Since Shiki's match was the last one on the schedule, the Third Hokage could deliver his verdict without delay. However, there really wasn't much to judge. The overwhelming power Shiki had demonstrated surpassed even Minato's skills. Therefore, the Third declared him the winner and the first-place champion without the slightest hesitation.
"My child, you have taken first place," the Hokage said, offering Shiki his trademark warm, fatherly smile.
Shiki, however, remained completely indifferent to the praise.
"So, when do I get my two hundred thousand ryo?" he asked matter-of-factly.
"Uh..." The Third was momentarily left speechless by such a mercenary question.
The situation was saved by an assistant standing nearby. She quickly pulled out a bank check for two hundred thousand ryo and placed it into Shiki's hand. Only then did a genuine, wide smile blossom on the boy's face.
"Much obliged, Third-sama!"
Pleased as punch, Shiki swaggered back toward the spectator stands. The kanji for "Justice" on his back seemed to sway happily in time with his steps. At that exact moment, a system chime rang out in his head, making him smile even wider:
[Synchronization progress has reached 20%.]
[Initiating random ability selection process...]
[Ability successfully selected. Congratulations, you have acquired the Glint-Glint Fruit.]
Shiki nearly jumped for joy right then and there. The Glint-Glint Fruit! He had finally rolled that damn Devil Fruit!
He instantly felt colossal changes occurring within his body. Now, with just a single thought, he could transform into a beam of light and teleport to any location within his line of sight! If it weren't for the Third Hokage's piercing gaze boring into his back, Shiki probably would have flashed and vanished right on the spot. But, understanding the gravity of the situation, he decided not to draw any unnecessary attention to himself for now and figure everything out in a calm environment.
Regardless, today Shiki had displayed a level of power that completely eclipsed the talents of all the other students—and that was including the future Fourth Hokage himself!
"Hey, Shiki! You hit the jackpot today with those two hundred thousand ryo! It'd be an absolute crime if you didn't treat us to dinner!" As soon as the exams concluded, Kushina threw her arms tightly around his neck.
Standing nearby, Minato nodded with a smile, clearly supporting the idea. Although Shiki was itching to get home and test out his new powers, he didn't want to turn down his friends on such a joyous day. Besides, he was in a fantastic mood.
"What a drag... Fine, fine, it's my treat."
"Yay! I want barbecue!" Kushina immediately let go of his neck and dashed off toward the yakiniku restaurant with a joyful squeal.
Minato patted Shiki sympathetically on the shoulder.
"Knowing Kushina's appetite, I'm afraid your wallet is going to be significantly lighter tonight."
"This is the first and last time," Shiki grimaced in displeasure.
"Hahaha!" Minato laughed.
…
After a hearty dinner, Shiki sprinted all the way home. As an orphan, he had lived in a Konoha orphanage since childhood. The director of the orphanage was a kind-hearted old man from the Yamanaka Clan named Yamanaka Oota. Upon hearing that Shiki had achieved such outstanding results in the graduation exam, he was genuinely thrilled for him.
"Shiki, I hope you grow up to be an outstanding ninja," the old man said, his voice brimming with warmth.
"Oh, come on, let's just let things take their course," Shiki waved him off, slipping back into his mask of a lazy slacker. There wasn't an ounce of that "inherited Will of Fire" the village loved to preach about in his demeanor.
Returning to his room, Shiki began cautiously testing his new abilities. Why cautiously? The answer was obvious: Anbu.
The taijutsu skills he had showcased in the arena today were more than enough to attract the Third Hokage's attention. And possibly even Danzo's. Therefore, both for his own safety and the "safety" of Konoha, he was guaranteed to be under surveillance for the next few days.
However, surveillance was one thing, but through walls and closed windows, provided he was careful enough, those Anbu bloodhounds were unlikely to see anything. After all, the power he was using didn't belong to this world. Generally, shinobi sensory techniques were tailored to detect chakra—like the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, for instance. But against energy from a completely different universe, they were most likely entirely useless.
Making sure the curtains were tightly drawn and the door locked, Shiki began his experiment. He raised his hand.
Bzzzt...
A quiet, crackling sound echoed, and a blindingly bright cluster of golden light concentrated at the tip of his finger, ready to shoot off at any second. Shiki's heart pounded wildly with excitement, but he prudently chose not to fire a laser into the wall. The System had only granted him the raw ability of the Glint-Glint Fruit. This meant he would have to develop and master all the moves and techniques himself. He couldn't just copy Kizaru's ready-made attacks. Still, even in this raw form, this power was incredibly terrifying.
Next up was elemental transformation. Shiki stood perfectly still. His body began to glow brightly, then dissolved into a myriad of shining particles and vanished, only to materialize in the opposite corner of the room an instant later.
It worked!
Shiki's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. In this world, where Armament Haki didn't exist, the ability to turn into intangible light skyrocketed his chances of survival. Of course, he couldn't afford to let his guard down either. Even if there was no Haki here, there were plenty of various genjutsu and sealing techniques that could very well send him to the next world. So, a little caution never hurt.
After playing around with his new powers a bit more, Shiki finally flopped onto his bed with a profound sense of satisfaction.
Well, that's that. Now I can go back to slacking off with absolute peace of mind!