After the floating cloaked figure had vanished, the village had filled with civilian characters. Judging by what the figure, which Bethany had dubbed 'cloak', had said, these were all real people too. People who were trapped in the game, just like them. If that were true, at least some of them had to know what was going on in the real world. Bethany walked up to an elderly woman, "excuse me ma'am, do you happen to know what's going on in the real world right now?" she asked. The woman looked confused, "real world?" she asked. Bethany nodded, "yes, the real world, you know, how this world is a virtual reality game?" at the woman's confused expression, Bethany's shoulders sank, "ah, never mind, I'm sorry for bothering you ma'am" she said slowly, walking away.
Around the virtual "Konoha" the 26 were all attempting to find information about the real world, what was going on, if anyone had noticed that things were very wrong with the game. But everyone they asked either didn't know what they were talking about, or almost literally ran away from them, no doubt thinking them insane. Near sunset that day, the character players all met up just outside the Hidden Leaf forests, it being quiet and the least likely place to draw attention. Bethany looked around at everyone that was there. Including her and Paul, who was a young Jiriya, there were many other characters from the series, all children.
Bethany stood in front of them all, "everyone, please calm down, I know this is hard for everyone, but we must stick together right now" all the people who were gathered their quieted and listened, "we all heard what Cloak said, the only way to escape this game is to level up, so what we should all do is to enter the academy and learn as much as we can, we must gain skills if we want to survive," everyone was quiet, thinking this over, then Bethany spoke again "I know it's a lot to ask of you all, I mean, risking your life isn't something many of us do on a daily basis," at this many of the players began nodding their heads in agreement, "some of you may not want to risk your lives at all, while at the same time others may be relishing the excitement and thrill of battle," a few nodded their heads, while others looked worried.
Bethany took a deep breath, "but I'm afraid that is no longer your choice to make," she lowered her head in sadness for those poor people who would be forced to fight against their wishes. Then she looked up, determination lighting her eyes, "this does not mean that any of you should take on missions expecting to die, far from it, many missions would not involve fighting, and others would not require you to leave the village at all, and while this would mean that you would not have to spend your every waking moment watching your back, this does not mean you can spend your time goofing off and being lazy!" she exclaimed, causing everyone to flinch, and some to sit up straighter. Paul, on the other hand was speechless, he always knew that Bethany wasn't good at giving speeches, but something about being in the game, or maybe being Kushina had given her a great deal of confidence, not to mention a kind of strength that he'd never seen before.
"We must use this time to choose the skills that will bring you the most amount of points, and also the ones that you want to learn. If it's true that each skill only has a certain amount of points, then you need to choose ones that you like, are comfortable with, and will also give you the most amount of points, they are essential if we want to become stronger and leave here sooner, but do not become so engrossed in the life of a Shinobi that you lose yourself, we must protect all those who cannot protect themselves, understand?! This is no longer just a game, and we should no longer be concerned about only ourselves, we will survive, and protect all those who are precious to us!" As she finished speaking, there was a kind of hushed awe around the clearing. Whoever this girl was, she was a natural with inspirational speeches.
Meanwhile, one player was watching Bethany with more than just awe. A boy with spiky blond hair, two bangs hanging down to his chin and bright blue eyes stared at the young Uzumaki. She was defiantly strong both in will and spirit. But what about her physical strength? Bethany nodded, "alright, let's get some sleep, tomorrow we'll see about finding some temporary lodgings until we can build up enough money to buy houses, okay?" she asked. Everyone nodded and set about preparing the forest floor for sleep. It wasn't very comfortable, and the night air was cold, but at least there weren't any dangerous animals around to worry about. Gathering some twigs and sticks, Bethany used two stones to make a spark. She'd never tried making a fire before, but she wanted to learn for when she had missions.
Suddenly a spark from the two stones caught the small pile. Gently blowing to make the flames stronger, Bethany placed some larger sticks on the flames. Soon a decent sized fire was crackling merrily before her. Bethany smiled with pride, she did it! Paul grinned, "great job Bethany" he said happily. Just then a small screen appeared in front of the red-head. Words were written on it: 'Congratulations! Fire making skill: level 1, number of skills acquired: 1, skill points gained: 6' the young woman/little girl's grin became wider, she'd obtained her first skill! That was defiantly one that would be useful. After the screen vanished, Bethany and Paul settled down for the night, along with everyone else.
ŅŴŔ
The next day dawned too soon for the 26, and they all got up wearily. Bethany yawned, she was by no means a morning person. After kicking dirt over the camp fire, Bethany and all the others went and found a stream. After washing up, Bethany told the others she was going into the village to look for a good weapon shop, then she would go to the Hokage to ask about apartments. Paul decided to go with her. Minato watched them go, wondering about Kushina. As Bethany and her father walked through the village looking for a place to buy supplies, Paul looked around at the 'villagers'.
"It's sad to think that none of these people remember their lives outside this game, that they don't remember their families" he remarked. Bethany looked around sadly, it wasn't fair for all these innocent people to be dragged into this. "I know, but if we win, then all of these people will be saved" she said, turning to smile at her father. Bethany stopped. The shop in front of her read: "Yuzuki's weapon shop, the best bargains in the Leaf" The young woman thought for a moment, this place looked promising. "In here, Daddy", she said, catching her father's attention, and pointing to the shop, before walking in.
The inside of the shop was filled with weapons, from swords, to spears, daggers, to kunai. And not just bladed weapons either. There were weapons on the walls, benches, some in glass display cases. Bethany and Paul could only gasp as they stared around the shop. The sound of footsteps could be heard throughout the store and a fairly young man appeared. He gave a friendly smile at them, glad to have customers, "hello there, what can I do for you young ones today?" he asked. Bethany waved dismissively, "oh no, we're just browsing really, don't mind us" she said, and went back to looking around. Paul was gazing curiously at a medium length curved sword. Bethany walked up to it and tapped the air in front of the weapon. A screen appeared in front of it, and both father and daughter read the description: "Tachi, a type of sword once used by the samurai, this is the perfect style of weapon to be used by mid to close-range fighters" Paul nodded and picked the blade up, holding it in different positions, "feels good," he said, holding it in a reverse grip.
Bethany nodded, and looked again at the selections of weapons. One in particular caught her eye. It was a Gunbai. Reaching out, the girl tapped the air above it and checked the description. 'Gunbai, very versatile in battle, this War Fan can be used as a number of things, from a blade to a shield to and hammer. This model is also made of Chakra conductive metal and can be infused with Chakra to perform wind-based attacks'. The red-haired girl grinned and picked it up. It was heavy, but not so much that she wouldn't be able to adjust to it's weight through training. Kushina turned to her father, "I'm gonna get this!" she exclaimed, still grinning. Paul frowned slightly, "are you sure? what if Madara gets jealous?" he asked. the red-haired girl shrugged, "nothing's stopping him from buying one as well" she replied. "Besides, I want to be as versatile as possible" the red-haired girl replied. Her father sighed and shrugged, "alright, it's your choice Kushina" he said.
Both pre-Genin then went about buying their chosen weapons.
ŅŴŔ
Paul and Bethany walked up to the Hokage tower, they still needed to ask the village leader about houses for the 26, however temporary. After getting permission from the guards to enter, the two were led along a circular hall. When they got to the end of the hall they found a door that obviously led to the Hokage's office. Bethany knocked on the door, and, after hearing the muffled reply of "enter" opened the door without hesitation. Bethany stared at the old man as he came into view, the Third was probably just a computer controlled character, instead of a player.
"Ah, Kushina-Chan, I've been wondering when you would get here, please have a seat" he said, gesturing to the two chairs in front of them. Paul and Bethany sat, waiting for the Third to speak. The old man let out a weary sigh, "now Kushina-Chan, I'm assuming you know why you have been brought to this village?" he asked. Bethany's eyelids lowered slightly, "no Hokage-Sama, I don't" she said in an almost toneless voice. Sarutobi sighed again, and spread his hands over the surface of his desk, "Kushina, you are the last of the Uzumaki clan, barring the wife of the First Hokage, Mito-Sama, who still lives in this village today, as such, you are the only one we can trust," he sighed again, looking as old as he really was.
"With Mito-Sama's life fading, you are the only one who can take on her burden, as Uzumaki Shinobi are genetically predisposed for the special job you have to take on". Bethany clenched her fists in her lap, just get on with it already, damn it! Sarutobi looked up at her, his expression mournful, but unwavering, "Kushina-Chan, you have been brought here to become the second Jinchuriki of Kyuubi" Bethany felt the breath get knocked out of her, and the room began to spin. Honestly, she knew that this would probably happen, that she would become Kurama's new Jinchuriki, but hearing it out loud, and so bluntly- "I understand this is probably a lot to take in, but please understand, without you, this village might not survive the war, you are vitally important to the lives of everyone in this village, Kushina-Chan". Bethany lowered her head, "so, I'm just a tool to be used for the sake of this village," she took a shaky breath, "not even a Kunoichi, and my life is already forfeit" Paul frowned, why did this have to happen to his daughter?
She shivered once, then looked up, her eyes wavering with uncertainty, "I understand, Hokage-Sama, but if you don't mind, I have a favour to ask" she explained about the other 25 people in the forest that needed a place to stay, "very well, they will be given apartments in the village, and I will send ANBU to come and collect you tomorrow as Mito-Sama wishes to speak with you before the transfer" Bethany nodded and bowed, Paul doing the same, before both got up and left the office to head back to the forests of Konoha, their lives about to be drastically changed.
To Be Continued