"I am finally ready to face Ryuuto." Kenichi walks next to the Elder. "I am going to show Ryuuto that there is more to fighting than power."
A chuckle comes from the Elder. "Do not get cocky now, you may have learned the Seikuken, but you have a long way to go in terms of mastering it." Kenichi smiles sheepishly. "Remember to keep a calm mind and stay focused, and you will be able to fight any opponent."
Kenichi nods in understanding. "I understand. Thank you for the training Elder." He is more thankful that the training is over with. The Elder is a child abuser. Akisame and his machines are more humane than what the Elder put him through. There at least a dozen times when he came close to death.
"My pleasure my boy," laughs the Elder.
Ryozanpaku
Naruto lies in bed staring up at the ceiling. Passing out around unknown people with incredible power that is something a ninja is never supposed to do. A sigh comes from the ninja. Wait, he is not a ninja anymore so he needs to stop trying to follow the guidelines of a ninja. Old habits sure are hard to overcome. He sits up in bed. Still, he doesn't know these people and who knows what they might want to do with him. It wouldn't be the first time that powerful people try to use him for their own selfish desires.
A familiar voice makes him turns his head. "So, you managed to defeat Odin." Naruto looks at Berserker. Berserker lies in bed chewing on gum. "I guess you really are strong."
"Thank…you?"
Berserker turns to look at Naruto. "How come you didn't kill me?"
The former ninja leans his back against the headboard. "Why…do you want to die?" Berserker doesn't respond to that question. Naruto closes his eyes. "When we fought…I had fun. It is the same…when I fought Odin. Why would I want to kill people…who make fighting fun?"
The Second Fist of Ragnarok begins to smirk. Berserker understands that feeling perfectly. All he ever wants to do is have fun. Unfortunately, he is never able to find a single person that can give him a good fight. He ends up getting bored and he ends the fight not wanting to move onto the next fight. It turns out those boring fights made him lazy and weak. Since he never had to try hard to win, he never bothered with taking his training seriously. It wasn't until he fought Odin did he regain hope to face strong fighters. Odin is the first person to defeat him. The fight wasn't in the least bit fun with Odin destroying him with a few blows. He started to get in more fights hoping to find more strong opponents like Odin. If he continued to fight strong opponents one day he would reach Odin's level. Once again, he ended up defeating everyone he faced with ease. The boredom settled in and he resigned himself to the fact that Odin is stronger. 'I finally met an opponent that is stronger than Odin.' Uzumaki Naruto is a martial artist that is stronger than Odin and as ruthless in battle as him. Despite the cold efficiency that Naruto fights with, he enjoys the battle even against weaker opponents. Berserker never considered that he could have fun with a weaker opponent. He thought he needed to have a strong opponent to enjoy a fight. Naruto showed him that a fight can be enjoyable no matter the opponent as long as the fighters share a love for fighting.
"Next time we fight, I plan on winning," states Berserker with a smirk.
Naruto's smile is hidden behind his mask. "I…look forward to it." For some reason, he gets the feeling that he gained a friend in Berserker. It would be nice to gain Berserker as a friend. They both share a love for fighting. He thinks that the two of them could be good friends. Plus, than he would have five friends! Who would have thought that he would ever have so many friends?
He blinks. "I think…we should go before they come…back."
Berserker points at the headboard. Naruto turns his head to see Tochumaru standing guard with a small katana. "The mouse alerts those people whenever I try to leave." Tochumaru puffs out his chest proudly. The two boys lie back down knowing they aren't going anywhere any time soon.
Ryozanpaku
"WHAT!?"
Miu winces at the volume. "Kenichi, not so loud please."
Ryozanpaku's number one disciple stares at Miu with eyes wide in disbelief. "Ragnarok is disbanded?! What happened?!" Kenichi begins to shake Miu. "What about Ryuuto…" He is flipped over and smashes to the ground.
"Ah! You know better than to grab me!" Miu gains a worried look. Kenichi lies on the ground with stares in his eyes.
Kenichi quickly hops to his feet surprising Miu. "Miu, what about Ryuuto? There is no way he would disband Ragnarok without a fight."
A dark laughter comes from behind Kenichi. The number one disciple at Ryozanpaku feels a shiver crawl down his spine at hearing such evil. Nijiima comes up beside Kenichi. "While you were off training, Ragnarok launched an attack upon the Shinpaku Alliance. But we managed to defeat them all!" Nijiima laughs victoriously.
Miu decides to elaborate. "Naruto decided to help the Shinpaku Alliance out. He defeated the Second and First Fist." Kenichi stares at Miu with surprise written all over his face. "Ryuuto and Naruto fought an intense battle. I really didn't know who would win, but Naruto managed to defeat Ryuuto."
"Naruto defeated Ryuuto…"
She gains a worried look. "Are you upset?"
Nijiima begins to walk away. "If you want to speak with Naruto, he is at the clinic." The alien throws up a wave. "I need to check on the other members of the Shinpaku Alliance."
Kenichi's eyes harden. He needs to speak with Naruto. "Kenichi." Miu chases after Kenichi.
Clinic
Naruto glances at the three empty beds in the clinic. There are three empty beds and yet for some reason she is sitting on his bed. She is not only sitting on his bed, but on top of his legs. He looks over at Berserker hoping for an explanation. Berserker gives a shrug and continues to chew on his gum. Ocean blue eyes go back to staring at the woman who is completely ignoring his discomfort.
Shigure sits with her legs crossed and sword out. The weapon's master is gently cleaning her sword without a care in the world. Tochumaru is sleeping on her head.
The doors to the clinic burst open. Kenichi races into the room. "Naruto!" Miu comes running into the clinic behind Kenichi.
"Yo."
Kenichi runs over to Naruto. He pauses turning his head to look at Shigure. "Um Shigure-sensei?"
"Yes…?"
"Why are you sitting on Naruto's legs?"
Shigure stares at Kenichi blankly. Kenichi gulps. Out of all the masters, Shigure is definitely the scariest. He takes a step back fearing that he upset her. She goes back to cleaning her sword. "I…am cleaning…my sword."
A thud fills the air as Kenichi face faults. Miu sweat drops. Naruto doesn't bother to argue knowing that it is a battle he isn't going to win. Berserker continues to chew his gum. "Ok…Naruto, what happened between you and Ryuuto?" The former ninja tilts his head in confusion. "Ryuuto, you know the guy you fought." A shrug comes from Naruto.
"Odin," says Berserker.
"Oh…we fought…and I won," answers Naruto.
Kenichi slaps his face. "I mean, why did you fight him?"
"I made…a deal with Nijiima."
Kenichi and Miu lean forward curiously. Naruto stares at them blankly. A silence envelopes the clinic. Miu waves her arms childishly. "Tell us about the deal." She pouts cutely.
Naruto scratches the back of his head. He needs to remember that people like to have full details and not be so vague with his answers. "I…told him I would defeat Ragnarok…in exchange…he would stop following me around."
"Does that mean you are part of the Shinpaku Alliance?" asks Miu.
"No…that was never part of the agreement."
"Naruto…" Naruto and Miu look at Kenichi. Kenichi's head is lowered so that his bangs shadow his face. The two get a foreboding vibe from Kenichi. Ryozanpaku's number one disciple begins to cry childishly. "I can't believe this! Why couldn't you beat Ryuuto before I left? Do you know what crazy and hellish training I had to endure? The Elder is a freaking beast! A sadistic beast who tried to kill me all week!"
The former ninja sweat drops. "I am…sorry?"
Kenichi continues to act like a child. Inwardly, Kenichi is sad. He had hoped to fight with Ryuuto and show him that martial arts are meant to help others, not destroy. As happy as he is to hear that Naruto protected his friends from Ragnarok, he is severely disappointed that it wasn't him that fought Ryuuto. Ragnarok is disbanded now and who knows when he will get the chance to see his friend again. 'Ryuuto, when we meet again I will show you that there is more to life than gaining power.'
Break
Berserker and Naruto stand across from each other. "I am going to leave for a bit and go train."
"I will do…the same." Naruto surprises Berserker when he holds out his hand. "Until…we meet again."
A smirk forms on Berserker's face. Berserker reaches forward shaking hands with Naruto. The two part ways with a wave. Naruto prepares to leave the dojo as well, but finds his path blocked. He stares at the woman with no fear. If she was going to kill him she would have done it by now. Shigure bops him on the head with a wooden spoon. "You…are to stay here…my disciple."
Naruto narrows his eyes. "I won't become another weapon…for someone to use."
"Teach you to use weapons…become one with your weapons." Shigure stares deep into his ocean blue eyes. "You…decide the path to take with such…power."
He hesitates for a second. This is a chance of a lifetime. A chance to learn from a woman that possesses Kage level skill and power. Naruto never had a teacher that wanted to teach him. Anko was a comrade who helped him out from time to time, but she never taught him more than the basics. "Sorry, but my jutsu are meant to kill a certain monster. I don't plan on passing them down." Judging from the way that Kenichi was able to grow so strong, he knows that training under her will help him grow leaps and bounds. Still, can he trust her?
Akisame starts to speak as he walks towards the two. "Shigure is not asking you to live here like Kenichi does." The jujitsu master gives a friendly smile. "How about stopping by each day after school to train under her? Or every other day if it suits you. No one is going to force you to do something that you don't want."
Shigure looks down at the chain in her hands. "I…can't?"
"I know you may think that there are ulterior motives, but that is far from the truth." Naruto gives a doubtful look. "Kenichi is Ryozanpaku's disciple, but unfortunately, he has an irrational fear of weapons. I am afraid that he will never be able to truly learn all that Shigure has to offer. Shigure is an excellent teacher and wants to pass down her techniques. It is a great honor to be offered such an opportunity." Shigure puffs out her large breasts proudly.
The former ninja can sense no deception. He scratches the back of his head. It goes against everything that he was taught. Trusting people that he doesn't know, but his instincts are telling him that they are speaking the truth. His instincts are what kept him alive for so long. "Ok…I will come by after…school."
"I will…be waiting…do not be late or I will find you." Akisame chuckles while Naruto sweat drops. Shigure gives a dark look. That instinct he gets when around an angry Kisara is starting to scream at him to agree to Shigure's demands. He gives a nod. Shigure gives a satisfied look and walks away heading inside the dojo.
'I somehow feel…like I am going to regret this decision,' thinks Naruto.
Hospital
"Freya-sama!"
Kari, a member of the Valkyrie, runs into the hospital room. Freya lies on the bed with her arm in a sling. "Stop screaming. I am trying to get some rest." Kisara is in the bed next to Freya. She is in no better condition with bandages wrapped tightly around her chest. The red head is tired of the Valkyries running in and out of the room to speak with Freya.
Freya ignores Kisara's outburst. "What is it?"
"Odin was defeated!" Freya and Kisara's eyes widen. Kari continues in a rushed voice. "The Shinpaku Alliance defeated Ragnarok!"
Kisara sits up wincing in pain. "What the hell are you talking about? Who beat Odin?"
"It was Uzumaki wasn't it?" states Freya knowingly.
A nod comes from the Valkyrie. "He not only defeated Odin, but he beat Berserker too." Freya gains a smile. Kisara's jaw drops not believing what she is being told. "Thor even joined the Shinpaku Alliance at the final battle."
"Thank you Kari. Can you go get us some tea please?" Kari bows respectfully. Freya looks over at Kisara the smile never leaving the older girl's face. "It seems Uzumaki Naruto keeps growing stronger and stronger."
Kisara shakes her head. "I can't believe that he beat Berserker and Odin."
'What an interesting man.' Freya closes her eyes. Perhaps she should spend some time with Naruto-san. She does like to be around strong men.
School
Matoko runs forward with worried eyes. "Naruto-kun!"
"Yo," waves Naruto.
"I heard you got into a big fight. Are you ok?" Matoko begins to check him over. "That alien freak is spreading it all over school. Something about you fighting with Ragnarok and the Shinpaku Alliance saving you."
Naruto sweat drops. The Shinpaku Alliance saved him? He remembers it being the other way around. Nijiima truly is a master at manipulating the situation to suit his needs. Now that he thinks back on the battle with Ragnarok, there is one person that Naruto expected to make a move during the battle with Ragnarok and that was Loki. Surprisingly, the Fourth Fist never tried to attack him during the fight with Odin. It would have been the perfect opportunity. He needs to speak with Nijiima to find out what happened with Loki.
"Naruto-kun?"
"Ah…sorry." Naruto scratches the back of his head. "I am…fine. Nothing to worry about."
A smile lights up her face. "Ok!" Matoko turns around. "Come on, we need to get to class."
Shinpaku Alliance
Nijiima sits back in his chair with his feet kicked up on the table. The Shinpaku Alliance is the number one gang in the city. Ragnarok has been completely destroyed. Things have turned out even better than he planned. More people are seeking to join the Shinpaku Alliance than ever before. Of course, he set up a screening so that he doesn't get any rotten apples to ruin his organization. Anyone that tries to tarnish the good name of the Shinpaku Alliance must suffer.
He thinks over the list of captains that are with the Shinpaku Alliance. Takeda the Puncher, Ukita the Thrower, Siegfried the Immortal Musician, Nanjou Kisara, and the recently joined Thor. All five captains are powerful martial artists that with the proper training will grow even stronger. He plans on helping them all reach Naruto and Kenichi's level. That reminds him, he needs to find out how much Kenichi has grown since coming back from his training with the Elder. The Elder is the strongest monster at Ryozanpaku so Kenichi's training must have been hell on earth. Nijiima can't wait to see Kenichi newfound strength.
"I need to…Ah!" Nijiima jumps in fright. Naruto sits on the other side of the table with a bored look. The alien gulps wondering how long Naruto has been there. "Naruto-kun, what are you doing here? Have you reconsidered joining the Shinpaku Alliance?"
Naruto shakes his head. "I want to know…what happened to Loki."
"Loki?" Nijiima thinks back on the matter. "Oh yes, well while you were fighting Odin, Tanimoto showed up. It turns out that Tanimoto wanted revenge against Loki for using the Great Sage Fist's name awhile back. I found it quite amusing to see Loki try to run away only to be crushed. Tanimoto not only defeated Loki, but also all the members of a new Ragnarok gang that Loki was planning to set up." Laughter erupts from the alien.
The former ninja feels a bit disappointed by that knowledge. He actually wanted to see what Loki had planned for him. Then again, it is probably for the best. It most likely would have been annoying to deal with Loki's schemes. Tanimoto did him a favor. "Thanks," says Naruto standing up.
Nijiima gains a gleam. "So…ninja training huh?" Naruto freezes mid-step. "I had no idea that ninja existed."
Inwardly, a curse fills the ninja's head. He never should have said anything about that to Odin. Naruto got carried away with the fight and started to brag about his abilities. A ninja is never supposed to reveal information about his life or techniques. Information is deadly when in the wrong hands. He glances back at Nijiima. Nijiima feels his body begin to tremble. The alien finds it hard to breathe. "Did you…say something?" asks Naruto.
"N-nothing!" Nijiima laughs waving his hands. "Not a single word." A nod comes from the masked student. Once Naruto leaves the room, Nijiima takes in a large gulp of air. 'What the hell was that?' The alien has no idea what happened, but he decides it is best that he doesn't mention the word ninja around Naruto again.
Gardening Club
Miu peeks inside the greenhouse to see Kenichi working with Izumi to plant a couple new flowers. A worried look is on her face. This morning she overheard grandpa and the masters talking about a danger that is coming. It has been a long time since she seen her grandpa so concerned. Even the other masters were unusually serious on the matter. Kenichi smiles happily. He is oblivious to the danger that could come at any second.
"Hey honey."
Takeda comes walking towards Miu. "Hi Takeda," smiles Miu.
The boxer gives a charming smile. He notices that Miu seems to be tense. "What is wrong? You seem tense."
Laughter comes from Miu. "Nothing! I am not tense! Just checking on Kenichi!" Takeda raises an eyebrow. Miu gives a wave before jogging away. "I got to get going to gymnastics! Bye!"
"That was strange." Takeda shrugs. Girls are known to be weird. He heads into the greenhouse to have a chat with Kenichi.
Ryozanpaku
"This is great. Maybe with you becoming a disciple the masters won't torture me so much," smiles Kenichi.
Miu giggles in amusement. "You rarely train with Shigure-san as it is. I doubt your training will change." Kenichi starts to cry crocodile tears. She doesn't bother to tell him that the masters are going to increase his training regimen. It is best not to scare him.
Naruto shifts uncomfortably. He hopes that he is doing the right thing. Once he is inside that dojo, any evil intentions that the masters may have hid from him will be known and he won't be able to do anything about it. Kenichi and Miu both notice Naruto's anxiety. "Hey, the masters are really great. I mean they are tough, but you can learn so much from them," reassures Kenichi.
"Plus, we will be there to help out," smiles Miu.
"Ok."
Ryozanpaku comes into sight. Much to Kenichi and Miu's surprise, Shigure is sitting on top of the doors cleaning her sword. Her eyes travel downward to look at Naruto. "Open…the doors." Naruto steps forward placing a hand on the doors. Pushing, the doors don't budge in the slightest. He instantly understands the situation. The doors are a test. Only those that train their bodies beyond human limits will be able to open the door. He reaches up placing a second hand on the door. Kenichi's jaw drops as the doors swing open far enough to all two people to enter at once. "No way! He didn't even look like he tried!"
Shigure lands next to Naruto. "Good." Naruto follows her into Ryozanpaku.
The Elder walks forward with a friendly smile. "Shigure, I see you brought a guest." Naruto turns his head to look at the one approaching. It is incredible the power he senses coming from the man. He feels like he is in the presence of the Hokage. A part of him is terrified being in the presence of such a powerful individual, but the more rational part can sense no dark intentions and knows that this man means him no harm.
"He is…my disciple." Shigure puffs out her chest.
Naruto stares up at the Elder. The Elder is a towering fair-skinned man with blue-eyes and blond hair . His hair reaches mid-back and also sports a chest-length beard, mancho mustache, and strands forming a thick antenna-like shape hanging in front of his face. Despite his advanced age, he has largely muscular and well-defined build, few wrinkles, and not a single gray hair. He wears a green kimono and traditional wooden sandals. "Nice to meet you…I am Uzumaki Naruto," bows Naruto.
"Hayato Furinji, but I am also known as the Elder of Ryozanpaku," smiles Hayato. Hayato strokes his beard a few times. "Your style of clothing is quite interesting."
"I get that…a lot."
Hayato laughs stroking his beard. "Good luck with your training young man. I need to get back to tending to my bonsai tree."
"Apa! Shigure has new disciple! Apachai is jealous." The former ninja turns his head to see another giant. "My name is Apachai Hopachai! Nice to meet you." Apachai is extremely tall and powerfully built, has light dark skin, short spiky silver hair, and is usually seen wearing a yellow tank top and red shorts and a mongkol around his head with bandages wrapped around his hands and feet.
"Nice…to meet you too," bows Naruto.
Shigure bops Naruto on the head with her rice spoon. "Come…it is time…to train."
Break
Naruto walks on his hands across the dojo grounds. To make the training more difficult, Shigure is standing on his feet with Tochumaru on her right shoulder. He doesn't complain as he walks around the dojo grounds with little difficulty. "A weapon…must be treated as an extension of the body. Like a fist of a karate master…and the knees of a Muay Thai fighter…a weapon is a part of the body. If you treat it as an object and not an extension of your own will, you will never…be able to master any weapon," lectures Shigure.
"So I must…become the weapon?" asks Naruto.
"…Yes."
Naruto walks around the entire grounds. He comes to a stop and lifts up his left arm as he begins to do one arm handstand push-ups. "I think I understand." A weapon must not be seen as an object, but an extension of his body. It is an interesting concept. When he thinks about a weapon, he thinks of a disposable tool that is used to help him accomplish a goal. Never once as he given any thought to make a weapon an extension of his own body.
Akisame watches Shigure train her new disciple. She is currently testing the limits of his physical strength and conditioning. It is easy to see that the boy is in top physical condition. The past hour of upper and lower body workout is barely pushing Naruto to his limits. He had much more extreme training growing up giving him excellent endurance and stamina. Naruto possesses a lean body with tightly packed muscle that hides his true strength. A more bulky build than Kenichi, but at the same time trained in a manner that focuses on speed over brute strength. Akisame will hand it to the ones that trained Naruto; they knew what they were doing to help bring out the child's maximum physical abilities.
"Is there any weapon…you would prefer to learn?" asks Shigure.
"I want…to learn to use a sword…but none of the katana I use feel right."
Shigure narrows her eyes. "I…will turn you into…a master swordsman." A hidden smile is on Naruto's face. It seems deciding to train under her was a good idea after all. She leaps from his feet landing on the ground. He pushes upward flipping in the air to land on his feet. Naruto catches a sword thrown at him. "Take your…stance." Shigure draws her nodaichi. Naruto unsheathes his sword, but never gets it out when a powerful slash slams him face first to the ground. "That is…not the proper way…to unsheathe a sword."
Naruto coughs. 'Damn…so fast and strong.'
He rises up to all fours before standing up. Shigure grabs his hand placing it properly on the hilt. "Sheathing and unsheathing…is essential to learning to properly wield a sword. It can be the difference between…life and death." In a smooth motion she shows him to unsheathe the sword. Reversing his grip, she teaches him the proper way to sheath a sword. "Until you can properly…sheathe and unsheathe…you will not be allowed to use a sword."
"Is it…truly that important?"
A wise voice begins to speak up. "Unsheathing the sword in combat is called Iaijutsu. It is a sword style that dates back to the Nara Period." Akisame takes a sip from his tea. "The earliest practitioners perfected the art of unsheathing a sword in order to end a duel in a single move. A single high speed move to launch a premeditated surprise attack to end a fight before it even begins. However, Iaijutsu is not only an aggressive style but also a counterattack oriented combat. If you are too slow or sloppy in drawing your sword, it provides an opening for any opponent to use against you. "
The former ninja never thought that unsheathing the sword could mean so much in a fight. Naruto crouches down low placing his hand over the hilt. A single move to end a fight. It sounds a lot like how a ninja operates. He grabs the hilt and unsheathes the sword, but the fast movement causes the sword to hit the sheath making the slash wobble. "100 times more…every time you make a mistake…200 times extra," orders Shigure. She leaps landing a good distance away. "Also…" Shigure draws six shuriken. Naruto's eyes widen. "You must learn to do it…while dodging attacks."
'Shit!'