So this has been fun as hell to write. Since I don't have to meticulously plan for each chapter I can just write for fun and see what happens. Hope y'all enjoy.
As it turns out, while Cursed Energy possesses a number of relatively unknown factors regarding its capabilities, so too does my innate technique.
After a few long days of beating Sasuke to a pulp, I'd come to understand that 'Infinity' was just one expression of my true capability.
I was on the cusp of discovering something new, some facet of my ability that I just knew was there. I could feel it.
But ever so slightly out of my reach, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't chase down this offshoot of an ability outright.
I was stuck, unsure of how to progress my technique further.
Without some kind of trigger event or an epiphany, all I could currently utilize was my Infinity.
But Infinity was a formidable ability now.
Even Kakashi had taken notice of it's true potential, recommending me to go speak with another Jonin-sensei regarding further, and far more specific, training.
Since Infinity could guarantee me a victory in any hand to hand combat situation, it made sense why my Jonin-sensei would point me toward this individual.
Who best to teach me about beating on others than-
"Yosh! You must be Kakashi's precious student! I am Maito Gai! Konoha's Green Beast!"
-as the infamous bushy brows Sensei greets me, I take a second to look at his team.
Training ground six had a large series of boulders, rocks and gullies, almost akin to a dried up lake that had been hit by a meteor strike.
It was a treacherous landscape with many different levels of elevation.
Near one of the biggest pits and peaks was where the Green Clad Sensei had been waiting, his team training in the chasm beneath.
As I had approached and Gai promptly greeted me, his three students ceased their mock battle and appraised me.
Lee was there.
…but he looked serious. His expression was cool and collected, something so very different from what I knew of him from before.
Tenten seemed similar… but I had my doubts as to the accuracy of that assumption. Without Neji, their team dynamics would be significantly different, likely resulting in minute changes that would have had rippling effects.
Everywhere I look, there's the fucking butterfly effect.
God damn it.
In particular, I'm looking toward Neji's replacement.
And after only a brief glance, I can safely say I've never seen this person before in my life.
Stopping before Gai, I bow slightly.
"Hi. I'm Ryo. Pleased to meet you"
Gai beamed at me.
"So! Kakashi tells me you need some guidance, Genin Ryo! I would be happy to provide instruction!"
How somebody in this line of work could ever be this exuberant is something beyond me, but Gai's energy is pleasant. Underneath it all he's an honest and determined man.
Also I've seen him go toe to toe with the baddest monster on the block, so… he gets my respect.
"I possess an ability that is… unique. I need a close quarters combat style that could favor lethal and none lethal takedowns… if the style can incorporate a blade or Kunai, even better"
Gai nodded, considering my words for a moment.
"What exactly is this ability, Genin Ryo?"
Eh.
Here we go…
"Well. When I'm using my technique… you can't hit me…"
"HUH?!"
The shocked exclamation came from the eavesdropping Tenten.
My focus returns to Gai though, whose face looks somewhere between bemused and intrigued.
"Truly?"
I nod at him, "it's active right now. You may attack right now, it will never-"
A fist burrows into infinity in the next instant.
Holy shit.
I look past Gai's extended arm, meeting the Jonin's firm gaze.
"...I'm not lying to you, Gai-san"
Pulling back slowly and situating himself, Gai gave a good natured grin, "I believed you Ryo, I merely wished to feel this technique for myself"
Gai then thoughtfully nodded to himself.
"I also understand why you will indeed require a specific form of Taijutsu. If I'm not mistaken…"
And then the green beast's gaze turned serious.
"You do not actually stop the targets of your technique… their speed and momentum is taken away over the distance they travel. The closer a threat comes… the slower it will move"
Wow.
I mean, almost, but it's a little more than that… though Gai didn't need to know about that yet.
Still, he's incredibly perceptive. As should any Shinobi of his caliber be, but I'm impressed he basically figured it out in just one punch.
"Infinity" I grin, "my personal shield. So long as I maintain it, I'm untouchable"
Gai nodded, his mind searching for critical information.
Eventually, he came up with an answer.
"There is a style I know of which may compliment you well" he raised a brow
"However It is meant for… shall we say, larger fighters. Those that may use brute strength to force their opponents into grappling at close quarters. This Taijutsu form is also commonly used alongside Earth techniques adding layers of protection"
Konoha's green beast smiled widely again.
"But if nothing can truly reach you, this shall be a great boon to you, young Ryo!" Gai pointed at me then and there, gesturing wildly before his aforementioned Genin.
"Under my tutelage, your flames of youth shall blossom, my newest student!"
Ah.
There's the Gai I'm familiar with.
Good to see some things don't change too much.
I glance over at his gathered Genin, each of whom stood a bit further away from our little one on one talk.
"Is he usually like this?"
The exasperated question served two purposes. One I get to see how much the familiar cast has changed…
But you?
"Gai-sensei is wise" Lee replied, calmly bowing his head, "you will learn much from him"
Yeash. Jedi-like vibes from him…. I can totally live without the exuberance though…
"You get used to it" Tenten replied, "I'm Higurashi Tenten. Nice to meet ya, Ryo"
"Rock Lee" the prior speaker quickly stumbled out, "a pleasure to meet you!" he hurriedly added.
"Nice to meet you too" I smiled at them.
And my eyes landed on the last member of Team Gai.
Who are you?
…and secondly, I'd get a measure of this new little mystery.
I've never seen this person before.
Ever.
He was dressed in almost Chunin attire. With plate gray wrist braces and a dull white closely cropped haircut, I immediately take note of the almost lazy eyes that track my own.
A close quarters specialist as well?
Most likely, considering he's on team Gai…
But what's with the mouth wrappings?
"Nice to meet you, too…" I ask, prompting him for a name in return.
He raised a hand at me in a short wave, mumbling only two words through his mouth covering.
"Bonito Flakes"
….
I blink.
"Huh?"
"Ah. This is Toge Inumaki-kun, Ryo" Gai stepped in, "I suppose like you he also possesses a unique ability. However, it leaves him… unable to converse normally"
The words take a second to pass through my skull.
My eyes darted toward Inumaki, truly taking him in bit by bit.
'Holy shit. How the fuck did I miss that?!'
Yes he has Chakra running across his body…
But there's another energy intertwined with it. Very familiar strands of power lurking beneath his larger than average Chakra reserves.
'Cursed Energy too… he's… he's a sorcerer too?'
"What's the ability?" I blurt, curiosity burning throughout my mind.
"Ah…" Gai sheepishly smiled, "the ability is Inumaki-kun's… if he wishes to share it with you, then that is his decision"
Ninja's like to keep their secrets close.
I look toward Inumaki.
He says nothing. He's completely still, his eyes locked on mine.
"Under my tutelage, you will refer to me as Gai-sensei" the green beast takes my attention away from the suddenly tense staredown between myself and his student.
"You will make yourself available for training at 05:00 till 10:00 every second day starting tomorrow, Genin Ryo-"
'FIVE AM?! BUT I TRAIN WITH ITAMI TILL LIKE ELEVEN-!'
"-and I shall do my best to help you prevail against your enemies!"
…well. Shit.
Gai's too honest and upfront. And he's a beast, I can't half ass this one.
I bow, "Hai, sensei. Thank you for this opportunity"
And I mean it.
Bit by bit, I'm going to make it to the top. Even if I have to claw my bloody way there… I'm not going down without fucking swinging.
Not this time.
"Sensei"
Kakashi looked up from his book, glancing over toward Sasuke.
The Uchiha Heir had a hand on his sword hilt.
'He's on edge'
Turning his attention away from the small caravan they were walking with, Kakashi, looked fully at Sasuke.
"Hm?"
"Why are we so heavily guarded, Sensei?"
Ah. A good question to have.
If Kakashi had been in Sasuke's shoes, he'd probably ask something far similar to his Sensei. After all, why would a small merchant caravan moving through the village and toward the merchants district need so many surrounding it.
Team Seven wasn't the only group of Shinobi moving with the four cart drawn horses.
While Sasuke would have definitely noticed the six Chunin and perhaps even one of the three Jonin following along the rooftops beside them, Kakashi would have been the only one to notice the ANBU.
Oh.
No, Ryo had seen them too. Both Kakashi and his pink haired student noticed the arrival of the black ops Agents. The White Fang's Son had seen how Ryo's head had twisted toward the particular building the ANBU began lurking on.
'Nothing escapes his gaze'
But to answer Sasuke's question, Kakashi smiled for a moment.
The kid could figure it out. He just needed a little prodding in the right direction.
"Look at the merchandise. What's its origin?"
A Chunin team escorting merchant caravans would under normal circumstances be relieved at the gates of Konoha once the client arrived.
It was common practice for a hand off to occur with a Genin unit, so that those in training may practice formations and get a feel for their roles in future missions.
This particular group of merchants though, came from the land of earth.
Iwagakure held a long standing animosity with Konoha.
The Leaf would not put it past Stone to attempt some kind of clandestine operation under the guise of open trade routes.
And so heavy scrutiny was placed upon those of the caravan. Both the merchants and their wares were under close inspection.
Kakashi wasn't worried though, because Konoha's newest sensor was at the head of the caravan's column.
…Ryo was really shaping up to be a formidable Shinobi.
A true professional.
"Look" I sigh, "I'm not saying it's a bad color. It's just an interesting choice for a Ninja, ya know?"
"But it's cool!"
I chuckle, holding both hands up in defense, "and I didn't say it wasn't. But people tend to look at cool things, Naruto. Do you really want everyone, including enemy ninjas, looking at you?"
The blond opens his mouth for a moment, but shuts it quickly.
Then he frowns.
And now he's looking away from me.
"Wear what you want" I shrug, "just take some time to think it through yeah? We're Shinobi now… that fact alone dictates our whole lives"
The Uzumaki's face scrunches up at those words.
"Shouldn't have to" he grumbles.
"Maybe" I shrug, "but just because you don't agree doesn't mean anything. That's just the way things are right now"
'Right now' I can't help but repeat myself internally.
Because things were going to start picking up soon.
After months of training with Kakashi, Itami-Sensei and now a week of Gai, it would be any day now that team 7 would get their first C-Rank mission.
At least, assuming the plot wasn't so completely muddled up.
But I'd heard talk of the Chunin Exams coming up soon. They were still almost five months away, but that was still in keeping of the rough timeline I had in my head.
Any day now we'd get a full C-Rank mission, and not just the jumped up D rank like today, a full and proper mission.
Being stuck with Naruto at the front of the traveling column was an interesting decision, but one that made sense if we were traveling outside the village.
Tactically Kakashi had certainly thought our placements through.
Infinity speaks for itself, meaning I'd be able to neutralize any and all opponents going for a head on attack.
Naruto, likewise, would be an equally annoying problem to deal with head on. The instant he starts spamming clones is the moment the enemy have to deal with a disorienting orange tide. A tide that can kick, claw, punch, scratch and brawl for hours on end.
Right now, Naruto was quantity over quality, which also worked well in tandem with my ability.
Any opponent affected by Infinity would have to also deal with the veritable sea of Naruto copies coming for them.
We were the tip of the spear.
Kakashi was training Sasuke to act as single target removal, teaching him the essence of true solo combat. The Uchiha still was learning how to work with myself and the Nine Tails vessel, but also how to independently remove opponents.
It seems Kakashi had pulled strings for all of us to pick up new and exceptional skills.
While I was receiving additional instruction from Gai, Sasuke had been meeting with one Gekko Hayate, a notable Konoha Swordsman.
Naruto's additional training was delayed on account of his prospect Sensei being out of the village.
If I could make a bet with anyone, it would be that the teacher was Jiraiya.
'Naruto might be getting into seals soon then…'
That would be an interesting development.
"You know…" I begin, but slowly come to a stop.
It was like loose hair tickled me at the back of my neck.
A featherlite sensation on the edge of my awareness that didn't ring true.
Something was just… wrong.
The sensation of my gaze gave me supreme clarity over anything and everything, and yet…
I turn my head around, glancing at the first cart of the column, the one slowly trailing behind me.
Each cart had two people sitting up front, driving the horses that pulled them.
One of the drivers had dismounted the cart, handing the reigns off to his comrade as he stepped off and onto the ground.
We were pulling into the Merchant's section of the village, the large markets opening up before us on the dirt road…but that wasn't the problem.
The black haired fellow, a decidedly big and muscled man, had stepped off the cart and onto the dirt, beginning to walk beside the caravan…
And I didn't notice him disembark.
I'm clearly aware of all the ANBU, Jonin, Chunin, my fellow teammates and the civilians… and when I saw this guy in the column I didn't think anything of him.
Near miniscule Chakra levels, like many civilians he possessed the bare minimum amount of chakra to survive.
If not less.
He'd just come to stand behind me by only a few feet, and I never sensed him move….
Spiky black hair haphazardly dresses the front of his face, his eyes blankly looking toward my own.
That one movement unwitnessed, that one action by this stranger took me completely unaware.
'Something's off'
My gaze trails down to the short scar on his lip.
But the man says nothing under my scrutiny, his head tilting slightly as I stare at him.
…I think his gaze narrowed slightly, if only for a fraction of a second, before he glanced away, watching as a man with a clipboard approached the caravan.
As this man passed by me, approaching the Konoha Merchant with the clipboard, I too finally looked away.
But I would remember his face.
Most certainly.
He was the first person who had moved without me perceiving it with my enhanced vision.
"Ryo? You good?"
I shook my head, turning back to look at Naruto who had most certainly been speaking to me.
None of that interaction had gone noticed by the blonde.
"Sorry, something-" I can't help but glance in curiosity at the black haired merchant again, "-caught my eye"
"Was it something orange?" the blonde cheekily replied.
I sigh.
"Look, just because-"
And as I went back to arguing with my blonde companion, I never noticed the Stone country merchant look toward me.
I never saw him appraise me as well.
"Sensei"
Kakashi held back his exclamation as to who would take part in the next duel.
Sasuke had just pummeled Naruto once more, catching another decisive victory for himself. But the blonde was putting up a better and better fight each day, the fights between the two rivals taking longer and longer.
One day the result would certainly flip.
Naruto was a determined boy. If he put his mind to something, he'd move heaven and earth to achieve it.
However it wasn't either of the two current fighters that had addressed Kakashi.
Ryo was looking directly at the Jonin, his glowing blue eyes intense and focused.
'Today's the day huh?' Kakashi grinned to himself internally, outwardly addressing his Genin with a lazy "yes, Ryo-chan?"
The pinkette's ire didn't rise at the slight ribbing. Ryo was calm as he made his request to Kakashi.
"If you don't mind Sensei, I'd like to spar against you next"
Kakashi's head titled.
"And why not one of your teammates?"
Now Ryo seemed a little unsure of himself.
"Well I've got something I want to try, and I'm not sure if they'll be able to handle it… if I succeed that is"
That got Kakashi's attention.
He'd always assumed that Ryo would one day challenge him to a duel to see how well he could maximize Infinity in a fight against a superior opponent, but a new technique?
Weasel hadn't said anything about this.
'...Ryo's been working on this by himself, or with help from the entity'
Either way, the youth's fears were warranted. Whatever it was, it could be extremely dangerous.
Kakashi knew for certain he'd have to be the one to take this head on for the first time.
'First the four eyed demon and now this?'
Kakashi internally bemoaned his inability to avoid coming face to face with weird shit. One day it might be the death of him.
"Well. Let's ask your teammates. Sasuke, Naruto, are you both alright with-"
"Yes"
The Uchiha's reply was snappy and abrupt. He was definitely curious to see what Ryo finally had up his sleeve. After all, once the pink haired vessel had gotten the hang of his Infinity, Sasuke hadn't secured a victory in weeks.
On top of that, Ryo's training under Gai was making him a very decisive and deadly close combatant.
A chance to study his opponent would be crucial to finding a new opening.
Kakashi turned to look at the lumped up face of Naruto. The blonde was on his feet, a hand clutching his pained jaw.
"What about you, Naruto? Are you alright with taking a short break?"
The container of the nine tails looked at Ryo, not Kakashi, as his Sensei spoke to him. Blue eyes were filled with an indistinguishable emotion as the blonde studied his friend.
And Ryo looked back.
Neither said a word, but Naruto nodded slowly.
His voice was oddly quiet.
"Yeah, whatever Sensei, I'm cool with it"
He most certainly wasn't, but Kakashi would get to the root of that issue later.
For now…
"Very well" he stood up, "don't hesitate now, Ryo-"
The white fang drew one Kunai and walked to the center of the field, glancing back at his student.
"-because I won't"
Cursed Energy exploded out from the youth.
A wild grin dressed Ryo's face.
Energy crackled in the air.
Ryo's chakra seemed to seep out of him.
He still possessed the reserves of a Genin, but Kakashi could see the note and intensity that mixed with the boy's Chakra.
'Battle lust…' Kakashi frowned internally, 'where is he getting this from?'
Rolling his shoulders, his entire form protected by Infinity, Ryo began stepping toward the white haired Jonin.
"Bring it, Sensei"
Sasuke and Naruto quickly moved to what passed as the sidelines.
I knew Kakashi was aware of my limit.
Like Chakra, there was a maximum amount of Cursed Energy I was capable of outputting. If I went over that limit…
Well I can still clearly recall the blood spewing from all my orifices and my entire nervous system being on fire.
So he believed his avenue of victory would come at whittling me down, slowly but surely draining me until Infinity would no longer be capable of functioning.
That meant he'd be using clones, projectiles and long distance fighting tactics.
By getting me to expend Cursed Energy to block heavy attacks and strikes, I'd be down for the count. Getting close to me was a certain no-no, as Kakashi likely believed that was my win condition.
And he would be right.
But while a close quarters fight was certainly one avenue of victory…
It wasn't the only option.
Immediately charging towards him, I watch as the Jonin quickly creates space between us while summoning four clones.
…but I'd poke him first, see if he'd come in close and dance for a little bit.
'I hope this works'
"On the defensive, Sensei?" I grin, "afraid of getting a little too close?"
Kakashi scoffed.
Two of his clones began darting through hand signs. The others were set up with Kunai, but they hadn't thrown yet.
I had only a few seconds.
'Do or die'
And that's when I flooded my technique with Cursed Energy, pushing it through that hardwired piece of me responsible for my ability. I didn't understand what exactly it was I was doing here, but as I forced power to flow in a way it never had before, I imagined the singularity.
Just as Infinity coated me, my person acting as the center of the never ending field of slowing, my eyes remained locked on Kakashi and his clones.
'Come on'
The drain of energy spiked.
'Fuck! Come on!'
It wasn't behaving, it wasn't doing as I intended… my Cursed Energy didn't know what I was trying to accomplish.
Shit… I didn't even truly know.
Just the slightest pull, and I'd-
Pull…
I needed to pull.
Immediately redirecting my Cursed Energy, I toyed with its flow. Instantly, I felt the change of state I was hoping for.
My new ability…. It had finally manifested.
Only my gaze could discern the warped sphere in the air, a speck of light the size of an atom…
But its glow was akin to the blue fire I'd come to associate with Cursed Energy.
So I gave it a name. A simple epitaph for something that was considerably more complex to deploy.
"Suiton:-"
"Raiton-"
Kakashi's water and lightning release never stood a chance.
I gestured an open palm upward, one word on my lips.
"Blue"
Kakashi and his clones were immediately caught off guard at Ryo's word. Before they had a chance to let loose, they were ripped from their feet in a heartbeat.
The wide eyed Jonin reacted quickly, attaching a chain to his Kunai and throwing it at a tree to use as an anchor. His clones brutally collided with one another, the force of the impact instantly dispelling all of them.
The attack had occurred instantly and without any warning.
He'd sensed no build up, seen no hand signs.
'Fucking Cursed Energy huh?' Kakashi thought to himself, the sudden pull on his body immediately dispersed a few seconds after it had occurred.
Landing gracefully back on solid ground, Kakashi did the first thing that seemed sensible.
He uncovered his Sharingan.
"HA!"
Ryo pumped a fist in the air, "I FUCKING DID IT!"
Kakashi stayed still, his body crouched as he readied for another attack.
'He'd been pulled to a single point, alongside his clones… but only them. Nothing else had been drawn in…'
Ryo's grin was massive, "no hard feelings Sensei, but I'm going to try and get some mileage outta this fight!"
Kakashi's fists tightened, the handle of his Kunai groaning under his tense grip.
'Here it comes'
With his uncovered Sharingan, Kakashi saw the Cursed Energy move through the air. At lightning speed, a small orb the size of a skipping stone materialized high above them all.
"Blue" Ryo calmly announced.
Kakashi was ripped off his feet, his body being pulled straight into the sky alongside-
'A tree trunk?!'
Instead of slamming into the hunk of wood, the Jonin substituted with a boulder, giving a glance skyward as the two objects collide.
As debris rained down upon himself and his student, Kakashi evaluated what he had sensed and observed.
'Ryo can select targets and pull them toward one another at considerable speed. Whether the targets fit some kind of criteria before being pulled is unknown. Assume the ability can apply to anything' the son of the White Fang glanced toward the youth.
Some of the debris was caught within Infinity… but some of it had fallen to the earth, haphazardly scattered around the youth. His impenetrable shield wasn't operating at full capacity.
'Ryo needs Cursed Energy to fuel his Infinity… this Blue may be causing a considerable drain' Kakashi reasoned to himself, taking note of Ryo's deepened breathing and sweating brow.
'... a very considerable drain. But his Infinity still works, in not continuously, then manually'
How to overload the manual targeting of his ability?
Weasel had theorized there was a way.
'Well, if anyone were to test that theory then-'
Kakashi's planning was cut decisively short.
"Blue"
The Jonin's eyes went wide.
Not because of the youth's usage of his new ability, but rather who Kakashi had been targeted with.
Ryo had selected himself as the opposite end of the ability, causing himself to hurtle forward as well.
'He's forcing a CQC fight'
Kakashi had to admit, Ryo was certainly becoming a dangerous little Genin.
But still a Genin.
He hadn't had the time or training to develop his abilities beyond their initial stages.
So as Kakashi sailed forward into Infinity, he wordlessly summoned two more clones.
One threw a slew of Kunai and Shuriken, the other began to cast a technique.
He was copying Sasuke for this one, but he'd be building upon the youth's initial assault. In fact, in a way Kakashi would be emulating his late Sensei with this attack.
As the Kunai struck Ryo's Infinity, the Jonin's casting clone let a series of lightning bolts go flying.
Flashy and blinding, the Chakra assault would pull Ryo's attention for a moment.
The real Kakashi instantly began to substitute himself with Kunai.
Unlike Sasuke who'd only managed one clean exchange the first time he'd gone against Ryo's Infinity, the Jonin constantly kept himself moving.
'First tire him out. Then find an opening before Genin Ryo can close it'
Weasel had laid it out fairly plainly.
For this moment in time, Ryo's weakness would be a drawn out fight with a nimble opponent capable of slinging a wide variety of techniques at him.
So until he could conduct a greater swathe of Cursed Energy, Kakashi was fairly certain he had this one in the bag.
The strain on the Jonin's body created by 'Blue' disappeared as soon as he started to substitute with the Kunai.
Glowing eyes kept dancing around, Ryo trying to catch Kakashi with his gaze.
'... he can't cast Blue? Perhaps he does need to meet some kind of condition?' the Jonin observed with his Sharingan.
Kakashi began to lash out with strikes, swiftly switching to new positions in the air around Ryo as the number of Kunai and techniques densely packed the air around the youth.
Bolts of lightning were captured in midair, each strand of electrically charged Chakra violently twitching in place.
Kunai and Shuriken were starting to fill all the gaps and spaces around the youth.
The Jonin continued his assault, every time he pushed himself too deeply into Infinity he would switch with another caught weapon.
Ryo would have to reacquire him each time, the manual targeting of his technique likely focused on just the ordnance thrown by the clones.
But before Kakashi could actually find the chink in Ryo's armor…
"I yield!"
Copy Cat Kakashi tracked Ryo's form with his Sharingan.
'He's exhausted' he astutely observed, ordering his clones to cease their assault as the boy's legs wobbled beneath him.
"Fuck" Ryo stumbled, but Kakashi swept in to catch him. He was noticeably unrestricted from doing so.
'No Infinity? Huh… he must really be running on fumes'
"You alright Ryo-chan?"
The Genin snorted, the underlying discomfort dusting his words, "yeah. Fuck. Just a bad fucking headache is all"
A trickle of blood was dropping from his nose.
He'd most certainly pushed himself right to his limit.
"That's a dangerous ability you have there, Ryo"
The Genin grinned up at his teacher, his expression only slightly pained.
"Pretty neat though yeah? Can you imagine what else I might be able to do with it?"
Kakashi could.
And if he was being honest, the potential disturbed him.
"Go take a seat, rest if you have to. I don't want you on your feet and fighting until you're good to go"
Ryo bowed his head, his words grateful.
"Hai, Sensei. Thank you"
Kakashi just mumbled a 'of course', patting the kid on the shoulder and turning away to face Naruto and Sasuke.
…both of which were watching with their jaws open wide. Sasuke quickly composed himself as Ryo walked over, sat down just a few meters away from them, and immediately closed his eyes.
But Naruto couldn't stop gaping, his jaw failing to move for a few moments.
Was he really not going to-
"THAT WAS SICK!"
There it was.
"Easy Naruto" Kakashi smiled, "let Ryo rest for a moment"
The kid had put his head against a tree trunk and was promptly knocked out in only a few moments of relaxing.
'He'd pushed himself as far as he could…' Kakashi nodded thoughtfully.
"So. While our dearest Ryo-chan gets some beauty sleep" the Jonin clapped his hands together, "perhaps the two of you might like a chance to fight against me?"
Twin fires ignited within the eyes of Sasuke and Naruto.
Not to be outdone by their pink haired teammate, the Uzumaki and Uchiha ravenously accepted the challenge.
And as they fought, Ryo dreamed.
"You stopped just before the brink. I can't tell if that was intentional or an accident, brat"
I frown up at the star speckled sky of the shared Domain.
"My reserves of Cursed Energy are too low" my hands twist in the water I'm lazing in, "and other than draining my proverbial battery, I can't think of another way to-"
"Cursed Energy is not Chakra, you idiot"
I tilt my head toward the four eyed bastard and we meet eyes.
He's glaring at me.
"Then what is it? How do I use it?"
"You are using it, brat, or are you truly so blin-"
"Don't treat me like an idiot, Ryomen Sukuna!" I'm on my feet swiftly, my own glare pointed at the condescending prick.
"Look. I understand you plan to get out of me somehow. The first thing you're going to do if that day comes is kill me, let's not kid ourselves here"
I fix him with a furious look, Cursed Energy roiling throughout the shared domain.
The stars twinkle in the night sky, infinitely suspended in the endless void.
"So let's quit fucking around. Cuz you know what asshole? Bring it"
Four blood red eyes are latched onto me.
"Yeah" I huff, refusing to back down, "I don't care who you are, or what you have planned! If the time comes and you and I gotta duke it out? I'm bringing everything I got, you four eyed bastard. Do not underestimate me!"
My anger subsides somewhat.
"But I ain't gonna enjoy this shit… you might be a fucking glutton for it, but I don't want violence, Sukuna"
My words are hot and tempered, the anger having morphed into discontent.
"But around here… strength is key. And you're likely the strongest person I know. Cursed Energy is your playground. I don't give a fuck about you or what you've done to be honest, I just want to live my life, however I see fit…" I settle backwards, cooly looking over his form.
I get the feeling now that I'm one wrong word away from receiving a fist to the face or stomach.
Or one of his slashes.
"Our bind, the seal… what's happened has happened. So you can let me stumble around in peace… or you can teach me a thing or two, so you can quit fucking bothering me about being an untrained idiot!"
The Entity finally speaks to me.
"And what inclination would you provide to have me elevate an insect to a god? What reason could you give me to provide instruction to you beyond my current capacity?"
…he wants another pact?
Hmmm. Perhaps….
No. I can't say for certain.
He wants something, that much is clear, but I know I'm treading on dangerous ground.
Proceeding with a modicum of precaution, I throw the ball into his court.
"Did you have anything in mind?"
Sukuna's response is delivered with the speed of a bullet.
"A promise"
I frown.
"Not a pact" the Entity reiterates, "just an agreement between two beings"
I sigh.
"I'll bite. What's the agreement?"
"How far will you go to prove your ideal?"
His instant reply caught me off guard.
"You understand the necessity for violence. Thus you accept that the weak are ruled over by the strong. Do you believe you are capable of gaining strength? Of clawing your way to the top? Do you possess the hunger to reach the pinnacle?"
His smile was malicious.
"And if you get there, and you find yourself faced with me, do you truly believe you could stand and fight?"
He's pure evil.
Selfish.
But indomitable.
I haven't a clue what he's done, or truly who he is, but I know that Ryomen Sukuna could be as dangerous as Madara Uchiha.
And he's expecting an answer from me.
His future opponent… because there's no way in hell this four eyed bastard isn't going to relish tearing me limb from limb…
'I get it'
Should I make it far enough, if my skills developed enough… If… when Sukuna gets free he'd definitely go after me.
…but what he wants to know now…
'He just wants to make sure it's a good fight'
Am I being groomed for a battle I'm expected to lose?
Because it certainly feels like it.
And surprisingly enough it's not anger that comes to me first.
I laugh.
"After all you've seen and you don't think I'd ever give you a run for your money some day?" I scoff, waving a hand at him, "...at the rate I'm going… you really think it's you who's coming out on top?"
My eyes glow blue, locking onto Sukuna's red gaze with fierce intensity.
"Nah" I scoff to him, grinning wide with confidence, "I'd win"
Naruto had been so excited when he got out of bed that day. Rushing to get dressed, hurriedly eating his food, and then darting over to Ryo's place to find his friend still asleep-
Well it turns out Infinity didn't function in the youth's sleep, so the bucket of cold water landed square on his best friend's head.
The blonde had gotten to enjoy a few seconds of the boy sputtering before bright blue eyes darted to him.
At six thirty in the morning, many of the waking denizens of their apartment block were treated to a name roared to the heavens.
"NNNNNAAARUTO!"
Oh there'd be payback for that, the blonde prankster was sure of it, but it didn't matter today. Ryo was tired from yesterday's training, and since he was almost as lax as Kakashi Sensei, Naruto had to be sure his best friend was awake and ready.
Because today was the big day.
A C-rank mission.
After all these weeks of training, D-ranks and sparring, Kakashi had finally declared that he believed team 7 was ready.
This was it. On his way to the Hokage tower, Naruto couldn't help but grin widely. His excitement was impossible to keep down.
It was time to be the good guys.
Time to save princesses and be the hero! Time to-
An arm snaked under his neck, a familiar presence swiftly putting him into a headlock.
"ACK-"
"Oi oi oi" Kakashi's voice came from a few feet away, "what's with all the hostility Ryo-chan?"
Naruto's vision was starting to go black as Ryo dug a knuckle into his head, viciously rubbing it.
"THIS LITTLE BASTARD-"
"-ACK!"
"-DECIDED TO DOUSE ME IN ICE COLD BLOODY WATER TO GET ME UP!"
A strong hand pulled Ryo from Naruto, the latter stumbling away from his mean spirited attacker.
Who couldn't appreciate a good prank after all?
"Easy. I'm sure Naruto had his reasons"
As the blonde haired trouble maker looked up, Kakashi, Ryo and Sasuke were looking at him.
The pink haired youth was furious.
"Well, Naruto?"
The Jinchuriki met eyes with his Jonin Sensei, smiling nervously, "uh. Well. If he slept in, that wouldn't-"
Ryo snapped.
"YOU LITTLE-"
Kakashi intercepted the lunge.
"Settle down. Now"
That was a Jonin speaking, not their super cool lazy Sensei Kakashi, but the cold hearted killer that worked as a weapon of the leaf village.
Ryo snapped back, his back straight and at attention.
Naruto, likewise, slowly complied and also stood at a stiff attention.
"I'll say this once" Kakashi sternly explained, "and it goes for all of you"
His gaze passed over Sasuke as well, who had quietly watched the little ruckus go down.
"If you're not fit to handle the responsibility of a C-ranked mission, we're not taking it. Once we leave the safety of the village, it's up to yourself and your teammates to guarantee we all return safely. Work together as a team, maturely, or go home"
The three Genin were silent.
Naruto wanted to grind his teeth.
A part of him felt ashamed slightly.
Maybe he'd gone a little overboard with his prank.
'But Ryo had been… he'd been…'
Naruto couldn't put it into words. Not yet. The feeling was still new and raw, an uncomfortable truth that he didn't like at all.
"Hai, Sensei" Sasuke replied.
"And you two?" Kakashi asked.
Naruto looked at Ryo.
Glowing blue eyes met his own.
"We're good"
"We can do this"
Kakashi nodded.
"Very well" he turned toward the doors of the Hokage tower, "follow me then"
It was finally time.
AN: And off to the land of waves. Story is moving faster because its not supposed to be an epic, just a cool little side project while I spend some time TRYING to get The Mortal Son back on track.
After the next chapter, who knows what happens next? Maybe I do, maybe I don't. You'll just have to wait and see.
Peace.