So, Shiro wasn't the least bit concerned about Kakashi noticing anything amiss.
"The Genin Placement Exams are fast approaching. You really shouldn't be wandering around aimlessly outside at a crucial time like this," Kakashi advised, his visible eye crinkling slightly. He honestly never imagined the day would arrive where he'd be the one lecturing an academy student to study harder.
Perhaps it was simply because the boy standing before him, Shiro, possessed an incredibly striking presence. It was a well-known, albeit unspoken, truth that a captivating appearance often naturally disarmed people, making them more inclined to offer friendly advice.
Had it been any ordinary student loitering about, Kakashi would have likely vanished the moment the words left his mouth. Yet, looking at Shiro, the elite Jonin genuinely hoped the young man would apply himself and succeed.
"Understood," Shiro replied with a simple, noncommittal nod.
From his utterly blank expression, it was entirely impossible to deduce whether he had actually taken the veteran ninja's advice to heart.
Kakashi internally noted the boy's calm demeanor before his thoughts drifted back to his initial objective. *'My sensory perception earlier definitely wasn't wrong. That massive spike originated from this exact spot.'*
As Kakashi was lost in his analytical thoughts, he glanced back up, only to find that the clearing was entirely empty. Shiro had vanished.
"How is that even possible?" Kakashi nearly gasped aloud in pure shock. He hadn't registered a single sound or movement indicating when or how the boy had departed.
His attention had wavered for merely a fraction of a second, yet in the blink of an eye, Shiro was completely gone.
A wild, deeply unsettling hypothesis suddenly surfaced in the Anbu veteran's mind.
*'Could that monstrous chakra surge from earlier... actually have been caused by Shiro?'*
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible," Kakashi violently shook his head, forcefully dismissing the absurd notion. How old was Shiro? How could a mere child possibly possess such a terrifying, ocean-like volume of chakra?
Convinced his mind was playing tricks on him, Kakashi didn't linger in the clearing for another moment. He shunshined away, heading straight towards the Hokage Monument and the towering administrative building beneath it.
"Ah, Kakashi! Welcome back," Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, greeted with a hint of concern etched across his aged face as he watched the Jonin enter the office. He immediately inquired about the status of the recently concluded mission.
However, Kakashi was clearly distracted, his mind elsewhere, as he delivered a brief, unusually cursory report of the events. But when it came time to mention the bizarre anomaly he had experienced on the eastern hillside of Konoha, Kakashi noticeably hesitated, the words dying in his throat.
"Kakashi, you seem remarkably anxious today," Hiruzen noted, his sharp eyes instantly catching the subtle abnormalities in the usually stoic ninja's posture.
To hold the esteemed mantle of Hokage for as long as he had, one didn't necessarily need to read minds, but they certainly had to be a master at reading micro-expressions and subtle shifts in demeanor.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kakashi finally conceded, taking a deep breath before detailing the bewildering sensory spike and his subsequent encounter with the academy student on his way back.
Upon hearing the full account, the Third Hokage's bushy brows furrowed deeply together.
"Let me make sure I am understanding you correctly. You are claiming that you sensed a chakra signature comparable in magnitude to that of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju... and that the source of this power might be a mere academy student who hasn't even reached adulthood?"
Hiruzen seriously wondered if Kakashi had suffered an unreported head trauma during his last skirmish. Naturally, he kept that impolite assumption to himself, maintaining a diplomatic facade.
"Kakashi... I am well aware that the tragic losses of Obito and Rin have left deep, lingering scars on your psyche. It is not entirely uncommon for intense stress and grief to manifest as sensory hallucinations," the aged leader said gently. "How about this? Utilizing my authority as Hokage, I am officially mandating a three-day leave of absence for you. Go home. Get some much-needed rest and clear your head."
As Kakashi's long-time superior and mentor figure, Hiruzen spoke with genuine paternal consideration.
But the dismissal only made Kakashi more anxious, his lone eye widening slightly. "Lord Hokage, do you truly believe this was nothing more than a trick of my own mind?"
Kakashi felt a desperate, clawing need to validate his experience. The terrifying density of the chakra he had sensed was an absolute reality. Its undeniable resemblance to the legendary tales of the First Hokage's power was a reality. And the undeniable fact that Shiro was the sole living being present at the epicenter when he arrived was also a stark reality.
Yet, when he laid all these concrete facts out on the table, why did it sound like the punchline to a ridiculous joke?
"Kakashi, you should know the boy's file. Shiro's parents were both respectable, average Chunin of our village." Hiruzen sighed, packing his pipe. "They both perished valiantly on the frontlines during the Ninja World War. You could very well say that Shiro is the orphaned son of Konoha's heroes."
Hiruzen stated calmly, exhaling a thin plume of smoke. He actually recalled the boy's file fairly well. Shiro was a remarkably average student in the graduating class, though notably popular among his female peers.
To suggest that a child of such ordinary pedigree possessed a chakra reserve rivaling the God of Shinobi himself... Hiruzen simply could not bring himself to entertain the thought.
"I understand, Lord Hokage," Kakashi finally conceded, bowing his head slightly. He recognized that his entire report was built on circumstantial evidence and wild speculation. He hadn't visually confirmed Shiro producing the chakra.
"Don't dwell on it, Kakashi. Return to your quarters and rest your weary bones for a few days," Hiruzen instructed, his tone softening. "When the time is right, and you are properly recuperated, perhaps we can discuss transitioning you into a new role."
The Hokage was subtly hinting at a change in his operational duties. It was high time Kakashi stepped out of the blood-soaked shadows of the Anbu and back into the warming sunlight of the village.
"Use this time to mentally prepare yourself for the upcoming Placement Exams."
"Understood," Kakashi replied, ultimately resigning himself to the decision as he turned and exited the office.
Chapter 3: Signing in Again, Unparalleled Comprehension!
"Teuchi-san, I'll take a large bowl of tonkotsu ramen!"
Leaving the grassy hillside behind, Shiro made his usual trip to the familiar, comforting stalls of Ichiraku Ramen. Ever since finding himself transmigrated into this vibrant ninja world, the one culinary comfort Shiro consistently relied upon was Teuchi's masterfully crafted noodles.
"Dad, Shiro is here!" Ayame practically sprinted out from the back kitchen, her face lighting up with genuine excitement the moment she registered his familiar voice.
"Ah, Shiro, my boy! Welcome back!" Teuchi beamed, wiping his flour-dusted hands on his apron, his demeanor incredibly warm and welcoming.
"Hey, Ayame," Shiro greeted her with a soft, easygoing smile.
Long before he had ever awakened his miraculous system, he had formed a habit of frequenting this humble ramen stand. Being acutely aware of the overarching plotlines of this world, he knew for an absolute fact that no matter how devastatingly chaotic Konohagakure became in the future, the Ichiraku Ramen stand would forever remain an impenetrable sanctuary. He chuckled internally, remembering the wild, exaggerated fan theories from his past life that jokingly proclaimed the ramen chef was secretly an all-powerful being.
Now that his latent abilities had been unlocked, his senses were sharply refined. He could clearly tell that Teuchi didn't possess a single drop of extraordinary chakra within his body. He was just a profoundly talented, ordinary civilian. Yet, that undeniable fact didn't diminish Shiro's appreciation for the man's exceptional cooking one bit.
"Has the academy been working you to the bone lately, Shiro? We haven't seen your face around here in quite a few days," Teuchi chuckled, casting a fond, somewhat helpless glance at his daughter, who was practically starry-eyed staring at the boy. Still, the veteran chef felt perfectly at ease having the polite young man around his establishment.
"Here you go. One extra-large bowl of our signature tonkotsu ramen, piping hot!" Within moments, Teuchi slid a massive, steaming bowl overflowing with rich broth and tender pork across the wooden counter.
The generous portion immediately drew envious glances from the few other patrons seated nearby.
"Teuchi, you're always playing favorites with that kid!" one of the regular customers called out jokingly. It was abundantly clear that everyone was well accustomed to the chef's blatant favoritism when it came to the orphaned academy student.
"You could say that. The Genin Placement Exams are right around the corner," Shiro casually replied to the chef's earlier question. He smoothly snapped apart his wooden chopsticks, the rich aroma of the broth making his stomach rumble in anticipation.
"Itadakimasu!" he stated out of ingrained habit, before diving in to savor the exquisite, unparalleled taste of the noodles.
"By the way, Shiro... are you feeling confident about passing the exams?" Ayame asked, leaning slightly over the counter.
The young waitress looked at him with an expression of palpable nervousness, her hands unconsciously wringing her apron. It was painstakingly obvious to anyone with eyes that Ayame cared deeply for his well-being and success.
"It shouldn't pose any real problem," Shiro answered with a reassuring, confident tone.
He purposefully chose not to delve into the intricate details, offering a deliberately vague response. After all, his current combat capabilities had vastly eclipsed the paltry standards of a mere Genin. Had this conversation taken place before his miraculous system awakening, he would have fully intended to just coast through life, slacking off and keeping his head down to avoid any unnecessary danger.
But now, armed with a power that defied the very laws of reality? He genuinely believed that even the legendary, mythical title of the God of Shinobi was well within his grasp.
"Really? That's wonderful! You have to give it your absolute best out there, Shiro!" Ayame cheered, pumping her fist enthusiastically.
Shiro offered a polite smile in return. He wasn't completely dense; he was acutely aware of the gentle crush the girl harbored for him. After all, this was the same fiery girl who, at the tender age of eight, had boldly declared to her father that she intended to financially support Shiro's ninja career if he ever failed.
If she was bold enough to declare that as a child, there was very little she wouldn't say now.
Unfortunately for her, Shiro genuinely only viewed her as a close friend and a younger sibling figure. Truthfully speaking, Ayame simply didn't fit his aesthetic preferences. Shiro had always possessed a rather distinct preference for far more mature, curvaceous women.
Clearing his throat to dispel his wandering thoughts, he set his empty bowl down. "That was incredible as always. Teuchi-san, Ayame, thanks for the meal, but I need to head back now."
Remembering the monumental tasks waiting for him at his apartment, Shiro knew he couldn't afford to dawdle.
"Ah, leaving so soon? Alright then. Best of luck on your exams, Shiro!" Teuchi called out, waving a warm goodbye.
Knowing how crucial the upcoming academic period was, the chef purposefully didn't attempt to keep the boy chatting.
Upon returning to the quiet solitude of his small apartment, Shiro immediately began to meticulously study the limits of his newly acquired system. He quickly deduced the core mechanic: as long as he possessed the foundational knowledge and basic mastery of a specific ninjutsu, the system's influence could instantaneously catapult that technique to its absolute maximum level of proficiency.
Complex chakra theories that had previously baffled his mind, and intricate hand seals that used to feel impossibly convoluted, now appeared as rudimentary and effortless as breathing.
"Next on the agenda... I should probably test this on some higher-caliber jutsu," he murmured to the empty room.
Driven by newfound ambition, he began frantically rummaging through a battered wooden trunk at the foot of his bed, eventually unearthing a weathered, dust-covered ninjutsu scroll.
This scroll was one of the very few tangible assets his deceased parents had managed to leave behind for him. It contained the instructions for a solid B-rank technique: The Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Shiro had attempted to decipher its contents several times in the past, but the advanced chakra molding requirements had been vastly beyond his poor comprehension skills. Lacking the necessary funds to hire a private jonin tutor to explain the intricacies of the technique, the valuable scroll had been relegated to gathering dust in the bottom of his storage trunk.
However, the paradigm of his entire existence had shifted. With the Trait System's [One-Click Max Level] ability at his disposal, the barriers to entry had been completely obliterated.
He unrolled the parchment with eager hands, his eyes devouring the complex diagrams of the Shadow Clone Jutsu with renewed vigor. The only minor caveat he had to overcome was the system's fundamental rule: while it could guarantee instantaneous mastery, he still had to independently grasp the very first, basic step of learning the jutsu before the system could take over and max it out.