Chapter 21

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Ninja Gaiden or DOA

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

{ } Signifies a foreign language.

Last time:

"….Hinata-chan, can you see where Aoi-chan and Momiji-chan are?"

"Sure Naruto-kun." said Hinata as she activated her byakugan. "Aoi is in her room. It looks like she's writing a letter or something." Then Hinata blushed and deactivated her byakugan.

"What is it Hinata? asked Kasumi.

"Momiji's in her bedroom having sex with Naruto-kun. I guess she was serious when she said that this morning." answered Hinata. "We probably shouldn't disturb them."

Ayane face palmed. "She's a sex fiend too."

"What exactly did she say this morning Hinata?" asked Kasumi.

Hinata shook her head. "Momiji said the rain we're having depressed her so she was going get Naruto to make a clone for her and go have sex all day. I thought it was a joke."

"So that's what Momiji wanted a supercharged clone for. She said she 'needed help with something.' I guess I should have known." said Naruto deadpan.

Tokyo….weeks ago

Nezumi lay on the ground dead with a hole in his head where his left eye used to be in a back alley of Harajuku. The exit wound left gore all over the place. {"What a pathetic waste of my time."} said Bayman in Russian. {"Finding him took forever but the coward just ran until I finally got him. I would have thought since he was a ninja he would have had some fight in him. Oh well, it was an easy paycheck."} With that Bayman collected any personal articles off the corpse relation to his identity and particularly to DOATEC and left to collect his pay from Donovan. He didn't notice the odd woman watching in the shadows.

After Bayman vanished the woman giggled and said, "I may have use for this one."

Hayabusa Village

It had been a couple of weeks since Naruto tested the chakra conversion seal and he was concerned. The rain was still going strong and Chiharu of the Hien clan and all of Naruto's wives were terribly ill with pneumonia or the likes. The village healers were doing their best to help but so far the girls were getting worse instead of better. Naruto was very worried since all of them were now more or less quarantined. Chiharu was having fever dreams and kept calling out to stop and begging not to make her do that….whatever it was.

Kureha was examining the girl closely and detected something unexpected and called Naruto over. "Chiharu is your families cook right?" Naruto nodded. "I detect a minor fiend's presence within her. I need to perform an exorcism immediately. Can you carry her to the Dragon shrine Naruto?"

Naruto was shocked but quickly covered Chiharu and carried her to the shrine. It took Kureha about an hour to set things up and destroy the lesser fiend's presence. When Chiharu woke up she immediately started crying. Kureha and Naruto tried to calm her down and asked her what was wrong (aside of the strange illness of course).

"Naruto-sama, it isn't an illness, it is a poison!" cried Chiharu. "I was accosted by a ninja and he forced that fiend into me. He gave me instructions to brew it in with the evening's tea before I served it to you and your wives for dinner. After I brewed the tea I struggled with the compulsion within me and had some of the poisoned tea myself hopping it would kill me before I served it to the Uzumaki Clan for dinner but it failed. I am so sorry!" she wailed. "Please take my life as punishment for this failure. There is only a month left before we all die…." She broke down into sobs and Kureha tried to reassure her.

Naruto nodded slowly. "If it's a poison we must make a cure. Come with me Chiharu. I forbid you too take your own life when you can help make a cure. I think we should talk to Aoi-chan."

The despondent young woman nodded slowly and said, "I will do anything to help and atone Naruto-sama."

Naruto soon gathered the wheezing girls up along with Chiharu to explain the situation and hoped Aoi would know a cure. Aoi cringed when she realized what poison it was. "I know this poison Naruto-kun but one of the ingredients to cure it is in China. I know of a black market dealer we can get it from in Hong Kong in China but all of us but you are too weak to travel."

"What's the nature of this poison Aoi?" asked Momiji coughing. "If it's from the Black Spider clan we may already have an antidote."

Aoi shook her head sadly. "I'm the only one who knows the cure because I invented the poison to deal with family issues when I was with the Black Spider clan….

Flashback…

Aoi was thirteen and sitting with several of her cousins that were all grandchildren of Obaba-sama. Obaba said, "One of you will be designated as my heir. I have not decided who is most worthy and qualified yet and I look forward to seeing how you seven impress me over the next few months while you perform your duties for the Black Spider Clan. I expect great things in the near future from all of you." She briefly locked eyes with Aoi. "You all are of varying ages and a few a very young but greater age does not always equate greater wisdom. I will choose who is most worthy in a few months and designate my chosen heir then.

Aoi spent the next week meditating and finally decided to discreetly look through the lists of toxins the Black Spider Clan had created over the centuries. She knew as a thirteen year old girl she didn't stand a chance in straight combat with her older and stronger cousins. She called her worm of a retainer Nezumi and gave him a list of ingredients she needed. The old texts had a poison that induced symptoms like a sickness of the respiratory system that would infect and debilitate a person for nearly a month due to this so called sickness. With Nezumi helping her she created a version of that old poison that would end up lethal within a month to six weeks.

She left it to Nezumi to administer the poison to her cousins and several others clan members Aoi deemed as dead weight to the clan or people that might oppose her becoming the heir. The whole time she was feigning nervousness and fear of her older and stronger cousins. While Nezumi was poisoning the targets she designated, Aoi created an antidote that would neutralize the poison in case someone tried to use it on her. Six weeks later she was the only one of her cousins left to inherit the title of heir. The mysterious respiratory disease that wiped out quite a few clan members was a tragedy and left Aoi 'distraught' at the many deaths.

Obaba called Aoi to her private study later that week after Aoi 'mourned' the many unfortunate deaths along with the rest of the clan. She knocked on the door to Obaba's study and heard the ancient sorceress bid her to enter. "Come sit before me Aoi-chan." said Obaba. The old woman turned to her two sentries. "Step outside and guard outside of my chamber. I wish to have a private conversation with my grieving grandchild." After the guards left and closed the door behind them Obaba smiled widely and said. "You always were my most favored granddaughter. I knew you would win the title of heiress to this clan."

"I don't know what you mean Obaba-sama." said Aoi sadly. "The malignant disease that killed so many; it is a tragedy."

Obaba propped her hand under her chin. You mean the 'disease' that mysteriously took out all of your competitors and potential political enemies. It also coincidentally wiped out many weaker and non-productive members of the clan but strangely left our military forces intact? That poison you concocted was brilliant Aoi-chan! I'm surprised you didn't try it on me!" the old woman chortled. "I am both pleased and impressed with your methodology. 'Struck down with something similar to pneumonia that we tragically could not cure. They suffered slow, agonizing deaths and ultimately poor Aoi-chan was left to mournfully accept the title of heiress as no one else was left. I think that sums it up quite nicely."

Aoi's demeanor changed knowing she was found out. She considered trying to take out Obaba until the old sorceress laughed and said. "You are indeed worthy of being the clan heiress and my successor. You do not know how proud I am of you Aoi-chan."

Aoi looked confused. "You mean I am not to be punished for my actions?"

"Punished?! Child, you are going to be rewarded!" said Obaba with a laugh. "Like a spider you silently set up your web and killed your opponents without mercy. You still have much to learn but Granny Obaba will instruct you. This will be our little secret. Is there anyone else that knows?"

The redhead answered, "Only Nezumi. I can't stand him but he is useful to me. I plan to let him live for now."

Obaba's laughter rang throughout her chambers as she formally bestowed the title of heiress onto Aoi-chan….

Flashback end….

"So you used it to secure your position of heiress and no one was the wiser. Did you ever write down the formula to make this stuff?" asked Ayane.

"It's all up here." said Aoi tapping the said of her head. "By the third week we'll all be bedridden and we're a week in. I need to write down the formula and to antidote's formula now though." she said as she grabbed a pen and paper.

Momiji asked, "Is there anyone else who would know about it?"

I never told Obaba the formula so the only other person who could possibly know is Nezumi. He was there when I mixed the poison but I never gave him directions to him how to do it. I brewed the antidote when he wasn't around. He would know the ingredients to both but it's hard for me to believe he could replicate the process. Still, he's the only possibility.

Naruto asked, "Is there any way to delay it and buy us some time Aoi-chan?"

Aoi shook her head. "I don't know of one but I do know of a brew that will alleviate the symptoms so we won't be in total misery. It tastes horrible but it will be worth it." A tear rolled down her face, "I'm so sorry everyone."

Kureha said, "Write down the formula and the ingredients for the antidote first. We need to know what to get, where to get it and how much."

All the ingredients except for Mu Xiang are plentiful in our greenhouses here and in the Mugen Tenshin Village. It will be easy to prepare them."

"What about this Mu Xiang?" asked Momiji. "I'm not familiar with it."

Aoi replied, "Mu Xiang is also known as the Costus Root and promotes health of the intestine, liver and gall bladder mainly. The fact it is in this antidote throws most people off because the poison attacks the respiratory system and Mu Xiang would seem like an unlikely solution. I designed it that way. It's also very rare so we'll have to get it through a black market contact I have there."

Naruto said, "Since this poison had no effect on me I'll go to this Hong Kong place and get it. Just tell me where to go and who to buy it from."

Aoi sighed. "Naruto-kun, you don't speak Chinese or English so it won't be easy." At Naruto's obstinate look she said. "The place you need to go is the Kwun Tong District of Hong Kong and the woman you need to see is Lei Fen who is an herbalist that specializes in medicines. She has a shop in the city of Lam Tin. She can get anything for the right price. She also speaks and reads Japanese. I'll write a letter for what I need."

"Then that's where I'll go." said Naruto with determination.

That was three day ago….

Hong Kong International Airport

Naruto was totally lost. The airline ride had been harrowing and he'd tuned most of the trip out by feigning sleep and talking to Kurama. The fox took great efforts to calm his friend down. Naruto was sick with worry about his wives and the added stress of this trip and traveling through a foreign land didn't help. Other than the little translation dictionary he had Naruto was limited to "Hello", "Goodbye" and "I only speak Japanese." It was going to be a hard trip. He showed his (fake) passport and went through security with the false story of visiting friends in the city of Lam Tin and hoped they would be there to meet pick him up soon.

Fortunately his Visa with the Uzumaki account worked fine so at least money wasn't an issue. After an awkward discussion with a local businessman who actually spoke Japanese Naruto was able to get some spending cash from and ATM and rode one of the many buses to Lam Tin. His destination was a more affluent area called Laguna City that had a local Japanese population. The first thing he noticed on his bus ride was the enormous high rise buildings that made him wonder what they were all for. The second thing he noticed was the extremely dense population there. He'd never seen so many people in his life.

It took him nearly three hours to navigate the Laguna City area to find the rather modest shop simply labeled Lei Fen's. From what Aoi told him she was very affluent and kept a front of a tiny business to keep from attracting attention. Aoi also said she was very shrewd and an information dealer of sorts. The reason she and her business were left alone was she had so much information on the criminal underworld and the local government that both groups protected her (unofficially of course). Naruto figured the woman must be very intelligent to have stayed alive in the business she was in and didn't want to underestimate her. Apparently she had a very convincing neighborhood grandma image and was disarmingly charming.

Entering the shop he found the place was filled with pleasant scents of aromatherapy and told Kurama to filter them in case they were laced with drugs. He soon found the perfect image of a 'Chinese Herbalist' manning the counter with a friendly disposition. "Konnichiwa young man." she said in perfect Japanese. "I am Lei Fen and I'm quiet curious as to what such a handsome young man such as yourself would be doing in an old lady's herbalist shop like this."

He smiled and said, "I have letter from a friend for you." He bowed slightly and handed her a copy of Aoi's letter with a list of what she needed.

Lei Fen took the letter and opened it gingerly. He noticed she rubbed a balm on her fingertips beforehand that no doubt would block and detect poisons. She looked at her hands for a split second and began to read. "What an interesting shopping list. I thought she'd be sending her list with Nezumi-san as always."

"Nezumi-san and Aoi-sama are no longer associated though I'm sure you are quite aware of this Ma'Am." said Naruto in a friendly tone.

She nodded making a 'hmmm' sound. "Well Mister Uzumaki, let me see if I have the items from this shopping list in stock. Special orders do cost a bit you know."

Naruto nodded and said, "I'm quite aware." He figured if he revealed lives were on the line she'd charge him triple. With that Lei Fen nodded and slipped through a curtained door to the back.

Soon he heard someone else enter the shop who said in Chinese {"Granny, are you in?"}

Lei Fen poked her head out through the curtain and said, {"I have a customer, Lei Fang. A Japanese customer."}

"Oh, sorry!" Lei Fang replied in Japanese. She turned to Naruto with a smile. "Hello there, I'm Lei Fang; Lei Fen's Granddaughter. Can I help you find anything?"

Naruto smiled taking in her appearance. She had dark brown hair and a short black leather dress that screamed punk with the zippers and all. All in all she was very attractive. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Your Grandmother is taking care of my order, thanks."

Lei Fang asked, "Are you the reason those Chinese Triad are outside the shop watching you?" with an impish smile.

Naruto looked outside over Lei Fang's shoulder and saw four big men in suits standing outside wearing sunglasses. "What are Chinese Triad?" asked Naruto in confusion.

Lei Fang raised an eyebrow "You've never heard of the Chinese Triad?" When he shook his head 'no' she wondered if he'd lived under a rock all his life. "I guess they'd be like the Yakuza in Japan."

"So they're gangsters?" asked Naruto. She nodded. "Why haven't they come in and started busting things up then?"

"Granny has many friends who wouldn't like that." Lei Fang replied with her smile returning. "Have you done something suspicious Mister Uzumaki?" Lei Fang had seen it before. He'd gotten on the bad side of the locals and needed to be put in his place. She hoped they didn't bust him up too badly. She thought he was cute with his blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Well, I guess I'll step out and see what they want." said Naruto curtly. "Excuse me while I go visit with them." he said as he walked towards the door.

Lei Fang had a dumbfounded look as the blonde went past her towards the entrance. 'Is he that brave or just that stupid?!' She was about to say something when her Granny came out looking amused.

"I guess we'll see if he lives up to his clan's name." she whispered to Lei Fang. "Did you notice the way he walks?"

Lei Fang nodded. "He has a really great ass Granny."

Lei Fen face faulted. Then she whispered, "No, no child! Great ass or not, he is a ninja! The Uzumaki clan is quite feared due to recent events. I'm hoping to see why."

Outside….

Naruto walked out nonchalantly and said, "What can I do for you five gentleman today?"

The biggest of them cracked his knuckles and said. "There are four of us boy."

"I meant the one with the camera in the blue car down there." drawing looks of shock from the four bruisers. "Isn't he going to join you in attacking me?"

"No." said the biggest assuming the horse stance along with the others.

Naruto looked bored. "The horse style? –And not a very refined one at that. You four should go home. You really are wasting my time."

The men glared and then charged as one. A second later Naruto was behind them with his back to them. The Triad members collapsed like puppets with their strings cut. He had his hand out with a rasengan in it and body flickered over to the blue car. The man inside hadn't realized what had happened when Naruto crushed the door in with his rasengan and held it to the man's face. The man literally shit himself in fear. Naruto's killing intent was high enough that the man was having difficulty breathing. Naruto said in a voice that would freeze the blood in someone's veins, "Tell me who sent you or die slowly…."

Naruto brutally grabbed the man by the throat with his other hand and pulled him forwards in the car's seat. The man was staring in wide eyed terror as he felt the rasengan press up against his coat and it was shredded away like tissue paper. His body armor went next to his horror. "Tell me what I want to know or the skin, muscles bones and internal organs are next, in that order. Do we have an understanding?"

The man nodded yes as best he could with Naruto's hand gripping his throat. "T-the man who hired us is named Nezumi."

"Is he missing his left arm?" asked Naruto to make sure.

"N-no. He's got some sort of demon's arm from his left elbow down. S-same for the left side of his head." the man stuttered out.

"Where is Nezumi now?" asked Naruto. The man started to balk but Naruto flared his rasengan a tiny bit and the man felt the sensation of a rug burn on his skin.

"H-he's in block twenty eight on the twenty-third floor! I don't know what room! Please don't kill me!" the man groveled.

"Fine. I'll let you live." said Naruto. He then slammed the man's head against the steering wheel. "You just sleep for now." After searching the man for his cell phone, camera and I.D. he took them and crushed the phone beyond recognition rendering it useless to anyone. Naruto sealed the other items away. He then body-flickered back over to the four thugs and scared the hell out of Lei Fang who was nudging one of the oafs with her foot to see if he was still alive. She jumped back into her Tai Chi Quan stance. Naruto smiled and said, "There's no need to get on your defense. I'm not going to hurt you." He body flickered two of the men away and came back for the other two seconds later.

Lei Fen was impressed. "It seems he's got much more going for him than just a great ass Lei Fang. Offer to tag along with him and be his Chinese interpreter while he's in town."

Lei Fang was wide eyed. She whispered, "Granny, he killed those four men! He's deadly!

Her Granny chuckled, "While I admit he could have killed them; easily I might add, he didn't. He broke their sternums with some the most vicious open palm strikes I've ever witnessed and chopped their necks rendering them unconscious. A few weeks in the hospital and they'll be right as rain."

"Granny, he was nothing but a blur to me." said Lei Fang in distress.

Lei Fen shook her head at her Granddaughter. "You'll be trained for it in time. Those four were nothing but thugs. If they'd been real martial artists like you are becoming Mister Uzumaki wouldn't have had such an easy time. Trust your Granny." Seeing Lei Fang nod she said, "Let's go back in the shop. He'll be back soon enough. Come to think of it; I need to get the rest of his order together."

Meanwhile Naruto had stripped to four men; literally. After taking their phones, I.D.s and weapons his prankster side came out and he hung the four oafs naked by their ankles from the top of the Laguna Park entrance. Hearing Kurama's laughter in his head Naruto left them for the news media and police to find them.

'Nezumi caused this whole poisoning and he has the help of a fiend Naruto.' said Kurama once he calmed down from his laughing fit. 'I know you want to hurry back to your vixens but he's a threat that must be eliminated.'

'I agree Kurama. I wish I could send a supercharged clone back to Japan or after Nezumi but there's too much at stake to risk it.' answered the blonde.

'Then go kill Nezumi and if the fiend or fiends behind him rear their ugly heads then cut them off.'

Naruto growled. 'Nezumi is as good as dead.'

A while later, the blonde ninja soon came back in Lei Fen's store and found Lei Fang at the counter. She eyed him with a little fear and a lot of curiosity. Finally after staring a while she said, "So you are a ninja." It wasn't a question but rather a statement.

"I am." said Naruto. "Please tell Miss Lei Fen that I will have to come back and pick up my order later. The one behind those Chinese Triad members attack is an enemy of my clan and I'm going to remove him from the equation for good. I'm sure you understand." Lei Fang looked conflicted. Her Granny told her to offer to be his guide but now it seemed he was out for blood.

"Let me get Granny. Please wait here." said Lei Fang. The normally cheerful and confident girl needed some input. Namely, Lei Fen's input.

Lei Fen soon came out to the front and turned her front door sign to display 'Closed for Lunch.' She ambled back behind the counter and said, "So you're going to take Mister Nezumi's head." Naruto nodded. "You know, Nezumi told me all about you. He said you were a monster who had captured Aoi-sama against her will. He dosed the Uzumaki Clan with the intention of Aoi-sama coming here to get the ingredients for the antidote and he would 'rescue' her. He told me you and your clan mates would soon be dead and Aoi would be safe in his loving arms because she was immune to the poison. I'm under the impression he miscalculated."

Naruto pondered a few moments and said, "You're just as clever as Aoi-chan said you would be. Nezumi did poison my clan but Aoi-chan didn't have a resistance to it. I did on the other hand. He's cooperating with a fiend or fiends and I mean to exterminate them. No offense, but they aren't human and from what I got out of those thugs he isn't entirely human either. I hope it doesn't go against your set of ethics to allow me to eliminate them. I have to destroy him to assure my family's safety and this is the perfect opportunity. There's no way the goons he sent can contact him now."

"Did you kill them?" asked Lei Fang.

"Kill them?! Why would I kill a bunch of petty thugs following orders?" asked Naruto. "If they were actual martial artists and a genuine threat like you two are it might have been different. I don't know what you image is of ninjas is Miss Lei Fang; but we Uzumakis and our allies would never harm an innocent if we can help it."

Lei Fang visibly relaxed. "What did you do with those four then?"

"I hung them upside down and naked from the entrance to the Laguna Park. They'll probably have to call the fire department to get them down."

"…."

"…."

As one, the two women lunged for the TV remote control. After a brief but fearsome Tai Chi thumb wrestling match Lei Fang gained control of the remote and turned to small TV in the shop to the local news. A lady reporter was speaking as the camera panned over the four hapless thugs with the appropriate censoring over their midsections from both the front and back at various angles. "….Local authorities are baffled as to how this happened. No one saw how they climbed up there and it is assumed to be some sort of college prank. Here is Police Chief Da Cheng who has issued the following statement:

A stern man in his forties appeared on the screen in front of several microphones. "I don't know who these exhibitionists are but let me assure everyone in the city of Lam Tin, particularly those in the Laguna area that the law will come down hard upon them. College pranks are one thing but these….these degenerates will be dealt with severely for this display of public indecency where mothers bring their children to play!"

It was at this point the cameras zoomed in on the men's faces and another news reporter's voice came in. "The local fire department has been called in to pull the men down as the police do not have the necessary equipment to retrieve them…."

Lei Fang and her Grandmother exploded into laughter when one of the men clearly awakened and started looking around wildly and tried to cover his decency in a panic. It was several minutes before the two women calmed down and wiped the tears of laughter from their eyes.

Naruto simply looked on with a self satisfied nod to himself for a prank well done. 'Those four idiots will rue the day they crossed swords with the Prankster King from Hell.' He felt Kurama mentally patting him on the back. The ancient kitsune shed a tear of Fatherly pride at Naruto.

After Lei Fang regained control of herself (aside of the occasional giggle) she said, "I will accompany you Mister Uzumaki. I can assist you as your interpreter and guide.

Naruto looked surprised. "Are you sure Miss? I saw your Tai Chi Quan stance and it was excellent but I'll be going against supernatural opponents. I believe that you could kick most people's asses but I'm positive you've never had to kill before and I wouldn't want you to. It changes a person."

Lei Fang was very happy at his praise as she hated to be looked down upon. Lei Fen had regained control from her giggle fit as well and said, "You are a very curious young man Mister Uzumaki. I thank you for your care about my Granddaughter's welfare but I assure you she can handle herself. Despite the fact she's only seventeen she is considered a prodigy and has been referred to as a Tai Chi Quan Genius.

'She's still a year older than I am.' thought Naruto ruefully. "Well, I know I need to go to block twenty eight on the twenty-third floor. I'll have to hunt for his room though." said Naruto.

Lei Fen nodded. "It's room sixteen. Your far more resourceful than I gave you credit for Mister Uzumaki."

"Both of you just call me Naruto. I'm not much on formality." said the blonde.

Lei Fang smiled warmly. "Just call me Lei Fang then. You don't have to address me as Miss."

Naruto nodded and then turned to the elder of the pair. "Just out of curiosity Miss Lei Fen, why would you volunteer the room number without charging me for the information?"

Lei Fen smiled mischievously. "Truthfully, there are three reasons. The first is my Granddaughter is with you and I don't want to have her in more danger than necessary. The second is the particular Triad there is a disreputable lot. The vast majority of the Triads respect my wishes and the area around my shop is off limits. If it had been one of the other organizations they would have waited until you came out and were a fair distance away so the police or reporters would not have considered me a witness to happenings around me. I prefer my privacy, thank you very much. The last reason is Nezumi himself. When he was in here talking about 'rescuing' Aoi-sama there was an air of….unnaturalness about him. He had the left side of his face covered as well as his left arm. When you mentioned he was dealing with fiends of all things; everything made sense. He needs to leave this world and it seems to me you are the one to do the job."

"And yet you'd still put Lei Fang in harm's way?" asked the blonde.

The elder said. "Lei Fang need to see the other side of things. I've always had my hands in the other side and Lei Fang has grown up in an affluent neighborhood as a privileged child like her Father did. He grew up to be a very successful businessman that I'm very proud to call my son. My granddaughter has also grown up to be an exemplary child but she's always been curious as to what her old Granny does. I'm taking this opportunity to further her education." She turned to her grandchild. "Lei Fang, I am trusting you to do what you must but obey Mister Uzumaki's instructions to the letter. I want both your ears open and your mouth shut. He obviously has great experience in covert operations and that experience is what you lack. Swallow your pride and follow his orders."

Lei Fang nodded. She was a little taken aback. Lei Fen continued. "After you return; if you decide you don't want to be involved with the underworld I won't blame you or be disappointed in you one bit. It is dangerous and it is the sort of danger that isn't for everybody. I know you love the martial arts but using them to sometimes brutally subdue others takes a kind of mettle you can only test by entering the fire. If you don't want to go just say so now. I won't think any less of you and I'm sure Naruto won't either." Lei Fang looked at Naruto's blue eyes and he nodded gently in agreement.

"I will go with you if you'll have me Naruto." said Lei Fang with an earnest expression.

Naruto smiled and said. "Then I'll do everything I can to keep us both out of trouble. If you're facing a human opponent and feel confident then knock them out. If it's a fiend though, let me handle it. They aren't human and something that might hurt or even kill a human being might not even slow one of them down, okay?" Lei Fang nodded with more confidence and a smile of her own.

Lei Fen said, "Excellent, Lei Fang! Learn as much as you can from Naruto here." Now we're going to need to get you some security cards to the elevators at Block twenty eight. It's not that high tech but it helps keep residents safe and potential troublemakers out."

Naruto opened a scroll and produced all the wallets of the thugs he'd taken out. "They probably have those security cards in here."

"How did you do that?!" asked Lei Fang in amazement as she looked at the scroll.

"It's a ninja trade secret." said Naruto mischievously with a wink.

Lei Fang put on a small pout and her Grandmother said "I've heard of that ability though I've never witnessed it in person. It's an ancient ninja technique from what I know. As far as I knew the ability was extinct."

Naruto said noncommittally, "Eh, something like that."

Lei Fen let out a small pout too but it wasn't nearly as effective as her beautiful Granddaughter's and Naruto didn't bat an eyelash. 'Damn youngsters. He didn't even give a passing glance. It sucks getting old.'

After finding the Security cards for Block twenty eight's entrance and elevators Naruto also cleaned out their wallets of any Hong Kong dollars and their credit cards "We might want lunch or something." was his justification at Lei Fang's disapproving look of shock.

Lei Fen laughed and said, "It's the law of the jungle dear. Get used to it." Lei Fang finally shrugged seeing it was a rather pragmatic way to deal with things.

"Never go to war on an empty stomach." said Naruto sagely.

The pair grabbed some Beef Chow Mein (courtesy of the thug's cash supply) and then headed over to Block twenty eight on a double decker bus which was an entirely novel experience for Naruto (and was much better than the plane ride from Japan). Fortunately he wasn't prone to motion sickness due to years of ninja training and racing through trees (sometimes upside down).

Soon they were at Block twenty eight which was an impressive structure to Naruto although it looked the same as all the other blocks to Lei Fang. Lei Fang led the way swiping the security card that opened the minimal security doors to keep vagrants out. Acting like they belonged there, the two soon reached the elevator and punched in the number for the twenty third floor. The elevator was a bit crowded but got less so as they went up. Finally the two exited and found the halls were mainly empty. Given Lei Fen said the floor was mainly under control of a minor triad they weren't entirely surprised. To most people they looked like a couple of high school kids that simply got off on the wrong floor and were lost.

They soon reached room sixteen and it had two guards. Naruto and Lei Fang ducked back out of sight and Naruto leaned against the wall temporarily activating his sage mode. "There are two human guards outside, two inside and two lesser fiends as well as Nezumi who seems like some sort of amalgam from the feel of it." His eyes clicked open and he saw Lei Fang staring at him with amazement in her eyes. His eyes faded back to their normal blue from yellow and he said, "That was my sage mode I told you about over lunch."

"It's one thing for you to describe it but another thing to actually see it." she said still sounding a bit astonished.

"Well, no matter." said Naruto. "We'll each knock out one of the outside guards and force the door. When we get in I'll immediately attack the two lesser fiends. The two other human guards are yours provided they don't have firearms. If they do we'll need to disarm them before we proceed."

"What if the fiends have firearms?" asked Lei Fang.

Naruto shrugged. "It's highly unlikely given their natural weapons are superior. I'll deal with that. You concentrate on your targets. Okay?"

She nodded and asked, "What about this Nezumi person?"

Naruto said darkly, "He poisoned my family. He is mine. Get clear when you see him because when I catch him it will be a bloodbath and he'll die.

Lei Fang cringed a bit at that part. She had no doubts that Naruto was going to kill this Nezumi person. She closed her eyes for a moment and steadied her resolve.

"Are you ready?" asked Naruto. "This is your last chance to turn back."

"I'm ready." she said. "Let's do this."

POSTSCRIPT:

Next chapter we'll see if Nezumi escapes alive (again) or if Naruto and his inexperienced partner Lei Fang manage to destroy him. This officially starts the Fiend Hunter's Arc. Note that it will be an ongoing thing. I have no intention of Ishtaros and her sister popping up out of nowhere and letting Naruto and the girls knock them out like bowling pins. Getting Kurama's other half won't be easy at all.

A note about Lei Fang: It never made a lot of sense to me why a (on the surface) affluent, sheltered girl like her would get involved in DOA. I could see her having a strong interest in the martial arts and even her obsession of sorts she has with clobbering Jann Lee but to get involved in what is pretty much a blood sport tournament run by criminals? I can't see it. So I decided to give her a little more back story. I figured if her Granny already had associations with the underworld that it would not only give Lei Fang the connections to enter the DOA tournament later but also some experience with the darker side of things to back that up. Blue out. 1/29/15