Reunited

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works, if you recognise it from somewhere else, surprise it isn't mine.

Betad by morde24, OoalGown, Hermes, Priapus and TheDonFluffles

The Guild of Gamers: The Warlord

Chapter 04: Reunited

— Hiruzen Sarutobi —

"And you believe this change didn't happen until after this mission?" Hiruzen asked, watching Tsume nod awkwardly, uncharacteristically quiet as he, Danzo, Yugao and Shikaku watched her.

Yugao had been called as someone who also took part in the same mission and Shikaku in his role as Jonin commander.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I got a couple of scratches in the fight, nothing serious but they didn't heal like this," Tsume agreed, making him rub his chin in thought.

"And you have noticed no changes yourself, Yugao?" he continued, making the purple-haired ANBU shake her head.

"No, Lord Hokage. I wasn't injured but I made a small cut on my hand, it hasn't healed," Yugao reported, making him turn back to Tsume.

"You have an idea of what caused this, don't you?" Hiruzen asked, watching her pale slightly. It wasn't treason that was causing her hesitation, she wouldn't have reported this in the first place if that was the case, but embarrassment.

"Only one unusual thing happened between the mission and me noticing the change," Tsume started, her eyes flickering to Shikaku briefly.

Ahh, this involved Hei then, did it? The Nara heir was certainly the centre of a lot of people's attention.

"Well?" Danzo asked, narrowing his eyes at her hesitation.

"After the mission, I invited Hei Nara back to my home, and while we were… well, together I noticed he doesn't get tired, and since the change I've found that I don't get tired either," Tsume admitted, glaring at them warningly.

He didn't care what his ninjas did in their free time, if it was consensual it wasn't his business, Danzo's eyes simply narrowed in thought and they all heard Shikaku's amused snort at her words.

"Are you suggesting Hei gave you a sexually transmitted power boost?" Hiruzen asked, his lips twitching slightly as she shrugged.

"Tch, troublesome."

"I don't know, but that's the only thing that I can think of, I know it sounds stupid. I'd not have brought it up if I didn't think it could be related," Tsume grumbled.

"I do hope you remembered to use protection, I'm not ready to be a grandfather," Shikaku finally said, making her begin to retort before she paled slightly making him sigh.

"Very troublesome."

"Your recreational activities aside, did Hei get injured on the mission?" Danzo asked, making her pause before she shook her head. "Could Orochimaru have done something to Hei? We believed Hei escaped but…"

"Hei was examined thoroughly upon returning, as are all who encounter Orochimaru. There are no seals on him, no changes to his body, and he willingly submitted to having Inoichi check his mind," Hiruzen pointed out, making Danzo nod in acceptance. "As was Momiji, who has shown no changes. I'll have her discreetly tested for accelerated healing, but I don't believe Orochimaru is responsible for this."

"Hm, unbelievable as it might sound, could it be a new bloodline? No Nara has shown such an ability before and Yoshino is from a civilian family, but Hei has always been a little different," Shikaku said, scratching his cheek as the room went quiet. "It wouldn't be the first bloodline that became active due to trauma, I can think of three of the top of my head."

A new bloodline… such a thing hadn't happened in quite a long time but it was entirely possible, if incredibly rare.

"Tsume, you are to remain in the village. Zhu Li!" Hiruzen said, making his assistant poke her head through the door as he wrote a letter. "Have this delivered to Tsunade- No, Shizune."

"At once, Lord Hokage," Zhu Li said, taking the letter. He was fond of his bespectacled assistant, she was very good at her job.

"Tsunade has taken great lengths to avoid Konoha, you think she'll return?" Danzo asked, making him sigh at a reminder of their old argument.

"Tsunade wanders because I allow her to wander, you know this as well as she does. She will return, if only for a short time. She won't like it, she'll likely be drunk and belligerent, but she'll return, if for no other reason than because I'll pay her to," Hiruzen said calmly. "When she does, I will have her examine Tsume, Momiji and Hei. For now, Hei is not to be told of our suspicions. Yugao, Tsume you are dismissed. Tsume, if you discover any other changes, you are to inform me immediately."

"Understood, Lord Hokage," Tsume said with a slight nod.

As they left, he turned to Danzo and Shikaku.

"I intend to have Hei discreetly tested to confirm if it was indeed his activities that caused this, and if it can be replicated," Hiruzen said, making Shikaku frown before he nodded.

"You plan on sending a kunoichi to seduce him?" Shikaku asked, making Hiruzen nod.

"I do. I have decided to send Hei on the bodyguard assignment for the Fire Daimyo's heiress. We will send an older kunoichi with him as part of the same mission, with orders to seduce Hei while they are away," Hiruzen decided, making both of the other men nod. "I'll also have him discreetly watched for any other sexual partners we could need to observe."

"Princess Azula is a troublesome girl, but Hei has been trained how to act around nobles," Shikaku agreed. "So, who should be sent with him? Anko?"

"Hm, no. I trust Anko and she'd accept a seduction mission with few complaints but she's also reckless and lacks subtlety. I fear she'd cause a diplomatic issue with the Fire Daimyo's court," Hiruzen said with a chuckle. "It's a shame that Rangiku has finally accepted a team, she'd be perfect for it but I don't want to send a full Genin team, nor do I want to separate her from Team 12."

"Juri Han has no issue with seduction missions," Danzo suggested as he gave the other man a knowing look. Juri was also a member of Root, and while he'd allowed Danzo to keep his organisation with little oversight as long as it remained an agent for Konoha, it didn't mean he was going to let Danzo use Hei to power up his forces. "Or perhaps Mirai? She's not a jonin yet but she has the skills for it, and she has the political training to ensure she doesn't cause an incident," Danzo said, making him glare slightly.

He was not sending his daughter on a seduction mission, as hypocritical as it might be. Once they reached chunin, it was expected that kunoichi would be willing to perform such missions, if the need occurred. Occasionally shinobi could also find themselves on a seduction mission, he had a considerable blackmail file on one of the Land of Earth noblewomen thanks to such a mission, after all.

Ninjas were expected to use every tool at their disposal, and seduction was merely one of those tools that kunoichi had access to.

Some were very opposed to it, Kurenai Yuhi being one that sprung to mind, and he didn't tend to send kunoichi who were so opposed to those kinds of missions. They weren't at war, and if they were so opposed it was likely the mission would fail anyway.

But he wouldn't send his daughter, there had to be some benefits that came with the responsibility and stress of this job.

"Mai Shiranui could work," Shikaku added, cutting off the slight staring contest making them both pause.

"She's too temperamental," Danzo said, making Hiruzen shake his head.

Almost every ninja was too emotional for Danzo.

"She will work, this won't be her first seduction mission and she's more cunning than she acts," Hiruzen said, making Danzo nod.

Danzo wouldn't give up, but he'd drop it for now at least. It was more likely he'd have Juri try to seduce Hei later on.

Danzo's interest in Hei was clear, but as long as he didn't try and conscript Hei into Root, it would be allowed.

"And if Mai finds herself with a sudden ability to regenerate?" Danzo asked, making them all exchange a glance.

"Then things will certainly become interesting. It goes without saying that such an ability should be nurtured," Hiruzen said, taking a puff on his pipe.

The ability to grant the kunoichi of Konoha enhanced regeneration, strength and stamina… Konoha was already seen as the strongest of the major villages, but this could ensure they were never dethroned.

— Hei Nara —

The Beyond is an interesting place, it looks almost identical to the 'material' world, except the sky is missing, replaced with an endless black void. I can't interact with anything, which means I can walk through anything and anyone, allowing me to go where I please.

I've made sure not to go anywhere that I'd get in serious trouble for infiltrating, like the other clan compounds, or the Hokage's tower, because I figure that even if I get caught up wandering the village, I can claim I was testing a new jutsu.

If I get caught wandering around the Hokage's tower, I get an in-depth, all expenses paid tour of the Torture and Interrogation division.

I've made sure to pass by other ninjas, even tracked down a Hyuuga to see if their bullshit eyes can see me, but it seems like as long as I avoid reflections I'm safe from detection.

Which makes this an incredibly powerful ability, even if the limitation is a bit of an annoyance. I can't leave or enter the beyond when I'm not inside my territory, which means that while I can use it for scouting and intelligence gathering, I'd be stuck inside it until I got back to my territory.

But it still lets me see a lot that would otherwise be hidden from me as I move through buildings and observe the lives of the village residents, civilians and ninjas alike.

I watched team 11 train with their sensei, Hayate. They were in my class, Ayane, Hitomi and Kokoro. My team used to train with them fairly often.

Ayane was rivals with Kasumi, or she tried to be at least. Kasumi was never really interested in the rivalry, which sends a pang of pain through my chest as I frown. Hitomi and Kokoro are both taijutsu specialists, good ones at that.

Hitomi looks small, but she hits hard enough to break bones if you aren't careful and Kokoro was always a pain to actually hit.

Normally she'd practically dance out of the way of your attacks or counter you, the amount of times she threw me around is pretty embarrassing.

I've always been more of a ninjutsu kinda guy, and while I make sure I don't let my taijutsu get rusty I really could do better.

It's too easy to become hyper-focused in one area and while it can certainly work (just look at Might Guy), it makes you easier to counter.

I should try and become talented in all forms of combat, not just let myself become overly specialised.

Right now I'm built towards ambushes and assassination, my ability to literally hide in the shadows and appear behind my target making me very good at it, but I can't become overly relient on it.

This leads me to another thought as I wander the village, a silent ghost among the crowds. What do I want to do in this world? I have a goal for the Guild, but I shouldn't let myself become all focused on Kuro, he's an end goal for the far future.

So, what does Hei Nara want to do in this world?

Become Hokage? With the power of the system at my side, I doubt it'd even be difficult; time-consuming perhaps but if I put in the effort, I could take the position eventually.

It would help me become even more powerful, my power would benefit from me ruling after all.

Perhaps I should aim even higher, to rule this entire world instead of just a single village. It'd be far harder, but it'd be worth it in the end.

Maybe I should even aim to become more than but an Emperor, perhaps a God.

Hei Nara, God Emperor. It certainly has a nice ring to it. How much power would I get from having a world that serves and worships me? From making the entire world my territory?

Of course for now, I'm nothing more than a talented genin and I should be realistic.

My current goal is to become a chunin, then a jonin. It's all well and good to say I want to lead the village, but I wouldn't even be able to handle the position if I got it as I am now.

I don't know how to lead, not yet. So I'll learn as I take the small steps up the mountain towards my goal.

It's going to be a long road but every journey starts with a single step and all that.

Still, the ability to go utterly unnoticed, to move unhindered does allow you to see things that would normally be hidden away, and sometimes that's as much a curse as it is a gift.

A part of me already knew what I'd see in my parents' bedroom, but that didn't stop me. As I pass through the wall of their room I pause as I watch my mother riding my father on the bed, her perky breasts bouncing in time as she moans quietly.

Yoshino Nara is a grade-A milf, I think it's because she's usually so serious and stern that seeing her like this is such a turn on.

But she's also happily married, and I respect and care about my father too much to try and take her from him, as I go to leave the room.

"Mhmm~ Shikaku… wait, Shikaku?" Yoshino's voice says, going from sultry to annoyed which draws my attention back. "Oh god damn it, again?" Yoshino grumbles as I move closer, staring in bemusement at the sleeping figure of my father.

Seriously?

Rolling off his rapidly softening shaft, Yoshino scowls to herself as she pulls the covers back over them, the mood ruined as she tries to go to sleep, unsatisfied.

Damn it, dad, are you too lazy to even do your husbandly duties?

But it gives me an idea as I head back to my room, slipping out of the Beyond and lying down in my bed.

It takes me no time at all to fall to sleep, perhaps thanks to my new ability as I slip into my dreamscape.

My dreamscape resembles the void I met the Outsider in, a twisted reflection of the Nara compound, perhaps due to my new status but I don't ponder it too long as I immediately slip out of my dreamscape.

I can sense everyone who is sleeping in Konoha right now, and for a moment it's a little overwhelming but my powers help me find what I'm looking for as I slip into my mother's dreams.

Or her dreamscape I suppose, since she wasn't dreaming until I got here, shaping the surroundings to match our home.

I can't control what she does in her dreams, only controlling the setting as I place her in my bedroom, sitting on my bed in nothing but a pair of white lacy panties.

The dream is paused until I start it- my control over dreams at least allowing that- as I move towards the bed myself, wearing nothing but my trousers.

Starting the dream, I immediately move forwards and capture her mouth in a possessive kiss, her eyes widened in shock and confusion as my tongue pushes its way into her mouth.

This might not be real, but I can taste her all the same.

"H-Hei, what are you doing!?" Yoshino asks even as she falls backwards onto the bed as I move forwards, hovering over her.

"What do you mean?" I ask in false confusion, one of my hands cupping her breast. "Have you changed your mind?"

"What- about what? Why—" Yoshino asks before a light moan leaves her mouth as I squeeze the soft flesh in my hand, my finger toying with her hardening nipple.

"You said I could choose my prize for reaching genin, and I picked you," I whisper, her eyes widening.

She did say that when I made genin, but I picked a new sword and some advanced jutsu scrolls.

"B-but-" Yoshino says, looking around in confusion.

"But what? You said you'd think about it, but why would you be here, in my room, wearing nothing but a thong if you decided against it?" I ask, making her pause as she looks down at herself, a blush growing on her face.

"I- I suppose you're right…" Yoshino says, unable to come up with a reason she'd be here, dressed like this, if I was wrong. "But your father-"

"Isn't here, besides… we both know he hasn't been seeing to your needs," I whisper again, nibbling on her ear slightly as she shivers, her eyes widening. "How many times have you gone to bed, unsatisfied? You want this as much as I do, don't you?" I ask, gently grabbing her panties and starting to pull them down as she grabs them.

"I- if this is really what you want- we aren't having sex, you're my son," Yoshino says sternly as she moves from under me and stands up. "My panties stay on, but I did promise you a reward. S-sit on the edge of the bed."

Giving her a longing look, I move to the edge of the bed like she asked as she takes a deep breath. I'm in her mind, I can't control her actual actions but I can certainly give suggestions, and influence her decision somewhat.

"There must be something wrong with me… but fine, m-my mouth is enough right?" Yoshino asks as she lowers herself onto her knees, reaching up and unbuttoning my trousers, grasping them and my boxers and pulling them down slowly, her eyes widening as my cock springs free. "Actually, please don't speak at all. Just sit back and enjoy your gift."

Grasping my length with her delicate fingers, she takes a breath and makes sure to not look up at me as she hesitantly reaches down and parts her full lips to take the tip into her warm, wet mouth.

See, I do respect my father a lot but if he's going to leave her so unsatisfied, I can at least have some fun this way, it can be her little secret, that she'll never find out I know about.

— Yoshino Nara —

Her sex life had never been the best, Shikaku simply wasn't an active person and sex was an effort to him. He'd make the effort on special occasions and when he wanted an heir, but sex just for the sake of sex wasn't his style.

But clearly, she was entirely too worked up if this is what she was dreaming about!

Feeling Hei's fingers grip her hair as she obediently rewarded him, she tried to avoid thinking about whose cock she was sucking, who she was pleasuring.

"F-fuck, mom," Hei groaned as she took him deep into her mouth, the tip pushing into her tight throat as she swallowed to constrict the convulsing flesh around him. "You're so good at this…"

She should have shut this down, even in a dream, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. She'd apparently promised Hei she'd do this, and she couldn't bring herself to disappoint him, even in her mind.

She'd never admit to having favourites, but Hei was her favourite son. She loved Shikamaru, but his idleness surpassed even Shikaku's, and it drove her mad. Hei was mature, responsible and hardworking. He never complained, he never needed nagging, and he was always happy to help.

It felt so wrong, looking up at her beloved son as she serviced him with her mouth, but seeing the pleasure and appreciation on his face made her press her thighs together slightly, feeling her panties dampen.

She had a strong sex drive, and one that wasn't getting satisfied at all. She'd never cheat on Shikaku, not just because having an affair when you were married to one of the greatest geniuses in the world was incredibly foolish, but because she genuinely loved him, but she couldn't deny she was slightly enjoying this taboo, fucked up dream.

Feeling his cock start to swell, she pulled back just in time for Hei to grunt in pleasure, his impressive manhood twitching in her grasp as he started to cum, her son's seed painting her face as she gasped, tasting it as some landed in her still open mouth.

"T-there, now let's never talk about this, okay? It's just our little secret," Yoshino said as she rose to her feet, even as her pussy grew wet in desire, wanting nothing more than to impale herself on the fat cock in front of her.

"Sure, for now," Hei said, making her narrow her eyes even as he pulled her into a hug. "The next time dad falls asleep on you, remember that I'm here and ready to give you exactly what you want," Hei whispered, squeezing her ass before he let her go with a confident smirk.

Before she could reply, everything went dark and she shot up in her bed, her face burning in shame and embarrassment as she felt how wet her thighs were.

What the hell was wrong with her?

— Hei Nara —

Hopping around, it's interesting to see just what different people dream about.

Dad dreams of napping, which is a kind of lazy I didn't even know could exist. Shikamaru is dreaming of cloud watching, which didn't surprise me at all.

Moving beyond my compound, I considered giving Ino some wet dreams of me but decided against it.

The Yamanaka's are masters of the mind, if anyone would detect my fuckery it's them… and also-

"Mhmm~ that's it, Hei!"

Watching Ino get pounded from behind by me, I roll my eyes with a slight smirk. Yeah, my work was done before I even got here.

It's good to know she's being honest in her flirting.

Though, that said…

"Show these little boys what a real man can do~" Ino moans, looking ahead at where Shikamaru, Choji and an Inuzuka boy are watching from, all naked with incredibly small erections.

Ino might have some issues, or she's just very kinky. Who is the pink-haired girl tied to the wall?

I might need to fear Ino. She's clearly kinkier than me. Perhaps I just need to step up my game.

Moving on before I end up with even more questions, I move on to a decidedly sadder dream.

Momiji's.

My former teammate (and crush if I'm being honest) is dreaming of the day our sensei and teammate died and I immediately throw that nightmare away.

Wet dreams wouldn't make sense right now, so instead, I weave a simple dream of happier times, with Ryu-sensei teaching us, Kasumi alive and happy.

I'll keep an eye on Momiji's dreams when I can, we haven't had much of a chance to speak since that day, and I really should try and reconnect with her.

We both dealt with the loss in our own way, and in my case that involved me just shutting down for a while, spending all my time at home, unwilling to leave my room.

It was stupid, but I blamed myself. If I'd been stronger, faster, but I'm just a genin and our opponent was strong enough to beat Ryu, one of the strongest jonin in the village. It was irrational of me, but trauma is rarely rational.

I'm uninterested in the dreams of those I don't know, so I pay a quick visit to the dreams of Tenten, curious to see whether Chun Li or I was right.

Chun Li herself isn't asleep, but that doesn't surprise me at all.

Slipping into Tenten's dream, I immediately scratch my chin in bemusement.

Are all the girls I know so perverted? Well, I just took advantage of my mother's unsatisfying sex life to get a dream blowjob so I can't talk.

Watching as Tenten gets taken from behind by me, on her hands and knees as she pleasures another long-haired man, younger than myself.

I've met Neji on rare occasions, but he's always seemed kinda stuck up and too serious, even for me.

Wait, longish black hair with a serious personality? Huh, guess Tenten has a type.

Well, good for her I guess?

Slipping away, I enter my own dreamscape and look around and shrug.

My body is resting, so there's no harm in having a little fun in my own mind, instead of just skipping the night.

Waving my hand, a naked group of women take form around the suddenly larger bed. My mother, Aunt Iyona, Ino, Chun Li and Tenten, Momiji and Kasumi (before I send the Kasumi clone away with a slight frown).

As they descend on the bed, I smirk. Having complete control over my dreams is certainly a fun ability.

— Yoshino Nara —

As Hei came downstairs, she suddenly found she had a problem with how he dressed at home.

Hei wasn't anywhere near as lazy as the other men in the house, but in the mornings when he didn't have plans, he could take some time to fully wake up and get dressed.

So as he entered the kitchen in nothing but a pair of black bottoms, she felt her eyes briefly flicker down to his bare chiselled chest, Nara men didn't usually work out that much so even Shikaku was only a little muscled, while Hei's body was a work of art, crafted through his hard work and years of effort.

"Morning, mom," Hei yawned, still far more awake than Shikamaru and Shikaku who wouldn't be seen until she pried them from their beds.

"Good morning, Hei. You're up late, for you at least," Yoshino said, trying to push down the memories of those eyes staring down at her as she pleasured him.

"I had a good dream, and didn't feel like getting up straight away since I don't have anywhere to be," Hei admitted as she flinched, hearing the word dream. "Did you sleep well?"

"Hm, I had some odd dreams but aside from that I slept fine," Yoshino lied. She felt like she hadn't slept at all, she woke up so often and every time she went back to sleep her mind went straight back to making up taboo dreams of Hei.

She'd even dreamt that Shikaku had decided her advances were too much effort, so he'd used his shadows to bind her and told Hei to take care of her needs, the memories of him taking her from behind as she moaned like a whore making her blush slightly.

"Oh, odd how?" Hei asked as he made himself something to eat, making her pale.

"J-just unusual, nothing special," Yoshino said quickly, making Hei raise an eyebrow, obviously having caught on that something was off before he shrugged lightly. "A message was delivered for you this morning, a summons to the Hokage's tower later today. Apparently, you've been chosen for a mission, by the Hokage himself and councillor Shimura," Yoshino said, changing the subject.

"Hm, already? Interesting," Hei said, seemingly unsurprised as she hesitated.

"Are you sure you're ready for this? You've only just returned and this is already your second mission…" Yoshino started hesitantly, making Hei pause before he gave her a soft smile.

"I am," Hei said simply, making her smile slightly at her son's confidence even as she felt her worry grow.

"I- just be careful, okay honey? Councillor Shimura doesn't have the best reputation, I'm not sure what to think about his interest in you," Yoshino admitted, putting aside her dreams as she closed the distance and pulled Hei into a tight hug. "I don't want to lose you," she whispered, feeling his hands wrap around her and return the hug.

"And I'll do everything I can to make sure you don't," Hei whispered, squeezing her as she laid her head on his shoulder. He was taller than Shikaku as well, barely but it was noticeable like this.

"You better, I don't know what I'd do without you," Yoshino admitted. She'd hugged him countless times, but she couldn't help but realise she was pressing her breasts against his chest.

She could also feel something hard pressing against her waist, making her eyes widen as Hei moved back, spotting the growing tent in his pants.

She noticed it, and he noticed her glance down at his crotch, but she didn't bring it up and he certainly didn't.

"You'd go mad, babysitting dad and Shikamaru alone," Hei joked, trying to move past the awkwardness.

"True, so be careful," Yoshino agreed with a smile. She couldn't judge him from growing aroused with a pair of breasts pushed against him, not after what she dreamt of. "If you ever need anything, just tell me. I'd do anything for you," Yoshino said, before she reconsidered her words and blushed ever so slightly.

She'd said something similar in a dream last night, dreaming of the time Hei spent in the hospital, only that continued with him admitting he was aroused and couldn't deal with it, asking her to pleasure him.

"Anything at all, huh?" Hei asked with a teasing tone, his lips twitching slightly as she froze. "I'll keep that in mind."

Why did he have to word it like that?

"But I should get ready, I'd rather be early than keep the Hokage waiting," Hei continued, his teasing tone vanishing and her serious and mature son returning.

Eating quickly, he vanished back upstairs as she felt her eyes widen, rubbing her thighs together and feeling a slight dampness.

What was going on with her?

— Hei Nara —

Heading towards the Hokage's tower, I go over my classes one more time as I try to decide which class to take next.

I could continue down the path of Alpha Beast, but I have no doubt Tsume will notice the boost and if I keep upgrading Alpha Beast, she'll only get stronger.

That's not a bad thing, but I'd rather see how that boost goes before I buff her even more.

Deciding that caution will only take me so far, I pick one of the more powerful sounding ones this time. I don't pick Dark God yet, as tempting as it is… but being a Demon Lord is a nice compromise.

The Demon Lord

[Contractual Magic Mastery]

You have the knowledge to write contracts so binding they affect reality itself. Once a contract is willingly signed, the terms are inescapable, for either side. You can write contracts to gain things that would not normally be tradable, such as powers, skills, memories, emotions or even souls.

[Pain Magic Mastery]

You have gained access to the branch of magic focused upon causing suffering and torment, able to craft spells to cause the utmost pain without killing your victim.

Spells Known:

Amplify Agony - Places a curse mark on your victim, causing any pain they feel to be greatly increased

Writhe - Unleashes a bolt of energy towards your target, causing intense pain without actually damaging them (physically)

Touch of Suffering - Causes your touch to cause immense pain, which grows more intense over time

[Master of Poisons]

You have gained the knowledge of how to craft poisons of all kinds, ranging from deadly poisons to hallucinogens, paralytics and other more esoteric mixtures. You've also gained the ability to grow the necessary ingredients in your dungeon.

[Monster Crafting]

As a Demon Lord, you have the knowledge to craft monsters from pure mana to serve your dark purpose. The complexity and power of these monsters increases the mana cost.

[Call of the Beyond]

You have gained the ability to summon the spirits of the departed back to the realm of the living for a time. These spirits are bound to your will, though strong-willed spirits may attempt to resist your commands. To call them to this world, you require both their full names and an object that belonged to them and was used or cared for enough to carry their essence. You can also bind spirits to the plane, preventing them from moving on.

[Territory - The Dungeon Core]

You have gained the ability to create a dungeon core, which will form a dungeon around it. Doing so will claim that area as your territory, and as the dungeon core grows, so will your territory. Dungeon Cores can be made to grow automatically over time, by absorbing the souls of those who die in the territory, or by being fuelled by the intense emotions felt in the territory.

[Drawback - Predestined Defeat]

As the Demon Lord, your fate is to fall to a hero. You can fight against this fate and even overcome it with enough effort and power, but those with heroic inclinations will find their techniques unusually effective against you.

Class Quest

The Demon Lord's Rise

Objective One: Defeat a Hero

Objective Two: Gain a minion, by any means

Well, they're as 'evil' as you'd expect from a class named Demon Lord, but I knew what I was getting myself in for. If nothing else I just secured myself a job in the torture and interrogation division.

Being able to interrogate the dead would definitely be a valuable ability for our intelligence division.

A hero, huh?

Well, I might not know the most about Naruto but I do know that Naruto is the main character.

Well, he should be, but I vaguely recall Shikamaru having a friend called Naruko Uzumaki, who is decidedly a girl. I think she tried to prank me once, but what kind of ninja would actually get hit by a water balloon?

I remember throwing a senbon at it while she was still holding it, which put a stop to that.

But Naruko/Naruto or whatever should be the protagonist so surely if I can find a reason to fight them, seriously or sparring, it'd count.

Of course, the system also gave me a drawback so heroes are especially effective against me, which seems like a bit of a dick move.

I'll need to find somewhere to build my dungeon because the ability to make poisons and grow the ingredients sounds downright amazing for a ninja.

The contractual magic is also pretty interesting, I can certainly see the benefit of making a deal for someone's knowledge or powers.

But firstly, I have an appointment with the Hokage and I've come to a decision.

Telling the cute secretary I'm here to answer his summons, I'm barely waiting for more than a couple of minutes before I'm called inside, spotting the Third Hokage sitting at his desk, a pipe hanging from his mouth as he gives me a small smile.

"Ah, come in, come in," Hiruzen says with a soft voice, the office seemingly empty aside from him and me, but I know better. There are several members of ANBU lurking in the wings, unseen and unheard until they're needed. If it wasn't for my Outsider ability I'd never have noticed them.

"You summoned me, Lord Hokage," I say respectfully, making him chuckle. I know how irregular this is. Genin don't get missions directly from the Hokage after all.

"That I did. First of all, I was glad to hear of your decision to return to service, it would have been a great loss for the village to lose such a talented genin before you could reach your full potential," Hiruzen says softly, giving me an approving and almost proud look.

"I agreed to serve this village when I joined the academy, I won't let a single failed mission change that, no matter how tragic," I say finally, making him nod approvingly.

"Indeed, I'm afraid tragedy is all too common in our line of work, but we cannot allow it to control us," Hiruzen says sombrely, seemingly ageing in front of me, his voice carrying his experience.

I can't imagine how many people he's lost, living to old age as a shinobi.

"But enough of my rambling," Hiruzen chuckles, brightening up. "You want to know your mission, do you not? Danzo speaks highly of you, highly for him anyway, and as such, I have a mission for you of the utmost importance."

"I won't let you down, Lord Hokage," I say seriously, making him nod.

"The mission is two-fold. Your first mission is camouflage for your true assignment. You will be going to the capital to serve as the Fire Daimyo's daughter's bodyguard while she visits several towns as part of her duties," Hiruzen starts, taking a puff of his pipe. "This is an important task, but giving the Princess a bodyguard who is too strong suggests the Daimyo fears for her safety, an image he does not want to give off. As such, we'll be using your misleading rank to ensure she is safe while maintaining an image of strength. A jonin will be joining you, but you will be the one assigned to stay by Princess Azula's side."

The Fire Daimyo's daughter? This is a hell of a lot more serious than hunting down bandits.

"And protecting the princess is the secondary objective?" I ask, making him chuckle.

"Indeed, though you are to face the responsibility with the utmost seriousness, and nothing is to happen to the princess under your watch, even if it costs you your life or the life of your jonin partner," Hiruzen says seriously as I nod.

That's just part of being a ninja.

"But your actual goal will be to covertly meet with a team from the Mist Village," Hiruzen says, making me look at him curiously. "As you may have heard, the Mist village is currently in a civil war. Yagura executed the Water Daimyo and most of the nobles early on in his reign, however, it seems one survived. The leader of the rebels, Mei Terumi, saved the Daimyo's daughter and the Land of Fire has agreed to take her in until the civil war has ended."

Hmm, I can see the benefits. This daughter is rightfully the next Water Daimyo and by giving her protection in his court, she'll owe the Fire Daimyo.

It'll also mean that the rebels will owe Konoha if they win, which is probably good since I've heard my father say that our alliance with the Suna has grown rather cold.

Iwa hate us, always have and likely always will, and Kumo isn't that much better most of the time even if they're less openly aggressive towards us.

"You'll be travelling to a town on our border with the land of Noodles, where the Water Daimyo's daughter and her guards will cross over, the guards will return to the land of Water and you will deliver the Princesses Azula and Yue to the capital. Azula is aware of the mission, Yue is a distant cousin and she knows to expect Azula," Hiruzen explains.

"Hm, so Princess Azula is as much a part of this mission as me and the jonin," I say, making him chuckle.

"Indeed she is, you all have your parts to play. Though, a word of warning," Hiruzen starts, pausing for a moment. "Princess Azula is rather powerful, with a natural talent for fire jutsus and she has been known to be somewhat… unstable."

…wait just a fucking moment. Azula, fire, unstable.

Oh no.

"Unstable?" I ask, making him nod.

"She's sadistic, arrogant and highly manipulative," Hiruzen says simply, making me mentally sigh.

I don't watch much television, but I have seen Avatar. I know exactly who I'm going to be guarding.

"Regardless, I expect you to handle her. Remember, you are her bodyguard, working with Lord Ozai's permission, she does not have any power to command you or send you away. For the journey, you will remain by her side at all times," Hiruzen orders.

"I will. No harm will come to her or Princess Yue," I swear, making him smile. "When do I leave?"

"Tomorrow morning, I've sent for the jonin who will be joining you, she's waiting outside," Hiruzen explains. "I expect you to live up to our expectations, Hei. Now, unless there's anything you wish to discuss with me, I believe you have a jonin to meet with."

"I- there is, Lord Hokage," I say, my mind made up as he raised an eyebrow in curiosity, his demeanour deliberately patient and inviting as I decide how best to go about this. "I've noticed several new abilities since my return to service, including this," I say, very slowly taking out a kunai and slashing at my hand, showing the wound to him as my regen active factor heals it up.

"Hm, I see," Hiruzen says, taking a deep drag of his pipe before he puts it down, very briefly making a set of hand signs that I barely even notice. The second he does, I feel the life force of the ANBU rapidly move away from the room. "When exactly did you notice this new ability?"

"I noticed an increase in my strength, stamina, speed and senses while travelling towards the bandit camp," I say, making him nod thoughtfully. "I know the official procedure for a genin discovering an unexpected ability is to inform their jonin sensei, but- well, that's not an option. I was going to speak to my father, but I thought this would work as well."

There was no way in hell I'd be able to hide my abilities in a ninja village where you should always assume someone, somewhere is watching you, especially not with a super-intelligent ninja father.

I know I'm going to get caught, so I'd rather control when and where the information gets out.

"You did the right thing, Hei. I'm glad you decided to bring this to me," Hiruzen says, giving me another approving look that makes me straighten up slightly. "You mentioned several new abilities. May I ask what those abilities are?"

"I haven't used all of them yet, I have an… instinctive knowledge on how they work but I just haven't had the time. One of them allows me to do this," I say, my body shifting as my skin becomes wrinkled, my hair shortening and going white as a small beard grows.

Blinking as he watches me turn into a picture-perfect copy of him, he briefly tries to cancel the genjutsu before he pauses, staring at me intensely.

"That is not a genjutsu or a transformation technique," Hiruzen finally says, stroking his chin. "Your body has actually changed its shape, right down to your bone structure…"

"It's more unnerving from this side," I admit, making him blink then laugh hearing his own voice coming back at him before I shift back to my true form.

"I can certainly imagine, and what are these powers you haven't used yet?" Hiruzen asks.

"There's something to do with contracts, the knowledge of how to create something I only know as a 'core', a branch of jutsus that seems to be entirely focused on causing pain, the ability to create creatures, a sudden burst of knowledge about poisons and plants I've never heard of before, even in the Nara medicinal library, including how to grow them." I start listing off, seeing his eyes widen in surprise as the list goes on and on. "And… I think I can call back the souls of the dead." I admit, seeing his dumbstruck stare. "I know how ridiculous it sounds, but I think if I know their name and have something that belonged to them, that they cared for enough to still be connected to them, I can pull the spirits of the dead back to the land of the living."

Hiruzen remains silent for a moment, clearly in thought as he stares at me intensely.

"Are you willing to test this ability?" Hiruzen asks, making me nod. He immediately makes another set of hand signs again, his hands moving so incredibly fast I can't even come close to following them before he rises. "Then follow me."

Moving through the doors, he pauses as he turns to a very curvy kunoichi with a long brown ponytail in a revealing red outfit, her expansive cleavage and legs on display.

"My apologies, Mai. Something has come up and I require Hei a little while longer," Hiruzen says, making me blink. So this is the jonin?

"It's no problem, Lord Hokage, should I continue waiting?" 'Mai' asks, making him shake his head.

"No, I think not. I will send for you when we are done, but where are my manners? Hei, this is Mai Shiranui, you two will be working together on the mission we just discussed," Hiruzen says, making me bow towards the jonin.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Shiranui," I say politely, as she's skilled enough to become a jonin after all, and one handpicked for this mission.

"Just call me Mai, and the pleasure is all mine~," Mai says with a smile, giving me a wave as I continue following the Hokage.

We get more than a little attention as we move through the village, but the Hokage has always made it a point to spend time amongst his people so it's nowhere near as much as I would have expected as we head to the Hokage mansion.

Having me wait in the living room for a moment, he disappears and returns carrying a white kimono and a small box.

Passing me the kimono, he sits down opposite me as I use my new power and sense the echo of the woman it belonged to, getting the briefest flash of a serious-looking older woman with long brown hair. I also get a glimpse of her personality, stern and wise.

"This will work, I can feel the essence of the woman who it belonged to," I say, making him nod.

"Describe it, I'm curious to know exactly what you feel," Hiruzen orders, making me nod easily.

"I saw a somewhat older woman with brown hair tied back in a long single ponytail, and a glimpse of who she was. It's not much, but I got a feeling of wisdom and sternness from her?"

He stares for a moment before he chuckles to himself, which quickly escalates into a full belly laugh.

"Ahh, yes. I can't say I'm surprised her stern nature managed to outlive her," Hiruzen chuckles, the laugh sounding sadder than his smile would suggest. "Her name was Biwako Sarutobi, or Biwako Yamanaka if you require her birth name," he continues, making my eyes widen slightly,

Knowing what he wants, I focus on my new powers and use the echo from the kimono to find the right soul.

I can certainly feel an otherworldly presence watching as I grasp the soul of Biwako, but it doesn't do anything to stop me as I pull her back into the land of the living.

The kimono starts to glow an ethereal blue for a moment, before the glow leaves the kimono and floats into the air and takes the form of the woman I saw before, wearing a white kimono which I faintly recognise as a burial kimono.

"Biwako…" Hiruzen says, his normally sage-like voice in disbelief as she opens her eyes and looks around before she locks her gaze into him.

"H-Hiruzen?"

And like that, I've proven I can do what I claimed, with the best audience of all.