Iruka said in a deep voice, "Since you know your talent is lacking, you should work even harder!
Do you think skipping class every day and pulling pranks will make you stronger?!"
Uzumaki Naruto froze, stunned.
He knew Iruka-sensei truly cared for him.
But…
"Iruka-sensei, I really, really have tried my best! Maybe I really am too stupid… Maybe I was destined to be a *Diao Che Wei* since birth…"
Iruka sighed deeply and gently patted his head.
"No, Naruto. I know you have potential, and you can definitely become better. I also know you're trying… but if you can put in a little more effort, be a little more diligent, maybe things will change."
Naruto looked up, blankly staring at Iruka.
"If I try hard… will I definitely become stronger?"
Iruka's expression shifted slightly. He didn't want to lie.
"In this world, effort doesn't always guarantee results… but if you don't work hard, there's even less hope."
Naruto only half understood, but he clenched his fists.
"Okay, Iruka-sensei! I'll work hard!"
Iruka smiled and patted his head again.
"I believe in you, Naruto."
Naruto's nose twitched, tears welling in his eyes. Iruka-sensei… he was the only one who acknowledged him… The only one who truly saw him. Naruto didn't want to let him down.
"I understand, Iruka-sensei! From today on, I'll put in ten—no, a hundred times the effort! I'll never disappoint you!"
At that moment—
[Uzumaki Naruto, your desperate resolve to become stronger has been detected. The Roll to Hokage System is loading…]
[Three…]
[Two…]
[One!]
[Binding successful!]
[Roll to Hokage Schedule Plan generating…]
Naruto froze.
"R-Roll to Hokage System? What the heck is that?!"
***
Back at the Ninja Academy, Naruto was uncharacteristically silent.
The strange voice in his mind terrified him. He wanted to ask Iruka-sensei about it, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't speak of the "System." It was as though it had sealed his lips.
Naruto frowned, arms crossed, head lowered, lost in thought.
"What exactly is this… System?"
Immediately, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[A System is a program designed to help the host achieve certain wishes. As long as the host acts according to the System's rules, unimaginable and generous rewards will be granted.]
[This System is called the Roll to Hokage System. As the name suggests, it will assist the host, help him surpass others, and realize the dream of becoming Hokage sooner.]
Naruto didn't understand much else, but when he heard *"realize the dream of becoming Hokage sooner,"* it was like lightning striking his brain.
"So you're saying… you can help me become Hokage?!"
[Yes.]
"That's amazing! Then… then I'll do whatever you say! What should I do first?"
Naruto was trembling with excitement.
[The host must train according to the schedule set by this System.]
"That's it?"
[Yes.]
"That easy?"
[Yes.]
"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's get started!"
[Acknowledged. Host has officially activated the System. Current attributes are being scanned… The first schedule plan has been generated… Cultivation assistance System, launching…]
[Detected: Host is currently in Cultural Class Learning Stage.]
[Instruction: Please concentrate fully, pay complete attention, and absorb all lesson content.]
[Warning: Noncompliance will result in the Baptism of Lightning Release.]
Naruto gulped. "…Baptism of Lightning Release? What's that supposed to mean—"
The next instant—
**Rumble—BOOM!**
Lightning surged, striking violently into Naruto. His scream shook the classroom.
"Ahhhhhh—!"
But to others, nothing was visible.
From their perspective, Naruto had suddenly gone crazy, screaming for no reason.
Iruka stopped his lecture, sighing heavily.
"Naruto! What nonsense are you pulling now?!"
Naruto, fried until he was crisp on the outside and tender inside, slumped back in his seat. He could barely speak, his voice weak.
"N-nothing…"
Iruka rubbed his forehead.
"This is your last warning. If you disrupt class again, don't blame me for throwing you out into the hallway!"
Normally, Naruto wouldn't have cared. The hallway was better than listening to boring lessons anyway. Sometimes Choji and Shikamaru got punished too, so the three of them suffered together. Naruto even suspected Iruka deliberately punished them so he could make friends.
But now…
If he stood in the hall, that meant *not concentrating in class.*
Which meant… another Baptism of Lightning Release!
He absolutely didn't want to go through that again.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei! I'll listen carefully!"
Iruka blinked in surprise.
"Eh? That kid Naruto… Why is he so obedient today? Normally he'd argue with me without hesitation… Could it be my words finally got through to him?"
A warm, relieved smile spread across Iruka's face.
The other students, however, frowned in confusion.
Uchiha Sasuke shot Naruto a blank, sidelong glance. Sakura, meanwhile, didn't even notice—her eyes remained locked on Sasuke.
Choji, sneaking potato chips out of his desk, raised an eyebrow.
"Shikamaru… what's going on with Naruto? Did his personality change?"
But Shikamaru was already asleep.
Choji shook his head helplessly and popped another chip into his mouth, crunching quietly.
Meanwhile, Naruto was gripping his desk tightly, gasping for air.
"Full concentration, full concentration… Damn it! How am I supposed to concentrate, dattebayo?!"
But the System's cold voice came again.
[Host is instructed to study with full focus. Failure to comply will trigger the Baptism of Lightning Release.]
[Warning: Countdown… 5… 4… 3…]
"Aghhh—I get it, I get it! Don't baptize me again, dattebayo!"
Frantically rubbing his hair, Naruto forced his wide eyes onto the board, where Iruka wrote:
"The trajectory of a Shuriken's flight is a typical parabola…"