Naruto: The Shadow Lord of the Nara Clan

After resting at home for one night and saying goodbye to Shikamaru, Shikakage took the "living expenses" given to him by his parents, bought a complete set of outdoor camping equipment, and headed straight for the Nakagawa Forest.

The Nanga River area has been an important activity area for the Uchiha clan since the Warring States period.

In particular, the Nanga Shrine is not only the ancestral temple of the Uchiha clan, but also a gathering place for discussing important clan matters.

Decades ago, there was still some activity around the Nakagawa Forest.

However, as the Uchiha clan was gradually ostracized by the other clans of Konoha, coupled with the Uchiha clan members' own unruly attitude, few outsiders came to the Nakagawa Forest.

This suited Lu Ying's wishes perfectly.

With more people around, it becomes more inconvenient for him to move around.

After randomly finding a decent location as his campsite, he began planning his "map-based plan".

"I vaguely remember that the place where Shisui committed suicide was a steep cliff."

"Based on the direction of the Naka River's flow, we can roughly determine the drift route of the corpse."

His gaze swept across several locations on the Konoha map where corpses might appear, and Shikakage had already made a basic decision.

Without further ado, he immediately ran towards the nearest river.

As Lu Ying traveled, she silently recited the command, and the next moment, a virtual task panel appeared before her eyes.

Daily Quest - The Road to Power

【目标：体能训练组（0/50）、武器训练组（0/50）、忍术训练组（0/50）】

[Note: Failure to complete daily tasks will result in corresponding penalties.]

This is the new task section that the system unlocked after I woke up this morning.

The task consists of three training groups, each containing different training methods.

The physical training group includes four exercises: running, sit-ups, push-ups, and squats.

The weapon training set includes corresponding training for kunai, shuriken, and short blades.

The ninjutsu training group is a random assignment based on the ninjutsu that Shikakage has learned.

Although the content of the three training groups is completely different, they have one thing in common.

That is the level of high-intensity training.

Even though Shikakage is now one of the best Chunin, it still takes him quite a bit of time to complete all the daily missions.

However, he was not intimidated by the challenge; on the contrary, he was filled with anticipation and passion.

"The harder the task, the bigger the reward, right?"

"While I'm familiarizing myself with the map, I'll finish all the daily tasks at once!"

As for the punishment for the mission, he didn't take it to heart.

Because if he remembers correctly, the punishment is to throw the player into a punishment instance to survive for a period of time.

From a certain perspective, it is a very good opportunity.

However, given his current limited strength, he is not prepared to activate this punishment instance.

In the blink of an eye, the moment the system panel disappeared, the deer's running speed instantly increased by a level.

He transformed into a nimble shadow, weaving and crisscrossing through the forest of Namka River.

……

While Shikakage was making the most of his time to improve himself, the Ninja Academy was also facing its "final exams" this year.

The final exam for first-year students is relatively simple. Apart from basic academic knowledge, it consists of a kunai (a type of Japanese amulet) throwing test.

However, none of the new students felt contempt because of this, after all, this was their first "Ninja Exam", which to a certain extent determined whether they had the qualifications to become ninjas.

Therefore, everyone was eager to try their best and hoped to win first place.

As yet another new student finished their assessment, everyone whispered among themselves in amazement.

Standing to the side, Naruto Uzumaki looked at the kunai that hit the bullseye on the target ten meters away and the figure surrounded by girls. While feeling a little jealous, he also felt a surge of fighting spirit.

He wiped his nose and encouraged himself:

"As expected of Uchiha Sasuke!"

"But I will definitely defeat you!"

Upon hearing this, several boys turned to look at Naruto, their eyes revealing blatant mockery and contempt.

"You?"

"A piece of trash who can't even use a single ninjutsu still wants to surpass Sasuke?"

"Get out of the ninja academy! You're not cut out to be a ninja!"

Sensing the undisguised malice in their words, Naruto, though already used to it, still clenched his fists in anger.

Don't underestimate me!

Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly intense, the new teacher, Iruka, interrupted Naruto.

He looked at Naruto's face, or rather, at the prominent six fox whiskers on his face, a hint of hidden hatred flashing deep in his eyes.

Thinking of his parents' tragic deaths, although he upheld his professional ethics and did not treat Naruto differently, his tone inevitably carried a hint of coldness:

"Stop messing around, Naruto."

"It's your turn."

Meeting Iruka's eyes, Naruto instinctively lowered his head, biting his lower lip in resentment.

"I understand, Iruka-sensei."

Then, he strolled to the assessment point. Thinking of the mocking looks around him and Iruka's gaze, Naruto felt a little nervous and timid.

At the moment of throwing the kunai, his wrist began to tremble uncontrollably.

Thus, Naruto became the first examinee to miss the target with his kunai.

"Hahahahaha!"

"This guy can't even hit the outer ring!"

"That's hilarious!"

The surrounding laughter was relentless, so heavy that Naruto couldn't even lift his back.

Sasuke, who had already finished the exam and achieved excellent results, was displeased with the scene but did not step forward.

Right now, all he can think about is getting home as soon as possible to report his grades to his father and brother.

If only they could praise me… Thinking this, Sasuke’s lips involuntarily curled up into a smile.

Just as Naruto's vision began to blur, a sharp rebuke rang out:

"Quiet down and focus on your exam!"

"Look at yourselves, what kind of level do you have to laugh at others?"

Being protected for the first time, Naruto blankly raised his head and looked in the direction of the person who came.

She was a teacher I had never met before.

"Iruka, is this how you act as a teacher?"

Faced with Mizuki's rebuke, Iruka opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent.

He knew very well that he hadn't done a good job as a teacher, at least not with Naruto.

Mizuki snorted coldly, walked past Iruka, went straight to Naruto, patted his head, and led Naruto aside.

"I'm sorry, Naruto (a thousand words omitted here)..."

Having never experienced warmth before, Naruto finally let his tears flow freely after hearing Mizuki's comforting words.

Looking at Naruto's teary eyes, Mizuki's lips curled slightly, and he whispered:

"Naruto, I know a way to quickly improve your strength. Do you want to know?"

……

At the end of the school day, Mizuki stood on the school building, looking down at Naruto who was waving at him, and revealed a fake smile.

He stroked the dark tattoo on his right forearm, his eyes narrowed as he recalled his experience from a year ago.

"Orochimaru, I hope you won't disappoint me."

Actually, he didn't want to contact Orochimaru so soon, but the scene of being "humiliated" by Shikakage yesterday was still vivid in his mind, so much so that his heart was tormented by jealousy and hatred every moment.

Orochimaru needs the Book of Seals, but given his status, there is absolutely no possibility that he could come into contact with it.

The only chance is to take advantage of this child who has been repeatedly instructed by three generations.

Although it was dangerous, he couldn't wait any longer.

Why can't I beat him?

He's only twelve! I'm already twenty!

—Just because he is the eldest son of the Nara family, he never lacks ninjutsu, secret techniques, or guidance from famous teachers!

—Uchiha Itachi, Hatake Kakashi…

The brilliant deeds of one young genius after another floated into Shui Mu's mind, stimulating the ugliest inferiority complex deep within his heart.

This is not fair!