Game of Shadows by Adrian King1

Chapter 112

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

Cover Art: Kissuli.

Chapter 112

"I don't think I have to remind you to be careful, do I?" Hiruzen said then, taking a drag from his pipe. Like usual, he looked entirely too tired. Eiji could certainly sympathize. The boy wondered how many things the old man was trying to do at once.

Judging by the fact that he'd barely seen any of the Jounin-sensei in a while, Eiji was pretty sure that there were lots of plates being balanced. That and some of the papers Danzo had given him told a very complicated picture of the world as it was. It was no wonder there was always something to do.

"At least it's not Akatsuki right now," Hachi pointed out, to which he agreed.

"Don't cause an international incident unless you have to, got it," Eiji said, a small smirk on his face. Normally, he'd have looked more... professional before. As it was, time and missions had made him care a lot less about that nonsense. He'd get the job done anyway and they knew it, why would he go through the trouble of ruining his own mood while at it? It didn't make sense.

"It'd be better to not cause an international incident at all," Tsunade commented, but he knew everyone in the room got what he meant. Kumo wasn't known to be very flexible, if at all. Chances were that he'd have to deal with trouble in some way and he could only do his best to keep things peaceful.

With things as they were, it was unlikely though. Not without offending either the Stone or the Cloud. Someone would have to get smacked and all things considered, Kumo looked like a proper target.

"Your successor seems to be... a little too hopeful, old man," Eiji commented. "And she's not as young as she looks. Maybe you can still find someone else. Like Naruto."

That earned him snorts from basically everyone, except one very expected person.

"Kumo will realize that we've captured their Jinchuuriki once you make an appearance anywhere," Danzo said then, and Eiji made sure to give him all his attention, even as his expression would remind some people of the Naras. "So, you'll have to start working fast. Kumo won't stay idle once they realize that their Jinchuriki has been captured."

"I've already started preparing people in our borders," Hiruzen told him then, taking over. "I only need you to take care of the issues in Iwa, especially because-"

"Because the Stone could start a war with the Cloud and we don't want that, yeah, I guessed. And it needs to be me because I'm the only one they won't give trouble to," Eiji finished, waiting for someone to tell him his guesses were wrong. When no one did, he chuckled to himself. "Because where's the fun if there's not a major threat in sight, right?" He asked with a roll of his eyes.

"Good luck," Hiruzen said, to which he snorted.

"See you later, old man. Try not to have another one of these missions when I come back, yeah? It'd be appreciated," Eiji commented as he gave everyone a wry smile.

"Don't you know, Fearless Leader," Tayuya mock whispered. "We are the only ones that do shit around here." Making sure his three superiors weren't actually offended by the redhead, he shook his head.

"You are not wrong about that. Now, let's go before they find something else to dump on us," Eiji said, nodding towards the door.

"Eiji," Tsunade called as he turned to leave. "Don't push your luck, kid."

"I don't even have luck, guys, but the sentiment is appreciated," He said, not turning around as he walked out.

"So, back out there, huh?" Kabuto said once they were all outside and Eiji could only sigh.