Chapter 166: Finding a rogue wood release user?

- Hey, what are you guys planning to do after graduation?

Asked Homura's childhood friend renamed Toshio by almost everyone who knew him. 

Sitting around a table, sat 4 boys and 2 girls inside a restaurant among many within the entertainment district. 

The boys and girls in question were Toshio, Zenkishi, Uryuu, Homura, Saya, and another childhood friend of theirs named Emi. 

They were the only batch of friends from the same orphanage who got into the academy the same year, though it was different for the girl named Emi.

A few others from their orphanage also got in, but they were not in the same class or year. Not even the people sitting at that specific table had many classes in common. 

Unless it was a specific joint class, students from other classes rarely intermingled. People in the same class were only obliged to have their main classes together the rest was up to them.

That and the fact each that student was responsible for their own training made it almost impossible for students to mingle outside class.

Schedules for academy students were always packed so there was little time to play around even if they were given a few breaks within the day. 

- I guess becoming a ninja- Said Zenkishi.

He didn't seem too sure of his answer.

- kunoichi, shinobi- where the answer almost all of them answered except 2.

- Even you Saya-chan?- Asked Toshio with a look of pure surprise. 

- I-I guess, I want to become a medical-nin in the future, I do really enjoy working at the clinic but I also want to see the world outside the village. I think that will be the best way that I will get to explore.- said Saya in a slightly unsure manner.

She did want to leave the village but she never truly acted on it but it never had really dawned on her that she would one day have a chance to see the outside world. 

But through reading so many books about plants and medicine overall her curiosity about the outside world kept increasing, 

- ...so you two?- Toshio looked at Uryuu and Homura who did not answer.

Uryuu didn't care about answering and Homura was buys eating.

- Tch. Whatever, Why does it matter?- Said Uryuu in a dismissive tone. 

- Of course, it matters! Maybe we could become a team in the future!- 

- R-really!? So our entire class will be a team?- said Emi.

- N-No I don't think our entire class can be a team. Probably it is something like 5.

- 5? And how do you know do you know that?- rebutted Uryuu.

- You know... it's probably like a hand, you have 5 fingers, and every teammate is like a finger to make a powerful fist. - blurted Toshio with close to almost certainty.

- ...You're an idiot, worse than someone else here...- Although Uryuu did not finish his sentence it was clear as day of who he was implying. 

Though Homura who was the clear target of Uryuu's disdain seemed to care very little and it was questionable if he realized anything as he was figourously stuffing his face with food. 

- Hey, Homura leave a bit more for all of us! 

-?! 

Homura who was busy eating, had been stopped from grabbing a piece of meet from the stove. 

- What is this about? Homura asked slightly annoyed.

- It's Zenkishi's birthday and you're here eating everything, leave some for the others too.

- Well, Toshi, I don't really mind. Said Zen in a composed way. 

- Of course you mind. You're much taller than him and bigger and he's here eating for like 2 people. Besides it's your birthday, you should be the one eating more, not this guy who takes advantage to eat everything when it's a free meal.

- Even if you say that...- Zenkishi didn't know how to respond, it is not like he was hungry or needed to eat more than what he already had. 

Though Zenkishi had a large and muscular physique that made him look much older than his friends he didn't eat that much more than them. 

Tough as Zen and Toshio were busy talking Homura were busy talking Homura grabbed a piece of meat and ate it.

- Hey! You bastard! Did you hear what I said?! Yelled Toshio.

-It's a free country it's not like it's your birthday, is it?

Homura said with a smug look on his face.

- But... I just wanted to-!

- Stop! Yapping about, guys like you won't be popular with girls...Loser

But before Homura had time to finish his sentence he was almost hit by a fist coming from his left side. 

-Woah!? Missed.- he said with a smug look towards his agressor. 

Saya who was seating next to Homura almost took him out with a well positioned strike but Homura voided in the nick of time, his senses were simply that well sharpened. Even while he was stuffing his face with as much food as possible. 

- Cheeky little brother, you're getting better at avoiding my fist of love - said Saya slightly annoyed.

- Well I am in another league.- said Homura in a happy tone. 

He was very confident in his skills as of late, due to completing a certain series of techniques. He had no doubt that if he were to just spend another few months he would be able to perfect it even more.

- And what exactly do you mean by that?!- Said Uryuu in a slightly challenging tone. 

- If I had bad genetics, I might worry, but I was fortunate enough to be blessed with both amazing looks and talent. No need for concern, right, Emi-chan?"

Emi, one of his childhood friends from the same orphanage who had joined the academy, found herself the target of Homura's teasing. As he winked at her, the young lady blushed, a reaction not surprising given Homura's flirtatious tendencies.

 Eh! Don't be shy now!

Much to everyone's surprise, Homura abandoned his food, opting to rub his cheek against Emi's and enveloping her in an unexpectedly tight hug. Emi, taken aback, let out a startled scream.

-Hyaaaa!!!!!

Emi, released a scream that was filled with horror...but her blushing face seemed to indicate that she was not as displeased as she might have seemed.

The unusual display shocked everyone present, especially considering Emi's naturally shy disposition.

-H-O-M-U-R-A!- Saya's exasperated cry cut through the stunned silence.

Unable to tolerate Homura's antics any longer, Saya seized him by the collar, effortlessly lifting him off the ground.

-Ha... Ha! I'm sorry. I won't do it again, I swear! Believe me!...Look in my eyes, am I not serious?

Homura said and strained his face to appear more serious. 

-....

Though Saya's face was seemingly unconvinced or perhaps she never planned to let him go. 

*5 MINUTES LATER*

A battered and bruised Homura sat in a different seat, nursing his wounds in silence. A black eye adorned his face, a testament to the consequences of his mischievous behavior. The once lively atmosphere had shifted to quiet contemplation as Homura silently consumed his meal, the effects of Saya's reprimand still lingering.

- There are five of us here, it can't be a coincidence.

Said Toshio, in a exasperated tone, trying to convey his plans for the future. 

- We could easily form a team with the 5 of us, when we become ninjas, by the end of the year.

- I work alone. I have no plan to babysit any of you idiots. 

Said Uryuu slightly annoyed by the implications made by Toshio. 

- Well, I am not really against forming a team but is that even allowed?

Zen spoke in a soft and composed voice which betrayed the image someone with his size and muscle mass may have.

- I-I mean, probably. 

- But I thought missions were given by the Hokage-sama, isn't he the one to decide who goes on missions?

It was now Saya's turn to question, Toshio's plans about going on mission as a large group.

- Hm...(Well, these guys are pretty clueless...but she's the closest one to get it right... she's smarter than those 3 idiots.)

Homura who knew how missions were usually assigned and had watched enough of the original show to get an idea was pretty much indifferent about thee whole debate.

- (But...now that I think about it, we never really talked about that part, Iruka, said that a team of shinobi are assigned missions by the hokage but he never really said that teams are usually created prior to being assigned a mission or after graduating the academy.)

It was in fact somewhat true. The teams that were assigned after graduation were only temporary teams. There's nothing that said that teams could not be disbanded, unless key personnel were expressively chosen to take part in a certain mission. 

But even then, the choice usually fell on the individual but refusing the orders of the hokage was something few would ever choose to do so. 

- What do you think, Homura?

Toshio asked the silent Homura, who was busy eating slowly and contemplating the future. 

- Huh?

- About going on lots of missions together, so that we can make more money, easily of course.

Homura hearing Toshio's claims was very confused once again. If prior to that he wasn't paying attention, now he was confused for a whole other reason.

- I...(Should I tell them?...No. If no one at the academy said something yet...and their parents... there may be some stupid rule about that...and that might come to bite me in the ass. ) Well, I don't really care.

- What!? Don't you always cry about not making enough money of all people?

Homura could understand about what Toshio was saying.

As an orphan he was given the bare minimum at the orphanage and now his situation had hardly improved.

After ending their tenure at the academy, they would have a probation time to get on their feet, but that wasn't supposed to last forever. 

It was clear that the bills they had, would be soon on their shoulders fully. 

- Well, even if you tell me that...I don't think it would matter anyway. (That's right. There's about a year until Orochimaru attacks the village....going into debt or being homeless is the least of our problems.)

If everything occurred as it had happened in the original timeline, Homura had no doubt that making money from missions would be the least of their problems. 

The death toll in the manga may not have seemed that impressive, however, just by thinking carefully about it, it was clear that it was an event that would shake Konohagakure's foundation. 

In fact, it would even force genins to take on more dangerous types of missions, than they usually are given. 

Not just because of the death toll but from the village having to recoup the losses and trust they suffered. Shinobi did not just have a duty to their village but homeland as well. A shinobi village only exists if they are beneficial to the land they inhabit and to some degree, the powers that control that land. 

The attack initiated by Orochimaru, would force defenses of the land to become sharper around the borders but also weaker within the mainland.

At least, it was the conclusion Homura took from that event and the overall opportunities it brought to him.

- (My goal now is to protect these guys...but how could I do that concretely?)

As the conversation raged on, Homura's classmates seemed busy discussing their future endeavors but to Homura who knew the consequences of the events in the near future; his true goals lied somewhere else.

If Homura was to form a team with the people currently present, he would be somewhat able to influence the path ahead.

One more person that Homura truly cared about was also in danger, but Homura had faith that nothing could happen to them.

Unlike his civilian acquaintances he could do nothing about that.

- (If I use my sharingan to cast a genjutsu or just knock them out, I could make sure most are out of the way...the guys at the orphanage shouldn't be going to the center that day....but these guys...)

Homura looked at his friends from the orphanage one more time, carefully analyzing how he could get them out of danger in the near future. 

It wouldn't be easy.

They definitely could become genins, at least if their skills are put to question.

Homura had no idea how far ahead in their training and fighting capabilities his friends truly amounted, however, from the little he saw he had no doubt they were good.

- (Toshio is now in the 7th position when it comes to overall fighting capabilities, he's definitely good.)

It was hard for Homura to admit it, but if he was just a normal child, he had no doubt that he would be less talented than Toshio. 

Toshio was a brand of genius, few could compare. He wasn't outstanding such as examples like Kakashi or Itachi level of prodigy. He couldn't even compare to Sasuke in his opinion but he definitely had a chance of becoming much stronger in Homura's mind.

He then looked at Zen, but he knew it was overall meaningless, although he had potential to become a strong fighter. They had no class together for a while thus it was meaningless to think about it too deeply.

- (So that leaves, Saya and...Uryuu...)

Saya was strong and she was training to be a medic in the future, or at least that path existed for her. She was overall a good match.

- (Uryuu's dexterity is almost as good as mine, he could be useful as well...if he and Saya were to be put on my team I would have very little to care about.)

Homura thought, as he remembered Uryuu's performance during practice battles, he was the 5th best fighter in their class, Homura had no doubt about it, he was even better with a blade, thus, he could potentially be much better in general.

- Guys. Guys. Don't worry too much.

- Huh? -

Almost everyone present looked at Homura with a look of surprise and confusion. 

 - Anyways, if any of you happens to be in this handsome devil's team, you will be safe. Believe it!-

- Hm, do you have crow's feet on outer corners of your eyes? - Asked Toshio inquiring.

-...I've been wondering about that as well for some time. You should sleep more.- added Zen. 

- What the!? It's genetics! And they are not crow's feet! - Yelled Homura, not content about having his appearance being questioned. It was a touchy subject. That he had small lines on the corner of his eyes. They were faint but nonetheless present. 

He had inquired about it through, C, only to be told that it was genetic and there was nothing he could do about it.

Thankfully, he was told that the likely of it growing further was minimal. But it was certainly a blemish for Homura; who started to care about his appearance.

- I-I do think...they make you look cool- Said Emi in a shy voice.

- Really? And what is this nonsense about those being genetic? He has those because he spends his nights outside doing who knows what...it is no wonder he would end up with something reflecting his lack of sleep.- Said Saya.

- It is not a lack of sleep! These are really genetic.- Homura said in a an annoyed voice. 

- Hmph! What utter nonsense. - Uryuu was the first to dismiss Homura's claims as he put down his bowl of food and left some money on the table before grabbing his sword and leave.

- Rude. (What's his problem?) - Homura said in an annoyed tone. 

- Well, I expected that to happen but...- Uttered Zenkishi.

- Yeah...I guess. But Homura's stupid claim made it happen sooner than I thought.-

- Hey! What the hell I was being serious!- said Homura in an annoyed voice, he did not enjoy to be made light of. 

- Yeah, we know and that's what sad about it. - Said Toshio in a serious tone.

- Watch it! - Homura responded in kind.

- Homura... Are you even serious about making money? You know that in the future you will have to take care of your own expanses right?- 

- What are you, my mom now? Of course I know that much! - Homura yelled.

- Then tell me, why are you always broke?!

Toshio's question stung, and Homura did not want to answer that question b

- He's always buying junk play around with it.- Said Saya in a seemingly tired voice. 

- Hey! All that buy is what I need to-! No, I don't need to tell you anything, screw you!- Homura said out loud which immediately regretted.

- H-O-M-U-R-A... You want to die today, huh? This is serious.- Saya uttered his named while cracking her knuckles. 

- Tch! - Homura seeing no way he could get out of this just sat down once again. The reason as to why he accepted this invitation was not only because it was Zen's birthday but they were all going to have a serious discussion after it.

But so far he was neither impressed by the contents of the discussion or by the overall implications it brought forth. 

How could he so easily tell them the truth, or that he planned on maybe not joining a team whatsoever. 

He planned on becoming independent, after all having to be a member of a squad was not the only path available.

There were many alternative routes, but all Homura wanted, was simply to prepare in order to await that faithful day. 

He was sure enough that his skills would take him far. If he was given the time to properly train during that time, even taking the chunin exams with a make-shift team was good enough.

There would be no time to bother chasing cats or other nonsensical genin appointed training missions. 

Homura, immersed in his meal, is interrupted by the unmistakable sound of a child's laughter. His attention is piqued as a boy with a long scarf zooms around at high speed.

Something about that boy reminded him of someone he knew, no, the boy seemed familiar but Homura was somewhat certain they had never interacted. 

He was certainly not from his former orphanage.

Homura's interest remains dormant until he catches wind of someone yelling, "Wait up Konohamaru!"

HOMURA -(leaning in, intrigued) Konohamaru? Where have I heard that before?-

Homura watches the child, deeming him idiotic, a flashback to encounters with a familiar face—Naruto.

The scene gains a new player, a boy wearing glasses. Homura barely acknowledges the addition, considering it a typical street spectacle.

- (The h*ll are those stupid brats doing?)

Returning to his meal, Homura dismissively dubs the duo "stupid brats," assuming the scene has played out. His focus returns to his food until a girl arrives, urging the boys to wait. Her vibrant orange hair doesn't register with Homura, who maintains his indifference.

Suddenly, alarms blare in Homura's mind, and C's voice echoes.

C (alarmingly) Potential target "Moegi" spotted. Ninety-four percent match.

Homura's exhaustion transforms into immediate concern.

Homura - Match? What the hell is this about? - Thought Homura with little concern.

C, then shows Homura a picture of the target in question, which Homura, who was not fully invested the situation was quite apathetic.

HOMURA (fumbling) - Moegi... Wood release? Wait, where have I—

In a slapstick twist, Homura spews his mouthful of food onto Toshio, who sits nearby.

TOSHIO (disgruntled) Dude! What the hell!?

HOMURA (sputtering) Moegi, wood release... I-I need to go!

Homura hastily abandons his meal, leaving Toshio behind, utterly confused.

- Did he just leave chasing around a group of kids?

-hm, I did hear that he bullies children or scams of their pocket money or something... It's not very clear but it's Homura. it's probably very weird or he's up to no good. Or both, it's probably both.

- ... You guys don't actually think that he's going to hurt them, right? - Said Zen in a confused look. 

- Homura, hm... I think I will have a talk with him later.- Said Saya as she showed a terrifying smile. 

*Yikes*(Toshi and Zen)

 Homura started running after Moegi, but as he was about to soon catch up to her he start to jump higher and higher on surfaces all around him until he found himself on top of a building rooftop.

He then crouched and started to pay attention to the surrounding areas around him.

The streets were packed with locals and seemingly non-locals going about their business. But from so high up he could see more or less everyone from below, especially a girl with orange-like hair color but also slightly leaning on a shade of blond.

- (Four years... Four goddamn long years! It's almost half of the time I've spent living in this world).

Spending so much time within his mind had made the passage of time a bit complicated for Homura.

Although he has been searching for that particular target for over 4 years, it felt much longer inside Homura's mind but his brain didn't feel it being that long.

The figures of a boy with an oversize scarf, a girl with orange hair color and a boy with glasses and snot coming out of his left nostril.

They were not important, they were not showing in Homura's database. 

There was no doubt in his mind, it was them.

It was Konohamaru's group of friends.

Although they all looked more different from what Homura remembered, they were after all about 2 to 3 years younger than the depictions homura had in mind, but he had forced himself to recognize their facial figures as to not forget his target so there was little doubt in Homura's mind that it was them.

Homura - Ok C...What's the plan?- Homura asked internally.

C- These are the current solutions.- said C as he showed several plans.

Which made Homura eyes go wild, C's plans were... to put in better words, ranged from insane to bat-sh*t crazy. 

Homura - W-What the hell C!? You do know that if I follow those crazy plans of yours I won't just be imprisoned if anyone finds out but I will be going to jail, right? 

C - According to previous actions taken by host, laws have been deemed to be unnecessary to be followed or respected.- C, explained its reasoning.

Homura - That's because I was a stupid kid, C! I am old enough to pay taxes and run a business, it won't end well if I tried to kidnap anyone or any of the things you just mentioned. Do you know what they do to guys my age who are ninjas in jail?! - rebutted Homura.

C- According to my data it will start with Host be-! 

Homura - It was rhetorical! I don't need you to explain it to me...(Prisons in this world are crazy...) I don't have time to adjust your settings to something more sensible, (Not when my golden goose is right in front of me,) just give me a non-lethal, non-compromising solution.

C - According to host current abilities, genjutsu is the best option. 

Homura - Genjutsu? Hmm, I have never used genjutsu on a human before. Especially not a child. I have no idea what that could do to a child's psyche...besides using it on a little girl...(Yeah, no matter how it sounds, it feels shady. Though I..was a shady but that feels a step too far. Besides I could end up doing something wrong...though I would like to know more about her, especially her family. )

For Moegi to be able to use a kekkei genkai, it was rather strange. That kekkei genkai, wood release was something normally only available to Ootsutsukis or their descendants from the Senju line.

Currently, within this world, only those within the Senju clan; should have the possibility to even awaken such abilities. 

It wasn't outright impossible that the child had some tie to the Senjus, especially Hashirama Senju, the first hokage.

The only Senju clan member being actively promoted or referred to be alive and who was more or less active was Tsunade; even though she wasn't performing as a ninja any longer.

However, tracing Moegi's lineage to the first Hokage was difficult, especially, since it was unlikely that Hashirama's direct bloodline had any other descendant currently alive other than Tsunade.

And Tsunade's brother, died when he was a child what seemed to be during the 2nd or before the third ninja war.

So Homura was slightly confused as to why that child had managed to be born with such abilities according to his memories. Even if she was born with a mutation that made her be able to somewhat fuse both water and earth release together, you'd most likely get mud release rather than wood release.

Not something as outrageous as wood release. 

Homura - This shouldn't be that hard.- thought Homura as he kept leaping around the rooftop of several buildings as he kept tabs on the children he was following.

He made sure to maintain a certain degree of distance between himself and the children he was spying on.

He felt that it was somewhat the right decision and he couldn't just try to kidnap one out of 3 children, the others would likely report such a thing if it were to occur. 

Homura - (I am about to become a shinobi and I can't even think of a good way to separate kids from each other... though, I don't think we ever had a lesson about such a specific situation. I should first wait until they are tired and find out where she lives first...that way I can have an idea where she normally hangs out.) thought Homura as he looked at the children now playing at a park. 

It both reminded himself of when he was younger and without a care in the world and how far he had fallen.

Leaning against a metal railing on a random rooftop Homura couldn't believe that he was now hesitating in taking action. 

Just a few years prior, he wouldn't hesitate as much unless it was dangerous, but now it seemed that morality was a factor he was concerned with.

Unlike the others, Homura had no other choice but to take a large sample of genetic data from the child playing down below. Such as a skin sample or a tiny amount of flesh. 

The same way Madara took from Hashirama.

It was his best chance to become much stronger, and with his current body it would be easy to incorporate such thing. It could end up allowing himself to gain the ability to use wood release.

It wasn't just pure speculation any longer, he had already been able to regain his energy from eating much faster after incorporating Choji's DNA. It took a few years for him to see a difference and even to this day there wasn't that much of difference, but it did work. 

Thus, the chances of wood release being available to him was not just a hypothesis, but how long it would take until his body adapts to it was anyone's guess.

Even if Moegi was a Senju, or truly had access to wood release, she wasn't Hashirama Senju.

That much was clear. 

Not even Naruto, who was the current incarnation of Ashura was on the level of having chakra reserves and the healing factor; and overall pure genius of Hashirama Senju.

The man who had won against Uchiha Madara. The man seen as the strongest member of the Uchiha clan in recent time. Whose name was enough to drag the entire world into a world war. 

Homura - ( Hashirama Senju, huh?...)

Thought Homura as he looked at the stone face of the first hokage.

Homura - (I guess even someone like you had to compromise your feelings for your goals... though, I don't have the strength or lack of morals to hurt an innocent child )... *sigh* This is...This hard. I really ain't cut out for this...

Chapter end.