This Novel uses the timeline revised from Naruto: Shippuden, that is, Naruto was born in Konoha in 1951.
…
Late March of Konoha Year 42.
Spring is in full bloom, the air is filled with the scent of earth and new leaves, and the morning light, with its perfect warmth, filters through the layers of leaves, casting shimmering dappled light on the road.
It's back-to-school season again.
"Kakashi, don't underestimate that kid. If he continues to maintain that training intensity, he will definitely surpass you in the future."
At the gate of Konoha Ninja Academy, Sakumo Hatake bent down and ruffled his son's hair while watching the departing figures of Might Duy and his son as he said earnestly.
Kakashi was unimpressed. Although he asked Might Guy's name at his father's urging, Kakashi didn't take Might Guy seriously and didn't believe his father really thought highly of him.
That guy was merely an example his father used to admonish him not to become arrogant.
"He should pass tomorrow's make-up exam and get into school first before we talk about that. Alright, Dad, let's hurry inside and complete the enrollment procedures."
Sakumo Hatake smiled helplessly, just as the father and son were about to step into the gates of the Ninja Academy.
Thud, thud, thud.
A series of heavy, steady footsteps came from the street corner directly opposite the school gate.
Sakumo Hatake let out a soft exclamation and stopped to look in the direction of the noise.
Seeing his father stop, Kakashi looked somewhat impatient, but he still followed his father's gaze.
Footsteps approached from afar, their heavy thuds echoing on the ground.
Around the corner, a swaying shadow rolled over first, and then a large rock appeared in the father and son's line of sight.
A stone that can move?
No!
Only upon closer inspection can one discover that between the base of the large rock and the ground, a pair of small legs is moving alternately at an extremely steady frequency.
The stone is indeed moving.
More accurately, it was a thin, unremarkable-looking child carrying it on his back. The stone was almost three times the size of his torso, and without close inspection, it looked like a stone moving on its own.
The rough hemp rope cut deep into his thin shoulders. He ran slowly, but each step was extremely firm, leaving shallow wet marks. His black hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to his forehead, obscuring part of his vision, but he seemed unaware, only staring at the road ahead, his lips pressed into a tight line, his breathing heavy but steady.
Whose child is that?
"Is... Is this stone real?"
"Carrying something that heavy? That's reckless!"
The moment the figure carrying the boulder appeared on the street, it immediately attracted the attention of everyone at the entrance of the Ninja Academy, and whispers arose among the parents who had brought their children to register for enrollment.
"A cheap trick!"
Kakashi took in the exclamations and curious chatter around him and snorted softly. He could also carry that weight and even run faster.
Judging from that guy's appearance and height, he should be a third or fourth-year student at the Ninja Academy, even though the tool shop has more suitable and scientifically designed weight-bearing equipment. He insisted on choosing a heavy boulder, and specifically, a type of rock called yellow limestone, which has a relatively low density and a large volume for the same weight.
He even deliberately chose to come when there were many people enrolling for school.
In Kakashi's view, this was nothing more than a poorly planned performance designed to attract attention.
"Kakashi."
Just then, Sakumo Hatake spoke calmly, his gaze still fixed on the slowly moving figure, but with something else in his eyes.
"Look closely."
Sakumo Hatake's voice was soft but steady: "This child... Is not using Chakra."
Upon hearing this, Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly, and he immediately focused his gaze again.
The flow of Chakra and the execution of techniques always produce fluctuations, whether strong or weak, hidden or visible. Based on this, one can determine whether the opponent is using a Transformation Technique to disguise themselves, roughly assess the opponent's Ninjutsu, and so on.
In Kakashi's observation, there was no trace of Chakra deliberately flowing around that guy, which meant that the burden of the stone was entirely borne by his own physical strength!
Even for a rock with a relatively low density like yellow limestone, the weight at this volume is not small.
If it doesn't require Chakra, Kakashi thought for a moment, then spoke in a calm tone.
"It's just that he's a little stronger."
Sakumo Hatake didn't reply, but suddenly glanced upwards with his eyes before looking away without making a sound.
"That child is... Shinichi?"
"It is really him."
Several parents in the crowd seemed to recognize the child carrying the huge rock.
"This kid said he's always been strong since he was little, and I didn't believe him. I never imagined it was this exaggerated..."
"I heard him say he was coming to enroll in the Ninja Academy…"
"What a pity, the world has lost a future culinary master..."
"Future culinary master? Isn't this child helping out at the blacksmith's shop?"
This guy is a freshman just like him?
Kakashi's eyes flashed with surprise.
Judging from Shinichi's height and appearance, he was certain that Shinichi was a third or even fourth-year student, but he did not expect him to be a freshman like himself.
Kakashi!
I'm so glad to finally meet you!
As he carried the boulder toward the entrance of the Ninja Academy, Shinichi's gaze swept quickly over the white-haired, masked boy at the gate, a barely perceptible glint of heat flashing deep within his eyes, and his heart pounded uncontrollably.
It's been five years since the very day I heard you were born, Kakashi!
Shinichi took a deep breath, subtly shifted his gaze, ran to the open space next to the gate, put down the boulder, exchanged a few brief greetings with a few familiar parents, and then turned to enter the school.
As he passed by the Hatake father and son, he noticed Kakashi looking him up and down. He paused slightly and gave Kakashi a smile.
That smile was clean and sunny, like a breeze without any gloom. His ordinary face inexplicably carried a kind of affinity, making people feel warm and friendly without them even realizing it.
Upon seeing this, Kakashi paused for a moment, unconsciously recalling the senior he had met at Ramen Ichiraku last month, a senior known as a genius. His smile was also so clean and sunny, making people feel an instant sense of warmth.
[Friendly (White): Your words and actions make others feel relaxed and friendly. When communicating, it is easier to gain goodwill and basic trust.]
Shinichi ignored Kakashi's reaction, nodded to the Hatake father and son as if it were just an ordinary father and son, and then walked past them without stopping.
At that moment, Kakashi suddenly spoke up.
"Hello!"
Shinichi stopped and turned around, his face showing a hint of confusion.
"If you want to train your body properly."
Kakashi's voice carried the straightforwardness of a genius and a certain sense of entitlement, "Then you should go to the tool shop and buy professional weighted equipment. Carrying these irregularly shaped stones is not only inefficient and difficult to control, but it can also easily cause unnecessary muscle or bone damage."
Shinichi listened attentively, his smile unwavering as he nodded: "You're right, professional equipment is indeed safer and more efficient. I've checked out the tool shop before."
His tone was calm, without the slightest hint of displeasure at being corrected: "But for now... I haven't found one that perfectly suits my current needs. This stone is heavy, but once you get used to it, it's not too difficult to adjust. Anyway, thank you for your suggestion. My name is Shinichi Higashino. What's yours?"
How could a tool shop not have suitable ones?
Kakashi frowned. He was familiar with the tool shop's selection, and to say "I haven't found one that perfectly suits my current needs" was a stretch. But then he thought better of himself, realizing he'd already inexplicably stopped someone, so why press the matter? He simply replied: "Kakashi Hatake."
"Kakashi, is that it? I'll remember that."
Shinichi nodded and turned to walk into the school gate.
"This child has suffered so much, losing both parents at such a young age..."
"He has donated most of the money he has earned from working over the past year to orphanages..."
"No wonder... He's a kind and loyal child..."
The whispers of several parents nearby drifted over.
Kakashi's gaze fell on Shinichi's disappearing figure, and he remained silent for a moment.
"Let's go and complete the school enrollment procedures, Dad."
Shinichi, who had already traveled a long way, was unaware of what was to come. At this moment, he was recalling his previous conversation with Kakashi.
Buy professional weighted equipment?
You make a very good point, Kakashi.
Only… if he doesn't carry that huge rock on his back, how will the world know that he has superhuman strength and is different from ordinary people?
A faint smile appeared on Shinichi's lips. A thought struck him, and a floating panel that only he could see appeared in his line of sight.
System Panel
Name: Shinichi Higashino
[Occupation: Swordsmanship Apprentice]
[Talents: Intelligent (White), Diligent (White), Amiable (White), Strong (White), Foodie (White), Resilient (White), Agile (White), Calm (White)]
Number of draws: None