Path Of War

A full moon hovered over the village as Arthur shut himself inside his designated quarters.

Alice's earlier explanation of sensory perception and its vulnerabilities was what he needed to train the Chakra Disguise technique. The technique itself lets a user alter their chakra signature to appear larger, smaller, located elsewhere, or even entirely hidden.

It can even mimic other people's chakras or disguise someone's appearance to further fool sensor types. However, a skilled sensor can detect inconsistencies in the disguised chakra and see through the deception.

Unlike ninjutsus, which demanded days of practice, the Chakra Disguise technique, due to its connection to Arthur's support trait, seemed almost intuitive.

He sat down in the center of the room to focus.

Closing his eyes, he focused on his chakra's core, a blue pool swirling within him. This was the baseline, his true signature. Two more vibrant pools were adjacent.

On the left was Yukimi's, and on the right was Ranmaru's. Ranmaru's colour was crimson, but both pools moulded within him as if it were one pool separated by rope lanes.

He raised one finger and imagined his chakra transforming.

The pool had changed, but not quite as he'd planned. The blue had morphed into a murky green, the colour of swamp water. This wouldn't fool a toddler, let alone a trained sensor.

Knowing the first attempt would likely end in failure, he tried again.

His chakra returned to its natural state as he pictured a specific shade. The pool turned lime green. While the results were closer, it felt artificial.

The colour lacked depth compared to what a pool's true vibrancy held. It resembled a crayon drawing compared to a marker sketch, a cheap imitation rather than a believable disguise.

Arthur furrowed his bow. This was harder than he anticipated. It wasn't just about manipulating the chakra itself, but also about replicating the intricate nuances of someone else's signature.

Each person's chakra was unique—a complex blend of colour and texture that defined who they were. He was attempting to mimic something he didn't fully understand, and the limitations were evident.

Not at all discouraged, he tried again.

Three hours of concentration flew by. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but there was a resoluteness in his eyes.

His animated blue pool had undergone a subtle shift. It wasn't blue anymore. Instead, it was a soft, almost buttery yellow. The colour was well saturated, and the flow of the chakra had no discrepancies.

It worked—he had successfully disguised his chakra signature!

With this technique, he could now evade the watchful eyes of sensory ninjas like Alice and potentially remain undetected by advanced techniques like Hiruzen's crystal ball jutsu.

Looking at the time, he ended his training here.

The sun was high above the village. Seven days had passed since Arthur unlocked the Chakra Disguise technique, and ever since, he'd been diligently training.

There was hardly a single moment where sweat didn't profusely cover his body. He'd been pushing himself to the limit, both physically and mentally.

During the day, he'd played the part of the harmless player, spending a large portion of his ryō on food. Every plate of dumplings, every steaming bowl of ramen fueled his secret training.

While his belly did become rounder, it only lasted a few minutes. He was using the Calorie Control technique to convert the excess calories into chakra, leaving behind only the nutrients to fuel his muscles.

By nightfall, he'd transmute the stored energy. His training focused on two fronts: physical conditioning to improve his taijutsu and stamina, along with mental exercises to refine his chakra control and hone his strategy.

He knew this was a marathon, not a sprint, and he needed to be prepared for the long haul.

Two players he hardly ever spoke with approached him one day: Alex and William.

"We have a mission for you," Alex announced at the time.

It was nothing fancy. Babysitting some unruly puppies at the Inuzuka clan and delivering food across different neighbourhoods.

During that time, Arthur heard news about Jada's encounter with Sasuke.

"Jada finally got through to Sasuke," William explained. "Apparently, she convinced him they're both Uchiha and need to be prepared for anything. She didn't tell him the truth about Itachi, though. Instead, she said they should team up to rebuild the clan."

"And how did Sasuke take it?" Arthur wondered.

"He wasn't thrilled," William admitted. "Still pretty distant. But he didn't reject her offer to help. They've been training together, and Jada got completely owned."

Arthur's interest piqued, so he asked what he meant.

"It's like he's a different person," Alex answered. "Jada described him as 'buffed up like crazy.' She said he's way faster and stronger than she remembers him to be."

Arthur didn't need much imagination to understand what was happening. Sasuke was likely receiving a significant power boost from Elysium's framework due to being one of the main characters.

He couldn't afford to underestimate him anymore.

"Just a thought," William added, "but it's not just Sasuke who's gotten stronger. Naruto seems more powerful, too. Remember when he struggled with Haku? He was actually holding his own without the Nine-Tails."

Arthur frowned. This rapid acceleration in power was concerning. If Naruto and Sasuke continued at this rate, they'd become formidable opponents, even for him.

He needed to find a way to bridge the gap and elevate his own abilities before things became disastrous.

After receiving that information, on the last day, a lone figure stood outside his apartment—Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi Hatake is a weighty character. Though a talented ninja since his youth, his life was marked by hardship. After his father's suicide, he became withdrawn and focused solely on following the rules, compared to his confidence prior.

Despite his exceptional skills, he carries the scars of past tragedies. One such scar is a physical one—he lost his eye in battle and had it replaced with Obito's Sharingan. His emotional scars ran deeper, with him blaming himself for the deaths of teammates who were dear to him.

Often presented with aloof behaviour, beneath the surface lies a deep dedication to teamwork, his village, and his students. He prioritizes their safety and growth above all else, even going against the mission if necessary.

One surprising detail about him was his hidden love for a series of novels written by Jiraiya. Despite the book's supposedly "adult" content, Kakashi can't resist a good read, and this weakness has even been exploited by his students on more than one occasion.

That was Arthur's first time meeting him—the character who led Team 7.

"Arthur Bennett," Kakashi greeted at the time.

"Kakashi-sensei," Arthur replied, using the appropriate honorific.

"I have some interesting news for you."

"What is it?"

Kakashi reached into his pocket and produced a form, saying, "This is an application for the upcoming Chūnin Exams. The Hokage personally nominated you… Not an everyday occurrence, especially for someone without a Jōnin instructor."

Those words didn't feel like praise for Arthur. Hiruzen had nominated him? Did he suspect something, or had Arthur slipped during his covert training?

He bowed, feigning interest as he said, "I'm honoured."

Kakashi's eye remained neutral, replying, "It is an opportunity to test your skills, to prove yourself worthy. I look forward to seeing you perform."

Arthur almost scoffed. Prove himself? To whom? To these characters in a fictional world who were destined for greatness? He knew the preordained narrative—Naruto would win, Sasuke would be conflicted, and the others would play their supporting roles.

"Appreciate your thinking highly of me," Arthur casually said, "but I'm not sure I'm cut out for those kinds of high-pressure situations."

Kakashi remained silent for a moment. If there's anyone who could see through façades, he was one of them.

"I also heard," he said, his voice dropping a notch, "that you attempted to resign your duties as a ninja."

Arthur wasn't the least bit surprised that someone like Kakashi knew. After all, during the team announcements, all the Jōnin were watching on Hiruzen's crystal ball!

"Sometimes things change, Kakashi-sensei," he said, his voice flat. "If others believe I can do something, I may as well try, right?"

Kakashi didn't flinch. He simply nodded, showing that he understood. With a smile behind his mask, he said, "Well, I guess I better be going then…"

In a swirl of leaves, he vanished, leaving Arthur alone with the application.

The same day, Arthur went to the academy.

He knew that tomorrow this place would be buzzing with activity. Not wishing to participate in that part of the story, he decided it was better to come early.

He walked inside and made it to the registration office on the third floor. A single figure hunched over paperwork behind the counter and looked up as Arthur approached. It was Iruka.

"Arthur?" he said. "Didn't expect to see anyone here today."

"Just getting a jump start," Arthur replied casually, offering a charming smile. "Heard about the Chūnin Exams and figured why not submit my application early?"

Iruka chuckled and said, "That's the spirit! You sure though? It's not exactly a walk in the park."

"Never said it would be," Arthur countered, "but a challenge is what makes it interesting; wouldn't you agree?"

Iruka nodded, seemingly oblivious to the underlying tension. He then smiled and said, "I'm glad you decided to pursue your career as a ninja. Just be sure you're prepared for what lies ahead. The exams aren't at all like the academy... And to be frank, I don't agree that my students should be participating this early."

Arthur suppressed a sigh. His students? Iruka was acting exactly like the original.

The registration process was swift and uneventful. No elaborate tests and no hidden traps. This wasn't a scenario designed for him, not today.

He signed the forms and left the academy. But tomorrow, he would return to witness a pivotal moment—the staged brawl between Rock Lee, Naruto, and Sasuke. He would see what this power boost entailed with his own eyes.

From what Arthur remembered in the story, two teams were focused on during the registration.

Izumo and Kotetsu transformed to act as gatekeepers to prevent anyone from entering the second floor. The Genin saw through the illusion placed on the sign, knowing that it's the third floor where they're to submit their applications.

The situation almost escalated into a fight, but Rock Lee intervened and calmed everyone down. This display of composure surprised Sasuke, who didn't expect Lee to be capable at first.

Lee professed his love for Sakura before singling out Sasuke and challenging him to a duel to test his skills against an Uchiha. Naruto, feeling ignored, tried to fight Lee first but was quickly defeated in one move.

Sasuke accepted the challenge and attacked Lee, but Lee's taijutsu was too fast for his Sharingan to be effective. Just as Lee was about to deliver a finishing blow, Might Guy appeared on a giant turtle to stop him since he was going to use the Primary Lotus on an ally of the Leaf.

After Guy left, Lee revealed that Neji Hyūga was actually the strongest Genin.

In that one scene alone, Team Guy, along with Might Guy himself, was introduced. Arthur remembered what kind of team it was.

Team Guy was written to have been quite the passionate team in the Leaf Village. Led by the ever-enthusiastic Might Guy, their bond was fueled by hard work, dedication, and a dash of eccentricity.

Rock Lee stands out for his exceptional taijutsu skills, a rarity as he lacks the ability to use ninjutsu or genjutsu. He constantly strives to overcome his limitations and prove himself as a splendid ninja, making his hardworking nature infectious—pushing not only himself but also his teammates to new heights.

Neji Hyūga was already mentioned as a prodigy from the Hyūga clan who possessed the Byakugan. Initially burdened by his clan's belief in a predetermined fate, he undergoes a transformation after fighting with Naruto.

He's a skilled strategist with a calm demeanor, often acting as a counterpoint to Lee's exuberance. Despite their contrasting personalities, they share a deep respect for each other and acknowledge each other as formidable rivals.

Tenten, the team's sole kunoichi, specializes in wielding weapons and sealing jutsu. Though initially exasperated by Guy and Lee's antics, she possesses a strong sense of loyalty and cares deeply about her teammates. Her sharp mind and keen observation skills make her a valuable asset to the team.

Finally, there's Might Guy, the team's leader, and a Jōnin shinobi.

Renowned for his never-ending enthusiasm and his signature "nice guy" pose, he is a firm believer in the power of youth, constantly striving to push himself and his students beyond their limits.

He's a skilled taijutsu specialist and a fierce rival of Kakashi. Despite his occasional goofiness, Guy's unwavering dedication to his students and his infectious optimism make him the heart and soul of Team Guy.

Arthur was willing to see just who the strongest Genin truly was.