Chapter 385: Extra Story III - Gengetsu in the Normal Timeline
Gengetsu's performance in the ninja academy wasn't remarkable, but at least he managed to get into Konoha's only ninja school.
After graduation, as long as he didn't get too reckless, life was bound to be better than that of ordinary people who toiled endlessly.
There was just one caveat: never get involved in a Shinobi World War.
Unless you're overpowered.
Otherwise, you're destined to be cannon fodder.
Unfortunately, it wouldn't be long before the shinobi world experienced an unprecedented war.
Thinking about this, Gengetsu, who was lying on his desk with vacant eyes, glanced at his desk mate, Naruto, who was already sound asleep to his left.
He then turned his head and looked two rows ahead at Sasuke, who was sitting by the window, propping his chin up with his hands, looking as cool as ever.
He hadn't expected to be in the same class as these two guys.
Life wasn't easy, and Gengetsu sighed deeply.
As someone who had reincarnated, he was supposed to be as powerful as other prodigies who could conquer the world in an instant.
But his golden finger (cheat ability) still hadn't appeared.
Relying on his own efforts, he might eventually become an elite jōnin after several years, but that level of strength would be far from enough to face the formidable enemies in the future.
So, Naruto, Sasuke, the future of the shinobi world is in your hands!
Gengetsu had already resigned himself to laying low.
He decided not to disrupt the plot and just remain an unnoticed background character.
But how to do that?
He was very familiar with that from his previous life.
Seeing his desk mate Naruto sleeping soundly, Gengetsu couldn't help but yawn too. He let his head hit the desk, and within seconds, he joined Naruto in sleep.
There was no denying it: sleeping in class was much more satisfying than sleeping at home.
Especially since he was sleeping for the sake of the shinobi world, not out of selfish desire.
That made the sleep even sweeter.
And so it was.
While Iruka-sensei passionately lectured about the Will of Fire at the podium, both Gengetsu and Naruto, with their heads turned in opposite directions, slept rhythmically at their desks.
Across the hall, Hinata nervously fidgeted with her fingers, occasionally casting worried glances between the two sleeping boys and Iruka, fearing that the teacher would notice them.
Beside Hinata, Kiba, who had been drowsy, snapped awake at the sight of Gengetsu and Naruto, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He wished everyone in the class would fall asleep, leaving him the only one working hard so he could become the leader of them all.
So, sleep on, sleep on, sleep to your heart's content.
Kiba picked up his pen and diligently started taking notes.
In the front row, Shikamaru, who vaguely heard the snoring, turned to see Gengetsu and Naruto, his eyes lighting up as he thought, "I'm not alone in this," before he too laid his head on the desk and fell asleep.
Chōji, sitting next to Shikamaru, didn't disturb his friend. Instead, he simply took out snacks from his drawer and kept eating.
In the same row, Sakura and Ino weren't paying attention to any of this.
The two girls' eyes were fixated on Sasuke, who sat in front of them.
If looks could burn, Sasuke's back would have had a large hole by now.
Sasuke never cared about what happened in the classroom.
From start to finish, his gaze was fixed outside the window.
Unlike his carefree peers, he carried a heavy burden.
Shino, who sat next to Sasuke and was ignored by everyone, silently adjusted his sunglasses.
No one knew what those eyes behind the shades were looking at.
All of this constituted a peaceful day at the ninja academy.
Until the peace was suddenly broken.
"Sleeping in class?! Gengetsu! Naruto! Shikamaru! You three, go stand outside and reflect!"
"And Chōji! How many times have I told you not to eat in class? You go stand outside too!"
Iruka's furious shout rang in their ears.
Woken up, Gengetsu calmly got up, yawning as he leisurely walked out of the classroom.
Similarly, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Chōji, already familiar with this routine, followed suit.
Sasuke finally withdrew his gaze, looking at the four of them before quickly looking away.
People like that would never cross paths with him in the future.
"You guys are the worst class I've ever taught!"
The familiar hallway, the familiar wall they leaned against, and the familiar scolding from the teacher.
For a moment, Gengetsu felt like he was back in his previous life, attending school.
However, seeing the members of the newly formed "four-man ditching class" beside him, Gengetsu quickly snapped back to reality.
"So, same old plan?"
Leaning lazily against the wall, Shikamaru looked at his three "cellmates" and suggested.
Gengetsu immediately nodded and took action:
"Let's go!"
With a wave of his hand, he led the way out of the ninja academy.
Standing in the hallway was out of the question.
Might as well do something more meaningful with that time.
Naruto, Shikamaru, and Chōji agreed with this.
Soon, the four-man ditching class skillfully climbed over the wall and found themselves on a bustling street.
"Where should we go to play?"
Naruto, who was usually shunned and only felt valued and accepted within this group, eagerly asked.
"You guys go play; I'm going back to sleep."
Gengetsu waved them off and walked away on his own.
He had no interest in playing with a bunch of kids, nor did he want to get too involved with Naruto, who was constantly being watched.
He was just an ordinary orphan.
Except for his love of ditching class.
Watching Gengetsu walk away without looking back, Naruto's expression turned a bit gloomy.
As his desk mate, Gengetsu hadn't shown the same disdain and rejection as the others, but aside from sharing a common interest in sleeping and ditching class, the two hadn't interacted much.
Instinctively, Naruto thought it was his fault.
Shikamaru, who was quite observant, noticed Naruto's sadness and explained:
"Gengetsu has always been like that, doing his own thing."
"Let's go! I found a nice rooftop where we can finish our nap."
Shikamaru suggested.
Chōji, always content as long as he was full, nodded along while munching on snacks.
Naruto, who really wanted to have some fun, didn't want to be excluded, so he eagerly agreed.
And so, the four-man ditching class split up.
Naruto and the others went to the rooftop.
But Gengetsu didn't head home to sleep as he had said. Instead, he went to a secluded forest to continue his training.
Yes.
All this time, Gengetsu had been secretly working hard.
Not to show off or stand out.
But for his own sense of security.
Even though he planned to leave the fate of the ninja world to Naruto and Sasuke, his life was still his own.
It was always better to have some self-protection.
At the very least, he wanted to make sure he could still be standing when the village was attacked.
And who could say what kind of changes a small, insignificant butterfly might bring with the flap of its wings?
Gengetsu thought these changes would come in a few years.
He didn't expect them to happen today, right here and now.
[Ding!]
[Host detected as a transmigrator. System is now activating.]
[Name: Gengetsu]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 11]
[Identity: Ninja]
[World: Naruto]
As Gengetsu was training, an emotionless voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
Gengetsu was momentarily stunned before a look of joy spread across his face as he exclaimed:
"Haha! System, you finally showed up!"
After waiting so long, he thought his cheat might never come.
But here it was, finally giving him a surprise.
"Quick! Show me what you can do!" Gengetsu eagerly demanded in his mind.
The next second, the system's voice continued.
[This system is a Counterattack System, dedicated to helping the host overcome obstacles such as talent, background, resources, etc., assisting the host in defeating all opponents and becoming the strongest in the ninja world!]
[Please accept your novice gift pack.]
"Counterattack, huh? Counterattack is exactly what I need! I'm someone who hasn't even graduated from the academy, not even qualified as cannon fodder, so a Counterattack system is perfect."
Gengetsu excitedly opened the novice gift pack.
Accompanied by the image of a grand firework display in his mind, the novice gift pack "popped" open, and a bunch of rewards spilled out.
[Ding! Ding! Ding!]
[Congratulations, host, you've acquired the Three Basic Jutsu; Konoha-Style Taijutsu; Kunai Throwing Technique; Standard Genin-Level Chakra]
Looking at the rewards, feeling the new memories and changes in his body, Gengetsu's smile grew even wider.
Although he hadn't received something outlandish like the Mangekyō Sharingan or the Sage Body, the novice gift pack's abilities were perfectly suited for him at the moment.
"As expected of the system, always thinking about the host's needs," Gengetsu mused.
While he had already learned the Three Basic Jutsu, throwing techniques, and some Taijutsu, he had only grasped the basics, not yet reaching a level of mastery.
The system's newbie package instantly transformed him from a novice to a seasoned expert. The infusion of Genin-level chakra significantly boosted his strength.
Gengetsu was quite satisfied and eagerly anticipated the system's upcoming tasks and rewards.
The system did not disappoint.
After receiving the newbie package, the first mission was officially issued.
[Newbie Task: Defeat Naruto Uzumaki.]
[Task Description: As an average student in the Ninja Academy, you refuse to remain ordinary. A hot-blooded youth like you is determined to rise above. Go and defeat Naruto Uzumaki, the dead last of the Ninja Academy, and take your first step towards proving yourself.]
[Task Reminder: Each time you complete a task, you will receive a corresponding reward. Please take this seriously.]
"Defeat Naruto Uzumaki?"
Gengetsu was a bit surprised but quickly smiled confidently.
"That should be a piece of cake!"
Even before receiving the newbie package, he could have defeated Naruto.
However, he had always been a bit lazy, rarely striving for high ranks, which was why the system had rated his performance as average.
"Who knew that being a slacker could have its benefits? But it'll be hard to keep a low profile from now on," Gengetsu thought to himself.
Given the system, a path of rise and conquest would certainly involve defeating one opponent after another.
This would contradict his original strategy of staying low-key.
But so what?
The only reason he had been low-key was because he saw no hope.
Now that the system was here and hope had arrived, he might as well go all out.
Gengetsu could hardly wait to find Naruto and complete his first task.
However, he wasn't sure where Naruto might be at the moment.
Fortunately, he had another plan.
When Gengetsu hurried back to the Ninja Academy, Iruka-sensei's class was still in session.
He calmed his breathing, put on an "anxious" expression, and quickly ran back to the classroom, shouting:
"Iruka-sensei, something's wrong! Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji didn't listen to me and just skipped class!"
"What??"
Iruka's face changed dramatically. He immediately rushed to the hallway to check, and indeed, Naruto and the others were nowhere to be seen.
"They actually dared to skip class!"
Iruka quickly instructed the students to study on their own, praised Gengetsu a few times, and then, with a furious expression, stormed out of the academy, vowing to bring the three truants back.
Gengetsu leisurely returned to the classroom, watching Iruka's retreating figure through the window, a smirk forming on his lips.
If he couldn't find Naruto, then surely Iruka-sensei, a Chunin and the nemesis of all students, would manage to do so.
It wouldn't take long.
Sure enough, in less than half an hour, Gengetsu saw Naruto and the other two being dragged back by their ears by Iruka-sensei.
Even from afar, he could hear Iruka's enraged shouting.
Soon, Naruto was punished with standing at the schoolyard podium where the Third Hokage often gave speeches, forced to reflect on his actions in front of the entire school.
By the time Gengetsu approached them, the three were standing with their heads hung low, looking dejected.
"Hey! How's it going, everyone?"
Gengetsu greeted them cheerfully.
"Gengetsu!! You snitch! You told the teacher!" Naruto's anger flared as he looked up and yelled.
He had already heard from Iruka-sensei that Gengetsu had ratted them out.
"Sorry, I suddenly remembered that as a student, especially one the village and Lord Hokage have high hopes for, the last thing I should do is disappoint everyone by skipping class. So I came back, corrected my mistake, and brought you all back to the right path," Gengetsu explained with a serious tone.
"You, you…!" Naruto pointed at Gengetsu, struggling to find words.
Shikamaru gave Gengetsu a strange look, as if seeing his classmate, who usually led them in skipping class, in a new light.
Gengetsu shrugged.
No one could understand his level.
Time to get down to business.
Gengetsu beckoned to Naruto with a finger.
"Want revenge? Then let's have a match."
"Alright!"
Finally within his realm of understanding, Naruto eagerly clenched his fists.
And so, Naruto charged in confidently; Naruto swung his fist with assurance; Naruto felt a sudden pain in his stomach; Naruto couldn't believe it as he fell to the ground.
"I lost?"
Naruto, who had always been on par with Gengetsu, was stunned by how quickly he was defeated.
Shikamaru was equally surprised. Once again, Gengetsu had surpassed his expectations.
Only Choji remained unchanged, pulling out some hidden snacks and munching away contentedly.
[Ding!]
[Newbie Task Complete.]
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully defeated the dead last of the academy and taken the first step in your rise to power.]
[Task Reward: Sexy Jutsu]
[Reward Description…]
As his companions were still in shock, Gengetsu had already received the newbie task reward.
Though the Sexy Jutsu was a bit silly, it came with the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which was a pretty good reward.
If the newbie task was like this, then what about the tasks that followed?
Soon, Gengetsu saw the system's next task involving Shikamaru and the others, and a grin spread across his face.
With a system this perfect at his disposal, Gengetsu was absolutely certain that his era had truly arrived.