Naruto, what's the point of being Hokage without you!

Umino Iruka said in a deep voice, "Since you know your talent is lacking, you should be working even harder!"

"Do you really think skipping class to pull pranks will make you any stronger?!"

Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help but freeze.

Deep down, he actually knew that Iruka-sensei truly had his best interests at heart.

But...

"Iruka-sensei, I really, really have been working hard!"

"Maybe, I'm just too stupid..."

"I was born destined to be a dead last..."

Iruka took a deep breath and gently patted his head.

"No, Naruto, I know you have potential, and you can absolutely become better."

"I know you're trying, but I just hope you can push yourself a little more, be a little more diligent, and perhaps things will change..."

Naruto looked up, staring blankly at Iruka.

"If I work hard, will I definitely become stronger?"

Iruka's expression shifted slightly.

He didn't want to lie to Naruto.

"Actually, in this ninja world, hard work doesn't always guarantee a reward, but..."

"If you don't work hard, there is absolutely no hope at all."

Naruto Uzumaki listened, half-understanding, but he still clenched his fists.

"Alright, Iruka-sensei, I will work hard!"

Umino Iruka smiled slightly, patted his head again, and said softly.

"I believe in you, Naruto."

Naruto felt his nose sting, and tears couldn't help but well up in his eyes...

Iruka-sensei...

He is the only person in this world who acknowledges me...

He...

Really doesn't want to let Iruka-sensei down...

"I understand, Iruka-sensei!"

"From today on, I will put in ten times, a hundred times the effort!"

"I will never fail your expectations!"

At this very moment.

[Naruto Uzumaki, your determination to work yourself to the bone to become stronger has been detected. Roll Into Hokage System is loading...]

[Three...]

[Two...]

[One!]

[Binding successful!]

[Roll Into Hokage Schedule generating...]

Naruto Uzumaki was instantly dumbfounded.

"Roll, Roll Into Hokage System?"

"What the hell is that?!"

Baptism of Lightning Release!

Returning to the Ninja Academy, Naruto Uzumaki was uncharacteristically silent.

He had been frightened by the voice that suddenly appeared in his mind.

He originally wanted to ask Iruka-sensei, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't utter a single word about that "system."

It was as if the system was completely blocking him from doing so.

"Hmm..."

Naruto Uzumaki sat at his desk, arms crossed and head bowed, squinting his eyes as he struggled to think about the changes happening to him.

"System... what exactly is it?"

He couldn't help but scratch his head and ask.

A cold, mechanical voice immediately appeared in his mind.

[A system is a program that can help the host achieve certain wishes. As long as the host acts according to the system's rules, they can obtain unimaginably generous rewards.]

[This system is named Roll Into Hokage System. As the name implies, it can lend the host a helping hand to out-roll everyone else and realize the dream of becoming Hokage sooner.]

Naruto Uzumaki didn't understand most of that, but the phrase "realize the dream of becoming Hokage sooner" lit up in his mind like a lamp!

"So that's it! Does that mean you can help me become Hokage?!"

[Yes.]

"That's great! Then I'll definitely do whatever you say! But, what should I do?"

Naruto Uzumaki was overjoyed, his body trembling with excitement.

[The host only needs to train according to the schedule set by this system.]

"It's that simple?"

[Yes.]

"It's that easy?"

[Yes.]

"Then what are we waiting for! Let's start right now!"

[Yes.]

[Host has officially activated this system. Current attributes are being scanned. The first training schedule has been successfully generated based on current attributes. Training assistance system is officially launched...]

[Detected that the host is currently in the academic study phase of the schedule.]

[Please concentrate all your energy and focus entirely on listening to and understanding all the content being taught.]

[Failure to comply will result in a Baptism of Lightning Release from this system.]

Naruto Uzumaki: "...Baptism of Lightning Release?"

"What is that?"

The next instant.

Rumble--

BOOM!

The power of Lightning Release appeared out of thin air, erupting violently and slamming into Naruto!

The intense pain and stimulation made Naruto Uzumaki instantly erupt into a hysterical scream!

"AAAAAAHHH--"

However, this so-called "Baptism of Lightning Release" was invisible to others.

Therefore, the teacher and all the students in the classroom only saw Naruto suddenly go crazy and start screaming.

Iruka, who was in the middle of teaching, couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.

"Naruto! What kind of madness are you up to again!"

Naruto Uzumaki, charred and tender from the electricity, couldn't voice his suffering. He could only slump in his seat, shaking his head with a look of utter despair.

"N-nothing..."

Iruka couldn't help but rub his forehead.

"Naruto, I'll give you one more chance. If you keep shouting and disrupting the classroom order, don't blame me for being heartless and sending you out to stand in the hallway!"

In the past, Naruto wouldn't have cared at all.

Standing in the hallway? Fine! At least he wouldn't have to listen to this boring lecture!

Sometimes, he could even meet up with Choji Akimichi and Shikamaru Nara to "share the burden"...

To Naruto, those two were rare friends.

The best source of male friendship might just be committing mistakes and receiving punishments together...

Sometimes, Naruto even suspected that Iruka was deliberately making the three of them stand in the hallway together so he would have a chance to make friends...

But now, Naruto didn't dare to contradict Iruka even a little, because...

If he were sent to stand in the hallway, it would undoubtedly mean he wasn't "focusing entirely on the lecture"!

He feared that a "Baptism of Lightning Release" would descend immediately!

Naruto Uzumaki had just suffered enough; he wouldn't try that again even if it killed him...

"Yes! Iruka-sensei! I will definitely listen carefully!"

Iruka was stunned.

"Why is this kid Naruto acting so out of character today?"

"Usually, he would have been arguing with me without a care in the world..."

However, for Iruka, this was ultimately a good thing.

"Could it be that what I said earlier finally had an effect?"

Iruka nodded with satisfaction, a warm feeling surging in his heart.

The other students, however, furrowed their brows.

Sasuke Uchiha cast an indifferent glance at Naruto Uzumaki; though his face remained calm, he felt a flicker of confusion inside.

Sakura Haruno didn't care at all, merely resting her chin in her hands as she continued to stare at Sasuke.

Choji Akimichi, who had been stealthily pulling potato chips from his desk and popping them into his mouth, was also taken aback.

"Shikamaru, what's up with that guy Naruto?"

"Did he have a change of heart?"

However, Shikamaru Nara was already fast asleep.

Choji Akimichi took one look, shook his head helplessly, and then stuffed another potato chip into his mouth, munching away softly.

Naruto Uzumaki was panting heavily.

"Focus, focus..."

"Damn it! How on earth am I supposed to focus, believe it!"

Yet, the system offered no hints, continuing in its cold, mechanical tone.

[Host must listen and learn with full concentration, otherwise, you will be subjected to the Baptism of Lightning Release from the system...]

[Warning, countdown 5...4...3...]

"Ahhh, I got it!"

"Stop baptizing me!"

Naruto Uzumaki frantically rubbed his hair with both hands, forcing his eyes wide open as he stared fixedly at what Iruka had written on the blackboard...

"The flight trajectory of a shuriken is a classic parabola."