Simultaneous Transmigration: We Share a Role-Playing System

Two months later, the scorching summer of Konoha Year 47 swept in with its intense heat.

Akimichi Torifu's old shoulder wound had healed, and although the bandage on his left arm was not completely removed, it was no longer a problem. So he led a group of reinforcements and traveled day and night to the northeast to the Land of Hot Springs to reach the battlefield.

The defenses there are being harassed by the Cloud Hidden Squad in shifts, and reinforcements are still coming in.

The troops marched through the forest, moving swiftly among the tree trunks, heading towards the battlefield.

However, Nara Locke, who had always been by Akimichi Torifu's side, became the most conspicuous presence in the group at this moment.

Whispers swarmed through the ranks like mosquitoes. Most of the genin, also graduates of the ninja academy, glanced at Locke's still somewhat slender figure, their voices filled with barely concealed doubt and jealousy: "He's just a genin who graduated early, so why is he always able to stay by the commander's side?"

"Is he just benefiting from the Nara family's influence? If we really went to the battlefield, he might just be a hindrance."

If it were a genius like Kakashi, everyone would have no complaints, but who is Locke? Nobody has ever heard of him, so why does he get this kind of treatment?

These whispered rumors drifted into his ears, but Locke didn't even flinch.

After all, it was no big deal for him, and he couldn't be bothered to argue.

But Akimichi Torifu was a little unhappy, as he had tested Locke's level of skill over the past two months.

He was truly stunned, because Locke's strength was not weak and helpless; it was at least terrifying.

That day, he got carried away and subconsciously used all his strength, only then did he truly witness Locke's true power.

Powerful taijutsu, chakra reserves far exceeding those of ordinary people, keen combat awareness, and an extraordinary learning speed.

There's also a secret technique that can materialize shadows, attach them to the entire body, or even transform them into blades. The Nara family hadn't been able to research it for so many generations, but he, a twelve-year-old boy, managed to research it in just two years after obtaining the technique.

It was only at this moment that Akimichi Torifu realized just how talented this kid was.

Thinking about Locke's age, he decided to live in Bengbu back then.

Is this for twelve years old? A twelve-year-old with the strength of a veteran Jonin, improved family secret techniques, and this level of strength was achieved even under completely unsupervised conditions.

Kakashi, the number one genius of Konoha, is not even worthy of carrying Locke's shoes. Only Locke is the true genius.

He was even certain that, given time and enough room to grow, Locke would surely become the first truly powerful Shadow-level warrior in the history of the Pig-Deer-Butterfly clan.

In a daze, he even caught a glimpse of his teacher, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, in Locke.

Their dedication to mastering ninjutsu and their composure and sharpness far beyond their peers were strikingly similar.

After this shock, Akimichi Torifu was filled with remorse, wishing he could slap himself. He shouldn't have acted impulsively and taken this once-in-a-century talent of the Nara family to the dangerous battlefield.

Now he cherishes Locke more and more, protecting him with utmost care.

After all, the main force of the Nara clan is currently fighting against Tsuchikakushi on the eastern front. If this exceptionally talented young man were to perish on the battlefield, not only would his unparalleled shadow technique be lost with him, but it would also be extremely difficult for him to explain to the Nara clan and to his deceased old friend, Nara Asahi.

After all, he had already let Jing down; he couldn't let others down as well.

Having no other choice, he had to keep Locke by his side and watch over him carefully, but he never expected that he would be gossiped about.

A sense of guilt gradually arose in Akimichi Torifu's heart, but Locke himself did not want to be too high-profile, nor could he refute the younger generation. So he came up with a plan.

Suddenly, Akimichi Torifu's chakra exploded beneath his feet, and he shot forward like an arrow, the gust of wind he created sending leaves flying.

"Full speed ahead! We must reach the border outpost before sunset!"

His voice carried an imposing aura, making everyone's eardrums tremble.

After the speed suddenly increased, the Chunin in the team could still grit their teeth and keep up for a while, but how could those young people who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy withstand such a high-intensity forced march?

In less than half an hour, the gap between the teams had widened considerably.

The Chunin were panting heavily, beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads. Their steps grew heavier and heavier. The Genin were even more exhausted, staggering and collapsing by the roadside, leaning against tree trunks and vomiting violently. They couldn't even stand up, and their faces were ashen.

Akimichi Torifu only stopped when he heard the sounds of disarray rising and falling behind him. When he turned around, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes. He shook his head when he saw Locke.

At this moment, Nara Locke, standing beside him, still maintained an upright posture.

Although there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, his breathing was incredibly steady, and his steps always kept pace with the rhythm of the wind. In fact, he even inadvertently overtook several Jonin who were exhausted when he sped up a few times. He showed no signs of fatigue whatsoever.

His endurance and steadiness, far exceeding those of his peers, silenced the gossips who had been talking, and their gazes toward Locke gradually shifted from disdain to astonishment.

Just then, they were about to emerge from the forest and enter the hilly area, which meant they were nearing the border.

As he took a whirlwind, he glanced back at the staggering newcomers in the ranks. Most of these children were stepping onto the battlefield for the first time, and their faces still showed signs of shock.

Akimichi Torifu's tense expression eased slightly. He raised his hand and said in a deep voice, "Rest here for half an hour! Replenish your water and regulate your breathing. Carefully check your ninja tools and scrolls; there can be no oversights! Those of you going into battle for the first time, be on your guard! This is a battlefield! The enemy won't give you any time to vomit or catch your breath!"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They collapsed into the shade of the tree, panting and resting, their arrogance from when they set off completely gone.

Akimichi Torifu's gaze swept across the crowd, and he immediately spotted Locke, who was about to find a clean rock to sit on. He quickly stepped forward, slapped Locke on the back with a light touch, and said irritably.

"You've got so much energy you don't know what to do with it, why are you resting? Come here, I'll give you some work to do."

Locke scratched the back of his head helplessly, waved to Shinobu who was trying to hand him water, and quickly followed Akimichi Tokifu, going around to a dense thicket of bushes.

Meanwhile, a few hundred meters away, in the shadow of a rock wall at the edge of a canyon, elite ninjas from Kumogakure were taking advantage of the terrain to rest.

The exhaustion from the long march did not obscure the sharpness in their eyes. Some leaned against the crimson rock wall, closing their eyes to regulate their breathing, while others quickly wiped their short blades, which had been tempered with lightning chakra. Their bodies exuded a wild aura of fearlessness.

In the group, a sensory ninja sat cross-legged, his fingertips lightly touching the ground, his chakra spreading outwards like an invisible net.

A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes, his expression solemn. He leaped up and ran swiftly toward the center of the camp, his movements swift and decisive.

In the very center of the camp, the Third Raikage, A, was taking a nap against a boulder. His muscular body was wrapped in a tight-fitting outfit embroidered with cloud patterns, his muscles as taut as steel, and he was surrounded by a faint aura of lightning. Even when he was sitting still, he exuded a terrifying pressure.

"Lord Ai!" The sensory ninja knelt on one knee, his tone urgent yet steady. "A large amount of chakra fluctuation has been detected 700 meters to the southwest. It appears to be a Konoha ninja force stationed there, but the number is unknown, and their aura has not yet fully dissipated!"

"Oh?"

A deep voice, tinged with interest, rang out. Ai slowly stood up, his imposing figure casting a heavy shadow on the rock wall.

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of arrogance flashing in his eyes. A wild smile curved his lips, and his tone was full of undeniable dominance: "Don't alert them. Pass down the order: everyone advance stealthily and quietly surround those Konoha ninjas."

He paused, then placed his hand on the lightning blade at his waist, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, as if some premonition was welling up in his mind, and his tone became somewhat playful:

"I have a feeling I might meet an old friend today."

Upon hearing this, the Cloud Village ninjas immediately concealed their auras and swiftly dispersed, disappearing like ghosts into the shadows and vegetation of the canyon, silently flanking the Konoha team.