Ryo walked deeper into the village, his mind a storm of thoughts. Kakashi's presence had left a lingering tension in the air, and the Copy Ninja's parting words repeated over and over in his head: This world doesn't take kindly to outsiders. Don't get too comfortable.
The truth of those words was clear enough. Despite the friendly atmosphere of Konoha—the bustling markets, the laughter of children, the occasional sight of shinobi leaping from rooftop to rooftop—there was an underlying edge to everything. This was a place where strength and cunning determined survival, and anyone who didn't belong stood out like a sore thumb.
Ryo knew he was an anomaly here. Even with his powers, his knowledge of this world came from an outsider's perspective. He wasn't part of its history or its struggles, and that put him at a disadvantage. Worse, the System had yet to explain why he was here or what purpose he served. Was he just a random interloper, or was there something bigger at play?
As he walked past a stand selling dango skewers, his thoughts were interrupted by the now-familiar chime in his head.
{System Notification: Tutorial Stage Active. Objectives: Integrate into Local Society. Recommended Action: Acquire Essential Skills for Basic Survival.}
The glowing translucent screen appeared in front of him again, floating lazily in the air.
"Integrate into society? That's your advice?" Ryo muttered under his breath, careful to avoid drawing attention to himself. "And what do you mean by 'tutorial stage'? Am I supposed to be leveling up or something?"
The screen flickered as the System responded, its tone as cold and neutral as ever.
{Response: The User's abilities are highly advanced. However, survival in this environment requires social, tactical, and cultural adaptation. Engaging with the local population will reduce suspicion and enhance long-term viability.}
Ryo sighed. It made sense, in a way. No amount of godlike power could help him if the entire village turned against him. He needed allies—people he could trust, or at least rely on. But how was he supposed to blend in when he was walking around with knowledge of a future that hadn't even happened yet?
As if sensing his hesitation, the System chimed again.
{Recommendation: Begin foundational training. Objective: Establish credibility. Suggested Training: Physical Conditioning, Chakra Control, Jutsu Application.}
"Foundational training?" Ryo raised an eyebrow. "I already have max-level mastery of chakra control and jutsus. What's the point?"
The System hesitated before responding.
{Clarification: While abilities are mastered, the User's unfamiliarity with their practical application may result in suboptimal performance. Physical and tactical training will ensure seamless integration.}
Ryo frowned. It seemed almost ironic. Here he was, armed with powers that could make him unstoppable, and the System was telling him to start from scratch. But as frustrating as it was, he couldn't deny the logic. This wasn't just about being powerful—it was about understanding how to wield that power in a world that was constantly testing its inhabitants.
"Alright, fine," he muttered. "Where do I start?"
Ryo found himself standing in a secluded clearing just outside the village. The trees formed a natural barrier around the space, their thick trunks shielding him from prying eyes. The air here was cooler, quieter, and the earthy scent of moss and leaves grounded him in the moment.
He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling within him. This was his chance to get a grip on his abilities, to figure out exactly what he was capable of.
"Let's start simple," he said to himself, rolling his shoulders. "Chakra control."
Closing his eyes, Ryo focused on the energy flowing within him. It was strange—he had watched enough of Naruto to understand the concept of chakra, but feeling it for himself was a completely different experience. It was like a river coursing through his veins, warm and vibrant, yet wild and untamed.
He extended his hands, letting the energy pool in his palms. The sensation was electric, and he could feel the raw power at his fingertips. With a flick of his wrist, he channeled the chakra into a simple hand seal.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu," he murmured.
There was a burst of smoke, and when it cleared, a perfect duplicate of himself stood a few feet away. The clone grinned, mirroring Ryo's expression.
"Not bad," Ryo said, examining the clone. It was solid, tangible, and every bit as real as the clones he'd seen Naruto create in the anime. But this wasn't just a skill he had borrowed—it was something he had mastered. The knowledge of how to create the clone, the exact amount of chakra required, the precision of the hand seals—it all came to him effortlessly, as if he had been doing it for years.
The clone gave him a thumbs-up before disappearing in another puff of smoke.
"Alright," Ryo said, his confidence growing. "Let's take it up a notch."
He moved through a series of hand seals, the motions fluid and instinctive. His chakra flared, and a ball of swirling energy began to form in his palm.
"Rasengan."
The sphere of compressed energy hummed with power, its surface shimmering like liquid light. Ryo stared at it, awe-struck. This wasn't just a recreation of something he had seen—it was real, and it was his.
He slammed the Rasengan into a nearby tree, and the impact was immediate. The bark splintered, and the trunk cracked under the force, sending shockwaves through the clearing. Birds scattered from the trees, their cries echoing in the distance.
Ryo stood there, his chest heaving as the adrenaline coursed through him. The power was intoxicating, but it was also overwhelming. He had to be careful—too much of this, and he could easily lose control.
"Not bad for a warm-up," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. But as he looked at the damage he had caused, a new thought began to creep into his mind.
What would happen if someone found out about him? About what he could do?
His training session was cut short by the sound of approaching footsteps. Ryo's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned to face the source of the noise. A figure emerged from the trees, their presence calm yet imposing.
It was Kakashi.
The silver-haired ninja stood at the edge of the clearing, one hand casually tucked into his pocket while the other rested on the hilt of a kunai. His visible eye scanned the area, taking in the cracked tree and the faint residue of chakra in the air.
"You're not very subtle, are you?" Kakashi said, his tone light but laced with curiosity.
Ryo swallowed hard, his mind racing. How much had Kakashi seen? Did he know about the Rasengan? The Shadow Clones?
"I was just… practicing," Ryo said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Kakashi tilted his head, his gaze never leaving Ryo. "Practicing, huh? For someone who claims to be a traveler, you seem to have some pretty advanced skills."
Ryo's heart pounded in his chest. He had to think fast. "I… picked up a few things here and there," he said vaguely, hoping Kakashi wouldn't press him further.
Kakashi's eye narrowed, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he walked over to the damaged tree, running his fingers along the splintered bark. He let out a low whistle.
"This isn't just 'a few things,'" Kakashi said, turning back to Ryo. "This is the kind of power that draws attention. And not always the good kind."
Ryo felt a chill run down his spine. Kakashi's words weren't just a warning—they were a reminder. In a world like this, power wasn't just a tool. It was a target.
As Kakashi left the clearing, Ryo stood alone, the weight of his situation settling heavily on his shoulders. He had come here to understand his abilities, to find his place in this world. But the more he uncovered, the more dangerous it all seemed.
For now, all he could do was keep moving forward. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: in a world of shadows and secrets, survival would require more than just power. It would require caution, strategy, and the courage to face whatever lay ahead.