Chapter 11: The Limits of Talent
Akiyama Makoto realized he was trying to bite off more than he could chew.
Although he could create a detailed life plan for his simulated self and ensure it was executed with 100% accuracy, his time and energy were limited. It was difficult to pursue several life paths simultaneously in a single simulation. A better approach would be to specialize in one path per simulation and then enrich himself over multiple simulations.
So, between learning ninjutsu, physical training, and researching medical ninjutsu, which one should he specialize in?
It seemed the answer should be researching medical ninjutsu, as that path would allow him to quickly gain more simulation attempts. The problem was, how would he explain that knowledge in the real world? As someone from a civilian background, he had no opportunity to study medicine. In fact, explaining his ability to write books through "self-study" was already a stretch.
It seemed the most logical method was to find a doctor or medical-nin in the real world and become their apprentice. Before that, it was better to focus on physical training and learning ninjutsu to build a solid foundation for his future development.
Akiyama Makoto was now over thirteen. Although he possessed talent on par with Tenten's, he had never taken professional ninja courses, so there was still much for him to learn. It was time to close that gap.
After adjusting his strategy, the simulation continued.
[You feel that with your current talent, it would be difficult to master medical ninjutsu. You decide to first build a good relationship with Tenten and learn ninjutsu from her.]
[Because you are already very familiar with Tenten's preferences, you and Tenten quickly become close friends who can talk about anything. You even feel that this version of Tenten seems more proactive than the one you remember.]
[You attribute this change in Tenten to the fact that you have become more outstanding.]
Makoto rubbed his nose, thinking that was indeed the case. The person he was now couldn't be compared to the person he was half a month ago. And after this simulation ended, he would ensure his name was no longer unknown.
[Konoha 64: You hold Tenten's hand at her birthday party, and she does not refuse.]
Seeing this, Makoto couldn't help but twitch his lips. Even though he knew it was just a simulation, was his relationship with Tenten really progressing this quickly? Wasn't Tenten supposed to be slow when it came to matters of the heart?
The question flashed through his mind for a moment before he was captivated by the subsequent content of the simulation.
[After becoming a couple, you feel it's time to confess to Tenten that you have awakened your chakra.]
[Tenten is very surprised, but even more delighted, because you now have a new topic in common. She supports your decision not to become an active-duty ninja but to train in ninjutsu for self-improvement.]
[However, as someone who abides by Konoha's rules and regulations, Tenten decides to only teach you her family's jutsu.]
Looking at the text, Makoto frowned slightly, then relaxed. He understood that Tenten's hands were tied. Otherwise, if he learned a jutsu he wasn't supposed to and was discovered by Konoha in the future, he wouldn't be the only one punished. It seemed that once he had a sufficient foundation of strength, he would have to find a way to get a look at the Scroll of Seals. Naruto's graduation and theft of the scroll were still more than half a year away, so he had time to prepare.
[You express that having some basic ninjutsu for self-defense is enough. You begin learning from Tenten, starting with the most fundamental chakra refining and control.]
[Konoha 64: Under Tenten's tutelage, you master the basic knowledge a ninja should have and learn tree climbing, water walking, and the Three Basic Jutsu.]
[Konoha 65: This year, you focus on learning taijutsu and physical training. Your physical fitness improves dramatically, and you become a lean, well-built man.]
[Konoha 66: You begin to learn Tenten's family's ninja tool manipulation techniques, as well as their secret space-time scroll sealing jutsu.]
[Konoha 67: It is discovered that Tenten has been secretly teaching you her family's secret jutsu. Faced with questioning from her family, you choose to propose to Tenten, and she readily accepts.]
[Konoha 68: You and Tenten hold your wedding, and Tenten applies to retire from the front lines. Your strength has steadily increased over the years, and you can now hold your own against Tenten for dozens of exchanges. At the same time, your writing career develops even more smoothly than in the previous life, giving Tenten enough confidence to live a wonderful life with you.]
Seeing this, Makoto couldn't help but feel emotional. It was only Konoha 68! This was the year Naruto had just returned from his training. He would probably be completely bewildered to come back to the village only to attend the wedding of a former classmate.
Moreover, Konoha 68 was an eventful year. A great war was about to break out in the ninja world. Makoto felt that the beautiful life Tenten imagined probably wouldn't last long.
As it turned out, just as Makoto predicted, Tenten was conscripted.
[Konoha 68: The Great Ninja War breaks out. Tenten is called to service, and you take the opportunity to sign up for the Konoha Medical Corps, hoping to contribute to the war effort in a logistics role.]
[You gain preliminary exposure to medical knowledge and medical ninjutsu, but your chakra control is insufficient for you to learn it.]
Makoto was taken aback. He had been happy about getting exposure to medical ninjutsu, but he hadn't expected to be blocked by his talent. He knew very well that medical ninjutsu, especially techniques like the Mystical Palm Technique, could only be learned by those with a high aptitude for chakra control.
Was Tenten's chakra control that low? ...Well, recalling that Tenten's scores for Hand Seals and Stamina/Chakra were both only 4, it seemed she really wasn't skilled in that area. So what now? Should he give up on this idea? The thought flashed through his mind but was quickly dismissed. Since Tenten's talent couldn't support his learning medical ninjutsu, couldn't he just find someone else to simulate with?
[After the war, you and Tenten return to a peaceful life.]
[While managing her ninja tool shop, Tenten helps you manage the copyrights for all your literary works. You ride the wave of global peace and development, becoming a world-renowned author.]
[However, you slow down your writing and instead begin to focus on researching ninjutsu, even taking the opportunity to learn some common low-level techniques.]
[The new Hokage, Kakashi, turns a blind eye to this, treating you as just a ninjutsu enthusiast.]
[You collect and master a large number of low-difficulty jutsu, but due to the limits of your talent, you find it very difficult to learn the Five-Element Release Jutsu.]
Makoto's brows furrowed. Although the Five-Element Release Jutsu had become almost useless after the ninja world's "version update," it was still a power worth learning in the current era. So Tenten had no talent in this area either? ...That seemed reasonable. If Tenten could easily learn elemental jutsu, why would she rely solely on fighting with ninja tools? Even a rich girl couldn't afford to expend dozens or hundreds of ninja tools in every single battle.
Akiyama Makoto let out a soft sigh... Talent. It always came down to talent.