At the Konoha Ninja School, a group of candidates waited outside a building.
Inside, a black-haired boy was taking his test, while the Third Hokage and several teachers from the ninja academy observed and evaluated his performance.
In the exam room, he completed each task with skill.
Before long…
"Excellent physical skills."
"Clone technique, excellent."
"Transformation…"
"Overall, outstanding."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing his Hokage hat, announced the results one by one. Then, he stood up, picked up a forehead protector, and walked over to the student.
Handing him the forehead protector, he said, "After the school's assessment, you are permitted to graduate early. Ryomine Kyohiko, from today, you are a Genin."
"Yes! Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Kyohiko accepted the forehead protector respectfully, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
After more than a year of hard work, he had finally reached the threshold for early graduation.
Almost at the same time, he heard a voice:
[Congratulations on your appointment as Hokage. The Hokage System will now serve you wholeheartedly.]
What?
This voice… a system?
What's going on?
I traveled to this world over a year ago, trained hard, and worked tirelessly to graduate early—and only now does the system show up?
He was both shocked and delighted.
According to memories of his previous life, Ryomine Kyohiko's ancestors were from the Senju clan. But after the First Hokage encouraged marriage within the village, they had distanced themselves from the clan.
He was the third generation.
However, his grandmother had no special traits or bloodline limits, and his parents were also quite ordinary—stronger than average, perhaps, but they had died on the battlefield in the Rain Country.
As for Kyohiko himself, there was nothing remarkable about him.
So, when he found himself in this world, he knew that survival in the harsh ninja world would require hard work and grit—like Guy's endless training.
But now… the system had awakened.
"Wait, a Hokage System? What does that mean? I'm not the Hokage!"
Kyohiko was confused. He glanced down at the forehead protector, then back at the Hokage hat on Sarutobi Hiruzen's head.
I'm not the Hokage yet!
"Kyohiko, put on your ninja forehead protector."
"Yes!"
Kyohiko snapped back to reality, tied the forehead protector around his head, and then—
Another message appeared.
[Gaining the trust of others is essential for a Hokage.]
[By personally tying on the forehead protector for the graduating Genin, you have earned his complete trust.]
[Reward: Body Flicker Technique level increased by 1.]
Huh?
Stunned, Kyohiko confirmed he wasn't hallucinating and felt deeply astonished.
Complete trust… it's real!
I just tied on a forehead protector and got a reward? Is this system broken or what?
For a moment, he was at a loss, then came back to his senses.
This system…
It seemed as though it was specifically designed for a Hokage. But whether he had traveled to the wrong place, or the system had mistaken him for someone else, it had still bound itself to him—a mere Genin.
Yet, he was still in the examination room, so he had to stay composed!
Kyohiko gathered his thoughts and respectfully bowed.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
This thank-you was heartfelt.
If the system had fallen to Sarutobi Hiruzen, it would have been a waste. With Hiruzen's personality, would he even make full use of it?
He wasn't that capable!
It was better this way.
"Haha, I have high hopes for you! Keep it up!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Kyohiko's shoulder.
Then he started calling the next candidate to enter.
As Kyohiko walked out, he saw both familiar and unfamiliar faces pass by, and couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental.
In a decade or so, only a few of them would have risen above the rest.
The ninja world was harsh.
Without a bloodline limit or secret techniques, it was difficult to survive!
In the past year, Kyohiko had come to understand how tough life was for ordinary people in this world.
Hard work, struggle.
He had the talent to meet the early graduation standards, but it was nothing compared to Kakashi, who had already graduated.
If things went well, Guy would be his best role model.
Luckily, he now counted as someone with a "cheat" and had graduated early, giving him ample time to train and grow stronger.
Even if the process was strange, the outcome was favorable.
There was nothing advanced left to learn at the academy!
The Naruto system.
After leaving the examination room, Kyohiko experimented with several commands before finally using "Panel" to summon a virtual display.
Familiar information appeared:
[Name]: Ryomine Kyohiko
[Age]: 7 years
[Bloodline Limit]: None
[Skills]:
Transformation (skilled)Clone Technique (skilled)Substitution (proficient)Body Flicker (master level)
Master-level Body Flicker Technique!
Kyohiko suppressed the shock and excitement in his heart.
According to the system's classification, proficiency in ninjutsu was divided into five levels: novice, skilled, proficient, master, and grandmaster.
The two techniques he had focused most on were Body Flicker and Substitution.
However, he had not seen any improvement in the Body Flicker Technique over the past six months.
But now…
Suddenly, he gained insights into Body Flicker—its use of muscles, chakra, and energy in a more refined, precise way.
Finesse and attention to detail.
That was the difference between "proficient" and "master" levels.
Kyohiko's mind flooded with understanding.
It was as though he had practiced countless times, and now, performing the "master-level" Body Flicker Technique came naturally.
"To reach the master level in Body Flicker on my own would've taken years of practice."
"This system is incredible!"
"So…"
"The question now is how to use this system to its fullest."
Without a bloodline limit or secret techniques, Kyohiko's only chance of rising above mediocrity in the Ninja World War was the system.
His experience so far showed it was a structured program, open to manipulation.
If I were Hokage, what would I do?
Kyohiko's mind raced.
The previous reward had been for…
Winning people's trust, balancing village forces, making Konoha stronger and more prosperous.
Supporting during wartime.
Managing the village's daily tasks and missions.
Kyohiko summarized a few points.
As a Genin, most of these were impossible for him. For now, he could only focus on gaining people's trust and completing missions.
Contemplating, Kyohiko left the academy and began to practice the master-level Body Flicker Technique.
Precision control.
Muscles, chakra…
Then—
Whoosh!
In an instant, Kyohiko appeared at the opposite end of the street.
"So fast!"
"My physique hasn't improved, yet the Body Flicker Technique is twice as effective as before!"
A flash of excitement crossed Kyohiko's eyes.
If master level is this powerful, how much stronger would grandmaster level be?
However, he noticed that while his body could handle the new speed, his eyes and awareness hadn't fully adjusted, making it hard to gauge distance and speed accurately.
Practice!
Kyohiko sped off to his usual training spot on the outskirts of Konoha, moving like a lightning bolt.
As he passed by a bathhouse, though…
"Hm?"
A white-haired man turned his head to look.
He caught sight of a young boy running with extraordinary speed.
What a fast Body Flicker Technique!
Intrigued, he glanced back at the bathhouse, hesitated briefly, then decided to follow Kyohiko