DISCLAIMER:
I do not own Naruto or Solo Leveling in any way unless it is an OC or a concept is not present in the author's original work. Otherwise, Naruto will experience many differences (e.g., he will notice Hinata far sooner than initially, or more Uzumaki will be alive).
Also, I will use the English version of techniques and put down below any Japanese translation when I can or the opposite (It will depend on me.)
Author's Note:
Some may ask how Naruto/SI could have gone under Hiruzen and the Council's radar. Well, this chapter will explain it with a particular meeting.
"Normal speech" / 'thought'
"Biju/Summons/Game System speech"
'Biju/Summons/Game System thought'
Chapter 7: The Beginning of the Maelstrom Ninja.
Previously in the last chapter:
So, the training plan for the next six months will go as follows:
[…]
[…]
[…]
With all the plan and details written down, I went for dinner at the Ichiraku's. The sidetrack got rounded up by the Ichiraku Family for coming less to them since the beginning of 3rd last year at the Academy.
I answered that I learned how to cook for myself and that I needed to equilibrate my nutrition regimen to be the best!
Which made them smile at it and let me have three bowls of Ramen in the house.
- Six months of training, some of which was with Hinata in an icy pathway -
'Damn that blizzard, but I'm near the spot of ore and minerals inside of Tetsu no Kuni," I inwardly swear while advancing by such inclement weather.
After another 25 good minutes, I finally arrived at the spot, which, from what I could see, was sealed up by runes and seals.
"Oh well, none said it would be easy," I said while unpacking my meticulously crafted runic and seals-engraved dagger, which I had just finished making before leaving two days ago, whose purpose was to undo such restrictions.
Once unpacked, I dug the dagger into the run/seal formation to shatter it, which it did while sending a small shockwave.
"Well, now that is undone, I will let some Shadow Clones set up a perimeter to warn of any incoming beings and go dig up anything I can find out inside," I said while making some Shadow Clones set up things and went inside the cave.
Many raw materials are rare gems—minerals like Saronite (World of Warcraft ore), Gold, Silver, Platinum, tungsten, and, incredibly, Adamantium ore.
"Holy mother of ***, that some Jackpot here! But I will map the cave level by level with my Shadow Clones and Kagura Shingan. While also looking for any hidden traps, monster(s), or boss(es)." While popping up more clones with paper, ink, and brushes, I put them on a spot so they could go to work.
Then, my seals outside warned me that a contingent of samurais, led by the Samurai General Mifune in person, was coming my way.
'Well, knowing the spot was near the capital of Tetsu no Kuni, it was to be expected. But for them to feel it up from the capital and send a response that fast in 25 minutes, that fast.' I thought while reviewing the diplomacy lessons I had.
- 5 minutes later, at the entrance of the cave -
The contingent of 200 of the best samurais and Mifune arrived to be surprised to see me in a little camp with some tea and biscuits prepared, which I unpacked when I shun-shinned out of the cave and my shadow clones made the camp while I was in the cave in case, I had to pass a couple of days here.
"Who are you, stranger? And what is your purpose in coming to our land with this camp and cave I am seeing?" asked Mifune with a tone of authority.
"I am Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto, son of the deceased 4th Hokage Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, heiress of Uzu no Kuni and the Uzumaki clan. If you want to verify such an allegation, here are the documents to prove my claim.
Finally, I have returned to the surface of the cave complex. You can see behind me when I was alerted by my seals of your arrival. So, I could negotiate with you, General," I said while bowing my head in reverence and respect.
After sizing me up for a minute, Mifune unmounted himself to examine the documents before saying, "While it is surprising to meet the son of such individuals when Konoha announced none, you speak true, young one.
You seem to be the son of said people, and from what I could sense from you, you do not have any ill intentions toward me and Testu no Kuni. So, I will discuss your presence here and its purpose with you.
But be warned: if it goes south, you will be judged by our law and punished accordingly since you seem to be ninja-trained, and our policy towards ninjas from other countries is strict. Am I understood?" he asked while I nodded that I understood the situation.
"Well, guards, put yourself in a disposition to survey the surroundings since me and this young one will parley." He said, with the samurais going to patrol the surroundings. Some put themselves at the cave entrance, and a couple went not far inside to see if anyone was accompanying me.
For the better part of the next hour, Mifune and I discussed the ins and outs of the situation, explaining how I founded this spot, which had been unfounded by anyone for centuries, how I got the map leading here in the first place, how I opened up the entrance, how far I went, and by which means to obtain the results.
"Hmm, it seems that this map and the dagger you forged were put along your path with a purpose, of which finality I am unaware.
But it is clear that this place was meant to be accessed by the chosen of this peculiar legend about the Monarch of the Great Beyond," he mused.
"The legend of the Monarch of the Great Beyond?" I said questioningly.
"You would not know of it since it is a samurai legend of old, speaking about a great warrior of righteousness and justice of Light succumbing to the darknesses of the beyond, commonly known as Death.
Nothing much is known about the ins and outs of it, but the heir of that man would walk the ground of Earth to accomplish something.
What is this something? None knows about it, but it is bound to be necessary." He replied, making me nervous about it.
"After your story about the map's finding and meeting with this Undeath character, I believe you somehow have a part in it.
So, as the Samurai General of Tetsu no Kuni, I allow you to exploit this mine now, but only if you create a society that will own this spot and exploit it.
In return for the concession granted, you will receive a shipment of the ore and crystals, with the total amount of the Saronite, since only you can deal with it and make it as secret as possible.
You will also be granted permission to come here, when you are a Shinobi once a month, to supervise and negotiate negotiations as the Konoha and Fire representative." He proposed that I reply with my consent to the just proposition of the Samurai General.
Then a Shadow Clone popped out, warning me of a discovered sealed door of unknown origins. I immediately informed him of it, thus warranting that he, some of the samurais, and I go inside the cave complex and to the abovementioned door.
Once we arrived, we knew it was an essential gate since the ominous aura emanating gave us a bad feeling. For me, its architecture was reminiscent of the architectural structure of a peculiar extension of the Game World of Warcraft.
"Well, the mystery about the legend seems to deepen and lighten up simultaneously. As we get to know more lore about it while it also brings more questions, I suppose you will send some of those Shadow Clones here to study it?" he said and asked with me nodding positively to it.
"Indeed, I will. On the other hand, I think it will conclude that I was here for Lord Mifune. I will have to return to Konoha immediately since I have to graduate in about … five days," I replied.
"Go on, young one, and may the sword's spirit guide you in your journey," he told me as I left the area en route to Konoha.
- Four days later, at night in Konoha -
When I arrived, I spoke to my parents and the High Lords (A/N: The High Lords is the title given to the Blood Clones) about my discoveries about the spot on the map I retrieved a while ago.
"It seems ominous, son. In the next few days, Kushina and I will look into the library of our home and Hiruzen when you reveal your secret to him after graduation," said Minato.
"I do suppose that Uzu no Kuni may have some documentation about it since our people had a connection with Death, so you may need to have some of the Shadow Clones you sent in there restore our homeland to look into this." She suggested that the High-Lords and I nod to it and create and pop a Shadow Clone to ensure the clones in Uzu would look up to it.
"With that up, I will retire tonight to be in top condition tomorrow." I yawned and saluted everyone.
- Day of the Graduation -
This day was buzzing with enthusiasm since it was the day of Ninja Academy's graduation. Many shinobis were ecstatic to know who would join their ranks and who would likely be on which team under which Jonin.
"Well, the moment of truth – the passage of fate – will decide many things. Make sure that no shenanigan goes unnoticed, my dear, by your keen eyes. Naruto's and our fate depend on it." Hiruzen said from the top of the Kage Tower that a swirl of leaves is the sole indication of someone else's presence.
- At the Academy -
After a good and healthy breakfast, I arrived on the roof of the building, where Hinata awaited me.
She was even more breathtaking than when Hiashi saw her for the first time in two months. Her overhaul demeanor was one of confidence – not an unshakable one – but a reasonably strong one. Her hair went slightly under the shoulders while tied in a high ponytail.
"Hi, Naruto-kun. How were your last two months and the journey to Iron Country?" said Hinata.
"It was both fine – quite a hellish training to get acquainted with my new powers and a decent journey with more mysteries about the powers' origins since I found an unknown gate at the bottom of the cave complex," I replied, with Hinata giggling and answered that with my luck, nothing would be out of reach.
"Aha, so funny, Hina-chan. But in all honesty, it will be tough to get there. Once done, it will be a claustrophobic ordeal to solve.
On that note, we both went to the class, which was buzzing in anticipation of the exams. Upon our arrival, the class immediately shut down. Mouths were pending down, and eyes were wide like plates at our looks since they did not know of Hinata's enhancements. My look changed a lot.
Hinata's look was the same as mentioned above, while mine changed quite a lot. While the sleeveless hoodie was still there, I added a metallic belt made of Saronite I found in some random dungeon.
My fingerless tissue gloves were now made of mail, with a chakra-conducting metal on the back of the hand and metallic tips resembling claws.
My pants were made of mail, and my boots were metallics.
I also chose to wear a pauldron with a skull and a frosty aura emanating from the eyes, and I put the symbol of the Uzumaki clan on the front of the Hoodie.
The mask I used to wear was replaced by a semi-covering Oni Mask, which covered the lower half of my visage.
Since my ascension to the [Lich Prince] Perk six months ago, my eyes earned a frosty glitter to them (Look at how a Death Knight's eyes in World of Warcraft look like to grasp what I'm describing)—making my face quite scary for my classmates to look at.
"Whoa, Hinata-chan, you look stunning! Did you realize how pathetic the Dobe was and change yourself to reflect it? If so, how about we … Arhh!" Kiba said before he was gutted by Hinata's palm strike to the stomach.
"If you cannot fathom that Naruto-kun is just to my right and that he and I are still good friends. I highly recommend you take a session with Inoichi-san or any other Yamanaka to settle your possible mental issues, Inuzuka," she said with a sweet smile of impending Doom.
"What! This dude is Naruto?" I shouted to the class, not believing it was me until I untied the mask, thus showing my face to them.
- At the council chamber -
"Halala, he never ceases to try giving me headaches, it seems, always giving me new challenges to surmount …" said Hiruzen, flabbergasted Hinata's and mostly my changes.
"Why do you seem to expect the opposite Hokage-Sama? We all know it would be freezing in hell before that happened!" said Tsume Inuzuka mockingly while making a mental note to "finish the training" with Kiba.
"What intrigues me is the change to their demeanor in Hinata, as she has never shown anything of this kind. While there have been changes in his behavior, it never amounted to this degree of change – no insults to you or your daughter Hiashi," said Shikaku, with Hiashi saying that none was taken.
"While it is true the change in Hinata's behavior is quite drastic, the change of the dem… the boy is quite alarming, to say the least, with the possibility that he is showing its true nature." Said Mebuki Haruno (Sakura's mom) with a hot glare from the Shinobi Council, Hiruzen, and two elders.
"It still has to be handed that the hue inside of Naruto's and the pauldron's eyes is disconcerting, to say the least, Hiruzen-Sama.
Yet, the Kyûbi never showed attributes that seem somewhat related to ice. Meanwhile, the mythical Kitsune, from which the 9-tails are referenced, has a fire orientation," Commented Chouza.
"Indeed, it is concerning. But I will dig out afterward what the end of the story of it." Replied Hiruzen with the whole council nodding – but for different reasons.
- Back at the classroom -
"Nice try to look scary, Dobe, but your outfit is ridi…" was Sasuke saying when the cold sensation of metal was felt on his right carotid with a frisky breath from behind.
"Oh, is my outfit just for show? Nay, it is not! But its purpose is far beyond your comprehension, Sasgay! Something you will never fully understand," I said before retracting the hidden blade while ensuring the Henge no Fuin (transformation seal) did not see where the blade came from.
With that, I returned to Hinata's side, and we went to our usual spot. Sasuke stumbled on the floor, short breathing at what had transpired.
3 … 2 … 1
One Ino and Sakura came inside the room yelling about … true love … and other disturbing things about their … competition of today – which I did not want to know anything about.
"Ha Sasuke … what happened there! And who are you with Hinata? Did you dump Naruto for him, Hinata!" yelled Sakura before finishing at medium volume when she saw Hinata turning up to lower her voice with a scowling face and a too-sweet smile to her taste.
"Well, if you must know, this hunky and quite scary dude you speak of is Naruto-kun." She replied that I had already removed the mask for the umpteenth time.
THUMP …
That was Ino, who had stumbled backward with a massive nosebleed when I turned up and removed the mask.
"Gah … gah … will you stop trying to look hot and the stuff when you are not Naruto-Baka …" was "saying" Sakura before Hinata chopped the neck, rendering her unconscious for a little while.
It was on this that Iruka Umino and Mizuki entered the room.
"What happened here?" asked irate Iruka at the scene = a mumbling Ino with a nosebleed, a spooked-up Sasuke on the ground, a standing and spooked-up Kiba and Hinata seemingly having rendered Sakura unconscious.
"Well, to say everything, the individuals who are out of place are out of place because they caused trouble to Naruto-kun and me, who were up there when we arrived." Replied Hinata.
Iruka and Mizuki were shocked by Hinata's new appearance, mostly me since she did not stutter once. I was pretty spooky.
"Well, you seem to have remained quite the troublemaker, Naruto. While some may … interrogate themselves about your new look, I hope the behavior will not hinder your chances to pass this one exam." He said this to me while I said I could not promise such a thing since I would not be me by this point.
By that point, Sakura woke up, and Iruka stopped any chances she may have had to yell at Hinata and me by ordering her and Ino to go to the free places near Sasuke, who inwardly cursed at Iruka-Sensei for it.
After that, Iruka began his ever-boring ceremonious sermon when I intervened.
"Can you please cut it already, Sensei? You have harped on it for years already, so please do proceed to the actual exam so we can know who will and who will not be a shinobi," I said, making everyone sweat, dropping to it, and Iruka mentally cried about me crushing his speech he passed the last night preparing it up.
"He is right, Iruka-Dono – you've repeated it tirelessly, so cut some slack for them," said Mizuki, further nailing the coffin.
"Well, let's let the final exam begin." Said a dejected Iruka.
- at 4:00 p.m. after the exam -
The results revealed that Rookie 9, including me, had succeeded, much to the despair of my detractors, who wished I had failed the exams. Thus, they banished me from ever trying to be a shinobi.
"Congrats, Naruto-kun/san." Said Hinata and Shino when they saw my headband.
"Thanks, guys, and congratulations to you as well," I replied, and they thanked me.
"Anyone want to celebrate it?" I asked them, but they had to attend clan business, so they declined, not before saying that they may do something in the future.
After we parted, I decided to go for the Ichiraku to show them the headband.
"Well done, my boy! For this occasion, the next five bawls of ramen are on the house!" cheered Teuchi.
"Well done, Otōto (little brother)! I knew you would do it this time," she cheered, smothering me with her bust.
"I … cannot … breath Ayame … Chan …" I tried to say with the Ichiraku's family laughing at my predicament.
After that, I ate the ramen and chatted with them.
With that done, I went to the Hokage's Monument to wait and sense Mizuki's chakra signature to track him up so I could apprehend him as his thief of the Forbidden Scroll, which happened a little three hours later.
"Damn it! The demon brat succeeded this time. The standards of Konoha must have dropped significantly if the higher-ups cannot distinguish a demon from a normal human being.
It does not matter; I have their most treasured item and will give it to Orochimaru, who will grant me the power to receive my rightful and well-deserved recognition," Said Mizuki.
"You are as pathetic as I imagine you, Mizuki, doing it for power mindlessly. No wonder you are trash." I said, using some of my powers, my voice reverberating in the clearing as if an eldritch being were there.
My voice made Mizuki stumble to the ground and say with fear: "Who … what are you? Where … where are you? Most importantly … what do you want?"
"It doesn't matter for you, as after this very moment. You will not leave this place intact; you shall become broken, an empty husk answering every question the T&I Department will ask you about your motives to do such a thing and nothing else." I answered back while gradually increasing the power input I used to create more mist and to drop the ambient temperature to be damn cold.
"You want to break me? Ah! You will never succeed with this cowardly strategy of yours. Orochimaru prepared for this moment by providing some concoction to power me up, if necessary," Mizuki said while ingurgitating the same concoction as in the filler episode where he transformed into a humanoid Tiger, which is happening right now.
"How predictable, the weak using any untested and unknown power boost blindly and mindlessly. Your fall will hit harder than expected, and it will be alone in darkness." I said that when Iruka arrived, he did not mind the current situation and was shocked at the sight of his "friend" and the scroll in his possession.
"Why! Why would you do that? Why would you betray us and steal our treasure?" a shocked Iruka said, noting the freezing ambient weather.
"You are a fool, Iruka; like many others, you cannot distinguish a demon from a human. You are a fool not seeing the stratagem of the Demon Brat to allure us all and strike us when you least expect it.
But with the power of the beverage consumed and the scroll, I will be able to kill you and your hidden ally responsible for this cold mist," said Mizuki, shocking Iruka for his reasoning and the fact that someone else was pursuing and cornering Mizuki. At the same time, he did not sense me at all.
"Oh? Let us see about it when you are receiving it." I said from behind Mizuki while I incanted a Death Curse and stabbed Mizuki in the back with Frostmourne – putting an end to the transformation.
"How? I did not sense you at all," said Mizuki while shockingly recognizing the lower half of the mask – making him realize it was me.
"How would you? My outfit is permeated with seals and runes, enabling me to go unnoticed by those I want and sense kilometers away.
And yes, as you realized, I am Naruto." I answered while removing my mask, shocking Iruka and confirming Mizuki's suspicion.
"Na … Naruto? Is that you?" said a shaken Iruka, not believing it was me, with the metallic armor feeding off a deathly aura and my voice resonating with an unholy connotation.
"Indeed, it is me, Iruka, Mizuki, and Jii-chan, since I know you are looking through your crystal ball from the office. And do not fret about telling about the 9-tails since I have known about them since last year." I said this, shocking the three onlookers.
'How does he know? There have been no signs of him knowing it – but from what I remembered, Naruto said after the coma a year ago, he spoke of a mysterious presence.
Could it have been the Kyûbi? Or something else? It is likely something else since the beast is powerless compared to the Primordial Deity the Shinigami is! None can withstand an ageless being and feeds off the incalculable number of souls.' Thought Hiruzen, with Iruka and Mizuki having similar thoughts about it.
"Also, it does not matter what you do since the Death Curse I incanted before impaling you cursed you a degree I will not reveal," I said before chopping the neck of Mizuki, thus rendering him unconscious.
With that, I launched chains to a spot in the tree, where a Root Anbu agent of Danzo was standing, incapacitating him.
"You can come out, Anbu agents; I know you dissimulated yourself, but I can sense you no matter what you do," I said before a squad of Anbu came out of the trees.
"So, you are truly Uzumaki Naruto?" said Neko, or Yugo Uzuki.
"Indeed, it is me. We can go to the Hokage to finish speaking up since what we have to speak is S-Rank to SSS-Rank plus secrets," I said, shocking them with the ranking of the secrets I told them.
Since S-Rank was a massive secret on a hidden village or town scale, SS-Rank was generally on the scale of Fire Country, and SSS was for multiple Countries or continental secrets.
But SSS-Rank plus? They want to avoid beginning to imagine what kind of thing would warrant such a ranking.
"For this Anbu, he is a Root Anbu. So, he is a traitor to side with Danzo, who should have disbanded it altogether and sent them back to the normal Anbu, but it seems he did not.
Thus, Danzo is a traitor to go against the will of the Hokage, a breach of the Daimyo's authority." I said, pointing out the agent enchained.
"He indeed seems to be a Root Anbu. We will follow the Hokage's orders when we arrive at his office. Let us go," she said.
- 5 minutes later, in the office -
"Well, thank you all for retrieving the Scroll of Sealings and this traitor. But I must ask you, Naruto, what is this Death Curse you put on him?" Hiruzen said kindly while saying the last part with authority associated with such leadership conferred to his rank.
"It is a curse that enables any Death being or adept at grasping the soul of the target. Thus, it warrants that the target's soul will belong to the caster of the Curse when / /it dies out.
Additional effects can be added, like the one Death Curse I cast, which will make Mizuki tell everything in the most minute details of the operation to steal the Scroll of Seals except for my identity, which will be replaced by the description of Deathly Spiritual Presence wanting his soul." I answered back, shocking them to their core at such an ability and the other possibilities of adding more effect(s) to it.
"So, you now understand why I spoke of S-Rank to SSS-Rank plus secrets, old man," I asked, the rest nodding, understanding the situation.
"Indeed, such a thing is at least SS-Rank, if not SSS-Rank plus, depending on the rest of the details, Naruto.
Such as how you know about the 9-tails being sealed inside of you or how you obtained such powers." Replied and asked Hiruzen with his full Hokage's Authority tone.
" I replied, "It will be answered when the two other guests arrive, as their presence is necessary to understand the situation fully."
When on cue, the secretary notified the presence of two noteworthy individuals, which Hiruzen looked at me and said they could enter.
Only to have everyone except me having a heart attack at the sight of my parents seemingly alive.
Fifteen minutes later, everyone regained their wits.
"H … How … how are you both alive, Minato-kun, Kushina-chan? You both died when the 9-tails was defeated!" said a more than ever shocked Hiruzen at the sight of his late successor and his wife.
"Let us say that Naruto is ingenious when it comes to understanding certain intricacies of chakra imprint, old man.
But, my wife Uzumaki Kushina and I have some … questions for you first," said Minato, shocking everyone but me and Hiruzen at the understanding that I was the son of the 4th Hokage and the Uzumaki Clan Matriarch.
"Huh … I do not see what you want to … speak about Minato-kun … I …" was Hiruzen trying to say when some … troublesome and unmanly screams came out from the office, waking up the Nara Patriarch and Jiraiya, who were praying for the poor soul who was receiving on the receiving hand of a considerable beating.
After this experience, Hiruzen Sarutobi swiftly removed almost all traces of perversion and lack of backbone.
"Well, I hope it will help you regain this backbone, Saru-Ojisan!" said Kushina.
"Only time will tell us if it is the case, my love." Said Minato.
"*sigh* I can begin to understand Jiraiya's feeling of being beaten heavily when he peeped on Tsunade-Chan that day." Said a sighing Hiruzen.
Everyone sweatdrops at that reflection.
"Well, with … this out of the way, can you tell us the situation? By the way, Iruka, your pay for bringing back the traitor and the scroll will be handed to you and Naruto on your account by tomorrow, so please can you leave and swear not to speak any of it until things are cleared out?
Bring the traitor and the Root Agent to the T&I department and tell them that the work was mostly done. And have Anko deal with Mizuki since he worked for Orochimaru and have Ibiki work on the Root Agent." Said and asked Hiruzen, with everyone nodding to it.
With all that out of the way and some silencing seals, anti-spy seals, and the like, Dad, Mom, and I began to tell him everything. At some points, it warranted Hiruzen's iconic sentence: "I'm too old for this shit."
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
"It seems that it runs through the family for you all to give headaches, it seems *sigh*," said Hiruzen after gulping several times and directly at the bottle of Sake.
"I have never heard such a story in my life and career, but I cannot deny any of the things you told me.
I never thought that Obito was alive, nor did I know precisely what the Kinjutsus (Forbidden Techniques) of the Uchiha clan was. Nor the reason for Yagura-dono, the 4th Mizukage insanity in Mist.
And don't let me begin with this reincarnation thing you had for yourself, Naruto, Constantin, or Kuran; I don't know how to call you anymore," Said Hiruzen.
"It is understandable to an extent that all this is hard to comprehend, old man. You are not the Professor nor the God of Shinobi for nothing. Thus, I believe that you will succeed in it. And for now, call Naruto since you always called me that. And only when you feel it, you may call me whatever of the three names you want." I said warmingly.
"Thank you for your consideration, Naruto-kun. I do deeply appreciate it." He replied.
"But it warrants me to put you on a one-man team since your current condition is exceeding what is waiting from a newly mint genin from the Academy …" was saying Hiruzen when I said.
"You should make Danzo send one of his Root Anbu as a member of team 7, which will include Sasuke and Sakura.
For me, being a solo team, I have some more details about my implications in the steal of the scroll to have proof that it was null and voided finally, thus should enable you to have my place in the shinobi corps being questioned. I am being temporarily removed from it with enough time to ensure that Danzo will send his pawn." I said with Hiruzen laughing at the audacity of it and said it would work.
"Frankly, I am not surprised you went to Tetsu no Kuni, with what I have gleaned from it. And I am sure your High Lord of Trade Blood Clone will volunteer himself as the Fire Representative there?" I asked Hiruzen, nodding affirmatively.
"Well, son, I can gladly say that no matter what happened or what will happen, your mom and I are proud of you, and nothing will change that, ever," Minato said, granting him some curiosity and apprehension from me and Hiruzen.
"What are you telling us, Tou-san?" I answered back, afraid of what he would say.
"Even though you brought us back to a somewhat pseudo-life, this year with you was the happiest one we had in all our lives.
But Kushina-chan and I feel that our time in the realm of living in this state has ended, son. We think our presence is incorrect, and we know that you must be feeling bad for it since you have been able to have an everyday family life – but it has to end.
But rest assured, we will always love you no matter what. And be sure that when the time when the "original Naruto" is fully saved, your own time has come.
Please come to us so we may spend some time as a complete family with two parents and two sons, will you?" said a tearful Minato, and Kushina was as tearful as him.
At the same time, I was tearing up because I was tasting what a "normal" family life could have been. After his speech, I dived in and hugged him while sobbing openly, with him hugging back and Kushina coming to hug.
*Flash* *Flash*
We looked toward the flashes to see a smiling Hiruzen, who had taken a photo of us hugging.
"This photo will be an immemorial photo of a loving family that can overcome any challenges coming their way," he said while having the two photos leaving the device.
He gave us one and kept the other to remind us what would happen if Kushina and Minato survived the 9-tails' attack.
With that done and farewells done, Minato and Kushina disappeared, thus leaving for the Pure Lands while I still sobbed about their departure.
After that, Hiruzen invited me to the top of the tower and told me:
"Even though they departed from here, it is for the best, and they will always be in our hearts and watch us from the above," he said wisely, with me nodding to him.
"Cherish what is few to give you strength protecting the many. A task, if not sacrifice, many are not willing to do – it is a situation the civilians do not understand and thus try to make your childhood hell, Naruto-kun.
Yet, you have taken it head before and even more so after last year's accident. I am proud of you, even though you hid things up.
You are a true testimony to what a shinobi is like. To train in the shadow, to strike true when required. Some level of suspicion for things, thus enabling you to look beyond the façade many have and would fall for.
But most importantly, you have endured far more than many would imagine. From this night onward, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Third Fire Shadow of Konohagakure no Sato, bestow upon you something only so few have had the honor to bestow.
Which is …" said Hiruzen by a full-moon night in March.
- Tomorrow morning at the Academy -
"Good morning, Naruto-kun," said Hinata while I answered the same.
"Are you excited to begin a new phase of your life, Hina-chan?" I said, with Hinata nodding positively.
Sasuke was eyeing us and Hinata as meat or a trophy. When he saw my sword, exulting an aura of power that caught his attention, he decided to input his grain of salt.
"Nice sword you have, Dobe; too bad you are unworthy of it. It would be best to give it to someone far more worthy than yourselves since you have any Kenjutsu skill (Swordsmanship). In contrast, I have such a thing as a Uchiha Elite. And Hinata should definitively stop frequenting such lowborn as yourself, Dobe," demanded the Uchiha.
Before I could answer, Sakura and Ino came at the same time, with surprisingly only Sakura yelling about "True Love" and that she would be next to her … "Sasuke-kun" when Ino immediately noticed the tense situation and Sasuke being near me and Hinata, understanding immediately what was going on.
When Sakura did not have the expected answer to her monologue, she turned in our direction and shouted:
"I do not know what is happening, but it is clear that you are aggravating Sasuke-kun somehow. I demand that you give up whatever Sasuke-kun wants since he is worthier than you to have what he requires of you."
After 10 seconds of looking at Sasuke, I looked at her with a deadpan expression when I said another thing, making Kakashi—who was on time with the other Jonin-Sensei and the Hokage, who were looking at the situation through the old man's orb—say, "Huh, you said something?"
- Council's room –
"Sniff! I am so proud of him! He is the perfect student! I hope to have him as my apprentice or a two-person team." Said Kakashi, with his infamous eye smile and a tear on the visible eye, and everyone else's sweat dropped at the sight.
"Oh no! I do not hope Kakashi contaminated another person as Guy did with Rock Lee. We have enough with one such duo; another will be far too much," said a worried Yuhi Kurenai, and many other Jonin nodded in agreement.
"I would not mind Kakashi, but unfortunately, it is impossible to grant you this wish as a two-person squad or apprenticeship that early can be poorly viewed, my dear. And the arrangements have already been made.
Then again, let's look at the crystal ball since Iruka should be coming real soon," said Hiruzen cryptically, making everyone raise an eyebrow at the "arrangements made" part.
- Back at the classroom –
"No," I answered.
"What was that, Dobe?" said frustrated Sasuke.
"You heard me well Dickless; I answered your question with a "No" – meaning I deny your selfish demented request. And I can easily assume and say I answered for Hinata on your "demand" for her to go out with you," I said back with Hinata confirming it vocally that she would never go out with him.
"How dare you both deny my requests? I am a Uchiha Elite; with the both of us Hinata, we can burry the rivalry between our clans …" was saying Sasuke when I interrupted him saying:
"How dare we? Simple: We did it because we could. Secondly, law n°47 alinea n°3 of the Konoha Charter declares the Uchiha clan extinct, as one individual cannot be viewed as a gathering of several people with the same blood.
Unfortunately, the Uchiha and Senju clans are no exception. The Alinea n°7 of the same law states that the founding clan is only exempt from the Alinea n°3 if there are at least two members inside the almost extinct clan.
You need another Uchiha to apply the alinea n°3 and n°7. The only other known alive Uchiha is your elder brother, Uchiha Itachi, who slaughtered the Uchiha clan in the first place, thus depriving him of the clan member status.
Thus, you are the only remaining Uchiha, making the Uchiha Clan extinct." I explained, gradually making Sasuke increasingly angry—which skyrocketed at my mention of his "treacherous" elder brother.
At this point, Sasuke was red-mad at me for this statement, which he knew, if that fact was to be genuinely applied, he would lose many supporters of his cause.
"I did touch a nerve, Sasuke, nay? Too bad, I mastered the Shadow Clone technique – an A-Rank Jonin technique only taught to those with mid-Chunin and higher chakra reserves.
Since I got Kage-Level reserves, I learned it, and I have two tips about it: If you attempt it when you do not have the reserves for it, it's Game Over; you die because of chakra depletion or exhaustion. Secondly, it has memory feedback.
With my Shadow Clone outside on the tree branch ready to pop out, where would another one of my clones be?" I said with an implied undertone, making the Uchiha freeze.
Everyone understood when they saw a clone of Naruto on said branch and understood where the third one could be: the Hokage or the Fire Daimyo.
And neither of the options was positive for Sasuke – Shikamaru said, "Troublesome blond."
After this revelation, Iruka showed up in a silent class, which was a blessing—with an Inner Iruka cheering at Naruto, whom he supposed silenced the class.
"I do not wish to know what happened, but it ends here and now. Sit at your place, everyone, so that I can call." Iruka said this in a strict tone, and everyone obeyed.
After Iruka finished the call, he made a "very brief speech" on his pride that we graduated and have so much to parkour yet – before calling the teams.
"Team 1 is …
[…]
Team 7 is Uchiha Sasuke – Haruno Sakura and Sai – under the tutelage of Hatake Kakashi (Kakashi cried at this – asking Kami why he had such a team).
Team 8 is Aburame Shino – Hyuga Hinata and Inuzuka Kiba – under the tutelage of Inuzuka Hana and Uzuki Yugao
why two senseis? Usually, the Jonin would have been Yuhi Kurenai. Still, because of how recent her promotion to Jonin was and the fact that she is a Genjutsu specialist, she was out for Team 8, and Hokage Sama chose Hana for her tracking abilities and the fact she trains with three Ninken.
For Uzuki Yugao she was in the Anbu and is here to supervise Hana since she was just promoted this morning for the task." He said this before being interrupted by Sasuke.
"Why do these second-rate wannabe shinobi have two Jonin and one being Anbu?" raged Sasuke.
"Why are you complaining about when Kakashi was Anbu far sooner than Yugao-San?" I replied with Iruka, shocked I would know such intel, which was not typical for the younger generation. However, I remembered that the Anbu, including Kakashi, had to protect Naruto in the past.
My comment lowered Sasuke's rage, and he sat back, smirking at what I said.
"Thanks, Naruto, for the intel I was about to tell, so to return to the team listing:
Team 9 still being in circulation.
Team 10 is Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi and Shikamaru." I was saying Iruka before being interrupted by Sakura again this time.
"Ah! I knew that the Dobe was not becoming a Shinobi! There is only him remaining, and since there cannot be a team with less than three Genin and one Jonin, it can only mean he is not becoming a Shinobi!" said a enjoyed Sakura, whose joy was quickly cut short by Killing Intent flowing through the room and coming from me.
"Sakura-san, I would highly encourage you to let your superior finish the briefing before jumping to a conclusion.
One such conclusion as to why I am not in any team maybe because I could be more potent than a standard Genin … but because I lack the experience.
The other fact is I can make any amount of Shadow Clones, which are solid clones capable of doing whatever thing I can make at the moment of their creation; these two facts could have made the higher-ups see fit that I would not be placed within a team of four people but in a solo team." I said coldly, with my words sinking, shocking Iruka at my thorough thought process being that high.
"Impossible! How can a lowborn nobody like you be more powerful than me, an Uchiha Elite?" raged a mad Sasuke, the Dobe I am, being granted such privilege.
"Are you putting the Shinobi Council and the Hokage's common decision, Uchiha?" said the cold tone of Hiruzen, who Shunshin here.
"Hu … not really Hokage-Sama … it is just that why was he granted such a thing when everyone knows that he is clanless while me, the last member of the Uchiha clan, was not granted such a thing so I could become stronger to restore it," Sasuke said hesitantly at first before regaining some assurance.
"It would be assumed that the Uchiha clan went extinct, Uchiha! This is not the case since the clan is "living" through you! Thus, the restoration thing is thrown into the gutter.
But like Naruto said before Iruka came, I Sarutobi Hiruzen, in virtue of law n°47—Alinea n°3, announce the Uchiha Clan Extinct at this moment for the reason Naruto said!" said with authority.
"Why. Why are you doing this to me and now?" snarled Sasuke before being embedded into the wall at the back of the classroom to see that I had done it.
"Did you just hear yourself out? You yelled at our leader as if he were an old friend who betrayed you. Such is our leader, and he is you!
When it is the village's charter, he decided to apply the law now when it should have been done a long time ago, but he did not because of the trauma you had at that time.
Such a law is in the village's charter and applies to everyone. Exceptions are made in rare cases, which is not the case for you since the only other alive Uchiha is a renegade one." I said with a flat tone.
"Thank you, Naruto-kun, for enlightening us on the decision. While the force was not necessary, it is as you said. I am the Hokage, my word is law, and the Charter explicitly stipulates what Naruto-kun said.
A charter your ancestor Madara Uchiha helped to create, and every Uchiha clan head is holding it at heart.
And you, a Uchiha wannabe Shinobi dear, put my word and the Charter, which your ancestors helped to build and uphold. Do I have to consider you a Pariah to the Uchiha Clan for betraying what your clan created and upheld? Do I have?" said Hiruzen with authority – and Sasuke widened his eyes at the last part of his speech.
Silence … nobody spoke in the classroom as they were shocked at the speech, and the same was true inside the Council Room.
"That's what I thought, Uchiha. Do not test my patience with it; you will end up with the short end of the stick, as Naruto did.
I decided to grant Naruto such a thing mainly because of his ability with the Eight-Inner-Gate Formation and another thing he said to me last night after the ordeal of the Scroll of Sealings.
He showed me level-headedness and that he could be trusted with such an opportunity – of course, if any suspicion is to be made that he is unstable, the opportunity will be removed from him, and he shall be punished accordingly.
Until then, which is not wishable, my word will remain in effect. Am I understood?" said Hiruzen, with everyone answering positively – Sasuke answered begrudgingly.
"Since I do not seem to have a Sensei, I do not have to wait for them, do I, Iruka-Sensei?" I asked him.
"No, you do not have to wait for anyone. Heck, you can even begin missions for the sake of it." He replied with me smiling like a madman – making him and Hiruzen shiver to it, knowing I would use Shadow Clones for it.
"Oh well, since I have all the time, I want … let us … do some missions, boyz," I said with some of my shadow clones on the ground just outside the Academy, readying for it.
With this, I bid farewell to Hinata, Shino, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji and went to the ID office to register as a Shinobi and begin missions.
- Council Room in the meantime -
"Have you lost your mind, Hiruzen? Why did you …" was saying an angry fat councilman before some Anbu agent clapped his mouth with his hand and brought the Councilman to the T&I department as Hiruzen lifted his right index.
"Just to let you know, dear civilians, this village created by our forefathers was originally for Shinobi. Then, after it was established, civilians entered, thus making this village militaristic.
Therefore, my word is law: Anyone guilty of trespassing the line will be punished. As for me doing what I did to the Uchiha, let me ask you a question—are you some traitor who would betray the core principles of our forefathers, including the patriarch of the Uchiha clan, Madara? Who was not mad as he became when he deserted the village?
If so, I will have to imprison you and interrogate you to find out every dirt you have done and committed against the Village in the "Name of our village," my dear." Hiruzen said this in a tone announcing that the God of Shinobi was back and was not the same pushover he may have seemed to be in the past.
"We follow you on your decision, Hokage-Sama, but may I ask why the law is only applied now since there were occasions to enact it in the past?
Does it have to do with your discussion with Naruto last night?" said and asked Shikaku.
"Indeed, but I cannot reveal any of it because of the conversation's ranking." He answered back, making it clear that it was at least S-Rank.
Danzo becomes suspicious of Hiruzen and Naruto, making a note to contact his hidden two allies about this development. Thus, he reacts in kind.
A glance from Hiruzen went unnoticed by all but Koharu, Homura, Shikaku, Shibi, and Hiashi, who perceived it.
- At my base's study -
S-Rank+ mission:
Difficulty: Depending on the mission, it is generally considered Suicidal.
Pay: It depends, but 100,000,000+ Ryo and + found stuff + ?
S-Rank mission:
Difficulty: Challenging to Suicidal.
Pay: 1,000,000+ Ryo + found stuff + possibility of ?
A-Rank mission:
Difficulty: Hard to Challenging.
Pay: 250,000-1,000,000 Ryo + found stuff
B-Rank mission:
Difficulty: Medium to Hard.
Pay: 85,000-225,000 Ryo + found stuff
C-Rank mission:
Difficulty: Easy to Medium.
Pay: 25,000-75,000 Ryo + found stuff
D-Rank mission:
Difficulty: Easy.
Pay: 10,000-25,000 ryo + found stuff
"Quite the list of prizes for the missions, I would say. Would you agree, Jiji-Sama? Dear Councillor?" I said, with the Hokage, the Shinobi Council, and the two allied Elders coming from the door.
"Indeed, Naruto-kun, but not as grandiose as this hidden base I did not believe to exist without anyone noticing, I would say," Hiruzen said, with everyone except Hiashi nodding to it.
"It is a formidable exploit not even Jiraiya could accomplish. I would dearly say myself—and to say only Hiashi knew of it, he is the all-the-ninja you told us, Hiruzen." Homura said this, with everyone nodding.
"What can I say, when you have the mindset of mine, for which I uphold the adage you can see above my desk, which says: "Nothing is true, everything is permitted" (A/N: Assassin's Creed credo).
It tends to make you develop some pretty paranoid behavior." I replied.
When I finished, the five known High-Lords Blood Clones arrived and named themselves and their respective departments. This made everyone look wide–eyed at the functions of specific departments and connect the dots.
"Troublesome. I heard there were new faces, none recognized by the civilians and Anbu, but there was no proof to incriminate them. And the Konoha Workforce Labor Agency (KWLA) that arrived and made the civilian side of the council mad to a great extent was your doing, Naruto.
Congratulations on fooling everyone—if not for the fact that you are an ally, it would have been the most excellent infiltration made by any enemy of all times," said Shikaku, with everyone nodding positively.
"It was hard at the beginning since I had to find a way not to use the whole pool of Chakra for it but whatever amount I wished to use.
By the time it was done, my Blood Clones and I had already prepared the overhaul skeleton of the plan. Thus, our operation is all the easier to expand." I explained with everyone gapping at the fit I did, which is unprecedented.
But before anyone could say anything, I added that
"Since I asked Hiashi to bring you there, we may plan out some of the future development of Konoha as a gesture of goodwill. I will give you these scrolls, one for each of you.
Its content varies according to your clan and status, including how to use the advanced form of Shadow Clones.
Finally, my second gesture of goodwill would be how to defeat this abomination of Paperwork …" I was saying this when Hiruzen came to my side faster than the Hiraishin, making everyone, including me, wonder if he knew the Hiraishin technique.
"Please, Naruto-kun, deliver us and me, most importantly, from this hellish abomination that Paperwork represents," pleaded Hiruzen, his eyes flowing with anime-style tears.
'Is it truly the Kami no Shinobi, the Third Hokage that everyone feared?' I thought, sweating like everyone else at the sight.
"Well, the answer is two words: Kage Bushin," I answered back while putting a piece of paper with the words "Hit your head here if you are a Baka," indicating a dot in the center of the paper.
For the best part of the next five minutes, Sarutobi Hiruzen – the God of Shinobi, the Professor who knew every technique of the Konoha that was not a Kekkei Genkai, the student of the two first Hokage –was unceremoniously striking his head on the paper I put on the table while repeating "Idiot" over and over again.
After the moment that was put into a photo as some good blackmail material in the future, Hiruzen finally said: "That's how he did it, this little f**ker! I never saw him working on the dreadful Paperwork each time I came to see him. And the answer was so simple. My pride is forever ruined on the Professor's part," with anime tears still flowing.
"As they say, a true Master is an eternal Student!" So, you should be pleased to know that you will sleep less stupid tonight," I said, while everyone chuckled at the comment.
"Your help will be a huge boost for everyone here so that we may deal with these hidden threats Hiashi and Hiruzen seemed to know of." Said Shibi.
With that, I let everyone pledge a blood oath never to reveal what will be said, as it is an SSS-Rank+ secret. Thus, it is too dangerous to let it be known.
After everyone pledged the oath, I told everyone all about me and what would happen, with the proofs accompanying the statements.
After the best of the next two hours, everything was told, and comments finalized the grasp of the situation's ins and outs.
"I can say without a doubt that in the name of everyone here, the situation is the most troublesome situation ever heard and confirmed to man if we do not take the Sage of the Six Paths, of course." Said Inoichi, with everyone confirming it.
"Indeed, with Danzo having the stolen Kekkei Genkai. It will be troublesome, and we will have to deal with Sasuke. While he deserves to know the truth, he tells it in a way that will benefit the Village.
There is still the possibility that he may think we are trying to manipulate him by making us look like we are on his side and going against Danzo, which, for the last part, is true since we would say that the situation became dire because of him.
But no matter what happens, there will be a steep cost. And there is still Itachi, Orochimaru, and Danzo, this Akatsuki mercenary group, and from your thoughts, Jiraiya, who may have some implications for Tsunade's situation and other plots from Danzo to deal with. Am I wrong on this one?" said Shikaku.
"Indeed, you are correct about the whole situation except for Jiraiya. Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.
With the leeway Jiraiya had for so long and the powers given to him, I would not be surprised if it would be the case to some extent." I replied, noticing Hiruzen's somber mood and the possibility of Jiraiya going down a similar path to Orochimaru. He said that he neither saw it coming nor did anything in the like.
"I know you feel terrible for Jiraiya if the suppositions are true, Hiruzen Oji-Sama, but if they are, you know what long-term consequences may be. Even then, it is only supposition," I said to him while nodding.
Silence …
"It would be time for us to part each on our way." Said Hiashi after seeing Hiruzen's low mood.
On that remark, I saluted them, and we parted ways.
"Do you think it was too much to speak of these suppositions on Jiraiya boyz?" I asked.
"It is the same situation as for Hinata, boss. While the circumstances are different, it is the same situation.
Give him a few days to think about the Shadow Clones and the advanced method you devised to create them.
He will be able to rest and think of it thoroughly." Said the Steven Cohen – theDiplomat-Trader Blood Clone.
"Indeed, he needs time to stomach it. In the meantime, bring the sixth one. He will deal with it to confirm or infirm the suspicions about Jiraiya.
One with such authority and so much leeway cannot be checked free and unbridled, as it generally does not end well." I said this while mentally preparing for the coming discussions and thinking about beginning a writing career and writing the different stories there were in my original world.
- Later that night at the Hokage's Office –
'Have I indeed failed all of you, my dear students? You, Tsunade, I have not been able to help surpass your grief and let you dive into the vices you have.
Orochimaru, you have been my greatest failure because of how you turned out. Your unethical experiences, insatiable thirst for knowledge, and the quest for immortality have driven you into insanity and caused you to perpetrate unnameable atrocities, all in "the name of science and progress." I Should have stopped you, but I was not able to.
But now, maybe you two, Jiraiya-kun? Did I let you aside that much, letting you fester into darkness and lust to the point you would possibly do unnameable things to leave the shadow of your team and everyone else? …' was grimly thinking Hiruzen when an apparition appeared.
"It is a grim day to see you like this old friend, and I did not try to believe the Kitsune representative when he told me about your status after the afternoon discussion – for which I also find it unbelievable to the extreme.
But, coming to think of it, some elements may have showcased it but did believe it to be momentary at worst." Said the voice of Enma the Monkey Summon Clan Head surprising Hiruzen.
"How? I did not summon you, my dear friend! And Kitsune? Like in the Mythical multi-tailed fox? " replied Hiruzen.
"Indeed, you did not, but with your current age, you seem not to remember that there is a summoning well in the outskirts of Konoha, enabling us to come here.
Yes, it is the Kitsune, the same as you spoke of. We both know they are tricksters without equal, but knowing which entity is the greatest representation of it and where it is "residing," I am not surprised he is their summoner. Frankly, I am happily amazed he has taken so much from them and his parents, though." Answered Enma back, making Hiruzen chuckle at the last part.
"You taught me something tonight. I did not ask if he had a summoning contract, and I'm not surprised he sent his summons to you and spoke of my mood, old friend.
Naruto still cares for his precious one and a raging maelstrom against his detractors …" said Hiruzen before continuing with his thoughts concerning his students and Jiraiya's possible hidden treachery.
The discussion continued for a good part of the night, and at the end, Hiruzen felt some relief for himself.
- Mission Hall tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. -
"Enter!" said Iruka's voice when I knocked on the door.
"Ah! Naruto, it's you. What chor … mission you want?" said Iruka.
"Don't try to do this one on me, Iruka-Sensei; we both know they are chores for civilians. On the sidetrack, since I am alone and "don't have family," can I take more D-Rank missions in a day for myself?" I asked, Iruka chuckling at the first part.
"Indeed, you can, Naruto; it tends to pill up a lot these times. But do not overdo yourself and let some for the others." Warned Iruka.
"Who are you? Where is the true Iruka!? He knows I am tough as hell!" I indignantly said with another chuckle from Iruka. I skimmed through the mission pile to see which would be of interest to "maximize" my reputation gain with the civilian population. I tried to find the farming mission where an ancient Orochimaru lab should exist.
"Indeed, you are Naruto, as well. You are our most unpredictable one, at that!" Iruka proudly said.
"Founded!" I said while brandishing the ten scrolls, among which was the farm mission scroll I had searched for.
"Ten missions, among which one physically demanding one? And are the other ones related to various sectors of the economy? It seems you are going beyond one's expectations to increase your standing within the village, aren't you?" he asked.
"Indeed, I do, Sensei. I cannot let the village dive head-on into the pitch darkness it is going into right now. It would not do good on my consciousness," I replied.
"Done! I've registered your missions. I have a certification of the mission's completion and the client's report of your presentation, and it will be good," said Iruka, with me nodding.
When I left the room, I let on ten Shadow clones with enough chakra to do nine other ones that would last until midday.
With this done, I went to the farm in the north-west of Konoha.
"So, they sent you to help me? I hope you will not do anything bad, the land boy." Said the man with a particular distaste for me.
"I swear on my honor as an individual that it will not be the case," I said respectfully.
"Okay, here are the instructions …" he said before giving them to me. I created fifty Shadow clones, distributed into as many groups as possible so that different tasks could be done enthusiastically.
When I told him that the instructions would be done by midday at most, he thought, 'Maybe he is not what the majority of the population says he is. Have I been that short-sided?'
- After 3 hours -
I received the memories of the other groups on the different missions and felt my mission pouch getting heavier – meaning my reverse-summoning seal worked perfectly.
Then, I finally found the trap in Orochimaru's lab, which coincided with the man's arrival.
"Well, I can sure tell you are damned efficient in a good way; each of your groups of clones sent one of them so I could inspect the work completion, and each time, it was perfectly done … what is it? I do not remember this trap to be mentioned." Said the man before noticing the trap.
"If my assumption is correct, it is an old lab of Orochimaru. So, you would not know of it." I replied with the farmer paling at the mention of the Third wayward student's name.
*gulp*
"Do not fret; I have sent a warning to the Hokage. Rest assured, it will be dealt with extreme caution. I will send clones to recon the place," I said, popping Shadow Clones into the lab's open gate.
The different traps were not pleasant, to say the least, based on what the memories tell me.
"*sigh* never a dull day with you, Naruto-kun?" said Hiruzen when they arrived, and the farmer bowed to him respectfully.
"What can I say, old man? I would not be me if it were not the case. The clones are helping me map the underground …. It seems a natural spot was found." I said with an underlying to it, which Hiruzen understood while the farmer did not.
After eight minutes, I told him it was cleared up entirely.
"Let's check the underground, shall we? Of course, sir, you will be compensated accordingly for such inconvenience," Hiruzen said. The farmer said he understood and did not mind, and he asked about clearing the underground so that he could use it for storage.
"Hmm, it can be feasible, sir—but it may require some time. I cannot guarantee it since we do not fully know what is underground," he answered, with the farmer nodding in understanding and wishing us good luck.
Our visit was quite fruitful since it seems that this laboratory was one of the few, if not the only one, Orochimaru did not have time to properly "clean up." All the experiments and notes were still there and intelligible.
"Well, it does seem it is Jackpot – can you see to it that there are no hidden compartments where he could have hidden sensitive stuff?" he asked, and I answered positively.
"We arrive at the "natural spot" – a Natural Dungeon. The difference between a Natural and an Instant one is twofold: the first one is about what is inside of it, which is unknown, and the second one is that the loot is generally greater than an instant dungeon," I said to him with Hiruzen nodding, to it.
"I see. I do suppose rightfully that natural ones do appear hazardously in the wild and could be found with maps and indication if we have these two." He asked, and I answered positively.
"Well, Naruto-Kun, I will send Ibiki and Anko here to put everything in order, and I will give you jurisdiction over this part of the laboratory. Then I will return to the office.
Of course, this D-Rank assignment turns to S-Rank, and no speaking of it under any circumstances unless ordered orally and directly from me. Understood?" he said, and I answered positively.
"By the way, I will install seals on this room and seal the entrance so no one will know its presence.
I will have to consult with Gaia – my "gaming" system – about the ins and outs of the Natural Dungeon. If my guess is correct, I share my [Gamer] ability with others, and the Natural Dungeons can "reset" to the state before someone comes to clear it.
I will put a summoning matrix here so the "chosen ones" may come here to get better experience and gear." I said, with Hiruzen nodding to it, commanding me to select carefully whom I pick.
"Before you leave, Hokage-Jiichan, I know yesterday afternoon's meeting went sour for you at the last moment; I am fully aware of how painful it was even remotely to think that Jiraiya may be a traitor to Konoha, but most importantly, you.
But, considering his circumstances – doubts are unfortunately in. I also do not wish him to be it, but I cannot have a pang from the bottom of my heart that he may do so since I know from Ka-chan and Tou-san that if Jiraiya weren't available to take care of me, Tsunade would do.
Since she does not, either she was lied to about my living condition, or she hates me for "killing ka-chan" when we know an infant cannot do it – unless an eldritch infant – which I am not, but know I already sent some agents to localize them two and see what is going on with them." I told him in an emotional tone.
"I hope so, Naruto-kun. Thanks for sending your agents to look after them; I wish you could find and report on Tsunade first," he replied before leaving.
- 10 minutes later, at the entrance of the lab -
"Ah! You came just in time. I finished my part of this S-Rank assignment." I cheerfully said while the two interrogators came up with a raised eyebrow at my presence.
"What is a gaki doing there in a place related to my sensei and cheerful on top?" said Anko.
"Well, you see, I had a D-Rank mission here, which turned S-Rank with the underground behind me. Jii-chan was there with me to see what was going on down there. So yeah, I am here to guard and ensure no one else will enter the place besides you and me.
These scrolls will tell you about the map of the place and everything I noted. I am sure I did not leave anything unchecked, so I should mention the missing thing. And I put sensing and alarm seals to warn you of approaching people, and you will know who they are." I said while handing the scrolls.
Ibiki took them, looked at them, and nodded affirmatively at the accuracy of the intel.
"Thank you, Uzumaki-san; I hope this impromptu change in the mission perimeter was not too harsh on you." He said this to me while I answered that it was nothing, and that I had a far worse change in the assignment's perimeter.
With that, I left two stunned interrogators, who, after a while, understood the meaning of my sentence with the understanding of who I was.
"Damn, he is the foxy gaki, isn't he?" she asked.
"Indeed, and from what I heard, something unknown and hazardous happened to him the night of his second failure of the Genin exam. Nothing is known other than something unknown." He said before dragging Anko to the basement.
A/N: Here is the list of the current High-Lords/Blood Clones and their function I have written thus far:
1/ High Lord of Civic Kael Kyrian
2/ High-Lord Arch-Researcher Tesla
3/ High-Lord Fabricator-General Belisarius
4/ High-Lord Diplomat-Trader Steven Cohen
5/ High-Lord Commander Macharius
6/ High-Lord Supreme Master of Silence – name: Redacted.
The sixth one is mentioned in chapters four – or eight if you take every update as a chapter – and his name is redacted as it would only ever be mentioned by me and the five known Blood-Clones in discussion among each other and only those who were authorized by all six of us in an intronization ceremony.
- Two weeks later of
constant missions and Instant Dungeons and training sessions –
It has happened. Hiruzen-Jiichan called me for another S-Rank mission – I have already done 100 D-Rank missions at a rate of 10 per day and five days a week, making it 175,000 Ryo earned. And 1½ level.
"I have received news from your agent that something went wrong in Kusa and that some trouble happened with some people who went missing or are supposed to be MIA.
Your agent showed a file about a red-haired girl with red eyes. If my gut feeling is right, she is a Uzumaki survivor, so you must act quickly to save her. Another intel said some bodies went missing for x-y-z reasons, but confusion reigns there.
I am sure it was your plan all along, and from your reports and the other reports I could get, I see that you did admirably in covering traces. So go with the wind to her.
- Mandatory Historical Quest received –
Save the Crimson Maiden!
Objectives:
1/ Plan out the saving plan of Uzumaki Karin
2/ Execute the preparations.
3/ Receive the Mission.
Four/ Save her and the remains of her mother.
5/ ?
Rewards:
1/ 1,000,000 Ryo
2/ 1000,000 exp.
3/ Legendary equipment.
4/ [?] title.
5/ ?
Failure(s):
You do not want to know them if you ever fail.
[Yes/No]
'Do I have a choice? Never, so of course, I accept.' I mentally sighed and accepted the quest.
'Wait for me, Karin-chan! I am coming for you
To be continued …
It is with this Mandatory Historical Quest that I am ending this chapter.
I know some of you may question why I did not show the mythical item from two chapters ago, but I saved it for the next chapter since it is fantastical. The next chapter will be about an S-Rank mission.
It will be the best showcase moment to do it.
Also, I know I haven't made any interactions between the main character and Yin Kurama, nor have I given any update on what happened to Yang Kurama in the battle between Yamiruto and me.
But let us say Yin Kurama had to deal with an annoying Yang Half, and we are speaking of a beast possessing an ungodly amount of power and stamina.
Thus, any engagement is a hassle. However, I intend to have Yin Kurama have a little break in dealing with its Yang half in the next chapter so he can intervene and enlighten us about what truly happened in the past and maybe tell us what happened to Kamiruto (Light Naruto), who went missing and did not merge at the beginning of the story.
On the other hand, the poll results clearly showed that Naru-chan will get his Harem of five girls.
With Hinata being non-negotiable – the first girl to join with the most votes at 6 is … Karin Uzumaki; how coincidental to have a mission to save her at the end of the chapter.
Tenten and Ino are the second and third girls to join, tied at four votes each. Finally, the last girl to join is Fu of Taki.
This led us to the following girls: Hinata, Karin, Fu, Ino, and Tenten.
For this reason, I teased off Ino with the change of perspective during the few times she saw Naruto. I will only begin to develop their friendship and future romance at the time of the Wave Arc Mission when some spicy stuff happens there.
For Karin, the meeting will be friendship, then romance, and will begin with the next chapter and finish in the time skip period between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.
Speaking of the Time-Skip, my series will go on the era of Shippuden and finish roughly at the same time as the OG series. I will use the time skip as a stepping stone for the passing from friendship to romance with many of the girls, as the skip will be a "test of love."
Which will test their feelings for Naruto. Of course, if in the comments you tell me that one of the five girls, except Hinata, does not fit by the time the Skip will happen.
I will use this moment to make the girl realize that she sees Naruto only as a best friend, not a brother-like figure. I will either choose the girl you mentioned in the same comment or another one.
For the evolution of Naruto during the six months? You will have to wait for it in the next chapter.
Finally, why did I have the chakra imprint of Minato and Kushina leaving for the Pure Land and the Shinigami stomach for Kushina and Minato, respectively? It is because I felt that they did not sit well in the story, not that I don't want Naruto not to be with his family.
But the chakra imprints concept Kishimoto had was there to bring a message and help at the moment when they will enter the game. But I felt it was rushed in the OG series.
Thus, I have made them stay longer, for 6 to 10 months, which is far enough to give their messages and help – far more than what Kishimoto initially did.
With all said,
CY in the next chapter, Boyz!