Chapter 23
'Normal Speech'
'Thoughts'
'Bijuu/Summons/Gamer/Techniques'
'Bijuu/Summons/Thoughts/Techniques'
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, The Gamer, or any series for that matter. If I did the last thing I would do is write fanfiction for your amusement. I am also way too lazy to come up with new creative and funny disclaimers to post on every chapter, so I'll be copying this one and pasting it on every chapter. I've got better things to do with my time, like read fanfiction, write fanfiction, eat, do work, work out, read fanfiction...you get the idea.
(P.S. Did you guys know I like fanfiction?)
Chapter 23
The area in front of me was surrounded by a dense billowing fog. My enhanced sight could hardly glimpse at my forefront while the fog itself saturated my Energy Resonance senses, indicating that it was not natural whatsoever.
The journey from Konoha to here had taken Orochimaru and I a couple of hours not only due to its distance but also due to its highly secluded location. The numerous hurdles and passes he and I had had to take were insane, but it was apparently because the White Snake Sage didn't really like to be bothered.
"This is where I drop you off." Orochimaru stated as he stood next to me. "Up ahead can only be traversed by individuals who have a specific desire in mind else the Snake Sage will simply kill you if you bother her for no reason."
I nodded my head before asking. "I'm assuming you already got what you wanted from here then?"
He didn't answer for a moment.
"…partially." He said.
He didn't elaborate further.
"Let Minato know that I might be gone for a little while. I wouldn't want him to worry about me." I asked him. "Also, if Danzo asks, I'm taking my long earned off day."
Orochimaru merely inclined his head before he left in a burst of speed using the Body Flicker.
With that episode out of the way, I walked into the fog. As my feet moved forward, I realized that regardless of any which way I looked, there was no path backward. The only sounds audible were those of my footsteps and I could neither see nor hear anything or anyone around me.
I was alone.
Still, I continued onwards.
From what Orochimaru told me about Ryuchi cave, in order to have an audience with the White Snake Sage, I needed to pass some trials. He hadn't told me what to expect as, according to him, the trials would be completely different depending on the mood of the trial giver.
That being said, I wasn't particularly worried about any trial they could throw my way. Whether it tested strength, speed, intelligence, wisdom, power, I was confident in being able to tackle them. The only thing I had to be wary of was that if I did fail any task, the snakes were allowed to eat me and my chakra.
Worse came to worse, I would just run away using my ID.
As I continued on my walk, my thoughts took a different turn…
"Sage Mode…"
Orochimaru had already told me that the Snake Sage would be able to grant my request and that I would be able to mold Senjutsu chakra within a couple of days…
But he hadn't told me at what cost.
I had already paid him for this information, but what would the Snake Sage want in return? I knew that nothing in this world was free so if she was willing to give me something like that, even if I didn't have to pay her specifically, I would have to pay something.
No matter though.
My mind had already been set.
As these thoughts flitted through my mind, the fog around me began to somewhat clear. In front of my view appeared a bright luxurious palace, a bright sign with the kanji for Ryuchi Cave printed vertically above the doorway. On the sides of the door and of the building were many lamps with the kanji for Dragon printed in them, whose luminescence illuminated the otherwise gloomy surroundings.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
I narrowed my eyes.
A woman appeared from the building's interior. She had fair skin and dark hair that was tied into three buns, with one on the front of her head and two on the back. She wore a long, loose-fitting white rob that had green trimmings around the sleeves and neck area, with the neck area also having a green tomoe. She also wore a golden tiara that had green ribbons hanging from either end.
She looked at me with a smile. "We've been expecting you for a while. Welcome to Ryuchi Cave."
At first glance, she seemed like a genuine human being with a pretty face and a nice smile.
However, I knew she wasn't genuine.
And she was definitely not human.
Name:?
Race: Snake
Level: Lvl 175
…
State of Mind:
Is intoxicated with your chakra
Wants to eat your chakra
Feels an odd sense of kinship…
Is somewhat curious about you
She closely observed me for a bit, her eyes momentarily narrowing to slits before she closed them while that fake smile remained ever present on her face. "My name is Tagorihime. Why don't you come inside?"
I obviously didn't trust her.
However, she was probably part of the trial that I needed to overcome so I nodded and followed her inside the palace. The interior was luxuriously decorated with lanterns and pillars.
The surroundings were glittering…
The atmosphere was peaceful…
The scent of delicious food wafted through the air…
And I did. Not. Care.
"I'm here to see the White Snake Sage." I said simply. "I know that I have to get through some trials to see her, but I'm on a bit of a time constraint so if you don't mind, I would like for us to start."
She blinked in surprise at me for a moment before she tilted her head with a smile. "I see. Please relax for a moment and eat while I'll go get everything set up."
With that, she closed her eyes and inclined her head slightly before turning her back and walking away.
I frowned.
Empathy and Deconstructive Analysis told me enough about my opponent.
She was already planning something under that amicable facade.
I found it amusing.
I moved my legs towards the dinner table where a table filled with freshly cooked food was neatly placed on a table.
I smiled.
Did she take me for a fool?
With that, I sat down at one end of the table, crossed my legs and arms, closed my eyes…
And waited.
I sank into Meditation, but I didn't fully activate the skill since I didn't actually want to meet J.
I wanted to feel the natural energy.
I could easily sense it. Years of research and using my Mystical Healing in addition to my Lvl 100 Meditation made sensing natural energy simplistic. It was calming and I could feel it ebb and flow in the environment all around me. With just a thought, I could try to absorb some of the energy…
"Not yet…"
I would rather die than get petrified for life.
No need risking the latter when I could get what I wanted while risking the former.
Just a bit of patience was needed.
My ears suddenly twitched as the echoes of approaching footsteps rung through them. I opened an eye and watched as Tagorihime approached me with a tray of dumplings in hand and that smile on her face.
She put it down on the table next to me. "Please eat a lot okay? The trial will be over by the time you finish."
I stared at the food in front of me and at the feat laid out around me.
"…Tell me, where did you find the time to cook all of this food?"
She blinked and tilted her head before smiling, "Dear guest, of course, I prepared it as soon as I sensed you com-"
"It took me 10 minutes and 43 seconds to arrive at this place and there are exactly 11 trays of various foods perfectly prepared on this table," I stated plainly. "Even with clones, just the preparation and waiting time for cooking would take much longer than that. Try again."
She raised a brow before giggling. "Of course we sensed you before you entered our territory or how would we be able to prepare for you?"
"That's also false." I replied in disinterest. "I can detect chakra signatures and I definitely did not detect yours at any point before I entered the fog. Try again."
Her smile was strained but she managed to uphold it perfectly as she continued. "Well, of course, this isn't just for you. I had been preparing a feast beforehand for my family-"
I smiled at her with hidden ridicule. "You're not even human so why would you go through all this trouble to "cook" this food for yourself and the other snakes in Ryuchi Cave?"
Empathy could sense that she was lying through her teeth.
"Of course it's because I love cook-"
"Stop." I said simply before waving my hand. A burst of wind spread out from my simple movement and blew everything away. The plates shattered all over the ground while the food items scattered everywhere else. "I don't have time for your games so either give me my trial or take me to the White Snake Sage." I said, standing up and looking at the Snake woman who was looking at me wide-eyed.
"You…" she began as she stared at me oddly.
Suddenly, the lights around us shut off before I noticed that the luxurious and delicious food all around me began to decay right before my eyes. Not only that, the inside of the palace was beginning to corrode before it fully broke down.
Then I noticed it.
Bones were littered across the ground around me while the Palace had completely disappeared. Additionally, the fog from before was now once more visible all around me.
The only thing that stayed constant was Tagorihime who had a grin on her face. "Who would have thought that you would easily see through me?"
I looked around once more. "I thought so…"
Genjutsu.
Normally, it didn't affect me whatsoever.
However, there were exceptions.
Generally speaking, any ability that tried to interfere with my mind was null because of Gamer's Mind, therefore, I was largely immune to almost all Genjutsu.
Almost all.
It was possible for someone proficient in Yin Release to create genjutsu without trying to control someone's chakra flow with their own. Instead, they could affect a particular object or general area and create an optical illusion using their chakra. It was kind of like using the henge except you were using it on an object/area and not yourself.
Of course, it was more complicated that than.
Since that type of genjutsu didn't control my chakra flow or my mind and only manipulated the sensory information my eyes received, Gamer's Mind didn't block it. Furthermore, they could also use that type of mastery to extend to smell and sound. So long as they didn't try to directly affect my mind, they could bypass Gamer's Mind.
However, they still couldn't block my Empathy and Energy Resonance. From the beginning, I had sensed that her chakra was covering the surroundings and the food. If I tried, I could have easily dispelled the illusion, but I was really curious as to what her end goal was for all of this.
Serving me rotten food? Who would play such a stupid and meaningless prank?
I focused on Tagorihime whose face morphed into a snake-like visage as she began to levitate in midair with a feral grin. "It's really a pity that I can't get a taste of your sublime chakra. It smells just so delectable…" she looked at me with an intoxicated expression while her face began to transform back to look more humanlike…
"You lost." A pleasant sounding voice sounded out from the distance behind Tagorihime.
She grimaced. "I know. Our job is to weed out those who wander to Ryuchi Cave without purpose."
"Yes…" the voice replied. "Master White Snake Sage only allows us to eat those who fail the trials awaiting them."
Tagorihime looked back towards me. "Those who wander here have given themselves up to madness in search of power. Don't assume you'll make it all the-"
"Wait just a moment." I said with a raised hand. "What are you both talking about? What was the trial?"
The voice in the distance giggled.
Tagorihime blinked. "You found out that the food was poisoned even though I was using my genju-"
"That was it?" I asked, interrupting her.
She nodded.
"…Really?"
Her smile strained and I could sense the annoyance building up inside her.
"You're joking…"
A vein bulged on her forehead as her eye twitched.
"That's…pathetic."
she glared at me. "You…!"
"Now, now Tagorihime." The voice in the distance said in amusement and mockery. "You already failed your part so now it's my turn. Do please step back for me will you?"
Tagorihime tsked and floated backward deeper into the fog, though she didn't forget to glare at me the entire way through.
And then it was silent.
Suddenly, I sensed the presence of a different creature who I assumed to be the owner of the voice. It was only after a moment that I was able to catch a glimpse of her as she quickly appeared through the fog before turning and floating away.
She looked very similar to Tagorihime except instead of three hair buns, she had two and she also wore red eye shadow.
I raised a brow as I watched her float towards the distance before shrugging and following her. She maneuvered oddly and hovered through the dense fog with erratic movem-
Ping!
[Gamer's Mind] has blocked a mental intrusion!
I halted.
It was at this time that the woman in front of me stopped while floating in the air crossed legged and smiled. "My name is Ichikishimahime. Why don't you play with me?" She said brightly before her body vanished into the fog.
Her mysteriousness was meaningless as while the fog prevented me from accurately sensing her position with my chakra detection abilities, I could still sense her emotions. With this information, I quickly followed her, making sure to keep track of my surroundings lest I get stuck in a trap.
In but a moment, I suddenly found myself inside a crystal cave with blue glittering crystalline structures making up the entirety of my surroundings. Pillars and stalagmites made of crystals and were all around me and nothing else.
I heard a giggle and turned my head to see Ichikishimahime pop her head out from behind a crystal pillar. She then seemingly disappeared and popped her head out of another one while looking at me expectantly.
I have her a dead gaze.
She pouted. "You're no fun…" then she smiled. "But I wonder if you will be able to remain so calm all the way through?"
Without waiting for me to answer, she floated from her position and flew towards an opening on the cave wall. I walked in that direction as well and entered the opening before it suddenly shut behind me.
I merely looked around and saw that she had "trapped" me in a small room of the cave. I looked to the blocked opening and noticed that on the door that now covered the entrance to this room, there were many different sized holes. I looked to the ground and saw that it contained many different sized gems.
It didn't take a genius to figure out what this trial was.
"I'm sure you've figured it out by now." Ichikishimahime stayed as she appeared behind me. "Fit the correct gem in the hole in the wall. If you fail…" She licked her lips.
I looked at her uninterestedly.
I could roughly figure out what she had been trying to accomplish by mentally intruding me. This entire setting around me was merely a "mirage" formed by Yin Release enhanced genjutsu making it seem much more realistic.
However, it wasn't actually real.
Therefore, she had tried to place me in a subtle mental block so to speak that would only break if I fit every hole in the wall with the correct gem.
However, she didn't know she hadn't put me in a genjutsu.
Truly…sad
"What are you waiting for?" The snake woman said with a smile as she floated upside down. "Have you given up already? You know, I love my chakra on the verge of disappearing before I savor it. You should at least put in some effort if you're going to give u-"
Yin Release: Spiritual Pressure!
An immense wave of energy emanated from my body and spread throughout the surroundings. I packed more chakra into the technique, the resulting effect causing the surrounding environment to slowly crumble.
Ichikishimahime's eyes widened. "What are you…!"
Stalagmites and heaps of rock fell from the ceiling, however, as soon as they touched the ground, they dissipated like the illusion they were. With a short grunt, I released a quick but powerful burst of energy in a complete 360-degree radius around me.
Everything was pushed away.
"AHH!" Ichikishimahime screamed as she closed her eyes and flew back while the Yin Release genjutsu she had created completely shattered.
Immediately after, fog once more surrounded my vision.
I dusted myself off.
"How…?" Ichikishimahime stated in amazement as she floated in front of me some distance away. "To be able to so easily break my genjutsu…"
I asked. "Did I pass? And if so can I move on to the next one?"
She narrowed her eyes before sighing. "I really don't like you." She said simply. "You seem like such a pain to eat."
With that, she faded away.
"!"
Even if Instinct hadn't warned me, Empathy had already alerted me to the newest arrival. With a tilt of my head and a slight turn of my body, I was able to avoid the sneak attack that had been aimed my way.
"Tsk." The assailant said before she disappeared back into the fog.
I waited patiently.
From what I could detect, she was a good deal stronger than I was, but my reaction speed and skill would be able to keep me safe-
"!"
I leaped backward and flipped in midair as the snake woman attacked me from below. The moment my feet touched the ground, I did a few back handsprings and quickly distanced myself from the attacker.
"You're not too bad." The woman said as she floated in front of me calmly. "My name is Tagitsuhime. Since my two sisters' methods didn't work well against you, I'll be a bit more direct." She said as she licked her lips.
And charged.
My eyes glowed and the world slowed down in my view as the woman approached me, her hungry visage made even more evident.
I took a deep breath.
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!
And exhaled.
Like a hurricane, my attack tore the ground apart and parted the fog before smashing into the attacking woman. As she was sent flying away with a short scream, I built up fire natured chakra within my body and exhaled it while keeping Great Breakthrough active.
Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!
The amplification effects of my wind Jutsu on my fire Jutsu boosted the intensity of the flames to immense levels, the ground below literally melting from the heat.
After a moment, however, I ended my attack and screened the battlefield as her emotional signature had disappeared from my range-
"!"
I immediately raised my arms to guard against the sudden blow simultaneously utilizing my new Steel Release on them to augment my defenses. As my body rocketed through the air, I narrowed my eyes and quickly grabbed a foldable Wind Demon Shuriken from my inventory. I imbued the blades with lightning, cocked my arm back…
And threw it.
Fūma Shuriken Shadow Clone!
1 became 2
2 became 4
4 became 8…
The ear-piercing screech of the rapidly spinning shuriken rung throughout the battlefield and they continued to multiply. Over 100 Fuma Shuriken moved perpendicular to the ground and tore up the earth along the way.
They reached my opponent.
Her eyes sharp, she quickly bent low and twisted her body, allowing her to dodge in between the gaps between two of my numerous Shuriken…
Just at that moment, I flipped and crouched low, my feet skidding across the ground to a stop. Simultaneously, I clenched my fist, tightened my muscles and yanked. Through the wire attached to them, the rigged blades of all the Shuriken disconnected from my motion and launched towards my opponent at immense speeds.
Tagitsuhime transformed her lower body into a serpent's tail and quickly slithered across the ground as the hail of lightning coated blades flew towards her. She deftly maneuvered through them as the disconnected Shuriken blades continually punctured the earth, sparks of lightning flitting off them.
I grinned.
A gigantic powerful ball of swirling chakra formed in my hand.
Amenotokotachi!
I swapped places with one of the numerous disconnected Fuma Shuriken blades and appeared right above Tagitsuhime. Time slowed down in my perception due to my Accelerated Analysis and I watched she turned her head towards me, her pupils constricting.
My glowing eyes found all of her weaknesses.
Big Ball Rasengan!
I slammed the attack into her back, her body instantly crashing into the ground. She screamed while the ground beneath cratered immensely from the impact, spiderweb cracks spreading to the distance all around. I drove the technique further into her back before my palm made contact with her skin and I engraved my Amenotokotachi on her with my chakra.
With that, I leaped backward and kept a firm distance between us.
Critical!
-286600
My hand reached down and picked up one of the Fuma Shuriken blades off the ground. Since it was already engraved with an Amenotokotachi mark, I quickly tossed it high into the air.
I clapped my hands together.
Around this moment, Tagitsuhime emerged from the crater and glared at me with immense killing intent. Her pupils constricted as her body morphed into that of a White Snake before she hissed and charged towards me with her gaping maw.
110 meters…
I continued to focus on the task at hand.
Immense amounts of chakra coalesced between my palms as sparks of electricity flickered. The ball of energy grew and grew, the pressure from its presence causing my feet to sink into the ground.
70 meters…
It then expanded incredibly.
45 meters…
Then, I condensed it.
20 meters…
My gaze turned upward as I raised my hands into the air towards the airborne Fuma Shuriken blade…
5 meters…
And let loose.
Lightning Style: Lightning Bomb!
1 meter away…
Just as I could feel her breath on my face…
Amenotokotachi!
The Snake woman switched places with the Fuma Shuriken in the air and was in the path of my attack. I watched as her eyes widened at the ball of energy that was ever expanding in her vision…
Before it connected.
A devastating blast of energy swept away the nearby fog instantaneously and generated immense amounts of heat. The lightning sparking off the attack charred the ground even though it was so high up in the air while the tumultuous winds caused my clothes to flutter while I gazed at my technique.
Then it stopped, the explosion of energy having run out of fumes.
Critical!
-692850
HP: 172550/1152000
An object cast a giant shadow over me and I turned my gaze upwards to see that it was a snake falling from the sky. I took a step back right before the snake crashed into the ground in front of me. Its scales were charged and it's breathing was labored, yet it was still well and alive.
"Did I pass?" I asked the snake woman who was groaning on the ground. "Or do I have to kill you?"
Of course, I was quite literally 99% out of chakra since I would not have won had I not used almost every ounce of it in my last attack. With my current condition, I would only be able to muster a normal Rasengan. Anything greater and I would most likely faint from chakra exhaustion.
But she didn't know that.
The snake's body shuddered before she quickly transformed back into her human form. She looked up at me begrudgingly before she flinched and supported herself on the ground. "You…"
"That's more than enough." An elderly but powerful voice boomed.
Right at that moment, the fog completely parted, allowing me a picture clear view of where I was. I was on a well-paved walkway while on either side of me lay tombstones. I looked in front of me at the direction of the voice and saw that there was a temple standing there. It had the kanji for Ryuchi Temple printed horizontally across it on a banner above the door. I could tell from its look and feel that it was not some illusion created by genjutsu like the one Tagorihime had created when I first appeared.
"You kids are all so noisy…" the ancient sounding voice said with a sigh before it continued with more power evident in its tone, "Those who come here seek to obtain the Sage's power. You who have passed all three trails have earned the right to see me. Come."
I looked to Tagitsuhime who was now shakily on her feet before I looked back in front of me towards the stairs leading up to the Ryuchi Cave temple. With nothing left to interest me here, I headed up the stairs and arrived at the door to temple.
As if sensing me, the door opened on its own as I approached and I entered inside. Looking ahead, I saw that there were stairs that led up to the top of the temple where the snake Sage was no doubt located.
And I could sense her.
She was powerful.
Frighteningly so.
With a little push off my feet, I scaled the entirety of the flight of stairs and arrived at the place where the snake Sage was located. There in front of me was an old lady who was laying down propped up on her elbow on what looked like a couch.
I simply asked, "Is there a need for the illusions?"
The old lady smiled and her eyelids narrowly opened, showcasing her yellow eyes and slitted pupils. "No."
Her current form dissipated like mist before in its place was an extremely large, albino rat snake, many times the size of a human, her massive body wrapped in thick coils along which were yellow circular bands. She wore a turban with two pointed edges and a red orb on top along with an orange headdress. She wore a chain with a green orb around her neck and also smoked as well, using a long cigarette holder.
This was the true form of the White Snake Sage.
I nodded my head before asking. "I'm going to assume you know why I'm here."
"Of course I know." She said, smoke puffing from her cigarette. "Within Ryuchi Cave, there is nothing my ears cannot hear."
"Then, this should be quick." I replied. "Since I've already passed the trails necessary."
The Snake Sage chuckled and puffed some more smoke before asking, "Before that, entertain this old lady with a question of mine. Who brought you here? Only those who deliberately seek out Ryuchi Cave can come here."
"Orochimaru." I simply replied, seeing no reason not to.
"Hehehe!" She laughed to herself. "A man filled with insatiable avarice for knowledge and power…I wonder what you could have possibly given him to help you?"
"Something he wanted." Was all I replied.
The White Snake Sage chuckled to herself once more. "Humans are filled with such an unending amount of greed…all those who come to me have abandoned themselves and everything out of such avarice." Her eyes gazed down at me before she asked. "Since you passed the trails and are here to learn Senjutsu from me, I will grant you your desires. Tell me, do you know how I teach Senjutsu?"
I paused and shook my head. "No, I was only told that you taught it very…directly."
She smiled.
"That's one way to put it."
"!"
I couldn't even see it coming.
All I could feel were her fangs injected into my body.
My eyes widened substantially.
I could feel a foreign but familiar substance being injected into my body.
Natural Energy.
Thump!
The White Snake Sage removed her fangs and went back to her previous position while looked down at me. "This could be considered your final trial."
Thump!
I staggered a feeling of numbness shooting up my body as cold sweat dripped down my face.
"If you can survive this, then I will accept you."
Thump!
My vision swam as numerous gigantic White Snakes appeared in and out of focus in my view.
"If not, I will devour you."
THUMP!
"Ngh!" I grunted as my body collapsed to the ground. I was barely able to use my shaking hands as support while my breathing became labored.
Before I felt it.
Pain.
Unimaginable pain ripped through my body.
My body spasmed and my fists clenched as I tried to force the pain down, but it didn't help. The pain was as if flesh-eating ants were gnawing at my skin and crawling through my veins and arteries.
I believed I screamed as I felt the vibrations from my throat as I opened my mouth, yet I couldn't even tell from the insistent ringing in my ears.
That didn't change the fact that my veins were popping while cold sweat was dripping from my body.
The thought of dying didn't really register to me as I would just come back anyway, but by God how much this hurt.
Gamer's Body has leveled up by 1!
Gamer's Body has leveled up by 1!
Gamer's Body has leveled up by 1!
Gamer's Body has leveled up by 1!
Gamer's Body has leveled up by 1!
Gamer's Body has leveled up by 1!
Gamer's Body has leveled up by 1!
Gamer's Body has…
…
…
[Gamer's Body] has reached level 200 [MAX]!
Ping!
You have unlocked the sub-perk [Resistances] by reaching level 200 on [Gamer's Body]
Ping!
You have unlocked the innate trait [ $&%# &!] by reaching…
Ping!
[Sage Transformation] has been unlocked by reaching level 200 on [Gamer's Body]!
Ping!
Using [Sage Transformation], You have unlocked [Sage Mode]!
[Sage Transformation] and [Sage Mode] are synonymous!
Sage Transformation {Mode} (Active) Lvl MAX
Sage Transformation is a method of attaining Sage Mode by utilizing special body fluids and exposing them to natural energy. The resulting bodily reaction leads to a gain in increased physical capabilities such as in strength, speed, stamina, reflexes, perception, and durability, along with improved power of techniques. The resulting increase in your abilities is dependent on how much chakra or energy you have.
Increase STR by (ENGY * 0.75)
Increase VIT by (ENGY * 0.75)
Increase DEX by (ENGY * 0.75)
Increase ENGY by (ENGY * 0.75)
100% Increase to Movement Speed
200% Increase to Durability
250% Increase to Reaction Speed
1000% Increase to Sensing Range
Error…!
Error…!
Er- &$#%!
Analyzing Error…
Error Located…
Rapid Forced Change To Hosts Body!
Searching For Patch…
Method of Correction Found!
Patching Error…
You have Leveled up!
You have Leveled up!
You have Leveled up!
Congratulations! You have reached level 100!
Ping!
Quest Complete!
To Infinity and Beyond!
Reward: System Update
[System Update Criteria Has Been Met]
[System Updating…]
[System Will Be Offline During Update]
[System Update: 0.00000106%]
I fainted.
{-Yoru: Gamer-}
"If you fail, I will devour you." The White Snake Sage said as she looked at the young human…no, the creature in front of her. She truthfully didn't believe she would get that chance, however.
From the moment he stepped in, she could sense that he was different. It was very faint and if not for her living for so long and her own capabilities, she would have missed it. Whatever he was, he was not completely human at the very least…he smelled just barely like the snakes in-
Her expression changed.
"What…!"
She felt it.
An extremely powerful aura erupted from Yoru, one that continued to grow in intensity until it fully enveloped her.
Her heart nearly seized.
This palpitating aura…!
Then, the White Snake Sage saw it.
He began to transform.
Pristine white scales appeared on portions of his body, covering the outer edges of his face and extending down from the side of his neck to the sides and back of his arms, upper body, and lower body. Pure white horns grew on either side of his head pointed slightly backward. His hair became aflame with brilliant pure white energy. His eyes changed color, turning golden from their originally silver coloring. His pupils transformed, narrowing vertically and constricting…
Like a snake's.
This was…wrong.
Very wrong.
Whenever the White Snake Sage bit into an individual and injected natural energy into them, they would undergo a process known as Snake-ification…they would become more snake than human in the process of obtaining Senjutsu. If they survived, she would obtain them as an apprentice and teach them how to mold Senjutsu and if their body was compatible enough, they would obtain Sage Mode.
But he…
There was no way had never been human to begin with.
Whatever Yoru was going through…it wasn't it.
This energy being released from him could not possibly have come about from the snake-ification.
However, before the White Snake Sage could contemplate any further.
Her eyes widened. "That…should not be possible!"
A brilliant cloak of pure white energy covered Yoru's body, the winds churning in response. The ground beneath Yoru cracked while portions of his white chakra shroud formed into ethereal snakes that moved and coiled around his body. His previously downed form was slowly raised by the snakes until he was on his feet again. His body stood tall though his gaze was completely blank.
He was unconscious.
But more importantly, he had obtained Sage Mode.
Then, her eyes constricted.
The aura emanating from him…now she was sure.
He wasn't human.
The pressure emanating from Yoru physically manifested in the surroundings as cracks spread throughout.
As she stared into those shimmering golden eyes, The Snake Sage was reminded of the days where she was a mere hatchling looking up to the snake elder at that time.
No.
The feeling she got was even more intense.
It was as if she was staring into the eyes of a beast she could not even comprehend.
One which would devour everything.
This feeling of weakness wasn't borne out of some disparity of strength…
It was simply due to heirarchy.
"What are you…" the Snake Sage muttered as she leaned back and cautiously stared at Yoru.
The building and the surroundings were trembling from his energy output, dust falling from the ceiling in response to the stimulus.
"Master!"
"Lord Snake Sage!"
"Sage-sama!"
Three voices yelled as they burst into the hall. Feeling the palpitating aura emanating from the top of the hall where the White Snake Sage stood, they quickly made their way up there only to pause in shock.
"What is…" Tagitsuhime began to ask as she stared at Yoru's Still form in shock. The pressure emanating from him caused her body to tremble in trepidation and the energy released from his body…how could she not be familiar with Senjutsu?
Ichikishimahime made sure her distance though her eyes sparkled as she gazed at Yoru…
"Master, what is happening?" Tagorihime asked, her eyes carefully scanning Yoru.
The White Snake Sage didn't reply as she continued to observe Yoru.
"To be able to achieve Sage Mode in mere moments…" Tagitsuhime stated as she calmed the turbulent waves in her heart before she noticed movement next to her. "Ichikishimahime, what are you…?"
The White Snake Sage's pupils shrank. "Don't touch-!"
It was too late.
Blood splashed through the air.
There was a pause as Ichikishimahime eyes widened before she looked to her now empty right arm socket, blood dripping from the wound. Her heart froze as she looked at Yoru's arm only to see a giant white scale in his grasp.
The terror in her heart could not be described.
This type of speed…!
If he had aimed for her head…
Ichikishimahime shuddered and slowly stepped away before she looked at her empty arm socket. In but a few moments, her arm began to regrow before it returned to its normal size. Since her current form was merely a transformation and not her true form, Yoru had not truly done any true harm by ripping her "arm" off. However, the event was enough to make her that much more apprehensive. "I just wanted to touch his scales…"
Both Tagorihime and Tagitsuhime looked at her incredulously.
"He is unconscious, however, this makes him even more dangerous." The White Snake Sage said as she puffed another plume of smoke from her cigarette. "He is moving purely on instinct so anything that comes close to him will be regarded as an enemy."
"Then…" Tagorihime began as she looked at the pure white aura radiating off of Yoru and the white ethereal snakes of energy coiling around him. "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing." The Snake Sage replied as she leaned back. "I will simply wait for him to wake up…he passed this trial after all."
"When I first saw him, he gave me a familiar feeling…" Tagorihime stated. "it's now more intense and…suffocating."
"What…is he?" Ichikishimahime asked as she once more gazed at her scale in Yoru's hand and his own scales covering his person.
The White Snake Sage glances down at Yoru, another puff of smoke escaping her lips. "He's…"
"An anomaly."
{-Yoru: Gamer-}
"I can't say that was a good or bad decision on your end." Were the first words J told me as I appeared in front of him.
"…I didn't think it would turn out like this." Was the only reply I could give.
He shook his head. "No, I suppose it truly cannot be blamed solely on you. Your Gamer's Body and its forceful improvement were due to a variety of variables."
"…oh?" I said with a tilt of my head.
He nodded. "For starters, if you had simply leveled it up naturally to Level 200, you would have unlocked Sage Transformation and obtained Sage Mode. It also didn't help that you had injected yourself with exogenous genetic material some moments prior."
"…"
"Additionally, with Gamer's Body, you already had perfect attunement with natural energy and if you had simply tried to absorb it, you would have succeeded on your own."
I looked at him with slight incredulity, "...Why didn't you ever tell me this?"
"You never asked."
My right eye twitched.
J sighed. "It's only fortunate that it could correct itself before something worse happened. At the end of the day, as long as you're fine and your body hasn't turned into a genetic monstrosity, then all is well. Now, however, since you were prematurely forced to increase your level, I'll have to start working on that last update…" he said as multiple screens appeared in front of him before he began to rapidly type and move between them.
Another round of silence.
Before I asked.
"…why do you care?"
Something had been bugging me for quite a while now and it wasn't until I saw him again that I pinpointed what it was.
"Last time when I asked you what I was, you went on about how I was human but not human. That's fine and I suppose it answered my question, but there's still one thing bothering me."
J stopped his hand movements and glanced at me briefly before looking back at his screen intently.
I looked at him, my brows slightly furrowed. "You said that you cared about me. Why? as a self-proclaimed hyperdimensional being, what could you see in me? why did you give me this ability? but more important than that, what do you want?"
These were what had been bothering me for some time now. It just made little sense for him to care about me just as it made no sense for me to care about the ants I stepped on when I walked. Of course, the difference between me and J was supposedly much greater than that between me and an ant, but the general idea was still the same. Did he have a hidden motive? But in that case, what could he possibly want from me that he couldn't get himself if he was as powerful as he claimed?
I suppose all my questions could be summed up as, "What am I to you?"
"My only job is to keep you safe and make sure things run smoothly." He simply replied as he went back to work. "As for what you are to me, obviously I am you, therefore, I don't need anything from you nor can you give me anything."
"What are you-?"
J furrowed his brows as he looked at the screens.
"Unfortunately, because of you, I have a lot of things I need to focus on right now so we can have this conversation at a later date."
Before I could protest, my vision suddenly swam and warped as I felt a tug on my soul. I was immediately pulled away from my position until I saw the Tree pull further and further away from my vision…
{-Yoru: Gamer-}
[Location: ? 3rd Person POV]
"It's almost time…" J thought to himself as he watched Yoru leave before he stared at his hands.
Very very faintly, one could notice that there were minute motes of light emerging from his being and floating away. The rate was extremely slow and it was hardly noticeable, but it was still occurring.
J sighed. "It's almost been 10 years…My job will be finished soon and after that…" he looked up to the Tree.
He had never had that long to exist, to begin with. The moment Yoru's physical body had been made and placed within the elemental nations, his time had been ticking.
But all was well.
"Once this thing can finally run on autopilot, I won't be needed anymore anyway. It's a good thing I'll have plenty of time to make sure everything checks out."
J smiled.
"And then, I can disappear."
Author's Note: If you want an idea of what Yoru looks like with Sage Transformation, look at a picture of Sting's (From Fairy tail) Dragon Force mode and imagine Yoru having that sort of distribution but with his scales looking similar to Natsu's when he goes Dragon Force (Also from Fairy Tail). Then imagine Mitsuki's Sage Mode with the ethereal snakes. Also, remember that his aura and everything is pure white.
On another note, the last chapter was my most reviewed chapter and despite some reviews not being the most pleasant to read lol, I still want to thank all of you who took the time to do so. That being said, I'm getting tired guys and soon I'll need to take a break, but not until I finish with this Naruto World: Alternate arc. I'm a junior in college and come summer time, I'll have to focus on studying for the MCAT meaning that while I'll have time to write, I won't be able to put out chapters nearly as fast as I want to, nor will I have the time to consistently work on them. What I plan to do is spend time during my summer break researching the worlds I want Yoru to travel to (meaning reading and watching all the relevant information), coming up with an outline, and writing a little bit at a time until my summer break ends in September 1st~ish. The hope is that by then I'll have enough chapters as a buffer that I'll be able to put out. Don't worry though, I still have enough content planned for ~7 more chapters of this Naruto World arc before I take my break.
And no, I'm not quitting, just taking a needed break since I do have a life outside this lol.
Anyway, thanks again for the reviews and for sticking with me and my story thus far. For those who read up until this point, you are the best.
Love,
jordanvn
Stat Update
Tier: 7-B+
Age: 11
Level: 97 - 100
HP: 403760 - 452755
CP: 639669 - 708660
STR: 1606
VIT: 1460
DEX: 1606
INT: 1500
WIS: 1200
ENGY: 1968
Points: 0 - 15
Skill Update:
Gamer's Body: lvl 175 - lvl 200 MAX
Sage Transformation {Mode}: lvl MAX