Tears fall down the face of young Kana, her brown eyes overflowing with liquid sadness as she does her best to relay the events of her father's kidnapping to Ino. As Ino softly coaxes information Belphegor remains silent taking in the little girl's features while doing his best to keep himself from staring directly into the eyes of the girl. It's hard for him to adequately describe the feelings that this situation is putting him through. He knows that as a thoroughly experienced assassin, he has been responsible for several young girls mourning the loss of their fathers. However, he had never been around for the waterworks before this isn't to say that he's feeling guilty at the moment no, guilt and Belphegor have never been acquainted.

Something is stirring inside him in place of guilt though that's for sure. The words exchanged between Ino and the young girl fade into the background as Belphegor attempts to come to terms with the feeling in his chest. Disassociation that's it, he's feeling disconnected from the events going on in front of him as if he's miles away despite the fact that the events are

unfolding right in front of him. This isn't what Belphegor's life entails, he doesn't comfort or stand around while someone else comforts a distraught child that's not part of the life he lives, at least it didn't used to be. Belphegor finally understands what's been bothering him about this situation, it's just another damn reminder of how far away home has become.

The thought causes Belphegor to let out a small laugh, considering what he had done to his childhood home Belphegor didn't think home could hold such sway over him, but he supposes that even to someone as screwed in the head as he is, can still find meaning in the concept of home. A sharp pain in his calf cuts through Belphegor's contemplation bringing him back to the situation going on outside of his inner self. Looking towards Ino, Belphegor realizes that she had elbowed him in the calf and is glaring at him, no doubt angry that he had the nerve to laugh while a distraught girl was confiding in them. Belphegor let out a sigh, annoyed at himself. It didn't take empathy to realize that laughing at such a scene would be counter-productive, not that he actually was laughing at the girl's story, but of course, they had no way of knowing.

Realizing that he probably just set Ino back a good deal in getting information from the young girl. Not wanting to be responsible for staying in this strange situation any longer than necessary, Belphegor comes up with an idea, like all of his ideas it's a genius one, at least if you ask him anyway. Kneeling towards the upset girl, Belphegor put his plan into action.

"Do you like animals, Kana-Chan?" Caught off-guard Kana nodded her head wearily. Belphegor smirked in satisfaction as he always heard about the connection between kids and animals. Raising his right hand Belphegor focussed on the silver weasel-shaped ring around his index finger.

"Mink." Belphegor calls out, in a flash of Storm Flames Visone Tempesta appeared with minimal flames being emitted a tiny amount from his ears and none from his tail. Kana lets out a gasp of excitement reaching out to pet him before hesitating and asking Belphegor for permission.

"Of course, just avoid Mink's ears." With Permission granted Kana immediately began petting Mink, who like any affection-craving animal leaned into her touch letting out a soft trill in content. Kana smiles briefly though in a manner of seconds, her mind wanders back to her father as tears return to her eyes and she begins crying softly. Her cries are muted now compared to her previous whales, the act of petting Mink providing somewhat of a relief. For the first time since meeting the girl, Belphegor looked Kana in the eyes. Staring into her eyes Belphegor is stunned. As someone who hides his eyes from the entire world, Belphegor understands the power of the eyes more than perhaps anyone else. What he sees in young Kana's eyes tugs at him strongly, intense sorrow can be found in her eyes, alongside the sorrow is affection for Mink, and perhaps if Belphegor is reading correctly a small amount of hope flickering behind the sadness.

"Are you two gonna save my Papa?" Belphegor's breath catches in his throat at the question, it's throwing him for a loop because he is sure that her father is most likely dead, and for some reason that Belphegor doesn't understand he knows that at this moment he couldn't force himself to tell her. Belphegor briefly registers Ino's reply 'We will try.' his focus wavering, Belphegor silently exits the room leaving Ino, Kana, and Mink alone in the room.


Sometime later, Belphegor leans against the outside of Kana's family house. Ino exits the house coming to stand next to him. Belphegor expected her to come out soon since he had just witnessed Kana's mother enter the house. Ino stands silently next to him gazing at him with appraising eyes.

"You're a puzzle Belphegor you know that?" Tilting his head in confusion Belphegor stares at Ino with curiosity in his eyes, hidden behind his bangs of course.

"I can tell that you care about people, or at least possess the ability to care about people." Amusement dances across Belphegor's features.

"Care is a strong word Ino-Chan. I'll admit to a fondness to some people but if all of my friends were to up and die in front of me tomorrow all I'd feel is minor disappointment." The words felt hollow as they left his mouth though Belphegor ignored his own disbelief, he'd buried the human part of him for so long that he barely realizes when it peeks its head above the surface of his heart.

Ino raises her right eyebrow, smirk tugging at her lips. Belphegor pouts at the challenging expression.

"If that's the case why did you get so defensive when I mentioned your friends the first time we met?" Unable to answer her rebuttal Belphegor felt his limbs grow tense, a defensive urge to lash out claws at the edge of his psyche. Taking a few quick breaths Belphegor decides to move on to another subject before he says or does anything counter-productive.

"We should meet back up with Asuma and Shikamaru." Ino recognizes Bel's tactic but decides against pushing him. She rolls her eyes at his stubbornness, stifling a chuckle she agrees and they head back to the inn.

Asuma and Shikamaru greet them at the Red Koala Inn as the four of them move to enter the Inn, Belphegor spots something out of the corner of his left eye. Attempting to confirm his suspicion Bel turns his head toward the man that had caught his attention. His mouth falls open in shock before closing and twisting into a savage grin. As absurd as it is, standing in front of a stall several meters from the Inn was their target, without a doubt the man depicted in the mayor's sketch. The rest of Belphegor's team notices his staring and turns to follow his gaze. Disbelief rolls over the three of them. Shikamaru chuckles quietly to himself while Asuma sighs, shaking his head.

"You have surely got to be kidding." Ino mutters as she struggles to come to grips with the sight before her. Quick to recover, Asuma takes charge of the situation ordering his team to follow their target from the shadows in hopes he will lead them to the missing townspeople. The four Konoha shinobi disperse Ino and Belphegor hide behind the corner of two buildings while Asuma and Shikamaru crouch atop two other buildings.


It takes several hours for their target to complete his errands and return to his base as our heroes observe him from the shadows. He leads them through the woods outside of the town for another couple of hours finally coming to a stop in front of a cave. Asuma raises his right hand to the radio piece in his ear to tell his team to prepare for a fight. The kidnapper begins to laugh out loud before turning his back to the cave and pulling several small sphere-shaped explosives out of his pouch.

"Now that I've led you to my hideout, why don't you losers come out to play!" Tired of the tedious nature of the mission so far, Belphegor answers the man's taunt without waiting for Asuma's orders. Bursting out of his hiding spot Belphegor hurls a volley of knives at the serial kidnapper. The man throws his small explosives at the incoming projectiles, the man makes a quick hand sign causing the bombs to explode in front of the knives sending them flying away. Smoke obscures Bel's view of his enemy. Upon landing Belphegor immediately charges towards the cloud of smoke with knives drawn only for Asuma to appear in front of him halting his approach.

"Konoha Shinobi work as a team Belphegor-San. That means respecting the chain of command." Asuma informs Belphegor sternly without turning towards him, instead keeping his focus on their smoke-hidden adversary in preparation for any attacks. Belphegor replies with a noncommittal yeah as Ino lands right beside him.

"If we weren't in danger I'd slap you upside the head for going off on your own Bel." Ino snarks.

"Guess that makes me lucky, Shi Shi Shi" Bel's comeback trails off into sarcastic laughter. The clouds of smoke dissipate to reveal their target frozen in place. Out of the corner of his vision, Belphegor spots Shikamaru walking out of the bushes into the open drawing Bel's attention to a long shadow connecting Shikamaru and the kidnapper. Shikamaru lets out a loud dramatic sigh as he approaches the paralyzed shinobi.

"What a drag. At least Belphegor's impatience allowed me to capture the enemy with my Shadow Possession Jutsu." A loud growl reverberates from inside the cave as Shikamaru nears their paralyzed enemy. Instinctually Shikamaru turns his body toward the cave just as Asuma calls out.

"Get away from the cave Shikamaru." Focusing chakra in his legs Shikamaru jumps away narrowly dodging razor-sharp claws. Shikamaru travels through the air toward his team alongside the kidnapper mimicking his movement through Shadow Possession. Shikamaru lands to the right of his comrades while his captive lands to their left. Standing where Shikamaru had been standing a few seconds earlier is a monstrous lion-like creature. Its pitch-black fur and bright red mane stand up as chakra emanates from the beast.


Xanxus takes a deep breath in an attempt to quell the annoyance bubbling inside his soul. Normally he wouldn't feel a need to do this, but considering who he is about to talk to Xanxus knows that allowing his annoyance to show will only prolong the conversation immensely. The sound of Talbot's sheep whining has Xanxus's hands twitching. Talbot is the Vongola's oldest living member having served as the family's metal craftsman for over one hundred years. His secrets are aplenty, no one knows how he has outlived so many Mafioso for so long.

Xanxus isn't interested in living forever so he couldn't care less about Talbot's most infamous secret. There's only one thing Xanxus wants answers from Talbot about. Despite his injured sheep's loud wailing Talbot turns to acknowledge Xanxus as the Varia's head enters his house. Talbot's eyes are concealed behind a blindfold as his eyesight abandoned him long ago. Whatever method he uses to prolong his life did nothing about the wrinkles covering his face.

"Xanxus, as you can see I'm busy though considering that you've never visited me of your own accord you must have something quite important to discuss with me." Without delay, Xanxus reaches into his left pocket pulling out the medallion within. It's nearly identical to the pendant that Belphegor possessed, the only difference is instead of knives adorning the front a pair of guns are emblazoned proudly.

"I gave the matching necklace to Belphgor as you told me to. Within forty-eight hours he vanished. Peculiar since according to you the purpose of this trinket is that it can track the one I gave the Prince." Xanxus narrows his eyes fiercely at Talbot as the withered old man scratched his chin.

"You knew Bel was going to vanish. How!? Why keep it from me?" Talbot's shoulders sag briefly, very few other than Xanxus could've perceived it. The weathered craftsman slowly hobbles over to stand face-to-face with Xanxus.

"You are mistaken, my boy. The pair of medallions were commissioned by Vongola Nono himself. He withheld the reason behind them, I did not push him." An unimaginable headache racks Xanxus's brain as annoyance threatens to split his brain in two.

"If you want answer's about your subordinate's disappearance. I'm afraid your father is whom with you should speak.


Irritation mixed with excitement flooded Taro's brain. The irritation at being captured dulled by the excitement of getting to observe his glorious pet tear a group of shinobi limb from limb. Taro is unable to contain his savage grin. A deranged cackle slips through his clenched teeth.

"You damn fools! Your capture of me has accomplished less then nothing. My familiar shall deccimate you all as I take in the beautiful carnage." Ignoring his outburst the four shinobi wisely keep their attention on the towering beast.

"Ino, Shikamaru tie-up our target securely while me and Belphegor distract this thing. When the prisoner is secured join us in taking down this creature." The leader of the team orders as Taro sneers in rage at being ignored. The blonde-kunoichi follows through with her commander's orders moving quickly towards Taro with ninja wire and duct tape.


Timoteo listens calmly to his son's explanation and demands answers. He of course suspected this outcome, though he had hoped his suspicion would've been proven wrong. Xanxus taps his feet impatiently hiding none of his anger from his adoptive father.

"I didn't know for certain that somethingwas going to happen to Belphegor. I only had my gut and Reborn-Kun's warnings." Xanxus's eyes widen in surprise only to narrow in contempt. Not giving Xanxus a chance to retort Timoteo continues his explanation.

"According to Reborn-Kun, Sawada Tsunayoshi-Kun had a dream about Belphegor

Being surrounded by strange people in a strange land. As the Vongola Super Intuition that Tsunayoshi-Kun possesses is capable of sensing the unpredictable, Reborn and I agreed that to ignore the dreams would be a foolish decision." Xanxus's hands clenched tightly in predictable frustration at Timoteo's respect for Tsunayoshi's abilities.

"Now is not the time for petty hang-ups my son. Have you attempted to use your pendant's gift to track our wayward Prince?" Xanxus refuses to answer, instead Timoteo's tortured son held up Talbot's medallion. Harnessing and focusing all of his frustration into the hand gripping the necklace, the will of Xanxus flowed throughout the pendant as his anger pools causing The Flames Of Rage to emanate from the mystical trinket."


Belphegor wastes little time acting out his part of Asuma's plan. Channeling his Dying-Will the assassin known as Prince The Ripper unleashed a volley of Storm-Flame imbued throwing knives at the strange and viscious looking creature. The beast let out a roar before swiping its powerful claws at the incoming threat. The defensive maneuver succeded in deflecting all of the knives except for one which impaled the behemoth's left shoulder. With Asuma beside him, Belphegor channels his flames into the animal ring on his right hand charging the beast, Asuma following just behind him.

Raising his right hand and calling out the name of his familiar, Belphegor summons The Storm Tempesta: Mink in a flash of storm flames atop the Prince's shoulders. In response to their approach, the creature unleashed a chakra-filled roar. A barrage of chakra-covered spikes burst from the creature's mouth. Mink reflexively leaps in front of Bel and channels his Dying-Will Flames, as Belphegor shouts for Asuma to stand behind him. The Storm Tempesta focuses Storm Flames in his tail and spins furiously creating a barrier of potent

Storm Class Dying-Will Flames.

This is Mink's, Storm Tempesta: Tail Shield Technique. The beast's onslaught of powerful spikes disintegrates immediately upon contact with the Tail Shield's flames. Belphegor turns to speak with Asuma only to be cut off by a series of hand signs and a knowing look from the elite Jonin. As he finishes his hand signs Asuma yells out for him and Bel to scatter. Asuma dashes to the right while Belphegor and his familiar run to the left of the beast.

Unsure where to redirect its attack the beast closes its mouth ceasing its ranged attack. Immediately after doing this Asuma completes the hand signs and unleashes his jutsu. 'Fire Style: Burning Ash' Asuma blows out a giant cloud of ash that quickly surrounds the beast. With a click of his teeth, Asuma sets the ash alight causing a massive explosion to engulf the creature.

Unwilling to take the chance that the monster survived Belphegor charges towards the dissipating explosion hurling several sets of flame-imbued knives into the cloud of smoke.

"C'mon Mink let's put an end to thi…" Belphegors command is interrupted by the shining of the pendant around his neck. Shock and excitement flood Bel's being as he recognizes the light as Xanxus's Flames Of Rage. The realization of this distracted Belphegor allowing the beast to rush out of the smoke battering Bel with its right claw. Asuma and Ino yell out in concern as a fiercely bleeding Belphegor tumbles toward Ino and Shikamaru.

"Shikamaru!!" Asuma calls out to Shikamaru who alongside Ino just finished tying up their captive.

"On it!" Shikamaru replies having already started his own set of hand signs. Having dealt with one of its assailants the beast charges toward Asuma. 'Ninja Art: Shadow Stitching Jutsu' The creature's rage blinded it to all but Asuma, so it made no attempt to dodge the barrage of shadow spikes. Spike pierce all throughout the monster's flesh halting its charge.

Wasting no time in finishing off the dangerous beast Asuma shunshins atop its head. Raising his Wind-Chakra-infused trench knives above his head Asuma swung his arms downward the wind blades pierce straight through the beast's head impaling its brain. With the threat taken care of Asuma once again uses the shunshin, this time appearing next to Ino who was checking on the condition of the unconscious Belphegor.

Before Asuma can inquire about his health the captive kidnapper began to sob loudly and violently.

"You killed him, my precious beast. After all the men I fed to him, I was sure he was unkillable." A shudder runs down the spines of the three conscious members of the Konoha Team. Shaking the visual of innocent men being devoured by a monster Ino refocuses her attention on healing the injured Belphegor.


'Several Months Later'

Trying and failing to contain his excitement Uzumaki Naruto dances on the balls of his feet as the giant gates of Konohagakure come into his vision.

"Finally, I'm home!"


Next Chapter 'Naruto: Shippuden/Part Two Of The Manga begins.

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