August 14, 1898
Somewhere in the state of New Hanover
United States of America

The ride to Valentine was beginning to feel like a long one, Naruto slowed down for a second as he took out the map he found in one of the chests back at Mrs. LeClerk's camp. Unfolding the map he scanned it.

'Okay, so I'm somewhere here...and Valentine is here...so I just need to follow this road till I find the train railway and follow it to town.' Naruto folded the map as he took the reins of his horse. "Simple enough. Come on Cole, let's get to Valentine."

Following the road Naruto and Cole passed some bystanders "Good day, partner." Naruto greeted the caucasian man wearing a suit. "Howdy friend." the man replied as they passed each other. "Good day." Naruto told another man who passed by. "Good day to you to, friend." the man replied.

Continuing to follow the path Cole trudged along.

"Dammit to hell!"

Cole neighed at the shouting voice "I also don't know what that was." Naruto slowed down as he looked around. Just then his eyes landed on two men holding hammers trying to open a safe.

"You even know how to use that damn thing?" Man One asked as Man Two broke the back of his hammer "Shit!" he shouted in frustration.

"What are you two doing?" the two man looked up to see Naruto walking towards them. He had left Cole on the road since he didn't want him to get shot if a very nasty situation were to take place. "Hey, this here's a private financial matter, so why don't you keep right along?" Man Two warned.

"If this was a financial matter you would have a key instead of that broken hammer." Naruto stated "You had you're chance let's shoot this idiot Willy!" Man One shouted as he was about to take out his gun but Naruto aimed his Cattleman Revolver at him. "Ah, ah, ah. Now let's not get this encounter out of hand, raise your hands to the sky!"

Both men raised their hands as the one with the hammer let it go which made it land on his foot. "Son of a bitch!" Man One shouted in pain as he collapsed to the ground. "Edgar! You alright!"

"Willy you sack of shit do I look alright?!" Edgar grunted in pain

"No."

"Well then stop asking dumb questions."

"Hey!" Naruto caught the two's attention "You two get outta here." Naruto told the two "Like hell we are this here safe is ours!" Willy complained.

"Okay how about I take you two back to Valentine, I'm sure the General Store's owner would want that safe of his." Naruto stated since on the left side of the safe there was a logo that read 'Charlie's Valentine General Store'.

"Like hell you will." Willy went for his gun but with quick reflexes Naruto hit him with a strike to the jaw as a small crack was heard. Tumbling to the ground, Willy groaned in pain. "Aaah!" he shouted out.

"What did you do Willy?!"

"I broke his jaw. I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that but your friend was about to shoot me with no reason I was simply defending myself." Naruto told Edgar who watched the Uzumaki pick up the safe with ease as he put it on the back of the small wagon they came with. "What in the hell?!" Edgar shouted as Naruto climbed on the back of the wagon. "Good bye, gentlemen and I hope you both get well soon."

Naruto took the reins of the wagon. "Ha!" he chanted as the horse pulled the wagon. "Come on Cole. Let's get to Valentine."

Neighing and following Naruto, the two beaten up thiefs just watched as the blond left. "Willy just who in the hell was that?" Edgar questioned as he stood up limping on one foot. "I don't know Edgar...I don't know."

Naruto turned left on the crossroads with the wagon as Cole trotted beside the wagon. Eventually they found the railway which they followed all the way back to Valentine. The wagon pulled to a stop at the front of the Valentine Station/Post Office (the railway is behind the Station). "Morning fellers." Naruto greeted two men who were chillin against the railings of the station. "Howdy, partner." both men said as the blond got off the wagon.

"Say ain't that Charlie's safe?" one of the men asked the other who realised it was actually. "Hey! What are you doing with Charlie's safe?"

Naruto decided to calm down the situation. "Now, now fellers before you think I stole it, I didn't. As I was coming to town I bumped into two thieves that had taken this here safe. I was able to retrieve it and now I plan to giving it back to Charlie."

"Oh, well in that case I'll go call him from his shop, he's been worried sick about that safe. He's visited the sheriff's office too many times I tell you." one of the man said "Sure go call him. I'm gonna go into the Post Office real quick."

The man nodded as he went to get Charlie, Naruto hitched Cole at a hitching post as he strolled into the Station. Approaching the train station clerk's service window he was surprised to see the clerk from Blackwater.

"You must uh..." the man recognized Naruto "No way?! It's you how you doing friend?"

"Alive, I guess what are you doing here?"

"Me and my colleagues are rotated from station to station." he replied "Well I heard that you got sent to prison. I'll tell you I tried to tell the marshal that you were with me when the shooting happened but he just cut me off."

"It's alright I'm out now."

"Well yeah but you aren't free." the clerk took out a piece of paper from under his desk. "You're wanted in every state, this side of the Mississippi." Naruto saw his wanted poster.

WANTED!
Naruto Uzumaki
Crime: Murder and Escaped from Captivity
Bounty: $500
Description: A mid 20s, Caucasian, blond hair , blue eyes and very white teeth (must have a very good dental plan)

"Ah crap." he muttered under his breath "Wait why do they think I'm Caucasian?"

"Must be because you don't look Japanese at all." the man stated "I'm not going to lie I just got out a couple hours back and already there's a wanted poster for me. You guys work fast."

"Printing press makes it faster but anyway I should warn you to keep a look out for trouble. As for now I was able to dispose all the posters that they wanted to be pasted all over Valentine."

"Thanks, umm."

"Alden. Alden Carruthers." Naruto shook Alden's hand "Naruto Uzumaki." the blond replied as he let go off the clerk's hand.

"Anyway..." he looked around for any unwanted listeners "You must be, uh, Horley's friend."

"I am."

"Well he's one of us. He said you also were a discouraged man. I'm very discouraged. Disappointed Alden, that's me. I'm so disappointed at William McKinley and his governing body. Well anyway enough talk about Mr. President, I heard you might wanna earn a little money. Well some gentlemen have been robbing our stages and they are not part of the club if you catch my meaning." Naruto nodded in understanding what Alden was talking about.

"If you can make 'em go away I'm sure they will have something of interest to you. They're up in Cumberland Forest. See what you can do, okay?"

"Sure see you around Alden." Naruto was about to leave "Wait Naruto, here by the way." Alden took out a thick book from a box as he placed it on the counter. "A catalogue. The latest issue." Naruto picked up the Wheeler, Rawson and Co. blue book.

"Just came into this armpit of a land from a land more civilized."

"Where's that?"

"San Francisco." Naruto held the book in his left hand as he currently didn't have a satchel. "And if all works out, well my colleagues as I told you move around these stations as needed and all of us are very discouraged. We will all help a fellow sufferer with pertinent information. Good afternoon sir." he said the last sentence very loud that way those listening thought Naruto had bought a train ticket or something.

Leaving the Station, Naruto walked outside to see the man from earlier returning with who he thought was the General Store owner. "There he is Charlie the guy that took you're safe." the man said as Naruto put the catalogue into his saddle bag, he then hopped onto his saddle, taking out his map he looked for Cumberland Forest.

"'Scuse me sir." Charlie called out as he approached Naruto "Yes?"

"Hi sir. I just wanna say thank you for getting my safe back, thank you a bunch, bunch, bunch." Charlie got onto the wagon as he took the reins. "Please if you're ever in town come by the shop."

"Sure." Naruto replied as he folded the map and placed it back into his saddle bag Cole began trotting away from the station and towards Cumberland Forest.

The ride was pretty uneventful and the sun was looking like it was going to set soon. 'I need to get a watch.' he thought as Cole galloped till they reached Cumberland Forest. Checking the area Naruto began searching for the stage coach robbers hideout.

Using one hand to steer Cole he went up and down the area till his eyes landed on the hideout. 'Found you.' Naruto thought as Cole trotted for awhile stopping at a safe distance from the enemy camp.

Getting of his horse Naruto took his Carbine Repeater as he crouched down, hanging the firearm from his shoulder he approached the area slowly. When he used a tree as cover he caught hold of his Repeater as he aimed for one of the robbers head.

*Bang!*

"What in the hell!" one of the robbers shouted as Naruto came out guns blazing. Reloading and shooting those who weren't in cover, "Shoot that son of a bitch!" one of the robbers shouted as the remaining robbers began shooting at the tree the blond was taking cover at. 'Crap.'

Naruto thought as he waited for that second were they all had to reload which did appear. Getting out of cover, the robbers decided to run up to Naruto trying to overrun him but that was a bad idea. Taking them down one by one as they came at him running.

One was firing at him from the other side of the camp and Naruto just aimed a bit over his head. Shooting the bullet went straight into the man's forehead as his brains burst out of his skull. When that last man fell there was silence in the camp.

Searching the corpses of the robbers Naruto only found x14 revolver regular cartridges and $1.29 in cents. As he went to search a body that was next to a tent he could hear heavy breathing coming from the tent. Taking out his Cattleman he pointed at the tent. "Who ever's in there come out!"

"Okay...okay...you're good." Out the tent came a man with his hands raised up.

"You're really good, friend. Here..." the man took out a piece of paper from his back pocket "Take this."

"What's that?"

"It's a map...just be kind...and take the map. Okay...don't kill me, please?"

Naruto thought for a second as he just holstered his revolver "Alright I'll let you go." Naruto took the map from the man. "Now skedaddle." the man did so as he ran away. Analyzing the map Naruto deduced i was a treasure map and the man was kindly enough to mark the spot.

"It's in the outskirts of Valentine." Naruto muttered as he folded the map as he placed it in his Dusty Coat's pocket.

Looting the rest of the robbers camp he got some Bitters, An apple, canned kidney beans, a bar of chocolate and by Kami's luck a silver watch. "Here Cole. I got you a treat." Naruto placed the apple in his hand as he offered it to his horse. Cole gracefully ate the apple chomping it up and swallowing it. "Now what do you say?"

Cole neighed "Good, boy." Naruto climbed onto his saddle as now he and Cole had to ride to the area marked on the treasure map.

Arriving at the marked area Naruto realised it was a rocky hill. Cole jumping from rock to rock eventually got to the top as Naruto got off the horse. Looking for a clue he found a lock box hidden between some rocks. 'Bingo.' Naruto used his hunting knife to open it. Upon the lid was open Naruto's collected a Gold Wedding Ring, a Platinum Earring, a Necklace, $3 in cash and 5 gold nuggets (100 is needed for a gold bar).

Even though the haul he got was pretty nice what caught his eye was the card that he found. It looked like a man being poured with black ink. 'Weird.' Naruto thought as at the bottom of the card the words 'Paint it black' were seen.

He just put the card in his pocket as just then it magically dissipated. 'Man I suddenly feel kinda dizzy.' Naruto thought. "Come on, Cole let's go meet this Clay Davies after that were done for the day." riding off the hill and onto the road Cole galloped towards were Clay Davies was. Checking his watch Naruto was shocked to see it was already 7:30 PM. 'Damn time sure flies.' he thought.

Eventually Naruto made it to the spot were he was supposed to meet Clay Davies. Approaching the wagon Naruto saw two men sitting near a table playing cards, stopping and getting off Cole he approached the two.

Honor Among Horse Thieves

One of men put his cards down as the other laughed under his breath with joy "I win again." the man chuckled as he noticed Naruto approaching "Did Horley send ya, pop?"

"The name's Naruto and yes he did."

The man got off his chair "I'm Clay Davies pleasure to make your acquaintance Naruto. This is my brother Clive. He don't talk much."

"So he's talks in sign language?" Naruto asked "Sign what?"

Naruto did some signs with his hands "Hello, Clive I'm Naruto." he did with his hands and much to Clay's surprise he saw Clive use his hands "Hi, I'm Clive pleasure to make you're acquaintance Naruto."

"What in the hell? What are y'all doing with your hands?"

"Were talking Naruto told Clay."

"Talking? With you're hands." he said confused as Naruto nodded "You're brother's vocal cords are probably messed up Clay. So the only he can communicate is by doing signs."

"Oh...I see. Wait hold on a minute Clive since when can you do sign language?" Clive did some signs "What's he saying?" Clay asked Naruto who translated

"Since...I met that... deaf man back...in Rhodes." Naruto finished "What?! You mean that one you always sneaked out the house to meet, everyday." Clive nodded "Well then shucks. I guess you and Naruto will get along just fine. Anyway listen, I heard you wanted to earn some money. So there's a gang of ne're-do-wells. They are a bunch of degenerates not good people. They are out on a ranch near Cumberland Falls with a bunch of horses they stole off me."

"So your saying they stole a horse thief's horses?"

"Well that's a lie, but they stole 'em off the feller I was gonna steal 'em off of. Maybe you could get 'em for me? You think you could do that for me, pop?"

"Will that seal our relationship and you stop calling me pop."

"Sure it would plus even if it didn't I'm sure Clive would run around this entire state looking for ya'. Well anyway meet me at the stable at Valentine once you have the horseflesh, and I'll pay ya good." Clive got off his chair as he packed the cards into their box.

"You mean in Valentine."

" 'In' and 'at' same thing, I didn't actually listened in school, I might have graduated but that didn't mean I had good grammar." Naruto was about to leave when Clay spoke up "Oh and pop, Horley wanted me to remind you any decent work you can find, take it." he emphasised take it. "But just try to stay outta trouble. Oh and once you get me those horses we'll talk again."

Clay climbed onto the wagon "Oh I do so enjoy these conversations, I'm used to 'em on account of my brother. Let's go Clive." the wagon pulled away.

*Loud Whistle*

Cole approached Naruto as he stopped beside the blond. Climbing onto the Tennessee Walker he rid for Cumberland Falls. The air was thick and cold as the moon wasn't in the sky tonight, Cole galloped about as Naruto had a lantern in one hand as he held the reins in the other.

Arriving to the ranch Naruto got off Cole as he held his Repeater in one hand. "Hey you turn around and leave already." one of the bandits said as Naruto just aimed his Repeater at as he shot the man clean in the head. "Holy hell!" one shouted out as Naruto went gun-hoo on the bandits. Going from cover to cover as he took them down one by one.

"Some one kill that bastard." one shouted out as they got out of cover only to be shot it the chest by Naruto. Cleaning out the camp Naruto sighed heavily 'Hew that was easy work.' he thought as he looted the place since he had the time in the world. He got $4.89 in cents and two bottles of open brandy of two bandits, going to the stables Naruto realized there were four horses in the stables, two were Tennessee Walkers, one was a Kentucky Saddler and one was a brown skinned Mustang.

"What to do? What to do?" Naruto mused as he came up with an idea. Collecting four lassos from some of the bandits corpses, he placed the lassos on the horses necks as he tied the ropes to his saddle. "Alright Cole let's move out." Cole did so as he pulled the four horses to move, just when they were leaving the ranch bandit riders were coming in and they looked angry. "Shit!" Naruto took out his Carbine out of his saddle holster.

Shooting at the incoming riders and keeping Cole on the road was a pretty hard task but Naruto just had to do it. One of the riders was busy shooting at him so far away he had to keep his head low that way he didn't get shot. When the man needed to reload he got shot by Naruto in the face.

Eventually no more riders were following him as now Naruto could smoothly deliver the horses to Clay back in Valentine.

Arriving at the stables he met up with Clay and Clive who were waiting outside the stables. "Well, well, well. Horley was right about you. Nice thinking with tying the horses to your saddle by the way."

"Thanks."

"Now ain't that dandy." Clay asked Clive who nodded "Get that horse hidden away, Clive and ready to move out as soon as we can." Opening the stables doors Clive guided the four horses in as Clay gave Naruto a bundle of cash.

"Here's some money you earned, and luckily for you. You won't have to share it as you're a one man team." Clive said as Naruto counted the money which was $30 in cash. "Now listen, Horley came by and gave me a message. He said to go see your friend Cripps, up at your camp. Now listne to me for a second, any other decent horses you find, we'll buy 'em. Just as soon as we're set up, okay?"

"Sure."

"Well nice meeting ya." Clive was about to close the door as he stopped "You know what hold on boy." Clay told Clive as he looked at Naruto "I call him boy because I'm older. Thirty minutes, he went black." Clive walked out with a what's wrong expression "Let's give Naruto a free horse."

"What?"

"It's your's now don't worry it's a sign of faith and future business if you wanna buy any extras or sundries for the horse head inside. They've got a lot available. Now which horse do you want?"

"Let me get the Mustang then."

"A wise choice, Alfred be a darling and set him up with the papers." Alfred the stable owner nodded as Naruto approached the man. Filling up the papers Naruto got Cole and his new horse a horse care package. "Don't forget about Mors Mutual's Horse Insurance?"

"Morse Mutual?" Naruto questioned the stable owner "Yeah if your horse dies or something Mors will have to replace it. But don't expect it to be the same breed."

"Alright how much?"

"It's free for now since you're a new customer but you'll have to pay $5.00 a month from now onwards. "Alright that's expensive but fair enough."

"Alright last but not least what's the name of your Mustang?" Naruto looked at the Mustang "Kage, that seems to fit him." Naruto said as the stable owner wrote it down "You are now Kage's proud caretaker. You're other horse will be left here in the stables." Alfred went to write down the information on a couple of papers. "Here are you're papers." he handed Naruto the papers "And on me a new grooming brush and some treats." Alfred chuckled as he gave Naruto the brush and treats. "Appreciate it Alfred." the man nodded.

Naruto put the brush and treats into his saddle bag as he looked at Cole "Don't look at me like that it's just business." Naruto walked out with his new horse as Cole looked deeply sad. "Ha as if I'll leave you behind come on buddy let's go." Naruto told Cole as he took his saddle off the Mustang as he put it on Cole much to the horse's delight.

Leaving the stables Naruto checked the time and well it was 4:46 AM.

'Wow I pulled an all nighter...just great.' he thought as Cole trotted out of Valentine city limits. Now in the countryside he began galloping towards the location Naruto's camp was. The camp was north of Valentine up in the wilderness, it had such a great view for the white tipped mountain tops and most of all it was in a peace and calm place.

The camp wasn't much there weren't any tents set up and crates were being used as tables. Getting off Cole he patted his head "You can go to sleep now Cole." he took the saddle off as he put it beside Cole who laid down and drifted to sleep. "Oh there you are Naruto." Cripps said as he was relaxing by the fire playing his harmonica.

Approaching the man Naruto greeted him "Hey Cripps." the man stopped playing "How'd you get on with Clay Davies? Horrible little wretch in my opinion." Cripps stated as he stood up "Pop this and pop that. I'd like to pop him, the slime bucket." Cripps chuckled "Anyway, I've got everything set up. Well uh what we have so far that is. Place is pretty nice isn't it."

"It's a start." Naruto complemented "It's good to hear you say I did a good job for you. I'll earn my keep. When you get too old to fight, what choice have you got? It's either work or beg and I'd rather work. Oh, I saw Horley. Now he wants you to come down and meet him in Blackwater when you get the chance I think he might have some work for you" the two walked around the camp.

"Oh and er while you're out on your travels you may see some folk with employment opportunities. Good folk, bad folk. Hell who knows you might find some employees for you're ventures. Anyway they might be looking for a tough guy with a gun to help 'em. Up to you if you listen to 'em I guess. You know I...I used to like that kind of stuff. One time I almost helped a clown steal an elephant." Naruto chuckled with Cripps. "But that's a very silly story."

"You should tell me it one time." Naruto offered

"We'll see. But all in all. Welcome home! Make yourself at home, it is your home." Cripps said as he sat down on his chair. Naruto went to the sheet and pillow that was put to the ground sitting down he put his hand aside. "Good night Cripps." Naruto laid down. "Good night, Naruto." Cripps replied as he continued to play his harmonica.