{Main Gate, Konohagakure}
"Did you tell them not to make a commotion, Asuma-san?" I asked as we walked through the towering green gates of Konoha, which had kanji written on them. My mind automatically translated it as "retreat." I was thankful for that, because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to masquerade as a prince so easily for the past few years.
'It's already been 4 years since I arrived in this world. Maybe I should have moved to Konoha sooner, but then again, if baby Hinata can be kidnapped from the Hyuga Clan compound, then me being here wasn't exactly safe... not unless I give the Hokage some motive to keep me safe.' I have not been a fan of politics, not now and maybe not ever. But being born a noble and thus having to take it up as a subject, I have become aware of the quid pro quo game.
"Yes, Shinjiro-san," Asuma said with a very formal tone, which told me that we were already under surveillance, most likely by the ANBU.
'Funny, I can't detect a thing,' and just like that, it had returned. The same sense of helplessness and panic at being this powerless. I have struggled with it these past few years, and that's why I have been training hard and trying to lose myself in indulgences other than drinking my panic attacks away.
'Not exactly healthy, knowing just how deep the waters are in this world, plus the extra element of the unknown with this weird setting.' Sometimes I wondered if I was stuck in a perverted author's fantasy setting, but those existential thoughts aside, I focused on the village before me.
Warm sunlight filtered through the trees. The village was lush with trees and filled with the laughter of children and the hustle and bustle of shinobi and normal civilians alike. Everyone seemed happy and indulged in small talk, pleasant fragrances of spices drifted from roadside stalls selling various treats. Beyond the village, a mountain with three faces etched onto it overlooked the village, filling it with a belief in invincibility.
'And there are the literal gods of this world.' I thought as I stared at the stone sculpted busts of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
"Is it as good as it was in your imagination?" I asked Asuma, who was looking lost in thought, taking in the scene before him.
"It's better," Asuma replied, a trace of nostalgia hidden within his voice. Before I could ask him another question, a masked figure appeared in front of us. I screamed at myself to keep calm, yet even so I took a step back, almost a flinch.
'Fuck, that was fast.' I thought as I looked at the masked ANBU as it addressed Asuma, "Asuma-san, the Hokage requests your presence." And just like that, he was gone. If someone told me I had imagined him being there just now, I would believe them, because the ANBU left no trace of his presence. No sign of him appearing in front of us, and no sign of him leaving.
'This kind of things makes me believe I need to learn the pure world reincarnation jutsu and get Newton here because fuck me, do we need some laws of physics for this world.' I joked as I looked down at the spot where the ANBU was standing. As expected, there were no traces of any sudden stop from a high-speed sprint, nor were there any traces of high-speed acceleration.
It was not the first time I had noticed this anomaly, and seeing me staring intently, Asuma decided to enlighten me. "It's a trick involving chakra to not leave any tracks behind."
"Why haven't I heard of it before, though? And why didn't you tell me this before? I'm sure you have seen me look around trying to spot your tracks a couple of times at least." I asked, following Asuma as we began moving.
"Because it's more like an open secret, most of the minor villages are called minor for a reason. The caliber of their shinobi is considered inferior to ours precisely because they don't have as much heritage in the application of chakra, not just for this, as there are plenty of other tricks." He paused as he waved his hand toward some of his acquaintances that I didn't find familiar to anyone from the show or manga.
"As for why I'm telling this to you now, well, you are going to the academy and through our shinobi ranks if you want later. If you become a chunin, or are lucky enough to be taught by a Jonin during your genin days, he will teach you these things." Asuma teased me a little with the foreknowledge.
'Hmm, it seems like the Hokage has at least made the decision to support me in becoming a Konoha shinobi... not like there was ever any doubt, as this was his best move.' I thought as we arrived in front of the big red building. The kanji for 'Fire' was etched onto it. We were quickly ushered into the Hokage's office, and I noticed that aside from the rather frail-looking old man, who was supposed to be the strongest in the village, there was another person looking at me with interest.
She was possibly the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and her identity was easy to guess. A rather heaven-defying chest size, complemented by a deep cleavage line, the diamond mark on her forehead, and the green overcoat hung loosely around her slender frame.
"Senju Tsunade," I said as I controlled my expression and bowed lightly. "It's an honor."
The woman who was already scrutinizing me looked on with interest and asked with a raised eyebrow, "And how is it an honor, kid?"
'Is this a test or something?' I guessed.
"Half of that bow is for your surname. To honor your grandfather and what he has done for our world. The other half is for your contributions to the Medical Ninjutsu. Because of you, so many people could delay their meeting with the Shinigami."
...
My words made Tsunade pause, a brief smile appearing on her face before she turned to Hiruzen and said in a somewhat brash tone, likely a habit from her early years training under the Third Hokage along with the other two Sanin.
"Fine, he's interesting. I'll take the brat. Come on, kid, you are coming with me." She said as she walked out the door, clearly expecting me to follow. I turned toward Hiruzen, gave a small nod of acknowledgment, and followed Tsunade and her green, flapping overcoat.
'I guess my accommodations have been made in a rather empty Senju clan compound.' I thought.
'It would be better if there were someone from the Senju clan that I could seduce. Their traits would go a long way with my lack of chakra from my civilian background...'
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AN: Will be starting the Academy arc soon.