Chapter 5: Control, Conflict, and the Friendship Quest
"No enemy is scary... until you're offered to befriend them for the sake of skill development."
Morning. Academy.
Today is an important day at the Academy.
First practical lesson on chakra control.
Iruka, standing on the podium, says:
"So, today you'll be climbing a tree... without hands! Only with chakra!"
"HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?!" Naruto yells, clinging to the trunk.
"This is a basic shinobi skill," Iruka sighs. "Whoever can't do it will stay below... literally."
The system is waking up
🌀 Mission activated: "Balance on the Bark". Complete the test with an above-average result.
🌀 Reward: a random item from the "almost useful" category.
"Almost useful." In this system, even hope has a footnote.
The training begins
Sasuke Uchiha, as always, important, focused, silently takes a step... and slowly begins to rise.
The class is delighted. The girls squeal.
Naruto - slams his forehead into a tree.
Hirito - puts his hand down, takes a deep breath, rises...
...and stops exactly in the middle, intentionally.
- Not too good. Not too bad. Perfect.
Sasuke looks askance:
- You hold your chakra strangely. You don't control it completely.
Hirito smiles:
- Maybe. Or maybe I just don't want to burn the tree.
The system beeps
🎁 Received: "Left Shoe Talisman - Increases the chance of not stepping in a puddle by 3%."
- Useless... and still better than the phantom smell of dumplings.
Change
In the courtyard, Naruto runs around in circles, trying to repeat Sasuke's trick, falls face first into the mud and still yells:
— LOOK, I ALMOST DID IT!
Hinata, quietly holding a towel, approaches him.
Hirito watches from the bench, half-eyed.
The system reactivates:
🌀 Side mission: Befriend any three students. Gain access to "Understanding Social Pressure Level 3".
Candidates for "friendship":
Naruto is an active idiot, but a brother. ✔️ Easy.
Hinata — there is already contact. ✔️ Can be deepened.
Sasuke — …are you kidding me?
Attempt #1: Naruto
— Brother, don't you think you look like a bun who tried to become a shinobi?
— Oh, come on! I AM THE COOLEST!
- So you admitted it? Great, dumpling-sensei.
- WHAT?!
🎯 [✓] Passed: friendship confirmed through mutual insult.
Attempt #2: Hinata
Hirito comes over and sits down on the bench next to her. Hinata flinches.
- I counted: you've already wanted to talk to me six times today.
- Uh...
- If you want, you can talk. If you don't want, you can just sit next to me. I won't make any noise anyway.
Hinata is silent... then nods.
A minute later, she places a small rice ball on the bench.
- It's... sweet...
- You're weird. I like it.
🎯 [✓] Passed: emotional contact established.
Attempt #3: Sasuke
Hirito comes up and says:
— Uchiha. Your chakra angle in your feet is weak.
— What, are you an expert?
— No. I'm just an observer.
— Do you want to compete?
— No. I want to watch you lose.
Sasuke leaves, silent. His lips twitch.
🎯 Passed: Sasuke considers you a threat. This is also a social contact. Half of the points earned.
System
🌀 Reward: You are now a better judge of people. The "Motivation Analysis" parameter has been increased to level 3.
🌀 Bonus: You have gained the "Spontaneous Lie" skill - the first impromptu lie sounds 20% more believable.
— Good enough. Especially if they ask me to explain where I got my new sandwiches from.
Hirito is no longer just a shadow. He leaves traces, even if not everyone sees them right away.
Naruto is a brother, but noisy.
Hinata is quiet, but attentive.
Ino is just watching for now, but often.
Sasuke has remembered the name. And that's dangerous.