Naruto: Saving the Universe by Stealing Attributes

[Patting his head~]

The autumn wind whistled, blowing the once lush green leaves into a sea of yellow. Every so often, people on the road pulled their jackets tighter as they hurried along.

A young man leaned thoughtfully against a sturdy tree branch, lost in deep contemplation. He had crossed into the Naruto world twelve years ago. Beyond the initial thrill, he spent time every day considering how to survive in the days to come.

The reason for his anxiety was simple: he was reborn as a member of the Uchiha clan. And it wasn't just the impending Night of the Massacre that haunted him—the Third Shinobi World War looming ahead was a terrifying threat all on its own.

Even though he possessed decent talent, he knew it wouldn't be nearly enough. In this world, talent was everywhere. Most geniuses here, apart from a few monsters, ended up as mere backdrops to the truly strong. And unfortunately, for the Uchiha clan, being part of the scenery often meant…

Death.

Though the current tension between the Uchiha and Konoha's ruling class wasn't as severe as it would become after the Nine-Tails incident, the upper echelons' hostility toward the Uchiha was already beginning to show. If war broke out, he would likely end up as cannon fodder, lost in some nameless skirmish...

"Argh! This is so frustrating!" He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze cold and indifferent. Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo… As long as those two were around, peace would be out of reach for the Uchiha.

Suddenly, a commotion caught his attention, and he frowned, glancing down at a nearby alley.

"Kurenai, I heard there's a new BBQ place in town. How about we grab some tonight?" A square-faced boy stood with his arms outstretched, blocking the path of a girl with porcelain-like features.

Noticing her annoyance, the boy quickly added, "My treat."

"Asuma, can you just leave me alone? I already told you—I'm not in the mood today," said the girl, Kurenai, frowning.

"Not in the mood?" Asuma's eyes narrowed. "Who got on your nerves? Tell me, and I'll make sure they regret it!"

Kurenai rolled her eyes at Asuma's show of bravado. This guy… always trying to play the hero. It was a bit irritating, but, well, he was the Hokage's son. She didn't want to antagonize him, so after a few muttered complaints, she decided to just walk around him and leave.

But to her surprise, Asuma reached out, trying to grab her arm.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" she shouted, jerking back.

"Heh… relax, Kurenai. I just want to treat you to a meal. If you don't want BBQ, we could get dessert. Or go shopping."

Ignoring her growing irritation, Asuma continued blocking her path, grinning like he didn't notice her expression.

"Asuma, step aside. You're seriously getting on my nerves!"

Asuma's face turned sour at that. His pride prickled, and a flash of anger surfaced.

"No. Not until you agree to hang out with me."

"You…!"

Kurenai's eyes filled with frustrated tears. Just because he was the Hokage's son, did he think he could push her around?

"Move!"

"No way!"

"Move!"

"Not happening!"

"…"

From the tree above, the boy's already foul mood worsened as he listened to their argument.

"Quiet down. I'm trying to think."

At the sound of his voice, both Kurenai and Asuma looked up, startled. There, high up in the tree, a strikingly handsome boy in a fan-marked Uchiha outfit leaned casually, looking down on them with mild disdain.

"Uchiha… Mirai?!"

Kurenai and Asuma immediately recognized him—one of their peers, known as the new Uchiha prodigy, Uchiha Mirai.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," Kurenai said, instinctively apologizing. She knew her voice had been a bit loud.

"Hmph!" Asuma scoffed. "And who do you think you are, ordering us around? If you're bothered, go somewhere else."

Seeing Kurenai apologize to someone other than him made Asuma feel humiliated—especially since it was someone he didn't like: Uchiha Mirai.

"Oh? 'Go away,' huh?" Mirai's lips curved into a dangerous smile.

I can't touch your father, but I can handle you, he thought.

Channeling chakra to his feet, Mirai descended effortlessly, stepping down the tree trunk as if it were flat ground.

Both Kurenai and Asuma gaped in shock. With her father being an elite Jonin and Asuma being the Hokage's son, they were used to seeing skilled shinobi. But Mirai's precise control over his chakra was something they couldn't ignore.

"W-what are you doing?" Asuma stammered, feeling the weight of Mirai's intense gaze.

"Nothing much. Just making sure you pay for your attitude," Mirai replied coldly.

"Y-you wouldn't dare!" Asuma shouted, bristling.

"Wouldn't dare?" Mirai chuckled. "And why's that? Because you're the Hokage's son?"

With a smirk, Mirai stepped forward, unmoved by the threat of Asuma's status.

"This is the perfect time to teach you a lesson."

"You… jerk!" Asuma's face flushed. He hated being seen as just "the Hokage's son," as if he had nothing else to offer. Boiling with anger, he lunged at Mirai, fists clenched.

But Mirai was faster. In a flash, he crouched low, sweeping Asuma's legs out from under him with a powerful kick. Asuma's feet left the ground, and he hung briefly in midair.

"So fast!"

Asuma barely had a chance to react before Mirai delivered a swift kick to his chest, sending him flying backward with a pained shout. He hit the ground hard, groaning.

"You're too weak. Was that what gave you the confidence to run your mouth?" Mirai scoffed, glancing dismissively at the fallen Asuma.

After brushing some dust from his clothes, he turned to leave without a backward glance.

"W-wait!" Kurenai called out.

"Hm?"

Turning, Mirai met her grateful gaze.

"Thank you."

Mirai stopped, giving her a faint nod.

"Remember—those who try to push you around won't stop just because you're afraid or too soft-hearted."

He patted her on the shoulder. "Next time, handle it the way I did."

Just then, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind:

[Congratulations, host. You have awakened the Plunder System.]

[Ding! Host has successfully plundered reward: Physique +1]