> **[Quest Triggered: Chakra Fundamentals]**
> Objective: Complete the Leaf Exercise (Time Limit: 3 Days)
> Prize: +1 WIS, +1 level of Chakra Control, +50 EXP
> Bonus: Complete within 24 hours for a bonus +1 INT and +1 Stat Point
"Three days? Ha. I'm a speedrunner now."
He dragged a chair over, picked up a leaf off a small indoor plant (thank you, Naruto, at least for trying to decorate), and sat down cross-legged. The task: keep the leaf on his forehead using only chakra.
Simple in theory. Frustrating in practice.
> **[Skill: Chakra Control (Novice) Activated]**
> Current Mastery: 2.4%
He concentrated, imagining chakra flowing from his belly—his center—to his forehead. It was as if he was stretching a muscle that didn't exist, but somehow he knew how to do it. He remembered the mechanics from the show, from fan sites, even filler episodes.
The leaf fell.
Again.
And again.
And again.
> **[+0.2% Chakra Control Mastery]**
> **[+0.3% Chakra Control Mastery]**
Time went by, but he didn't stop. Not for food. Not for sleep.
By the time night had come—
> **[Quest Complete: Chakra Basics]**
> Reward: +1 WIS, +50 EXP
> Bonus Achieved! +1 INT, +1 Stat Point
> **Chakra Control is now Level 2!**
> Finer chakra manipulation unlocked. You can now attempt Tree Walking.
He flopped onto his back, leaf attached to his forehead, puffing furiously but grinning.
"This system is broken in the best way."
He looked over his stats once more.
> **INT:** 10
> **WIS:** 9
> **Stat Points:** 1
"Let's stick that one last point in WIS. Never know when decision-making is life or death."
> **WIS:** 10
> **[Milestone Reached: 10 INT & 10 WIS]**
> Bonus Unlocked: Skill - [Mental Map (Lv 1)]
> Effect: Provides an actual real-time minimap of the area around you. Enhances perception and situational awareness.
His vision flickered for an instant—then a ghostly mini-map settled in the top-right corner of his vision. It was rough but functional, with colored dots for objects and people.
"This… this is *so* busted."
---
The next morning, he was out before dawn, heading to a clearing just outside Konoha's residential district. It was still officially village property, but quiet enough to train without bothering anyone.
Today's objective: Tree Walking.
> **[Quest Unlocked: Tree Climber I]**
> Objective: Run up a tree and remain with chakra.
> Reward: +2 levels of Chakra Control, +1 AGI
> Bonus: Finish in one hour for +1 DEX (Locked until revealed)
He glared at the tree before him.
"Okay. Don't die. Don't fall. Don't break my neck. Let's go."
He ran forward, focused his chakra into his feet, and—
SLAM.
—face-first into bark.
> **-10 HP**
"Gaaaah—okay. Maybe a little less chakra."
He adjusted, ran again.
SLIP.
> **-6 HP**
This was going to be ugly.
---
**Two Hours Later**
He was dripping with sweat, bruised, but perched upside-down half-way up the trunk, arms crossed, grinning like a madman.
> **[Quest Complete: Tree Climber I]**
> Rewards: +2 levels of Chakra Control, +1 AGI
> **Chakra Control is now Level 4!**
> Intermediate manipulation unlocked. Clone Techniques efficiency improved. Chakra cost of basic jutsu decreased by 15%.
"Alright," he muttered. "Now we're cooking."
Suddenly—
> **[Hidden Quest Unlocked: Early Awakening]**
> Requirement: Reach Chakra Control Lv 4 before Academy Graduation
> Objective: Unlock the Uzumaki bloodline's passive potential
> Reward: Skill - [Chakra Reserves Boost (Lv 1)], ???
> Bonus: Begin Kurama Affinity Training Early
His breath caught.
"…I can unlock Naruto's *real* potential early?"
He remembered everything: how long it took Naruto to learn proper chakra control, how many times he nearly died because he couldn't manage his energy, how Kurama refused to cooperate for years.
But not anymore.
Not in *this* timeline.
"I'm not waiting for someone to hand me power."
He clenched his fists, fire burning behind his blue eyes.
"I'm taking it."
---