It didn't take Tazuna long to finish the bridge.

Turns out having an enthusiastic blonde knucklehead that can make a near infinite number of solid copies of himself was quite the boon.

Construction time was cut down by more than half.

There was a slight road bump in the shape of one Gato, of Gato Shipping, and a cadre of armed thugs associated with the fat lump.

Turns out they didn't get the memo 'bout Zabuza's demise. If they had, I suspect they'd never have shown their faces in the first place.

But they did.

And when they threatened violence against us and the village, that really pushed things over the edge.

In fact, I saw the exact moment in time that Gato recognised the symbol on our head bands and instantly regretted it.

It was when Kakashi had skewered the first man he landed in front of with an energy coated fist.

Quite the sight.

If he'd put one and one together far earlier, Gato would have concluded that Zabuza most likely wasn't reporting back to him because he was dead.

My white haired Sensei cut the shipping magnate down in a second before moving onto the next target.

Even though Kakashi got the gist of my attempted 'lessons' with him, he was quick to grasp the nature of his Cursed Energy, naturally utilizing it in combat with far more precision than I ever did.

The sight was both scary and informative.

Seeing another use Cursed Energy was fascinating.

And while he wasn't using a Technique, the man is a well educated and clever Jonin, he was more than certainly capable of amplifying his strikes with this newfound resource.

With just manipulation alone, he was already extremely deadly.

I remember thinking to myself that he was using Cursed Energy like Chidori.

Needless to say, Kakashi had made viciously quick work of Gato and his hired muscle.

We hit the road as soon as we could.

Without having to escort Tazuna, we moved at a significantly increased pace.

I kept myself in a consistently even stride with Kakashi, keeping a respectful few steps between him and myself though. Naruto and Sasuke were only a few branches behind me, also doing their best to keep pace.

But I could at least tell that Naruto was struggling.

…his Chakra manipulation had been affected by the Yonbi's death. I suspect that him being a Jinchuriki might affect all that Cursed Energy entering his body differently than to Kakashi and Sasuke.

'Kakashi being able to manipulate it is one thing… but Techniques? The red eyed prick did say every Sorcerer has a unique technique at birth….'

I wasn't sure right now how it would go down, but I got the suspicion Naruto might develop some kind of Technique.

Cursed Energy, Sukuna, the Tailed Beasts, the Sage of Six Paths, they were all related somehow.

The Tailed Beasts were directly tied to the Sage.

And since a Tailed Beast had been the one to punch a hole in me, I have to admit that there is a connection.

Naruto being a Container meant he too was probably deeply roped up in all this shit. Having the Kyuubi, the creation of the Sage, seep its energy into him across his lifetime, meant Naruto would 100% have something happen to him.

My attention focuses left, at my other teammate.

'And Sasuke?'

No, he probably-

I almost miss a step.

'Technically speaking… he is related to the Sage of Six Paths'

The Sharingan is directly tied to the Rinnegan after all.

Damn.

Okay so maybe I'd have to keep an eye on Sasuke as well.

"You killed Zabuza Momochi, Ryo"

My attention is pulled toward the sudden sentence flung over Kakashi's shoulder, the words annihilating my train of thought.

"Yeah? And? Pretty sure there's a stain of a Jinchuriki back there too"

My teacher glares at me, but out of annoyance rather than true anger.

"I couldn't help but noticed how you did it, though"

Kakashi looked away from me, his gaze turning to the trees ahead.

"If I hadn't caught a glimpse of it before, I wouldn't be so concerned…. But that wasn't your ability, was it?"

I snort.

"First time he took my body for a joy ride he used it on you, Sensei, you know it's not mine" I whistled at him, getting him to turn his head and look at me.

I raise my wrists up.

The black bands still encased them.

"I know you noticed these markings don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon" I huff at him, "what? Think I'm not gonna use everything in my arsenal when it's my life on the line?"

I shake my head at Kakashi.

"Out here, Sensei, beyond the walls of the village…" I grin, "it's kill or be killed. You of all people should know that best"

Kakashi looked away without a word.

He never said a word to me the entire way back to Konoha.

Sasuke also hadn't said a word the entire trip back from Wave.

His thoughts had been inward, reflecting on how different his life was now. His world had flipped on its head.

Ryo wasn't just some annoying teammate.

Naruto wasn't the same blonde airhead prankster.

They both contained a great yet dangerous being, capable of reshaping the very landscape itself.

Sasuke had been only a baby when the Nine Tails attacked.

But even from his younger years as a child he recalled the signs of destruction.

The Kyuubi had ravaged the village.

'And now I'm teammates with its jailor'

Naruto's whisker-like marks on his face now seemed far more menacing than what he and many others in the class had assumed they were.

A hereditary defect.

'No. It's a mark of danger'

Naruto would make a very dangerous Shinobi one day.

And Ryo?

Every warning that Kakashi had given Sasuke regarding Ryo now made so much sense. He'd witnessed first hand what happened if someone used a Yin Technique on his teammate.

His teammate was also a container for something extremely dangerous.

The young Uchiha's mind was still reeling regarding the knowledge of Cursed Energy. Now he was also capable of becoming a practitioner of it.

When the Demon within Ryo had slain the Four Tails, apparently the beast's death had expelled a great amount of Cursed Energy. Being subjected to such an amount had caused Sasuke's body to adjust accordingly.

He still didn't understand how to channel it consciously, but a few times he had managed to summon the energy to his fists when he brought forth negative emotions.

And although he now planned to add this Energy to his arsenal, he felt leagues behind what Ryo was doing.

'But if he is an example of what a so called 'Sorcerer' is capable of, I will strive to become just as strong'

This promise to himself was also held alongside the burden of the secret he now carried.

For both his teammates, he was privy to information that only a handful of people were truly aware of.

Sasuke's mind hesitated.

'Except… the village has always treated Naruto differently… could they know?'

He had always attributed the mistreatment of his blonde teammate to the vicious pranks the miscreant conducted upon the village.

But sometimes the hostility exceeded that of one who was harmlessly messed with.

No, some people treated Naruto as if he had wronged them.

Civilians and Shinobi alike.

…and always the adults.

Did they all know?

It was Kakashi's voice that yanked him from his thoughts.

"Welcome home, everyone"

And he was right, a hundred meters before them was one of Konoha's gates.

They had indeed made it back.

But Sasuke knew they weren't the same as they had left.

In such a short time, so much had changed.

"It's good to be back!" Naruto couldn't help but cheer, arms up in air in celebration.

Ryo grinned at his friend, "it was only a couple days dork"

"So what?" Naruto griped back, "home sweet home!"

The pink haired boy sniggered as they walked together toward the Hokage tower, "yeah? Something tells me you just wanna go get Ramen"

The blonde gasped dramatically, "you dare suggest I care more about Old Man Ichiraku's delicious food then collecting our mission rewards? Do you not even know me, Ryo?"

The flat stare Naruto received for the blatant lie got a snort of laughter out of their raven haired teammate.

"Team Seven" Kakashi turned to face the group of three he had been leading, stopping just before the entrance to the Hokage's tower, "due to the circumstances, I will first deliver my mission report to the Hokage. Alone"

His gaze was casual, but all three of the Genin knew he was being serious now.

The banter and chatter dropped away instantly at the tonal change in the air between them.

"The Hokage will likely want to speak with each of you in turn to corroborate my report. Sasuke"

The Uchiha perked up slightly.

Kakashi eyed him evenly for a slight moment.

"You will be given a full debriefing by the Hokage. Make no mistake, this is a serious matter"

The Uchiha heir nodded in understanding.

"Very well" Kakashi turned back around and led them into the building.

As he said, Kakashi entered the Hokage's office alone.

Sensei never walked back out that door before it opened again, and Naruto was called inside.

Sasuke and I glance at one another as the worried Blonde nervously shuffles into the office. Even he can tell things are serious now.

It hadn't really clicked before this moment, but as a Shinobi our actions in the field have a repercussion back home.

'And failing to act in consideration of the village can be seen as not just naivety, but of a more traitorous purpose….'

The door closed behind him.

Almost instantly, I witness ancient privacy seals spring up, turning the entire office of the Hokage into a blacked out cube.

Even my enhanced vision can't pierce the chakra infused casing of the Seal. The work is incredible.

'Probably something Tobirama whipped up'

Sasuke and I stood stiffly and silently, the Uchiha sternly keeping his cool in the face of his circumstances.

I was just patiently counting the minutes until Naruto finally stepped out.

Another ten minutes passed before the Hokage's office opened once more.

Naruto came back out with a somewhat somber expression, but still it was obvious that his joy to be home was slipping out.

He held my gaze for a moment.

'We still good ya' dork?' I couldn't help but think to myself.

"Ryo-"

"Genin Sasuke" came the call from within the office, cutting across the blonde's words instantly.

The Uchiha flinched, glanced at both his teammates with a polite nod, and then strode forward.

As the door behind Sasuke shut, Naruto stepped away and toward the corridor back through the tower.

He looked back over to me before he's out of sight.

"Can you teach me Ryo? How to use Cursed Energy?"

I raise an eyebrow.

"Course'" I huff, "I'm the one that roped you into this bullshit man, of course I'll do what I can to help"

I shrug.

"But my teaching methods might be a little…. I don't know, the word bizarre comes to mind" I frown, "or fucking crazy"

I sigh for a second, before laughing.

"Though if I can figure it out so can you, ya blonde dork"

"Oi!"

I smirk at his childish indignation.

"When you're Hokage, I want you to give me a cool job and title, something both intimidating and intelligent"

I flick a finger gun at him.

"Sorcerer Commander: Ryo"

I'm met by a bemused frown, Naruto telling me honestly, "that's a dumb name"

"Ain't it?" I laugh, "though I'm being serious" I regard naruto quite seriously. Even though he possesses the same similar tone of joy as the Naruto I knew from before, it seems that he's more… jaded, here and now.

I know I'm a part of that issue. My very presence let alone my actions have disrupted the entire future laid out as I would know it.

Naruto needed to become Hokage.

Though I am determined not to fuckin' cark it, god damn it this loveable blonde bastard was gonna become Hokage. And with his success, the world would thrive.

"You think I'm gonna be Hokage, Ryo?"

Naruto's expression is honest.

He wants to know if I'm truthful, if my words are honest.

I smile.

'I'll always support you, Naruto Uzumaki'

"I think you're gonna be the best Hokage, Naruto"

And before the blonde could speak back, the door to the office suddenly swept open, and out walked a statue.

The Uchiha's face looked as if it was carved from stone.

'Gramps must've been pretty frank with him then.

"Genin Ryo"

And I'm last then…

'Oh well. I hope this goes well…'

"We're gonna train" I flash Naruto a lazy thumbs up, "and I'm gonna try damn hard to make sure we're the best"

The last words I fling over my shoulder are also honest.

"I promise"

And I saunter on forward into the Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage addresses me clearly when the door closes behind me.

"I must say, even my first mission outside of the village was less, shall we say exciting, thank yours, Ryo-kun"

"Besides dying, it wasn't much of a hassle" I exaggerated my shrug as I lazily made my way before his desk.

"This mission will be documented as A-rank publicly. However some segments have been redacted in favor of temporary protection"

Hiruzen sighed.

"You killed one of Iwa's Jinchuriki. Since we know the other survived, it's only a matter of time before they attempt something in retaliation" the Third Hokage tisked, "and they'll likely target you personally, Ryo"

The Sandaime pushed a paper across the table at me.

"But for your service to your Village, and for eliminating two potential enemies of the Leaf, you alone will be receiving a bonus in your mission pay"

I blink a few times in surprise at the number on the page.

Zabuza probably made up a small segment of this number compared to the Yonbi.

"Jeez. The Scarecrow told you everything eh?"

The reply is immediate.

"Indeed. Kakashi also told me you have developed a new ability"

Hiruzen's tone is blunt and speculative.

He clearly wants me to elaborate on what he believes to be the truth. But with my eyes, I see he's tense. Extremely so, his posture is stiffly being held to convey his serious engagement with a subordinate.

'This is a test' I realize.

Hiruzen wants me to explain the ability.

The Professor was before me now.

'... and he can tell the technique isn't mine at all…'

I raise my hands, clearly showing my black ringed wrists. It's still funny to me how the ANBU tense.

I smile at Hiruzen, ignoring all the 'hidden' killers that surround me.

'You should know by now that I'd never lie to you, old man'

"Cleave and Dismantle" I state loudly and clearly, "it's a twin set of slashing attacks, yet I'm not sure what's different about them, Sukuna never really explained it"

Some of the ANBU have reached for their weapons.

It wouldn't make a difference right now.

"The Monster has given you a gift?" Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, vocalizing his ruminations as he continued to study me.

"Or did you make another deal? Something in exchange for this technique must have been given…"

I shrug at his open ended request for clarification.

"Look, to be honest, the four eyed prick just dumped this ability in my lap without so much as a hello, here's a new way to kill people"

Hiruzen raised a brow, but didn't speak.

He was letting me continue.

I stare Hiruzen right in the eyes.

"Hokage-sama. I will use the Strength and Knowledge he lends me for the good of the village. Always. And it is because of this promise, that I must inform you of something Ryomen Sukuna told me after he killed the Four Tails"

I exhale slowly.

…this information brought into question the entire History of Naruto.

It was clear now… this wasn't the tale of Naruto as I knew it.

So I told Hiruzen the truth, trusting in the man before me and what I believed him to be. A smart and competent leader.

"The tailed beasts came for him, not me'"

I was carefully watching Hiruzen's reaction to those words.

Nothing yet.

Good thing I was willing to throw out an idea or two.

"Hokage-sama, regarding this revelation, I believe there's a-"

"Wait" Hiruzen held up a hand, his word and gesture stalling my concern. The Third Hokage stood from his chair.

"Give us the room"

The ANBU flickered away in an instant, a seal dropping around the Hokage's office only a heartbeat after their departure.

I could confirm it with my empowered eyesight, we were indeed alone and granted complete privacy.

"The existence of a spy who could deliver credible intel regarding your status as a Container is extremely troubling, Ryo. What Iwa's Jinchuriki have in connection to your passenger is an even deeper thread of potential danger"

The old Kage brushed at his beard, a contemplative hum in his words.

"But Kakashi did confirm that the Jinchuriki were both focused on you alone. Perhaps this was because they perceived you as the greater threat?"

"Than Kakashi?" I scoffed, "Maybe they did, but only if they knew I was the Container for the Four Eyed fuck-head. If Kakashi hasn't illuminated you on the details, the Four Tails was able to pierce my Infinity. It was utilizing Cursed Energy."

"You're certain?"

"Positive" I firmly reply, "at any moment they were capable of putting me down. And sure, I sent a fucking suped up Blue at them, but it wasn't a fight I should have walked away from"

I sigh, my focus dropping to my feet.

"They wiped the floor with me. In fact, if it wasn't for the King of Curses, I'd be dead"

"...the King of what?"

I glance up at the Hokage swiftly, the man's eyes wide in shock.

"Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen shocked expression slowly slid into genuine laughter.

"How could I have missed that?" he asked himself, coming around the desk to walk toward one of the many bookshelves within the office.

The Third Hokage nimbly plucked a strange book from the lowest shelf, a small thing bound together by a wooden cover.

'It's Chakra conductive wood… is this book from the Shodai'

This was likely a book from the first Hokage.

The Hokage snapped the novel open, his eyes devouring each and every page as he skimmed through it as fast as possible.

All the while, he spoke to me.

"We are in agreement, Ryo. It is almost certain that the Jinchuriki came after you, but in particular, your Vessel"

His page turning was slowing.

"Whether or not a Spy did this is of little importance. I will deal with that matter. But what is important is to figure out how Ryomen Sukuna and the Tailed Beasts are almost certainly linked to one another"

I cocked an eyebrow.

"By what? Cursed Energy?"

Hiruzen stopped flipping through the book.

"By the Sage of Six Paths"

He turned the open book toward me, my eyes devouring it in seconds.

The first thing I realize is that this isn't some historical text or a recording of the past. It's a fuckin' story book.

And going by the wording and the small but vague drawings of two figures fighting-

"And their battle rattled the stars. For days and nights the Two fought against each other" Hiruzen recited, his eyes focused on me.

I could only stare dumbly at the book.

The images.

The little vague drawings.

It was clear to see that it showed a fight.

A battle between two figures locked in some kind of struggle.

One figure was grey and ordered, its form depicted with clean and concise lines. It was illuminated by some sigil… a series of concentric rings…

'The Rinnegan"

This was the depiction of the Sage.

And facing it…

"Honored was one, throughout Heaven and Earth he was to stand alone"

Four Arms.

A snarling face-

Four Eyes.

"And from the pit, the Disgraced One rose, the King of-"

"Curses" I finish, barely able to keep down my bewilderment, "Hokage-sama, what does this mean? This is just a story book? Can't-"

But no.

I know better than that.

The Sage of Six Paths, while considered merely a fictitious entity by some, had been real. He'd been the-

Wait.

I'm assuming right now that what I know of Naruto is still accurate to the past of this timeline.

Fuck. It's quite possible that what occurred throughout history might be significantly different than what I knew it to be.

'Why didn't I pay attention in class?' "I internally groaned.

Still.

The Sage was real in Naruto's O.G timeline, yet accepted as a legend-turned-myth by the majority.

'The same is also true here. Therefore the Sage still likely existed.

And if these stories were anything close to the truth, they were quite blunt about what had occurred. Sure the language was all flowery and shit, but it was a still a depicition of a battle.

Probably the final battle.

'...probably the battle that put Sukuna in the seal…'

Fuck's sake this was a lot to think about…

Is this who Sukuna was? Some heavy fucking hitter who went toe to toe with Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths, Master of the Rinnegan and creator of the tailed beasts.

'Truth seeker orbs, dimensional manipulation, seemingly godlike power…

And Ryomen Sukuna fought him.

"What the hell do we do? Sukuna fought the fuckin' Sage?! Are you serious!?""

Hiruzen opened his mouth, before quickly closing it.

A hand came up to his beard, stroking it thoughtfully.

The Third Hokage nodded once.

"The path forward is unclear as of this moment-"

'No shit'

I respectfully keep those words to myself.

"-but to operate from now on without considering this revelation as entirely possible…" Hiruzen nodded again.

"That would be foolish…"he apprised me for a second, before turning the conversation into a request "you've become quite strong. You have accomplished this very quickly. And for the sake of the Village, I must ask you to climb higher, Ryo"

I nod.

"If you think I'm gonna let a tailed beast knock me down again, you've got another thing coming you old coot"

"Language" Hiruzen admonished, but there was no bite in it.

"My apologies, Hokage-sama" I bow.

"You can be detestfully arrogant my dear Ryo, but nevertheless you have my full confidence" he makes a hand sign and the seal falls around the room.

"You're dismissed"

"That's it?"

He scratches his chin.

"Considering the circumstances of the last week for you, I'm ordering Team Seven to remain in reserve for a few months. No missions. Not even D-Ranks. Kakashi is remaining as your Jonin Sensei and your primary source of instruction, but you may train with whoever you wish on your own time"

Hiruzen's gaze is professionally calm, but I see the edge of scrutiny in the minutia of his features.

'He's looking for a reaction?'

'Well, the payout from this mission will be pretty sweet, so I don't actually have to worry about keeping up with my rent...'

I now had so much free time.

"Neat…" I nod toward him, "...is Itami-Sensei free?"

Hiruzen smiled grandfatherly.

"I believe you can find that out for yourself, Ryo-kun"

I frown at the odd expression waving at him with a brief, "right. Later gramps"

As I turn away and walk out toward the village beyond the Hokage Tower, I don't think about the look he gave me.

The tenseness in it.

It doesn't cross my mind again.

"May I join you?"

Out in the rain that poured endless against his village, a lone man clad in black and red clouds opened his eyes.

A head covered in long crimson hair turned towards the person that had appeared upon the rooftop beside him.

"Of course, Tengen-sama"

Purple ringed eyes met with dull cerulean.

"Please" the seemingly young teen nodded, "not at a time like this. Let us talk as we once did, Nagato"

The man hummed.

"Plainly"

"Exactly" the being known as Tengen came and sat beside the red haired man, "now, I'm going to ask you a question. You can choose whether or not to answer it, but if you do I wish you to be as honest and realistic as possible"

Nagato nodded.

"Okay" the black haired teen, dressed in a ceremonial monk's robe, looked out into the village hidden in the rain.

"How much time is left?"

Nagato Uzumaki frowned

He knew what his master was asking.

"These eyes can be difficult to understand…." he rubbed the side of his temple in slight annoyance, "10 years. At best. We won't see any serious occurrences for a few more months at least, but nothing Special-Grade until then"

"I see," Tengen sighed.

Nagato Uzumaki now looked toward his teacher and mentor, studying the young visage they currently occupied.

"What's wrong?"

His teacher didn't mince words.

"Yahiko has been dispatched to investigate the possible return of Ryomen Sukuna" Tengen shook her head, "he's also brought his team with him"

"Possible!" Nagato snapped, "what else could have done it! Orochimaru is centuries behind ever understanding a Tailed Beast! Those fools! Who else could it be?"

A comforting hand came to his shoulder.

"I know" she squeezed her students shoulder once before releasing him, "but all of the Old Families are spooked. They haven't been this up in arms since the Zen'in boy vanished. All eyes look to the Leaf Village and its wayward Scientist"

Tengen looked at the cloudy skies.

She didn't mind the cold rain.

"Yahiko can handle himself. His team is also quite capable"

Nagato had to agree to that.

His best friend wasn't a slouch like he used to be. Ever since Tengen had come across him, Yahiko and Konan, the lost orphans wandering a battlefield…

Nagato knew he wasn't that same helpless child anymore.

But his teacher was also honest.

Tengen's words brought forth an uncomfortable truth, one that the Uzumaki had yet to truly accept.

"But if it is Ryomen Sukuna…. only you stand a chance, Nagato"

"You say-" Nagato stopped, his gaze turning toward the village and its walls beyond.

"Tengen-sama" he looked to his teacher.

"I sense him too. He's the first to arrive" she stood, preparing to meet their arriving guest, "I expect he won't be the last"

Nagato stood as well, idly brushing his black and red coat.

The Eight Tails was definitely here to speak with them.

"Gai-Sensei! Do you have a moment!"

The Green Beast of Konoha paused his one finger push ups to turn his gaze in my direction. I know for a matter of fact that he'd already sensed me approaching.

Gai wasn't considered one of the greatest Jonin in Konoha for no reason.

"Ryo-kun! Welcome back!"

The man gracefully pushed off from the rock, bringing himself into a spinning flip and soaring through the air before landing in front of his Training Ground's visitor.

I couldn't help but grin at him.

"You're really quite the character, Gai-sensei" I laughed, "mind if I take a moment of your time?"

Gai laughed and clapped me on the shoulder.

"Of course! Training for the day has yet to begin-"

'And those pushups were for fun then?' I internally remarked.

"-and my team hasn't shown up yet. I most certainly can spare some of my time"

Well, here goes nothing then.

"I request that you spar with me, Sensei"

Gai frowned.

"Your technique renders my Taijutsu useless Ryo" he states the obvious.

"Yeah. I plan to spar against you without it, Sensei"

Cursed Energy flares up around me.

"But I'm planning on enhancing myself to keep up"

Gai shakes his head, "without your Infinity my youthful friend, a hand to hand fight heavily favors-"

The Green Beast drifts backwards, leaning away from the punch that nearly catches him off guard.

"Turns out Cursed Energy can be used to enhance the body" I hold Gai's serious gaze evenly, "what? Can't I see if you're good for your word? Just like you did to me, when you didn't take my word for how my Infinity worked?"

I grin at his silence.

"Well, Gai-sensei, I'm only using about 10% of my reserves. Want to kick it up a notch?"

I shift a step back, entering the first Kata of the grappling technique Gai had taught me.

A fist is pointed directly at the Green Beast of Konoha, the other hovering in front of my stomach. Cursed Energy is flaring from both.

I smirk at Gai.

And the Jonin, oddly silent and serious for once, shifts back into his own stance.

"You are arrogant, Ryo-kun"

"I get that a lot"

Gai's fists curled.

"This will be a lesson in humility then, Genin Ryo"

The Beast lunged at me.

'Oh piss he's so fucking fast-'

Tenten and Lee had heard the fighting from hundreds of meters away, the noise of which had quickened their pace.

The earth shattering blasts, shaking ground and flashes of light were hard to miss once one was within range, and the two had concluded as soon as they set eyes upon the far off spectacle that it could be only one thing.

'Gai-sensei'

The Jonin's training was crazy.

But his sparring… was beyond understanding. The Green Beast of Konoha was capable of thrashing most Jonin in a direct one on one fight on speed alone.

The likes of Kakashi, Anko, Asuma, and Genma were those that fought Gai directly.

They were the ones that could enter his field of master and be capable of managing some kind of defense.

Low and behold, to both Lee and Tenten's surprise, the battle was none of the aforementioned Shinobi.

The battle torn earth of training ground six saw itself featuring a bout between Konoha's Green Beast and a now familiar face for all the members of Team Gai.

"Ryo-kun?!" Lee exclaimed aloud while Tenten swept her jaw off the floor.

Kakashi's Genin, Ryo, was the one currently going toe to toe with the Green Beast of Konoha.

It was a sight to behold.

Flashes of blue energy flickered out from every strike Ryo retaliated with.

"Konbu"

Lee and Tenten ripped their eyes from the earth shattering battle for a moment to wave their arriving teammate over.

"Inumaki-kun! Look!" Lee exclaimed over his shoulder, his focus still completely directed towards his Sensei's battle.

Kicks, grapples, counter-grapples, uppercuts, elbows-

The moves were flashing by with quick succession, each fighter blocking, countering or receiving a hit at the breakneck pace of the fight.

Gai was more skilled and boasted a serious repertoire of hand-to-hand techniques… yet parts of his face were scuffed, as were his clothes…

It seemed that although Ryo certainly looked like he'd received a few more hints than he'd have liked, their fellow Genin had managed a few in return.

Both fighters were finding a degree of progress toward victory.

Gai was in the lead almost certainly, but Ryo-

Suddenly the fighters sprung away from one another, Ryo leveling a two legged kick to propel himself away from the Green Beast.

The Jonin had blocked the strike, allowing himself to be sent skidding a few meters back.

Silence descended over the training ground.

An excruciatingly tense silence.

The pink haired Genin, still holding a Taijutsu stance, was the one who broke it.

"Seems like your team's here"

"Getting tired?"

Of all the members of Team Gai, it was Lee who was most surprised at the cold attitude of his teacher.

Gai's normally relaxed expression was tightly knit and coldly focused.

"60% isn't enough then" Ryo sighed dramatically, "guess I'll have to keep going"

The attitude vanished as the youth steeled himself, his form tightening as he focused on something that Lee couldn't-

Roiling blue energy encased the boy for a heartbeat before settling in his fists and eyes.

He looked menacingly unnatural as he smiled at Gai.

"Let's dance, bushy brows"

They both sprung toward one another.

"Mustard Leaf…." Inumaki muttered as soon as the battle resumed.

In a second Gai had feigned two punches, slipped under a kick, and blasted Ryo in the Stomach-

Just as a fist collide with his chin.

Ryo spat blood and gripped Gai's arm, grinning savagely as he was about to bring him in for-

The Green Beast reacted by gripping Ryo's arm in return and bodily flinging the Genin over and into the ground.

"You said it" Tenten agreed with their verbally unique teammate.

Ryo rolled to avoid a stomp, laughing as he swept up and back toward Gai, favoring to get in close.

Lee's senses were keen enough to perceive Gai's muscles tense.

'Sensei's going to kick him'

And Ryo-

Lee would forever remember the look on the pick haired youth's face.

His expression was blank, devoid of emotion and feeling.

All the blood and wounds on his features only added to the sheer inhuman nature of the expression that now dominated the usually boisterous Genin's face.

Lee's mind came up with only one word to describe the look.

'Monster'

Ryo's figure blurred forward.

Lee never saw the strike land, but he saw his Sensei tumble backward.

The Genin remained where he was standing, slowly relaxing himself from the finishing pose of his attack.

The Green Beast found his way to his feet instantly.

A small trail of blood leaked from his mouth.

Hix expression is stone cold.

"You're a Jonin, Gai. I know you have something else up your sleeve" Ryo exclaims loudly, "come on! Give me a good reason to crank this up to eighty!"

To Lee's absolute surprise, his Sensei deceived to indeed show what was up his sleeve.

"First Gate, Open!"

Ryo let a savage smile dominate his face.

"Show me what ya got!"

Gai, now empowered, obliged his opponent.

Again they started to-

Lee was startled from the battle resuming when Tenten's hand suddenly gripped his shoulder.

Rock Lee, startled, stared at his fearful teammate.

"Lee. What… what do we do?"

The aspiring Taijutsu Master didn't know.

This battle felt… wrong, but they were not in a position to do anything about it. Gai-sensei had seemingly lost himself to the battle.

Ryo was… loving it.

'This isn't a spar anymore… this is…'

Both weren't going to quit, they weren't-

"THAT'S EIGHT PERCENT NOW, BUSHY BROWS!"

"Second Gate, open!"

This was madness! They were still attacking faster and faster-

Lee and Tenten never registered the sound of a zipper parting. As his color popped open, Inumaki Toge stepped forward and away from Lee and Tenten.

He briefly cleared his throat before directing his words toward the two figures mid combat.

"Don't move"

AN:

Sup y'all. Hope you enjoyed.

I'm having a blast writing this story so I'm neglecting the Mortal Son.

I'm sorry.

But with regards to this story, there was something I wanted to address. With the way the story is set up, I got so much room to do what I want and introduce whichever characters I want. Naruto and JJK. I'm kinda establishing a rough power match up with CE and Chakra, so I'm using that as a bench mark to compare characters with relation to those from the other anime.

Because of this ^

Please, if you wanna see anyone in particular make an appearance, lemme know!

All the best,

Freedom.