Read 20+ Chapter's Ahead in Patreon
"I truly didn't expect something like this to happen."
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Kakashi's report, his expression turning hollow, a trace of disbelief in his gaze.
He never would have imagined that on Kakashi's very first day transitioning from the ANBU to a Jonin instructor, such an incident would occur.
This was nothing short of a failure in their educational system.
To think that children so young would dare raise a hand against their own comrades—what would they become once grown? Hiruzen dared not even imagine.
What the hell had the ninja academy's teaching become?
"Enough. Don't blame yourself. No one could have foreseen this. It's not your fault."
As he silently contemplated how to launch a serious reform of the village's educational methods, Hiruzen looked at the still downcast Kakashi and lit his pipe, sighing with a wry smile.
"You acted appropriately. This clearly stems from a lack of proper guidance at school. Sending them back to relearn is not necessarily a bad outcome. But there's one child you plan to keep?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi nodded slowly. As he recalled those words that had struck straight to the heart, he spoke almost unconsciously.
"He's a child who cherishes his comrades and wants to protect the village. Though what happened was regrettable, I believe it shouldn't define him."
"I see..."
With the pipe clenched between his teeth, Hiruzen nodded quietly.
Kitagawa Gen—he wasn't entirely unfamiliar with the name. After all, he frequently visited the academy to give speeches on the "Will of Fire" and would take the time to observe and understand the students.
Kitagawa Gen was regarded as an outstanding student, though that wasn't what stood out most.
The most important thing was that this boy seemed to get along decently with Naruto. Unlike most others, he didn't show hatred or disgust toward him.
Though upon closer observation, it seemed that the boy might have been simply trying to get his hands on some of Naruto's food stipend...
Still, the boy's background was spotless, not a speck of trouble to be found. Even Might Guy had once mentioned him, expressing interest in personally mentoring the child.
These things had left an impression on Hiruzen. Placing him in Kakashi's new team had been a deliberate choice, a test to see how things would unfold.
He had hoped that Kakashi, now stepping away from the ANBU, would find a new path. Although things hadn't gone perfectly, thus far the results were promising...
"So he's a boy who carries the Will of Fire after all."
At the thought, Hiruzen chuckled softly.
"Then proceed as you see fit. Teammates can be added later. Just like in your own team back then, Kakashi."
"Understood!"
Kakashi straightened and nodded solemnly, a weight lifting from his heart.
"I'll do my utmost."
"No need to be so grim. You're not ANBU anymore."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe and shook his head with a smile.
"Go now. Take some time to adjust. Just don't bring your ANBU habits with you."
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi gave a slight nod. The boy's words had truly left an impression on him—this child was no ordinary case.
Perhaps, this would be a good beginning.
---
"Here you go, one large spicy pork-flavored chashu ramen."
"Thanks a lot, Teuchi-ossan!"
At dusk, inside Ichiraku Ramen.
Kitagawa Gen accepted the steaming bowl and immediately buried his face in it, slurping down noodles with fierce hunger.
"Slow down. Eating something that spicy that quickly isn't good for you."
Teuchi watched him, shaking his head with mild concern. But Gen paid no mind, speaking through a mouthful of noodles.
"It's fine. I haven't eaten all day."
Teuchi could only smile wryly at that. It was rare to see someone this ravenous.
Gen truly had reached his breaking point from hunger.
Even he hadn't expected that the transformation of his body would come with so many side effects. It had knocked him unconscious from the pain, and when he awoke, he was starving to the point of madness.
Yet now...
◇◆────────────────◆◇
[Name: Kitagawa Gen]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Ōtsutsuki Clan (Blank Slate)]
[Chakra Reserves: A Rank (Jonin Average)]
[Chakra Natures: Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, Wind, Yin, Yang]
◇◆────────────────◆◇
Slurping his noodles while gazing at his newly revealed status panel and feeling the changes within him, Gen could hardly believe it was real.
After all those years of clawing his way forward, driven by the obsession not to become cannon fodder, pushing himself to outpace the local natives through sheer effort and ambition—this was the result?
All that, and he had only barely reached the level of a chunin with three chakra natures.
But now, one novice pack had boosted his chakra reserves to jonin level and unlocked every elemental nature at the same time?
Even if it was just a blank-slate Ōtsutsuki bloodline...
"Damn it all, this really is a world built on bloodlines."
After a long silence, Gen could no longer hold it in. He cursed under his breath, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
He had always known it, of course. After all, the nicknames for this world of Naruto were 'The Tale of the Five Villages and the Eye Techniques,' or sometimes, 'Black Zetsu's Quest to Find His Mother.'
If you didn't have a bloodline, the ceiling of your efforts was probably Might Guy—and even he was an exception among exceptions.
Still, the reality stung.
"Now, I might just have the power of 'one card' in my hand."
Using Kakashi as a unit of measurement for combat strength might not be the most appropriate comparison, but the transformation he had just undergone brought about changes far too profound to ignore.
Even though it was merely a blank-slate version of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline, he could already feel a remarkable lightness in his control over chakra.
It felt as though he no longer even needed to form hand seals to cast a ninjutsu. In a sense, he was even more suited to the title of "Copy Ninja" than Kakashi himself.
And more than that, his chakra was still steadily increasing.
"How do I go about unlocking the potential of this bloodline?"
Biting down on his chopsticks, Kitagawa Gen fell into deep thought. He was well aware of the power the Ōtsutsuki possessed.
But unlike the Sharingan, which had Madara Uchiha as a guiding star, this bloodline offered no such precedent. He had little idea how to cultivate its strength.
"Hey, hey, ramen! Ramen, old man!"
Just as he was lost in thought, a whirlwind of orange clothes and blonde hair burst through the entrance.
"It's Naruto, huh? Done with classes for the day?"
Teuchi greeted him warmly. He was among the rare few who bore no prejudice toward Naruto in the village.
"Yeah, I finally made it to the end of class. I'm starving!"
Naruto nodded vigorously, only to spot Gen sitting nearby. His eyes lit up with surprise.
"Huh? Gen, you're here too? I heard you guys got sent to the hospital!"
"…"
Kitagawa Gen nearly rolled his eyes. Good news never travels far, but bad news spreads like wildfire.
"It's nothing. Just didn't pass the exam, is all. No big deal."
Naruto, as always, brushed right past the details and laughed cheerfully.
"Maybe we'll end up on the same team one day!"
"Hehe, instead of talking about me, you should worry more about whether your allowance will cover this bowl of ramen, you reckless spender."
Gen didn't even look up as he spoke, his tone casual and teasing.
"And who knows? Maybe I'll be your examiner when you take the Genin graduation test in the future."
He wasn't joking. After all, having completed the first main mission, he knew a new one would inevitably follow.
[New Main Quest Acquired]
[Become a Jōnin]
Staring at the mission panel, Gen couldn't help pressing his lips together in contemplation.
He had only just become a Genin, and now he was expected to work toward becoming a Jōnin?
What lay beyond that, he did not dare imagine.
But then again, if the novice reward had been an Ōtsutsuki bloodline, perhaps he would have to get used to things that exceeded his imagination.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Gen looked at Naruto with a strange glint in his eyes.
There were two distinct auras emanating from him, both unfamiliar yet oddly familiar, stirring a wave of thoughtful emotion within Gen.
Could it be that something like that was possible?
"Tch, my allowance just came in..."
Naruto was oblivious to Gen's thoughts. He had barely opened his mouth when he suddenly froze, his expression shifting to one of disbelief.
"Wait, wait, wait. You mean... you passed?"
"Yeah."
Gen took a casual sip of broth and nodded with calm assurance.
"You're looking at a full-fledged ninja now."
"But didn't you get hospitalized?"
"Yes, but it wasn't me—it was my teammates. I was the one who put them there, so I ended up being the only one who graduated."
"???"
Naruto stared at Gen in utter disbelief, his eyes filled with confusion and admiration.
He beat up his teammates, and that meant he could graduate?
Was that... actually allowed?
Naruto was left dazed. He had no idea how he even finished eating his ramen.
But once he did, he suddenly slammed his palms down on the counter.
"Alright! If Gen can do it, then I can too. I'm going to be Hokage one day! Time to train. I'm definitely graduating this year!"
"No, you're not!"
Just as he was about to bolt out the door, Ayame, who had returned at some point, caught him red-handed.
"You haven't paid yet. Where are you running off to?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry..."
"And by the way, Gen told Dad that you were treating him today to celebrate his becoming a ninja. Be generous."
"..."
..
..
[IMAGE]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Chapter End's]
🖤 Night_FrOst/ Patreon 🤍
Visit my Patreon for Early Chapter:
https://www.patreon.com/Night_FrOst
Extra Content Already Available