NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: Chapter:1
Konoha Year 63
At the gate of the Ninja Academy, Gekkō Ishisaki stared at the comprehensive test results posted on the bulletin board. His name was listed at 170th place.
He sighed silently. Turning away from the crowd, he began walking home.
Graduation was just a few months away, but Ishisaki felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. He thought to himself, If I traveled to this world, why couldn't I have become a prodigy or a boss-level figure?
Twelve long years had passed since Ishisaki arrived in this world, fully aware of the plot and future events. He was the same age as Naruto and even in the same class as him. Yet, despite being a transmigrator, Ishisaki was utterly ordinary.
Ninjutsu, taijutsu, chakra control—everything about him was painfully average.
The only thing he had going for him was his appearance. Handsome enough to rival Sasuke, Ishisaki stood out in that aspect. However, he lacked any other redeeming qualities.
The only consolation was his familiarity with the protagonist team. Even if he didn't have the strength to rise to the top, perhaps Naruto, the future Hokage, would lend him a hand someday.
But deep down, Ishisaki didn't want to live a mediocre life. He wanted to make an impact, to be someone significant in this world.
The reality, however, was far from his dreams.
Ishisaki came from the Gekkō Clan, a minor family in Konoha with fewer than twenty members. The most famous ninja in the clan was Gekkō Hayate, a Jōnin known for his kenjutsu and tactical skills. By clan hierarchy, Hayate was technically Ishisaki's cousin, but their interactions were limited to a few brief greetings.
Ishisaki's parents had died during the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha. Since then, the remaining members of the Gekkō Clan took on the responsibility of caring for him. They helped him collect his parents' inheritance, paid his monthly living expenses, and even covered the tuition fees for the Ninja Academy.
His parents left behind a modest three-bedroom house. Though not large, it was more than enough for Ishisaki, who lived alone.
When he got home, Ishisaki opened the refrigerator, grabbed a can of soda, and gulped down most of it in one go. Tossing the can aside, he flopped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling.
"It seems like after graduation, I'm destined to live an ordinary life as a Genin," he muttered to himself.
---
[God-Level Skill System Activated]
What?!
Hearing the sudden voice, Ishisaki shot up from the bed like a startled cat.
"A system…? Do I really have a system?!"
He clenched his fists, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Twelve years. Twelve excruciating years of waiting! Do you know how I've been living all this time?!
But before his joy could fully settle, the system's voice interrupted.
[Error Detected]
[System Restarting…]
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't do this! I've waited so long for you!" Ishisaki's nerves were on edge as he stared at the glowing screen that appeared before him.
[Restart Failed]
[System Auxiliary Modules Damaged]
[System Mall Module Missing]
[System Mission Module Missing]
[System Template Module Missing]
"What?! Are you kidding me?!" Ishisaki's heart sank. "At least let me see what a complete system looks like before breaking it!"
[Core System Modules Missing]
[Error Detected]
Ishisaki's hope crumbled. The system he had pinned his dreams on was barely functional. It seemed his journey as a transmigrator was doomed to mediocrity.
---
[Skill Bar Module Detected]
[Skill Bar Module Damaged: 70% Functional]
A glimmer of hope sparked in Ishisaki's heart. A skill bar? At least it's something!
The system continued.
[Skill Bar Activated]
[Current Skill Slots: 7 Passive Slots, 3 Active Slots]
Ishisaki examined the interface.
"Seven passive slots and three active ones, huh? That doesn't sound too bad—wait, what's this?"
[Active Skill 1: Gluttony※]
[Effect: Hot, hot, hot…]
[Active Skill 2: ※※Player]
[Effect: kun jin copy hot hot hot hot…]
[Active Skill 3: Unknown※]
[Effect: hot hot hot hot hot…]
"…What the hell is this?! It's all garbled nonsense!" Ishisaki's initial excitement turned to frustration.
[Active Skills Under Repair: Duration Unknown]
"Unknown repair time?! You might as well say never!" Ishisaki groaned in despair. "What about the passive skill slots? Do they work?"
---
He turned his attention to the passive skill bar.
[Passive Skill 1: Empty]
[Passive Skill 2: Empty]
[Passive Skill 3: Empty]
…
[Passive Skill 7: Empty]
"Completely empty… Great," Ishisaki muttered sarcastically. "What's the point of having skill slots if there's nothing in them?"
[Passive Skills Can Be Installed Manually]
"Manually? How does that work?"
The system displayed a list of Ishisaki's "skills."
[Skills Mastered by Host: Chakra Refining Technique, Basic Academy Taijutsu, Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, Body Replacement Technique, Basic Kunai Throwing Technique… Basic Cooking, Basic Walking, Basic Jumping… Basic Mathematics, Basic Language, Basic Communication… Basic Eating, Basic Drinking…]
Ishisaki's face turned blank. "Eating and drinking are considered skills?! Does wiping my a** count too?!"
[Advanced Wiping Technique Available]
"GET LOST!" Ishisaki yelled, covering his face in disbelief. "Why is wiping considered 'advanced'?!"
Despite the absurdity of the situation, Ishisaki decided to test the system. He selected Chakra Refining Technique and placed it into the first passive skill slot.
[Passive Skill 1 Installed Successfully]
[Current Passive Skill 1: Chakra Refining Technique]
[Effect: Combines physical and spiritual energy to refine chakra. Running…]
Running?!
End of the Chapter.