Switched Fox

by grayfox11738

For all my unnatural life I've been forced on a path against my will with a destiny I never wanted, but now I find myself free from that with my death only to wake up once more. I wake up with a world full of opportunities and a life to live anew. I'm Naruto Uzumaki now and never again will I submit. Grey Naruto. Naruto harem.

21. Links and Reprieves

Chapter 21: Links and Reprieves

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I've been going through my reports, manifests, deeds, contracts, and basically everything associated with my ventures and business practices for hours now. Actually, now that I look at that clock I've been at it the whole night trying to find the leak in my system.

I felt my blood simmer a bit at the memory of that trial on Monday. If not for Kaguya I might've lost my senses. Luckily, she came to me at my moment of weakness like she always does. She's truly my guardian through and through. I needed to rest with her because of that trial. That trial was staged, and some individuals got a higher hand than they should have in my business. Some of the rulings and questions were preconceived before my entry. I realize that after doing an investigation of my own. Never trust a ninja. Actually, never trust a human being. They're traitorous and a disease on the planet, or so I've be taught in the past. Each life I've taken is just towards the ultimate end of that life.

I sighed with my fatigue starting to get to me little by little. I can't sleep at all so might as well work through it all like I have. Certain issues came up after that trial, so I've cross referenced my actions up to now in my journal to my official documentation. I've documented my escapades well and over 91% of my actions have been kept properly shrouded in obscurity according to my reports. The deeper you hide in the dark the easier you'll be seen once light is shown over you. Most information that fell through the cracks is exactly what I wanted but some part of it wasn't supposed to be known yet. Some of it was over my head.

I've replayed the memory of that little trial for a while now. It was only a matter of time before my actions got attention. I can only push back against pride and arrogance for so long before it begins to push back. I know this better than most. But I watched everyone in that room and replayed it again. They knew things I didn't leak so I have one somewhere. It all lead back to a single plausible source.

Looking over the manifests again I felt I was smart enough to ensure Yuuki didn't touch the ones she wasn't supposed to. Shion did good work to keep her ignorant like I want. "Oh, that princess." I rubbed my head as the image of that wonderful girl flashed across my mind. Yuuki, the Mistress of Kagenohikari Inn, about a month and a half ago started to implement her Will upon my small-time businesses whilst Shion and I handled the Dark Market and Deep Market exploits. Shion knew her way around along with Takashi and Jin. I've allowed Yuuki to do as she wished, play her little game, live her forced delusion of dominance, and study to be my figure head like I've planned. Sadly it back fired somewhat in a manner that drew in Fuma to connect the dots. I suspected her to be a bit of a loose end but a split end combined with the pressure from the collaborators under her and possibly above her too was unintended.

After hours of sorting through my paperwork, I noticed many documents under my primary alias Memna came up frequently. Some of them I can tell were touched by Yuuki just by her soul residue residing on it. The girl is so much like Yakumo - a princess with an exceptional level of Od. Maybe because their touched by something not of this world like myself. It leaves me to wonder if there's more of them out there; a Phoenix awaiting the dragon fire.

I waved through my Memna forms, that's my Deep Market name with Deidera involved, but thankfully not my Dark Market one. Overall, this was a mistake not to check into like I should've. I was busy is just an excuse for me. I grew complacent with my documentation and the seals on them instead of looking at the signatures. Yuuki did no harm according to my record's book. My critical business practices are well hidden for the most part according to my records, but is it really? Someone is poking at the bear in his cave and I'm about to wake up and maul someone.

Soon I turned towards the human trafficking folder same with the servant contracts that incorporated families and even future generations. I prefer simple current generation severance over multiple generations. That's unbecoming to condemn unborn children to a life of slavery just because of the sins of the bastard fathers and bitch mothers. On this note I've noticed that no one has touched this stack outside of myself.

Throughout the night I noticed recurrent articles out of place and picked one out after the fourth mention. "Aname?" Who in the underworld is this? I don't remember writing up a contract for an Aname.

I narrowed my eyes to the side and grabbed my Bookings Book. I carefully analyzed each page of anyone that's been allowed to live in my Inn from temporary or permanent residents. I've a couple permanent and many temporary incoming. While construction is still ongoing the Permanent personal rooms have been completed same with most of the ones for rent. Any reservations I receive are taken seriously in hope to improve our reputation.

Nanami has become quite famous as of late; really bringing in the revenue. Shion as the head has drew in men and women as a poster girl of sorts. The fact I allowed the Uchiha to live here, plus putting it in the paper the day after, has caused a stream of girls to follow suit for the past couple days. My inn, my workers, and the effect I'm having on the populace within my small circle is growing. Still, there's a black spot in my plans. Someone is building a file on my and that Fuma woman is involved.

I've failed to recognize a couple names on the occupant's book, and Shion hasn't brought any suspicious persons to my attention for a while now. Something is here that's gone under my nose. I just need to find what before it harms my business and Yuuki.

I pushed the last stack of contracts to the side and reached for the next. I trained with my team for the first time yesterday and afterwards got to work. The Uchiha and I sparred for a bit and he demanded I teach him a couple of my techniques, like I have anything like that to teach. I just work by instinct and from memory. It's not hard to implement another's moves into your own style if you see it enough. I researched some medicinal herbs with the Haruno and shown her a couple things. She appeared thankful for the lesson. Kakashi; I still can't get a read on him, and it unnerves me. Maybe in time I can. I invited the Uchiha over for a bit to see Shion after him bringing her up for some reason. If I know anything he's got an interest in her. I made sure to send a clone to spread the word of the Last Uchiha's visit and interest, and it worked. I had to have my guys look over him to keep some of those thirsty girls away from him. It was a good day for business.

I sighed as I finished going through my Occupants book with a frown. Nothing really out of the ordinary according to this. Any keys signed out have a name next to it, and most of them I know. Some that I don't I know the surnames. Families of a couple of my men come to stay some days when things get dangerous at their homes.

"I'm missing something. Some has my number but who? Fuck!" I rubbed my head furiously. I needed to find the leak.

Someone's passing information about me they shouldn't be. I've wondered about a couple small attacks on my men and the spread of their records. I know I've disposed of many of those records but according to the trial listing they know about a few I'm positive I disposed of. Proof of my part in the closing down of seven businesses plus the destitution of the families has been placed in their list as well. My men are connected same with an alias. My name isn't but it's only a matter of time until my actual name is attached to this. I've covered my tracks almost perfectly and wrote everything down. Something that isn't written is happening and it's causing harm to me. When I find out who or what… Shit even Empusa will shiver in abhorrence from what I'll do to them.

"I'm losing how much money because of this shit!" I spat to the side. It's one thing to put your hands into my life but touching my money, my treasures, or mission is a good way to put your name higher on my Chapter Black List. Reparations to families I've caused harm? Ridiculous. I clenched my fists angrily. I growled, eager to get my claws on that soon to be tortured then enslaved bastard or bitch that caused this. I won't kill them, because that's too easy unless their worth more dead than alive.

I've only two days until Friday, and before I'm to be expelled from the village. I need to find this leak and patch it before I go more than anything. I need to know what families I own reparations as well now that I think of it. So far, the only big three are the Hyūga, Abarame, and Kurama. For most others, I've covered my bases well or made it out to be part of the economy shift. Still, there are families I'll owe capital to. The Hyūga because of the pink hair thing, Abarame because of the clan missions, and the Kurama for the ruination of the main branch and elder's council. The Kurama clan is small thankfully so that's not a big loss. If anything, the mission was made so that the end result for the family wouldn't fall upon the me, but just my contribution towards the remaining members of the main house. Since there's one remaining in a coma that wanted to become a hunter if I play this right I can simply advise that Naoto character and pay for the compound for the main branch only. Being only Yakumo it won't cost much. I probably did myself a favor killing all those elders. Her being in that coma as well can work in my favor.

"The demon kid giving support to the shattered clan from the good of his heart and at behest of the good will within him." That'll be a good pitch. With proper use of publicity I can make myself and this business coming up to seem benevolent. I tried to believe that the people of this village didn't matter but forgot if enough people yell loud enough someone will hear them. I need to get in their good will, build rapport, and better to work the system.

I'm going to bring my spirit hunting to a pause in the village for the most part. I've searched most of the town for it's many spirits and most I can't help. I've gained three demons with only a few more out there that are insignificant compared to Kensei, Onizuka, and Empusa. I can search elsewhere for more. Them desiring to monitor me isn't going isn't a blow I'm not accustomed to. They've been watching since the day I was born. That left my exile which can work in my favor.

For now I continued working. I scanned through a few more documents until stopping at one contract I didn't recognize. I may not be good with faces or names, being why I write every notable one down in my personal bingo book, this one is strange, because I've seen it come up more than once. I've never seen it cross my books before until I started digging now and this is the second time.

"Aname?" I questioned a bit perplex on who this Aname is. I know every woman around me enough to register a name to a face. This one is strange. She's never stayed here according to the books so what gives? Why is she on contract under the name Hiroka…?

"Yuuki," I frowned deeply but swallowed that old dark emotion. Her names I swear aren't subtle, but I can't talk. I have Memna as my alias. I remained calm and cool. Yuuki has an alias now? I can recollect her mentioning it but denounced that notion. She made her own surname so not too implausible she designed a given name as well. I've noticed the name Hiroka again not too long ago too. A name meaning beautiful, fire, and more. I would've never guessed it was her. I didn't know she had the propensity for vanity in her. I'm proud.

I sorted through my papers until I happened upon it. I noticed in my purchase requests folder. We use this document for special orders and this one is for something interesting. "Duplicate keys." I muttered with my chin cupped. I leaned back in my chair at these three documents: A servant contract, purchasing request, and Booking receipt; All signed by the same person. "Yuuki," I mused. "What are you doing?" I questioned.

I knew who to talk to for answers.

I pushed off my chair with two documents in hand. I snagged Ketsugetsu and placed him on my back once more. Feels good to have him back to be honest. I walked away to the front desk as my aim. It's about four in the morning so Shion should be up and at the front desk right now. While clenching the two documents, I broke through the doors into the main lobby. My naked feet slapped a bit on the cold tiles. I shivered at the change of surface before continuing on. Shion, with a large pony tail in her green hair tied with a white band, stood quietly behind the desk checking over the lodging receipts like is typical for her. She quickly noticed me and bowed her head to me to which I followed suit.

"Good morning, Naruto. How did you sleep?" She spoke informally to me which I prefer.

"I didn't. You know I barely sleep." I placed the two documents in front of her and pointed to first. The one with Aname on it. "Who is this Shion?" The woman's dull eyes traveled slowly from my face down to the document. She examined it carefully to develop a response I could accept without multiple questions thrown at her from me.

"That's your princess's little spy," she answered without hesitation earning a risen eyebrow from me. "She's been using this spy of hers to look a bit into your business as well as gather information on what you do outside of the inn. For the most part her spy has only discovered a couple of your secrets for one of your opposition in the lawless sector. One of which she's currently collaborating with against you. So far she's been systematically gathering information about you to give in return for money for herself. Your princess is also fully aware of this. I can assume the other document you hold is for the duplicate room keys the princess ordered as well?"

"Yes," I answered evenly and placed the document on top of the desk as well.

"This room is reserved to Aname and her companion whenever they stay here." Shion reported.

"That explains why this room is always vacant according to the books then but has a receipt for purchase," I muttered with my arms crossed. Not updating my books like this and even leaving a sloppy paper trail, that girl I swear. Leave it to Shion to know everything and yet keep it to herself until it's brought up. It's what I'd expect from my "eyes and ears" here at the Inn and in the Red Light District. Still, Yuuki decided to gain herself a little spy to look into me. One that's working for one of my competitors even. She's been gathering info as well. I'm curious to where this might be going. So far there hasn't been too much damage as far as I can see though. It gave rise to a question, "What kind of information has this spy obtained Shion?"

"Trading deals, many of your different aliases, and is currently looking for a way to link you all to our escapades. So far your princess is the only link to which I've done my best to secure per your directives."So Shion has kept anything threatening from arising then. My Top Secret information is still shielded like I want. I sighed in relief. Mostly this was just a slap on the wrist than a stab in the gut.

"If you know about this then why keep this spy here and allow Yuuki to do this?" I questioned.

"I'm unsure of her motives, but I allow the spy to remain became Takashi as well as Jin are looking into her and who she works for. Most of your standby rackets gained are because of what we've tracked through Aname, Naruto." Shion answered in the very same dull and bored but beautiful tone as always.

I thought this through carefully so not to fly off the handle. I hate being followed, I hate being watched, and I hate unplanned interventions. Yuuki has willing allowed a parasite into my sanctum for reasons I can only guess. This has caused some of my foes to gain some interesting information on me that can connect to my inn. Shion has remained as the buffer and filter to ensure anything that leaves this inn is controlled. Yuuki… what am I to do with that girl and makes me wonder if she thought this through fully. I doubt it. That girl isn't good at foreseeing the possible consequences her choices can create. On one hand I could torture this Aname and her partner, get the information I want out of them, question that princess on this, and then dig one hole for two bodies. On the other hand, Shion seems to be handling this well. She's in control of the situation by the sounds of it well enough to play Aname just like she believes she's playing us. Playing the game at its finest.

I calmed the raging blood lust that threatened to boil over the lid. I simply just need to fill in the blanks for I've done the same. I've allowed spies in, supplied them controlled information, and used them to get to their boss through others. It's how I've destroyed a couple families the fucked with me as a kid. That one that poisoned me is still in the works. Yuuki probably is just trying to follow this trend with us all as example. She's surrounded by killers and criminals; She's taking to the life a bit. "Can you make sure she doesn't cause too much damage?" Yuuki is supposed to be the face of this Inn and the coming business so if she wants to play the game let her. Since I've never heard of this Aname I can only assume she's small time. Small problems stay that way only when appeased and collared. I'm sure I can trust Shion to take care of this with my underboss under us.

"Of course I will, Naruto. You would do the same for anyone of us." Shion's tone was a bit different and sweet to the ears. My god I'm going to marry this woman one day if she keeps this up. She's perfect. "Thank you Naruto-kun," Shion smiled indistinctly with a short bow. "I'm not perfect. I'm just an imperfect me."

"Heh," I chuckled and shook my head. "That Fuma woman, when did she get control of this sector?"

"About two weeks ago, Naruto." Shion reached under the counter and placed a large folder in front of me. "These are letters we've intercepted going to a Hirano Aika. The old IG before this," she reached down for another stack but small to place down next. "Went to Mistress Fuma. She visited asking for you actually about a couple things."

"What did you tell her?"

"Ah," Shion blinked for a couple moments to collect her thoughts. "Your status as dragon same with some businesses you bought. She shone interest in you. I believe she wants to deal with you in person, Naruto. Something about a joint empire and alike interests."

"I see," I nodded with a sigh. I got a princess with spies that are conspiring against me and information being leaked out to the right people. "Shion, what do you recommend I do about my princess?" If I can trust anyone's council, it's Shion's.

"She cares for you and what you think of her," Shion stated even though I know this already. "Everything set in motion I believe is what she believes is best for her and you. She loves you and wants your recognition." I listened to the blank woman's word and the sense they made with my arms crossed and chin down. I nodded with every point she made calmly and smoothly as I thought on my verdict from the trial. It's not world ending and there's business I can do out of the village. I can go visit Deidera as well to see how he's doing in the Land of Rain. I'm still suck on whether or not this exile of mine is what Yuuki wished for by allow this Aname to get info on me, placing her name on my documents to link to me, and playing the innocent princess as well? I dare say most of this she might be getting from me if anything. I've spies coming in all the time and some of which are in the re-education chamber even now stewing since Saturday.

"I'm sure she has her reasons all tied to that." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Do you not care for her like she does you?" I opened an eye for her. "Correction: Do you not love her like she loves you?"

"Of course not," I breathed out. "Yuuki's my charge, my princess. As of now I'm contracted to protect her life and provide ample means of support. The last thing a knight should do is fraternize with his ward. It never ends well." I know the Daimyo desires me to marry Yuuki, but that would go against the mission at the moment. I'm not at marrying age like Yuuki is. I have time to travel and work.

"What's a knight?" I rose an eyebrow. Right, knights don't really exist in this world.

"Simply put, it's a person devoted to the service of the royal family, a country, or a cause whom follow a chivalrous code of conduct." I rolled my eyes. I'm nothing like a knight that's for damn sure. "That doesn't matter though. Watch out for the princess please, and keep doing the good work Shion," I said with a smile. "Keep this up I might marry you one day."

"I wouldn't mind," she confessed with a dull look. "I know I'd never have a dull day if we wed. I'd be rich as well," she noted dull toned.

Was that a joke on her part? Her eyes are empty still so I cannot tell that well. "True enough," I replied quietly. I'm not sure if she's serious or not so I'll leave it at this. "I'm going to grab a representative from the Kurama clan name Naoto soon. I need you to collaborate with the necessary channels to support his family. Another Empty like us will come here name Yakumo."

Shion's eyes flashed with understanding on what I meant by this. "I've heard of the Kurama heiress," Shion noted with maybe genuine interest in this new addition. "Her demon… does it reside within you like mine?"

"No, they became one." I rose my hand and felt my brand pulsing beneath my sleeves. Shion looked down to the folders to take this in.

"How are you, Naruto?" Shion's head tilted a bit. "You're pressured," she noticed. If Kaguya could notice this, then I'm not shocked that Shion can. We shared blood and touched souls after all so not much can be hidden between us.

"Honestly, these emotions are annoying." I rose my hands into fists. I looked at the tanned coloration of my skin and the calluses on the pads of my hand. "I've acquired demons that are attaching themselves to these emotions throwing me out of balance. I can feel the old Naruto within me too. He's shifting my paradigms. I sort of wish I could be more like you, Shion. Just barely feeling anything again," I confessed earnestly. Emotions haven't done anything for me other than cause trouble.

"I'd rather feel something like you Naruto," Shion looked away from me with a frown marring her lips.

"You can though if you wished to." I reminded her. "You spent years holding it back, but you can feel happiness, sorrow, and anger. I'd love for you to find some of all."

"I am… content." Shion blinked then faced me. "If you're experiencing emotions from the old you… then why not purge it?"

"If only it was that easy," I mutter with my head turned away from the woman for a moment. "Anyway, I'll let you get ready for the day. Thanks for the information Shion. I appreciate you like always, my beautiful Innkeeper."

A beautiful smile blessed her cold visage. "Thank you, Naruto."

We bowed together and pushed off together. I aimed for the door out and Shion went back to her task. I stopped once the sliding doors out opened automatically. "Shion." I glanced back and her eyes met mine. "Aname, is that name an alias?"

"Yes. Her real name is Ohara."

"Hn," I grunted with my arms crossed again to take it in. That name for some reason made my blood boil. "I want her profile before I leave on Friday."

"Of course, Naruto. I'll get it to you."

"Thank you." I waved back and left the inn into the shadows of this very dark Wednesday morning. "Ohara?" I've heard that name before but can't remember where. I wish I wasn't so damn bad with names or faces. Still though, it seems like Shion has most of this stuff under control. I just need to make sure my bases are covered before I'm expelled. I smacked the side of the door and stopped with just a foot out the door. I heard a whisper from within that caught my attention.

"She's conflicted…"

I glanced back towards Shion. She's very distant and such a master of stoicism that it'd make a Hyūga show their awe. I've half a mind to believe she's part Hyūga with her antics, her precise and methodical work, her ability to see the unseen, and finally her eyes. They're blank when she's not basking in Od. But, I've done this longer than her and for most of my Naruto life. I felt it during the entire explanation she gave me. Not once did she hesitate or take much time to inform me. She's been planning this out probably for a while to tell me. Even though she's told me nothing is wrong with her, I can see it in her eyes. Her hands are moving a tad slower than usual, her eyes less focused, and she's breathing with a slight sigh every other breath.

I frowned and turned back around to my Innkeeper. "Melody," I called using her nickname instead. The woman looked up a bit and nodded her head to show I have her undivided attention at this. "Do you wish to take a moment away from work to eat with me?" The woman blinked slightly perturbed at me. My offer drew her a blank for a moment at the reasoning behind it. "Would you like to get breakfast with me Melody? I'll treat you myself."

In response she glanced down to the papers on her countertop then up to me. This is her system: She wakes up at three in the morning, preps the task list and notes for the workers, checks over the balance for the money gained and lost the previous day, puts the finishing touches on the daily roadmap for the day, and ensures that by five she's ready to the any guests that might enter at this time. After she goes to breakfast after placing someone to stand for her for 15 minutes and comes back. She's my innkeeper and does good work until midnight. Then she cleans her areas for an hour, at one she takes a bath, by two she falls asleep, and finally wakes up at four to begin again.

"It's up to you," I said with my hands behind my back to wait for her answer. Shion searched my eyes for anything, something to help her rationalize the why. Why would I suddenly take her out to breakfast? Did I wish to punish her for keeping secrets from me? Did she do an insufficient job at the Inn and about to be reprimanded? Was I about to give her a talk to let her go? What was my angle? I've read every single question that flooded her mind with mine shut off. I can feel myself calm down in her presence. No emotions projected means that I don't need to respond in kind. Without emotion what can monsters latch on to?

"I… I don't wish to be a bother." I saw it. I saw her eyes flash with a twinge of sorrow and anxiety. Why? What's going on with her that it took her demon to drop me a hint?

"You've never been before," I said. "So, why would you be now?"

"I…" Shion cut herself off and closed her lips. She took a breath then suddenly pulled the white banner from her hair allowing the pale green hair to blanket her back. Her hair fell over her shoulders and bordered around her face casting a shadow over her faded teal eyes. "Naruto, I'm sorry." Shion abruptly apologized before dropping down into a bow. "If I've committed unforgivable acts I meant no disrespects. My actions…"

"Are justified," I cut her off even bringing her to a pause. She glanced up swiftly with widened eyes. "You're a beautiful woman that made all of this possible," I over exaggerated this by looking everywhere in the lobby and finally down to my arm. The arm I placed on the counter before her. "I've needed you since the beginning and no matter what you do there's nothing for me to forgive or render scorn towards." I walked around the counter with her following me with her eyes. Once I turned into it, I noticed her change of dress from the norm. She took to wearing her sleeveless vertical-striped turtle neck sweater. One that was form fitting showing her generous curves and large bust. On the chest region of the sweater is an amber brooch with a yellow bowed ribbon under it. She still took to wearing a black buttoned mini skirt and small white heels. It's almost like when we first meet in the beginning. She came here dressed just like this.

"Melody." I reached under the counter and picked out two yellow ribbons from underneath. I reached up to her hand and she leaned back up in evident shock plastered on her face. "You still haven't answered my question," I reminded her. I took her hand and directed her to the chairs in the lobby. She followed without resistance into the chair with our hands together. She sat down silently and placed one hand over the other as I worked on her hair." Hikari taught me well," I muttered in distress at the ease in which I took Shion's green locks and pull most of the hair out of her face but leave enough to frame it. I braided it back to run down to the tip of her lower back lengthened hair then finished with tying the yellow bow into the back to keep it set. I used some lightning chakra to force the strands to straighten and smooth over with soft pants from top to bottom.

"Naruto-kun," Shion mumbled sleepily. She'd never admit this but likes it when someone gives her hair attention like this.

"Hm." I closed my eyes. I used my spirit sight to focus on the charka instead.

"A letter came in for you yesterday. One with the Hokage's seal." She said.

"Hm."

"He wishes to talk to you this morning at 10 and will send escort at 9."

"Hm," I grunted again. I'm more interested in getting this right than anything. I don't care about the old man, shinobi bullshit, ninjas, my team, or anything right now. I just want to finish this and take Shion to breakfast. Shion must've noticed this because she stopped talking opting to return to her silence musing.

"Naruto-kun," she called for me again. Her tone was one of yearning.

"Yes."

"I do want to go on a date with you." She finally answered, but I'm a bit mixed on why she called it a date. 'Eh, whatever,' I thought with a shrug.

"Good. I really wish to. We can talk a bit about ourselves."

"Yes," she agreed. "Naruto?"

"Hm."

"Who am I?"

I stopped my combing with an eye open. "That's… not an easy question. I don't even know who I am." I dropped my hands to the chair and leaned inward to rest my chin atop the older woman's head. My body was too tired to stay upright. Hard to believe she's only 21. Hard to believe I've multiple souls within me. "Who do you think you are and were?"

"A monster," she answered. "A clan heiress. My twin. A woman in obsessive love. A murderous torturer. A kin killer. So much…" she whispered with her chin down. "You?"

"A monster," I started off with. "A Jäger. A Blood starved beast. A man who loved his sister and mother. A man who killed them both. And so… so much more." I sighed then smiled. I pat her shoulders and stepped back. "Come on," I presented her my hand. Shion took it and I pulled her off from her seat. "Let's clean up the desk and go. We got a date to get started on, yes?"

Shion blinked then smiled. "Yes."

"Good. It's literally not a normal occurrence for me to take a good-looking girl out." I joked, but now that I think on it I've never been on a date with a girl before. Hmm, I need to get out more.

"It's not everyday I let such a cute boy do it," she smiled and giggled a bit. She really has a pretty smile. I sort of wished she do it more. My mood turned sore when she lifted her hand to put on my head. She even pat my head from side to side.

My eye twitched. "Stop that!" I swat her hand away.

"Oh, forgive me." Shion's empty side returned.

"You're fine," I said quickly. I even gripped her shoulders to stop her from finishing a bow. "It was on impulse. Emotions and all that."

"I understand. That's my…"

"I don't mind if you do," I looked away after this embarrassing confession. I won't tell her I sort of like the feel of it. It was very different than when Kakashi, Master Gai, Anko, Tsume, or Cat did it. It was different but my old response burst loose. "So, you can okay? Just let me know ahead of time, okay?"

"Ah," Shion paused then she nodded. "Hm."

With that we got to work to prep the Inn, got the guard rotations of the next work week settled, and looking a bit more into Yuuki's little actions. It's interesting, what she's doing. It's like she's trying to take over in the only way she can. It could be more than this, but this is what I see when I scroll through the papers and scrolls we have. That girl… I'll let her have her way. I did give her creative freedom to do whatever and if she wants a more predominate role in what I do it's going to be handled delicately. Now that I know I can make contingencies to counteract any potential fallout. My dear Princess can have her fun for it's in her nature. Afterall, once the Phoenix tastes that small bit of freedom it always pecks at its dragon.

Once finished I took Shion by the hand and led her to the best place to get food in all of Konoha. We walked so it took a moment with the sun already up in the sky by the time we left the Inn. Hikari started cooking, and Yuuki was getting up. Too bad I didn't want their food this morning. I had something else in mind that came in view quickly.

"Hey old man!" I yelled into the stand as it began to open.

"Eh?" The old man in question turned around. "Ah, well isn't it my Number one customer!" Old man Teuchi greeted me with a grin as the response for his acknowledgment. I looked around the stand a bit and it's grown with tables, a stone patio, and overhead tent above to host more people. The amount of money I've invested into here, the large amount of men I've recommended this place to, and even the ideas I gave the old man is helping his business grow a bit more. Unlike the rest I'm not getting any money out of his investment. Not for the fliers I've made for them or the articles I've posted in the newspaper.

"Ah, even our beautiful poster girl is here," Teuchi smiled gleefully. He gestured to a literal poster of Shion to the side even.

Shion bowed. "It wasn't an issue. Naruto wished I'd help so I obliged." Shion's not wrong. I had her pose for pictures to increase the publicity of Ichiraku Ramen through two magazines. Sadly, I can't get in contact with Kunoichi Tactics or the other female ninja magazines. Only the civilian ones but still it's worked out well enough for her to stand in a nice cook's outfit, holding a bowl of ramen, with the sign behind her, and the prettiest smile known to man on it. Her rating currently is a couple points above Anko which is damn good. Like my father would probably say if he was alive, if you keep a woman make sure she makes 99% of the male populous jealous. I think I've succeeded well enough when I walk with one of my finer ladies.

"Well, thank you. It's been busy for a while now. I've had to take a break on weekends to catch my breath," the old man laughed a bit. "But I've enjoyed all the attention."

I grinned. "Well, are you gonna let ya benefactors starve or are ya gonna make us some breakfast ramen dattabayo?" I cringed at that damn tick of mine coming out. Why does ramen spawn such excitement out of me?

Teuchi burst out laughing and waved. "Sure. I got just the thing."

"Great," I said relieved. I haven't eaten since that tofu place the day before after leaving the forge. It took a moment, but I found my princess still there talking to everyone. Now that I think of it, I should invite Hinata to come with me some time. She might like it and help me smooth out the issues with her dad. Go to the daughter to get to the father. It's been done for generations so not a crime… I think.

I sat down in the stand and Shion sat next to me. I yawned hard.

"Why didn't you sleep?" She asked.

"Because I had to look into my information leak," I groaned. "Maybe I'll get some in another day or so." I waved off such a thing. I'll get sleep later when I'm feeling it. "This moment is about us, Shion."

"Yes," she nodded with her eye closed. "You're right. I heard about your Trial."

I shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal. It was an annoyance at most."

"I… see." Shion muttered. We watched as the old man began to cook with a few of his volunteers helping him set up. One of my volunteers nodded to me. Ichiraku ramen has taken care of me for a long time now. I'm honor bound to pay my debts when they arise.

"Still having those identity issues "Shion'?" I stressed heavy the emphasis I used for her name.

"Yes. Are you?" She asked back.

"Yes." I closed my mouth after that. I frowned and rested my chin on my hand and elbow on the counter. "I'm stranded Shion and afraid," I confessed. She pulled her teal eyes towards me. They asked for clarification. "I'm stuck between four different identities without balance. They change depending on the situation, but one thing is certain about them: All four have a basis on a single emotion I'm inflicted with."

I pointed to a tourist map to our left.

"Fear." I pointed to that damn newspaper station I'm going to burn down once I get the chance.

"Guilt," I pointed out the inn and the Inuzuka compound same with the Hyūga.

"Hate," I spread my fingers to encompass most of the village. I have a hatred for this village and what it's caused.

"And lastly…" I close my eyes and shook my head. I can't believe about to say this. "Last is Love. I'm disgusted that I feel these." I dropped my hand to the counter.

"It's part of being human," Ms. Blunt and to the point put frankly.

"But not part of being Jäger or Dragon." I felt my chin drop until I felt something catch it. My chin shot back up compliments of Shion after cupping it.

"Maybe," she shrugged a shoulder. "Maybe not. Who's to decide that?"

"Those that came before to be honest." I pulled my chin from her grasp and turned my head away. My thoughts went out to my master. The very same I killed with my two hands. The one that I devoured to become a beast. It's ironic that Jäger are hunters of all things a threat to man but we have to become something worse to combat them. Men have souls as black as night and sometimes their aura matches it. Unlike my master though my aura wasn't black. Being a dragon in the past was so simple compared to now. Just with what little I've revealed I've been sent to trial and exiled for half a year.

"So what? They came before." She looked at me. "This is now."

"Truer words have never been spoken. Still though, its hard to balance it all without exploding."

"You'll be fine. You always are," Shion placed a cold hand on my shoulder in an effort to comfort me. I just looked at her and she took it away.

"I come back alive and in one piece," I corrected. "I'm not always okay. Example: Kurama Yakumo is in a coma after what happened at her compound. My soul's breach has grown and lost much of its edge." I twisted my hand with my palm out for her to see The Eye on top. It glowed red with the iris glowing an ethereal blue but with red cracks in the center. Most of this red means I'm in critical condition vs the purple that emanates off Shion. Her soul is more pure than mine but its not purified. It's not blue like Yakumo's was. Hinata's and Tenten's souls are some of the more vibrant blued I've seen in this village. Five's soul is purple leaning towards the red and Scowls has a cycle between purple and red. Kiba's is blue with strips of purple but red lines over his eyes.

The ability to see the souls of men is a blessing and curse. I've broken it down into three colors instead of the hundreds I see in the world for their status. My entire body is a mix of purple and red. When I look in the mirror I can see the blue cracks on my chest, my right arm is red, my left is blue, my head is purple with streaks of red and blue like a tiger. My waist has a dragon head painted into my soul that's purple as well on my right leg. My left his blue until I look at my foot. It's completely red. My soul is a disjointed mix of color and that's not good. I don't have a grasp on what I am.

"I can see that," Shion starred at my chest. I covered it with both hands and turned away. "That doesn't help." Her empty tone made it worse.

"Keeping looking at my chest I'll sneak a peek at yours," I spat out.

"So this is the fear aspect I'm seeing," she noted on. I winced. "You're fearful that your breach will spread causing your body to implode or explode," she deduced masterfully. "The fact I can see it reminds you of how dangerously close to the edge you really are. You've turned to threats in an attempt to cover your true feelings."

"You've made your point," I breathed out. I dropped my arms back down to the counter. "I'm afraid, but I'm not sure of what." I placed a hand on my chest and felt the cracks in my chest already. "I'm not afraid to die," I shook my head at this. "I'm not afraid of losing myself."

"You're afraid of the void." I felt my gut seize a bit and coughed. "You're afraid if seen by another you'll snap." I didn't answer her. "You're afraid of not dying if you did shatter… and remember," she smiled a bit. "And you've seen my breasts already, Naruto."

"Heh, Maybe," I shrugged again to the latter points. "And you're not wrong about that last part," I looked up to the top of the stand at something. I want an answered on what I can do once I'm forced out. I'm admittedly eager to go on this little vacation of mine. I was gone for a week and came back with a princess and king's ransom. I can't imagine how much I'll get after a month or six.

"Mion."

I dropped my eyes back to Shion.

"That was my name before it was Shion." The woman whispered in a deathly empty tone.

"Why the switch?" I asked.

"I ask the same still."

"Hm, well whomever you wish to be you're the only Shion I know," I said taking a page from Yakumo's book. "You're my Melody and keeps things in tune. Honestly, I don't think the past us should matter too much. Let it shape us but not rule our futures."

"If only… it was that easy." She breathed out. "If only you believed that as well, Naruto," she glanced down to me. I looked down with a sigh at that. I'm that easy to read with an equal. "I ran away from it the day we met like you still do."

"You mean Empusa?" Shion looked at me. "That's your inner demon's name. It's Empusa."

"I never knew that," she admitted. "It was just a demon to me."

"Tsk. Stupid bitch!" I heard loudly in my head. So much so I gripped my forehead to soften the pain some. "I protected her from them all! Shielded her from that stupid boy. Ungrateful…!" Empusa went quiet suddenly. I didn't cut her off so she stopped on her own.

"Empusa… she told me just now she protected you."

"By torturing my twin sister? Murdering my family? Killing off my friends? Harming those I tried to love?" Shion asked in an empty tone. "No, it didn't protect me. It used me."

"Yeah." I let it drop for now. I don't understand what it's like to be possessed in such a way like her. I might've tasted the sweet devil juice the night of the Kurama Fire but that was a night. To kill your entire family would take days. To kill your twin, maybe years. I'd never wish harm to my sister, but she died in the end because of me. I was possessed by something worse than a demon; complacency kills.

"Order up!" We heard a cheery announcement before us. "Two breakfast sausage Ramen for the both of you. Free on the house." Teuchi grinned.

I reached for my bowl of ramen mixed with eggs, sausage, and rice to the side. This is a good way to start the day that's for sure. "Thank you, Teuchi-san." Shion bowed her head.

"No need to thank me. Just enjoy." He resumed his clean up and shined bright in aura. It's good to see him happy. I started to eat my food slowly. Shion followed suit as well. It was nice to stop for a moment and spend time with someone that gets it. Once I finished Shion and I chatted a bit more on the days leading up to now. I just realized that we don't know much about each other. Just because of our connection via blood and bond with the soul I've given her more trust than most others. It's a mistake but not a massive blunder compared to trusting my men or Yuuki. I keep that girl in the dark for a reason. Shion and I don't know each other. It feels like we've known each other for years yet know nothing about the other.

She told me a bit more about her family and I took pleasure behind finding out more about her mother and sister. They sounded like decent people much like my own. Shion and I are so very alike that it hurts. Once she finished telling me what she could I returned the favor. I told her a bit about my life and my years in the village I've unlocked. I've told her the reasoning behind ruining a few lives here or there as well. Revenge is a dark sensation in the pit of a man's soul. Evening I'm not immune towards the sweet ichor that is Revenge. Those families happened to be my targets. I can't blame the whole village for what happened. At most the ninja I've caused to resign with one son of a bitch in mind. One that's watching me right now. Damn Anbu.

More importantly I told her of my Blue memories from behind the Jäger Door. I didn't tell her much but enough to form a basis of who I was before. I'm different so many ways now that I spoke about it.

The talk was nice. I had much to get off my chest, and I felt I could only do this here. At Ichiraku Ramen I felt I can say anything and let go. I sat bemused at this realization. Maybe it's a fragment of my Naruto side coming out. I don't need to hide in this booth. Even my hood is off same with my mask. I don't need to hide or have heavy thoughts here at this place. This by far is one of my favorite places in the village. The next is Hokage Mountain atop of the forth's little head.

Sadly, all good things come to an end with me. I've never been experienced true joy or happiness before and if I got close something always happened. Bittersweet. That's the word that explains my life. God I'm eager to get older and be an adult.

"Naruto," Shion placed a hand on my shoulder. She got my attention with that one. "I need to get back." I looked up to the clock and it was almost 9 in the morning. I requested to take the morning off and Kakashi allowed it for the team. We can meet at one later today leaving me to rest a bit. "I'll say you." She put simply before standing up to leave. She walked away with a small wave. "This was… nice. Can we… again?"

"I'd like that." I nodded.

"Hm," Shion walked with a lighter stride than before. I think this helped her in the end. Getting away from work to act "normal" for once. Reaper knows I needed a moment.

"Uzumaki?"

I groaned. I'm about to smack my head to the counter! Can't I get a moment to myself? I turned around and like I expected it was a damn anbu. "What do you want?" I struggled to restrain my snarl. I'm not in the mood for these masked freaks right now.

"You should watch your…"

"Look," I snarled at the man with my vision turning red. "I've had a long fucking week and in a Very bad mood. Do your business and leave." I don't like to curse when I don't need too but this wasn't the best of times. I glared hard at the man behind the mask. I don't care if he's an anbu or not I'll make this bastard disappear.

"The hokage," the anbu muttered with his arms crossed before me. Standing as if he wasn't impressed. "He requires your attention in a couple hours. Another will come to inform you per hour until an escort will be appointed." And more than likely it'll be Cat who picks me up like always.

"Very well. You may leave."

"You don't…"

"Fucking leave," I waved the anbu off and turned back around. The Anbu breathed hard before disappearing from his spot. This is what it's boiling down to huh? Sending Anbu to act as an alarm?

I shook my head.

"Are you okay Naruto?" Old man Teuchi stopped in front of me.

"I'm fine," I dismissed his worry. "It's just been a long couple days for me."

"I noticed," the old man frowned at me. "You and that young lady talked for a while."

"It was nice," I said earnestly. "I can't talk to just anyone in this village. Barely anyone to trust ya know?"

"Well, trust is up to you son. You trust who you want and what you want. But you can't live life always watching your back for betrayal." I drew my eyes to the old man to listen to his words a bit more. "Eventually you have to face forward again and someone needs to have your back, Naruto." Teuchi wasn't wrong. If I spend life looking back, I won't have anyone to defend my rear for the moment I'm forced to face forward. "Just words from an old man," he grinned.

"You're not wrong." I shrugged and tilted my head. "How's Ayame. I haven't seen her yet." I looked around exaggeratedly to spot her. She's not even nearby else I'd sense her.

"She went back to school actually." Teuchi was proud of that fact. "Increase in profits and workers have made it possible."

"That's good to hear." I know that Ayame left school to help her father with this shop. If anyone deserved to get their education and go somewhere in life it's Ayame. Heck, I might even marry her later in life and take care of her like she did me. "Heh," yeah right. I'll never be anything more than a little starving kid in her mind. "Can I get some sake old man? I'd like to sit and relax for a couple hours."

"You drink?" Teuchi feigned surprise. He placed a bottle in front of me along with a cup. "You must've had a hard time if you're drinking."

I'm that transparent. I can admit to that.

"Thanks Old man Teuchi." I grabbed the bottle and started to let time pass. I don't get drunk easy unless it's some strong stuff. This stuff isn't strong but it's warm with my own personal hot plate. It's flavored to taste like apples. I let my sight darken in time. I don't need my eyes to see. I clearly perceive everything around me. The anbu that came to me at 9 and 10 were the easiest to spot. Any ninja that past by glowed unlike the civilians. I drank and people watched in peace.

I felt a familiar aura and breathed out, "Well, I gotta get going." I dropped down from my seat. I dropped a couple golden Ryo coins down for the food and sake.

"Good luck out there Naruto," the old man smiled down at me.

"Thanks." I turned around and faced her. Cat was standing behind me with her arms crossed waiting for me to finish. "Alright let's go."

"Very well." Cat took me by the shoulder, and we were off.

---

I'm getting tired of walking from the front door to the Hokage's office. I slipped out of Cat's hold and entered without her. I signed in with the attendee in front before making my ways up. "Do you know what the old man wants with me this time?" I questioned my anbu escort.

"No I don't." Cat answered easily. "So, what is this I hear about you winning a tournament some time ago? Something about dragons and a blonde youth being proclaimed as one for the nation."

I rolled my eyes at her teasing. "Couldn't tell you. I'm as in the dark as you are." I played her little game.

"Mhmm."

I rose my eyes up towards the cat. "You don't believe me?"

"Naruto, I have never believed anything you've ever said to me. Even more so when I see your tell." A tell? I have a tell? My hands weren't shaking so that wasn't it. My face is straight without even a twitch. My feet are normal and my toes aren't visible same with my legs.

"When you lie your left ear twitches."

I rose my hand to cover my ear. "That's not my tell." I felt my ear twitch under my hand. I swear I could feel Cat's smile with how hard it was. All that Anbu training amounts to little when someone who has had the same training come around, like I. Wearing a mask is simple but a tell like this is instinctive. This will ruin much for me, so I have to apply it so somewhere less visible soon. I let my hand fall from its futile action. "Very well," I relented. "As you know I abandoned the village for a time."

"I know what the Hokage told us. The trial as well was different. You fabricated most of it didn't you? You've never been like that before. All dramatic."

I gave her the give or take notion with my hands. "What can I say? I got back to the village from my enthusiastic walk a changed man."

"Long walk if it took a couple weeks with a dead ronin and a girl in the mix," she said dryly.

"It was a very enthusiastic walk."

"Uhuh." Cat rolled her eyes at me. I can't see them but know the signs.

We reached the door, but it wasn't the door to the Hokage's office. I don't think I have ever been in this room before and I've been in a lot of rooms in this building. At least most of them that are both hidden and in plain sight. I know I've overlooked a couple hidden passageways but to think I missed a door that's in the hallway in the open. I must have gotten lazy as a child when I used to come here all the time to escape the stares and possibly poisoned food. "

They're in their waiting for you."

"They?" I narrowed my eyes at the door but sadly all I could see was a bunch of strange markings on the door that spread out along the walls. The markings covered the wall in front of me, the ceiling, the adjacent walls, and even the window on the wall opposite of the wall with the door. This was strange because normally I could see through walls to see if someone was inside, but all these markings are so bright that I can't seem to make out anything inside the room. The markings looked familiar though. "Cat," I called up to the Anbu. I pointed at the door. "What's that on the door?"

Cat drew her eyes from the door and examined it. "What are you taking about?" I pointed again but this time placed my finger on the door at the markings that the web that covers the room is focused on.

"These markings on the door," I stressed.

"Naruto, I don't see anything." Cat examined the door a little more. "What do you see?" Ah, so these are seals then. I examined the markings only I could make out confirming my suspicions. This was some form of seal. I told her exactly that and that the seal created a web that covered the entire room. She seemed taken back by my admission and studied the door some more. "What were you trying to do?"

I bite my lip. I don't like to tell people about my abilities, but Cat is the closest thing I have to a mediator. She took care of me all the time and even let me stay at her place. She gave me a lot of life lessons and talks about forgiving the villages are not caring about them and their crap. Old man Teuchi's words echoed in my mind as well. Trust isn't easy. Some I take and others I dumped. I took a breath. "I was trying to look through the door to see who all is inside, but instead all I see is this seal restricting my sight and hearing. I've seen a seal like this before in this building a few times not but never this extensive. Do you know what it is?"

Cat chuckled lightly. It was so raspy because of her mask it sounded almost like it came from a literal cat. "You really are a sensor, Naruto. You can see seals as well. It's amazing that this comes so natural to you."

"Thanks, I guess. This is an interesting privacy seal I must admit." There's obviously a meeting going on inside and whoever is inside doesn't want whatever is being said to be overheard. Too bad for them I don't care for the privacy of others.

I scanned the seal upon the door and waved my hand along it. The seal was truly complex but what I got from the book every seal in existence follow a certain rule. The creation of the seal can also be its undoing. If this seal is meant for privacy, then I just need to find a certain…got it. I found the character and quickly forced my own chakra into it. With my finger, as if it was a pencil, I dug into the seal carefully. On hand in a half tiger, bird, ram, tiger, and rat. The hand signs to create or destroy a seal is written in the making up of it a well, always. Sadly, at my current level I couldn't destroy this seal, but I could alter it a little. I just have to be careful because if my chakra touches one line, one character, or one seal wrong the end result could be disastrous. My finger cut the character for silence and shroud down with surgical expertise. With the change and a few hand seals, the seal seal lost its shine allowing me to see a bit through the fog.

"I can sense inside," Cat remarked upon, but I couldn't stop halfway through the maze. I changed shroud to translucent and silence to brittle. I could finally hear muffles from inside progressively become clearer as time went by. I can do with this and fell back to the beginning of the maze. I pulled my finger back and stepped away from the door. "What did you do?" Cat asked as I wiped away the sweat forming on my brow. I focused my eyes on the door and focused yet again. I could see the seal still in place and the web around the room. It's see through now. One, two, three, and four people populate the room.

"I altered the seal on the door so I could see inside."

"The boy is already morphing into something else Hiruzen don't you see that? Sooner or later it will leave permanently, and we'll be without our asset."

I heard Cat's quick intake of air and knew the question she wanted to ask. "I made it so the walls wouldn't restrict the sounds coming from the other side," I whispered in a low pitch. I fingered for her to get close to me. Cat leaned in. "It works both ways as well so we have to be quiet so else they will hear us."

"Naruto this is evasion of pr…"

"I know and we could both be charged but it's obvious I'm the topic of this conversation and I need to hear. You can leave; you've completed your task." I leaned into the door and closed my eyes.

"Naruto!" Cat stressed quietly. I put my hand up and then brought my hand to my lips with a single finger.

"The fox or some manner of demon has already taken the boy. You can tell just with a look in his eyes," I heard an elder voice like the last one but it was feminine. An old woman so it had to be that Koharu one. She's an annoyance same with her friend. One in the room I could recognize just from the chakra going into his eye. It was that man with the cast and cane, Danzo Shimura. That man was not an annoyance. He was more like an obstacle and still is.

"How many mind breakers have we strained because of him? Before he never had any problems with the checkups, but because of the lax watched you had on him this happened." That was Homura for sure.

"Hiruzen do you even know the extent of what this boy does? Do you realize that this isn't normal in any way? It has to be the fox influencing him to do this." Koharu returned.

"It might explain his behavior among animals over humans." The room suddenly went quiet. I could pick up the subtle intake of air then a hard release. The old man was smoking again.

"The 'boy' has a name that you both seem to forget quite easily." The old man stressed upon before taking a second puff of his pipe or what I assume is his pipe. Unlike his son I have never seen the old man smoke those smoke sticks he so much decides to smoke in my face. I sighed at the thought of it and made a note: Make a genjutsu to make him sick of them. Kurenai might even thank me for that favor enough to get Anko off of me.

"We all can see that Naruto has experienced some changes and it's effected his typical antics, but I see no reason to be so alarmed. I know that some of his exploits are questionable but..."

"Some? Hiruzen by the report you showed all of us during the council meeting the young Uzumaki has gone beyond anything a boy of his age, background, and previous personality should even dream about."

"Look at this?" I heard something twin and yet heavy hit wood. "This entire report our anbu created based on their speculations of the young Uzumaki show a class of metamorphosis that is unfounded even for shinobi standards. Leaving the village to some tournament then killing a man in the fashion he did is nothing like the Uzumaki we have had to suffer for years."

"As he remarked upon at the meeting, the feats he does and continues to do more than make up for it," the old man defended with a firm tone.

"That boy's exploits are impressive though. Are you sure this report that you compiled together and the one he gave you totally accurate," a methodical and calm man said to the other three elders in the room. This one was Danzo. It had to be.

"It's impossible that any of this is true. No boy can do this." Homura argued.

"But the Uzumaki boy is not just any boy. Remember exactly what he holds and what it knows." There was silence. "Remember the research we've placed in the afterlife same with your prior student. It's not so farfetched to believe him entirely false." I think that was directed towards the old man Hokage. He's the only one with a genin team on file.

"You agree with the notion the boy has been taken over by something or someone else then Danzo." Koharu stated.

"I do not. The actions I have read and by what I have talked to the Uzumaki about he is very much human. His motives though are not to be underestimated like he wishes." Danzo worded evenly.

"What do you mean?" The old woman asked the crippled old man.

"Taking that day as anything, by his attitude he takes pride in the fact that because of his age and stature his real prowess is overlooked. I believe that there's truth in some of his words. He plays his foes thus making his plot easier. From what I have read and seen personally if this boy wasn't in anbu before he very well should have. Cunning and drastic efficiency compiled with his ingenuity then meshed with the age old hatred built within his body, it's forming him into a force. One that grows in strength with every obstacle in his path."

I heard a long pause. "I wonder just how long he hid all of this up until now." Danzo mused.

"You believe he has been hiding this side him? For all these years and though all the mind probes you believe that he somehow hid this from the best?"

"Hm," the hokage grunted. "It would make sense. It's like you said Homura, a change like this cannot happen overnight or all of the sudden. If he can resist your mind walking, most of them that I don't remember allowing I might add," the old man growled. "If he can do this now with ease and hid parts of his mind behind near impenetrable walls, then why not assume he could in his earlier years."

"He told us he's a product of his environment" Koharu noted and the room went silent again.

"Do you remember the incident we had when he snuck into the anbu barracks? Such a feat not many can do and yet at the age of 8 he not only succeeded but pranked every single one of them as well. That speaks volumes of his potential at a young age," Homura seemed to realize. "How could we be so blind?"

"Remember the incident with the pink haired Hyūga's?" Koharu brought up the trial. She should remember because the case was thrown at her primarily. "The Uzumaki boy was able to infiltrate a compound of men and women with the ability to see through walls and yet he succeeded in sabotaging their credibility for years to come," the old woman spoke in a sigh.

"If he could do it then what could have stopped him from doing it again and again over the years?" Homura questioned.

"From gaining access to parts of the village that hold knowledge that only jonin and up can access." Koharu added.

"From obtaining secrets and jutsu as well as access to possible training grounds for advance members of STEM." Danzo stressed.

"Everything he could ever want or need to further himself as a ninja all of which we as ninja do every day." The old man finalized.

"And him being a child we never suspected a thing. Never looking further into it bringing forth what we see now. This "death" of his might be tied more to the death of his prior character than his actual life." Danzo finished.

"If any of this is true then why come out of his shell now? Why show this level of progression all of the sudden?" Koharu thought on.

"Maybe its all according to plan," Homura leaned back in his seat. "First get in the favor of the Daimyo and his family as well as getting his name out there as fighter. His actions around the village have garnered the attention of most of our major clans, mainly the Inuzuka and Yamanaka with his actions. He's used money to shift the economy as well. Applying force in the right areas for effect." The old man Homura used words from the second Hokage well. I do take a lot from that man and his books on war and battle.

"Here in the village his stature is growing from the Inn he stays in. The center of the market, lawless zone, and the red light district adding on to the fact his investments in other businesses and the one he currently owns, he is building something. He has the means and the money to do it because of his win in the tournament." The Hokage informed them easily.

"How have we not noticed this at all?" The old man Homura questioned.

"Because," Danzo stepped up. "Naruto Uzumaki is a boy in body and that is why we let our guard down. In mind he is much older than he seems. Maybe even as old a seasoned jonin from the war depending on how long he was dead. I heard he knows the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu as well; which he's used extensively. Theoretically, he can leave whenever he wants and leave decoys with ease. It leaves you to wonder just how long has this Uzumaki has been in the village, if at all? Is he in the village now even?"

"I tasked Cat with retrieving him so he can give me his side of all of this. From the reports from everyone on Teams 7-10 I have to make sure if its all sound."

"You believe Uzumaki will tell you the truth?"

"He might lie to you Hiruzen." Those two old crones are so annoying.

"Naruto doesn't lie to me," the hokage put simply. "He has no reason too, so he doesn't. I know this so I trust him. He may go against protocol and break the rules, but his actions speak for themselves."

"Hm, when will Uzumaki get here to begin with?" Homura asked.

"Soon I hope." Danzo cleared his throat. I couldn't hear anything else for a moment then suddenly the seal around the room faded away.

"Naruto my son, please come in."

So, he can sense me then. If I can sense and see them then I can assume it's the same. Maybe the old man knew I was outside this entire time. I never know what's going through that man's mind when it pertains to me. Is he on my side or abiding his time to strike like myself? I guess only time will tell.

I pushed off the door and at the same time grabbed the handle. I turned and pushed the door opened to a simple looking office with a couple chairs, a couch, a desk, a bookcase, and the hokage sitting behind said desk in a wooden chair. I was met with mistrustful eyes from the old man and woman but the way Danzo looked at me was a little unsettling. Almost as if he knew something that I didn't. I peeked back at the door which he was looked at for a moment. I noticed that I changed the seal. I can safely assume he knows that I was listening in to the conversation as well and yet said nothing. This man truly is a mountain in the middle of my path. The hokage smiled at me and ushered me to come in. I reached for the chain at my chest and undid it so Ketsugetsu could fall from my back. I sat him to the side then walked causally to the chair in front of the desk, ignoring the elders that sat to the side. I sat down with a slight slouch and got comfortable in the uncomfortable seat.

"Good morning?" I looked around the room to the many faces in the room with me. I felt cat standing behind me interestingly enough. Normally she'd be dismissed but wasn't for some reason.

"Good morning Naruto." The old man Hokage greeted. "Did you sleep well?"

"No sir."

"Why not?"

I nearly let my eyes droop at such a stupid question. "I haven't slept once Monday." I didn't have time to sleep nor need it at the moment.

"Do you not need to sleep?" The war hawk questioned.

"It depends. With limited physical activity I can sustain steady work ethics for four days straight without sleep." I looked around the room to the few shadows in the corners then to a seal behind a bookcase. The Hokage must've noticed this because he dismissed the shadows then wandered to the bookcase. The other three watched him pluck a book out of the case with the seal on it then sat it down in front of me. He gave me a knowing look before returning to his seat. I rose a brow but reached for the book. The seal on it was burning red hot. I followed the maze until I landed on "recorder". A seal that records my words. I placed my hand on it to apply Chakra then performed a couple half signs to manipulate the language. Record became reject causing the book and flutter open to the page with the seal on it. The page ripped out then burst into flames before them.

"What was that?" Homura asked a bit curious.

"Naruto can explain." The old man said.

"There was a seal in this book to record words," I dropped the book down in the table for the four to see. "I deactivated it."

"You study seals?" Koharu asked.

"I'm an Uzumaki." My answer said it all. I know about my family, my clan, and what they were known for enough to grow proficient at it.

"Hmm." The old woman grunted. "Do you understand the implications behind that declaration, "Uzumaki'?" I responded with a simple nod. I do say what I mean. I thought that was obvious by now.

"You're not the same Uzumaki Naruto of the past?" Homura glared at me.

"Depends on who you ask. Some think I haven't changed much," I shrugged. "And not to be rude, but is there a reason I was called before the Konoha Council exclusively. I'm getting ready to leave on Friday and have little time to waste."

The three elders remained silent. The hat went off to the Hokage it seems. "They have some questions to ask away from those without proper clearances." So, they want to want to ask me what they couldn't at the trial? Whatever. I nodded to show I understood and leaned back in my chair. I crossed my arms eager to get this over with.

"Uzumaki," Homura began. I love how before they called me boy or it before I came in. That's interesting. "You mentioned demons with you before. Do you know about the Kyubi within you?"

Starting off strong again? I like that. We're not beating around the bush. "Yes, I do." I said to no reaction to speak of. They already assumed the charka being within me was controlling me so only makes sense I know about it.

"How much do you know about it?"

"Much. We talk at least twice a week."

"Boy! Don't you understand what that thing can do?" The old woman rose her voice. I tilted my head a bit to the right.

"Of course. If released in the middle of the village the damage done would leave a vacuum within the Shinobi forces and civilian population easily making it a target for its rivals from the third shinobi war. Worst case scenario isn't the destruction of the village but complete ruination of its people, cultures, heritages, and overall history that it was built upon." My answer brought out the full undivided attention of the occupants of the room. "Of course that's a "what if' scenario and not a certainty. I do know that certain actions can excite the Kyubi thus weakening the walls holding him back to include mind probing." I leaned forward in my seat. "He told me what'll happen the next time." I let my warning stamp into their minds.

"It seems you do understand your station fully," Danzo pondered.

"You're correct in your latter notion, Uzumaki." Homura sighed and rested into his seat. "If you understand this why converse with this demon?"

"Product of your environment," I started off. I saw the confusion on two pairs of eyes so clarified. "If treated like a slave for so long that's all a person will know. If treated like a rabid animal for too long all that remains is a rabid animal. If treated like a demon for long enough a demon is all you will spawn. If a boy like me is abused both mentally and physically eventually it'll begin to reflect it."

"So, you don't treat it like a demon so it stops being one then," Koharu surmised after a hardy scoff.

"In a way. I don't care about appearances or past deeds when I meet a being. I examine their worth like others do me. Like you three are doing even now." My accusation didn't come with a reaction like I figured. "I don't care who I speak to for they'll be treated the same by me until proven worth my honest respect. If not they are grey, unimportant. The demon fox as told me much and he knows much."

"Example?" The old man hokage questioned.

"Well," I cycled through the many memories with one that hit me the hardest. The inner bastard in me came to life as I scanned the faces in front of me. They morphed from their elder state to one of children, young and pure. "I was told about the First Hokage and the first Uzumaki before me that migrated to this village." The three of them finally reacted together in shock at my admission. "I've been told much about the past of those that came before," I shrugged.

"Still, having contact with this demon makes you an even greater risk. It could be controlling you even now."

"Not really," I shook my head. "I can manage myself and inner demons well enough. If anything, such talk will make it upset since it can hear, see, taste, and smell everything I do." This time I got a reaction from the three of them including the Hokage. Danzo remained still and at ease.

"Since you're aware of your station Uzumaki, how long have you known about the kyubi?"

"Since the day I died."

"You say that and your fall into a void of some sort. What did you lose in the void and gain at your escape?"

I took a breath in and out. These are really strong questions. Some of which I can just use their assumptions for. "I lost who I was and gained who I am now. The innocence and lies were purged from me leaving what you see now. The mind breaks," I rubbed my head at the memory of that pain. "Are all coming undone."

"We'll assume you remember much now." Koharu stated.

"I do yes. I remember you especially when I was 6 years old." The old woman winced. "Yes, I remember what you told me and said before that day's mind break. I need to understand that I suffer for the greater good," I repeated her words that day.

"You said what to him?" The Hokage shit his eyes towards his old teammate.

"That he suffers for the good of the village," the old woman didn't try to defend herself. "During said time if not for his plight do you know what might have happened to the people during that time without a funnel? At the eve of that night and clean up."

"Naruto was your answer? At 6?!"

"Calm down Hiruzen. What's done is done, and the Uzumaki doesn't appear to take offense," Homura pointed out. He was right. I don't care for that time much it was just an example of how far I can remember back now. The Hokage sighed harshly and settled down back into this seat. It's in the past so not relevant now.

"Danzo, didn't you have a question for the Uzumaki?" Old Man Hokage gestured to me with his pipe.

"I do. Uzumaki, what's your opinion of your rank and role at the moment?" He questioned. The room sat quiet to let this question sink in. Out of everything he could've asked me he asked about my thoughts on my ninja career. What his aim?

"Do you wish me to speak honestly?" I asked the elder council half-serious.

"Yes and nothing less." The one eyed Hawk responded firmly.

"Being a genin in Team Seven is boring and feel it's more of a formality than anything. Uchiha Sasuke as a child stuck in his ways. If left alone I predict he will become a traitor like his brother Uchiha Itachi. Haruno Sakura is living a fantasy more than striving to become a ninja and doesn't apply herself to the task. I predict she'd be killed or captured to be sold by the end of this year."

"How do you know of that man?" Koharu asked. I pulled out a bingo book from under my vest and sat it down on the table. I grabbed the purple tab out of four blues and other tabs of different colors. I pulled it open to his page. The three of them grumbled a bit at my answer. The resemblance is undeniable and the fact that Uchiha is at the end of his name. I tucked the book back in after that.

"Hmm, do you believe your team holds you back?" Danzo came back.

"No. They're progressing as well as they wish to. I do the same without issue thanks to Kakashi-sensei. I do believe that I'm not a good fit for those two. Our ideals don't match and the time or strife it'll take is too much for even me to deal with. If the Uchiha were attached to some organization that kills his desire for vengeance he'd be better off. But since I'm being recycled I don't see why my opinion matters."

"I can determine where you'll be recycled to." Danzo reached into his robe and pulled out a folder. He placed it before me. It was my registration paperwork for ODSF to branch out. "You wish to be detached from you're team to work alone or with a partner you can respect or use as a goal to exceed yourself." Danzo put masterfully. "I can make that happen."

"Danzo," the Hokage warned. "Are you recommending he becomes one of your men?"

"He's not a scared boy but a honed weapon with a notable kill count. He knows his worth and possibly where he stands. He desires something I can provide, bring him into the shadows away from the eyes of the village, and allow the village to have a powerful force for the future." His logic was as sound as his gaze focused squarely in me for any sign of weakness or hesitation. I can't dismiss his words for Danzo does have something I want and maybe more. As one of his men ill have much more immunity for my out of work exploits as well. I'll have to deal with the Artificer again, if he survived. Same with that kid I knock out as well.

"Unacceptable Danzo. He won't be one of your solders." The Hokage stomped down.

"You mean ROOT Anbu? The Spec Ops sister to the Black Ops STEM." I broke the conflict between them all. Danzo expressed extra attention to my input. I don't understand why STEM is classified at the black ops Corps of the village where ROOT truly works from the shadows in other countries. But I suppose ROOT does the operations of a special nature compared to STEM Anbu.

"You know about them?" The Hokage gasped.

"I read and see a lot. I sort of like the idea behind ROOT as well." I confessed. I've been fascinated by them for a while now. I have one of their masks on my hip even now. I take it with me everywhere but hide it when with the team. It feels good to wear it and all, but know better than to place any card in Danzo's hand. This war hawk has been plotting to control me for years. Have me used as a living weapon for the village. I'm a weapon for a select group and no one in this room is part of it.

"I don't wish to be part of that group currently." The way they move and feel inside isn't right. I'd never go through that without good reason. My answer earned me a frown from Danzo but sigh of relief from old man Sarutobi. "If this is all for my recycling it doesn't matter if it's a team or an apprenticeship. It won't change much," I waved of their plight to fix my best fit. I'm a self-aware container that might know a bit too much. Ultimately that's all they care about. Not what I did to the people or to my team, but what spawned my shift. It doesn't matter who they chose for me to team up with. It won't change how I conduct my business. I don't care who they chose.

"Speaking of which, it's funny that you brought up apprenticeships, Naruto." The old man Hokage reached under the table and presented a form to me. "This is an apprenticeship request for you and a Jonin level ninja (or higher) of your choosing to sign for review. You can choose whomever is available from…"

"Here," I handed the form to Cat and sat back down. That's a no brainer right there. Kakashi and Master Gai have a team, but despite that I refuse to be the apprentice of a male. I wasn't subservient to a man in my past life and it's going to the same now. While I do appreciate Master Gai and give him that title it's a sign of respect from me, all he does is train my body. I learn from him, but I'm not his subordinate. I wouldn't want to end up like Rock Lee either. Kakashi assisted me, I'm realizing that now, but I can't follow that man. Something in my blood tells me if I do I'll kill him in the end, and I've always trusted my instincts. Compiling all this together It's either Cat or Anko and it's not gonna be Anko. She's a spy and an unknowing double agent. I tried to think of a woman I can follow behind for a time until they're unessential.

"Use the tools afforded to you until they break. Then remake them to suit your mission." My master's words echoed in my mind. I've been hearing them regularly once more. She's still here with me applying her will towards my decisions just like always. My master, when I killed her I lost my soul to fulfill my role. She became my consciousness and that's where she'll stay. I can't say that I loved her because it went beyond that. Cat reminds me a lot of my old master from the way we train and how she always can find me. Cat's a sensor with sword skills superior to mine. She's a figure that relies on the shadows and one of the top of her class as a member of STEM. Yeah, history always repeats itself and we are all slaves to it. While history can be rewritten it can never be undone no matter how many times a soul is brought back to the land of the living. I'm no different and accept this. I wonder if Cat will though.

"Uh, what?" Cat was taken back.

"I'll be your apprentice, if you have me." I looked dead into her at this. She's the only one I can follow without knowing I can take advantage of her as she is. Any other woman I've applied my will to them in some way. Cat though is stood fast compared to others.

"I have missions and…"

"It's fair for any anbu currently on standby like you are," Koharu nodded. It seems she agreed with my choice.

"It's a great responsibility if you accept and is approved," The Hokage warned.

I felt Cat's eyes when she looked down at me. "Its an honor but I…"

"Won't you sign cat?" I bust out the puppy dog eyes technique times 4 pushing my cuteness levels way past the 9000 margin. Cat leaned back as if physically dealt a blow to her center mass. Not only that but she had the Konoha Council starting at her for her to decide. Homura didn't seem to mind same with old man Hokage. Danzo was gruff about my refusal though. He had his chance to recruit me before in the base before I burned it to the ground. It's too late now.

"Very well." She breathed out and held the form up. I held a pen up for her. "Stop smiling Naruto," she growled at how I played her. That or it's because of the shit eating grin plastered on my face. One or the other. Cat signed her portions, and I did the same. I handed the form back to the Hokage and he it took a smile.

"Was I called here so you could just gauge my changes personally to find out how I can be used for the future?"

"Yes," Danzo said.

"I see." I appreciate they decided not to sugar coat this. I'm sure the only reason they kept Cat here was for me to choose the person I'm most comfortable with that can act as their source of information on me. They didn't need to do this for me to choose Cat. I would've anyway. They needed to know where they stand with me as well. They don't matter same with what they try to do with me. As long as it's me they're focused on it doesn't matter.

"Is there anything else you'd like to know?" I asked.

"Not at the moment Naruto. You're dismissed to go with your team. We'll speak later."

I stood from my chair and turned to leave. I believe we do have a difficult mission today as well. Top secret apparently that will test our skills to the limit. I wonder what it is. I came a halt when I felt someone walked up behind me. Their steps were masked effortlessly. "Something wrong Cat?"

"Why did you do that?" The woman came to a halt behind me. Her arms crossed under her breast in a firm stance. She's not amused right now, I can feel it. "What do you want Naruto? I've been watching you for a while now and know how you work."

"Really now," I dropped my pretense a bit to face the woman seriously. She still wore her mask surprisingly. Her voice was without the changer so assumed she was without it. "They approved that quickly huh?" I took the same stance as her with my head tilted a bit to the side to see her at a different angle. She's upset with me and her situation. She feels that she's being held back and given a position she never wanted.

"Yes."

"Then you're my monitor as well then?"

She reached up to her mask and pulled it down. I think this is the first time I've seen her without the mask in Anbu gear. "Correct."

"Good," I nodded. "Well master," I bowed my head a bit. I dropped my mask like she did to stand before her honestly.

"I'm not your Master yet," she stopped me with a hand out.

"But you will be. That's all that matters to me." I turned back around to keep walking. Cat followed with ease behind me.

"Why me?" She demanded. "Out of the entire village of ninja why me?"

"Because it was always you." I answered. "The woman that's watched me for my entire life, shielded me from the blunt of the assassination attempts on my life, brought me food when she could for my apartment, and then took time out of her day to train me to control my chakra and other abilities. You're the only one I could choose that will suit our careers and the Council's demands." I looked back at the woman. "Understand?"

Silence was the answer as warm brown eyes met cold blue in more ways than one.

Cat hummed as her chin lifted a bit and eyes turned cold as well to mirror mine. It was exactly what I wanted to see.

"We'll see." Cat/my Master said with the same even smile upon their lips.

---

A/N: Hm, this was one chapter I cut into two parts. A reprieve I guess you can say after Facing the Music Part: 2. I love Shion. Her character's base model is of one from an Mankitsu Happening by the name of Suzukawa Rei. If you seen Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni then you know the back story a bit and what takes place. I'm sure as most of you realized I take things from other sources I find relevant enough for the story and shift things around. I can't help it.

The parallels between the two lives grow without me meaning to write it that way.

For those wondering I about seven years ago started a more original story about an assassin that became a monster hunter. He was a sensitive, capable of seeing the unseen through the fog. Because he could see the monsters they could see him and desired his flesh and soul. He killed his first monster at 13 and adopted into the Jaegers three years later. He grew fighting for his right to exist up until the end of his role. Once he completed his role he was banished to the void taking a world ending Dark Goddess with him. It was called Life By the Blade and takes place in the 1700's up to the 1800's. He survives on the souls of the beasts he hunts which prolongs his life keeping him at this best. He becomes hollow for the Demons attach themselves to emotion. Not sure what else you can compare the story to or if many of the scenes in can be related to other material. It's something I wrote on a whim.

The Naruto in this story mirror the hunter I created but is his own entity as well. It started differently in the past but built into something else as time went by. I have the endings, arcs, and characters I want planned out but getting here is the challenge. But I do enjoy writing this stuff.

Anyway, I hope whomever reads this enjoyed it. If not I'd like to know your thoughts. This rest period with an side character was nice to write. I was listening to Nujabes during character interactions like this. This started of a big split from the Canon. Some arcs will still happen but changes will be there.

For anyone that cares for Yuuki, she will have her own arc of sorts. Every action has a consequence.