1 year has fully passed since my reincarnation into this world, and things have been rather peaceful for the most part. Every day, I'd wake up, go through a morning workout, train Shiina, talk with her, breakfast, more training Shiina, play with her for a bit, lunch, library time with Shiina, have Shiina reflect on her training for the day. After all of that was done it would be time for dinner, then we'll split up for the rest of the day.
That is where I do my own self training fully. Of course this starts with push-ups, pull-ups, squats and many more, after that comes getting my new body used to the many Martial Arts I learned in my past life.
Capoeira, Brazilian Jiu Jutsu, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Hap ki do, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Boxing. Kickboxing, Aikido, Kyudo, Sumo and Fencing, HEMA is also included here. I train them all, obviously.
The reason why my Martial Arts (All) skill has yet to level up is because this body of mine is different from my old one, and thus I still need to train it still. Although when it does level up then I'll be at the level I was when I was 14 back in that place.
After that was nothing really else. I didn't have a lot to do in Chakra Control because I'd mastered Tree Walking the day after I got it. The next step, Water Walking, whilst I could do it, it was better to wait. If someone caught me practising Tree Walking, it would be easy to say that some random Genin was showing off their skills and I saw it, and wanted to replicate it, but Water Walking cannot be learned this early on. Genin will show off their skills but Chunin who are smarter, will likely keep their skills hidden.
Deception was a Soldier's greatest ally, but in this world, it would be a Shinobi's greatest friend.
Though in truth I was simply curious on if Tree Walking could be learned by doing what one does during Water Walking which meant performing acute changes to the flow of Chakra going to the soles to the feet to fit the state of liquid. Except with Tree Walking these changes were made to adapt. If you were using too much Chakra or using too little Chakra you made an acute change increasing or decreasing the amount of Chakra, whilst keeping in mind how much you are actually using, and were previously using, using this to eventually find the right amount to walk on the tree fully.
Anyways, after this training finished, I'd sneak around, that was until my Stealth Skill maxed out, and so I had no reason to do that anymore. In other words, I had nothing important to do, switched to my Hand Seals Skill, maxed that out, and so, my own training no longer included any skills.
This was simply due to the fact that if I actually learned any of the Jutsu from the scrolls I possessed, I'd be in danger if I was caught using any of them. Whilst Tree Walking could be learned by anyone, as a Genin can easily show it off, having access to Katon and other Jutsu's like it shouldn't be plausible. Obviously, I had the means to hide the fact's, it'll just be hard to keep it up over time.
You build one lie, and you build more lies, eventually you are sitting on a pile of lies that will inevitably be uncovered, when one is found, others are uncovered. And thus you are no longer trusted, but also hidden truths become obvious to them as well.
These people aren't idiot's, they'll figure out I was reincarnated if I gave them leeway for such lines of thought, of course they'll think I'm from this world when they do, but again, they aren't foolish.
Anyone who thinks a reincarnator can't be discovered in a world where deception is the rule of thumb is an imbecile. I have to reiterate this but most characters in this world aren't dumb, thus being cautious isn't just being cautious. It's a necessity.
I looked up at the ceiling at that last thought.
What constitutes an action as necessary, however?
What defines an action as necessary? What is it that makes a decision justified?
Humans like to believe necessity stems from a moral duty—protecting someone, striving for survival, or maintaining balance. For most, necessity is dictated by emotions, by connections they can't afford to lose. They justify their actions by calling them necessary to preserve their comfort, their desires, their attachments.
I once thought necessity was about efficiency—taking the most logical course of action to achieve a desired outcome. The fewer the variables, the more necessary the action becomes. In the White Room, that was the only metric that mattered. If an action led to survival, it was necessary. If it didn't, it was discarded.
But that was a world stripped of the distractions of a normal peaceful human life.
In this world, the definition blurs. Was it necessary to help Shiina? On the surface, it seemed efficient—a way to mould her into something useful. But did I need her? Could I have achieved the same results without her involvement?
Is necessity merely a justification we give ourselves after the action has already been taken? A means of rationalising our choices, reducing guilt, or silencing doubt?
In the end, perhaps necessity is simply a construct. The truth is, nothing is ever truly necessary. It's a convenient lie to make us feel in control, to keep us from facing the chaos of an uncaring world. What we deem as necessary is born of our own desires—whether they are selfish, logical, or emotional.
And yet... we act.
We act because we need to. Not because the action itself holds intrinsic necessity, but because we assign that value to it. We give it meaning. We justify it.
The real question is not what is necessary, but what we're willing to make necessary to serve our goals.
In this world winning was everything. At least that was necessary to me. Victory above all else.
The sacrifices did not matter to me. The methods used did not matter either. As long as my victory was secured, that was all that matters.
As I glanced at the front of my door, I began thinking deeper.
Perhaps, learning a Jutsu won't be so bad, I just need to make sure to not get caught using it. Not only that, but since there were dungeons I wanted to begin preparing for them. It's a slight betrayal of my former thoughts but I do need to start learning Jutsu eventually. Besides, I understood enough to know that being caught with a basic Jutsu isn't so bad. So long as it looks like I'm only experimenting that is.
It had to be only one, and I had to have read about it. I know which one I should learn then. After all, it was common to see E ranked Jutsu mentioned in books, so all I had to do was learn a basic E ranked Jutsu.
With that I opened my inventory taking out the Katon: En Kunai Jutsu Scroll before closing the menu. After that I unfurled the scroll, and began reading the information inside.
Unlike the regular form of the Gamer, I couldn't auto learn Jutsu from a scroll unless 3 specific things were done. 1 was obvious, having the scroll, the second was to read the scroll, and the 3rd was understanding the contents inside, which was fairly easy.
Skill learned, Katon: En Kunai
Katon: En Kunai LVL 1/20: By channelling a small amount of fire chakra into a kunai, you envelop the blade of the Kunai in a thin, somewhat potent layer of flames. This fire enhances the kunai's cutting power slightly, allowing it to burn through light materials and deliver small burns to opponents upon contact.
Costs 20 Chakra. This Jutsu enhances the Kunai's damage by 5%.
Hand Seals: Ram → Tiger → Bird
If I played my cards right when it was uncovered that I could use this then I'd be considered a prodigy, if not, then I would be in danger. Of course, I needed to make sure of some things but in the end, adjusting my plans for small inconveniences is good.
With that I put my hand to my chin, thinking about my plans.
It doesn't change much in my plans, but it does offer proof that I am a prodigy, I should keep my skill hidden for now. I wonder, maybe I should
Achievement "Learn your first Jutsu" completed.
Reward: 500 EXP, E ranked Jutsu scroll
Futon: Kaze Kunai Jutsu Scroll obtained.
You have levelled up to LVL 8.
So simply by learning that Jutsu, I got 2 levels. I'm curious, how many Achievements are there in this system exactly? Well it's not like it matters, I've got more important matters to deal with.
My Naruto plan requires me to step in to help Naruto save Hinata from those bullies, not just so I can impress him, but so I can get into good graces with the Hyuuga heiress as an added benefit. From there, manipulate Naruto to no longer be so trusting of the 3rd, which would lead to him trusting of me and those around me.
That would be done by revealing to Naruto what he has in his stomach and why he is hated, then pointing out his resemblance to the fourth Hokage, which would naturally lead to him figuring out who his father is, and then from there it's simple. I can imagine the conversation now.
Trust was a weapon that when used, allowed one to manipulate the individual for your own benefits, with no consequences. That was why I always made others trust me. It was a calculated manoeuvre.
One that granted me total control of my Pieces.
In the case of Sasuke, it has to be after the Uchiha Genocide. Earning his trust would be simple, get him to accidentally see me with a Sharingan active in both eyes, although for that I have to awaken my own. And that comes with its own issues.
I got rid of my emotions a long time ago, it was only logical in the White Room to get rid of something that impacted your ability to perform well in that place. Emotions were one such thing.
The Sharingan only awakens through intense emotions.
Which means, my ultimate goal has to be to regain my lost emotions before the Uchiha Massacre.
Most of this stuff I've covered already, but reiterating it and reviewing it in my mind was good, but the main part about me needing to regain my emotions, I wondered if that was even possible for someone like me.
Either way, I need to try to regain something I lost.
With that thought, I recalled a memory.
A few months had passed since that facility had to be shut down, temporarily. I was currently with Matsuo, my personal butler in the mansion my father owned. I lived there for now, at least until the White Room's operations continued.
Being outside the White Room allowed me to do many things I couldn't have done before, which was why I was currently with Matsuo, outside the Mansion for the first time for the Fireworks Festival.
Walking down the path, my geta made soft, cluttering sounds against the stone pathway as the sky was painted in a purplish, orange hue as the day turned to evening. I wasn't here for the start since Matsuo stated that it was best to wait till evening. Wearing this Kimono with flower-like designs was recommended by Matsuo also.
"Hey, Matsuo, what did you want me to do here?"
Matsuo looked at me with his kind, aged smile as he gave his answer, "Well, it's part of tradition, Festivals like this have held significance in Japan since the Edo Period. Although, I assume you knew that right, Kiyomi Sama?"
That was obviously a rhetorical question, with my education there was no doubt in his mind I knew such a fact.
"Yeah. But if I know all of this already, why even take me here?"
"Because, to me Fireworks produce a certain "Magic" that's hard to ignore." He answered me again, looking at the sky.
I turned my head towards him, "Magic?" I asked.
"Indeed, magic. But it is not something which can be researched, like a scientific subject. Rather, one has to see it with their own eyes, and experience it themselves. Only then will you receive the chance to understand what kind of 'magic' fireworks produce, Kiyomi Sama."
"Magic, huh...." I looked up at the sky, "I wonder, will I be able to see it the way you do?"
All my life, I was caged in that place devoid of any colour. Like a bird in a cage, never being free. I only saw the world logically, never seeing all of its colours. And this freedom I had right now, it was still me in a cage, once the White Room resumed operations, I'd return.
However Matsuo chuckled, faintly, putting his hand on my hair, gently, "Haha, I do not believe you have to worry about that, Kiyomi Sama. You do not have to completely understand it on your first try, that would be unreasonable. It is fine just for today to see the colours that may one day be your world."
I wondered what he meant by that last sentence that made him sound so sure of his words, as a tranquil silence enveloped us. Both because I didn't want to say more, and he seemed content on watching me as I experienced my first ever festival. Eventually though I broke the silence.
"Why do you seem so certain that I can one day regain my emotions?"
"Who knows? Maybe we should enjoy our time a bit more here. The show starts in 2 hours after all."
As we walked, I looked at the butler, "Alright, then." I stated, not caring really, as I looked at a stall. I decided to grab some food, Takoyaki to eat. Which was quick to do, I paid, waited, grabbed the Takoyaki getting some for Matsuo and continued walking, eating my Takoyaki in the comfortable silence that followed me and Matsuo.
Eventually we stopped by the hillside, "Here is where we'll watch the Fireworks."
"Alright then." I stated, looking at the area in front of me. "Three reagents, potassium nitrate, carbon, and sulphur create gunpowder. A combustion reaction out of those types of materials create this detonation explosion. Solid potassium carbonate and sulphate, nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas make Fireworks."
"Kiyomi Sama, the show is about to start soon," Matsuo stated, as he looked to the sky. I did too, waiting.
The first firework flew into the sky, before exploding into a sea of red, then more went off, filling the sky with a grandiose display of colours. Red, orange, purple, all sorts of colours. I stayed silent, Matsuo... He was right, this was something magical. The colours seen filled my irises, and to an extent, filled the void in my heart slightly. Though not as much as Matsuo's next words.
"Kiyomi Sama," Matsuo's voice interjected my thoughts as I turned to look at him. Before I even had to ask, he said something surprising, "What if I told you there was a way you could escape from the White Room?"
"What do you mean Matsuo?"
"I know of a School that even with all of his political power, your father won't be able to reach you."
"What?"
"This School is a Government funded institution, designed to train the world's future leaders, although it allows regular people inside. That school has a strange rule where nobody can contact the inside of the School, and nobody can contact the world outside of its premises."
The gears in my head turned, and then for the first time, a flame appeared in my heart, "I can escape my father by going there, even if the freedom is temporary, I'll be able to live life as a normal person for a while."
"Yes, Kiyomi Sama." Matsuo smiled warmly, as he brought hope to my ice cold heart.
The memory faded, as I looked up at my ceiling.
No, I already knew one emotion, hope. And if that was possible, I wondered, no, I hoped it was possible to regain my other lost emotions.
If Matsuo gave me the ability to feel hope, then others should help me feel other emotions, right?
And so, I made it my goal to regain my emotions.