Konohagakure, Year 63, Fall.
The opening test of the final semester.
"Uzumaki Naruto, written test... failed!"
"Naruto, if you don't work harder, you are going to repeat this year!"
As the chunin teacher Iruka sighed, laughter echoed through the classroom.Once again, Naruto had failed his exams. Naruto, already used to the laughs, lowered his head.
His bright orange jumpsuit, illuminated by the sun, was also a reason to laugh. Everyone knew that those colors could be deadly in their line of work.
"I knew it, the dead last really is useless."
Naruto listened to the taunts and jabs, and then shouted, "Tch! Just you all watch! I'll beat you all in the Genin exams!"
The class ignored Naruto, only sparing him a glance before leaving in twos and threes.
In the crowd, Sasuke walked past coldly with his hands shoved in his pockets, not sparing him a look. Sakura chased Sasuke's retreating figure. Only Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji gave Naruto a simple greeting. Naruto was encouraged to go up to them, but saw them leave, greeted by their parents. Slowly, the busy noise faded, leaving only Naruto.
Late at night, at Naruto's home.
The smell of ramen swept through the cramped home. Naruto lay sprawled out on his bed, his hair covering his face.
In the moment, the happy and carefree attitude he had was gone.
"Why won't they look at me? No matter what I do, I'm always put down. I want to become stronger. I want to pass the test. I want to be a ninja." Naruto said the last part quieter, with tears threatening to spill. "I wish someone, anyone would teach me."
A sense of loneliness washed through Naruto. He closed his eyes, still wishing.
[Ding!]
A crisp bell sound rang in his ear.
"Huh? Is that the door?"
Not hearing it again, Naruto sat back down, still confused.
[Detecting intense need. The Advice System has been bound.]
[User has been connected to the Advice Forum.]
A light-blue screen appeared in front of Naruto's eyes, startling him.
"What is this? A trick or maybe a genjutsu?"
Naruto blinked rapidly, but the screen remained. Naruto, taking a closer look, realized the screen displayed strange text.
"Help: My planet is about to be destroyed by a tyrant! Advice needed urgently!"
"Discussion: I just got reincarnated into a world with no powers or money. How can I get stronger?"
"Low-level report: My current job is a farmer. How can I make money fast?"
Although Naruto didn't pay attention in class, he could still read. He poked the screen with his finger before he realized he could control it with his mind.
"This is so cool!"
Naruto tried to click on a post, but another screen prompted, telling him [Insufficient Access]. After clicking many posts with similar screens popping up, he grew irritated and was about to click off, but he noticed a button in the bottom right corner.
[Post Thread]
Naruto clicked on it excitedly, happy to find something new. When he clicked it, a new screen appeared. He began to edit and revise his request until he liked it, then he clicked post thread.
[Um... Hello! How can I be noticed more?]
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. My grades are a mess, and I have a graduation exam soon... can someone teach me what I should do to gain everyone's approval? I'll do anything, please!"
After the post was sent, Naruto nervously held his knees, waiting for a response. He wondered if he would get one or be ignored like in the village.
A couple of seconds later, a ding rang out.
[Ding! You have a new reply!]
[Yorozuya Gin]
"You want to be popular? All you have to do is buy a snack or a case of drinks for everyone in your class. No one can refuse a sweet gesture! And if they do, just hand them another!"
[Suggestion Collected: Treat the entire class]
[Suggestion Requirement: Treat the entire class to snacks or a drink]
[Suggestion Reward: E-rank Wheel Spin]
Naruto grinned widely. The advice was something simple!
Before Naruto could do anything, another reply appeared.
[The Strongest Creature]
"If you want to be recognized, you have to be the strongest! Want to get stronger? Want to be the strongest? Then you have to train, train every day, and when you can't train anymore, train your mind!"
[Suggestion Collected: Become the Strongest]
[Suggestion Requirement: Train until you are the Strongest, then defeat the Strongest]
[Suggestion Reward: S-rank Wheel Spin]
Naruto was stunned. The suggestions varied drastically between who submitted a reply. In his opinion, this suggestion was useless to him at this point. He could never defeat a Hokage, who were considered the strongest.
Scrolling through more advice, he began to dismiss the ones that he thought would be useless or too out of his reach. Finally reaching the bottom, Naruto closed his eyes and smiled. He finally had the teacher and aid he always wanted. He was about to accept some suggestions, then close the screen.
Just then, another reply appeared.