Chapter 27
Dream Pond Cave
Inside Dream Pond Cave, the hidden chamber remained exactly as it had been thirteen days ago. The stone walls were silent, the protective formations were operating normally, and not even a single pebble appeared to have shifted from its original position. Upon the mat resting in the center of the room, Uchiha Ryo slowly opened his eyes after returning from his first world travel.
The moment his consciousness fully awakened, his Rinnegan emerged without hesitation. Before checking anything else, he carefully scanned the entire cave using his Rinnegan. Every rock, every crack in the wall, every insect hidden in the darkness, and every trace of chakra left behind during his departure entered his field of vision. Only after confirming that nothing had entered the cave during his absence did he allow himself to relax slightly.
Ryo then shifted his attention inward and began inspecting his own condition.
Several minutes passed before he finally frowned.
"My soul and body are not perfectly synchronized anymore," Ryo muttered while slowly clenching his right fist. "The difference is small, but it definitely exists."
The system immediately became curious.
"Host, what exactly did you discover?"
Ryo stood up from the mat and stretched his body while continuing his examination.
"My soul remained separated from my body for thirteen days. After returning, my body's reactions became slightly slower than usual. The difference is very small, but I can still feel it clearly."
The system tilted its floating panel.
"How much slower are we talking about?"
Ryo answered without hesitation.
"Approximately 0.09%."
The system immediately became speechless.
For several seconds it simply stared at him.
Finally it asked, "Host, are you sure you are a human and not some kind of living measuring instrument?"
Ryo ignored the question completely.
"Based on my calculations, my soul should require approximately three days to completely readjust itself to my body."
The system nodded before speaking in a slightly proud tone.
"Actually, host, this situation is completely normal. In fact, it can even be considered a good thing."
Ryo raised an eyebrow.
"A good thing?"
"Yes. When your soul travels between worlds, it doesn't move through ordinary space. It travels through a protected dimensional passage created by the system. That passage contains tiny traces of spatial dust, dimensional residue, and various higher-grade energies."
Ryo became slightly interested.
The system continued speaking like a professor who had finally found a student willing to listen.
"Normally those substances cannot be absorbed by ordinary lifeforms. However, souls can naturally absorb microscopic amounts during travel. The amount is extremely small, but over time it can strengthen the soul itself."
After hearing that explanation, Ryo immediately focused on his soul again.
A few moments later his expression changed.
The system had been correct.
His soul had indeed become slightly denser than before.
The increase was small enough that ordinary people would never notice it, but Ryo's perception was sensitive enough to detect even the slightest changes.
"It really became stronger."
The system proudly puffed itself up.
"Of course it did. This great system never lies."
Ryo nodded slightly before suddenly narrowing his eyes.
"There is another matter."
The system immediately became nervous.
"What matter?"
Ryo pointed toward his chest.
"There is a small light inside my soul."
The system blinked.
"A light?"
"Yes. A small golden light."
The system immediately opened several scanning windows.
Countless blue screens appeared around it as it began conducting a detailed investigation.
Several seconds passed.
Then ten seconds.
Then twenty.
The system's confident expression gradually disappeared.
Ryo noticed this immediately.
"What is it?"
The system continued scanning.
Another ten seconds passed.
Finally Ryo's expression darkened.
"System."
The floating panel trembled.
"Y-yes, host?"
"What exactly is that thing?"
The system hesitated for a long time before finally lowering its head.
"Host, I honestly don't know."
Silence immediately filled the cave.
Ryo stared at the system.
The system stared at the ground.
Neither spoke for several moments.
Eventually Ryo broke the silence.
"You brought me across dimensions."
"Yes."
"You evaluate worlds."
"Yes."
"You manage missions."
"Yes."
"You send souls through space."
"Yes."
"And yet you have no idea what that thing inside my soul is?"
The system felt extremely embarrassed.
"Host, there are many things in existence that even systems don't fully understand."
Ryo's face became darker.
The system quickly raised its hands in surrender.
"But I did discover something useful."
Ryo remained silent.
The system hurriedly continued.
"That golden light appears to contain a storage space. I also detected dimensional dust and space particles inside it. More importantly, the thing doesn't seem hostile."
Ryo listened quietly.
The system then added another observation.
"Actually, it appears to be feeding your soul."
Ryo frowned.
"Feeding?"
"Yes. The process resembles a parent feeding a child. It slowly releases tiny amounts of energy into your soul without overwhelming it. The amount released is extremely controlled."
Ryo became thoughtful.
After carefully inspecting himself again, he confirmed that the system's words were correct.
"It isn't harming me."
"No."
"It isn't controlling me."
"No."
"It isn't stealing energy."
"No."
Finally Ryo spoke the verdict.
"As long as it causes no harm, leave it alone."
The system immediately relaxed.
"Excellent decision, host."
However, before the system could celebrate, Ryo looked at it coldly.
"But if something similar happens again, I expect you to discover it before I do."
The system instantly became stiff.
"Of course, host."
"There won't be another incident?"
"Absolutely not, host."
"You are certain?"
The system forced a smile.
"I am very certain."
Ryo snorted before returning to his meditation.
"Hmph. Better be."
The system repeatedly nodded while pretending to be obedient.
However, the moment Ryo closed his eyes, the system's inner thoughts exploded.
Bastard Uchiha.
My brother from another mother, Tobirama, was completely correct.
No matter how many years pass, every Uchiha remains troublesome.
The host discovered a mysterious object that neither of us can control, yet somehow I became responsible for everything.
The system felt increasingly wronged the more it thought about the situation.
If the host cannot do anything about it, then why should I be blamed for it?
This is workplace bullying.
This is discrimination against systems.
This is emotional damage.
The system sighed dramatically.
Brother Tobirama, I should have chosen you instead.
At least you would have blamed the Uchihas first before blaming me.
The more it compared the two possibilities, the sadder it became.
Instead I ended up with this handsome, intelligent, terrifying, manipulative, rumor-spreading, exam-cheating Uchiha.
The system looked toward Ryo.
Ryo remained seated while calmly adjusting his soul.
The system shivered.
Correction.
This handsome, intelligent, terrifying, manipulative, family-destroying, dynasty-destabilizing Uchiha.
At that exact moment, Ryo suddenly opened one eye.
The system almost screamed.
"Host! Is something wrong?"
Ryo stared suspiciously.
"I felt someone insulting me."
The system instantly shook its head.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible."
Ryo continued staring.
The system maintained the most innocent expression it could create.
Several moments later, Ryo finally closed his eye again.
"Hmph."
Only after confirming that Ryo had resumed meditating did the system secretly wipe away imaginary sweat.
For the first time since becoming a system, it felt that surviving alongside its host was a greater challenge than managing worlds.
Chapter End.