Minato with a Gacha

But as I closed my character profile, a chilling thought struck me.

Damocles. Eye of the Storm. They weren't skills that allowed me to choose my fate—they were skills that dictated it. My position, my dangers, my encounters—they weren't mine to avoid or change. They were set, like pieces on a game board, drawing me ever closer to the edge of a cliff.

And yet, as much as it scared me, a strange thrill twisted inside me, something between fear and exhilaration. A part of me wanted to see how far I could go, how long I could last with this deadly system guiding me.

With a deep breath, I focused on the "Shop" icon in my system menu, and once again, the screen shifted.

If my character profile and skill list felt familiar, the shop interface was like a gamer's paradise—a dream come to life. Rows upon rows of options stretched endlessly in front of me, a digital repository of every skill, item, and ability I'd ever encountered in games, manga, anime, movies, and even things beyond my wildest imagination.

A list of icons appeared, each representing a different category. There were weapons, jutsus, artifacts, legendary items, forbidden techniques, and even skills from worlds far removed from Naruto's universe. I could see powers from Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, Bleach, and countless others. It was as if my system had an archive of the multiverse at my fingertips.

But there was one immediate problem: no currency. I scoured the screen, half expecting to see a credit or energy point balance somewhere, but it was empty. Nothing to spend, no points, no chakra currency.

Instead, under each item or skill, there was a section labeled Penalty. I felt a chill run down my spine as I began scrolling through, reading each of the "prices" associated with using these items.

The first skill I looked at made my eyes widen.

Infinity Barrier (from Jujutsu Kaisen)

Description: Infinity is the base state of the Limitless and is essentially the power to stop. The Limitless technique operates the same way convergent and divergent sequences do in mathematics. The Infinity is the convergence of an immeasurable series, anything that approaches the infinity slows down and never reaches the user. This is because the technique takes the finite amount of space between the two subjects and divides it an infinite amount of times.

In mathematics, no matter how many times someone divides a number it will never be reduced to zero. Instead, they will be left with fractional units so infinitesimal it would become immeasurable to their eye. The Limitless brings this concept into reality, so anything that attempts to penetrate this infinitely divided space will slow down to the point of appearing to stop completely.

The invisible barrier created by the Infinity can be expanded to keep harmful substances away from the user, or to overpower someone by increasing its output. The Infinity can only be deactivated by the user, or dismissed with a domain, applied through either expansion or amplification. Cursed tools imbued with specialized cursed techniques can also disturb or dispel the Infinity.

Penalty: The user's brain will overwork to maintain the barrier's complex calculations, resulting in unconsciousness for 100 times the duration the skill is used. Using it for even 1 second would mean falling unconscious for nearly two minutes. Prolonged use could lead to dangerous neural strain or permanent damage.

I swallowed hard. So, using Infinity Barrier could literally knock me out cold for a dangerous amount of time, leaving me helpless and vulnerable. I thought about the kinds of enemies in this world—the sorts of people who wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of that vulnerability. No wonder the skill came with a cost like that.

Still, curiosity got the better of me, and I scrolled further.

Domain Expansion (from Jujutsu Kaisen)

Description: Create a powerful, enclosed territory where every attack will be a guaranteed hit. A move that exerts absolute control over your environment, crushing opponents within its domain.

Penalty: To activate this Domain Expansion, the user's own body will experience the effects of the skill in reverse. For example, if using Sukuna's domain, "Malevolent Shrine," any wounds inflicted on opponents will simultaneously be inflicted on the user, often resulting in dismemberment or fatal injury. The user will endure pain, possibly leading to a breakdown of the physical body.

I took an instinctive step back. The thought of using a Domain Expansion was thrilling, yes, but it came with the ultimate price—experiencing whatever damage I dealt. If I attempted something like Sukuna's "Malevolent Shrine," the backlash would be brutal, possibly even fatal. And unlike characters in anime, I didn't have regeneration abilities, or an endless pool of chakra to bail me out if things went wrong.

My gaze shifted to a different category: weapons. There, too, were more familiar items from a broad range of worlds. I clicked on an icon labeled Zanpakuto from Bleach.

Zanpakuto

Description: Zanpakutō are the trademark weapons of the Shinigami. Capable of cutting spiritual bodies, they are among the few weapons which can be used to combat Hollows. Each Shinigami carries a Zanpakutō, and each Zanpakutō is unique: the swords are reflections of a Shinigami's power and soul, and sentient beings unto themselves. The Zanpakutō's name is the name of the living spirit which empowers the sword and lends its strength to the Shinigami who wields it. These beings can vary greatly in appearance, and have their own distinct personalities, which are similar to their owner's.

A Zanpakutō's shape and abilities are based on their Shinigami's soul. Once a Shinigami learns his/her Zanpakutō's name, they can communicate with one another and grow stronger together. Zanpakutō are born with their Shinigami, and they die along with their Shinigami. Shinigami use them in battle as a reflection of their heart. When released, they can display a vibrant power. They are one with the Shinigami, and they share a Shinigami's conviction.

Penalty: Wielding a Zanpakuto without possessing spiritual energy results in a drastic drain on the user's life force, shortening their natural lifespan each time it's used. The weapon may also consume part of the user's own soul to function effectively in battle, weakening them physically and spiritually.

So it wasn't just skills. Even the legendary weapons here carried penalties if used recklessly. My fingers hovered over the different items in the list as I continued scrolling. Some penalties were mild but still dangerous; others were downright terrifying. Each item, regardless of its origin or function, demanded a sacrifice of some kind. 

It was dawning on me that there would be no easy shortcuts here. The system might grant access to these powers, but the penalties ensured that using them would come at a heavy cost.

Still, I wasn't ready to give up. There had to be some manageable abilities, something I could use without taking too big of a hit. I navigated back to the Skills section, searching for techniques I could use in a pinch.

Instant Transmission (from Dragon Ball)

Description: Teleport to any location where you can sense another's energy or chakra signature.

Penalty: Each use fragments the user's own chakra network, potentially causing minor internal injuries that accumulate over time. Repeated use without rest may lead to permanent damage, impairing the ability to use other chakra-based techniques.

Teleportation was a tempting option—Minato was famous for his speed, after all. But even something as simple as teleportation came with the risk of damaging my chakra network. As a shinobi, I couldn't afford to risk that unless it was absolutely necessary.

I sighed, already feeling a bit defeated. Sure, these powers were incredible, legendary even. But each one required a price that went far beyond what any RPG or game menu had prepared me for.

And, as if the system wasn't complicated enough, I noticed another option under each skill and item: "Penalty Reduction". I clicked on it, and a small pop-up appeared.

Penalty Reduction: This option allows the user to negotiate the penalties of a chosen skill, weapon, or item, at the cost of an additional risk factor. Reduction may lead to a minor increase in skill cooldowns, reduced potency, or, in some cases, additional side effects.

I scoffed. Of course, there was no such thing as a free lunch. Penalty Reduction might make a skill less deadly, but it came with a catch: an unpredictable consequence that could end up causing even more trouble. It was a gamble, and a risky one at that.

Still, it was good to know I had options. If I ever found myself in a truly life-or-death situation, I could potentially tap into one of these abilities as a last resort. But until then, I'd need to rely on Minato's original abilities and whatever small tricks I could develop on my own.

I closed the shop menu, a little shaken. The system was powerful, yes, but it was designed to test me—to push me into making life-or-death choices every step of the way. Each of these skills could easily tip the scales in my favor or lead to disastrous outcomes, depending on the penalty I'd be forced to pay.

And as I thought back to my earlier skills, Damocles and Eye of the Storm, a grim realization settled over me. The penalties for these abilities were already woven into the fabric of my existence here. The system had chosen these specific skills for me, practically guaranteeing that I would walk a dangerous path filled with conflict and peril.

Perhaps, in some twisted way, that was the true essence of my "wish"—the life of adventure and leadership I'd asked for. The system had given me exactly what I'd requested… just not in the way I'd expected.

If I was going to survive in this world, I needed to understand one thing: the system wasn't here to protect me or ensure my success. It was here to challenge me, to push me into situations I'd never willingly choose, all while giving me the illusion of control.

"Alright, system," I muttered, feeling a strange mix of dread and excitement. "If this is the game you want to play, I'll play it. But I'll play by my own rules."

With that, I closed the menu, my mind spinning with the possibilities—and the dangers—that lay ahead.