Chapter 2

Realizing the harshness of the desert sun and his limited resources, Hayabusa decided to find a place to rest until nightfall. Training under the blistering heat with scant food and water was a foolish strategy. Based on his memories, he knew the village turned bitterly cold at night. He would rather face the cold than the relentless heat.

He found a small, sheltered nook between two sand-colored buildings, providing just enough shade to escape the sun's burning rays. Curling up, he closed his eyes and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

When he woke, it was to the biting chill of the desert night. His body trembled uncontrollably. "Maybe training during the day isn't so bad after all," he thought with a grim smile. The change in mentality struck him as odd, but he had little choice. He began his routine, pushing his limits with every run. Notifications of +1 Speed & Agility and +1 Stamina echoed in his mind, fueling his determination.

The cold air stung his skin, but he ran and ran, his breath visible in the night air. At some point, hunger gnawed at him, forcing him to scavenge for food and water once more. The meager scraps he found were barely enough, and he realized that his current strategy was unsustainable.

For weeks, Hayabusa continued this cycle of sleeping during the day and training at night. Each night, he grew a little stronger, a little faster, but his resources dwindled. His body, now accustomed to the strain, demanded more sustenance.

One night, as he was running, he stumbled upon a small marketplace. It was mostly closed for the night, but a few vendors were still packing up. His stomach growled loudly at the sight of food.

"Excuse me," Hayabusa approached a vendor who was packing up unsold bread. "Do you have any work? Anything I can do for some food?"

The vendor, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, looked him over. "Work? This late?" She seemed hesitant but saw the desperation in his eyes. "Alright, help me pack up, and I'll give you some bread and water."

Grateful, Hayabusa set to work, his small hands moving quickly to assist her. After they finished, she handed him a loaf of bread and a jug of water.

"Thank you," he said earnestly.

"Come back tomorrow, and maybe I'll have more work for you," she replied with a smile.

As he looked at the village, he knew he was far from his goal, but every step he took was a step closer to transforming his reality.

The next day, after hours of training, Hayabusa found himself back at the marketplace, helping the same vendor from the night before. As he worked, his hands moved swiftly and efficiently, earning appreciative nods from the vendor.

"You're a quick learner, kid," she said, handing him another loaf of bread and a larger jug of water. "Come back tonight, and I'll have more work for you."

Hayabusa nodded, thanking her before disappearing into the slums to rest. He found his usual shaded nook and curled up, the bread and water beside him. As he closed his eyes, he let his thoughts drift to the night ahead, planning his training regimen.

When night fell, Hayabusa woke up. He began with a run, the cool desert air invigorating him. Notifications of +1 Speed & Agility and +1 Stamina flashed occasionally, reminding him of his progress. After running, he scavenged for more food, careful not to deplete his resources too quickly.

Two weeks into his new routine, Hayabusa finally managed to do push-ups. His arms trembled but he pushed through, adding it to his training schedule. The notifications continued, marking his steady progress.

One evening, as he helped the vendor clean up, he caught sight of his reflection in a small, cracked mirror she used. He was startled at first, not recognizing the face staring back at him. His hair was black, tousled from the constant physical exertion. His skin had tanned from the harsh desert sun, giving him a rugged look. His eyes, however, were the most striking—golden and sharp, like a hawk's. They held a determined intensity that matched his unyielding spirit.

Days turned into weeks, and Hayabusa's routine remained the same. He worked during the early mornings and nights, trained relentlessly, and rested during the hottest parts of the day. The vendor he worked for grew fond of him, often giving him extra food for his hard work.

One month since his transmigration, Hayabusa checked his panel:

Strength: F (44/100)

Speed & Agility: E (7/1000)

Stamina: E (49/1000)

He noticed that running alone didn't increase his speed as much as it did his stamina anymore. He needed to diversify his training to continue improving.

One night, after completing his run and push-ups, Hayabusa decided to add agility exercises. He found a series of rocks and practiced leaping from one to another, his body moving fluidly in the moonlight. Each jump was precise, his muscles responding with a newfound strength and flexibility.

As he worked, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. His progress was slow but steady, and every improvement brought him closer to his goals. The notifications were a constant reminder of his growth, each one a small victory in his ongoing journey.

Hayabusa knew he still had a long way to go, but he was no longer the helpless boy he had been half a month ago. With every step, every push-up, and every leap, he was forging a new path for himself in the harsh world of Sunagakure. And he was determined to see it through to the end.