Natural Strength

[Wind Release Basics (White): Your perception of Wind Nature chakra is sharper, and your control is smoother. Learning and executing basic Wind Release techniques sees a minor boost in efficiency and success rate.]

"Wind Release Basics..."

Shinichi silently pulled a piece of white test paper from his desk. Moments later, the paper ignited.

"Heh..."

Watching the charred remnants of the test paper in his hand, Shinichi fell silent again, then suddenly laughed.

People really do laugh when they're speechless.

Fire Nature.

His chakra nature was pure Fire.

His personal panel was a collection of external recognition and buffs—those entries solidified by public perception provided him with various enhancements: [Intelligent] boosted his thinking speed and comprehension, [Diligent] sharpened focus and reduced fatigue, [Robust] strengthened his physical constitution...

But his innate talents weren't displayed as numbers on the panel, nor did they generate corresponding entries.

For example, he could refine chakra and possessed Fire Nature chakra, yet no entries like [Ninja Talent] or [Fire Nature Chakra] appeared on the panel.

The personal panel was essentially an "external equipment slot" condensed from outside perception. Every entry on it was a piece of equipment.

The outside world thought he was "exceptionally intelligent," so it generated an equipment piece called [Intelligent] to boost his intelligence—it had no direct connection to his actual intelligence.

So now, for him, a pure Fire-type character, [Wind Release Basics (White)] was equipment he couldn't equip or activate for the time being.

"Not completely useless." Shinichi shook his head, consoling himself like that.

Normally, learning a new chakra nature transformation later required reaching jonin-level strength and insight, along with long, arduous effort.

Having the [Wind Release Basics] entry meant that, at least someday in the future, when he started trying to touch Wind Nature, it would save him a lot of trouble.

But for now... it was just a useless ornament.

Shinichi walked to the window and looked out at the quiet village in the night. In the distance, the silhouettes of the Hokage faces were faintly visible under the starlight. He was about to close the panel.

But suddenly, the panel changed again!

The [Robust (White)] entry suddenly emitted a glowing green light. The next moment, it shattered with a bang, and a new green line of text formed.

[Natural Strength (Green): You possess physical strength beyond the ordinary. Muscle power, endurance, and explosive force are all enhanced. You can easily accomplish loads and destruction that ordinary people find impossible.]

Shinichi froze for a moment, feeling his heart pound heavily. Then, a warm, thick, mercury-like current of blood surged from his heart, spreading rapidly through his blood vessels, bones, and tendons to his waist, arms, legs, and other major areas. What followed was an unprecedented sense of fullness and power.

"Heh... hehehe..."

Feeling the surging, genuinely explosive strength within his body, Shinichi lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly. Laughter finally spilled uncontrollably from deep in his throat.

Kakashi!!!

Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office.

The lighting was warm, and documents were piled high. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was puffing on his pipe while reviewing a report.

Every year during the enrollment season, the workload was heavier than usual. For that reason, he had to "invite" two old colleagues—Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu—to work overtime with him.

In the slightly quiet office, Utatane Koharu seemed to recall something, her tone carrying her usual conservatism and pickiness: "Speaking of which, I did hear about something. Today, there was a new student, not very old, but quite reckless in his actions. He actually carried a conspicuously large stone to school to register, drawing a crowd at the entrance. Kids these days are really troublesome. A ninja should value composure."

Mitokado Homura looked up from his documents and smiled, his tone relatively relaxed: "Oh? Sounds like he's quite strong. Koharu, it's harmless for kids to show some spirit and express themselves, as long as it doesn't disrupt order."

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused with his pipe in hand, slowly exhaling smoke. In his mind, he recalled the image he'd glimpsed through his crystal ball during the day: a small figure, carrying a boulder wildly disproportionate to his size, moving with heavy but steady steps.

"I have some impression of that kid. Should be Shinichi, right?" The Third Hokage nodded and spoke slowly: "It was indeed no small feat. The weight of that stone, for a child his age, would be extremely difficult even with chakra assistance. And he... seemed to carry it purely with physical strength."

"Purely with physical strength?" Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses, showing a hint of surprise as he smiled: "Hiruzen, it seems this kid named Shinichi has a pretty good physique. He should be a promising candidate for taijutsu training."

After a moment, the Third Hokage nodded: "Indeed, a promising seedling."

Utatane Koharu said nothing, but she took note of the child named Shinichi in her mind.

The Hokage's office returned to calm, with only the rustling of papers and the faint crackle of burning tobacco.

Two days later, after two days of registration and make-up enrollment, the Ninja Academy officially began.

Shinichi maintained his years-long habit of heading out for morning training at four in the morning.

By the time the first light of dawn appeared, he finished his training, washed up, and arrived at the school exactly fifteen minutes before class.

He crossed the still-quiet playground and entered the teaching building.

The door to Class 1-2 was open, and the lively, energetic chatter of children spilled out. Shinichi stepped into the classroom, his calm gaze sweeping over the seats, which were already mostly filled.

Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara... the figures corresponding to the names he remembered so well.

Not a single one was in this classroom.

That's a good thing!

Shinichi could only console himself with that thought, then reconsidered and decided it wasn't bad at all.

Although Kakashi had been in the spotlight since birth, carrying the name of a prodigy from a young age, that title was a bit hollow.

Only by using his undeniable classroom performance, jutsu releases, and practical combat—especially overwhelming equally notable peers like the Hokage's son—could he solidify that prodigy reputation from vague rumor into established fact.

"And for me, winning at his most dazzling moment, on the stage where his reputation is most solid, will achieve the best effect."

Besides, even if they weren't in the same class, the Ninja Academy's practical combat drills and periodic assessments would inevitably pit the two classes against each other, not to mention the midterms and finals for the entire grade.

"Just adjusted the spotlight angle a little."

Shinichi's mind raced quickly as his gaze swept the classroom again. By now, most seats were taken. His eyes finally landed on the seat by the window in the upper right corner—a three-person long table, where only one girl was sitting.