The moment Flynn Kinoshita successfully refined chakra, a subtle wave of energy spread outward.
Kenta Kinoshita sensed it immediately.
He hadn't expected his little brother to be this talented.
He succeeded?
Such a high level of compatibility… it seemed his brother's potential was far greater than he had imagined.
Chakra training consisted of two steps.
The first was sensing. That determined whether someone had the potential to become a ninja.
It depended on the mind.
The second was extraction. That determined whether someone had the potential to become strong.
It depended on the body.
Kenta's gaze grew complicated, a mix of emotions surfacing in his heart.
In a ninja village, having no talent could be both a blessing and a curse. But this was Flynn's path, and as his brother, all he could do was support him.
At that moment, Flynn's chakra surged, lifting his hair slightly as a bright smile spread across his face.
Everyone in the classroom felt the fluctuation. They opened their eyes, staring at him with undisguised envy.
Most of them were civilians. To them, ninja were mysterious figures who could perform incredible feats.
"Close your eyes. Stay calm. Don't let anything distract you. Focus on sensing the energy within your body," Kenta instructed in a steady voice.
Flynn, however, was already immersed in his own world.
It felt like stepping into an entirely new realm.
Chakra flowed through his body, circulating before gathering together. He had successfully extracted it.
And not only that…
The system that had been delayed for six years had finally activated.
A double blessing.
"Rubber Fruit? And a non-toxic version?"
Also known as the Mythical Zoan, Human-Human Fruit, it was the very ability used by the protagonist of another world, granting resilience, strength, and incredible versatility. At its peak, it could even transform into something far greater.
Flynn thought it over carefully, weighing the pros and cons, considering when he should consume it.
After a moment, his eyes hardened with resolve.
If he wanted to become Hokage, he had to stand out.
A child who could quickly refine chakra and possessed a unique bloodline ability would definitely attract attention from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
More than that, Flynn was certain the old man was watching right now, observing the academy from his office.
He glanced around.
All the students were focused on their chakra training.
Only his brother was staring at him in shock.
Grinning, Flynn slipped his hand into his desk and quietly took out the fruit from his storage space.
What appeared in his hand was a golden fruit, patterned with mysterious swirling designs.
A melon?
He blinked in surprise.
It should have been purple, but this looked completely different.
Probably because the side effects had been removed.
He recalled something he had heard before.
Devil Fruits were best consumed in one bite. Otherwise, their energy might dissipate.
But looking at the fruit, which was bigger than his head, Flynn hesitated.
If he swallowed it whole… would he choke?
Would it get stuck?
He clenched his teeth.
This was his future on the line.
No backing down.
Once Flynn made up his mind, he never wavered.
If someone else could do it, so could he.
Alright, everyone, watch closely. One bite, one melon.
He opened his mouth as wide as possible.
Under his brother's stunned gaze, he swallowed it whole.
Instant regret.
The fruit got stuck in his throat.
His eyes bulged as he clamped his mouth shut, his throat burning as he struggled to breathe.
He pounded his chest, trying to force it down.
Around him, the students remained seated, eyes closed, continuing their chakra practice. They only heard the dull thumping sounds and frowned slightly.
If not for fear of Kenta's scolding, they would have already opened their eyes to complain.
Kenta, however, had noticed everything from the start.
As a teacher, he could not tolerate a student eating during class.
Even if that student was his own brother.
That fruit looked pretty good though. Maybe I'll just confiscate it.
Sorry, little brother. Just this once.
Then his expression froze.
He stared in disbelief.
This idiot had actually swallowed it.
Did he realize what I was about to do?
Did he really need to go this far? What if he choked to death?
"Idiot!"
Panicking, Kenta used the Body Flicker Technique and appeared behind Flynn in an instant, slamming his palm against his back.
"Spit it out!"
Flynn covered his mouth tightly with both hands, refusing to give up his future happiness.
The impact worked.
His throat seemed to break past its limit, forcing the fruit down with a loud gulp.
"I'm alive…"
Seeing that Flynn had actually swallowed it, Kenta grabbed his legs and started shaking him upside down.
"You fool! You won't be able to digest that! Spit it out!"
…
The students were startled awake by the shouting and turned around.
"Whoa!"
"He's stretching! Flynn is stretching!"
Their eyes widened in shock, filled with curiosity and amazement.
Minato Namikaze stared with his mouth slightly open, completely stunned. Watching his friend's body twist and extend like a flexible snake, only one thought remained in his mind.
That's amazing!
"So cool!"
Flynn felt the world spinning, dizziness overtaking him.
"Stop… shaking me… put me down…"
…
Elsewhere, inside the Hokage's office.
Stacks of documents hid the small figure seated behind the desk. At its center sat a crystal ball, displaying a live image of the Ninja Academy.
This was a unique technique used by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
With the school opening today, he had taken some time to observe, hoping to see promising new talents emerge.
When he noticed Flynn successfully refining chakra, he immediately recognized him as a genius.
Then he saw Flynn's body stretch and twist.
Hiruzen took several deep puffs from his pipe, his mind racing through every known bloodline ability.
After a while, he stood up abruptly.
What kind of ability was this?
A completely new bloodline?
As someone deeply knowledgeable in ninjutsu, he was certain this had never appeared before.
Yet somehow, it felt familiar.
Then it clicked.
It resembled a soft-body technique once developed by Orochimaru.
Understanding dawned on him as he recalled Flynn's background.
Both of his parents had been elite jonin. Loyal, dependable. They had died three years ago.
His older brother, Kenta, was also one of his trusted subordinates.
A faint smile appeared on Hiruzen's face.
A new bloodline awakening within someone loyal to him was certainly good news.
Perhaps the Kinoshita family had deeper roots than expected.
Or perhaps Flynn was the first to awaken this ability.
Either way, it could become something valuable.
A new, unknown bloodline could provide a decisive advantage, especially when others had no information about it.
"Storms are coming… grow quickly," he murmured, taking another puff from his pipe.
…
Not long after, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
A man stepped inside.
He had a cold, stern face and wore traditional armor.
Danzo Shimura.
At thirty-eight, he was in his prime. His presence was sharp, his movements decisive, his gaze cold and commanding.
A man with immense ambition.
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
Few would refuse someone willing to shoulder the darker burdens of leadership.
"What is it, Danzo?"
"Spies in the Land of Wind report increased military preparations. The Land of Earth is doing the same. We can't afford to fall behind."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Peace has lasted too long. They've forgotten the cost of war. You're right. We must prepare as well. We may not seek conflict, but we will not fear it."
Though more moderate in approach, he was far from weak.
"I have one condition," Hiruzen added. "The war must not reach our homeland."
Danzo smiled faintly.
"Of course. Smaller nations exist for a reason."
The two understood each other without needing further explanation.
"However," Danzo continued, "Root has suffered losses. I need more personnel."
Hiruzen already knew what was coming.
"Go on. How many?"
"I don't need numbers. I need quality. There are a few promising children in this year's academy class. One of them, Flynn Kinoshita, is especially suitable."
"No."
The refusal was immediate.
"Impossible."
This was not just about loyalty.
A newly awakened bloodline could not be turned into an emotionless tool.
Without emotion, there would be no growth.
"Only Root can properly train him," Danzo pressed. "Leave him to me. I'll shape him into the most loyal weapon."
"Enough," Hiruzen said firmly. "That child carries a sense of justice. He can inherit the Will of Fire. I already have plans for him."
Danzo's expression darkened.
"A six-year-old with the Will of Fire? You expect me to believe that?"
"He is suited for Root. You'll regret this," Danzo said coldly.
"That's enough. You may leave."
Hiruzen's voice hardened.
"I am the Hokage."