Nohara Rin

"Shinji!"

Nohara Rin saw him from afar, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she waved and walked over with quick steps.

Shinji went to meet her, a gentle smile on his face. "Rin, what brings you here?"

"Are you looking for Obito?"

As he spoke, he controlled his thoughts, adding Nohara Rin's name to the binding list.

[Ding!]

[Binding Nohara Rin: Completed]

[Novice Mission: Completed]

[Mission Reward: 50,000 Points]

[Note: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. True love starts now. Rewarding the host with 50,000 Points.]

Shinji made a fierce victory gesture in his mind, and the smile on his face grew even brighter.

Fifty thousand points!

His first thought was the Sharingan in the shop. It was shameful to admit, but as a member of the Uchiha Clan, he didn't even possess the most basic Sharingan. He felt like a total fraud.

"Yeah, Teacher Minato told us to gather, so I'm looking for Obito!" Nohara Rin nodded. Seeing him smile so happily, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. "Did something good happen? You're smiling so much."

Shinji looked at her flushed cheeks and teased her on purpose. "Of course, it's because I get to see you. That's the best thing that could happen."

Rin's face turned even redder instantly. She reached out and lightly tapped his shoulder. "Shinji, you're actually teasing me."

She and Shinji were classmates in the same year, and they had always had a good relationship.

Back at the Ninja Academy, Shinji wasn't a dead last like Obito; through hard work, his grades managed to stay in the upper-middle range. His academics weren't top-tier, but he had to have something to show for himself—for instance, his looks were undeniably striking; he was the recognized heartthrob of the school.

People were always more patient with good-looking individuals, and after spending time together, a natural sense of affection would grow. The system rated his Charm at 30 points, but in terms of looks alone, he was at least a 90. It was only his strength, status, and influence that held him back.

"I'll go with you to find Obito," Shinji said, naturally taking Rin's small hand and walking toward the direction of Obito's house.

"Wa... wait!" Rin was completely flustered now. She hadn't expected that after not seeing him for a while, Shinji would become so assertive.

Shinji acted as if he hadn't heard her hesitation and continued on his own, "Let's walk together."

Nohara Rin's heart was pounding like a deer in her chest. Feeling his warm palm against hers, her hand felt scorching hot.

She muttered to herself in her heart, Was he serious when he said he was happy to see me?

As soon as this thought emerged, her face turned even redder. She subconsciously tried to pull her hand back, only to find that Shinji had increased his grip slightly, holding her hand even tighter.

Nohara Rin looked around nervously. Fortunately, this was the Uchiha compound, and the streets were nearly empty at this hour, with no familiar faces in sight.

"No one should just pop up out of nowhere, right..."

She whispered to herself, keeping her head down as she followed Shinji step by step. All she could hear were his steady footsteps and the sound of her own heartbeat, which was growing louder by the second.

"Rin, you know? I might be heading to the front lines soon."

Shinji's voice suddenly dropped, shedding the playful tone from moments ago.

"The war is at its most intense stage right now, and the village needs manpower." Shinji gazed at the high walls of the Uchiha compound in the distance. "There's a chance that once I go, I might..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but Rin already understood what he meant.

In times of war, a ninja's life was like a candle in the wind. She knew better than anyone what being sent to the front lines meant. Her hand tightened instinctively, and she reached out to gently hold Shinji's hand in return.

Shinji felt her response. He turned his head to look at her and said, "I don't know if I'll be able to come back. But Rin, if I can return safely, I can..."

"I can tell you openly and honestly: wanting to see you was never a joke."

He paused, leaning in closer. He caught the scent of herbs and mint lingering on Rin—a clean, comforting fragrance unique to a Medical Ninja.

Nohara Rin's breath hitched, and her voice dropped to a whisper: "Wait, wait a second!"

She was completely bewildered, her mind racing: Wait, this isn't how the plot is supposed to go!

About how I came here to meet up with my teammates, but the school heartthrob is suddenly confessing to me?!

Meanwhile, Shinji issued a silent command in his mind, and the system panel unfolded. He focused his intent to open the shop and, without a moment's hesitation, exchanged points for the [Sharingan (Two Tomoe)].

A flash of golden light vanished as quickly as it appeared. A cold, mechanical notification rang in his mind, and a text box materialized:

[Congratulations! You have obtained: Sharingan (Two Tomoe)]

[Type: Talent, Upgradable]

[Description: A Dojutsu awakened by members of the Uchiha Clan when intense emotional stress triggers the brain to produce a special form of Chakra that stimulates the optic nerves.]

[Effect: Grants exceptional dynamic vision, allowing the user to clearly track an opponent's hand seals and the flow of their Chakra. Can predict the trajectory of Kunai and perform basic replication of non-Kekkei Genkai Ninjutsu and Taijutsu.]

[Upgrade Requirement: 100,000 Points]

I can actually upgrade it directly with points? I don't need to refresh the shop?

Shinji felt a surge of joy.

Just then, he felt his temples throb. A chilling sensation washed over his eye sockets, immediately followed by a rush of scorching Chakra.

The Chakra throughout his entire body began to stir and surge, as if it had been set ablaze. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the world looked entirely different.

Two ink-black tomoe slowly rotated on either side of his pupils. His field of vision expanded infinitely, becoming razor-sharp; even the trembling of Rin's eyelashes, the fluttering of her hair, and the very Chakra flowing within her body were rendered in exquisite detail.

"Sharingan... Shinji, you've awakened the Sharingan!"

Nohara Rin gasped, instinctively covering her mouth. Her previous embarrassment was instantly replaced by pleasant surprise. Watching her friend awaken the power of the Uchiha, she genuinely curved her eyes into a warm, smiling crescent.

Shinji quietly let go of her hand, raised his own palm, and couldn't help but sigh softly:

"Is this the world as seen through the Sharingan... Indeed, everything is different."

He looked up at Rin, his gaze earnest and burning, as he said every word clearly:

"Rin, do you know?"

"Hm? Know what?"

"For the Uchiha Clan to awaken the Sharingan, it requires emotions pushed to the absolute extreme."

"Extreme emotions?"

"Yes." He nodded gently, his voice low yet clear. "The reason I was able to awaken my eyes is because, in that very moment, my heart was filled entirely with you, Rin."

He paused, his gaze so tender it seemed ready to melt:

"I was thinking, if this war ends and I can return alive... Rin, I want to see you more often."

Nohara Rin reached out abruptly, immediately covering Shinji's mouth. She squeezed her eyes shut, not daring to look at him again.

"Shinji, don't say any more!" Her voice was hurried and soft, tinged with a hint of panic. "I don't want to talk about such things right now. Let's—let's talk about it later!"

Seeing this, Shinji knew when to stop; pushing any further would only make her uncomfortable.

Just then, the system's mechanical voice rang out in his mind:

[Nohara Rin has been initially conquered; an ambiguous relationship has been established.]

The corners of Shinji's mouth curled up slightly. He took Rin's hand again and began walking toward Obito's house. Rin's cheeks were burning, but she didn't pull away, merely following behind him with her head bowed and her face flushed with shyness.