Chapter 11: A New Simulation Begins!

"That means... Teuchi-san, from now on, can I eat for free?"

Takuya gave a mischievous grin. Free meals for life? Not a bad deal!

"Sure, but I have a small request..."

Teuchi smiled, grabbing a pen and notebook. "Hehe, Master Takuya, could you give me that recipe? Of course, I won't take it for free. Name your price."

"50,000 ryo."

Takuya wasn't greedy. After all, part of the recipe was developed with Teuchi's help, so a little pocket money was fine.

"20,000 ryo," Ayame countered.

"30,000 ryo," Takuya responded.

"25,000 ryo."

"29,000 ryo."

"23,000 ryo."

"28,000 ryo."

"26,000 ryo, and every time you come, I'll personally make you ramen."

Takuya paused. "Huh? You'll make me ramen?"

Ayame blushed slightly. "Yes, I'll personally make it for you!"

"Deal!"

...

With the 26,000 ryo in hand, Takuya left Ichiraku Ramen, feeling quite pleased.

After all.

Completing a C-rank mission only earned a few thousand ryo, and 26,000 was enough to cover a year's living expenses for a regular kid!

"Damn, Takuya is really lucky! He got so much money!" Naruto, who had been trailing behind, was green with envy.

"Yeah, and he even gets free ramen... I'm so jealous…" Sakura muttered, biting her lip in frustration.

Hinata, her face blushing, whispered, "I-I want Takuya-kun to m-make ramen for me too..."

...

The next few days passed normally.

Takuya attended classes as usual and went home without incident. After all, the last simulation had lasted quite long, and the system required a cooldown period of more than 80 hours.

Finally.

On the fourth day, the system was ready again.

It was a holiday.

Instead of going out, Takuya grabbed breakfast early and returned home, sitting on his bed, ready for a new simulation.

"System! Begin simulation!"

[Ding! Drawing talents now!]

The system's roulette began spinning.

Three seconds later.

The pointer stopped.

[Ding! Talents drawn successfully!]

[You have drawn the following talents: King of Fighters (Red), Hot-Blooded Youth (Black)]

Takuya's eyes widened.

Then.

He became ecstatic!

"Yes! It's here, finally!"

"Combat skills!"

From the looks of it, both of these talents were combat-related!

King of Fighters and Hot-Blooded Youth…

The meanings were obvious!

The system quickly provided a description:

[King of Fighters: Your fists are your strongest and most adept weapons. You will be renowned for the power of your punches, and your title will be tied to your fists. Red signifies a medium-level talent, meaning you are a one-in-a-hundred genius.]

"One in a hundred?"

"Not bad!"

Takuya nodded contentedly.

For someone like him, being a one-in-a-hundred genius was more than enough!

After all, right now, he was practically useless in combat!

His skills in ninjutsu, taijutsu, weaponry, and genjutsu were all subpar…

The only reason he even passed the entrance exam was because of his talent for writing.

It was his essay, "My Beloved Third Hokage," that earned him special consideration for admission…

Given that he could write such a heartwarming, boot-licking essay, Takuya was more than willing to embrace real power when it came his way.

It was the hunger of a low-level ninja for strength!

[Hot-Blooded Youth: Your body pulses with fiery energy, like a blazing flame or the rising sun. Courage and perseverance are your weapons, and victory is your goal. You never stop fighting! You will battle for friendship, justice, and the sake of your comrades. Black signifies a high-level talent, meaning you are the embodiment of hot-blooded passion! Just being around, you ignite the flames in others! ]

Whoa!

The classic personality of a Jump manga protagonist!

Just reading the description of [Hot-Blooded Youth] made Takuya feel a surge of adrenaline!

Strong fists, burning passion…

Was he about to simulate a ninja version of Yabuki Joe?

After a deep breath, Takuya composed himself.

Then.

With a serious expression, he gave the command:

"System! Start the simulation!"

[Simulation commencing!]

[Carrying talents: King of Fighters (Red), Hot-Blooded Youth (Black)!]

[Generating real-time simulation…]

A series of mechanical sounds rang out as the system started the simulation.

And for Takuya, it felt like stepping into a brand-new life.

[At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight spill into your room, you spring out of bed like a grasshopper.]

[Huff, huff~~~ You murmur words of motivation as you swing your fists at the air. Your fists are your life, and you can't stop throwing punches!]

[After washing up, you jog down the street.]

[You continue punching the air as you run from one end of the village to the other.]

[On your way, you meet Might Guy and Rock Lee, who are also training. You greet each other with knowing glances, recognizing one another as kindred spirits.]

[After two hours of jogging and shadow boxing, you slow your pace and enter a breakfast shop.]

[Amid the amazed stares of onlookers, you devour nine eggs, two trays of steamed buns, three cups of soy milk, and five sticks of fried dough…]

[A little girl at the next table asks her mother, 'Why does that big brother eat so much?']

[With a radiant smile, you flash your white teeth and give her a thumbs-up: 'This is for protecting the village.']

Pfft!

Takuya couldn't help but choke on his water, bursting out in laughter!

Damn, this was full-on Hot-Blooded Youth mode!

Just like those old Jump manga heroes—he radiated energy and confidence!

[Seeing your dashing smile, the little girl blushes slightly. You might not realize it, but in that moment, you've become her first crush.]

[You continue your run, sprinting through the streets, the fields, and along the riverbank…]

[Kakashi reading a dirty book in a tree, the Nara father and son playing shogi, Hiruzen Sarutobi peeking at the bathhouse from his office, Obito Uchiha watching the village from the hillside… All their eyes are drawn to you.]

[Every inch of the Hidden Leaf Village is soaked with your sweat.]

What the…

Takuya took a deep breath.

He was running into Obito?

So, Obito occasionally dropped by to check on the village?

The simulation continued.

[You run tirelessly, punching the air as you go.]

[Your worn-out bandages flick droplets of sweat into the air.]

[As the sun sets, your figure appears on the long river embankment.]

[A gentle breeze blows, the water sparkles in the fading light.]

[Your shirt, soaked in sweat, clings to your chest as you gasp for breath.]

[Yet, standing in the wind, you look graceful, dashing, and powerful!]

"Now this... feels cinematic."

"The image is strong—very strong!"

Takuya nodded in satisfaction.

People might say the hot-blooded hero type was outdated.

But he disagreed!

Being hot-blooded was fine—as long as you weren't too desperate. In other words, you had to be cool!

And this hot-blooded version of himself in the simulation? He liked it a lot!

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