Konoha Ninja Academy.
A group of examinees waited outside. Inside, a black-haired boy was taking the evaluation while the Third Hokage and several instructors observed, making notes and grading.
The boy executed each test with skill and precision.
Before long:
"Taijutsu—excellent.""Shadow Clone Jutsu—excellent.""Transformation Jutsu…""Overall—excellent."
At the top, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing the Hokage's hat, called out the results one by one. He then stood, picked up a headband, and approached the student.
He handed the headband over.
"Based on the academy's assessment, you are allowed to graduate early. Kisaragi Haruto, from today onward, you are officially a Genin."
"Yes! Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Haruto accepted it respectfully, a mix of awe and gratitude swelling in his chest. After over a year of relentless training since his transmigration, he had finally reached the threshold for early graduation.
Almost simultaneously, a voice sounded:
[Congratulations! You have successfully assumed the Hokage role. The Hokage System will serve you diligently.]
"??? This voice… a system? Damn it! I've been working my butt off for over a year, and only now it decides to appear?"
He was shocked but also exhilarated.
According to memories of his past life, Haruto's ancestors had been part of the Senju clan. Later, with the First Hokage advocating inter-village marriages, the bloodline had split. By Haruto's generation, he was the third generation descendant.
However… his grandmother had no special abilities or Kekkei Genkai, and his parents were ordinary—physically healthy but nothing extraordinary. Sadly, they died on the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
Haruto himself was even more ordinary. At present, there was nothing unusual about him.
After transmigrating, he realized that only through relentless effort, like Might Guy, could he survive in the harsh ninja world.
And now… today, he had awakened a system.
"Wait a minute—Hokage System? What do you mean? I'm not even the Hokage!"
Haruto stared dumbfounded at the headband, then glanced at the hat atop Sarutobi Hiruzen's head. He wasn't the Hokage!
"Kisaragi Haruto, put on the ninja headband."
"Yes!"
Haruto snapped back to reality. He tied the headband around his head. Then—another notification sounded:
[Winning hearts is a necessary skill for the Hokage.][By personally giving a graduating Genin their headband, you have earned their full trust.][Reward: Body Flicker Technique +1 level]
"Ah?"
After confirming he wasn't hallucinating, Haruto felt a surge of shock and excitement.
Full trust… Of course I trust myself!
Giving himself a headband and still getting a reward? The system must be… simple-minded!
He paused for a moment, then regained focus. This system seemed designed for the Hokage. Whether it ended up on the wrong person or he had transmigrated incorrectly, it had landed on a mere Genin.
Still, he was in the exam hall—he had to stay composed.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
The gratitude was genuine. If this system had gone to Sarutobi Hiruzen, it would have been wasted. That old man probably wouldn't know how to use it properly! Better it was in his hands.
"Haha, I believe in you. Keep it up!"
Sarutobi patted Haruto on the shoulder and began calling the next examinee.
Haruto stepped outside, observing the passing faces—some familiar, some strangers. He thought to himself:
"Only a few of these kids will truly stand out in a decade or so."
The ninja world was brutal. Without a Kekkei Genkai or secret techniques, survival was nearly impossible. Over the past months, Haruto had experienced just how hard life was for ordinary people.
Work hard, persevere.
Even with early graduation, he was still no match for someone like Kakashi, who had long graduated. Might Guy remained his best example to emulate.
Fortunately, he now had a system to help him, and more time to train and grow.
The school couldn't teach him high-level skills!
The Hokage System, though strange in its methods, promised results.
Leaving the exam hall, Haruto experimented with a few commands until he summoned a semi-transparent interface—a familiar virtual panel.
[Name: Kisaragi Haruto][Age: 7][Kekkei Genkai: None][Skills:]
Transformation Jutsu (Proficient)
Shadow Clone Jutsu (Proficient)
Substitution Jutsu (Mastered)
Body Flicker Technique (Grandmaster)
Grandmaster-level Body Flicker!
Haruto suppressed his shock and excitement. The system ranked jutsu proficiency as: Beginner, Proficient, Mastered, Grandmaster, and Sage. Body Flicker and Substitution Jutsu were the two techniques he had dedicated the most time to.
However, in the past six months, his Body Flicker had made no progress.
Now… his mind filled with new insights into the technique.
"I see… grandmaster-level Body Flicker requires refined muscle control, chakra precision, and subtle power usage."
The difference between Mastered and Grandmaster lay in the minutiae of application. Haruto felt an intuitive understanding.
This realization was astonishing, as if he had trained thousands of times, and could now effortlessly perform the technique at its peak.
"Without the system, reaching Grandmaster level would take years of grinding."
"Unbelievable!"
"Now… the real question is how to maximize the system's potential."
Without Kekkei Genkai or secret jutsu, if Haruto wanted to rewrite his fate and not be a mediocre ninja lost in war, the system was his best tool.
All previous rewards proved it was a rigid program, but with enormous operational potential.
If he were the Hokage, what would he do?
Haruto thought rapidly. Previous rewards had involved… winning hearts, balancing village power, strengthening Konoha, contributing in war, managing daily tasks.
As a Genin, most of that was impossible. For now, he could only focus on winning hearts and completing missions.
Haruto pondered, then stepped out of the academy and began practicing his Grandmaster Body Flicker.
Precise control. Muscles, chakra…
Whoosh!
In an instant, he vanished, reappearing across the street.
"So fast!"
"My body hasn't changed, yet Body Flicker is two to three times more effective than before!"
A spark of fire ignited in his eyes. If Grandmaster was this strong, what would Sage level feel like?
Still, he sensed that while the ability was integrated into his body, his eyesight and perception hadn't fully adapted to the new speed, causing minor miscalculations.
Time to train!
Haruto raced to his usual training grounds outside the village, moving like the wind.
But as he ran past a bathhouse…
"Hm?"
A white-haired man turned his head and noticed the boy dashing by.
Such speed! Body Flicker at this level… Who is this kid?
Intrigued, he hesitated, glanced at the hall's interior, and finally set off after Haruto.