Daigo stood still, his mind racing. The system had shown him something undeniable: he wasn't the genius he thought he was even with all the money without power everything will crumble. No, he was simply a boy with a name a cannon fodder at best.
Talent alone wasn't enough.
He needed to work. He needed to train. The system had made that clear. But there was something else—the quest, the strange notification, and that bonus multiplier for training with others. If he could unlock that "close guide" multiplier, it might accelerate his progress.
Lost in thought, Daigo's eyes fell on his servant—the one-eyed Chūnin who had been with him since his childhood. The man stood stoically in the corner, waiting, silently enduring his master's whims. His name was Kuroshi, and though Daigo had always seen him as little more than an obedient servant, the man's rank and experience in the village made him an invaluable resource—whether Daigo liked it or not.
Daigo had never really considered Kuroshi's talents before, but now, with the system's Talent Insight activated, he realized just how much he was missing.
"Kuroshi," Daigo called, his voice softer than usual, but still laced with the faintest hint of command.
The Chūnin responded immediately, stepping forward with disciplined grace. "Yes, Young Master?"
Daigo swallowed his pride, the system's words echoing in his mind. If he was going to train, he needed to understand how this system truly worked. And Kuroshi was the perfect person to test it on.
He stared at his servant for a long moment. He had always taken Kuroshi's skill for granted, assuming the older man was simply there to serve him. But now…
"What is your true talent, Kuroshi?" Daigo asked, his voice firm.
Kuroshi blinked, clearly surprised by the question. His expression was unreadable, but Daigo saw a flash of something—was it pride? Perhaps frustration? Daigo couldn't tell.
"My talent?" Kuroshi repeated, tilting his head slightly. "I'm just a Chūnin, Young Master. I'm sure you know it as well as I do."
Now, let me see your potential." He motioned for the glowing interface in his mind to activate.
[Talent Insight Activated]
Name: Kuroshi (Chūnin)
Talent: Tactical Genius (A Grade)
Suggested Focus: Field Strategy, Survival Tactics, Leadership Under Pressure
Daigo's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that. Tactical genius? A Grade? Kuroshi had leadership skills Daigo had never fully appreciated. The system displayed that the servant had a natural ability to read situations, predict outcomes, and lead others effectively.
Daigo couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. He had always treated Kuroshi as a tool, but now he realized there was much more to the man than he had ever given him credit for.
Kuroshi stood silently as Daigo studied him. After a long pause, the older man spoke again.
"I don't know why you're asking, Young Master, but if you seek to train, I'll offer whatever help I can." His voice was calm, but there was a hint of something deeper—perhaps curiosity or even caution.
Daigo's ego flared up again, but this time he took a deep breath and lowered his gaze. The system had shown him the truth. Kuroshi was talented in ways Daigo had never imagined. And if he could tap into that talent, it could help him unlock his own potential faster.
"Alright, Kuroshi," Daigo said, looking up with determination in his eyes. "You're going to train me."
Kuroshi didn't even blink. "Train? You want me to teach you?"
"Yes," Daigo replied. "You're a Chūnin, and I'm Sarutobi Daigo, one of the heir to the Sarutobi name. There's no reason I shouldn't learn everything you know."
Kuroshi's expression remained stoic, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Very well, Young Master. Let's start with something simple: Basic Tactics Training."
Daigo took his place in front of Kuroshi, who began to run him through a series of mental exercises—something far outside the usual shinobi basics Daigo had been taught in the Academy.
[Training Sync Activated: Kuroshi's Guidance]
Training Speed Increased by 2x
Current Talent Perception Progress: +10%
Quest Progress: 'Train Under Someone Who Knows More' (Complete: 2%)
Daigo stood in the middle of the dojo, his chest heaving. Kuroshi, standing off to the side, watched him silently, his eyes unblinking. The sweat dripping down Daigo's brow wasn't from the physical strain of training, but from the realization that this was harder than he had ever imagined.
Kuroshi had kept him going for hours, forcing him to think and act in ways Daigo had never considered. They weren't simply practicing techniques; they were testing his mind—and Daigo quickly realized that the system's "training multiplier" wasn't going to help him if he didn't put in the effort.
Kuroshi's voice broke the silence, low and steady. "Take a break if you need it, Daigo. But remember, thinking is the key to real success. You won't get far by just relying on your physical strength or chakra alone."
Daigo wiped his brow, nodding slowly. His pride ached, but the sting was different this time. It was a kind of growing pain, and though it bruised his ego, there was something else he couldn't ignore: potential. He could feel it in his bones.
"Alright, Kuroshi," Daigo said, his voice laced with exhaustion but also a strange resolve. "What's next? Another one of those… mental puzzles?"
Kuroshi didn't answer right away. He moved to the side of the dojo, where several training tools lay scattered about—shuriken, kunai, ropes, and wooden staffs. He grabbed a wooden staff and tossed it toward Daigo.
"We're going to put your brain to the test… but also your body."
Daigo raised an eyebrow. "You want me to fight you with a stick?" he asked, almost laughing at the thought.
Kuroshi gave him a knowing glance. "Not just any fight. We're going to simulate a real tactical scenario. Your opponent won't wait for you to be prepared. Your weapon won't always be ready. And your speed won't be enough if you don't think."
Daigo frowned. Thinking—that was always the last thing on his mind when it came to battle. He was used to his physical advantages or relying on sheer brute force, but now, he couldn't escape the reality. It wasn't enough.
"Fine. Let's see what you've got, Kuroshi," Daigo said, gripping the staff tightly.
Kuroshi didn't move. Instead, he pointed toward the far wall, where a set of distracting obstacles had been placed—ropes hanging down, barrels scattered on the ground, and even a few mock enemy targets. "Your goal is to reach me," he said, voice serious, "but you're not allowed to just charge in."
"You're going to need to think about the environment," Kuroshi continued, eyes narrowing as he assessed Daigo. "There are multiple routes to get to me. You have to decide: Do you go the quick and obvious way, or do you use the environment to outsmart me?"
Daigo's mind began racing. He could go straight for the target—no, that would be reckless. But… the ropes hanging from the ceiling? The barrels? They could work to his advantage, if he thought quickly enough.
Daigo tightened his grip on the staff. "I'm ready."
Kuroshi stepped back, signaling Daigo to begin. "The clock is ticking. The enemy won't wait for you."
And just like that, Daigo sprang into action, moving swiftly across the dojo. His mind raced, calculating every move, analyzing the obstacles, looking for patterns in the layout. He used his chakra to propel himself up to a nearby rope and swung over a set of barrels, using them as cover.
Kuroshi wasn't just standing there, though. He was moving too—he'd already anticipated Daigo's path. As Daigo reached the halfway point, Kuroshi stepped into his way, blocking his route with a flash of movement.
"What now, Daigo?" Kuroshi called out, his tone calm but serious.
Daigo's heart skipped a beat. He was close, but Kuroshi had already predicted his move.
His options were limited. Daigo had to decide quickly.
"Think, think," Daigo muttered to himself, scanning the environment. The barrels could help, but not if Kuroshi was blocking the path.
Then, in the corner of his eye, he saw a small gap between the barrels—just wide enough for him to squeeze through. A perfect chance to confuse Kuroshi and break his line of sight.
Without hesitation, Daigo dove to the side, rolling beneath the barrels and swiftly changing direction. He used his chakra to propel himself behind a stack of crates, then popped up, only to find Kuroshi standing just a few feet away, his staff raised to strike.
"You were too slow," Kuroshi said, his voice calm but filled with a touch of praise. "But I'll give you credit—you adapted. You're thinking on your feet, not just acting impulsively."
Daigo's heart was still pounding. He had failed—barely.
"I couldn't reach you in time…" Daigo said, a bit breathless, staring at his feet.
Kuroshi nodded. "You almost had it, but in real combat, one mistake can cost you everything. It's not enough to just get close to your target. You need to be able to outsmart the enemy, especially when they can predict your moves."
Daigo paused, then looked up, meeting Kuroshi's gaze. "So, I need to be smarter. More strategic."