Uzumafia

by Nasha Rei-Kun

They'd known one another for as long as they'd been in middle school. Ryuji the energy, Ann the fun, Shiho the willing, and Naruto... Naruto was their 'Heart'. They became friends because of him, they knew him as their 'Sage' for times of wonder and emotional security... and then things went all kinds of crazy when they found out he was in the MAFIA. Or, really, his FAMILY was.

2. Time For Solutions

~NRK~

'It was a big fucking mistake,' Ryuji thought with a groan as he stomped down the hall, eyes narrowed as he made it to the classroom. 'Naru warned us and we didn't fucking listen?!' The former brunette felt that their Italian friend was probably feeling betrayed as all hell.

He'd been right! Kamoshida was a piece of shit and now they were dealing with the consequences!

He passed a window and spied his fake blonde hair, lifting the side of it a bit so he could see his roots.

'I'll need to redo it a bit,' he thought before sighing as he opened the sliding door. "Hey, Kawakami-sensei," Ryuji said as the woman within, marking papers on her desk, looked up at him with a raised brow.

"Ryuji-kun?"

Sadayo Kawakami, otherwise known as Obito-jii's girlfriend to Ryuji, was a woman in her thirties with white skin, brown eyes, and slightly curly brown hair that came down to her chin.

Wearing a dark yellow long-sleeved dress shirt, a green skirt, and a pair of brown loafers, Sadayo had recently switched it up with her teacher attire and started looking more professional.

At least, Ryuji thought so, he'd seen her wear her sweater in pictures but had never seen it in real life ever since coming to Shujin.

"Hey, Kawakami-baa-san," he said with a hand ruffling the back of his head as she raised a brow.

"Did you get into a fight?"

"No, I just… I just figured I'd try and study since mom isn't going to be home today," he said as he came in.

Sadayo smiled and gestured to his usual desk in front of her. "You know how it is. If you're struggling, let me know, alright?" She said and he nodded.

Watching him sit down, Sadayo wore a sad smile.

'Obito-kun, he really needs you right now,' she thought with a sigh.

Ever since Obito had gone on his year-long business trip, Sadayo had become far more familiar with her old classmate and her son.

Visiting them always seemed to put a smile on her face, Himemura was always so bright and Ryuji was always energetic… until during the middle of the latter's school term… the track team got into an altercation with Suguru Kamoshida.

Now, for as much as she knew them, Sadayo still wanted to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Sure, he'd made some passes at her even after she informed him she was taken, sure, Ryuji had told her of his younger friend's dislike for the volleyball coach.

Sure, the convenience of him taking over the track team and the soon-after disbanding after the previous coach was fired was weird, even after the two, him and Ryuji, got into a fight that left both males with shiners that everyone saw.

… But she'd become aware of her naivety when she barely stopped the man from trying too hard to 'deal' with Ryuji, the boy and he had barely stopped but the coach had almost kicked in his leg and she'd had enough of him by that point.

Suguru had quickly stopped not just how advances but also his interaction with the track team members. She'd been using some of Obito's lessons that he'd impressed onto her… along with other things he'd impressed onto her-

Sadayo blushed as she got sidetracked. 'I really want to see him again,' the thought hadn't been new but she and he had never been so far apart since college. 'Ryuji said he went with his employers on a big business trip, I hope things are well.'

Back on topic, Sadayo had soon taken to using Obito's observation methods on Suguru's 'work' and found herself with a horrifying result.

The man's methodology was downright torture and abuse, his treatment of the boys being the outright worst of the 'results' he'd gain.

When she'd brought it up to the principal, though… Kawakami, for one of the few times in her life, had felt true, unadulterated, disgust with a human being.

---

"I see," the principal said, his heavy words, almost as much as his weight, leaving her feeling some relief.

He'd solve this-

"I understand your concerns, Kawakami," why did that sound… wrong? "And I'm glad you care for students who aren't in your jurisdiction… but that's where our problem lies," what?

"Sir?" Sadayo was confused, what the hell was he implying? "I don't understand."

"If a student had come forth, I might have been able to do something," the man said, his neck's rolls shifting with his shrug. "But that's not the case, unless a student comes forth, I can't very well fire him on pure guesses."

"Excuse me?" She asked him and Kobayakawa grimaced. "Sir, the students are leaving with bruises. Are you honestly trying to tell me we can't do anything about that?"

"Yes," he said outright and Sadayo almost slapped him. "The fact remains, the students aren't saying anything, are they? Are they not allowed to choose how they progress into their future?"

"..."

"Kawakami, you're a bright woman with powerful ethics… but that's missing the wants of the student body," the man continued. "If we fired him, as you'd wish, what happens when students turn their ire on you? Are you going to live with it?"

"Yes," she said immediately and blatantly, getting a jump out of the principal. "They can slander my name for the rest of their lives, their safety is more important than their need for dangerous training."

She'd not been able to say such words before she and Obito had gone into their relationship. But, seeing how upright Obito was, watching him solve things, learning from him, getting his help had made her realize how much she hated her previous self.

So, she'd change for the better if not just for herself but for Obito who also believed in her.

"... I see," Kobayakawa said with a grunt. "If that's how you feel about it, I'll have to use my position as principal to stop you from making a mistake," Kawakami's eyes widened. "Kawakami-sensei, chasing this 'lead' of yours is forbidden lest you dislike your job. Do what you should within your position to make a positive impact on the students."

---

"Yo, sensei?" Sadayo jumped at Ryuji's voice, the boy looking at her with concern. "Everything alright?" He asked with a frown that she smiled shakily at.

"Y-Yes, I'm just… thinking about that new student who's supposed to come here," she lied and Ryuji blinked.

"We're gonna have a newbie? A-Aren't we, like, in the middle of the school year?!"

"Well… Yes, we are," Sadayo said. "But… due to the incident he was involved in, he's had to transfer abruptly… he's said to have a criminal record," she admitted with a frown as Ryuji rubbed the back of his head. "The vagueness of his crime is kind of odd. Even if he is a minor, I doubt they'd hide a murderer," she said with a grimace.

"Well… I think I'd want to actually meet him, first, before I try and make any guesses," the 'blonde' said with a frown. "I know damn well how people can blow shit out of wack," he grumbled and Kawakami wore a sad expression.

Ever since the fight between him and Suguru, even the teachers had heard of little rumors that had begun being made about the slightly foolish but rather upright Ryuji.

Oh, the mill had made him out to be a delinquent that even they knew he wasn't and Sadayo had been proud to know that some of her fellow teachers were still willing to give him a fair shake.

Those that hadn't, though, at least only decided to be a bit more strict with the now-blonde.

"That's probably the right thing to do, unless he causes you trouble, treat him like a normal student," Sadayo said with a nod as Ryuji grinned.

"Gotcha."

~NRK~

Ann grimaced as she walked down the street, sighing shakily as she found that cafe she'd heard about.

'Something to help get me through this again,' she thought, looking at her texts as she walked into the establishment. "Ah, yes, a booth for two, please!" She asked the hostess who nodded with a smile, leading her to her favored position in the store.

Sitting down, she already gave the woman her order and waved her off before frowning as she looked at her phone.

I'm fine, I promise, I just left practice

A text from Shiho that Ann was sighing at.

'We really fucked up,' she thought as she allowed her head to fall into her curled-up arms. 'Naruto said it, didn't he? Don't trust that Kamoshida guy and yet…' Ann groaned into her arms.

Ever since their school year started, she'd thought that maybe they were a bit paranoid. Sure, the thing with Shiho's bruises was apparent but even their friend said that she was capable of lasting through 'Olympic training'.

Never before had Ann wanted to go back and slap Shiho. Especially so when Naruto left for his year-long 'emergency'.

'I hope he's fine,' she thought with a grunt before sitting up properly. 'I should probably call Ryu,' Ann told herself as she opened his name in her app.

Ever since Naruto's departure, the three had spent their Summer together at Ryuji's home and Ann found herself far more at home there than she ever had at her own house, ever since her parents started focusing on their jobs, anyway.

She'd found herself over there most days… The girl blushed a bit as she remembered that she did have some of her clothes over there… in Ryuji's room.

Getting closer to their resident knucklehead had never been away from her mind… but when things started ramping up with Kamoshida's bullshit she'd never found the courage, too.

Ryuji probably hated them, secretly, for that, especially with what happened to the track team. He probably didn't like seeing her, at that moment. After all…

He wasn't here with her, was he not?

She closed the app before sighing only to perk up when her sundae made it to her table.

"Enjoy," the hostess said with a smile that Ann barely returned before the American focused on her 'food'.

"Ah, so you must be Ann Takamaki," came a voice from her side, causing the half-Japanese to stop mid-bite and turn her head to see… "... Hello," the girl by her table said with a nervous wave of the hand.

Her skin was white, her eyes brown, and her hair a darker brown that fell around her head neatly, the bangs over her forehead in a hime-cut while the rest of her hair was combed back neatly behind a hairband.

Wearing their school's attire sans the blazer but with a black halter vest over her long-sleeved white top.

She knew this girl… right! This was-

"Niijima-kaichou?" Ann said in confusion and the older student flinched.

"Y-You don't need to call me that outside of school, it's… inappropriate," the senior of Shujin said as she fiddled with her hands. "May I… sit here?" She asked and Ann blinked before nodding. "Thank you," the Niijima girl said as she sat down before folding her hands down on the table.

"... How can I help you, kaichou?" Ann asked as she blushed a bit at her dessert and shifted it to the side. "H-Hehehe," she giggled nervously as Niijima shot her a raised brow.

"That's not healthy."

"I've just been kind of… stressed, lately, I'm just indulging a bit."

"... You, too, huh?" The student council president whispered but Ann perked up at her words.

"Are you alright?" The American asked and Niijima frowned at the table.

"I heard… you were related to a man by the name of Obito Uchiha, yes?" She asked and Ann jumped.

"You know, Uchiha-san?"

"I… don't but my sisters'..." Niijima began to blush. "S-Significant others do," she said with a bright red face as Ann tilted her head at her.

'... Wait, what?' What the hell had just left her mouth. "I-I'm sorry, what did you-"

"D-Do you know him?!" Niijima squeaked. "Y-Yes or no?" She asked with embarrassment and Ann realized that she'd let it slide.

"I-I do… he went on a long trip with a friend of ou… of mine and his family and friends, it was a serious thing," Ann admitted with a sigh as Niijima blinked. "That's about it, Niijima-senpai."

The girl grimaced at the name. "... Makoto Niijima is my name," she said, the now-named Makoto looking down at Ann's blinks. "He… Obito-san's friends, my sister's s-significant others, said I should not stress so much," Makoto admitted and Ann blinked.

"Oh, well, nice to meet you, Makoto-senpai," the American greeted. "I guess your sister has been wondering where they are?"

"No, at least, she told me that Kakashi-nii explained where they'd be," Makoto answered with a sigh. "Yet, I know he can't be reached."

'Gangster stuff,' is what Ann wanted to say but knew better to splurt out such a secret out to their usually strict student council president. "Well, Naru-kun told us that it'd be a long trip in Italy," she explained and Makoto nodded.

"It's just… my sister is…" she struggled with her words. "... My sibling is usually used to them being around and I wanted to know if you knew how to contact them."

"Sorry, I wish we did," Ann admitted with a sigh. "With how things are going, we could use Naru's wisdom," she said and Makoto blinked with a frown.

"What's happened?" She asked and Ann looked… surprised. "...?"

"You don't… know?" Ann asked but their student president shook her head.

"If you're saying that… it's either to do with Obito-san, Kakashi-nii-san, or… school," Makoto said with a frown. "Is there… something at the school I should know about?" She asked worriedly and Ann felt some guilt.

In the back of her mind, she'd thought that Makoto had known until now… if even she didn't… Who did?

"... Kamoshida," Ann spat out the name like it was some kind of garbage, surprising Makoto a bit. "He's the problem," she said with a frown as Makoto reciprocated.

"What do you mean? What does Kamoshida-sensei have to do with this?"

"He's… Have you noticed how the students from the Volleyball club are leaving?"

"... I see them from the council room but nothing else… why?"

"They're… Makoto-senpai, they're leaving with bruises," Makoto's eyes widened. "That man… I-I don't trust him… Naru said we shouldn't have but we didn't and now we're dealing with that," Ann held her head in dismay.

"I don't understand, h-how is this going the way it is?" Makoto looked horrified. 'Bruises?! W-What is going on at school?!' This hadn't been brought up to her!

Why?! Why would the students not say anything?!

"It's… Shi-chan, she says it like it's some damn trophy," Ann said with a growl that startled the older girl. "Y-Yet, I can't help but feel like something worse is going on with the girls," she said with a pale face.

"W-What do you mean?"

"Shiho… she, sometimes, just jumps at random things," Ann explained. "I don't know… this only happened after she started getting 'training' by Kamoshida," she said with a frown.

"..." Makoto considered what had been said. "I need to see it for myself. If this is really happening, I have to do my job as the student council president to fix this," she said with determination, surprising Ann a bit.

"R-Really?"

"Yes," Makoto nodded before she smiled. "It's my job to keep things running, no matter the class year."

"... Hm, hm, you're pretty amazing, Makoto-senpai," Ann said with a smile that Makoto reciprocated. "Now, since we're here… want some of my sundae?" She offered and Makoto looked at the large monstrosity that she'd see the American about to eat.

"Were you actually about to eat all this on your own?"

"... H-Hehe, I mean, a girl's gotta enjoy life a little."\

"... You are odd, Takamaki-san."

~NRK~

Shiho breathed in, sitting in the girls' locker rooms with her head in her hands and her knees tucked together.

'I-I can't keep doing this,' the thought shot to the front of her mind as she heard the rest of the clubs leaving. 'I try and try and try but he's being unreasonable,' Shiho realized with a grimace, eyes closing and tears beginning to fall. 'Naruto was right,' and she's doubted him all because a person was famous?

The fact hadn't been new but the realization had hit her as of the beginning of this week.

She was either a dumb bitch or a shallow one and Shiho was sure that Naruto had to think the same when he told her Kamoshida was bad news.

Shiho wasn't an idiot, either, she hoped, she'd considered Naruto's words so many times ever since he first said them.

When she'd handle a 'few' of Kamoshida's 'training sessions'.

When Naruto left two months later.

When she heard about what happened with the track team.

When Ann told her exactly when Kamoshida tried to have her become his 'student girlfriend' so Shiho could get into the top bracket of his team.

That last one… oh, Shiho had begun that downward spiral of horror about what'd actually been going on… About the huge mistake, she'd made.

And that had only been a month ago. What the hell was wrong with her?

'I need to leave,' she thought but she'd already seen how the girls and boys who'd tried had gone.

Kamoshida seemed to have some form of input with the principal, a horrifying fact one of them had told her about when she pushed for a bit.

'Will I have to leave Shujin?' The thought made her shiver. 'I-I'd never make it into another school, would I?' And her friends were all here.

… If they even considered her a friend anymore.

She pulled out her phone and looked at the text she'd sent to Ann before swallowing and getting up.

Shiho left the girls' locker room and walked down the passageway to the back door of the school.

Going through it, as she'd done quite a few times, Shiho walked past bushes and picked up her bags from beneath a few.

Ever since she'd begun to wise up, she'd stopped leaving her things in the locker room, having grown paranoid about Kamoshida trying to take her things to hold her longer.

That's also why she'd begun taking the back way out of school, the man seemed to stalk for the last girl to leave training, seemingly having memorized each of them like some kind of sick predator.

Of course, he noticed, asking where she went before giving her extra drills for 'her safety on the court' like he was a benevolent coach. What a crock of shit.

And she never stopped, obviously, and that seemed to make him angry before he just gave up on trying, ignoring her efforts more.

Shiho found such things more to her benefit than she'd ever considered and continued to say 'fuck him' and just leave whenever.

Back on the back of the school, she breathed in, minding some of her newest bruises, before jumping for the top of the school's cement wall perimeter.

Grasping the top, she pulled herself up before landing on it and then rolling over to the other side's bushes, the shrubbery shaped in her back's shape after weeks of doing it.

Rolling out of it, she groaned before sitting up and dusting herself off.

She walked off afterward, into the alleyways by the school.

Shiho traversed them like a familiar park, knowing the ins and outs of each way with a disturbing amount of clarity.

When she finally broke through to the street, she grunted before walking towards Ann's location, the American having told her where she'd be.

'Halfway through the year, halfway through it,' and yet she felt like just leaving already. 'Naruto, please come back, I-I'm reaching my breaking point.'

What kind of breaking point? She'd long since lost track of but she knew it was beginning to bend and tweak, something dangerous and she couldn't lay this on either of Ann's, or Ryuji's, shoulders.

Naruto, she felt, was the most prepared to bring this perverted tyrant's reign to an end. Of that, she was sure-

Shiho and another person bumped into one another and she sighed, head down, as she said her apologies.

"S-Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going," she said to the boy she'd bumped into.

"No, it's fine, I wasn't doing much better," his voice was smooth but slightly deep, gaining her attention.

Looking up, she saw him.

His hair was black, messy, and came down to his ears and glasses which sat in front of dark brown… she thinks, eyes which sat inside of a fair-skinned face.

Wearing an open white, short-sleeved, dress shirt, a black shirt beneath, blue jeans, and some brown shoes, he had a bag slung over his shoulder and looked about as apologetic as she was.

"Sorry, again, the name's Akira, Akira Amamiya," he introduced himself and Shiho smiled a bit.

"Shiho Suzui," she said back before the two of them moved out of the street. "Sorry, I was just going to meet a friend and I wasn't paying attention like I said."

"No, it's fine, I was just trying to figure out this place," Akira said with a smile as he looked at his phone. "There are so many districts and precincts, it's just kind of… overwhelming from where I was from."

"Hmm, I understand," Shiho said with a smile before holding up a finger. "Come on, then, I can show you around Aochome and get to my friend."

He smiled right back. "I'd appreciate it."

~NRK~

All the way in Italy, Naruto sighed as he sat in a hotel room, packing his things.

Then his eyes burned red as he looked back at the screen before him, Obito's tips on the 'search engine' he was using giving him info that made his blood boil.

It was a gathering of private posts of students of Shujin Academy on their personal web diaries… and the things he found… Ooooh, he felt like killing Suguru Kamoshida!

Wearing a black t-shirt and orange shorts, he looked back at his packed bags.

The fight with the Medicis came to a head about a month earlier and, at present, the Rosso were trying to figure out everything the enemy familia had going behind the scenes.

In that month, he'd made to act as their public representative, being their 'positive man', so to speak.

Now, with his job done, he was allowed to go back to Japan.

He frowned as he rechecked all the private diaries of some of the students and was morbidly happy to not find Shiho's diary… but that was only a little calming.

Shiho was known to bottle things up, she'd likely keep whatever was happening to her private until it burst.

And he needed to know before it was too late.

The door to his room opened to reveal Obito, Rin, and Kakashi, the three wearing their 'mafia wear' as they nodded to him.

"Everything's ready," Kakashi said as Obito crossed his arms. "I know we all want to get back as soon as possible. I'm worried about Sae."

"I know," Rin said as she smiled nervously.

Rin Nohara had bloomed into a rather magnificent woman in this second life.

Her hair had grown to the middle of her back at current and her bangs hung down to frame her fair-skinned face, her dark brown eyes peering at Naruto kindly as she patted her former teammates' shoulder, standing at their chins in height.

Wearing a long-sleeved black top, a pair of black pants, and a white vest, her black boots clopped against the floor as the three moved into the room.

"What did you find?" Obito asked and Naruto's eyes burned red once more, getting a similar glare from the Uchiha as his own red eyes locked onto the screen. "... Suguru, you son of a bitch," he hissed as he read what was on the screen. "Come on, everyone, we're leaving now," he clarified as he walked out the room.

Kakashi and Rin frowned. "Come on, Naruto, we'll be ready in five minutes."

"I'm ready whenever."

An hour later, the four flew above the location of Sicily, their bodies tense.

From within the airport, not one of them had noticed the woman whose eyes narrowed.

"Gahh… They're leaving on a flight to Japan," she said to a walkie-talkie, gasping as she held her bloodied side, the rushed bandage work the only thing keeping her up. "The child 'Pure One' is on that flight, the one who ruined everything."

~NRK~

He looked out his office suite window, watching some random plane move in the sky.

"I see… I'll handle it," he said with a frown on his face as the call ended. "Annoying, first the politics, that nosey detective, and now this?" He groaned, fair skin creasing as he grimaced.

A bald head turned away from the windows behind his desk before a goatee-having chin rested in his palms, his hazel eyes, behind his yellow-tinted glasses, looking at his paperwork in thought.

'This boy, this Naruto Uzumaki, must be dealt with,' he thought with a neutral face, sitting down.

His black suit crinkled slightly but he did not care, he'd buy a new one after he became the prime minister.

He swiped through his phone's contacts before pressing an assortment of numbers used for a specific contact.

Listening for the pick-up, he grunted when it did. "Akechi, you've another target to handle."

-Is that so?- Came a young but healthy voice from across the line. -What's their name, Shido-san?-

Shido Masayoshi grinned.

"Naruto Uzumaki," he uttered and rapid typing could be heard over the phone. "The boy's a mafioso-born, turns out he caused quite a ruckus in Sicily."

-Is that where your associates are?-

"Yes and he had a hand in destroying their organization," the voice across the line made an impressed sound.

-That's ambitious for a child of a gangster- He said before the typing stopped. -Ah, found him. What of his family?-

"... Handle them as well," Shido said. "I don't want a lick of their ilk around by the end of the week."

-Understood-

~NRK~

Suguru Kamoshida grimaced as he walked to the principal's office, annoyance on his face as he slammed open the fat man's door.

"Uwah!? Kamoshida! Stop doing that!" Principal Kobayakawa said with a hand on his chest. "For the love of, what is it?" The man asked with a frown.

"I need you to wrangle one of my students' escapes," the volleyball coach said and the man behind the desk blinked.

"What do you mean? There's no obscene tardiness from the volleyball teams, from what I know," the big man said as he pulled up the file on his computer. "Hmm… no, they're all rather in-line."

"Shiho Suzui," Suguru said immediately, arms crossed and face twisted in displeasure. "She keeps sneaking away at the end of the day."

"... Suguru, you do realize this doesn't go against our deal, right?"

"I'm trying to enjoy my tenure here," Suguru said with fake sadness. "It'd be rather sad of me to leave Shujin and go elsewhere."

"As much as it'd hurt us, I'm starting to think that's a good thing," the principal said with a frown as Kamoshida's eyes narrowed. "Do you honestly think I can cover up all of your messes? Teachers are starting to get concerned, Kawakami especially. That boy you almost hurt is also in on your methods."

"And you haven't expelled him?" Suguru asked with disbelief.

"Well if someone hadn't gotten into a fight with a high schooler, we'd be able to," Kobayakawa said with a frown and the coach grimaced. "This is what I mean, you're raising too many brows. Keep doing as you are and we'll be in more hot water than even I can save you from."

"Tsk," Kamoshida grimaced.

"I don't understand why this one you're obsessing over, you've clearly… ahem, 'enjoyed' the other students."

"This one is a challenge," Suguru said with a growing grin. "She's opposed my private lessons for 'upgrading her station' and still does better than the other girls. Her friend did the same, ignoring my words of 'possibilities'. These types are the best to handle," he chuckled with a beaming grin as Kobayakawa looked disgusted. "Why, you can say it keeps me in shape! Hahaha!"

'I do not like this man,' Kobayakawa thought with annoyance. 'Working with him has brought me up the ladder, though. Two more years and I can leave this crummy old school!' Then he'd be in a position for better things.

All he had to do was humor Suguru for two and a half more years.

"... I can't do anything about her," the principal said before humming. "But there is an old hallway with little traffic, have you considered a move in your office?"

Suguru grinned pervertedly. "That so?"

~NRK~

Ann and Makoto had chatted for a bit before Ryuji made it to their location.

"Ummm, right, kaichou, yeah?" He asked as he sat next to Ann with little hesitation, the American girl not reacting in the slightest besides moving to the side.

Or was it that Ann had done so in preparation for him beforehand? Makoto wasn't sure.

"Yes. And you're Ryuji Sakamoto," Makoto said, confusing the faux blonde. "Your… recent experience has made you well-known."

He grumbled, head on the table while Ann rubbed his shoulder.

"It's fine, I know you didn't start a fight for no reason," the American said and Ryuji looked at her with a face full of a slight amount of shame. "Come on, Ryu… I mean it."

"... I know," he said and Ann felt some of her life return to her.

The idea of Ryuji hating her hurt more than she'd ever thought.

"So, what's up, prez?" The boy asked and Makoto tilted her head at his title for her.

"I was simply looking for our shared acquaintance, Obito-san," the Niijima said and Ryuji perked up, much to Ann's amusement. "Yes, she told me that he and many others took a long trip about a year ago."

"Oh, yeah, they did," Ryuji said with a hum, blowing his bangs up from his forehead. "Obito-oji-san was caught up with important stuff."

"So I hear, I was just trying to get into contact with Kakashi-nii."

"Oh, right, that police friend of his, right?"

"Yes," Makoto said before the three blinked at the sight of Shiho by the window.

The girl looked at them before smiling, Akira blinking at the three as well.

They came in and quickly got themselves seated, Shiho smushing Ryuji next to Ann while Akira sat next to Makoto.

"Apologies," Akira said to her but the young woman shook her head. "I was just following Shiho around and she said that you all were here."

"Huh? Who are you?" Ryuji asked and Akira rubbed the back of his head. "... Oh, like, no offense, dude. I just mean 'who are you?'," He clarified and Akira smiled.

"No, I get it. The name's Akira, Akira Amamiya… I'm going to be, uh, joining Shujin tomorrow," he admitted and the four blinked.

Ryuji considered his words before his eyes widened. "W-Wait, dude, are you… the one with the record?" He whispered at the last moment, Akira's eyes widening in shock while the girls blinked.

"Y-You know?"

"Like, I'm not going to hold it against you," the faux blonde clarified again. "I was told by Kawakami-sensei that she was worried about you."

"Record… Wait, the student who had a criminal record?" Makoto asked and Akira's head fell a bit. "... I-I don't mean any offense if you will, it's just… I'd heard about it from the principal and student body… oddly enough," she said, confusing the others. "There's no way for the student body to have known about that, this is supposed to be his second chance, why tell them anything?"

"... Wait, who else was supposed to know?" Shiho asked with concern and Makoto frowned.

"Only the faculty, just in case, along with the student council president, myself… how in the world do the students know?"

"... Then one of the faculty had to tell them, right?" Akira said with a frown as he looked at Ryuji who frowned before shaking his head.

"No… Haa, like, Kawakami-sensei and my family had history, she wouldn't tell some random student," he said, Ann and Shiho nodding, surprising the two others.

"You do?" Akira and Makoto asked as Ryuji blushed.

"Yeah, like, Obito-oji, he and her are an item," he said, surprising Makoto. "And my mom, him, and her used to go to the same college as well. She comes over and checks up on us, every week, ever since he went on this trip of his. He set it up in case we got lonely, I guess."

"You have a good uncle," Akira said with a smile as Ryuji blushed a bit, rubbing the back of his head with a nervous smile.

"Y-Yeah, he's pretty cool."

"Hm, hm," Ann giggled a bit. "So, who told them?"

"... I don't know," Makoto said with a frown. "Who in the school would even know you? This seems like it'd be premeditated to give you a hard time."

Akira cupped his chin with a frown. "I don't know… Besides that guy from my case, there shouldn't be anyone who should know me here, that was the whole point of me coming here, I guess."

"Actually, who was in your case?"

"I don't know his name… I-I think I got his last name… Masa… something," Akira said with a frown. "He was clearly drunk and trying to do something he shouldn't," he hissed with clenched fists as the others blinked at him.

"... You're pretty cool in my book, dude," Ryuji said, surprising the glasses-wearing teen with a grin. "And, since you are, heads-up, don't trust Kamoshida," the faux blonde said with a growl that surprised Makoto while Ann and Shiho's heads fell.

"So, you have an issue with him, too?" Makoto asked.

"Fuck yes, I do," Ryuji said with a deep breath before grumbling. "Makoto-senpai, you seem like a cool person, whatever you do, never take his word upfront. That bastard can't be trusted."

"Kamoshida… Isn't he that volleyball guy?" Akira asked and Ryuji snorted along with Shiho, though the latter's following smile was morbid in its own way. "Haa, let me guess, an adult who uses his position to do whatever he wants?"

"Yes…" Shiho said with a frown as Makoto grimaced.

"How long could this possibly have been going on? I don't understand how this can keep happening."

"It's… kaichou, I have to think this has been going on ever since he was hired," Ann said and Makoto swallowed. "I know you didn't know… but Kamoshida is nothing but a perverted bastard."

"Hmph, more like some stupid perverted king, yeah?" Ryuji scoffed before Akira blinked as a beep came from his phone.

The soon-to-be Shujin student blinked as he pulled it out and stared at a pulsing app on his home screen.

"What?" He said in confusion as Makoto looked at it.

"... That's an interesting app," she said and Akira frowned.

"It just appeared on my phone ever since I got here," he said, showing everyone at the table.

"Meta… verse?" Shiho noted with confusion. "That's not an app I've heard of," she said with a raised brow.

"You said it just popped up?" Ann asked.

"Yeah. I tried deleting it… but it just came back," Akira said worryingly.

Perverted King Kamoshida, accepted.

The five's eyes widened.

"D-Dude, please tell me you're playin' with us," Ryuji said in some disbelief and worry. "R-Right?"

"N-No, I didn't… I don't know what this is," Akira said as he swallowed before picking it up. "... Still, 'perverted king' is something you said, Ryuji," he continued with confusion as Ryuji frowned.

Awaiting cognition

"What?" Makoto blinked in total confusion before several dings rang out from their booth and all of them pulled out their phones. "What?" She dropped her phone on the table, the group all seeing the app on hers as well. "W-What's going on?"

Awaiting cognition

"I-It's on all of 'em?" Ryuji wondered in disbelief. "Y-You guys don't think this is some crazy g-government thing, do ya?"

"... no, I t-think this is something… different," Makoto noted with a grimace before reading the lines on her phone's screen. "Awaiting cognition? What does that mean?"

"... Perverted king… cognition…" Akira frowned before glaring at his phone. "Castle," he declared to it and the phones dinged.

Cognition accepted. Location is insufficient

"Dude?!" Ryuji jumped as Ann covered her mouth. "No, seriously, what the hell is this, man?"

"I… it's waiting for us to finish it? No… are we not in the right location?" Makoto considered as they looked at their phones. "... W-What should we do?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"... I think we need to figure out what this whole thing is about," Akira said with a frown before his phone rang. "Oh, dammit, it's Sakura-san," he picked up. "Yes? I'm sorry, I found my classmates and forgot to get there immediately."

-Already found your classmates? Kid, either you work fast or your luck's impeccable… Still, you're on probation. Get here as soon as possible-

"Right, sorry, Sakura-san."

-Hmph, just don't get into trouble when ya do-

The call ended and Akira sighed. "I guess we're putting this off for tomorrow," he said with a strained smile.

"No, it's fine," Makoto said as they got up. "I'm also curious about what this is."

"So, when should we do it?" Ryuji asked.

"How about just after school, tomorrow?" Ann suggested and Shiho smiled. "I take it you don't mind skipping, ey, Shi-chan?" She grinned and her friend did the same.

"Not in the slightest."

"While that's concerning, we'll meet at the school… where, though?" Makoto considered.

"The roof!" Ryuji suggested with a grin and Makoto's eyes went flat. "L-Like, it's super private, right?"

"... As much as it pains me to break the rules, Ryuji-kun," she emphasized as he chuckled nervously. "This… might very well be something beyond that," the student president said quietly.

"So, we're in agreement," Akira said.

"On the roof."

~NRK~

Getting back to Japan in 7 hours in the Uzu-Rosso private jet, the blonde looked over the dark horizon of Japan, eyes softening.

'I'm back, guys, and I'm going to fix everything. Kamoshida-teme is going to pay,' he thought with a glare.

"We'll be down on the ground in a few minutes, sirs and madam. Please remain seated."

Hearing the intercom, Naruto grunted as he sat back next to Obito, the older spiky-haired male shooting him a nod.

"Well solve this, I promise," he said and the blonde crossed his arms before sighing.

~NRK~

Driving down the nighttime streets of Aochome two hours later, the blonde looked at his phone.

"When we get home, we'll reactivate our networks," Kakashi said. "You can send texts to all your friends, I know you should be excited."

"I am, Kakashi-sensei, it's just… I feel like things are gonna get complicated tomorrow, call it a hunch," Naruto said.

"Life can be like that," Rin said in the front passenger seat. "You already have an idea of what might be going on and the mind can make up a ton of bad memories for no reason."

"Despite how things are, right now, we'll solve them," Obito said with determined eyes, watching the wheel. 'Sadayo, I hope things are fine on your end.'

Because if he caught a whiff of Suguru trying any shit with his beloved, they'd have to make use of some of their connections.

~NRK~

Getting home, they hurried in before Rin handled their restricted network.

When she turned it back on, the quartet went into their own rooms to handle their… 'discussions'.

---

Obito sat down at the desk in his room before making his very first call.

The phone rang once before it picked up, his mouth settling into a smile as the hurried words of Sadayo reached his ears.

-Obito-kun!?- He chuckled a bit as he heard her moving around on the desk at her home. -Y-You're back?!-

"Yes, I am," Obito said with a smile. "I'm sorry things took longer than normal."

-What? No, I'm fine! We're fine. Hime and Ryuji-kun have both been… well… they're living life, I guess- He frowned at that, already having an idea on what was going on.

"Tell me about it."

She did, informing him of not just her visits to the Sakamoto home but the dispersion of the track team, Suguru's attempts at flirting which ended lest Obito destroy the man where he slept, and then the situation with the volleyball team.

The former war monster was careful of the grooves his clenching hand made in his desk.

"I see…"

-Obito-kun… I've missed you so much a-and just hearing your voice really helps-

He got up and picked up his 'emergency bag'.

"We'll see how long only that lasts."

---

Rin and Kakashi turned on the wireless speaker as they sat in the former's room.

Several rings from Rin's phone rang out from it and the two of them waited patiently when, on the fourth ring, it picked up.

-R-Rin!?- Came the familiar voice of their beloved, getting chuckles out of the former ninja. -I-Is this really you?! Where's-

"Right here," Kakashi said with a chuckle and he grew more amused as Sae stuttered at his voice. "It's been a while, Sae-chan."

-I-It's really both of you?-

"Yes," Rin said with a smile. "We just got back."

-I… I see- The woman let out a long sigh of relief that the two of them grew worried at. -I-It's… It's been so long, Rin-chan, Kakashi-kun… And things got complicated-

"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked with a frown. "What happened… Was it the case?" His eyes narrowed as Rin's shot wide open.

"Sae?" The woman said and their significant other sighed.

-Shido Masayoshi… You two, he's seemingly able to cut off our case- The former shinobi blinked. -Rin-chan, do you remember those odd blocks we ran into during?-

"Yes, they were almost too hard to get around," Rin said with a frown. "... That was by Shido?"

-Well, I was able to see one thing before we got cut off prematurely. He and the chief had a past connection- Kakashi's mouth set into a frown. -When I was getting into some files we had, they not only disappeared at some point… the chief came to me, coincidentally, the day after, telling me that the case had grown too dangerous-

"... that old bastard," Kakashi uttered with a grunt. "Tsk, this isn't good. If this Shido guy is able to have cases like this dealt with, the SIU is compromised."

-I… Don't know what to do-

"That's fine, Sae-chan," Rin said with a smile as Kakashi combed his hand through his hair, letting out a breath before his eyes grew determined. "The three of us will figure this out."

-... It's good to have you both back here… w-with me, that is-

"Hm, hm, well, I could send Rin on over, leave you with some company," Kakashi said suggestively as Rin blushed bright red and Sae stuttered. "Uph, too late, I'm already planning to take her over there. Pack your things, Rin-chan."

"K-Kakashi-kun!" Both women shouted at the now cackling Kakashi.

---

Naruto flopped back onto his bed, laptop at his pillow's side.

'Let's start with our group-wide call, yeah?' He thought before messing with his device, opening up that personal video chat application Obito had made for them a year ago. "Alright, who's up?" Naruto asked himself as he pressed the 'ring' function.

The desktop app made a serene bell-like noise that he heard for only two rings before he jumped at the shouts that came through.

-Naruto?! It's you?!-

-I'm just happy to be here-

-You all are energetic-

"Whoa, now, I see new people," Naruto said but his mouth set in a big grin as Akira and Makoto waved. "Nice ta meetcha. Name's Naruto Uzumaki."

-Sup, Akira Amamiya-

-Hmph, I am Makoto Niijima… And you are this Naruto I hear so much about… who knows a Kakashi- She said, hopefully.

"Yeah, Kakashi-sensei is-" Naruto began to say only for him to look outside his window. "Never mind, him and Rin-nee-chan are off somewhere."

-R-Really?!-

"Yup," Naruto grinned. "We're almost all here. My mom and dad are still in Italy."

-Italy?- Both newcomers said in surprise.

-Are you wealthy, Naruto?- Akira asked curiously.

"... That's not something I'd say outright," the blonde said with a nervous chuckle, surprising the two a bit. "Let's just say, maybe, and leave it at that."

-I-I see!- Makoto wasn't shallow but he certainly didn't look wealthy.

Then again, weren't most self-made rich people normal-looking?

"So, how's life been?" Naruto asked and his friends grew nervous. "You do know that I know the gist by now, right?" They looked shocked. "I have resources you guys can't dream of… and I know information most of you don't."

Shiho looked the most guilty, her head falling, much to the blonde's sigh.

"Look, I knew that bastard was a piece of crap but I did want to be wrong, Shi-chan, I really did… but after reading some of the private journals of the other students," they looked shocked. "Once again, resources."

-This sounds like more than just normal resources, Naruto-kun- Makoto said in disbelief. -H-How can you get into that?-

"Because the Dark Web isn't some mythical thing."

-Hold on! That shit's real?! For real?!- Ryuji's mouth fell. -Dude?!-

"Heh, yeah, it is," Naruto said before looking at Shiho. "Now, tell me so I can't see about getting Suguru Kamoshida into jail."

She bit her lip and he considered her.

"Shi-chan, I'm opening a private channel with you," the blonde said as he pressed an icon off to the side. "Please, I need to know."

Shiho's eyes widened before her screen vanished from the 'main' screen, a little pop-up window appearing off to his screen's corner.

"Guys, I'll-"

-Do it, dude- Ryuji said seriously as Ann sighed. -It's better you hear it from her instead of any of us-

"Thanks."

Muting their little hub of face cams, minimizing it as well, Naruto set Shiho's screen to 'full screen' and crossed his arms.

"Tell me."

And she did, the more that she did, the more the blonde's hands tensed around his biceps, the more she began to lose it.

By the end of her 'tale', Shiho was crying and the only thing left in Naruto's to-do list, at that moment, was to punch Kamoshida in the fucking face.

"Alright, Shiho, I'm coming over," he said in a tone that brokered no argument as he got up and moved several of his luggage's clothes into a backpack. "No ifs, ands, or buts, I'm coming either through your door or window."

-Snff-

"Guys, I'll be right back," the blonde said as he opened their window.

And, for the first time, Ann and Ryuji saw red eyes that burned with anger that was barely contained.

-W-Whoa, wait, since, when did your eyes…- Ryuji balked while Ann blinked before grimacing. -... Do what you have to, dude-

"Thanks, I'll be back on in twenty minutes," the boy said with a growl that got a jump out of Akira and Makoto. "Right, sorry, brb."

As he closed the laptop and jumped out his window, after making sure everything was locked up, the others were left to deal with the new tidbits of their friend/acquaintance.

~NRK~

"I didn't know they glowed when he was angry," Ryuji said in some shock.

-H-He just growled and we're focusing on his eyes?- Makoto asked in disbelief while Akira adjusted his glasses with a frown.

-He's pissed, I bet he doesn't even realize he did- The new student said. -Meanwhile, I've never seen someone's eyes change like that before… It was pretty scary-

Ryuji snorted. "Trust us, when Naru's angry, there's nothing that can stop him," the faux blonde said as he messed with his hair a bit. "While we wait, I'm gonna need to touch up my roots, I guess I didn't do this as well as I thought," he said, lifting his bangs to reveal the still-black beginnings of his hair.

-I can help- Ann said with a smile. -When it comes to hair, I've helped Shiho do hers as well as my own. You just need the proper tools-

As the group of four chattered for the next ten minutes, Shiho's screen came back on and, in the background, the group saw Naruto setting up.

-Sorry, guys, it took me a bit-

"... Dude, did you drive to Shiho's house?" Ryuji asked in confusion as he ate a bag of chips. "Like, damn, how many traffic lights did you run?"

-I didn't drive, I hopped on the roofs-

He choked on his chips while the others gaped at the blonde whose screen came up at that moment.

~NRK~

"It was the fastest way to get here," Naruto said with a huff, eyes back to their normal blues. "Better than sitting in traffic or getting hit on my bike."

-N-No, that's not an explanation!- Makoto uttered in disbelief as Shiho nodded.

"You what?" She said in disbelief as Naruto smirked.

"Look, there are a whole set of things I've never told you guys about me, trust me, everything about me and my fam is wild."

Then as if summoned by his reappearance, Makoto perked up at the sound of a car honking outside.

-Huh?- She got up from her desk to look outside her window. -K-Kakashi-nii?!- Makoto said in shock as she ran out of the room. -I-I'll be right-

-Go on- Ryuji said with a grin. -I'm not sure where Obito-ojii is but that means I'll be seeing him either tomorrow or today, hehe~-

As their student council president ran out of the room, Akira spoke up.

-Actually, there's something else that we were surprised by, today- He said, confusing Naruto as Shiho's eyes widened.

"That app!" She said in shock, confusing their blonde friend.

The group explained to him about the 'Metaverse Navigation App' that appeared on their phones.

"That's… weird," Naruto said with a tilt of the head and several blinks. "That sounds kind of… supernatural, guys-"

There was a beep from his phone and the group's eyebrows went flat as the spiky head took out his phone to see the app on his phone screen.

"... Yeah, no, there's no way for this thing to be on my phone normally, it's supernatural," Naruto said with as much seriousness as possible, getting chokes out of the group. "Like, take my word for it, it's not normal."

-S-So you're saying this thing is magic?- Ryuji asked and Naruto shrugged.

"I'm not some expert, here, I'm just sure it's not normal."

-That's a rather exciting claim to make- Akira said with a chuckle. -But if you're right, that means this is going to be an interesting ride. We're going to meet up on the school roof tomorrow-

"Consider me there, then," Naruto chuckled. "I'm sure this is gonna be interesting."

-We hope so- Ann said with a smile. -This'll be a whole different situation for us-

"We'll be like Scooby-Doo!" Shiho said with a big smile and Naruto snorted as Akira cracked a big grin. "Maybe it'll end up with someone at the school being the cause!"

"My money's on Kamoshida," Naruto said with a snort.

-No diff!- Ryuji said.

-Hm, hm, maybe it's the principal?- Ann suggested.

-That fat bastard could probably hide a spell in those neck folds!-

Shiho nearly died of laughter as she covered her mouth along with Ann and Akira.

"Y-You can't just say that!" She said but she was laughing hard.

Naruto smirked.

These were his people.

---

Three hours later and Naruto currently laid down on a spare futon that Shiho had provided him, his position by her bed her doing. Wearing some orange shorts and a white t-shirt, he folded his arms behind his head.

"Naruto-kun…" She spoke up, face kind of red as she laid down in her gray pajamas, hair out of its most notable ponytail allowing it to fall down to the top of her back. 'I-I changed while he was in the bathroom!' Shiho thought in shock and embarrassment.

H-Had he left earlier than expected, she'd see him naked and he'd see just about the same amount, right?!

That was like some bad porno!

"Hmm?" Naruto made a curious sound. "What's up, Shi-chan?"

"... I'm glad you're back," she said with a long breath to relieve her blush but it only worked half as well as she thought. "I-It's just… things got so bad while you were gone a-and I just…" Shiho grimaced, gripping her sheets tightly. "I don't know if I'd have been able to make it if you hadn't come back and-"

There was a shift in her bed as a blur passed by her eyes before an arm was around her side, pulling her into a firm chest.

"I promise," Naruto's voice came from behind her, leaving her face completely red and her eyes eternally wide. "I'm back and that's not going to change," he said resolutely, holding her close.

Her heart nearly beat out of her chest but her hands held his forearm.

"... I know…" Shiho uttered quietly, a smile on a beet-red face. "Whenever you're around, it feels like everything is solvable."

"Heh," she heard him chuckle and giggled a bit. "Well, that's one way to feel welcomed."

When he rested his forehead against the back of her head, Shiho didn't feel like she was going to 'beat' out of existence and simply closed her eyes.

They'd face whatever came tomorrow together, she felt safe in that.

~NRK~

He gasped as another one of his minions burst into darkness.

The worst part? He couldn't recall them!

"Foolish boy. You tread back here and I won't be merciful by just leaving you with a few broken ribs," came a being that shouldn't have been capable of existing!

It was some huge fox that didn't make sense! Who had such a thing in their cognition!? In their Palace?!

And why the hell did it and several other beasts protect his targets and not just Naruto Uzumaki?!

He trembled against the floor, on all fours, before his eyes narrowed and he hobbled to his feet only to tremble as death was wished down upon him.

'I-I can't win!' His mind rebelled but his body also seemed to be in cahoots with it.

Damn him! Damn that Naruto Uzumaki!

"Leave, pathetic doll, I'm unamused," that insufferable being spoke words that made Akechi's blood boil.

'I will end you and your owner, you putrid fox,' he hissed in his mind before slinking away out of the cognition.

"Pfft, Naruto, you've got some interesting enemies."

~NRK~

Principal Kobayakawa sighed as he finished up some of the last bits of paperwork when an email notification came from his phone.

"Hmm? What's this?" He looked at it before blinking at the letter detailing another student who was transferring in. "... This is kind of last second," Kobayakawa said to himself as he replied to the email. "Hmph, while I can't say it'd be easy, I can do it, this young man will just have to deal with some early-semester remedial classes."

Naruto Uzumaki, huh? The boy looked kind of energetic and positive.

Lord knows what he would find here.

~NRK~

The following morning, she awoke from some of the best sleep she'd ever had in her life, leaving her with the want to stay asleep.

But, alas, she had school in the morning and so, she moaned a bit as she got up. On the upside, this sleep didn't leave her feeling drained at all… as a matter of fact, she felt amazing!

She smiled, rubbing the back of her head as she looked back at her bed…

…?! Shiho's eyes went wide and she began to tremble in horror at the sight of her friend's sun-kissed hair in her bed.

'W-What?!' What happened?!

They didn't do anything, right?! T-They were just talking!

She recalled the night before and breathed in and out, face going down in color and heat.

"Dammit… I'm really out here getting excited for no reason," she said to herself, head slumping. "Haaa," Shiho sighed before looking at Naruto's sleeping expression once more.

He seemed so at peace… in her bed… at her side.

Her cheeks reddened again before her finger reached out and tapped against his cheek.

Naruto groaned and stuffed his face further into his-her pillow, getting a small giggle out of the older teen.

'This… I like this,' Shiho considered as her eyes softened and her hand went from poking to caressing, the boy leaning into her touch. '... I like him… A lot and I don't remember when this happened.'

Perhaps it'd been when he left a year ago. Maybe it'd been when he'd first shown his protectiveness?

She didn't know, all Shiho knew was that she liked him an awful lot. 'Man, I'm hopeless,' she thought with a chuckle as Naruto's eyes cracked open.

Bright sapphires looked at her before looking at her caressing hand with a blush.

He didn't move abruptly, grumbling something out as she chuckled.

"Get your beauty sleep?"

"Enough of it," Naruto answered before sitting up and rubbing the back of his head with red across his nose. "Sorry for sleeping in your bed."

"... No problem, I'd trust any of our friends, not like that, in my bed," Shiho said with a snicker as the blonde snorted.

"Alright, alright, so how am I gonna get showered?" The boy asked as the two of them looked at the clock on Shiho's nightstand. "When do you start going to school?" The Uzumaki asked before yawning.

"It's 6:00 am, you should be able to rush out and clean up before my parents get up."

"Cool."

~NRK~

With some maneuvering, the blonde faked coming over to their house and ate breakfast with his friend as her parents awoke to the day.

Wearing the Shujin uniform, Naruto's personal touch to the outfit had been a change in his top underneath his open blazer, that being a long-sleeved orange top in place of the white one.

He saw how Shiho had started just wearing the long-sleeved top without her blazer before controlling his emotions as he remembered what those sleeves were covering up.

As the girl gave him a rectangular plate full of rice, fish, and miso soup.

"Thanks," the boy said with a thumbs-up as she giggled, the older teen sitting down next to him with her own plate. "So, how's everything besides the end of the day?"

"You say that but, um, we have gym every even day, Naruto-kun," Shiho said with a frown and Naruto's eyebrow twitched. "And soon we're going to be having a Volleyball rally, too," she said with a groaning hum.

Naruto frowned before considering it. "The volleyball rally, only you guys are allowed to play?"

"Huh? No, anyone can play, it's why everyone's typically dressed for gym, just in case."

"... hehehehe," Naruto grinned devilishly. "Then I'm gonna start tearing down that bastard's 'castle' from there."

Shiho blinked at him. "N-Naru, you've never played volleyball since your trip, though, right?" She asked worriedly and he confirmed this by shrugging.

"That's not wrong but I have been watching videos of it… you know, for the day I know you're going to convince me to join the team."

Even then? He was thinking about h-her even then?

Shiho blushed before nodding with her eyes on her food.

'You lovable blonde.'

~NRK~

The two of them walked to Shujin, Shiho having already sent the others a text when they departed.

Standing on the packed train, Naruto acted as Shiho's barrier from everyone else, his back to the crowd and his arms on the doors' windows behind her head.

The older teen's face nearly overheated at how this looked. 'Oh no, oh God,' was it wrong for her to want him to lean in closer?

Then there was a familiar voice from their side and they turned their heads to see a smirking Akira, his glasses gleaming in the subway light.

He threw her a thumbs-up and Shiho stuttered.

"I-It's not!"

"Of course, it isn't."

~NRK~

The three of them walked through that notable passageway, that still didn't make sense, to the school gates.

"Why did G-Maps take us through an alleyway?" Akira asked, looking back at the passage in disbelief. "What?"

"You get used to it," Naruto and Shiho replied in unison before two blondes rushed up to them from behind.

"Sup," Ryuji said with a big grin that Naruto returned before the two of them clasped hands, both of them gripping tightly. "A damn good sight seeing you again," the boy said with a chuckle as Naruto smirked.

"Couldn't leave all of you alone for too lon-Oof!" Naruto tried to say before Ann slammed into him. "G-Good hustle," he wheezed out as the American nuzzled his hair, having jumped him.

"You're back!" She said with a big grin as Akira leaned towards Ryuji.

"I take it this is normal?"

"It totally is, dude."

Putting Ann down, the girl considered him before placing a hand on her head.

That hand moved to his forehead and she gasped.

"You grew up!"

"Yeah, that typically happens," Naruto said as she giggled. "Come on, let's get inside," he continued with a grin as he led the way.

Then a person appeared through the school moat and the Italian's eyes narrowed as the others grimaced.

"Why, there you are!" Suguru Kamoshida said with a long sigh and chuckle. "It's been some time, Suzui-kun. Things have been quite odd with you disappearing at the end of the day. I can never give you your daily reports," he said with faux disappointment as Shiho froze. 'Nice,' that was a good reaction. "Now, I believe you should come to my office-"

"She's not," Naruto said, cutting him off with nary a growl or hiss, shocking the volleyball coach. "If nothing else, you don't need to give her reports. She can get better ones from one of your former teammates," he said to his face as Suguru's eyes widened before narrowing.

They returned to normal but his mouth set into a frown. "Young man, I believe you don't know how things work here-"

"Oh I do, scum," Naruto hissed as he stepped in close, clapping the man on his shoulder before squeezing dangerously hard, the coach's eyes widening as he froze. "I'm not going to be playing your silly fucking games, Suguru Kamoshida. If I catch wind of you bothering my friend again, I'm removing you from this school," he whispered before clapping the man's shoulder twice with a laugh. "Nice talk," he said.

Ryuji felt a large amount of satisfaction fill his soul as Naruto ushered them forward.

"Remember our chat, sir," the Italian said as they vanished into the school's halls.

Suguru's eyes fought for neutrality as his head snapped back to the back of the teens, Naruto at the back of the group-

He flinched as red eyes flickered into view before vanishing like phantoms.

'What the fuck is this kid?!' Suguru's smile plastered itself on but his body was filled with fury the likes of which he'd only felt once. 'He's just like that fucking traitor, Uchiha!'

Calm down, calm down. Suguru had the power here, the boy couldn't do a damn thing while Shiho Suzui was in the volleyball team…

… His eyes widened and his hands clenched into fists before he smiled shakily at incoming students.

'That bitch is going to leave?!'

~NRK~

"You are officially my top 2 favorite people," Ryuji said with a big grin as Akira chuckled. "Like, dude, I didn't think I could feel this good!"

"It does feel good seeing him get put into his place like that," Ann added with a giggle. "But I can bet there's more to this."

"There is," Naruto said with a nod as he turned to Shiho. "Shi-chan, do you want to stay in Shujin's volleyball team?"

Shiho blinked at him before considering the question.

Did she? With Naruto's return, Shiho felt more secure than ever… but should she stay in it for now?

No, she didn't think so. "I think… you're right, I don't want to stay in it with Kamoshida still around," Shiho decided with a frown.

"I'm glad you think so," the spiky-haired blonde said. "And, if you're trying to get training in while you're not in it, did you know Obito used to be on the same team as Kamoshida-teme?"

The group looked surprised.

~NRK~

Standing in the principal's office, Naruto raised a brow at the man's frown as Suguru stood by the door behind him.

"Young man, you've caused quite a commotion," Kobayakawa said with a grunt. "Why did you threaten our faculty?"

"That's an odd question because I didn't," Naruto said and Suguru's mouth set into a frown. "I didn't say anything like that."

"Are you suggesting that Kamoshida-sensei is lying?"

"I'm saying that whatever he said wasn't important," the blonde said and a low growl emanated from behind him. "The fact remains, he never could have been trusted in the first place so I don't know why you're listening to the coach of one team."

"Boy, those are dangerous words," Suguru growled from behind as Kobayakawa groaned. "You can't very well come into our school and tarnish its reputation."

"Which one?" Naruto asked as he looked back at the man lazily. "The fake one you two are clearly keeping up?" The principal froze. "Or the bullshit you're using to assault your students?"

"Hmph," Suguru snorted. "I speak of the reputation that keeps this place running."

"Surprise, surprise, I think the same thing. Except, obviously if you didn't know, it doesn't need YOU here to do that."

The coach's eyes narrowed. "Principal Kobayakawa."

"Naruto-kun, I don't need to inform you-"

"You don't, like how you know a guy by the name of Shido, right?"

Both men's eyes widened as they froze while the boy grinned viciously at them.

"Hmmm… Ya know, I think the media would love to hear about that. The depraved coach, an abusive principal, and both of them to a man trying to run for Prime Minister! Why, what would they say?!" Naruto asked dramatically as the two men began to sweat. "So, how about I inform you, yeah? I don't give a single fuck about you two, the moment you decided to abuse the trust and power in your jobs, you became the enemy. And I've dealt with more than enough people like you to tell you, your time's coming."

"W-What?!" What the hell did he mean?!

D-Did he already?

"But, I'm a kind dude, so here's my ultimatum," the blonde said with a glare. "The both of you either clean the fuck up or leave this fucking school before I ruin your lives."

The room was silent as the boy said this, his eyes never leaving the principal's shaking ones.

"Glad we had this talk," he said before walking to the door.

Then his hand pulled Kamoshida's arm before flipping the coach onto the couch in the office, leaving him as the former Olympic athlete gasped in shock.

"... Dammit, Suguru," Kobayakawa uttered with a growl. "Fucking hell!"

The coach grimaced as he sat up, body fine despite the throw.

'That bastard knew that,' it only made sense, after all, he threw him into a couch. "... Tsk, not like I can predict a student like him."

"Did it even matter?" Kobayakawa asked with a grimace. "I informed you, we both knew that there's a big chance you could be found out. And now it's not just you! What do you think Shido will do to us when he finds out?!"

The fit man froze, eyes widening and skin going pale.

"Exactly," the principal spat. "Dammit, this is it. I can't protect you anymore. I'm going to ask you to kindly leave."

The man gaped at him before his fists clenched tightly, knuckles white.

"All because of some brat?! Just call Shido! Have him take care of it! You said it yourself, he has his skin in this game," he hissed as he stomped out.

When he did, he looked around and found no one in the hall, leaving him to scoff and walk off.

Above the door frame, Naruto's eyes narrowed as he flipped down to the floor and walked off towards a nearby bathroom.

When he spread out his senses and didn't come back with anything, he hid in a stall and pulled a microphone out of his blazer's pocket.

"You get all of that?" He asked it with a grin and an earpiece by his left earlobe sparked to life.

-Crystal. So this 'Shido' is more trouble than we thought- Came Rin's voice over the microphone.

~NRK~

Sae Niijima gaped at her significant other as Rin grinned.

Sae was a white-skinned woman with silver-brown hair and brown eyes that had a hint of red within them. Wearing a bathrobe, she'd simply sat there shocked next to Rin as she pulled off a miracle for their work.

"H-How?" She asked and the former kunoichi grinned.

"We knew that Naruto's hotheadedness would get him into an altercation one day, so we planned a bug on him just in case of anything," the woman said before humming. "Naruto-kun, thanks for your work. Right now, we have to dig up what's the connection between these three and Shido's so-called 'assailants'," she said with a frown as Sae swallowed.

"They'd try to hush a mere boy?"

"Sae-chan, he not only knows too much but Naruto-kun has put them both into a rough spot. He's too dangerous to them."

"..." Sae looked sick and Rin rubbed her shoulder.

"I know, I know but that's why we're in this occupation. To find out secrets like this," Rin reassured her and the woman groaned.

"I know, I know… So, where do we start?"

Rin tapped her chin in thought. "We'll look into Kobayakawa's files, first, then. We'll look for all instances where Shido and he have made contact. We'll do the same for Kamoshida's as well."

"Hmm… following that, we'll need to see how many are connected with him, aren't we?"

"You always were quick on the up-take."

A blushing peck on the lips was her response.

~NRK~

Come lunchtime, Naruto, Ryuji, Akira, Ann, Shiho, and Makoto met on the school's roof.

The six sat down on a long sheet the Italian brought with him and put their food items down on it before eating.

"So, Akira-senpai, how's school life so far?" Naruto asked and Akira rubbed the back of his head.

"Well… Out of all my teachers, Kawakami-sensei is my favorite," he said as Ryuji grinned before scarfing down a sandwich. "The other teachers seem to have a little bit of distrust in me. Still, they don't seem to hate me or try and throw jabs at me. It's more than I expected."

"That's good, though the idea of the teachers proving to be distrustful of you is a bit concerning," Makoto said with a sigh. "How are both of you handling your school material?" She asked Akira and Naruto, this time.

"Oh, well…" Naruto chuckled nervously. "While I knew I was never gonna do well in them, I'm not looking forward to playing catch-up for Math and Science."

"Hm, hm, Naru's always been bad at that stuff," Ann said before nervously giggling. "T-Then again, I can't say I'm that great at Math and Science. Shiho, on the other hand, is a natural."

"I am not," the sporty girl said with a smile. "It's just easier when you do the homework. Notice, easier not 'easy', Science still gets away from me more often than not."

"Hmph, all of you and your good grades," Ryuji said as Akira smirked. "Hmph, I can get a decent C in those, though, so I'm weirdly better at them than Naru… That's kind of creepy."

"What, being smart?" Akira asked and Ryuji nodded, getting a cackle out of him. "Dammit, Ryuji, you can't keep doing this to me, I'll never last."

The group laughed at that.

"Hmm… well, I was gonna tell you guys already but I confronted Kamoshida and the principal earlier," Naruto said, getting sneezes or horrified looks from the others. "Calm down, calm down, I handled them like a champ. Not just that but I totally put them on the back foot and gave 'em an ultimatum."

"Wait, no, I don't understand," Makoto said in disbelief. "How?"

-That's what we're a part of- Came a voice from the blonde's collar as he grinned while the others looked confused. -I didn't know you knew them, Makoto- Makoto's eyes widened as Naruto revealed the speaker on his collar.

"Let's just say, I have sources," he said as Makoto choked.

"N-Nee-san?"

-Yes, it's me- Sae's voice came from it and Makoto gaped a bit. -Ignoring that for a moment, how are you doing in school?-

Makoto blushed while the others began to chuckle or giggle.

"I-I'm doing fine!" The third-year squeaked. "Ahem! I'm just seeing if the others need any assistance."

-That's a good mindset to have, Mako-chan- Came Rin's voice, getting another blush out of Makoto.

"That's Rin-nee-chan," Naruto explained to the others. "For the sake of simplicity, she, Kakashi, and Sae are close."

-Y-Yes, that is an appropriate way of saying it-

-Hm, hm, hm-

Makoto blushed a bit at the real fact of their situation. "C-Correct!" She said. "Sister, I didn't know you were aware of Kamoshida-sensei's involvement in all of this."

-I wasn't, not really- Sae said. -But Rin-chan made me aware of this issue and we were just supposed to help Naruto out but this got bigger than I thought. It also connects with our case, worryingly enough-

"It did?" Ann asked. "... I guess it'd be better for me to not ask, huh?"

-For simple safety, no offense to you, young lady-

"I get it."

"W-Wait, so what does this mean?" Shiho asked hopefully.

-Well, this means that we're going to take him down, eventually-

Shiha had never heard such amazing news in her life!

"W-Well, what do you need to do?"

-We're going to need actual evidence- Rin said. -You can't very well just put someone in jail on word alone. Especially if he has such high friends, we need definitive evidence-

"... L-Like bruises?" Shiho asked and the others grimaced before their eyes widened. "S-So, if someone came forward, right?"

-Yes, that'd help immensely-

"Then I'll do it!" Shiho declared with fire in her eyes. "I want that bastard in jail for everything he's done," she said and Sae chuckled.

-This case is truly coming together- Makoto grinned at her sibling's jubilant words. -Then, can you all come after school today?-

"... Actually," Makoto spoke up, confusing the two across the line. "There's something we have to do before we come back. Something weird happened, nee-san."

-Weird how?-

The group explained what they could, the Metaverse Navigation App, the odd words, the languages, and their suspicions.

-That sounds unwise- Sae said with worry.

-But something about this… I think you all should do it, something tells me that this might be in our favor- Rin said, confusing everyone. -... If we assume this is supernatural… Think about the name of the app, Metaverse Navigation App. If it's asking for all this…-

"It's going to take us into this location that's related to Kamoshida?" Naruto offered with surprise, the others blinking.

"Cognition… it literally asked for it after we input Kamoshida's name and possibly title," Akira considered. "If this is true then we'd be going into his idea of the school… right?"

-That's… not wrong- Sae said with some difficulty.

"Nee-san…"

-... No, Makoto, maybe Rin's right- Sae continued. -Go in there but the moment anything wrong happens…-

"We'll come back, I promise!" Makoto said with a determined nod. "So, we're in agreement, yes?" She asked the others.

"Yup." Naruto.

"Of course!" Ann.

"Let's take that bastard down!" Ryuji.

"Anything to help." Akira.

"This is what I want the most!" Shiho.

"Then we're all in this," Makoto said with a smile.

~NRK~

Come the end of the school day, the group reconvened on the roof, Naruto's wiretap on.

-So, how do you do this?-

"Well, I'll open the app," Akira said as he did that, the others waiting with anxious energy. "... I don't know what-"

Right then, on the screen, the group saw a button appear.

Enter Cognition

-Yeah, that's about what we expected- Rin said with interest. -No time like the present, yeah?-

"Yea…" Akira nodded and pressed the icon.

The space around them distort and the group shivered in unison.

"What the hell is that?!" Ryuji jumped as they all fell on their rears, the area around them completely fucked. "D-Dude?!" He choked as the group realized something crazy.

They weren't on the school roof… no, they weren't in their own world!?

"Whoa…" Naruto looked around before getting up along with the others and going to the edge of the space they were in. "... Yup, it's a castle alright," he said.

The others' eyes bugged out as they ran over before choking at the sight below them.

"T-This is unreal!" Akira exclaimed with a choke.

"For real?!" Ann choked.

"O-Ohh, goodness!" Makoto said.

"... This is it," Shiho said as her hands clenched onto the edge of the roof. "We can do something, can't we?!" She asked the others and Naruto cupped his chin.

"Well, first things first, what do we do?" He asked and she blinked before blushing as he chuckled. "Come on, I think the first thing is that we get down, right?" Naruto asked as he pulled his top up to reveal abs and a pack around his waist.

Removing something from it, they watched as he unfurled the wire and slipped it down the side.

"Alright," he said as he pulled out a kunai and locked the edge of the rope onto the roof with it before looking at the others. "Let's go."

"... dude?" Ryuji asked.

"Oh, well, I always have my ninja wire on me."

"Y-You're what wire?" Makoto asked in disbelief as Akira chuckled.

"Can that thing hold us?" He asked and Naruto grinned.

"Yep! This thing could hold up a car. My godfather makes our tools and stuff with my dad," he said as he gestured to it. "Now, are you guys okay with going down on your own, or do you want me to carry you?"

---

He lowered himself with Shiho in his arms before they landed on the floor.

"T-Thanks," she said with a blush. 'That was like in an action movie!' So was she the heroine or the love interest?

The answer would forever elude her.

"So, this is it," Ann said as she stuck close to Ryuji, holding onto the back of his blazer. "W-We're in someone's head?"

"I mean… that's what I got from they said," he said, stepping close. "So, we just go through the front door?"

"We don't know what we'll find," Akira said with a shrug. "And if this is all in his head… doesn't that mean he'll dislike us on some level? What happens if someone he hates goes in?"

They didn't know, this was a whole new territory for all of them.

"... Then we'll just go in by the door," Naruto said as Makoto nodded.

"Our goal isn't to explore, we're just trying to see what this is all about," she said.

"I guess we don't know how to beat Kamoshida like this, do we?" Shiho asked but Naruto patted her shoulder.

"We'll probably end up back here again, though, so we'll find out eventually."

"Gotcha."

They moved forward and looked at the sign at the front with a growl coming from Ryuji and Shiho.

"He'd leave it the way it is… That's either some fondness… or he's that depraved," Makoto said with a frown. "I haven't heard my nee-san and Rin-nee for a while now."

Naruto checked his wiretap and blinked, tapping it.

"Yo, Rin-nee-chan?" No response. "So, I guess this means that we really are somewhere else."

The others checked their phones and announced their lack of service.

"So, with that, we can assume that this place isn't kind to electronics," Makoto noted. "Also, there's a moat at the school."

"... No, seriously, how crazy is he?" Ryuji asked in disbelief as they passed the drawing bridge. "Like, this is getting out of hand!"

As they entered, they found themselves in a ridiculous area that could only be called the 'foyer' of a castle. Ahead of them was even a long set of stairs that crossed one another and went up a level.

"... So, I'm gonna assume that while he does see it as his castle, this is more, like, how the mind thinks of it, right? Or is the 'Metaverse' something different?" Naruto asked and Makoto tilted her head.

"A metaverse is typically a gathering of data," Makoto explained simply. "If that's the case, this cognition is either pulling from all parts of his brain… or the world's cognition is a part in every place like this… In which case, doesn't that mean places like these are all over?"

The group looked back behind them, where they'd dropped down in front of the castle, and stared at a blank set of buildings with an alleyway between them.

"Isn't that the alleyway to school?" Ann asked. "A-And I can't see anything else."

"So, wait, wherever we came from, does that mean we can teleport all over this place?" Ryuji asked and Akira hummed.

"That should make sense but this place is kind of crazy," he said with a smile before Naruto ushered the group back, the sounds of heavy, metal-covered, steps reaching their ears.

"Hide behind that pillar!" He hissed to them as they rushed behind one of two pillars that were situated by the door, the blonde hiding by the other.

"Hmph, I thought there was a disturbance here," came the voice of what looked like a knight with a shield and sword. "Intruders? There were others besides that cat in the jails?" It scoffed before… Looking in their direction?!

"What the hell?" He whispered before frowning as he remembered his words. 'A cat?'

Then there was a scream and the former shinobi's head snapped to his side where the others were to see two more of the knights behind them!

His eyes narrowed and burned red.

"Princess Ann, Princess Shiho, what are you doing with these-" One of the knights began to say only for Ryuji to dropkick him. "Gah! Intruders! Intruders!"

The other knight raised his shield only to for a pair of feet to crack his helmet and send him to the floor.

"Nice, Naru-" Ryuji began to say, turning to his friend, only to blink. "Dude?!" He yelped as the… 'person' before him blinked.

Wearing a sleek-looking yellow cloak with black symbols all over it, the person's face was covered by a pure black oni mask that only allowed his eyes to be seen.

Dressed in a pair of yellow pants that led down into similar-colored shinobi sandals, his upper half was covered by a black, long-sleeved, top that bore yellow symbols all over him.

"Whoa…" The person's voice was unmistakable.

"Naruto-kun?!" Shiho jumped in disbelief as the figure turned their head to them before rubbing the back of it, spiked-back yellow locks being pat down.

"Yeah, it's me," he said as the two guards began to get up. "But now's now the time, we've gotta go!"

"You aren't going anywhere, intruders!" Came the voice of the first knight who ran with his sword raised.

Burning red eyes turned to the oncoming sword.

A flash of gold left the others with no 'knights' around them before a loud crash from above the staircases had them looking at where it came from.

Naruto landed on the floor as those knights twitched in agony before… melting?

The melty opposition dripped to the floor before vanishing from sight.

"The hell?" The blonde blinked before his senses pinged. "Freaking!"

When numerous other 'guards' came, they found no living beings in the hall.

---

Shiho blinked at the gold limbs holding her and the others up as Naruto stood on the ceiling?

"Shh," he said, the enemies down below faffing about before a large red knight on a horse came through and gave them orders. "That seems like one of their bigger guys, I guess."

"Find him! That was the destroyer of King Kamoshida's castle! The boy can't be allowed to live!" He said as he galloped away. "I will search the corridors, don't let him leave here alive!"

"N-Naruto?" Ann whispered and squeaked all in one moment as Akira blinked at their newly-'clothed' friend. "What the hell happened to you?"

"I don't know," he kind of lied. "At least… I think I don't know. This is the head of Kamo-teme, Akira was right, we're enemies of him. Just like that knight guy said, he sees me as the destroyer of this place," Naruto's eyes burned bright. "And I'm gonna make that damn true."

"Still, what does it have to do with your new get-up?" Akira asked and the blonde chuckled as he ran along the roof before jumping and landing on the next level of the hall.

"Well if we're enemies, maybe this is how he sees me?" Naruto said as he put them down but the group huddled around to look at his mask. "What's on my face?"

"It's an oni mask," Ryuji said but Makoto's hum interrupted.

"No… That's the mask of the Asura statue, isn't it?" She asked and the boy blinked.

She'd been right, it held all the same, angry, features of the god Asura. Though Ryuji hadn't been too far off about the oni bit because two horns pointed up from his forehead and the mask was far more 'demonic' than 'god-like'.

"Well, I guess a god of destruction would be his opponent," Makoto said with fascination, touching one of the horns. "But, still, where did it come from?"

"It just sprung up on me," the blonde said with crossed arms as she tilted her head. "I was ready to fight and this just… shot on me in fire."

"... Is it possible?" The student president cupped her chin in thought. "... I see. That's it, then. It's because you present an actual threat to his position, you're bigger than just an annoying student to him. You could be his undoing!"

"Wait, so, it's because Naruto is more than just some random guy?" Ryuji asked. "Heh, I guess you got to him way more than we thought," he said with a grin as Naruto chuckled.

Shiho simply observed her friend in interest. "So, how's it feel?" She asked and he cupped his chin with a gold hand, getting a giggle out of her. "That good, huh?"

"It's pretty cool," Naruto said before humming as he blinked at something they couldn't see. "... Dia?" He said in confusion as they looked at him oddly. "... I-I… I think I have Skills?" He said in total confusion as the others blinked.

"Skills… Wait, like in video games?!" Ryuji shouted in disbelief as Akira's glasses gleamed in the artificial light.

"What kind of skills do you have?" He asked with interest.

"Hmm, well, I've got this Dia thing, this weird one called Tarukamaka, don't ask, I don't know. Megido, Mediarama, this one called Pill Blessing, and T-Thermopylae, who the hell wrote these?" He asked in disbelief.

"That all sounds like… greek?" Makoto wondered. "Those were either suffixes or prefixes but the last two were different. Especially, Thermopylae , which was a battle in the past. What do they do?"

His mind blurred before his eyes widened.

"I-I think it just got zapped into my head," Naruto said, getting a hum out of Akira. "So, Dia and Mediarama are healing skills. While Megido is some sort of… it calls it an 'Almighty' skill? It's a wide-ranged attack. That Taru-thing is an attack buff thing while the last one is some super skill. Attack, Defense… agility?" He blinked as Ryuji and Akira grew excited. "It raises all threw of those. Finally, Pill Blessing… oh," oh shit.

Did he have temporary Shinju fruits?!

"I-It allows me to pass on similar powers to my own to whoever eats it, though it can only be used once at a time."

"Dude, that's so cool!" Ryuji nearly squealed. "That's so fucking cool."

"It's big," Akira said with a similar grin. "Try casting it on us!"

"Boys," Ann said but she looked excited by the idea, too. "Well… Go on, cast it!" She said, completely falling into their pace.

Shiho and Makoto giggled while Naruto snickered.

"Alright, here goes," Naruto said before raising his hand. "Thermopylae."

The group burst into red, green, and yellow light before it faded away, leaving them to shiver and look at their hands.

"Duuuuddeeee," Ryuji squealed. "I feel so powerful!"

"Hm, hm, hm, hm!" Akira nearly cackled maniacally.

"T-This feels… oh," Makoto blushed at the feeling of energy pouring into her veins.

Her muscles, her mind, her skin, her feet.

All of it felt reinforced.

Ann grinned widely, slowly flexing each of her fingers one by one.

"I feel like I could beat Ryuji in a race," she said with wonder. "Is this what being a sports nut feels like?!"

Shiho sweatdropped at her. "I-Is that really what she's comparing it to?" She asked Naruto who chuckled nervously.

"Hmm, Pill Blessing," he activated the spell and a familiar red fruit appeared in his hands. "Here, Shi-chan," the blonde said, giving it to her.

It was the size of a softball and dark red. It looked like a flower, at first, but Shiho could consider it a fruit, too, at first glance.

"So, I just… eat it?" She asked and the item shrunk before becoming the size of a jawbreaker. "Oh, that's simpler," Shiho noted before swallowing.

Then she threw it into her mouth and chewed… hmm!

"It tastes like oranges, melons, and tangerines had a baby!" She said with shining eyes before swallowing. "That's amazing-!"

Her eyes widened before her body was covered in gold flames.

When the flames fell away, though, was when the real shock hit her.

Her top from before had become black and covered by those weird marks while her skirt burned yellow. Over her shoulders, a similar mantle appeared but it only came down to her thighs as her shoes glowed gold, as well.

"W-Whoa!" Ann said in shock and awe as they saw Shiho's newest duds. "I guess this would be the way it shows, huh?" She asked as she observed her friend.

She could see these colors! Especially since Shiho's top turned black.

Shiho blushed as she saw it as well, looking at the mantle with a sort of awe reserved for her greatest items.

"I-It's so cool, Naruto-kun!" She said and the boy chuckled, blush hidden beneath his mask.

"I'm glad, now, what should we do now?" He asked the others and they blinked. "Like, I want to check out where this so-called 'cat' is."

"... Hmm, well, in a castle the jail would be on a lower level," Makoto noted and he nodded. "Still, does this count as enough danger for us to stop?"

"... I think it's very close," Naruto said with a frown. "I think what I'm more curious about is if the app can take us away from anywhere in this castle."

"... But then, will we end up wherever that'd be in the school?" Ryuji asked with a nervous swallow. "Dude, that's not safe."

"It's not," the group nodded.

"But we'll have to go back eventually. For now… Alright, how about we just follow Naruto's lead, and if things get too much, we leave?" Makoto suggested and the blonde grinned.

"I'm cool with it," he said and the others nodded. "So, ready to take the Naruto express again?" Naruto asked with a smirk.

~NRK~

They'd traversed the area by sticking to the ceilings with Naruto's new form.

Shiho, being inexperienced, still required his aid.

They traversed with Makoto's general understanding of castles, the hallways being annoying at the best of times but they found themselves at a cavernous lower level that left them with zero doubt.

Especially when they saw the cages but that's beside the point.

"So, here we are," Naruto said as he spread out his senses. "No one nearby but that's not a reason to be lax."

Coming down and depositing his friends, the group followed the blonde's lead at that, the boy's mouth set in a frown as he felt out the cages they passed.

Then they heard it.

"Let me out! Hey! Whose bright idea is this?!"

"Bingo," he said before the group started running.

And fast.

In seconds, they came to a screeching halt, Ryuji and Ann feeling euphoria as they looked at their shoes.

"Dude!" The girl hopped for joy as he did the same.

"This is so fucking cool!"

"Hm, hm," Makoto giggled a bit at their excitement.

"Hey, what the?" Came the voice from the cell and the six turned to see… a cat.

A bipedal, seemingly, walking, talking, cat.

His, he sounded male, fur was black but on his big head the bottom half was covered in white.

His eyes were big and blue while around his neck was a yellow bandana as a belt with pouches sat on his waist.

"Whoa… I'm guessing you guys are also visitors here," the cat said and Naruto nodded.

"We are," he answered.

"Heh, knew it," he said. "So, uh, do you think you guys could get me out of here?" The cat asked as Naruto made to answer before he was dragged back by his group.

"Huh?!"

"Group meeting!" Makoto announced. "Naruto-kun, while I don't like the idea of him being in there, we don't know what the cat is."

"Hey! I can hear ya, you know?!" The cat shouted. "And I'm not a cat!"

"That's not what it looks like from over here," Ryuji said flatly and the little being began to growl. "Totally cat-like."

"Alright, alright, don't make him mad, we don't know what he can do," Ann said, patting his shoulder.

"Who are you?" Shiho asked and the cat huffed.

"... My name's Morgana and I got caught in here before I could so much as leave."

"Morgana? That's an interesting name for a cat," Akira noted and Morgana's hackles raised.

"I told you, I'm not a cat!" He declared before wilting. "I mean, I know I'm not, I can't be."

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked. "Did someone change you into a cat?"

"... W-Well, I think that happened… all I know is that I woke up like this, and I can tell it's not normal."

"... What do you guys think?" Naruto asked.

"... Well… I want to know," Makoto spoke up. "Do you know anything about this… metaverse?" She asked and he looked surprised.

"How can you know its name but not what it is?"

"Trust us, it's been out of our depth for a while now," Akira said with a nervous smile. "This entire situation happened to us almost 30 minutes ago."

"But he's got his rebellious spirit!" Morgana stated, pointing at Naruto. "A-And I can tell you all got buffed, what the meow is going on here?!"

"What's that?! Intruders?!" Came a voice from far off.

"Meeeooocchhh! Get me out of here!" The cat said sadly to Naruto.

"Alright, hold on," he said.

"Thanks! So, there's a key-"

The screeching of metal reached his ears and, soon enough, Morgana and even the others stood there gaping at Naruto's strength.

"Come on," he said, jabbing a thumb behind him.

"... What the heck are you?" Morgana asked as he came out. "Whatever, forget it for now. Let's get out of here!"

"You know where to go?" Makoto asked.

"I was scoping this Palace out to stop this man," Morgana said as they all ran down the path. "When we get to a Safe Room, the name for a special place in this Palace, I'll explain everything. For now, we've gotta move!"

Naruto nodded before Morgana gaped at the energy arms shooting out of the blonde's back that picked them all up.

"Where to?"

~NRK~

Morgana didn't know there were people this quick on the uptake!

They were currently moving via the ceiling, their path to security secured as the group saw the hazy-looking door down one direction.

"This way," the cat whispered as Naruto took them over to the room. "Inside, inside."

They went in and Ryuji and Ann took care to not slam the door behind them.

"Phew!" Morgana let out a loud sigh of relief.

"So, I'm guessing these rooms can't be heard from the outside?" Makoto asked and he nodded.

"Safe Rooms are special areas in Palaces where the control of the owner isn't strong enough. This place looked like a classroom for a bit."

"So, can you give us the rundown?" Akira asked. "What is this place? What the hell was the app that took us here? And, most importantly," his eyes glowed. "How do we use this to stop Suguru Kamoshida?"

"... Oh, right, those goons did say the king was named something like that," Morgana mumbled before sitting down. "Alright, let's start from the beginning, yeah?"

The group sat down.

Time for some answers, hopefully.

~NRK~

That's a wrap and I finally got another chapter out for this story.

I'd been considering it for the past month and finally got this written out in the past four days.

So, this might end up four chapters, just in case, but it is ending after Kamoshida is defeated.

Still, I had lots of fun this chapter. All the changes due to the characters' interpersonal relationships led to this result.

Sadayo is far more willing to be involved in her students' school life and, as such, prevented Ryuji from getting his leg broken.

Makoto is more open to others and it ends up with not just her in the Metaverse but Ann, Ryuji, Akira, Shiho, and Naruto all together as a group who's here to find out what they can do.

Not just that but Sae and Rin know. Sae being the most alarming change. They're adults who are in on it and know not just this but also about Kamoshida and Kobayakawa's connections to Shido.

Speaking of, Akechi got his ass handed to him and it's so sweet knowing he's run away like a beaten dog, not capable of touching those Naruto is connected to and is now more injured than he's ever been. Physically and in his pride.

Adding on, Shiho's biggest change in directive, she'll quit the team until Kamoshida is removed from his position and Suguru can't do anything about it, especially if Naruto's around.

With the two on the back foot, Kamoshida's get defensive and angry. He's becoming irrational and Shido is his only way out before he does something that will ruin himself whether Naruto's involved or not.

Naruto's also got his rebellious uniform, his symbol of rebellion, so easily because of not just who he is but also because of how much of a threat he already is to Kamoshida and his difference from normal humans.

With his skill set, the theme was 'Similar Powers'. So he can enhance people, even going so far as giving one of them his pure form, while having a good healing and an Almighty attack.

Of course, I thought of Wind skills but I think Almighty works better.

And so the group has freed Morgana and are finally going to learn what the hell the metaverse is.

I'll see you all in the next one.

Ciao.

Words: 17.6k+

~NRK Out~