Game of the Year: A Naruto Quest
- Thread starter Vesvius
- Start date
Kkutlord
Prince of Breath
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
@Vesvius: I'll spend 40 on Taijutsu, since not only will that make clearing Mr Wood easier but we can exploit the Hit Counter to accelerate our mastery of Taijutsu Techniques Daisuke either invents or is taught by Gai.
Though two questions: One, we can specifically focus on training Attributes right? Daisuke nearly got to Above-Average Constitution on his own. Two, "Relevance" and "Quality" are important factors for Omake XP right? I'll probably never pass the 40 XP mark, but still useful to know what factors would get 100 XP.
Though two questions: One, we can specifically focus on training Attributes right? Daisuke nearly got to Above-Average Constitution on his own. Two, "Relevance" and "Quality" are important factors for Omake XP right? I'll probably never pass the 40 XP mark, but still useful to know what factors would get 100 XP.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
At this rate Daisuke is going to be ready to graduate on the first day. I look forward to the xp from classes.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
Kkutlord
Prince of Breath
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
Well, I'm unlikely to write more Omakes anyways, I really work best as an "Idea Guy". That, and I don't want the shame of a superior thinking I was making a soulless XP grab.
Though honestly, I'm kind of surprised nobody has wanted to make any Perks yet. I don't know how meaningful an XP or Relationship Boosting Perk would be when GM Whim decides it, but something to boost Taijutsu would be thematically fitting.
Though honestly, I'm kind of surprised nobody has wanted to make any Perks yet. I don't know how meaningful an XP or Relationship Boosting Perk would be when GM Whim decides it, but something to boost Taijutsu would be thematically fitting.
Vesvius
The Wicked God
Done. And in answer to your questions, yes, you can focus on training attributes, but it will be less effective than training skills later on in life. Daisuke's attributes are still quite malleable right now as he's very young. But as he ages up, expect it to grow harder. And yes, Relevance and Quality are important factors. Though quality is probably the wrong word; more appropriate would be enjoyability- which I know isn't a word, but that's not important. There can be some low quality stuff that I think is hilarious. If you write something like that, you'll probably do better than if you write something technically perfect but boring.
and Done.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
When people see how good were are at Taijutsu in such a short time they are going to line up to be trained by Gai. Then they will all run away as fast they can if he agrees.
Can I draw art for exp?
- Location
- SG
Yes you can
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
Someone did it is in media.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Huh. So what I'm hearing is that now is *absolutely* the time to go nuts on training attributes, because it get harder later, in a way that skills maybe don't so much. Delightfully, we have Gai... and there's no one quite like the Green Machine for telling you how to turn a relentless willingness to work hard into improvements in the raw physical form.
...and now I'm wondering, can Luck be trained?
Also... the class rankings are alphabetized?
...and now I'm wondering, can Luck be trained?
Also... the class rankings are alphabetized?
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Shard
One and Many
- Location
- Malaysia
Physical attributes aren't everything! Just 1/3 of everything!
- Location
- Italy
it's still the first day, give it a few in-game lessons and the rankings will actually mean something. Right now yes, they are just an alphabetic order.
They're the one we can take for granted though. Gai will bring them to Superhuman at least by the time we graduate or he'll make a full lap of the Land of Fire on his hand in one sitting!
Mother helps by Edokse (canon)
I'm gonna take a swing at the omake business.
Manami passed by the empty room yet again. Her fists clenched involuntarily as she looked at the closed door. A part of her wanted to let it remain empty, but that would somehow feel like a defeat. She had some ideas of what to do, but they did not feel quite right. She sighed as she walked down stairs to make herself some tea.
A short while later she took a sip of her perfectly made tea and wondered what to do today. Daisuke had left for the academy an hour ago, so there was plenty of time to fill up. Her grip tightened around the cup ever so slightly as she thought about Daisuke. He was as stubborn as her, if not more so, and he would certainly manage to graduate. There was no chance of him changing his mind. If pounding on a straw man for seven months did not make anyone understand his dedication, nothing would. No, he'd graduate and then he'd be in danger every time he set foot outside Konoha.
Lost in thoughts about ninjas, she absentmindedly took a sip. It had gone cold. She put down the cup. Her hands shook slightly, so she quickly took hold of the cup again. What could she do? There were families who had been training their young to be ninja for decades, centuries even, with all that support and knowledge they would have an advantage over those who did not. That was not even counting the major advantage those with bloodline limits had! Ninja would ruthlessly exploit any advantage, and Daisuke had no support except for her, but how could she help? She had thought to manipulate Gai into teaching Daisuke more than he did, but his own guilt and remorse had made that unnecessary. Still advice every know and then did not make up for the entire support structure of a ninja clan.
An idea slowly materialised. The beginning of a smile could be seen at the edges of her mouth as she nodded to herself. She put the cup down and walked outside. Her hands did not shake.
Daisuke walked home from the academy lost in thought. He'd gotten some new achievements.
Henge, Bunshin and Kawarimi… Is it some kind of secret path to success? Learn the basics in and out and utilise them in ways no one had thought of… How did the Henge work anyway? How could one set of hand seals produce that many different shapes? Was it solid or not? There were so many questions and he'd have to wait a whole year!
He imagined himself standing in a clearing. His enemy was facing him sword in hand snarling like a beast.
"What are you waiting for! Draw your sword and die like the honorless bastard you are!"
"I do not need a sword to deal with the likes of you," Daisuke said before running at great speed toward his foe. His speed was so great it left afterimages. In less than a second the clearing was filled with immaculately dressed ninjas. It was not all speed though. Daisuke had sneakily created Bunshin and hid behind the foliage observing the battle carefully.
His fantasies about winning the fight by only using the academy three ground to a halt when he spotted the genin team walk out of his house. They looked dead tired and almost relieved.
"I did not think that a civilian could have such potent killing intent," one of them, a boy with blonde hair and well... There was nothing else that was remarkable at all. They were all bland. The jounin just chuckled prompting Daisuke to give her another look. He doubted that he'd be able to recognise her again even if she bumped into him on the street.
He got looks of pity as they walked past.
"Good luck, kid" the jounin said in a perfectly unrecognisable voice.
Daisuke frowned and put Team Bland out of his head. It was remarkably easy.
"Mother?" he called as he entered.
There was no reply.
Shrugging he made his way upstairs to his room. Just when he was about to enter, he spotted the light coming out from Tokei's room. Daisuke steeled himself as he walked towards the light.
"Oh," he said as he looked around the room with wide eyes.
The wall to the left was completely covered with bookshelves, a study desk and a chemistry set was to his right while plants and three different terrariums occupied the space in between. He walked closer to the tanks and peered inside. One had colourful frogs while the others had vicious looking snakes. He glanced at the plants but could not recognise any of them.
"Are they poisonous?" he wondered out loud.
He shook his head and walked to the bookshelves. They sported books for all the academy years, as well as books with subjects ranging from anatomy to survival.
"Daisuke, come here!" his mother called from outside.
The boy ran to the back yard and saw more changes. Mr Straw had gotten company by Mr Wood and Mr Rock as well as several targets placed strategically around the yard. His eyes lingered on Mr Rock before looking at his fists.
"They assured me that any decent ninja could punch solid rock without any harm," his mother said. She was standing beside a crate full of kunai, shuriken and ninja wire.
"I cannot… will not try to dissuade you from the path you have chosen, but I can at least make sure that you are more than adequately prepared. You will do your best," she said while walking towards him. The firmness in her tone and steel in her eyes did not leave any other choice but to agree.
Daisuke nodded.
"Good," she smiled and kissed his forehead. "Now, get ready for dinner. I have a treat for you after"
"A treat?"
"Snake venom jelly," his mother said without missing a beat. "What kind of mother would I be if you are not resistant by the time you graduate?"
A short while later she took a sip of her perfectly made tea and wondered what to do today. Daisuke had left for the academy an hour ago, so there was plenty of time to fill up. Her grip tightened around the cup ever so slightly as she thought about Daisuke. He was as stubborn as her, if not more so, and he would certainly manage to graduate. There was no chance of him changing his mind. If pounding on a straw man for seven months did not make anyone understand his dedication, nothing would. No, he'd graduate and then he'd be in danger every time he set foot outside Konoha.
Lost in thoughts about ninjas, she absentmindedly took a sip. It had gone cold. She put down the cup. Her hands shook slightly, so she quickly took hold of the cup again. What could she do? There were families who had been training their young to be ninja for decades, centuries even, with all that support and knowledge they would have an advantage over those who did not. That was not even counting the major advantage those with bloodline limits had! Ninja would ruthlessly exploit any advantage, and Daisuke had no support except for her, but how could she help? She had thought to manipulate Gai into teaching Daisuke more than he did, but his own guilt and remorse had made that unnecessary. Still advice every know and then did not make up for the entire support structure of a ninja clan.
An idea slowly materialised. The beginning of a smile could be seen at the edges of her mouth as she nodded to herself. She put the cup down and walked outside. Her hands did not shake.
-D-
Daisuke walked home from the academy lost in thought. He'd gotten some new achievements.
Henge, Bunshin and Kawarimi… Is it some kind of secret path to success? Learn the basics in and out and utilise them in ways no one had thought of… How did the Henge work anyway? How could one set of hand seals produce that many different shapes? Was it solid or not? There were so many questions and he'd have to wait a whole year!
He imagined himself standing in a clearing. His enemy was facing him sword in hand snarling like a beast.
"What are you waiting for! Draw your sword and die like the honorless bastard you are!"
"I do not need a sword to deal with the likes of you," Daisuke said before running at great speed toward his foe. His speed was so great it left afterimages. In less than a second the clearing was filled with immaculately dressed ninjas. It was not all speed though. Daisuke had sneakily created Bunshin and hid behind the foliage observing the battle carefully.
His fantasies about winning the fight by only using the academy three ground to a halt when he spotted the genin team walk out of his house. They looked dead tired and almost relieved.
"I did not think that a civilian could have such potent killing intent," one of them, a boy with blonde hair and well... There was nothing else that was remarkable at all. They were all bland. The jounin just chuckled prompting Daisuke to give her another look. He doubted that he'd be able to recognise her again even if she bumped into him on the street.
He got looks of pity as they walked past.
"Good luck, kid" the jounin said in a perfectly unrecognisable voice.
Daisuke frowned and put Team Bland out of his head. It was remarkably easy.
"Mother?" he called as he entered.
There was no reply.
Shrugging he made his way upstairs to his room. Just when he was about to enter, he spotted the light coming out from Tokei's room. Daisuke steeled himself as he walked towards the light.
"Oh," he said as he looked around the room with wide eyes.
The wall to the left was completely covered with bookshelves, a study desk and a chemistry set was to his right while plants and three different terrariums occupied the space in between. He walked closer to the tanks and peered inside. One had colourful frogs while the others had vicious looking snakes. He glanced at the plants but could not recognise any of them.
"Are they poisonous?" he wondered out loud.
He shook his head and walked to the bookshelves. They sported books for all the academy years, as well as books with subjects ranging from anatomy to survival.
"Daisuke, come here!" his mother called from outside.
The boy ran to the back yard and saw more changes. Mr Straw had gotten company by Mr Wood and Mr Rock as well as several targets placed strategically around the yard. His eyes lingered on Mr Rock before looking at his fists.
"They assured me that any decent ninja could punch solid rock without any harm," his mother said. She was standing beside a crate full of kunai, shuriken and ninja wire.
"I cannot… will not try to dissuade you from the path you have chosen, but I can at least make sure that you are more than adequately prepared. You will do your best," she said while walking towards him. The firmness in her tone and steel in her eyes did not leave any other choice but to agree.
Daisuke nodded.
"Good," she smiled and kissed his forehead. "Now, get ready for dinner. I have a treat for you after"
"A treat?"
"Snake venom jelly," his mother said without missing a beat. "What kind of mother would I be if you are not resistant by the time you graduate?"
- Location
- Bulgaria
Oh neat, we're only 150xp away from getting the achievement "Armed in a Battle of Wits".
That's pretty close.
That's pretty close.
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Kkutlord
Prince of Breath
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
Well there's 10 XP floating around, so that'll just be 140 more. I kind of hope Daisuke reacts to getting Simple Intelligence and Simple Wits inbetween updates, sounds amusing.
Oh, regarding Practiced Skills, we already have six down. I was thinking, maybe we should work on Fuinjutsu and Shurikenjutsu, if only for the complete set? There's probably an unknown Achievement relating to that.
Getting Practiced Skills is relatively easy, Reward XP wise, since Student and Practiced are each 100. So artwork basically gives enough XP to tick off one Rank, two at most in one go.
Adept and up is where it gets harder, yet more valuable- Techniques being the one plus we know about. Of course, logically, higher Attributes should really benefit Daisuke and his Skills. What's the point of Taijutsu if you lack Strength? Manipulation is better if you're naturally Charismatic, etc.
We should really try an update where Daisuke just trains a set of Attributes, so we can gauge how quickly he'll develop. The Rewards for Above-Average are likely to be better (if not upgrades to) than the Achievement Rewards for Simple- which so far includes "Decrease Energy Motive Drain by 25%"
Oh, regarding Practiced Skills, we already have six down. I was thinking, maybe we should work on Fuinjutsu and Shurikenjutsu, if only for the complete set? There's probably an unknown Achievement relating to that.
Getting Practiced Skills is relatively easy, Reward XP wise, since Student and Practiced are each 100. So artwork basically gives enough XP to tick off one Rank, two at most in one go.
Adept and up is where it gets harder, yet more valuable- Techniques being the one plus we know about. Of course, logically, higher Attributes should really benefit Daisuke and his Skills. What's the point of Taijutsu if you lack Strength? Manipulation is better if you're naturally Charismatic, etc.
We should really try an update where Daisuke just trains a set of Attributes, so we can gauge how quickly he'll develop. The Rewards for Above-Average are likely to be better (if not upgrades to) than the Achievement Rewards for Simple- which so far includes "Decrease Energy Motive Drain by 25%"
- Location
- Italy
I know i'm Being nitpicky, but technically venom is usually dangerous only when injected into the bloodstream, usually through biting or stinging. If it hurts by drinkin/eating it's poison instead.
Ignoring this completely superfluous and easily ignored note, I like this. Feels like something Manami would actually do.
And Mr. Straw made a cameo with his family, which is always a plus
Hi there, were you talking about me?
I want to point out that the academy lessons will hardly help going much above practiced, as that's the genin level. We might be better off letting lessons raise these by themselves, and focus just on the much harder men/soc attributes, plus those skills the academy wouldn't help us with, like kenjutsu (at least I don't think they have classes for it) or maybe fuinjutsu.
If there are advanced, prodigy-only extra lessons of course this doesn't matter as much. Same if we find more teachers (say kakashi at the memorial stone?)
- Location
- Bulgaria
You know, I think this actually makes it funnier. I can definitely see her not knowing that detail and trying to make Daisuke eat it anyway.
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Kkutlord
Prince of Breath
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
There's two ways we can handle Reward XP: Either doing what seems best, or doing what would make an interesting narrative. Daisuke getting Practiced Gen/Ninjutsu prior to training would be treated as him having a natural talent. Another example, Daisuke having Adept Taijutsu already would likely have noticeable effects- such as Iruka and Mizuki already being impressed.
So while I'm in favor of Simple Intelligence being ticked off, there's sure to be effects on the narrative if Daisuke gets Practiced Kenjutsu before going home. Alternatively, if we somehow manage Simple Charka Control or Senses, that'll feed into the whole "meant to be ninja" narrative.
So while I'm in favor of Simple Intelligence being ticked off, there's sure to be effects on the narrative if Daisuke gets Practiced Kenjutsu before going home. Alternatively, if we somehow manage Simple Charka Control or Senses, that'll feed into the whole "meant to be ninja" narrative.
- Location
- Bulgaria
You make good points, and I do support raising Kenjutsu to practiced before we start training it. My main argument againts it is that we probably won't have an occasion to start training it or using it in the foreseeable future (possibly for years).
By contrast raising the attributes will have an immediate, beneficial effect on nearly every fight (physical) or interaction (social, mental) Daisuke has with anyone and everyone.
You could also make an argument for chakra, genjutsu and ninjutsu since we know with certainty that they will be important in one year. There is a clear and specific time frame to raise them, if we want Daisuke to be seen as a prodigy in those areas.
Basically, I do support the idea of paying homage to Daisuke's samurai heritage (getting the skill to Practised before we start training). I'm just not sure I understand why it needs be raised right now, over all the other cool and useful options, that will have an immediate effect on the narative.
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fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
Hope we get it. We are about to talk to Ino.
20. Buddy Buddy
Vesvius
The Wicked God
After a moment's thought, your grip your lunch box tightly and with purposeful strides, head back out to the courtyard. It doesn't take long to find the small corner of the training field that Ino and her coterie have already claimed for themselves. Casually, probably too casually, you stroll towards them. Without pause, without hesitation, you drop down into it, placing yourself between your kinda friend and Mariko.
Before anyone has a chance to object, you start to talk. "That was fun!" you say brightly. "But I think I did bad on the history part."
Ino nods glumly. She's the only one of her circle who doesn't look put out by you dropping in next to them. In her mind it was expected that you'd be here. "I know!" she gripes. "The running was tough but it was the math that I messed up on! Mommy is going to be sad! We studied for like an hour yesterday!"
"Ah, the math wasn't that bad," you reply. "I'm sure you did alright. Not like me and history. I've never even heard of half those places before and-"
You're cut off midword by Mariko, who seems finally recovered from your sudden appearance. "What are you doing here?" she sneers.
You cock your head to the side and give her a look. "Talking. About to eat lunch," you state. "Unless there was something else I was supposed to be doing?"
"Go do it somewhere else!"
"Why?"
Your simple question seems to confuse her. She sputters for a second. "I- You should've asked! It's rude to just sit down!"
"And it's rude to tell someone they smell," you counter, "But you did it anyway."
"You do smell!"
Despite yourself, you're starting to feel a little offended. You know perfectly well that you do not smell! After all, you keep a close eye on all your motives! And you take care of your hygiene before it gets into the red every single day! "I do not!" you bite back.
"You do!" she argues. Her narrow mouth is split wide in a vicious grin as she presses her successful attack. "You smell real bad!"
"Oh yeah?" You say, mind racing as you try and figure out a response, something that will end this. Even now you can see some of the other girls looking at you like maybe you do smell, even if you clearly don't. You need to cut this off right now. But no; snarling back at her isn't the answer. You need to calm the situation down, not egg her on. "I… I don't smell! And I don't know why you keep saying I do! We both know I don't."
Mariko's face screws up in anger, and her words are venom. "You do! And you're not my friend!"
...ouch.
You feel the words like a punch to the gut. Objectively, you know that you're a guy who used to be much older and as such, are beyond stupid little things like this. But mostly, you're six. And you were just 'not my friended'. When it comes to six year old insults, that's the end all be all. The final weapon. She just burned your fields, salted the land, and carried off the women and children.
The rest of the group looks at her, eyes wide and mouths open. Chisako seems a little embarrassed, and Kasumi just seems horrified that someone's just broken out the big guns so quick. Ino though? She just looks pissed.
"He's my friend!" she hisses. "And if you don't like that then you can go away!"
This time it's Mariko's turn to look like a fish gasping for air. "I… but he's a boy!"
"So?!"
Mariko sits there stunned for a long moment. As you watch, tiny tears begin to bead up in the corners of her eyes. Then suddenly her stillness breaks as she leaps to her feet, grabs her lunch, and storms off, hands in fists down at her side. Chisako leaps up and takes off after her without a word.
Ino watches them go with a confused look on her face. You take a moment to recover from Mariko's verbal beatdown and look over at your friend. "Um, sorry," you say sheepishly. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble. I can go if you want."
Kasumi looks like she wants to say something but Ino cuts her off. "You didn't do anything!" Ino growls, seemingly offended by the idea that you did. "You just sat down here. It's not your fault that Mariko is weird! I didn't want her around anyway, but, you know, cousins!"
You honestly don't know, but you'll take it. With the fireworks over you sit and dig into your lunch in peace. Conversation is made, mostly between you and Ino with Kasumi occasionally chiming in a few words here and there. Despite the awkward start to lunch you find yourself having a good time. How long has it been since you just sat and talked with people your own age? God, it would probably before your bus incident. That's just sad.
Lunch ends too soon and you make your way back to the classroom, where Mizuki-sensei and Iruka-sensei await. Class after lunch is nowhere near as interesting as class before lunch was; the topic you all seemed to struggle with most was history, so that's what they spend the afternoon lecturing and teaching you.
The academy day comes to an end a few hours later after a long series of lessons about the founding of Konoha. You wave goodbye to Ino, exchange polite farewells with a few other people, and make your way home at a sedate pace. But that's only the start of your day. You have quests to complete, dummies to punch, a Mother to reassure your health to, and a Gai-sensei to learn from. It isn't until the sun is well set that you finally get a chance to sleep.
The next day is more of the same. In the morning you head to the Academy and are put through the physical ringer. Lunch is spent with Ino and Kasumi, and then after your head is crammed with as much book knowledge as Iruka-sensei can muster. Then questing, then training, then time with Mother, then rest. And then the day after that is the same. And then the day after that.
The day after that has a change, but not one you like. Your usual lunch spot is almost completely empty. It's just Ino sitting glumly, playing with her food before you join her. You give her a questioning look when you drop down next to her. "Where's Kasumi?" you ask.
"Gone," she says. "I think she's with Mariko and Chisako now."
You glance around the courtyard and see none of the three named girls. Which makes some sense; since the first day, Mariko and Chisako make a point to have lunch where you and Ino don't. But Kasumi leaving you for them is strange. Between Ino's sheer force of personality and your all around awesomeness, you didn't think she would just up and abandon you with no reason.
Which means she probably has a reason. But what could it…
Wait. "Her Mother runs the grocery store, you said?"
Ino nods, curiosity on her face. "Yeah. So?"
You groan. "Mother had some problems at the store yesterday. She was…" You trail off, struggling for the word. "...unhappy. I think she may have taken out her displeasure on whoever was there."
Ino pauses and considers what you're saying. "Yeeeahhh," she drawls out. "That would make sense. But Kasumi shouldn't just ditch us because she doesn't like your Mom! That's stupid! I'll talk to her and she'll understand!"
The next day, it's just you and Ino again. "She didn't understand?" you ask.
Ino shakes her head. "Stupid," she mutters again under her breath.
You sigh. "You can go with them," you tell her. "I get it. They're your friends too. And I can handle being by myself, really! Or I can leave and you can let them come back if you don't want to look like you're desperate. I-"
Your friend cuts you off with a shake of the head so violent that you can almost hear her neck pop. "No!" she declares with the stubbornness that only the very young can muster. "I won't! If they want to leave because they don't want to be friends with my friend because of stupid reasons then they're not real friends!" That's… almost deep for a little kid. She sounds like she's quoting something. Probably a parent; Inoichi and Kasai seemed to be pretty smart the few times you've seen them.
But whether she's just quoting a parent or not, Ino seems genuine. You feel almost foolishly relieved. Having a friend feels pretty damn good after all and you'd have to lose the one you have.
And you're even more glad for the friend you have when lunch ends and you head back to class for the day. Instead of the usual lecture, Iruka-sensei has a little something different set up. The desks are covered with oversized pieces of posterboard of all things, and you're each given a set of writing utensils so large that you have to hold them with both hands.
"We've been spending a lot of time this week explaining the history of Konoha to you all," Iruka-sensei explains. "But just sitting and listening gets real boring sometimes, right?"
There's a small rumble of agreement and sensei presses on. "Which is why this time, you're going to teach us! In front of you are all the supplies you need to make a big poster telling us about some part of Konoha's history that seems interesting to you! You'll have the rest of class today to put together a poster, and then tomorrow morning we'll present! The person with the best one will get a very special prize!"
His words make half the class perk up, and you can't help but notice that he didn't actually say what the prize is. A mystery box. Joy.
"And," Iruka-sesei adds, "as a special treat, you'll get to work with one other person in class and present your poster together!"
That got the rest of the class. In the week you've been here, any kind of socialization has been limited to lunch and griping during the morning training. The book learning portion of the day is ruled by Iruka-sensei's draconian 'no talking policy' which he enforces by any means necessary. Now everyone seems fired up to work on this poster.
There's no doubt who your partner is. By the time Iruka-sensei starts breaking you up, Ino is already waving violently for you to come over and sit next to her. You hop up the stairs quickly and take the seat to her right, left open by a Mariko desperate to get to Chisako before anyone else does.
"So what're we working on?" Ino asks. "Oooh, I know! We can talk about the Yamanaka! I know all about them! We won't even have to study anything! Or maybe the Fourth Hokage's fight with Kyuubi! That would be easy!"
You shake your head on that one. For one thing, the memory of Kyuubi's oppressive chakra still speaks loudly in your thoughts. Sometimes, when it's late at night and you're having trouble sleeping, you still swear you feel it pressing into your very bones. For another, from your vantage point in the top row, you can see Naruto ignoring his partner and scrawling 'the BEST Hokage (for now)!' at the top of his poster in bright yellow marker. That topic is definitively claimed.
"I'm not sure about doing your family," you tell Ino. "I mean, won't all you clan kids do that?"
"So? Their families aren't nearly as cool as mine!"
Ino seems gung-ho about doing your first graded assignment on her clan. But you might have a different topic you want to work on. What do you suggest?
[] Ino's got a point. You'll do it on the Yamanaka Clan. You're sure there's some interesting stuff in there that will get you a good grade.
[] Maybe doing it on the Fourth Hokage isn't the worst idea after all? He had a pretty long career before he was Hokage after all. You could focus on that.
[] The founding of the village is still a big deal even if it feels like ancient history to you. You want to do your poster on it.
[] Uchiha Madara. You're psyched to learn about the man himself. If things go as expected, he'll be up and about in a few years! No time like the present to learn about the enemy, as they say.
[] The day that the Eternal Genin, Might Dai, defeated every member of the legendary Seven Swordsman of the Mist by himself. This way maybe you will learn more about Gai's family!
[] The Swirl on Iruka's vest on its back.
[] Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. Student of the first two Hokages, teacher to the Sannin and longest serving Hokage, this poster pretty much makes itself!
[] Write-In (Approval Needed. Tag me to get it.)
Before anyone has a chance to object, you start to talk. "That was fun!" you say brightly. "But I think I did bad on the history part."
Ino nods glumly. She's the only one of her circle who doesn't look put out by you dropping in next to them. In her mind it was expected that you'd be here. "I know!" she gripes. "The running was tough but it was the math that I messed up on! Mommy is going to be sad! We studied for like an hour yesterday!"
"Ah, the math wasn't that bad," you reply. "I'm sure you did alright. Not like me and history. I've never even heard of half those places before and-"
You're cut off midword by Mariko, who seems finally recovered from your sudden appearance. "What are you doing here?" she sneers.
You cock your head to the side and give her a look. "Talking. About to eat lunch," you state. "Unless there was something else I was supposed to be doing?"
"Go do it somewhere else!"
"Why?"
Your simple question seems to confuse her. She sputters for a second. "I- You should've asked! It's rude to just sit down!"
"And it's rude to tell someone they smell," you counter, "But you did it anyway."
"You do smell!"
Despite yourself, you're starting to feel a little offended. You know perfectly well that you do not smell! After all, you keep a close eye on all your motives! And you take care of your hygiene before it gets into the red every single day! "I do not!" you bite back.
"You do!" she argues. Her narrow mouth is split wide in a vicious grin as she presses her successful attack. "You smell real bad!"
"Oh yeah?" You say, mind racing as you try and figure out a response, something that will end this. Even now you can see some of the other girls looking at you like maybe you do smell, even if you clearly don't. You need to cut this off right now. But no; snarling back at her isn't the answer. You need to calm the situation down, not egg her on. "I… I don't smell! And I don't know why you keep saying I do! We both know I don't."
Mariko's face screws up in anger, and her words are venom. "You do! And you're not my friend!"
...ouch.
You feel the words like a punch to the gut. Objectively, you know that you're a guy who used to be much older and as such, are beyond stupid little things like this. But mostly, you're six. And you were just 'not my friended'. When it comes to six year old insults, that's the end all be all. The final weapon. She just burned your fields, salted the land, and carried off the women and children.
The rest of the group looks at her, eyes wide and mouths open. Chisako seems a little embarrassed, and Kasumi just seems horrified that someone's just broken out the big guns so quick. Ino though? She just looks pissed.
"He's my friend!" she hisses. "And if you don't like that then you can go away!"
This time it's Mariko's turn to look like a fish gasping for air. "I… but he's a boy!"
"So?!"
Mariko sits there stunned for a long moment. As you watch, tiny tears begin to bead up in the corners of her eyes. Then suddenly her stillness breaks as she leaps to her feet, grabs her lunch, and storms off, hands in fists down at her side. Chisako leaps up and takes off after her without a word.
Ino watches them go with a confused look on her face. You take a moment to recover from Mariko's verbal beatdown and look over at your friend. "Um, sorry," you say sheepishly. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble. I can go if you want."
Kasumi looks like she wants to say something but Ino cuts her off. "You didn't do anything!" Ino growls, seemingly offended by the idea that you did. "You just sat down here. It's not your fault that Mariko is weird! I didn't want her around anyway, but, you know, cousins!"
You honestly don't know, but you'll take it. With the fireworks over you sit and dig into your lunch in peace. Conversation is made, mostly between you and Ino with Kasumi occasionally chiming in a few words here and there. Despite the awkward start to lunch you find yourself having a good time. How long has it been since you just sat and talked with people your own age? God, it would probably before your bus incident. That's just sad.
Lunch ends too soon and you make your way back to the classroom, where Mizuki-sensei and Iruka-sensei await. Class after lunch is nowhere near as interesting as class before lunch was; the topic you all seemed to struggle with most was history, so that's what they spend the afternoon lecturing and teaching you.
The academy day comes to an end a few hours later after a long series of lessons about the founding of Konoha. You wave goodbye to Ino, exchange polite farewells with a few other people, and make your way home at a sedate pace. But that's only the start of your day. You have quests to complete, dummies to punch, a Mother to reassure your health to, and a Gai-sensei to learn from. It isn't until the sun is well set that you finally get a chance to sleep.
The next day is more of the same. In the morning you head to the Academy and are put through the physical ringer. Lunch is spent with Ino and Kasumi, and then after your head is crammed with as much book knowledge as Iruka-sensei can muster. Then questing, then training, then time with Mother, then rest. And then the day after that is the same. And then the day after that.
The day after that has a change, but not one you like. Your usual lunch spot is almost completely empty. It's just Ino sitting glumly, playing with her food before you join her. You give her a questioning look when you drop down next to her. "Where's Kasumi?" you ask.
"Gone," she says. "I think she's with Mariko and Chisako now."
You glance around the courtyard and see none of the three named girls. Which makes some sense; since the first day, Mariko and Chisako make a point to have lunch where you and Ino don't. But Kasumi leaving you for them is strange. Between Ino's sheer force of personality and your all around awesomeness, you didn't think she would just up and abandon you with no reason.
Which means she probably has a reason. But what could it…
Wait. "Her Mother runs the grocery store, you said?"
Ino nods, curiosity on her face. "Yeah. So?"
You groan. "Mother had some problems at the store yesterday. She was…" You trail off, struggling for the word. "...unhappy. I think she may have taken out her displeasure on whoever was there."
Ino pauses and considers what you're saying. "Yeeeahhh," she drawls out. "That would make sense. But Kasumi shouldn't just ditch us because she doesn't like your Mom! That's stupid! I'll talk to her and she'll understand!"
The next day, it's just you and Ino again. "She didn't understand?" you ask.
Ino shakes her head. "Stupid," she mutters again under her breath.
You sigh. "You can go with them," you tell her. "I get it. They're your friends too. And I can handle being by myself, really! Or I can leave and you can let them come back if you don't want to look like you're desperate. I-"
Your friend cuts you off with a shake of the head so violent that you can almost hear her neck pop. "No!" she declares with the stubbornness that only the very young can muster. "I won't! If they want to leave because they don't want to be friends with my friend because of stupid reasons then they're not real friends!" That's… almost deep for a little kid. She sounds like she's quoting something. Probably a parent; Inoichi and Kasai seemed to be pretty smart the few times you've seen them.
But whether she's just quoting a parent or not, Ino seems genuine. You feel almost foolishly relieved. Having a friend feels pretty damn good after all and you'd have to lose the one you have.
And you're even more glad for the friend you have when lunch ends and you head back to class for the day. Instead of the usual lecture, Iruka-sensei has a little something different set up. The desks are covered with oversized pieces of posterboard of all things, and you're each given a set of writing utensils so large that you have to hold them with both hands.
"We've been spending a lot of time this week explaining the history of Konoha to you all," Iruka-sensei explains. "But just sitting and listening gets real boring sometimes, right?"
There's a small rumble of agreement and sensei presses on. "Which is why this time, you're going to teach us! In front of you are all the supplies you need to make a big poster telling us about some part of Konoha's history that seems interesting to you! You'll have the rest of class today to put together a poster, and then tomorrow morning we'll present! The person with the best one will get a very special prize!"
His words make half the class perk up, and you can't help but notice that he didn't actually say what the prize is. A mystery box. Joy.
"And," Iruka-sesei adds, "as a special treat, you'll get to work with one other person in class and present your poster together!"
That got the rest of the class. In the week you've been here, any kind of socialization has been limited to lunch and griping during the morning training. The book learning portion of the day is ruled by Iruka-sensei's draconian 'no talking policy' which he enforces by any means necessary. Now everyone seems fired up to work on this poster.
There's no doubt who your partner is. By the time Iruka-sensei starts breaking you up, Ino is already waving violently for you to come over and sit next to her. You hop up the stairs quickly and take the seat to her right, left open by a Mariko desperate to get to Chisako before anyone else does.
"So what're we working on?" Ino asks. "Oooh, I know! We can talk about the Yamanaka! I know all about them! We won't even have to study anything! Or maybe the Fourth Hokage's fight with Kyuubi! That would be easy!"
You shake your head on that one. For one thing, the memory of Kyuubi's oppressive chakra still speaks loudly in your thoughts. Sometimes, when it's late at night and you're having trouble sleeping, you still swear you feel it pressing into your very bones. For another, from your vantage point in the top row, you can see Naruto ignoring his partner and scrawling 'the BEST Hokage (for now)!' at the top of his poster in bright yellow marker. That topic is definitively claimed.
"I'm not sure about doing your family," you tell Ino. "I mean, won't all you clan kids do that?"
"So? Their families aren't nearly as cool as mine!"
Ino seems gung-ho about doing your first graded assignment on her clan. But you might have a different topic you want to work on. What do you suggest?
[] Ino's got a point. You'll do it on the Yamanaka Clan. You're sure there's some interesting stuff in there that will get you a good grade.
[] Maybe doing it on the Fourth Hokage isn't the worst idea after all? He had a pretty long career before he was Hokage after all. You could focus on that.
[] The founding of the village is still a big deal even if it feels like ancient history to you. You want to do your poster on it.
[] Uchiha Madara. You're psyched to learn about the man himself. If things go as expected, he'll be up and about in a few years! No time like the present to learn about the enemy, as they say.
[] The day that the Eternal Genin, Might Dai, defeated every member of the legendary Seven Swordsman of the Mist by himself. This way maybe you will learn more about Gai's family!
[] The Swirl on Iruka's vest on its back.
[] Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. Student of the first two Hokages, teacher to the Sannin and longest serving Hokage, this poster pretty much makes itself!
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