5 A Drift

(Kaz)

[Warning! Initiating upgrade to the host.Due to the amount of compatible Uzumaki chakra absorbed by the host, probability of death is only ten percent.]

Kaz cocked his head in confusion and fear at that disturbing message.Oh, shit! He willed the blue Triangle to open frantically.Work Damit, why wouldn't it open?He needed to stop this.The blue triangle didn't open, it simply blinked brighter and brighter.His vision swam wildly, the world around him shifting like he was performing a cartwheel.

One moment he was standing over his mentor's broken and squished body and the next he was lying on his back, blinking rapidly to clear the spots from his vision.The blue triangle in the top right of his vision flashed again, and another notification popped up.

[Due to the amount of Uzumaki chakra in your body, the upgrade to your senses will take additional time.Warning the host has only seventy-five percent of chakra that resonates with the Uzumaki bloodline.]

His body had Uzumaki chakra?Kaz squirmed as his body tingled and his skin felt as though he was sleeping on coals.His vision blurred and he gagged, vomiting his breakfast to the side onto the stone all over Zosui's corpse.Kaz could only watch in fear.Frantically trying to move, but the blue triangle didn't care about his struggles and carried on regardless of his fear.Pain lanced through his body and before long he was unable to move his body at all.

The sweltering noon day sun bore down on him, engulfing him in a scorching blanket of heat.With one final spike of pain throughout his entire body he passed out.His body simply lay there slumping like a sack of potatoes to the marred cobble street.

....

Kaz awoke, not to the bright light of the noonday sun but a pale blue light blinking in the top right of his vision.[Congratulations, the upgrade was a success.Your senses have been greatly improved.Practice and hone your new talents as that is the true test of mastery.]

The message was blinking brightly lighting up his vision, despite his eyes being closed.Kaz groaned, feeling like he just fell down the stairs.What the hell was with that process? And why didn't it tell him about the risks before he attempted to learn the Uzumaki talent?

Kaz ponders on that second part, the one about his chakra pool being seventy-five percent of Uzumaki composition.Was that possible?His stomach clenched as he remembered the only Uzumaki he had ever killed.

Right now his memory was clear, and sharp.He could still remember when the blinking triangle informed him something about his chakra pool growing.It was over five years now but that was when he killed Karins' mother.That was a scary thought.Did that mean if he killed Karin, he could absorb more of the Uzumaki blood line?

Kaz shudder. There was no way that would actually happen, and it was just a theory, but he was willing to bet that was how it worked.Kaz kept his eyes shut, taking deep calming breaths, reconciling with the fact that he had survived.

Sure it was sudden, and he didn't see it coming, but now, Kaz would not take learning a new jutsu or talent from his weird ability so lightly.Next time he needed to do proper research before he learned an ability willy nilly.Angry with himself Kaz willed the triangle to open and a page appeared.Along the left side he selected the wind affinity tab.His most recent ability he could buy was wind scythe,and so that was the first jutsu he checked.

Several hundred tabs were greyed out, leaving only one with an image of a crescent of grey wind.He selected the ability, ignoring the difficulty and rarity ratings.Underneath the blinking box with the title wind scythe was a small grey point that protruded slightly.

He focused on that and the image magnified, revealing two small words.Kaz wanted to kick himself.Right there in plain sight was a small tab labeled as Necessary Information.What was the point of creating such an important tab and making it so small? Wanting to kick the creator of this system where the sun doesn't shine, Kaz selected the tab.

[Probability of success fifty percent.Warning hosts' ability with the wind affinity is extremely low.To increase odds, progress your skill and control over the wind affinity.] Kaz let out a deep frustrated sigh.Of course, it was that easy!

Why wouldn't it be? That made sense, in a way. You couldn't just learn an affinity overnight, it took time.Next he selected the earth affinity tab.By that logic any earth jutsu he acquired should be much easier to learn.Kaz selected the only earth ability he could purchase, and opened the nessesary information tab.

[The host has a ninety nine point nine percent chance of succes when absorbing this jutsu.Warning,upgrading this ability to swamp of the underworld reduces the probability of succes to ninety five percent.To increase the probability of success grow your skill in the earth affinity.]

Kaz wasn't angry at that.That was good information,and he knew exactly how he could raise his affinities.That also probably meant he would need to master his new senses.Excited at the prospect of growing stronger he focused his senses outward.

He was lying on something soft, but he could still feel the rough stone street through the blanket.Something cool, rested on his head, and without opening his eyes, he could sense a human and another larger presence nearby.

The mans chakra pool was small, like an average human.Despite his eyes being closed Kaz got the impression the man was sorrowful and worried.That was odd,why did he get the feeling of that mans emotions.He moved his arms and there it was again, only this time he could sense excitement in the person's chakra.He opened his eyes and looked around.

An old man was sitting on the other side of a small fire, stirring the contents of a pot and humming softly as he watched Kaz through squinting eyes.The old man was was dressed in a white chefs apron and wore a white hat over his black hair.Behind him, tethered to a tree, was an old donkey happily chewing on grass.The road was lit by the flickering fire in a circle, leaving everything beyond in darkness..

"You are awake at last?" The old man stated happily.Kaz focused intently, sensing genuine excitement from the old man."What do you mean awake at last?" Kaz asked, sitting up slowly, shocked at all the surrounding chakra.Instead of answering, the old man was busy adding things to his pot and stirring.That didn't really bug Kaz at all, it gave him a chance to observe his surroundings.

Despite the man's friendly smile, Kaz would not lower his guard so easily.He pushed his senses outwards, using years of chakra control to slowly push out his senses.Kaz paused, his eyes widening as he realized the size of his chakra pool now.

Where before his chakra pool was the size of the average Chunin, now it had grown closer to a low-ranking Jonin.That was a substantial boost, and the reason for the increase had to be because he killed three ninjas and then Zosui.

Overwhelmed at all the new information, Kaz pushed his chakra slowly, examining everything he could.He could sense small insects, their chakra slightly brighter than the chakra in the trees and most disturbing was the ever-changing emotions of the old man.And even the grey donkey across from him.

The old man stirred his soup and took a sip, his eyebrows knitting together.Seemingly content, the old man spoke."I found you in that wasteland of a village in the late afternoon.I thought you might die after you didn't wake all night."

Kaz's mouth water as the delicious aroma of chicken and pork filled his nose, combined with the tangy scent of miso."I was out that long?" Kaz asked, shocked. If he knew the upgrade would knock him out that long, he would have waited until he was somewhere safer.Not to mention the small matter of it having the chance to kill him.

The old man glanced up at the sky, scratching his head and smiling kindly.The mans hair was mostly black, slightly greying at the temples and he wore a white chef's apron over his brown shirt and pants.

"Don't worry about it, you are awake now.Please come have some ramen,I am making some miso with my new recipe."The man said, his smile lit by the light of the fire.Crickets chirped from under rocks nearby and the sound of the donkeys chewing could be heard over the crackling of the fire.

Kaz rose his chest tightening in pain.He glanced down at the bandages on his chest.His green flack jacket was unzipped and his blood stained shirt was torn, but Kaz didn't mind.He moved cautiously as each movement pulled at the bandages, sending pinpricks of pain through his chest.The pain wasn't to bad as Kaz was familiar with discomfort.

In fact, all of his shallow cuts were minor compared to some of the brutal torcher Zosui put him through."What can I call you? I can't just keep referring to you as the old man in my head."Kaz said, smiling as the old man offered a steaming bowl of soup to him."I'm not that old, I'm only forty-three, and my name is Teuchi."The old man said.

"It's as I thought, you are pretty darn old."Kaz said, settling back onto his side of the fire, settling close enough to enjoy the flickering heat.Teuchi let out a withering sigh."Whats with you youngsters in calling people old? Back home I get called that all the time.Even my daughter won't relent.At this rate my hair is going to fall out."Teuchi said, gesturing with the metal ladle and stirring the pot of soup.

His tone sounded annoyed, but that was softened by the wide smile on the man's face.Kaz cracked a smile blowing on his ramen.Using his chopsticks, he took a floating piece of grilled pork and took a bite.He paused, his eyes widening at the incredible flavour.

"This is amazing! You could sell this and make tons of Ryo."Kaz said, filling his mouth as fast as he could with his chopsticks.The noodles were soft, melting in his mouth like butter.Starving Kaz gulped down the bowls contents like he needed the ramen to live.

Teuchi burst out laughing at Kaz shaking his head in amusement."This is just a road recipe, I don't even have all the main seasonings I usually do at my shop back home."Teuchi said his laugh and his chakra signature showing his amusement.

"You already have a shop?" Kaz asked, eagerly accepting a refill."Yeah, I have my own little shop, it's in the leave village.Ichiraku ramen is what I call it."Teuchi said, puffing out his chest proudly.

"What brings you so far from the hidden leaf village? Won't you make a lot of money working during the chunin exams?" Kaz asked, eating his second bowl slower, savoring the incredible flavor of miso and pork.

"Well yeah, that is why i am hurrying back.My daughter is such a busy body insisting I learn all the recipes I can.She insisted I learn some new recipients for the upcoming exams to give our shop a good name."Teuchi said, laughing merrily.

"Well I think I can agree with her.If this is what you are learning to make from your travels, then I am all for it.This is the best ramen i have ever eaten."Kaz said, slurping down the rest of his second bowl.

"This isn't a proper bowl of ramen, this is just scraps I put together.I will tell you what, if you come back to the leaf village at my shop i will show you a proper meal."Teuchi said with a scowl, pouring the rest of the ramen into Kaz's bowl.Kaz gulped it down with zeal sighing in contentment, licking his lips to get every drop.

"That is hard to believe, its perfect just the way it is."Kaz said, reclining much more comfortably on his bed."Well, i am glad you like it.If you want real ramen come to my shop in the leaf village."Teuchi said with a friendly smile.

Kaz returned the man's bowl and chopsticks bowing sincerely.Now content, his stomach full, Kaz leaned backwards and glanced around, noting the brightening of the sky.The old man was right, The sunrise was drawing near.

"Where are we anyway?" Kaz asked, his emerald eyes picking out several somewhat familiar rocks and trees along the dirt path."Near to the village I found you in.I only brought you a half hours walk on my donkey before making a fire.

"Teuchi said, wiping down the empty bowls in a large bowl of water before stuffing it in a sack on the donkey's back."Any other survivors?" Kaz asked, concerned, glancing around at the trees and idly pushing out his senses.

"Not that I saw.Besides, I'm no ninja, I didn't want to risk dying.I'm going to report this tragedy back at the leaf village when I get home."Teuchi said, his face concerned for once.An oddity Kaz couldn't get from his mind was the fact Teuchi was squinting so hard it looked like his eyes were closed.Despite his best attempts, he couldn't spot the man's eyes.How the man could see was a mystery he wanted to solve.

"That was a smart decision.Thank you for all your help, Teuchi."Kaz said, rising to his feet and zipping up his green flak jacket."That is no trouble, can I have your name? The leaf village might want to talk to you about this tragedy."Teuchi asked kindly.

"Oh sorry, I was so caught up in eating I forgot to introduce myself.I'm Kaz Taberu, a ninja from the village hidden in the grass."Kaz said, bowing formally."Well It's a pleasure to meet you Kaz.I hope to see you back at the leaf village in the future."Teuchi said, smiling as he took his mule's reins and glanced to the partially cloudy sky.

Teuchi bowed at a fifteen degree angle before taking the reins to his donkey and walking away from Kaz.With a cheerful wave and a smile, Teuchi disappeared down the dirt path.

What a strange man.Kaz focused intently and immediately felt for his surrounds.He pushed his senses out, the motion very familiar to him.The new talent came slowly to him,despite many years of practice on his senses, allowing him to sense for several hundred yards.

Normally, Kaz could sense the cluster of people in the village and easily find it.But now he was shocked to find no living people still in the village bounds.The village hidden in the grass was usually so vibrant with life, but now it was a wasteland.Kaz walked towards the village, pondering on his next move.

Kaz pulled a small black book from his tool pouch idly stroking the soft leather.His other hand fumbled a small purse in his green jacket.His purse was brown and distressingly light.Now that the village was gone, Kaz was effectively a landless ninja and before long he would be broke.

If he wanted Ryō, he only had several options.He could be a mercenary, but he hadn't the faintest idea where to go to find a mercenary group.For now that was off the table.How about a bodyguard?

That could work, but then Kaz would be under the thumb of his employer, doing what they wanted.He shook his head, that would be like joining a village.After being under the thumb of Zosui for so many years, Kaz wasn't even willing to consider joining a village, at least not unless he was desperate.

Most important was the opportunity to find and kill ninja with unique and powerful jutsu.Without power, Kaz wouldn't stand a chance when he moved to topple the village hidden in the clouds.He would need to kill Killer Bee, Yugito, and even the Riakage, all of which were far above his current power.

He shook his head, revenge could wait.That was the future, his long-term goals.For now he needed to grow, and to do that, he needed to grow in power.Kaz wasn't sure where life would take him, but he knew that if he wanted to grow powerful, he needed to kill powerful ninja.

What better place to find ninja with unique abilities than the bingo book? After all, people with a bounty were usually S ranked ninja, with extremely rare or unique jutsu.He opened the black book to a random page, admiring the picture within.

Asuma saratobi. Bounty, thirty-five million Ryō, an S rank ninja from the village hidden in the leaves.There was a photo and description, but Kaz flipped to the second page.Chiriku. Bounty, thirty million Ryo, head monk of the fire temple.

Kaz swallowed, that was an absurd amount of money.With one kill he would be able to afford a small mansion.Kaz turned to a third page and read the information.

Rogue leaf ninja Uchiha itatchi, last known affiliation, the akatski.Anyone with information on itatchi or the whereabouts of the akatski please report to the leaf village.

The akatski huh? Wasn't that the group causing all sorts of trouble across the five great nations?If he hunted them down he could make a fortune.On second thought, Maybe he shouldn't go after the just yet.First he would go to the leaf village.Maybe he could find a partner to bounty hunt with?

Kaz closed the black leather bingo book.He would go through it later.Just those three bounties were mind boggling.That was a lot of Ryō.Even so, Kaz was weary of making an enemy of the leaf village.After all, they were known as the strongest of the five main villages.

Content to read later he slipped his black book into his green flack jacket.His blue hair rustle infront of his emerald eyes, and the scent of death drifted to his nose.It was a mix of burning flesh, wood smoke another equally horrible smell.Kaz didn't want to know what the last one was.Hid stomach clenched as he walked through the rubble of the former village,despite the circumstances this was still his home.

It was still cool in the early morning and already flies were bussing around the bodies, landing on their faces and gathering on their blood.Pushing down the sadness and the sudden bile in his throat Kaz quicken his pace.He only needed one body and that was the wanted criminal Anuki.

Kaz did not know how much the man was worth? But he was going to take his body to the leaf village at least and see if they would pay him for it.If that didn't work, he might take it to the village hidden in the clouds.

After making his way through the piles of rubble and ash for several minutes, Kaz knelt next to Anukis corpse.He knelt, his knees just beyond the man's drying blood.The sunlight slowly progressed along the trees, heating the valley one step at a time.

Kaz scowled at the flies, not wanting to carry the body as it stank throughout the heat of the day.Having an idea, he pulled a small a hand sized scroll from his tool pouch and unfurled it.

The scroll was small and bare, spanning the length from the tips of his fingers to his wrists.The white parchment was just begging to be written on, calling for instruction.Fumbling around in his tool pouch, Kaz pulled several more items free.

A small paintbrush and an ink bottle.The small ink pot was made of hardened brown clay and was only the size of his thumb.With a smooth steady hand, he dipped his paintbrush in the dark black ink.

It took several minutes of slow methodical work, but the sealing technique was complete.He then lay the scroll lengthwise on Anukis body before activating it.His chakra drained and the body poofed into smoke, dragging the body into the sealing scroll.