Konoha Ninja Academy.
A group of examinees waited outside.
Inside, a black-haired boy was undergoing his test while the Third Hokage and several academy instructors observed and scored him.
On the field, he skillfully completed each exam item.
Before long:
"Taijutsu: Excellent."
"Clone Jutsu: Excellent."
"Transformation Jutsu…"
"Overall: Excellent."
On the platform, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing the Hokage's hat, announced the results one by one. He then stood up, took a forehead protector, and walked toward the student below.
He handed it over.
"After review by the school, you are allowed to graduate early. Ryōmine Kyōhiko, from today, you are a Genin."
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Kyōhiko accepted respectfully, sighing inwardly.
After more than a year since transmigrating, and with relentless effort, he had finally reached the threshold for early graduation.
At that moment, a voice rang out:
[Congratulations on becoming Hokage. The Hokage System will serve you wholeheartedly.]
???
This voice?
A system?
What the hell!
I transmigrated over a year ago, worked myself half to death, and only now you show up?!
He was both shocked and thrilled.
According to his predecessor's memories, Ryōmine Kyōhiko's ancestors had once been part of the Senju clan. But after the First Hokage encouraged intermarriage within the village, they branched off.
His grandmother had no special physique or bloodline limit. His parents were ordinary, with only slightly stronger bodies, but they died on the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
As for Kyōhiko, he was even more ordinary, with no special traits visible so far.
Therefore, after transmigrating, he realized he could only survive in the cruel ninja world by working hard like Guy.
But he never expected that today, he would awaken a system…
"Wait, Hokage System? What do you mean, I'm not the Hokage!"
Kyōhiko was dumbfounded, then looked down at his forehead protector, and back up at Sarutobi Hiruzen's Hokage hat.
I didn't become Hokage!
"Kyōhiko, put on your forehead protector."
"Yes!"
Kyōhiko snapped back to reality.
He tied the protector on his head.
Another system prompt chimed:
[Winning people's hearts is an essential skill of a Hokage.]
[By personally putting on the forehead protector as a graduating Genin, you have gained the other party's complete trust.]
[Reward: Shunshin (Body Flicker) Technique +1 level]
Huh?
After confirming it wasn't an auditory illusion, Kyōhiko was shocked.
He had put on his own forehead protector and still managed to trick the system into rewarding him? This system must be an idiot!
He dazed out for a moment, then calmed himself.
This system was clearly tailored for a "Hokage." But whether he transmigrated wrong or the system picked the wrong person, it had ended up binding to him, just a Genin.
Still, he was in the middle of an exam, so he had to stay composed.
Kyōhiko bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
His gratitude was genuine.
If the system had bound to Sarutobi Hiruzen, it would have been wasted. With his personality, would he even know how to use it?
No way. Better it came to me.
"Haha, I have high hopes for you. Work hard!"
Hiruzen patted Kyōhiko on the shoulder, then began calling the next name.
Kyōhiko walked out, seeing both familiar and unfamiliar faces, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. In ten years' time, only a handful of these people would stand out.
The ninja world was brutal.
Without bloodline limits or secret techniques, survival was almost impossible.
Over the past year, Kyōhiko understood all too well how hard ordinary ninja lives were.
Effort and hard work…
But even with that, he had only reached the standard for early graduation. Compared to Kakashi, who had already graduated, he was nothing.
If things continued normally, Guy would be his best role model.
Fortunately, he now had a cheat. By graduating early, he had more time to train and grow stronger.
The academy could never teach advanced techniques.
The Hokage System, strange as its arrival was, had produced good results.
After leaving the exam hall, Kyōhiko tried a few commands and finally summoned a faint, translucent system panel by saying "Panel."
On it were familiar words:
[Name: Ryōmine Kyōhiko]
[Age: 7]
[Bloodline Limit]: None
[Skills]:
Transformation Jutsu (Proficient)
Clone Jutsu (Proficient)
Substitution Jutsu (Advanced)
Body Flicker Jutsu (Master)
Master-level Body Flicker!
Kyōhiko suppressed his shock and excitement.
According to the system, jutsu proficiency had five tiers: Beginner, Proficient, Advanced, Master, and Grandmaster.
The Body Flicker and Substitution were the two jutsu he had trained the hardest, without question.
But for the past six months, his Body Flicker hadn't improved at all.
Now, insights into the technique flowed through his mind.
"So that's it. At the Master level, muscle, strength, and chakra control are all refined down to the smallest detail."
The difference between Advanced and Master was micro-control.
It felt as though he had trained tens of thousands of times and could now easily perform at a Master level.
"If I had to rely on training alone, reaching this level would have taken years."
"This is amazing!"
"So then, the question is how do I maximize the system's use?"
Without a bloodline or secret technique, if Kyōhiko wanted to defy fate and avoid being cannon fodder in the upcoming wars, his only real reliance was this system.
So far, it seemed to be a rigid program, which meant plenty of room for him to exploit.
If I were Hokage, what would I be doing?
Kyōhiko's mind raced.
The system's first reward came from winning trust, balancing village factions, strengthening and prospering the village, contributing in wars, and handling daily affairs and missions.
Kyōhiko summed it up.
But as a Genin, most of that was impossible for him now. The only things he could realistically do were gain trust and complete missions.
He thought deeply, then, leaving the academy, tested his Master-level Body Flicker.
Refined control.
Muscles and chakra…
And then—
Whoosh!
In an instant, his figure blurred, and the next moment he was across the street.
"So fast!"
"My body hasn't gotten stronger, but the effect of the jutsu is two or three times what it used to be!"
A fiery gleam flashed in Kyōhiko's eyes.
If Master level was this strong, wouldn't Grandmaster be godlike?
However, he also noticed that while the ability had merged with his body, his perception and awareness weren't fully adapted to the new speed. His judgment of distance and timing was slightly off.
More training.
Kyōhiko sprinted toward his usual practice grounds outside the village, moving like lightning.
But then, as he passed a bathhouse…
"Hm?"
A white-haired man turned his head outside.
He caught sight of a boy dashing past at incredible speed.
So fast.
Such a Body Flicker…
Who is that?
His interest was piqued, and though he hesitated after glancing back inside the bathhouse, he eventually turned and chased after Kyōhiko.
(End of Chapter)