Konoha: Preparing to Defect, the System Arrives

Land of Fire, Hidden Leaf Village, Park.

"Esteemed guests, friends gathered here today, ladies and gentlemen, good morning!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

After waiting for the enthusiastic applause to die down, the announcer gestured for quiet and continued speaking.

"Today is February 1st, Year 51 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar. We are gathered here in the park to celebrate the wedding of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. I am Shikaku Nara.

First, on behalf of the groom, the bride, Lord Jiraiya, and the Third Hokage, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude and warmest welcome to everyone present.

Welcome!

Last year, we experienced the most tragic battle since the founding of the Hidden Leaf Village—the Battle of Kikyo Pass.

We lost too many comrades and too many loved ones in that fight.

But fortunately, we won the war.

By the end of last year, various villages signed peace treaties with us. We owe this peace to the sacrifices of those who now rest in the Pure Land. They created a safe and peaceful world for the next generation."

...

Listening to Shikaku's speech, Asuka's lips twitched. Did Shikaku borrow his script from the Third Hokage?

How did he manage to link marriage and childbirth to the Will of Fire?

Burn yourself to let new leaves grow.

Step into the grave of marriage so your descendants can see this beautiful world.

Pfft!

The ninja world is too cruel. Asuka was only 18 and already tired of living. And now they wanted future generations to go through this too?

He turned and looked at Itachi Uchiha, who was sitting beside him and gulping down soda one cup after another. Leaning closer, Asuka whispered:

"Hey, kid, stop drinking so much of that!"

"Why?"

Itachi looked up, confused.

Originally, he had been sitting at the kids' table, but watching them eat with their hands had killed his appetite. So he grabbed his chair and moved to sit with the adults.

And now, after just two cups of soda, someone was already lecturing him.

"No big reason," Asuka shrugged, looking indifferent. "I just heard your family gave 200,000 ryo as a wedding gift today. If you drink too much and fill up on soda, it'll be a waste.

Your parents got married early, so your family is already at a disadvantage.

If your parents divorced and remarried, maybe you could at least get some money back from the Fourth Hokage and his wife."

After saying that, Asuka crossed his arms and stayed silent.

If he remembered correctly, the Fourth Hokage and Kushina were about to die soon. That 200,000 ryo would be a complete loss.

And in the future, Naruto had a wedding, but Sasuke didn't.

Counting both events, their family would be out at least 400,000 ryo.

What a tragic family.

Two meals cost them 400,000 ryo.

"Do you, beautiful bride, take this handsome groom as your husband?"

"I do!"

"Ohhhh!"

The loud cheers echoed in Asuka's ears, leaving them ringing. He looked up at the couple—Minato and Kushina—showering each other with affection on stage. His lips twitched, and he clapped along to blend in with the crowd.

Even though he didn't have a close relationship with the Fourth Hokage and his wife, he still gave 1,000 ryo as a gift. So, of course, he was going to enjoy the meal.

If the system hadn't shown up, he would've slipped away right after eating.

Glancing at the now-silent Itachi, Asuka closed his eyes and reopened the system interface.

Back when he first saw the beginner's package, he had no interest in checking the rest. Now that he'd calmed down, it was time to figure out how this system could actually make him stronger.

Beginner Mission: Uchiha Naoki, using his status as the grandson of an elder, has bullied you multiple times when your brother (Itachi Uchiha) was away on missions. Defeat Uchiha Naoki and make him your loyal supporter.

Note: As the first task needed to unlock future missions, this beginner mission cannot be skipped.

What???

Asuka's head filled with question marks.

Uchiha Naoki???

Who the heck was that???

He searched his memory but couldn't find anyone named Uchiha Naoki.

Also, since when was Itachi his brother???

Turning to look at Itachi, who was sitting to his left, Asuka placed a hand on his head and started ruffling his hair while asking:

"Itachi, is there anyone in the clan with the same name as you?"

"No!"

Itachi shook his head firmly.

Asuka then turned to the elder sitting on his right to ask him next.

"Elder Mado, do we have someone in the clan named Uchiha Naoki?"

"Hmm?" The old man put down his cup, gave Asuka a once-over, and then shifted slightly backward. He looked puzzled as he asked, "Why are you asking about him?"

"It's nothing important," Asuka said casually, taking a sip from his own cup. Without thinking, he added, "I just suddenly remembered that guy bullied me before. I've been bored lately and thought it might be fun to have a fair fight with him."

Bang!

Before Asuka could finish, Elder Mado slammed his hand down on the table. The force sent dishes flying, startling Itachi, who was focused on eating. Itachi nearly choked, holding his bowl with both hands and looking around in confusion.

Then he saw Elder Mado's face turning purple with anger.

"Uchiha Asuka!"

The elder's mustache bristled as he trembled with rage. "How dare you challenge Naoki to a duel? Just because I opposed your proposal at the clan meeting, you're taking it out on my grandson?"

Asuka blinked and looked at the furious elder. He tilted his head and asked, "How old is Naoki?"

"Two."

Asuka froze in his seat. Then, without hesitation, he picked up Itachi and swapped seats with him, putting as much distance as possible between himself and Elder Mado.

That was careless.

"System, what year is it now?"

Year 57 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar.

"Liar!"

Asuka glanced at the Fourth Hokage and Kushina still kissing on the wedding stage. His eyes shifted to the banner hanging behind them, which clearly read:

"Congratulations to Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki on their wedding—February 1st, Year 51 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar. Wishing them happiness and a long life together."

Asuka gritted his teeth and shouted in his head.

"It's Year 51! The wedding ceremony isn't even over yet!"

Please follow the timeline provided by the system.

"Hah..."

Asuka exhaled deeply to calm himself before continuing.

"And why is Itachi my brother? Even by seniority, I'm older than him."

As siblings born of the same parents, he is three years older and thus your elder brother.

Asuka's body trembled with frustration.

"Nonsense! I'm an only child! I've been drinking formula since birth and never had a sip of anyone else's milk. Where's this 'same mother' nonsense coming from?"

Please follow the relationships defined by the system.

"..."

After a long silence, Asuka finally understood the problem.

Not only had this stupid system activated six years too early, but it also bound him to the wrong identity. The more he thought about it, the more it felt like the system was designed for someone who transmigrated into Sasuke.

Fine. Whatever. If it was assigned to him, it was his now.

"I want to change the mission!"

Mission cannot be changed.

"I'm not Uchiha Sasuke! Stop forcing his mission on me!"

Please follow the mission as defined by the system.

"I'm a jonin, one of the top-ranked jonin in the Uchiha Clan, and you want me to fight a toddler who's still in diapers? How is that an underdog comeback?

Do you even know what 'comeback' means? Check the dictionary!"

Please complete the beginner mission.

"I don't get along with Elder Mado. Replace the target with him, and I'll take him down instead."

Please complete the beginner mission.

"Uninstall the system! I'm defecting!"

Please complete the beginner mission.

"Hah... hah..."

Asuka let out a cold laugh and stared at the sky. This system was nothing like what he had imagined.

Fine, he could accept that it wasn't a cheat-based leveling system. He could even accept doing missions to get stronger.

But beating up a toddler? That was a line he couldn't cross.

Also, this system was stubborn as hell.

It obviously activated too early, bound to the wrong person, and messed up the timeline, but it just wouldn't admit it.