Chapter 3: Building a Ninja

Ken's mind raced with a myriad of thoughts as he carefully sifted through the vast amounts of data before him. His eyes fixed on the computer screen, revealing an array of abilities that both intrigued and overwhelmed him.

As he navigated through the list, certain abilities stood out, each boasting its own unique allure and potential. The first to catch his attention was [Regeneration], locked behind a hefty 50 credit price tag.

[Regeneration: 50 Credits (Locked): Wounds heal in moments, and bones knit back together with a satisfying click. Maybe even limbs sprout anew, a constant reminder of their defiance against mortality. The speed of healing and amount of healing consume stamina and cause constant pain.]

The description painted a vivid picture in Ken's mind, but the caveat of constant pain and stamina drain gave him pause. "Is the price of near-immortality worth the suffering?" he mused, his brow furrowing in contemplation.

Next came Clairvoyance, another locked ability at 60 credits.

[Clairvoyance: 60 Credits (Locked): See future events, hidden objects, or even people's emotions like a faint aura. Cryptic smile holding a world-unseen secret. Constant migraines are the price of foresight.]

The prospect of seeing future events and hidden truths intrigued Ken, but the mention of constant migraines made him wince. "Knowledge at the cost of comfort," he muttered, weighing the pros and cons.

As he continued scrolling, Ken's eyes widened at the sheer variety of abilities on display. Some were awe-inspiring, while others bordered on the absurd.

As he delved deeper into the catalogue of skills, a realization dawned on him. Many of the abilities seemed eerily familiar, as if plucked from the pages of a specific story he knew well.

[Sharingan: 80 Credits (Locked): The bloodline eye is highly sought after for its superiority in combat. Once you see an opponent's jutsu, you can copy it with the Sharingan. See chakra flow, the lifeblood of techniques, giving you an edge in strategy. Peer into an opponent's movements, anticipating their next strike. But this insight has its limitations, so formidable opponents present a genuine threat.]

[Sage Arts: 100 Credits (Locked): A unique method of using natural energy to improve one's physical abilities and senses. This potent chakra grants strong reflexes and awareness, similar to an animal's keen senses. It takes skill to learn this delicate balance between natural and human energy, and using it excessively can result in a permanent non-human transformation or, in extreme situations, death.]

Ken paused, his mind racing. Could it be a coincidence? The concentration of abilities from the same universe seemed too deliberate to be random. A theory began to form in his mind, one that both excited and terrified him.

Ken pointed at the screen, his finger trembling slightly. "These abilities... they're specific to a certain world, aren't they?" he asked, his voice a mix of awe and trepidation.

Mr. End chuckled, a sound like thunder rolling in the distance. "Sharp as ever, Mr. William. We don't usually reveal the destination, but let's just say your reincarnation won't be a typical one. An exception."

Ken's mind whirled with possibilities. "So, I'm going to be reborn into the world of... Naruto?" he asked, hardly daring to believe it. "Talk about a plot twist," he muttered, still trying to wrap his head around the idea.

"Exactly," Mr. Beginning confirmed. "A world you're familiar with, yet one that will challenge you in ways you can't imagine."

Ken leaned back, overwhelmed by the implications. "But if I know what's going to happen... won't that change everything?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Mr. End's form shimmered with what seemed like amusement. "That, Mr. William, is part of the challenge. Your knowledge is both a gift and a burden. Use it wisely."

At this moment, the full weight of what was happening settled on Ken's shoulders. He knew he was going to be reincarnated into another world—a world he thought he knew inside and out. He had been a fan of Naruto since he was a kid, devouring every chapter, every episode with fervor. But now, that fictional world was to become his reality.

"With great knowledge comes great responsibility," he murmured, more to himself than to the cosmic entities before him.

As Ken turned back to the screen, ready to make his selections, he felt a mix of excitement, fear, and determination. This wasn't just about choosing abilities anymore; it was about crafting a destiny, about finding his place in a world of shinobis and chakra, of hidden villages and ancient prophecies.

"Well," Ken said, taking a deep breath to steady himself, "I guess it's time to build a ninja." And with that, he began the process of selecting his abilities, each choice a step towards his new life in the world of Naruto.

Ken's eyes darted back to the total credit limit. Just enough to make it work, though not much. He could select two skills worth fifteen credits each. Not to mention that, according to Mr. Beginning and Mr. End, he would get the powers he had in a previous life.

"What about the skills I already have from before?" he pondered, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "This decision hinges on how those abilities work with my new picks."

"Alright, let's see what we have here," he mumbled, his finger scrolling down the list. With an analytical gaze, he perused every choice.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "[Fast thinking]! That could be a game-changer." A triumphant grin spread across his face as he added the skill to his mental cart. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

It was obvious that Ken was excited. In the world of shinobi, where instantaneous decisions could mean the difference between life and death, he could already envision the uses of such an ability.

"This seems like a useful skill," Ken mused. "Its ability to quickly analyse, respond, and adapt makes it useful in both combat and non-combat situations. Perfect for a world where survival hinges on split-second decisions. Not to mention that it will work well with the skills I'm going to inherit from my previous life. If I'm not mistaken, I already have [Eidetic Memory]. Both of them are great together."

He continued scrolling down the list after that. Then he saw another talent that was too good to combine with the ones he already possessed and planned to acquire: [Parallel Thinking].

The description sent a jolt of excitement through him. Analysing situations from multiple angles simultaneously? That was a tactical advantage he couldn't ignore.

Ken's mind raced with the possibilities. In the complex world of Shinobi politics and jutsu battles, the ability to see all angles of a situation could be invaluable. It wasn't just about combat; it was about strategy, diplomacy, and survival.

"This skill will work wonders in problem-solving, and it will go hand in hand with [Eidetic Memory] and [fast thinking]." Ken thought to himself, already imagining the synergy between his chosen abilities.

"[Eidetic Memory], [Fast Thinking] and [Parallel Thinking]," he murmured, a smile playing on his lips. "Not exactly flashy, but in this world, brains might just trump brawn."

He then continued with the selection. He came across one more interesting ability, 'Hyperphantasia'.

[Hyperphantasia (10 Credits): This is a cool and unique ability, but it has limited direct impact in combat or overcoming challenges. However, its visualisation capabilities can be very helpful for problem-solving and planning.]

Ken's eyes lit up as he read the description. "[Hyperphantasia]," he murmured, his mind already racing with possibilities. "This could be the key to unlocking a whole new level of problem-solving."

He was already planning to make a rudimentary system, but this hyper-visualisation ability opened doors for more interesting possibilities.

"Fast thinking, parallel processing, and now hyperphantasia," Ken whispered, his voice tinged with awe. "It's like having a supercomputer and a holographic projector all in one. The applications in jutsu creation alone could be revolutionary."

Ken proceeded to select his next abilities from the given choices. Now he thought about practicality and survival in the new world. He must have some life-saving skills. He then remembered one such skill, which was practical and within the limits that were set for him.

[Minor Healing (10 Credits): While not a show-stopping power, minor healing can be a lifesaver in certain situations. It adds a layer of survivability and can keep you alive.]

With only 25 credits left, he thought very hard about the next choices. He then came across two abilities that seemed ordinary but were useful in information gathering and also assisted in learning.

[Improved Eyesight (10): Sharpened vision is a nice bonus, but on its own, it's a fairly minor ability. However, it can be helpful for tasks requiring precision or spotting details others might miss.]

[Peripheral Awareness (8): The ability to sense subtle movements or changes in their environment beyond their normal field of vision and is great for detecting danger or hidden objects.]

He knew about the importance of information. Even in his old world, information was like a weapon, more so in the new world, which was going to be much more dangerous than the previous one.

"Information is power," Ken muttered, recalling countless instances from his past life where the right piece of data had changed everything. "In a world of deception and hidden techniques, being able to see and sense more could be invaluable."

He scrolled multiple times but could not think of any ability to choose from the list that he could add to his list now. As he lacked credits, his options were very limited. With a sigh, he made the hasty decision to spend his remaining credits on a skill he believed would enable him to pick up fighting skills more quickly.

"[Muscle Memory]," Ken read aloud, his finger hovering over the selection. "It's not a combat skill in itself, but it could be the foundation for learning combat skills quickly. In a world where I'll be starting from scratch, that could be crucial."

He made this choice on the whim without knowing that it would save his life someday.

As he made the final selection, a shiver ran down Ken's spine. It was as if some part of him, some instinct he couldn't explain, knew that this choice would prove pivotal in ways he couldn't yet imagine.

He looked again at the choices he made before locking them.

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Fast thinking (15 Credits): The ability to process information rapidly is valuable in any situation. It allows for quick reactions and on-the-fly decision-making.

Parallel Thinking (15 Credits): This is a rarer and more impressive ability. Being able to analyse situations from multiple angles simultaneously gives you a significant tactical advantage.

Hyperphantasia (10 Credits): This is a cool and unique ability, but it has limited direct impact in combat or overcoming challenges. However, its visualisation capabilities can be very helpful for problem-solving and planning.

Minor Healing (10 Credits): Although not a powerful ability to steal the show, minor healing can save lives in certain circumstances. It can prolong your life and add an extra layer of survivability.

Improved Eyesight (10 Credits): Sharpened vision is a nice bonus, but on its own, it's a fairly minor ability. However, it can be helpful for tasks requiring precision or spotting details others might miss.

Peripheral Awareness (8 Credits): This character can sense subtle movements or changes in their environment beyond their normal field of vision. Great for detecting danger or hidden objects.

Muscle Memory (7 Credits): Excellent muscle memory allows for quick mastery of physical skills. This can be helpful in combat or mastering complex manoeuvres.

________

He looked again at the list of abilities in his cart and thought, "This is it."

Carefully navigating his options, Ken strategically picked abilities that not only aligned with his existing prowess but also opened up new avenues for growth. With each choice, he envisioned how the amalgamation of skills would elevate his capabilities, forming a cohesive system within his mind. Drawing on his past experiences and knowledge, Ken curated a selection that balanced practicality with innovation, aiming for a blend of survival skills and strategic advantages.

Finalising his picks, Ken felt a sense of readiness and determination, signalling to Mr. Beginning and Mr. End that his selection process had reached its conclusion.

He looked at Mr. Beginning and Mr. End and said, "Okay! I have finalised my choices."

Mr. Beginning and Mr. End exchanged a glance, a mixture of amusement and intrigue playing across their ethereal features.