After the class ended, Seikyū Hikaru finally found a quiet moment to check his status panel. The data shimmered into view before his eyes:
— Name: Seikyū Hikaru— Level: Genin— Abilities: None— Items: None— Materials: Chakra (White) ×3— Special Materials: None
One glance was all it took to stab him right in the heart.
A three-nothing panel: no skills, no items, no power. Just three low-tier scraps.
Then again, what did he expect?
Unlike the clan-born elites who started refining chakra at age three and began training with jutsu by four, he had no such privileges. As an orphan, his only access to jutsu came through academy lessons—meaning the basics: Transformation, Clone, and Substitution Techniques.
Forget B- or A-Rank jutsu. Those were pipe dreams.
Even C-Rank jutsu? Not a chance.
Look at Haruno Sakura after graduating. Her performance made it crystal clear: civilian-born shinobi rarely stand out.
Unless a student had a team leader willing to pass down jutsu post-graduation, most would graduate with only the bare minimum. And not every jōnin was like Kakashi, walking around with a thousand jutsu up his sleeve.
At best, average sensei might teach a couple of elemental C-Rank techniques. That's it.
So for most academy students, there were only two ways to get stronger:
Be born into a powerful clan.
Hope your team leader bothers to teach you something after you graduate.
But Hikaru wasn't banking on either.
He had a system now.
Who needed a family name? If he could beat a clan-born student and loot a jutsu material off them—boom, synthesized jutsu.
All it took was time and the right opportunity.
Still… three white Chakra materials sat in his inventory, practically begging to be used.
He was tempted to try a synthesis right away.
But they were still in class. Best to wait for a quieter place.
When the bell rang for the next period, the classroom quieted as the teacher entered.
Today's lesson: Hand Seals—each seal's shape, its proper form, and how to execute them with speed and precision.
This was crucial. Not everyone was Hashirama Senju, able to clap his hands and summon forests. The average ninja needed hand signs, and in battle, speed was everything.
Imagine two shinobi. One could form five seals in a second. The other? Just one.
That's the difference between victory and defeat. Between launching a jutsu—and being blown up mid-seal.
Hand seal speed could decide the entire fight.
So for the next hour, the class drilled finger positions with serious focus. The lesson passed quickly.
Rooftop.
Compared to the noisy halls and classrooms, the academy roof was a peaceful sanctuary.
It had become Hikaru's go-to hideout since his enrollment. And in all the days he'd come here, not once had he seen another student disturb the silence.
Perfect for what he had in mind.
Time to test the Material Synthesis System.
Three white Chakra materials weren't much… but sometimes, miracles came from bold plays.
"All right," he whispered, eyes narrowing. "Initiate material synthesis."
At his mental command, a new panel unfolded in his vision.
Ten circular slots formed a ring around a larger square at the center—ten input grids, one output grid.
He didn't need instructions to understand: place the materials into the outer slots, and the result would appear in the center.
Just like every gacha game I've ever suffered through, Hikaru thought dryly.
He mentally selected all three Chakra (White) materials and slotted them in. A black question mark shimmered in the central grid, and beneath it: 30%.
Each white material added 10% chance. Three meant a gamble with 30% odds.
He took a breath.
"My turn… SYNTHESIZE!"
The panel trembled—literally.
The grids began to shake, resonating like an overclocked slot machine.
It brought back memories of cursed MMO blacksmithing, desperately praying your +13 sword wouldn't shatter trying to become +14.
And just like then… his heart thudded in his chest.
Then came the chime.
DING! Congratulations, Synthesis Success — Acquired: Chakra Fruit (Green)
His heart, which had leapt into his throat, slowly settled back into place.
Success.
And not just success—upgrade.
A white-rank synthesis had actually bumped up a tier. That was absurdly rare.
"Nice!"
He couldn't help but grin. That was some serious beginner's luck.
"Could this be a newbie protection bonus?"
Maybe. Maybe not.
Who cared?
He had the prize in hand.
A new, glowing object now floated in the synthesis panel. A luminescent fruit, white light dancing around its blurred contours.
Beneath it, the description:
Chakra Fruit (Green): Upon consumption, refines chakra quality and increases chakra quantity slightly.
Short, sweet, and crystal clear.
"This thing… is amazing," Hikaru murmured, eyes shining.
Improving his chakra quality was a godsend for someone like him—no bloodline, no talent. Just hard work and now… luck.
The only downside?
He couldn't risk eating it here.
Knowing how the current Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, loved to spy on the village with his damn crystal ball, Hikaru figured it wasn't safe. He'd already intervened to help Kushina earlier—who knew if he was being watched?
Better to play it safe.
He'd wait until he was back at the orphanage.
Then—and only then—he'd devour the fruit.
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