A/N: Triple Release Tomorrow! Our new target is to reach 400 powerstones by Sunday for a double release. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! New Goal: 400 Powerstones!
Two weeks of regularly visiting the cemetery and pondering which jutsu to create next had passed. Goro had made significant improvements in his attributes, but he was still struggling to come up with new ideas for his next jutsu.
'Another Ice Jutsu, perhaps? A water Jutsu maybe? Hmm…'
Lost in thought, Goro unconsciously continued eating his ramen.
"What's got you thinking so deeply?" Asuma asked, looking up from his bowl at Goro.
Sighing, Goro responded, "It's nothing, Sensei. Anyway, what's your reason for inviting me to eat this late in the evening?"
Slurping up more ramen, Asuma answered, "Well, we've got a mission in three days, and I wanted to discuss it with you. It's a Rank C mission."
'Rank C? I see where this is going. The Hokage believes we're capable of handling a Rank C mission, so he's assigning it to us.'
"Is that all? I don't see an issue with that," Goro admitted, tilting his head to the side.
Scratching the back of his head and chuckling nervously, Asuma replied, "Well yeah, that's all... The Hokage believes that as a five-man squad, we can handle this mission. Not to mention, I believe you're more than capable."
Drinking the remaining broth, Goro abruptly stood up. "Will that be all, Sensei?" Goro asked, ready to leave.
Goro's mind was occupied with thoughts of the next jutsu he'd create, so he wasn't too bothered by the mission.
"Come to the Hokage's office at 9 a.m. tomorrow. He'll brief you and your teammates on the details," Asuma said, standing up and placing a cigarette in his mouth. Lighting it, Asuma disappeared.
Shortly after Asuma vanished, the sound of a man yelling could be heard from the nearby bookstore. Exiting the bookstore was a young boy who looked to be around nine years old. The boy had a book in his hand, but Goro couldn't make out what it was.
"Come back here, brat!" the store owner roared as he ran after the kid.
The child was running in Goro's direction. As he got closer, the boy dived between Goro's legs and hid behind him.
"Hey mister, you're a big and strong ninja, right? Defeat that villain that's coming toward us!" the boy shouted, pointing at the middle-aged man.
Out of breath, the man stopped in front of Goro and explained, "This child stole a book. I need it back. The brat lacks any manners!"
Pulling out his frog pouch, Goro gave the man 50 ryo, which was more than enough for the book.
Massaging the back of his neck and feeling slightly shy, the store owner said, "I can't take all that money…"
"It's for the trouble this kid caused you," Goro rebutted.
Thinking it over for a few seconds, the storekeeper took the money and bowed before returning to his shop.
"Why didn't you defeat him?!" the boy complained, pouting.
Face-palming, Goro answered, "Kid, you really don't know anything about this world, do you? Only the strongest can do as they please."
Confused, the boy asked, "Who is the strongest then?"
Goro pointed at the Hokage Monument, particularly at the Third Hokage. "I'm surprised you don't know. Those people up there are the Hokage—they're the strongest people to come out of this village. The current strongest is the Third Hokage," Goro explained.
"And the Third can take any book he wants for free?" the boy asked, still baffled.
Shaking his head, Goro corrected, "In theory, yes. But if he did, people would leave the village because of the injustice, so the Hokage, in a way, can't do whatever he wants. In short, the answer is no," Goro said.
'This child isn't the brightest…'
"Ok then, I'll be the strongest, but without any responsibility. That way, I can do whatever I want!" the child yelled triumphantly, inviting a few stares.
Hearing the boy's words reminded Goro of himself.
'That boy couldn't care less about morality. He doesn't want to be a Hokage because it won't allow him to do as he pleases.'
"Kid, go home. Your parents are probably worried," Goro instructed.
The boy frowned at the mention of his parents. "My parents... they're gone. I stay with my grandmother in the outermost region. Grandma couldn't afford the book for me, so I decided I'd just steal it," the boy revealed.
'A civilian orphan... I could make great use of him. He'd be an asset, keeping tabs on everything happening inside the village. It'll help me track events and gauge the village's attitude toward me, so I can make tactical decisions.'
"You said you want to become the strongest, didn't you?" Goro asked.
"Yeah! The strongest ever!" the boy said, jumping up and down in place.
Crouching down to eye level, Goro said, "I can help you achieve that goal if you're loyal to me and listen to my commands. First, what's your name?"
"The name's Gyoma Suzuki," the boy said proudly, his chest puffed out.
[Sign (Oath of Allegiance) with Gyoma?]
'Oath of Allegiance? What's that?'
[If the target betrays you, they forfeit their right to live. However, there are also punishments for disobedience. If the target fails to follow an order, you can shock them as hard as you want.]
'Isn't that like an advanced version of the curse mark?'
[Affirmative. It's a System Curse Mark.]
'First, I'd like to ask something I've been wondering about for a while. Can't I get a clone to do the training process instead of myself?'
[This is possible; however, you'd need to allocate the time for each stat yourself.]
'Good. This will save me a lot of time. I can also force this brat to do five hours of training daily, and if he disobeys me, he'll be shocked. I'll put him through hell. System, I'd like to sign an Oath with Gyoma.'
[Successful. Step one complete. The final step requires the target to kneel before you and declare their allegiance.]
Grabbing Gyoma by the nape of his shirt, Goro flickered to a nearby training ground.
"Kneel down and say you will never betray me if you want me to make you strong," Goro commanded, looking down at the boy.
Gyoma didn't hesitate. He immediately dropped down onto one knee and began, "I, Gyoma, swear to never betray... uh... What was your name, Mister?" Gyoma chuckled.
"Goro."
Composing himself, the child restarted, "I, Gyoma, swear an oath never to betray Mister Goro."
Resting his arm on the child's shoulder, Goro revealed, "You'll be training for five hours daily. Also refer to me as Master."
"What?!!" the boy yelled, unable to comprehend how someone could train for so long.
'That reaction is only to be expected. Not only is five hours an extremely long time, but the kid also isn't even a shinobi. I can't exactly be humane—I need him to grow as quickly as possible.'
Pulling out his frog wallet, Goro handed the whole thing to the child. "I'll take care of you and your grandma as long as you're obedient," Goro said.
The boy took the pouch and jumped onto Goro with excitement. "Granny is going to be so happy!" he laughed in joy.
"Head home. It's getting late. Meet me here every day at 9 a.m.," Goro instructed, flickering home to ponder which jutsu he should create next.
Reminder: Our new target is to reach 400 powerstones by Sunday for another double release. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! New Goal: 400 Powerstones! If we surpass this target and hit 700 powerstones by Sunday, I'll treat you to another triple release.