The First Annual Gift Pack

Uchiha Makoto sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, glancing from time to time at the clock as it neared midnight.

Today was the last day of Konoha Year 42—New Year's Eve, known in the ninja world as Ōmisoka.

Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, Uchiha Makoto had finally returned to Konoha half a day ago.

Now, it was time to reap the rewards.

[Ding, the annual gift pack has arrived. Please claim it, Host!]

Hearing the system notification, Uchiha Makoto eagerly opened the panel to inspect the gift pack's contents.

"System, open the panel."

[Name: Uchiha Makoto

Age: 16

Bloodline Limit: Pseudo-Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan (Evolving)

Skills: Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu, Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson, Majestic Destroyer Flame, Shuriken Manipulation Jutsu, Chidori...

Strength: Beyond Kage Level

Clan: Uchiha Clan

Level: Five (35000/500000)

Points: 1000

Items: A-rank Deduction Card ×1, Annual Gift Pack ×1]

"Open the annual gift pack!"

Uchiha Makoto took a deep breath. After glancing at the sharply increased clan level experience, he stared intently at the gift pack.

The gift pack twisted a few times as though it had been personified, then exploded with a boom.

[Ding, congratulations, Host! You have obtained Annual Points ×10000, Grand Swordmaster Cultivation ×1]

A Grand Swordmaster?

The kind from One Piece?

Or the kind from Naruto?

Uchiha Makoto sorted through the information he knew.

In One Piece, the standard for a swordsman was being able to cut through steel, while the standard for a Grand Swordmaster was unleashing flying slashes that soared as freely as birds.

In the original story, Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron, had severed the Ten-Tails' roots with sword energy dozens of meters long during the Fourth Great Ninja War.

And Mifune did not possess much chakra. His only means were his exceptional swordsmanship and formidable physique.

The two seemed no different?

At that thought, Uchiha Makoto fell silent, then...

"System, explain it. Which kind is it?"

[Ding, there is no essential difference between the two! The system's reward is the ninja world version!]

Uchiha Makoto nodded at that. By the system's logic, its words were no different from nonsense. Since there was no difference between the two, what was the point of distinguishing which version it was?

"System, use the Grand Swordmaster Cultivation!"

As he spoke, Uchiha Makoto rose and walked over to the training ground.

There was a wooden post around two meters tall there. Uchiha Makoto gripped his sword with both hands and focused intently.

First, he would test a swordsman's steel-cutting!

Uchiha Makoto's gaze sharpened.

Bend his knees, twist his hips, swing the blade, slash!

His posture was practiced and precise.

As Uchiha Makoto completed the series of slashing movements, they carried such a smooth, elegant quality that he looked like a samurai who had immersed himself in the way of the sword for over a decade. Every stroke bore a steady, composed air!

One slash descended.

A cold gleam cut through the air.

Thud.

The upper half of the wooden post slid straight down!

The cut was smooth, and the entire cross-section resembled the faceted surface of a diamond.

"Whew..."

He let out a long breath.

Uchiha Makoto examined the result before him.

Using only a swordsman's steel-cutting ability, the cross-section he had cut was no different from one made with Wind Release chakra. It was absolutely at the jonin level.

A swordsman could already do this, so what about a Grand Swordmaster? Could he unleash flying slashes like Mifune's—or even the mountain-splitting, sea-dividing strikes from One Piece?

Could Susanoo use a flying slash to cut a star? Earth was probably out of the question, but the moon and asteroids should be possible!

After all, the moon in Naruto was not that large, only several dozen kilometers in diameter.

Just imagine it: two Susanoo tachi, each over a hundred meters long, unleashing a Getsuga Tensho from the ground as the flying slash soared into the sky...

At the thought, Uchiha Makoto's heart began to itch with anticipation.

Should he swing his sword once?

Uchiha Makoto hesitated. He was in Konoha right now, and there were still so many old schemers in the ninja world...

At that moment, vast fireworks blossomed across Konoha's night sky, bathing the entire village in brilliant colors.

People raised their heads to admire the beautiful scene, their faces filled with happy, joyful smiles.

The children screamed excitedly and danced about, while the adults quietly watched, savoring the beauty and tranquility of the moment.

The dazzling glow of the fireworks reflected on everyone's faces, as though it had filled the village with boundless vitality and energy. Amid the joyous atmosphere, Konoha Village was filled with hope and warmth.

Watching the scene before him, Uchiha Makoto spat on the ground and cursed himself.

Why am I thinking so much!

He had only had the system for such a short time, yet he already possessed this strength. What was there to fear from them?

Before the system came, he had been timid and submissive. After the system came, he was still timid and submissive. Then wouldn't the system have come for nothing?!

Just do it!

Uchiha Makoto tightly gripped the sword in his hand. He focused his mind, pouring everything into every swing.

As his force increased, his speed grew faster and faster. The blade tore through the air with a piercing howl.

With every slash, powerful sword energy scattered outward, and even the surrounding space seemed to be ripped apart.

Excitement flashed through Uchiha Makoto's eyes. He could feel that this was it!

Boom!

A slash a full hundred meters long flew from the tip of his blade, shooting straight into the sky!

Bang!

Konoha's barrier shattered!

"Ha, that felt great!"

Uchiha Makoto panted heavily, his face flushed and his spirits exhilarated.

"Cough, cough, cough! Hah!"

Uchiha Makoto kept taking deep breaths. His physical condition was not enough to match a Grand Swordmaster-level slash. That strike just now had been his limit, not the limit of a Grand Swordmaster!

A powerful gust suddenly swept over him, catching Uchiha Makoto off guard and filling his mouth with dust.

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey."

Uchiha Makoto spat out the dust, then curled his lips into an amused smile.

"I went a little too far this time. Konoha's higher-ups won't be getting any sleep tonight!"

"But Konoha won't dare make a move, either."

The current Uchiha were not only united as one internally, but they also had Uchiha Makoto as their military strength. Unless there was a traitor among Konoha's higher-ups, no one would come looking for trouble.

Just as the Konoha that had only recently fallen silent erupted into commotion once more, Uchiha Makoto turned his head and instructed Sanjie at his side.

"Go find the clan head and have him deal with it. Also, I'm not seeing anyone tonight."

Before his words had even faded, Uchiha Makoto turned and headed home. That slash had not been easy, and he needed proper rest to recover his strength.

Hokage Building.

"Are they flaunting their military might, Uchiha...?"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, spoke with a gloomy expression.

"That does fit their nature. I'd be more worried if they didn't make a fuss..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a soft breath and beckoned to the Anbu standing beside him.

"Shinnosuke, go lift the Anbu surveillance on the Uchiha clan grounds."

"Then deliver a set of jonin armor to Uchiha Makoto. Tomorrow, have Asuma..."