This is a reminder that I am changing some stuff from the original lore of Naruto, the first example is that the first shinobi war did not last this long, But I am changing some stuff for the story. Thank you djb0623 for the clarification
Oni of the west
His hand quickly took hold of one kunai, and his other fist parred the other one; he saw Nawaki jump to the left while Yunmi opened her umbrella parrying the kunai.
Before he could breathe, three shurikens were upon him. He parried one with his stolen kunai and dodged the other two, then he felt pain in his left thigh. "The first lesson, always watch out for wires."
Billy grunted in pain; he looked up at Danzo attacking Nawaki with his sword. Suddenly Danzo kicked Nawaki behind Billy and jumped after him.
He watched Danzo spin mid-air dodging Yunmi's kunai, when he was in Billy's reach, he bent down and kicked his hand, then he pulled his wire and tripped Billy.
Without looking, Danzo sent two shuriken at Yunmi, who dodged the first one but got hit with the second one when Danzo pulled a wire.
Billy looked around; he and his team were all on the floor, while Danzo was relaxed with his sword on his shoulder. "Guys, we need to get out of here and go to an open space." He heard Nawaki command them using the mind transfer.
Billy nodded and pulled on the wire that was embedded in him, which made Danzo cut the wire. "Yunmi, pull your wire; Nawaki tries to attack him when she pulls."
When Danzo cut the second wire, He dodged Nawaki's attack with ease; he pulled back and looked at Billy, who was standing up. "Acceptable try, but you need to do better." He moved his hand with frightening speed and spat smoke from his mouth.
Nawaki screamed at them. "MOVE!" they all jumped away from the smoke, Nawaki and Yunmi hanged from the tiles, while Billy backs upon the ground.
Billy looked around for any sign of Danzo, but when he found nothing. "Guys, we need to run. We can't bait him out; he will haunt us."
Yunmi nodded. "Nawaki and I will stay on the walls while you stay on the ground; I remember an exit on the south side."
Nawaki was about to replay, but he jumped away and in his place was five shuriken embedded into the tiles. "He is attacking us from the shadows; we need to move now!"
Billy turned and ran. "He will try to separate us, do not let him do that. And watch out for genjutsu."
Billy, Nawaki, and Yunmi ran to the south side; for every step they take, one of them had to dodge an attack, for every turn, there was a trap waiting for them.
The warehouse did not help them, it had a lot of hiding places where one could ambush people, and they could not use any strong attacks because they would fail if they did so.
The tiles reached up to the sky, covering the corridor they were using in shadows. For every object they passed, they had to watch out for attacks, and Danzo was not known for leniency.
When they reached the southern door, they all had some damage on them; their minds were on full alert.
Yunmi quickly threw a Kunai at the door, which triggered kunai and shuriken to fly to the door. She sighed in relief. "I think we are clear."
Nawaki nodded. "it seems so, but careful, I bet he trapped the other end."
Billy looked around while they talked, and he saw a large shipment of lumber. He walked up to it and took a ten-foot-tall log. "Make way!"
Both of his teammate's eyes widened, and they dodged quickly; Billy channeled chakra to his legs and upper body; he bent back and launched the projectile at the door, cracking it.
Instantly when the door was opened, several clouds of smoke emerged, and from them, they heard metal grinding upon metal; the log started jumping from the shock of the attack.
All of them stilled, and when the smoke blew away from the air, they saw the whole area covered with different weapons. Billy smirked and looked at his teammates. "Now, this is how you clear traps."
Nawaki turned his head and looked at Billy. "Damnit, Billy, you should have said something, we all co." Billy instantly jumped away when he saw Nawaki's face change; he heard the air getting sliced by a sword.
When he landed, he saw Yunmi and Nawaki surrounding him, while the spot he was on was covered with kunai that his team threw. "He was there, wasn't he?" Billy asked.
Yunmi nodded. "Yup, and guys, we really need to move out."
Nawaki exhaled. "Billy, you are at the back while Yunmi and I will lead. There is a forested training ground near us. But I really doubt he did not plan for that, so expect traps."
They all got into formation, using Billy's size to defend their back while they moved. They jumped over the log and dodged a couple of kunai. "Don't look back, move!" Nawaki screamed at them.
They began running towards the training ground, their tension was at an all-time high, and they could feel someone watching them in the shadows. After ten minutes of running, with no attack, Yunmi asked. "Why is he not attacking?"
Billy looked around, trying to find Danzo. "I don't know, but it can't be good."
Nawaki nodded. "I don't think he will stop; I bet he will change tactics."
Billy looked Infront of them, and he warned his team. "Living area 12 a clock, we can't run here."
They all slowed down and started walking normally while looking for their attacker. When nothing happened after a while, Nawaki voiced his opinion. "I think he moved up. Because he cannot attack while civilians are around."
The team continued walking, but with a more relaxed demeanor, they saw a bunch of shops nearby. Some were selling food and drink, others were celebrating nearby.
Billy saw an incoming crowd. "Guys, we could hide with the crowd."
They all moved inside of the crowd, who were celebrating a kid's birthday on the street. Billy saw a drunk wabbling near him, and he tried to move out of the way. 'Damn drunk, I really don't want to get stained while I am in the middle of a damn test!' When he moved his eyes for a moment, the hair at the back of his neck stood still, he tried to dodge, but he was surrounded.
Billy moved his steel-plated gloves and felt a small chink hitting his armor; he looked down and found a small needle. "Guys."
Yunmi looked at Billy. "Hmm?"
"I think we are in a trap… I just got attacked by a drunk."
All of them looked around a child holding a lollypop, an old woman with a stick, lovers walking together, a carpenter with his supplies. Billy sighed. "Get ready things are about to become ugly."
After five minutes of walking, dodging attacks, and parring them, they finally exited the district to the forested training ground. They looked at the area that is filled with trees on all sides, with a large river at the back; in the middle, there are three freshly cut tree stumps.
Yunmi, who was currently removing a senbon, complained. "Ow, ow, ow, I hate these things." She pulled the last one from her elbow.
Billy kneeled in front of her after bandaging himself. "Here, let me fix that for you."
Nawaki, on the other hand, was looking at the training ground with suspicion, trying to find Danzo. "That was a bad move on our part back there." He said that while throwing a stone into the training field, which exploded. "And now he is using explosives."
Billy ignored the explosion and continued the bandaging. "You need some bandages, Nawaki?" Nawaki shook his head.
He took out a spray bottle from his bag and cleaned the wounds. "It's gonna sting Yunmi."
After a while, he stood up and looked down at Yunmi. "Everything good?" She nodded at him. Billy turned around and looked at the field. "I have a feeling if we step inside, he will show up… I mean, he let us heal up and catch a breather."
Yunmi rolled her eyes. "How nice of him." Then she opened her umbrella and blocked the sun.
Nawaki took a deep breath. "Ready to go, guys?" Billy and Yunmi walked next to Nawaki.
"Yup."
"Mm-hmm."
Nawaki hearing them, walked forward; as soon as his foot touched the grass, three kunai embedded in the front of their path, and Danzo appeared out of thin air.
He squatted on the middle stump, his sword drawn and getting cleaned by him; in his mouth is a small pipe that is spewing smoke; under the stumps are three boxes.
He took a long inhale, and while he was exhaling, he spoke even though he was not looking at them. "I congratulate you lot…" he exhaled the smoke and continued oiling his sword. "Many have failed before you…" he took another puff and withdrew his sword to his back. "But let us see if you pass the last step." He exhaled and finally looked at them.
He pointed at Billy. "I have one traitor amongst you." Then he pointed at Nawaki. "With the traitor is a key that can open these boxes." He smiled at them and finally pointed at Yunmi while looking at her wounds. "I have poisoned two of you, except the traitor."
He stood up and walked to a nearby tree, then he unsealed a tea set. "I recommend you find the key quickly… you only have ten minutes."
Billy looked at Nawaki, who was looking at Yunmi with suspicion; he looked at Yunmi, who was looking at him with apprehension. He tried to talk, but he felt the link disappear from his mind.
Danzo took a long puff of his pipe, enjoying the strong and mild taste it brought him; he slowly stirred the tea. 'They seem promising, but no one has passed my test so far; if they don't, I think this will be my last trial.'
He slowly lowered his hands and took hold of the green tea. He raised his hands up and enjoyed the heat, then he took a long sip. He looked across the field. 'Hmm, I only took them because Hiruzen kept insisting on it and because I will be teaching Hashirama-Sama and Tobirama-Sama's grandson.'
Danzo looked at Yunmi. 'She has potential; if she fails this test, I think I will recruit her in the future division that Hiruzen promised me.'
He sighed and took another sip, then he looked at Billy, who was signing to his teammates. 'This one needs to graduate no matter what; he will be a boon on the battlefield.'
Danzo took a puff from his pipe and saw Billy opening his bag and searching them; then he saw the rest of the team doing the same; when they found no keys, the Yamanaka started pointing at Billy and accusing him. "You think I didn't notice Billy! You are the one who directed us into the crowd of civilians, and you are the one who treated our wounds; maybe you are the one who injected us with the poison!"
He saw Nawaki give Billy an uncertain look, then he turned and talked to Yunmi. "You were in our heads the entire time; what if you were playing with our senses?"
She took offense to that and pointed at him with her umbrella. "How dare you! I swore an oath as a Yamanaka! I would never do any of that to allies… That is if you are my ally."
Danzo took another puff from his pipe and looked at Billy, who stood still the entire time; he noticed that Billy seems to be thinking about something. Then he saw him walk over the boxes.
He watched as his teammate stopped their shouting match and looked at Billy. "Billy, what are you doing?" Asked Nawaki.
Billy did not answer them, but he picked up one of the boxes. He started turning it around and banging on it, and with one swift motion, he pried the box open with his hands.
At that moment, Danzo smiled. 'He figured it out; there was no key… But will he figure out my next step?"
When Billy opened the box, there was nothing inside; he threw it behind him and opened another, which turned out empty.
Finally, he opened the last box, and inside of it, there was a small clear vial. He picked it up and turned around to his teammates; he showed them the vial. "There is only one vial."
They all stared at the small vial with the clear liquid. He could hear the tension from his tree, then he took a long puff and smiled.
He watched Nawaki step back and holding his kunai. "I am sorry, Billy, but you know my dream… There is next year for you."
Danzo frowned. 'Hmm, I remember his dream was to be Hokage… They will never let him become one if this is his attitude, but maybe I could use him.'
Yunmi looked shocked at Nawaki. "How dare you, Nawaki! He is your friend!"
Nawaki turned to her with tears in his eyes. "You think I don't know that you witch!?" He took a deep breath. "Billy knows… I will sacrifice everything for my dream!"
He looked at the children arguing. 'It seems history repeats itself… Now Billy will be the Bigger person and gives the vial to Nawaki.'
Danzo sighed and took a deep puff of smoke. Then he heard a small chuckle, then the chuckle turned into a burst of tight laughters, then it turned into a deep laugh.
He saw Billy's teammate giving him a weird look. "You can change your voice?!" asked the orange-haired girl.
Billy laughed more and fell on the ground holding his belly laughing. "I. I just figured it out! HAHAHAHA!"
The girl, still confused, asked him. "You just figured out how to change your voice?"
Billy, still on the ground, crossed his legs while placing his hand on his right knee. "No, I figured out how to change my voice… and." Billy smiled and looked at Danzo.
Danzo could see the mask stretch, and he saw the small dark gray eyes peeking at him; he saw the red gums with the white teeth snickering at him. 'What a scary sight… If only I did not see scarier."
Billy pointed at Danzo. "I figured out your test… Old man." And he laughed more.
Danzo looked down at his body. 'What is he talking about… I am 35.' He decided to humor him. "And what did you figure out?"
Billy slowly stopped laughing and brought out the vial, and while looking at Danzo, he smashed it. "This!"
He saw his teammates stop dead in their tracks, and he watched Billy's smile grow more and more. 'What an unnatural smile.'
He brought his hands up and took the last sip of his tea, then he slowly stood up while hearing the children scream at Billy. He slowly moved towards them and released a small amount of killing intent. 'There that should stop them from talking…' he noticed Billy still giving him that smile. 'Hmm curious, he does not seem to be fazed at all… something to think about later.'
Billy's smile widened. "There was never a cure!" he opened his hand to let the rest of the liquid fall off.
Nawaki gets hold of his balance. "What are you talking about?"
Billy stood up and dusted his hands. "At first, I was confused… Why would he tell us that he poisoned us? What would he gain from that?" He walked to the log and placed his right foot on top. "Then it came to me… he never did, we simply listen to him, because he was the authority… and you being a Senju helped with that."
Danzo looked at Billy. "Why is he being a Senju matter? Do you really think I would hesitate?"
Billy smiled. "Oh, I know you won't, but what gave you away was the key, there was no key, and you know it. Which encouraged us to fight, and if someone opened the box, there will be one vial, and I bet there is poison in it."
Danzo gave him a frown. "What makes you so sure that I placed a poison in the vial?"
Billy looked at him in the eyes. "Would you let a shinobi who obviously betrayed his comrade graduate?"
Danzo's frown remained on his face. "I would kill them before they took a single sip of the poison… it is a waste of good poison." He turned around and walked near the river. "Congratulation's you just passed my test."
The team began to celebrate, but Danzo stopped them. "I never said you two passed the test." He pointed at Nawaki and Yunmi.
Nawaki grew frustrated. "What do you mean."
Danzo walked back to his tree and sat down. "Only Billy figured out the test while you both fought each other." He started brewing. "You Nawaki were ready to betray your friend."
At this, Nawaki lowered his head in shame. Danzo poured more water. "While you Yunmi were ready to accuse both Billy and Nawaki because they are old friends." Yunmi looked down in shame.
Danzo started mixing the tea. "But there is a chance for you yet."
Both Nawaki and Yunmi looked up at him. "There are two documents that I want." He looked up at them. "The first one is in the TI, and the second one is in the research and development section."
Danzo brought a new cup and placed it in front of him. "Both of them have a kunai seal on them; bring them to me."
Nawaki and Yunmi nodded. "All right, let's get the TI one first, then…" Nawaki was stopped from speaking.
"Both of you will go alone, you will not receive help from your teammates, and Billy is not allowed to assist." Nawaki and Yunmi bristled but started walking away.
Billy looked at them. 'Fucking Danzo.' He took in a deep breath. "Oi Nawaki!"
Nawaki and Yunmi turned around. Billy tapped his head. "You will never be Hokage."
Billy smiled and walked towards Danzo, who watched the exchange; he sat down and looked at the offered tea that Danzo made.
Danzo poured the tea and brought it to Billy. "Drink it slowly and enjoy the flavor."
Billy nodded and took the bowl; he slowly brought it up to his slit and drank the tea. "This is great, sensei."
Danzo shook his head silently and drank. "Why did you kick Nawaki while he is down, Billy?"
Billy lowered the tea. "Because he needs encouragement."
"Hmm… What did you think of the test Billy?"
"It is a brutal test."
"Oh, really now… You know I was asked to lower it every time someone fails my test?"
Billy smiled and showed his white teeth. "And how many students did you fail?"
"One hundred fifty… Or one hundred fifty-two today." Danzo lit up his pipe.
Billy's smile disappeared. "What makes you say that they will fail your test?"
Danzo exhaled the smoke on Billy's face, who did not even flinch. "Because they will need to enter into the most restricted areas in the village, find the correct Scrolls that are surrounded with similar scrolls, and I did not even tell them that the scroll I want will have an open seal."
Billy's face turned into a frown. "That is a vindictive move on your part, sensei."
Danzo took a puff from his pipe. "Why do you think I gave them this second chance? I wish for them to feel defeated."
Billy grew a confused look. "Why would you do that? What purpose does it serve?"
"When they tasted defeat, it is much easier to mold them. Into better shinobi." He revealed with a gentle smile.
Billy's confused look turned into a hateful glare, then it slowly changes to a wide smile. "Would you like to bet? As a way to pass the time?" Billy's tongue slowly slathered his blood-red gums.
Danzo gave Billy a curious look. "You have a nasty smile, Billy." Danzo replayed with a smile. "You, academy students who never tasted blood, have courage."
He slowly brought his tea to his mouth. "Useless courage, I would say." Then he took a sip. "What are your terms."
Billy's smile grew to an unhealthy stretch; he extended his hand to shake. "If they pass the test, I will gain favor from you. If they don't, I will owe you a favor in the future."
Danzo gave Billy a suspicious look, then he sent his chakra out of his body. Billy's eye grew wide with anticipation. "Testing the waters, old man?"
Danzo frowned at Billy. "I am no old man Billy… and a shinobi can never be too paranoid." After a while, he slowly raised his hand to Billy's. "Fine, I could always use a favor." He shook Billy's much bigger hand.
In the distance, two academy students breathed a sigh of relief. "That could have been close!" Screamed Yunmi.
Nawaki nodded while looking at the distance they ran from the chakra wave. "Thankfully, Billy warned us about the wave."
Yunmi nodded. "How did you know he wanted his mind to be connected?"
Nawaki stood up and dusted himself. "Because if Billy wanted to encourage someone, he would beat them up first… and he tapped his head."
They started walking. "What that's it?! That does not make sense!"
Nawaki smiled. "And I know Billy will never belittle my dream… So, I understood what he wanted the second he started insulting."
Yunmi sighed in defeat. "Fine, so are we ignoring his demand?"
"Damn right we are… No one can infiltrate the TI and Research department alone; even ANBU need partners in this."
So, the pair walked together towards their destination.
Billy smiled and moved a shogi piece. "I think it is my win." He leaned back.
Danzo looked at the board and hummed. "Let me give you a piece of advice… The best way to kill a shinobi is to make them feel secured." He moved his piece. "I think this is my win." He smiled and took a puff from his pipe.
Billy frowned and leaned on the board. "Damn… you are good."
Danzo frowned. "You think I would lose to an up jumped upstart like you… you have much to learn."
Billy sighed and took a sip of the hot tea; he smelled the soft breeze passing from the slow river nearby. The shade of the tree gave him and Danzo a great spot to play and talk.
He lowered the tea. "Another game?"
Danzo shook his head. "No, I can feel them coming. Get ready for the Favor I am about to ask."
Billy smiled and stood up. "Don't get hasty old man… You seem to be so 'Secured' in your victory, sensei." Billy laughed.
Danzo stood up and looked at Billy suspiciously. "Hmm… You didn't cheat perhaps, did you?"
Billy gave him a shocked look. "How could I cheat a master like you, sensei? After all, I was here with you the whole time." Billy heard footsteps coming nearby. "And would you look at that… they just arrived."
Billy and Danzo watched as Nawaki and Yunmi returned, tired and drained. They approached Danzo, and both brought a scroll with an open seal of a kunai.
Danzo took the scrolls and opened them up; he slowly read them while humming, then he closed the scrolls. "It seems I was lured into safety… Congratulations, you passed."
Billy smiled and gave a thumbs up to Nawaki and Yunmi, while Danzo turned around and brought his teapot with four bowls.
Danzo walked to the middle tree stump and poured the hot steaming tea into the four bowls; Billy could see the steam slowly rising, he could feel the soft breeze of the wind, and he could hear the soothing sound of the river.
Danzo beckoned them to him. "All of you, take a bowl." He stated while raising his own bowl.
All of them raised their bowls. "From now on, you are my team, you are my responsibility, you may hate me, you may despise me for what I will put you all through, but always remember this oath."
He raised his bowl to the middle of the stump. "I Danzo will make you shinobi that I can promise you." Danzo's cup clashed with the team, and he drank it all.
Billy raised his and drank it, Nawaki raised his and drank it, and finally, Yunmi drank hers.
Yunmi gave a quiet smile, Nawaki sprouted a proud smile, while Billy gave a bleeding smile.
Danzo reached into his bag and pulled a tattered old fuined scroll. He looked at it for a while, contemplating something, then he said in a quiet, soft voice. "I never thought I would use these… But it seems Hiruzen was right."
He unsealed the scroll, and from it, he produced three dull metallic plates. He brought a kunai and began itching the Konoha mark upon them.
When he was done, he gave each Iron plate to each team member. "This marks you as a shinobi of the hidden leaf… Wear it with pride… wear it with strength… wear it with conviction, and never dishonor the leaf."
Billy gave Danzo a confused look. 'Did you grow bitter with age, Danzo?'
Yunmi and Nawaki bowed to Danzo. "Thank you, sensei! We will make you proud."
Danzo gave them a soft smile, but then he turned to Billy expectingly. Billy looked at him and shrugged. "I do not bow easily."
Nawaki stood up and punched Billy's right thigh. "Stop being difficult!"
Billy bristled. "WANNA GO?! HUH?"
Yunmi sighed while Danzo shook his head. "No fighting… You all can go and rest a week and prepare because after a week of rest, you will start your training."
When they were about to go, Danzo stopped Billy. "Not you, Billy… I have to talk to you."
Billy stopped and returned to Danzo; they waited for a moment when the coast was clear. "What do you need, sensei?"
Danzo looked at Billy and gave him a glare. "You think me a fool, don't you?"
Billy swallowed. "What are you talking about, sensei?"
He gave Billy his back and looked at the river. "You think I don't know what you were planning with your stunt?"
Billy stood still, his nerves are wreaking him, and after a while, he took a breath. "Which stunt?"
Danzo turned and looked at Billy while leaking killing intent. "Do you truly think I did not sense the Yamanaka link?"
He started his pipe again, and he took a big puff. Then, he slowly exhaled the smoke which covered his right eye. "Be grateful that I allowed it to continue… But this is not what I stopped you."
Billy, who was sweating, relaxed a little bit. "What was the reason then, sensei?"
Danzo took another puff. "I am a man of my words… although I know that you tried to tip the scale into your favor, I still betted a favor."
He started to walk away from Billy. "Still, you had faith in them… and they succeeded; I owe you a favor, Billy. Use it wisely."
Billy gulped from the implication. He turned and looked at the softly flowing river, trying to calm himself, but then he heard Danzo again. "Oh, and next time when you try to lie… Do not be nervous; I had a suspicion, but you confirmed it, work on your acting, boy."
Billy watched his sensei walk away slowly from him. 'What a terrifying man… I can see the beginning of his bitter old self all ready.'
He looked down at his Konoha plate; he turned it around, checking every rigid surface. 'Hmm old fashioned, even by today's standards.'
Billy placed the Hitai plate into his side bag and walked back to the village, but just as he was about to leave, he saw something in the middle of the area.
He walked to it and saw a small pole sticking out, with writing on top. "Spot reserved for a memorial."
Scratching his mask, he turned around and looked at the river, then the three tree stumps, then he looked around, it finally clicked. "No fucking way… this is where Naruto had his test… Fuck."
He placed his hands inside of his pockets and walked away while laughing. "Fate… you are a fucking bitch."
Hiruzen pinched his nose and took a long breath. In front of him, a paper stacked high, full of numbers detailing the war efforts. 'I need to get another council to handle the food shortage, maybe get another one to gain more political favors.'
He brought his pipe and started smoking. 'I can't wait until the end of this week, then I can go and relax with Orichi's club… although the man has never been the same since his last son died.'
He remembers the day Orichi came to him and tried to remove the court order placed upon him. 'His son was so vindictive that he pulled a restraining order against his father.'
Hiruzen was about to sign another paper when he heard the door opening. He saw his old friend Danzo walking in. 'Hmm, I think he is done with his test… it took more than usual.'
He took a long puff. "Danzo."
Danzo nodded at him. "Hiruzen."
Hiruzen smiled. "Sit and stop being so stiff; tell me about the test. Did you fail them?"
Danzo pulled a scroll from his bag and handed it to Hiruzen. "You gave me this scroll eight years ago, now. As promised, this will be my final test, and I am returning it to you."
Hiruzen took the scroll and inspected the damage on it, then he looked at Danzo and sighed. "I really wished for you to gain a team… but you and I know that there is nothing that could convince you to reconsider… after all, you told me this will be your final test."
Danzo raised one of his eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"
Hiruzen grew confused. "What are you talking about?"
Danzo pointed at the scroll. "You gave me the scroll; I am simply returning the scroll."
Hiruzen grew a little bit agitated. "And what is inside of the scroll, my friend? The three Hitai plates that the first Hokage gave you when you studied under him."
Danzo looked at the stacks of papers. "It seems the paperwork has slowly drained your sanity; I am simply returning the scroll… the plates were given to my team that passed."
Stunned, Hiruzen looked at the scroll then at Danzo. "You actually passed a team?"
Danzo sighed in defeat. "Why is it so hard for you to understand that I passed a team?"
"Well, it is just a little bit jarring considering that you failed one hundred and fifty students."
"I passed a team; can we move on now?"
Hiruzen looked at the stack of papers. "Why don't we go have some fresh air and talk."
Danzo nodded, and they both walked to the roof; they watched the expanding village and the people walking peacefully. "Danzo, as you know, the war will start picking up again."
Danzo looked at the village, then he looked west. "I gathered from the whispers of the shinobi."
Hiruzen turned and looked at Danzo. "I began peace talks with Suna."
"Suna? I thought they will never side with us."
"That was true two weeks ago, but apparently that Iwa started gathering near their border."
Danzo scratched his scar. "That is good. We need more allies but be careful it may be a ploy. What about Kumo and Kiri?"
Hiruzen sighed. "Kumo is gathering to the north next to Iwa, which is scary they may have joined together."
He turned and looked to the east. "Kiri, on the other hand, are as secretive as ever. But we feel that they may attack us first since the Uzumaki were weekend."
Danzo inhaled some of the fresh air. "This is going to be ugly."
"Indeed, my friend. I feel that there will be three battlefields."
"Let me guess Amegakure (Rain), Yugakure (Hot water), and Uzushiogakure (W hirlpool). Right?"
Hiruzen turned and looked at Danzo. "Ame and Yugakure are confirmed, but it seems Kiri is focusing on Kumo, which gives us a breathing room from the east."
Danzo started scratching his head, then he looked at the Hokage mountain, looking at his senseis face. "We are not ready, Hiruzen… No matter how much we like to think we are strong, we are facing a four-front war."
Hiruzen took a long puff from his pipe. "You are right, Danzo… and I think we need your help more than ever."
Danzo gave him a surprised look. "But? But I thought you stopped me from ever talking about the project."
"That is true… In my naivety, I thought I could do what the first did… simply talk, but it seems the other nations are not willing to listen. Now we will be dragged back to war."
Hiruzen turned and looked at Danzo's eyes; they seem to be full of rage and regret. "Sensei died fighting Madara, Tobirama-Sama died for us to live, and we gained some respite of the war. But it seems we have to dirty our hands, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe. 'It's not or never, do I doom my best friend to a life of darkness, or let the village suffer more?'
When Hiruzen exhaled the smoke from his lung, he gave the command. "From now on, you will be the darkness of the fire; from now on, you will protect the tree; you will be the root, Danzo. You have my full permission to commence."
Danzo turned his head and looked at his Sensei's stone face. "Thank you, Hiruzen I will not disappoint you, and I am sorry, sensei… it seems I won't be like you."
With that, Hiruzen felt a shift in chakra, and his friend disappeared. "I wish you were with me, Tobirama sensei… Did I do the right thing?"
Billy smiled when he exited the store. 'Fucking finally!' he pulled out a beer can with a smiling, sexy kunoichi murdering another shinobi. 'Now they can't say shit when I have my badge!'
He began walking towards the woods. 'I still remember when I tried to buy some, but they would not let me.'
Billy frowned at the memories, they warned all the shop not to sell to him, but he shook his head. 'It does not matter; now I have you, my precious."
He rubbed his mask against the beer can. 'I know the perfect spot to drink you.'
Billy walked for a while, enjoying the hustling and the bustling of the merchant district, but it slowly disappeared with each step he took towards the woods.
After a while, he looked at the sign. "Training grounds (34 – 76)" Billy smiled. 'This is the place.'
He moved into the forested area, ignoring shinobi practicing; he enjoyed the nature that is around, he looked at the trees, the small rivers, and the little rock formations.
Finally, after following a river's trail, he reached his destination. 'Perfect, no one is around.'
Billy looked at the river falling down, a small river with live fish, swimming peacefully. He moved next to the river and sat on a rock. Billy opened the ice container and looked at his first beer can in a while.
He opened it with a click and a hiss, inhaling all the sweet alcoholic smell. He looked at the waterfall and raised his beer can. "To growing up." And he downed the beer; he enjoyed the small stinging sensation of the iced beer tickling his throat; he could feel the alcohol entering his body.
When he finished with the can, he exhaled with delight. "OOOF!" he looked at the can and crushed it. "Best fucking beer ever!" he smiled and took another one.
Billy laughed a deep laugh, his new deep voice meshed with the waterfall, and he brought another beer that has the Hokage's image. "Hokage edition… Come on, guys, this is getting old."
He shook his head and opened the can; he enjoyed the soft breeze and drank the beer.
Billy stayed in his spot drinking beer after beer; he enjoyed the moment of solitude that it brought him; after a while drinking, he noticed something. "that is forty cans of beer… Why the fuck am I not tipsy?"
He scratched his head, then it dawned on him. "No…nonononono, please not this!" He took the remaining beers and drank all of them. When he was done with the last one, he stood up and smashed it on the ground. "WHY THE FUCK CAN'T I GET DRUNK!"
Billy could feel his rage building up; he started pacing around; he looked at a tree and walked to it, channeled all of his chakra, and smashed the tree. He picked it up and started whacking any big rocks nearby.
After a while, his rage subsided, he fell on his knees. "Fucking body… I just wanted to get drunk." He sniffed a little.
Billy stood up and gathered his things; he cleaned up after himself and walked back to the village in silence.
When he reached the village, it was already evening, he walked and ignored anyone, he watched the lights of the stores opening, and he grew bitter when he saw drunk people walking around. 'The thing I did with my Grandfather. Is gone now… I can't even get drunk."
A drunk civilian bumped into him, he started complaining, and Billy punched his light out.
Billy walked and sulked towards his home. 'Might as well get an early sleep.' He walked for a while, watching the people celebrate and be merry.
When he finally reached his apartment, he saw Oyabun closing his shop. "Oyabun! Where have you been?"
Billy looked at Yamazaki Orichi; his body has grown much thinner the past five years, his constant smile disappeared, and with every day that passes, it feels like a ghost has taken over his body.
He walked to his Oyabun. "And how are you? I did not see you for two days now."
Orichi turned and gave Billy a soft smile. "Hello, there gaki. I was just finishing some paperwork." Then he looked at the sky. "It is about to rain tonight."
Billy looked up at the sky and saw clouds gathering. "It seems to be Oyabun."
Orichi nodded, and he retrieved a cigar. "What happened to the test Billy, did you pass?"
Billy smiled and retrieved his Hitai. "Yup, here you go."
Yamazaki took hold of it and turned it around. "Hmm, I have not seen one of these in a really long time."
Billy gave him a curious look. "I noticed that they seem to be old."
Yamazaki held the iron plate and shook it. "Gaki, this plate originated before the hidden villages… Clan members used to assign higher ranked members in battle."
"Where did my sensei get one?"
Yamazaki shrugged. "Hell, if I know… say since you graduated, why don't we go get some BBQ? My treat."
Just as Billy was about to replay, he heard the sound of thunder. "I would gladly accept Oyabun… Let's go there before it rains."
Billy and Orichi walked in silence, the rain began to fall, and the people crowded into the various restaurant to take shelter.
They finally reached Yakiniku BBQ; the store had an old Japanese design, on the outside, it had some lamps which illuminated the way. They walked into a room filled with people.
The seating was all on the floor, and with each table, there are view blockers; Oyabun walked in and talked to the waiter, who opened the VIP room for them.
Billy walked behind Orichi, and when they entered the VIP area, they could hear the soft classical Japanese music playing, the rain was hitting the building, and it mashed together with the music.
Orichi sat down, and Billy sat Infront of him. "Being a guild member for years, you gain some privileges," Orichi commented while looking at the menu.
Billy smiled at his Boss and caretaker. "What do you think we should order Oyabun?"
Oyabun lowered the menu. "Whatever we want, and don't you fucking dare order cheap things, not everyone graduates from the academy."
When the server came and placed the coals, Orichi ordered two bottles of sake. "I would like two plates of belly steaks and a side dish of spicy pickles," Orichi requested.
Billy raised his voice. "I would like four belly steaks, two ribs, five buttered garlic shrimp plates, two king crabs, two lobsters, and six twelve-ounce rib eye steaks. Oh, and add orange juice on the side."
The server smiled and walked away; Billy turned and looked at Orichi, who was checking his wallet. Orichi noticing Billy, quickly hid his wallet. "So, how was the test? And tell me everything."
Billy and Orichi talked and ate together; the BBQ smoke filled the room, the rain merged with the slow music around them. "And then Danzo sensei gave us these plates." Billy finished his story while eating a juicy steak.
Orichi laughed while drinking his sake. "That Danzo fella sure is brutal." Orichi reached for a cup and refilled it, then he placed it in front of Billy. "Here, gaki, take a nice shot."
Billy reached for the cup and drank the hot sake; he could feel the stinging sensation on his throat. Orichi sighed with satisfaction. "Gaki, I am going to leave the store in your hand for a week or two."
Billy gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean, Oyabun?"
"It means that I will be out of the village."
Billy's body grew worried. "But Oyabun, what about your heart problem?"
Orichi smiled and took another swing. "Don't worry about it gaki, I talked with the doctor, and he told me I will be fine! And I hired some shinobi to escort me to the capital."
Billy nodded. "Alright, Oyabun, but what about my last training session?"
"Gaki, you are almost done; I've written down my instruction for the week, and when you are done here." Orichi retrieved a small piece of paper. "This here is an address of a temple; when you are done with your project, I want you to go there and spend one night at the temple."
Billy took the paper and looked at the address. 'Outside of the village, walk east about 20 minutes, when the trees change, look for a small temple.' He folded the paper and stashed it.
They continued talking about the store and what needs to be monitored; when they finished eating, Orichi unsealed a dark reddish box. He opened it and was filled with cigars. "Here, Billy, take one."
Billy reached for a cigar and looked at it. "Isn't this one of the cigars you made me roll?"
Orichi nodded. "I think it's high time you tasted your work."
Billy shrugged about the casual bad parenting and lit up his cigar, only to be smacked across the face. "This is not how you light up a cigar; what are you a child!"
Billy gave Orichi a deadpanned look. "I am eleven."
"Could have fooled me with your height, now to light a perfect cigar, you have to torch it, but the flame must not touch the cigar. Like this." He showed Billy how to start a cigar.
Billy followed his example and enjoyed his first cigar. But then Orichi's mood changed. "Billy, I brought you here for another thing."
"And that would be?" asked Billy while taking a puff from his cigar.
Orichi gave Billy a serious gaze. "Billy, my son Izein, put a restraining order against me; I cannot even see my grandchildren."
Billy sighed; he could remember every time Orichi and Izein were in the store, they would always shout at each other. When Izein died a year ago, things changed, Orichi had a heart attack, but this is the first time he heard about some restraining order.
He took a deep puff from the cigar and exhaled. "Izein planned this for a long time, Oyabun."
Orichi nodded in sadness. "But luckily, he did not put the order on you, and you knew your promise to me five years ago."
"Yes, Oyabun, I will teach them that you will not have to worry."
Orichi smiled a warm smile. "But Billy, if they do not want to be Shinobi, don't force them, just teach them the craft… Hopefully, our art will not be lost."
Billy nodded. "You think we should be going now; the rain is slowing down now."
Orichi stood up. "Go outside. I will pay, and we can walk together."
Billy took a puff from his cigar and walked out; he waited for a while, then Orichi came out, and they walked home.
The next day, Billy bid farewell to Orichi. "I will hold down the fort Oyabun."
Orichi gave him a sad smile. Quickly hugged Billy. "This will be my first time leaving you alone for this long… Take care and remember your vitamins."
Billy hesitantly hugged Orichi back. 'This is weird… Oyabun never acts like this.' He replayed. "I will Oyabun and don't forget your heart medications, and slow down with the sake and cigars."
Orichi clapped the back of Billy. "Bah, this body can handle worst things! You just watch yourself gaki, or some wild winds will come and knock you over."
Billy laughed and watched his old mentor leave the village with four shinobi escorts.
Billy shoved more coal into the forge, then he moved back to the table; he brought his wood carving tools and began carving. He stopped and looked at one of the masked he finished; it had a red color, with six horns that looped around it, a white handlebar mustache, and a thin white goatee the mask had the skull of a Goat.
He inspected the screaming face of the demon he created; he touched the fangs. "Can't believe this was my first combat mask." He smiled from the memories, the mask would extend the horns, and he could control them like blades in battle.
Billy continued carving the new mask he is making for his test; it was a plague doctor's mask, with a long beak that looped around itself like a ram's horn. "Hopefully, this one will work; I tested the fuin before I will apply them." This mask was designed for emergency, if placed on someone, any chakra nearby, and convert them into healing chakra. But it can't heal major things, so it will be used to keep people in Stasis.
He stood up and walked to the forge; he removed a metallic mask of an angry bear, Billy placed the mask in cooling oil, then he turned around to look at the workshop. "I finished two masks and three more to go."
He moved to inspect the finished masks; he ignored the red demon mask and focused on the bone mask; it had the skull of a tiger, with much bigger jaws and fangs. "This will amplify my biting, and I can leave the fangs in the body to slow people down."
Billy looked around and smiled. "I hope to finish them today; I have been working on them for six days now since Oyabun went on his journey… Fuck I forgot about the temple."
Billy looked at his masks and took all of them. "I already finished with the heavy stuff; I can finish the detail in the temple."
He felt the moss tickling his feet, and he looked at the forest changing, the trees changed to be more vibrant, and the grass turned into moss; he sidestepped a rock and walked forward.
Billy could hear the wind rustling the tree branches, and he saw the light piercing the trees; in front of him, he saw a Japanese temple built upon a large rock.
Billy charged his body with chakra and began jumping, he jumped from a rock to another, and when he finally reached the top, he turned around and looked at the thick forest; he spotted Konoha far in the distance. "Twenty Minutes, my ass, I had to run for forty minutes."
He faces the temple; it had a gate made out of stone, with a spiral mark in the middle, the temple was held up by smaller red pillars, he walked up the wooden staircase. "No one lives here… it feels abandoned."
Whenever he took a step or looked at a section, a flash from his memories hit him, four people with dark coats walked into the temple.
His vision started to change, he saw the temple as it is in his right eye, but on his left, it was in ruin.
Billy walked forward, with each step he could hear his mind ringing, he passed the open entrance, to see polished wood, at the end of the room, he saw an old man with white hair, sitting in front of twenty-seven white oni-masks.
Billy's mind started ringing more. He saw a snake snatching the smiling mask. With each step he took, he could feel his balance leaving him.
Suddenly he saw the old man clap, and with the clap, he felt air engulf him; his mind stopped the ringing noise, the old man stood up slowly and turned to face Billy.
Billy's mind flashed with a memory of an old man with a spiral Hitai, standing next to the First Hokage.
The old man walked to Billy, his cane tapped with each movement; when he reached Billy, he raised his cane and poked him on the chest.
Billy's vision darkened, and slowly he fell; before he closed his eyes, he saw the old man kneeling in front of him.
He opened his eyes to an orange light, he could feel the hard stone ground under him, His eyes opened wide, looking at his surroundings, he was outside of the temple, he could feel the heat from his right side, he slowly stood up and looked at the fire.
"So, you finally woke up now." Said a gravelly old voice.
Billy quickly jumped away from the voice and the fire, he tried to get his kunai, but he found them missing; he looked down to see that he was naked, with only a loincloth to cover his shame.
He reached up and found his mask missing; he quickly placed his hands on his face. And looked at the old man.
The old man was sitting on a log; behind him was the back of the temple, in front of him was a campfire.
Billy walked forward. "Where is my mask!" he growled.
The old man gave Billy a curious look, he pointed across the fire. Billy looked at the place he was in and saw his bag with a mask next to him.
He walked forward; with each step, he gathered his surroundings; he could hear the night animals making their noises, he could hear the slow rustle of the woods nearby.
Billy reached his bag and took his mask; he turned around and attached it with a hiss. "Do not mess with my mask, old man," Billy warned.
The old man gave him a dry laugh. "Youngsters these days… Sit my boy and have some tea with an old man."
Billy looked at him with suspicion, and after a while, he walked forward and sat on top of a tree stump. "Who are you?"
The old man sighed and poured some steaming tea. "It is rude to walk into an old man's home without introducing yourself… you can give me that courtesy, can't you?" The old man smiled and handed Billy a cup of steaming tea.
Billy reached out to the tea; he channeled some chakra to his noes and smelled that content; when he found nothing, he took a sip. "My name is Billy."
The old man gave him a curious look. "An unusual name for an unusual visitor. And where do you hail from, Billy?"
Billy took another sip. "You can give me the same courtesy that I gave you, old man. Then I will answer."
The old man shook his head and took a sip. "They used to call me the white whirlpool, the old man of the east, or my favorite gramps." He exhaled some steam from his mouth. "Or you can call me Ashina Uzumaki, the previous leader of the Uzumaki clan."
Billy was about to take another sip, but when he heard the name, he stopped. "They call me Billy Tsuyoi Ushi… and I hail from Konoha." Billy took a sip.
Ashina hummed at Billy's response. "And what brings you to the Uzumaki temple, Billy?"
Billy reached into his bag and brought a cigar; he leaned into the fire and slowly toasted the tip, just like how Oyabun taught him. He took a big puff from the cigar. "Yamazaki Orichi told me to come."
Ashina laughed. "I think you misunderstood me; I gathered from your belongings that Yamazaki told you to come here, but my question is, why are you here?"
Billy gave him a confused look. "I just told you, Ashina… I came here because Yamazaki told me to."
Ashina did not replay; he stood up and walked to the edge of the stone; he stayed there for a moment, then he looked at the moon. "A curious person, with a curious name, a curious body, and a curious purpose." He inhaled some of the crisp night air and faced Billy.
Billy saw the old man's eyes shine with pale green light; he felt exposed and open like a book. The old man walked towards the campfire and looked down at Billy. "You have the touch of death on you… young man."
Billy's heart stopped… his mind went blank, and no matter what he thought, he could not break the hold on him. Ashina tucked his hands into his robes and walked around the campfire, watching Billy. "I see a soul that is far older than your body… I see determination, I see the struggle, I see happiness, and I see a deep rage… curious, you do not rage as others do."
He walked to Billy and tapped his skull. "Ah, now I understand… Your rage is not of hate or sorrow… It is simply rage."
Ashina walked back to his tree stump and sat down. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, Billy was free. Billy jumped back from Ashina. "What did you do to me?!"
Ashina bent down and picked up his tea. "The Uchiha brag about their hateful eyes, the Hyuga look down at others for their all-seeing eyes. Did you know we the Uzumaki are related to them?"
Billy grew furious. "You will tell me what you did!"
Ashina sighed in disappointment. "Patience… is a gift, it seems." He took a sip of his tea. Just when Billy was about to demand again. "I will not talk to someone so disrespectful; sit down and drink your tea. If I wished to kill you, I would have done so hours ago."
Billy took a deep breath and calmed himself; he slowly walked towards the old man and sat on the tree stump; he took a sip of tea and a puff from his cigar.
The old man poured more tea into his own cup and offered some to Billy. "Some of us Uzumaki have certain gifts, some can sense how the soul of a person works, some can manifest soul chains that are unbreakable, others could heal with their bodies, While the rare few can manifest the eyes of death."
He looked at Billy again, and his eyes turned pitch black; his eyes started spewing pale green smoke. But this time, Billy did not feel anything holding.
The old man's eye returned to normal, and the green smoke disappeared; he took a slow sip from his tea while looking at Billy. "It seems I am not allowed to know why you are here… What a shame, I grew curious."
Billy took a big puff from his cigar; the ember of his cigar lighted his face for a moment. "What is going on, Ashina?"
Ashina sighed and placed his tea on the ground. "Why don't I tell you a story, young man?"
Billy sighed. "Fine, but let me change my clothes."
Ashina stopped him. "Your cloths you will not need them. Sit and listen."
Billy sat back down. 'Weird but ok I guess.' He thought.
Ashina hummed and looked at the fire. "In the olden days, a thousand years ago, an ancestor of mine met a curious magician."
Billy's eye widened. 'wait, what?' he thought.
"The magician challenged my ancestor to a duel, and my ancestor accepted. When the fight was over, the magician lost, but he fought my ancestor day and night, until one day he won."
Ashina placed his hands next to the fire to warm himself up. "The magician made a deal with my ancestor."
Billy leaned forward. "And what is the deal?"
Ashina rubbed his hands. "The magician will make a mask that could help him with his next act."
Billy took a breath from his cigar. "And what is the next act?"
Ashina smiled. "Why Billy, when you trick the greatest sage, who do you trick after that? Death obviously."
Ashina looked at the moon again. "Agitated, aren't you tonight?"
Billy looked around. "No, I feel fine; continue the story."
The old man laughed. "Why, of course, you are… The magician and the sage worked day and night for years to make the perfect mask. With each failure, they gained more knowledge; with each small success, their hopes grew. After years of studying under the sage, the magician married his daughter, and they had children together."
"When both men grew old and tired, they have done the impossible they created the ultimate trick."
At that point, Billy was on the edge of his seat. "And?!"
The old man sighed and pointed at the temple. "Go into the temple, find the trick, and you will understand the rest."
Billy took a puff from his cigar and drank the last drop of his tea. "Thank you, old man."
He walked away from the fire; he could feel the cold breeze hitting his body, stealing its heat. He saw the steps of the building and walked up; with each step, he could feel his brain stuttering, noises started going deafened.
With each step, he felt weaker, but he persevered; when he reached the entrance of the temple, he saw a single candle lighting the room with deep orange color; on the wall, twenty-seven masks were attached to the wall.
He took a step, he felt a force him, he took another step and felt a demonic laugh, with each step something new showed itself, notes of music for a step, a laughing clown, people dying.
He looked down at his feet. 'Only five more steps.' He told himself, he took a step and a ringing noise of a bell hit him, he took another child scream, he took another his vision changed and he saw a clown with blood leaking from its eyes flash for a moment.
He looked at the twenty-seven oni-masks, he could feel their gaze, but he walked forward, he saw madness and brilliance with but a glance, and finally, he took the last step, and he saw the death of the world.
Billy's eyes started leaking blood, but he reached with his hand to a mask that has a phantom snake on it.
When he touched the mask, he saw darkness, then light slowly filled his vision. Two old men were covered with blood, under them a fuinjutsu marking drawn with blood.
Both men were crying tears of blood; in the middle of the fuinjutsu circle was a child.
Billy looked at the child and squirmed with horror; the child's belly was wide open, its intestine was open to the world, its heart beats with no chest to cover it and from the body of the child.
Black smoke rose slowly; he looked at the old men; one had red hair with green marking on his eyes. The other had bleached white skin, with a mask of a laughing trickster.
His attention returned to the child when it screamed while its open body remained still, the old men were crying, and he could see their hair slowly falling off and turning white.
The smoke from the child increased its speed, and it slowly manifested a horned ram that is the color of the void.
Finally, the child passed away, and when the ram reached for the child's soul, he saw both men move quickly; the one with the sage green marking started chanting and signing with his hands.
While the magician trickster threw his laughing mask. The mask touched the ram, and void is all that he saw.
Another light showed, and in the distance, he saw the clown magician dancing under a theater light. He could hear classical music playing.
Billy approached the magician who was dancing. "Hello."
The magician never stopped dancing, but he pointed at the sky.
Billy looked up and saw souls floating and dancing with the magician. The magician changed his rhymes and increased his speed, the souls followed suit, and he saw them turn into a whirlpool.
In the middle of the whirlpool were Billy and the magician who was dancing. Billy reached with his hand and touched the magician.
When he touched him, he felt his soul getting sucked in, but he resisted the pull. For him, it felt like a thousand years, but in reality, it only took but a moment. When he touched the magician, the magician stopped dancing, and the souls started screaming at them.
Billy panicking, looked at the magician who was laughing a maddening laugh. "I am the God of death now!"
He felt a pull, and he was back in the temple; he saw his hand on an oni-mask, but this time the oni-mask was not snarling, but it was laughing. Billy did not know if it was laughing at him or with him.
He took a long breath, trying to regain his balance, but then he heard Ashina. "No one can trick death."
Billy turned around and found Ashina looking at him. "The magician and the sage thought they could, and they did horrible things to accomplish their deed."
"They took the child, twisted it soul and body as a tool, a trap if you will. They lured Death, but in reality, Death trapped them."
Ashina walked to Billy and lowered Billy's hand from the mask. "You saw the vision, and you are deemed acceptable to learn… come." Ashina walked back to the campfire.
Billy looked at the path he took to reach the mask. It was covered with blood; he looked at the laughing mask that is covered with blood. Finally, Billy looked at his body, and it was drenched head to toe with blood; his white hair turned blood red.
Billy shook his head and walked back to the camp; he sat down without a word, shell shocked from what he saw. He slowly reached into his bag and pulled out a cigar; he lit it up and took ten quick puffs. "That was messed up, Ashina."
Ashina threw a log into the fire. "And now you know the history of the Uzumaki powers… we are the servants of death… and the magician became (Reaper Death Seal) a forbidden jutsu.
Ashina looked at Billy. "Watch my hands, Billy." Ashina began to describe the forbidden jutsu.
After a while, Ashina sighed. "Now we are three." He looked at the fire. "Billy, a warning this jutsu is a rite of passage for you, and you have completed it, but always remember this jutsu will always take something from you."
Billy nodded. "I will not abuse it, Ashina." Billy stopped his line of thinking and asked. "Wait, what about three?"
Ashina smiled at Billy. "You feel tired, Billy, go to sleep." Billy saw him move his hand, and he saw darkness.
Billy's eyes slowly opened; he felt tired and drained, but his sleep was peaceful, and he slept a dreamless sleep. 'What the hell happened last night?' he thought while standing up.
He looked at the campfire next to him, and he found his bags and everything in one spot; he saw the smoke rising from the dead fire.
Billy looked at his body and found it to be clean. 'The last thing I remember was Ashina telling me to go back to sleep.'
Billy was too tired to think about it; he went to his bags and wore his clothes, then he pulled out his breakfast. "Two energy packs, and a protein pack… and a sandwich." He looked at his food in disappointment.
He sat down next to the dead fire and ate; while he ate, he began thinking. 'was it all real? Or was I hallucinating?'
While he was thinking, he began smelling iron; he looked around for the source. 'It feels nearby.' He scratched his mask and looked at his hand. 'What is this red dust?' he smelled the dust.
Billy's hand fell in defeat. "It's all real, all right… I need to clean my mask."
When he finished his breakfast, he gathered his things and walked away from the temple. 'I thought I would have more time to finish my masks, but apparently, I will fix them later.'
And so, Billy walked down the temple steps and cleaned his mask near a river. He could hear the birds singing songs in the morning, and he decided to lower his speed and enjoy the walk.
Far in the west, a crow landed on a feast, the crow plucked the eyeball of a dead shinobi and flew away. The crow looked down and it saw destruction and mayhem, it saw five hundred and one dead shinobi.
The crow turned around and flew in the opposite direction to see four Konoha shinobi running towards the massacre.
The crow landed on a metallic tree, that is filled with dead shinobi, it landed on a branch and enjoyed its meal. The crow heard a noise and flew down to listen.
It landed near a Kumo shinobi, which seems to be struggling to live. The crow hopped towards the shinobi and cawed at him, the shinobi in his dying breath whispered. "Oni."