Kenichi sulks in a corner. There is nothing he can do to stop the play. Miu is training hard to master her role as Juliet. He can tell that she really wants to do her best. If he tries anything to mess with the play she will end up hating him. That is something he couldn't bear. He rather have Miu having a great time with another person, even if it is not him, as long as she doesn't hate him. "I guess I will have no choice but to watch Miu kiss Tanimoto," sighs Kenichi.

"Why is Miu kissing Tanimoto?"

"Ah!" Kenichi jumps in fright. Turning his head, he looks to see Naruto sitting next to him while staring up at the clouds. "When did you get there?!"

Naruto leans back against the fence. "I have been here for the past twenty minutes."

'Twenty minutes?! How did I not notice him?' Kenichi shakes his head. Naruto is a scary person to be able to sneak around like that. It reminds him so much of Shigure. "Miu is playing the lead role of Juliet in the school's play. Tanimoto is playing Romeo. In the play, Romeo and Juliet kiss because they are lovers."

"I see….." Kenichi waits for Naruto to finish his comment. Naruto continues to stare up at the clouds. A sweat drop comes from Ryozanpaku's disciple. He soon realizes after a couple minutes that Naruto isn't about to speak any further. Why are all his friends so weird?

The former ninja stands up. "Well…have fun at the play."

"Aren't you coming?"

"No, I have other plans…Later," waves Naruto.

'He even talks like Shigure,' sweat drops Kenichi. A smile forms on his face. It doesn't matter that Naruto is a bit on the weird side, a friend is a friend.

City

Naruto stares curiously at the fried squid. A light grumble comes from his stomach. He holds up his hand signaling that he wants two sticks of fried squid. A few minutes later, he is walking back down the street twirling around a clean pair of chopsticks. A flick of the wrist sends the chopsticks flying into the nearest garbage can.

Ragnarok seems to have quieted down the past few days. Ever since he defeated that girl for a second time, not many people have been bothering him. It is a bit disappointing. Most of the delinquents are targeting Kenichi not him. He was starting to enjoy the exercise between classes. Someone up above doesn't want him to have fun at school. Naruto sighs.

"Hello."

He stares ahead to see a pretty girl dressed like a boy. She is wearing a white button-up shirt, dark pants, and a long blue coat that reaches down to just above her ankles. The girl is tall with a lean build and long blonde hair. "Yo," greets Naruto.

"My name is Shiratori, I am Kisara-sama's personal guard." Naruto blinks. Shiratori sweat drops realizing that he doesn't care a single bit. Chances are he doesn't even remember that Kisara is the name of the girl he offered to be sparring partners with. "She wants you to come to this address. It is a private place where the two of you can spar," says Shiratori. "Please keep this a secret."

The former ninja takes the slip of paper. "When does she want to meet?"

"Tomorrow, after school."

"Ok…I will be there."

Shiratori is impressed. Even after Kisara-sama openly declared her desire to beat him, he doesn't show any fear at meeting up with a rival. This could be a trap set up by Ragnarok to ambush him. She finds herself begrudgingly respecting the boy. "Thank you." Shiratori walks away, heading back to base to report to Kisara-sama.

Naruto memorizes the address on the slip of paper before ripping it to shreds and tossing them into a garbage can. A sparring partner is going to really help his Kendo training. Things are starting to look up.

Next Day - Play

Nijiima grumbles under his breath. Kenichi, being the noble asshole that he is, refused to allow him to spread false rumors about Tanimoto. He had it all planned out. Manipulate Kenichi into ruining Tanimoto's reputation and use it as blackmail to force Kenichi to join the Shinpaku Alliance. It was a beautiful plan.

'I suppose it is not so bad,' chuckles Nijiima. To be able to resist his charms, Kenichi goes up another notch in Nijiima's assessment. There will be plenty of opportunity to manipulate Kenichi in the future, all he needs to do is be patient and work on getting more disposable pawns before obtaining the general.

Break

"You really thought I was good?" blushes Miu.

Kenichi smiles, "you were great Miu." Inwardly, he is doing a celebration dance. Miu and Tanimoto didn't kiss at all during the play. Miu was too embarrassed to do a kissing scene so it was removed from the script. He still has a chance with the girl. Today has been the best day ever!

Miu suddenly senses a killing intent and turns her head. Kenichi is surprised by her sudden movement. He comes to a stop looking in the same direction as her. There standing in the middle of the bridge is a boy wearing a dark hood and cloak with arm bands and leather boots. "Who are you?" asks Kenichi.

The boy raises up his fist revealing a glove with the Roman Numeral 6 on it. "My name is Hermit."

"Hermit?"

Miu gains a confused look. Kenichi's eyes widen in surprise. "The Sixth Fist of Ragnarok." Nijiima warned him that Hermit was asking questions about him. Hermit must have got bored asking others and decided to come straight to the source.

Hermit crouches down into a fighting stance. "Shirahama Kenichi, I am going to destroy you!"

Docks

Kisara stretches out her legs. It almost time for that blonde brat to show up. He better not show up late or she is going to kick his ass. This may be a simple spar, but she doesn't plan on losing. She is going to beat him this time.

"Is that him?" whispers Shiratori in surprise.

"Huh?" Kisara turns around. A familiar boy comes walking towards them. He has on an outfit that makes him look unrecognizable. If he didn't have on that stupid mask, the two girls would be at a lost on who is walking towards them. Naruto wears a green flak vest over a long sleeve navy blue shirt, iron clad fingerless black gloves, black pants that are wrapped up at the shins, and open toed blue sandals. A pair of white pouches are on the back of his waist and strapped to his back is a long black sheath with a sword hilt sticking out over his right shoulder. "Why is he dressed like some ninja?" frowns Kisara.

Naruto gives a light wave. "Yo."

"This is a spar not a cosplay," deadpans Kisara.

"Hmm…should you really be making fun of my outfit? You can't even…wear jeans with two pant legs," he points out.

She blushes in embarrassment. "I get them like this on purpose!" Naruto gives a doubtful expression. Kisara turns red in anger. This bastard is always saying stuff to piss her off. "I hope you are ready to get your ass kicked." Crouching down into her stance, she prepares to get this spar started.

He reaches up grabbing the hilt with his left hand and drawing the sword in a smooth motion. A beautiful steel blade is revealed. It is a slightly longer than an average katana with a teardrop guard and red diamond design hilt. "You can't use a real sword! This is a spar!" shouts Shiratori.

"I am a weapon user…using a real weapon will force Kisara-san to increase her reflexes and evasion abilities…or get cut," replies Naruto.

A smirk forms on Kisara's face. "I am not scared." He holds his sword out in front of him with the right foot forward and left foot planted firmly. Placing both hands on the hilt, he locks his eyes onto Kisara. She responds in kind tensing her legs. The two stand there staring at each other. Neither fighter makes a move. A classic John Woo stare down. Kisara scowls and charges forward tired of the lack of action. Patience is not her strong suit. A low kick is aimed at Naruto's knees, but he steps around the kick raising the sword above his head. He swings downward intent on slicing Kisara in half. She barely manages to avoid the cut. Wincing, a cut opens up across her left arm. Naruto quickly raises the sword up parallel to the ground and thrusts it forward. She ducks under the thrust and aims a kick at his groin. He jumps backwards avoiding the kick.

'I am not used to wielding a weapon of this size and weight,' thinks Naruto.

'He is slower when using the sword,' notices Kisara.

Shiratori is surprised. When using a real sword, Uzumaki's speed is lowered. He is not used to using a weapon of such weight and size. This works in Kisara-sama's favor. Uzumaki has the advantage in reach, but Kisara is used to fighting bigger opponents so it won't work in his favor for long. That works both ways though. Once Uzumaki gets used to using a real sword, Kisara will lose her advantage in speed. 'For now the two are about evenly matched,' thinks Shiratori.

Naruto performs a diagonal slash forcing Kisara backwards. "You…are used to fighting weapon users." He can see it in the way she is fighting him. Her body is acting on pure reflex with each thrust and slash that only comes from constant training.

"I used to be part of a group that specialized in using weapons. I fought against them all the time in order to make my kicks stronger than any weapon," replies Kisara. She launches a barrage of kicks forcing Naruto on the defensive. "You will need to do better if you want to beat me with a sword!" Her boot pinned his sword to the ground and she spins around delivering a heel kick to his face. He slides backwards never losing his grip on the sword. Kisara smirks proud of her accomplishment.

He rubs his jaw before getting back into his stance. 'I almost reached for a kunai there. This is a spar to increase my kenjutsu abilities, I can't use any other weapons.' Naruto springs forward thrusting forward several times. She flows around the thrusts aiming a high kick at his face, he ducks under the kick and uses his left leg to sweep out her planted foot. As she falls backwards, she places her hands on the ground and kicks upward. Blade and boot meet stopping the other. The two leap apart. "A woman with steel toe boots is as strong as any weapon," smirks Kisara.

"I'll keep that…in mind," Naruto's smile is hidden behind his mask.

The two continue their spar.

Break

Odin sits with a bored expression. "Shinpaku Alliance? They managed to take down Kisara and Hermit has gone missing."

"I heard it is a small group," says Thor. Thor is a very tall and large-framed man. He is lightly-tanned with short black hair and long sideburns. He sports a defined and well-muscled built with a large, round belly. He typically is seen wearing a sleeveless kimono to show off his muscular arms.

Freya adds her own opinion. She is a fairly tall and very attractive dark-skinned woman with blue-eyes and short messy brown hair. Also, she possesses curvy eyebrows and a thin scar running across her left cheek. She is slender but noticeably curvaceous and athletic in frame with broad shoulders, flare hips, a well-endowed chest with a fairly muscled and well-toned build. The girl wears a form-fitting light-blue sleeveless-shirt and dark blue spandex pants with an orange leather jacket and a golden eye-like pendant around her neck. "If some of the members are strong, we can use them to bolster our own strength."

"Allow me to deal with them," smirks Loki. He is a tall muscular young man with light blue hair that sticks up in the front and has combed in the back. Loki wears a dark long trench coat with dark gloves and a skin tight fighting outfit. The Fourth Fist is known for his trademark bug-like goggles that hide his facial features. "I will find there weakness." No one can escape the Battle Strategist, Loki.

Break

"Naruto-kun!"

Naruto pauses and turns his head to look at the girl. Matoko gives a pretty smile. "What are you doing today after school?"

He opens the locker ready to put his books away. "I…" Naruto spots a strange object in his locker. Reaching in, he pulls out a sealed letter. Makoto blinks. "Who is the letter from?" The former ninja shrugs. Carefully, he opens the letter. The letter doesn't have any poison nor did a trap activate upon opening it. It seems to be safe.

Dear Uzumaki Naruto,

We haven't formally met, but I have seen you around the school. I think you are very brave and strong. I was wondering if you would meet me after school at Matsue Lark. I hope to see you there, Naruto-kun.

Matoko gains a tick above her eye. Someone dares to send her Naruto-kun a love letter?! Lightning crackles behind the girl. She is going to destroy the girl that is trying to steal Naruto-kun from her! A ripping sound snaps her out of her thoughts. Blinking, she sees Naruto ripping up the letter before tossing it in a garbage can. "Um, why did you do that?"

"I don't go to places…to meet with people I don't know," he answers.

She cheers inwardly. Take that secret lover girl! Rejected! Matoko nods. "I agree. It is way too suspicious."

Naruto closes his locker. "I'll see you around." He gives a wave.

"Later!" waves Matoko. A dark cloud appears over her head. She was planning to ask him out. That stupid love letter ruined all her plans!

Break

Kisara puts down the water bottle. "So you are really not going to do anything? I thought Shirahama was your friend." The two finished an intense hour long spar with no breaks except when one of them was on the ground. That person being Kisara now that Naruto is more used to using a katana.

"He is my friend." Naruto places his hands behind his head. He stares up at the clouds. It is an absolutely beautiful day. "Do I…really have to go help him? Kenichi…is not weak."

"Loki is the biggest coward I know, but he is a genius at using underhanded tactics and gathering information. If the Shinpaku Alliance is really as strong as it boasts, it should be able to handle the trap that Loki is planning," admits Kisara.

Naruto gains an amused look. "You don't…much care for Ragnarok."

She huffs refusing to meet his eyes. "Shut up, I care about Ragnarok a lot!" The former ninja doesn't believe her in the slightest. "Ragnarok is all about strength. I want to be strong so it is the perfect place for me!" Kisara turns her head. "Besides, you don't seem to care to help out your friend, so what makes you so different from us?"

"I…don't understand."

"No one in Ragnarok would ever risk their neck for a friend or comrade. I don't see you risking your neck for Kenichi or the Shinpaku Alliance, so what makes you so different from us?"

A pensive look is in his eyes. She makes a valid point. Kisara was surprised to see him today because Loki is setting up a trap to destroy the Shinpaku Alliance. The girl was even more surprised by his nonchalant behavior and desire to spar instead of worrying about Kenichi and the Shinpaku Alliance.

"Friends help out each other."

Kenichi told him that. Friends are supposed to help each other. Naruto enjoys being Kenichi's friend. Perhaps he should have gone to help the Shinpaku Alliance against the Fourth Fist, Loki. He doesn't want to be a bad friend. Tomorrow, he will check up on Kenichi to make sure that he is alive. "I…suppose my behavior isn't much different…from Ragnarok." Standing up, he looks down at Kisara with a more serious expression. "But I care about my comrades even if they don't care about me." The Shinpaku Alliance are not his comrades, he is referring strictly to Kenichi.

Kisara gains a light blush. He sounded pretty cool for a moment. "Whatever." Great, now she sounds extremely lame.

Naruto throws up a wave as he begins to walk away. "Time to…go home." Kisara stands up. "Later Kisara-san."

Nighttime

Nijiima types away furiously at his PDA. Today turned out to be a magnificent day. The Shinpaku Alliance scored a major victory against Ragnarok. It took a little manipulation, but he managed to get Kenichi, Takeda, and Ukita to fight for the Shinpaku Alliance. Those fake love letters were perfect. The only downside is that they were unable to beat the real Loki. A disappointment for sure, but a minor setback in the scheme of things. Loki is the type of person to hide in the shadows until forced out. The alien will force the cowardly Fourth Fist out by defeating all the other fists of Ragnarok, one by one. Nijiima is already gaining information on the Fifth Fist, Siegfried.

There is one part of the plan that did not go accordingly. Uzumaki Naruto never showed up. The love letter didn't work on bringing the Kendo prodigy. Naruto is definitely the strongest person at school. He is the one that defeated Kisara. Kenichi hasn't even defeated a Deadly Fist of Ragnarok. Nijiima knows that Kenichi fought with Hermit, Tanimoto Natsu, but a winner was never determined. To make the Shinpaku Alliance complete, Nijiima knows that he needs Naruto to be a more active member.

'I will have to split my information gathering between Ragnarok and Naruto,' smirks Nijiima.

School

"How did your date go?" teases Miu.

Kenichi gives her a deadpan look, "laugh it up." She giggles unable to contain her laughter.

The two walk through the front gate of the school. "Yo." Kenichi jumps in fright. Miu spins around getting into a fighting stance. Naruto stands behind them. "I heard…you fell into a trap by Ragnarok." The former ninja walks over to Kenichi.

Miu's eyes narrow. 'How? How is he able to sneak up on me in such a casual manner!?' It doesn't make any sense. She has been trained since she was a little girl. One of the first things she learned is how to sense people around her so that no one would be able to sneak up on her. Grandpa was always getting into fights so she had to keep her senses sharp to prevent enemies from capturing her to use against grandpa. This boy is able to evade all her senses every time! Just who trained him?

"Yeah, it was really Nijiima who tricked me," grumbles Kenichi.

"I see."

"Hey, how come Nijiima didn't try to trick you? I mean you are way stronger than me."

Naruto shrugs. "I tend to ignore…Nijiima."

"Commander!"

Kenichi, Naruto, and Miu turn around to see two boys running towards them. "Matsui, Mizunuma, please stop calling me that," Kenichi shakes his head. He really does hate Nijiima.

Matsui is a member of the Shinpaku Alliance. He is the proud member that carries around the Shinpaku Alliance flag. Mizunuma is a former bullied kid that joined the Shinpaku Alliance to grow stronger and protect the ideals of justice like Kenichi. "Commander, it is terrible. Leader never showed up for school. I think something might have happened to him." Matsui is hyperventilating.

"Yeah right," replies Kenichi. "The alien is probably at home."

"I found this in the river on the way to school." Mizunuma pulls out Nijiima's PDA. Kenichi's eyes widen in surprise. "The water proof case saved it from being damaged, but I have never seen leader without his PDA."

Kenichi takes the PDA. "Nijiima would never leave this behind. Something terrible must have happened." The number one disciple at Ryozanpaku gains a hard look. "I have to find Nijiima. I am getting a bad feeling."

Miu nods. "We better start looking for him quick."

"You…are going to help Nijiima?" Naruto gains a confused look. "Why?"

"Nijiima is an evil alien bastard and a terrible friend. But the even a bad friend is still a friend. I have to help him," explains Kenichi.

Naruto watches as Kenichi and Miu run off school grounds. The former ninja doesn't understand that logic at all. Those two are going to skip school and run into danger to save someone that they don't even like. He gains a thoughtful expression. It seems that friendship is much like being on a ninja team. Friends look out for friends just like comrades are supposed to have each other's back during a mission. He is beginning to understand more about friendship. Kisara was right, friends are supposed to have each other's back no matter the circumstances. "Naruto, you are a general too. Will you help find Leader?" asks Matsui.

"No…I am not part of the Shinpaku Alliance…And Nijiima is not my friend." Naruto walks away, leaving behind a surprised Mizunuma and Matsui.