The Nara Clan Library was something of a point of pride for the Nara Clan. Not only did it have a collection of rare books from all over the world, some even precious first editions or hand copied, but it was filled by journals and manuals specifically written by past Nara Clan members for future Nara Clan members. I'd been reading at a rate of 2 or 3 books or scrolls a week since I was under 3 years old, and I had still read less than 5% of it in total. And until I learned Kage Bunshin and could exponentially increase my learning curve, I was stuck at my current pace set by my Reading Skill. Least I was grinding it every day.
Anyway, it was 2 weeks into summer vacation and I'd been training at a pace that had Yoshino worried for my health, and she didn't know that I worked out at all hours of the night when they thought I was sleeping. It was Sunday, so I was taking it easy on the more physical training. After an hour-long lesson on the biwa with Yoshino, I grabbed a random book from the Nara Clan Library and started reading. And I was convinced my Crapshoot Curse had made my Luck 777 when I picked this particular volume.
Turns out it was a diary kept by a Nara who'd been a freaking Sage. He'd discovered Natural Energy and trained himself to create Sage Chakra and do Senjutsu without turning into stone all on his own. His Luck must have been higher than Naruto's or he was a genius among geniuses. Anyway, it was filled with his musings on human nature, the warring clans and the history of the world. But it also included some very, VERY interesting chakra control exercises and tips to make anyone who took the time to read this book an utter beast.
I read the whole scroll in 3 hours. Then, I went to my room and got in the lotus position. I focused and, hoping I didn't bite off more than I could chew, attempted the 2 most useful chakra control exercises from the Nara Sage's diary.
[New Skill Created!]
[Yin Chakra Training (Active) Level: 1
Convert regular Chakra to Yin Chakra. Passively increases INT and WIS by 1%. Scales with level. Active cost 20 CP/sec.]
[Yang Chakra Training (Active) Level: 1
Convert regular Chakra to Yang Chakra. Passively increases STR and DEX by 1%. Scales with level. Active cost 20 CP/sec.]
I grinned in triumph. I wasn't quite so reckless or fearless to even think of attempting the Sage Chakra Training exercise at that moment. I'd save that until I had a Sage or Summon Elder to help stop me from petrifying if I did it wrong. But I just found my new favorite Skills to grind. Those multipliers were tiny now, but so far as I knew there was no real level cap for any Skill, or at least I hadn't found one yet. If I could level these two indefinitely… I was going to become a monster.
There was Yin-Yang Chakra Training too, but I had a gut feeling the CP cost for that could kill me at my current level. As it was, I could barely do Yin or Yang Chakra Training for 15 seconds at a time. I'd reserve that for when my CP was at least over 1000 points.
I got back to my grind after that, crunching through the Library, training my body, power leveling my various Skills. Anytime I felt like giving up, I just had to think of Madara summoning a freaking meteor or Kaguya enslaving the planet with Infinite Tsukuyomi. I knew I'd be able to count on Naruto and Sasuke and other big shots to help, but so many died in canon. If I could reduce those deaths by just 1, then I owed it to that 1 to be the best I could so I could save them.
Sasuke's 8th birthday on July 23rd dawned bright and clear. We'd agreed to meet at the Nara house, and Yoshino and Chouza would be our chaperones as we went about town having fun with the birthday boy. Hinata had been granted permission by Hiashi to attend. I'd yet to meet the man, so I didn't have a real read on him. I didn't know how much of his cold attitude and assholeishness towards Hinata was canon or fanon.
We all (me, Shikamaru, Naruto, Chouji, Sasuke, and Hinata) set out with Chouza and Yoshino at 9:00. First was a trip to the top of the Hokage Monument so we could enjoy the view. It was a common tourist activity for those visiting Konoha, but none of us had done it yet. We climbed the seemingly endless staircase up the mountain, chatting like kids who were best friends the whole time. We reached the viewing area and all just basked in the scenic vista.
We climbed back down, and grabbed lunch from an Akimichi restaurant to recover from all the exercise. Naruto even got to have ramen, which he paid Chouza the complement of saying his Clan's cooks were almost as good as the Ichiraku's. He laughed his ass off at that.
After the meal, we went to an arcade and each got 500 Ryo in coins to use on the games. It was more old-school to my mind, lots of carnival games and pinball machines. But there were a couple console games, and Naruto insisted I team up with him for the 2-person shooters.
When we all ran out of money, we went to Konoha's world-famous hot springs. Chouza and Yoshino split the fee, and then we split according to sex. I hoped Hinata had fun with Yoshino, she could use some time with a mother-like figure given she was raised by a single dad. Chouza corralled us into the bath to get clean, and then we all promised to be on our best behavior as we entered the men's hot springs.
"This is so nice! Like a bath big enough to swim in. The water smells nice too," Naruto sighed as he sank up to his ears next to me.
I nodded, but my mind was on something. I couldn't resist, even if it was Sasuke's birthday and a day of rest. I hopped up onto the stone ground around the spring and focused chakra to my feet. I hesitantly placed my foot on the surface of the water.
[New Skill Created!]
[Water Walking Exercise (Active) Level: 1
Use chakra to walk on the surface of water. Passively increases chakra control and efficiency by 1%. Scales with level. Active cost of 15 CP/sec.]
I moved my other foot to stand on the water, maintained it before my incredulous friends until my CP was almost empty, then ended it so I sank back into the water.
"I NEED to find some way to get more chakra," I grumbled.
"Dude, did you just stand on top of the water?!" Chouji gaped.
"It's a chakra control exercise. Might be a bit above my level, but I wanted to see if I could do it," I said.
Chouza was eyeing me with a considering look. "Water Walking from self-study at 8 years old… you're going places, Kichirou."
"Thank you, Chouza-ojisan," I said. A screen popped in front of me.
[Quest Complete! Walk On Water! Create Water Walking Exercise Skill! +3000 EXP]
[Level Up!]
[You have reached Level 20! Secondary Title Unlocked!]
[New Title Acquired!]
[Title: Grinder
You put your nose to the grindstone and keep it there. Increase rate Skills and Attributes level up by 25% after training continuously for over an hour.]
Status
Name: Nara Kichirou
Title: The Gamer, Grinder
Occupation: Academy Student (Konoha)
Level: 20
EXP: 100/2000
HP: 1240/1240
SP: 480/480
CP: 592.5/592.5
Attributes:
STR: 51
DEX: 45
VIT: 124
INT: 78
WIS: 63
LUK: -77
Available Attribute points: 20
Available Perk points: 1
I spent my Attribute points, deciding to round everything out.
Status
Name: Nara Kichirou
Title: The Gamer, Grinder
Occupation: Academy Student (Konoha)
Level: 20
EXP: 100/2000
HP: 1300/1300
SP: 525/525
CP: 627.5/627.5
Attributes:
STR: 55
DEX: 50
VIT: 130
INT: 80
WIS: 66
LUK: -77
Available Attribute points: 0
Available Perk points: 1
I was about to select my Perk when a new screen popped up.
[Achievement Unlocked!]
[Achievement: Well-Rounded (I)
All Attributes (except LUK) are 50 or higher. CP is passively doubled (stackable).]
Oh, yeah baby!
I selected my perk and then read my 'Status'.
Status
Name: Nara Kichirou
Title: The Gamer, Grinder
Occupation: Academy Student (Konoha)
Level: 20
EXP: 100/2000
HP: 1300/1300
SP: 525/525
CP: 1255/1255
Attributes:
STR: 55
DEX: 50
VIT: 130
INT: 80
WIS: 66
LUK: -77
Available Attribute points: 0
Available Perk points: 0
[Perk: Second Chance
No matter how severe the attack, you will always keep at least 1 HP if total HP is over 50% before being hit.]
Hopefully the Second Chance Perk would stop me from being one-shotted by Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams or in any other boss battle I got dragged into.
"Yo! Kichirou! You've been staring into space for, like, 5 minutes," Shikamaru said, snapping me out of focus on the screens.
"I was watching the shapes the steam made in the air," I lied easily.
We all returned to the Nara house after that, where we had a more traditional party with snacks and cake and decorations with Sasuke. He smiled brighter than he had since the Massacre. We all gave him his presents, and he thanked us for all of them. Hinata had to leave after that to return home before her curfew, but the rest of us stayed for a good old-fashioned sleepover. I actually slept that night, after the other boys passed out from sugar crashes and staying up playing games and talking.
The rest of summer vacation passed pleasantly enough. Soon enough, it was the first day of our second year at the Ninja Academy. We hit the ground running, to say the least. We started learning the Basic Konoha Style for Taijutsu, began shuriken and kunai throwing, and started chakra theory classes to help other students unlock their chakra. As Naruto and I had already unlocked it, we were given leave to do chakra control exercises under supervision that period instead. Naruto and I drew lots of eyes, him doing kata hanging from the ceiling and I hanging on the wall with a number of leaves sticking to me at various points on my body. All that on top of the usual PT and academic classes.
Our gang hung out at lunch every day and often did homework and our own training at someone's house after school. After our first half-day on Saturday, Hinata cleared her throat. "Everyone, my father has asked if you all would join us for tea this afternoon." Her stutter had cleared up over the summer as she grew in confidence.
"Should we go home to change?" I asked in all seriousness. The Hyuuga were well known for their formal attitudes.
"It's just afternoon tea, Kichirou-kun," Hinata blushed.
We followed her and Ko to the Hyuuga Clan Compound, which was a sectioned-off section of the village only slightly smaller than the Uchiha District. We were led into what could only be called a mansion, where I presumed the Main House lived.
We were led to what I guessed was literally the tea room, a room just for entertaining guests and drinking hot leaf juice. Hyuuga Hiashi himself was seated in seiza position at the head of the table. Hinata bowed when we all entered the room. "Otou-sama. I brought my friends as you requested."
"Greetings, young ones. I am Hyuuga Hiashi, Hinata's father and Hyuuga Clan Head. Please be seated," he said, his tone polite but distant. He looked at us with his pupil-less eyes that could literally see right through you.
We all sat around the table. A Branch House woman came in and poured the tea with the practiced air of a servant. The fact that the Hyuuga all but enslaved a good chunk of their own family stuck in my craw, but it was none of my business of course. When we all had been served cups of what smelled like oolong, Hiashi spoke up. "So, how has your first week back at the Academy been?"
I didn't miss how all the others looked to me to answer and speak for them, so I knew Hiashi hadn't either. "Challenging but rewarding, Hiashi-sama," I told him.
"There's no need for '-sama', just '-san' will suffice," Hiashi told me. "So, Kichirou-san, it is my understanding that you are the leader of this little group, and that it was your decision to invite my daughter into it."
"I'm the oldest, so I suppose the others naturally defer to my decisions, but it's not like I'm Hokage and they're my soldiers. We're friends, Hiashi-san, this isn't a organized body and I am not the head," I said. "And I was also thinking of inviting others in our class to be friends and study together."
"Oh? Who did you have your eye on?" Hiashi asked. He took a sip of his tea, and just kept staring at me like a robot.
"Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Yamanaka Ino, and Haruno Sakura," I answered.
Hiashi raised a brow. "The Clan Heirs and Heiress I can understand, they will grow to have considerable power and their natural potential is a given. But why the civilian girl?"
"Talent is not exclusive to the aristocracy, Hiashi-san. Haruno Sakura may not have a shinobi heritage, but she is very talented. She gets a perfect score on every written test. Every single one. A keen intellect and near photographic memory. And she was the first in our class to unlock her chakra, doing so on our second day of chakra theory classes. She struggles with the more physical aspects of our education, but I can see her giving Hinata and Ino competition for Kunoichi of the Year for our graduating class," I said to one of the most powerful men in the village.
Hiashi regarded me impassively. "And from what I hear, you are the one in the running for Shinobi of the Year for your class in 5 years' time. Is that true?"
"I got 1st place in the class rankings for the Mid-Year and Final Exams for our first year, that is true. I simply endeavor to improve myself every day, and so far it seems to be working to my benefit," I shrugged.
"A Nara with a work ethic. A rather intriguing paradox," Hiashi commented. He glanced at the others. "Your tea is getting cold," he remarked.
We all took sips. Hiashi turned his attention to other members of the group, inquiring after their families and their individual interests. To his credit, he addressed Naruto no differently than he did any of the others. An hour passed with conversation, though a thread of tension never quite left the room. When we'd all long since finished our cups, Hiashi cleared his throat, drawing all our attention. "I'm sure you all have homework, and would like to enjoy leisure time in the company of friends. The east sitting room and the courtyard are at your disposal. Hinata, lead them to it. Kichirou-san, please stay behind. I would like a private word with you."
The others threw me nervous glances, but I nodded. "Of course, Hiashi-san."
Hinata led the group out of the tea room, leaving me and Hiashi sitting facing each other. Hiashi spoke the moment the other kids were out of earshot, I was sure. "I do not know what to make of you, Nara Kichirou."
"The feeling is mutual, Hiashi-san," I said neutrally.
"Oh? And what about me do you not understand? I'd be happy to clarify any issue," Hiashi offered.
"I do not understand how any man could abuse his daughter the way you have," I said bluntly, throwing caution to the wind.
For the first time since we'd met, Hiashi showed emotion. And it was outrage. "How dare you? I have never laid a hand on my daughter!"
"I did not say you physically abused her. But words can hurt deeper than any blow, as I'm sure you know. She has a gentle spirit, but her confidence wasn't shattered by anyone but you. You make her feel stupid and powerless and useless whenever she fails to meet your unreasonable expectation for the heiress of the Hyuuga Clan. You do nothing to stop her cousin Neji's degradation of her, blaming her for his father's death and taking out all his negativity on her. Did you even get her counseling after the Kumo Incident? Being kidnapped from your home in the dead of night is bound to be traumatic. Or did you think that a Hyuuga is made of tougher stuff and she'd just get over it, and assume she was weak when she didn't? My friends and I have been a more supportive family to her than you've ever been. Do you deny it, Hiashi-san?" I said calmly and clearly.
Proud shoulders slumped. Hiashi looked down, and I saw that he knew every word I'd spoken was the truth. "I love my daughter, Kichirou-san. Never doubt that. But I can't deny I've mistreated her. I've only ever tried to prepare her for the harsh realities of the world, but at every turn I seem to do more harm than good."
"When was the last time you hugged her?" I asked point-blank.
He hesitated. "Emotional displays are displays of weakness."
"If you honestly believe that, then I pity you. To be human is to feel. It's neither strength or weakness, it's part of who we are. Acting heartless and dead inside benefits no one. If you love Hinata and Hanabi, then let them know that. Look at what's happened to Hinata after a couple months of having true friendship. Imagine how far she'll go with a father's love to guide her," I said.
Hiashi gave a weak chuckle. "You're but a child, and yet somehow you are wiser than I."
"Well, out of the mouths of babes and all that," I shrugged. I was sure his Wisdom attribute was higher than mine too, but I got what he meant.
Hiashi looked at me and then bowed so low his forehead almost touched the table. "I suspected you were a schemer, gathering a group of powerful individuals for your own gain. I now see you for what you are: a true leader, one who inspires others to be better. You will go far, Nara Kichirou. And I thank you for showing me the truth I was too foolish to see myself, even with these all-seeing eyes of mine."
[Achievement Unlocked!]
[Achievement: The Mountain Bends
An authority figure bowed to you with genuine respect. Charismatic Perk, +5 Levels, +10 All Attributes.]
[Perk: Charismatic
You are convincing, charming, and inspire devotion in those you meet. Allies are 75% more likely to listen to you, neutral parties are 50% more likely, and enemies are 25% more likely.]
Status
Name: Nara Kichirou
Title: The Gamer, Grinder
Occupation: Academy Student (Konoha)
Level: 26
EXP: 900/2600
HP: 1460/1460
SP: 660/660
CP: 1530/1530
Attributes:
STR: 70
DEX: 62
VIT: 146
INT: 95
WIS: 79
LUK: -77
Available Attribute points: 50
Available Perk points: 2
Holy shit. I'd just spoken my mind, and somehow I seemed to have copied Naruto's Talk Jutsu to a degree and gotten an utter hax of an Achievement. I closed the screens to review later. "I'm just glad you were willing to listen to me," I said, rejoining the conversation.
Hiashi sat back up. "This did not go how I expected, but I am grateful for the result. Now, I shall show you to the east sitting room so you can rejoin your friends."
Hiashi led me through the mansion to a room that opened to a lovely courtyard with a koi pond. Naruto and Sasuke were sparring, while Hinata, Chouji, and Shikamaru seemed to be working on their homework. They all stopped to look at me when we entered.
"This is where I'll leave you. All of you are welcome in my home. Feel free to come visit Hinata at any time," Hiashi told us, and though he carried himself just as formally he seemed to have softened a little bit, his face and eyes a little bit warmer. He left, and I went to sit at the table with everyone.
"What did Otou-sama want to talk to you about, Kichirou-kun?" Hinata asked.
"He wanted to get a measure of me. He wanted to be sure I wasn't politicking and had malicious intent in gathering the most powerful kids in class together under my banner. We had a good talk, and I think I made a good impression," I told her and the others.
They all eventually relaxed, and we spent the afternoon doing homework, training, and chilling in Hinata's home. We all went back to our respective houses for dinner.
The next thing of note to happen was a month later. It was Sunday, and I was composing with the biwa. Well, really just working out by ear my favorite songs from my first life. Shikaku came in. "Kichirou, come with me." It was not a request.
"Of course, Shikaku-ojisan," I said immediately, sensing this was serious.
He led me to a nearby park, one popular with a lot of Nara youths and quite a few of the adults too. I spotted Hiruzen sitting on a bench, watching a little boy who could only be Konohamaru play on the playground. Shikaku led me to sit on the same bench next to the Hokage.
I waited for one of them to speak, knowing this couldn't be a coincidence. But Shikaku stayed silent and Hiruzen seemed content to watch his grandson. "Why am I here?" I asked.
"Call it an intervention," Shikaku said, crossing his arms.
"We're simply concerned for you, Kichirou-kun, for a number of reasons," Hiruzen said, looking at me with troubled eyes.
"What are they? Let me know your concerns and I'll do my best to reassure you," I told them.
"Shikaku came to me, quite perturbed, when he became aware that you had not slept in 10 days, spending every hour of the night engaging in rigorous training. We had you placed under observation, and became aware of a number of oddities. We'll get into those later, but for now, I want an honest answer about why you train as if the world depended on it," Hiruzen told me.
How arrogant was I to think I could hide things from a Jonin when I was living under his roof? I weighed my options. I could lie my ass off, and most likely be caught out as doing such and just face worse consequences. I could be partially honest, give them a vague version of the truth that would appease them. Or I could just tell them the real reason I dedicated almost every waking hour to getting stronger.
I thought about what to say, calculating the pros and cons of every option. Finally, I settled on the path that I thought would have the most positives with the least negatives.
"I saw this world end. I died. I was granted a wish by Kami himself. And now I'm living this life with memories of my first, and I know the fate that will befall us all if I'm not prepared," I said.
Hiruzen blinked. "Of all the things I expected to hear, that was not one of them."
I launched into an explanation. "In a nutshell, a criminal organization called Akatsuki captured all 9 Bijuu and resurrected the Juubi. And turns out the Juubi is the fusion of the God Tree and Ootsutsuki Kaguya, the first woman to gain the power of chakra who ruled over the world as a wrathful goddess. Basically, the reason I train like the world depends on it is because it kind of does. If someone's not there to stop Kaguya, she'll kill all who oppose her and enslave whoever's left."
"Alright… but what's this about getting a wish from Kami?" Shikaku asked.
"When I died, Kami came to me. He offered me the chance to be born again in this world, at this time, and one wish to change my circumstances. I wished for my Bloodline Limit, the Gamer," I told them. "It's not just Observe. I go through life as if it's a video game. I have a pocket dimension called Inventory, I can control my development each time I 'level up', I have Skills that I can improve that arbitrarily define my power at a certain activity, and I can unlock a variety of powers called 'Perks' that would each probably count as Bloodline Limits in their own right."
"We suspected there was more to your Bloodline Limit, but this… this is like nothing I've ever heard of," Hiruzen mused. "And you say you remember your first life? You have foreknowledge of future events?"
"I wasn't Nara Kichirou in my first life," I explained. "I suspect he died in the Kyuubi Attack. I only survived because of the Gamer. I know a version of the future that would have happened if I never existed."
"And… when did you die? When does the Juubi get resurrected and Kaguya return?" Hiruzen asked.
"The Fourth Shinobi War, when all 5 Great Ninja Villages united to try and stop Akatsuki from destroying the world, will occur in 8 years if we do nothing to affect the domino chain of events that lead up to it," I answered. "And for all I know, I've somehow started a butterfly effect just by being alive and talking to you right now that moved up the timetable. I train as hard as I do because I have a time limit before I have to face a being that even the Sage of Six Paths needed help to defeat 1000 years ago when the Juubi was stopped."
"Good grief. And here I was worried you were just a megalomaniac or worse than Might Gai at being a training maniac," Shikaku huffed.
"Kichirou-kun… will you tell me of what is to come if I ask?" Hiruzen asked, piercing me with his gaze.
I was tense. "The more things diverge, the less useful what I know will be. I was kind of hoping to just do a number of interventions like surgical strikes to prevent the worst outcomes of the timeline from my first life. If I tell you everything, you'll act to change it… and for all I know that could make things even worse."
"Yet as you said, your very existence is a point of divergence. Are you willing to risk calamity because you didn't trust me to act in the best interests of all involved?" Hiruzen pressed.
"And are you willing to trust me when I say that I can get good enough fast enough to save everyone that needs to be saved? Yourself included," I tacked on, though I knew it was risky.
Hiruzen frowned. "So… an impasse, is it?"
"Unless you're willing to toss me to Ibiki or Inoichi-ojisan to try and pry it out of my skull, I'm keeping the future to myself," I said stubbornly.
Hiruzen regarded me for a long few seconds. Then his mouth crooked up in a grin. "Well, in that case, if you're determined to be the hero who saves us all, I shall do my very best to aid you in your mission."
I blushed. "Naruto and Sasuke are going to be the heroes. I just want to be enough to tip the scales in their favor the way it didn't the first time."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Hiruzen said with a look. "So, what in your opinion would be the best thing I can do to help you in your goal of saving the world?"
"I need to be able to train at my own pace. We can't afford for me to spin my wheels at the Academy and then share a Jonin-sensei with 2 others. I need individualized attention from one of the strongest people in the village. The top 3 candidates would be Jiraiya, Danzo, or yourself," I offered after a second of thought.
Hiruzen frowned. "I'd trust you to a cobra before I trusted you to Danzo. And Jiraiya serves a vital function as spymaster, so unless you're willing to go on the road with him that's out. Seems I'll have to find time in my busy schedule to take you as my apprentice."
"You know, if you just used Kage Bunshin to do your paperwork, you'd have a lot more free time," I pointed out.
Hiruzen froze.
Shikaku tilted his head. "Wait, Hiruzen, you never thought of that yourself? I thought you were just nostalgic for doing things the civilian way. Every Clan Head in Konoha uses Kage Bunshin for administrative duties."
"I have never felt more foolish," Hiruzen said, a black raincloud appearing over his head.
I hid a sweatdrop. "So, yeah, if you're up for it, you can distill some of what made you the God of Shinobi into me. The first major shitstorm is the Chunin Exams right after our class graduates. That gives us 4 and a half years, give or take."
"Well, then," Hiruzen said, coming out of his dark mood. "Consider yourself my apprentice, Kichirou-kun."
[New Occupation Acquired!]
[Occupation: Apprentice (Sarutobi Hiruzen)
Increases leveling rate of all Skills and Attributes by 25%. Increases leveling rate of Ninjutsu-based Skills and Bojutsu an additional 15%.]
I immediately switched out Academy Student (Konoha) for the new Occupation. "When do we start?"
"Training Ground 3, 7:00 tomorrow morning. It seems you don't need it to function, but I advise you to get a good night's sleep. You'll certainly need it," Hiruzen said with a smile that sent chills up my spine. And I wasn't sure if they were the good or the bad kind.
The next day, I showed up to Training Ground 3, the one famously used by Team 7 in the anime near the Memorial Stone. I found Hiruzen looking at the inscribed names, dressed in his battle outfit from his fight with Orochimaru. "Hiruzen-sensei," I greeted.
He turned to face me. "Kichirou-kun. Good to see you. Now, in order for me to best train you, I need to understand how your Bloodline Limit works. Tell me everything you know."
I nodded and launched into a full summary of the Gamer and how it altered my subjective experience going through life. Hiruzen listened attentively, memorizing and analyzing everything as I said it.
"What is your current 'status' as you call it?" Hiruzen asked after I'd finished.
I pulled it up.
Status
Name: Nara Kichirou
Title: The Gamer, Grinder
Occupation: Apprentice (Sarutobi Hiruzen)
Level: 27
EXP: 250/2700
HP: 1520/1520
SP: 690/690
CP: 1610/1610
Attributes:
STR: 73
DEX: 65
VIT: 152
INT: 100
WIS: 84
LUK: -77
Available Attribute points: 0
Available Perk points: 0
I relayed everything I saw to Hiruzen.
"Without context, I can't appreciate any of those numbers," Hiruzen told me. "So, I want you to come at me with the intent to kill. I'll evaluate your standing from there."
I nodded and drew a kunai with my right hand. I focused on Hiruzen and then launched forward.
He blocked or dodged my every attack for 5 minutes before he blurred back a few steps. "Stop. That is enough. Now, I want you to flare as much of your chakra as you can for as long as you can."
I nodded and made the Ram seal. I exploded my chakra out of my body, draining my whole CP bar almost to 0 in the span of 9 seconds.
"Good. Now, how long until you're back to full chakra capacity?" Hiruzen asked.
"A little over 16 minutes, less if I eat or drink something," I reported.
"How does that make sense in the scope of your Gamer powers?" Hiruzen asked, at a loss.
"In an RPG, almost every consumable is an 'item' that conveys a certain effect upon use. Thanks to Gamer's Body, I don't need to eat for nutrition or sustenance. I only eat for flavor or to get the recovery to my HP, SP, or CP bars," I explained.
"Of all the aspects of your Bloodline Limit, I find that the strangest. But no matter. Eat or drink what you must to recover your chakra," Hiruzen instructed.
I pulled out a sports drink and a few of the sandwiches I saved from the cafeteria at the Academy. I sipped and munched as fast as an Akimichi and had my CP refilled within a minute. "I'm good," I told him.
"Very well. Now, I'm about to teach you a B-rank Ninjutsu that could exponentially increase your progress. However, the chakra requirements are steep. I'm only doing this because I am confident that the strain will not kill you," the Hokage explained.
"An 8 year old learning Kage Bunshin. What's the world coming to?" I joked.
"Indeed. Now, this is the unique hand seal," Hiruzen said before demonstrating the crossed index and middle finger gesture that Naruto had made iconic to fans in my world. "Channel chakra through it and attempt to make one Kage Bunshin."
I made the hand seal and focused my chakra.
[New Skill Created!]
[Kage Bunshin Jutsu (Active) Level: 1
Create a corporeal clone of yourself that will return all memories and leftover chakra upon destruction. 1 clone will cost ½ total CP, 2 will cost ⅓ CP, etc. Minimum of 250 CP per clone. Minimum will decrease with level.]
An identical copy of myself appeared in a puff of smoke next to me. A quick check showed that my CP was now 805 and slowly recovering with my natural regen rate. I did some quick math. "When I'm at full capacity, I can safely make 4 Kage Bunshin. Man, Naruto really is a bottomless well of chakra. I've seen him make hundreds of these things."
"An Uzumaki Jinchuuriki is a potent weapon. Not that I would ever think of Naruto-kun that way, but you know what I mean," Hiruzen nodded. "Have you an idea of how our training will go, going forward?"
"Start of each day, I make as many Kage Bunshin as I can. They'll read or grind my Skills or learn new subjects while my original body does physical conditioning and Taijutsu with you," I reasoned. "Since I literally never need to rest, I can continue to train at any assignments you give or on my own projects through the night. With permission, I'd like to keep Sundays as rest days, just so I don't burnout and can maintain contact with my friends."
"Of course, of course. And I'm afraid I'm not as young as I used to be, I might need rest days of my own," Hiruzen admitted.
"Well, if we're both on the same page, then what are we waiting for?" I grinned.
Training with Hiruzen was backbreaking but so worth it. In the span of 10 hours, my STR and DEX each went up a good 5 points and most of my Skills gained at least 1 level. My Kage Bunshin was busy doing chakra control exercises. Turns out he could regen just like I could, but his max CP was the amount he had when he was created. When he popped, I dealt with a minor headache of all his memories asserting themselves in my head. At 6:30, I got back to the Nara house. I blinked when I saw my friends all waiting in the dining room. "Uh, hey guys. Why are you all here?"
"You missed class today! Where were you?" Naruto asked, face all worried.
I looked at Shikamaru with a raised brow. "You didn't tell them?" I'd explained about my apprenticeship to Hiruzen at dinner last night.
"Too troublesome. Figured I'd let you do the honors," he said, looking bored but his eyes glinted with mischief. He'd been spending too much time with Naruto.
I sighed. "It's not a big deal. Hokage-sama pulled me out of the Academy so I could be his personal apprentice. What's for dinner, Yoshino-obasan?"
"WHAT?!" shouted all my friends but Shikamaru, who just leaned back and enjoyed the fireworks.
I talked all of them down. Naruto was very happy for me, but also a bit jealous that I was getting special treatment from his Jiji and didn't have to go to school anymore. The others were just blown away that I'd scored 1-on-1 instruction from such a famous shinobi. I ate dinner, then went to the Nara Clan Library. I grinned and cricked my neck. Then I made as many Kage Bunshin as I could. We each grabbed a book or scroll. 15 minutes later, when my CP was almost back to full, I made the same number of Kage Bunshin.
By the time I left to go to Training Ground 3 to meet Hiruzen, I'd made over 100 Kage Bunshin, all of them reading as fast as they could to absorb the collective knowledge of the Nara Clan.
I fell into a routine like my old one on steroids. I spent my days working myself to the bone with Hiruzen, progressing at a phenomenal rate in both Skills and Attributes. I didn't get much EXP or Quests, but I was getting so much stronger that I almost didn't need to level up. Though Perk points would be appreciated.
Hiruzen needed at least 1 day off a week to fully recover, given his geriatric status. And Sundays were sacred to me. I still cranked out Kage Bunshin to do training, but my original body focused on leisure activities, hobbies, and hanging out with my friends.
The next major milestone, to my mind, came in December, just after Christmas. I got an Achievement which kind of snowballed.
[Achievement Unlocked!]
[Achievement: Maxed Out (I)
25 Active or Passive Skills have reached Max Level. +5000 EXP, Skill Mutations Unlocked.]
[Level Up!]
[You have reached Level 30! Class Unlocked!]
[New Class Acquired!]
[Class: Generalist
Jack of all trades, master of none. Increase power and decrease cost of all Skills by 5% in combat.]
Status
Name: Nara Kichirou
Title: The Gamer, Grinder
Occupation: Apprentice (Sarutobi Hiruzen)
Class: Generalist
Level: 30
EXP: 100/3000
HP: 1750/1750
SP: 1000/1000
CP: 2145/2145
Attributes:
STR: 101
DEX: 99
VIT: 175
INT: 122
WIS: 107
LUK: -77
Available Attribute points: 20
Available Perk points: 1
I allocated my Attribute points and selected my Perk.
Status
Name: Nara Kichirou
Title: The Gamer, Grinder
Occupation: Apprentice (Sarutobi Hiruzen)
Class: Generalist
Level: 30
EXP: 100/3000
HP: 1850/1850
SP: 1050/1050
CP: 2195/2195
Attributes:
STR: 101
DEX: 100
VIT: 185
INT: 124
WIS: 114
LUK: -77
Available Attribute points: 0
Available Perk points: 0
[Perk: Lock On
Hyperfocus on 1 opponent. All damage from Skills increase 10% while costs decrease 10% when applied towards this opponent.]
[Achievement Unlocked!]
[Achievement: Well-Rounded (II)
All Attributes (except LUK) are 100 or more. CP is passively doubled (stackable).]
Status
Name: Nara Kichirou
Title: The Gamer, Grinder
Occupation: Apprentice (Sarutobi Hiruzen)
Class: Generalist
Level: 30
EXP: 100/3000
HP: 1850/1850
SP: 1050/1050
CP: 4390/4390
Attributes:
STR: 101
DEX: 100
VIT: 185
INT: 124
WIS: 114
LUK: -77
Available Attribute points: 0
Available Perk points: 0
All that handled, I looked into Skill Mutations. Turns out that once a Skill reached Max Level, I could pick one of two options to modify it to get a little extra boost. For example, for my Writing Skill, I could pick Speed Writer which would double my WPM or Forger which would let me copy others' handwriting. I went with Forger, ninja and all that.
I got back to my grind, and the next thing of note happened on my birthday. I insisted on nothing too crazy. Hiruzen gave me the day off, but my friends still had the Academy. I had decided to go for a walk, and chose to get lunch from a dango stand. I was planning to store most of the dumplings in my Inventory for later use, but I'd enjoy the flavors of one or two. I was just getting my order when a woman with purple hair sat down next to me.
"Oh, playing hooky from school, brat? And you happen to be in my favorite seat. Bad day to be you."
I turned, using Observe almost on reflex at this point. I used it on almost everyone and everything just to grind it.
Name: Mitarashi Anko
Title: Snake Mistress of Konoha
Occupation: Konohagakure Tokubetsu Jonin
Class: Assassin
Level: 77
EXP: 2200/7700
HP: 2570/2570
SP: 2600/2600
CP: 10950/10950
Attributes:
STR: 208
DEX: 312
VIT: 257
INT: 276
WIS: 299
LUK: 89
I was a bit surprised that there weren't any question marks in her Observe screen. Had I come that far that she wasn't that far out of my league? I cleared the screen after memorizing it and focused on the sadistically smirking woman looking down at me. "I'm an apprentice, I don't have to attend school and my sensei gave me today off since it's my birthday. As for this being 'your' seat, I didn't see your name on it, Mitarashi Anko."
"Oho! You know who I am?" she grinned, all but preening at her apparent notoriety.
"Tokubetsu Jonin, civilian family, personal apprentice to Orochimaru before he went Missing-nin. Currently works in Torture & Interrogation as Morino Ibiki's protege. Specializes in poisons and use of Snake Summons, can use dango skewers as makeshift senbon, Fire Nature chakra affinity. Known to dress provocatively and flirt with every man you meet, but for all I know that's just a mask and you're really a chaste lesbian," I rattled off.
She blinked and cocked her head. "You're not one of those child prodigies and you're apprenticed to someone in Intelligence or something, are you? That's practically my dossier."
"Prodigy, so people tell me. My sensei is the Hokage, though," I told her.
"Oh, so you're the cute little kid who Hokage-sama has been spending so much time on lately," Anko grinned. "You caused quite the stir in the community when it got out Hokage-sama had taken a personal student out of nowhere. What makes you so special?"
"That's… classified," I grinned. "Though I'm a Nara without a lazy bone in my body. Let that sink in and tell me I'm not someone worth paying attention to."
"Huh, all the ingenuity and brainpower of your clan with the drive to actually use it constructively… that's actually a bit terrifying," Anko chuckled. She flagged down a waiter and ordered more than the average Akimichi. Looking at her body under the mesh, she clearly burned it all off. "Like what you see?" she asked lasciviously, noticing my quick examination.
"Alas, I'm still a bit too young to really appreciate it," I shrugged. "Give me a couple years for my balls to drop and I'll get back to you."
"So, got any plans, birthday boy?" Anko asked after she finished laughing good-naturedly at me.
"Got a small party at my house with my friends this evening. But I'm free until about 5:00. Why?" I asked.
"I was thinking of taking a stroll through my favorite park, and I was hoping to see how you'd handle it yourself," she said innocently.
I gave her a look. "Would this park happen to be nicknamed the Forest of Death?"
"Hah! My reputation precedes me. How about it, kid? Interested?"
Well, I was the Gamer. It was about time for my first dungeon crawl.