Time flies.
In a blink, years passed.
Spring of Konoha, Year 54.
Life in the village went on as usual. The air was warm, the trees lush, and laughter echoed in the streets. For most, it was an ordinary year—
But not for Chiba.
The Konoha Ninja Academy had entered its annual admission season. Founded under the Second Hokage, it had produced generations of shinobi—the pride and backbone of the village.
This year, Chiba received an admission notice, personally delivered by a Chūnin instructor.
A pre-enrollment test would be held today.
Pass it, and he would be officially accepted tomorrow.
It happened every year—nothing new.
But for Chiba, this year was different.
He was six years old now.
That meant the same generation—the future "Konoha Twelve"—would also be entering the academy. Six years from now, they'd graduate… and the story of the ninja world would explode into chaos.
War would follow.
Chiba remembered the plot clearly.
When the Class of 60 graduated, Naruto and the others were still mere Genin—
but within a few years, they became the saviors of the ninja world.
If it had been his old self—weak, talentless, without cheats—he would've never caught up. Maybe he'd have prayed to the gods for a miracle.
Now, though… things were different.
Early that morning, Chiba woke up by habit. After breakfast, he packed up and walked toward the academy, his expression calm.
On the way, he opened his Status Panel.
Three years had passed since the system activated. His once-blank stats now shone like a polished blade.
[Character Status]
Name: Chiba
Age: 6
Free Attribute Points: 0
[Attributes]
• Physical Strength — 498
• Mental Strength — 385
• Chakra Amount — 525
[Skills (Proficiency)]
• Three Body Technique — Lv.6
• Throwing — MAX
• Chakra Refinement — Lv.5
• Taijutsu — Lv.7
• Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique — Lv.5
• Fire Style: Great Fire Extinguishing — Lv.4
[Talents]
Unforgettable Memory | Flat-Cut Grandmaster | Throwing Grandmaster・MAX
[Chakra Attributes]
Fire, Wind, Thunder
(Water, Earth, Yin, Yang — Not yet learned)
The Wind and Lightning affinities, as well as the Great Fire Extinguishing Technique, were rewards from the Duel Space.
He could enter the [Duel Space Dungeon] up to 12 times a year, but lately, his luck had been questionable.
After pulling Konohamaru and Naruto (Five Elements Seal) early on, his draws had gone downhill—mostly unremarkable projections with limited rewards.
Even so, the physique of the Uzumaki clan ensured his chakra capacity continued to surge, surpassing even his physical power.
The feeling of growth was… addictive.
Compared to his peers, Chiba's panel was already gorgeous.
He was no longer an average child. Step by step, he was climbing upward.
Soon, the academy came into view.
The courtyard was already crowded—parents, children, teachers.
Every year, nobles and commoners alike gathered here, united by one dream:
to become shinobi.
In this world, the samurai had faded into history; ninjas were the heart of society.
Becoming one meant glory, honor, and a place in the village.
Chiba stood alone, watching quietly.
The crowd was massive—dozens, maybe hundreds of candidates.
Then he smiled faintly.
Of course there were many.
In the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Five Villages had fielded 80,000 ninjas, even without counting Genin like Konohamaru's class. The Ninja Academy was the cradle of that army—naturally, its halls overflowed every spring.
Chiba's eyes swept the crowd.
Nobles gathered with nobles.
Clan-born heirs with clan-born heirs.
The divide was clear even here.
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio mingled easily, while the Uchiha remained distant, proud.
That quiet, unspoken gap between families and commoners had existed for generations.
"Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Chōji…"
"Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino…"
He recognized almost everyone.
Konoha's future Nine.
"Chiba-kun…"
A soft, hesitant voice.
He turned and met Hyūga Hinata's eyes—shy, trembling, hiding half behind her father.
Chiba smiled gently and nodded.
Hinata turned red and ducked her head.
They'd met before—three years ago, on a snowy night. He'd saved her from a few children who'd tried to bully her on the road. Since then, they'd crossed paths occasionally.
Fate, perhaps.
If he hadn't awakened his "system," Chiba might've avoided such situations out of self-preservation.
But now, strength gave him confidence.
Then another ripple went through the crowd.
"Look! The Uchiha brothers!"
Uchiha Sasuke had arrived—his expression proud, his step steady. Beside him walked his elder brother, Uchiha Itachi, calm and composed.
All eyes turned.
Sasuke's arrogance was still that of a child's—before the tragedy that would one day define him.
Chiba noticed Itachi's glance. The older boy smiled faintly, nodding in greeting.
They had met once, three years ago, in the forest.
Itachi still remembered that silver-haired boy—focused, precise, different.
He hoped Chiba and Sasuke would become friends.
Chiba smiled back—then quietly activated an ability.
[Appraisal Technique Activated]
[Target Identified: Uchiha Itachi]
• Class: Elite NPC
• Affiliation: Konohagakure (Anbu Black Ops)
• Clan: Uchiha
• Chakra Attributes: Fire, Wind, Water, Yin, Yang
• Equipment: Kunai, Shuriken, Smoke Bombs, Anbu Uniform
• Special Ability: Three-Tomoe Sharingan
• Village Reputation: 1000
"As expected of Uchiha
Itachi…"
Chiba exhaled softly.
The data spoke for itself—genius among geniuses.
And yet, even now, he hadn't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
That time hadn't come.
But soon…