A/N: As you people are aware, I have taken down chapters 29 and 30…I apologize for that, but they will both be fixed by the time I am able to get the actual chapter up for beta-work. This is a 'what if' chapter that will describe an idea I have blossoming in my head. You may consider it an experimental chapter, but this will be a one-shot either way…do read and review would you kindly? And to those of you who have already reviewed, you may review again via PM if you like.

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{Play: "Afternoon of Konoha" by Toshiro Masuda}

[Hokage Private School…]

The sound of the bell signaled the end of classes in Hokage Private School, as the students geared up for club activities. Ever since the passing of Headmaster Sarutobi more than a year ago, the student body had been working hard in and out of the clubs to make sure the private school retained its reputation for martial arts champions and university-worthy graduates. They owed the old man at least that much, considering how much he cared for student welfare and always made sure to push students to their full potential with highly efficient teachers—a tradition that Senju Tsunade had thankfully taken up during her reign as headmaster.

Many students were hurrying to their respective clubs, but a wide berth was given to the student walking around with a bogu carried over his shoulder and his white cane sweeping the ground in front of him. He wore a pair of sunglasses that obscured his smoky blue eyes, but everyone knew who he was from the sun-kissed hair on his head, the whisker-marks on his face, and the reddened hands being the most telling sign of his identity. Another reason Hokage Private School was well-known in all of Japan was that it was one of the few schools in the world that accepted Kazan tribesmen from the reservations as part of the student body—especially given the racism they tend to experience all over the world, and Uzumaki Naruto has had his share of it being thrown in his face whenever he was out of the reservation.

It was a bit pricey to be sure, but his mother had saved up enough money to put him through this school prior to her death when he was six—leaving young Naruto in the custody of her sister figure Kurama. The older woman did her best to be the mother that Naruto needed, and ultimately succeeded, with the assistance of her friend and chemistry teacher Mitarashi Anko (whose class he'd just left).

After taking another step, Naruto felt someone swing a foot around his ankle, causing him to fall forward, while dropping his bogu and his blind cane to the ground. 'Oh great, bullies!' he thought to himself, knowing exactly what kind of situation he was in, 'I wonder, are they the racist bullies, or are they the kind that like to pick on handicapped people?'

{Play: "Thin Red Line" by Daisuke Ishiwatari}

"Well, well, well, if it ain't the blind, tribal boy?" mocked one of the bullies, the leader if the confidence in his voice was to be believed, "What's the matter, wishing you didn't get involved in our business now?"

Aha! Now he knew that voice! And he knew exactly what this was about! "So the Karate Team rejects have come to pay me a visit," said Naruto, trying to feel around for his cane, "I'm sorry about what happened the other day, but I'm pretty sure that when a lady says 'no', she means it. It's not my fault you dumbasses are too stupid to take a hint."

"Shut your goddamn mouth demon-boy!" shouted the leader, as he managed to land a kick on Naruto's stomach, "You should've minded your own business! All I wanted was to ask the nice Hyūga girl out, when you came and worked your voodoo on us…hell, I'm pretty sure you used voodoo on that girl too!"

"Boss, I hear that blind Kazan people are supposed to be really special in the tribes," said one of the lackeys, "you really think it's a good idea to be messing with one?"

"Oh give it a rest! There's nothing special about a blind boy…much less a blind boy who sticks his nose into other people's business! If anything, this'll teach him his place; him and those fucking red-armed freaks!"

From then on, it was nothing but kicks and stomping from the bully leader while the majority of his henchmen cheered him on, some of whom were also joining in on the kicking and stomping. It hurt so much, but Naruto was patient…currently, he had to deal with the leader and three of his lackeys who seemed to enjoy kicking the dog as it were, and three of whom were content to watch and cheer on. The odds were against him, but all he needed was one moment, and then he'll be able to make sure this dipshit and his posse of idiots won't mess with anyone again—especially if he managed to get word out to Bāchan as to what he said. Unfortunately, his revenge was not to be, as he heard someone tap the bully leader on the shoulder before sending a really heavy right cross up and into his face.

{Play: "Babel Noise" by Daisuke Ishiwatari}

"Nuòfū, you think picking on a weak boy makes you strong? You make me sick!"

Now there was a voice that Naruto knew of. Granted, he knew that it was amplified by a microphone at the time, but the heavy Chinese accent in its mellifluous tones identified the voice's owner to be the new Chinese transfer student from Shanghai. What was her name again? "Shut up you foreign slut!" shouted the bully leader, nursing his cheek, "You don't belong in this…"

He never did finish his sentence, as he soon took a shin to his balls, his forehead driven into her knee, then being thrown into a locker; the next goon to attack tried to charge and land an overhead punch only to be tripped, and stomped on his chest the second he landed on his back; Bully number three attempted a jump-kick only to be grabbed by his leg, slammed into the floor, and his balls punched; the last bully was in a stance, but was too terrified to move, causing the transfer student to walk slowly towards him, only to intercept a jab to her face, send a right jab up and into his chin, before sending very heavy punches into his chest and letting him crumple to the floor in pain. "You spoiled brats don't belong in this world," she growled, turning to address the rest of the bullies, "I see bullying this boy again, I'll take you all to Shanghai…and when your souls are ashes, then you have my permission to die. Now take your asshole friends to nurse's office, before I change my mind!"

{Play: "Himura Kenshin Theme (Gut Guitar Version)" by Noriyuki Asakura}

They didn't need to be told twice—despite the broken Japanese she was speaking, the transfer student made it clear of her intentions. The bullies grabbed their unconscious comrades, and started dragging them away…this Chinese bitch was crazy as hell! Once they were out of eyesight, the transfer student then turned her attention back to Naruto. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," he said, after being helped up, "I'm pretty sure I could've handled that asshole on my own, but you have my thanks anyway."

"Bùyòng xiè," she said, after dusting him off, "I hate bullies, they're useless people."

A stifled laugh was heard from Naruto as he bent over to shoulder his bogu bags, and pick up his blind cane. "You're not the only one…er, I'm sorry, I never did remember your na…"

"Meilan, Baihe Meilan."

Baihe? Didn't that family have ties to the Shanghainese triads? Then again, Konoha Private School did have a tendency to take foreign students from all kinds of backgrounds. Come to think of it, he did in fact have two friends that transferred from China: Rock Lee was a boy from Hong Kong that idolized the late Bruce Lee to the point that he would take Wing Chun lessons personally from Maito Gai (whose family also came from Hong Kong on his mother's side); and Lü Tian-Tian (who also answered to Tenten) was a native of Fúshān, Guangzhou, whose mastery over the Chinese spear in her Tai Chi technique and competitive nature made Naruto wonder if she was related to the infamous warlord, Lü Bu.

"Well, thanks for the help, I've got to get going now…hope to see you soon."

Before he could take another step, Naruto felt an arm entwined with his. "I think it's best I follow you," began Meilan, "you never know when another incident like this will happen."

On that, Naruto could agree—and on the plus side, he also got someone to talk to on the way to the iaido club. After all, the saying was…what was it again? Oh yeah! "In travelling, one wants companionship; in life, compassion." And as he walked down the halls with the Shanghainese transfer student, he could not help but to think that this would turn out to be a beautiful relationship in the future. Come to think of it, maybe Danzo-sensei would be a bit understanding if he were a little late.

…

A/N: This may be the first Omake I'll do, but hopefully this'll tide people over for a bit.

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Vocabulary/Culture notes:

Bogu-this is the standard bag used in any Japanese martial art...particularly one for Kendo, or in Naruto's case, for Iaido.

Iaido-the art of drawing the sword, cutting the target, cleaning off the blood, and resheathing the blade in one fluid motion.

Fúshān-a very famous place in Guangzhou, China...lots of Martial Artists made their name here, Yip Man and Wong Fei Hong being well-known in these parts.

Lü Bu-a warlord and general from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He was known for his arrogance, for being the best warrior of his time (he was once cornered by Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu, and he still kicked their asses), and for the love of his wife Diao Chan. He is often depicted as a spear-master, although Dynasty Warriors gives him a halberd for a weapon.