Naruto: My Unique System

Chapter 1: First Friend

"Minato-kun, are you out early again for your training? You truly are a prodigy destined for the Academy!"

As the sun cast its warm glow upon the streets of Konoha Village, an elderly lady organizing groceries observed the golden-haired child emerging from an alley. Still in the midst of stretching, she addressed him with a kindly smile.

The child, known as Minato, nodded, the remnants of sleepiness vanishing from his expression. His face seamlessly transformed into a radiant and innocent smile, revealing the gap between his baby teeth, rendering him both pure and immaculate.

"Yes, Grandma Matsui, but you're even earlier. I just noticed you setting up your stall here."

Upon hearing Minato's words, Grandma Matsui playfully feigned a worried expression and remarked, "I hope I haven't disturbed the slumber of the future Ninja-sama. That would indeed be a tragedy."

Minato, well aware of Grandma Matsui's jest, simply shook his head, assuring her, "Don't worry, Grandma Matsui. I'll be back later to purchase groceries. Please set aside some for me."

"Very well, very well. Grandma will set aside some tender greens just for you."

With a smile and a wave of her hand, Matsui, displaying her slightly damaged teeth, couldn't help but marvel at why her own grandson couldn't exude the same charm as Minato.

In addition to exchanging pleasantries with Grandma Matsui, Minato warmly greeted several other vendors in the vicinity, effortlessly securing the essential ingredients for the day. The neighboring stall owners were more than delighted to assist and cater to the needs of this endearing child.

However, as Minato ventured away from the familiar street where he resided, the radiant smile on his face gradually faded, making way for a serious and focused expression. His recent receipt of the admission letter to the Academy weighed heavily on his mind, with tomorrow marking his inaugural day.

Effectively, he was now a preparatory student at the esteemed institution. Since the arrival of the admission letter, Minato had become acutely aware of the need to intensify his physical training.

Aware of his commoner status, Minato acknowledged the absence of the privileged background and abundant resources enjoyed by those born into shinobi families. Consequently, in order to keep pace with his peers at the Academy, he recognized the imperative need to invest extra effort on his individual training.

Given the turbulent state of the ninja world during this period, even within the secure confines of Konoha Hidden Village, Minato's innate perceptiveness had already detected the shifts occurring around him.

In these unsettled times, sightings of ninjas leisurely strolling through the streets of Konoha were rare; their movements were purposeful, undoubtedly engaged in various missions. Moreover, discussions among vendors and shopkeepers hinted at the recent surge in transportation costs, suggesting that some significant trade caravans had relinquished their routes, reducing the availability of some essential goods.

Though unacquainted with the harsh realities of war, Minato found himself gripped by a growing unease fueled by the observations and snippets of conversation he encountered. Standing pensively at the street corner, his gaze fixed upon the distant Hokage Rock, he quietly murmured, "I hope it's merely my misunderstanding."

Redirecting his attention, Minato shifted his focus to a self-assessment of his physical readiness. Ensuring the flexibility of his ankle and knee joints, he conscientiously adjusted his breathing, priming himself for the impending exercise.

Uncertain about the specific training regimen undergone by children from shinobi families before entering the Academy, Minato remained in the dark regarding the optimal path for his own growth. Nonetheless, he was convinced that speed, strength, and endurance stood as indisputable pillars essential for any aspiring ninja.