Dusk.
Konoha — the Hokage's office.
"Cough!. That's the situation."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, his hair completely white and a smoking pipe clenched between his lips, set the documents in his hand aside and looked at the young ninja standing before him.
"What do you think, Naraku?"
The young ninja, Shihōin Naraku, scratched his slightly messy short black hair. A relaxed smile appeared on his handsome face.
"Since the Lord Hokage has already decided, I have no objections."
"Perfect timing, really. I could benefit from reduced responsibilities. I've been busy in the Medical Division for years—it's exhausting."
"Heh. I'm afraid that won't do."
Sarutobi exhaled a cloud of smoke from his pipe.
"The Body Disposal Unit and the Animal Medical Ward of the Medical Division will still require your supervision. I trust you can handle them."
Damn it.
Naraku kept smiling on the surface, but cursed inwardly.
They have reassigned me from the Medical Emergency Unit—the branch with the greatest authority and resources—and replaced it with corpse processing and veterinary care.
That arrangement is... less than ideal.
"Then who will take charge of the Medical Emergency Unit?" Naraku asked calmly.
"That department is vital to Konoha. There can't be even the slightest mistake."
It wasn't arrogance. It was reality.
No one in the village was more suitable than him to manage Konoha's medical system.
Anyone else would do worse.
After all, Naraku was Tsunade's direct disciple.
On top of that, before arriving in the Naruto world, his previous life came from a family that ran a hospital. Medical systems were second nature to him.
Yes—Naraku was a transmigrator.
Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say… reincarnated.
Or maybe both.
Originally, Shihōin Naraku had grown up peacefully as a member of one of Konoha's many ninja clans, entering the Ninja Academy like any other talented child.
No one knew that the moment he refined his first trace of chakra, the memories of his previous life awakened.
Along with them came complete knowledge of the Naruto world.
At first, he was disappointed.
A transmigrator without a system? That felt unfair.
But having died unexpectedly in his previous life, being able to live again was already a blessing.
Even if this world was absurdly dangerous.
Since I'm here, I'll survive.
As he grew older, Naraku gradually realized that he did possess an advantage.
Perhaps because of having lived two lives—two souls overlapping—his mental strength was exceptional.
Stronger mental energy meant larger chakra reservess.
After all, chakra was formed from spiritual energy and physical energy combined.
Coupled with his extraordinary chakra control and learning ability, these traits quickly turned him into one of Konoha's most famous prodigies.
At the time, the only ninja who could rival him was Hatake Kakashi.
That was precisely why Naraku had become Tsunade's personal disciple.
And now, the very Medical Emergency Unit he had taken over from Tsunade and expanded into a pillar of Konoha…
…he was being forced to give it up.
"The Medical Emergency Unit will be taken over by Elder Homura Mitokado and Elder Koharu Utatane," Sarutobi said calmly.
"They already manage the Fire Country's financial allocations to the village. This will benefit the unit's future development."
Naraku was skeptical.
It was true the two elders held immense authority within Konoha.
But neither of them truly understood modern medical ninjutsu.
…Well, Koharu had once been a skilled medical ninja.
But that was long ago.
Under Naraku's long-term leadership, the Medical Emergency Unit had evolved far beyond its former state—new medical systems, newly developed medical ninjutsu…
This was no longer something Koharu could easily manage.
The times had changed.
Seeing the doubt on Naraku's face, Sarutobi took another puff from his pipe.
"Oh, andJōnin Yashiro Ao will assist the elders."
"Yashiro Ao?"
"Yes."
Naraku understood immediately.
Seeing that Naraku had grasped the situation, Sarutobi continued:
"The Medical Emergency Unit is too important. To prevent any unexpected problems…"
"Jōnin Shihōin Naraku, effective immediately, you are appointed Vice Director of the Konoha Medical Division."
Tch.
Naraku didn't care much about that title.
A vice director held very little real authority. It was nothing more than insurance in case something went wrong.
"And there's more…"
Sarutobi knew Naraku had been shortchanged, so he intended to compensate him.
After all, Naraku was still firmly part of the Hokage's faction.
"Jōnin Shihōin Naraku, you are hereby appointed Vice Captain of the ANBU, directly overseeing thirty-seven ANBU operatives."
Was this old man insane?
Konoha's ANBU numbered only about seventy in total—and that was includingROOT, which had already been forcibly disbanded.
Managing thirty-seven meant more than half of ANBU would answer to him.
Naraku frowned and looked at Sarutobi.
"Actually, I—"
Before he could finish, a clear mechanical sound rang out in his mind.
[Ding—]
[Promotion System Activated!]
[Promotion System Rule 1: Lottery Mechanism…]
[Promotion System Rule 2: Infinite Replication…]
…
[Promotion System Rule 97,003: Promotion…]
[Promotion System Rule 97,004: Demotion…]
…
[Congratulations, Host, on becoming Vice Director of the Konoha Medical Division.]
[Congratulations, Host, on becoming Vice Captain of Konoha ANBU.]
[You have obtained 7 lottery draws!]
[Beginner Gift Pack: 5 additional lottery draws awarded!]
[Total remaining lottery draws: 12]
[System Tip: Ten consecutive draws greatly increase the chance of obtaining rare items!]
…
The flood of system notifications forced Naraku to swallow the rest of his sentence..
"…Hm?"
Sarutobi stared at him, puzzled.
Naraku's expression suddenly became solemn—earnest, responsible, as if a heavy burden had been placed upon his shoulders.
"Understood."
"I will obey the Hokage's orders."
"From this day forward, I will devote myself fully to Konoha and contribute all my strength."
"I will not disappoint anyone."
"…Eh?"
Sarutobi looked utterly confused.
The dissatisfaction and laziness Naraku had shown moments ago were gone without a trace.
Did something just happen?
Or am I getting old enough to forget things mid-conversation?
Still, seeing Naraku so enthusiastic, Sarutobi felt satisfied.
"If you're willing, then that's good."
"As long as nothing goes wrong in the Medical Division, focus more on ANBU."
"You'll be managing many people. Mistakes may happen—but missions must be completed perfectly."
He gave Naraku a long, meaningful look.
Normally, Naraku would have caught the implication immediately.
But right now, his thoughts were entirely consumed by the system that had finally appeared.
The long-awaited transmigrator standard equipment.
At last—it had arrived.
A Promotion System?
Does it scale based on rank?
Naraku suppressed his excitement and listened to Sarutobi's remaining instructions.
Some time later, watching Naraku leave with visible excitement, Sarutobi muttered to himself:
"Does Naraku… like ANBU that much?"
ANBU were elite ninja selected from across the village, but due to the danger and secrecy of their missions, few people truly wanted to join.
Among civilians, ANBU inspired more fear than admiration.
Sarutobi had expected Naraku to refuse.
The outcome was the complete opposite.
"Good evening, Lord Naraku!"
"Lord Naraku!"
"Thank you for your hard work!"
As Naraku left the Hokage Building, every ninja he encountered greeted him respectfully.
This level of respect went far beyond what an ordinaryJōnin would receive.
The reason was simple.
For years, Naraku had overseen the Medical Emergency Unit—and he had personally saved the lives of countless ninja.
They were repaying a debt of gratitude.