[Wind Release Basics (White): Your perception of Wind Release chakra is relatively keen, and your control is smoother. Efficiency and success rates when learning and casting basic Wind Release ninjutsu are slightly increased.]
"Wind Release Basics..."
Shinichi silently took a slip of white test paper from his drawer. A moment later, the paper burned.
"Heh..."
Looking at the charred remains of the test paper in his hand, Shinichi fell into silence again, and then suddenly smiled.
People really do laugh when they are left speechless.
Fire attribute.
His chakra attribute was pure fire.
His personal panel was a collector of external perceptions and buffs. Those traits, solidified by the impressions of the world, provided him with amplifications in various aspects: [Intelligence] improved thinking speed and comprehension, [Diligence] enhanced focus and reduced fatigue, [Robust] boosted physical constitution...
However, his innate talents—their values were not displayed on the personal panel, nor would they generate corresponding traits.
For instance, he could refine chakra and possessed Fire Release chakra, yet traits like [Ninja Talent] or [Fire Release Chakra] did not appear on the panel.
The personal panel was essentially an "external equipment slot" condensed from outside perception; the traits on it were pieces of equipment.
The outside world thought he had "outstanding intellect," so it generated a piece of equipment named [Intelligence] that increased intellect for him; this had no direct correlation to his actual level of intelligence.
Therefore, this [Wind Release Basics (White)] equipment was, for him—a pure fire-attribute character—a piece of gear he could neither wear nor activate for the time being.
"It's not completely useless," Shinichi shook his head, forced to comfort himself with that thought.
Generally speaking, learning a new nature transformation later in life required reaching the strength and understanding of a Jonin, along with long and arduous effort.
Possessing the [Wind Release Basics] trait meant that at least someday in the future, when he began attempting to touch upon the Wind attribute, it would save him a lot of effort.
It was just that right now... it was ultimately a useless decoration.
Shinichi walked to the window and looked out at the village, peaceful in the night. The outline of the Hokage Rock was faintly visible under the starlight in the distance. He was just about to close the panel.
But suddenly, the panel changed again!
The [Robust (White)] trait suddenly emitted a fluorescent green glow. In the next moment, it shattered with a boom, and a new line of green text generated.
[Natural Divine Strength (Green): You possess a physical body that transcends the mortal realm. Your muscular strength, endurance, and explosive power are all enhanced. You can easily accomplish feats of weight-bearing and destruction that ordinary people could hardly hope to reach.]
Shinichi froze. For an instant, he felt his heart beat heavily. Immediately following that, a robust, powerful warm current of blood—thick and heavy like mercury—started from his heart and spread rapidly along his blood vessels, bones, and major tendons to his waist, arms, legs, and other major parts of his body. What followed was an unprecedented sense of fullness and vigor.
"Heh... Hehehe..."
Feeling the surging, tangibly skyrocketing power within his body, Shinichi lowered his head. His shoulders shook slightly, and laughter finally spilled uncontrollably from deep within his throat.
Kakashi!!!
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office.
The lights were warm, and files were piled high as a mountain. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, clamped a pipe in his mouth as he reviewed a report.
During the start of every school year, affairs were always more complicated than usual. For this reason, he had to "invite" his two old partners—Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—to work overtime with him.
In the somewhat quiet office, Koharu Utatane seemed to recall something. Her tone carried a trace of her habitual conservatism and critical nature: "Speaking of which, I did hear something. There is a new student today, quite young, but his conduct is rather erratic. He actually carried a rather conspicuous large rock to the school for registration, causing quite a crowd to gather at the gate. Children these days really give one no peace of mind; a ninja should prioritize stability."
Homura Mitokado looked up from his files and smiled, his tone relatively relaxed: "Oh? Sounds like he has quite the strength. Koharu, it's harmless for children to have a bit of spirit and show off, as long as it doesn't affect order."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused the hand holding his pipe. Smoke was slowly exhaled as the image he had accidentally glimpsed via his crystal ball during the day surfaced in his mind: a small figure, carrying a giant rock disproportionate to his body size, moving with heavy but steady steps.
"I have some impression of this child. His name is Shinichi, correct?" The Third Hokage nodded and spoke slowly: "Indeed, not small at all. The weight of that rock would be extremely difficult for a child of his age, even with chakra enhancement. Yet he... seemed to have carried it purely on physical strength."
"Purely on physical strength?" Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses, smiling with a hint of surprise. "Hiruzen, it seems this little fellow named Shinichi possesses a fine constitution. He should be a good seedling for practicing Taijutsu."
After a moment, the Third Hokage nodded: "Indeed, a good seedling."
Hearing this, Koharu Utatane said nothing more, though she formed a slight impression of the child named Shinichi in her mind.
The Hokage's office returned to calm, with only the rustling of turning pages and the faint sound of burning tobacco.
Two days later. After two days of registration and late admissions, the Ninja Academy officially opened.
Maintaining the habit he had kept for years, Shinichi was already out the door for morning training by 4:00 AM.
By the time the morning light grew faint, he finished his training, washed up, and arrived at school on time, a quarter of an hour before class started.
Crossing the still-quiet playground, he entered the school building.
The door to the Year 1 Class 2 classroom was open, and from inside came the unique, energetic clamor of children. Shinichi stepped into the classroom, his gaze calmly sweeping over the seats, which were already mostly filled.
Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara... the figures corresponding to those names quite familiar in his memory.
Not a single one appeared in this classroom.
This is a good thing!
Shinichi could only comfort himself with such logic, but upon second thought, he felt this truly wasn't bad.
Although Kakashi had attracted attention since birth and enjoyed the title of genius from a young age, that title was somewhat hollow.
Only after he used undisputed classroom performance, ninjutsu execution, and combat dominance time and time again—especially by suppressing peers who also attracted attention, such as the Hokage's son—could he solidify that title of genius from a floating rumor into an acknowledged fact.
And for me, defeating him at his most dazzling moment, on the stage where his reputation is most solid, will achieve the best effect.
Moreover, even if they weren't in the same class, the Ninja Academy's practical combat exercises and periodic assessments meant the two classes would inevitably clash, not to mention the mid-term and final exams for the entire grade.
It's just adjusting the angle of the spotlight slightly.
Shinichi thought quickly, his gaze sweeping the classroom once more. By now, the seats were basically full. His line of sight finally landed on that spot in the top right corner by the window—a long three-person desk where, at this moment, only one girl was sitting.
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