Finally, the blimp landed at the Fifth and Final Phase. Netero spoke to them in a simple, empty tiled room; the examiners all lined up on one side with suited men on the other.

"Did you get plenty of rest? This hotel is owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. The place is all yours until the battles have concluded." A man rolled a covered board towards Netero as he continued, "For the Final Phase, we will be holding an one-on-one tournament."

The grey sheet was taken off, making Naruto stare… and stare… and stare at the very unbalanced bracket. Even the Chuunin Exam wasn't that bad! Leorio took the question out of them all,

"So is the last man standing the winner?"

Netero corrected, "No. One win is all you need to pass." His finger raised for emphasis. "The winners are removed from competition while the losers continue up the bracket. In other words, the person who finishes at the top will not pass. Does everyone understand now?"

Hanzo summarized, "So you're saying that only one person will fail."

"Exactly." And then, he ripped the paper covering the names, "And here is the bracket."

Naruto frowned, "What. Did you expect me to lose so many times, Netero-san?"

His name was at the very far left; his first opponent being Hanzo. There were just so many names on that left side that his photo was pretty much off the board and taped on the side. Netero laughed, "Ho ho ho. Actually, this bracket was assembled based on your performances throughout the entire exam. Those who performed better received more chances."

The blond kind of regretted answering now as he side-stepped slightly away from Killua, who was already frowning deeply and releasing an incensed aura.

"That doesn't make sense. Can you explain how you scored our performances?" asked Killua. His pride stroked.

The old man however shouted, "No!" laughing before he continued, "Your scores are classified information so I can't tell you everything. But I can explain our methods. First, we consider three major criteria: physical strength, mental strength, and overall impression. For physical strength, we use an aggregate of agility, flexibility, endurance, and perception. For mental strength, we use an aggregate of resilience, adaptability, judgment, and creativity. However, this information is only used as a reference point. After all, you were all able to advance to the Final Phase.

We are most concerned with your overall impression. This refers to any intangible factors not previously mentioned. You can consider this an evaluation of your potential as a Hunter. And we also incorporate the opinions of your peers. That was our process."

Naruto could feel Killua already comparing himself to Gon and him. He sighed. It shouldn't even matter. None of them had shown their true potentials anyways - or at least Naruto and Killua hadn't, having not really tried on any of the Exam Phases… except when Naruto faced Hisoka... and Gammy... Okay, so maybe Naruto did see why he was first with how many more 'fun opportunities' he had to cheat death.

"The battle rules are quite simple. Weapons are okay. No cheating. If your opponent admits defeat, you win. However! If you kill your opponent, you will be immediately disqualified. All remaining applicants will pass and the exam will end. Are we clear? Then, we shall begin the exam's Final Phase!"

The bald man in black standing in the room's center nodded, announcing, "First match: Hanzo versus Naruto!"

Both shinobi walked towards the middle with silent steps and subtly attentive eyes. Naruto sighed as he remembered his torn clothes and began to take them all off for the time being; the loose flaps able to distract. He murmured with a lamenting shake of his head,

"I never did have time or the materials to patch them."

Hanzo laughed good-heartedly, "Your fault for getting them so ruined then-!"

The shinobi's eyes widened at the blond boy's lean, but packed body trained to such an extent despite his deceivingly short, feminine figure. He curiously eyed the nine black fox tattoos that seemed to dance around the blond's body as well. Their forms tribal like and ferocious like Japanese mythical spirits. He also blinked at the sight of the blond chucking his hoodie and undershirt carelessly away. "Wasn't there foxes in there?"

Naruto blinked before smirking, "Ah, I almost forgot about them. Oi, get out and wait until the end. I don't need you all."

Hanzo arched a brow before watching in fascination as the tattoos animated and popped out of the blond's body first as wisps and then as physical foxes of varying sizes and colors. The most familiar one was the large black fox that he faintly remembered the blond call Zorro. The foxes obediently walked towards a lone corner and laid down in wait with watchful inky black eyes.

"How?"

"Become a Hunter and find out." Naruto mysteriously answered with a smirk. The Examiners and other Nen Users in the room felt their lips curl as well at the inside joke. After all, Nen was the secret but real Hunter Examination.

Hanzo shook his head at the child's antics before placing his hands on his hips, "You sure you don't need them? I won't show you any mercy."

Naruto cracked his neck, "I won't either. It's against my principles to fight against my friends… without good reasons. I can't kill you, but I'll kill your pride if I had to."

A vein visibly popped on the lustrously polished head before he turned to the referee, "And we meet again! You were the one that followed me during the Fourth Phase, weren't you? I'm sure that not many noticed-"

"Dovu was the one who followed me."

"You probably made that name up." Hanzo growled. But a man with semi-spiky hair and the similar formal black clothes raised his hand,

"Ah, no. He's right. That was me."

"..." Hanzo gritted his teeth before cracking his knuckles, "I'll have fun making you admit your loss."

"...just saying, we're both ninjas here. Or at least I used to be one."

"What?!"

His friends - all but Killua - exclaimed at the news. Hanzo blinked before nodding,

"I knew. Your weapons indicate so."

"Then don't underestimate me." The blond replied as he slipped out a kunai at speeds that half the people in the room couldn't see, "I'm not from Jappon so I want to see what your land's ninjas can do."

With that, the referee held his hand up, "Begin!"

Both of them dashed before slicing at each other with kunais in a battle of speed.

Leorio stumbled back, trying to see them but only able to see blurry lines and sparks fly, "F-fast."

Kurapika nodded as even he had a hard time, "So these are ninjas…"

Killua pouted, wanting to comment that he could go faster… but even they were on a level higher than most assassins. Probably equal to Illumi, even. And they seemed to keep getting faster with each blow as if pressure were their best catalyst to improving.

Finally, Naruto won with a kunai against Hanzo's neck; his arm on his shoulder to keep his hold as Hanzo was a lot taller. Hanzo smiled amiably before dropping his kunai in surrender, "Fine with me. You're not a bad shinobi, brat. I lost."

"Winner Naruto!"

The referee announced; Naruto smiled, "You're not bad yourself, Hanzo-san. Jya." The blond turned to pick up his hoodie. Hanzo widened his eyes at the sight of a fist-sized scar identical to the one on his chest appearing at the same position on the back.

"Oi, kid. That scar…"

The blond paused before looking down and turning around so the front scar was seen again. He pointed, "Ah, this? Yeah, it goes through. It's an old scar."

But all knew what made Hanzo shake and slightly gape as he whispered hoarsely, "Isn't that directly over your heart? Are you a ghost?"

Naruto blinked once at the last question before giving a bark of loud, childish laughter. To think that there was a day that the (ex-) phasmophobe would be accused of being a ghost~

"I'm not a ghost~" The blond teased before tracing the outlines of the fist-sized scar absently, "And he missed my heart. I dodged at the last second, used our fight to fake my death, and left my ninja village. After all, who could believe that a kid could survive this? He was a real convenience~"

"But you did." Hanzo interrupted. He would have never believed that someone could survive that blow as well until now- "You did survive."

"Well, I'm not exactly normal here am I?" The blond placed on his hoodie, covering the scar that seemed to bother some as well as letting the foxes come back to their rest on his body. He patted the next fighter on the shoulder, "Gon. Good luck… but" Naruto paused about to tell him not to push himself, but already he knew the result of the fight and the stubborn determination of his friend. He sighed, "Never mind. Go do your best."

"Osu!" The boy brightly grinned before determinedly walking towards the center, where Hanzo waited. Killua whispered, having not seen the scar before as well. That night before Trick Tower, the blond had went into the bathtub first so he didn't notice at all.

"Are you really okay? Even if he missed your heart, that should be a killing blow."

"I'm fine. I'm fine." Naruto repeated heartily. Leorio and Kurapika listened, but still couldn't believe it like Hanzo.

"What supernatural regeneration powers must you have to completely heal that?" Leorio muttered, making Naruto's smile grow though the blond feigned deafness.

"More importantly is Gon's fight. He's not going to win."

"What?" Both Leorio and Kurapika sharply narrowed their eyes as they stared up at the center, where the two fighters stood. Killua nodded as he still wondered how Gon had a better score than him,

"Hanzo's too fast and strong for him. He's also more experienced in torture-"

"Which brings to my next point. Netero-san's a douche. Because there's no way Gon's going to lose."

The examiners all snickered when they heard the accusation. Netero himself laughed as one of them saw his plan already. Leorio arched a brow,

"Hah? I don't get it. What does that mean? How can Gon not win yet not lose at the same time?"

"There's no way someone in the Final Phase will give up now, Leorio-san. But the only way to win is to make the other surrender. Netero-san's asking us to enforce our will on others in a battle of determination. It's not physical killing, but mental. Gon will lose the fight, but he'll never give up. Hanzo-san, despite being much better, will be forced to give up in the end."

"Oh." Leorio blanked out as he processed the information. Kurapika held his chin in thought,

"Now that you mention it… it does seem true."

The younger blond nodded, "I had it easy. All I had to do was mention my former occupation and prove that I'm better in a honest spar. When we're equals, it's easier to back down without feeling an attack on the pride. It's just good-hearted friendship, but Gon can't do the same thing."

"Oh, so that's why you told him that you were a ninja." Killua realized as it was just weird to blurt that out all of a sudden. Kurapika nodded as well. Leorio stared,

"Wait… that wasn't just a joke? Ninjas exist?"

"They do." Naruto deadpanned at the doctor-wannabe before hearing the grotesque sound of vomit. They all widened their eyes as Hanzo began his torture. Naruto breathed in and breathed out slowly to calm himself from attacking Hanzo. He could see that Kurapika was the same while Leorio just shouted angrily. The blond noticed Killua go off into his mental rants of inferiority-complex-induced comparisons as well and shook his head at the competitive boy, adding in another food for thought,

"You do know that by having the Final Phase like this with the maximum number of possible winners, Netero-san shows that he knows that we're all strong and with potential. He just wants to see if we can use that potential. Therefore, another interpretation of why he put the ones with more of the 'more important' overall unknown factors with more chances to win is that: The stronger ones enforce their will, break down the cuties, and the next fight builds them up into stronger people. If it goes wrong, then the people will remain broken. If it doesn't, then the people will become Hunters. Thus, those who don't need the extra matches have less matches."

"Oh!" came the sound of realization. Killua finally relaxed with the semblance of confidence that he did nothing wrong in the Exam to put him on a lower level than his friends, "Heeh, so that was the old coot's plan. Makes sense. Though Gon's in big trouble now." He teasingly added, "And I spy a cutie~"

Naruto jabbed him with an elbow without even looking to the side, "You were saying something."

Though the others mentally agreed that the boy with golden hair definitely qualified as one. Must be in denial.

More sounds of Gon taking punches and kicks echoed in the air. Naruto sighed, but unlike Leorio, forced himself to do nothing. Even when the ninja broke his arm. Even if they were friends… Naruto knew that the boy had to learn it. No one could stay innocent and too optimistic in dangerous lines of work. Naruto paid the price - a worse price without anyone supervising - when learning that lesson. This was safer. This was better. This was something Gon had to do.

Even if it hurt, Gon's pride had to break. Gon had to completely and utterly lose. Gon's worldview had to shatter. Because Hanzo was like him. A ninja. A professional who trained since birth-

"Oi, oi. Really, Hanzo? Shinobi shouldn't let their guards down… though I forget that a lot as well. Never mind."

Naruto shook sweat-drop away as he watched the shinobi regained his balance, take out a hidden blade, and declared that he'll take Gon's legs off if he doesn't surrender. And then, he fell as Gon refused and suggested to think of another way to fight. He held his head as he began laughing like many others - laughing so hard that he almost cried… He used to be like that. When? When did things start to change?

The spiky-haired blond noticed that Killua was eyeing the scene incredulously and with a tint of anger - his pride probably still a bit injured from before during Netero's chart explanation. Naruto sighed, but decided to let Killua figure that out for himself as well. Both of them had to figure out their own stuff. Just like Kurapika and his spiders.

Unfortunately, Gon didn't learn his lesson yet though. Naruto face-palmed as he listened to them both argue with Hanzo, in the end, knocking the idiot out and surrendering. But really… it would be dangerous later. Life-changingly dangerous if stubborn pride was left alone like that. [Later, Naruto would find out that he was right, news of Kaito and untapped but completely used potential ringing in his ears.] The match, however, was over with another new Hunter. And the third match began with the blond just watching distantly afar.

Kurapika and Hisoka fought until the latter whispered something important to Kurapika and declared his loss. Then, Pokkuru went through the same thing as Gon, but conceded. He just didn't have the same mental capacity especially since Hanzo beated him without mercy to win. Then came an one-sided match with Bodoro admitting his defeat to Hisoka after yet another whisper. Finally, the sixth match had Killua confidently give up the match to Pokkuru-

"Wait!" Naruto shouted, snapping out of his daze, "Stop! Killua, you should really rethink this over. Nail-man's too dangerous. He knows N-"

Menchi grinned as she appeared behind the blond and covered his mouth, whispering, "You're not allowed to tell them yet. Even if that's true, brat~"

Killua narrowed his eyes at the sight of an Examiner out of all people interrupting, "He knows what?"

Menchi waved her finger, "Nothing~"

"..." A vein popped out of the infuriated Killua who didn't like being left out of the loop. He crossed his arms, "Fine. I'm fighting him then."

Gittarackur gave Naruto an amused look before heading out. Naruto growled as he whipped around to glare at Menchi. The woman holding her hands up,

"Exam Rules, kid. Follow or break. Simple as that."

"Tch. Then if he dies, I'll kill you. My rules. Simple as that" Naruto growled as his eyes gleamed an ominous purple. Menchi gulped as she knew that the brat would follow through on that promise no matter what. Hisoka hummed as he saw the eyes that he loved with the corner of his eye.

And so they all watched as the match began and Gitarakuru undid his needles. His face creepily changing into a rather better looking person if it weren't for the black eyes of death. Killua's face shock and sweated with horror as he finally understood what Naruto meant.

No way…

Naruto listened to the family talk with Illumi overwhelming Killua with mere presence. He couldn't listen anymore when Killua's face grew paler and paler though, Illumi accusing the boy of having nothing he wanted,

"You don't."

"I do. There's something I really want!"

"Hmm, then tell me what it is that you want." There was a long pause as those emotionless eyes looked down, "What's wrong? There's nothing you really want is there?"

"That's not it!" He yelled before replying, "I want to become friends with Gon and Naruto… I'm sick of killing people… I want to become friends with Gon and Naruto and to live a normal life…"

"That's impossible. You'll never be able to make friends. Your only concern when you meet someone is whether you should kill them. That's how you were trained. You just don't know how to classify Gon or Naruto because they're too dazzling for your eyes. You don't actually want to become friends with them."

"You're wrong…"

"No. He's right, Killua." Naruto could feel all eyes towards him as he said it out loud; Killua's eyes widened in horror and fear. The fist at his side clenched and shook uncontrollably. Illumi nodded victoriously,

"See? If you keep staying by their side, you'll end up wanting to kill them one day. You'll get the urge to see if you can kill him or not. Because you have the soul of a killer."

Naruto nodded, "He's right, Killua. Once a killer, always a killer. You'll never be able to stop thinking about the urge to kill or the dazzle of others…" Before Leorio punched him though - or tried to, however - Naruto stood straight up and shouted, "But I'm the same! That's how I was trained as well! We don't know how to classify people of the light - we're never sure if we can stop hurting those around us - but that doesn't mean we can't learn how!" Killua's eyes widened as he looked up at Naruto, whose eyes furiously stared back with a bright light in those dark colored orbs. "I told you already on that blimp, didn't I - that I didn't care if you chose to kill me! We're already friends, aren't we - we already went through so much together!

Don't be stupid, Killua! Everyone's first concern when meeting someone new is whether they should kill them or not, whether we can trust them or not - it's not only you or for killers! But we aren't exactly new anymore. You know us don't you? You already judged and approached us, didn't you? So trust us. And trust yourself, who we have trust in. Let's stay friends, Killua - no, let's stay best friends because friends are so easy to make and lose. If Illumi's right and you don't actually want to be just a friend... Then it's definitely fine with us. We're always fine to be closer than that!"

Leorio's fist lowered and he was not the only one stunned as they watched the boys. Killua's eyes seemed to tear as he nodded with a lowered head. Unfortunately though, the only thing Illumi seemed to take from the speech was that they were already friends. Naruto palmed his face as Illumi decided to kill him; needles ready to throw.

"Sou ka. You're already friends. That's not good. Ah. I'll just have to kill you and Gon."

Naruto sighed. "Go ahead and try it right now. You kill me and Killua will pass automatically with your disqualification. You will fail your mission and your elite family will have a failure on their priss perfect record."

Illumi paused mid-swing before agreeing, "That's bad. Can I kill you after the Exam then?"

"...you can try." Naruto nodded with a sigh again; talking to murderers always felt so awkward, "It's technically not against the rules."

Illumi nodded, turning to Killua, "Hear that, Kill? If you can't beat me, then your friends will die. Will you fight me for your friends' sake?"

Naruto blinked before turning to Netero, "Is it against the rules to leave the room?"

Netero paused before shaking his head, "No, it's not."

Naruto nodded, "Then go ahead and answer however you like, Killua. I won't listen. You don't have to care about my opinion. I won't stop being friends with you either way." He smiled, "Kay?"

And the blond left while Killua tried saying something. The doors closing gently behind him.

Naruto sighed, "Complicated family… though I wonder if he'll really be alright. My bad feeling hasn't gone away yet Killua is only talking with a bluffing brother who is friends with Hisoka who wants to personally kill me and Gon. So… what can really go wrong?"

"Humans are so complicated. In theory, nothing should." Kurama rumbled in his gut, agreeing with his instincts. The killing him and Gon part was so far a lie. The older brother wouldn't kill his little brother so there was no real reason to quit. Yet… there was that odd feeling in Naruto that there was something definitely going to go wrong still.

The door slammed open after a while, Leorio pulling him in to see… Killua surrender. He jinxed it. Naruto stared blankly at the even more lifeless eyes of Killua as his nails protruded…

"Damn it, Killua!" Naruto strode over and pushed Illumi out of the way, regardless of the man's status and strength. Regardless of the fox's protest within him, the blond grabbed the killer hands and pointed them directly at his heart. His blue eyes staring into darker blue without a flinch or deceit as he spoke,

"Oi, Killua. I don't know what he said to you, but if you think killing's the answer then go ahead. If I let you loose right now, then you'll regret something. You'll kill someone and regret something fundamentally deep inside. Better to kill me and see if you're really afraid of hurting us or not, killing us or not, if you care or not. Go ahead. Stab…" There was no answer until Naruto shouted, "I SAID GO AHEAD!"

That was all it took for Killua to dig straight through in an instant. It took only a second for Naruto feel his lung's left side ripped out and a fist pierced straight through like last time. It only took a second as well for Killua's eyes to widen with more emotion than ever before as Naruto felt himself slide down the arm; the blond coughed up on blood and pain. When the arm lowered, Naruto let himself fall to the ground with a loud thud that echoed, his sight blurring and everything chilling.

There was only a silence until feet stomped and rushed. Shouts resounded but Naruto heard nothing for the moment. Just like that time. Only…

When he felt fragile small hands shake him fearfully with panic, he smiled, guiding hands to the bloody hole, "See? You purposely missed my heart. You didn't kill me or want to. That's all I need to know that you care. You don't need to try anything else; abandon your family, kill your blood, or anything. Just be yourself. Just be honest to yourself and do what you want. Killua has a kind heart so it doesn't matter…" He coughed, feeling that buzzing in his ears again, "...ahuah… I'm tired again… Ne, Netero-san… he didn't kill me so…"

He blacked out. A red fox appearing before his vision.

"Keh. You're an idiot, you know. I can't heal you fast since they can't learn chakra."

"I know. Go ahead and take your time. I just need to prove that I won't die."

"...you really will one day."

"I won't. I have you, don't I? My great accomplice, right?"

"Now you're just taking advantage of me. Too bad I can't kill you without revealing chakra either."

Naruto smiled, "Ehe~ Jya, I'll do some emotion-sensing."

"Kekeke, you're probably more evil than me. Taking advantage of their ignorance and off-guard states. They probably never suspected that those innocent questions you asked them were really for fulfilling your abilities' conditions."

"Someone has to be bad in this world~" Naruto hummed mischievously before he narrowed his eyes, "And I dislike that Illumi bastard."

"...you're letting the emotions influence you again. As much as I unfortunately agree."

"I know. I got it." Naruto sighed, letting the red disappear again. And then, the blond sat down. Might as well make use of the time… But just one sense was all it took for Naruto to sigh, falling back to his favorite tree's leafy canopy in his mindscape.

"I knew it. I still had that bad feeling. Why didn't you tell me?"

Kurama arched a brow, "Didn't you already know that nothing ever goes to plan?"

…

"Naruto!" Two shouted in surprise - both having never thought that the blond was ever going to wake up. With half a lung fully plucked out, he should have died! Any normal person would! Even the murderers, Hisoka and Illumi, were surprised when they felt that the blond still had a pulse and lived. Though…

"I thought I told Killua I wasn't dead." Naruto stated flatly after entering and scanning the room full of Hunters - both the experienced and the just few hours old.

Kurapika crossed his arms, "I think anyone would have thought you were dead."

Leorio nodded with an ugly angry scowl, "That's right! That was downright impossible - and heck don't even do that again or I'll kill you personally myself! You scared me there!"

Naruto huffed, crossing his arms, "I live to scare. I'm a ninja… and a prankster in my own right. Plus, I thought you guys already saw my scar. I obviously survived a blow like that in the past. So… did Killua take his Hunter's License yet?"

"..." The two looked away, making Naruto's heart drop as his mind swirled with many possibilities of the odd silence around. A cough broke the foreboding air and Naruto turned to see Netero. The old man jumped over the chairs, landing before him to hand him a black portfolio. Naruto eyed it before slowly taking it and seeing the License within.

"...oh. Thanks. Who lost anyways?"

"Ho ho ho." Netero rubbed his beard before replying, "Killua."

"...Idiot. Assassins should always check if the bodies are dead."

Illumi lifted a finger, "Actually, if I had done the same thing, I would have automatically assumed so as well. It was quite good acting. You're the first I've seen who had survived that. It was an entire half-lung ripped and plucked out with a bloody hole straight through your chest, you know. The blow just barely missing your heart but still damaging it due to the close proximity."

Leorio and Kurapika gave Naruto the eye at the assassin's report. Naruto merely rolled his eyes,

"Fine. My bad. Don't double tap anything because people die if they're killed. Of course. I knew all along. What happened exactly, anyways?"

Kurapika exasperatedly eyed his fellow blond, recounting the aftermath vividly. It scared him so much to think that he was dead - that someone he liked was being killed and he was helpless to do anything about it again. Nevertheless, he recalled the memory to reply,

"Killua thought he killed you. He went home emotionlessly… afraid that his hands may kill us as well."

"...I see. That idiot." Naruto repeated with a sigh, turning to Illumi who sat in the front, "Do I have to research his home or will you save me the trouble and tell me?"

"What will do after you find that out?"

"Announce my survival, apologize, and talk." All said so fast with earnestly clear eyes that no one could doubt the boy.

"And if he wants to still be an assassin?"

"Then he can be it." Naruto snorted. "Like I really care. As his friend, I support whatever the hell he wants to be... But mark my words, Illumi. If he doesn't… then I'll get him out of there no matter what." Blue eyes hardened. "Believe it."

"Kukuru Mountain." Illumi answered after hearing the response he wanted. Killua is a killer. He wouldn't not want to be one. This friend was no trouble.

"Isn't that a tourist attraction in Padokia?" Naruto deadpanned as he recognized the name, "Why is an assassin family's lair a tourist attraction?"

"Does it matter?"

"..." Naruto paused before thinking on it with closed eyes. Then again, the family of assassins were probably strong enough to kill any intruders. "I guess not. Jya, I'm leaving."

Netero shook his head, finally interrupting, "Iya, iya, iya. Wait one moment. Mr. Beans here is about to explain the License."

"I'm a Hunter. I can find that information out anyday, Netero-san."

"Still."

They eyed each other; sparks of imaginary lightning shooting out before Naruto sat. The chairman laughing again as he stroked his beard. Menchi and some others sighed at the Chairman's eccentricity… and way of always getting what he want.

Leorio tapped the wood, "What are we waiting for anyways?"

Naruto rested his cheek against his palm, "Gon. He's awake. I imagine that the only examiner not here is briefing him on the situation."

"!"

"WHAT?!" Leorio shouted excitedly, "Gon's awake?! Why didn't anyone tell me - how do you even know?!"

"Ninja." Naruto replied simply as he listened to the clock tick. He wasn't in the mood to talk. Odd. It was actually Killua who pulled him out into the light. That moment, he sat against the wall at the Exam's starting point, he was planning to never trust or befriend again. He was planning on just wandering without purpose or life - no one loved or could love him anyways. His own best friend trying to kill him. He used Wing-san's martial arts to torture and kill… at the same time betraying his little brother-figure's image of him. His whole world was all just so fucked up.

And then, that boy with silver hair and bright blue eyes came into his world, dragging him away from his solitude.

It was him who wanted Killua as a friend.

Naruto closed his eyes, listening to the music of another one who was friends with Killua. If the idiot thought that he didn't deserve friends, then he should use his head and think again. There was no way that he didn't deserve any!

Once they were all dismissed by Mr. Beans, he left. His feet running the fastest speed they ever had as he followed Kurama's directions.

"Wait for me, Killua. I'll definitely punch you in the face!"

"Wouldn't it be good to do at least a little more research before you go barging down someone's door?"

"...right." Naruto sheepishly made his favorite hand-seal; a dozen disguised clones appearing in an instant with his loud yell,

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

A/N: This series is loyal to its bottom-page A/N's, which describes the origin of the HxN plot bunny and hints the origin of tattoo foxes among other things. That said, on a scale of 1-10 (1 being most and 10 the least), rank the unpredictability of who Naruto will fight next chapter and how.