Chapter 3: I AM A MASTERRRRR

Words : 1519 Updated : Sep 11th, 2025

"First, let's check my current status." Focusing on the system, he mentally called out: "Status." Immediately, the familiar floating screen appeared before his eyes. [ATTRIBUTES] Strength (STR): 5 (Slightly above average for his age.) Agility (AGI): 6 (Faster than most Junior Academy-level students.) Vitality (VIT): 9 (Higher stamina & durability than normal.) Intelligence (INT): 10 (Sharper mind & faster learning.) Chakra (CHA): 10 (Larger chakra reserves.) [TRAITS] Improved Chakra Control(Your ability to mold and control chakra is slightly above average for your age.) Ren analyzed the numbers carefully. His stats were decent for his age maybe on par with a mid-level Academy student. But compared to an actual Genin? He was still too weak and although his chakra reserves were slightly above average he had no jutsu yet. His biggest strength right now was his Intelligence and Chakra Control. "I can't fight right now but compared to others my age I still have an edge ." After checking his status, Ren decided that it was finally time to sense his chakra for the first time in this new life. He already knew that he had unlocked his chakra at the age of four, thanks to his father, who had helped him through the basic meditation exercises required for chakra awakening. However, at that time, he was too young to make real use of it. His training had been focused more on physical conditioning to prepare his body for future shinobi training. Now, though? With the "Improved Chakra Control" trait from the system, he needed to see just how much of a difference it made. Ren took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he sat cross-legged on the hospital bed. He recalled the breathing techniques his father had taught him—slow, steady, focused. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. He focused inward, searching for the familiar warmth deep within his body. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, like a flickering candle in the dark, he felt it. A warm, flowing energy curled within him, spreading through his limbs like gentle waves in a vast ocean. Unlike before, when it had felt wild and unstable, now it was... clearer, easier to grasp. Ren's eyes flickered open, a small grin forming on his lips. "That was... way smoother than before." If he could sense his chakra this easily, then using it for training would be much more effective. Now for the next step—circulating his chakra. Slowly, Ren directed his chakra flow from his core to his hands. It felt like... guiding a small stream of water through invisible pathways. Before, when he had attempted this, it had felt like trying to force a river through a clogged pipe. But now, it was smoother, more controlled. His chakra moved freely, and as he focused, he could even sense where it was gathering and spreading. Ren decided to try one final experiment—externalizing his chakra. The easiest way to test this was the Palm Glow Test, where a shinobi focuses their chakra to their hand, making it slightly visible. It was an entry-level control exercise, something most Academy students wouldn't even attempt until their third or fourth year. He focused, channeling chakra to his right palm... And then— A faint blue glow flickered over his hand. Not bright. Not stable. But it was visible. Ren's eyes widened slightly. "I did it... already?" This was huge. Even though this was just a minor feat, the fact that he had done it so easily proved that his chakra control was already ahead of normal Academy students. After testing his chakra control for the first time and feeling the immediate benefits of his talent, Ren leaned back against the hospital bed, lost in thought. "Even though ninjutsu isn't the most important thing by the time of the final fight, I still need to survive until then. That means improving my chakra control as much as possible." Having refined chakra control would make everything easier—less wasted chakra, faster jutsu learning, and eventually, the ability to perform more advanced techniques without exhausting himself. But one thing still bothered him. "It would be good if the system could quantify my chakra control mastery..." He focused on the floating system screen, wondering if there was a way to measure his progress. "System, can you quantify my chakra control mastery?" For a moment, nothing happened. Then— [SYSTEM MESSAGE:] New System Feature Unlocked! [Chakra Control Mastery] has been added to the Status Menu. This tracks your current proficiency in chakra control. Your mastery will increase through training, experience, and system upgrades and system points [Displaying Current Chakra Control Mastery...] [Chakra Control Mastery] Beginner – 12% Progress (You have a natural affinity for controlling chakra.) (Simple exercises like Tree Climbing and Water Walking will be easier to master.) Ren's eyes lit up as he read the new status. "So there's actually a way to track my progress now." His chakra control was still in the early stages, but now that he had a progress bar, he could measure how quickly he was improving. If he pushed himself, he might be able to reach Intermediate Level before entering the Academy. That alone would put him far ahead of his classmates. Ren's eyes gleamed as an idea struck him. "System, can you open a mastery panel for every skill I learn?" For a moment, the screen flickered, then— [SYSTEM MESSAGE:] [Affirmative.] [New System Feature Unlocked: Mastery Panel] [Mastery levels will now be tracked for every skill you learn: Training will gradually increase mastery percentage. System Points (SP) can be used to boost mastery, but the cost will increase at higher levels. Special bonuses may unlock upon reaching certain mastery milestones. [Opening Mastery Panel...] [Current Skill Mastery] Chakra control - Beginner - 12% Mastery Meditation- Beginner - 15% Mastery Ren grinned. "Now we're talking." This feature was huge—it meant he could track every skill he learned, measure his progress, and even use System Points to boost his growth. Of course, the higher the level, the more points it would take, but that was fine. If he planned properly, he could become an elite shinobi before most even graduated from the Academy. "System, what are the different levels of mastery and the required progress?" Ren asked, wanting a clear understanding of how skill progression worked. After a brief pause, the system responded. [SYSTEM MESSAGE:] [Displaying Mastery Levels] Beginner – 0% to 24% (You have just started learning the skill. Execution is unstable and inefficient.) Basic – 25% to 49% (You have a functional understanding, but there's still room for improvement.) Intermediate – 50% to 74% (Your skill is now reliable, and your efficiency increases significantly.) Advanced – 75% to 89% (You can perform the skill at a near-expert level, with minimal effort or waste.) Mastery – 90% to 99% (Your control and execution are near-perfect. You have surpassed most practitioners.) Grandmaster – 100% (You have reached the pinnacle of this skill. Additional effects may unlock.) [Additional Notes:] The higher the mastery, the slower the natural progress. System Points (SP) can boost mastery, but higher levels require exponentially more points. Hidden benefits may unlock at Mastery (90%) and Grandmaster (100%) levels. As Ren analyzed the mastery levels, a realization clicked in his mind. "These levels... they correspond almost perfectly with shinobi ranks." He quickly sorted them in his head: Beginner (0% - 24%) → Academy Student Level (Basic understanding but unstable execution.) Basic (25% - 49%) → Genin Level (Functional but still rough, with room for improvement.) Intermediate (50% - 74%) → Chūnin Level (Reliable and significantly more efficient.) Advanced (75% - 89%) → Jōnin Level (Near-expert execution, minimal waste.) Mastery (90% - 99%) → S-Rank Level (Surpassing most shinobi, near-flawless execution.) Grandmaster (100%) → Kage Level (Pinnacle of skill, possibly unlocking unique effects.) "There may be further distinctions for minor ranks like Tokubetsu Jōnin, but that would complicate things. This system keeps it simple." This meant if he could push his skills to Intermediate or Advanced before even reaching Genin rank, he would already be ahead of most Chūnin-level ninjas in terms of raw execution. This also explained why Kage-level shinobi seemed untouchable—their mastery of skills was at a level beyond normal humans. "Now, I just need to decide which skill to focus on first." As Ren focused on his plans ahead, his thoughts were interrupted by a shadow appearing behind the thin hospital curtain. A moment later, a med-nin—more of a ward attendant than a full-fledged medical ninja—stepped inside, holding a clipboard. His expression was neutral, but his words made Ren's heart skip a beat. "A man was brought into the hospital last night. He was found unconscious after the attack, and we couldn't confirm his identity at the time." The med-nin paused before continuing, "But he regained consciousness a short while ago... and we need you to verify if he's your father. His name is listed as Juichi Takahashi." Ren's breath caught in his throat. "He's alive?" The med-nin gave a small nod. "Come with me. We need to confirm his identity."

Chapter 3: I AM A MASTERRRRR

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