Rapid Progress, Ninja Academy!

"Intelligence has increased even more than Constitution!"

Sarutobi Asuma pondered this, then got up to retrieve his older brother Sarutobi Shinya's training notes and studied them at his desk.

Before he knew it, his mother Sarutobi Biwako's voice came from outside. "Asuma, it's already late. Time to rest!"

Sarutobi Asuma snapped awake and hurriedly replied, "Yes, Mom!"

As he spoke, he quickly tidied up, set an alarm, and turned off the lights.

However, Sarutobi Asuma did not go to sleep.

It was only ten o'clock.

Sitting on his bed, he opened the system again and found that his Intelligence Stat had risen to 23, while his Experience Points had increased by a full 100.

He was just 100 Experience Points away from leveling up again.

"Looks like the fastest way to farm Experience Points right now is still studying ninjutsu theory!"

Sarutobi Asuma sighed inwardly, but he had no intention of giving up on his training plan.

Moonlight streamed in through the window. Bathing in it, he began practicing Hand Seals.

Before he knew it, two hours had passed.

Sarutobi Asuma lowered his cramped hands and called up the system.

His Experience Points had increased by 50.

Agility had increased by 0.5. Worth it!

He collapsed and went to sleep.

April 4th, five in the morning.

Sarutobi Asuma got out of bed with his eyes half-open.

After brushing his teeth and splashing cold water on his face, he finally woke up completely.

When he arrived at the training ground, his older brother Sarutobi Shinya had already begun his own training.

After greeting him, Sarutobi Asuma began training as well.

Running laps, frog jumps, push-ups, handstand push-ups, handstand running...

From the corridor, Sarutobi Biwako watched her two hardworking children with a loving, happy smile before turning to prepare them a hearty breakfast.

Sarutobi Shinya glanced at the diligently training Sarutobi Asuma and became even more motivated.

As the older brother, he could not let his little brother surpass him!

An hour and a half later, Sarutobi Asuma pushed past his limit and collapsed.

He was exhausted, but satisfied.

This round had earned him a full 15 Experience Points.

After breakfast, Sarutobi Shinya left to carry out a mission. Sarutobi Asuma declined his friends' invitations and continued studying at home.

The Three Basic Ninjutsu, Chakra Refining, and Chakra Control.

For the first, he combined the theoretical knowledge he had studied the night before with repeated practice, steadily improving through constant use.

During that process, he also trained Chakra Refining.

As for Chakra Control...

Sarutobi Asuma simply placed a large water-filled vat in his family's training ground and carried out the most basic Water Walking Training.

Afternoon.

Physical training.

Tool Throwing Training.

Tree Climbing Training.

The Three Basic Ninjutsu and Chakra Refining.

He did not return home until the sun had set.

At night, he sought advice from his older brother Sarutobi Shinya, studied theory, and practiced Hand Seals.

Just like that, the days flew by, and it was April 10th.

That day, accompanied by his mother Sarutobi Biwako and older brother Sarutobi Shinya, Sarutobi Asuma attended the opening ceremony and personally witnessed his father's highly rousing speech.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was known as the Strongest Hokage, and as his son, Sarutobi Asuma thought that made perfect sense.

The First Hokage's greatest strength was Wood Release.

The Second... could the Second even use Fire Style?

So the strongest Hokage could only be the Third!

Besides, the Third had assumed the position of Hokage in a time of crisis, won the Second Great Ninja War, and taught powerful figures like the Sannin.

This was precisely when the Third's prestige was at its peak.

Watching his father give his speech, Sarutobi Asuma wished he could replace him.

If it were him up there, wouldn't his Charm skyrocket?

He could not think about it anymore, or he would start drooling.

Once the speech ended, Sarutobi Asuma bade farewell to his mother and brother and officially became a first-year student at the Ninja Academy.

He entered the classroom.

Amid the noisy chatter, Sarutobi Asuma saw several familiar figures.

Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, Ibiki, Tsubaki, Yūhi Kurenai, Rin, Shizune, Mizuki...

Every one of them had their own distinct traits.

"Asuma!"

Following the voice, Sarutobi Asuma saw Yūhi Kurenai waving at him. He immediately walked over with a smile and sat beside her.

The two had known each other for a long time and often played games together.

As soon as he sat down, Kurenai asked, "Asuma, why haven't you come out to play these past few days?"

Looking into Kurenai's captivating eyes and catching the scent of the little girl beside him, Asuma smiled softly. "I've been training hard!"

"As the Hokage's son, I can't disgrace the Hokage."

"Besides, I'm going to become Hokage someday!"

He raised his chin at a forty-five-degree angle, his sunny, handsome smile brimming with confidence.

Under the sunlight, he seemed to be coated in a dazzling glow, and his Charm surged.

At that moment, Sarutobi Asuma had never seemed more handsome or appealing in Yūhi Kurenai's eyes. She could not help nodding firmly. "Mm! Asuma, you're the best! I believe you can definitely become Hokage!"

Sarutobi Asuma took Yūhi Kurenai's little hands in his and asked with a gentle smile, "How about we work hard together?"

"I'll become Hokage, and you'll become the Hokage's assistant!"

Two blushes immediately appeared on Yūhi Kurenai's cheeks, but she did not avert her gaze. She blinked, then nodded firmly again. "Mm!"

The sight left the other students staring in stunned silence.

Sarutobi Asuma was not embarrassed in the slightest. His social butterfly instincts kicked in as he smiled at the others. "Kakashi, Obito, Ibiki, Tsubaki, Rin, Shizune... how about we train together after class this afternoon?"

With one invitation, he had nearly gathered all the top students in the class.

Was anyone going to refuse?

No!

Sarutobi Asuma glanced at the system. Charm +2!

This wave alone brought him a full 200 Experience Points.

Character: Sarutobi Asuma

Level: 3

Age: 5

Faction: Konohagakure, Land of Fire

Experience Points: 212/600

Achievements: None

Dopaminergic Attribute Points: 3

Dopaminergic Skill Points: 3

Attributes: Expandable

Skills: Expandable

He expanded the attributes panel.

Constitution: 11.24

Agility: 9.4

Intelligence: 23

Charm: 10

From April 3rd to yesterday, April 9th, he had gained three levels.

Leveling up was harder than Sarutobi Asuma had expected.

However, after several days of exploration, he had also discovered more ways to gain Experience Points.

Soon, the teacher arrived.

He was an unremarkable middle-aged man named Nishikawa Masato, a seasoned Chūnin.

After introducing himself, Nishikawa Masato announced that the students would introduce themselves.

One after another, they went up to the front.

Sarutobi Asuma watched with great interest.

They were all five or six years old. Even someone as mature as Kakashi was still quite "innocent" at this age, and most of what they said was genuine.

Their personalities could be judged from their introductions alone.

Of course.

This was the fucked-up world of shinobi.

Once they left the academy, went through a few missions, and experienced a war, there probably would not be many whose personalities remained unchanged.

Soon.

It was Sarutobi Asuma's turn.

He stood up and strode to the podium with his head held high. His gaze swept across every student before he said with a confident, composed, handsome smile, "Hello, everyone. My name is Sarutobi Asuma!"

"I am the Third Hokage's second son!"

"My dream is to inherit the aspirations of the Hokage before me, become a Hokage recognized by the villagers, lead everyone here, and make Konoha the strongest in the shinobi world!"