Chapter 16: The Weight of Ambition
As I walked through the bustling streets of Konoha, whispers followed me like a persistent shadow. News of my achievement in creating a jutsu at the tender age of seven had spread like wildfire. It felt surreal to be the center of attention. The stares from villagers, once a distant part of my existence, now filled me with a strange mix of pride and apprehension.
In my previous life, I had been just an ordinary man—unremarkable, invisible in a sea of faces. I spent my days trapped in a monotonous routine, chasing dreams that always felt out of reach. At times, I yearned for something more, but fear and doubt kept me stuck in mediocrity. Here, in this new life, I was no longer ordinary. I had been granted a second chance, and I was determined not to waste it. Being noticed, cheered for, admired—it was a new experience, and I embraced it. The thrill of being in the spotlight was exhilarating.
As I soaked in the vibrant atmosphere around me, a surge of excitement rushed through my veins. I couldn't allow myself to be mediocre anymore. Greatness was the only option, and my path to it had already begun. A surprise followed:
Achievement: Famous Throughout the Village;
Rewards: 50 Points, 10x Chakra Recovery Speed.
Fifty points! I decided to save them for now. Once I reached sixty, I planned to split thirty each into my Physique and Mental Strength. But what really excited me was the tenfold chakra recovery speed. This wasn't just a 10x multiplier on my current capacity; as my chakra grew, this multiplier would increase too. Previously, it took me thirty minutes to recover one hundred units of chakra. Now, it would take just three. If at my peak I could recover 300 units per minute, with this multiplier, it'd become 3,000 units per minute. It felt like unlocking a cheat code for growth.
As I relished my achievements, I began planning for the future. Now was the perfect time to start "creating" the Rasengan. If I could develop an A-rank jutsu at my age, it would definitely catch the eye of the Second Hokage. That could land me a mentor like Sarutobi Hiruzen. Connections were crucial in this world, especially for an aspiring ninja. All the Hokage of Konoha had some form of master-student relationship. If I could get into that circle early on, I wouldn't have to worry about eligibility and could focus on becoming stronger.
And then there was the luxury of time. I had fifty years until the Fourth Shinobi War, a time when the world would be pushed to its limits. With the system, I could realistically aim for the level of Naruto and Sasuke, or perhaps even the Sage of Six Paths. Unlike other isekai protagonists, who were often reborn later and had to deal with constant pressure, I had time. I didn't have to worry about Danzo, or the wars, or the endless push to grow stronger as fast as possible. I could take my time and prepare.
Even the first ninja war I would encounter, the Second Shinobi War, was over a decade away. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru would be in their twenties when they occurred. I had all the time I needed to train, build connections, and steadily rise to the top without rushing. This was my chance to become more than what I'd ever been before.
With these thoughts in my mind, I made my way toward Senju Park. Tsunade had invited me today, and I didn't want to keep her waiting. When I approached, she was sitting on a bench, tapping her foot impatiently. Her face lit up the moment she saw me.
"There you are, Akira! I thought you got lost," she teased, arms crossed with a playful smirk.
I chuckled. "I wouldn't get lost in my own village."
"Right," she replied, rolling her eyes. "You're a genius now; you must think you know everything."
"Of course I do," I said, matching her playful tone. "So, what's today's plan, Tsuna-chan?"
"I thought we could train a bit, but I also want to see if you can actually create something new," she said, putting extra emphasis on the word 'create' with a smirk.
My heart raced at her challenge. This was my moment to show her that I wasn't just talking big. "How about a little spar first?" I suggested, eager to test my skills.
"Sure! But don't hold back just because I'm your friend," she warned, cracking her knuckles.
We stepped away from the bench, and I focused, channeling my chakra as I prepared for the spar. I'd been training hard, refining my abilities in secret. As Tsunade charged at me, I sidestepped, my pulse quickening. The thud of her feet on the ground echoed the excitement coursing through me. I had to stay sharp.
"Not bad! But you can't dodge me forever!" she shouted, closing the gap again.
I countered with quick, fluid movements, keeping her off-balance. In the back of my mind, I could hear the whispers of my classmates and the village, urging me to show what I could do. The pressure pushed me to perform.
"Alright, Tsuna-chan! Watch this!" I called out, gathering my chakra and weaving hand signs. "Water Style: Water Wave Jutsu!"
A large wave of water rushed toward her, but she nimbly dodged to the side. I wasn't done. "Fire Style: Flame Wave Jutsu!"
A wave of flames followed, but this time I focused on the swirling chakra in my hand. It wasn't quite a Rasengan yet, but the energy sparked and glowed, lighting up my face.
"Wow, you're serious!" Tsunade exclaimed, her eyes wide. "You're actually trying to show off!"
"Just a little!" I grinned. "I've been thinking about a new jutsu. If I get it right, it'll be an A-rank."
As we continued sparring, it became clear that I wasn't just proving my abilities—I was building something deeper with Tsunade. Our connection strengthened, and the excitement of the spar only fueled it further.
After a while, we both collapsed onto the grass, breathless but laughing. "That was intense!" Tsunade said, wiping her forehead. "You've really improved since last time."
"Thanks, but I've still got a long way to go," I replied, feeling a sense of closeness. "But training with you is fun."
We sat in silence for a moment, watching the clouds drift lazily by. The sun dipped lower, casting warm colors across the park.
"Hey, Akira," Tsunade broke the silence. "Do you really think you can create more jutsu? It's hard, especially for high-rank ones."
"I have to try, don't I? It's a goal worth reaching," I replied, feeling the weight of ambition settle on my shoulders. "If I succeed, maybe the Hokage will notice."
Tsunade nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. But don't rush. You need to find your own style, not just follow what others have done."
I smiled at her encouragement. "I will. It's just a matter of timing."
As we got up to leave, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. My journey was only beginning, and the future seemed bright. I knew there was hard work ahead, but with friends like Tsunade beside me, I felt ready to face it all.
"Let's get some dango before we head back," I suggested as we walked side by side.
"Sounds perfect!" she said with a grin.
As we headed toward the village, excitement filled my heart for what lay ahead. I knew I had time to work on my relationships too. Tsunade had made her feelings clear, and though we were still young, this world was different. I figured by next year, when we turned eight, I'd start taking that step. It wasn't uncommon here, and I had time to balance growth, bonds, and everything else that would lead me to the top.
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