Naruto walked home with his hands behind his head, kicking a loose pebble down the street.
The late afternoon sun painted the rooftops of Konoha orange. Civilians wandered the streets, shopkeepers closed stalls, and somewhere nearby someone was arguing loudly about dumpling prices.
Naruto barely noticed any of it.
Because right in front of his face—
His system interface hovered.
The Shinobi Codex pulsed softly.
Naruto squinted at it while walking.
"So… you're telling me I've had this thing for almost a whole day…"
He tapped the floating panel.
"...and I still don't know what half of these buttons do?"
The Codex chimed.
*Ping*
New Menu Available
[System Shop][Point Exchange][Lottery]
Naruto froze mid-step.
"...Lottery?"
His eyes widened slowly.
"Oh no."
His grin spread even wider.
"Oh YES."
He quickly ducked into a quiet alley and leaned against the wall.
"Alright system…"
He rubbed his hands together.
"Show me the good stuff."
He tapped System Shop.
The panel expanded.
System Points: 15
Available Purchases:
Small Stat Boost (1 point) – 10 PointsSkill Experience Pack (Small) – 15 PointsBasic Chakra Control Training – 30 PointsRandom Ninja Tool Pack – 20 Points
Naruto blinked.
"...Wait."
He leaned closer.
"That's it?"
He scrolled.
More options appeared but were greyed out.
Locked Items:
Advanced Chakra ControlElemental Affinity DetectionSkill Evolution StonesBloodline Awakening Fragments
Requirement: System Level Too Low
Naruto crossed his arms.
"Hmph."
Then he noticed the next tab.
Lottery
Naruto's eyes sparkled.
"Oh this is definitely the fun one."
He tapped it immediately.
The screen changed dramatically.
Bright lights appeared.
A spinning wheel.
Confetti.
Trumpet noises.
Naruto jumped.
"WOAH!"
Cost Per Roll: 10 System Points
Possible Rewards:
Common – 70%Rare – 25%Legendary – 5%
Possible Items Include:
Stat BoostsSkill ScrollsNinja ToolsConsumablesMysterious Rewards
Naruto stared.
"...This is gambling."
The system did not deny it.
Naruto stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"I mean…"
He looked at his points.
15 Points
He could buy something safe.
Or—
He slammed the button.
"WE ROLL!"
The wheel spun wildly.
Lights flashed.
Dramatic drum sounds played in Naruto's head.
"COME ON COME ON COME ON—"
The wheel slowed.
Slower.
Slower.
It stopped.
Result: Common
Reward: Instant Noodle Cup (Generic)
Effect: Restores minor stamina
Naruto stared.
Silence filled the alley.
"..."
"...ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
He held the imaginary noodle cup in disbelief.
"I CAN BUY THIS AT THE STORE!"
Ping.
Achievement Unlocked
First Gamble
Reward: +1 Luck
Luck: 4 → 5
Naruto blinked.
"...Oh."
He smiled again.
"Okay maybe this isn't so bad."
Then another menu appeared.
System Points can be obtained through:
• Mission Completion• Skill Advancement• Enemy Defeat• Milestone Achievements• Hidden Quests
Points may be used for:
• Shop Purchases• Lottery Rolls• Skill Upgrades• Emergency Recovery
Naruto nodded slowly.
"So basically…"
He counted on his fingers.
"Fight stuff."
"Do missions."
"Get stronger."
"Then gamble."
The Codex chimed softly.
System Summary: Correct.
Naruto grinned.
"This thing totally understands me."
He leaned against the wall again and opened another tab.
Skills
Inspect – LVL 1 (5/10)
Trap Making – LVL 3 (7/30)
Academy Taijutsu – LVL 2 (12/20)
Shadow Clone Jutsu – LVL 2 (1/20)
Naruto scratched his head.
"Huh."
He tapped Inspect.
Skill Effect:
Allows analysis of targets.
Higher levels increase:
• Accuracy• Information Detail• Range
Naruto grinned mischievously.
"Oh this is gonna be useful."
He peeked out of the alley.
A random civilian walked past carrying groceries.
Naruto squinted.
"Let's try this."
*Ping*
Target Inspected
Occupation: Vegetable Vendor
Threat Level: None
Combat Ability: Extremely Low
Mood: Confused
The man turned slowly.
"...Why are you staring at me like that?"
Naruto panicked.
"SCIENCE!"
Then he sprinted away.
*Ping*
Inspect Skill Progress
Inspect – LVL 1 (6/10)
Naruto laughed while running down the street.
"This is awesome!"
But as he slowed down, another notification appeared.
New Quest Available
Preparation for Survival Test
Objective:
Increase combat readiness before tomorrow.
Suggestions:
• Scout out the training ground
• Practice shadow clones
• Reach out to teammates
Reward:
+1 to Strength, Agility, and Intelligence
10 System Points
Naruto stopped running.
His grin returned slowly.
"Oh yeah."
Tomorrow was the bell test.
He looked up toward the Hokage Monument.
"Survival test, huh…"
Then he looked back at the system panel.
Specifically at one skill.
Shadow Clone Jutsu
Naruto cracked his knuckles.
"Heh."
"I've got an idea."
The Shinobi Codex chimed.
Warning
User Ideas Frequently Lead to Chaos.
Naruto ignored it completely.
Tomorrow was going to be awesome.