chapter 13 faceless

Shin staggered through the dimly lit corridor, his steps echoing heavily on the concrete floor. Each movement seemed to aggravate the lingering pain from his recent experience, and his mind was in chaos, filled with memories that weren't his own. As he reached the door of the command room, he took a deep breath, trying to calm the internal turmoil. He pushed the door open, his eyes adjusting to the cold, artificial light of the room. His superiors were waiting, their expressions stern and inquisitive.

"Shin, what did you discover?" asked the first superior, his voice heavy with expectation.

Shin tried to maintain his composure, but the pain and trauma were visible on his pale face and tired eyes. He swallowed hard, feeling his throat dry, and began to report.

"The ninja is from Kumogakure... He was here to find information about the Fourth Hokage's death. They believe there's more to it than what's been disclosed."

The superiors exchanged worried looks, and Shin could feel the weight of their expectations. He knew any failure could be seen as a weakness. Even so, he stood firm, his body trembling slightly with the effort to remain upright.

"Good work, Shin. You can rest now," said the second superior, attempting to offer a semblance of sympathy.

Shin nodded, a barely perceptible movement, and left the room with heavy steps. Each step back to the dormitory seemed longer than the last, as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Finally reaching the White Room, he collapsed onto the familiar bunk that had been his companion for the past year.

He lay down, but sleep did not come. Instead, his mind revisited the atrocities he had witnessed and experienced. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the face of the little girl, her smile full of emotion. The image tormented him, a cruel reminder of what he was capable of doing. He tried to push these thoughts away, but they persisted, like shadows refusing to disappear.

Shin knew he needed to rest, but the unease in his chest would not allow it. He turned onto his side, staring at the empty wall, trying to find some comfort in the solitude. The memories of torture, suffering, and anguish were fresh, painfully vivid. He felt trapped in a cycle of pain and guilt, a cycle that seemed endless.

Determined to understand his new abilities better, he summoned the system.

{Attribute System}

{Name: Shin}

{Rank: Elite Chuunin}

{Skills:}

{Chakra Extraction 30}

{Uchiha 55} (A) (Sharingan 2 tomoe)

{Uzumaki 30} (A)

{Hyuga 26} (A)

{Senju 20} (A)

{Transformation Jutsu 100 (A)}

{Substitution Jutsu 100 (A)}

{Shadow Clone Jutsu 10 (A)}

{Clone Jutsu 10 (A)}

{Taijutsu 40 (B)}

{Shuriken and Kunai Throwing Techniques 50 (B)}

{Swordsmanship and Weapon Handling Techniques 45 (B)}

{Identity Swap Jutsu 5 (S)}

{Body Flicker Technique 20 (A)}

{Genjutsu Kai: Illusionary Arts: Dispel 40 (B)}

{Water Dragon Bullet Technique 8 (A)}

{Water Clone Technique 60 (C)}

{Water Barrier 17 (A)}

{Great Fireball Technique 20 (A)}

{Phoenix Sage Fire Technique 10 (B)}

{Drilling Air Bullet 14 (A)}

{Wind Cutter Technique 30 (C)}

{False Darkness 29 (A)}

{Lightning Prison 30 (B)}

{Lightning Dragon Tornado 30 (A)}

{Lightning Armor 20 (A)}

{Lightning Wound 25 (A)}

{Lightning Spear 30 (A)}

{Lightning Shield 15 (A)}

{Lightning Sword 20 (A)}

Shin scanned the information. The Kumogakure ninja's abilities were now part of his arsenal, and he felt a mix of relief and unease. The newly acquired power came at a high price, but he knew he needed it to survive and grow.

"Lightning Dragon Tornado," he murmured to himself. "A devastating technique, capable of causing great damage and disorienting enemies. It will be useful in intense battles."

He closed his eyes, visualizing the power of each ability. The "Lightning Armor" could protect his body, increasing his speed and strength. The "Lightning Wound" was a precise technique, designed to incapacitate the opponent with painful electric wounds. The "Lightning Spear" and "Lightning Sword" were offensive techniques that gave him an edge in close combat, while the "Lightning Shield" could defend him from enemy attacks.

"Each skill is a step closer to my goal," Shin thought, feeling a renewed determination. "The Identity Swap Jutsu gave me a new perspective. I can use these memories, this pain, to become stronger."

He knew the path ahead would be arduous. The torture, the pain, and the memories were not easy to overcome, but he was determined to use it all to his advantage. The sacrifice of his parents—everything served as fuel for his growth.

"I can't fail," he murmured to himself, clenching his fists. "I won't let their sacrifice be in vain. I'll become strong enough so that no one else suffers as I have."

With that in mind, he decided to fuse his two level 100 skills. Excitement and fear mixed within him as he prepared to use his new ability, {faceless 0 (S)}.

Faceless (S) was a skill that allowed Shin to change his body structure in minute details, transforming into other humans or animals, as long as it did not exceed his body volume. He could assume the appearance of anyone, becoming practically undetectable. The skill was perfect for espionage and infiltration, but could also be used in combat to confuse and disorient enemies. With this skill, Shin could infiltrate enemy locations, gather vital information, or escape dangerous situations by disguising himself as someone else.

The temptation to escape the White Room was great. With his new ability and infinite mana, he could train incessantly, increasing the proficiency of his jutsus without ever tiring. However, he knew he was under constant surveillance. He decided he would only leave the White Room once he had fully mastered the Identity Swap Jutsu and Faceless. Additionally, he knew there were still many opportunities waiting for him, such as the imminent extermination of the Uchiha clan.

"I'll use the time here to prepare," Shin thought. "And when I leave, I'll be ready for anything."