A/N Thanks for your reviews and support.

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Naruto's POV

The barrier that kept his teacher out fell. This allowed the man inside what was a sacred temple. Xaiogang ran in his eyes taking the dead spirit beast. The gold ring that rose over its body.

The man noted the dagger in its body. Then said," This is a frost wolf. I didn't think we would see one this far away from the northern mountains. It will be good for you however."

Naruto's blue eyes met his teacher's golden ones. His teacher believed that he could use this spirit ring. It would mean he had to trust the man. Trust him more than anyone else. If he was not compatible with the spirit his body would reject it. Rejection would kill him.

He said with determination that was rare," I believe in you sensei."

The man said calm and true," Use your spirit essence to bring the soul ring towards us."

He called to Línghún the shadow fox now lay on his shoulder. It rubbed its head against his own. Then he called to the spirit ring. Then it circled around Lìnghún. Without warning the golden ring latched onto the fox.

The pressure was immense. He never felt anything like that before. It pushed on him trying to gain control.

Xaiogang instructed," Don't resist the energy. Let it flow into you."

Naruto could barely his teacher. It felt like his body was on fire. Hell fire coursed through his veins. His inner soul felt like it was freezing with the power over the frost wolf.

His teacher continued to instruct," Hang on, Naruto. Think about the force cultivation methods. Take the explosive energy and channel it through your veins."

Slowly he was able to do as he was told. Pushing the power through his veins was difficult. It didn't want to go evenly. It took all of his control to keep it from overwhelming him.

His teacher's gentle instruction came through the fog," The longer you can hold it the more comfortable you will be using later. Good now stay awake."

He kept pushing it through his veins. The fire had turned to ice. His breath came out in a white fog. Like when you spent time outside during the winter. Fire and ice were conflicting through him.

Something told him that if he didn't do this quickly. Then the power would explode and kill both him and his teacher. Grabbing at his strength one final push forced it to calm.

Ice cold power settled in his abdomen. His body felt light, stronger than it had just moments before. His eyes opened to look at his sensei. His eyes were still azure blue but they had a more icy blue than before. The perfect mix of his power.

Línghún had grown. He was the size of a small cat before. Now he was the size of a medium sized dog. For a moment Naruto thought it was the only change. Then the air changed. It too was colder. They both had the power of ice.

Xaiogang said with a small smile," Well done. Let's head back to the city."

The trail back was easier than there trail in. They didn't pass any of the other hunters that had come in. The town was mostly empty when they exited.

They slept in the town for the night. Línghún slept of his chest. His master slept while he really didn't. His mind kept going back to the frost wolf he killed.

It's eyes was filled with pain. Pain that he understood. He had lost someone close to him and it made him lose his will to live.

For Naruto he couldn't miss what he never had. The closest thing he had to a father was Xaiogang. He didn't know what he would do if he lost his mentor.

Turning his head he looked at the silver haired man. He was asleep. His chest rose slowly up and down. No sound came from him. He was a good man.

Part of him wanted to talk to Xaiogang about what happened. Then he might feel better. He heard once that talking about things made one feel better. Another part of him couldn't trust his teacher completely.

Eventually he fell into an uneasy sleep. The next morning he woke to his teacher shaking his shoulders. Blinking his blue eyes at the man he tried to remember where he was.

Then it came back to him. Línghún still lay on his chest. He looked up at his teacher. When he recognized the man he closed his eyes.

Grabbing Línghún in his arms he stood. Then he let the spirit return to his mark. Xaiogang smiled gently and they let.

It took most of the day for them return to the school. Instead of going straight to the school they went to the Spirit Master Hall. His teacher pushed him gently into the hall.

There an old master with grey hair and many lines on his face greeted them," Xaiogang it has been many years since you visited. What brings you back?"

Then he saw Naruto partially hidden behind his teacher. The blond met his gaze evenly. Part of him expected anger. What he didn't expect was a soft gentle look to enter his eyes.

The old man asked," Is he yours?"

His teacher choked before snapping," You old fool! No he isn't mine. He's my disciple!"

Naruto had to bite back a snicker. It seemed this old man and his teacher were old friends.

He said mustering all his confidence," I wish to test my spirit essence level."

This was where he would register every time he obtained a new ring. He would also receive money every month for being a spirit master. One gold coin. It would be enough to feed him decently every month. Being in school meant he could save it.

This would continue even when he went back to the Hidden Leaf. A gold coin was three months of money he was given there. It would last a long time. For now he would save the money he made.

The old man said looking him up and down," Your a little small to be registering. But I know Xaiogang wouldn't try anything. Come let's test your spirit essence level."

They went into a room. It was circular and if one looked up they could see the sky through a large painted window. In the center of the room was a crystal. One not unlike when they tested him at the Leaf. This one was larger and seemed more sturdy than the last one.

The old man nodded at the crystal and Naruto walked up to it. After eyeing it cautiously he placed his right hand on it and focused. Línghún appeared as did his first spirit ring. The howl of a frost was soon heard giving them all the information needed on what he had killed. If only by accident.

The old spirit master said," Well well. You certainly got yourself a decent apprentice there Xaiogang. To kill a hundred year old spirit beast at his age. Especially a frost wolf that it quite a feat. Well done on reaching level 11 lad. We can expect great things from you."

Naruto grinned at the praise. It wasn't often that he got praise. While it had been happening more often he still wasn't used to it. Xaiogang's hand found his shoulder and squeezed gently. Looking up he saw pride in his teacher's gaze.

The man left for a moment then when he came back he held out a coin purse. In it held his single gold coin.

The man said," You look like you could use some new clothes lad. Maybe that should be first on your list."

Naruto blushed in embarrassment. It wasn't his fault that they were his only clothes. Looking down he saw the orange jacket and pants. They were torn in several places from their adventures.

Xaiogang said his hand touching Naruto's shoulder kindly," I was planing on it. Given that the color is horrid. This just an excuse to. If you will excuse us."

The elder man waved him off and they left. As promised they made their way to the merchant district. From there they went to one of the clothes shops.

The shop keeper gave them a smile before frowning at his clothes. He said," Let's find you something better than those rags."

Without even waiting for his reply the shop keeper pulled him towards the clothes. At first they went through some of the lighter colored clothes then onto the darker. Finally the keeper held out a black, grey and navy blue shirt.

Naruto touched the black one. It was made out of something far softer than he ever felt before. Not only was it soft but it was sturdy. Would hold up to what had to be done.

Once the size was checked they moved towards the pants. This time the shop keeper allowed him to choose. He choose two pairs of black pants, one grey pair, and one pair of blue shorts. They were equally as soft as the shirt and just as sturdy.

Before they went to pay he saw the jacket section. While he liked just the shirt but he preferred jackets. Even if it was just one. He liked the extra protection they gave.

He choose two grey jackets, and three black ones. Each were sturdy. They would do.

Once they were chosen Xaiogang asked," How much, Leon?"

The man called Leon said," Two silver coins, Xaiogang."

Naruto went to pull his gold coin out but his mentor stopped him. Instead his teacher pulled out two silver coins and handed them over.

When he gave the man a confused look the man said with a knowing smile," You are my student. I'm going to look after you. So save your money this won't hurt me."

Bowing his head he mumbled," Thank you."

A gentle smile crossed his face and they began to head to the school. Once in his teacher's room he had to change his clothes. He chose grey pants, a black undershirt, and a grey jacket.

Once he was changed his teacher said," There you look better now that you are out of that orange."

He bowed his head in acceptance. When he moved to his teacher's side the man held out a book. On it side it read basics of spirit skills.

Xaiogang said," Read this and I'll help you practice tomorrow. Otherwise get some rest. You have had a long couple of days."

For a moment Naruto hesitated. If he wanted to tell his mentor what was bothering him this was it. Then he turned away. Not yet. Xaiogang didn't need to be bothered by his insecurities.

Half way to his rooms he was interrupted by a warm voice," Naruto welcome back. How did your trip go?"

Turning he saw the brown haired swordsman. Warm brown eyes watching him. It was Hayate Gekko retainer.

He smiled as he replied," Hayate sensei. I'm good we just got back from registering me as a spirit master."

Hayate nodded as he came closer. This allowed Naruto to see that he was carrying a bundle in his arms. Curious he too moved forward to see what it was.

Hayate held in his hand a sword. It was sheathed in simple black leather. It was almost as tall as he was given how short he was for his age.

Hayate said," Put it in your took belt. We will practice with it when your a little older. For now we will practice with wooden swords."

Naruto took the gift. Something in his chest twinged. He never felt something like this before. He pushed in away activating his ki over the jewels in the belt. The sword disappeared into it.

Now Hayate held out a wooden practice sword. It had its own belt as if to get huk used to the weight. Then it hit him. Not just to the weight but the feeling of having something on his hip.

Hayate bent to a knee helping him belt it off his side. It was just off his left hip. He was right handed so it made it easy for him to draw it.

Hayate said," There. Tomorrow morning we will start training you in katas. Meet me at the courtyard tomorrow at seven."

That was an hour and a half before classes. For now he was just grateful for his teacher. Tomorrow would be a new day.