Poll Results so far:
Naruto x Umi: IIII
Naruto x Harem: III
Naruto x Canon Character: I
Naruto x Random: I
No Pairing: I
Whatever is voted here, may or may not be added. The likeliness of a pairing happening is quite low, however, I may just do it for an experiment.
Remember! Write reviews and provide feedback to give me a chance to better the story and myself.
Blood enraged: I understand what you are saying, and you don't hafta worry about that. It was merely describing what his beginning of a ninja is starting out.
Nxkris: Yeah, I understand, however for the people that don't know it, they have a reference on the bottom. There will be a lot of custom jutsu's in here, with names that are different, as I can't find a translator that uses the Japanese in Naruto. If I were to put lightning, it would put raitonjig or something. If you would read the first authors note, I said exactly why the chapters are somewhat short. This is my longest one so far.
Chapter Thirteen: Field Trip
"I would like to…"
"…Go on a outside the village training trip." said the blond bluntly.
"What, could you say that again? I don't think I heard you right." replied the Hokage, thinking he was hearing things.
"I said I wanted to go outside the village on a training trip." said the blond, a bit louder.
"What? Why?" asked the shocked Hokage.
"I need to get out of this village for a while. Learning in the forest gives me experience on survival in the wilderness. It also allows me to train without interruptions and use my Mangekyo techniques without causing a fuss." answered that blond. "Also, if I were to encounter bandits, it would allow me to gain some experience."
'Hmm… that is true, he would need to learn his Mangekyo techniques for the future, and the villagerss and ninja's in the village would be a problem. The bandits would be a good chance for experience… but…" thought the Hokage, "Sorry Naruto, I can't, if you were to come across a missing-nin or tough enemy, I won't be able to help you." repled the Hokage.
Sighing, "Old man, I know that, that's why I decided to become a ninja." replied the blond in a somewhat pleading voice. "I really want to go, I need to keep something's a secret right now, and staying in the village training it will let the secret out." finished the blond.
'He's right again… what am I gonna do?' pondered the aged man. Swiveling around in his chair, towards the windows exposing the black eyes to the expansive village. 'What would you do Minato?' asked the man, secretly looking for an answer. 'He seems to really want this, and it might get him away from the hatred for a while.' then he remember the girl.
"What about Umi, Naruto, what are you going to do about her?" asked the man curious.
"Well, I was hoping you would be able to watch over her until I get back, it'd give her a chance to meet new people." answered the blond, hoping that the old man would accept that.
'Yet again, he's right…' said the man, "How long will the trip last?" said the man, asking yet another question.
"One year." he replied bluntly.
"WHAT! One year? What in hells name do you need that much time for?" said the man, shocked that he needed that much time.
"There is a lot of stuff that I want to finish, one being my kenjutsu stances, two training my elemental affinity. Three, working on my Ninjutsu, and four, developing my Sharingan Techniques." replied the blond. "Oh, and old man, could I learn Kage Bushin no Jutsu?" asked the blond finally.
'So he knows that he's unable to use the normal clone technique, I was hoping that he would learn it in the third year at the academy. No use denying it now. He brings up valid points as well. I can't deny this trip.' thought the man, sighing deeply in defeat. "Alright Naruto, I accept the proposition. Is their anything you would need to bring with you?"
Taking up a thinking pose, "I can make storage scrolls, so traveling is not a problem. I will need at least a months worth of food. I will need ninja jutsu scrolls, as well as jutsu relating to my affinity. I will need about 300 kunai and shuriken, in which I can buy myself along with a hatchet, carving knife, and about 1,000 matches."
'Quite a bit huh? But why just one month of food?' thought the man, "Naruto, why only one month?"
"That's the reason why I asked for the Kage Bushin no Jutsu, before I leave next month, I want to learn everything about cooking, fishing, gathering, hunting, as well as medical herbs." replied the blond.
'Very clever.' thought the man before going into the top drawer of his desk, and grabbed a wad of cash and handed it over to the blond. "Here you go, 100,000 ryo for you to get the supplies as well as to bring with you incase you need to stop in a nearby town." said the man. "I will give you a copy of the Kage Bushin no Jutsu tomorrow morning. I will also tell you the conditions that you will follow while on the trip. Understood?" said the elderly man.
"Hai!" replied the blond as he turned towards the door. "I'll see you tomorrow old man!" he shouted quietly as he walked out. Taking a route to the "Shinobi Express" he went off and bought 300 kunai and shuriken, as well as some extra clothing, losing about 5,000 ryo.
He then took off to the grocery store. Henging into a citizen, he went on a shopping spree. Buying everything, from vegetables, to ramen, to some meat and imperishables. Storing them all within a scroll. He headed to a hobbie shop, and bought a hatchet and a axe for chopping, 50,000 nails, as well as a carving knife, a hundred spindles of string, a hundred needles. Along with the items, he bought three books. "Woodcutting for Apprentices, Carving and Sculpting for Homebuilders and Carpenters, and Hide Sewing for The Lone Hunter." Along with this, he bought 1,000 blank scrolls, and 10,000 empty sheets of paper. It totaled about 70,000 ryo with everything so far. He stored it all into multiple scrolls as he took off towards home. He took out a piece of paper and channeled chakra into it. It split into two parts, 'Wind' one side ignited 'Fire' and the other side crumpled 'Lightning.'
'Three affinities! And their all strong! That's almost impossible, especially at my age. He soon arrived that night, following the same routine, getting tackled, examining dented targets and seeing improvement, and making sandwiches. The duo feel asleep.
Waking up the next morning, making more sandwiches of course. Naruto walked to the Hokage's office ecstatic that he will be learning an awesome technique, and getting jutsu scrolls. He slowly reached the top floor of the tower. To find the Hokage sleeping yet again. The old man muttered something about 'disrespectful blonds and evil paperwork.' Chucking, he decided to give the 'professor' a lesson. "Oi! Old man, want to know a secret to defeating paperwork?" exclaimed the blond.
Getting the mans attention right away, he looked excited to finally defeat his nemesis. "WHAT !WHAT! Please tell me!" said the man, in an obviously desperate and rushed voice.
"Heh.. Heh… 'Kage Bushin no Jutsu'" replied the blond, almost dying at the wide-eyed Hokage. He then lost it when he started banging his head on the table at the most obvious solution.
"Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!" thought the man, laughing at himself while scolding as well. After a minute of his self-bashing, he regained himself, looking at the obvious smirk that the boy had plastered on his face. "Alright," said the man, handing him a scroll labeled 'Kage Bushin' "Now, tell me your affinity." ordered the man in a friendly manner.
"I have Wind…" the old man nodded, because his father had the same affinity. "…Fire…" musing as he saw the face of the old man. "…and Lightning." he finishing looking at the wide-eyed face of Sarutobi.
'THREE AFFINITIES!' the Hokage mentally yelled, 'That's almost unheard of for a five year old boy.' the old man, "Alright Naruto, I will get the scrolls for fire right now, as that element has the most available. The other elements will be here on Friday." he said, handing him a scroll named 'Fire'
"Thank you, old man." the blond bowed before leaving home. 'Finally time to learn the Kage Bushin…' When Naruto returned home, he noticed that she was still sleeping. He put the fire scroll into the closet, and sat down on the wooden floor. Taking the jutsu scroll, he opened it up. For the next three days, Naruto worked to exhaustion trying to master the jutsu. On his reserves, he could create 10 clones which uses 50% of his chakra. The day after, he sent five Bushins to master the "Tree-Climbing exercise," two to master his kata's, one to get books on the various subjects that he needs to study before the trip, and two of them to study the three jutsu scrolls that he got from the Hokage.
In the month before the date of leaving, he doubled his chakra resources, and is currently working on water-walking. He mastered two of the five katas in his sword. He also learned multiple jutsus in all three affinities. He wrote down these in a journal.
Fire: Hinotama no tekunikku, Okina hinotama no tekunikku, Kasai no sutorimu, Fenikkusufaiaborutekunikku, Taika no sutorimu, and Hi ryu no dangan.
Wind: Kaze pamu, Fujin no ha, Kaze no shinku buretto, Subarashii kaze u~oru and Kaze shuriken.
Lightning: Raitoningusufia, Chikyu no dendo, Raijin no boruto and Mahi no strike.
Ninja Techniques: Chakura no hari, Kakusa reta misuto-jutsu, Kunai bushin no jutsu and Tomei-sei no tekunikku.
He also obtained knowledge of camping, cooking in the wilderness, hunting, woodcutting, wood crafting, house making, tailoring, sewing, herbs, gathering, and many other useful abilities for living in a forest. Sealing up everything needed for the trip, he strolled along to the Hokage tower. He entered his office to see him doing paperwork. "Hiya old man, It's time for me to set off!" he said excitedly.
"Are you sure you wish to go?" asked the Hokage.
"Hai old man, I'm ready for everything!" exclaimed the blond with a grin present.
"Ok, do you have everything?" asked the man, seeing a nod he continued, "Remember, don't get yourself into any trouble while you're out their. If you are near a town, send me a letter every month or so." finished the man,
"You got it old man, now I think it's time to take my leave." said Naruto as he walked up to give his surrogate grandfather a hug.
"Good luck Naruto, and comeback in one piece." said with a softened smile.
"I can't make a promise old man." said the chuckling blond as he left the building. Going to the ramen stand, he said his farewells, and left for his apartment for one last goodbye. Taking the letter he got from the Hokage to go to the Sarutobi estate until Naruto get's back. Walking into the apartment, he gets tackled again by the brown-haired bundle of joy.
"Onii-chan!" exclaimed the girl.
"Oi! Nee-chan, I'm going to be gone for the next year, take this and go to the Sarutobi residence near the Hokage tower." said the blond, watching the depression sink in as he finished the sentence.
"…Aww… why do ya' gotta go, nii-chan!" said Umi, "I wan' you to stay here!"
"I'm sorry Umi, but this is for the better good. You'll be able to meet other people, and he'll help you train a little. This is good for me as I'll become stronger to protect you." said the blond.
"I guess you're right onii-chan… but you better send me letters!" shouted the brunette as she sat on the bed with a childish pout.
"I will, I will, don't worry. Come here and give me a hug before I must leave." said the blond, bracing himself for another tackle, only to be surprised when she walked up and just hugged tightly.
"Stay safe, don't leave me forever." said the teary girl, mumbling into his chest.
"Trust me, I won't leave you. I must go now." he said softly, as he pried apart himself from the girl. As he left, he heard some sobbing. 'Poor Umi, I hope she doesn't act like this everyday. It makes me feel guilty.' thought the now saddening sobs being heard through the hallway. Taking off towards the gates, he went to a snack shack, and bought a candy bar for the trip. When he arrived at the enormous double doors of the gate, he double checked everything. When satisfactory, he walked out the gate, only to be stopped by a gate guard.
"Halt, why are you leaving." ordered the man.
He grabs a note from his pocket and hands it to the guard. "That should explain everything."
"Ok, every thing is satisfactory, Good luck on your trip." finished the guard.
"Thank you." as he set off into the forest. He watched as small animals skittered across the tree branches and the forest floor. Light permeating from the canopy, berries and fruits covered some bushes, while exotic plants marred the landscape. The hundreds of noises coming together in almost a symphony of bugs, birds, animals, and footsteps. He just observed this for the next two hours. The day was getting older, while night became young. He unsealed a sleeping tent, and prepared to fall asleep. Making five Kage Bushin's, he set them on patrol while he slept.
Waking to the sounds of thousands of birds, he dispelled one clone every minute so he can prevent a headache from occurring from the information. Taking a small ration bar from the food scroll, he ate that as he sealed up his tent for his journey ahead. The next three hours were uneventful. He came to a small town called Karakura. (I know, Bleach reference.) The town was a moderately town, and had a decently sized population. He came across a inn, and decided to stay for the day to make plans for his trip. Once inside, he started his plans.
Month 1-4: Kenjutsu and Chakra Control
Month 5-8: Speed and Strength training
Month 9-12: Ninjutsu, Fuuinjutsu and Doujutsu Training
'Perfect.' thought the blond, as he yawned from the exhausting day of planning.
Over the next year
During his first month, he trained almost exclusively on his kenjutsu, using his Kage Bushin's for sparring partners and have them watch for any faults in the style. He mastered the Gorudenfokkusudifenda (Golden Fox Defender) stance of his style, perfect against stronger opponents. He also completed the Water-walking exercise, and is mastering it while doing the leaf exercise when he can. His chakra control increased to that of High-genin.
For the next three months, he finally mastered his other katas in the style, and is developing another style called Taigasuneku no dansu. Doing kunai balancing while walking on water has increased his reserves by two, and his control is now resting on low-chunin.
During the next four months after that, he worked entirely on training his body. Passing out often from exhaustion. His speed increased to that of a high-genin, and strength resides near low-chunin. His weights weigh almost 250 pounds.
The last four months were the most exciting. He finished all the scrolls for fuuinjutsu, and completed the 'Fire' scroll. He also worked on his Mangekyo techniques, and with his increased chakra stores, he was able to last longer. He is now able to do all the fire and wind jutsu's before the trip without handsigns, and mastered the lightning jutsus to the point that he uses less chakra for the same effect.
His body has changed too. His body is extremely well toned, his muscles are of a athletic build. He also grew 4 inches, and his hair grew out a little more, making his hair even more untamed.
During his trip, he also went to Wave Country, and met some interesting people.
Flashback no Jutsu
Naruto has just began his 7th month outside the village.
"…ugh… how far is Wave…" said a now frustrated blond. Snowflakes falling leisurely from the sky, blanketing the landscape in a thin white layer. Looking ahead he found a small cottage residing near a small lake. Deciding it should be time to settle down for tonight, he headed there. Looking for a inn, he stumbled across a child, a year older then him manipulating the ice into water, and back again. 'Hyoton huh?' That's quite interesting. Walking up to the child, "Hello there, what's your name?" he asked politely to the girl.
"H-hello, I-I'm Hak-u. Wh-whats yours?" she asked stuttering.
"Naruto Uzumaki, glad to meet you." Naruto smiled warmly at the shy girl. A figure watched them, and smiled. "Do you know if there are any inn's available? I need a place to stay till I can get to Wave Country." asked the blond.
"No, but you can stay at this house for 1,000 ryo." said a new voice. He turned to see a woman about 26, dark black hair and hazel eyes. Greyish-brown garments with a pinkish apron adorned the torso.
"Perfect! That will be fine." said the blond, "and you are…?"
"Call me Hitomi, Naruto-san." said the women now dubbed as Hitomi, "What's a kid your age doing out here by yourself?" she asked curiously.
"I'm on a training trip. In six years I'm becoming a ninja." said the blond. "Also, there are some techniques I want to keep secret." finished the blond.
"Very well, as long as you don't cause any trouble, you are welcome here." said the women with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Hitomi-chan." said the blond, grabbing about 2,000 ryo from a scroll. "Here you go, I gave you double for your hospitality." After a short argument, he persuaded the woman to take the money. The woman slowly showed him his room for the night.
"Here you go, Is there anything you need?" asked the woman.
"No thank you, now I need to get to bed, good night Hitomi-chan." said the yawning blond.
"Good night Naruto-san." whispered Hitomi as she closed the door.
Waking up to the sound of water and the radiance of the sunlight peering into the window. He sleepily got up, and went downstairs. Eating a breakfast made by Hitomi, as well as helping her clean up, he decided to play with Haku for a little bit.
"Ohayo Haku-chan!" the blond exclaimed as he approached her near the lake.
"H-hi Na-naruto-san." said the shy girl. Naruto interally scowled, 'She needs some confidence.'
"Do you want to play?" asked the blond, smiling at her.
"S-sure…" said the girl as they played for a good amount of the morning hours. Activities arranging from simple catch, to swimming in the freezing cold waters, to watching her manipulate ice. When it reached about noon, he decided that it was time to leave.
"Eh. Haku, I have to go." said the blond, and noticed the depression falling upon the girls face. "Hey, don't be down, I'll come and visit whenever I can!" finished the blond, smiling as the girl's face lightened up.
"YAY!" said the girl as she tackled the blond.
'This seems awfully familiar. I think I have another nee-chan…' thought the blond sighing as the girl got up, but chuckling mentally with his tenant. "Ok, time for me to go, I'll attempt to see you whenever I can!" shouted the blond as he left the front gate.
Later that day, Yagura, the current Mizukage, initiated the bloodline purge of Kirigakure.
Flashback no Jutsu KAI!
He grimaced as he remembered Kiri ninjas roaming the lands near the village. He prayed for Haku's family and safety. He was on the path towards Konoha, stretching and yawning. He now wore orange pants, with white bands and a shuriken holder on his right leg. His torso was adorned with a black muscle shirt, showing his muscles. Across his back was a sheath for his wakizashi.
'Man, I can't wait to see Umi, it's been so long. I wonder how she's doing.' thought the blond as he paced towards the hidden village. He was about two hours at his pace, and he decided to speed it up. He jumped on a branch and took of at an amazing speed. When he arrived, he met the same guard that was positioned there last time.
"Halt, state yo -" the guard paused as he remembered the same kid who left about a year ago. "Ahh… Welcome back Naruto, how was the trip?" asked the guard, curious to the details of the trip.
"Oh, it was great, I trained a whole bunch and got stronger, I also went to some towns around the Mist and Fire countries." replied the blond.
"Wow, that sounds like a fun trip. Good thing you're safe, the Yondaime Mizukage just initiated the Bloodline purge around five months ago."
"Yeah… I know…" said the blond, his face became a bit darker.
"Is something wrong?" asked the guard noticing the bit of sadness that came across his face.
"Yeah, I met someone their who had a bloodline, I'm somewhat worried about them as the offered me a home for the night."
"Hmm… Maybe their alright, just keep hoping that their alright, and you'll meet them again." said the guard trying to cheer the usual bundle of energy.
"Thanks -"
"Call me Kotetsu." said the guard.
"Thanks Kotetsu-san." said a now smiling blond. "I hafta get to the tower to report to the old man." he said as he walked to the tower.
"Alright, have a good day, and welcome back to Konoha!" shouted the guard. 'Did he just call the Hokage 'Old man'?' asked the stupefied guard.
"You too!" he shouted back as he shunshin'ed to the tower. "Hey old man!" yelled the blond inside the tower.
"Whaa! WHOS THERE!" shouted the Hokage as he got into a fighting stance. He relaxed when he noticed the spiky blond hair. "Ahh… gave me a scare there Naruto." said the aged man. He walked up to the boy, got down on his knees and hugged his surrogate grandson. "Welcome home, Naruto." he said softly to him.
"Glad to be home…" he responded. He pryed himself from the man, and grabbed a scroll. "Here's everything that I finished, and here's a debrief of what occurred during the trip." Naruto said as he handed him a scroll and a envelope. "Now, old man, can I join the academy?" said Naruto?
"Sure, it actually starts tomorrow, so it's a good time you got here today. I'll get everything for paperwork done tomorrow. Arrive tomorrow at the academy at 7:30 am in room 201." said the Hokage.
"Oh, and before I go, how's Umi doing?" said the blond.
The Old man's face lightened into a warm smile. "She's doing absolutely great. She decided to go to the academy as well, so you'll be in the same class."
"YATTA!" exclaimed Naruto.
"Now, now. Her marksman skills with projectiles is prodigical. Everytime we had target practice at the estate, she never missed a hit, and always landed in the bullseye. She has a real knack for weapons. She's already done with the beginner book for her sword."
"Woah, she is good!" said the blond happily, if a bit jealous.
"Oh, so you're jealous of your nee-chan?" said the Hokage teasingly.
Blushing embarrassedly, "Noo… I'm happy for her." he said genuinely. "Anyways, it's time for me to go. I'll see you later old man!" he said as he vanished in a poof.
At Naruto's apartment
'Oh my god, onii-chan is coming home today!' squealed the girl mentally. 'He's gonna be so proud and stuff of me!' She was brought out of her thinking when a poof appeared in the room. Often the Hokage comes at the time to pick her up. "Hello Hokage-sama." she said as she bowed at the smoke.
"Oh ho ho ho, I'm a bit young to be the Hokage yet nee-chan." Naruto said chuckling. Only to be tackled on the hard floor. "Umph!"
"ONII-CHAN! You're back!" shouted the girl, hugging him like her life depended on it.
"Can't… bre..ath…" the blond stuttered trying to breath from the bone-crushing hug.
"Oh, sorry onii-chan." said the girl, releasing her self from the blond.
"Oh, it's quite alright." said the blond, regaining his breath. "Now, how was the last year without me?" said Naruto curious.
"Oh it was great…" said the girl, "but not as fun as it would have been if you were here" the girl finished.
"Oh really, What did you do?" asked the blond.
"Oh we did a bunch of stuff…" she said as she explained many things that she did. Ranging from outsmarting the Hokage in a game of ninja. Naruto fell to the floor laughing with that one, and decided it was good for blackmail. Naruto's face shined in pride every time she got perfect scores on target practicing as well as chakra exercises. She also told him of the time when she played with Sarutobi's grandson, Konohamaru.
"So you were quite busy, eh?" the boy stated more then answering. After seeing the girl nod, he extended a hand and ruffled her hair to her embarrassment. "I'm proud of you nee-chan."
"Thank you, onii-chan." said the girl.
"I think it's time to go to bed, The academy starts tomorrow, and I don't want to be tired." said the blond sagely.
"Hai, Good night, onii-chan.' the girl said why yawning.
"Good night nee-chan…" he replied as he fell asleep.
'I wonder how the academy is, and hopefully the kids don't feel the same way their parent's feel. Oh well, what happens happens' he thought, 'As long as nothing happens to Umi…' he thought worriedly.
Techniques/Jutsu:
Hinotama no tekunikku (Fireball Technique): A high D-rank to low C-rank fire jutsu. This jutsu isn't the best for combat, however it comes in use for distractions as well as other uses including starting fires.
Okina hinotama no tekunikku (Great Fireball Technique): The successor of the Hinotama no tekunikku, in which the rank is upgrade to that of a mid C-rank to high C-rank. This launches a huge amount of fire towards the enemy, the size depends on the amount of chakra used.
Fenikkusufaiaborutekunikku (Phoenix Fireball Technique): A low C-rank to high C-rank fire jutsu for use against multiple opponents. Instead of one fireball, multiple are fired. The amount of fireballs as well as accuracy increases the rank.
Kasai no sutorimu (Fire Stream): A low C-rank to mid C-rank fire jutsu, in which fire is expelled from the mouth for an indefinite amount of time. The more chakra added, the stronger and longer the jutsu lasts.
Taika no sutorimu (Great Fire Stream): The successor of the Kasai no sutorimu, which the product is much larger then it's predecessor. It is upgraded to a high C-rank to low B-rank.
Hi ryu no dangan (Fire Dragon Bullet): A low B-rank to high A-rank fire jutsu. The user emit's a fire dragon via the mouth, and commands it via chakra. It allows for following the target for a certain amount of times. The more chakra, the larger and more powerful the jutsu is.
Fujin no ha (Blade of the Wind God): A mid C-rank wind jutsu that requires the use of a bladed weapon. Using wind chakra and while channeling it into the blade. You slash and 'release' the chakra into a compressed sickle bladed attack.
Kaze no shinku buretto (Wind Vacuum Bullet): A low C-rank jutsu that compresses air in your mouth, and shoot it at the enemies at amazing speeds.
Subarashii kaze u~oru (Great Wind Wall): A B-rank wind jutsu, that summons a large wall of a wind towards the enemy, both knocking back weapons and objects while blowing back enemies.
Kaze shuriken (Wind Shuriken): A B-rank jutsu that compresses wind into a shuriken while throwing them at the enemy. These shuriken are sharper and faster then normal shuriken.
Raitoningusufia (Lightning Sphere): A B-rank jutsu that is visually similar to the Rasengan. It compresses lightning into a sphere roughly the size of the first. You can throw it for a ranged attack, or use it for melee.
Chikyu no dendo (Earth Conduction): A B-rank jutsu that conducts electricity into the ground and shoots out wherever you wish, within a certain area depending on how much chakra you use.
Mahi no strike (Paralyzation Strike): A C-rank jutsu that allows the user to temporarily disable the use of limbs, or even the entire body if used on the head. Can also be used to start hearts back up.
Raijin no boruto (Bolt of the Thunder God): A A-rank jutsu in which the user sends a compressed bolt of lightning from their palms towards their enemies at the speed of light.
Chakura no hari (Chakra Needles): A basic C-rank chakra jutsu that allows the user to change their chakra into razor sharp needles and launch them towards the enemy.
Taigasuneku no dansu (Dance of the Tiger Snake): A wakizashi style developed by Naruto Uzumaki. This style uses the strength of a tiger with the speed of a snake. It's a balanced style of both Offensive and Defensive attacks. Using elemental chakra in the blade increases the overall effectiveness of the style.
Whew, that was the longest chapter made so far. Hopefully you enjoyed. Next chapter may be out next week! See you next time. *Vanishes in poof*