Chapter 3: The Hidden Power of the Template. The first instinct of rage
Another week has passed. Every night, Reiji continued his grueling training. His body was still weak, but he could feel something else brewing somewhere deep down, beneath the muscle pain and cramps. Deeper. Wilder.
Syncing the template: 8.7%
He learned to suppress weakness, got used to pain, like breathing. He put more force into each punch, and precision into each movement. He didn't fall down after training anymore. He sat in silence, regaining his breath, and felt his body slowly accept the power of the template.
But in this new world, he wasn't the only one changing.
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Shelter. Morning.
One of the older ones, Ken, always clung to the younger ones. His teachers were afraid of him. The boy was about 11, he had already completed basic training at the Academy, and considered himself almost a shinobi. He didn't like Reiji.
—Hey, silent. Do you think you're better than us? — he said again, approaching him at the common dining room.
Reiji didn't answer. He continued to eat, slowly, calmly.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" Ken barked, and punched him in the shoulder.
The plate fell. The other children froze. Even the teacher stopped for a moment.
Reiji slowly raised his eyes. There was something in his gaze. Pent-up rage. Not a flash. Not a scream. And the deep, heavy silence, as if on the verge of an explosion.
Attention: a combat situation has been fixed.
The passive instinct of the template is active: "Retaliatory aggression" (initial stage).
Chakra influx: +10%. Reflexes: +15%.
He stood up. Without words.
Ken took a step back. He felt it. This was no ordinary child. He didn't know why, but fear welled up in his chest.
—What are you..." he began, but froze.
Reiji didn't move, didn't threaten. But the air around them became heavy. Oppressive. A silent reminder: don't touch me.
Ken snorted angrily and walked away.
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Night.
He was sitting in the same warehouse where he trained. He felt like something had awakened.
Not just power. It's an instinct.
When he was pushed, his body wanted to hit back. Not out of resentment. Not out of anger. But because it was the right thing to do. Because a monster template had awakened in the depths of him.
Template Instinct: Subconscious reaction in combat situations is activated.
Hidden ability: "Combat Endurance" — level 1.
Sync: 11.0%.
He stood up. He picked up an old stick and started hitting the bag. One by one. Quickly. Clearly.
Silence. Breath. Hit. Replay.
A silent flame raged inside him. He knew that the strength of the Third Raikage was not just physical strength. It's a will that doesn't give in.
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"I won't lose."
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