Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and I don't own The Gamer.
Review replies:
QuantumZero: Wait for it.
matrience: No he's in the real world.
Remzal Von Enili: I know right?
GreenOfBlack: In France we put commas instead of dots. My bad.
Ashzaroth: No pairings before the timeskip. I think.
xxOchibixx: He's into girls.
Biosaur: Well, I can't satisfy everyone. And let me warn you: there's going to be more.
theconniesour: It's going to be something along those lines, yeah.
vkg313: I actually found a way to avoid the party system. Hint: it's in the original manwha 'The Gamer' too!
dark sekiryuutei: Yeah sorry for the late chapter.
Funnyman: He's busy with the tournament right now. And he can only make two clones you know?
Anon: Considering his wis increases mana regen, I thin it's all right.
As always, thanks for your support! I hope you enjoy this chapter.
"Gaah! Noooo! Stop !"
"Give me one reason not to eradicate you."
"Aaah! What are you… Bwafh! Hold on a second! Hold on hold on!"
I stopped crushing the little ghost's 'body' with my hand, and released him.
"What the hell were you doing!"
"What are you doing here?" I questioned while our two Aeris were toying with him.
"Go play somewhere else, dammit!" He yelled at them. God he was annoying. His face became serious, and he continued:
"After losing to you yesterday, I have realized it. Behind an able man, there are always people helping him."
"… Who are you?" I smiled sarcastically.
"I am John CAIRH!" He yelled again, his eyes comically widening, and I took a step back. "The lord of castle Cairh! You know, the guy you fought yesterday!"
"You mean the pathetic monster I beat up." I corrected. "So something was left over." I raised my hand again, ready to pulverize him.
"Hold on! Just… hear me out. I don't want to spend the rest of my life as a ghost!"
"But you're already dead." I remarked.
"Never mind these pesky details!" He raised his arms. "King! Noble! Mage! or Ninja! You have dreams like that, so why can't I share it with you, standing by your side in the spotlight? You're the only one who can see me here!"
He paused, and pointed his finger to me.
"Everyone has dreams! Even as a ghost, I still have ambitions! I want to become powerful! The one that stands above all! That is… a GOD! That way everyone will worship me! I dream of achieving god-like power one day!"
"You're crazy." I declared, sitting on my bed and shaking my head.
"I've spent a lot of effort on this!" He smirked. "But you crushed it. You brought me in this world!"
"Umm. Actually, I don't really know how..."
"But it doesn't matter!" He yelled, completely ignoring me and continuing his speech. "I'll continue in this world! What I need, is a powerful mysterious power, like yours! That way, everyone will be following me!"
He paused, and pointed his thumb to his body.
"Team up with me! Let's become Gods together!"
"I see." I stood up, and caught him again. "Any last words?"
"Wait, wait, you can't exorcise me! You're not a killer! Please forgive me!" He started crying. "I don't want to die!"
"You attacked me yesterday."
"I'm not gonna do bad things any more!"
"Really?"
"Yes, really!"
I released him once again, and smiled, satisfied. I didn't want to kill him, I just scared him a little so he understood I could kill him whenever I wanted.
"You'll stay with me." I continued. "If you attack someone, or try to possess people, I'll kill you. Aeris, you monitor him."
"Phew..." He sighed, and smirked. He's totally up to something, but that's okay. I have my ways.
'Mana Rope.' I thought, pointing a finger at him, and blue ropes appeared around him, binding him to me. Then I connected it to my Mana Armour, and concentrated a little to make it invisible.
[Mana Rope (Active) LV1 EXP: 60,00% / MP: 10 per meter]
A rope made from mana. It has physical durability and disappears after some time as mana scatters. Can become invisible like Mana Armour.
Mana Rope can be manipulated according to the user's wish, and since it is made of mana it can even affect objects or creatures of indeterminable form. Can only be used by those who have a talent in manipulating mana.
Durability and solidity increases as the user's INT and skill level grows.
Current Duration: 10 minutes.
Invisibility: The user can make the rope invisible as long as it is tied to its body. Cost 100 MP per meter per minute.
"Is it necessary?" John Cairh groaned as he glared at the rope.
"So." I began, ignoring his complaint. "How did you manage to escape the last time?"
"Hmph. I won't let a brat like you catch me so easily. You see, I can change the form of my body, become invisible and as a ghost, I can pass through things. When you left this empty space, I simply became invisible and disappeared in the ground."
"Hmm. Just to let you know: if you escape again, I'll kill you. I don't trust you."
He shrugged, and my clone went back to his meditation.
"I don't have these abilities any more, since you weakened me."
"Where did you come from?" I questioned, crossing my arms.
"I came from a world named Gwenivir. It's quite different from this one, from what I saw."
"How so?" I asked, curious.
"We have psychic powers, for example! The people of this world are savages, fighting with their bodies like that!"
"People use mana in your world?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm..."
I decided to not use the Ghost ID again. If it pulls innocent people into this world without their consent… It might be necessary to never use monster spawning Instant Dimensions again.
I talked to him a bit, and we described our respective worlds. Apparently, they were more advanced technology wise, and had people like healers, mages, or elementalists. They were also quite numerous, hundreds of millions from what he said... However, they didn't have chakra. That was probably why they discovered the use of mana.
If I keep him with me, he might give me knowledge of special trainings and methods from the other world. Just knowledge about advanced technologies is appealing, to invent new machines… But right now, I need to concentrate on the tournament.
The next morning I continued my training like usual, deciding to find a present for Hinata's sister later.
"Why the hell are you doing this?"
"I need to train my body, Johny."
"Useless! You have outstanding psychic powers, use them! You don't need to lower yourself to this!"
I ignored him and continued my sit-ups.
"Pathetic… Stupid…" he mumbled.
I also trained my [Chakra Body Enhancement] skill, and as a result I reached 50 in DEX.
Since your DEX passed 50, you gained the skill [Refined Flawless Movements].
"Huh..." I widened my eyes, suddenly feeling every wasted movement my body was doing unconsciously, and their impact on my stamina. I also sensed changes in my left arm and leg.
[Refined Flawless Movements(Passive) LVMAX]
An ability given to those with incredible mastery of their own bodies. Control, synchronised movements, coordination and stamina economy became natural to the user, showing grace in every actions.
30% increase in movement speed.
20% increase in attack speed.
50% increase in precision and accuracy.
15 % increase to DEX effects on all skills.
The user is now ambidextrous.
"Woa..." I raised my left arm, surprised to feel it so well. Maybe I was actually going to consider dual-welding!
"...Awesome."
"What?" John groaned.
"You being quiet."
I smiled, and returned to my training under his glare.
After going back home during dinner, Dad stared weirdly at me for some reason. Eventually, I asked him what was wrong.
"Hmm… Nothing." He sighed. "What did you do today?"
"Same as usual." I answered as I raised an eyebrow.
He didn't comment, continuing to stare at me while eating and frowning. What did I do wrong this time…
After dinner, I created an Instant Dimension in my room to contract a Fire Elemental. I drew the circle on the ground, and shot little fireballs around. I needed flames to feel the fire and summon the elemental.
This time, the elemental was a little boy with a body made of yellow fire, eyes glowing red and hair made of orange flames. He was little, like the first time I saw Aeris.
'You… called me... Why?'
I repeated the same actions I had done with Aeris, and I was invaded with new burning feelings and memories like the last time.
'I am Brun.'
"I am Kurota."
'I am Aeris!'
We turned our heads to the other elemental, who was grinning at us. Brun returned her smile.
"And I am John Cairh!"
'Until the soul meets its end…' my Fire elemental completely ignored Johny, whose eye twitched.
"We will be one forever." I finished, and grinned at the fire boy.
Pooof!
He suddenly became taller, reaching the same height as Aeris.
'Call me if you need to burn something.' He grinned at me, and disappeared.
Again, I felt mentally tired, and I saw a window popping and John smirking evilly at me before I fell asleep.
When I woke up, it was still night, and the ghost was waiting for me, looking annoyed.
"What?" I smirked. "You found out you couldn't possess me even when I'm sleeping?"
"Fucking brat." He groaned. "It's like you're always protected. How did you get knowledge of this ritual if no one has psychic powers in this world?"
"Haha. I didn't say no one had psychic powers here." I raised my hand and escaped the ID while the ghost narrowed his eyes at me and stayed quiet. The sun was going to rise soon, so I figured I could eat breakfast early. As I descended from my room, I checked my new skill.
[Basic Fire Elemental (Active/Passive) LV1 EXP: 0,00% / MP: 500 per minute]
The most basic fire elemental. Allows the user to summon an elemental to manipulate fire (costs additional MP).
Two forms available: spirit and corporal.
Spirit form: the elemental stay by the user's side and is not visible except for the user. The caster borrows the elemental spirit's power to control its elements.
Corporal form: the user materialize the elemental, and give it its own autonomy. Requires a summoning scroll. Cost 1000 CP when summoning. CP must be transformed in fire nature.
The elemental's attributes will change as the caster's INT, skill level and Fire Affinity grows.
Precision, power and versatility increase as the caster's INT, skill level and Fire Affinity grows.
Obtaining this skill increase Fire Affinity by 30.
"Summon Brun, summon Aeris."
The two elementals appeared, and grinned to me.
"Welcome to the family, Brun." I smiled, and he looked around, curious.
"What did you say?" Mom's voice raised behind me.
"Uh, nothing. Just talking to myself."
She shrugged, and examined me. "You know, you're going to need decent clothes if you're going to this party… It's the day after tomorrow, you know."
"I'll pick up something in the shop. It's not like I need to go shopping..."
"I guess so." She sighed.
I went to the kitchen and took some cereal, while Aeris led Brun to discover the house. As I ate, I noticed mom was staring at me weirdly.
"What is it?" I stopped myself.
"Ah… Um…" She hesitated. "I didn't noticed, but your..."
"You're early today!" Dad interrupted, putting his hand on her arm. Mom glanced at him for a second, and sat with me at the table.
What's up with them? Why are they so preoccupied over something… I frowned while eating my cereals, and suddenly understood.
It was my movements.
Unconsciously, I was moving differently compared to before I obtained the DEX skill. Every movements I was doing was now completely controlled, and didn't waste any time or stamina. The way I moved my body was just incredibly more efficient now, and they noticed that.
I looked again at my parents. Mom was still staring at me with worried eyes, and Dad was acting as usual, but I could tell he was preoccupied as well. At least they didn't assume I was an impostor… Which was also strange, by the way.
"So… Anything new with your training today?" My father asked on the tone of the conversation.
"Yes, actually." I answered carefully. "But that's going to be a surprise for the tournament. Ooops." I made a show of dropping my spoon 'by accident'.
Mom relaxed a little, but Dad just narrowed his eyes at me for a fraction of second, before rapidly going back to his usual face. He didn't buy it at all.
"Okay, I'll take my leave now..." I stood up awkwardly. "I'll come back for dinner."
"Don't forget about the present for the Hyuga heiress!" Mom reminded me as I escaped the house.
I grit my teeth as a made some clones.
Shit. Another impossible thing to explain, and I can't even hide it. All these improved movements are natural for me now, and I can't picture myself acting clumsy for ever to fool everyone... To top it all, I'm going to spar with Yugao-sensei right now. She'll surely notice something changed since two days ago…
'Is everything all right?' My elementals asked me, noticing my thoughts.
'Not really, but don't worry. We'll be okay.' I smiled to them as I was making my way to the training ground, and they nodded.
"… You keep surprising me." Yugao-sensei told me after a few hours of sparring.
"I practised." I lied, panting.
"Liar."
I stayed calm. It was just Johny messing with me, he even was smirking the bastard.
"I see." Yugao simply muttered to herself, observing me.
We stayed quiet for a moment.
"You are… indeed a genius." She declared. "I have never seen anyone like you. It is... a little scary, actually."
"Uh, thanks?" I scratched my head, not really sure if I should thank her.
"You see, that's what everybody will feel towards you eventually!" Johny smirked. "You will be feared, and eventually EVERYONE will become scared of you."
"How come you graduated just a few months ago?" She questioned while I tried my best not to strangle the fucking ghost. "Someone like you should have become a Genin way earlier."
Here it is. People asking questions. I can't lie, but I can't tell the truth either.
"I was busy, playing video-games." I smiled.
"WHAT!" the ghost yelled, completely outraged, but I remained impassive.
"… But you were still going to the academy." She pointed out. "It should have been easy for you. But you had bad grades in every field besides throwing weapons. Until 2 weeks before the graduation exam. Kurota-kun." She approached me, and looked at me into the eyes. "What changed? What happened?"
"I see you did a little research on me." I frowned, avoiding the question.
"It's hard not to be curious about you."
I sighed as I finally answered her. "Nothing really. I just woke up one day, and realized the exam was only two weeks away. So I trained and studied, and I've continued to do so, because it's actually really fun. I like seeing my body grow stronger, and I like learning more jutsus." Which was true. I just didn't say everything.
"..."
"..."
"What kind of half-assed back-story is that..." Johny sighed as he face-palmed.
Yugao-sensei stayed quiet, studying me.
"I'll see you in two days, then." I stood up.
She nodded, and shunshined away without saying anything.
Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She did question me, but not about my sudden… my new-found grace. I had tried my best to make my movements a little exaggerated, hoping to make the change seem gradual.
"What a waste of time. Training this stupid sword art instead of your psychic powers…" the ghost groaned.
"I like it." I shrugged, making him even more pissed.
I decided to go shopping this afternoon, to search for a decent present for Hinata's sister. So I went through several shops, without finding anything really good, until someone called me.
"Kurota-san! What are you doing here?"
I turned, to see Ino gawking at me surprised. "I'm wondering if I should buy flowers, obviously. You?"
"Well, it's my shop." She informed me matter-of-factly.
"Oh." I put the flower that I picked back where I found it.
"Why do you want flowers?" She frowned. "A date maybe?"
"Nope. Just for a birthday."
"You want to give flowers as a present for a birthday?" She raised her eyebrows, surprised.
"I don't know." I shrugged. "I never went to a birthday before."
Yep. I really have no social life whatsoever.
"Farasuke-san."
I turned my gaze to the door in the back, and found a light blonde haired man staring at me.
Mind Reader, Mind Invader
LV84 Inochi Yamanaka
"I am Ino's father. Welcome to our shop."
The two of them didn't seem to see Johny, even with their mind abilities… Maybe it's because of my eyes?
"Nice to meet you." I nodded to him and returned to Ino. "So flowers aren't good? What would be a decent present then?"
"Um, well, I think anything home-made would do..."
"Were you by any chance invited to the Hyûga's party?" Inoichi asked me, still staring at me insistently. At my eyes, more precisely, as if he wanted to… read my thoughts. Good luck with that.
"Yes, Hinata-chan gave me an invitation." I confirmed and headed to the exit. "I'll be going now. Thanks Ino-san."
"Any time..." She waved her hand awkwardly at me. Strange how everyone's behaviour changed since my fight with Lee.
"Can't you just buy some meaningless bauble and be done with it?" Johny sighed as he continued to follow me.
"This is the first birthday party I've ever been invited to," I reminded him. "I don't want to mess things up."
He shook his head, clearly disapproving, but stayed quiet.
"Anything home-made, huh..." I muttered, wondering what I should craft. Clothes? Too simple. Maybe I could use my Fuinjutsu? Too complicated. What if I do both? Like some kind of clothes with seals on it… But she's still growing, she'll become too tall for it soon… Some kind of bracelet maybe?
I smiled as the little project took form in my head. This was fine… A bit hard for my level, but I was convinced I could manage.
"What is it, brat?"
"I need help with Fuinjutsu." I told Jiraiya who was currently peeping in the women's bathroom. Naruto was training behind me.
"Go on. Huhuhuhu..." He chuckled perversely.
"First: I need to learn how to make a summoning scroll." I declared, crossing my arms, and Brun and Aeris waited impatiently for the answer.
He turned to me, and put his binoculars down. "Why? You found a new intelligent being willing to sign a contract with you? I don't think so." He declared sarcastically.
"Actually, yes. Please, don't ask how, just help me." I grinned and he rolled his eyes.
"All right. It's not very difficult anyway, since you already know transference seals."
Obviously he didn't believe me, again, but it didn't really matter. Perhaps it's better that way.
"Ero-senniiiin! I did it!" Naruto shouted behind us.
We turned our heads to him, and noticed a little tadpole under his hand. Wait, it had little legs…
"Arrrg! You die! You no talent bum!" Jiraiya yelled too. Damn, that's harsh.
Naruto gritted his teeth, and pointed his finger to the little tadpole.
"Look closely, it has hind-legs!"
"…"
"…"
"Gaaah! Just at what point can we call it a toad!" The blonde complained, taking his head between his hands.
"Once more!" Jiraiya ordered.
"I know!" Naruto returned to his training.
"So. How is it done?" I questioned when Naruto went back to his training.
"Simple. You make a classic transference seal, but instead of tying it with another seal, you tie it to the beings you want to summon. There's a little ritual for that. Then you can add a few adjustments, like making it so anyone who would sign the scroll with its blood can summon the beings. It's the most difficult part."
"Hmm. But I don't need to add this, since only I will use it..." I mused.
"Right." He raised his eyes to the sky. "Is that all?"
"Nope." I grinned, and he sighed again.