Chapter 1 Shiro
Konoha Village
Hokage Rock (Monument of the Hokage)
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, clouds bled into shades of crimson and gold. Birds returned to their nests, and a cool late-autumn wind swept across the massive stone faces carved into Hokage Rock.
Shiro lay reclined atop the Fourth Hokage's stone shoulder, his head resting comfortably on a pair of long, smooth, snow-white thighs.
His features were striking—sharp brows, straight nose, neatly trimmed black hair. A face that would have stood out anywhere. The only flaw was the thick white cloth wrapped around his eyes, hiding them completely.
In his previous life, he had been nothing more than carefully bred livestock for society—graduate, work, grind, repeat.
In this life, heaven seemed to feel guilty.
He was reborn into the ninja world as an orphan, blessed with absurdly good looks, monstrous talent, and a mysterious mission system that accompanied him from birth.
Although the system's missions and rewards were sometimes bafflingly abstract, Shiro's deep familiarity with the Naruto storyline—combined with the "Newbie Gift Pack"—allowed him to crush his peers from the moment he entered the Ninja Academy.
Genius. Prodigy. Monster.
Those labels came naturally.
And as a pleasant side effect, he also managed to get very close to his team leader—a certain young female jōnin.
As long as he stayed in Konoha, developed steadily, and avoided doing anything stupid, his future was secure: money, power, status… and companionship.
A perfect route to victory in life.
"Just last night," a calm, mature voice said softly,
"the Uchiha clan was annihilated. Not even the elderly or children were spared."
Shiro's head rested on the speaker's lap.
"The Third Hokage arrived too late," the voice continued. "Only one child survived."
Yuhi Kurenai.
Her tone was steady, but there was unmistakable sorrow beneath it. As she spoke, she casually picked up a strawberry from a small container beside her and, without thinking, placed it at Shiro's lips.
He accepted it obediently.
Sweet. Sour. Fresh.
Suddenly, Shiro sat bolt upright.
"I didn't do it."
Kurenai blinked, startled. For a moment, she was speechless. Then she sighed helplessly and shook her head.
"…Of course you didn't." Her voice softened. "I'm just saying that Konoha isn't safe right now. If you don't need to go out, then don't."
She was genuinely worried.
This student of hers—brilliant, unconventional, frighteningly capable—had a way of thinking that even she couldn't always predict.
A year ago, she had become a jōnin team leader for the first time.
With Shiro as her subordinate, her squad had completed multiple high-difficulty combat missions, each one executed cleanly and efficiently.
Those achievements silenced the doubts of villagers who believed she was "too young" to be a jōnin.
Because of that, Kurenai trusted him deeply.
Which was why she tolerated certain… questionable behaviors.
For example: lying on Hokage Rock using her lap as a pillow.
"I understand," Shiro nodded.
After a brief pause, Kurenai remembered something else.
"The Chūnin Exams are coming up. Have you decided which department you want to join afterward?"
Shiro asked calmly,
"Which department in Konoha is the most dangerous?"
Kurenai's eyes lit up.
Satisfaction welled in her chest.
As expected of him.
This was the perfect embodiment of the Will of Fire—his ideological awareness was higher than that of many full-fledged jōnin.
After thinking for a moment, she replied seriously:
"ANBU. Root. Interrogation Division. Intelligence Division.
All of them are dangerous… but also excellent for growth."
"With your talent," she added, "entering ANBU wouldn't be difficult."
Shiro nodded.
"Alright," he said decisively.
"Then I'll join the Ninja Academy as an instructor."
"…Huh?"
Kurenai froze.
She stared at him, doubting her own ears.
The Ninja Academy?
Aside from the jōnin instructors responsible for field training, the Academy's teaching staff had absolutely nothing to do with danger.
Kurenai frowned. "Shiro, with your talent, you shouldn't waste it in a place like that."
"No," he replied firmly.
"That way, we'll be colleagues."
"And we can stay together."
His tone was resolute.
Kurenai's pupils trembled.
Surprise. Anticipation. Warmth.
A gentle heat spread from her chest throughout her body.
So that's why…
She said nothing.
Shiro leaned back again, finding a familiar, comfortable position against her soft body.
His consciousness shifted.
A translucent panel unfolded within the darkness behind the white cloth.
Name: Shiro
Identity: Civilian
Chakra Level: B (Standard Chūnin Tier)
Chakra Nature: Earth
Bloodline Limit: Wood Release
Ninjutsu:
Chakra Sensory Technique
Three Basic Techniques
Shurikenjutsu
Leaf-Style Sword Technique
Earth Release: Earth Wall
Genjutsu: Naraku Clone
Achievement Entries:
Equality of All Beings
Cut
Radio
Equality of All Beings
Select one opponent.
Ignore all differences in bloodline, race, kekkei genkai, ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.
During combat, forcibly elevate your strength to equal theirs.
Uses: 1/week
System Comment:
A perfect 50–50. Even an Ōtsutsuki would have to admit: "I can only go even with him."
Cut
Permanently copy one active ninjutsu.
The original user becomes unable to use that technique again.
Copied technique may be used once per day without chakra or hand seals.
System Comment:
How can you call it theft when it's done by a ninja?
Radio
Meditation allows forced mental communication and detailed information access.
Multiple channels supported.
System Comment:
Beware of telecom fraud.
Wood Release—and Equality of All Beings—came from the New Player Gift Pack.
The others were earned through achievements.
The system's task schedule was completely chaotic.
Sometimes ten missions a day.
Sometimes none for half a year.
Shiro was used to it.
With Equality of All Beings, he was effectively invincible in single combat for seven days.
Of course—
If a second enemy joined the fight, the "balance" would collapse.
And someone would die.
Overall, the system was excellent.
Which meant—
He had no reason to risk his life for Konoha.
The Uchiha clan had fallen.
The era of protagonists was about to begin.
The next great crisis would be Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan.
He still had plenty of time.
Not far away, deep within the forest—
A pair of eyes burned with jealousy and rage.
"No…!"
Sarutobi Asuma clenched his teeth, hidden among the leaves.
That man.
Lying on Hokage Rock.
With her.
Even if Asuma could win Kurenai's heart one day—
He would never dare to do something like that.
"Young Master Asuma."
A deep voice sounded behind him.
Asuma stiffened.
He turned—and his pupils shrank.
ANBU.
Two masked figures stood silently on a nearby tree branch.
"The Hokage summons Shiro," one said.
"You will accompany us."
"…Me?"
Asuma pointed at himself, stunned.
Hokage Building – Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled slowly.
The wrinkles on his face seemed deeper than ever. In a single night, he looked ten years older.
Across the desk stood Shiro.
Dressed in black.
A ninja sword on his back.
White cloth covering his eyes.
Young.
Too young.
Standing before the Third Hokage—
He looked like the rising sun.