Chapter 1: The Correct Way to Use the System
Name: Uzumaki Masahiko
Age: 48 Years
Nin: 68
Tai: 89
Gen: 1000
Academy Basic Three: LV10 (100000) (Maxed)
Shuriken Jutsu: LV10 (100000) (Maxed)
Earth Release: LV2 (16920/20000)
Wind Release: LV3 (85462/100000)
Fire Release: LV2 (14490/20000)
Special Talent: Sensory Perception
Overall Evaluation: Average Jonin
Looking at his own status window, Uzumaki Masahiko let out a soft sigh. Masahiko's original name was Kenji, a perfectly ordinary unemployed college graduate. In the blink of an eye, it had been 48 years since he traversed into the Warring States Period of the Naruto world. Tomorrow was the new year, and he would soon reach the "ripe old age" of 49. Around the time he was five, when he first extracted his chakra, he discovered his personal system. It took less than a year to go from initial elation to complete despondence.
This was because he discovered his system wasn't as powerful as he had imagined. There was no system spirit, no lottery module; it just allowed him to see his own stats more intuitively.
Just a moment ago, his chakra reserves had a breakthrough, finally hitting four digits. Based on his observations over the years, Masahiko found that a Genin's Nin, Tai, and Gen stats were generally between 1-10 points. A Chunin was around 10-100 points, and a Jonin needed to be above 100. Previously, his evaluation was merely that of a Special Jonin. Now, he had finally become a glorious "Average Jonin," which, in the Warring States Period, was also known as high-class cannon fodder...
Logically speaking, the Uzumaki clan was a major clan in this era. Masahiko's birth was also very good; he was the second son of the previous previous clan head. His talent was excellent, and he didn't lack for shinobi instruction. So why did it take until the "old age" of 48 in this period to finally reach the level of an average Jonin?
"Damn that Naruto! He's the death of me!" Masahiko often cursed this descendant, who was countless generations away.
As a Naruto fan, Masahiko had once, on a whim, developed a certain jutsu unique to the protagonist Naruto—the Harem Jutsu. The first time he joined the battlefield, he was so nervous that he actually used it. From that moment on, he became the laughingstock of the Uzumaki clan. His legend spread throughout the entire Land of Fire. Because of this, he had been a single man for 24 years in his past life, and was now a single man for 48 years in this one... Furthermore, during his golden years from age 12 to 30, he lived under the constant judgment of others, became decadent, and his strength almost completely stagnated.
The only reason he had survived to this age in the chaotic Warring States Period was thanks to being born in the Uzumaki clan and awakening a sensory ability similar to the later Karin. By the time he finally managed to get over the ridicule, time could no longer be turned back.
"Sigh, I regret it so much. If only I could do it all over again..."
Just as his mind was wandering through these useless thoughts, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the door. A woman's voice followed.
"Great-Uncle, the Senju clan's procession is coming to escort the bride tomorrow. Please don't forget to prepare."
"I know, Mito."
The girl outside the door was Masahiko's grand-niece, the daughter of his elder brother's son. She was also the first "acquaintance" Masahiko had in this world: the first Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, the wife of the "God of Shinobi" Senju Hashirama, the princess of the Uzumaki clan, Uzumaki Mito.
It was her birth, 15 years ago, that finally allowed Masahiko to confirm the specific era he was in. Tomorrow, the Senju clan's procession would arrive. As an elder of the bride, Masahiko would accompany the group to the Senju clan. After all, Masahiko's elder brother had passed away from old age last year. Mito's father, as the current head of the Uzumaki clan, couldn't personally go. As for himself, he was currently an idle person, and his seniority and age were more than sufficient. It was perfectly suitable for him to accompany the team.
He quickly packed a few changes of clothes, stowed his personal ninja tools, and sat there, zoning out again.
"Making me go to the Senju clan... it's just because I'm not well-liked. Otherwise, why not let Mito's second or third uncles go?"
As the second uncle of the current Uzumaki clan head, Masahiko was among those with the highest seniority. Other shinobi of his generation, like his cousins, had all managed to snag an elder position. As for him, he could only rely on his seniority to make the younger generation address him respectfully as 'Lord'. In the end, the ninja world still respected strength above all. Before today, he wasn't even an average Jonin, and he had made a huge fool of himself in his youth. Of course, no one would genuinely respect him. The only comfort was that Mito was still quite respectful toward him. As expected of the woman who could manage the God of Shinobi.
As he thought, his mind began to wander again. He thought of Mito's granddaughter, Tsunade. He thought of the "novelist," the Pervy Sage. He thought of the scientist, Orochimaru. He thought of the hot-blooded protagonist, Naruto, and the 'King of Edge', Sasuke...
"Why did I have to be reborn in this era? Even if I live to be seventy or eighty, like the Third Hokage, at most I'll only get to see the birth of the Sannin. By that time, I'll just be a decrepit old man..."
Forget it. Better to wash up and go to sleep. He still had to greet the Senju procession tomorrow. He wondered who would come. As the groom, Hashirama probably wouldn't come personally; he should be waiting at the Senju compound. In that case, Senju Tobirama would likely come. I'll get to see the future Second Hokage, the inventor of forbidden jutsu, and the man who guided the Uchiha to their doom with my own eyes.
The hour was approaching midnight. Masahiko looked at his status window one more time. The age column was about to change to 49. Before 12 was a ninja's foundation-building age. 13 to 24 was a period of rapid strength increase. 25 to 36 was a slow improvement period. From 37 to 48, strength basically plateaued. So, what about after 49? A period of decline? Don't tell me I just raised my strength to an average Jonin today, and in a few days, it's going to drop right back down?
"Heavens! If you give me one more chance, I absolutely will not care about the cold stares and ridicule of others! Only strength is everything! I want to be young again!" Masahiko roared in his heart.
At that exact moment, the time quietly ticked past midnight. Masahiko's status bar blurred for an instant. When it became clear again, the "Age" column had indeed changed.
But the number wasn't 49. It was 47!
Masahiko rubbed his eyes again and again, but what he saw remained "47 Years." Gradually, tears blurred his vision.
"I really do have another chance! So this is the correct way to use the system! Age is adjustable! Because I wanted to become younger, my age didn't +1, it -1!"
"Wait for me! The founding of Konoha, the First War, the Second War, the Third War, the Fourth War, Kakashi, Might Guy, the Konoha 12... I will definitely stay alive and see all of you, all those scenes and people so familiar from my past life, with my own eyes!"
At this moment, the weary heart of a middle-aged man was revitalized. Thinking about how he would get to see the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, and his brother, Senju Tobirama, tomorrow, and even witness the full glory of the Senju clan—one of the two great clans of the WarringStates Period, on par with the ridiculously overpowered Uchiha clan—Masahiko was sleepless for the entire night...
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