CHAPTER 9
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You have Completed: Tutorial Rescue
There is a secret happening.
You have till group ends to save a life
- - - - - - -
Goals:
-Get out of view
-Find the basement
-Investigate
-Find 'Blonde'
-Get him up to the group room
-Refuse to be separated for the next 48 hours.
- - - - - -
Reward:
500 EXP
Blonde will be kept healthy
100 S, 250 G, 2500 Yen
5 random skill books
Level up
I stare at the update.
Yeesh, this quest was worth a lot. It's worth more than all the tutorials I have done combined. I did what anyone decent and not bound by an idiot government should do. Still amazed at finding out that for some reason, the government has it out for this kid. I still have no clue why?
I look away from the pop-up and toward the door. It's the middle of the night and for the last few days I have been up constantly after the first time I tried to nap and someone almost took Blonde away. Screaming children make a surprisingly good alarm. Must be a hindbrain thing. Anyway, I have been up for more than 48 hours and it has done very little with helping my temper.
It is also the middle of the night, and I highly doubt that just because this came up the kidnap attempts will cease.
+ 1 INT
That does Not help my paranoia, at all.
Sighing, I decide to go through the what I just got to spend time doing something besides stare at a wall and try not to fall asleep from boredom.
Let's start with the *Inventory*. I see through pop-up with a bunch of small see through boxes inside it shows. In it there are the 5 stacks of cookies with a 10 in their lower corner, 1 flower, a bundle of paperwork, and a stack of books with a 5 in the lower corner.
I think on the stack of books
A Stack of Skill Books
As these are random they will give a random skill that is useable within 10 levels
Do you want to use?
Yes/ NO
I am glad that this makes sure I can use it soon. Some games you can get level 20 stuff by accident at Lv5, no clue how.
Thinking yes at Anakin I think *yes. *
Congratulations
You have been taught the skill:
Observe
Open Status Menu to view
Huh, any way I quickly go through the other four
Congratulations
You have been taught the skills:
Languages of the Elemental Nations
Meditation
Craft
Bind
Open Status Menu to view
Those... those can be useful. But don't I already understand the language?
You understand the basics from the 'Land of your Birth'
Each country speaks the language differently
and you can hear, but not read as you are.
Oh, *Thanks Anakin. *
You're Welcome
*Wait, is the language skill why I haven't been overhearing things? *
Yes
Oh, I so need that skill.
... Well let's learn what exactly I got.
*Skill Menu*
Skills
Observe (active) Lv1- at higher levels this skill reveals more about that which it is used on. No cost
-Annoy(active): Lv8- at higher levels this skill makes people react, be careful f how far you push. People may attack. No cost
_Pacify(active): Lv4 -at higher levels this skill calms people. Be careful of overuse. people may become Annoyed. No cost
_Meditation (active) Lv1- at higher levels this skill returns Chakra faster. Current returns 25/min in use. No cost to use. at this level must remain still.
~Music(passive): Lv3- at higher levels this skill creates better music. Music can cause side effects.
~Languages of the Elemental Nations- (passive): Lv3- at higher levels this skill allows you to understand the various ways that people change their language to make it seem unique.
~Craft (passive) Lv1- at higher levels this skill makes it easier to make items. Currently helps 1%
`Eavesdrop(passive): Lv1. 10% -at higher skill levels this skill creates a better chance of going unnoticed when overhearing information, and to hear better information. Stacks with Sneak. No cost
`Poison Immunity(passive): lv1- at higher levels will weaken or negate the effects of Poison based skills used against you. Increase is through exposure.
`Sneak (active): Lv2- at higher levels this skill makes one harder to detect. Can be activated for 10 CHAK/min or used through action. If not activated it does not drain CHAK
`Distraction (active)- Lv1- at higher levels this skill makes better distractions based on the situation. Use of the skill via the activation uses 15 CHAK. Using skill without needs none.
[] Foretelling (active): Lv2- at higher levels this skill makes one able to see what is likely to happen. Be careful what you say for once spoke the future is Bound. Active use needs 50*n and a cool down time of 5min. n is use per day. Must mean to activate skill for it to cost. Accidental use has no cost but still adds to n.
Bind (active) Lv1- at higher levels this skill creates stronger ropes or chains out of chakra to bind the target.
TREE BASED SKILLS
Warpath (active): Nothing will stop you until you are done.
Gives you a +25 STR, CON, AGI. Use is once per day.
Weird. *um, Anakin, what are the new symbols next to the skills mean and what is with the 'tree based skills'*
They denote the possible tree the continued use may create.
And the 'Tree Based Skills' are just that.
Sometimes when you awaken a Skill Tree it gives a Skill that coincides with the Tree.
*Got it*
Alright so now what... wait, observe tells you about things...
I turn toward Blonde and think 'observe.'
Uzumaki Naruto
Gender: Male
Lv1
?
I finally know Blonde- Naruto's name! Sure, I don't know what the question mark is for but I have something to call him besides his hair color. If I could I would so be victory dancing without care that it would look weird.
+1 Social Awareness
... I wonder if 'observe works on objects. I focus on the crib, he and I are in, and 'observe'.
Basic Crib
Made of Wood
Observe has gone up a level
Well, I know what I shall do the rest of the night.
After using 'observe' for an hour's time, I can say this about it; it very informative. It turns out that repeatedly using 'observe' on the same object does not level it; it only counts if using 'observe' gives new information. But, I now know the names for the other 29 children that I share a crib room with. After the third level, it got slightly intrusive for example, when I used it on the child to the left of me I got this:
Nora
Gender: Female
Lv1
stats:
STR 4
CON 8
AGI 2
INT 10
DEX 4
WIS 7
CHA 6
After being abandoned for not having her clan's dojutsu, she contracted pneumonia. While it was cured, it weakened her lungs
As she is, she has 5 months to live
Which I was not expecting, at all. After that I tried to use it more on the items then the people, and managed to get observe up to lv4. And now it's stuck because I don't want to look at people and see that much about them. I didn't want to know someone would die and just sit and watch it happen. It just wasn't in me. The especially sad part was that she was one of the few that tried to crawl toward me; that I had practiced giving hugs to.
And now I know that her family's abandonment probably is what will kill her. It is a cruel world this game plays itself in.
+1 Social Awareness
I am now trying to find something else to do, since pacing in the crib would give Naruto away, observing people was out, and I don't know how to read the bundle of papers in my inventory yet. I was so miffed when I found that out. I had taken the bundle of papers out, untied them, set them neatly out, and when I looked at them I knew what the letters were, I just couldn't make sense of it. Then this showed up
Skill check fail.
Need 'Languages of the Elemental Nations' to be Lv10 before this is possible
And I threw the quietest temper tantrum in history. The only reason the papers weren't strewn across the room is that when my hand hit them, they went back into my inventory.
And the tantrum didn't help, at all. Sure, it took time to stop being a brat about the system, but afterwards I was even more tired than before. Now I am contemplating what I can do now. Maybe meditating will work.
Well, here goes-What was that.
There was a shadow Moving along the wall. Bloody creeps, I know what it is, one of those that want Naruto in the basement. Not on my watch. I tilt my head back, breath in, and scream to wake the dead. Well, more to wake the other children around me. In agonizing chorus, they woke and joined me.
Annoy Leveled up
This time the shadow didn't flee, it sped up. Well, then, let's try this. I pull up my inventory and start throwing cookies at it. I need to work on my aim, since they all landed at his feet. But at least he paused trying to figure out where the cookies came from. Then, he started towards us, -crunch- -crunch-, and stops apparently mortified at making a sound. I giggle.
And the door burst open, and Black-hair runs it. Straight into the shadow. Bowling it over. Well score. 10 points to the caretaker. And then she does something I don't expect. She reaches down, grabs the shadow, and drags it into the light. It's a person covered in black but for a white mask, like the hero had; but instead of the lines that one had, this one's mask is blank but for a letter, or shape, on the forehead. What does that mean?
'Observe'
Ne Agent
Level?
?
Interesting, maybe I need to be above the person's level to get the more intrusive information?
But back to what Black-hair is doing, what with her dragging the shadow, person, out of the room. I think she was also growling at it. I have never seen her growl. I have seen her cry, pull her hair, freeze in disgust at being thrown-up on, and her yell at people (she was the one that yelled at Fake-face) but not growl.
Huh, learn new things every day.
Hidden Quest Completed
Get the Ne agent Assigned to Naruto caught
Bonus: Not be suspected as the reason
Reward:
100 EXP, 10 C
Naruto will not be taken away and can stay with you while in the Orphanage.
Bonus: +3 levels to Sneak, & +1 level to Distraction
- - - - - - - - - -
Level Up
You are now Level 5
Do you want to improve you Stats?
You know what sure.
Strength =6
Constitution =13
Dexterity =3
Agility =4
Intelligence =9
Wisdom =10
Charisma =5
luck = 7
You have 17 points available
Where did I get- oh, that's right; I haven't been spending them.
*I want 2 in CHA, 1 in INT, 1 in STR, 1 in DEX and save the rest for later*
I look away from my new stats in time to see Naruto wake up, and look around curiously before staring at me and sitting up. Probably to get a better view. This is normal for him. I think it's a carryover from when Fake-face was our main caretaker; whenever he cried she would do nothing instead, I was the one that got close or got her to do something. So now instead of crying he looks at me, like I am supposed to know what to do, and it scares me sometimes. Not him, just that trust. I mean, my eyes are red from the harm I wish upon others, and he looks to me for the basic needs for survival?
+1 Social Awareness
Able to open the Renown Tabs
Not going there right now, thanks any way
Back to Naruto. Naruto, who was blonde and sitting right under a light. And was now in full view of the rest of the adults that had come in after Black-hair had taken out the shad- the Ne agent. Why in the world were they staring at us? Did they really not notice, for several days, that there was another child with me? When I shared the milk bottles they gave us with him? Oh, I hope Black-hair yells at them
Vengeful +1 skill point
But they fail at their jobs!... I guess it doesn't matter. I guess the cat is out of the bag, or in this case the secret in the spotlight. I must work on Naruto's timing, if he and I are to remain friends.
Anyway, the idiot adults gawk, and then in comes more shadows. This time they have masks full of lines, so it should be okay. Still 'observe'
ANBU
Level?
?
Yep, it's a different group... I hope this means I can sleep.
One of the ANBU shadows comes up to my crib and reaches for Naruto. I bite him. I am tired of this; I want sleep, and people to stop trying to kidnap the child that reminds me of spring breeze and summer sun.
You dealt 15 damage
Through unorthodox methods you have created the skill:
Bite
... Really, Anakin, really?
They make a few gestures at each other, then the one that I bit picks me up instead. And then anther ANBU mask comes and picks up Naruto. I squirm, I wiggle, I try to kick the person holding me, and I even try to snatch my blonde friend from the shadow standing opposite me. None of it works. Then the ANBU group starts going through the window and running off. Naruto's ANBU goes through and then mine does to.
Looking behind me, the adults were staring.
CHAPTER 10
-
We were taken to an office with an old man who wore a red and white hat with white robes. His desk was practically overflowed by the paperwork on it. I was honestly surprised it hadn't buried him. When we arrived, he looked at the window we had come through and sighed at us, like the we, the ANBU, Naruto, and I, were all recalcitrant. Then he looked at Naruto and seemed to age years before my eyes, as he 'listened' to whatever the gestures meant.
I really need to level my Language skill. I might have understood that if it was somewhat higher.
The 'discussion' grew boring rather quickly when I can't understand what them. Instead of looking at people that were ignoring me, I started looking around the office. It was rather plain for an office, with reddish brown tile, grey-brown walls, brown furniture, but the ceiling was an interesting green. Looking at it, I started counting the squares that made it. I was on four when the ANBU holding me shook me slightly. I looked at him, hoping my look conveyed exactly what I was thinking.
Which was pretty much, what do you want, I was looking at something. I don't think the shadow was impressed. Then it turned me till I was looking at the old man. Who was looking at me slightly nonplused. I hope he wasn't expecting me to stare at him all day when he wasn't even paying any attention to me previously, 'because I don't have the patience for that.
"a-_*-I-_*_c_-**", what in the world?
Skill Check Fail
'Language of the Elemental Nations' needs to be Lv5
Oh, that is going to annoy me quick.
As it is I look back at the old man. It might be closer to a glare but he is the reason for the skill check. Or it might look like a pout, I don't know what my glaring face looks like.
And the man just smiles at me. Or I might look like I am pouting, I don't know what my glaring face looks like. -Snort- I look at the shadow that is holding me. I try to blank my face and just look, see if he finds me funny then. And the infinitesimal shakes, that I hadn't even noticed until they were gone, stop.
+ 1 skill point in Vengeful
Oh, come on. He was laughing at me!
"eh", I look towards the noise. Naruto is waving at me for some reason. I look at the one holding me, then try to stretch out. The ANBU kindly starts walking closer to the one holding Naruto. When we get closer, I am right next to Naruto. And still trying to figure out why he was waving at me. Then the hand that had been in the air started patting my head. Or that was the attempt I think. It felt more like light hits. "'am, 'am," it takes a moment then I realize what he is telling me. Really, Naruto? Why are you telling me to calm down?
And the shadow holding me was laughing again. I could feel it. I decide to hum at him. He will never know how close he was to having a floor cave under him.
After all, the sound of my voice made the entire orphanage shake. Sure, acoustics played a part but still.
"Ah... ha…ha," the sound of almost breathy laughter, so quiet I am not sure I hear it and I turn. The old dude, who is swimming in paperwork, is laughing at me. Oh, be glad that Naruto is in the same room or I would so mess up your office. I change my humming to an off-key note.
and the shadows around me all twitch.
Then his door slams open and in comes this man with black hair and skin that looked like it was once fair but sunburns had made in brown wrong, flourishing some file like a weapon. And the old man looks at the interloper as he still realizing that there are more people than he expected and now was not the best time to present the extra paperwork.
Though I doubt that the Old Man would be happy to be presented with more paperwork at any time, considering the amount he already had.
... I stare at the ANBU holding me in an attempt to not listen to the babble that I don't understand. I poke the dude in the chest. He looks down at me. I point to myself "Kiku." He makes a hand gesture. I try to copy it. Try being the main point. He repeats the gestures slower. I get it half right. The man sighs, and holds his hand up. I copy him. He has his pointer and thumb touch while the other fingers tuck in; twists his hand sideways, and kind of dips it at the same time. I had missed the dipping twist the last try. I manage it this time. I point to me and make the gesture. Sure, it's a lot slower than his but it's right. It nods. I point at my blonde friend, "Naruto." My shadow makes a different sign and this time it was slow enough for me to follow. He started with all his fingers spread, then moved his hand in a spiral, and finished with his hand pointing toward him with his all his fingers touching. I do the same. Then I point at me, make the first gesture, and then I point at Naruto, and make the second. Then I point at him. He tilts his head, like he is thinking. Then he holds his hand up, fingers curled in a parody of a claw, then swipes it down once. I copy this one easy.
'Languages of the elemental Nations' has gone up one level.
Neat.
But the Old Man and the sunburned one are done with whatever they were doing, so we have to stop. The old man in the red hat looks at both Naruto and I like he is making some great decision. Then he turns to his desk, writes something, stamps it. Then he hands it to the masked shadow that stood at his left, and then started working on his paperwork again. At least, by the looks he sent Naruto, I knew he meant no harm. He was just an overworked, burdened old man.
I don't think he even knew about the policy regarding my friend. As the ANBU carried us away to a new place I turn away from the sight of someone so caged that he can't see what people are doing around them.
Congratulations
You have met the Hokage
Sarutobi Hiruzen
Leader of the Village of Konoha
And I now know why the policy could be passed in the first place. That man, so weighted by the actions of others, hampered by paperwork, and the people he has as advisers are going behind his back and destroying what he is working for.
I think it's the closest I have ever come to pitying another human.
We were moved to a new orphanage, and every night, for the last week or so, the ANBU do a quick visit when the sunlight started fading from the window. I think that 'cat-scratch', as I call him, talked to some people. As the visiting shadows have been showing me signs. I'd like to say I am doing fairly well at it but I haven't received an update on the skill. It's been interesting trying to talk in gestures and I even started practicing verbalizing... though I am not sure if I am using the right words. The silent, shaking laughter of the ANBU tell be something is off, but whenever I ask they stay silent. At least I know signs for all the usual people. the half-black mask is a flipped hand, the raccoon eyes mask is 'marks under eyes' and the third one is sometimes Cat-scratch or it is somebody whose name is signed with a gesture where I hold my hand close to my mouth, all but my pointer and thumb curled in close, then open and close the remaining two fingers. I am honestly not sure what to call him.
I don't know why we weren't returned to the previous place, sure there had been a secret governmental action that was designed to belittle a citizen's rights, but I was finally learning the layout of the place. A well, that's life. At least I have been able to sleep. I don't think that I would have lasted much longer; also staying awake that long was probably not healthy. And I have yet had the need to do something to get a caretaker to take care of Naruto, so that's a plus. But I really don't like the look at us, like we aren't real. It's almost worse than Fake-face at the other place had ignored us. Here... it's obvious that we aren't welcome. It's small things. The looks, the blankets (again, what is with people and not giving us bloody blankets), how it seems we just are magically missed over for the bottle sometimes and they just happen to run out Right Before Us.
And yes, it's both of us now. I have the feeling that if Naruto was by himself while this was happening it would be thrice as bad with no form of support. After all, why would ANBU be called in for a child that hasn't had a meeting with the village leader.
I so hope that Ne Agent got the council or the adviser in Hot Water. I hope it burns them. I know they are behind half the issues that my friend has.
+1 skill point to Vengeful and +1 Social Awareness point
And? I hope they choke on whatever they got from the deal that created adults that don't do their jobs. I don't like incompetence and what this system filled with people who refuse to even see is filled with it. Not that I really do anything about it. There are no random tutorial quests asking me to save a life, and I wouldn't know if there are Hidden ones. And it's... just... Frustrating. Not being able to do anything interesting without people trying to shepherd you away into a crib. Even when they would look away if you had just been stabbed and were dying. I Hate It. And I hate that Naruto, child of summer breeze and spring sun, is subject to so much... Darkness. Especially when they refuse to see what little light would Shine for them, if they would just Do Something. I. Hate. It.
And there is nothing I can do about it.
+5 skill points to Vengeful, +1 Social Awareness point
For reaching 20 skill points in a Skill Tree you gain an Allocation point
And how does that make you feel about them?
*I am serious, Anakin. I really think they would refuse to pour water on us if we were on fire. Not that the parade last week help. * That Bloody Parade. I think it made this worse. And I have now clue why. When I asked the shadows "about what the people were partying in the streets over" they looked at each other and kind of pantomimed for me a parade double checking a map. I think the ANBU were bored that night. I have no clue why a parade about checking where you are going would make people refuse to look at children.
That's because it wasn't just about double-checking directions
It was about avoiding wrong movement and evil in their lives
*But that doesn't explain Why they are acting like this. We aren't evil! *
People are often ignorant and cruel. Especially when at the same time
Sighing, I ask *Anakin, is there something newish that I can actually do? * because I really need something else to focus on.
Yes, the reason I started speaking
The Reputation tabs are now Unlocked
Do you wish to open?
NO/ YES
Sure, something to get my mind of petty people.
Reputation
It is listed as how a place feels about you
Then how people feel about you
It only lists places you have been or interacted with
Land of Grass
Kusagakure
10/100 (amiable)
Land of Fire
Keishi
0/100 (neutral
- - - - - - - - - -
Konohagakure
15/100 (friendly)
- - - - - - - - - - -
Naruto 10/100 (friends)
Sarutobi Hiruzen 5/100 (amiable)
Shimura Danzo 5/100 (disliked)
Utatane Koharu 10/100 (neutral)
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Land of Water
Kirigakure
5/100 (amiable)
*How have I 'interacted' with Danzo or Koharu? *
You may find out later
* you have Spoiler protocols, don't you? *
During the tutorial Phases, Yes.
Well there goes that plan. *what's with the stuff in parenthesis? *
They are the level of Repute
Neutral and higher levels are made through Positive interaction.
Disliked and lower levels are made through Negative interaction.
So, if someone who dislikes you has an increase in the amount they dislike you it is read -5 and their number goes up.
Similarly, if someone who likes you increases the amount the care it is read as +5 and their number goes up.
When the number reaches 100 the level changes to one above or below.
*Anything else I might need to know about this? *
Not all parts are unlocked
You will need more Social Awareness
... That it? Just a list of places, numbers and people? I guess I need something else that to keep me occupied so I don't end up blind from anger.
But what else is there? There aren't any toys, or games or much of anything. Besides Naruto. But there's only me and my blonde friend in here so there's not really a lot of play options.
Maybe, since we are relatively alone I can try meditating. Hopefully there won't be another Ne Agent to interrupt.