Chereads / Rise of Uzumaki / Chapter 2 - CH - 02 Mysterious Number

Chapter 2 - CH - 02 Mysterious Number

Akira found himself staring at a mysterious number, proudly displaying "100%" as if it were a loading screen for a system. Being an avid reader of reincarnation novels in his previous life, he was quite familiar with the concept of systems and cheats found in those stories. However, when his memories returned, he discovered he didn't possess any special abilities or cheats. What a letdown honestly.

It made Akira wonder if he was an illegal immigrant in the Naruto world, denied a visa by the Reincarnation Association, and left without any handy cheats. According to Rule No.2 of the R.A. Handbook, every reincarnator was supposed to receive some nifty cheat—whether it was an ability, a system, or a rule-breaking power—to make their journey more interesting. Oh well, rules were rules, right?

Kushina couldn't help but notice Akira's sudden freeze, and she gently shook him, concern filling her voice. "Nii-san, what's wrong? Akira-nii?"

Snapping out of his frozen state, Akira hurriedly replied, "Oh, it's nothing. I think I just forgot something. You go ahead, and I'll catch up with you shortly."

Kushina watched as Akira darted off, a mixture of annoyance and worry crossing her face. She crossed her arms and let out an indignant huff. "Hmph! I won't save any ramen for you if you're going to abandon me like this!" She muttered to herself, grumbling about her brother's sudden disappearance.

But then, concerning thoughts flooded her mind. What if Akira ended up hungry later and couldn't sleep? Suddenly, A mischievous glint returned to her eyes, and she clenched her small fist triumphantly. "Ah-ha! I've got an idea!" A mischievous grin spread across her face as she formulated her plan.

"You know what? I'm going to tell Mom all about nii-san leaving me stranded in the middle of the road," she gleefully muttered. "And Mom will give him a piece of her mind!" The thought of Akira getting scolded by their mother brought a giggle to her lips. Oh, how satisfying it would be to see him squirm under their mother's watchful gaze.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Kushina continued her journey home. Thoughts of the impending confrontation and the satisfaction it would bring fueled her steps. She couldn't wait to witness the look on Akira's face when he realized the consequences of his actions.

Meanwhile, Akira had distanced himself from Kushina, lost in his thoughts. The vanishing number had left him both puzzled and intrigued. Determined, he decided to give it a shot and called out, "System!" Sadly, there was no response, leaving him scratching his head in confusion. But he wasn't one to give up easily. He tried a series of other commands, hoping for a breakthrough:

"Open system."

"Status."

"Show Status."

"My Status."

"Open Sesame."

"Wonder if I was just hallucinating," he mused, wondering if the pressure and his powerlessness had played tricks on his mind. He had been so hopeful that this could be his ticket to changing his fate, but now he had to put his trust in the Reincarnation Association. After a little pep talk, he reassured himself, "Maybe it wasn't a system after all." A glimmer of possibility sparked within him. "Could it be some kind of ability? But what do these numbers really mean?" Frustration crept in as he realized he had no clue about his newfound power. Oh, how he longed for a user manual!

"Couldn't those R.A. folks at least arrange a meet-and-greet with R.O.B before tossing me into this world?" He took a deep breath, composing himself after yet another failed attempt at a joke. Pondering how the number had appeared in the first place, thoughts of Kushina's future and the challenges they would face resurfaced, casting a shadow over his heart once more. "Anyway, then I thought to myself, is there any..."

A lightbulb moment struck, illuminating his face with newfound realization. "Is this my ability?" He couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement, though he tried to contain it. He paused, clasping his hands together in a prayer-like stance, and looked up at the sky. "Bless me, Go... " but Akira shook his head and paused, realizing there were no gods in this world, only aliens. Adjusting his prayer pose, he directed his plea towards the sky. "Bless me, R.O.B."

Casting a cautious glance around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, he muttered to himself, "Here goes nothing." Taking a deep breath, he spoke into the air, "What are the chances of the Uzumaki Clan surviving the joint shinobi attack in the future?"

A number blinked into view, revealing [12%], and for a moment, Akira was left dumbfounded. But then, a mischievous grin slowly spread across his face as he contemplated the possibilities from this newfound ability. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"

…..

In the ancient halls of Uzushiogakure, the Uzumaki elders and their revered patriarch gathered for a crucial discussion. Surrounded by threats from neighboring nations hungry for their sealing jutsu knowledge and Jinchuriki secrets, the fate of the Uzumaki clan hung precariously in the balance. The atmosphere was tense, charged with the weight of experience and wisdom.

The council table displayed scrolls and ancient tomes, symbolic of the clan's rich history. At the head of the table stood Patriarch Uzumaki Kazuki, a figure respected for his wisdom and burdened by the weight of the impending decision.

Patriarch Kazuki's weary eyes scanned the council as his voice carried a mixture of determination and uncertainty. The six elders, adorned in traditional robes, held decades of experience and memories of a bygone era. However, they now faced a delicate situation—one that posed a grave threat to their clan's existence.

The diplomatic Second Elder Ryo, known for his cautious approach, spoke first. "Perhaps we should wait and assess what assistance Konoha can provide. They have been long-standing allies, and they may be able to support us."

The impatient Fifth Elder Jiro leaned forward, his voice tinged with urgency. "But what if waiting only grants our enemies more time to attack? We cannot afford to sit idle and hope for the best. We must bolster our defenses and formulate a solid plan."

The moderate voice of Third Elder Mariko added a measured tone to the discussion. "While considering Konoha's support is vital, we must not rely solely on them. We must evaluate our own strengths and find ways to protect ourselves."

The steadfast Sixth Elder Takeshi, a staunch defender of tradition, spoke with unwavering determination. "We cannot surrender our knowledge and the secrets of the Jinchuriki. We must be prepared for any eventuality and ensure our survival."

The resolute Fourth Elder Akiko voiced her concerns with tempered resolve. "We must project strength and make it clear that we won't be pushed around. Any aggression against our clan must be met with fierce resistance."

The nostalgic First Elder Hiroshi added his perspective, tinged with a hint of longing. "Our secrets define us and have been passed down for generations. We cannot simply relinquish them to outsiders. We must safeguard what is rightfully ours."

As the voices of the elders collided, Patriarch Kazuki paced before them, his countenance reflecting the gravity of their deliberations. Their words carried the weight of centuries, and the patriarch struggled to find a balance amidst their differing opinions.

Finally, Patriarch Kazuki raised his hand, calling for silence. With a heavy sigh, he stepped forward, his voice filled with determination and restraint. "I appreciate each of your wisdom and concerns. However, let us be honest—we do not currently have a clear solution. We are placing our trust in Konoha to assist us. We must send them a letter to ascertain our standing in their eyes."

The Second Elder nodded, understanding etched on his face. "You are right, Patriarch. Engaging in dialogue with them may bring clarity to their position and provide us with an opportunity to prepare and determine our next steps. We must proceed with caution and unity."

The Fifth Elder sighed. "It would be ideal if they agree to help us, but..." he continued, his tone resolute, "we cannot afford to waste any more time. We need to fortify our defenses and be prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead."

The serene smile of the Third Elder, Mariko, met the patriarch's gaze. "Agreed. While we seek assistance from others, we must also remain vigilant and ensure the safety of our clan. I am willing to join the delegation to Konoha."

The Sixth, Fourth, and First Elders exchanged glances, their expressions softening as they recognized the necessity of unity.

Patriarch Kazuki's voice resounded with a mix of determination and weariness. "I understand each of your perspectives. We value our alliance with Konoha, but we must face the reality of our situation. We cannot solely rely on hope for external aid."

As the elders nodded, their aged faces revealing traces of doubt and vulnerability, the shadows of Uzushiogakure bore witness to a pivotal moment. The fate of the Uzumaki Clan now teetered on the edge, awaiting the winds of change and the arrival of their emissaries in Konoha. Deep down, they knew that their clan's future rested on the support they desperately sought from their longstanding ally.

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