The Eleventh Year of Konoha
The village of Konoha was still mourning the loss of the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama.
Meanwhile, turmoil once again swept across the ninja world.
The four great nations had suddenly deployed troops to the borders of the Land of Fire.
Konoha's Intelligence Division quickly convened a high-level emergency meeting. Yet amidst their discussion of global tensions, a different name unexpectedly became the center of attention.
"Investigate the origin of this Nara Hikari."
The speaker was a middle-aged man with a bandaged face, seated at the head of the Intelligence Division hall.
"Nara Hikari? That the kid who killed an elite Chūnin from Kumogakure?"
A woman sitting opposite him narrowed her eyes as she spoke.
"Yes, that's the one."
"Strange… He just appeared out of nowhere, and the records list him as only a Genin." The woman rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Alright, let's adjourn for today. We'll report to the Hokage Council tomorrow."
With that, the meeting ended, and everyone in the room disappeared in an instant—except for three: the woman, the bandaged man, and another middle-aged man with a ponytail and parted bangs. These three were the true core of Konoha's Intelligence Division.
"Yamanaka Toranagi," the bandaged man said, "you've been close to the Nara clan for years. Do you have any idea who this Hikari kid is?"
"The Hokage is dead, and all our reconnaissance units have been deployed to the borders. I've been swamped with intelligence reports. I haven't had time to visit the Nara family in a long while."
"Then I'll leave this matter to you. It wouldn't be appropriate for the rest of us to get involved."
"Understood."
After parting ways with the other two, Yamanaka Toranagi didn't return home. Instead, he headed directly to the Nara estate.
At that very moment, the young man who had caught the attention of Konoha's top brass—Nara Hikari—was sitting calmly in a grassy field, watching cattle and sheep graze in the distance.
"The Nara clan really is loaded... and they're ninja too."
Hikari stretched out his legs and sighed contentedly.
"It's great to be alive."
Hikari was a transmigrator—his soul had crossed over to this world.
He had taken over the body of a Nara clan member in Konoha who shared his name.
In his previous life, Hikari had lost both his legs to cancer at age 16. During the long years of pain, humiliation, and endless chemotherapy, he had found solace in anime—particularly one series: Naruto.
That series became his emotional anchor through the darkness.
But the cancer eventually returned, and the second time, it didn't let go. Hikari died.
Yet somehow, just a few days ago, he opened his eyes in a strange but familiar world.
The world of Naruto.
And he had awakened with a mysterious, overpowered system—The Blessings of Many Children.
The reason this system was so remarkable?
Not only did it grant him powerful rewards every time he had a child—but he also received rewards whenever any woman from the Nara clan gave birth.
The implications were overwhelming.
"I wonder if my sister-in-law's already given birth…"
Hikari didn't have a partner of his own yet, so for now, his hopes were pinned on his extended family.
Fortunately, one of the clan elders' wives had just delivered a baby.
It was his second uncle, Nara Ou, who had fathered a child in middle age.
Thanks to this timely birth—just two days after Hikari's transmigration—he received a system reward: the strength of an elite Jōnin.
Not only that, but he also acquired a unique, upgraded version of the Nara clan's secret Shadow Manipulation Technique.
It was impressive. Beyond belief.
Just five days ago, Hikari had joined a border reconnaissance team on patrol.
They were ambushed by Kumogakure ninjas. His teammates faced certain death.
In that moment, Hikari had no choice but to unleash his strength.
He eliminated one elite Chūnin and two special-grade Chūnin—all lightning-style users—from Kumogakure, in mere seconds.
His teammates were stunned.
A Konoha special Jōnin who had arrived on the scene quickly reported the incident to the village leadership.
When Senju Tobirama heard of it, he ordered Hikari's immediate return to the village.
After all, being able to wipe out high-level enemies so quickly was a feat only a true Jōnin could accomplish.
Konoha was still in its early years—its structure unsteady, its resources limited. High-tier combatants were few, even among the clans that had joined from the Warring States era.
For Tobirama, the sudden emergence of such a powerhouse demanded immediate investigation.
However, Hikari was not summoned to the Hokage immediately upon his return.
Instead, he was assigned a temporary duty—helping to manage the clan's livestock ranch alongside Nara Ki.
"What are you thinking about, Hitsu?"
The voice belonged to a man with the distinctive "pineapple" hairstyle of the Nara clan—Nara Ki, the one in charge of the ranch.
"The family's so rich, I feel like I could live comfortably even if I never became a ninja."
Ki chuckled and lay back on the grass.
"Sure, you can think that—but don't take it too seriously."
Despite their easygoing demeanor, the Nara clan was far from simple.
Most members were known for their laziness, but that was just surface-level.
Though the clan seemed to have only one elite Jōnin—the head—there were actually three Kage-level fighters hiding in plain sight.
Low-key, discreet, but overwhelmingly powerful.
Nara Ki, the very man beside Hikari, was one of them.
A Kage-level shinobi, nearing Super-Kage strength.
"Uncle Ki, why would someone like you choose to stay here?"
"What do you know, kid? I just want a peaceful life—free food, some girl talk, warm foot baths, and good books."
"I want that kind of life too…"
Hikari smiled, but he knew better.
Even a Kage-level shinobi might one day be reduced to cannon fodder in the chaos of the Naruto world.
This was an era where Genin could become legends—or die forgotten.
He had been given a second chance at life, and he wasn't going to waste it.
He had finally regained the ability to walk—and live.
"You... Tch. I'm keeping this life all to myself."
"Uncle Ki, that's not fair!"
"You brat…"
As they bantered, a young Nara boy came running over.
"Brother Hikari! Hokage-sama is asking for you!"
Hikari stood up.
"Got it. I'm on my way."
The boy sprinted off again.
"Well, looks like your days of lounging around are over."
"Yup. See you soon, Uncle Ki."
With that, Hikari vanished in an instant.
Ki blinked in surprise as he sensed the chakra ripple Hikari left behind.
"…The rumors are true. Hikari's really become something."
He smiled faintly. The Nara clan might just be on the verge of producing a fourth Kage-level shinobi.
Hikari soon arrived at the Hokage building.
He looked up at the iconic symbol of Konoha—a swirling leaf, like an eye peering through time.
"…Man, this is gonna be a pain."
He stepped forward under the watchful eyes of the Hokage's guards and entered the building.
"Hokage-sama. You called for me?"