Chapter 5 - Ambitions

Kensei was watching young Daichi's face intently. He saw the myriads of emotions and expressions flashing across his face. Kensei sighed to himself.

'This kid is smart and intelligent, and perceptive far beyond his age, but he is a total newbie when it comes to controlling his facial expression and emotions.'

Kensei was a bit surprised at how quickly Daichi went from panicking to suddenly keeping a calm face. But he didn't think much of it. He asked with a smug tone. "You wanted to see how I'd react, didn't you? Isn't that why you said I'd make a good pirate? Am I right?"

Daichi was surprised even more. He didn't think the old man would figure him out so quickly. He nodded his head.

"Yes." That was the only answer he gave.

"So what now?" Daichi asked cautiously.

"When I woke up this morning I didn't think I'd be adopting a genius." Kensei said.

Confusion ran across Daichi's face. "Genius? What are you talking about?"

"Kid. Let's not beat around the bush. We both know you're much smarter than those your age. You're keen and perceptive and have a maturity that's not seen in a 5-year-old. Well, most 5-year-olds anyway." Kensei said as he recalled the faces of the handful of geniuses he had met over his lifetime. And the smile was back on his face.

Daichi was listening to him with the same calm expression but he was relieved inside. 'Oh thank god. He thinks I'm a genius and not a spy. I can work with that. But I need to know why he adopted me. What he wants from me. Lets see if this old man is willing to give me the answers.'

"I have two questions. Will you answer me honestly?" Daichi asked politely.

"Go ahead." Kensei nodded.

"Why did you adopt me?"

Kensei's face turned slightly solemn and had a sad smile on his face. He sighed and answered. "You remind me of my son. His name was Hotaru. He was killed in the nine tails attack 5 years ago. He and I had a... strained relationship and over the years we drifted apart. When I saw you a week ago with Aiko buying groceries, it looked like I was looking at a young Hotaru. You have such a resemblance to him, I thought you might be his son."

"But judging from your expression, I'm not, am I?" Daichi asked.

"No. I had Aiko run a blood test. You're not his son…. Listen Daichi, you may not be his son but I've decided to adopt you nonetheless. I know we may not be related by blood but from now on I am your grandpa. And I expect you to call me as such."

"So your reason for taking me in is because I have a resemblance to your long-dead son!?" Daichi then smirked innocently and continued. "Are you sure it's not because you're getting old and you need someone to take care of you?"

"Ha. I'm still in my 60's brat. It'll be a couple dozen more years before I would need anyone to take care of me." The tense atmosphere between the two instantly disappeared.

Kensei said with a laugh. Then he said, "He was smart and cheeky just like you. While not a prodigy he was definitely above his peers. So you see it's not just your looks that resembles him. Now you know why I chose you."

Daichi nodded and smiled at him. "Thank you for giving me a home… Now for my second question. Why did you decide to test me just now?"

"I've seen orphaned children lead a difficult life. They are extremely cautious towards new people. They are also a bit smarter and more mature than the children of their age. But I doubt they'd be capable of assessing the advantages and disadvantages of an unknown situation and make hard, smart decisions. Especially when they only have a limited amount of information. And to do it all in the span of a few seconds while keeping a cool face? Very few kids can do that. So I wanted to see which one you were. A cautious slightly more mature child or a genuine genius."

"Come on. What makes you think I'm a genius?"

"A gut feeling. Besides you don't talk like a regular kid, do you? For me it feels as if I'm talking to an adult." He said with a smirk plastered on his face. Daichi didn't answer the rhetorical question.

Just then a tantalizing aroma filled their nostrils and they automatically looked towards the kitchen. They saw Shi Fang holding two bowls heading towards them. He reached their table and placed the food in front of them.

Daichi quickly used 'Observe' on his food.

'Observe'

[Rainbow Dumplings]

[A delicious breakfast dish made by Shi Fang. The inside of the dumpling has seven layers of vegetables and meat. The ingredients used to make this dish are all of high quality. Shi Fang uses a special method to cook this dish to ensure that the ingredients retain some of their chakra and most of their vitality. 1 Dumpling Restores 15 HP and 9 CP.]

Daichi was incredulous after reading that description. 'Holy shit. This thing can restore 15 HP and 9 CP. If that's the case, in my current state just 14 of these things and I'll be in full health. I definitely need to check out my inventory and find out if It can preserve food. If It can, I am definitely buying a couple hundred of these for a rainy day.'

Two white glass bowls with 3 white dumplings each and some soup poured and chopped onions sprinkled over it.

The white and glossy 'Rainbow Dumplings' were not radiating rainbow colors despite its name. These dumplings were smooth and translucent, and the fillings inside could almost be seen.

From the outside, there seemed to be a faint amount of fragrance enveloping the fillings and made the dumpling appear extremely tantalizing.

"Enjoy." Shi said and then walked away.

"Alright. Why don't we table our discussion until after we've had our stomachs filled?! Let's dig in. You're going to love this place after you've had a taste of these dumplings." Kensei said.

Daichi didn't need any more encouragement and he quickly took the chopsticks, picked up a dumpling, and placed it in his mouth. As soon as he bit into the dumpling he could feel a soft fragrant smell filling his mouth. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the blissful moment for a few seconds.

"Mmmm. Delicious." He couldn't help but say those words.

Both Daichi and Kensei enjoyed the food and ate at a comfortable slow pace. They ate the 3 dumplings and finished the soup in about 10 minutes. Both of them were completely satisfied with their breakfast.

"Happy?" Kensei asked the boy.

"Yes. I definitely have to come back here." Daichi replied.

"Now then, shall we continue our chat.?" Daichi simply nodded to the old man's question.

"I want you to think long and hard before you answer this question... What do you want to be in the future?" Kensei asked in a serious tone.

Daichi paused at the question and was about to immediately reply, 'a shinobi.' But he stopped himself and thought about it a bit more.

'What I want huh. I want to become the strongest, so I'm definitely going to be a ninja… but is that all I really want? I'm in a world full of possibilities and unknowns. And I bet there are a lot more interesting things out there that the story didn't cover. I have the gamer's ability. The best tool for any situation. So theoretically nothing should be impossible for me. I could learn about all sorts of things.'

As Daichi was having these thoughts, he looked toward the empty glass bowl in front of him. After thinking for a few more seconds he made a decision and he had his answer.

Daichi looked at the old man and had a resolute face and gave him his answer. "I am going to be a shinobi. Not just any shinobi, but the world's strongest. But that's not all I want. I want to visit all sorts of places. Travel the world. Experience all sorts of things. Try new things. But what I want the most is to not have any regrets."

Kensei heard Daichi's answer and had an understandable expression. 'A free spirit.'

"Daichi. I've been a shinobi for over four decades. The years and experiences have taught me that the world isn't black and white. There will be people who will oppose your goals, both outside the village and within, and become your enemy simply because you might become a threat to them. To make your dreams come true and live the way you want, you have to be strong. Stronger than most. If not all. That journey will be extremely difficult. Do you really want that?" Kensei asked in a serious tone.

"Yes. I'm prepared. I won't back down from any challenge that comes my way." Daichi replied without a second's hesitation and with absolute resolve.

Rep increases with Kensei Yasaji

Seeing the look on Daichi's face Kensei understood the boy was serious. And he knew the boy understood the challenges that would face him.

'A strong heart indeed'.

He had a large grin broadening on his old face.

The boy's ambition reminded him of his own when he was a youth. At that moment Kensei decided he was going to help the boy achieve his dreams. But before he started training the boy, Kensei decided he was going to see just how strong-willed the boy was.

"If you want to become the strongest then you're gonna need some intense training. Right now you're 5. I'll let you join the academy next year. So that means we have a year to train and get you to the same level as the clan kids.

Now just because you said you wanted to be the strongest doesn't mean you'll become one. I want to see your resolve when your body feels like it's on fire. Prove to me within the next month that you can do more than just talk big. If I'm convinced then I'll start your training."

Hearing the old man's challenge lit a fire inside him. He wanted to prove to Kensei that he could do it. A new quest suddenly popped up.

Quest Created - 'Get ahead of your peers'

Prove to Kensei Yasaji that you have what it takes to stand at the top of this world. Convince him to start training you within the month. And then train hard and prepare for the academy. Time limit: 12 Months 3 days.

Conditions:

Increase your level to 13 by the time you join the academy

Learn Beginner Taijutsu and increase it to LV.15

Learn Basic Chakra Control Technique and increase it to LV.15

Increase your Basic Body Conditioning to LV.15

Learn Beginner Shuriken Jutsu and increase it to LV.15

Learn 1 E-Rank Ninjutsu or more (0/1)

Find out your Chakra Nature.

Unlock any 2 special stats.

Rewards:

1500 Exp,

+1 Level

+3 To all awakened stat points

+1 LV. to all Skills

+12 Stat Points

Rep increases with everyone.

Rep massively increases with Kensei Yasaji.

New Title

Special Reward

Failure:

-2 Levels

Rep decreases with The leaf village citizens.

Rep decreases with Kensei Yasaji.

Rep decreases with Academy Teachers.

Rep decrease with the 'Rookie 9'.

New Title

Accept (Y/N)

After reading through the quest Daichi became excited. He immediately accepted it and was determined to complete it. Right after he accepted the quest, a new one popped up. But the quest box only had a few lines with no reward or failure. Daichi was surprised and confused at the second new quest.

Quest Created - 'Path to the strongest (LOCKED)'

This quest can only be opened by successfully completing the quest 'Get ahead of your peers'. Failure to open this quest will significantly increase your chances of meeting death within the next 7 years and certain death within 9 years.

'Well, that's not ominous at all.' Daichi thought sarcastically.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------