Shinobi Leveling: Rise of the Shadow Hunter

The forest grew denser as he ventured deeper, the underbrush thick and unyielding. The air was alive with whispers of the creatures that called this place home, and the shadows danced with the promise of danger. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of excitement and fear, as he searched for the wild chakra beasts he was to face.

It didn't take long before he heard it—a low, guttural growl echoing through the trees. He spun around, his hand instinctively reaching for the pouch of kunai at his side. The underbrush parted, and a feral chakra wolf emerged, its eyes glowing with an unnatural blue light. It snarled, revealing teeth that glinted with the same mysterious energy that had filled the clearing.

Ryu's heart skipped a beat. This was it—his first test. He focused his chakra, feeling it pulse in response to his will. The system interface flickered to life, displaying a list of jutsu he could use. With trembling hands, he selected the most basic one he knew: the Clone Jutsu.

Three more Ryus materialized around him, each a perfect copy. The real Ryu took a step back, his eyes narrowed in concentration. The wolf's gaze darted between the clones, unable to discern which was the true threat.

With a fierce snarl, the chakra wolf lunged at the nearest clone. Ryu watched as the copy dodged with surprising agility, buying him a precious second. He took a deep breath, channelling his chakra into his hand as he gripped the kunai. Time seemed to slow as the wolf's teeth snapped shut on nothing but air.

In that moment, Ryu saw his opening. He dashed forward, his clone creating a distraction as he took aim at the creature's neck. With a swift and precise movement, he threw the kunai. It sliced through the wolf's fur, embedding itself deep in the flesh. The wolf yelped in pain, jerking away from the clone and toward the real Ryu.

The clones dissipated into wisps of chakra, and Ryu stumbled backward, his heart racing. The wolf's movements grew erratic as the energy from the wound spread throughout its body. It thrashed around, biting at the air, desperately trying to find its attacker.

Ryu knew he had to end this quickly—the beast was still alive and incredibly dangerous. He scanned the jutsu list, his eyes lingering on the summoning techniques. With a deep breath, he made his choice.

He focused his chakra, feeling it coalesce around him. The air grew heavy with the power of the ancient summoning contract, and the ground beneath the wolf began to shake.

The wolf's eyes went wide with fear as it caught sight of the dark metal rising from the earth. It was a block the size of a house—a colossal slab of unyielding force. The creature's instincts screamed at it to flee, but the pain and shock had slowed its reactions.

Ryu's chakra surged through him as he maintained control of his summoning. The block hovered in the air for a brief second, and then he slammed it down with all his might. The ground trembled violently as the block crashed down, the sound echoing through the forest.

The wolf, caught off guard, had no time to react. The metal slammed into it with a sickening crunch, and dark blue blood spattered the leaves. The creature's body was crushed beneath the immense weight, its fur sticking out at odd angles.

Ryu staggered back, his eyes wide with shock and awe. He had never felt such power at his command before. The system chimed in his mind, awarding him experience points and notifying him of his first quest's successful completion. His hands shook as he dismissed the interface, the adrenaline rushing through his veins. He had killed a wild chakra beast—a feat that had once seemed impossible.

The wolf's lifeless form began to dissolve into a puddle of chakra, leaving behind a small crystal that shimmered in the moonlight. Ryu approached it tentatively, his heart racing. This was his reward—his first step towards becoming stronger. He picked up the crystal, feeling the warmth of the contained chakra pulse in his hand.

As he did so, the system interface reappeared before his eyes.

Name: Ryu Kamado 

Level: 1 

Chakra Capacity: Low → Low-Mid 

Strength: Below Average 

Agility: Below Average → Average

Intelligence: Average

Ryu stood there, the crystal clutched in his hand, feeling the warmth of victory surge through him. He had done it. He had actually defeated a chakra beast with his own power—or rather, the power granted to him by the mysterious system. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he allowed himself a brief moment of pride. It had been a long time since he felt anything other than the crushing weight of failure.

He took a deep breath, savoring the scent of the forest, now tinged with the metallic tang of the defeated creature. The air was thick with the residual chakra, a silent testament to the battle that had just unfolded. He whispered a quiet "thank you" to the creature, knowing that without this challenge, he would still be stuck in the quagmire of his own doubts.

Ryu's eyes narrowed as he felt something shift within him. His chakra network, once a sluggish river, now thrummed with a newfound vitality. The system interface appeared again, notifying him of his

Newly unlocked skill: Chakra Pulse.

He focused, and a gentle pulse of energy rippled out from his body, extending his senses beyond the realm of the physical. The world around him grew a faint blue hue as the chakra signatures of living beings became visible.

"What...what have I gotten into?" he murmured to himself, his eyes wide with wonder and fear. The implications of this power were vast—too vast to comprehend fully.

Ryu took a shaky breath, his heart still racing from the exhilaration of the battle. He knew he couldn't tell anyone about this—not Captain Asano, not Haru, not even Mei. This was his secret, his chance to prove himself without the mockery of his peers.