The Third Ring: Labyrinth of Disaster

Everyone wakes up to what has become the standard fare: Naruto's screams as Sakura beats on him. "Women are crazy, they're such a drag.", Shikamaru states as he stands up outside his tent. Ino hears this & starts to stomp toward him. "At least Sakura's making sure we wake up on time, but yeah, girls are crazy.", Sasuke replies as he drops a bag down & starts building a fire. Ino stops, & at hearing this she runs off to find a place to cry because Sasuke thinks she's crazy. Shikamaru sits down & pulls a dead rabbit out of the bag Sasuke set down a moment ago. Naruto joins them a moment later & together the 3 of them start to prepare breakfast.

"So, how was the beating this morning?", Sasuke asks bluntly. Naruto looks away & rubs his forehead in frustration before replying, "It's not that I mind Sakura hitting on me, but she's doing it all wrong. She's beating all the wrong places!", he smiles goofily until Sakura screams, "WHAT WAS THAT NARUTO?!?!?!". Sasuke & Shikamaru laugh as a very worried & fearful look spreads onto Naruto's face. As Sakura walks out of the tent, Naruto says fearfully, "Nothing Sakura, nothing. We're just making breakfast, that's all.". A big, almost creepy, smile appears on her face before she asks, "Good. So where's Ino-pig?". The others are silent for a moment before Shikamaru answers, "She went running off that way, she looked upset so I decided to leave her alone.". Sakura simply shrugs & goes into her tent to change clothes when she looks over at Naruto, "Naruto, can you do me a favor?", she asks him sweetly. Naruto glances over at her & Sakura yells, "PUT SOME DAMN CLOTHES ON!".

Naruto puts on clothes & everyone is now eating breakfast, everyone except Ino that is. "Did Ino sleep in again? Sakura, please wake her up before the food is all gone.", Tsachi requests as he slaps Naruto's hand away from the food for the 3rd time now. Shikamaru states, "She woke up awhile ago, but she ran off. She looked really upset & I thought it was 1 of those 'woman things' so I left her alone.". Tsachi sets his plate on the ground & stands up before activating his Byakugan. He scans the surrounding area & eventually he does see Ino, but it isn't good.

"Shit. WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!", Tsachi exclaims loudly. They all look up at him & Kurenai says, "Hey, watch your language Tsachi! You need to be setting an example!". Tsachi blinks & his bright blue eyes are back, "We don't have time. Look over there.", he states before pointing Northeast. As they all look, they're shocked to find a large stone building of some kind. Naruto inquires, "What the fuck is that?", & nobody responds at first. They just stare in shock until Tsachi finally speaks up, "It's a maze of some kind, & Ino is inside.".

They all pack up quickly & head toward the maze, & more importantly Ino, as quickly as possible. "This is probably a trap.", Kurenai states as they enter. Tsachi quickly replies, "Most likely, but Ino fell into it & we have to get her out.". The team gets to an intersection, & the entrance closes behind them. Everyone looks around, except Tsachi & Shikamaru, who are thinking of what to do. Tsachi activate his Byakugan, but can't find a way out. "Dammit, I hate to have to do this, but I've got no choice.", Tsachi states before standing up. "Do what?", Sakura inquires while sounding worried. Tsachi activates his Rinnegan & tells everyone to stand back.

Six Paths: Deva Deviation!

Tsachi's body shimmers, & starts to waver. It's like his body is blinking in & out of existance while being seperated into 2 different beings. A moment later, there are 2 Tsachi's standing in front of them. 1 looks normal, while the other 1 is shiny and has some kind of line drawn on his forehead. "As cool as that looked, what did you really do to help?", Sasuke inquires curiously, the others nodding as they wonder the same thing.

Tsachi smiles & answers, "For some reason, the powers of the Rinnegan are tied to the Buddhist lore of Samsara. Within the Inner Path, there are six paths of their own, Deva being the highest. The Rinnegan allows me to split my body, & as the books say, 'tread each of the paths separately'. In other words, I can divide myself mulitple times into multiple forms. I don't like it, because after 2 it splits my chakra & abilities too much, but this is the only way I can find out how to get the hell out of here & save Ino.". They all look at him confused, & Tsachi looks at Deva, who proceeds to jump into the air & develop wings.

As Deva flies above the maze, everyone but Tsachi is staring in amazement. In the meantime, Tsachi has his eyes closed. Deva flies back down & closes his wings, Tsachi opens his eyes & smiles. "Good work Deva. Now, we're splitting up. You all go with Deva & get Ino. I have to go find the jerk who did this.", Tsachi states as he heads to the left. Deva starts walking to the right & Kurenai says, "Wait, you better explain things better than that or this 'Deva' guy is on his own.". Tsachi turns back around & replies, "There's no exit, only a path that leads to a guy, most likely the guy who made this. Deva & I can share sight, & when he was up in the air we used our Rinnegan & Byakugan together to go through the entire maze. Anymore questions?", they all look at Tsachi & then Deva before shaking their heads. Tsachi starts to walk off & the others follow Deva.

Deva says nothing as they walk, even when asked questions about how Tsachi can see what he sees or why they both have the Rinnegan active. Eventually they just stopped asking questions altogether & followed the silent, well they weren't sure what Deva was, he isn't a clone & he isn't a person so they wondered that while keeping an eye out for traps, & for Ino. They do get to her, & without too many problems. The biggest, & really the only, thing they had to deal with was Ino's crying. "What's wrong Ino?", Kurenai asks after rushing over to her. Ino sniffles & coughs before replying, "Sssss-ss-SASUKE THINKS I'M CRAZY!", she sobs for a moment while Shikamaru & Naruto try not to laugh & Sasuke wishes that they didn't go after her. Ino calms down after a moment & continues, "There were all these traps, & really scary monsters coming after me & I just wanna get out of here Kurenai-sensei! Please tell me you know how!". Kurenai shakes her head slowly, causing Ino to cry more & more.

Sakura walks over & punches Ino in the back of her head, hard. The blonde chunin collapses into Kurenai's arms & Sakura says, "Well that takes care of that. Now to find Tsachi.". She starts to walk the other direction when Deva stands in front of her, & for the 1st time words come out of his mouth, "I'm afraid I can't let you do that.".

You know what time it is....time for Naruto Trivia!

What are the names of the father/daughter duo that run Ichiraku?

A. Tsuchi & Ayume

B. Soupy & Ramenesha

C. Teuchi & Ayame

D. Tachi & Ayime

Well? Answer it already!

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Remember, if you cheat....

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Just don't cheat, trust me. You won't like the consequences......

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The answer is.......

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The answer is B! No....The answer is C. Teuchi & Ayame.

I hope it was tricky enough for ya! If not then, well good for you! Come back soon for more Naruto Trivia!