ch 2

"Thaddaeus."

Seeing the name stop on that brought chills down Daikuro's spine. Text that glowed a deep orange, with butterflies fluttering around it—a clear indication this wasn't just any template.

Daikuro knew exactly who Thaddaeus was, and he couldn't help but grin. He'd hit the jackpot. This guy was a monster and, If he remembered correctly, Thaddaeus's "quirk" was that his reaction speed was zero. Meaning that from the moment his brain processed visual information to the time his muscles reacted, there was no delay.

A real cheat, as one might say. And that wasn't even taking into account his overwhelming martial arts skills.

figuring out who Thaddaeus was and that his template was a good one, he glanced at his system again:

[Manhwa Template System]

Templates: ["Thaddaeus" 0%]

Template Rolls: 0

[TEMPLATE SPIN]

Quests: {Hidden Quest} - Spin for a Template - [Complete]

Realizing he hadn't received anything from the quest yet, Daikuro decided to claim the reward. Immediately, it popped up:

[Template Percentage + 1%]

Before he could even register the reward, a strange sensation washed over his body. He could feel his blood surging through his veins, his bones twisting and realigning. The sheer force of it all sent him to his knees.

"Urgh…"

The pain intensified as his body temperature spiked, blood pouring from his eyes and running down his face. His skin was soon drenched in crimson.

Thankfully, the agony ceased quickly; otherwise, he doubted he'd have remained conscious. The whole process lasted only a second, though to him, it felt like an eternity.

'So much for a reward,' Daikuro thought, sarcasm thick in his mind.

When Daikuro's eyes fluttered open, the world around him seemed to shift. The sharp outlines of the alleyway came into focus—details he hadn't noticed before leapt out at him. The rough texture of the bricks, the faint cracks running through the pavement beneath him, even the tiniest insects crawling nearby—all vivid, like a painting brought to life.

The air felt clearer too, easier to breathe, no longer heavy and oppressive. Each inhale filled his lungs like a refreshing breeze after a suffocating storm. He blinked once, twice, as if to check whether this new clarity was real.

His movements felt smoother, more fluid, as he pushed himself up from the ground. His muscles responded instantly, every limb working in perfect harmony, no longer weighed down by the sluggishness he'd known before. His mind raced with the possibilities, the newfound precision in his body making even the simple act of standing feel effortless.

It wasn't just a shift in sensation—it was like stepping out from behind a fogged window, seeing the world for what it truly was for the first time.

buzz buzz

Noticing the fly hovering in front of him, Daikuro slowly reached out to grab it. Sensing his movement, the fly darted away—but not quickly enough. Before it could escape, Daikuro's hand moved faster, and he crushed it with ease.

{Hidden Quest} - First Kill [Complete]

"Huh?" Daikuro muttered, confused.

'A fly... really?' he thought, baffled by how killing a mere insect completed a quest. Still, since it was already done, he saw no reason to dwell on it and immediately claimed the reward.

[Template Percentage + 5%]

"Shit!" Seeing the reward reminded him of what had just happened. This time, though, he braced himself, tensing his muscles in anticipation. But instead of pain, a warm breeze spread through his body, seeping into every inch. His muscles contracted, filling with new strength, while his mind was flooded with memories—memories of fights, of martial arts honed through struggle and survival.

It was as if he'd lived those experiences. The memories felt real, like he'd fought for his life, crafted a martial art not for glory but for survival... and killing.

Feeling the power coursing through him, he threw a simple jab. The movement was elegant, as though it had been practiced thousands of times. The wind whistled as his fist cut through the air.

Feeling on top of the world would be an understatement.

before getting too caught up in this feeling he looked up at the sky, realizing it would be best to head back to the orphanage before the matron got too worried and sent shinobi after him.

Walking toward the end of the alley, the darkness faded, replaced by the warm glow of streetlights.

But before stepping into the light, Daikuro noticed the blood and dirt caked on his skin. He quickly scanned his surroundings and, seeing no one, decided to make his way to a small pond in a nearby park—a quiet spot he used to visit.

Ensuring no one was around to see him, he hurried to the pond.

The park was empty, allowing him to kneel by the water in peace. He paused, staring at his reflection in the pond before dipping his head into the cool water, washing away the blood from his face.

As for the blood covering his chest, he removed his shirt, scooping water over the stains, and used the fabric to scrub himself clean. The shirt, already ruined, served as his towel and once he was sure all traces of blood were gone, he stood and tossed the shirt into a nearby trash bin.

He walked leisurely back to the orphanage, a smile playing on his lips. The reflection he'd seen earlier lingered in his mind—a toned body, far beyond what any typical four-year-old would have, and a face he recognized, although much younger.

[pic]

'Now that I'm in Naruto, I should probably start planning. Let's see... if I get the Flying Thunder God jutsu, that would fit perfectly with my template, along with the Body Flicker jutsu. And if I...'

His steps halted as he gazed up at the moon, basking in its light, a slight smile forming on his lips.

'It is what it is.'

Thinking such profound words, Daikuro continued walking, this time with a relaxed air about him.