Okay, something that should probably be cleared up before I begin.
Namikaze is a fully powered Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, at 20 years old. Naruto is only 12 years old, with the reserves he had at his death at 52 years old, meaning beyond Kage Level.
He had learned Control extensively, but he is barely Low-Jounin level overall with the only real Jutsu he uses are the Shunshin, Rasengan, Substitution, and Shin Henge (True Transformation). He still has all the knowledge gained as Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, and uses the Rasengan to measure his Control. Making one on his foot requires extreme control, but his body can only do so much. That is why his strength at the moment is capped at Low-Jounin, while his stamina and Chakra reserves are much higher.
The Digital Hazard is meant to replace Kurama, just without the malicious presence and inherent hatred behind it. Also, he can not converse with it naturally.
…...Yet.
On we go!
Chapter 4
It had been a while since the incident regarding the Chalk lines, and the Tamers found out about an Impmon pranking the lovers in the park at night, along with taking out a Devidramon. When that happened, he was hiding the majority of what happened from Yamaki, whom he felt watching. Naruto wasn't fast enough, as Yamaki managed to get a small recording with his glasses, and found that static was after the Illusion was put up. He still managed to get a glimpse of Naruto and Henry. Rika was not in the shot, so he didn't know much about her connection. Rika had, more or less gone solo on her endeavors, while Naruto and Henry built up their strength, but if anyone helped her, she didn't really mind if it was Naruto.
Henry, on the other hand, was scolded viciously when Naruto wasn't there with him. Then he was kicked in the family jewels, before Rika stormed off, Renamon questioning the behavior silently.
Terriermon had a suggestion that Rika liked Naruto, but Henry thought that the possibility of them being together was just too low for it to be true, and when asked, Naruto neither confirmed, nor denied it, saying, "If she does, it's her choice. It's not my fault if she does or not." Basically, he was telling them he didn't care whether or not she liked him, when really, they were close.
It was around this time that Naruto had been sensing points of Digital Energy emission, that disappeared too quickly. Rika had sensed it as well, but the Digimon were not as quick.
In regards to the training, Rika had been a good sensor the moment she unlocked her Chakra. Henry, not so much. After each burst of Digital Energy, she turned around to look behind her, finding nothing. The fact that Renamon could not sense it, meant that it was supposed to take her through a portal to a point outside of Renamon's range. It was a thought on Rika's part, that Naruto came to when the situation was explained to him.
Renamon had managed to become Kyuubimon, which Naruto simply smiled and shook his head. When questioned, all he would say is "Old memories. Don't explore." Rika had thought that Kyuubimon somewhat reminded him of Kurama.
She wasn't that far off either.
Anyway, Henry managed to get Terriermon to Digivolve into Gargomon, and he could control the entire power. Naruto tended to test his stealth against Renamon, while testing his dodging capabilities with Gargomon. They had been using the Abandoned shed as a hideout of sorts, and hangout place. Naruto has never truly been inside of Rika's house, officially, but he occasionally leaves her notes as Namikaze, letting her know what is happening.
And it was on this day, that Rika was finally taken by the Digital Presence, knowing Namikaze had a lock on her signature.
-with Naruto-
Naruto and Henry were playing a game, when Naruto got the message from Namikaze. "Got him." Naruto said, before picking up the cards, and putting them in a deck case. Henry did the same, before questioning something. "When did you have a Deck case?"
Naruto simply looked at it, then at Henry. "I made it myself. Why?"
"How do you make one of those?" Was the next question.
"Very carefully. Now let's go. Rika is in East Shinjuku. I finally have a lock on the Digimon. Seems to be an Ice Digimon."
"How can you tell?" Henry asked, running alongside Naruto and Guilmon.
"It's the feeling of the signature. I've come across Ice Users before. They always have a cold feel to their Chakra. This one is an Ice and Shadow combination." Naruto pointed out. "500 Yen says it's an Icedevimon."
"I'll take that bet." Henry said. "1,000 yen says its not."
Naruto inwardly smirked. 'You don't make a bet with me. I always win.'
They came to a building that had the topmost part of it frozen over. And people were not looking at it. Naruto looked at Henry, who shrugged. They climbed the stairs, before Naruto had a direct lock on Rika, and he was level with her. "Right here."
"There isn't a door on this level."
Naruto examined the wall. "No need."
"What are you going to do?"
"Same thing I did to a Digital Field a few weeks back." Naruto balled his right fist and punched the wall, as it was covered in a Red Digital Energy. The Hazard, which made a hole that they could use to enter. 'Digital Hazard Punch. Can be used to make a hole in a Digital field, or outright destroy it.'
Naruto and Henry went into the field and found a bunch of Frozen Digimon. Naruto then narrowed his eyes as he saw Rika in the hands of an Icedevimon. He then looked at Henry. "You owe me 1,000 Yen after this."
Henry pulled out his Digivice. "Icedevimon... do you ever lose?"
"Sometimes I wonder about that." Naruto admitted. "You try going to Casinos and bankrupting them. I've done so to 3 of them. No cheating. I even let them videotape some of my games, and they confirmed that I don't cheat... even though I wasn't supposed to know."
"Hello? Less talking, more ass-kicking?" Rika said. "And where's Renamon?"
"She's on the way."
"So, when you said you had friends, you meant these two?" Rika nodded slowly. "Fine then, I will prove my superiority by deleting their partners."
"Rika, coat your body with a cloak of Chakra. It'll lessen the cold."
"Why do you think I can talk at all right now?"
Naruto shook his head, before an icicle was in Rika's position, and Rika was in Naruto's arms, bridal style. "You okay?"
"I will be." She whispered. Naruto, standing on another icicle, nodded and set her down, before scowling at Icedevimon. "You'll pay for that. Dearly."
"Oh? And what are you going to do about it? Tundra Freeze!" Guilmon and Terriermon were frozen on the spot. Naruto felt the cold emanating from Guilmon, low as it was. 'Guilmon... Digivolution!' Naruto sent Chakra to his Digivice for the Digivolution, causing Guilmon to Digivolve into Growlmon, thus breaking the Ice.
"What?"
"Your Ice may be immune to heat, and yes I can tell, but it can't handle more than what it was made to handle." Naruto explained. "You try that again, and I can break it out myself. I have my ways."
"You can't do that if you're frozen!" The Icedevimon then used tundra freeze catching Naruto, before he turned into a log with Exploding Tags on it.
Icedevimon didn't even have time to think before the tags went off, and wires surrounded the Icedevimon. "What the..." Naruto was right above him, slashing 2 cards. "Digimodify: Speed Activate! Digimodify: Hyper Wing Activate!"
Guilmon, who had already left the Growlmon form when Naruto used the Substitution, flew straight at the wrapped Icedevimon. "Rapid Pyro Sphere!" 5 Direct hits. Naruto came down with a Normal Rasengan. "Rasengan!" that was the final blow, before Renamon came in, looking at Rika. "Rika!"
"Renamon... You're late." Rika replied.
"I see that." She saw Icedevimon turn into Data particles, which Guilmon absorbed. Naruto and Guilmon looked at Renamon.
"What took you so long?" Naruto asked.
"It was trying to follow your signature, but all of them were scrambled, even Rika's. I couldn't even feel Rika, aside from her being angry." The ice left, turning into the roof. Naruto looked around. "Well, the officials are coming. Henry, have you mastered the Shunshin?"
"Not mastered, but I can use it."
Naruto grabbed Guilmon. "Meet back at the Hideout. Stay out of sight."
Rika and Renamon nodded, before leaving in smoke. Usual Shunshin. Naruto and Guilmon left in the Wind, while Henry used the same version as Rika, Terriermon on his head.
-Tamer Hideout-
It was the Abandoned Shed, that they met in. Naruto looked at the others. "Hypnos is on to me and Henry. There have been checks on us ever since the battle with Devidramon. Apparently, Yamaki managed to get a picture of one or more of us in that fight."
"I haven't sensed anyone following me." Rika said. "At least, no one human."
"You don't sense me, do you?" Naruto asked, earning a raised eyebrow. "Yes, I follow you. I follow Henry too, and that's why I figure they know about me and Henry, but not you. They've had people trailing me and Henry."
"Why not me?"
"You do things Solo, Rika. You and Renamon are more experienced than the two of us as Tamers. I'm a more experienced fight, and Henry is a strategist. When dealing with Digimon, we're essentially split into 2 Groups. You and Renamon are one group, while Henry and I are the other. Being as we go to the same school as each other, we can meet up quicker. That's one main reason we let you go solo most of the time." Naruto explained.
"That, and the fact that you go ballistic when I'm around, and Takato isn't." Henry pointed out.
"Really? She does?" Naruto asked, curious.
"Yeah, I thought I told you."
"No, you said Terriermon thinks she loves me, and I gave you my response to that theory. Whether she likes me or not is her choice. What I do with it, on the other hand, is my choice." Naruto shrugged. "Besides, she's a good card player. The only reason I beat her is because of my fighting experience."
"Don't knock yourself down, Takato. Your skill is improving. Which reminds me, there's a Tournament next week. If we're not held up by a Digimon, I think you should enter. If you do, I won't."
"No, we both enter." Naruto replied. "However, I'll be using an Alias. Only the two of you will know it's me, because I'll be using a mask to hide my identity. Henry, during the Tournament, I'll be counting on you to handle the Bioemerging Digimon."
Henry nodded, Terriermon nodding as well. "They know me by my alias, but this is one that I'll be going through like usual."
"How are the final 8 decided?"
"They're lined up by an electronic scoreboard, from there it's single Elimination." Rika replied. "why?"
"Because you and me won't be going against each other until the final match. I intend on making sure of that."
"How do you plan to do that?" Henry asked.
"Let's just say that the Training Ground isn't the only Pocket Dimension I've made. Another one is much more secret, and a lot more industrial. I can hack the scoreboard remotely. It won't take much effort, as I did so to Hypnos once. It was a double link. It went from there, to the Digital World, to Hypnos directly. No Bioemergence. They didn't pick it up until after I got some of their files. It's how I knew their true objective."
Rika and Henry nodded, finding it useless to question the how. "So, how long do you think we'll be followed?" Henry asked.
"Don't ask me." Naruto shrugged. "I may be able to hack their system, but I can't figure them out without seeing them myself. Their records say until further notice."
"They gonna lose a few agents?"
"I hope not. If they do, it's because they attack me first." Naruto admitted, before looking at the door to the Hideout. Naruto hid Guilmon, and motioned for Rika and Henry to do the same, as Naruto pulled out his cards, and started another game with Henry, while Rika simply watched.
It was at that point, that someone was at the gate. Naruto instantly recognized it as Yamaki. "Takato Matsuki?" Naruto looked at him.
"Yeah?"
"You've been playing a dangerous game, recently."
"If by dangerous, you mean these cards, then I think you've gone crazy."
"I'm talking about your wild Digimon." Naruto then put down another card.
"You must be going senile. How old are you?"
"That is irrelevant. And I'm not senile."
"You'd have to be if you're telling kids that Digimon are real." Naruto shrugged. Rika and Henry looked at him, and chuckled.
Yamaki then pulled out a picture, and tossed it on the field. Naruto looked at it, and saw himself, commanding Growlmon against the Devidramon. Henry and Gargomon was in there as well. Naruto then turned to Yamaki. "Alright, how did you get this?"
"I was there, of course I was going to get it."
"That's not what I meant." Naruto said, his tone serious and cold. "I meant, how did this picture get taken in the first place? I set up an Illusion that would make it seem like it's just a gunfight that got out of hand to those that weren't involved. Recording Technology would be rendered useless at the same time."
"So... you think this is just a game?"
"No." Naruto replied, cold, calculating eyes on Yamaki. "I figure this is just preparation."
"Oh? And what could you know that I don't?"
"That the worst has yet to come."
"And it won't."
"See, that's where you're wrong." Naruto replied. "The worst will come. Whether you want it to or not. You're going to need someone that can handle the kind of shit that will hit the fan the moment it does. I highly doubt you've got the ability or firepower to handle something on the level of Planet Wide Cataclysm."
"Please. Nothing is that powerful."
Naruto pulled out his Digivice. "Years ago, I had a bad feeling. I searched out help, and found it. An old library. All the texts are written in a language no one knows of. I couldn't find out what it was, because there were no records of it anywhere."
"Then they're useless."
"Again, Wrong." Naruto retorted. "I can read them with ease. My parent's couldn't find anything on the language, and I don't know what it's called. Just that I can understand it, and they can't. I've been training myself in what's on them for years now. I can handle this. I can tell that this isn't just a game. Digimon are only the first wave. The True Threat will likely Consume Digimon and Human alike. I may not know what it is, but if this threat isn't stopped by someone then the entire planet is doomed. It's why I've been training all these years. This right here," he gestured to the Digivice. "Only further cemented the fact that something requires Digimon and Humans to work together to get through it is coming. I'm not stupid. I can tell that the worst has yet to come. It's like instinct. It's how both the Toad Sage and I can sense when Digimon are going to Bioemerge, before they do. It's our job to take care of them, not yours."
"And what would you know about this?"
Naruto put his Digivice away. "You have no idea what we're capable of." He nodded to them both, and they showed off their Digivices. "We know what we're getting into, and have no intentions on holding back, which is why I'm willing to offer a compromise."
"What could you give me?"
"Undercover Field Agents." Naruto retorted, surprising both Rika and Henry. "There are things you won't be able to take out before they get here. It's things like that we would be taking care of. We help you out by taking out the ones coming through, while you work on preventing them, and making cover stories for when I can't prevent it from happening."
"This isn't a job for kids."
"You see this?" he pointed at the Digivice. "We didn't ask for this. We don't have a choice in the matter. It's either fight back, or all is doomed. All I wanted was a peaceful life. One that didn't involve fighting. The moment I got the bad feeling when I was 7, I knew that something was coming. I just didn't know what. This thing appeared, and I realized the severity of it. When a Digivice shows itself, it marks the beginning of a threat that would take both Digimon and Humans to take care of. Like it or not, we've got to do this. If we don't, the Earth as we know it will cease to exist."
"And what do you know?"
"I know enough to realize the severity of the situation. You don't care what your opposition is, it seems. You think that you can just stop them from Bio-emerging. What happens when you can't stop it in time? What would happen if a Mega Level comes through? At best, Champion levels have come through. No Ultimate levels yet. If a Mega comes through this planet is doomed if there is no one to combat it. Why do you think I treat the Rookies and Champions that come through as preparation? It's so when the higher levels come, we'll be ready." Naruto sent out a pulse, shattering the Illusions around the Digimon. "I was hoping to not have to negotiate so soon, I'll admit. But at this point? I'm saying fuck it. You take care of what you can, and we take care of what you can't. We won't be paid for this, as we didn't want to do so in the first place. One of the reasons why the public doesn't know about us yet."
"Oh? So, this Toad Sage actually knows you."
"No shit." Naruto replied. "I'm the fucking Toad Sage, you idiot."
"That would be impossible. You don't even look... right..." During the line, Naruto transformed into Namikaze, still sitting down. "What the..."
"I wasn't aware that there was a game based on my past life when I came up with this. Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, reborn as Takato Matsuki, which you already know of. Like this, I have full access to my abilities, with the control I had to spend years to regain as Takato. I lived to 52 years old as Naruto, and died, finally being separated from the Kyuubi." He changed back.
"I was reborn into the Matsuki family, which I grew up. Like last time, my Childhood was screwed over by some Worldwide threat. It's why I trained so hard. When I created Guilmon out of sheer boredom I made him real with my Digivice. That's why there are no records of him on any official site. He's not an official Digimon, rather created by me. His Champion form fit him when it first happened. It also fit what I was imagining, as well. You see Digimon as nothing but a threat to society. Well, here's the truth of the matter: Digimon aren't the true threat, and are looking for help. The two Digimon I managed to capture say that something is coming for them. There is no known name, but they know it's coming. The mere mention of that makes my skin crawl."
"You captured Digimon?"
"Yeah, before destroying them and sending them back as Data Particles." Naruto said. "The matter is far more serious than you think, and the Digimon are preparing us, the Tamers, for the threat. As long as you don't fuck with me, or my friends, I won't fuck with you. But if you so much as threaten my family, my friends, or our Partners, you can kiss your life goodbye. And don't think that, because I'm a kid, I will be affected in the slightest by killing you if you do something. We have what you don't. You have what we don't, albeit not much we need."
"I highly doubt that." Yamaki growled.
Naruto sighed. "Fine. You want proof? I'll show you proof." He grabbed Yamaki's forehead with a Glowing palm. When he removed the palm, he glared at Yamaki. "If you do anything to those related to me to get me to back down, then consider what you saw a welcome feeling compared to what I'll do to you. Understand?"
"You... that's impossible."
"Famous last words." Naruto made a Fuuton: Rasengan in one hand. "You see this? Let us do our job, and you do yours. We are only a threat if threatened. You threaten us, we strike. You leave us to what we have to do, and we won't interfere unless we end up on opposite sides. You want to rid the world of a threat. We are the weapons you need to combat it, and the shields to keep the world safe."
Yamaki stared at the Fuuton: Rasengan over his sunglasses, with wide eyes. "You're bluffing."
"I don't bluff." Naruto said, cold tone in his voice. "This is my ultimatum. You let us do as we have to, and you don't interfere with us. You kidnap one of us, or harm our Digimon in any way, shape or form, consider Hypnos disbanded, and their tower destroyed. You help us, we help you. Got it?"
Yamaki was sweating, as he watched Naruto's hand. "A-alright..."
"We are silent partners. Undercover Field Agents, known only by you. When you can't stop something, or cause something else due to a program gone haywire, we take care of it, but we do so our way." Yamaki nodded in fear. "Now get lost." He slammed it into the wall, making a hole. "Before I make another one and use it on you." Yamaki then walked out, before running when he was out of sight.
"That's done." Naruto said, before channeling Chakra to the wall, repairing it slowly.
"Done? You just threatened a government official!" Henry retorted.
"I didn't make a threat. I never do. I only make promises. And I never break them." Naruto said, before the wall finished, and he sat back down. "I didn't want to reveal my Past Life to him, but I don't think it would make much sense why if I didn't."
"Are your gut feelings ever wrong?" Henry asked.
"No they aren't." Naruto replied. "I really was hoping for a peaceful life this time around. Apparently, I don't even get that. I guess if I don't go looking for Trouble, Trouble finds it way to me. It always does." He shook his head. "Anyway, in regards to me having a past life and actually remembering it, that should never get out. To anyone. Trust me, people will think you're crazy if you say anything about it. Why do you think I don't go public with that?"
"Uh... Most would think you're pulling their leg." Henry said.
"We're not most people, Gogglehead." Rika retorted. "Of course talking about it, and actually being put there are two totally different things."
"What do you mean? What does she mean?" Henry was a little frantic.
"I... showed her the first 18 years of my Past Life." Naruto admitted, scratching the back of his head. "I had to get her head out of her ass... No offense."
Rika simply shrugged. "Renamon appreciates it, as do I. My mother doesn't know, but I think my Grandmother might."
"Still trying to keep up the Digimon Ice Queen act?" Naruto asked.
"Of course." She winked at him.
Naruto chuckled in response. "Alright. Anyway, Rika, know that my Alias will be something that I used in my last life. Something that I know you saw, as I came up with it during an Infiltration mission."
"Which one?"
"You'll know." Naruto smiled.
Rika thought about it. "Fine. Don't tell me. It'll ruin the surprise."
"Glad to see you understand." Naruto looked at Guilmon. "Let's go, man. Rika, I'll be in contact with Yamaki every now and then. I'll probably have to make an appointment, but we'll have to meet on Neutral Ground, and in secret. If something happens, and they can't stop it, we'll be there to do so. Henry, I'd highly suggest that you work on your sensor capabilities. When they get high enough, you'd be able to sense Digimon before they Bioemerge, and get there in time to stop it."
"Before you go, can you explain what you meant by "Did to a Digital Field a few weeks ago?" I am still confused at that." Henry asked.
"Oh. That was just the usage of something called the Digital Hazard Punch. I used it on a Digital Field in the Tunnels under Shinjuku Park. Apparently, Guilmon was being targeted by it, so he had to hang back. Anyway, I struck it with a massive amount of the Hazard channeled into a single well-aimed smack. A less amount got us into the Digital Field while destroying the wall. I've been teaching Rika the same thing, just with her regular Chakra. Her skills are going down the same path an old friend of mine did. What's more is, she's a natural at it. When mastered she could bring down a building with a single finger flick." At their disbelieving looks, he continued. "Take it from someone who saw it happen firsthand... and was on the receiving end of said flick not once, but 5 times. Rika knows of 2 of those five times." Naruto then left, Guilmon vanishing to the Training Ground.
Rika then started to walk home, Renamon watching from the Shadows.
Henry just walked off, Terriermon on his head.
When she got home, Renamon asked her a question. "Rika, is it true?"
"He's been teaching me out of his Sister Figure's skills, in addition to his own. I'm more likely to go through Sakura's than his. And... I know now what he meant by that."
"You do?" Renamon asked, earning a nod.
"It brought down an entire castle more than once... in one hit." Rika admitted. "With a single finger, it made a fissure 13 feet long, making Naruto trip into it. Now knowing what it is, I know what can be done with it."
"You're kidding me."
"You know me well enough, Renamon. I don't joke around."
"I know but... that is Champion Level attacks, easily."
"That would be about right. It takes a Chuunin to do so, which would be about Champion level. Not to mention a lot of control. He can do it, because he recreated it on his own."
"I see. I'll keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"Thank you, Renamon." Rika said, as she continued walking.
-the next day-
Naruto was in a Construction site. Ironically, the same one Gorillamon was at. He was on top of a steel beam, when Yamaki entered the area. Sensing no one else in the area, and a Perimeter made a ways out, he dropped down. "Good to see you made it."
Yamaki took out an envelope. "A message. It's from one of my subordinates that knew of the Anomaly that you caused."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, before opening it, and reading it.
Uzumaki,
Believe it or not, my daughter is one of the few fans of your show. It was discontinued, but with what Yamaki told me and Riley about the Anomaly we've been trying to trace, I guess it makes sense that it would be you.
That Fuuton: Rasengan bit, which my daughter explained to me in full, could literally tear someone apart. She was borderline obsessed with your show. Out of all characters though, she thinks that Naruto is the coolest, and even had me make a cosplay outfit of both Sakura and Hinata. Sakura was after the Training Trip, while Hinata was before it.
Which is why I'd like to ask that you come by and look them over. Find anything I did wrong. Perhaps give suggestions as to what could be done to improve them. Though I will be the first to admit the Hinata one was harder to make, but I haven't really gotten it finished yet.
I've been too busy with work at Hypnos. Any help would be appreciated.
Tally Onodera
PS. After going through it myself, I find Kimimaro sexy.
Naruto sweatdropped at that, before rolling it up. "I should've known." He tossed the message back to Yamaki, before making a notebook appear. "Give that to Tally. It has what she's asking about down to the very last detail."
"A request? She wasn't supposed to do that."
"It's not exactly a bad one, and it does nothing to expose us. Remember, we're silent partners, so we have to help you. Besides, if there's one thing that I do know, it's that seeing those things again is bound to make me smile the moment I see. Besides, there's an Anime Convention coming up in a few months. I might go as myself, now that I know I'm a part of an Anime. I'll have to see how accurate it is myself someday, but that will have to wait. I have a cover to maintain anyway, so this will only help my cover. The more people think we're just pretending to do things the less people will think of it. Our covers are easy, and, though somewhat obvious, the obvious is largely ignored in favor of ignorance."
"Sadly, that's true." Yamaki admitted. "I take it you're supposed to be the leader of the Secret Tamer Division?"
"There is no true leader at this point. Before we decide who the leader is, we have know what we're up against. The Threat, as I said before, is truly unknown even to the Digimon. With the way things are going, I'll probably end up as the leader with my own experience in mind. In any case, whatever happens, know that I will make sure the others will know what to do when things go south. You won't have to provide for us, or even make it so we are paid to do what we are. The first thing on the list is to make sure the Tamers are prepared, myself included. That's something that you can't help us with. Besides, at most, I have 60% of my old arsenal in my control. The other 40% would require a stronger body to use, much less control, so I'll have to make do with what I have, and work with what I can."
"I'll pass on the message to Tally. And you make sure that they know what it is they're getting into."
"Already on it."
Yamaki then checked his watch. "Wait a minute... shouldn't you be in school right now?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You just noticed that?" Yamaki sweatdropped. "Relax, it's taken care of. There's no gym today, so I could send a Shadow Clone for it. Besides, Henry is already aware of me using a Shadow Clone in school today. I've got a few things to work on, and I'll need all the time I have to get it under my complete control. I've got a safe place to train myself in its usage, so you don't have to worry about collateral Damage, or risk of discovery. Just tell Tally that, in this area, I could use the Imari and no one would be able to see it, Satellite or line of sight. I don't even have to leave the City to get there."
Yamaki nodded. "You seem to have all bases covered. Continue what you're doing, and you'll go far."
"All but a few, but the ones I don't have covered I have no idea where they are, and neither do you. Why do you think preparation is necessary? We have no idea what we're up against. All I can think of is that the highest level Digimon would know. Not even Ultimates are likely to know. The only ones I'd say have a clue are the Megas, and even then, they might not know. Until we find out just what is going on, and what's coming, we have to be ready for anything. Expect the worst, and hope for the best. If any more Tamers show up, then I wouldn't be surprised. We are silent partners, and the only real things I learn in school are the History, which can be read at any library, and science. Anything else is basically when I goof off in class, due to the fact I already know everything there is to know in the subject. I've got all revealed bases covered, while still searching for those that are needed. That's all you need to know right now."
"You are one strange kid."
"I'm 65 Mentally. I'm only a kid in size and form."
Yamaki nodded and started to walk off. "Oh, and Yamaki? Don't use a perimeter. It makes bystanders think that something important or dangerous is in the area. The curious ones would try to find a way in. One of the reasons I chose this place is because of the Past Bioemergence here. It could be a report that something was missed, and it needed to be checked out, in case you did make a perimeter. It seems I know you a little too well. For now, until the Tamer's Existence is forced to be made public, any perimeters for our meetings should not be in existence. It's best if you remember that. Farewell." Naruto then vanished.
-in school-
Naruto and Jeri were talking on a bench, when Kazu and Kenta walked up to him. "Yo, Takato. You entering the Card Tournament next week?"
"I might. I'm actually hoping to meet the Digimon Queen, or Digimon King. From what I hear, those two would be the only real challenges in the area."
"Please, you may be good, but you're nowhere near the level of Ryo Akiyama! Besides, what makes you think you can take them on?"
Naruto shrugged. "I just like the challenge. Whether I beat them or not has yet to be determined."
"You boys and your Digimon."
"Hey, don't knock it 'till you try it, Jeri." Naruto said. "It may seem dumb to most, but the way I see it, there's much more underneath what is seen that actually makes it interesting. Besides, I learned it out of sheer boredom. It kept my interest, so I learned. Learn to look underneath the underneath. It's where you will find the truth." Naruto then got up and walked off. "Only then, will you find yourself."
Kazu and Kenta were confused, but Jeri knew what he was talking about. 'Does he know?'
Naruto inwardly smirked. 'Jeri, I know that you think you have to help others. You're like a combination of me and Hinata... I know that you like me, but I can't see you that way. You're too much like one of my daughters as Naruto.' He then looked up with a forlorn look on his face. 'Karina... I hope you're doing fine without me there. Because if you aren't, and I find out, I'm gonna kick your ever loving pale ass. Your my daughter, and if you get down because I died, then I will be very disappointed in you. An Uzumaki never gives up. We're too stubborn. You lose that Stubbornness, and you lose the right to call yourself an Uzumaki.'
In Jeri's mind, however, other things were going through her head. 'I don't think it could be him. If it were, he'd realize that I'm just like I was as Hinata. Seriously, though. He may be bullheaded, and Takato shares a lot of his traits but... maybe I should give him a chance. Still... he wouldn't know that I can still use the Byakugan. It just rids my eyes of the Pupils... oh duh. Why haven't I tried to use it on Takato? I swear, I think I'm picking up Naruto's old habits.'
Jeri then made an unnoticeable Handsign. 'Byakugan!' After checking out Naruto, she held in a gasp. 'Those levels... they're unreal! No, it has to be him.' She saw him slightly tense the moment she activated the Byakugan. 'And when he tensed up... he's still a good sensor. He already has his memories. I gained mine when I lost my mother... again. Why is it that I had to live without a mother both times?'
Then she noticed something. 'That's not Kurama's chakra mixing with his own... what is it?'
She shook her head, and turned off her Byakugan. 'I'll have to wait until he confronts me on it. He still has his senses, but I had to work things out on my own. It's a good thing my new body is almost as flexible as my last one. Seriously, Naruto-koi. Why haven't you realized what's going on yet? And why do you treat me like you did Sakura?'
The Naruto clone, on the other hand, had a strange thought. 'That was a Doujutsu... Who could have a Doujutsu here? This'll have to be relayed to the boss as soon as possible. Because if it's Hinata, she's going to be pissed when she finds out what I'm doing. But that begs the question... what happened to their reserves? It seems familiar, but I can't place it, and I can't detect the Chakra levels for some reason. It's as if it's scrambling my senses.'
At the end of the day, Naruto took off running, into a long alley, in which Jeri had followed him, she saw Naruto was waiting for her. "Why are you following me, Jeri? Or is that who you really are?" Naruto asked.
"I came to find my husband. From what I can think, you have the best chance of being the one."
"Sorry, Jeri, but I'm not sure why you think I'm your husband." Naruto replied.
"For all intents and purposes, call me Hinata Hyuuga right now." Naruto hung his head.
"I should've known..." Naruto then raised his head. "Why did you come here, Hinata?"
"To be with you. I made a deal with the Shinigami. I help you in whatever life you're in next. I died 3 years after you did." Jeri replied.
Naruto shook his head. "Alright... How come I couldn't sense your Chakra?"
"I was planning on asking why you have so much."
"First off, it's an Uzumaki thing. Second, I remembered myself since birth. I still have all the Chakra I did when I died. Kurama has been gone this entire time."
"That explains why I couldn't find his Chakra. But that begs the question. What's the other Chakra you have?"
"You could say it's Kurama's replacement." Naruto admitted. "Hinata... I've already revealed the first 18 years of my life to someone else. If I didn't, she might have turned out like Sasuke."
"Who?"
Naruto paused for a moment. "The Digimon Queen. Her name is Rika Nonaka, and the first time I met her, I saw it. She has the Will of Fire in her. After I tore through her Mental and Emotional barriers like tissue, she went silent for a whole weekend. I've been training myself to fight a menace that could very well be worse than Tobi was."
"That bad?"
"Probably worse. I've been helping the Tamers prepare themselves recently. We recently aligned ourselves with Hypnos... though I had to show off the Fuuton: Rasengan to their leader. Some people know about me being Naruto, namely my parents in this life, and Rika. You and Rika are the only ones that knows the truth of my life."
"You're still playing dense, though."
Naruto shook his head. "Believe it or not, even after 30 years of being married to you, I barely understood girls. I may know what to look for for certain reactions, but I still have no idea how a girl's mind thinks. The only girls I somewhat understood was Sakura, you, and Tenten. Ino changed too much for me to understand her at all."
"So, I'll have to work on getting your attention again, huh?"
"I think it better if you don't." Naruto replied. "If you do, we'll have to explain why you're so interested in me. Just remember the Lion's Heart, and the Will of Fire. As long as you remember that, everything will be fine. Besides, it was easy noticing the methods you hid behind the pain. They were the same ones that I used, after all. Now I don't need to."
"Should I at least keep talking to your parents?"
"For the time being, keep up your act as Jeri. It would be the best right now. If I ever go public about me being Naruto, then you come clean about being Hinata." Naruto paused before sensing Rika coming his way. "Rika's coming. She's almost as good a sensor as Ino was. Good luck, Jeri. I hope you find what you're looking for. You'll always be family to me. Remember that." Naruto then ran off, towards Rika, bumping into her on accident. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
"Huh? Takato?"
"Rika?" Naruto responded, before looking at the dress she was in. "Your mother?" she nodded sadly. "Come on, let's get you out of that." They ran to a hidden area, where Naruto took out a scroll, and unsealed some clothing. "I think these are more your style." She nodded.
"No peeking." She began to change in the bushes.
Naruto then shook his head. "I won't be around long enough to do so. Keep the scroll, and the clothes. I had them made for this occasion." He poofed out, signifying he was a Shadow Clone.
'That was a Shadow Clone? Well, I should thank him for the clothes. The Purple sleeves were a nice touch.' When she had them on, she came out, and looked at herself. 'Definitely a good look in my book. And it fits... a little too easily. He's been checking me out, hasn't he?' She looked at the scroll, and found a note.
Rika if think I was checking you out, it was for situations like this. I know you hate cute and frilly, and with a Model for a mother, I figured she'd try to have you go down her path in life. You wouldn't go down her path, because it doesn't suit your tastes, so I had to know what points measured what. Having a Super Pervert for a Sensei has its advantages. And no, it wasn't you in a shower. It was during Training.
And before you ask how I got the money for it, consider what I said about the casinos. I own them. I get a good 20% of the profits, I even have a bank account set up under a name that I got elsewhere. A businessman that I had come across. You remember Gato? Him. I run a Business as him, and bankrupt the casinos, before adding them to my chain.
My parents are completely unaware of this, however. So don't mention it.
Please burn this message when you're done reading it.
Rika shook her head, and burned it on the spot. 'Seriously, Naruto? Do you really have to prepare for everything? I know you well enough that a plan just doesn't suit you. Still, I'm glad you're taking my feelings into account. And I really love the clothing. Durable, firm, and somewhat stylish, while still retaining the punk look. Oh great... now I'm thinking like my mother.'
She shrugged, and walked off, in a pair of Dark blue jeans, Yellow shirt with a Broken Heart and Purple sleeves... After burning the dress she was in before.
"Rika?" Renamon questioned.
"Burning a dress." She replied.
Pause. "Anyone see it?"
"Of course not."
Renamon nodded, and vanished from sight. 'I'm glad Renamon knows how I feel now... but my mom's gonna freak when she finds the dress burnt. Though, I doubt she'll ever see it again. That thing is toast.'
"That it is, Rika. That it is."
Rika was startled at the voice. 'Renamon? Can you hear my thoughts?'
"It appears so. I believe Naruto and Guilmon can do the same."
"I guess that means that you might become Kyuubimon again soon." Just then, she felt a warmth in her pocket. She pulled out a card. 'Digivolution? My god, they never made a card out of this. Sweet.'
After a while, there was a Digital field, in which there was a Harpymon. Renamon appeared in the Digital Field as Rika took off her Sunglasses. "A Harpymon? Renamon, let's try out the new card."
"With pleasure."
"DIGIMODIFY! DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVATE!" She slashed the card.
DIGIVOLUTION
"Renamon Digivolve to... Kyuubimon!"
Rika nodded. "Looks like it worked."
"That it did, Rika." Kyuubimon replied. "Now let's fry us a birdie."
"I'm with you there."
"Wind seeker!" The Harpymon shouted, swinging its wings out making a sonic wave. Kyuubimon sidestepped it easily. "Fox Tail Inferno!" Kyuubimon spread out her tails and fired the flames at Harpymon, earning a screech.
Rika put her pinky in her ears. "I doubt anyone can get louder than that." She complained.
"Rock Breaker!" Guilmon came down and hit the Harpymon from behind. Rika saw Naruto land right next to him.
"To think that Harpymon's screech is almost as loud as Ino's and Sakura's. Good thing Sakura stopped using it so much. Ino, not so much."
"You said it." Guilmon replied. "Sorry about that, Rika. By the way, did you burn the Dress after the clone dispelled?" Rika nodded in response. "Thought you would, though your mother would probably freak if she found out you did."
"I thought the same thing." Rika admitted.
"Wind Seeker!" A wave came at Guilmon, merely launched a Pyro Sphere at it, dispelling them both. "Huh?!"
"Nice try, bitch." Naruto smirked. "You want wind? You got it. Fuuton! Fuuryuudan!" Naruto was surrounded by wind, which then formed a dragon. "Rapid Pyro Sphere!" Guilmon launched all five into the Dragon. They both called out in their minds. "Collaboration Jutsu! Blazing Wind Dragon!"
The Harpymon was deleted, causing Guilmon to download the data, though rejecting half of it, opting to hand it to Renamon. "Take it, Kyuubimon."
"I didn't do anything." Kyuubimon pointed out.
"What's with taking my kill?" Rika questioned.
"You know how Sakura and Ino were?" Naruto asked, earning a nod. "I figured that, since Kyuubimon helped, she deserves half of it. That's why I stopped Guilmon from absorbing the rest. They'll both get 50%."
"We can do that?" Rika asked.
"I can. You probably can't. It's the Digital Hazard mixed with my Chakra that makes it possible for me." Naruto shrugged. "Guilmon and I both have the power, but I have it locked from him. Until I can control it completely, I can't let him learn anything about how to control it. Once I have complete control, I will teach him how to use it like it should be."
Rika then looked at Kyuubimon and nodded. "Do it." Kyuubimon absorbed her half of the data, before she looked at Naruto again. "I probably won't ever understand why you do things the way you do."
"Eh, I'm used to it. You expect me to do one thing, I do another. There is never anything certain with me. It's useless to try to figure me out completely. The only one that has is..." Naruto blinked a few times. "Scratch that thought. Hinata's back."
"Wait, your old wife?"
"And what's worse is... she's Jeri this time. I guess instinctively, she knew it was me."
"Any chance of you showing me the rest of your life?" Rika asked.
Naruto shook his head. "Not for a while. Mind if I stay for dinner at your place tonight?"
"My mom will ask all kinds of questions."
"You're talking to the Rokudaime Hokage. I can answer any and all questions without problems."
"And dead end questions?"
"I went through those with Hinata's father and Neji." Naruto pointed out. The field started to dissipate, and Guilmon vanished to the Training Ground. Kyuubimon went back to Renamon and vanished from sight. Naruto and Rika walked back to Rika's house. "Here we are." She said.
"Grandma, I'm home." Rika said, taking off her shoes. Naruto did the same with his before following her in.
"Ah, Rika. Your mother called about you leaving the Camera Test earlier."
"If I didn't, I would've done worse, Grandma." Rika said. The old woman looked at Rika sitting next to Naruto next to the pond. "Oh, I didn't know you had company. Is he your boyfriend?" Rika blushed.
Naruto snorted. "Sometimes, I wonder."
"Quiet you." Rika retorted.
He simply shrugged in response, before giving his foxy smile, causing her scowl to turn into a snicker. Seiko just looked at the reaction, and how stupid he looked.
More specifically, she was interested in the reaction it got from Rika. 'She's taken with him.' "It would be rude for me to not invite you to dinner. Care to join us?"
"Depends. What's on the menu?"
"It was potato soup, but since Rika's mother will be here in a while, I figure that she's going to want something more fancy." Seiko responded. "By the way, I'm Seiko Hata. Rika's grandmother."
"Takato Matsuki." Naruto bowed slightly. "Though Rika sometimes calls me Naruto."
Seiko seemed slightly surprised. "You're the reason she wanted to learn how to cook Ramen?" Naruto looked at Rika surprised.
"Why didn't you ask me?"
"Because I wanted to make for you, baka." Rika retorted sending a scowl to Seiko. "You weren't supposed to talk about that. It was supposed to be a surprise."
"Why if it was for him?" Seiko asked with a smile on her face, meaning she actually liked the reaction.
"You want her riled up, don't you?" Naruto asked.
"It's hard to do so for me. Her mother, on the other hand, not so much. Which reminds me..." Seiko looked at Rika. "I thought you'd at least have the dress with you when you got back."
"I can be a bit of a pyrotechnic." Naruto admitted. "I lit a fire and the dress got caught in it after being blown in by wind. Sorry."
Seiko looked at Naruto. "So, when did she change?"
"She was wearing the clothes she is now when I saw her watching the flames burn." Naruto admitted.
"Her mother won't be happy about that. At least it was an accident." Seiko said, earning a nod from Rika and a shrug from Naruto. "It was an accident, right?" She reiterated.
"Wise man said: There are no accidents. Whatever happened, was meant to. Such is the way of the fates." Naruto replied. "The dress was likely to be burned sooner or later. It just happened sooner than some would want." He shrugged. "Who knows, you know?"
"Oh. Quite the wise man, ne?"
"I prefer to think of myself as someone who knows more than he should, with no idea how I know." Naruto replied.
Seiko looked at Rika. "I like this one. Though, being the cause of the fire that the dress got caught in might bring down your mother's thoughts on him."
Naruto inwardly smirked, before he spoke to Rika telepathically. "Told you I could answer questions without revealing the truth." Rika looked at Naruto. "And before you say anything, it's Telepathy Seals. I placed one on the inside of your pants. Right leg."
"Oh. Thanks, I guess." She replied. "Anyway, why don't you stay for dinner? Perhaps you can finally meet my mother." "Please... don't make me suffer alone."
"Why not? It's not like I have other plans." "They're already being taken care of. Besides, I'd be an ass if I left you to that. I'd have to apologize for setting it on fire." Naruto replied. "Shadow Clones rock."
Rika nodded. "You got your cards, right?"
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Naruto asked, pulling out a Black and Orange Deck Case.
Rika nodded. "Oh yeah."
"I hope you don't mind extremely fancy food, Takato. Rumiko gets carried away sometimes." Seiko admitted.
"Eh, I work in a bread shop with my parents. The Matsuki Bakery downtown." Naruto admitted. "I live around a lot of food. I'm sure nothing that you eat here will surprise me."
"Care to bet on that?" Seiko asked.
"How much?"
"If you don't get surprised, I'll give you 30,000 Yen." Seiko smiled. 'Let's see if Lady Luck has my side still.'
Naruto thought. "Rika... Your grandmother just went down the path of an idiot... should I take it?"
"Do it. She was very lucky in her younger years, or so she says." Rika replied.
"And if I do get surprised?"
"How about we let Rumiko choose that one?" Seiko replied.
"Why don't you just get her to put Naruto in a Designer Dress?" Rika asked. "I'm sure he'd make it look better than I would."
"You're kidding me." Naruto told her mentally. "I'm not wearing a dress again!"
"Oh? So you can do so as Naruko, but not Naruto?"
"Let's go with that." Naruto replied.
"You wore it as Naruto?"
Naruto nodded slightly.
"Oh, this I have to see."
"Alright, it's settled. And we'll be able to take pictures."
"I'm holding on to the pictures, not you or mom." Rika pointed out.
"Deal." Seiko held out her hand toward Naruto who took it.
"I'll have you know that when I gamble, I never lose." Naruto replied.
"I may not have gambled in a while, but those in my side of the family are both stubborn and lucky." Seiko pointed out. "I would thank luck if I ever saw her." Naruto then looked at Rika.
"Rika, how about we teach you Poker?"
"What are you saying?" Rika asked.
"I think I should show her how lucky I am." Naruto then reached into a pocket and pulled out and deck of playing cards. "We'll get to the Card Game later. You got a table for this, Hata-san?"
"Of course. Right this way." They went inside and sat down around a square table, kneeling on cushions. As they started to play, Seiko found that Naruto and Rika were natural gamblers. 'It's amazing how we are all good gamblers. Naruto looked like he has experience in this game. He's got one good poker face. Rika has been able to hide her emotions easily outside of the game. The concept holds true here too.' Seiko was thinking, also watching that Rika and Naruto would looked a the other every now and then.
She didn't realize that they were talking telepathically. "Show em." Naruto said. "Straight flush."
Rika put hers down. "Hmph. Flush."
"Royal Flush. Spades." Seiko showed hers.
Naruto shook his head. "I think that means all 3 of us are tied with 10 wins each."
"That would be about right." Seiko admitted. "One more, for the tie breaker."
"Fine by me." Naruto replied.
"I'm game." Rika added.
During this game, it was silent. It was then they all heard the front door open. Rika knew this was her mother, and Naruto found out quickly. Rumiko Nonaka opened the door to the room. "Mother, is... Rika..."
"Mom." Rika said, not even looking up from her cards. "This is round 31. It's currently a 3 way tie at 10 each." Rumiko looked at the table. "You've been corrupting their minds haven't you, mother?"
"I did no such thing, Rumiko. Rika has the family gift." Seiko retorted. "She might be able to take over a Casino one day."
"I doubt it." Rika admitted. "Show 'em." She had a Full house, 3's over Jacks.
"Straight, 10 high." Seiko showed hers.
Naruto smirked. "I win. Straight Flush, Queen high." Naruto showed his hand. Rika and Seiko frowned. "So, I guess it's 11-10-10." Naruto said.
"Apparently. So, Rumiko, I take it you brought dinner home with you?" Seiko asked.
"Of course." Rumiko replied with a bright smile. "We'll eat as soon as he introduces himself." She pointed at Naruto.
"Takato Matsuki. Rika calls me Naruto sometimes, because of how unpredictable I can be."
"Oh. So, she calls you maelstrom, eh? Calm, yet chaotic." Rumiko replied. "You might need the chaos if you're trying to get my daughters heart."
"Nah, I probably don't need it. If anything, I need less Chaos. I pretty much define Chaos when I get in the mood for something." Naruto shrugged. "If anything, I'm more like controlled Chaos, but turn me loose and someone will be yelling."
"He's like I was when I was younger, Rumiko. He's also staying for dinner."
"My parents already know." Naruto added. "They're fine with it."
Rumiko nodded. "Wait, when did you let them know?" Seiko questioned.
"On the way here, why?" Naruto asked.
"You were planning to all along, weren't you?"
Naruto smirked. "Maybe I just figured that Rika would want someone there for her. Maybe I heard that she and her mother don't get along well." he then shrugged. "Maybe I just like Rika, and don't want my mother to try and embarrass me in front of her."
Seiko shook her head. "You are full of surprises, Takato."
"I ask again: Why do you think she calls me Naruto?" Naruto replied.
"Well... here's dinner. It's not much, but something has to be eaten." Rumiko pulled out a bag of Veggie Burgers, which Naruto smelled instantly. He looked at it, Rumiko, then Rika, before looking at Seiko. "Hata-san... You win that one. I was expecting something above High 3-star food. Not a Veggie burger."
"What? You'd rather have something greasy? No one else was doing Take-out." Rumiko pointed out.
"Actually... yes. But in all honesty, I figure food is food. Just be happy you have something to eat." Naruto replied.
"Good. So, what did you mean by she won?"
"It was a bet we had when he got here. I'll explain it." Rika said, before explaining it all. "And that would be it. It seems Grandma is as lucky as ever."
"So, I can put him in anything I want?"
"Correction," Seiko started. "You can put him in any Designer Dress you want. Basically, if you would want Rika to wear it, you can put it on him. Rika gets any pictures, though."
"I'm a man of my word... I just wish I hadn't taken that bet. I mean, you're almost like that old family that I once read about." Naruto admitted.
"What do you mean?" Seiko asked.
"Well, it's said they called themselves Uzumaki. A largely forgotten family name, that most don't even know of these days. The only records of them are old, faded, and on scrolls."
"You want to know a secret?" Seiko asked.
"What secret?" Rumiko asked.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What kind of secret is it?"
"It's about my family, long ago. My father's side." Seiko said. "About a century ago, there was a group of wanderers that one of my ancestors came across. They were forced from their homes. They called themselves Uzumaki. They tried desperately to get back, using a type of magic called Fuuinjutsu. No one managed to make it back to wherever they came from, but some married and settled down. My Grandfather married into the family. The rest that settled down stayed out of contact with the others. They were unnaturally stubborn, and very good gamblers. I Inherited that gift."
Rika looked wide eyed at Naruto. Naruto returned the look. They shared one thought simultaneously. "Oh shit."
"You know, it is said that the only one that can beat one of Uzumaki blood is another of Uzumaki blood." Seiko admitted. "Sometimes, it's wondered if that family was a family of nutjobs. Even I seemed to think so, at times. Still, I can't help but think that there was a method to the madness of an Uzumaki. If they pulled a prank, they never got caught, until they bragged about it."
"So, you're descended from the Uzumaki Clan?" Naruto asked, suddenly attentive. Seiko noticed his eyes, and saw the pure hope in them. She nodded. "Do you have any of their older records? Maybe some of their Fuuinjutsu?"
"Sure, but I don't think you'd be able to understand them that easily." Seiko admitted. "I'll give you a lower level one. I know quite a bit about them, but I rarely, if ever, use them. These days, Technology has taken Fuuinjutsu out of the picture for the most part." Seiko got up, before even starting on her burger.
Naruto looked at his, and ate it before anyone else saw what he did. Rika and Rumiko looked at him, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "What?"
"Why are you so interested in my family history?" Rumiko asked.
"When I first heard of the Uzumaki Clan, I was nearly hooked. They were so much like me, I thought I was reading a book. Neither of my parents see it in them, but I do in me." Naruto admitted.
Seiko came back in with a dusty scroll. "This is one of them. It hasn't been opened since I was trying to teach Rumiko. She just wasn't interested."
Naruto opened it slowly, and read it. He then looked at the seal. Seiko watched him for 30 seconds. "Usually, an Uzumaki would have it down by 30 seconds."
Naruto shook his head. "Honestly? I'm actually more surprised you have something of this level. This is more Mid-level, rather than low level." Naruto said, making a more recent scroll appear in his hand, making Seiko's eyes widen. "You didn't think I asked about it without knowing what I was talking about did you?" He tossed it to Seiko. "Check that one out."
She did just that, and her eyes widened even more. "A Pocket Dimension Seal... I don't even have the records on this one. Only rumors."
Naruto smirked. "I've placed 3 of them in the city already, and one that connects to all 3 of them, that can't be accessed from this plane of existence. I've learned quite a bit about them. They've got their uses, still. You just need to know where they can be used. For example," He made 2 more scrolls appear. "These two can cut back on bills. Instant Water seals, and Infinite Electricity Seals. Then there's security seals, storage seals, and so on. There's literally no limit to what they can do. If you're ever cut off from the City Power Grid, this make it so you don't have to worry about a thing."
"Yes. That's why I secretly put them on this house. In case of a Power outage." Seiko admitted.
"Since my family owns a bakery, I put Anti-fire Seals in the kitchen, in case of a Kitchen fire."
"I did that with ours as well." Seiko admitted. "Are you sure you're not an Uzumaki?"
Naruto paused, before replying. "Are you familiar with Reincarnation?"
"Of course. Do I believe in it? Not really." Seiko admitted.
"I do. It's actually quite fitting, getting a second chance to do what is right, when you may not deserve it." Rumiko pointed out.
Naruto sighed, before resealing the scrolls in his hand. "What if you actually deserve a second life? For example, you saved a world from destruction. You brought an era of peace, and then lived on to have a family. You finally let death take you at 52 years old, and you're brought before 3 Gods. They give you another chance at life. They let you have the power you had beforehand, and any and all knowledge you had was there at birth."
Rumiko blinked. "That's a little specific, don't you think? But yes, I can see it being possible."
Rika looked at Naruto, who looked at Seiko, who responded. "I see what you're saying, now, young Takato. Or should I say, Naruto Uzumaki?"
Naruto nodded. "I was reborn as Takato Matsuki, yes. But before I was reborn, I was, in fact, Naruto Uzumaki."
Seiko sighed. "I should have known. If your blood has any relation to my family it would be weird for you to date Rika."
"Reincarnation is a fickle thing." Naruto admitted. "In return for a new life, you lose any blood connections you had beforehand. Your blood, quite literally is the blood of whoever birthed the new body. By blood, I am not an Uzumaki. But in my soul, I am. As Naruto, I was a Jinchuuriki. I may have all my knowledge and powers as before, but my control sucked, to put it lightly."
"I see. And you know of the more updated versions of the lessons, don't you?"
"Not really. I actually had my mother's and father's as Naruto. My mother was the last known Uzumaki alive, before me. She died the day I was born in that life." Naruto admitted.
Seiko noticed that Rika was a little down, but not surprised in the slightest. "Rika, why aren't you surprised?"
"Kind of hard to... when you've already seen the first 18 years of his life." She admitted. "I guess it's because of him that I changed, even if it wasn't noticed."
"I didn't see a change." Rumiko pointed out.
"She hates cute and frilly." Naruto told her. "Quite frankly, I don't really like that kind of stuff, either."
Rumiko's eyes glimmered a bit. "Oh really?" Seiko noticed the gleam, as did Naruto and Rika. Naruto had one thought. 'I was hoping she'd forget the bet... I guess I'm not that lucky.'
Rika and Seiko thought like mind. 'He is screwed.'
"Not helping Rika."
"Not meant to help, Naruto." Rika told him mentally.
Seiko then asked a question. "Do you have any Telepathy Seals in use, Takato?"
Naruto nodded, somehow in fear of what Rumiko would put him in. "Let me guess... Rika?" Another nod. "Ah, that explains it. You mind teaching her what she would need to know about it? It's in the Uzumaki genes, which I do have."
"I wasn't planning to at first, but I might as well." Naruto admitted.
"Okay. I also see you finished your Veggie Burger quickly."
"Uh, I eat fast?"
"Yet, I do not see any mess."
"Uh, yeah." Naruto replied. "I always do."
Seiko nodded. "Rumiko? What time?"
"Saturday. Be here at 9:00 AM. I'll have it ready by then."
Naruto nodded, and got up. "You're not leaving yet, Takato." Rika said, as he froze. He knew that kind of voice. It meant, listen, or you'll regret it.
"Y-yes?"
Rika tossed him a card. "Put that in your deck for the tournament. Use it well."
Naruto nodded, before unsealing a Headband with a Pixel D on it. The same symbol on the Blue Card. "Make sure you wear that at the Tourney. I'm giving Henry his tomorrow. We're a team. Remember that." Rika nodded at that. "You gonna wear one as well?"
"Of course." Naruto replied. "I'm going after my old Sensei, I guess. Minus the habitually late part."
"You really want to piss them off, don't you?" Rika asked, earning a nod. "Just take it seriously with me, because I have no intention of holding back."
"I'm not stupid enough to." Naruto admitted. "Still, whatever you heard tonight should be kept here. Remember, Rika. Yamaki still doesn't trust us. That Headband is a symbol of who we are. Our team."
"Reborn or not, you're still a shinobi at heart. I get it. And since you've been training me and Henry, I can understand this, but why now?"
"Because... you've both reached Genin level." Naruto admitted. "Consider that as your graduation. Just try not to kill Henry. Since I'm here tonight, I thought I'd give it to you now."
Rika nodded. "And remember to come by on Saturday. Not Naruko, not Namikaze, but Naruto. And none of your old enemies that you would love to embarrass. I didn't start learning how to sense for no reason, you know?"
Naruto nodded, and didn't bother to use the Telepathy Seals for this thought. 'She never said I couldn't use my old 13 year old form. Namikaze is the Toad Sage form.'
As he left the house, he faded from existence, knowing that he left the Pocket Dimension seal with Seiko.
00000x00000
Chapter end. The next chapter will have Musyamon, and maybe Mihiramon.
I've got plans for when Sandiramon (The white Snake Digimon) appears.
