A/N: Hooray! Hope you are enjoying the story so far. Leave a review – here's hoping to break 100!
Location: Path from Ninja Field 11 to Ninja Academy
"Root?" Iruka asked, surprised to hear the name of a special ANBU branch. "Where did you hear about Root?"
Root performed duties that regular ANBU often found distasteful. Few ninja knew about Root. Technically the information existed, but it wasn't something that an academy student was likely to know about.
"Oh you see Iruka-sensei, someone just tried to recruit me, so I wanted to ask if you think it's a good idea," Naruto replied.
"No!"
Naruto and Iruka walked back to the Academy to resume the day as normal, but Iruka would have to inform the Hokage.
Location: Root Base Underground
"…but then Uzumaki miraculously recovered his strength and escaped. I would have pursued further, but Chuunin Iruka Umino appeared. I then returned here to you."
Sai finished his report and awaited the response of the venerable leader of Root.
Danzo Shimura shifted in his chair, his one visible eye cloaked in shadow. From Uzumaki suddenly gaining strength over the past week, to him knowing Sai's name, not to mention the mysteriously appearing bowl of ramen. What could it all mean?
"Miraculously recovered… could it be the Kyuubi's power?"
"Negative, no demonic chakra was detected," Sai replied.
Danzo paused as he mulled over this information.
"Strange. I sense there is a connection between his recent gains in strength and this incident. And this…" Danzo grimaced, as if not wanting to demean himself to even mentioning something so low-class, "bowl of ramen. You could determine absolutely no cause of its appearance?"
"The ramen appeared as if by summoning, but Uzumaki, according to our knowledge will never have the capability to employ the summoning jutsu."
"Strange indeed," Danzo said, "Continue observation, and report back every three days. Dismissed."
Sai left, and Danzo was left alone, muttering darkly to himself. What secret could Naruto Uzumaki be hiding?
Sai's report 180904:
-Uzumaki continues to practice traps. Occasionally another bowl of ramen appears in his hands. It seems to coincide with the death of certain rodents that run into his traps. He has begun to train his physical capabilities as well, and has befriended another academy student by the name of Rock Lee.-
Danzo read the report. Rock Lee, according to his intelligence, was a failure of a student. Unlike Uzumaki, Lee had no talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu whatsoever. While Uzumaki could at least manage the basic academy three jutsu, Rock could only use taijutsu, and it seemed only mediocre at best. Rock Lee was certainly of no importance.
That kind of thinking would lead to Danzo's downfall.
Sai's report 180907:
-Uzumaki and Lee have begun training together. It is perhaps fitting that these two, neither gifted with innate ability, have formed an alliance. I overheard Uzumaki speaking about the power of hard work, which seemed to inspire Rock. Also, I heard him declare forcefully, multiple times, that he could only be friends with people who did not wear green jumpsuits. Uzumaki also visited a ramen stand (Ichiraku Ramen) and Yamanaka Flower shop-
Location: Ninja Field 11
"Alas," Naruto sighed dramatically, "My only condition is that I cannot bear to be around people who wear green jumpsuits. But you, my friend, would never do such a thing, right? Swear it!"
Lee Rock did not understand why his new friend was so adamantly showcasing his distaste for green jumpsuits, but it did not bother him. Naruto Uzumaki was the only person who had ever become Lee's friend, so he treasured the bond fiercely. Lee would make sure that he never wore a green jumpsuit.
Naruto grinned, hopefully having convinced his friend to never have to wear the green monstrosity that he would wear in the future.
-5 Favor with Guy Might
+5 Favor with all other Konoha Ninja
"Worth it," Naruto thought.
After Naruto and Lee finished training, Naruto stopped by the Yamanaka flower shop.
Ino, young as she was, was working the shop, greeting the customers, etc.
"Welcome to Yamanaka flower store! How may I help- oh, it's you. What are you doing here?" Ino said, after realizing that it was the resident prankster coming into the shop.
"Well hello to you too! Is that any way to greet a customer?" Naruto cheerily shot back.
Ino was never one to back down from a verbal spar:
"When it's the dead-last, then yeah!" she replied in a huff.
"Well this dead-last beat Sasuke Uchiha in single-combat, so what does that make him?" Naruto replied.
"That was a total fluke! There's no way you could pull that off again!" Ino retorted.
"You're right. It was a lucky match, and I bet he won't underestimate me like that again."
Ino was taken aback at Naruto's sudden admission. That was surprisingly honest and objective. She had nothing to say for a time, and then finally settled for, "Well are you here to just to make my life miserable, or are you going to buy something?"
Naruto looked about the store. Rows of plants were hanging from the ceiling, and flowers of many colors adorned the shop. This was one of the places he enjoyed frequenting when he was Hokage. The entire set-up spoke of careful planning as well as an eye for beauty.
"Yes, I'm looking for a certain flower." He moved to a corner of the shop, and Ino followed.
Slipping into a more respectful shopkeeper mode, Ino began asking relevant questions:
"And what would that be? Is it for a special occasion? A gift to someone?"
Naruto perused the shelves. This was one of the benefits of being in the past. Time changed many things, one of them being the availability of this particular ingredient. In the future time, this flower would become virtually extinct, but right now it was widely available, albeit slightly high-cost.
"Ah, you like the Chakra Blossom?" Ino asked, as Naruto stopped in front of the flower - its deep purple petals hadn't quite opened yet, but it was a healthy and happy plant.
"It is said that the Chakra Blossom blooms only when an adept chakra user takes care of it for a long time. Rumor has it that it contains a secret potential inside, but so far no one has managed to unlock its secrets. Not even our clan, who have been gifted with a green thumb."
Actually, Ino was eventually the one to figure out the key to making the flower bloom, as well as its additional medicinal benefits. She had published these results in the future, which unfortunately led to the flower's near extinction, as every ninja village became interested in it.
Thankfully, Naruto was likely the only person who currently knew what to do with this flower.
"That'll be 750 Ryo! Thank you~~"
-750 Ryo
1 Chakra Blossom
A special flower that blooms only under certain conditions
"What's wrong with purple flowers?"
Sai's report 180922:
-Since Uzumaki's inclusion of Shikamaru Nara two weeks ago, Uzumaki, Nara, and Lee, at the behest of Uzumaki, appear to be practicing team exercises. Two other ninja have occasionally been observing Uzumaki. One is Asuma Sarutobi, and the other is Yugao Uzuki. Due to their presence, I have been unable to get too close without compromising my cover. If this presence continues, I will not be able to continue this mission without complications.-
Danzo ruminated over Sai's most recent message. He had to accept the possibility that the Hokage knew of his machinations. The presence of Uzuki, was in fact even more problematic than that of Asuma Sarutobi. Uzuki's file indicated that he was a chakra sensor, and had quite possibly even already detected Sai, along with his other agent. Speaking of which…
"Kabuto. Enter." Danzo said.
Kabuto Yakushi opened the door meekly, with a sheepish smile on his face. The grey-haired youth was unassuming, but powerful. He had been working for Root since he was a little boy and had great knowledge of medical ninjutsu. In addition, he was talented at collecting high-profile information.
"Danzo-sama. Is it time?"
Danzo had observed Uzumaki long enough. It was now the moment to take Uzumaki and begin the process of inducing him into Root. Though his chakra was weak, the possibility of controlling the Kyuubi vessel was too tempting to pass up. Danzo had wanted control over the Kyuubi for some time.
Kabuto's job had been observing the intervals of the change of guards over Naruto. Naruto was most protected when he was training with the Shikamaru, because the presence of two important individuals: a future clan head of the Nara, as well as Naruto, the Kyuubi container, was enough justification to have an ANBU detail on them.
However, when Naruto and Shikamaru split up after training, the ANBU had to split forces in order to watch over both Naruto and Shikamaru. That would be the time to strike.
Danzo nodded, "It is time."
Location: Ninja Field 11
"Whew!" Naruto exclaimed.
Naruto, Lee and Shikamaru were exhausted after their training, which Naruto was forcing them to go through. He had jump started both Shikamaru's and Lee's progress as ninja by making them go through physical training immediately. Naruto was also preparing them to work together as a team with strong basic foundations and formations.
It was already past sunset, and the remaining light was fast fading from the sky.
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm done for the day!" Naruto said.
"Yeah, me too. I'm done." Shikamaru agreed quickly.
Lee, of course, never wanted to stop.
"Yosh! You two can take a break, but I will keep on practicing! If I cannot finish 500 pushups today, then I will do 100 pull-ups. If I cannot finish 100 pull-ups, I will-" Lee began
"OK, OK, Lee, as long as you don't wear anything green. Especially not a leotard or a jumpsuit"
The trio said their goodbyes, and split.
Naruto checked through his EXP and stats from the last week and some of training. He had gained two more levels, and collected some Ryo (and ramen!) from defeating the small furry rodents that came out from the forest to test out his traps. Kawarimi and Henge had also upgraded - now they only cost 4 CP to perform. Everything seemed to be going pretty well.
Naruto Uzumaki: Lv. 6, 40.85%
Title: Nuzlocke
Ryo: (両) 3120
HP: 50/50
CP: 8/30
—CHAKRA LIMIT: 5 (MAX)—
STR: 5
SPD: 10
STAM: 8
LUCK: 12
Kawarimi Lv. 8: 45.75%
Henge Lv. 8: 7.49%
Bunshin Lv. 9: 5.90%
Genjutsu Dispel Lv. 8: 30.21%
Ninja Traps Lv. 12: 45.17%
Battered and Old Backpack (5/19)
- Shogi Set
- Nara Deer Antlers
- Chakra Blossom
- 2x Smoke Bomb
- Scroll: Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu
As Naruto walked back to his apartment, he considered which ninja technique would be the most wise to train. Bunshin had saved him, Henge had also come in handy. But it was the Substitution Jutsu that Naruto was most interested in. It was so basic, but so amazing at the same time. Given his limited arsenal of jutsu, it would be optimal to maximize the abilities he had…
Naruto continued to think upon the ways to improve as he climbed the stairs into the complex, fished keys out of his pocket. With a slight jingle, he took the appropriate key and inserted it into the lock. Then he turned it and opened the door.
Location: On the path to the Nara Clan Compound
Shikamaru grumbled as he walked back to his family home. It was actually some distance through a forested path to get back from Ninja Field 11 to his house.
"Troublesome blond, making me train."
Naruto had practically dragged Shikamaru along for training sessions the first couple of times. However, he had to hand it to Naruto - Shikamaru was certainly getting faster and stronger.
Shikamaru's lazily ambled down the road, hands in pockets, as he mused over the information available to him.
"And what's with the team exercises? They're effective exercises, and they're helping us a great deal, but they seem familiar…" Shikamaru thought. He shivered, as he got that uneasy feeling where it felt like he had missed something. What is the purpose of Naruto's method?
"Naruto seems to know what he's doing though. It's almost like watching dad."
He stopped walking and his eyes widened in realization.
"Wait a minute- I recognize these formations. Naruto's training us like ANBU!"
Shikamaru's mind started making connections and running through possibilities. These were the starter ANBU team exercises! Could it be coincidence? Close to impossible. Then how does he know them? Could he have observed ANBU training at some point? Extremely unlikely. The only reason Shikamaru recognized them was that his father, Shikaku Nara, was the Jounin commander.
More and more questions that started to lead to impossible places. How did Naruto manage to beat Shikamaru at Shogi? What was it that Naruto said on that day?
"Shikamaru, I really enjoyed that game, and I can't wait to keep on playing you in the future… You'll become a great shogi player, I guarantee it."
Those were nice words. They had such a ring of surety, almost as if Naruto had already seen it. What if…? No, no way - such a thing is impossible. Then what could it mean? And who else could have noticed?
As Shikamaru stood still like a deer in the light, grappling with his questions, his musing was interrupted by a fast approaching whistling sound.
With a clang, an ANBU appeared out of nowhere and using her sword deflected a thrown kunai, then another, and another.
"Nara-san!" The ANBU shouted, "We must escape!"
Still deflecting kunai, the ANBU picked up Shikamaru and ran towards the village proper, in the direction of the Nara compound, pursued by three masked figures.
Yugao Uzuki cursed her luck, as she hefted Shikamaru towards the village, while under enemy kunai fire. Who the hell were these "ANBU" that were chasing her? They were in regulation attire, but they weren't responding to any of the regulation sign language, and further they were attacking the Nara clan heir. Yugao had been tasked with watching over Naruto and Shikamaru while they were training, as well as shadowing Shikamaru back on the way home, when she sensed killing intent, and noticed the three other "ANBU" trailing them.
What could be the cause for this sudden attack?
"I need to call for back up!" Yugao whispered to herself, impressively managing the tasks of running while carrying Shikamaru like a sack, deflecting thrown kunai with her sword, and still managing to bring up her radio.
"ANBU-san," Shikamaru said, speaking calmly even though he was being carried by her in one arm, "I believe this is a diversion. The real attack is likely on Naruto Uzumaki."
"What?" Yugao said.
"I recommend you simultaneously call for back up for here as well as for Naruto, with priority to Naruto, depending who is on duty. In the meantime, we should escape to the Nara Clan grounds."
Yugao suddenly saw superimposition of Shikaku Nara, the Jounin Commander of Konoha, overlaid onto the young Shikamaru. She trusted Shikaku - so she would trust his son, young as he was.
Location: Naruto's Apartment
"Uzumaki Naruto." Sai stated, dressed in full Root ANBU gear. Sai was waiting inside the apartment, as Naruto opened the door.
"Please come with me."
Suddenly, text floated across Naruto's vision.
Mission: Avoid Root's Clutches for the Night (1)
-Sai must live
-Shikamaru must live
Victory: +40% EXP, +1000 Ryo, +1 SPD, +1 LUCK
Failure: +10% EXP, Indoctrination into Root
Bonus Condition— All loyal ANBU live: 2x EXP growth rate for 10 days
Whoa! A mission - that was the first big one for a few weeks now. And what's up with that (1)? Does that mean it's going to happen again? How many times? Looks like the missions are getting harder. Now there are more conditions, but also more rewards.
Naruto was taken aback, but quickly regained his composure.
"Oh hey, Sai! How's it going?" Naruto said cheerily. "Want to get something to eat? Maybe momen tofu!"
It was Sai's turn to be taken aback - how did Naruto know Sai's favorite food?
Naruto looked at Sai using puppy eyes: "Let's get some tofu! Please!?"
Sai was disconcerted. Usually targets did not ask to go out for his favorite food. Usually targets ran or attacked.
Sai hesitated for a bit, then offered: "If you come with me back to our base, we can eat momen tofu then."
"Oh sweet!" Naruto exclaimed. "Let's go then!"
Naruto pretended to prepare to leave with Sai, then stalled some more.
"Oh wait, just a second - would you be willing to critique some drawings of mine? I've been looking for someone with a good eye, which I think you have!"
"Let us leave right now, please."
Naruto replied, "It'll just take a moment. C'mon, what's the harm?"
Naruto took a sketch pad from the corner of the room, flipping through it casually.
"If you are looking for the explosive tag that was hidden there, I have already removed it."
Shoot! There went that idea. That would have been a flashy way to get away.
"I wonder how carefully you actually looked at these sketches…" Naruto said, almost nostalgically still leafing through the pages. Naruto had become decently skilled at drawing in the future - not as good as Sai by any means, but still…
Sai replied: "Enough stalling. Leave with me now, or I will disable you and forcefully remove you."
Well… there's always plan B!
"Kawarimi no Jutsu!"
Naruto was replaced with a log. Sai saw a glimpse of Naruto jumping down the stairs and dashing out into the town. Sai quickly ran out of the apartment and gave chase, as Naruto was headed towards a busy part of town. Naruto was a bit faster than the last time - Sai was impressed. However, Sai, was still faster in outright speed.
He was gaining on Naruto as they passed through throng of townspeople, andSai was forced to slow down. Naruto, somehow, moved unimpeded.
"Wait."
Sai jumped back to a balcony. Naruto was headed for a civilian area. Why would he go there? And something was wrong - Naruto wasn't slowing down at all despite the crowd. In fact, he moved like the townspeople weren't there. Then he saw his arm move through a townsperson like a ghost.
Realization struck Sai - he was chasing a bunshin. But when…? Ah.
With Naruto
Kawarimi was just a cover. Actually Naruto had used two techniques - neither of which were the substitution jutsu. Naruto had used bunshin and henge - using the bunshin to trick Sai into giving chase, and using the henge to transform into the log.
-4CP
-4CP
0/30 CP
CP Low. Pro tip: You can recover CP by sleeping, eating certain foods, or by waiting for it to recover on its own.
Thanks, Floaty Text!
Pro tip: Raise the STAM stat to increase the rate of CP regeneration
That was not what Naruto needed right now. He knew that his little trick had only bought him a precious few seconds. He needed to find somewhere safe - fast.
Mission Update:
Make it into a safe zone
A mini-map suddenly sprang forth in front of his eyes, with a few highlighted locations gently pulsating- an ANBU safe house, the Ninja Academy, the Hokage Tower, the Nara Clan Compound.
He started running towards Hokage Tower. That would be the best place to go.
Wait. How come the mission specified that Shikamaru in its parameters? Is there an attack on Shikamaru too?
On second thought, Naruto changed directions back to Ninja Field 11, and towards the Nara Clan Compound.
Naruto made it as far as Ninja Field 11 before things started going wrong.
Two other ninja had caught up with him. One was Sai. The other was…
"Naruto-kun," Kabuto said, "Would you please stop this chase and come with us?"
Oh god - Kabuto was here? Sai was one thing - it might be possible to escape from Sai, but Kabuto was on a completely different level. The medical ninjutsu Kabuto employed let him sever muscles and tendons directly, twisting the original purpose of the surgical, live-saving Chakra Scalpel jutsu. He was also a strong Jounin-level ninja.
"What's up with all you creepy guys coming to kidnap me? Get a life!" Naruto shouted out.
"I have to second that." A voice boomed out.
Asuma Sarutobi stepped into the field.
"Hey kid, you were doing well, but now it's time I take over."
Asuma! Thank the Lord of Noodles! Asuma would wipe the floor with Sai and Kabuto. He'd be the perfect counter to Sai's ink animals and Kabuto's medical ninjutsu. Asuma's trench knives which he imbued with wind chakra would allow him to cut through the ink jutsu. And the increased length of the trench knives would allow him to keep the advantage against Kabuto.
Asuma shifted into his battle stance, drawing his trench knives.
"Don't worry, this'll be over quick."
Kabuto also entered a fighting stance. He was wearing ANBU gear, but no mask - his face was clearly visible.
"Ah, Sarutobi-san. We've been expecting you," Kabuto said, "And you're right. If you were facing just the two of us, I'm sure you would emerge victorious quite quickly. Unfortunately for you…"
Five other Root ANBU suddenly appeared onto the field.
Asuma started - this was going to be tough to escape with Naruto as well as fend off 7 attackers. But he'd faced worse odds in the past. Asuma mentally steeled himself as the first few Root ANBU attacked.
The first three who approached couldn't have been much stronger than very strong Chuunin, as Asuma quickly fended off their attacks, but he was kept from finishing them off.
"Ninpou: Choujuu Giga!"
Sai used his art talent and chakra to bring to life ink in the shape of tigers, launching them against Asuma. Naturally, Asuma sliced them to pieces quickly, but it gave the Root ninja who attacked a moment to back off and attack again. At the same time Kabuto began to approach.
"They have good teamwork. If I had managed to cut down the first three right away, the battle would have been a lot easier. Now, this guy's hands are glowing with chakra," Asuma noted, "It looks like medical ninjutsu. He'd need a high level of control to use the Chakra Scalpel in battle. I better not let my guard down."
Kabuto clashed several times against Asuma's Trench Knives, but was unable to find purchase.
"You're as strong as we expected." Kabuto said, as his Chakra Scalpel was locked in a struggle against Asuma's knives.
"Tch. There's a reason I have a 35 million bounty on my head, you know."
"But we've planned this perfectly. You won't be able to handle us all!"
"We'll see about that!"
Without warning, Asuma's Trench Knives elongated and sliced out at Kabuto.
"Agh!"
Several large cuts appeared on Kabuto, as he barely managed being decapitated.
"We knew about this elemental ability, but I didn't expect the range to be so wide!"
Sai gave Kabuto a breather by setting another ink beast at Asuma, as Kabuto backed off while healing himself.
"It matters not if he can defeat us. We will accomplish our goal." Sai stated.
Asuma's strength was truly great. However, the main goal of the operation was not to defeat Asuma, but rather…
Just as another three Root ninja attacked Asuma simultaneously, four other ninja suddenly appeared in an encircling formation around-
"Naruto!"
Asuma fought off the three Root agents in a matter of seconds, but he was unable to prevent the remaining ninja from getting their hands on Naruto.
"Asuma-sensei!" Naruto yelled out, as Root nins took him. Given his current lack of chakra and still relatively feeble strength, there was nothing he could do against them. They already began carrying him out into the forest.
"No! They're getting away!" Asuma thought. "Dammit, I failed to protect him?"
The Root ninja carrying Naruto paused mid stride.
"What is this… I can't move my body," thought the ninja.
"Shadow Paralysis Jutsu, success."
Shikaku Nara stepped out from the path.
"Looks like I got here just in time. Good thing I listened to my son. Back up should also be arriving shortly."
On cue, Kakashi Hatake ambled into the scene rather casually.
"Well, well, what seems to be going on here?"
"Kakashi," Asuma said with a grin, "Late as ever."
"What can I say?" Kakashi replied, "There was a mama duck and ducklings crossing the road, so I had to wait until they all finished crossing before I could go."
Kabuto looked on in shock - backup shouldn't have come for at least another 5 minutes, based on his information, which would have been more than enough time to finish the abduction of the Kyuubi vessel. And if anything, backup should have been diverted to the Nara Compound to guard against the potential kidnapping of Shikamaru, the clan heir, on whom they made a false attack. They had timed everything perfectly! How did they come so quickly? How could they have seen through the plan so easily?
"You look surprised. Did you think we would take longer to get here?" Kakashi addressed Kabuto, "We saw through your obvious feint on the Nara clan heir. First, there's little political reason to attack Shikamaru right now. Second, the direction of the attack pushed the clan heir closer to his home. Why would an attack corral him closer to safety? If you were really planning to kidnap Shikamaru, you would have chosen to push him away from his clan grounds, which are more or less impenetrable. Therefore the real attack was in the other direction."
And third, the young Shikamaru himself told him his suspicions, and you never doubt the intellect of a Nara.
Kabuto grimaced to himself, "Danzo's not going to like this."
Asuma knocked out the shadow-paralyzed ninja holding Naruto, and whisked him away, while Kakashi and Shikaku quickly began attacking the remaining Root ninja.
"In the end, we defeated all the ninja in battle - no casualties on our side - but two of the enemy nin escaped: A young, pale boy who used ink in his jutsu- he had left behind an ink-clone and escaped during the fray. Also, a jounin-level grey-haired youth that was using medical jutsu managed to escape. Naruto and Shikamaru are safely in the Nara Clan Compound, and they'll remain for a day or until we think the danger has passed. The rest of the enemy ninja are in interrogation, but they haven't said a word."
Kakashi delivered his report to the Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the third Hokage, said "If they are who I think they are, no amount of interrogation will loosen their tongues."
Kakashi started, "Hokage-sama… do you believe them to be…"
"Yes," Hiruzen stated, "I think I will have to pay a visit to an old friend who seems to enjoy flaunting my orders."
Location: Nara Clan Compound
Mission: Avoid Root's Clutches for the Night (1) - Victory!
+40% EXP
+1000 Ryo
+1 SPD
+1 LUCK
Bonus: All Loyal Anbu lived: 2x EXP growth for 10 days!
Naruto Uzumaki: Lv. 6, 80.85%
Title: Nuzlocke
Ryo: (両) 4120
HP: 50/50
CP: 5/30
—CHAKRA LIMIT: 5 (MAX)—
STR: 5
SPD: 11
STAM: 8
LUCK: 13
Kawarimi Lv. 8: 45.75%
Henge Lv. 8: 13.39%
Bunshin Lv. 9: 19.99%
Genjutsu Dispel Lv. 8: 30.21%
Ninja Traps Lv. 12: 45.17%
Battered and Old Backpack (5/19)
- Shogi Set
- Nara Deer Antlers
- Chakra Blossom
- 2x Smoke Bomb
- Scroll: Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu
Naruto sighed a breath of relief.
"Shikamaru! You're the best - you figured out there was an attack on me at the same time that you were getting attacked?"
"That was easy stuff. It was totally obvious to me what they were planning."
"Alright, well we're stuck here at your home until Asuma-sensei and the others think the danger has passed. So… wanna play Shogi?"
"Sure," Shikamaru replied.
Naruto's Shogi Board miraculously squeezed itself out from his backpack, and the two began setting up pieces.
"You know," Shikamaru said, "I'm actually having a harder time figuring something else out. I wonder if you can help me with it."
"What is it?"
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed perceptively at Naruto. Naruto gulped as they started playing Shogi.
Sai's report 181005:
-Nothing unusual has been sighted about Uzumaki Naruto since the failed abduction. The only oddity is that near my usual entrance place to headquarters, there have been unopened, un-poisoned packages of surprisingly delicious Momen Tofu. In addition, there was a page taken from Uzumaki's sketchbook that was left by the tofu. I recognize it from his apartment, but now on closer glance I realize that it appears to depict… me? and a girl. However, the me in the sketch looks older and is smiling. The smile looks different somehow…
It looks… real.
Sai's pen trailed off. What was that strange feeling in his chest? He crumpled up the paper, and he started the report over.
Sai's report 181005:
-Nothing unusual has been sighted about Uzumaki Naruto since the failed abduction-
+5 Favor with Sai
Naruto Uzumaki: Lv. 6, 80.85%
Title: Nuzlocke
Ryo: (両) 4120
HP: 50/50
CP: 30/30
—CHAKRA LIMIT: 5 (MAX)—
STR: 5
SPD: 11
STAM: 8
LUCK: 13
Kawarimi Lv. 8: 45.75%
Henge Lv. 8: 13.39%
Bunshin Lv. 9: 19.99%
Genjutsu Dispel Lv. 8: 30.21%
Ninja Traps Lv. 12: 45.17%
Battered and Old Backpack (5/19)
- Shogi Set
- Nara Deer Antlers
- Chakra Blossom
- 2x Smoke Bomb
- Scroll: Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu