System awakening

Uchiha Rìtiān was in a fantastic mood as he left the clan head's house.

I can finally start training! I can finally learn ninjutsu! I can finally awaken the Sharingan... uh, that one will have to wait.

The Sharingan wasn't something he could awaken just because he wanted to. According to the anime's setting, it required intense emotional stimulation. In plain terms, he had to go through something traumatic-the more traumatic, the better, preferably something on the level of his whole world falling apart.

Uchiha Rìtiān's response to that was: Gee, thanks. I have to suffer just to awaken a pair of eyes?

Forget it. No point thinking so much about it. I'll just take things one step at a time.

Uchiha Rìtiān hummed a tune on his way home, passing quite a few Uchiha clansmen along the way. They all smiled and greeted him when they saw him.

"Uchiha Rìtiān, where have you been running wild this time?"

"Uchiha Rìtiān, have you figured out that ice cream yet?"

"Uchiha Rìtiān, that thing you mentioned last time, the 'Urban Enforcement Squad'... hahahahaha!"

Uchiha Rìtiān: "..."

Laugh. Go on, keep laughing. Let's see if you can still laugh once I'm a badass!

When he got home, his mother, Miwako, was hanging laundry in the yard. Seeing him return, she greeted him with a smile. "Uchiha Rìtiān, you're back? What did the clan head want?"

"Mom, the clan head said I can start training with Itachi tomorrow!" Uchiha Rìtiān said excitedly.

"Really? That's wonderful!" Miwako's eyes lit up. "My son is finally going to become a ninja! Come on, Mom will make you something delicious today!"

With that, she hurried into the kitchen in excitement.

Watching his mother walk away, Uchiha Rìtiān's lips curved slightly upward.

Honestly, in the five years since he had transmigrated here, what he felt most fortunate about was having these two parents who, eccentric as they were, truly loved him.

His dad was a bit of a blockhead, but he treated him really well, bringing him little presents every time he returned from a mission. His mom was a bit boy-crazy, but she cared for him in every possible way.

He would protect this family of his.

That whole massacre night business can go to hell!

Just then, a mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind:

[Ding! Host's strong will to protect detected. God-Level Choice System activating...]

[10%...30%...70%...100%...]

[Ding! God-Level Choice System successfully activated! Host: Uchiha Rìtiān.]

Uchiha Rìtiān: "???"

What the heck? A system?

Holy shit, has my transmigrator cheat finally arrived?!

Uchiha Rìtiān almost jumped with excitement. As a veteran webnovel reader, he was all too familiar with systems! With a system, wouldn't he reach the pinnacle of life in no time?

System? Are you there? Uchiha Rìtiān asked tentatively in his mind.

[I am here, host.] The system's voice rang out again. [This system is called the God-Level Choice System. Whenever the host faces a crucial choice, the system will provide options. After choosing, the host can receive the corresponding reward.]

Oh? A choice system? Sounds pretty good.

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes shifted. "So, uh, system, do you have a beginner gift pack or anything?"

[Ding! Beginner gift pack issued. Please claim it, host.]

Whoa, there really is one!

Uchiha Rìtiān was overjoyed. "Open the beginner gift pack!"

[Ding! Beginner gift pack opened. Congratulations, host, you have received:]

[1. Chakra Extraction Technique (proficient)]

[2. Basic Three Body Technique (proficient)]

[3. Sharingan awakening opportunity ×1 (usable at any time)]

[4. One Physical Enhancement]

[5. Mystery gift pack ×1 (requires specific conditions to open)]

Uchiha Rìtiān sucked in a sharp breath.

Holy shit, it's this generous?

Getting the Chakra Extraction Technique and Basic Three Body Technique straight at proficient level is one thing, but there's even a Sharingan awakening opportunity?!

That's the Sharingan! The Uchiha Clan's Kekkei Genkai! Something countless people dream of having!

Although he already had Uchiha blood and would awaken it sooner or later, how long would he have to wait? According to the anime's setting, plenty of Uchiha clansmen never awakened their Sharingan even by the time they died!

And now the system had simply handed him an awakening opportunity!

The Physical Enhancement was good stuff, too! He was only five, and his body was very weak. With this enhancement, his training would surely yield twice the results with half the effort.

As for the mystery gift pack... he would leave it alone for now. He would be able to open it eventually anyway.

"System, use Physical Enhancement!" Uchiha Rìtiān said impatiently.

[Ding! Physical Enhancement used.]

The moment the voice faded, Uchiha Rìtiān felt a warm current surge from deep within his body and flow through every limb and bone. It was so warm and comfortable that he almost moaned.

After about a minute, the warmth gradually faded. Uchiha Rìtiān clenched his fists, feeling strength fill his entire body.

He tried jumping and actually leaped over a meter high!

He was only five! With physical capabilities like these, wasn't he almost on par with an ordinary Genin?

Awesome!

Uchiha Rìtiān was delighted.

Then next... the Sharingan?

Uchiha Rìtiān hesitated.

Awakening the Sharingan early or late was really all the same. It would be his sooner or later anyway. But the thing was too conspicuous. He was only five; if he awakened his Sharingan now, wouldn't people see him as a monster?

No, no. I need to keep a low profile. That's the way to go.

Uchiha Rìtiān decided not to use the Sharingan awakening opportunity for now. He would wait for a suitable moment later.

Such as... when he encountered danger? Or when there was a chance to show off?

Hehehe.

"Uchiha Rìtiān, what are you grinning about? Come eat!" Miwako's voice came from inside.

"Coming, coming!" Uchiha Rìtiān hurried into the house.

At the dinner table, his father, Uchiha Retsu, had returned as well. Hearing that Uchiha Rìtiān was going to start training with Itachi, he laughed heartily and slapped Uchiha Rìtiān's shoulder several times, nearly knocking him apart.

"That's my boy! You really are Uchiha Retsu's son!" Retsu looked proud. "Train hard and aim to surpass your old man!"

Uchiha Rìtiān's mouth twitched. What's so hard about surpassing you? What can you do besides spit out the Great Fireball Technique?

Of course, he only dared think that, not say it aloud. With his dad's temper, he might well drag him off for a "spar."

"Oh, right, Dad," Uchiha Rìtiān asked, pretending to be casual, "has anything big happened in the clan lately?"

Retsu paused. "Anything big? Nothing big has happened. Why?"

"Nothing, just asking." Uchiha Rìtiān shoveled rice into his mouth. "It just feels like the people in the village have been looking at us Uchiha a little strangely lately."

Retsu's face immediately darkened. "Hmph, those old geezers have never trusted us Uchiha!"

Miwako quickly tugged Retsu's sleeve. "We're eating. Why bring that up?"

Retsu snorted and said nothing more, but his expression was clearly unpleasant.

Uchiha Rìtiān sighed inwardly.

Looks like the conflict between the Uchiha and the Konoha High Command is already pretty deep.

Well, everyone saw the Nine-Tails' Sharingan during the Nine-Tails' Attack, after all. It's only natural for the Konoha High Command to suspect the Uchiha. And then there's that scheming old bastard Danzo fanning the flames...

Tsk, tsk. This situation is a bit tricky.

But that's fine. Tricky is what makes it interesting.

Uchiha Rìtiān's lips curved slightly upward.

Now that I'm here, this world's script is going to need some revisions.

Danzo, huh? Scheming old bastard, huh? Just you wait. See how I deal with you later!

And you, Black Zetsu, stirring up trouble in the shadows, huh? Once I find you, I'll dig you out and kick you around like a ball!

Just as Uchiha Rìtiān was indulging in his fantasies, the system's voice rang out again:

[Ding! Host detected facing the first important choice of his life:]

[Option one: Display astonishing talent during tomorrow's training and shock everyone. Reward: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (proficient)]

[Option two: Hide your strength, pose as an ordinary genius, and develop slowly. Reward: Chakra reserves increased by 50%]

[Option three: Give up outright, tell everyone you are not cut out for training, and go back to researching ice cream. Reward: One "Happy Water" recipe (drinking it temporarily increases chakra recovery speed)]

Uchiha Rìtiān: "..."

Is there even a choice to make?

Wait... what the hell is Happy Water? Drinking it increases chakra recovery speed? That actually sounds pretty good...

No, no. Am I the sort of person who'd be tempted by Happy Water?

Uchiha Rìtiān sank into a deep dilemma.