NARUTO: GOD LEVEL FORGING SYSTEM

Neji Hyuga's pale Byakugan eyes, once filled with sharp determination, now seemed dulled by the weight of realization.

He fell into deep contemplation.

Was it truly only prodigies like Sasuke Uchiha who were considered geniuses?

The mastery he had honed through years of discipline paled in comparison to the effortless dominance of the main branch.

A branch family member…

Destined to be shackled by fate!

Kazuki noticed the flicker of defeat in Neji's gaze but remained silent.

He was not one to lecture—arrogant yet carefree,

Some things, some beliefs, could only change when realized firsthand. No one else could force it upon him.

"Hurry up and eat some barbecue! What are you standing there spacing out for?" Kazuki clapped Neji on the shoulder before steering him toward the lively gathering. "How can there be so much to overthink? You're not even grilling—something must be wrong with your head!"

With that, Kazuki turned away, already making a beeline for the sizzling food.

Neji's gaze lingered on him, filled with unspoken complexity.

And in the end, as if conceding to an internal debate, he stepped forward and joined them.

…

Sizzle…

The aroma of searing meat drifted through the air.

The group had waited long enough—once the savory scent spread, they wasted no time digging in.

"More meat! Someone pass me another skewer of roasted boar!"

"I—I want one too! Hey! Neji, stop stealing mine!"

"Hey, hey! Leave some for Hinata and me! Show some courtesy to us girls~~"

"Freshly grilled pork, marbled to perfection! First come, first served—only 20 skewers available!"

Laughter and friendly bickering echoed along the riverbank.

In the end, they were just children—

Not yet ten, but carrying burdens beyond their years.

Though they were prematurely wise, though their perspectives of the world were skewed by duty and expectation, though their pasts had brought moments of conflict—

Here, in this moment, beneath the canopy of trees and beside the babbling stream—

All that remained was the sound of children laughing, free from the weight of their futures.

…

The Spring Festival soon came to an end.

For Kazuki and the others, the experience left behind memories of warmth and camaraderie.

Their lives returned to the routine of the Ninja Academy, their days filled with lectures and rigorous training.

But on this particular afternoon, Might Guy sought out Kazuki.

"What? Training outside the village?" Kazuki's eyes widened in surprise.

Might Guy nodded. "That's right, Kazuki! Your abilities have already surpassed the Academy's level, but since early graduation isn't an option, staying here is just holding you back."

Kazuki silently agreed—

He had long since mastered the curriculum.

Remaining at the Academy was a waste of time,

But…

This was a rule decreed by the Third Hokage himself—Kazuki could only accept it.

It reminded him of his past life,

Like college students forced to endure classes for a mere diploma.

But if Guy was suggesting this now, that meant—

Could he take a temporary leave from the Academy to train outside the village?

This was an opportunity he couldn't ignore!

Kazuki's eyes lit up.

Since birth, he had never once set foot beyond the borders of Konoha.

The world beyond the village was an uncharted mystery—one he longed to explore.

Seeing his brief hesitation, Might Guy asked,

"What's wrong, Kazuki? You don't want to?"

Kazuki quickly shook his head. "No, of course not! I was just caught off guard by the news and spaced out for a second."

"Hahahaha!" Might Guy let out his signature boisterous laugh. "I knew it! You have the same fiery spirit as I do—eager to take on new challenges! This is the passion of youth!"

"Guy-sensei, shall we set off tomorrow?" Kazuki asked eagerly. He had long been looking forward to their mission outside the village.

"No need to rush," Might Guy reassured him, his usual enthusiasm tempered with seriousness. "The Hokage has just approved this training exercise, so I came straight to tell you. But before we go, we need thorough preparations."

His face grew more solemn. "This is not a mere school excursion. We must stock up on provisions—enough food, water, and, of course, the right weapons. Additionally, I'll be selecting missions that align with our training goals."

Kazuki nodded. Indeed, their journey outside the village would be unpredictable, and they had no set return date. In a world without modern transportation like airplanes or high-speed trains, shinobi traveled on foot, relying on chakra to enhance their speed. But outside the safety of Konoha, they had to remain vigilant—danger could arise at any moment. Maintaining chakra reserves was essential to ensure they were always battle-ready.

Before leaving, Kazuki also had his own preparations to complete. After discussing everything, he and Guy parted ways, each making the necessary arrangements for their upcoming departure.

They agreed to set out in three days.

---

At Kazuki's home, he informed his younger sister, Tenten, about his departure for training.

Her reaction was immediate and intense.

"What?! You're going on a training trip without me? Am I even your real sister?!" she huffed, arms crossed, cheeks puffed in frustration.

Kazuki chuckled and ruffled her hair. "You're still in the Academy, Tenten. It's too dangerous out there, and Guy-sensei and I can't afford distractions."

She pouted but listened as he continued. "Focus on your training in the village. Once you graduate, I'll take you on an adventure."

Tenten squinted suspiciously. "Hmph. You better not be making empty promises."

Kazuki smirked. "To make up for it, I've got something special for you."

Her curiosity flared. "Something special? What is it?"

Kazuki smiled mysteriously. "You'll see."

Tenten was no spoiled child. Though still slightly displeased, she quickly adjusted her attitude. Feigning arrogance, she declared, "Fine. If it's really as good as you say, I might forgive you."

"That's my sister!" Kazuki grinned, leading her to his room.

From a storage scroll, he retrieved a collection of ninja tools—one-star kunai, shuriken, two-star level Primary Kusanagi swords, a specialized battle outfit, and a single ornate ring.

Tenten's eyes locked onto the most eye-catching item. "Wow! That outfit is amazing!"

Kazuki had expected this reaction. He took her hand and, with a kunai, pricked her fingertip.

Tenten winced but didn't complain. "Ouch! What was that for?"

"Press your blood to the fabric."

Despite her confusion, she obeyed. The moment her blood touched the cloth, a soft white glow spread over the outfit. A strange sensation filled her mind, and in an instant, the garment wrapped itself around her.

Tenten gasped, eyes wide with amazement. "I can feel it! I know all its functions! What is this?"

Kazuki chuckled. "It's a special ninja tool I developed. Now that your blood has bonded with it, the outfit belongs to you. You've already sensed its properties, haven't you?"

Tenten's grin widened, her eyes shimmering with excitement. "This is incredible! I love it!"

At that moment, she made a silent vow—to train harder and one day explore the world beyond Konoha herself.

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