The Konoha skyline burned gold beneath the morning sun.
Henri stood atop the Academy roof, watching the village below bustle with life. But his mind wasn't on the markets or the training grounds.
It was on the glyph.
The void seal burned into his chest during the Daiyu mission wasn't visible to others, but he could feel it—like an ember pulsing beneath his skin. It wasn't painful… not yet. But it hummed, as if whispering to something asleep inside him.
🟢 [SYSTEM MUTATION TREE – ACTIVE]
Path: Skywalker Mutation
→ Unstable Core: Void Pulse (Lvl 1)
→ Mutation Timer: 6 Days Until Instability Threshold
→ Advice: Train, Stabilize, Evolve
→ Side Effects: Headaches, Chakra Drift, Emotion Surges
"I don't know if I'm becoming stronger," Henri muttered. "Or just more dangerous."
"I'd say both," said a voice behind him.
He turned.
Iruka stood at the door, arms crossed. "The Hokage wants to see you. And Jeneya. Now."
🏛️ Hokage's Office
Tsunade's desk was stacked high with mission reports, but her golden eyes locked immediately onto Henri and Jeneya as they entered.
"You've seen something most shinobi never do," she said, her voice like steel wrapped in silk. "And you survived."
Henri tensed. "The masked man—he had a system. Like mine. Maybe stronger."
Tsunade nodded slowly. "We've long suspected that such power didn't come from nowhere. What you carry, Henri… is ancient. Buried deeper than any kekkei genkai. Some say it's not even chakra-based."
Jeneya spoke up. "Then why give it to someone without warning?"
"It wasn't us who gave it," Tsunade said. "And I believe more are coming."
She stood, pulling out a scroll marked with the Fire Daimyo's crest.
"I was going to wait. But after what happened in Daiyu, there's no more time."
She unrolled it.
The red wax seal snapped.
And Henri's system flared alive.
🟢 [SYSTEM EVENT – MAJOR STORYLINE UNLOCKED]
Event: The Chūnin Exams – Leaf Village Selection Round
→ Begins in 10 Days
→ Status: Prelim Roster Forming
→ Note: Opponents Will Include Foreign Clans, Rogue Bloodlines, and Mutation Candidates
→ Mutation Level May Attract Hidden Factions
→ Special Reward Track Available
Tsunade's eyes sharpened. "This year's Chūnin Exams… will be open to invited clans only. We're screening out the weak. We need soldiers, not survivors."
Jeneya's jaw clenched. "And us?"
"You'll be entered as Team Alpha. Unofficial. Watched. Evaluated differently."
Henri's voice was low. "You think I'm a liability."
"No," Tsunade said firmly. "I think you're a variable. And those change wars."
🏞️ Outside the Tower – Later
Henri and Jeneya walked in silence through the village.
It wasn't awkward.
Just heavy.
Finally, Henri stopped beside a small shrine, resting one hand on the railing.
"I keep wondering…" he began. "What if the system takes over? What if I lose control?"
Jeneya sat beside him. "Then I'll knock you out and bring you back."
He laughed, but it didn't last.
"I'm serious," he said. "I think it's evolving. That masked guy from Daiyu? He didn't just use the system. He became it."
She looked him in the eyes.
"Then let's evolve together."
💬 [BOND STATUS UPDATE – JENEYA]
Bond: 86%
→ Emotional Link Established
→ Shared Ability Track Unlocked: "Tandem Skills"
→ New Combo Skill Available: "Sky Fang Crescent" (Jump + Blade Arc)
Suddenly—
A boom echoed across the sky.
Both turned sharply.
Smoke curled over the east training grounds.
Then came the roar of chakra.
📍 Training Ground 15 – Moments Later
Crowds gathered as a massive crater steamed in the center of the training field.
At its center stood a boy—bare-chested, barefoot, with silver eyes and a strange, spiraling tattoo across his chest.
His hair was black, but flickered like shadows in motion. His chakra… felt wrong.
A jonin lay unconscious nearby, bleeding from his shoulder.
Henri felt the system buzz violently.
🔴 [WARNING – Foreign Mutation Signature Detected]
→ Subject: Shinji of the Forgotten Vale
→ Status: Mutation Type: "Pulse Vein"
→ Nature: Memory Theft / Chakra Disruption
→ Rank: B-Class Minimum
→ Danger: Severe
→ Observation Recommended
→ Bonding Risk: Unknown
Shinji looked up—and locked eyes with Henri.
He smiled.
A slow, knowing smile.
Then vanished in a spiral of dark mist.
🏠 That Night – Rooftop
Henri sat with his knees pulled to his chest, staring at the stars.
"I think the exams aren't just a test," he whispered.
Jeneya sat beside him, silent.
"They're a summoning. For people like me. For others like him."
"Then we pass," she said.
Henri turned. "Even if it changes us?"
She looked at him firmly.
"Especially if it changes us."
🟢 [SYSTEM UPDATE – TOURNAMENT ARC BEGINS]
→ Days Remaining: 9
→ Objective: Train, Level, Stabilize Mutation
→ Optional Quests:
Void Pulse Control
Train Sky Fang Crescent with Jeneya
Investigate Shinji
Prepare Gear
→ Bonus Reward: Mutation Mastery Route (Unlocks Hidden Transformation)
Henri stood.
Above them, the moon glowed faintly red.
Something old was waking in the ninja world.
And this time… Henri wasn't just jumping into battle.
He was leaping into fate.
[To Be Continued…]