Naruto: The Strongest

The sound of dripping water echoed through the dimly lit underground laboratory. 

Shigenari Shuuzawa, clad in an Anbu uniform, followed cautiously behind a female Anbu with purple hair as they moved forward. 

The pitch-black passage felt like a path leading straight to hell, a sight that would send shivers down the spine of any ordinary person. 

"Stay alert. This place is suspected to be the laboratory of the rogue ninja, Orochimaru," the purple-haired girl surveyed the area ahead before whispering to Shuuzawa behind her. 

"We've been separated from the others, and a battle could break out at any moment. We must remain focused."

"I understand, Yūgao-senpai." Shuuzawa nodded, but his response made Uzuki Yūgao pause briefly. 

"Wasn't your Anbu evaluation marked as excellent? Why don't you know that we use codenames during missions? And be serious—we're up against Orochimaru!" 

"Yes, yes, Senpai, I got it." Uzuki Yūgao was displeased with Shuuzawa, especially considering that, as Anbu, they represented the Hokage and the honor of Konohagakure. 

The village has experienced difficult times in recent years. Five years ago, the Nine-Tails incident cost Konoha its Fourth Hokage. 

Then, three years later, one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, defected from the village. 

Just last year, tensions with Kumogakure had nearly erupted into war. 

Konoha was now in a precarious situation, and as Anbu, it was their duty to uphold the village's honor—especially now that they had finally obtained intel on Orochimaru.

"Something's wrong. Be careful." 

Just as Yūgao was about to say more, Shuuzawa suddenly spoke up and swiftly pulled her aside. 

A barrage of kunai whistled through the air toward them, followed by the faint sounds of combat breaking out elsewhere in the laboratory. 

They had been ambushed! 

"Damn it!" Yūgao steadied herself, cursed, and quickly unsheathed the ninjatō strapped to her back. 

She turned to Shuuzawa and ordered, "Prepare for battle. We—" Before she could finish, the explosive tags attached to the kunai ignited. 

Flames and thick smoke engulfed the surroundings, and multiple figures charged toward them from within the haze! 

At that critical moment, Shuuzawa swiftly formed hand seals. The ground trembled slightly. 

"That chakra... it's so strong?" Yūgao was taken aback. 

Though she was only thirteen, being recruited into Anbu was already proof of her exceptional talent.

She had read Shuuzawa's file—this boy was even younger than her. 

"No wonder his evaluation was marked as excellent across the board..." 

As she processed this thought, the ground suddenly cracked, and countless earth spikes erupted, impaling the incoming attackers. 

Amidst the lingering smoke, Shuuzawa leaped forward, diving straight into the thick haze.

Yūgao's expression tensed. "That's reckless! Orochimaru's subordinates won't be easy to handle—how can he be so impulsive?" 

Though she had been annoyed by Shuuzawa's attitude earlier, as his fellow Anbu, she was still concerned for him. 

The Anbu were the Hokage's direct subordinates, embodying the Will of Fire. 

Without that conviction, one could never gain entry into Anbu, let alone earn the Hokage's trust. 

While Anbu were known for their ruthless efficiency, they were still a step above Root, which prioritized missions over the lives of comrades. 

"I have to back him up!" Yūgao tightened her grip on her ninjatō, preparing to assist the rookie. 

However, she soon realized that her assumption had been completely off.

Even through the smoke, she could still make out Shuuzawa's figure—partially because he was shorter than the others. 

But despite his smaller stature, it didn't hinder his combat ability. 

Yūgao watched in stunned silence as he moved like a phantom, weaving through their attackers and striking relentlessly. 

The clang of metal reverberated through the air, followed by the sickening sound of steel piercing flesh. 

His speed, precision, and mastery of jutsu left Yūgao utterly speechless. 

As the smoke dissipated, Shuuzawa landed lightly on the ground. 

He stood there calmly while the enemies who had ambushed them lay motionless at his feet.

Yūgao found herself momentarily dazed. Had she even done anything? "...Are you okay?" 

Though she felt somewhat frustrated, she still asked out of concern. But before she could say more, Shuuzawa suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him. 

She wanted to protest, but then—she heard it. Footsteps, slow and deliberate, echoed through the corridor. 

With each step, an overwhelming pressure filled the air, sending a chill down her spine. 

Soon, a pale-faced man with snake-like golden eyes and white robes emerged from the shadows. Yūgao's face paled beneath her mask.

"Orochimaru..." Her grip on her ninjatō tightened instinctively. 

Even though their mission objective was to find Orochimaru, he was still one of the Legendary Sannin! 

Many shinobi had grown up hearing tales of his exploits. Now, facing him in person, Yūgao found it impossible to suppress her fear. 

"Yūgao-senpai, don't worry. I'm here." Shuuzawa's voice, unexpectedly calm, reached her ears, and to her surprise, it soothed her nerves.

"...I lost my composure." 

"No, anyone would be nervous facing Orochimaru," Shuuzawa replied with a faint shake. 

Then, he spoke more firmly, "Yūgao-senpai, leave this place and regroup with the others. Bring reinforcements as quickly as possible." 

"I'll hold him off for as long as I can." 

"No way!" Yūgao immediately rejected the idea before he could finish speaking. 

"How could I leave something this dangerous to you? I—" 

"Senpai now isn't the time to argue." Shuuzawa's eyes remained fixed on Orochimaru, who was drawing closer. 

He quickly lowered his voice. "You're better at kenjutsu, but against someone like Orochimaru, it won't be effective." 

"I, on the other hand, have different skills. You've seen what I can do—please trust me."

Yūgao stared at the young shinobi before her. The approaching footsteps reminded her that time was running out. 

Gritting her teeth, she nodded and spoke in a low voice, "You better not die. Wait for me to come back!" 

She cast one last deep glance at Shuuzawa before turning and sprinting away. 

As she left, Orochimaru slowed, stopping just three meters away from Shuuzawa.

Clap, clap, clap— A slow, deliberate applause echoed through the corridor. 

Shuuzawa and the retreating Yūgao felt the chilling sensation of being watched by a venomous snake. 

"Commendable bravery," Orochimaru's hoarse voice conveyed amusement. 

"Now, let's see how long you can last." The oppressive aura around him grew heavier, and Yūgao quickened her pace instinctively.

But Shuuzawa, standing his ground, remained eerily calm. He slowly removed his mask after ensuring that Yūgao was far enough.

His short black hair framed a strikingly refined face that naturally evoked a sense of trust. 

Facing Orochimaru's piercing gaze, Shuuzawa gave a small, respectful bow.

"It has been a long time, Lord Orochimaru."

[Side Mission Completed: Confront Orochimaru]

[Mission Rating: A]

[Rewards Earned: 1 Free Attribute Point]

[Due to facing Orochimaru and achieving an A-Rank completion, an additional special reward has been granted]

[Masterless Cursed Seal]

"So it's you, the kid from that orphanage who was taken into Root back then?" 

Orochimaru paused for a moment as he examined Shigenari Shuuzawa's face. 

Then, a playful smile spread across his lips. "If I remember correctly, your name is Shigenari Shuuzawa, isn't it?"

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. Lord Danzo sent me to meet you," Shuuzawa nodded. 

It was strange for Orochimaru to casually reveal his identity as a Root member in front of an Anbu squad. 

However, that was only part of the absurdity—his real secret was even more shocking. 

He was a transmigrator! Previously, he was just an average office worker who did his job without standing out, enjoyed a drink after work, and barely put in effort while on duty.

He still remembered the night before he transmigrated. He had met a female college student at the Mall. 

She had told him about her struggling family—her father was gravely ill, her mother was unemployed, and her younger brother was still in school while she needed tuition money. 

Feeling a bit charitable, he wanted to learn more about her situation. 

But he woke up in a completely different world when he closed his eyes for a quick rest while waiting for her to shower. 

Fortunately, the timeline of his transmigration wasn't too bad—he didn't have to worry about the Third Shinobi War. 

However, Konoha's iron-fisted reality quickly taught him his place. 

As an orphan taken in by Nonou Yakushi, he soon witnessed firsthand how Obito, the so-called 'dutiful disciple,' sent the Fourth Hokage and his wife to their deaths.

Not only that, but he also saw Danzo personally visit the orphanage to recruit children. Originally, he had just wanted to be a bystander. 

Yet, to his shock, when Kabuto Yakushi volunteered, Danzo also took an interest in him! 

Although he hadn't been sent on deep-cover infiltration missions to other villages, Root was still a place where survival was a challenge. 

Danzo's training methods were as traditional as brutal—he preferred using physical discipline over lectures, instilling growth through sheer force.

Shuuzawa's mindset gradually shifted in such an unforgiving environment as he looked toward the future. 

"If I don't strangle that bastard Danzo to death, how the hell am I supposed to survive?" 

Determined to ensure his safety, Shuuzawa decided—Danzo had to die. 

But his transmigrator perk finally kicked in just as he solidified his resolve. "Since you're from Root, then…" 

Orochimaru eyed Shuuzawa with intrigue but didn't forget the main reason for their meeting. "Did you bring what I asked for?"

"Lord Danzo's mission is not something I would dare neglect." Shuuzawa immediately took out a scroll and tossed it to Orochimaru. 

Despite his defection, Orochimaru had never stopped receiving Danzo's support. Shuuzawa was merely the latest delivery boy. 

Orochimaru caught the scroll effortlessly and began inspecting it seriously. 

Meanwhile, Shuuzawa glanced at his surroundings before silently opening his system panel.

[Shigenari Shuuzawa]

[Overall Physical Strength: LV6]

[Chakra: LV6]

[Abilities: Water Release LV5, Earth Release LV6, Taijutsu LV5, Sealing Jutsu LV5, Masterless Cursed Seal, etc.]

[Free Attribute Points: 5]

His cheat system had no AI assistance, and its mechanics were fairly simple. 

Tasks would manifest as system-generated missions, and completing them would grant rewards. 

The rewards varied wildly—sometimes techniques, money, and ninja tools. 

However, the most valuable part of the system was that it provided free attribute points, which he could allocate to enhance his abilities. 

The cost of upgrading increased with each level. For instance, raising an ability from LV6 required six free points. 

This mission wasn't that difficult, yet it had yielded a particularly exciting reward—besides the attribute points, he had obtained an [Masterless Cursed Seal].

"If I remember correctly, the Cursed Seal originated from Orochimaru's research on those individuals like Jugo, who naturally assimilate natural energy into their bodies." 

Natural energy was essentially the foundation of Sage Jutsu. 

Even though this was one of Orochimaru's creations, Shuuzawa couldn't hide his excitement. 

After all, his system didn't grant him Kekkei Genkai, Sharingan, or any bloodline-related abilities. 

At first, he was puzzled, but after investigating further, he realized the harsh truth—his lineage was utterly ordinary. 

He wasn't from a prestigious clan or a hidden prodigy. His ancestors were, at best, hardworking nobodies.

His system was uninterested in bloodline-related gifts, so he could only become a pure 'stat monster.' 

His overall physical strength combined multiple factors, including power, speed, reflexes, and mental resilience. 

Each of the two levels roughly corresponded to a ninja's general rank. LV6 placed him in the Jonin category—a well-rounded Jonin with no weaknesses. 

His chakra level dictated his chakra reserves, and, unsurprisingly, it correlated with his physical stats. 

After all, producing chakra required a combination of physical and spiritual energy. 

His ninjutsu rankings reflected his proficiency in different elemental techniques. 

Most importantly, based on his findings, his growth potential was unlimited!

Of course, all of this was for the future. He needed his system to help him break free from Danzo. 

Following Danzo was nothing short of a death sentence. "Not bad." 

As Shuuzawa was analyzing his stats, Orochimaru finished examining the scroll. He then turned his gaze back to Shuuzawa with amusement. 

"But I'm quite curious about one thing—your current position in Anbu. Is it because of Uchiha Shisui?" 

"And why did you come to my lab in such a manner? Isn't this a bit disrespectful?"

Even though Orochimaru had defected, he kept tabs on Konoha's affairs. He knew that Uchiha Shisui had recently joined Anbu. 

After all, he had once been in line to become Hokage. As for this mission… "It was Lord Jiraiya, Lord Orochimaru." Shuuzawa spoke softly. 

Orochimaru's eyes flickered with understanding. 

If Jiraiya had caught wind of something, Shuuzawa and his squad's actions would seem 'reasonable.'

"And as for me, your assumption is correct, Lord Orochimaru." 

"As expected." A scornful expression appeared on Orochimaru's pale face as he shook his head. 

"Danzo must have been unwilling to sacrifice his precious clan-affiliated subordinates." 

"But you, an orphan from the orphanage, were the perfect candidate. Root within Anbu, monitoring Uchiha Shisui—how typical of Danzo."

Shuuzawa pressed his lips together. He longed to leave Root, but this was not something he could openly admit. 

"Danzo is as cunning as ever. And my dear teacher remains as hypocritical as always—Danzo is just his tool for handling the dirty work." 

"Do you think he doesn't know what Danzo is doing?" Orochimaru sneered. 

"My teacher grows weaker by the day, unwilling to taint his hands with darkness."

Why was Orochimaru telling him all this? Did he think such blatant manipulation would work? Shuuzawa internally scoffed. 

Orochimaru was highly skilled at sowing discord. 

His approach seemed like casual complaining, but he was revealing shocking truths in a way that easily planted doubts in others' minds. 

Under normal circumstances, Shuuzawa wouldn't mind engaging in a deep 'philosophical discussion' about conspiracy theories with Orochimaru. 

After all, he had read plenty of such plots in novels from his previous life. 

However, he had more pressing concerns—like Uzuki Yugao, who had gone to get reinforcements. 

If she returned and saw him chatting casually with Orochimaru, that would be a disaster.

"All right, you should go now." Orochimaru suddenly ended the conversation. 

He knew when to stop. "But a word of advice—you should leave some traces of injury on yourself." 

"Otherwise, explaining your situation might be difficult. Need my help?"

"I appreciate the offer, Lord Orochimaru, but I can handle it myself." Shuuzawa quickly declined. 

He had no interest in letting Orochimaru lay a hand on him—who knew what kind of hidden trick he might pull? Orochimaru didn't mind. 

He turned and began walking out of the lab. But just before leaving, he glanced back with a smile. 

"You'd better hurry. Your teammates won't hold out much longer."