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SHINOBI: The RPG - New Game

Reader mode
Fulcon said:
Again, true. Naruto IS a victim, but he's not flawless - he doesn't help his situation at all by the way he acts, even if the way he acts is entirely understandable.

It's not the pointing out that Naruto is a victim irritates me, it's brushing his mistakes under the rug that offends.
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I would go even further than understandable. He had no one to teach social graces, and thus has none.

He has no attention, and thus does what all younglings are evolved to do in that situation.

There is another believable way I see his early life varying by personality. He COULD'VE been a book hermit, on the grounds that books don't judge, belittle, or ignore him. He'd have been screwed up still, but in a different way.

Human beings don't come out of that situation well, and the fact he was only as neurotic as he was is a testament to his optimistic outlook and mental fortitude.
 
Galacticplumber said:
I would go even further than understandable. He had no one to teach social graces, and thus has none.

He has no attention, and thus does what all younglings are evolved to do in that situation.

There is another believable way I see his early life varying by personality. He COULD'VE been a book hermit, on the grounds that books don't judge, belittle, or ignore him. He'd have been screwed up still, but in a different way.

Human beings don't come out of that situation well, and the fact he was only as neurotic as he was is a testament to his optimistic outlook and mental fortitude.
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I have no argument, this is right. All this means are that Naruto's flaws make sense and I hope I'm doing them justice. :)
 
A version of them is doing well yes. I just wanted to make clear why the fandom is so gentle on him. They have a viewpoint similar to that, and it doesn't come across due a lack of nuance either in writing, or understanding.

This is not to say it's never done poorly. Sometimes you get edgelord omni-competent badass loners who hate most everyone and swear a lot. This is over correction in several areas at once. This happens because people don't realize you can't just turn several dials to eleven completely different from human experience, and get someone that hooks attention in a positive manner.
 
Yus! New chapter! Life being as stressful as it is, it's great to get a breather and see your favourite fanfiction updated. I especially liked the introspection about how it was possible that Daisuke took care of two ROOT nins and the power of his hyper-specialisation. I wondered it myself and so it's great to see self-awareness of that in Daisuke.

I also liked Daisuke not being as gentle on Naruto. There are too many fics that put him on a pedestal. I'm glad you're not shy in talking about his flaws. Like Daisuke, he's not perfect and it's amazing to see that developing well, both Daisuke and Naruto.

I'm glad you made the decision to demonetise, not because for demonetisation's sake, but for your own personal grievances of it. People talk a lot about the most efficient, most rewarding path, but never about the most consistent path. If not having the pressure of money on the line is a good thing for you, then pursue that. I fully support it.
 
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Seij said:
Yus! New chapter! Life being as stressful as it is, it's great to get a breather and see your favourite fanfiction updated.
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I'm so glad you're enjoying this chapter. It makes me happy that so many people are tuning into this rewrite. :D

Seij said:
I especially liked the introspection about how it was possible that Daisuke took care of two ROOT nins and the power of his hyper-specialisation. I wondered it myself and so it's great to see self-awareness of that in Daisuke.
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Introspection is good, especially when it takes care of a nagging thought in the back of a readers skull.

Seij said:
I also liked Daisuke not being as gentle on Naruto. There are too many fics that put him on a pedestal. I'm glad you're not shy in talking about his flaws. Like Daisuke, he's not perfect and it's amazing to see that developing well, both Daisuke and Naruto.
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Thank you! It bothers me that people try to canonize Naruto. I mean, he has extremely good reasons to be the way he is, but that doesn't mean his flaws don't matter; they do. They make him Naruto.

Seij said:
I'm glad you made the decision to demonetise, not because for demonetisation's sake, but for your own personal grievances of it. People talk a lot about the most efficient, most rewarding path, but never about the most consistent path. If not having the pressure of money on the line is a good thing for you, then pursue that. I fully support it.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

If you want to benefit society and for that relationship to be mutually beneficial, you need terms that you're happy with. Thank you for your support you wonderful human being.

Have a cookie.
 
Fulcon said:
The Following is a fan based work of fiction: Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden are owned by Shueisha, Viz Entertainment and Masashi Kishimoto. Please support the official release.

* * *
​
Now that my plans were all settled, for the most part, I had some time to kill before I went up to Naruto for With Friends Like These. I had some cash left over so I was hoping I could find some kind of nick-knack like an amulet or something that could boost my stats more. Charisma was always welcome, but something that boosted my Perception wouldn't go amiss.

Getting killed by a sneak attack is probably one of the worst ways to die in all of gaming. Frustrating as dying can possibly get.

So I made my way down to the clothing store. We passed by the armory and that incredibly shiny armor available in the window pulled my attention the entire time I was passing by the window.

Anko was, of course, trailing behind me. It still unnerved me, but I was going to have to get used to it. She had some very good reasons to be back there, after all.

Inside the store, I quickly got over to the clothing section, started digging through the bargain bin.

Sure, none of what was held inside had anything resembling Damage Reduction, but I was looking for miscellaneous stuff anyway.

At the bottom, I found a pair of goggles.

No Damage Reduction, but it had a +2 to perception.

"Nice," I muttered to myself, slipping them onto my forehead.

Immediately, my vision felt like it was wiping away a slight fog over my eyes that I never noticed was there. My ears were filled with pines and needles for a brief moment and my tongue was coated in electricity. Last but most impact, my skin started to crawl. All of this happened at once and was over really quickly, but not before a shiver went through my spine that shook my whole body.

Immediately, Anko's hand on was on my shoulder and she turned me around to look into my eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, actually!" I replied with a grin. "Something just went really right."

"And what was that?" Anko asked, blinking in confusion.

"Eh, maybe I'll tell you later," I answered, shrugging and turning to head to the cashier.

Bought the goggles, took off the price tag and stuffed the receipt in my pocket. If I remember correctly, there was a jewelry store off in the Konoha's town square and if I wanted to find an amulet or something that would be the best place to find one.

I found it, moved inside and immediately got the impression that I was too poor to even know that the store existed. Diamonds and gold everywhere. Still, I got to browsing.

Behind me, I got a glimpse of Anko looking around, her eyes lingering on the display counter filled with diamond rings to the right of the entrance. Engagement and wedding rings. After just a moment she turned back to me and, upon seeing that I was watching, glared. "What, kid?"

Perception Check Success: 5/5.

Charisma Check Success: 6/6.

She was embarrassed at having been caught looking. But... "Don't call me kid."

She took a breath and let out an irritated sigh. "I'm sorry. Is there something wrong, Shimoda-kun?"

"No, I just thought those rings were pretty." And they were! But she's not allowed to call me kid.

"Okay," She replied, looking past me to return to her vigil.

Now, to get back to shopping.

The cool part about all this jewelry is that almost all of it had Charisma Boosts. Sizable charisma boots. That ring over there would be enough to drop my henge with it's +7 bonus. But they were also ludicrously expensive. As in, several S-class missions worth of pay expensive. But there had to be something I could actually afford here.

"Can I help you, sir?" The woman behind the counter was dressed in a beautiful dress kimono.

"No," I replied flatly, watching as my HUD showed me the items on the rack, their stats and their price. Really handy.

"Very good," She replied with a bow. "And you, Madame?"

"No, I'm just with him," Anko replied, sounding annoyed.

"Are you two together?" She asked hesitantly.

"She's my bodyguard," I immediately said to head off any misunderstandings.

I didn't need charisma to remember how annoyed I got at plots that required them.

"Ah, I see," She replied, nodding. "Please don't hesitate to inform me if I could help you with anything."

"I'll be sure to-found it," I said, plucking the amulet off of the display rack.

Unlike most of the product here on sale, it was made entirely out of bronze, from the chain to the amulet itself. As for the centerpiece, it was a small circle barely bigger than my thumb with a blank space for a character. It was easily the cheapest thing in the store, and it was the cheapest by far.

It also offered +1 Charisma.

"That thing?" She asked skeptically. "Are you sure?"

"It's the only thing I can afford right now," I replied wryly.

"Ah, well then, let me ring you up," She said.

"Can I get it engraved?" I asked, wondering if I could increase it's stat value.

"Certainly, I can put a design on the amulet, but I will need to charge a fee. What would you like?"

I cupped my chin in thought. "The Kanji for 'Heaven'."

Because if there's anything that could increase stats, it has to be something cool and dramatic like that, right?

"Of course," The lady behind the counter slowly went through a series of hand signs and placed her hand on the amulet. After several seconds of of chakra throwing sparks into the air as it cut through the metal, it was done.

Sadly, it gained no statistical advantage. But I liked it, so I went through with the purchase anyway.

I left the jewelry store with my amulet in hand and...wait, is this a good idea with Anko standing right there? I mean, she's bound to see something just because she's always around me and, to be frank, it's dumb to think I can pull one over a Jounin with a Sneak of 17. But then, I wasn't arrested or anything on account of my 'Premonitions' so...I think maybe I can get away with a little bit more. I slid the amulet on. Immediately, I could feel the usual shifting of skin tone and vocal cords, as well as my bone structure shifting slightly.

Anko walked out in front of me, her head tilting. "Shimoda-kun, excuse me if I'm overstepping my bounds, but what just happened?"

"Well, I put on an amulet and it made me look better," I replied with a grin, trying to not let it show how my heart stopped.

"I saw that," Anko began, scratching her temple, her eyebrow raising higher with every syllable. "That wasn't your henge getting stronger, either."

"I'm going to be perfectly honest with you," I said leaning forward. "I've got no idea."

Wasn't a lie, either. Just because I know I'm a video game character doesn't mean I understand the scientific quirks of how I operate.

She let go. "Huh. Well, I can see why the Hokage is interested in keeping you safe."

"Yeah," I said, keeping the relief out of my voice.

You know, it just occurred to me that regular S-rank pay is a lot of money to be paying someone for a long term mission, which means that the Hokage's is expecting something bad to happen sooner rather than later.
​
* * *
​

The academy was about to let out for the day, which meant that it was time to go see Naruto.

At the end of every day, I could find him sitting on the swing, sideways, being depressed about his lot in life. Honestly, it was sad...and annoying. The kid had the tools to turn his life around. He had the ability to pass the tests, but he passed with a C. A C! And for some reason he thinks that's good enough. Many people said that he didn't get the right instruction from teachers that ignored him, but he's got Iruka now and he's always had me.

Besides, the main reason the other kids didn't like him was because he talked.

A lot.

All the time.

I mean, the whole reason he pulled pranks on people was so they'd stop ignoring him, but the kids at school ignored him because he'd go on and on about becoming Hokage without backing it up with test scores. I remember the fandom being really, really nice to Naruto, saying that his incredible chakra levels were just too much to handle at such a young age.

I mean, the guy had the chops to master the Rasengan, a jutsu that requires such ridiculous chakra control that I don't believe for a second that he can't do a regular clone.

Even if he had to use an extra set of hands at first.

Naruto's my friend, but he's a blowhard. Sure, he's trying to cover up for feelings of low self worth, but that's what he is. And I'm afraid he'll keep being a blowhard until he gets drenched in the cold water of desperation and the near death experience that is Mizuki and then the follow up with the Land of Waves.

...listen to me complaining. Come on, I told Naruto I don't want the Hokage title, he should've started the exercises or maybe I just need to try a different tact.

Charisma Check Success: 7/6.

Or maybe his pride will only let him accept help from someone that isn't me. If that's the case, then there simply isn't anything I can do. The only person who can convince Naruto he needs to change is Naruto.
...come to think of it, why are Naruto and I still friends?

We don't have any similar interests, pretty sure he still thinks I'm an obstacle to his life's mission and we don't even talk anymore. Screw it, let's see if Naruto and I can rekindle our friendship. If not, well, that's okay. I guess.

Kind of hurts, but it's what happens when people grow apart.

...seriously, he was my only friend for years, this feels kind of like a betrayal. But people grow apart, don't they? It happens. Naruto and I...grew apart. I'm very sad now.

No, no. One more chance.

Quest Updated: With Friends Like These…

Talk with Naruto.

Complete: Meet Naruto At the Swing for Training.

I got to the Academy and saw Naruto on that one swing.

"Hey, Naruto!" I called with a wave.

He perked up and waved back. "Hey, Daisuke!"

As we closed the distance, his eyes narrowed. "Daisuke, you have a stalker."

I chuckled. "Nah. Uzumaki Naruto, this is Mitarashi Anko, my bodyguard."

"Wait, what?" Naruto croaked, looking between us two in shock. "You got assigned a bodyguard?"

"Yeah, apparently, the Hokage doesn't want people just running up to me and trying to kill me in the middle of the day," I said with a shrug. "I have no idea why, it sounds like fun."

"Sounds like that's why," Anko wryly cut in with a smirk. "Nice to meet you, Uzumaki-kun."

"Oh, nice to meet you too," Naruto replied, sounding surprised.

"How was the Academy today?" I asked.

"It was okay," Naruto shrugged. "I'm getting better at the Bunshin, though!"

Charisma Check Success: 7/7.

I blinked.

No, he most certainly was not.

"So you can make a working one?" I asked with what I hoped was a friendly smile.

Naruto got this sheepish look on his face. "N-no, not exactly. But I am getting better at it!"

No, no. I am not getting into this argument again. "Well, I can't wait to see it when you finally pull it off."

"Yeah, it's going to be awesome!" Naruto agreed. "And I don't need any stupid chakra control exercises to do it!"

I frowned. "You do you."

Things fell kind of quiet, until Anko stepped in.

"Naruto, do you think I could get your help, really quick?" Anko asked innocently.

"Uh…" Naruto started, looking surprised. "Sure? What do you need?"

"It's been a while since I've used a Bunshin," Anko replied, rubbing the back of her head with an embarrassed smile. "So long that I forgot. Do you think you could teach me? I'd like a reminder."

Charisma Check Success: 7/7.

Intelligence Check Success: 10/6.

She's lying through her teeth, but she's doing it to see if Naruto's missed something when he was learning how to do the Jutsu.

...Anko is smart.

"Wait, seriously?" Naruto asked, his jaw agape. "How could you forget one of the academy three? It's like one of the most important jutsu we'll ever know!"

"Yeah, it's pretty embarrassing," Anko agreed sheepishly.

"Okay, so in order to do the Jutsu, you have to..." Naruto went through the motions. Except half way through he got confused, and he got confused because he forgot a couple steps.

...he was probably paying attention in the same way a kid fantasizing about all the stuff he could do with the jutsu would be; half and half.

After a few minutes, Naruto slumped forward in shame and sighed. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Anko said with a smile. She took a second to look around. "Now, if I remember right…"

She went and added the few steps that he missed to cast the jutsu as a question, like she was asking a smart and experienced Ninja if that's how it was done, which he agreed. Then he tried again and…standing right next to him was a perfect Bunshin.

Naruto's jaw was agape. "I did it...I did it! I DID IT!"

He shouted and cheered, jumping up and down while pumping his arm around this inanimate holographic copy of himself.

"Thanks for the reminder," Anko told him with a congratulatory smile. "It helped me a lot."

"Oh, you're welcome, Mitarashi-sense- I mean Mitarashi-san," Naruto replied, bowing rapidly.

For my part, my jaw was on the proverbial floor.

See, I had been assuming that Naruto's chakra control was poor and that's why he couldn't do it. I didn't realize it was straight up because he didn't actually know how to do it properly. I thought he was paying attention in class. He said he was!

...and my crappy charisma-deprived self believed him.

Holy cow I am dumb.

"I'm going to go show the old man!" Naruto shouted, dismissing the clone in a puff of smoke. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

His disappeared into the academy doors leaving a trail of dust that reminded me of the Road Runner.

Anko was chuckling under her breath and shaking her head.

"Mitarashi-san?" I asked, standing up.

"Yeah, what is it, Shimoda-kun?" Anko asked with a smile.

"You're a genius."

She straight up laughed and gave me a thumbs up. "That's right! And don't you forget it!"

"I won't," I replied with a nod. "The way you got to the root of the problem without making assumptions and then completely disarmed his pride so he'd accept help from you was the most brilliant social maneuvering I think I've ever seen. You've got a real gift for teaching."

Speech Check Success:36/35.

Her bravado was gone and she started scratching the back of her neck with a pink face. "Well, I mean, yeah, but, I mean, I don't think it was that good and...yeah."

"Have you thought about teaching at the Academy?" I asked. "They'd be lucky to have you."

"You think I'd do good at the academy?" Anko laughed. Her face was starting to graduate from pink to red. "I've always wanted to teach at the Academy, but I don't think they'd let me."

"How come?" I asked curiously.

"Too much baggage," Anko answered with a sigh, wistfully looking at the Academy doors. "But maybe someday."

"Well, even if they're too dumb to accept you," I started. "You'd make a heck of a mom."

Then she just laughed, a harder, bitter sound than the one before hand. "Yeah right, Shimoda."

"I'm serious," I assured her.

"Please. No one wants to have kids with me," Anko growled with a shake of her head. "Anyway, I think we should get moving."

Charisma Check Failure: 7/9.

I'm not even going to try to dissect her reasoning because I know now that my best guesses are completely wrong.

My musings were interrupted by an explosion. I looked up to see that the Hokage's office at the top of the Academy had been blown to smithereens, pieces falling to the ground below. Kids in the playground scattered at the large stone pieces collided with the slides and climbing walls, throwing up dust everywhere.

Quest Updated: With Friends Like These…

Get to the safe house.

Completed: Talk with Naruto.

But Naruto!

Perception Check Success: 7/7.

Jumping down from the tower, I saw the Hokage, his robes flapping in the wind. Falling and landing opposite the old man, was a Ninja I had never seen before, a man in black robes, his entire right arm coated in bandages.

Great. Two S-class Ninja fighting in my village. Who cares about the collateral damage, am I right?

Anko grabbed my arm. "Daisuke, we need to get to the nearest safe house. Now!"

"But Naruto!" I shouted back, pointing up at the Academy.

"The Academy is filled with ANBU," Anko said quickly. "I swear to you that he's fine. But you need to follow me now, okay?"

...she had a point and there's no way he was able to get to the Hokage's office in time to be there for the explosion. He was probably getting shepherded to the safe tunnels inside Hokage mountain as we spoke.

"If he's not fine, I'm going to be upset," I growled.

She nodded. "Come on!"

Taijutsu Check Success: 80/65.

I twisted out of her grasp and hopped onto her back, my feet sticking to her spine. "Move, it's faster this way!"

There was this odd hesitation, but then she took off like a rocket.

It's a good thing that I had my hands free, because the second we started taking off, we started getting attacked. By Leaf Shinobi. Shinobi that I had never seen before, at least I don't think I did, were coming out of the woodwork, charging at us with Kunai. Shuriken whistled over and past my head and I could here the sound of jutsu being discharged in the distance.

Anko let loose an army of small snakes that slithered at her feet, biting the Ninja attacking us and sending them into convulsions.

I looked up and saw ANBU soldiers charge the aggressors with kunai, leaves orbiting them like shuriken and a pair of Wakizashi. On the opposite side of the street, up on the roofs, we were being pursued in parallel by these traitorous Nin.

They threw a series of shuriken at us.

Chakra: 60/85.

With invisible strings, I grabbed the shuriken and threw them off course and fired a Lightning Kunai up at them, hitting one in the shoulder, creating a charred crater through the uniform.

Note to self, put points into Ranged Weapons; that was supposed to be a head shot. But I can see why this Jutsu wasn't really seen in Canon; by the time you have the precision to use this Jutsu effectively, you had more effective options by the truckload.

Directly behind us, a Nin was chasing after us, dodging and stepping around the snakes. But the second he stepped on the sewer cover, said sewer cover flipped open like a coin that had been tossed and the Shinobi disappeared.

Perception Check Failure: 7/10.

I didn't even see what happened.

What was that?

Anko stopped suddenly, immediately turning down an alleyway and stopping at a plain wooden wall. She bit her thumb, ow, and drew a circle on the wall in her blood. This activated a seal network on the wall, causing the planks to separate and reveal a door, which Anko pulled open and ran inside.

Quest Updated: With Friends Like These…

Defend the safe house.

Completed: Get to the safe house.

The inside was two rooms, a front room on the left, a large couch and two recliners arranged around a table which had mats arranged around it. On the right was a kitchen and dining room combination, and I wondered how well stocked the kitchen was.

Dividing the two sides of the safe house was a staircase that went up and ended at a fork with two rooms on either side.

"Okay, we should be safe here," Anko said and I noted that her face was just a little bit flushed, and not all of it was from her mad sprint to get us here.

Charisma Check Success: 7/7.

It's because I was standing on her back? Weird.

"So what was that?" I asked, rolling my shoulders.

"Well, the Hokage told me he put out an arrest for Shimura Danzo," Anko explained. "Apparently he's been running some super-secret-black ops group that the Hokage ordered disbanded years ago. Hokage-sama expected him to make some kind of move on you or Uzumaki for collateral. The Hokage's had Naruto watched over by ANBU for years, so I know for a fact that he's fine."

"Thanks," I said. "Now let's start barricading things up, we aren't out of the woods yet."

"This safe house is completely secret," Anko said with a raised eyebrow. "No one but the Hokage and I know about it."

"Then how did he get it built?" I asked with a frown.

"I helped build it," Anko replied with a raised eyebrow. "This morning."

Oh. Huh. "Well, I'm sure you read my file. Did you get to the part about Premonitions?"

"I know you sometimes get text-prompts on future events," Anko told me. "I also read that it's mostly a to-do list."

"Well, you know what the next item on my to-do list is?" I asked rhetorically. "Defend the safe house."

Anko sighed. "Alright, well, let's pile up in one of the roomsand wait it out. I guess."

"Cool," I said, jumping up the tall staircase in a single bound. Open the door on the left, then the one on the right.

They were both the same bedroom. No windows, a single bed and a nightstand. The one on the right was interesting, it had a book on the nightstand.

Shuriken Interception: A Practical Treaties.

Skill book for Ranged Weapons? Score.

I turned to Anko, who was standing in the doorway. "Is this one yours?"

She nodded. "Yeah, but you can borrow it. I asked the Hokage to help me get some books in here since you love to read."

I beamed. "Thanks!"

"You're welcome," Anko replied. She got a little pensive, looking to her right and then back to me. "So, what kind of books-"

She didn't get to finish her question, as the safe house rocked like an earth quake was going on.

"You're joking," Anko breathed, getting her balance. "Okay, stay here. I'm going to put those Root idiots in their place."

She threw open the bedroom door, snakes emerging from her sleeves like she was possessed by the Darkness and she charged down the stairs, to the sound of battle. I stuffed the book into a storage scroll and made a mental note to return it when I got back.

...you know, every person she kills is EXP that I could be getting to level 7. But I don't want it on my record that I'm uncooperative, that could make my life difficult later. Besides, I will get to level 7, I'm not going to stop getting missions and stuff, so.

At that second, the door to my room flew open, and two Leaf Shinobi charged forward.

Chakra: 75/85.

Chakra string myself to the ceiling and pull myself up. Dodge their grabbing hands. Use strings to pull myself back down to them and plunge my knife-hands onto their necks.

10,200 / 15,000 EXP.

Their necks exploded like shaped charges all over the floor, coating it in a thick spaghetti sauce like slurry of gore. Their bodies fell straight to the floor and the heads rolled over their backs and onto the floor. One of them wound up under the bed, the other facing toward the wall.

My hands started shaking again, by body coursing with adrenaline and I felt like I was going to be sick. It's okay, Dai. They were trying to capture you and do who knows what to you. It's okay Daisuke. You're fine.

You know, that was enough EXP to make me think that the only reason that worked was because I'm as specialized as I am and I caught them by surprise. If they were a bit better prepared for what I could do, this would've been a tough fight.

The sound of footsteps drew my attention, and I saw Anko, blood splatters dotting her cheeks and staining her hair. She saw the corpses at my feet and she immediately paled. "Shimoda-sama I…"

Downstairs, we could hear more people showing up. Anko got ready with her kunai, and then relaxed. "Hokage-sama! I'm glad to see you."

"Mitarashi-san," The Hokage arrived, in black jumpsuit and armored helmet, carrying a staff. Upon laying eyes on me, he smiled. "Shimoda-kun, I'm glad to see you're well!"

"Thanks, Hokage-sama," I said, bowing. Time for me to help Anko save face. "Mitarashi-san is so cool! She ripped these guys heads off and then charged down stairs to feed them to her snakes. It was so awesome, Hokage-sama! You had to see it!"

Charisma Check Failed: 7/10.

Speech Check Success: 36/30.

The Hokage didn't believe a word of it, I'm sure. But he simply smiled. "I'm glad that Mitarashi-san is doing so well in her duties."

He turned to her. "Move to safe house B with Shimoda-kun and await further orders and double time it. The streets still aren't safe."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Anko replied with a bow.

Quest Completed: With Friends Like These…

15,200 / 15,000 EXP.

Bum-bum-bum-Bum!

Level Up!

Well...that's interesting. I thought this would be a more involved quest. I wonder if there were different ways it could go, like if I followed Naruto to the Hokage's office or something. Or maybe the quest is in reference to how we had to hide in a bunker when the Hokage and Danzo had a falling out?

I think it's that last one. Huh.

I wonder what more I could've done in this quest? Maybe if I took the initiative, I would've gotten more quest objectives?

Maybe.

I put all 17 points into Fuinjutsu, bringing it to 44. No perks this level, sadly. I couldn't wait to get Fuinjutsu Enthusiast next level.

200 / 18,000 EXP until level 8.

"Hey, what happened to Naruto?" I asked immediately when the world unpaused. "He was on his way to see you before everything went crazy!"

"He's in a safe house guarded by ANBU," The Hokage answered. "He is perfectly safe and unharmed, Shimoda-kun, you may rest easy."

"Good," I said, nodding. "Good."
​
* * *​
Safe House B was four blocks down and behind another blood lock, which made me wince in sympathy even though she didn't seem to mind it at all. As the entrance closed behind us in the very similar safe house, Anko spoke up.

"Shimoda-kun?" Anko asked.

"Yeah?" I asked.

Anko bowed. "Thank you so much for sticking up for me with the Hokage. I didn't deserve it for letting those two get past me. I apologize and I assure you, it will not happen again. I will do better."

I blinked. "Thank you. But seriously, I don't think they got past you, I think they blew a hole in the room across from us while you were distracted downstairs. You were totally fine."

"Be that as it may," Anko replied. "I still made a poor judgment call and it compromised your safety."

I shrugged. "Being honest, I'm glad it worked out this way. I was hoping to see some action."

"You did amazing," Anko pointed out, almost sounding reverent. "Root has some of the most intense training I've ever heard of and you took them out flawlessly. I can't even."

"There's a reason I'm being guarded," I said wryly.

"Do you even need a bodyguard?" Anko asked with a frown.

"I like having a bodyguard," I said with a grin. "You're fun to talk to."

Her frown turned upside down, her face going pink again. "Thanks. I, uh, well, um…"

You know, her attitude changed drastically from 'let's keep this professional'. This is like the third time she's blushed in the last hour.

"Anyway, I'm going to go upstairs and read," I said, pulling her book out. "Let me know if any more of Danzo's goons show up, I could use a proper workout."

"Ah ah." Anko shook her head, making to follow me. "I'm not letting you out of my sight again."

I just shrugged. "As you wish."

You know, this did prove the power of Tsunade's Megaton Punch. The sheer importance of having a Disc One Nuke in your possession in a world like this one really could not be overstated and is the only reason I am alive right now. It's like finding the Alien Blaster in the first ten minutes of Fallout 3 like my dad did somehow; makes even supposedly difficult encounters a breeze if you play it right.

Being a good little explorer, I checked both bedrooms again. In the first bedroom was a skill book. Sealing Ninjutsu: An examination of Fuinjutsu Theory.

Score.

I jumped on the bed, and cracked open the book on Shurikens. Anko took a post by the door and smiled when she caught me looking. I smiled back and started my book.

The most important difference between a shuriken and a kunai is that…
​
* * *​
Character Sheet: Shimoda Daisuke.

Health: 230.
Chakra: 85.
S.P.E.C.I.A.L Stats:

Strength: 4
Perception: 7 (+2)
Endurance: 5
Charisma: 7 (+6)
Intelligence: 10
Agility: 5
Luck: 10

Taijutsu (Endurance): 80
Melee Weapons (Strength): 15
Ranged Weapons (Agility): 29
Genjutsu (Perception): 33
Ninjutsu (Endurance): 29
Speech (Charisma): 36
Barter (Charisma): 27
Sneak (Agility): 17
Pick Lock (Perception): 21
Fuinjutsu (Intelligence): 44
Medicine (Intelligence): 27
Survival (Perception): 37
Chakra Control (Intelligence): 92

Perks:
Taijutsu Enthusiast
Comprehension
Educated​

* * *​

Author's Note: Giant announcement.

I deleted Patreon.

Before I go into why, I want to thank everyone for their support. Don. Darkama. Chris, Melodychii, Niluka Satharasinghe, Sackthananban Kounlavong, Tlavoc, Zeroharm, Megrisvernin, Miu, Chris, Raven Uzushi, A Person, Nex19, Paloswag, Cole Deucalion, Jacob A Bridgewater, ladiciusevol, Steelcondor, Anonymous, Perseus Red, Trashmage, Ryan, Axodique, Vladtheinhaler, PostLifeSyndrome, Juane Pendragon and Samuel Reed as well as the Super Patrons Melden V, Anders Kronquist, Ray Tony Song, Volkogluk, Aaron Bjornson, iolande, Martin Auguado, Julio, Hackerham, Tim Collins-Squire, Maben00, Ventari, PbookR, ChristobalAlvarez, Apperatus, EPiCJB19, Seeking Raven, Handwran, Russel Beatrous and Richard Whereat. Thank you all so much for your continued support, it helped me out a lot. Words cannot describe my gratitude toward you and my love to you.

The reason it's gone is because, well, I've fallen below the bar. My writing schedule has fallen to pieces. I haven't updated weekly in months and I felt like I was letting everyone down. To say nothing about how I never wanted to make money off of my Fanfiction in the first place. I firmly believe that trying to profit off of my fanfiction did more damage to my writing than I will ever be able to quantify. I will never make this mistake again. If I want to monetize, it will be original fiction and I will do it by designing and selling shirts or something. That way the people who love the fic will be getting more than just a spot in the credits and I won't feel like I'm begging anymore.

I love you guys; you deserve your fanfics for free. That's the whole point; fanfiction is free entertainment.

Words cannot describe how relieved I am right now. Thank goodness, thank gracious, thank everything and their mother that it's gone.

...yeah, that's it. I think my schedule is going to pick up now since that stressor is gone. Writing can go back to being entirely my passion project. For my patrons, thank you. You guys helped me learn a lesson that I should've just known a very long time ago.

Have a cookie, all of you. You guys are the best.

Until the next time.

~Fulcon


​
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Ohhhh yesssssss. The OP protagonist juices are flowing. Another great chapter. Can't wait for more.
 
I love the concept of the originals and your passion to remake the first one. Kudos to you, very few make the attempt to be better or keep trying to.

Indeed, Kudos™ to you.
I had just noticed the great variety of writing tools over here in QQ.

It took a long time but his passion for writing came back, stronger than ever, and with the power of Maito Guy on his side.
TorextheDragon said:
Ohhhh yesssssss. The OP protagonist juices are flowing. Another great chapter. Can't wait for more.
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[dice]22895[/dice]

Holly hell, people can throw dices here! I did not even know it was possible until I saw that button. YES!
 
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Just found this;
I can say you definitely did the nevermore section better than the first time around, and I'm interested to see how the major arcs change from before.



Re deleting patreon/no money for fanfiction.
Whenever you get around to starting said work, patreon does actually have a way to make it charge per update instead of per month, with people being able to set a limit on how much can be drawn per month.
Granted, my only experience with this was for "this bites" and their 50k chapters, but it's an option available to you.

No rush feeling of "they're paying me for nothing"; I don't know if that will help or not.

Be warned of xianxia. There are a decent amount of good stories, even great ones. There are *many* bad ones. Every time you try one it is like clicking on a truly random fic on fanfiction.net.
 
I hope havent already said something like this but I'm really enjoying this story. I would feel bad saying that it's better than the 1st version since I also really enjoyed that story and had a ton of fun reading it. The crippling social charism made for a very interesting disability and contributed to the plot in an novel way. No one in the real world is perfect it was nice to read how the MC was able to overcome his affliction. Now in this story, our protagonist won't be able to hide behind his low charism and I imagine he might have to face some things a bit earlier :)

Good luck! Sorry, it's late for me, I hope what I wrote makes some sense!
 
That Muppet treasure island reference tho.
 
Fulcon said:


For my family name...I'm just going to hit random a bunch of times since I don't care that much. Miyamoto, Yamada, Yamato, Bucktoothed, butt faced, baby eating O'brian?

I'm kidding.

Bonus points if you get the reference.

...and I don't remember.

Wait, I don't get the bonus points from my own pointless game.

This is lame!
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This one
 
Progress report: ~1.4k words done.

This is an interlude with lots of non-Daisuke ramblings. It's been a while, but I think the story could use a palette cleanser.

People in this upcoming chapter have very positive feelings toward Daisuke, though I hope it doesn't come across like all their worlds revolve around him; so far only character has mentioned him directly. But I also don't want it to sound like I'm tooting my own horn since, as we've seen repeatedly, I'm not a perfect person (no one is, but doesn't mean I can't do better).

Other than that, how about some Omake prompts?

Prompt #1: Naruto learns of and performs the summoning Jutsu. Where does he end up and does actually get the contract?

Prompt #2: Rin is watching everything happen from her seat in the pure world. What are her opinions of what's going on in Konoha right now?

Prompt #3: Daisuke tries to novelize and expand on the story of Fallout for his Konoha audience. What changes does he make? How is it received?
 
Informative: Naruto's Summon Animal - GalacticPlumber
  • Extras
    • Less of an Omake than it is a semi-serious theoretical ramble, but summoning jutsu without a contract is a fascinating look at both how someone is characterized, as well as how the given author characterizes the animals in question.

    Naruto is primarily a good-natured prankster with severe loneliness, boundless energy, and with a touch of darker emotions like jealousy.

    A good pairing to that would be foxe- WAIT don't scroll past while rolling eyes on the typecast I'm going somewhere with foxes.

    If we bring foxes as depicted in Japanese mythology, where Naruto as an anime gets MOST of its references, we stumble on the trickster foxes known as kitsune.

    Like Naruto, mischief and pranks are their bread and butter. Like Naruto would very much benefit from kitsune are often depicted as fiercely loyal to those they form close bonds with, and breed in large numbers with fluffy tails, doting personalities, and emotional support. They also have a ruthless streak a mile wide, because foxes breed quickly enough to naturally outpace their common food sources. This leads them to view the kits of OTHER foxes as simultaneously a food source, and the removal of competition for their own kits.

    This is interesting from a character standpoint, because it gives Naruto everything he wants, but also encourages both the best, and worst parts of his personality at the same time.

    This is interesting from a mechanical standpoint, because it allows the presence of foxes in story who are actually good at things they're generally depicted as being good at as opposed to just big shows of power with no subtlety.

    Again foxes are all about pranks and deception, which is borne out by kitsune unilaterally being good at things that would be called genjutsu in ninja parlance. Illusions, mind effecting of various flavors, improving one's own senses, and direct sensory manipulation of others.... you know the whole nine yards. Yes illusions and sensory manipulation are different. You can make a clone jutsu that looks like you that everyone sees. That's an illusion. Putting an image of yourself overlaid on someone's senses, that is specific to them, is sensory manipulation.

    Getting back on point why is this good with Naruto specifically as opposed to just correcting a horrific wrong of fox portrayal? Their skill set natively fills the deepest hole in Naruto's skill set. It would also give him access to be terrifying effective at the only discipline Daisuke almost completely neglects which would only make it more attractive to him.

    As for if he'd get in? Kitsune are pragmatic, alarmingly intelligent, observant, and self-serving. He has the highest chakra reserves for his age of most any human alive, looks like the child doppelganger of his father the late hokage, has status as the container of Kyuubi as the worst kept secret of all time, and has active ambitions to become the ruler of one of the strongest human nations. What self-respecting, self-serving mastermind wouldn't want to get on his good side, help him reach his goal in any way possible, and proceed to have the ear of one of the most powerful people alive?

    Naturally they don't open with looking that cynical. Friendship, cuddles, free training, the benefits of partnership, and all that good shit. The loyalty I mentioned earlier would even be legitimate. Relationships that start for transactional reasons are still relationships, and kitsune can be relied upon to keep the spirit of deals with people they form relationships with.
     
  • Extras
    • Chapter 10: Interlude - A Larger World
  • Threadmarks
    • The Following is a fan based work of fiction: Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden are owned by Shueisha, Viz Entertainment and Masashi Kishimoto. Please support the official release.

    * * *
    ​
    Hiruzen entered his room feeling and looking more tired than he had ever been.

    His black bodysuit was torn, his old, wrinkling skin showing through the gash near his side. Hiruzen removed his helmet, letting it fall and roll across the floor.

    Today was, unequivocally, the worst day of his life.

    Starting when Danzo had the gall to stomp into his office. His old friend demanded to know the meaning of his assets being seized and why his arrest was ordered.

    But his old friends single eye narrowed and he went unnaturally still as Hiruzen had explained it. The jig was up. His deception had been exposed. Root was being dismantled to the core.

    The old man still remembered the exact moment things had turned violent. He was pressing herbs into his pipe. After a puff, he started talking. Hiruzen was angry, of course. Having been lied too and betrayed not once, not twice, but three times now.

    Orochimaru. The Uchiha.

    And now this.

    A mansion which siphoned many children to Root.

    A monster that should never have been able to find safe haven within Konoha's walls.

    There was no end to the vitriol he felt.

    At the end of his explanation came this gem of a line.

    "So run. Run away and we'll all pretend that you died making the sacrifice you didn't have the spine for all those years ago."

    That was when it had turned violent.

    Danzo's rage had surpassed any rational thought, much like Hiruzen's own. But, Danzo was a one trick pony, whose entire style was built around wind jutsu.

    One trick ponies were Hiruzen's favorite opponents. Because their chosen method of fighting always had a weakness, usually one beyond the lack of versatility. Danzo's was a crippling inability to fight melee, which meant that all Hiruzen had to do was call out his monkey in a barrel.

    But Danzo had gotten away.

    He had gotten away and Hiruzen, again, had failed.

    He stumbled forward to his bed, collapsing forward onto the soft matress with an aggravated sigh.

    Ever since Minato died, Hiruzen had done nothing but fail. He failed his village when Orochimaru was performing experiments on its citizens. He had failed when Danzo had systematically isolated the Uchiha before executing them for their eyes.

    And then he had failed here.

    Hiruzen had retired for a good reason; he was unfit for duty. It was as simple as that. He was not a young man anymore and he was keenly aware that his mind was failing. He feared it, dreaded it, did what he could to keep himself sane enough for the job, but senility was rearing it's ugly, ugly head.

    The old man simply couldn't perform anymore.

    But what could he do?

    The people who everyone agreed were qualified for the job didn't want it. Others who understood the responsibility were politically contentious or, in the case of Nara Shikaku, too lazy. Those who were eager for the job, such as Hyuuga Hiashi did not care for the responsibility to the village as a whole and would grant his clan even more special privileges after Hiruzen had spent years trying to take those privileges away.

    He had hoped the nonsense with Kumogakure would finally break them of their Caged Bird Seal tradition, or at least bloody their nose by forcing them to brand their Clan Head. But Hizashi stepped in and stopped the clan from actually learning anything from the ordeal.

    Because of course he did.

    Hiruzen slowly rolled over in his bed, face up.

    Yet more evidence that his mind was failing and undoubtedly, the clans all knew it. That's why they wanted to keep him in this position, to take advantage of it.

    Oh, why did Minato have to die? Hiruzen impotently raged, glowering at the ceiling. Why did that accursed fox get loose and take Konoha's brightest hope for the future away? Why does such an evil thing get to still live while the greatest Shinobi that Konoha had ever known must rot in the bowels of Death itself?

    But still, he must press on.

    This latest failure was the last straw.

    Jiraiya, Tsunade, someone had to take the hat. Someone had to step in where he clearly could not.

    Kakashi? Probably, but only if his old wounds could heal. Chōza had the right temperament, but wasn't popular enough with the clans outside the trio they formed with the Yamanaka and Nara. Maito Gai was too eccentric in a village full of eccentric war machines.

    Perhaps Naruto could do it?

    Hiruzen snorted. The young man, full of hot air and grand ambitions, had a lot of growing up to do before he was ready for such an awesome responsibility. But one day, he would be a splendid Shinobi.

    Shimoda?

    Hiruzen almost dismissed this as quickly as Naruto, but then he thought. The boy was wise beyond his years, that much he had gleaned from his observations. Incredibly skilled and talented from study alone. From his attempts to remain friends with Naruto, to how he helped his team pass the bell test, and his kind demeanor toward his bodyguard, he had true empathy.

    No, something beyond that.

    Daisuke had something that was rarely instilled in in Shinobi, even in Konoha.

    It was goodness.

    If that was his eccentricity, his coping mechanism when society had effectively quarantined him to the corner like a leper, then it was the best possible outcome. Deciding in the face of isolation that he would be the best person he could be was not easy, but it was more than laudable.

    But Hiruzen didn't think he was ready for the hat. Good though he was, he was still too insular, too removed from the village. The village council and clans would never allow him to govern. Plus, the boy had stated that he had no desire for the hat which oddly made him even more suited for it.

    Perhaps he'd be the sixth or seventh Hokage, if it truly came down to him.

    But then, Naruto might be ready for his Father's legacy, and that seemed oddly important to restore.

    It's not like Minato could be returned from the dead.
    ​
    * * *
    ​
    "They actually survived."

    Kakashi was standing at the memorial stone, as he often did.

    It was early in the morning, the sun had barely risen over the horizon, it's ascent covered by the dense trees reaching for the sky.

    He looked down at the memorial, a smile had painted itself across his face and hid behind his mask. His single eye was squinted but that didn't stop the sparkle from shining through it.

    "I can't believe it," Kakashi continued. "Obito...and Rin, if you're listening, but they survived. All of them. The mansion, it changed when we walked into the attic. When I saw the dungeon, I thought for sure one of us was dead."

    The breeze drifted along the grass, almost like the stone itself was humming in thought, listening intently as Kakashi spoke.

    "I was going to do everything I could to make sure that if one of us died, it would be me," Kakashi continued. "Because I swore I'd keep them safe. Monsters were pouring from the walls. The house had been built by an enemy of Konoha. An enemy that appeared right when we got to the end. A bird-person."

    The wind kicked up again, and died just as quickly. A nod, perhaps.

    "I feel strange just saying that out loud," Kakashi muttered wryly. "But it's true. A bird-person who had been looking for Daisuke-kun for years, apparently. Years! Wanted to kill him. He almost did, but he survived."

    He let out a sigh and the wind blew past his back, like it was reassuring him.

    "I can't lose anyone else," Kakashi admitted quietly. "Not again. If you guys can help, from your spot in the pure world, please. Please help. I can't lose anyone anymore."
    ​
    * * *​

    "Is the lock down over?" Hisako asked, looking up from her spot on the bed.

    "Not yet, Honey," standing in the bed frame was Hisako's mother, Yamada Sata. Sata, just by looking at her, you could see that Hisako had taken a great deal after her mother in looks, the only exception being the eyes, Sata's green contrasted Hisako's black. "Local ANBU are still combing the city for Root."

    "I still can't believe something like that even existed," Hisako said, shaking her head. "Why would Konoha even need something like Root? We have ANBU."

    "Well," Sata began, walking into the room and sitting down. "I believe it was said that Danzo could protect Konoha with greater ability if he had a division of Shinobi that answered only to him. The Hokage thought he could trust him."

    "Yeah, that didn't blow up in his face at all," Hisako said with a frown. "No disrespect to the Hokage, but it needs to be said."

    "Just don't say that out in public," Sata insisted with a worried look. "It could be misconstrued as inciting insurrection and that is the last thing we need right now."

    "I won't, Mom," Hisako said. "So, I'm going to spend my A-rank money getting an apartment. As soon as the lock down is over, I'm moving out."

    "My little girl is all grown up," Sata said with a sad smile on her face. "I'm so proud of you. We can go apartment shopping together."

    "And then I can start inviting my team over and we can talk, maybe play games…" Hisako started smiling. "Mom, can I ask you a question?"

    "Sure," Sata replied brightly.

    "There's this boy," Hisako started. "A boy I really, really like. He's been my friend for years and we're on the same Genin team but I don't think I really know him at all."

    "How so?" Sata asked.

    "We spar all the time on Taijutsu, and he's really good," Hisako said, sitting up. "And he's a really good listener, but I don't know how to get him to open up and talk to me."

    Sata hummed. "Well, you can't ask a boy about his feelings. Instead, ask him about his interests."

    "His interests," Hisako repeated, blinking. "Why can't I just ask him to open up and share his feelings? You know, that's the important part."

    "Oh honey," Sata began, amused. "He's a boy. If you try to get him to talk about his feelings before he's ready, his mind will just go blank. Instead, ask him about his interests and then carry the conversation from there. When he's ready to share, he'll share."

    "Okay then," Hisako replied. "I guess I can work with that. I don't really know what his interests are. He doesn't really talk a lot."

    "Then ask him," Sata encouraged. "That's the best way to find out how a man is feeling, if he wants to share. If he wants to share, then he'll share. If he doesn't, then there's no point in pressing any more. Unless you want to make him angry."

    "Can I ask him if he likes me?" Hisako asked.

    Sata laughed. "Only if you aren't afraid of rejection."

    "So he's just going to reject me if I ask directly," Hisako replied with a frown.

    "Not necessarily," Sata shrugged. "He might not know if he likes you or not. Or if he is, he's too nervous to just come out and say it. Or he might just like you back and reciprocate right there. So...be ready for anything is what I'm trying to say."

    "Oh, okay," Hisako replied. "What do I need to do to get him to like me right now?"

    "Be your best self," Sata answered. "And if he doesn't like you, then it was never meant to be. Also, don't be something you're not. If you do, he'll never like you, only the person you pretended to be."

    "But what if he doesn't like me?" Hisako asked, laying back on her bed, and grabbing a pillow to groan into. "There's no way he does. He hasn't really tried to ask me out like some of the other boys in the Academy did. So maybe I'm just pining in the wind!"

    "Well, he might not have liked you then and that might change as he grows older," Sata explained, shrugging. "Crushes like this can be so frustrating, huh?"

    "You have no idea," Hisako said, spreading her arms wide, her pillow still clutched tightly in her hand. "Maybe if I ask him what he's thinking? He sometimes just gets this faraway look on his face and he disappears into his own little world."

    "Your father always tells me nothing when I ask," Sata replied with a grin.

    "Why doesn't he ever tell you?" Hisako asked, looking really concerned. "Is he just mad all the time?"

    "No," Sata shook her head. "I used to think so. Before we were married, I'd get so terrified that I had done something to upset him because he'd refuse to open up. But I learned that it's usually because he's daydreaming and when I ask him that, he snaps out of it and can't remember what he was thinking about."

    "Oh," Hisako blinked, laying back down. "Well, that's a relief. But Daisuke-kun!"

    "You can't force love," Sata said with a shrug. "He might even like you, but want to focus on his career and not want a relationship right now. You can't force it."

    Hisako pressed the pillow to her face and groaned again. "But I have to have him!"

    "I'm sorry you're frustrated," Sata replied kindly. "If you want my advice, talk about his interests and use that to find out what kind of person he is. But don't ever press him. If he closes off, it's okay. There's other times. Trust me."

    "Okay," Hisako sighed. "Thanks, Mom."

    "Besides," Sata continued with a shrug. "For all you know, he might not be someone you want to be anything other than complete strangers with."

    Hisako grunted in annoyance. "Thanks, Mom."

    ​
    * * *
    ​
    The store doors opened and Nichiren walked inside the grocery store with a relieved sigh. "Never thought I'd be happy to see this place again."

    "Glad that the lock down ended," Nichiren's father, Nakamura Seihachi muttered. "Nichiren, get to the back room, we need to make sure that rats didn't get into anything."

    "Especially not the beef," Nakamura Amaya added, shuddering. "That would just be the capstone to this terrible week."

    Of course, it was not hard to be pessimistic. An armed insurrection causing a lock down on Konoha made things really tense. Even as the family walked past some of their regular customers, the Ichiraku's, the Yamanaka's, they could feel the anxiety and paranoia in the air like a cloud of smog that blocked out the sun.

    "You'll need to get it done fast," Seihachi added. "You need to be at your training meet in a couple hours."

    "Yeah, Dad!" Nichiren replied, heading over to the door behind the counter labeled 'staff only'.

    The Nakamura store was small, but located in a key location that got a lot of traffic during the day near town square. They prided themselves on their constant supply of fresh meat and vegetables, which came from two large farms owned by Nichiren's uncle outside the village walls. They were hoping to one day purchase the store next door, which was an antique store with no good items for sale so they could expand the store to twice the size.

    Nichiren opened the door and walked inside.

    He came to a hall. On the right was the restroom, to the left was his parents office and break room. Straight ahead as the store room, which had rows and rows of metal shelves and a large refrigerator to keep the perishables fresh.

    However, Nichiren could see that there was a lot of mess directly ahead.

    Shelves had been knocked over and product had spilled all over the floor. Nichiren's blood ran cold as he rushed forward and beheld the most abhorrent sight a business man could possibly see; all of his product had been destroyed.

    Immediately, large animal heads poked up over the wreckage and Nichiren froze on the spot.

    Rats.

    Giant rats.

    Nichiren looked around and saw what had happened.

    The steel safe filled with soldier pills had been chewed into and the crumbs were all over the concrete.

    Aw come on! Nichiren thought, immediately drawing a kunai.

    The rats started to shriek and Nichiren realized there were a lot more of them than there were of him, and they were larger than most house cats. They charged him and Nichiren threw his kunai, sticking one rat in the head while the rest charged after him.

    Running back down the hall, Nichiren reached down to his waist for the present Kakashi gave him for completing his thirtieth consecutive day of training. A spool of Ninja wire.

    Nichiren had always been gifted with Ninja wire, even back in the academy. He just had a head for how the wire could wrap around every possible vantage point they could and conduct jutsu like lightning or fire. But they could easily be just as dangerous weapons on their own. Like when it turned into a whirling cyclone of steel floss.

    The rats chased after him, but quickly saw when the first couple wound up getting blended into a rat smoothie.

    With a smirk, his glasses shined in a glare of light and he began walking forward, lashing out with his wire, chopping, cutting and dismembering the decidedly outmatched rodents, who were making a retreat back to the steel safe they had originally come through and couldn't fit in.

    Some realized that it was hopeless and turned to leap at him, causing Nichiren to be covered in bloody rat paste as their remains turned to mush.

    When at last, the deed was done, Nichiren wound the wire back up. He felt like he was standing just a bit taller after his accomplishment. He took a breath and let it out.

    The sound of chewing caused him to whirl around.

    The sound had come from a man. He was absurdly tall, almost two meters. Brown hair that was parted at the side, and a trimmed brown beard. Over his eyes he wore black, square glasses that were reflecting a nonexistent glare. He was wearing a white lab coat over a black, button up shirt and slacks, a crimson necktie shining in the light above them. In his hands was a bag of popcorn, and he was tossing bits of it into his mouth.

    "Not bad," He with a slow nod. "This encounter wasn't meant for you, but not bad. That wire's disgusting."

    "Who are you?" Nichiren asked in confusion.

    "A hostile foreign infiltrator," The man replied nonchalantly. "You?"

    "A...what?" Nichiren became completely confused. Then his brain processed what he just heard, and got angry. "You're a what?"

    "A guy who plants dangerous beasties in random places for entertainment," He replied with a shrug. "Now answer my question. Who are you?"

    "Nakamura Nichiren," Nichiren said, slowly backing toward the entrance.

    "Wait, is Nakamura your family name or your given name?" The intruder asked, scratching his head in irritation. "This weeaboo stuff always confuses me."

    "Weea-what?" Nichiren asked, even more confused. "Nakamura's my family name? I'm so confused."

    "You and me both," He replied. "Anyway, I'll probably see you later when it's time to end the world. Toodles!"

    Nichiren blinked and he disappeared.

    "Wh-what?" Nichiren blinked.

    Then he ran down the hall, shouting as loud as he could. "Mom, Rats got into the soldier pills! We're going to have to replace the whole stock and I need to report something immediately!"

    "We're going to have to what?" His Mom shouted at the top of her lungs as Nichiren bolted out of the store doors.

    As he ran to the Academy, to Headquarters, he slowly began to realize something.

    That man, whoever he wasn't, was speaking in some kind of code. Not a cipher, or rhymes, but something with it's own set of rules...as if it were a completely different language.

    And Nichiren understood him perfectly.

    ​
    * * *
    ​
    "Come back soon, Naruto," Ayame said with a happy smile. "It's always great having you!"

    "Thanks, Ayame!" Naruto replied, walking out of the ramen stand with a wave, having only eaten a single bowl of ramen there.

    Naruto felt oddly nervous, even at Ichiraku ramen, the closest thing he had to a home away from home.

    The Academy had let out for the day, the instructors acting like nothing had happened, but he noticed that a couple of them were missing, including Mizuki for some reason.

    He just had a bowl of ramen, he didn't know why he should be nervous. Things had settled. The ANBU that took him to the emergency bunker, Rabbit, said things were calm now. But he still felt like there was some danger close by that he needed to make sure he avoided at all costs.

    "Well, if it isn't Naruto!"

    Naruto looked up, to the table of some fancy restaurant and there sat the Man in Green. He hadn't seen him since the orphanage days, one of the few nice people he had ever met.

    The Man in Green waved, and beckoned him over.

    "Hey!" Naruto said, waving and coming over. "Nice to see you!"

    "You've grown so much since I last saw you," The man in green said, giving a partial bow in his chair, which Naruto returned. "Why don't you have a seat, I'll treat you to supper."

    "Oh, I already ate," Naruto replied, rubbing the back of his head with an embarrassed grin.

    "Are you sure you aren't hungry?" The Man asked with a polite smile.

    It was then that Naruto's stomach grumbled. In his hurry to leave the stand, he realized that yes, he was still hungry.

    "I recommend the teriyaki pork," The man said.

    "Uh, thanks," Naruto replied, sitting across from the man. "Hey, uh...I don't remember your name."

    "Call me Satoshi," The man introduced himself. "I don't believe I did introduce myself all those years ago. My apologies."

    "It's fine," Naruto waved it off. "I'm surprised to see you again. What are you doing here?"

    "Well, I'm keeping an eye on someone," Satoshi replied, his smile fading somewhat. "But it appears that person...behaved themselves. Reasonably so. Then again, it's not like I can do much besides look disapprovingly if he does something. So, how have you been?"

    "I've been okay, moved out of the orphanage," Naruto replied with a nod. "And I finally learned how to do the Bunshin Jutsu! So I'm happy!"

    "That's wonderful, great job," Satoshi replied with a grin. "And! And you moved out of the orphanage. I knew someone would be smart enough to adopt you. Well done!"

    Naruto's grin faltered. "Uh, well, uh...not exactly."

    Satoshi blinked. "I see. That...is unfortunate if the people in the village cannot see value when it is staring them in the face."

    "Yeah, you're telling me," Naruto said. "So what if Daisuke graduated early, I'm just as good a ninja as him, and I'm not even out of the academy yet!"

    Satoshi got this strange ghost of a smirk on his face that disappeared when Naruto looked at him. "Is that so? Are you two still friends? I hope so."

    "Yeah, we're friends," Naruto said, slowly nodding. "Just, you know, he's got Ninja stuff to do and I got the Academy. I think we'll spend a lot more time together when we're both Ninja."

    Satoshi slowly started to nod. "Oh I see. That makes sense. Still, is Shimoda-kun the only friend you have? Certainly no one else can be that...blind."

    "Well, there's Iruka-sensei," Naruto replied, pondering.

    The waiter came and took their orders. Naruto looked at the menu and saw that, yes, they did offer ramen. "I'll take an extra large Miso Chasu Ramen, please!"

    The waiter blinked, seeing Naruto's cheek markings. "I'm sorry, but-"

    "And I'll have the same," Satoshi replied, his eyes lightly flashing for just a moment.

    "Very good, I'll have it right out for you both," The waiter replied, suddenly immediately cheerful. He took both menus and went right back into the restaurant with a spring in his step.

    Naruto looked pensive. "I thought he was going to throw me out."

    "I'm glad he rethought that decision," Satoshi replied with a smile. "Still...that is concerning. For people to try to shun you like this...I hope you have protection."

    "Eh, the old man has ANBU watching over me," Naruto answered with a nonchalant shrug.

    "Oh, that's good. Do you speak with them often?" Satoshi asked.

    Naruto got quiet again. "...not really."

    Satoshi looked down. "Well. I think I have a solution."

    "You do?" Naruto asked, immediately perking up.

    "What if I told you there was a jutsu you could perform that would take you to a place where everyone would like you?" Satoshi asked hypothetically. "Where you could get a long with everyone?"

    "A jutsu like that," Naruto asked, blinking and folding his arms in disbelief. "Really. What's it called?"

    "The summoning jutsu," Satoshi replied. "If you do it without a summoning contract, it teleports you to the realm of the summon animal that you match the best with."

    "Oh really?" Naruto asked, still doubtful. "Summon animals? What's the catch?"

    "It can be quite dangerous," Satoshi replied. "Well, only if you're weak on your own merits. The summon clans don't take kindly to leeches...not even the leech clan."

    "Well, I'm not weak," Naruto said with a grin. "So this should be easy!"

    "I agree," Satoshi replied, slowly nodding. "You teleport there, impress their leader and they give you a scroll that lets you call on them whenever you want. Never again, will you be around people that don't like you."

    Naruto slowly nodded, adopting a smile. "That...actually sounds really good. Do you have a summon clan?"

    "I do," Satoshi replied.

    "What is it?" Naruto pressed.

    "Dolphins." At Naruto's confused expression, Satoshi elaborated. "They're a creature that lives out in the ocean. Very playful, smile all the time. Love to help."

    "Like you," Naruto pointed out, pleased with his observation.

    "Exactly like me," Satoshi replied, slowly nodding.

    "So, can you teach me the jutsu?" Naruto asked, an eager look on his face, leaning forward.

    Satoshi hummed. "No."

    "No?" Naruto asked, sounding offended. "No? Why not?"

    "Because I feel like just telling you would just cheapen it for you," Satoshi replied. "You're a good ninja, after all. You don't need me to teach you when you can find out for yourself."

    "How do I find out?" Naruto asked, leaning in.

    "In the Academy Library," Satoshi started. "On the fourth floor, on shelf directly across from the stairs is a scroll. This scroll is dark green, darker than my robes here. If you can get there, past the guards of each section of the library and pull the scroll out, you deserve that jutsu."

    "I'll do it," Naruto said, sitting straight up. There was a fire in his eyes, a fire that demanded adventure and risk.

    It was determination.

    "It might be hard," Satoshi cautioned, an amused smile crossing his face. "But I believe you can accomplish hard things."

    "Yeah!" Naruto nodded rapidly, turning to bolt. "See you, Satoshi-san!"

    "Wait, wait, wait," Satoshi stopped him. "Don't you want your ramen?"

    "Oh." Naruto froze with an embarrassed expression on his face. "Heh, right. Yeah, Ramen sounds pretty good."

    "Ramen is always good."
    ​
    * * *​


    Author's Note: Well, here's an interlude. First one in a while, chapter 10. Got to say, I'm happy with how it turned out, because I was able to spend some time away from the immediate happenings of the chapter and cut to the larger narrative. Keep in mind, everything you have read was in the story since I posted it years ago. This is draft 1 content that I'm executing significantly better.

    Well, actually Jashin is like previous draft content, but I like his character so much, I had to keep him.

    Anyway, your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. The wait between chapters has actually done me a world of good, thank you for your patience.

    Until the next time!

    ~Fulcon​
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • LEGENDARYNOT said:
    Who is this guy seriously, is he the figurative admin or hacker?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Well...

    He's the Gamer directly responsible for Daisuke becoming a gamer SI. He has cheat codes. The Player 1 to Daisuke's Player 2. Do NOT speak of him outside of spoiler text, please.

    Wololo said:
    Oh no you're bringing back mister console commands
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    Click to shrink...

    Bringing...back?

    He never left.

    Also, please see spoiler above.
     
    Fulcon said:
    "Not bad," He with a slow nod. "This encounter wasn't meant for you, but not bad. That wire's disgusting."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Stole the words right from my post.

    Fulcon said:
    "Well, I'm keeping an eye on someone," Satoshi replied, his smile fading somewhat. "But it appears that person...behaved themselves. Reasonably so. Then again, it's not like I can do much besides look disapprovingly if he does something. So, how have you been?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    So there are two GMs for this game. And this one can just casually reprogram the menu of a restaurant and the waiter with a single look, or worse, can pause time to use console commands.

    Scary folk.

    Fulcon said:
    "Dolphins." At Naruto's confused expression, Satoshi elaborated. "They're a creature that lives out in the ocean. Very playful, smile all the time. Love to help."
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    He also left out the Dolphins tend to be murderous assholes. But I can't see that making Naruto more receptive to him.

    Fun chapter though all things considered
     
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