Konoha Ninja Academy.
A group of examinees waited outside.
Inside, a black-haired boy took his exam while the Third Hokage and several Ninja Academy teachers watched and scored him.
In the middle of the room, he skillfully completed one test after another.
Before long—
"Taijutsu: Excellent."
"Clone Technique: Excellent."
"Transformation Technique..."
"Overall: Excellent."
The Third Hokage, wearing a Hokage Hat, announced the results one by one. Then he stood, picked up a Forehead Protector, and walked over to the student below.
He handed it to him.
"After evaluating you, the Academy has approved your early graduation. Kyohiko Yoshimine, starting today, you are a Genin."
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Kyohiko accepted it respectfully, unable to keep from marveling inwardly—
After more than a year since transmigrating, and all his relentless hard work, he had finally reached the requirements for early graduation.
Almost at the same time, a voice rang out.
[Congratulations on successfully taking office as Hokage. The Hokage System is at your service.]
???
That voice?
A system?
Damn it!
I transmigrated over a year ago and trained like crazy for a whole year. You only show up after I've worked my way to early graduation?
He was both shocked and thrilled.
According to the memories of his predecessor, Kyohiko Yoshimine's ancestors had once been members of the Senju Clan. Later, the First advocated intermarriage within the village, and the family split off from the clan.
By Kyohiko's generation, they were already the third generation.
However—
His grandmother hadn't had any special constitution or Kekkei Genkai, and neither had his parents. At most, they were a little healthier than average. Unfortunately, they had died on the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
Kyohiko was even more ordinary. So far, there was nothing special about him.
So—
After transmigrating, he'd realized that the only way to survive in the brutal Shinobi World was to work as hard and fight as fiercely as Guy.
He hadn't expected—
Today, he'd awakened a system...
"Wait? The Hokage System? What do you mean? I'm not the Hokage!"
Kyohiko was baffled. He glanced down at the Forehead Protector, then looked up at the hat on Hiruzen Sarutobi's head.
I'm not the Hokage!
"Kyohiko, put on your Ninja Forehead Protector."
"Yes!"
Kyohiko came back to his senses as if waking from a dream.
He tied the Forehead Protector around his head. Then—
Another notification sounded.
[Winning people's hearts is an essential Hokage skill.] [By personally giving a graduating Genin his Forehead Protector, you have earned his complete trust.] [Reward: Body Flicker Technique increased by 1 level]
Huh?
Once Kyohiko was sure he hadn't imagined it, he was deeply shaken.
Complete trust...
Of course I trust myself!
I can even get a reward for putting my own Forehead Protector on? Is this system stupid or what?!
He stood there dazed for a moment, then came back to himself.
This system—
It was probably tailor-made for the Hokage. But either he'd transmigrated into the wrong place, or the system had picked the wrong person. Somehow, it had ended up with him, a mere Genin.
Still, he was in the examination room. He had to keep his composure!
Kyohiko calmed himself and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
He meant it.
If the system had really landed on Hiruzen Sarutobi, that would've been a waste. Would that old fox even know how to use it?
He didn't have what it took!
Better that it went to me.
"Haha, I've got high hopes for you. Keep it up!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Kyohiko on the shoulder.
Then he began calling out names, telling the next person to come in.
Kyohiko walked out and watched a succession of unfamiliar and familiar faces pass by. He couldn't help but reflect—
Ten years from now, only a few of these people would stand out.
The Shinobi World was brutal.
Without a Kekkei Genkai, it was nearly impossible to get anywhere with a secret technique!
Over the past ten months, Kyohiko had learned all too well how difficult life was for an ordinary person.
Work hard. Strive.
But no matter how hard he tried, all he had to show for it was a stronger foundation and the qualifications for early graduation. He couldn't compare with Kakashi, who had already graduated long ago.
If things went on as usual, Guy was the best example he could follow.
Fortunately, he now had a cheat of his own. And with early graduation, he had plenty of time to train and get stronger.
He wouldn't learn anything profound at the Academy!
The Hokage System.
The way it worked was bizarre, but at least the results were good.
After leaving the examination room, Kyohiko tried a few commands. Eventually, he said "Panel," and a hazy, illusory screen appeared.
Familiar words were displayed on it.
[Name: Kyohiko Yoshimine] [Age: 7] [Kekkei Genkai]: None [Skills]: Transformation Technique (Proficient), Clone Technique (Proficient), Substitution Technique (Expert), Body Flicker Technique (Master)
Master-level Body Flicker Technique!
Kyohiko suppressed his astonishment and excitement.
According to the system's ranking, ninjutsu proficiency had five levels: Beginner, Proficient, Expert, Master, and Grandmaster.
The Body Flicker Technique and the Substitution Technique were the two ninjutsu he'd spent the most time practicing. No contest.
But—
For the past six months, he hadn't made any progress with the Body Flicker Technique.
Now, however—
Insights into the technique surfaced in his mind.
"I see. At the master level, muscle, strength, and chakra control become far more precise."
The ability to exert force with pinpoint precision.
That was the difference between the expert and master levels.
Kyohiko began to understand.
This epiphany was incredible. It was as if he'd practiced tens of thousands of times and could now effortlessly perform the master-level Body Flicker Technique.
"If I'd trained on my own, it might've taken at least several years of practice to reach master level."
"This is amazing!"
"Now..."
"The question is how to get the most out of this system."
Without a Kekkei Genkai or secret techniques, if Kyohiko wanted to change his fate and avoid becoming one of the countless nameless people lost in the Shinobi World Wars, his best hope was the system before him.
Everything that had happened so far was proof enough: it was a rigid program with plenty of room to exploit.
If I were the Hokage, what would I do?
Kyohiko's mind raced.
The conditions for getting rewards had included...
Winning people's hearts, balancing the village's factions, making the village stronger and more prosperous.
Contributing during wartime.
Handling the village's daily affairs and missions.
Kyohiko came up with a few ideas.
As a Genin, the other options were impossible for him. For now, all he could do was win people's hearts and take on missions.
Kyohiko thought it over, then—
He walked out of the Academy gates and tried out his master-level Body Flicker Technique.
Precise control.
Muscles, chakra...
Then—
Whoosh!
In an instant, Kyohiko vanished. The next moment, he was already at another spot down the street.
"So fast!"
"My physique hasn't improved at all, but the Body Flicker Technique is two or three times as effective as before!"
A glint of excitement flashed through Kyohiko's eyes.
If the master level was this good, wouldn't reaching Grandmaster make him unstoppable?
However—
He could feel that even though this ability had become part of him, his eyesight and awareness hadn't yet adapted to his increased speed. As a result, he was misjudging distances and velocity.
Train!
Kyohiko ran toward the outskirts where he usually practiced, speeding along like the wind.
But—
As he passed a bathhouse...
"Hm?"
A white-haired man turned to look outside.
Then he saw a boy sprint past at incredible speed.
What incredible speed!
That Body Flicker Technique...
Who was he?
The man was instantly intrigued, but he glanced hesitantly at what was happening inside the bathhouse. In the end, he turned away and chased after Kyohiko.
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