Naruto: I Am The System

A and Killer Bee's travel speed was impressive.

Two days later, Nawaki was, as usual, lounging in the courtyard reading a book when Tsunade approached. She casually picked up the teapot he had set aside and poured herself a cup.

"Nawaki, Sarutobi-sensei wants you to come by. Apparently, some envoys from the Kumogakure have arrived... Mm? This tea's really good—where'd you get it?"

"Right now?"

Nawaki decisively ignored the second half of her question.

Of course the tea tasted good—it was spiritual tea!

Fortunately, Tsunade preferred alcohol and didn't care much for mild teas. She downed it in one gulp like a brute gnawing on flowers and set the cup down, gently pinching Nawaki's cheek with a playful smile.

"Of course right now! Though I have to say—you've matured quickly. You even talk like a little grown-up these days."

There was a teasing lilt to her voice, but also a touch of sentimentality.

Lately, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been summoning Nawaki frequently, lecturing him on life and ideals, and always sending him home with books—on jōnin examinations, village management, and world history and geography...

For an average shinobi, these topics were optional. But for a future Kage, they were essential studies.

Clearly, Sarutobi was grooming Nawaki as a candidate for the next Hokage.

It felt almost... preordained.

"Of course I have! I'm a genius, after all."

Nawaki grinned, set the book aside, and stood up.

Even without using his eye ability, his natural memory made these books more of a pastime—a cover for his real pursuits.

He placed a hand on Tsunade's shoulder and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Whoosh—

In an instant, the two of them appeared outside the Hokage's office.

Since he visited Sarutobi so often lately and always drew attention when walking through the village, Nawaki had long since marked the area in front of the Hokage's office with a Flying Thunder God seal.

"What a convenient jutsu... Too bad I don't have any aptitude for space-time techniques," Tsunade said enviously, her eyes flashing with a trace of emotion.

Nawaki knocked on the office door. A calm, steady voice responded from within.

"Come in."

Pushing open the door, they stepped into the office where Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing the robes of the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, a polite smile on his face.

On the couch to the side sat several people.

One was a burly man with earth-colored hair. Beside him sat a white-haired boy wearing sunglasses.

Opposite them sat a man with deep-set lines on his face and his right eye wrapped in bandages. Upon seeing Nawaki, he gave a faint nod, his expression unreadable.

Shimura Danzo. Though Nawaki had encountered him a few times, they'd barely exchanged words.

It was A and Killer Bee, however, who showed curiosity, giving Nawaki a once-over.

"So this is the famed Nawaki, known as the 'Godspeed Senju' on the Land of Wind front, and beside him the famed Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Three?"

Godspeed your ass. Your whole clan is Godspeed...

Nawaki's face twitched slightly, but he forced a polite smile.

He was fuming—but had to keep up appearances.

Someday, once his disguise level was high enough, he swore he'd rewrite the entire Shinobi world's history and erase that embarrassing title altogether.

Tsunade, of course, handled the formalities with practiced grace. Her lady-like smile was flawless—no trace of the rowdy drunkard she usually was. In this moment, she looked every bit the refined noble daughter.

A flashed a row of white teeth, his grin laced with competitive energy.

"If we get the chance, I'd like to test my speed against yours. I've long admired the Flying Thunder God—said to be the fastest in the Shinobi world."

"Maybe some other time."

Nawaki declined without much interest.

He had zero desire to waste time fighting a glorified grunt-level Reincarnator.

Little did A know that he had just challenged the single most terrifying being in this world...

After some initial greetings, Sarutobi finally smiled and asked cordially:

"So, what brings the son of the Third Raikage to Konoha?"

"Oh, it's nothing major. Recently, Uchiha Madara—who was thought to have died at the hands of the First Hokage—suddenly appeared and attacked the Hidden Cloud. I wonder if Konoha has heard about it?"

Though clearly disappointed by Nawaki's refusal, A shifted focus upon hearing Sarutobi's question and turned to him.

Sarutobi's smile didn't waver. "Yes, we've heard the reports. But Uchiha Madara defected from Konoha decades ago. The outcome of that legendary battle is known only to Lord Hashirama and Madara himself. Konoha shares in your village's outrage over the incident."

A whole stream of empty platitudes—boiled down, it meant one thing:

Konoha strongly condemns Madara's actions.

Classic Sarutobi, a seasoned veteran of diplomacy.

By comparison, A was far less subtle and was soon dancing to Sarutobi's tune.

Not that it mattered. He wasn't here because of Madara.

After a few more pleasantries, A excused himself, citing fatigue, and postponed further talks until tomorrow.

Sarutobi didn't object, and quickly had someone escort A and Killer Bee to the guest lodging prepared for foreign dignitaries.

Once they exited the office and found themselves alone, a glint of sharp calculation flashed in A's eyes.

On the way here, he had already investigated Might Duy's background. What he'd learned shocked him—

Might Duy was just a perpetual genin, unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu, scraping by on low-ranked missions and tirelessly training taijutsu day after day, ignored by all.

A genin? When he heard that, A's jaw nearly hit the floor—Might Duy really was still a genin!

There was absolutely no intel about the Eight Gates Released Formation Duy had used during a past Reincarnator Mission.

These findings excited A.

Since no one took Duy seriously, A figured he might be able to recruit him to the Hidden Cloud. If successful, the explosive power of the Eight Gates would become a prized taijutsu secret of Kumogakure!

Plan secured.

As A schemed, someone else was already watching him.

Nawaki's lips curled in amusement.

He didn't care whether Duy stayed in Konoha or moved to the Cloud—Duy was one of his Reincarnators, no matter where he went.

What bothered Nawaki... was that A had dared to say that ridiculous nickname in his presence.

Coincidentally, Nawaki hadn't issued a random bounty in a few days, so he decided to drop one right in front of A and Killer Bee.

Tsunade glanced at him suspiciously. "What are you smiling about?"

Nawaki composed himself and shook his head. "Oh, nothing. Just thought of something funny."

Tsunade didn't press further, but frowned. "Still... something feels off about this A."

~~~

If You Wish To Support Me And Read Advance Chapters, Consider Joining Me On This Journey!

p(a)treon(.)com/HudaLin

Remove the parentheses btw