Chapter 2: Ninja Academy Student
Higashino Shinichi, born in Year 36 of Konoha, grew up in an orphanage from a young age.
As an orphan, he possessed neither a prominent family background nor a special Kekkei Genkai. Yet from the moment he was born, a personal panel had floated within his vision.
After gradually understanding how the panel operated, he began consciously "building his character persona."
With the mindset of an adult, he displayed comprehension and learning ability far beyond his age, earning praise from the orphanage staff and nearby adults for being exceptionally clever.
He carved diligence into his daily routine. From a very young age, he voluntarily took on chores at the orphanage. As soon as he was able to run and jump, he began systematically training his body—push-ups, running, jumping—and even gritting his teeth to do more repetitions and heavier training than others, all to leave the impression that he possessed outstanding physical fitness.
Even at the dining table, he openly displayed an appetite that did not match his small frame—second bowl, third bowl — eating cleanly and with focus.
He also carefully cultivated relationships. In the orphanage, he got along with the other children, soothed crying infants, and helped elderly neighbors by running errands.
He had even once invited the children in the orphanage to strike his back and limbs with smooth wooden sticks, claiming that "future ninja require strong bodies and strong willpower." Though it hurt terribly, he clenched his teeth and made no sound, even pretending nothing had happened the next day, as if the pain were insignificant.
All of these moments, whether deliberate or unconscious, were like scattered puzzle pieces that ultimately gathered on his panel as one white entry after another. They were both the "reality" others perceived and the foundation Shinichi constructed to build on the path toward transcendence.
Through years of observation and experimentation, Shinichi gradually discovered certain patterns in how entries were generated. Their speed and quality seemed closely tied to three factors:
- The number of people who recognized a certain trait of his
- The depth of their impression of that trait
- The strength, status, or influence of the observer
Because of this, today's entrance performance, walking while carrying a massive stone, was simply another carefully planned act to build his persona.
On the first day of school, the entrance of the Ninja Academy was crowded with students, parents, and teachers. The flow of people was far greater than usual, and the level of attention significantly higher.
It was even possible that the Third Hokage was quietly observing the incoming students through some method.
The enormous yellow-gray rock that completely obscured Shinichi's body had also been chosen deliberately.
This type of stone had relatively low density, making it appear especially large for its weight. At first glance, the visual impact would be far stronger.
The exaggerated contrast between his small body and the massive burden was far more eye-catching than carrying a smaller but heavier metal block, reinforcing the impression of innate strength and an inhuman physique.
The behavior might seem eccentric, but looking around the village, there were certainly people even more flamboyant and unconventional.
The most important reason, however, was that Shinichi urgently needed to accelerate the generation and upgrading of entries to strengthen himself so that during the first academic year…
He could defeat Kakashi.
Compared to the potential rewards, this small amount of attention was entirely acceptable.
'Kakashi, go ahead and display your dazzling talent. Let everyone in Konoha acknowledge your genius…'
'Don't disappoint me.'
Shinichi took a deep breath, calming the turmoil in his heart caused by the heavy load and his first sight of Kakashi, and walked steadily toward the registration desk.
There, a male teacher wearing a green chūnin flak jacket sat behind a table, methodically processing documents.
"Name?" the teacher asked without looking up.
"Higashino Shinichi."
"Did you bring your admission notice?"
"Yes, sensei."
Shinichi took the carefully preserved notice from his clothes and handed it over with both hands. The Konoha Ninja Academy was open to all children of appropriate age in the village, regardless of background, but admission still required passing a basic assessment beforehand.
Every year, many children fail to qualify. Might Guy, for example, initially failed and only entered after a retest based on his taijutsu talent.
The teacher glanced over the information and evaluation on the notice. When he saw that every subject was marked with an "A," he looked up with surprise and approval.
"All A's? Not bad. Your fundamentals are solid."
His tone softened slightly. After glancing at Shinichi's birth date, he casually asked,
"You were old enough to enroll last year. Why are you registering this year?"
A familiar, gentle, slightly apologetic smile appeared on Shinichi's face.
"Yes, sensei. Last year, due to some personal reasons, I needed to save a necessary sum of money, so I postponed enrollment by a year. I mainly worked at the village blacksmith shop and a restaurant."
This was naturally a lie.
The real reason he enrolled this year was to ensure he would be in the same year and possibly the same class as Kakashi. Only then would the chances of competing directly in practical lessons and examinations greatly increase.
Secondly, this year has been a period for exploring the "Profession" category of his panel. No explanation was really needed; orphaned and working to support himself, even saving extra money to help the orphanage that raised him, was simply seen as mature, independent, and grateful.
Unfortunately, he had tried many occupations with almost no results.
Only when he apprenticed at a dōjō founded by an old samurai—said to be from the Land of Iron who had settled in Konoha in its early days—to learn kenjutsu did the previously blank "Profession" field slowly form new text:
[Kenjutsu Apprentice]
A profession card that slightly improved his physical abilities and accelerated his sword training, while also granting him one opportunity to directly draw a new white entry.
The registration teacher's eyes subconsciously drifted to the address field on the notice. His expression paused slightly, and the previously routine attitude was replaced by a trace of understanding and faint awkwardness.
He cleared his throat and quickly composed himself, his tone softening as he looked at the smiling child.
"Alright… the materials are complete. Registration approved. Go over there to collect your enrollment documents. Study hard at the academy."
"Yes. Thank you, sensei."
Shinichi accepted the forms with both hands, bowed politely, and walked toward the document counter.
After completing all enrollment procedures, he walked steadily toward the academy gate. The moment he stepped outside, officially leaving the Ninja Academy behind him, he suddenly felt something stir within.
His steps slowed slightly. He looked toward the empty space ahead and spoke silently in his mind.
A translucent panel visible only to him quietly appeared.
[Name: Higashino Shinichi]
[Profession: Ninja Academy Student (New), Kenjutsu Apprentice]
[Talent: …]
[Draw Count: 1 (White)]
His gaze locked onto the newly appeared line in the Profession field.
[Ninja Academy Student: You have officially become a student of the Ninja Academy and begun systematically learning ninja-related knowledge and training. Under this identity, your efficiency in chakra perception and control, understanding of ninja theory fundamentals, mastery of standard weapons, and training in basic subjects such as taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu will be slightly increased.]
[With the activation of a ninja profession, others' perceptions and impressions of your ninja-related abilities will form corresponding talent entries. The profession level determines the conversion efficiency of such perceptions. Upon reaching the maximum profession level, you may designate one qualifying talent entry to be directly upgraded to the highest quality.]
[You have obtained a one-time draw opportunity: Random White Entry ×1 — generates one random white entry.]
End of Chapter