A/N: In case in the past few days you've thought... where's the chapter? Well it's coming up tomorrow. As I said in Chapter 7 (chapter 13, technically) the story chapters now update every three days, with interludes released the day before. The story is still done, still complete. Just dragging it our a little longer.
Review Replies:
MYK-ON: Hoped you like it! :3
SilentObserver: I'm glad it seems to work! I tried my best to make the Konoha 12 slightly more realistic... And I'm sorry to say, but this story is not one of epic length. As I said in the first chapter, this is a novel-length (really more of a novella) story, but only barely. It won't go beyond their first mission. However, I did leave it open-ended (sorta), so that if this story ends up being enormously popular (somehow) I can certainly continue it. Also, woot! Mass Effect Fan. :)
Terrazine: You actually touched on one of my favorite aspects of this story. Just as you and your friends joke around about relationships, so do the Konoha 12. The difference being that joshing and playing around is as natural to them as taking lives by the dozen. They're still kids. And not even I can tell you what that means. On a less "the abyss also gazes into you" note, I'm really touched you like the story so much. I had an absolute blast writing it.
Disclaimer: You giggity-giggity-guessed it. I don't own Naruto. I own errythang else doe.
Interlude 7
WELCOME BACK.
.genmod/+serum1332+/
ACCESSING…
ACCESSING…
WARNING! THIS DATA IS ENRYPTED VIA JERICHO ENCYRP. SYS++
override/Uzumakitaicho/C:wof
AUTHORIZED ACCESS!
/crossreference{report1.6-report34.5}
ADJUSTING RESULTS.
FIXING FILE.
DONE! PRESENTING!
Active (live) Users: 12,032
Total Users: 2,000,000 (est.)
Serum 1332, or "Byakugo no In/Strength of a Hundred" is a genetic modification that works by severely limiting the body's production of the protein Myostatin. Myostatin works as a growth inhibitor that adjusts the growth of skeletal and cardiac muscle. When production is deactivated, the receiving subject's muscular growth is exponentially increased. While one of the most common modifications accepted by Acolytes, implementation is very dangerous, often leading to a total shutdown of myostatin production, which eventually leads to the subject's death.
The user experiences vastly improved strength and endurance, which requires little exercise to maintain. Those who receive "Byakugo no In" often function as heavy support roles in their squads, able to carry far more than the average soldier, including portable mortar systems, HMGs normally reserved for MG crews or a vehicle mount, and a surplus of ammunition.
Psychology reports from the previous century of implementation note significant embarrassment in developing acolytes who chose Serum 1332, due to their size when compared to their peers. Like most oddities and awkwardness that arise from genetic modification, it is eventually subdued or adapted to during the thirteen-year training period. However, this embarrassment apparently continues to color the personalities of recipients in all but the strongest-willed subjects. It is therefore recommended for instructors to keep this in mind, and prevent any unnecessary or undesirable traits from arising in the afflicted acolytes.
A/N: The reason that so many people have this mod is because EVERY WARBORN in the original story has this (since it's based in real science), in addition to a few other modifications. None of them quite so fanciful or dramatic as the kekkai genkai though.
Certainly fit Sakura's shtick, so she got to keep it!
The story starts to get pretty intense from here on out. But you be the judge of that. PM/Review your thoughts. :)