Game of Shadows by Adrian King1

chapter 13

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor The Gamer. I own nothing, really.

Chapter 13

The week following the mid-term exams was an… interesting one, to say the least.

First of all, was the weekend. Naruto and I spent it half at Shika's and half at Chouji's, only going back home to sleep. Shino also informed us that his father gave us permission to visit if we wanted to. We would have gone there, but considering how Shino was and what little he had told us about his family, we decided against it for the weekend. We were all celebrating our results after all, no need to bother the quiet family with our celebrations.

After Naruto got over his surprise, he had been happy to shout his fifth place to anyone that listened, and also those who didn't. Chouji had been quite happy with his progress too even if he hadn't made it to the general top five. Even Shikamaru and Shino seemed happy, in their own way. The former by smiling instead of smirking from time to time, and Shino, the most difficult to tell, was much more proactive in his interactions.

Even the parents were showing their excitement. Shikamaru's and Chouji's mothers both pulled me aside to thank me for getting their sons to train more seriously. It had been an awkward conversation for me and I could only scratch the back of my head as I told them it was nothing. Moments like that made me feel like the child I was supposed to be. Even Shikaku and Chouza showed their appreciation, even if I was treated to a beating at Shogi by the former while they were at it.

Outside of our little group, I even got to see even more excitement from Ino at the gathering of the three clans that Saturday. Hilariously, she was as enthusiastic about her first place as my blond brother in all but blood was with his fifth. And it was funny too, that the one embarrassed by me pointing that out was the Yamanaka instead of the Uzumaki.

It was after those two happy days that the first surprise came my way. I was simply sitting at our table with a cup of tea while Naruto slept early, for once. I had a smile on my face considering everything that would change from then on. I would start working with the Yamanaka, probably gaining one more skill at the very least. And Iruka-sensei would start my chakra training early. That was what I had been looking forward to ever since I woke up in this world. Even if I tried to avoid it to escape unnecessary attention. Attention that I had gotten either way, apparently.

A knock on the door made me narrow my eyes. Our friends wouldn't come at this hour. And nobody else visited us. Danzo, or whoever left the note with Kobu's name wouldn't knock either. I considered simply leaving it and act as if I was asleep too, just to be on the safe side. In the end, I sighed, telling myself that I was being overly paranoid for no reason. What had someone to gain for attacking us? I had gained attention but no so much and certainly not negative, besides associating with Naruto. I did pause for a second as a certain Inuzuka's face flashed through my mind before shaking my head.

"Hokage-sama." I breathed out as my eyes widened.

"Good evening, Eiji-kun. I do believe I've told you before to relax." The leader of the village said good-naturedly and I gave a wry smile at that.

"I'll do my best, Sarutobi-sama." I replied nervously while inviting him inside. The elder man let out a chuckle with an amused expression in his face.

"If I may ask, why do you find it so difficult to just call me Hiruzen?" He asked, as if it wasn't obvious.

"I'm just an Academy Student." I said while I 'guided' him to the table. "And a clanless orphan too. And you are the Hokage on top of being the Head of an important clan. I think it's pretty obvious, Sarutobi-sama. Can I get you some tea or something else?" I asked as he took a seat.