Baptism of Lightning Release!

Iruka said gravely, "Since you know your talent is poor, you should work even harder!"

"Do you really think skipping class every day and playing pranks will make you stronger?!"

Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help staring blankly.

He knew that Iruka-sensei genuinely wanted what was best for him.

But...

"Iruka-sensei, I really, really have been trying my best!"

"Maybe I really am just too stupid..."

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

Iruka took a deep breath and gently ruffled his hair.

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

"I know you're trying. I just hope you can try a little harder and work a little more diligently. Maybe then things will change..."

Naruto raised his head and stared blankly at Iruka.

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

Iruka's expression shifted slightly.

He didn't want to lie to Naruto.

"The truth is, in the Shinobi World, hard work doesn't always pay off. But..."

"If you don't work hard, you have even less hope."

Naruto Uzumaki didn't quite understand, but he still clenched his fists.

"Okay, Iruka-sensei! I'll work hard!"

Umino Iruka smiled faintly, ruffled his hair again, and said softly,

"I believe in you, Naruto."

Naruto's nose stung, and tears welled in his eyes...

Iruka-sensei...

He was the only person in this world who believed in him...

He...

Really didn't want to disappoint Iruka-sensei...

"I understand, Iruka-sensei!"

"Starting today, I'll work ten times, a hundred times harder!"

"I won't let you down!"

At that very moment.

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

[Three...]

[Two...]

[One!]

[Binding successful!]

[Generating Roll Into Hokage Schedule...]

Naruto Uzumaki was dumbfounded.

"R-Roll Into Hokage System?"

"What the heck is that?!"

Chapter 2: Baptism of Lightning Release!

After returning to the Ninja Academy, Naruto Uzumaki unusually remained silent.

The sudden voice in his mind had startled him.

He had wanted to ask Iruka-sensei about it, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't say anything about that "system."

It was as if the system had stopped him completely.

"Hmm..."

Naruto Uzumaki sat in his chair with his arms folded and his head bowed, squinting as he puzzled over the changes within him.

"System... what exactly are you?"

He couldn't help scratching his head as he asked.

A cold, mechanical voice immediately appeared in his mind.

[A system is a program that can help its host fulfill a certain wish. As long as the host follows the system's rules, they can obtain rewards beyond imagination.]

[This system is called the Roll Into Hokage System. As the name suggests, it can lend the host a hand, help him outdo others, and achieve his dream of becoming Hokage sooner.]

Naruto Uzumaki didn't understand much of what it said, but the words "achieve your dream of becoming Hokage sooner" shone like a light in his mind!

"Sugoi! You mean you can help me become Hokage?!"

[Yes.]

"That's great! Th-then I'll do whatever you say! But what am I supposed to do?"

Naruto Uzumaki was overjoyed, his body trembling slightly with excitement.

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

"It's that simple?"

[Yes.]

"It's that easy?"

[Yes.]

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get started!"

[Yes.]

[The host has officially activated this system. Scanning current attributes... The first schedule has been generated based on current attributes. Training assistance system starting...]

[The host is currently in the classroom-study phase of the schedule.]

[Please focus all your attention and listen carefully, making sure to understand all the material being taught.]

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

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

"What's that?"

The next instant.

Rumble—

Boom!

Lightning Release chakra appeared out of nowhere and erupted, slamming into Naruto!

The intense pain and shock made Naruto Uzumaki let out a scream of sheer agony!

"AAAAAAAH—"

But this so-called "Baptism of Lightning Release" was invisible to everyone else.

So all the teachers and students in the classroom saw was Naruto suddenly go crazy and start screaming.

Iruka-sensei, who was teaching, couldn't help letting out a deep sigh.

"Naruto! What's gotten into you now?!"

Electrocuted until he was black and blue, Naruto Uzumaki couldn't explain what had happened. All he could do was slump in his chair and shake his head weakly, utterly hopeless.

"N-Nothing..."

Iruka-sensei couldn't help rubbing his forehead.

"Naruto, I'm giving you one more chance. If you shout and disrupt class again, don't blame me for being harsh—I'll send you outside to stand as punishment!"

Normally, Naruto wouldn't have cared at all.

So what if he had to stand outside? At least he wouldn't have to listen to this boring lesson!

Sometimes, he'd even end up "sharing the hardship" with Choji Akimichi and Shikamaru Nara...

To Naruto, those two were rare friends.

The best way for men to become friends might just be getting punished together for making the same mistake...

Sometimes Naruto even suspected that Iruka-sensei deliberately made the three of them stand outside together, so he'd have a chance to make friends...

But this time, Naruto didn't dare talk back to Iruka-sensei at all, because...

Being sent outside would undoubtedly mean he hadn't "listened with all his attention"!

Then the "Baptism of Lightning Release" would strike at once!

Naruto Uzumaki had just suffered enough to last him a lifetime. He wouldn't try that again even if it killed him...

"Yes, Iruka-sensei! I'll pay attention!"

Iruka-sensei froze.

"What's gotten into Naruto today? He's acting completely out of character."

"Usually, he'd have already been arguing back without a care in the world..."

Still, to Iruka, this was a good thing.

"Could what I said earlier have finally gotten through to him?"

Iruka nodded with relief, a warm feeling welling up inside him.

The other students, however, furrowed their brows.

Sasuke Uchiha glanced at Naruto out of the corner of his eye. His face remained impassive, but he was a little puzzled.

Haruno Sakura wasn't concerned at all. She simply propped her chin on her hand and kept staring at Sasuke.

Choji Akimichi, who had been secretly taking potato chips out of his desk and slipping them into his mouth, was startled too.

"Shikamaru, what's up with Naruto?"

"Did he change overnight?"

Shikamaru Nara was already asleep.

Choji Akimichi glanced at him and shook his head helplessly. Then he stuffed in another chip and quietly munched away.

Naruto Uzumaki gasped for breath.

"Focus, focus..."

"Damn it! How am I supposed to focus, dattebayo?!"

But the system gave him no further instructions. Its voice remained as cold and mechanical as ever.

[Please focus and listen carefully to the lesson. Otherwise, you will receive a Baptism of Lightning Release from this system...]

[Warning. Countdown: 5...4...3...]

"AAAH, I get 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-sensei had written on the blackboard...

"The trajectory of a shuriken in flight is a typical parabola."