Chapter 23 – Other Villages, Green Beast and Arrogance

Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was in a spacious training room, engaged with his clone. One punch would come that got blocked, followed by another, then a kick from below, jumping and attacking with a Bō.

Outside the room, in the office, one clone was going through a scroll, his brows deeply furrowed. 

KNOCK! KNOCK! 

"Mariko, come in." 

The mature woman entered the room, carrying a small stack of files.

"More papers to sign?" Hiruzen asked calmly as he closed the scroll, a bitter smile on his face.

"It isn't, Hokage-sama. These are from the Intel department about the things happening all over the continent, the annual report." Mariko replied happily. 

The paperwork that had always burdened Hiruzen seemed to have decreased, perhaps due to the efforts of the Intel and T & I departments or some assertiveness in handling those responsible for the unnecessary paperwork.

"Why is it now? It's a month early." Hiruzen, who came out of the training room, complained after wiping his face and neck.

"They said it was because of the new seal work." Mariko replied.

"Even if it was because of that, they didn't need to make it a month early. Tell them to maintain the schedule, neither early nor late." Hiruzen said sternly. Then, he added with a sigh, "Going overboard when having the ability." 

With a puff of smoke, the clone disappeared and Hiruzen walked towards his seat after a small series of hand seals. Feeling refreshed, he wore his cloak and hat, then signaled Mariko to start.

Mariko went through the papers and started. 

"In the past year, the Land of the Sun has selected its next inheritor. Land of the Moon has established multiple greenhouses and laboratories, researching about a flower blooming on a golden moonlight… 

Land of Birds… 

Land of Mountain…

…

Village Hidden under the Moon, under the Sun, under the Star, under the Moonlight, in the Grass, in the Valley, Cider Village, and Bamboo Village, as well as the newly emerged Village Hidden in the Sound and in Caves, have all decided to participate in the Chūnin exams conducted by the Village Hidden in the Sand. Rock and Cloud refused the invitation for Chūnin exams yet again. 

As for the Land of Earth, there are reports of people disappearing from small cities, experiments on the volcano top, discoveries of unusual materials, a new law on population quotas…

The capital of the Land of Earth is focusing on new minerals and energy sources. Four explosions have occurred, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. A large-scale sacrificial ceremony was conducted in the ninth month to appease the population.

Land of Water. The lord of the land still hasn't appeared before the population, causing chaos. Numerous sightings have confirmed that he is alive and well. However, he has hired many missing-nin for his protection rather than relying on his hidden village. The Land of Water has been selling rare and unusual herbs, primarily to buyers from the Lightning and Fire nations.

Land of Wind. The lord is discontent with his hidden village, cursing them in his private chambers. Decreasing the mission to the village, allowing mercenary groups to form in the outskirts of the capital. Currently, three mercenary establishments have been registered at the capital as of now with over fifty mercenaries.

Land of Lightning. Patrolling spies brought back only rumors. Jiraiya-sama has contacted that he would be providing Intel about the village and capital in his next meet.

Our village hasn't gotten missions from the Mud, Cloud, Dream Tree, Gold, Sakura, Sky and Key village. So, we lack new information on them." 

Finishing her words, Mariko gave Hiruzen the papers and stood by for any further commands. 

After a full fifteen minutes, Hiruzen put down the last paper and let out a big sigh. 

He glanced at Mariko and ordered, "Inform the civilian and ninja council to hand over their reports as soon as possible. In the previous time, only the Intel department would be late but now…. Tell them to control themselves." 

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Mariko said as she left the room, promptly attending to the task.

"If anything important happens, call me." Hiruzen commanded and went back to the training room. Weaving hand-seals, he made a small cut, blood leaking from his hand catching the air in front of him, he called out. 

"Summoning jutsu – Monkey King Enma." 

"Hiruzen," A deep voice called. A monkey with body and tail covered in white fur, which protrudes from his sleeves and pants. He has long unkempt white hair that reached his back and long sideburns and a goatee, wearing a black suit with mesh armor underneath, over which he wears a sleeveless kimono shirt with white fur trimmings and markings reminiscent of tiger stripes on it, which is held closed by a red sash. The big guy was also wearing a Konoha forehead protector. 

"Enma… it's been long since I last called you." 

"It has, my friend… You look like you need some help." 

"Yeah… these old bones of mine needs your help." 

Giving a long stare, Enma let out a rare smile, "I am always here to help you." 

HOUSE 

Sitting on the floor, wearing yellow and black, Naruto picked up his brush and wrote a dozen of words in a few seconds. It would have been perfect, if his tongue was not sticking out form the corner of his mouth, turned upwards.

"Morning, Naruto." 

Coming out of daze due to Raito's call, Naruto replied in greeting. 

"Naruto, what do you wanna eat?" Raito asked as he stood in front of the kitchen. 

Perking up, Naruto answered, "Ramen." 

"Oh, we still have some chicken and this soup. Didn't I buy this…?" Raito opened the fridge, grabbing the celery and eggs. 

"But what about ramen?." 

Ignoring Naruto, Raito started cutting, seasoning and stirring. He completed everything in a fluid-like motion, all while still practicing chakra control. 

[Chakra Control Exercise – Leaf Sticking Exercise Lvl 46] 

"Why would you even ask me…" Disheartened, Naruto went back to his Fūinjutsu.

"Tomorrow we have to go to training ground zero, survival training… sigh… " Ratio sighed as he scrolled through his inventory, "Maybe I need more snacks." 

"It would be the easiest survival test. I had shadow clones learn all those books you gave me. There will be no problem." 

'As if it would be so easy,' Raito snorted inwardly 

"With your jutsu, we will have an easy time." Naruto laughed joyfully as he ate. 

'Am I depending too much on Inventory?' Raito questioned himself inwardly. 

Raito quietly checked his status as he ate his food. His chakra was already at 2000 points. It was already a fourth of Naruto's monstrous chakra. Closing the status tab, he took out the scroll for 'Shadow Clone' jutsu. Unrolling the scroll, Raito quietly read. 

After eating, the two parted ways; Naruto went to the back hills but Raito stayed home. Opening the cupboard, Raito took plates and cups, casting a 'False surrounding' changing the color. Spots appeared on the surface of the cup and artistic paintings appeared on the plate surfaces. Looking at the drawings, Raito felt satisfied. Then, from the inventory, he took out a few things. 

[Added Weight Jacket] 

Novice level, tight-fitting, added weight jacket. 

Owner: Yoshizawa Raito 

Modified by: Yoshizawa Raito 

Weight: 33 kg 

With novice level skill of Yoshizawa Raito, adding bars of iron and stitching them on the jacket. 

(#LOG – Improvement)

[Added weight bracelet] 

Novice level, added weight bracelet. 

Owner: Yoshizawa Raito 

Modified by: Yoshizawa Raito 

Weight: 7.8 kg 

With novice level skill of Yoshizawa Raito, heating and twisting the bar of iron to make a bracelet like structure. 

(#LOG – Improvement seen) 

"Hehe." Raito chuckled menacingly. 

Wearing the jacket and bracelets, Raito exited the door and sealed the house before starting running.

Somewhere inside the village 

"Sensei, are you really letting us join the Chūnin exams?" The voice paused for a bit and continued, "I mean we are not…" 

"Karu, what are you saying? Be more positive, POSITIVE." The girl stamped her foot and glared.

"Damn it, Ami. You know how difficult it will be. It's not like you'll go inside and get the certification in an instant." Karu replied, mostly with a bitter face. 

The Jōnin who was watching them had one hand on his pocket while other held a cigarette. He watched the two Genin quarreling, then looked at his third Genin. 

Sighing lightly, he intervened, "Shut it, you two." Turning to the boy lost in thought, he asked, "Gennai, what do you think?" 

After a prolonged silence, Gennai raised his hand and looked at his Jōnin instructor then asked, "Fumio-sensei, where will you place us among the Genin from Konoha who may be going to Chūnin exams?"

Fumio sighed, glancing at his team, then said, "I will place you guys within top 10 right now from those in the village." 

Ami was overjoyed, "Really!" She squealed but Gennai and Karu had dark faces. 

"You guys are above the middle of this batch. So you may have some choice." Fumio added. 

"I am not going." Gennai raised his weak voice. 

"Me too, sensei." Karu added. 

"You guys…" Ami was confused 

Fumio looked at the girl of the team, "Ami, your choice." 

Struggling, she reluctantly replied with a hint of rejection, "I am with the team… so let's train hard and….and in the next Chūnin exam, we will show them."

"We may have C-rank in the next week or so, as lots of groups will be going out; for now, let's do D-ranks." 

"Yes"

"Let's go." 

Looking at his team, he threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it. "Go and register for the mission; I will be there on time."

Getting the instructor's command, the trio ran away. 

Seeing the group, Raito turned around, ready to leave.

"Hey, little buddy. Eavesdropping is a bad habit, you know." Fumio looked lazily at Raito's direction.

"Ah." Startled, Raito jumped but could not do it completely due to the weights, bearing him down. 

Embarrassed, about being caught, Raito said, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop." 

'Genjutsu, an area type.' He looked at the cigarette and concluded.

"Are you an Academy student?" the Jōnin instructor asked. 

Raito nodded. 

"You'll be graduating soon?" he asked again, but didn't wait for an answer. "Let me give you some advice." 

"Sure." 

"If I was an enemy ninja, and if you hadn't prepared an escape route, you would've been killed, and your body left to rot. Perhaps, after some days, someone would stumble upon your body, creating a state of alert in the village. But by then, the enemy would have fled, taking valuable Intel with him, causing some kind of damage to the village." Fumio tried to make Raito feel difficult, talking about death, disgust, and guilt, but Raito stood there in silence, maintaining eye contact. 

"But, kid, you're good. Better than my students, it seems. You've got a knack for stealth." 

After a brief pause, Fumio added, "You heard us discussing the Chūnin exams when you were over there," he said, pointing to a corner. "You had brains to figure out that you needed this information, and you had guts to act on it. And… you're using a transformation technique right now, with minor Genjutsu." 

Smiling, he continued, "If only you had an escape route, I would've given you a perfect 10." 'Maybe you have.'

"Who said I didn't have an escape route planned?" Raito countered.

An adult and a kid locked eyes. The Jōnin instructor yawned and, in exasperation, said, "I give up. You win, kid." 

"If I waste any more time here, they'll surely call me lazy." Turning around, Fumio walked away. "See you later, Yoshizawa Raito… Take care of Shikamaru." 

"Damn it." Raito muttered, releasing his transformation, sitting down, and went over everything in his head. 

"From that corner to that end, he could have seen me at any point. Jōnin like himself have greater environmental sensitivity. Plus, that Nara brain of his is way too sharp. 

Using the video function of his gamer ability, hiding in the dungeon, Raito analyzed and summarized. 

"First, I tried forcefully to not move my head but my eyes turned towards them. That's a strike. Second, I slowed down in the middle of walking there. That's another strike. I made too much noise separating the bush, and I was wearing weights that made my footstep heavy and probably noisier." Raito sighed, recalling Inoichi's words - 'Reflecting on my actions, refine to improve, be better than yesterday, blooming in full might.'

Smiling lightly, he thought, 'I managed to fool the three Genin. I have time; I should focus on raising my strength and vitality right now.'

AFTER HALF AN HOUR 

Gasping for breath, Raito thought, 'I never knew, Hokage tower was this far.' 

Maintaining a slow pace, Raito kept running. Beads of sweat on his forehead, falling on the ground with each step, 'Control my breathing, Control.'

Drinking half a bottle of water, Raito wiped his sweat. 

"Gai-sensei, look. Someone is training using weights, just like us." 

Raito heard a loud, excited voice. Looking back, Raito saw Rock lee, the dead last of the last semester, running, wearing what seemed to be a green dress. 

"Ohh! Lee. Let us learn from the fellow shinobi. It seems that we need to increase our training more. On this great occasion, we should double our training." The man next to Rock Lee was also wearing a green dress, with bowl-cut hair and big eyebrows.

"Hai, Gai-sensei, at least a five times." Lee exclaimed.

"But Lee, you can't do that much right now." Gai punched Lee lightly but Lee springed right back.

"Gai-sensei, if I can't do that, then I can at least do five hundred push-ups, with one hand behind my back, and if I can't do that, I will run Konoha border ten times, and if I can't do that..."

Lip twitching, Raito blocked Lee's voice and continued running once again. 

Frowning, Raito made a hard right towards the Hokage monument to escape the duo, but Lee's voice followed just behind, and it seemed the voice was getting nearer. 

"Gai-sensei, is this new friend is going to our place?" Lee asked. 

"It seems so, Lee-kun. Let's ask him." 

Gai caught up to Raito, and Lee followed behind. 

"Raito-kun?" 

"Lee, do you know this youthful youth?" Gai asked, his face showing confusion. 

"Hai, Gai-sensei. A few months back Raito-kun asked me some question about my situation." Lee answered truthfully. 

"Oh, Raito-kun, it's nice to meet someone as youthful as you. Training right now, you seem to have a truly youthful spirit." Gai stared at Raito, a twinkle in his eyes. 

Jumping in front of Raito and making him stop, Gai stood straight, legs spreading slightly. Left hand at his hips and right-hand thumbs pointing at his face, giving a toothpaste advertisement-worthy smile, he declared, "I am the youthful spirit of Konoha. People who know me, also call me as the 'Leaf's Noble Green Beast'. Full of youthful spirit flowing in my body, I am the inheritor of 'Leaf Spirit Taijutsu' of my generation. I am Maito Gai." 

Raito looked at the man in front of him and felt respect for this weird Jōnin, Maito Gai, Taijutsu master, renowned for the Leaf Spirit Taijutsu style, practitioner of the Forbidden Hidden Gates, expert of the frontal assault. Speed, strength, technique are extremely exceptional. Counted among the top Jōnin in the Leaf Village and most renowned for his destructive performance.

Raito recalled the information he got to know when he was in Inoichi's office and summarized a small paragraph about Gai.

Bowing his head, Raito said, "It's nice meeting you, Gai-sensei." 

Coming out from his daze, Gai said slowly, "Raito-kun, Yoshizawa Raito, I knew your father very well. He was my training partner. We used to spar every now and then. Raito-kun, how about after you become a Genin, you visit me? I may not know much about other arts, but for Taijutsu, I know much more knowledgeable than anyone in the village." 

"Hai, Gai-sensei, I would very much like to." Raito replied as he bowed. 

"Gai-sensei," Lee called from the side.

"Let's go." Gai shouted. 

"Hai." Lee chirped. 

The three started running, Gai and Lee slowing their pace to match Raito's. 

Glancing sideways, Gai felt confused, then he said, "Raito-kun, its better if you use as little chakra as possible." 

"While breathing, press the tip to your tongue to the top of the mouth, then breathe. Create that resistance and hold it." Gai would continually give Raito pointers, even stopping at times for Raito to catch up. 

[VIT raised by 3 points.] 

[STR raised by 3 points.] 

"Gai-sensei, thank you for advising me. This type of training is more beneficial than I usually do." Raito thanked the green beast and asked for leave. 

"Raito-kun, I want to share my youthful spirit with you, I request you for a spar, please accept it." Rock Lee asked with a bow. 

Name: Rock Lee Lvl 29 

Title: Genin of Leaf Village 

HP: 4600/4600 

CP: 400/400 

STR: 130

VIT: 112

DEX: 120

INT: 53

WIS: 51

LUK: 29

….

Raito's focused gaze dimmed, and he frowned; his mouth puckered. 

Sighing, he began, "I want to but I can't." (Raito started making excuses, pot of lie, open.) 

"You are a Genin under supervision of a Jōnin, but I am a student in the academy and a civilian. So, we cannot spar right now; I am sorry." 

"Right Lee, civilian against civilian and ninja against ninja." Gai explained in simple words, saving Raito. The level difference was just too great. 

'Truly a smart kid.' Gai added a card to Raito. 

"Then let's spar in future, Raito-kun." Lee extended his hand. Raito followed and shook his hand in acceptance. 

"I have already accepted Tenten's challenge and now I have accepted yours. I am truly sorry for what I have to say...."

Lee looked confused as Raito slightly lowered his head and looked at Lee with a small glare. "I will say it bluntly – may it be you or Tenten, I will not fight in your field of your expertise, I will use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, whatever I feel like will defeat you. Tenten is good at Bukaijutsu and you are good at Taijutsu. You are weak at Genjutsu and Tenten is bad at Ninjutsu." 

Raito became even fiercer, "If you don't cover your weakness I will pursue them, exploit them, and defeat you." 

The fierce expression disappeared and a smile replaced it. The heaviness the words brought still remained but it was much lighter. "So make sure to cover your weakness, okay?" 

Lee stood there stunned, staring at the back of Raito as he ran back where he came from. 

[Quest Complete] Green Suits 

Provoke Rock lee (Complete). 

Quest reward – 30 EXP 

'One more completed.' Chain quest came like waves, giving little rewards, but still, Raito did it. Only he thought – 'even though it is a drop, it will fill the jar, one day.'

Quest – Cherry Blossom 

Quest – Mind Hacker 

Quest – Food Miracle 

Quest – Floating Shadow 

Quest – Fanning Fire 

Quest – A Drop of Poison 

Quest – Sword World 

Quest – Sweet Tooth 

Quest – Prank Hazard 

Quest – Buggy Station 

Quest – Fangs on You 

At the Abarai household

"Renji, why are you distracted?" The older men frowned as the boy in front of him missed yet again. "Stand straight, make the stance, hands more back… argh, do everything again." 

The old men turned around in exhaustion and said, "The three years are coming to an end, and we will be going back to our place soon. We have to show that your swordsmanship has improved and make the council of... elder believe that..." 

Then he turned quite. 

"Father." 

"Right… we… Ahem, do it again… I want to see you complete it perfectly, no wasted movements." The old man regained control of his expression and instructed the Renji once again. 

"Yes, father." 

Raito

"I am hungry." Grabbing his stomach, Raito walked towards the house. 

After 3 hours of running with added weight, Raito was finally at his comfortable house. 

[CP 10/2000] 

[Abnormal Status – Extreme Exhaustion] 

As soon as he stepped inside the house, his leg gave out, causing him to fall to the ground, face first. 

Rolling sideways, Raito tried pushing the ground but failed to do so. Making the jacket and cuffs disappear, he started breathing techniques. 

"I am going to be a ninja soon. I'll be forced into a new world of danger, but I am going to survive, survive in this ruthless world." 

"Hup." Raito flipped up. 

Raito gripped his fist tightly and loosened. "I really feel exhausted." 

Resting for tens of minutes, Raito recovered from his exhausted state and brought out a paper with various things written on it. "Okay then. [Record video].... Experiment number 5." 

"Inventory," (A box screen appeared.) 

"One bite rice ball," (5 of the small box got highlighted out.) 

"1," (The first one was selected.) 

"1," (One of the 99 highlighted ones was selected.)" 

A few seconds later, a small white spherical ball appeared in front of him. The rice ball was in the air for 3 seconds after which it started dropping.

His hands unconsciously went for the ball, grabbing it. Frowning, Raito tried a couple of times before stopping. 

Sitting inside a bath, a one bite rice ball appeared just above Raito and fell to his mouth.

"Maybe." Thinking of an idea, Raito jumped out of the bath and rushed downwards. He grabbed a small plastic bag and stuffed it with some food, went to his neighbor's house. 

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! 

Raito kept on knocking, but the other side was as silent as the deep mountains. For a whole five minutes, Raito knocked on the door without resting. Finally, he heard a voice, "Who the hell is awake this early?" a women's lazy, angry shout could be heard outside. 

"Kayoka-nee, it's already eleven; open the door." Raito replied. 

A woman wearing a plain white T-shirt and gray short pants opened the door. Her green eyes narrowed as she slightly opened it, allowing a ray of light to hit her face. Groaning, she covered her face and hurriedly closed it.

Raito kept on knocking on the side of the door even after. 

"Cut it, brat." Opening the door harshly, there was the smell of alcohol emanated from her. Grabbing Raito's hand, she asked, "What do you want?" 

"I brought some food." Raito handed a paper bag to her. 

Kayoko stared at the paper bag before releasing his hand and grabbing it. 

"Make yourself at home; I'll make some tea." She said simply before walking back.

"I already had tea, Kayoko-nee. I came to ask for something." 

Keeping the bag on the table, Kayoko looked at the boy and said, "If you want me to give you jutsu, poison, weapons, Intel or training, then the answer is 'No'. So, tell me what do you want?" 

Rolling his eyes, Raito handed out a cloth and rope, "I want you to tie my hand with a rope. I am doing escape techniques. I have already done it so many times but...." making a face of difficulty, Raito answered. 

"Done." Kayoko tied Raito's hand with the rope, tying a complex knot structure. 

"K...Kayoko-nee, isn't this a bit too much?" 

"Try and you will know." After saying that, Raito was pushed outside, and the door was closed.

Raito went back to his house and tried the sequence once again. The rice ball once again appeared in front of him for a few seconds before falling to the ground. With a thought, this time the rice ball appeared in his hand. Again. This time, the rice ball appeared in his mouth. Chewing and swallowing the rice ball, Raito commented, "Nice flavor". 

Following the series again, the rice ball fell on the ground, this time to a hands distance away. 

"Well, I knew I couldn't be that fortunate. Now let's open this knot." 

Ten minutes later, the knot was getting tighter. 

Ten minutes later, "Damn it, it's too difficult." Raito's face was red, and he was panting. On the floor, two hands bond, and also a foot now. 

'Inventory. Kunai. 1.' A kunai appeared in his hand, after which he used the remaining foot and cut the rope. 

"How did she do that?" Raito grumbled.

[Stop recording]

[Video experiment no 5]

Raito watched all of it and later tried on tying the knot in the same way Kayoko did. 

DEX raised by 1. 

"Hei… hei, didn't I buy that book about knots and rope technique back then?" Raito then quickly went upstairs to find the book. (For all those dirty minds...)

On a training ground in Konoha, Rock Lee punched the stump of the tree continuously, seemingly lost in deep thought. 

Watching his student in turmoil, Gai did not say anything. 

Stopping his punching routine, Lee looked at Gai and asked, "Gai-sensei, I agree with what Raito-kun said, but I don't know… if I can do anything about it. I don't know what I should do." 

"Lee, that's what I'm for. Ask me for help and I'll help you. That's what instructors are for. What Raito-kun said was extremely blunt, but at the same time undoubtedly true. Even without him telling you, you would have faced these challenges eventually." Gai said as he looked at Lee. 

"You have weakness, Tenten have weakness, Neji have weakness, everyone has one, even me or Hokage-sama." 

"Even you or Hokage-sama?" 

"Yes." 

"Then, how?" 

"There is no straightforward answer. As you work hard, you'll discover them." 

Turning stern, Gai made Lee train harder and planned for Tenten, and as for Neji; he didn't want to think more. Neji only accepted strength training but never wanted to learn other techniques.

HOKAGE TOWER, HOKAGE OFFICE. 

"So young yet so talented, hidden like a snake…" the man continued, "Failed academy once then Chūnin exams twice. Overlooked by many, possessing high-level Iryō Ninjutsu and excellent chakra control, but his Jōnin instructor never put up his name for field promotion." 

Pausing, the man skimmed through papers, then continued, "Surprisingly, he has an approved room in the academy and the tower. Working as an aide, helping his adoptive father in hospital and chambers." 

Inoichi studied the papers, going through them several times before placing his pen on the stack.

"Since when has the tower allowed an individual a separate room? Since when… was a medic Nin was so easily allowed to treat ANBU? Since when is this all happening?" Hiruzen asked, the marble ball under his finger sinking in the wooden table. 

"Approval was given by you, signed by you, Hokage-sama." Inoichi presented two papers and place it on the table. 

Hiruzen looked at the approval letter and his signature, anger clear visible on his face. Looking once again at Inoichi, Hiruzen asked, "Mizuki, his mindscape, Kabuto was there?" 

"Yes, Hokage-sama, Kabuto, this person has been on so many of the Chūnin exams but refused every time, just before going on the stage. His mission reports show that he has very less involvement in the frontal assault, always going for support and medication." 

"Mizuki had a mind seal on him blocking most of the memories. But I definitely saw this guy, Kabuto after diving deep." Inoichi sat on the seat and said straight. "If needed, I will ask the elders from the clan to break that seal."

Hiruzen nodded. 

CAT ANBU appeared from behind Inoichi, looked at the table. Reaching out to photo and examining it for a while, she shared, "T and I department's Ayoma Mari met with the suspect 'Kabuto' at the academy. She said having 'bad vibes' from him, believing that 'Kabuto' is big trouble, wanting Raito to never meet this Kabuto." 

"Put a detail on him for now, the rooms, leave it, but limit the ANBU division. Use discretion. As for Mizuki, prepare to send him to the correctional facility in the west." Hiruzen gave out the command before signaling everyone in the room to leave. 

Bang!

The door slammed open, and Naruto walked inside, with a wide grin on his face and a skip in his steps. In his hand, he held a stack of yellow paper. 

"Jii-chan, I did it!" Naruto barged inside the room, shouting at the top of his voice. 

Hiruzen looked at the bundle of happiness and smiled.

As Naruto quickly entered the room with his talisman, he had shouted, announced his happiness. 

"Jii-chan, look at these, I made them." Naruto gave the talisman to Hiruzen, who took it as though it were a precious artifact. 

In surprise, Hiruzen asked, "Naruto, what are these talisman… aren't these explosion talisman?" 

After placing a fresh scroll on the desk and then the talisman on top of it, he looked at Naruto and inquired, "May I?" 

"Of course! It's a new type of explosion talisman, straight from the Uzumaki clan, born from my greatness. I made this one all by myself." Naruto laughed as he explained. 

Pressing his index finger to the talisman, the chakra filled the talisman. The ink started to spread covering the scroll filling the twelve columns. Hiruzen smiled as he looked at the scroll before closing it, "I will be keeping this." 

"Okay." 

HOUSE 

"[ID Escape]" 

"ID Create" and "ID Escape" leveled up. 

"ID Create" and "ID Escape" has reached level 10. 

Instant Dungeon: Wasteland 

Instant Dungeon: Wasteland – Zombies 

Instant Dungeon: Tribal lands 

'I unlocked a new type of dungeon.' Raito checked his skill list and smiled. Stuffing everything in his inventory, he started preparing for tomorrow. The mattress, blanket, utensils, snacks and everything else.

ABSOLUTE CHEATING TOOL.

Raito was in absolute glee. Everything needed for the survival exams was in his inventory.

But didn't he fear the Chūnin in the survival test who would be watching his team? 

Nope not a bit. In survival test, everything depends on you, cheating also depends on you. If you have the way to do it, no one can stop you.

After packing everything, Raito checked the clock. It was already seven and Naruto was still not home.

Raito brought out food from his inventory, placing it on the table and covering them. Raito then placed a card near it, few words were written, 'Reheat'. "You better see it." 

Exiting the house, Raito walked the streets of Konoha. As he strolled, he would use '[Observe]' every now and then, may it be a man, a women, a dog, a cat, or a stone by the side of the street, and even the trash on the roadside. 

While emotions are written in words with the help of Gamer's ability, how it can be like that. While it is written anger in the window, they will show a smile on the outside, but how could I know if they are angry or happy?

The nervousness will show a worried face, hesitation in the steps, sometime it would be hurried. Should I analyze all that?

Women with sadness written in the window would show signs of sadness in her everything, from how she walked to how she talked. The face will still have that same smile when she was with her parents, when she ate her favorite food or when she fell in love for the first time. 

How complicated can a human be? 

One face, concealing hundreds and thousands of thoughts.

Wearing a mask,

How could I know the truth?

Embarking on a stroll, one could witness a myriad of scenes.

Raito, walking on the street, he saw men and women who were, maybe returning from their work or a hospital staffs going to the hospital, for the night shift. Buying vegetables, drinking with friends, eating snacks.

Men would go to drink with their friends and tell their tales, or go homes to be with their family, hugging his wife, kissing her and saying 'I love you' or playing with his baby girl and boy or helping them with their studies. 

Men with tingling tails would visit the houses of night ladies, entering the room to make noises of union.

Drinking for sorrow, 

Drinking for fun, 

Drinking for friends, 

I drink to life, for I have sinned.

Raito walked the bustling streets, looking at men and women, singles and couples, each immersed in the tapestry of their lives. 

Walking into the Yamanaka flower shop, he spotted Ino in the process of closing up. 

"We're closing for the day. Please come tomorrow." Ino said as she took off her apron. 

"Hey." Raito called out. 

Hearing the familiar sound, Ino turned around to see Raito standing there. 

"Raito!" she exclaimed happily, moving towards him. "What are you doing here?" 

Raito looked at Ino as he was seeing a stupid person. Recovering, he mocked, "What would I do in a flower shop?" 

In anger, Ino made a threatening fist, seemingly wanted to punch Raito. "What do you mean?" 

"Nothing." 

"Don't waste my time. We have a clan gathering today." Pausing for a bit Ino asked, "What do you want?" 

"Two blue belles please." Raito answered quickly as it was an everyday matter. 

Ino bent down, selecting two whitish-blue flowers, delicately wrapping them in paper before handing them to Raito.

After he paid, he left, but just as he reached the door, Ino called out, "Don't be late tomorrow, and be there at seven." 

Raito didn't turn but waved his hand as he exited the flower shop. 

Ino watched as the back of Raito faded in the crowd of people. Only after a long time Ino moved, closing the door before heading to the clan residence.

Raito arrived at the memorial stone. Before stepping up, he began to tidy his clothes. Walking a few steps forward, Raito noticed dust and leaves gathering on the steps. Taking out a broom from his inventory, he started sweeping. 

Looking at the clean area, he finally nodded, crouching down to place the flowers in the vase in the corner.

Raito sat cross-legged and started speaking, every word soft and pleasing to hear, the tune of his life that no one else could hear. 

"….I will be going for a survival test for nearly a week. So, don't worry when I am not here." Raito said, hearing approaching footsteps. 

The silver-haired Jōnin, Hatake Kakashi was quite far from the memorial stone. Stunned, he looked at the black-haired young man sitting in front of the black stone. 

"It's a coincidence, I swear…." Kakashi said to no one. 

Kakashi walked silently and approached Raito. Looking down at the boy, he said, "You are here a lot… and when I say a lot, it really a lot." 

Raito looked at Kakashi and said, "You are the one to say…." 

"I don't come here that often just occasionally." Raito added. 

"Haha." Kakashi laughed dryly. 'What's the difference between often and occasionally when you come here daily?'

After a long pause, Raito asked, "Say Kakashi-sensei, do you think all the names in this monument are actually dead?" 

Kakashi narrowed his eyes but went back to his lazy eye smile. 

"I don't know about all of them but I have seen people die….some with my one eyes," he said, tracing the names of his father, his team, his sensei, his colleagues, one by one. 

*SFX for eagle screeching/cawing. 

"That's my call." Kakashi disappeared in the darkness of the night.

Turning his head back, Raito looked at the name, Uchiha Obito, Yoshizawa Michio, Yoshizawa Akeno.

Raito turned around, walking back, slowly. As he reached the house, he could see two images in front of the house, Hiruzen and Naruto waving, calling for him with a wide smile. 

Tuesday Morning 

"Nom Nom Nom" Naruto made loud sounds as he ate his food in a hurry. 

Today would be a survival test, the points from this exam will be added at the finals.

Raito stood in the backyard in a happy mood, holding a plank in his hand. The plank had seals inscribed into it; its work was to release water in a specific time. This was Raito's first experiment with time seals. First seal was for sealing chakra, second for sealing the water, third for releasing the water and lastly the time seal, firstly describing time, then setting a specific value. If it happened right, then in a specific period, the gathered water would expel out. 

'I don't know what I was thinking.'

Naruto checked the clock before running out, sealing the house, then grabbing Raito to run for the training grounds. 

TRAINING GROUND ZERO 

In front of two small cabins, in a line, Chūnins stood at attention. In front of them stood Iruka, and in his hand a clipboard, and in his face, anger.

In front of the row of Chūnin, the students stood in groups with friends like Ino-Shika-Cho, while other preferred to be alone like Sasuke and Shino. 

One of the Chūnin in a row, annoyed, said, "Can't we just start without them?" 

Iruka at the front just gave one sentence, "According to Hokage tower clock, ten minutes left until seven." 

"Now, where are those two? It's nearly seven." Iruka, who held the name list, looked at a distance and smiled. After quite a while, he crossed the remaining last two names. 

The students waiting for the exams were just as usual, except for those from the clans. They were wearing three upper and at least two on the down.

As Shikamaru looked southward, he yawned then glanced at Hinata. 

Hinata, receiving signal, activated her Byakugan and answered, "They are coming." 

"Even though I told him to be at seven, he is taking his time." Ino said with a bit of anger. 

"If it wasn't for Naruto, he would be even later." Shikamaru made a comment as he leaned against a tree. 

"It not like he would fail." Chōji commented from the side. His hand and mouth never stopping, stuffing his mouth with food. 

Hinata stood on the side, rarely speaking a word. She stood on the side, using her eyes to look at the area behind the massive wooden fence. 

Sasuke, standing to the side, silently leaned against a tree, eavesdropping on the conversation but showing no change in expression.

Shino, standing on a tree, looked into the distance before signaling to Kiba. "Kiba-san."

"It's Naruto alright." Kiba patted Akamaru as he sniffed, Akamaru replied with a happy yelp. 

The orange bundle dragging a dark greenish bundle, stopped in front of the crowd before sighing in relief. After an exaggerated sigh, Naruto faced his friends greeting them in process, and as Naruto greeted, Raito followed suit. 

As the process completed, they had already formed groups, Ino-Shika-Cho at a side and Naruto-Hinata-Raito at another. 

"It will be like this." 

Chōji, dragging Raito at the side, brought out a very, very big bag of snacks. With an unwilling face, Chōji finally gave it to Raito to keep them in his inventory. 

"Don't use your inventory too much, okay? It's just like a cheat." Chōji made a tearful expression as he opened one more packet of chips. "You are definitely not allowed to eat my snacks." 

"Who says I'm going to cheat using my inventory? I am a just a hardworking, plain ninja in training, not using cheats." Ratio said as he thumped his chest but just as he said that, his face turned ugly.