Chapter 18 - a.s.sessment and Rewards
Sunday morning at Konohagakure, the stalls at the markets were opening; fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fishes and meat were on the stalls ready to be sold. Housewives were walking about and buying vegetables, sometimes a group of housewives would group together and gossip about things that they shouldn"t. The ninjas on duty would walk around the village and check security. The other ninjas outside the village on the patrol duty have just come to the village wall to change shift and go their house to their bed. The ANBU operatives were hiding in the shadow looking at the important houses in the village as their training.
Today was different, different from the other days.
"I didn"t know your son had it in him," said the Chunin talking to another Chunin.
"I am as confused as you are, that brat is finally taking his training seriously. I remember some time ago he told me he wanted to be just normal civilian but yesterday he begged me to teach him," said the another Chunin with a small smile.
"It"s not just him but most of the academy students have this change."
"Hokage-sama is really great. Only if we had been aware of ourselves we would have become Chunin much faster. Only after my partner died I started training seriously," said the Chunin his voice starting to mix with gloom.
"Now, don"t you say that. Come we must be on our way for duty."
At the same time, the academy teachers were on the academy grounds holding a clipboard on their hands.
"Iruksensei, take the lead." Mari ordered.
Iruka stepped forward and said, "You all may know what happened last time the kids were here, you all are given name list, today you observe these students and write what you think about them. GO!" Iruka ended his command and walked back to the academy.
The academy instructors moved out and head to their directions.
Raito, on the other hand, slept late and Naruto was the one to wake him up. Waking up the first thing Raito did was to check for his stats.
Name: Yoshizawa Raito Lv 10 Exp 7000/8000
t.i.tle: Ninja Academy Student (+25% Exp until level 10)
Age: 12
HP: 1450
CP: 900
STR: 29
VIT: 38
DEX: 29
INT: 40
WIS: 36
LUK: 30
Stat points: 15
Yoshizawa household member: Additional +50 HP per level +2 INT & +3 VIT per level.
Holder of the lucky star: additional +1 LUK per level.
Yoshizawa Raito is a rising genius student in the Ninja Academy, son of Yoshizawa Michio and Yoshizawa Akeno, aspiring to become the strongest ninja ever.
Looking at the stats Raito was a happy boy or ninja. Then looked at the chakra control, the raise in chakra amount and the decrease in the chakra cost was plus in his books.
[Chakra Control Lvl 12 (Pa.s.sive) Exp 0%]
The ability to use chakra more efficiently and more easily.
- Decrease CP cost for using skills.
- Increase performance while using CP.
- Higher the level can use many chakra variation techniques.
Chakra control exercise
[Leaf sticking exercise Lvl 20
- Decrease CP cost by 6%.
- Increase CP by 100.
Whistling a tune Raito did his morning rituals and started practicing his shuriken and kunai on the poor logs.
[Shuriken and Kunai Mastery Lvl 20 (Active/Pa.s.sive)]
The skill allows the user to properly wield both shuriken and kunai.
- Pa.s.sively increases damage with shuriken and kunai by 35%.
- Pa.s.sively increases the accuracy of shuriken and kunai by 35%.
- Pa.s.sively grants +5 Dexterity.
Breathing in a deep breath Raito continued his daily training. Stretching, running, strength training, resting while reading books then applying those in his actions.
Training Taijutsu, Ninjutsu and Genjutsu one by one. Raising their level little by little was hard but Raito was able to do it. Most of the time pa.s.sed opening and closing "Instant Dungeon". The skill leveled up slowly but surely.
Training continued then it soon became noon, after eating their fill Raito went out for a stroll where he used "Observe". Sometime Raito found out juicy news and sometimes he found many question marks. Using the increased intelligence and dexterity, Raito took notes on the important information and drawn sketch marks of the faces. In addition, wrote the unique features of the people. Then as if nothing happened, Raito walked off keeping the notes and the sketchbook inside the inventory.
"What can he be possibly writing?" Kakashi was on the top of the water tower and he was using a telescope. There were not any bad thoughts in Kakashi"s mind just mild curiosity. "He is trying to observe people differentiating strong and weak people, then why was he drawing sketches?"
When one question was solved, there was another question in his mind. It seemed like it would never end if he tried to dig out the boy. Sighing lightly Kakashi thought to let this side hobby go and go read his little orange book. Disappearing in the wind, the only thing that could be seen was the sky and the only thing heard was the sound of the crowd.
At the Hokage office
"What is he writing?" questioned the old Hokage.
Releasing the inhaled smoke, Hiruzen looked at his crystal ball. "Is he trying to differentiate between ninja and civilian? How amusing." smiled Hiruzen.
"CAT". Hiruzen muttered slowly.
Then a silhouette materialized in front of the desk. The cat ANBU was the one who knew Raito more than anyone in the even more than the Hiruzen himself.
"What are you teaching him?" asked Hiruzen
"Hokage-sama, I am teaching him swordsmanship. He is just a beginner though. It has not been evaluated in the last three months," answered cat ANBU.
"Beginner is good, guide him when you have time and see if Naruto is interested too. Hmm and tell Anko to stop with poisons. Don"t want Naruto to miss the exams," said Hiruzen his voice fading at the end.
House
"Where were you all morning?" asked Naruto
"Nowhere, just walking around the neighborhood." answered Raito simply then asked, "Didn"t you read the message I wrote?"
"Message?"
"Yeah, right here." said Raito pointing blankly at the note on the table.
"Never saw that there." Said Naruto after a long stare at the note.
Corners of the Raito"s mouth twitched.
"Well, it doesn"t matter anymore. So what were you doing all morning?" Raito changed the subject with a question.
"Ugh, nothing much just doing some things." Naruto looked sideways when he said that.
"Oh, you made some sandwich huh?" Raito saw some newly made sandwich, which was placed on the table. Grabbing the sandwich Naruto took a bite, then swallowed it, a few seconds pa.s.sed after which Raito roared, "d.a.m.n you Naruto."
Raito was chugging milk down his throat, "Naruto you just violated the sacred law of this house; Never play with the food." With that, Raito jumped towards Naruto tackling him down and …... tickled him to death.
"Hahahaha! Stop it! Please stop it." Naruto pleaded between laughter.
That is when a thing came down binding the two boys lightning fast.
"Yo brats, didn"t think that you guys would be so relaxed when I said I will be coming." A figure appeared out of shadow smiling devilishly.
"Ah Anko-nee, I knew you would come so I made something for you." Said Raito as he laced his voice with chakra.
Stunned Anko looked at Raito, then smiled then said, "Midori-chan, let them go. Someone was good enough to learn things that I taught."
The white snake loosened her bindings, shrined then went towards Raito where it wrapped around his body.
"h.e.l.lo, Raito-san. Sorry for the earlier." Saying that the snake hid inside the clothes no longer speaking.
"Hey I was there too and-" Raito glared at Naruto then put a finger on his mouth.
Raito quickly went to the kitchen leaving Naruto with Anko
"Brat, I heard a couple of things from people and something happened. So I am gonna go straight and ask you." Anko eyed Naruto then, "Tell me everything about Mizuki."
"Mizuki-sensei?" Naruto made a confused face then a somewhat angry face.
Then Naruto started telling his side of the story when he was with Mizuki sensei and what that man was teaching him. As Naruto was telling Anko about his experiences with Mizuki Anko"s face was getting a little stiff.
"Here is your tea." Raito came back with a cup in his hand and placed it in front of Anko
"Do you want anything else?" asked Raito
"You should have made some right? Bring me some." Ordered Anko and the silent Naruto brought a plate of those.
"You should eat less of those, you know. Maybe after a few years or later, you will look like those fat merchants." Raito complained.
"Hmph, I am a ninja. I am burning them with all those things I do. I heard about the speech you are giving nowadays to those poor things. Not gonna work on me though." Smiled Anko before ordering.
"Ok, ok. Don"t come blaming me later, when you get all fat and you find no one wanna marry you." Shouted Raito
Naruto facepalmed hearing Raito, Midori from inside Raito"s clothes also let out a troubled shake.
Anko erupted, "I can"t find a man? Are you joking? I am the best seduction expert in the whole d.a.m.n village. I can easily find a boyfriend if I wanted."
"Hah, keep stuffing yourself with that dough ball and your seduction expert t.i.tle of the whole village will go down." Shouted Raito
"Oy don"t you talk bad about dango!"
"Dough ball. Dough ball. Dough ball. That"s what it is." Shouted Raito
The hidden snake grew irritated but before she took action, the door flung open and entered a purple-haired slim style woman.
"HE/SHE started it." Both male and female shouted pointing at each other.
The purple-haired women were Yugao. She looked stone-faced looking at the two bickering ninjas in front of her, and she was mildly amused.
Getting a strict face and putting a frown she said, "Anko, is this all for dango, again?" she questioned for which there was a silent reply and the small boy"s laugh. "And you Raito, you are just too rash." Then Raito also became quiet, his head laid low.
"Now all of you, no need to overthink things. Raito, Naruto today I came under Hokage"s order. You boys will have to show me things you have learned until now, which would be; Taijutsu, Ninjutsu and shuriken and kunai techniques. These three are the basics. You boys have learned the camping jutsu, right. Then show me that too. Raito, show me your sword techniques too." Said Yugao everything all at once, the two boys could only nod listening to her.
"Yugao-nee, is this some kind of, you know, exam?" asked Naruto
"No, but if you do well you will get a Ninjutsu scroll." Replied Yugao
*ding
QUEST ALERT
Show off
Yugao from the Hokage guard wants to see your abilities. Show off all the abilities asked by her.
Completion award: 500 Exp.
Increase reputation with Yugao, Anko and Hokage.
Random skill book.
Guidance from Yugao.
Completion failure:
Decrease reputation with Yugao, Anko and Hokage.
Decrease trust from Yugao, Anko and Hokage.
[YES/NO]
Grinning Raito commanded "YES" internally and the box disappeared.
The slight surprise, the slight pause, slight contraction of the pupil and the slight smile of Raito was caught by the two women in the room each the master of their own field. However, choose to keep silent, everyone has secrets, if it does not bring harm to their own, it will not matter.
Raito and Naruto moved to the backyard and started showing off their skills. First, by finishing shuriken and kunai, both completed it easily, Raito going a step ahead by running and throwing.
Second, Taijutsu, after a slow and long ten minutes Naruto was laying down on the ground, while Raito was giving hand for support.
Thirdly, Ninjutsu, the academy three, the clone, switch and transform, although Naruto used a different variation, the two women did not raise any question. Then Raito and Naruto used the seven camping jutsu.
Lightning palm.
Erasing wind.
Earth pit.
Earth Cover.
Fire spark.
Water condensation.
Water purification.
These small jutsu decreased half of Raito"s CP, letting out a sigh Raito walked back.
"Good job." Yugao praised Raito. Raito was able to do these low-level jutsu in such a less amount of time, which itself was surprising.
"Yosh, it"s my turn." Naruto walked out then making few hand signs Naruto shouted out, "Lightning palm". A few seconds pa.s.sed but there was no flash of light or any threats of lightning.
"Ah. Wait, wait." Naruto again made a few hand signs then shouted, "Fire Spark" reaching out a hand Naruto waited for fires to come out.
Getting nervous, Naruto again made a few hand signs and then breathing in, Naruto shouted, "Erasing Wind".
A few seconds later powerful gust of winds formed from the center, which was Naruto. Stunned by his own display Naruto grinned and shouted excitedly, "I did it. See that? See that Raito? Hahaha."
Raito smiled slightly then shouted, "It"s good that you are able to do one."
"Now that"s normal." Yugao said inwardly
"Oh, little brat was able to do one, eh?" said Anko her sound m.u.f.fled, which was due to her mouth stuffed with dango.
"Stop it Anko." Looking at Raito and Naruto, Yugao looked at Naruto then said, "Naruto you still need to practice more, what we figured out is that you have a strong wind affinity and it seems that it is your natural affinity. Practice more than you would be able to do all nature Ninjutsus easily."
Naruto was overjoyed and sad at the same time; he thinks fire is cool but got wind affinity. Nevertheless, the wind is awesome too.
"Raito you have good talent, (you were able to learn these different element jutsu and all of them in one week. Average ninjas were able to do their own nature affinity in a week or so with little hope of using another affinity. Talented people have been able to use two or three of them in a week time. But you, Raito have proven it wrong.) Keep working hard, these camping jutsu will help you a lot."
"d.a.m.n it"s comparable to those eyes of Uchiha. Cheat you know, cheat." Yelled Anko
"Cheat huh? I think it"s really cheating." Raito muttered, thinking of the gamer ability.
"What did ya say brat?" asked Anko her munching disturbing her from hearing Raito.
"Nothing." Raito replied in short and put a silence then immediately said. "Anko-nee, why not we start with "that"?"
"What that?" questioned Anko thing about her past conversation with Raito. Then as if suddenly coming to a realization, "Oh, that. Sure."
"Midori-chan, bite him." Yelled Anko. The snaked hidden under Raito"s clothes moved, her large fangs piercing the boy.
"Stupid, I didn"t say right now." With that, Raito fell to the ground, slowly losing consciousness.
"Oh, that Hahaha."
"Raito you like fainting nowadays?" said Naruto in a weird tone.
Raito at first did not feel anything but immediately after he could feel his body shaking, then he was not able to move his body. His breathing was difficult, started to feel cold and he was starting to lose consciousness.
Anko waited for a whole five minutes, then popped open a vial and fed it to Raito.
Raito could feel his body becoming hot, the previous coldness decreased; he regained the control of his body.
After regaining, the control of his body Raito woke up and threw a black, nauseous, blood, "What the f.u.c.k was that?"
"It was my own version of the hundred herb mixture that you previously had." Said Anko with a proud expression, hearing that Raito did not know to laugh or cry.
"Anko." Yugao glared at Anko and sighed.
"Can you stand up?" Yugao asked
Raito nodded the immediately stood up, "Midori-chan, you were too quick, you know? When I said to start that I meant a bit later."
"Raito-san, you finally wished for it. I have been waiting for those words from your mouth for a long time." Said the snake clearly excited.
"Even so." Raito smiled bitterly
"Continue." Yugao coldly commanded
"Oi I was just poisoned and recovered can"t you give me some time?" Raito questioned feeling indignant.
"Hokage-sama said that you can learn one of D-rank Jutsu of your natural affinity if you perform well." Saying that Yugao waited.
"Ready", "Let"s do it" both Raito and Naruto dashed and stood in a line.
Anko laughed at the boy"s action.
Yugao sighed, "Finish it fast."
"Next is sword techniques, please correct me." Saying that Raito brought out a wooden sword from thin air and started performing katas for basic academy level sword techniques. After a whole ten minutes later, Raito finally stopped than looked at Yugao, "So how was that?"
Looking at the boy Yugao said, "If I was an Instructor then I would give you full points." Raito smiled but still waited, "But I will not say that because you also know that the points like thing do not matter, this basic level academy swordsmanship is full of flaws in my eyes. If you go out in the field only learning this then you will eventually die."
"Waiting." Raito said in a bored tone.
Yugao brandished her own sword. Looking at that Raito freaked out, "Oi that totally unfair, I just have a wooden sword you would be able to cut my sword in half."
"Like I said, too rash. Just watch me." Yugao moved and made several strikes, while moving back and forth, her sword covering her then attacking at random moments.
"Did you get that? I am not going to personally teach you, you just have to learn it by watching." Yugao asked
Coughing dryly Raito replied, "You are saying that I have to learn it by just watching?"
Yugao nodded, Raito made WTF face.
[Host can use "Save video" function.]
"Hey, what was that just now?"
"Can I get a moment? I need to go to the bathroom." Saying that Raito quickly went to the bathroom and opened the "Log".
"So, how do I save the video?" asked Raito
"Video, Start the video, open video."
Video files
1. Kunoichi"s Dangerous life
2. __
"It was from that time. Start recording."
The windows disappeared then and a small timer was on at Raito"s side. Waiting for a minute to pa.s.s Raito commanded, "Stop recording"
Video saved, video named "Video 001".
Open video
Video files
1. Kunoichi"s Dangerous life
2. Video 001
Clicking on the video 001, everything vanished then Raito stood outside the bathroom suddenly, "Well that was shocking. I was just in the bathroom."
Raito moved towards the bathroom tried opening the door, but went right through it. His hands never contacted the door. Raito was shocked but moved forward phasing through the bathroom door where he saw himself sitting on the toilet seat. He saw himself sitting and looking at the thin air and at last touching the empty air. Then the whole thing vanished and Raito found himself again sitting on the toilet seat.
"I look weird doing that." That was the first thing that came to Raito"s mind when it ended. And a few more minutes of contemplation, "I got it."
[For figuring out the game mechanics, WIS increased by 1.]
"Brat don"t take all day doing your thing."
Raito heard Anko"s voice and quickly flushed the toilet, "I am done. Wait a moment." Washing his hands, he was looking at the Stat screen, still amazed by the things that just happened.
Coming to the backyard, "Sorry I was late," Raito said then added, "Yugao-nee that was totally unfair. So please once more this time a bit slowly." "Start recording"
Yugao smile then looked at Raito then said, "Look carefully now." She moved and made a basic academy stance then slashed the area in front of her but different to the academy strikes, she was striking as if there had been a person standing in front of her and her one move will strike the most vulnerable part of the man in front of her.
"This is the difference between basic academy sword techniques and the sword techniques which are used in battles." Then she showed Naruto and Raito a dozen of different strikes then stopped.
"If you remember these sword strikes than use it whenever necessary." Then she took out some scrolls from her pouch and handed Naruto and Raito each a scroll. "As promised these scrolls to have one jutsu according to your natural affinity. Learn them but don"t use them in public, only use them when you become a ninja." Saying that Yugao disappeared in a gust of wind.
Without hesitation, Naruto opened the scroll and read the jutsu. Raito also did the same.
Ding
You have obtained the skill scroll "Earth Release: Stone fist"
Would you like to learn the skill?
[Yes/No]
"Woah, so awesome. My first nature jutsu is soo cool." Shouted Naruto
"Hey, Naruto. What"s the name of your jutsu?" asked Raito showing Naruto his scroll.
"The names "Gale palm", there are some difficult words here but I can learn it in no time."
"I"ll help you later."
"Okay."
"Midori-chan let"s go. I got motivated so let"s make those people scream." Said Anko
"Raito-sama, I would be waiting." Saying that the snake escaped from Raito and went towards Anko
"What?-"
"Hey brat what did you add in that dango?"
"Why? Just what I have been adding in the past." Answered Raito
"Don"t know but I feel different after eating those. Anyways I will be going, take care. And also when you get yourself, forehead protector, be sure to visit the poison clan, kay?" informing Raito about the Poison clan, Anko also disappeared.
"Poison clan." Raito whispered the name in his head and made a mental note.
"Raito let"s try these." Naruto called
"Wait first we should make some copies." Raito said as he took out some scroll and brush.
"Ok but why?" Naruto asked as he also started copying the scroll.
"Hmm just in case." Raito answered vaguely.
A few minutes later, both Naruto and Raito completed copying the scroll and checked them.
Now let us start practicing.
Raito made one more copy of the jutsu scroll closed it after the ink had dried, and then tied it. Raito then picked up the scroll.
"Observe"
[Skill scroll - Earth Release: Stone Fist (Copy)]
Skill scroll "Earth Release: Stone fist" can be used to learn a skill "Earth Release: Stone fist" a D-Rank Ninjutsu.
-Skill scroll copied by Yoshizawa Raito
"That"s it? "Observe" level is high but it cannot give me all the details, even I know a bit about this jutsu." Raito mumbled in disappointment.
Would you like to learn the skill?
[Yes/No]
Raito selected the "Yes" b.u.t.ton and as soon as he pressed it, the scroll shined with a golden light then, it slowly crumbled into lights which were then absorbed by Raito.
[You obtained the skill Earth Release: Stone Fist]
[Earth Release: Stone Fist (Active) Lvl 1 Exp 0% CP 50]
By encasing their arm in rock, the user can deal a powerful hardened punch against an opponent while being protected from direct contact with their target.
By increasing the skill level, the weight of the rock can be increased to further increase the punch"s destructive power.
-300+2% damage dealt
-2% chance of stun
"Wow, it cost so much less CP but deals high damage. It is definitely a good thing." Raito had a huge smile hung on his face while nodding.
"Well let"s try it out," Completing the hand seals, "Earth Release: Stone Fist"."
Chakra flared moving to the arm, covering the outer skin layer up to the elbow, the chakra changed into the rock. Raito tried to move his fingers, the rock fingers also moved at his commands, trying out a punch Raito threw a straight at the open air and canceled the jutsu.
"Raito you did it." Naruto shouted and Raito nodded.
"What about you?" asked Raito.
"Still trying." Naruto rubbed his hands and showed it to Raito. Raito again nodded and asked Naruto to keep trying.
The time pa.s.sed, Naruto and Raito went to dungeon world where they trained their new jutsu.
*Ding
Reminder activated
Higurashi Store
"I almost forgot about that. Thanks to the gamer powers for the reminder."
Raito grabbed Naruto and exited the dungeon world. Promising to meet at the Ichiraku"s Raito went towards the Higurashi shop. He stood in front of the door clearly hesitating for a long time. Then gathering his courage Raito rang the doorbell.
Waiting for a few moments, behind the door, Raito heard some hurried steps. The door opened and a girl of 14 or 15 appeared, the girl had black hair and brown eyes, her hair in tow Chinese styled buns on her head with short fringe-bangs framing her face. She was wearing loose home clothes a white, full-sleeved shirt and green, loose, baggy pants.
Looking at the person in front of her Tenten immediately closed the door and shouted; "Stalker!" then hurried and disorganized footsteps were heard.
Raito stood in front of the shop with an awkward face and waited for a few minutes. After which, the door was opened once again and this time, Tetsu opened the door. Tetsu also had a weird face then sighed, "Come in, boy."
Raito hurried inside and Tetsu spoke up, "First clear your misunderstandings, and then talk about other things. I"ll be upstairs." With that, Tetsu left the room.
Tenten came around with a sword in her hands, trying to look menacing.
"So tell me why you are here?" Tenten asked putting her sword at the side.
"I came here to buy things. But your dad said I should ask you about the price and all, if I wanted to buy those notes." Replied Raito honestly
"Take them, I heard from papa what you were talking about." Replied Tenten
"So how much is it? Asked Raito quickly wanting to leave the room.
"Nothing." Replied Tenten
Looking at the face of Tenten, Raito replied with a sigh, "Ask away."
With a little weird smile, Tenten asked, "Why were you observing us? What did you want with our team? And why…"
"Stop, Ugh I will tell you everything. Your chain of question will not end if I didn"t tell you. So I am going to tell you everything." Raito sighed
Tenten also nodded with a happy smile.
"It"s not much but I was looking for your teammate Rock Lee. That…."
"Lee, why?" asked Tenten
"Didn"t I say I will explain everything? So stop cutting me."
"Okay, okay. I was just excited."
Raito sighed and continued, "Like I was saying, your teammate Rock Lee was able to pa.s.s without pa.s.sing. He did not do well in his theory or his Ninjutsu or his weapon handling. So my question was how was he able to pa.s.s? I have a friend named "Naruto", he is also not able to make clones, which is the core of pa.s.sing the academy exam for which he failed the last two year of the academy exam and so did your teammate, Rock Lee. I was researching about him to find out if there is any trick to pa.s.sing the exams, I even came a couple of time to speak with you guys but that "arrogant fate p.r.i.c.k Hyuga" didn"t allow me to talk to you guys and I don"t know where that Rock Lee guy is living."
With a weird tone, Tenten asked, "You did all that for a friend?"
"Uh well, I know him since little and it was something that I could easily do. So, I thought….." Raito voice dropped.
"Lee has underdeveloped chakra coils. Therefore, he is not able to perform Ninjutsu. However, that similar condition was with our sensei when he was little. So to prove that one can become ninja without high use of chakra and Jutsus and only relying on Taijutsu, Gai sensei talked to Hokage and helped him pa.s.sed the test but he became the last." Tenten explained
"I know about that. Therefore, I also did the same. The things after that, I am unable to share it with you, the talks with Hokage are confidential." Raito finished
Tenten clicked her tongue then handed Raito her notes.
Raito stood up and took the books and started leaving the room.
"If you want to train, come visit me sometime," Tenten said
"I will after I have a Genin t.i.tle first. Oh and if you have similar books about anything else then please keep it for me and sorry for the trouble I caused." Raito said as he opened the door and left.