Santoryu sat in silence, thoughts swirling in his mind like a storm.
"Is this it?" he wondered bitterly. "Even after being transmigrated into the world of Naruto... am I still destined to be mediocre? Is reaching the top simply out of my reach?"
A heavy silence followed as self-doubt crept in. The words spoken by that Genin—the same boy who had beaten him so viciously—echoed in his mind. As much as he hated to admit it, there was truth in what the boy had said.
Painful, undeniable truth.
Santoryu was from a side branch of the Hatake Clan. In a society built on lineage and strength, side-branch members were rarely afforded the same respect or opportunities as those from the main family. Access to elite training—especially the exclusive swordsmanship techniques of the Hatake Clan—was reserved strictly for main family descendants.
No matter how hard he tried, no one had ever offered to teach him those skills.
In fact, most of the Hatake Clan members in the side branch led lives far removed from the shinobi path. They were farmers, tradesmen, and workers who supported the clan through labor rather than battle.
His own father was a prime example.
Though not a ninja, his father was a successful landowner, possessing a large stretch of fertile farmland. The grain they produced was plentiful, and while their family didn't live in luxury, they were far from poor. In fact, by village standards, they were relatively well-off.
But comfort wasn't what Santoryu had ever longed for.
He didn't want to live a quiet life tilling the fields, watching from the sidelines as others made their mark on the world. He had dreamed of something more—something greater. But now, with no talent for ninjutsu, no access to the clan's secret techniques, and a reputation already scarred, he couldn't help but ask himself:
Is that dream already out of reach?
Santoryu clenched his fists, eyes burning with renewed resolve.
"No... I can't afford to be this pessimistic."
"There's still a way."
His mind flashed to a name—Might Dai. The father of Might Guy, a man mocked by many, yet someone who had mastered one of the most powerful and dangerous taijutsu techniques in existence: the Eight Inner Gates.
"By now, he must have completed his training. If I can find him… if I beg him to take me as a disciple, maybe—just maybe—he'll teach me the Eight Inner Gates."
It would be excruciating. That much he knew. The training would push his body to its absolute limits and beyond—but if it gave him power, if it allowed him to stand tall in this world, then it would be worth it.
"I didn't come to the Naruto world just to be ordinary. I won't be a mediocre nobody."
Just as that conviction took root in his heart, a strange voice echoed—not through his ears, but directly inside his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on awakening the 'Santoryu Sword Style System'!"
Santoryu's eyes widened in shock.
"What!?" he blurted aloud, jolting upright.
The voice continued, calm and composed:
"I am a specialized system created to support the Host in mastering the legendary Three-Sword Style—just like Roronoa Zoro. Together, we will bring the might of Santoryu to the world of Naruto."
His heart pounded. A system? Like in those stories he'd read? He forced himself to breathe and stay calm.
"If this is real..."
He narrowed his eyes and asked aloud, "So you're saying you'll train me in the Three-Sword Style? Like Zoro from One Piece?"
"Precisely."
"You will learn not only his techniques, but also awaken the powers that came with them—including all forms of Haki."
Santoryu felt the hairs on his arms rise.
A system. Swordsmanship. Haki.
In a world that already overflowed with power… now he had a way to carve his own path.
And this time, he wouldn't be left behind.
Santoryu was happy and ecstatic. His heart raced with excitement as a wide grin spread across his face.
"System," he said aloud, practically beaming, "you might not understand just how happy I am that you've shown up. I don't care how you came to me or why I was transmigrated into the Naruto world. Honestly? None of that matters anymore."
He clenched his fists with renewed purpose.
"Not only did I get a second chance at life, but I also get to imitate the fighting style of my all-time favorite character—Zoro from One Piece. This… this is beyond anything I could've dreamed of."
The system didn't respond to his rambling. Instead, its voice calmly echoed in his mind:
"You have a novice gift pack available. Would you like to claim it now?"
Santoryu didn't hesitate. "Do you even have to ask? Yes—definitely, yes!"
"You don't need to speak out loud," the system replied. "Mental communication is sufficient."
Santoryu blinked, then nodded in understanding. "Got it. I'll keep that in mind."
He then focused and thought, "I understand, System."
The system responded immediately:
"Congratulations! Host has received: 'Improved Version of the Eight Inner Gates Technique.'"
Santoryu's eyes widened. "Improved version?" he asked mentally. "What exactly does that mean? How is it different from the original? Can you explain?"
The system's voice echoed calmly in his mind:
"Yes. The fundamental strength boosts granted by the Eight Inner Gates will remain largely the same, but their mechanics have been optimized. You'll discover the finer details as your training progresses. However, there are two key changes you should understand right now."
Santoryu focused, listening intently.
"First," the system continued, "you will no longer die upon opening all Eight Gates—once your body is strong enough to withstand the full technique."
Santoryu's eyes widened slightly in disbelief.
"Second," the system went on, "the original sequential order of the gates is no longer mandatory. You are no longer bound to open them in a fixed progression."
"Let me explain with an example," it added. "Traditionally, you must first open the Gate of Opening to begin unlocking the others. However, with this improved version, if your goal is to rapidly recover physical stamina, you can bypass the first gate entirely and open the second gate—the Gate of Healing—directly, assuming your body is strong enough to handle it."
Santoryu's mind raced with possibilities, but the system wasn't done.
"Of course," it cautioned, "none of this will come without effort. Each gate still demands a minimum level of physical strength. You won't be able to force them open recklessly. For instance, to unlock the very first gate, your body must at least possess the physical strength of a Chūnin-ranked shinobi."
"Until you meet the physical and spiritual requirements, I will not permit you to open any gate. This safeguard will prevent internal damage or death due to unprepared use."
Santoryu slowly nodded in understanding, a look of determination settling on his face.
That's actually... smart.
He was both relieved and thrilled. The idea of accessing such power without the fatal consequences was exciting—but even more so was the system's disciplined, measured approach. It wasn't just about giving power. It was about earning it the right way.
"Good," he thought. "I'd rather build my strength properly than burn out trying to take shortcuts."
And with that, a fire ignited within him again—this time stronger than before.
----
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