CHAPTER 10

The academy was quieter than usual as Aiko stepped out into the village streets. The whispers about her team's performance during the covert test had started to fade, but the weight of her system lingered in her thoughts. No matter how much she tried to push it aside, the system always seemed to be a step ahead of her.

Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Aiko wandered through the quieter alleys of the village, lost in thought. The twilight painted the streets in muted tones, the distant hum of activity fading as she ventured further into solitude.

She didn't realize she was being followed.

The attack came swiftly—a shadow emerging from the darkness with a blade aimed directly at her. Aiko barely managed to evade the strike, her reflexes heightened by the system's buffs.

"You're the one they've been talking about," the rogue ninja said, his voice low and gravelly. "The strategist. Let's see what you're really made of."

Aiko's heart raced as her system activated fully, offering a flurry of predictions and countermeasures. Her mind struggled to keep pace with his erratic movements, her fear clouding her judgment.

The rogue pressed his advantage, striking with calculated precision. "Without your little tricks, you're nothing," he sneered.

His words hit her like a physical blow, and for a moment, doubt flooded her mind. She had always relied on the system as a tool, an external force guiding her actions. But now, faced with an enemy determined to exploit her hesitation, she realized the truth.

The system wasn't separate from her. It was hers.

Every skill, every decision, every ounce of strength—it came from her. The system was a part of her, a reflection of her potential, and denying it only held her back.

Aiko took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "You're wrong," she said, her voice steady. "I'm not nothing. And I'll show you why."

Her system flickered again, offering her the chance to push beyond her limits. She didn't hesitate.

She activated and maxed out the skills that had been waiting for her acknowledgment:

Combat Reflexes: Level 5 (MAX)

Tactical Precision: Level 5 (MAX)

Mental Fortitude: Level 5 (MAX)

Her movements shifted instantly, her confidence surging. She met the rogue's strikes head-on, her kunai blocking his blade with precision. Every step he took, she anticipated. Every strike he made, she countered.

"You're done," Aiko said, her grey eyes locked on his as she delivered a final, decisive blow. The rogue stumbled back, his mask cracked, before retreating into the shadows.

As the silence settled over the alley, Aiko leaned against the wall, catching her breath. Her system flickered faintly, offering a new notification:

Self-Acceptance Achieved. Skill Synergy Increased.

She stared at the message, her chest tightening. For the first time, she felt the weight of her power—and the promise it held. The system wasn't just a tool. It was a part of her, and she would use it to carve her own path, no matter what lay ahead.

The next day, as she entered the academy, a quiet confidence radiated from her. Minato, Kushina, and Mikoto greeted her as always, but their expressions shifted as they noticed something different about her.

"You're different," Kushina said, her tone teasing but thoughtful. "What happened?"

Aiko smiled faintly. "Nothing. Just figured a few things out."

Kushina smirked. "Well, don't keep it to yourself. We're a team, remember?"

Aiko met her gaze, her smile deepening. "Yeah. I know."

At the end of her journey that night, her system summarized her status:

Aiko Nakamura – System Status

Level: 8

Attribute Points Available: 0

Physical Conditioning:

 Strength: Average (Academy Standard)

 Speed: Slightly Above Average (Enhanced by System Allocations)

 Reflexes: High (Enhanced by System Allocations)

Chakra Reserves: Moderate (Sufficient for Academy Jutsu)

Skills Mastered:

 Combat Reflexes: Level 5 (MAX)

 Substitution Jutsu: Level 3

 Silent Step: Level 4

 Combat Analysis: Level 5 (MAX)

 Teamwork Awareness: Level 5 (MAX)

 Mental Fortitude: Level 5 (MAX)

 Tactical Precision: Level 5 (MAX)

Active Buffs: Reflex Boost (+15%)

Her progress now reflected her commitment—not just to the system, but to herself.