Konoha Ninja School.
A group of candidates waited outside a building.
Inside, a black-haired boy was undergoing an examination, observed and evaluated by the Third Hokage and several ninja school instructors.
On the field, he skillfully executed each test item.
Before long...
"Physical skills: Excellent."
"Clone Technique: Outstanding."
"Transformation Technique..."
"Overall, outstanding performance."
At the podium, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing the Hokage's hat, announced the results one by one. Then, he stood up, took a forehead protector, and walked toward the student below.
He handed over the forehead protector.
"After deliberation by the school, you are permitted to graduate early. Ryomine Kyohiko, from today onward, you are a Genin."
"Yes! Thank you, Hokage!"
Kyohiko responded respectfully, suppressing a sigh in his heart—
After over a year of relentless effort and struggle, he had finally achieved early graduation.
At almost the same moment, a voice echoed in his mind.
**[Congratulations on your successful inauguration as Hokage. The Hokage System will serve you wholeheartedly.]**
**? .... ....**
This voice...?
A system?
Damn it!
I transmigrated over a year ago, trained relentlessly for a full year, and worked hard enough to graduate early—only for you to show up now?
He was both shocked and elated.
Based on memories from his past life, Ryomine Kyohiko's ancestors were once members of the Senju clan. Later, the First Hokage advocated for intermarriage within the village, and they had since separated.
He was the third generation.
However.
His grandmother had no special physique or bloodline limits, nor did his ordinary parents—at best, they were healthy, but unfortunately, they died on the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
Even more ordinary was Kyohiko himself, with nothing particularly remarkable about him.
Thus.
After transmigrating, he realized that the only way to survive in this brutal ninja world was to train and struggle like Might Guy.
And now...
Today, the system finally awakened...
"Wait? Hokage System? What does that mean? I'm not the Hokage!"
Kyohiko was baffled. He looked down at the forehead protector, then up at the hat on Sarutobi Hiruzen's head.
I'm not the Hokage yet!
"Kyohiko, wear your ninja forehead protector."
"Yes!"
Kyohiko snapped out of his daze.
He tied the forehead protector around his head—and then—
Another prompt sounded.
**[Winning people's hearts is a necessary skill for a Hokage.]**
**[You personally affixed the forehead protector onto a graduating Genin and earned their complete trust.]**
**[Reward: Instant Body Flicker Technique level +1]**
Huh?
After confirming he wasn't hallucinating, Kyohiko was stunned.
Complete trust...
I trusted myself!
I put the forehead protector on myself and still got rewards? Is this system dumb?!
He froze for a moment before snapping back to reality.
This system...
It seems tailor-made for the "Hokage," but I don't know if I transmigrated to the wrong place or if it latched onto the wrong person—me, a mere Genin.
But I'm still in the examination room—I need to stay composed!
Kyohiko steadied his mind and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Hokage!"
This gratitude was genuine.
If this system had truly fallen into Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands, it would've been wasted. Given the old man's personality, would he even know how to use it properly?
I don't have that ability!
Better to give it to someone like me.
"Haha, I have high hopes for you. Keep it up!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Kyohiko's shoulder.
Then, he began calling the next candidate to enter.
As Kyohiko stepped outside, he saw unfamiliar and familiar faces passing by. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly—
Over a decade later, only a handful of these people would stand out.
The ninja world was cruel.
Without bloodline limits, you couldn't learn secret techniques!
Over the past year, Kyohiko had come to understand just how difficult life was for ordinary people.
Hard work and effort.
But no matter what, he only had a slightly better foundation and met the early graduation standards—still incomparable to someone like Kakashi.
As long as everything stayed normal, Might Guy was his best role model.
Fortunately, he was now part of the "cheat" group. Graduating early gave him more time to train and grow stronger.
You couldn't learn high-level techniques in school!
The Hokage System.
Though the process was weird, the results were great.
After leaving the examination room, Kyohiko tried a few commands and finally summoned the illusionary panel.
Familiar words appeared.
...
**[Name: Ryomine Kyohiko]**
**[Age: 7]**
**[Kekkei Genkai: None]**
**[Skills:]**
- Transformation Technique (Proficient)
- Clone Technique (Proficient)
- Substitution Technique (Proficient)
- Instant Body Flicker Technique (Master)
...
Master-level Instant Body Flicker Technique!
Kyohiko suppressed his shock and excitement.
Based on the system's classification, ninjutsu proficiency was divided into five levels: Beginner, Skilled, Proficient, Master, and Grandmaster.
The two techniques he had mastered the most were the Body Flicker and Substitution Techniques—no surprise there.
But.
Over the past six months, his Body Flicker Technique hadn't improved at all.
Now, however...
Various insights into the Body Flicker Technique flooded his mind.
"So that's it. A master-level Instant Body Flicker requires more precise control of muscles, strength, and chakra."
Using every ounce of power efficiently.
That was the difference between proficient and master.
Kyohiko gained new understanding.
This sudden enlightenment felt miraculous, as if he had practiced thousands of times and could now effortlessly perform a "master-level" Body Flicker.
"If I had relied on my own training, it might've taken years to reach master level."
"This is amazing!"
"Now, the question is—how do I make the most of this system?"
Without a bloodline limit or secret techniques, Kyohiko's best chance at changing his fate and surviving the Ninja World Wars was this system.
The earlier events proved it was a rigid program with plenty of room for exploitation.
If I were Hokage, what would I do?
Kyohiko's mind raced.
The previous reward was for...
winning people's trust, balancing village power, and making the village stronger and more prosperous.
Contributing to war.
Handling daily village affairs.
Kyohiko summarized a few points.
As a Genin, most of these were impossible. The only thing he could do now was win people's trust and complete missions.
Kyohiko pondered, then...
As he walked out of the school gates, he began testing his master-level Body Flicker Technique.
Precise control.
Muscles, chakra...
Then—
Whoosh!
In an instant, Kyohiko's figure blurred, reappearing elsewhere on the street.
"So fast!"
"My body hasn't grown stronger yet, but the efficiency of the Body Flicker is two or three times better than before!"
A gleam of excitement flashed in Kyohiko's eyes.
If master level was like this, advancing to "grandmaster" would probably make him lightning-fast!
However.
He could feel that while this ability had integrated into him, his vision and reflexes hadn't yet adapted to the increased speed, leading to misjudgments in distance and timing.
Practice!
Kyohiko sprinted toward the outskirts of the village where he usually trained, moving like the wind.
But.
As he ran past a bathhouse...
"Huh?"
A white-haired man turned his head and looked outside.
He saw a young boy darting past at incredible speed.
How fast!
Who could use such a high-level Body Flicker?
Intrigued, he hesitated for a moment, glancing at the situation inside the bathhouse. Finally, he turned and chased after Kyohiko.
(End of Chapter)