Konoha Year 45, Winter.
The sun hung low over the western wall of Konohagakure, staining the clouds in shades of molten gold and crimson. Its fading light stretched across the Ninja Academy's training ground, catching on the frost beneath the grass and turning every bead of sweat into glittering amber.
"Huff… huff… Guy, slow down. I seriously can't keep going."
Ren staggered around the edge of the training ground, his white hair plastered to his forehead. His lungs burned with every breath, his legs felt as heavy as iron, and the muscles in his calves had long since stopped feeling like they belonged to him.
A few paces ahead, Might Guy turned around without breaking stride. Dressed in a tight green training suit that made him resemble an energetic tree frog, he raised one thumb and flashed a smile so bright that his teeth seemed to reflect the setting sun.
"Hold on a little longer, Ren!" Guy shouted passionately. "The first time is always painful, but if you endure it, you'll discover an even more incredible sensation—the sensation of youth! We're about to finish our two-hundredth lap!"
"Two hundred…" Ren gasped, his vision beginning to blur. "You said we were only doing fifty."
"Fifty was merely the warm-up!"
Before Guy could launch into another speech about youth, perseverance, and the beauty of muscles forged through suffering, Ren's foot caught against the frozen ground. He pitched forward and collapsed with a heavy thud, barely managing to brace himself with both hands before his handsome face met the dirt.
For several seconds, he remained motionless.
His arms trembled. His heart hammered against his ribs. Even the cold earth beneath him felt strangely comfortable compared to the torment of standing back up.
"I'm… going to rest here for a while," Ren said between ragged breaths. "You keep running, Guy. Don't let me interfere with your youth."
Guy slowed at last, studying him with concern. However, that concern soon disappeared beneath another blazing smile.
"All right! Rest well, my eternal training partner! I'll come back after completing the remaining eight hundred laps!"
With that, Guy spun around and charged off again, his green-clad figure rapidly shrinking beneath the orange evening sky.
Ren lifted his head just enough to watch him disappear around the far side of the academy building. For one fleeting moment, he considered shouting after him and asking what kind of lunatic thought a thousand laps counted as ordinary after-school training.
Then he remembered who he was dealing with.
"Never mind," Ren muttered. "Trying to reason with Guy is probably harder than finishing the thousand laps."
He rolled onto his back and stared at the darkening sky. Wisps of white mist escaped his lips with each breath. Around him, the training ground was slowly falling silent as the remaining students packed away their equipment and headed home.
It had been eight years since Ren awakened in this world.
At first, discovering that he had been reborn in the world of Naruto had filled him with excitement. He had imagined becoming a legendary shinobi, mastering forbidden techniques, changing the tragedies he remembered, and standing at the summit of the ninja world.
In his most ambitious fantasies, he would punch Madara Uchiha into the ground, kick Black Zetsu through a mountain, drag Obito back to Konoha by the collar, and personally introduce Kaguya Ōtsutsuki to the sharp end of a spear.
Those fantasies had been wonderful.
Reality had been considerably less generous.
After eight years of effort, Ren had been forced to accept one brutal truth: he was painfully ordinary.
He possessed no legendary bloodline, no inherited dōjutsu, no vast chakra reserves, and no mysterious clan waiting to reveal that he was their long-lost heir. He was simply a commoner who happened to remember another life.
Experience had made him calmer and more mature than most children his age, but maturity could not produce chakra from nothing.
Ren had begun preparing almost as soon as he learned to walk. When other children were still playing in the streets, he had already created a strict routine for himself. He exercised every morning, stretched every night, drank warm milk before bed, controlled his diet, and studied with the desperation of someone preparing for the most important examination of his life.
His efforts were not completely useless. He consistently ranked near the top of the class in history, tactics, mathematics, chakra theory, and written examinations.
Unfortunately, written scores did not stop kunai.
In practical combat, Ren was painfully average. His taijutsu was acceptable only because of his relentless physical training. His throwing accuracy was inconsistent, and his chakra control remained merely adequate. As for ninjutsu, he could perform the academy's basic techniques, but the results were rarely impressive.
In peacetime, that might not have been a disaster.
He could have graduated at twelve, spent several quiet years completing low-ranked missions, and eventually applied to return to the academy as an instructor. If he played his cards properly, he might even have become Naruto Uzumaki's teacher years later.
Ren could already imagine it. He would patiently protect the future Seventh Hokage, raise Naruto's opinion of him, and survive until the world became peaceful. Then, when Naruto eventually married, the Hokage would invite his beloved academy teacher onto the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech.
It was a brilliant plan—safe, respectable, and shamelessly dependent on the protagonist.
Unfortunately, Ren had been born far too early.
The academy still followed a wartime curriculum. Children entered at four or five years old and could graduate as early as eight or nine. His classmates included Might Guy, Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai Yūhi.
Kakashi Hatake had also been part of their generation, although calling him a classmate felt dishonest. The silver-haired prodigy had graduated after only a year, become a Chūnin soon afterward, and now spent most of his time outside the village completing real missions.
They were surrounded by names destined to shake the ninja world.
Then there was Ren.
People at the academy often called Obito the dead last, but Ren knew better. Obito possessed the blood of the Uchiha clan. Beneath his clumsiness and poor grades rested a pair of eyes capable of transforming him into a monster.
Guy was considered talentless, yet the boy treated physical limits like personal insults. One day, his fists and feet would become powerful enough to bend space itself.
Even Rin, who was not known for overwhelming combat ability, possessed excellent chakra control and a natural affinity for medical ninjutsu.
Ren had knowledge of the future, but knowledge alone could not block a blade.
The ninja world was already becoming unstable. Tensions between the great villages grew sharper with every passing month, and border conflicts were spreading like cracks across thin ice. Ren estimated that the Third Great Ninja War would erupt within a year or two.
When that happened, even freshly graduated Genin would be sent to the battlefield.
If he were fortunate, he might survive with a few scars and a lifetime of nightmares. If he were unfortunate, he would die nameless in a muddy ditch before the main story even began.
Perhaps, years later, Naruto and Sasuke would sit beside a weathered memorial stone bearing the names of children no one remembered.
Ren had no desire to become one of them.
"The final examination is at the end of this month," he whispered, raising one exhausted arm toward the sunset. "If my practical scores don't improve, I'm dropping out."
He had already prepared an escape route.
Once he left the academy, he would apply for work at Ichiraku Ramen. His years of training had given him decent arm strength, and becoming a noodle maker offered far better survival prospects than becoming a disposable Genin.
It was not exactly the glorious destiny he had imagined, but glory was overrated. A warm shop, good food, and a roof that was not being bombarded by explosive tags suddenly sounded wonderful.
Besides, Teuchi's daughter was adorable. If Ren remained handsome and hardworking, perhaps he could marry into the family one day. He could inherit the restaurant, live comfortably, and rename himself Ren Ōtsutsuki just to confuse future historians.
"From conquering the ninja world to pulling noodles…" Ren closed his eyes and released a hollow laugh. "What an inspiring life."
A clear chime suddenly rang inside his mind.
[Ding! System binding complete.]
Ren's eyes snapped open.
For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.
The training ground remained empty. There was no one nearby, no hidden examiner speaking through a microphone, and no sign that Guy had returned to play an elaborate prank.
Yet a translucent line of glowing text floated directly before Ren's eyes.
"What…?"
[System initialization complete. Loading core modules.]
Ren shot upright so quickly that pain tore through his exhausted muscles. He ignored it completely, staring at the words with widening eyes.
A system.
He had a system.
It had taken eight entire years to arrive, but his golden finger had finally finished loading!
At the moment Ren had resigned himself to an ordinary life, destiny finally answered him.
His exhaustion disappeared beneath a surge of wild excitement. He clenched his trembling hands, afraid that the glowing text might vanish if he blinked.
[Welcome, Host. This is the Ninja World Romance System.]
[The system has been designed to help the Host establish profound bonds with suitable targets. By deepening these relationships and experiencing the sweetness of romance, the Host may obtain generous rewards and ascend to the summit of life.]
Ren's eyes lit up.
"A romance system?"
The name sounded suspicious, but he could work with it. In fact, compared with systems that demanded murder, conquest, or world domination, romance seemed almost peaceful.
The ninja world certainly did not lack remarkable women. Among his generation were Rin Nohara and Kurenai Yūhi. Far beyond Konoha, there was also the future Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī. Among the older generation stood legendary figures like Tsunade.
If forming bonds with them granted strength, Ren could improve his abilities while also building valuable alliances. With enough rewards, perhaps he could survive the coming war, protect those around him, and even alter the future.
A grand vision unfolded inside his mind: unparalleled strength, trusted companions, loyal allies, and a peaceful life where no one could force him onto a battlefield unprepared.
Perhaps becoming a noodle maker could wait after all.
[Core modules successfully loaded.]
[Scanning individuals currently connected to the Host…]
Ren held his breath.
Faces flashed through his mind. Rin? Kurenai? Perhaps someone he had briefly encountered without noticing?
The system chimed again.
[Three suitable romance targets have been identified.]
Ren leaned forward eagerly.
[Transformation Technique.]
[Clone Technique.]
[Substitution Technique.]
The evening wind swept across the academy grounds.
Somewhere in the distance, a crow cried.
The smile on Ren's face slowly stiffened.
"…What?"
He stared at the three names, waiting for the system to correct itself.
It did not.
"Romance targets?" Ren repeated carefully. "Those are the Three Basic Techniques."
The system offered no explanation.
"Where are the girls?"
Silence.
"Where is the romance?"
Still nothing.
Ren pressed one hand against his forehead. For one terrible second, he wondered whether the two hundred laps had deprived his brain of oxygen and caused him to hallucinate.
Clinging to his final shred of hope, he gave a mental command. "Open the main interface."
A translucent screen unfolded before him in a halo of pale pink light. Its design resembled an overly elaborate dating game, complete with floating petals, soft colors, and cheerful music that seemed completely out of place on the frozen training ground.
Three chibi figures stood at the center of the interface.
[Currently Available Targets]
[Transformation Technique — Favorability: 10/100 — Stranger]
[Clone Technique — Favorability: 5/100 — Stranger]
[Substitution Technique — Favorability: 5/100 — Stranger]
Ren stared at the list until his eyes began to ache.
The system was serious.
His first romance targets were not kunoichi, princesses, or legendary warriors. They were ninjutsu taught to children at the academy.
After several seconds of internal struggle, Ren selected the Transformation Technique.
The interface shifted. A chibi girl with long black hair appeared on the left side of the screen, wearing a mischievous smile. A detailed information panel occupied the right, accompanied by four options.
[Selected Target: Transformation Technique]
[Talk]
[Practice]
[Give Gift — Locked due to insufficient favorability]
[Leave]
Ren's expression grew increasingly complicated. "What kind of gift am I supposed to give a ninjutsu? Chakra? Flowers? A scroll tied with a ribbon?"
Curiosity eventually defeated common sense. He selected [Talk].
The background changed into an illustrated version of the academy training ground at sunset. The chibi representation of the Transformation Technique approached him with her hands behind her back, looking far too pleased with herself.
[During the evening, you encounter the Transformation Technique strolling through the academy grounds. She seems delighted to see you and waves from a distance.]
[Transformation Technique: "Oh? If it isn't Ren! Who are you planning to transform into today? During the last examination, you tried to imitate Instructor Oki, but your proportions were so terrible that the entire class laughed for ages!"]
Three responses appeared beneath her dialogue.
[A: "I'm sorry. My control was poor last time, but I'll work harder and do better today."]
[B: "That was intentional. I only failed because I wanted to make everyone laugh."]
[C: Remain silent and stare deeply into her eyes.]
Ren's eyebrow twitched.
Option B sounded like the excuse of a child incapable of admitting failure. Option C sounded like the quickest way to get arrested—even if the target in question was technically a ninjutsu.
He rubbed his face with both hands. "This is absurd. Talking to techniques, increasing their favorability, and giving them gifts… What part of this is supposed to be romance?"
A new notification appeared, almost as if the system had been waiting for the question.
[The Host's choices and actions will influence each target's favorability.]
[Whenever a target's favorability reaches a new stage, the Host's corresponding attributes will be permanently strengthened. The Host may also receive unique abilities and special rewards associated with that target.]
Ren became completely still.
The absurd dating interface no longer mattered. Neither did the pink petals, the cheerful music, or the fact that he had apparently been rejected by humanity and matched with school-level ninjutsu.
There were rewards.
More importantly, those rewards could strengthen him.
Ren looked again at the Transformation Technique's teasing smile. Only minutes earlier, he had been preparing to abandon the academy because he lacked the talent required to survive. Now, however bizarre the method might be, a path had appeared before him.
Pride would not keep him alive during the Third Great Ninja War.
If increasing the favorability of ninjutsu could grant him strength, then he would romance every technique in the ninja world.
Basic techniques, elemental ninjutsu, secret arts, forbidden jutsu—it made no difference. He would understand them, master them, and raise their favorability until the system had nothing left to offer.
Ren straightened his back, his exhaustion forgotten. Determination slowly replaced the disbelief in his eyes.
"Choose A."
The selected response glowed.
The chibi girl representing the Transformation Technique blinked in surprise. Then her mischievous smile softened, and the favorability bar trembled.
[Transformation Technique's impression of you has changed.]
[Favorability increased.]
[Transformation Technique — Favorability: 11/100]
Ren stared at that single additional point, waiting to see whether anything else would happen.
A second notification appeared.
[Congratulations, Host. You have taken your first step toward understanding the true heart of ninjutsu.]
Then, without warning, the chakra inside Ren's body stirred.
It was faint—almost imperceptible—but he felt it. Something about his chakra circulation had changed, as though an invisible obstruction had loosened inside him.
Ren slowly raised his hands and formed the familiar seal for the Transformation Technique.
Smoke erupted across the empty training ground.
When it cleared, another Might Guy stood where Ren had been, wearing the same green training suit, the same bowl cut, and the same brilliant smile.
The resemblance was flawless.
Even the voice that emerged from his throat sounded exactly like Guy's.
"My first step…" Ren whispered, staring at his transformed hands.
A grin spread across his borrowed face.
For the first time in eight years, Ren had discovered a path that belonged entirely to him.
Far across the training ground, the real Might Guy rounded the academy building and froze.
Two identical green-clad figures stared at each other beneath the dying sunlight.
Guy's eyes widened in astonishment. Ren's system chimed again.
[Special interaction detected.]
[Hidden condition fulfilled.]
[Transformation Technique is watching you with great interest.]
Ren's smile vanished.
The system's final message appeared in glowing pink letters.
[A new romantic event has begun.]