Chapter 29
After sending the scroll toward Konoha, the atmosphere inside Dream Pond Cave became unusually peaceful.
Ryo stretched his body once before glancing outside the cave.
"System."
"Yes, host?"
"I've decided not to travel for the next two days."
The system blinked.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"...You?"
"Yes."
"The same host who destabilized an entire dynasty in thirteen days?"
Ryo nodded calmly.
"The very same."
The system immediately became suspicious.
"...What's your scheme?"
Ryo frowned.
"Must I always have a scheme?"
The system answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
"..."
"..."
Ryo sighed.
"I simply want to let my soul completely stabilize before entering another world."
The system carefully observed his expression.
"So... no conspiracies?"
"No."
"No assassinations?"
"No."
"No rumors?"
"No."
"No cheating?"
Ryo thought for a moment.
"...Probably."
The system's expression immediately became deadpan.
"I knew there would be a 'probably.'"
Ignoring the system's complaints, Ryo slowly walked out of Dream Pond Cave.
The fresh mountain breeze brushed against his face, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine trees. Birds chirped happily from distant trees, completely unaware that one of the most troublesome Uchihas in history had just decided to take a vacation.
After walking for nearly fifteen minutes, Ryo arrived beside a clear mountain river.
The water was crystal clear, allowing him to see schools of fish lazily swimming beneath the surface.
Ryo smiled.
"Perfect."
The system floated beside him.
"Host, are we fishing?"
"No."
"Then?"
"We're hunting."
"...Isn't that the same thing?"
"No."
"Fishing uses patience."
"Hunting uses speed."
Before the system could respond, Ryo casually picked up a pebble.
Splash!
One fish instantly floated onto the surface.
The system blinked.
"...Lucky."
Ryo picked up another pebble.
Splash!
A second fish floated up.
"...Coincidence."
Splash.
Third fish.
Splash.
Fourth fish.
Splash.
Fifth fish.
The system slowly looked at the handful of remaining pebbles.
"...Host."
"Hm?"
"Please leave at least one fish alive."
Ryo ignored the request.
Five minutes later, more than twenty large fish were neatly piled on the riverbank.
The surviving fish had already fled several hundred meters downstream.
Even the river seemed quieter.
The system looked toward the empty water.
"...Congratulations."
"What?"
"You've successfully convinced an entire fish population to migrate."
Ryo nodded proudly.
"Natural selection."
The system quietly mourned for the fish.
Soon afterward, Ryo gathered dry branches and started a fire.
He cleaned every fish with practiced movements before roasting them over the flames.
The rich aroma quickly filled the area.
The system sniffed instinctively.
"...Host."
"What?"
"I suddenly wish systems could eat."
Ryo took a bite.
"Crispy."
The system became even more depressed.
A few minutes later...
One fish disappeared.
Then another.
Then another.
The system counted silently.
"Five..."
"Six..."
"Seven..."
"Eight..."
"Ninth..."
"Tenth..."
"Twentieth..."
Finally, Ryo leaned against a rock and let out a satisfied breath.
"Haa..."
The system stared blankly at the mountain of fish bones.
"Host."
"Hm?"
"You just ate enough food for ten adults."
Ryo casually nodded.
"My body needed nutrition."
The system looked him up and down.
"You don't look any fatter."
"My metabolism is efficient."
"...That's illegal."
Ryo laughed softly.
"You should try eating."
"I literally can't."
"Skill issue."
The system nearly crashed from emotional damage.
After resting for a while, Ryo lay down on a smooth rock beside the river.
The sound of flowing water echoed peacefully through the valley.
The system floated beside him.
"...Host."
"What now?"
"What are your plans after these two days?"
Ryo folded his hands beneath his head.
"Another world."
"So soon?"
"I need to upgrade you."
The system's screen suddenly brightened.
"...Host."
"Hm?"
"...Did you just say something nice?"
Ryo closed his eyes.
"I simply don't enjoy using a Level 1 system."
The system's excitement instantly disappeared.
"So... you're upgrading me because I'm pathetic?"
"Correct."
"..."
The system sighed toward the sky.
"Sometimes I wonder if I should've searched longer before choosing my host."
Ryo answered without opening his eyes.
"You would've regretted choosing someone else."
The system thought for a few seconds.
"...Actually..."
"...You're probably right."
Ryo smiled slightly.
At least the system had finally become honest.
The mountain breeze continued blowing gently while the afternoon sun slowly descended. For the first time since beginning his journey through worlds, neither Ryo nor the system argued about missions, conspiracies, assassinations, or political schemes.
Instead, one quietly rested after eating enough fish for ten people...
...while the other silently calculated how many fish had gone extinct because of a single Uchiha.
Somewhere downstream, the surviving fish reached another part of the river.
One old fish looked back toward the upstream waters before making a solemn decision.
From today onward...
No fish of my bloodline shall ever swim near that terrifying human again.
Chapter End