In Naruto as the Shadow Monarch

Chapter 13

Kuro took out the dungeon key once he was back in his room.

[Item: Dungeon Key]

Rarity: E

Type: Key

A key that transfers you to an instant dungeon.

"Another E rank? Given how easy the last E rank dungeon was, this would be a breeze." Kuro thought. He then looks at the clock for the time and date. "Let's see how much time passes when I am inside the dungeon." Kuro activated the dungeon key.

A few seconds later, he reappeared in his room. He turned to look at the clock and found that only a few seconds had passed.

"I spent a few weeks eliminating the monster from the forest inside the dungeon and only a second has passed? Subarashi!" Kuro exclaimed." With this, I can get stronger in a short amount of time. The only problem is getting the dungeon keys. Unless I get really lucky on the random reward from the daily quest or get it as part of a quest reward. Next time, let's see how long I can stay inside the dungeon."

"Also, it seems that E rank dungeons are no longer rewarding. I only level up 2 times even after clearing the whole dungeon of over 150 monsters. The completion reward is just 10 stat points and nothing else. I also gain no stats from devouring all the shadows. If going by gaming standards, it is like a level 99 player farming at a beginner level 1 hunting field."

Kuro closed the system screen and went to shower. He continued to not use the stat points until he felt like he hit the limit of his natural growth.

Kuro went to bed after the shower and drifted off into the land of dreams.

…

5 Days later, The Forest of Death

Kuro was laying on the branch of a tree, relaxed as academy students arrived one after another in front of the Forest of Death.

Today, the tournament that Inochi announced last week will start. As Kuro was lazing around, he felt a sharp stair from the entrance. Looking at where he felt it from, he saw Asuma glaring at him and making the slitting throat gesture.

'Grandfather,' Kuro moved his lip. It seems Asuma got what he was trying to convey and instantly started steaming and huffing.

Disregarding Asuma, Kuro closes his eyes as he enjoys the breeze.

As Kuro continued to enjoy the breeze, the sound of footsteps snapped him out of his daze. He opened one eye to glance at the group of academy students gathering together.

"It seems that even before the tournament starts, these kids are forming groups to increase their chances of winning."

Kuro observed the students carefully, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I guess teamwork isn't completely useless. But in the end, it's the strong who come out on top, not the ones who rely on others to carry them."

He glanced at Asuma again, still standing at the entrance, now practically boiling with anger. Kuro's lips twitched into a grin. It wasn't just the students who were getting worked up about the tournament. Asuma was practically fuming at the sight of Kuro lounging in the tree.

Kuro closed his eyes again, leaning back further against the tree, disregarding everything that was happening around him.

10 minutes later, Kuro opened his eyes as he felt the academy teacher's arrival.

Kuro then felt a heavy present appear in front of the entrance to the Forest of Death. Looking at the attire of the person, Kuro recognized who it was.

"I can't believe the Third Hokage will start this tournament." Kuro muttered as he got down from the tree and made his way toward the entrance clearing.

As Kuro made his way toward the entrance clearing, the familiar figure of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood at the threshold of the Forest of Death. The Hokage's presence alone carried a weight that immediately silenced the usual noise of the academy students.

Kuro smirked to himself. 'The old man has a flair for drama' he thought, watching as the students began to stir nervously, sensing the significance of the Hokage's appearance.

The Third Hokage surveyed the students gathered around as if judging their potential without a word.

Kuro made his way toward the Third Hokage and stood in front of him. The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow at Kuro's sudden approach and the academy teachers exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of the situation.

Kuro, unfazed by the attention he was drawing, shot a playful grin at Asuma before turning toward the Hokage.

"Greetings, Lord Third! You look mighty fabulous today in that get-up," Kuro said. "Truly, only you can make wisdom and power look so stylish."

The Third Hokage chuckled softly, clearly amused by the praise—genuine or not. "I appreciate your kind words, Kuro. Though I suspect your idea of fashion is unconventional."

Kuro shrugged nonchalantly, his grin never faltering. "What can I say? I have an eye for real style." His eyes then flicked over to Asuma, who was trying (and failing) to hide his annoyance.

Kuro's gaze locked onto Asuma for a moment, before making his way toward him as he flashed a teasing smile. "Ah, Asuma, my dear grandson, always so serious. Relax, you look like you're about to choke on your own scowl."

Asuma's face reddened slightly, his clenched fists betraying the anger that was starting to build. "Kuro," he growled through gritted teeth. "You never know when to keep your mouth shut."

Kuro raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the warning in Asuma's voice. "And miss the fun? Not a chance."

Asuma took a deep breath, clearly fighting the urge to snap back. The other academy teachers watched the exchange with a mix of confusion and mild amusement, unsure of how to intervene in this 'family' dispute. The Third Hokage just smiled since he received the report detailing the fiasco between Asuma and Kuro yesterday.

The students start to talk among themselves while the clan kids keep to themselves.

"Grandson? Why is he calling Asuma grandson?" Ask one of the students.

"Doesn't that mean he the father of the Third Hokage? How?" Another student ask.

The noise got higher as the discussion started to heat up.

"AHUM!" Just then, the Third Hokage cleared his throat so loud it snapped all the kids out of their discussion.

"Enough distractions," he said, his voice taking on a more commanding tone. "You will enter the Forest of Death. Inside, many ninja scrolls of varying tiers are scattered and hidden. The scrolls range from D-rank, worth a single point, to the coveted S-rank scrolls, worth fifty points. Your objective is simple: collect as many scrolls as you can while eliminating your opponents. The student with the highest score at the end will be crowned the victor."

The Third Hokage stops and looks at the kids. "Remember, no killing or lethal attacks. Violators will be punished."

With that, the gates to the Forest of Death creaked open, and one by one, the academy students began entering. Some were more cautious, staying close to the entrance, while others charged in headfirst, eager to claim victory. Kuro remained where he was, lazily observing the chaos unfold before him.

Kuro turned his gaze back to the entrance, where Asuma still stood, glaring at him but Kuro paid it no mind. He wasn't here to fight or collect scrolls.

He was here for the spectacle until the system notification alerted him.

Tti-ring!

[A quest has been triggered.}

[Quest - Top Student.]

[Come out as the top student in the tournament]

[Rewards: ]

+Skill Evolution Token

Kuro let out an exaggerated sigh as the notification blared in his mind. 'Of course. Why wouldn't I be dragged into this?' He had hoped for a peaceful day of watching the chaos unfold, but the system had other plans for him. As the quest popped up in front of him, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.

'Tch, "Top Student"? What do they even mean by that?' he thought, scanning the rewards. The Skill Evolution Token was intriguing, but he wasn't exactly itching for another system task to mess with. It wasn't like he needed any more power right now, and he had no interest in making a name for himself in this ridiculous tournament.

Still, he had no choice but to comply. Grumbling under his breath, Kuro enters the Forest of Death.

'Well, if I'm going to have to do this, I might as well have some fun with it,' Kuro mused. 

The trees were thick, and the shadows seemed to deepen with every step, casting an eerie atmosphere over the place. Kuro didn't mind the darkness; it was the perfect environment for someone like him. His eyes flicked over the immediate surroundings, taking note of the students in the distance.

"It would have been fun just watching them duke it out with each other. But fate has other plans." Kuro looks at the quest again before closing it and lamenting his fate.

"What a drag," Kuro took out a wooden katana as he navigated through the forest, keeping to the shadows as he utilized his class skills to the fullest.

Kuro observes the skirmishes happening around him. He couldn't help but smile at the chaos.

Kuro's mind wandered back to Asuma. 'Wonder when I would meet him. I need to educate this ungrateful 'grandson' of mine." Kuro chuckles.

A faint rustle broke his train of thought. Kuro's eyes snapped to the source, his senses sharp as he crouched low to the ground. Two students were near him, clearly unaware of his presence, their attention focused on something further ahead.

Kuro shifted, moving to a higher vantage point where he could observe them without being seen. From his perch, he could tell that one of the students was holding a Tier 1 scroll—the lowest level, but still a valuable target for others who might be desperate for points. The other student was armed with a kunai, looking suspiciously around, but it was clear they were not as prepared as they should have been.

Without making a sound, Kuro got down from the tree. He prepared the wooden katana and diverted chakra to his feet.

In a single motion, Kuro dashed toward the two students. Kuro knocked out the student with the scroll with a swift strike to the neck and grabbed the scroll.

Before the other student could realize what happened, Kuro disappeared into the trees, leaving him behind in confusion.

Kuro decided not to eliminate the student since he wanted to enjoy the chaos. He knew that the academy students were no match for him unless they were from the clans or monsters like Kakashi and Minato.

For the next hour, Kuro becomes a ghost as he strikes and steals scrolls. He avoided the clan kids as he didn't want to give his cover away just yet.

Kuro's performance did not go unnoticed as the Third Hokage was watching him through a crystal ball.

"Well, what a little devil. It seems Asuma will be disappointed in his revenge." The Third Hokage smiled.

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