'Welp this is unexpected' I thought. You see, I thought I'd pick out a katana as a weapon. But Michiru-sensei had offered us pretty much every damn weapon possible to learn. Even a fucking gunbai. They were average versions of course. I looked at the katana and paled. Why be basic? I could go for something unique instead. I picked up a spiked club. It was black in color and it was shaped like a miniature baseball bat with sharp spikes coming out of it. Like pinhead. I also was interested in the bo-staff but all the options were too bulky for me.
"So kukui, any particular reason why you picked the club? Most people don't use one" Michiru-sensei asked. She asked everyone why they picked out the weapon they did.
"Hm... Well, I have lackluster strength. I am working on improving it but a helping hand seems useful to me" I explained logically. I had long accepted my strength would suck completely. But until I could raise it I was using a club. At least until I had access to a better weapon that interested me. I was eyeing that tanto.
"I see. Good choice then. Ya know what. If you master that club before the semester ends I'll allow you to pick another one out" Michiru-sensei offered. Everyone else got that offer. I smiled. I damn well would be taking that tanto.
"Okay, thanks sensei!" I said as Michiru-sensei went to the next person. Now that I got that out of the way I could do something even more important. Eavesdropping. I looked around. Most people that took this class were just nondescript students. Nothing special about them. There were a few clan kids here and there. Some older. But there were mainly just civilian kids. I honestly would love to learn more about the clans of Konoha but That wasn't important. Really I had no idea what I would be looking for.
"Hey, Takeshi You heard about that new kin girl in my cousin's class?" I heard some random kid say. He looked slightly older than me. He was talking about kin. Well, might as well see what other people thought about her.
"Y-Yeah why do you ask?" The kid named Takeshi asked his friend
"Apparently she almost caught up to Sasuke Uchiha on the first day!" The unnamed kid said.
"R-really but nobody was better than Sasuke I thought?" Takeshi said in shock. I couldn't blame him. If some random person that apparently had no training yet almost caught up to one of the biggest prodigies in the academy's history I'd be in shock as well
" Yeah me too but my cousin saw it with his own eyes. She almost beat that kid that could apparently increase his speed at will but he just barely won" The unnamed kid said. Apparently, I had gained a reputation as that kid that could apparently increase his speed at will" I honestly felt like laughing.
"Wow, she must be really good then mado. Takeshi said, naming the now-named mado. Dumb name in my personal opinion.
"We need to catch up. We can't let a bunch of 4th year students be better than us!" Mado had lit a fire in himself. Poor kid. He didn't know that ninja Jesus was in my class.
"Y-Yeah. My older brother can help us. After class let's go to him" Takeshi told mado. I decided to stop listening to them. No interesting info other than my apparent small but known reputation.
I faintly listened to some of the other conversations going on.
"Kin is so cool"
"Yeah but not as cool as Sasuke"
"Kin just got lucky yesterday. We'll do better than her next time"
"Yeah. We will. Then we will finally be at the top"
"Do you think we could befriend her?"
"Yeah, I think so. We're cool enough right?"
At this point, I stopped listening. I had learned enough. People's opinions were mostly positive. That was... well bad... It'd be harder to expose kin as a spy. Actually, did I even have any evidence yet? No. Fuck.
Michiru-sensei finished going around and talking to each student a short while later. Then she began to show us how to use each weapon.
"So apparently everyone is buddy-buddy with kin now," Ino said from beside me. "I mean she isn't that cool right? Sasuke-kun is still better" Ino continued. She apparently had also been hearing the kin worship. At least I had someone to talk to about this
"For once I agree with you about Sasuke. I've been hearing about kin all day myself. It's getting annoying at this point. There just seems to be something off about her as well" I said sighing. Hīrā-sensei wasn't here yet so the students were talking about random things. Mostly kin.
"She just seems so fake you know" Ino quietly ranted.
"Do you think she's trying to "Take" Sasuke away from you?" I asked. I understood her dislike of the girl already. But I really, really didn't want to hear kin this kin that at the moment.
"Uh, uh n... yeah" Ino sputtered out. I had talked her out of being a complete fan girl but it still showed every once in a while. This was one of those times.
"Let's talk about something else okay. We can talk about kin later" I said. This was for the best for both of our sakes.
"Okay. So how was bukijutsu class?" Ino asked changing the subject.
"It was good other than the constant kin talk. Instead of a katana, I picked out a spiked club" I explained happily.
"A spiked club? I thought you said you'd o for the katana" Ino honestly didn't seem shocked
"I did. But then I thought about it. I'm weak so I figured using a nice blunt weapon would help" I explained my weapon of choice. "Michiru sensei even said we could pick out a secondary weapon if we master the first one in a single semester" I finished
" That makes sense. It's cool you get a second weapon though if you master that club" Ino looked at the front of class. "I wonder how naruto's doing?" She asked nobody in particular.
"I'm sure he's fine. If someone's picking on them I'm kicking their ass anyways. So how was interrogation class?" I asked. I wondered how it went and if it went well.
"It went fine. Our sensei is a man with a lot of scars. He's my father's colleague though so I should be learning from one of the best" Ino said distractedly.
"I see. That's cool. At least you got someone you knew somewhat as a sensei" I said. I knew who she was talking about. Ibiki Morino. I'd always wondered if he'd ever teach anyone. But the thought of him teaching a bunch of schoolchildren was hilarious.
At that moment our sensei walked in.
"Alright maggots. Before you say anything you all need to come with me. Then decide if you still want to take this class" The man said seriously. He glared at anyone that looked like they were about to talk like they were a mass murderer and rapist.
Hira-sensei then took us to a hospital.
"They looked horrible. Those poor people. I still wonder how kukui didn't puke!" Ino exclaimed. After class, we met up with naruto and didn't have time to talk during Iruka's classes. So we just talked outside before killing our legs. Hira sensei took us to a hospital full of scarred shinobi. Burns, acid, ninja wire, explosions, everything was on the table. The only reason I didn't puke was because I watched fucked up shit in my past life. Funky town still haunts me.
"I almost did. It was really that bad though. Hira-sensei told us that we could drop out if we wanted but he told us that if we stayed we could see this stuff all the time and that we would be going there once every week." I explained. Ino had explained a lot of the trip for me thankfully so I only had to explain that part.
'That sounds awful! Are you two going to drop out?" Naruto asked. I looked towards ino and waited for her response first but she looked toward me with the 'You say first' look.
"Nope. I want to prevent that from happening so learning medical jutsu is a no-brainer. It also is essential to have that knowledge for a jutsu I want to make" I explained. Even though I hated seeing gore I still needed to. I would need the knowledge if I want to make a seal like Tsunade's or an Orochimaru-esque jutsu to keep myself alive. I looked toward ino. "It's fine if you want to drop out. Nobody will blame you " I reassured seeing the look of indecision in her eyes
"No, I don't want to drop out. I will stay. I need to do this" Ino said now with determination like narutos. That was good to hear. I didn't want to be alone in both classes
"Good to hear! Anyways naruto how were your classes?" I asked reincluding naruto in the conversation. I didn't want the blond idiot to be left out
"Oh, they were great! Kazeshi sensei taught me so much about fuinjutsu and traps! But I couldn't actually do anything yet. Something about needing perfect handwriting. But Kakashi sensei was a great teacher. I found out I had a wind affinity! He offered to find me some wind scrolls personally since nobody has a wind affinity apparently!" Naruto said excitedly. I almost laughed but I held it in. Kakashi fucking hatake was now an academy teacher. He must have wanted to get closer to naruto. Good to hear though. Great in fact.
"I thought you said you'd take taijutsu instead," I said. I remembered he wanted to take taijutsu instead of ninjutsu but he must have changed his mind.
"Oh yeah, I changed my mind. Before I signed up for taijutsu I decided ninjutsu was way cooler" Naruto said recounting his reason
"And when I thought you were starting to think I laughed. "Never change naruto"
Ino re-entered the conversation. "Isn't wind like the rarest element to have?" Ino asked. We hadn't fully learned about elemental affinities yet
"Yeah. It's only somewhat common in the land of wind. I think Naruto might be the only one in Konoha at the moment with the wind affinity" I said. Asuma would be back soon though. If I recall correctly he was still in the guardians
"Cool... If I'm the only one with wind it must be that rare and cool" Naruto grinned excitedly. "I wonder what affinities you have?" Naruto added on in the end. Hmm, now I truly did wonder about what mine was. But if i remember correctly Ino's was water. I think the Yamanaka had an affinity toward water. Not too sure about that though.
"Yeah. Maybe I got something cool like lightning. What about you, kukui?" Ino asked after saying her desire for a lightning element.
"I think I'd have fire and you'd have water. It's just a feeling" I said, looking at the sky. Iruka decided to give everyone 10 minutes to socialize thankfully so we had plenty of time to talk.
"Maybe I can get my dad to get some chakra paper then. We could train our elemental affinity too" Ino exclaimed with the dreaming look in her eyes. I know why but sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie... I think that was the saying
"You sure? Isn't chakra paper crazy expensive?" I asked. I tried to buy some but it cost more than my savings at the moment. I did buy a cool mask though. It was blank and only black but I liked it so I planned to buy a cloak to cover myself up. Then I'd be like a ghost... I knew it sounded edgy but to me it sounded cool.
"I'm sure I can get some! But someone's going to need to find out how to train them" Ino looked at me.
Stealth: Level 15(active)
Increases stealth in accordance to the people around you
Cost: 1 energy point)
Apparently, I had aburame levels of stealth now even without my edge gear. "Fine. I'm only going for how to use the element but no jutsu though. And only once we find out what ours are" I said sternly. I would love to learn some jutsu right now but I'm not risking the wrath of the librarian more than I already am. Even with my absurd levels of stealth.
"Okay thanks!" Ino said happily. "Now naruto, kukui it looks like Iruka-sensei's about to be back. Let's go make sure we kick some ass today" Ino had been really determined today to do better. I just hoped she didn't shout anything about youth
So, you say this kid is trying to help Naruto and you suspect he already knows about Naruto's jinchuriki status?"
"Indeed. There doesn't seem to be any ulterior motive behind it. But we can't be sure. Even though I had talked to the boy I'm still not sure if he is trying to use naruto for his own gain"
"Should I tell my daughter to stop talking to the boy? I don't want her to get hurt even if he is motivating her to do better"
"No, we don't know if he is actually dangerous yet. We know he isn't a spy but he could be dangerous"
"His performance in the academy might not be very telling. He might not be trying much to throw us off"
"True. But could an academy student really be that smart?"
"Yes. Remember people like Itachi, Kakashi, and our late fourth Hokage"
"But they were all prodigies. The boy hasn't even done much to show he's talented other than his rapid speed increase"
"Looks can be deceiving. His progress from the third last to the middle of the pack has been a steady one. But it has also been fast. It has been three months total since he first showcased that speed trick of his. Now he is rising the ranks faster and faster."
"Maybe it's just luck"
"No this isn't luck. The boy probably has some sort of help"
"Impossible. I've had my anbu follow him around all day for three weeks. All he does is train, talk to his friends, water and talk to his plants, and go to the academy. The only thing off about him is talking to his plants and his paranoia"
"Maybe you should talk to the boy again"
"Maybe. But maybe it's too soon"
"We just need to wait and see. I have all the teachers watching him when they can. They have reported nothing off too. Maybe we're too paranoid?"
"Maybe so but we need to be prepared just in case. The boy could be a threat to Konoha and our families"
*Sigh* "I guess I can have another conversation with the boy soon. I have plenty of free time now thankfully"
"I'm still amazed nobody ever thought of that before the boy
"No, no the second and fourth did. Those bastards are smiling at me now too. They just never told me"
"I hate this," I said. I had invited my friends over to just hang out for a bit. But-
"When will it be ready?" Ino yelled from across the room
"In a few minutes" I yelled back. I was making dinner for them. It basically was Thanksgiving dinner except for no stuffing. There was rice instead. I have grown fond of rice in the three months I've been here in this world. Anyways I had no idea why I was doing this on such short notice anyways
"Okay!" Naruto and ino had exclaimed
Cooking level 15(passive)
Increases the quality of food made by 75%
Cooking was one of my favorite hobbies and skills. But damn I just wanted to relax today and maybe talk about pranking some poor sap. But nooo I have to be cooking. I just wish I had some shadow clones to help.
*DING* The timer I had set went off.
I began plating everything for everyone.
"Alright come and get it," I said tiredly and naruto basically teleported there. Ino soon after. She hadn't tasted my food yet so she'd be surprised.
"Alright everyone you can dig in," I said as I sat down.
"Thank you!" They both said at once before digging in
I grabbed Ino's foot before it slammed into my face. She had taken up a style that involved a lot of kicking. She raised up her fist to go for my sternum. I blocked with my arm and grabbed hers.
"Give up, I have you cornered," I said, grabbing a kunai out of my pouch and holding it to her inner thigh. Iruka had allowed this as long as there was no death in the end.
"Fine. Good fight kukui" Ino said as I let her go she did the seal of reconciliation
"Good fight indeed" I said, holding my now bruised ribs. Ino kicked like a fucking donkey. I also did the seal of reconciliation as we walked out back to naruto. This was the first time we actually sparred. I won but at what cost?
"That was incredible! You two kicked each other's asses" Naruto said as we walked back to our spot under the tree.
"Yeah, we did. Kukui has an iron grip" Ino said showing her red wrist
"You kick like a donkey. How do you even do that?" I said holding my ribs.
"It's a secret. Eventually, you'll learn" Ino smiled.
"Oh I will," I said
"Kiba vs naruto" Iruka announced the next fight and I paled.
Naruto saw this.
"Hey, I'll be fine, kukui. I'm gonna kick his ass!" Naruto exclaimed. That eased my worry a bit. His natural charisma helped with that
"Yeah, he's gonna kick Kiba's ass for sure. Have faith in him kukui" Ino said in agreement with naruto
"I'm not worried about that. I'm worried you'll kick his ass too much" I perked up again with confidence in my friend restored.
"Hahaha, I'd be surprised if you could even land a hit on me, loser. Just quit while you have your dignity intact" Kiba howled from the ring. His ego was seeping through like it was the Kyuubi's chakra
"Kick his ass black and blue," I told the blond jinchuuriki. If he didn't i would
"You ask and you shall receive!" Naruto exclaimed, practically bouncing over to the ring.
"Your funeral," The mutt said laughing as Naruto entered the ring.
"Okay, you two. Do the seal of confrontation" Iruka said and the two boys did. One reluctantly.
"Now begin!" Iruka jumped out of the ring
Naruto quickly jumped toward Kiba. Punch poised for the face. Kiba shifted stances and grabbed the arm and countered with a punch to the stomach which would have sent Naruto flying had he let go of the blond.
"Wimp," Kiba mocked. Naruto kicked one of his legs out. "Whoa!" Kiba fell down as Naruto didn't reply. Naruto elbowed the mutts' stomach. "Ough that hurt you little bastard" Kiba snarled
"Who's the wimp now?" Naruto laughed as Kiba became red. Kiba threw Naruto off of him and Naruto landed standing up. Like a badass.
"GO NARUTO" I shouted from the sideline.
"Did you really have to teach him to act like that?" Ino asked
"Yes I did," I said. Ino rolled her eyes.
Kiba rushed toward Naruto with great speed with a clawed hand ready to strike his side. Naruto had ample time to dodge. The blond ducked under kiba as the boy flew over him. Kicking the boy upwards. But Kiba grabbed naruto's wrist bringing the blond up with him.
"Got you," Kiba exclaimed ferally. He punched the blond's stomach with great force and speed. Naruto just before the punch landed kneed Kiba's stomach. The hits landed at the same time. Naruto was sent to the ground and Kiba was sent into the sky.
"What the-" Both boys exclaimed as they were sent in opposite directions. Gravity took Kiba and so he rocketed toward the ground. Naruto hadn't gotten up yet.
"Haha, this is it, loser!" Kiba exclaimed. He readied a fist for Naruto's face. He was on track.
"NARUTO GET YOUR ASS UP NOW" I hear ino yell from beside me
"YEAH YOU CAN'T LET THIS ASSHOLE BEAT YOU" I shouted in encouragement
Naruto got up and moved slightly to the right. Kiba's fist hit the hard ground.
"OWW" The inuzuka howled, shaking his hand. "You'll pay for that" Kiba snarled glaring at Naruto and then at ino and me. Kiba with new speed rushed toward Naruto kicking him in the stomach. He downed the blond. Naruto punched Kiba in the chest multiple times trying to get him off of him but it didn't work. Kiba was pissed. Even shouts of encouragement couldn't help now. Kiba kept punching naruto. with his good hand. Everywhere. Chest, face, arms, stomach. And Iruka wasn't doing shit. Naruto had clearly lost. I was seething
"Kukui... are you okay?" Ino asked worriedly. She also sounded pissed
"No," I replied simply.
"I noticed naruto stopped moving he was knocked out"
"Enough," I said in a cold voice. My anger was directed toward Kiba who finally noticed Naruto was knocked out.
"Oh shit," Kiba said with slight fear when he noticed Naruto was knocked out now.
Iruka was about to speak.
"Not a word from you sensei. You allowed this when you should have paid attention" I said. I commanded the area today
"Now kukui I'm sure Naruto will be fine. Winner Kiba" Iruka simply said quickly grabbing naruto with an oh shit expression on his face.
"Haha... I knew the loser wouldn't win" Kiba said now regaining his confidence and losing his fear
New skill unlocked: Bloodlust
Bloodlust lvl 1(Active)
Projects the users desire to main, kill, hurt, Or otherwise inflict harm of any kind on an opponent
Hidden Ability:?
Cost: 5 energy points)
"Listen here mutt. Whatever petty grudge you hold against my friend should not have gone this far. You hurt my friend after the spar was over" I started. The clear anger in my voice was heard by all. Some people looked scared.
"Yeah so? He was weak and lost and got hurt because he got lucky. Why should I care?" Kiba asked cockily. Like he had nothing to worry about.
Bloodlust has gone up a level
"So? Hahaha your sorry ass better either say sorry or you're gonna get your ass kicked from here to iwa and back" I threatened. Kiba seemed mostly unphased
"You and what army? Weakling" Kiba mocked, calling me weak once more. I wasn't a weakling anymore.
Bloodlust has gone up a level
"If I needed an army I would be as disappointing as you. Now either apologize and admit you are an asshole or I'm going to follow up on my threat" I snarled. Now the weaker people were standing back.
"Haha, Really kukui. I doubt you could even get near me in a fight. How would you even follow up on your threat?" Kiba asked. "Hell even if you could I'm sure everyone here would stop you" He looked at our classmates. Most of them nodded in the negative.
Bloodlust has gone up a level
"This is how," I said. 'Sprinting' I called out mentally.
Suddenly a fist was right beside Kiba's head
"Your lucky sensei just got back. I would have broken that ugly nose of yours otherwise"
I turned bloodlust off. It ate through my energy points
"H-how?" Kiba asked in shock. Everyone was speechless.
"Kukui?" Ino asked. It sounded like the are you okay type of question. I smiled
"Yeah. Sensei, can we go see if Naruto is fine?" I asked in my normal tone of voice
"Sure. He is still out though" Iruka said in a sad tone. Like someone yelled at him
"C'mon ino let's go see naruto" I said.
"O-okay" Ino ran up to me as we went inside.
"What? I didn't do anything wrong" Kiba said, looking around and seeing everyone looking mad at him.
"Not cool man, Not cool," Shikamaru said walking past him.
"C'mon its naruto. Who cares" Kiba tried defending himself but people weren't having it. He went overboard again and put Naruto in the nurse's office.
"Logically you didn't have to knock Naruto-san out," Shino said.
By this point, Kiba looked down in shame.