Troublesome Games Chapter 1: New Game, a Naruto + Manhwa/Korean Comics/만화 Crossover fanfic

Hello everyone! I know that the title is overused, but it fits in this case and not the other ones because you'll get it if you've read the other ones. It turns out that I needed to get that stuff after all, so… yeah! Shikamaru is here playing against himself for… whatever reason. Say hi Shika.

Shikamaru: *Looks at me* Your cousin is troublesome.

I know! But that doesn't stop her from being my cousin, just like you can't help that Ino is your teammate in the anime.

Shikamaru: All blondes are troublesome.

Yang: What did you say…?!

Shikamaru: Case in point.

Yang: Why you-

Enjoy everyone!

"Speech"

'Thought'

"Telepathy"

"Bijuu"

"Jutsu"

Windows/Skills

WELCOME TO FATE CHANGER!

Would you like to start a New Game?

[YES/NO]

That was what Shikamaru woke up to. A blue window in front of his face, interrupting his dream of cloud watching eternally. He shook his head and closed his eyes, waiting for his tired vision to go away. When it didn't, he groaned and stared at the window again. 'Sure. Why not? Might as well see where this goes.' He pushed on the YES button and the window went away. It was quickly replaced by a new one.

CHARACTER ADVANCEMENT:

Presets: Select a class preset. This will determine how you level and how your stats advance.

Custom: Make your own path! Advance how you want!

Shikamaru stared at that window as well, analysing it for a bit, before sighing and pressing on Custom. If this was real, then having presets would not be good for him. The window was replaced again with one with a weird… thing that had kanji on the bottom of it.

ENTER YOUR NAME:

Last Name:

First Name:

Shikamaru sighed as he entered his name on the kanji thing. The window disappeared and was replaced with a much smaller one.

Thank you for choosing Fate Changer! Installation will begin now! Don't scream~!

"Wait wha-" Shikamaru had to cover his mouth as pain stabbed through his entire body. It felt like his entire body was on fire. He writhed in his bed for a full minute before the pain stopped. He panted heavily as he fell limp against the bed.

Installation complete! Have fun!

Shikamaru was tempted to flip off the sky, but he liked the clouds. He groaned as he sat up. "So… that pain was real. Which means that this is real as well…" He shook his head softly. "Troublesome…" He got up and quickly got ready for the academy, not wanting to be late so he could take his nap. Shika walked down the stairs and saw a question mark above his mother's head. There was also something else.

Housewife to Shadows

Yoshino Nara

LV: 53

Yoshino looked back at Shikamaru. "You don't have time for breakfast Shika. You woke up late. Hurry to the academy!"

!QUEST ALERT!
Get to class!

Main Objective: Get to the Ninja Academy on time!

Side Objective 1: Get to class early

Hidden Objective

Main Rewards: 200 EXP, Increased trust with your instructors, Increased trust with Yoshino Nara

Side Rewards: 100 EXP, Increased trust with your instructors

Hidden Rewards

Failure: Decreased trust with Yoshino Nara

Do you accept this Quest?

[YES/NO]

Shikamaru looked at the window and then nodded as he accepted the Quest, even though he didn't know what it was, he didn't want to risk the wrath of his mother. Ever. "Alright mom, I'm going. I'll see you after school." He quickly left the compound and started running towards the Academy as fast as he could. Shame that it was across the village.

RUN! YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! + 1 DEX

'Okay, what in Kami's name is this?' Shika willed away the screen somehow and another one popped up.

Would you like to view the tutorial?

Shikamaru nodded softly, hoping that it would work so he wouldn't have to draw any more attention to himself.

Tutorial will be broken down into parts. Say "Status"

"Okay… Status." Shikamaru didn't dare to flinch when another screen popped up in front of him.

Name: Shikamaru Nara

Title: The Gamer

Job: Ninja

Rank: Student (+ 20% EXP gain to all Academy Skills until they reach Skill LVL 20)

Affiliation: Konoha

LVL: 8 Next LVL: 15.65%

HP: 475/475 (Regen: 9.5 per minute

CP: 663/663 (Regen: 13 per minute)

STR: 17

VIT: 19

DEX: 18

INT: 34

WIS: 15

LUK: 5

Ryō: 0

Perks:

Nara Heritage: Allows usage of the Yin Release to manipulate Darkness

Genius: + 50% EXP gain to INT, when focused, answers come much easier

Shogi Journeyman: +25% EXP to WIS when playing Shogi.

This is your Status screen. This will be how you keep track of your progress as you advance throughout the game.

KEEP RUNNING! +1 DEX

Shika groaned as he shook his head. He muttered "Troublesome" under his breath as he approached the Academy building. The Nara entered Iruka's classroom to see that he was almost the only one there, besides some civilian kids. Only one of them really stood out of the group, and not in the best of ways.

Cowardly Bully

Ami Chinoike

LV: 5

"Shikamaru. You're here early." Iruka stared at Shikamaru, stunned that the laziest kid in class showed up early for once.

Shikamaru nodded and took his seat before laying his head down to take a nap. It was interrupted by a pinging noise. He groaned softly and looked up to see another window. 'This is getting annoying.'

!QUEST COMPLETE!

Get to class!

Main Objective: Get to the Ninja Academy on time!

Side Objective 1: Get to class early

Hidden Objective: Begin the tutorial

Rewards: 200 EXP, Increased trust with your instructors, Increased trust with Yoshino Nara, 100 EXP, Increased trust with your instructors, Enhanced menu customization

Shika rolled his eyes and laid his head down again, still trying to get sleep.

Shikamaru was woken by the obnoxious yelling of Sakura and Ino, arguing about their 'Sasuke-kun' again. He glanced over at Naruto, and saw something… odd.

Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi

Naruto Uzumaki

LVL: 7

Shikamaru stared at the level and then sighed. 'He's going to be dead last… and paired up with the Uchiha.' He looked over at Sasuke.

Self Proclaimed Avenger

Sasuke Uchiha

LV: 13

'I doubt that either of them are going to be happy with that, so either I help Naruto from dead last, and put Kiba in that spot… or I go to the top of the class… this is so troublesome.'

!QUEST ALERT!

Branching Paths

Main Objective: Help Naruto out of his position in Dead Last

Main Objective: Become the top ninja of your class

Rewards: Increased Closeness to Naruto, Increased closeness with Hiruzen Sarutobi

Increased closeness to the Nara clan, Decreased closeness to Sasuke Uchiha.

Failure: Naruto teamed up with Sasuke.

Do you accept this Quest?

[YES/NO]

Shikamaru sighed and tapped the YES button. This… whatever it was is significantly more troublesome then the last one. He hated making choices like this, as it always led to something more troublesome down the road. He sat up and adopted his thinking pose. 'Okay. Let's consider my options and how they can play out. If I help Naruto out of the Dead Last position, then I can get closer to him, figure out why he's only level seven with all the pranks he does, and quite possibly get close to the Hokage, and ask what a jinchuriki is. However, that would lead to him being suspicious about me knowing about something that seemingly no one else knows about…' He glanced at the opening doors. It was just a couple more civilian students. 'On the other hand… I take the top spot, and guarente Naruto on my team, and I get closer to my family, but I abhore attention…Both paths are troublesome.'

For intensely analyzing your situation and seeing both routes at all angles, you have gained + 1 WIS!

Shikamaru blinked and suddenly he had a solution. 'All I have to do is get Naruto out of that spot. That would bump Kiba down to Dead Last, but if they go up together… then the spot for Dobe is taken by a civilian kid. I'll need to speak to my dad about him speaking to the Inuzuka clan head to help Kiba with getting higher up on the board as well.' He wrote down a note and then folded it into a paper shuriken. Shika then launched the paper weapon at Naruto.

Naruto flinched as the shuriken hit his cheek and fell to the ground. He rubbed the spot where it hit and then unfolded it to read the note.

'Naruto. Meet me after class. It's about team placements. - Shikamaru'

Naruto looked back at Shikamaru, who barely nodded before laying his head down.

A special skill has been created through a special action! Through the creation of a usable item, the skill [Crafting] has been created!

The Tutorial will now resume.

Skills: These are specific abilities that can be improved with time, practice, and other means occasionally. Skills can either be learned naturally, or through the usage of Skill Books. These will be explained at a later date. For now, say 'Skills'

Shikamaru sighed again. "Skills."

Academy Style Taijutsu(Active): LVL: 15 EXP: 17.34%: The basic fighting style that all ninja in training learn whilst in the Academy.

+ 3% Damage to all unarmed attacks

Bunshin no Jutsu(Cloning Technique)(Active): LVL: 14 EXP: 1.54% CP Cost: 50: One of the basic three jutsu all ninja should know. Create clones of yourself with Chakra Hand Seals: Ram - Snake - Tiger

Clones are merely illusions

Each additional clone requires 50 more CP

Can control 2 clones

Crafting (Passive): LVL:1 EXP: 0.00%: The action of creating something from something else.

1% increase to chances of creating something through crafting materials

Difficulty increases as the complexity of the crafted item increases.

Dagger Mastery: LVL: 9: EXP: 24.31%: Most do not possess the natural Dexterity or grace to master the art of daggers. Most.

+ 15% damage when Dagger type weapons are equipped

+ 10% Crit Chance when Dagger type weapons are equipped

- 19% durability loss to all Dagger type weapons

Gamer's Mind (Passive) LVL:MAX: A skill only given to The Gamer, it allows the Gamer always be able to think things through calmly and logically.

Allows a peaceful state of mind

Grants immunity to all psychological effects

Grants immunity to all mental disorders (Past disorders do not intensify)

Gamer's Body (Passive) LVL:MAX: A skill only granted to the Gamer, it allows one to live their life as a video game.

Fully restores all HP and CP upon rest, as well as removing all fatigue

Removes all negative status effects upon rest.

Henge no Jutsu(Transformation Technique)(Active): LVL: 11 EXP: 0.45% CP Cost: 35 per minute: One of the basic three jutsu all ninja should know. Disguise yourself as someone or something else! Hand Seals: Dog - Boar - Ram

Disguise only works on physical vision

One strike and the illusion is dispelled

Kagemane no Jutsu(Shadow Imitation Technique)(Active): LVL: 8 EXP: 78.42% CP Cost: Special: The first secret technique of the Nara clan. Hand seals: Rat

Can extend up to 9 meters

Base cost 20 CP per second

Additional 40 CP per possession

Kawarimi no Jutsu(Body Replacement Technique)(Active): LVL: 12 EXP: 89.27% CP Cost: 38: One of the basic three jutsu all ninja should know. Replace yourself with an object of your choosing. Praise the log. Hand Seals: Tiger - Boar - Ox - Dog - Snake

Replace yourself with an object within a 5 meter diameter.

Triple the CP cost to replace yourself with a random log. (Konoha Specific Variant)

Leaf Concentration(Passive/Active): LVL: 3 EXP: 37.04% CP Cost: 20 per minute: The very first Chakra Control method created in Hi no Kuni. The closer to mastery this skill becomes, the less Chakra is wasted in all Chakra based skills

3 leaves can be held in place

-0.25% CP cost to all Chakra based Techniques

Tactics(Passive): LVL: 19 EXP: 42.74%: The art of strategic placement applies to everything. In some cases, even women.

When focused in this mindset, all strategic decisions come 19% faster.

Affected by INT and WIS

(Locked until [Leadership] is learned)

Throwing Weapon Mastery (Passive): LVL: 9 EXP: 28.20%: Through constant practice, you have begun to master the basics of throwing weapons.

+ 15% accuracy when using throwing weapons

+ 10% Critical Hit chance when using throwing weapons

+ 10% damage dealt when using throwing weapons

EXP gained from throwing weapons is different with each throwing weapon

'That was a lot to read… But not without a point. It's saying that my stealth skills are zero, even though that's what ninja are known for, and my combat is… lacking, to say the least. Troublesome… guess I'll have to shed this lazy demeanor anyways.'

For accepting that you must adapt to your current situation, you have gained +1 WIS

Shika nodded softly as he sat up straight to meet Iruka's gaze for the briefest of moments, which should tell the teacher all he needed to know about the situation.

Iruka hid his shock expertly as he turned around to face the board. However, once his back was turned, he smiled. He hadn't had the best of mornings, but seeing the one of the two students he knows can do much better deciding to improve now before the test. Granted, it's not the Gennin test, but it's still important, as it can affect their placement on the board very heavily. "Alright class, settle down. Today's simply going to be a review of the Leaf Concentration exercise so that you can improve your Chakra Control."

Shikamaru sighed as he took a leaf out from under his desk, and stuck it to his forehead, trying to do the chakra control exercise like he was taught, and it stuck to him like melted rubber. Yesterday, it slipped before it stuck to his forehead. 'Did this Gamer thing make all of my abilities more efficient? If so, then I'll have to get used to less resistance when I perform the other Jutsu that I've learned… this entire thing is troublesome, but not as much as it could be, I suppose.' He then took a look at his CP and saw that it was steadily ticking down at a very slow rate. He didn't really care all that much though. While his numbers said that he didn't have much Chakra in the first place, that could be changed.

Naruto cursed quietly as the leaf was blown from his head again for some reason. He was doing everything just like Iruka-sensei was telling him, so why was he getting it wrong?!

Shikamaru nodded to himself and then stood up and walked over to Naruto. He sat down next to the blonde and pressed the leaf against Naruto's head. "Use as little Chakra as you possibly can. It's blowing off because you're using too much."

Naruto blinked, then nodded as he channeled as little Chakra into the leaf as he could. When Shikamaru let go of the leaf, it was pushed off of his head, but it wasn't blown off. He growled in frustration. "I don't understand! What am I doing wrong?!"

Shikamaru thought for a minute, then pressed the leaf onto Naruto's head again. "It was closer to you when it was blown off. Use that as a measuring stick for how much Chakra you need to be able to do this."

Naruto pouted a little. "But that was the smallest amount of Chakra I could use… I tried asking Mizuki-sensei about any tips, but he said that I just had to do it. That there were no tips."

Shikamaru frowned as he furrowed his brow in thought. "You might also be doing it wrong as well as using to much Chakra. How are you trying to stick it onto you?"

Naruto sighed. "By moving my Chakra into the leaf."

"Nothing else?"

The whiskered blond shook his head slightly. "No. I mean, that's what I was told to do."

Shika sighed quietly. "No wonder. You were taught it the wrong way. What you need to do is circulate your chakra through the leaf and back into you to make it stick."

Naruto stared Shikamaru in the eyes. "... What does 'circulate' mean?"

Shikamaru groaned quietly as he muttered 'troublesome' under his breath. "Okay… close your eyes and imagine a circle of chakra connecting the leaf to you. Use as little as possible, and keep the circle moving."

Naruto nodded as he grabbed the leaf, and then did what Shikamaru said. It stuck for a few moments, but when Naruto got excited, it was blown off. "I did it! Thanks Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru nodded as he pressed his leaf to his head. He closed his eyes and shifted his hands as he got into his 'thinking pose'. 'So, Naruto isn't the Dobe because he's stupid. He actually picked that up very quickly. His learning has been sabotaged by at least Mizuki-sensei, but why? Is it because of he's… whatever a Jinchuriki is? Troublesome… I hate not knowing something.' He sighed as he stared at the clock. "This is going to be a long day…"

[Leaf Concentration] has gained a level!

'At least it will be productive.'

Shika groaned as he heard Iruka announce that classes were over for the day. He waited for everyone to get up and leave before he looked over at Naruto. He stood with a sigh as a leaf fell off of his head. "Follow me Naruto." He led the blond up to the roof and then sat down near the edge. "So, I'll get right to the point. If you keep going like you are now, then you'll end up being paired with Sasuke."

Naruto's eyes widened and then groaned. "Why Kami? Why do you have to do this to me?!" He sat down with a huff. "It's not even my fault. I can't even understand half of the stuff in there."

Shika closed his eyes as he entered his thinking pose for the second time today to avoid a headache. "So is that from sleeping in class or your teachers being temes?"

Naruto scratched his head a bit and then chuckled sheepishly. "I guess both…?"

Shika groaned. "Troublesome… alright then. At least you're honest about it. I'm here to make a deal with you Naruto. And listen before you agree or refuse it." He took a deep breath when he saw Naruto nod. "I'm going to help you stay off of that Temes' team, and in return, you're going to help me with sneaking around and my physical training. This deal can be changed, and it lasts until we both graduate. Do we have a deal?"

Naruto nodded as soon as Shikamaru finished. "Of course we do, dattebayo! I hate that teme, so I can get through anything to make sure that I'm not on the same team as him!" He gave Shikamaru a toothy grin. "So when do we start?"

Shikamaru pulled out a language textbook out of his bag. "Right now. I've noticed that you have trouble reading, so this is what this is for. When you get to a difficult word, just tell me and I'll help you through it."

Naruto was about to cheer, but then he realized that he'll be studying. "But when would I need t-"

"I'm going to stop you right there and say that what happens when you have to read an urgent notice from your jonin sensei, or have to write a report to the Hokage? Despite what you think, language is important, and you need to learn it. Understood?" When he received a hesitant nod, he nodded back. "Alright then. We'll do this for two hours every day until you can read at the average level of genin, and write well, even if it's sloppy, I have to be able to read it. After that, we'll start the physical training that you'll be helping me through, but every Saturday, we'll be doing Stealth training, seeing as the Academy doesn't offer that."

Through your careful planning and conviction in your words, you have gained +1 WIS

Naruto nodded with a sigh. "Alright… If this helps me to not get teamed with that teme, I'll do it. But I won't be happy about it." He then began to read the book, and within the first five minutes, he stopped. "What does this word mean?"

Shikamaru sighed and shook his head. 'No, I asked for this… it's just troublesome…' He moved over to Naruto and then began to help him read through the first couple of chapters of the book.

Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by the Hokage through a crystal ball. Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled a genuine smile for the first time this week as he watched the young Nara boy teach his favorite prankster. He knew that he shouldn't have said a single word about Naruto being a Jinchuriki, and should've kept that secret to himself. Then maybe Naruto wouldn't have a need for a life like this. However, hindsight is 20/20, as everyone knows, and now a young, innocent boy who had no say in any of this is being tormented by his mistake. Sure things died down once he made the law, however, he believed that the villagers just made Naruto's life much more difficult in failed attempts to kill him. Hiruzen snapped his fingers suddenly.

An anbu with a cat mask appeared from the shadows. "Yes, Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen looked at the Anbu with a small smirk on his face. "Neko, I want you to bring me the records of one Nara Shikamaru, even his sensei's personal notes."

Neko nodded as they disappeared in a Shunshin, leaving the Hokage alone in his office. He looked around for a moment to determine if there were any more Anbu around, before pulling out a book with an orange cover on it. "I need to remember to thank my student for sending me the uncut copy of this issue." He smiled perversely as he flipped through the pages of the smutty book.

It has been a few weeks since Shikamaru and Naruto have began training together. Despite the initial frustration with the blond haired Jinchuriki not being able to read very well, he was surprisingly a quick learner once he learned how to do certain things. They had to adjust their plan slightly when Shika noticed that Naruto was taught the incorrect exercises at the Academy as well. They still left Sunday's free, seeing as he doubted that Naruto could help him with his clan's' hidden jutsu. However, the rest of the training was going well. Shika was currently looking at his stats. He found out that with his Gamer's Body skill, he was able to recover from complete physical exhaustion in at most half an hour, and was completely immune to the effects of Chakra Exhaustion, though there was a delay before his CP began to regenerate if he was completely drained of it. It actually allowed him to improve by leaps and bounds. In the few weeks of training with Naruto and this ability, he could feel the changes to his body, and numbers don't lie either.

Name: Shikamaru Nara

Title: The Gamer

Job: Ninja

Rank: Student (+ 20% EXP gain to all Academy Skills until they reach Skill LVL 20)

Affiliation: Konoha

LVL: 8 Next LVL: 15.65%

HP: 650/650 (Regen: 13 per minute

CP: 788/788 (Regen: 20.5 per minute)

STR: 24

VIT: 26

DEX: 28

INT: 37

WIS: 24

LUK: 5

Ryō: 0

Perks:

Nara Heritage: Allows usage of the Yin Release to manipulate Darkness

Genius: + 50% EXP gain to INT, when focused, answers come much easier

Shogi Journeyman: +25% EXP to WIS when playing Shogi.

He didn't find a way to train his LUK yet, but he assumed that it had to do with getting lucky, seeing as the other stats were connected to the actions connected to improving them. He was also able to raise the [Leaf Concentration] skill of his by seven levels, though it wasn't that difficult. He could now attach 11 leaves to himself, but he found out that the more leaves he sticks to himself, the more the CP cost is, with just two doubling the cost. His CP regen was high enough to where he could now have a leaf on him at all times luckily, so now he wouldn't need to wait for that troublesome regen time.

Naruto panted heavily as he finished his exercises for the day. He was glad that tomorrow was his day off from training, as he wanted to pull a few pranks on a few people who deserved it. "Okay… I think that I'm done for the day Shika… hah… this training is intense…"

Shikamaru nodded in response as he looked Naruto over. "… Naruto, lift your shirt for me."

Naruto nodded absently, too tired to ask questions. He lifted his shirt revealing his bony ribcage.

Shikamaru stared at Naruto's ribs, ignoring the giant seal on his stomach. "Well… this actually explains something. You can put your shirt down."

Naruto let go of his shirt, letting it drop. "So, what's the matter…?"

Shika sighed. "Well, I wanted to know how you get exhausted so quickly. You're malnourished. Your body doesn't have what it needs to function, so it's taking resources from other parts of your body to keep running."

Naruto didn't understand all of that, but he knew that it was bad. "What?! How do I get rid of it?! How did I get like this in the first place?!"

Shika adopted a common thinking pose as he looked Naruto over again. "My guess? Too much ramen."

Naruto's chakra suddenly spiked as he adopted a serious demeanor. "You take that back."

Shikamaru sighed again. "Troublesome… there are multiple ways you can get this treated. The first is to just eat healthy. I assume that you're getting your ramen from somewhere, so next time you go there, I'll come with you and tell them that they need to adjust your orders to be able to help you. From what you've told me about the chef there, it should be easy."

Naruto sighed in relief when he realized that he didn't have to give ramen up. "What are the other options?"

Shika began to think about that. He didn't expect that Naruto would even want to hear the other options, considering the first involved ramen. "Well, the second option would be to get supplements and take them while you eat your normal ramen, but you'd have to take a lot of them, and from what you told me, you don't have the funds for that."

Naruto chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. I keep getting instant ramen. It's not my fault that it's overpriced."

Shikamaru took note of that and decided to bring it up later. "And the third option is that you undergo a procedure in the hospital that will fix your malnutrition in a matter of weeks instead of months."

Naruto hummed a bit, then shook his head. "I… don't really like hospitals. Plus, it costs a lot of money to do that right?"

Shikamaru nodded again. "So the first option it is. On that note, why don't we get some ramen Naruto?"

Naruto cheered as he jumped into the air. He then grabbed Shikamaru's wrist and dragged him to Ichiraku's ramen stand. "Teuchi-oji-san! Ayame-nee-chan! I brought a friend!"

The man identified as Teuchi smiled when he saw Naruto. "Naruto! You're early! Usually, you don't come here until the sun sets."

Naruto chuckled as he sat down on a stool. "Yeah, well, we got done early today, so I brought him here!"

Shikamaru sat down on the stool next to Naruto. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Nara Shikamaru. And before Naruto gets started, I need to request that you alter his order depending on what he gets."

Teuchi narrowed his eyes. "And why is that, Nara-san?"

"Because Naruto is severely malnourished, and he needs to eat something that will help his body recover. I'm not an Iryonin, but I believe that he's lacking in everything."

A young woman came out from the back. This was Ayame, judging by the words above her head. "I've actually told Tou-san the same thing awhile ago, but because Naruto didn't know what it meant, he thought that it would make the ramen taste bad."

Naruto looked at Shikamaru. "Um… why do I need to get rid of this again?"

Shika groaned softly. "Because it will get in the way of your training. By not eating healthily, your body won't be able to keep up at the pace you want, and it will give out on you."

Naruto nodded. "Okay then! Let's do it! Ten Miso Ramen bowls please!"

Shikamaru's head shot over to Naruto, his eyes wide with shock. 'Ten?!' He then looked at Ayame. "… Are you sure he isn't an Akimichi?"

Ayame giggled at the question. "To be honest, I've asked myself the same thing." She then walked over to the counter to take Teuchi's place. "And what will you have Nara-san?"

Shikamaru looked over the menu for a moment, then nodded softly. "I'll have the Tonkatsu ramen bowl."

Ayame nodded as she wrote the order down. "Coming right up! And before you look for your wallet, first time customers get one bowl free. It helps to attract customers, according to Tou-san." She then walked into the back and began to prepare Shikamaru's ramen bowl.

Shikamaru sighed softly as he set the menu down and looked at Naruto. "So… why do you only eat here? Surely other places let you eat there."

Naruto shook his head. "Nope. They all just kick me out and call me a 'demon brat' for some reason. I tried asking Jiji about it, but he said not to worry about it and not listen to them." He looked at his hands that were on the counter. "Though, it gets a little lonely when the adults tell their kids to stay away from the 'demon'. That's why I have no friends besides you. We… we are friends, right Shikamaru?"

Shika stared at the blonde for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Of course we are Naruto. And just call me Shika from now on." He then looked at his own hands. 'He's clearly not a demon, but he is a menace. Albeit a fun one. But that just makes this entire situation even more troublesome.' "… What's your dream Naruto?"

Naruto looked back over at Shika, his eyes wide with shock. "Well, I want to be the Hokage so that everyone will have to acknowledge me as me!" He then became curious. "What's your dream Shika?"

Shikamaru chuckled as he looked up. "I just want to be able to watch my clouds in peace." He knew what the village politics were, and he hated it. But seeing as he wasn't a clan head yet, he couldn't do anything about it, which is more troublesome then actually doing something.

Naruto snickered. "That's such a weird dream!" He then got all of the amusement out of his system and sighed with a smile. "But it sounds nice… peace…"

Shikamaru nodded softly as he stared at the clouds through the vent on the roof. "Yeah, it does."

Hiruzen groaned as he finished his paperwork. Why Minato had to give him this job again, he had no idea, but as Hokage, he had to endure this for the village.

"Jiji!" The doors to his office flung open to reveal Naruto and Shikamaru. Apparently, Naruto could enter the Hokage's office whenever he chooses to, which both helped and hindered the Hokage.

Hiruzen smiled softly, welcoming both Naruto and the distraction. "Naruto! I see that you've finally taken the Academy seriously, with help from the most average student there."

Naruto chuckled sheepishly. "Well, Shika said that if I don't get better, then I'll be paired with Sasuke-teme, and I don't want that!" He then pushed Shikamaru in front of him. "By the way, this is Shika!"

Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome… what he means, Hokage-Sama, is that I am Nara Shikamaru, and it's an honor to meet you. Though… I do have a question about foxes. Though I have to go soon, seeing as my Tou-san expects me home at nine. Apparently there's something to do with talking to the Inuzuka family."

The Sandaime didn't show any reaction to Shikamaru's hidden message and nodded. "Well, what do you want to know Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru looked back at Naruto. "Hey… could you give me a minute to talk to the Hokage alone Naruto?"

Naruto seemed confused but nodded. "Sure Shika. I'll just wait outside." He then walked out of the office and closed the doors behind him.

Shikamaru sighed a bit, then looked at Hiruzen. "So… Hiruzen Sarutobi. What compelled you to make Naruto a Jinchuuriki?" He saw the Hokage's face twitch ever so slightly from that. His years of playing Shogi has taught him to be very observant.

The Hokage sighed and then held up a one handed seal and a pulse of chakra went through the room. "You do realize that you could be executed just for mentioning that, right?"

Shika shrugged as he hid his surprise. Another thing Shogi taught him is to hide your true thoughts with lies. "You haven't executed anyone for mentioning Naruto as a 'demon brat' or for kicking him out of stores while yelling 'stay out of my store you damned kyuubi'! It doesn't happen as much in the ninja stores, but it still happens." Just then a huge wave of pressure was on Shikamaru. He fell to his knees and looked for the source of the pressure, and saw the very enraged look on the Hokage's face.

Special skills have been created through special actions!

Through detecting an ominous presence in your vicinity, the skill [Detect Intent] has been created!

Through adapting to the feeling of death, the skill [Resist Intent] has been created!

Through feeling excruciating pain and staying alive, the skill [Physical Endurance] has been created!

Due to a number of skills being learned at once, their descriptions will not be displayed.

[Detect Intent] has gained a level!

[Resist Intent] has gained a level!

'W-What the hell is this?!' Shika struggled to stand, only able to get a single leg off of the ground.

Killing Intent detected! Origin: Right in front of you!

'Killing Intent…? Iruka-sensei talked about this one time… I didn't think that it would be this intense.' "E-Excuse me… Hokage-sama… I'm… I'm still down here…" Shika struggled to talk, because every word he spoke, he felt pressure on his jaw, specifically around the joints, like it was going to be yanked off of his head.

Sarutobi looked down and saw Shikamaru on the ground. He gasped and cut his K.I immediately. "Are you okay Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru gasped for air and stared at the ground for a moment, then stood up and dusted himself off like nothing happened. "I'm fine, Hokage-sama. I apologize for phrasing my words the way I did, but I had to be sure that you weren't using Naruto in some way. Granted, I'm using him as well, but it's a fair exchange thing."

Sarutobi narrowed his eyes at Shikamaru. "What are you using hm for Shikamaru…? And do note that I will know when you lie."

Shikamaru scolded himself from his slip of the tongue. It had started that way, and only lasted for a few moments before he actually just wanted to help Naruto and needed an excuse for it. So he said that.

The hokage sighed in relief and then rubbed his temples. "Good… I thought that you've been using Naruto this whole time. It's good to see that isn't the case for once."

Shikamaru took note of that, but didn't say anything. He then walked over to the Hokage, and set down a scroll. He opened it to reveal writing. His father taught him that if there was anything he needed to convey in secret to the Hokage, he needed to write it down. 'Naruto's learning has been sabotaged. His tests have been swapped with material we learn much later in the year, he wasn't taught the correct way to perform the Leaf Concentration Method, his Taijutsu is also incorrect, and his kunai and shuriken bukijutsu is sub-par, due a combination of unbalanced weapons and incorrect technique. Though even with those handicaps, he learned how to launch them correctly when I showed him how to once, and his accuracy has increased dramatically, though he's still using the unbalanced weapons because he is afraid to cause a scene. I would watch Mizuki-sensei for a few days when he works with Naruto.'

The Hokage read the scroll and then sighed. "Shikaku taught you that, didn't he?"

Shikamaru nodded. "He taught me strategy through shogi and the art of laziness. Though I seem to be straying from the path of the lazy man recently."

'He shifted the topic quickly, diverting the attention from the scroll. Shikaku really taught him well.' The Hokage nodded with a smile. "Of course he did. The laziness from the men in the Nara clan is taught from father to son after all." He slipped Shikamaru a small note. 'Thank you for bringing this to my attention. What would you like your reward to be? Nothing that a Genin couldn't get their hands on.'

Shikamaru smiled. "Yeah. I've been told that it helps to regenerate chakra, but I've figured out that it's just an excuse we tell our wives."

The Hokage smiled with a nod. "Okay. In that case, you are dismissed Shikamaru. Send in Naruto on your way out."

Shikamaru stepped away from the desk and bowed a bit. "Of course, Hokage-Sama." He then turned towards the door and opened it to see Naruto twiddling with his thumbs in a chair. "Naruto. The Hokage can see you now. I got to go home though, so take a day from training today and just… do whatever. I'm going to guess that you're going to plan grander pranks. Just… avoid the Nara clan this week. It's not really a good time for it, okay?"

Naruto nodded with a smile. "Got it Shika! Thanks for coming with me today."

Shikamaru sighed. "It was troublesome, but it was worth it, seeing the Hokage's office early. See you Monday!" He waved at Naruto as he walked off, and once he was out of Naruto's range of hearing, an Anbu Shunshined in front of him with a scroll.

"Your payment for your first mission, Nara-san." The Anbu, whose voice was altered, handed Shikamaru the scroll, and then Shunshined away.

Shikamaru looked at the scroll, then opened it. A blue window appeared in front of him before he could read it.

You have obtained a scroll for the skill [Chakra Regeneration]

Would you like to learn this skill?

[YES/NO]

Shikamaru stared at the screen, then looked around to see that no one was looking at him, so he tapped the YES button. The scroll became black and then quickly flowed over Shikamaru's entire body, then faded a split second later. 'That felt really odd.'

You have learned the skill [Chakra Regeneration]!

Chakra Regeneration(Passive/Active): LV: 1 EXP: 0.00%: The ability to recover Chakra in battle, and at an increased rate!

Passively increases Chakra Regen by 1% of max Chakra

When actively recovering Chakra, CP Regen is +4% of max CP

10 CP gained for each hour spent actively recovering Chakra

When actively recovering Chakra, the user must be immobile.

He chuckled, then resumed his walk back to his compound. His thinking pose was just upgraded, and he liked it. 'My training will be faster now. Thank you Hokage-sama.'

Back with Naruto and Hiruzen, said Hokage was listening to Naruto about his new friend Shikamaru, and how he somehow made ramen better for him. The hokage chuckled with a smile. "Naruto, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to cut your story short, as this involves official business."

Naruto blinked, then sat down in the chair next to him. "What is it Jiji?"

Hiruzen began to sign off on an official document. "Well, it's come to my attention that you've been having a much harder time in class then the other students, and it's not just because you're sleeping in class."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about that Jiji, but I've been getting better!"

Sarutobi nodded with a smile. "I've seen that too." He sighed a bit. "We're performing an anonymous interview of the teachers in the Academy except for Iruka. So, until then, I'm making Shikamaru your official tutor. He'll be doing the same thing he's been doing with you, except getting paid to do it. And I'm making you Shikamaru's tutor, seeing as you're the most advanced student when it comes to stealth, and I've seen that you're teaching him to do that."

Naruto chuckled sheepishly. "Well, we haven't started yet, because Shikamaru wants to get my grades up first, but when that happens, then you can make me… whatever that is Jiji!"

'I was just using that as an excuse to give Naruto more money than I can…' The Hokage nodded and made a copy of the paper that he just signed and gave it to Naruto. "Give this to Shikamaru as soon as you can, and handle it with care. You can fold it, just don't tear it. You'll receive a D-rank mission pay for this, because you're acting on my wishes and no one can say otherwise."

Naruto nodded happily as he folded the paper. "Okay Jiji!" He stood up and ran out of the office. "I'll see you tomorrow Jiji! I promise not to do anything with your books!"

The hokage waited until the doors closed and then sighed heavily in relief. He opened a hidden compartment on his desk to reveal all of the Icha Icha books, signed by their author. "You're safe for another week my friends…"

The Anbu hidden in the office all sweatdropped at their Hokage's behavior. They all thought the same thing. 'Pervert…' Though two thought that with jealousy for the Hokage having the signed copies of their own collections.

Shikamaru was walking by the training grounds, and saw various nin training. He found an empty one and sat down in his thinking pose. The leaf that he's had with him all day was pulled out of his pocket, and was then stuck to Shika's head. He was about to activate the skill related to the chakra exercise, but a window appeared before he could.

You have entered a dungeon instance! In here, special effects and enemies can be encountered where they normally cannot under normal circumstances.

You have entered the 'Corrupted Glade' Dungeon Instance!

Shikamaru groaned as he stood and cracked his neck. "And all I wanted was to relax. Okay then." He heard rustling in the bushes that appeared next to him and then jumped back to see a small flying...person, with spikes coming through their arms.

Corrupted Sylvan

LVL: 5

Mutated Pixie

"O…kay." Shikamaru quickly made the rat hand sign and smirked. "Kagemane no jutsu!" His shadow shot from his feet and attached itself to the Pixie's. "Success." He watched as the Pixie fell from the air, as it was no longer able to flap its wings. Shikamaru glanced down at the Pixie's spikes, then lifted his arm to his side, which was mimicked by the pixie. He then forced her to drive the spikes in her arm into her skull, killing her. The body faded into purple wisps of energy, and what was left behind was bony spike and a few ryo.

You have gained 100 EXP!

"Did… Did it drop items?" He ignored the window that popped up and picked up the Ryo. He stared at it for a moment, before sighing. "Well… it looks real."

You can store Items in your Inventory! Currency does not take up a slot of your inventory space.

"What in Kami's name is an Inventory?" Shikamaru wanted to think about it, then saw a much different window appear in front of him. It was gridded, and there was an open space under the grid that said 'Ryo: 0'. He hesitantly put the ryo into the window, and saw that the zero became fifteen. He groaned and then picked up the spike and began to inspect it. It was decently well balanced, sharp enough to be a weapon.

A special skill has been uncovered through a special action!

Through very close inspection of an Item, the skill [Observe] has been revealed!

Observe (Passive/Active): LV:1 EXP 0.00%

The ability to look past the surface of an object. This skill allows the user to see ally and enemy status pages, and quite possibly discern true intentions.

Grants information of the target to the user.

Passively allows the user to view Names, Titles, and Levels

Shikamaru nodded and then looked at the bone spike. "It might be vocally activated as well. Observe." Just then, a window appeared above the spike. "Thank you."

Small Bone Spike

Crafting item

Used to create weapons made of bone.

Shikamaru nodded and then cleared his throat. "Crafting." Just then, another window appeared in front of Shikamaru, with only two boxes. He saw the box for the small bone spike on the left and then moved it over to the first box. In the second box was a bundle of senbon. It was listed as 'Bone Senbon(5)' and the chances for making it were 60%. Shikamaru saw a button that said 'CRAFT' in the bottom right corner and pressed it. The spike disappeared from his hand and after a minute, the words 'SUCCESS' covered the crafting screen.

[Craft] has gained a level!

You have gained 5 Bone Senbon!

Shikamaru then pulled the Bone Senbon from his Inventory and smiled. "At least I have weapons now. But I'll need a lot more before I can do anything with them." He placed the senbon in an empty weapons pouch on his side that his mother made him wear. "Time to go hunting." He groaned at his words and then walked deeper into the forest.

It had taken Shikamaru a while, but using the same method he used with the first Pixie, he had gained a level with his Kagemane, four in [Crafting], and sixty more bone senbon. He was sitting in his thinking pose, allowing his CP to regenerate quickly as well. "Okay… I have enough senbon to use them as weapons now, but I've never used them before. Hopefully my [Throwing Weapon Mastery] will help with that, but I need to be able to get my hands on some kunai. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a larger bone spike I can make one. This is so troublesome…" He shook his head and then saw that his CP was high enough for now. He stood up, then heard a shrill scream. Shika turned his head and then rushed towards the scream, and saw Ami inside of the dungeon, about to be attacked by… something.

Corrupted Sylvan

LVL: 8

Infected Satyr

Shikamaru scowled and then threw three senbon at the Satyr. One hit the ground, another bounced off of its horn, but the third hit it in its neck. He quickly performed the hand signs for the Kawarimi and replaced himself with the senbon that had hit the ground and hit the Satyr in the face, knocking it back. "Ami! What are you doing here?!"

Ami's eyes were wide, and she was too scared to say anything.

Shikamaru was about to look back at the girl, but then cursed and replaced himself with a log. He saw the log get speared by the horns, but it was now covering the sharp parts of the horns. It was worth the 114 CP cost for log replacement. He then swept the legs of the Satyr out from under it and then planted a knee on its throat. Shikamaru grabbed a bundle of bone senbon from his weapons pouch, and drove all of them deep into the right eye of the monster. The satyr thrashed for a good while as Shika tried to drive the needles deeper. Soon, the thrashing stopped and the Satyr's body faded, taking the senbon with him, leaving two horns and a small stack of Ryo.

You have gained 250 EXP

[Kawarimi no Jutsu] has gained a level!

Shika quickly took the ryo so that Ami wouldn't ask questions, then grabbed the horns, and saw that he could make goat horn kunai from them. So he did, and lucky for him, both horns became kunai. He tested their balance, and then nodded. He'd be using them as close range weapons, like he planned, but he had to be sure.

Ami slowly recovered from her shock, and then stared at Shikamaru. "D-Did you just… kill that thing?"

Shikamaru nodded as he recovered the two senbon that didn't hit damage the monster. "Yeah. I did."

Ami gulped and nodded softly. "T-Thank you. I thought that I was going to die…"

Shikamaru looked back at Ami and looked at her title again. "It's not for free, but I just want a real answer in exchange."

Ami blinked, then nodded softly. "W-What do you want to know…?"

Shikamaru sat down and entered his thinking position. "Why are you a bully? Well, let me rephrase that. What makes you bully other kids?"

Ami thought for a minute. It had been a while since she actually thought about why she bullied people. "Well… I was always made fun of for being an orphan. I just thought that… it was fair that I do the same to other people… at first. Then, I just couldn't stop. I kept being pushed by my friends to do it, and… it's just out of control now."

Shikamaru looked up and then saw Ami's title change.

Unwilling Bully

LVL: 5

Ami Chinoike

Shikamaru nodded and then began to regenerate his Chakra. "In that case, give me a few minutes, and we can get going."

Ami was shocked at how accommodating the Nara boy was. "We? You mean that I can come with you?"

Shikamaru groaned. "Troublesome… I just said that, yes. You can come with me Ami-san. Take a kunai."

Ami nodded and grabbed a kunai from Shikamaru. "Thank you again."

"Don't mention it. Please. I have a reputation for being lazy to maintain."

"Are we lost?" Ami looked around the forest as they walked, clutching the kunai close to her.

Shikamaru sighed and nodded. "Yep. We've been lost for a while." 'Is there some sort of Map that comes with t-' A map appeared in front of Shikamaru, and it showed a mostly black window, with a white arrow thing that was at the edge of the blackness. Behind the arrow was an aerial view of the forest. Next to the white arrow was a smaller green arrow. Shikamaru turned and the white arrow turned with him. 'Thank you. So I'm the white arrow. That means that Ami is the green one next to me.' He looked over the map and saw another green arrow north east of them, and it became yellow. Or maybe the color is their health and arrows mean allies!' He dashed in the direction of the arrow.

Ami quickly followed Shikamaru, not wanting to be alone in this weird forest.

Shikamaru soon saw Naruto dodging attacks from an Infected Satyr and a tree thing.

Corrupted Sylvan

LV: 13

Blighted Dryad

He formed the rat seal and his shadow shot towards the Dryad, but it instead hit the Satyr. "Ami! Take care of the one I trapped!"

Ami nodded hesitantly, then ran over to the Satyr and saw that it was looking up, straining the skin on its neck. She grabbed a horn of the Satyr, then closed her eyes as she slit its throat, black blood beginning to flow down its body, before fading like the other one did. She then picked up the horns, and saw a stack of ryo on the ground. She grabbed that as well and dropped them near Shikamaru, knowing that he could make use of them.

Shikamaru nodded at Ami and took the horns. "Ask your questions when we get out of here." He quickly crafted two kunai. "Naruto! Catch!" He threw both of them at Naruto.

[Crafting] has gained a level!

Naruto grinned at Shikamaru when his friend threw weapons at him. He caught the kunai from the air and blocked the next strike the Dryad aimed at him. "My turn, 'ttebayo!" He pushed the tree thing off away from him and then rushed towards the clawed thing. He glanced at Shikamaru, and saw that he wanted the Dryad closer, so Naruto ducked under a claw swipe of the thing, and then began to push the dryad towards Shikamaru.

Shikamaru glanced at his CP, then figured that he had enough to be able to hold the Dryad long enough for Naruto and Ami to kill it. 'Now!' "Kagemane no jutsu!" His shadow shot forward again and merged with the Dryads, making it immobile. "I can't hold it for long! Both of you, take care of it!

Ami nodded and rushed towards the plant creature and began attacking it from behind, blood-like sap coming from it. She kept attacking it, not pausing, even when she could feel shards of wood cutting her hands.

Naruto grinned and then began to unleash a flurry of slashes, really happy that Shikamaru corrected his forms now. They all felt much more natural then the ones the teachers taught him to use, and it also allowed him to attack faster, apparently. This was the first time he's had a chance to actually use the corrected forms against something.

Shikamaru kept watching his CP drain away, still trying to keep the Dryad immobile. He then noticed the claws that it had, and noted that they were longer than his fingers, so he held a one handed sign to keep the jutsu up, and then made the Dryad stab itself in the chest. He then had it tear open its chest. "If there's anything beating in there Naruto, stab it!"

Naruto quickly looked inside of the Dryad's chest and then found a beating circle thing that had four large roots coming from the top of it. He stabbed it with both kunai, then cut through it, the 'blood' of the dryad beginning to spill from it. Soom he dryad began to fade and a large slab of wood and some ryo was all that remained of the enemy.

You have gained 550 EXP!

Shikamaru dropped to his knees, panting heavily. He checked his CP and saw that it was nearly empty. He looked at the ryo on the ground and pocketed it, making it go into his Inventory. He saw Naruto run over to him carrying the items, then crouched in front of Shikamaru. "Are you okay dude?"

Shikamaru looked at the slab of wood.

Mystic Wood

Crafting item

Used to make armors of wood.

[Observe] has gained a level!

Shikamaru nodded softly and then got up, still trying to catch his breath. "What about you? You looked pretty banged up when we got here." He pulled Naruto up to his feet, then looked at the wood again. "I think I can make something out of this."

Ami walked over to the two and sighed. "Well… we're safe, I think." She also looked at the wooden thing. "You think that you can make some armor from that? I mean, you made weapons, so…"

Shikamaru nodded and took the wood. He saw that there were two boxes on the material side of the crafting menu. He placed the wood in one of the boxes and saw that he could make bracers from it, but there was also an arrow. He tapped the arrow and saw that he could make a chest plate from it as well. Though with the chestplate, there was red text under the material boxes.

Your Crafting level is not high enough!

You have not seen this type of armor before!

He then sighed and made the bracers. The wood disappeared and then two pieces of wrist armor appeared. "Here. It's what I could make with this."

Naruto was amazed. "How did you do that Shika? Huh? Is it a bloodline thingy?"

Shikamaru looked at Naruto, then shrugged. "I honestly don't know. I just figured out that I could do it today." He then set them on the ground and took the ryo. "I'll hold onto the ryo for now, you two decide who gets the bracers." He placed the ryo in his inventory and then went back to regaining his chakra.

Naruto and Ami stared at each other for a moment, then Naruto backed away. "Take them. I heal fast anyways, and I have a feeling that you need them."

Ami's eye twitched at the unintentional hit against her pride. "Thanks…" She grabbed the bracers and they immediately shrank to fit her perfectly. She put the armor one and smiled at how comfortable they were.

Shikamaru was still thinking. 'Now that we have Naruto, things got a little easier. There are three people in our group. Naruto will charge in anyways, so that means Ami and I will have to support him. I can take control of the enemies if Naruto gets them close enough. Now that Ami has armor, she can block attacks with her arms, but she should stay away from the stronger enemies because of her level and her hesitation to kill that Satyr. I wonder how long we've been in here. Dungeon Info'

You are in the Corrupted Glade!

You have been in here for 1:37:28

'Oh. I thought that were in here much longer than that.' Shikamaru stood and then heard some trees cracking in the distance. "That… can't be good." He turned towards the sound and readied his kunai.

Killing Intent detected! In front of you, 10 meters away!

Shikamaru jumped back to the group. "Get ready. Something big is coming."

Naruto nodded and held his two kunai tightly.

Ami also stared in the direction that Shikamaru was looking at, waiting for whatever was coming to show up.

A few minutes later, a very large tree beast burst through the trees, and roared at them. Purple sludge leaked from what counted as its mouth. It then lumbered at them and tried to attack them.

The three academy students dodged out of the way of the crushing strike the giant creature, and then scattered.

BOSS CREATURE ENCOUNTERED!

Ancient Corruption

LV: 18

Infested Treant

Shikamaru sized up the creature. "Okay, it's slow, but I'm sure that it makes up for it in strength. It'll have a lot of health, and it might be too large for my Kagemane to work as it is right now. But I can try." He rushed towards the Treant and then activated his clan's jutsu, his shadow merging with the very large creatures. He tried to move its arms, but he felt it beginning to break free when he moved. "Dammit! Naruto, Ami! I can only hold it still! I'll try to find a weakness, for now, just attack it!"

Naruto nodded and then jumped up the body of the monster and began to attack its head. It didn't really have eyes, so he couldn't attack those. He gasped as he saw purple goop bleed through a deep cut he made, and then he jumped off of the Treant. "If you cut it to deep, it makes this purple goop!"

Ami nodded and saw vines on the Treant. She attacked those and soon cut through one, making more of that purple stuff bleed from it. When it touched the grass, the grass withered and died in seconds. "Don't touch the purple stuff! It'll kill you!" She felt fear beginning to fill her mind at the thought of death, but she shook it away. She had to focus. She could panic later.

Shikamaru gritted his teeth in effort, which surprised him more than it would surprise Naruto. "I can't hold it! Get back!" He cut the jutsu suddenly, and immediately retreated from the monster.

The treant stumbled and fell at the sudden lack of 'strings' on it, making it fall. A purple gem came was revealed on the back of its head when it fell. The gem glowed ominously.

Naruto saw this and then jumped on top of the treant's back and was about to strike the gem, when he was whipped away by one of the large vines growing from the back of the treant.

Ami ran over to the treant and then began to attack one of the vines. It didn't seem to care though. Ami cut the vine off and then backed away before any of that purple liquid could get on her.

Shikamaru muttered 'troublesome' and then threw five senbon at the treant, and replaced himself with one and then stabbed his kunai into the gem.

The treant roared and then grabbed Shikamaru and threw him across the battle area and hard into a tree. It quickly got up, the gem and the kunai imbedded in it sinking back into its head. It turned to Naruto and swiped its claw at him again, the whiskered blond dodging his attack.

Ami and Naruto both ran over to the downed Shikamaru and helped him to stand. Ami then looked at the vine that was still on the ground and ran towards it.

Naruto ran after her to draw the attention of the treant so Ami could do what she needed to do.

Shikamaru waited for his pain to fade and then looked at his HP.

HP: 200/650

[Physical Endurance] has gained a level!

He shook his head and then saw what Ami was trying to do. He ran over to her and then grabbed the other side of the vine and began to wrap it around its legs. When they finished, they both pulled as hard as they could and slowly pulled the treants legs together. "Naruto, bait it away!"

Naruto nodded and then began to run away from the treant. "See you later bark face!"

The treant tried to chase after Naruto, but tripped over its own feet and fell again with a roar. The gem emerged from the back of the treant's head again, the kunai still stuck in it.

Shikamaru didn't want to draw this out any longer, so he rushed towards the kunai and then used every ounce of his strength to push it deeper. He twisted the kunai sharply, causing the gem to crack violently, then he yanked the kunai out and stabbed it again. He looked back at the vines to see Naruto and Ami severing them. He twisted the kunai again, then scowled. He stood up and then stomped on the kunai as hard as he could, making it disappear into the treant's skull, the gem now shattered. He jumped off of the Treant and he saw it beginning to wither and dissolve, purple wisps only floating away after the body withered completely.

You have gained 1500 EXP!

You have gained a level!

You have completed Stage One of the Corrupted Glade! Would you like to continue?

[YES/NO]

Shikamaru immediately pressed the NO button as hard as he could. He then walked over to where the Treant was and saw a large stack of ryo, claws, and a scroll. He took the ryo and gained 2000 more, which he thought was great. The next was the scroll, and he Observed that quickly.

Tree Walking Method scroll

Skill scroll

A scroll that teaches the Tree walking method to whoever consumes it

'That would've come in handy when we fought this thing…' He then observed the claws and was impressed.

Claws of the Dryad

Dual Claw Weapons

Designed by an ancient blacksmith who was inspired by the Dryads, he spoke to the leader and obtained mystical wood from the clan of the Dryads. He made them into claws, and the wooden blades he crafted onto them fused with the metal he had set near them. This was the end result.

12 - 21 Slashing damage

Has a 11% chance to inflict [Bleeding] on a target

Can be repaired by dipping the claws in metal

Shikamaru held the claws and then sighed. They didn't feel right to him. "Naruto, try the claws. See if they just feel right to you."

Naruto nodded and then grabbed the claws. He slashed a couple of times with them and then shook his head. "Nope. Sorry." He then handed the claws to Ami. "Give them a try!"

Ami hesitantly took the claws, and then slashed with one. She smiled. "Do you mind if I keep these?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "If you want them, take them. Oh, and Naruto and I meet on the roof of the Academy every day after school. You fought with us, it's only fair I offer you the choice to improve as well."

Ami tied the claws together on her pants with the two vines that were on the handles of the claws. "I'll come by I guess. I just need to make an excuse to get away from my group."

Shikamaru nodded and then pulled out two stack of Ryo from his pockets. He did some quick math in his head and he guessed that they both counted at 782 Ryo. "Here you go. Like I said, we split the Ryo."

Naruto hesitantly grabbed his stack of Ryo. "Are you sure Shika?"

Shikamaru nodded quietly.

Ami grabbed hers and then put her ryo in her wallet, glad that it was only a small stack. Though she was still surprised that those monsters dropped money.

Shikamaru then held up the scroll. "Do you guys mind if I hold onto this scroll for now? I just need to see if this is the real technique written in here." When neither of his companions protested, he placed the scroll into his Inventory.

Would you like to leave this dungeon instance?

[YES/NO]

Shikamaru immediately pressed YES and the the forest faded around them to reveal that they were in the same spot Shikamaru was sitting at in the training ground. He stood up and then went to leave the training ground, but was caught by Ami.

"Hey! You said that you'd explain what the hell that was when we got out!"

Shikamaru sighed and then sat down again. 'This whole month has been the most troublesome month of my life.'

Hello everyone! I am back for this one post. Let me explain why it's only this one. I can really only write on the weekends, seeing as the school year started while I was on hiatus. I recently switched to online learning and have been trying to adapt to the schedule. I think I've done it well enough to be able to get a chapter out every now and then, but I can't promise anything. I'm also not at 100% just yet when it comes to writing. I honestly have no excuse for that. ANyways, I hope that you all enjoyed this first chapter of Troublesome Games! Ja ne!