Suddenly, a flood of information surged into Santoryu's mind—details about the improved version of the Eight Inner Gates technique. It was like downloading years of training in an instant. His head throbbed for a moment before the sensation faded, leaving behind clear knowledge and precise insight into the technique's mechanics.
Just then, the system's voice echoed sternly in his mind:
"Be warned: you are strictly forbidden from sharing this technique with anyone—except your own children, and only after you've reached Legendary Level. Any attempt to transfer or reveal this method prematurely will result in one of the most excruciating punishments I can deliver."
Santoryu shuddered. The tone in the system's voice left no room for doubt—this wasn't an empty threat. He could feel the seriousness in its words down to his core.
"Got it. No playing around with that," he thought, nodding solemnly.
Shaking off the lingering tension, he asked, "System, is there a character panel I can view?"
"Yes," the system replied smoothly. "You have access to a Character Panel."
The moment the words were spoken, a glowing translucent screen materialized in front of him:
----
[Character Panel]
Name: Santoryu Hatake
Age: 8
Rank: Genin
Power Level: 200 (Genin Range: 1–1000)
Abilities: None
Evaluation:Weaker than most Genin of the same age. Your current power level is so low that even a well-trained adult civilian could overpower you.
----
Santoryu's eye twitched. His face froze in disbelief as he stared at the harsh evaluation.
"…Damn," he muttered.
The system wasn't sugarcoating anything—and, frustratingly, it wasn't wrong either.
"So I'm basically bottom-tier..." he thought, clenching his jaw. "But not for long."
With the system, the Three Sword Style, and the Eight Inner Gates now part of his path—he would rise.
No matter how low he started, he would climb.
Just then, the sliding door at the entrance of the room opened with a gentle shff. The room, designed in a traditional Japanese style with tatami mats and wooden panels, briefly filled with soft daylight as a woman stepped inside.
Santoryu instinctively turned toward the door the moment it moved. The sight of the woman triggered a wave of familiarity from the memories embedded in his new body—she was Santoryu's mother.
And now, she was his mother too.
Her eyes welled with emotion as she saw him sitting upright. "Thank goodness you're awake, my son," she said, rushing over to his side. "Do you know how worried I was when I saw the state you were in?"
She sat down beside him and gently placed a hand on his head. "If it weren't for the medical-nin from Konoha Hospital, things could've been so much worse. Your injuries were serious—very serious. They said you could have died after taking such a brutal beating."
Her voice trembled slightly at the memory.
She continued, her tone firm now. "Don't worry. Your father has already gone to the Ninja Academy to file a complaint against that boy. He won't get away with what he did. He'll be punished properly."
Santoryu only nodded, silently. He didn't know how to respond. The affection and concern in her voice were real, and it tugged at something deep inside him—but he still felt unsure, awkward. How was he supposed to speak to a mother who wasn't truly his, even if the memories said otherwise?
Sensing his quietness, his mother offered a soft smile and stood up. "Now that you're awake, I'll go prepare some soup for you," she said gently. "You need something warm in your body."
As she walked out of the room, the silence returned—but now it was a comforting one.
Santoryu stared at the doorway for a long moment.
"So this is... what a mother's love feels like."
After thinking for a moment, Santoryu looked toward the doorway and called out, "Mother, there's no need to rush with soup. Could you prepare a proper meal instead? And before that… could you draw a hot bath for me? I'd really like to wash up."
His mother paused at the threshold, then turned and smiled warmly. "Of course, dear. I'll prepare the bath first, then get started on a proper meal."
Santoryu nodded, keeping his expression neutral, though inside, he felt a quiet warmth stir at her kindness.
With that, his mother stepped out of the room, sliding the door shut behind her.
As the room fell into silence again, the familiar voice of the system echoed in his mind:
"It's currently midday. You'll begin your training this evening. In the meantime, your first task is to acquire a large, sturdy wooden log. I'll use it to craft three wooden swords for your initial training."
The system paused briefly, then continued:
"Additionally, you'll need to gather a few specific herbs. I'm sending you a list now. These herbs will accelerate your body's recovery rate so you can train longer and harder without interruption or exhaustion."
A wave of information appeared in Santoryu's mind—a mental list of herb names and their appearance, along with the log specifications.
He nodded to himself, responding silently, "Got it. I'll eat first, then head out to gather the log and the herbs as soon as I can."
The spark of determination ignited in his eyes.
This was the beginning of a new path.
----
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