My name is Uchiha Gin, and ever since I got stuck with this lousy system, I haven't had a single good day.
Not only do I have to complete its garbage missions, but I also have to scam people, get beaten up daily, and then go home to be ambushed by skills the system spawns in my own yard.
And now, the hard-earned points I got from those missions have been swallowed by the system.
Life is too hard!
"Ding! Arcade machine loading complete. Host, please explore its functions."
With the system's prompt, the previously unremarkable machine glowed brightly, forcing Uchiha Gin to shut his eyes.
When the light faded, a brand-new blue slot machine stood before him.
It was identical to the ones in arcades from his past life, with a screen at the top displaying points and three classic glass panels below.
Instead of the usual symbols, the panels scrolled with words. Uchiha Gin leaned in and saw "Ninjutsu," "Taijutsu," and "Chakra." A combination guide was prominently displayed in the center:
- Ninjutsu + Ninjutsu + ? = Ninjutsu effect doubled
- Ninjutsu + Ninjutsu + Ninjutsu = Ninjutsu effect x10
- Taijutsu + Taijutsu + ? = Taijutsu effect doubled
- Taijutsu + Taijutsu + Taijutsu = Taijutsu effect x10
- Chakra + Chakra + ? = Chakra amount doubled
- Chakra + Chakra + Chakra = Chakra amount x10
- ? + ? + ? = Random effect doubled
Each spin costs 10 points. Rewards can be claimed immediately or accumulated.
Note: Immediate rewards enhance the host's next use of the specified skill. Accumulated rewards can be exchanged 1:1 for attribute points.
After patiently reading the machine's description and glancing at his empty point balance, Uchiha Gin asked skeptically, "You didn't spend my points on a spin, did you?"
"Congratulations, host, for your great luck! Unlocking this function grants +100% luck (guaranteed critical combination on spin)."
"So you did spend them?" Uchiha Gin asked, dead-fish eyes narrowing expressionlessly.
[System, any way to get me through this crisis?]
A projection appeared in the void, showing Uchiha Gin asking the system for help while fleeing.
"System detected host's request and executed emergency measures. As points were the only resource available, the system automatically spun the machine."
The system's prompt sounded, and somehow, Uchiha Gin detected a hint of schadenfreude in its emotionless tone.
"Congratulations, host, for spinning Ninjutsu + Ninjutsu + Ninjutsu. Ninjutsu effect x10 / Ninjutsu +10… Host selection timed out. System randomly chose Ninjutsu effect x10."
The belated prompt followed.
"…"
Auto-playing? Take my phone and play it yourself, I'm done.
This system didn't just lag—it made decisions for him. Utterly ridiculous.
Now he understood the oversized Great Fireball. Uchiha Gin's heart ached.
Ten attribute points! His current stats were all single digits. He pulled up his panel:
Host: Uchiha Gin
- Ninjutsu: 7
- Taijutsu: 8
- Intelligence: 9
- Chakra: 6
- Charm: 1
- Dojutsu: 10
Skills: Basic Taijutsu, Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, Uchiha Basic Kenjutsu, Intermediate Shurikenjutsu.
Evaluation: A slightly clever, double-tomoe, punchable Uchiha chunin.
Adding 10 Ninjutsu points could push his Ninjutsu to 17, potentially elevating his jutsu to Special Jonin level.
While calculating, he noticed a blind spot.
Why did the machine only offer Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Chakra? Those aligned with attributes, but why no Intelligence or Charm?
"Because the host's intelligence and charm are too extraordinary for the system to alter," the system interjected, as if reading his thoughts.
"Intelligence 9, Charm 1—what's that supposed to mean? Let's all just die!" Uchiha Gin grumbled, catching his breath. Resigned, he looked at his hands. The crisis outside wasn't over.
Defeating Uzumaki Hanami with his current strength was near impossible unless Mito's artifact worked. Hiding in the system wasn't a solution. He'd have to try.
With that, Uchiha Gin exited the system. Back in reality, only a moment had passed.
Uchiha Fuka still wore a shocked expression, while Uzumaki Hanami emerged from the side, clearly rattled by the earlier fireball.
Instead of rushing forward, Hanami kept his distance, using his perception to assess Uchiha Gin.
Strange. His chakra is substantial but not that extreme. How did he unleash such a terrifying fireball?
Hanami's keen senses scanned Uchiha Gin, noting his chakra was more robust than most Uchiha's but still insufficient to explain the jutsu. Unable to discern the cause, he hesitated.
Worse, he sensed a familiar energy in this despicable Uchiha, baffling him.
Is he a half-blood?
Hanami studied Uchiha Gin's appearance. As his gaze lingered, Uchiha Gin felt stripped bare, especially when Hanami fixated on his face. Alarm bells rang.
This guy's refined yet built like a bear. Is he… into guys?
Uchiha Gin shuddered, goosebumps rising.
"Gin, I don't know how you tapped that potential, but it won't change this fight. Escape, and don't come back this time," Uchiha Fuka said, standing and approaching Uchiha Gin, who was sweating nervously. Mistaking his expression for fear, Fuka tried to reassure him.
"Captain, I think he's only after me. Let me hold him off. You go help Ryoichi and the others. Once you deal with that Uzumaki, come back for me," Uchiha Gin suggested, noticing Hanami's focus on him while ignoring Fuka.
"But your strength…" Fuka hesitated, his face screaming, You're too weak.
"Captain, trust me. I'm a new man. Doesn't the clan say Uchiha awaken true power in desperation?" Uchiha Gin turned, his crimson Sharingan with two tomoe spinning calmly.
"You awakened double tomoe? A late bloomer?" Fuka marveled.
Witnessing Uchiha Gin awaken his Sharingan and reach double tomoe—a feat most clansmen never achieved—in mere days, Fuka attributed it to pent-up potential.
"Be careful. I'll finish the other fight quickly," Fuka said, giving Uchiha Gin a deep look, as if memorizing his face.
"What's with that look? I'm not actually going to die," Uchiha Gin muttered, exasperated.
Unbeknownst to him, as Fuka turned away, he thought, Truly your child. I believe he'll create miracles like you.
"Finally, the nuisance is gone. I wasn't interested in him anyway," Hanami said, glancing at Fuka's departure and shrugging his steel-like shoulders casually.
Hearing "interested," Uchiha Gin's face turned green. He's really into guys? I'm handsome, but I'm not that kind of guy!
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