Yo!!! Things are getting interesting in the Misadventures story. An assault of the highest danger presents itself to the young American Nin. See how they fare.

Chapter 18: The Calm Before the Storm!! Approaching Darkness!!

Blade and Ino were walking towards the Border Village, since their fight was a distance away. Both walked in silence, as Ino let her arm interlock with Blade's, who looked like he accepted how it came to be.

He felt something weird, and stopped. Ino looked at him confused, and noticed his serious look. Blade then turned, and in the trees were 10 men in pure black robes. "Shadow Stalkers…" Blade mumbled, as he turned to face them.

"Shadow 20." Blade said. "Blade of the Swift. Also known as the ex Shadow 20 Number 13, Leader of the Dark 5. Oh how the mighty have fallen." One of the men said. "Che. More like realized what I was doing, and didn't agree with it." Blade said.

"Not to worry. The new Number 13 is stronger than you anyway." Another one said. "Like I care. My only concern is that you creeps are dead." Blade said, as he began to unsheathe his Sky Dragon.

"You shouldn't be too rash, Number 13." Blade stopped, as he felt a cold dark chill run down his spine. He turned, and in another tree stood another boy, 17, with cold grey eyes, and long dark blue hair.

"Master Katana!? Why are you here?" One of the Shadow Men asked. "I wanted to meet who I replaced personally. You go help the others who are going to kill Coin and Artemis." Katana commanded, and the men nodded, and disappeared.

(This guy's chakra. It's dark and evil. Who and where the hell did he come from?) Blade thought to himself, as he grit his teeth. "The ex Number 13 of the Shadow 20. You seem pathetic to me, but who knows. Maybe it's a front." Katana said, and Blade growled.

"Ino. I want you to find Tsunade, and tell her that the Shadow 20 are attacking us American Nin. Raven and my friends may be in grave danger." Blade said. "But what about this guy!? His chakra, it's very unsettling." Ino asked, worry etched on her face.

"You think someone like him can kill me? Dream on! I will be done with him before he knows what hit him." Blade said, smirking. Ino, thought hesitant, nodded, before she disappeared. "You told her to leave so you could show me your full attention." Katana said, as though he was asking a question with a command.

"Nope. Don't want her to see why I was known as the Leader of the Dark 5. If she saw what my sword could really do, she might not look at me the same way." Blade said. "I see. Well we shall see who is stronger, your Sky Dragon, or my Prism Tiger." Katana said, spinning his orange katana named Prism Tiger, as Blade unsheathed Sky Dragon.

(Border Village)

Artemis and Coin were hanging in the village, walking around. "The day seems pretty calm. I wonder how the others are doing in their fight." Artemis said, and Sun shrugged. "I doubt they would lose when it comes down to it. Both of them are ridiculously hard headed and stubborn about losing." Sun said. Both continued their walk, until Moon forced a Soul Switch, and tossed his black yo-yo into the trees they were walking past.

From the tree, a man in black robes fell, dead. "Shadow Stalkers are here." Moon said, and Artemis nodded. Then 30 Shadow Stalkers surrounded them, and forced both nin back to back. "Feeling combative?" Moon asked. "Do we have a choice?" Artemis asked, as she put her ring on, causing her Chakra Bow to appear.

(Forest: Raven)

"So tell me, Kirikiri. How commited is this attack?" Raven asked. "Well, Artemis and Coin are going to be fighting an army, you fight me, and Blade is facing his replacement." She said, smiling brightly.

"Replacement? Krad has a new Number 13? Well isn't that nice. He can't possibly hurt Blade. He IS the strongest Shadow Member to ever come from that group." Raven said, smirking. "You obviously haven't met Katana." That caused Raven's eyes to widen. "So you seriously think that someone could take Blade on a serious plane? That is dumb. He is the best Shadow 20 has ever had!" Raven said.

"If you wish to think that. But I will warn you. When he was recruited, he was an S Rank wanted nin from America. Where as Blade was a nin with natural S-Rank abilities. I wonder who is more dangerous." Kirikiri said. "Che. Your words do nothing to hurt me. Just gives me a reason to speed up killing you." Raven said.

(Forest: Blade)

Blade didn't like this kid, and Katana felt that Blade was a threat that shouldn't be allowed to live. "The new Number 13 huh? Well damn. Seems like Krad has taken to picking random guys from the streets into his group." Blade said.

"You should know. You DO live on the streets. At least, back in America you do." Katana said, and Blade scowled. "Think it's funny not having anyone to call family, do you?" Blade asked.

"You were unfortunate. I was unfortunate. That is life. I chose not to dwell on it. Face it, all of us are nothing more that a bunch of street rats that have the natural ability to use chakra, save a few. That is fact, and nothing more." Katana said.

"Yeah, and the one who took us in was either the President who's a ninja, or Krad, the sociopath." Blade said. "I learned not to bite the hand of the one who provides the food and clothes." Katana said. "I learned that to stand for your beliefs makes me a better person than you or Krad will ever be." Blade said.

"I see. An idealistic fool you are. You and all of the Death Gods ar, trying to save America from someone who almost has complete control of it. Pointless fighting is all it is." Katana said. "Maybe it won't be as pointless when I kick your ass." Blade said. "Maybe it will, maybe it won't." Katana said, smirking along with Blade.

(Border Village)

"How many do you count, Moon?" Artemis asked. "I would guess about 35 on sight, maybe 50-60 if there are any hidden." Moon said, and Artemis chuckled. "Those odds aren't even close in their favor." Artemis said. "Since this isn't even close to a fight, can we consider this a date, or are you still playing hard to get?" Moon asked, smirking.

"Save it, Cassanova. If you kill more than I do, then maybe this is a date." Artemis said. "I see. Okay then. Game on." Moon said, smirking.

(Forest: Sasuke and Hinata)

Sasuke walked back to the Border Village, along with Hinata, Suigetsu, Karin, and Juugo. "How close would you say that Orochimaru is?" Sasuke asked. "Closer than I would ever want him to be, personally." Suigetsu said. "I see." Sasuke said, and he closed his eyes.

"Well, how has Juugo been as of late?" Sasuke asked. "His mood swings haven't been as frequent, but he still needs someone to cage him." Suigetsu said. "Hn. Well, I have no choice but to watch him." Sasuke said. "And us?" Karin asked hopefully. "You will follow me whether I say you can or not." Sasuke said.

"Isn't that a great show of friendship, Sasuke-kun?" All 5 nin stopped, and Hinata felt a dark chill run down her spine. She turned, and before she knew it, Sasuke was in front of her. "What do you want, Orochimaru?" Sasuke asked, glaring as Hinata's eyes widened.

"I see I am not liked here. What a shame. But that is more your problem than it is mine. I wish for your head, Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru said, as his eyes turned crimson with the Sharingan. "So it's true. Slithers has gained a new set of eyes." Suigetsu said.

"The eyes of my brother." Sasuke said. "If anything, he has to die! If he lives, many lives will be lost because of this bastard!!" Sasuke said, and Suigetsu smirked. "Count me in! This bastard has so many lumps coming to him from me, that this sword on my back won't be enough!" Suigetsu said, as he unsheated The Guillotine Sword from his back.

"If Sasuke-kun is fighting, then I will help him!" Karin said, pulling out three kunai. "I too am on Sasuke's side. I am sorry, but my current jailor let's me roam without fear that I may kill mindlessly." Juugo said. "That is your loss. Team Hebi, you will die like the traitorous snakes that you are." Orochimaru said. "And you will not live to see another day!" Sasuke said, as his Sharingan flared to life.

ShadowRonin: Yeah. The whole contest has been thrown into awry due to The Shadow 20 and Orochimaru. Sasuke and Blade are facing some tough odds, Raven's foe is stronger than she seems, and Coin and Artemis face a small assault force. Who will pull ahead?

Next Chapter: A mysterious past that's connected to The Shadow 20. A strength that he keeps hidden under wraps. Blade will be forced to face his past as Katana, the new Shadow Number 13, challenges him. Will the Sleeping Dragon awaken, or will it die in a blaze of destruction left by the Crouching Tiger? Find out on:

Chapter 19: The Engulfing Darkness: Part 1: The Dragon's Rage and the Tiger's Fury!!