The moment Ethan stepped toward the mission hall, the Settlement reacted.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just… deeply.
A tremor of light rippled across the white floor — like chakra threads plucked all at once — and the Panel woke up with a precision that felt almost ceremonial.
A single line appeared:
---
[NEW NODE AVAILABLE]
NARUTO — PRE-SHIPPUDEN TIMELINE
Stability Index: ★★★★☆
Threat Level: Moderate → High
Energy Density: Chakra-dominant
Narrative Fix-Points: Strict
---
Ethan felt the air shift as the world-selection veil peeled itself open.
Suzu stirred.
Aoi braced.
He didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
The Panel made the announcement for him.
---
[NARUTO ARC — MISSION PARAMETERS]
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
• Integrate into shinobi society
• Learn chakra safely
• Maintain timeline coherence (major events cannot alter)
• Avoid exposure of foreign energy systems (Nen, Reiatsu, etc.)
• Survive early-gen conflicts (missing-nin / rogue nin / tailed-beast zones)
---
A second set of golden characters slid underneath.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES
• Establish a village identity
• Complete academy-level training
• Secure a chakra mentor
• Learn at least one elemental nature
• Avoid attracting ANBU… unless necessary
---
Then the real challenge scrolled in, slow and heavy:
WORLD RESTRICTION
This world possesses advanced sensory systems.
Byakugan.
Sage perception.
Negative emotion sensing.
Killer Intent detection.
ANBU tracking seals.
Foreign energy signatures must be masked at all times.
Ethan exhaled sharply through his nose.
"Right," he muttered. "No flashy reiatsu bursts. No accidental nen flares. And definitely no Haki intimidation in the wrong place."
Suzu rubbed her cheek along his sleeve from the Taming Space, anxious but loyal.
Aoi projected calm, reinforcing his center.
The Panel waited until his pulse settled.
---
[REWARD PREVIEW]
Should the Naruto Node be completed:
• Chakra System Integration (full)
• Elemental Affinity Unlock (1–2 elements)
• Shinobi Physical Conditioning
• Nature Transformation Primer
• One Kekkei Genkai Template (non-major)
• Chakra → Nen bridge module
• Chakra → Reiatsu bridge module
PP Bonus: 30–60 (×10 via Eternal Multiplier)
---
The final line appeared like a whisper pressed into the air:
BEGIN?
And just like that, Ethan realized he wasn't standing in front of a mission prompt.
He was standing in front of a threshold.
The world around him dimmed.
The twilight sky over the Settlement folded like a page bent inward.
Chakra pulsed at the edge of the unseen door — warm, earthy, alive.
Suzu: soft click-click clicking, excited
Aoi: silent, steady support
Ethan tightened his grip on absolutely nothing except his own breath.
"Okay," he said softly.
"Let's go."
He stepped forward.
The world swallowed him in a rush of leaves, wind, and sunlight.
🧭 SYSTEM PANEL
────────────────────────────────────────
📊 ATTRIBUTES
Strength — 145
Agility — 172
Vitality — 158
Willpower — 190
Intelligence — 168
---
🔥 TRAITS
• Adaptive Learner
• Predator Instinct
• Reverse-Pressure Tolerance
• Survivor's Drive
• Resonant Soul
• Lunar Stability (Teen Wolf → integrated)
• Mental Shielding Base (Twilight → integrated)
---
⚔️ SKILLS
• Close Combat — Advanced
• Movement Techniques — Advanced
• Spiritual Awareness — Enhanced
• Nen/Ki/Chakra Hybrid Perception — Integrated
• Kido Theory — Proficient
• Survival Skills — Expert
• Tactical Planning — Advanced
---
💠 ABILITIES
• Soulstep (Bleach/Teen Wolf/HxH hybrid)
• Predator Insight
• Pressure Guard (foundation for future Haki/Chakra armor upgrades)
• Enhanced Fortitude
• Adaptive Analysis
• Taming Space (only system ability; Suite removed)
---
🌀 TAMING SPACE
Companions:
• Suzu — Hollow Scout
• Aoi — Stabilizer-Type Companion
Capacity: Unlimited
Evolution: Manual PP-based
Trait Sharing: Allowed
Instinct Merging: Allowed
No automation.
No Suite.
No external governance.
────────────────────────────────────────
🛒 SHOP PANEL
Ability Upgrades
Trait Enhancements
Skill Modules
Taming Space Evolutions
Cross-Energy Bridges (locked until compatibility levels increase)