-x-

Naruto was wearing his orange tracksuit with a towel draped over his shoulders. He was sweating immensely from his arduous training to master his fighting style. The Light Speed, God's Fist was a dangerous technique and was classified as a forbidden fighting form. There were two fundamental principles in the style; they were ungodly speed and overwhelming power. The sudden burst of speed, collaborating with intensified frictions through the physics of velocity, which was applied to a punch, could create a catastrophic result.

The Light Speed, God's Fist exploited that theory into practice to the maximum potential. In the process, it required its user to fight in unbelievable speed at a cost; if mishaps happened during the training, the individual would tear off their arms, break their ligaments, crushed their own bones and many excruciating outcomes that would render a fighter crippled. It also inflicted unimaginable stress on the user's body. Nevertheless, there were also prerequisites for that fighting technique.

The user must be extraordinarily nimble, upheld unsurpassed determination and possessed unrivalled agility; Naruto fitted the requirements. Mastering the deadly fighting style would definitely allow the practitioner to assassinate or slaughter their enemies in astonishing speed that would be considered implausible to logics.

Glaring at the wall constructed by reinforced iron, which was positioned at a few miles away, Naruto inhaled a deep breath as he tucked his fist into his pocket. Instantly, his arm blitzed in a static blur and the metallic wall was slammed by a tremendous force, resulting in a fist print embedded into it. The blonde sighed and wiped the sweats from his forehead. "Damn, that's not enough…"

Naruto perked his head up as he sensed a presence behind him. Twirling around, he saw his rival smirking cockily at him. "What do you want, Sasuke?"

Sasuke grinned. "Nothing much. I've finished my training. Just hopping by to say-"

The raven-haired boy widened his eyes in shock as a force struck at the wall and that dangerous pressure was inches away from his cheeks. Sasuke scowled as he crossed his arms. "That's quite rude. Very unlike you, if you ask me. The past you will be smiling like an idiot and gloating at your own power."

"Well, that me is long dead." Naruto radiated a murderous aura and it was soon matched up by Sasuke's. "If you want a fight, I'll kill you right here, right now. I won't even spare you any mercy."

"Talking big isn't your style, dobe." Sasuke smirked as his hands crackled with electricity.

"Oh?" Naruto arched a brow. "You're gonna use the Thunder-God Fist at me?"

"Of course. After all, it is the only fighting style in the world that can match up to your Light Speed, God's Fist."

"Match me?" Naruto scoffed. "You're the one who talk big, teme."

"What's the problem in here?"

Naruto and Sasuke turned their attention sharply at the silhouette standing in the shadow. The two boys bowed, albeit unwillingly. "Care to explain why you two are trying to kill each other, again?"

"That's how we bond, master." Sasuke said the last word disdainfully.

"Really? Well, vent your frustration on the toushi. Understand?"

"Yes… sir." The boys said in unison.

-x-

Kanu Unchou was practicing her swings while anxiously waiting for the mysterious blonde to appear. She had been waiting for hours and there was still no sign of that boy. Yelling in frustration, Kanu sliced the rock into halves, only to see the blonde boy nibbling on his bun through the gaping hole of the rock. Kanu gritted her teeth in frustration and stormed towards Naruto. "What are you doing? You're late!"

"Late? Me? For what?" Naruto feigned surprise and Kanu was irked by the blonde's nonchalance. Seizing his collar furiously, Kanu pulled the boy to her and yelled. "We have an agreement! You'll be here on time so I can defeat you! I, Kanu Unchou, will not lose to the likes of you! Especially not to a shrimp!"

Naruto smirked as he picked up his fishing rod. "But I never say I want to fight. Battles are pointless. They are but childish bickering in the mirage of violence to end a petty dispute. I don't fight without a proper cause."

"Proper cause? You're a fighter, aren't you?" Kanu tightened her grip. "If you're a fighter, then you should fight! This is our destiny!"

"And who told you our destiny as fighters is to fight?" Naruto smiled. "We fight everyday as we struggle to live in this world. We fight for personal satisfaction. We fight for materialistic goods. We fight for victory. This is not just our destiny. This is everybody's destiny. To fight is to live, that is true. But if we can end this pointless struggle and sought a remedy to halt this endless cycle of vicious battle, we can bring peace to this world. Violence doesn't solve everything. Violence will only produce more hatred. We don't need that toxic waste of hatred mingling in our lives. This world is already suffering enough from the intoxication of humanity's idiocy."

"A-Are you saying…" Kanu softened her grasp and her eyes were downcast in uncertainty. "Are you saying we fighters don't need… to fight?"

"Sometimes, battles are inevitable." Naruto caressed the girl's cheeks and smiled warmly. "But as humans, we're struggling everyday to live through responsibilities. You are not a prisoner to fate. You're a prisoner to your own mind. Besides…"

The blonde reached out to the girl to snag the grain of rice on the edge of her lips. Naruto ate it and beamed. "Fried rice. Too much oil. Lessen the salt."

Kanu blinked dumbly before blushing profusely. She pushed the boy away and hid her face with her hands. "P-Pervert!"

Naruto cocked a brow of confusion and grinned impishly. "Oh? You're a shy baby, aren't you?"

"Y-You… you've humiliated me for the last time, shrimp!" Kanu grabbed her Green Dragon Crescent blade and swung at the blonde recklessly.

Naruto merely dodged the graceless assault and grinned. "Angry now, aren't we? That pole-arm is pretty heavy, isn't it? You sure you can wield it?"

Kanu growled. "Don't underestimate me! Hyah!"

(An hour of wild slashes and battle cries…)

Another defeat was settled and Kanu rested her head on Naruto's lap, albeit reluctantly. The blonde was dusting the dirt away from her face with stern eyes while Kanu couldn't help but felt flustered at the entire session. She tried to resist the blonde's help but Naruto was equally stubborn; he insisted to scrub her face and hands with a towel and a basin of water. Fortunately for them, there was a well in the abandoned temple.

"Y-You don't need to do this…"

"Why not?" Naruto wiped the last traces of mud with the wet towel and threw the dirtied rag into the basin. "Do you enjoy the filth this much?"

"S-Shut up, shrimp!" Kanu sat up and brushed her hair with her unclean hands, only to be stopped by Naruto who slapped her wrist lightly. The girl yelped before growling at Naruto. "Why do you do that for?"

"You really are one messed-up girl. Here." Naruto rummaged his pocket and took out a comb. "Yes! Thank god I've brought this with me! Now, sit still."

"W-Wha-"

Kanu pouted as Naruto brushed her hair gently. "You clearly lack any feminine quality, Kan-chan."

The girl blushed at her given pet name and huffed. "I'm a fighter. A fighter doesn't need those things."

"Fighter or not, you're still a human being. Frankly, I don't really care about the whole fighting business."

Kanu was sceptic. "Really? You're only at my age, yet you can evade all of my attacks… who are you."

Naruto grinned. "I'm Naruto."

"Liar!" The girl accused as she twirled around and jabbed her finger at the boy's chest. "I've went through the library to find your name. There wasn't anybody called Naruto 1800 years ago."

"Then that probably mean I'm not in the history books."

"No." Kanu narrowed her eyes to slits. "I've went through the era of the Shinobi. That took place 800 to 500 years ago. There's a powerful ninja called Naruto Uzumaki who fought against the nefarious Sasuke Uchiha. Their fates are undetermined but many people have concluded that they died during their battle. It can't be a coincidence…"

"Well, it is." Naruto smiled. "I'm Naruto and I'm sure there are many people out there in Japan who share my name as well. You, however, are one of the kinds."

"And what do you want from me?"

"Nothing? I don't want anything from you." The blonde chuckled with a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Definitely not from a brute like you. No."

Kanu, fuming with rage, snatched her weapon immediately and bellowed. "You jerk! Die by my hands!"

-X-

Shiba'i Chuutatsu didn't know what to think. She felt mixed emotions when she arrived to the beach; she was fidgety about the concept of making friends and yet she desired to speak about her feelings to somebody. At home, she was alone. Her elder siblings were rarely at their house; she was, after all, the youngest in the household. The very thought her eternity spent in loneliness made her timorous. When she reached her destination, she was delighted to see the enigmatic boy seating at the edge of the harbour, fishing with vigour to catch fish with a fishing rod that had no hook.

She sighed and embraced her courage. Walking in a steady gait towards the boy, she was contemplating how to engage an appropriate conversation with him.

Sensing a familiar presence approaching him from his back, Naruto smiled as he loosened his grip on his fishing rod. "You're back, Bai-chan."

"Yes." Shiba'i sat behind the boy and leaned her back against his. Unzipping her bag, she took her guitar out and rested it on her lap. "S-So… how is your day, Naru-kun?"

"Not bad, I supposed." Naruto stared at the sunset with a stoic ambience.

"Really? You don't look very happy today."

"What is happiness to you?"

Shiba'i was taken aback by the question; pondering for a while, she answered. "I guess hope itself is a form of happiness. And the greatest happiness is when that hope comes true. What about you? What is happiness to you?"

"Personally, happiness, in some sense, could be a temporary matter or something permanent. However, the greatest virtue of morality leads to, not just personal happiness, but the happiness of others. The greatest degree of serenity graduates from the capability of love and compassion. Compassion is not weakness; in the contrary, showing concern to the unfortunate isn't socialism. The history of humanity is not blatant cruelty. Compassion and kindness are part of them as well. I believe showing compassion to others and caring for people are what true happiness is."

Shiba'i smiled and nodded. "I see my theory is right after all. You are the reincarnation of some old geezer."

Naruto chuckled. "Perhaps I am."

The girl brushed her fingers across the strings of her guitar and started playing the musical notes. "Still, your words are truly beautiful. If only there are more of you in this world… I'm sure this world will become a better place."

"You think?" The blonde sighed. "You will grow up to become a beautiful woman, Bai-chan."

Shiba'i paused after hearing the compliment; she blushed uncontrollably and thanked God that Naruto couldn't see her fluster state. "W-What do you mean by that?"

"I mean you're intelligent, kind and cute." Naruto smiled at the distant horizon. "You will become a woman who will accomplish great things."

"Why do you say that? I'm Shiba'i Chuutatsu. I am the reincarnation of the malevolent strategist who became an emperor through deceits and-"

"You are not him. You're Bai-chan. That dude is… well, that dude." The blonde sighed and rubbed his nose. "Destiny doesn't create you. You create destiny. It is not for that dude to decide how you live your life; you decide how you live it."

Shiba'i scoffed. "Destiny is written for us, not by us! Tell me, Naru-kun, if I am going to be a ruler one day as what my fate dictates… will you still be my friend?"

For once, Naruto was awfully quiet and the girl was waiting for a response in apprehension.

"No matter what, you'll always be my friend."

"Even if I'm evil one day?"

"The perceptions of good and evil are not mandatory. Every action has an advantageous benefit for an individual and it might spark a drastic consequence. However, if you are, as you say, evil, I will still be your friend."

Shiba'i somehow felt upset. "You don't sound like you want to."

"Tell me, Bai-chan, do you believe in God?"

"Y-Yes. Salvation, glory and power, they are the trinity of everything and are bestowed upon us from God. His judgement is true and just. He is omnipotent and his will shall not be defied."

"Then is God willing to prevent evil but not able to? Such answers are unsubstantial. If such is the case, God is not omnipotent. Is he able but unwilling? That makes him nothing but evil itself. Is he able and willing? If so, does the word 'evil' exist anymore? If God is not able and unwilling, he is not fit to be entitled by such name." Naruto sighed. "Evil is forgivable. If you're incapable to forgive, you're devoid of love. There is always some good in the worst of us, and some evil in the best of us. I will be the one who will draw that good out from within you when you fall to darkness. I will be that friend for you, Bai-chan."

"R-Really?"

"You bet!" Naruto chuckled benignly. "Besides, we all need friends to speak of our deepest concerns. Solitude depriving from the destitute of sincere friendship is a life filled with hardship. We'll be friends forever. Believe it!"

"You promise?" Shiba'i stared at her guitar with a streak of pink adorning on her cheeks.

"I promise. And remember, destiny is in your grasp, not the other way round."

-x-

Ryomou Shimei was scrapping the dirty dishes. She honestly didn't believe the mysterious boy would show up. Besides, she had to worry about the welfare of her mother, she had to work hard to pay the bills, she had to clean her home after work and there would inadvertently be more obstacles that awaited her. Ryomou didn't even have the time to squander in self-pity, much less fancying a boy.

"Daydreaming again?"

"N-No!" The girl shut her eyes and waved her hands fanatically while soaps flew randomly in the air. "Please forgive me, boss! I'll do my… my…"

Ryomou heard a familiar guffaw and gritted her teeth in frustration. Standing before her was the boy who seemed to enjoy irritating her to no end. "What do you want?"

"I told you I'll help you." Naruto sat beside the girl and grabbed a sponge. "Besides, I'm working here as a cleaner too! The owner of the restaurant is employing someone to help you. He told me you broke three plates, two bowls and a spoon last week."

Ryomou tilted her head downwards and was struggling desperately to vanquish the urge to cry. "I know I'm clumsy… but I'm doing my best. Why are you stealing my job?"

"Whoa! Hold on a sec. I'm not stealing your job. The boss employs me to help you out." Naruto smirked. "I don't have much to do lately."

"Help me?" Ryomou was doubtful. "You're probably trying to impress the boss and bootlick his foot! That's right! You're trying to steal my job! You're the worst!"

"Hey! Don't jump to conclusions that easily! And that's a far cry to my intention." Naruto deadpanned. "Look, I only want to help-"

"Don't give me that bullshit! You… you…" Ryomou was seething in exasperation before she huffed and gave the boy the silent treatment.

Naruto sighed. "Whether you believe it or not, I'm only trying to help. You might think I have an ulterior motive, but I honestly don't. I believe if a person understands the depth of benevolence and is gracious and courteous to strangers, then this person can find true happiness. Isn't that the only solution to world peace?"

Ryomou was scrubbing the plates in an unusual violent fashion.

"You might have not seen much kindness in your life but I know love and kindness are not wasted. They make the basis of life and they can make a difference. I cannot change the world, but if I help you in your work, I can make a difference to your life. I am not helping you out of any benefit. I am helping because I want to. If you really want a motive, then kindness it is." Naruto said while his attention was fixated on his work. "This world is unkind, because the negativity in the world is polluted with corruptions. If I can change it, I'll gladly do so."

The pair spent the rest of their day in silence. When night falls, the owner of the restaurant distributed the wages to Ryomou and Naruto.

Before the girl decided to leave, Naruto gripped her wrist and stopped her mobility. "Mou-chan…"

Encircling his hands around Ryomou's waist, Naruto pulled her closer to him, earning him an adorable yelp from the girl. "W-What are you-"

"I know you might be harbouring hatred at me for betraying you but… I only want to say sorry." Naruto sighed. "Please don't be mad."

Ryomou averted her eyes away; frankly, she wasn't really angry at the blonde, she just had nothing to say to him.

"I'll be going then. Take care of yourself, Mou-chan." Naruto pushed the girl away gently before smiling fervently at her. "See you tomorrow!"

Ryomou watched as the boy ran away and blended into the crowd. It was then the girl felt an abnormal weight in her pocket and she reached into it. She was surprised when she found extra cash in her pocket. The girl gasped when reality struck her. "He is really working… for me? This is his salary… but why is he giving it to me? I… I don't understand."

-X-

Ryofu Housen was seating on the roof of the orphanage, staring in appreciation at the soporific moonlight glazing upon her. The trees rustled a bit as a gentle breeze enveloped the green haired girl; there was nothing much she could do, except formulating pranks and watching the stars. She already found her own magatama and she had read her destiny from the books in the library. It was as if her destiny was engraved into her soul the day she was born. She particularly disliked being killed pathetically by Sousou in the book or detested the notion of being used like a puppet by Toutaku.

But she was perplexed about her fate and though she didn't candidly admit it, she was afraid of her imminent death that would befall upon her brutally.

It was then she heard a soft thud emanating from beside her. Alarmingly, Ryofu swirled her sights to her side and saw a teddy bear, approximately the size of her, seating beside her and she noticed the little frame hiding behind the soft toy, coordinating its movement. Ryofu suppressed her urge to giggle and smiled. "Why hello. What is a big teddy bear like you doing here?"

Naruto feigned a cute, high-pitch voice to substitute for the teddy bear's voice. "I am here to accompany you, miu."

"Really? It's pretty chilly tonight."

"I have fur to protect me. Do you have any fur to protect you, miu?" The bear tilted its head sideways and Ryofu squealed inwardly.

"I don't have any fur on my skin. What should I do?"

"Hug me and I can give you my warm, miu!"

"Really?" Ryofu embraced the teddy bear and nuzzled her cheeks on the bear's soft fur.

Naruto smiled as he sat beside a happy Ryofu who was cuddling the bear in delight. "Are you giving this bear for me?"

"Of course." The blonde smiled benevolently and nodded at the green-haired girl. "Name the bear."

"N-Name?"

"Yeah! It is your companion now. You need to give it a name."

"Okay! Hmm…" Ryofu tapped her chin in contemplation before an idea struck her. "How about… Ryoto."

"Sounds good!" Naruto took out a box of chocolate and handed it to her. "It's 12am now! Happy Valentine's Day!"

"Happy… Valen- W-What's that?" Ryofu blinked quizzically.

"Oh? That's… well… uh…" Naruto scratched his hair sheepishly. "I don't really know. Heh. I saw many boys giving chocolates and teddy bears to girls. I thought that is what I should do."

"Oh? That's very… nice of you. Nobody has given anything to me before. I'll cherish Ryoto… definitely." Ryofu beamed with tears in her eyes. "T-Thank you."

"W-What's there to cry about?" Naruto placed a comforting hand on Ryofu's shoulder and smirked. "Ryoto will always be our memento, believe it!"

Ryofu placed the teddy bear beside her and reached out to Naruto and gave him a warm hug. Naruto jolted in fright and was unsure of his situation; he wasn't a person who was fond of close contacts. Awkwardly, the blonde patted the girl's back and sighed. "It's alright… Let it all out. Once everything is over, the sun will rise again."

Ryofu pushed Naruto away gently as she hiccupped from her sobs. "You're a good friend, Ruto-chan."

"I don't know if I'm a good friend or not, but I'll always be there for you." Naruto smiled.

-X-

Naruto stood on the roundabout of a white mansion constructed by exquisite materials that radiated a sense of grand royalty. With a snap of his fingers, bodyguards and maids stood in formality on two neat, parallel rows. Naruto smirked as he walked through the passage to the front door of his new house. The old butler walked behind Naruto and cleared his throat. "Young master, you've arrived."

"Yes, have you prepared the necessity for my permanent stay in Japan?"

The butler nodded. "Yes I have. Your luggage and your preference have all been handled thoroughly."

"Good work, Gento-san." Naruto smirked. "Did you inform my master about my plans?"

"No, young master. I only told him that you are buying this mansion as a lair for yourself."

"Great. If he knows what I'm about to do, he will definitely send Sasuke here to monitor me. I'll rather kill that nuisance's ass than to let him live in my house like a creep. I still haven't figure out whether he's gay or not."

"I understand young master's words." Gento bowed.

"Good, don't wait for me for dinner. I'm bringing a girl out for ramen tonight."

"A date perhaps?"

"No? Just a regular dinner. What are you thinking? Jeez." Naruto shook his head and walked off.

The butler sighed as he watched the boy skipped away.

-X-

Chou'un Shiryuu was sweeping the leaves, with an old broomstick, from the ground of the monastery that she lived in. She was entrusted with the duty of ensuring the cleanliness of the temple. She hadn't seen Naruto for a while now and her life was rather rigid without the additional liveliness. Chou'un kept sweeping, however, she did notice the sudden accumulation of fallen leaves scattered messily on the ground.

Tilting her head upwards, Chou'un saw Naruto squatting on the rooftop, toying with his fishing rod.

Chou'un smiled and bowed politely at the blonde. "Greetings, Naruto-san."

"You really live in a monastery. Seriously?"

"Seriously."

Naruto smirked. "Vegetarian then, aren't you?"

"Yes. It is the fundamental principle in the temple that any monks or nuns must keep a strict diet of being vegetarian." Chou'un lectured.

The blonde cocked a brow. "Then are you a nun?"

"N-No…"

"Good. Let's go eat something awesome!"

"But the sweeping duties-"

Naruto sighed before landing beside a surprised Chou'un and seized her wrist. "Do it later. Let's go! We're gonna be late!"

"L-Late? For what?"

Without delaying any further, Naruto rushed out of the temple while dragging a confused Chou'un with him. They ventured through the city, passed through shady alleys and jumped across a few rooftops to reach their destination. Chou'un was standing in front of a ramen stall. Naruto turned his attention to Chou'un and smiled. "Here we are. Imitoku Ramen. Best ramen in town."

"Ramen! I always want to try that!" Chou'un beamed.

"Heh! Let's go in!" Naruto led the girl into the store before greeting the chefs. "Hey! Kaito-san, give me the usual. Yun-chan, I'll personally recommend the chicken."

"It's okay. I'll have the vegetarian."

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Kaito-san, please give Yun-chan the chicken please."

"N-Naruto-san!"

Kaito, a middle-age chef, nodded and went to the kitchen. "I'll go prepare your meals! Coming right up!"

Chou'un pouted at Naruto. "You're mean."

The blonde chuckled. "Trust me. The chicken is as good as miso. I just love miso more."

"I see. So, how are you? I didn't see you in the playground yesterday."

Naruto rubbed his nose and smirked. "I was trying to fight a beast yesterday and then I encountered a lost dove. I, along with the dove, got lost in the road of life before we got dragged back to the proper path or righteousness. After that, I went to meet up with a baby tiger and it was furious at me. I have no choice but to calm it down. That's my story."

Chou'un was cynical.

"Fine. That's a load of bullshit. Just personal stuffs I have to handle. Nothing much." The blonde pouted apologetically. "I'm sorry if you wait for me at the playground yesterday."

"Apology… not accepted."

"W-What?" Naruto panicked. "How about… I treat you to dinner. That ought to make up for my fault, right?"

Chou'un giggled. "Yup!"

The blonde blinked dumbly before realisation struck him. "Oh! You trick me, you naughty little trickster!"

The girl guffawed in joy. "So, where is your family? I always see you alone…"

Naruto's optimistic features wavered slightly and Chou'un noticed the palpable sorrow adoring on the boy's face. Chou'un patted the blonde's shoulder as the cornucopia of mixed emotions displaying on the quiet Naruto's face worried her immensely. "N-Naruto-san, if you don't wish to say-"

"My parents died."

"I-I'm sorry-"

"It's okay. You didn't kill them. Nothing to apologise for." Naruto faked a smile. "So… you're an orphan, right?"

"Yeah." Chou'un sighed. "My parents abandon me when I was only a baby. I was fortunate. The abbot in the temple picked me up from the dumps. I won't be who I am today without the abbot's help."

"At least someone pick you up." Naruto muttered incoherently.

"Pardon?"

"O-Oh? Nothing." Coincidentally, the chefs have placed their respective ramen before them. "Thanks, Kaito-san. Eat up while it's hot, Yun-chan!"

The couple spent the rest of the night slurping their delicious ramen while chattering at everything.

-X-

Naruto had returned to base, only to be greeted by two familiar entities. "Oh? I didn't know the three of you are awakened. It has been a while, hasn't it? Neji? Lee. The last time we met, it was during the Fourth Shinobi War. Now we're back to our kiddies form."

"Yes. The, self-proclaimed, master wants us to work together to defeat the toushi." Neji crossed his arms. "The technique he uses is guaranteed not the Forbidden Reanimation Technique. Our corpses would be either disfigured or too rotten to be revived. And one more thing. The master didn't use any chakra or ninjutsu to revive us back. Something fishy is going on here."

"Yeah. I'm still figuring things out." Naruto grinned and turned to Lee. "So, how have you been?"

"Yosh! It has been a while, Naruto! I hope your flame of youth still burn brightly. Other than standing in an awkward position, I am feeling great. Speaking of which, why can't Neji use any of his chakra? It feels like-"

"Chakra doesn't exist anymore?" Naruto finished the statement.

Lee and Neji nodded.

"That is why I am establishing a firm grip on my martial art." Naruto realised that his friends were still confused and elaborated. "The truth is, when I was revived, the master handed a martial art manual to me. Did the master give you anything?"

Neji hoisted his hands and handed two old, worn out books to the blonde. "The master gave me this."

Naruto accepted it and read the title of both books aloud. "Taiji Fist and the Eighteen Lohan Fists?"

Lee showed the blonde his own prescribed manuals. "The master gave me this."

Naruto was shocked in bafflement when he saw the titles of the books Lee was holding. "Shadowless Kick? Muay Thai? It seems my theory is right after all."

"What do you mean?"

"The master knows about our specialised abilities. Look at this way. Neji, you're a master of hand-to-hand combat. Lee, you're a master of fighting styles strongly related to kicks. And me. I'm an unorthodox fighter who fights with no grace whatsoever. Our personality contributes to how we fight and what we fight for. The master seems to know about us. All the manuals the master has given us all contribute to our forte. This is getting creepy."

"We got no choice. We have to survive through this and understand our situation better." Neji concluded.

"Yosh! My ninja senses are tingling. We must adapt!" Lee pumped his fists up and beamed. "If I can't master Muay Thai by next year, I'll do a thousand sit-ups! And if I can't do a thousand sit-ups, I'll do a thousand push-ups! And if I can't-"

"Shut up!" Naruto and Neji roared in unison. "We get it, alright?"

Lee shrunk fearfully. "I-I only want to-"

"Zip!"

Sasuke stood under a shadow, observing the trio quietly. He, too, needed to resolve the mystery behind the master's identity.

-X-

Yosh! I have finally finished this chapter.

I'm not sure if the master should revive the rest of the Konoha 11. I'm still pondering...

Pairings remain undecided.
1.)NarutoXRyofu
2.)NarutoxRyomou
3.)NarutoRyuubi
4.)NarutoXKanu
5.)NarutoXChou'un
6.)NarutoXShiba'i
7.)NarutoXUkitsu
8.)NarutoXHakufu

SasukeXOpen to suggestion
NejiXOpen to suggestion
LeeXOpen to suggestion

Yes. This is about it.

Please review.