Naruto Online: The Strongest Player

Chapter 5: Squad

Authors note: Sorry, I realise I uploaded the same thing 2 times. I'll upload 2 chapters today as compensation.

It didn't take long for me to rejoin the game, about 30 minutes, so 2 hours in game time. 

As I re-entered the game, a familiar rush of disorientation hit me. My vision adjusted, and I found myself back in the training ground. The sun had shifted in the sky, marking the passage of time. 

But something was wrong. 

Ayumi and Kazuto were both awake—tied up against a tree with thick ropes. Their faces were full of frustration, but they weren't struggling. 

In front of me, Naido stood with a smirk, casually spinning two silver bells around his finger. 

"Finally awake?" he asked. 

I instinctively checked my body. No ropes, no restraints—he had left me free while my teammates were bound. 

"What's going on?" 

Naido stopped twirling the bells and tossed them in front of me, letting them hit the dirt with a soft thud. 

"I'll keep it simple, Shikomu," he said. "Take one. You earned it." 

I froze. 

I glanced at Kazuto and Ayumi, who were watching silently. Their faces were a mixture of confusion and expectation. 

"You fought well," Naido continued. "Sure, you lost, but that was a given. Still, you thought fast and acted with initiative. In a real battle, that kind of thinking is what keeps a ninja alive." 

I exhaled, realizing what this bald bastard was doing.

"…No." 

Naido raised an eyebrow. "No?" 

Of course 'No,' you idiot! I didn't do well at all and I know that for a fact! At least hide the fact that this is another test.

I shook my head and took a step back from the bells. "If I take one, that means one of my teammates fails." 

"So?" he asked, folding his arms. "Isn't that the whole point of the test? Only two pass." 

He wanted to see what kind of person I was. If I was willing to step over my teammates to advance. If I would abandon them. 

I turned my gaze to Ayumi and Kazuto. "We started this together. I won't leave them behind." 

But in reality, my thoughts were something along the lines of 'my asshole, I don't even know them.'

Silence. And after seemingly happy tormenting me.

He smiled. 

"Satisfactory answer," he said, crouching down and picking up the bells. "Looks like you passed." 

"What?" I feigned surprise, and right as I was done, I opened my eyes in a completely different place. 

…

"Alright, the last ones done too," Naido commented, right as I had opened my eyes.

He then turned to someone who was leaving the room.

Naido was currently casually standing on the ceiling as he looked at me.

Wait…why is bro on the ceiling?

"The other 2 had already woken up and went home." He said, as he jumped off the ceiling and came to stand beside me.

"As of now, I became your Jounin sensei. Our first mission starts tomorrow. Meet me at 6 am at the Hokage's office. Since you're now a genin, you have to move out of the home provided by the village in 1 month and move to your own residence. I recommend the Genin housing." He said as he left.

[Congratulations for completing your quest]

[You have been awarded 5000 Ryo]

[You are now a part of Naido's 3 man cell]

[You have gained the attention of the Hokage]

[When you say 'Directions to housing,' a one time beacon will be shown to move to your current housing]

As I read through the notifications, I decided to first deal with something important. I pressed on my notification for the word 'Senju' which had a star inside of it.

[The Senju Clan

Rank: S-Ranked clan

Description: The Senju Clan is one of the founding clans of the Hidden Leaf Village, known for their powerful chakra. They were once fierce rivals of the Uchiha Clan, but their legacy continues to influence the village. The clan is renowned for its connection to nature and mastery over various jutsu techniques.

]

{Player Mathew, please note that the system strongly recommends to keep it a secret that you are of the Senju Clan. To all but a few people. Consider this recommendation another reward.}

As I read the notification I couldn't help but be surprised at the last one, where the systems panel had changed a little.

"Kid, I get you just fainted but leave soon please. You're in the hospital." A nurse reminded me. I quickly nodded, moving out of the hospital before opening my status page.

[Status Panel of Player Michael

Name: Shikomu Nara 

Title: 

Konoha Shinobi, (Training speed in Konoha increases by 100%)

Prince of Konoha, (All NPCs tend to favour you)

Inheritor of Nature, (Your Physique and Chakra require half the EXP to progress. You also have no 'limit.')

Ninja Rank: Genin

(Access to Genin level missions) 

Physical Stat: Low- Genin (1/50)

Chakra Amount: Low-Genin (1/50)

Chakra Control: Beginner 

Ninjutsu:

Clone Jutsu

Substitution Jutsu 

Transformation Jutsu 

Genjutsu: -Nil-

Taijutsu: -Nil-]

Seems like I had 2 titles due to being a Senju itself.

One of them is linked to how the Senju is one of the founding clans, and thus the civilians would passively like me more.

The title's effects might even slightly change if I reveal to the world I am a Senju.

Then there is the fact that the Senju intrinsically have a strong body, insane amounts of Chakra and Chakra control.

Seems like the system compensated that for me by decreasing my leveling requirements for the body and chakra quantity.

Maybe it even made it so my training is easier to level up Chakra control but I couldn't tell for now.

After looking at the titles, I first moved to the roof of the buildings near me to get a view of the village.

It was at least a 100 times bigger than in the anime, since I could not see from end to end, the expansion was probably needed to accommodate for the players.

I needed to move fast to affect the plot as much as possible. 

Looking at the sun which had set, I decided to move to a location I knew would be a jackpot for me.

I dropped down onto the floor and asked my way to a certain Ramen shop.

As I interacted with the NPCs, I couldn't help but be surprised at how life like they were. It was amazing how well this game was operating.

"OLD MAN, 1 MORE BOWL!" I heard a familiar voice shout, as he slammed his bowl onto the counter.

"COMING RIGHT UP!" I heard a voice which was an enthusiastic reply.

I smiled as I moved into the small shop.

As I went in and made eye-contact with a small blond, with whiskers on his face, I couldn't help but get emotional.

At some point in the anime, every single person who watched Naruto had wanted to hug him.

This anime had brought me through my childhood in my world, and was carrying my life in this new world as well.

"Hmm?" Naruto hummed in question, as he turned toward me. As he saw my leafhead band attached on my bicep, he showed a reaction.

I knew I just needed slight prompting at this point.

"Hi, my name is Shikomu. What is your name?" I asked, as I sat down beside him.

I got to see the visible excitement on his face, as he held his chopsticks and then pointed them towards me.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I am going to be a Hokage in the future. Believe it."

In my head, I could briefly see flashes of the world of Naruto and Shippuden, just like in an instagram edit.

Seems like my brain is still rotted.

Damn you Instagram Reels.

"Ok then Naruto, I am new to Ichiraku Ramen, so why don't you recommend what to eat for me." 

"Hehe, you came to the right person. Old man, give him what I am having!"

"Coming right up!"

Naruto then turned towards slightly, adjusting his headband as he asked, "So, when did you become a Ninja? You look around my age."

"I just graduated. How about you?"

"Me too, I just finished my test."

That completely solidified my thoughts that I would be starting with the original Rookie 9.

"Ah, how was your Jounin Sensei? Between you and me, mine was a complete dick."

"RIGHT!" Naruto exclaimed, as I knew I had found a topic to bond over with him.

Authors note:

Dam everyone's in Uni. Kinda wild imo. Anyways enjoy