Hello readers! Mulleb's here. Being in college I will try to update this as much as possible, but please note that updates may take time. I should also state that I have the full story for this fanfic written out. I just need someone to beta it and finding and keeping one seemed to be difficult at the moment.

If you enjoy Undertale or Avatar: The last airbender I just posted a couple of fics onto the site. The Undertale story is called The Fourth Path while the other is called Book One: Disaster. Just look on my profile to see a full summary for both if your interested.

Enjoy the read.

Chapter Seven

Groaning, Anko placed a hand to her head. She tried opening her eyes, but light pounded her skull. Curses flow from her tongue as she tried to focus. Forcing herself to breath, she worked on opening her eyes. It took several minutes for them to adjust and for the headache to become bearable.

A frown formed upon seeing a solid wall colored a calming blue. She turned around to be greeted by more walls. Leaning on a hand, she felt cloth rubbed against flesh. Anko glanced down to see her entire hand bandaged up. The floor underneath her were green cushions.

The kunoichi tried to take the bandages off, but her other bandaged hand just scrapped the cloth. "What the hell?" She thought of using her teeth, but memories of her failed fight returned to her.

"That philosopher guy." Standing, Anko scanned the room for an escape. The ceiling appeared to be concrete. Air holes were hidden well. "He knocked me out. I must be his prisoner." Habit made her reach for her a kunai. Of course, the spot was empty. Yet she felt an odd object there.

Looking at herself, Anko blinked. Someone stripped her out of her clothes and forced her into a pair of sweat pants and a plain black shirt. They left her sandals, but when she reached for her headband she felt flesh.

"What pervert stole someone clothes?" Shaking her head, the snake mistress strolled over to the wall. "Well, I'm not going anywhere in this condition. Might as well see if I can catch someone attention. Hey perverts! How long are you going to keep me in this dungeon?"

Silence answered her. Anko knocked on the walls and shouted. If people heard they ignored her. Flopping onto the floor, the kunoichi stared up at the ceiling. This would be her first time being capture, but she steel herself for the interrogation to come.

The waiting proved tortuous. When grounding stone drew her from a daze she leapt to her feet. A young man around Anko's age dropped through a hole. Light orange hair covered his ears. Twinkling green eyes accompanied a plump face. A bread surrounded his face. He dressed in light tan pants and green shirt. Embedded into his forehead was a small ruby.

Yet what caught Anko's attention was the guy's stance. Loose and relax his motion appeared to be that of a civilian. A polite smile crossed his face.

"Good evening." The young man bowed. "My name is Kattā. I'll be-"

Anko rushed the man and plowed into him. As he went to the floor she leapt to the hole. She yelped when a hand grabbed onto her ankle and yanked her down. Falling face first, the snake mistress growled at the groaning of rock.

"Well that was stupid of me." Kattā released Anko. "I'm still getting use to the fact people will attack me. Whatever your name maybe can you refine from fighting. I may not have experience as you do, but I have some training in the chakra arts."

Flipping onto her butt, Anko grimace. "Get to the point."

"I'm just here to make sure that you're awake." The orange-haired man chuckled. "Based on your current actions you're doing well. Care for something to eat or drink?"

Getting into sitting position, the kunoichi rubbed the back of her head. "How long had I been here?"

"My best guess is half a day." Kattā joined Anko on the floor. "If you have any question or request don't be afraid to ask."

The kunoichi blinked. "Okay, where am I?"

"I'm not allow to say for the safety of the people here."

"What about my teammates?"

"Dead, but their bodies are being shipped back home."

Anko bit her lower lips. "How long will I be here?"

Shrugging, Kattā gestured to the sky. "Whenever the heaven's think it fits. In this case, when the Philosopher believe that you won't try to kill us all." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a book. "Which may take a while. I just grabbed the first think I saw. If you want something else I can go get it for you."

The kunoichi took the book and studied it. A plain novel that could be found in almost any library. Placing the book down, Anko sighed.

"Well, it's best to get comfortable." The snake mistress flopped onto her back.

Standing, the civilian pocketed his hands. "That would be best. The Philosopher will visit soon. You'll be feed regularly."

"Grand."

Kattā pulled a hand out of his pocket and pulled out a small bell. It's soft chimes were pleasing to the ears. Dizziness overcame Anko and she grip her head. A slab of the roof opened up. After a bow Kattā leapt through the hole. The slab slammed back into place.

Staring at the roof, the kunoichi licked her lips. She had little idea of what to make of that little visit. It would be easier if they just clasped her in chains and started stabbing her in the stomach.

If they are being idiots then let them. Lifting her hands, she stared at them. The bones are broken. I just need time to heal and figure out what the hell is going on. She flipped onto her stomach and tried to open the book. She then remember the joys of having flexible fingers. Opening the cover prove easy, but she flipped half a dozen pages. "Okay, first thing I need is a servant."

The Third Hokage puffed away at his pipe. His head bowed in respect to the bodies covered in blankets. Medics raised around the small square rooms. Machines working overtime to figure what happened to the pair.

One medic rushed up to him with a spreadsheet in hand. "Sir, my people had run through the test a second time now and they came back negative. Besides for the obvious damages, their bodies had been left untouched." Shaking his head, the medic handed the board over to the Hokage. "Whoever brought the bodies are doing so for the sake of it."

Hiruzen's experience told him otherwise, but the facts proved difficult to understand. After a week of Anko's teams departure, two of the three member plus dog showed up dead at the village's gate. A missing head and multiple stabbed wounds told of the violet death. Yet for one of the other villages to give back a pair of shinobi's- powerful ones- whole surprised him.

Handing the board back, Hiruzen strolled off. "Keep checking their bodies. I got work to attend to."

"Of course my lord."

The Third Hokage walked through his village. He grinned to his people, but forced himself to keep his distance. They were enjoying the festival for the disappearance of the Nine-Tails Fox or better known as Naruto. His disappearance kept quiet until someone noticed the blonde had been too quiet. Of course, the adults insisted that they were celebrating a harvest festival earlier. The law on Nartuo's secret was still enforced.

Yet before he could reach his office a fellow elder paused in front of him. Dressed in robes the old man used a cane to walk. Messy brown hair sit on top of a head half covered in bandages. A singe eyes and a chinned scared by an x remained uncovered. His left arm and hand suspended in a sling and bandaged.

Tipping his hat, the Hiruzen smiled. "Good afternoon Danzo. I hope you're enjoying your walk."

The bandaged man's face remained stern. "It had been good. Last council meeting had went will." Cupping his chin, Danzo sighed. "Though I still find it a little weak of us to accept that trade agreement with the Waterfall. We could have easily wrestle out a better deal."

"It was a fair deal. We got what we want."

"Care if I walk with you. I wish to talk."

Nodding, the Hokage started off. "I was just heading back to work. What is it that you need?"

"I recently heard of some disturbing news."

"Oh."

"Our jinchūriki had disappeared without a trace."

"Sadly, Naruto had disappeared." The Hokage stroke his goatee. "Since he disappeared at the same time as the scroll some of our more prominent civilians demand that Naruto be trialed for it."

"That's stupidity. By himself the boy shouldn't had made it out of the country. No, I have a strong feeling that's he had assistance."

"Oh." Hiruzen glanced to his old friend. "Have any idea who it may be?"

"My shinobi's days are over, but I had heard rumors." The bandaged stared his leader in the eyes. "Have you ever heard of the Philosopher?"

"Can't say I have."

"It would seem that a man is going around teaching civilians how to use chakra."

Breathing in a bit of spit, the Hokage choked. He tear out his pipe and pounded a fist on his chest. Danzo waited for his friend's throat to clear. The Hokage waved to a nearby bench. They both sat down.

"Why hadn't I heard of this before?" asked Hiruzen.

"My best guess is that no one sure if it true. People said that a mystery man wearing a fox mask entered many towns. His guard are a said to be monsters. One of them a giant of a woman with claws and red skin. The other a dark skin being and able to summon anything to hand."

"This is starting to sound a bit of a myth."

"Myth or not, there maybe someone going around teaching chakra to the masses. At the same time someone came along and steal both the Forbidden Scroll and our jinchūriki. Granted, this could just be one of the villages spreading rumors to keep us off track."

Standing, Danzo bowed to the Hokage. "Just keep it in mind, my friend. The safety of this village is your top priority." The bandaged man walked off.

"Have a good day." The Hokage kept his smile until Danzo disappeared. "Raven."

A masked shinobi dropped beside the bench. "Yes sir."

"Why have he heard of this before I did?"

"Our agents out on the fields might have though it unimportant. If you were to ask me sir the possibility of someone teaching civilian is slim."

"Still, I want the possibility look into." The Third Hokage placed his pipe back into his mouth. "A renegade shinobi can be a danger to the village."

"Of course sir." The masked shinobi disappeared.

Continuing his walk, the Hokage puffed on his pipe. His thoughts turned to Naruto. Despite his trouble making, the Third enjoyed the youth's company. A grinned formed as the smell of ramen caught his nose. The boy would eat nothing but ramen if given the choice. Blinking, he turned around to find himself standing outside of the blonde's favorite ramen shop.

"A quick snack would be good." Entering the shop, the Hokage sent a quick pray to above. Religion had little importance in his life, but when fate was in control any help can be of use. All he asked is that the blonde is safe.

Naruto gasped as a knee jammed into his stomach. His foe went into a spin and his leg went to the blonde's arm. Grinning, Naruto caught the foot and slide across the ground. Before the leg got away he grabbed hold of it and twisted it. This force his foe to hop on one foot.

"Hey!" shouted the man. "No fair."

"All is fair in love and war." Fu said this while ducking under a lashing punch. Her elbow jamming into the guy's chin. "Isn't that right, Kattā-sensei?"

Sitting on the floor, Kattā picked at his ear. "True, but it also depend on how much damage you want to cause a person. Knocking a tooth is going to deduce points."

Naruto spin the leg and his foe slammed into the ground face first. "That's my fourth win! Can I fight Fu yet?"

"Four wins out of twelve." Bouncing over to Naruto, Fu knocked him on the head. "Whiskers, you need to do better than that to face me."

"But he is getting better." Sitting up, Naruto's foe grinned. His hand scratched the back of her head. "Last time he faced me he lost every time."

"Hey! That's because you kept cheating."

"Naruto, I think a civilian with strong arms could beat you."

"If they could catch him." Fu grabbed Naruto by the sleeve. "Break time!"

"But I need to keep training!" The blonde tried to pull away, but managed only to straggle himself.

"You had been working on sealing since seven in the morning and skipped lunch to practice taijutsu. How are you not starving?"

I thought I told you already, groaned the fox. Due to my chakra your body feels less hungry. Yet my chakra can only give you a fill feeling. You'll wither away if you don't eat.

I still need to train, replied the blonde.

"You can keep training after launch." Fu dragged Naruto to the end of the dojo. Its main body consisted of mat. Tapes cut across them to form fighting areas. Several teachers watched over the fighters. Ivy sat on the floor and took a beating from several people. Her thick skin protected her from any danger.

A restaurant had been set in the southern wall. "Hey Unya." Turning around, an angel waved a hand at them.

"Good afternoon Fu. What can I get for the two of you?"

"Ramen!" proclaimed the blonde.

"I already told you we don't serve any."

Pouting, the blonde crossed his arms. "I still want ramen."

"Just give me a chicken sandwich and give Whisker a hot dog bento box."

"On it."

As the angel cooked Naruto and Fu joined a group of kids about their age. Habit had the blonde wanting to find a seclude spot, but the vertette forced him to sit down with the group. For several moments Naruto kept to himself and listened to the conversation. Yet his outgoing nature got the best of him and he joined in.

"Hold up!" exclaimed one of the kids. "How is it even possible to put a gallon of paint into the Hokage's hat?"

"It wasn't easy." Grinning from ear to ear, the blonde crossed his arms. "But once I snatch the hat all I had to do is hand it over to him and plopped! He spent the next week in getting paint out of his hair."

Laughter ringed through the crowd. "How are you still alive?"

"The old man is a good sport. Though I still had to spent time cleaning up the park for trash."

Chewing on her sandwich, Fu kept her silence. She paused when a person rushed up to Ivy. He kneeled down and said a quick words. One of her foes assaulted her. Ivy blocked with the back of her hand and shoved the man away.

"Sorry guys, but I got to see the Philosopher." Standing, the demon strolled to the door.

"Another assignment?" Fu called after Ivy.

"Look like I'm need in clearing an area."

"Assignment?" asked Naruto.

"That nothing you need to worry about," said one of the kids. "The Philosopher offer his shinobi services to the surrounding areas. It's similar to how the Hidden Villages to the other villages, though much cheaper and more for advertisement than to get rich."

Jumping to his feet, the blonde punched his fist into the air. "That sound good to me." He got to steps when Fu's grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Lunch first. Adventure later."

"Fine." Plopping onto his butt, Naruto shoveled his food into his mouth. He gulped it all down and threw the box into a trash can. "Lit gu!" Mouth still fill the blonde dashed away. Shaking her head, Fu followed.

Plowing through the Philosopher's office door, Naruto stormed over to the desk. Ivy and Silver glanced their way. The sooner blinked in confusion while the later smiled.

"Hello, Naruto." Silver tipped his hat. "How can I help you?"

Naruto jabbed a finger at Ivy. "She's going on an assignment, right?"

"Yes I am." Patting Naruto on the shoulder, Ivy flicked a finger to the west. "There a group of rouge shinobi making a mess of things on a nearby island."

"And Ivy and two other colleagues need to teach the people there how to grow a backbone." Resting his elbows on the table, the merchant placed his chin on entangled hands. "Though that is of little importance to you."

"But I want to see shinobi in action." Crossing his arms, the blonde pouted. "Back home I would be part of a team, learning amazing jutsu, and kicking shinobi asses." A cane bounced off Naruto's head and he stumbled back. Fu was in the right place to catch him.

Catching his cane, the merchant shock his head. "Watch your language. I heard that your lesson in the sealing arts are doing well. Hell, you're teacher thick that Gane should take over as your instructor once you learn the basic."

Naruto peeled out of Fu's grip. "Look, the sealing is neat and all. It might help me connect with my ancestors and at some point I would like to show them what I can do." Folding his arms, he pouted. "But I need real experience. I need jutsu that can help become Hokage."

Shaking her head, Fu squeezed her fellow jinchūriki's shoulder. "Whiskers, you do not want to go on this assignment. We got others that are far safer than this. Isn't that right, Father?"

"And invading my village was safe?" Naruto stared at Fu. "What about you?"

"Fu is a capable warrior, but unless given my permission she is restricted from mission that required direct combat." Pushing away from the table, the Philosopher stood. " I can understand your argument."

"You do?" said the females in union.

"Ivy, you and Raiga make sure Naruto survive this mission."

A grin crossed the blonde's face. "How long will I be gone?"

"It's hardly a day trip." Silver jabbed a finger to the north. "Hop over to the island, remind the rouges that there are bigger bullies, and get back her before dinner. Simple, really."

Marching over to the merchant, the demon reached out as if to contain her superior. "Sir, he just a kid."

"Who wish to become a shinobi." Silver leaned back in his chair and twirled his monocle. "Sad thing that the people in this world permit the youth to do this, but that is outside my control. What I can do is match his reality with his dreams."

"He's unable to defend himself."

"He have powerful guards who will make sure he come back alive." Grinning, the merchant shrugged. "If you failed then he got the fox as back up. Whatever animosity he feel to the blonde is hopeful less important than it drive to survive." From then air Silver summoned a blueberry muffin. "Well you give the boy the chance to learn?"

Shaking her head, Ivy place her hands into her pocket. "You're a cruel man."

"Hey, who can know joy without a little sorrow?" Silver munched on his treat. "Come to think of it, does Naruto have any money or supplies?"

"You capture Naruto while he was chasing after you."

"Oh ya." Clapping his hands, the merchant grinned. "Then we accomplished two things. Once Naruto finished the mission I'll pay him the amount he deserve. Now find Naruto. Raiga is already outside at the north end of the village. He's eager to create a few funerals."

Sighing, Ivy marched off. "I hope you know what you're doing." She found the blonde inside Silver's house. He pillaged from Fu's supplies of weapon and borrowed a pouch to the vertette dismay. Grabbing hold of the blonde, the demon carried him to the north end of the village.

Raiga sat on the ground. His blades sheathed on his back. He glanced to the duo with mild distaste. Naruto either overlooked or oblivious to it for he invaded the swordsman's private space.

"Naruto is ready for service. What should we do first?"

"First we need to get to the island." Standing, Raiga looked to the northeast. "Out of curiosity, how you learned how to walk up trees and water."

"I mastered it in class."

Nodding, Raiga glanced to the scrolls strapped to the blonde's hips. "And those?"

Naruto grinned as he took a scroll off his hip and summoned a bag. "Extra supplies. Don't want my first mission to screw up because I didn't bring the right items."

"You were able to learn that in a couple of weeks." Ivy kneeled down. "Impressive. Now, let get going. The island isn't too far from here."

"Shouldn't you hide yourself first?"

Grinning, the demon patted her arms. "People will learn about me eventually. Might as well do it somewhere that at least somewhat friendly." With that said the demon dashed off with the swordsman close behind.

"Wait up!" Naruto darted after them.

The small group traveled on dirt roads to a fishing village on the north shore. A group of fisherman paused form their work when Ivy and Raiga arrived. Nearly plowing into the demon, Naruto glanced about as if ready for an attack. One of the fisherman offered them a smile and a small motorboat down the shore.

After paying for the ride, the group drive the boat into open sea. Choppy waves slammed into the side of the boat. Cold sprays assaulted the duo. The adults ignored it. Ivy more concern with keeping her massive frame in while keeping the boat steady. Raiga, driving the ship, rolled his eyes as the blonde shivered.

"We'll be out here for at least an hour," said Raiga. "Hope you brought a thick cut."

"Can't we just run across the water?" asked Naruto.

"Can't." The demon grinned sheepishly. "At least, I can't. I'm unable to use chakra."

"Really." Naruto blinked. "Why?"

"My species as a whole are unable to do so. In exchange for skin of granite and super strength our chakra coils are shot. Once in a while one of my kind can use it, but that is an oddity."

Staring at the demon, Naruto hummed. "Hey Ivy, where the hell did you come from. As far as I'm aware you shouldn't exist."

"Not surprising. The shinobi world tend to stick to their own territory." Crossing her arms, she gestured her head to the east. "Across the ocean there is a continent where my kind and a whole host of other species live. We're aware that you guys exist, but until the Philosopher brought us over we were too afraid to come."

"Why?"

"Because we though some craze goddess was ruling an empire." Chuckling, the demon spread her arms out. "Honestly, that happened thousands of years ago, but people get an idea in there head and it can be difficult to get rid of it."

"As you can see there no goddess around." Naruto shook his head. "Just a bunch of villages and nations. I'm assuming that you got a home."

"It's called the Reigch Duchy. I worked in the Duke- think of him like one of your Daimyo- armies. After my time with them I hopped on over to the transporting business and protected goods. During one of my escort I met Silver."

Shaking her head, the demon chuckled. "With Teruim and some other woman he wonder up to us and just started singing. He then asked a group of sixteen people to join in."

"That's sound like him."

"We travel together for several days and just chatted. I wished I can say we do battle with some bandits, but the area I lived in was rather peaceful. That was some twenty years ago. He then return ten year later and asked if I would like to enjoy an experience of a lifetime."

"And he meant coming over here and teaching people how to use jutsu?"

Shaking her head, Ivy grinned. "In truth, he just wanted to explore a land nobody bothered from bothered to look at for centuries. For some odd reason he remembered that I used to be in the army and wanted someone strong to come along."

"Now we got a monster walking among us." Raiga rolled his eyes. "You still owe me money for our bet."

"Sorry, but the Philosopher kept on dragging me about. Once we complete this mission I'll give you your money."

The weather started to warm up. Choppy seas settled enough for the water to stop attacking the group. Leaning on the bow, the blonde stared at the island in front of him. Its black beaches supported by lush plants. When they rammed into the sand Naruto leapt into the water. He scrambled up the beach and pulled up a handful of sand.

"Cool!" Naruto started digging up more sand. "I never heard of a black beach before."

"That's because white beaches are more common." Dragging the boat up the shore, the demon placed it beside the blonde. "Now, our village is at the base of a volcano. We need to move in and secure the area."

"Is the volcano active?" Jumping onto a palm tree, the blonde stared at the small mountain in the distance.

"It's one of those volcanos that erupt often, but with little force." Ivy grabbed the tree and shook Naruto off of it. "Though that is of little importance. We'll follow a road nearby and be at the village soon enough."

Leaping onto his feet, the blonde saluted Ivy. "Understood." Just before he darted off Raiga stepped into his path.

"Listen up kid." The swordsman jabbed a finger into the blonde's shoulder. "While you may part of this group, you are no shinobi. Stay with us at all times. If we run into a group I want you to use henge and hide." An eerie smile crossed his face. "It would be terrible if we are force to have a funeral."

Naruto bolted behind Ivy. "Ivy." Peeking around her, he stared at the swordsman. "Something isn't right about that guy."

"He screwed up in the head, but Silver tamed him enough to be useful," said the demon. "I agree with him on the advice. Stay close and keep out of direct combat. You'll live along."

Please do stay alive, said the fox. Even someone as incompetent as you are I seen you're running skills. How I wish you're a rabbit at times.

Shut up!

Dashing down the dirt road, the group traveled through a dense jungle. Plants threatened to overcome the road. Thick tree branches appealed to the blond, but Ivy refused to use them. Something about her weight being able to snap the branches in to.

Naruto spotted smoke in the distance. Pulling front of the group, he sprinted the rest of the way. Foliage stayed thick as he neared the village. A gap in the trees reveled a few buildings.

"Hello!" Skidding to a stop, the blonde thrust a hand at his chest. "Uzumaki Naruto is here too…"

Word fell to the ground as he watched villagers finished with fighting a fire. The few structures intact were surrounded by smothering ash. Naruto glanced to the volcano, but it rested at the moment. Cries of children and moans of adults assaulted his ear.

Teeth clenched together as a force hit him in the head. Face first he slammed into the ground. Someone shouted, but he soon screamed in pain. The blonde glanced up to see the broken form of a woman.

"Dead." Strolling passed Naruto, Ivy waved a hand to the nearest village. "Though it appear that the shinobi left. Raiga. Peel Naruto off of the ground."

Heaving the blonde up by the collar, the swordsman shook his head. He carried him into the village. The thoughts of funerals on the top of his mind.

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