Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, but that doesn't mean I can't write and make it more badass than it is. Speaking of Naruto, have you guys seen the samurai's in the latest chapters? They look badass. If Kishi starts to break out some supercool jutsu that only samurai can do, I'm going to be beyond pissed. Meh, whatever.
Author's Note: Nothing much to say, other than this chapter feels like filler with some plot thrown in. This isn't edited, again, so if there's mistakes, well, whatever. No one got who his Highness was, but thanks to all those who tried. Even though he is kind of revealed, that's not his true name. Oh, and more thing if you're reading this, there is a scene with Naruto and Anko that might not belong there, but I was... just... whatever. Yeah.
One more thing. I got a review about the past two chapter titles. Yes, they are two tracks from Metallica's Death Magnetic album. I thought they were appropriate at the time, and I should've addressed that last chapter. This chapter, while I'm at it, is not for Gai and Lee, but a track by DragonForce, who are an awesome band and the song is cool too.
Alright, that's enough of me talking. Read, review, and enjoy!
The Devil's Blade
An Epic reimagining of The Demon's Blade
By RisenInfection
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It's weird now. I don't know why it is, but, it simply is. I have met my parents. I have met the demon sealed inside me. The only one I haven't met yet is my little sister, Natsuko. She... is nothing like her. Just thinking of that brings memories I'd rather not have. But, I can't help but think 'What happened to her?' Is she alive? Is she living a life free of the burdens I have placed upon her? Or is she living in her hatred and anger, stewing in a cesspool of unending torture, brought about by one she thought brother, by one she thought she could give love to.
Love... What a ridiculous sentimental concept. It brings nothing to one but more hatred and anger, nothing but war and pain. Love for a home. Love for parents. Love for siblings. Love for relatives. Love for a lover. They say that this is the truest and grandest emotion one can feel. Then why is it, that I don't feel love. They say that one can become strong through love, but why are others strong when they forsake love? Why am I strong when I have to forsaken love?
No, it doesn't matter. I can feel love, when my life is over. I can feel love when I'm dead. But now, I mustn't feel anything, for there is something that requires my attention more than anything right now. His Highness. I have no idea who or what he is, and both his assassin's and the Kyuubi speak in riddles about him. But what I do know, is that he thinks himself a God. I hate gods, more than I hate dragons. They are selfish and malevolent, even when they try to appear as the opposite. Gods say that they are the only true power in this world, when all around us, there are men and women gaining power that could rival any God.
I don't need any God. I only need the Goddess in my hand, the Goddess in my head. Amaterasu. She is the only one I need. She accepts me for who I am, as I accept her for who she is. She and the Kyuubi, are all I need to survive in this world, for they both love me...
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Act I
The Devil Swordsman
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Chapter 8
The Flame of Youth
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"So, you're my older brother, huh?"
Naruto turned and stared into the eyes of Uzumaki Natsuko, his biological little sister. "Yeah, I guess I am."
Natsuko tried her hardest to glare at the blonde man in front of her, but only succeeded in looking childish. "You're a killer. I didn't see what you did to those bandits back in Wave, but what Sakura said was enough to make me hate you."
The swordsman kept his stare on the girl as some villagers began to crowd around, curious as to what was going on. "Do I look like I care if you hate me or not? No, I don't." Naruto turned and continued what he had been doing, looking for a mask to replace the one he lost. "You should grow up, Natsuko. One day, you will be forced to take another's life as well, if you're going to make a good kunoichi."
"No! You're wrong!" Natsuko cried out. "I'll never kill, never."
Naruto sighed. "Never say never, remember, you're a ninja, a trained killer, an assassin. It's in your job description to kill."
Natsuko shook her head as tears fell from her eyes. The thought of killing, like her so-called brother, sickened her. "No, I won't kill, I won't ever kill."
"You need to face the reality of the profession you've chosen, Natsuko," the killer spoke softly as he grasped a black fox-like mask. It was a facsimile of his old one, just polished better. It even had long white tassels to tie it. "Killing is all I know. It is what I grew in, a society of proud murderers. But just because I kill doesn't mean I enjoy it. I kill out of necessity, to protect myself and those close to me."
The blonde girl looked up to her brother as he stared at the mask in his hands. "'Those close to you'? You'd kill for them?"
Naruto didn't answer as his mind brought up the memories of that night. "Yeah." He sighed. "I don't believe in this, but, if it helps you..." He stepped over to the shocked merchant, who had been watching the spectacle like one would a soap opera, and paid for his new mask. "Someone once told me... that when someone is precious to you, that you'll find the strength to do anything, just to protect them."
Natsuko's eyes widen as the memory of the bridge struck her. 'Like how I saved Sasuke.'
"Whatever, it doesn't matter," the swordsman sighed tiredly before he donned his new mask, tying the tassels that billowed behind him. "You shouldn't dwell on the matter of killing right now, Natsuko. I don't believe father would want you to see the harsher aspects of a ninja's life just yet."
"Y-Yeah," the girl said distractedly. She turned to Naruto and looked to the ground. "U-Uh, N-Naruto... thank you."
The blonde looked at the girl, his head tilted to the side in confusion. "For what?"
Natsuko smiled. "For the advice, you know, about precious people."
"Tch, whatever," Naruto said as he turned and disappeared in a black and gold blur.
Natsuko's smile grew to a grin as she pulled out her Chuunin Exam entry form. It was decided. She was going to take the exams and protect all those precious to her... by becoming a Chuunin.
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The Hidden Leaf Village
An Hour Later
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Naruto walked through the Leaf Village, watching as they rebuilt the hospital he had partially destroyed and as they prepared for the upcoming Chuunin Exams. He had told his father that something was going to go down during the exams and that he should warn his soldiers to the fact that something was going to happen.
The blonde sighed as he turned and walked down an alleyway. Both Zabuza and Haku were either out scouting for more of 'his Highness'' men or trying to find work to keep themselves from looking suspicious. How a one hundred and eighty three centimeter man with no eyebrows that was built like a linebacker could possibly look inconspicuous, Naruto would probably never know.
Naruto suddenly stopped as he felt a familiar presence behind him. "Anko-chan, shouldn't you be preparing for your role in the Chuunin Exams?"
The purple haired woman stepped out of the shadow she was hiding in with a frown. "How did you know I was following you so quick?"
"Your energy circulation is... unique. It feels erratic and often times dark and evil, though it isn't your natural energy," Naruto answered as he turned to the kunoichi and took his mask off. "Is there a reason why that is?"
Anko's hand shot to the nape of her neck, where a tattoo of three spiraling tomoe rested. 'That bastard, he's still able to ruin my life, even when he isn't here.' "N-No, not that I know of."
"You're a bad liar," the blonde stated simply as he stepped up to the woman and removed her hand from her neck. "Who did this to you?"
"My former master... Orochimaru," Anko answered after a few minutes of silence. "Why does it matter? It's just a stupid cursed seal anyway."
Naruto shook his head as he stared at the seal. "This mark, the energy it produces... is similar to the ones who are out for my head."
The woman turned her head to the man, her eyes wide in shock. "Does that mean, it has your reiryoku energy in it?"
"No," the blonde answered as he stared into Anko's hazel eyes, watching a lifetime of pain and suffering in only a few seconds. "It only produces chakra, but at the cost of your own body. If you were to accept the power it offers, you would become stronger, but it would morph you into a hideous creature and your own will would shatter, leaving you a puppet."
"Damn it!" Anko growled as her hands balled into white knuckled fists. "That bastard! No matter what happens, or any good that could come, he's always ruining it!"
Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment. "Didn't you go to the Fourth with this? I thought he was a seal master?"
The kunoichi looked down. "He is and I did, but, so far he can't seem to find anything to help, but he is trying. I... I would do anything to be rid of this goddamned seal. It hurts all the time and keeps me up some nights with the pain. And don't get me started on the nightmares." Tears were falling from her eyes as her cursed seal began to ache once more. "Look at me, I'm a fucking mess. I'm... I'm sorry."
And then Naruto did something that shocked both of them. He hugged her. Anko's eyes widened at the contact and felt her heart beating faster as a gasp escaped her lungs.
"I know what you feel inside. I could see it in your eyes and no matter how hard you try to guard what you feel, I'll still see it," Naruto spoke softly, trying to calm the woman down. He had only ever done this for her, but, that time was over now. He grasped the kunoichi's shoulders and pulled her away from his chest, not missing the pout she now sported at the loss of contact. "You said you'd do anything to be rid of your curse, right?"
Anko nodded and felt almost like a child looking up at an adult as she stared into Naruto's crimson eyes. "Yeah, I'd do anything, no matter what it was."
"Then you should go through Henkan," Naruto suggested.
"Y-You mean the same thing you went through?" The woman asked, slightly afraid.
The blonde nodded. "Yeah, that. It is extremely painful, but I'll instruct you through it and help you all throughout."
Anko thought for a moment. "Would it get rid of this damn seal?"
"I can't answer that honestly, because I don't know. But it should as the process eliminates all chakra and converts it to reiryoku, most likely even your seal," Naruto answered. For a moment, he thought it would be nice to travel with another samurai, one almost like himself. "You don't have to go through it yet, only when you are ready to dedicate three years of your life to training.
Thinking it over and weighing the pros and cons of the decision, Anko smirked up to the blonde. "I'll do it, but not yet maybe a little while after the Chuunin Exams. But you have to do something for me."
"What is it?" Naruto questioned curiously.
The purple haired woman's smirk morphed into a mischievous grin as she launched up and embraced Naruto, capturing his lips with her own in a hungry kiss.
Naruto's eyes widened in shock at the woman's advancement, but soon found that he was enjoying the contact as he lifted her up by her thighs, Anko's legs wrapping around his waist. Their make out session lasted for another few seconds before they broke apart, a strand of drool connecting their lips.
Anko grinned as she stared at the dazed expression on the blonde's face. "You've got to that more often."
The samurai's smirked himself. 'I could get use to it, that's for sure,' Naruto thought before he met Anko's lips once more, ignoring strange yells and shouts of 'Gai-sensei' and 'Lee'.
"Ah, Young Love," a man in a green spandex suit with black hair in a bowl cut and extremely hairy eyebrows spoke to a younger clone of himself as they watched the romance between the scantily clad purple haired woman and the tall black garbed blonde man. "It's such a wonderful thing."
"Gai-sensei, do you think I will find love as they have?" The clone asked excitedly as he turned to his mentor.
Maito Gai turned to his pupil and knelt down as he put a hand on his shoulder, his bottom lip quivering. "Yes, Lee, one day you too will find love, as your Flames of Youth burn bright enough to attract all the precious flowers to you, or I shall do one hundred and fifty pushups with only my left pinky."
Rock Lee wore the same look as his father-figure and embraced him in a manly hug as the image of a sun setting over an ocean with waves crashing into a cliff appeared behind them. "Gai-sensei!"
Gai returned the embrace, crying a comical river of tears. "Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-!"
"Will you idiots shut the fuck up?" A woman yelled from a window adjacent to the roof Gai and Lee stood upon.
Both of the green wearing ninja's bowed. "I am deeply sorry madam, my student and I let our Flames of Youth boil over and have disturbed your Springtime of Youth. We shall never let it happen again, or I shall-!"
"I don't care, just shut the fuck up!" The woman yelled, slamming her window shut with the end of her tirade, leaving the duo dazed and confused.
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The Leaf's Forest
A Few Hours Later
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Naruto breathed a sigh of boredom as he leaned against a tree, his mask off. After Anko had been called to a meeting about the Chuunin Exams, he had gone and taken a walk through the Leaf Village. He wished now that he hadn't, as he met the accumulation of his worst nightmares given form: Maito Gai and Rock Lee.
He didn't actually meet them, but watching them hug, scared the living shit out of him, something he was supposed to do himself. He had to give his father credit. The duo had to be the Leaf's secret weapon during wartime. Their hugging would make all enemies just give up and commit suicide.
After escaping their horrid illusion, Naruto walked around the Leaf aimlessly for a couple hours and now found himself where he was. He lifted his head as he felt another familiar energy, though it was one he hadn't felt for the last three years. "Heh, I was wondering when we'd meet again. It's good to see someone I can trust again."
"The same here, Naruto-sama," a female voice said from above Naruto, though the voice's owner was not visible.
Naruto frowned. "How many times must I tell you not to call me that?"
"I'm sorry, I forgot," the voice apologized.
"Whatever, it doesn't matter," the blonde said as he shook his head, a small smile on his face. "So, if you're here, I am to guess Orochimaru is as well?"
"Yes, he is."
Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment. "What is he up to now?"
"He plans to eliminate the Leaf once and for all."
The killer snorted. "What else is he here for?"
The voice chuckled. "Orochimaru also intends to mark Uchiha Sasuke with a cursed seal."
"That's obvious," Naruto spoke as his mind raced with thoughts and plans. "I met someone today who has a cursed seal. She's agreed to go through Henkan." The voice only stayed silent. "Is there something wrong?"
"You'll let the first random hussy go through the Conversion, but you won't let me, why?"
Naruto sighed as he brought a hand to his forehead, rubbing his temples. "We've been over this before, your power as it is, is more valuable to both you and I than you gaining reiryoku and reiatsu would be. I don't know if your techniques would carry over or if they would be totally obsolete. And right now, I don't want to take the chance of you losing your power. Besides, you're more perfect to me as you are now anyway."
The voice was silent for a few moments. "Even if you don't realize it, you really know how to talk your way into a lady's heart."
"Tch," the blonde sounded as he looked to his right, a slight blush on his face. "I'm not looking for love."
A laugh sounded from the voice. "You say that, yet you still persist to surround yourself with beautiful women like myself."
"You make a good spy, that's all," Naruto said, though he couldn't fathom why he felt such a void in his blackened soul. "Whatever, it doesn't matter," the blonde spoke, his demeanor turning serious again. "Tell me, has Orochimaru been doing anything strange outside his 'normalcy'?"
The voice turned serious as well. "Actually yes, he has. He's been meeting with someone called 'Ukajin' for quite some time now. I don't know who that is, but he seems deathly afraid of him. Oh, and he's been muttering to himself about someone called 'his Highness'. Again, I have no clue who that is."
"Don't worry yourself, I already know about 'his Highness'," Naruto said, spitting out the last two words.
"You know him already?"
"No, but I will... very soon," Naruto spat before sighing and pushing himself from the tree he was leaning against as he felt a cold energy rushing towards him. "That's enough for now. Keep an eye on Orochimaru and his machinations, it might become useful."
"When will I be able to drop this façade?"
Naruto was silent as he donned his mask and tied it securely around his head. "Soon, I promise." He looked up to the tree, where his spy sat in the shadows. "I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I know that spying on Orochimaru forever is not your future. Now go, I don't want anyone else to know about you yet."
"As you wish, Naruto-kun," the voice said as the leaves rustled at her exit.
The blonde looked to the ground, extending his senses for a moment. Satisfied that his spy was gone, he looked back up, just in time to watch Haku land in front of him. The girl was out of breath and was slightly sweating from the run. Looking back up, Naruto felt another energy circulation, this one of reiryoku and barely suppressed reiatsu. "You've done well, Haku-chan. Take a rest while I deal with the Akuryou."
The brunette haired girl nodded before leaping into the trees to watch her employer fight.
Naruto smirked behind his mask as he drew Amaterasu, spinning her in slow, lazy circles. His smirk grew as the Akuryou grew closer. "Let's have some... fun, shall we?"
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Time/Location Unknown
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A deep rumble resounded through a large crystalline chamber, the sound echoing kilometers underneath the earth. On a marble pillar etched with time that reached into the farthest limits of the bottomless pit was a gleaming gold basin that was very intricate and ornate in design. In the basin was a thick black liquid that dripped from a diamond ceiling, the gem shining with a supernatural light, casting an ominous ambient glow around the chamber.
Jutting out from the crystalline walls were five decorative balconies, each with a gold basin of their own set in the middle of the platforms. Suddenly, four of the basins lit with fire that changed from orange to four unique colors: sea blue, dark pink, pale yellow and bright gold. The flames spiraled and grew until they were literal beams of light that reached to the diamond ceiling.
The bright gold flashed as a deep, rumbling voice spoke from it. This meeting of the Four shall hereby begin.
That Akujin isn't here again, your Highness, the sea blue light spoke in an aging but fluid voice. I thought you appointed another to become the 'Evil God'.
I did, but he was killed by the Oomizu no Majin, just like the one before him, the golden light answered.
The dark pink light spoke next, her voice like a fine tuned harp. I could have one of my assassins kill him, your Highness, if you wish.
No, that is not necessary, I already have my own soldiers going after him, the gold light replied. Speaking of which, Ukajin, is your snake Orochimaru finally ready to fulfill the request I asked of him?
Yes, your Highness, the pale yellow light spoke, her voice seductive and hissing. But, I must ask, is it wise to send him to kill the Yondaime Hokage. We all know that he may very well not return.
That is the point, Ukajin. Orochimaru is a disgusting worm that I will not have living in my new world, and this way, we will kill off two birds with one stone and not have to dirty our own hands, the rumbling voice explained.
What about Akujin, your Highness, do we not need him to complete the Ritual? The melodious voice asked.
The sea blue lights voice snorted derisively. You shouldn't worry about him, Ai no Megami. We haven't needed an Akujin in seven millennia, and we sure as Hell don't need one now.
Kaijin is Ai no Megami, his Highness spoke. We do not need an Akujin to proceed with the Ritual. All we need now is the soul of the one to be claimed as the Godslayer...
Will it be that easy though your Highness? Ukajin asked with curiosity evident in her voice.
Yes, I second that question, Ai no Megami spoke, will the Devil of the Flood fall to us or will we to him?
His Highness was quiet for a moment, his pillar of light dimming slightly, as if in thought. Truthfully, no, it won't be so easy to kill the Oomizu no Majin, but it shall be done, even if I have to send them after him.
Will it come to that? Kaijin asked.
No, not yet it won't. Honestly, I want to kill this Devil myself. He has no place in my new world, and as his God, I shall tear him asunder, his Highness spoke with such passion that it moved the others. Now, we shall continue as planned. The Ritual is to take place in one month's time. And when we gain the power of Heaven, we shall truly become... Gods!
Your Will be done, Ryuujin-sama! The three others declared before their lights died down and they vanished from the chamber, leaving only Ryuujin's light.
Suddenly, laughter echoed from the golden pillar as a pair of glowing ice blue eyes opened from within the light, staring into the central golden basin. The black liquid within the bowl rippled and showed the image of a blonde haired man dressed in black fighting one of his Akuryou.
Soon, Uzumaki Naruto, soon, we shall meet. And whence we do, I shall send you to Hell, where you belong... Godslayer.
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The Leaf Forest
Half an Hour Later
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"Shit!" A humanoid creature that looked like a fish screeched in a cracking male voice as he was pinned to a tree by two and a quarter meter long sword. The sword's wielder only stared at the man from behind a black canine-like mask.
"Now, will you answer me, or do you have some fight left in you?" Naruto asked in an even voice.
The fish-man gritted his sharpened teeth as the blonde swordsman began to twist his blade at the silence. "Yes, goddamn it! Yes! I'll answer whatever the fuck you ask, just fucking stop!"
"Good," the blonde spoke as he removed Amaterasu from the assassin's chest. "Haku."
Without warning, thick ice formed around the tree and the man, pinning the fish person to the wood with the frozen water. In a quick blur, Haku was at Naruto's side, the brunette's eyes focused upon the ice in deadly concentration.
Naruto nodded. "You've gotten quicker at drawing out and freezing the moisture in the air." The girl smiled slightly at the compliment, but held her focus. The samurai set his eyes upon the fish and stared into his eyes. "Now, you're going to tell me who sent you to kill me and everything you know about him and his plans."
The fish-man nodded. "U-Uh y-y-yeah, s-sure, anything. I-I work for a man named Kaijin."
"'Kaijin'? Is that the name of his Highness?" Naruto asked.
"No," the captured assassin shook his head. "Kaijin-sama works for his Highness and in turn, so do I. Don't ask me about his Highness, 'cause I don't know anything about him, except that he's powerful and could probably wipe out the continent if he wanted to."
Naruto sighed exasperatedly as he brought his blade up to the fish-man's throat, making the man squeak in fear. "I already know that his Highness is powerful, you moron." He sighed again and lowered his sword, ignoring the growing wet spot on the front of the man's torn pants. "This Kaijin, exactly who is he?"
"The 'Sea God'? I don't really know," the fish explained, panting for air. "Whenever he commands us, he shows up as a pillar of blue light. None of us lower Akuryou ever get to see his true form, only the Chosen."
"'The Chosen'? Who're they?" The blonde asked.
The fish gulped. "T-They're the most powerful out of the Four Grand Armies and are the only ones allowed to seek audience with Four Gods, well unless you're one of them."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Who are they?"
"T-The Virtues? Y-You mean you've never heard of the Seven Holy Virtues?" The fish-man laughed, almost hysteric. He seemed to gain his confidence, which made Naruto frown. "Here I am, spilling my guts to you and you don't even know what the Hell you're facing. You're the moron here, Majin."
A chuckle escaped Naruto's throat before he began to laugh without mirth, making the would-be assassin lose the courage he had gained. "No, fishy, you're the only idiot here. Haku, release him."
The kunoichi did as told, her ice melting and evaporating as the fish-man fell to his knees. He felt the Devil's sword at his neck and looked up, terrified as he stared into eyes as red as blood.
"Haku, you can turn around if you don't want to see this," Naruto spoke kindly to the girl, who nodded and turned, her eyes shut tight. The blonde gazed at his next victim and brought his sword up. When you return to your 'God', give him this message." And then brought his sword down, cleaving the man in half.
Turning, he sheathed his blade and walked away, leaving the corpse to bleed into the forest floor. "Come Haku." And the girl was right on the samurai's coattail. Naruto looked and saw that stars were already out. "Everything is about to come to a head, I can feel it. Things... are about to get exciting."
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Hidden Leaf Ninja Academy
The Day of the Chuunin Exams
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Natsuko walked up to the Ninja Academy, where the first test of the Chuunin Exams was to take place. She smiled as memories flooded her mind. Looking to her left, she spotted Sasuke and Sakura, both waiting for her. "Hey guys!" She yelled as she ran up to them.
"Ah, keep your voice down, will you?" Sakura asked as she cleaned her ear with her pinky.
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan, it's just that today's going to be one of the greatest days ever and I'm really excited," Natsuko explained cheerily. "Aren't you excited, Sasuke?"
The raven haired boy just grunted lazily. Sakura seemed to find this to be extremely cool as she began to fawn over the teen.
Natsuko just took it in stride and grinned, her eyes squinting. "Well, what are we waiting for? Chuunin Exams, here we come!" The blonde girl walked into the Academy, her teammates following after her more sedately. Throughout it all, Team Seven never took notice of the pair of amber eyes watching with sadistic glee.
Translation(s): Ukajin - God of Harvests and Wealth; Akujin - Evil God; Ai no Megami - Goddess of Love; Kaijin - Sea God; Ryuujin - Dragon God
No Techniques
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Author's Note: Well, that was short. Whatever. The gears are beginning to turn and major shit is about to hit the fan. Who are Four Great Gods? Who are the Seven Holy Virtues? Who is Naruto's spy? When will I finally stop asking questions and answer a couple? All this and more, next time on-!
Wait a minute, still got stuff to say. Again, the scene with Naruto and Anko felt a bit corny and unneeded, but meh. The scene with Gai and Lee is purely comical relief. Personally, I think the 'Beautiful Green Beasts' are pure win and need more screen time. But whatever. The Four have been revealed, but, just who are they really? (Just so you know, they are OC's) Who is Naruto's spy? (No really, who is she? (She's not an OC, but might as well have been one))
Oh, and the poll is up in my profile for that Naruto/Bleach crossover. I'm kind of put off on doing it, having read the latest chapters, but that's why I'm a good author: I can adapt. If Tite and Kishi want through a curveball, I'll just keep swinging until I hit something, hoping I don't get arrested for Manslaughter for doing so. (That is to be taken as a joke, you know, ha ha ha)
Whatever, I'm done talking. I may take the next couple of weeks off to work on my novel, which I hope to God would be more badass and awesome than this fic. Original works usually are.
Alright I'm out. Read, review, and whatever. If I forgot to address anything, tell me and I'll get back to you.
Until next chapter, RisenInfection, out