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2.04% Naruto: The Shinobi of Gluttony / Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The New Life
Naruto: The Shinobi of Gluttony Naruto: The Shinobi of Gluttony original

Naruto: The Shinobi of Gluttony

Author: blazuki

© WebNovel

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The New Life

Kuzo looked at his hand, contemplating the cursed seal on his palm that read 'Gluttony.'

"Next up is Kuzo," said the academy teacher as he called his name.

Kuzo let out a long sigh, rose from his seat, and made his way to the platform. Many students of similar ages, around 12 or 13, cast their eyes upon him. No, they were younger than him, for he had already failed a year or two.

He couldn't recall precisely; it hadn't been many days since he'd transmigrated into this body.

He stood beside the teacher, who wore an expression that clearly conveyed, 'Let's get this over with.'

Kuzo formed a hand seal and uttered, "Clone Jutsu."

A puff of smoke emerged, followed by nothing.

The cause of this ineffectiveness lay in the cursed seal on his palm, and he was aware of it subconsciously. Similar to how the body communicates hunger or illness to its owner through thoughts, Kuzo could know it was fault of this seal. In exchange for power to eat all he wanted, he had forfeited his ability to learn new things related to chakra, leaving him with only basic weapon-throwing skills and rudimentary taijutsu.

"You should call it 'Smoke Jutsu,'" someone suggested.

"Hahaha!"

"Kuzo, give up! You have better odds of becoming a farmer than a ninja."

Many taunted him, but Kuzo didn't perceive it as bullying; he considered it a harsh truth.

This was Naruto's world, Konoha's village, where only the strongest survived, and even the strong didn't last long. He could become a villager, a merchant, or anything else, but he wouldn't be able to protect himself if trouble arose.

"Go back to your place," the teacher directed, without requesting further demonstrations from Kuzo.

With a sigh, Kuzo returned to his seat.

Upon reaching his seat, he rested his head on the table and ruminated, 'So this is the god's punishment to me: humiliation, mockery by a group of children, and living in constant fear of death. The worst part is that I never feel full after meals. It's like being on a diet.'

He held back the tears. Was he crying? That's a valid question. No, but he certainly felt hopeless.

Despite being an academy failure who couldn't use chakra properly, he possessed knowledge exclusive to ninjas. He doubted that the village authorities would permit someone with his knowledge to live freely outside the village.

'Adapt or perish,' he thought as he laid his head on the table, attempting to ignore the bullying, which soon subsided.

'Now that I think about it, maybe I should save myself the embarrassment and skip the taijutsu class. Today is the last day before the graduation exam, so here I am.'

He drifted off to sleep in the middle of class, indifferent to potential punishment or danger. He had already lost his previous life, a cause for grief.

In this new life, he found the notion of losing life itself to be a reason for celebration, even though the deceased can't partake in festivities.

'How did I end up here in the first place?' he wondered. Was it the cliché isekai route involving a truck accident? No, but he was certain something had occurred before his arrival. 

The only thing he could recollect was a dark figure with horns who had grasped his hand and mumbled some words he couldn't remember. Then, he was enveloped in light and awoke as a 14-year-old. He had lost count of the days spent in this world, but he was certain about his destination. After all, there were no mountains bearing the faces of Kages in his homeland.

Kuzo examined his hand. The hazy memory couldn't be a fabrication. The word 'Gluttony' was deeply etched on his palm.

Sighing, he made the decision to accept his life as it was and embrace whatever came his way.

He then frowned, thinking, 'I don't want to go home, but I can't help it. I need food.'

-x-X-x-

After school, Kuzo walked home alone.

He was the class loser, so he didn't have many friends, except for those at the Civilian Academy.

Well, that's life.

The most challenging part in this life was being a second-generation member of a shinobi family. Both his parents were ninja, with his mother as a chunin and his father as a Special Jonin. Being raised in such a household came with high expectations from his parents.

Kuzo had two siblings, an older brother and sister, and they were doing well, leaving him to bear the burden of daily disappointment.

'Being unable to mold chakra doesn't help either.'

He arrived at his home and knocked on the door, which opened automatically. He didn't question it because there was a seal on the doorstep.

'Why do I only remember my family members as Mom, Dad, big sis Akane, and big brother Doju? Having a child's memory doesn't help.'

Inside, he found his mother preparing lunch, while his father lay on the floor, reading some book. His siblings were nowhere to be seen, probably they were on a mission.

With a smile, Kuzo entered and greeted the body's owner's mother. "Mom, I'm home."

"I know," she replied while chopping vegetables.

He washed his hands and took a seat at the kitchen table.

Interestingly, the cursed seal not only hindered his mastery of ninjutsu but also heightened his appetite. His mother, a middle-aged woman with dark hair, set the plates.

'Man, I've waited too long for this.'

"This kid has an enormous appetite compared to his talent," his father remarked, observing Kuzo. "No. Eating just a grain of rice would seem huge in comparison." 

Kuzo had to admit that his father had a point.

"Don't be too hard on him. It's our fault for pushing him into the Ninja Academy," his mother interjected. "The Civilian Academy would have been a better choice."

"It's too late for him to learn any trade. He's nearly 14, but... Sigh. It's already challenging enough to face my colleagues," his father sighed.

"You're not facing it even harder. Trust me. Our neighbor always makes fun of me. Her kids never rose above genin rank," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

"I understand," his father nodded in sympathy.

"Look at him. Even as we're talking about him, he's not the least bit embarrassed. All he thinks about is food," his mother remarked.

"Maybe we were too soft raising him. Even with our encouragement, he's showing no results," his father said.

'Soft, my ass. Running in the morning every day, throwing shurikens... and if I slacked off, I'd get slapped. Well, not me exactly. The poor soul who used to live here,' Kuzo thought, eating without much emotion on his face. 'So this is what soft Asian parents are like. I miss the memes.'

"Perhaps it's the karma from the war," his mother suggested.

"Well, let's find him a job that suits him."

Kuzo finished his food. Although not fully satisfied, he stood up, bowed, and said, "I'll be outside."

"Tomorrow is your exam; you should be preparing," his mother reminded him.

"What's the point?" Kuzo replied, opening the door.

"Young man! Where is your Will of Fire?" his father called out.

"That's a good question, Dad," Kuzo said, turning back. "I'll go look for it now."

For the first time, he saw his father smile at him.

-x-X-x-

'So that's why the previous owner wasn't talkative.'

Sitting in his chair at the academy, Kuzo felt a discomfort in his rear end. He could hardly sit without feeling sore.

After making a smart comment to his dad, he had been disciplined.

"Alright, everyone, get ready for your final exam. This is your third attempt. If you fail this time, you'll stay in the academy and possibly be asked to do something more useful with your life," the teacher declared, casting a disdainful look at Kuzo and a few others. "Some might even be expelled."

Even the teacher looked down on students like them.

This was the hierarchical system: the top students got everything, and those beneath them got the leftovers.

Each student was then called in turn.

-x-X-x-

"Alright, Kuzo, you've shown proficiency in taijutsu and throwing skills, but nothing exceptional," the examiner stated. "Your ninjutsu, genjutsu, and chakra control are... Well, there's hardly any chakra to control."

Kuzo, with a deep frown, sighed. "Why talk so much? Just tell me to go home. What's the point of explaining that I have some skills? I've failed, and that's it. You don't have to be delicate about my feelings. Ninjas are trained to die, not to be sensitive."

Despite his weakness, he had some pride left. He was proud of not being a complete loser… Thinking about it again, it might not be the case. He had lost almost everything, except his virginity.

The examiner took a deep breath. "Good attitude. You've already accepted the fate of being a shinobi."

"But I'm not going to be one."

"Who said that?"

"Wait a second, I failed the exam?"

"Yes."

"Then, why are you talking so much?"

"Someone like you still possesses valuable skills, and we can't let you leave the village with the skills you have. People like you are needed by the village," the examiner explained, smiling. "Your parents have found you a good job."

"A good job?"

"You'll be a civilian spy. You'll assume a new identity, integrate into a new community, and report back to us," the examiner said. "In that context, you're a true shinobi."

'Praise me to send me to my death, huh? Well, I guess I don't have to deal with Asian parents anymore.'

'Let me put on my best acting.'

Hesitantly, Kuzo asked after his monologue, "Can you repeat that?"

"You're a true shinobi."

He put his hand behind his head and rubbed it. A beaming smile appeared on his face. "Don't say that. I might feel embarrassed."

"Your acting skills are good, but you're not that happy, are you?"

"Well, a true ninja can see through it," he replied, erasing his smile and adopting a gloomy, serious expression. "Who would be happy with such responsibility?"

"I think you're unhappy that your parents found you this job."

"Even if they hadn't, what other choices do I have?" Kuzo said.

"As you already know the ways of Konoha's shinobi, we won't let you leave easily. You'll have to live under restrictions and work only in certain jobs."

"Alright, I get it," Kuzo said, crossing his arms. "But if I'm working, how will I get paid? Also, how can you guarantee that I won't leak any information?"

"Don't worry. You'll receive a substantial payment at regular intervals, perhaps once a year. To blend into the place we'll send you, you'll have to find a cover job. You're a spy, not a social worker," the examiner explained. "There's also something called a curse seal that will prevent you from divulging any secrets."

"A curse seal? So you'll have some control over me," Kuzo muttered.

"Only in case you were captured or decided to betray the village. If you were captured, you'd face a fate worse than death, and you'd welcome the opportunity to die."

"I understand. I understand," Kuzo sighed. "So when do we start?"


Chapter 2: Chapter 2: If You Had One Shot

Kuzo was in his room, gazing at the mirror while extending his tongue. A Japanese character was drawn on it. It was the curse seal he had received.

As much as Kuzo trusted Konoha, he didn't like the feeling of being restricted. No matter where he went, he would still be under control. His life would be in the hands of others.

Feeling sorry for his fate, he placed his palm on the seal.

A warm sensation coursed through his palm. As he lowered his hand, Kuzo noticed that the curse mark had vanished from his tongue. Hold on. Did it just vanish into thin air? No, it couldn't be. That seal had been placed on his tongue by a special Jonin. It couldn't just disappear like that.

He remembered that he had run his hand over it.

He looked at his palm.

The Gluttony curse seal was warmer than his other hand. A feeling of satisfaction overcame him. It was as if his brain was tingling.

It felt like eating a good meal, except that it didn't come from his stomach or taste buds.

He got it. So it must be the seal on his palm devouring the seal on his tongue.

He had gained the power to devour seals. Well, it wasn't that bad, was it?

"So, the curse vanished," he thought, smiling and feeling quite free. If he left Konoha, he could simply run away and start a new life where no one would bother him.

There was a scroll next to him. He picked it up. He had read it before, and now he read it again.

The scroll had details about his mission. He would meet some merchants from the Land of Fire, and he would go with them, disguised as an apprentice merchant. Then, he would start trading chakra ores with some people from the Land of Iron. He would learn the craft and slowly get closer to the Land of Iron and then the Land of Earth. He would have to report the incidents and rumors in that land back to the village through a summoned monster. The summoned monster was in another scroll. All he had to do was open it and hand the information over.

He was quite curious about the monster he would deal with. But he knew that he shouldn't let his curiosity get the best of him. After all, it was a crime to use ninja tools without a good reason.

"Anyway, I will leave tomorrow," he thought.

He went to his bed, lay down, and stretched his arms.

He felt quite strange, as if he wasn't hungry at all. Maybe getting rid of that curse mark from his tongue made him feel that way. Anyway, he would enjoy the temporary peaceful feeling. After that, he would prepare himself for the life of a civilian spy in a shinobi world, which wouldn't be easy.

After taking a long nap, he woke up upon hearing his biological mom saying, "Dinner is ready."

He would never get tired of that sound, he had to admit. Although this family wasn't the best, they had very good food.

"I'm coming," he replied as he jumped off the bed. It was as if he had never slept.

He walked to the hall. His biological family was there.

His sister and brother, both in Chunin vests, were present.

Like him, they both had smooth black hair, sharp brown eyes, and fair skin.

The girl, about seventeen, was Akane.

The guy, about eighteen, was Doju.

They were like typical older siblings, sometimes teasing and protective against other bullies. He guessed they might have had some influence on why his life at the Ninja Academy was easier.

"Heard you got a spy job," said Dujo with a chuckle. "Hope you won't cry after 5 days out of the house."

"I bet he'll cry in three days," replied Akane.

They were ganging up on him, it seemed.

Kuzo sighed as he sat at the table. "Hope you keep hoping." He then looked at the plates, picking up his chopsticks. 'These noodles. First time eating them,' he thought.

"The only hopeless thing here is taunts against this kid when he eats," said the mother.

"Bet he'll forget everyone for a plate of rice," replied Akane.

"Why are you not talking?" said the dad to Kuzo. "It's your last day before you move into your long-term mission. You'd at least want to make a good memory."

Kuzo raised his head when he finished his food. "You were saying? Sorry, I didn't hear you well."

A laugh echoed from everyone except his father, who had a few veins appearing on his forehead.

"Nothing, son. Just asked if you got full or you want more."

It seemed that he was holding his Asian Parent instincts from coming out.

"Yep," Kuzo replied.

"Don't hesitate."

-x-X-x-

'Man, that was one good dinner.'

It was dawn. Kuzo was standing at the gates of Konoha, dressed as a normal citizen with a bamboo hat.

He was waiting for the other merchants to depart with. After that happened, his mission would officially begin.

A person tapped on his shoulder from behind. For a ninja, it was a shame to get tapped without expecting it in advance, but he had failed the graduation test, so he couldn't be bothered.

"Are you Kuzo, the apprentice I was waiting for?"

Kuzo turned, his eyes meeting a short middle-aged man in brown clothes.

Behind him, there were six men and women, all dressed as merchants with bags on their backs.

Kuzo replied, "Yes, I am. Are you?"

"Isn't that obvious," the old man said. "I'm Shin, your master. I got a good word about you from my friend who works at the Academy, so you should work hard to meet his expectations."

Kuzo bowed his head and said with a tone full of appreciation, "Thank you for accepting me as your apprentice."

Shin smiled. "Good manners for your age."

"So, are we going now?" Kuzo asked as he lifted his head.

"Hope you have enough stamina, for we have a long walk."

"I see."

"Now, pick up a bag and let's go."

Shin pointed to some large bags that were placed on the ground. Despite being around his size, he could pick them up. Although he had failed the academy, his body was a success in terms of physical training. Picking up a large rock or a bag was nothing for him.

Feeling how light his steps were, Kuzo smiled. He then stood up with the crowd.

"For now, we'll be heading to the north to the trading center. And we'll exchange from there. We are going to stop by some places here and there. If anyone has a personal job there, they should tell me now. If you don't, I won't stop for anyone. We're already tight on schedule. Understood?"

They nodded. They then departed from the village.

"You're strangely happy for your first day," said a woman walking beside him. She was tall, blonde, and quite chubby.

"Shouldn't I?"

"I mean, you don't look like you know what you've signed yourself up for. It's very dangerous."

"But aren't we in the range of Konoha? I don't think anyone would dare to cause trouble here."

"Not exactly true. I've heard from survivors that they occasionally meet spies and rogue ninjas around the village. It's rare, but it's a possibility. And as I said, there are survivors here and there."

"Guess it can't be helped, then."

"Don't worry. Once we are out of Konoha's surroundings, it's less dangerous. The muggers outside are only normal people at most. If you have fighting skills, you can easily beat them."

"I've failed the academy, but I guess my martial arts are good enough."

"I'll depend on you, then," she replied.

He sighed. "Sure, why not."

"By the way, I'm Sakura."

For some reason, he felt triggered by hearing that name. It reminded him of someone. You know, the Sakura from team 7 was so useless that the Six Paths sage thanked everyone in team 7 but her. But one had to give her credit. She could summon Naruto without weaving a hand sign or blood.

"Kuzo," he replied. "I'll be in your care."

"Depend on me, then."

He nodded with a smile before looking at the road in front of him.

The trip was quite long. Kuzo occasionally chatted with the men and women and learned about their origins. Some had failed the academy exam, some had gone to the civilian academy, and what they all had in common was their shared speech about the Nine-Tails fox incident and how it had affected their lives.

Currently, it was their fourth day of travel, and they were resting by a bonfire. While Kuzo's mind drifted back to old Dark Souls days, his ears caught something.

"I remember times when the village was peaceful when the Fourth Hokage was alive…"

"Those were the days. Despite the war, we felt better."

"I get you. But thanks to that damn fox and the Uchiha clan, we lost everything."

Kuzo, who was pretending to be asleep, couldn't help but sit up and ask, "The Uchiha clan?"

"Yes. Only they can control the Nine-Tails fox. They were suspected of using their visual prowess to control the Nine-Tails fox and destroy the village. God. I'm glad Itachi did them in. That evil clan, their malevolence was their downfall."

'Okay Sasuke, I'll excuse you for trying to destroy the village,' thought Kuzo. "Oh. So one of the Uchiha was suspected of doing that. But why hate the clan? Weren't they the police?"

"Because they were never trustworthy. You're young, so you don't know anything. But just don't go around blabbering."

"Blabber about what?"

"The Nine-Tails fox kid and the Uchiha incident. Talking about it is prohibited in the village."

"And why are you talking about that now?"

"Because we are no longer in the village, silly."

"I see." He lay down and crossed his legs.

"It's just life. Compared to the old times, this life is very peaceful. At least, we can sleep at night," said Shin.

"I get you, old man." Kuzo closed his eyes.

-x-X-x-

The next day, everyone woke up and grabbed their stuff. Kuzo walked with everyone along a cliff while thinking if these were truly peaceful times.

If there's peace, it's temporary. There are still Orochimaru, Pain, and other variables that could disrupt this peaceful life.

He didn't know what kind of monstrous ninjas he would meet where he was going, or what kind of gigantic summoned beasts were out there.

Shp

An arrow passed by them. Kuzo, who saw it heading toward him, leaned his head backward. It hit the cliff.

He turned his head.

Shin yelled, "Everyone, be careful! There are muggers here!"

The Konoha merchants, though weak, grabbed weapons from their bags, holding swords and clubs.

In front of them, a crowd of muscular people approached with all kinds of weapons in their hands, from clubs to hammers and swords. They outnumbered them.

One short man walked toward the merchants with a smirk on his face.

"We have a rogue genin with us. So hand over everything you've got."

Kuzo frowned deeply. A genin, and a rogue one.

Still, there was a chance that these guys were bluffing them into giving up earlier so they could avoid resistance.

Kuzo reached for his back. There was something his father had gifted him. It was a kunai. He put his index finger around the slit and rolled it.

"Everyone, run back!" Shin said.

Sakura and the others did as they were told while Shin grabbed his sword.

Kuzo stood next to the old man, who turned his head and yelled.

"Why are you here!? Run!"

The truth was that there was no real escape.

He would die anyway if he ran away or not.

Running away would give the muggers a chance to kill him with an arrow he wouldn't see.

Besides, there was another reason he wanted to stay here.

"Sorry, old man. I just want to see how far my taijutsu skills can take me," he replied as he dropped his bag. "This body has trained for too long. It should get a chance." 

"Are you crazy!" 

"Look," Kuzo stared forward. "If you had one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, one moment, would you capture it or let slip."

Shin left with nothing to say. 

Kuzo's heart pounded louder and louder as the muggers walked slowly toward them.

He could die, or he could fight to make a way for himself. But if this was the end for him, he would find relief from this world.


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