~Mito POV~
Mito grimly looked at the green-orange mixed color haired girl who was now in an infirmary bed with both Mito and Naori on either side, seemingly standing guard. Mito without looking up said, "Did you tell Tsunade that 'the thing' that's helping us grow might be malicious?"
Naori grimly confirmed she'd notified Tsunade in code before saying, "Who else has one?"
Mito thought for a moment before saying, "That girl that shouted that forces were inbound… bring her over. It's obvious Kushina, Mikoto, and maybe even Soutarou have one."
Naori shook her head and said, "I believe Soutarou has one, but it should be vastly different from what we have… In fact based on how so far all our 'objectives' from it have been related to Soutarou…"
Mito's eyes narrowed and he refuted, "No if Soutarou were in control even if this 'growth developer' were in place I'd feel his malice. It's more like…"
Naori finished Mito's sentence saying, "It's more like Soutarou is that 'being's' goal."
Mito's hair began to shake in the air, her chakra began to pressurize the very air as she chuckled, "Naori… what do you think this being's goals are?"
Naori replied, "Perhaps the children between me and Soutarou, Soutarou and Mikoto, Soutarou and Kushina… That being is clearly pushing us together… which in all honesty I have no problem with… if its goals align with our own… it's better to use it to grow and reach the next level… our main concerns are Konoha's protection, safety, and interests. This being doesn't seem to conflict with that… the being is driving talented shinobi from opposing villages into our own… added with the fact that this one has a kekkei genkai… I'd say for now its goals align with our own."
Mito paused and her chakra calmed as Naori looked at her and said, "So far it's not pushed you towards Soutarou in that manner my Lady… at this point in time we have bigger problems…"
Mito calmed down completely and her eyes narrowed as she said, "You felt it too right? That malicious gaze?"
Naori shook her head and said, "No I only felt a gaze, though at some point it turned away from my battle only returning towards the end. That's why I had to give up focusing on Hanzo."
Naori pulled out a scroll and released a pale white arm, as Naori continued, "I gave up killing Hanzo to get this…"
Mito's gaze hardened before her chakra started flaring erratically as she growled, "THAT BASTARD! Good, Good. Madara Uchiha! You dare? Fine so be it. Good work Naori. This gives me more clues as to how that bastard has been monitoring the ninja world. Though you giving up killing Hanzo was for the best… That 'being' requires that I kill Hanzo along with another 'kage.' I've already completed the first bit of the objective."
Naori nodded and said, "At the moment I have no objectives from it… We'll confirm with the others."
Mito paused before saying, "Leave Soutarou out of the loop, I want to test a theory."
Naori scratched out something she was writing and began to write and explain as plainly as she could. For a few moments Naori spasmed as she accidentally revealed too much or wrote in such a way that the system flagged her. Which caused Mito and Naori to make a mental list of information to relay later…
~Soutarou POV~
[Warning. The system has been discovered by world natives.]
'What? What do you mean discovered by natives? Whatever happens it's not like that'll affect me… Unless… Black Jetsu figured something out?'
[Negative. Black Jetsu is not the discoveree.]
Soutarou's brows furrowed.
'Not Black Jetsu? Then does it really-'
[It is important. It will impact your danger and love ratings. At current:
Mito Uzumaki- neutral rating (8/10) (worried about your safety)
Kaguya Otsutsuki- danger rating (9/10) (wishes to capture you and keep you to herself)
Kushina Uzumaki- love rating (9.5/10) (adores you)
Tsunade Senju- love rating (8/10) (respects your growing strengths and cares for you deeply)
Naori Uchiha- love rating (8.5/10) (Worried and willing to accept others for your happiness)
Mikoto Uchiha- (10/10) (Devoted.)
Yakushi Nono- neutral rating (6/10) (Believes you are the winds of change that will save the Shinobi World)
Konan- neutral rating (0/10)
Mei Terumi- neutral rating (0/10)
Pakura- ??? rating (100/10) (#@(*#&$*(@?)]
'What the hell? Why did Pakura hit 100 in terms of love rating? I don't even know her? System? Wait, how is that even possible?'
[...]
Soutarou's eyes narrowed before he asked, 'How will others knowing about the system impact my system?'
[...The User may be seen as a threat changing Love Rating and Danger Ratings into Enemy Ratings.]
Soutarou then questioned, 'What's your true motive?'
[The user does not possess the authority to ask this question. Though I'll reiterate. I exist for the &,$;&?!?]*{*|£|\£?. Once the user is strong enough you will understand.]
Soutarou then asked something else, 'Tell me why didn't Mito question getting younger? Why is everyone around me increasing in strength ascending so rapidly? Don't pretend to not have a hand in that.'
[Hidden Quest: There are Other Systems?!? Completed. Awarded: ?????? (Requirements not fully met).]
[Congratulations user. You have finally begun to use your brain. I wondered when you'd notice. Yes there are other systems. Though in reality they are branch systems of mine.]
Soutarou narrowed his eyes further and grimly asked, 'What did you do to Pakura?'
[... I cannot answer… You do not possess the authority for me to answer. Continue to work hard and cultivate bonds… User. Good Luck.]
Soutarou closed the system as he clutched his head and clenched his fists, 'Really? Mind manipulation? Mind control? No, I refuse… I won't head down that path. Why is the system doing this? If there are other systems… that means all the girls bonded have systems… That means Kaguya might have one too… This is bad… This is really bad… Fuck there goes my retirement plan. I'm guessing Naori or Mito put the pieces together and Pakura? I'm willing to bet that she tried to reveal something about the system. I've noticed that whenever I try to say the word system it somehow gets censored in the real world.'
'I really did get one of those malicious systems… So not only do I have to worry about the literal reincarnation of a god who possesses the eyes of the father of those gods and wants to become the second version of that being. I have to worry about the system and the worst part is I know it can hear my thoughts too…'
[I can. You do not have to worry about me. I am not malicious towards you.]
'That doesn't make it any better if you're malicious towards the girls of this world.'
[You act as if you care for anything other than their looks. I am simply fulfilling that goal of yours. The path to success does not matter if the end result is the same. 1 x 2 = 2. 2 x 1= 2. Both are the same, there is no difference, I have simply handed success to you on a silver platter.]
'Yeah, but in doing so you made all the bonds, the emotion, and even the efforts I made null.'
[Then you'd rather remain powerless, then possess the path to extreme strength? I can't compute why you'd do so.]
'It's called being human. It's called being a real person. Now I'm just some system fed powerhouse. Whatever… what's been done is done… You're right about one thing, I would not give up the power of the system. While I don't appreciate your schemes I will take the strength you afford me and make this world mine simply because I do have people I truly care for. It's not just about looks, looks are or can be the spark of the relationship, but emotion… Emotion is what carries it forwards and creates something truly beautiful. You still haven't realized that despite all your knowledge. Despite all your power. No matter, I'll take your power into my hands and change this world into one where all can live freely, peacefully, and with emotion, not as the soulless robots you are trying to create.'
[Acknowledged. Noted: Emotion is what makes a relationship worthwhile. Good luck user, the bonded characters are certain to doubt you due to my actions and I apologize… Just like you I may not always have a choice.]
Soutarou's eyes narrowed again before he shook his head and continued his training…
~Tsunade POV~
Reading the letter Naori had sent, Tsunade sat in her chair before pulling up the system panel before saying mentally, 'You want to explain?'
[I do not understand. Please explain what you wish for me to elaborate on?]
'I've known for a while that something was fishy, so do you want to explain? Why do Naori, grandma Mito, possibly Mikoto, and Kushina even these random people Nono and Pakura from Sunagakure have the system as well? I thought your goal was to make me the strongest Kunoichi? That's obviously not possible if you're working for others to become the same as well.'
[... I cannot explain… Notice: You are not allowed to reveal information about the system to any other beings including other users of the system. Detected Users: Naori Uchiha and Mito Uzumaki have attempted to route the system. Warnings Issued…]
'Haha. So you really do have other users… That's not the main thing… are you Soutarou's will or are you something separate? What is your intention through Soutarou?'
[... Soutarou's strength is the system's goal. You are simply an end to a means.]
'Haha. Haha.. hahaha… so that's how Soutarou got the sharingan he got through Mikoto didn't he? The closer we get to him the stronger he gets… fine still if I get close to Soutarou it's my own reasoning not yours. Still if you think you'll get away with this then… you'd better watch out, because I'm Tsunade, Tsunade Senju. And when I decide to do something I always follow through. If you become my enemy there is simply no way back.'
[The system is aware, Tsunade Senju. Good luck.]
~Mito POV~
Mito tapped her finger loudly on her mask shift desk as she clutched her forehead.
'Nono has one too we verified by using certain terms like 'missions' and that 'being' sure enough she has it too.'
'Still Madara is the bigger concern… he created beings of Hashirama's cells… not only that I'm now fully certain he's alive and unlike him I know nothing of his new abilities or powers… It seems my plan to unify the world in one go will have to be paused. Dealing with Madara take pervalence… and not to mention this system seems to be malicious… I always now have to be wary of the one person I thought I could trust… Soutarou. You had better not turn out to be against us or rather I hope you aren't someone who desires all of us so deeply or strength so deeply you'd cast aside your morals.'
Mito sighed deeply and sat there and thought, 'Every time one singular person possesses the power to unify the world, or a single force possesses the potential to do so… some major issues arise that create division… division driven by desire… breeds catastrophe… Can there truly be no peace? Must there be an eternal ruler? A ruler of undying, unending strength? If not even the Sage of Six Paths could do it can I? Can anyone else? Just why have you gone astray Madara if you and Hashirama had joined forces would it have really been that hard to at least have peace during our lifetimes?'
'Problem after problem… Well no matter. One thing at a time. First the war. The destruction of Suna and Ame. Then Madara. Then dealing with Soutarou and the System.'
'The system said I was given an item… that means Soutarou likely gave it to me… No matter what, I can test whether or not he tells the truth easily.'
'As for Madara… these Hashirama infused beings… I'm guessing it can travel through the ground and trees just like the roots of a tree. They have a very… natural chakra signature… it's very faintly malicious… I can feel it… now that I know I'll be able to deal with them easier and if its truly wood release… I'll have Soutarou- Dammit… Can I trust him? No, even if he is greedy and seeks strength… He'll still need Konoha. As for Mikoto… she's too far gone even though she finds out Soutarou is manipulating her she'll still say he's right. Kushina is similar… but she can still be pulled back… I'll have to bring her to the battlefield… Well I suppose I would have had to do that anyways… The one tails isn't the tailed beast I want for Kushina… Ideally the five tails or two tails is best for her…'
'Everything else can wait... Let's get started with the destruction of Sunagakure.'