Naruto walked into the temporary ring to face the green clad jonin, who had a toothy smile when he did. "Even at such a young age, your Youthful Spirit must burn brightly for you to have remained champion for such a long time. It's an honor to fight one as youthful as yourself Uzumaki-san."

"I'm excited to fight you as well Gai-san, but please there's no need to be formal, just call me Naruto, or whatever else you prefer." Gai nodded, slid into an offense stance. Naruto looked him over before he did as well. His legs were spread, his left out in front, left arm stretched out to half it length and right near his chest, both bent slightly. The crowd cheered as a buzzer went off, signaling the beginning of the match.

Naruto waited for his opponent to make the first move, and he didn't have to wait long as Gai rushed forward. Aiming a round kick at the side of blonde's head, said blonde raised his arm to block. He wasn't surprised to hear the sound of metal hitting metal barely audible over the crowd. 'Weights huh.' Naruto didn't have time to think about this as the Gai pressed on with his attack. His fist came flying toward Naruto's face, but he crouched slightly and sidestepped, sending an upper cut into Gai's jaw, followed quickly by a left hook it the ribs.

Gai stumbled back a single step, but it was just the space for Naruto to send a flip kick to his jaw again. The force was enough to send Gai into the air, he tucks himself into ball and when he hits the ground, he rolls into a crouch. An explosion rocked the warehouse and people started running. Several people in black cloaks and masks shot through the crowd and stopped as many as they could. While Naruto was watching them, Gai disappeared, and two people stood ten feet from him. Each wore a mask like those that had stopped the crowd, but neither wore a cloak, instead donning gray armored vests and dark pants, a sword strapped to each of their backs. He smirked when he saw these two, one was obviously a woman due to certain 'assets', she had long purple hair and a cat mask, and other had silver gravity defying hair and a dog mask. "Inu-san, Neko-chan." He nodded at each as he spoke. "Doing well?"

"Yes I am Naruto-kun, thank you for asking." The Dog masked man just grunted.

"Don't tell me you're still angry about the window incident Inu-san, that was years ago, and besides, you shouldn't have stopped me, he had it coming."

"Throwing a man out of a second story window isn't a justifiable punishment for breaking and entering."

"This is pointless, I've lost count of how many times we've had this argument. Now if you wouldn't mind, I was in the middle of something." He scanned the room and found that they were they only ones still there. "Your friends work fast." He turns back to them. "I don't mind you guys dropping by, but I'd prefer you didn't detain clients and future opponents, it's bad for business."

"There is no business anymore, this is the end of these fights. We've acquired information that the one funding these fights only comes to the 'title' matches, and no one made it out of the building."

Naruto laughed. "Two things wrong with that, first, no one's ever met the one funding them before, it could be the Hokage himself for all anyone knows, so you'll have a hard time figuring out who they are from all the people you arrested. Second, not everyone was arrested, my opponent was gone by the time your men appeared, so if he got out, no telling how many others did. Besides, what's so bad about these fights, we live in a ninja village for Kami's sake, most kids my age are learning how to kill, and the clan's start even earlier. If Ojii-san would legalize them, we could use the arena, it would also attract people from other countries to both participate and watch, either way Konoha's economy would increase."

"That was surprisingly intelligent for someone your age Naruto-kun, which makes me wonder why you haven't suggested this to Hokage-sama."

"Knowing him, he would place an age requirement to participate to ensure the safety of those underage, problem being that that would include me, and I rely on the money I win to survive. I'm not saying this to try and make you feel guilty or anything, it's the simple truth, and you asked. So, shall we go to the holding cell that you seem to keep reserved for me, or can I go home?" The cat mask ninja sighed and motioned for him to follow, and the other followed behind Naruto.

-------------------------

Naruto sat on the cot of his holding cell, his back to the corner, arms resting on his knees, eyes shut, and his head bent slightly backwards against the wall. He smiled when he heard footsteps coming towards him, when they stopped he opened his eyes to find the Hokage and a white-cloaked Anbu with an unrecognizable mask. "I take it Inu-san and Neko-chan are off duty. Sorry Ojii-san, seems I missed class today."

"It's alright Naruto-kun, in fact I'm surprised you didn't let yourself be taken into custody every time just to get out of it."

"I made a promise and I do everything I can to keep it. So, are you here to tell me I can go, or that I'm staying here from while?" The Hokage sighed and shook his head, the Anbu stepped forward and unlocked the cell. Naruto got up and walked out of the cell. "Thanks Anbu-san." He and the Hokage walked out of the building. "Ojii-san, thanks for bailing me out again, I'll pay you back later."

"There's no need Naruto-kun."

"You say that every time, but you should know by now that I still will."

"I know, but I'd prefer if you didn't."

Naruto shrugged. "I don't like owing people anything, if I repay them right away, I don't have to worry about it later. Besides, this way I know you won't die with me owing you anything, at your age I won't take that risk." He ended with a smile on his face.

"I'm not that old."

"Whatever you say Ojii-san, next you'll be telling me that Yondaime didn't kill Kyuubi." The Hokage stopped dead, and Naruto turned to face him. "What's up Ojii-san?"

Sarutobi forced a small smile. "It's nothing, I was just thinking about all the work I have waiting for me back at the tower. I'm sorry Naruto-kun, but I really must get back, I'll see you later alright?"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Later Ojii-san."

Naruto walked off towards his apartment, leaving the saddened Hokage. 'I owe you far more than I could ever repay Naruto.' In a puff of smoke, the aged leader was gone.

------------------------

The sight he found waiting for him at his apartment was not one he had expected, at least not so soon. Robin sat on his doorstep, looking slightly irritated, but noticed him quickly. "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up, and isn't the Academy in the other direction?"

"There was a complication at work last night that caused me to miss class. I really hadn't expected you to challenge me so soon."

"Actually, I still have to go pick up the bokken from my friend's shop. Her dad wasn't happy that I broke my last one, but when I told him what happened, he found it funny and said he wanted to meet you."

"I don't think it's a very good idea, there are a lot of people that don't like me, and I prefer to avoid those people."

"I'm sure they don't, they're the nicest people I know. Come on, pleassse." He winced as she did the one jutsu no one seemed to be able to counter, Koinu Metsuki no Jutsu. (Puppy Dog Eyes Technique) Slowly he nods and she starts dragging him by the arm.

'Damn that jutsu, there has to be a way to be unaffected, everything has a weakness, all I have to do is find it.' She dragged him clear across the village before stopping outside of shop, it's sign read Shinobi Tools and had kunai for i's and a sword for the l. (Boring I know, but it's a shop.) "Never been here before."

"Really, then where do you get your weapons?"

"I don't, the ones that I normally have, have never been used, Ojii-san got them for me just before I started at the academy. I carry them for the extra weight, not that it matters much."

She just shook her head and pushed the door open. They walked up to the counter to find a brunette girl in a pink and red shirt, her hair made into buns. "Hey Tenten, your dad around?"

"He's finishing up your order. So, who's this?"

"Naruto, this is my best friend Tenten Masamune. Tenten, this is Naruto Uzumaki."

An evil glint appeared in the brunette's brown eyes. "So you're the one she wouldn't shut up about, you sure made an impression on her, I think I even saw a dreamy look in her eyes when she was describing you." Robin's face went red and she looked as through she was going to strangle the younger girl when a large man in a dark T-shirt and leather apron walked in.

"Now, now, you two, that's no way to act in front of a guest. Through she is right Robin." Tenten smiled widely while Robin's mouth was agape. "But she does the same when she talks about that Hyuga boy in her class." At this they switched expressions. The man chuckled and turned to Naruto. "So you're Naruto, it's nice to meet you kid."

"It's nice to meet you too Masamune-san."

"That makes me sound older than I am, just call me Tachi." Naruto just nodded. "Okay then. Robin, your bokken are finished, but the protective coating still has to dry, it will be an hour at least. You're both welcome to join us for dinner while you wait." Robin nodded. "How about you Naruto?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I will."

Tenten and Robin were shocked, and Tachi looked saddened, but not surprised. Tenten however wasn't as understanding as her father. "What? Why not?"

"I don't want to intrude."

"But you wouldn't be, you were asked to come. Besides, I'm sure we'd all like to learn more about you, I mean you beat the five supposed best Kenjutsu users of our generation at the same time. Please." Both Tenten and Robin used it.

'Damn, that jutsu.' He sighed inwardly. 'They don't seem to be like the others, but it wouldn't be the first time I've been deceived, I'll have to stay alert.' "I guess I could stay, anything I was planning on doing can wait till later." Tachi smiled and shook his head as the girls squealed and jumped for joy. 'What did I just get myself into?' Tachi put a sign on the door saying that he would be back in the shop shortly before hanging up his apron and leading him out the back door to their house.

Tachi held the door open for the three children. "Make yourselves at home, I need to go inform my wife of a few extras for dinner."

Tachi went off into what Naruto presumed was the kitchen and he sat down on the couch, Tenten and Robin on either side of him, both looking at him with curiosity. "Naruto, you said you had never wielded a sword before yesterday right?" He nods. "Then how did you beat us so easily?"

He shrugged. "Luck probably. You guys also underestimated me, you weren't the first, and I guarantee you won't be the last to lose because of it."

Tenten got that evil glint in her eye again. "Do you have a girlfriend?" He shook his head. "Boyfriend?" He started to sputter out incoherent words of denial while the girls were laughing lightly. "Sorry, I had to ask."

Robin blushed lightly. "Naruto, you mind if I asked something personal?"

"Can't be much worse than Tenten's question."

"When I was at your house yesterday, I saw two tattoos on your arms and I was wondering what they meant."

"Left arm is Akuma, and the right is Enzeru."

When did you get them?"

"I've had them for as long as I remember, which is about three or four years old."

Tachi came back into the room and sat down in an armchair next to the couch. "Dinner should be done soon and my wife's brewing some tea. I hope they're not bombarding you with too many questions."

"Not nearly as many as Iruka-san did when he first met me." Naruto looked passed him and saw a woman, whom he assumed was Tachi's wife, standing with a tray of cups, a look of horror and shock on her face. A sad smile formed on his lips. "I'm sorry Tachi-san, I just remembered that I owe Ojii-san some money, and it would be rude to keep him waiting. If you'll excuse me." Naruto got up, gave the man a slight bow of the head, and left calmly.

Tachi looks over his shoulder and sees his wife, coming to a concussion of what just happened. "Hasaki, is everything all right?"

She forced a small on to her face. "Fine, I just need your help with something in the kitchen. Here's the tea girls, dinner should be ready shortly." She and her husband left the two girls in the living room to speak privately. "Tachi, I know what you're going to say, and I don't have a problem with him because of that."

"Then what is it?"

"It's just that he looks so much like a man I met that day. The guy walked through the battlefield like everything was normal. He carried two swords, wore a strange outfit, and no hitai-ate."

"Why does this bother you so much?"

"When I saw him, I also saw my body laying on the ground and Hyuga standing over his own body. There was a chain that connected me to my body and the Hyuga's was broken. The man hit him on the head with the hilt of one of his swords and the Hyuga disappeared, but he looked almost… happy. I thought he was going to do the same to me, but he said I could be saved as long as the chain was connected to my body. He left as the medics found me, but it was like they didn't see him there. At first glance, I could have sworn that the man was sitting there. I was afraid of what the possible reasons were, that I didn't acknowledge the differences until he was already gone."

"You can't really expect him to be very trusting with the life he's led, but he doesn't seem like he's the type to hold a grudge, so he may give us a second chance, even if it is only because the girls use that evil jutsu to make him." Hasaki smiled slightly. "It's the best we can hope for if it gives us a chance to explain what happened tonight." She nods and they finish making dinner.

------------------------

Naruto was walking through the alleyways to the Hokage Tower, not really thinking about where he was going until he saw a familiar face. "So this is what you do when you're not taking bets?"

The man smiled. "Yep, and it's got benefits. I get the Icha Icha books for next to nothing, in fact we just got the latest one in, it not even going to be placed on the selves for a week."

"No kidding?" The man nodded. "You think I could get two right now if I pay for three?"

"Sure. The owner went home for the day anyway, I doubt he'll notice." Naruto pulled out the money and the man handed him two books for a box before taking the money. "I got word today that the next match won't be for some time. The Anbu's appearance has really scared the clients so we're shutting down for a bit, at least till the heat dies down. The one funding them apparently has a way to contact everyone, so when they start back up, you'll know about it."

"Thanks for the books and the info."

"No problem, you've made me a lot of money, it's the least I could do." Naruto waved as he walked away.

Just as he was about to walk out of the alleyway to enter the tower, the dog masked Anbu landed next to him. "Naruto, you know you're too young to have that book." He pointed at the barely concealed orange book in the boy's pocket.

Naruto just smirked. "I know, but it's not for me. It's a gift."

"Really, for who?"

"For you. I knew you would catch me, so I thought I'd be nice and buy you the newest edition in the series, the seller said it wouldn't even be put out till next week." He took out the book and handed it to the masked ninja. "Just don't tell Neko-chan I gave it to you, I like being on her good side."

If the mask weren't there, Naruto would have seen the man's eyes narrow. "What's the catch?"

"No catch, think of it as an apology if you want to. Now, I have to go see the Hokage before he leaves for the day. See ya later Inu-san." Naruto ran out into the street and into the tower.

The masked man smiled. 'The kid can't be all that bad, he bought this for me.' In a puff of smoke the man was gone.

------------------------

Naruto walked into the Hokage's office, closing the door behind him, where Sarutobi was glaring at the pile of paperwork in front of him. "Hey Ojii-san, I'm here to pay you back for earlier."

"Naruto it's really not necessary."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, but already told you the reason. Besides, I think you'll really like the way I'm repaying you." He pulled an orange book out from inside his weapon pouch. "The newest edition that's not in stores yet."

"How did you get this Naruto?"

"I know a guy who works at the book store and he was happy to sell it to me."

"Well, you certainly are resourceful, but I'm afraid I already have that edition. My old student Jiraiya is the one who writes them and gives me the newest one free a month before it's released."

"Well crap, what am I going to do with this then?"

"I could pass it on to Kakashi Hatake if you want."

"He already has it, he caught me with one outside the tower and I gave it to him as a gift, or an apology for when I was eight." The old man looked shocked. "Oh come on Ojii-san, how many people do you know with that hair style. I've even seen Neko-chan without her mask, but don't know her name. So what to do with this, you think Iruka-san reads them?"

"He might, you'd have to ask him, but either way, he'll probably faint because you have it."

"Probably, so he's out. What about that guy with that black bandana and sunglasses." The Hokage looked a little confused. "The guy you have watching Konohamaru."

"Oh Ebisu, same as Iruka-kun."

"That Hayate guy?"

The aged Hokage chuckled. "'Neko-chan' is his girlfriend. Speaking of him, he would like to test your ability with a sword. It's up to you of course, and it's a just proficiency test."

"And if I'm adept, what then?"

"It's up to you, you could learn Kenjutsu for him, or we can leave it at that."

"Let me think about it."

The old man smiled and nodded. "Now about the book, you could just keep it, for when you're older of course."

"I suppose I could, but it would be a problem if Robin found it."

Sarutobi pretended to pout, but his eyes showed amusement. "You got yourself a girlfriend and didn't tell me?"

"It's not like that Ojii-san, I accidentally broke her bokken during the Kenjutsu demonstration. She wanted to get to know me afterwards and followed me home. Wanted to have a rematch when she got a new bokken."

The Hokage's smile returned. "I glad you made a friend around your age."

"I don't know her well enough to really call her a friend. And if she listens to Masamune-san I might not get the chance."

The smile faded. "What do you mean, what happened?"

"Robin dragged me to her friend's family shop to pick up her new bokken. Tachi-san asked if we wanted to stay for dinner, Robin and her friend Tenten used the Koinu Metsuki no Jutsu, which I request be made a forbidden jutsu," The Hokage couldn't help but smile. "to 'convince' me to accept. At first things were fine, but when Tachi-san's wife brought out tea… she wasn't looking at me with hatred like most people do, but it was like she was afraid of me. I made up an excuse and left."

"That doesn't seem like Hasaki-san, maybe you were mistaken."

"I'm not Ojii-san, I've learned to read even a seasoned shinobi's emotions. Besides, it's not like she was hiding her shock and horror."

"If that's the case, I believe I can explain. Please, follow me." The Hokage stands and Naruto does the same. Sarutobi leads him down the hall to where the council would meet. He walked around the seats and table to the back of the room where four pictures hung on the wall. "These are the pictures my fellow Hokages, taken the day they took office. The reason we're here is this one." He pointed at the Yondaime's picture. "I'm sure you can see the similarities, it would explain the shock."

"But not the horror."

"Well, what were you doing at the time?"

"Talking to Tachi and the girls." The look the old man gave him told him he wanted more. "Robin asked about the tattoos on my arms and I told her I didn't remember when I got them, but it was before I was four. By then Tachi had come back in and asked if they were bombarding me with questions."

"That could explain the horror, that you were tattooed at such a young age."

"Maybe. Well, I certainly feel stupid for running out like that. Think they'll give me a second chance?"

"I'm sure they will. They probably know what you thought you saw." The blond look shocked. "As unfortunate as it is, it's almost impossible for anyone not to know how the villagers act around you."

'And yet the children never question why.' "I'm going to get going Ojii-san, haven't had anything good to eat since yesterday."

"Just cause you don't make it or it's not ramen doesn't mean it's not good."

"Maybe, but I know it's not when I can't tell what it is, or if it was alive. I swear I saw 'lunch' trying to crawl off the tray!"

The Hokage chuckled. "I'll see you later Naruto-kun."

"Sure. By the way, I left the amount on your desk." The Hokage just shook his head as the blond left the room.

By the time the blond made it back to his apartment, the sun had set. He removed his weights and collapsed on to his bed