March 15, Konoha Year 38
The announcement board outside the Ninja Academy was crowded with students who had taken the entrance exam and their parents.
Hoshita Shūichi's eyes quickly scanned the list of names. When he finally spotted his own, he let out a sigh of relief.
Though confident in his ability to pass, it wasn't until this moment that he truly felt at ease.
Passing the exam meant that after the enrollment ceremony and submitting the required documents, he would officially become a student on April 1st.
As he mentally reviewed the process, his attention shifted to a peculiar tree in his mind—one he called the "Talent Tree."
At the moment, the tree was bare, with only two leaves, each representing a "talent."
One leaf was 90% illuminated with white light, the remaining 10% still grayed out.
Talent: Student
Unlock Condition: Become a ninja academy student.
Effect: Increases focus during study by 100%.
The other leaf was already fully activated, bathed entirely in white light.
Talent: Discipline
Unlock Condition: Maintain a daily training routine (at least 30 minutes) for one full year.
Effect:Diligence compensates for lack of talent. Even the smallest efforts accumulate into greatness.
To obtain this talent, Shūichi—who had awakened memories of his past life at age four—had trained relentlessly for an entire year, rain or shine. What began as 30-minute sessions had now extended to at least an hour daily.
Though he had already unlocked the talent, he had grown addicted to the routine—especially since the effect was absolutely broken.
"Diligence compensates for lack of talent."
This meant no effort would ever go to waste.
If not for his status as an orphan, he would have trained even harder.
His ability to maintain such discipline at such a young age was largely thanks to the orphanage's director—Yakushi Nonō.
With limited funds, the orphanage couldn't afford expensive training supplements, but Nonō, a medical ninja, could partially compensate with her healing techniques.
Thinking of her kindness, warmth filled Shūichi's heart—until his thoughts turned to the despicable Danzo, sending a chill down his spine.
"I need to get stronger… fast."
"And I need to make money..."
Clenching his fists, Shūichi reminded himself that he wasn't completely rootless. His father had been a Chunin, his mother a Genin, and they had left him an inheritance.
Now that he had passed the exam, he could claim that inheritance and move out of the orphanage.
But the inheritance likely wouldn't be much. Even with the village's stipend, funding intense training would be difficult.
How could he make money at this age?
Lost in thought, he suddenly heard crying nearby.
"No… My name isn't there, Dad!"
"Keep looking, Gai! You've done your best!"
"Your efforts won't be in vain! Through sweat and tears, you'll find your name!"
Shūichi turned and saw two figures clad in eye-searing green—Might Dai and Might Gai.
The scene was almost comical, but hearing their conversation, Shūichi couldn't bring himself to laugh.
His gaze then swept over other potential classmates:
Nohara Rin?
Yūhi Kurenai.
All so young…
He averted his eyes before his thoughts could take a dangerous turn.
Hm?
A white-haired kid walked past the crowd, hands in his pockets, exuding arrogance even at this age.
This guy's already acting cool? Unbelievable!
As the crowd dispersed, Shūichi was about to leave when a chill ran through his mind.
A new grayed-out leaf had appeared on the Talent Tree.
Talent: Physically Gifted
Unlock Condition: Train alongside Might Gai for 100 consecutive days.
Effect:
+100% physical recovery.
+100% resistance to injury/illness.
+100% taijutsu talent.
Shūichi's breath hitched.
Three 100% boosts?!
I HAVE to get this.
Changing plans, he sat on a nearby swing, watching Gai and his father leave.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Gai returned—this time with a long banner strapped to his back as he began running laps around the academy courtyard.
The spectacle drew mocking laughter.
Smiling, Shūichi approached.
"Huh?"
Gai, mid-run, noticed someone keeping pace beside him.
"You… didn't pass either?"
Shūichi shook his head. "I passed. But that doesn't mean I can stop working hard."
"Your dad was right about one thing."
Gai's eyes lit up. "What?"
Shūichi grinned and pulled ahead.
"Effort is never wasted."
"I'm Hoshita Shūichi. I know you'll make it into the academy."
The words ignited something in Gai. With renewed vigor, he shouted:
"TODAY'S GOAL—500 LAPS! IF I FAIL, I'LL DO 500 HANDSTAND WALKS!"
And with that, the two began running side by side.
From that day onward, the academy courtyard would always have two figures training relentlessly, rain or shine.
10 Days Later
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, visited the academy and saw Shūichi and Gai—drenched in sweat but never slowing down.
"Such dedication… This is Konoha's future."
The next day, Gai's name was added to the acceptance list.
"Congratulations, Gai!" Shūichi said sincerely.
Gai, tears in his eyes, grinned. "Thank you, Shūichi!"
Shūichi shrugged. "See? Effort is never wasted."
"Now, let's finish today's training!"
Gai roared
"TODAY—1,000 LAPS! IF I FAIL, 1,000 PUSH-UPS!"
"AND TODAY, I'LL OUTLAST YOU, SHŪICHI!"