Masaru... Tadao... Himejima Clan...
To Yoichi's adult mind, Masaru was a pathetic six-year-old bully. Yet, physically, the boy seemed like a giant. Yoichi knew Masaru had been instrumental in the original owner's death.
The previous Yoichi was stubborn, which led to beatings and starvation.
Masaru, shielded by his connection to the Himejima Clan and his lackey Tadao, leveraged his slightly superior strength and noble protection to become the mine's petty tyrant.
"What are you planning this time, Masaru?" Genji asked, his stance widening slightly, wary of the bigger boy's motives.
"Oh, come on, Genji, don't be such a stick in the mud. We're just stating the facts here." Masaru's mouth curled with disdain. "Yoichi gets to sit back and relax while everyone else works hard? We are the diligent ones, and yet we're punished for his mistakes? It's ridiculous."
"What, Yoichi? Cat got your tongue?" Tadao chimed in, trying to needle their victim.
Yoichi merely glanced at their sneering faces, then turned away. He lifted his pickaxe and began to swing. Pain screamed through his bruised ribs and lacerated forearms, but the sharp edges of the agony felt oddly distant, muffled.
Heh, trying to gaslight everyone? Their stupid rhetoric might deceive others, but not me.
As a modern man, he was inoculated against online ridicule. He almost relished the insults.
Still, he forced his rising anger down. He was a fragile boy. Getting into a foolish fight would only implicate his friends.
Even without a cheat, I still have the mental capacity of an adult and know the Naruto timeline. One step at a time...
"Genji, Sabito, help me clear all the rocks nearby. Hikari, you can handle the smaller debris."
Yoichi's sudden, calm command snapped his friends out of their stunned silence.
"Oh right. Sabito, let's go."
"Y-yes, Yoichi-kun."
"O-okay."
Genji, Hikari, and Sabito returned to the strenuous task, chipping chunks from the ore. Masaru and his crew looked incredulous.
"Is there something wrong?" Genji whispered, turning his head sideways to Sabito.
"I just can't believe it." Sabito lowered his voice further. "Before, Yoichi was easily triggered by these idiots. Now, it's a huge shift." He glanced at Yoichi, whose mining efforts looked earnest and focused.
"... It doesn't matter, Sabito. Overall, it's a good change for him." Genji picked up his pickaxe. "Now, these bastards wouldn't dare to act, or else, a lot of them will die."
Genji went back to work without another word, pleased by the development.
"What's the problem here?! You again, Masaru?" A harsh tone echoed in the damp mine, making the children, including Yoichi, flinch and look up.
A figure dressed in a gas mask and a purple vest, complete with a forehead protector, stepped in front of Masaru. This was an Ame Shinobi, and the dark intensity he exuded sent shivers down the kids' spines.
Wow. Is that a killing intent? It is both unbelievable and oppressive!
"What are you all looking at? Get back to work."
The intimidating shout caused every child to lower their heads in absolute submission.
"But Isamu-sama, we— Kueekk!" Tadao began, trying to speak for Masaru, but the shinobi named Isamu cut him off.
He gripped Tadao's throat with one hand.
"Did I ask about your opinion, you twerp? I'm asking Masaru." Isamu threw the boy to the ground with ease and glanced at Masaru with irritation.
"... There's someone who reported to me that Yoichi wasn't working so I called you here, Isamu-sama."
Under pressure, Masaru responded politely, but his eyes remained stubborn.
"Hey, do you think I'm blind? Just look at that." Isamu gripped Masaru's head and forcibly pointed it toward Yoichi's group, where three boys were actively mining and the girl was clearing rocks.
"If you are trying to frame someone, check your facts right. Now, back to work, or else you all will be back to the confinement room!" After seeing that there were no faults, Isamu's voice rang out as Masaru and his crew scrambled back to their designated spots.
That's good, Yoichi. Make this situation much more interesting.
Instead of feeling humiliated, Masaru's eyes shone with a flicker of malice and excitement, ignoring the vengeful pleas of his lackeys.
"Phew, that was something."
The dinner bell rang, signaling the end of the long and challenging workday. Everyone assembled and lined up for the nightly meal.
As they fell into line, Sabito leaned over and quietly asked Genji, "What do you think is going to happen next?"
"They won't do anything bad in the few days. But be prepared for their sneak attacks."
Yoichi crossed his arms, butted into the conversation, and the rest of the group fell silent, darting curious looks at him.
Not easily taunted like a kid. Can endure humiliation and has an unusual height for a 6-year-old kid. Looks like I'm here for a ride.
Yoichi analyzed Masaru's temperament.
"Next." A cold voice rang, interrupting Yoichi's thoughts.
He stepped forward and complied with the security inspection. The security in the Mining Area was rigid. No sharp or blunt objects were allowed, even for four-year-olds.
After a brief yet detailed inspection, Yoichi glanced at Masaru's retreating silhouette and walked toward the cafeteria.
The meals were barely sufficient for survival.
Yet Masaru and his crew often extorted portions from the weaker children, eating greedily like whales.
Refusal meant a beating.
Compliance meant hunger.
Yoichi received three rice balls, three baked potatoes, and miso soup. He appreciated the food, found Genji's spot, and began eating.
Finally, after enduring such difficult work with a beaten body like this, it's time to eat.
"Hahaha, look at his foolish face. Oi, did you beat his head to become an idiot like this?"
"I don't know what you are talking about, Tadao-san. Maybe he was enjoying his time eating before eating shit once more."
"HAHAHA."
Tadao and his group loudly mocked Yoichi, earning the laughter of the hall. Masaru merely glanced at Yoichi, still focused on his own food.
Heh, these insults are nothing much. Compared to eating food while watching 2 Girls 1 Cup, this is just plain. Yoichi chewed slowly.
Nonetheless, what's wrong with this body? Why do I still feel a sting of humiliation and anger in my heart?
The anger was inexplicable. His logical adult mind dismissed the words, yet his chest tightened with genuine child shame.
"I appreciate your anger against this ridiculousness, but don't get provoked by words. It's not worth trying to put effort into stopping them." Yoichi advised Genji, who was gritting his teeth.
Genji and the others nodded, eating again as if there was no problem. Tadao and his crew, enraged at being ignored, prepared to bark louder until.
"LINE UP!" A commanding tone soared in the hall.
Instantly, all the children lined up like loyal soldiers, including Yoichi. Masaru alone strutted forward into the sleeping quarters like a boss while the others waited to be scanned.
The sleeping room was a large, drafty warehouse with open windows and doors.
Rattan beds and hay bale pillows offered minimal comfort. The constant rain in the Land of Rain ensured the air was always frigid. Escape was death: freezing, capture by a night-shift Chunin, or being eaten by salamanders and other beasts.
The comfort room was worse. A shed attached to the sleeping quarters had a large hole in the middle. The boys excreted body waste into the hole, shitting together like pigs.
Being soaked without heat or other clothes, extreme winds from the windows, plus a smelly scent bombarding our noses. This is a hellhole, an absolute dogshit circumstance.
"Aren't you sleeping, Yoichi? It will be so cold later on."
"Yoichi-kun, let's sleep together."
"Come on, Yoichi. We reserved a spot for you in the middle."
Yoichi lay down on the rattan bed, frustrated by the lack of privacy, as three small bodies immediately grasped him.
"Oi, don't squeeze too hard. My injuries aren't fully healed yet."
"Hehehe, sorry Yoichi. Don't be like a grumpy old man, bro."
Genji was pressed against his western side, away from the large eastern door. Sabito was wrapped in Genji's arms, hugging Yoichi on the right. Hikari held him on the left. It felt like a small, desperate family unit.
Feeling completely drained, Yoichi finally succumbed to sleep, the physical stress and injuries claiming him.
"Uwah... Uwah..."
Where the hell am I now?
The sound of a newborn wailing surrounded him. Yoichi's eyesight felt blurry and warm. Tears streamed down his face like raindrops.
What the hell is happening?
"I'm so sorry. But I need you to be gone from my life."
A gentle voice resonated in his ears. The silhouette of a woman, framed by a complicated expression, emerged.
"Help... Yoichi!"
"Why won't you help us?!"
"AAAGGGHHH, I'm burning! HELP!!!"
The scene abruptly shifted. A roaring fire consumed a large mansion. Children screamed as mysterious assailants abducted them and massacred adults.
Is this... The original owner's past?
The background changed again, fading into a sterile white room, like a blank canvas.
"Find... Her."
"Find... Mother."
"Seek... The... Truth."
Subsequently, Yoichi saw another version of himself, the original owner, grasping out. He waited patiently for an answer.
"Hooohh. I will find her. For us."
Yoichi replied with conviction, though his mind was still in disarray. The original owner smiled faintly and walked slowly into the light.
"What's wrong, Yoichi? Having some nightmares?" Sabito, on his right, was slightly woken up by the sudden jolt.
"No, no. It's fine. Just sleep for now."
Yoichi sat up, absorbing the memories slowly.
So that's her mother and his past in full sequence. However, how can I even leave this place without any help?
Cupping his chin, Yoichi wanted to fall back asleep until.
[Initializing.]
[Loading.]
[Congratulations on unlocking the Martial Arts Inheritance System!]
Finally, my cheat has come!
_____________________
(Revision 2/???)