Sandra walked over to me, holding our 6-year-old daughter Ana in her arms. Her eyes displayed a mixture of concern and determination as she spoke, "You should make a bit more effort. They're your family too." Her voice carried a gentle encouragement that tugged at my heart. With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly set my phone aside, finally giving my complete attention to my family. It was the first time I had done so since arriving at the party.
I was aware that I wasn't exactly welcomed by her family due to my failed military career, which ended due to an injury during a peace mission. To complicate matters, I met Sandra while recovering from that very injury. In their eyes, I was a sergeant who had taken advantage of a volunteer doctor in her first year after college.
"Your father made sure I understood that's not really true. The only reason I'm here today is because Ana asked," I responded.
A hint of sadness crossed Sandra's face, but I chose not to dwell on it. Instead, I opted to grab another beer.
Sandra was an incredible woman, beautiful and intelligent, but possessed a profound naivety. A trait that only someone who grew up in an wealth family could exhibit. In her first year after graduating from medical school, she volunteered for a peace mission in Haiti.
The shock of encountering extreme poverty and human suffering in that place shattered her worldview. It was during that time that our paths crossed. I was 28 years old at the time, having been wounded in a clash with local gangs. I spent several weeks recuperating in the same camp where Sandra was stationed, until the next ship arrived and took me home. We both grappled with coming to terms with the poverty and human suffering we had witnessed. We found solace in each other's. It's easy to comprehend why her father's words had such a profound impact on me.
"What were you reading?" she asked. "Another fanfiction?"
"Yes, it's one with The Gamer mechanics. I can't help but imagine how fascinating a story like that could be with a few modifications," I replied. "Although, this particular one seems to be a mishmash of elements from different stories."
Sandra chuckled and suggested that I show it to her later if I ended up enjoying it. "I'm taking Ana to see my mom. She complained that she doesn't get enough time to spend with her granddaughter," she said, heading back to the livelier part of the party.
"Bye, Daddy!" our daughter waved.
Ana was born in the year after we met. She was the main reason Sandra had to return to Brazil earlier, and she brought immense joy into my life. She had Sandra's brown hair and green eyes, my distinctive nose, and the most beautiful ears I had ever seen. I waved at them and then picked up my phone again. The story was hosted on a forum, and while it wasn't terrible, it suffered from the same issues as many others. The protagonist's rapid power-ups made the story seem overly simplistic, and there seemed to be a lack of genuine challenges. Additionally, the author seemed to present a romanticized view of a world that, given its characteristics, should have been much harsher.
Perhaps out of boredom, I decided to share my thoughts with the author, who surprisingly responded almost immediately. Interestingly, his name was the God of Fanfictions, something completely nonsensical.
Despite this, he liked my ideas, and I may have gotten a little carried away in my enthusiasm. The author also seemed inexperienced, too quick to accept any suggestion as good. Well, perhaps the type of story I desire may come out of this.
The rest of the night was a much less pleasant experience. Some people tried to start a conversation, but with my lack of interest, they soon gave up. Claudio, Sandra's father, surprisingly came to talk to me, but his discomfort with my presence was evident, and after some veiled insults, he soon left.
After that, I focused on drinking my beers quietly, waiting for time to pass. They were happy with those people; they were their family, and that was enough for me.
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"You should sleep here tonight," her father said as Sandra settled Ana, who was already fast asleep, into the car seat.
"Maybe if you didn't always act the same way. You said you wanted to improve your relationship with Pedro, Dad, but all I've seen is the same behavior," she said.
Well, this was new to me, both the invitation and the last part.
I had had a bit too much to drink, but there was nothing I wanted more than to go home. So I stayed silent. I knew that she wanted to stay, but she would also support me and leave as planned if I didn't speak up. Soon, we left the estate and headed towards the road.
The next few minutes were silent. The road was empty at that stretch and time. Unfortunately, that caused my attention to decrease, leading to the worst mistake of my life.
A car came from the opposite direction, crossing into my lane. I caught a brief glimpse of a person with their head lowered at the wheel. In my drowsy and intoxicated state, I only had time to avoid a head-on collision, with the impact hitting the side of my door. Upon the initial impact, I hit my head against the window and blacked out instantly.
When consciousness returned, I found myself in an indescribable space, surrounded by a swirling maelstrom of images. Suddenly, what had happened came to mind, and none of this mattered anymore
"Sandra!"
"Ana!"
"Please..."
The magnitude of my mistake consumed me, and feelings of guilt and fear surged through like a tsunami. After what seemed like minutes of screams and pleas, a voice finally reached me, but it wasn't the ones I wanted to hear.
"You can still save them, Pedro," the voice said. "For a price."
"Anything," I hastily replied. I was willing to pay any price, even if it meant making a deal with the devil himself, to bring them back.
"Who are you? What has happened?"
Suddenly, a figure materialized from the chaotic swirl of images surrounding me. A man holding a book in one hand emerged, approaching me. He was wearing a skirt and a shirt bearing the phrase: "Reading Enriches the Soul."
Oddly, this utterly surreal sight had a strangely calming effect on me.
"You're dead," he stated matter-of-factly.
"But you alread know that. What you do seek to know is how you can save them."
"I am an Ancient God of literature," he proclaimed, his words carrying undeniable truth. I considered interrupting but the situation compelled me to accept the absurdity.
"Despite that, I lack the skill of creation. I can offer inspiration, spark creativity, but never for my own gain. My destiny was to fade from humanity's memory as people ceased praying for such things," he explained. It made sense. With the ease of information access and the internet, divine inspiration isn't necessary for someone to write something acceptable.
"For beings like me, that is akin to death," he said seriously.
"Time is short, so I'll be direct. I can save them." Immediately, the vision of my accident replaced the surroundings. The image was in motion; I could see the glass shards moving in slowly.
"Getting so directly involved in your world will have a heavy toll on my remaining power. Make no mistake, their fate is the same as yours. Changing it will bind their lives to mine. If I die, they will soon follow me. Death is, after all, selfish," he finished speaking and stared at me as if he wanted to ensure I understood his point. I did.
"What do you want?" I asked
"A story, a new domain. A way to connect with the masses, to have my existence recognized. A fanfi-"
"What happens if I succeed?" I interrupted, needing to know if he wouldn't change his mind.
"They will live or die purely by their choices, without external influences, without the weight of destiny," he replied.
"I accept." I had already understood his desire. Selling my soul would do little to correct my wrongs, but if there's a chance, I would take it.
In that instant, everything around me changed.
I felt like I was back in the car, but I wasn't in control of my body. Something else possessed it. As time seemed to slow down, the hand gripping the steering wheel moved, the foot pressed the accelerator, and then released it completely. Time returned to normal as the car veered off the road and stopped in the tall grass. They were injured, but alive.
Before complete darkness enveloped me, a voice said, "Time will pass differently for you there, but we only have one chance. Make it count and make it interesting."
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A blue screen popped up.
Welcome to the System! The only one capable of crafting infinite scenarios across the multiverse!
Sponsor: God of Fanfictions - EARTH (???aspiring???)
Your universe has been pre-selected: Naruto+++
Your hack has been pre-selected: The Gamer - Custom Mode
Choose your Biography:
Hidden Village: Konohagakure - Kirigakure - Sunagakure - Iwagakure - Kumogakure - Amegakure - ...
I must have stared at that screen for ages... What I had done to my family, all for something.... so stupid ... A wave of regret and guilt crashed over me.
I needed to do something... It was my only chance to secure their future.
I trusted Sandra, and I knew that without me around, her family would ensure our daughter's happiness and well-being. I had a duty to fulfill, and this time, I was determined to do it right.
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The "hack" section caught my eye, The Gamer - Custom Mode... It instantly connected with the conversation I had earlier that night. I tried to recall all the suggestions I had made.
Well... Shit.
Immediately, I knew that surviving would be extremely difficult, let alone doing it in an interesting way. I needed to be smart, plan from the beginning and stick to it. Find a way to become strong without any conventional plot armor or repeating something already used in many other stories. After a few minutes of panic, an idea started to form in my mind. A comment I heard many years ago in a YouTube video.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
I chose Konohagakure, and another screen appeared:
Choose your Lineage:
Civil - Uchiha - Senju - Hyuga Main - Hyuga Secondary - Nara - Akamichi - Uzumaki - ...
I didn't hesitate for a moment before choosing the Akimichi clan. Opting for the Uchiha or Hyuga clans would be unwise, for obvious reasons. However, some might argue that I should have gone for the Senju or Uzumaki clans since they were also valid options. Yet, in this more dangerous and realistic version of the Naruto universe, being a member of the Senju or Uzumaki clans would be a risky gamble. It's not hard to imagine the fate that might befall me - ending up in the Root, forced into breeding programs, or confined in one of Orochimaru's labs. Without the protection of a clan or the Hokage from an early age, I'd be an easy target for such characters. Plus, I had already made up my mind not to rely on a kekkei genkai to carve my path.
Darkness enveloped me.
As I reflect on my earliest memories, I remember struggling to piece together coherent thoughts, unsure of how much time had passed. Amidst this foggy time, one constant figure remained - the woman who I would later identify as my mother, Akimichi Ayumi. The sense of safety and calmness I felt around her was unlike anything I had experienced before. As I grew, I eventually learned my name - Akio, Akimichi Akio. I can't help but shake my head at the notion of childhood arcs - the idea that a newborn could grasp the thoughts and actions of an adult mind is simply illogical, even with chakra in play. So, it wasn't surprising that when I finally gained clarity of thought, a new window appeared.
Welcome Player!
Character Sheet:
Name: Akimichi Akio
The young son of a merchant from the Akimichi clan.
Gender: Male
Age: 2 years and 3 months
Class: Child (+10% skill and technique gains)
Title: N/A
Level: 1 XP: 0 (10 to next level)
Attributes:
STR: 1 (+0.15) 1.15 (30.00%)
AGI: 1 (-0.2) 0.8 (30.00%)
CON: 1 (+0.15) 1.15 (30.00%)
INT: 13 (08.00%)
WIS: 8 (14.00%)
PER: 2 (84.50%)
LUC: 1 (00.00%)
Unspent Points: 0
Health: 10/10
Stamina: 6/6
Chakra: 0.1/7.6 (Unbalanced Chakra)
Chakra Nature: Yang
Skills:
Any skill except Gamer's Body can be removed, but it will return to NV 1.
Skills can be acquired by performing specific tasks with the right competence and mindset.
An activity does not need to be selected as a skill to gain proficiency in it, but it will not be affected by the system.
Various related activities can be grouped into a single skill.
Gamer's Body: Max (custom) - Your body is treated as a character in a game. Allows for life regeneration while sleeping (3%/H), gaining buffs, and treating injuries and ailments as status effects - Cannot be removed.
Skill Slot.
Skill Slot.
Skill Slot. Blocked (lv 10)
Skill Slot. Blocked (lv 20)
Skill Slot. Blocked (lv 30)
Traits: Traits can be acquired by accomplishing feats of great importance or impact.
Once removed, they cannot be reacquired. Additional Trait Slots cannot be acquired.
Akimichi Blood: +15% STR // +15% CON // -20% AGI // Taijutsu +15% // Access to Clan's Hidden Abilities // Chakra Nature: Yang - Cannot be removed.
The Akimichi clan possesses great physical strength and endurance. Their bodies are capable of causing significant damage through their special technique. Additionally, they are excellent users of Taijutsu.
Trait Slot
Trait Slot
Quests: Only two quests can be active at the same time. One major and one minor.
A quest can be refused at any time, but there will always be consequences.
Major:
Minor:
Techniques: Techniques generally affect proficiency in a specific field, providing bonuses or unlocking traits and skills after reaching certain values.
Taijutsu – 0
Ninjutsu – 0
Genjutsu - 0
A wave of relief washed over me as I discovered that the Akimichis were an almost perfect fit for my plan. Let me explain: My strategy involves merging taijutsu with medical ninjutsu, and the Yang release appeared to be my best bet. If I could master these two skills, alongside the unique traits of the Akimichi clan, I might have a genuine shot.
As for the rest, there were no major surprises - it was the type of system I expected to find. However, it was good to learn that I could heal myself while sleeping, even if it's to a minimal extent. After all, being bedridden for months due to an injury would be counterproductive.
There are no instances or a group system, these abilities are simply too powerful. The most important thing is that my strategy was viable to reach the top. Over the next few days, I dedicated myself to trying to mix any amount of chakra, but my high mental and weak physical energy made the task almost impossible. I didn't even know if my Yang nature helped or hindered the process. I realized that I would need to be be careful with my attribute distribution in the future, something to keep in mind. In the second week, I managed to achieve some success:
Chakra - 1/7.6.
I had to break down what I now saw as my mental energy into smaller portions and blend them individually with my recovering physical energy. It was a time-consuming process that consumed hours and often concluded with me losing control and the chakra dispersing. Yet, it occupied my mind, preventing me from dwelling on those I had lost. Before long, I threw myself into the task with unmatched determination. That effort eventually led to the a expected outcome:
Ding! New skill available!
Chakra manipulation: The art of chakra manipulation enables practitioners to mold and shape their chakra for diverse purposes, including executing potent jutsu techniques, boosting physical capabilities, and even healing injuries.
However, there was a concern; it took me nearly two weeks to unlock the skill. This was evidence that power wouldn't come easy, and that I wasn't any kind of prodigy. It was time to grind.
After two months and only one level increase in CM, I was ready to admit that something was wrong. Trying the same exercise didn't yield real gains, even though I could perceive that the speed at which I accumulated chakra had increased. It was time to innovate, but there was a problem. Every time I tried to channel chakra to my hands or feet, I was hit by a strong pain in my pathways, enough to make me lose focus and at best dissipate the energy.
It wasn't difficult to figure out what the problem was. My body was not sufficiently developed, my chakra pathways were still fragile, and my lack of control caused damage to the structure. I decided not to attempt sending chakra to any organs anytime soon. Preferring my right hand , I meticulously guided the energy to my palm. The pain was bearable, yet one attempt didn't yield any gains. Oddly, while chakra encompassed both spiritual and physical energies, the pain seemed purely physical. After what felt like hours, drenched in sweat and with my arm ablaze, the awaited notification emerged:
"Ding!"
One would expect me to break into a smile or celebrate, but the truth is, I simply succumbed to unconsciousness. The ensuing days were a whirlwind of ceaseless agony. As one arm grew too sore, I switched to the other, and later to my legs, At a certain point, I encountered resistance, followed by a lot of pain. Two changes became evident in my status:
The first was a debuff.
Chakra Pathways Damaged – Inability to channel chakra. Attempting to force chakra flow may make this condition permanent. Duration - 60h:58:22
New Quest Available: Reach level 10 in Chakra Manipulation before turning 6 years old. Reward: New Trait +10XP. Y/N?
The first left me quite frightened. Even though I could heal myself quickly while sleeping, it became clear that certain actions would have irreparable consequences. On the other hand, the second was the first quest I received since waking up, something I saw as a great victory.
I decided to accept.
With little choice, I was forced to confront my thoughts. I had thrown myself into training out of a personal need above all else. I wanted to avoid thinking about everything I had left behind and what could happen if I failed.
Yet, I realized that once again, I had made a mistake.
In this new life, my mother was a simple person. Despite belonging to a prominent clan, she wasn't a ninja. From what I gathered, she worked at a small restaurant within the clan. Our home was modest but had everything we needed for comfort. We shared the same bed, as there was no room for a crib. This also made it clear that I didn't have a father.
She was quite young, probably between 17 and 19 years old. She had the typical physical features of an Akimichi, with a noticeable scar on her left hand that ran from her fingers to her forearm, likely from a burn. What struck me the most was the way she looked at me – a mix of concern, sadness, and a touch of despair. It was only then that I realized how strange and unsettling this experience must be for her. A child who, after two years of behaving like a normal kid, suddenly stopped crying, barely spoke, and spent most of the day in pain or sleeping.
She was a devoted mother, and her care for me was evident. It's often the small things that reveal love after all. Despite our modest means, she would bring home some fruit after work, a treat usually meant just for me. Her rare moments of leisure were spent with me – taking strolls around the village, attempting to play in our tiny backyard, or simply watching over me with concern. As I realized the impact of my recent behavior and the pain I had caused her, a sense of shame washed over me. And then, almost without my own awareness, tears streamed down my face – the first time I had cried since my awakening.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry," I choked out amid sobs. She lifted me gently from the bed and held me close, soothingly repeating,
"Shhh, shhh, it's alright, everything will be okay." "Shhh, shhh."
As I drifted into sleep, I kept repeating in my thoughts, "I'm sorry, Sandra. Please forgive me."
Name: Akimichi Akio
The young son of a merchant from the Akimichi clan.
Gender: Male
Age: 2 years and 5 months
Class: Child (+10% skill and technique gains)
Title: N/A
Level: 1 XP: 0 (10 to next level)
Attributes:
STR: 1 (+0.15) 1.15 (90.00%)
AGI: 1 (-0.2) 0.8 (90.00%)
CON: 2 (+0.30) 2.30 (00.00%)
INT: 13 (25.00%)
WIS: 8 (85.00%)
PER: 3 (00.00%)
LUC: 1 (00.00%)
Unspent Points: 0