izana_king snippet

As Jin stands in his modest kitchen, slicing vegetables with practiced ease, his thoughts wander. The smell of miso soup brewing fills the air. A small smile touches his lips as he relishes the normalcy of cooking. But the peace doesn't last long.

A faint chime echoes in his mind, and a translucent screen materializes in front of him.

[Pick Your Archetype]

He raises an eyebrow as the screen shifts, revealing a grid of options, each one accompanied by a short description.

The Dark God

The Rightful King

The Cult Leader

The Alpha Beast

The Demon King

The Shadow Behind the Throne

The Guild Master

The Dragon Lord

The Drug King

The Great Warlock

The Hand of the King

The Colonizer

The Gang Lord

[Warning: Each one comes with its own powers but if you take an archetype you have to act accordingly to progress it, and they all come with downsides so choose wisely]

I understand the system's warning immediately. Sure, The Dark God is tempting immense power, godlike abilities…but let's be real. I'm a low-rank ninja. How am I supposed to complete quests meant for a deity? Building worshippers while dodging Konoha's sharp eyes sounds like a fast track to an early grave.

That rules it out, at least for now. The system did give me the information in my head that this was a starter sub class which means I can change later when I'm stronger.

The Rightful King is just as unrealistic. Kingly quests require influence, resources, and prestige all things I lack. I can barely pass for a Genin, let alone a monarch. And The Demon King? It's basically the same thing but more edgy. Pass.

The Cult Leader isn't much better. Imagine trying to build a cult in the middle of a ninja village. Konoha wouldn't just stop me; they'd crush me before I even got started. Same with The Guild Master. Renown and power are prerequisites, neither of which I currently have assuming I even stay in Konoha.

And then there's The Shadow Behind the Throne. It sounds clever, sure—manipulating others from the shadows. But in Konoha, the "throne" is the Hokage. Do I really think I can manipulate Hiruzen Sarutobi? The God of Shinobi? Not unless I want to die painfully and pointlessly. In my past life, blackmail and manipulation worked because power meant influence and secrets. Here, power means raw strength, and I don't have nearly enough of it yet.

The Alpha Beast or The Dragon Lord are intriguing. They'd definitely make me stand out, which isn't inherently bad. Standing out can be an asset in the right circumstances just not now. Right now, I need to stay under the radar, grow, and gather strength. Besides, both archetypes are flashy, and flashy doesn't blend well in a world like this.

The Drug King. Right. Because building a narcotics empire in the middle of a tightly controlled ninja village sounds like a fantastic idea. Even if I somehow got past Konoha's constant surveillance, my "empire" would collapse the moment the Hokage got wind of it.

The Gang Lord. Slightly better, but not by much. Running a criminal network could be viable if I were in a less stable region, like the Land of Rain or any other poor country without a Shinobi village. This isn't a world where I can bribe the cops or make shady deals under the radar. One mistake, and I'd have ANBU breathing down my neck.

The Great Warlock. Magic and forbidden arts are appealing, no question there. But this is a world of chakra, not mana. Walking around as some arcane-obsessed warlock would make me stick out like a sore thumb.

The Hand of the King. Theoretically useful, but it's too dependent on circumstance. In this world, the "king" is the Hokage or a potential Hokage. Not my style.

The Colonizer. Just the name makes me cringe. Sure, the idea of conquering and expanding territory aligns with the Warlord System, but the sheer scale of what's required armies, resources, and political maneuvering is far beyond my current reach.

In the end, after looking into his options, he decide to pick [Dragon lord] sense out of this one and alpha beast he found dragons, more cool, a childish reason, but his reason no less.

As Jin selects the Dragon Lord archetype, his mind is flooded with new information. A surge of power courses through him, filling him with an instinctive understanding of the abilities at his disposal. The system recognizes his choice and begins to reveal his new skills.

[Dragon's Dominion - Level 1]

You possess the ability to influence and command dragon-like creatures or manifestations. This power grows stronger with the increase of your own strength and territory.

[Draconic Aura - Level 1]

Your presence exudes an aura that causes fear and respect in those around you. The aura's potency increases with your physical and mental strength.

[Flight - Level 1]

You can summon wings of ethereal energy, granting you the ability to fly for short distances. As you grow stronger, this ability will become more versatile and powerful.

[Dragon's Roar - Level 1]

Unleash a fearsome roar capable of disorienting and intimidating your enemies. It can cause a psychological effect that weakens opponents, making them more vulnerable to your attacks.

[Dragon's Scales - Level 1]

Your skin hardens like dragon scales, providing a natural defense against physical damage. The strength of this defense increases as you gain more experience and power.

[Dragon's Flame - Level 1]

You can conjure a breath of fire, capable of burning through materials and harming enemies. The intensity of the flame increases with your progression in this archetype.

[Dragon's Spirit - Passive]

You can tap into the spirit of the dragon within, granting you enhanced vitality and resilience. You recover from exhaustion and injuries more quickly than most.

[Dragon's Bloodline - Special]

The blood of ancient dragons flows through you. As you grow in power, you will unlock deeper, more fearsome abilities, tied to the legendary dragons of old.

[Drawback - Hunger of the Dragon]

The dragon's power within you is insatiable. As you grow stronger, your hunger for power, territory, and resources will increase. If you don't feed this hunger through conquest or growth, the internal struggle will manifest in physical and mental exhaustion, causing your strength to diminish. This hunger may also drive you to take extreme actions to secure more territory, allies, or resources, leading to conflicts or dangers. You can appease it by taking multiple lovers but will be ineffective in the long-term.

Hm, that drawback could certainly be a problem but with all the skills I gathered and now with the new bloodline I acquired, which will probably give me a boost on my shrink. It was definitely worth it.

I look over my abilities again as I think to myself.

So, I need territory, a harem to make the most of my abilities? Well, I can't say the idea of a harem doesn't appeal to me, especially if it grants me power to go along with it, but getting territory is going to be difficult.

At least my home is considered my territory. The whole village i'm considered a subordinate so I get a small power bus not as much as I get in my own home but at least I got a little boost.

But for now I will go and train my new abilities I thought knowing well where I was gonna go.

-later-

As I killed an enormous bear who tried to shoot a fireball at me from his mouth I simply rip the bear into pieces with my hands and arms are being covered in scales as I start shooting fire out of my mouth.

The best training ground the force of death he thought. As he continue training using all his new abilities.

-later-

As I walk through the streets of Konoha, the weight of my training still lingering on my body, I begin to think about what to buy something to eat, maybe some supplies. My mind is only half-focused on the task when an elderly voice interrupts my thoughts, pulling me out of my musings.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

I look up, surprised to see an older man standing in front of me, resting on his walking stick. His remaining eye, the one not covered by bandages, studies me intently, and for a brief moment, I feel a slight unease. Despite his physical condition, there's a sharpness in his gaze that immediately tells me this is no ordinary civilian.

"Of course not, Lord Danzo," I say, masking my initial surprise with a respectful tone. It takes only a moment to recognize the high-ranking shinobi. Danzo, a member of Konoha's council.

"Is there something I can do for you?" I ask, curious but careful. I can't help but notice how quiet the area has become. This part of the village, usually bustling, feels eerily empty. There's something off, but I can't place it.

Danzo's gaze sharpens, and I swear I see the faintest glimmer of approval in his eye as he studies me.

"I wanted to offer my condolences for your loss. Ray was a valued member of Konoha, and it's a tragedy to lose him under such circumstances," Danzo says, his voice low and measured. His words make me narrow my eyes.

"Faulty information?" I ask, the suspicion clear in my tone. Danzo nods slowly, confirming my hunch.

"The client misrepresented the nature of the mission. A lie of that magnitude is rare, but it happens. A single Jonin and their Genin should never have been sent on such a dangerous mission, not without proper intel. The client has been... dealt with," he explains, his tone turning cold. I nod slightly, taking in his words but keeping my thoughts guarded.

Danzo continues, his attention now on my response. "I understand you've requested to return to active duty."

"I have," I confirm, keeping my voice steady.

"Do you feel ready to return?" His question hangs in the air, testing me. I don't flinch.

"I do. Loss is part of the life we chose as shinobi," I reply. "I can either accept it or quit. I didn't train this long to give up."

Danzo's lips curl into a small smile, one that almost seems approving. "Your family raised you well."

He pauses, letting his words sink in before continuing. "You're aware of the likely course of action, correct? You'll be placed in a new team, or possibly sent back to the academy."

"That sounds about right," I reply, feeling an edge of distaste. The academy is for those who haven't proven themselves yet.

Danzo nods thoughtfully. "Indeed. But that's not the option I'm offering you. The next Chunin Exams will be held here, in Konoha, and I have a different proposition."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "Go on."

"You're already Chunin-level in skill. The reports from your sensei confirm it. If your team hadn't been on that mission, you would have likely been promoted already." Danzo's words are sharp and to the point. "It would be a waste to send you back to the academy, and it would be an insult to you and to the others still there."

My mind spins for a moment, piecing the implications together. "So what are you suggesting?"

"I want to sponsor you for the Chunin Exams. You will be a solo Shinobi, trained in preparation for the exams. You'll be assigned to various teams as needed, and when the exams arrive, you will be placed as the leader of a team of elite Genin. Your task will be to demonstrate Konoha's strength to the other villages."

I let out a small chuckle. "So you want me to show off our power to the other villages?"

Danzo smiles slightly, but there's no humor in it. "Exactly. The Cloud and Sand villages will be sending their best, and we cannot afford to appear weak. We will be sending a team of elite Genin as well, but we need someone who can lead them and show the other villages our might."

I consider his offer for a moment. More training, the chance to prove myself in a way that benefits the village, and the backing of one of Konoha's most powerful men? It's hard to say no.

"I'm in," I say, standing straighter. "If that's what's needed, I'll do it."

Danzo's smile grows just a little. "Excellent. I'll inform the Hokage of your decision. But there's one more thing I need to discuss with you."

I raise an eyebrow, sensing a shift. "What is it?"

Danzo's tone darkens slightly. "There is a group of bandits, led by missing-nin, hiding in our land. Later today, there will be a mission to exterminate them. But the primary objective is not the bandits themselves. They've stolen sensitive information from the Yamanaka clan—three scrolls that must be recovered before they are used against us."

He watches me closely, waiting for my reaction. "You will join the Jonin on this mission, but your task is to retrieve the stolen scrolls. You must do this without the others discovering the true nature of the mission. The Yamanaka clan wishes to keep this quiet, and only the Hokage and I know about it. If the mission goes awry, you will be given a scroll with the Hokage's seal to silence any investigation. But I expect you to succeed without needing it."

I meet his gaze. "I understand. What do I need to do?"

"You'll meet with Tsume Inuzuka at the village gates tonight at 10 pm. She'll be your point of contact for the mission. The scrolls are your priority—don't let anything else distract you."

I nod. "I won't fail."

Danzo gives a curt nod of approval, then stands, reaching into his robe and pulling out a scroll. "This contains the sealing technique for the scrolls. Make sure you're ready."

As he walks away, I secure the scroll in my robes and take a deep breath. It seems I've been thrown straight back into the heart of things, and I need to be ready.

-later-

"So, you're the brat?" The woman with wild, spiky brown hair and a scowl etched on her face asks as she strides toward me, her sharp eyes narrowing in what can only be described as disapproval. Her cheek markings and the large, scarred wolf-like dog at her side give away her identity immediately.

"I am, Lady Inuzuka," I respond calmly, not the least bit offended by her blunt words. Tsume Inuzuka is known for her brashness, and I've heard plenty about her before now.

She pauses when she reaches me, and for a brief moment, I wonder what she's going to say next. Then, without warning, she leans in close, her face mere inches from mine. I hold my ground, staying still, not reacting.

"Is there a problem, Lady Inuzuka?" I ask, my voice steady despite the close proximity. Tsume's face is nearly pressed against mine as she inhales deeply, sniffing me as though I were some kind of animal. There's something strange in her eyes.

"Call me Wolf," she says, her voice thick with amusement. "Your codename is Whelp. That's Cat." She gestures over her shoulder at a masked ANBU agent standing nearby. The only distinguishing feature of Cat is her long purple hair.

Tsume laughs again, her gaze shifting back to me. "And no, you just smell... good. Not the scent I expected from a little pup like you."

I stand unmoving as she takes another deep breath, her face still too close for comfort. It's a strange mix of unsettling and oddly amusing.

"Stop sexually harassing the Genin, Tsume," the large dog beside her grumbles, his voice booming, making her finally pull back, still laughing.

"Fine, fine," she says with a shrug. "Let's move. You better not hold us back, brat." She turns, her words heavy with challenge, and starts walking toward the gate. Cat follows closely behind, and I quickly pull up the dragon-faced mask I had purchased for this mission.

It's time to get to work.

-Danzo-

Jin Tanku had piqued Danzo's interest recently. It wasn't every day that someone had the skill to survive an encounter with S-rank ninja. The fact that Jin had made it out of that mission alive was nothing short of remarkable. But, unfortunately, recruiting him was out of the question for now. Not with an old friend keeping a close watch on him—and Jin himself, unknowingly, squarely on that friend's radar.

That mission Jin had been on? It had been a carefully laid trap by Orochimaru, who had bribed a local noble to arrange a false mission. Danzo had already taken care of the noble, ensuring their assassination for treason, but the damage had been done. Orochimaru had intended to steal the sword Ray carried, though Danzo still didn't know what the snake sage wanted with it.

While Orochimaru had succeeded in killing Ray, Jin had done something few would've expected—he managed to catch the legendary Sannin off guard. Whether it was by luck or instinct, Jin had seized Ray's sword, and instead of recklessly throwing himself into a fight with an opponent far beyond his current abilities, he did what any smart person would: he used one of his teammates as leverage, and with the help of a botched version of the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, he escaped.

That was what kept Orochimaru distracted Jin had somehow managed to escape and return the sword to the village. Ray, the last male member of the Hiryu clan, may not have been one of the council's major families, but his lineage had deep roots that stretched back to before the founding of the villages.

Orochimaru would not take such a loss lightly. His pride, arrogance, and sadistic nature had failed him once again.

As for Danzo, the thought of sending a shinobi with Jin's talents back to the academy was anathema to him. The soft-hearted Hokage, Hiruzen, the two Genin of Jin's team to retire leaving them as civilians. It was a mistake, and Danzo wasn't about to let it go unchallenged.

While recruiting Jin for Root was impossible for now, that didn't mean he couldn't make use of him in other ways. As the leader of Root, Danzo had his limits, but as a council member, he had far more leeway. He didn't need to recruit Jin outright to gain the advantage. He could offer something far more subtle. The power of having multiple roles while Root couldn't claim him, Danzo could maneuver him into positions where he'd be an asset. Jin's potential was too great to simply let go to waste.