[T/N: A huge thank you to Gilb for supporting me on Patreon! Your support really motivates me to keep writing, and I'm so grateful for it. Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Send him your blessings—thanks to him, I'm locked into churning out chapters consistently now, lol.]
[Ding - Congratulations, Host, for receiving a random reward - a Space Ring.]
"My heavens, a Space Ring!" Torifū's gaze was utterly fixed on the elegant silver-white ring nestled within the gift box. A wide, unrestrained smile bloomed across his face. He had never dared to imagine that such a seemingly simple random gift box could contain a treasure of this magnitude!
Almost reverently, Torifū reached out and carefully lifted the ring. The instant it left the confines of the box, the golden container dissolved into a shower of shimmering light particles and vanished without a trace. But Torifū paid no attention to its disappearance, his focus entirely consumed by the exquisite Space Ring in his hand.
The ring was a seamless band of silver-white metal, its surface adorned with intricate engravings of an unknown script. At its apex, a single, breathtakingly pure and lustrous colorless gemstone sparkled with an inner light.
Barely able to contain his excitement, Torifū slipped the ring onto his finger. Recalling the cultivation novels he had devoured in his previous life, he tentatively focused his mental energy into the ring. To his astonishment and delight, he immediately sensed the distinct presence of a separate, contained space within it.
"I... wow," Torifū breathed out, the simple utterance carrying the weight of his utter disbelief and burgeoning excitement. A thousand eloquent phrases couldn't have better encapsulated his current state of awe. Because, try as he might, he couldn't perceive any discernible boundaries to this inner space!
A sudden thought sparked in his mind. Wondering if his initial guess was correct, Torifū immediately sprinted towards the Kumotsuru Clan's well-guarded secret room. Once inside, his movements became a flurry of focused activity as he began transferring the various precious collections stored within into the seemingly bottomless Space Ring, one by one.
But it was as the very last scroll disappeared into the ring's embrace that a surge of unadulterated elation coursed through Torifū. "This Space Ring… it truly seems to have no boundaries! It can store an infinite amount!"
Torifū genuinely struggled to comprehend the sheer power of the gift bestowed upon him by the often-maligned system. It felt unbelievably invincible! Perhaps it was simply that the ring's internal space was so vast that the items he had stored within had barely made a dent. But regardless of the exact capacity, this incredible ring promised to be an immeasurable asset to Torifū.
"I never have to eat those dreadful soldier pills again!" he declared inwardly, his spirits soaring. He had never anticipated that the system, the target of so many of his silent complaints, would unexpectedly grant him such an invaluable treasure for free! Although a significant element of luck was undoubtedly involved, Torifū made a mental resolution to refrain from any internal scolding of the system for at least the next three days. That was his absolute limit!
While the system had undeniably been instrumental in his growing strength, Torifū couldn't help but acknowledge that his days of peaceful tranquility had vanished along with its arrival. His current existence was a relentless cycle of fighting, rigorous training, demanding missions, and the constant threat of enemies seeking to end his life. He found himself longing for the simple days of lying in a sun-drenched meadow, listening to the gentle murmur of a nearby stream.
However, Torifū possessed a remarkable capacity for self-regulation. He wouldn't allow negative emotions to fester for long. A brief indulgence in a little "emo" time, he found, could actually soothe his mind and body, effectively warding off any deeper feelings of despondency.
Snapping back to the present, Torifū surveyed the now-empty secret room. With a sigh, he began the process of transferring all the items back out of the Space Ring. The primary reason for this reversal was that he had already diligently studied and internalized the majority of the ninjutsu scrolls stored there. While they technically didn't occupy any space within the ring, their disorganized presence felt… messy. Furthermore, in the unlikely event of something dire happening to him, these scrolls could be considered a valuable legacy, a significant contribution to the village.
Having restored the secret room to its previous state, Torifū left. The day was still relatively young, and the thought of remaining in the quiet, somewhat somber atmosphere of the clan compound held little appeal.
Stepping out onto the bustling streets of Konoha, Torifū observed that the evening crowds were starting to emerge. Most people had finished their meals and were now enjoying a leisurely stroll.
As he passed near the familiar grounds of the Ninja Academy, three figures caught his eye. He instantly recognized them.
And as if sensing his gaze, the three individuals also noticed Torifū and began to call out to him with enthusiastic shouts: "Hey! Torifū!"
Torifū grinned and waved back. It had been quite some time since he had last seen Kosuke, Shinku, and Ikkaku.
The three boys quickly ran towards him, each landing a lighthearted punch on his arm or shoulder as they reached him.
"We haven't seen you at the academy for ages! Where have you been hiding?" Kosuke asked, his voice a mixture of playful accusation and genuine curiosity.
Shinku chimed in, echoing Kosuke's sentiments, "Yeah, we even thought you might have been expelled or something! We asked Suiga-sensei about you, but he wouldn't tell us anything."
Hearing their complaints, Torifū suddenly felt a pang of guilt. He realized he hadn't seen Kosuke and Shinku since that eventful day of the combat class. In the ensuing chaos, he hadn't had a chance to explain his sudden departure, having been immediately summoned to the Hokage's office. And in the weeks that followed, his intensive training sessions with his Sensei and Tobirama had completely occupied his time, leaving no room for returning to the academy.
Taking a deep breath, Torifū finally offered an explanation. "Sorry, Kosuke, Shinku, Ikkaku. Actually, after that day, I was accepted as a direct disciple by Hokage-sama, so I haven't been attending the academy anymore."
The moment the words left his lips, Torifū noticed an abrupt silence descend upon his three friends. A wave of unease washed over him.
'Sure enough, I shouldn't have said that.'
He couldn't help but worry if this sudden revelation would have a negative impact on their young minds, perhaps fostering feelings of envy or inadequacy.
After a brief, awkward pause, Shinku, usually the most composed of the trio, finally spoke, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Torifū, you… are you really Hokage-sama's disciple now?"
Torifū took another steadying breath and nodded firmly. Now that the truth was out, it would be petty and counterproductive to try and retract it.
To his relief, Kosuke suddenly clapped Torifū on the shoulder, a wide, genuine smile spreading across his face. "Hey! You scared me half to death! Although it's totally shocking that you became Hokage-sama's disciple! But knowing that you're okay, we don't have to keep worrying."
Ikkaku nodded enthusiastically in agreement, offering Torifū his most sincere congratulations on becoming a Hokage disciple. After all, they were good friends, and his success was something to be celebrated!
Torifū let out a silent sigh of relief. He had been unnecessarily concerned about affecting Kosuke and the others. It seemed he had underestimated their maturity.
He then proceeded to recount some of his recent experiences, carefully selecting details that would be exciting and inspiring for his young friends, who had yet to even officially become ninjas. Their eyes widened in amazement as they listened to Torifū's tales. They hadn't realized that he had already become so powerful, capable of fighting alongside seasoned ninjas like Sarutobi Hiruzen! And it seemed their relationship was quite amicable! This only intensified their burgeoning yearning for the adventurous life of a ninja.
Torifū consciously avoided delving into the harsher realities and inherent cruelty of the ninja world at this early stage. He firmly believed that shattering someone's dreams prematurely was the most insidious act.
After carefully curating his stories of the recent mission, Torifū shifted the conversation to his experiences with chakra control and ninjutsu training. Although Kosuke, Shinku, and Ikkaku hadn't yet begun their formal ninjutsu education, he knew they would eventually, and sharing his insights might offer them a glimpse into their future.
After a pleasant interlude of chatting and catching up, Kosuke suddenly remembered that they had a prior engagement and announced that they needed to leave in a hurry.
Torifū watched them dash off, a faint, warm smile lingering on his lips. He then resumed his leisurely stroll through the village.
Although his outward appearance was that of a mere six-year-old child, Torifū's soul carried the weight of nearly thirty years of accumulated experiences across two lifetimes. He found a peculiar joy in interacting with these genuine children, a connection that perhaps stemmed from his own youthful spirit in his previous life. His friends back then had often teased him about being a grown man with the heart of a child.
But Torifū felt that a significant part of his ability to connect with them now was rooted in the fact that he genuinely regarded everyone in this world as living, breathing individuals. Unlike some who might transmigrate into a fictional world and view everyone as mere non-player characters after watching a few episodes of anime, Torifū held a deep understanding.
It was precisely because he had watched the anime that he could profoundly appreciate that everyone here was striving, working hard for their families and their village. From the esteemed Hokage down to the youngest children just beginning their journey at the academy, they were all united in this shared purpose.
Torifū harbored a complex mix of emotions towards his arrival in this era. He deeply loathed the constant threat of war, where human lives often seemed tragically disposable. But he also felt a profound sense of anticipation and even a touch of excitement, because he now had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand what the future of a Konoha village, shaped in part by his presence, would ultimately become.