Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it's affiliates. If I did there would have been a ton of sex. Don't deny that's what you all have been thinking too.

"Speaking"

'Thinking'

Jutsu/Techniques

Flashbacks

Future Vision

A/N: Hello everyone! Your main man the superfly mack daddy THE-DUDE remixed here. It's been a while since the last chapter and I've learned a few new things. For Instance, did you know that mooses don't take kindly to being punched? (No mooses were harmed during the writing of this story. I got more harmed than that moose did!):-(

Anyway, this story is turning out nicely I must say. It's not as popular as my Prototype/JLU story but hopefully that will change as this story continues. I'd like to give shout outs to the 2 people who've been kind enough to review so far.

Blacksun: Thank you very much kind sir or madam. Sorry to disappoint but Sasuke isn't going to take the stand for a while. I'm not gonna lie, I really dislike Sasuke. But I do acknowledge that while post-timeskip Sasuke is an unforgivable bastard who should've rotted in jail for the rest of his life, pre-timeskip Sasuke was a pretty sympathetic character. He was never one of my favorites but he did become pretty likeable and I actually liked his friendship with the rest of Team 7. I still thought he could be redeemed after the VotE. So I will use this story to undo the damage wrought by Kishimoto and make Sasuke a semi-likeable character.

And thank you for the kind words for TD. That sexy sumbitch appreciates it.

Chow: Hells yeah man. Big brother isn't going to silence me. I know many of these stories get shelved but I'm not gonna stop. There may be large gaps between updates but I will only stop when this story is completed or I die, whichever comes first. So you and your friend will get to enjoy my lame ass jokes for years to come. ;-)


"Alright, who wants to go next?"

Everyone began to really think about who would go next. The vision they had just seen had shown them just how serious they could get and many of them wanted to be prepared.

The room was quiet for several minutes until the silence was broken by Choji, as he stood up and said, "I want to go next."

"Oh THIS should be good.", Kankuro said sarcastically.

Choji got a tick mark on his forehead. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It's just that I don't think we want to see if your favorite restaurant will put anything new on it's menu.", Kankuro said with a smirk.

"Why don't you come over here and say that?", Choji asked.

"I would but I don't want to get pulled in by your gravity.", Kankuro said.

Before things could escalate further, TD intervened. "Both of you seriously need to chill out.", he said. He turned to Kankuro and said, "Alright cat boy, why don't you just take a seat, put on some more blush and eyeliner, and respect this kid's authoritah. Do it right meow."

"It's war paint!", Kankuro yelled.

"Yeah, sure it is.", TD said.

"Hey man, what exactly are you doing?", Kiba asked TD out of nowhere.

TD was wearing dark blue jeans, grey shoes, and a grey shirt with dark blue sleeves with the words 'Is it cool in here or is it just me?' on the front. He had a hat with CALI on it and a bear over the letters that he had on backwards and a pair of black shades to complete his ensemble. He was casually leaning against a wall (which definitely wasn't there a minute ago) with what could only be described as swag.

"Oh you know, kickin' back, doing my thang. Gotta be ready if shit decides to go down.", TD said nonchalantly.

Kiba just gave him a flat stare. "Dude, leaning up against stuff and wearing sunglasses doesn't automatically make you cool.", he said.

"Well I beg to differ young blood, but that's neither here nor there. Now unless anyone else has something to say...", he looked around threateningly as if saying 'I dare you to', "...then we should continue on. Rikishi, come on up here."

"Rikishi?", Choji asked in confusion.

"Trust me little dude, it's a compliment.", TD said.

Choji just shrugged his shoulders and moved to the front. When he placed his hand on the pedestal The Voice said, "I hope you washed your hands because I don't want to wash off any grease or barbecue sauce."

Choji's face reddened and he swelled in anger and he looked like he wanted to smash her face In. Unfortunately he was unable to do anything since she didn't have a face. Or a body for that matter.

"Did you eat any strange cherry-flavored gum? Because you're turning red and look to be expanding.", The Voice said. "Oh wait, I guess that's just you. Looks like Wonka Is off the hook."

As the anger left Choji's body he began to feel a little depressed. He was wondering If he should've just stayed In his seat and kept his mouth shut. At least then he wouldn't have been made a fool of. He wasn't the only one in a bad mood. Shikamaru was getting irritated at what people were saying about Choji. He knew that Choji had low self-esteem and didn't appreciate people insulting his best friend. Just as he stood up to speak he was beaten to the punch.

"Hey that's enough.", TD said. "What did I tell you about being nice?"

"I'm just telling it like It is.", The Voice said.

"Well why don't you just take it down a notch. Unless you want me to put on Saturday Night Live nonstop for a month." (Disclaimer: I don't own SNL. Thank god for that.)

"Fine you bastard. But I won't make any promises.", The Voice said. "And stop breaking the fourth wall. Nobody wants to read a disclaimer in the middle of a story."

TD put down the cardboard sign with the disclaimer on It and stuck his tongue out. He turned to Choji and said, "Alrighty then, you can go ahead now Choji."

Choji was starting to feel a little glum. He again thought he made a mistake, but he figured that there was no use crying over spilled milk so he decided to push on. He put his hand back on the pedestal.

"Well I have a question, but...it seems kind of stupid now that I think about it.", Choji said in an unsure voice.

"Don't worry Choji, there are no such things as stupid questions. Only stupid A.I.", TD said with a smirk. The Voice gave what sounded like the machine equivalent of an Irritated sniff. TD gave a reassuring smile as he said. "The only thing that matters Is If YOU think It's Important."

Choji felt his nervousness begin to melt away when he heard that. "Well, in Neji's memory the other guys mentioned that I stayed behind to hold off another of those ninjas. I just want to know what happened.", he said, trying not to look too desperate.

"You ask it pretty casually, but I sense it's more than idle curiosity that drives you to ask.", The Voice said. "My guess Is that you're afraid that you were simply too weak to accomplish your task and your teammates abandoned you."

Choji looked at the ground as he said. "I just...I want to know if I was left behind because they had faith in me or they just had no other choice. I want to know if I'm able to carry my weight."

As Kankuro opened his mouth to make a remark TD snapped his fingers and a pie hit him in the face, effectively shutting him up.

"How could you think that was a stupid question Choji?", TD asked. "That's a very personal and important question, which is just the kind I'm looking for. Thank you for sharing it since I know it's not easy to admit your fears."

Choji couldn't think of anything to say back so stayed silent as he returned to his seat.

The screen came to life once again.

Choji and the others were inside what looked to be a dome made of rocks.

"It's up to you Choji.", Shikamaru told his friend with a confident grin.

"OK!", Choji replied. He placed his hands together and made a hand sign. "Expansion Jutsu!", he yelled as his body grew until it was shaped like a giant ball. "Alright, here we go!"

"Haroo!", he yelled as his arms retracted and chakra began shooting out.

"Haroo!", he yelled as the same happened to his legs.

"Haroo!", he yelled as his head followed suit.

"Human Boulder!", Choji yelled as he jumped into the air and began rapidly rolling. When he hit the ground he began barreling towards the wall of the dome before he impacted into it and began trying to break through.

Outside the dome, Jirobo had his hands on the rocky prison as he fed chakra into it to keep it going.

"Hey it's that fat guy Shikamaru was pretending to be.", Naruto said. "The other 3 said his name was Jirobo right?"

"Yeah, but that's all we really know about him. They never mentioned what his skills were.", Sakura said.

"Well it looks like he uses Doton (Earth Style) jutsu.", Ibiki said. "Though from the looks of him he probably just uses it to supplement his taijutsu."

"Yeah, definitely a brute force kind of guy.", Anko agreed.

Everyone stared at the two of them.

"How can you guys know that?", Ino asked with wide eyes.

"We're T&I blondie, It's our job to get information about people.", Anko said. "Before you can think about getting someone to talk you gotta learn every detail about who they are through a glance."

"She's right. And besides, your father would never let me hear the end of it if I wasn't able to read such an easy guy.", Ibiki said.

Ino had never known exactly the type of things her father did or how renowned he was in the T&I division. She was intrigued to say the least and resolved to ask him or Ibiki more about it in the future.

Kiba, Naruto, Neji, and Shikamaru watched on as Choji put forth everything he had In order to tear through the wall of their prison, giving a loud battlecry as he sent dust and debris flying.

Jirobo grit his teeth as he poured more chakra into the dome, but Choji increased his power even more as, with a final yell, he broke through the wall of the dome with a crash.

When the dust cleared the 5 Konoha-nin were standing outside, facing the hole that they had escaped from.

"Well Choji, there's no other way of saying it.", Shikamaru said with a smirk. "That was awesome!"

"That's an understatement.", Kiba said with a grin.

"Yeah!", Naruto said. "More like totally freakin' kick-ass!", he yelled and pumped his fist.

Hinata giggled at their antics and Ino and Sakura smiled and said," Idiots.", in fond voices.

Choji closed his eyes as he smiled widely and chuckled.

Jirobo's dome collapsed and he simply stared at Shikamaru's team.

"They managed to escape my barrier ninjutsu.", Jirobo said out loud.

Choji was panting from the effort of escaping.

"He's by himself.", Shikamaru said. "Guess the others went on ahead."

Shikamaru groaned.

"What's the matter?", Choji aasked him.

"We caught them and could've ended it then and there", Shikamaru said, "but not only did we let them escape, we got captured ourselves. Probably my fault."

"Don't worry, it took a team effort to get caught.", TD said cheerfully, to which he was subjected to numerous glares.

"Besides, we got out didn't we?", Choji asked Shikamaru.

"Well, you guys did suffer from a temporary breakdown in teamwork and a small mutiny but other than that it all went swimmingly.", TD said. He took a sandal to the face for that remark.

Neji looked around with his Byakugan.

"You're correct, they're nowhere to be seen.", he said.

"Swell.", Shikamaru said. "And just when I thought we'd finally caught up to them."

Tayuya, Sakon, and Kidomaru continued to move further and further away from them.

Jirobo put his hands above his head and slow-clapped mockingly.

"Not a bad bit of handiwork you guys...", Jirobo said with an evil smile. The retrieval team tensed. "...for a bunch of losers."

"What did he say?!", Naruto said.

"Yeah, where does this guy get off calling us losers?!", Kiba said.

"What?!", Naruto said.

"Who are you calling losers?!", Kiba said

"Guess some things never change huh?", Kurenai told the other sensei in a low voice, making them all chuckle.

Both Kiba and Naruto charged forward, to Shikamaru's surprise. Jirobo just smirked as he observed.

"Now that we're out you're toast pal!", Kiba said.

"Out of the way, this guy is mine!", Naruto said.

"Wait you two, stop!", Neji yelled.

"Good thing SOMEONE there is keeping a cool head.", Rin said.

The two boys grinned sheepishly while their friends and senseis chuckled; even Akamaru gave an amused bark. Unlike their future counterparts, Naruto and Kiba were not pumped up on adrenaline and could think clearer. Even they could see how foolish they were being.

Naruto and Kiba came to a halt and turned back when Neji spoke.

"There's no way we can take him head on, it's too dangerous.", Neji said.

"We just tore through this clown's barrier, how tough can he be?", Kiba retorted. He and Naruto turned back towards Jirobo as Kiba formed a hand sign. He crouched on all fours as Akamaru bared his teeth before launching himself forward, spinning like a drill. "Tunneling Fang!", he yelled, but right before he hit, Jirobo delivered a punch that knocked him several feet backwards.

Naruto jumped forward and made a hand sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!", he yelled as another Naruto appeared beside him. "Get a load of this you gorilla!", both of them yelled as they charged with their fists cocked. However, Jirobo simply knocked the real Naruto aside before catching the clone's fist and headbutting him, causing him to dispel as Naruto slammed into a tree and slid to the ground.

Naruto, Kiba, and Akamaru hung their heads in dejection as many of the Konoha genin, as well as Temari and Kankuro, snickered at their expense.

Sakura sighed. "You see what happens when you charge in without thinking Naruto?", she said. "You can't always overcome everything with brute strength and clones. You didn't even try to make one of your crazy plans."

"I agree.", Shino said. "I might also add that you should never let your guard down or underestimate someone due to a success."

"Alright we get it already.", Naruto said.

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourselves. That tub o' lard drained your chakra so none of you are in peak condition.",TD said.

This brightened the two boys moods and they both smiled as Akamaru barked happily.

"I'm gonna eat you guys for lunch.", Jirobo told the other four.

Kiba got to his feet again. "Try it.", he said.

Jirobo launched himself at Kiba. "Shoulder Charge", he said as he rammed Kiba with his shoulder. Naruto charged from his left ready to attack, but Jirobo hit him in the stomach with his knee, while saying, "Crushing Knee".

"He's just giving regular punches and kicks stupid names.", Obito said.

"And they're not even very original.", Rin said.

"Well most of the people working for Orochimaru aren't exactly the sharpest kunai in the pouch.", Anko replied.

Naruto landed next to Kiba.

"You wouldn't even do as an appetizer.", Jirobo said. He made a hand sign.

"Careful everyone, this guy is just getting warmed up.", Shikamaru warned the others.

Jirobo slammed his right hand onto the ground, sending a shockwave that cracked the ground and knocked Naruto back.

"Earth Style Barrier: Earth Dome Prison", he yelled

Choji jumped forward and made a hand sign as the earth around them began to rise.

"Expansion Jutsu", Choji yelled. His body grew into a giant ball once more. "Human Boulder", he yelled, except this time instead of rolling he spun in place, crushing the surrounding rock and creating a large cloud of dust that obscured Jirobo's vision.

Jirobo grunted in surprise, and when the cloud dispersed Choji and the others were gone.

"That was some quick thinking there Choji.", Asuma said with a smile.

"Yeah, you saved our asses man.", Kiba said. Akamaru barked in agreement.

"Yeah we would've been right back where we started without you.", Naruto said.

"Thank you Choji.", Neji said gratefully.

Choji felt his face heat up from all the attention and compliments he was getting. He smiled as he said, "It was nothing you guys."

"Look at you being all modest. That's so cute.", Ino said, not knowing the effect her words had on her friend. Choji's face went beet red and he became tongue-tied.

"Huh, hardly worth the effort.", Jirobo said as he stood back up. He began looking around to see where they went.

Shikamaru and the others regrouped in a space between some bushes. "We're running out of time.", Shikamaru said. "There's no choice, we gotta split up."

The others shifted in surprise when he said that.

"What'd be the point in that?", Naruto asked.

"No he's right.", Neji said. He used his Byakugan to observe Jirobo. "With all our chakra taken away, even with the five of us against him, he's not going to be easy to take out. And with every second that passes Sasuke gets closer to the border.", he said as It showed Tayuya, Kidomaru, and Sakon continue to get further away with the coffin. "Once he crosses It, It will all be out of our hands. So we should split into two groups: one to stop him and one to follow Sasuke."

"You'll head the 2nd team, ok Neji?", Shikamaru said.

"That's a difficult choice Shikamaru, but I think you made the right decision.", Asuma told his student. "You gotta know when to split up and when to stay together, even if it means risking the lives of you and your teammates."

"Yes, sometimes you have to put the mission first, even if you don't want to.", Kurenai said.

Kakashi-sensei didn't say anything, but his shoulders became tense at the conversation.

Jirobo continued to look around for them when he suddenly smirked.

With a loud roar he slammed his hands onto the ground, cracking the ground and toppling trees around him.

Naruto gasped and jumped out of the way of a falling tree and landed next to his comrades, who stared at Jirobo and the destruction he had caused.

Jirobo smirked again. "So there you are.", he said.

Shikamaru looked at Neji. "Neji, you take Kiba and Choji and head out after Sasuke.", he said.

"You got it.", Neji said with a nod.

"That obviously didn't work. Why? Because we know that Choji stayed behind alone to fight this man.", Shino said.

Shikamaru grit his teeth at the reminder.

Choji turned to Jirobo with a serious look on his face.

Shikamaru groaned. "Choji, I really hope you aren't going to do something stupidly brave.", he told his friend.

"Hey, I have no control over what my future self does.", Choji replied. "Besides, what makes you so sure I am going to do something?"

Shikamaru just rolled his eyes.

"Naruto, you and I will handle this guy.", Shikamaru said as he made a hand sign.

"What are you gonna do, play with my shadow again?", Jirobo asked, still with that annoying smirk on his face. "Don't waste my time kid. You already showed me your little parlor trick and once was enough."

"That's funny, I seem to remember someone around here getting taken in by that parlor trick.", Shikamaru said. As he spoke, his shadow was creeping steadily towards Jirobo. But unbeknownst to his enemy he had another shadow coming in behind him.

However, before either shadow reached him Jirobo's smirk grew wider and he smashed his palm into the ground, creating a large cloud of dust and debris.

Neji activated his byakugan and scanned the cloud, but by then Jirobo was gone.

"He's disappeared.", he told the others.

Kiba sniffed the air. He suddenly turned around and yelled, "He's behind us!"

Choji, Shikamaru, Naruto, and Neji whirled around in time to see Jirobo place his hands on the ground and rip up a chunk of rock at least 20 times his size.

"Holy hell! That's a large ass boulder.", Tenten said.

Tsunade scoffed. "Please. I could lift that pebble with my pinky finger.", she said.

Many of the genin looked at her incredulously, most not recognizing her, but Tenten looked awestruck.

"That's so awesome! Lady Tsunade could you please show that to me? And maybe give me a few pointers?", she asked her Idol.

"I'll think about it during the next break.", Tsunade said, inwardly pleased by Tenten's enthusiasm. 'Still got it.'

"Earth Style: Sphere of Graves"

"Are you insane?!", Naruto yelled with wide eyes.

With a great effort Jirobo threw the boulder at the konoha shinobi. They jumped out of the way of the rock as it flattened everything in it's path before it came to a stop.

The five of them landed in front of the unmoving chunk of earth, but Shikamaru looked around to see that once again Jirobo had vanished.

"Man, for a big guy he's fast on his feet.", Obito said.

"Yeah, and he's surprisingly good at stealth since he's able to fool the byakugan, if only temporarily.", Kakashi said.

The ground began to rumble. "Heads up you guys, there's another one coming.", Shikamaru said as he turned to the others. To his shock however, Jirobo's had burst out of the ground at his feet. He tried to jump away but It was too late as Jirobo grabbed him by the ankle. Jirobo leapt out of his hole and held Shikamaru upside down.

Jirobo laughed. "You're in charge of this ragtag bunch am I right?", he asked Shikamaru. Shikamaru grit his teeth in frustration. "When you've got an idiot for a leader the whole team suffers. Know what I mean?", Jirobo said with a smile on his face.

"Is he really calling a Nara of all people an idiot?", Tsunade asked incredulously. "Did they even bother gathering intel before breaking into one of the 5 great shinobi villages."

"Well like Anko said, they definitely aren't sharp.", Asuma said. He got a thoughtful look on his face. "How'd you even know he was a Nara?"

"Dude, he looks and acts like Shikaku did when he was young.", Kushina cut in. "And come on. Shikamaru? The ninja clans may be great but they are completely unimaginative with names."

"It's actually come up quite a few times when I've had conversations with some members over the years.", Hiruzen said. "Most of them say it's about clan tradition. But Tsume Inuzuka's father once confided in me, over several bottles of strong sake and some good herb, that most clans are just too lazy to come up with new names."

"Yep. And if I recall, Kiba...", Kurenai said, looking at the young Inuzuka. "...your name was originally Kubo. Apparently your parents had a wild party the night before and were too tired to notice their mistake and they didn't feel like correcting It afterwards."

"WHAAAAAAAAAAT?! You're telling me that my name is a TYPO?!", Kiba yelled as he clutched his head.

Shino and Hinata moved to calm Kiba down as Asuma leaned over to his girlfriend. "I don't remember Tsume ever mentioning that."

"That's because I made it up.", Kurenai said with a smile. "I'll tell him, eventually."

"You are one devious woman.", Asuma said.

"Aren't I?"

Choji narrowed his eyes and growled at Jirobo's words.

"You don't wanna follow a guy like this.", Jirobo said. He began twirling Shikamaru around above his head. "Lemme get rid of him for ya", he said as he threw Shikamaru at a tree.

"Expansion Jutsu", Choji yelled as he became a ball again. "Human Boulder", he yelled again. He quickly rolled until he was between Shikamaru and the tree. "Gotcha.", he said as Shikamaru bounced harmlessly off Choji's expanded stomach and landed on his feet.

"Thanks, Choji.", Shikamaru said.

"Aw, I try to help you guys out and look what you do.", Jirobo said. Choji shrunk back down to normal size. Jirobo's smile got wider. "I don't know which Is more pathetic: the fool or those who follow him." Naruto, Kiba, and Neji narrowed their eyes. "Tell you what, you don't wanna keep working under this glum-faced little shadow lover. I'll just kill ya now and put you outta your misery."

"It's time for you to shut your big mouth, or I'll come shut it for you!", Naruto yelled.

"Naruto!", Choji yelled. Naruto stopped and looked at Choji as the latter stood up. "I'll handle him, this guy is mine.", Choji said with a serious look on his face.

"Damnit Choji, why do you have to be a hero?", Shikamaru asked his friend. "Why couldn't you just wait for me to come up with a plan?"

"I don't know exactly what I might be thinking, but I'm sure I realize that this guy is not going to wait for you to come up with a strategy.", Choji said. He saw the grim look on his friend's face and gave Shikamaru a grin as he said, "Don't worry so much. I'm pretty sure I have some type of ace."

"That's just what I'm afraid of.", Shikamaru said, to the confusion of nearly everyone in the room.

Everyone, including Jirobo, was surprised by Choji's words.

"But Choji...", Shikamaru began.

"What the heck are you talking about? This isn't the kind of guy you can take on your own!", Naruto exclaimed.

"He's mine I said.", Choji said.

"Yeah but, Choji you're...", Naruto said.

Jirobo started grinning again.

Choji rummaged in his bag and pulled out a small pouch which he offered to Shikamaru. "Shikamaru, take these food pills for everyone."

Shikamaru had a stunned look on his face. "Choji, you're not gonna...?", he asked.

Choji simply smiled with his eyes closed. "Uh-huh. Don't worry I've got my secret weapon with me.", Choji replied.

"Yeah but Choji this is...", Shikamaru tried to say as he grabbed the pouch. Choji stepped forward resolutely.

"Oh this is priceless.", Jirobo said. "You think I'm gonna wait forever?!", he yelled before he charged at them.

"Heads up!", Naruto said.

"Enough of this, I'm taking you all out right here!", Jirobo yelled.

Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Naruto tensed defensively, but Choji dashed between them and Jirobo. "Get going hurry!", he said without taking his eyes off his enemy.

Choji reached into his bag again and pulled out a small case with 3 differently colored pills: 1 green, 1 yellow, and 1 red.

Choji let out a small gasp.

"Fuck, I really hate being right!", Shikamaru said.

"What are you talking about Shikamaru?", Ino asked.

"Yeah, what did Choji just pull out?", Sakura asked.

"Shikamaru, is that the trump card that Naruto mentioned before?", Neji asked.

Shikamaru stayed silent, but Choji decided to answer instead. "Yeah, I'm positive it is.", he said.

"But what...?", Naruto began, but he was interrupted by TD.

"Don't worry you'll find out in a minute.", he said, which successfully silenced all questions.

Choji popped open the compartment with the green pill.

'Pills?', Jirobo thought in confusion. 'Those aren't food pills. So what are they?'

'First the green Spinach Pill.', Choji thought as he swallowed said pill.

"Get out of my way you joke!", Jirobo said right before he collided with Choji.

A butterfly sat trapped in a spider's web as a loud thud was heard.

Jirobo groaned in pain as, instead of bowling Choji over, Choji stopped him dead in his tracks like a brick wall and gave a loud yell of exertion.

"Oh, wow.", Sakura said.

"You can say that again.", Ino said.

"Don't mess with the bull young man or you'll get the horns.",TD said as he held up the index and pinky fingers of his right hand.

"That really sums up the Akamichi clan better than I could ever say.", Hiruzen said with a smile.

'Impossible, he stopped me?! ', Jirobo thought.

"Shikamaru, take everybody and get out of here!", Choji said.

"Choji.", Shikamaru said in worry.

"What did the five of us join together for?", Choji asked. "If we lose Sasuke we'll be just what this guy says we are: a stupid idiot of a leader and his band of rejects!"

Naruto, Neji, and Kiba were shocked by Choji's resolve while Akamaru whimpered in worry.

Shikamaru had his eyes closed as he contemplated Choji's words. He opened his eyes and, with a tone of finality, said, "You better catch up with us Choji, you hear me?"

"Yeah. Get out of here, go already!", Choji yelled.

"Alright, let's move you guys.", Shikamaru told the other three.

"Right.", they said in unison before the four of them jumped away into the trees.

Shikamaru took one last look back. 'Choji.'

"Once I...finally finish you off you kid...your friends are gonna be next.", Jirobo said between his panting.

"That might not be as easy as you think it is!", Choji said.

Choji grit his teeth and gave a large grunt of exertion as he began to push harder against Jirobo. Jirobo dug his feet into the ground, but with a mighty crack the dirt beneath his feet crumbled. His feet dug 2 long grooves into the ground as Choji, with a loud yell, began pushing him back. With a great effort Jirobo was able to stop Choji's advance. A smirk appeared on Jirobo's face but it immediately turned into a look of shock as Choji lifted him completely off his feet.

With a loud yell Choji swung Jirobo. "I...will...!", Choji said as he tossed Jirobo at a tree. "...stop you!"

"Alright Choji, now you're showing him who's boss!", Ino yelled, pumping her fist in the air.

"Yosh! Young Choji's flames of youth are burning hotter than I have ever seen from him.", Gai said.

"Of course.", Ino said. She put an arm playfully around Choji. "There's no way that jackass is gonna take down my Choji here."

Choji had a warm feeling at in his chest from the way Ino referred to him as HER Choji, even if it wasn't in the way he would like.

Asuma smiled as he watched his students. 'Heh, Choji is really smitten with her. And Ino may not realize it yet, but she's getting closer to Choji than norrmal friends or teammates would.'

"They really complement each other don't they?", Kurenai whispered with a smile.

"Yep.", Asuma said. "Maybe someday they'll realize it too."

Jirobo tumbled along the ground, grunting in pain as he went, before slamming hard into a tree and slumping onto the ground.

Choji panted from the exertion yet he had a triumphant look on his face.

Meanwhile, the other members of the squad continued to chase after the rest of the sound ninja.

"A parting gift from Choji.", Shikamaru said as he tossed the pouch Choji had given him to Naruto. "Eat up."

"Got it. We owe you one Choji.", Naruto said as he grabbed a pill and swallowed it. "Kiba.", Naruto said to get his friend's attention. He tossed the pouch to Kiba.

"Thanks Naruto.", Kiba said.

"Shikamaru, that certain pill we saw Choji take back there. It seemed like some sort of last minute trump card.", Neji said. "Do you really think he can win?"

"Yeah I mean he said he had some sort of secret weapon on him.", Kiba said as he fed Akamaru a pill.

"Don't worry, Choji's got a plan up his sleeve. He brought along with him the Akamichi Clan's Secret Triple Threat.", Shikamaru explained. An image of the pills appeared in the boys' minds. "Pills that grant a person explosive power. There are 3 of them: green, yellow, and red. The amount of energy that each of those pills contains is absolutely massive."

"Oh I gotcha. So that's why he was acting so confident.", Naruto said.

"Let me get this straight. You had some ultra powerful ace in the hole and you didn't bother to tell us?!", Ino exclaimed. "And why the hell does Shikamaru know?"

"Simple, Choji and I are closer friends than you are.", Shikamaru explained. Noticing the indignant look on Ino's face he hastily said, "Not that we don't consider you a friend Ino. It's just that me and Choji have known each other for years, and we don't keep a lot of secrets from each other. I'm sure your dad would've told you about them eventually. "

Ino finally relaxed. "Well, I guess I'll forgive you. But as soon as we get out of here the three of us are gonna go out and have some fun together. We should get closer and be more open with each other."

"No problem Ino.", Choji said.

Shikamaru sighed. "Fine. I'll probably regret this but whatever, I'll go.", he said. "You're a very troublesome girl Ino, you know that."

"Who me?", Ino said with a smirk.

"Troublesome."

"Yeah. But any pill that works that well always comes with side-effects.", Shikamaru said gravely.

Back In the clearing, Choji was panting as he watched the downed form of Jirobo. Suddenly, the screens colors went negative and Choji scrunched his face and groaned in pain. 'I didn't think the Spinach Pill by itself would hurt so much.', he thought.

"Damn, it didn't even take that long for some negative effects to happen.", Rin said. "If this is what the first pill is like then I can't even imagine what the other two will do."

Shikamaru and the others continued on through the forest.

'I hope he can settle things with the green pill alone. Just don't take the red one Choji, whatever you do.', Shikamaru thought.

"Damn, I was afraid of being right.", Rin said.

"Well we can only hope that it doesn't get that far.", Minato said.

Choji had finally caught his breath as he stared at Jirobo. Suddenly, Choji's eyes widened and his pupils narrowed as he said, "I'm gonna finish this all in one blow."

He pulled out 2 wires which were covered in kunai. Jirobo looked up and began to stand as Choji started wrapping the wires around his body until he was covered in kunai knives.

Choji made a hand sign. "Expansion...Jutsu!", he yelled. He once again expanded into a ball, except this time he had sharpened kunai sticking out all over his body. His feet cracked the ground as he began rolling. "Spiky Human Boulder!", he yelled as he shot forward towards Jirobo. Jirobo barely managed to dodge out of the way. Choji hit the tree behind where Jirobo had been and tore through it like it was made of styrofoam.

"Damn Choji that's a pretty awesome move." Kiba said.

"You got that right. But why didn't you use this in the 2nd exam or the preliminaries?", Naruto asked.

"Well I just didn't want to kill anyone that's all.", Choji replied.

Choji turned with a screech and charged at Jirobo again.

'He's upped his rotation and destructive power by using those kunai-like spikes.', Jirobo thought as he raised his hands above his head.

Choji roared as he got closer and closer to Jirobo.

Jirobo slammed his hands onto the ground. "Earth Style: Terra Shield", Jirobo said. A large rectangular slab of rock rose from the ground and stood as a barrier against Choji.

Choji slammed into the earth shield which held for only a few seconds before Choji's attack began to break through.

"What the...?", Jirobo said as he tried to hold back the spike-covered ball. Choji's Spiky Human Boulder turned the wall into rubble and it began to push Jirobo back. With great effort Jirobo was able to slow down and stop the attack, but he groaned in pain as several kunai sliced into his flesh and blood began to drip onto the ground.

Choji had a hopeful look on his face as he thought, 'Did I do it?'

"Man, who knew Fatty had it in him?", Kankuro said. He grimaced as nearly every Konoha genin glared at him.

Hiruzen shook his head with a sigh. "It always surprises me how despite being a prominent clan of the Leaf Village and despite all the feats they've done which are just as impressive as any other clan's people still underestimate the Akamichi.", he said.

"Me too.", Asuma said. "Hell, Choza's reputation alone should make people be wary of the Akamichi Clan."

"Ah well, it doesn't matter If people are too lazy to look underneath the underneath. Most of them learn about the raw power of the Akamichi the hard way.", Jiraiya said.

As the others continued on their mission Akamaru whimpered something to Kiba.

"Yeah I know, I was just thinking the same thing myself.", Kiba said.

"What do you mean? What is he saying?", Naruto asked.

"You know how Akamaru can tell an enemy's strength just by his scent right?", Kiba asked. "He's pretty worried that Choji might not be able to take on that gargantuan alone, with just those pills to help him."

Shikamaru's brow furrowed when he heard that.

"He's right to be. If we're looking at it objectively, that giant's ability is an unknown. The chances of Choji defeating him may be close to zero.", Neji said. "However, that's very often the case in battle."

"Well aren`t you all just balls of sunshine.", Anko said sarcastically

A tense look appeared on Choji`s face as barb-like red glowing marks started spreading from Jirobo`s neck. They covered his face and part of his torso before stopping and turning pitch black.

"Shit, him too?", Kushina asked incredulously.

"i think it would be safe to assume that all 4 of them have curse marks.", Hiruzen said.

Anko growled.

"Don`t get carried away you little fool.", Jirobo said. He quickly jumped back a foot and thrust his palm into Choji`s gut yelling, "Shatter Palm!"

The force of the blow caused Choji to shrink back to normal and sent him flying backwards, yelling in pain. The kunai wires wrapped around him flew off as he hit the ground hard.

"Ha, no one ever told ya`? In every team of 5 there`s always somebody in the mix who`s just dead weight. The guy who`s always the butt of everyone`s jokes. And when thick comes to thin he gets cast aside, like the worthless pawn he is.", Jirobo viciously said. "That`s who you are.", Jirobo finished as Choji tried to get up again.

"This guy really likes the sound of his own voice doesn`t he?", Kakashi said.

"Don`t listen to this ass hat Choji. You have more power in your little finger than he has in his whole body.", Naruto said.

"In fact, you probably COULD crush him with just your little finger.", Kiba said.

"Yeah Choji, you`re incredible.", Ino said. "And don`t let some worthless asshole try to tell you otherwise."

Choji smiled due to his friends` words. It wasn`t just what they said that made him happy but the fact that they meant it. They really believed that he would win.

Asuma had a disapproving look on his face as he said, "Look Choji, you`ve gotta stop thinking about food. Do some training for once."

Asuma received many glares from that, particularly from Shikamaru and Ino.

"Don`t look at me like that, I haven`t said it yet!", he said. But with a guilty conscience he thought, 'Not like i haven`t said anything similar before.' Asuma looked at Choji and when he saw the hurt expression on his face he felt like Gai had kicked him in the gut. He always thought that Choji, like Shikamaru, simply didn`t care about training, which is why he was always lecturing him. He thought that he had been firm but fair, but hearing the words he would say made him realize that he just sounded insensitive. 'If I knew that Choji had such bad self-esteem issues I would have handled things differently.'

Asuma made a vow that from now on he would change the way he handled Team 10.

The screen changed to show Ino.

"Ridiculous stunts like this are why everyone always makes fun of you.", ino said. "You`re such a fat...", she began before the image faded out.

Ino looked horrified that her future self so casually said THAT word knowing how sensitive Choji was about stuff like that.

"Choji I...", Ino began but she was cut off by Choji.

"Don`t worry Ino, it`s okay.", he said.

Ino became irritated by how easily Choji let what she said slide.

"It`s not alright Choji, what I said to you was horrible!", Ino said. "You`ve gotta stop letting people get away with stuff like that. Even if they`re your friends."

"I`m not letting you get away with anything Ino. I`m not angry at you because I know you didn`t really mean it.", Choji said. "We`re friends and sometimes friends slip up and say bad things to each other in the heat of the moment. Nobody`s perfect Ino. I`m not gonna throw away years of friendship just because of 1 stupid fight. Especially since you so obviously regret it."

Ino had a small smile on her face. "You know Choji, there should be more people like you in the world."

Naruto appeared on the screen looking livid.

"But for this kind of thing don`t you think your first choice should be someone like Shino?!", he yelled.

The image changed to show Kiba with a frown on his face

"Come on. I mean how useless can you be? Seriously.", he said.

Kiba and Naruto had their heads down looking dejected.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes at his friends` behavior. "Weren`t you guys listening to what Choji said just now. Besides, you two have said worse stuff to each other and you seem to still be as close as ever.", he said.

Which served to break the aura of gloom over their heads.

Choji was standing on the shore of a small lake with a waterfall. He panted as he held a hand sign, sweat dripping onto the ground.

'No matter how hard I try on my own I...!', he thought as the ground cracked under his feet. He gave a loud yell as he began to grow larger before the image faded away.

in the present, Choji panted as he glared at Jirobo.

"Looks like I hit it right on the nose.", Jirobo said. "Ha, it looks as though the Leaf Village is running short on ninja, if they`re sending out bunglers like you to be part of a search team". Choji made it to his feet as Jirobo ran at him. "What do you say we put an end to this?", Jirobo said.

Choji dodged the first few punches Jirobo threw, but he wasn`t fast enough to avoid one that smashed into his right cheek.

"Knee Slam!", Jirobo yelled as he drove his knee into Choji`s chest. "Shoulder Charge!", he yelled as he charged into Choji, sending Choji tumbling backwards.

"A loser right to the end. You started out well, but that backbone you showed sure didn`t last long.", jirobo said as he began to walk towards Choji. "You`re the epitome of failure."

Choji watched as his future self was being beaten and talked down to. He felt his confidence ebb away with every word and every blow, despite the words of encouragement from his friends.

Shikamaru easily noticed his friend`s unease. "Don`t worry Choji, the fight`s not over yet.", he said.

Choji simply gave him a quick nod and continued to watch the fight.

Choji glared up at his enemy.

"It`s not your fault, they never should`ve sent a reject like you in the first place.", Jirobo said. "You should blame your stupid leader for choosing you."

Choji grit his teeth at Jirobo`s words. 'Shikamaru.', he thought in a weak voice as the screen changed to show Shikamaru and the others.

"Neji is right, that`s just how a battle is. We knew from the beginning this mission wouldn`t be child`s play; it`s life or death", Shikamaru told the others.

"Yeah but, Shikamaru...", Naruto began.

"I`ve already anticipated the worst-case scenario where each of us ends up fighting alone. And at this point if we`re not ready to lay down our lives for this we might not be able to reach Sasuke in time.",Shikamaru said in a grim tone of voice. He closed his eyes with a thoughtful expression on his face for a few moments before opening them and smiling slightly. "Choji is good enough to hold his own, but he doesn`t have a lot of confidence. He thinks that out of all of us he`s the weakest link."

"That`s because the guy kind of is, I mean anyone can see that.", Kiba said.

"Wow Kiba, you are on a roll.", Ino said sarcastically.

"Yep, it must take real skill to keep putting your foot in your mouth like that.", Sakura said.

Kiba glowered slightly as his friends and peers, as well as a few of the adults (namely Anko), laughed good-naturedly at his expense.

"Hardy-har-har. I can`t wait until it`s your guys` turns so I can laugh at you.", Kiba said.

"Oh lighten up kid.", Kushina said.

"You lighten up.", Kiba grumbled under his breath.

"That`s pretty much the whole reason he stayed behind back there, because he wanted to be of some kind of use to us.", Kiba said.

Shikamaru smirked slightly. "Just as I thought.", he said. The other three looked at him in confusion.

"What is he talking about?", Naruto asked.

Ino noticed Shikamaru was smiling. "You know don`t you?", Ino said, pointing at him. All she got in return was a shrug, which infuriated her.

'But...', Choji thought as he stood with his eyes closed. Suddenly a fist slammed into his face courtesy of Jirobo, sending him tumbling backwards with blood flying out of his mouth. He rolled before coming to a halt facedown on his stomach. Choji struggled as he raised his head.

Everyone in the room winced when they saw the hit. It was painful watching Choji take such a beating. Even Kankuro couldn`t help but feel bad for Choji.

Shikamaru was standing in a yard wearing his chunin vest.

"Choji and I have been on the same team for a long time. We work well together so asking him is a no-brainer.", he said.

Choji was on his hands and knees, his eyes shadowed by his headband.

'But Shikamaru...', he thought.

Jirobo stood over him and delivered a hard knee to his chin, sending Choji sprawling onto his back. He smirked in satisfaction.

Choji simply laid there, watching as 2 beautiful blue butterflies fluttered inches above his face.

Choji and Shikamaru, who was again wearing his chunin vest, were facing each other in a hallway.

"But I`m probably not as good a fighter as you are. I mean really, if I had been facing off against you I probably would have given up the fight.", Shikamaru told Choji. "And you should just keep being you."

Choji was smiling at his friend`s words.

Choji was smiling as well. He was a little stunned at how much faith Shikamaru had in him.

As the butterflies flew off Choji began to stand up.

'But Shikamaru, he`s always...', Choji thought.

"Always what? Always sleeping?", Ino asked smirking.

"Always staring at clouds?", Kiba asked with a smirk as big as Ino`s.

"Always calling things troublesome? Or a drag?", Naruto asked, barely containing his laughter.

"Always being a lazy good-for-nothing jackass?", Temari said angrily.

"Troublesome.", Shikamaru said with a sigh.

Choji reached into his pouch again.

'Shikamaru, he`s always believed in me.', Choji finished.

Shikamaru and the others were in Jirobo`s dome.

"Choji, are you ready buddy?", Shikamaru asked.

Choji pulled out his pill case and took out the yellow pill.

'He believes I really am strong.', Choji thought as he swallowed the pill.

Jirobo stared at Choji in confusion.

The ground cracked under choji`s feet as power exploded out of him.

'That`s why he trusted me to handle this myself.', he thought as he stared at Jirobo,determined.

Shikamaru and the others continued on towards their targets.

"Just as I thought. Everyone`s always thought that way about Choji, but me I`ve always known the real truth.", Shikamaru said. "More than me or Neji or any of us here, Choji`s got strength. I believe in him, I always have."

"So that`s what you meant earlier.", Obito told Shikamaru.

"Yep, I have full confidence in Choji.", Shikamaru said. "It may not be easy, but I know he`s going to win."

Many of the people who knew Shikamaru were amazed at how vehemently he was showing his support (vehemently for him of course). Though many of them considered Choji as a friend, due to his kind and trustworthy personality, many of them still doubted him on occasion.

'Such a strong bond of friendship those two have. It will be interesting to see what great things they will end up accomplishing.', Hiruzen thought. He looked at all the young shinobi in the room, Leaf and Sand, past and present, and smiled. 'What great things indeed.'

Ino was a little jealous at the bond that Choji and Shikamaru had, which was quickly followed by remorse since her lack of closeness with her teammates was due to her more than them.

'Man, I`m such an idiot. I can`t believe that I let my crush on Sasuke get so out of hand. All my friends must think I`m a total bitch.', she thought. 'Choji`s right, I should start hanging out with everyone a little more. And I think I`ll ask dad to start stepping up my training.'

Choji stared Jirobo down as chakra swirled violently around him.

"Huh, pretty impressive chakra.", Jirobo said. "Not bad, but a far cry from being a main dish."

Choji smirked. "Here I come fatso.", he told Jirobo as he gathered his chakra.

Jirobo grew angry. "Don`t you call me that!", he yelled as he charged.

"Partial Expansion Jutsu: Arm!", Choji called out. Jirobo`s eyes grew wide as Choji`s right arm grew to enormous proportions.

Choji thrust his arm forward and hit Jirobo with his palm, sending Jirobo skidding backwards in pain.

Choji`s arm shrunk back and almost immediately he yelled, "Partial Expansion Jutsu!"

He lifted his left leg into the air as it began to expand. With a loud yell he smashed his massive leg on Jirobo`s position, who narrowly jumped out of the way.

Choji didn`t miss a beat as his leg shrunk. "Partial Expansion Jutsu: Arm!", he yelled. Just as Jirobo landed he was smashed into the ground by Choji`s palm.

Jirobo grit his teeth as he pushed against Choji`s hand and he managed to stand up. He grabbed Choji`s hand and lifted him off his feet.

"Don`t mess with me scum!", Jirobo yelled as he spun Choji around before tossing him high into the air.

Choji made a hand sign. "How about this?", he said.

"What the...?", Jirobo said with wide eyes.

"Super Expansion Jutsu!", Choji yelled as he grew to 100 times his size. He landed on top of Jirobo, creating a massive shockwave that tore down the trees all around him.

"Alright Choji, you crushed that guy like a pancake.", Ino said as she hugged him. Choji`s face was so hot that he was sure he could fry an egg on it.

"Man, can you imagine what he looks like now?", Obito asked. A collective shudder went through the room.

Meanwhile, Kankuro was looking at Choji with slight amazement. 'I can`t believe the strength this kid has. It`s hard to believe this is the same guy who had his ass handed to him in the preliminaries.', Kankuro thought. He felt his respect for the plump boy begin to rise. 'Man, first that Naruto kid and now him; I wonder what else these Konoha ninjas are hiding.'

Choji closed his eyes in happiness. 'Shikamaru, I did it.', he thought. Suddenly, his body began to rise up off of the ground. Choji`s eyes flew open in shock. 'What?!'

Underneath him, Jirobo was holding Choji up with 1 hand. Most of his body was in shadow save for his golden eyes.

"I don`t believe I have to go to the 2nd State for an opponent as weak as this one.", Jirobo said in a deeper, hoarse voice.

"Damnit, should`ve known that it wouldn`t be that easy.", Kurenai said.

"Yeah, and if this guy has a form that is anything like that Kidomaru guy then this fight just reached a whole new level of danger.", Anko said, her entire body tense.

"It doesn`t matter what this guy has up his sleeve, Choji is gonna win.", Naruto said.

"I never said he couldn`t brat. I just meant that Choji`s in for a hell of a fight if he wants to win.", Anko said.

"And on top of that, this also means that those other two most likely have similar powers.", Shikamaru said.

"Man, you guys are really in for it.", Kushina said.

"In for a penny, in for a pound.", TD said.

"Do you even know what that means?", The Voice asked.

"No but it sounded appropriate.", TD replied with a smile.

Choji grit his teeth as he realized what was happening. Jirobo lited his free hand.

"Slamming Palm!", Jirobo yelled as he slammed his palm upwards into Choji`s stomach.

Choji yelled in pain as his entire massive body went flying high into the air from the strength of the blow. He hung in the air for a second before he returned to his normal size in a poof of smoke. He began falling and slammed into the ground hard. Choji groaned in pain before he looked to his right and saw Jirobo.

Jirobo`s skin had turned a dark shade of red and his eyes turned gold with black sclera. His orange hair had grown to his waist and there were large warts and veins on his forehead.

"Oh god, he looks worse than the other guy.", Rin said.

"Yeah, at least that guy looked cool. Jirobo just looks disgusting.", Obito said.

'What the...? He changed his form.', Choji thought worriedly.

"I`m afraid it`s all over for you. In 2nd State I`m invincible, I can dish out 10 times as much power as I could before.", Jirobo said with a vicious smile.

Jirobo slowly walked towards Choji, who was still unable to get up off the ground despite his best efforts.

'It...hurts to move. I didn`t know the side effects of the Curry pill would be so intense.', Choji thought as he tried to push himself up.

Jirobo stood menacingly over Choji. "You better listen to me 'cause I`m about to teach you an important lesson; this is what happens...", Jirobo said as he kicked Choji into the air, "...to weaklings!", he yelled as he delivered a palm strike that sent Choji flying back.

The room was tense once again as Jirobo viciously hit Choji.

"Damn, this guy may not have as many tricks as Kidomaru but he makes up for it with brute strength.", Kiba said in worry.

"I gotta admit, it is looking pretty bad, but the battle isn`t over yet. Choji`s got a little more fight in him.", Shikamaru said as he clapped a hand on his friend`s shoulder. 'I just hope that he`ll still be able to get up again afterwards.'

"You`re pathetic. You`d be better off playing ninja with your friends.", Jirobo said.

Choji lay on the ground breathing heavily.

"Okay everyone, raise your hand if you wanna play ninja."

It was a sunny day with a few clouds and the sky was a bright, clear blue. A boy`s hand pointed into the air, followed by a gaggle of others as other boys` voices said words of agreement.

"Wait for me!", a young Choji said as he ran up to the group.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors!", the boys cried out as they held their hands out. Half chose rock and the other half chose Scissors.

"Go hide!", a boy yelled . Half of the boys took off in different directions.

"1, 2, 3, 4...", the rest of the boys said as they began counting.

"Hey, I`m coming too! Hold on a sec!", Choji called out to another boy with orange markings on his cheeks as he ran after him. Choji lost sight of the boy and he stopped to look around for him.

"...98, 99, 100!", the other boys said as they finished counting. They looked at each with smiles and giggled to each other.

Choji walked over to several bags of trash and looked behind them to see the boy he had been following hiding behind them.

"Hey.", Choji said.

"What are you doing? Get out of here.", the boy whispered.

Suddenly several cardboard shuriken flew at Choji, hitting him in the back and side.

"OW.", Choji said as he raised his arms to protect his face.

"Ha ha we got ya`.", the two boys who threw the shuriken chanted.

"Give up quietly the game`s over for both of you.", one of the boys said.

The boy hiding behind the trash grumbled. "Great.", he said angrily.

It was sunset and Choji and the other boy were tied up back to back.

"We caught `em so we win.", one of the other boys gloated.

"I`m so sick of this.", the boy with orange markings said. "Whatever team Choji`s on loses every single time."

"Sorry.", Choji said sadly. his voice echoing as the memory faded.

"What an asshole.", Ino said.

"Yeah I remember that guy. He was a total dick.", Shikamaru said.

"I don`t remember his name but I`ve bumped into him a few times and he`s a total ass.", Naruto said. "I think we should teach him a lesson when we get back. Don`t you agree Kiba?"

"You read my mind.", Kiba replied with a sadistic smile.

Jirobo walked slowly towards Choji, who was still trying just to catch his breath.

"Heh.", Jirobo said as he stood over Choji. He reached down and grabbed Choji by the neck, pushing him so hard into the ground that it cracked and made a small crater. "Now that I`m in my 2nd State I`m gonna need a lot more chakra. Which means I`m going to have to take whatever you have left inside you."

Jirobo licked his lips at the thought.

"Ugh, what is up with these Sound ninja and tongues?", Sakura groaned.

"Alright kiddo, let`s get this over with.", Jirobo said. Chakra began flowing up his arm from Choji for a few seconds but it quickly stopped. "Huh, you don`t have very much left do you? Empty already? You weakling, I`m still hungry". He tossed Choji away like a ragdoll.

Choji groaned in pain as he hit the ground, his Konoha headband flying off in the process. His breaths came in ragged gasps and his eyes were barely open. He tried to grab his bag of chips, but was stopped as Jirobo stomped on his hand.

"I said, I`m still hungry!", Jirobo said as he picked up the snack. Jirobo looked into the bag and frowned. "Oh of course fatso only left 1 chip. Well I guess I`ll take what I can get.", Jirobo said as he dumped the last chip into his mouth. "How does it feel to be a pawn? To be sacrificed by your so-called friends? Left here for dead, a pitiful fatso, the odd man out."

Shikamaru clenched his fists in anger. It was bad enough that Jirobo was hurting Choji physically, now he was hurting him emotionally by attacking the things he cared most about, like his friends and his food.

"You can`t play ninja with us anymore."

"But why can`t I?", Choji asked, looking very sad.

"`Cause whenever you play with us we lose.", the boy with orange markings said.

"Yeah you`re way too slow.", another boy said.

Choji whimpered at the boys` hurtful words.

"Ya know guys without him the teams aren`t gonna be even. ", a young Shikamaru said. "It`d be lame like if you played a game of Shogi with 1 piece missing."

"So that`s how you guys first met? I always thought your dads introduced you two.", Kiba said.

"Yeah everybody always thinks that.", Choji said.

"I don`t really consider this our first meeting though since we never actually spoke.", Shikamaru said. "The way we actually met was much better in my opinion."

"Definitely.", Choji said with a smile.

Choji looked at Shikamaru with a hopeful look on his face.

"But if you have 1 piece that`s totally useless it`s the same thing.", orange face said.

"Yeah, what he said.", another boy said.

Choji`s face fell at those words.

"it`s our team and we don`t mind having 1 less person so let`s just play.", orange face said.

"Alright if it`s ok with you then I guess it`s fine.", a boy on the other team said.

"Ok then it`s settled!", orange boy said.

"We`re so gonna win this time.", the 2nd boy said.

"Yeah!"

"Where should we hide?"

"What do you think?"

"At least Chunky`s not playing."

Shikamaru stared as Choji began walking away. Choji stopped when he saw a blue butterfly stuck in a spider web above him. Shikamaru`s eyes widened a bit when Choji reached up and gently plucked the butterfly free and let it fly away, smiling happily. Shikamaru stopped staring at the butterfly in time to see Choji walking off again.

"Wow Choji, that was very sweet of you.", Sakura said.

"Yes, most would have simply continued walking not bothered in the least.", Shino said.

"Well I couldn`t leave it to die could I?", Choji replied.

Ino was smiling fondly at Choji. 'Just like him to help out a helpless creature even when he`s feeling down. That`s what I love about him.', she thought. She didn`t pay attention to the warm and fluttery feeling in her chest, that was growing stronger every time she learned more about the kind of person Choji was.

Choji was sitting on a bench on a rooftop with his father Choza.

"And they said the whole Akamichi clan is fat and slow, then everybody laughed at me.", Choji said.

"Little bastards.", Ibiki growled.

"Did they really?", Choza asked as he looked at his son with a kind smile. "Let me tell you something son. None of those boys have as kind a heart as you do. And someday you`ll have a group of real friends who see that quality inside you and respect you for it. You`ll find friends who believe in you, who trust you with their lives. Cherish those friends Choji."

"You think someone like me could really have friends like that?", Choji said as the memory faded away.

"You know it Choji.", Shikamaru said.

"Definitely!", Naruto said.

"Do you even have to ask?", Kiba asked.

"i c-c-consider you a kind p-person and a good f-f-friend.", Hinata said.

"You have my friendship as well.", Shino said.

"You`re a good guy Choji and I`m happy to consider you a friend.", Sakura said.

"And i would be honored if you would consider me as a friend!", Lee said.

"We`re all here for you Choji.", Ino said.

Choji practically had tears in his eyes. "Thanks you guys. For everything.", he said.

Choji was on the ground, still trying to recover from Jirobo`s attack.

"Rest in peace scum. But you`re not the only loser I`m gonna destroy." Jirobo said. "After I`m finished here with you, I`m gonna hunt down your heartless friends that sacrificed you for their own good and crush them too!"

Choji glared at Jirobo.

"Don`t listen about him Choji. he`s just trying to get inside your head. ", Shikamaru said.

"You know I can`t hear you right?", Choji asked, noting how weird it was to say that.

"He can`t, but you can. And you can use this knowledge if this ever happens when we leave here.", Shikamaru said.

Shikamaru and the others had stopped by a tree as Shikamaru carved something something into it with a kunai.

"It`s for Choji. He promied us he`d catch up.", Shikamaru told the others.

Shikamaru had his eyes closed as he thought hard. He opened them and said, "You better catch up with us Choji, you hear me?", he said.

"Yeah!", Choji replied as he held back Jirobo.

"Trust me, he will beat that guy. And after he does he`ll come find us.", Shikamaru said.

Neji, Naruto, and Kiba had confident smiles on their faces.

Naruto nodded his head,

"No doubt about it. If anyone can defeat him it`s Choji.", Kiba said.

Akamaru barked in agreement.

"Well, as long as we`ve stopped...", Naruto said as he pulled a kunai from his pouch and moved towards the tree.

"Heh heh, good idea.", Kiba said before he joined him.

Neji watched with an amused smile.

"Alright everyone, let`s get Sasuke back before Choji catches up.", Shikamaru said. He jumped into the trees followed closely by Neji.

"Huh?", Naruto said before he jumped after them.

"Hey wait for me.", Kiba said as he took off after the others.

"Alright, here we come!", Naruto yelled.

Back on the tree, an arrow carved into it pointed in the direction they had just left in.

"Good idea, but your group shouldn`t stop too much or you`ll let the enemy get away.", Asuma told Shikamaru.

"I`m probably only stopping whenever we change direction so it should be fine.", Shikamaru said.

Sakon, Tayuya, and Kidomaru continued on towards their destination.

"Jirobo`s late, he should have gotten here by now.", Sakon said in an irritated voice.

"Well you know how enormous his appetite can be", Tayuya said. "He`s probably squeezing out every last bit of chakra."

"Man I wish I can be in his shoes right now.", Kidomaru said.

"Ha, I bet he really regretted saying that.", Naruto said with a laugh.

Neji couldn`t help letting out a small chuckle.

Jirobo crumpled up the chip bag. "Oh sorry, looks like I finished the bag.", he said as he threw the bag at Choji`s face. Choji gave him a murderous glare. "Well punk, it`s getting late and I`ve got some people to meet. Looks like it`s about time to say your goodbyes."

Choji glared weakly at him as an image of the red pill appeared. 'I`ve still got the Chili Pepper Pill left. But...if I...if i swallow it...I`ll...die', Choji thought wearily.

Shikamaru was tense as a bowstring. He was hoping with every fiber of his being that Choji wouldn`t take the final pill. But at the same time he couldn`t see a way for him to beat Jirobo without it.

'Come on Choji, you`ve come too far and done too much for you to die like this.', he thought. 'You have to survive.'

Shikamaru and the others had stopped once again to leave more directions for Choji.

'No matter what, don`t you die on me Choji.', Shikamaru thought. When he finished the four of them began moving again.'We`ve always stuck together, ever since the day we met.', he thought as the image blurred and transformed.

A young Shikamaru was looking upwards at a blue butterfly as he followed it. Shikamaru followed the butterfly onto a roof and when he got there he looked around and saw Choji with his father

"Huh? Oh it`s you.", Shikamaru said.

Choji and Choza turned their heads toward him when he spoke.

"Oh yeah, you were with those kids. Weren`t you playing ninja with them?", Choji asked.

"Heh, they were a drag so I quit.", Shikamaru said nonchalantly.

"Really?", Choji asked.

"It`s quite a coincidence that you just so happen to stumble across Choji after you ditched those kids Shikamaru.", Ino said. A sly smile appeared on her face as she said, "Did you perchance ditch those jerks just so you could help our dear Choji?"

"Troublesome.", Shikamaru muttered when he became the center of attention. "I didn`t lie. They were a drag because of what they kept saying about Choji, so I left. I figured Choji could use a friend but I didn`t want him to think I was pitying him, so i changed my story a little. Though i never expected us to become such good friends.'

Choji stared at Shikamaru in amazement. 'Wow, he actually went looking for me? Even though he barely knew me?', he thought. A smile spread across his face and he turned towards his best friend. "Thanks.", he said.

Shikamaru smiled right back. "Don`t mention it."

"By the way you`re kinda sittin` on my special spot.", Shikamaru said.

"You`re special spot?", Choji asked.

"Yeah on a nice day like this I always come out here and lie on my back and just stare at the clouds, you know.", Shikamaru explained.

"You came to look at clouds?", Choji asked.

"That`s right. So can I sit?", Shikamaru asked.

"Oh, sure.", Choji said as he scooted over and Shikamaru sat allowed Shikamaru to sit down.

Shikamru laid back with his hands behind his head. "This is such an awesome spot. The sky looks amazing.", he said.

Choji looked up at the sky. "You`re right.", he said.

"Hey.", Shikamaru said.

"What?", Choji asked

"The clouds are pretty cool from down here. Wanna lie back and watch with me?", Shikamaru asked.

Choji had a look of surprise on his face before it was replaced with a smile. "Uh, Yeah thanks.", he replied. "Hey, you know I brought some snacks with share `em"

"That`d be great.", Shikamaru replied. Choji laughed a bit.

"Wow, I can`t believe you shared your food with him with so quickly.", Kiba said in amazement. "It took almost 2 years before you liked me and Naruto enough to share your food."

"Well to be fair, after the first 6 months I wouldn`t have minded sharing with you. If I wasn`t positive you two would have started a food fight.", Choji said. A fire appeared in his eyes as he said, "I will not allow any food to go to waste!"

"Alright calm down, sheesh.", Kiba said.

Shikamru sat up and grabbed a few chips from the bag Choji produced. "Hey thanks.", he said . The two sat in content silence as they munched on chips and stared at the sky. "Eatin` chips and watching clouds; man this is the best."

"Yep.", Choji agreed.

"By the way, I`m Shikamaru. I`m from the Nara Clan. What about you, what`s your name?", Shikamaru asked.

"It`s Choji. My name is Choji and I`m from the Akamichi Clan.", Choji said with a smile.

"Choji huh? I got a feeling that you and me`ll be friends.", Shikamaru said.

"Yeah me too.", Choji said.

Choza looked on with happiness as his son and his new friend continued to simply eat chips and watch clouds as the image faded away.

It switched back to show Shikamaru as he continued to move through the forest with the others.

'We`ve always stuck together, and there`s no way that`s gonna end now...Choji.', Shikamaru thought.

"Man, you guys knew each other for all of 5 minutes and you were already best friends.", Tenten said.

"What can I say? We just clicked.", Choji replied.

"You know this reminds me of when me and Naruto first met.", Kiba said.

"Don`t remind me. The whole village smelled like liver, old socks, and wet dog for 2 weeks after that.", Sakura complained as Naruto and Kiba roared with laughter.

"That`s nothing. You should have seen the time Homura bumped into Koharu on our first day at the academy.", Hiruzen said. "You see he was..."

As more people laughed and told stories about them and their friends, Choji couldn`t help but notice Ino sitting sadly by herself.

"What`s wrong Ino?", Choji asked as he sat down next to her.

"It`s just, this reminds me of when I first met Sakura.", she said with a frown on her face. " Then I started thinking about all the good times we used to share. And I miss that. I miss having someone to gossip with, someone to laugh with when I`m feeling happy and someone to talk to when I`m sad. I miss having someone who trusts me with her secrets, someone who I would gladly keep a secret for. Most of all, I miss the days when we had each other`s backs. And I`m afraid that we`ll never be that close again."

"I thought it was all good between you two now.", Choji said.

"Well we`re talking to each other but it`s not the same as it was before. It`s like there`s this barrier between us, and I`m afraid that if I tried to talk to her and apologize for all the things I said she`ll just throw it in my face.", Ino said in a worried voice.

"You`re overthinking this. I`m pretty sure that Sakura is just as frightened that you`ll reject HER for the things she did.", Choji said. "But if neither one of you try to reach out you`ll always live with regret. Ino, you`ll never know if you don`t try."

Ino stared at her friend for a few seconds before a smile appeared on her face. "You`re right Choji. i can`t just sit around moping and hope things change. I`ve gotta get out there and do it myself.", she said with a determined look in her eyes. She stood up and before Choji could react she bent down and kissed his cheek. "Thank you Choji, you really are one of a kind."

Choji rubbed his cheek in disbelief as she walked away. "N-n-no problem.", he said shakily.

Ino walked up as Sakura laughed at something Kurenai said. "Hey Sakura, you remember when you broke Kiyoshi`s nose because she laughed at those matching charm bracelets we won at that festival?", she asked with a smile.

Sakura was slightly stunned when Ino called her by her name, but she couldn`t help but giggle as she remembered the event Ino brought up. "Yeah, and when that bitch Sari tried to sneak up behind me you kicked her in the back of the head and knocked her out."

Sakura recognized the olive branch that Ino extended and accepted it without a second thought. And as both of them laughed at the memory of that day they realized that they felt lighter than they had in years.

"As much as I would looooooooooove to listen to you people go on and on about your lives and friendships, do you think that we could end this mini-orgy and get back to what we brought you here for in the first place?", The Voice asked.

Everyone returned to their seats as the screen started up again.

Jirobo cracked the knuckles of his right hand as he stood over Choji.

'Shikamaru...I`m sorry...i`m not gonna catch up.', Choji thought weakly as he lay on the ground breathing raggedly.

"It`s over, say your prayers.", Jirobo said as he raised his hand above his head.

Choji pulled out the case containing the final pill and opened it. 'No...I have to stop him. Even if it means I die I`ve got to win.', Choji thought as he swallowed the pill.

"There is nothing you can do to stop me!", Jirobo yelled. He thrust his palm down and yelled, "Crushing Palm!"

Just before jirobo`s attack made contact Choji`s eyes grew wide and bloodshot.

Jirobo`s attack completely destroyed the ground all around him, kicking up dust and debris. However, when the dust cleared Jirobo saw that Choji was gone and his attack had hit the ground. His look of confusion grew larger as several glowing blue butterflies began flying past his face.

The butterflies flew behind him and gathered on Choji, who was standing with his back to Jirobo. As more butterflies flew towards Choji a cloud of chakra began to form on his back.

Jirobo continued to watch the butterflies in confusion before he finally looked behind himself and saw Choji. The chakra cloud on Choji`s back began to form into a large pair of butterfly wings at least 4 times his size.

'What is that?', Jirobo thought in confusion. He raised his right hand and clenched his fist. "Doesn`t matter.", he said. He threw a punch at Choji and yelled, "Slamming Boulder!", only to grunt as Choji blocked his punch without any effort.

"Don`t even try.", Choji said, with his eyes in shadow. He raised his head to show that his face was much thinner than it was before. With a fierce look in his eyes he said, "Because now I`m a hundred times stronger than before."

"Holy shit man! What the hell happened to you?", Obito asked.

"The pill is causing my body to go into overdrive and it burned through all my fat to use as fuel.", Choji said. "At least that`s what my dad says."

"Well, i guess that`s 1 benefit of that pill: extreme dieting. You should take this to market.", Temari said jokingly, causing several people to chuckle.

Shikamaru, Ino, Naruto, and Kiba however were not laughing, having known Choji the longest. Choji had always been heavy no matter how active he was while playing with his friends. It got to the point where Choji`s weight had been seen as normal to them, since they couldn`t imagine him any other way. But seeing him so thin, and in such a short amount of time, raised so many warnings to them since he looked so unnatural and unhealthy. And even Naruto knew that losing so much weight would have dire consequences on his body. So they were extremely worried.

Choji released Jirobo`s hand and quickly slammed his elbow into jirobo`s gut. Jirobo went flying back like he was shot out of a cannon and left a gouge in the earth. Choji turned on his heel and in a flash he was standing over Jirobo.

"People hold grudges when you take something important from them, like for instance their food.", Choji said. "That strike I gave you was for eating the last bite of my favorite snack."

'Impossible, this punk has so much chakra his body`s actually changed.' Jirobo thought in shock.

"And this next attack...", Choji said as he cocked his fist back and punched Jirobo, sending him flying back again, "...is for calling me names like pawn, fatso, and loser." Choji started walking towards Jirobo. "I can handle being picked on but what you`ve done is unforgivable!"

"Holy shit, I`ve never seen you look so badass Choji!", Kiba said in shock.

He wasn`t the only one. Though many in the room had seen Choji go on a rampage when some fool made fun of his weight they could tell that the same thing wasn`t happening to the Choji on the screen. This wasn`t some random typhoon of fury, it was like a sharpened knife ready to cut down any enemy threat that stood in it`s way. It was definitely something that many people didn`t associate with the plump boy.

Shikamaru grit his teeth as he was held upside down by Jirobo.

"When you have an idiot for a leader the whole team suffers, know what I mean?", Jirobo said with a smirk.

The image switched to show all 5 Konoha genin facing Jirobo in the clearing.

"Tell you what, you don`t wanna keep working under this glum-faced little shadow lover.", Jirobo said. The image switched again to Jirobo standing over Choji. "I`ll just kill ya` now and put you out of your misery.", Jirobo said.

Choji glared down at Jirobo as his chakra wings were absorbed back into his body and chakra began covering his left hand. "He was my best friend, and you insulted him.", Choji said as a look of intense hatred appeared on his face. "How dare you. You can eat the very last bite of my very best food. You can mock me all you want. But when you insult my best friend...", Choji said as the chakra surrounding his left hand began swirling violently, "...I will OBLITERATE you!"

By now the looks on most everyone`s faces had changed from shocked to downright awe-inspired. Even Choji himself was more than a little overwhelmed by what he was seeing.

'Man, I never knew Choji could hold so much hate for someone. And because of me.', Shikamaru thought as his mouth hung open.

Jirobo tried to lift his right arm but it was quickly stomped and held down by Choji`s foot.

Choji lifted up his hand. 'All of my chakra...to my left hand!', Choji thought as he clenched his hand into a fist. Jirobo whimpered in fear as he stared up at Choji, who had his left foot on his arm and his right foot on his chest. "This last attack...is worth my whole life!", Choji yelled as he lifted his fist.

"Wait no, please don`t do it!", Jirobo yelled in fear.

With a loud battle-cry Choji drove his fist deep into Jirobo`s chest. Choji had a fierce look on his face and Jirobo opened his mouth in a silent scream of pain and horror as the attack created a massive crater, with the two of them at the center.

Choji watched as the Curse Mark symbols faded from Jirobo`s lifeless corpse.

"You did it Choji, you totally kicked that guy`s ass!", Ino said as she hugged Choji.

"NIce going kid, that was not too shabby.", Kankuro told Choji. "You`ve definitely got guts."

"T-Thanks.", Choji said in surprise. "I really appreciate it man."

"Did you see the way he was begging for his life? Even that Kidomaru guy didn`t beg.", Obito said in glee.

"Well that`s the thing about all bullies; they`re all cowards who fall apart when things don`t go their way.", Minato said.

"Man I can`t wait to see what happens next.", Obito said.

"How about we finish this vision before we focus on another.", TD said.

"Right, sorry.", Obito said.

Choji was breathing heavily when he collapsed onto his back.

"Choji no!", Ino yelled. She grabbed Choji again, but this time she held him out of fear for his life rather than happiness.

'Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay, please be okay...', Shikamaru kept repeating in his head like a mantra.

Choji was panting as he lay on the ground. "I did it.", Choji said. 'A guy like me, I beat him.'With a bit of effort Choji rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself to his feet. He walked over to his headband and grabbed it before he started walking into the woods after his friends.

"He`s up and walking, that`s a good sign.", Naruto said hopefully. Though it sounded like he was trying to reassure himself just as much as everybody else. "He`s just gotta keep this up, just until help comes."

Shikamaru kept his hands clenched.

Choji had to stop and lean against a tree for a second. 'My friends.', Choji thought weakly. He was standing there gasping for breath when a blue butterfly fluttered by his face. It flew off into the woods and Choji began to follow it, stumbling a little along the way.

He was led to a tree, and he tried to focus on it through his blurry vision. He looked at the tree and his eyes grew wide.

"Let me tell you something son...", Choza`s voice echoed, "...none of those boys have as kind a heart as you do. And someday you`ll have a group of real friends who see that quality inside you and respect you for it. You`ll find friends who believe in you, who trust you with their lives. Cherish those friends Choji.", Choza said as an image of him appeared.

Tears fell down Choji`s face as he remembered his father`s words. The front of the tree was shown, revealing words of encouragement for him left by his friends as well as directions."'Hurry up slowpoke.', Naruto wrote that. 'We`re all waiting for you.', Kiba.", Choji said as he read. "And Shikamaru...", Choji said as memories of times with his friends flashed through his head.

Choji and Naruto were eating in class as they used their books to hide it.

Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Choji hopped out of a window as Iruka leaned out to yell at them.

Chuckles were heard throughout the room at that. However, the four boys and Ino didn`t laugh but instead had small bittersweet smiles on their faces.

Shikamaru and Choji ran scared down a hall as an angry Sandaime chased them.

Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru ate as they hung out on their first day as a genin team.

The three hid in some bushes during the 2nd exam, Shikamaru holding Choji`s head down.

Ino had a fierce look on her face as she said, "Ino...". Shikamaru appeared as he said, "...Shika...". Finally Choji appeared and said, "...Cho"

Choji had a fierce fire in his eyes as he prepared for his fight in the preliminaries. Ino and Shikamaru were not amused as they both bonked him on the head.

Hayate was proctoring the match as Choji squared off against Dosu. Chojji quickly lost and lay on the ground in a crumpled heap.

Shikamaru was with Naruto holding a chip in front of a door when suddenly Choji threw the door open and snatched the chip. "Even for a bag of potato chips, i refuse to let anyone have the last bite.", Choji said seriously. Naruto sweatdropped. Shikamaru turned to him to say, "Choji and I have been on the same team for a long time. We work well together so asking him is a no-brainer.". Choji smiled and chuckled.

Many people in the room knew something was wrong. Not just because of the content of the current vision but also because Ino, Shikamaru, Naruto, and Kiba were on the verge of tears.

"Guys are you okay?", Sakura asked, but she didn`t get an answer. Ino just held Choji a little bit tighter, as if he would simply disappear if she let go.

Tears were flowing down Choji`s face as he said, "Dad...you were right...I made some really great friends."

Suddenly, Choji gripped his chest and gasped in pain as the butterfly started flying away.

"W-wait what`s happening?", Kankuro asked.

"It`s the pill. My body can`t handle the strain and it`s giving out, starting with my heart.", Choji said.

Sakura was shocked. She, like many others, thought Choji was okay and the pill`s side effects weren`t as severe as everyone thought. "But you were standing and walking.", she said.

"Which is really just a testament to his strong will.", Tsunade said. "I doubt many others could last that long after taking the Akamichi`s special pills.'

Choji fell against the tree, turning slowly until his back was against it, and slid to the ground with his legs sprawled in front of him. Choji gripped his chest until his breathing slowed down and it limply fell into his lap. His head fell forward and with a final groan his grip on his headband slackened and it fell to the ground with a clatter.

The butterfly flew into the heart of the forest.

Kiba, Neji, Shikamaru, and Naruto were moving through the forest as they continued their mission when Shikamaru`s eyes widened as a beautiful blue butterfly flew past his head. He looked back to catch another glimpse but to his shock it was gone.

Naruto looked at him in concern. "What`s the matter?", he asked.

Shikamaru kept his eyes locked on to where he last saw the butterfly for several more seconds before he slowly faced forward again. "It`s nothing.", he said in a low voice.

Choji sat in the sunlight with a butterfly fluttering around him as the screen faded to black.

"I knew it.", Shikamaru said out of nowhere. "I knew from the moment he swallowed that pill that he wasn`t gonna make it. I could see it. I just couldn`t bring myself to say it out loud. Because if I did..."

...then it`d be real.", Naruto finished "You`d have to accept it."

"I know what you mean.", Kiba said.

Choji looked around and said, "Hey guys why all the long faces?"

Many people had incredulous looks on their faces.

"Choji, you just witnessed your own death. How are you so unaffected by this?", Kurenai asked in disbelief.

"I`m not unaffected. I`m really frightened right now, I`m not going to deny that.", Choji said. "But I`m not going to dwell on this. I`m not going to let fear control me. I`m going to fight to change my destiny, and I`m gonna win! That`s a promise of a lifetime!"

"There`s no need, since you didn`t die.", TD said as he idly picked his teeth. He looked up when the room went silent and was met with a boot to the face courtesy of Ino.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Do you know how worried you made everyone?! Do you know what you put poor Choji through?!", she yelled. "You almost gave me a freaking heart attack. What do you have to say for yourself."

"My bad.", TD said.

Ino saw red, but was prevented from committing attempted murder by the timely intervention of Choji.

"Just let it go Ino. He didn`t mean anything by it. And besides, I`m okay aren`t I?", Choji said.

Ino felt her anger melt away. "Okay choji, but only because you asked.", she said. She hugged him tightly and said, "I`m really glad you`re alright Choji. I don`t know what`d I do without you."

"Don`t worry Ino, I`m not going anywhere."

"Sorry about all the dramatics but I have to make it look cool for the books and television.", TD said. In a flash he was surrounded by nearly all of the younger ninja, as well as quite a few older ones.

"Did you just say we`re going to be on tv?", Sakura asked.

"You are already on tv in several parallel universes. And you guys are a big hit in nearly every single one.", TD replied.

"We`re famous?", Ino asked, her animosity for TD all but forgotten.

"Hells yeah y`all are. The biggest thing since sliced bread.", TD said. "Okay maybe not THAT big but still pretty huge. They`ve even made a few of your exploits into movies."

"Alright, I always knew my sexy ass would do good on the big screen!", Kushina said.

"Are there kickass posters of me in these universes?", Naruto asked.

"You know it. Wanna see?", TD asked.

Just as Naruto was about to nod in the affirmative he was interrupted.

"Now just hold on a minute here!", Tsunade said. "What the hell is going on? There has never been a case where an Akamichi has survived after taking the entire Triple Threat. And that Neji kid over there took enough hits to take down a man twice his size. How in the hell did these two kids manage to survive after taking so much punishment?"

A sly smile appeared on TD`s face that gave Tsunade the feeling that he had been waiting for her to ask something along those lines.

"Well, you remember when it was mentioned that the Sandaime over there died?", TD asked. When most people murmured in agreement he said, "Well you see, they had to select a new Hokage. and the Godaime Hokage...", he said as his smile got wider, "...just happens to be the greatest medic in the Elemental Nations."

Author`s Note

I`M BACK! Sorry for taking so long. This chapter's actually been finished for a few weeks now but due to various difficulties, the details of which I will not bore you with, I haven't had a chance to put it up. And this damn heat isn't helping. Everyone may think that SoCal is all fun in the sun, but as someone who has lived here my entire life i gotta tell you I`ve never had a summer in my life without at least 1 solid week of triple digit days.

But enought about that. First off, as you may have noticed I`ve updated the summary of this story since a reader by the name of Irenelov suggested it was too vague. I hope this is slightly clearer about what this story is about.

Also in case you were wondering I wasn`t bashing Kankuro. I just needed someone to heckle Choji in the beginning and he just made the most sense (plus I just wanted to hit someone with a pie). I like Kankuro`s character which is why i had his opinion gradually change.

Another thing you may have is noted was the heavy elements of ChIno (my term for ChojixIno). This may come as a shock but I am a total romantic. All that mushy cheesy sentimental beautiful shit. I`m a sucker for it all. So expect quite a bit of romance. No lemons though, just heavy swearing motherfuckah. And I really love the potential that Choji and Ino had (InoxSai felt so forced and ChoRui was so random that I honestly think Kishimoto wasn`t even trying the last 20 chapters). My inspiration for the couple came from ichilover3's story 'Into the Future', which you should read if you haven't already, as well as the sequel.

Pairings:

NaruHina (that`s a given)

ShiMari (that sounded less dirty in my head)

ChIno (obviously)

NejixTen (NenTen?)

MiShina (I never said these names were good)

AsuNai (Man these are terrible)

And others may pop up that I might believe are good together

Well that`s all I have to say for now, so don`t forget to review and try to keep your criticisms tame, since i`m sure there will be many.

Sincerely, THE-DUDE remixed