Anthem Of My Dying Days

Author's Note

- Thanks everybody, your never-ending supports are very important to me!!!! Thanks!!!!

- A lot of grammar mistakes... Ahhh, I'm sooo trully madly deeply sorry... (I feel ashame of myself..)

- Correction please!!!! Thanks to my idiot friend who now studies in Japan, my Japanese has become terrible... okay, guys!!! Hitokiri Kage... not Kagerou Hitokiri!!! My mistake!!! Please forgive me... to the specific reader who told me about it, thanks very much!!!

- Back to our stories...

Episode 9 - Katana, Sake And Cigarette

It was 8.00 a.m in the morning. Kenshin wore his hakama and shougi while slipping his Tou-Aii on his side. It seemed that he was ready for another fight and his face showed that he was fully confident of winning the fight. Slowly he made his pace from the 5-star hotel, leaving Yoshinobu and Okubo sleeping in their rooms. There was no sign of Saitou in their rooms, maybe he woke up early in the morning and practising his Kata or meditating in the thick forest alone, but surely he will bring his cigarette with him.

"Such a heavy smoker...", Kenshin thought while walking alone to the Hyuuga mansion.

Kenshin accidentally met Neji on his way to Hyuuga mansion. Neji himself knew Kenshin very much, since he had witnessed the fight between his Hiashi-sama against Kenshin in order to retrieve the secret technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu when Neji was 5 years old. The fight ended with the victory on Kenshin's side, and now Hiashi wanted to have a rematch for a second time against Kenshin.

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Neji-san...", Kenshin laid a greeting on Neji.

"Morning, Himura-san... Do you want to go to the Hyuuga mansion?", Neji asked Kenshin while showing his not-so confused face.

"Yes, I'm afraid your Hiashi-sama had challenged me for a second fight... his servant had just sent me a challenge-letter last night...", Kenshin smiled, hiding his Ki.

"About Hiashi-sama, last time he lost in the fight against you... but I'm sure he has practised these 5 years and become more stronger than before...", Neji spoke while showing his arrogant face.

"I hope so... that old Hyuuga will never stop on trying to obtain the techniques of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu...", Kenshin growled.

"Kenshin-san, Hiashi-sama believes that Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu is one of the strong powers that backed-up Meiji government, even the Hyuuga Family didn't have the guts to fight against the Ishin Shishi Hitokiri...", Neji spoke calmly.

"He's wrong... I'm the only Hitokiri who possessed the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style, not my Hitokiri comrades. We have different styles and techniques, but every styles that we've learned are the style which specialized to kill enemies in any condition... that have made us the strong force to be reckoned 3 years ago...", Kenshin replied back.

"Example...?".

"Hmm, okay... Hitokiri Battousai possessed Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style, but his former successor Hitokiri Kage possessed The Hell-Fire sword Of Kaguzuchi style... Now, there's a new samurai by the name of Kankyo Kanashii claimed the title of Hitokiri Kage and his sword fighting-style is the dark Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu which is more effective and cruel...", Kenshin explained carefully to let Neji understand about the various sword-fighting styles.

"Naruto..??"

"Yes, no doubt about it...",Kenshin spoke with sad voice.

"So... what are the differences between Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu and the dark Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu??", Neji asked again, to clear his views on Kenshin's and Naruto's sword fighting techniques.

"Yoshinobu Tokugawa and Naruto had modified every single techniques in Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu to be the most effective and cruel ways of killing enemies... okay, example.. I've learned Ryu-shosen but the objective of the technique is to rip off enemies throat, but it seemed that Yoshinobu and Naruto had developed it into Ryu-shozan which can kill the enemies in a single strike by stabbing their heads from upper direction... effective but cruel, isn't it?".

"It's just too cruel and insane... although is it normal for a heartless Hitokiri..", Neji spoke in fear.

"Anyway Neji, just forget about it... The last time I saw you, you're a small cute little boy, but now you've grown up being a chuunin... how's Hinata?", Kenshin changed the topic of their conversation.

"She's fine... more fine after she met Naruto...", Neji replied back.

"Ohh, finally we've arrived... Hyuuga mansion, a place where the strong ninja of Hyuuga Family knelt down upon an unnamed Hitokiri...", Kenshin spoke in calm and happy tone which irritated Neji the most.

They entered the front door in Hyuuga Mansion and walked further into the wide compound of Hyuuga mansion where Hiashi and other Hyuuga Family members trained their Jyuuken.

"Hitokiri Battousai!!! I've a strong feelings that someday we'll meet again, and this time I will snatch those pathetic style of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu from you... you yourself will teach us the techniques of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu...", Hiashi voiced loudly while walking towards Kenshin.

"We samurai have vowed not to teach our own sword-fighting techniques to the ninjas since that is our identity and pride... My owh my, you have absolutely lack of manners towards your own guest recently... at least you should invite me for a tea and treat me kindly as I'm you honourable guest...", Kenshin voiced in a mocking tone.

Hinata and Hanabi giggled to hear Kenshin's insult against their Hiashi-sama, but later after that Neji scolded them to keep their mouth shut.

"How dare you insulted me in front of my family??!!", Hiashi spoke in anger.

Kenshin posed in his Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu Battou-jutsu stance and spoke,"You should thanked my former soul of Hitokiri Battousai for sparing your life because now I'm not gonna kill you, I'm gonna make your life suffer... do you get the point?!".

Kenshin released his Ki and prepared for the second fight against Hiashi while Hiashi quickly moved into Jyuuken stance.

"So this is the source of power for a samurai... The Ki!! Unlike our chakra which we have generated them from our stomach, the samurai generated their Ki from their mind... No wonder a high-skilled samurai always act so calm and full of wisdom...", Neji said to Hanabi.

"I feel so cold... as I'm now watching Himura Battousai slaying the enemies without any mercy at all...", Hanabi spoke in complete fear.

"Neji-kun, watch the movement of Kenshin-san carefully, you can see the points that earned him the title of Hitokiri Battousai...", Hinata spoke to Neji while activating her Byakugan.

"Sister, I don't understand...", Hanabi voiced, showing her confused face.

"Naruto-kun told me to watch every steps of Kenshin-san carefully, because his god-like speed actually earned him the title of the invulnerable Hitokiri Battousai...", Hinata spoke.

"Yup, in Japanese the words of 'Hitokiri Battousai' means the killer who can draw sword in a great speed... that means only a Hitokiri with a great speed just like Battousai have the power to earn the title...", Neji added, while activating his Byakugan.

"Ready, Hiashi?", Kenshin asked, at the same time dashed in his god-like speed towards Hiashi.

"Jyuuken, Hyuuga Gentle fist style... 64 Palms!!!", Hiashi shouted as he attacked Kenshin with his technique.

"Oh, you're great!!! Hiashi-sama!!! Defeat him!!!", voices of other Hyuuga Family members cheering while Neji, Hinata and Hanabi observed the fight carefully.

"What the hell...? Kenshin Himura seems like dodging all of Hiashi-sama's 64 Palms strike!!", Neji voiced out in disbelief.

"Yeah, no strike seems to hit Battousai Himura at all!!! Is this the true power of the most feared Hitokiri in Japan 3 years ago??" Hanabi shouted half-histerically, not believing for what she had seen in front of her Byakugan eyes.

"Is that all you got?? Now it's my turn to let you taste the claw of the dragon!!!" Kenshin spoke while gripping the hilt of his sword hard.

Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu... Lightning So Ryu-sen!!!!

Kenshin arranged his steps while Hiashi-sama fell on the floor of the compound.

That incident surely shocked all of the Hyuuga Family members, causing them be stood, numb for several minutes.

"Get up on your feet, Hiashi... I don't mean to insult the reputation of your family, but is this only the strongest family on Konoha can perform? Come on, Hiashi... You're lucky because I am the one who took your challenge, I wonder what it is gonna be if Yoshinobu Tokugawa a.k.a The Eyes of Insanity took your challenge... Of course he will annihilate the entire Hyuuga Family all by himself!!!", Kenshin slowly sheathed his Tou-Aii while speaking.

"I'll make your life suffer, Himura!!! You will witness your hands to be crippled by me, Hyuuga Hiashi of Hyuuga Family!!!" Hiashi moved back into his Jyuuken stance.

But just before he able to start his pace, Himura suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Damn!!! Kenshin's movement is so fast!!! He is just like teleporting himself to anywhere he like to be!!!", Neji shouted loudly, surprising all of the Hyuuga Family members who were watching the fight.

"No good!!! No good!!!", Hanabi voiced out in fear.

"Goddamit, Battousai!!! Who the hell are you actually??!!", Hiashi screamed loudly in shock.

"Although I've retired from being the famous Hitokiri Battousai 3 years ago, but I still have the touch of the most feared manslayer... for sure!!!".

Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu... KUZURYUSEN!!!!!!!

The entire Hyuuga Family members watched the end of the fight in disbelief when they saw Kenshin delivered nine attacks in the same time with his god-like speed, causing Hiashi to be thrown away to the wall, knocked down unconsciously.

"Sorry guys, Hiashi's not that fast to dodge my Kuzuryusen just like the way I totally dodged his Jyuuken 64 palm strike just now...", Kenshin spoke calmly as he sheathed back his Tou-Aii while watching some Hyuuga Family members ran towards Hiashi and carried him into the house for some heavy treatment.

"Battousai, wait for a second!!! Do you kill Hiashi-sama?", Neji ran towards Kenshin and asked.

"No, I just knocked him down, that's all... Don't worry, he will be okay... I'm sorry for spitting out those insulting words. Actually, that's some piece of psychological warfare, no mean to insult or mocking anybody...", Kenshin smiled before he walked to the front door.

"Battousai!!! Where are you going after this?" Neji shouted as he ran towards Kenshin.

"Hmm, maybe Konoha taijutsu training field... to watch Yoshinobu training.. wanna follow me?", Kenshin smiled, arranged the position of his Tou-Aii on his hip.

"Errr, watching that insane Hitokiri training... how scary!!!", Neji replied in fear, while imagine the way Yoshinobu training, with cruelty and insanity.

"It's okay, at least he didn't kill any young teenagers so far..", Kenshin giggled to see the frightened face of Neji.

"Naruto..."

"Sakura, don't get so near to me...", Naruto spoke calmly while lighting his cigarette.

Sakura, Sai and Kakashi were shocked to hear those words, immediately stopped their pace.

"I have a samurai in front of me who want to finish our unsolved fight since the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate era...", Naruto kept on speaking while unsheathed his Shinuchi.

Sakura, Sai and Kakashi were so surprised to see a figure walking towards them while unsheathing his samurai sword.

"Gentatsu Takatsuki, a Tokugawa Hitokiri from Aizu Clan...", Naruto spat out his words while watching the samurai stopped his pace in front of Naruto.

"Kankyo Kanashii a.k.a Uzumaki Naruto, Ishin Shishi no Hitokiri Kage... It is so sad to see you here, making friends with those bastard ninjas after retired from being an Imperialist dog...", Gentatu arranged his words while staring sharp at Naruto's eyes.

Sakura was going to dash towards Gentatsu when Kakashi suddenly stopped her.

"Don't interfere, this is a fight between Naruto and the Aizu samurai... make a wrong move and you'll die for sure... samurai don't prefer anybody to interfere in their fight..", Kakashi explained to Sakura while gripping Sakura's arm hard.

The environment became silent, just before each samurai shouted their own name and the name of their technique.

"Gentatsu Takatsuki Aizu, Seiki Kanuma Sword Technique!!!"

"Kankyo Kanashii Ishin Shishi, Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu!!!"

Both of them finally dashed towards each other and made the first attack of the battle.

"Kakashi-sensei, are we now witnessing the real fight between the samurai?? They're just like dashing and wielding their swords, that's all... I'm getting boring with these kind of fighting since there is no use of ninjutsu or chakra at all...", Sakura voiced out just before Kakashi corrected her words.

"Sakura, we use chakra to enhance our ninjutsu, but the samurai use Ki to enhance their sword skills... They generate Ki from their mind, and sometimes they spread their Ki to the surroundings of the fighting site to scare their enemies off... but most of the high-skilled samurai such as Naruto, Saitou and Battousai can repel ninja's ninjutsu or genjutsu which are used to fight against them by creating their defensive Ki around themselves... that's why Saitou managed to defeat Itachi in their fight in Kyoto 4 years ago..", Kakashi explained clearly.

"Wow, I just don't believe it!!! How can the usage of Ki surpassed the usage of chakra?? That's so weird!!!", Sakura spoke loudly while watching Naruto and Gentatsu attacking each other.

"Just like what Kakashi-sensei said just now, we use chakra to enhance our ninjutsu, taijutsu or maybe using genjutsu... the samurai generate Ki from their mind to maximise their power physically and mentally... in order to generate their Ki smoothly and effectively, they have to be calm and being undisturbed by their environment... meditation is the best way...", Sai added while reading his note about Ki.

"Shit, that's so... surprising!!! I just don't believe that foolish Naruto can be so strong and invulnerable just like he is now... He's even has surpassed the ability of Tsunade-sensei!!!". Sakura couldn't believe what was in front of her that time. Naruto was completely strong that even Tsunade couldn't lay her hands on Naruto, but still Naruto possessed the other dark personality of him which had increased his power and abilities to kill enemies without mercy.

"Why don't we just keep quiet and watch the fight now?! I haven't seen a samurai fight for almost 7 years since my last fight against Saitou Hajime!!!", Kakashi interrupted Sai and Sakura's discussion while pointing his finger to Naruto.

"Seiki Kanuma... Satsujin-ken!!!"

"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu... Ryu-tsuisen!!!"

Naruto jumped into the air to build his momentum, and he dashed down towards place where Gentatsu stood while preparing his Satsujin-ken stance.

K-changgg!!!!!

The air were filled of dust and smoke, causing Kakashi, Sai and Sakura to wave their hands to stop dust from entering their eyes.

"Kakashi-sensei, use your Magenkyou-Sharingan and tell me what is going on there!!!", Sakura ordered.

"Magenkyou-Sharingan!!!"

"Both of them seems not to make their moves yet... from their stances, I can make a conclusion that Naruto had delivered a powerful strike to the Aizu samurai and the Aizu samurai intended to block the attack...", Kakashi spoke and covered his Sharingan eye back.

They saw Gentatsu's sword was broken into pieces, his fore-head protector was completely cut into halves and the rubber-band that he used to tight his hair torn, while Naruto stood steadily and sheathed his sword.

When Naruto sheathed his sword, Gentatsu suddenly kneeled in pain in front of Naruto, holding his chest.

"Gentatsu, you're lucky that I'm not that cruel to kill you...", Naruto spoke in his killer tone.

"Why, Kanashii!!!? A samurai only bounded within his spheres to kill or to be killed in every war he joins, you also know that!!!! Why do you spare my life??!!", Gentatsu shouted, nearly cried.

"Gentatsu, even though people always addressed Hitokiri as demons or killing machine, but they also have the right to live in harmony and peace... Himura Battousai told me that..."

"But I'm one of your opposers 3 years ago, Kanashii!!! Don't you forget that!!!", Gentatsu shouted again just before he felt the sharp blade of a sword laid behind his neck.

"I think I know who's the owner of this Kikuchi Monji Norimune... Saitou-sama!!!", Gentatsu quickly throwed his view to a figure who was standing behind him.

"Where have you been these 3 years, brat? I've told you to join the Meiji police force but instead of joining it, you ran away from Aizu... You've made Tokio-chan cried at least for 3 nights..", Saitou lit his cigarette and spoke.

"Sorry... Saitou-sama... where's Yoshi-senpai?? what about that Battousai-brat?!!", Gentatsu spoke as he looked on his broken sword.

"Yoshinobu... consuming alcohols while Battousai... meditating...".

"So, you know each other very well, eh??", Naruto spoke while asked for a cigarette from Saitou.

"Yup, we're friends just before I fled to Kyoto to join the Shinsen Gumi...", Saitou voiced while watching Gentatsu looking at his broken sword.

"Naruto, we'll be leaving to Kyoto tonight by ship... It seems that Mrs. Konoha and Mr. Kyoto now will be friends after the 20 years of wars... maybe we will be exchanging our knowledges in ninjutsu and kenjutsu... ergh, I hate it very much!!!", Saitou told Naruto.

"Wow, is that true Saitou? Oh, I'm so glad to hear about that!!", Kakashi spoke in happiness.

"Yeah, I'm afraid so... Oh, shit!!! that Nara brat invited me to his house now!! His father wanna meet me... damn, I'm late!!! Gentatsu, Follow me now!!!",Saitou made his pace quickly after throwing his cigarette.

Gentatsu looked deeply into Naruto's eyes and having a deep thought for several minutes. To him, the Hitokiri that spared his life just now was once the famous Hitokiri that even dare to challenge thousands of enemies in front of him. The eyes that killed many enemies, the sword that always hunger for human flesh and bloods. There is no differents between Naruto now and his senior Hitokiri Kage Makoto Shishio, where their principles of lives are the same... The strong lives, the weak dies... survivor is the fittest!!!!

"The eyes... full of the feelings of despair and sadness... no wonder he is trully hunger for battles and loves blood very much... That reminds me of the former Hitokiri Battousai... this world of Hitokiri has completely destroyed his life once and for all..."

The Three Demons of Tokugawa finally left Konoha after accomplishing their mission, to help Japan to achieve peace treaty with Konoha after 30 years of war between the Tokugawa samurai and Konoha ninja.

Three days later, in a main road to Konohakagure...

"Sasuke-baby!!! I just can't stand it anymore!! Please, I need a hot shower, so why don't we rent a hotel room for tonight... a room for both Shigetsu and Juugo and one special love room for both of us... Auuwww, what a romantic night!!! Isn't it, baby??", Karin asked Sasuke, with her face blushed.

Sasuke watched the weird reaction of Karin with a complete confusion.

"Shigetsu, your informer just now said that my target, Kankyo Kanashii the Shadow Manslayer is in Konoha, right?", Sasuke adjusted te position of his shinobi sword while asking Shigetsu.

"Yup... and you must need a full rest before you face him, since that guy was a former Hitokiri that killed about thousands of enemies during his days as a famous manslayer... sure this guy is a though challenge for you...", Shigetsu walked calmly while carrying his Kubikiri Houcho.

Actually, Kubikiri Houcho was Zabuza's sword. When Zabuza died, Naruto put the sword on his grave, as atone for Zabuza's death. After 4 years, Shigetsu and Sasuke went to Zabuza's grave and that time Shigetsu took Zabuza's Kubikiri Houcho, to symbolise his admiration and dream to be among the famous Mist's Seven Shinobi Swordsmen. Shigetsu also intended to fight against the Three Demons of Tokugawa since this Hitokiri group are the Mist's Seven Shinobi Swordsmen's famous archrival, that means they will be enemies until the end of their lives.

"Is he... a blood lover... just like me?", Juugo asked Shigetsu.

"Yes, Juugo... but I'm afraid he's more insane than you're. He is one of the Japan Imperialist most famous demons... along with Yoshinobu the Demonic Manslayer, Himura Battousai and Miburou Saitou... It's just like he live his life by killing people, drinking their blood, roaming through the silent street of Kyoto, wielding his Nagasone Kotetsu... Urghhh, that guy is totally insane, but he's too fast and strong along with his famous sword technique...".

Sasuke suddenly interested with Juugo and Shigetsu's conversation, and interrupted them with his question.

"What is the name of his sword technique?".

"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, a famous old technique that only specialized to kill the enemies, not just to knock them down unconscious... no doubt about it...", Shigetsu replied, showing his fear towards Naruto.

"Bastard, that guy is really a totally high-skilled samurai at all... No choice, I must kill him in order to be the strongest and to kill that fuckin' Itachi!!!", Sasuke thought deeply in his mind.

"Any other information about Kanashii?", Sasuke continued asking Shigetsu.

"This Kanashii brat had underwent training with The Three Demons Of Tokugawa... I heard a rumour that one of them had nearly defeated your brother, Uchiha Itachi in their fight 4 years ago in Kyoto... that guy's name is Saitou Hajime, the former captain of Shinsen Gumi 3rd Division...", Shigetsu added.

"I know... He defeated Uchiha Madara and that bastard Itachi by repelling the power of Magenkyou-Sharingan using his Ki...", Sasuke calmly spoke but far in his heart envied Saitou for being that strong to be a step in front of them, leaving the Uchiha clan behind.

"Hey, both of you!!! Do you have no believe that our Sasuke will beat the hell out of this Kanashii??!! That Kanashii is just a human being after all!!! Isn't it right, Sasuke-baby??", Karin shouted towards Shigetsu and Juugo, before she leaned herself on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Yeah, right... you will be wet in your panties when you watch the way Kanashii wields his Nagasone Kotetsu, without any mercy at all..", Shigetsu spoke when they noticed a brownish-greyish haired man in a wine + cigarette shop, buying three big bottles of sake and ten packs of Dunhill cigarette. That guy has two swords on his left hip, and Shigetsu totally recognized one of the samurai's swords.

"Dammit, that sword... Nagasone Kotetsu!!!! Shit, that's The Shadow Manslayer, no doubt about it!!!", He shouted half-histerically.

The famous cruel Hitokiri noticed them staring at him, and replied their stare with a scary smirk and a sharp glare.

All of Sasuke's underlings trembled in fear to see Naruto walked slowly while Sasuke stood calmly, hiding his admiration and fear at the same time.

The guy walked slowly past Sasuke's group, bringing his bottles of sake and his ten packs of Dunhill cigarette with him.

"Kankyo Kanashii... that's you name, isn't it??", Sasuke shouted loudly towards Naruto.

But Naruto suddenly answered Sasuke's question with a big laugh before lighting his cigarette.

"He's dead...", Naruto grinned widely, which irritated Sasuke, Juugo, Karin and Shigetsu the most.

Sasuke drew his sword and pointed it towards Naruto.

"You aren't answering my question yet...", Sasuke released his chakra to form an image of a big rattlesnake which can be seen by his comrades and of course, Naruto himself.

Naruto carefully put down his bottles of sake and his packs of cigarette. At the speed of a blink of an eye, Sasuke felt Nagasone Kotetsu's blade on his throat waiting to slit his throat and at the same time, ended his life forever.

'Sasuke-sama!!!!!", Juugo, Karin and Shigetsu shouted in complete histeria, to watch their master being dragged into the narrow line between life and death by Naruto.

"Lesson number one, never draw your sword against one of the most famous Hitokiri in Japan... If you insist on pointing your lame-ass worthless sword against them, I'm afraid you will watch your throat to be slit and of course there will be some big storms of blood. Anyway, just consider them as our atonement for your death...", Naruto spoke calmly, sheathing his Nagasone Kotetsu back.

Sasuke felt the sweat of fear running wild through his neck.

"Who... Who... are you anyway??!!", Sasuke spoke, trembling in fear.

Naruto released his enormous Ki, which formed the images of the Red Kyuubi and the Black Dragon, totally shocked Sasuke and his comrades of Otokagure.

Naruto burst out in a big insane laughter, watching the Kyuubi image laid its claw on Sasuke's shoulder while the image of the black dragon showed its fierce face just in front of Sasuke's face. Karin, Shigetsu and Juugo were totally shocked to see the images of Kyuubi and the black dragon which were formed by Naruto's Ki, only prayed to be left alive without being slashed or killed.

"Shi... Shigetsu, he's not a human being... for god sake, he's a cruel... and heartless demon!!!", Karin spoke while trembling in fear.

"Please Karin... Don't wet in your panties... Shit, I never found a swordsman who is totally high-skilled just like him... is this the power and speed of the famous Hitokiri in Kyoto? If this Kanashii is very strong, what about the other Hitokiri such as Saitou, Himura and Yoshinobu??", Shigetsu spoke in a slower voice, scared of the hoororful images of Naruto's Ki.

"I'm Kankyo Kanashii, Hitokiri Kage (the Shadow Manslayer)... nice to meet a group of pathetic ninjas just like all of you...", Naruto hid back his Ki and the strong desire to slay in order not to scare other civilians which were passed by.

Karin, Shigetsu and Juugo were relieved to know that the insane infamous Kankyo Kanashii walked away, without cleansing his sword with their bloods.

However, Sasuke clenched his fists tightly as he knew now he has a challenger, a challenger that thousand times stronger than him, and he must do something to defeat that guy.

Kankyo Kanashii...

"His eyes tells me everything about his life as a Hitokiri... despair and sadness...", Sasuke having a deep thought alone.

As the samurai walked away, Sasuke felt something weird about that guy, his appearance reminded Sasuke of a friend who had faced the hatred of Konoha vilagers because the boy failed to bring Sasuke back to Konoha...

"What the hell?? The images of his Ki just now?? Kyuubi!!!! no, no... there must be a mistake... That brat will never achieve this strong and scary power...", Sasuke thought.

But, he could not denied his instinct from telling him that Kankyo Kanashi the Shadow Manslayer has a lot of things in common with the Kyuubi brat...

Uzumaki Naruto...

- end of Episode 9 -

Author's Note

- Finally, Sasuke has appeared, along with his crazy friends in this episode!!!

- Next episode... Episode 10 - Sweet Dreams.. Stay tune!!!!

- Another hints for next episode - Naruto, Sasuke and their former comrades of Konoha ninja will register themselves to participate the International Konoha Taijutsu Tournament and after that, Naruto buys an i-pod to avoid being surrounded by some boring moments during the 4 days competition.

- Spoiler :- Naruto likes to hear dance and techno songs.. his favourite Dj's? Dj Tiesto, Dj Sammy, Dj Meas, Dj Mistik, Benni Bennasi, Lord Of Acid...