Chapter 1 – To Improve, One Must Go to School
Konoha, March of Year 42.
It was a relatively peaceful time. The Second Great Ninja War had ended not long ago. After years of bloodshed, every nation was quietly licking its wounds, preparing for the inevitable day when another war would break out—and hoping to secure greater advantages when it did.
On the 8th, the skies were clear and cloudless—a perfect day for a spring outing. But in front of the notice board outside the Ninja Academy, it was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people.
Some were hopeful examinees coming to check the results; others were their friends or family members. For some, the whole household had turned up, making quite a scene.
Taking advantage of his small stature, Matsushita Taichi squeezed and weaved through the crowd until he finally made it to the front of the board.
His eyes darted quickly over the posted names until—finally—he spotted his own at the very bottom of the list.
Only then did the knot in his chest unwind.
Although he had been confident about his exam, as an orphan who grew up in the orphanage, he couldn't help but worry whether he would be allowed to attend the Ninja Academy at all.
After all, in Konoha during this period, there was always that "rat in the gutter" who liked to target orphanage kids—Shimura Danzō. Taichi had feared that he, too, might get snatched away into Root.
But now that the results were settled, he could finally feel relieved.
The examination was over; all that remained was to submit his documents and go through the formalities. From what he'd heard, there had never been any mishaps at this stage. Once April 1st arrived, he would officially be a first-year student at the Ninja Academy.
Thinking of this, Matsushita Taichi shifted his focus to the attribute panel in his mind—something that had appeared when he regained memories of his previous life at age four.
---
Name: Matsushita Taichi
Class: Civilian LV5 (Max)
Talent: Diligence Makes Up for Clumsiness — Your efforts will always yield results, no matter how small. For an ordinary person like you, this is the most fitting talent.
Age: 6
Constitution: 7
Strength: 9
Agility: 8
Spirit: 17
Attribute Points: 4
Skill Points: 4
Skills: Basic Taijutsu Lv5 (621/800), Basic Meditation Lv6 (345/1000)
Tip: Learn Chakra Refinement Technique. Once you generate your first chakra, you can change class to Ninja Apprentice.
Evaluation: You're only a bit stronger than the average kid your age. In the ninja world, you're still trash.
---
Even though it wasn't his first time looking at the panel, Taichi still found it fascinating every time—except for that damn "trash" evaluation.
He wasn't just slightly stronger than his peers, was he?
From his observation, a normal adult's attributes usually hovered around 10 points in each category.
He was only six years old, yet most of his stats were already close to adult levels. His Spirit was even at 17—thanks to the fusion of two lifetimes' worth of memories—which was no small feat.
As for the attribute points, ever since the first time he added one and felt his stamina instantly restored, he had never spent them recklessly again. These were life-saving medicine, a recovery elixir that could turn the tide in a critical moment.
Besides, attributes could be improved through training, which only made the points more precious.
The same logic applied to skill points. In the early stages, skills could be leveled up quickly through practice—why waste points? He might as well save them for the higher levels, where the experience requirements became monstrous.
In fact, Taichi had discovered that skill points could instantly help him master the basics of a brand-new technique. He remembered how Basic Meditation had been stuck at Lv0 for ages, completely beyond him—until he spent a single skill point and shot up to Lv1. With that kind of function, when he eventually got his hands on the Flying Thunder God Technique, wouldn't learning it be a breeze?
As for his current two skills—Basic Taijutsu and Basic Meditation—the panel indicated that they had been derived from the fusion of his two lives' worth of knowledge, providing him with the most suitable methods to train both body and mind.
It was thanks to this mysterious "panel" that the newly awakened Matsushita Taichi didn't fall into confusion or despair after regaining his past-life memories.
In this world that devoured the weak, the panel was his confidence—his assurance that he could survive.
After all, the later years of the Naruto world were dominated by the rule of bloodlines. If you didn't have a powerful ancestor, you were destined to be nothing more than trash among trash.
But the panel gave Taichi the means—and the confidence—to defy that fate.
And his talent, Diligence Makes Up for Clumsiness, was like a booster on top of that confidence.
What was the most terrifying thing for a person? To put in the effort… and receive nothing in return.
Especially when you were stuck at a bottleneck—unable to improve for years, even over a decade—that was enough to make anyone want to give up entirely.
For someone without a prestigious bloodline, this talent was the perfect gift.
But of course, the panel alone wasn't enough. Everything Taichi had achieved so far came from his own sweat and training.
If all it took to be invincible was spending points, then sure—maybe he could reach Kage-level before running out. But what about above that?
There was still Super Kage-level… and the Six Paths level.
The only reason he was able to train without interruption at such a young age was because of one person—
the kind-hearted director of the orphanage: Yakushi Nonō.
The orphanage didn't have much funding and couldn't fully support Taichi's intense training.
But that didn't stop Nonō. Her medical ninjutsu could compensate for the lack of expensive medicines, and whenever Taichi pushed himself too far, she was there to heal him.
Just thinking about that gentle and beautiful older sister warmed Taichi's heart.
But then he remembered—Nonō was also a member of Root. And the thought of Danzō's sinister face sent a chill down his spine.
"I still need to grow stronger… and soon. There's barely any gap between the Second and Third Ninja Wars."
"And I'll need money, too."
Training equipment, specialized tools, secret medicines… just thinking about the cost made Taichi's head ache.
He wasn't a rootless orphan—both his parents had been Chūnin of Konoha, and they had left behind a small inheritance.
Once he officially became a student of the Ninja Academy, he could claim it, and finally move out of the crowded orphanage.
Still, it probably wasn't much. His parents were civilian Chūnin; between their savings and the village's compensation, it should be enough for living expenses—but not for the high costs of training.
Which meant… he'd still have to earn money.
As Taichi silently considered different ways to make an income, a sudden sobbing voice reached his ears.
"How… how could this happen? My name's not here… Dad, did you see it?"
"Guy, don't give up. Keep looking. You've already given it your all—you'll succeed, I know you will."
…
Taichi turned and saw two figures in matching green bodysuits, sporting identical bowl-cut hair.
Might Duy and Might Guy.
The sight alone could make anyone chuckle… but hearing their words, Taichi found no humor in it.
These two were also men who would one day achieve greatness through sheer effort.
He looked away, scanning the soon-to-be classmates around him.
Kurenai Yūhi, Genma, Obito, Shizune…
All still small, round-faced kids. Adorable, really.
Taichi quickly averted his eyes—if he kept staring, he felt like he'd turn into some sort of creep.
When he turned his head back, he saw a white-haired boy with his hands in his pockets strolling toward the board.
This brat was already trying to look cool at his age. Taichi had the sudden urge to smack him—but he knew better. Right now, he couldn't beat Kakashi.
Seeing Kakashi made him think of Might Guy and the Eight Gates Technique. Checking the list again, Taichi confirmed that Guy's name wasn't there.
And yet… Guy would still enter this year's class.
Changing direction, Taichi headed for a nearby swing set instead of going back to the orphanage. Sitting down, he gently swayed, keeping his eyes on Duy and Guy.
Before long, the father and son walked away, looking utterly dejected.
But Taichi stayed put, patiently waiting.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Guy returned—this time wearing a long banner across his chest as he began running laps around the school like a madman. The banner read:
"Youth is Burning!"
The spectacle drew curious stares and no small amount of laughter from bystanders.
Taichi ignored the jeers, hopped off the swing, and walked toward him.
"Hey!"
Guy blinked, startled by the sudden appearance of a boy beside him, and slowed down.
"Uh… did you fail the exam too?"
"No. I passed. But that doesn't mean I can slack off, does it?"
Guy's eyes lit up.
"What?"
Taichi smirked and sped up, overtaking him.
"Effort never goes unrewarded. If you haven't succeeded yet, it just means you haven't worked hard enough."
"Guy, my name's Matsushita Taichi. I believe you'll make it into the Academy."
Those few simple words hit Guy straight in the heart.
He stopped in his tracks, tears brimming in his eyes, feeling as though limitless energy was welling up inside him.
"Goal—five hundred laps around the Ninja Academy! If I can't do it, I'll frog-hop it five hundred times!"
Shouting his new objective, Guy dashed forward again—this time side-by-side with Taichi.
Under the setting sun, the two of them ran lap after lap together.
From that day on, two figures could be seen running tirelessly around the school, rain or shine.
Sometimes Might Duy would show up to cheer them on. Sometimes it was just the two of them, their rhythm occasionally punctuated by the jeers of younger kids.
And sometimes… two white-haired figures, one tall and one short, would pass by, their eyes briefly settling on the runners.
"What is it, Kakashi? Do you know them?"
"No… just curious, Father."
"Remember them, Kakashi. They will be strong one day," Sakumo said with certainty.
Hearing this, Kakashi turned his gaze back to the two boys.
"Strong, huh…?"