As the familiar text appeared, Mikami Yuu's eyelids twitched. He immediately clicked on the notification box before him, which displayed a chibi-style portrait of a red-haired girl:
[ Potential Target: Great Fireball Technique ]
[ Dialogue ]
[ A: Hello, my name is Mikami Yuu. It's a pleasure to meet you. ]
[ B: Your flames are truly a beautiful art! ]
[ C: You may be playing with fire, but you've successfully caught my attention, Jutsu! Become my ninjutsu, and I'll make you the strongest Fire Release Jutsu in the world! ]
[ "..." ]
'What's with this overwhelming chuunibyou vibe? Why is it suddenly giving me CEO romance novel vibes?'
Forcing himself to suppress his embarrassment, Mikami Yuu chose the most normal option, A.
The next moment, a fiery-red text box materialized, its edges flickering like burning flames:
[ Great Fireball Technique: Hmph! Where did you crawl out from, you little brat? Never heard of you! How dare you try to hit on this lady? Utterly ridiculous! Get out of my way, and don't block my path! ]
The dialogue box vanished.
The fiery icon on the strategy list immediately turned gray.
'Huh?'
What does this mean? Did I choose the wrong option?
Mikami Yuu blinked.
Obito stood with his hands on his hips, beaming triumphantly at Rin. "Rin, what do you think? Pretty impressive, right?"
"Wow, amazing! I didn't know Obito-kun had already started learning Fire Release techniques!" Rin clapped enthusiastically.
Yuu joined in the applause, then slyly added, "That was really impressive, but it happened so fast! I couldn't see it clearly. Could you do it again?"
"Why should I...?" Obito started to retort, but Yuu quickly turned to Rin. "Rin must want to see it again too, right?"
Nohara Rin nodded eagerly.
Seeing this, Obito perked up immediately. "Alright! I'll perform it one more time. Watch closely!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!!"
"Great Fireball Technique..."
"Great..."
Obito unleashed several Great Fireballs in rapid succession until his chakra was nearly exhausted.
He then stood panting with smoke, trying to puff out his chest to appear calm and collected.
Mikami Yuu nervously stared at the System.
When Obito unleashed the Great Fireball Technique for the third time, the text box reappeared:
[ You've lingered in the forest for quite some time, witnessing the Great Fireball Technique's return. She seems surprised by your presence but pauses, her expression haughty as she regards you. ]
[ Great Fireball Technique: What is it now? Hmph, do you think lurking here will give you a chance to get to know me? Dream on! Still, since you're decent-looking and remarkably persistent, I'll indulge you with a few words. ]
The exact same dialogue box popped up as before.
This time, Mikami Yuu chose option B:
"Your flames are truly a beautiful work of art!"
[ Great Fireball Technique: Art? Smooth talker! Such superficial nonsense doesn't even begin to measure up to me! Only absolute power and the scorching heat that burns all is the true law of this world! Come back when you can even spit out a spark! ]
...Another wrong choice?
Do I really have to start with the "domineering CEO" approach?
Just as Mikami Yuu was speechless,
[ [Affinity for Great Fireball Technique +1! Added to conquest list!] ]
[ [Great Fireball Technique (Current Affinity: 1/100 - Stranger)] ]
[ [Dialogue] ] [ [Practice] ]
'Ah, so it's a tsundere after all.'
Mikami Yuu was starting to understand.
His System truly operated on the 'Galge' mechanic.
The Three Body Technique, which he had already learned and partially mastered at the Ninja Academy, had been automatically bound to the System upon activation.
Based on its characteristics as an E-Rank ninjutsu, it had been categorized as the Three Neighbor Sisters:
The Eldest Sister Transformation Technique, a gentle and kind older sister with high initial affinity. She spoke warmly and greeted him proactively whenever they "met."
The Second Sister Clone Technique, a sharp-tongued and resentful little brat, seemingly harboring resentment toward her low-rank classification.
The Youngest Sister Substitution Technique, quiet and reserved, rarely speaking, but secretly watching him from the shadows...
As for the Great Fireball Technique...
She was a haughty heiress, descended from the palace.
Perhaps because it was the Uchiha clan's signature ninjutsu, her personality mirrored that of its members: her tone was haughty, as if keeping people at arm's length, yet her heart wasn't as cold as she let on.
A little flattery, a few compliments, and she'd melt like butter.
To be honest...
This dumb System was actually quite amusing.
Too bad there were no character portraits; it lacked a bit of immersion...
Mikami Yuu gazed at the text box depicting the Great Fireball Technique, almost able to conjure an image of a golden-haired, twin-tailed 'tsundere'.
He exhaled softly, pulling his focus back to reality, and joined Rin in praising Obito.
As a Transmigrator, Mikami Yuu's vocabulary far surpassed that of other children his age in the Ninja World.
After showering Obito with a barrage of compliments, the corners of his mouth curved into a grin that rivaled the AK47's recoil.
He even forgot to glance at Rin. "Hmph... I didn't expect you to have such good taste, Mikami! Now you see how powerful I am, right? So, who's stronger—me or Kakashi?"
"Of course it's you, Obito! How could Kakashi ever compare to you?" Mikami Yuu replied without hesitation.
"R-really?" Obito scratched his head, slightly embarrassed. "I never thought you'd think so highly of me, Yuu... Well, I'll take that as a good omen! When I become Hokage someday, I'll be sure to reserve a consultant position for you!"
"...Then I'd like to thank you very much."
It wasn't until the sun had completely set that Obito reluctantly bid farewell to Rin.
The trio parted ways at the training grounds' exit.
Obito headed back to the Uchiha clan compound.
Mikami Yuu and Nohara Rin returned to the civilian district.
On their way home, Nohara Rin suddenly sighed. "Ever since Kakashi-kun was promoted to Chunin, everyone seems to be working so hard. Obito, Guy, and even you, Yuu-kun... At this rate, I'm afraid I won't even be able to see your backs anymore."
"...Don't say that."
Mikami Yuu insisted that his past efforts were solely aimed at surviving a few more years in this cruel world, having nothing to do with Kakashi.
However,
Nohara Rin's concerns reflected the common anxieties of most civilian-born ninjas.
The Ninja Academy's curriculum was severely limited.
Many civilian ninjas graduated—or even reached the rank of Chunin—still only knowing the Three Body Technique and some basic taijutsu.
Those fortunate enough to learn one or two C-rank ninjutsu were already considered mid-tier Chunin.
Speaking of which, when did Nohara Rin learn Medical Ninjutsu?
The original story never explicitly stated it.
But it certainly wasn't part of the Ninja Academy's standard curriculum.
Mikami Yuu pondered this briefly, but no answer came to mind.
He could only offer a dry suggestion: "Actually, Rin, your aptitude is quite good. Your mastery of the Three Body Technique is solid, your chakra control is excellent, and you're remarkably detail-oriented. Perhaps... you should consider specializing in Medical Ninjutsu."
"Medical Ninjutsu?"