In an instant, his vision blurred, his body shuddered uncontrollably.
His breathing grew ragged—then darkness swallowed him as he collapsed onto his bed.
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
[Newbie Gift Pack Opened]
[Reward Acquired: Ōtsutsuki Clan Bloodline (Unawakened)]
[Host Must Develop This Power Prudently]
"..."
---
"I truly never expected this outcome."
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen listened to Kakashi's report, his expression equally numb.
He'd never imagined Kakashi's first day as a Jōnin instructor—after leaving the ANBU—would end in such disaster.
This is an educational failure!
And children so young daring to turn blades on comrades? Hiruzen shuddered to think what they'd become as adults.
Damn it, what's happened to the Academy's teachings?
"Enough. Don't blame yourself," Hiruzen said, lighting his pipe as he pondered educational reforms. Seeing Kakashi still hanging his head, he sighed. "Your approach was sound. Clearly, their school guidance failed them. Returning for remedial training isn't a bad outcome. But you plan to keep one student?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Kakashi nodded, recalling those soul-striking words. "He values comrades and wants to protect the village. Despite this incident, he shouldn't suffer for it."
"I see…"
Hiruzen puffed his pipe, slowly nodding.
Kitagawa Gen wasn't unfamiliar to him. Between his "Will of Fire" speeches at the Academy and routine student assessments, he'd noticed the boy.
Gen was talented—but more importantly, he treated Naruto decently, free of the scorn others showed.
(Even if observations suggested he mostly scammed Naruto's stipend…)
Still, his background was clean as blank paper. Might Guy had even praised him, requesting to train him personally.
Hiruzen had assigned Gen to Kakashi's team hoping it would help Kakashi adjust to post-ANBU life. Despite the chaos, this might yet work…
"So he embodies the Will of Fire." Hiruzen chuckled. "Proceed as you see fit. Teammates can be reassigned—just like your own team once was, Kakashi."
"Yes, sir!" Kakashi straightened, relieved. "I'll dedicate myself to this."
"No need for ANBU formality here." Hiruzen smiled around his pipe. "Dismissed. Rest and recalibrate. Just… avoid ANBU methods."
"Understood, Lord Hokage."
As Kakashi left, a thought lingered: That boy who spoke those words… he might be a new beginning.
"Here! Extra-spicy pork chashu ramen, large bowl!"
"Thanks, Teuchi-jiji!"
At Ichiraku Ramen under dusk's glow, Kitagawa Gen snatched the bowl and devoured it like a starved wolf.
"Slow down! Spicy food gulped that fast will burn you," Teuchi warned, shaking his head.
Gen just slurped louder, mouth full. "S'fine… haven't eaten all day…"
Teuchi could only smile. This level of hunger is rare.
Gen was ravenous.
He hadn't expected the bloodline's transformation to wreck him so thoroughly—knocking him out with agony, then waking him with gut-twisting hunger.
But as he ate, he checked his updated status:
[Name: Kitagawa Gen]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Ōtsutsuki Clan (Unawakened)]
[Chakra Reserves: A (Jōnin average)]
[Chakra Natures: Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, Wind, Yin, Yang]
Slurp
Noodles halfway to his mouth, Gen froze, staring at the panel. The changes within him felt surreal.
Thirteen years of grinding, driven by fear of cannon fodder status and outworking every local, had only gotten him three chakra natures and Chūnin-level reserves.
Yet one newbie pack catapulted him to Jōnin-tier chakra… and unlocked all seven natures?
All from an unawakened Ōtsutsuki bloodline?
Goddamn bloodline-dependent world!
Gen nearly choked. He'd known this world was nicknamed "Legend of the Eyeballs: Five Village Brawl" and "Baby Black Zetsu's Mommy Quest."
Without bloodlines, hard work capped at Might Guy's level. But seeing it up close still stung.
Still… I've practically gained "One Kakashi" of power overnight.
Using Kakashi as a unit felt wrong, but the leap was undeniable.
TN: A Kakashi is the best unit to measure chakra. I truly don't know what he's yapping about.
Even "unawakened," his chakra control felt effortless. He could likely cast ninjutsu without hand signs, making him a better "Copy Ninja" than Kakashi himself.
And his reserves were still growing!
But how do I awaken this bloodline?
Gen gnawed his chopsticks. He knew the Ōtsutsuki's power, but unlocking it? Unlike the Sharingan, with Madara's blueprint, he had no roadmap.
"Teuchi-jiji! Ramen! Ramen!"
A shout interrupted him. A boy in orange, with spiky blond hair, burst into the shop.
"Naruto! Class over?" Teuchi smiled warmly—one of the few who showed Naruto kindness.
"Yeah! Starving!" Naruto plopped down, then spotted Gen. "Eh? Gen! You're here? Heard you got hospitalized!"
"..."
Gen nearly rolled his eyes. Bad news really travels fast.
"Hey, failing's no big deal!" Naruto beamed, oblivious. "Maybe we'll be teammates someday!"
"Hah. Worry about your own allowance," Gen retorted without looking up. "Spend like this, and you'll starve before graduation."
He paused, then added dryly: "Besides, I might be your Jōnin examiner by then."
It wasn't a joke. With his first main quest complete, the next had already arrived:
[New Main Quest: Become a Jōnin]
Gen's lips thinned. Just made genin, and now it wants me to aim for Jōnin? What's next? Kage?
But then again…
If the newbie reward was Ōtsutsuki blood, maybe "unthinkable" goals were exactly where this was headed.
"Hmm?"