A/N: To be clear, I'm uploading chapters as if they are episodes in the anime. I'm focusing on Naruto's life in this story, not any of the others. That means I may not be following the episodes word for word and I might skip scenes from the original anime. This is fanfiction, after all

That being said, I'm trying to match most conversations word for word, but filling up a page with conversations between characters that do not involve Naruto can be a bit pointless. In other words, you should know about the anime before reading this, or it might seem like I'm cutting large parts out when in truth I'm glossing them over somewhat.

Sorry if these chapters seem a bit short. I'll try to make them at least 1,000 words if possible.

As for a Naruto pairing, I've posted a poll on my profile, so look there for choices. If you wonder why none of the younger characters are listed, it's because Naruto's appearance is between 20-25 years old.

Chapter 3

"Oh, my dear soul-seeing Maka-san?" Maka turned to Stein with a grimace. "Uh, yes?" The fight between Black Star, Soul, and Death the Kid continued in the background, but she focused her attention on her dissection-mad professor.

"I have a special lesson planned for you." "Uh…okay." She watched as Kid fended off Soul's scythe arm with one of his buki. "Now, now, don't be worried. It's a very simple question." Stein was staring intently at the fight.

"Look over there at Kid-kun and his twin pistols as they fight. How are their soul's wavelengths? Synced up perfectly?" Maka closed her eyes and began concentrating on seeing their wavelengths.. Kid was easily beating both of his opponents, whose souls weren't in sync at all.

Stein listened while Maka reported her findings. The three watched as Soul and Black Star regrouped to unleash their great 'power' on Kid. "Stein-hakase, what do you know about Naruto-hakase?" Tsubaki asked.

Stein sweatdropped as Black Star held his hands over his head to stop the blood flow. "Naruto-san is a very old buki. No one knows just how old he is or even what his transformed state looks like, not even Shinigami-sama. I met him when I attended Shibusen years ago." The trio continued to watch Black Star and Soul's antics.

"Naruto-san was meeting with Shinigami-sama, arguing about a gathering of witches in Europe. Apparently, Shinigami-sama didn't want Naruto-san to challenge them. He believed that Naruto-san wasn't strong enough on his own and wanted him to partner up with a meister. At that time, I was the best possible choice and Shinigami-sama had called me to the Death Room to meet Naruto-san."

Stein sighed. "Naruto-san stormed out without a glance in my direction. He left Death City and we learned later that he went on his own to the witch's gathering. He returned a month later and reported that he had consumed a witch soul and the rest were scattered and injured."

The two young students were shocked. "But, Stein-hakase," Maka stammered. "In order for a buki to become a death scythe, he or she must consume 99 kishin eggs and one witch soul. Are you saying that Naruto-hakase is a death scythe?"

Stein shook his head. "No, Maka-san. Naruto-san has not been officially registered as a death scythe, and Shinigami-sama has never wielded him or even seen his transformed buki state. Naruto is a very old friend to the Reaper, though they disagree on certain things. Oh, look! They're finished!"

The three watched as Death the Kid finished off Black Star and Soul, only to collapse a moment later. Stein chuckled at his students' antics, but his thoughts were troubled. 'Why did the Reaper recall Naruto? Is something going to happen?'

Later that day, in the Death Room:

The Reaper watched as Naruto taught his buki students how to control their transformations more precisely. "He's certainly a good teacher. The problem is, most buki only attain that level of control after consuming a witch's soul."

'Just how much have you grown, Naruto-kun? Those witch souls you consumed…why would you, one who has sworn to live a life of nonviolence, attack witches, and without backup?' The Reaper had read the reports from when Shibusen investigated the incident in Spain. The witches were performing some sort of ritual, but no details remained.

'Whatever those witches were doing was so offensive to Naruto-kun he momentarily forgot his vow of peace.' The Reaper watched as Naruto transformed his fingers into small blades, then his toes.

"I wonder if he would consent to a partnership with a meister. It's been a few years and maybe he's changed his mind."