On an autumn afternoon, the warm sunlight bathed the Hokage Building, shining over its tiworn, weathered exterior that had stood for decades.
Inside, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, clad in his ceremonial Hokage robe, swiftly flipped through the "Graduates of the 46th Year Ninja Academy" and the "List of Open Spots in Ninja Squads" on his desk.
Matching each genin's strengths and weaknesses, he carefully ford balanced teams and assigned suitable jonin instructors.
The past two years had seen increasing turbulence in the shinobi world.
Frequent small-scale skirmishes between villages had left Konoha's squads with significant casualties.
He knew all too well that well-structured teams were vital for mission success, survival rates, and overall combat effectiveness. Whether preparing for an impending war or ensuring the safety of his subordinates, every squad formation required the utmost caution.
Over an hour passed as he ticulously reviewed his draft multiple tis, ensuring it was the best possible arrangent. One by one, he began summoning the jonin team leaders—Akimichi Chōza, Abura Shibi, Namikaze Minato, Umino Ikaku…
Before he knew it, evening was approaching. As another knock sounded at the door, he looked up at the final jonin he would et today.
The young man, around eighteen or nineteen, stood just over 180 centiters tall, his lean yet well-built fra was likely due to rigorous training.
His short, golden hair and striking features could have easily captivated many young Konoha won—if not for the dark circles under his eyes, which dulled his otherwise handso face, making him appear utterly exhausted.
"Good afternoon, Hokage-sama," he greeted with fatigue, raising a hand lazily in salute.
Late-night training had stretched until the early hours, and though he had tried to catch so sleep that afternoon, he had barely rested before being summoned to the Hokage Building.
How was he supposed to keep up with this?
"Kei, you should relax once in a while. Training is more effective when balanced with rest," Hiruzen remarked, well aware of Kei's relentless training habits. Without dwelling on the young man's weary deanor, he got straight to the point.
"I've discussed with Inoichi and Shikaku—we're transferring you from the Analysis Team to a standard combat division. Here's your reassignnt letter and details on your new team."
"Understood."
Kei accepted the docunts, slipping the letter into his ninja tool pouch while glancing through the files on his assigned subordinates. Inoichi had already ntioned the transfer, so he had been expecting it.
Leading a team of genin, taking on one or two missions a month, and having plenty of downti—it sounded like a perfect opportunity to take it easy.
However, when his eyes landed on the three nas listed, his brows lifted in mild surprise.
Yūhi Kurenai, Might Guy, and Shiranui Genma.
Had these three ever been on the sa team before?
Sothing felt off.
Wasn't Genma supposed to be in a squad with Ebisu? And weren't they from different graduating years?
"The new leaves of Konoha can only grow strong with the guidance of their predecessors, just as the Will of Fire is passed down through generations. Now, it's your turn to lead the next generation," Hiruzen declared, making no effort to explain the rationale behind the unusual team composition.
Instead, he simply reinforced the ideals of the Will of Fire.
"Rest assured, Hokage-sama. I will do my best to guide them," Kei responded, suppressing his doubts and putting away his usual laid-back deanor, giving a proper assurance.
Satisfied with the response, Hiruzen gave a simple instruction—to report to the jonin standby station tomorrow and then head to Training Ground Four to et the team—before waving him off.
---
Stepping out of the Hokage Building, Kei exchanged a few greetings with familiar ninja before making his way toward his clan's district.
Halfway there, a sudden chanical voice echoed in his mind.
---
[System repair complete.]
[Database sorted.]
[Energy absorption progress: 100%]
[System awakening complete]
[Career Trait System activated.]
[Personal panel unlocked.]
[Detection ability activated.]
[Trait extraction, gifting, duplication, upgrading, and removal functions activated.]
[Career binding complete.]
[Bound career: Ninja]
[By completing career missions and career-related events, there is a chance to obtain opportunities for trait extraction, gifting, duplication, upgrading, downgrading, and removal.]
[Newcor reward unlocked:
- 3 trait extractions
- 1 gifting opportunity]
---
Kei's steps faltered slightly, his expression shifting for the briefest mont before returning to normal. As if nothing had happened, he stopped by a familiar restaurant to pick up a quick al before heading ho.
Inside, he placed his palm on the floor, forming a hand seal.
"Anti-Detection Barrier—Activate."
With a faint hum, a translucent blue barrier enveloped the room. The intricate symbols etched into the surface of the barrier pulsed gently, sealing off all external interference.
Standing in the center of the living room, his expression fluctuated before he finally exhaled a long breath and sat down in front of the low table.
He had imagined many tis how he would react when the system finally activated—perhaps he would curse at it for arriving nineteen years late, or maybe he would laugh and cry, venting all his bottled-up frustration and excitent.
But maybe, after so many years, all those feelings had been ground away by ti. Now that the mont had co, he found himself far calr than he had expected.
---
[Host: Yamanaka Kei]
[Career: Ninja]
[Active Traits: Transmigrator (Red), Yin Release Mastery (Purple), Handso (Blue), Sowhat Skilled (Green)]
[Inactive Traits: None]
[Trait Extraction: 3]
[Trait Gifting: 1]
[Transmigrator (Red):
As soone who has lived two lives, your soul and ntal strength are significantly enhanced, with increased growth speed and a higher potential limit.]
[Yin Release Mastery (Purple):
Years of relentless study and training have granted you near-perfect control over Yin Release techniques, improving your efficiency in learning, molding, modifying, and creating them. Your speed, power, and effectiveness of Yin Release jutsu are greatly increased, as is your resistance to them.]
[Handso (Blue):
Favored by the world, you were born with striking looks, naturally enhancing your charisma and appeal to the opposite sex.]
[Sowhat Skilled (Green):
Years of probing through ninja mories have granted you a vast amount of information and knowledge. Through continuous practice, you have gained a foundational grasp of various ninjutsu types and elents, slightly improving your learning speed and mory retention.]
---
A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he read through the descriptions.
"Seems like all those years of grinding finally paid off."
Wasting no ti, he imdiately initiated a trait extraction.
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