17. Upgrade Completed

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My name is Uchiha Gin. Ever since I got stuck with this system, I haven't had a single good day.

Not only do I have to complete the lousy tasks it assigns, but I also have to spend my days tricking people and getting beaten up.

At night, I return home only to be ambushed by system-generated skills in my own courtyard.

And now, the hard-earned points from completing those tasks were eaten up by the system.

Life is tough!

"Ding, slot machine loading complete. Please explore the functionality on your own, host."

With the system prompt, a blinding light emitted from the once plain-looking slot machine, forcing Uchiha Gin to close his eyes.

After a moment, the light faded, revealing a brand-new blue slot machine, fresh from the factory, standing before him.

It looked exactly like the ones in arcades from his past life, complete with a display at the top for recording points and three classic spinning frames below.

Instead of the usual symbols, the frames displayed scrolling text. Curious, Uchiha Gin leaned in to take a closer look and saw the words: "Nin", "Tai", and "Chakra". In the middle was a set of instructions.

Nin + Nin + ? = Ninjustu effect doubled

Nin + Nin + Nin = Ninjutsu effect *10

Tai + Tai + ? = Taijutsu effect doubled

Tai + Tai + Tai = Taijutsu effect *10

Chakra + Chakra + ? = Chakra amount doubled

Chakra + Chakra + Chakra = Chakra amount *10

? + ? + ? = Random effect doubled

Each spin costs 10 points. Rewards can either be claimed immediately or accumulated.

PS: Immediate rewards apply directly to the next use of a specific skill. Accumulated rewards can be converted 1:1 into attribute points.

After reading through the machine's instructions, Uchiha Gin looked at his empty points display and asked skeptically, "Did my points get used up for this?"

[Congratulations, host. You've unlocked a feature and received +100% luck (guaranteed critical hit on spin results).]

"So, you really did use up my points?" Uchiha Gin asked, deadpan, his fish-like eyes betraying his disbelief.

"System, is there any way you can help me get through this situation?"

A projection suddenly appeared in the void, showing Uchiha Gin on the move, asking the system for help.

[The system has detected the host's request for assistance. Due to the lack of other resources, the system initiated an emergency spin using available points.]

The system's emotionless voice came through, though Uchiha Gin couldn't shake the feeling that there was a hint of schadenfreude in its tone.

[Congratulations, host. You have drawn the combination: Nin + Nin + Nin. Ninjutsu effect *10. The system randomly selected this option after the host's timeout.]

"…"

You know what? Why don't you take over and play the game for me? I'm done!

This system not only lags but also makes decisions without permission, utterly defying logic.

Now he finally understood how that oversized Fireball Jutsu had come about, and it shocked his soul!

A 10-point boost to his Ninjutsu attribute would have been incredible.

His current stats were all in the single digits. He summoned his stat panel:

Host: Uchiha Gin

Nin: 7

Tai: 8

Int: 9

Chakra: 6

Charm: 1

Sharingan: 10

Skills: Basic Taijutsu, Fireball Jutsu, Uchiha Clan Swordsmanship, Intermediate Shuriken Jutsu.

Overall Evaluation: A somewhat clever, two-tomoe, punchable Uchiha Chūnin.

If I had added those 10 points, my Ninjutsu stat would have risen to 17, which might have pushed my Ninjutsu power to the level of a Special Jōnin.

As he was contemplating his attribute points, something struck him. There was a glaring omission.

Why did the slot machine only have "Nin", "Tai", and "Chakra"? These aligned well with his attributes, but where were "Int" and "Charm"?

"Because your intelligence and charm are off the charts. The system cannot alter them."

The system suddenly offered an explanation as if reading his thoughts.

"Intelligence 9 and charm 1, huh? What are you trying to say? Should we all just give up and end it now?" Uchiha Gin cursed bitterly.

After ranting for a while, Uchiha Gin sighed in resignation, looking down at his hands. The danger outside still wasn't over.

It would be difficult to defeat Uzumaki Hanamichi in his current state unless the item given by Uzumaki Mito proved useful.

Hiding in the system wasn't a solution, so he decided to go out and face it.

With that, Uchiha Gin exited the system. To his surprise, only a moment had passed in the real world.

Uchiha Fūka was still frozen in shock, and Uzumaki Hanamichi had reappeared, clearly shaken by the earlier Fireball Jutsu.

Hanamichi didn't rush in but instead kept his distance, using his sensory abilities to assess Uchiha Gin's condition.

"Strange. This guy's chakra reserves are decent but not extraordinary. How did he pull off such a massive Fireball Jutsu?"

With his sharp sensory skills, Uzumaki Hanamichi couldn't make sense of it. Not only that, but he also sensed a familiar energy within Uchiha Gin, which confused him even more.

"Could this kid be a hybrid?"

Hanamichi speculated.

Looking at Uchiha Gin's face, Hanamichi stared intently.

Feeling the gaze, Uchiha Gin shuddered.

"What's with this kid's intense stare? Does he think I'm some kind of… p.diddy's victim?" Gin thought nervously.

"Hey, Gin, I don't know how you managed that, but it won't change the outcome of this fight. You should escape while you can and never come back."

Uchiha Fūka, having recovered, walked over to the still-nervous Uchiha Gin, mistaking his tense expression for fear.

"Captain, I think their target is just me. Let me stall him while you go support Ryōichi and the others. Once you've dealt with the other Uzumaki, you can come help me."

Taking advantage of Hanamichi's focus on him, Uchiha Gin proposed the idea to send his captain away.

"But your strength..."

Fūka hesitated, his expression clearly saying, "You're too weak."

"Don't worry, Captain. I've undergone a major transformation. Besides, isn't there a saying in our clan? Only in desperate situations do the Uchiha awaken their true power."

As he spoke, Gin's Sharingan activated, revealing two rotating tomoe.

"You've awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan? Could this be what they call latent potential?"

Fūka was amazed.

Despite being a large clan, only about one in ten Uchiha ever awakened the Sharingan, and some never did.

Gin had awakened his at the late age of 24, and in just one battle, his single tomoe had evolved to two.

"Be careful. I'll finish things up quickly and come back to help you."

Before leaving, Fūka gave Gin a long, hard look, as if trying to imprint his face into memory.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not going to my death," Gin muttered, feeling uneasy.

In truth, as Fūka turned away, he silently thought, "You really are his son. I believe you'll create miracles, just like he did."

"The annoying guy is finally gone. I wasn't interested in him anyway," Hanamichi said casually, glancing at the departing Fūka.

Hearing the word "interested," Gin's face turned green.

"Could this guy really be into me? Damn it, I may be handsome, but I'm no little pretty boy!"