Konohagakure Ninja Academy.
A group of examinees waited outside.
Inside the room, a black-haired boy was taking his assessment, observed by the Third Hokage and several academy instructors who were scoring him.
In the center, he skillfully proceeded through each test item.
Before long.
"Taijutsu, excellent."
"Clone Jutsu, excellent."
"Transformation Jutsu…"
"Overall excellent."
Above, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wearing his Hokage hat, announced the scores one by one, then stood up, picked up a headband, and walked toward the student below.
He handed him the headband.
"After the academy's evaluation, you are permitted to graduate early. Kyohiko Yoshimine, from this day forward, you are a Genin."
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Kyohiko respectfully accepted it, unable to help but sigh inwardly—
After transmigrating over a year ago and working tirelessly, he'd finally reached the threshold for early graduation.
Almost at the same moment, a voice rang out.
[Congratulations on successfully assuming the position of Hokage. The Hokage System is at your service.]
???
This voice?
A system?
What the hell!
I transmigrated over a year ago, trained desperately for a whole year, worked hard enough to graduate early, and you only show up now?
He was both shocked and delighted.
According to his predecessor's memories, Kyohiko Yoshimine's ancestors were once members of the Senju Clan, but after the First Hokage advocated for intermarriage within the village, they branched off.
By his generation, he was already the third.
However.
His grandmother had no special constitution or bloodline limit to begin with, and his parents were quite ordinary too, at most slightly healthier, but unfortunately died on the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
By the time it came to Kyohiko, he was even more ordinary, with no visible special traits.
Therefore.
After transmigrating, he realized that only by working and striving hard like Guy could he possibly survive in the cruel ninja world.
Never expected.
Today, he would actually awaken a system…
"Wait? Hokage System? What does that mean? I'm not the Hokage!"
Kyohiko was completely baffled inside, then looked down at his headband and then up at the hat on Hiruzen's head.
I didn't become Hokage either!
"Kyohiko, put on your ninja headband."
"Yes!"
Kyohiko snapped back to reality.
He tied the headband around his head, and then—
Another notification sounded.
[Winning people's hearts is an essential ability for a Hokage.]
[By personally placing the headband on a graduating Genin, you have gained their complete trust.]
[Reward: Body Flicker Technique increased by 1 level]
Huh?
After confirming he hadn't misheard, Kyohiko was utterly shocked.
Complete trust…
Of course I trust myself!
Putting the headband on myself and still being able to exploit this loophole—is this system an idiot?!
He was stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses.
This system.
It was probably custom-made for the "Hokage", but whether he'd transmigrated to the wrong place or it had found the wrong person, it had somehow ended up with him, a mere Genin.
However, he was still in the examination room and had to remain calm!
Kyohiko composed himself and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
This thanks was sincere.
If the system had really ended up with Hiruzen, that would be a complete waste. With that old guy's personality, would he even use the system if he had it?
He doesn't have the ability!
Better that it went to me.
"Haha, I have high expectations for you, keep it up!"
Hiruzen patted Kyohiko's shoulder.
Then he began calling names, summoning the next person in.
Kyohiko left, watching unfamiliar and familiar faces pass by, unable to help but sigh inwardly—
Over a decade from now, among this batch of people, only a few would stand out.
The ninja world is cruel.
Without bloodline limits or secret techniques, progress is nearly impossible!
Over the past dozen months or so, Kyohiko had come to understand all too well how hard life was for ordinary people.
Hard work, struggle.
But no matter what, he just had a better foundation and met the standards for early graduation—he couldn't compare at all with Kakashi who had graduated long ago.
Going forward normally, Guy would be his best role model.
Fortunately, now he could be considered part of the "cheat clan", and with early graduation, he'd have plenty of time to train and grow stronger.
You can't learn advanced techniques at the academy!
Hokage System.
Although the process was bizarre, the result was good.
Leaving the examination room, Kyohiko tried several commands, and finally used "panel" to summon a semi-illusory panel.
It displayed familiar text.
…
[Name: Kyohiko Yoshimine]
[Age: 7 years old]
[Skills]:
Transformation Jutsu (Proficient), Clone Jutsu (Proficient), Substitution Jutsu (Mastery), Body Flicker Technique (Grand Master)
…
Grand Master level Body Flicker Technique!
Kyohiko suppressed the shock and excitement in his heart.
According to the system's classification, jutsu proficiency was divided into five levels: Beginner, Proficient, Mastery, Grand Master, and Supreme Master.
Body Flicker Technique and Substitution Jutsu were the two techniques he'd spent the most time on, bar none.
However.
Over the past six months, his Body Flicker Technique had made no progress whatsoever.
But now.
In his mind, various insights into the Body Flicker Technique emerged.
"I see, the Grand Master level Body Flicker Technique involves much more refined use of muscles, strength, and chakra."
Minute control of force.
This was the difference between Mastery and Grand Master.
Kyohiko had a vague understanding.
This kind of epiphany was amazing, as if he'd practiced tens of thousands of times and could now easily execute a "Grand Master level" Body Flicker Technique.
"If I relied on my own training to reach Grand Master level Body Flicker Technique, it would probably take at least several years of refinement."
"This is truly powerful!"
"So then."
"The question now is how to maximize the use of this system."
Without bloodline limits or secret techniques, if Kyohiko wanted to defy fate and not become just another faceless casualty in the Great Ninja Wars, his greatest reliance was the system before him.
Everything so far proved it was just a rigid program with plenty of room for exploitation.
If I were Hokage, what kind of things should I be doing?
Kyohiko's mind raced.
The previous rewards were for…
Winning people's hearts, balancing village factions, making the village stronger and more prosperous.
Contributing in war.
Handling the village's daily affairs and missions.
Kyohiko summarized several points.
As a Genin, the other points were completely impossible for him to accomplish. What he could do now was win people's hearts and execute missions.
Kyohiko pondered, then—
Walking out the school gates, he began trying out his Grand Master level Body Flicker Technique.
Refined and minute control.
Muscles, chakra…
Then.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Kyohiko's figure flashed, and the next moment he was already at another spot on the street.
"So fast!"
"My physique clearly hasn't strengthened, but the effect of using the Body Flicker Technique is two or three times what it was before!"
A hint of fervor flashed in Kyohiko's eyes.
If the Grand Master level was already like this, wouldn't he take off if he could reach "Supreme Master"?
However.
He could feel that although this ability had been integrated into his body, in actual use, his eyesight and awareness hadn't yet adapted to the enhanced speed, resulting in errors in judging distance and velocity.
Train!
Kyohiko ran toward the outskirts where he usually trained, moving swiftly like the wind.
However.
As he ran past a bathhouse…
"Hmm?"
A white-haired man turned his head, looking outside.
Then he saw a young boy rapidly sprinting past.
Such incredible speed!
That kind of Body Flicker Technique…
Who is that?
His interest was immediately piqued, but he hesitated, glancing at the situation inside the bathhouse, before finally turning his head and chasing after Kyohiko.
"No wonder Chidori requires the Sharingan to unleash its maximum power."
Kyohiko's current Body Flicker Technique had the same problem after use.
His eyesight and body couldn't quite keep up.
Although not as fatal as Chidori, it still affected the display of his abilities.
The solutions—
Either enhance his vision so his eyes could keep up with his body.
Or let his body keep up with the speed.
The former required talent, and Minato Namikaze was one of the best examples.
The latter, Guy was the perfect example.
Keep training!
Kyohiko's gaze was determined as he began using the Body Flicker Technique combined with attacks using fists, feet, and kunai.
At first…
The speed was extremely fast.
Later, the speed gradually decreased, but his movements became increasingly sharp.
Above, Jiraiya sat straddling a tree branch, using Ninjutsu to conceal himself among the leaves, his face unable to hide his shock.
As one of the Legendary Sannin—
He could of course understand what the young boy below was training.
Controlling speed!
The boy's Body Flicker Technique was very strong, but speed wasn't always better the faster it got. If it exceeded one's own control, it could easily become a weakness in battle.
His Body Flicker Technique was impressive.
Some jonin, when it came purely to the Body Flicker Technique, might not have attained the level of skill that the boy below had.
But this wasn't the main point of Jiraiya's surprise.
What truly shocked him was—
The boy could actually realize that speed wasn't simply better the faster it got, but rather that speed should be increased on the premise of complete control.
Controlling speed was often more important than increasing speed.
This seemingly simple principle was something many ninja only comprehended through life-and-death battles.
"Truly remarkable!"
Another Minato?
Jiraiya's gaze was complicated.
This wasn't the first time he'd seen this boy.
In fact, Kyohiko passed by the road near the bathhouse every time he trained.
A few times before, he'd nearly been exposed because of Kyohiko, but precisely because of this, he had quite an impression of this boy.
Hardworking, diligent.
Training every day without rest, never stopping. What shocked him most was the boy's way of thinking.
Kyohiko wasn't the only one who worked hard.
In Jiraiya's memory, there was also a boy in flashy green clothing who worked very hard, but the two trained in completely different directions.
That one focused on Taijutsu.
As for the one before him.
Since he'd first noticed him, the boy only practiced Taijutsu, Body Flicker Technique, and Substitution Jutsu, with extremely strong goal orientation, not training blindly.
Now, self-taught and having painstakingly broken through with the Body Flicker Technique, he was researching on his own again, beginning to train in the secrets of controlling speed.
This kind of awareness wasn't possessed by ordinary people.
A genius!
Just like Minato back then.
Jiraiya sat in the tree, his gaze fixed on the sweating youth below, thoughts and memories flooding in.
As one of the Sannin, if he intended to hide, there was no way the current Kyohiko could detect him.
Until evening, Kyohiko lay exhausted under the tree.
He looked up at the swaying tree shadows above, blinked, and then—
Under the moonlight, one patch of tree shadow seemed a bit off?
Kyohiko sat up.
"Who's there?"
"Whoosh!"
In the night sky, it seemed a bird flew away, disappearing among the tree shadows.
…
Konoha Ninja Academy.
A group of students who had already become ninja sat in the classroom.
The teacher hadn't arrived yet.
Everyone crowded at the windows, watching the children training hard below, each one thoroughly amused.
Two people were exceptions.
One was Might Guy.
He was huddled in a corner, doing one-handed handstand push-ups to train his physique. Compared to those around him, he had a kind of aesthetic full of performance art.
The other was Kyohiko.
He was watching Guy.
Finally, Guy couldn't hold it in anymore.
The old Kyohiko had been a marginal figure in class. After transmigrating, his mind was entirely on training and getting stronger, with no time to ponder interpersonal relationships, keeping quite a low profile in class.
His relationship with Might Guy could only be described as ordinary—they knew each other's names and faces.
Therefore…
"Kyohiko-kun, is my training disturbing you?"
Guy was a bit reserved.
Kyohiko shook his head, "No, I just admire you very much."
"Admire me?"
Guy was surprised, then suddenly flipped back upright and sat beside him, his face showing excitement and disbelief, yet also saying with slight self-deprecation, "You're trying to make fun of me, right? I almost didn't pass the early graduation exam."
"At least you passed, didn't you?"
Kyohiko was unconcerned.
Then he said seriously, "Guy, I've been observing you. Although your Ninjutsu talent isn't good and your comprehension is average…"
All shortcomings.
Guy's expression grew increasingly bitter as he listened.
Then—
"But you have perseverance and determination to not fear others' opinions that no one else has. That's also a kind of talent. Guy, you're absolutely a hard-work genius!"
"A hard-work genius?"
Might Guy froze.
For the first time in his life, aside from his father, someone else had called him a genius.
He couldn't help but feel a bit shy.
"I, I'm not really a genius."
"Why not? The Hokage said that perseverance is the strongest talent, it's just that most people find it difficult to possess. Look around the classroom—besides you, who else is training?"
Kyohiko said in a low voice.
Guy looked around—
Indeed, no one.
Everyone was quite idle. However, Kyohiko before him still had his fingers nimbly manipulating kunai, while his other hand seemed to be practicing hand seals?
Besides that.
That female ninja called Kurenai Yuhi.
She was also sitting in her seat, not participating in the noisy crowd.
Guy looked around the room, then finally looked at Kyohiko curiously.
"Did the Hokage really say that?"
Was this the point?
Of course Hiruzen never said it—it was said by the future Hokage, Kyohiko Yoshimine!
Kyohiko collected his thoughts and abandoned the idea of quickly reaping rewards.
Just then, Might Guy suddenly embraced Kyohiko.
"But I'm extremely grateful to you, Kyohiko. You're the second person besides my father to acknowledge me since I was small!"
With that, he began crying his heart out.
Even though Kyohiko was usually composed, at this moment he couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
This transformation—
Caught him completely off guard!
His crying attracted everyone's attention.
Seeing such a scene for the first time was quite rare. Everyone stopped making fun of the lower-grade students below and looked over in unison.
Kyohiko's eyes went hollow. He felt utterly mortified.
What was even more painful was.
He'd paid the price, but there was no reward, making him feel like a clown.
Guy was crying.
He was reflecting.
Their sorrows and joys were not the same.
A female voice broke the strange and awkward scene while also attracting everyone else's attention.
"Guy-kun. May I ask, who was the first person?"
Right!
Who was the first person?
Everyone was very curious.
Guy stopped his tears.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on them.
He wasn't embarrassed at all. Instead, he was extremely proud, quite boastful, "Of course it's my eternal rival, Kakashi Hatake!"
Kakashi.
When everyone heard this name, they first showed solemn respect, then doubt—
Huh? You?
Then it was…
"Hahahaha!"
Except for Kurenai Yuhi and Kyohiko, the whole room burst into laughter.
"Tch, I could also say Kakashi is my eternal rival!"
"Hahaha, I'm also Kakashi's rival!"
"Me too."
The classroom was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Kakashi graduated at five, became a chunin at six.
This person before them…
Seven years old, graduated to Genin. That was also excellent, but obviously not in the same league. How dare he put gold on his own face by saying he was an "eternal rival"?
Guy fell silent.
Kyohiko patted his shoulder, offering comfort and affirmation with a sincere tone—
The lack of reward must be because he wasn't sincere enough.
So.
He needed to increase the dosage!
"If you strive for first place as your goal, you might achieve second or third. If you aim for second or third as your goal, you can at most reach fourth, fifth, or even lower. Guy, believe in yourself. You will definitely be Kakashi's eternal rival!"
"Kyohiko-kun!"
Might Guy embraced Kyohiko, but this time he didn't cry. It was more excitement, happiness.
What was a true friend?
This was it!
Father, finally someone understands me!
Might Guy laughed and laughed, tears streaming down without restraint.
Kyohiko sighed inwardly—
Guy aimed for Kakashi as his goal, while he himself originally aimed for the future Guy.
Everyone had a bright future.
He was just reflecting when—
[Psychological support for ninja is also an extremely important part of the Hokage's work. You have strengthened a Genin's heart and sparked his infinite fighting spirit.]
[Reward: Your fundamental Taijutsu techniques have been enhanced]
Fundamental Taijutsu techniques?
As Kyohiko pondered this, a great deal of knowledge surfaced in his mind again, all techniques for using force with fists and feet, with many being techniques for generating force with both legs.
He became increasingly certain—
Rewards were closely related to the degree of impact of the event and the other party's existing abilities.
For example.
Yesterday's reward—Kyohiko gained "his own" complete trust, so what was enhanced was his strongest ability, the "Body Flicker Technique".
With Guy, what was currently best was his strong body and Taijutsu.