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Konoha Ninja Academy.
Outside the building, a group of examinees waited anxiously.
Inside, a black-haired boy was taking the test. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with a few academy instructors, watched carefully, marking scores as they went.
The boy moved through each exam with practiced skill.
Soon enough, the evaluations began.
"Taijutsu… Excellent."
"Shadow Clone Jutsu… Excellent."
"Transformation Jutsu…"
"Overall: Excellent."
Above, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing his Hokage hat, called out the results one by one. Then he stood, picked up a headband, and walked toward the student.
He handed the headband to him.
"After the academy's assessment, you are allowed to graduate early. Leo, from today onward, you are a genin of Konoha."
"Yes! Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Leo took it respectfully, but inwardly, he couldn't help thinking—
After over a year since my transmigration, all the relentless effort, I finally reached the threshold for early graduation.
Almost at the same moment, a voice rang in his head.
[Congratulations! You have successfully assumed the role of Hokage. The Hokage System is now at your service.]
What?
That voice…
A system?
What the hell!
I've been working my butt off for over a year since I transmigrated, finally managed to graduate early… and now it shows up?
Leo was both shocked and thrilled.
According to his predecessor's memories, his ancestor had been a member of the Senju clan. Later, when the First Hokage promoted inter-village marriages, his branch split off. Now, Leo was the third generation.
But…
His grandmother wasn't special in any way, no kekkei genkai or anything. His parents were ordinary too—just a bit healthier physically—and unfortunately died on the battlefield in the Land of Rain.
Leo himself was even more ordinary. So far, there was nothing remarkable about him.
That meant…
After transmigrating, he knew that if he wanted to survive in the brutal ninja world, he had to work like Might Guy—hard, relentless, all-in.
And yet…
Today, he had actually awakened a system.
"Wait… a Hokage System? What does that even mean? I'm not the Hokage!"
Leo stared at the headband on his lap, then back up at Sarutobi Hiruzen's hat.
I'm not a Hokage!
"Leo, put on your ninja headband."
"Yes!"
Leo snapped out of it.
He tied the headband around his head, and immediately—
Another notification appeared.
[Gaining people's trust is an essential ability for a Hokage.]
[By personally putting a headband on a graduating genin, you have gained their full trust.]
[Reward: Instantaneous Movement Jutsu increased by 1 level.]
Huh?
Leo made sure he wasn't imagining things, then felt a surge of disbelief and excitement.
Full trust…
Of course I trust them!
I just gave myself a headband, and somehow I got a bonus? Is this system stupid?!
He sat there for a moment, stunned, then shook his head to clear it.
This system…
It's clearly designed for a Hokage. Somehow, it ended up on the head of a lowly genin like him. Was it a mistake? Or did it just pick the wrong person?
Well… he was still at the exam site, so he needed to stay calm.
Leo bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
And he meant it.
If this system had gone to Sarutobi Hiruzen, it would've been wasted. That old man wouldn't know how to use it properly.
Better it ended up with me.
"Haha, I've got high hopes for you. Keep it up!"
Sarutobi patted Leo on the shoulder. Then he started calling the next examinee.
Leo stepped outside, watching unfamiliar and familiar faces walk by. He thought silently—
Ten or fifteen years from now, only a few of these people will stand out.
The ninja world is merciless.
Without a kekkei genkai or secret jutsu, you're barely scraping by.
Over the past year, Leo understood just how hard life is for an ordinary person.
Work hard. Struggle. Push yourself.
Still, no matter how hard he tried, he was only slightly ahead—good enough to graduate early. Compared to Kakashi, who had already graduated long ago, he was nothing.
If anything, Might Guy was the only real example for him.
But at least now, he had a little cheat—graduating early gave him plenty of time to train and grow stronger.
There was no way the academy would teach him anything remotely advanced!
The Hokage System…
Weird as it was, it was a blessing.
After leaving the exam hall, Leo tried a few commands, finally summoning a translucent, virtual panel. Familiar text appeared:
[Name: Ryohou Leo]
[Age: 7]
[Kekkei Genkai]: None
[Skills]:
Transformation Jutsu (Proficient)
Shadow Clone Jutsu (Proficient)
Substitution Jutsu (Mastered)
Instantaneous Movement Jutsu (Grandmaster)
Grandmaster-level Instantaneous Movement!
Leo forced himself to stay calm despite the shock and excitement.
According to the system's ranking, ninja skills had five levels: Beginner, Proficient, Mastered, Grandmaster, and Sage.
Instantaneous Movement and Substitution Jutsu were the ones he had spent the most time perfecting. There was no doubt about it.
But over the past six months, his Instantaneous Movement hadn't improved at all.
And now…
His mind filled with all sorts of new insights about the technique.
"So that's it. Grandmaster-level Instantaneous Movement… it requires much finer control over muscles, strength, and chakra."
Every detail matters.
That's the difference between Mastered and Grandmaster.
Leo felt a revelation stirring in him.
It was like he'd practiced thousands of times, finally able to effortlessly perform the Grandmaster technique.
"If I relied on just myself, reaching Grandmaster could take years."
"This is insane."
"Now… the question is, how do I make the most of this system?"
No kekkei genkai, no secret jutsu. If he wanted to defy fate and not be just another face in the endless ninja wars, this system was his best shot.
Everything so far proved it was just a rigid program, with plenty of room for manipulation.
What would a Hokage do?
Leo's mind raced.
Rewards…
Winning people's trust, balancing village power, making Konoha stronger and more prosperous.
Contribute in wars.
Handle daily village affairs and missions.
He summarized a few key points.
As a genin, most of this was way beyond him. For now, all he could do was earn trust and carry out missions.
Leo thought for a moment, then—
He left the academy and began practicing Grandmaster-level Instantaneous Movement.
Control down to the tiniest detail.
Muscles, chakra…
Then—
Whoosh!
In an instant, he vanished and reappeared on another street corner.
"Incredible!"
"My body isn't stronger, yet my Instantaneous Movement is two, three times faster than before!"
A fire ignited in his eyes.
If this is Grandmaster… imagine hitting Sage level.
But he could feel that while the technique was now part of him, his vision and awareness hadn't yet adjusted to this speed. Distance and speed calculations were slightly off.
Time to train!
Leo sprinted toward his usual training grounds outside town, moving like lightning.
But as he ran past a public bathhouse…
"Huh?"
A white-haired man turned his head and saw a boy dash by at unbelievable speed.
Such Instantaneous Movement…
Who is this kid?
Intrigued, he glanced inside the bathhouse, hesitated, then decided to chase after Leo.
"....."