I woke up to a sudden jerk in the gentle rocking motion. I had been in. Only to find myself in a moving carriage. My hands and feet were bound, and my Chakra was sealed. Makes sense. I guess we're going back to Konoha.
But what drew my attention was how I felt. I felt bigger, stronger, and … fuller. As if my existence had undergone a qualitative change.
I don't know how to describe the feeling. It was as if I had undergone several soul upgrades at once. My existence felt more solid and grounded. My vision felt sharper, my body healthier. And I was pretty certain that I could sense a little bit of nature energy. I was feeling so good that an unbidden comment escaped my lips. "Worth it!"
Then I remembered the feeling the integration of that orb had given me, thinking of that, my blood ran cold.
I instinctively understood that the system had taken a risk. And if it had failed, I would have been wiped from existence. No, not dead but literally gone. No reincarnations or heaven or hell for me. I had been operating under the assumption that the System was on my side. Now I wasn't sure anymore.
I opened the panel, almost afraid to see what would happen.
STATUS
KUROSAWA REN
Power - Inferior Chunin
Physique - 70
Chakra - 620
Specials - None
Skills - Tagcraft II, Sensor
System Stats - 1000
Call - The Eye Slows
Soul
Develop (3/10) 10000 SS
Physique
Prodigy Physique(0/100) 10SS
Chakra
Chakra Control (0/100) 100SS
Energy Control (0/100) 100SS
One Tail (0/1000) 20 SS.
My stats hadn't changed too much. Even if I had broken into the Chunin ranks. The advanced chakra control was here as promised. Apparently, the feeling of my Soul getting upgraded wasn't just my imagination. It had upgraded the evolved and then upgraded itself thrice. The only thing that I needed to get the special panel was to increase my LEGEND beyond 100. And of course. Survive the trial that awaited me without getting executed or chained down for treason or being given to Danzo to experiment upon. I know, I know, seeing that eye should be a very primary concern. But my concern is only useful If I can express it and act on it.
I looked at the various notifications.
Except the call upgrade, which I still had no idea about, there was this.
The fragment has been incorporated into your call. The rest of it has been converted to Call Cards.
Current Call Cards - 2
Can you tell me what these do? Let me see what I risked my life for. I know the major gain was supposed to be the change in the ever-mysterious call. But this was the thing that I got to use now. And from what call token could do, I was excited if it was anywhere near that. It actually answered.
For now, only the Call of Oblivion is available to the host. Note- The Host is advised to use one of them instantly. It can only affect the past 24 hours.
An answer and a suggestion. Huh, did you get an upgrade or something? I chuckled nervously. I would have been overjoyed before, but now it kind of made me nervous.
Yes.
Wait, what?
Use the card now. Or you will have to face the consequences, as you will be out of range. You are not ready.
A threat, too, wonderful.
What consequences? And what was I out of range for?
But not wanting to offend, face the consequences. I asked, How do I use it?
Break it.
A card appeared in my hand. It was an intricate black card with gold swirls. It had writing in the middle, which read OBLIVION. "Here goes nothing."
SNAP. The card broke into two and dissolved into nothingness as a pulse radiated out of it. I waited for something to change. Or something to happen. Nothing did.
"What did I just do?"
You saved yourself. You will understand once you see. I don't have much power left. Enough for two questions. Three if they are short. Ask away.
I guess asking about the card won't do anything. And it did say that I will see.
I hurriedly thought and asked the first thing that came to mind. "What's the call?"
It is related to fate and its machinations. It will take too long to explain. Ask something else.
"What was that orb?"
World Fragment. That is also too long. Ask short, crisp things.
"What exactly has changed with this upgrade?"
Your existence and call have made it to a larger level. As for system features. You can now use the Flame of the Call with your SS as fuel. Also, you will collect 2SS every day on your own. Also, I will be able to answer questions more often.
Huh, that's nice. But I felt that in speed, I wasted that question. I guess that seal melting flame was now a legitimate attack of mine. I could ask a hundred different things about its features, or that eye, or something else.
With time running out, I asked the one question that had been bothering me the most.
"Are you a friend or foe?"
The system paused. I am a part of you now. And my existence is dependent on yours. You can rest assured that all my actions, even risky ones, will be in your best interests because your interests are my interests.
"Really?"
Time is up. Use the flames to free yourself, but don't go out of the carriage.
And it went silent. There was a lot to unpack there. Ultimately, all I wanted to know if it was speaking the Truth or pulling a Black Zetsu on me. But one thing was clear. It said that it is part of me now. Which meant that it did come from somewhere. Which means it did have some purpose. And I was pretty sure making me an OP character with a beautiful harem wasn't it.
But it also told me another thing. That for now. It will work on my side. And I could use that.
Author's note
Writing is like Fūinjutsu — I need chakra to do it.
My spirit reserves are fine, but physically… not so much. I need food to refill my chakra, so if you'd like to help me keep the seals burning, please consider joining my Patreon Premium.
But if you're like me — fighting your own battles, barely keeping the chakra flowing — don't worry, brother. I understand. We'll keep pushing forward together. We will succeed. Dattebayo!