Konoha Ninja Academy.
Kai rested his chin on one hand as he gazed out the classroom window, watching the leaves sway in the breeze.
“Twelve years already… I’ve been in this world for twelve whole years.
Time really does fly.” Kai was a transmigrator.
From the very moment he was born, he had witnessed one of Konoha’s greatest disasters—the Nine-Tails’ attack on the village.
His parents had both died during that tragedy.
Six years later, Kai enrolled in the Ninja Academy without incident.
Compared to the other students, there was nothing particularly remarkable about him.
His grades were average, his rankings were average, and the only thing even slightly noteworthy about him was his fairly handsome appearance.
With results like that, Kai was practically invisible in class.
No one paid much attention to him.
He was nothing like Sasuke Uchiha, who always ranked first in every exam.
Nor was he like Naruto Uzumaki, the dead-last student who constantly drew attention wherever he went.
Kai had no miraculous encounters, no hidden opportunities, and no shocking talent.
For the past twelve years, he had lived an utterly ordinary life.
He had never displayed any brilliance that might attract the attention of the Third Hokage or Danzō.
Naturally, Root had never invited him in for “tea” either.
“AFK System successfully activated.
Binding host: Kai.” Kai froze.
“A system?” “AFK System at your service.” Kai frowned slightly.
For a moment, he wondered if he had fallen under a genjutsu.
He bit the back of his hand hard.
The sharp sting of pain immediately confirmed that he was perfectly awake.
“System, you’re twelve years late.” His tone remained calm.
After all these years, Kai had already accepted his situation.
Yet now, of all times, the system had finally appeared.
The AFK System gave no response.
“What a cold system.” What Kai did not know was that the AFK System possessed neither emotions nor true intelligence.
Seeing that it had no intention of explaining itself further, he asked directly, “So what exactly can you do?” The AFK System replied, “This is an AFK System.
As long as the host remains idle for a certain amount of time, rewards will be granted.” Kai chuckled softly.
“That sounds simple enough.” After a brief pause, he asked, “So how do I use it?” “The host is already using the system.
The AFK System is now in operation.” That genuinely surprised him.
“I’m already using it?” “I wonder what kind of rewards I’ll get.” After twelve years in this world, Kai was already thoroughly familiar with his circumstances.
Whether he had a system or not did not matter all that much to him.
Without one, he would simply continue drifting along with life.
With one, he might be able to live a little more freely.
The difference was not as great as one might expect.
Kai withdrew his attention from his mindscape and looked toward Iruka, who was speaking at the front of the classroom.
“So it’s finally graduation time… I wonder which squad I’ll end up on.” The graduation exam was about to begin.
The test was the Clone Technique.
Although Kai’s grades had remained average throughout his six years at the Academy, graduating would not be a problem for him.
He had already mastered the three basic ninja techniques.
Or rather, aside from Naruto—whose chakra control was disrupted by the Nine-Tails—everyone in the class had already mastered the Three Basic Techniques by now.
At the podium, Iruka called out, “When I call your name, go to the room next door.” “First: Sasuke Uchiha.” Sasuke was called first, just as always.
Ever since entering the Academy, he had consistently held the top rank in the class.
Even the order of names reflected that.
With an indifferent expression, Sasuke stood up, hands in his pockets, and walked coolly toward the next room.
Almost every girl in the class stared at him with hearts in their eyes.
“Sasuke is so cool!” “Sasuke, do your best!” “Sasuke, I love you!” The girls were completely infatuated with him, like idol fans chasing after a celebrity.
Naruto glared at Sasuke through gritted teeth.
“Damn it… Sasuke, that jerk.” “What’s so great about him anyway?” Sitting nearby, Shikamaru lazily replied, “He’s the number one student in class.
And he’s been number one forever.” “Hmph!
One day, I’ll surpass him!
I’m gonna become Hokage someday!” Shikamaru rolled his eyes, then immediately dropped his head onto the desk and went back to sleep.
In the entire class, only Shikamaru and Kiba were willing to spend time with Naruto.
Everyone else kept their distance.
Kai was no exception.
The others avoided Naruto because of their parents’ warnings.
Kai simply did not want unnecessary trouble.
A few minutes later, Sasuke returned.
He had passed with ease.
Truthfully, Iruka had even considered letting Sasuke skip the exam altogether.
Sasuke had already mastered the Three Basic Techniques back in his first year at the Academy.
In Iruka’s eyes, Sasuke was unquestionably the strongest student in this graduating class.
The rest of the exams unfolded exactly as Kai expected.
Aside from Naruto, everyone passed successfully.
Later, the Third Hokage appeared and gave a speech to the graduating students.
His words filled the children—who still held unrealistic fantasies about the life of a ninja—with excitement and anticipation for their future careers.
Meanwhile, Naruto sat gloomily on the swing beneath the tree, watching his classmates celebrate their graduation with envy.
Not long after, Naruto disappeared from beneath the tree.
“He’s probably being manipulated by Mizuki right about now,” Kai thought.
He had no intention of getting involved in Naruto stealing the Scroll of Seals.
On his way home from the Academy, Kai passed by Ichiraku Ramen.
Since he did not feel like cooking, he decided to settle dinner there.
But the moment he stepped inside, he saw Iruka treating Naruto to ramen.
After living in this world for twelve years, Kai had already forgotten many details of the original story.
He had not expected Iruka to be treating Naruto at this exact time.
Kai immediately considered leaving.
But before he could, Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, called out to him.
“Kai!
The usual today?” Kai ate at Ichiraku even more often than Naruto did.
Over the years, he had become quite familiar with Teuchi.
Teuchi’s greeting immediately drew Iruka and Naruto’s attention.
Left with no choice, Kai walked inside.
“Good evening, Iruka-sensei.
Naruto, you’re here eating ramen too?” Kai’s parents had both been ninja, and the money they left behind was enough for him to live comfortably until adulthood.
Normally, he deliberately avoided coming during Naruto’s usual mealtimes.
In all these years, he had never once run into Naruto here before.
Seeing him, Iruka smiled warmly.
“Kai, you did pretty well today.” Naruto, however, was clearly unfamiliar with him.
Kai’s presence in class was about as noticeable as Shino Aburame’s.
Naruto did not even recognize him.
After taking a seat, Kai smiled faintly.
“That’s all thanks to your excellent teaching, Iruka-sensei.” He answered with practiced politeness.
Meanwhile, Naruto stared at him with a deep frown, trying hard to remember him.
But no matter how much he thought about it, he could not recall who Kai was.
Kai did not mind at all.
Finally unable to figure it out, Naruto leaned toward Iruka and whispered, “Iruka-sensei… who is he?
Is he one of my classmates?” Iruka had been about to continue chatting with Kai, but Naruto’s question left him speechless.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he stared at Naruto.
“Naruto… this is Kai.
Your classmate.
You seriously don’t know him?” Naruto laughed awkwardly.
“Hahaha… Iruka-sensei, I honestly don’t remember him at all.” Naruto answered with complete sincerity.
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