Chapter 11

"Trip to the Mountains"

Flashback - 3.5 years

"M-master, t-this is a bit t-tough!" A childish voice squeaked out with more than a little terror. Honoka resisted the urge to look down to the dangerous abyss. She was told to complete the horse stance drill - standing on the edge of a tall waterfall that guaranteed her a painful death - whilst holding two large pots in both her hands and a bowl on her head. The wind currents were terrible and the water that soaked on her feet made the task of staying balanced difficult.

"Mmhmm..." He just murmured incoherently and continued to stroke the paint brush in his hand. "Don't move so much, my disciple. Otherwise, I'll never get this painting done! The sunset is so beautiful today!" Honoka resisted the urge to stick her tongue at him but was afraid that the bowl on top of her head would fall.

So, she just settled with imagining herself doing it.

"Rid yourself of such distasteful thoughts. In order to establish balance, you must attain...inner peace of mind."

"You just say things that you hear from a typical Kung Fu movie..." She muttered, eliciting a small smile from the blonde who was painting the scenery quietly. The wind suddenly shifted and the bowl on top of her head blew off her head. The pots on her hands were also beginning to slip from her grasp.

"I have completed my painting." He smiled and beckoned her over. Relieved, Honoka stood straight and walked over to him with the equipment in hand. "Would you like to see...?"

Shrugging, Honoka looked at his supposed 'Masterpiece' and blanched at what was drawn. It was her painted plainly as a stick figure in what looked like a horse stance - practicing by the river and sun shining in the background - which was done with mere squiggly lines that even a five year old could muster in their art classes.

"M-master..." She sputtered. Naruto leaned down to hear her comment. "I-it's horrible!"

He then frowned seriously.

"...I think it's beautiful." He countered back. Honoka face-planted.

End Flashback


Mountains

"Remember, my disciple, the essence of our Martial Arts is sustained by lower-body strength."

The mountains behind the orphanage had many interesting attractions. For one, there were a good range of animals that roamed there. Bears, snakes and birds of all kinds could have been found if the right places were properly searched. Her Master had been the kind of man to take leisurely walks up and down the range during his free time and more often then not, her training would take place on these very grounds.

"Balance..." Naruto's voice whispered inside of her mind. Honoka was standing still using one toe to hold on the surface edge of a wet rock - upon a large waterfall with her arms stretched and holding two heavy bowls on them. The wind and water currents were pushing against her but she stood her ground. "There is no Master with a weak lower body. Once you find your balance, there is no technique out of your grasp."

She breathed in then out. "You have a strong spirit." And opened her eyes. "Legs, Spirit, Belief! As long as you have these three, then there is nothing stopping you from learning it! The 'Sky Dragon's Steps'!" His voice was getting louder and louder as the winds grew stronger and stronger.

Honoka did not budge at all.

"..." The girl sighed and tensed when she felt another presence. "Who's there?"

"Oh?" A large figure appeared from the bushes. Honoka was sure the man had purposely let out his ki to entice her notice. It was more than a little suspicious "Hello, fellow mountaineer."

Standing on the river's side was a tall man with long purple hair that was tied into a ponytail. He wore a sleeveless shirt and simple pants - under his clothing was a body-build that resembled those who stood on Master level.

She didn't know what to feel. The man emitted no killer intent but there was something off about him - the man had the same type of aura as her Master. A man who posed great danger and could unleash it on a whim.

"Hi." She jumped from her spot and landed five feet in front of him. "Are you lost?" The girl doubted it but you could never know.

"Oh no, I just felt that something interesting would happen if I took this path." He smiled whimsically. "My name is Ogata Isshinsai, but my friends call me Kensei. It is nice to meet you."

"Shirahama Honoka." She bowed. "I'm currently in the middle of...something important."

The man nodded. "I understand. You practice martial arts, I understand it?" There was no use denying it since he had seen it. Not that she would deny something so trivial. "You have good form, young lady. I sense...good potential within you."

"Thanks." Honoka replied and checked the watch on the bundle of clothes she had left near the river. "I've been here for a while now. School will start in about thirty minutes."

Kensei quirked a brow. "Koryou is about three hours from here."

Honoka just smiled and shrugged enigmatically. "I can make it." She gathered her personal belongings and placed them into a bag. Before leaving though, Honoka turned and bowed once again to the purple-haired man.

"There is a den of bears fifty yards north-east from here. Take care of yourself, Kensei-san."

"And you, Shirahama-san."

He kept his eyes pinned on her back as she moved at an inhuman speed back to the city.

Ogata, also known as Kensei, smirked and turned to gaze at the beautiful green scenery beyond the waterfall. "You never know who you'll meet in the mountains..." He uttered quietly.


Ryouzanpaku

"So...this Hermit guy is actually some play-boy named Natsu Tanimoto?"

Miu nodded and looked down to the Othello board. Yet again, she was on the verge of defeat. The young Shirahama's talent in the game was clearly unsurpassed.

"Yeah." Kenichi sighed and fiddled with his bandages, which caught Miu's attention making her scold him a bit. "The fights I've been getting into...it kind of scares me a bit!" He quivered on the ground comically.

"Bah! Gutless." The resident Chinese Master sneezed from the corner making the boy cry pathetically. Miu just sighed and patted Kenichi on the head. He was comforted only slightly.

Honoka was a bit jealous. She hadn't gotten into a fight on a bus yet; it sounded like an action scene from a Jackie Chan movie - it seemed that her luck didn't extend to awesome battles.

"Still...it's hard to believe that Tanimoto is the Hermit of Ragnarok. He always seemed so...normal." Miu voiced before sipping her tea.

Kenichi nodded with a serious look on his face. "It was all in order to trap me...!"

"Sounds like such a spirited young man to me! Kids like that are very rare..." The Jiujitsu Master commented lightly.

"Indeed. His fighting style was very fun to watch!" Kensei agreed. "Our disciple was quite good too."

"It was a pretty good experience, ne?" Akisame teased Kenichi who vehemently denied that accusation, eliciting a chuckle from everyone around.

"Sensei! He was trying to kill me!" The young disciple insisted just as the door opened revealing the Elder, who Honoka noticed, was absent very often.

"A person who seeks the life of Martial Arts...IS AN ADULT!" Elder exclaimed with an infusion of ki - the wind of his words blowing away the Othello board out the window. Miu cried, "Grandpa!" She had been losing but didn't want to upset the guest. Honoka just shrugged, uncaring.

"Welcome back!"

"Oh? You have returned, Elder?"

"Do you have any souvenirs for Apachai?!"

"How was the South?" Miu asked again and began checking him for wounds. Hayato just smiled and waved her off.

"Extremely difficult! But that is irrelevant. Tell me what has been going on." And so they did. They detailed the battle between Kenichi and Hermit that had happened some time after Takeda's lynching.

Honoka herself didn't really know what happened other than Miu's unimpressive story-telling so she listened. Apparently, the blond girl had been involved in a play (that Honoka couldn't make because she was never told) - and that the other lead of the play was a boy named Natsu Tanimoto who was the Hermit of Ragnarok, the very same Honoka remembered defeating not too long ago.

"Right, right...so basically, you've found yourself a rival, Ken-chan." The boy nodded meekly since the man was emitting ki unconsciously. Miu had briefly told him that, "He's always like this after trips."

"Rivals are good! They enhance you, they are the thorns that break you out of your shell! They are suitable for people like us. With this, you have finally entered the ranks...of true martial artists!"

"Eh?!" Kenichi exclaimed with surprise and then looked at his Karate Master. "Master Sakaki, do you have any rivals aiming for your life?"

The beer drinking man spent a second in thought before responding. "Yup."

He then began to count them mentally with his fingers, as had all the other Masters.

"I remember about fifty!" Kensei exclaimed with glee.

"I've tried the best for myself without creating feelings of resentment...but I suppose, there are a few." Akisame nodded and continued his art work.

"Twenty-four, twenty-five...no wait, that guy died I think. Hm..." The disciple only shivered at the thought of the world he was entering.

Honoka smiled internally at the thought of having a rival to fight with constantly.

When she realized the identity of the only person that could have been her rival, she frowned. It was that skank, Ma Renka. "Damn it. I need more rivals...Yeah, maybe if I find that silver-haired guy from the other day..."

"Since your life is being threatened, your training must be done more strictly. Because defeating a person who seeks to kill you without killing them is truly difficult!" Akisame declared with a frown - before quirking his lips into an evil smile. "Speaking of which, Kenichi-kun...doesn't your summer vacation begin soon...?"

The boy blanched.

"Shall we...take you to a nice place...?"

"U-u-uh summer vacation is cancelled this year! Right Miu-san, Honoka?!"

"Just accept it. They're going to take you there even if it's by force." Miu replied with an exasperated smile.

Honoka just glared at him. "No! I love summer vacation! It is so not-cancelled!" She stood up abruptly and pointed at him. "You can't make me go back to school!" She stuck her tongue at him.

"Then it is decided!" Akisame clapped happily and looked at Honoka. "Do you want to come to? It will be a fun trip."

The youngest girl shrugged. "Sure. I love trips!"


Later

"Last time it was the Sea...and now, it is deep in the mountains!" Kenichi groaned as the backpack he brought was straining his spine. There was also another issue that annoyed him. "Honoka! Get off my backpack!"

"You have many complaints, Kenichi-kun. If you want to arrive before sunset, then be quiet and keep climbing!" His Jiujitsu Master reiterated for what seemed like the tenth time that day - during the same climb.

"It is an older brother's job to take care of his younger sister!" She exclaimed innocently and flipped a page of the book she was reading. "Besides, this is good training for you! It will build your inner strength!"

"Indeed." Akisame agreed. "You should listen to your younger sister more often, Kenichi-kun. She makes logical arguments!"

"Logical...!?" He cried on as they kept on climbing. It took them another good hour or two to climb the cliff and hike up the pathways. Honoka didn't bother moving, she wasn't very interested in climbing a mountain when she could have just floated up with her internal skills.

"W-when are we going to get there?! Wherever it is we're going to...?" The disciple panted, deeply in fatigue.

"Soon, real soon..."

"You've been saying that since this morning! Is that an accident?!"

"Yup, it really is...like that." The older man smiled. "Oh, a bullfinch!" Honoka had to roll her eyes at the horrible pun. Apachai clearly disagreed and patted Akisame on the back with a 'Nice double pun, Akisame!' and Kenichi just screamed a, 'I don't believe you!', from beside her.

"Where are you taking us?!"

"To meet someone here."

"Someone actually lives here in the mountains!?"

"Yes." Akisame confirmed. "The man that lives here practices the nearly lost style of Old School Jiujitsu! It was an unarmed grappling style developed in Ancient Japan. But for some hand-to-hand combat, there are small techniques that use many small weapons like short swords and daggers. It was developed a long time ago...during the warring states era but has nearly been forgotten." He detailed after seeing the questioning look on Kenichi's face.

"Is that your style, Master Koetsuji?"

"No." Was his reply. "My style is a fusion of all types of Jiujitsu. In a way, you could call it the Koetsuji style."

"Cool." Honoka muttered before sensing an attack from above. Miu also noticed it and yelled out, "Look out!"

The youngest of the group took the book in her hand and threw it in direction to block an incoming throwing knife that was aimed at Akisame. She had done it by instinct to defend - not by thought since she knew for a fact that an attack like that would have never harmed the man.

A man then revealed himself from a tree and landed roughly on the ground, knocking back the youngest members of the group by the sheer force of it. Apachai blocked the wave and protected the kids. The newly revealed man rolled away from an array of punches from the Muay Thai Master and made his way to Akisame - still in an attack position.

In the very next second, the two shook hands - prompting a face-plant from the younger groups.

"Welcome."

"Long time no see."

Even Apachai looked confused.

"Don't confuse me like that!" Kenichi exclaimed while his Master just quirked a brow.

"What? We've always greet each other like that."

"I'm glad my Master isn't weird like that." She suddenly remembered her Master's obsession with ramen and oranges. She mentally grimaced. "Never mind..."

The un-named man turned his head to the boy. "Oh, is this the Kenichi I've been hearing about? The one called Ryouzanpaku's disciple..." He spared a momentary glance at Honoka who had gone back to reading a book that was now knife-less. "My son has been eagerly awaiting your arrival, Kenichi-san." They shook hands causing the younger man to grimace a bit at the sheer strength of his grip.

"This is the man who preserves the skill of Yamamoto School Jiujitsu, Yamamoto Taiki. In my opinion, his only son is closely matched in skill with you, Kenichi-kun."

"I saw that too." He referenced the handshake without saying a word about it. "Come, my house is just ahead. Let's go before the sun sets."

"Sorry for the inconvenience." Akisame replied. Taiki just waved it off.

"Man...this is going to be a long trip." Kenichi sighed and walked on.

Miu smiled and followed on alongside Honoka, who she looked at while doing so. "Nice reflexes back there, Honoka-chan!"

"Oh...my hand just moved on it's own. It was nothing." She grinned back and returned to the book - despite it's slight damage. Miu could tell that the girl was just being modest and let the topic go. Ever since her spar with Kenichi, the blonde could tell that her skills were beyond that of her brothers. She hid them very well.

Up ahead, Taiki subtly nudged Akisame. "That girl..."

"Yes. She won't be sparring with your son though, unless she wants to. The girl is surprisingly very shy." He grinned. "She is the disciple of another...person."

"And that is?"

"I'm sorry." The pupil-less man inclined his head. "I am not at liberty to say."

"I see." Taiki tucked the corner of his mouth. "She has good eyes. There is nothing more that needs to be said. For now."

He then approached his small house. It was a very modest place that was built by wood.

"Akisame-san. Why match Kenichi against this man's son? If he needed a sparring match, can't I have just done that?" Miu asked. The Master shook his head and explained.

"Don't take this the wrong way. It is because of Kenichi-kun's belief that stops him from truly progressing against spars with you, since he refuses to hit a girl." The man didn't think much of his disciple's chivalrous attitude. Everyone had their vices, this was just his. There were certainly worse things he could have believed in. "Moreover...he has many wicked thoughts."

Kenichi didn't deny that. But he was wise enough not to voice it.

"I was think that if his next match would become a fight to the death, I wanted him to study with an opponent with a similar skill level to his own before it. I thought it wise."

"I am grateful for your insight, Master."

The group continued on-wards to the house and was met with the owner once again.

"Sorry to intrude." Akisame voice mechanically. Taiki mentally rolled his eyes and went on.

"No problem. Let me introduce my son, Naoki."

He gestured to a boy that had been walking in at that moment. The boy was very short, almost shorter than her by a few centimeters. He had round black eyes and spiky black hair.

The boy and Kenichi spent a moment staring at each other before pointing their fingers and laughing. "This guy is at my skill level?!" They thought simultaneously.

"Is something funny?!" They both yelled once again in sinc. Honoka spared Miu an amused glance, the blonde returned it with a hidden grin.

"A good joke, Master Akisame! There's just no way."

"Father, you mean this frail teenager is at my level?!" Naoki reiterated his feelings and pointed at Kenichi.

"Good to see you become friends so quickly!" The youngest brunette smirked and nudged her brother.

"They're already good friends, Apa?"

"It's true." Miu giggled. "They are at the same skill level!"

"Alright, let's introduce you. Yamamoto Naoki, twelve-years old and the legitimate successor to the Yamamoto School of Jiujitsu." The boy puffed his chest at Akisame's introduction.

"Master, under no circumstance-" Kenichi began but was cut off.

"FATHER!" The boy suddenly shouted, catching everyone's attention.

"What is it?"

"For as far back as I can remember, I have done nothing but immerse myself in Jiujutsu! And if my first inter-disciple opponent is this weak looking guy, then I can't approve of it! Who do you think you are?!" He pointed childishly at Kenichi.

"That sucks, Apa. You want me to fight instead?" The thai man asked innocently.

"D-don't concern yourself."

"Naoki! What type of attitude is that to take towards our special guests!" He glared at his son, making the boy quiver and turn back to apologize. Akisame just waved off and replied, "I don't mind. He's just speaking his mind." Kenichi didn't look like he shared the same sentiments though.

"It seems to me that a quick sparring match would clear the air between them." Miu snickered at her first friend who seemed annoyed at being thought of as this young boy's equal.

"There's still some sun...a bout would get us acquainted then."

"I won't go easy on you!" Naoki declared.

"I'll make you cry." Kenichi narrowed his eyes.

Honoka just snickered and followed the group out back, but not before putting away her book inside her jacket. This might be very interesting to see. She had yet to fight a true disciple of Jiujitsu or see one in action in real life.


Backyard

"The rules are simple." Taiki explained. "Any strike or throw wins the match. We'll leave individual evaluations for later."

Honoka watched as Kenichi stretch himself and Naoki set up the field to his liking. "Hm." The boy had cleverly dug a hole and placed a rock in it. A strategy?

"Oh, Kenichi-kun. About going is easy, my advice is-"

"I got it! Not hitting girls and kids, that's me!"

"No, no. I'm telling you to not do it!" He said and walked back. Kenichi spared a questioning glance at his Master.

"Yamamoto Naoki representing Yamamoto School Jiujitsu! Present!"

"Ryouzanpaku's Number One disciple, Shirahama Kenichi, if you please!"

They both settled into a stance.

Taiki and Akisame moved next to Apachai, Miu and Honoka. "What do you think?" The philosopher asked her.

"My brother is severely underestimating him. Worse than he did with me. He'll lose for sure." She yawned back and stretched for some comfort.

"Do you wish to spar as well?" Taiki asked her.

Honoka shrugged. "If you want." They then went back to the match between the two boys.

It wasn't as interesting as she had hoped. Naoki had used the rock that he positioned under his heel to subtly increase his speed and easily landed a hit on Kenichi. His in-step was simply superior. "Match!"

"I-I wasn't ready! One more match please." Akisame and Taiki shrugged. They had plenty of time.

"I don't care how many times! I'm still gonna beat you!"

"I just got embarrassed in front of Miu and Honoka! This time, for real!"

"Stop thinking so much Ken'. Just keep your eyes open and react." Honoka advised. "Just like what your teachers taught you." Kenichi nodded and turned back.

Akisame looked at her. "You do realize that the point of this is for him to learn tactics, right?"

Honoka shrugged. "He's not that smart. To win, it's best that he sticks with what he knows for now, right?"

That was a fairly good point, he acknowledged.

The match started again and this time, Kenichi only managed to last a little longer. The boy threw a side chop that turned into a grip - this lead to him jumping on Kenichi (who realize his horrible footing) horizontally with both his legs across the teen's chest. "Armlock Twist Takedown!" Naoki used his superior positioning and pushed Kenichi down into an arm-bar throw down.

Kenichi had lost consciousness from the impact.

Honoka sighed and palmed her face. "Lack of tactics indeed but Kenichi needs more experience to apply it in a real fight."

"F-father, is that guy really at my level?" Naoki jogged back with a worried look. The guy was really weak after all. If he was at that level than he had a right to be curious.

"Yes." He nodded surely. "I also want you to spar Honoka-san here."

Naoki looked at her with a bored glance. She ignored the look and walked calmly to the center. Something was on her mind when she remembered proper sparring etiquette. She looked at Akisame, "I know that you know."

"Oh? Do you now?" He grinned mysteriously. "What do you mean by that?"

"I visited my Uncle Hakubi a week back and he told me that his nephew, Ma Kensei, knows." She declared and glanced at her brother who was out-cold. "So I'm assuming..."

"Yes. Don't worry, we are not so judgmental." He patted her shoulders.

"I am not ashamed! I think of Master as a second father!" She bit out and glared at a tree. "I love him." Honoka whispered affectionately, her hand unconsciously making it's way to her chest. It had been so long since she had seen him - and the girl missed him immensely. She missed the times they spent as Master and Student.

"I can tell." Was his reply. "You misunderstand, I have no grievance against your Master at all."

Honoka just stared into his pupil-less eyes and nodded. The brunette believed him. "Good. Because he's a good man with a heart of gold." She then began to prepare herself for the match. "About Miu..."

"I understand your distrust but I assure you, she won't think much of it." Akisame reassured. "Don't be shy. Besides, the only unreasonable person here is out-cold and we are far from civilization. Taiki and his son are also trustworthy."

The brunette nodded again and left to face Naoki.

The boy still looked bored. "You're that guy's sister right? You shouldn't be any better." Had an adult said it, those words would have irked her. But his childish voice couldn't strike any nerve of her's - the boy faintly reminded Honoka of Konohamaru - one of her only friends from the past. The only difference was that the boy was around her age.

"Yamamoto Naoki representing Yamamoto School Jiujitsu. Here!" He seemed less enthused. That was good - the boy wasn't taking her seriously.

"Shirahama Honoka. Cloud Dragon Fist style."

Miu and Taiki widened their eyes as she said that, the latter tensing for a moment before relaxing. "Yunlongquan!"

The blonde teen just stared at Honoka with something akin to interest and horror. "Honoka-chan..." Akisame placed his hand on her shoulders. "Akisame-san...?"

"Things are not always as they seem, you cannot tell this to anyone, not even Kenichi. Understand?" Miu seemed hesitant but nodded anyway. It was just a surprising revelation and it came out of nowhere.

To think that her friend's younger sister is the successor of such an infamous style.

She had remembered a time when her Grandfather had returned from a particular request a long time ago. During the mission, he had sustained an injury to his left shoulder; a bulging hole that was the shape of a hand strike. All he had said at the time was, 'I let my guard down against a very powerful young man.' It was only sometime after that when she had heard the name of the martial arts that was used to harm him.

"He called it, 'Unryuken' - Cloud Dragon Fist."

Miu resolved to focus all of her attention to the fight. It would be a worthwhile experience. Taiki felt the same way and also kept his full attention on the girl's movements.

Naoki used the same tactic he had used against Kenichi and charged her with increased speed. Honoka watched him in slow motion - and waited for the very last moment before tilting his punch slightly to the left with her own left. She then stepped into the boy's swing and in a flash, positioned a right handed spear strike to his face - one that was stopped just moments before landing. Naoki flinched backwards at the sudden movement and fell down to his rear. "Match." Akisame declared.

"W-what happened?" The boy sputtered. "That was too fast!"

"What incredible speed for someone so young." Taiki observed silently. "She is on a completely different level than her brother."

"Not even I was that fast at her age." Miu felt a shiver run down her spine. Whether it was one of excitement at the thought of having a high level sparring partner or the fact that she was so surprised, the blonde had no clue.

"The thing about your tactic is - you're moving at a speed that your body isn't quite used to." Honoka observed. "Because of this, your body cannot move quickly enough to block or dodge counters from opponents who are good enough to do so." The boy widened his eyes and nodded quickly. That made some sense.

"Another!" Just as he said this, everyone noticed that the sun had completely went down. Akisame shook his head.

"Unfortunately, we only agreed to spar before the sun went down. Besides, it is time for dinner. Miu?" The blonde nodded.

"I'll prepare tea." Honoka piped in. Miu grinned and beckoned her to follow. "Let's go Apachai-san!" The brunette called out, eliciting a loud, "APA!"

When the three were out of range, Taiki spoke up. "She's good. I noticed this when she blocked my knife with a book; didn't think she would outclass Naoki by such an overwhelming amount though."

"Indeed. Honoka-san is very skilled for her age. Uzumaki Naruto is not only a Master Class at fighting - but also at teaching his disciples." Akisame acknowledged.

"This is a welcome surprise." Taiki replied and looked to Kenichi who was on Akisame's shoulder. "Let's get him inside before he catches a cold."

"Hm."


Dining Room

Honoka was helping Miu prepare tea and dinner while playing Apachai in Othello. Of course, she was still winning but the man had gotten better and better as time went on. There were times when the intervals between moves had gone up to two of three minutes.

"So..." Miu began, "We should...spar sometime."

Honoka shrugged and moved a piece of the board while pouring water into a kettle. "Sure. But not when Ken's around. He's the question asking type." One question lead to another and another. She didn't want to risk her brother freaking out about her learning from a mass murderer by reputation.

The elder girl grinned. "Alright..." She placed her arm around the younger girl's shoulder. It was probably the first time they shared a moment in relative, comfortable silence.

Miu looked at Honoka and saw a shadow of herself in her being. Just a small shadow. But that was enough to create a feeling of understanding between them, especially for Miu who was the more experience martial artist. While under different circumstances, it was not difficult to see the signs of a lonely person. Miu had always been different growing up. Honoka was forbidden from showing herself and her genius mind in school put off others.

"She's...kind of like me."

The blonde just smiled and finished preparing dinner.


Chronicles of Uzumaki Naruto - 4

Naruto was once again on the country-side of China's northern plains. He had left Hong Kong weeks ago after replenishing his supply of snacks - ramen and oranges - and gathering information on Konoha's where-abouts. In the past, he remembered them having a base somewhere in northern China near the old Mongolian territory.

He was headed by foot due to his cautious side. Not to mention, it was more interesting this way. Information was gathered on the ground, not the air.

"Hm." A tingle in his spine he had been feeling for a while now finally got to him. Naruto let out a sound of thought, "If you're going to follow me, at least do so properly."

Two figures appeared from behind randomly placed trees. "Uzumaki Naruto." The one on the right spoke. Like Naruto, he wore a conical straw-hat that obscured his face. The man stood at about the same height and had straight, dark hair that went down to his lower back He wore beaten clothes that made him come off as a regular peasant or a farmer - but the pole on his back that's end was covered by black cloth made those thoughts irrelevant.

There was a woman standing beside him. She had long dark, curly hair and expressionless eyes. She wore similar clothes but with a more feminine air. Unlike the man, she had no weapons.

But even so, Naruto felt a dark ki emitting from her. She felt dangerous. "I see that even in the northern plains, I am still famous."

"Such modesty does not suit one of the world's most wanted men. The Council that you hide behind cannot protect you anymore...and now you dare trespass on our territory?"

"Trespass?" Naruto inquired curiously. "What do you mean?"

"This land belongs to Yami. We are the vanguards of this plain and one of our spies alerted us to your presence." He spoke with an authoritative voice. "I cannot allow such a heinous criminal leave here alive! You, who follow the path of Gedou (Demon Path)!" The man suddenly grabbed his pole, took off the cloth to reveal a spear's edge and red strings attached traditionally.

"I did not know Yami had members who preached Justice." The blonde Master iterated with an amused tone. The man's false accusations were new to his ears."Do you not follow the path of Satsujinken?"

"Yes. But my wife and I believe that a few deaths are acceptable if peace is brought!"

"Peace? You dare speak of such things and accept men like Silcardo Jenazad as one of your elites at the same time? How woefully ignorant of you." Naruto replied sternly and dodged the man's incredibly fast spear thrust with a side-step. The thrust was strong enough to generate a push of air that crushed against a nearby tree.

"How hypocritical of you, Uzumaki Naruto, the infamous Massacre Man. You will not leave these plains alive!" The hat wearing man stroke his weapon with speed that forced Naruto back a few steps to dodge. He observed it carefully.

"These moves..." The Uzumaki muttered and dodged another array of supremely fast strokes. "Could it be...?"

"Hmph!" His opponent grunted and charged at him fully. "Qianmao (Thousand Spears)!" The speed of his strikes were so fast, and filled with such immense ki, that the image of the spear multiplied itself by what seemed like several hundreds - or what the names suggested - a thousand. The pointed edges were launched at him with a speed that was invisible to regular eyes.

But even so, Naruto had not survived this long without being powerful. He got into a spear-handed stance and weaved in between all of the strikes with perfect efficiency, and even knocked away thrusts that he couldn't fully avoid - shocking the spear user. As soon as he escaped the range of the fierce-some attack, Naruto stepped in close to the man's weak side.

"Uzumaki Jin Zhang: Han Long Shen (Uzumaki Forbidden Palm: Dragon God Casts Judgement)!"

The tables had turned in an instant. With his hand in a spear-like motion, he rained in ki-enhanced thrusts at the man's opening in guard. But that was not all there was to the technique. As if he were controlling an invisible force, thrusts of air impacted all sides of him where the strikes landed - further damaging the spear user's physical body and internal organs.

And the battle ended. Naruto abruptly turned back away from the man, who's lips were seeping out blood, and was on his knees - the spear dropping by his side.

"I'm impressed that you managed to defend most of my strikes." Naruto acknowledged. It was a sign that his opponent was a very High Leveled Master and not like the ones back at the port. He had used his spear to deflect many of his nukites, only taking hits where he could have afforded. Obviously, that was not enough to stop the blonde's hand speed.

"I'm even more impressed that you managed to get behind me." Naruto grinned and jumped, spinning away as claw-like hands just missed him by a hair's inch - the aura she emitted feeling darker than usual. He spared it a glance and saw a signature blue-like smoke emit from her fingers. Her nails were also unusually sharpened, a side-effect of ki enhancement and great inner strength.

"Jiu Yin Bai Gu Zhao (9-Yin White Bone Claw)?" The blonde smiled widely but the expression did not reach his eyes. His blue gaze had a dangerous glint radiating from it. "So you've read the Jiu Yen Zhen Jing (9-Yin True Classic) - or at least, know some of the texts. Such powerful techniques, many consider it forbidden in this day and age. Your martial arts is excellent, certainly better than your partner's." She narrowed her eyes at him, not denying the observation at all. The woman didn't show any other outward expression as she gazed at her hands, not believing that her strike had missed. She whipped her head around when she heard her partner speak.

"You are deserving of your titles, Massacre Man." The spear using man gritted out through his open wounds - and pointed his spear at the blonde with just a single arm. "We'll take your life here and now!"

"You Yami folk sure are dangerous. Who would have thought that the Yang Family would fall to the depths of darkness? Your ancestors were praised as Heroes, young man."

The opponent spat on the ground and took off his hat, revealing a handsome visage. "We were Heroes in an era of War! Nonetheless, how did you know? There are many others who claim to know our style...but they are just that, copies. Wretched thieves!"

Naruto shrugged. "I've met Grand Master Yang Zhuo. He is a great man and one of true honor. I'm curious youngster, who might you be?" The Yang's face indicated that he was somewhere past drinking age but under thirty. Twenty-seven was a good guess.

"I am Yang Zhen. Yang Zhuo is...was my grand-uncle." He replied with a cold look. "He is nothing to me."

"Shame. Even in his old age, Zhuo is still a far superior warrior than you. I've not heard of a Yang that would charge so recklessly into a battle. Yang Yi and his sons are quite famous for being Master tacticians as well as fighters, you know."

"I don't care! For my honor, I will bring your head back to the base. And the Yang will be truly great once again!" He tried to move by force but the pain of Naruto's technique was too much for him to bare.

"Husband." The woman dropped to the side and stopped him. She began bandaging his wounds, knowing their current enemy wouldn't do anything. "That is enough. We cannot defeat him today..."

"But-"

"No." She whispered into his ears. "You're life...is too important to throw away now, my love."

Naruto watched her calm him down with ease and smirked at the display. He then turned to leave, placing back on his straw-hat to cover his blond hair. "You are a lucky man, boy. She is very intelligent and powerful, more so than you I would say at the present. Consider yourself fortunate today, Yang Zhen, for I have given up on Satsujinken - I'm now on the side of Katsujinken. But before I leave..." He looked at the woman, who nodded.

"I am Huang Mai." She whispered.

"Another familiar name..." But for some reason, he could not find it in his heart to be surprised. She was descended from the Eastern Heretic after all. "I am Uzumaki Naruto. This is farewell."

"Where are you going?!" Yang Zhen asked loudly.

Naruto shook his head and didn't bother re-facing them.

"I'm leaving of course. It is not in my interest to catch the eyes of 'One Shadow Nine Fist', Generals of the bare-handed sect of Yami, something I assume your wife would know. It is clear that you, Yang Zhen, are a member of the weapon's division. I admit, you are very strong but definitely not on our level. Go back to your uncle boy, your skills do not live up to the Legends of your ancestor's."

Yang Zhen seethed and along with his wife Huang Mai, they silently watched the Cloud Dragon Fist Master leave in the distance.

"We'll meet again!" He vowed.


END

Not sure how many people know of the famous 'Yang Family Spear' or the '9-Yin White Bone Claw' but...well, I did say that I'm stretching the horizons. Those two are made up characters that are recognizable by their family names to fit time slots. Huang Mai as you know, is descended from Huang Yaoshi and Huang Rong. Yang Zhen is descended from Yang Yi.

Character development chapter. Can't live without them. Next chapter will be 'Master Ma's motive' so we'll be returning to Yokohama. Yay?

Miu and Honoka have a different past but share similar feelings. That was the theme at the end.

Gedou, for those who haven't gotten far in Kenichi (I just caught up! I congratulated myself by writing this chapter) - is the unofficial third path between Katsujinken and Satsujinken. It means, the path of the demon...then again, Naruto fans should be familiar with the term but in different contexts.

This was CH64 solid. I didn't really go much farther than that this time. I also added a small Ogata cameo - he is a mountain sort of guy.

I hope that if any fan of 'Legend of the Condor Heroes' read the end, I hope you appreciated it. They will not be the only names you will see. I also added in a Yang Yi mention from the Generals story. I'm not completely familiar with everything (lets face it, Chinese stories are massive in continuity) but I'll do my best. I'm actually re-watching the 08 series and on episode 10 right now.

Long chapter. 7000 words - the longer the chapters, the more grammar mistakes I make. I had a hell of a time editing the chapter.

Anyway, have a nice day. I don't think I forgot anything.