This chapter will cover the rest of this story's gamer system while detaling some of the difference in this alternative universe.
Disclaimer, I have changed some of the lineages that certain characters have, so if that bothers you I'm sorry but this is an AU, that will incorporate most if not all filler and movie materials as well as fanon, and some personal changes. Many of which will be covered in the next chapter, but I don't want to spoil too much here.
By the way, Suzume-sensei is a character that briefly appeared in the series. She was the kunoichi instructor for Sakura and Ino. She was described as being a germaphobe and a crybaby, so I decided to use those traits as a starting point.
Also I would like some feedback on how long these chapters should be. I've never done this so I don't know what a good length should be. I'm thinking somewhere around 3-4k words. If anyone would prefer longer chapters please let me know, however, be aware that updates will also take longer.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy!
Edit: Grammar Fixes.
"We'll begin the assessment period with a two-hour written exam, followed by academy ninjutsu testing, and then, uh.. we'll break for lunch?"
Why is she asking us?
Suzume-sensei seemed even more anxious than we were.
Her chipped nails and their splotchy red paint had the tell tale signs of onychophagia, habitual nail-biting. Her glasses kept slipping down her bridge, and each time they were adjusted I could see frizzy strands of black curly hair being torn out. As if she washed it far too many times a week, resulting in it becoming dry and prone to breaking.
Yet, that didn't add up, because unlocking one's own chakra should increase even the durability and regeneration of their hair and nails. Either she's outpacing her body's ability to restore itself, an impressive thing on its own right, or Suzume-sensei was intentionally keeping herself from healing completely.
Maybe it was simply a charade so that she would be underestimated?
+10 EXP: Charisma!
+10 EXP: Intelligence!
+10 EXP: Wisdom!
"Hmm.."
Information
Title: Chunin Instructor
Rank: ?
Country: The Land of Fire
Hidden Village: Konoha
Reputation: ?
Name: Suzume
Age: ?
Appearance
Hair: Black, Long, Curly
Skin: White
Eyes: Black
Stats
Level: ?
Value Points
?
Attributes
?
Chakra
?
Nature Affinity
?
Talents
?
Techniques
?
Equipment
Pink Kimono: Uncommon
Mesh Armour: Common
Red Shinobi Pants: Common
Socks and Floppy Sandals: Common
Weapons
?
Ugh.
Each time something was 'recalled' I could feel the veins on my temple pulsing. However, I don't know if it was the migraine messing with my perception, but with every trail of thought that slithered into my head the pulses felt a bit smoother.
+5 EXP: Endurance!
Though most of her information remained hidden, it was still somewhat revealing.
It seemed the gamer system filled in bits of information that I knew, even if someone was far above my ability to 'recall'.
+5 EXP: Wisdom!
"Yes! we'll break for lunch, then evaluate your shurikenjutsu, and end the day with a taijutsu tournament!" Suzume-sensei punctuated that last statement by closing both eyes and using her right hand to punch the air above.
No one said anything. The silence was so clear that I couldn't help but feel a bit bad.
"Yay?" I could feel the blood rushing to my face, and several eyes, including our instructor's, glancing towards me as the word left my mouth.
+100 Exp: Reputation with Suzume-sensei!
+1 LVL: Reputation with Suzume-sensei!
+10 EXP: Charisma!
+5 EXP: Willpower!
Turning towards Tenten, her raised eyebrow made it clear she wasn't going to say anything and it didn't seem like anyone else would either.
Not that I could blame them.
"Yay.." Suzume-sensei's dejected voice as she slowly lowered her arm wasn't exactly inspiring confidence in her capabilities. It didn't help that her chakra felt itchy, like a spider crawling on my skin.
+10 EXP: Chakra Sensing!
Looking at the number of frowns and few scowls on those below our row, it was obvious that even the worst sensor among us were able to detect our instructor.
Not that it meant much, because she was radiating so much negative energy it was literally visible, albeit barely, to the naked eye in the form of a dark shroud. While past instructors were really difficult to sense even when standing right in front of them, Suzume-sensei's irritating chakra was permeating the room.
Would remaining this close to her give us a rash?
+5 EXP: Wisdom!
It was another thing bugging me.
After all, chakra shrouds were rarely the mark of a talented shinobi or kunoichi. Sure there were some exceptions, such as the usage of nintaijutsu or Jinchuriki's and their cloaks. However, more often than not it just meant someone was wasting most of their energy and lacked the control to utilize it efficiently.
+5 EXP: Intelligence!
Maybe this too was a part of our test? Who breaks under pressure is something they would have to evaluate.
Or maybe our instructor was just awful at controlling her chakra.
+5 EXP: Wisdom!
"Yes, well," with her right hand covering her mouth, Suzume-sensei cleared her throat. "Let us begin the written exam. Please come down to the front, in orderly fashion, and you'll recieve a packet."
There were multiple binders behind her that were each at least five inches thick and stacked together. They must be covering everything we've learned these past several years.
This was going to be a slog.
+10 EXP: Wisdom!
Any further observations were halted as I felt a sharp finger tap on my left shoulder.
-1 Lifeforce Energy Points
Ow..
Maybe it was a claw? If my body wasn't chakra enhanced that would have pierced straight through skin and bone. How strong was she?
I turned to her while using my right hand to rub my shoulder.
"Are you going to just sit there and make us both fail or..?" Her eyes were narrowed, but I could see a slight upturn on her lips even as she frowned. Morever, our classmate to her left was currently making their way upfront to pickup a test, she could have just walked down that side.
I had been planning on waiting to avoid standing in line or getting pushed around if a crowd formed, and so far only a fifth or so of our peers had taken a binder.
-1 Lifeforce Energy Points
"Well?"
Great, now both my shoulders and head were aching.
"Hmm.."
Heading down the steps, I took the chance to recall my energies.
Value Points
Lifeforce Energy Points: 1008/1010
Physical Energy Points: 1010/1010
Spiritual Energy Points: 1010/1010
Chakra Energy Points: 0
I had felt my well of energies increase a little when my 'Charisma' rose, but I didn't expect it to be that noticeable in the system.
"Good luck sunshine," Suzume-sensei whispered, while I accepted a binder from her left-hand.
"Thank you, sensei.." I wonder, could anyone see the redness rising on my face or the thumbs up she was giving me with her right hand?.
+50 EXP: Reputation with Suzume-sensei!
+5 EXP: Charisma!
"Yeah, Nissho-kun," Tenten spoke up from behind me, stressing part of my name and taking from my hand the binder Suzume-sensei had given me. "You wouldn't want to fail this late in the game, huh?"
Looking over my shoulder, I saw she was hiding my test behind her back.
I thought we were getting along just fine, why is she trying to get under my skin now? Is this what having a crush is like?
How annoying.
I should have come earlier and taken a different seat, now we might be stuck sitting next to each other.
"So you can have a real chance at being rookie of the year? No thanks."
+10 EXP: Reputation with Tenten!
+5 EXP: Willpower!
And why did saying that raise my standing with her?
In response, she simply stuck the tip of her tongue out at me, and childish as it sounds I was tempted to do the same. Instead, I just bit my lip and then turned back to Suzume-sensei who, with a smile on her face, handed me another binder.
+5 EXP: Reputation with Tenten!
+5 EXP: Charisma!
Girls really are weird, or maybe it was just Kunoichi?.
"Now, now, no riling each other up. You'll be spending the year alongside one another. Besides, if both of you graduate then who knows.." a giggling Suzume-sensei began, right hand readjusting her improperly fitted and glinting glasses, "you might even end up together."
Being on the same genin-squad as her?
"Sorry sensei.."
+50 EXP: Reputation with Suzume-sensei!
+1 LVL: Reputation with Suzume-sensei!
+10 EXP: Charisma!
Hmm..
'Info: Suzume-sensei Reputation.'
Reputation: 2(Liked), EXP to next LVL: 0/100
Strange, it wasn't shown before. Did raising my reputation 'level' with someone make it visible?
"Yeah, sorry," she didn't sound sincere. Although it's not like she was pretending to be, given the smirk on her face.
"Now back to your seats, the test will be starting in a few minutes and there are still those who haven't received their packet."
"Quit pushing!"
"Move it!"
Turning around, I could see that a crowd of anxious shinobi-in-training had formed and were already getting rowdy. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid in the first place.
"Come on sunshine, let's get this over with," I heard her say while she grabbed my right upper arm, and began dragging me up the steps.
As she cut through the crowded aisle like a sharpened kunai through muscle, I felt the embarrassment grow to be too much.
"I can make it back up by myself!"
+5 EXP: Willpower!
"Are you sure, Nissho-kun?" When she looked over her shoulder, i could see a mischievous grin.
"Yes, I'm su-" the moment I started to answer, she released her grip and I felt a pain on my back.
-5 Lifeforce Energy Points
"-urk!"
Someone's elbow had struck me.
Maybe I couldn't.
+10 EXP: Wisdom!
"Kay, good luck!" I could hear her voice fading quickly in the growing rabble around me.
"Stop shoving!"
"Get out of the way!"
The increasing itchiness on my skin made me look back, and I could see Suzume-sensei being swarmed.
"P-please everyone! settle d-down!" Her dark chakra shroud was becoming more prominent and further irritating the rabid mob. Like adding toad-oil to a fire jutsu.
+10 EXP: Chakra Sensing!
With the way things were going, it wouldn't be long now before someone was dumb enough to bring out a kunai.
-5 Lifeforce Energy Points
A knee caught me on my side.
It didn't help that while I wasn't on the shorter side I also wasn't above average, and going up while they were pressing down made it more difficult.
-5 Lifeforce Energy Points
A fist collided with my head.
It was too much, we were too closely packed and I felt myself falling backwards.
+10 EXP: Endurance!
Only to feel the softest set of slender fingers slip themselves under my left sleeve, then grip my wrist, and Immediately I was stopped in place.
"You can thank me later sunshine, but first let's get you out of there," Tenten's muffled voice reached me, and I could see her arm through my nearly-closed eyelids.
Even though she wasn't squeezing, her hand's grip felt as durable as an iron clamp, and a moment later she pulled me straight out of the shinobi pit.
Yet, I couldn't help but notice how smooth her palm felt or that she was still holding my wrist as we walked towards our seats.
I knew that unlocking chakra also enhances the bodies natural resistances, which is why calluses didn't really form on shinobi. So It wasn't that I was surprised by their absence. It's just that, well, I wasn't expecting any part of her to be soft.
This close, even her chakra felt different. Instead of a prickly sensation like senbon-needles, it felt similar to the flat side of a polished blade.
+10 EXP: Charka Sensing!
+5 EXP: Intelligence!
+5 EXP: Wisdom!
"Thank you, Tenten.."
+10 EXP: Reputation with Tenten!
"See, that wasn't so hard now was it? You even know my name, for a moment there I thought you either didn't or had forgotten."
Had I really not used her name until now? If I wasn't red as a tomato before, I definitely was now. Maybe I should get a lower face mask.
"Sorry."
+10 EXP: Reputation with Tenten!
+5 EXP: Charisma!
"Don't worry about it sun-" she started speaking before looking over her shoulder, but stopped for a moment upon seeing me. "Oh wow, you got your ass kicked back there, huh? You might want to consider sitting out the taijustu tournament, sunshine."
Even though she was exaggerating a bit, my lip was busted and I had a noticeable bruise on my right eye.
Yet, I could feel them already healing as we took our seats.
Value Points
Lifeforce Energy Points: 995/1010
Physical Energy Points: 1010/1010
Spiritual Energy Points: 1010/1010
Chakra Energy Points: 0
Well, at least some of my earlier damage had been undone.
"Please! Someone help!" Suzume-sensei's voice rang out, as her dark shroud fully engulfed the impromptu brawl below us.
+10 EXP: Chakra sensing!
"This is such a mess, do you know anything about our sensei?" I turned to Tenten while placing my test in front of me.
With her right hand still gripping my left wrist, something I'd been ignoring, I could feel her chakra crackle like a static charge.
Could she have a hidden affinity to lightning?
+10 EXP: Chakra Sensing!
"She was my instructor when I took mandatory kunoichi lessons," there was a sharp edge in her voice as she openly glared at Suzume-sensei. "She's a germaphobe and a massive crybaby."
"P-please st-stop fighting!, save your stamina f-for the tournament!." I must confess that It was difficult to respect our chunin instructor as I watched her tear-stricken face. Shinobi and kunoichi aren't supposed to show their emotions, it was one of the many rules we're meant to follow.
+5 EXP: Intelligence!
"Was she a capable teacher?"
"Don't know. I only spent enough time there to not get thrown out of the academy, and left after crossing that threshold."
Her chakra now felt like it was sparking, and she was absent-mindedly flipping through her binder.
She's lying.
+10 EXP: Charisma!
+10 EXP: Chakra Sensing!
Did she find it humiliating? I don't really know what kunoichi lessons cover, only that it was a required course for those hoping to become one.
Maybe she had or hadn't wanted to attend, but being forced to would likely sour any prior sentiment.
I couldn't relate, because the only lessons I had were those shared by all Konoha Academy students.
Still.
Imagining a scenario were becoming a shinobi was predicated on me participating in something not everyone was required to, and that I found to be degrading, left me with an unfamiliar unease.
I simply did not understand that perspective, but it didn't mean I couldn't try or could do nothing.
Placing my right hand over her own, now clutching my wrist, I slid her hand foward to meet mine.
+100 EXP: Wisdom!
+1 LVL: Wisdom!
+100 EXP: Charisma!
+1 LVL: Charisma!
+100 EXP: Reputation with Tenten!
+1 LVL: Reputation with Tenten!
"Hmm.."
What a messed up world.
It spoke volumes that every shinobi and kunoichi I knew about was, in some way or another, also equally messed up. Attachment and abandonment issues were just toppings on a whole stew of other problems. Such as self-sabotaging behaviours like gambling, drinking, and promiscuity. All three of which shinobi were technically forbidden from partaking.
Which meant that nearly everyone in our profession did so to some extent. Fuck, even two of the Legendary Sannin were no exception, and those three were held as the standard for shinobi and kunoichi alike.
Of course, I was under no delusion that I'd end up any different. It was inevitable, the life of a shinobi was short and twisted. If I don't end up dying in some ditch, I'll probably be maimed and forced to retire early.
It was simply the cycle of violence, and there wasn't any point in stressing over it.
How odd was that? That I found the possibility of not graduating from what was essentially 'how to murder school' a more worrisome prospect, than being thrown into the world ruled by academy alumni.
+20 EXP: Wisdom!
+20 EXP: Charisma!
Speaking, or rather thinking, of delusions.
Now was good a time to finish 'recalling' my strange power, because it seemed like the ruckus wouldn't be dying down soon and Tenten wasn't saying anything.
'Info: Chakra.'
Chakra: The Status of an individual's Chakra.
Locked: The individual does not currently have access to their chakra.
Unlocked: The individual currently has access to their chakra.
Those were also pretty self-explanatory, but it was the effect of unlocking one's chakra that really stood out.
'Info: PCE.'
Passive Chakra Enhancement: The passive amplification of an individual's physical and spiritual Attributes(Base) while having access to their chakra.
The difference between a chakra user and non-chakra user was greater than night and day. It wasn't just that we were physically stronger, faster, and tougher. Our memory and perception were similarly increased.
The fact is, eleven year olds aren't meant to be this self-aware. We're supposed to be eating dirt or whatever it is that 'normal' people do at this age.
'Info: Gamer Ability.'
Gamer Ability: Exlusive abilities granted by The Gamer Eclipse.
Gamer's Body: Imbues The Gamer Eclipse with The Seal of Sun's power.
Gamer's Spirit: Imbues The Gamer Eclipse with The Seal of Moon's power.
Gamer's Info: Grants The Gamer Eclipse information about an individual or object.
It was this section that I didn't understand. What were 'The Seal of Sun', 'The Seal of Moon', and their respective power? Perhaps they were a fuinjutsu Hidden Technique?
Until I had access to Konoha's archives these two were a dead end.
Which left 'Gamer's Info' something I've been using to gather intel, and I still had no idea how or why it work. The only jutsu that compared belonged to the Yamanaka clan, which posed some troubling questions.
See, there were four types of shinobi and kunoichi.
The Nameless: orphans and civilians with no notable ancestry. Such as the legendary Sannin Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.
The Clanless: bastards who were born after a night of 'passion'. Like so many of my 'kin'.
The Hidden: those born into a clan or who start one themselves with a secret technique. Konoha's big three were the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi.
Lastly, though unfortunately not least.
The Bloodlines: those who were born with a special power cultivated through selective breeding. Chief among the village being Hyuuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame.
Was I resentful?
Maybe a little.
+5 EXP: Intelligence!
+5 EXP: Wisdom!
+5 EXP: Charisma!
It wouldn't surprise me if I were some bastard from one of Konoha's many clans, as this was not a rare occurrence among orphans.
While the prominent and prestigious clans were more careful about their debauchery, it wasn't exactly unheard of for some clanless child to pop-up here or there with an obvious and easily explained pedigree. In those instances, they were quickly and quietly removed from the public eye.
+5 EXP: Wisdom!
What happened to these bastards depended entirely on their 'benefactors'. Some of the lesser clans usually took them in, while the greater ones were a bit less keen on having a mark of shame in their midst.
Still, of all the clans in Konoha a bastard could be related to, there were far worse than the resident mind readers.
The all-seeing clan relegated most of their full-blooded relatives to a second branch as 'servants'. I couldn't imagine they would be more sympathetic towards their unplanned half-breeds.
No, even if I were the descended of an ancient and extinct bloodline like that of the Senju, which I admittedly did share a superficial resemblance with, there was no way I would gamble my future by approaching even the 'friendlier' clans.
I would just have to figure out the origins of this strange power myself.
+5 EXP: Willpower!
+5 EXP: Intelligence!
+5 EXP: Wisdom!
And yet..
'Info: Nature Affinity.'
Nature Affinity: The chakra natures an individual has access to, the ease of which they learn related techniques, and their potency.
I might have to delve into their family histories.
'Info: Self Nature Affinities.'
Nature Affinity
Yin Release: 10, EXP to next LVL: 0/100
Yin - Yang Release: 10, EXP to next LVL: 0/100
Yang Release: 10, EXP to next LVL: 0/100
Because the possibility of a nameless shinobi born with not one but three advanced nature affinities, was simply to farfetched to accept.
Sure, theoretically it was possible, but realistically that was improbable. Even an orphan born with a basic nature affinity was unlikely, and when it did occur it was more often than not their country's most common affinity. In my case that should be fire.
But, it was another clue and point of interest for me to research.
+5 EXP: Intelligence!
+5 EXP: Wisdom!
'Info: Talents.'
Talents: Disciplines that an individual knows, and the ease of which they learn related techniques.
There was nothing really to delve into here, beyond the curious separation of 'discipline' and 'skill'.
'Info: Techniques.'
Techniques: Skills derived from a discipline that an individual knows, and their mastery over them.
Most of the noise upfront had quieted down, and Suzume-sensei was handing out the remaining test. Guess we couldn't delay the inevitable any longer. I wonder how many of my classmates had been doing just that, helping escalate a mess in order to avoid officially starting our evaluation.
Their constant fidgeting and the sound of papers turning all around me, was making my heart rate quicken. If the circulation in my left hand being drastically reduced was anything to go by, then even Tenten was feeling the pressure.
This was it, no more training wheels to keep us from falling.
Was Suzume-sensei playing along so that we could burn off some of our stress? Her hair looked even messier than before, and I'm pretty sure those were clumps of it lying on the floor. The glasses she was wearing were now covered in cracks, and there seemed to be drying blood on her face. Whether it belong to her or one of my peers, I did not know.
It was just making things worse.
I could only distract myself for a little while longer.
'Info: Equipment.'
Equipment: The gear an individual is wearing and their rarity. Common, Uncommon, Rare, Legendary, Mythical.
What we're wearing, got it.
"Now that you are all seated, and have gotten some.. um exercise?" her voice was much too nonchalant for someone who just got beat up by a bunch of shinobi and kunoichi in training. Well at least the bandages on her face and forearms, when did she put those on?, answered were the blood came from.
"We shall begin the written portion of this exam in one minute, and as I stated before, you will have exactly two hours to finish."
I should have listened to The Elder Matron and studied more.
There were one too many set of feet tapping on the floor, and Tenten's hand was now like a vice threatening to crush my own.
'Info: Weapons!'
Weapons: The weapons an individual has on them and their rarity. Common, Uncommon, Rare, Legendary, Mythical.
More of the same.
"Good luck, Nisshoku," Tenten whispered as she released my hand.
"Same," I opened my binder's cover, and pulled out the pencil that was placed inside.
+10 EXP: Reputation with Tenten!
+1 LVL: Reputation with Tenten!
A loud slam on Suzume-sensei's desk as she placed an hourglass upon it, resulted in more than a few gasp from those near the back.
"Begin!"
The next chapter will go over some of the major changes about this world in the form of a test.
Again, updates will be sporadic, but I'll try to keep a steady schedule.
Constructive criticism is welcomed!