"Tag!" I found myself being touched by one of my classmates. Himiko. She was one of the nicer people in class. If a bit crazy. She giggled and I wondered why I was here, "Your it! Catch me if you can!" I had weights on to make it more fair to the people involved. So did Choujuro. It was supposed to be my first day off in four months too. At least this was the last game of tag before lunch and then training together again.
'Why did I agree to this again?' Oh yeah... I wanted to get to know my classmates better. 'A lot of them are actually pretty nice. Kori helped me with my hidden mist jutsu and Sanemi sparred with me.' And in turn I helped them with their blade work... Now we were playing tag on Himiko's suggestion. 'I like this.' I decided, "Oh its on!"
Everyone giggled and ran away from me. I was so going to target Himiko. I ran toward my target and grinned. Himiko grinned too, "You'll never get me alive Kukui! Hehehe!" She grabbed onto a low hanging tree branch after jumping and swung to another tree branch, reminding me her dexterity was probably far higher than mine.
'I wish I didn't have these weights.' That would make me able to just catch her instantly.
[Running has leveled up]
This gave me an idea and I smirked. 'The rules didn't state I couldn't use the gamer... God bless things leveling up at appropriate times.' I activated level seven running which takes a hell of a long time to level up. My speed increased tremendously right away and I caught up to Himiko who had landed on the ground after getting sufficiently ahead, "I'VE CAUGHT UP HIMIKO!" I cackled like a madman.
Himiko turned around, "How!? Your supposed to be extra slow!" She blew a raspberry at me, reminding me we were children. Ah the joys of being ten, "I'll just get away again then!" She tried to find another low hanging tree branch but they were all too high.
I touched her shoulder as lightly and quickly as I could, "Tag your it!" I sang. I imagined my shit eating grin made her fume as I ran away. '3, 2, 1, 0' Running deactivated and I was slower now. But I was far enough away from Himiko. I saw everyone else talking. 'Oh hey that must mean the game's over now.' I waved, "Hey! Is the game over with yet?"
Choujuro held up three fingers and looked up to me, "Yep! We all just got back here! We're about to do some elemental training and see if we can make any jutsu!" Choujuro was surprisingly a lot less shy around everyone else. More people were here and we were acting like kids. Not like killers in training.
'I missed this.' I thought somberly. Whilst sick I hadn't been able to do much with anyone. Even before that I hadn't had a lot of friends... so this... this felt nice... 'Do they really need to die?' A voice asked me bitterly. I willed it to shut up. I wouldn't think of this right now... I was still confused, "
Himiko caught up, "Aww man. I really wanted to play a bit more. I wanted to get Kukui back for this," Himiko then mock glared at me, "I'll get you next time buddy," I chuckled at this.
'If there will be a next time...' I once more banished that line of thought, "Oh will you now?" Himiko nodded furiously, "Not in a million years. You just got lucky." Himiko lightly punched my shoulder but I laughed it off.
Himiko pouted, "Meanie,"
Sanemi chuckled, "Lets just get back to doing some training! I wanna finish cutting the stupid leaf soon," Me and him were the last two to finish stage one of our elemental affinities. Sensei was encouraging us by saying once we were done we'd get a jutsu. Offensive, defensive, or supplementary. Sanemi obviously went with Offensive. I went with Supplementary. Attack could come after I got some tricks up my sleeve.
Kenko grinned, "Yeah you and Kukui finish your stage one training whilst we start on level two. Better catch up soon or your gonna fall behind completely,"
I scoffed, "Bitch please, Me and Sanemi can kick your ass any day of the week into the next," I heard Choujuro and Kori snicker at the remark.
Eventually we all burst out laughing.
'I don't want this to end...'
[Lightning manipulation; Lvl 8:
Increases control of lightning according to level
Lightning jutsu are 8% more effective.
Lightning jutsu cost 8% less
Lightning jutsu are 8% less effective on user]
So far, progress had been slowing down. But I have a theory on as to why. Level ten was probably mastery of the first stage. So the closer I got to success, the less EXP for the skill I gained. Therefore it took longer to grind out said skill. That or I just sucked at this at the moment.
I pushed more chakra into the leaf, trying to make it crumple without tearing or burning. Tiny little holes appeared as I crumpled it. Almost into a ball, "Damnit this is so tough!"
"I know right! I don't get how everyone else figured this shit out!" I heard from my left. Sanemi was sharing my pain. We were both still on the first stage of our respective elemental affinities. Sanemi was closer than I was, as the leaf almost teared in half each time but not fully. It was always hanging by a thread.
I nodded, "Me either," Sasuke figured this shit out in like a month. I really needed to up my game, "Maybe we're going at this wrong," Sanemi looked to me then.
"What do you mean?" The grey haired boy asked, raising an eyebrow.
'What was the explanation Asuma gave to Naruto again? Like a blade?' I turned to Sanemi, "Well think about how your cutting the leaf? How are you visualizing it?"
Sanemi thought for a second, scrunching his face in thought, "Like scissors. I'm trying to cut it from both sides so it'll be more efficient," Okay, time to bullshit tremendously now.
I shook my head, "Well that's inefficient. How about cutting it like a blade? Wind is supposed to be sharp. Wind chakra makes blades sharper. So imaging your chakra like a blade would probably cut it more efficiently right?"
Sanemi sat there for a second before grabbing a leaf. He poured a small amount of wind chakra into the leaf and cut it cleanly in half. He looked at me then, "Kukui. You are a fucking genius,"
I chuckled. 'I have meta knowledge my friend. If only you knew... And if only I could of had some on how to finish crumpling this damn leaf.' I wasn't a genius sadly, "Sadly you are wrong. I just had good ideas sometimes," A rare occurrence indeed, "Now I need to come up with a way to finish crumpling this damn leaf,"
Sanemi looked at me sympathetically, "Good luck then Kukui. I'm going to go start on splitting a fucking waterfall," He fumed for a second before leaving. Waving goodbye and walking in the direction of everyone else. Leaving me alone...
I chuckled. I'd try to complete my own training for a few more minutes before I went to go do some physical training. If all else fails I can learn how to use the gates. 'It kinda stings he just left me though...' I liked being alone normally. It allowed me to think and plan my next move... But it just kind of hurt that everyone else was hanging out without me... 'This is why they should be left to d-' I shut down that line of thought right away. The metaphorical devil on my shoulder was acting up more lately.
It was telling my to carry on with plan one. Alone. I needed nobody but myself and I'd end this war alone. The angel on the other hand was telling me to amass help and to fight with others. And to find another way. 'I can't just blow up the academy with nobody in it... that wouldn't cause enough of a setback for it to be worth it.' I had debated on other ideas but I had little time to execute them now. It had been four whole months since I've SI'd into his world. I had five months left... 'Still surreal to think I'm in a fucking anime world.'
Everyone was real. Everything was real though. I tried waking myself up multiple times. But nothing worked. I was really in this world. 'And that means its people are real too... I can't just go around needlessly killing people.' The idea of killing people still... wasn't pleasant. The fact my idea had so heavily relied on it sickened me some days... But I needed to get out of here. 'Maybe I can take them with me...' I still had no idea how many of them would be fine with people with Kekkei genkai.
The fact Yagura himself was going to show up soon was not going to help me. Yagura was kind to his people. Even through Obito's influence. His words will surely effect some of my classmates if they aren't already on his side. 'The fact that he's showing up to help academy students morale will not be pleasant...' There was also the idea that I got pulled aside by the man himself because I wasn't progressing fast enough.
'My luck can't be that bad can't it?' It probably was considering where I am. 'Oh well Kukui, you'll just have to bite the bullet.' I expected it already. I would love the opportunity to see if I could sense Obito's genjutsu. The smallest of chances that I could free the man was there. 'If he's free then he'll have all the more reason to talk to me... I'm not even a high level sensor. It took a byakugan for gods sake to sensei him.'
Whilst I was thinking, I absent mindedly grabbed another leaf and tried to flow electric chakra into it. 'Now back to this. Maybe if I do this today, I can avoid anything painful.' If I survived tomorrow, I was going to both buy a lottery ticket and Ask Choujuro to help me get the fuck out of Kiri. 'I think Maybe Sanemi and Himiko would be open to the idea of getting out of here too... probably for different reasons... but they might join me.'
I needed allies. I needed time... and most importantly...
"CAN'T I JUST FUCKING GET THIS ALREADY!?"
[Lightning manipulation has leveled up]
[Name: Kukui Tanku
Age: 10
Title: Academy student of Kiri
Chakra: 75/75
Stamina: 75/75
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 15
Chakra: 7.5
Chakra control: C]
I considered myself to be strong. Pretty strong. One of the best in the Kiri academy... okay that was a lie. I was still pretty weak and I haven't beaten Choujuro during a fight yet but I was still fast and I had one hell of a left hook as Sanemi described it. 'Still no idea how I won that fight.' Never, ever go into one on one with Sanemi. Never.
Anyways, I wasn't the worst here. I could beat at least seven of the people out of this class... Not the worst. But I was still the only one without mastery of the first stage of elemental chakra. 'Maybe I should have asked Himiko for help?' If I lived today, I would.
"Okay class. Today is a very special day," I snapped my head to Sensei in an instant and I saw a short man. Shorter than me... just barely though. He had short, messy, grey hair, which fell over the right side of his face and spiked up on the left. He also had pupilless pink eyes and what seemed to be a stitch-like scar running from under his left eye, all the way down his cheek, "Our wonderful Mizukage has decided to grace us with his presence to help boost your morale and desire to become better shinobi of this village, Everyone please bow for the Mizukage!"
I bowed in an instant, as did everyone else and as we looked up we saw Yagura smile. A glimpse of the man whom lied under the genjutsu, "Thank you for the warm welcome Michikatsu but it wasn't needed," Well I finally knew Sensei's name... Not even his academy file had it, " Well... this is kind of my first time doing something like this for kids but... Well as you heard this morning, Kisame Hoshigaki has defected from Kirigakure," Murmers broke out from the peanut gallery, "Our strongest swordsman has left with the strongest sword. But that doesn't matter. We are Kirigakure! And we will win against those rebel scum even without the traitor who is being hunted right now. But this does leave a void within our forces. So we need people like you all to shape up a bit quicker okay? We need some more forces to help us fight! And to hopefully one day reclaim Samehada as I have no doubt that at least one of you will become a hunter nin one day..." He hummed to himself, "Well that took a lot less time then I thought... I still have some time. Well I would like to get to know all my future shinobi better so..." He made a hand seal, "Coral clone jutsu!" Twelve more Yagura's appeared out of his body, made of coral. The original stayed with Sensei.
More murmurs broke out from the crowd of everyone here today, "He's really going to talk to us?" I muttered to myself. Fuck my life. At least buy me dinner first.
The Yagura's all pulled us aside to private esque places and our sensei looked proud.
My Yagura looked up at me and I looked lightly down. 'I'm like one inch taller than him...' That was sad.
Silence remained between us too until the clone finally opened its mouth, "May I ask why you haven't figured out how to do the first stage of lightning release yet?" His eyes had a curious glint to them. Like he was asking this from general curiosity, "You are one of the top six in class physically and one of the top three mentally. So how come you haven't figured it out? Is Michikatsu teaching you well?" Ah yes... I've already been through half of high school so most of this stuff was a cakewalk to me.
Okay... this wasn't going as poorly as I had thought it would. He was being a lot nicer than I imagined. I gulped, "Well... I'm not as good at chakra related stuff as I am with other things," I could figure things out on the spot like I did with tree walking sure but I wasn't a natural, "The concept of my own chakra just doesn't feel natural to me really. I can mold it and shape it but its not second nature to me like it is with everyone else... Sensei's been trying to help but he doesn't have a lightning affinity so he can't do much,"
Yagura nodded at my words, "So you aren't as talented in the art of chakra as a shinobi should be?" A smidgen of killing intent slipped into the mans words and I nodded weakly, "I see. That is an acceptable excuse for your current weakness. But this means you will need to work twice as hard to catch up to your peers," Yagura smiled kindly, "I wasn't as adept at chakra as my peers either when I started. You have my sympathy there. I wish you luck Kukui Tanku. Your time at the academy is going to become harder soon. But you have my eye on you now," This is literally the shortest conversation with anyone ever and yet I have a kage's eye on me now... great.
I tilted my head, "What do you mean, Yagura-sama?" This had to be the worst possible scenario I could imagine.
Yagura chuckled, "I have heard about your exploits in the academy. You start fights with Kaina Hoshigaki, the top physical scorer in our tests and win frequently, you are a natural at the blade, and you have a sharp mind. Admittedly not as sharp as some of your classmates but your battle intuition is nice to see in someone so young. Pocket sand is an ingenious idea in the middle of a fight as Sand is far more annoying than genjutsu if it gets into your eyes..." He had a flashback like fog in his eyes for a moment, "And Michikatsu speaks highly of you when it comes to your skills in stealth," Maybe using stealth during that exorcise last week... and the three weeks before that wasn't such a good idea, "I expect you to become an incredible shinobi in the future, like I do with all of this generation of academy students."
I bowed hiding my fear, "Thank you for the praise Yagura-sama, I am undeserving of it,"
Yagura chuckled, "You aren't," His face then soured for a second, more killing intent leaking into the world and my heart nearly stopped. My hands were clamming up and sweating and everything was telling me to run, "Now remember there is no place for weaklings in this village... If you slack off you will die. If I ever get a report of you or any of your classmates slacking, expect to see a bodybag or be in said body bag the next day." Yagura's smile returned and he went back and fused with the original.
My heartrate returned to normal and it was pounding in my chest... 'I was close to death there wasn't I?' Maybe. 'I have Obito's eyes on me too possibly now... this isn't good.' I'd need to defect with a better plan. He'd likely send a lot of hunter-nin after me if his words were true.' My plan would take care of that though... Although I'd need to make sure anyone else I brought with me knew a clone jutsu too...
I then felt a wet sensation in my underwear... 'Well fuck.'
[A month later]
I jumped back, dodging a strike from the large blade Choujuro possessed at the moment. I unsheathed my own swords and blocked the next strike of the sword Choujuro was using. I grunted in exertion as I was beginning to be pushed back.
Choujuro grinned, "I've got you on the ropes now Kukui!" He was right. I was almost outside of the sparring arena. I needed to think fast or I was metaphorically toast. Choujuro continued to push me back. He was smiling, "I'll finally beat you fair and square!" He always beat me... but he never considered them true wins apparently.
'Maybe I should just throw and give him the win? He needs some self confidence... No he wouldn't see it as a true win.' I grinned, "I won't let you win that easily," I kicked up some dust, quickly returning my feet into place as soon as the dust entered the air and I ducked which caused Choujuro to stumble a bit, "Because I'm going to win today," I never won any of our spars. 'UNTIL TODAY!" I kicked Choujuro's chin as Hard as I could
He turned into water. 'Shit.' I turned around and jumped back to avoid being bitch slapped by a broadsword... 'No... twinsword seems better.' That thing fucking hurt. I threw three shuriken at the boy whom blocked with his sword. I created three lighting clones and they rushed toward Choujuro whom cut two down with expert like efficiency The third one jumped on the twinswoard and dispelled, shocking the boy.
I rushed toward Choujuro and aimed to slash his neck but he recovered in time to swing the twin sword at me with its flat side and hit me across the arena. 'He's still able to keep going after being shocked by lightning eh? And he's still attacking... That hurt. This makes me wonder what he'd do against hunter nin if he agreed to leave Kirigakure with me.' My thoughts were interrupted by the need to dodge a massive slam attack that hit the ground with a loud thunk.
"Alright. Time's up, Choujuro you win again," Sensei called out, disappointing both me and Choujuro. Both because we weren't able to decide on a proper winner and because it was just getting good.
[Basic Kenjutsu has leveled up]
[Basic Kenjutsu has maxed out]
'Small bright sides I suppose.' I was starting to be pleased with my progress. Still nothing on my lightning release but I was getting there. A lot of my skills were. And Basic Kenjutsu has just maxed out! Second skill to do so. 'Skills.'
[Running lvl 8:
Users speed is increased by 50%
Cost: 3 energy points per second]
Running got harder and Harder to level up with each level sadly. But it was one of my trump cards. Every four levels its cost went down a point and my joy was much greater than usual.
Shurikenjutsu lvl 8:
Shuriken throwing lvl 8: Accuracy of Shurikens when thrown at stationary targets is increased by 80%(passive)
Kunai throwing lvl 7: Accuracy of Kunai when thrown at stationary targets is increased by 70%(passive)
Shuriken throwing(at moving targets) lvl 5: Accuracy of Shuriken when thrown at moving targets is increased by 50%
Kunai throwing(at moving targets) lvl 3: Accuracy of Kunai when thrown at moving targets is increased by 50%
Honestly I loved the guaranteed hits I got from this. It made life... so much easier.
Stealth lvl 17:
Increases chances of not being caught when sneaking by 85%
Cost 1; stamina points per second
Probably my third favorite skill... even if not used as much anymore as I have been getting good without using the skill. Although I used it when I broke into the academy. 'I should probably break into it again.' Another thought for another time.
Physical conditioning: Level Max:
Increases at the rate your body improves when training by 50%
I hated, hated the push ups I had to do(among other things) to max this out, but it was worth it. So, so much. It made training much easier and I would thank my past self in the future for sure.
"And the academy's over for the day, everyone go home and enjoy yourselves. You deserve a break!" I ignored sensei as I sat down, Choujuro is likely to go get Himiko and Sanemi who have now joined us daily.
Basic Kenjutsu: Lvl Max:
Ability to use a sword of any kind is increased by 25%
I loved this. It just made me so much better and I was happy about it. Kenjutsu was likely my favorite skill at the moment because cool sharp objects are fun.
[New skill unlocked: Hidden mist jutsu lvl 10:
User creates mist with their chakra and moisture in the air. Proficiency is increased with level
Cost; 10 chakra points]
Every five levels this decreased cost by 2.5 chakra points and it allowed me to make thicker mist... I loved it honestly. It was probably my second favorite skill.
[Liquid Walking Exercise: Lvl 10:
Allows user to walk on liquid like surfaces.
Cost: 2 chakra points per second]
I was the best at something! Yay me. It still cost a lot to do but it was nice overall. Plus it gave me plenty of advantages over my classmates when need be. Plus it was fun antagonizing them whilst sitting on a lake.
Vertical surface walking: Lvl 10:
Allows user to walk on vertical surfaces using chakra.
Cost; 1 chakra points per second
Explaining this one to my classmates was tough. Sensei wasn't pleased that I had to be chased by someone to learn it but he was extremely happy to hear about me learning it in an instant and through sheer luck. His pride for me almost made me sick.
Basic Kirigakure Taijutsu lvl: 12
Increases ability to use Kirigakure taijutsu style according to level.
Pretty boring skill. Not much to it other than it tracked how good I was at it.
[Lightning manipulation; Lvl 9:
Increases control of lightning according to level
Lightning jutsu are 9% more effective.
Lightning jutsu cost 9% less
Lightning jutsu are 9% less effective on user
Still sitting at level nine. For a fucking month. I hated it so much. I loved it but I hated it. It was like an ex-girlfriend that you still love. But far more frustrating. 'One day I will master you.' I glared at the screen then.
Lightning clone jutsu lvl 8:
User makes clones out of their own chakra infused with lightning chakra.
Cost: 9.1 chakra points]
It was a genuine logistical nightmare trying to figure out how much chakra I'd have if I used like seven clones during a fight now. But I loved my current main jutsu. I see why Naruto spammed clones in the original series now.
I was proud of all my skills. Truly. Including Cooking and Cartography(which sat at level three at the moment as it wasn't practiced much... it was calming though in a sense which is why I kept up with it since I broke into the academy for the first time.)
"Ay Kukui! Come on we're leaving for the training grounds, stop starting into space and get your butt over here!" I heard Himiko call out. I shook out of my daze and looked at the blonde.
I nodded, "Okay, Okay, can't a guy just sit and think a little though?" I hadn't been looking at my stats for that long right?
Sanemi deadpanned, "You've been staring into space for ten minutes," Oh...
"Well fuck..." I chuckled, "Okay, I'll come with today,"
Himiko, Sanemi, and Choujuro smiled. All varying degree's of viciousness in said smile. 'I wouldn't change it for the world though.'
If I can't get them to come with me... I surely couldn't follow through on my plan... 'I'll find a way. If they don't come I'll just do it in a way so no kids get hurt...'
An idea came to me then.
One of the longer chapters. But I figured we had to go with something special since this is the last chapter I'm rewriting before uploading(well... I'll be ahead by five chapters now! At least! So... yeah forget I said that) Anyways, its 1:37 am on 5/26/2023. I figured I'd document that.
Anyways, bye everyone!
Edit: The need for validation and seeing numbers go up is consuming me. So Early upload again. After this I'll go back to the six days I said I'd upload before... Tobi feels validated in his choices Also feel like I kinda took this arc a bit too quickly now that I think about it. Eh, I'm sure its fine, I have plenty of bonding moments between everyone to make their friendships make sense in the future(future)