Never before had a finer group been brought together. Not since the Kage summit-which was rather recent- had there been a combination of such raw talent, tenacity and potential.

Naruto looked proudly at all his applicants, his arms crossed smugly before him. Sakura beside him was a little less enthusiastic. Every one else was a little bit perplexed.
Standing side by side with their backs pressed against the wall of Ramen Ichiraku-their Headquarters hand picked by Naruto, of course-was the Kakashi Retrieval Squad!

Consisting of Shino, Tenten, Ino, Neji, and tucked between the taller ninjas Konohamaru.

"Well" Naruto let out a deep satisfied breath and put his hands on his hips "whattya think?" he turned to Sakura beside him eager for approval. She looked away from him, and over these recruits. Lined up along the wall they looked more confused than happy to help. Naruto, however viewed them all at his beck and call.

"Impressive roster." she admitted sounding somewhat impressed. Neji and Shino would be able to sense ahead. Tenten was a weapons master, Ino could be used for interrogation. All skilled, but they needed something more. And then there was just one more wrench in all this; the one she didn't say aloud. "Is that everyone?" she asked turning back to him. Before Naruto could respond one of their applicants did.

"Hey! What is that supposed to mean?" Ino interjected from the wall "We're not good enough for you?"

Another one gave her an answer before Sakura could.

"We were the only ones not out on missions." Neji stated with an air of complacency "We're the only ones they've got whether they like it or not."

"Well, we don't need any one else." Ino said confidently turning to him.

Neji was about to retort before his teammate did.

"Everybody!" Tenten called out and all eyes went to her "I think Sakura was referring to something else." She and Shino looked down at the person standing in between them.

Young Konohamaru stood between them with his arms crossed and was just as ready to fight as the rest of them, not noticing any discrepancy between him or anyone else here. He didn't think of it at first, but when he heard only silence and noticed all eyes went to him quizzically he did become just a little red in the face.

"Hey" he grumbled "What are you all looking at?"

Shino cleared his throat from behind his coat, but said nothing. That he left for others.

"Well, you see" Tenten started sweetly "You're-"

"-Too young for this job" Neji cut her off.

"Neji!" Tenten snapped back at him.

"What?" he shrugged passively "It's true. He's a liability."

"There are better ways to say it!" she chided.

"Yeah" Ino agreed coming up from behind Konohamaru "You could hurt his little feelings." Ino said putting her hands on Konohamaru's shoulders to reassure him. But he needed no reassurance.

"I'm not little or a liability!" Konohamaru shouted up, shaking Ino off and glared up at everyone as they all ganged up on Neji.

"Of course your not." Tenten knelt down and encouraged him the way a mother would to her child.

"Then let me come with you!" he shouted up as Tenten now struggled to explain how someone so young and still being a genin wouldn't be a great asset to a mission like this. Meanwhile Ino shouted at Neji who sternly spoke back, and Shino stood by passively watching everything unfold.

In all this confusion Sakura turned to Naruto "Great team, you've assembled." she nagged. Clearly she was unimpressed as this was already off to a poor start.

"It was the best I could do in short notice." he shrugged an excuse, his enthusiasm seeming to fade with the very visible cracks showing. They both looked back to power keg that had gone off.

"So how do you want to handle this?" she asked. Naruto scratched his head as he watched on. He was actually kind of hoping they would all rally behind him no questions asked. But it seems fate once again, had different plans. Looking at the group, he saw now, that Konohamaru was the most at risk during their upcoming venture. If something out there could fight against and even take down Kakashi, what would it do to some one like him?

Luckily he could deal with this a lot better than Tenten, who was now backed against a wall by the raging genin, who was only being held back by Neji even as Ino still screamed in his ear and Shino just stood there taking it all in as if it wasn't happening at all.

Taking a deep breath Naruto stepped forward into the lion's den.

His first few steps went unnoticed, but the closer he got the more everyone seemed to notice, and they slowly stopped their bickering to stare wordlessly at him. From behind Sakura lowered her body down on her left side to see more of their reactions. Naruto then cleared his throat.

"Konohamaru" he began getting his attention "I have got the perfect mission for you." he smiled brightly. Every one save Shino whose face was hidden, showed utter shock at what he just said.

'That's not what I meant' Sakura cringed internally from behind.

Cheering Konohamaru fidgeted out of Neji's grip and reported before his teacher.

"What'll it be boss?" he asked enthusiastically, proud to be noticed among the many here. He had been the first one chosen out of this impressive group, so truly it must be an important mission.

"Konohamaru" Naruto spoke and the young genin leaned in with anticipation "If your gonna be apart of this team your gonna have to pull your own weight."

"I'm gonna, I'm gonna" he jumped his in place ready to do his part "You won't have to worry about me!"

"Well then" Naruto put his hands on his hips "As part of the Kakashi Retrieval Squad. Your job will be to put together your own team" Konohamaru was getting more and more excited with each word Naruto said "and stay here in the village."

Every one breathed a few sighs of relief, all but Konohamaru had gone back to being even redder then before.

"What?! No way!" he fumed stomping his feet and waving his arms "I don't wanna stay here. I wanna go out and go on a dangerous mission with you!" The way every one else saw it, this hadn't solved their problem. In fact it only seemed to make it worse.

But Naruto wasn't done just yet.

Naruto knelt down before his young pupil "Konohamaru you don't get it" he said as Konohmaru quieted down. The two were eye level now "If I'm out there, who's going to stay behind and protect the village?" Naruto asked. Konohmaru was silenced the moment he heard that and the young ninja's eyes widened as he grasped the momentous task put before him. His attitude towards his assignment quickly changed.

"Don't you worry boss!" he saluted dutifully "You can count on me!"

"I knew I could" Naruto laughed and then stood up. With that taken care of he looked over Konohamaru, and to the rest of his team. Ino, Neji, Tenten, and Shino all looked to him. From behind even Sakura looked on convinced. Now they were ready to begin "Now" he let out a deep confident breath "let's-"

"HOLD EVERTYTHING!" a loud energetic voice boomed across the sky. Alerted they all turned their heads to follow were it came from, tracing the sky to see a lone figure perched high atop a nearby building. The sun blocked him from clear view. They looked up together to try to see this mysterious figure better. Ino held her hand up to block the sun to try to get a better look, Konohamaru turned his hands into binoculars to look. Naruto and Sakura peered forward in interest. Neji looked out of the corner of his eye as Tenten looked upwards, both of them hearing something familiar in that voice. Shino still hadn't moved.

The figure then struck a fantastic pose and held his fist proudly in the air with the blinding sun as a backdrop it looked quite picturesque even though they still could not make out who it was. Then letting out a fierce war cry he propelled himself off of the building and high into the air. Spinning in the air so wildly he became a blur of green to the rest of them before shooting out two long legs that landed him onto the ground before the group with his legs spread and his arms shooting out to his sides, now still as a stone. "How was that?" he asked stuck in a flamboyant pose with a bright smile that gleamed like a star and a thumbs up.

The crowd, however was not too impressed.

Tenten covered her face as Neji rolled his eyes "Guy-sensei" Tenten she groaned into her face in embarrassed.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked.

Guy broke his pose and took a step forward and stood before Naruto. "I heard Kakashi had gone missing. And thus as his greatest rival I had put it upon myself to go and find him and beat what had beaten him" he paused and looked to the sky with a raised fist before turning back down to look at the crowd before him "but then I heard a special team was getting ready to do just the same thing." he put his hands on his hips "So I thought I'd lend my skills and lead this mission" he pointed a thumb go to his chest.

"Hey! I was supposed to lead this mission!" Naruto shouted, but that didn't dent Guy's confidence at all.

"You?" Guy asked looking down before sticking his nose up "Not at all. You need someone with experience." he shook his head and hand dismissively "Skill. Gusto. And a personal vendetta against the one we're trying to save." He struck a fantastic pose with each word he said.

Experience definitely, but skill in only one area. His Gusto was truly unmatchable. And his Rivalry carried his unhealthy motivation.

"NO WAY!" Naruto fumed "I'M GON-" Sakura quickly cracked him in the back of the head reeling him over.

"We'd be glad to have you." she smiled. Now it seemed things were finally starting to come together.

They were prepared to go and find their missing teacher. They knew he was out there somewhere, but in what shape? Was he safe? They had to find out. Only two people already had that answer; the man himself and only one other.

Kakashi jumped through the trees. Once he landed on one he instantly propelled himself off and onto another making his way farther through the forest and away from the Leaf Village, which he had left only for the second time recently. The trees provided perfect cover for a ninja. If you can't be seen, you can't be detected by an enemy. Of course if you weren't a ninja, you might have no need to hide. But if you were in enemy lands well then...

Kakashi looked up to the sky, looking between the leaves to look for someone who despite their combined best interest might want to do just that; hide.

Being unable to see him, he didn't jump for the next branch, but the ground. He found a nice patch of open trees where the sun was able to break through and shine down. Now that he was here, Kakashi did the opposite of hide.

He perched himself up against a tree trunk, pulled out his book out of his pocket and began to read. He would hardly get through the first sentence before the violent rustling of wind bore down from above shaking the trees and their leaves. He kept a finger to keep the pages from ruffling as the wind died down in front of him. Peering over the page with one eye, he found the very person he thought he just lost track of; the Namekian warrior Piccolo starring at him. And he did not look amused.

"Oh you were behind me." Kakashi admitted surprised, putting the book away "I was certain you'd left me behind."

"Hm." Piccolo let out a grumble "That wouldn't be in our best interest" he responded crossing his arms. "since I've no idea where to go."

That was a fair point, among some others.

After their fight Kakashi had intended to do what he had said. Bring him back for interrogation. Technically he did half before having second thoughts. Piccolo regained his strength miraculously before they returned and Kakashi was certain another bout was about to break out between them. He was hurt against the rejuvenated Piccolo, so it would be harder than before. But whatever fight he expected was stopped before it began, by none other Piccolo himself. He spoke of the exchange he had with Yamato and how he intended to question him further before Kakashi intervened. From there he felt compelled to fight just like Kakashi himself. But now the two exchanged words not fists.

Instead of fighting they got to talking before they came to blows again and through each other they gained something. Not answers like both wanted, but something just as interesting. As it turns out both had received strange, ominous warnings in the form of premonitions. Too many people both of them knew thought this was likely something to fret over.

The two of them now speaking to the other thought differently.

So they decided to put their skills together and find out the source of this shared problem. But they agreed certain things had to be dealt with first. Yamato did need medical attention which Kakashi wanted him to have and Piccolo did not mind delaying for him to get it. Piccolo who after eating a strange bean seemed perfectly fine. After having one for himself offered by Piccolo, Kakashi understood why. Unfortunately, he had only two on him. Kakashi was grateful for the senzu bean and the care for Yamato; a previous enemy to Piccolo.

The two backtracked to the Leaf Village allowing Kakashi to drop Yamato off at the hospital. Piccolo waited on the outskirts of the village as Kakashi made sure Yamato got what he needed. He then passed on another message for Yamato; that he and a 'informant' may have an answer for this recent premonition and incursion. And not to follow him so he may deal with it, less they come across their own peril. Once that was done Kakashi departed the village with the Namekian and here they found themselves now.

"How much farther till the Hidden Mist?" Piccolo asked about their destination. The only place they figured they could go. According to the report Kakashi told Piccolo, he surmised his friends had stopped by there, one of them at least. The description of the mad swordsman struck both of them as strange and for that side of things neither one could account for. Something that may just be the shared source of their conflict. They couldn't say both were still in the land of Mist, but they had no other options.

But if the managed to bump into someone along the way...

"By flying? Couldn't say" Kakashi shrugged "I could tell you by foot, though." The tone he gave already gave Piccolo the answer he wanted. It would still be some time.

"I get it." he said "Let's not make anymore stops like this. You can read your stupid book later."

"Hey, it's not stupid" Kakashi retorted as Piccolo ignored him and levitated up into the air "You'd enjoy it if you read it!" he called up to him in the sky. Without a word said Piccolo continued to fly off in the sky now really ready to leave him behind. With no answer coming to him, Kakashi had no choice, but to give chase and caught up below him on foot. The two now travelled together with one above the other through the forest and the Land of Fire.

Soul Society

'Don't worry dad. I'm coming' Gohan thought determined 'And I'm bringing help.'

Ichigo and Gohan jumped through the gate leaving Gohan's world behind to go and find his father in another.
And while he didn't know where his father, brother and friends had gone he didn't expect this.

"Whoa" he let out quietly as he looked around at the tall white buildings surrounding them as they stood on a marble pathway flanked by two short walls with houses and other buildings behind them. Beyond them all towering over everything was a great hill that seemed to be the center of this world. It was joined by an equally tall white tower by a bridge. "So this is where the tailed beasts are." he concluded aloud.

"Hm?" Ichigo looked over his shoulder to Gohan "You say something?" he asked not hearing him. His voice was much different than Gohan's. It was more neutral and clearly less impressed by what surrounded them; The Soul Society.

"I didn't expect my father to be in a place like this!" Gohan said astonished as he continued to look around. Rukia opening a door out of nowhere was impressive, but it leading to something like this? He never would have expected it.

"He's not." Ichigo told bluntly turning away from him, diminishing Gohan's wonder "We have to pass through here before we can get there."

"Well.." Gohan fumbled, a little bummed now "I wish you could have said that before." Gohan crossed his arms.

"I thought it was implied." Ichigo replied a bit annoyed with Gohan's tone.

"Well, it wasn't." he snapped back.

"Well, maybe you should have asked!" Ichigo raised his voice. They were now descending into the same back and forth that was usually reserved for someone like Renji, not the level headed Gohan.

"I thought you would have told me!" before their argument could escalate further, a voice called for Ichigo's name.

"Ichigo!" a soft voice called and was carried lightly through the air like a gust of wind. Ichigo looked back over his shoulder as Gohan looked over him to see two men approach them. They looked around the same age as his father if not a bit older. One wore a white coat to match his hair. The other wore one as well, but he couldn't see much of it because of the large colorful pink one he wore over it. He didn't seem as uncomfortable in the color as Vegeta was. He couldn't see much of his face either because on his head was a wide straw hat on to cover most of his it. Hidden under his coat he saw two swords poking out. It unnerved Gohan a bit, but Ichigo seemed much less wary of them.

"Jushiro. Shunsui" Ichigo turned greeting as the two stopped before him. The two looked at him and exchanged a pleasant greeting before they turned to Gohan.

"Who's your new friend?" Shunshui, the man in pink asked with a thumb pointed Gohan's way as the other pushed up on his hat revealing more of his bearded face.

"This is Gohan." Ichigo introduced them "He lives in the world I was assigned to go with Rukia, Renji and Byakuya". This all did seem a little confusing to Gohan, but he listened intently none the less. But he noticed something else as well. He could sense every one before him was indeed powerful, having the same distinct energy signal Mayuri had, but he didn't feel threatened by them. Jushiro and Shunsui particularly seemed very laid back and peaceful. As it turns out Jushiro was Rukia's Captain "He said his father and younger brother travelled to another world. I think it might be the other one you've been investigating."

"Is that so?" Jushiro let out "What are the odds?" he chuckled pleasantly.

"Well ol' man Yamma wouldn't like the sound of that" Shunsui said touching the tip of his hat with his fingertips and lowering it back to hide his face "You guys jumping from here to there, one new world to the next. Only we're aloud to do that." Shunsui said before leaning in and whispering "But we'll keep that between us, huh?" he winked.

"Great!" Gohan said "Can you take us to him?"

"Well, as it turns out, we've been put in charge of the Senkaimon, ever since Captain Kurotsuchi-" Jushiro told, but was then cut off by Gohan.

"Mayuri!" he yelled startling Jushiro as the other two covered their ears.

"Yes" Jushiro said "but he abandoned his post you see to do some of his research." the very sound of the kind of research for Mayuri made Gohan's skill crawl "And the Head Captain wants only captain level personnel in charge of it. So he put us here instead."

"Seems you've come to the right people then" Shunsui said rubbing his ears "But I can only guess you've had a run in with the good doctor."

"He's a madman! He tried to hurt my friends!"

"That sounds just like something he'd try." Shunsui agreed to the statement, but it sounded like he didn't approve.

"He's quite talented, but he is a bit on the... excessive side." Jushiro explained with a nervous chuckle.

"That's not saying much." Gohan said.

Shunsui let out a deep breathe "Well, let's not sit around with all this gossip. Let's get you boys back on the road."

"Will you!? Thanks!" Just as he found out with Ichigo, not every Soul Reaper seemed as bad as Mayuri. It didn't seem to extend to his fellow captains either. It almost begged the question of what King Kai was worried about? Perhaps some of them were bad, and some were good? When he found Goku, he knew he'd be able to sort it all out.

"Just follow us." Jushiro waved, and they turned around and lead the way.

"Gotta say." Shunsui said looking to Gohan as his heavy pink coat bobbed over him "Love the outfit." he complimented pointing to him. Gohan was missing the helmet and cape, but it seemed even worlds away the Great Saiyaman still impressed.

"You know, if your father really is in this other world he might have run into some of our other Captains." Jushiro told.

"If they're more like you two that sounds like a relief!" Gohan sighed.

"Hey, what about someone like me?" Ichigo asked, but his offended tone went unnoticed.

"Well one of them might be pleasant. A bit of a workaholic, and on the young side, but pleasant enough." Shunsui said calmly as they walked. Truly the diligent young Captain of Squad 10 wouldn't get himself into something he wouldn't be able to get himself out of "The other might be a bit of a problem." his tone went noticeably darker than it before as he thought of the Captain of the Combat Division attempting to carve his way through the new world "I wonder what kind of trouble they've gotten in already?" he mused "They're supposed to send back reports, after all. And we've received none so far."

"Say, that makes me wonder" Gohan spoke up and both Captains stopped to look back at him halting the groups advance "What are you guys looking for anyway? Going to two different worlds the way you are?" The two captains looked to each other, then to Ichigo and then finally to Gohan. A hint of understanding was shared in their eyes. Silently they were seemingly thinking the same thing.

"Beats me." Jushiro said aloud with a smile.

"Not a clue." Shunsui shrugged innocently.

Now that was strange. If these were two of the strongest captains with the most seniority, it was strange they didn't know what they were even looking for. Given their friendly demeanor he didn't think for a second that they would be withholding information from him.

Confused, but a little less concerned Ghoan took that as an answer.

"You know I was told of some great threat looming." he paused and looked to Ichigo "And Ichigo told me you guys were looking for some balance to correct." Truthfully Gohan couldn't think of any threat that he hadn't dealt with already. So it had to be something new. "Maybe it's the tailed beasts we were warned about?". But if they were in this other world, why did the come to his?

"Say, now you might be onto something." Shunsui seemed to agree, but just as easy seemed like he wanted to move on and talk about something else.

"Let's put your theory to the test and get you there." Jushiro seemingly agreed, and waved them forward and they began to walk again.

The four continued to walk in silence until Shunsui spoke up again. "So tell us, what's this new world look like?" he turned back to Gohan over his shoulder.

"Well, it's not so new to me" Gohan said before turning his head up "This place looks fantastic!" he said with wonder.

"Eh" he let out and looked forward again "you get used to looking at it when you've been here for centuries on end." he said a bit bored by it all not unlike Ichigo.

"Yeah, I guess I get what you mean." Gohan admitted casually looking around at all his surroundings. But then thinking it over, one word from his statement stuck out to him and stopped him dead in his tracks "WHAT?! CENTURIES?!"

The two captains looked back and nodded casually to him. Gohan then turned to Ichigo "And how old are you?!"

"uhhh 17" he answered sounding like the answer should be obvious. But Gohan didn't seem to find that answer very reassuring. But he didn't have enough time for questions now.

"Well, here we are" Jushiro said as they stopped before a towering marble frame made in the likeness of a door. Like the one Rukia opened, it seemed to lead to nowhere. It was taller and much wider than that one dwarfing even some of the buildings they passed on their way. But this door was closed and Gohan knew better at this point then to second guess anything "Let's see if we can get this right on the first try." he said as he and Shunsui took their places beside a control panel adjacent to, but coming out of the side of the large door. Luckily enough it seemed they would. The door opened to reveal a blinding white light.

"What now?" Gohan asked peering ahead trying to see through his, but saw nothing.

"We just jump on threw." Ichigo answered. And once he answered he did just that. "Well, come on!" he called back, his placement being reversed from when he was brought here earlier. Now he was the one leading "We didn't come all this way for nothing!" Nodding Gohan followed his guide.

"Have fun boys." Shunsui waved to them as they jumped through the open doors leaving them behind.

"I'm sure you know your way back." Jushiro called.

"Good bye Captains!" Gohan turned around and waved as he jumped in "And thank you!" he yelled before turning back to catch up with Ichigo. He looked back only once to see the doors close and Soul Society disappear behind them. It was too late to turn back now.

As soon as they landed, they were hit by a hard gust of wind. They held out their hands to block their faces as they were assaulted by a sudden roughness. Their feet placed firmly on the ground began to shift and even sink.

"What is this?" Gohan asked. The wind died down, and they lowered their arms to view their new surroundings.

A desert; a dry, hot scorching desert that stretched all the way to the horizon. Not where he expected to be in the slightest.

"Is this where they are?" Gohan asked looking around wondering where his family and friends were and what trouble they could be in if nothing was to be seen. The wonder from seeing the Soul Society was completely gone by this point.

"No." Ichigo answered his voice serious "From what I saw they went to a land covered in green trees. This is somewhere completely different." the two looked around more for signs of anyone, but saw nothing but the sand.

"So what now?" Gohan asked.

"They have to be around here somewhere." Ichigo concluded. "Don't worry we'll find them" he said reassuringly turning back to him.

Gohan let out a breath. He sounded tired, but was more determined than ever. There was only one thing to do now.

Gohan sensed the area around him; everything felt dark and desolate to his senses. With only the slightest traces of familiar energy and an abundance of something just as strange. Energy not like the kind he sensed in Ichigo, Mayuri or the other captains, but different all the same. Spiritual Pressure, Ki and this new energy. All three mixed and muddled together. Finding them would be hard it seemed. But that's what he was here for. He knew they needed him, and he would not fail.

"Alright" he paused as the two looked around a little more. "Which direction?" he asked.

Ichigo peered off into the distance behind Gohan. "That way." he nodded.

"Any particular reason?" he asked and Ichigo turned back to him.

"None at all" he answered. With no clear direction they had to guess somewhere to go.

As for the person they were looking for, he was farther away, but in just as good shape. Even if he did feel a little lost... which was because he was.

Valley of Clouds and Lightning

The mountains and the clouds seemed inseparable to him as he flew high amongst them. Peering down below he thought he could see little pockets of civilization, but upon further inspection it turned out to be nothing. Which was really bad because he was very, very, very, very hungry. If he couldn't feel it already, his stomach was doing a great job at reminding him.

"Ah I know" Goku covered his stomach with his arms "I'm so tired. So hungry." he groaned doubling over as if in pain, but thankfully he was only starving. Though they may have been worse at this point. He hadn't had anything to eat since he left home instead of getting dinner ready- and he didn't even get to try it!

This adventure sure was turning out to be not quite what he expected. And King Kai made it sound so important too! Maybe every one else was having better luck? Goku's was about to turn.

A blinding light struck his eyes from below, so he shielded them with his hands only to let loose another roar from his abdomen. But between his fingers that's when he saw it; a bright blue lake with rays of sun shining off of it back into the sky at him. Where there's a lake there's water and where there's water there's "Fish!" Goku let out "I'm starving!" he said before he nose dived down from the sky and right into the lake crashing into it and shooting the water high into the air. Swimming around he saw schools and schools of fish all around. None the size he was used to, but they looked delicious none the less. Kicking his feet like jets he swam through the water catching every fish he could in his hands.

Once his hands were full, he jumped out of the water and onto dry land. "Raw's not really my favorite" he admitted aloud to the fish in his arms "But it's better than nothing. And hopefully I'll need all the strength I have." He opened his mouth wide and was prepared to pop all of the fish in, when a loud rumble caught his attention. Only it wasn't his stomach.

Looking around the entire ground began to shake, and ripples in the lake began to form waves. Dropping the fish back into their home Goku looked ahead to the distant mountains. A cloud of smoke erupting from between the two of them. His eyes peered forward and though he hadn't quite gotten used to the unfamiliar energies of this world, he could tell something was coming. And strangest of all it had a different feel to his senses; as if like him it's energy signature was different all together than the energies he been sensing this whole time.

Then a black dot appeared between the two of the mountains. He looked up to it quizzically. It seemed to be heading right towards him. He thought he even heard a faint high-pitched voice squealed on the wind getting louder the closer it got to him.

"WEEEEEE!"

Looking up Goku could see something jumping into the air. It was not flying, but coming back down bounding forward, and towards him!

Something suddenly landed hard in front of him cracking the ground around his feet and casing a gust of smoke to rise up from the ground from the impact. Goku was undeterred and stood his ground, waiting for it to clear as the shadow of a towering figure formed in it.

"That was fun!" a high pitched voice let out in the direction of the giant, confusing Goku very much. "Again! Higher!" it called. The smoke began to clear, and he saw the figure before him for the first time and it's voice; though the two were inseparable, they were not one in the same.

One was a tall figure; taller than Goku himself, and even Piccolo. He had a black eyepatch on his right eye, a scar running down the left side of his face, spiky black hair and a mangled black and white uniform.

And sitting on his shoulder was a tiny little girl with pink hair who was the source of all the talking he heard "Again! Again! Higher! Higher!" she kept chanting looking to the man she perched on.

The man let out a grumble towards her "I'm sick of your directions." he said in a rough voice "Where are we going now?"

"The right way!" she responded cheerfully with no doubt or hesitation. The man who carried her didn't seem to accept that fully and his eye then turned over to Goku looking up at them curiously. They had finally noticed him.

"HEY!" he called out to him "You have any idea where this is?"

"Me?" Goku asked pointing to himself and looking around to the mountains all around them "No. I'm as lost as you are." he admitted innocently turning back to them. The man let out another annoyed grumble.

"I told you, Kenny! Only I know where we're going." the little girl said. Goku then noticed something inside of the man's uniform. The hilt of a sword.

"Hey!" he let out pointing gaining the two's attention. "Your a swordsman" The man's grimace turned to a demented smile. He reached for the sword and tugged on it slightly to reveal part of the jagged blade to show him.

"The best there is." he declared.

"Alright"! Goku said clenching his fists "That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I've been looking all around for some one like you."

"Someone like me?" the man repeated and his terrible smile grew "Because I've been looking for someone to give me a real fight and I've found nothing, but weak drivel." he said with a gleeful scorn.

"Then it's a good thing we've run into each other" Goku grinned eyeing him. As he did the opposing man's one eye did the same. "Because I was told, I'd find someone strong to fight."

"Is that so?"

Goku nodded "Yep. You and then a tailed beast."

"You won't live to see that tailed beast" he said as he raised his hand up, but not to draw his sword "But I'll be generous since your so confident. I'm looking for a true warrior, and I don't want to be disappointed again." he then set his arm to his side "First hit's on you." he said relaxing his body and standing still before him.

Goku was skeptical "Hm?"

"You heard me. Hit me with everything you've got." he said again "I want to see if you're really worth my time. Otherwise, I'll go find someone really worth fighting."

"You won't have to go far." Goku said before a pause as he wound up his arm. The figure before him didn't stir, but waited "Are you sure about this?" Goku asked.

"Come on. Get on with it already" he goaded him.

"Alright." he said "But don't say I didn't warn you." He didn't move at first; he studied his opponents body. There were plenty of opening he could hit him with, but if this is what he wanted, who was Goku to deny him.

Jumping off his feet he soared across the air and right towards him, but he made no move to stop him. It looks like he was doing exactly what he said. Just standing there to let him get the first hit.

Goku reared his arm back and flung it forward hitting him right in the jaw.

He seemed shocked by the pressure ashis one eye bulged open, and he lost his footing being forced back. Stumbling back, he managed planted his foot to prevent him from falling back further. The little girl fell off his shoulder and clutched at his arm held on even tighter as she dangled there.

Goku returned to standing up straight as he looked over to see the man still moved back, his face away from his. Then he heard a rumbling sound breaking out from behind his lowered shoulder. It started as a low rumble, but was not any movement like before. He knew that because now it grew into a roaring laughter.

The man lurched himself back and leaned forward to view Goku. He had some blood running down from his mouth. His tongue came out and licked up the blood cleaning his chin as he eyed Goku.

"Well, well, well... this might be worth my while after all" he said as he steadied himself and brought himself back forward with a great step quickly closing the distance, brining himself back before Goku as his foot slammed into the ground cracking it. He lurched over starring down at Goku. His lone eye was wider and more focused than ever "Yes" his voice seeped through his tight grinning teeth "Finally.." he said as if some great release was on him "I can tell you won't disappoint me like the last one!"

"Oh boy Kenny's gonna have more fun. I told you Kenny this was the right way to go" the little girl let out

"You sure did" he agreed with her, but kept his eyes on Goku. She cheered before jumping off his shoulder

"Have fun!" she waved up to him though he was still very much focused on Goku "I'm gonna go play in the pond!" she announced before skipping off gleefully past the two warriors.

Once she left, he reached his sword out and pointed it towards Goku.

"I am Captain Kenpachi Zaraki! The strongest Captain there is!"

"Glad to hear it." Goku said with a tenacity to match his ferocity "My name is Goku."

"Goku." Kenpachi repeated. The sound of his name seemed to please him "Come at me with everything you've got!" he screamed as he ran at him.

"You got it." Goku replied as the two charged each other.

Next time: The battle of the strongest! Goku vs Kenpachi!