Chapter Two: The Ninja System

In his previous life, Kato Mikaze had been a single, aging orphan, and he had read no small number of transmigration novels on Qidian. In the intervals of work and daily life, he would often fantasize about being like the protagonists in those stories—traveling back to ancient times or being reborn in a world of cultivation. To right wrongs, seek revenge, ascend to immortality, and enjoy a life of freedom and happiness.

But when he truly found himself transported into the world of Naruto, after the initial confusion and excitement, what followed was unease and fear.

After all, the world of Naruto was nothing like his previous one. Here, even the basic safety of ordinary people's lives was not always guaranteed.

Although Kato Mikaze hadn’t finished reading all of Naruto in his last life, he knew that the latter parts of the series were often called a “battle of hacks.” The seeds of this had been sown during the battle between Sasuke and Itachi, but by the Fourth Great Ninja War, it had fully blossomed: Itachi had his cheat, Sasuke had his, Naruto had his, Madara had his, Hashirama had his, and even the ever-balanced Kakashi got one. In the later stages, if you didn’t have a cheat, you’d be too embarrassed to call yourself a ninja.

The average ninja, aside from standing aside cheering “awesome!” had little use anymore.

When Kato Mikaze graduated from the Ninja Academy, he was twelve. His own “cheat” activated only after he completed his first official ninja mission, and it had been with him for ten years since.

The Ninja System.

An unremarkable and unadorned name for a cheat, if ever there was one.

After activation, the system was of exceedingly low intelligence. It wasn’t like the legendary systems in Qidian novels, with their adorable system sprites or dazzling array of features. There wasn’t even a proper manual—everything was left for Kato Mikaze to discover on his own.

…

Kato Mikaze continued his leisurely stroll through the Hidden Leaf Village, opening his cheat in his mind as he walked.

Ninja System

Name: Kato Mikaze

Ninja Rank: Chuunin

Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village

Physical Attributes: Stamina 59, Strength 55, Spirit 75, Speed 62

Chakra Attributes: Wind 62, Lightning 43, Earth 39, Water 0, Fire 0, Yin 75, Yang 59

Ninjutsu: Wind Release [Wind Blade Technique, Wind Breath Technique, Light Wind Technique]; Lightning Release [none]; Earth Release [Small Swamp Technique, Earth Wall Technique]; Three Basic Techniques [Transformation, Substitution, Clone]

Taijutsu: Basic Hand-to-Hand, Basic Swordsmanship, Shuriken, Kunai

Secret Techniques: Spirit Transformation Technique (not yet learned)

Remaining Attribute Points: 176

Attribute points served as the system’s currency, earned by completing official ninja missions or killing enemy ninjas. These points could be spent to improve physical and chakra attributes (with Yin and Yang currently grayed out and unavailable), with the cost increasing as the value of the attribute rose.

Points could also be used to learn or research new ninjutsu, or to increase proficiency in existing ones—the more difficult or advanced the technique, the greater the cost.

Attributes and secret techniques could also be improved through his own diligent training, not just by spending points.

There were no flashy effects, nor did the system allow Kato Mikaze to instantly leap to godlike power levels.

Nor would it suddenly grant him a bloodline limit out of thin air—no Sharingan, Byakugan, or Shikotsumyaku for him. If he wanted such abilities, he needed the appropriate bloodline; the system couldn’t conjure them from nothing.

The Kato clan, into which he had been born, possessed no bloodline limits—no Sage Body or Sage Eyes, not even any of the more common ones. The clan’s sole claim to fame was their secret technique, the Spirit Transformation Technique.

It was said to kill from a thousand miles away, leaving no trace—a renowned soul-secret technique in the ninja world.

Unfortunately, its cultivation difficulty was sky-high. It wasn’t just a matter of being smart or a genius; even Kato clan members with the bloodline needed innate compatibility with the technique to master it.

Kato Mikaze had thought that, since he was a transmigrator and his soul had already crossed over once, he would be highly compatible with a soul-based secret art. But that was just his assumption. In truth, among recent generations of the Kato clan, only his cousin Kato Dan had true talent for the Spirit Transformation Technique.

Just a few years ago, Kato Dan had managed to reach the level of out-of-body experience with this technique, breaking through to the jounin level.

Other clan members, lacking ideal compatibility, could still practice the technique, but without full talent, they couldn’t achieve out-of-body attacks. Even so, it remained a powerful spiritual secret, useful for strengthening mental energy, perception, chakra reserves, and the soul.

Whether one could truly master the Spirit Transformation Technique depended heavily on talent, but with enough perseverance, there was always a sliver of hope for success.

Kato Mikaze was less talented than his cousin, but with the help of the Ninja System, he wasn’t far behind. Nearly all the attribute points he’d earned recently had been spent on learning the Spirit Transformation Technique.

After years of grueling effort, he felt a breakthrough was just around the corner.

Today, Kato Mikaze had just returned from a long-term mission outside the village. It was unlikely his team would be sent out again soon. He finally had time for more systematic training—he was determined to push the Spirit Transformation Technique to the out-of-body level.

He had been hammering away at it for seven or eight years now; even a stone would be warmed after so long. Victory was just ahead.

…

Wandering along, Kato Mikaze soon found himself in the Hidden Leaf’s snack street.

The drifting aromas of various delicacies instantly recaptured his attention, bringing his focus back to his surroundings.

If there was one thing Kato Mikaze loved about Hidden Leaf, aside from its bustling scenery, it was the endless array of delicious treats.

Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, dorayaki, taiyaki, dango, all kinds of grilled fish, and a variety of drinks—sake, yellow wine, and more.

After completing missions and training, he would either come alone or invite some classmates or friends, buy his favorite snacks, and find a grilled fish shop or an izakaya to chat and relax. It was his way of unwinding.

By the time a ninja reached the chuunin level, they generally had enough money for daily life; the real expenses were the costs of training and consumable ninja tools.

Then there were the herbs—soldier pills, special medicines for injuries, and, when needed, poisons and antidotes.

Today, having just returned to the village and parted ways with his teammates, it wasn’t the right time to invite anyone out. He didn’t know which of his friends were home, either. So tonight, he would drink alone—buying some takoyaki and dorayaki before heading into a cozy izakaya.

PS: New author humbly asks for support, recommendations, and favorites.