WORD STYLE

(Past)

Thoughts

{Billboard/signs}

[Tv/Intercom]

SHOUTING

TwIsTeD

Beasts Speak

Chapter 3

"AAAAAAAAAAHH—!" Prince's shout abruptly ends upon his back slamming into the door. Before him was Rapdevil, his bodyguard who betrayed him to join Lurker's side along with others. "Ugh!" The young one wipes the blood off his face, glaring at his once bodyguard.

"Damn you, you bastard...just get it over with. Quit playing around." Prince began to stand up slowly while still showing a wobbly stance. "You're dead...how dare you...draw this out? You! You'll regret—" Prince was cut off by an ominous knock on the door, halting everything in the room except time itself.

"Are you alive, sir?" Those utterly irritating words gained shock and immediate irritation from the kid.

"LURKER! YOU TRAITOR!"

"Oh, what a relief. You're alive."

"Did you come here to see me die?!"

"Bingo."

That back and forth caused the youngest one to grit his teeth in intense anger.

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!" Hearing such a response, he got a calm and simple answer on the other side of the door where Lurker stood, arm around the possessed Yihwa and the other bodyguards. Around his left arm was a tied-up and gagged Nia who was beaten and unconscious.

"Why...? No special reason, sir. Dumb but loyal servants and the best soldier chosen by your daddy. A cute girlfriend from one of the Ten Families You're not the only one who deserves all this. That's all. Now they're all mine, sir." Prince glared at the door in hatred. "That's it. Finish him, Rapdevil." With that order and more threats from Prince, the larger man approaches the purple-haired kid while drawing his right fist back.

"Da...mn..." Prince muttered as Rapdevil started to swing but froze just as the two heard a voice.

"Fear me!" The moment he heard that Mickey Mouse joke of a voice, the man stopped and stared at the door.

"What?" Was all Rapdevil could say as on the other side of the door, Lurker stood next to Yihwa, staring in utter dumbfounded confusion at a white bipedal slug with stubby arms, feet, and six small tails, it was the size of a medium-sized dog. Its two prominent optical tentacles' eyes focused on Lurker specifically.

"I said Fear Me!" It once again demanded in that childlike voice that caused Lurker to crack a smile.

"Kill it." He said to one of the the Dahan tribe bodyguards with a smile, watching as the bodyguard approached the slug and raised a foot only for it to spit in its face causing it to stop and shake as it grabbed its face.

"What's the matter, it's just spit-" He stops at watching the bodyguard turn towards them to find its entire face melted with bones as it falls forwards and hits the ground leaving Lurker to have a cold sweat.

"FEAR ME!" It shouted while waving its stubby little arms, causing Lurker to stumble back in horror and turn to the other two guards.

"KILL IT-" He stops speaking at hearing fast-approaching footsteps and turns just as Saiken disappears by a cloud of smoke Naruto is seen jumping through the smoke and slamming both his feet into the second Dahan member's face, sending it falling back.

"WHAT?!" He shouted in shock as Naruto made a beeline towards him yet he brought Nia up as a shield, stopping Naruto before the possessed Yihwa unleashed her flames at Naruto, only for it to be blocked by Arkraptor who got in front of Naruto, opening his umbrella-like lance to shield them.

"Oh, my...the brat who threatened me." He smiles in great irritation and brings up the unconscious Nia as his shield.

"Kill them." He orders, causing the flames to increase which Arkraptor grits his teeth and looks back at Naruto clapping his hands together.

"Thanks for giving me a moment!" With those words, a puff of smoke appeared as Yihwa's flames were met with blue flames, counteracting them much to Lurker's shock at seeing a two-tailed blazing blue cat.

"Stop." The moment they heard that, the flames that were colliding finally mixed resulting in an explosion, Naruto and Lurker's attention was on Viole having arrived at the end of the room and he grits his teeth.

"KILL THEM!" He orders as the flames are about to start up again but Viole is already halfway across the room yet not close enough to prevent the attack.

Shukaku: Say this Naruto.

"Yihwa, are you a Virgin?" Naruto abruptly shouted, causing Arkraptor and Lurker to stare in confusion at the sudden stupid question, missing Viole blowing past the third Dahan bodyguard just as Yihwa was turning bright red.

"WHAT WAS THAT-" She couldn't finish speaking as Viole stuck his fingers in her mouth and pulled out the one possessing her, throwing him to the side and as the foe started forming his body was consumed by the flames of the flame cat, Matatabi. At this point Lurker raises Nia, having a blade at his neck, and realizes he has no bodyguards now.

"Viole?! DAMN, RAPDEVIL! VIOLE IS BACK, I NEED YOUR HELP!" He screamed, stupidly looking away as when he turned back he found Naruto already in front of him with his foot drawn back. Lurker goes to stab Nia only for Matatabi to already be at his side, biting his hand. At that moment Lurker looked back just as Naruto's foot collided with his chin, knocking him out he dropped Nia and fell on his back with Naruto standing over him, glaring down at him.

"I'm not gonna kill you, I'll let Wangnan decide." As he said it, Viole entered the room where Prince was being beaten by Rapdevil, in less than ten seconds the situation was handled.

Naruto stood next to Viole back in Wangnan's room, watching as the man of the hour slammed his right foot into the man's left arm, gaining a loud crack, and a shout of pain from the man yet Naruto did nothing along with Viole, as they just watched.

Kurama: I like this guy, kill him.

Shukaku: Something we finally agree on, c'mon Naruto egg him on!

Gyūki: Stop, we agreed we would only offer our opinions, we do not 'egg' Naruto on, it's his choice.

Kokuō: Gyūki is right, it's his choice-

"No, this guy deserves death..." As he thought that, the look in Naruto's eyes told everything, anger which Viole noticed including his shaking fist. "After everything he's done, Saiken is currently healing Nia and Yihwa, he gets no mercy."

"This is not my revenge. This is revenge for Nia and the innocent people you hurt." Wangnan said while his right hand hovers over the other balls. "Atone for your sins with death. Lurker." Yet despite that, the guy still chuckled despite the pain, angering Naruto.

"You funny...bastard. Pretending to be just...ridiculous." This further confused and angered Wangnan while Yihwa and Horyang arrived to see what was happening with Prince in tow to see Wangnan grab Lurker's jacket.

"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?! HOW CAN YOU LAUGH AFTER WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!"

"Isn't it funny to commit murder and call it atonement or revenge?" This surprised a few of them as he spoke calmly. "Do you think you will be a different kind of killer if you say that?" In an instant, he was socked in the jaw out of rage before being grabbed again.

"I'M DIFFERENT FROM GARBAGE LIKE YOU!"

"DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHY I STARTED THIS JOB?!"

The sudden shout back caught Wangnan off guard before Lurker turned his gaze upon Prince.

"Because I borrowed money from that damn boss!" His words caused Prince's eyes to merely widen in surprise before continuing to see he's got their attention. "LIKE YOU, I BORROWED MONEY TO GO UP THE TOWER! BUT AFTER I FAILED, I SAW THE SIZE OF MY DEBT! THAT'S WHEN I FOUND OUT I HAD BEEN SCAMMED! I couldn't deal with it so I went to see the boss beg for my life. YOU AND I ARE NOT DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER! I HAD TO GIVE UP ON GOING UP THE TOWER, AND I STARTED THIS JOB! I'VE ALSO BEEN PREYED UPON!" His explanation further angered Wangnan while Yihwa just looked at Naruto to see his wide eyes before he looked away as something came to mind.

"One day, the boss called me and said that his son was going up the tower. He asked me for a favor...he told me to go up the Tower with his Son and that he would do anything for his son's future. He said his boy was his treasure." His words caused the kid to look down in thought. "I found out he spent all his money bribing the supervisors to rig the tests so that his son would pass it. Ahahahah! AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH! ISN'T THAT JUST HILARIOUS?! He's nothing but a thug who wants the money by taking advantage of other regulars' dreams! TREASURE? REALLY?! HE DESTROYED MY DREAM TO MAKE WAY FOR HIS 'TREASURE'S' DREAM! THAT'S WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT!" He begins to calm down while staring right at Wangnan.

"Look here, you righteous little man. That's what this tower is about. You don't need to blame or hate anyone. You just have to keep climbing up with nothing else mattering. What's the big deal about killing a kid, we've all ended up killing, that's what it means to climb the Tower?" His words caused Naruto to stare at his hand now shaking as flashes came to mind, a smiling family that was replaced by corpses before having a hand extended to him, courtesy of a certain Tower bunny.

"SHUT UP YOU NASTY BASTARD!" As Wangnan shouted that, Naruto just stared with a blank expression as he watched Wangnan place his ball-looking object into Lurker's mouth, about to press it and blow his head up.

"JUST KEEP CLIMBING?! IS THAT YOUR ANSWER?! SO THAT'S WHY...YOU TRIED TO KILL NIA...! 'CAUSE IT'S NO BIG DEAL?! I CAN'T ACCEPT THAT!" With a look that could kill, his finger was already tensing to press it. "No... I CAN'T ACCEPT IT! I CAN'T...no." At this point, Naruto made a confused expression while staring at Wangnan.

Shukaku: Oh great, no balls.

"That's not it...he hates him but..." Naruto stares and remains silent.

"You've killed others, many times before...you tried to kill Nia...if not for Naruto, you... I... I will... DAAAAAAAAAAAMN!" With that shout, he pulled away from the ball much to Naruto's shock as he watched it getting dropped on the floor. "I...should forgive...or the cycle of Injustice in the Tower will continue." It was at this point Viole, Yihwa, Horyang, and Prince were also shocked before Naruto spoke.

"Why...WHY?!" He suddenly shouts and grabs Wangnan by his shirt, looking at him in confusion. "Why...how...how can someone who's killed the innocent be forgiven...this sack of shit has been doing this for years and was about to kill Nia after using him...how could someone like that be forgiven?"

"NARUTO!" Yihwa shouted just as Viole extended a hand in front of her, simply watching.

"People like him...people like me, can't be forgiven..." Naruto appeared to look less confused and more in search of an answer. "How, how can we be forgiven for such things...how can I forgive myself for killing my own family?"

Beasts: ...

A shocked look appears on Wangnan's face when he hears that while Yihwa's eyes widen just like Viole's. As seconds pass by, tears fall from Wangnan's eyes.

"He...no...you, him, Nia, and I...we're all the same...if I forgive him...the ones tricked by Nia...will forgive Nia... I'm sure they will. So...I think...I should forgive him...and you should forgive yourself." Naruto's eyes were completely wide, even Lurker was shocked.

"No...I can't..." Naruto grits his teeth as a memory of someone dying in his arms appears in his head. "THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS, WE CAN'T... I CAN'T BE FORGIVEN-!"

"I! WILL! CHANGE! IT!" Wangnan abruptly shouted in Naruto's face who stared at him. "I'LL BECOME THE KING OF THIS TOWER! I'LL CHANGE EVERYTHING IN THIS TOWER...THAT MADE HIM LIKE THIS! I'LL ENSURE THAT NO ONE ELSE ENDS UP LIKE HIM OF NIA EVER AGAIN! THAT'S THE DREAM THAT DRIVES ME TO GO UP THE TOWER! EVEN IF PEOPLE LAUGH AND SAY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! EVEN IF I FAIL THOUSANDS OF TIMES AND GET BETRAYED! I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!" Naruto just stares at him as tears start falling from his eyes.

"I don't know what you went through Naruto, but everyone has a right to follow their dreams and passions...whatever choices you've made and the sins you've committed in the past...if you truly, honestly regret them, then continue up the Tower and hold those Sins close to your heart, keep them alive in your memories and become someone they can forgive, so you can forgive yourself."

(Live on, my brother, don't let the fire fade... chase your dreams hard, don't be afraid... in this world, we're all intertwined... carry our spirits, let our legends shine.)

Beasts: Naruto..

Tears continue to fall from Naruto's face as he bows his head.

"Gaara, Yugito, Yagura, Rōshi, Han Utakata, Fū, Killer B..." The memory of a bloody scene was replaced by an older memory of himself and eight others sitting around a table laughing and eating in an all-white room.

Wangnan turns to Lurker and puts a hand on his shoulder.

"A man should...hold tight to his dream and passion, got it? So from now on...live a good life." With that said, he walked past Naruto who was looking down at his feet and bothered by something.

"Wangnan..." Naruto finally said, speaking up that caught his attention to see him wiping his eyes off the dried tears. "Thank you...and can I go with you up the Tower...?" That question had surprised the fellow blondie.

"What, but why-"

"I wanna see you fulfill your dream, I want you to become a King, one greater and far kinder than Jahad ever could be. I want to help you make that dream a reality." He smiles brightly. "If you'll let me that is."

He extends a hand to Wangnan who takes it with a smile before Yihwa walks in arms crossed and looking annoyed.

"Hey don't forget about me!"

"Oh no..."

"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"

As Yihwa shouts at Wangnan who used Naruto as a shield, Viole just watches the scene and looks to see Lurker staring at this scene before smiling sadly to himself, now content before Bam finally presses the button, ending the test.

"DAAAAAMN, THAT'S SOME GOOD RAMEN!" Shouted Naruto, who drunkenly laughed as he held a bottle of alcohol in one hand while in the other his arm was wrapped around Wangnan who was slapping his arm, he couldn't breathe. Viole sat and watched in silence, not mad at all that he was tricked by Wangnan due to the fact the connector he had was, in fact, Wangnan's own and not Viole's, resulting in his and the regular's win in the game. Currently, Yihwa sat away from the two blondes to think more to herself, Wangnan was being strangled by drunk Naruto, Akraptor was previously being strangled by the drunk Naruto, Horyang who kept his distance from being strangled, and a smiling Miseng and Goseng sat together. Despite being strangled, Wangnan's thoughts were on Nia and Lurker returning to the previous floor, the two said their goodbyes, and Lurker promised Wangnan he would think long and hard about his words.

"Why did you all come here after the test...?!" Finally spoke Yihwa who hated all the noise, especially from the drunk Naruto. "Could you please celebrate somewhere else? I'm tired." Yet her words caused Wangnan to smirk after he freed himself.

"Ah, I see, since Naruto's drunk you want him all to yourself." Instantly her cheeks turned red. "To think your—OW!" Wangnan held his face due to a can having been thrown.

"YOU KNOW DAMN WELL THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Her anger was directed at the drunk. "THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD SLEEP WITH HIM!" Yet this immediately caused Naruto to laugh and hiccup.

"C'mon Yihwa, we're on the same team now." Goseng began while turning to the girl. "After all, why are you acting so hostile towards Naruto? You wanted to climb the tower with him." Instantly her face turned redder and looked to see she was looking at Prince who was whistling and trying to act innocent until he saw her glare focused on him before immediately hiding behind Horyang who paid no heed to be used as a bear shield.

"T-THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Yihwa shouted. "IT WASN'T MEANT LIKE THAT!"

"C'mon guys, no need to tease her!" Naruto said with a little slur as he hiccups. "Shukaku was right, you are a Tsundere-" He falls backward and falls asleep suddenly, snoring happily. Gaining sweat drops before they heard a sound and watched as nine miniature beasts appeared, surrounding the sleeping Naruto.

"Hello." Spoke Kurama, the leader who sat before the other eight surrounding Naruto, Matatabi licking Naruto's cheek as he laughed drunkenly.

"He really is an Anima Position." Goseng mutters as she stares at the distinctive tails up to nine while the others stare.

"Um hi..." Wangnan said, not entirely sure what to say as he started to sweat while Viole stared in surprise.

"I'll make it brief, we-" Kurama was cut off by Saiken moving forward.

"Hello!" Saiken said, waving his stubby arm and speaking in his usual Mickey Mouse high-pitched tone. "I am Saiken!" He was cut off as Miseng was bending down, staring at it in wonder.

"Awwww." She pokes its face, feeling how slimy it is before Kurama gets in front of Saiken.

"Hey, I'm talking-" He was silenced as Miseng reached out and started scratching the Fox behind his ear, causing him to start wagging his tails as he purred till he heard snorts and turns seeing the others staring.

"You can purr?" Saiken asks with curiosity till Kurama immediately grabs Saiken by his face and starts stretching it much to Saiken complaints as he starts moving around his stubby arms trying and failing to push away Kurama.

"If you ever say that again you overgrown slug, I will-" He froze as he felt his tail being grabbed and turned to see the drunk Naruto having reached out to grab his tail before pulling him into a hug.

"No fighting." He drunkenly said that Kurama's struggles were in vain which caused the other beasts to start snorting in laughter.

"I'll destroy you all!" He shouts as he is being snuggled and Goseng and Miseng take pictures, much to the embarrassment of the Fox.

"It is nice to meet you, allow us to introduce ourselves." Matatabi said and raised a paw. "I am Matatabi, it's nice to meet you as we'll be on the same side starting now."

"I am Shukaku, if you get my name wrong I'm putting sand in your food." Shukaku said, not all too into the introduction yet gave Kurama a smirk much to his anger.

"My name is Isobu." The turtle said timidly, hiding behind Gyūki. "It is nice to meet you."

"Son Gokū is my name." He said pridefully.

"My name is Kokuō, it's nice to meet you." Kokuō said with a slight bow.

"I'm Lucky number seven Chōmei!" Chōmei said as he flew around the room only to slam into Horyang and slide down his large frame till hitting the floor.

"Ow..."

"Sorry..."

"Why are you apologizing, you were flown into?" The moment Goseng asked that a conversation happen before Gyūki spoke after clapping his hand.

"I am Gyūki and the fox of there is Kurama." This greatly annoyed the fox who barked at him.

"Hey, let me introduce myself!"

"You prefer introducing yourself as you are being cuddled?"

"..."

"Thought so." Lightning sparks between the two of them as the others laughed a little till -one by one, they were all bowing their heads to them except for Kurama still being hugged.

"Please, look after him..." As Gyūki said it, Kurama remained silent as he watched. "Despite being able to tell lies, he still tries to trust others even when we warned him...yet, you all are different them the others he tried climbing with, so look after him."

Those words got embarrassed looks on all their faces with Viole just staring.

"Could you tell us what happened, in his past?" Yihwa said, having finally spoken yet all the beasts looked away.

"We cannot, it's not something we can speak of...but know this, he did what he did not out of anger, he had no choice but even so, even as he climbs he still blames himself..." After Gyūki said that they all turn to look directly at Wangnan as Kurama finally breaks free and gets in front of the others so they can bow once again.

"Thank you, Wangnan..." With those words, they were gone with a puff of smoke much to their surprise as Wangnan turned to look at Naruto still sleeping, and smiled.

Beasts: You may be the one, that can finally free him.

xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx

Author Message: Next story to be updated is Demon of the Second Division.