The morning sun filtered through the paper-thin shoji doors, casting a soft, golden light across the small room.
Shoi stirred beneath the worn futon, his body aching with every movement. The discomfort was an old friend, one he'd come to know well since he first awoke in this strange world.
He sighed, gazing up at the wooden ceiling, the grain patterns both familiar and foreign. It had been a year since the memories of his past life had resurfaced, revealing a world vastly different from the one he now inhabited.
Shoi had no family here—he was merely existing. From what he'd gathered through the villagers and merchants, he had come to a troubling conclusion: this world was supposed to be the world of Naruto. Yet, something was off.
Everyone knew that Naruto Uzumaki had died during the Fourth Great Ninja War, but Shoi was baffled. How had Naruto died? Wasn't he meant to survive?
If Naruto was gone, who would protect against the Otsutsuki?
The silence of the room was abruptly broken by a voice—cold, mechanical, and utterly alien—resonating in his mind.
[Dengenerate System Activated.]
Shoi's eyes widened in shock, his heart racing. What was this? He had read about systems in light novels from his previous life, but this was different—this was real. This wasn't some fictional narrative; this was his new reality.
Before he could fully grasp the situation, a translucent window appeared before him, floating in the air. The text was clear, written in a language he understood instinctively:
[Dengenerate System]
Host: Shoi
Chakra Purity: On par with Otsutsuki
Status: Healthy
Shoi stared at the floating window, his mind struggling to reconcile the surreal words with reality. His heart pounded as he tried to process the implications.
A system? In the world of Naruto? And what did it mean by "Chakra Purity: On par with Otsutsuki"?
He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his racing thoughts. "What… what is this?" he asked aloud, though he hadn't expected an answer.
The system's voice responded immediately, cold and devoid of emotion:
[This is the Dengenerate System. It is designed to assist the Host in navigating and succeeding in the current world.]
Shoi frowned. "Navigating and succeeding? What does that even mean? And why me?"
[The Host has been selected due to the unique properties of the Host's soul, which originates from a higher universe. The system is attuned to the Host's soul and will provide guidance and enhancements as necessary.]
"Guidance and enhancements…" Shoi echoed, his mind whirling. "So, you're saying I'm stuck with you? What exactly are you supposed to do?"
[Affirmative. The system will assist in the Host's growth and survival. It provides information, missions, and rewards to ensure the Host achieves the highest potential.]
"Missions and rewards?" Shoi's unease grew. "Like some kind of video game? This isn't a game, though—this is real life."
[The system operates on principles akin to those found in games, designed to streamline the Host's experience and progression. However, the world remains entirely real.]
Shoi shook his head in disbelief. "This is insane… What's with this 'Chakra Purity' thing? Why is it on par with the Otsutsuki?"
[The Host's soul originates from a higher universe, resulting in extraordinarily pure chakra. This purity enhances your abilities, such as chakra control, jutsu power, and resilience. Your chakra's purity rivals that of the Otsutsuki, giving you immense potential for growth and influence.]
A shiver ran down Shoi's spine. The Otsutsuki were legendary figures, almost divine within the Naruto world. To have chakra on their level was both exhilarating and daunting.
"But why was I chosen? What's the purpose of all this?" Shoi asked, a trace of fear seeping into his voice.
[You were selected due to the unique compatibility between your soul and the system's requirements. The goal is to ensure your survival and dominance within this world, and to prepare you for any potential threats.]
"Potential threats?" Shoi thought back to his previous worries. "You mean like the Otsutsuki? Are they coming back?"
[The system lacks specifics about future events. Nonetheless, the Otsutsuki remain a potential threat. The system is designed to equip you with the necessary tools to face any such dangers.]
Shoi exhaled slowly, trying to absorb the enormity of the situation. A system? Chakra purity on par with the Otsutsuki? And now, the looming threat of their return?
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "So, what now? What am I supposed to do with all this?"
[You should focus on enhancing your strength, using the system's features to improve your abilities and influence. Further guidance will be provided as needed.]
Shoi gazed at the translucent window, feeling the weight of his new reality settle over him. He didn't fully grasp everything that was happening, but one thing was certain: his life had just grown infinitely more complex.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, more than to the system. "I guess I'll have to roll with this for now."
Shoi took another deep breath, trying to process the system's revelations. The absurdity of it all was overwhelming, but one question lingered in his mind.
"Wait a second," he said, frowning. "Why is it called the 'Degenerate System'? That name… doesn't exactly inspire confidence."
The system's voice responded with its usual cold, mechanical tone:
[The system's name reflects the nature of the missions and tasks it will assign.
These tasks are designed to align with your desires and ensure maximum benefit, often involving actions considered degenerate or immoral by societal standards.
This includes, but is not limited to, forming relationships, marriages, and other interactions within this world.]
Shoi blinked, absorbing the implications of the system's words. "So, you're saying… you're going to give me missions involving intimate relationships? Marry this person, do that with someone else… all for rewards?"
[Affirmative. The system will provide missions that align with the Host's potential and desires. Completing these tasks will yield rewards and enhance abilities, ensuring the Host's growth and survival.]
Shoi's eyes widened in disbelief.
Of all the systems he could have ended up with, this one was fixated on… this? "So, I'm basically stuck with a perverted system that wants me to marry people and engage in various activities for power-ups?"
[Correct. The system's tasks are designed to maximize the Host's potential in the shortest amount of time. The nature of these tasks may involve intimate relationships and other actions that lead to significant rewards.]
Shoi sighed deeply, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Great. Just great. This is exactly what I needed… a system pushing me into a series of risqué scenarios."
He felt a mix of exasperation and resignation. This was far from what he had anticipated upon waking up in this world, but it appeared he had little choice but to go along with it.
Shoi took a deep breath, striving to calm his turbulent thoughts. "Alright, let's see where this goes. But I'm not going to accept everything blindly."