Prologue – Setting the Board

Good news: I figured out where I was. The world of Naruto. So I was going to become a ninja, help Naruto through his loneliness, prevent the Uchiha Massacre, uh, that thing that happens with Hinata and Neji, save Haku and Zabuza, and then prevent the chunin exams from going to hell!

Not! This isn't The Hidden Leaf village. Hey, maybe I was lucky and those guys were talking about Boruto Orochimaru who had learned to chill…

…Nope, asked someone who the Hokage was. Sarutobi. You know, the guy my new country is going to murder. Okay, maybe this is before Minato! Nope, Orochimaru founded the hidden sound after he got rejected as Hokage. Just my luck, Reborn in the Land of Sound, All Paths Lead to Doom!

Okay, I need to calm down and think…

Analysis Begin!

What do I know?

1. My father is the Daimyo of the Land of Sound.

2. The Hidden Sound village is in the Land of Sound.

3. Sound teams up with Sand to attack Leaf during the chunin exam.

4. The Hidden Sound is led by Orochimaru.

5. Orochimaru has a habit of forcefully 'adopting' children for use.

6. Yumika is not a name I recognise from the series.

7. I don't know/remember what happens to the Sound Daimyo or his family.

Subject: How bad is it?

From fact 6, I'm at least not a villain.

From fact 2, being in the Land of Sound does not mean I am involved with the hidden village.

Objection! Fact 5, Orochimaru uses whoever the hell he wants, if he can reach them.

Hold it! Fact 1, I have my father's protection.

Objection! Fact 7, I don't know what happens to him. Orochimaru could probably assassinate him and replace him without issue, because Fact 4, he has a whole hidden village at his beck and call.

Conclusion 1, if Orochimaru wants me, I will be recruited or dead.

Subject: what is the problem?

From Conclusion 1, if I refuse recruitment, I will be dead.

Solution: if asked, join up.

Problem 1: Fact 3, on top of the regular dangers of being a shinobi, I would probably die during the attack on the Hidden Leaf, if not found and killed afterwards.

Solution: Defect.

Problem 2: new fact: Orochimaru is a mad scientist and prone to human sacrifice.

Conclusion: The problem is that I might die as a hidden sound ninja, but possible death is better than certain death.

Analysis End.

Alright, that made things simple enough. I need to avoid Orochimaru's attention, and if I can't, have some sort of incentive to not sacrifice me and then defect to Konoha. There's only one way I'm going to pull that off: I need to enter the Konoha chunin exam and use it to get close enough to a main character to tip them off about the invasion.

Obviously, I would need to be a chunin exam candidate for that, which means I need to get stronger. What are my assets?

Analysis Begin!

What do I have?

General education up to university level, including science.

Moderately useful, being able to skip elements of education will let me spend more time getting stronger. Shinobi don't tend to think about natural science so it may save my life one day.

Incomplete university degree.

Useless, no computers to program with and mathematics isn't going to help.

Some moderate martial arts experience.

Very useful. I'm out of practice, and I never exactly mastered it, but some Taekwondo to start practising with will probably be my lifeline. Though I'll have to try to adjust for the super human elements, such as more common use of the third dimension, air.

Knowledge of Events.

Moderately useful, while it is the crux I'm going to rely on to defect to Konoha, the main issue is getting to the point where I can make use of it.

Knowledge of Characters.

Moderately useful, gives me a vague idea of who I absolutely need to avoid (cough the entire Akatsuki) and will help me fight any character I know of. Not that I'm likely to meet any of them.

Knowledge of the Rasengan.

Very useful, the series went into detail on how to learn the technique. Once I can manipulate chakra and get my hand on some balloons and rubber balls, I can add a strong technique to my otherwise limited arsenal.

Knowledge of Chakra control exercises.

Pretty useful. The series explained these practice techniques. Once I can chakra, I can practise. Which will make me stronger and help me learn the Rasengan.

Analysis End.

So a few passive perks, a couple dependent on chakra, and martial arts. The only one I could act on was the martial arts. So I started practising within the confines of my room. A small warm up, stretches, and then technique practice. I didn't retain any muscle memory, that would have to be fixed.

Maybe I should try to get a weapon, I don't think bows are too reliant on fighting style…

Breathe in, 2, 3, 4.

…and out, 2, 3, 4.

I focused on the sound of my breath, and let everything else fade further into the background. The bustling staff in the hallways, the creaking wooden floors, and the birds outside. Out of mind.

Breathe in, 2, 3, 4.

…and out 2, 3, 4.

I focused on the feel of my breath on my lips and let everything else fade further into the background. The weight of my shirt, the soft mat I sat on, and the hari om my head. Out of mind.

Breathe in, 2, 3, 4.

…and out 2, 3, 4.

I focused on the pacing of my breath. A smooth continuous stream in and out. If my chest was heaving then I was doing it wrong.

Breathe in, 2, 3, 4.

I focused on the tension in my body, and pictured it flowing towards me into a neat little ball, my whole body tensing up even more.

…and out, 2, 3, 4.

…and I imagined it flowback out to my limbs and then out of my body, letting me loosen up.

Breathe in, 2, 3, 4.

…and out, 2, 3, 4.

I repeated the process. It was like cleaning, one needed to go through multiple times to get rid of all the dirt.

Then I opened my eyes again. For a minute, I was hyper-aware and hyper focused and all the things I'd put aside came back to me, before things eased back to normal. Focus was nice, useful for exams, but focus wasn't chakra.

Sigh.

Of course it wouldn't be that easy.

The world did feel a bit lighter though.

Hmm…mind over matter?

If it was a mental block holding me back physically, this would help.
Let's go again…

The novelty of another world could only last so long, especially without access to the worlds 'magic'. I didn't do much either. I hadn't gotten any answers about my request to learn bowmanship yet, I couldn't play the way kids my age were expected to, and I didn't have the willpower to keep practising martial arts all the time.

Maybe Natsuhi noticed, or maybe it was just a coincidence, but she started to try to teach me things during her shifts. She'd bring maps and books, brushes and inks, and papers and scrolls. On top of that, I started seeing the others less as her shifts grew longer and more frequent.

I was happy for it, but it was slow. For all the progress I was making in this life the language was a constant handicap. She had to speak slowly so that I could keep up, and beyond gestures and expression, my communication was ground down to single words. Expressions like: 'confused', 'understand', or 'again'. Even then, it took me a strenuous amount of effort to find the word, if it hadn't already been used recently.

I don't know how you have the patience to deal with me Natsuhi, by all accounts, I probably sound like an idiot.

"Idiot!"

I recoiled at the accusation, eyes going to the floor. That brought the shards of the broken vase into sight. The one that had been on a stand outside my room.

"Do you…"

I lost most of the words after that, but I could figure out what they meant. Something along the lines of Priceless artefact, irreplaceable, do I comprehend, etc…

It hadn't been my fault. I knew that. That didn't make me feel any better with the man shouting at me.

The unknown servant got louder, and I recoiled again.

It wasn't me…

I couldn't defend myself. I was helpless.

They grabbed me by my arm and started pulling me along.

Where are they..?

Analysis Begin!

What do I know?

1. The vase was an artefact, a valuable one.

2. The vase is now broken.

3. The servant thinks I am responsible.

4. I'm a child.

Subject: Where are they taking me?

From fact 1, fact 2 is a big deal, added as fact 1.1.

From fact 3, this is probably some sort of atonement, but fact 4, I shouldn't have a way to fix this, which leaves only punishment. Added as 3.1

From 1.1 and 3.1, there is only one option… father.

Analysis End.

My body's childish impulses urged me to resist, but I knew it wouldn't help.

There was no escaping this. I didn't know what father would do, I didn't know what I should do, so I did all I could do, and shuffled along silently.

A final door, and then our steps started to echo through the open court.

It felt cold.

Eyes turned on me as we passed through the room, heading for the centre, Right in the view of father who sat upon his raised pedestal.

I'm practically on trial…

I managed a glance left and right, at the courtiers who counselled my father. Looks of disappointment, disgust, and smug satisfaction.

I could hear the blood pumping in my skull, feel my heart pulse in my chest. It was almost enough to drown out the accusatorial murmuring of the peanut gallery.

Father addressed us.

My accuser answered.

Someone from the crowd stepped forward, some sort of bureaucrat. They bowed and asked a question, and again, my accuser answered with confidence.

Others stepped forward and the process repeated.

My gaze followed the ongoing discussion as well as it could with my head held low. Even after 5 years, I still couldn't understand the words. Not that I needed to to pick up on the nature of this chamber choir. Everyone who stepped forward was arguing for the same side, they were practically stroking each other's egos.

..no, a trial determines guilt. These people have already made up their minds. This is an execution.

The only thing in question was what the sentence would be.

"Please wait, my lord!"

That's..!

I recognised the voice. My head shot up to get a look.

Natsuhi had stepped forward, kowtowing in front of my father.

…but she's a servant…

Father was not amused. Understandably enough. This was much like a janitor speaking up during a shareholder meeting with the CEO. This world wasn't kind, being fired could be the least of her worries.

Despite this, he addressed her calmly. A chance.

Natsuhi straightened up, and answered with certainty.

My accuser stepped forward to object, but a glance from my father cut it short, before he indicated to me with an assent.

Natsuhi turned towards me and knelt down to look me in the eyes. She wore her reassuringly calm facade effortlessly, and spoke similarly.

"Yumika, did you do it?"

The rest of the room fell out of focus, it was like I'd found a harbour in a storm. It allowed me the peace of mind to shake my head in answer.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

If I could, I wouldn't be here…

…but I could try.

I was hanging around in my room…

"I… home…"

…then I heard something break outside…

I hesitated. I didn't know a word for listening.

I grabbed my ear.

"Break."

…so I got curious and went out to look.

"Go… See."

I shuffled uncomfortably.

…then I saw another servant rushing away round the corner, just before I was found over the broken vase.

"I… See…"

I took a breath, and regained my footing. Standing by the side, I saw the culprit. They were terrified. What would happen to them if I told the truth now?

I averted my gaze, and my heart hammered in my chest with my lost calm.

"...Nothing."

In the corner of my vision, I saw my father relax. I caught a knowing smile on Natushi's face before she turned to face him with the rest of the court, and the discussion continued for a few minutes. Thankfully, I didn't seem to be the focus anymore.

At some point, I stepped closer and was practically hiding behind Natushi.

My childish body and mind might have more sway over me than I thought…

They never found the culprit, and Natsuhi was the only one to catch my little lie.

Now though, I was out in the garden alone with Ichino.

They were weaving and humming a happy tune, while I drummed my fingers along on the table, trying to get my mind off of the earlier event.

Being alone with them wasn't nearly as frightening as it used to be. Compared to snake like evil mad scientists wit hinclinations for mass murder, kidnappings, and inhumane experiments, someone who faked friendly wasn't nearly as bad.

This though, wasn't Ichino.

…

It felt wrong.

I had a history of having a hard time trusting people who seemed to have an immovable pure optimism and neverending vibe of good feeling. It was like an uncanny valley. People get confused, irritated, angry, sad, and more. Take any of that away and what's left feels inhuman.

Maybe part of it was that I felt like I'd lost Ichino's trust. Sure, they couldn't have known that I was aware of their act, but it still hurt that they felt they needed to lie to me, like they did to everyone else.

They were weaving, humming a happy tune.

It was fake. It was so fake.

I'd seen it earlier.

I knew the truth.

Ichino despised weaving.

I couldn't take it anymore, consequences be damned,

"Ichino."

They stopped and gave me a wide smile.

"Yes, young master?"

I sighed.

"Stop."

They cocked their head in confusion. Of course they did. Another fake response. If they weren't acting, they'd crack the knuckle on their index finger with their thumb and squint slightly.

Ugh, I don't know the word for acting.

They must have noticed my frustration. They pointed at the weave.

"The weaving?" they asked, slowly.

Hah, trying to use me to get out of your chores huh?

I shook my head.

Maks? Nope, don't know that word either…

"Do you not like my song?"

I gave another annoyed shake, and gave up on words.

I frowned at them.

Pulled my cheeks into a smile.

Pointed at them.

Frowned again.

"Stop."

Ichino stopped responding. So they figured out what I meant, great.

Being in a general state of done, I just let myself collapse on the table, I'd been sitting by.

"Tsk. You know, it's kind of embarrassing being called out by a kid."

I let one of my eyes open, lazily.

Nice to see you again Ichino.

I shrugged.

"No… care."

They continued weaving. Now though, it resembled an attack more than some sort of elegant process. Ah, yes, insults too. They weren't slowing their speech to let me catch it, but swearing tends to transcend language barriers, because the words themselves don't really matter.

"What gave me away?"

Gee Ichino, how am I meant to tell you that? Sure, I'll use all those words I know!

I noted the bush nearby. It had flowers, red and yellow.

It wasn't the best flower crown ever made, but it was the best I'd ever made… being the only one I ever made. It would have to do.

I handed it to Ichino…

"Forget… no."

…and went back to lazing about.

"Tsk."

They crushed the flower crown beneath their heel.

Lazing about done for the day, it was time to get to work.

You know this. Just got to find the right feeling again.

Left foot ahead facing forward. Right foot back at an angle, facing forward to the right. Both feet shoulder width apart. Knees slightly bent, balanced weight. Closed fists up, thumbs on the outside. Knuckles facing outwards, left and right. Around shoulder height. Left hand forward, right hand back. A basic stance. One that took me too long to get into, I needed to be able to snap to it.

I lifted the weight of my heels and onto my toes, feet still on the ground, and began to slightly bob back and forth.

Congratulations, you've unlocked Yumika, a 1-star fighter. They have no combo moves, long recovery times, low damage, low stamina, and high chance to fail any attack.

Idle animation jokes aside, there was a point to this. I hopped forward, and then bounced back to start. Bobbed, bobbed. Hopped left, and then bounced back to start. Bobbed, bobbed. Hopped then bounced back to start…

Stay in motion, but stay still. Be ready to move, but don't tire yourself out.

It would be enough to avoid a fireball, but that wasn't the point. These short motions would help me position myself, either to avoid or set up an attack. Perhaps with the superhuman abilities of shinobi I could even avoid some projectiles.

Not that I know how this actually works, I wasn't ever a master, and I don't have one available for questioning.

Sigh.

I might not even be doing this right.

I paused, and realised that I'd fallen out of the stance. Having given up on the training, I laid down.

I didn't even get around to trying punches, blocks or kicks… this isn't working.

"Yumika!"

Issai announced, sliding the door open. He came carrying gifts, clean clothes.

I got up to move the table back to the middle of the room. I'd shoved it in front of the cabinet to get space to practice.

I'd barely put my hands on it before Issai picked it up and put it in place. Which, with me leaning into it to push, resulted in my losing my balance and falling over.

It doesn't hurt.

I got up, but couldn't escape Issai fussing over me.

Its' fine. I'm fine!

I didn't take the offered candy. I refused to be that pathetic.

I could've moved it myself…

This history could save my life, it's important.

"...and that's why…"

Wait, was this supposed to be the same as that other guy?

"...a few years after…"

…I'm lost.

My focus turned to the shadows stopping on the other side of the wall.

"Is he here?"

"Yes, young master."

I looked up at Natsuhi, who nodded towards the voices. With a sigh, I got up to greet them, opening up the door. Lo and behold, it was my brother, with his servant.

Of course, my brother started throwing out sentence after sentence like he was some kind of rapper. Then he touched my shoulder and ran off. Leaving me to stare back dumbfounded.

Just like last time, I hadn't understood what any of that word vomit was supposed to mean.

Natushi help! I internally panicked, looking up at her confused.

She returned my look with an exasperated sigh, and a light shove.

"Chase."

Oh, he wants to play again.

Sigh.

I guess I can do my best to entertain the kid.

So I ran after him.

…

He's way too fast, it's impossible. Aha, he must have some sort of endurance bloodline ability!

I stared at the ceiling.

…nope, I'm just not as fit. Ugh, he's not even trying to be a shinobi. How am I going to keep up with the real deal?

Natsuhi caught up to where I was lying.

"Natsuhi-chan, help."

One would think that someone with the mind of an adult, but the body of a child would be better at mental activities rather than physical ones.

Yet there I was, getting stomped in shogi.

Alright, new game…

Sure, maybe it was because I had never played shogi before.

…why is he focusing on the right side? I thought the centre was important in these kind of games? When in doubt: mirror, mirror, on the wall…

Sure, maybe it was because I was playing against Tatara, who had clearly played a lot of shogi.

…he's completely destroyed my right flank, and I've made no progress with my left wing…

Sure, maybe it was because I didn't actually know the rules.

Although, maybe if I…

I made my move. Satisfied with the result.

…

That was a trap.

I glared at the board, then at Tatara and his stupid smirk. Then started setting the board again. I didn't need to say that I gave up. He knew.

Why in the world are the pieces just wooden blocks with words on them, I can't read!

I wasn't stupid. The lettering just made no sense, completely illogical. I certainly wasn't just miffed that the brush wouldn't move the way I wanted, or that I couldn't make heads or tails of the lettering.

Putting the denial aside, my attempts at learning whatever Natsuhi was trying to teach me, had left me with a pile of papers covered in 'letters' that looked more in place in a south-asian country, like Thailand or India. I was curving the strokes too much, it was like I was trying to write cursive in a germanic language. I knew what I was doing wrong, but as the rest of the page showed, it didn't matter.

I glared at the new blank sheet before me. In my mind's eye, I saw myself grasp the brush, dip it in the ink, and with five swift broad strokes, I wrote the letter across the whole sheet, perfectly. My body moved to follow, gripping the brush, charging my hand towards the ink bottle- but I found my motion stopped, my hand covered by another. My focus broken, I looked up to face the woman the limb belonged to.

"Easy now." she said.

"Are you okay?"

I deflated, the tension leaving me like an evil spirit. I averted my gaze and saw it. With the temper I had and the grip on my brush, I would have knocked over the ink bottle.

It would have been Natsuhi's job to clean the ink, and it's not hard to imagine that father would have forced her to pay for it too. I wouldn't think any servants' salary would be the most generous, and father was stingy enough already.

I heard a sigh. She got up and walked around to my side. I barely managed to look up at her before she lifted me up by my armpits, and sat down, with me on her lap. She held the brush and my hand in her own, and singing a melodic tune, started guiding me through the letter.

Perfect.

She continued, guiding my hand to the space next to it, and with a looser grip, led me through the letter again, following my movements, but keeping them steady. Then once more, again and again. Until I finished the page. I'd started humming along, and when I moved to the next letter, I noticed that there was no space left, and that her guiding hand had left me.

I'd done it.

"See, you can do it."

She said, slowly, so I could keep up… She wore a gentle smile, and I felt something build in my chest, like a balloon pushing against the weight keeping me down.

This is so stupid, what do I have to be proud of? It's just a letter.

Yet despite my thoughts, that splotch of black ink stood before me like a king before its people. It was a stupid simple thing, but it was a stupid simple thing that I'd done right.

I beamed like the sun. For the first time since Christmas, I felt a grin tug at my cheeks.