Haruto grumbled under his breath as he stepped out of the dimly lit library and into the mid-morning sun. The first day of the school break had finally arrived, but instead of diving into the ninjutsu training he'd been planning for months, the system's new mission had derailed everything.
"Graduate in a year," he muttered. "Right, like that's going to be easy."
His original plan had been clear: use the break to focus on learning his chakra nature, experiment with ninjutsu, and build on the steady progress he'd been making in the academy. But with the system threatening to disappear if he didn't graduate early, everything changed. He couldn't afford to take his time anymore.
Haruto sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. His workout for the day had gone well, of course. No matter how much his plans changed, he wouldn't skip that. He needed to be physically ready for whatever came next, and the system's stamina rewards made him more durable than most of his classmates. His body had already adapted to a higher intensity of training than many kids his age could even imagine.
But the last couple of hours had been spent buried in the level 1 library, pouring over anything he could find on medical ninjutsu. If he wanted to catch Tsunade's attention, he'd need to show potential as a medical ninja—and fast. The only problem was that the academy's library had limited information, and most of it was too basic to be useful in the kind of approach Haruto was looking for.
As he walked through the streets of Konoha, heading toward the hospital, Haruto couldn't help but think about how far from his initial goals he had strayed. A few months ago, he had only been concerned with getting stronger at his own pace, learning a few useful jutsu, and becoming competent enough to survive in this ninja world. But now? The stakes had risen sharply, and his timeline had been slashed.
"Damn system," he grumbled. "Couldn't have given me a longer deadline?"
Still, a part of him knew that this wasn't entirely a bad thing. The system's pressure was forcing him to evolve faster, to get ahead before he became just another face in the academy. And though it complicated his plans, it also gave him a new goal—one that was more immediate and concrete. Tsunade. If he could become her protégé, it wouldn't just mean protection from Danzo—it could open doors to powerful jutsu, access to resources, and an edge over his classmates.
As Haruto passed by a row of shops, his thoughts drifted to his past life. He remembered long hours spent training in the gym, his martial arts practice, and the countless times he had studied anatomy and physiology to better understand his body. That knowledge had been a small edge in his previous life, helping him push through injuries, optimize his training, and recover faster.
But here, in this world of shinobi, that knowledge could be a game-changer.
"I already understand how muscles work," he thought, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Bones, ligaments, even pressure points. It's not exactly medical school, but it's more than most academy students know."
He had an innate understanding of the human body, honed through years of combat and training. That knowledge, coupled with chakra control, could make him an ideal candidate for learning medical ninjutsu—if only he could get the right guidance. And Tsunade was the best there was.
As he neared the hospital, the smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the sound of quiet conversation drifted from the open windows. It reminded him of his previous injuries, the countless times he'd been in and out of hospitals, recovering from martial arts injuries and, of course, the devastating brain injury that had ended his career.
Back then, doctors had worked tirelessly to repair what they could, though the damage had been irreversible. His hands had trembled, his coordination had faltered, and the numbness had never really gone away. He had been partially disabled, broken by a cheap shot that shattered his dreams.
"But not this time," Haruto whispered to himself. "This time, I'm the one with the power to fix things."
He paused outside the hospital entrance, taking a deep breath. His medical knowledge from his past life, combined with the chakra control he'd been honing, gave him an advantage most kids in the academy didn't have. And if he could convince Tsunade that he had the potential to be a great medical ninja, maybe—just maybe—he could survive this world.
"Time to turn these plans into action," he muttered, stepping through the hospital doors.
The atmosphere inside was busy but calm, with shinobi and civilians moving through the halls. Haruto approached the reception desk, his mind already forming the questions he needed to ask.
He wasn't here to waste time. He was here to learn. And if the system had pushed his timeline forward, he'd respond in kind by accelerating his progress.
"Excuse me," he said to the receptionist. "I'd like to inquire about any available training materials or books on medical ninjutsu for academy students. Is there a section in the hospital's library?"
The woman looked up, surprised by the formality of such a young boy, but smiled politely. "We do have a medical library. However, you'll need permission from one of the supervising medics to access anything beyond basic materials. Are you interested in becoming a medical ninja?"
Haruto gave a small nod, his expression serious. "Yes. I'm serious about it."
She hesitated for a moment but then pointed him toward a hallway that led deeper into the building. "The medical library is down that corridor. You'll need to speak with one of the head medics to gain permission. Good luck."
Haruto thanked her and started down the hallway. The hospital smelled sterile, and the soft hum of medical equipment created a faint background noise. His nerves were calm, focused. There was no time for second-guessing now.
As he walked, he couldn't help but think that his past life had prepared him for this. He understood the limits of the human body, knew how to train it to its fullest potential, and most importantly, how to break past those limits. That knowledge—combined with the system's guidance—gave him a unique advantage here.
The only question now was whether he could leverage that knowledge to catch Tsunade's attention before it was too late.
And if the system wanted him to succeed, then he would do whatever it took to make sure he finished the academy early. The Golden Reward wasn't just a carrot dangling in front of him—it was his ticket to survival.