Disclaimer:
Naruto and all of its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
“Dialogue”
‘Thoughts’
-Author notes-
Chapter 16: The Final Push
The scrolls lay spread across Sho’s floor.
Three techniques.
Three chances.
Three keys to his future.
Clone Technique.
Transformation Technique.
Substitution Technique.
This is what he needed to master to complete his graduation exam.
He’d already learned the Clone Technique, but it was still weak, Novice Level 2, capable of creating only two illusions that dissipated after a few seconds.
He needed to improve it before the exam.
And then he also needed to learn the other two from scratch.
‘Two weeks, that’s all I have…fourteen days.
I can do this.’ If it wasn’t for the system, it would have been an impossible dream, but now he had a good chance of succeeding.
But first, he needed to allocate the stat points he gained during his last Level Up.
[Available Stat Points: 3]
Sho studied his status screen, his mind working through the problem.
His current stats seem very balanced.
Still low but balanced.
‘I have fourteen days.
I won’t have time for the leaf exercise.
So what I need the most right now is to quickly improve my chakra control and capacity.
‘
“One point to Chakra Capacity,” he murmured.
“Two to Chakra Control.” He only needed to perform each of the jutsus one time, so control was more important.
He could worry about his Chakra Capacity later on.
[Stat Point Allocation]
Chakra Capacity: 5 → 6
Chakra Control: 5 → 7
[Status Update – Post Allocation]
Name: Hyuga Shokuhi
Level: 4
Title: The Unbreakable
Stats:
Strength: 6
Agility: 6
Vitality: 6
Perception: 6
Chakra Capacity: 6 (↑ from 5)
Chakra Control: 7 (↑ from 5)
“Im well rounded up.” He had been allocating points based on his current needs, and this had been the result.
He had no particular strengths, but he had at least covered his weaknesses.
Sho felt the familiar warmth spread through his body as the points settled into place.
His chakra flow felt smoother, more controlled.
The energy moved through his pathways with less resistance.
‘This is good.
This will help me a lot.’
He picked up the Transformation Technique scroll, unrolling it carefully.
[Skill Scroll Detected: Transformation Technique (Henge no Jutsu)]
Analyzing technique requirements…
Chakra Control: 7 (Required: 5) – PASS
Chakra Capacity: 6 (Required: 5) – PASS
Technique integration successful!
Transformation Technique (Henge no Jutsu): Novice (Level 1)
Description: Allows the user to transform into a physical replica of another person, animal, or object.
The transformation is visually perfect but has no substance.
Duration and stability depend on chakra control and capacity.
Note: At Novice Level 1, transformation lasts for a maximum of 30 seconds.
The knowledge settled into Sho’s mind like a second skin.
He understood the hand seals, the chakra flow, the subtle adjustments needed to maintain the form.
He made the hand seal and focused.
“Henge!
(Transformation Technique)”
In a puff of smoke, Sho’s form shifted.
When the smoke cleared, Hinata stood in his place.
Sho walked to the mirror on his wall, studying his reflection.
The transformation was good but far from flawless.
“It’s amazing for a first try, though.” He admired his shape in the mirror.
“The face is a bit off, and the hair is too short.
It should get more precise as I level the technique up.”
‘This system is truly an amazing thing, but…also terrifying.’
The transformation held its shape for twenty seconds before it flickered and dissipated, his normal appearance returning.
“Twenty seconds.
That will need to be improved.” To pass the exam, he was going to need one full minute.
‘If possible, I would like to get all the jutsus to novice level 8 or 9.’ He wasn’t sure if two weeks were going to be enough, but he had to try his best.
He practiced again.
And again.
And again.
By midday, he could hold the transformation for almost forty seconds.
[Skill Update]
Transformation Technique: Novice (Level 1) → Novice (Level 3)
Duration increased: 30 seconds → 38 seconds
Sho smiled, his body aching but his spirits high.
<><>
After a short rest to recover his chakra and grab something to eat, he was ready to continue.
‘Let’s work on the last one now.’
He picked up the Substitution Technique scroll.
[Skill Scroll Detected: Substitution Technique (Kawarimi no Jutsu)]
Analyzing technique requirements…
Chakra Control: 7 (Required: 5) – PASS
Chakra Capacity: 6 (Required: 5) – PASS
Technique integration successful!
Substitution Technique (Kawarimi no Jutsu): Novice (Level 1)
Description: Allows the user to instantly swap their position with a nearby object, such as a log, rock, or another person.
Requires split-second timing and precise chakra control.
Note: At Novice Level 1, substitution range is limited to 5 meters.
Reaction time must be less than 0.5 seconds.
Sho practiced the Substitution Technique until his body started to fail him.
He threw logs, swapped with rocks, even tried to substitute with a falling leaf.
‘The timing is the hardest part.
I need to react faster.’
By late afternoon, he’d managed to substitute successfully three times in a row.
[Skill Update]
Substitution Technique: Novice (Level 1) → Novice (Level 2)
Range increased: 5 meters → 6 meters
<><>
The training continued for days.
Sho pushed himself harder than ever before, his body fueled by desperation.
Every hour was precious, and every repetition brought him closer to his goal.
[Skill Update – Day 3]
Clone Technique: Novice (Level 2) → Novice (Level 3)
Clone limit: 2 → 3
Transformation Technique: Novice (Level 3) → Novice (Level 5)
Duration: 38 seconds → 1 minute
Substitution Technique: Novice (Level 2) → Novice (Level 3)
Range: 8 meters → 10 meters
But as the levels grew higher, it became more difficult to progress.
Each level would require exponentially more work.
[Skill Update – Day 5]
Clone Technique: Novice (Level 3) → Novice (Level 4)
Clone limit: 3
Transformation Technique: Novice (Level 5) → Novice (Level 5)
Duration: 1 minute
Substitution Technique: Novice (Level 3) → Novice (Level 4)
Range: 10 meters → 12 meters
Reaction time improvement: 0.5 seconds → 0.4 seconds
On the eighth day, Sho was practicing in the clearing when he heard footsteps.
He tensed, ready to hide, but the familiar voice stopped him.
“Sho!
There you are!”
Naruto burst through the trees, his face flushed from all the running.
He was wearing his usual orange jacket, his whisker marks prominent on his cheeks.
“Naruto?” Sho lowered his guard, surprised.
“What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you!” Naruto grinned, but there was something forced about it.
“I’ve been trying to find you for days!
Where do you keep disappearing to?”
“I’ve been mostly training at the clan’s compound,” Sho said carefully.
“You know… the graduation exam.”
“Training?” Naruto’s grin faltered.
“Oh.
Yeah.
The exam.”
Sho studied his friend’s expression.
He could see the doubts and fear drawn on his face.
“Naruto, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing!
Everything’s great!” Naruto’s voice was too bright, too cheerful.
“I just wanted to see what you were up to!.
In case you needed some help for the final exam and stuff.”
Sho didn’t believe him for a second.
“Naruto.” His voice was gentle but firm.
“Tell me…are you doing okay?” He could already guess what the issue was.
Naruto’s mask crumbled immediately.
His shoulders sagged, and he suddenly looked more vulnerable.
“I can’t do it, Sho.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“The Clone Technique.
I’ve been trying for weeks, and I still can’t make a single decent clone.”
Sho knew what that felt like.
He’d been there himself, not so long ago.
“Show me,” he said.
“Let me see what you’re doing.”
Naruto hesitated, then nodded.
He made the hand seal and focused.
“Clone Technique.”
There was a puff of smoke.
And there, standing beside Naruto, was a…
thing.
A misshapen, deformed lump of chakra that collapsed immediately.
Naruto stared at the ground, his face red with shame.
“I told you.
I can’t do it.
I tried a lot ,but…this is always the result.”
Sho studied his friend, his mind working through the problem.
‘His form is correct, but his chakra flow is…
wrong.
Too much energy, too little control.’
Out of the three basic techniques, the clone one required the most finesse and control.
For Sho, it was not difficult because his chakra was still weak and easy to shape, but for some reason, Naruto had a ridiculous amount of chakra.
He was sure that this was the main problem.
Naruto’s chakra reserves were massive…far larger than any normal person’s.
But his control was abysmal.
The excess chakra was interfering with the technique, preventing it from taking proper form.
‘If I could see his stats, I could help him.
But the system only shows me my own.’
Sho felt a pang of frustration.
He wanted to help.
He wanted to explain what was going wrong, to give his friend the tools to improve.
But he couldn’t.
Not without revealing the system.
“Naruto,” he said carefully, “your chakra control is…
rough.
You’re putting too much energy into the technique.”
“Too much?” Naruto blinked.
“But I’m barely using any!”
“That’s barely?…” Sho muttered.
“But I think that is the issue.
You just need enough to make the clone; any extra and it falls apart, losing its shape or deforming.”
Thanks to the system, he had a perfect understanding of how the jutsu worked, so he knew exactly what was required to cast it successfully.
Naruto’s brow furrowed.
“I don’t…
I don’t understand.”
Sho took a breath.
He had to be careful here.
“Just…try again,” he said.
“But this time, try to use less chakra.
Focus on making it stable, not powerful.”
Naruto nodded, regaining some of his usual determination.
He made the hand seal again.
“Clone Technique!”
Another puff of smoke.
Another deformed lump of chakra.
Naruto groaned.
“It’s no use!
I’m never going to get it!”
“Don’t give up.” Sho put a hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“You still have an entire week to practice.
You’ll get it.
I know you will.”
“Easy for you to say!” Naruto’s voice cracked.
“You’ve got everything figured out!
You’re getting stronger, and I know you’re going to graduate and leave me behind!”
Sho blinked, surprised by the outburst.
“Naruto…”
“I’m sorry.” Naruto looked away, his face red.
“I didn’t mean that.
I’m just…
frustrated.”
“I know.” Sho squeezed his shoulder.
“I know what it’s like to feel like you’re never going to be good enough.
I spent eleven years feeling that way.”
Naruto looked up.
“You did?.
I mean…I heard things but…”
“Yes, every single day.” Sho smiled, but there was no humor in it.
“My father said I should die to stop embarrassing the family.
My cousin probably wished I was dead.
The servants looked at me like I was a burden.”
Naruto’s eyes widened.
“Sho…
I didn’t know.”
“Not many people do.” Sho let his hand drop.
“But I kept going.
I kept trying.
And eventually, things started to change.”
He met Naruto’s gaze.
“You can do the same thing, Naruto.
I know you can.”
Naruto was quiet for a long moment.
Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
“Thanks, Sho.
I needed that.”
“Anytime.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment.
“I should get back to training,” Sho said finally.
“I only have six days left.”
Naruto nodded.
“I should get back to training too.
I’m not giving up!”
“That’s the spirit!”
Sho watched his friend disappear into the forest.
Then he turned back to his own training.
‘I wish I could help him more.
But I have my own fight to win.
And I cannot afford to lose now.’
He made the hand seals and began again.
<><>
[Training Progress – Day 10]
Clone Technique: Novice (Level 5)
Transformation Technique: Novice (Level 7)
Substitution Technique: Novice (Level 7)
Shuriken Throw: Novice (Level 7)
[Status Update – End of Chapter 16]
Name: Hyuga Shokuhi
Level: 4
Title: The Eclipsed Spare / The Unbreakable
Stats:
Strength: 6
Agility: 6
Vitality: 6
Perception: 6
Chakra Capacity: 6
Chakra Control: 7
Status Effects:
Chakra Vein Constriction (Mild) – Permanent
Brittle Bones (Mild) – Permanent
Byakugan Inefficiency – Permanent
Passive Skills:
Endurance: Intermediate (Level 1) – Your body has adapted to sustained physical stress beyond normal limits.
When activated, you may temporarily ignore pain and fatigue effects for a short duration.
Shuriken Throw: Novice (Level 7) – Increases accuracy when throwing shuriken and kunai by 40%.
Quick Learner – All skill experience gained from training and combat is increased by 15%.
Active Skills:
Clone Technique: Novice (Level 5) – Creates up to four tangible illusions.
Clones have no substance but are visually identical.
Transformation Technique: Novice (Level 7) – Allows transformation into a physical replica of another person, animal, or object.
Duration: 2 Minutes.
Substitution Technique: Novice (Level 7) – Instantly swaps position with a nearby object.
Range: 20 meters.
Gentle Fist: Novice (Level 9) – Basic understanding of Hyuga Gentle Fist techniques.
Strikes are still clumsy and imprecise.
Desperate Strike – Last-resort attack usable when health is below 10%.
Quests Active:
Become a Ninja!
– Objective: Pass the Academy Graduation Exam and become a Genin.
(Time Limit: 4 Days)
A.N: