The Adventurous Gamer Ninja - Daichi Hekima

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The minister tried to pull away, but the invisible chakra strings held him in place. "Get your hands off me!" Kuroda spat, fear creeping into his voice.

The disguised Daichi's gaze was cold. "It's time to see what secrets you're hiding." A moment later he activated the Mind Reading Jutsu on the tied up man.

The world around him blurred and dissolved as he delved into the minister's consciousness. Moments later, he found himself standing in front of an elegant, well-maintained mansion.

'So this is his mental landscape.' Daichi observed. 'It's much more structured than Tomomi's. This must be his childhood home.'

He slowly walked but suddenly a barrier appeared around the house. It shimmered in a purple color as Daichi reached out to touch it. He quickly analyzed the defense and understood its mechanics.

'A little bit stronger than the standard mental barrier. But not something Orochimaru placed. Makes sense. If I was the minister I wouldn't trust that snake to tamper with my mind either… It really was a good thing I raided Danzo's base. With the Yamanaka jutsu, breaking through these will be easy.'

Daichi got to work identifying the weakness of the barrier. He quickly broke through without triggering any redundancies set in place.

'Time to see what you have guarded in your head.'

He walked in and observed every inch of the place. The mansion exuded wealth and sophistication. High ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers, marble floors polished to a sheen and walls lined with exquisite artwork. Daichi moved through the grand foyer, taking in the opulence.

He noticed numerous shelves neatly filled with scrolls and books. Each one was meticulously labeled and organized. 'A disciplined mind. It's impressive that his memories are so organized. Well, for a civilian anyway.'

However, as Daichi looked around more closely he saw that scattered among the pristine shelves were also tables piled with disheveled stacks of papers and dusty tomes.

'Those must be his old, unwanted memories.' Daichi deduced. 'Ones he'd rather forget.'

He approached one of the cluttered tables, picking up a worn book. Flipping it open, he skimmed the pages but found nothing of immediate relevance. Placing it back, he turned his attention to the neatly arranged shelves.

'I need to find memories from the last few months.'

He ran his fingers along the spines of the scrolls until one caught his eye. A scroll emanating a faint glow. Pulling it from the shelf, he unrolled it carefully. As he read, the environment around him shifted.

—-

Daichi stood in a lavish office adorned with dark wood and rich fabrics. The scent of expensive incense lingered in the air. It was January, three months prior.

Kuroda paced back and forth and his face was contorted with anger. "Years of planning, all undone by that meddling fool Ishida!" he fumed. 'How could I lose the bidding war for the northern lands to him?'

"Damn it!" He slammed his fist onto a heavy mahogany desk, causing a jade paperweight to topple over. 'Those lands were crucial for expansion! This loss will set me back years.'

Daichi stood nearby and watched silently, noting the minister's frustration. He looked around the room and noticed nothing out of the ordinary until he caught a small movement in the corner. 'He's here.'

Suddenly, a low, mocking laughter echoed from the shadows of the room.

Kuroda snapped his head up. "Who's there?" he demanded, his eyes scanning the dim corners.

From the darkness, a figure emerged with an unsettling grace. Pale skin, long black hair, and eyes like slits of molten gold. Orochimaru stepped forward, his lips curling into a sinister smile.

"Good evening, Minister Kuroda," Orochimaru hissed. "You seem troubled."

Daichi's face tightened as he looked at the man. And even though it was just a figure in a memory, the young Genin couldn't help but get slightly angry. But he immediately composed himself and watched the events playout.

Kuroda looked at the man puzzled, not instantly recognizing him but several seconds later his eyes widened. Fear and disbelief crossed his features as he looked at the other man. "Y-you… You're Orochimaru... the missing nin from the Hidden Leaf." he uttered.

Regaining some composure, he immediately yelled. "Guards! Guards!"

Kuroda looked between his door and Orochimaru and waited for his ninjas to get in but nothing happened. Silence answered him.

Orochimaru chuckled softly. "No need to shout. Your guards are merely... resting. Unharmed, I assure you."

Kuroda swallowed hard. "What do you want?" he asked, attempting to mask his apprehension. "If you do anything to me-"

"Relax, Minister. Huhuhu… At this rate you might have a heart attack." Orochimaru chuckled and replied.

Sweat poured down the minister's cheek and he gulped as he was face to face with a known ruthless criminal.

"Why are you here? What do you want with me?" The minister asked again.

"I've come to offer you a proposition," Orochimaru replied smoothly. "One that could provide you with far more opportunities than the ones you seek now.."

Daichi who was watching this scene frowned. 'There's no way the timing of his visit is a coincidence. Orochimaru must have wanted to meet the minister after he had suffered his defeat at the auction. That way the minister would be more willing. That snake sure knows how to push people's buttons.'

Hearing Orochimaru's words the minister narrowed his eyes. "Why would someone like you be interested in me?"

Orochimaru began to circle the room leisurely. "Because I see potential in you. An ambitious man willing to take what he wants. A man dissatisfied with the limitations placed upon him."

Kuroda crossed his arms and scoffed. "Hmph! You think I'm willing to work with a disgusting criminal like you? What a bad joke!"

The Snake Sannin only chuckled as he heard that insult. "Hihihi… A disgusting criminal huh? Well, it's not the worst thing someone's called me… Regardless, I have a feeling you'll be interested in my offer after you hear it."

Kuroda shook his head and looked at the man with slight anger. "Don't think you know me very well, Orochimaru. I'm the Minister of the Land of Earth. I can have this entire nation hunt you down with just a few words. I'm not like those weak prey you killed in the Hidden Leaf."

Orochimaru gazed at the man silently for a few moments before he began chuckling. "Hihihihihi… You really have an over inflated sense of yourself don't you?" His golden eyes showed a hint of his true inner self.

The next moment, for the minister it felt as if he was sinking into a black swamp. The room shifted and all Kuroda could see was darkness and a feeling of sinking. His body was being swallowed by the ground each second.

Panic rose in the minister's heart and he tried to fight it. He looked down and suddenly saw the silhouette of a giant black snake with its mouth open, ready to eat him.

The Minister instantly became petrified and his mind shut down for a second as he experienced the terrifying scene. 'I'm… I'm going to die.'

There was no other thought in his mind. Suddenly he felt a hand on his right shoulder and darkness around him instantly vanished. The minister was back in his room and he saw Orochimaru standing in front of him with his arm firmly on his shoulder. The man looked into those strange eyes and saw nothing but death, pain and misery to those who opposed him.

Orochimaru looked into Kuroda's eyes and spoke in a soft tone. "We all think that we're predators. And then we meet someone unexpected on our journey and we learn a very valuable lesson... We are all wrong.''

The Sannin took his hand off the minister's shoulder and Kuroda immediately fell to his knees. He coughed several times and took several deep breaths of air. Seconds later this body shook and he puked.

Orochimaru, having expected such a reaction, had moved away. He was silent and allowed the minister to get his bearings.

Daichi, who was watching the whole scene nodded to himself. 'I have to admit. He really knows how to scare the shit out of people.'

"Are you ready to hear what I have to say Minister? Or are you going to waste my time with more threats?" The Missing ninja from the Leaf village asked with an amused face.

Kuroda finally got himself under control and stood. "What… do you want from me?" He asked. There was unmistakable nervousness in his tone.

Orochimaru's gaze locked onto Kuroda's. "I require assistance in acquiring certain technologies from the Land of Snow. And a secure area under your control where I can build a lab."

Daichi's eyes widened as this was the very information he was looking for. He paid even closer attention to the memory and listened closely to every word.

The Minister frowned. 'Advanced technology and a lab? Why does he need me for that?'

"I'm sure a man like you has ways to get such machines and build facilities. So why me?" Kuroda asked after some hesitation.

"I need a space away from prying eyes. And the materials I need… It needs to be brought in discreetly."

Kuroda was silent as he listened to the wants of the man. He then crossed his arms and mustered the strength his position gave him. "And what do I get out of this in return? And don't tell me you'll spare my life, because that won't be enough to make me work with you."

"Haha… See, didn't I say it. An ambitious man willing to take what he wants." Orochimaru chuckled and spoke.

The minister stayed silent and didn't retort. He wanted to know what the man in front of him was willing to give him.

"Yes. I do have something in mind for you. You can consider this a partnership. In exchange for helping me, I can give you power beyond your dreams. How about it, minister?" Orochimaru's words were like elixir.

The minister wanted to know more. "I'm listening."

"People think living a good healthy long life is what's important. I have a different view. I'd say living forever and exploring the secrets of the world is the best way to live."

Kuroda's eyes widened. He was no fool. He quickly grasped what the man was trying to sell him. But he was skeptical. "Immortality? But that's impossible."

"For others maybe. For me, not so much."

Kuroda was shocked by the raw admission. Orochimaru could see the greed slowly growing in the man's eyes. He continued. "Not just immortality. I can make you as strong as a Kage level ninja. And then with my help even the position of Daimyo would be in your hands."

"What?" Kuroda's breath caught. "The Daimyo? But that's treason."

"Only if you're caught," Orochimaru countered slyly. "With my help, you could rule this land. And perhaps... achieve immortality."

"Power and immortality?" Kuroda's voice echoed. His skepticism was evident.

"Yes." Orochimaru nodded. "I've delved into the deepest secrets of ninjutsu. Extending life indefinitely is within reach. But for that, forbidden research is required. And that's where the Hokage and I had disagreements and I had to leave the village."

The minister hesitated, temptation warring with caution. "And hypothetically if I were interested, what would you need from me?"

"Resources," Orochimaru answered. "Discretion. Access to certain channels that only someone of your stature possesses."

Kuroda began to pace again, his mind racing. "Aligning with you is risky. If anyone discovered that I was working with you..."

"Think of what you stand to gain," Orochimaru interrupted. "Your recent loss would be inconsequential compared to the power you'd wield."

"Why me? Why here in the Land of Earth? Why not someone from the other nations?" The minister wanted to know why Orochimaru selected him and his country for his plans.

"I've been studying many like you for a while now. A man with great ambition and interests is easier to work with than someone who is not. That's not to say the rest aren't ambitious. It's just, I've selected this land because it's hostile to the Leaf and the Land of Fire and you're the most suitable one here… For now you'll have to be satisfied with that answer." Orochimaru replied with a smile.

There was a long pause. Finally, Kuroda faced him. "Give me some time to consider."

Orochimaru inclined his head. "Of course. But don't take too long. Opportunities like this are fleeting."

As swiftly as he had appeared, Orochimaru melted back into the shadows, leaving the minister alone with his thoughts.

The memory faded and Daichi found himself back in the mental mansion. 'So that's how it began. Orochimaru preyed on his ambition during a moment of vulnerability.'

He moved deeper into the mansion, seeking more recent memories. Passing by a grand staircase, he noticed a door slightly ajar, a faint light seeping through. Curiosity piqued, he pushed it open.

Inside was a study filled with maps and documents strewn across a large table. Approaching it, he saw plans outlining shipments from the Land of Snow, along with notes bearing Orochimaru's seal.

'Evidence of their continued collaboration.' Daichi noted.

He reached for another glowing scroll on the desk. Unfurling it, the surroundings shifted once more.

—-

Kuroda sat in his office and was looking over several documents. As he absorbed the information from those papers he spoke in a hushed tone with a nearby figure.

Daichi looked at the man who was respectfully standing near the minister and quickly identified him. 'So he's Wapoji. Kuroda's known intermediary.'

"Everything is proceeding as planned." Wapoji whispered to his master. "The shipments will arrive as a non priority cargo supply. But I have additional men guarding it discreetly. They'll be moving through these areas." He said pointing to a map.

Daichi immediately came near the minister and memorized the map and routes. 'These routes look like underground tunnels.'

"Good," Kuroda replied, clasping his fingers. "Ensure there are no delays." He spoke as he studied the map.

Daichi could hear the minister's thoughts.

'So this is where you're building your lab huh. Creating a hidden facility in that area. It's quite brilliant. A barren land where no one goes. Perfect. Even if it is at the edge of my territory, no one will know.'

"Make sure to keep a low profile and I want every shipment to move undetected." Kuroda ordered.

"Yes… I'll get it done... My Lord, may I ask, why the sudden interest in these technologies from the Land of Snow?" He asked Kuroda.

"Hmm, all I can say is that I'm indulging someone. If the outcome is as expected then there will be rich rewards for everyone. Right now, that's all you need to know."

"Of course my lord." Wapoji nodded before slipping away into the darkness.

—-

The scene dissolved, bringing Daichi back to the study within the minister's mind.

'He's a big part of this conspiracy and certainly no unwilling participant. And he's using his authority to facilitate Orochimaru's plans.' Daichi realized. 'I need to find more about Orochimaru's current operations.'

Scanning the room, he spotted a locked cabinet. With a mere thought, it opened and revealed an ominous red scroll. As he touched it another memory unfolded.

—-

Kuroda sat at a grand desk carved from dark mahogany, his fingers lightly drumming on the polished surface. His eyes held slight fear but the minister tried not to show that emotion on his face. Across from him was Orochimaru. He looked calm yet exuded an unmistakable heavy presence.

"I've considered your proposal," Kuroda began, his voice steady. "But if I'm to risk everything, I need to know how you plan to make me the Daimyo of the Land of Earth."

Orochimaru's lips curved into a sly smile. "Patience, Minister. All in due time. Power of such magnitude isn't granted lightly."

Kuroda leaned forward. "I've provided you with resources, discreet passages, and turned a blind eye to your operations. I require more than vague assurances."

Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed. "Very well. Tell me, what do you know of the First Hokage?"

Kuroda arched an eyebrow. "Hashirama Senju? Only that he's a legend. A man who shaped the very foundation of the shinobi world. But he's been dead for decades. How does he relate to our arrangement?"

"He is the key… The First Hokage was so powerful he became known as the God of Shinobi. There was only one who could come close to matching Hashirama in power but in the end even he too failed. The First Hokage is the man who single handedly changed the era."

Kuroda could hear admiration in Orochimaru's voice. But he knew it wasn't Hashirama's personality that Orochimaru was drawn to but his power. The Snake Sannin was fascinated by the man's god-like strength.

A low chuckle escaped Orochimaru's throat. "As I said, his blood is the key, Minister. The key to achieving unparalleled power."

Kuroda frowned slightly. "You're speaking in riddles. Even if he was that strong, what could you possibly do with the blood of a man long dead? I'm sure your village must have already conducted some experiments trying to replicate his power. And I would have heard about it if there were wood style users running about. So the fact that I haven't means those experiments were a failure."

"Hahaha… You're quite clever. Yes, the village tried to bring back that power but they failed." Orochimaru stepped closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "And while Hashirama himself is gone, his lineage persists. His granddaughter, Tsunade Senju, carries the purest form of his bloodline."

Daichi felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of Tsunade.

Kuroda's eyes narrowed. "Tsunade Senju... one of your former teammates, is she not? You intend to involve her? Can you really go through with it?"

"Indeed. Besides, I've let go of those bonds long ago." Orochimaru replied smoothly.

Daichi, who was watching everything, couldn't help but become furious. 'You bastard. If anything happens to them I'll make you pay with far more than your life.' He controlled himself and kept watching the unpleasant memory.

"I plan to... acquire her for my experiments. With her genetic material, I can replicate the Wood Style. A power unmatched in its potential."

The Minister leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms as he considered this. "And you believe this will aid in our goals?"

"With the Wood Style at my disposal, I can create an army loyal to us alone," Orochimaru explained. "An army capable of subduing any opposition."

Kuroda tapped his fingers thoughtfully. "An army of Wood Style users... That would certainly tip the scales in my favor."

"Precisely." Orochimaru hissed. "But I require your continued support. Resources, rare bloodlines, individuals who won't be missed."

Kuroda became silent and closed his eyes as he thought it over. A few seconds later the minister met Orochimaru's gaze. "I can arrange for certain people to disappear. Those with unique abilities that might interest you."

"I knew I picked the right person." A sinister smile played on Orochimaru's lips. "Your cooperation is invaluable."

"However," Kuroda interjected, "if I'm to seize the position of Daimyo, I'll need to eliminate my rivals within the court."

Orochimaru inclined his head. "Naturally. Who poses the greatest threat?" He asked as if he didn't already know the answer to that.

"The Minister of Intelligence," Kuroda stated coldly. "He's astute and has been watching my movements closely. After Tsunade is... dealt with, I want to frame him for her disappearance. It will remove him and divert attention from us."

"A clever stratagem," Orochimaru mused. "I'm sure I can come up with some evidence to ensure his downfall."

Kuroda had a small smile and he nodded his head. "Once he's out of the way, the path to the Daimyo's seat will become clearer."

"Yet, there's still the matter of the Tsuchikage and the Hidden Stone Village," Orochimaru pointed out. "They won't take kindly to a forcible shift in power."

Kuroda's expression hardened as he thought about the old kage of the Stone village. "I know. It's why after I secure the court, we target the Tsuchikage and bring the Hidden Stone Village under my control."

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "And why risk provoking one of the Great Shinobi Villages?"

"There is no need for two rulers in the Land of Earth," Kuroda declared. "With the Hidden Stone's strength assimilated into my own, I can unify this nation completely."

"Ambitious," Orochimaru remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone. "And you believe you can achieve this?"

"You're the one who said you can create an army of capable shinobi who can subdue any opposition. So you better live up to your words." The minister said with slightly narrowed eyes. He knew the man in front of him was dangerous but he also believed that he would be safe from bodily harm.

"Hihihihi… Of course, minister. And after you've unified the Land of Earth? What will you do with all that power?" Orochimaru asked with mirth in his eyes.

"Why do you wanna know?"

"Call it curiosity."

Kuroda leaned back, his gaze distant. "Then I'll begin my campaign into the Land of Fire. Their resources are vast, and their territory is ripe for expansion."

"You want to start a war with the Land of Fire?" Orochimaru asked, his smile widening on his face.

"Yes," Kuroda affirmed. "With the combined might of our forces, we can crush them. I'll not only be the Daimyo of the Land of Earth but also the architect of a new era."

Orochimaru tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You have a bold vision. It will certainly change the balance of power in the world."

Daichi who was watching the exchange was shaking with fury. 'These bastards, these guys are willing to plunge entire nations into war for their own gain… Kuroda Michinori. You're a far greater threat than I gave you credit for.'

Orochimaru spoke again. "Very well. Now that you have your answers, I'll proceed with the necessary preparations. As for the subjects for my experiments, I trust you'll provide me with suitable candidates." The Sannin asked with a smile.

"I'll have a list prepared," Kuroda confirmed. "They will be delivered to you discreetly when the time comes."

As Orochimaru turned to leave, he paused. "One more thing, Minister."

"Yes?"

"Should any... complications arise, I trust you'll handle them with the utmost discretion."

"Naturally," Kuroda assured him.

Orochimaru had a cryptic smile on his lips. "Until we meet again then."

The memory faded, and Daichi found himself back in the mental mansion. His fists clenched tightly as he processed what he'd just witnessed.

'So that's their plan. Orochimaru wants to use Lady Tsunade to create an army of Wood Style users, while Kuroda plots to seize power and ignite a war with the Land of Fire.'

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. 'I've gathered enough from his mind. Time to act.'

Author's Note:

The idea for the rogue minister came to me after watching the Twelve ninja guardian filler arc in shippuden.

I took that idea, incorporated it into this arc and gave it my own twist. Did you guys like it?

Comment and share your thoughts.

If you enjoy my story then please take a moment to review and rate. A thumbs up always helps. 

And if you are interested in reading ahead, then checkout my patreon site. I’ve uploaded up to 30 additional chapters there…

/MonkWithAPen