This Is the Confidence Galageki Gives Me!

There were two kinds of Substitution Techniques in the world of the Hokage.

One was the ordinary E-Rank Substitution Technique.

Its essence was a trick of the eye, similar to a combination of Genjutsu and the Body Flicker Technique. Its advantage was that it was easy to learn; its disadvantages were its short movement range and long startup. It worked well for stomping weak opponents, but was basically useless in mid- to high-level fights.

The other kind was My-Style Substitution Techniques, developed and adjusted by some advanced ninjas according to their own circumstances. Typical examples included Orochimaru's Molting Substitution and Itachi's Crow Substitution. With sufficiently high combat proficiency, they could achieve flawless evasions.

And now.

Thanks to the trait granted by the Gala System, Mikami Yu could reliably cast the "Substitution Technique" instantly.

Though the range was a little short, aside from that, this trait was practically flawless! It was basically a range-limited version of "Amenotejikara"!

And this was only the reward for 25 Favorability, at the "Friendly" stage.

If 25 was already this good...

Wouldn't 100 Favorability send him soaring?

"This little Gala System is actually pretty damn good."

If there was a flaw, it was probably that [Practice] could not be automated. He really had to train bit by bit himself. On top of that, Mikami Yu's chakra was far less than Obito's, so the "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu" he could use now was only the size of a basketball and had no real combat value.

But then again, Sasuke, Indra's reincarnation, had only been at this level when he first learned the Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu.

And as long as Mikami Yu kept practicing, he could farm Favorability with "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu" regardless of the results. Once he unlocked its Favorability stage rewards, things would be different.

—The Three Techniques' traits were already this good. The Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu couldn't possibly be bad, right?

This was the confidence Galageki gave me!

Right then.

Mikami Yu took a deep breath, straightened his waist, and recovered from his hanging inverted position. Then he bounced in place a few times, feeling his body become incredibly light. His head nearly hit the tree trunk six or seven meters above.

He then dropped into a horse stance and threw punches in place. The air whistled continuously as the strength in his arms and waist clearly increased, and his punches became steadier and more forceful.

With no one to spar against, Mikami Yu did not know whether those 3 points of Constitution had improved his Taijutsu as well. But one thing was certain: he should now be able to easily defeat his former self from a few weeks ago.

"It's about time."

"Tomorrow is the assessment exam. I need to get there early... Whether I keep being a ninja or become a noodle-pulling master depends on this one shot!"

The next morning.

"Good morning, Yu!"

After Mikami Yu finished breakfast at home with his mother, he stepped outside and saw Nohara Rin leaving her house with a backpack on as well.

She greeted him with a smile and a wave, then repeatedly glanced at the top of his head, her expression growing a little strange.

"What is it, Rin? Is there something on my head?"

Mikami Yu touched his white hair.

"No... I just suddenly felt like you've gotten taller lately, Yu. I remember that not long ago, you were only a little taller than me. Now you're almost half a head taller."

Nohara Rin walked alongside Mikami Yu, raising her small hand from above her own head and gesturing toward his as she spoke.

Mikami Yu turned to glance at her. His gaze swept down from the top of Nohara Rin's head and over her fair neck before he smiled without giving anything away. "Maybe I've been eating better lately, so I grew a little... Come to think of it, I should thank you for that bucket of fish you sent."

"That's not how it works. If eating a few fish could make someone taller, everyone in Konoha would be fishing in the Naka River."

Nohara Rin laughed helplessly.

In fact,

Mikami Yu's change in height was probably mostly related to the 3 points of Constitution granted by the Gala System. Its boost was comprehensive. Not only had it increased the strength of his fists and kicks, but it had also made him a little taller, enough for the difference to show outwardly.

Still, this was an age when children naturally grew, so the change was not particularly conspicuous.

After walking a little farther.

Nohara Rin spoke again. "Oh, right, Yu. Oki-sensei has replied about learning Medical Ninjutsu."

"He said Konoha Hospital has a training class for newly recruited medical staff. He has already put in a word for me, so I can go sit in starting next week. Do you want to come too, Yu? If the two of us go together, we can discuss things whenever we run into problems."

"When is it?"

"Every weekend morning, and sometimes on weekday evenings. The instructors are all medical ninjas from Konoha, mostly Chunin. But apparently, Jonin occasionally show up too. Even Lady Tsunade has appeared before."

"Tsunade..."

Mikami Yu instinctively pictured an enormous pair of breasts...

It could not be helped. That trait of Tsunade's was simply too deeply ingrained in people's minds.

But...

At this point in time, Tsunade should have already left Konoha, right? And she had Hemophobia. What could she teach at Konoha Hospital? Wasn't she afraid of being triggered?

While thinking that, Mikami Yu said aloud, "Sure. Remember to call me when the time comes."

As they spoke.

The two had already arrived at the Ninja Academy.

On the way to the classroom, students occasionally greeted the two of them.

Among them was a guy with a pair of Byakugan and an air of superiority. He also casually sidled over and exchanged a few pleasantries.

His name was Kaimon Hyuga, a descendant of the Hyuga Clan.

Nohara Rin had a gentle personality, a delicate appearance, and often helped others at school, so she was very popular. Besides Obito, there were plenty of other precocious children who had secretly developed feelings for her, including Kaimon Hyuga.

But the arrogance born of his great-clan upbringing made him disdain acting like Obito and fawning over her. Instead, he used the excellent methods of deliberately acting cool and even belittling others to draw Nohara Rin's attention. He often talked about his prestigious background and exceptional talent, leaving Nohara Rin quite helpless but unable to say much.

As for Mikami Yu...

He was the potential romantic rival of most of the boys.

It could not be helped. That was just what happened when you had good looks.

Back then, the Ninja Academy had also had Kakashi, whose looks were equally outstanding and whose talent surpassed everyone else's by far. He had been able to steal all the spotlight. But now Kakashi was gone, and Mikami Yu had become the best-looking guy in the class. Even if his talent was a bit lacking, he still had quite a few admirers drawn to his looks.

Mikami Yu did not care much about any of that.

They were all just a bunch of noisy little brats. Compared to them, he preferred someone older.

Of course, if there really were a pretty little rich girl who took the initiative to tell him he did not need to work hard anymore, then it was not like he could not consider it...