Naruto stood outside the Hokage Tower, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, shifting from foot to foot.
Something had changed since last week.
His wind jutsu was real. His chakra control had improved. Even Kakashi had noticed how sharp he'd become during their last mission.
But today… today felt different.
His system pinged as Team 7 entered the briefing room.
> Quest Complete: 10 D-Rank Missions
+500 XP
Level Up!
→ Naruto Uzumaki is now Level 6
Stat Points Gained: +5
New Mission Tier Unlocked: C-Rank Missions
He smirked as he felt his chakra swell just slightly more. Small gains — but they added up. A week ago, he couldn't make 10 clones without wheezing. Now he could summon 15 and still spar after.
Tsunade was out on medical rotation. Today, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind the desk.
The Sandaime looked over them thoughtfully.
"Kakashi," he said, "your team has progressed beyond mere village errands."
Naruto's heart leapt.
"Your next mission," the Hokage continued, "is a C-Rank protection assignment. You'll escort a bridge builder from the Land of Waves back to his homeland. He's been receiving threats."
Kakashi gave a lazy nod. "Understood."
"Good. Send him in."
The door creaked open.
A heavy-set, bearded man walked in, swaying slightly, bottle in hand.
"You're the brats who're supposed to protect me?" he slurred. "The short one looks like he can't protect a squirrel."
Naruto bristled. "What'd you say, you old—"
Kakashi's hand clapped over his mouth. "He means we look capable."
The bridge builder squinted. "Hmph. Whatever. My name's Tazuna. I need to make it home alive."
> Quest Accepted: Escort Tazuna to Land of Waves
Mission Tier: C-Rank (Scaling)
Objective: Ensure Tazuna reaches his home safely
Bonus Objective: Survive all encounters without aid
Rewards: XP, Equipment Cache (Unknown Quality), System Upgrade Opportunity
Naruto's eyes lit up. System Upgrade Opportunity?
This was big.
---
Later that afternoon, the team departed the village gates.
Konoha faded into the trees behind them, replaced by winding dirt roads, forests, and fog-covered hills. Tazuna staggered along, muttering curses under his breath, occasionally taking a swig.
Naruto walked near the front, scanning the treeline.
Ever since Kurama's warning, he'd been aware. Of his heartbeat. Of his chakra. Of danger.
And today, he felt it.
Subtle. Cold. Like a wolf watching from the brush.
> Perception Check: Passed
Hostile Intent Detected Nearby
Enemies Approaching — Estimated Threat: Chunin+
Naruto's hands tensed at his sides.
Then he saw it.
A puddle.
In the middle of the dry road.
His eyes narrowed.
He whispered, "Trap."
---
Without warning, two masked shinobi exploded from the puddle — claws linked by a chain — and lunged at Kakashi.
The chain wrapped around their sensei, tearing him apart in a spray of blood.
"N-NO!" Sakura screamed.
Sasuke froze.
Naruto stared in horror as Kakashi's body dropped.
But before panic took over—
> System Alert: Genjutsu Resistance Check Passed
Effect: False Death Detected – Shadow Clone Substitution
→ Bonus XP: +30
→ Tactical Awareness: +1%
"Shadow clone," Naruto muttered.
He looked left. Then right.
Sakura was paralyzed. Sasuke was reacting — but slow.
Naruto stepped forward.
> Active Skill: Shadow Clone Jutsu (Lv. 5)
→ Chakra Cost: 10
→ Clones Summoned: 4
→ Cooldown: 2 sec
"Let's go!"
The clones flanked left and right while Naruto rushed the chain wielders head-on. One clone tackled the first assassin, who roared and batted it aside — only for the second to land a surprise punch to his ribs.
The third clone was impaled.
Naruto ducked low under the returning chain.
Wind Style – Gale Cutter!
He formed the seal mid-slide and launched the blade of air — not toward the enemy's chest, but at their chain.
CLANG!
The wind cut straight through the link, severing their connection.
The two assassins staggered.
Sasuke leapt in at last, spinning low with a kick that sent one ninja flying into a tree.
The remaining attacker raised a claw—
—and vanished in a puff of smoke.
Kakashi stood behind them, kunai in hand.
"Nice job," he said. "Especially you, Naruto. Spotting the puddle and attacking the chain — smart."
Sakura exhaled shakily.
Naruto panted, clutching his side, where a shallow scratch bled through his jacket.
> Combat XP Gained: 260
Skill Progress: Shadow Clone +3%, Gale Cutter +4%
Level Up!
→ Level 7
Stat Points Gained: +5
But the most surprising update was this:
> Trait Unlocked: Tactical Instinct (Passive)
→ +10% chance to spot ambushes
→ +5% XP bonus from first-time encounters
→ Bonus: Unlocks future synergy with "Battlefield Awareness" tree
He smiled to himself.
I'm getting stronger. Faster. Smarter.
---
That night, they made camp near a riverbank.
Tazuna sat under a tree, rubbing his neck.
Kakashi looked up from his book. "Those were no bandits. That was the Demon Brothers — assassins from Kirigakure."
Sasuke scowled. "So the mission was misranked."
Kakashi nodded. "Definitely. C-Rank means bandits, not trained shinobi."
Naruto turned to Tazuna. "You lied."
Tazuna sighed. "I didn't know they'd come so soon. I just thought—if I told the truth, you wouldn't take the mission. My country can't afford higher-ranked shinobi."
Silence settled over the group.
Sakura hugged her knees.
Sasuke stared into the fire.
Naruto stood.
"I don't care," he said. "We're already here."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
Naruto looked toward the misty hills beyond.
"There are people out there who'll attack a bridge builder in the woods. That's wrong. If I've got the power to stop that, I'm not turning back."
Kakashi watched him for a moment.
Then smiled, barely.
"Very well. We continue tomorrow."
---
Later, as the others slept, Naruto stepped away from the fire.
He opened his system menu mentally.
> Stat Points Available: 10
Suggested Allocation (Based on recent battles):
→ Chakra: +4
→ Control: +3
→ Dexterity: +2
→ Perception: +1
Confirm?
Naruto accepted.
A gentle warmth pulsed through his limbs. His hands steadied. His breathing deepened. The chakra in his coils felt like a river, not a stream.
> Perk Gained: Flow Mastery I
→ Chakra control techniques are 10% more effective
→ Reduces chakra cost of movement-based jutsu by 5%
He stared up at the stars.
"Kurama," he whispered. "I know you're still watching. But I'm not afraid of you. Or this system. Or what's coming."
In the distance, a red eye flickered in the dark corners of his mind.
We'll see, came the deep growl.