Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha

The minor disturbance within the clan left little impression on Uchiha Ling. Uchiha Shu's provocation was more like an insignificant interlude, but it made him more clearly aware of the urgency of growing stronger. As for Itachi Uchiha's seemingly casual intervention and his words, "Find the way that suits you," they gave Ling a more complicated impression of this future "master actor."

He devoted more energy to training, especially studying the [Basic Medical Ninjutsu Manual] and practicing the [Wind Release: Speed Attack Technique]. His medical knowledge deepened his understanding of his own chakra and body structure, while the Wind Release techniques began to combine with his master-level shurikenjutsu and enhanced speed, gradually forming the foundation of a unique fighting style.

After the basic ninjutsu theory class that afternoon, Iruka announced news that excited every student—tomorrow, they would hold a wilderness survival exercise at the training ground near the village. The exercise would involve basic teamwork and gathering supplies.

"Finally, we can leave the academy!"

"I heard there are real wild animals in the training ground!"

"Are we being split into groups, Iruka-sensei?"

The classroom instantly erupted. Even Sasuke Uchiha, who was usually so cool, had a barely noticeable flicker of anticipation in his eyes. Naruto Uzumaki, who normally seemed listless, jumped straight onto his desk, waving his arms as he shouted, "All right! Watch Naruto Uzumaki the Great in action! I'll definitely find the most supplies!"

"Idiot Naruto! Get down from the desk!" Sakura yelled out of habit.

Ino leaned close to Uchiha Ling and asked with a grin, "Ling, are you looking forward to it? Maybe we'll get assigned to the same group!"

Uchiha Ling merely smiled noncommittally, his gaze sweeping over the classroom's two key figures—Naruto and Sasuke. Perhaps this exercise would give him a chance to interact with them.

The next morning was bright and sunny. Under the guidance of Iruka and several other Chunin instructors, all the first-year students arrived at the training ground. Dense woods covered the area, and the terrain rose and fell slightly. Birdsong and the sound of running streams could be heard faintly in the distance, filling the place with the untamed air of nature.

Iruka divided the class into several three-person groups and gave each group different map fragments and supply lists. They were required to follow the maps to reach designated meeting points before noon while collecting as many of the listed supplies as possible, such as specific herbs, harmless animal fur, clean water, and so on.

By coincidence, it happened again. Perhaps it was fate, or perhaps Iruka had intentionally balanced the groups, but Uchiha Ling, Naruto Uzumaki, and a civilian boy named Kimura Maru were assigned together.

"Great! I'm with Ling!" Naruto was extremely excited. He slapped Uchiha Ling hard on the back and laughed carelessly. "I heard you're really strong! We'll definitely take first place!"

The slap nearly made Uchiha Ling stumble. Somewhat helplessly, he glanced at this future child of prophecy. At this moment, Naruto was like a little sun, brimming with infectious energy, yet also carrying a trace of loneliness from being misunderstood and an urgent desire for recognition.

[ Ding! A valid sign-in target has been detected: Naruto Uzumaki. ]

[ Interaction level: Conversation. ]

[ Distributing sign-in rewards... ]

[ Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Simplified Rasengan Instruction (Knowledge Infusion)! ]

[ Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Nine-Tails Chakra Affinity (Trace Amount)! (Immune to the effects of low-concentration malicious chakra) ]

[ Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: 60 System Points! ]

An abstruse body of knowledge regarding the ultimate application of chakra shape transformation flooded into his mind. Though labeled "Simplified Instruction," its core principle—making chakra spin chaotically, gather, compress, and ultimately form a high-density chakra sphere—was crystal clear! This would undoubtedly become a powerful trump card in the future!

[Nine-Tails Chakra Affinity (Trace Amount)], meanwhile, was more like a passive status enhancement, granting him an extremely slight degree of adaptability to the hatred-filled chakra of a tailed beast.

The gains were enormous! The rewards were already this generous from merely having a conversation! As expected of a child of destiny.

"Mm, looking forward to working together, Naruto." Uchiha Ling suppressed his excitement and nodded at Naruto. He held no ill will toward this simple yet resilient boy. If anything, he felt a little sympathy for him.

"And me! My name is Kimura Maru! Please take care of me!" Their other teammate hurriedly introduced himself as well, looking a little nervous.

The group set out. As the most capable and mature member of the team, Uchiha Ling naturally became its leader. Taking out the map fragment, he swiftly determined their direction and a likely route.

"According to the map, we need to cross these woods and meet at the boulder downstream from the creek. The 'glowgrass' on the list prefers damp, shaded environments, so we should be able to find it in the cracks between rocks near the creek," Uchiha Ling analyzed calmly.

"Whoa! Ling, you know so much!" Naruto's face was full of admiration.

"Then let's hurry and go!" Kimura Maru was encouraged as well.

The three-person group began moving. Uchiha Ling took the lead, using [Basic Aura Sensing], a reward he had received from signing in with Sasuke before, along with his keen observation skills to avoid areas that might contain small wild animals and choose a relatively safe route. His steadiness and reliability allowed Naruto and Kimura Maru to follow with ease.

Along the way, Naruto was as lively as ever, talking nonstop.

"Ling, are you really good with shuriken? Can you teach me?"

"Whoa! There's a rabbit over there! Does that count as supplies?"

"My stomach's kind of hungry..."

Uchiha Ling did not grow impatient. He occasionally answered a few questions or pointed out minor flaws in Naruto's movements. He found that Naruto's physical strength and endurance were actually excellent, and his movements had a certain natural flair. He merely lacked systematic guidance, and his chakra control was terrible.

While crossing a small ravine, Kimura Maru accidentally slipped and nearly fell. Uchiha Ling reacted quickly and grabbed him.

"Be careful."

"Th-thank you, Ling!"

[ Ding! A valid sign-in target has been detected: Kimura Maru (ordinary Hidden Leaf Village orphan). ]

[ Interaction level: Rescue. ]

[ Distributing sign-in rewards... ]

[ Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Basic Tactical Coordination Manual (Knowledge Infusion)! ]

[ Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: 40 System Points! ]

Basic tactical knowledge about team movement, cover, and simple formations flooded into his mind. It was simple, but highly practical.

Just as they were about to reach the meeting point and were gathering "glowgrass" near a relatively open clearing in the woods, they ran into another group.

It was Sasuke Uchiha's group. His other two teammates were also branch-family members of the Uchiha Clan.

Sasuke's group seemed to have just finished gathering one type of supply and was preparing to leave. The two groups met unexpectedly in the clearing.

Sasuke's gaze immediately settled on Uchiha Ling. He had clearly been paying attention to this clansman, who had little reputation within the clan but was quite capable at the academy and had even clashed with Uchiha Shu a few days ago. His eyes held scrutiny and a trace of... barely perceptible comparison.

"Hmph. It's you." Sasuke's tone was cold, carrying the characteristic pride of the Uchiha Clan. The two Uchiha boys behind him also wore arrogant expressions.

"Hey! Sasuke Uchiha! What kind of attitude is that?" Naruto immediately sprang out like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Pointing at Sasuke, he shouted, "We're about to finish our mission too!"

"The dead last, you?" Sasuke shot Naruto a disdainful glance. That look deeply stung Naruto.

"What did you say?! You bastard, Sasuke!" Naruto angrily moved to charge forward.

Uchiha Ling raised a hand to stop Naruto, then looked calmly at Sasuke. "The mission comes first. There's no need for pointless arguments."

Sasuke shifted his gaze to Uchiha Ling, and their eyes met in midair. A subtle, electric tension spread between the two Uchiha boys. It was not hostility, but more like an invisible contest between two geniuses—or at least, in Sasuke's eyes, Ling's strength had earned his unspoken recognition.

[ Ding! A valid sign-in target has been detected: Sasuke Uchiha. ]

[ Interaction level: Conversation + competition in the same setting (in terms of presence). ]

[ Distributing sign-in rewards... ]

[ Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Basic Aura Perception (Enhanced)! (Sensing range increased to 80 meters; accuracy improved) ]

[ Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Sharingan Insight Boost (Minor)! (Dynamic vision and detail-capturing ability slightly improved) ]

[ Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: 50 System Points! ]

His sensing range expanded instantly. Every minute movement in the surrounding environment became clearer—the murmur of the distant creek, leaves swaying in the wind, even the faint chakra fluctuations from Sasuke and his two teammates! At the same time, he felt his vision become sharper, allowing him to more easily catch the slightest changes in Sasuke's facial muscles and the shifts in his eyes.

These rewards were exactly what he needed, greatly strengthening his scouting and reaction abilities!

"Hmph. You're right." Sasuke withdrew his gaze. He seemed to think that continuing to argue with the "dead last" would lower his standing, but before leaving, he gave Uchiha Ling one deep look. "I look forward to seeing what you can do in the next practical class."

With that, he turned and left with his two clansmen.

"Damn it! That smug bastard!" Naruto waved his fists at Sasuke's retreating back, fuming.

"Enough, Naruto. We should head to the meeting point too." Uchiha Ling patted Naruto on the shoulder. He could sense Naruto's complicated feelings toward Sasuke—both a desire to compete and an awkward longing for recognition.

In the end, Uchiha Ling's group successfully reached the designated meeting point on time and collected all the required supplies, earning praise from Iruka. Although Naruto had been noisy all the way through, under Ling's guidance and help, he had genuinely completed the mission. His face was filled with a satisfied smile.

On the way back to the village, Naruto stayed beside Uchiha Ling, chattering endlessly about the day's events. He had clearly come to see Ling as a trustworthy friend.

"Ling, you really are amazing! Let's be in the same group again next time!"

Looking at Naruto's unclouded smile, Uchiha Ling felt something stir in his heart. This time teaming up with Naruto had not only earned him valuable rewards, but had also laid the beginnings of a friendship. His brief confrontation with Sasuke, meanwhile, had made him feel the pressure and... potential of a genius his own age within the clan.

His path of sign-ins was gradually drawing these core figures from the original story into his own network of bonds.

Night fell, and Uchiha Ling returned to his small house. He reviewed the day's gains—the seed of the Rasengan, Nine-Tails Chakra Affinity, enhanced perception, Sharingan Insight Boost, and the initial "connections" he had formed with Naruto and Sasuke.

He spread open his palm. Chakra slowly gathered in his hand as he attempted to make it spin chaotically according to the method from the "Simplified Instruction"...

Though he was still far from successfully condensing it, this was undoubtedly a hopeful beginning.

(End of Chapter 6)