A/N: Four hundred followers…I can't. I never expected this story to even get half of the people following and favorite this than I have now. I thank you all from the deepest part of my black, ice coated heart. Let's go for five hundred!

Ch.25 Another Like Him

The fortress was cold, dark, and damp. Naruto guessed that the people that lived here were never really bothered by this. As most samurai and Kenshi made their way through the base with relative ease. With Naruto holding his arms to his chest in an effort to keep warm, and he thought that the encampment was cold. Although he could tell that the place held a lot of people within it, there wasn't much activity, save for when they passed somewhere as the majority stopped to look at them. No, Kenshi. This was bothering Naruto, it wasn't that they were staring at him out of hatred or spite like the Whirlpool, but of hope, awe, and if he didn't know any better respect. Even with the helmets some of them wore it was plain to see that they knew and held the swordsman in a position of power. But his uncle never really seemed to notice or care. Keeping the same serious expression that was on his face as they entered the ancient fortress.

They were also led by three of the samurai, two were regularly dressed while the third had a few more horns on his helmet and his armor was a slightly whiter color, maybe a mark of higher authority. Of course the man respectfully waved, bowed, and said a few friendly greetings towards some. Some of the whispers that reached his ears were also along the same lines. Some regarding the man himself, Naruto, Samehada, the Uzukage armor, or his nickname. What in the lands did 'Shi No Ban'nin' mean? Although Naruto knew that Kenshi would tell him when the man was ready, but the curiosity was about to kill this cat. Tonight, he would try. The worse Kenshi could do was deny him answers, like he exactly didn't do that before. Although he trusted his uncle, he began to realize how much Kenshi had failed to tell him. About his past life, the clan, all of those were filled by Eiyu. Now that the elder was gone, maybe Kenshi would begin to speak about the subjects. But it would have to wait till another time. They had a stronger mission at hand, one that had to be finished quickly.

The fortress was a relatively gray color. The bricks that lined the walls gave off the color with help of the only light sources that lined the place. There were few windows, so to compensate the place was touched by torches. Although there was life, it didn't seem to project it. Naruto would admit, he didn't know much about the teaches of samurai but this place gave off discipline.

Passing a few rooms, seeing people from either gender in vast majority was a bit of a slight shock to Naruto. He didn't want to come off as sexist but most ninja were male, maybe the samurai went off a different standard. There were also very little children, even Academy age children were not present. The majority were around his age or older. Any children that he did see were spending their time as…well children. A different age limit? Although it was a nice idea, it would give them less time to train. Then again, you are only a child once. And some barely live to see better times past childhood. Stopping at a doorway, one of the three samurai that had led them through the fortress gestured towards it. "This will be your room for the night. I am sorry but Mifune is away for the day, the special training I am sure you understand Kenshi."

"Kami do I remember that, if my memory ever leaves it my body won't. Thank you though, when the elder returns please inform him that we are here."

"Yes sir, and if I may ask, you are actually just in time for a small tournament that we hold with some of our best. It would do some of the more 'cocky' individuals good if you taught them a few things. If you still have it."

"Are you kidding me? Okami that better not be you under that."

The samurai chuckled metallically under the horned helmet and began to remove it. Under which was a tanned man, multiple scars running down his face with hardened facial features, dark brown eyes, and similarly colored hair that was fashioned into a small mohawk. Along with the scars were multiple tattoos running along his face, tribal in design from what it looked like. He gave a small toothy smile before embracing Kenshi. Only then did Naruto realize that the samurai was well beyond Kenshi's build and that his armor was tighter on him than most. "How are you brother?"

"I am fine Okami. I see that you finally got that promotion."

"Yah, only second to Mifune now, well since you left."

"You know you deserved that a lot more than I did."

"He liked you best."

"Yet you beat me."

"You gave me the match; by the way I want another one, real this time."

"Oh so this is what the tournament is about."

"No, not the only thing but it gives me a good chance, maybe a good exhibition match. But no using that massive shark on your back. You need to tell me how the hell you got a hold of Samehada brother."

"I killed a few people."

"A hell of a lot more than a few from what I heard."

"Hello?"

The two men turned, as if just noticing Naruto's presence. "Oh sorry Naruto, Okami this is Naruto, my nephew."

The larger man then turned to embrace Naruto, picking him well off the ground "careful kid, I'm a hugger."

"I..can..see that."

In all cases the man was breaking Naruto, the armor didn't help with the bear-hug. Releasing Naruto, he was finally able to catch his breath before speaking "how do you two…know each other?"

"Ah, me and your uncle trained together for years. Well when he was here."

"I had a job to do, you and Mifune knew that."

As the bickering began again Naruto made a quick mental note. If he couldn't get answers from Kenshi about his past, then Okami was a slight second. The two men defiantly seemed close, more so than possibly most at the Whirlpool. Before long the other two samurai had been dismissed and Kenshi had turned to Naruto "go look around, we have some time to kill apparently before the tournament today and till Mifune arrives. Meet some new people, have a few exhibitions."

"Kenshi, I am sorry but shouldn't we hurry? I mean we don't have much time."

His uncle's face then turned to one of seriousness "I know, but we cannot do anything about Mifune not being here. We have to wait, it is the only thing we can do right now. I have some catching up to do, I know it seems like we are wasting time but we cannot do much of anything right now, can we?"

"No, I guess not."

"Alright, go have some fun. Although they don't seem like it, but these people are friendly enough. And don't try to fight them with normal Ninjutsu, they will kick you halfway around the mountain and back. I'll see you within a couple hours; don't get into too much trouble."

"What happens if I do?"

This got a slight laugh out of Kenshi, as the two men left the black armored ninja waved behind him "tell them I am your uncle, I have some weight around here but don't kill anyone."

Naruto smiled slightly, seeing Kenshi in a state of clam brought some peace to him. But taking his advice Naruto quickly turned around, looking back for the way he came, hoping to find one of those training rooms.

As the blonde ninja turned towards the center of the complex, Okami turned towards his friend, his face now more serious than the carefree one he once had. "You need to tell me what happened. Why are you wearing your old man's armor, why do you have Samehada, are you Kage now? Kami what has happened?"

A sigh escaped Kenshi, if Okami knew any better the lights within the place grew lighter and darker with the exhale. The swordsman had a habit of doing that somehow and in the years he had known him, not once had Okami figured out how to do it. "I can't explain everything now, I will so when Mifune arrives. But…yes I am Kage, my father is dead, by the Leaf's hands."

Okami stopped, his expression now saddened, his mouth agape "brother…man I knew you weren't exactly close to your dad but man, are you alright?"

"No, I never will be. But I have to continue on, for my home."

"And you said the Leaf did it, but-."

"Like I said, I will explain everything once Mifune arrives. I would not like to explain everything twice; you know how much I dislike repeating myself."

The larger man sighed, placing his horned helmet back onto his head. Metal clicked back into place with each strap "alright, just…try to get your mind off things. The tournament may help, I will wait, but I want answers…alright brother."

"Alright."

"Ok so tell me how you got that blade, are you a Seven Swordsman now? Man what aren't you these days?"

Hinata's head rested along one of the many trees that lined the forest. The place seemed the calm whatever nerves she had. Although nothing would make her forget, it did help with allowing silence to fill her mind. Memories of her teammates, of her father filled her mind. Although it filled her with grief, it also gave her some sense of happiness. Remembering them, that is what she should do; allow their memory to pass with her. Another tear cooled her cheek at the thought of her two…former teammates.

Another tear, it hurt, the memory of them. Of how they would be gone forever. Although she knew that she wasn't the only one to lose someone in this. Although she kept telling herself that she could not have done anything about this. There were always the maybes, the what-ifs. But something else began to make its way into her mind. Something dark, disturbing. Thoughts filled her mind, painful, and very…grotesque. Always of the same man, Sasuke. She knew it was wrong, it was horrible but the thoughts still grew.

Naruto's words still rang through her mind 'I already lost one friend that way'. Did he mean Sasuke? Maybe, they were friends, before all of this. Before the battles, deaths. A small part of the sun gleamed through her midnight hair. Slightly waking her up from the daydream she had been living. But it was suddenly blocked out, removed as if it hadn't been there. Opening one of her eyes, showed a tall figure, shrouded in a robe. Opening the second eye showed the figure in full form. A dark leather outfit and black robe with red clouds, dark hair, blood…red eyes. Jumping upwards a kunai was already at the ready. Making its way towards Itachi's neck, the man simply blocked the kunai and placed his other arm on her neck, enclosing it in a chokehold.

But grabbing it, the air never seemed to leave her, which was when she noticed that the man had put a finger to his lips, silently telling her to be quiet. Slowly letting her go Itachi took a step back, putting his arms back within his robe and retrieving the kunai that Hinata had dropped, giving it back to her "I am not your enemy, I am now with the Uzu. My connection to the Akatsuki is over."

Grabbing the kunai with a sudden force, Hinata replaced it in her pouch. Her bloodline now activated it moved towards Itachi's own. Although she already knew that Itachi was the stronger one, both in the bloodline and in raw power. But, even with that she only wanted one thing, and he wasn't lying. "Why are you here?"

"I am sorry."

"What?"

"I am sorry, for my brother. I never meant for any of this to happen."

"You never meant for any of this to happen? What do you mean by that?"

Her rage was now showing. Hinata hadn't meant to show it, but with those words, with him being here. It couldn't be held back. That was when Itachi began to speak and told her, everything about his past, where it all began for him and Sasuke.

Another downed glass, another shot for Okami. The man had been known to have a high tolerance for alcohol so this fifth glass was nothing for the man. And for whatever reason, he needed it. This…what this story was, was part bullshit, and the other no one besides himself would believe. Before, Okami knew that Kenshi was a skilled swordsman, close to himself. But this, the man had certainly changed. And Naruto, where did this kid come from? Kenshi never talked about a nephew and only mentioned once his sister. When the man wanted to drop a subject he certainly knew how to do it. Even Mifune barely knew anything about the man.

They now stood, on one of the higher balconies overlooking the entire complex. Samurai trained and prepared for the tournament below as the men talked. A horned helmet rested ontop of the bar, guarding people from falling over the edge of the balcony. As Okami downed his next shot, his eyes, still unchanged turned to his old friend "alright brother, so you want me to believe…you and the Itachi Uchiha. Teamed up against the Seven Swordsman of the Hidden Mist, rouge by the way Kisame. Before which Itachi betrayed the Akatsuki to help you guys fight off the Sound. Then you proceeded to absorb Amaterasu within your blade, and completely destroy Kisame with it. And he passed it down to you, to give to Suigetsu."

"Yep."

"Bullshit."

"I'm holding it aren't I?"

"I can't believe it."

"I'll show you during the match."

The larger man shook his head furiously. Even halfway buzzed he knew better than to go up against that thing. Everyone that knew Kenjutsu studied the Seven Swordsman and their blades, and already knowing that Samehada rips apart people was one thing that everyone knew, and feared. "You are not using that chakra blade, you are using a real one. No tricks, no Ninjutsu, none of your 'wind barrier' crap, just blades."

"Oh I almost forgot you couldn't use Ninjutsu, well not counting the one thing you can do."

"Ha ha, don't remind me. And I don't like doing that, it is still painful."

A comfortable silence filled the both of them. For once, Kenshi was slightly calm. Seeing an old friend did him good. Got his mind off the things and memories that had plagued him these last few days. Looking downwards, he could vaguely make out Naruto fighting one of the samurai, and getting beaten. Trying to use his Ninjutsu but it just being absorbed by the armor these people wore, and the opponent keeping up with his Thunder God. Okami also caught this and laughed slightly "your kid's not that bad brother."

"Just wait till he gets going."

"Is it true, him being the Ninetails container?"

"Yah."

"Man, talk about irony. Speaking about that, how's the guy doing in there."

Kenshi's face took one of seriousness at Okami's joke. And instantly the man knew he had hit a wrong nerve, a dangerous one at that. "Don't joke about this; I don't consider it human anymore. You shouldn't either."

"Well considering who he used to be-."

"It doesn't matter."

"Brother-."

"No! Just, leave it alone. It is controlled, that is what matters."

"Whatever you say."

The larger man's attention returned to the battle below, as Naruto barely won the fight. Leaning over his own body to support himself, and the samurai slowly regaining his senses with help from others. Okami grinned, it was strangely similar to when Kenshi first got here. Kami how long ago was that, how many things have changed since then? Hell of a lot is the correct answer. Seeing his old friend was a good part of the day. But in how much he had changed, he wasn't the same. Not since the person Kenshi had put inside himself had taken up residence. Did the kid know, he knew better than to ask but it was still a question that plagued his mind? He should have a right to. But, it wasn't his decision, it was Kenshi's.

It was always Kenshi's decision. That was one thing he didn't like about his brother, when it came down to it, it was always his decision, his sacrifice. Couldn't he be the hero once? No, he shouldn't let his pride be the controller of his will. Turning back to the central courtyard, multiple groups began to converge upon the place, it was about to start. Picking up his helmet, and attaching it back. He replaced the spot with his now empty whiskey bottle. The alcohol now washed from his body, Okami showed that he was ready for battle, a metallic voice coming through the helmet. "Come on brother, we got a show to watch. And a match to finish."

A smirk came upon Kenshi's face "one that I will win."

Naruto stood on the right side of the converging group. Each of them making a large rectangle in the center as a makeshift arena. The samurai, these were defiantly a dangerous bunch. From his last battle alone he is still tired. Skilled in not only Kenjutsu but the ability to successfully deflect and block most and almost all Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu. He had also learned that even though they start at a later age, they train a lot more heavily and intensive than any ninja academy he had heard of. No wonder Kenshi wanted their help, with help like this, it could defiantly turn the tide of the war. If they will be willing to help.

Looking across the courtyard, he realized how many people were in this place. Counting the few, if those were few on the balconies and ledges of the place, maybe a couple hundred at minimum. The talking and conversations stopped at a single samurai entered the center of the arena, catching the attention of all the people in the 'arena'. "For the first match, we have a special exhibition. Okami Kaguya, fighting Kenshi Uzumaki."

Naruto perked up at this. Seeing the two men, one in white armor, the other in black walk to the opposite sides of the 'arena'. Kenshi noticeably placing down Samehada and drawing his crystal blue blade. Okami while, drawing two blades, both in a reverse grip, and slightly removing the other two from their sheath halfway, allowing the shining silver blades to be seen. The style looked wild and completely unknown to Naruto. And that was coming from a man that studied almost any and every style of Kenjutsu known to ninja. So that left two possibilities, one this was a style that he hadn't heard or seen of before, or this was a style that this man made himself. And that alone was defiantly something to admire, not that many people can individually develop a new style of Taijutsu.

And did that man say…Kaguya! The extinct clan that can use bones for blades! Is he, could he? Flashes of the last Kyuga he fought graced his mind, and it wasn't pretty. If Kimimaro is any indication of what this man could do then he was ready for almost anything. But with his armor, it didn't look like that he could use that ability.

But back to the style, it was almost the opposite too Kenshi's. His relying more on defense and counterattacking, along with quick, decisive, and powerful strokes and slashes. Okami's, just on how he was standing, was a wild style. Using the dual blades as defensive strikes and wild slashes, keeping the blades close to his arms. But looking closely, the blades had a slight curve at the hilts. If he had any acrobatic skill that Kimimaro had, then this style would be wild at the very least. Naruto was almost excited, he hadn't seen anyone come close to Kenshi's fighting style on a one-on-one match. He had heard of the match with Kisame but having missed it was a slight disappointment, hopefully this would make up for it. "Ready?"

The two men nodded, Kenshi smirking slightly, but Okami's expression was unknown due to his helmet but it was probably the same. "Begin!"

Okami surprisingly was the first to strike. Rushing faster than most could see, he leapt into the air, spinning furiously into a rolling wheel of blades. Crashing down onto Kenshi's own produced a loud ringing noise, not made by regular blades, it was strange so Naruto quickly made note of it. What he didn't notice was one of the blades to Okami's side slip from its sheath. Releasing one blade, he quickly grabbed the other and made for an attack at his side. But quickly blocking it, Kenshi stepped back only to be furiously attacked by Okami. One blade always hovering in the air as he went to work.

Quickly dropping one blade to grab another, striking, then switching blades again. Keeping Kenshi always on the defensive, moving his blade closer to home and around his midsection, allowing the length of his blade to block the strikes to his lower body. Releasing his left blade and tossing it upwards, Okami's arm went towards the last blade kept at his side, throwing it into the air as well. Then pivoting on his right heel, he spun again, spreading his blades wide and cutting into Kenshi's horizontal blade. Each stroke produced the loud ringing noise, was this something to distract the opponent, it was defiantly working for Naruto but Kenshi didn't seem to take notice, nothing but pure concentration was on his face.

The spinning stopped suddenly, leaving Okami in midair, his right blade digging into Kenshi's own. Then releasing his left blade, he caught one of the blades that fell back towards earth, the tip pointing towards Kenshi's head. Stepping into the strike however, Kenshi dodged the pointed blade and put his left hand under Okami's chest. Then with a push of chakra threw him across the 'arena' giving a collective 'oh' from the audience.

Slamming a fist down upon the earth, Okami collected the two blades within his vicinity and charged again. Kenshi only calmly raised his left hand, catching Okami's second blade that fell towards earth. Then in a display of skill threw it tip-first towards the charging man. The larger man stood his ground, until the blade was only inches from him. Then in a display of skill his right blade guided the thrown blade that sailed past his head, his left blade guiding it from the top portion as well. Then circling around and pivoting on his heel threw it back at Kenshi, the man only slightly moving his head to dodge the blade, his eyes never leaving Okami's red ones.

Now missing a blade, the man charged again. Striking with rapid movements and flourishes, only to be repealed as quickly as they struck. When the two blades made for an overhead swing the crystal blue blade was already there to meet them. The two men pushed against each other's blades, Okami slowly gaining ground. But something was wrong, and the larger man brought it up "stop going easy on me Kenshi, you are pissing me off."

It was in that moment that Kenshi obliged to the request. Releasing his left hand from the blades connection, it formed into a fist and crashed into Okami's helmet. As the larger man staggered back Kenshi followed with two more quick slashes, hitting both of his wrists and discarding both of his swords to the far wall of the courtyard. Quickly recovering and picking up the blade he had dropped long ago, Okami struck again. Now striking more furiously and without pause. The ringing sound was coming quicker, faster and faster, until it was one sound. Turning back to the battle Naruto's eyes widened. Both men's blades moved in a blur to the point where he couldn't see them. Hands, wrists, even forearms disappeared during this. This seemed impossible to describe but even the Fox had trouble keeping up.

Yelling out in rage, Okami stuck out a hand and with a loud grinding sound shot something from his wrist, causing Kenshi to exit the whirlwind, block, and move back a few paces. Blood was now seeping from a rather large wound in the man's hand but it was quickly sealed. Naruto caught that it looked like the man was in pain, the last of his clan he had fought never showed this. Maybe through all the training he just forgot about it, he seems new to the idea of using it. But grabbing his blade, Okami charged again, only to encounter the unexpected. Kenshi moved his sword behind his back and threw it full-force at his opponent.

At the sudden move the larger man stopped and twisted, his face only inches from the blade. Time seemed to stop though as a hand entered his vision, grabbing the blade mid-flight and stopping it in its tracks. Then another hand, only this one in a fist, traveling towards him in the right corner of his vision. One word ran through his mind at that moment, and it rhymed with 'hit'. The force of the hammer-blow sent Okami flying back, his sword escaping from its grip and helmet flying off towards a different direction. Tumbling, his body finally came to a stop in a dust cloud, parts of his body were sore and the mark on Okami's face wouldn't go away for a while. Pressure was put on his chest, removing his body of oxygen as he looked towards the sky to see a redhead, smirking "…I win."

"You…cheated."

"I never used Thunder God, I just got faster."

"What…the hell…happened to me then?"

"We are getting older is what is happening."

Removing his foot, Okami was able to take a breath and accept a hand from Kenshi. The entire area was in an uproar, the battle had obviously been a good one. And seeing Okami fight was apparently a rarity from what he had heard from a few samurai. Another funny thing was that after standing, Okami seemed good as new. Maybe it was the healing factor that was in him. In any case, the two men exited the square for two other samurai to take their place, blades at the ready. Naruto however wasn't in the battle, something else was taking his attention from him. Although a part of it was the nervousness of questioning Kenshi. There was something very, very dark off into the distance. And it wasn't the retreating sun. Something was happening, but before he could place it, the feeling vanished. Not dismissing it but putting it away for a later date, Naruto returned to the battle as the two samurai charged at each other, their chakra spiking.

Hinata didn't know if she should hit the man, or apologize. The Leaf had its share of secrets but this, this was downright wrong. In no state of mind could she imagine the Third giving out this order. To make Itachi eliminate his entire clan, save for Sasuke who he spared. The anger for the Uchiha still remained to her sadness, but something in her mind for Itachi changed. And as he finished, the man stopped for a moment to let the information sink in. "…I don't know what to say, but this changes nothing about Sasuke."

"I know, I only ask of you, one thing."

"And that is?"

"If I should fail, don't kill my brother."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Promise me."

"…Alright, I will make him hurt though. And how do you know Naruto won't kill him?"

"He already made a promise of his own."

The young heiress's mind and face turned to one of confusion. But quickly dismissing this for another predicament "what do you mean 'if I should fail'."

Before her eyes the man disappeared. Reacting on instinct, her bloodline blazed through her eyes and stepped into her clan's fighting stance. To her horror however, the world turned a bloody red, and the moon turned a glorious white. Turning behind her Itachi stood, his own form a deep black "from the moment you looked into my eyes I activated Tsukuyomi. You cannot stop me, but do not worry I will not hurt you. You are already back at camp and Neji is looking over you."

"What do you plan to do?"

"Save my brother."

Then the world went dark.

Kenshi overlooked the Land of Iron on one of the many balconies in the central spire. Samehada, the shark blade was on his back, sticking to the armor while the crystal blade at his side glowed with the night. The fight had been good for him, although he didn't give it his all due to Okami's condition. He hated the Uzumaki when he did that but it was more of a fair fight. It is better that he take a regular sword hit than having to block shockwaves and Oblivion. Even if his armor and style absorbed and counteracted most Ninjutsu, Kenshi didn't use normal Ninjutsu. And then with this armor, it would be far from it.

The armor of the Uzukage, passed down like a heirloom. After reading a few manuscripts on the thing, learning all the different seals, from containment seals, fire, water, earth, and lighting Ninjutsu seals, and the final one, the Rinnegan seal. Well that is what he had dubbed it. It didn't give a specific name, nor how to use it. Only stating that it would be used when the need is dire. With all of this, combining into one artifact, it was extremely powerful in the right hands, just not his. Sure, he could call out seals but controlling them and pouring the right amount of chakra is another story. A presence made its way into his mind, a familiar chakra signature "you don't need to hide Naruto."

Sure enough, the blonde walked through the doors behind Kenshi. The aura he showed was obviously distressed but calm at the exact moment. Something was bothering the boy, did something happen? "Kenshi, I need answers."

Silence gave into Kenshi, this wasn't planned. "I am tired of being in the dark on everything. Everyone seems to know you a hell of a lot more than I do. I need answers Kenshi, I need to know."

Another moment of silence, deafening for the both of them. The redheaded Uzumaki's eyes made its way towards the shinning moon, the light reflecting upon both their armor. With a sigh Kenshi spoke, never tearing his gaze away from the moon. "You still do not have control over you own anger. It shows, even now. I will give you some, but not all. What do you wish to ask?"

Satisfied enough, Naruto spoke with a light voice "how did you meet my mother?"

"Before all of this, I was a member of a specialized group of ninja inside the encampment in which Eiyu started the village. I was trained beyond all measure but still continued, with one hope. Hearing the story time and time again of my sister being captured by those ninja, I decided to join this group. Their goal was to bring back every Uzumaki they could possibly find, and extend a hand of friendliness towards those who wished to be allies with the village. It is how I met Ai, Sora, and others.

"I went to the Leaf in a hope of finding an Uzumaki, and did I. I easily recognized it was a member of my clan, it is hard to hide long red hair. After a quick chat I tried to take her back home, she didn't take to me to kindly."

Pulling up a piece of his armor, a deep scar by his left hip showed, running deep into the skin and making Naruto wince at the sign of pain. "After explaining my mission I had to confirm that she and I were part of the same clan. So 'borrowing' the Leaf's medical area for a while, we compared DNA, and when we got the results."

"You two were related."

"Exactly. You had no idea what I felt when I finally found my lost sister. And she felt the same, apparently she was told that she was alone in this world. There was only one thing I missed however. A young man by the name of Minato, and the heart he possessed, your mother's. He was the only reason she stayed. Her love for the idiot was greater than her family that is what made her stay. But I had a job to do, what was I supposed to say? But seeing her, happy, I couldn't do it. I lied, I said there was no Uzumaki within the Leaf, I kept my father's daughter away from him because of a boy. You can't imagine what I felt again."

"So the ones who captured my mother-."

"Was the Leaf village, then they removed whatever memory she had of us."

A mixture of emotions flowed through Naruto, but he couldn't stop now, answers were still needed. "How do you know these people, did…did you have anyone special?"

"Two questions but I will answer anyway. I trained here inbetween my missions. I saved Okami from a group of rogue ninja and Mifune repaid me with one training session, then another, and another, until I was just declared a samurai. I grew a bit famous around here, still only with one loss."

"Let me guess Mifune?"

"No actually Okami, the man beat me fair and square although he claims that I held back. And as for your second question, yes."

The slight depression in his voice showed to drop that conversation. "What does your nickname mean?"

"What Shi No Ban'nin, nothing, just something they came up with."

"Kenshi."

The man was lying, his chakra said it. Along with his face, the man could never lie well. Then with a deep breath, the man spoke again "it means 'Keeper of Death'."

"What does that mean?"

"You do not have enough control of your anger yet."

Naruto's anger exploded, he didn't have control? What about him? "I don't have control, what about you? During the battle you went nuts on those Sound ninja, me, Midori, and Kasai watched as you tore through them. And how do you expect for me to control my anger, I am a host I am going to have anger. I don't expect you to understand."

A light chuckle came from Kenshi, it made Naruto almost quake until he remembered who it came from. "You are only proving my point. But you are wrong, I had it under control, I know when to stop and when to let it go. And as for understanding, my nickname is Keeper."

A light click sounded in Naruto's head. It was a mixture between a light bulb sounding and an anvil dropping. "Are you…are you a host?"

"Yes...what does that look like out there?"

Removing the shock that ran through his mind, he followed Kenshi's slight order. Following his gaze to outside the courtyard, then to the side of the village. It was dark but Naruto could make it out, nothing. "It's nothing, just a little fog."

"Are you sure it's fog? I see mist."

Something clicked again in Naruto's head and Kenshi sensed he did the same "go get Okami, tell him to meet me in the courtyard that is where they seem to be going, raise the silent alarm and tell the samurai to head into the deep area of the compound and barricade themselves. Then you go and take out the few from behind, use the trick I showed you with the Thunder God, remember to visualize the area. Go."

"We are not done here, I still need answers."

With a slight nod, the blonde took off, leaving Kenshi alone. He counted again, eight. Each high powered ninja, if they called out all the samurai it could only cause more destruction. It was better with just the two of them, they could handle it. And with Naruto coming around the other way, this would be finished soon. But Naruto, he is growing more curious. If he ever learned what was actually inside him. The boy would never forgive him. The only hope was that he would not press the matter. With the final thought, Kenshi leaped onto the bar surrounding the balcony, then with grace, dropped from the heavens. With unnatural grace the man landed, knees bent to sustain the damage of the fall and head dropped low. Rising, he found a small crack in the ground from where he had landed. A little extra weight must have been put on by the armor.

Turning back, his right hand rested on Samehada with his left on the crystal blade. Whatever was coming, it was close, they weren't scattered it was a precision move. And it had been where he had stood moments before, he could have been wrong but they may have been coming for him. But why, the Leaf maybe? Like it matters, they will end all the same. With the thought ending, a mist flowed through the courtyard, covering his vision and hindering what he felt. The sounds of movement flowed through his ears. A figure rose through the mist followed by others, among the six that had formed, each carried a blade. But something was wrong with them, each was different, more powerful than the last. A thought hit him and a small chuckle escaped him as Samehada came to rest on his shoulder and the crystal blade pointed at the first shadow he saw. Okami was going to be pissed if he missed this.

Naruto landed in the forest with a yellow flash. His breathing controlled but in a slight rage. After he raised the alarm and told Okami about Kenshi, the larger man needing to be woken up from a small hangover. Naruto began to recall what Kenshi had said. He was like Naruto, a host, but of what. Another Tailed Beast or something else. Why did he hide this, is this the reason the village hates him? Why would they accept Naruto more than Kenshi? These answers that the uncle provided only gave way to more questions.

It hurt badly, the unknown. Especially knowing that another knew what you were searching for. How was he supposed to get more answers, through controlling anger? How exactly was he supposed to do that? Never once did he really feel hatred towards anyone, not really, did he? How was he supposed to prove this? Kami it was just so confusing. Maybe some time to think on it will give way to some new info. Maybe Gaara could shed some light on it, no one really knew hatred quite like him. Nor seemed to have it so under control at this point in time.

Moving through the forest with a simple and quick efficiency, Naruto could sense the enemy just a few moments ahead. But it was strange, they didn't seem evil as their chakra indicated, more along the lines of neutral. Also not sensing any of the Uchiha chakra within them brought up more concern. Who were these people? Disregarding this, he tried for surprise as a factor. He then saw the two, they looked like a man and woman.

The man was quite tall in stature and tanned, a leather armor outfit on and bandages around his mouth to the back of his head, concealing it completely. He also had spiky black hair, the man was working at a furious pace, making hand signs with great speed. Creating this mist must have been his jutsu. The woman had long black hair, and a leather armor set as well, a few senbon twirled between her fingers as she watched the man working. They seemed, familiar, yet different, but it didn't matter now.

Drawing his three-pronged kunai, he quickly launched it through the trees, teleporting with the kunai Naruto now stood with the duo the woman turning and having no time to react as he made for a swipe at the man's head. But a sense of confusion dawned on him as a rather large blade swing from his side, connecting with the kunai. The woman then moved, throwing a few senbon towards the blonde, he quickly teleported away. Something was defiantly wrong now, the blade he recognized. How couldn't he, it was the Executioners Blade, as sharp as he remembered it. So this is what happened with it, being wielded by…no it couldn't be. "Zabuza? Haku?"

The two stopped for a moment, obviously knowing the names. The man stopped, and looked the boy over, considering all of his memory "kid?"

And with that the duo charged, Naruto already ready and in a state of confusion.