Orphanage Medical Room – Midnight
The pain from the cut along my ribs had dulled, thanks to some quick bandaging by the caretaker. Still, every breath reminded me of what happened.
I stared at my palm—faint black tendrils curling from my fingertips before fading.
Shadow Manipulation… I unlocked a bloodline.
System Log
Bloodline Acquired: Shadow Manipulation (Lv.1)
Passive Bonus: +10% Shadow Jutsu Potency
New Skill: Shadow Bind (Lv.1) – Restrains one target for 3 sec.
Stats Increased:
Chakra +5 (50/50)
Intelligence +3 (19)
HP Restored: 80/100 (after medical treatment)
I smiled faintly. I'm not helpless anymore.
A Quiet Knock
The door creaked open. Kushina stepped in, holding a bowl of steaming porridge.
"You're awake," she said softly, not meeting my eyes.
"Yeah. Couldn't sleep much."
She set the bowl on the table and sat awkwardly. "…You… almost died for me."
I shrugged, wincing slightly at the movement. "Wouldn't be much of a protector if I let you get kidnapped, right?"
Awkward Silence → Emotional Moment
Kushina fidgeted, then finally looked up. "People… don't usually protect me. They call me 'outsider' or 'red-haired freak'."
Her voice cracked slightly at the end.
I remembered her canon fate—kidnapped, isolated, and eventually forced into a future she didn't choose.
Not this time.
"Kushina…" I said softly, meeting her eyes, "You're not alone. Not anymore."
Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she just stared at me. Then she smiled—a real one, small but bright. "…Thanks, ya know."
System Alert
Affection Meter – Kushina Uzumaki: 28% → 40%
Special Trait Gained:Bond of Red (When fighting to protect Kushina, +5% Speed and Chakra Recovery).
I blinked. This system is seriously turning emotions into power…
Foreshadowing
Kushina suddenly grew serious. "That man who attacked… he wasn't from here. Why would someone come after me?"
I hesitated. Do I tell her about ROOT? Or that I know the future?
"…I don't know yet," I said finally. "But I'll find out. And when I do… they'll regret it."
Shadows flickered briefly from my hands, making her eyes widen. "You… you have a bloodline?"
I nodded slowly. "Something like that. Guess I'm not a 'nobody' anymore."
Small Sweet Ending
Kushina placed the bowl in my hands. "Eat. Then sleep. I… don't want to see you bleed again, ya know."
Her voice was quiet, almost trembling.
I smiled, taking a sip of the porridge. "Deal."
System Hint (Hidden)
Next Event Incoming: ROOT Surveillance.
Target Change: you