Chapter 1: The Birth of the Strongest Nepotism

Year 10 of Konoha.

Sitting on the second-floor balcony, Kazekaze overlooked the bustling street below, watching the lively crowds. He was a transmigrator, and this body he now inhabited was only seven years old. It had been exactly one year since he arrived in the world of Naruto.

His parents were ordinary people who never appeared in the anime. They didn't even have a surname. His father was a carpenter, and four months ago, his mother became pregnant again. He wasn't sure if it would be a younger brother or sister. He had no Kekkei Genkai and hadn't attended the Ninja Academy. After all, this was only Year 10 of Konoha. The concept of a Ninja Academy might not have even been proposed yet.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would likely inherit his father's carpentry trade and live an ordinary life in this world. But... The First Shinobi War, the Second, the Third—none of them had occurred yet. Even if he wanted to live an ordinary life, it wouldn't be that easy.

Knock, knock.

Just as Kazekaze was once again sighing about his fate, a knock came at the door.

"Come in," he said politely, shifting his gaze from the street to the entrance.

The wooden door was gently pushed open. Standing there was his father, Mokuken.

"Kazekaze, pack your things," Mokuken got straight to the point. "We're leaving here."

"We're moving?" Kazekaze asked instinctively.

He had been in this world for only a year and had no memories from his predecessor. Based on occasional conversations with his parents, he estimated he had lived in this town for about two years. Although it was a small country with few ninjas—where samurai handled security—the basic living conditions were met. Life wasn't particularly joyful, but it wasn't inconvenient either. Besides, Mokuken's income was steadily increasing, and his reputation was growing. Whenever someone in the village needed a carpenter, they would call him. But moving meant starting over from scratch.

"Why?" Kazekaze couldn't help but ask, unable to understand his father's logic.

Mokuken looked at his son. Over the past year, he had become more mature and composed, no longer as playful as before. A year ago, Kazekaze drowned while swimming at the seaside. Although he was rescued, he had lost all vital signs. Yet somehow, he came back to life—but lost his memories, even forgetting who he was. Over the past year, he had been very sensible, only occasionally sighing.

Mokuken had never explained certain things about their family. But now…

"I just received a letter from home. Your grandfather... has contracted a terminal illness. Your second great-uncle hopes we can return to the village," Mokuken explained. His tone carried a noticeable heaviness.

Grandfather? Terminal illness? Kazekaze hadn't expected a grandfather to suddenly pop up. But since the old man was supposedly terminally ill, going back to see him seemed reasonable. Of course, as a transmigrator and hearing about this grandfather for the first time, Kazekaze felt nothing. There was no grandfather-grandson bond to speak of.

"What did Grandpa do for a living? Was he a carpenter too?" Kazekaze asked casually.

In his year here, he had confirmed that he had no special bloodline, no background, no opportunities. Basically, he was a nobody. Though it might sound improper, if his supposedly dying grandfather had a fortune, getting to experience life as a rich third-generation heir wouldn't be bad. After all, wasn't it a standard trope in movies for the protagonist to suddenly discover their terminally ill grandfather was a millionaire?

"Of course not. Although I became a carpenter under his influence... Hmm, if I had to put it another way, your grandfather was the head of a village. Though he was always overshadowed by your domineering second great-uncle."

Mokuken paused briefly, thinking he should tell Kazekaze his grandfather's name in advance. Otherwise, the shock might be too much for a dying old man.

"Oh, by the way, your grandfather's name is Senju Hashirama."

The moment Mokuken spoke the full name—Kazekaze froze on the spot.

Huh? Senju... Hashirama???

The same Senju Hashirama who said,"Nine-Tails, your power is too strong!" while holding Kurama in his bare hands? The Senju Hashirama who, to prove his sincerity to Madara, tried to stab himself with a kunai—yet his granddaughter couldn't even pierce Susanoo? The Senju Hashirama who single-handedly took down all the Tailed Beasts, unified the entire shinobi world, and was known as the God of Shinobi? And you're telling me he's my grandfather?!

"Wait, are you saying that the man who founded the ninja era and became the First Hokage of Konoha is my grandfather?" Kazekaze's eyes widened, his mouth forming a perfect 'O' shape.

Seeing his son's shock, Mokuken felt relieved instead. "You still remember your grandfather? That's wonderful."

After all, because of his transmigration, Kazekaze had unknowingly acquired a "memory loss" buff. Mokuken was almost moved to tears. But no matter how he looked at it—suddenly discovering a grandfather, and one who was nearly the peak combat power of this world—Kazekaze's mind was in complete chaos.

Wait a minute… This means…

'I'm actually a transmigrator with an illustrious family background? The First Hokage of Konoha, the God of Shinobi, the man who repeatedly smacked Uchiha Madara around—is my grandfather! The Second Hokage of Konoha, the genius who created a series of forbidden jutsu like Edo Tensei, Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, and Multiple Shadow Clones—is my second great-uncle! The woman who mastered Adamantine Sealing Chains and sealed the Nine-Tails inside herself—is my grandmother! And…' Kazekaze swallowed hard. 'That unborn sister of mine… is actually Tsunade, the inventor of the Byakugou Jutsu and the future Fifth Hokage!'

'Holy crap.'

Kazekaze could only say—holy crap. Out of the seven Hokage of Konoha, three were his direct relatives. This was the ultimate nepotism connection! But what Kazekaze never expected was— Just as he finally processed the fact that Senju Hashirama was his grandfather— A system notification suddenly rang in his mind!

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on binding the Check-In System!]

[You have obtained one check-in attempt!]

According to the notification, every check-in would grant a reward package. Tailed Beast Chakra, Kekkei Genkai, Ninjutsu... Everything could be obtained from these rewards! The strongest family connections in Konoha combined with a check-in cheat system? This was 100% protagonist material! This was ridiculous!

'I, the grandson of Hashirama, shouldn't I set myself a small goal—like becoming the Third Hokage at twenty, replacing Hiruzen Sarutobi?'

A grin slowly spread across Kazekaze's face as he began packing his luggage for Konoha. But before that—

"System, initiate the first check-in!"