Those Who Endure
Chapter 12: The Past Comes to Haunt I
Totsuki Resort, Tokyo Prefecture
Gin was back at work as the head chef and general manager of Totsuki's famous and high-end hotels/restaurants. The employees were chattering yet they were performing theirs designated task flawlessly. No messiness of the dropped dishes nor a complaint from the vast customers, completely satisfied with the service.
Half of the accomplishment comes from the kitchen; home of the chefs. And at its core was the head chef himself as he was filleting the scales of a tuna fish before smoothly transitioning to the next station and boiling the necessary ingredient for his signature dish.
After a few minutes, Gin stood back and briefly glanced at his masterpiece before it was quickly taken by one of the waiters to be taken to the customer who ordered its creation. However, he knew something was amiss and that's when he was approached by his sous chef who looked slightly troubled.
"Gin, I can't find her."
"Is she in her room?" Gin asked obviously.
The sous chef shook his head, causing Gin to sighed deeply as he pinched the bridge of his nose. This wasn't supposed to happen. His guest was invited to Totsuki Resort to showcase her signature skills and dishes to the staff and customers while also showing her prowess as an alumnus.
After all she was in the same age like him and Joichiro back in Totsuki Academy.
The Polar Star Golden Age: an era where the nameless Polar Star Dormitory rose to fame with Gin and Joichiro's generation. Their cooking skills were exceptional beyond most of the Totsuki students during the time.
"Where could she be?" Gin asked to himself. He had called her before noon and she commented about being on her way over.
This was two hours ago.
"Whatever's holding her back must be very important to grab her attention." Gin said to his second-in-command before tuning to his thoughts. "Although I think I have a pretty good idea where she is."
TWExTWExTWE
Ichiraku Ramen, Minato Prefecture, Tokyo
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"What the hell is this?!" Naruto thought inwardly.
He was really confused and peeved about his current situation.
The cause of it was the woman named Kushina Uzumaki.
After a startling and sudden revelation followed by stubborn insistence by the woman claiming to be his mother, he was now sitting across from her with a table between them. She chose this restaurant for some reason, Naruto reckoned, but for what he does not know.
He had hoped she'd mistaken him for her son who shared similar appearance, but Kushina remained adamant of him being her son and thanks to his real mother's—Misaki—raising, he was polite and chose to talk to her to find out the reason.
"So…" Naruto tried to start a conversation to rid of the intense awkwardness.
Kushina looked bashful but that vanished when her eyes laid on Naruto, her son.
"It's been a long time, Naruto." She wiped away a lone tear that escaped as a smile etched her lips. "I really missed you."
A small frown made its way on Naruto's face as he addressed her. "Ms. Uzumaki, why do you think I'm your son?"
Kushina frowned a little when he addressed her formally, but she expected this. After all it's been 13 years.
13 years since that day.
That horrible day which broke her family apart emotionally.
"Because you're my son." Kushina answered with a straight face.
A sweat-drop fell on Naruto's head. "You can't just leave it like that. Well, this isn't going anywhere." Naruto deadpanned inwardly. "Um, well this was nice, but I think I'll leave now." Kushina flinched in terror as he stood up and left money to pay for both of their orders.
"W-what! Don't go!" Kushina shouted with her hand grabbing Naruto's wrist, surprising him and the patrons in the restaurant. "Please stay."
Naruto glanced at his surroundings and saw all the attention were on them. Plus, the iron grip she had on him wouldn't loosen up at any time if he's leaving. So he sat back down and the grip finally loosened as Kushina pulled back her hand while her head was slightly down.
Obviously she was embarrassed by her action just now.
"Sorry about that. It's just… I really missed you."
Naruto sighed with folded arms. "Ms. Uzumaki, I'll ask again: what makes you think I'm your son?"
Kushina raised her head to speak clearly. "A mother knows her child."
"I need a little more than that."
"I know you have similar features like me." She responded confidently.
"Such as?" Naruto asked incredulous with a raised brow.
"You have the same eyes as me. Well, the shape of them actually and your face is the same too."
"Really?" Naruto asked both suspicious and curious. "I've been told I looked like my dad, but I got my hair from my mom." He pointed at her hair. "Although your red hair is very beautiful, you are not blonde therefore you are not my mother."
Kushina looked at him with a blank look before it was overtaken by that of bashful.
"You think my hair is pretty?" Kushina asked sweetly with her palms on her cheeks as small hearts hovered around her. "You're the second man who ever said that to me."
"Let me guess: it was your husband."
"Bingo! And your father I must add."
Naruto sighed deeply as he wondered about how much longer he could endure this. Perhaps he should've done a tactical retreat as quoted and expertly done by a manga character.
"So—"
"It's her!"
The two looked outside the window where there was a family whom had excited expressions. Befuddlement struck Naruto while Kushina looked a little annoyed, but she quickly rid of it and put on a gentle expression as the family soon came inside and walked to their table.
"Excuse me, you're Kushina Uzumaki, right?" The husband asked the red-haired woman.
"Yes."
The husband including the family squealed with happiness while Naruto, Tammy who poked her head from inside his sweater, and his ace Duel Monsters watched the scene before them.
"Uh excuse me…" Naruto raised a hand and caught the family's attention. "Forgive me but why are you excited about her? Is she famous or something?"
The entire family gasped in horror, startling the blonde with their exaggerated reaction. The husband suddenly got into his face, which made him annoyed and a little peeved.
"You don't know who you're in the presence of the great Kushina Uzumaki?!"
"Well I know her name but—"
"She's one of the most renowned chefs in the entire world, only rivaled by her peers from the academy."
"Academy? Wait…" Naruto glanced at Kushina as he thought about the only conclusion at the moment. "You're an alumnus from Totsuki." He stated it as a fact.
"Bingo!" The husband said smugly. "Her knowledge and skills with western and eastern cooking plus spices earned the epithet 'The Hot Red-Queen of Cooking'! Almost no one can equal her in her type of cooking."
"Really?" Naruto looked at Kushina once more and saw she grew sheepish when his eyes landed on her. "That's impressive. From what I heard about Totsuki Academy, that is one heck of an accomplishment."
"Yes, but I see a problem here."
Both Naruto and Kushina raised a brow at the man's sudden change of tone.
"And what's that?"
Naruto got his answer when the man pointed his finger exactly at him before he said, "You."
"Huh?"
TWExTWExTWE
(Meanwhile)
"What do you think they're saying over there?" Soma asked quietly as his eyes were on the table where his friend and the woman claiming to be his mother were sitting at. After Naruto's friends from Neo Domino City left with Megumi to give their mutual friend space and Kagami leaving to practice on his own, Soma followed them discreetly.
Surprisingly Kuroko was along for the ride as he too was curious but mostly concerned for Naruto. However, this was no easy feat for the duo due to Naruto's heightened senses from his martial arts training.
For years, they were the primary victims besides the bullies to the blonde's pranks but Soma had the worst due to the former's excessive and traumatic disgusting dish failures. Kuroko's receiving end of the pranks wasn't bad compared to Soma's and add the fact that Kuroko's the little brother of the trio.
However, there were times they'd try to pay him back but their attempts met with failure.
Naruto's sixth sense and prankster experience saved him countless times from the attempts.
Not even Kuroko's lack of presence shielded him from Naruto throughout their childhood. So far, the only people who can see Kuroko despite the latter's mysterious lack of presence were Naruto and Soma since they were with him almost every day. The Generation of Miracles and other skilled players like Takeo from Shutoku, Midorima's school, would only see him when he wants them to see him or they've become used to his misdirection.
"I do not know, but I am hungry from all that walking." Kuroko admitted honestly, much to Soma's surprise. "Besides I wouldn't be surprised if Naruto knows we're here."
A cheeky Soma waved off his statement in a 'no-no' gesture. "No way. Right now, he's distracted with this woman and that family. Although I wouldn't be surprised if they're an item: Naruto and the woman I mean."
"What makes you think that?" Kuroko asked in his usual stoic tone.
Soma sent the blue-haired boy an incredulous brow. "You serious? When growing up, women like moms and teenage girls would fawn over him like he was candy."
"I haven't noticed." Kuroko simply said stoically after giving his order to the waitress.
"… I can't tell if you're joking or serious." Soma deadpanned at his childhood friend. "Your way of speaking makes it really difficult at times."
Kuroko gave a small shrug as he proceeded to eat his fresh hot meal. "Besides, what makes you think he doesn't know we're here now?"
"He hasn't done his ninja-like entrance where he creeps up behind you and say—"
"You're too loud."
Terror struck the suddenly pale Soma as a tick-marked Naruto slowly creeped up behind with a fake innocent smile.
"What are you doing here, Soma?" He asked in an annoyed tone.
"Why'd he single me out? Unless…" Soma quickly turned to Kuroko, only to find that he's no longer there. Just an empty plate and a note saying 'I told you so'. "Tetsuya! Traitor!"
"Soma~"
The next thing he saw while slowly turning around was an incoming fist and darkness afterwards.
TWExTWExTWE
After setting the downtrodden and comedic bumped Soma on a seat behind their table, Naruto sat back down to his seat and addressed the man for his question.
"Sorry about that. Now what did you mean about me being a problem?"
A smug smirk etched the man's lips like the rest of his family, which didn't make Naruto feel comfortable at all. Instead, it made him feel wary.
"You're a plebian. And she's a noble."
"Oh great. They're one of those types. Just my luck." Naruto inwardly thought to himself with a roll of his eyes.
"Dirt like you shouldn't be in the presence of a famous celebrity like Kushina here." The husband commented while failing to notice the person he was talking to was starting to shake in her seat. However, his son did the opposite.
"Um…Dad?"
"Not now, son."
"Okay, I'm going to ignore what you just said." Naruto said nonchalantly, catching the family off-guard. "Besides in this day and age, all that nobility—commoner stuff is mostly extinguished except certain parts in Japan." He glanced away to the window next to him. "Like Neo Domino City for example. But thanks to Yusei and the Signers, that stuff is practically gone after the Dark Signer battles."
Since the revelation of his new friends being Signers, Naruto had asked them about their experiences and duels against their archrivals. He was frankly surprised the Dark Signers were dead people who was revived by the Earthbound Immortal monsters: creatures who are rivals to the Signer Dragons and the Crimson Dragon.
Needless to say, he was ecstatic to know and befriend the people who practically saved the world.
"And one last thing: are you the one who suggested this restaurant?"
"N—"
"Of course it was you." The husband spoke once more in the usual smug and condescending tone. "After all, it is a plebeian restaurant that is suited to your taste and you probably thought this place was good enough for someone like Ms. Uzumaki here."
The spirit forms of Dark Magician and Diana seethed in anger at the smug attitude the man was showing to their master. Unbeknownst to Kushina, the family and the patrons, Tamamo was cuddled up inside the inside of Naruto's hoodie with her tail splayed around the edge to give the appearance of fur being part of the outfit.
And she too was not happy by the attitude. Throughout her long, long life, Tamamo encountered many types of people and this man was part of the one she and Naruto dislike the most. Dislike being a nice word for it.
However, the three creatures chose not to act due to how calm Naruto was being.
"How admirable." The trio thought inwardly simultaneously.
After enduring more insults and noticing the glares from the patrons and employees on the family, Naruto sighed as he was about to speak when suddenly he sensed a huge killing intent from… across the table?
"O-oh…oh crap." Naruto started sweating bullets as he trembled in his seat from fear.
This caught the attention of the family, especially the husband. They all looked to where Kushina was sitting at, but they saw something different and it wasn't a woman.
It was a demon with red hair splaying upwards like tails as her eyes turned blank before she suddenly grabbed the man's collar and hoisted him from the ground.
"You want to say those words again?"
"Uh—Uh…"
"When you insulted Naruto, this restaurant and its people, you also insulted me!" Kushina shouted before she, with swift speed, threw the man out the nearby entrance while ignoring the yells from the family. "Now stay out of here and don't come back, dattebane!"
And they very much obliged by those words as the pompous family immediately ran afterwards, not wanting to incur the wrath of the demon woman. Breathing heavily from the sudden exertion, Kushina flinched after realizing she just showed her infamous anger in front of her son and the patrons.
"…Sorry about that." Kushina sheepishly said as she rubbed her head before sitting back on her seat. She noticed Naruto's trembling form. "I guess I showed you a rather nasty side of mine, although…"
Her pause snapped Naruto out of his fear as he leaned forward. "What?"
"You're like me in that aspect." Kushina finished with a prideful smile, surprising Naruto.
"Like how and when?" Naruto asked for the proof. Kushina pointed behind him at the unconscious Soma as the blonde quickly stuttered nervously. "T-that doesn't mean anything! There are plenty of people who have similar qualities in the world, dattebayo!"
"Dattebayo?" Kushina repeated, causing Naruto to flinch and covered his mouth in embarrassment.
"Damn it, I thought I finally got over that damn verbal tick back in Egypt!"
"He even has the same verbal tick like me. How cute!" Kushina thought joyously while Naruto scolded himself over his slip up. She then replayed the last word he mentioned with surprise. "Wait, Egypt? He went to Egypt?"
After getting over his scolding, Naruto decided to call it and was about to get up from his seat until Kushina said something once more.
"Monday."
"Huh?"
"Your birthday is two weeks from now on Monday: October 10."
Naruto was taken aback by her knowledge of his birthday and wondered how she knew about it. Did she investigate him? Or is she really…?
He quickly shook his head to rid of that thought. His parents are Joshua and Misaka Ea. His name is Naruto Ea. And nothing will change that.
"I was wondering if we could celebrate your birthday here: you, me and your father. He'll be very happy to see you and you don't have to worry about anything." Kushina said rhetorically, intriguing the blonde teenager in front of her.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You're going to come back to live with me and your father." Kushina had her eyes closed, so she didn't see Naruto dangerously narrow his eyes in response. "Of course your adoptive parents will be notified by the government, but you can come with me after we leave now and—"
"Okay, let me stop you right there." Naruto spoke through gritted teeth. "This has been… fun somewhat I must admit until you just said that." His eyes narrowed even further, causing Kushina to be taken aback. "I don't know how you know about my birthday, but I'll tell you this: I have a mother and a father. Their names are Joshua and Misaka and if you, a complete stranger who callously disregarded my parents, think that I'll go with you… You're dead wrong."
A hitch hiccupped in Kushina's throat as fear began to overcome her. Right there, she knew she messed up big time about basically saying that she'll take Naruto away from his parents without a problem whatsoever.
Naruto sighed deeply. "I only came here to indulge you, but I see I shouldn't have at all." He rose up and supported Soma by holding onto the latter's shoulder. "Don't contact me and stay away from my family and friends."
"Wait, Naruto!" To her surprise, when she went to grab onto Naruto's wrist like before, the blonde swiftly dodged her hand and caused her to fall forward to the ground.
"Good bye, Ms. Uzumaki."
What Naruto didn't know or see after leaving the restaurant was the small streak of tears falling down the red-haired beauty nor the photo she pulled out of her pocket moments later. Kushina looked down at the photo which had herself carrying a baby boy with whisker-like marks and a tuft of blonde hair as she was embraced by a man with long blonde hair whose bangs framed his face.
"No… I won't let you go… Not again."
Kushina ran out through the doors and searched frantically for any sign of blonde hair or orange headband, but no luck whatsoever. She couldn't stop her tears nor the vibrating within her purse. After clearing her throat and wiping her tears, Kushina answered the phone as if nothing prior had happened.
"Yes, Gin? I'm sorry about my tardiness." She paused to listen the other side. "I do apologize and I'll be there in 10 minutes." Another pause as Gin asked the obvious question. "It…It went fine, thanks. Don't worry though because everything will be all right later on."
With that in mind, Kushina ran towards the nearby train station with a sole mantra.
"Naruto, you will be back into our family no matter what!"
TWExTWExTWE
(A Week Later)
Neo Domino City
"Another day, another dollar as my mom says." Naruto sighed out as he was walking back home instead of taking Kurama this time.
A rather nice change of pace and a necessary one after what happened last week in Neo Domino City.
After staying an extra day in Tokyo to explore and show his friends the wonders of the city, Naruto and company had said their goodbyes to Soma and Kuroko who also wished Yusei and the Signers luck at the upcoming Grand Prix in January of next year.
Also he decided not to tell his parents about Kushina since it was most likely she was having an illusion of him being her son.
Naruto, after turning the corner, saw the familiar area that is Fountain Plaza and continued onwards the garage where he entered the garage. "Well, well what do we have here?" He asked himself after noticing Crow talking to Mina and Trudge outside near the ledge. "Wonder what they're talking about."
Shrugging it as none of his business, the whiskered teenager entered the garage and noticed the two expert mechanics near Crow's Black Bird. There were a couple of cables connected between the Duel Runner and a laptop that was currently handled by Bruno.
"Hey guys." Naruto greeted aloud with his usual grin while placing his bag on a nearby table as Yusei and Bruno looked at him.
"Hey, Naruto." The two chorused casually before turning back to the computer. The blonde sweat-dropped at the blunt concentration the two mechanics have towards Duel Runners.
Naruto decided to ignore it and walked towards the two before looking over the computer as well. "What are you guys doing to Crow's Black Bird? Giving it an upgrade or something?"
Bruno shook his head as he explained while typing multiple keys in an alarming rate. "Crow mentioned about the ignition and asked the both of us to check it out."
"So far everything looked fine." Yusei stepped in for Bruno.
"I'm sensing a 'but' coming."
"But there's a circuitry connected a hidden compartment within the Runner. No matter how many times or different ways either of us try, it won't open." Bruno explained sadly, a little bummed out by the surprisingly challenge.
Naruto was surprised but nodded in understanding. "So something's in there, but we won't be able to access it at all."
"Yes." Yusei answered honestly.
"That sucks, but I have a feeling only Crow can open the compartment." Naruto commented with folded arms as his friends' eyes were now on him. "And speaking of Crow, I saw him talking to Trudge and Mina outside a few minutes ago. What's up with that?"
"No clue. Said it was between them."
"It looked pretty serious and personal for Crow." Naruto mentioned after he had caught a glimpse of the mentioned Signer before.
"…" Yusei and Bruno shared glances, which didn't go unnoticed by the curious Naruto.
"What?"
"Have you… told your parents yet?"
Naruto sighed in response, causing Yusei and Bruno to regret asking about it. "There's nothing to say: she was clearly a crazy woman claiming to be my mother and I indulged her meeting out of kindness. I don't want to bother my parents about it and that's that."
"R-right." Bruno shrunk at the rather unusual incensed tone by the blonde.
"…I'm going back to my house. See you guys later." Naruto said before grabbing his bag and left for his house next door.
Good thing he didn't go through the driveway because a blonde woman with a swollen stomach was standing outside with a bag. She wanted to bring sandwiches and snacks for the boys since she knew Naruto hangs out with Yusei and the others almost every day.
"No…No…No…" Misaki muttered tremblingly as her body shook against the wall. "Not that woman again." She walked in a brisk pace back to her house and entered the backdoor before she picked up her phone and pressed speed dial. "Come on, come on, come on."
"Honey, what's the matter?"
"…She's found him, Joshua. She's found us again."
TWExTWExTWE
(The Next Day)
"Ru…to…"
"Huh?" Naruto was snapped out of his funk as he dodged an incoming SUV by expertly driving Kurama between it and another vehicle. "What is it, Diana?" He asked his passenger who sat behind him, wearing a pink helmet for protection.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"…Not really."
"…"
"…"
The Duelist and Spirit sat in awkward silence as they passed the 'checkpoint' that told them of the approaching perimeter of the Academy a few miles away. However, it became unbearable for the both of them and it was the male counterpart who broke it.
"I just… I just don't know how to feel. That entire thing with Kushina felt straight out of a manga and of course, you'd expect it be in the manga or anime." Naruto sighed deeply as he entered aboard the freeway for the fastest route to the Academy. "But…"
"Some of her words bothered you." Diana guessed correctly, getting a nod from Naruto. "You said it yourself: the woman was obviously delusional."
"Yeah but why do I feel like they were true in some way?"
"Tell me about which is better: blood or bond?"
"Huh?" A confused Naruto asked as he briefly glanced at Diana before turning to face the road.
"Should family be determined by blood relations or bonds?"
He was never asked that question before and it made him think about it really hard. At first, Kushina's words echoed in his mind but then the memories of him being raised by his parents: the time when Misaka took care of him whenever he was sick; the time Joshua put him through grueling yet fun training; the time when the three of them went to the beach and held hands together underneath the sun set.
"So…have you found your answer?" Diana asked out of concern and expectation.
What she got was Naruto turning his head and smiled at her, telling the Duel Spirit that he found his answer.
"Yes, thank you Diana." Naruto answered honestly. "Whenever I'm talk to you from causal things like Dragonball Z to serious stuff like this… I feel at ease. Really, thanks."
Diana stuttered a little at the praise but returned the thanks with a grin. "You're welcome. Believe it or not, us Duel Monsters don't like to see our Duelists sad or conflicted."
"No doubts about that." Naruto said back before focusing on the road once more. Until his eye caught something on the other side of the freeway. "Was that…" He proceeded to the next exit to get out of the freeway and got to the location where he parked Kurama behind the object that caught his attention. "Why is Jack's Duel Runner here?"
Diana also got off Kurama's back seat as she and Naruto inspected the Phoenix Runner before an outburst caught their attention away from it and to a peculiar sight.
Crow being lifted and carried between two men in suits on both sides while his legs flailed about like crazy.
"I'm telling you: I have business with Bolton!"
"Yeah and I have dinner plan with Seto Kaiba." One of the men answered sarcastically before dropping Crow onto the ground before the stairs.
"Why those—"
"What do we have here?" Naruto asked, a grin formed when Crow flinched as he looked at him and Diana. "What are you doing here, Crow?"
Crow sighed since he didn't want his friends to see what just happened as he got up and patted the dust from his pants. "I know the company's president."
"Really?" Both the surprised duo asked in sync.
"Crow…" An unfamiliar voice called out. The trio looked at the street where a man in a business suit was standing there. He had stern eyes with a shaved head except a yellow shaved Mohawk in the middle while his glasses slightly deflected the sunlight.
"Bolton."
Diana and Naruto looked between the two as they felt an awkward and intense atmosphere. "Well, if this isn't something out of a manga then I don't know what is."
"Yep." Diana whispered meekly.
TWExTWExTWE
"Um…"
"What?"
"Should we really be here? This feels personal, Crow." Naruto mentioned hesitatingly with his arms behind his head. "Plus I'm allergic to rich people." He looked at the CEO with a blank face. "No offense."
Despite the blonde's blunt expression, Bolton waved it off. "None at all and remember that I invited you here. I'm pleased to know Crow here has new friends to keep him out of trouble."
"*Scoff* Yeah like that doesn't happen." Naruto muttered under breath before he and Bolton shared a laugh.
His left eyebrow twitching in annoyance at being made fun of, Crow spoke in a restrained tone. "You two mind if we get this along?"
Afterwards, both Naruto and Diana took seats at a nearby Victorian style couch as they soon ate cookies while talking about Dragonball Z and the latest manga series, Fairy Tail. Meanwhile Crow and Bolton were talking about their dear friend Pearson.
From the way they were talking about him, Naruto assumed this Pearson fellow must've been one heck of a guy to gain such high praise from someone like Crow. When he and Diana wondered about how neither they or the others never met him, their answer arrived in a cruel way.
"Remember the night of Pearson's death, he was dueling someone?" Crow asked Bolton whom looked a little nervous as he nodded. "The police believe they might find his killer with this card." He took out a photo and showed it to Bolton before giving it in his hand. "Have you ever seen this card?"
"His heart rate increased a little." Tamamo suddenly spoke, startling both Naruto and Diana through the link. Fortunately, neither Crow nor Bolton seem to have noticed their reactions. "It happened when he saw that photo."
Wanting to know more, Diana spoke next, "Do you think he knows something?"
"Without a doubt." Tamamo responded confidently as she slightly fixed herself within Naruto's hoodie.
"The bigger question is why he invited us with him and Crow?"
"Huh?"
Naruto sighed before clarifying his question. "From the moment he saw us together, Bolton looked like he knew what Crow came here for but he also seemed familiar with me as well."
"You don't think he's a stalker, do you?" Tamamo teased with a hidden smirk as she felt Naruto tensed up a moment later.
Diana rolled her eyes at the teasing scene in front of her before the conversation suddenly grew intense.
"What are you saying?!" Crow asked rather heatedly. "Do you really not want Pearson's killer to be brought to justice?!"
"…" Bolton stayed silent.
Gritting his teeth, Crow glanced at the photos that were hung on the wall next to them. "I see. Since you're a hotshot CEO, you've already forgotten your roots and the people connected to it." His teeth gritted as he snarled in anger while slamming his fist against one of the photos. "That's fine then. I'll go look for his killer by myself!"
"…" Bolton sighed in resignation as Crow was about to leave with Naruto and Diana until he stopped them. "Wait!" The trio stopped as they turned their attention to the CEO who was looking at the panoramic window. "Fine, I will tell you Crow…" Bolton turned around and pointed at Crow with a determined expression. "If you beat me in a duel!"
Needless to say, they were surprised but especially Crow. However, one of them was not happy with this.
"Are you stupid or something?!" Naruto asked angrily at the stoic Bolton while surprising Diana of his response. "If you really were Crow's friend, you would tell him who it is no matter what!"
Bolton chuckled a little at the blonde's remark. "But I'm not being fair. After all, everything can be settled in a Duel." Naruto growled behind his teeth before feeling Diana's hand on his shoulder, slightly calming him down. "Like I said before, I'll tell you who it is if you beat me… However, if I win, you will hand over the Blackwing Dragon card!"
Crow was taken aback in surprise like Diana and Naruto, except the latter was confused.
"Is there such a card?" Naruto asked before he looked at Crow. "I never seen you use that card in your practice Duels."
The Blackwing Duelist shook his head with a surprised look still present. "That's because I actually don't have the card." He answered Naruto while also informing Bolton as well. But the former Satellite resident shook his head in disbelief.
"I know Pearson gave you the Black Bird and the Blackwing deck. You do have the Blackwing Dragon card."
"I'm telling you that I don't! It burned up in the warehouse when—"
"Save it." Bolton retorted rather aggressively. "With that dragon in my hand, I use it as collateral to bring in clients and buyers." Before Naruto could say anything, Crow put up a hand to let Bolton continue, "To be honest, my company is the verge of bankruptcy and I need that card. I'm desperate."
"You sure are the 'Friend of the Year', all right." Naruto sarcastically remarked with a roll of his eyes.
"…I also have another condition."
Diana asked this time as an uneasy feeling began to swell up in her stomach. Her uneasy feeling was later confirmed when Bolton spoke his condition.
"I also want the Dark Magician."
Their eyes widening in surprise and shock, the trio stayed quiet until Naruto broke the silence.
"How did you know about me having the Dark Magician?"
"Did you really think a legendary and exceedingly rare card would go unnoticed, especially after its decade-long absence?" Bolton asked rhetorically as Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Let's just say I have a friend in the Duel Monsters world who has vast information regarding Duelists."
Right there, Diana had a realization to her uneasy feeling. "That's why you invited me and Naruto here. You knew about Naruto when you saw us in front of your building."
"Bolton…" Crow scowled at his former friend. "Leave him out of this. He has nothing to do with us or Pearson."
"My offer stands and I won't budge on it."
"…" Crow glared at Bolton before turning around to leave the room, but he stopped at the door. "We don't need you." With that said, he left with Naruto and Diana not far behind while the whisker-marked teenager sent Bolton a glare who seemed confident.
TWExTWExTWE
Martha's Orphanage, Satellite, Neo Domino City
"I see." Yusei said after hearing the full story from Crow and Naruto. Meanwhile, Diana and Jack was busy taking care of the orphaned children whose laugher rang out across the yard. "That's what happened."
"Yeah…"
"The nerve of that guy… Gah, it annoys me!" Naruto shouted while he grabbed his hair in annoyance. "To think he would go after my Dark Magician!" He blinked after realizing his insensitivity of the personal matter. "Sorry, Crow. This is about you, not me." The blonde then bowed apologetically to his friend.
"No, I'm the one who should be apologizing." Crow said before gritting his teeth in frustration. "Bolton dragged you into this too. What should I do? Perhaps I should just give up."
"…Pearson was very important to you, was he not?" Yusei asked his long-time friend who was taken aback by the question.
Crow immediately answered with vigor. "Of course he was!" A solemn look soon dressed his face. "But I failed to fulfill his dream."
"What do you mean?"
With a deep breath, Crow explained the time after he left the Enforcers. He had no goal in life except to care of the kids within Satellite long before the battle against Dark Signers and the completion of the Infinity Bridge that connects the two cities. How Pearson along with Bolton saved him and the children from pompous Satellite residents. It was also him who inspired the children to be more than what they were and taught them everything about Dueling: from the inner workings of a Duel Disk to the engine of a Duel Runner and such.
Needless to say that Crow really looked up to Pearson back then and even now. When he mentioned about Bolton being the one to actually fulfill Pearson's dream of being their Satellite-built Duel Runner and engine, Naruto stopped him there with a raised hand.
"I think that's where you are wrong, Crow."
"What?"
"He's right." Yusei nodded with Naruto's statement as he gestured behind him where Diana and Jack were teaching the kids about the different types of Monsters in the game. "Look at the children." Crow did look at them and they were smiling brightly. "While Bolton is CEO of a company, I think the children are more important than a Duel Runner."
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Yusei." Naruto pouted a little with puffed cheeks at his thunder being stolen, but smiled later. "From what you told us about Pearson, he cared about the children a lot more than a Duel Runner engine. Heck, I bet that was the only thing on his mind: the children's wellbeing and happiness."
Crow thought back about the times of Pearson teaching the children about Duel Monsters and the fun they had. All the beatings and fighting they endured to keep the children safe flashed through his mind. The smile Pearson would show to the children.
Naruto was right. Bolton may have fulfill Pearson's dream of the Satellite Duel Runner, but he himself had also fulfilled the dream of keeping the children safe. And that's when Crow found his answer.
"I'll duel him."
Grinning at the determined Crow, Naruto then entered a telepathic conversation with Diana and Dark Magician about the story. After some conversation and reassuring his monsters of his friend's victory, the blonde looked at Crow. "I trust you'll win, but I do have a question though."
"What is it?"
"Bolton wants the Blackwing Dragon, but you don't have it."
"Yeah."
"Where is the card?" Naruto asked genuinely. "If Pearson gave you the Black Bird, his Duel Disk and the Blackwing deck then don't you think he would've left you the card as well? He had to have safety measures or clues so you can find it."
That was a really good point. Crow was basically the inheritor of the Blackwing deck so Pearson would have to leave clues for him to solve. But the big question was where to start?
"…Regardless, even if I didn't have the card though I would still win." Crow finally answered.
After seeing his determined face, Naruto called over Diana before they both left on Kurama.
"…I need some time alone." Crow mentioned lowly before leaving on the Black Bird while bidding goodbye and giving hugs to the kids and Martha. He turned the key connected to the ignition and revved the engine before accelerating out of the orphanage's yard.
What Crow didn't notice was a lone black crow flying far above him and for a moment against a strong breeze, the high noon of the sun shined upon it to show three legs instead of the usual two.
TWExTWExTWE
(The Next Day)
Bolton's Duel Runner Experimental Dueling Field
After calling Bolton the duel was on, Crow arrived at the field aboard Black Bird as he parked next to a lone Duel Runner on the lane. On it was Bolton himself in a red tracksuit and black helmet not too dissimilar to Crow's helmet. His Duel Runner resembled a thin silver colored motorcycle with the head of a Cyber Dragon at the front.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah."
Meanwhile Jack and Yusei were in the exclusive control center stationed within a tower that gave unobstructed view of the Dueling Field and its complete track.
"Do you think Crow will win?" Jack asked the obvious.
Yusei sent a small glance at his friend before focusing on the field. "I admit it might be difficult for Crow since he's facing someone who's seen the Blackwing cards first experience, so he might have countermeasures against them. But you know him as well as I do. He won't give up."
"Don't I know it." Jack agreed with an appreciative grin before he looked around for someone. "Where's Naruto by the way?" He was informed about the wager for both Crow's Blackwing Dragon and Naruto's Dark Magician. Needless to say that he was pissed that Bolton wanted those cards in exchange for information on Pearson's killer.
The Power-type Duelist heard nervous chuckling from his longtime friend and fierce rival who looked away.
"Well, he… he got held up… at school."
"Huh?"
"Apparently he's missed a lot of classes while forgetting to inform the school."
"You don't mean…"
"H-Hai."
TWExTWExTWE
(Meanwhile)
Neo Domino Duel Academy
"Supplementary lessons!" The crying Naruto thought inwardly with his head atop on his desk as his tears animatedly streamed from his deck like a waterfall. "Add to the fact my mom was informed by the school of all things!"
The image of his deceptively smiling pregnant mother holding a ladle in her right crossed his mind, scaring him of the event earlier in the day.
"I hope I can make it up to her." Naruto muttered to himself. Fortunately, he only had to take three tests instead of six due to his grades being slightly top notch. "Maybe I should ask Soma to make her favorite. After all, her birthday is coming up as well."
Yep, his and Misaki's birthday are on the same day so double the fun, love and presents.
He only hopes to survive this day of countless torture and never go through it again.
TWExTWExTWE
Bolton's Experimental Dueling Field
Feeling a bit nervous, Crow breathed in deeply to calm his nerves. After all, he's facing against someone who knows his deck better than anyone.
"Nervous?"
Crow looked at Bolton who seemed confident of his upcoming victory. "No. Let's get this over with."
"Please don't think bad of me."
"Too late."
"…" Bolton put down his visor with a slight solemn expression, "Sorry."
Putting down his visor as well, Crow activated the Duel Mode as his deck was shuffled in the Wrist Dealer. "Let's do this."
The duo waited while the familiar Duel Mode field turned their environment slightly dim as the light in front of them beeped a few times at the color red.
As they waited, Crow thought back about the wise words Pearson once said.
"The children's smiles… They bring joy like none other in the cruel place we call life."
Red turned to yellow.
"Nothing else matters when the children are happy. If someone threatens the happiness or the source of that happiness…"
Yellow turned green as Crow and Bolton accelerated, starting the Turbo Duel.
"Let that person have it!"
"DUEL!" Crow and Bolton shouted with vigor as the former quickly clutched the gear and turned left, quickly gaining the first turn.
Crow: 4000 LP
SC: 0
Bolton: 4000 LP
SC: 0
"I'll go first. Draw!" Bolton drew his card and looked at it before playing right after. "I Normal Summon White Warrior – Fog the Treasure Shield (4/ATK-300/DEF-2000) in DEF mode."
Crow and his spectators watched as Bolton's first monster took its place on the field. It was a man with slightly tanned skin in clothing reminiscent to Roman times, two shoulder pauldrons and a crown that covered his eyes. He had spiky red hair with two bangs on the side as a pair of whitish-silver wings protruded from his back while wielding a large navy blue shield with golden ornaments around it. The distinguishing feature was the dull golden winged woman atop the shield.
"I place two cards facedown and end my turn." The CEO looked behind at his old friend. "Your move, Crow."
"Gladly. I draw!"
Crow looked at his new card and began his move as the Speed Counters rose to one.
"Since you have monsters and I don't, I Normal Summon Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn (5/ATK-2000/DEF-900) without a sacrifice. Come forth, my monster! Plus thanks to its special effect: since I have a Blackwing monster on my field, I can Special Summon another Blackwing monster. This guy being Blackwing – Bora the Spear (4/ATK-1700/DEF-800)!"
Crow watched his first monster took its place on his field. A humanoid creature with long, scaly green legs covered in light green fur around its thighs as a black crescent moon armor while flexing its black talons in anticipating for battle. The two distinct characteristics of the monster was the navy blue colored crow-like head's fur while a man's head was inside of it while its two black wings and lone tail fluttered against the wind.
"That's one. Now for the other." Crow looked at his second monster who'd just appeared onto the field as well.
Like its fellow Blackwing companion, it was also humanoid except its wings and tail are colored purplish-blue while its head had pink and light yellow fur as the orange snout had grinning teeth. Wielding in its right hand was a lancer-like spear reminiscent to a knight's jousting competition.
"Now I activate Blackwing –Sirocco the Dawn's effect! I increase one of my monster's ATK by the total ATK of every Blackwing monster on the field except itself. I choose my Bora the Spear as the selected target!" Crow declared as his monster glowed dim blue, an indicator of its power up.
Blackwing – Bora the Spear (ATK-3700)
"Now battle—"
"Think again! I activate my facedown card: The Continuous Trap Card Whiteout! This negates the effects of any monster that you control if that effect targets a card either in your hand, Graveyard…" Bolton chuckled as he sent a knowing smile. "or field."
Crow gritted his teeth in annoyance as his monster's power up was suddenly canceled and returned to normal after being washed over by a wave of blizzard snow. "I end my turn."
"My turn, draw!" Bolton drew his card as the Speed Counter increased to two. "I summon White Warrior – Hail the Iron Hammer (4/ATK-1800/DEF-1600) to the field in ATK mode."
His monster appeared to the field as a Human male wearing white Roman-like clothing with a short light green cape covering part of his left arm along the upper part of his back. A long-sleeve portion of a gauntlet covered its entire right arm as it wielded a large hammer with a symbol on it. Its eyes were covered by a black sunglasses-like object as its different shoulder guards shined against the sun along with the crown.
"Next I activate my other facedown card: The Continuous Trap Card, Sacred Arrow. From now during each End Phase, both of us take 400 points for every one of our monsters that were destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. Now battle!" Bolton said confidently. "White Warrior – Hail the Iron Hammer, attack Blackwing – Bora the Spear!"
Crow watched his monster get smashed like jelly by a swing from White Warrior's hammer as his LP went down to 3900. But his troubles didn't end there.
"Now my monster's special ability kicks in! Since it destroyed a monster in battle, I can destroy another monster so say good bye." Bolton said as his monster's effect destroyed Crow's last remaining monster. "I end my turn now. By this time, my Sacred Arrow's effect activates and since you've lost two monsters, you get 800 points of damage!"
Hearing a cackling from above, Crow looked up just in time to see a bolt of red lightning strike him down on his person as he grunted in faux pain. "My turn. Draw!"
Crow: 3100 LP
SC: 3
Bolton: 4000 LP
SC: 3
"I set one card facedown and summon Blackwing – Mistral the Silver Shield (2/ATK-100/DEF-1800) in DEF mode." Another Blackwing creature took to the field albeit differently. It was small like the size of an actual crow with short fluffy black wings and fur around as a silver mask/helmet covered its chest and entire head while the eyes can be seen within. "Your move."
"My turn. I draw." Bolton drew his new card as the Speed Counters increased to four. "I summon White Warrior – Snow the Rope Dart (4/ATK-0/DEF-0) in ATK mode."
Crow watched as his opponent's new monster appeared on the latter's field. Like the first White Warrior, this monster was a man also in similar Roman-like white clothing except its cape was light blue instead. Also long blue-purplish hair flared up towards the sky as the monster readied its choice of weapon like its weapon of choice: a whip with a sharp small dagger-like tip at the end.
But something else had also bothered him after the monster was summoned.
"Why would Bolton put it in ATK mode in spite of it being 0? Unless he has something planned." Crow thought as the last thing was most likely to occur.
Unfortunately, his assumption was proven to be correct.
"Now my new monster's effect activates at this time. It gains 100 ATK for each card on the field." Bolton said confidently as he glanced at Crow. "And I count seven cards here, so it gains 700 ATK."
White Warrior – Snow the Rope Dart (ATK-700)
"But it's no match for my Mistral the Silver Shield defensively."
"However, it is a match your LP."
"What?" Crow asked in surprise.
"Snow the Rope Dart can attack my opponent's LP directly without battling your monsters. Go!" Bolton commanded his chosen monster as it dashed towards Crow who braced himself for the impact.
Reeling back its rope dart, the White Warrior monster shot forward its occupied arm as it unleashed a wide arc of energy and made contact on the Black Bird along with its occupant.
Crow: 2400 LP
SC: 4
"Next I activate my White Warrior – Fog the Treasure Shield's special ability."
"Great..."
"When this card is in DEF mode as another one of my monsters inflict damage in direct attack, I can destroy one Spell or Trap Card on your side of the field." Bolton explained as Crow's eyes widened in surprise.
"That means—" Crow couldn't finish as his facedown card, the one he was hoping to turn the tides, was destroyed by the effect via a slash with the shield. "Damn it."
"That ends my turn."
"My turn then. I draw!" Crow declared with vigor as the Speed Counters increased to five. "I summon Blackwing –Shura the Blue Flame (4/ATK-1800/DEF-1200) in ATK mode." The new Blackwing monster had black wings and fur like the rest of its companions except the fur around its head and arms are light blue in color while its body was slightl thinner. "Now I tune my Level 4 Shura the Blue Flame to the Level 2 Mistral the Silver Shield!"
"A Synchro Summon!"
"Pitch-dark power, lodge in its great wings and stir up the divine winds!" The silver masked Blackwing morphed into two rings while encircling Blue Flame before it turned into four stars within. "Synchro Summon! Gust fiercely, Blackwing – Armored Blade (6/ATK-2600/DEF-1800)."
Bolton cringed when the familiar burst of light came between the rings as his opponent's Synchro Monster appeared on the field. It looked more humanoid with two sets of wings, one being black and the other being light pink, while its black armored arms wielded a shotgun with a long barrel and a silver blade attached at the tip. Light red feathers covered its shoulders as it looked at him in its mask-like goggles while its flaming-like deep crimson hair fluttered through the heavy breeze.
"Blackwing – Armored Blade, attack his Snow the Rope Dart with Black Charge!"
The mentioned monster grabbed its weapon's gauge before expertly cocking it as he aimed at the target with pinpoint accuracy, but Bolton had something else in mind.
"I activate my Rope Dart's effect! When it is targeted in battle, it can return to my hand." Bolton explained while Crow was taken aback as the monster returned to its owner's hand, thereby preventing battle damage.
For now, at least. Unless…
"Then I'll attack your other monsters. Armored Wing attacks your Fog the Treasure Shield!" Crow commanded his monster as it brought its weapon back for a swipe rather than shooting. "Next, I activate its first effect. When it is battling, it gains 500 ATK."
Blackwing – Armored Wing (ATK-2800)
The glowing powered up Blackwing monster dashed towards it chosen target and swiped the bladed edge at the White Warrior, destroying him in half as Bolton gritted in faux pain. "It also inflicts piercing damage as its second effect!"
Bolton: 3200 LP
SC:5
"By the end of the Damage Step, my Armored Wing's ATK returns to its original amount." Crow stated as his monster's ATK returned to 2300. "I set one card facedown and end my turn. By now your Sacred Arrow comes into effect since you lost a monster to the Graveyard." Crow watched the red lightning strike Bolton and brought the latter's LP to 2800.
"My turn then." Bolton declared as he drew his new card, increasing the SC to six. "I call to the field my White Warrior – Snow the Rope Dart once again." The third White Warrior reassumed its position before its retreat in the last turn. "… I really didn't want this to come… but you've forced my hand."
"What?"
"I tune my White Warrior – Hail the Iron Hammer to the White Warrior – Snow the Rope Dart…"
Crow was surprised by this. "That monster was a Tuner Monster?"
"One born from the darkness of the heart, come forth at the price of a good soul!" Bolton chanted as his monsters became the rings and stars that are the sign of a Synchro Summon. "Synchro Summon! Make them bleed, Crimson Mefist (8/ATK-2800/DEF-1300)!"
Bolton's Synchro Monster emerged from the pillar of light as it descended onto his field. Its face was pointed with pointy ears and pale-grayish with white eyes and black pupils as it wore a full black clothing with a top black hat on its head while carrying a scepter that had a skull on top of it.
More so, Crow stared at the monster in shock. It was the monster Mina and Trudge told him about the Duelist who would carry it the night of Pearson's death. And the one responsible for it was the one in front of him.
"You?"
TWExTWExTWE
After taking the three tests and passing them, an ecstatic Naruto ran out of the classroom while ignoring the teacher's yelling as he was ready to head over to Bolton's company and watch Crow beat the crap out of him.
The blonde jumped onto Kurama's seat with perfection, put on his helmet and turned the engine before accelerating out of the parking lot as he drove in the direction where Bolton's company was. "I hope he hasn't started yet."
He'd hoped it would be smooth sailing from here on that has nothing to do with Yliaster or that Kushina woman.
That was his thinking until Kurama's alarm alerted to his screen. There were three Duel Runners behind him and they were approaching fast.
"What now?" Naruto muttered, hoping that they were just tailgating him so he gestured them to pass him. When they didn't do so and stayed behind him, the blonde narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Don't tell me… Better lose them."
With haste, Naruto punched the accelerator as Kurama reached higher speed while the hooded men gave chase to reach him. He looked ahead and saw the light was already at yellow before pushing the accelerator even more, causing his chasers to catch up once more.
Once he drove past the middle of the intersection, the light had turned red and the chasers had to stop in order to avoid being road-kills. Naruto snickered at them before giving them the bird as he turned at the next three intersections just in case.
After making it to his home, Naruto entered and dropped off his backpack on the couch as he was about to leave right away. That's when he noticed his parents in the kitchen.
"Hey, mom. Dad. What's going on?" Naruto asked casually before noticing their downtrodden expressions. "What's the matter, you two?" He asked once more, this time with concern.
"…" Misaki looked at Joshua who reluctantly nodded before turning her eyes at her son. "Naruto… we need to talk."
"About?"
"Kushina Uzumaki."
His heart stopped when he heard that name. That woman's name. Naruto, feeling the lump in throat, cleared it before he spoke in his usual straightforward way. "How do you know that name?"
"I was heading to the garage to drop off snacks for you boys when I heard Yusei mention her." Misaki answered rather meekly, which nerved Naruto. She was never like this before. She was usually loud and strong, but caring and nurturing at the same time. "Why didn't you tell us she met you back in Tokyo?"
Naruto felt guilty at this point. He wanted to keep this a secret to protect his parents, but now he realizes that it was a mistake. "I didn't want to bother you two about some crazy woman and her claim of me being her son." He noticed the small glance between his parents and dread began to slowly overtake him. "She was crazy, right?"
Luckily, his mother shook her head as she grabbed Naruto's hand which he placed his other hand atop of hers.
"You are our son, Naruto. Don't ever doubt that, okay."
"Never." Naruto responded with finality, which brought a brief smile from his beautiful mother.
However, he was caught off-guard when his father said something.
"We've hidden for so long, son."
"Hidden?" Naruto asked.
"Do you remember those trips we took during your childhood?"
"Yeah. We had to move constantly because both of your jobs." Naruto said before he realized something else. Despite having known and befriended a lot of the locals from places like Paris, Ryuku Islands AKA Okinawa, Mexico City and Greece, Naruto had always wondered they would leave in the middle of the night without saying goodbye to any of them.
He thought they couldn't handle the departing well. He thought it was normal since they would cry at the sight of a perfectly cooked tamales laying on the streets one time.
They even held a funeral for the thing!
But now with Kushina in the mix, things were becoming for Naruto… and not in a good way.
"She's been following us?" He whispered in shock, which caused his parents to nod hesitatingly.
"You see, it all started—"
"Naruto, we have trouble outside." Tamamo said urgently through the link, surprising Naruto as he turned around to face the front of the house.
Joshua looked at the direction his distracted son was looking at. "Naruto, what's wrong?"
"Trouble."
Both father and son rose from their seats as they ran outside of their house and found the cloaked figures that were chasing Naruto earlier.
"You guys!"
"You know them?"
"Unfortunately. They were chasing me after I left the academy."
Naruto looked back at the three Duelists whom also had their decks ready as they drew their starting hand. "All right you guys. I'll take you all on!" He put on his Duel Disk before inserting his deck and activating it. That was until he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his father with his Duel Disk on his arm as well. "Dad…"
"Let's show these men not to mess with the Ea family!"
"Yosh!"
The five Duelists grew their starting hand while shouting the overall phrase used to start the battle.
"Duel!"
END OF CHAPTER
Another chapter is finished yet again. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter like the confrontation between Naruto and Kushina. For the latter, I hope I did a decent job between them and if not, please let me know otherwise. Well, Naruto Shippuden is coming to a close with either ten episodes or less, I believe. Pokemon XYZ's last episode will end on October 27, 2016 and we are screwed for the next two or three years. I've seen the new series for Pokemon and the animation is horrible. Why did they change the animation style? The animation for the XYZ series, Unova, and Sinnoh were great especially the former.
Movie time: there is an Assassin's Creed film coming out next month and I'm more or less looking forward to it. I just hope they followed the lore and customs of the Assassins and Templars displayed in the games. Spider-Man: Homecoming had ended filming not too long ago, so I'm waiting for the official trailer for the film. Perhaps they'll release during Thanksgiving or Christmas like they did for Star Wars: The Force Awakens back in October last year. Also Doctor Strange is coming out on November 4, next Friday I believe.
Chapter 11 Q&A's:
NinjaFang1331 (Sep.26): Thank you very much. I hope I did the conversation between Naruto and Kushina decent. If not, tell me what I did wrong or any improvements later on for future meetings.
Jebest4781 (Sep.26): Yes, it will be very interesting from here on. At least with Naruto and Kushina. There's a lot more to them than meets the eye.
Edrick Twilight Legend (Sep.26): I see. I apologize for that since I was used to your username. I should've recognized or referenced the reviews. Who knows? Anything is possible from here, but it will be interesting from now with Naruto's life. I hope this chapter had answered most of your questions.
Ivan0061509 (Sep.26): I'm glad that you liked the chapter, but I'm surprised about your confusion with Kuroko no Baske. Basically, it's a Shoujo or Shonen sports anime that has great and funny characters like Kuroko and Kagami. I suggest you either read the manga or watch the anime: it has three seasons after ending last year. I hope the new chapter with Naruto and Kushina together along with the Duel between Crow and Bolton.
Lightningblade49 (Sep.26): Rather than the usual teme Sasuke displayed most in the canon, there was the time where he was a bit more open plus friendly competitive with Naruto during the Chunin Exams. They can push each other to become better Duelists while being good friends. What are your questions if I may ask?
Megakdre100 (Sep.26): Who knows? You'll have to wait until the revelation.
SILVERE ESPADACHIN (Sep.26): I know, right. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter.
Ito Uchiha (Sep.27): Thank you. Yes, Diana and Tamamo are the main girls for Naruto and that's it. Yes, it will be funny especially with the Halloween chapter upcoming later on.
GodX (Sep.27): Kuroko no Baske is a great manga/anime series with funny characters and their developments. Aomine was very OP at the match, but then he was equaled by another OP character whose growth allowed him to do so. The Uchiha are their usual selves but more arrogant due to having certain creatures at their disposal. I too hope nothing else happens to you and all the readers in Fanfiction.
R-king 93 (Sep.27): I have my moments… *evil laugh*. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
AnonGod (Sep.27): That is great to hear that you are enjoyed by the writers in general. The authors with the amazing stories, do you know their usernames? May I learn them so I can read their stories. It's always good to give support to those who are hardworking and passionate like the Fanfiction writers. Is that so? There are a few authors I know who do reply to their readers' reviews like Shadowblade217 and I read them to better myself plus to make my story more readable and fun.
As for Shokugeki no Soma and Kuroko no Baske, those were filler scenes/chapters to build up the suspense for the next chapter like this chapter with Crow's Duel against Bolton. I have more ideas, but I am taking it slow and steady with the story as we are nearing the Grand Prix arc. So, the chapters with Shokugeki no Soma and Kuroko no Baske are somewhat boring to you, correct? I will see what I can do for the filler arcs, but it might have to be a short one since we are close to the Grand Prix.
I too hope nothing bad happens to you and your loved ones as well.
Ravage88atlas (Sep.27): No problem and it's pretty cool to be honest. Thank you since I could always use the help. Unfortunately, not everything will be explained about their background and I want to keep you guessing about his parentage. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter.
Keeper of Worlds (Sep.28): Yes, it did get crazy. Of course since it was Naruto and Sasuke with Dark Magician and Blue Eyes White Dragon.
