A/N: I'll be updating to finish up the Chūnin Exams, twice today. After that, I'm taking a break for a week. Among other things, I need to decide how to handle the next arc. Given recent feedback, I need to think pretty carefully about what to do with the rest of the story.

Wind blew through the forest clearing. The trees creaked in an unseen wind of space. White sky and deep colors of shadow crossed the sky, reflecting the carnage proceeding below.

Naruto turned his head to the side. "What do you want with me?" he questioned, staring at the man leaning against the tree.

"…A long time ago, the Sand got stiffed on our number of Tailed Beasts. So we'd like to ask for a replacement. My name's Baki. Not that that matters to you…"

Naruto gripped his arm. "What's been going on?"

"A lot that you wouldn't understand."

Naruto tensed.

"You're the same as Gaara. You know that?"

Naruto swallowed tightly.

"Gaara… He's nothing more than a raving animal. The work of that old man Kazekage saw to that."

"Then…"

Baki's fingers extended. "You're the same. Nothing more than a beast. Operate off instinct…"

Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"Wind Style: Blade of Smoke." Baki's arm lifted, his hand tightening on the invisible blade.

Naruto's eyes widened.

Baki rushed forward. His arm swung through the air as though he were striking with a sword.

EH?! Naruto's eyes widened.

The blade slashed through the arm.

Naruto's body tensed. "Damn it!" His hand touched the kunai.

Baki's blade reversed.

Naruto drew up the kunai rapidly.

Baki's sword passed through the kunai rapidly.

Naruto leapt backward. A trail of blood descended from his cheek.

A little closer and I'd have gotten him. He's not particularly strong, after all...

Naruto groaned. "I'll still beat you! BELIEVE IT!" he shouted, his fist drawing back.

"Are you some kind of moron?!" Baki shouted, his voice stern.

Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"A blade of smoke can't be stopped by anyone. That's simply plain logical!" Baki leapt forward. Baki's blade slashed through Naruto's arm.

Naruto gritted his teeth.

Like this, he's losing blood. All I have to watch out for is that Shadow Clone Technique. That's how Mizuki was defeated, after all…

Naruto's eyes narrowed. Blood dripped from Naruto's hand. "Okay… here goes nothing." Naruto's fingers dripped with blood. "Here we go!" Naruto's fingers lifted. "Summoning Technique!" He slammed his palm downward.

A massive fox appeared on the ground.

"Even if you can get through my defenses, I don't think you can beat this summon of mine!" Naruto shouted.

"Why on earth would I listen to you?!" the kitsune roared.

Baki's eyes widened. What kind of beast is this?

Naruto gasped. "What? Of course you have to follow me, you stupid fox! I signed the contract and everything!"

"That doesn't mean I'll follow your orders! It's not that easy to sway a kitsune, you know!" the blue fox roared.

…Well, as things are, it'll be difficult to pick up that kid even with the help of Orochimaru. Baki's eyes narrowed. Of course, the Kazekage sent me on this mission because he trusted my intuition and power.

"Listen, you!" Naruto shouted at the fox.

The fox lay down on the ground, tilting its head to one side.

Naruto gritted his teeth. I have no choice, it seems… He closed his eyes. Oi! Fox woman!

The silver pool rippled.

The chains on the gate shook slightly.

"So… ya want my power, do ya? Take as much of it as ya want." The silver-haired woman smiled.

Naruto scowled. "I don't want any more of it right now…"

"Oh? Then what do ya want, instead? Some kind of engagement? Toss in the hay er some such? Maybe a drinkin' partner?"

Naruto's cheeks flushed. "I can't help but feel that the middle of a fight is the wrong time."

The silver-haired woman chuckled. "Cute. Well, yer probably right. I'd need ya to have more power before I could use that kind of ability."

"Then, instead, give me some kind of mark to let this fox know that he ought to listen to me!" Naruto demanded.

"That I don't know about…"

Naruto blinked. "Eh? Why can't you?"

"It's more like the foxes don't always listen to me anyway. If ya use my power, ya can finish this guy in a second."

"I don't want to do that."

The silver-haired woman frowned. "Why the hell ain't that on yer list of priorities? The longer this fight lasts, the more people get hurt. Includin', maybe, ya."

Naruto sighed. "I know it's stupid, but… you're not my power, are you? You're still the demon fox."

The silver-haired woman's golden eyes glinted. "Ooh. Perceptive. Now that you know that..."

"It didn't take much thinking. So for now, I'd like to use only my own powers to fight this guy."

"That summoning contract ya got from me, ya know."

"But I learned it myself!"

"…Interestin' perspective. Well, I'll give ya my seal—but don't count on it. It ain't impossible that that old fox ain't gonna listen to ya, even with my seal."

Naruto smiled. "Thanks, woman!"

"I got a name, ya know."

"Until you tell it to me, I don't have any idea what it is, right?"

The fox woman smiled.

The gates glimmered.

Silver light passed through the space.

A silver seal appeared on Naruto's forehead.

Baki rushed forward, the blade extending.

Naruto gasped. He's right there already!

Baki's blade shot upward.

"Fox! I got the seal now! Will you smash him?!"

"What? You are the jailor of our master?!" the fox rumbled.

Naruto gasped.

"Were you not her cage right now, and were there no risk of killing the other half as well as we speak, I would smash you now… kit."

Huh? That doesn't make any sense! Naruto thought, his eyes wide.

"Whatever. Smash him?"

"No! Wait!"

The fox growled.

"Can you incapacitate him without killing him?"

Baki's blade shot over Naruto's hair.

Naruto ducked backward.

"Can't you do that yourself?" The fox rumbled.

"…Oh. Yeah. I could do that. Why didn't I think about that?"

Baki's eyes narrowed. The Shadow Clone Technique. Unfortunately it has some significant limitations… If he sticks with that I'll be fine.

"Well, whatever. Since I'm here…" The fox swung around with one massive paw.

Baki gasped as the paw slammed into his chest. He flew through the air, bones smashing and breaking as he flew through the air.

"Well, that concludes that." The fox growled. "You make her place comfortable, understood? Or I will find a way to make yours living hell."

"Yes, sir!" Naruto saluted.

The fox vanished in a puff of smoke.

Naruto fell to the ground. He yelped as his ankle twisted. Why?! Couldn't you have waited for me to heal up?

Baki growled. I lost to that…

The rubble cleared away. Slowly, a large man emerged from the city, his enormous hand brushing aside rubble.