Chapter 4: Shadows Over Konoha
Evening descended on the village. The Academy emptied, students went home, but Naruto wasn't in a hurry to return. His thoughts revolved around the day's events. Sasuke, Hinata, strange messages from the system — all of it raised too many questions.
He sat on the roof of his apartment, looking at the stars. The system was silent. It was frightening.
BEEP.
New notification:
Hidden Event activated: "Trail in the Shadows"
Source detected: Anomalous chakra. Distance: 250 meters.
Status: Observation.
Warning: Threat level — unknown.
Recommendations: Do not engage. Hidden dialogue opportunity: 1 time.
— Anomalous chakra?... — Naruto frowned. — Does that mean someone... is watching me?
He tensed. His body seemed to adopt a fighting stance on its own. Something inside seemed to whisper: Be careful. This isn't a game.
Naruto activated a passive skill:
Prankster's Instinct
Effect: +20% detection of hidden threats at night
He crouched down and looked around. His eyes stopped on a shadow that didn't move with the others. On a tree, high up. And suddenly — click. The system opened again.
Attention! Dialogue initialized with "Unknown Observer"
Restriction: 1 question — 1 answer. The question must be precise.
Time: 60 seconds.
Naruto froze. One question? Only one. He clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and thought. His heart pounded.
— Who are you? — he asked aloud.
The answer came not in words, but as text, as if engraved in the air:
"One who has already awakened once. One who has lost everything. I watch so it is not repeated. The name will mean nothing to you yet. But you will hear it later. Itachi."
Naruto's eyes widened. He knew that name. Sasuke's older brother. Criminal. Genius.
The system immediately registered:
Name added to list: "Figures of Fate"
Itachi Uchiha — Observer, Potential Teacher, Threat/Ally. Status: Undetermined
— Why is he... watching me? — whispered Naruto. — And why was the system silent about this before?
He felt a chill. The system seemed to hear him.
Log Update:
Some events exceed the limits of the current system version. Requires "Awakening Level 2".
Awakening Progress: 42%
— So, I'm only at the beginning... — Naruto sat down, tired but inspired. — If people like Itachi are watching me... it means I'm important.
The next day at the Academy, Iruka was unusually serious.
— Today we'll have sparring — not in pairs, but team-based.
Team 3: Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata — versus Kiba, Ino, and Shino.
Rules: One chance. The team with at least one member standing wins.
Naruto exchanged glances with Hinata. She nodded quietly. Sasuke, as usual, huffed but didn't object.
Before the fight began, the system came alive again:
Combat Mode Activated: Team Battle [Training]
Special Conditions: "Synergy"
If participants use skills in combination — probability of unlocking a "Combo Skill": 60%
Reward: +200 XP per team, +1 rare item
— Let's not go one by one. Combo? Sounds cool, — said Naruto. — I'll distract, Hinata — cover, Sasuke — strike at the end?
Sasuke glanced at him and, surprisingly, nodded:
— Just this once. Don't mess up.
The fight began. Kiba immediately rushed forward, Ino tried to use a mind technique, and Shino stayed in the shadows.
Naruto dashed towards Kiba, intentionally making noise, drawing everyone's attention to himself. He activated:
Active Skill: "Quick Decision"
Effect: -10% reaction time, +accuracy in close combat
A punch knocked Kiba off course. Ino had already begun the formula for a mind capture when Hinata snuck up from behind and disrupted the technique with a precise strike to a chakra point.
Sasuke, without wasting a second, jumped forward, sliding between them and... a stream of sparks shot from his palm — an unstable lightning technique.
Combo Skill Activated: "Shadow Discharge"
Description: A triple attack built on distraction, stealth, and precision.
Effect: Paralysis of opponents within a 3-meter radius for 5 seconds.
Damage: moderate
Rarity: B
Kiba's team froze, immobilized. Iruka whistled.
— Victory... Team 3!
The system solemnly flashed:
Congratulations! First team Combo Skill unlocked!
Reward: +200 XP, Item: "Synergy Crystal", increased combat rating
Naruto caught his breath. This was a new level.
The system issued the last message for today:
Update available. Branch "Echoes of the Awakened" unlocked
Hint: History repeats itself. But you are not just an observer. You are the key.
Naruto looked at his comrades. Everything was just beginning.