"I am your guide elf, Paimon!"
The girl's voice was childish and bright — unbearably cute.
Chiba blinked.
Really? Emergency food?
Mihoyo invasion confirmed. Goose farm is in danger.
But he didn't dwell on it for long.
"Introduce the functions of the duel space," he said calmly.
Paimon smiled, squinting her bright eyes.
"The Duel Space allows one character projection draw per month. Most projections come from the Naruto world, but other worlds may appear — though with very low probability."
She floated in a small circle and continued, "Players can only summon opponents with strength roughly equal to their own. After defeating a projection, the player gains drops — abilities, attributes, or items — from that opponent."
Chiba nodded slowly.
So it's basically a single-player boss instance.
A system dungeon that lets you farm skills from opponents.
He chuckled to himself. This is just like the Trial of Illusion II back in Motou Village…
He remembered clearly — the event where he'd drawn the Edo Tensei Uchiha Madara, cleared every trial, and then somehow… crossed into this world.
This Duel Space had the same sense of déjà vu.
"In that case," he said, "help me draw my first character projection."
"Okay~!" Paimon lifted her small hand.
Light bloomed from her palm — starlight flowing like liquid, forming a glowing screen before Chiba's eyes.
Across the screen, countless scrolls unfurled, each showing a ninja's image:
Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen (Edo Tensei)…
So many choices it made Chiba dizzy.
It looked like a cross between a Naruto Ultimate Storm character select screen and a fan-mod crossover like Shinigami vs. Hokage.
Then the screen froze.
[Projection Drawn: Sarutobi Konohamaru (Genin)]
"Konohamaru, huh?"
Chiba raised an eyebrow.
Three Body Technique, Rasengan, shouting 'Let me show you real combat!' — yeah, I remember that guy.
He smirked. At three years old, he'd only practiced basic ninjutsu — Three Body Technique, simple taijutsu, and his new talent: [Flat-Cut Grandmaster].
If this were adult Konohamaru, he'd have no chance. But as a Genin-level projection… that was manageable.
His right hand closed around empty air — a gleam flashed, and the ninja sword from his last mission reward materialized in his grasp.
Task rewards could be equipped at will — a neat feature.
The dark void shifted. Music echoed faintly, and the scenery transformed into a dense forest.
Not far away stood Konohamaru, wearing a Genin forehead protector, kunai in hand.
Chiba's grip tightened around his sword.
He could feel his heartbeat — not from fear, but excitement.
The system had matched him to a Genin, which meant his own strength now ranked the same.
He lacked battle experience, sure, but that's what combat was for.
After all—
Theory is shallow. True mastery is forged in battle.
Combat is art.
He remembered an old quote from Motou Village:
"If you're not brave enough — you'll get beaten.
If you're too brave — we'll hand it to you!"
He smiled faintly.
No more words.
The projections in the Duel Space weren't people — they were just tools for his growth.
With a sharp whoosh, Konohamaru launched a giant shuriken, then formed rapid hand seals.
"Fire Style: Ash Accumulation Burning!"
A wave of scorching dust exploded forward, engulfing Chiba.
A clear metallic clang! rang out — then silence.
As the smoke cleared, Konohamaru's eyes widened.
A burning log smoldered where Chiba had stood.
Body Replacement Technique!
Grade: E.
Swap your position with a nearby object to evade attacks.
Rarely used in late-stage ninja battles, but in the early years — it was a lifesaver.
Chiba reappeared atop a tree trunk, calm as ever.
His mind was still, his body steady.
He had thought he might panic during his first real fight — but instead, he felt alive.
He was enjoying it.
His gaze sharpened like a falcon's.
Shhhh!
Several kunai flew from his hand, cutting through the air toward Konohamaru.
Konohamaru blocked with his own kunai—
—And Chiba vanished.
"…Behind me?!"
"It's over."
Chiba's voice came from the wind. His blade flashed — one clean, simple motion.
No flourish.
No wasted movement.
Just one flat cut.
Konohamaru froze, the projection dissolving into light.
The forest faded. The darkness returned.
A notification chimed in his ear.
[Ding!]
[You have defeated Sarutobi Konohamaru (Genin).]
[Rewards: 5000 ryō, Technique: Shadow Clone Jutsu, Taijutsu +1 (Proficiency), Transformation Technique +3 (Proficiency)]
Chiba scanned the results, thoughtful.
Shadow Clone Jutsu (B-Rank) — a ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage, creating fully physical clones capable of fighting and thinking independently.
When they dispel, their experiences return to the user — perfect for training or learning.
But for now, Chiba sighed.
It's useless to me.
His chakra reserves were too low — not even enough to sustain a C-Rank Fireball, let alone a B-Rank Shadow Clone.
He didn't have the monstrous vitality of the Uzumaki clan, and he certainly wasn't a Jinchūriki like Naruto.
So he would take it slow.
Train steadily. Step by step.
That was Chiba's way — cultivate without breaking yourself.
Still, his Taijutsu proficiency had increased, and he could feel the improvement. His movements were smoother, his instincts sharper.
He chuckled.
No wonder Konohamaru's Transformation Technique was so high-level. Truly the heir of Naruto's 'Sexy Jutsu.'
The Rasengan hadn't appeared this time — but that was fine.
He closed his eyes.
His consciousness withdrew from the Duel Space, sinking gently back into his body—
—and into sleep.