'Normal Speech'
'Thoughts'
'Bijuu/Summons/Gamer/Techniques'
'Bijuu/Summons/Thoughts/Techniques'
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, The Gamer, or any series for that matter. If I did the last thing I would do is write fanfiction for your amusement. I am also way too lazy to come up with new creative and funny disclaimers to post on every chapter, so I'll be copying this one and pasting it on every chapter. I've got better things to do with my time, like read fanfiction, write fanfiction, eat, do work, work out...
(P.S. Did you guys know I like fanfiction?)
Author's Note: Changed the title of the story a little to make it more accurate (and easier for others to find...)
Chapter 14
I sat down on the ground shirtless as I stayed still and focused my breathing. Visible on my upper body and hidden within my pants, on my skin were a variety of intersecting lines of symbols that ran from my shoulders to my arms down to my torso, behind my back, and down to my legs.
This was a full body restriction seal.
I had begun using this for my training due to the fact that the paper tag versions of this seal were not enough to increase my physical strength anymore. Using a shadow clone, I had made it inscribe this seal all over my body, but I added my own little twist to it.
For one thing, unlike most seals that could be inscribed on a solid surface, I could make this seal visible and invisible according to my will and it would show when I was activating it. This was also due to the fact that Restriction Seals were relatively simple seals compared to my Natural Energy seal and Minato's Thunder God Technique formula, so they were easier to change and remove.
The full body restriction seal that I had created had many levels to it, each level causing my movements to be restricted by a factor of 2. For example, level 1 caused me to exert 2x more force to move my body (21). Level 2 needed me to exert 4x more force to move my body (22). Level 3 caused me to exert 8x more force to move my body (23) and so on and so forth.
Currently, I was using level 10 of the seal which forcefully restricted my movements to 1/1024 of their normal amount and cost me 1024 CP per minute to maintain but with my regeneration rate as high as it was, I could easily maintain this indefinitely.
Thinking along those lines, I stood up before positioning my body in a handstand and doing handstand push-ups. Ever since I had completed my Natural Healing seal a few months ago, I had decided to dedicate my time to training up my body as much as possible. It was important that I grind my stats as often as I could and while I could use clones to help practice my WIS and INT, and in some cases ENGY, they couldn't help me with my physical stats.
For the most part, I spent my day's training, going to the occasional mission, hanging out at Minato's place and hanging out with my teacher since she lived next door. Aside from that, I had been grinding up my elemental affinities with my clones on a daily basis and as a matter of fact, I was almost done with them.
"…99…100…" I thought as I finished my last rep and pushed myself off the ground before flipping and sticking the landing. There was light perspiration on my face, but it was exactly the type of effect I had been hoping for in my training. With my movements forcefully restricted by 1024x, every movement was that much more taxing.
I rotated my shoulders a little bit before looking ahead of me where there was a large cliff towering upwards. I jumped from my position and landed on the side of the cliff, using my chakra to keep me adheres to the surface. With my movements still restricted, I began to walk up the cliff with nothing but my legs.
"…Not enough." I thought, increasing my resistance to 11. Immediately, my body halted its advance as I strained to move forward. My movements were now forcefully restricted to 1/2048x their usual amount and my legs were feeling every moment of that in addition to the force of gravity. I pushed myself a little more and began to make a slow and arduous advance up the cliff.
After what felt like hours, I finally made it to the top of the cliff and collapsed on the ground.
"…tired…" I thought as I had been working out for the better part of this morning.
Ping!
Congratulations! [Natural Wind Affinity] has leveled up by 1!
Congratulations! [Natural Wind Affinity] has reached level 100 MAX!
Congratulations! [Chakra Control (CC)] has increased to 98%!
Congratulations! [Natural Fire Affinity] has leveled up by 1!
Congratulations! [Natural Fire Affinity] has reached level 100 MAX!
Congratulations! [Chakra Control (CC)] has increased to 99%!
Congratulations! [Natural Earth Affinity] has leveled up by 1!
Congratulations! [Natural Earth Affinity] has reached level 100 MAX!
Congratulations! [Chakra Control (CC)] has increased to 100%!
"Finally done…" I thought as I stood up, the exhaustion leaving me as the messages appeared and my clones dispelled. With this, I now had complete 100% control over my chakra and I practiced this by raising my hand and willing a small ball of flame into existence. On my other hand, I formed a small sphere of wind and combined it with the fire causing the flame to gain a bluish hue.
I slightly smiled and dispelled the elements before thinking about what else I could do. If I wanted to, I could probably combine and with my perfect control, I could probably find a way to create a "faux" Elemental Kekkei Genkai. A theory I had read on elemental Kekkei Genkai stated that people born with these types of bloodlines were naturally able to mix their chakra natures in the perfect ratio of elements necessary to form a Kekkei Genkai.
For example, say Scorch Release required an exact 1.75:1 ratio of Fire and Wind elemental affinities. A person born with it would be able to naturally combine their chakra at that perfect ratio the entire way through molding their chakra for the technique and executing it.
If one wanted to recreate Scorch Release through their own abilities, then they would need perfect control over their chakra in addition to extremely high proficiency in fire and wind natures and would need to be able to maintain that 1.75:1 ratio of Fire to Wind the entire way through executing the technique.
I found that it was a very sound theory and I planned on testing it soon enough, however for now…"You can come out. I'm done training."
Immediately, an Anbu member with a mouse mask appeared in front of me. "Lord Hokage and Lord Danzo are requesting your presence."
I nodded my head. "Lead the way."
Immediately he leaped from his position and made his way back towards the village. I followed his movements as we dashed towards the trees before we arrived in the busy streets of the village. He took me to the Hokage's Residence through one of the many secret entrances around the village and we walked down a corridor before eventually arriving in front of a door.
"They're waiting inside."
I nodded my head, feeling 5 powerful chakra signatures and 1 weaker one that felt very familiar. "Could that be…"
I approached and unlocked the door before entering inside and feeling 5 visions concentrated on my skin.
"Huh? I thought you called us here for something important old man. What's a child doing here? Though he's quite adorable..." A blonde woman with a sizeable bust asked the Hokage as she looked at me, her arms crossed under her massive bust.
[Tsunade Senju]
Lvl 127
Rep: 0
The pale man with yellow slitted eyes next to her followed. "I would like to know as well, I was forced to stop my experiments for this Teacher."
[Orochimaru]
Lvl 147
Rep: 0
Finally, the man with long white hair in between the two looked at my bare face carefully with narrowed eyes. "Wait…I've seen you before haven't I?"
[Jiraiya]
Lvl 139
Rep: 15
The Hokage took this moment to intervene. "Yes Jiraiya, he was the one you reported to me about almost a year ago on that mission to Tsuchigumo."
Jiraiya bopped his palm with his fist, "Ah that's right! I remember that kid!" Saying so he looked me over once more before frowning, "Tch, I can't believe he looks more handsome than me without his mask on…" he suddenly appeared next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder before giving me a bright smile, "say kid, why don't you be my wingman one of these days when I decide to go out? How about it? You interested?" The Sannin asked with a wiggling of his brows.
Before I could answer him, however, Hiruzen stepped in, "Jiraiya, you can continue your antics at a later date, but for now I need you to focus. Why I called you here today is directly related to him."
I could sense the interest rise in the eyes of the three Sannin before Tsunade scoffed. "This kid? He can't be more than what 7? 8?-"
"…I'm 8 and a half actually."
I was ignored.
"What exactly could he have done to warrant all of our attention? Are you sure you aren't just blowing things out of proportion?"
I looked at Hiruzen and Danzo. "…you didn't tell them?"
"No." Hiruzen stated with a shake of his head. "I figured that it would be best for them to see it first hand than to explain it in words."
"Exactly what are we here to witness Sarutobi-sensei?" Orochimaru asked as he turned to his teacher.
"Just watch." Saying so, the Hokage made a hand sea. I saw that around the bed of my would be patient, seals glowed to life before vanishing.
"Silencing seals…" I thought before focusing on the figure of the bed and blinking my eyes. "It really is…"
"Four years ago." Hiruzen began while looking at the man in the bed. "This soldier lost his arm at the beginning of the war and his stump has since then been sealed. I want you to watch carefully. Continue Yoru."
I nodded my head and approached the bed before placing my hands on the man's back. "Shark…I said I would give you back your arm one day…" I thought as I activated my Mystical Healing. My hands glowed a dark green, a sharp contrast to the bright green of the typical Mystic Palm technique, before Shark's arm began to regrow. The stump was forcefully torn open before new bone, muscle, nerves, and skin formed into a full adult hand.
"That's…!" Tsunade stated with wide eyes as she let her arms fall to the side.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at me. "Very fascinating indeed…"
"You've got to be kidding me…" Jiraiya stated out loud in wonder. "Was that…Natural energy?"
Hiruzen nodded. "What are your thoughts on it Jiraiya?"
The white-haired man put on a thoughtful look, "I will have to ask the toads about this real quick. They'll be able to give more insight into this than me, so we will need another individual."
"That can be easily arranged." Danzo stated
As the grown-ups began to talk amongst themselves, I turned my gaze towards Shark.
"Heh, I didn't think you would actually be able to pull through kid…4 years…" The man stated, yet didn't bother to turn around.
"…You figured that out quickly. It makes me wonder if there was even a point to putting up silencing seals and giving you a blindfold." I replied.
Shark chuckled, "They didn't know that you had made that promise to me all those years ago." Saying so, he shook his head. "I had been a bit skeptical when I had approached with the prospect of getting my arm back. I had thought 'could it be? That kid came through?' But to actually get it back…" he gripped his newly reformed limb. "I can't thank you enough."
I nodded my head. "No worries."
"Sameki." Hiruzen stated, looking at Shark, "You are free to go, but do not spread information about this technique is that understood?"
"Of course Lord Hokage." The man said with a bow.
The Hokage nodded before yelling. "Mouse!"
The man instantly appeared in front of the Hokage.
"Escort him and obtain another individual with a lost limb. Make sure they can't see and this time, don't just bring someone blind."
The Anbu shuffled awkwardly before bowing, "Of course Lord Hokage." And with that, he vanished.
"Tell me kid." Jiraiya began. "How exactly did you pull that off? To absorb natural energy without turning into a Sage or stone and to regrow limbs?" He stroked his chin. "You're pretty incredible for someone so young…almost reminds me of Minato."
I turned my body and pulled up my sleeve, showcasing the design of my seal on my right shoulder. "…I created a seal to manage the absorption and output of natural energy to the traditional Mystic Palm Technique in order to create a more powerful Healing ability." Saying so, I looked towards Jiraiya, "It was thanks to your research on natural energy and Minato's help that I was able to complete this."
"Ohh? So you're the kid he's been crying to me about." Jiraiya stated as he rubbed his chin and looked me up and down with a smile. "You know, he's still upset that you mastered his technique in only a few minutes, but I have to say even I'm kind of jealous…" he then turned to look at my tattoo appraisingly. "How long did it take you to make it?"
"Around 3 years." Was my honest reply.
Jiraiya blinked. "Wow, and I thought Minato was a prodigy."
"Tell me, how does this seal work on a biological level." Orochimaru asked with a gleam in his eyes. "I find it fascinating that you can regrow a complete appendage even from a closed wound. How exactly does that work?"
I put in a thoughtful expression. I had a relatively good amount of knowledge on biology, mainly on how chakra influenced it. That being said, if he was asking for a completely in-depth process about what the natural energy + Mystic Healing combo was doing at a cellular level…"I'm actually not sure…"
Orochimaru gave me a smile that made me marginally uncomfortable. "Well then, if you come to my lab, I'm sure we will find out plenty."
Jiraiya gave Orochimaru a weird look, "Creepy…"
A tick mark grew on the pale Sannin's head, "I'm only curious as a scientist. What's truly creepy is your perverted antics and unhinged behavior. It's truly a wonder that you haven't created a village yet with your promiscuity."
"My antics are not merely perverted!" Jiraiya said, his eyes closed as he blew smoke from his nose, "They are Super Perverted!" He struck a pose in triumph.
"…How have you not been castrated by an enemy kunoichi by now?"
Jiraiya replied smugly, "Because after a night with me, why would any woman be my enemy?"
Orochimaru's face twitched, "Please tell me you did not do that on purpose?
"What do you think?" The white-haired man replied with wiggling brows.
"I am truly surprised that your face hasn't been buried in the wall by now."
That got them to pause.
"Princess?" Jiraiya stated as he looked at Tsunade. "What's wrong?"
It was now that I realized that the blond haired woman had been oddly silent ever since I had demonstrated my technique.
Tsunade looked at me, more specifically my shoulder, before biting her lower lip. "If only…if only at that time we had this, then maybe…" She clenched her necklace tightly.
And with that, the atmosphere became sullen.
"Isn't she a ray of sunshine…" I thought before looking to my right as Mouse suddenly appeared inside the room with another limbless shinobi in hand.
This one had no legs.
"Jiraiya." The Hokage stated.
The man in question out in a serious expression on his face as he bit his thumb and drew blood before placing his palm on the ground. I could sense an immense amount of chakra being used for the technique as he yelled, "Kuchiyose!"
In a puff of smoke, a small toad appeared. "What's wrong Jiraiya boy? Summoning me on such short notice? Ma is preparing lunch right now and if I miss it, I won't hear the end of it."
"Please pay attention Elder Fukasaku. I've got something interesting to show you." Jiraiya replied, nodding his head towards my direction.
The toad in question look gave me a speculative look. "This boy?" The toad then nodded and jumped up on Jiraiya's shoulder. "Alright then, let me see it."
The Hokage nodded my way so I once again placing ed my hands on the legless shinobi's back and activated my skill. In but a few moments, his legs began to regrow until they reached a maturation proportional to his age.
"Incredible…" The toad stated, looking at my arms. "Fusing Natural Energy to a technique the moment it is executed and without fusing the Natural energy into your chakra system…" the frog nodded his head in thought.
"So what do you think?" Jiraiya asked.
"Well…" The toad began. "It's a splendid technique and seeing as he isn't directly absorbing the natural energy or directly transferring it to another individual, I'd say it's pretty safe and obviously more than effective."
Jiraiya nodded. "I see, thank you Elder Fukasaku."
"Ah, no problem Jiraiya boy. By the way…" the toad began, looking towards my way. "You've given me some things to think about young one. I hope to see you again."
I inclined my head in response.
The toad then smiled. "Well I'm off, if I don't get back in time Ma will throw a fit." And with that, he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Jiraiya smiled. "Well kid, it seems like your technique is well regarded even amongst the masters of Sage energy. I suppose now we can-"
"What are its restrictions?" Tsunade asked seriously, cutting Jiraiya off. "Any side effects? What about the conditions of the people you have treated? Have we checked up on them to see how they are coping with their new limb? Who can learn this technique?"
I blinked. "The only restrictions are that only I can inscribe the seal for the technique, the user must be proficient in the Mystic Palm Healing technique, and the user must have satisfactory chakra control. As for the people I've already healed…" I looked towards the Hokage and Danzo.
"They are performing well." Danzo stated. "The only issue is that the individuals who had lost their limbs longer ago tend to take longer to re-adjust to their new appendage. Aside from that, there has been no sign of rejection or terrible performance from their new limb."
"That's fine then, but make sure to keep an eye on them." Saying so, she looked towards Hiruzen. "I wish you would have told me what exactly had been so important as to need my presence. If so, I would have been here much sooner."
Hiruzen looked at her with a slight smile. "Well, I'm glad you're here now instead of drinking your sorrows away."
Tsunade paused and turned away causing Hiruzen to smile even more. I could sense the love and care he showed for not only Tsunade but for his other two students as well.
"Isn't that adorable…"
"And you." The blonde Sannin stated looking at me.
I blinked. "…yes?"
She looked at my shoulder. "Say you were to lose your arm where you implanted the seal, what would then happen?"
"Well…" I began. "This seal is intimately connected to your own chakra network so as long as you don't die, this seal will technically never fade even if the limb it is attached to is destroyed. As a matter of fact…" I stated, pointing at my right shoulder where my seal was on. "You could regrow that lost limb and it should still have the seal on it."
Tsunade nodded in understanding, "and does it necessarily have to look like that?" She asked, pointing at my Penrose triangle design.
"…Not necessarily." I said, looking at my shoulder. "…I can adjust it to whatever design choice you want."
"Alrighty then." She stated, pointing at her forehead, more specifically the diamond pattern on her forehead. "Can you superimpose it on this?"
I nodded my head and walked forward before placing my palm on her forehead. I used my chakra to form the necessary inscription for the technique but condensed it to the shape of a diamond. With that complete, I let go of her forehead and noted that the blue diamond pattern on her forehead has turned green.
"I see…" Orochimaru stated in interest. "With the combination of this technique and your Creation Rebirth, …you'll be practically immortal on the battlefield."
"Exactly." Tsunade stayed with a smile as she gripped her fists.
I could sense an intense conviction from her, one that stated that she would never let something terrible happen again.
"But you know Tsunade…" Orochimaru began with a disconcerting smile. "A child 24 years your junior created a more impressive medical technique than you could not in your 32 years of life?"
The joy on Tsunade's face vanished.
"Ohh that's bad…" I thought and stealthily made my way next to Hiruzen and Danzo.
"Oi oi you bastard!" Jiraiya stated towards Orochimaru. "That's such a dirty blow!"
"But is it not true?"
"…That may be so but don't say it!"
Orochimaru slightly shrugged. "I'm only saying that if she hadn't decided to waste more than half a decade of her miserable life in self-deprecation, maybe she would have accomplished m-"
Immediately, Orochimaru leaned back, just in time to evade a devastating punch from Tsunade. The force of the attack generated wind pressure so strong that it blew a gigantic hole through the solid 12' reinforced steel walls of the room 10 feet away and continued onwards down the hall.
Orochimaru chuckled and jump backward, Tsunade glaring at him with a vein popping on her head.
"Alright enough." Hiruzen stated before the atmosphere turned any more hostile. "…And Yoru please come out from behind me."
I did as instructed and acted as if nothing had ever happened. "Yes Lord Hokage?"
The older man sighed. "In any case…" he began while looking at Tsunade. "I want you to screen Medic Nin with enough skill to use this technique. I can't have one of my soldiers turning to stone on accident."
Tsunade tilted her head. "Turning to stone?"
So I explained. "…depending on the level of your chakra control, the regrown appendages might have some parts that have undergone Petrification and turned to stone. The worse the user's chakra control, the more the parts of the regrown limb become petrified."
"Wait, then what about the people you healed before?" Tsunade asked.
"My chakra control is perfect." Was all I replied.
Tsunade looked at me startled. "Wait What?"
"We can have this discussion another time." Hiruzen stated before looking my way. "Before that, however, there is an important issue that needs to be considered. It's inevitable that we will be unable to hide this technique for long and it will eventually be known to the other nations. If the enemy tries to get ahold of someone who knows it…"
The rest didn't need to be said.
If the enemy was able to kidnap a medic-nin who had my seal, then if they weren't being tortured to death, they would be used against us.
I thought for a moment before I replied, "I can make adjustments to the seal and put a kill switch that can be activated by chakra." That was the best method I could think of. If the enemy wanted to use our medic-nin who had my seal, then they would have to allow them to use their chakra. That would give them the opportunity to off themselves if necessary which was way better than being tortured or raped.
At least you would go out on your own terms.
Even if they wanted to study my seal, without insight into natural energy and a high degree of fuuinjutsu affinity, it was pretty much pointless.
The Hokage nodded slightly, likely thinking along the same lines as he replied, "That will most likely be for the best. With that aside, I'll have you give the seal to anyone Tsunade deems appropriate. Anyone have anything else to say?"
"Your seal." Jiraiya began. "Can it be taught to others? It's a pretty fascinating piece of work and I would love to take a look at it."
"As long as they are highly skilled in Fuuinjutsu, then they should be able to, though it will require knowledge in other areas most notably human biology." I supplied
Jiraiya grinned, "I'll take you up on that then."
I inclined my head before turning towards Danzo. I looked at his bandaged arm which was hidden within his black robe and at the right side of his face which was bandaged as well. "Lord Danzo, if you like, I could heal you of your debilitating injuries."
Danzo looked at us for a moment and remained silent as he began to unwrap the bandages covering the right side of his body. The bandages unfurled and fell to the ground revealing what was hidden beneath.
Silence.
Jiraiya gaped.
Orochimaru looked amused.
Tsunade frowned in mild annoyance.
Hiruzen simply looked on with a knowing smile.
"There's…Nothing." I stated as I gazed at the plain, bare, completely healthy and undamaged skin covering Danzo's body.
"Misdirection." Danzo explained simply, a very mild, nearly unnoticeable, tinge of amusement in his tone. "Always look underneath the underneath." He said while rewrapping himself.
I was slightly speechless.
Imagine if an enemy tried to attack Danzo thinking he was a fragile disabled man only to get blindsided when Danzo suddenly slit his throat with his "disabled" hand…
I then looks to his bandages right eye. "Then…"
"I'm not getting any younger." Danzo began. "The amount of times I'll ever be called into action will be few and far inbetween while you all will soon take over for the older generation. There's no need to worry about an inconvenience as minor as this."
Hiruzen looked at his friend and gave a slight smirk before looking at all of us. "If that is all, then you are all dismissed. Mouse!"
"Yes Lord Hokage." The man said, dropping down from the ceiling.
Hiruzen looked towards the Ninja I had healed. "Take him away."
"Yes!" The man said and vanished with the individual.
"As for the rest of you…" he stated, looking at his students. "Yoru's identity should not be compromised is that understood?"
"Yes!" They yelled in unison.
"Good." He said before turning around and looking at the hole in the wall. "…Danzo, please get someone to fix that."
At the man's nod, Hiruzen looked back at me. "You've done more for this village than I could have ever expected from a child your age. For that, you have my gratitude."
I bowed, "Thank you Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen nodded before glancing at the hole in the wall once more, shaking his head, and vanishing.
Danzo looked at me deeply before giving us a nod and vanishing as well.
"Child." Orochimaru stayed as he looked my way. "I'm quite interested in that technique of yours. You wouldn't mind allowing me to possess one of your magnificent inscriptions would you?"
"You dirty snake." Tsunade snarled with her arms on her waist. "If you weren't paying attention, I am in charge of screening the medical ninja deserving of that ability and I say no."
"But it's not really yours to give now is it princess?" Orochimaru asked, a smile on his face. "Besides, my control, while not as perfect as yours, is quite excellent and I can use it in a lot of my experiments." Here, his grin grew savage, "Some of them tend to have a short…shelf life so to speak."
"Hmph." The blond woman began, crossing her arms under her massive bust. "I said no."
"Well that's not your decision is it?" Saying so, Orochimaru looked at me with that same smile.
"You better not give him a thing." Tsunade stated, her eyes seemingly boring holes through mine.
I looked towards Jiraiya who sighed. "Princess come on don't be petty. The snake bastard maybe be the most unpleasant, repulsive, obnoxious-"
Orochimaru: "…I still exist."
"-Piece of work, but he has a point. Let the kid do whatever…I kind of want it as well…"
Tsunade bit her lip while angrily tapping her finger against her arm before she acquiesced, "Tch, fine do whatever you want."
I raised a brow at that before looking towards Orochimaru. "…I don't particularly care, however, in return I want 2 things from you."
The pale skinned man gave me that patented wide grin, "As long as it is within my abilities…"
I nodded and took a kunai before slitting my wrist. From my inventory, I took out a small cup and collected the blood before my healing factor sealed the wound shut.
"…Fascinating." Orochimaru stated as he looked at my wrist. "Such powerful regenerative capacity."
"…Yeah, and I need you to do a test on whatever is in my blood and compile data on it." I stated.
With an eager look, Orochimaru took the cup, "And your other request?"
"I'll let you know when the time comes."
"That works splendidly." The slitted eyed man replied. "If you are ever interested in helping me with my research, do let me know."
While he mildly disturbed me, I nodded nonetheless. "…I'll keep that in mind." Saying so I walked up to him and gripped his wrist before implanting my seal on it in the shape of a simple circle.
Orochimaru looked at it in wonder before glancing back at me with an unsettling smile, Orochimaru vanished.
"To be honest, I think he would have done you a favor just for your blood…" Jiraiya commented with a smile before his eyes widened and he whipped his head towards Tsunade. "Princess?"
I blinked at his sudden response and turned towards her as well, noting that her body was shaking as she stared at the floor.
At my blood.
"I-I'm ok…" she stated before taking a step back and shaking her head. "In any case, good riddance." Tsunade said as she looked in the direction that Orochimaru left before looking my way. She seemed to struggle to say something before sending a nod of acknowledgment my way. "I doubted you earlier kid so I apologize and…thank you."
Before even waiting for my reply, she too vanished.
I looked at the place she disappeared from with mild confusion. "Was she afraid of my blood? As a medic-nin?"
The white-haired Sannin scratched his head with a sigh before shaking it. "She's been through some rough shit over the years." Saying so, he shook his head once more before asking, "Anyway, about your technique…"
I took out the scrolls I had written my notes on from my inventory and handed it over to him. "That's the process I went through to create it. It'll help if you have good knowledge of chakra theory, the human body, and the traditional Mystic Palm Technique."
Jiraiya smiled as he took them, "No worries kid, I'm the great Jiraiya-sama. Something like this won't take me too long to figure out." Immediately, he continued, "Well I got to go do my own thing." Jiraiya stated before looking my way and smiling. "Later kiddo." And he vanished as well, leaving me here in this bunker alone with a hole in the wall.
"…"
I approached the gates to the Uchiha clan at the edge of the village and walked up to the two front guards who were keeping watch. They suddenly became alert at the sound of my footsteps before relaxing slightly as they saw me approach.
"Halt kid! State your purpose for being here." One of the shinobi on watch stayed.
The other guard looked at me carefully before smiling slightly and patting his colleague on the shoulder. "Relax Genta, this is the kid I talked to you about before, Itachi young Master's friend."
"Eh? Seriously?" Genta replied looking me up and down curiously. "You're telling me he's the one that could keep up with Itachi despite them being of similar age?"
"That's right." The other guard said with a smile before looking at me and waving my way. "Yo Yoru, What brings you here at this time?"
"…Haruki." I stated, looking at the guard. "nothing really, I'm simply here because I have nothing else to do."
"I'm so envious." The man said with a sigh. "I feel like every day I'm wasting away being here. Even my last partner got to do something else."
"I see…" I replied before asking. "Can I come in…?"
"Ah, that's right!" Haruki responded before stepping aside and opening the gate. "Please come in."
I nodded to the two guards and entered the Uchiha residential area before making my way towards Itachi's place. I received some nods here and there from the few people that recognized me since I had been here a few times in the past.
In but a few moments, I arrived at the Uchiha Clan Head's residence and admired it large size for a moment before knocking on the door.
"Coming!" A voice yelled from inside before the door was opened giving view to a beautiful black-haired woman with onyx eyes. "Ah! Yoru? I didn't know you would be here today."
"She's so pretty…"
I nodded my head. "I apologize for my intrusion Mrs. Uchiha."
"No no, don't worry about it." She said with a smile before ushering me inside. "Why don't you come in?"
So I nodded my head and followed her inside before asking. "Is Itachi home?"
She put on a thoughtful expression. "…Last I remember he said he was going out back to train-"
Before she could finish that sentence, the sound of a baby's cries echoed out through the building.
"Oh…" Mikoto stated, looking towards the living room. "It seems like Sasuke's woken up." She then turned back towards me and gave me an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I can't entertain you any longer, but feel free to look out back."
"Thank you."
She nodded with a smile before heading towards the sounds of Sasuke's cries. "Don't cry! Mommy's coming."
I watched as she disappeared before heading towards the back door of the home. I exited it and admired the largely forested scenery before closing my eyes and focusing my enhanced senses outwards.
I listened for the sound of Kunai impacting wood before making my way towards that direction. As I came closer towards my destination, I could hear the sound of Itachi's exertion and eventually saw his figure in front of me.
His body was covered in sweat yet his gaze remained unwatered as he gripped his kunai before jumping up and tossing them together. At the mid-point of their flight, the projectiles collided against each and ricocheted directly into the bullseye of two opposite target.
Itachi landed on the ground and paused for a moment before throwing a kunai at my direction.
I caught it between my fingers and walked out of the tree lines into the clearing. "…That wasn't nice."
Itachi blinked. "Yoru…"
"Yo." I replied before twirling the weapon between my fingers before tossing the kunai up into the air.
Itachi smiled and tossed his kunai towards mine at a precise angle where they ricocheted and became lodged into the centers of two other targets opposite each other.
"What are you doing here at this time?" Itachi asked as he sat on the ground. "Isn't it quite early for you?"
"I finished my training early." I stated as I sat down next to him. "…Plus I just got out of something important so I'm not really in the mood to go do anything else."
"I see…" Itachi stated before looking up in the sky.
We stayed in silence for a while as we typically did when we hung out. We sometimes trained together but due to my missions as an Anbu member, there wasn't much opportunity for me to relax, so typically I did that when I came here. Besides, this place had a decent view of the clouds.
After a while, Itachi, still looking up at the clouds asked, "… hey Yoru?"
"Hmm?" I replied, laying on the ground, my gaze focused above.
He looked at me. "Do…" he paused and thought for a moment before continuing. "Do you believe that world peace is…attainable?"
"Attainable…?" I stated before my eyes became half-lidded. "…With the current state of this screwed up place, I can't say that I have much faith in humanity to accomplish that."
"Is that so…" Itachi stated, looking back up to the clouds. "…So many people die each day from the war and I've already been sent out to the front lines…" he gripped his fists. "I don't want my brother to grow up in this kind of world or to stain his hands as a child. He shouldn't have to do that…" he paused and looked down towards his hands. "…no one should."
"Hmmm…" I stated, looking at Itachi before looking back up towards the clouds. "…If you're so passionate, then do something about it."
Itachi widened his eyes and turned his head towards me. "…me?"
"Something like world peace isn't going to happen on its own." I replied. "If you want to chase after something like that, then you'll have to take an active role."
"I…" Itachi began, looking down towards his hands. "I'm not sure if I can do that."
"Obviously you of now is too weak to cause any impactful change, we all are." I replied. "…Maybe if you become as strong as Konoha's founders, you would be able to directly impact the world."
"As strong as Hashirama and Madara…" he stated, looking towards me with a sigh. "That's going to be difficult."
"Yep." I replied. "…But if you really aspire for such an ideal world, you will need to be at least powerful enough to take on the entire shinobi world on your own."
He widened his eyes before returning his features to before and looking up. "…Why should it take that much for the world to change for the better."
"Because…" I began, with slightly lidded eyes. "Humans always find a reason to start a conflict. From love to hatred to wealth to women, to even because someone looked at you funny, humans will always find reasons to fight. It's in our nature to fight, so for you to want to stop them from doing that…"
Itachi laid back in the grass. "Why would it be in our nature?"
"Who knows? A flaw in humanities' design?" I replied. "In any case, if you want to go against human nature, you'll need to be ready to fight everyone."
Itachi stayed silent for a moment before asking. "…and what about you? What do you aspire for?"
"What I want…"I began, "Is selfish and simple, but something I have always strived for…"
At Itachi's curious look, I finished. "Strength." I clenched my fist in front of my face. "…I want to be so strong that the very idea of challenging me would be utter foolishness, that even thinking about going up against me would be a sin."
"…why?"
I put down my hand and closed my eyes. "…so that I can live a life with absolutely nothing to control me. The only thing I value above my own life…is my own peace."
Itachi looked at me with a smile. "That is selfish…" he then stayed silent for a moment before asking. "And then? After you become the strongest?"
I opened my eyes half way. "Who knows? I'll probably travel the world or find something else to strive for. I really don't have that much desire anyway." I then paused before looking at Itachi. "And maybe if by that time you still haven't achieved your dream, I will lend a hand."
"Really?" Itachi asked with wide eyes.
"Why not?" I replied, looking back up towards the clouds. "I'll probably have nothing better to do anyway."
Itachi stayed silent for a moment. "Thank you…"
"Hn."
And so we stayed there on the grass looking up towards the clouds and so in my lackadaisical state of mind, I observed them.
"Observe"
Cloud (Cumulus)
Cumulus clouds are clouds which have flat bases and are often described as "puffy", "cotton-like" or "fluffy" in appearance. Their name derives from the Latin cumulo-, meaning heap or pile
"…Good to know."
And so I observed them again.
Cloud (Cumulus)
Cumulus clouds are clouds which have flat bases and are often described as "puffy", "cotton-like" or "fluffy" in appearance. Their name derives from the Latin cumulo-, meaning heap or pile
And again-
Cloud (Cumulus)
Cumulus clouds are clouds which have flat bases and are often described as "puffy", "cotton-like" or "fluffy" in appearance…
And again-
Cloud (Cumulus)
Cumulus clouds are clouds…
And again-
Cloud (Cumulus)
…
I had no idea how mind-numbingly long I decided to stare up at the clouds…
Cloud…
but eventually,
"Ohh that's new…"
Cloud (Cirrus)
Cirrus is a genus of atmospheric cloud generally characterized by thin, wispy strands, giving the type its name from the Latin word cirrus, meaning a ringlet or curling lock of hair.
"Neat…"
Ping!
Congratulations! [Observe] has leveled up to level 100!
Congratulations! [Observe] has evolved into the skill [Deconstructive Analysis]!
Deconstructive Analysis (Active) Lvl 1 [00.00%]
Deconstructive Analysis is a skill that not only allows you to observe objects, situations, and people in order to gather information, it also allows you to visually deconstruct your opponent. This allows you to observe their state of mind and weak points. The higher the skill, the more weak points you can unearth.
Information of individuals 100 Lvls higher than you is now available
Can Observe 1% of the enemy's weak points (Note: successfully targeting those weak points allows you to deal critical damage.)
"That's even neater…"
"Itachi!" A voice yelled out from the distance, causing me to blink.
"I've never heard that voice before…"
Yet, it seemed as Itachi was intimately familiar with it as he stood up from his sitting position and looked towards the direction of the voice.
"Who is that?" I asked
"It's another close friend of mine." Itachi stated before looking my way and freezing.
I raised a brow. "What?"
He looked me straight in the eyes. "Yoru…your eyes…"
I blinked. "What's wrong?"
"They're…glowing."
I paused at that. "Could it be…" Immediately I deactivated Deconstructive Analysis and looked at Itachi. "How about now?"
He shook his head. "No, not anymore. What was-"
"Itachi! I found you!" A feminine voice shouted out before a figure came into view. She had had long brown hair in a ponytail with bangs framing her face and onyx eyes, with a small adorable mole under her right eye.
"Hmm, she's cute." I thought before looking back up at the clouds. "But that bunny cloud tho…"
"Izumi…" Itachi stated as he looked at the girl. "What are you doing here?"
The girl smiled. "You promised we would go around the village today."
Itachi paused. "…ohh."
Izumi sighed. "You know Itachi, I figured you would get so lost in your training that you would forget-" she paused and blinked. "Who is that?"
"Hm?" Itachi asked before looking at me who was still admiring the clouds. "Ahh, this is Yoru, a friend of mine."
"I'm surprised" she stated, blinking. "I wouldn't think you would have any friends besides me. Good for you Itachi!"
"…That's rude."
She giggled before looking my way and giving me a short bow. "Nice to meet you! I'm Izumi Uchiha and one of Itachi's friends. Let's get along!" She finished with a beautiful smile.
"Likewise…" I said as I looked her way before turning my gaze back towards Itachi with a smile. "…I didn't think you had it in you to get such an adorable girlfriend and at such a young age to…good for you."
Itachi looked at me startled. "Well, she's not my…"
"G-Girlfriend…" Izumi replied, placing her hands on her flushed cheeks.
Itachi looked at her before looking back at me with a sigh. "…Why do you do this?"
"Trust me…" I said, standing up and dusting myself off. "You'll definitely thank me one day."
Itachi blinked. "Where are you going?"
"Well…" I said, looking at Izumi who was still in her own world before looking back at Itachi. "…It was nice hanging out, but you made a promise to a woman so you have to honor that, besides…" I said, looking towards the distance. "I've spent some time here and still have another trip to make…"
"I see…" Itachi stated before he blinked as I lent him a hand and pulled him up. "…Thank you."
"No worries." I said before looking towards a certain direction of the Uchiha clan district. "Well, I'll be off."
Itachi nodded and turned towards Izumi so I Body Flickered to my next destination.
I stood in front of the door of a relatively small apartment that was part of an apartment complex near the edge of the Uchiha clan residential area. I looked at the house for a moment before raising my hand and knocking on the door a few times and waiting.
"I'm coming!"
Immediately the door opened giving view to a boy with black eyes, short black hair, and a pair of orange goggles resting on his forehead.
"…Yo, Obito."
Obito blinked and looked at me for a moment. "Yoru? I didn't expect to see you. What are you doing here?"
"…I was in the area so I thought I would drop by." I said, tilting my head to get a view of his home. "You mind if I come inside?"
He shook his head with a smile, "Of course not, come in-"
"Ahh, little Yoru! What a surprise to see you here!" An elderly voice stated behind Obito causing us to look at the source.
"Grandma…" Obito stated as he turned around.
I looked at the old woman for a moment before bowing slightly. "Madame Uchiha…I apologize for my intrusion, I came here on such short notice."
"It's fine! it's fine!" The woman said waving me off with a smile. "Why don't you come inside and I'll get you something to eat."
I nodded my head and looked towards Obito who ushered me inside.
"Why don't you two makes yourselves comfortable while I go prepare something." The elder woman said kindly.
"…Thank you. I apologize for the trouble."
The woman just smiled in return and made her way to the kitchen, leaving me alone with Obito who returned his gaze back towards me. "I realize I haven't been seeing you as of late. How's it been?"
"…Fine, but busy." I replied while making myself comfortable on the couch. "I've been working with a few different Fuuinjutsu projects, in addition, to constantly doing missions. I haven't had that much time to relax."
"Is that so…?" Obito asked before scratching the back of his head and smiling. "I still can't believe you can understand that stuff…" he then began to slightly grumble. "Every time I look at a seal I just get dizzy…"
"Hmm…" I replied looking towards him. "Well, it's not really for everyone and while it is wonderful, it takes a lot of dedication. You'd be spending much less time training your skills if you picked up Fuuinjutsu."
"Even you have your own troubles huh." Obito stated before smiling as two plates of spring rolls were placed on the table. "Ahh! Thank you grandma!"
"Of course." The elder woman said with a smile. "I hope you both enjoy."
I nodded in reply. "…Thank you."
She gave me one more smile before looking at Obito. "I'll be going out to get some things, so be on your best behavior while I'm gone."
"Of course!" Obito replied with a huff. "What exactly do you take me for?"
The elder woman chuckled before leaving the apartment.
As soon as his grandmother left the house, Obito grinned as he looked at the food on the table before clapping his hands. "Let's eat!" And with that, he devoured his food.
I watched him gorge on the spring rolls before I liberally took one and popped it in my mouth. "…What are you up to these days?"
Obito looked at me and swallowed his food before replying. "Training, missions, you know…" he said, grabbing another spring roll. "The usual." Then he ate it.
"Hmm…" I stated as I grabbed another spring roll. "Then, how is your love life with Rin going?"
Obito immediately spat out his spring roll and began to cough while patting his chest. He eventually looked at me with a frustrated, but flushed gaze, before sighing. "…It's gone nowhere." He stated while facing the ceiling. "She's so hung up on Kakashi…" he shifted once more. "I don't think I have a shot at this rate. Trust me, I've been trying for years to no avail."
"Hmm…" I thought while swallowing the spring roll. "I guess I can impart into you some of my knowledge about her emotions."
Obito looked at me startled. "You?" He then looked at my face before giving me a twitching smile. "I don't think someone with the emotional capacity of a brick can really teach me much…"
I raised a brow before shrugging and turning away. "…Fine, you can deal with your love life on your own. We all know how well that is going."
And not a moment later-
"Please teach me your ways Yoru-senpai!" Obito stated as he kneeled on the ground and looked up at me with teary eyes.
I rolled my eyes. "…Fine, but first, stop making a fool of yourself."
"Yes!" He stated as he stood up immediately in salute.
I looked him over before ushering him to sit down to which he complied.
"Now…" I began while looking at Obito. "Do you know why Rin is so fixated on Kakashi?"
Obito furrowed his brows before pouting. "…because that silver haired, selfish, emotionless-"
I gave him a look.
He twitched his eyes before chuckling nervously. "I meant Kakashi…" he then went back to pouting. "Because Kakashi is such a great ninja and I guess she likes him for-"
"Wrong." I started cutting him off. At his surprised look, I continued. "Rin doesn't actually like Kakashi as much as you think she does."
He blinked but then exclaimed, "but every time she looks at him there's stars in her eyes and she always scolds me for causing trouble-"
"I get the feeling that you deserve those…"
Obito paused and rapidly shook his head before looking my way. "ANYWAY-" he began while taking a breath. "She always focuses her attention towards him and always praises him." He then slumped to the couch. "I'm pretty sure she likes him a lot."
I sighed. "No." I said, looking straight at him. "She merely has great admiration towards Kakashi but not actual love."
At his startled look, I elaborated. "Every time she praises Kakashi, it is because of his skill and every time she scolds you, it is because of your lack thereof. Am I right?"
He slightly looked away. "Well, you're not wrong…"
I continued. "I've been around team Minato and I have noticed that she doesn't show any form of romantic gestures towards Kakashi."
That was a lie, she definitely had a crush on him.
"She simply admired him as a shinobi, comrade, and friend. Nothing more."
"…Everything More."
Obito's eyes widened. "T-Then what about me?"
I looked at him carefully. "…Of course, she cares about you as well. Just as, if not more so, than she does Kakashi."
"Then why-"
"She treats you like that because she cares you fool." I stated before gulping down another spring roll. "Despite your incompetence, Rin actually has a unique place for you in her heart."
I could sense his emotions spinning before he asked. "Then why-"
"Because of your immaturity, I suppose." I replied, already figuring the question. "Both Kakashi and Rin act in a much more reserved manner befitting their status as shinobi but your boisterousness makes you seem like a child. That's probably why she doesn't show much romantic interest in you. Because of your low maturity."
"I-I see." He said, slumping further into the couch while sighing. "If I was like you and Kakashi…"
"Wrong." I stated, breaking him from his thought process. At his gaze, I continued. "…Don't try to change who you are or it'll come off as forced or fake."
"But didn't you say-"
"I know what I said." I replied before sitting up straight and looking at him. "But changing who you are isn't the answer. Improving yourself is."
"Improving myself…" Obito replied in thought.
"Exactly." I said. "Become the best version of yourself as possible not just in your personality but also in your skills. As long as you don't do anything stupid, I'm sure you can wiggle your way into her heart."
There was a short silence before Obito looked at me oddly. "You know, for someone with the emotional capacity of a toaster, you actually give decent advice…"
It was really all thanks to Empathy or I'd have terrible people skills. "Well, you can choose not to listen to my advice if you feel that way."
He hastily shook his hands. "No, no, no! I'll gladly take your advice Master!"
I took another spring roll and popped it in my mouth before engaging in conversation with Obito about other meaningless trifles.
"Hmm…where to next…?"
I appeared in front of the Namikaze-Uzumaki house and placed my hand ok the side of the door before gaining access to the house. As the door clicked open and I stepped into the house…
"Yoruuu~!" A voice yelled as I saw the short red haired creature run towards me, however, before she could collide with me I picked her up by the scruff of her shirt and lifted her up to eye level. "…Didn't your mom tell you not to run around like that?"
She giggled.
I placed her on my shoulder before looking around. "Your parents?"
She hummed for a moment while playing with my hair. "Mama is out and papa is-"
"Here." Minato stated as he came down the stairs from his room and smiled.
"Ahh, Papa~!" Mito stated as she reached out her hands towards him.
Minato smiled and liberated her from my shoulders before looking at me. "What brings you here at this time? Not that you aren't welcome of course."
"…Nothing really. I just finished a meeting with the Hokage and the Sannin a few hours back."
Minato began to walk to the living room as he replied. "Ah, you're healing skill right?"
I nodded my head.
"And how did that go?" He asked as he sat down on the couch.
"I don't think they expected my show." I replied with a slight smile. "In the end, Lady Tsunade will screen shinobi who have good enough chakra control and are familiar with the Mystic Palm Technique. I'll implant my seal on their bodies allowing them to regrow limbs as well."
"Look at you go." Minato stated with a smile. "Now that you're done with your pet project, what's next?"
I shrugged, "…Who knows? I wanted to work on some spacetime projects but Kushina forbade me from even touching them. I then planned on working on gravity-based seals but your wife was afraid I would create a wormhole to another dimension or something so those projects were shelved since she wouldn't teach me."
Minato shuffled uncomfortably, "Yeah…it must be rough…"
I looked at him in suspicion before deciding not to bother. "The only good thing is that I completed my Kinetic Absorption Seal, so at least I have something new in my arsenal."
"Oh? I think Kushina told me about that one." Minato stated in thought. "She kept explaining how it was such a novel concept to apply to the general Immobilization Seal. Good on you."
"I suppose." I replied. "But regardless, now that I have nothing new to work on, I'll just dedicate all my focus on training."
Minato looked at me in amusement. "Many shinobi more than twice your age are only around your level of strength, yet you still want to push forward."
"Compared to you…" I said, looking at him carefully.
Name: Minato Namikaze
Race: Human
Level: Lvl 165
HP: 825000/825000
CP: 742500/742500
STR: 2250
VIT: 2500
DEX: 4500
INT: 3000
WIS: 2500
ENGY: 2250
"I still have a long way to go…" I finished as I observed his stats. It was now that I was looking at another person with the Deconstructive Analysis that I noted very small glowing red areas on his body. They glittered like small stars and seemed to be focused around areas that were near normal human weak points were."Those must be his weak points I suppose…"
Minato blinked as he looked at me carefully. "Yoru…your eyes are glowing…"
I shut off my new skill. "Yeah, they do that now."
"I see…" Minato said. He seemed to want to say more but decided not to bother.
"What about you?" I asked. "Now that you've completed your big projects, do you have anything new planned?"
"In the meantime, not so much." Minato replied. "I've had to go on more missions frequently due to the war nearing its climax. It's just…"
I tilted my head. "It's just…?"
Minato looked at me, "Kannabi bridge, you know it?"
"Hmm…" I thought. "Yeah…from what I recall, it's an important supply checkpoint for Iwa in their advance into Kusagakure."
"That's right." Minato replied before sighing. "Over the last few months, with the war intensifying, Iwa has been able to ever so slowly advance due to their occupation of Kannabi Bridge."
I looked at Minato carefully, "And…"
"And in a few months, my team might have to go there." He paused and explained. "While the war isn't necessarily against our favor, the longer we allow Iwa to occupy the bridge, the worse it'll be for us. I plan on taking care of the situation, however not before I train my team a little more."
"I see…" I said, looking towards him. "You really don't have the time to focus on anything else right now do you?"
The blond sighed and leaned into the couch. "Not too much, unfortunately, but hopefully after this war ends, I'll have some more time to work on something new."
I raised a brow, "Kushina will probably be annoyed with you again you know."
Minato chuckled nervously, "What can I say? Seals are just that fun…"
"I can't really argue." I replied
With that, we continued our small talk ranging from his projects to cool jutsu and just about any other mundane thing. That was until Minato looked down towards his lap to see his daughter peacefully sleeping. "I guess she was really tired." He said, carefully picking her up and putting her over his shoulder.
I nodded my head before standing up.
"You're leaving already?" Minato asked.
"Yeah." I replied while loosening my neck with cracks. "I'll probably go harass my teacher or something. I have nothing better to do for the night."
"Alright then." Minato replied brightly. "It was a pleasure to talk with you."
"Likewise." I said before vanishing from the house.