Naruto: Kage of Kages

“That is the only additional information with some educated guesses of mine added in so how do you think we should play this?” The Uzumaki matriarch put the ball in Shiki’s court.

“Well . . . The way I see it, we have the low profile route, the high profile route and the low high profile route.” The boy began to elaborate.

“Low profile is to hide everything we can about my true capabilities but there isn’t much point in doing so I think.” He eliminated one of the options.

‘And I already sort of bragged about your genius like everyone else was only there to compete for second place though I might have forgotten to mention that part to you.’ Mito internally spoke, glad she would not have to eat her words.

Unknowing of his mistress’ thoughts, Shiki continued through his process.

“The high profile route would be exposing everything I need to expose in order to gain the most amount of attention and reputation possible. But while that might generate the most benefits, it will also bring about a lot of undue attention I could do without.”

So with all that said, Shiki arrived at the middle road. Not committing to a course of action and being wishy-washy about it was usually a bad idea but sometimes it was the right move, it was called the exception that proves the rule.

“Low high profile is showing off enough to cement myself as a prodigy but not so much so that others will adopt an attitude of pulling me to their side but kill at all costs if I do not align myself with them.” The boy explained his view on the matter.

“And how would the specifics be handled?” Mito questioned.

“Things like pure physical prowess and chakra levels as well as control are hard to fake when experienced shinobi are playing close attention so the best method would be to perform to the best of my ability while restricting the jutsu I use.” Shiki proposed.

The Uzumaki matriarch nodded, agreeing with the boy’s suggestion.

“In that case we should set an order of priority on jutsu you can reveal.” The redhead declared.

“Things like the Three Basic Jutsu, the regular Body Flicker and Temporary Paralysis Jutsu are all fine to use but not my unique variations.”

Shiki began to plan things out.

“My elemental ninjutsu are not too impressive to show but I should not reveal all of the nature transformations. Since one of my teammates is going to be an Uchiha very likely to be at least competent with Fire Release, I’ll choose Wind Release as my public main affinity.”

‘It is actually my third best but they are all pretty trash so it doesn’t really matter I suppose.” The boy thought.

“I’ll use the Assault Storage Seal but only for its function to multiply stored weapons and pull them out at will, the instant Shuriken Shadow Clone function will be left out.”

“If my jonin sensei is going to be a Yamanaka then hiding my sensory abilities from her will be all but impossible, might as well not hold them back. Hiding in Surface and Transparent Escape are too useful outside combat to not use.”

‘With the exception of Enlightened Mind’s Eye which even Mito-sama knows nothing about yet.’ Shiki added in his mind.

“With my chakra control, knowing one basic medical jutsu that is not even fully mastered should be fine so Medical Jutsu: First Aid can be revealed if needed as well.”

“For bukijutsu, other than the Hidden Hand Jutsu which requires the Chakra Cutter to use, the rest should be fine to use, including the regular Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu if need be.”

“Fuinjutsu is generally considered very hard to learn quickly so I’ll wait a while before I start to show it off and for the Three Bodies Breathing Method and Kukyo, I keep them permanently active these days so at most, others will find my “regular” state a bit usual.”

Mito clapped her hands in approval.

“Very well. For your other jutsu, they will be kept in case of emergency. Considering your short training time of two months since I adopted you, what you are planning to show will already be shocking to an extreme.” The redhead made sure Shiki was aware of his abnormality.

“So don’t think the attention will be light.”

*

Back in the present, Shiki finished his remembrance as Tsunade called out to him, breaking the pleasant silence between the two.

Well . . . Pleasant for Shiki because despite being the one actively ignoring him, Tsunade seemed more irritated by the lack of conversation.

“Hey brat.” The Senju princess called out with a raised eyebrow and suspicious expression.

‘What is this woman up to now?’ Shiki wondered.

He still responded politely however.

“Yes Tsunade-sama?” The boy inquired with a serene expression of his childish face.

‘This. This is what I dislike.” The blonde thought.

‘This overly calm demeanour coupled with his polite talk that is devoid of actual respect. He does not speak to grandma or Nawaki like this, only me!’ She internally complained.

This time however, she believed to have figured the white haired boy out.

Keyword “believed”.

“Could it be that you are worried grandmother won’t pay as much attention to you now that Nawaki and I come to hang around more? That’s why you’re so hostile to me!” Tsunade self assuredly pointed her finger at Shiki with a cocky smirk.

The white haired boy just shook his head with an expression that conveyed his disappointment over the Senju princess’ lack of intelligence, almost sending the blonde flying into a rage.

“If that was the case I’d feel much more threatened by Nawaki-sama, not you.” Shiki pointed out.

“Then what? Why just me?” Tsunade did not want to let it go, making the boy sigh with more disappointment which only further irritated her.

“It is the exact opposite. My distaste is for your lack of care and filial piety for Mito-sama.” Shiki explained.

“Then isn’t Nawaki the same? Why is your distaste reserved for me!?” The blondie countered, temporarily accepting the explanation.

“Nawaki-sama is very young, just started his career as a shinobi and lacks the appreciation for what he has but there is plenty of time for him to come around.” The white haired boy responded.

“Tsunade-sama on the other hand is already an adult to society and a Jonin of Konoha, I believe appreciating family should be within your capabilities.” He added.

Tsunade was left with her mouth agape at the very much not-childlike response from the four year old and struggled to come up with a response.

“Who says I don’t care . . . I’m just busy is all . . .” She finally mumbled out.

But Shiki just sighed again and those breaths were feeling quite cutting to the Senju princess.

“Mito-sama seemed to be feeling quite down and lonely before adopting me but I cannot and don’t want to be a replacement for her real grandchildren.” The boy spoke.

‘I can’t believe I’m giving out family therapy at four. Well, the Third Hokage said Itachi thought like a Hokage when he was seven so I suppose it is not that far fetched by this world’s standards.’ He thought to himself.

“My grandmother is not that weak.” Tsunade argued.

“And Tsunade-sama is not so weak that a little bit of weak poison could truly harm you but would you want to keep taking it?” Shiki countered.

“Loneliness is poison for the spirit. Sure, Mito-sama might be able to endure it but it does not mean she should.” The boy concluded.

After that, Tsunade became contemplative and the pair walked the rest of the way to the Shinobi Academy in silence once more.

+++++

Hey, Author here!

Just a reminder that you can read up to a FULL MONTH ahead of this site on pa-treon.

I’m trying to become a full time Author now and I’m not going to be starting any new novels just so I can make sure this one is properly completed.

Find those sweet advanced chapters on pa-treon.com/lusoba without the -