Hey people! If you've already read this story (or parts of it) you'll know that I've changed it some. I felt the plot was lacking & speed was very inconsistent, so I'm rewriting the first 10 chapters. After that, I'll write more!

Disclaimer: If I owned any anime, I wouldn't be writing a fanfic for one!

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Zoro POV

As I ran through the forest surrounding the village I'd lived in my whole life, I thought about the irony of the whole situation. I'd just been declared a criminal, a missing nin, but I felt more free than I had in my whole fucking life. Those bastards back in Ore sure knew how to show their appreciation…

Flashback:

"Damn it!" the Otikage roared to his advisor, oblivious to the boy eavesdropping on the conversation. "That demon kid, a mere genin, keeps showing up all my other nin, even the jounin! I can't stand the little prick. The village would be better off without him…"

"Sir," his advisor began, "couldn't we just have him exiled. It's not like anyone would defend him. Think about it. He becomes a missing nin & gets added to the bingo book. Then-"he was cut off by the Otikage.

"Yes, but then he could join another village before his exiled status is known of. We cannot afford to have him join the forces of another hidden village. He is much too strong."

"Well, that being the case, we will just have to send out teams to assassinate of the village will be happy. I'm sure everyone assigned to the task will be glad to help. We can send out 5 teams of chunnin and jounin."

"Alright," agreed the Otikage, "but send Domori Ritan. If you do, this mission should be a guaranteed success."

"Of course, Otikage-Sama"

I'm not an idiot, so as soon as I heard the advisor's response, I left the village. Which brings me to where I am now, being chased out of the village by 5 squads of Ore nin. Not that I'm complaining too much. Sure, I'll have to find a new life elsewhere & leave my apartment in the village, but Ore never was a 'home', just a place. The Otikage hadn't even sent me on a decent mission in a year. No bigger shocker why… Unlike many people in the situation I found myself in, I didn't want to just run. I wanted a good fight.

As much as I wanted one, I wasn't going to just turn around and face them. If I did, the village would have more crap to put out of context & use against me, & I'd waste energy. Since I had no clue what I was doing or where I was going, I decided to conserve my chakra & energy as much as possible. But still, if I came upon Domori Ritan, I'd no doubt fight him. My goal's to be the best swordsman ever, & since he was the best in Rock Country, me beating him would make me the best, not that anyone would acknowledge I beat him… I'd know how strong I was though.

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A/N My muse, Amy, told me some of you might not have understood what I meant by 'showing up'. I meant sort of proving better than, but the Otikage saw it as Zoro being snotty & wanted an excuse to be mad at him.

Please R&R! This is my first story ever, and I'll try to make my chapters longer, but I have a girl scouts meeting soon and need to hurry up if I want this out tonight!