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Murakami POV
Knowing people is supposed to be good. That's the universal truth, right? However, that only applies to knowing the right people. Knowing the wrong people on the other hand? Or rather, in my case, the wrong people knowing me, spelled nothing more than trouble.
Since awakening in this world, I quickly came to the realization that the probability of anyone of importance knowing me in this massive village was one in…ten thousand?
Yeah, that's right. As long as I didn't try to stand out, I could safely exist.
I was never an attention seeker, I wasn't sent to this world with a quest or to be a protagonist of a major story, only my life, and I was sure I could handle that in my own capacity.
Nothing prevented me from walking up to the Hokage tower and screaming at the top of my lungs that Tobirama Senju would die if he went on that alliance meeting with Kumogakure.
Nothing prevented me from using the knowledge I had of the future to stand out massively.
Nothing prevented me from walking to the Uchiha clan and telling them to go hook up with a Senju and birth a kid with the possibility of awakening God-Tier cheat level genes.
Nothing prevented me from doing the same with the Hyūga clan. They had Hamura's gene after all.
I could've done all those, but I didn't. Why? Because I was realistic.
I've read Fanfics during my time on Earth. Hundreds of them, and if there was something they all had in common, it was the fact that they were all Wish-Fulfilment.
The world basically bent to the wish of the self inserted protagonist who wished for mind boggling abilities before they're dumped inside the fictional reality.
I didn't get a wish granted to me. I just woke up here. I recall the embarrassing moments I spent screaming STATUS. SYSTEM. START. LOG ON. and many more embarrassing things but ended up with nothing.
I wasn't the smartest back on Earth, but I was intelligent enough, and thankfully, that intelligence followed me over to this reality and I was able to make plans regarding my life.
I mean, do you think anyone would pay attention to a four year old kid who happens to be very quiet?
Hell no.
I was an orphan and the Shinobi Village System was at its infant stages.
All orphans were scarred by the loss of their parents and were introverted…except for some unique ones like Jiraiya…he's the only one I knew who was outgoing.
Orochimaru lost his parents later so he doesn't count as a full fledged orphan like us.
There were hundreds of orphaned kids like myself so why would I stand out?
Even if I could, why should I?
The memories I had from the four year old Murakami let me understand that the bullshits shown in the anime were just that…bullshit.
If anything, this world was full time JJK on massive steroids with you not knowing when or how you'd die.
You could just be breathing leisurely while taking a stroll when a shuriken from nowhere would find itself embedded in your throat and that's it.
Or a misplaced or redirected Ninjutsu sending you to the afterlife….all without your consent.
Even the aftereffects of a Jutsu could have you sent to the afterlife.
It was not like the scene shown in the anime where despite Pain demolishing the entire village, no-one was shown to have died…I mean, can you say the same for that Shibuya incident?
No. No, you couldn't.
That was the reality of things.
And this world had no shortage of evil individuals willing to go to any length to get their desires fulfilled.
Or did you think that it was like it was shown in the anime and Hashirama felt pained enough to create this system?
Or did you think what happened to Izuna, Tobirama, Nawaki, Dan, Obito, Nagato, Rin, Kakashi and others were just…child's play?
No. No, they weren't.
This was fucking reality and one wrong move meant your death, no last minute saves, no plot armour, no nothing…just your fucking end.
Sigh. I'm getting too emotional. Now, where was I?
Ah. Getting known by the wrong people.
Tsunade Senju was a red flag from all angles of life.
There was her connection to Mito who is an Uzumaki.
That means she has connections to two prominent clans, and considering her status as Hashirama's granddaughter, all eyes were basically on her no matter where she went.
She is literally known as Konoha's princess for crying out loud!
Then there is her connection to Hiruzen, the Hokage who can't make up his mind and opted to share his power with his friends…
I mean, the Shinobi Village System is flawed in and of itself since it had no definitive system of governance.
The shinobi appointed by the previous Kage and acknowledged by the council of Jōnin becomes the Hokage.
Which means, any fucker with a good enough acting skills and connections in the right places could lead a village.
Let's not even talk about villages like Iwagakure and Kirigakure and their previous Kages.
I still don't understand how people in their right minds would follow individuals like Mu and Gengetsu so devotedly.
But then again, when you think about it, the Shinobi of this world don't think for themselves.
They are basically indoctrinated right from childhood so it's a no brainer that the world is so fucked up.
Imagine the leaders of tomorrow being unable to think…
Sigh. Look at me digressing once again.
"You know, if you'd just open your mouth, those thoughts spiralling in that head of yours would have an outlet." The nuisance in the person of the Senju princess finally opened her mouth to speak.
"I'm just trying not to get branded a rogue-nin for thinking too loud." I said in irritation but didn't let it show on my face. "Forgive me for that."
"You-!"
"I've received your sentiments, although whether it's yours or Lady Mito's is still up for debate. Nonetheless, I appreciate it." I interrupted before she could let her own irritation get the better of her.
Her personality as a kid wasn't shown very much, but from what was shown through Jiraiya's arc, I knew she had a short fuse, a contrast to the passionate young lady she would grow to become before and during the 2nd Shinobi war.
Hmm? Now that I think about it, her passionate exterior was still as a result of her short fuse…wasn't it?
Damn, I felt that cold shiver down my spine. I can't afford to spend one more second in her presence.
With that in mind, I gracefully stood up despite the effects of the poison still messing with my balance. "If there's nothing else, Hiro and Masaki would escort you down. We have work to be done."
My knees wobbled for a second, but I masked it with a stretch and a yawn.
She didn't need to see that.
I think I've shown enough courtesy to someone of her standing by even standing up.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly. Did she notice? Hard to say. Either way, it was time to end this encounter before my luck ran out completely.
Tsunade opened her mouth, probably to throw one last jab, but the sound of a throat clearing cut her off. It was Hina.
"Murakami," she said, that flat tone of hers dipping just enough to make it dangerous. "That was uncalled for."
I looked over to find her arms crossed, one brow raised, and Aiko standing beside her with a similar expression of barely restrained disapproval.
Traitors, the both of them. Don't they understand the dangers this little thing presented?
"Seiously," Aiko added, flicking a glance at Tsunade before turning back to me. "She came all the way here with concern, and you act like she's some kind of nuisance."
"She IS some kind of—" I started, but the look Hina shot at me made my words evaporate.
With a sigh, Hina turned to the Senju princess. "I apologize for his behavior, Lady Tsunade. He's not usually this rude. Or... well, not always."
I scoffed under my breath.
Hina ignored me and continued, "Would you care for a cup of tea before you head out? We just brewed a fresh pot."
No we didn't. I was sure of that. I've been here all along…haven't I?
Tsunade blinked, visibly thrown off by the shift in tone. Her lips pressed together in that way people do when they're deciding whether to accept grace or deliver a comeback.
"Tea... might be nice," she said finally, glancing my way like she'd just scored a minor victory.
I looked to the heavens…or the ceiling, close enough…and sighed. "Make it oolong," I muttered as I eased down onto a chair. "I'll need it if I'm going to survive this day."
"Come on," Hina said, grabbing Hiro and Masaki by the sleeves and steering them toward the door. "You two. With me. We're making tea."
"Huh? But I thought—" Hiro began.
"Wait, wasn't this a visit? Why are we—" Masaki tried to add.
"No talking," Hina cut in, voice clipped but not unkind. "We're moving. Now."
They were out the door in moments, Hina already barking subtle instructions as she vanished into the hallway. That left the room significantly quieter.
Aiko, to her credit, stepped in before the silence could stretch any further. She folded her hands neatly in front of her and offered Tsunade a small smile.
"You'll have to forgive him," Aiko said. "He's been a little strange all morning."
I slowly turned my head toward her.
A little strange?
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Because of the poison?"
Aiko hesitated for half a second before nodding. "Partly."
There was no need to conceal what the Senju had already deduced after all.
"That's generous," I said.
Aiko glanced at me. "You threw up three times."
"Twice."
"Three."
I narrowed my eyes at her.
Tsunade looked between us, then let out a small laugh.
"I see," she said. "So this is what you're normally like?"
"No," I said immediately.
Aiko's lips twitched. "He's lying."
I coughed.
Traitor.
I really needed to teach this girl the value of silence. It could save her life someday.
Tsunade tilted her head toward Aiko. "You seem to know him pretty well."
Aiko shrugged lightly. "I've known him for a long time."
I nodded in approval. That was it. Short, safe and exactly how the answer should have been.
I relaxed slightly only for Aiko to add, "He's always been difficult."
I stared at her.
She looked back innocently.
Women…
Tsunade covered her mouth, though she didn't quite hide her smile.
And unfortunately, it looked good on her.
The room grew quieter after that exchange, and I knew my fate was sealed.
I was already on Mito's radar, which meant antagonizing the little lady in front of me would only bring more trouble than it was worth.
Tsunade Senju was twelve. Whatever reputation she carried because of her name, she was still just a young kunoichi trying to find her place.
There was no reason to treat her as an enemy.
Nor was there any reason to treat her as anything more than that.
I would be polite. Respectful, even. If our paths crossed, I'd answer her questions when they were harmless and keep the rest to myself.
Nothing more.
No unnecessary closeness. No deliberate provocation. No reason for Mito to become more interested in whatever relationship existed between us.
Simple.
I glanced at Tsunade, who was still looking around the room with curiosity.
Just Tsunade.
Not Hashirama's granddaughter.
Not Mito's granddaughter.
Not some important figure I needed to impress.
Just a twelve-year-old kunoichi.
And I intended to keep it that way.
With that settled, I closed my eyes and leaned back against the chair.
For now, that was the safest approach.