Of course, the real reason Natsume Yō chose to join the Third Great Ninja War wasn't just "duty" or "helping the frontlines." The system had thrown down a quest: Participate in the war and live to witness victory. Failure meant obliteration.
In other words, if he failed, that day would be his death anniversary.
No way in hell was Yō going to die like that—pathetic and nameless. If the system wanted him to roll the dice, then fine, he'd gamble everything.
Over the past ten months, he'd only taken on two missions. Just two—but they ate up nearly eight and a half months of his life and left him battered to near-death both times.
Both were A-rank—borderline S-rank, actually. Missions way above his weight class. Without the system's lifeline, Natsume Yō would've been a corpse long ago.
Still, the grind had its rewards. His experience surged, and he picked up a heavy-hitting ranged technique: Suiton: Suiryūdan-ha (Water Severing Wave). A jutsu so sharp that Senju Tobirama himself once used it to slice through the God Tree's branches. Its destructive power was monstrous.
His "status bar" had climbed from 1000/10000 → 1800/10000.
And yet… one thing bugged him. Even after becoming a jōnin, the system hadn't cleared his "stand out from the flock" side quest.
"Is this because of Kakashi?" Yō rubbed his chin, suspicious.
If he knew the only reason was that he was ten measly experience points behind Kakashi, he'd probably strangle the system with his own hands.
Status Screen
Host: Natsume Yō
World: Naruto
Age: 11
Skills: Water Severing Wave, Water Clone Jutsu, Water Arm Cannon, Water Formation Wall, Wind Sword Technique, Wind Shunshin, Wind Release: Rasengan, Shadow Clone Jutsu
Status: 1800/10000
Coins: 5680
Rank: Jōnin
Weapon: ANBU-Issue Short Blade
"Natsume Yō, your request has been approved. This is your entry slip for the Chūnin Exams—personally signed off by the Third Hokage."
Shiei the Hawk appeared behind him, passing over the scroll.
"But before you step onto the battlefield, you'll have to officially become a chūnin first."
"Got it. After the war, I'll come back alive to show you." Yō exhaled in relief, tucking the slip into his chest pocket and giving a respectful nod.
"If that's all, I'll be going. The exams are coming soon, and I need to… review. Wouldn't that be embarrassing, failing at this point?"
With a flicker, Yō vanished from the rooftop.
"…Everyone calls Hatake Kakashi a genius," Shiei murmured softly, watching the space where Yō had stood. "But who would guess you're just as brilliant—a true prodigy in your own right?"
"In only one year, from a fresh academy graduate to an ANBU elite capable of solo A-rank missions…" Shiei sighed. "If I hadn't met you myself, I'd never believe such a talent even existed in this world."
Yō signed up for the Third Shinobi War. Meanwhile, Wada Chiba, as a freshly minted medical-nin, was also dragged to the frontlines. With medics in short supply, even rookies barely months out of the academy were forced onto the battlefield.
The Chūnin Exams arrived soon after. Alongside Yō were his peers: Moonlight Gekkō, Uchiha Yūsuke, Hyūga Tenshin, and others of their generation.
Originally, in the "plot" of this world, guys like Gekkō would've taken years before even thinking about graduation, let alone the Chūnin Exams. But since Yō defeated Uchiha Yūsuke publicly a year ago, everything had shifted.
Now, those same peers—who outwardly still scoffed at him—had secretly acknowledged him as their rival. They pushed themselves harder, training relentlessly. One by one, they made leaps forward.
Because no genius wants to be left behind. If someone else can do it, why can't I?
In a world of prodigies, no one accepts being second best.