NEW GAME
START!
Location: Naruto's Apartment
Weak. It was unbelievably weak. As Naruto tested the 8-year-old body that he now inhabited, the situation was even sadder than he could have imagined: some civilian children would outrun him, he knew his punches wouldn't put a dent in the training dummies, and as for his chakra…
His ability to mold chakra had been apparently crippled since birth.
The chakra was there - the Kyuubi was still sealed inside his navel - but it was no use: this body's pathways were almost like Rock Lee's.
Almost.
Actually, he could still mold just enough chakra externally to produce Kawarimi, Henge, and Bunshin. Yes, the one jutsu he could never perform in his previous life due to his previously ridiculous chakra output, he had finally learned thanks to the handicap placed upon this avatar.
However, all his experience with Rasengan, Kage Bunshin, Sage Mode, Summoning, and all the variations and strategies he had created from them - none of it was applicable anymore, because he wouldn't ever be able to form those jutsu. His entire offensive arsenal had been replaced by the three academy jutsu:
Kawarimi learned! Lv. 1, 0.00%
Henge learned! Lv. 1, 0.00%
Bunshin learned! Lv. 1, 0.00%
Yes, thank you floaty text.
The game he was in had started him off with the techniques necessary to pass the academy, but nothing else. Most shinobi would be curling up into a ball and cursing their decision in a situation like this, but Naruto was grinning like mad.
"Ha ha ha! This is great! Challenge accepted!"
Finally, a chance to defeat his enemies with only his ninja abilities. No over-powered destructive techniques, or insta-win jutsu. Just the ninja basics: Kawarimi, Henge, and Bunshin. Not even Kage Bunshin, just Bunshin. With only three jutsu at his disposal and his pathetic initial character stats, he knew he would have to be inventive in every battle.
As Naruto reviewed the fights he would have to face - Haku, Neji, Orochimaru, Pain, Madara, Sasuke… - he knew he would need to use every imaginative trap, every dirty trick, every bit of help and preparation he could muster in order to win. Hell, even catching Tora at this point would be an ordeal.
"Status"
Naruto Uzumaki: Lv. 1: 0.00%
Ryo: (両) 500
Title: Nuzlocke
HP: 30/30
CP: 15/15
—CHAKRA LIMIT: 5 (MAX)—
STR: 2
SPD: 3
STAM: 3
LUCK: 11
The CHAKRA LIMIT stat was a pathetically low 5 - the exact amount to use one of the three academy jutsu. In other words, Naruto would never be able to use more than 5 CP in one go and therefore would never able to do more than the academy jutsu. The (MAX) text sparkled obnoxiously golden, presumably because the stat was capped.
Naruto got dressed and picked up his patched, frayed, and extremely dirty backpack from his closet.
+1 Battered and Old Backpack!
Things carrier: (0/19)
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty"
"This backpack better not start singing at me," Naruto grumbled.
Naruto stared out his apartment window at the dawn morning of Konoha, determined to win this life. Despite these humble beginnings, his will was resolved to rise above every challenge, and he slammed his fist exuberantly against the edge of the windowsill, but hissed a bit in recoil as he gingerly shook out his hand… was that always that hard?
(HP -1)
HP: 29/30
Well, at least his starting LUCK stat was good; he had a feeling he was going to need it.
Location: Ninja Academy
"Iruka-sensei!"
Iruka Umino turned to find the widely smiling face of Naruto Uzumaki. It was a Saturday morning, so Naruto had no reason to hang around the academy, except perhaps to beg Iruka for ramen.
The first thing Naruto wanted to do was create a network of allies. In Naruto's first life, Iruka had passed away many years ago, so seeing the face of his former teacher was like having a friend back from the dead. Iruka was one of those consistently loyal friends that had always wanted what was best for him, and he had overseen Naruto's meteoric growth from dead last to Hokage.
However, Iruka, of this timeline, only saw his most enthusiastic, yet pitiful student.
"Oh, Naruto," Iruka thought, "He tries so hard, but with his poor body type and his chakra condition, he'll barely amount to being a ninja - and a low-rank one at that. If he goes out into the field, he might get picked off. When, or if -(definitely an if)- he graduates, maybe I can convince him to go into a desk position."
Outwardly, Iruka smiled back and said,
"Naruto, how can I help you? Did you want to go out to ramen again?"
Naruto was beaming, just from seeing Iruka alive again, but he also had devious and long-reaching plans in mind. This was step one.
"No, Iruka-sensei, actually I was wondering… Can you teach me to play shogi?"
"Shogi?"
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded vigorously, "I have to train both my mind and my body if I want to become Hokage!"
Naruto almost felt bad about using such a pathetic line; Naruto had in fact learned to play shogi extremely well in his previous life and had had great games with the Shikamaru Nara of his time, who had been one of his most trusted advisers. Naruto ended up winning just less than half the time.
"So can you teach me? Please?"
Taking pity, as well as thinking it might be good to instill a positive habit, Iruka agreed and proceeded to instruct Naruto in the basic rules of shogi, while Naruto pretended to be hearing this all for the first time.
"Thanks so much, Iruka-sensei!"
+5 Favor points with Iruka Umino!
Status: Friendly - (65/100)
Gained EXP!
Naruto Uzumaki: Lv. 1: 6.28%
Ryo: (両) 500
Title: Nuzlocke
HP: 29/30
CP: 15/15
—CHAKRA LIMIT: 5 (MAX)—
STR: 2
SPD: 3
STAM: 3
LUCK: 11
This was sweet - he got more favorability points with Iruka-sensei, and he even got experience points!
"Here, Naruto - why don't you take this? We have a spare Shogi Set, so I can lend it to you for now."
+1 Shogi Set!
Allows you to play Shogi!
"Check and mate. Now king me!"
The bulky item miraculously fit into his backpack which now read (1/19).
"One more thing Iruka-sensei, do you know any ninja who plays shogi?"
"Hmm… now that you mention it, there's a jounin by the name of Asuma Sarutobi. He's always asking around for a game. If you want to find him, I think he's fond of going to the park in the mornings. Chain smoker, can't miss him."
"Great! Thanks so much Iruka-sensei, see you around!"
Naruto, of course, already knew all of this, just like he already knew how to play shogi.
So, why did he need to have Iruka "teach" him shogi?
He needed a witness.
Location: Konoha Park
"Hey Mr.!"
Asuma Sarutobi, who had been sitting on a picnic bench taking a morning smoke, glanced and noticed the slow-looking, pathetic, blond academy student approach him, shogi set in hand.
"Ah, that's right, it's Naruto, the jailer for that demon fox," Asuma thought, "Too bad about his chakra condition, though…"
"Naruto Uzumaki, right? What can I do you for?" Asuma asked.
"Iruka-sensei taught me to play shogi! He said you're pretty good. Want to play?"
Asuma was a powerful ninja and had important connections, which would be crucial to Naruto's plans. Right now, Naruto wanted to get Asuma curious about him.
This morning Asuma had some time to spare and figured he'd take pity on this kid, and teach him a thing or two about shogi.
"Sure kid, I'll give you some pointers while we play-"
Asuma was, of course, unprepared for the quick, stunning defeat at the hands of the academy's dead last.
"Checkmate!"
Gained EXP!
Gained 100 Ryo!
Naruto Uzumaki: Lv. 1: 19.88%
Title: Nuzlocke
Ryo: (両) 600
HP: 29/30
CP: 15/15
—CHAKRA LIMIT: 5 (MAX)—
STR: 2
SPD: 3
STAM: 3
LUCK: 11
Asuma's cigarette dropped from his wide-open mouth as he surveyed the resulting shogi board. Where had this kid picked up his skills? Normally, Asuma was too laid-back to take an interest in an academy student, but this was too interesting. Naruto said Iruka taught him to play? He needed to check in with Iruka.
"Thanks for the game and for your pointers!" Naruto said cheekily, as he ran off with his shogi board (albeit rather slowly - curse his low SPD! That was the first thing he was upgrading when he leveled up).
There was one more person that Naruto had to visit.
Location: Cloud-gazing Hill, near Nara estate
Shikamaru Nara was lying down in the grass, face-up, watching the clouds.
"Troublesome…" he mumbled, as he noticed a certain blond prankster that he knew from academy approach him.
"Hey Shikamaru! You play shogi, right? Let's play a game!"
Naruto had this mischievous look about him, which unsettled Shikamaru slightly, but if there was something he could do all day (besides cloud-watching), it was playing shogi.
"You're on."
"Let's play!" Naruto said, "But first let's make it more interesting. What do you say we bet on the game?"
"Bet?"
"Yeah! I'll put down 600 Ryo, if you put in one of your family's deer antlers!"
"Idiot. Don't you know how much one of those things is worth? I'm not betting that against your pocket change."
Nara Deer Antlers were prized for their medicinal properties and were only obtainable though a Nara Clan member. In fact, in the Nara Clan Forest, none except for clan members were even allowed to step foot into the forest. The deer were treated in high regard, and the lucky few who managed to obtain their antlers could look forward to powerful medicinal effects or just a huge sum of money if they decided to sell it.
Naruto seemed to ponder a bit, then said, "Alright - then how about this: I'll put down 100 Ryo, and you put down a promise to stop saying 'troublesome' all the time."
"Deal."
Shikamaru figured it was easy money and was in no real risk either way. Naruto didn't seem like the type to play shogi anyway, so Shikamaru thought that it would be fun to beat Naruto a couple times.
Shikamaru's thoughts seemed to be vindicated, as he easily and quickly won the first game against Naruto.
"And, checkmate," Shikamaru said, as he dropped a piece with a hard clack, "Easy money."
"Aw, man!" Naruto groaned.
Gained EXP!
Lost 100 Ryo
Naruto quickly turned away from the status screen, to continue his bout with Shikamaru.
"Rematch! I'll bet 200 Ryo this time!"
"At least Naruto seems enthusiastic," Shikamaru thought.
"Heh, you're on!"
Shikamaru also won the second game, again in a comfortable win.
Gained EXP!
Lost 200 Ryo
Naruto still seemed determined.
"Again! I'll bet 300 Ryo - that's everything I have!"
"Dude, Naruto - know when you've lost."
"C'mon Shikamaru, just one more time!"
"… Fine, but it's your funeral. Don't cry to me once all your money's gone."
Sitting back down after stretching his legs for a bit, Shikamaru started this game the same way as he had the previous ones.
"Troublesome blonds… Playing against Naruto is really too easy," thought Shikamaru, and he figured this would be the last game, since Naruto was soon going to be out of money.
Seeming to already have a slight advantage, he thought it would be a similar situation as the previous two games, so he tuned out just the tiniest amount and didn't pay too much attention for a couple of moves.
Suddenly, one of Naruto's moves became an extremely well-placed fork attack, simultaneously threatening his rook and his bishop.
"What?!" Shikamaru thought, "Where the hell did that come from? I shouldn't have lost my focus. Now Naruto is actually ahead this game."
"Good move, right?" Naruto grinned in a dopey kind of way, which really pissed Shikamaru off.
Thrown off-balance, Shikamaru made an uncharacteristic mistake a few moves later, which sealed the victory for Naruto.
"Checkmate!" Naruto said merrily.
Gained EXP!
Gained 300 Ryo
At this point, Shikamaru was seriously annoyed - how could he have made such blunders? He knew he could beat Naruto - the first two games proved as much. Shikamaru felt like he was beaten by a scrub.
Naruto, on the other hand, gleefully stood up and started packing up.
"Gee thanks for the games, Shikamaru, I think I learned a lot!" Naruto said, as he picked up the pieces, almost too fast.
"Hold on, Naruto- I want another game."
Naruto, however, appeared unconcerned and rather satisfied.
"I've got places to go and ramen to eat. Besides, there isn't anything much more you can bet, now is there?"
Shikamaru felt incensed, and he just knew he could beat Naruto. As Naruto turned and began to walk away, Shikamaru said,
"I'll bet the deer antlers."
Naruto stopped in his tracks. Shikamaru could only see Naruto's back, but if he could have seen Naruto's eyes, he would have seen them gleaming.
Location: Ninja Academy
"Asuma, nice to see you. What brings you here?" Iruka asked.
"Naruto." Asuma replied.
Iruka tapped his chin thoughtfully, "Ah, he found you to play shogi with after all. I hope you played a good friendly teaching game…" Iruka interrupted himself suddenly, "Asuma, you didn't destroy him in your game, did you? Did you?"
Asuma looked away slightly to the left, and his cheeks were rather puffed up and red, "The game was completely one-sided."
"What? Asuma, how can you do such a thing? Naruto's a beginner at the game - you have to help him grow as a player."
"Iruka, hold on, let me finish," Asuma defended himself, "The game was a complete rout, but it wasn't me doing the destroying."
"Eh? You mean, Naruto… beat you?"
"Completely demolished me. I didn't even know what hit me. I went over here just to confirm what he said. He said you taught him to play."
Iruka stared at Asuma in shock. He knew that Asuma was quite a good player who had learned shogi from the Hokage himself, and there should have been no way that Naruto could beat him in shogi. Naruto had only just picked up the rules and the basics.
"That… that's impossible! I just taught him to play this morning!"
Asuma's eyes bulged out.
"This morning?"
Asuma realized there might be something special about that weak-looking academy student after all. Perhaps he would keep an eye out for Naruto's development.
+10 Favor points with Asuma Sarutobi
Status: Neutral (55/100)
Location: Cloud-gazing hill
"I… I resign"
Shikamaru bowed his head in defeat over the shogi board. Despite giving it his complete, undivided attention, and despite going into his concentration pose three times over the course of the game, he had lost. Yes, it had been a good game, with both sides finding great play, but Naruto's moves had proved consistently superior. It was like Naruto was suddenly a different shogi player.
Wait.
He had been utterly hustled! Now Shikamaru finally understood Naruto's plan, and he had to hand the knucklehead begrudging respect for it. The level of play of the first three games had all been to lure him into a false sense of security, and the increasing amount of bet had made him more likely to bet something big - the valuable Nara Deer Antlers - the very item that Naruto had wanted and had implanted as a suggestion from the beginning.
"Shikamaru… good game," Naruto said sincerely.
Naruto had been patient and had of course been sandbagging for most of the first three games. He had counted on Shikamaru being angry enough to bet the prized antlers after the third game, where Naruto had won with a seemingly out-of-the-blue move (but had really been waiting for a good opportunity the entire game). Then in the final game, Naruto played for real - as if facing the Shikamaru from his first life. Yes, the 8-year-old Shikamaru in front of him was still good and had come up with some dynamic play, but in comparison to what he would later become? Naruto, having held a fairly decent record against his own Shikamaru, knew he would emerge victorious.
"Shikamaru, I really enjoyed that game, and I can't wait to keep on playing you in the future… You'll become a great shogi player, I guarantee it."
"…"
Shikamaru held his silence and offered a raised eyebrow before lying back down onto the grassy hill to watch more clouds.
"Troublesome…" Shikamaru thought, as he reviewed the game mentally.
Naruto had already cleaned up the shogi set and put it into his backpack. As he was walking away from the area where they had played, he turned to Shikamaru.
"The knight. You should have moved your knight instead of the rook 10 turns ago, and you might have had a chance," Naruto said.
Shikamaru sat up for a moment and turned, but Naruto was already some distance away.
"Naruto Uzumaki," Shikamaru thought, "What a surprising individual…"
+10 Favor with Shikamaru Nara
Status: Friendly (60/100)
+1 Nara Deer Antlers
A key ingredient in a variety of medicines.
"Rudolph? Is that you?"
Gained EXP!
—LEVEL UP!—
Naruto Uzumaki: Lv. 2, 2.12%
Title: Nuzlocke
Ryo: (両) 600
HP: 34/34
CP: 18/18
—CHAKRA LIMIT: 5 (MAX)—
STR: 2
SPD: 3
STAM: 3
LUCK: 11
Available points to spend: 3
Nuzlocke - Effect: Naruto is limited to the academy jutsu; Bunshin, Kawarimi, Henge: 3x growth rate. Also, major style points. Praise Helix!
Battered and Old Backpack (2/19)
-Shogi Set
-Nara Deer Antlers