Chapter 9

3 weeks after Endo leaves Shikamaru's house

(Endo Pov)

"Are you coming over today?" Shikamaru asked. Endo avoided answering the question yesterday as he felt things got a little bit too emotional between Yoshiro and him. While he didn't feel anything he felt an array of guilty emotions. He felt really bad, and was still trying to sort out his feelings and how he feels about them. ENdo continues on the thought process before being punched in the arm which brought him back to the present.

"Oi, Endo. Are you?" Shikamaru said a little more bothered and annoyed. It was obvious to everyone he wasn't the one used to inviting people over as he looked and probably was forced.

"Hmm" Endo nodded before getting lost in thought which wasn't very unusual for him. Everyone was just concerned due to it being during lunch, which was usually Endo's time to sleep. He was still looking for a way to get Shadow clone, and Eden isn't helping much. This was also on a list of priorities. He still had yet to figure out a way to get Shadow clone Jutsu so he doesn't have to attend school as much and can train.

School ends, Endo and Shikamaru walk back to Shikamaru's house and on the way Endo asks a bunch of annoying questions.

"Shikamaru can I call you Shika?" Endo says

"Whatever" Shika replies

A couple of minutes goes by and they are next to the house, but instead of going through the front, they go through the side where the porch holding the shogi boards are.

"Hey aren't you guys known for your Shadow techniques. Why is it restricted?"

"That's too bothersome to answer, ask my dad." Shika yawns.

"Mom we're here" Shika shouted.

A sliding door opens, and Endo sees Yoshiro looking at him and Shikamaru smiling. 'She must be feeling better.' Endo thought.

"Are you guys hungry, how was your day Shikamaru? How about you Endo" Yoshiro smiled, glad to see that Endo wasn't afraid to come back. She thought she had scared the young boy away, but now she knows it'll take more than that.

The exchange pleasantries with Endo leading the conversation on how they got tested on their progress on their Jutsus, and Endo got 2nd place once again after Sasuke. Which didn't annoy Endo as much as he thought. Endo was mostly focusing on getting his chakra control up which currently it was 70%. He just got to the point where he could crawl on water. It's been trial and failure since he got the mission [Make you control masterful].

As Endo was thinking about his progress since joining the academy, the sliding door opened once more, and this time who exited was Shikaku and Yoshiro entered to make sandwiches.

"Endo. Shikamaru. You ready to face a mythical legend in Shogi"

Both of the boys both snort and sit down, with Shikamaru setting up the board.

[Quest Issued: Beat the young commander in Shogi]

[Reward: Title 'young genius']

[Bonus Objective: Beat Shikaku the bold inquisitor]

[Reward:Title 'Prodigy' and 10 stat points randomly assigned.]

'Guess I gotta take this seriously'

Shikaku then explains the rules and some basic strategies once realizing that Endo is a complete beginner. Showing him enough, he gives Shikamaru a nod and the game commences. Without a moment's hesitation Shikamaru starts the game and waits for Endo to make his move. After a couple of good moves, he tells Endo that he will give him 1000 Ryo if he beats shikamaru. Endo accepts as he needs money if he wants to start being independent and starts the real match. Furiously going back and forth Endo and Shikamaru display a variety of emotions from intrigue to fear in split seconds before both going back into a more stoic appearance. Time passes and so does the game as the victor is decided. Endo checks his notification and it displays

[Main Objective Successful. Bonus in progress]

He focuses back onto the already set up board this time facing Shikaku. Shikaku actually didn't think Endo would win as he seemed like a total beginner before the match and Shikaku had been playing with his son since Shikamaru was 3. Not only was Shikaku genuinely surprised, he was also intrigued as Endo completely dominated the match although very rushed and sometimes messy in the attempt at being straightforward. He grins as he compliments Endo. Endo doesn't even notice the words as he is currently shitting bricks right now. He already knew he had no chance of winning, and was surprised that Shikamaru lost. He came to the realization that Shikamaru is still growing with experience compared to Endo who already had 16 years on him. Shikaku gives the stack of Ryo, and they start the match and Endo is surprised because it seems like Shikaku seems to be making moves similar to his son. Annoyed with the lack of originality and with the determination to win, Endo gets lured into Shikaku's seemingly invisible trap and Endo finally comes out of his stupor when he realizes this. He cries mentally as he asks his opponent.

"So were you friends with my father Toshiro".

"Oi, Shikamaru doesn't know, Yoshiro was gonna wait until you too graduated to tell him." Shikaku exclaimed.

Shikamaru feeling left out, asked.

"Tou-san, what are you talking about?"

"..."

At the worst moment, the sliding door slid once again, and out came a smiling Yoshiro holding a plate of sandwiches, and some water. She looked at a curious Shikamaru, and glanced at Shikaku and Endo before asking.

"What happened?"

Shikaku presumably explains what happened, and the look of Yoshiro at the moment could've been considered an act of Yoshiro being possessed by Kushina, and it looked like Angry vapors were coming off of her. After a breath or two, and apology from Endo, Yoshiro calmed down, and put the food and drinks on the low counter while sitting next to her son. She looked at Shikamaru while looking at Shikaku so he could answer the question Endo asked. Shikaku always felt bad for what his father did to Toshiro. Toshiro was always a budding talent following in pace with the likes of Minato Namikaze, and Shikaku himself. It was only when his brother started arguing with his father, the clan leader at the time with the disagreement on who they should support. Toshiro unlike most of the Nara's was always emotional, even when it wasn't in his benefit to be. Toshiro questioned the sudden eradication of the senju, urging their father to give them insight into why two of the biggest clans. One being the senju and the other Uchiha started to become heavily one sided when in the beginning they were equal. For this questioning and distrust in the leadership of the Hokages, Toshiro was banned from the Nara though it was under the guise of him joining Anbu Bounty Hunter Corps. This led to Toshiro taking on the S Rank Bounty of Zabuza of the Mist later in career, and getting fatally injured. Shikaku and Toshiro kept in touch now and again but all communications during the year of the Kyuubi attack.

"He was a good person and probably tried his best as a father." Shikaku hesitated as he didn't know how much to say. During this pause.

"Who is Endo's father?" Shikamaru asked. He knew it was impolite and did it anyway out of curiosity. This sparked a solemn look from Yoshiro.

"Uncle Toshy I told you about. He's Endo's father, Shikamaru." She said taking a sip of water. Endo reached over for a sandwich which he thanked his aunt for, and looked at the surprised young nara clan. Endo guessed that Shikamaru never expected to have a familial tie with his friend.

"Bothersome," Shikamaru said, grabbing a sandwich for himself. This led to everyone sighing and laughing as they all should've expected this. Yoshiro retold her and her brother's story until he left the village, where she could only give bits and pieces from some of it being a high ranking secret in their clan. After they finished Shikaku coughed which led to Endo realizing they have a game still going on. Time passes once again, and as expected he loses, and sits closer to the forest when it's Shikamaru's and Shikaku's turn to play, and Yoshiro advised to keep busy since they can take up to 4 hours sometimes. Endo nods and without checking his rewards, walks through the forest, and he sees

[Quest Issued: Run with the beast.]

[Run with the deer and see the forest. What can go wrong?]

[Bonus Objective: Speak with the leader?

Bonus Reward: Based on completion.]

And just like that the peace and calm atmosphere turned to a fun frenzy with Endo running after the deer who were zipping through the forest like no tomorrow. Thankfully, it seemed like they were guiding more than fleeing so it made the journey slightly easy. It seemed like Nara's forest spanned out forever.After what seemed like his life was over due to exhaustion Endo stopped when he noticed a raccoon entering a cave. Then he noticed that all of the deer suddenly disappeared and he was by his lonesome. He turned back and started going back to his cottage getting creepy Orochimaru vibes from the cave. I should check my notification

'Notifications'

[gained 1 STR]

[Quest Completed: Beat the young commander in Shogi]

[Reward: Title 'young genius']

[Bonus Objective Failed: Beat Shikaku the bold inquisitor]

[Completed Quest: Run with the beast

Reward: 300 exp

[Bonus Objective: Speak with the leader?]

[PENDING]

Hidden Objective: Find new summoning cave

Reward: 50 exp and +3 INT

'Huh I'll come back tonight' Endo thought

Timeskip no Jutsu: Later this night

Endo could be seen walking around in the forest in the middle of the night retracing his footsteps from the first time he came earlier this afternoon, and unlike what he felt during his first escapade in this forest, joyfulness could be seen as he genuinely enjoyed being in the Nara forest almost like he belonged here. As Endo got closer to the cave this time he noticed the deer stopped following to a certain point and a little longer he was by himself and was engulfed again by what he now theorized was a Natural energy barrier. It felt weird last time, but now that he was used to sensation, he had no problem continuing through the cave until what seemed like a dead end. Going up to it and then putting his hand to the wall and pushing Endo was magically absorbed and what felt like he was being sucked into a whole different universe. He saw torches and leathers placed methodically. The torches lit up the leathers to what seemed like tapestries done on them, and he wondered where whoever lived here was as he was faced towards two paths.

'pop'

[Choice issued: Weasel or Raccoon]

'Raccoon no doubt, It seems like the dog summon but more useful and besides Temari's weasel looks like more infiltration, and I'd like to be on a track and bounty team.'' Endo decided.

The door going to the right seemingly disappeared in what appeared to be oblivion as even when Endo touched the wall like the one to get in, he didn't get sucked in like the last and he was still there. Not regretting his choice he shrugged and then went towards the left path going to the supposed raccoon colony. What seemed like a 30 minute walk ended as he saw two raccoons that seemed like guards and beyond them was a shrine and sitting on it was a small raccoon with a flower crown on its head.

"Halt, what is a human doing here, TetsuTetsu Cave is far away from any civilization so how'd you get here?" guard 1 one asked.

"Ehh… that's weird because I am from Konohagakure, and there was a cave in the Nara forest and somehow that was what led me here." Endo shrugged and said.

The guards' eyes widened and they were also confused, because they were told a boy would come here at the age of 8 by their leader. The raccoon guards became alerted once more and repeated

"What's your name boy,"

'Endo'

The guard's eyes widened even more before guard 2 moved out of the way and motioned for Endo to follow. Complying to not make things more hostile decides to follow the guard quietly until they reach the back end of the cave where the leader of the raccoon clan resides.

"ENTER AND BE RESPECTFUL TO OUR MOTHER. SHE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE SPEAKING TO YOU HUMANS AFTER WHAT THEY DID TO THE PRINCE" Guard 2 shouted. Not wanting to get on the guard's bad side simply nodded and listened to the guard's direction.

"Halt, and kneel before your the mother-"

"Stop with your nonsense, you know we don't care for manners or politeness. We are not like the silly humans. Endo do not mind the guards, they tend to have a stick up their ass" the Guard leader quipped.

"But he is a hu-"

"Taka!"

"Yes Leader" The guard called Taka relented.

"Good, now where were we"

Endo seeing the argument caused him to burst out laughing. At first it was because he had never seen an animal talk so he felt kinda manic, but then because never seen such a public display of respect and adoration. Realizing he looked crazy he quickly got back to his more stoic appearance but now leaving a gentle grin on his face.

"Endo, a talented shinobi and a boy of prophecy. Destined take over the position of the godson of a sage, and the legacy of a demi-god"

Guessing what she meant Endo slowly nodded, but realizing she said he was meant to replace him just pissed him off.

"What the fuck do you mean I gotta replace him, I don't want that I just want to be strong, and battle people until I become the strongest and furthermore a legend. Then have a family and protect everyone." Endo responded with his arms crossed.

"I don't mean 'replace' him but you are going to be taking over his destiny with your friend taking over the boy's friend." the mother replied.

'Friend?'

"Who's my friend?" Endo asked

"I'm not allowed to discuss this." she replied

"Plus you guys' interferences are too aggressive and Kami-sama told me to tell you that you guys being here made things a lot harder, and to not trust what you already know. Do you know what he meant and should we be concerned? " The leader asked, pulling Endo out of his mental monologue.

'Kami-sama put us here.. And not trust..what I know...fuck did he turn this world into a new game+ or some shit. I know it's AU since there's never been a recorded Senju and Nara son, but I didn't think he would make that much of a change but who knows after that message.' Endo quickly thought before replying.

"Maybe, thanks for the information. It gave me a lot to think about, and no I don't think you should be concerned, I think.." Endo said genuinely.

"Ok good, Now it is time for our role. I know we are not the best summon clan but we surely outclass the toads, snakes, and Katsuyu so what do you say? We've also housed many Nara and even a few Senju when you petty humans were fighting for the first major time. Your Father was actually our last contractor after a long drought of isolation and said that we should look for you but he didn't give us a location so we had no choice but to hope you would one day come. That very night...I, the great Mori, got my vision." Mori puffed up her chest.

After thinking for a while the anticipation could be cut with a knife, but internally Endo was conflicted. He was going to agree to the contract, but his very thought of his father angered him. Why did he have to die, and why can't he remember his mother.[1] These two things were questions that he would find out eventually. Wanting to give them an answer he looked out but when he realized Taka was so close to him that he was actually on his head he started dying of laughter. After a couple of minutes and Taka standing back on guard he decided to ask a question before agreeing.

"Why were there raccoons around me in the forest anytime I was near, even though you said you guys couldn't find me?" Endo asked

"Raccoons outside the clan aren't chakra beasts so they are just regular animals that you guys eat and hunt, they devolved as time progressed and as they stopped living in a life energy condensed place. I honestly have no idea why they would be following you."

"Huh, well yeah I want a contract if you would have me."Endo responded while yawning and rubbing his eyes.

After being told that he would have to tell the hokage as very strong people can sense when you have a summons as it becomes a part of your soul he signed the contract and was shown the hand signs. He was also given a small scroll, and was told to come back after the synergy between his summons finished converging, and he developed his shadow mastery. Not wanting to waste too much time even though he already loved some of the raccoons, he decided to start heading home, and come back tomorrow. After getting out of the cave entrance it seals shut like it wasn't even there and when he touched it seemed like it never existed at all. Believing it to be bothersome to think about for too long, he made his way home

'Notifications'

[Issued Mission Completed: Talk to leader]

Choose your summon, and meet their leader and hear the beginning of your destiny.

Reward:

Getting the Raccoon summons

3 Quest unlocked

[Mission issued: Talk to leader part 2

Meet Mori once you have completed {Mission: one with the shadows}]

[Required task turned into Mission issued: One with the shadows

Mission details: get 25% mastery on Shadow release and make a Shadow release jutsu or technique

Reward: 300 exp

[Optional Mission: Restart training

Task: 100 on all stats, and 5 more

Reward: ??? (Affects [Mission: Talk to leader part 2)]

'That's doable but what the fuck is this amount of optional quest. It's requirements are ridiculous.' Endo's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a

'ding'

[Urgent Quest Issued: Meet the Hokage

Mission Details: Meet the Hokage tomorrow, and tell him about your summons

Reward: keep your summons

Failure: removed summons and optional mission: What do you mean egg?]

Bonus mission: Avoid Danzo

Reward: 100 exp]

'FUCK'

addd the trauma scene.