At the center of the training ground, Uchiha Raishin stood straight-backed with his hands behind him, watching his son with a stern expression and a deep undercurrent of hope.
Not far across from him, Uchiha Shinichi presented a very different picture—the boy's signature dead-fish eyes drooped slightly, and his tousled, naturally curly silver-white hair stirred in the morning breeze.
His expression was utterly blank, and his whole body radiated the defeated air of a slacker who had lost all will to live.
"Shinichi, your punches must be steady and powerful! Draw your strength from the soles of your feet, channel it through your whole body, then concentrate it in your fist!" Raishin instructed sternly.
Shinichi repeated the movements numbly, his fists striking the wooden post mechanically, over and over, with dull smacks.
Inside, he wailed nonstop. Can movements this monotonous really turn me into a peerless master? I'm a transmigrator, for crying out loud. Do I seriously have to turn my life around through this kind of boring training?
"Shinichi, your movements are too weak and limp. Be steadier and more precise!" Raishin reminded him with a frown.
"I know, Father..." Shinichi sighed, forced himself to perk up a little, and continued the tedious repetitions.
Soon, he sank back into a dazed stupor, looking as though he might flop to the ground and play dead at any moment.
Just as he was getting drowsy and reaching his limit—
[Ding-dong!]
A very familiar, lively voice suddenly rang out in his mind.
Shinichi gave a slight shudder. An ominous feeling rose inside him, and he asked warily, System? What are you up to this time?
The system answered excitedly, "Host, don't be nervous! Here's your daily mission—[Complete your basic Taijutsu training diligently and land 100 consecutive accurate hits on the wooden post]. Finish it, and you'll receive a special reward!"
A spark of life flashed in Shinichi's eyes. Even his breathing quickened as he asked eagerly, A special reward? Hurry up and tell me what it is!
The system chuckled with an air of mystery. "The reward is a secret for now, but rest assured, Host. You won't be disappointed!"
Shinichi hesitated for a moment, thinking it over quickly. Then a rare flicker of determination rekindled in his dead-fish eyes. Fine! You said it yourself, so don't you dare screw me over!
An instant later, Shinichi's entire demeanor changed—he quickly adjusted his breathing, his gaze suddenly focused and resolute, and his movements grew precise and powerful.
His formerly feeble strikes became crisp and clean. Every punch landed squarely in the center of the wooden post, his rhythm swift and exact.
Raishin noticed the change in his son, and a trace of surprise and relief entered his eyes. Has this kid finally decided to take things seriously? he wondered.
Shinichi had no attention to spare for his father's reaction. Right now, he was completely focused on striking the wooden post.
Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred!
As the final punch landed without a hitch, he silently finished his count.
[Ding! Mission complete! Distributing reward...]
Shinichi's heart pounded as he waited eagerly for the system to deliver his reward.
A moment later, he suddenly felt a warm, strange power surge throughout his body. His muscles and meridians filled with an unprecedented sense of vitality, as though his entire being had been raised to heights he had never known before.
"Wait, this feeling..." Shinichi looked down at his palms in astonishment, murmuring in disbelief.
The system's cheerful yet solemn voice rang out in his mind. "[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on completing the beginner Uchiha Style Taijutsu training mission. Reward successfully obtained: peerless Taijutsu talent on Might Guy's level!]"
Shinichi's face instantly froze. His mouth hung slightly open, his eyes went blank, and he looked as though he had been struck by lightning. Might Guy? That hot-blooded maniac famous throughout the Shinobi World? System, are you sure you didn't hand out the wrong reward?
The system replied with absolute seriousness, "Host, this system never jokes. From this moment on, you are one of the Shinobi World's foremost Taijutsu prodigies."
Grief and indignation surged through Shinichi, and he could not help launching into a furious rant. System, have you misunderstood something? I, Uchiha Shinichi, am going for cool and elegant! What do you mean by giving me a 'Lord Guy'-style talent for burning with youth?!
The system sounded cheerful without losing its seriousness. "There's no need to agonize over it, Host. Ordinary shinobi could never obtain talent of this caliber. With it, learning any Taijutsu will come naturally to you, and you can easily become the Taijutsu king of the Shinobi World!"
Shinichi's mouth twitched as he wrestled with himself. No... I just wanted to be a slacker. How did I get forced onto this path of hot-blooded frenzy...?
When that day's training ended, the soft evening glow spilled down, bathing all of Konoha in red.
Shinichi dragged his exhausted body back to his room, walking slowly with an indescribably conflicted expression.
As he walked, he clenched his fists, feeling the strange power within his body, his emotions too tangled to put into words.
"Does this mean... I really have to give up my leisurely life and become a hot-blooded maniac?" he sighed wistfully.
A soft knock sounded at his door, followed by a gentle voice from outside. "Shinichi, may I come in?"
Shinichi quickly looked up and saw his mother, Xueli, standing in the doorway with a plate of pastries and a tender smile.
"Come in, Mother." Shinichi nodded slightly and hurried to sit up straight.
Xueli walked in with a smile, set the pastries on the table, and gently stroked her son's head. "You worked hard today, Shinichi. Here, have something to eat and relax a little," she said with concern.
Shinichi picked up a pastry and took a small bite. Its sweet fragrance instantly melted away his fatigue, filling his heart with warmth.
Xueli looked at her son, her eyes full of tenderness and love, and said softly, "Do you know? Your father was so happy when he came home today. He kept telling me how seriously you trained and how quickly you improved. He may be stern, but he truly cares about you. He wants you to become strong enough to protect yourself and the people who matter to you."
Shinichi paused, a warm current welling up inside him.
His expression gradually softened, and he said quietly, "I understand, Mother..."
Xueli smiled and nodded in satisfaction, then stood and gently reminded him, "Get some rest early. You have more training tomorrow."
"Yes, Mother." Shinichi nodded and watched her slowly leave, a lingering warmth still in his heart.
Once the room grew quiet again, Shinichi flopped onto his soft bed and slowly closed his eyes, only for the system's obnoxious voice to ring out in his mind again. "Well, Host? Aren't you looking forward to tomorrow's training, full of passion and hot-blooded enthusiasm?"
Shinichi's face darkened at once, and his mouth twitched violently several times. System, just shut up...
The system's laugh practically begged for a punch. "Host, this is the greatest Taijutsu talent in the Shinobi World! You'd better treasure it. Don't waste the youth and passion Lord Guy has bestowed upon you!"
Shinichi clutched his head in despair, his heart filled with misery. My life as a slacker had only just begun. How is it already over?
Outside his window, the night was as gentle as water, dotted with stars that seemed to silently speak of the boy's troubles and struggles.
At that moment, Uchiha Shinichi's plan to "turn his slacker life around" officially veered in the exact opposite direction—onto a path full of passion and hot-blooded fervor, a road from which there was no turning back...
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