Uzumaki Naruto continued practicing the Chakra Refining Technique, enduring until midnight before finally hearing the system's prompt:
"Today's Chakra Refining Technique practice for eight hours is complete."
"Today's Chakra increase: 9 points. Current total Chakra: 23 points."
Whoosh—
Naruto collapsed onto the bed, too exhausted to even complain.
"Only 23 points?" he muttered in despair.
"The host is just a Ninja Academy student. Twenty-three points of Chakra is already quite excellent," the system replied.
"Ordinary students only have around 10 points. A Genin has at most 100 points. A Chunin has anywhere from several hundred to a thousand. Only a Jonin can surpass one thousand points. Of course, this is just the standard—exceptional talents are not included."
Naruto's heart stirred.
So that's how it is… My 23 points already surpass most Academy students! That means I do have some talent after all!
"Today's host practice has concluded successfully. Current attributes are as follows…"
Host: Uzumaki Naruto
Age: 10 years old
Identity: Konoha Ninja Academy student
Chakra: 23 points
Ninjutsu:
Clone Technique (16/100)
Transformation Technique (59/100)
Substitution Technique (31/100)
Chakra Refining Technique (61/100)
Taijutsu:
Basic Taijutsu (43/100)
Shuriken Technique (41/100)
Academic Subjects:
Physics (28/100)
Chemistry (19/100)
Mathematics (20/100)
Language (42/100)
History (36/100)
English (49/100)
Biology (44/100)
Moral Education (26/100)
Ninja Experience: …This data, even a dog would shake its head at.
"Hmmm…" Naruto sighed.
"Besides having a little more Chakra than others, the only thing I actually passed was the Chakra Refining Technique. And that's only because the system forced me to improve it today. Guess I really am bottom of the barrel…"
Just then, the system interrupted.
"Good sleep is the foundation of everything. Host, please enter sleep mode immediately, or you will receive the Baptism of Lightning Release."
Naruto: "…"
"Ahhh! How am I supposed to sleep when you threaten to electrocute me every night?! At least try being reasonable!"
"Host, at least enter a state of preparing for sleep. Stop overthinking, clear your mind…"
Well, that was at least better than being forced to sleep outright. Naruto quickly closed his eyes and tried to think of nothing. Exhausted from the day, he soon fell into a deep sleep.
Naruto slept more soundly than ever, though he occasionally shivered violently, as if dreaming of the Lightning Release baptism.
---
The next morning—exactly six o'clock.
The system's voice, sharp as an alarm clock, rang out in his mind.
"Sleep has reached six hours. Host, get up immediately and prepare to begin today's training!"
Naruto: "…Ah, already six? Please, just let me sleep a little longer…"
"Warning! Countdown to the Baptism of Lightning Release…"
"…I'm awake, I'm awake!"
He rubbed his sleepy eyes, yawned, and reluctantly got out of bed.
"Host, please wash up, prepare a nutritious and balanced breakfast, and finish eating it within half an hour!"
Naruto: "…"
Having learned his lesson, he didn't dare argue with the system anymore. Luckily, he had prepared everything the night before, so this time he wasn't as flustered. After a quick breakfast, he finished within the time limit.
Then, Naruto got ready to head to the Ninja Academy.
"A new day, a new beginning," he muttered. "Today will also be a day full of hope."
The system chimed in:
"Host, after the first day's assessment, a small goal has been set. Please achieve a top ten ranking among the fifty students in your class, one month from now. Failure will result in punishment."
Naruto nearly choked.
"Top… top ten?! You might as well just kill me with lightning already! How is that even possible?!"
No matter his complaints, the system remained cold.
"Detected that it is time for the host to go to school. Please proceed to the Ninja Academy immediately… by walking on your hands."
Naruto: "…"
"Weighted frog jumps after school, walking on my hands to school in the morning? What's next, huh? My legs aren't enough for you, so now you're trying to break my arms?"
Though he grumbled in his heart, he had no choice but to obey.
With a heavy sigh, he flipped into a handstand and began walking forward.
"Hmph, it's just a handstand. What's the big deal? This is nothing for someone who will become Hokage!"
The system's cold voice cut in again:
"Host's method of walking on hands is incorrect. Please immediately switch to walking on one hand."
Naruto: "…What?!"
"Warning! Countdown to the Baptism of Lightning Release…"
"…Fine, fine! I'll switch!"
He grit his teeth, carefully shifting his weight onto one arm and wobbling forward. Maintaining balance was one thing, but walking all the way to the Academy like this was torture.
Bang—
Bang!
His strange behavior naturally attracted stares. Pedestrians pointed at him and whispered:
"That kid's crazy…"
"What's he doing, showing off?"
"Hmph, what a weirdo."
But Naruto ignored them. His face flushed red as sweat poured down, all his focus on not collapsing.
Finally, he reached the Academy.
Naruto didn't care about the looks anymore. He stood upright, his right arm completely numb.
"Host has completed the one-handed walk to the Ninja Academy for the first time. Stamina +1."