On an autumn afternoon, warm sunlight shone upon the Hokage Tower.
The decades-old structure, already somewhat worn and ancient, was now bathed in a golden glow.
Inside the Hokage's office,
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in his ceremonial haori, quickly flipped through the "List of Graduates from the Ninja Academy – Year 46" and the "List of Incomplete Ninja Squad Formations" on his desk.
He balanced lower-ranked ninja based on their individual strengths and weaknesses, forming relatively balanced squads and assigning suitable jounin leaders accordingly.
In recent years, the tensions in the ninja world had been rising.
Minor skirmishes between villages had grown increasingly frequent, leaving many Konoha squads understaffed.
Hiruzen understood clearly—well-structured ninja squads were essential for improving mission success, survival rates, and overall combat efficiency.
Whether preparing for war that might erupt at any moment, or simply for his subordinates' safety,
Each squad's composition required the utmost care and consideration.
Over an hour later, after carefully reviewing the draft squad compositions multiple times, he was satisfied that this was the best possible arrangement given the current situation.
Hiruzen began calling in one jonin squad leader after another.
Choza Akimichi, Shibi Aburame, Minato Namikaze, Ikkaku Umino, Tsume Inuzuka, Kurenai Yuhi... Yamanaka Kei.
Time slipped by unnoticed until it was nearly evening.
Upon hearing the knock once more, Sarutobi lifted his gaze toward the last jonin he intended to meet today.
A young man in his late teens, well over six feet tall, his posture upright and disciplined from years of training.
His bright golden hair and handsome face completed a look that could easily keep countless Konoha girls awake at night—
If it weren't for the heavy dark circles beneath his eyes that gave him a rather haggard appearance.
"Hokage-sama, good afternoon."
Kei Yamanaka looked visibly tired as he lazily raised a hand in greeting.
After staying up late training until midnight the previous night, then managing only a short nap during work hours before being summoned to wait downstairs at Hokage Tower...
Who wouldn't feel drained?
"Kei, remember to take occasional breaks. You'll train more effectively that way,"
Sarutobi, long familiar with Kei's usual level of rigorous training, wasn't bothered by his lethargic demeanor.
Giving a brief reminder out of concern, he quickly moved on to the reason for calling him in today.
"We've decided to transfer you from the Analysis Team to regular field operations," he said after a pause. "Here is your transfer order and the personnel files of your assigned subordinates."
"Yes, sir."
Kei accepted the documents, placing the formal transfer scroll into the ninja tool pouch at his waist, then turned his attention to the personnel files.
Hayato had already hinted at this, so he was well-prepared for the reassignment from the Intelligence Division.
It was just a transfer to a standard ninja squad, leading a few genin anyway—completing one or two missions a month and then have free time after that.
Like just relocating to slack off elsewhere.
Yet as his eyes landed on three familiar names, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise.
Kurenai Yuhi, Maito Gai, and Genma Shiranami.
Had they ever been teamed together before?
Something's off...
Shouldn't Ebisu be teamed up with Maito Gai and Genma Shiranami?
And they're not even from this year's graduating batch!
"Just as the Will of Fire is passed down through generations, young leaves require patient guidance from their seniors to grow strong. Now it's your turn to lead the next generation."
Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly hadn't explained his reasoning behind these team assignments to Kei Yamanaka. He simply continued preaching his Will of Fire philosophy without explanation.
"...Rest assured, Lord Hokage, I will definitely teach them well."
Pushing his doubts aside, Kei Yamanaka straightened up from his lazy posture and made a proper promise.
Hiruzen clearly seemed satisfied with this attitude.
After instructing him to report to the Jonin station tomorrow morning, then head directly to Konoha's Training Ground #4 to meet his team, he waved him off dismissively.
As he walked out of the Hokage Tower,
Kei Yamanaka exchanged greetings with several familiar ninja and walked toward the Yamanaka clan compound under the setting sun.
Halfway there,
a mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Beep~ System diagnostics completed, database reorganized, energy absorption at 100%, system hibernation terminated, Profession Keyword System activated.]
[Personal Panel opened, Exploration function enabled, Keyword Draw, Gift, Copy, Upgrade, and Detach functions activated.]
[Profession binding completed, profession successfully bound: Ninja.]
[Complete profession-specific tasks and major profession events to earn opportunities for Keyword Draw, Gift, Copy, Upgrade, or Detach.]
[Beginner's Package unlocked, received 3 Keyword Draw opportunities and 1 Keyword Gift opportunity.]
...
Kei Yamanaka paused slightly, his expression flickering with momentary unease before settling back to normal.
He grabbed takeout from a roadside restaurant like usual and returned home just as he always did.
[Five-Directional Anti-Sensor Barrier!] Activation!
Forming the 'Mi' hand seal with his hands, Kei Yamanaka channeled his chakra and slammed his hand onto the ground, activating the barrier technique he had set up long ago in his home.
Vroom~
A pale blue translucent barrier enveloped the entire room, intricate runes flickering faintly across its surface, completely isolating everything inside from the outside world.
Standing in the center of the living room, Kei's expression shifted multiple times before finally letting out a long sigh and quietly sitting down at the coffee table.
He had once imagined screaming curses at the heavens for this system activating nineteen years too late.
He had also imagined crying hysterically or cackling with laughter to unleash all his pent-up frustration and excitement.
But perhaps the sharp edges of his resentment and anger had dulled over time, because when this moment truly arrived, he was much calmer than he had expected.
...
Host: Kei Yamanaka
Profession: Ninja
Active Keywords: Transmigrator (Red), Yin Release Master (Purple), Handsome (Blue), Somewhat Understands (Green)
Dormant Keywords: None
Keyword Draws Remaining: 3
Keyword Gifts Remaining: 1
...
Transmigrator (Red): Having lived two lifetimes, experience massive improvements in soul strength, mental power, growth rate, and ultimate potential.
[Yin Release Master] (Purple): After more than a decade of consistent research and training, you've achieved near-perfect control over the nature transformation and form transformation of Yin Release ninjutsu. Your efficiency in learning, researching, refining, and creating Yin Release techniques has greatly increased; the casting speed, power, and effects of your Yin Release techniques have significantly improved; your resistance against Yin Release techniques has also greatly increased.
[Favored Looks] (Blue): A person favored by fate, born with exceptional looks; your charisma and attractiveness to the opposite sex are enhanced.
[Somewhat Understands] (Green): By constantly delving into the memories of ninja, you've acquired vast intelligence and knowledge. Through constant practice, you've preliminarily mastered numerous techniques of multiple elements and types, and your learning speed and memory have slightly improved.
...
"All those years of relentless grinding were worth it."
Kei Yamanaka gazed at his detailed skill listings and couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
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