Naruto let out a breath that fogged the cold window.Breakthroughs… yeah, that still felt like something distant, glittering far beyond reach.
His training these days was brutal, even by his own insane standards. Under the weighted seals strapped to his body, his physical strength and speed had begun to catch up with his once-dominant mental focus. Every muscle burned. Every breath scraped. But progress was progress.
He'd been using the standard mental discipline methods from the academy, but honestly? They were garbage. Designed for "safe" development. Boring, slow, and almost useless beyond Genin level.What worked better was his own brand of madness—raw taijutsu drills, no rules, no limits, and definitely no safety measures.
Every strike on the wooden post sank deep enough to draw blood.Every night ended in splints and bandages.If it weren't for the Nine-Tails constantly knitting him back together, he'd be nothing but a broken memory by now.
Even his weight training bordered on suicidal.A single misstep under the pressure seals, and he'd be out cold in the hospital again.But this was the deal he'd made. A year ago, the Nine-Tails—grudgingly—had laid down its terms.
"You want my power, brat? Then earn it.The first, second, maybe even third tail—you can handle.But if you ever open the fourth…"The beast's laughter had been low and dark."…then we share the pain."
And they did.When Naruto lost control, Kyuubi's hatred bled into him, just as his will leaked into the fox.A vicious exchange.A dangerous balance.But it worked.
Now, with Rikudō Shingon whispering through his mind, Naruto pulled up his status data again.
Rikudō Shingon System Log
Host: Uzumaki Naruto
Designation: Child of Destiny, Vessel of the Nine-Tails, Son of the Fourth Hokage
Strength: 39 (Avg. Adult: 10)
Speed: 37 (Avg. Adult: 10)
Mental Focus: 43 (Avg. Adult: 8)
Chakra Capacity: 3,100 / 5,000,000(Genin Avg: 100 | Chunin Avg: 1,000 | Jonin Avg: 10,000)
Abilities — "Six Divine Paths"
1. Shinra no Jutsu — Realm of the Body: grants short-range body displacement (1 meter).
2. Ten'gan — perceives life and death within 50 meters.
3. Ten'on — hears every sound, joy, or sorrow within 50 meters.
4. Ten'mon — reads the flow of fate within one's strength range.
5. Kyōmetsu — extend lifespan by 10 years, absorb or share life essence.
Ninjutsu Arsenal:
Clone Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu,Wind Style: Gale Blade, Genjutsu: Mist Servant, Body Flicker,Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu, Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Weapons: Kunai, Shuriken.Tailed Beast: Nine-Tails.
System Remark:"The Host seems oddly proud for someone still losing to wooden posts."
Naruto twitched."Did you just—mock me?"
"Mock? Me? Never. I am holy, after all. But if the sandal fits…"The voice of Rikudō Shingon echoed like a hymn, but its tone dripped smug amusement.
Naruto ignored it, scowling at his reflection in the window.His stats were decent for a second-year Academy student—close to Genin-level already. By next year, he could easily surpass that. Maybe even reach Chunin by graduation if he didn't die first.
Still, he knew one truth: every step past this point got harder.Progress slowed. The wall thickened.And yet, when he looked at the numbers, at the way his chakra reserves now rivaled multiple Chunin combined, something flickered in his chest—hope, pride… maybe arrogance.
"Host, your chakra output is now three times that of a standard Chunin. Impressive… for a mammal."
"Thanks, I guess."
"You're welcome, short-lived creature."
Despite the sarcasm, Naruto grinned.He didn't care. He could feel it—the slow, burning ascent.He'd fight, break, and crawl his way higher, one fracture at a time.
Tomorrow, he'd be back at the training grounds, pushing until his bones screamed.He'd master his six divine paths.And when the time came to steal that forbidden scroll…He'd already be more than ready.