"System"
Name: Kaizen
Type: NPC (Countdown: 1000 days, 16 hours, 8 minutes, 9 seconds)
Level: 20 (Advancement Required)
Main Class:
Ritualist (Novice) – Level 10 (MAX)
Sub Classes:
War Orphan – Level 10 (MAX)
Tokushu Sentōin – Level 10 (MAX)
Doctor – Level 10 (MAX)
Student – Level 10 (MAX)
HP: 840 / 840
Chakra: 760 / 760
Attributes
Strength: 27
Dexterity: 29
Endurance: 61
Intelligence: 46
Wisdom: 12
Luck: 1
Charisma: 6
Unassigned Attribute Points: 0
Abilities
Low Resistance: +2 Physical and Mental Resistance
Martial Arts: A slightly strong body that can fight moderately
Weapon Master (2): Wield weapons with a sense of balance and control. Your handling is precise, though not yet refined to expert levels.
Undying: +200 HP
Assessment: Evaluate a target's stats and nature
Skills
Basic Prayer (Max): Heal wounds of oneself
Blood Ritual (Max): Uses own blood to create a ritual circle that harms enemies who step on it
Basic Sensing Circle (Lvl 3): Creates a 3-meter radius that detects chakra movement
Binding Thread (Lvl 3): Slows down target chakra flow temporarily
Chakra no Ami no Gi (Lvl 1): A blood ritual that entangles enemies in chakra threads, disrupting chakra and movement
Basic Pillcraft (Max): Can create pills for healing boosts, status cures, or poisons depending on the ingredients used
Talents
Basic Strengthening: +5 Strength when injured
Basic Chakra Control
Basic Sense
Total Gained EXP: 6,329
Evaluation:Can handle a baby Konohamaru.
It had been nearly a year since Kaizen first entered the Ninja Academy. Time had passed quickly, filled with lectures, sparring sessions, written exams, and the chaotic chatter of growing children learning to become shinobi. For Kaizen, the year had been anything but ordinary.
Now, the results were finally out. Kaizen sat calmly in his chair as the teacher began reading the results in front of the class.
"And now, for the last place in the class..." the teacher paused dramatically. "Applause for... Jiraiya!"
The entire room erupted in laughter, and Jiraiya, though slightly red-faced, jumped up and shouted, "It's fine! I'm still the coolest one here!"
Kaizen smiled softly. Though Jiraiya often bragged, he never truly cared about scores. He was the kind of person who wore his heart on his sleeve and never held grudges. In some way, Kaizen admired that.
The teacher continued announcing the results:
"10th place... Tsunade Senju."
A murmur rippled through the classroom, but no one was truly surprised. Despite her laziness in theory subjects, Tsunade's strength and talent in medical ninjutsu were unmatched.
"2nd place... Orochimaru."
Some students looked surprised, but only because they had expected him to be first. His mysterious aura, cold personality, and brilliance made him stand out.
"And finally... 1st place. Kaizen."
No one was shocked—but they were stunned. The number one nerd, the war orphan with no clan, no reputation, and no notable bloodline… had taken the top spot.
Whispers filled the air. For months now, Kaizen had been the one classmates turned to when confused. He answered questions the teachers hadn't even asked yet, and even provided tutoring to some of the more academically struggling students.
The Third Hokage had even once commented, "The Will of Fire burns strongly in that child."
Jiraiya whistled loudly, clapping for both Kaizen and Orochimaru. "That's my friend!" he laughed proudly.
In the back row, a boy from the Uchiha clan clenched his fists. He had ended up in third place, and though his score was excellent, his pride had taken a blow. Being outshined by an orphan? Unacceptable.
The teacher raised his hand, silencing the class. "You may rest for a few months before the next class begins."
"Class dismissed."
Congratulations!
+20 Charisma Gained
(1/6 Mission Accomplished)
Kaizen dismissed the system notification and began packing his things, a small satisfied smile playing on his lips. Another milestone had been reached. But there was no time to bask in it—he had a business to run.
Kaizen had been running a small pill store for over a month now. It was tucked into a forgotten alleyway near the edge of the market district. It was barely more than a broom closet, but the rent was cheap—only 3,000 ryo a month. His monthly income barely reached 5,000, leaving him with a modest profit. Still, for a child, it was a start.
He trudged across the familiar streets, nodding at a few villagers who recognized him as "that nerdy orphan." His back was sore, and he'd only slept four hours last night finishing a chakra-enhancing pill experiment.
Arriving at the shop, he flipped the wooden sign that read "Open" and took his place behind the tiny counter.
His shop currently only sold two items:
Soldier Pill – Boosts stamina and chakra recovery for a set time.
Painkiller – Temporarily removes pain, used primarily in combat or medical emergencies.
Despite their usefulness, many shinobi clans avoided pills. Overuse could lead to internal damage, and the Akimichi clan already had a well-established monopoly in the pill market.
Still, Kaizen refused to give up. Every pill crafted gave him EXP. Every test and failure was progress.
Hours passed with no customers. The sun dipped lower on the horizon. With a sigh, Kaizen closed up and began walking home.
As he passed a street corner, he saw a couple arguing.
The woman's face was flushed, and sweat beaded her forehead.
[Villager – Female – Status: Hypertension]
The man had a visible lump on his neck.
[Villager – Male – Status: Benign Neck Cyst – Non-cancerous]
Kaizen frowned. Tsk. I wonder which one of them will die first? Hope they can say they love each other before one of them die.
Then the thought hit him like a brick to the head.
Did I… regret something in my past life? Did I fail to say "I love you" to someone before I died?
The thought lingered, a strange mix of nostalgia and grief swirling in his chest. His fingers curled unconsciously, as if trying to grasp something lost to time.
"HEY!"
The sudden voice jolted him from his thoughts.
"Tsunade?" he blinked.
Tsunade stood there, hands on her hips, a smug smile on her face. "Why do you look like someone just died?"
Kaizen blinked, then smirked. "Nah, just thinking about why you're still so flat."
CRACK!
Her punch sent him to the ground, clutching his face in pain.
"Serves you right!" she huffed.
Despite the pain, Kaizen laughed. "Worth it."
Over the past year, he, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and even Orochimaru had formed an unlikely group. Though he rarely spoke to Orochimaru—Kaizen never really liked him, especially knowing what kind of monster he'd become—the one who killed his own teacher.
"Tsunade… why are you even here?" Kaizen asked, still rubbing his cheek.
"I'm going to train," she said proudly. "And you're coming with me!"
"Huh?!" Kaizen shouted.
"C'mon nerd. I'll teach you how to punch without breaking your hand."
Kaizen groaned, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Fine… but if you break my ribs, I'm charging you."
"Bring it on,boy."
As the two walked off, the sun setting behind them, Kaizen felt something stir deep in his chest. He didn't know what his past held or why he felt so heavy sometimes… but here, right now, with these people…
It felt almost like home.