5 Chapter 4 - The Academy

Yet another two years later…

The red doors of the academy gates, which were now swung wide open, signified the true start of my life here. I was finally 15. It was here that I will become a ninja and no small part of me hoped it would be different from what was shown in the mangas with the stale lectures and all.

"Excuse me," A voice said behind me, "Can I go through, please?"

"Ah! Sorry!" I said before looking behind me.

And…

And good god what a pretty little sight she was.

Pale violet eyes with no irises, long dark luscious blue hair on a face that screamed royalty, wearing a purple zip-up hoodie with blue ninja pants, Hinata Hyuga was a sight to behold.

"Oh God, you're really pretty."

Her eyes widened in surprise before she let out a giggle of delight. A small embarrassed blush tinted her porcelain skin.

…

Did I say that out loud?

"Did I say that out loud?"

"Yes, you did," she said in between her small bouts of laughter before she gave me a small bow and headed inside.

…Did I mention previously that I was bad with girls?

If I'd said that in my past life, all I'd received was a cursory glance and then a scoff before they proceeded to pretend that that didn't happen.

Maybe it was because I had the foresight (read: dumb decision) to max out my charisma to 30 all in a single sitting, which was, as I'd been notified, the stat cap for an un-chakra-powered baseline human for all stats. Now I look pretty darn handsome if I do say so myself. I wasn't perfect by any means, there were still blemishes here and there, but as the process for upgrading my charisma had been completed two years ago, achieving the max stat for a baseline human yielded incredible results. For one my skin is pimple-free! Aha, curse you, acne! curse you, puberty! You'll never get me! Never again!

Ahem. Anyways. Maxing out my charisma also rearranged my bone structure, giving me a bit more height in accordance with my genetic capacity. I now stand at 6 feet on the dot, which I think was taller than my dad, with nicer cheekbones, a nicer jaw line, a nicer everything, really. It also changed my muscle placement. Yes, you've heard that right, muscle placement. It didn't just give suddenly me 6 pack abs or anything; Muscle growth and definition were covered by the toughness stat alone. But the muscle placement themselves, which was mainly based on genetics, had changed. My abs—which I already had thanks to a proper diet and taijutsu training—were normally slightly larger on my right side than on my left, some of the six-pack muscles were just bigger than the others, making it not symmetrical, simply due to my genetics. It still looked good but when the charisma kicked in, god it was like someone had rearranged my gut! Everything from the individual positions of my abs to their appearance was as if a sculptor from the renaissance period chiselled me out to create the visage of a god. Damn, it felt good to look good!

It honestly felt like cheating!

My golden-yellow eyes which were a bit dull beforehand, popped like someone stuck a miniature lightbulb behind them. My red hair, normally littered with split ends and tangled strands was now luscious and perfectly wavy. It still looked messy but the good kind of messy, like someone who never took the effort of combing their hair as they got out of bed and still managed to look like a crime against faithful virgins.

It was really, really nice for a change to walk outside my house and have the eyes of girls my age glue themselves to me like magnets. They were only civilian girls, however, for I was living in the civilian district as was my parent's home preferences, and as such, I didn't really engage with any of them despite being generally courteous when they approached me. I had a focus on becoming strong and with my chakra coils not yet developed, I had no ability to exercise my Kekkei Genkai yet and thus I saw going on dates and whatnot with these girls as a bit pointless…I was also still socially anxious…yeah, that was the main reason—and most definitely a problem I needed to fix.

Though, after a while when the novelty of it fell off, I felt…kind of disappointed. Not in my appearance no, but the fact that I wanted to look good so bad that I pushed my charisma all the way to the max. It was jealousy that riddled me. I was jealous of the way I looked. It sounded narcissistic as all hell. It made no sense to be jealous of your own damn self but it was because I looked impossibly good. It was something I'd have never been able to achieve organically. It was like expensive plastic surgery. When I looked into the mirror a few days after, I still saw the same old Jin staring back at me with pimples and permanent scowls, disapproving of me, judging me, shaking his head at me. It got me into a funk for a bit, asking myself what in the fuck I was doing putting my stats into charisma. Sure toughness, agility and stamina could be trained through hard work but if I'd boosted them, maybe I'd get better quicker or maybe even increasing cunning despite not being a thinker was a better idea. After all, it doesn't matter how good you looked when an enemy ninja is jamming a kunai up your throat. In the end, it didn't matter—most of my stats reached the stat cap anyway—and it was Sayuri who got me to feel better.

Flashback to 2 years ago.

I was on the couch reading a book covering elemental earth manipulation techniques that I just couldn't wait to try once my coils were developed when I heard the front door open. I could tell it was Sayuri who got back from her mission from outside the village through the voice of her greeting me.

"Jin-kun! I'm hooooome!"

Warmth filled me as it usually did, along with relief that she was safe. I knew the stakes of being a ninja. I knew that one day she might not return home at all and it made me appreciate every single moment I had with her, as well as provide the unquenchable motivation for my training.

As usual, I got up from the couch, prepared to give her a hug to welcome her home but then I froze. I had changed a lot from a few days ago and her reaction to my appearance made me feel a sense of trepidation. This was Sayuri for god's sake. The woman who I've been the most comfortable with in all of my two existences. She was the kindest, sweetest, most loving person I know. But that was what made me scared. I was afraid of ruining the way she treated me. I was afraid of changing anything in our relationship because it was so perfect already. What if she treated me like a stranger?

"Jin-kun?" Sayuri popped her head into the living room and saw my little existential crisis on the couch.

"S-sayuri-chan!" I stummered.

"Are you feeling okay, honey?" She asked, walking over to me to give my forehead a temperature check.

She didn't even bat an eye at the way I looked.

…

After a moment of her checking whether I was healthy and me just staring at her, I spoke.

"Uhmm…Sayuri. Does anything seem off to you?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Hmm?" She looked at me questioningly, "not really? did I forget something—" then her eyes widened and she started panicking "W-was it your birthday today?! I—I brought you a gift from Suna! no wait, it can't be your birthday today it's not even May! Was there some sort of Jin-kun bonding opportunity that I missed out on because of the mission? W-was it"

"Sayuri" I deadpanned.

"W-was there some sort of festival I missed? It's nearly October right now so there's the Kyuubi festival coming up. Maybe—"

"Sayuri-chan!" I said, breaking her from her thoughts and regaining her attention. She always gets her panties in a bunch when it came to missing out on her dubbed 'Jin-kun bonding time.'

"Y-yes?" She said, looking like a dear caught in headlights in the middle of her thinking-out-loud episode, then she regained her composure, pretended like she wasn't muttering to herself just a moment ago and went back into her usual motherly Ara~Ara~ calm disposition. God, if I wasn't careful, I, too, might catch Sayuri's thinking-out-loud disease. Might end up putting a foot in my mouth one day, especially in front of a cute girl.

"I've just noticed some changes in the way I look recently," I said, "Like big changes, I just thought you'd find it weird…"

She gave what I said a moment's thought, then she gave me a look over. Then she leaned down and knelt in front of me, looking me square in the eyes. She saw my inner turmoil. "Oh, Jin-kun…It doesn't matter to me how you look. It matters to me how you are and how you feel, both up here," she caressed the side of my head stroking my hair gently, "And down here," She patted my chest where my heart was. "To me, you'll always be my Jin, the cutest baby, and most handsome child in the world. You simply need to see yourself the way I see you, and learn to love yourself."

I looked at her, her warm brown eyes held so much sincerity and love that it made my heart ache. "Sayuri-chan…"

I looked at my own hands, their unblemished skin, attached to a lean muscled vascular forearm, and realised that…she was right. In the large scale of things, my body dysmorphia was nothing of consequence. I was still Jin Takezuchi on the inside. I was upset to be proud of the way I looked because it felt like such a hack, even with the unbearable itchiness of the process. I felt shallow and disgusted by my impulses and my short-term wants and desires. I felt superficial, a person of no substance just because I wanted to look good for the first time in my two lives.

I needed to learn to accept that part of me. That greedy, impulsive child inside of me that was spoiled rotten by the capabilities of the system and abused it for something it wanted, not something it needed. I didn't need to 'accept' my external appearance the same way I didn't need to 'accept' winning a million dollars from the lottery because god damn I look good. No, I needed to accept the fact that I made the conscious decision to pursue the charisma stat and it was handed to me on a silver platter without me actually working for it.

It felt wrong. It felt unfair to those who actually put in the work to gain something, even something as superficial as physical aesthetics.

Having a gaming system was truly and utterly unfair and broken…What would an earnest, hardworking guy like Rock Lee say to it?

….

…But screw it. Screw it all. So what if I had an unfair advantage over the average person? So what if I could abuse the system? And why have I gotten so emotional all of a sudden?

…oh yeah, hormones…fucking puberty.

I just needed to not take my privileges for granted, but that doesn't mean I can't use them the way I wanted to when I had them.

My dumbass had chosen to be here, in a hell world, so that I could be powerful. Things from here on out won't be easy. I needed all the advantages that I could get.

The reminders of my dark past tingled my memories again. My powerlessness during my parent's death and Sayuri-chan's near suicide. I needed to keep practising my mantra.

Be powerful.

I needed to be selfish…to love myself more.

…So I could protect her…

I met Sayuri's eyes once more and she must've seen me regaining my determination because her smile widened a bit. How embarrassing was it for me to trip up just because I was good-looking for the first time in forever?

Implausible. Couldn't be me.

"Sayuri-chan," I said, "did I ever tell you I love you? because I feel like I don't say it as often as I should."

Her eyes widened and teared up for a bit then she smothered me in a hug.

"JIN-KUUUUUN~I LOVE YOU TOOOOOO" She screamed.

Wait. No. Can't-can't breathe.

[Ding!]

[Sayuri Matsumoto's affection level has increased!]

[Breathing has increased to level 19!]

How could I possibly ever think that she would treat me differently?

"Welcome home, Sayuri-chan."

Flashback end.

"Alright, students, listen up!" A guy with long brown hair tied up to a ponytail, "My name's Umino Iruka! I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next three years."

Umino Iruka, Naruto's childhood teacher. He was one of the first people who believed in him. Was he to take a fuuma-shuriken to the back again this time around? Honestly, I may as well throw most of the cannon timelines and events into the bin now. Things are far too different.

On a side note, I needed to remind myself that in this sort-of-but-not-really Japanese culture type place, people introduce themselves with their family names first before their given names. Wouldn't want to look like a foreigner or just some weirdo who introduces their own name backwards.

"It's your first day today, so when I do the roll call and get to your names, please stand up and give a quick introduction to your classmates. Your likes, dislikes, and aspirations as a ninja. Now here we go, Ayama Hana…"

It took a small while to get around some people who I've honestly never heard of. There were guys and girls there—though mainly girls—that had never shown up in the Naruto anime or manga. Maybe it was because they failed their exams given by their Jonin senseis after graduation and were sent back to the academy or to the genin corps? I've yet to know. I'll try and remember all their names anyway.

Then some of the characters that I do know:

"My name's Akimichi Choji, I like food, specifically grilled meat, I dislike people calling me fat and I aspire to be a ninja worthy of the Akimichi clan name," Choji said with a smile whilst munching on a bag of chips. He looked and dressed in the same manner as portrayed in the Naruto Shippuden Anime wearing a red garb protected by pieces of armour.

I liked the guy already. He seemed laid back and pretty chill. Plus I also like food to a certain degree, and grilled meats are the tastiest sort of protein.

The roll call moved on until another noticeable person made their introduction. A main character in the Naruto universe.

"My name is Haruno Sakura. I like eating healthy food and staying in shape! I dislike loud and obnoxious people, and I aspire to be a kunoichi with a sense of style!"

She seemed…a bit self-absorbed but then again, there was nothing wrong with that inherently. It just may be grating on some people's nerves. Not mine though, because I was too busy checking her out. She looked stunningly pretty, just like Hinata was but in a different way. She was slimmer, with legs that stretched for long, long, long miles, and it showed with what she wore. It seemed that most of the recognisable characters I know wore the same as their Shippuden depictions but seeing it in person made my inner pervert start tap dancing in my very soul. Her skin-tight biker shorts, which were partially covered by her ninja skirt, showed her lean yet shapely legs that led up to a wonderful derriere that honestly made me salivate a tiny bit.

Down Jin down! God, don't be a creep.

Then the next person stood up.

"My name is Hyuga Hinata. I like cinnamon rolls and kind people—" She caught my eye for a second and gave a small smile and a tiny bow of her head before continuing. "I dislike rude people and I wish to become represent the Hyuga clan well as a kunoichi."

My heart literally jumped for a second there. How can someone be so adorable and gorgeous at the same time? Plus, her kind personality and shy disposition. Alright, Hinata-hime. I shall declare it my righteous duty to protect your innocence until you marry Naruto. Though he makes my a very jealous man.

The roll call went on a few more people before a guy jumped up with the bravado and confidence of a very arrogant person.

"My name's Kiba. Inuzuka Kiba! I like girls. Trust me, ladies, for the next few years you're gonna be fighting for a piece of this!" He flexed his biceps. "I dislike overly arrogant pricks."—Dammit, look in the mirror you fool— "And I'm gonna be the top of the class by the time I graduate!"

He seems rather…energetic I guess? But I know better not to judge a book by its cover. Deep down, he might be a super nice guy. But I don't think our wave lengths handle each other very well. We'll see though.

A few more names and then Iruka called out.

"Nara Shiho."

"…"

There was silence as no one responded but as the class quieted down to look for the missing person, everyone could hear a faint snore from the back of the class. Then, almost with pinpoint accuracy, Iruka launched a piece of chalk that landed straight on the person's forehead.

"Ow!" A feminine voice responded, "Wazzat?" She blinked her eyes drowsily for a moment before she noticed the entire class staring at her. "Ah. Was it my turn already? Thought I'd take a quick nap while I wait." The only response she got was Iruka's twitching eyebrow. "Ehhh, what a drag. My name's Nara Shiho. I like sleeping and cloud watching. I dislike strenuous physical activities. I want to become a mediocre, run-of-the-mill, no-name ninja that won't catch too much attention so I can pay the bills."

…huh, what a Shikamaru thing to say…wait, hold on just a minute…Shikamaru's a girl?! Why? and how? What is this gender-bending bullshit? What was with this world?

Since she didn't really stand up for her introduction and was sitting at the far back, I couldn't really catch on to what she was wearing but her face looked pretty enough…that was rather rude but there was nothing wrong with being 'pretty enough'. Heck, I was pretty average before I upped my charisma.

Then all of a sudden, someone burst through the door.

"Shit, I'm laaaaate!" said a high-pitched girly voice.

The late entrance was a girl with spiky blond hair tied into a messy ponytail. She had pretty features with lightning blue eyes and these adorable whisker marks on her cheeks. She wore an orange and black jumpsuit that was a bit tomboyish but also quite charming for some odd reason.

…

…

Wait. Hold on just a second here.

Wait. Wait. Wait. There's no fucking way.

"The name's Uzumaki Narumi! And I'm gonna be baddest fucking ninja the world has ever seen!" She proclaimed.

No. Fucking. Way.