Disclaimer: All respective characters and settings belong to their respective franchises.

The next day…

Naruto wasn't sure when he had awoken; he lay still, his eyes fixed on the high ceiling as idle thoughts came and went without taking root. He blinked slowly, unsure if it was safe for him to even move a muscle.

A few impulsive twitches and a stirring of his extremities, he craned his head to the right, expecting to see someone there. Bokomon? Piyomon? Both? Oton was usually quite punctual, though his absences could be chalked up to having other obligations that needed tending. Was he alone? Sucking in his lips, he attempted to lift his arm up and was rewarded with only mild cramping; he was grateful that his body had once again recovered somewhat. He poised a hand above his face, expecting to still be wearing the suit, only to find it bare.

It had certainly been a while; long enough that it left him feeling weird. His gaze lingered on supple flesh, the muscles of his arm lean and defined, as was the rest of his body.

Carefully propping himself up on his right elbow, he reared his head around to find the gym dimly lit. Sitting fully upright, his glazed eyes drifted to the clutter of furniture that served as his only company, and to the towering stack of bento boxes next to the cooler beside the kotatsu. His stomach rumbled loudly at the thought of food, his body craving sustenance.

He weakly shambled out of the futon and shivered from the air conditioning, only wearing boxer shorts. Wrapping himself in the futon's thick blanket, he made his way to the bento boxes. Wedged between them and the cooler was a thermos, which he knew to be filled with hot cocoa. Not the kind sweetened by sugar, but cinnamon. The spice was a healthier alternative, which Oton explained would help in regulating his blood sugar, whatever that meant. Fragrant, with a sweetness that he could only describe as mellow, Naruto had found himself warming up to the condiment in no time. Speaking of, he poured himself a cup and took a few sips, savoring the taste and warmth before breathing out a relaxed sigh. It was only when he was sitting down that he spied the state his feet were in, wrapped in bandages. Having been able to walk without stinging pain or a limp, they must have recovered as well.

He wondered how long he had been asleep.

Draining the cup, he placed it down next to the thermos. Then, he pulled out a bento and opened it, instantly perking up at the sight of white rice garnished with black sesame seeds, cradled by nori, and an umeboshi stuck in the middle for extra nutrition. A tamagoyaki roll cut into three. Vegetable salads consisting of broccoli, asparagus, cucumber, onions, and lettuce, all contained in two hollowed out tomatoes. Three katsu and hard-boiled egg sandwiches. A dozen yakitori meatballs. And finally, a fruit dessert consisting of raspberries and blueberries. The bento was of a size that it was able to accommodate such a spread, and Naruto was all too hungry to happily scarf it all down. It was only after finishing one that he realized just how famished he was, his body needing the calories. He took out another with the servings being mostly the same with the raspberries traded for strawberries.

Belching out in satisfaction and patting his stomach, Naruto again poured himself a cup of the hot chocolate to help wash it all down and to further warm him up.

Drowning in the solitude and silence, he became lost in thought.

What day is it?

A shiver of panic ran down his spine, reminding him that he had only been given two days to rest. For all he knew, he could have been out of it for that entire time, maybe even longer, having been treated to the shock that he had indeed slept for a whole week after finally completing five thousand squats. Thank goodness he had weekend off days.

Turning to the electric alarm clock resting on top of the kotatsu, he saw that it was 7:48 in the morning; the date being a day after he had finished his run.

He sighed in relief that he had plenty of time, and perked up again when he found next to the alarm clock was the tablet that Bokomon had made. The invention took him by storm the moment he tried it; like everything that was great about a computer made even more convenient. What hooked him the most, of course, were the games, with graphics so cutting-edge that they crushed whatever was currently in the market. Ultimate Storm might as well be a paperweight he'd just forget in his closet.

Dragging and pressing his finger across the screen felt smoother than using a mouse and keyboard, but he soon discovered that it wasn't as simple as trading in a rock for a hammer. There was just something about it that wasn't quite the same whenever he had to use the keypad function. The games themselves were a little addictive, though, like "Castle Run," "Mad Birds," and "Garden vs. Undead," all of which were recreations of popular titles from the Digital World.

The one that stood out, however, was Bio-Evil, which, according to Bokomon, was a game that involved navigating through an open world environment and killing mutated, cannibalistic humanoids with nothing but the tools you could find or craft, all the while gathering supplies like food and other necessities to stay alive. Everything in the game was fairly realistic, right down to your character genuinely needing sustenance or risk dying from illness or starvation, requiring you to build a shelter, hunt for wild game, gather edible and medicinal herbs (while avoiding what was poisonous), and gaining access to clean water. It surprised Naruto even more how immersive the game was when it came to instances like preparing food, meticulously directing him through a step-by-step process of properly cleaning the meat, cooking what he could, and preserving the rest.

In his previous playthroughs, he had found blueprints for a granular water filter, and later a solar still; the game helpfully instructed him to gather the necessary materials and showed him how to assemble them. It later dawned on him that he was deliberately being taught survival skills.

Finding and crafting weapons was more straightforward; the simplest being a large knife that he tied to a metal pipe for a makeshirt spear. Higher quality weapons were a rare find. As part of the immersive realism, using tools and weapons long enough accumulated wear and damage, prompting him to find more or do repairs, which required resources that were already scarce to begin with. The game forced him into situations that needed tactical decision-making, as the humanoids were more active and stronger at night, coming out in droves. Everything was costly, right down to fuel, batteries, and time. The first few plays naturally ended in failure, making mistakes after mistakes, but with persistence and practice, he had managed to reach forty-two days in-game with the same character.

He opened his saved game and resumed where he left off, tending to his garden aboveground and adding the finishing touches to his shelter, which was an abandoned underground bunker, roughly modeled after the safe house where they had recovered.

Entranced, he failed to immediately notice when his friends, sans Oton, arrived about an hour later. Bokomon looked on as the boy was keenly focused on playing, absorbing the basic skills that he needed to be fed to him in a manner that he could absorb without trouble, hence specifically tailoring the game for such a purpose. From what he had gleaned of Naruto's academic performance and past conduct, he did poorly when it came to comprehending theory. That didn't denote him as being stupid or lacking, though. On the contrary, the boy was actually a quick study through tactile learning. For someone like Bokomon with thousands of years worth of experience in teaching, the solution to such a conundrum was as simple as handing the kid a shovel, running him through a step-by-step process of how to properly grip said shovel, assume the appropriate kind of stance, and how much force he needed to apply. Many would call such a method crude or asinine, but it was honestly the most basic of basics since living organisms first developed the capacity for complex thought. Practical application was just as, if not more, vital as theory.

"Morning," Bokomon greeted him. He and Piyomon were lugging plastic bags as they approached. "Did you already have breakfast?"

"Yeah," Naruto answered casually. "Where were you guys?"

"Where else? We got a tour of the Academy, saw where my desk will be and the class I'll be teaching." Bokomon said, setting the bags down on the table. "After that, we went out and picked up some bread. Do you want any?"

"Hm?" Naruto tore his gaze away from the tablet to espy the bags, the smell of freshly baked goods wafting in his direction. "Uh, yeah, sure." He made a grab for a loaf that Bokomon handed to him and lodged it between his teeth to free both hands. "What kind of class are you going to be teaching?" he asked through a mouthful.

Bokomon answered after taking a bite out of his own bread next to Piyomon. "Math and science. I can't write characters very well yet, so sections of the curriculum like reading and writing will have to be delegated to other instructors."

Naruto hummed in curiosity. "Did you happen to meet Iruka-sensei?"

Bokomon nodded. "He was the one who gave us the tour."

"So, what do you think of the Academy?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Well, it has all the essential facilities. There's a clinic, a library, and guidance counseling," the scholar replied, pulling out a notebook from his sash as he continued eating. He placed it on the table and slid it over to Naruto. "Speaking of, this is yours. Iruka told me to give it to you."

Naruto glanced at what Bokomon meant, finding it to be his notes. "Oh yeah, forgot I left it," he said.

"You really should be more careful," Bokomon lightly admonished. "I know how it is when you forget things, but being too absent-minded isn't a good thing."

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto huffed, mildly annoyed from having to split his focus between the conversation and the game. That was when a thought came to him. This must be what it feels like. Having someone to discipline him. Granted, he's had people do that before. They were just more…brusque in how they did. No, not all of them.

"Say, what's your impression of Iruka-sensei?"

Bokomon shrugged. "Real friendly, I guess." He figured the man was one of the few people that Naruto had a good relationship with, having observed it in the way Iruka spoke about him, often going on and on about how much he had a headache dealing with the boy's antics. The frustration was there, of course, but it was more of a paternal or fraternal sort.

"Was he…" Bokomon trailed off, causing Naruto to cut him a bemused look.

"Was he, what?"

Bokomon made a motion with his hand. "Has he ever…?"

Naruto's eyes widened as it registered. "No, Iruka-sensei's cool," he said, returning his attention to the game, his head lowered. "More than I can say for…well…"

"I heard about... what happened from the Hokage," Bokomon broached gently. "One of the instructors, Mizuki, was it?"

Naruto's brows knitted together in a frown the moment the man's name reached his ears, but he didn't say anything, wordlessly telling the scholar that it was a sensitive topic.

"So, how do you feel?" Bokomon shifted the subject.

"Okay, I guess," the boy replied. "Why?"

"Do you feel any pains or cramps?"

"A little after I woke up," Naruto provided. "It went away after I started moving."

"Good," Bokomon nodded. If there was any lasting pain, that was when they needed to stop. Oton may have been harsh in his training regimen, but he always made sure the boy's body wasn't overloaded to the point of major injury. Human bodies weren't built like Digimon, who were tougher and more durable at an exponentially higher rate. Even Human Digimon outclassed their species in that regard. A torn ligament, a pulled muscle, and that was it. There was no coming back. Unless they were in the Digital World, where medicine had advanced to the point that cloning or repairing body parts were but a minor procedure.

Here, they still had to be careful. "So, what's on today's agenda?"

Naruto hummed to himself. "I think I'll go for a walk."

Bokomon smiled. "Sure, but after all the running you've been doing, a walk should be the most you're good for. Remember, try not to stress your body while you're supposed to be on break."

"Got it," Naruto nodded in the affirmative. That was when a thought occurred to him. "How about we go to the top of the Hokage Monument? All three of us?"

"We can make it a picnic," Bokomon said, causing Piyomon to trill in excitement. "We have more than enough food."

"I'll carry the cooler!" Piyomon suggested, finishing the last bit of her bread.

Bokomon smiled, inwardly commending the young Digimon for developing a sense of responsibility. "Alright, we're in luck!"

After saving his progress, Naruto went to the gym's bathroom, but instead of taking a hot shower, he soaked in a large tub of steaming warm water for an hour. This was a variation of the stretches he'd do before training, during which his entire body would be warmed up by the suit to help loosen his muscles. This had the added benefit of helping his recovery by reducing tension as the fibrous cells were mending. He couldn't remember the last good bath he'd had; the suit kept him clean, informing him of such a feature, allowing him to put in extra time into his training. He actually missed the feel, and after finishing his stretches, there was just something so rewarding about it that he found a new appreciation for bathing.

"Come to think of it," he mused, "when was the last time I used the toilet?" Shrugging the thought away, he quickly dismissed it as unimportant. He whistled a jaunty tune to himself as he continued to scrub his body.

Later…

It was a good and uneventful day as the three friends milled about through town, seeing people dressed in varying warm apparel. In a long-sleeved shirt and black sweatpants, Naruto walked with a steady gait as he was carrying ten large bento boxes parceled on top of one another, strapped to his back by rope wound around his shoulders and across his torso. A long wool scarf was coiled snugly around his neck. Next to him was Piyomon, also sporting a wool scarf, shouldering the cooler. Bokomon, dressed in one of Naruto's old jackets, was in the lead as they headed for the same store that sold them futons to buy what they further needed for their picnic. An unexpected cold spell had fallen on Konoha, which was bizarre as it was in the middle of June. Still, any break from the heat was welcome as the three could see adults and children alike enjoying themselves out in the open.

Once they arrived, Naruto stood outside, voting to "keep watch" while he would always get bored in picking stuff out when it wasn't him buying. Piyomon elected to accompany the scholar to help him, leaving the cooler to rest beside the young Uzumaki. Once he was left to his lonesome, the boy stared blankly at space, not paying attention to the crowd coming and going, with some sending the usual glares his way and muttering curses under their breath. Others were more taken aback by the cargo he was lugging, or ignored him.

Naruto paid no heed to them, his thoughts wandering. His gaze lazily traveled to the Hokage Monument, landing on his father's visage after the others. He smiled wanly. "You were there the whole time... you and mom."

He was the son of the Fourth Hokage. He just knew that if he ended up bragging about such a thing, he'd get into all kinds of trouble. Besides getting called crazy or a shameless liar, potential spies would have even more of a reason to either kill or abduct him. Hiruzen had been very particular and adamant that he not disclose this secret. It was why, from the day he was born, he had been under constant guard, only intervening if his life was in genuine danger.

Naruto hung his head in a pensive manner.

Wait a minute. Doesn't that make it kind of redundant?

Why do you believe that, Naruto-kun?

I mean, I'm an Uzumaki, right? Using my mom's surname? Shouldn't that already make me a target?

It does, but think of how even more valuable that would place you in the eyes of an enemy village if your full parentage was public knowledge. Agents would redouble their efforts, diplomacy be damned, in getting their hands on you. Dead or alive, you are genealogically valuable to anyone who would be capable of harnessing your DNA alone. Here is where I must confess that there have been attempts on your life before, but were met with swift intervention. Shamefully, it was the best protection we could afford for you. At least at the time. Recent events have reproached me of my foolishness.

He remembered going silent after that crestfallen admission, with only a frown to betray how he felt after putting more of the pieces together.

The elderly Hokage knew better now than to test his surrogate grandson's trust, after having been humbled; for it was the one line that was tying them together, until their relationship could be repaired. As such, barring what was classified, the boy was allowed to know just enough about his parents, and the legacy they left behind.

Kakashi was the one to tell. That his father was a war hero to Konoha, as opposed to their enemies, who saw him as a war criminal. Which, in his personal opinion, was them partially deflecting from their own share of transgressions, with the privilege of having witnessed some firsthand at the frontlines. That wasn't to say that Konoha had any high ground to stand on.

Not at all was it a boast born out of patriotic fervor that their village was the strongest. With that said, one does not simply reach and maintain such a status by playing nice.

Geographically, the vast lands of Fire Country were fertile and rich, ideal for a people to flourish. The Noble Clans that were rallied by Senju Hashirama under his banner and made the village their home contributed greatly to their military might, owing to the advantages granted to them by their respective bloodlines. Naruto was asked to imagine himself as someone not from Konoha or Fire Country in order to better understand the intricacies of geopolitics.

Visualize yourself as being from Sunagakure, where they have had to live and adapt in an arid desert, where it's difficult to grow crops. Or Iwagakure, where they've thrived and carved their homes in the very heart of the mountains that stand as their line of defense. A good vantage point, but they more or less face the same problems as Suna. Each of the villages wants a piece of what we have, or preferably all of it. That's what drives most of our conflicts with one another, Naruto. Disputes concerning land, resources, territory. Of course, we're not about to just hand any of it over. That's where diplomacy comes in. But, in the event that talks fall through...and they almost always do...spilling blood is unavoidable. Which is why you must always remember, as Konoha shinobi, we fight for Konoha's interests, and in essence, the interests of Fire Country.

Minato himself was a soldier who did nothing more than what was expected of him. However, what placed his father in a league of his own was a capacity for mercy or restraint when needed. One famous incident was his encounter with the AB Brothers of Kumo. Kakashi did not mince words in stating that; after their father, who was the previous Raikage, they were the strongest their village had to offer, with A eventually succeeding the office. Had either or both brothers fallen by his father's hand, Kumogakure would have sworn a blood oath of revenge against Konoha, and most especially his next of kin. Iwa held just such a grudge after he single-handedly decimated their forces during the war.

This brought them to another topic worth mentioning and one that held significant meaning to his status. Even in a time of peace, the Elemental Nations were embroiled in a perpetual arms race, vying for whatever could give them an edge. It was why the Tailed Beasts, and in essence, the Jinchūriki, were highly valued as much as they were coveted. Kumogakure had nearly succeeded with kidnapping Kushina had it not been for Minato finding her in time and dispatching the squad charged with her capture.

Your parents were working towards a better future for the village, and when you came into the picture, a world of peace for you to be born in. While…none of that exactly panned out as they had hoped, I, and many others whose lives they affected are keeping their will and dreams alive. As their son, that would have naturally fallen unto you, as well, but things have changed. For better or worse, that remains to be seen, but I'm sure they would have wanted you to tread your own path regardless.

He was both ashamed and enlightened about what it meant to be a shinobi, and the sacrifices expected of them for the sake of the village.

A better and peaceful world.

Tch! Nonsense. Nothing more than propaganda. You'll only ever be serving Konoha's interests first, which means everything else comes second, if at all. And even if you succeed in installing peace, it'll only ever be on Konoha's terms.

What's wrong with that?

Naive! Just as that Sharingan bastard said, see it from an outsider's perspective. Konoha will always come first. In terms of resources, territories and whatnot, the village will benefit the most out of whatever clause or treaty will be put in place.

That…wouldn't happen. Jii-chan wouldn't-

It already does. Do you have any idea how big Konoha is on trade alone? It isn't the wealthiest village for nothing. And who says it has to be Sarutobi? He's got his own closet full of skeletons, majority of which in the literal sense. Corruption is constant. In fact, you might end up succumbing to it yourself in the event that you do end up succeeding.

No, that won't happen.

So you say.

I won't! Be-

Yes, yes, believe it! I'm sure you're quite pure and incorruptible! You're the chosen one. The guy we've all been waiting for this whole time to save the rivers and trees. Puh! Wake up to reality before you end up hurting yourself. True, unconditional peace is a ludicrous pipe dream, bordering on impossible.

What makes it so impossible if that's really all people could ever want?

Because there are those who don't want peace, either for profit or some other arbitrary reason. There are even those who don't know how to live in peace times. If it was indeed possible, don't you think it would have happened by now, even ages ago? Shinobi, in case it hasn't yet clicked inside that noggin of yours, gain their livelihood from conflict, which is antithetical in the pursuit of true peace, and nothing ever lasts forever.

Yeah, but it wouldn't hurt to try, right?

There was a brief pause, before he mentally heard the rumbling of laughter.

Oh, many have tried, boy, and it hurt them more than you'll ever know. I do, since I did some of the hurting. Or, maybe you will. Sooner or later. Such lofty ideals don't come cheap. Everything in this world costs something and is built on sacrifices. Which naturally brings up a very simple question.

How much?

Naruto mulled it over. Maybe I'll figure something out along the way. I still have to try.

"I am trying, damn it!"

Naruto was finally pulled out of his stupor by the sound of a voice. He found it familiar, and sure enough, when he turned away from his father's face, he found Kanda and his goons huddled together next to him. The odd thing was that the bespectacled boy had his arms and one foot raised, as if he were about to kick something.

The blond glanced down to find that his white shirt had smudges of dirt on it, with the faint outline of a sole from a sandal showing.

Did he just…?

All three of the bullies were gaping at the blond-haired boy. They had been enjoying a day of hanging out after Kanda's father had given him his weekly allowance, spending some of it to buy the latest manga and the rest on sweets. It was when they passed by the street where they found Naruto, looking distantly at the Hokage Monument, and the boxes tied to his back, that they had the idea of kicking him down. It was perfect, or so they thought as they crept up to their distracted quarry.

Kanda happily volunteered, and with as much strength as he could muster, eagerly slammed his foot at Naruto's side. Their fun was cut short when, instead of toppling over like a pile of loose bricks, the blonde seemed to withstand the assault, barely budging an inch.

At first, Kanda's friends teased him that he hadn't kicked hard enough, much to their leader's dismay, who fired back that he had. A minute into their spat, however, Kōza noticed something strange. With all the noise they were making, Naruto hadn't once reacted, much less glanced in their direction. Bemused, Kanda nudged the young Uzumaki on the shoulder, which failed to garner so much as a twitch from the distant boy. Bewildered, Kanda swung in another kick as a test. Still nothing. Annoyance turned into frustration as he repeated the action a few more times, right until he yelled back at Ichiro, who had asked if he was even trying.

Naruto mumbled something under his breath as he brushed off the grime.

The three boys exchanged perplexed looks, then stared at the blonde quizzically. Could he have simply ignored them on purpose?

Naruto said with a disapproving scowl, "Try to hit harder next. This is so lame."

As if he himself had been broken out of a trance, Kanda retorted, "Who are you calling lame, Whiskers? I'm not the one pretending."

"Hm? Pretending?" Naruto echoed with a confused cock of his brow, looking up to meet their sneers.

"Wow, are you seriously playing dumb?" Kanda said smugly, having regained his confidence. "I didn't think you even needed to," he trailed off, meeting Ichiro's high five.

Naruto blinked in genuine puzzlement. "What are you talking about?"

"Dude, really? Miss us with that tough guy act," Ichiro jeered at him.

They think I'm faking it? Naruto's scowl became annoyed, but decided to let their insults slide.

"Pathetic!" Kanda spat directly into the blonde's face. "Just keep being stupid, Whiskers."

As they went on their way down the street, Kanda found himself left to his own thoughts. What the hell even was that? It was like I was kicking a damn post!

He looked over his shoulder at a once again pensive Naruto. "I was giving it everything I had!" Did he really not feel a thing? Kanda wasn't an idiot. Well into his assault, it gradually sank in that his foot wasn't connecting with pudgy flesh. "Tch! I bet he was just being weighed down by those boxes, and he must have been wearing some sort of padding or something. Whatever. He's still not going to make the cut." He was confident that he wouldn't have to see Naruto's dumb face again by the time classes resumed.

You should have just snapped their necks.

I'd rather not get into trouble if I can help it, much less give in to your bullshit temptations. Kanda and his goon squad aren't even worth it.

On their knees before your feet like the worms they are, then?

Next you'll want me to dress and dye my hair in all black, wear a mask, and wax poetic about being the Prince of Darkness who will bring the world to despair while writing actual bad poetry.

He could feel Kurama cringing. Never mind, then.

Naruto inwardly rolled his eyes, having grown accustomed to these conversations they'd been having. The two of them had come to something of an understanding, though they were far from being bosom buddies. Kurama, despite his issues, still had an inkling of a soft spot for his godfather, and with Bokomon having warned him not to overplay his hand, it was the most their relationship could amount to at present.

By the way,

Kurama sighed. What?

What does…'antithetical' mean?

There was a pause.

Try picking up a dictionary, idiot! Or better yet, why not actually study?

Well it's not like I know a lot of big words. And I am studying.

Obviously nowhere close to enough! Tch, Kushina was never this ignorant at your age.

Hey, uh…can you-

No.

But-

No.

Just a little?

Kurama, reclining in his chair and nursing a stiff drink, ground his teeth at the memories of being with Kushina. He looked up at the ceiling, sensing Naruto's dismay at the dismissal. It should have filled him with joy, but instead, all it did was make his stomach turn. He took another swig.

We never got along. Satisfied?

What else? A growl from the fox prompted him to concede. Oh, uh, one more thing.

What is it this time? Kurama huffed irately.

I was just wondering. Why are you so scared of Bokomon? I mean, what kind of teacher was he?

He expected a response in the same irritated or condescending tone, but was instead met with silence.

Hey! Co-!

"Sorry it took so long," Bokomon said apologetically as he exited the store with Piyomon. "The guy inside kept us busy; there was a really big sale going on, and..."

His words got caught in his throat as soon as he did a quick scan of Naruto. "Did something happen?"

"Nah!" Naruto waved a hand dismissively, then patted at the remaining dirt on his clothes with the same hand. "Some kids were playing ball and I got hit."

He'll know you're lying.

True to Kurama's words, Bokomon didn't buy it, but decided against pressing. If Naruto could handle being bullied, then he would only see fit to intervene if it was genuinely severe. He wasn't going to hold the boy's hand the entire way.

Sighing through his nostrils, a small smile tugged at the scholar's lips. "Come on. If we hurry, we can make it by lunchtime."

"Yay!" Piyomon cheered, raising the cooler high overhead, while both her and Naruto's stomachs rumbled in anticipation.

"Naruto?"

Hearing his name, the blonde looked up from his friends to find Shikamaru and Choji standing together at the other end of the street. All too willing to forget about Kanda, Naruto beamed at the boys. "Hey!"

"What are you up to this time?" the Nara heir asked suspiciously as they came near, hands in his pockets, having snuck a glance at the load the blonde was carrying mid-sentence. He was dressed in a gray sweater and black pants. Peeking out of his pocket was a woven bracelet entwined around his left wrist.

Choji, who was cradling a paper bag in one arm, recognized the bento boxes for what they were, along with the cooler and the rolled up mat with Piyomon and Bokomon respectively. "You guys going for a picnic?" The Akimichi heir was wearing a black jacket over a white t-shirt, black cargo pants and boots. He had just finished fishing out a potato croquette from the paper bag and was now biting into it. "Got any room for two more?"

Shikamaru said, "Isn't it a little too cold out for a picnic?"

"Hey, the sun's still up, and we've got hot soup in the cooler," Naruto said with a shrug. "Might as well. Can I have some?" Choji generously pitched the paper bag containing the croquettes to him.

Shikamaru could plainly see that Choji was all for it; their morning stroll had been intended from the beginning as an opportunity to goof off after a tedious week of training and study. With a sigh, Shikamaru complied. "Fine, but the food better be good."

Naruto grinned with a hint of smugness. "Oh, don't worry. You guys haven't lived until you've tried my uncle's cooking." He and Bokomon shared a meaningful glance before Naruto continued speaking. If he had been honest about who the actual cook of the food was, it would have opened him up to questions.

"So where to?" Shikamaru prodded as they went on their way, inwardly rolling his eyes from how unsubtle the exchange was between the blonde and his 'uncle'.

Elsewhere…

'Whew! Weird weather today, eh, Toto?' A middle-aged man, wearing a dark blue haori with patches of light blue on the elbows and green pants with white swirls, scratched the ear of his dog affectionately. Earning him an adorable sigh from the pup, who was resting on his lap. Taking a sip from his green tea, he enjoyed a break from carpentry due to the sudden drop in temperature. Smiling in contentment, he and his canine companion were seated on a bench in front of a shop, with a plate of half-eaten dango next to him.

"Scuse me, friend, but would you kindly point me to where I can find these three?"

The man was broken out of his relaxing reverie by the boom of a voice, with an octave so deep that it sounded almost inhuman. When he looked up to trace the source, the little barks from his dog were immediately drowned out by the sheer terror that shot up his entire body.

Coming out of nowhere, a figure was standing next to him. It looked vaguely humanoid, but the focus of his fear wasn't at the creature's ginormous height that had to be around a full 10 feet, or the muscled physique under the thick cloak obscuring its head down to the waist.

"O…O…O-On-" He was cut off by the creature, who put its finger up to its repulsive lips, which were set in a wide, open-mouthed scowl that exposed its large tongue and sharp, knife-like canines.

Its face. Its horrendously hideous face that could have only belonged to an Oni, looked back at him under the shadow of the cloak. He frantically darted his gaze around, hoping to find help from a shinobi, and was left stunned that people were walking about as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"Easy there, fella," the creature spoke in a low rumble, spooking the man further despite the attempt at pacifying him. "I ain't gonna hurt ya. Not unless you give me a reason to. I'm just asking where I can find some guys, and I'll let you be."

The man, shaking like a leaf while trying to calm his still barking pet, swallowed a lump that lodged itself in his throat. "O-O-Okay…" Someone help…

Without delay, the creature presented to him a sheet of paper, with pictures of what he could make out were three figures, bordered by unreadable gibberish. One of them he recognized easily. "That…that…"

"Yes?"

The man returned his attention to the creature, wanting desperately to make a break for it, but was rooted in place by his trembling legs. With quivering lips, he croaked out, "I…I happen to know…one of them."

"Good," the creature said, its breath coming out in a cloud of condensation. "Do tell."

That Same Morning...

"I can't believe this…"

Mitarashi Anko, having awoken to a chilly morning in only her tank top and panties, cursed the heavens as she brewed her morning coffee, riding out the aftereffects of a late-night binge. Knocks on her door interrupted her beauty sleep. By 'knocks,' it sounded like someone with a death wish had decided to just say 'fuck it' and take a hammer to ensure that she'd be pissed off enough to slit their throat. Her kunai met empty air no sooner after kicking her door open; bloodshot eyes betrayed her rage. A cursory scan of the foyer revealed no living meat sacks to slice open and warm herself with their entrails.

Instead, what she found was a parcel on the floor, wrapped in brown paper. She was tempted to smash it flat with her foot, but a card taped on top held her back, embossed with an odd symbol of three intertwined triangles. She didn't need any hints to know that this had 'Digimon' written all over it. With her mug in hand, she sat next to her kitchen counter where she had placed the half-opened parcel. She took a sip to get a feel for the contents. It didn't feel fragile, which was a shame, before setting it down to fully unwrap.

The box was plain white cardboard, with no discernible markings or imprints. Pulling the lid open revealed a navy blue wristwatch held in place. The kunoichi cocked a brow. She could tell that this wasn't just any ordinary timepiece. Picking up the card she had carelessly discarded to the side, she flicked it open, causing a folded piece of paper to spill out. On the card were characters written in their language.

Please read the instructions.

She growled under her breath, her headache already waning. "Might as well," she muttered.

She picked up the paper and unfolded it with both hands, discovering that it was also written in their language. Skimming it over, her eyes widened, her mood perking up immediately. She downed the rest of her coffee and rushed to her bathroom. Minutes later, she was in her usual attire but with her jacket zipped up, in the midst of tying her ponytail when another knock, milder than the last, interrupted. Clicking her tongue, she marched to the door and opened it, finding a more well-rested looking Kakashi.

"I just got a free watch," the newly-minted Jonin greeted with a smug smile, flaunting the item around carelessly. "Cool, huh?"

Anko, rather than snapping back with her own witty retort, sighed. "Let's just go."

In the Hokage's private study…

"It's called a 'Digivice-V,'" Anko explained, presenting the item to her superior, who took it to examine carefully. She fished out the paper from her pocket and placed it in front of him as well. "And these are the instructions that came with it. Not only is it a communicator, but a scanner in the same vein as Short Man's computer, an alarm system that alerts us to any unusual Digimon activity in our world within a hundred mile radius, and one other feature that stands out, which I think you should read carefully, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen, who was doing his level best to ignore yet another headache, did so. Even reread it to avoid any misconceptions.

Pressing the middle right button twice projects a dimensional field parallel between both worlds that confines any activity from affecting either. Only those wearing the bracelet will synchronize with and perceive this field, though outliers exist. If one wearing a bracelet happens to be in direct contact with another non-digital lifeform, said lifeform will be dragged into the field.

Warning: Failure to resume contact with a wearer upon exiting will cause anyone without a bracelet to become trapped. Wearers can simply reactivate the field to retrieve them. Digimon do not remain trapped in the dimension unless there is at least one Digivice-V- left active.

Hiruzen directed a suffering gaze at his co-conspirators. A device that could place them in a separate dimension. During his younger, more ambitious days, he had hypothesized the feasibility of such a jutsu, only the chakra and level of skill needed would have to be astronomical, bordering on impossible, and not without caveats or limitations. Unless one had a mastery over Fūinjutsu or had access to the Rinnegan. What's more, for their mysterious acquaintance (as he was still tentative to use the word "ally") to be able to have access to the village at all to come and go as they pleased with their rise in security was concerning.

"One question that stands, though. If this thing really is a Digivice, shouldn't we have to be children to have received them in the first place?" Anko forwarded.

Twirling the watch in his hand, Kakashi chimed in, "When I took Guy to show him proof of the Digital World, our mutual friend alluded to being preoccupied with something. This must be it."

"So, it's artificial," Anko proffered.

Kakashi shrugged. "Could be," he said. "I think this little add-on only makes things easier for us."

"I'm going to have to agree," Anko concurred, folding her arms. "Other than an alert, having a convenient place to isolate our activities is just what we need. As unorthodox as it may be."

To this, Hiruzen had to agree. Unless they happened to be unseen or stay out of human affairs, a standard cover-up might prove insufficient in case more Digimon crossed over. Playing them up as Summoned Beasts was a simple solution, but one that was sketchy over time. Needless to say, the potential unpredictability of where they could potentially manifest was even more alarming. AncientGreymon did mention that the dimensional veil separating their worlds had been fortified by Yggdrasil centuries ago.

Could he have been wrong? For all they knew, Digimon could have been coming and going with none the wiser for years, perhaps longer. Hiruzen could see no real reason for him to lie unless there was malice or subterfuge involved. The only other logical possibility was that the barrier was weakening, like tears or slip points. Or perhaps, as was the case with Naruto and his computer, someone had simply assembled a means to open a portal. Regardless, it was a bridge they would have to cross eventually.

If they happened to be hostile and pose a threat, they would have to be neutralized or captured for questioning.

Provided they could do so.

Hiruzen was under no illusions that what they were dealing with was still largely unknown, even with what they had come to learn from Bokomon. There was also the ever-present issue of secrecy. They needed to keep everything on the down low lest the facade be broken before it could even be established.

Lord knows if Digimon, and in extension, the Digital World, were to be revealed, it would plunge the Elemental Nations into chaos. These creatures couldn't rightly be compared to Summons, barring a few superficial similarities, with the potential to reach godlike heights of power that dwarfed whatever the Tailed Beasts were capable of. There would undoubtedly be those who would jump right at the chance to attain them, or raid their world for whatever treasures it may hold. He should know, for even he was tempted, but knew better than to use force or coercion. Not least of all would be Orochimaru, and what sick depths of depravity he'd sink to, how disastrous of a calamity he'd become when; not if, he'd find a way to integrate such power into his repertoire.

All three looked at one another, their suspicions aroused by the timing of it all, prompting Anko and Kakashi to slap on their respective watches. A thin white line appeared on the tiny screens, followed by a blinking red dot in the center, which then expanded into a circular, holographic map of Konoha.

"Naruto's apartment," Kakashi stated in recognition, before his eyes widened in alarm. To his knowledge, the boy had been staying at Seiko's gym for the past few weeks, with only Bokomon coming back every once in a while to fetch extra clothes or other belongings.

In addition, Yugao's latest update detailed that she and her friends, along with the Nara and Akimichi heirs, went on a picnic to the Hokage Monument.

Which could only mean one thing.

Hiruzen wasted no time in dispatching the two to respond to where the signal was pointing. Both sped out of the room not a second later after having been given the order. Fearing for the worst, he followed suit, intending to gather Shikaku and Inoichi.

Atop the Hokage Mountain…

"Wow!" Choji had stars in his eyes as he beheld the feast laid out on the mat. Huddled close to him on either side were Naruto and Piyomon, who were equally hungry-looking.

Bokomon held up a hand for them to wait, and then closed the lids on each of the bento boxes, eliciting disappointed cries from the starving trenchermen.

"Why'd you do that, oji-san?!" Naruto complained, lips pouting.

"Yeah! Why?!" Choji echoed, also pouting.

"I'm starving!" Piyomon bemoaned, with an approximation of a pout from her beak.

Bokomon wagged a finger, his eyes still closed. "Not yet! Be patient. For this nippy weather, it's better to have a hot meal."

"A hot meal?" Naruto echoed in confusion. "Don't tell me we have to make a stop at a restaurant?"

"'Course not," Bokomon answered. "You see that flap sticking out of the side?"

Sharing perplexed glances with Choji and Piyomon, Naruto picked up a box and swiveled it around until he found a small flap sticking out of a hole in the middle near the bottom, believing it to be decoration.

"Hold the bento down and grab the flap like this," he demonstrated, pinching the protrusion with his thumb and index finger. "Next, you pull. Like so." He drew his arm back, revealing a string attached, which he then pulled until it snapped off.

The blonde did as was shown to them, followed closely by Choji and Piyomon.

"Now we wait."

"Wait?"

"Yep!" Bokomon nodded.

Shikamaru knew right away what it was. "Quicklime, right?"

"That's right," Bokomon said, pointing at him commendably. "There's a layer of quicklime, or calcium oxide, in a compartment at the bottom, underneath a sachet of water that has been torn open by being tied to the string. When enough moisture is introduced, it triggers a chemical reaction that generates intense heat, reaching temperatures of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit."

"I think my dad has one of those," Choji said. "He showed it to me once when we went out camping."

"Ready-to-eat rations, Choji," Shikamaru clarified. "My dad has those, too."

"Can you cook ramen that way?" Naruto pondered aloud, rubbing his chin.

"You can," Bokomon confirmed. "It will just take longer than three minutes."

"Never mind, then." Naruto grumbled. They all sat back and waited as steam rose from the meals being reheated, enveloping them in a light cloud. Piyomon let out a trill, mesmerized by the display.

"Wow."

"So, Naruto," Shikamaru said, tossing out his question as he watched the boy closely for any signs of discomfort or hesitation, "how'd you manage to convince the Hokage to let you have a summon?"

The blonde's attention was torn away from his steaming bento as he stared at Shikamaru from the corner of his eye, responding with a shrug, "He just did."

"For what reason?" Shikamaru asked more firmly. "No offense, but after the years I've known you, you don't exactly inspire the word 'responsible.'"

Naruto grimaced at the blunt assessment. "Well, about that. A few weeks ago, Jii-chan called me to his office a day after I...tried playing a prank on him."

"Of course," Shikamaru deadpanned, though he was paying close attention to the blonde's eyes.

"So, as punishment and to teach me a bit about responsibility, he gave me Piyomon."

"Piyomon?" Shikamaru repeated, his voice filled with disbelief. "That's what you named her?"

"Uh-huh!" the avian exclaimed from her spot. "I'm Piyomon."

"Right," Shikamaru heard, nodding his head. "So, what kind of Summon are you? A cockatoo? A parrot?" He could make out minute traits belonging to both, save for the unusual crest. At the same time, Piyomon didn't seem to have the right body structure that could be attributed to any related species of Aves, besides the fact that she was bipedal and no bigger than a preschooler, but large sizes were typical for Summons. No, what struck him the most was her upright posture that was almost humanoid in nature, compounded by her oddly shaped wings that resembled arms.

"Uh," Piyomon scratched her head, trying to remember the lie she had been told to repeat in case she was asked such a question. "A chicken."

Naruto and Bokomon felt the need to smack their own foreheads. She was supposed to say eagle!

Both Shikamaru and Choji paused, with the Nara heir being the one to voice out skeptically, "A chicken?"

"Y-Yeah, she's a chicken Summon," Naruto stuttered, trying to back up the claim, flailing his arms about in swinging and thrusting motions. "She, uh, can cluck really loud and fly. A-And she can do fire jutsu, too. Bam! Whoosh! Choo!"

Now, only Bokomon wanted to smack his forehead.

"Okay," Shikamaru sighed, his shoulders drooping. "I'll just let this go for now before I end up in a really dark place." He glanced at the bento boxes. "That should be enough."

All five removed lids, revealing a rush of warmth as the quicklime continued to do its work. The food certainly looked and smelled cooked, with Choji humming his approval after taking a good sniff.

"To perfection!" he exclaimed, rubbing his hands vigorously in anticipation.

The others followed suit, clapping their hands together and exclaiming, "Thank you for the food!" They dove in, grabbing the nearest bento and wolfing down its reheated contents, the sheer size of it not even an afterthought. Only Shikamaru, who didn't share in their enthusiasm, poured himself some warm miso soup first from a thermos.

"Come on, Shikamaru," Choji said to him through a mouthful. "You should really try this. It's so good!"

So good, in fact, that he found himself conflicted when comparing it to his mother's cooking. The rice wasn't soggy or sticky; the pork cutlet (tonkatsu) was tender and juicy, without being overly greasy, and the yakitori meatballs were equally delicious. The coating on both dishes was crisp yet light and fluffy, and the breadcrumbs used must have been of high quality as there wasn't any oiliness.

There was the distinct absence of sauce, though. Still, it was brimming with flavor. Either bouillon or soup stock had been mixed into the egg wash.

Trying the salad to cleanse his palate, he was surprised that it was still cold. How? He carefully inspected where the vegetables were placed, then in the lid. Of course! An insulated compartment, partitioned from where the heat needed to be. Tomatoes used as a bowl for the dressing. Onions, cucumbers, and lettuce. So refreshing.

Next, he went for the pickled vegetables. Turnips pickled in sweet vinegar, topped with peppers and kombu. Pretty standard, but coupled well with the rice.

The omelet, rather than being sectioned into slices, remained whole. Picking it apart with his chopsticks, he found bits of green in the center. What? He plucked a green chunk of it into his mouth.

Avocado! Rich and creamy in texture, with just the right amount. He had never imagined that the fruit would go so well with eggs.

Turning to Shikamaru, he saw that his best friend was using his chopsticks to unravel an aluminum foil above where the rice was, finding baked salmon drenched in herb butter, with onions and mushrooms thrown in.

"Huh, this is pretty good," Shikamaru said approvingly after taking the first bite. The quicklime had reheated it well; fish tasted best when fresh and hot, the juices yet to coagulate.

Choji couldn't believe his eyes or his ears. Grumpy and cranky Shikamaru, who always wore a perpetual scowl, even while enjoying the best yakiniku in Konoha, now had a genuine smile on his face as he complimented the food. Clearly, Naruto's uncle must be some kind of wizard to have pulled off such a feat.

Naruto beamed, pushing forward a separate open bento. "Right! Here, try these sandwiches!"

Choji didn't need to be told twice, pulling one out and taking a peek at the filling. Red cabbage, cheese, tomatoes, green lettuce, hard-boiled egg whites, bacon, avocado slices, and... he gasped, "Menchi Katsu!"

"Yep!" Naruto said enthusiastically. "And the honey mustard sauce makes it crazy good, too." He took a big bite of his own sandwich.

Choji's eyes welled with tears. "Naruto!" He placed everything down to grab his friend firmly by the shoulder. "For you to have shared such good food with me, I hereby declare you a friend of the Akimichi Clan." He balled a fist tightly, letting his emotions flow as he hooked the other boy in for a one-armed hug around his neck.

Naruto glanced at Choji strangely, recoiling awkwardly from the contact. "Uh, aren't we already friends?"

Shikamaru sighed through his nose, unable to fault Naruto for being clueless; it added to his sincerity. Being a "friend" to a Noble Clan was a privilege to those whose members placed their utmost trust in them. This was true for the Nara, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, and Aburame as well. The Hyūga were the only ones not beholden to this custom, even after their stringent breeding program had been put to an end.

Contrary to what one might assume, the Akimichi were not receptive to those who offered them food; they often snubbed anyone who tried. From the generations of perfecting their jutsu, coupled with their own past breeding program, those of their bloodline had developed particularly sophisticated palates geared towards high-calorie and nutrient-rich food, but never to the point of unhealthiness. The potato chips that Choji enjoyed all hailed from a line of snack brands that the family owned; the recipe was a well-guarded secret. The same was true for the majority of their meals, which were prepared from equally secure family recipes.

"Just roll with it," Shikamaru said flippantly, leaning back on one arm, the other slung over his knee. He pitched a glance over at the sprawling village down below, and the tranquil scenery of the sun overhead, letting out a foggy breath. Is it getting colder?

Elsewhere…

This is it?

Standing from across the apartment building that the man had directed him to, he scanned the entire foreground, taking in the general state of his surroundings that seemed to reach up to the decrepit foundation. His nose wrinkled at the smell of garbage and droppings.

What a dump. Reminds me of home.

He slipped a hand into his pocket to draw out the paper, the three people pictured staring back. Just gotta find these three and get this over with.

He was broken out of his train of thought when he caught sight of two humans around the corner of his eye, elderly by the looks of them, strolling down the street in his direction, dressed in warm clothing. He didn't bother to hide himself; the people of this town barely reacted or seemed too frightened by the sight of him. Either they were used to people like him, or they were just dumb as bricks, contrary to the warning he had been given before departure. Bah! Whatever. Thank Yggdrasil for small favors.

He approached the couple just as they were about to head for the apartment and called out, "Hey!"

The two humans paused in their tracks, swiveling their heads searchingly until their gazes landed on a figure that made them recoil.

Ten feet tall, standing with knees bent and a hunched form that mirrored the man's, its skin was a pale blue. Swaths of black belts were wrapped around its left leg up to the kneecap, as opposed to the cloth wrapping on its right. Its forearms and feet were disproportionately massive compared to its still imposing frame, obscured by a thick black cloak that went down to its waist that fed into a pair of black leather shorts. Its right forearm had the same belt wrappings, leaving the left bare. On the back of both its clawed hands, three metal studs could be seen jutting out. Its face was shadowed over by a hood, with only a lone curved horn spilling out, flanked between two sharp humps atop both shoulders.

The human couple reacted as well as expected.

"Gah! A monster!" the woman hollered, grabbing the man with both hands by his shoulders and wringing him in panic. "Quick, honey, get the mallet!"

The giant rolled his eyes and brought a placating hand up, which only caused the couple to back away. "Easy, easy, I'm not gonna hurt you folks; I just want information."

Hearing this, the woman ceased in the torment of who the creature had to guess was her husband, releasing her hold, causing the poor man to fall on his side. "Oh! Well, that changes everything. Ask away."

The sudden shift in demeanor took the creature aback. Gaining a better look, the woman appeared thin, with gray hair done in a boyish style. "Uh, sure. Can you tell me where I can find these three?"

Presenting the paper to them, the man dredged back to his feet in the time it took his wife to take the document for a closer look. The male human had a wiry build, standing lankily with a hunch. With a grunt, he placed both hands on his lower back and pushed his midsection forward to realign his spine, letting out a breath of relief after a creaking sound took place. Taking another moment to regain his bearings, the grandpa rubbed the back of his neck before glancing up suspiciously at the creature.

"You a solicitor?" he asked.

The creature paused, and said in an irritated and offended tone, "No, I'm not."

"So, what are ya', then?"

Before the giant could answer, the woman piped up. "Nope, never seen these three 'round these parts before in my life. You must have the wrong address."

"That jackass," he said. "You sure?" the creature questioned, wanting solid confirmation.

"Yep!" the woman chirped, handing him the paper back. "Why are you looking for them?"

"Ya sure you're not a solicitor?" the man asked, rubbing his chin as he kept eyeing him from top to bottom.

"No," the creature growled through gritted teeth. "Look, I just want to know where I can find these kids, and I'll be on my way. That's all. That's really all I want."

The couple shared a look, shrugged their shoulders before turning back to him. The woman spoke first and said, "Sorry, but, we can't help you."

The man suggested, scratching his cheek with a finger. "You could try the station. Are these kids yours?"

"Yeah, they're my niece and nephews," the creature answered with a roll of his eyes, sounding every bit insincere, knowing full well that these old humans probably wouldn't pick up on it.

Unbeknownst to him, the woman had slid a hand into the front pocket of her jacket after returning the paper, her fingers touching cold steel. The man grabbed her free hand, the gesture telling her to wait. The language lessons with Bokomon had paid off, and although she wasn't fluent, they were able to pick up enough to make out that it was an actual wanted poster.

"Well, why didn't you say so? It looks like we'll be helping you after all. My husband and I know the feeling. We lost our children once upon a time, too. They were searching for adventure and got lost deep in the woods while exploring."

"Riveting," the creature replied curtly, clearly uninterested. "Which way to the station?" Gonna have to bail for now.

"Over yonder," the woman said, swinging her arm out of her pocket to throw a kunai straight at the creature's chest, a Kibaku Fuda dangling from the tail end of a string. The creature, not wholly expecting it, spotted what was clearly a sharp dagger zooming right at him, with only a split second to dodge. The elderly couple had disappeared, leaving him to witness the odd slip of paper fluttering from the handle as it smoldered.

The resulting explosion resounded throughout the street, rattling the nearby civilians and alerting other shinobi within earshot. Standard protocol during a battle.

Stage 1: Doors and windows locked at all times until everything was in the clear.

Stage 2: Move into the nearest bunker through a trapdoor installed at home.

Stage 3: Comply with evacuation procedures.

Anko and Kakashi dropped their henges before they landed on the far end of the street. "You think that got him?" the kunoichi wondered.

Kakashi knew better, unfurling his headband to reveal the Sharingan, signaling to her that they were in for a fight. She drew out another kunai, tapping into her full reserves of chakra now that she was no longer bound by a curse. The cloud of smoke and dust soon settled, revealing the creature unscathed save for his cloak, which was torn just enough to reveal his face and bare muscular upper body, veins grotesquely bulging. On both his shoulders, just under a single sharp spike of ice, was an additional metal stud. A skull and crossbones tattoo was etched on his left bicep.

"Now that's definitely a face only a mother could love," Anko jeered, taking in the monster's full appearance - a large head with features set in a perpetual open-mouthed scowl, jagged and curved teeth, ear piercings, and wildly flowing white hair, slicked back to reveal a bluish horn jutting from its forehead.

The creature ripped off what was left of his ruined cloak and tossed it aside. "Didn't think you humans had the stones. And here I thought this was going to be a walk in the park."

"You hear that, Cyclops?" Anko nudged Kakashi. "Baby boy here thought this was going to be easy peasy. So sorry to rain on your parade, but we don't take kindly to bounty hunters looking to cash in on our own."

"So you do know where they are," the giant growled, his scowl deepening. "Tell me what I want to know, and this doesn't have to get bloody."

Anko grinned dangerously, brandishing her kunai. "Oh, we're counting on it."

"Your funeral."

He raised his foot and slammed it to the ground, causing a small tremor that quickly grew louder. "Snow Barrier!" Large columns of ice rapidly sprouted from the ground, advancing on the duo. Anko and Kakashi leaped into the air, the former countering with a volley of kunai. The creature conjured a large club of ice, raising it to block the assault, embedding several of the projectiles into the makeshift weapon.

Ice, huh. Kakashi mused, one of the rarest Seishitsu Henka (Nature Transformations) in existence. This was going to be tough. He vanished in a puff of smoke, surprising the giant as he had been keeping a discreet eye on him. The former ANBU Captain, who had been hiding underground the whole time, absorbed the recent memories of his clone, almost crushed by the unexpected quake had he not distanced himself from the epicenter. Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu (Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique).

Knowing where he needed to strike, he snaked his way through the ground, flaring his chakra to ready his next technique. He launched himself up directly beneath his target, driving a solid punch to the giant's chin. Doton: Ressengan (Earth Release: Rending Drill Fang).

The force of the blow propelled the creature upward, but only by a few feet. Damn. If Kakashi hadn't reinforced his fist with chakra, the bones and joints of his knuckles would have been destroyed.

The creature, mouth wide open to reveal his long and curved canines, smirked. That had barely been a love tap. He fluidly arched his entire body back in a surprising show of agility mid-air, winding his giant club above his head with both hands before swinging it down. "Ice Konbou!"

Kakashi smoothly veered to the side just as the cudgel hovered a mere inch from his forehead protector, gyrating his upper body downward for a somersault. The beast slammed its weapon hard against the nearest pillar, shattering it into pieces and sending debris flying in a hail of shrapnel.

Kakashi barely managed to stick the landing a few feet away, skidding along the dirt, as his uniform sustained tears and a few minor cuts. "Anko!" he cried.

The kunoichi, hiding behind the nearest column, wove a series of hand seals. "Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique)." She leaped high into the air, her cheeks swelling before spewing a stream of fire directly at her target, engulfing him in flames. She increased the output, tapping into her chakra reserves at full power until she could no longer sustain it, conserving her stamina.

Landing next to Kakashi, she huffed out, "Not enough?"

On one knee to conserve his energy, Kakashi grunted, "I suggest we move."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a large ball of ice shot out of the fire and barreled toward them, covered in a sheen of moisture from the heat melting some of its surface. A second one followed after they evaded the first, traveling at the speed of a bullet. A third clipped Kakashi's foot just as they took off from the edge of the opposite building, forcing Anko to grab him as they reached the roof of another. Soon enough, the fire dissipated as the creature continued to conjure and fling projectiles in quick succession, scattering them about in every direction as fast as his eyes could follow their elusive prey.

"Did you really think fire would slow me down?" the ice ogre cried out, looking none the worse for wear, his voice echoing throughout the snow-and-ice-logged streets, ceasing his onslaught when he could no longer see them.

Anko muttered something under her breath as she tended to Kakashi's foot with her basic Shōsen Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique).

Taking cover in a nearby crawl space, one of many scattered throughout the village, Kakashi opened a compartment filled with weapons to restock. Passing Anko a scroll, he then tweaked with his Digivice -V-. Pressing the top right button, he was curious to try something. A holographic screen brimmed to life, revealing the data on the monster they were fighting.

Hyougamon

Stage: Champion

Type: Ice-Snow

Attribute: Virus

A subspecies of Orgemon that has adapted to the cold, this territorial creature will lash out violently against trespassers, engaging in fierce rivalries with other ice-inhabiting Digimon.

Attacks

Snow Punch: Dishes out a punch that launches a dense blast of cold energy that freezes anything it comes in contact with.

Hyougan Nage: Throws a huge ball of ice.

Ice Konbou: Attacks with an ice club.

Snow Barrier: Erects a barrier or pillar of ice and snow.

Ice Punch: Punches with a hard, ice clad fist.

"Well, that's certainly helpful," Anko grumbled, huddling closer to him.

"At least we now know what we're dealing with," Kakashi demurred, moving his foot with little pain. "This will have to do for now."

Anko in turn began to fiddle with her own Digivice. Kakashi glanced at the act and then at the woman herself, nodding his assent for her to do it. She pressed the middle button twice, and in an instant, out of the device, a ring of multicolored pixels poured out, painting the already dim room in a deeper gray, the background peppered with smaller multicolored dots. The once grainy walls of the crawl space were now petrified and cracked with age. The kunoichi ran a hand across the hard and dry surface. "I always knew I had a gift for renovation."

Kakashi sneaked a glance into the cabinet full of weapons and was shocked to find them worn and rusted. He checked his own inventory in concern, and found to his relief that they looked as new as the day they were forged. "Interesting," he thought.

"Plenty of time to sightsee later, Cyclops," Anko said before placing the scroll to her mouth. They exited the crawl space and soon found the monster wandering a nearby alleyway in search of them. As the two were making a beeline for the beast, masking their footsteps, the kunoichi punctured her thumb with a fingernail, drawing blood. Kakashi, jumping in first, began generating his Chidori (One Thousand Birds) technique.

Hyougamon only had half a second to react when the ear-piercing sound assaulted his sensitive hearing, whipping his head around just in time to see a flash coming his way before it vanished. Before he could make sense of it, a sharp paroxysm of pain lanced up from his stomach, stunning him in place. He bit back a howl with gritted teeth, peering down to see the human's arm digging into his gut, arcs of electricity flooding his body. He flailed his trunk-like arm at his assailant, who vanished in another flash, leaving the other one at the far end of the entryway to take his place.

Anko unraveled the scroll, smoothly slathering the blood from her thumb across the characters to unseal its contents, unleashing a rain of weapons that rushed at the ogre. An assortment of kunai, kusarigama, shuriken, and machetes, the monster's eyes widened as he could only form another club to defend himself against the seemingly endless barrage, parrying as many as he could, with only a few managing to hit or graze him; the shower of metal chipping away at his weapon.

He roared more in rage than pain after a shuriken nicked his left temple, spurring him to throw his club at breakneck speed at the kunoichi, the weapon spinning through the air with such force that it parted the salvo and tore through the scroll, hitting her squarely on the head. Seeing this, Hyougamon's anger was replaced by a triumphant rush as the human disappeared in a puff of smoke, the club continuing in its course until it crashed into a store.

"Ha! One down, one to-blergh!" His minor victory was spoiled by the kunoichi coming out of nowhere, both legs extended in a fierce kick to the side of his head, sending him sprawling and embedding him into a wall from the neck up.

Anko flipped back to land gracefully against the opposite wall, clinging to it with chakra. She looked up, spotting Kakashi diving in from above, accompanied by a clone, a long and intense line of electricity tethering them together.

Intending to end this, Kakashi closed in to guillotine Hyougamon with Raiden (Lightning Transmission).

The monster only needed to bring a fist up. "Snow Punch!" A blast of cold energy flew up to meet the attack, the collision generating an explosion that rocked the alleyway, resulting in a large cloud of frost and snow spilling out of the gap. Seeing this, Anko vaulted up the walls to intercept the man as he plummeted, his right arm encased in a layer of ice.

Hyougamon pulled himself out of the rut, looking up in time to see the two make their escape above the mist.

"How's the arm, Cyclops?" Anko asked breathlessly.

"Other than the powerful numbness from frostbite, I'm pretty good," Kakashi replied, forcing chakra into the limb to help maintain blood flow. As they began fleeing towards the next rooftop, Hyougamon suddenly appeared in front of them, landing on the ground with a loud thud, causing cracks to form in the pavement beneath him. The shinobi were thrown off balance and fell backward, but not before Anko managed to throw a kunai straight at the ogre's eye. However, with surprisingly sharp reflexes, the beast quickly moved his head to the side, allowing the blade to fly harmlessly past.

Hyougamon quickly raised an arm, palm facing upward. "Snow Barrier!" A large glacier erupted out of the rooftop floor beneath the trio, tearing the entire building apart, with the ogre sectioning off a platform to bring the humans up to eye level.

Catching their breath, the humans and Digimon stared down the other in silence; the only sound was a cold wind that blew past between them. "Now," Hyougamon began, watching as the two slowly sat up, "I know what you're thinking. How in the hell is this son of a bitch so gosh darn fast? Couldn't be that those leg muscles aren't just for show. On that front, nobody told me you humans were going to be tough customers, but it's gonna take more than fancy tricks to take down the likes of me."

Anko clicked her tongue, leaning on one arm before recoiling her hand from the cold ice. "Well, you got us. What now, Blue Balls? You gonna cut us up and cook us for dinner?"

"Actually, I'm just going to kill you," Hyougamon bluntly replied with a shrug.

"Whoa, slow down, shouldn't you be asking us where the kids are?" She was buying time, she knew. Kakashi knew, and even their soon-to-be killer knew.

"You know, funny you should be asking that," Hyougamon said smugly, pointing in the direction of the very last place they wanted him to go. "I picked up on it during that little song and dance we did, and it got me thinking that you were leading me away from there." Away from the Hokage Monument. "Am I hitting the right notes, buttercup?"

Anko looked genuinely impressed, though she and Kakashi weren't too worried. They weren't in the dimension, so they had the advantage. The only problem was that it also applied to them, to their chagrin. "Oho, guess you're smarter than you look, big guy."

Hyougamon's brows flattened. "Just because I'm big, doesn't mean I'm dumb. That's just a stereotype." He pointed an accusatory finger at the kunoichi. "You're the one who's dumber-erer…for thinking that…I'm…dumb."

The humans stared at him.

"Uh, that's not an actual word," Kakashi scoffed.

"Shut up!" Hyougamon snapped. "I can't stand being corroborated!"

"You mean corrected," Anko followed.

Hyougamon growled, glaring daggers at the duo. "I was going to pound you fools into a soupy paste, but now I'm just going to turn you into statues to take home as a trophy. Two for the price of one. Immortalized as the lovely couple that you are."

"You're way off on that last part," Kakashi rebutted drily, earning a side glare from the kunoichi.

Hyougamon retracted his arm, forming a fist that began to emit subzero energy. "Say goodnight and count to seven, when you wake up, you'll be in heaven. Snow Pu-!"

"Dynamic Entry!"

Flying in like a missile, Might Guy slammed his foot directly at the nape of Hyougamon's neck, lurching him forward to be hurled off the roof. The two other shinobi split apart just in time to make way for the beast, its massive frame demolishing the platform with the combined weight and inertia.

The jumpsuit-clad man landed on the ice in front of them and struck a pose. "Fear not, friends," he said, "for I, Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey, am here!" With a hand on his hip, he flashed the pair a thumbs up and his signature smile, the white of his teeth giving off a sparkle.

"Impeccable timing as always, Guy," Kakashi complimented, nursing his still-numb arm as he picked at the ice with a kunai. He spied the shape of something on the man's wrist. "Nice watch."

"Right back at 'ya," Guy said as he relaxed his stance. "I believe this is yours."

He tossed a kunai at Anko, who deftly caught it through the ring pommel with her finger. "How'd you get here?" she asked as she pocketed her weapon.

He related to them that he had been on his way to the Hokage's office to present his own Digivice -V-, having found it by his doorstep in the same manner as theirs, when an explosion caught his attention. Not long after, as he was hopping over rooftops to check in on it, he bore witness to an unbelievable sight. The once vibrant village of Konohagakure had transformed before his very eyes, altered by a wave of pixels passing over like a veil. The townsfolk vanished as the wave passed over them, wood and stone becoming petrified with age, the sky overhead clustered with dark clouds. Vines, thickets of trees and shrubbery sprouted and latched onto the worn fabric of houses and buildings, as if nature had come to reclaim the once developed village.

"At first, I thought I had simply been ensnared by a genjutsu. When I couldn't dispel it, that was when I remembered the instructions that came with this." He gestured to the watch. "Next thing I knew, a kunai almost lopped my nose off. But without it, I wouldn't have found you guys in time."

"Okay," Anko started, placing her hands on her hips, "post-apocalyptic backdrop aside, what are we going to do about blue balls?" She nodded towards where Guy had sent the beast hurling.

"What Guy and I are gonna do," Kakashi corrected her, scraping off the last of the frost from his limb. "You need to desynchronize from us and report back to the Hokage."

This earned him a light punch on the shoulder from the kunoichi. "You want me to chop that arm off?" She gestured to the once-frozen extremity. "The way I see it, you can't fight in that condition, and between the two of us, you're the closest to exhausting your chakra."

"Guy and I work best together, and I've got some rations as a pick-me-up," Kakashi said unflinchingly, giving her a look behind his mask that brooked no argument. "Go to the Hokage. I'm giving you an order."

The Chūnin ground her teeth, giving the Jōnin a glare that would have killed a lesser man on the spot. "Just don't expect me to go to your funeral, Cyclops," she said. Pressing the button on her watch to desynchronize, she disappeared before them in a flash of pixels.

"What's your secret?" Guy asked as he stepped up next to him.

Kakashi kept forcing just enough of what he could spare of his chakra into the still numb limb. He took out a canister from a pouch on his flack jacket, and with the same hand, he pulled down his mask and proceeded to pop a pill into his mouth. Chewing the bitter tasting supplement, he replied, "What secret? It's Anko."

Guy just smiled knowingly at him, before a rumbling sound snapped them back to the present. A meaty arm latched itself onto the edge of the glacier before them as the two men stood back-to-back in preparation. Hyougamon craned his head up, eyes bloodshot with rage. "Enough playing around," he growled. His already warped scowl twisted into a frigid glare, colder than his element. "I'm going to enjoy smashing your frozen corpses into a million pieces!" He spat out the last part with spittle flying.

"Ha!" Guy huffed, flashing the enraged monster a thumbs down. "Our combined flames of youth will melt you to boiling, foul beast! Together, we're unstoppable. Right, Kakashi?" He gave his friend and rival a nudge.

The man sighed, deciding long ago to just roll with whatever pace Guy was going at. Flicking his affected arm, he got into a combat stance with his newly tagged partner. "Just try to keep up."

Guy beamed with excitement and determination, pumping down a fist. "Yosh! Let's do this!"