Hayate Hoshi

The history of the Hayate Clan could be traced back to the early Warring States period. Back then, the Hayate Clan had still been an enormous Bloodline Limit Clan. Relying on their unique Transparency Release bloodline and the clan's inherited blade techniques, the elusive Hayate clansmen had been figures feared by all in the early Warring States era, when ninjutsu had yet to fully develop.

But with the emergence of Perception Ninjutsu, the Hayate Clan's advantage had gradually weakened. Clansmen whose bloodline abilities were not sufficiently developed could easily be sensed by others, or even fall into an enemy's counter-encirclement.

Having lost their advantage, the Hayate Clan declined amid the repeated reprisals of their many enemies. Even their inherited blade techniques were lost during their repeated defeats and retreats.

By the time Konoha was founded, the Hayate Clan had become a minor clan with only a single surviving line.

In Year 14 of Konoha, Hayate Eichi, the current clan head, also died in battle during a mission. Thus, the once-glorious Hayate Clan was left with only its final lone heir.

Year 16 of Konoha, Hayate Clan territory.

Under the setting sun, a small figure earnestly swung a wooden sword in his hand.

He was a little boy of only five or six, with delicate features and bright eyes. His short black hair was neat and crisp, while his clothes, though not luxurious, were clean and tidy.

Though young, his stance was exceptionally standard.

Whether it was his footwork, posture, or the way he held his sword, everything was so precise that he seemed to have stepped straight out of a textbook.

However, such training was still overly draining for someone his age. After less than two hours, his hands trembled so badly that he could barely hold the sword.

Just then, a gentle female voice called out, "That's enough training for today, Little Hoshi. Go wash up and get ready for dinner."

The owner of that voice was the boy's mother, Hayate Rie.

Upon hearing his mother, the panting Hayate Hoshi went blank for a moment. Then he suddenly cheered, tossed aside his wooden sword, and dashed into the house like the wind, leaving Rie staring after him in bewilderment.

"Little Hoshi is rarely this excited. What's gotten into him today?"

Watching her son run indoors with confusion, Rie shook her head and bent down to pick up the wooden sword Hoshi had thrown away. As she examined it, her eyes filled with relief.

"When Hoshi was two or three, Eichi said he lacked talent and would never amount to much. Now it seems Eichi had worried for nothing. Judging by the talent Hoshi has shown, perhaps he really can restore the Hayate Clan's glory someday."

While Hayate Rie held the wooden sword and sighed with emotion, the Hayate Hoshi whom she claimed was rarely excited was dancing about in the bathroom with delight.

"Damn it, one whole year! I've been in this world for a full year, and I've finally broken through Novice Swordsmanship."

That was right. Hoshi's soul did not originally belong to this world. A year ago, an accident had brought him to the Naruto World, where he had possessed the body of the Hayate Clan's last remaining heir.

Based on Hoshi's speculation, he should have been the father of Gekko Hayate, the true male lead of Shippuden in the Original Story. It was currently Year 16 of Konoha, while Gekko Hayate had been born around Year 34, roughly the same time as Kakashi. The timeline matched perfectly.

Moreover, his nominal father, Hayate Eichi, had already died before he transmigrated, so it was impossible for him to have another younger brother or sister. Therefore, Hoshi was certain that, barring some other man, Gekko Hayate had to be his, Hayate Hoshi's, son.

However, Gekko Hayate would most likely not be born in this life. Even if he was, he certainly would not be the Gekko Hayate from the Original Story. That was because the transmigrated Hoshi had received the exclusive benefit granted to transmigrators—the Sword Heart System.

The Sword Heart System's primary ability was to absorb energy from Hoshi's daily swordsmanship training for breakthroughs. Just like in a game, once Hoshi's experience points reached 100, he would automatically advance to the next level without being hindered by talent.

Additionally, every time Hoshi broke through a stage, the system would grant him a chance to draw a skill corresponding to his current swordsmanship level.

The skill Hoshi obtained at the novice stage was the passive skill Weapon Mastery. Its primary effect was allowing him to quickly learn how to use a certain weapon. It also granted special attack bonuses when using bladed weapons.

Though the bonus was not large, it could not be ignored. This was also the main reason he could master standard swordsmanship movements without a teacher.

After obtaining Weapon Mastery, Hoshi had trained hard for an entire year before finally accumulating the experience required for Novice Swordsmanship.

At that moment, the system's translucent screen displayed the words "Introductory Swordsmanship: 0/100" in Hoshi's mind.

Of course, a closer look would reveal another rather heartbreaking system evaluation beneath it.

Your swordsmanship has reached an introductory level. You probably won't cut yourself with your own blade anymore. Congratulations, you can now be called a barely competent practitioner.

Hoshi had long since become unfazed by this sarcastic system evaluation, because his previous evaluation had been even more miserable. His Novice Swordsmanship evaluation had been:

Your skill is only slightly better than a sewer rat's. Do not use a real blade while practicing at this level, because the system cannot reattach your fingers.

Hoshi had a good temper. If some hotheaded guy from Zaun had gotten this system instead, its parents would definitely not have been safe.

Ignoring the sarcastic evaluation, Hoshi eagerly activated the skill draw option. The light screen before his eyes shifted, and as he watched names flash rapidly past, his breathing quickened with excitement.

The shifting gradually slowed before finally stopping on one name.

Secret Technique: Assault

Skill Description: The host will enter a brief state of invisibility. Once the invisibility ends, the host will launch a swift thrust.

After reading the skill description, Hoshi immediately thought of his Transparency Release bloodline. Transparency Release allowed its user to enter an invisible state. Could it be that the system had helped him awaken his bloodline early? Just as Hoshi was about to test the skill's effects, his mother Rie's voice came from outside the bathroom. "Little Hoshi, dinner's ready."

Hearing his mother, Hoshi hesitated for a moment before giving up on further testing. There was plenty of time ahead. There was no need to rush.

At the dinner table, Rie glanced at her somewhat strange son. She truly could not understand why he had been grinning like an idiot ever since finishing his training, so she asked curiously, "What happened today?"

Naturally, Hoshi would not reveal the system or his new skill. He merely tried his best to look like he was holding back laughter as he said,

"I thought of something happy."

Rie thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "I know! Is it because you also found out that the Ninja Academy starts in a few days?"

Upon hearing the words Ninja Academy, the already delighted Hoshi became even more energized.

Before he knew it, the day school began was almost here.

Half a month ago, Hoshi had already passed the Ninja Academy entrance examination. All that remained was for the school term to officially begin so he could start his life at the Ninja Academy.

He had enrolled in the same year as Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the others. He had been waiting for this opportunity to meet the Sannin.

It was time to show off some real skill!