It was here! The standard cheat ability for a transmigrator had finally arrived!
Sen was overjoyed. In his arms, Kushina's face was red as a ripe tomato, and she was so embarrassed that her eyes were shut.
Almost without thinking, he reached out and gave her soft cheek a gentle pinch.
Kushina, you really are my lucky star!
Kushina quickly opened her eyes and stood up out of his arms.
Her face was bright red. She glared at Sen, embarrassed and annoyed. "Y-you! The whole class is watching! They all say you're cold and aloof, but... but how could you secretly touch my face?"
Her little mind was already a mess. He'd stood up for me in the morning, given me something tasty at lunch, and now he's... he's touched my face!
Does he like me?!
"Sen, you can't just touch me without asking..."
Kushina's voice grew quieter and quieter, but before she could finish, she heard the teacher dismiss the class.
She looked up and saw that her classmates had already scattered in small groups. School was over.
And the person who'd left the fastest was none other than Sen himself!
He acted as if nothing had happened and was already heading for the school gate.
Darn it, was this what Sister Tsunade meant by playing hard to get?
Whatever. I'll catch up and get a straight answer!
Sen was on his way home, looking at his system panel:
[Name: Uchiha Sen] [Age: 6] [Physique: 6] [Mental Power: 6] [Chakra: 4] [Kekkei Genkai: None] [Ninjutsu: Three Basic Jutsu] [Other: Chakra Nature: Fire]
Then his attention settled on the three options blinking before him.
Unfortunately, the system didn't explain any of them: [Chakra +1, Physique +1, Uzumaki Physique]. Which one was best?
Chakra could be built up through training, and a +1 to physique couldn't compare with the last option.
So the optimal choice was obvious: the Uzumaki Physique! It was one of the greatest vitality talents in the world of Naruto!
The moment he made his choice, an indescribably cool, warm current surged through his entire body!
It felt as if every cell had been activated. The fatigue and soreness from staying up night after night to train vanished.
He checked the panel again. Both his physique and chakra had increased.
[Name: Uchiha Sen] ... [Physique: 7] [Chakra: 8] ... [Other: Uzumaki Physique, chakra capacity increased by 100%, powerful vitality, minor wounds heal rapidly (Basic Physique).]
Sen instinctively clenched his fist, feeling a surge of strength in his hand.
Vigorous life force coursed through his limbs. His muscle fibers seemed to have been rewoven and strengthened, and his bones had grown sturdier.
Amazing! A mere +1 to physique had an effect comparable to a long stretch of training! It improved his speed, strength, and recovery across the board!
If he hadn't been on the road, he would've found somewhere private and let out a wild Uchiha laugh!
At this rate, he'd soon be punching Sarutobi Hiruzen and kicking Shimura Danzō!
Before he'd gotten the system, he'd even wondered whether he should just become a rogue ninja. Now, of course, he would—
Restore the Uchiha Clan's glory! It was his generation's duty!
It was a shame the system only triggered once a day. He'd have to find an excuse to spar with Kushina more often from now on!
"Sen, why are you walking so fast?" Speak of the devil—Kushina's breathless voice came from behind him.
Sen slowed down and waited for her to catch up.
"What is it?" Sen asked, curious about why she'd followed him.
Kushina fell into step beside him, still a little out of breath from chasing him.
She shot him a sidelong glance.
Hmph, still pretending! He really is playing hard to get! He just touched my face, and no one but my family has ever done that!
"Hmph, I just want you to tell me the truth!" Kushina lifted her chin and put on a haughty air, but the nervous glances she stole at him gave her away.
From her expression, Sen could tell the girl was getting carried away with her own assumptions. Why did Kushina seem a little different from the original? Was it because she was so young?
Girls in this world really did mature early. And having a handsome Uchiha face was so useful. If he looked like Danzo, he'd probably have been mobbed by now. Forget romance!
"I just thought you were cute, Kushina. Your face was all red, like a tomato—sweet and sour, juicy, and delicious."
"You're the tomato!" Kushina retorted instinctively. But when she heard the word "cute," her heart warmed, and she completely forgot that the others had used "tomato" to tease her earlier.
"Speaking of tomatoes," Sen said, as if he'd just thought of something, "I'll make tomato and egg stir-fry for lunch tomorrow. It's sweet and sour, and perfect for whetting your appetite in this hot weather."
"Th-then I want some too!" Kushina blurted out at once.
She really didn't want to try Sister Tsunade's "dark cuisine" again.
Sen nodded. "Sure. But there's no such thing as a free lunch. Minato wants to eat my lunch, so he has to copy my class notes for a whole day."
"That works for me! Even if I can't beat you, I can still copy notes!"
Sen shook his head. Knowing Kushina, he'd be amazed if she could copy the notes properly. He looked at her and said, "No. You'll have to do something else."
"S-something else?" Kushina's little mind instantly short-circuited. Scenes from countless shoujo manga flashed through her head... Could he mean... that kind of kissing and cuddling?
But I've only just met him! Even if I like him—no, I mean, even if he likes me—could it really happen this soon?
Konoha is so exciting!
"Fine, but only once..." Kushina said, as if possessed.
Sen gently poked her forehead while her eyes were closed. "Only once what? I want you to spar with me once every day from now on."
"Huh?" Kushina opened her eyes, confusion and a hint of disappointment showing in them. "Spar? I'm nowhere near as good as you. I couldn't even see you move today."
Sen's smile faded, and he spoke seriously. "That's why you need to train through sparring. You want to become Hokage, don't you? Brute strength alone won't cut it.
"I can tell you have powerful punches, but you have no technique. I can teach you. What do you say?"
Kushina's eyes lit up. So I'd misunderstood him! I thought he was some kind of bad boy, but he's been looking out for me all along!
Sen is so nice!
"Sure! I look forward to learning from you, Sen!" Kushina said excitedly.
They chatted about other things for a while, and before they knew it, they'd reached the Uchiha compound.
Sen turned and asked, "Kushina, do you live in the Uchiha compound too?"
"Huh?" Kushina stared at the enormous Uchiha Clan Crest and went blank. How had she followed him all the way here in a daze?
Sister Tsunade had warned her that morning not to wander off. Now she couldn't even find her way home.
Sen took one look at Kushina glancing around and realized she was lost.
She looked completely panicked. She was probably terrible with directions.
"Um... Sen..." Kushina bit her lip, dropping her earlier brashness as she asked in a small voice, "Could you... take me home? I think... I'm lost."
Sen shook his head helplessly.
"Honestly, you're impossible to deal with."
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