10 Chapter 9
'Normal Speech'
'Thoughts'
'Bijuu/Summons/Gamer'
'Bijuu/Summons/Thoughts'
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 9
"It is possible for a powerful seal master to manifest Fuuinjutsu seals in the air and ground by molding their chakra in specific ways. However, this requires a not only mastery over seals as a whole but usually a medium to complete the effect. It is a skill you will be able to perfect down the road, so keep up at it." Kushina encouraged me with a smile and a pat on the head.
I nodded as I mentally took this information to heart. Time had flown by quickly in between training with Kotoe and Kushina, going on missions, and compiling all the information I had found in the library. Currently, I was in another nightly teaching session with Kushina who was imparting some tidbits of information about the intricacies of the advanced sealing arts.
I looked down on the blank piece of paper and placed my hand on it while molding my chakra. I forced the energy to move and bend to my desires and noticed how glowing blue symbols started to appear on the paper, spreading from my palm. My mind rapidly analyzed, reconfigured, and constructed the seal I wanted to create and its effects while simultaneously managing my flow of energy onto the blank slate.
Slowly the lines of fuuinjutsu script stopped spreading and a light drop of sweat formed on my forehead from the effort exhibited by my brain. I breathed out a large sigh and forced myself to stop as my head began to throb, but soon after I recovered an looked at my masterpiece.
"You really are…" Kushina started with a shake of her head as she examined the seal, "To be able to get this far only after a few weeks of practice when it usually takes years…" she grumbled and narrowed her eyes at my work, "Hmm, a 1.55mm thickness uniform throughout and layered in a triple column matrix…a synchronized algorithm to target the opponent's released energy…and pre-programmed to act on the creator's command with a runtime proportionate to the amount of chakra? or energy? absorbed…" Kushina nodded her head in appreciation, "I see…I can confidently decipher around 70% of that, but the rest would take me some time to understand. You mind explaining what exactly it is supposed to be?"
I looked down at my failed masterpiece before replying, "…It is supposed to target and absorb all the kinetic energy produced by the being that it is placed upon effectively paralyzing them. I was trying to improve upon the tradition immobilization seal due to the fact that it is quite easy to break through it with brute force, but unfortunately…" I mentally went through many variables and calculations before shaking my head, "I came up slightly short."
"Short you say…?" Kushina looked at the seal before she seemingly understood what I meant, "Ahh right, there's no stabilization array to control the influx of energy nor are the limiter seals completed, but still…" stabs red-haired woman gave me a large smile, "You did amazing Yoru."
"Thank you…Kushina." I replied awkwardly.
I could see her grin widen, "hehe, no need to look so awkward, I'm allowing you to call me that you know?"
"…Can I go back to calling you Mrs. Uzumaki?"
"Denied."
I sighed while Kushina looked triumphant for some reason, "Alright, it's about time you get yourself going, we're all set today. You really improve drastically you know? I can't say that I'm surprised, but I'm impressed nonetheless."
"Thank you for your praise." I said lightly as I stood up from the seiza position I had been sitting in on the ground. I looked back at Kushina who was standing up as well before I asked, "I take it that…Minato…is taking care of Mito tonight then?"
Kushina sneered, "Hehe, that man won't be able to run away from his responsibilities, so don't worry about Mito tonight." Her expression then softened, "You have no idea how thankful I am for your help in taking care of her in the past whenever Minato wasn't around. You've really been a great help for me and I appreciate that." She stated while gently patting my short white hair.
"Anytime Kushina…there's no need to be thankful, she's so cute that I don't mind anyway…"
Kushina raises a brow. "What was that?"
"…Hmm?"
She eyed me suspiciously before relenting, "Fine whatever. Since you don't want to tell me then shoo." She stated, waving me off.
I smiled underneath my face mask before stating, "Thanks for everything. Have a good night…Kushina." And with that, I left the house in a Body Flicker.
In no time, I appeared in front of the apartment and immediately entered the building. The interior of the home was dimly lit, the full moon radiating its light through the living room windows.
As soon as I opened the door to the bedroom, my Detect Danger pinged softly, warning me of an incoming projectile heading for my face. I lazily raised my hand and deftly snagged the Kunai from mid-air before twirling it on my fingers.
"Really Yoru, can't you knock or something?" Kotoe said with a yawn as she leaned up from her napping position while rubbing her eyes. The moonlight shining from the small window above the bed allowed mewwe to see the bedsheets slide down from her body, providing me with an uncensored view of her toned, well proportioned and well endowed upper body. Well, it wasn't like I hadn't already seen it like a thousand times already.
"…The result would have been the same." I replied blandly while closing the door behind me. "You wouldn't have moved to open the door and I would have to come in regardless. The trap would still trigger and attack me."
I could see her roll her eyes, "Whatever, just come to bed and sleep or something. Not everyone can survive without sleep you know." She yawned tiredly at the end before slumping back to her bed.
I shrugged and removed my shinobi sandals before slipping into bed.
Sometimes, I lamented the fact that I was only 6 and a half.
"Ohh well, time always flows forward…" and with that thought, I went to sleep.
"Thank you so much for your help little Yoru. Our workload always decreases substantially when you come here to help." The Medic-nin said to me as I focused on stabilizing the wounds on one of the returnee shinobi.
My focus never left the injured man as I replied softly, "...I'm glad to be of service, you don't have to thank me. This helps me train my Mystic Palm Technique further to perfection anyway."
The medic-nin smiled while rubbing my head, "Oh, you're so adorable Yoru! Who doesn't know that your mystic palm technique is the strongest of any staff here?"
"..."
"Well, keep up the good work, I have to go check up on the others. Don't be ashamed to take a break when you feel exhausted ok? You're already overtaxing yourself with the number of shadow clones you are deploying."
"...Sure."
The beautiful Medic-nin lady gave me a smile and began to walk away. It was currently Saturday and I was at Konoha Hospital helping the staff take care of the influx of injured personnel as best as I could. This hospital was the place where I learned the Mystic Palm Technique and as result, I felt the need to repay them for their kindness and devotion in teaching me. The effects of the war were already visibly evident as the amount of injured being sent into the Hospital had begun to strain the staff, so I did what I could to help which mainly included me sending clones off everywhere.
As I finished up the treatment of the individual, my hands began to stop glowing in their light green hue and I watched as the expression on the shinobi's face became much laxer. With a nod, I stood up and rolled my shoulder before looking around to see if there were any more individuals who needed my attention. Suddenly, however, my vision stopped roaming as I gazed upon the familiar back of a brown-haired figure.
"Is that…?" I thought as I began to walk towards her. As I stood beside her, I noted how serious her countenance was as she administered first aid to the injured Shinobi she was with.
A small bead of sweat traveled down her face as she utilized the Mystic Palm technique to quickly heal the injured man's wounds. After a few moments, she wiped away the sweat before smiling, "There, that should do it!"
I looked at her before calling her softly, "...Rin."
He body immediately seized before she stood up and turned around, looking at me with a surprised expression on her face, "Ah Yoru! You're here!"
I nodded my head, "I'm always here on the weekend."
Rin scratched the back of her head sheepishly, "ah, sometimes I forget that even though I see you here every week..." She shook her head before she began to walk ahead, a smile on her face, "Well, are you ready for today's session!"
"...Today is you and me versus Obito and Kakashi correct?" I asked, though I already knew the answer of course.
"Yep!" she replied cheerily before settling down and continuing, "But first, I'd like to help out here a little longer if that's alright."
I nodded and replied quietly, "Of course, I too will help out as much as possible."
I could see the woman smile in reply to my response before she continued her walk around the hospital, looking for and helping any patients that needed care or nurses that needed help. I followed her as well and did my part in healing the injured while occasionally re-creating clones to replace the ones that had exhausted themselves. Rin and I continued this for a few more hours until the hospital staff was finally able to manage the influx of patients.
We exited the building soon after and headed towards the Namikaze-Uzumaki Estate prompting Rin to comment ecstatically, "I can't wait to see baby Mito again! She's so adorable I could just pinch her soft cheeks and play with her all day!"
"She is quite adorable." I stated a light smile on my face. "I can't wait to see her either."
"Right?!" Rin stated brightly as we eventually came upon the building. The brown haired girl looked back at me with a smile as she approached the door, "Come on, let's see if the other two are here yet." She placed a hand on the side of it and flared her chakra as the door opened up soon after.
We entered the house and walked towards the common room of the large home, noting that Kakashi and Obito were laying about, the former sharpening his kunai and the latter wiping his orange goggles. They stopped what they were doing as they saw our figures, Kakashi giving us a once over, "...You're late." he stated blandly.
"Ah sorry Kakashi, the Hospital was very busy today so Yoru and I kind of got caught up in it all…" The short-haired girl replied.
Obito slipped on his goggles before leveling a hard glare at Kakashi, "Oi, Kakashi! Rin was just doing her part to serve the village. I bet she helped out the most in healing our injured comrades!"
"Ah, no actually Yor-"
"Where are Minato and Kushina?" I asked, centralizing the attention towards me.
"Oi! Use honorifics dammit!"
I ignored the Uchiha in favor of the Hatake who glanced at me apathetically, "...Sensei said to meet him at the training grounds when you get here. As for his wife…" Kakashi put on a thoughtful expression before continuing, "...I think she left with the baby to run errands or something."
"That's unfortunate…" I started, somewhat mournfully, "I was looking forward to playing with Mito…"
"Oi, don't ignore me!"
I looked at Rin, "I suppose we'll have to wait till a little before seeing her."
The brown haired girl nodded with a sigh, "It's unfortunate, but she'll be back eventually so when we might have a chance to see her when we're done with today!" She stated, perking up at the end.
"You all are so mean…" Obito stated as a dark cloud hovered over his head and he poked the floor with a stick.
"Wait, where did he even get that? We're indoors…"
I shook my head from those thoughts before stating, "We should get a move on, I'm sure that Minato has been waiting for us."
"…I agree." Kakashi stated as he stood up and grabbed a startled Obito's shoulder. Before the Uchiha could voice our his complaints, the Silver-haired chunin disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
I looked at the place they occupied before turning my gaze towards Rin, "…Let's go."
"W-wait Yoru!"
Ignoring her pleas, I placed a hand on her shoulder and revitalized my body with chakra before traveling towards the training ground in a burst of high speed.
"…y-you're…s-so…m-mean…" Rin said in between pants as she tried to seemingly keep herself from throwing up.
"Oi!...y-you bastard…how could y-you…be so URRGH!" Obito vomited rainbows before he could finish his statement, all the while Kakashi looked disinterested standing beside him.
I gave a side glance to the duo before suddenly pulling out a kunai. I saw everyone tense at my action before I rapidly threw it towards my 1:00 causing the projectile to fly through the trees. I could hear it travel as it rustled many of the leaves in its path before it seemingly stopped with a 'thump'.
"Oi, what's the bright idea?!" Obito started heatedly as he wiped the vomit from his mouth, "You scared me man, that was totally uncalled for."
Instead of replying to him, however, I looked to the trees and spoke, "I'm assuming you tried to suppress your chakra in order to avoid my detection and that might have worked on me a couple months ago, however…" I paused, turning my head to look at my 11:00, "My sensory capabilities have evolved drastically, so that sort of maneuver won't work on me anymore."
Energy Resonance (Passive) LV 5 [5.45%]
Energy Resonance is the evolved form of Chakra Sonar And is useful for the same purpose of detecting living beings with Energy and for scouting, effectively making the user a 'sensor'. Every living being radiated some form of energy which vibrates at certain unique frequencies which produces a 'resonance' with the surroundings that the user can sense. This skill increases in distance by 100 meters per level and costs no CP.
MAXIMUM RANGE: (1500 meters)
"Don't be so sure Yoru." A voice said behind me causing my eyes to widen.
I quickly turned around as a blond haired man placed a hand on my shoulders and couldn't help but comment, "How did you…?", however at that moment, the signature I had sensed at my 11:00 suddenly disappeared. "That other signature was a Shadow Clone…" I thought intently. That still didn't explain how I missed his chakra signature though.
Minato smiled at me. "A good shinobi never reveals his secrets, but I'll give you a little hint." Minato stated, giving me a wink before he continued, "I was 'everywhere'."
I hummed thoughtfully for a few moments, during which Minato walked ahead and gave Kakashi a light pat on the shoulder before standing in front of all four of us: Me, Kakashi, Rin, and Obito.
I was broken from my muse as the blonde began to speak, "Yoru & Rin vs. Obito & Kakashi." Minato started, a grin framing his face, "Today's challenge will be to see which group can complete 10 laps around the village the quickest in under 30 minutes. The rules are that both you and your partner must complete the trail together and on your last lap, you are to come back to this spot. When this Kunai…" Minato said, pulling out the weapon from his pouch, "Hits the ground, that's your signal to start. Any questions?"
I narrowed my eyes at that innocent smiling face that Minato wore. There had to be much more to today's team exercise than he was giving on. "…I was led to believe that each challenge was to help foster bonds and promote cooperation between us as Konoha shinobi. How exactly does running laps achieve that?" I asked.
Minato beamed even brighter, "Well you know what they say 'You can't understand someone unless you've run 2400 km in their shoes'. Anything else?"
"…I'm pretty sure that's not how it goes." I thought meanwhile noting how Obito and Rin shuddered from Minato's smile and even Kakashi looked slightly uneasy. It made me wonder if he was in a bad mood because he was definitely planning something nefarious. Maybe Kushina hadn't been giving him the time of day?
That would be hilarious.
"…W-well we still got this r-right Kakashi?" Obito stated in faux courage.
"…Hn."
"You're not filling me with confidence!"
"…"
"Oi! Say something!"
I enjoyed their antics for a moment before I felt a tug in my shirt.
"Hey…Minato-Sensei's acting weird, isn't he?" Rin asked me from behind.
I put on a thoughtful expression, "We'll see what he has planned eventually. Don't worry though, we should be able to win this if we play it right."
She nodded uneasily right before we all heard a 'clap' as Minato slapped his hands together, "Now then are you ready?."
I could see him smile as we all adopted serious expressions. "Alright then, here we go." With that said he threw his kunai in the air and time seemed to slow as we all watched it descend due to gravity. As it inched closer to the floor I tensed in preparation, however, the moment it touched the ground,
I knew something was wrong.
My vision suddenly swam as a wave of nausea slammed into my body and I suddenly felt a cold sweat coming down my face.
"Wha-?"
You have been afflicted with a negative status condition 'Vertigo (Severe)'
Vertigo:
Decreases CC by 90%
Decreases DEX by 90%
Decreases Movement speed by 90%
"Yoru! Kakashi!" I heard Rin scream before a sudden headache appeared, causing me to lose focus as I fell to a knee. I took in large gulps of air in order to ease the conditions, however, it was useless.
"Oi Sensei! What's going on?!" Obito yelled heatedly.
"I like to call them 'Vertigo Seals'." Minato stated causing me to shakily look up at him.
"Vertigo…seals?"
The man looked back at me with a smile as angelic and bright as the sun, yet I could only see the cruel visage of a demon spawned from the depths of hell, "Yep! as long as I can place it near your ear, the seal will disrupt the chakra flowing through the chakra coils located near that area and you'll experience severe vertigo. You can Kakashi are usually the ones who carry your teams, so you'll sit on the back burner for this one."
I slowly looked towards Kakashi's downed form as ringing persisted in my ears and couldn't help but wonder "When did he…wait." I suddenly remembered that he had patted my shoulder after I had incorrectly located him and no sooner did he pat Kakashi's shoulder, "Is that when? He said it has to be 'near' the ear…"
I was forcibly broken from my epiphany as another wave of nausea crashed my body causing me to double over further.
"Yoru!" Rin yelled as she gently laid me down and I could feel her try to heal me with Mystic Palm, yet my nausea did not subside one bit.
"Why isn't it working?!" She yelled distraughtly to which the Blonde Namikaze spoke up.
"What's causing his ailment isn't an external or internal wound, but a seal. The only way you could heal him would be to either Win the race, break the seal through brute force, or solve the seal." Minato stated casually before remarking, "Though seeing as you only have 28 minutes remaining, I don't think you'll have enough time to get proficient enough in the art to solve my formula and Yoru isn't in the best condition to help himself."
I couldn't tell what her expression was like from my face-down position, but I imagined she bit her lips. At that moment, Obito asked, "W-what happens if we lose?"
The atmosphere suddenly turned bright yet hidden within was a deep dark maliciousness. I could only imagine the deceptively sincere expression on Minato's face as he replied cheerily, "the losing team will have both of its members carry the seal for the rest of the day and if both teams lose, well…" I could almost feel his grin grow wider as he continued, "You'll all have to deal with vertigo for the day won't you."
"S-Sensei!"
"O-Oi oi, what did we ever do to you?!" Obito asked in trepidation.
"I'm sexually frustrated."
"W-what?"
"57 minutes."
"EEEP!" Rin and Obito yelled while I tried to pretend that I didn't hear Minato mutter with my enhanced sense of hearing. I felt an arm wrap around my waist as my body was lifted, my arm wrapped around Rin's shoulder.
"Come on Yoru, we have to move if you don't want to stay like that for the rest of the day." She said as she supported me while leaping forward into the trees.
"Urgh…" I mentally groaned as the scenery shifted and my senses distorted even further. The worst part of this was the fact that my Perception skill increased my senses, so right now I was probably having a much more intense experience than Kakashi was.
"Ohh no!" Rin yelled as my body abruptly shifted, causing me to groan, and I heard the 'ding' sounds of metal colliding. "Obito! What are you doing?!" I heard her yell.
"I'm sorry Rin, but I will not end up like Kakashi for an entire day!" Obito yelled from behind before my Danger sense lightly warned me.
Unfortunately, my body was too weak to react and I could only brace myself as an explosion rocked out beside me, the shockwave most likely throwing Rin off balance as I felt her loosen her hold on me. My body fell down to the earth below and impacted the ground with a resounding 'thud'.
-1 HP
"…Ow."
"Damnit Obito!"
"I'm sorry Rin!" The boy yelled, yet his voice started to become distant as he continued, "I'll make it up to you…somehow!"
"…what about me?" I thought before I heard Rin slam her fist into a tree causing it to crack.
"Obito! Why you-…" she suddenly gasped and I heard her footsteps scuttling towards my direction. "Yoru!" She yelled as she lifted me up. "Come on! I will not let us lose to Obito!"
I really couldn't argue with her seeing as my body felt like soup, so I gave a 'Hn' in response as she started hopping from tree to tree. I closed my eyes trying to think of a way out of this predicament, as the wind washed over my face and sweat dripped from my brow.
I shakily raised my free hand into a hand seal in order to create a clone, yet immediately my headache started pounding fiercer and the chakra I had been molding slipped out of my grasp. "I can't mold my chakra…" I wasn't surprised that Minato took this into consideration, but this just made my situation all the more difficult. Moreso by the fact that I would not be able to even access storage seals if I couldn't release my chakra.
Luckily I didn't have to.
"…Rin." I said softly, catching her attention as she looked at me. I lifted my hand and showed her a senbon I had taken from my inventory. "…how good is your accuracy."
"Yoru what is-"
"A Poison-laced senbon that'll knock Obito out for a few minutes. We're shinobi so we're going to have to play dirty in order to win."
Her expression immediately turned determined as she grited her teeth, "I will not be forced to experience vertigo for an entire day!" She said as she grabbed the needle.
I found it pertinent to give her a warning, however, "Don't let it seep into your skin or you'll suffer intense drowsiness and you might knock yourself out."
She hastily dropped the needle with wide eyes, "You should have warned me about that before I grabbed the needle."
"…I have a splitting headache, I feel like I'm going to throw up, I can't tell up from down, and there's a constant ringing in my ears. I apologize if my thoughts aren't clearly structured at this moment."
She sighed before ripping off a piece of cloth from the apron skirt she wore before grabbing the needle, "I'm sorry Yoru, I just…don't want to end up like you."
"…That fills me with so much joy." I replied dryly before continuing, "Regardless, we have to get a move on if you don't want to end up like me. As long as you can catch up with Obito and hit him with the senbon, then we might have a shot at winning this."
She looked at me with determination in her eyes before hoisting me up and blitzing through the tree lines after Obito.
"She's moving really fast…" I thought as the wind whipped in my face. Up ahead, through my distorted vision, I could see a small moving dot that was slowly growing larger in my vision.
"OBITO GET BACK HERE!" Rin yelled as she furiously picked up her pace.
The black dot in the distance, now identified as Obito, froze for a fraction of a second before moving with even more vigor than before.
"NEVER!" He yelled.
Rin cutely knitted her brows and huffed before matching his pace as best as she could. This game of cat and mouse continued, Obito and Rin circling around the village with Kakashi and me on their shoulders respectively. There was the occasion kunai exchange and explosion as Obito tried to slow us down while Rin did her best to return the favor. Over time, however, I noticed that Rin, who had been slowly gaining on Obito, was starting to lose her speed as her face became increasingly flushed and her breathing increased.
"She's exhausted but there's still 2 more laps to go…" I thought and tried to fight through my pounding headache in order to think of a plan. I looked at Rin's flushed face and damp body before looking ahead and noting that Obito was only around 15 meters away.
"This…might just work."
"…Rin, try to get Obito to pay really close attention to you….also how good are you with seduction?"
"W-wha…who-…Huh?!" she said, understandably startled.
So I reiterated.
"Distract Obito with your body and tranquilize him with the Senbon."
"YORU!" She yelled scandalized, her face turning a deeper shade of crimson.
At this moment, my face turned green and I felt bile rise up my throat. I had to force it down before looking at her with my sickly face, "…If you don't want to end up like me for a day, you're going to have to use every advantage you have, I.E. your body…even though it's a bit underdeveloped for my tastes."
No sooner did I feel an ungodly premonition wash over my very being as Rin looked at me with a sweet sunny smile, "What did you say Yoru?"
"Dear Lord…" I thought as I shuddered for a moment before immediately shaking myself from that feeling and glancing at Rin lazily, "…do you want to end up like me?"
The brown haired girl grit her teeth and clenched her fists, "Fine!" She stated, just as we reached the checkpoint marking this as our last lap.
She focused her gaze ahead and took a deep breath, "O-Obito-kun, won't you slow down for me? Please?" She said cutely with her face burning crimson and her clothes, damp from sweat, sticking tightly to her body.
"…she needs some work." I thought blandly, but I noticed Obito freeze up ahead most likely from the (not really) seductive sound of her voice (I mean she was 11) but I suppose that since they were the same age, it wasn't an issue.
"W-won't you look at me?" Rin continued with a wink, though since Obito's back was turned, the effect was kind of lost.
Obito hopped down to the ground below as the forested area ended and slowly cranked his head around. Instantly, a trail of blood exited his nose as his eyes roamed all over her. "R-Rin y-you…"
"You like what you see?" Rin asked sensually (or at least she tried to) as she took slow steps towards Obito, the boy in question taking a couple steps back while holding his nose with his free hand, Kakashi in the other.
"I-I u-um…Yes?"
"Then what are you running away?" She continued with a sweet smile "Don't you want all. Of. Me?" She asked cutely, her face turning even more crimson than it had been before.
Steam almost seemed to come out of Obito's ears as he wobbled back another step, "I-I-I…"
"…I feel so disturbed by this.." I thought blandly before deciding that this was enough.
"…you're enjoying this too much, just senbon him already." I whispered unemotionally.
"This was your idea!" She whispered back harshly before gritting her teeth and placing her hand behind her back, hiding her weapon from view. She looked at the still dazed Obito and took another step closer, "W-well d-don't hold back."
Noting that Obito was unmoving, Rin looked at him worriedly, "Obito?" She said as she walked up to him. She poked his face with her finger causing his body to wobble and drop back, blood running from his nose and a stupid smile visible on his face.
He was unconscious.
"I can't believe that worked…and Kakashi is unconscious too." Rin stated in surprise as she noted the swirls in Kakashi's eyes.
"…Kakashi was already unconscious before this. If not, he would have warned Obito's about such an obvious (and sad) attempt at seduction. I suppose it's for the best that we chose this moment to act or we would have failed." I stated indifferently before continuing with a sigh, "…well, let's finish this race already. It's been a long day."
When she didn't respond I raised my head to look at her, "Rin?"
She turned to look at me, a sickly sweet smile on her face "What exactly did you say back then?" She asked kindly.
"Ohh dear…" I thought before racking my brain to come up with a plan out of this predicament, "…That you were such an amazing, kind hearted, and beautiful girl that anyone would fall for your charms." I was still handicapped at this moment so it was in my best interest to not set her on edge.
Rin widened her eyes and then coughed into her hand a few times, her face growing red, "Is that so? Hmm, t-then I suppose we should get a move on." She quickly turned her gaze from me before running to finish the last lap.
"…How to say…she's only 11 years old after all."
"…So you weren't actually planning on giving us vertigo for a day?" I asked lazily as I gazed at the yellow-haired man.
Said individual gave me a genuine smile as he explained, "Of course not, that was just to encourage you all to do your best and push yourself past your limits. I have to say though, I wasn't quite expecting that…" Minato finished with an amused/awkward smile.
"I-It was all Yoru's idea!" Rin yelled with a flustered look on her face.
"…We won, didn't we? It's all good." I replied blithely.
She glared at me in anger and embarrassment before her face turned pink and she looked away.
"You cheater…" Obito, who had been quietly blushing this entire time, stated softly. "Using such a dirty method to win."
"…It worked, didn't it? Plus as shinobi we sometimes have to use the dirtiest methods to win. Besides look, Kakashi's taking it like a pro aren't you?"
The spiky silver-haired boy looked at me listlessly before turning to look at Minato while intoning, "…If we're done here, I'll be going home."
The man asked Kakashi with concern. "Are you sure? Kushina should have been back by now from her grocery run so she's most likely making dinner right now for some guests. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you and the others joined in."
Kakashi shook his head while replying, "Thank you for your concern Sensei, but today's festivities has exhausted me. I would prefer to retire to my home."
Minato gave him a light smile. "Well I can't force you to stay, but you know where to find me if you need anything."
"Thank you sensei." Kakashi replied with a bow before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
"I-I think I'm going to get home to my grandmother as well." Obito stated to Minato before glancing at Rin awkwardly then snarling at me, "Yoru, I'm going to get you back for that you cheapskate!"
"…don't lie to yourself." I started, glancing at him disinterestedly, "We all saw that stupid happy smiling face you had. You definitely enjoyed it."
Minato coughed into his fist awkwardly while Rin blushed. Meanwhile, Obito's face turned into a tomato, "W-What…I-I d-did no-" he stuttered before glaring at me and huffing away. Without saying another word, he hopped into the trees, making his way back home.
"I'll also be taking my leave." Rin stated as she bowed to Minato. She turned her gaze towards me, her face turning crimson, before giving me a curt nod and quickly turning away. Without another word, she too disappeared into the distance.
"Those kids…" Minato stated with a sigh before smiling and shaking his head. He looked back at me and stated, "I'm sure Kushina would like to introduce you to the guests Yoru. You want to come?"
I thought for a second before nodding, "…I suppose if my presence isn't a bother…"
The man waved me off, "Of course not and besides, I'm sure they'll want to meet you as well."
I raised a brow, "Just out of curiosity, who exactly are the guests coming over?" I asked.
"Old friends from back in the academy…well an old friend and her husband, but it would be awkward not to invite him." Minato finished, nostalgia visible on his face.
I blinked "I see…I suppose we should get going then?"
Minato nodded and vanished in a Body Flicker, me following him soon after. We arrived in front of the Namikaze-Uzumaki compound soon after which Minato placed his hand on the seal pad on the side of the door and flared his chakra. The door opened, giving us an unfiltered view of the interior of the home causing my and Minato's eyes to widen.
"K-Kushina, w-what…?" Minato stated, dumbfounded as he stared at the numerous Kushina clones running about, each doing separate chores. One was sweeping the floor, one was mopping the floor, one was trying to comfort a crying Mito, one was setting up the dinner table and the last few we could see (as we had been walking around the house) was frantically managing multiple pots and pans of food on the stove.
"M-Minato they're going to b-be here any minute now and I'm not even done yet!" A Kushina yelled as she came down the stairs, her face visibly frantic.
At this, Minato gave her a calm amused smile, "Hun, you're overreacting, I'm here to help, aren't I? Don't worry, I got you." He said as he hugged her close.
They stood like that for a moment, before Kushina stated with a muffled voice, "Why couldn't you be so dependable when it comes to Mito."
Minato scratched his head awkwardly, "She's kind of a handful, especially at night. I can't help it…wait are you still hung up on that?! That was a week ago! Is that why you-"
"Shh, not in front Yoru! He's just a child!"
Minato widened his eyes and looked at me as if remembering that I was still here. He gave a sigh before putting his lips to Kushina's ears and whispering, "Fine, but you owe me for this later. 5 days without it is just cruel."
Kushina shuddered and whispered back, "I'll make it up to you…thoroughly."
"Lalala I can't hear them. God these enhanced senses are as much of a curse as they are a blessing…" I thought, my eye twitching. "And now I've got an image stuck in my head…Eidetic Memory is also a curse…"
Minato smiled and clapped his hands before saying, "Now then…Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Immediately, Multiple Minato's popped up around Minato and waited at attention. "Well, we're at your service." The Main Minato stated with a bow.
Kushina licked her lips, "Well if you don't mind helping me with this…" and so she gave them all instructions to follow after which all the Minato clones went about completing the assignments Kushina gave them.
I watched with a raised brow as the surroundings visibly became neater and cleaner with each passing second, the Minatos becoming a blur as they worked. In no time at all, the house looked radically different with everything in somehow more perfect order than they had been before. It wasn't like the house had been that messy, to begin with so it kind of made me wonder why Kushina had been stressing so much.
"I guess she wanted to make a good impression on her friend…" I thought while watching Kushina beam brightly at the house improvements. The Minato clones all 'puffed' at once, leaving just a single Minato left who had a light sweat forming down his brows.
"The table is already set. Yoru, you mind helping me place the food down?" Kushina asked as her clones had just finished prepping the meals.
I nodded my head and with both Kushina and Minato helping along, we got everything set up rather quickly. It was at the moment when we had just put the finishing touches on the table set up, that we heard a knock on the door.
"They're here, just in time too…" Kushina stated with relief as she took off her apron. "Minato, Yoru, come let's go greet them." And without even waiting for my reply, she and Minato left to entertain their old friend, leaving me by the dinner table.
"…"
I followed them soon after and stood there not knowing what to do as I saw them open the door, two forms immediately visible in front of me. The first one of note was a man with short, brown hair that reached to his shoulders and onyx-colored eyes, with visible creases below them. He wore a simple kimono with grey pants.
"Fugaku…"
I thought before looking at the next individual of note. She was a beautiful fair-skinned woman with long, straight black hair. She had long bangs hanging on either side of her face that roughly framed her cheeks and her eyes were onyx colored. She wore a simple brown blouse with a dark purple skirt and a light-yellow apron worn over it. Furthermore, I noted that there was a large bulge protruding from her stomach signaling that she was in the later terms of pregnancy.
"Mikoto…sigh, all the beautiful women are older…"
I shook my head from those weird thoughts before noting that there was actually a third member hidden behind the two adults.
"Mikoto! It's been too long, it's great to see you again!" I heard Kushina say, joy evident on her face as she moved to lightly embrace her friend.
Mikoto looked at her with a smile. "It has been a while, hasn't it? I'm glad we finally decided to get together again. It's great to see you two, Minato, Kushina." She said with her sweet sounding, joyful, divine voice.
"…I need an intervention…why am I so young?"
Minato then chuckled lightly, breaking me from my thoughts. "Likewise, it is great to see you and Fugaku-San as well." He stated before pausing for a moment, noting the small silhouette behind them. "And you brought the little guy as well." Minato stated with a smile.
Mikoto replied happily, "Of course, I figured it would be good for him to get out more. Come on, why don't you introduce yourself?"
"...I'm Itachi Uchiha, pleased to make your acquaintance Lord Minato, Lady Kushina." The now identified Itachi stated with a bow.
"Weird, this feels like Deja vu…." Kushina stated before her eyes widened and she looked behind at me, "Ohh yeah…Yoru, why don't you introduce yourself as well?"
I nodded my head and faced the Uchiha couple with a short bow, "…My name is Yorudan, Orphan, but you may simply refer to me as Yoru. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Fugaku, Lady Mikoto, and Itachi." I intoned softly. I had to be respectful to the clan heads, etiquette and all that.
As I stood up, however, I noted the strange gazes that everyone (but Itachi) was giving me and the young Uchiha as they alternated their sights between us.
Minato was the one to break the silence as he asked ". …Well since that seems to be the end of the pleasantries, why don't we make our way to the dinner table?"
"That would be much welcome and I thank you for the invitation." Came Fugaku's reply.
"No thanks necessary, after all, we are in the company of friends." Kushina's stated with a smile as she directed them to the living room. "Shall we?"
With that everyone took their seiza positions on the zabuton (cushions for sitting) around the 20 cm tall chabudai which was the short-legged table used in traditional Japanese homes. The Uchiha family sat on one end while Kushina, Minato, and I sat on the other.
We all clapped our hands and with a quick 'Itadakimasu' we began our feast. I picked out a few closeby dishes for myself after the guests had already chosen their meals. With that, I simply paid attention to the idle chatter between the adults.
I saw Kushina smile as she looked at Mikoto's bulged stomach and couldn't help but tease, "You know, I always found it interesting how a few months after my daughter's birth, I finally saw the visible signs of your pregnancy. I wonder if she *ahem* encouraged you two."
I had the distinct pleasure of watching Mikoto's expression turn pink and even Fugaku had a light dusting of the cheek as he replied somewhat teasingly, "…you have no idea how many times she talked about having 'another' after seeing your daughter…"
"FUGAKU!" Mikoto yelled, her face growing more crimson by the minute.
The adults burst into laughter at their antics while I simply enjoyed the food.
"…how are you doing that?" A voice quietly asked me from across the table, prompting me to look up from my meal. I noted that since the adults were in their own world, they didn't really pay attention to anything else and it helped that Itachi was sitting right across from me.
I looked at him plainly, "You're going to have to be more specific."
He pointed at my face before elaborating, "How are you eating with the mask on?"
I blinked as I recalled that I still had that Kakashi-esque mask on my face. You know, sometimes it felt like it wasn't even there to begin with…and in a way it wasn't, well at least not at this moment.
I looked at the Uchiha with a light smile, "Trust me it's really a basic trick. When an acquaintance of mine told me how he did it, I almost felt like hitting my head against the wall for not figuring it out earlier."
That seemed to pique his interest as he blinked a couple times and looked at me closely, tilting his head a few times in order to better observe my face mask. I looked at him in amusement, "You think you figured it out yet?"
"…Not quite." He said honestly as returned to his normal position.
I chuckled softly and leaned in close prompting the Uchiha to do so as well with his ear turned towards me.
"Genjutsu." I whispered quietly.
His eyes widened for a moment before he schooled his expression, "…I see…"
Even though his expression was flat, I could feel the emotions emanating from him at my answer. I had felt the same way as well when Kakashi had first told me of his trick. It pretty much involved him putting a very small genjutsu on his mask to make it appear like it was completely on his face when in actuality it was ever so slightly lowered right below his lips. It was such a minuscule difference in positioning that I doubted that most seasoned shinobi would have the chance of figuring it out at first glance.
"Well look at you two getting along together…honestly, why am I not surprised? It's almost like you two are the same people." Kushina stated as she looked at us with a smile.
"…"
"…"
"Look! Even your expressions are the same!"
The rest of the adults chuckled a little bit at our expense before Mikoto stated, "Next time why don't you all come over to our place for Dinner? I would love to return the favor for all of this."
"No, you don't have to-" Minato started, but was cut off as Fugaku interrupted.
"We insist. As a clan head and a shinobi, we always have to pay our debts regardless of how small or insignificant. Please allow us to show you our hospitality at a later date." Fugaku stated seriously.
Minato smiles for a moment before putting on a helpless smile. "I suppose we don't have a choice so we?"
"No, you don't." Fugaku replied with a slight smile.
I blinked a couple times and just decided to focus on my food for the duration of the dinner. The grown-ups all talked about their lives and other small talk, all the while Itachi and I observed silently.
After around an hour or so of bonding, the Uchiha couple decided it was time for them to depart. After saying their goodbyes and promising that they would do this again, they left the premises.
"Well, that was exciting…" Kushina's stated with a smile before clapping her hands together, "Well let's clean up shall we!"
Minato smiled a little bit before blinking, "Let me check up on the baby first, make sure she's still sleeping and all that." He said before walking up the stairs so with him gone, I helped Kushina clear the table.
"Thank you for being here Yoru." Kushina's suddenly stated. "You know, it even seemed like you and Itachi were bonding quite nicely there, you should meet up with him more."
"…I barely talked to him." I stated blandly
"And yet you seemed to bond even more because of it."
"…sure." I said.
The red-headed woman chuckled and ruffled my hair before saying, "Anyway, you can head back home for tonight and get some rest. I'm sure it has been a long day."
I slightly inclined my head, "Thank you and Minato for your hospitality."
"Oh shush you. Shoo." Kushina said jokingly as she waved me off causing me to smile lightly. As I moved to leave, however, I was suddenly struck with the memories of one of my Library clones, causing me to pause.
"Yoru?" Kushina asked in slight worry, yet my mind was elsewhere. Due to the fact that new material was constantly coming into and out of the library, I had created the habit of sending a clone over there every day to check out any new additions. Usually it amounted to nothing since the new literature wasn't valuable to me, however, today was different.
"…Kushina, how much do you know about Natural Energy?"
The woman paused and looked at me for a moment with a thoughtful expression. "…Not much." She admitted before continuing, "I know the basics, but if you are looking for more advanced information on the subject then I know only two individuals who would be able to give you some information on the subject: Jiraiya and Minato."
"…Wait, Minato knows how to use natural energy?" I thought to myself in wonder. My mind rapidly went through the information my clone had memorized from the book and immediately many new plans and ideas formed.
"Why the sudden curiosity?" Kushina asked, breaking me from my thoughts.
I took a light breath. "My clone had just finished reading a book on the subject recently, written by Lord Jiraiya himself." I explained before continuing, "If you don't mind, I would like to wait for a little until Minato comes back down."
She shrugged, "Do what you need to."
I nodded my head in thanks and finished clearing the table after which I waited for the yellow-haired Jonin to come down. I was soon rewarded by the sounds of footsteps coming down the stairs.
"She's out like a light…hopefully, she stays that way the rest of the nig-"
"You cheated." I said blandly, cutting the blond man off from his statement.
Minato blinked. "What?"
So I explained, "The reason I couldn't sense you earlier was due to the fact that you were 'blending in' with your surroundings through the use of Natural Energy. As you said before, you were essentially 'everywhere' as you were one with the environment."
The man looked at me in amusement then chuckled lightly. "And how exactly did you figure that? I thought for sure that I'd be able to stump you for a while."
"For the past few months, I've made it a habit of reading newly published material on chakra theory in the Library." I started before explaining further, "Just recently, Lord Jiraiya wrote a book detailing his research on Natural Energy and how it can interact with individuals."
"Teacher did?" Minato stated before looking at me skeptically. "Then how did you even get access to that?"
And it was a legitimate question to ask. The Konoha Public library had many levels to it that weren't actually 'Public' and required high-level clearance to get access to. Those levels usually contained high-level techniques or advanced level theories that would not be allowed to be made public for anyone. Usually, I wouldn't have had the access necessary to reach Jiraiya's book on Natural Energy as it required a decently high-security clearance, but luckily, I had my ways.
"…Kotoe." I said causing Minato's lips to twitch.
He shook his head and regarded me, his hands slipped into his pockets, "So? I doubt you waited for me here just to tell me that you found out my trick."
"Of course not." I said, shaking my head, "I was actually hoping to ask for your help with your knowledge of Natural Energy and seals. I've been meaning to create a new technique by using natural energy, but all the information I found at the Library in the past was rudimentary at best."
This seemed to pique his interest as he asked, "Oh? What kind of technique."
"Secret." I replied, but added, "However if I can successfully create it, then I don't doubt it will change the landscape of the war in our favor."
That really piqued his interest as he looked at me seriously, "If you're so confident about this then I suppose it's for the best that you keep it to yourself." He paused for a moment and closed his eyes in thought before opening them, "For a while now I've been working on reverse engineering a technique, but I suppose I can lend a hand to help you out with your project."
"Thank you." I stated with a short bow.
The man, however, shook his head, "There's no need, it's not much effort on my part anyway. Is there anything else you need Yoru?"
I thought for a second before denying, "No, that will be all for now so I'll be taking my leave." I turned to leave, but paused and turned back to Minato before saying. "…I hope you and Kushina enjoy each other's company tonight."
Immediately after, I could see his eyes widen in surprise as he slightly gawked.
"Wha-"
"Later." I said and left the house in a quick Body Flicker.
