Chapter 3: One Card Power!
"I really didn’t expect this to happen..."
Inside the Hokage’s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in silence, a deep frown etched on his face as he listened to Kakashi’s report.
This... was beyond anything he’d imagined.
On the very first day Kakashi took on a genin team after leaving the Anbu, something like this had happened?
What the hell was going on with the Academy these days?!
Kids turning on each other like wild dogs?
This was a complete educational failure.
"Don’t blame yourself too much," Hiruzen finally said, lighting his pipe with a sigh. "No one saw this coming. It’s not your fault."
While wondering if the Academy needed a very aggressive curriculum overhaul, he offered Kakashi a rare, reassuring smile.
"Your judgment wasn’t wrong. This is clearly a result of poor foundational guidance. Let the kids return to the Academy for now—except for the one you chose to keep."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kakashi responded with a firm nod. "Despite what happened, there’s one who values teamwork... and still wishes to protect the village."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly through his pipe.
Kitagawa Gen, huh?
He wasn’t unfamiliar. The boy had stood out at the Academy—not just for his grades, but because he didn’t treat Naruto like a pariah. True, he mostly hung around Naruto to freeload ramen off his stipend, but still—intentions aside, it made the kid stand out.
He even remembered Might Guy mentioning the boy, saying he had the spirit of a future genius. That alone had made Hiruzen consider placing him under Kakashi’s guidance.
Now, even after an incident, things didn’t seem to have gone too badly.
"A boy with the Will of Fire, is he?" Hiruzen chuckled softly. "Alright. Follow your instincts, Kakashi. Just like old times."
Kakashi bowed deeply. "I’ll do my best."
"No need to be so stiff. You’re not Anbu anymore." Hiruzen waved him off. "And don’t bring those old habits into genin training, understood?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
As Kakashi turned to leave, he recalled Gen’s words—quiet but determined—and found himself smiling under the mask.
Maybe... this was a good start after all.
---
Ichiraku Ramen, dusk.
"Here’s your extra-spicy, large pork chashu ramen!"
"Thanks, Teuchi-san!"
Gen lowered his head and dug in immediately like a man on death row eating his final meal.
"Whoa there," Teuchi said with a helpless smile. "You’ll burn a hole in your stomach if you eat that fast."
"No worries... I’ve been starving all day..."
Truth be told, Gen had underestimated the side effects of his sudden power-up. After his chakra transformation knocked him out, he’d woken up hungrier than he’d ever been in two lifetimes.
But the results?
[Status Panel – Kitagawa Gen]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Otsutsuki Clan (Blank Slate)]
[Chakra Reserves: A-Rank – Jonin Level]
[Chakra Affinities: Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, Wind, Yin, Yang]
Gen slurped down the noodles while eyeing the stats with disbelief.
Ten years of effort to crawl to mid-chunin level—and now?
One starter pack and boom—Jonin-tier chakra reserves and all elemental affinities unlocked.
Even if his Otsutsuki bloodline was just a blank slate... the potential was insane.
"Damn it... this world really is run by bloodlines."
This was the world of Eye Techniques: Ninja Warfare Edition. You either had the right genetics... or you prayed to not get curb-stomped by someone who did.
"Let’s be honest," he muttered, sipping his soup. "Hard work can get you to Might Guy’s level... but only if you don’t die trying."
Still, the power difference was undeniable. He could feel the smooth flow of chakra—so refined that he probably didn’t even need hand signs anymore.
"At this point, I’m practically the new Copy Ninja..."
And the best part?
His chakra reserves were still growing.
The only problem now... was figuring out how to actually develop this Otsutsuki bloodline.
He didn’t exactly have a tutorial. Unlike the Uchiha’s Sharingan or the Hyuga’s Byakugan, no one had written an "Otsutsuki for Dummies" guide.
Just as he was deep in thought—
"Old man! Ramen! I want ramen!"
A loud, cheerful voice snapped him back to reality.
Naruto burst into the shop like a whirlwind, his orange jumpsuit flapping behind him.
"Hey, Naruto. Out of class already?" Teuchi asked with his usual warmth.
"Yeah, finally! I’m starving!"
Then Naruto spotted Gen.
"Whoa, Gen! You’re here too? I heard you got hospitalized!"
Of course that rumor got out...
"I’m fine," Gen replied casually. "Didn’t fail or anything."
Naruto grinned, full of naïve optimism.
"Maybe we’ll be teammates someday!"
"With your ramen obsession? Good luck keeping your stipend from running dry," Gen teased, sipping his broth.
Then he smirked, "Who knows—maybe I’ll be your proctor during your graduation exam."
He wasn’t entirely joking.
After all...
[Main Mission Complete: Survive the Bell Test]
[New Mission Unlocked: Become a Jonin]
Gen paused, staring at the notification floating in his mind.
"Jonin already?" he muttered under his breath. "Let me guess... Next up: Hokage? Otsutsuki King?"
Still, considering the last reward was a bloodline, who knew what was next?
His gaze drifted to Naruto—and narrowed.
There was something odd in his chakra. Two foreign yet familiar energies swirled inside him... and a wild idea sparked in Gen’s mind.
...Could I use that too?
Naruto’s voice brought him back.
"My stipend just came in—"
"Wait, wait... YOU passed?!" Naruto froze.
"Yep." Gen sipped his soup like it was no big deal. "Didn’t even break a sweat."
"But... weren’t you hospitalized?!"
"I was. They were in worse shape though. I just walked away. Guess that made me the last man standing."
Naruto blinked. His brain was buffering.
Beat up your teammates to graduate...? THAT’S allowed?!
Moments later, Naruto finished his ramen and slammed the table with fiery resolve.
"Yosh! If Gen can do it, so can I! I’m gonna start training right now and become Hokage!"
"Not so fast!"
Ayame’s voice cut through like a kunai.
"You haven’t paid yet, Naruto! And where do you think you’re going?!"
"Ah—sorry, sorry—!"
"Oh, and Gen told Dad you were treating him to celebrate his graduation. So thanks!"
Naruto froze.
Gen slowly finished his soup with a satisfied smile.
"...Thanks, buddy."