On March 15th, in the 38th year of Konoha, a crowd had gathered in front of the bulletin board outside the Ninja Academy.
Among them were students who had participated in the assessment and their parents.
Hoshita Shūichi's eyes quickly scanned the list of names, and he finally let out a sigh of relief when he found his own.
Though he had been confident about getting into the Konoha Ninja Academy, it wasn't until now, with the results confirmed, that he could truly relax.
Passing the assessment meant that the only thing left between him and the academy was the submission of his enrollment documents after the entrance ceremony.
Once those were submitted, he could officially start school on April 1st.
As he mentally reviewed the process, Shūichi's attention shifted to a tree in his mind. He called it the Tag Tree. At the moment, this tree was bare except for two leaves, which represented his tags.
One leaf was 90% bathed in white light, with the remaining 10% still gray.
Tag: Student
Condition to Obtain: Become a student at the Ninja Academy
Effect: Increases focus by 100% during the study/learning.
He then looked at the other leaf, which had already been fully activated, enveloped in bright white light.
Tag: Self-Discipline
Condition to Obtain: Stick to a daily exercise regimen (at least 30 minutes) for one year.
Effect: Hard work can make up for lack of talent. Every effort will yield results, even if small. Each step contributes to a greater journey.
To obtain this tag, Shūichi, who had awakened his consciousness at the age of four, had spent an entire year exercising every day, rain or shine. He started with half an hour of exercise daily, and now it had increased to at least an hour each day.
Although he had earned the tag long ago, he had grown addicted to this routine. Of course, it was also because this tag was incredibly useful. Hard work pays off. This effect was practically game-breaking!
What people fear most is putting in effort without any return, without results. If it weren't for his status as an orphan, he would have trained even harder.
The reason he could maintain such a rigorous training routine at such a young age was because of the excellent head of the orphanage: Yakushi Nono.
The orphanage's funds were limited, unable to support the purchase of various secret medicines to aid his training, but Yakushi Nono, who mastered medical ninjutsu, could somewhat make up for the lack of these supplements.
Thinking of that gentle and kind woman, Shūichi felt a warmth in his heart. But then, the thought of the loathsome Danzo sent a chill through him.
"I need to become stronger as soon as possible!"
"And I need to make money..."
Shūichi clenched his fists.
He wasn't just any orphan without roots—his father had been a Chūnin in Konoha, and his mother a Genin. They had left him an inheritance.
Now that he had passed the assessment and was about to start at the Ninja Academy, he could finally claim his parents' inheritance and move out of the orphanage.
However, the inheritance his parents left behind might not be much. Even with the village's stipend, living expenses wouldn't be an issue, but supporting his intense training might be difficult.
But how could he make money?
He was still so young!
As Shūichi pondered this, he suddenly heard crying beside him.
"My name's not there! It's not on the list at all, Dad!"
"Keep looking, Guy. You gave it your all!"
"Your hard work won't go unrewarded. On the path drenched in your tears, you'll eventually find your name!"
...
Hoshita Shūichi turned his head and saw two figures dressed in an eye-popping shade of green.
It was Might Duy and Might Guy!
The sight was almost comical, but listening to the father and son's conversation made Shūichi unable to laugh.
He then turned to observe the others around him, those who might be his future classmates.
Rin Nohara?
Kurenai Yūhi.
They all looked so young!
He quickly withdrew his gaze to avoid any unwanted thoughts.
Wait a second?
Shūichi noticed a white-haired boy with his hands in his pockets walking through the crowd.
That guy's already acting cool at such a young age. How annoying!
As the crowd gradually dispersed and Shūichi was about to leave, he felt a sudden coolness in his mind. He then noticed that a new gray leaf had appeared on the Tag Tree.
Shūichi paused, surprised and delighted—he had triggered a new tag.
Tag: Strong and Sturdy
Condition to Obtain: Train alongside Might Guy for 100 consecutive days.
Effect: Strong and sturdy, brimming with energy. Recovery rate +100%, resistance to injury and illness +100%, Taijutsu talent +100%.
Oh my!
The three 100% boosts made Shūichi's breath catch. He had to get this tag!
Shūichi immediately changed his plan. Instead of leaving, he walked over to a nearby swing, sat down, and started swinging as he watched Might Duy and Might Guy walk away.
Before long, the father and son left, but Shūichi remained, quietly waiting.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Might Guy reappeared.
With a long banner hanging from his shoulders, Might Guy began running laps around the Ninja Academy's courtyard.
This scene drew the attention of many people nearby, and Shūichi could hear some mocking voices in the background.
With a smile, Shūichi got off the swing and approached Might Guy.
...
"Huh?"
Might Guy, who was running, suddenly noticed someone beside him. Startled, he slowed down and asked, "Um... did you not pass the exam either?"
"No, I passed," Shūichi replied. "But passing doesn't mean I don't need to keep working hard."
"I think Uncle Duy is absolutely right about one thing."
Might Guy's eyes lit up, and he asked instinctively, "What?"
Shūichi smiled and overtook Guy. "Hard work never goes unrewarded!"
"I believe that effort always pays off; it's just a matter of time."
"Guy, my name is Hoshita Shūichi. I believe you can get into the Ninja Academy."
This motivational speech brought Guy to a halt. He watched Shūichi's back, feeling a surge of boundless energy within him. Smiling, he declared, "My goal is 500 laps! If I can't do it, I'll walk 500 laps on my hands!"
Shouting loudly, Might Guy caught up with Shūichi, and the two began running laps around the school courtyard side by side.
From that day on, the Ninja Academy courtyard saw two figures training tirelessly, rain or shine.
Sometimes, Might Duy would cheer loudly for Shūichi and Guy from the sidelines. Sometimes, it was just the two of them, with occasional sneers and mocking voices from other kids.
Every now and then, a white-haired boy with his hands in his pockets would walk by coolly, his gaze lingering for a moment.
Ten days later, on March 25th.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, visited the Ninja Academy to inspect it in preparation for the new term in April. He noticed the sweat-drenched Shūichi and Guy training hard.
He was pleased to see such hardworking youngsters. With youth like this, Konoha has a bright future!
The next day, Might Guy's name appeared on the Ninja Academy's bulletin board.
"Congratulations, Guy!" Shūichi said with a genuine smile.
Though he knew the story, if Guy hadn't shown such hard work, would Hiruzen have enrolled him?
Certainly not. Hiruzen couldn't see the future, and Might Duy wasn't anything special at the time.
Guy, now overwhelmed with emotion, was crying tears of joy. "Thank you, Shūichi!"
Shūichi shrugged. "See? Hard work never goes unrewarded."
"Come on, we still haven't finished our training today!"
Wiping his tears and snot away, Guy shouted, "Today, I must challenge 1,000 laps! If I can't do it, then 1,000 push-ups!"
"And I have to outlast you, Shūichi!"
(End of Chapter)