Yo. If you don't like this story, just don't read it. This isn't some personal beef y'all, I'm just writing here. You wanna read a different story, go look for it, or write it yourself, I ain't doing that for ya.
Enjoy lol.
The moment Killer Bee passed into the city of Amegakure, he felt a presence unlike anything he'd ever sensed before enveloping him.
He'd crossed into the threshold of some kind of permeating source of energy. It was likely a technique of some kind.
"Tengen's barrier" the Eight Tails said within Bee's mind, "They know we're here now. They'll come to us soon-"
Bee had only blinked once as Gyuuki spoke to him, and in the time of his eyelids closing to when they opened, two figures now stood in the streets of Amegakure with him.
Bee's well trained eyes couldn't tell how these two had suddenly come before him, but they were certainly there. One, a woman, her youth so strangely contrasting the worn and old robes she wore.
The second was a tall man with a distinct deep crimson tone of hair.
Bee might not know this man's name, but he could tell he was an Uzumaki.
Much of him was hidden beneath the thick black robes, speckled with red clouds-
'Akatsuki… the mercenary group?'
He'd heard a thing or two about them but they were still a foreign and unknown faction. Perhaps he'd have to-
"Gyuuki. It's wonderful to see you again"
The voice that spoke to him surrounded his mind.
None of the stranger's mouths had moved, but words had still pushed into his senses and thoughts.
Kinda like how the Hachibi would speak to him-
"Tengen. I had hoped we'd be meeting under better circumstances, but-"
They were speaking to each other.
And Bee was being left out of the conversation.
"Not cool yo! Don't leave me out the flow" the Jinchuriki abruptly spoke. The Uzumaki man gave Bee an odd look.
"...pardon?"
Before Bee could retort, the young monk cut in.
"Ah! My apologies, that was rude of me. It's been many years since Gyuuki and I have spoken"
'Gyuuki' Bee's mind finally latched onto.
"You know his name?"
The girl nodded.
"Indeed. I've known him all his life" she smiled at Bee, "I was there when he was born. I was also there when he occupied a different Vessel, one who kept him tightly enchained"
Her gaze was soft and contemplative.
"But you know his name. So he trusts you. Therefore I shall trust you"
She pointed a thumb up at herself, "I am Tengen. This-" she politely gestured to the man beside her, "-is my student, Nagato Uzumaki. He is the Kage of Amegakure and a dear friend, so please treat him with the utmost respect"
The man glared lightly at Tengen.
"Must you always do this"
His gaze was fearsome because of-
'...I've never seen eyes like that before. It must be a Dojutusu of some kind… but what eye is light purple-grey with concentric rings?"
Bee felt his body tense naturally to a dangerous unknown.
And the instant he did, those eyes swung back to him.
His words were affirming and tense.
"Tengen-sama is the only one deserving of any respect in this world. You will afford her this courtesy while you are in my presence"
Bee nodded.
Tengen tisked, "and must you always do that?"
The purple eyes finally turned away from the Kumogakure Shinobi.
"Some things are so because we have made them to be"
"Now's not the time for a debate, Nagato" the young monk frowned.
"Of course, Tengen-sama" and the Leader of Rain looked upon Bee once more, "I'm sure you have many questions. They will be answered. Welcome to our home"
And for once, Bee wasn't really sure what to say.
It had been a week since the Gai incident and for the second time in a day, there had been a knock on my door.
However, unlike my first visitor who had barged right through the entrance to my home with a grin on his whiskered face, Kakashi waited casually by the door.
I could see his presence through the wall.
'He's a bit muted though' I observe.
Hm. Yeah, there's no doubt, Kakashi had been seriously training with his Cursed Energy.
'...is that why Hiruzen gave us time off? So Kakashi could-'
Ah. Nah, fuck that. I don't care about any of that subtle shit. So long as no one's killing me, I ain't killing them.
I lay up from the couch and lazily threw a shirt on. It's a damn Sunday after all and for once in my life I was determined to just do absolutely nothing.
But Kakashi is my Sensei and ally. No need to ignore him.
I'm at the door in a few short strides.
"Yo" I crack it open fully, exposing my home, "what's up Sensei"
Kakashi coughs a laugh.
"Took you a bit to open up" he sighs dramatically, "had to think about it for a moment?"
My gaze is flat, "duh. I'm tryna relax here" I jerk a thumb over my shoulder, "if we're gonna talk can we not do it in the doorway?"
Kakashi nods and follows me to the small island near the kitchenette.
"Tea?" I politely offer as Kakashi leans against the island, looking over my sparse apartment.
"I'm fine"
"More for me" I hum, stepping into the kitchen and filling a small pot for the stovetop.
In the moment it takes me to get the water boiling, Kakashi stops beating around the bush.
"From what I understand, you tried to fight Jonin Maito Gai to the death, correct?"
"What! I didn't try to kill him, who's saying that?" I scoff, "Besides, hand to hand I could never"
"You're testing your Powers against the strongest you can find" Kakashi stated, "and form what I've seen of you, you always push yourself to the brink in order to yield results"
"And it works" I shrug before reaching for a mug from the cupboard above me.
"It's worked so well that you can perform at the level of a Jonin, Ryo" Kakashi barked back seriously, "and that's before you even begin using any Sorcery"
"And?" I give him a level glare as I fill my cup with tea leaves, "why do you care about that?"
Kakashi's body was engulfed by a blue haze of energy.
My eyes widened however at what I had failed to notice.
'Huh… so that's what it looks like when someone else is doing it…'
Kakashi's presence felt muted not because he had limited his flow of Cursed Energy, but because it had all been compacted down into a very precise amount.
I saw as he forcibly uncoiled all of his new source of power from his Tenketsu and set it loose.
'It's been less than two weeks…. How the fuck has he gotten so good?'
And how does he have so much…
Hmm. It seemed that the scant Cursed Energy Kakashi had received from the Four Tails demise had been growing.
"That's… your reserves have almost doubled, Sensei"
The blue haze died down.
Kakashi looked toward me honestly.
"I came to ask a favor, Ryo," he looked tired, "from comrade to comrade. Man to man…. well, it's embarrassing to say this, but I need to learn more about Cursed Energy. Is there anything, and I mean anything, you can do to teach me?"
I blink.
"Sensei. It's instinctual for me, I just… I fight and I learn something new. Though I suppose I could watch you in a fight-"
I look directly at Kakashi now.
His arms are crossed and his gaze is serious.
…I finally put two and two together.
"You'd be willing to fight me? All out?" there's a touch of fear in voice, but a roar of tension bleeding over into excitement.
'Is he for real?'
"I want to use my new skills against you, Ryo" Kakashi admitted, "you're probably the only one best suited to take me on in such a capacity"
It only took my brain a few seconds to comprehend the underlying admission.
"I'd be honored to beat you into the dirt, Kakashi-sensei" I grinned.
The Jonin laughed at my attitude.
"That mouth of yours is going to get you killed one day Ryo" he shook his head, "but I'm glad we can agree. However I should say it here and now, I want you to use everything at your disposal Ryo."
'God that guy always jumps between emotions quickly' I gripe at the now once again serious note in his voice.
"I will be trying to kill you. If you don't keep up there is a chance I may even succeed. Therefore I will call the fight if I believe you cannot continue"
"What about you?" I glare, "because if you let me use them on you-" I raise my black tattooed wrists, "-I'm gonna use them"
Cleave and Dismantle.
Ryomen Sukuna's technique.
"I am suitably prepared Ryo and significantly more experienced than you in combat. I will call the fight. When I do, we cease battle, is that clear?"
'...well if he's sure?' I roll my shoulders, "you got it, Sensei. So, where do-"
Kakashi held up a hand, "not today, I have a few meetings to go to, but I'll let you know as soon as my schedule opens up"
"AH?! Well what about my schedule!"
Kakashi raised his eyebrow high.
"How are those Community Service missions going? What, only 83 more to go?"
I glared.
"Don't be a dickhead" I point at the door, "if that's all you can fuck off now"
"So hostile" Kakashi bemoaned, "I try my best to teach the next generation some manners and all they do is behave like brutes"
"Just go" I groan.
Kakashi chuckles and waves over his shoulder, "see ya"
And he's out the door.
'...why are Shinobi so damn strange? It must be a coping mechanism, so many of them are just-'
I ramble internally all the way back to the couch, swiftly dumping myself back into his warm embrace.
Buying a new couch really was the move.
'I'll switch the bed next, and then I can-'
Before I can get lost in my thoughts, a knock echoes out into my apartment.
"Oh for fucks SAKE!"
Sasuke had briefly exchanged greetings with Kakashi, only being partially surprised at the sight of his Sensei leaving Ryo's apartment and passing by him in the corridor.
'I wonder what they needed to speak about?'
However, Sasuke didn't ask that.
He just nodded at Kakashi, who offered a "Yo." but nothing else.
And they had passed each other with nothing else, leaving Sasuke standing before Ryo's door.
'Best to knock'
And he did.
"Oh for fucks SAKE!" came the roar of frustration within the apartment.
'...or not' Sasuke internally corrected, calling through the door, "Ryo. It's Sasuke. Do you have a moment?"
An explosive sigh managed to make its way through the still closed door. The heavy plodding of feet preceded the entranceway snapping partially open.
Through the small gap in the doorway was the face and form of the room's tennant.
Hand still on the knob, his eyes glowing blue and his pink hair a shaggy mess, Ryo looked equal parts pissed off and exhausted.
But not in a hostile way.
'He looks lazy, but grumpy' Sasuke settled on.
"Gonna just stand there, or you got something to say, Sasuke?"
"I had questions for you" the Uchiha quickly replied, "but right now I'm not here for that. I wanted to clear the air, so to speak"
Ryo looked surprised at that, pulling back and opening the door fully.
He stood on the threshold of his home, facing the Uchiha directly.
"I wasn't under the impression that there was something to clear, Sasuke?" he crossed his arms, "don't take everything I say in our spars to heart Sasuke, most of the time I'm tryna get under your skin, see if you slip up-"
The Uchiha waved a hand toward Ryo, "no. No it's not that. I…"
Sasuke sighed.
"You've vastly out paced me Ryo. I'm hardly worth calling myself your teammate-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there" the pink haired youth interceded.
And he shut the door in Sasuke's face.
"One second!" Ryo hollered from within the apartment, his words muffled.
Sasuke was still processing the door slamming shut in his face.
But it reopened a second later.
Ryo was wearing a grey hoodie, a deep blue material that offset his pink hair.
He was also wearing a small set of circular blue shades.
"Now, you're gonna walk with me Sasuke, and I'm gonna talk for a bit, okay?"
Ryo was already walking down the corridor before the Uchiha could reply, so Sasuke was forced to catch up and walk in step with.
"Let me be clear in saying right here and now that I don't care if you think your weak, Sasuke"
The Uchiha snapped his eyes over at Ryo.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means it doesn't matter where you are right now, Sasuke-"
They were already in the stairwell to the apartment complex.
"-, because all that matters is where you'll be tomorrow"
"Is this some kind of riddle?"
"No" Ryo shrugged, "just me letting you know that we're still friends, Sasuke. We're still teammates"
The Sorcerer hummed, "you see the gap between us and our current abilities, and you think that you should give a shit? You think that I give a shit?'
Sasuke didn't know what to say.
But Ryo wasn't done.
"I've been catapulted into a league of Killers that I'm probably going to have to face someday. And let me tell you this-"
They'd reached the ground floor and the exit to the streets of Konoha.
As they stepped out into the street, Ryo fixed Sasuke with a glare.
"If you think I'm gonna be happy if you leave me by myself to take all these bastards on , then think again!"
He pointed a finger at him.
"We're Team 7. So we're gonna get this done together. When I'm done with you and Naruto, we'll be the most fearsome fighting force in the world, let alone Konoha"
Sasuke's eyebrows raised up.
"This Cursed Energy shit… everything that I know, you'll know"
"You'll train us?"
Ryo's harsh expression faltered into neutral discontent.
"Eh. I wasn't gonna, since I think it might be better to figure it out yourselves" he scratched the side of his head, "but that blonde dork made me promise to do some teaching"
Sasuke's surprise morphed into a sardonic smile.
"Well I'm glad your concern also extends to me"
Ryo blinked.
And then he smiled.
"My concern?" he laughed, "no no. Naruto didn't just ask me to train him, he also asked me to train you"
Ryo turned away from the surprised Sasuke.
"It wasn't just me including you too, teme" Ryo laughed over his shoulder, "besides , Naruto doesn't want to be beating you all the time. He wanted things fair"
Sasuke's brain sparked with outrage.
"Oi!" he quickly stepped after Ryo, his pride stung.
Ryo laughed.
"Just pulling ya leg, teme" he barked over his shoulder, "now keep up. We're training for a bit then getting a bite to eat"
"Teme! You're here too!"
Naruto's exclamation drew a smile from me and a irritated huff from Sasuke as soon as we had reached the training ground.
The blonde had been sparring with his clones, a sight I felt oddly proud to see. Naruto was improving quickly. Here's a few shades different from the person I knew him to be, but that dream and hope still burned within him.
He had something to prove.
And I'd do everything I could to help him.
I sweep the glasses from my face.
"Right" I then pull the hoodie over my head, scuffing my black slip-on shoes against the dirt.
Tossing the clothing aside, Cursed Energy visibly coats my fists.
Sasuke and Naruto are both facing toward me now.
"So here's what we're going to do" I smile at them, "I'm gonna turn my Infinity off. I'm only coming at you hand to hand. Your goal is to make me use Infinity, or better yet, land a hit"
I hold up a finger.
"Now I'd say use everything against me, but don't use Yin techniques, I don't-"
A disgusting feeling erupts from the side of my face.
The extra eye beneath my left splits open.
And the mouth that had grown on my cheek barks out a comment.
"Using me as cover? That's so pathetic!"
Naruto and Sasuke freeze as Sukuna manifests a mouth on my cheek.
I sigh in exasperation before I address the voice.
Ryomen Sukuna isn't the kind of person you can just ignore easily.
"I don't want you killing them for touching ya damn soul"
"Bothersome…" the face hummed in thought.
It tisked once before addressing someone other than me.
"Nine Tails. I know you can hear me"
Naruto flinched.
"If you touch my Soul, you and your Vessel die… the brats pose no threat. So this one time I shall allow it"
A thought connects in my mind.
'Sukuna acknowledges Kurama but not the vessel as a threat'
So the Kyuubi could handle itself against someone of Sukuna's caliber. The face recedes from my cheek a second later.
The second eye closes.
I settle onto my backfoot for a second. I'm not letting this turn into a questionnaire, so I just jump right back into the swing of things.
Besides, it's been so damn long since I've wanted to do this.
"Right. Teach' says it's okay to give it your all"
I glance at Naruto a second longer.
"Let's do this"
I slip forward into my stance.
And surprisingly, it's Naruto who doesn't hesitate.
"Kage Bunshin!"
In a heartbeat, I'm surrounded by hundreds of clones.
Throughout them all, my eyes find the original Naruto.
He looks determined.
Good.
These eyes are incredible. Like a sixth sense, something-
'Sixth Sense Eyes? No, lame-' I think.
Before the first enemy is upon me, I snap my fingers in realization.
"The Sixth E-, No! The Six Eyes! Nice and simple!"
My moment of pride, having finally named my Ocular Ability, was shattered by my first opponent.
Sure I'd been suddenly surrounded by copies of one Naruto Uzumaki, but out of a hundred clones spawning at once….
It was still Sasuke Uchiha that reached me first.
'He's gotten much faster'
The Uchiha swiftly sprung out from the charging crowd with a Kunai in his off hand.
But how fast can I move?
Well..
I disappear in a flash, pulling myself behind my attacker.
My back is against Sasuke's, and I'm leaning my head over his shoulder to let him in on the know-
"We're being watched. So let's show off a little, yeah?"
Sasuke violently swung out at me, Kunai and fist trying to find me as I evaded him with the use of Blue.
To him, it would seem I was flickering out of existence just before any attack landed.
'He's starting to look a little pissed off…'
I decided to switch up the targets.
Ya know, give him a second to cool off.
Appearing before the first Naruto clone my eyes settled on, I sent a jab at its throat. As the copy dissolves into smoke, a second and third identically determined Uzumaki Shadow Clone are closing in.
'...Naruto is using Cursed Energy. So are his clones… but he's not enhancing himself…'
My gaze is on the clone's fists.
'...he's naturally drawing it into his palms… thats a lot of energy… he's likely hit like a fucking tsunami'
My grin is savage.
Hand to hand with Naruto was the riskiest choice… but Gai's training made me incredibly dangerous in close quarters… combining this with my new level of Cursed Energy Manipulation and high speed movement with Blue….
'What is my Limit?' I can't help but honestly wonder for a moment.
But I'm drawn back into the delayed beatdown a second later.
I twist the second clone's arm the instant I manage to catch it in a crushing two handed grip. The arm breaks as the clone is flipped over itself, dispelling right after pain explodes across its face.
But my attention is already locked onto my next target. Dropping low, I swiftly strike upwards at the incoming clone. It's stance was too wide, and it never expected me to drop so quickly beneath its sight line. By the time it managed to look down, I had sent a brutal punch into the chin.
'That was also a strong hit'
As it despels my focus expands outward to my opponents.
My fists tighten in the ever so slightly brief interlude I am given.
'I can't wait to use that on a real target…'
Heh.
"Come on!" I shout at them all, "put some fuckin' intent behind those strikes!"
The next wave rushes me.
I'm in the middle of flinging a Naruto clone over my shoulder when Sasuke comes once again into my guard. He's moving as quickly as possible to put the pointy part of his Kunai right into my stomach.
My gaze naturally snaps toward him.
It's a shame he isn't using that Chakra sword of his.
Our eyes meet in the stillness of slowed time.
As the first few subtle expressions of surprise are blossoming on his face, IIcan feel the smile on my face.
'Oh I see you, teme'
At lightning speed I kicked his wrist, just glancing it with the tip of my foot. The Kunai is knocked from his grip.
"Come on, Sasuke-chan!" I finish slamming the Naruto clone into the dirt, instantly dispelling it.
"This is a fight between Sorcerers! Show me what you can do!"
I dash toward him.
I'm pleased that Sasuke tries to do the same.
His stance is different though.
'Not the Interceptor? What is this?'
I analyze him in the milliseconds before we clash, noting his gait, his form, and how one hand is further behind him, as if he were holding a-
'Oh shit… I almost missed that'
There's a small seal on his wrist.
I'm only given a heartbeat to activate Blue and drag my body to the side.
But it's just enough to avoid Sasuke's hidden attack.
The seal on his wrist contained his sword, which appeared perfectly in his hand.
As the blade, charged with chakra, passesses in front of my face, I'm given a scant second to admire the Seal on Sasuke's wrist.
Even though its only for a small fraction of time, I conclude the seal must be a gift. Likely for the A-rank mission…
'Or he requested it'
Either way, it's a masterpiece, craftsmanship only a noble Shinobi clan would be able to pay for.
'I didn't even notice it until it was close…'
Fuinjutsu now found itself higher up on my list of things to always be cautious of.
But impressive sword draw aside, Sasuke was now within an arm's distance of me.
'Itami-sensei' I mentally think as I'm knocking the Uchiha's arm aside with a swift two part strike, 'forgive me for beating your Brother's ass for a moment'
Wishful thought sent, I'm given an open target to land a severely enhanced punch.
I catch Sasuke right in the face, sending him crashing into the dirt.
'Ouch…. Okay, still a bit too hard' I only get a second to observe the stunned Sasuke before I'm set upon by a wave of Naruto Clones.
"Let's brawl for a bit then, eh?!" I laugh, immediately swinging into the next fight.
Sasuke would get up soon.
And maybe while he was down for a bit he'd find a little inspiration.
I consider the opponent I'm now about to face.
Fighting Naruto was a whole different ball game than Sasuke.
The blonde idiot was a fucking gauntlet of a fight.
With Sasuke down, Naruto's free to just send every clone of his at me all at once. And I wasn't going to stand around Sasuke's downed figure to prevent the Uzumaki from going all out.
No, I wanted him to have the freedom to let loose.
The mass of clones before me did present an interesting opportunity. With such a large mass of targets, I was curious on how much it would strain me.
…
Fuck it.
"Maximum Output!"
The crystal blue singularity grew to the size of a carriage in a heartbeat .
Far off in the trees of the training ground, I see our observers react to the sudden sphere of all consuming blue energy that had appeared beside me.
With a heavy swing of my arm, the man sized orb goes flying forward.
"Blue!"
I could still see the Original Naruto, so I kept the technique away from him.
And Sasuke of course.
But it was free game for the clones.
And with how fast Bue was moving, it didn't take long.
As I dispelled Blue, a still silence settled in the battlefield.
With the grounds between us destroyed and no longer occupied by the blonde's doppelgangers, I hold my ground, almost now thirty feet from the Original Naruto and a small cadre of survivors.
"Naruto" I say seriously, calmly gesturing him forward, "Don't use clones. Right here and now, show me how you measure up"
The Jinchuriki hesitates.
Nah.
None of that.
The next words out my mouth are delivered with an irritated roar.
"How can you call yourself the Greatest Hokage one day if you can't beat me? You're gonna be my boss idiot! Not the other way round! So do it! Hit me!"
Something catches in his eye.
A spark of determination?
Or something else…
Whatever it was, I liked it.
"Come on then, ya idiot" I laughed as Naruto dispelled his clones, now slowly closing the distance between me and him with his fists up.
"Let's dance!"
Once he was within a few meters of me, Naruto dashed forward.
I smile.
Blue activates for each one of his heavy handed punches, helping me dodge at the very last moment each time.
But every miss doesn't deter Naruto.
His Cursed Energy flares up, actually.
The blonde's eyes are still locked on me.
'He's so focused. He really wants to win then…'
And slowly but surely as I evade the next fifteen attacks, I'm keenly aware of how each and every single one of them is faster.
…and packing more and more power behind it…
If one of these actually did manage to hit me I wasn't sure what would happen, but I knew that it certainly wouldn't be good.
Evade. Let's see how long it takes him to actually-
The tip of a sword almost reaches my eyeball before I realize it's in front of me.
"BLUE!"
Naruto is immediately dragged toward the attacking Sasuke, the two of them colliding mid air as I leap backwards.
My heart was pounding.
I'd cleared at least twenty meters in order to be safe…
'HOW THE FUCK CAN SASUKE MOVE THAT FAST?!' my mind blurts in confusion.
I hadn't noticed him. Likely because I was so focused on watching Naruto channel and intentionally circulate his immense amount of Cursed Energy throughout his body…
Still.
As Sasuke and Naruto get to their feet, I ruminate on what Sasuke had just done.
His figure was actively radiating Cursed Energy, just like Naruto was, but it wasn't pinpointed in his fists.
'He's pushing Cursed Energy into his eyes-'
My gaze widens as Sasuke looks straight at me.
He'd almost gouged my right eye out. How'd he closed the distance between us so suddenly made my mouth drop open.
'He woke up his Sharingan…'
After all, the Uchiha was looking at me with his Clan's Hereditary Ocular namesake… and there were three red markings in one eye, and only one in the other…
'A total of Four Tomoe already…'
And he'd been watching me dodge Naruto.
"You copied my technique, didn't you Sasuke?" I call out to him, observing Sasuke very carefully now.
The Uchiha says nothing at first, slowly raising his sword into a reverse grip before him.
Once the blade settles between our eyeline, does he speak.
"What did you say, again? Give it your all?" the smugness in his voice is honestly quite incredible, "are you perhaps regretting those words now, Ryo?"
"Sly bastard" I huff. I swear, Uchiha are just so damn good at talking down to other people.
But he had good reason to be so smug.
Two Sharingan, one almost fully developed, meant that his eyesight alone was leagues higher than what it was before. And somehow, likely with the Sharingan's assistance, he was able to not only observe my inherent Technique, but also be capable of using it in the same manner I did…
Wait…
How much of my ability can he now use?
'...could he have mimicked my Maximum Blue… or Infinity?'
….
Bothersome.
'Of course he gets a fucking Copy Technique' I sigh internally while standing back a few more steps and stretching slightly.
Until I know more about what Sasuke's capable of now, I'm not throwing out anything before his eyesight haphazardly.
"We'll start with 20%..."
My gaze holds to Sasuke for a moment.
…his eyes are still pooling with Cursed Energy from behind his blade
But his body doesn't mimic my manipulation.
'So it's only Technique's that you can copy?' I realize, smiling slightly.
Naruto and Sasuke actually spring forth at the same time, both unanimously deciding to attack at the exact moment the other did.
Neither acknowledged this fact.
I did though.
I'm still smiling as we trade blows. They're both doing their damndest right now, both of them chewing through more and more Cursed Energy to enhance themselves.
And as I physically block, evade or parry their attacks, they take their lumps and keep swinging.
Still, it was all going well for me-
Sasuke gets a hand around my wrist.
In the next second I'm being forcibly pulled into the air.
"Hey! That's my-"
He flips me onto his back, about to send me plummeting into the ground with all the force he can muster…
The same attack I had previously used on a Naruto Clone.
'You copied that too?! But you didn't even have the Sharingan then-!'
Sasuke's roar only distracted me from the true threat for a moment.
"Naruto! NOW!"
Because I was well aware of what was coming my way as soon as I hit the earth.
I saw Uzumaki Naruto, one fist cocked far behind him with a great well of Cursed Energy piling up within it.
He was moving in slow motion for me, and I witnessed every bit of the attack he was sending at me. The forward step he took cracked the earth beneath him as the fist began to drift toward me.
His face was stone cold.
Focused.
Completely in the zone.
Something changed in the air as his knuckles closed in on my vision.
This was-
I activated Infinity at the very last moment, extending its reach to include Sasuke as well. I was right to do so, the proof being apparent as soon as Naruto's fist reached some kind of critical point.
An electric darkness exploded outward from the point of impact.
My eyes got a front row seat at the phenomenon.
Spatterings of red strands of energy were jaggedly connected to this flash of black power.
'...I've never seen Cursed Energy look like that…'
And like a flash of an explosion, the strike of energy subsided. Not before shaking the damn earth around us though.
'That was beautiful… whatever is was…'
Myself and Sasuke are on the floor, with Naruto standing directly above me.
Our eyes meet.
His gaze is so still and calm as he regards me.
'Man I hope I'm not fucking him up…' I can't help but wince. This kind of attitude wasn't a reckless fool, he was-
Naruto's face broke into a wide smile.
A jovial one.
"You used Infinity to avoid my punch" he grinned, "that means you just lost, ya know?"
My grin is massive.
"Guess so. Care to go again?"
Naruto nods quite quickly.
I look around at Sasuke, the unspoken question obvious to the Uchiha.
The Sharingan are still active, but he tilts his head in idle thought as he slowly stands up.
"Shall we perhaps change the teams?"
"Change how?" Naruto asks.
"Every man for themself" Sasuke replies cleanly, "no allies" he glances over to Naruto.
'Oh… I get it' I realize, 'he wants to see how he measures up against Naruto as well. That or he's trying to copy whatever the fuck Naruto just did'
I wasn't completely sure, but I'm going to assume that Sasuke can't.
Whatever Naruto did to create that powerful strike of altered energy… it had to do with how one manipulates Cursed Energy.
Sasuke seems only capable of copying my Technique, but not my manipulation capability. Cursed Energy is like electricity, after all, thus it can be used to power the body. While a Cursed Technique was more like an appliance or something. By pushing Cursed Energy through it, something uniquely crafted happened.
… I needed to observe Sasuke using his Technique.
Meaning I needed to give him something advantageous, yet manageable, when we fought.
'If only I could use Cleave and Dismantle as well… or is giving Sasuke access to that kind of power even a good idea? Eh, still, they're pretty neat. How can I use them-'
"Ryo?"
"Ah?" I blinked once, "sorry, spaced out for a moment, what's up?"
"You okay with a free for all?"
I laugh.
"Fuck yeah I am!" pointing a finger at Naruto, still lazing away on the ground.
The blonde's eyes go wide as Cursed Energy surges out from me.
"BLUE!"
As we kick off the next bout, I can't help but think of way to use Cleave and Dismantle in a grand way.
I really needed some kind of large test dummy… preferably something with Chakra.
Hmmm.
Oh wait.
An idea springs into my head.
But it has to wait, as the moment Naruto goes flying toward a tree, Sasuke blinks toward me, sword at the ready.
"So eager, Sasuke-chan!" I laugh, sweeping off the ground and onto my feet with a helpful use of my technique.
He grins right back at me.
"A good fight is its own reward, Ryo"
"HA! Bring it!"
Fuck.
This was a fun day.
Sitting at the Ramen stand, slightly bruised but thankful for a warm and delicious meal, Sasuke felt good. This day could have gone a hundred other ways, but instead he had achieved an incredible feat.
The Sharingan had awoken.
With its emergence, Sasuke's Father wouldn't have to be so worried, his Mother would be under less stress, and his Sister-
That good feeling rolled over in his stomach, slightly dimming at the thought.
Because would Itami even care?
These days she'd been so distant, so busy…
"If you ain't gonna finish that…"
Naruto's words got Sasuke's eyes to twist up to the blonde, who was obviously eyeing Sasuke's unfinished second helping of Old Man Ichiraku's Beef Ramen.
"I will, you greedy dobe" Sasuke tisked, getting an irritated huff from the blonde, which Sasuke immediately dropped on, "what? You've already had five bowls! Why d'ya need mine?"
"Well brood and eat at the same time then" Naruto tisked, "Ichiraku's is best warm, ask Ryo"
Ryo's laughter was sharp, the youth sitting in front of three finished bowls of Beef, Pork and Chicken bowls.
"He's right teme" Ryo pointed at Sasuke's half finished food, "It'd be a shame to waste it"
Sasuke sighed in annoyance.
"You're both so annoying sometimes"
But he picked up his chopsticks and continued working on consuming the food his sore body so desperately needed.
And as Ryo asked the young woman working behind the counter for a cup of tea, Naruto uproariously exclaimed for another bowl of Pork Ramen,Sasuke finished his meal in peace.
The current turmoil of his family was pushed out of his thoughts for the time being.
Now wasn't a time to worry about that.
A small, yet honest smile hovered across Sasuke's face for a few moments as he ate.
And if Ryo noticed it, Sasuke couldn't care less.
Today was a good day.
I was probably going to get in trouble for this stunt, but it was worth giving it a shot.
The Inuzuka compound was easy to find.
Bordering the Nara territory, their access to a large swath of Konoha's forest was what allowed their numbers to grow so rapidly.
All the resources needed for building new homes occupied the very land they could build said homes upon. And because of that, for generations the family of wolves had always been close to the Shodai's Forest.
But deeper into the Forest, the trees were thicker. Stronger. Chakra infused.
The amount of effort required to clear it wasn't worth the mission payment.
A rank Techniques were the minimum requirement to death with these trees, and so the rate of expansion was halted. Still, families grew, life prospered, and more space was needed for the clan.
But the Mission Requests, and their required payment, was a significant ask.
Shinobi that were capable of performing such acts hardly had the time or particular skill needed.
So the Missions weren't answered.
Leaving a bunch of unfulfilled requests for free target practice up for grabs.
After all, what better way to chop a tree down than with a severing or slicing ability. Now all I had to do was see if the Inuzuka would bite.
I mean, they definitely would, considering my offer.
However I quickly find myself in front of the first obstacle.
At the entrance to the Inuzuka compound is a set of seriously looking Chunin.
'...isn't this an excessive number of guards though?'
There are other Ninja scattered everywhere and although they're doing their best to stay out of sight they haven't got a chance. Their subtle hostility is plainly clear before my eyes. Though the set of hounds behind the female guard are openly growling at me, which is always a pleasant thing…
Once I'm within three meters of one of the guards, the woman addresses me.
"Stop. State your business"
'Best to be direct'
"I'm actually here about yours" I reach into my hoodie's front pocket, pulling out a scroll and tossing it at the female guard.
Her partner nearly leaps at me, but I see him ease off in the same instant the girl catches the scroll. All of the Ninja attempting to hide are also on edge.
'People really need to relax' I mentally bemoan.
Completely ignoring my eye roll, the guard unfurls the scroll and studies it.
She looks up at me after a moment.
"You're here to clear out a training ground for us?"
I blink once.
'...why is she so familiar?'
"Don't care what it's for, just that ya needed some trees knocked down"
She looks incredulously at me, "this is an A-rank mission"
I shrug, "so? Wouldn't be my first time"
Now her companion speaks up.
"You're a Genin. That's impossible"
"And yet, here I am dickhead" I grin over at him.
The female guard steps between us, obviously preventing a fight but still glaring fiercely at me.
I raise my hands up, "just messing around"
She eases up. But only slightly.
"... even if you were capable of performing in this mission, the Clan is not currently looking to make huge payments for-"
"Ah" I shake my head, "sorry, yeah. I'm on a kinda probation right now. I'm required to complete Community Service missions. If you have have the mission re-submitted under that classification, I'll be able to do it"
She blinked in surprise.
"...Community Service missions require no payment, you know that, right?"
I nod, "yeah. Pro-bono. I'd be doing this for free"
…
Now that got me some wide eyes in response.
AN:
R&R and downtime lol, a bit more, than Chunin exams. Here on out, we're totally off the rails from cannon events in Naruto, while also splicing in JJK cannon events. It's kinda fun to figure out who gets to do what, and who's replacing which character in the crossover event stuff, but I've gotten a somewhat solid road forward.
Hope y'all enjoyed.
All the best,
Freedom