Naruto: Paradox

by coronaprimo

Naruto is the prince of a once great empire, who becomes aware of his lineage at an early age. Naruto will use the gifts left to him by his parents and his ancestors, to become stronger. To become a king. To be a Paradox. This is the story of his ascension AU/ OOC Naruto/ OP Naruto First Story

16. Character

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other works that I use for inspiration.

"Speaking"- Speech

"Thinking" - Thoughts/ Inner world

"Speaking" - Non-Mortal Speech/ Techniques

"Thinking" - Non-Mortal Thoughts/ Inner world

Please read the Author's notes at the end.

Chapter Sixteen: Character

The grains that had graced her soles for so long were gone.

Sounds she had known for years, vanished without a trace.

It was questionable whether the lights in the sky had vanished, or if the sky itself had been removed.

As the blackness settled, Kurama could only contemplate what her existence had been while waiting for it to be snuffed out. Eyes opened, seeing nothing at all. The only evidence of her being was the steady thump of her heart and the cool air filling her lungs.

She could've done without these annoying ass chains still latched onto her.

"Wait. . ."

Shimmering veins started sprouting from all reaches of the darkness to converge beside Kurama. Within them, with each pulse, the vixen felt a wave of nostalgia crash against the reaches of her soul.

The lights returned, illuminating an entirely new scene for Kurama.

A magnificent throne room, adorned only for the regalest of royals. The lines covered nearly every inch, coursing power through its structure.

Obsidian and gold defined the space, from the solid slabs to the finer details of shining splendor.

A look to the sky revealed a majestic skyline, laced with an azure bouquet of swirls and sparkles twinkling in the distance.

And in between the infinite expanse and the ground she occupied, a collection of concentric gears, revolving steadily around a seemingly glass orb. Within it, Kurama beheld the spacescape, infinitely teeming with something far more frightening than power.

Raw potential floated inside, expanding infinitesimally in the short time she had been staring. Mesmerizing enough for her to ignore the chains fading away.

"It's truly wonderful, isn't it?"

She quickly found the source of the boy's voice as he was seated atop the massive throne sitting in the center of the room.

"Naruto-sama!? What the hell is going on!?"

"I'd be lying if I said I fully understood, Kurama-san. . . If anything, I'd say that while I had a restful sleep, I hadn't reaped all its benefits. . . Thanks to the help of the young man I'm facing, now I have."

The height at which he sat obscured her view of his face, though she hoped he could see the rage on her face.

"You could've died! Why would you do something so foolish!?"

"I know it was upsetting to watch, Haha. . . Sorry for making you go through that. Please believe me when I say you have nothing to fear now."

Her surrogate son came to be before her as if he teleported. His eyes were obscured from her vision as he came in for one of the tightest holds she had ever received.

From it, she saw flashes of what appeared to be the past.

Flashes of her precious prince in his younger days, sometime before they were acquainted.

Flashes of this very room, albeit a cruder looking version of it.

Of a white haired girl adorned in black and crimson, laughing with and comforting the smaller version of the sovereign.

They appeared to be the best of friends.

"I made all of this. . . From this place to the girl you saw. After all these years I had forgotten, but now the memories play in my mind clear as day. I remember almost everything I've ever experienced. . . Passing glimpses of mom and dad, and even you, Haha."

It wasn't possible.

The boy was not even that the last time he laid eyes on his parents. And there was only ever one instance when they were all before him at once.

"I can hear the movement of all in the air, taste the changes in the atmosphere. I smell the emotions wafting about. I can see the past, the present, and the future. I can even feel the molecules around me. . . Their differences, their individuality."

It simply wasn't possible.

Sensory abilities were capable of the extraordinary at their peak, but what he was describing was akin to sagely ideology.

"Kurama-san. . .The power is mine, but I still must learn to tame it. . ."

It was all happening so fast.

She would always recognize the little lord she raised, but Naruto was changing far too quickly for Kurama's liking.

"Of course, my lord. . . But if you ever put me through something like that again, I'll break out this seal and kill you myself."

Though she would trust him as he did her. Continue to watch over him and step in when necessary.

That's how one properly nurtures after all.

"I completely understand, Haha . . . "

She could feel the very sorrow rolling off Naruto, having put her through that kind of worry.

The raw emotion seeping out alongside his overwhelming power.

She also felt a newfound peace. A calmness that the prince had never known. So tranquil in nature, it attempted to quell even the deepest of her ires.

The subtle changes to his physical appearance as well, from his small boost in height to what she could only assume was a complete reconstruction of his muscle composition.

The boy she had helped raise could no longer be called so, not when he possessed a presence like this. A strength that now compelled the mightiest of beasts to bend the knee, without any concern for consent.

After a few moments, Naruto had left her alone. Before she could question how anything worked, the cogs occupying the space began to whirl with vim and vigor.

The orb above glowed brilliantly as its surrounding cogs came to life, revolving like rings around a planet.

An ethereal screen appeared before Kurama, providing a real time view of the physical plane.

Yet it was just a haze. A smokescreen of debris blocking out all else.

Konoha Academy's Training Hall

"I-is it over. . .?"

The veil hiding their answers slowly shrank. As it receded back to its origin, the frayed frame of Rock Lee came into view.

Surely writhing in pain with every battered breath. Regardless, he stood stoically in his signature stance.

"Look! Lee's still standing!"

"How's that kid still alive, let alone standing?"

Kankuro truly wanted out of this crazy village. Though, his brother had other concerns.

"Where's the Uzumaki?"

There was only a small vestige of debris, covering the cavity Lee fired his opponent into.

"Guess I can't blame the blonde bastard. . . Who would've thought he'd be facing an actual mini-Guy?"

Anko commented as she made her way to inspect. Upon arrival, Naruto laid still, yet seemingly unconscious.

"He ain't moving, so the winner is-"

Anko's proclamation abruptly ceased.

Something primal usurped control, forcing upon her only two choices.

There was no chance of opposition. Absolutely zero hope in retaliation. Leaving only the other option.

Her sense was only returned to her as her back violently met the wall. Hands grasping at a flat surface while an uncharacteristic sweat trickled down her heaving bust.

"There was no need to run from me, Lady Mitarashi. . . I'm the same Naruto you've come to know and love."

Such a calm and docile tone.

The prince sat up, allowing all to assess his condition.

"He's. . ."

"That's impossible! Every single one of Lee's attacks hit! He was vomiting blood out there!"

The evidence remained splashed about the wreckage.

"What did he do!? What kind of trick did he use!?"

Kakashi itched for just a single moment to get the info he wanted his way.

"We don't know. . ."

Especially knowing he was about to get the runaround.

"QUIT LYING!"

"Watch it, Haruno."

Sasuke's scowl helped her reign in the rage just a tad.

"We aren't lying and what you said is true. Our lord took every single one of those attacks and was severely wounded. It's also true that he didn't implore any sort of technique during the entire exchange."

Not a hint of dishonesty rose along Hinata's words.

"We don't know what happened, or why Lady Mitarashi's so panicked. . . All we can say is Naruto-sama has undergone a transformation of his own."

They were all in the same position. Curiosity kept them still and quiet.

"Lee?"

Though they'd be satiated soon enough.

"Can you still fight?"

No!

There was absolutely, positively no chance in hell that Lee could continue this match.

"Of course! I'll never back down from a good brawl."

"Good answer."

Naruto reached behind him, pulling out a small black pouch.

From it, the lad grabbed what resembled an orange translucent jelly bean. Said bean, he tossed to Lee.

"Eat it."

"What is it?"

"It's something the fine ladies and gentlemen in the lab whipped up. Think of it as a really good soldier pill. . . After eating that, you should be ready for another ten rounds."

Lee displayed a bit of hesitation, but after a second or two, it was down the hatch.

Another couple of seconds passed before Lee felt its effects, and what effects they were!

He wasn't simply healed. Lee was rejuvenated past the point of mint, as if over healing was a possibility. The aches and pains were replaced with a pep in his step and a blaze in his belly set free.

Jaws nearly detached as the once trembling teen started a high speed shadow boxing routine.

"This is amazing, Naruto! I feel better than ever!"

"That's good to hear, Lee."

The blonde rose from his position with his head down, continuing to obscure the view of his face.

"But what about you?"

"You needn't worry. . . I'm also feeling better than I ever have before."

Naruto faced his opponent, sending the most gentle of smiles Lee's way. Then, he opened his eyes.

And all hell broke loose.

Pure calamity amalgamated around Naruto, creating an aura so dense it might once could reach out and grab it.

Stellar streaks of starry majesty wafted around his person. Droplets of power floated through the air, gathering with the blonde as the focal point.

The sheer strength produced a perpetual rumble, threatening everyone's already rocky standing.

The feeling of hopelessness and despair intensified a hundred fold, with an absolute certainty that escape was impossible.

Though the worst of it lessened once the aura ceased.

The emperor's eyes scanned the room, allowing all to witness their magnificent transformation for themselves.

Falling first on the red headed foreigner the lord feigned interest in earlier. As steely cobalt met scowling emerald, visions played out. Ones of happiness and freedom. Of two seemingly close friends, eating, working and even battling alongside one another.

This seemed to only anger Gaara, whose sand had moved to attack position without his signal.

This earned a slight chuckle from the blonde before turning to face his supports and the riff raff.

They were greeted with the splendor of his new irises. Large solid orbs of cobalt blue, a slightly darker hue then what they were previously. The pupils, now vertical, pierced through to their core. Lastly, a faint black ring surrounding the pupil.

Merely a glance inspired feelings like no other.

"My lord! Don't you ever scare me like that!"

"I'm sorry, Hime. . ."

Hinata felt his caress, soft and warm even at this distance. The power dancing around was his conduit, not the other way around.

"I'll make sure never to worry you to that degree ever again."

"I'll be holding you to it."

Naruto granted himself one more quick look around before returning his attention to the battle.

"What's with his eyes?"

A straightforward question expected a straightforward answer.

"He's awake now."

Yet received another message to decipher.

"This is insane! And you're all going to let it continue!?"

It was an uncharacteristic behavior for Shikamaru. Was he scared for Lee? Shaken by what he had witnessed earlier?

"Ready, Lee?"

It was quickly dismissed as the unexpected second half was about to start. Perhaps their answers lied within its soon to be scenes.

"Of course!"

Lee received a kind look in response to his enthusiasm. Then, his foe simply blinked out of existence.

"Good. . ."

His instincts lagged.

A hand fell on his shoulder. The alarms that had kept him safe sounded, seconds after the intruder had successfully breached.

Lee led with an elbow Naruto slightly ducked right under. Next up was a side blow, though two steps took the blonde from in front of his foe to behind once again.

Bandaged fist went on a rampage, but for the life of them, unable to land a successful hit. More than anything, Lee desperately wanted some space.

His opponent stayed on him like white on rice. No amount of violence connected, not even with the support of a gate or two.

"Speed and power. . . What a beautiful breeze they create."

Lee was practically fighting a body of water, swaying and swishing out the way of his attacks, but only at the final moment.

All the while, Naruto laughed.

"I can see it clearly. . . All the paths the wind blows. All I need to do as Okaa-san says. . . And dominate!"

Lee put all his momentum in a charging punch, but Naruto simply responded with two more steps. One safely placed him too close for his opponent's attack to effectively land, the other robbed Lee of his precious footing. All that driving force extended the embarrassing tumble.

"It's like before. Is Naruto using that Deep Sphere thing again?"

Guy quickly answered the Nara's inquiry.

"No. . . It's different. Before, Naruto was reacting to Lee's attacks. Predicting his moves and responding accordingly in a defensive manner. Now, it's like he knows exactly how Lee will move. . . And because of that, Naruto's able to put himself in the most advantageous positions."

"What does that mean?"

For the first time in the match, Neji needed answers. His sensei's analysis was a compelling one, highlighting a skill that bordered on omniscience from the sounds of it.

"The Sharingan allows its users enhanced perception, sometimes to the point where they can predict an opponent's next move based on miniscule factors such as tension. . . That being said, one would still need the physical capabilities, skill and intellect to be able to constantly adapt to each new action an enemy performs. . ."

"Too close and a punch might not have enough power. If you moved your leg, but your opponent was where you were already moving, they could trip you up. Even reaching for your weapon could leave you at a disadvantage against someone with that kinda skill."

Kakashi and Asuma's additions painted a better picture of Naruto's technique, and the terror it presented.

"But it shouldn't be possible. . ."

"Guys, look!"

None of it was possible.

"You may want to power back up. We wouldn't want the fun to end just yet."

From his downed position, Lee looked up to see what everyone else did.

Several Narutos closely surrounded him.

"Naruto's using clones!"

There was no other way for him to multiple.

"You should know better by now."

"He's right. . . It's Naruto's movements."

Kakashi begrudgingly support Sasuke's claim.

His enhanced left eye strained trying to break down some of the prince's movements. The speed and precision; it sent his head in a whirlwind. So much so, Kakashi was on the verge of vomiting.

Lee hopped to his feet, gaining a bit of distance to prepare.

Five blonde fighters rushed a frazzled bowl of black. Eyes of the same frantically scanning as to ascertain which was the true threat. Smoke spewed out of Lee's ears trying to keep up.

As the Narutos cocked back for a mighty right, a thought popped into Lee's head.

"This is a distraction. . . I just have to trust in my instincts."

Lee stopped focusing on the foe in front of him, and for the feeling he was giving off. Feeding off that, Lee left arm braced for impact.

The next few moments were a magic act.

The copies disappeared as the genuine article swung his fist. The limb moved, guided by the gales.

Encompassed in an evanescent whirl.

"Typhoon."

Lee was struck through spacetime. Hit so hard he flashed.

Now embedded in a gravel pile, all the victim could think is how no human should ever need to punch like that.

A split second intermission.

"Gate of Life, Open!"

A spirited roar originated from the pile, followed by an explosive aftershock.

Burning red, ready for another rumble. Lee was but a step away from Naruto, and a punch away sweet pay back.

"Now, take-"

A hand flashed forward, halting Lee's fist with the utmost ease.

His foe followed suit, flashing to meet face to face.

As onyx lined up with cobalt; lighting trailing from the latter. The swirling wonder Lee had noticed earlier condensed to a spinning wheel around sharpened pupils.

"That wasn't bad, but try to kick up a bigger wind for me. A storm fit for a king!"

A splashy explosion to the chest promptly reintroduced Lee to the wall.

"I didn't see him set up. . ."

"This is no time for rest, Lee. Now's the time for experimentation!"

Naruto had taken to the air, descending just slow enough to provide a show. His fist dazzled with lights of starry royal blue, spiking spontaneously as if trying to escape his grasp.

"That chakra's inhuman. . ."

The King's Ko enhanced fist grew brighter as he descended upon his opponent. Hammer reeled back to let off a truly stunning bang.

"I think I'll call this one, Abyssal Art: Meteor!"

Streaks of lightning streamed from those piercing orbs. Distracting enough that Lee dodge was enough to avoid a direct hit, but not enough to flee the blast radius.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

The explosion went off with intent. Fixated on eradicating every atom its might would absorb.

Bullying the weak into shielding themselves from its raw splendor.

Lee was hurled in the opposite direction, able to right himself before an encounter with the giant hands.

The room felt a cool breeze roll in.

"That's much better. It was far too stuffy here."

"HEY ASSHOLE! DON'T GO BLASTING HOLES IN THE BUILDING!"

Lee stared stunned at the large hole Naruto had created. Unfortunately, the king was gearing up for his next move.

"Experiment number two."

One hand over the other, pointed behind him. A slight bend forward on the knee. A paper thin veil of majestic aura coating him."

"I should be able to interact now, better than with Burst Wind."

Anguished screeches sounded off, along with Lee's internal alarms. Blaring for him to pivot out the way of a strong stream of wind.

Then, a crash at the wall his back was facing.

"Crap. . . Guess that was too much."

Wedge in a makeshift hole, was the prince with no clear indication on how he ended up there.

"Maybe two hands would work better. . . ?"

He dusted himself off during his murmuring, unconcerned about the blazing foe staring him down.

"Experiment 2-B then."

Lee wouldn't stand around watching whatever weirdness go down, this was still a fight after all.

The boy pounced upon Naruto, releasing a powerful spin kick that met a resistant gale, but not flesh. Yet a loud crash was heard.

"Fuck! Maybe it's my control?"

From above, all heard the loud vulgarity and saw their originator crevassed in the ceiling.

"Maybe I'm pressing on the 'surface' too much. . . Just condense to the right pressure and. . ."

Naruto stood on the ceiling's surface, completely enraptured in his own designs, yet so was everyone else.

The bottom's of his hands laid flat. Something faint emitted from his palms, then it grew stronger and stronger in mere seconds. Soon, jets of cool air flowed from the sovereign's sides.

"We'll call this neat trick, experiment 2-C for now."

But his opponent was focused on victory and fighting on borrowed time. Blitzing upwards, Lee went for a rocketed punch, though he flew into a previous scene.

His strike missed. His foe, gone. His ears, greeted by a deafening crash.

Naruto embodied speed, if only for a fraction of time. His movement only added to the already excessive destruction, blasting at what was left of the ceiling. While Lee was being whipped away by unrelenting gusts, Naruto lifted himself from another crater.

"I'm getting the hang of it. . ."

"NARUTO!"

Lee fell on to the blonde with a violent ax kick, avoided with the slightest nudge. Cerulean static streaked from cobalt orbs as an electrified grin bursted out on Naruto's face.

"Experiment Three."

The two burst into close combat. The crowd could make out their interaction by the cracks through the air. Barrages of blows bellowing out from these taijutsu titans.

Lee's moves drove forward, stampeding to their target to be met with the might of chaotic rapids, swallowing all unlucky enough to fall prey.

Naruto's were subtle, small, yet had nature's support behind them.

Not a moment was taken, for one was not given.

Any attempt to disengage met either a swipe of opportunity, or an unseen and always successful pursuit. Naruto was proving harder to get rid of than a cockroach.

Though for the prince, this was a new type of fun!

Naruto's mind processed everything his senses made him privy to. Learning of the enemy and surrounding information to predict behavior. These patterns and possibilities manifested as faded visions of Lee, playing out whatever action was most likely. Each kicking up their own 'wind', blowing towards the king to seize.

He moved along the correct currents, as if riding a stream of time to end up at the moment before the enemy even knew their own next move.

A distracting development to say the least. Lee let his instincts guide his fists, yet they were being read as well. The power behind his attacks, usurped and used against him in counters.

"Gate of Pain, Open!"

Ever rising effort was met with the same. Herculean blows simply added their generated wind to the growing maelstrom that is Naruto.

"Finally. . . I can feel it all."

He was a vacuum, taking in all around him without mercy.

"A deep further down. . . Where all is mine. . . Even the elements themselves. . ."

In a realm where all was within his reach, yet he was unobtainable to the world.

"Abyssal Arts: Deep Zone."

The sphere was a space in which all within his reach was under his rule. Now, that rule was limited only to how far his senses would stretch.

Though did this deep have a bottom?

Only those strong enough could resist it.

A barrage of punches, strolled through with ease. Recoilless strikes were coming out of Lee, clashing against an otherworldly defense. Lee was sure the aura coat Naruto wore was more than just an expression of his might. A barrier preventing his attacks from truly touching flesh, infinitely dividing him and his target.

Everything about his opponent was frightening.

Yet. . .

"Abyss Step: Rain."

The king burst into many, rushing down Lee with nary a warning. It didn't matter that the boy was seeing copies of his opponent, especially when his strikes came out like there were multiple of him.

Spectors shifted from scary slashes to herculean haymakers, all before poor Lee could get a head count. Phantom limbs somehow caught one of his straights, for him to be snuck from his flank with a blow to the jaw.

Beating someone down with a barrage of speedy attacks made sense, but literally jumping someone with speed clones. . .

"I hope I don't have a concussion. . ."

Another stellar strike to the skull threatened to make Lee's fears a reality.

"Come Lee!"

Lee managed to hear Naruto speak through the progressive drumline.

"This is merely a warm up."

A faint to one side diverted all Lee's attention until he felt the pain from the other. A phantom low kick hid an all too real uppercut. A palm thrust for Lee to grab was nothing more than a mirage.

The cruel truth, a stinging elbow to the back.

Whether instincts or critical thought, the rain muddied everything. The winds blew past his defenses. Static blinded his vision.

However, Lee kept his cool.

Focusing on the perfect moment. Sliding into the perfect form. He didn't know how, but he could see it.

For a single moment, the phantoms converged on a singular point.

Fist clenched, curled back, Lee fired off a glorious straight. It must have been only a fraction of a fraction away from landing.

A scratch on the ground sounded off before the visions spawned again, all avoiding the gate-powered gauntlet.

"You over-thought it. This time, just do it. Nothing more."

Words of advice from the scattered sovereign. They couldn't hurt though.

"Like shutting off my mind. . ."

Lee paid no attention to his opponent. He paid no attention to the strain of his technique, or the tender breeze blowing behind him.

All was in his hands. He knew exactly what to do. All he had to do was trust himself.

That resulted in the punch of a lifetime. No rigidness, no resistance. It was a good thing he wasn't paying too much attention, for it might've broken the boy's mind.

At that point of convergence, was his goal. All his might shredded towards it.

"Tiamat's hand."

Back to one, Naruto simply placed his hand before the attack.

The space between the two rippled gently, like expanding rings in a small pond.

Then, it died.

Lee's punch. . . Everything that made it so was drained.

A soft knuckle touched a barriered palm. Their incredibly close bout shifted to a calm interaction with a gentle breezy background.

"How. . . How did . . ."

"You've helped me in ways you can't know, Lee. Allow me to do the same for you. . . We don't have to fight all day, but we won't rest until you surpass those preconceived limits of yours!"

The feeling shifted again.

Before he could break from his stupor, Lee was flung like a kunai away from his opponent.

"And what better way than to force you! Deviant Blade-Secret Art. . ."

The boisterous winds that seemed to envelope the king vanished, replaced by an edge's air.

"Ghost Gale!"

Naruto's arms followed the winds, disappearing only for blades to be brought into the world.

"Gate of Closing, Open!"

A burst of power, followed by one of speed.

The boy skillfully avoided a deadly barrage. Hundreds of sonic slashes soared forth, carving their existence into one of the remaining walls.

And expertly avoiding hurting the onlookers.

"I take back what I said earlier. . . This is insane."

Naruto displayed scary skill, emphasized by the fact that this was all supposedly taijutsu.

He had quite the extensive resume, loads of experience and an impressive arsenal at his disposal, yet Asuma felt not a shred of confidence envisioning a bout between him and the boy.

"You can't run forever, Lee!"

Naruto shouted, continuing his ephemeral onslaught.

Lee blazed his way around the room, avoiding as many of the sonic swords as humanly possible. No matter how explosive his steps, the razor sharp apparitions appeared at every turn.

They were kind enough, satiated off of the red it drew from his arms and legs.

Lee tried to change his strategy, choosing to fend off the assault with some pressurized punches. He was actually about to dismiss several of the blades, but the barrage was far too much.

Back to dodging it is. . .

"Naruto's right. I need to move faster. Hit harder. . . and there's only one way to do that. . ."

For some reason, he didn't need to be taught. He didn't require a demonstration beforehand or a description more detailed than the overall one he knew.

There wasn't any tension. Infact, Lee's entire form felt unencumbered. His mind as well.

He simply saw the next step, and trusted that he could take it.

"Gate of Joy!"

Lee came to a halt with arms crossed. The rubble around him began to lift off the pressure he generated.

"Lee, NO!"

There was nothing else for Guy to do, but shout out his warning.

"Open!"

This new strain was terrifying.

A percussion line played in the boy's head with increasing intensity to match the mounting demand. Too little and the power behind the gate would remain locked. Too much, and opening a gate could be his last worry.

But risk came with reward, and the peril the prince presented could only be combated with forced possibilities.

The shattering pain radiated through every cell, but was welcomed. The searing sensation muddling up his ability to process, but a minor inconvenience. For the power he received rested on the upper echelon. With it, his body and instincts, this would turn out to be a joyous event.

"Please stop before you hurt yourself! You haven't trained to open the sixth gate!"

"I knew you hadn't reached your stride yet, Lee! But you aren't the only one with more to show."

One voice permeated softly, and somewhat bothersome. The other, grand and encouraging!

Cascading blades of waning winds flew out in scores, but it was Lee performing the swift steps this time. Skillfully avoiding every slash when moments ago he came out the barrage nicked and cut.

He arrived at his own pace, with an monstrous aura as an entourage. Rudely falling on his opponent with devious strikes, fast enough to trick the finest of senses.

In an instant, a flood of fists came from Lee. Despite Naruto's stellar defense fending off the worst, it wasn't perfect.

A sidewinder slipped past, intent on having the king see stars. Naruto shot out his fist to retaliate. Lee slipped under, then fired a buckshot of jabs to his foe's chest.

A piercing cluster; excruciatingly adding to the excitement while forcing the anxiety to be expelled.

"Good, Lee. Keep evolving. . ."

The prince wiped the residue from his maw before going to work.

No warning was given.

The moves came out perfectly. Mechanical if you will, for their speed and accuracy broke human boundaries. Yet, they embodied nature itself.

Jab.

Cross.

Hook.

Uppercut.

Each flowing into the next. Each crashing into Lee mercilessly, embedding flashes in his vision.

The burning battler mounted a pretty impressive defense of his own. Reacting to the fluid flurry that followed with the best of his ability.

A strike or several managed to bypass his guard as well. No matter how effective they might've been, Lee would ignore it for now.

He was having too much fun!

The melancholic waves rushed down from his supporters, only to sully the experience. Lee didn't want to be worried over right now. He simply thirsted for the fight!

"Drop!"

His ax was parried promptly, but it was all according to plan.

"Gale!"

Lee let his weight do the work, swiftly dropping low into a spirited spin. Naruto jumped over the sweeper, falling for Lee's trap as expected.

"Rising Wind!"

The emerald top shifted to an airborne javelin in the blink of an eye, threatening to tear through its unlucky recipient.

The king coughed out a. . .

"Crafty devil."

Before Lee flipped to deliver a follow up falling kick.

A hefty exhale pushed Naruto the slight distance he needed to avoid the hit, and allowed him to take a firm hold of Lee's leg.

The boy's shifted into a dazzling pinwheel.

After who knows how many revolutions, Lee was hurled back down to earth. He righted himself before the crash, then blurred away a moment after.

Traces of fading emerald embers wafted in his place.

Naruto hadn't made his way back down, yet the youthful flame erupted at his side. Lee appeared posed in the air with his foot out to attack.

"Leaf Great Flash!"

Lee unleashed a lateral kick aimed straight for the king's crown. A bolt of blue raced for the ground, but caught itself in a series of flashy flips.

"That hurt more than I anticipated. . . These gates could prove dangerous in the future. I wonder if there's a more efficient variant somewhere out in the world. . . Or a Lee that will join me."

"I'm sure there is, our Lord. Once we are done here, we'll find you one to keep."

At the corner of Naruto's vision, hovering carelessly in the air was his white haired companion. Translucent to the point of being hardly visible.

His confusion left the boy momentarily dazed. Lee charged before his opponent would gain momentum.

"Leaf Rock Crush!"

He flanked Naruto, releasing an elbow strike with the support of his other arm.

The winds called their king back to reality. Naruto turned to retaliate, glitching from the wrong direction to the right.

"Coral Guard."

An arm stretched out to catch the attack.

This time the collision caused a storm overrun with static; bellowing out with a thunderclap. The progenitors battling for dominance in its eye.

The stinging sensation swimming through their veins brought along with it a euphoric feel. No matter how destructive it was, they needed to be satiated.

"Sorry to have distracted you, but it's your turn, Naruto-sama. Show them our extraordinary might. . ."

A sinister chill caressed him from the back, whispering sweet everything's into his ear. The king loved the cold, for it was filled with warmth he would've been deprived of.

It forced his internal furnace into overdrive. Melting away at the restraints he had placed since the beginning of the match.

"You aren't the only one with combos."

A flex brought about a forceful gale, breaking Lee's out of his form. This allowed Naruto to slip into his first stance: Breeze.

"Pressure Spike!"

A sudden palm strike to the sternum robbed Lee of a breath.

"Power Spike!"

Another palm strike reverberated through every bone, sending a stunning shock throughout Lee's body.

"Wave Break!"

A knee strike to the chin lifted Lee off his feet.

"Mantis Blow!"

A transcendent uppercut landed just above the sternum; the worst hit so far. Lee was sure it ruptured something.

Despite his best effort, the blood broke past the floodgates. Splashes graced the king's gleefully face, to simply slide off a second later.

"Swell!"

Naruto landed a double palm strike just below the collarbone.

"Breaking Waves!"

Naruto's hands faded into a closing double karate chop to both sides of Lee's midriff. Followed up by a boisterous boost right above Lee; the lord's leg raised towards the sun.

"Now!"

A moment of pause was all he needed however brief. All Lee's might went into an emergency hurricane, producing a defensive wind to separate the two.

"Sasuke always interrupts Cloudburst at Waterfall as well. . . Either I need to transition faster, or revisions need to be made to the first set."

The two fell back to the ground for a moment of peace, and a bit of concern. Lee looked as his opponent turned to talk to the air, as if someone was there. The blonde even nodded as if he were responding to something.

After a minute, he seemed to catch on to his opponent's confused stare. The murmurs of the crowd didn't hurt either.

"Oh. Sorry about that. . . We can move on to the next lesson."

Calm and collected, with the faintest whiff of embarrassment, Naruto slid into Dew. Without hesitation, Lee took position to take off as well.

From there, both combatants raced for the fight!

Their bout transformed into stills. Single shots of their clashes followed by the shockwaves. A series of pops and bangs became the soundtrack to the match. The echos shifted depending on where in the room they flashed.

Bursts of green and blue sparks dazzled center stage as both combatants were blasted to opposite ends of the ruined room.

"Taijutsu isn't limited to close quarters, Lee."

Before the king came to a stop his cloaked knuckles prepared to prove a point.

"It's time you fully expand yours!"

Stellar veiled fists assaulted the empty air, giving birth to phantom shells of the same starry blue.

"Abyssal Arts: Hail."

The supernatural salvo was upon Lee before he knew what hit him. However, there was no pause.

"AAAAAAARRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!"

Even as blast after blast hit their mark, the boy pushed through. Lee batted away at the barrage; a searing pain radiating in each limb.

He wanted more, however. More than just to defend. Lee wanted to create a swarm of his own.

So he batted and swatted. With the sweat of his brow and the blood soaking through his bandages, he hammered away.

Until all he knew was heat.

Too intense for him to unclench his eyes.

It didn't stop his fist. In fact, they felt hotter than ever. Fueled by youthful flames to continue forth, giving birth to burning bullets of his own.

"Unbelievable!"

"Guy. . ."

"Isn't that your move. . . ?"

It may not have been as majestic as when Kurenai witnessed Guy perform it. Nor was it as powerful as Kakashi had experienced in the past. Regardless, Asuma was certain.

They had watched this genin execute some variation of Might Guy's Morning Peacock; a series of punches so fast, they're set alight by the sheer speed and friction.

Lee's incinerating stream erased all traces of azure. Hurling forth until colliding with the spectator's wall.

A set of satisfying explosions sounded off while rocking those slightly above.

"Lee. To think you've been capable of this the entire time. . . Am I keeping you from your potential?"

After seeing the feats Lee had accomplished, one after the other in such a short time, how could Guy feel anything else?

Even Lee's sloppily performing Morning Peacock threatened to outshine his own in due time. It was executed at a narrower range, yet wasn't hindered by the ridgeness Guy was used to.

"Wait, where'd Naruto go?"

Shikamaru brought attention to the monarch missing in action.

Right on cue, he descended ever so slowly. Held afloat by tamed breaths expelled from each hand.

"HE CAN FLY!?"

The inquiry rang more like a hyena clan, crying out in madness. Members of the choir came from both sides, equally stupefied at this real life ascension.

"My lord!"

"I'll certainly be going all out during our next training session."

And in that madness, of course the enigmas would revel. For in the madness, a legend was made in heaven.

"Lee! We aren't done."

The gusts died as Naruto shifted his palm's positions, poised towards the crowd behind him. A spin on the air's surface ignited the turbulent thrusters, pushing back all but those who held his favor.

"Fucking asshole!"

"That has to be a jutsu!"

"Honestly, it doesn't matter anymore. . . This is a different kind of fight altogether."

Sonic streams howled as they carried the king forth. He dominated the sky, claiming his new turf before blasting off to his foe on the floor.

Naruto neared in an instant. One arm moved to act as the battering ram. The other acted as his booster, exploding twofold to compensate.

In the short time spared, Lee planted himself firmly intent on stopping the rocket with sheer strength.

The blonde bomber crashed into the clutches of the burning bastion. Veins were on the verge to rupture from the immense strain as Lee was rocketed towards the foreign spectator wall.

"Reconsider, Lee. Do you think any of these peons will be able to push you past your limits ever again?"

In an impressive show of flexibility, Lee executed a monstrous rising kick. The winds suddenly snuffed out, replaced with an updraft that carried the king to a new crater in the ceiling.

Lee pounced, righting himself to stand over Naruto.

"Why does there have to be sides? You can help them like you did me! We can all be fri-"

A stunning shock ricocheted from the surprise solar plexus punch, courtesy Naruto.

"Don't say it. . ."

An almighty push propelled Lee through spacetime, crash landing on the unforgiving earth.

"Don't ruin this high with talk of an unobtainable reality!"

The screeches came to life once more. This time, their song was laced with anguish.

Lee quickly recovered to his feet as his foe fell with fury. His diving kick was skillfully avoided, but Naruto transitioned easily.

The techniques continued to evolve alongside their master. The giant jets adapted to miniscule boosters birthed in the right moments. The power ignored defenses. The speed delayed reaction.

"The reality you speak of comes at the cost of my freedom. My ability to choose. . . My right to know. . ."

Roundhouses and spin kicks with endless torque behind them. Small screams turned punches into bombs. No matter how much fun Lee was having, there was no ignoring the torrent of torture washing over every cell.

"Helping those fools would come at the cost of my pride. To assist those that have not only turned a blind eye to my plight, but contributed to it. . . Those that celebrated my failures instead of helping correct them. Who ridiculed me for sport!"

Lee forced the emotions back down. Despite how much he sympathized with his foe's sentiment, Lee refused to be distracted.

This wouldn't be a one sided fight ever again!

Hip jerks generated the torque needed. Perfect form would do the rest.

Hurricanes and whirlwinds, shifted to handstands and helicopter kicks. Palms and backhands repelled as the dance of auras raged on.

A push in the air to a spin, then an ax kick sending a shattering shockwave. A small screech sounded off as Naruto avoided the air knife with the most miniscule of shifts.

As Lee kissed the ground again, he spun. Like a crane, one leg supported him while the other tucked into his person.

Green aura turned his sidekick into a blazing lance, landing square in his foe's chest. But Naruto stood his ground, absorbing the blow.

A small pause took over, followed by Naruto's elated chuckles.

"You know the sting of their cruelty, yet look at you. You've stepped into a realm they can't hope to reach."

The young lord lunged forward, but suddenly vanished before Lee's eyes. Naruto ducked under his foe's guard, balancing on his hands while extending his legs out.

Naruto flared, switching from arm to arm while his legs whirled, sweeping Lee off his precarious footing.

Rolling back onto his hands, Naruto propelled himself upwards and forward with a howl, kicking Lee and sending him skyrocketing upwards.

"A reality where anything is possible. Where limits are simply bumps in the road."

The lord laid low to the floor, mimicking a lion preparing to pounce.

"This is the reality I rule over."

The shrieking sirens sounded as Naruto leapt upwards, powering a passing uppercut directly to the chin.

He bounced off the ceiling, then the ground, then the walls.

Lap after lap, shooting from one end to another. Sonic cylinders and faint static signaled his route, all slowly converging on one target.

"Where all is mine for the taking!"

Each pass, a bullet of a punch or a mallet of a kick. Before Lee's position in space could shift too much, the king made another lightspeed lap.

Delivering another bolt of a blow. Collecting another scarlet sample. Stamping a delayed brand. Though, Lee instincts guided him through the worst. Teaching him how to minimize the damage.

Swiftly the specters returned, filling every second with a stellar strike to endure. Using unearthly speed to devastate their victim in the air from multiple directions.

"Abyssal Arts. . ."

"How could he steal Lee's move!?"

That bastard! Using a pirate. A bootleg. . . If those viewing were petty enough to call it such.

A blast to the back was but a serve for a falling kick, which was answered by a flying hook. The phantoms soared through the wind tunnels, juggling the poor boy with this sickening cycle.

The air cried out.

But frighteningly, only excitement reverberated out.

Through the chaotic chorus, Hinata's voice came through clear as day.

"Rejoice! Behold Naruto-sama's evolution. Witness as he exceeds all understanding."

Time crept to a near halt as the two players fell into their positions.

The pressure paths shifted until only one remained. Lee hovered in the middle and the king reached his apex, posing for a finishing flying kick.

"Limited Lotus!"

The blonde bomber was now a majestic missile, rocketing through the enchanted express tunnel and into Lee with a beastly bellow. The next second, they crashed into the ravaged ground. The resulting explosion left the viewers anxious for answers.

It sent out a soul wrenching chill rather than heat or destruction. The building in its compromised state couldn't fight off the shiver.

"Is it over? As crazy as all this is, my ears can't take much more."

Temari feigned an air of arrogance and indifference to hide the crushing concern this match had laid on her. She wanted it over for a chance to protest this cockamamie plan. A chance to keep her family safe from him.

That chance was again delayed, and concern continued to mount with the latest development.

"Leaf Hurricane!"

A figure was violently ejected from the debris cloud, tumbling a few feet before it produced a corrective gust.

The shimmering shroud wafting ever so proudly draped around its master. The sparks in his eyes matched the overcharged grin he held.

"There's Naruto. . .So where's Lee?"

Sakura was scared to ask.

Naruto was covered in his fair share of bruises and nicks, yet she feared it was nothing compared to Lee's state.

"It would appear he's got plenty of fight left."

The covering cloud cleared away to reveal the battered battler. Huffing and heaving while scarlet drops continued escaping his many mini openings.

The once grand emerald blaze, reduced to a flickering ember.

"Sensei, please do something! Won't the gates hurt Lee if he keeps using them?"

"Sorry. . . It's not my call. . ."

Enhanced or not, Kakashi couldn't bring his eyes to meet Sakura's.

"Then Guy-sensei, you can stop the fight."

And as mighty as he was, Guy hadn't the strength to answer her.

"Are you guy's going to do nothing after everything you've seen!?"

Shikamaru struggled with his frustration. Was this what all that work was for? To be slaughtered right before their mentors.

The bunch of. . .

"Weaklings! You have no say in our decisions. Stay quiet if you refuse to do anything. . . Besides, we are on the verge of something extraordinary."

The chitter chatter in the background was simply that to Lee, for he was far too occupied with his thoughts.

"This has been the greatest match of my life. . . But I won't be able to go on much longer. . ."

Between using the gates and the brutality he'd faced, Lee's body was threatening to end the match with or without his say.

"To think that Naruto would be able to mimic the lotus after seeing it once. . . And all the other moves he's been able to pull out. . ."

Flashes consisted of supernatural scenes cycled through his head. Full of flying foes, elemental assaults, and true blue metamorphosis.

Lee's thoughts shifted to his sensei and all he could accomplish through the gates. Stories of combustible knuckles and pressurized punches too fast to do anything about.

Moves that would forever engrave their names in the minds of all they encountered. That would cement them as splendid.

"If only I could. . ."

Well, why couldn't he?

Lee surpassed even his own expectations.

"You have the power to do things like that too. . ."

No matter how much pain he was suffering through, something told him to try.

"Just go with the flow. . . Don't get bogged down by silly thoughts."

A congested sky cleared with a deep breath. Wise winds continued to blow as Lee began to move.

"Allow your instincts to guide you. . . Let your power know you trust it, with all you are."

Lee leapt lightly, throwing out a kick before touching down. Then again, and again.

"Don't tense up too much. . . Just do it. . . Nothing more."

The breezes turned into winds.

"Keep evolving. . ."

The winds turned into gales. Condensed into a blunt blade that crashed against a far too elated Naruto.

The two shared a look before their auras exploded, causing the room to recoil.

"I'll end this now, Naruto!"

An upward spinning kick from Lee twisted into a terrifying tornado, brimming with waves of power.

"No. . ."

The girl spawned again.

"You will be the one to decide this match's result. . . With our true power!"

She held him in incorporeal arms. In her embrace, Naruto felt a violent injection claw its way through his veins.

His aura's tone changed entirely. What was once a geyser of starry azure condensed to a thin vermillion starscape surrounding Naruto.

An inhale acted as an unspoken call, bellowing streams of strength to converge at his feet.

"That's got to be the power of the nine-tails!"

It had to be!

The suffocating grasp it took on the throat. The crushing strain as if your legs are being nailed to the ground. And worst of all, the despair you simply couldn't feel a way out of.

The only safe haven in this fresh hell for Kakashi was his theories being confirmed. The boy wasn't some anomaly, just a fool who made a deal with a real devil.

"I will face your new creation with one of my own."

Naruto's voice echoed out, amplified by the perplexing power.

"Abyssal Arts!"

His majesty took hold of the very air. An otherworldly bellow and a savage pull gave birth to a swell of twisters. They shrouded him, protecting him from their wild onslaught while the rest of the room wasn't as lucky.

"He's gonna end up killing' everyone before they get a chance to fight!"

Anko watch as tailwinds whipped around, terrorizing the crowd. Yet, even as close as she was she remained safe.

"Paradox Edition. . ."

With a wave of his hand, the winds bent to Naruto's whim. Simple twisters shifted into draconic defenders, with razor wind whiskers and serrating screeches.

Yet, none of it touched Lee in the confines of his storm.

He was alone with his instincts as they instructed him to form the tornado. Its winds, spinning Lee faster with each rotation. He was alone with his power, ensuring he could kick at his best in spite of these conditions.

Alone with a dream he'd turn into reality.

"Spring Sparrows!"

His legs, fueled by the storm, produced soaring emerald blades that took the shape of valiant birds. Naruto took to the air with his entourage in tow.

"Legion Leviathans!"

Unleashing a series of magnificent kicks, Naruto sent forth his endless horde. Shattering roars and sonic screeches became the chaotic chorus as animalistic attacks inched ever closer.

All in attendance laid eyes on a moving tapestry. Cerulean serpents on the verge of war with viridescent raptors; a shattered stone backdrop accompanying.

It was truly a sight!

Until the clash. . .

"ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The screams of the unsuspecting joined the chaotic ensemble.

The shockwave pushed all but a select few violently against the wall behind them. Hinata and Sasuke managed to stand their ground, while Anko seemed protected by some unseen force. Gaara shielded himself with sand, albeit with difficulty. And as he strained, Gaara's eyes refused to stray.

Sonic sparrow shredded through a slew of serpents. Though, for every beast slain, two more roaring whirlwinds took its place. And as many birds as Lee could produce, their numbers began a skydive.

Each leviathan, another tyrannical twister tearing through any and all opposition. Opening their maws, devouring their prey, and growing ever stronger as they continued forward.

"ARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!"

Several brave birds made it through everything to send the king back to the ground with a brilliant barrage.

"ARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!"

Leviathans gorged on the defensive gale, breaking through to their targets. Biting down with oppressive pressure, the herculean horde brought the boy back down to earth resulting in the final impact.

A blast that threatened to take all their lives. Tremors that could have swallowed them whole. Gusts that would make an eddy envious.

Time ticked for only a moment longer, then things began to settle.

The rumbles calmed. The winds died down. Those restrained were released, crashing back to the ground just as rudely as they were taken off of it.

"My fucking head. . ."

"We could've stopped this a while ago. . ."

Shikamaru spat out towards his sensei as he recovered to his feet.

The boy blamed the cowardice of his superiors for everything! From the still crumbling state of the arena to the reeling pain he and his fellow observers were suffering through.

"Of course. . . It's going to take forever to inscribe a new shirt. Should've done the work and matched the armor piece. . ."

A helpfully wind pulled much of the obscuring debris from the air, revealing a fairly wounded Naruto.

What was peculiar was the tattered remains of his muscle shirt. Clean cuts through and through, as if done by a blade. However, this would've meant its owner had to have received a similar treatment.

Besides a few decent lacerations, a nice splash of crimson across his brow and bruises, the king was certainly intact.

"LEE!"

Guy's screams brought attention to the down boy on the other side.

From the waist up, Lee looked like he just went ten rounds with some crazed beast. Lacerations littered his frame more than his top did. It wasn't until eye ventured down that one saw what had Guy distraught.

A wince slivered through the body once you laid eyes on it.

Lee's lower half had been turned from pillars dedicated to hard work, to columns of minced flesh. Small tatters of green spandex clung on, same as the ribbons and tissue fighting to stay onto exposed bone.

"So loud. . ."

It only raised concerns when Lee appeared more bothered by the cries of his sensei, rather than the state of his legs.

"After a match like that, the quiet sits with you better. You'll come to understand that in time."

Naruto made his way over to Lee, fumbling a bit on the uneven terrain. He had given Lee's injuries a glance before plopping beside the boy.

"Well my friend, you've exceeded all my expectations. . . I think it's time to call it, unless you can still fight?"

"I think we both know the answer, Naruto. . ."

Lee's response had both boys sharing a laugh. Lee's, as delicate as a dry cough, while Naruto carried more energy than expected. But after taking up more leisurely time, it was back to business.

"At the beginning of our match, we agreed on conditions. One being that I would take care of any of your wounds during our gentlemen's duel. Do you remember the other?"

An ember flashed before a spark.

An epiphany; that victory and defeat were inconsequential. What was gained in this bout couldn't be priced at a chance for advancement.

With that in mind, Lee had only this to say.

"Of course. . . I surrender."

They shared a nod before Naruto's grin grew menacing.

"Sasuke!"

A snap rang out before a massive purple plum surrounded the boys. Suddenly, an agonized shout from Lee pierced the ears of the puzzled public.

"LEE!"

Concern cracked open a gate, pushing Guy to appear instantly at the side of his downed disciple.

Guy swiped away at the smoke to reveal the two combatants. Naruto hadn't changed at all from a moment ago, but Lee appeared to be more or less healed; say for a few scratches and bruises. Most notably was his legs, seemingly back to the pristine condition.

"There. . . I've healed you as much as allowed, Lee. I would've finished, but your sensei's intrusion marks the end of our duel. . . You're probably going to need a couple of weeks before you're back to full fighting condition. I'm sure that you'll have all the support you'll need."

"Thank you, Naruto. Let's fight again when I'm all healed!"

Guy watched.

This boy went from a nobody to the talk of the village only a few months ago. Rumors of magical swords and suspicion of treason. After what he'd seen, what he felt being before Naruto, Guy was compelled to believe.

"Lady Mitarashi, would you be so kind as to announce the winner?"

His gaze, bestial.

Anko felt primal in his presence. His fangs sunk into the back of neck, forcing her to bend to his whim.

"Winner of Round 7: Naruto Uzumaki!"

She yapped out like a startled pup.

The few stares were enough for Anko to rush aside to call for all the necessary teams.

The medics arrived, quickly assessing Lee required further testing for safety's sake. Lee fought back adamantly. With some reassurance from Guy that Lee would get tested after the matches were over, Lee was given form crutches for support.

After the entertaining scene, Naruto turned to join his companions, nearly crashing into Kakashi as he turned.

At that moment, Naruto thought back on Lee's words. Reality was prone to change. There was a chance that this one might be kinder than the king believed.

"Ah Hatake. . . I wanted to apologize for my unwarranted words earlier. I see no reason to hold on to the unpleasantness. Why don't we let bygones be bygones and try to start on a better note?"

Naruto cleaned off his palm on his tattered hakama, offering it to the Jonin as a sign of good faith. After all his instructor saw, surely two hard working warriors could establish a mutual respect?

It wasn't lost on Kakashi. It was the kindest and most genuine Naruto had been to him since their introduction. This was his chance to mend the rift. To establish the last connection to his teacher.

"I'll be reporting what I witnessed to the Hokage. I'll also be interviewing you after the exams."

There was something stronger pushing the man past the kind gesture. Allowing him to ignore the possibilities. It left the worst taste in his mouth and a strain on his chest, but there was no fighting it.

Naruto stood stunned as Kakashi marched towards Guy and Lee.

"We have proven ourselves strong and capable, yet they still treat us like less then."

She broke him out of his stupor.

"You'll never need them when you have us, our lord. Honestly, utter scum. . ."

And then another.

"It's who they are. Their species. . . its inferiority causes them to behave as such. To underestimate what's in front of them. . . To envy what they can't achieve. . ."

A third appeared, speaking as much sense as her sisters.

"We'll purge ourselves of whatever they're infected with, not for the sake of power, but prosperity!"

They hovered around Naruto with only delight on their faces. The ire Kakashi had stirred up was replaced with pity. The twinge of inadequacy the prince felt, washed away by their words of encouragement.

He had his people. All this reminded Naruto was that he was to stick with them, always and forever. Without delay, he made his way to them.

A gallery of eyes plastered on his stride.

"This news won't sit well with our leader."

"Good thing you'll have the pleasure of telling him."

Sai was quick to pass the responsibility to his teammate with that creepy smile of his. As if it mattered to Namekuji.

"Naruto. . . Uzumaki. . ."

The name came out like a growl from Gaara. Curious, Temari looked over to an unfamiliar sight.

"Gaara. You. . . You're bleeding. . ."

It had to be a mistake. The very thought of a wounded Gaara was laughable, for it never happened. Baki and Kankuro turned to see what Temari had confused for an injury.

Yet, there it was. Sitting in the boy's palm was a small gash allowing a slow stream to build.

A sizzle did away with the cut, but the strained grumbles continued. Over and over, Gaara cursed one name.

Watching silently as the source of his rage met his crew. Greeted by a familiar fist bump, clasped hands combo.

"I expected no less, Naruto-sama."

And a very close encounter with the witch.

"It was truly inspiring, my lord!"

"Thank you both. It means more than you know to hear you say that. . ."

"Is something bothering you, Naruto-sama?"

Naruto knew better. Hinata was hypervigilant of him. The smallest change to his demeanor would be enough for concern.

"No. No. I've grown tired of all this. . . I wish to go home."

A calm smile did away with her worries. Knight and witch shared a look, for they understood the King's words.

"We couldn't agree more."

The repair crew blew in like a wind once more, but came to a harsh halt once they witnessed the sorry state of the ring.

"ANKO! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED IN HERE!?"

The captain nearly had a conniption. Unfortunately for him, Anko was in no mood. A heated rush caused her to bare her fangs far more than necessary.

"SCREW YOU! AFTER EVERYTHING I WENT THROUGH YOU BASTARDS HAVE THE NERVE TO COME FOR ME LIKE I'M IN THIS STUPID TEST! SHUT THE FUCK UP AND DO YOUR FUCKING JOBS YOU DAMNED IMBICLES!"

The crew shrank, scurrying away to repair the room while all others returned to where they must. About to start, Naruto interrupted the crew by calling out to them.

"This'll be too slow. Please show us the jutsu needed and we'll take care of the repairs."

The young lord's impatience came through clear as day.

"Who the hell does this kid think he is?"

"He's the one who did all this, hole included."

The captain scanned the room receiving looks of confirmation all around. And with the annoyed expression on the intense teen's face, the captain felt compelled to concede.

"I'll only show it to you once. . ."

"Of course you will."

The remaining students looked towards their sensei in intrigue. Naruto and his band of freaks were bound to get worse if not put in check, yet the instructors simply watched quietly as the trio made their way back to the ground.

The looks their sensei carried weren't lost on them.

Neji knew Guy to be goofy for the most part. Shino observed a caring yet callous instructor in Kurenai. Asuma was a cool combat uncle in the eyes of his team.

The looks did away with those thoughts. Now, they saw only soldiers awaiting an unknown enemy.

The captain raced through a set of five or six seals, much to the annoyance of the three. The king flashed a glance, receiving a nod from Sasuke and a bratty smirk from Hinata.

"We'll fix this in an instant. All I ask is a small recess to change."

Anko quickly agreed, awaiting another astonishing display.

"Earth Style: Reconstruction."

One snake sign was all it took. From the three erupted a sea of embers covering the entire room in an array of colors.

As advertised, the repairs were swift. The rubble and debris broke down; melting and merging back into the structure. Indentations became flat once more. Even the demolished arena floor came to be under them once more.

What else could've been expected.

"This is. . ."

Almost fumbling over one another, the crew inspected the work done. It was better than anything they had done, or could ever hope to do.

"Yes, yes. 'No way they could do it'. . . I'm going to change now."

The king's dismissive tone carried him and company out of the stadium room swiftly. The whispers wormed their way to the surface just as fast.

"Sensei. . ."

Kakashi turned to his student, not quite able to gauge her feelings off her expression. He could only guess Sakura feared what they might do next.

"Sakura. . . There's no need to worry. After everything, we've got support. Now, a proper meeting can be held about handling those three."

Kakashi pointed her attention towards his fellow instructors. Each turning their gaze to meet the pair. Each signaling their newly formed alliance.

As reassuring as that fact was, it wasn't the matter on Sakura's mind.

"What did they mean. . . ?"

The fusion of fear and confusion affected the girl from her expression on her face to the affliction of her voice. Kakashi could only turn his concern into a question.

"About what?"

"They said Naruto went through a transformation. . . He's awake now. . . What does that mean?"

Konoha Academy Classroom

The evening sun pierced through, casting long shadows around the room. The slanting rays of the setting sun painted an orange tapestry across the sky.

"That's why you held back in the first half?"

Sasuke stood arms crossed, interrogating his liege. Naruto lounged in the teacher's seat, having already changed.

Hinata worked on his rejuvenation with one of their medical ninjutsu. Her hands enveloped in a golden flame that sparkled gently.

"It was necessary. . . I can't explain it properly. My very soul is guiding me. Instructing me on how to evolve. . . To ascend. To separate ourselves from the scum of this world."

"And the second half?"

"A chance for testing. . . Besides, my body's still getting used to everything. I gave as much as I could muster in that second half."

Naruto did his best too, but couldn't ignore his knight's piercing and pensive stare.

"Don't give me that look! I understand your message loud and clear. . . I'm not in the business of playing with my food anymore. Lee is evidence that there's plenty of potential threats in the world. We have a tremendous amount of work to do before we start hunting on the grand stage and as you king, I shouldn't take anything lightly."

That's what Sasuke wanted to hear.

"We'll purge ourselves of everything that would make us like them. . . That keeps us like them. . . We'll become a new species if we have to. . . And devour everything!"

"That sounds perfect."

"Anything you desire, Naruto-sama."

Sincerity.

Devotion.

They were of him and he was of them. They grew stronger by belief. Their aura grew with their confidence. Knowing as their emperor evolved, so must they.

So will they.

"So. . . Are the changes to your eyes permanent?"

Sasuke's next question garnered a blank stare that boggled him. It went on for some time before his lord cocked his head in confusion to ask.

"What changes?"

Hinata had to laugh at Sasuke's deadpan expression.

Naruto fished around the 'wonder pocket', pulling out a small hand mirror. In the reflection were the eyes of his dreams.

"Ohhhhhhhh! This is marvelous! Now we all have special eyes!"

The same eyes his doppelganger possessed, albeit an alternate hue.

"Have you noticed anything different with your vision, my lord?"

"Everything feels 'clearer' in general, as if all my senses were taken to another level. I see much more vividly. Everything sounds crystal clear. I can feel the slightest shifts in the air."

"Your chakra network seems to have changed as well. It is enlarged down to the tenketsu points. Your chakra resembles stellar streams. . . These developments are truly something!"

Hinata stared into the depths of Naruto's power; losing herself in the abyss for a moment.

Sasuke saw other small changes. A miniscule bump in height, a muscular retoneing.

"Strange. . . I don't sense any of Mistress Kurama's chakra."

The observation from the knight was enough to pull Hinata out of the trance.

"I had to purge my systems for the plan. One sec."

Naruto reached within, pulling that all too familiar power to the surface. However, instead of the enveloping warmth he was used to, the king was greeted with an unsavory reaction.

"Something's wrong. . . I'm not feeling so. . ."

Violent waves of nausea swallowed all his senses whole.

Hinata's worried face was all he could make out before the dark took over.

"Naruto-sama!"

Her call, the last sound before the silence.

Naruto's Inner Domain

"Scorch Style: End orbs."

It was the unbearable heat that awoke him to the fantastical scene.

Scarlet braids basked in the light of several miniature suns orbiting the vixen. The glow of the azure spacescape bathed the throne room. Its ivory haired guardian floated above, showered by the shimmering shine.

With a flick of her wrist, an array of obsidian tendrils tore into existence. They morphed into the weathered nodachi her lord had made a couple of days prior, now resting in the hands of the foreigner.

"It's pointless. Do as we ordered or face the consequences."

Though they were some distance apart, Kurama felt the wickedness of that blade. To think that her little Naruto could create something so sinister nearly brought a tear to her eye.

Unfortunately, the feeling of pride was superseded by unyielding rage for having Nikushimi pointed at her.

"Cheeky brat! You're about to face the consequences for attacking me!"

"We were hoping you'd say that."

A blank expression met an enraged snarl. The time for talking was clearly over.

A wave sent solar spheres shooting from the Vixen's sides while the maiden in black rocketed forth. The orbs closed the gap quickly, entrapping the girl in a game of cat and mouse with several fiery felines.

She maneuvered through the space with the utmost grace.

Flips and spins allowed her to bypass her pursuers at every turn. No matter how fast the suns flew, the girl flew a fraction faster. Reacted a sliver sooner.

She gave the orbs the slip, being able to get within arm's reach of Kurama; blade poised for a true thrust. With a snap of her claws, Kurama conjured more spheres between the two, forcing the girl to hastily retreat.

The spheres pursued with new blood and burning passion, threatening to singe the skirt of the girl's dress. She zigzagged every which way, but they were closing in.

"Troublesome. . ."

The maiden came to a halt high in the sky with the orbs only a moment away from striking. Kurama watched as Nikushimi bled an aura blacker than black, resembling the void that laid over the world at night.

The incinerating spheres were right on the girl, glowing more intensely before they collided. With full intention of taking on the scorching assault, the maiden began her blade dance. The nodachi acted as a palette knife; the stain wafting off its edge.

The tapestry was exquisite.

Fanciful slashes flashed out in excess scarring the space with interstellar wounds. The suns were decimated by the void-like streaks.

They began to erupt as they were broken apart, but the scars siphoned the flames before they could prove deadly; like black holes devouring dying suns.

"Hey. . ."

The waves of weakness continued washing over Naruto as he watched from the side. He sat there, unable to raise his voice much less intervene.

With a brandish of her blade, the maiden dismissed the scars. Only seconds after, Kurama unleashed her next attack.

"Heat Stream!"

From her palm burst forth a searing stream of near white flames. The girl shifted her grip to the severed chain on Nikushimi's hilt. With a jerk the blade became a revolving defender, taking on the searing blast.

"We must fortify his majesty's arsenal. For us not to provide him with a proper shield is criminal."

The heat was of no concern, being repelled to the propeller blade with ease.

Kurama was only a second from turning up the heat before her senses blared. She dodged an invisible attack to the side with heated haste.

The vixen looked towards her attack to find several shimmering portals had spawned around her; each spewing out their own Void Talon.

Clawed chains fired off one by one with a sickening screech. Before Kurama knew it, they were upon her.

"Slow."

The air in front of Kurama distorted to a grainy visibility. Once the talons came within range, they slowed to an almost near halt.

"Stand down. I'd hate to break one of my lord's toys, regardless of how rude said toy is."

Portals spawn; one on each of Kurama's sides.

Heated heels propelled the vixen upward avoiding being crushed by the claws. It was poor timing that their friends had broken free from Kurama's technique.

Two talons ripped right through her midsection, only for Kurama to fade into prismatic embers. The maiden spotted tails waving in the corner of her eye and sent more of her minions to attack, yet it turned out to be another illusion.

"You're a thousand years too young to take me on."

Another Kurama suddenly appeared, taking to a blazing stride up the length of a chain; her claws alight with a wrathful heat.

Portals flanked her from all sides, skewering Kurama with a new set of claws. Alas, it was another illusion.

"You're the one on the defensive fox. And soon, you'll bend the knee."

An intense increase in temperature alerted the maiden to the danger behind her. However, she gave no mind to the fox and her attack. She made her blade bleed once more, ingraining a scar in space with a full circle slash.

The vixen's entire body began to glow as her claw did. She collided into the scar and began to burst, until the scar siphoned the flames into its void. Once there was nothing left the scar vanished.

"Both of you. . ."

The two were too hellbent on destroying each other to notice the boy huddled in pain only a ways away. If he didn't intervene soon, Naruto feared the worst.

"Whatever you are, you got the king's skills. But you also have the boy's arrogance."

Kurama faded into view as if some invisible shroud was pulled from her.

"Arrogance is for the weak. This is superiority."

For the first time since their introduction the maiden's facial expression changed. It matched perfectly with the starved look she had seen her King wear far too many times before.

"Like the boy it seems you'll only listen after I've taught you some humility."

Kurama extended her claw, pointing at the childish entity.

Dark bubbles and transparent orbs began popping into existence by the dozens to gather at her nail's point. They swirled into a dark revolving mass of power no bigger than the eye. Despite its small size, the crushing force exuding from the orb threatened the throne room's integrity.

"We need no lesson from a vassal."

The maiden responded with a wave of her hand to do away with all previous portals she had summoned. A new, much larger gate opened to spew out an untold amount of chains. Grated grinding snuffed out all over sounds as obsidian links weaved into place.

In a moment, Kurama found herself glaring down the barrel of a cannon. Massive in size while sharing its component's finish, albeit for a gold-black-gold patterned reinforcement band a little ways down from the muzzle.

Sudden screeching signaled the charging sequence as the bore filled with a brilliant blue.

They were only seconds away from blowing each other to smithereens. Naruto struggled to conjure his chains or focus his chakra only to have an overwhelming sickness taking over.

"This is ridiculous! I won't be left helpless in my own mind."

He continued to pull on his power despite the worsening sensation surging through him. His desire sparked a reaction as he could feel the power he pulled upon at the end of his fight. The king's eye caught the Astro-globe floating in the center winding its gears. Its shine grew brighter while its hue shifted from azure to maroon.

Naruto felt a cleansing strength slowly funnel into his system; enough to get him back on his feet.

"Now learn your place!"

But not fast enough to intervene.

Kurama fired a gargantuan golden wave from her index claw. The obsidian cannon launched a spiraling beam screaming its way down the collision path.

"STOP!"

There it was!

The power capable of impossibilities clawing its way to the surface; coating its conjuror in a crimson cowl.

A sonic shout sounded off as Naruto rocketed himself in between the devastating blasts.

"Naruto-sama!"

"Our Lord!"

The women were now the ones unable to intervene. All Kurama and the girl could muster was cries towards their king.

The boy was far too engrossed in the almighty to hear their calls. Naruto's thoughts had gone from having to stop the destruction of his inner domain to solely facing the deadly challenge closing in on both sides.

"Okaa-san, I'll have to borrow another one of your techniques."

His mind, body and soul finally felt fully synced. All the feats he couldn't quite get the hang of previously, felt as if they were second nature now.

The devastating blasts barreled close, only seconds away from eradicating the young lord. In that small sliver of time, Naruto focused all his power into his palms.

"Tiamat's Applause."

The king clapped, sending scarlet sparks shooting off in all directions from his hand while a shockwave reverberated throughout the throne room.

But the attacks vanished without a trace.

Not a sound or a shred of evidence they existed.

"HAHAHAHA! I DID IT OKAA-SAN! I. . . BBBLLLAAARRRGGGHHH!"

The boy's mini-celebration in the air was cut short by the most violent bout of sickness yet. To make matters worse, the ground was closing in fast.

The maiden mimicked the king's speed, catching him before the crash and landing beside Kurama.

"Naruto! What the-!?"

"BBBLLLAAARRRGGGHHH!"

He had to push off his savior to rush and vomit a bit down wind.

"What the hell's wrong with you!?"

"That's what I want to know. . . What the hell are you two fighting for!?"

With the illness -+subsiding for the moment, Naruto was eager to get to the bottom of all this.

"Ask your troublesome friend. . . While I was looking around this place she came out of nowhere and attacked me!"

The king looked towards the entity, expecting some grand reasoning for such a rash act. Instead, her gaze fell on the vixen. She received an almost emotionless stare; delivering a simple sentence.

"You were harming our lord."

"That's not possible. . . Kurama-san would be the last person to hurt me."

Of course the boy would defend her with haste! Naruto couldn't see an existence where he and Kurama weren't as thick as thieves.

"Her chakra is what's causing your sickness."

The maiden's attention shifted to her lord, as did her expression. When addressing him she looked far more maternal.

"You must be defective! The boy's been feeding on my chakra from nearly his birth."

The girl paid no attention to Kurama's ranting.

"At one time it was a source of power and nourishment, but you've changed. You've come into your true nature, or at least your chakra has."

"What are you talking about?"

Despite her affectionate approach, the lord was clearly becoming perturbed. It was time to answer his questions sufficiently.

"Through the lessons of Mother Tiamat you've grown more in tune with the intricacies of chakra. You've learned of the variations of chakra, purity and density, elemental affinities, to feel and interface with all those aspects. From the fox, you've learned that chakra has polarities: positive and negative."

Naruto noticed the oddities in the girl's explanation. Why'd she refer to Tiamat as mother, but referred to Kurama in a more unsavory manner? And why'd she undersell all Kurama had taught him?

"Unbeknownst to most, there's another aspect to chakra. The part of it that reflects the owner the most; your chakra's characteristics or traits. A defining behavior that your power takes on. For example, the witch possesses a tranquil chakra characteristic, granting her exceptional control and precision while passively keeping her emotions in check. Your knight, on the other hand possesses a proliferation trait meaning his power can grow and multiply rapidly when desired."

First, it was the promise of a world all his own. Then, a power able to connect to the world and beyond.

Now, another aspect for him to explore. Another challenge for him to dominate.

"That still doesn't explain what's going on with him."

Her king might have been enraptured by this new development, but Kurama's wouldn't be swayed until her inquiries were answered.

"My king, for years you've possessed a harmonious trait. Your chakra more or less keeps a state of balance throughout your entire being, even with the introduction of a second power source. But that wasn't its true nature, hence why you always felt so off."

How ironic that the power meant to keep him in equilibrium would be the cause of him feeling so out of sync. That only begged the question, what changed to make him feel whole?

"Your chakra's true trait is one of evolution. . . The characteristic of an apex. . . To devour all around you and make it your own. Your chakra's the embodiment of gluttony."

To devour felt so right. Regardless of what it is, to face it and to completely dominate felt as if it were Naruto's soul purpose. His chakra knew just as well as he. From the start he was meant to conquer.

"Now that your trait has changed, your chakra's having a negative reaction to the fox's destructive chakra. With the constant production of such volatile energy, yours can't assimilate fast enough."

"Meaning every time I try to pull it, I'll feel as I did earlier. . ."

It was quite the bittersweet pill to swallow. A power gained, yet a power potentially lost.

"Fret not. . . Once you and yours fully understand their traits it will only further you from the scum of this world. You'll grow stronger than anything before."

Kurama's curiosity had peaked.

"You said my trait was destructive. . . How can you tell what someone's trait is?"

"Their chakra's behavior. For example, your chakra is corrosive. Every particle of your power attacks and exterminates whatever its set out to . .You've gone to great lengths to control the innate wrath that stirs around inside you, but destruction and devastation are your nature."

She was right.

There was never a question on whether Kurama could erase something within existence, simply whether she cared enough to do so.

"I've never come across anything like you in all my years! What are you? How do you know all this?"

Still, it was frustrating to be analyzed so accurately.

"We are our lord's desires and ambitions giving form. One created years ago in his solitude. . . He desired a friend who would never shun him. Who would do all in their power to make him smile as he would for them. . . One who was prettier than that 'wicked Sakura'."

The headache was almost worth it for Kurama once she saw Naruto's cheeks spark up like a firework. Turns out he wasn't done being her boy just yet.

"That's also why he erected this perfect palace. A domain fit for a dominator. None could enter without your permission and none could deny you entry as you've been far too many times before."

The memories projected as clear as day as a younger monarch spent his insolation locked in his imagination; his one true escape.

"As for how we know what we know; it's because it is etched within our creator's soul, therefore it is privy to us. . ."

Kurama felt inclined to believe the maiden. As aggravating as she'd been, the vixen's instincts were allowing for trust.

"Now that we've grown strong enough, we can guide you to your rebirth! And then you'll call for us. . ."

Though Kurama would be cautious. This mysterious entity had to have some type of emotional disorder to go from stone cold to overzealous in the blink of an eye.

"Why don't you just tell me your name?"

"You know our name. . . It's only a matter of time before you speak it fully. You see, we've sealed the memory of our coronation from you. As you get closer to your true power, so too will you be able to speak our true name."

"You're insinuating that I'm not using my true power?"

Intrigue and aggravation fought for dominance in the young lad's mind. Naruto wasn't a fan of all of this being kept from him, but the excitement wormed its way too deep too quickly to stave off.

"That's correct. As your chakra's true nature was sealed away, so too is your true power. King's Guard is not your hatsu. More, a fraction of it."

"Now this is ridiculous! I trained the boy to develop his hatsu-"

A pale hand flew in front of the vixen's face, interrupting her mid-sentence.

"No. You helped him gain control of only a fraction of his hatsu's power. The chains conjured are merely a form for the power to take. A form found deep within your DNA, likely from your parentage."

Kurama turned to her king, expecting a swift reprimanding from the boy to his ill-mannered conjuring. When he only stared back at the fair-skinned girl, she felt it necessary to nudge it along.

"Don't you have anything to say!?"

Though the nudge came out a bit more forceful than intended.

"My world's expanding. . ."

She had recognized that look, yet it was one brand new to her. The psychotic glint that shone through in the past now was now a piercing gleam at the edge of his sharpened pupil.

Nothing else mattered beside the possibilities.

"As we have promised my lord."

And it filled her with a twinge of fear to see that look mirrored in that girl's eyes.

"My Hatsu's true form, what is it!? Does it have anything to do with what you made Nikushimi do!?"

The young lord was the overzealous one this time around.

"To devour and assimilate, providing you with all you'll ever need. And yes, Nikushimi was made specifically to 'swallow all who would oppose you and yours'. When you call upon its true ability, it can do just that."

"Whatever any of that means. . ."

Believing her was one thing. Understanding half of it was proving to be a whole other task for Kurama.

"It makes sense to our lord. Besides, everything will make sense after the rebirth."

"What's this rebirth you keep going on about!? Are you insinuating he dies?"

"He will undergo an atavism. . . Something within his DNA has lay dormant, slowly waking as he's grown stronger. Now that he's reached the necessary strength, it will be a complete rewrite of his molecular makeup. Our king will become something more fit for conquering. Although. . . we have to get you both separated. If the rejection is this intense, one of you could die after the change."

This was a concerning bit of news.

"That would require me getting rid of the seal, but I'm nowhere near finished deciphering the seal father made. . ."

"That won't be much of a concern. . . Your father created the seal to weaken over time as the fox's chakra bleeds out. With your new power we should be able to do away with it one way or another."

"Still easier said than done. . . The only other way would be the key matrix which I suspect to be in Jiraiya's care."

Seeing the frustration on her lord's face, the maiden hovered over to his side. Pale hands made contact with flushed whiskers as a stunning smile delivered her words.

"You'll find your answer at the edge of Paradox, dear lord."

"*Sigh* The cryptic answers won't end until this 'rebirth', will they?"

A simple shake of her ivory Locs was reserved like an inside joke, causing a round of rambunctious snickering between the king and his new consultant.

"Take this seriously!"

Kurama delivered a sharp blow to the noggin, in hopes it would get the boy's priorities straight. Instead it resulted in a decent lump and a displeased chain charmer, calling her portals to the ready in retaliation.

Naruto was quick to defuse the situation.

"I get it. . . It's frustrating, but our plan was always to separate so we could take this world side by side. All this means is our timeline has been moved up. Plus, you've got to be sick of being trapped in my mind."

True as that might be, the boy was being too nonchalant for Kurama's taste.

"Fine. . . I'll believe in you as I have. You haven't disappointed me yet. . . . But no more playing around. If your power is leading you to this 'atavism', might as well see it through."

Worried as she was, Kurama recognized the potential. The Naruto before her, at least in terms of strength, was a different creature now.

"GET YOUR ASSES BACK IN HERE! WE'VE GOT FIGHTS TO FINISH!"

Out of nowhere, Anko's shouts blared loud and clear in the king's chambers.

"Our time has been cut short yet again. . . Will I have to wait for your next visit?"

"You needn't worry. We will be here for you whenever you would like. I'll also make sure the fox's chakra doesn't taint your system."

"You little-!"

The king intervened once more before the worst took place.

"Thank you. . . What do I call you since you're hiding your name from me?"

"Anything you wish."

The young lord pondered for a moment. This girl had bestowed him with present after present upon her arrival and he felt her name should reflect that.

"Hmmm. . . I'll call you Okuri for now."

The maiden's face gained a gentle glow and an elated grin, clearly conveying her feelings about her new name.

"A gift of a name, even if temporary. Thank you so very much, our dear lord. . . Now go, share what you must with your people. We'll start your instruction once this waste of time is dealt with."

A blink transformed the world he created to the one he inhabited.

The sickening sensations had completely subsided, but the exhilaration of all these new discoveries was fresh and rising.

"Naruto-sama!"

"Everything in order?"

They stared at him down, cautiously awaiting his response.

"Better! Much Much BETTER! There's still so much we don't know! Did you know our chakra has characteristics!?"

The two watched, fearing their king had succumbed to a sudden bout of madness.

"I know I sound crazy, but it's true! Come. I'll explain everything on the way!"

Naruto frantically exited the room, clearly too enraptured in his own thoughts for anything else. Still, that smile he held; filled with more joy and excitement then one would think possible.

"Chakra has character now? Our lord certainly keeps us entertained!"

"That he does. . ."

That damned smirk was getting more infectious by the day. The lad felt keeping his stoic demeanor in check was about to be an arduous task in the coming future.

Sasuke followed after Naruto and Hinata, shutting the door on their evening intermission.

Chapter Sixteen End

Author's Notes: Hello everyone thanks for reading the 16th Chapter of Naruto: Paradox!

I know it's been a wait and I'm so sorry for that. I'll do my best to try and get updates out more frequently.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter cause I loved writing it, as long as it took me! Next chapter will be wrapping up the preliminaries, allowing for the traditional training arc before the juicy stuff.

Lastly, one of my last reviews mentions listening to music while reading this. I can't hope to write this story without the right music in the background and there are two songs that always make me feel that they embody the story so well. It might be weird or dorky but idk.

The un-official opening for Naruto: Paradox is Bye Bye by Ircle, while its ending is King Song by Kojoe and Mayumi.

If you enjoyed it, Please follow and or favorite the story. Please leave a review if you'd like and until next time, have a Paradoxical day!

For visuals:

The orange soldier pill given to Lee was inspired by the Senzu bean of Dragon Ball Z.

Naruto's eyes are based on Seijūrō Akashi's Emperor Eye. While the perception ability description was inspired by Kamen Rider Zero One if anyone is interested.

Lee was able to kick up a protective gale much like the one produced by the Leaf Gust used by Chen.

Kurama's Tailed beast bomb was shot as a wave much like how Bee did it against Taka.

The Cannon was inspired by the Sanzu Death Cannons of Death the Kid in Soul Eater with a different color scheme.

Nikushimi's void-like aura is inspired by the Meidō Zangetsuha, used in the Inuyasha: Final Act anime by both Sesshōmaru and Inuyasha. While the 'scarring' effect comes from Ayase Ayatsuji's Mark of the Wind, used in Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan.

Chakra characteristics or traits are something I've wanted to introduce to my story for a while now. It's based on the concept of dying will flame characteristics found in Hitman Reborn and thus I've incorporated some of their characteristics as well. While I will include some of the same traits, they will differ from how their origins work.

Spring Sparrows is inspired by Rankyaku Gaicho used by Rob Lucci of One Piece.

Scorch Style:

End Orbs- Inspired by Scorch Style: Super Steam Kill used by Pakura and Cruel Sun Used by Escanor of Seven Deadly Sins.

Heat Stream- Similar to blast fired from the X- Gloves of Tsuna from Hitman Reborn.

Slow- Inspired by the Time tricks used in Air Gear.

Heat Clones- Inspired by the Flame clones trick of Kazuma Mikura OF Air Gear and Fake Rainbow of Demon Slayer.

Achromatic Air- (A veil of incredible heat with light bending potential.) Inspired by the Beelzebub flame of Rei Ogami of Code: Breaker.

Deviant Blade Arts and their inspirations:

Secret Art: Ghost Gale- Kyotouryuu Ultimate Move; though in the series no visuals were ever given to this move, simply the description I built off.

First Set: Cloudburst- A finishing combo performed by executing a set of moves in rapid succession. Inspired by Ultimate Secret Technique: Shichika Hachiretsu used by Shichika Yasuri of Katanagatari.

Abyssal Arts and their inspirations:

Typhoon- Inspired by God of the Wind: AT Typhoon, used by Itsuki Minami of air gear. Naruto can perform a weaker version of this technique, without the initial spin as seen in this chapter. The wind effect is inspired by Wamuu of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency. You can use other visual inspirations such as Howzer of Seven Deadly Sins of Wendy of Fairy Tail.

Meteor- Inspired by Big Bang Impact used by Uvogin in HunterXHunter.

What is currently referred to as 'Experiment two' was inspired by two sources. The flight abilities of Tsunayohsi Sawada of Hitman Reborn. Specifically, the fight with Hibari from ep. 87 of the anime, once he inherits the upgraded version of his gloves. The other source is the Super Extra Velocity trick used by Itsuki Minami.

Deep Zone- This is a combination of the Zone from Kuroko no Basket and the Ryūsui Seikūken used by Kenichi Shirahama of Kenichi: History's strongest disciple.

Abyss Step: Rain- Inspired by the Phantom Steps: Scatter(Hwan) used in the Manhwa, The Breaker.

Hail- Inspired by the Blood Demon Art: Disorder, used by Akaza of Demon Slayer.

Limited Lotus- Another fusion of multiple inspirations. The flare kick initiating the technique is inspired by the Fading Kick used by Mihu in God of Highschool; followed by the Gray Ascension and then the Heavenly Tiger Strike. The wind cylinder effect is inspired by Itsuki Minami's Limited Express, hence the name. The final kick is inspired by the titular Rider Kick of the Kamen Rider series.

Paradox Edition: Legion Leviathans- A fusion of Breath of Dragonics Eighty Heads used by Sora Takeuchi of Air Gear and Leaf Dragon God used by Chen, but the dragon heads can be however you'd like.

Tiamat's Applause- Inspired by White Applause used by Byakuran of Hitman Reborn.