- Location
- Yes.
I'm not going to bother, because this exists:
Therefore, we can just get a copy of the device and determine things for ourselves.
I'm...not sure Panjandrum was in this chapter?
Marked for Death: A Rational Naruto Quest
- Thread starter eaglejarl
- Start date
-
- Tags
- naruto rationalist romance armageddon is looking better and better damn you kishimoto explosions everywhere explosives solve everyone if in doubt surrender to the mercy of zabuza it seemed like a good idea at the time looks like a really bad case of being a jōnin my god. where does the lore end? precommitting is the winning plan screaming in kagome screw the rules i have explosives something bad might still happen sometimes you gotta sociopath stabby zabby subsection c of paragraph 9 should include we can weaponize this so hard
Also, they now have more disposable income with the rise of our storage bank. A lot of them can't read, but we're working on that.
A lot of good points about the card game that have neatly answered all my objections. I still think we should be very careful about living ninjas, but let's absolutely go for it.
Let's just avoid anything vaguely treasonous and have an excuse prepared as to why we involved Ami and it should be fine. Just reading this story has made me paranoid - I guess that means I might survive in the MfD world now.
I personally think Ami has loyalty towards people, and tailors her actions around that to be appealing to those in power. Her simulation of the Mizukage was off with KEI and the Condor Scroll, which is why she almost got executed, but her motivation for doing those things was because of Kei and, I hope, us (to an extent). I think I'm trying to communicate that we should avoid anything that might be deemed a conflict of interest, because while she might want to help us, she needs to be able to justify herself to Mist in the same way that we do to Asuma.
Let's just avoid anything vaguely treasonous and have an excuse prepared as to why we involved Ami and it should be fine. Just reading this story has made me paranoid - I guess that means I might survive in the MfD world now.
I personally think Ami has loyalty towards people, and tailors her actions around that to be appealing to those in power. Her simulation of the Mizukage was off with KEI and the Condor Scroll, which is why she almost got executed, but her motivation for doing those things was because of Kei and, I hope, us (to an extent). I think I'm trying to communicate that we should avoid anything that might be deemed a conflict of interest, because while she might want to help us, she needs to be able to justify herself to Mist in the same way that we do to Asuma.
- Location
- Liverpool
This is 90% just a Kagome appreciation post. We talk about Hazou's improved maturity and self-awareness, and he deserves it, but Kagome in this chapter is so, so lovely to see. Emotional and interpersonal intelligence growth, in a way that makes sense for a guy that started out alone in the woods. Stuff like this really makes me think Kagome running a school would actually be a good idea, and not just something I'd want to see.
Speaking of Kagome, teaching, and good ideas, did we ever get back conclusive results about Honoka's development? It must have been enough time by this point, and no way Kagome And Ebisu would forget after last time.
Not by name, but the ninjutsu specialist has pretty similar personality to the ninjutsu specialist-turned-cook who insists that they were one of the former summoner's personal cadre.
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- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/Him
What got rewritten? I recall tweaking a few words but nothing major.
(Also, I just made another tweak because 'and all the more terrifying for it' is an absolutely picture-perfect example of 'tell don't show', so those seven words had to go.)
Not to its detriment, but a few things seem novel. In particular, I don't recall anywhere near as much Jiraiya-perspective snark in the first part.
- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/Him
No, I'm pretty sure that's all original material. At the very least it hasn't been modified recently.
- Location
- Book Fort
- Pronouns
- They/Them
I know it's a little late, but I wasn't a voice in the hivemind at the time this was posted... also, it's just a really good chapter, even before the political storms.
The fact that Jiraiya, a man who literally had an Aspect called "Greatest Sealmaster Ever," still thought that Kagome's explosive seals were better than his own makes me smile.
And the fact that Kagome, who was only being paid for 200, threw in an extra 100 because he wanted to ensure Jiraiya's safety is also a thing that makes me smile. Sure, they didn't like each other very much, but Kagome recognized that they were united in the same goal: protect the crazy kids who're going to change the world for the better. And Kagome extends an olive branch in the best way he knows how: explosions.
The fact that Jiraiya, a man who literally had an Aspect called "Greatest Sealmaster Ever," still thought that Kagome's explosive seals were better than his own makes me smile.
And the fact that Kagome, who was only being paid for 200, threw in an extra 100 because he wanted to ensure Jiraiya's safety is also a thing that makes me smile. Sure, they didn't like each other very much, but Kagome recognized that they were united in the same goal: protect the crazy kids who're going to change the world for the better. And Kagome extends an olive branch in the best way he knows how: explosions.
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Side Quest: The Creatures of Linnsmouth Bay: Waking Up.
- Location
- Pacific standard
The Creatures of Linnsmouth Bay: Waking Up.
Hazou woke to a too perfect stillness. Under the covers he laced his fingers together and whispered "Kai".
Still finding himself in the darkness of his room, Hazou opened his eyes and carefully did not flinch at the sight of a minimalist interpretation of the third face of a chakra bear.
The ANBU signed, "ORDERS. DIRECT, HOKAGE. NO-DANGER IMMEDIATE, URGENT." the agent paused, then somehow exuded an amused air despite not moving whatsoever before continuing.
"NO-TAKE-ACTION" The agent switched to fingerspelling, "H A Z O U".
Before Hazou could react to an ANBU agent telling him to not commit treason using his name as a verb, they disappeared.
The scroll reads as follows:
Mist is under attack by an out of context problem. The Gouketsu are best equipped to aid our ally, and so they will. Choose a member to stay behind, or inform the tower of a civilian regent before you leave. Skywalker and skytower use is necessary over any body of water on the way.
You will be hosted in the Wakahisa district. Get there ASAP without harming combat effectiveness.
You will be hosted in the Wakahisa district. Get there ASAP without harming combat effectiveness.
Sarutobi Asuma
Your Hokage.
Your Hokage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who do you leave behind, if anyone? If you don't, who do you appoint as regent?
Ignoring the summons is not an option, nor is Hazou staying. Asuma wants specifically Gouketsu brand craziness to solve the problem. You may also send a note to the tower <200 words with requests before you leave. More reasonable requests are more likely to be granted.
Ignoring the summons is not an option, nor is Hazou staying. Asuma wants specifically Gouketsu brand craziness to solve the problem. You may also send a note to the tower <200 words with requests before you leave. More reasonable requests are more likely to be granted.
I watch the thread, but please ping me in your votes if you want to make sure they get counted.
redzonejoe
Vaguely Pastafarian
- Location
- Canada
Oiy oiy w0t's all this then? A secondary omake quest within the quest? Is this the first or part of a chain?
I guess we could leave Akane behind. She punch good and sane but we apparently need crazy so she can manage things here instead. Plus we can use the time apart to write confused plausibly romantic poetry!
- Location
- Book Fort
- Pronouns
- They/Them
@Twinnstars
[x] (Linnsmouth): OCP Response Team
Note to the Tower: "I request to bring Ami along as a guide to help navigate Mist's political climate. If you prefer to keep her here, I strongly request that you keep her off of Gōketsu property, as our people would be too easily swayed by her."
Take
[x] (Linnsmouth): OCP Response Team
Note to the Tower: "I request to bring Ami along as a guide to help navigate Mist's political climate. If you prefer to keep her here, I strongly request that you keep her off of Gōketsu property, as our people would be too easily swayed by her."
Take
- Kagome (Outer Knowledge)
- Mari (social goddess) (conditional: no Ami)
- Akane (Youth + fists)
- Noburi (connection to Wakahisa)
- Keiko (Mist has nothing but bad memories and bad mental habits)
- Haru (helps Mari)
- Mari (leads Gokestu Clan) (Conditional: Ami is brought to Mist)
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- Location
- The Maple Syrup Mountains
@Twinnstars
Leave Hazou. Go back to sleep.
Leave Haru (as a Leaf-nin he doesn't share in the comparative advantage that's sending the Goketsu on this mission). Take everyone else.
edit: I know, I know, Akane and Kagome aren't Mist-nin either. But they're Akane and Kagome, so my choice stands.
Leave Haru (as a Leaf-nin he doesn't share in the comparative advantage that's sending the Goketsu on this mission). Take everyone else.
edit: I know, I know, Akane and Kagome aren't Mist-nin either. But they're Akane and Kagome, so my choice stands.
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- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/Him
@RandomOTP I like that plan. Can you put a label on it like so?:
[x] (Linnsmouth) OCP Response Team
That way @Twinstars can use the vote tally system and simply look for things with the '(Linnsmouth)' tag.
Also, would you be willing to change the first line to this?:
Note to the Tower: "I request to bring Ami along as a guide to help navigate Mist's political climate. If you prefer to keep her here, I strongly request that you keep her off of Gōketsu property, as our people would be too easily swayed by her."
[x] (Linnsmouth) OCP Response Team
That way @Twinstars can use the vote tally system and simply look for things with the '(Linnsmouth)' tag.
Also, would you be willing to change the first line to this?:
Note to the Tower: "I request to bring Ami along as a guide to help navigate Mist's political climate. If you prefer to keep her here, I strongly request that you keep her off of Gōketsu property, as our people would be too easily swayed by her."
- Location
- Book Fort
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Done and done. While admitting this might make our people seem easily swayed, it'll also hopefully mitigate any Ami-shenanigans from happening to our clan while we're one.
- Location
- Somewhere
Sometimes I read this story and am just completely blown away by how good it is. I've read a lot of stuff over the years but this feels like it has a soul of its own. There's always something. Like in the last chapter, there's a conversation with Kagome and Honoka and with the way the conversation flows you pick up a little something about empathy. Their conversation is simple because it's an adult and a kid, but it feels real and they talk about their feelings and maybe I'll pick up a small piece of that conversation. And then sometime when I'm having a conversation with someone else, I'll have that piece in my head. I'll remember, hey, acknowledging and talking about feelings is a good thing.
In the chapter before Snowflake talks about being a clone, and she says that maybe we're all like clones when we go to sleep and wake up as a different person with our old self's memories. And that's really cool and kick-starts my brain along that train of thought, and my head goes to cool and different places because of that when I'm going to sleep that night. Honestly, I love it when you guys do stuff like that - you just bring up ideas that let me view the world with a different lens for a bit.
What makes me want to gush a bit is that this story does it so consistently. It's often in the small, understated things. A line of perspective here or a little bit of dialogue there. But it adds up, chapter by chapter there's just so much cool stuff. And even when you ignore the thinking and perspective stuff, there's an actual storyline of AU Naruto to work with where stuff is consistent and makes sense, which is cool because you don't see that often. And then there's another layer because there's a lot of likable characters and funny dialogue from time to time that just makes you smile.
When you put it all together it's just wonderful. There's nothing specific that triggered this by the way, I guess it's just a thought in the back of my head that never stopped getting reinforced and at some point I figured I should say it.
Anyway I know it probably doesn't matter to you guys but I subbed to the Patreon thing on the $1 tier because even if it's a tiny amount that's symbolic instead of practical I think it's always good to show tokens of your support whenever you can for stuff that you like.
In the chapter before Snowflake talks about being a clone, and she says that maybe we're all like clones when we go to sleep and wake up as a different person with our old self's memories. And that's really cool and kick-starts my brain along that train of thought, and my head goes to cool and different places because of that when I'm going to sleep that night. Honestly, I love it when you guys do stuff like that - you just bring up ideas that let me view the world with a different lens for a bit.
What makes me want to gush a bit is that this story does it so consistently. It's often in the small, understated things. A line of perspective here or a little bit of dialogue there. But it adds up, chapter by chapter there's just so much cool stuff. And even when you ignore the thinking and perspective stuff, there's an actual storyline of AU Naruto to work with where stuff is consistent and makes sense, which is cool because you don't see that often. And then there's another layer because there's a lot of likable characters and funny dialogue from time to time that just makes you smile.
When you put it all together it's just wonderful. There's nothing specific that triggered this by the way, I guess it's just a thought in the back of my head that never stopped getting reinforced and at some point I figured I should say it.
Anyway I know it probably doesn't matter to you guys but I subbed to the Patreon thing on the $1 tier because even if it's a tiny amount that's symbolic instead of practical I think it's always good to show tokens of your support whenever you can for stuff that you like.
- Location
- USA
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Thank you so much for the kind words. There's only one reason that people write: Because they have to. There's also only one reason that people publish free work: Because they want to connect to an audience. Hearing people's reactions to my work is enormously affecting, and your post is a brilliant start to the day... which, to be honest, I really needed because I've got a client install and I've been dreading it.
As to the idea that a $1 pledge "probably doesn't matter", nothing could be farther from the truth. I honestly don't know how to express the impact that every Patreon pledge has for me. The idea that someone out there is saying "You know what? I like your work enough that I want to support you unconditionally. Not just give you money in exchange for a particular copy of a book, I want to give you money every month just because you've made my world a little more fun." That is huge, and humbling.
You are wonderful.
- Location
- Liverpool
[x] (Linnsmouth): Let's go Uplift
-Note to the Tower: "I request to bring Ami along as a guide to help navigate Mist's political climate. If you prefer to keep her here, I strongly request that you keep her off of Gōketsu property, as our people would be too easily swayed by her without us here to counter her."
-Leave Haru behind to officially be in charge. Unofficially, our assistant who's been doing much of the administrative work should just carry on, and Haru ask Keiko for help as needed. The idea if Haru becoming acting clan head might be enough to make his head explode, which seems entertaining.
-Bring Hazou, Mari, Akane, Noburi, Kagome and Mari (and Ami, if allowed). It's been too long since OG uplift rolled together, and everyone has useful niches.
-Do No Touch The Water.
-Note to the Tower: "I request to bring Ami along as a guide to help navigate Mist's political climate. If you prefer to keep her here, I strongly request that you keep her off of Gōketsu property, as our people would be too easily swayed by her without us here to counter her."
-Leave Haru behind to officially be in charge. Unofficially, our assistant who's been doing much of the administrative work should just carry on, and Haru ask Keiko for help as needed. The idea if Haru becoming acting clan head might be enough to make his head explode, which seems entertaining.
-Bring Hazou, Mari, Akane, Noburi, Kagome and Mari (and Ami, if allowed). It's been too long since OG uplift rolled together, and everyone has useful niches.
-Do No Touch The Water.
- Location
- Book Fort
- Pronouns
- They/Them
I had a thought. Hazou knows of the Forbidden Five. Hazou is also aware that the Threads the Painted World are frayed and torn, allowing Existential Threats to influence humanity or even walk amongst us. Hazou has come to the same conclusion that the FF-Illuminati have: if something is not done, the world will one day end. Could we use this knowledge to secure Orochimaru's help? Once we become strong enough that Orochimaru might actually feel inclined to take our words seriously, of course.
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- Location
- Yes.
Why would Orochimaru help us, instead of...say, him using us to advance his goals which may or may not prioritize saving the world?
- Location
- Book Fort
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Because, to paraphrase Starlord, the world is where he keeps his stuff. Sure, he'd probably also look out for his own ends and be largely disinterested in cooperation, but I think Orochimaru --whose MfD depiction is more benevolent than his canon iteration --would still work towards the same vague goal of "strengthening the fabric of reality." We'd certainly have to keep an eye on him, but Uplift is rendered moot if humanity is eaten by a particularly hungry Grue or by a bored Jashin four generations down the line. So we might be faced with the familiar literary trap of having to work with people we don't like and who might backstab us once it's convenient.
Although, now that I type this out, I realize that Jiraiya was the one who was knowledgeable about the Out. He was able to carefully construct a purposeful sealing failure that was just violent enough to break his enemies but also safe enough to not do anything permanently horrid. Jiraiya was the teammate who was the "greatest sealmaster ever," so Orochimaru might not have more than a passing familiarity in the field --especially if his specialization is in fields like biology, chakra theory, anatomy, etc.
Huh. Orochimaru, scarily capable as he is, might actually be useless on this front. Not... not sure how I feel about that.
- Location
- Italy
Sigh...
*Upgrade the Orochimaru Counter*
Daily reminder that Orochimaru is an apparently amoral monster with a non existent respect for for human life that considers his time extremely precious, on top of being an S-ranker. On top of that, we're useless from his point of view: we're a chunin whose biggest contribution to the world is asking Kagome to flip a Air Dome upside down.
- Location
- The Maple Syrup Mountains
There's also the question of what Orochimaru would do along the way. Need I remind you that we saw a vision of a (possibly literally prophetic) future where after learning how to put people in stasis Orochimaru made it a viral plague so he could stasis all of humanity and do any experiment he wants.
If he does that with life-stabilization research, I say we double and triple guess ourselves before helping him in other, more bizarre fields.
If he does that with life-stabilization research, I say we double and triple guess ourselves before helping him in other, more bizarre fields.
- Location
- Book Fort
- Pronouns
- They/Them
True, hence my point that we should wait until Hazou's strong enough to be taken seriously. And hopefully a Master Sealmaster Hazou, driven by Uplift, can start a Confederation/Alliance of Sealmasters working towards this goal, which would make his unique mentality indispensable towards keeping them united. Orochimaru wouldn't be able to do that through fear, not without the potential for sealmaster retaliation.
Besides, it might be that Orochimaru doesn't have any applicable skills in this way.
But he's our Amoral Uncle with a non-existent respect for human life. Joking, but that's why my initial premise was to wait until we're S-rank to bring it up. The fabric of reality has held together, more or less, for over a thousand years. It can hold for the decade or two it takes for Hazou to become S-rank.
I genuinely must have missed that sidestory while reading through... huh. Welp, not going to lie, my interest in poking questionably-human S-rankers has been diminished. Still want to learn more about him from Tsunade and Jiraiya's journal entries, but... With this new knowledge in mind, I'm even more reluctant to interact with Orochimaru until Hazou's either an S-ranker or an ascendant God of Lists.