In a dingy warehouse illuminated only by the scant light of a swinging overhead lamp, a girl sat catlike on a large armchair, surrounded by shadowy figures.

"Apparently someone took down Oshiro…" she said in a matter-of-fact voice, "Sent him to hospital with a concussion or something."

"I heard about it too, Kisara-sama," said an underling, "It was Naruto Uzumaki… a blond first-year in class 1-B. He's got all sorts of rumours flying around him. They say he ditched the whole first term of school… and when he got back, he fought with a policeman in his first week! And y'know how he sent Oshiro to the hospital? They say this guy also made a mockery of him- and his whole gang too. Made them run around the school covered in pink paint and chicken feathers or something. And he was the also the one who beat down Tenchi Noguchi, from the Karate Club."

Kisara smirked slowly.

"He sounds interesting. I wonder if he'll live up to all the rumours. If he does… well, he could be a good underling of mine. Oshiro wasn't worth shit compared to the Red Circle or Ragnarok, but he had a moderately sized gang…"

She laughed suddenly.

"Hey Saijo! Aren't you the captain of the Karate Club? Here's your next assignment! See if this Naruto Uzumaki guy is worth anything."

An intimidating brute of a man stepped into the light.

"Yes," he said shortly, "Tenchi quit the club, and he said he lost a fight, but he wouldn't say who to. Now that I know, I can crush this weakling who thought it would be fun to stand out."

He picked up piece of shattered brick from the ground among the many that lay here and there and clenched it in his fist, reducing the block to even smaller pieces.

Naruto stepped out onto the water slowly, brow furrowed in concentration. The water trembled slightly under his weight and his feet sank in a couple of centimetres, but other than that, he was steady.

"Success," he grinned, "I'm getting closer to Shimiho (Silverfish Strides)."

Say, Juubi, he thought, why didn't you teach me Gouken (Strong Fist) from Lee's memories? I have a feeling that would be AWESOME.

Because your body is not strong enough to handle it, Juubi said matter-of-factly, Rock Lee was able to perform Gouken to such an extent due to the enormous amount of training he poured into making his body into a taijutsu machine. Don't you remember those ridiculous weights he wore? Even if we started working on Gouken from day one and incorporated the weights into your daily routine, the amount of time needed to get you up to the point where you can even throw a simple, proper Gouken punch is unbelievable.

However, if you built up your muscles and combat instincts through less intensive styles such as Jyuuken (Gentle Fist) and Kumo Tsuigeko (Cloud Chaser), until they get to a comparable level to before you came to this world, then when you do get around to learning Gouken, it will just be a question of learning the forms.

I see, said Naruto, although he couldn't stop the twinge of disappointment that pierced him as he reluctantly let his dream of unleashing the cool as hell airborne Renge (Lotus) techniques drift away. Not to say that Jyuuken didn't have its own share of cool techniques… but… they just weren't as EXPLOSIVELY VIOLENT as he would've liked.

He sighed.

"Someday…" he said wistfully.

Then he lost concentration and fell bodily into the lake.

Gripping the hemp rope in one hand, Miu nimbly flipped over the edge with a soft grunt of exertion. She straightened up and blinked for a second to let her eyes adjust to the dim lighting.

"Naruto?" she called softly, "Wake up, breakfast's ready."

There was no response.

Miu shrugged and turned around to descend the rope again, as this response was nothing unusual. She had quickly learned that Naruto was not an early riser and loved to laze around in bed in the morning. This was also exacerbated by a lack of motivation to get to school on time… or at all, really.

However, this time, instead of the uninterested grunt of acknowledgement that Naruto usually emitted, there was pure silence.

Miu felt a sharp spike of suspicion lance through her and she turned again to face the bed.

"Naruto?" she called again, louder.

There was no response again, and Miu stopped completely, focussing. Her sharp ears couldn't hear the sound of breathing in the room, and she slowly made her way to the bed.

It was empty.

Panic flashed through her suddenly as she wondered where he could be before her rationality quashed it. She moved over and pulled the plain curtain to one side, allowing early morning sunshine to pour through, illuminating the small room.

In the sudden light, Miu could see that the bed was unoccupied. In fact, putting her hand to the undented pillow, she felt for any residual body heat. There was none, signifying that the bed had not been slept in, or if it had, its resident had left its embrace long before the break of dawn. She turned to the window, biting her lip in slight concern.

Then, realising that she had to go eat and prepare for the school day herself, she left Naruto's room, a worried frown on her face.

Miu set down her chopsticks, having finished eating. Naruto hadn't shown up for breakfast, which was also strange. He would usually turn up at the very end of breakfast, when everyone was almost finished, or, failing that, would arrive when the dirty dishes were being washed. He'd greet everyone with a cheery smile and a wave, and then proceed to basically inhale the food as quickly as humanly possible.

But today, he was nowhere to be found.

"Akisame?" Miu asked tentatively.

The moustachioed man turned with a kind smile.

"Yes? What is it?"

"Have you seen Naruto? He wasn't in his room."

Akisame brought his fingers up to stroke at his chin, his pupil-less eyes betraying no emotion.

"The young man? Yes, he's out in the courtyard. Bring him in for breakfast, will you? He was up training this morning when I woke up, which can't be very healthy considering I know he went to bed very late last night."

The Elder laughed heartily at this.

"Ho ho, what an enthusiastic martial artist he is! That's good to see in the young ones. But yes, he needs to have breakfast- he's a growing boy, after all."

Miu touched her grandfather's elbow tentatively.

"Grandfather? I'm a bit worried. He hasn't been himself lately. He seems to be training… really hard. Coming home late… not sleeping, and now not eating. Well… actually, he sleeps in class…"

The Elder looked at Miu, who had trailed off in an embarrassed tone, and smiled benignly.

"I'll have a talk with him. Now go on and get him in for breakfast."

Miu gave a wan smile and walked out of the building, looking for Naruto. Stepping out onto the brushed flagstones, she stretched slightly, relishing in the feeling of a straightened spine, before turning to the courtyard.

Only split-second reflexes allowed Miu to jerk away as a barely-recognisable blur streamed past her, moving at ridiculous speeds. If she hadn't dodged, it would have steamrolled into her and sent both of them flying. However, upon missing her, the blur came to a screeching deceleration, revealing itself to be Naruto, who looked at her in surprise as he skidded to a halt.

"Miu?" he asked, as he bent his body almost 45 degrees to the horizontal in order to avoid losing his balance.

He obviously hadn't gotten the hang of 'landing' his Kireruho (Snap Step) yet, although he had at least improved from the ridiculous out-of-control airborne cartwheeling that he had experienced when he first developed the movement.

"Naruto?" asked Miu dumbly in return, not yet over what she had just seen.

Movement like that was not supposed to be in a disciple's repertoire. It was almost Master-class… although Naruto had to work a little on the execution, obviously.

Said boy had by now gotten upright and walked up to her, tilting his head quizzically.

"What's up, Miu?" he said cheerily.

"Oh! Ah… you should come in and have breakfast before it gets cold," Miu replied, shaking her head to get it back into gear.

Naruto smiled.

"Oh, thanks! I'll have it in a little while," he said.

Miu looked at him as if he were crazy.

"It'll be cold by then?" she said questioningly.

"That's alright," Naruto replied, "I really want to finish polishing up my move. I don't mind cold food. Everything you make is delicious anyway, hot or cold."

And I can always just heat it up, haha, he thought.

It really is quite amusing that the most use we get out of Fire Style jutsu nowadays is to heat up food, commented Juubi, which elicited an amused chuckle from his host.

"We need to leave for school soon, Naruto," said Miu.

"You go on ahead today."

"But you're going to be late!"

Naruto stared at her, wondering why the heck she thought that would be a reason he cared.

She blushed and made an "oh" sound.

Naruto quirked an eyebrow.

"Might not even go today," he continued, "Can get some valuable training in today if I really push my limits."

Miu was silent for a bit. There was a sneaking suspicion starting to grow in her mind. Naruto's face was flushed and he was panting rather hard. He was wearing some sort of gi, but it was stained with sweat, which was even starting to evaporate and steam off the heat emanating from his body.

"Naruto," she said slowly, "How long have you been out here training?"

Naruto's perpetual grin turned wry.

"A while," he said, winking.

She grabbed him by the gi's front and pulled him in close.

"Naruto, what's wrong? You've been acting strangely… you're going to work yourself to death- is… is that blood?!"

Miu's voice rose to a borderline shriek as she noticed dark stains on the white fabric.

Naruto sent chakra through his arms to dislodge himself from Miu's grip- boy, was that girl strong!

"It's nothing," he said shortly as he straightened his clothes, grin long gone.

"I'll go get bandages," said Miu worriedly, turning around.

Naruto grabbed her wrist.

"Don't," he said, "It's alright… I'm fine… I won't go to school today, so… so just go on without me, please."

Miu looked up at him, her eyes swirling with concern.

"But-"

"Please."

Miu looked up at Naruto's warm blue eyes that were usually so expressive, and for the first time did not recognise the person behind them.

"Um…" was all she could say, before she nodded and left at a run.

Naruto watched her depart without a word, before he turned back and started practicing Kireruho once more.

A clatter caught Naruto's attention, and he turned around quickly, senses tingling. It couldn't be Miu again, as she should have left for school quite some time ago. Upon seeing the Elder sitting on the nearby veranda with a tray of food, he relaxed.

"Good morning," he greeted.

"Morning," replied the Elder, "Won't you come have breakfast?"

His giant hand patted the wooden planks next to him, and Naruto hesitated. He really wanted to keep on training, but it would be rude to decline the Elder when he went to all the trouble of bringing the food out. Also, he was rather hungry, and Miu's food was always very good.

Making his decision, Naruto nodded and walked over to the tray and sat down.

"Itadakimasu," he mumbled, which he had since gathered was the right thing to say.

He dug in, trying to eat as quickly as could without being outright rude. The Elder watched him in silence for a few moments before speaking.

"Not going to school today?" he asked calmly.

Naruto looked up from his food, chewed for a second, and then swallowed.

"Nope," he said, "I feel like I'm going to get somewhere in training today. I'm very close to reaching a new level in my taijutsu."

"I see… do you mind letting me watch some of your practice after you finish eating?"

Naruto lifted the bowl into the air and tilted his head.

"Oh not at all… just give me a second…"

He upended the entire bowl into his mouth and swallowed it all in one gulp.

"Okay, done."

He stood up and cracked his neck, and then his fingers.

The Elder also got to his feet, but first reached into his voluminous sleeve and produced a white roll of bandages.

"Miu said you were injured, young man," he boomed, "Do you need this?"

"That's very considerate of her," Naruto replied, "But it's okay, I don't need it."

"You sure?"

"Quite sure."

"Hmm…" murmured the Elder, his bright eyes never leaving Naruto's face as he replaced the roll of bandages.

Naruto moved into the centre of the courtyard, his arms spinning around him, as he loosened up.

"I guess-" he said, "-you'll want to see some katas… it's not like I can spar with you at my level."

"And what level is that?" asked the Elder in amusement, eyes sparkling.

"Nowhere near yours," said Naruto shortly, dropping into a low Jyuuken stance.

His foot slid to the side as he turned and unleashed a series of piercing jabs with his fingers outstretched. The movements stabbed through the air viciously, and after several tens of blows had been thrown, Naruto decisively pushed his weight onto the outstretched foot and transferred his entire weight onto it as he lunged forward onto the other one, his palm presented forward in a flattened tiger claw. The entire manoeuvre took only seconds, with the resulting palm strike having the range of almost three body lengths from his original position and greater force than any standing punch.

Naruto held the position for a few moments, then leapt back to regain his balance, taking a more defensive Jyuuken stance, with one arm bent over his head as if to shield his eyes and the other bent into a ready palm cradled beside his sternum, tucked under his armpit.

He attacked again, this time more cautiously, hitting six times in a small circle and then twice more, this time with considerably more force. He rotated his upper body and struck in an overhead manner with his rearmost hand before using one leg as a pivot and spun around rapidly using it as an axis. His arms was extended at this point and swung around like a whip, loaded with centrifugal force. After completing one full rotation of what was essentially a pirouette, Naruto launched himself laterally into the air, although it was hard to tell whether he voluntarily jumped or was launched there by the merit of his momentum. Two fingers extended on each hand- an idiosyncrasy favoured by Neji's Jyuuken- sliced through the air as he flew. Naruto landed and skidded a few metres with his knees bent, his body bent back at an extreme angle and one hand poised to anchor itself into the ground to keep his balance- the very picture of dynamic motion.

Naruto reorientated himself and got ready to launch into the next set of kata when the Elder grabbed him by the shoulder.

"That's enough, thank you, Naruto," the old man said.

Naruto nodded and stepped together, bringing his hands together and bowing low, not so much as if acknowledging a performance, but instead as a measure of respect.

The Elder watched him with bright, curious eyes.

"So, Naruto," he said, "What did you say this martial art was called again?"

"Jyuuken- the Gentle Fist."

The Elder made a non-committal noise in the back of his throat and rocked back on his heels as he reflected.

The young blond's fighting style was strange… unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Of course, there were strong similarities between the physical movements of Jyuuken and styles such as Baguazhang from Chinese martial arts, but to the Elder's experienced eyes, there was just something intrinsically different about Jyuuken. With Baguazhang, there was at least a clear intent and purpose in each movement- to strike and incapacitate.

But Jyuuken was different- there was an intent in each movement that didn't seem to reflect normal martial art movements. That is not to say that Jyuuken was not a legitimate martial art- Naruto's movements were too smooth and graceful for him to have made it all up. Or maybe it was because the style was too flowingthat the Elder was feeling uncomfortable. Although the style was indeed called 'gentle'… the strikes were so placed that even if they hit, they wouldn't do much damage. There were much more efficient targets to aim at but were strangely ignored.

The Elder frowned.

Although… the places where his strikes seem to aim correspond with major organs and ki points… but those are hard to hit with any accuracy… you'd have to have X-ray vision to be able to make any use of this style if aiming at internal targets is what it's all about. And even then… how does he do damage if his attacks are so light?

There were other strange things. From what he saw, the style didn't incorporate kicks at all, even though it seemed to be a very mobile and speedy form of fighting. It even seemed to eschew punches, preferring instead palm strikes and… poking? The Elder still wasn't sure what the point of the seemingly ridiculous two-finger stance was.

And the gi that Naruto was wearing was another point to add to the growing list of unusual things. It was a plain white, which was normal, but instead of being folded over at the front, it was closed over at the right shoulder. It also had long, flowing sleeves, which flapped around Naruto's wrists when he moved, which, the Elder theorised, would help conceal the exact point the blond was targeting- a major boon if his style did indeed revolve around attacking vital organs and ki points.

However, the Elder thought it prudent to keep these thoughts to himself- most martial artists were prone to getting defensive if they were confronted with anything they might interpret as an insult to their style. So instead, he tried to approach the matter in a more roundaboutmanner.

"Say, Naruto, what's your master's name?" he said casually.

Naruto looked up at him, half torn about what he should say.

"Neji Hyuuga," he said at last, a smile tugging at his lips.

During his previous life, Neji had been Naruto's peer during their youth, and a subordinate during his reign as Hokage, and even briefly as a technical superior when Naruto had been training with Jiraiya. To consider anyone of his age group as a mentor was laughable to the blond, who was notorious for his complete lack of respect to authority figures, and teachers in particular.

However, the Elder wasn't aware of this background, and so had to make do with merely wondering what the joke was.

"Do you think you could bring him here someday so I could meet him?" the Elder said, "He has a curious style, and I was wondering if I could ask him some questions, or maybe even spar with him a little- I've never seen a martial art like yours, after all."

Naruto's smile turned dry.

"I would be very surprised if you did," he said, "Konoha, where myself and Neji… uh… Neji-sensei, where we ah come from… it's very far away. Yes. Very far away. On an island, I think."

The Elder's bushy eyebrow raised as Naruto tried to convey how far away his homeland was.

"Must be a strange place indeed," he said, "You're a natural blond… but you speak Japanese- from birth, yes? And your customs seem to be Japanese as well, if that gifted katana was anything to go by. And it was an island, you say? What brought you over to Japan?"

Naruto's expression froze for a second before his smile widened and he did his best to bullshit his way out of the situation he had gotten himself into.

"Um. I came on one of those big metal birds," he said, remembering an image on a textbook in class, "Because the village wanted to send me out… to experience the outer world, and explore."

The Elder shook his head. The reasoning was fishy, but it was obviously not an easy topic if Naruto wanted to avoid it, so he ignored it. But it was the erstwhile comment that caught his attention. The unfamiliar way in which Naruto referred to aeroplanes was almost a sure-tell that his nation did not possess them. And if that were true, then why would he feel the need to lie about it? And how did he get to Japan?

The Elder stored these thoughts away for further contemplating, gleefully adding more to the puzzle labelled 'Naruto Uzumaki'. In his old age, a puzzle was one of his few secret delights… that and beating up mountain bears.

"But could I meet him?" he asked again, gently.

Naruto blinked.

What do I say? he demanded to Juubi in panic, although his outer countenance remained calm.

Juubi sighed and decided to help him out a little.

Repeat after me.

Okay...

"Um…" Naruto said hesitatingly, "He… doesn't really like to come out into the city very often… the village back home was a lot closer to nature, y'see… he really likes to be alone. Maybe after he gets a little more settled, I'll ask him to come visit."

The Elder nodded.

"I see," he said, "Well, I'll be looking forward to that day when it comes. Anyway, I think I've kept you from your training enough, so I'll let you get on with it. Please consider going to school tomorrow though."

Naruto smiled and did a small bowing wave but did not actually give any affirmation to this last comment.

"I'll think about it, sir," he said half-jokingly, as he turned away to slide into another Jyuuken stance.

He was about to thrust forward when the Elder suddenly appeared at the side of his vision with one finger pointed upwards in a 'one more thing' gesture. If Naruto hadn't been diligently expanding his peripheral vision in order to use the Byakugan's abilities, he would have been badly startled. However, he merely stopped his thrust and turned to face Miu's grandfather.

"Yes?" he said.

"Training is good, but don't forget to rest, okay? You've got your whole life in front of you, but only one childhood. Enjoy your life, don't spend all of it learning how to fight."

The Elder smiled brightly and then walked away, Naruto's breakfast tray in hand. Naruto watched him leave, slightly confused.

I wonder what he's talking about. It's not like I've got anything else to do… no one to prank around here, ugh… and I don't get another childhood? Haha, this is my second childhood!

For some reason, Naruto found that rather amusing and chuckled a little to himself.

If you really need me to, I can change your body to that of Neji Hyuuga's and use his memories while controlling you to create a perfect illusion of him- strength and personality and everything. I could come in with 'you' as a Henge'd Kage Bunshin (Transformed Shadow Clone). That might get rid of the Elder's suspicions for a little bit.

Yeah, that sounds cool, do that, said Naruto without really listening, as he was a firm believer in the 'if the problem doesn't concern me right this instant, leave it until it does' school of thought.

He bent down, and took off with another Kireruho, working on getting the landing right.

There was the skid of shoes through dirt, a muffled curse and finally, the crunch of crushed rhododendrons. It was obvious he still had a ways to go until he mastered the skill.

Keep trying, Naruto.

Miu looked over at the empty desk near the window and sighed. It was lunchtime, and for once, she was alone. Naruto wasn't around, obviously, and Niijima was for once doing something else- 'investigation' he called it.

She picked aimlessly at her bento, wondering what her friends were up to. Miu's attraction to school life was not for the novelty of the experience- although she didn't mind learning and thought it a valuable quality- but instead because of a yearning for friends and peers her own age.

Her early life was consumed by her travels with her grandfather, and she had not attended elementary school because of this. The Elder had taken care of her early education, and he did quite a good job, such that Miu, upon officially joining Kouryou High School, was not behind in terms of academics in the slightest, and was in fact ranked quite high.

However, in a comparison between staying at school and learning martial arts at Ryouzanpaku, Miu would choose the latter in a heartbeat. Martial arts were in her blood; it was what built her to be the young woman she was. It was her passion, her hobby, her life.

But it could get awfully lonely at times.

The dojo was too extreme for any other teen that had not had the particular childhood that she had- being brought up on martial arts, by martial artists, basically from birth. Teenagers were meant to be concerned about puberty, grades, popularity, fashion, clothes, video games, and the members of the opposite sex (or same sex, if you swung that way). No one would be willing to throw all that away and dive into the merciless world full of pain and hardship that Miu lived in.

And that was how it had been for as long as she could remember.

Even in middle school, her 'friends', who had been drawn to her looks, her endearing clumsiness and contradictorily, her awe-inspiring grace and athleticism, held themselves at a distance. Those that knew about her life dominated by what was essentially fighting, were intimidated by it or thought it strange and unbefitting, and soon broke contact, preferring the company of more 'normal' people. Those that were blissfully unaware were nonetheless alienated by Miu's strange personality, which didn't conform to that of theirs. She wasn't interested in clothes, in fashion, in boys. She was hit on and confessed to by a number of classmates, something that surely brought on bouts of jealousy, but seemed to think nothing about her apparent popularity, appeared to take it for granted and hold herself above petty classroom gossip topics. Even in her friendship group, she was alone.

But here, at Kouryou High School, she had a fresh start. With Naruto, she had a fellow martial artist who understood her and had similar parallels in his life. She hoped she could even start to spar with him soon, now that they were living together, and could teach each other and mutually improve from the experience. It also helped that he was kind and funny, and overall a great friend, although Miu did think some of his classroom antics were a little over the top.

As for Niijima, Miu didn't really understand him, but then again, who did? But still, he seemed like a funny fellow, and he was nice enough. More importantly though, she knew that, like herself, Niijima was also somewhat of an outcast- left out of social circles because of some sort of passion or hobby. However, Miu still wasn't one-hundred-percent sure what that hobby was herself… something to do with aliens or information…? Nonetheless, Miu definitely considered the pointy-eared boy a friend as well.

However, by having these two as friends- the wild-firing, devil-may-care prankster and the strange, rather creepy, alien-demon hybrid, Miu also coincidentally closed off a large portion of the school population from approaching her with their own offer of friendship. Oh, they may admire her beauty and poise, and the girls may occasionally invite her out as an act of courtesy, but there was no real genuine offer of friendship there. The crowd she hung out with was just too weird.

But Miu didn't mind. From experience, she already knew that people who couldn't accept Niijima for his looks or Naruto for his personality, would definitely not accept her once they got to know the real Miu Fuurinji, the High School Girl Who is Like an Assassin.

So when a classmate came up to her of her own free will and asked to sit down and join her for lunch, Miu was, understandably, a little shocked and after that, pleasantly surprised.

The new girl was rather plain, with black hair braided into pigtails, and large glasses that gave her a cute, vulnerable look.

"I… I'm Yuuka Izumi," she said as a way of introduction, stuttering a little bit.

"Hi," said Miu warmly, "I'm Miu."

Yuuka's lips twitched upwards in a shy smile.

"I know," she said softly, "You're… rather famous."

Miu smiled and shrugged, not knowing how to respond. She was a little short on the 'making friends' department of skills, and now was a perfect representation of that. With no idea of small talk or any relevant knowledge on what girls typically talk about, this lull in the conversation would be something that might present a bigger hurdle to her than any martial art opponent, but luckily, Yuuka filled in the silence.

"A-anyway!" she said nervously, "You're friends with Naruto, right?"

Miu nodded enthusiastically, glad for something to talk about.

"We live together!" she said, before she saw Yuuka's eyes widen.

Miu immediately clapped her hands over her mouth and continued on hastily, "Probably shouldn't have said that. You… you won't tell anyone, will you?"

"O-of course not," reassured Yuuka, although she still looked a little shocked by the revelation, "Wow, you guys are good friends… better than I would've thought."

Seeing where the other girl's thought process was at, Miu was quick to rebut this.

"Oh no, my house is a live-in dojo, where martial arts is taught…"

"Martial arts?" repeated Yuuka incredulously.

She had heard that Miu had judo thrown some of the upperclassmen who had tried to hit on her at the start of the year but had thought it was some kind of exaggerated joke.

On the other hand, Miu winced. This conversation was going on an all-too-familiar path, and she could see her potential friendship with this Yuuka fading away into the wind… her first female friend, too!

"Yeah," admitted Miu nervously, "I do a little martial arts… that's not weird, is it?"

Fortunately, Yuuka frantically waved her hands in a front of her to convince Miu that it wasn't.

"Oh no, no… not at all," Yuuka said quickly, "My other friend, Makoto, she does kendo! That's similar, isn't it? I think it is… h-ha ha, I'll introduce her next time? You guys might have similar interests to talk about. She's at the kendo club now, actually."

Miu brightened at this, her fears dropping away. Yuuka didn't seem repelled by the revelation that Miu did martial arts, and even offered a chance to make yet another new friend! Someone who did kendo, even… which was similar to martial arts! Miu almost kicked herself for not thinking to make friends there herself… until she remembered that most kendo clubs were full of overconfident teenage boys who thought themselves modern-day samurai.

"Um…" continued Yuuka, "This might sound strange, but I'm already friends with Naruto… my seat's in front of his, after all… and I'm just a little worried. You seemed to closer to him than me, so I was just wondering if you knew how to contact him."

"Worried?" repeated Miu, wondering if this girl, too, also knew about how Naruto was pushing himself through training so intensely.

"Yeah… I think he's being targeted by Ragnarok."