Chapter 10

3 years later.

*Fwish*

A kunai zoomed across the field, going at unimaginable speeds, wanting so desperately to reach its target. But this kunai would not reach there, as Homura deflected with his Tanto, at a precise angle.

Yet another kunai came out of nowhere, only to receive the same fate. He continued this exercise for another 5 minutes.

"Congratulations Homura, you've passed level 2 on Basic Kunai Deflection skills." Akira said, smiling at her son. Yes, she did manipulate her son to start training (or so she thought) but she did it all for a good cause.

Homura looked at his mom, incredulously, "THAT WAS LEVEL 2? They moved at incredible speeds!"

"Indeed. I only threw them at a Genin's level, more or less."

Realizing the gap between a Jonin and a genin, Homura replied, "I guess I need to work harder in the future."

Even though Homura was offered a Gold Finger, he did not take advantage of it fully. He complained and was lazy. The system was honestly frustrated with Homura, but could never do anything about it.

Time after time, the system would say, "please train harder" or "stop taking breaks."

It's totally reasonable to take breaks, the system reasoned, but with breaks comes hard work. And Homura lacked that very quality.

Part of the problem was Homura's age when he died. He was only 16, and not knowing the responsibility of having a job really set him back when he reincarnated. The only hard work he knew was school, which is not something that induces struggle, if one is responsible enough.

Homura, now just starting training with his mom, thought it was going to be easy. He thought that since he has a system and wood release, the Naruto world would be a breeze. But reality is often disappointing. And when faced with a nigh impossible job of becoming the strongest in the universe, taking breaks wouldn't do. One would need to work, work so hard that no one out does you. Know that while you were taking a break, someone else was getting better.

And Homura lacked that quality. And with mediocre results after 3 years, it wasn't hard to see why.

Ding: Homura, we need to talk

'Yeah what's up?'

Ding: Your work ethic and how hard you work is abysmal. Day in and day out, you put in the minimum, something that will not reach the level we want to reach. You have no internal drive, no will to get better. If I was in your situation, I would be working my ass off, wanting to get better each time I started practicing. But no, your just a lazy bum that got lucky to be reincarnated.

Homura's eyes started to turn red with anger. 'I WORK MY ASS OFF'

Ding: To what standard? Yours? Or mine?

Homura started to calm down. 'Can we have this conversation when I get to be alone?'

Ding: Sure.

Homura asked that as it would look weird to be talking to his system in front of his mom.

Homura's mom softly said, "Let's go home, sweety."

Homura thought for a moment. He replied, "I think I need more practice, if I want to make mommy happy."

Akira looked at Homura stunned. "You never want extra practice. What's so different about today?"

"I realized that in order to be the best, one has to work the hardest."

Akira was stunned. She thought, 'Did a three year old just say that. What maturity!'

She was overwhelmed with emotion. She almost started crying, because she knew she was one step closer to reaching her goal.

"Okay baby. We will go as long as you'd like."

5 hours later...

Akira picked Homura from the ground, who collapsed from exhaustion. "My sweet child, no matter how you grow up, I will be proud of you."

Homura weakly smiled in response. The system seeing what he did, decided not to push the issue of Homura's lack of effort, knowing that what it said had got through to Homura.