[After traversing a thorny path, you finally reached Konoha Hospital. Exhausted in both body and mind, you claimed your reward, and your nerves relaxed slightly. Just as you were about to collapse, medical staff rushed over like angels.]
[Your arrival was like a stone striking a lake, sending ripples in every direction—and it drew the close attention of Darkness of Konoha, Danzo. He arrived quietly and seized control of you in the blink of an eye, taking you without mercy to Root's hidden base. You had barely escaped the wolves before falling into the tiger's den.]
When Hayato saw this, his brows knitted together, and he thought to himself, As expected, the greater the reward, the higher the price.
Wood Release was indeed powerful, the best of the three rewards at the time, but the risks that came with it were just as great.
He sighed inwardly with relief that the system had come early. If he had experienced everything described on that panel firsthand, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
After steadying himself a little, Hayato continued reading.
[When you awoke, your surroundings had changed completely. You found yourself imprisoned in a cold cell, bound by seals like shackles. Your chakra was like a bird caged behind bars, unable to spread its wings or take flight.]
[In Danzo's cruel experiments, you became a test subject in his hands, enduring inhuman torment. Your soul struggled in despair, and your unwilling cries echoed through the endless darkness.]
[Yet you never gave in, never gave up, because you knew that as long as the spark of life within you had not gone out, the light of hope would always shine ahead. Even in darkness, you would pursue that glimmer of light until you regained your freedom and let your brilliance shine.]
[Fate Mission—Stage One: In this endless darkness, build your strength. Find a chance to survive, ignite the flames of revenge against Danzo, defeat him completely, and destroy Root entirely.]
[Mission Reward: Perfect Sage Body.]
[Accept the mission: Yes/No]
After reading what followed the first Fate Choice, Hayato let out a long breath.
It didn't take much imagination to picture what the version of himself on the panel was enduring.
He guessed that Danzo had learned about the Wood Release chakra he'd acquired at Konoha Hospital, which was why he'd performed all kinds of experiments on him.
"Danzo, you're a real piece of work."
At first, when he saw the version of himself on the panel trying to escape the cell, he thought the mission would be to get out of the place where he was being held. Then he could exploit another bug.
But unfortunately, this mission required him to kill Danzo and destroy Root.
The system had suddenly raised the difficulty. Still, compared with the version of himself on the panel, Hayato at least had his freedom.
He knew this was no task he could accomplish overnight. He would have to plan carefully.
"There's no way to get this done quickly."
Hayato really coveted the Perfect Sage Body offered as the mission reward, but there was simply no way to achieve it right now.
What a shame. He couldn't keep happily exploiting bugs.
But one way or another, he still had to accept the system's missions.
With a thought, he accepted this one, intending to take his time with it.
After reading the first mission, Hayato opened the next one.
[You stumbled along a winding path, but kept moving forward with determination. Guided by vague memories, you passed through mist and thorns and finally reached the sacred grounds of the Ninja Academy.]
[Your arrival was like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, a stone tossed into a still lake, sending ripples spreading outward.]
[The news sprouted wings and raced on the wind, reaching the ears of the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in an instant. It drew unprecedented attention and deep thought from him.]
[Though you had gained a brief respite, the shadows of the Anbu were like specters, watching your every move. The invisible shackles weighed you down and stifled you. This was not what you wanted. You yearned for freedom.]
[Yet an insurmountable chasm lay between dreams and reality. You knew that bringing the glory of the Uchiha Clan into the light would not happen in a day. You would have to cut through thorns and endure countless hardships, press forward on the path of a ninja, and keep breaking through your own limits before you could achieve greatness.]
[Fate Mission—Stage One: On this road filled with uncertainty and challenges, you must act freely as you seek the Third's recognition and rise to the rank of Jonin.]
[Mission Reward: Five Kekkei Genkai—Scorch Release, Lava Release, Boil Release, Ice Release, and Storm Release.]
[Accept the mission: Yes/No]
The scenario described in the system panel made this mission undeniably difficult. The Uchiha Clan had just attempted a coup, and he was one of its members. Under those circumstances, winning Hiruzen Sarutobi's approval would be incredibly hard.
And he also had to become a Jonin. That suggested that the version of himself in the scenario was probably a Chunin, or perhaps even lower-ranked.
Still, compared with the previous mission, this one was much easier.
The reward was five Kekkei Genkai. That was pretty good already. What more could he ask for?
As for Hayato now, gaining Hiruzen Sarutobi's approval should be relatively easy. The part that would take some time was becoming a Jonin.
"Looks like I can't keep dragging my feet at the Ninja Academy. I need to graduate as soon as possible," Hayato murmured, then accepted the mission.
At last, Hayato eagerly opened the final Fate Choice follow-up.
[You staggered along as if bearing the weight of the heavens. In silence, you turned away from the bustling, troubled Konoha and began a lonely journey in search of a place where your heart could find peace.]
[This was both a decisive farewell to the years gone by and a brave declaration of the new self you would become.]
[The wheel of fate never stopped turning. The news of your departure from the village drifted like a whisper on the wind until it reached the depths of Itachi Uchiha's ears. To honor his secret promise to Konoha, he set out to find you, approaching like a faint shadow, soundless and unseen.]
[You awoke from your slumber, and the sight before you left your thoughts in turmoil. Itachi Uchiha, the one you had once admired and feared, stood quietly before you. His gaze was as deep as an abyss, making his true feelings impossible to discern.]
[You had thought that disappearing into the darkness would free you from every shackle. You never expected the path to be so treacherous, riddled with the unknown and danger.]
[Fate Mission—Stage One: In this vast and bottomless abyss, you must rely on your own wisdom and fearless courage to change Itachi Uchiha's mind and earn his genuine approval.]
[Mission Reward: Mangekyō Sharingan.]
[Accept the mission: Yes/No]
After reading the final mission, Hayato felt conflicted.
What was going on? The system had said these were turning points in his fate, but none of the three Fate Choices had a good outcome.
One ended with him being captured, one with him being watched, and one with him facing a life-or-death crisis.
He couldn't help feeling that fate had dealt him a terrible hand.
The rewards certainly weren't easy to get.
Hayato carefully considered the third mission and knew how difficult it would be.
In that situation, it would be hell on earth. How could he possibly change Itachi's mind so easily?
Fortunately, he could exploit bugs.
But unfortunately, by his reckoning, Itachi wouldn't be born for another six years.
That meant he would have to wait a long time.
This system update seemed to have fixed some of its loopholes, making Hayato feel like the system was "targeting" him.
Couldn't they just have fun together anymore?
It seemed the system didn't want him to complete missions too easily.
Still, he wasn't discouraged. He decided to complete the second mission first and take his time with the others.
Having made up his mind, Hayato accepted the mission, then turned his attention to the scroll in his hands.
"Jonin, huh? One step at a time," he murmured, determination shining in his eyes.
Before you continue