[ Ken Shimura PoV ]
The quest notification hung in my vision like a bloodstain on glass.
( Quest : Eliminate the Traitor )
( Reward : Silver Gacha Ticket )
[ Quest : Completed ]
I dismissed it with a thought. The floating text vanished, leaving only the real world—Mizuki's corpse, the spreading pool of blood, Iruka's gasping for air against the tree. It would be stupid to roll the ticket right in front of them. Who knows, I might summon a gigantic flying castle.
I looked down at the lifeless form of Mizuki.
My first kill. In this life, anyway. My previous life as a software engineer in Tokyo hadn't exactly prepared me for stabbing someone through the heart. I'd expected... something. Guilt maybe. Horror. The kind of psychological breakdown you see in movies when ordinary people take a life.
Instead, there was just this analytical calm. Like solving a particularly difficult coding problem.
Was that normal? Probably not. But then again, I wasn't exactly a normal twelve-year-old, was I?
I looked down at my hands. Mizuki's blood covered them, already cooling in the night air. In my old world, this would've been traumatic. In this world? It was just like breathing in open ground. The system's structuring of my mind might be behind this.
"Ken..."
Iruka's voice pulled my attention. He'd managed to push himself up against the tree, one hand pressed against the worst of the shuriken wounds. Blood seeped between his fingers in steady pulses.
Behind him, Naruto stood frozen, the Scroll of Seals clutched to his chest. His eyes were locked on Mizuki's body. The kid had never seen death before—not like this, up close where you could smell the blood and see the way bodies go still in ways living things never do.
"Are you... are you alright?" Iruka asked, doing his best to not pass out.
I wiped the kunai on Mizuki's vest and put it back in my pouch "I'm fine, sensei. You're the one bleeding out."
"That's not what I—" He stopped. Took a breath that rattled "You just...killed someone, Ken-"
"He was a traitor Sensei, who tried to steal village secrets and would've killed all three of us to do it." I kept my tone matter-of-fact "Given the circumstances, it was the best option to act upon"
"Naruto" I turned to him "How much chakra do you have left?"
He blinked, seeming to surface from wherever his mind had gone "I... what?"
"Your chakra. How much?"
"I don't know. A lot, I think?" His voice was shaky "Why?"
It's good he had massive reserves, even if his control was terrible.
"I need you to use the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. Create as many clones as you can manage...at least twenty if possible."
Iruka's head snapped toward me "Ken, that's—"
"We don't know if Mizuki was working alone." I gestured to the forest around us "He could have allies hiding nearby, waiting for him to signal them. Or waiting to see if he succeeded. We need eyes everywhere, and Naruto's clones are the fastest way to get them."
The logic was sound. Mizuki had been planning this for months—his words, not mine.
Naruto's face hardened with determination. He set the scroll down carefully and formed the cross-seal.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The clearing exploded with smoke. When it cleared, at least thirty Narutos stood in formation around us, all looking alert and ready.
Iruka's eyes went wide. "He... he actually did it."
Yeah. The same kid who couldn't make a single basic clone this morning had just pulled off a A-rank jutsu like it was nothing. The difference? Motivation and actually having enough chakra to work with. The regular clone jutsu was too chakra-efficient for someone with Naruto's reserves and control—like trying to fill a shot glass from a fire hose.
"Alright!" The original Naruto pointed at his clones "Look in the every corner!"
The clones scattered into the forest, moving with surprising coordination.
"That was..." Iruka trailed off, staring at the departing clones "Naruto couldn't even perform the basic Clone Technique a few hours ago. How did he...?"
"He probably had too much chakra for it" I said, moving to Iruka's side "The Clone Technique was Naruto's opposite. But the Shadow Clone Jutsu actually uses substantial chakra, so it plays to his strengths"
I pulled bandages from my kunai pouch and started wrapping the worst of Iruka's wounds. The bleeding had slowed but hadn't stopped. He needed proper medical attention soon.
"We need to get you back to the village, sensei" I said, working quickly "Can you walk?"
"I can manage" His voice was steady, but I could see the tremor in his hands. Blood loss was catching up to him.
I tied off the last bandage.
A clone popped back into the clearing.
"Boss! Didn't find anyone! Area's clear!"
One by one, the clones started reporting back. No hidden enemies. No ambushes waiting. Mizuki had apparently been working alone.
Good. One less variable to worry about.
The Hokage had to have been watching this through his crystal ball. The old man monitored the village constantly, and a fight involving the Forbidden Scroll? He'd have been watching from the moment Naruto stole it.
Which meant ANBU would be arriving soon.
Right on cue, two figures materialized in the clearing. ANBU, wearing their signature animal masks. They moved with the swiftness of elite shinobi, taking in the scene in seconds: Mizuki's corpse, Iruka's injuries, me covered in blood, Naruto surrounded by rapidly dispersing clones, and the Forbidden Scroll lying on the ground.
The cat-masked ANBU moved to Iruka immediately.
The bird-masked ANBU's attention fixed on me and Naruto "You two will come with me. Hokage sama wants to see you immediately"
I nodded. Picked up the Forbidden Scroll—heavier than it looked—and slung it over my shoulder. Naruto moved to my side, still looking shaken.
"The body's evidence" I said to the bird-masked ANBU "There's also a sealed scroll in his vest pocket. Unmarked. Didn't open it in case it was trapped"
The ANBU's posture shifted slightly. Approval, maybe? Hard to tell with the mask.
"Noted. Come with me"
The Hokage's office was warm despite the late hour. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk in his white robes, though his posture was straight-backed and alert. His pipe was lit, cherry-scented smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling.
When the ANBU escorted us in, Hiruzen's eyes found both of us—first Naruto, then me. His expression softened in a way I'd only seen a handful of times at Ichiraku's.
"Both of you" His voice was gentle but firm "Are you hurt?"
Naruto shook his head quickly "N-no, Old man. We're okay"
His shoulders relaxed slightly at that.
He then gestured to the chairs in front of his desk "Both of you, sit"
We sat. Naruto was fidgeting, unable to stay still. I kept my hands folded in my lap, aware that this will be a long lecture at this hour.
Hiruzen took a long draw from his pipe, studying us both. When he spoke again, his voice carried the weight of someone who'd watched over these two boys for years—one from afar with hidden protection, one more openly through occasional conversations.
"I'm sorry, old man!" Naruto burst out. "I didn't know it was the Forbidden Scroll! Mizuki-sensei said if I learned one jutsu from it, I'd pass the exam, and I just wanted—"
"I observed what happened through my crystal ball. From the moment you took the scroll" He looked at Naruto with something that might have been disappointment, but was mostly just concern.
He sighed, setting his pipe down "You are not at fault for being manipulated by Mizuki"
Naruto's eyes went wide.
"But you must understand the danger you were in. That scroll contains techniques forbidden for good reason. Some harm the user. Others could have..." He trailed off briefly before continuing "Could have had consequences beyond your control."
The Nine-Tails.
He was worried about the seal.
"I understand..." Naruto said quietly.
Hiruzen's expression softened further "I know you do, Naruto. And despite Mizuki's treachery, you protected that scroll. When it mattered, you chose to defend it rather than use it for yourself. That speaks well of your intentions as a shinobi"
The old man stood, walked around his desk, and placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"You did well tonight. Both of you." His other hand settled on my shoulder. "I would inform Iruka that you graduate to genin, Naruto. After what you've shown me tonight, successfully performing the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, defending the scroll. I'm inclined to agree on your graduation"
Naruto's face lit up like the sun. "Really?! I'm gonna be a ninja?!"
A small smile crossed Hiruzen's weathered face "Now, I need you to wait outside while I speak with Ken. ANBU will escort you to a waiting room where you can rest."
Naruto looked between us, uncertain. But then he nodded and let the ANBU lead him out.
The door closed. The atmosphere shifted.
Hiruzen returned to his desk, but didn't sit. Instead, he stood there, pipe in hand, studying me with eyes that had seen too much.
"Your parents would be proud of what you did tonight, Ken. You protected your comrades. Defended the village's secrets. Made a difficult choice under extreme pressure"
He paused, letting the words settle.
"But... I'm deeply concerned about you"
"You've always been exceptional. Top of your class in both academics and taijutsu" His eyes held mine "Even Uchiha Sasuke...talented as he is...has never managed to defeat you in sparring again. Your talent and hardwork speaks for itself"
I said nothing as he continued further.
"We've spoken multiple times at Ichiraku's about the responsibilities that come with talent, Ken" His tone shifted slightly, less as Hokage, more of a mentor "I've watched you grow. Seen you treat Naruto better than anyone out there in village. Always pushing yourself to be stronger and seeking to help everyone"
His hand moved to his pipe, but he didn't light it. Just held it.
"Tonight, you killed a chunin instructor with tactics that would have impressed your jonin instructor" He leaned forward "So, where did you learn Water Clone technique?"
The question hung in the air like smoke.
I kept my voice steady "I came across one of his scrolls which had a Water Clone Technique"
"How did you come up with a tactic?"
"I..don't know. I just thought this will be a perfect way to win?"
That was closer to the truth than he realized. The tactics came from a lifetime of watching anime, reading manga, understanding how shinobi fought "It just made sense at the moment. Mizuki sensei was stronger, more experienced. Direct confrontation would fail. So I used deception"
Hiruzen studied me for a long moment.
"Ken." His voice took on a storytelling quality, but maintained its authority "I once had a student just like you. He was brilliant beyond measure. He could master any technique, grasp any flaws in it. His potential seemed limitless"
He picked up his pipe, turned it over in his hands.
"But he became obsessed with power. With forbidden knowledge. With surpassing death itself. He confused strength with purpose, and in doing so, he lost everything that made him valuable to this village. Everything that made him human"
The pain in his voice was real.
"When I watched you tonight...so calm about taking a life...I saw glimpses of him in you" His eyes found mine again "But then I remembered the boy who sits with an old Hokage at a ramen stand and believes in when I talk about the Will of Fire. Who trains relentlessly not to stand out, but because he wants to protect others around him"
He set the pipe down.
"Tell me, Ken. That boy is still there, isn't it? This isn't just about power for you?"
Was it?
I was basically the one with meta-knowledge and a system, who wanted power to survive what was coming ahead.
But now I was the kid who'd lived here for twelve years. Who'd made friends. Who actually gave a damn about Naruto despite knowing he was a plot device.
I ain't living in a fiction, this was real, and so am I.
"I'm still that boy, Hokage-sama." I met his gaze. "I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about killing Mizuki. It hasn't really... hit me yet. But I know I'd do it again to protect Iruka-sensei and Naruto or anyone in this village"
Hiruzen nodded slowly with a smile, believing what I just said.
"Listen, Ken. Shinobi who kill without purpose become monsters by the end. Shinobi who kill to protect become heroes. The difference is in the heart" He glanced at the Forbidden Scroll "This contains knowledge that could corrupt even the strongest will. Techniques forbidden because they destroy the user, or because they're too dangerous in the wrong hands."
His voice dropped, taking on the weight of absolute command.
"You will not attempt to use any technique contained within this scroll, without my permission. What you saw tonight is classified at the highest level and is very dangerous for you. You will not discuss it with anyone except myself or those I specifically authorize. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Good" He relaxed slightly, though his authority remained "Now, about this Water Clone technique. I'll make sure your future jonin instructor knows about your water affinity so they can teach you more of them"
"Thanks, Hokage sama"
He stood, moving around the desk with the practiced ease of someone who'd done this a thousand times. His hand settled on my shoulder—firm, grounding.
"What you did tonight was impressive, Ken. But don't let it define you"
I nodded firmly.
"The Will of Fire teaches us that we're strongest when we protect those who come after us. When we light the way for the next generation. You have great potential. I intend to make sure that potential serves the light, not the darkness"
He walked back to his desk, picking up his pipe.
"One more thing, Ken."
I paused at the door.
"Stay close to your friends. Trust your instructors. And if you ever feel that darkness pulling at you..." He lit his pipe, took a draw "My door is always open for you"
I nodded once again, as I left with a thought that sometimes going with plot serves way well than you think. Access to so many forbidden jutsus...
Sensational.
Naruto was sitting on the steps outside the Hokage building when I emerged, knees pulled up to his chest. He'd been out here the whole time, alone with his thoughts about what Mizuki had revealed.
The moment he saw me, he jumped up.
"Ken! What did...did he...are you in trouble?"
"No, I don't think so" I sat down on the steps.
He sat beside me, but the usual manic energy was gone. Replaced by something heavy. Uncertain.
"Hey, Ken. Mizuki sensei said..." He asked "He said I was the Demon Fox Spirit. That I'm the monster that killed your parents"
I sighed.
"I don't believe that, Naruto"
"But he said—"
"He was a traitor to our village" I cut him off "Why would you believe anything he said?"
"Because everyone in the village looks at me like I'm a monster!" The words burst out of him "I can see in their eyes...They hate me and I never knew why, but now—"
"You really think you're some demon fox spirit?"
"I... I don't know. Maybe?"
I couldn't help it, as I laughed out loud.
"Hey! What's so funny?!"
"You. Being a demon fox spirit?" I shook my head as I wiped out a tear off my eye "Naruto, you've never won a single taijutsu match against me. Not one. You trip over your own feet half the time. Your clone jutsu was so bad you failed the exam"
His face was in amidst whether he should be happy that I didn't see him as a monster or be offended that I didn't consider him strong at all.
"If you're really a demon fox spirit, you're the weakest one out there. I mean, you can't even land a hit on me. What kind of demon gets defeated by a twelve-year-old academy student?"
"That's not—I could totally defeat you if I wanted to!"
"Sure you could"
"I'm serious!" He jumped to his feet and did hand signs as I sighed internally of what he was about to pull off.
"SEXY JUTSU!"
Smoke exploded around him. When it cleared, Naruto had transformed into a curvy blonde girl, naked except for strategically placed smoke clouds, with big blue eyes and a seductive expression.
"So, Ken-kun~" The voice was dreamy "Think you can beat me now?"
I stood up and then without hesitation, I punched him in the face.
POOF.
The transformation dispelled. Naruto hit the ground, clutching his nose.
"OW! What the hell was that for?!"
"That might work on Hokage sama, but it won't work on me" I stood up, starting to walk away.
From office in the Hokage Tower above us, a violent coughing fit erupted. The sound of someone choking on pipe smoke carried clearly through the open window.
Naruto's eyes went impossibly wide. "Did the old man just—was he watching?!"
I didn't answer. Just kept walking, letting the smallest smile cross my face.
Behind me, Naruto's laughter started—hesitant at first, then building into that genuine, ridiculous sound I'd somehow gotten used to.
"Hey, Ken! Wait up! You can't just punch me and walk away!"
. . .
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