Path of the Swole

by desaira

Meet Billy Bubba Bill, a heavyweight champion, in our world, but he died while stealing a banana. See how Billy gets reincarnated, see how he learns to adapt to the shinobi world, and who knows, you might like it. Warning First person in the first few chapters, because I was an idiot and did not know how to write. I may have some grammar mistakes but any tips would be great!

5. The Muddy Dark Waters

The Muddy Dark Waters

Billy woke up with a grunt and a stretch. He opened his eyes to a dark room. "Where the fuck am I?" Then he remembered everything. "Fucking Gollum," he swore with a tired sigh.

Billy tried to stand up, but he almost fell, "Fuck I used too much chakra" He looked around his room and only saw darkness. 'What the actual fuck is going on, I mean, I know shinobi and stuff, but the other kids are what seven years old.'

Billy stood still for a moment; something in his memories is screaming at him. 'I need to meditate on this' He sat on the ground and closed his eyes; his breathing became slower and slower with every moment that passes.

The memories he knew are coming back to him. 'Somethings are not adding up,' he thought, then he reached with his hands to his chin, stroking it. 'Why would they do this to some untrained children?'

Suddenly a memory from John came to light; with a strong vengeance, it came to him, a gray-haired shinobi with one eye. 'A shinobi always looks underneath the underneath.'

Billy's eye widened, he stood up and started pacing around the room. "Holy shit, I have to tell Nawaki!" he moved towards the hole he made and screamed to Nawaki. "Oi Nawaki, can you hear me?!"

No sound came to him, he tried again and again, but Nawaki did not respond. He peaked into the hole and saw Nawaki's door untouched since they closed it.

He backed away from the hole and looked around the room, only to see darkness. "Fuckers, at least put some lights in the room; I can't see shit" he paced around the darkness like a caged animal. 'Ok, Billy, the first thing you need is something to light this place up.'

He knelt and opened his bag. "Useless, not needed, Kunai's, a candy bar," then he touched something cheap, 'No fucking way.' He reached into his bag and brought his Kunai cleaning kit 5000.

Billy raised it up, "I think you could be of use" He opened the kit and found three rags, sharpening stones, and two cup-sized oils.

He held the oil cups and turned them around. "I can't believe I am going to do a MacGyver" Billy moved towards the hole; there is some light that passes through. Then he brought his Kunai. "Ok, slowly, just like the camping trips my Grandpa used to bring me too… well, they were more like nuclear fallout training."

When Billy started cutting with the Kunai, he remembered his Grandfather. "Now, boy, I didn't fight in NAM, so you can tell your Granny to open her own canned apple slices!"

A small Billy sat on the ground, almost crying. "But Grandpa, the cans were too hard to open! And we didn't have a can opener."

His Grandfather smiled and took a puff from his cigar. "So?" he exhaled the smoke and bent down. "you think I would have cried and told the Sarg," then he ruffled Billy's hair. "This is why we have knives," he showed Billy his knife, "Now Gimmy this can, and I am going to show you how to open them up" For some time, he showed Billy how it worked.

A child, Billy, smiled when he opened his first can. "I did it, Granpa! I did it"

His Grandfather smiled, "Now that's a good kid" Suddenly, Billy saw a bear walking nearby, minding its own business.

"Grandpa! Look a bear!" he pointed at the bear, who turned and looked at them.

His Grandfather fumed at the mouth, and he started shaking. "FUCKING COMMIES! I DIDN'T FIGHT IN NAM, SO YOU CAN JUST FUCKING SHOW UP!"

A child, Billy, was enjoying the entertainment while eating some apple slices while his Grandfather was holding the bear in a chokehold.

Billy looked down at the perfectly opened oil cup. "Grandpa, I fucking miss you; I bet you are choke-holding some bears in heaven," he laughed, and retrieved one of the rags, then he made a makeshift candle.

He set it down and brought his Kunai to the door while the candle was on the floor. "All right, one swift motion and I will get some sparks" in a swift motion, he made some sparks that flew towards the Kunai, but he failed the first time. "Ok again, but get closer this time.

Billy tried to light the candle for five minutes, and just as he was about to give up, the candle started to light up. "Fuck yeah! Who's the mother fucking survivor… I AM BITCH!"

He picked up the candle and stood up. "All right, let's see what is in the room" Billy saw an almost empty room; there was no bed, but he did see a small metal table that is attached to the floor, a drainpipe with small, lined holes, there was no bathroom.

Billy started massaging his forehead. "Ok a prison has better commendation than this," he sighed and sat down with the candle in front of him, 'I need to contact Nawaki, but how?'

Billy started thinking, then it dawned on him. "Dude, CUP PHONES!" he moved towards the hole, 'Ok, I see that slit that other shinobi used before to peak at me, I can use.'

Billy sat down and gathered his ingredients. "Ok, I have Kunai, oil cups, and shinobi wires! I can work with this" Billy brought his Kunai and started heating it up, then he moved to the drain and started bending the Kunai to a hook shape.

He tides the end of the Kunai with wires, then he brought the cans and opened them up. "All right now, I just need to attach the two wires together, and boom communication."

Billy tied everything together, and he moved to the door. "Ok easy dose it now" Billy extended his hands out, and remembered where the slit was, then he launched his Kunai, and he heard it fall to the floor. "Dammit! I knew I should have practiced with Kunai more, ok one more time."

Billy tried several times until he felt the Kunai being attached; he peeked into the hole and smiled. "alright now, pull it carefully and slowly" he pulled with one hand and gathered the wires at the same time.

When the slit was fully opened, he peeked from the hole and shouted. "Nawaki! Can you hear me" Billy waited and tried again, but this time he heard a replay, but it was muffled and hard to understand.

He reached for the cups and launched one at the opening. "Fucking hell, why am I so bad at aiming!" he tried again, but this time the cup passed and fell to the ground.

He felt the wires getting tighter.

---

Nawaki has been awake for ten hours, by his calculations. "This is stupid; you could have just told us that you were going to test our patience, no need for the whole show back there."

He sighed, he could have found a way out, but he had no bags because he sent everything with his clothes. He tried messing with the drainpipe, table, and the weird metal pipe he found.

But after hours, of trying he settled to simply wait. For hours he sat still, but he grew bored and tried inspecting the door. "Hmm," he banged on the door, as before, but no sound reverberated back. "I can't believe they soundproofed the door."

He sat back again in the corner, but he heard this weird ting sound every now and then. 'Oh great, sound torture too?" then he saw a small slit of light in the door opening, finally something!

Nawaki heard a muffled voice reaching him, he could not make it out, but he tried replaying. Then he saw something being slipped from the opening.

He searched for it in the darkness until he found it. "Is this a can?" he touched it some more. "Hmm, the can is oily and is that Nataso tree oil?" he smelled the oil, "Yeah, it is, but it was skimmed off, I would say 30% Nataso oil, 40% used cooking oil, based on the fried food smell, 30% unknown ingredients" he stood still for a moment. "Who skims of Nataso oil? It is the cheapest oil out there?"

Nawaki pulled the can back, but then he noticed a metal wire. "Wire? What is going on?" he pulled it back some more, then he felt someone pulling the wire, he panicked and held on to his can, then he heard a voice.

The voice was muffled, but it was clear enough. "Yo, can I get a… boneless Pizza with two liters of coke.

Silence is all that Nawaki could give… "But… Pizza has no bones in it, and what is coke?"

The cup spoke again. "Ayy Nawaki, it's me, Billy. I was messing with you."

Nawaki looked at the cup, amazed. "Billy! Oh my God, finally I heard someone," he smiled, "So how did you get this to me? My door was locked tight. Did you open the door or something?"

"Nah, I punched a hole through it…"

Nawaki smiled. "Oh, my God! That is awesome! Can you do it again and open the lock?!"

"Nah, I used up almost all of my chakra, fighting those freaks."

Nawaki's smiled turned upside down. "Man, that is underwhelming."

"Don't worry, Nawaki, I figured something out. I was thinking, and I realized this is clearly a test of some sort."

Nawaki grew a curious look. "How is this a test?"

"Well, think about it for a moment, there are a thousand rooms in this building, right?"

Nawaki nodded, "Yeah, and?"

"And you said it yourself, out of the thousand only 50% graduate, the first year, and you forgot that the class we were in, we did not even have a thousand kids."

Nawaki scratched his head. "And your point is?" then he heard a sigh from the other line.

"Man, Nawaki, for a smart kid, you sure are an idiot sometimes. There is a saying I heard from a shinobi 'A shinobi always looks underneath the underneath,' so do you honestly think all this a coincidence? I think not."

Nawaki slowly realized something. "Holy shit… I think you are right!"

"No shit, dingus. Now I am going to look for something to get us out of this room; you do the same."

Nawaki's smile stretched to the point he could feel his mouth hurting, then he started tapping everything in the room, checking the sounds between each stone. Finally, after some time, he heard a different sound from the rest. "Billy, I think I found something."

"What did you find?"

"Do you have a table in there?"

"Yeah, tried to mess with it, but it is bolted to the ground."

"All right, I have the same table; check the stone wall under the table, the third block to be exact." He heard some shuffling.

"Huh, the stone feels different, you know, I am going to punch it."

"No, Billy, don't, what if it was trapped!" Nawaki screamed, "You idiot think before you act!" he heard something getting smashed.

"FUCK MY HAND!"

"BILLY I TOLD! IT A TRAP?!"

"No, I forgot to coat my hand with Chakra!"

Nawaki pinched his nose. "Did you find something at least?"

"Yeah… Fuck, my hand is burning up." He heard Billy shake and blow on his hand. "I smashed the fake wall and found a button in there; there is a drawing of a child on top of the button."

Nawaki nodded and coated his fist with chakra and smashed the block, he found a button also, but he could not see the drawing. "Billy, I think we have the same button; I am going to push it first and see what happens."

Nawaki looked around the room to reassure himself, then he clicked the button. "Nothing happened, Billy."

"I am going to push mine… Same."

Nawaki started to contemplate. "I think there are more pieces to this puzzle than we thought; let's try to search for more."

He and Billy tapped every place they could, and after a while, they found four more buttons, each with a drawing.

The first one was the child, the second one was the old man, the third one was a rich merchant, the fourth one was a drawing of a leaf, and finally a drawing of fire.

Nawaki and Billy started pushing them at random, but nothing happened. Nawaki began thinking about how to activate whatever the button holds. 'There is clearly a message that we must follow, but what is the message?'

Nawaki began to think more clearly now. "Billy, I think I found the answer."

"Really?! Are you sure there are no more buttons to be found?"

Nawaki walked towards the drawing of the child. "He who is vulnerable shall hide," and he pressed it. "Yup, I think I figured it out; it is a puzzle, based on values and how to act. This is clearly a question, on who we must save first as shinobi."

Nawaki walked to the drawing of the old man. "He who has earned respect must be respected," and he pressed the button. "Clearly, we must save the child first, then the old population."

"Alright, Nawaki, going to do that now."

Nawaki walked to the third button, "the leaf clearly the village, and who lives in it." He pressed the button, then he heard some gears shifting. "The next one is the leaf, which means the general population and your fellow shinobi."

"Man, that sounds cheesy; what are you trying to be a poet or something?

Nawaki bristled. "What that got to do with anything! As a matter of fact, I am interested in poetry!" he moved to the fourth drawing. 'Fire for the shadow of it that protects us all, we must have its back.' He sighed. 'I am doing poetry… No, Billy is an idiot. He clearly does not understand the deep meanings of life!'

"The next one is the fire button," he sighed and moved to the final button, the rich adult.

"What no more life values to give." He laughed. "Man, But I was so getting into this Zen-like understanding of the world, from your poetry."

Nawaki inhaled, trying not to get angry, then he heard his voice again. Billy changed his voice to an old man. "Ahhh, to understand life, one must first understand their eyes, for how can we see when we cannot see life itself with our eyes… ohhh I am old and wise! Look at me. I am old Nawaki."

"FUCK YOU BILLY! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND SHIT!" Nawaki shouted while pressing the final button.

Suddenly he heard more gears shifting, then the ground opened, and he saw darkness.

The cup he was holding started speaking. "Come on, Nawaki, don't be angry I was just messing with you… Nawaki… Hello?... Man, stop acting like a bitch."

In the other room, Billy sighed and pressed the button. Then he yelped, and the hole swallowed him.

---

Inajin yawned and walked back to the control room; he had a cup of tea in his hand. He turned his head to the security cameras; he saw kids doing various stuff; some are meditating, some are moving around looking for ways to get out, some are sleeping, and very few of them already gave up.

He yawned again and took a sip, then he saw another clan member watching the tapes. "Anything new, Yamajin?" he sat down while resting his feet on a table in the control room.

Inajin looked around and saw various clan members watching and grading the children on how they are handling it. He took another sip, 'It was going to be harsher, but thankfully the Hokage denied Danzo' he inhaled some of the sweet tea's aroma, 'That crazy bastard wanted us to give them a year of training and send them out to the field.'

He heard his cousin talking. "No, Inajin, nothing new, except on level nine," Inajin raised his eyebrows, 'What happened at level nine?'

"What is going?" he stood up and walked to the cameras.

"Oh, nothing much, the kid you talked about, you know the one with the mask, woke up. And you did tell me to tell you, so… here he is" Yamajin pointed at a screen, showing the masked boy.

Inajin watched as the boy walked around. "Yamajin, I want you to focus on this kid, I don't know why, but I feel like I saw him before."

Yamajin sighed. "Man, you are only interested in him because he won over two Genin disguised as tortured victims."

Inajin sat on a chair that was near the screen. "Yamajin, my gut tells me I saw this kid before, and he had this… I do not know how to describe it, but it was… new."

His cousin turned to him and looked perplexed. "New? Just because he is clanless does not mean that he is any special, so what if his parents helped him with unlocking chakra? All the clans do it early."

Inajin was about to replay, but he noticed the screen again. "look, he is doing something!" Inajin watched as Billy fixed an oil can to a candle; he turned his head to his cousin, giving him a smug look. "Told you, that is something new."

Yamajin sighed and watched Billy explore the room. "So, what do you think about your kid? This is his first year, and I think he is on screen three hundred something sleeping right now."

Inajin smiled. "Don't worry, Inoichi will pass; he is a Yamanaka" he smiled and kept his focus on Billy. Then he remembered. "What about your kid Yamajin? Are you as confident as I am?"

Then he pointed at his kid's screen, she wore a white dress, and currently, she is sitting and trying to find a way out. "I believe in her… I just wish she wore her school clothes, you know, she forgot them again… I am going to have to talk to my wife again."

Inajin noticed another screen. "We got another jumping bunny; should we take him out?" on the screen, there is a Uchiha kid going bananas.

Yamajin opened a folder, and he started flipping through the papers, while muttering "U. U. U. Oh there we go, Uchiha Izuku… the kid got claustrophobia because his brother closed the lights in the bathroom when he was five… Yeah, we can keep him there for ten more hours, if he can't overcome the phobia, then we simply remove him from the program."

Inajin sighed. 'They could have just brought him to our clinic before the test' then he turned his head to his cousin. "Did they bring him to our clinic before the test?"

Yamajin Nodded. "Yup, he attended one session, but his father came and took him from us, because" then he quoted with his fingers. "No Uchiha ever came to the Yamanaka's because we are a strong clan."

Inajin laughed, then he started slapping the chair. "For real, he said that!?" Yamajin nodded. "Bitch half of his clan receive regular appointments from us."

He exhaled the last of his breath in satisfaction. "Man, what a tool." He noticed Billy's camera again. "Hold on… what is he doing with that kunai… and the cans?"

Yamajin looked at the screen and leaned in. "Want me to zoom in?"

Inajin nodded. "Yup, put it on the main screen; I want everyone to watch." His cousin looked at him. "What… nothing is going on right now, we didn't even give them the tools and the hints on how to get out. Might as well give the guys something to watch."

He turned around and shouted. "Hey everyone, check this kid out; he is doing something."

The main screen changed to Billy's, who was in the process of shouting in the hole.

One of the observers noticed something. "Hey, isn't that the kid… who beat up Morimoto-san and Uno-Chan?"

Everyone turned their head to said individuals. "That is bullshit! He caught us off guard, and we were not allowed to use chakra!" almost everyone started laughing.

One kunoichi looked back at the screen and asked. "What is he doing? With that kunai and string?"

Suddenly Billy threw it, but he clearly missed, and he is pulling the wire back. Noticing this, Inajin told someone to split the screen into the hallway.

They saw Billy's arm attempting to throw the kunai at the other door. "Yamajin, open the other door's cam."

The screen changed into a three-way, one of Billy, one for the hallway, and finally one for Nawaki.

They all watched when the kunai clicked with the slit of the door. "Now what?" one guy asked, then they saw him pull a can attached to a wire.

Billy threw the can, and he failed, but he tried again, and it landed. Inajin quickly understood what is going on, he saw as Nawaki talked into the can. Then another shinobi asked. "I am confused about what did he do?"

A kunoichi nodded in understanding. "I think he used the vibrations of sound to communicate with the other kid.'

Inajin looked at his cousin. "Tell us who this kid is?"

Yamajin looked at the files and found it, but it was covered with black tapes. "I don't think I have the authority to open it."

Inajin looked at the file, and his eyes widened. 'Black tapes? Who is this kid?' he sighed, then he looked at his cousin again. "Open it. As a clan head, I may order it to be opened, and I know that the important stuff will be either blocked or somewhere else."

Yamajin nodded and opened the files. "Billy… no last name on record, survived the Kumo attack, a year ago. Current residence blocked. Parents blocked. Genealogical records unavailable, Clan affiliation Blocked. Psych evaluation Blocked. Sexual preferences are unknown. Favorite food blocked. Schedule blocked. Affiliation Konoha. Medical…" Inajin stopped him at the end and signed for him to read the last note. "

"Note by Hiruzen Sarutobi the Hokage 'S secret', punishable by death if no clearance."

Stillness all around him, he could feel the nerves of everyone. Inajin walked to the back of the room and closed the only exit. Then he looked at everyone's face. 'They will hate me for doing this, but I am trying to protect them.'

He channeled some high amount of killing intent and spoke in a low voice. "No word of what you heard, saw, or remembered today will leave this room. If you do, then I will find you, and I will make you beg for death."

He finished what he said and took a sip of tea. "All right… back to work."

After everything that happened, the control room took some time until they returned to their pace; so far, nothing happened. Until they saw Nawaki opening a button.

Yamajin got the attention of Inajin. "Something is happening… I don't think you will like this."

Inajin, curious, walked to the screen, and he saw that they found the hidden puzzle. "Don't worry, first they have to find the other ones, then they have to figure out how to do them in order, and they do not even have one word of the poem."

He smirked inwardly. 'I spent months making this specific test for the clan kids; the clans think they can pass without a test. Please, I would rather die than let anyone become a shinobi without getting tested' He took a nice long sip of his fourth tea.

Yamajin screamed at him. "they found all the puzzle pieces!"

Inajin spitted his tea on a nearby kunoichi. "What the actual fuck! WE DIDN'T GIVE THEM THE BLACK LIGHT YET!"

He started pacing around. Then he saw a wet kunoichi. "You bring me more TEA!" The kunoichi, scared and wet, quickly bowed and ran to the kitchen. "This can't be happening all the months I spent without my wife… All the times I had to skip my breakfast tea… AND A BUNCH OF UNWASHED BRATS BEAT MY PUZZLES!..." he turned and looked at his cousin. "Please tell me we gave them any hints? What about that idiot we sent to give them their keys? Did he squeal?" his cousin shakes his head.

Inajin sighed and sat on the couch; he could feel his blood pressure rising; he turned his head to a nearby shinobi. "You. Get me some vanilla wafers!"

He sighed, and finally, he began enjoying his 8th tea to calm his nerves. Thankfully, they did not figure out how to open the puzzle. He took a nice long sip from his hot tea. 'man would it be funny if they figured out how to open the puzzle while I am drinking, but this is not a cartoon world, so I can safely drink this nice hot tea in peace' he swallowed the hot tea, enjoying how it gave him warmth, then he exhaled with satisfaction and perfection.

"They figured out how to finish the puzzle."

He could feel his body freeze, he could feel the very ground stand still, then he heard someone. "Inajin-senpai, I found some vanilla wafers, but I had to go out and buy them!"

Inajin stood up, and with intense fury, he threw his hot tea at his Kouhai, covering him with tea.

The blond shinobi dusted himself in a calm manner, fit for a noble, then he nodded at his cousin while stepping over his Kouhai. He stopped by the door and turned around. "Please wait for a second. I am going to murder some children," he gave them an attractive smile and slowly closed the door.

Yamajin slowly raised his hand. "I bet two thousand that he won't kill them."

---

He felt the ground opening, he tried to jump to a safe location, but the ground betrayed him, he felt his back hitting something, then he saw that he was in a tunnel, this tunnel pulled him down, and he could not resist.

For minutes Billy slides down this tunnel, and finally, he saw an end to this tunnel. He prepared himself, at the last moment, he placed his feet on the ground, smoke from came from his boots, slowing him. And finally, when he saw the end, he stopped himself.

Billy's feet dangled from the tunnel, and he looked down, brownish waters, with a really bad smell. He looked up and saw a high ceiling, with big lights shining down on the area.

He spotted several different pipes all connecting to this huge arena, he hopped down from the pipe, and he could feel the sludgy water invade his boots.

Billy walked around aimlessly in this huge space, then he heard a shout.

"Billy, is that you!?" He turned his head to find Nawaki walking alone.

He moved towards him. "Nawaki! Good to see you finally!" Billy looked at Nawaki's clothes, and they were soaked with muddy waters.

"You finally made!" he ran towards Billy. "Oh man, that was so cool, what you did with the cups and everything."

Billy was about to respond, then he remembered something. "Fuck my stuff!" he ran back towards the pipe he came in, and when he reached it, he saw his duffle bag in the waters, his main bag still inside of the pipe.

Picking up his duffle bag, then reaching inside of the pipe, and fished out his main one. "Fuck I thought I lost them…" he breathed in relief.

He heard Nawaki approaching. "You got your stuff?" Billy nodded, "Good now, we need to figure out a way to get out of here."

Billy reached into his bag and fished out a candy bar, then he handed it to Nawaki. "Here, I bet you didn't eat anything."

"Oh, thank you so much! I was starving!" he took the candy bar and looked at it. "yuck… three samurai, that is the worst one!" Nawaki looked disappointingly at the bar.

Billy reached with his fist and slammed it into Nawaki's head. "Don't disrespect the samurai! It's the best one! Better than that shit brand Chakra way!"

Nawaki slowly raised his head, and he looked at Billy with eyes that had passion in them. "Oi. Oi Billy, don't disrespect Chakra way!"

Billy smirked. "What… can't handle the true… Chakra way's only way of getting money is by tricking naive kids like you. What too shocked to replay? Don't worry, you are not the first who thought that if they ate Chakra way, they would gain more Chakra!"

Nawaki reached to Billy's turtleneck, and Billy grabbed Nawaki's shirt; they both pulled each other closer and said at the same time ""WANNA FIGHT!?""

Their eyes looked at each other, none wanted to flinch first, but then they heard someone. "Hai. Hai. Hai children, you are both strong; why don't you stop the fighting now."

Billy turned his head and looked at a blond man with blue eyes, and he had an easy smile. "And who are you?"

The man walked towards them, "My name is Inajin Yamanaka."

Nawaki gave him a small bow, but Billy raised his eyebrows and clicked his fingers, then he pointed at Inajin. "I remember you! You were that freak who questioned me a year ago, in the onsen," Billy nodded at himself. "Yup… That fat guy, what was his name again." Billy started clicking his fingers in the air, trying to remember, then he shrugged. "Eh, something with a Choz or Chazo."

Nawaki's jaw dropped. "You fucking Idiot! You just insulted two clan heads in less than ten seconds!"

Billy's eye widened, and he pointed at the Yamanaka. "This freak is a clan head!"

Nawaki's hand reached for the back of Billy's head, and he pulled him down. "I am deeply sorry, Yamanaka-Sama! My friend just hit his head while sliding down the pipe… you understand, right?"

Inajin's smile turned more feral, "Oh, don't worry, it was no harm done… I just came here to congratulate you, on your fine performance, with the first test."

He reached into his bag and pulled out a clipboard. "So, let's see here, Billy has earned, for bypassing ALL THE DAMNED ISOLATION MEASURES, I PUT IN PLACE!" his voice turned sweet again. "You get the first place, and Nawaki for FIGURING OUT MY PUZZLE THAT I SPENT WEEKS ON, WHILE SKIPPING MEALS TO FINISH! … You get the second place."

Billy started trembling, 'What the fuck is wrong with this guy! First the onsen, now this' He stuttered a bit. "Th. Thanks?"

Inajin smiled and started writing on his clipboard. "Now, since you passed SO EARLY! You guys need to wait for three days until the first clue is given. Sorry!"

Nawaki nodded. "Yamanaka-sama, is there someplace we could wait at or sleep in?"

Inajin smiled. "I am so glad that you asked this question, Nawaki! Why, of course, we prepared a place for you to sleep at!"

He pointed at one pipe. "You could wait in this pipe… or how about that one? It looks less wet… ooh, look at that one, I bet you could bring your pet in there!"

Billy sighed. "We get it… we sleep in pipes; what about the food or water?"

Inajin gave Billy puppy eyes. "Oh, thank you, young man… that reminds me." He started writing and talking. "So, for three days, maybe two more, it is going to be three meals per day, plus two snacks between meals, a healthy amount of iced cold water, with orange juice on the side." Then he turned his head towards them. "Do you want something else besides orange juice?"

Billy nodded. "If you got any, berry juice I would take it."

Inajin smiled. "I have the finest berry juice, and it will be delivered to you!" he sighed in satisfaction. "Now I think this is everything, let me explain how the test will work… when every student comes here in the day five mark, something will happen, and in order to pass, you all need to escape from the sewers!"

Nawaki smiled. "Easy! I bet we could make another record!"

Inajin cleared his throat. "Now, if that is everything you need… Oh, would you look at that! It seems I made a spelling error while I was writing… Now let me fix this really quick."

He started writing on his clipboard again. Then he made an obvious slipping motion. "Oh no! it seems I slipped, and I made your order wrong! … Silly me, thankfully I still have my pen to write with… oh no! my pen is out of ink! Sorry guys, you will need to live with, hmm."

He made an obvious motion of looking at the board. "Two meals for three to five days, and sorry guys, but it seems there are only six liters of water for the both of you… Have fun!"

Inajin laughed and walked away. Billy looked at the retreating man, then he pointed at him and looked at Nawaki. "See, I told you he was weird!"

Nawaki sighed in defeat. "Just… Shut up, Billy."

For the rest of the day, they sat on one of the pipes and played shogi, using bits and pieces of litter they found floating in the sewer.

On the next day, they heard a shinobi enter, with a small bag of food and some water. He approached them and nodded. "Here you go, boys, oh and Inajin-Sama told me to deliver this message." He brought a small paper and began reading it. "Hello, boys! I hope you are having fun! Now I would like to apologize because it seems that the food you got was a day old! How foolish of me, anyway. It has been stepped on one time… by me! But don't worry, it won't happen again… hopefully."

Billy sighed. "Man, that guy is weird." Then he looked at his duffle bag, and he had a cunning plan.

Billy looked at the Shinobi and tried to turn his puppy eyes up. "Shinobi-san." the Shinobi looked at Billy with confusion.

Billy smiled inwardly, then he panicked. 'Fuck I don't have puppy eyes!' he looked at the floor and pretended to whimper. "Can you give us a minute? I need to talk to my friend, please!"

"Huh? Yeah, sure, kid, but make it quick." And he moved away.

Billy turned to Nawaki. "Dude, we have to trick him into giving us more food, this is clearly one meal, and I bet that freak would like to taunt us more tomorrow."

Nawaki looked at the Shinobi. "Fine, but I will talk to him; I know how to deal with them."

Billy called out to the Shinobi. "We are done. Shinobi-san, but you know my friend wishes to talk to you."

The Shinobi walked back and looked at Nawaki. "Shinobi-san, I know you are busy, and all, but Yamanaka-Sama told us that this is a small test that we have to convince you to bring us more food, with trade."

The Shinobi looked skeptical on this offer. "Eh, why not? I am doing a D-rank at the moment, so what have you to offer?"

Nawaki smiled and started bartering, and at the end of the deal, Nawaki traded ten kunai cleaning kits 5000, for forty liters of water and a box of ramen.

Billy gave Nawaki a thumbs up when the Shinobi walked away. "Great job Nawaki, now we have water and some food."

But then Nawaki sighed. "I know Billy, but how can we manage forty liters of water and a box of ramen?"

Billy moved towards his bag and pulled up two scrolls. "Well, we can use my pre-drawn fuinjutsu, or I can draw one for you right now."

Nawaki stood still, and his eyes widened. "You… know how to draw fuinjutsu… Dumb Billy knows how to use the most complicated, most insane shinobi art out there?"

Billy grew frustrated. "What that supposed to mean! I have brains, you know… Just because I work on my body does not make me an idiot!"

Nawaki smiled and laughed. "Come on, Billy… I was just kidding! So, we will use your fuins and store the food, then we can wait…" he looked around the area. "In this dump."

Billy nodded. "So, want to do something?" Nawaki turned to him.

"Yeah, why not, and you know we don't know much about each other… how about we talk while play shogi and talk."

Billy shrugged and walked to their pipe. "All right, But I will use the stone pieces this time."

"What, but those are mine!" Nawaki ran towards the board.

"Yeah but, the small rags look too… brownish! It's your turn!"

And for the rest of the second day, they played shogi and talked about their lives.

On the third day, Billy and Nawaki took on wrestling. "My name is the murder eagle! And you slept with my wife Lava person thingy!"

Nawaki, with his shirt over his head, started making some fancy moves. "Well, it is not my fault she is a slut… and I will have you know that you killed my bro fifteen times! I will show you tonight, and I will take the champion's belt from you!"

Billy started imitating the audience and booed Nawaki, then they heard the shinobi talk. "Man, the sewers are bad for kids… I leave for one day, and you guys became idiots…"

Billy was in his flying eagle pose, and he was making the karate kid move; Nawaki was doing the praying mantis style. They both turned their heads and looked at the shinobi.

Billy quickly returned to normal and started clearing his throat while dusting himself. Nawaki started looking at the ground and kicking something pretending that nothing happened.

The shinobi sighed. "Look, it's not my problem… just give me the kunai kits, and we are cool" Billy nodded and brought a fuin scroll, then he laid it on a dry pipe.

The shinobi opened his own scroll, and the exchange was finished; Billy handed him his kits. The shinobi walked away, muttering to himself.

Nawaki sighed. "Well, that was embarrassing; I can't believe you convinced me to do a theater fighting drama."

Billy bristled. "This is an art form… people will love it someday, mark my words" Billy climbed the pipe and started preparing the ramen noodles, he got one of the candles, and he boiled some water in a small can he had.

He turned his head to Nawaki. "So, this is the third day; when do you think the others will come here?"

Nawaki started thinking. "Well, let's see, we had about five hundred in our class, and let's assume that they were in the dark, like me."

Billy added some of the ramen powder to the can. "But what about the Hyuga clan? Should they have not passed quickly like us?"

"Well, they are not allowed to use their eyes in the first year, or the second I am not sure." He started scratching his head. "Back to the point… I would say two hundred something will pass, maybe more."

Billy nodded, then he poured the flavored water into the cup of ramen. "Ramen is about done."

Nawaki walked to Billy. "So hard to believe you are a mask maker's apprentice."

Billy gave him a cup. "Why is that?"

"Well… you don't look the type who sits on a table and carve a mask all day long."

Billy nodded, and he opened his zipper to eat. "Well, we do not make simple masks; we make shinobi masks, royal ball masks, and custom masks for injured shinobi… we deal with quality over quantity."

Nawaki looked at Billy's mouth. "can I ask you a question?" Billy nodded while he was slurping the noodles. "Why do you wear a mask?"

Billy stopped, and he placed his ramen down, then he sat still for a moment. "Are you sure you want to see what is behind the mask, Nawaki? It isn't pretty." Nawaki leaned forward, and with hesitation, at first, he nodded.

Billy sighed in defeat, 'Welp, someone was bound to ask about it anyway, might as well remove the Band-Aid quickly' Billy gently removed his mask, then he looked at Nawaki in the eyes.

Nawaki flinched and looked away in shame. "I am sorry about asking." He answered softly.

Billy laughed and slipped the mask back in, then he clicked the fuin to tighten the mask. "You know… the world outside is a scary place."

Billy stood up and got out of the pipe; he looked up at the shining lights. "Nawaki, I have an advice if you would like to hear it."

Nawaki looked at Billy's back. "I am willing."

He sighed and turned around to look at Nawaki. "If you survived out there… I mean the war." Billy gathered his thoughts. "People are going to use you." He took a deep breath. "And people will wish to destroy you."

Billy reached for his mask. "Because you are a Senju, and you are a threat to them." He breathed to calm his nerves. And walked towards Nawaki, now they are really close together. He bent down to be at the eye level of Nawaki. "So, look at my face, and you can see how the world out there is really like. Then tell me if you genuinely think you can survive?" Billy removed his mask, but this time Nawaki did not flinch; his eyes never left Billy's face.

Nawaki slowly reached with both of his hands to Billy's face, then in an instant, he smashed his skull to Billy's skull. Billy did not move. "This is my answer, Billy; I will fight every step. I will destroy any competition. And when the ravens sing their song of death, I will be the only one standing!"

Billy smiled, and he reattached his mask, and with the hiss of the mask, Billy laughed. "Good. Good, let the dark side consume you!"

Nawaki deadpanned. "What? Man, Billy, that was awesome and all, but you ruined it with the joke… and why do I feel like you are referencing something here?"

Billy shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, you started it with the poetry shit again… And it was just there… and I am referencing something, a story if you will. Want to hear it? We got nothing to do." Billy returned to the pipe, and he picked up his ramen.

Nawaki nodded. "Well, I think we have time. So, might as well, so is this story from a book or did you create it?"

Billy stood still. 'Should I? What about George Lucas… You know I am related to him… ten thousand generations back… so I am the only heir of anything from earth… and I really doubt that they will object so… yoink mine now!'

Billy gave Nawaki a thumbs up. "Yup, all my creations… you know I was a farmer before, so I had to do something in my free time… and the rest is history."

"Now, how do I start the story… A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," Billy spent five hours retelling 'A New Hope,' and he will not start with episode one, because fuck episode one.

"And then Chewbacca roared towards the crowd." Billy smiled at the look on Nawaki's face. "And that ends the first chapter."

Nawaki jumped from excitement. "Oh my God, that was sooooooo cool! He had a flaming sword that could cut anything and the magical Jedi. I liked Darth Vader so much!"

Billy smiled. 'I do not regret stealing it.' He laughed. "You think this is the only story, Nawaki? I have more in my brain," then he added internally. 'And John's brain, you magnificent nerd!'

Billy was about to explain more of 'His stories,' but he heard something moving in the other pipe. "Wait, there is someone coming!"

---

Shikaku kept on staring at the moving tunnel he was in. 'Man, the puzzle up there was so boring. I had to wait three days until everyone passed… well, I hope they passed; I don't want to explain stuff to them… too troublesome.'

He yawned and started clapping his lips, then he smelt something foul. 'Oh, it's the sewers… how original.'

When he saw the tunnel getting brighter, he channeled some chakra to his legs and feet, then he slowed himself. 'I can see the end of the tunnel now.'

At the end of the tunnel, two small legs stopped at the perfect position, where they dangled from the tunnel; Shikaku sighed when he heard no one was talking. 'I completed the puzzle too quickly… well, on the bright side, no one is here to bother me.'

He heard steps slugging through waters. "Who do you think passed?" said a rough voice.

"I think it's going to be either one of the Naras, or maybe a Yamanaka." Another voice replayed, but this one sounded more cultured. 'This one is from a clan, and the other one is clearly that big kid with the mask.'

He saw a masked face leaning on top of him. "Hmm… Yup, it's a Nara… and a lazy one at that."

Shikaku waited for Billy's head to move, then he straightened himself up. "So, you guys passed too?"

Nawaki nodded. "Yup, we passed three days ago… Man, this place is boring."

Billy nodded. "What took you guys so long?"

Shikaku stretched his body and scratched his head. "I stayed up there for three days, I thought that half or more would already be done… I guess it is only you too, right?"

Billy gave him a thumbs up. "So, want to do something? I mean, that crazy guy told us that the second test will start in two days."

Shikaku exhaled, and he jumped out of the pipe; he could feel the murky waters invading his sandals. "I have nothing to do, so what do guys do for fun?"

Billy cracked his fingers. "You like shogi? We made a makeshift one back there… I always wanted to play with a Nara."

Shikaku nodded and followed the two boys. "So, did they give you food or water down here?

Nawaki laughed. "As if… if you count two sandwiches split between us for five days as food."

He smiled. "Well, I am glad that I slowed myself." When they reached their pipe, Billy sat down.

"I will play first… I CHOOSE STONES!" Billy began arranging the stones in shape.

For hours they played. "Damn you, Shikaku! This is 28 to 16."

He sighed. "Well, it is not my fault you always try new and unorthodox tactics."

Nawaki pushed Billy out of the way. "My turn, Billy, you lost… make us ramen."

Billy glared at Nawaki. "I didn't lose to you shit head!"

Nawaki smiled. "Don't worry, I will win this match, then I am going to beat you on the next one… so make it in advance." Billy started grumbling, "You are fucking lucky I love cooking."

Shikaku chuckled and made his first move. "So, you guys have been friends for a long time now?"

Billy started pouring water. "I would say three days now… man, time sure does fly."

"Oh, then you guys must have many friends out there. I mean, you seem to be too close… in what three days?"

"Fuck no… Farming most of my short life… then working in a store."

"could not find the right people… you understand Shikaku."

Shikaku nodded at Nawaki; he saw him move his knight. 'Well, this move is going to set you back.' Just as he was about to make the next move, he heard a voice a high-pitched voice.

"Anyone there!... Hello!... you need to carry me! I am wearing a dress!"

Shikaku and Nawaki instantly looked at Billy. "What are you guys looking at me for?"

"Stop Ignoring me!"

"Fuck no… why should I carry her?!"

Nawaki turned his head and looked at Billy's body. "Well, you are the tallest."

"And the strongest." Added Shikaku while grinning.

Billy swore and huffed, then he walked down the path to the girl in the pipe. "So, what do you make of Billy?"

Nawaki looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"What you said earlier… What made Billy different?"

"Oh…" he gathered his thoughts. "Well, he has this…" Nawaki started gesturing with his hand. "persuasive personality if he wanted something… I don't know what could stop him."

"So, he wanted to be your friend so bad that he forced you?"

"What is wrong with you, Nara's? You always act lazy, but when you find something interesting, you become a bloodhound. And no, I asked first, said no later, he punched me in the face, and told me to 'Shut the fuck up' I guess."

Shikaku started laughing. "He punched you… A Senju?"

"Yup… and at this point, I am not even shocked… he insulted Yamanaka-Sama, and Akimichi-Sama… less than ten seconds of meeting Inajin-Sama himself… to his face."

They heard a voice whining. "PUT ME DOWN, YOU BRUTE!"

Shikaku expected Billy to act with a little bit of grace, but he gave him too much credit; he was carrying, Yunmi-Chan like a potato bag.

"Stop hitting me, or I am going to drop you in the doodoo water!" she stopped hitting.

Billy reached the pipe and placed her next to Nawaki, then he climbed the pipe and returned cooking. "Who comes to a test, with a dress? A white dress too."

Yunmi puffed up her cheeks. "I forgot, ok!" then she noticed Shikaku. "Oh, Shikaku, you passed too!"

He nodded at her, then watched Nawaki fall into his trap. "I would take it as an insult if you thought I couldn't… not that I care."

She laughed. "Typical Shika… Always acting."

Billy grunted at them. "Ramen is done." Then they heard another voice. "I am not going to pick them up… I don't care."

And another voice, and another. "Troublesome. I recommend you hide the ramen."

---

Billy watched as more kids started gathering in the middle area; there was this quite Inuzuka with his yellow puppy, one female Hyuga from the main branch carried by a male one in the branch family, A male Yamanaka talking with Shikaku, and a fat kid with red hair, a female Aburame with a beehive on her back, and finally a Sarutobi clan member with a staff.

Billy turned his head to Nawaki. "I missed the quiet already. You?"

Nawaki smiled. "What no way! This is awesome more friends, I say!"

Billy was about to walk towards the gathering people, but then he heard another pipe. "Oh God, another one…"

From the pipe came out a black-haired kid, the kid started walking to the middle, then he opened his eyes, and Billy saw the Sharingan with one tomoe.

Nawaki noticed him, "Isn't that Izuku?... Yup, it's him, and he unlocked his Sharingan cool!"

Billy saw Izuku reaching the middle, then he noticed them. "Well. Well. Well, I am going to show you how us Uchiha's are…"

'Oh God, is he monologuing?" Billy thought internally. "Shit, he is… I really don't have time for this."

Nawaki noticing Billy talk. "Don't have time for what?"

Billy didn't replay; instead, he pumped chakra to his legs and dashed to Izuku. His first punch got dodged, but Billy caught his shirt from the back, and pulled him up, and smashed him to the ground, like the Hulk from the Avenger's movie.

Billy looked him in the eyes. "I don't deal with this revenge bullshit… so stand up, and stop acting like a fucking maniac… Don't fucking forget what I told you."

Billy watched him nod; with that, he pulled him up from the water and started shaking him, removing the water that was on his body. Then he turned around, looking at everyone.

Shikaku sighed in defeat. "Troublesome Giant."

Billy pointed at Shikaku, then he pointed at Nawaki. "Come here, guys… we need to talk."

Billy lowered the Uchiha. 'Fucking Uchihas, just because you have an awesome guy a generation or two does not make you all good.'

Billy gave his back to the gathering kids, then he heard Shikaku and Nawaki approach. "Guys, we need a plan… fast."

Shikaku scratched his head. "You are right… but what was that… were you trying to show dominance or something?"

Nawaki nodded. "Yeah, that was weird."

Billy tucked his hands in his pocket. "Nah, I think that kid got a bone to pick with me or something… and the look in his eyes. He was trying to cause unnecessary problems… so I stopped him."

Shikaku shrugged, then Nawaki smiled. "Well, it was a good move anyway; now they are all quite."

Billy turned around and looked at the gathering kids. "Yup, so want me to explain the plan to them… like how we talked about three hours ago?"

"All yours." Nawaki replayed, and Shikaku gave him a thumbs up.

Billy faced the crowd of kids. "All right now, listen the fuck up!" every kid gave him their full attention. "I and our think tank." He pointed at the nerds. "Have come up with a plan of action!"

The main branch Hyuga stepped forward. "What gives you the right to tell us what to do?"

Billy sighed. "Because if you won't, I will beat the living shit out of you… so let me explain how this shit will work!"

The branch member, furious, walked forward. "How dare you talk to Ayano-Sama like this!"

"Listen here, boy toy! Shut the fuck up, or I am going to shove my fist down your throat and wiggle you around like a fucking puppet!"

The branch member was about to talk some more, but Billy was in front of him in an instant, then he whispered in his ears. "I am going to make this so clear that your retarded ass can understand. Back the fuck down. Or I am going to commit slaughter, so…" then he started shouting in his ear. "SO. SHUT. THE. FUCK UP. BECAUSE. THIS IS NOT. YOUR. CLAN. COMPOUND!"

The branch house member started shivering, but the main branch started talking. "How dare…"

Billy, done with this deal, looked at her and made a motion to close his zipper. "Zip it, princess, you can complain to daddy after the second test."

The Aburame female raised her hand. "What second test."

Billy raised his hands in the air. "THIS IS WHY I TOLD YOU TO SHUT THE FUCK UP! SO THAT I CAN EXPLAIN THIS SHIT!"

He huffed and returned to his position. "Alright, now that everyone is silent again!" the Sarutobi kid raised his hand. Billy looked at him and made the zipping motion. "Again! … we were told that there will be a second test after the shitty puzzle, so what is clearly obvious is that it is going to be a war simulation."

The Inuzuka shouted. "What makes you sure it is going to be like that?!"

"Oh, I don't know! Maybe because WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A FUCKING WAR!"

He lowered his hand. "So here is what we came up with… there will be one leader to lead everyone here to safely, the main strategist, and six team leaders."

Inoichi asked. "And who is going to be the leader… you?"

Billy laughed. "Fuck no… You want me to lead a bunch of kids around?" he turned and pointed at Nawaki and Shikaku. "I nominate those two." He chuckled. "Better luck tricking me again next time." He whispered to them. "So, if you have any more questions, ask them… see ya!"

Billy walked away from the chaos. He climbed on top of a pipe, getting a bird's eye view of the whole political shit storm he unleashed. 'Fuckers, you thought I didn't notice, huh. Letting me handle all the fucking stress… Too bad they don't know Billy is a great responsibility dodger.' He laughed while kicking his feet in the air. 'Man, popcorn would be great right about now.

---

On the fourth day, their numbers increased to one hundred children running around the sewers. Shikaku told every clan member to inform anyone from their clan about what to do.

Nawaki got straddled with leadership because Shikaku won a shogi match, showing his strategy skills to everyone.

The six-team leaders were the Hyuga princess, the Inuzuka kid, that Inoichi kid, Choza Akimichi, Yunmi Yamanaka, and finally Billy.

Billy sighed while he was on top of a pipe. 'Man, this spot is awesome, not a lot of people can bother me, and I can cook ramen in secret.' Then he heard someone climb up the pipe.'

He saw small green happy eyes peeking at him, then a small slobbering mouth panting for air. Finally, he saw a white-haired kid with a golden puppy on his head.

"Damn, why do you stay up here… is that ramen?" he started smelling the air.

Billy sighed. "You better not tell on me. Or I am going to expose you to your clan members that you are hiding beef jerky."

Okami Inuzuka shrugged. "Don't worry, I won't." then he picked up his puppy. "Isn't that right, Kumamu?" the little puppy barked.

Billy could not resist. "Can… Can I hold him?"

Okami nodded. "Sure… just don't crush him."

Billy took hold of the puppy, then he turned around and removed one of his gloves; he started feeling the fur of the puppy. "Oh my God, I could die; he is so fluffy!"

Okami laughed at him. "I didn't expect the big brooding giant to love puppies… so I have to ask… how old are you again? Because there is a rumor that you were held back because… you know because you are an idiot."

Billy put on his gloves and turned around to face Okami. "I am seven years old… and fuck those guys. They are jealous of my prestige." He started petting Kumamu again. "So, what brings you up here?"

"Oh, right." He began searching his bag. "The rest of the team leaders and I were planning on an old fashion clan makeup, but Nawaki shut that down, so we started picking people in our teams… You said that you will take the leftovers. So here are the names."

Billy took the paper and started reading. "Really, guys… I have eighty percent of the Uchihas in my team."

Okami started scratching his head in embarrassment, "Well, Uchihas are… how do I put this. Annoying. Attention seekers. And a handful to command."

"So, you just throw them at me?"

"Well, what are we supposed to do? You already smashed one of their strongest because he looked at you funny… and the only one who has a Sharingan… Look, you will do fine, by tomorrow, Shikaku says there will be one hundred more kids down here, so you will have more non-Uchiha kids."

"Fine. Might as well prepare an attack pattern for tomorrow."

"Can I have Kumamu again?" Billy handed the puppy back to the Inuzuka. Then he started moving away, but he stopped before jumping. "Oh, fair warning, most kids complained that they didn't have the chance of becoming a leader, so Shikaku said they could challenge the current leader for the spot… Bye!" and he jumped from the pipe, running away from the screaming Billy.

---

On the final day, Billy climbed down from his pipe and walked to the gathering kids; Nawaki was sitting on a pipe while trying to massage his head, Shikaku is laughing on the sidelines.

Billy approached the gathering kids, and he heard them talk. "I can't wait to try and get the top spot! I am better than that failed student!"

Billy simply approached the black-haired kid, and lifted him up from his shirt, and smashed him into his buddy, then he held him again like a mace. He looked at the other children who looked at him. "Anyone wants to challenge my leadership?"

Another Uchiha smirked and walked forward; he held his kunai and started flipping it and making some moves. "I will!"

Billy simply threw the kid in his hand to the other one and smashed them together. He massaged his forehead. "I really don't want to destroy half of my team, so you fucking assholes will get it. Just do what I tell you, and we can all pass the fucking test already!"

Nawaki sighed loudly. "Really, Billy, we had this whole arena event and everything! I was going to bet too!"

Billy raised his middle finger, and Nawaki raised both of his fingers. "Fine, do what you want… So got a name for your team?"

An Inuzuka ran to him. "Yeah, boss, what is our team name going to be?! Some of the guys already."

Billy whistled to gather the attention of everyone. "Anyone who is in my team, come to the south pipe, we can talk about the strategy and all of that stuff." And he walked back to his pipe.

Billy climbed his pipe and looked down at the kids. 'All right, let's see what we do have here. Thirty Uchihas. Ten Inuzuka. Five Yamanaka. Five Sarutobi, the rest are a combination of different clans.'

Billy clapped his hands. "Now for the team name, 'I don't fucking care Nawaki' That will be our name. Some of you will be disappointed, but I don't give a fuck now, do I… Now let's talk strategy. All right, first fat kids."

Billy spent most of the day informing the people under his command, the tactics that they will be using. And he learned a great deal of what they are capable of.

While he was talking, they all heard this siren sound, then they all saw a giant screen, lowering down.

"Is this thing on… Hello." Someone was touching the microphone. "Oh, the mic is on… Try the red wire… No, you idiot, the other red wire!"

Finally, the screen worked, and on the screen was Inajin holding a cup of tea; with dark eyes looking at them, he took a sip of tea. "Now, congratulation on passing the first test!" No one said a word, and Billy moved to the middle of the area, with the rest of the leaders.

"Now let's see how many passed… 343 passed with flying colors… I would say color me impressed, but I am all out of colors…"

He heard Inoichi scream into his hands. "Please, Dad, stop!"

"Now for the second test!" the screen changed to a map of the sewers. "Now see this spot right here." He pointed at the top of the map. "This is where you need to go! To pass."

"Now, Currently, you are right here." He moved his pointer to the bottom of the map. "past the three main canals, eight piping subsystems, and the thousand of traps that I may or may not have laid there!"

The screen changed to Inajin dipping a biscuit in his tea. "You know… I was planning on being easy on you… But someone just had to beat my first test too quickly."

Everyone looked at Billy and Nawaki; Billy turned and looked at them, then he raised his middle fingers to all the clan kids who were glaring at them. "So, I thought, how can I make this test much harder? And you know what." He smiled a feral smile. "You would be surprised by how much water one could trap in one place." He clicked a button.

Then they saw a gate opening. "Now, kids, this gate is the only exit."

Billy squinted his eyes. "Are those crocodiles?"

"So, as you can see, having a summon contract is great! But let's get back to the main point… this is the only exit! And it is covered with crocodiles! Now I know what you are all thinking."

He changed his voice to a higher-pitched one. "We can win this with the power of friendship! We can do this. We have smart people here!"

Then he cleared his voice. "But you know… I learned my lesson. And I came to a conclusion… why don't I simply remove time!"

Billy noticing what is about to happen, he looked at Nawaki and Shikaku, whose eyes widened as well. "TEAM FORMATION PRIMARY!" he screamed to his team.

Some lagged a little, but when they saw how most of them got in line, they quickly formed the formation. "PAIN TRAIN! GO. GO. GO. GO!"

Then he heard Inajin. "Now shall we click the button!" and he clicked it, he heard a gate opposite the one they were headed to, opening, he heard water crash behind him.

Billy screamed. "RUN, NEVER STOP! CLEAR THE CROCODILES! FOR THE OTHERS!"

Billy was the first to crash into a crocodile. He sent a chakra-laced kick to its, head sending it away. "Use your weapons if you must! Don't falter!"

Billy dodged an incoming swipe from a crocodile, then he heard the murky wave crash. "It is coming! More speed!"

Nawaki reached Billy. "That crazy bastard! I should have listened to you, Billy!"

Shikaku was running on another platform. "You will get used to it! Uncle Inajin has these moments!"

Billy saw a staircase. "That way! Quickly!" Billy jumped to the left and ran towards the stairs, but then he saw a trapline. He quickly turned around and shouted. "TRAP! JUMP OVER THE STAIRS!"

Billy jumped and ran forward, he could feel his lungs burning up, and he could hear people falling behind him. "Nawaki, take the main group and go! Shikaku and I will try to assist!"

Nawaki nodded, then Shikaku ran near Billy. "So got any plans, Shikaku… I know you think fast, so do it!"

He sighed. "I memorized the map he showed; there are two locks that need to be closed on the third level, if we close them, we could stop the water rush and take a breather!"

Billy nodded. "Fine, you stay behind the main group; I will stay at the back. I will try to catch any stragglers!" Shikaku offered his first.

Billy smiled and bopped his fist. "Try to stop any traps from opening. They clearly made them obvious!" with that, he fell back and shouted to his team. "FORMATION KNIGHT!"

For the rest of the run Billy and his team helped up any kid who slipped, they missed some, but they always heard a shunshin activating in the background.

When they reached the third level, Billy commanded his team to move forward while he caught up with Shikaku. "Shika! Where are the locks!?" he pointed to the right pipe while he went left.

Billy quickly moved to the right pipe. And found the lock. "Fucking hell, why would they lock it!" He gathered his chakra at one point, then he smashed the wired cage near the lock, then he stretched the cage and walked in. He saw a lever with a danger sign next to it.

"You have to try harder, weirdo… Can't trick the champ!" and he closed the lever.

---

Billy returned to the group, he saw them all panting and resting near the stairs. "Hey, Shika! How many of us left?"

Shikaku breathing hard. "I… think… we… Have about one hundred something…"

Billy looked around and frowned. "We lost too many… that damn crazy bastard, who opens a dam on kids!"

Shikaku, finally grasping his breath, straightened up. "It is no use complaining now… we just need to get through this."

Billy cracked his knuckles. "Come on, let's meet up with the rest of the leaders. We need a better plan."

Billy walked with Shikaku to the leaders. Nawaki was sitting on a pipe, scratching his head. "How much did we lose… each team report what they lost."

Ayano Hyuga walked forward, her Kimono used to be white, but now it is covered with dark green filth, her long hair reaching to her back. "My team lost forty-two; our current members are eighteen." Nawaki nodded at her.

Then came Okami Inuzuka. "Lost thirty-three, got twenty-seven." He turns around and shouts at his team. "Go wild wolves! AOOOO!"

Billy shouts at him. "Take it seriously here, Okami!"

Nawaki sighed and points at Yunmi Yamanaka. "only forty left…" then she remembers something. "Sorry, I counted myself again its thirty-nine."

Inoichi moves forward. "twelve left, and Choza has thirty."

Nawaki nodded and wrote the numbers down, then he looks at Billy. "How many do you have left, Billy?"

Billy scratched his head. "Didn't count to be honest with you… one second." Billy turns around and looks at the gathering kids, then he spots a Uchiha. "Hey, you!" The Uchiha points at himself. "Yeah, you! How many do we have left in my team?"

The Uchiha walks to Billy. "We have fifty left, Boss."

Billy nods and turns around to look at all the leaders looking at him strangely. "What?"

Shikaku laughs in the background. "This is the first time they saw a Uchiha do what they are told, by a non-Uchiha…"

Nawaki claps his hands to get everyone's attention. "All right, everyone, settle down… we lost more than fifty percent of our numbers; currently, we stand with one hundred and seventy-six."

"So, we need to downsize ourselves and plan on how to win this."

Shikaku hums in agreement. "I say we merge half the teams together, so instead of having six, we would have three teams. One for offense, one for defense, and one for support."

Nawaki writes in his paper. "Who volunteers to leave leadership?" Billy immediately raises his hand. "Not Billy, he did not lose many people, and he is the only one who can hold down the Uchihas."

Billy moans. "Man, I just wanted to relax!"

Shikaku points at Yunmi and Choza. "These two will do; they have the most after Billy."

Ayano voices her opinion. "Why should I back down? Just because I was in a bad position does not mean my leadership should come into question."

Nawaki exhales. "Ayano, you need to settle down and accept this… we do not have time to argue on who should lead… we have to plan for our next move, we have no water, no food. And I really doubt that we could keep order much longer."

She wanted to complain some more, but Shikaku beat her to it. "This is war Ayano, you need to step down." He gave her a challenging stare.

Billy walked to Okami and whispered to him. "So wanna join my team… I still have some Inuzuka left?"

Okami laughed a little. "Sure, Kumamu likes you." Billy offered a fist pump.

Ayano finally relented, then Shikaku sat and leaned on a pipe. "All right, now let me explain the plan and how we can all finish this test."

For one hour, they discussed a plan of action, they agreed that Billy will take the offense, While Choza will take the defense, and Yunmi will take support.

And after planning, they all marched together; in an arrow formation, Billy will take the front, and his team will spot any traps.

If they missed a trap and triggered it, then Choza's team will try to defend against it.

And finally, Yunmi's team will deal with anyone needing major help while they navigated the tunnels. They helped Billy's team find traps, and they helped Choza's team in recovery or support.

And after eight hours of them navigating tunnel after tunnel and trap after trap, they finally reached the last room.

Billy leaned on the corner and peaked across; he scanned the area, trying to find any trap, then he motioned with his fingers to Izuku Uchiha.

Izuku leaned next to Billy, then he bent down and looked at the entrance, he activated his Sharingan and saw a fine line, but just as he was about to report it, he saw two finer lines attached to the mainline.

He raised his hand and motioned with his fingers. Billy nodded at him and brought his kunai; he placed the kunai next to the mainline, then he counted with his fingers.

At the end of the count, they both cut the wires and ran back with the utmost speed they could.

Then they heard an explosion with small stone pebbles flying everywhere. "Fuck! That one almost got us!" Billy panted when he saw his team.

Then he turned his head to Izuku. "Good job Izuku." And he gave him a thumbs up.

Izuku stands up and puts his finger under his nose. "Well, of course. Nothing can get past the Uchiha or the Sharingan!"

Billy sighed in defeat. "Why do you always say that… we get it! Take my fucking compliment and shut the fuck up!"

Izuku stammers a little. "Sorry, boss… So, do we go in?"

"No, just try to find more traps near the entrance, I will get the rest… it won't be the first time that bastard puts more than five traps in one place." Izuku nods and returns to the entrance.

Billy returned to the main group. "Nawaki, we cleared the last entrance, my team. Scanned the area, get ready; we are about to breach the last level."

Nawaki smiles. "Finally, I just want to shower and eat a nice meal after this!" Billy gives him a thumbs-up and whistles to his team to move forward.

They returned to find Izuku singing a song while checking for traps. "Anything new Izuku?"

"Nope, clear as the sunny skies."

"All right. FORMATION CAT!"

Billy's team all formed smaller groups surrounding him, then they all walked into the entrance. Billy looked up and saw two balconies on top of each other, then he turned around and found another two on top.

He saw a clear area with doors all around, leading to pumping stations and control rooms. Far at the end of the room, there was a closed gate.

He looked at the first balcony and saw a small bell attached to a small pipe; next to that balcony was a staircase.

Then he noticed someone sitting in the middle of the square room. In front of him was an assortment of biscuits and sweets. And he was drinking tea.

Billy turned his head and looked at the main defense team, with Nawaki in the middle. "Nawaki! Code weirdo!"

---

Nawaki was tired; he and Shikaku have calculated a plan for two days, then the weirdo, as Billy likes to call him, just comes and pulls a fast one on us. He did not anticipate this kind of chaos.

Thankfully, they had Billy, who started shouting for people to move when the dam opened. Shikaku had the brains to memories the map, which helped them navigate this hell. And finally, they had Izuku and his Sharingan, which helped immensely.

Nawaki started having doubts about his dream when he was trying to break up fights and get people focused. 'No wonder Billy does not want leadership.' But he will never stop dreaming about becoming a Hokage.

And finally, they are here at the end of the road, he finally saw some natural light coming from the closed gate, and he was about to cry from happiness. Then Billy shouted at him. "Nawaki Code Weirdo."

Nawaki lowered his head in defeat. "I fucking knew there was a catch." He raised his head. "Spread out!

Everyone around him formed smaller groups, like Billy's team; he walked forward and stood next to Billy; he watched as Inajin-Sama drank his tea with perfect peace.

Inajin opened his eyes and looked at them. Then he smiled. "Well, hello there!" he placed his tea on the table. "I am so proud of you, kids! You even formed small, cute teams together; how adorable." Then he bent down and started squinting his eyes while making baby noises.

Inoichi shouted. "PLEASE, DAD, STOP!"

"Why, Inoichi! I am shocked; you used to love it when I talked to you like this."

Nawaki turned his head and saw a child who just wished for the earth to swallow him whole. 'All right, time to stop this."

Nawaki walked forward, gaining the attention of Inajin. "Inajin-Sama, thank you for greeting us, after our… Tiring… event."

Billy chimed in. "EVENT? You call this an event?!"

Nawaki leaned to the side and whispered in a loud voice to Billy. "Do you want to go back and just sleep or shower? Well, I do. So, shut up, Billy!

"Oh, do not worry, Nawaki-Kun I am simply here to congratulate every one of you guys for passing the test!"

He heard silence, then he heard everyone shout in joy. He was about to smile in victory, but then. "Or you could hear my offer!"

'Goddammit! He is doing it again.' Nawaki smiled at the clan head. "And what is your offer, Inajin-Sama?"

Inajin smiled. "Well, Nawaki, it just breaks my heart knowing that you guys started with three hundred fifty, and now you are what?... less than a hundred?"

Nawaki looked down in shame. "their sacrifices will not be forgotten."

"Why are you talking about them like they are dead? How about we fix that, shall we?"

Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small remote controller. Then he clicked it. On the left side, a screen lowered, and on that screen was a video of a warehouse somewhere, on the floor, all the kids that were with him were tied up, with gags in their mouths and blindfolds.

Quite as the night what followed, slowly Inoichi spoke. "Dad, what are you doing?"

Inajin sighed and looked at his son with sadness. "Well, son… those who failed my test will be taken and be trained in a harsher environment, some of them may die… but this is war, son, and we need good Shinobi, not failures."

Inoichi had nothing to say; he was so shocked at what he saw that he could not even comprehend how to form words.

Nawaki cleared his throat. "Inajin-Sama… what is your offer?" Nawaki stated while he felt every bone in his body go cold.

Inajin smiled again. "Why yes, of course… how forgetful of me! Here is my offer."

Then he clicked another remote controller, and the gate behind him opened. Bodies of people walked in; all of them were carrying sticks. Some of them were smiling and joking with each other.

"These fine five hundred gentlemen were in the Uchiha police department yesterday, for. 'Drunken disturbance while celebrating the tenth election of the merchant's guild' My heart could not let these fine men rot behind bars for days until they are released, so I made them sign that they will help with today's test."

"Now here is my offer… For every civilian you beat, one of these children on the screen will be allowed to graduate with you! And if you are lucky, and rung that golden bell up there, all of you will pass with no more fighting, but sadly I trapped the stairs, and the way to the stairs, oh and I put five hundred men guarding that stairway."

Then he returned to his table and took his tea again. He took a calm sip of his tea. "Or anyone of you could simply leave and pass the test… it all depends on your choices."

Nawaki took a calm breath. "May we discuss this in another room, Inajin-Sama?"

Inajin took another calm sip. "No, you may not. But I will allow you to talk in this very room… try to whisper as much as you want." He smiled at them.

Nawaki bowed to him, and he walked back to the group. "What would you guys like to do?"

Everyone was too hesitant to start the conversation, but then Shikaku voiced his concern. "What if he was lying… what if this is another hidden test, and if we left them, we lose the qualification?"

Inoichi shook his head. "No, I know my father… if he tells a lie, he has this really subtle tell… he is not lying if any of us said we pass on this last offer, he will congratulate us, and we are allowed to go." Yunmi nodded with Inoichi. "He is right."

Then Billy sighed. And shouted across the room. "Oi… weirdo… If we lose this fight, will we still pass the test?"

Most looked shocked at Billy, but Inajin smiled. "No, you will fail, and you must try next year."

Everyone stood still. No one said a word. Then one kid walked forward. "I would like to pass the test."

Inajin pointed at a door. "Go to that door, and they will tell you. Your room number and they will give you. Your room key. Congratulation on passing the test, welcome to the first year."

Then they saw more kids following the first one, leaving behind the leaders and some followers. Okami screamed at them while they walked away. "COWARDS! TRAITORS!"

Nawaki looked at what is left; he saw the first group that arrived, then he counted them. 'Only thirty.' He turned his head and looked at the Shikaku, who sat still in a thinking pose.

He saw Billy fuming at the mouth, pacing around with anger in his movement. Then he heard Shikaku. "Guys, I have a plan…"

Everyone turned and looked at him. Then Izuku voiced his concern. "You think we could pass this?"

Shikaku nodded. "The plan will need three main components, you." He pointed at Billy.

Then he pointed at Izuku. "You."

Then finally, he pointed at Okami. "You." Okami smiled. "Whatever you need, I will do it!"

Then Shikaku slowly shook his head. "Not you… I need him." Everyone looked at Shikaku as a mad man.

---

Billy sighed and watched as Nawaki talked with Inajin. 'That fucking asshole… What kind of mind-fucked games are you playing at, weirdo?'

He started pacing around, warming himself up for the plan that Shikaku thought of. 'You are fucking mad, Shikaku… But if John's memories are anything but true… I think it may work.'

He started looking at the available people. He saw Izuku with two more Uchiha. 'Man, this kid is brave… I think I need to apologize to him… for the whole beating the ever-living shit out of him… Nah fuck him; he needs this… I could just tell him he was doing good.'

'There is Choza and eight of his clan members, Okami massaging his puppy before the battle, next to him are three Inuzuka clan members as the distraction team.'

Billy started stretching his arms. 'There is. Ume Aburame with her beehive on her back,… she is the only one left.'

He turned his head to the right and saw Ayano Hyuga with her branch member bodyguard, and next to them are three Hyuga members, then he walked to Nawaki who was sitting and planning with Shikaku, and the rest of the party… he saw him instruct the Yamanakas, and the Naras about the placements that they will be in.

Just as he was about to reach, Nawaki he heard a voice. "Sorry, Yuzima-San, I had to go to the bathroom! What were you saying again?"

Billy's blood turned cold… he could feel the very ground standing still… he felt his heart stop and start five times again. Then he ran towards Shikaku and Nawaki; in an instant, he pulled them by their shirts and hid behind the group of Akimichi.

Billy crouched behind one of the fat kids, and he peered at Yamazaki Orichi… His boss. "Oi Billy, what is the big idea! Pulling us like that?!"

Billy turned around and placed a finger on Nawaki's lips. "Sheeee! He could hear you!" he shout-whispered. Nawaki struggled with his finger until he ripped it away.

Shikaku massaged his neck. "Who could hear us, Billy?" Billy pointed at the bald stocky man with the white handlebar mustache. "What about him?"

"That is my Boss! He owns a mask shop! I should have known he would be here! He always drinks and parties with the old ladies in pingo night!"

Nawaki peeked at Yamazaki-Oyabun. "So… we should be worried because he may not sell us masks again?"

Billy instantly turned his head and looked at them both. "This simple mask seller… No. No, that is wrong… This demon with the thousand faces could beat me until I was bloody for breakfast! So, if I could beat a bunch of Uchihas around while not breaking a sweat, what the fuck do you expect him to do to us… HE WILL FUCKING MURDER US!" Billy screamed the last part, then he heard.

Orichi turned his head. "Billy?!" Billy quickly hid behind the Akimichi with fear in his eyes.

Nawaki sighed. "Fine, Billy, we will use the distraction team to solely focus on him… let's add Ume with them just for safety."

Then Shikaku reached with his hand to Billy's shoulder. "Get it together… you are the main part of this plan… do not fail us." Billy nodded at him.

Nawaki and Shikaku walked away, leaving Billy to gather his thoughts. And after fifteen minutes, he heard Inajin shout. "All right, everyone! Let the games began."

Billy quickly dashed to his location, behind the entrance, and waited for the moment he was supposed to spring his trap.

He watched as the Akimichi and Choza formed a wall. He watched as the distraction team ran around Yamazaki Oyabun.

Then he saw the wall fall, and he finally saw Izuku running to him; Billy quickly ran out and put both of his hands as a platform. He channeled all his chakra into his arms and hands. Then when Izuku came to him, he lowered himself more.

Izuku jumped on his hand, then Billy sprung him up with all his might; Izuku quickly balanced himself in the air, then he activated his Sharingan, and while he was in the air, he charged his arm with chakra and threw something.

Billy watched a golden ball fly to the golden bell. Then he watched the golden ball do some flips and extended itself to form. Kumamu. Okami's puppy, the puppy, flipped mid-air balancing itself, then in the last second, it landed on the balcony.

The puppy wasted no time and jumped again to ring the bell.

Billy quickly ran to Izuku and caught him by his foot before he fell. "Good job Izuku! We fucking did it, kid!"

Izuku smiled. "Because I am a Uchiha!" Billy let his hand slip, and Izuku fell.

He turned his head to see the cheering kids dance in joy, then he saw Inajin with a calm smile on his face. 'Fuck, this is the most genuine smile I have ever seen on that face.'

Billy walked to Nawaki and Shikaku. "We fucking did it!"

Shikaku turned around, sporting a black eye. "I should have listened to you… that boss of yours… he saw you at the last second, but I stopped him… he backhanded me… I don't know where I landed?"

Nawaki turned around with two black eyes. Billy was about to speak, but he beat him to it. "I stood my ground a second time… I don't regret it."

Billy gave them a thumbs up. "Thanks, guys… we did it, yay!"

Then he heard Yamazaki-Oyabun speak behind him. "Hahaha! Gaki! What a great show!"

Yamazaki lifted Billy by the back of his trench coat. "What I leave you for one day, and you started bossing people around?!" Billy extended his hand and gave him a thumbs up.

Yamazaki laughed, then he started sniffing, "Oh God, that is foul… you need a shower, Gaki!" Then Yamazaki dropped him on the ground.

Billy slowly stood up and watched his friends looking at him. Nawaki spoke. "I think I know now where you get your rougher way of handling people." Billy shrugged at them.

For the next ten minutes, Billy and was cheering with his friends on how they won the day.

---

While Billy was talking with Okami, "Man Okami I didn't know Kumamu could use chakra yet… that was awesome!"

Okami was about to replay, but then Inajin cleared his throat to get the attention of everyone in the room. "I would like to congratulate you on passing my test… and there is one more thing!"

Billy sighed. "Bring it on, weirdo. We expected this." Then he saw dirt.

Yamazaki pulled Billy out of the earth and started using him like a puppet. "I am deeply sorry, Inajin-Sama! As you can see, my apprentice is clearly exhausted, and he fell on the floor, please forgive him!" Billy's body was bending down and up.

Inajin laughed. "It is all right, Orichi-san. I will pay him back ten folds…" then he started sipping on a fresh cup of tea.

"Now, as I was saying… there is one more thing. This test has a meaning behind it, and I truly hope you learned it."

Nawaki raised his hand. "What is the meaning of the test Inajin-Sama?"

"Well, Nawaki… This test is a simulation of what happened in the war… expect what I did to you today, but it will be much bloodier… out there kids… out there, there is no mercy… you will see death, blood, and tears… I suggest you learn from what you did today, and trust in your bonds, for they will be the only thing you truly have in war."

A quiet somberness followed his statement. Then he took a loud sip from his tea. "Oh, right, I forgot to tell you… everyone who passed this test will be allowed to go home and live at home… no need for dorms. So, see you tomorrow!"

Billy, finally hearing all of this, was about to cheer, but then he got grabbed by his shirt, he saw his feet getting dragged. "Come on, Billy… I was without that coffee drink you make for five days now! I need my stuff!"

He saw everyone looking at him with pity. "Oi Billy!" he looked at Nawaki screaming. "See ya tomorrow!

Billy smiled and waved. "See ya tomorrow, suckers!" then he flipped everyone who was looking at him.

He felt the sun hitting his back, then he started humming 'Kenny Rogers - The Gambler.'

---

Inajin's hand started shaking; he could feel his eyes twitching. 'Stop not now… not in front of the kids!' His cup of tea started spilling, but he kept on his strained smile; he watched as the Billy kid was dragged off. 'I have to go now!'

He walked to the control room and sat there; he could feel this unnatural coldness on his shoulders; he was afraid to close his eyes.

In front of him was a blue screen, sitting in the pause mode; his breathing accelerated, and he could feel his fingers getting numb.

He finally closed his eyes, and he took a deep sip of tea… he was too afraid to open his eyes; he did not wish to see their faces again. His ears started ringing, then he noticed that his breathing stopped.

When he could take it no longer. He opened his eyes to the blue screen, but it was no longer blue, static video of Children bound up, with gags in their mouths.

He looked down to see himself tied up, he saw his tortured body again, he could feel the pain again.

He no longer could scream; he watched as he tortured them for days, he watched as he laughed from their hunger, he watched as he drowned the first one.

He watched as he set the second one in a maze of traps. Just to laugh at her death.

He could feel his tears falling. He could feel his soul-shattering.

And he watched as he burned the last one alive, his screeching screams, begging to be saved by… "His sensei."

Then he felt someone taps his shoulders. He quickly jumped at who touched him, and he extracted his Kunai; just as he was about to kill his attacker, he saw the ground.

Slowly he opened his eyes; his son was crying in a corner, afraid of him, his cousin Yamajin holding him down, and Yamajin's daughter on the floor with a bruise on her neck.

He slowly started laughing and giggling. "Yamajin Hehehhehe I heah I.. Think… HAHJAHAAAHAAAHAHHA! I NEED ANOTHER TEA!"

Yamajin sighed. "Don't worry… another tea will be served… in the black rooms." He turned his head to Inoichi. "You know what to do, Inoichi… this is not the first time... I should not have left him alone today."

In the back of Inajin's mine, a whisper talked. "One wonders what nightmares lurk in the darkness of the mind."