Way of the Sword

"Choji…Shino…..Lee…Agh!" Naruto opened his eyes and lifted his upper body up until he sat up straight. He was sweating and breathing heavily. "Where am I?" Naruto looked around to see himself in a Washitsu room. He looked at his arms and torso, finding himself covered in bandages. He also had bandages wrapped around his forehead. He was given a kimono. Suddenly, the door slid open to reveal an old man with long grey hair that reached to his waist, a grey goatee and moustache. He had distinct wrinkles underneath his black eyes and bandages wrapped his head and he wore a grey kimono.

"I see you are awake young man. It is good to see that you are alright. I am Mifune." The now named Mifune introduced himself. He brought a tray with two cups and a teapot. "Would you like some tea?"

"Sure. Thanks, old man Mifune." Naruto's old man comment did not annoy Mifune at all. As Mifune poured tea for Naruto, the blonde began to think about what happened.

"Here, young one." Mifune passed Naruto his tea, with the young blonde thanking him before taking a sip.

"Thanks. Old man Mifune where am I? How did you find me? How long was I out? And more importantly, were the other people with me?" Naruto had man questions for the old man, but he decided to ask those four specifically, especially the last question. who sipped his own tea and then placed it down.

"You are in my home. I found your body whilst fishing in the river just at the outskirts. Your body must have travelled down from the river that resides below the mountains. You were out for three days at least and I'm sorry, but I only found you." Mifune saw that Naruto was upset by this news. "However, I have a few questions for you. Please do not feel pressured to answer unless you are comfortable to reveal what has happened to yourself." Mifune told Naruto politely and understandingly.

"It's only fair since I asked you and I didn't even tell you my name. My name is Naruto, pleased to meet you." Naruto bowed slightly, he was grateful to Mifune for treating his injuries and help him recover.

"A pleasure." Mifune bowed in return. "My first question is what caused your condition?" He asked with curiosity. Naruto looked at his hands, gripping the sheets.

"I was betrayed by my guild and left for dead." Naruto was getting angrier by the second. "My friends sacrificed themselves to save me. Which is how you found me." Naruto calmed himself down, his rage and reckless attitude cost him his friends.

"I sense much pain from you, I feel best we continue this conversation after a meal. Please join me." Mifune decided to drop the conversation as he could tell Naruto was not ready yet to talk about it yet.

(Grimoire Heart)

"This better work, otherwise, we sacrificed Naruto for nothing." Ultear saw the orb hooked up to a giant machine which also had a large tube, that had a humanoid figure inside it.

"True. He had the potential to surpass us, and he was a good comrade, one of the few 'lights' this guild had, despite possessing a magic which is the opposite, he certainly brightened up the place." Azuma also had fun sparring with Naruto and respected his strength.

"Unfortunately for him, his power was wasted on him. He did not have the will to use it to its full potential." Ultear said coldly, though she did truly care for Naruto, now her goals were more important.

"That's cold even for you. But I expect no less from the leader of the Seven Kin." Azuma said with some disappointment, he expected her to lobby for Naruto to remain a member, but it seems he was wrong about her bond with Naruto.

"Do not misunderstand, he was a good comrade and our time together I wouldn't trade for the world. But he would not approve of the Ultimate Magic World and that's why he was terminated." Ultear retained her cold demeanour, and they would have continued their conversation if not for the ground shaking and shockwave. 'What is this?' Ultear and Azuma saw that the process was already taking place.

"They started already!" Azuma stated out loud, and he could feel the power emanating from the tube. An explosion occurred shortly, with Azuma acting fast and summoning a giant tree to protect himself and Ultear from the explosion.

"Master Hades!" Ultear called out, only to see Hades unharmed by the explosion.

"Yes…YES!" Orochimaru yelled out, with the other three occupants looking at what emerged from the tube. Ultear and Azuma were especially shocked to see what Subject X looked like, with even Hades a little surprised. "Welcome to the world….Subject X!" Orochimaru yelled out like a madman.

"No. He needs a real name and I already thought of one." Hades spoke up and looked at the humanoid whose appearance was covered in smoke. "Since you like the letter X, we can incorporate it in his name. Subject X, from hence forth you shall be known as….Roxatun!" Hades declared.

"Roxatun…" The now born Roxatun spoke, his voice sounded so familiar, especially to Ultear.

"Yes. You shall be a key part in reaching the Ultimate Magic World!" Hades opened his arms and laughed at the heavens, now seeming like he was the madman instead of Orochimaru.

(Back with Naruto)

"Thank you for the meal." Naruto closed his hands and bowed. He looked at the room and saw a katana in a display case with its scabbard. "Whoa, that's cool katana you have there, old man Mifune." Naruto, after learning to use a sword took up lessons and whilst he was no slouch, he was not a master swordsman just yet.

"Yes. That used to be my blade, Kurosawa. Even before I received it, this blade is considered a Legendary Sword because of its quality. It has been my companion in many battles and helped me defeat countless foes. Of course, the weapon is only as skilled as its wielder, never forget that." Mifune told Naruto, who nodded at this because he agreed that the weapon can be very dangerous, but the weapon would be extremely deadly with the right user.

"I'm a bit of a swordsman myself. Though I use a Greatsword." Naruto knew the type of weapon his blade was and is quite knowledgeable with weapons thanks to his former Guild Master Hades.

"Well, after you answer my questions, I would like to see your skills young Naruto." Mifune was interested in testing Naruto's skills as swordsman.

"Oh, right? What do you want to know?" Naruto put his interest in swords aside for now. 'I hope he doesn't ask about Grimoire Heart.' While Naruto was naïve, now that he no longer had allies in Grimoire Heart, he knew that the Magic Council would be after him if they discovered him as a former member. 'But he lives alone and he might not know how to contact the Magic Council or even heard about Grimoire Heart.'

"Were you a member of Grimoire Heart?" Mifune asked, shocking Naruto in comedic fashion. "I was the one who bandaged you and I saw your guild mark. Just because I live by myself in a secluded area does not mean I am ignorant of the outside world. But please answer my question, were you in actuality a member of one of the most fearsome Dark Guilds?" Mifune had a stern expression which made Naruto sweat nervously for a moment until he sighed.

"Yeah, I was. But I never did all that stuff dark guilds usually do." Naruto admitted. He never killed people and only really killed monsters, mindless demons and animals.

"And what you mean by that? Please explain." Mifune knew that most dark guilds had their own agenda and committed terrible deeds for their goals.

"I mean I never really killed people, just mindless demons, and wild animals. I did beat up a few people because of missions though and I did steal a lot of things. Oh, and vandalism too." Naruto unintentionally mentioned his past crimes, which made Mifune sweat drop.

'He may be a dark wizard, but he has a good heart. That and he doesn't seem too smart.' Mifune stopped Naruto from speaking any further by lifting his right hand up and motioning for the young blonde to stop. "Please stop talking. I believe that you are not a bad person, but you are delinquent." Mifune just sighed. "That will be all for my questions. Now follow me." Mifune told Naruto, without giving the blonde a chance to reply and he got up, with Naruto following the old man to another room.

"Whoa!" Naruto and Mifune were now in a forge, with many weapons on display. Mifune then pointed towards a Greatsword.

"I believe you said that you used a Greatsword. I did not lie when I said that I wish to see your skills. So please, let us step outside and show me what you can do." Mifune smiled as Naruto was able to easily pick up the Greatsword.

(Outside Training Area, 1 Hour Later) (Fairy Tail OST-Invoke Magic)

"Now, come at me!" Mifune gripped his katana, which was still in its sheathe. Naruto looked at Mifune, gauging his strength before he attacked. Naruto rushed towards Mifune, swinging his Greatsword at Mifune but before it landed, it seemed Naruto had hit an invisible force because his weapon was parried. He did not notice Mifune's hand twitch at first, but he decided to take it up a notch.

"Let's speed up!" Naruto managed to pull his Greatsword back, aiming for Mifune again. This time he witnessed Mifune's hand twitch and his Greatsword was parried again. 'It's not an invisible barrier and he definitely moved.' "Dark Magic: Frenzy Strike!" Naruto's swings became faster and the darkness channelled through the Greatsword became wilder.

'He's figured it out!' Mifune's movements could be seen clearer. Previously, Mifune unsheathed his sword swiftly to block Naruto's strike and then unsheathed it afterwards, making it seem like he did not move at all except for a brief flicker of the wrist. Mifune unsheathed his blade, and he blocked each strike, not sheathing his blade this time around. 'His power is surging, and he can wield that Greatsword as if it was a katana. Impressive for someone so young.'

"Better watch out old man, because I'm full of surprises!" Naruto released a dark shockwave from his blade, but Mifune moved back, placing his sword back into its sheathe. 'He can react to my attacks. That means he's predicting my moves. The way he took out his katana to block my strike the first time, he did it so fast that the naked eye can't see it. That's some technique.' Naruto was impressed and excited to fight someone this skilled.

"I am impressed, but I believe that I have seen enough. So, I shall end this." Mifune gripped his katana tightly and was surrounded by white aura briefly before moving with great speed.

(OST End)

'W-What?' Naruto was now on his back, the Greatsword was knocked out of his hands and Mifune pointed his katana towards Naruto before sheathing his blade again.

"You have skill my boy, but you have yet to refine it." Mifune's bandages were suddenly cut open and fell on the floor. Mifune then held his head. 'He managed to cut me?' Mifune did not expect to be hit by an attack, although all Naruto did was cut the bandages on his head, it revealed his scar. Mifune then re-sheathed his katana and offered his hand to Naruto, who accepted.

"So, what does mean?" Naruto was genuinely confused, but he was also hoping to improve his skills.

"I mean that you are a good swordsman, but you can improve it and rely more on your skill alongside your power." Mifune gave a small smile. "I shall teach you the way of the sword and help you create your own style."

"Really? What's the catch?" Naruto, whilst he appeared like his usual cheerful self, he was not sure that he could trust Mifune despite the old man saving his life because he was only recently betrayed by his guild, including those he was close to.

"I understand that being betrayed by those you call friends has left its mark on you. You do not have to trust me but trust in yourself. You are welcome to stay the night and make your decision tomorrow." Mifune bowed and left the training area.

'I feel weaker, but that's no excuse. I can't use that power anymore.' Naruto was referring to his Crimson Darkness. 'But I don't need it! I can become stronger!' Naruto then thought of Kakuzu and his former Grimoire Heart guild mates. 'There's just more targets for me this time!' Naruto went back inside to find Mifune. He found Mifune in his study and then bowed with his head touching the floor. "Please teach me! And help me get stronger!"

(Play One Piece OST-The Very Very Very Strongest)

'This boy, he has pain in his heart…..I can feel the need for vengeance but there's something more within this boy…..' Mifune stood up and grabbed a sword. "Stand up! Pick up your weapon and we commence training at once!" At this Naruto looked up and smiled.

"Yes Sensei!" Naruto called him teacher as a sign of respect.

'At least he has some manners. I shall guide you as best as I can.' Mifune once again took a stance and as Naruto charged at him with his blade. 'He's taking this a lot more seriously…..Excellent!' Mifune smiled and their blades collided, causing a shockwave.

Sorry for the long wait and shorter chapter. I went on holiday but did not enjoy much of it due to the family. Next time I write a chapter for this story, there will be a time skip.

Mifune is currently more skilled than Naruto and whilst Naruto is good, he can improve. Mifune has years of experience and in a pure sword battle, he will beat Naruto most of the time. But Naruto has lost some of his edge and he could have put up a better fight then what was shown here. He will become stronger and better than before, he will switch to a katana, but can still use other swords with the same skill, including his Greatsword.

Please be patient me, I am a lot busier these days then ever before. My next few chapters will be for Fairy Tail: Bonds, which I haven't updated in a while.