Chapter 15

By the time Haruto turned five, his growth had far outpaced the other children in the orphanage. Each day, his strength, stamina, and mind were sharpened by his relentless training and the quiet influence of the system's rewards. Though Haruto hadn't yet come face-to-face with the clan children—those prodigies born into Konoha's prestigious families—he was always measuring himself against them in his mind. He knew their reputations, their inherent advantages, and their seemingly effortless power. But Haruto didn't need bloodline techniques or family legacy to keep pushing forward. His path was his own, and he intended to forge it through hard work and the system's subtle yet powerful gifts.

The Fifth Reward: Stamina

When Haruto turned three and a half, the system had given him a reward that seemed modest at first, but over time proved to be one of the most critical. It wasn't something dramatic, like an increase in strength or speed, but a boost to his stamina. This enhancement didn't transform him overnight, but rather, it made itself known through the little things. After long training sessions, while the other children collapsed, panting and sweating, Haruto found himself still able to move, still able to push. Where others would need days to recover from exhausting exercises, Haruto bounced back in hours.

The real impact of this reward was subtle yet powerful: it allowed Haruto to train harder, for longer, without burning out. His stamina seemed bottomless, and his ability to recover quickly meant that each day, he could stretch his limits a little further. It was like having more time than anyone else, more hours in the day to improve and grow. While other kids rested, Haruto kept going, quietly building his body and mind.

The Sixth Reward: Mental Clarity

Six months later, when Haruto turned four, the system offered him another gift—one that immediately aligned with his growing sense of how critical the mind was in a world dominated by shinobi. This time, the system sharpened his cognitive abilities. It wasn't just about becoming smarter; it was about focus. Haruto found that he could absorb information faster, think more clearly, and break down complex problems with ease. His world became sharper, more detailed, as if the fog that clouded the thoughts of others had been lifted for him.

This mental clarity became one of his greatest weapons. While other children fumbled through learning or missed the nuances of everyday life, Haruto observed everything. He didn't just see—he understood. Conversations between adults became windows into the greater workings of the village. His body, once driven solely by instinct, now moved with purpose, informed by an increasingly strategic mind. Every misstep in training was dissected and corrected. Every minor success was analyzed and refined.

Where He Stands

Though Haruto hadn't yet faced the clan children directly, he felt confident in his quiet progress. He knew about the Uchiha and Hyūga clans, their fearsome reputations, and their storied abilities. The clan kids would likely already be learning family techniques or tapping into bloodline gifts that set them apart. But Haruto had something else—something harder to quantify but equally powerful. His stamina allowed him to push his body harder and for longer than most kids his age, while his mental edge gave him the ability to outthink and outplan anyone who relied solely on inherited talent.

Even without the benefit of formal shinobi training, Haruto could feel himself steadily closing the gap. The clan children may have had a head start, but Haruto was certain that, with the system's carefully timed rewards and his relentless drive, he would catch up. Each day, he tested his limits, sometimes secretly comparing his progress to the glimpses he caught of the clan children sparring or training.

They had their family techniques. Haruto had his will. And he knew that in the long run, it would be enough.