It took a little longer than expected to max out the skill, who knew that climbing a tree with nothing but your chakra would take longer than 6 hours to complete? By the time I got this notification the sun was already setting down over the horizon.
Tree Climbing Exercise [20/20]: The second Chakra control exercise from the hidden leaf village. 20% CC. Completion of this skill allows access to Water Walking. Cost = 5 CP/Sec
But it was totally worth it. With this skill completed I now only have a 40% increase in chakra for my techniques.
As I lay on the top branch of the tree I just successfully climbed I see Naruko walk into the clearing, clearly frustrated at something but I couldn't put my finger on what. I already cleared out Gato so Inari has, presumably, no reason to cause a fit and make Naruko storm out like she did in canon. Better check in on her. Standing up, I walk off the branch and free fall into a crouched landing right in front of Naruko. Completely caught off guard, Naruko yelps and falls on her ass.
Naruko glared at me for half a second before her eyes widened upon seeing me. She scrambled up off the ground and gave me a warbled smile.
"Tatsuo, you're okay! I didn't understand at first why Kakashi-sensei was so concerned at first but once he told me about the dangers of using the summoning jutsu without a contract I was totally worried about what happened to you but by then you were already gone and I had to take my daily shift to guard Tazuna because even though Gato's gone Tazuna might still be in danger and-"
Her rambling went on for several minutes, most of it I couldn't understand because she was talking so fast. I'm actually pretty impressed at her ability to talk so much without needing to breath. It was honestly so funny that I burst out laughing. She stopped mid ramble to frown and pout at my laughing figure.
Getting ahold of myself, small chuckles escaping past my lips, I tilted my head down and grinned at her, placing my hand on top of her head as I do.
"Hey, it's okay Naruko. I'm fine, as you can see. After all, I promised to teach you the jutsu right?"
"But Tatsuo, I can't do the summoning jutsu without a contract! It worked out for you, but what about me? Succeeding a summoning justu with no contract is almost a guaranteed death sentence!"
Silly Naruko, that's so easy to solve!
"Well if that's the case, then just sign the one I have then."
Naruko's eyes widened in shock, before she got all shy for some reason. Head tilted to the side, hands nervously playing with each other as she rocked back and forth slightly with her heels.
"Are…are you sure you want me to sign your summoning contract?"
I don't understand what the big deal is honestly, it's a summoning contract. And I told her I'd teach her the summoning jutsu. I may have said it in rash excitement but I'm a man of my word.
"Yeah of course I mean it Naruko, but first I should make sure it's okay with my summons first yeah?"
+5 Affection with Naruko for giving her potential access to your personal summons (30/100)
Oh, so that's why she was acting all shy and stuff. It must be a big deal to give someone the ability to summon your contract. Come to think of it, summoning itself must be a rare ability in this universe. The only one's who could use the summoning justu were the main characters, and most of the big bad guys. You never really saw normal ninja with a summoning contract.
Whatever, time to see if canon can be screwed with even more! I bit my thumb and performed the necessary hand signs.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
I slammed my palm on the ground and smoked puffed out in all directions. When the smoke cleared, Jagakushii stood in all her adorable glory. She looked around before her eyes settled on my form, and she gave an adorable cry of excitement as she scampered over to me, up my body, and settled once again on my shoulder where she proceeded to attack my cheek with hers. I laughed in content and retaliated her assault with headpats and scratches. A glance over to Naruko showed her shaking in place, no doubt Jagakushii's cuteness is getting to her.
"Hey hey, Kushii, as much as I'd love to play right now I got something I wanted to ask you. Serious biz n all that."
I gently held Jagakushii in one hand and faced her towards Naruko, the girl in question waved in obvious nervousness.
"See, I was wondering if your clan would be generous enough to allow my friend Naruko here sign the contract too, she'd be a great summoner for you guys I promise."
+5 affection with Naruko for calling her your friend (35/100)
Jagakushii's face tilted to the side, before squirming around. I set her on the ground gently, she turned around to face me.
"I'd have to ask Jagakipa and Jagarida, they'd want to meet her as well but I don't see any problem with it. More summoners means more recognition for us after all."
"Is Jagakipa the all white one with the scroll from when I got to sign the contract?"
"Yeah that's her. She's quite shy, but she's ferocious in a fight. You can't summon her though, she's almost as strong as Jagarida. She has to be if she's in charge of the scrolls safety."
Makes sense.
"Now, Naruko, was it? If you'll come with me then I can take you to the Jaguar's summoning realm. Tatsuo you have to come to, you're the one who'll be making the request."
Before either of us could say anything we were whisked away in a poof of smoke, and when the smoke dissipated we were back in the clearing I met Jagarida in. He was still lounging on the branch I originally found him in, but this time he didn't bother coming down from his perch. He turned his head to look at us, and seemingly blinked in surprise.
"Ah summoner, you have returned here. And you have brought someone here with you? I hope you have good reason for this, while you may come here as you please, as you are our summoner, we don't make it a habit to allow strangers into our sacred grounds."
"Yes Jagarida-sama, I have come here to ask both you and Jagakipa if you would grant my friend Naruko here the same privilege of being able to summon you."
Faster than I could even comprehend Jagarida was already in front of us, prodding and staring at Naruko in a similar manner he did for me. Naruko was similarly surprised if her small yelp was any indication. A few moments later Jagarida stepped back a few feet and roared again to his right, and Jagakipa appeared in a blur. She just stared at Naruko before turning to have a hushed conversation with Jagarida. I just stood next to Naruko in silent company while it happened.
After what seemed like hours but was only minutes, the discussion between the two Jaguar's came to an end as Jagakipa sped off into the forest again. Baited breaths later I let out a laugh of relief as she came back into the clearing with scroll in jaw. Naruko glanced at me confused, before she took a sharp inhale of breath in realization.
"You have brought us someone we deem worthy, summoner Tatsuo Kyodo, to think you'd find someone with the chakra of the great beasts is fascinating."
I could feel Naruko stiff up next to me, her shock and slight fear easily picked up by Jagarida, though he seemed confused at her apparent disbelief.
"Did you not think we would notice? While not our specialty in the slightest, I am adept at sensing chakra and would easily recognize chakra similar to the great beast Nibi, but enough of that. Now, young Naruko, come forth and sign your name in blood upon the summoning scroll, and become the second summoner of the Jaguar clan."
Naruko shuffled forward, not looking at me, as she approached Jagakipa and the scroll. After signing her name next to mine, Jagakipa sped back into the forest, leaving us alone with Jagarida.
"Summoner Tatsuo, while we appreciate it that you have found a new summoner, do not bring another person to sign this contract for some time. The Jaguar clan is a proud one, we don't want our contract to be viewed as something anyone can have."
I nodded, "I promise I won't bring someone here again without express permission first."
Jagarida let out a pleased sound and smoke puffed around us once again and we were back in wave. By my estimate it's only been, what, 30 minutes or so? The sun hasn't settled beyond the horizon just yet, but it's getting close. I let loose my jaw and let out a loud yawn, cracked my neck and stretched a bit.
"So Naruko, how's it feel to be the summoner of the Jaguar's next to yours truly?"
I waited for a response but never got one, I sent her a curious look only to see that she wasn't looking at me, and instead was gazing at the ground. I couldn't make out her face, her hair was blocking it and the rest of her face was shadowed.
"Naruko?"
"Did you not hear him?"
"Hm? What are you talking about?"
"That big black jaguar, Jagarida? He said I had the chakra of a great beast in me."
"…yeah? What about it?"
Her head whipped to me as if she had whiplash.
"You…do you not care? At all?"
I was confused, why would I give a shit whether or not she's a Jinchuriki?
"I mean, why would I care? You're Naruko Uzumaki, future hokage and my friend. And as your friend, I don't give a shit if you have some freaky deaky chakra inside of you."
+15 affection with Naruko for not viewing her as a demon (50/100)
Oh shit that's right, it was easy to forget because it wasn't showed a lot in the series, but at this point in canon people didn't see Naruko as Naruko. They saw her as the Kyuubi in human form. No wonder she was freaking out, and now I feel like a dumbass for not noticing sooner. But I guess that ignorance was useful for one thing, it made my genuine statement appear even more so.
Naruko's eyes teared up slightly, before she shook the tears away and I bore witness to her smile. A real, emotion filled smile. It took my breath away for a second, and much to my eternal embarrassment, my heart actually skipped a beat. Fuck, I was not used to this.
"Yeah, you're right! I'm Naruko Uzumaki, the future Hokage of the hidden leaf village and now summoner of th- OH MY GOSH I HAVE A SUMMONING CONTRACT!"
The reality of what just happened hit her like a train. She started jumping and yelling with joy. That did some interesting things to her chest.
Some interesting things indeed
"Oh my gosh this is so great, I can finally one up that bastard Sasuke. Ooooh when Kiba hears this he'll be so jealous. Thank you so much for this Tatsuo!"
"Why not try summoning one right now?"
She gasped in excitement and clapped her hands in rapid glee. She eagerly bit her thumb and performed the jutsu. When the smoke cleared what appeared was a small Jaguar the same size of Jagakushii, though this one was more fierce looking. A permanent frown adorned his face and hard golden eyes paired with it. All in all, it was like a male version of Kushii.
"My name is Jagaroshi, who summoned me here."
Naruko eagerly stepped forward and introduced herself. I shook my head and let Naruko know I was leaving, giving her a much needed 1 on 1 interaction with her new summon. She waved me away as I left and strolled back to Tsunami's home.
Wave has learned of the defeat of Gato!
Reputation gains listed
+100 Reputation to Wave (90/200)
+50 Reputation with Tsunami (30/100)
+30 Reputation with Inari (10/100)
+20 Reputation with Tazuna (20/100)
+5 Reputation with Konoha [10/500]
+1 Reputation with the Fire Daimyo [2/100]
Wave has learned of the death of Gato by your hands!
Reputation gains listed
+200 Reputation to Wave (200/200)
+50 Reputation with Tsunami (80/100)
+70 Reputation with Inari (80/100)
+60 Reputation with Tazuna (80/100)
+5 Reputation with Konoha [15/500]
-10 Reputation with Kiri Bloodline Purge faction (-10/200)
+20 Reputation with Kiri Bloodline Faction (20/200)
+1 Reputation with The Akatsuki (1/200)
Congratulations! For freeing Wave of their tyrant Gato you have earned a new title!
The Hero of Wave: You have freed Wave of the oppressive tyrant Gato! In the country of Wave, your stats will have a 100% increase. Locals will treat you Very well!
You have reached Maximum reputation with a nation! Wave reputation is locked at Maximum unless special actions are taken.
For reaching maximum reputation with a nation for the first time you have been awarded 1 Tier 3 Gacha token!
Tier 3 Gacha Token added, must use within 1 day.
That was a lot of information to just suddenly gain, so many reputation gai- HOLY SHIT! The fuck? How the hell did I gain The Akatsuki's attention?!
Was Zetsu around? It couldn't have been Sasori and his spy network. It would have taken longer for the information to get back to them. Zetsu must have been watching over Naruko or something. That's the only reason that I can think of.
Also, system, what's with the new Gacha token?
Gacha tokens come in tiers. The regular Gacha token you have been using is standard, and can be kept in storage indefinitely. They have the standard rarity values, good and bad. This changes with different tiers. A tier 3 token specifically removes the chance to get something bad, while also increasing the odds of the rarity value of your pull.
Oh, well can I use it now?
Tier 3 gacha token removed!
Rolling…
Rolling…
Rolling…
Congratulations! You have received Legendary World pull!
Dungeon access granted
Dungeons Scattered throughout the Elemental Nations!
You will be alerted when you are near one
WARNING! Dungeons will remain invisible to the elemental nations until you open one. Once you are inside said dungeon anyone will be able to see the entrance and enter after you. This only applies to the dungeon you are currently in. Once you leave the dungeon is closed forever, no matter who else is left inside.
There are dungeons that are connected to each other however, if said person is able to reach another dungeon through the one they're trapped in they will be able to escape even if you are not in the dungeon they escaped from.
Dungeons vary in difficulty. But each dungeon, upon completion, awards you with treasure. These treasures could result in material rewards or otherwise, such as increases in stats or levels in skills.
. . .
Well now, isn't that one hell of a pull?
Ding!
There's a dungeon near you!
Estimated difficulty… Normal!
Level range 8-12
Locating dungeon entrance…
200 Yards to your left
This day just keeps getting better.
I walked into Tsunami's home to see Kakashi, Sasuke, and whom I can only guess is Sakura sitting at the dining room table. Tsunami, and Tazuna are there too, looking very out of place and awkward. I decided to break the tension.
"Yo."
Tsunami and tazuna looked towards me, both shocked but very happy to see me. Tazuna with a wide grin, and Tsunami with a more gentle but happy smile. Kakashi turns towards me too, suspicious but with a small amount of relief on seeing me okay. No doubt he was just a tad bit worried over my safety due to me meaning something to Naruko. Sasuke doesn't even look, while Sakura spares me a small glance before her attention returns to Sasuke.
I take a moment to Observe Sakura.
Name: Sakura Haruno
Class: Genin of Konoha
Title: Top Kunoichi
Level: 10
HP: 400
CP: 300
STR: 27
END: 20
DEX: 19
INT: 53
WIS: 10
LCK: 20
Thoughts about you: You're not as cool as Sasuke, you're slightly attractive
Description: Sakura Haruno is a genin of Konoha, graduating as Top Kunoichi because of her excellent academic abilities. She is madly in love with Sasuke because he's very handsome and cool in her eyes. She wants to be able to heal him from the wounds he holds close to himself. Sakura doesn't train much, despite being a kunoichi, because she wants to keep her feminine appearance in an effort to attract Sasuke. She is weirded out by Naruko's attraction towards her.
It's weird to see Sakura with such a high INT stat but have so little chakra in comparison, but I expected it to be that way. It was made very apparent in the series that she had little chakra but very good control over it. So it must be a perk of hers or something. I watch as Kakashi sends a glance towards Sasuke before he eye smiles at me.
"Ah there you are Tatsuo-san, good to see that your incredibly reckless and stupid action didn't result in your death. It would have been hard to break the news to poor Naruko that her brand new…friends death could have been easily avoidable if he had just listened to the more experienced ninja."
Is..is he trying to guilt trip me? How dirty of him. Granted, he had no idea that it wouldn't have failed at all, so if I was some random mook I should have and would have listened to him. But I'm me.
"Yeah, speaking of Naruko, wanna fill me in on why she was storming outside towards the woods earlier? I managed to calm her down slightly though so don't worry bout it."
"Maa maa, Tatsuo-san, it wasn't a big deal or anything. My cute little genins are just too…excitable and got into an argument over something so frivolous. Isn't that right Sasuke?"
"Hn."
"Honestly it was Naruko's fault. If that moron didn't start insulting Sasuke-kun then the whole situation could have been avoided."
I snorted at that, like I would believe that for a second. Sakura's too obsessed with Sasuke to give me an unbiased view on what exactly happened. But it honestly doesn't concern me. What happens between them stays between them.
"Whatever, just know that my 'reckless and stupid' action has resulted in yours truly becoming a summoner."
Kakashi's one visible eye widens by a fraction in surprise. Sasuke, on the other hand, has now decided to pay me some attention at the mention of summoning.
"Hn. So, you learned how to use the summoning jutsu?"
Whoa, Sasuke actually spoke?
"Yeah. They're pretty badass."
"Show me."
Did he just? Did he just…demand me to show him the summoning jutsu? Oh hell naw
"Nah, don't feel like it."
"I wasn't asking, show me. I require it to further my goal. No, my ambition."
"And my response is still no dude."
"Hn. Then let me sign whatever contract you have, I'm willing to trade. What would you want? The Uchiha Clan jutsu library has many different Jutsu I would be willing to trade in exchange."
Huh, didn't think he'd try to trade for it. Though I'm not stupid, my little revelation earlier made me more aware that Summoning is a rare skill to have as a ninja, there's not a whole lot he could offer me short of an A rank jutsu and up to make me even consider it. Not to mention that even if I wanted to let him sign mycontract I literally couldn't let him.
"Can't do that I'm afraid, max summoner occupancy reached ya know?"
Sasuke sniffs in dismissal and turns back around, "Nevermind then, probably not even that good of a summoning anyways. Most likely a waste of my skill."
Fucking bitch.
"Well, Naruko doesn't seem to think so. She's having a pretty nice moment right now with her new summon."
Kakashi actually chokes on whatever food he was eating in shock, while Sasuke whips back around in surprise and…anger? Jealously? I can't really tell what he's feeling right now.
"what did you say."
"I said that Naruko's having such a great time with her brand new summon. I let her sign my summoning contract earlier."
I took an immense amount of glee at seeing Sasuke seethe in silent anger, and that glee turned ten fold as I watched him storm away from the table and up the stairs to whatever room he was staying in. Sakura, likewise, went after him but not before giving me a rather nasty glare before she hurriedly climbed up the stairs.
Kakashi sighed and got up to go after his students. He patted me on the shoulder as he passed me by and went up the stairs. Not long after that I sat at the table as Tsunami offered me some of the leftover food still left, which I gladly accepted and ate with gusto. The three of us; Tazuna, Tsunami, and I just sat at the table talking and laughing as we spent the rest of the night just relaxing at the table. Inari at some point came back inside, probably back from telling Wave what had happened to Gato if my reputation gains were any indication of where he was.
It wasn't before long that everyone had gone to bed, Tsunami was kind enough to lend me a blanket for the couch I was sleeping on. I thanked her with a quick hug as she laughed in embarrassment and went back up the steps. I laid back down on the Couch and drifted off to sleep.
(The Next Day, Kakashi Perspective)
I made my way down the stairs and passed the sleeping form of Tatsuo passed out on the couch. He was a…strange man. Almost like a male version of Naruko, if you took away all the qualities of Naruko and only left the dense, overtly friendly to new people qualities and multiplied them by 2. I was suspicious of him at first, but learned quickly that he's not a danger to us. Though I will be reporting everything I learn of him to the Hokage, he'll want to learn about this stranger.
I took out my beloved book and sat at the table to read. Not even 20 minutes go by before Tsunami makes her way down the steps and towards the kitchen, greeting me as she passes. I gave her a hum in return and went back to my book. Soon, the scent of breakfast wafted though the air and up to the second floor, attracting both Sasuke and Sakura down the steps. They both sat down, Sasuke in front of me with Sakura sitting next to him. I really got to break Sakura out of that fangirl mindset, it won't do her any good as a ninja.
"mm, Sakura. Where's Naruko? Did she come back last night?"
"Bah, I never saw the idiot when I woke up. She must have stayed outside all night. Better for me though, I wouldn't be able to sleep with her perverted eyes in the same room as me."
Now that's rather harsh of her, but she's entitled to her own opinion regardless of what I think of it. But just as she finishes the door opens and Naruko walks in, covered in dirt and leaves from the forest floor. Though she looks happy and almost oddly…at ease?
"Maa maa, Naruko-chan, did you sleep in the forest on accident?"
"Oh Kakashi-sensei! Sorry about that, I got so wrapped up with this new jutsu I have that I slept in the forest. But it's okay, This nice lady in a pink kimono woke me up! She was in the forest gathering herbs for someone so I decided to help her. And we talked about ninja stuff, and I learned a lot about myself!"
"That's nice Naruko-chan, but sit down at the table I have something to debrief with you all. Oh, and do Tatsuo there a favor and wake him up. Breakfast is about to start if the smell from the kitchen is any indication."
Sensing the seriousness of my statement, both Sasuke and Sakura sit more upright and alert. Naruko, for all her brashness, understands the seriousness of my tone. She gently shakes Tatsuo awake and comes back immediately to sit down at the table.
"Now team, while Gato might be dead we still have to be on the lookout. We don't know if Gato being dead means the end of Zabuza coming after us."
"But Kakashi-sensei! Zabuza's dead right? That hunter nin killed him!"
"Not quite Sakura, that hunter nin did something strange. Instead of disposing the body on the spot they decided to take him away from us. That by itself isn't too suspicious, but their weapon of choice was senbon. That's not a weapon of choice that hunter nin use. Senbon are too small and narrow to be used effectively in hunter work, but what they are good for is hitting nerves on the human body. Nerves that could, for chance, make you look as good as dead."
That little explanation seems to have shaken them, not that I blame them. Zabuza is an A rank ninja, a member of the seven swordsmen of the mist, and he even managed to catch me in a trap. I would have been done for if not for my team helping me, to my shame as a teacher and as a ninja. If Zabuza is alive, and still after Tazuna with an accomplice? They must be scared.
"Don't get too scared or nervous yet team, this is still only a theory. We don't know for sure that he is alive, but if he is he'll be out of commission for a while. Unlike us, we're under the assumption that Zabuza doesn't have a medic nin of any capacity like we do with Sakura here. He'll be out for at the least a week even with some basic healing before he can make any moves against us. In that time I'll make sure to train you as much as I can. It might not seem like that much, but another week of training will only do you kids good."
At that moment Tatsuo decided to walk in, hair splayed all over the place and his arms held up high as he stretched. He let out a loud, long yawn as he plopped down next to Naruko at the table. His head was tilted to the side, his tired, sleepy eyes only half open.
"Wh- yawn- what are you guys talking about?"
Before I could say anything Naruko decided to pipe up and tell him information that she shouldn't be sharing to anyone outside the team.
"Oh, we're talking about how we need to train up in case we need to fight Zabuz- oh right you probably don't know who that is do you? He's this crazy strong ninja with this HUGE sword and can do this mist thing that makes him completely silent. We like, totally kicked his butt earlier but we're worried that he's coming back and with backup this tim-"
Naruko rambled on to Tatsuo, who appeared to be only half listening, as I mentally facepalmed on Naruko's inability to keep information a secret. I'll have to make sure that this doesn't happen again. But before I could say anything Tatsuo decides to chime in.
"Oh you mean Zabuza and his little helper? Don't worry, I took care of them when I killed Gato."
…what did he say? He took care of them?
"Tatsuo-san, what do you mean by that?"
He yawned again, "I said I took care of them. Done, they're no longer a problem or threat."
I instantly became on guard. If what Tatsuo is saying is true, then he took out potentially two A rank ronin, and whatever other security Gato had with him, on his own with no backup. He is much more dangerous than what I originally presumed. I took a look back into my memories and came to a disturbing and cold realization.
Tatsuo came back that day with blood all over him, but with no injuries of his own to speak of. That suggested that he had no trouble taking all of them on. And he was sitting right next to his students! First priority was to make sure that I inform my students of the potential danger that Tatsuo poses. Regardless of his apparent friendship with Naruko, he could be a potential enemy if someone (Sasuke) gets on his bad side. From what gathered, Tatsuo is a man driven by his emotions. He doesn't think of the consequences of what he's about to do if his summoning stunt is any indication and just goes with whatever amuses him. That's a dangerous mindset for a potential threat to have. He could, at any moment, decide to kill anyone here and I'm sure we wouldn't get out of that fight unscathed.
The man in question got up and started to stretch before he made his way to the door.
"Tatsuo! Where are ya going?"
"Don't worry Naruko, I'm just going on a troll though the forest, I'll definitely be back before the end of the day."
Tatsuo waved goodbye before he left the house. I waited a few moments before glancing towards the window. Sure enough I saw Tatsuo move into the forest and out of potential earshot.
"Sasuke, Sakura, Naruko. Listen to what I have to say right now."
The seriousness of my tone caught them all off guard, but like good students they treated the situation with the respect it deserved and gave me their undivided attention.
"That man, Tatsuo, is dangerous. If we took what he said as straight fact then he has taken out 2 possible A rank ninjas and whatever security Gato had by himself. That makes Tatsuo at the very least a low B rank to a high A rank threat. That's something none of you can hope to fight against."
I let that statement sink in before continuing, "I want you all to not actively antagonize him. Naruko that doesn't apply to you, in fact I encourage you to keep your friendship with him. But Sasuke, don't pester him. Don't demand from him, don't try to force him to show you anything. Sakura that goes for you too on doing that on Sasuke's behalf. Do you understand me?"
"Yes Kakashi-sensei!"
"Good, now after breakfast meet me outside by the lake near the trees. You all learned tree climbing in the academy and now we're going to work on the next step; water walking. If you all manage to complete this within the time it takes for the bridge to finish I will also get you started on some jutsu training. How does that sound?"
Sasuke and Naruko immediately perk up with anticipation. Sakura, while not as interested, does get motivated at the prospect of the water walking. Good, now that the warning has been given it's time I get ready to mentally catalogue everything I can about Tatsuo in preparation for my report to the Hokage.
Name: Tatsuo Kyodo
Class: Monk [10/100]
Title: The Jaguar Summoner
Level: 10 [19,850/51,200]
HP: 800
CP: 1000
CC: +40%
STR: 56
END: 40
DEX: 20
INT: 50
WIS: 25
LCK: 30
Ryo: 2,700,200
Stat Points: 0