nearly soundless. Ahead, she could see Minato and Kushina coordinating their approach, while Mikoto hung back, her dark eyes scanning their surroundings.

The target—a scroll tied to a post—was guarded by two chunin acting as sentries. Aiko paused, activating Combat Analysis: Level 2. The interface highlighted the sentries' patrol patterns, their movements precise but predictable.

"They're moving in a loop," Aiko whispered to her teammates. "Two steps west, pause for three seconds, then loop east. If we time it right, we can slip past without engaging."

"Nice work," Mikoto said, her tone approving. "Kushina, create a distraction to draw their attention. Minato and I will cover Aiko while she retrieves the scroll."

"On it!" Kushina grinned, her fiery determination evident as she darted off to execute the plan.

Aiko took a deep breath, her system pulsing faintly in her mind. She allocated her remaining attribute points quickly:

Speed: +1

Reflexes: +1

Chakra Control: +1

The subtle boost steadied her nerves, and she moved forward, her steps light and deliberate. As Kushina's distraction drew the sentries' attention, Aiko slipped past them, her enhanced reflexes allowing her to grab the scroll with ease.

"Got it," she whispered, signaling to her teammates.

The return trip, however, didn't go as smoothly. As the group regrouped in the shadows, a sudden rustling in the trees set them on edge. Aiko's system flickered, a new alert flashing before her eyes:

Warning: Hostile Presence Detected. Prepare for Engagement.

Mikoto's hand went to her kunai. "We're not alone."

Minato's expression hardened, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced with focus. "Stick together. We'll handle this."

Aiko's heart raced, but her mind remained steady. She wasn't just a passive participant anymore. She was part of this world, and she was ready to face whatever came next.