[Wind Release Basics (White): Your sensitivity to Wind Release chakra is heightened, and your control is more fluid. The efficiency of learning and the success rate of executing basic Wind Release ninjutsu are slightly improved.]
Wind Release Basics...
Shinichi silently removed a square of white paper from his desk drawer—chakra induction paper. He channeled a small amount of energy into it. A moment later, the paper did not split; it ignited and burned to ash.
Oh.
Staring at the charred remnants of the test strip in his palm, Shinichi fell into a heavy silence. Then, abruptly, he laughed.
It was a dry, humorless sound. It turns out that when a situation is sufficiently ironic, laughter is the only remaining response.
Fire Release.
His innate chakra nature was pure Fire.
He had to remind himself of the fundamental nature of his ability. His personal panel was not a reflection of his biological reality, but an aggregator of external perceptions and enhancements. The terms solidified through public opinion provided him with various artificial boosts: [Intelligence] increased his cognitive speed and comprehension; [Diligence] bolstered his mental focus and reduced fatigue; [Robust] enhanced his muscle density.
However, his innate biological talents were not displayed on this personal panel, nor did they generate corresponding entries.
For instance, he could refine chakra, and his nature was Fire, yet there were no entries like [Ninja Talent] or [Fire Release Chakra] on his interface.
The personal panel was essentially an external equipment slot formed by the beliefs of others, and the entries listed there were merely gear he could equip.
Because he was perceived as intelligent by the orphanage staff, a tratit called [Intelligence] was crafted for him to boost his thinking, regardless of his actual IQ.
Therefore, this [Wind Release Basics (White)] was currently a piece of equipment that he, a natural Fire-attribute user, could not wear or activate. It was incompatible software.
It is not entirely useless, Shinichi thought, shaking his head and attempting to console himself.
Generally speaking, mastering a second nature transformation required the experience and chakra control of a Jonin, alongside a long and arduous period of training. Possessing the [Wind Release Basics] entry would save him a significant amount of trouble in the distant future when he eventually attempted to master Wind Release.
But for now... it was nothing more than a decoration.
Shinichi walked to the window, gazing out at the village wrapped in the quiet of the night. In the distance, the silhouettes of the Hokage faces carved into the mountain were faintly visible under the starlight. He sighed and prepared to dismiss the interface.
Suddenly, the panel flickered violently.
The entry for [Robust (White)] began to emit a blinding, luminous green glow. With a sound like shattering glass that echoed only in his mind, the white text disintegrated, instantly replaced by a new, vibrant green line of text.
[Innate Superhuman Strength (Green): You possess a body gifted with herculean power. Your muscle density, endurance, and explosive force are significantly enhanced, allowing you to easily handle burdens and perform acts of destruction far beyond the limits of ordinary humans.]
Shinichi stood frozen for a moment, his brain struggling to process the shift.
Then, his heart slammed against his ribs.
Immediately following the notification, a torrent of heat, thick and heavy like molten lead, erupted from his heart. It surged rapidly through his arteries, washing over his bones and soaking into his tendons, traveling to his waist, arms, legs, and every major muscle group in his body.
It was an unprecedented sensation of fullness. It was not the fleeting rush of adrenaline, but a permanent restructuring of his physical reality.
Heh... hehehe...
Feeling the surging, tangible power coursing beneath his skin, Shinichi lowered his head. His shoulders twitched involuntarily, and a genuine laugh finally escaped from the depths of his throat.
The timing... it could only mean one thing.
Kakashi... and the people watching him.
...
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office.
The room was bathed in soft, warm lighting, contrasting with the mountains of paperwork that cluttered the desk. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat amidst the chaos, holding a pipe loosely in his teeth as he reviewed a mission report.
Every year, the start of the academic term brought complications that required more administrative oversight than usual. Consequently, Hiruzen had invited his two oldest teammates and advisors—Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—to assist him in clearing the backlog.
In the quiet atmosphere of the office, Koharu adjusted her glasses, her tone carrying its usual note of conservative criticism.
Speaking of the academy, I did hear something concerning. Today, a new student—quite young—acted rather wildly. He carried a conspicuously large boulder to the registration desk, causing a commotion at the entrance. Children these days are becoming too flashy. A ninja should be calm, composed, and blend into the shadows.
Homura looked up from his stack of documents, a faint smile playing on his lips. His tone was far more relaxed.
Oh? It sounds like he has spirit. Koharu, they are just children. It is harmless for them to show off a little energy, provided it does not disrupt the village order.
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused in his reading. He removed the pipe from his mouth and slowly exhaled a plume of grey smoke. The image he had glimpsed earlier that day through his Telescope Technique flashed through his mind: a small, determined figure hauling a rock three times his size, moving with heavy, rhythmic steps.
I have a vague impression of this child. His name is Shinichi, I believe.
The Third Hokage nodded to himself, his eyes narrowing slightly in recollection.
His strength is indeed considerable. The weight of that stone would be difficult for a child of his age to manage even with chakra reinforcement. However, upon closer inspection... he seemed to be moving it purely with raw physical power.
Relying solely on physical strength?
Homura adjusted his glasses again, a hint of genuine surprise replacing his casual amusement.
Hiruzen, if that is true, this boy named Shinichi has a gifted physique. To move such weight without chakra enhancement suggests remarkable density. He should be an excellent candidate for Taijutsu specialization.
After a moment of contemplation, the Third Hokage nodded in agreement.
He is indeed a good prospect.
Hearing the affirmation from the Hokage, Koharu fell silent. She did not praise the boy, but the acknowledgement from her peers had formed a concrete impression of the child named Shinichi in her mind: a child of immense strength.
The Hokage's office returned to a peaceful silence, disturbed only by the rustling of turning pages and the faint crackle of burning tobacco.
...
Two days later.
Following the initial registration and a subsequent day for administrative sorting, the Konoha Ninja Academy officially opened its doors for the term.
Shinichi maintained his disciplined routine, rising at four in the morning for physical conditioning, just as he had done for years.
As dawn broke, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, he finished his training. He washed away the sweat, dressed in his new academy clothes, and arrived at the school gates a precise fifteen minutes before the first bell.
He walked across the quiet playground and entered the main teaching building.
The door to Year 1, Class 2 was wide open. The unique, energetic chatter of dozens of children spilled out into the hallway. Stepping across the threshold, Shinichi's gaze calmly swept over the rows of tiered seats, most of which were already occupied by eager students.
He scanned the faces.
Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara.
He looked for the familiar features that corresponded to his memories of the future legends.
Not a single one of them was in this classroom.
Shinichi paused, blinking. Then, he took a deep breath.
This is actually a good thing.
He forced himself to see the strategic advantage. Initially, he had wanted to be close to them to harvest traits, but upon reflection, separation had its own merits.
Although Kakashi had been in the spotlight since birth and enjoyed the reputation of a prodigy, that reputation was currently somewhat superficial—based largely on his father's name and his early graduation potential.
It would be through his undeniable classroom performance, his mastery of ninjutsu, and his overwhelming victories in real combat sparring—specifically his crushing defeats of prominent peers like the Uchiha and the Hokage's son—that his status as a genius would solidify from rumor into indisputable fact.
For me, achieving victory over him at his most dazzling moment, on the stage where his reputation is most solid, will yield the best results for my system.
Furthermore, being in different classes did not mean total separation. The two classes would inevitably clash during joint practical training sessions, mixed combat drills, and the grade-wide mid-term and final examinations.
It is just a slight adjustment of the camera angle, Shinichi thought, his mind racing as he rationalized the situation. I will let him build his pedestal, and then I will be the one to knock him off it.
His composure regained, Shinichi's gaze swept across the classroom one more time to find a seat.
Most of the prime spots were taken, but his eyes finally settled on the upper right corner by the window—a desk meant for three students where, currently, only a single girl was sitting.