WORD STYLE

(Past)

Thoughts

{Billboard/signs}

[Tv/Intercom]

SHOUTING

TwIsTeD

Beasts Speak

Chapter 5: Vol 1 End

"You see, the blue jewel that grows in the center became the symbol of my family. They're hard to get due to the Zigena being classified as an endangered species." Explained Yihwa, yet she noticed Naruto didn't seem to be frowning and glaring at his back all the while Matatabi led the way, creating light for them so they weren't in total darkness, but they had to walk close to each other.

"Hey!" Her sudden shout flustered him, and he looked back as she walked up to poke his chest. "Are you even listening? I'm trying—" She was cut off by him suddenly turning away from her and walking ahead.

"I heard you; we should hurry to see the others." He said, confusing Yihwa while Matatabi stared at the flustered Naruto whose gaze lingered on the flesh walls moving, unsettling him, but that wasn't what preoccupied his mind, but the unfamiliar emotion of Yihwa pressed against him; the thought caused his face to redden before Yihwa suddenly leans in front of him, looking at him with worry.

"You've been acting strange since we got on here; what's the problem?"

"It's nothing, I'm fine!"

"It's obvious something is bothering you!"

"I don't know..."

"Liar!" She stands in front of Naruto, her hands on her hips. "Just out with it already—" She soon stops talking as she looks down to see Matatabi in front of her, placing a paw on her foot and shaking her head. This only causes Yihwa to stop talking and look up at the uncomfortable Naruto, who couldn't look at her.

"After I carried you out of the water when you were pressing against me..." Naruto's face got redder. "I don't know what this weird feeling is. Is this what you meant by being interested in your body?"

It was after he asked that Naruto met his gaze, and he found her face as red as his own, not realizing he had caused her heart to skip a beat.

"W-Well, as a guy, uh, you...um..." Her face got redder, and there was an awkward silence between them, with Matatabi sighing.

Tailed Beasts:...

Suddenly, Matatabi's ears perked up, and Naruto's eyes widened, and he turned fast, alerting Yihwa.

"What's happening?" Her question was followed by Matatabi creating a bright, fiery orb that shot up, giving light to the extensive tunnel of flesh where they saw something rising from the flesh. This tall, slim, slender humanoid flesh creature appeared slouching as it had no face but eyes with a Zigena flower where the face would be but no jewel; it had two arms and legs, the arms having three sharp claw fingers.

"What is that?" Mutters Yihwa as the grotesque creature slumps forward; it's fixated on them. Naruto frowns, and Matatabi growls, with Naruto getting in front of Yihwa.

"Stay behind me, Yihwa!" Naruto shouted, his voice steady even as he felt the weight of the creature's gaze, and before she could respond, it made its move, having already closed the distance as its long limb arm was already brought back and went for a swing as Naruto pushed Yihwa out of the way while he ducked, its claws cutting strands from Yihwa's hair before Naruto kicked it back, forcing it to skid before turning at the flash of light as Matatabi was already behind it, unleashing a fireball that consumes it which it falls back badly burnt. Seeing it hit the ground, Naruto extends a hand to Yihwa's side.

"Are you-" He shuts up, seeing her give him a glare, and brushes his hand aside as she crosses her arms.

"Why did you shove me away? I can handle myself!" she said, not at all pleased, which surprised the blonde as Matatabi got in front of him.

"Shut it, you idiot; it's obvious you wouldn't have reacted in time!" The cat's words angered Yihwa, who pints at the cat.

"I'm not some damsel in distress; I can protect myself!" This only got a roll of the eyes from the cat, who retorted.

"Sure, you would have, like how your body was easily taken control of and used against us; face it, you may have power, but you don't have control." The cat's words hit the nail on the head, which caused Yihwa to grit her teeth before they heard a rustle. They all turned to see it getting back up as the body suddenly started healing, absorbing flesh from its feet to spread throughout its body.

"I'll show you!" Yihwa suddenly said as she stepped forward. Her determination surged, and the heat of her flames cracked around her fingertips as she raised both of her arms.

"I can do this, I can!" she muttered under her breath, her focus sharpening on the grotesque creature gathering itself after Matatabi's attack. The twisted figure loomed as it stood up, fully healed and charged, yet with a fierce yell, Yihwa thrust her hands forward, unleashing a torrent of fire that surged toward the creature. The flames roared to life, engulfing the beast in a brilliant blaze that screeches. She watched with growing pride as the fiery onslaught consumed it, reducing the abomination to charred remains that scattered across the fleshy tunnel floor.

"See? I told you I could handle myself!" Yihwa exclaimed, turning to face Naruto, anticipation and pride lighting up her features, yet she just stood there. The smile froze, yet her eyes told a different story: horror. Just a few feet away lay Naruto, singed and shaking as his body was shaking with his clothing most burnt. A wave of panic washed over her as she realized what she had done. her gaze was on his left arm, burnt to a crisp and leaving dark patches of burnt skin.

"Naruto!" she cried out, rushing toward him till Matatabi got in front of her, stopping her in her tracks as Son Gokū and Saiken appeared in smoke; Saiken quickly used its slime on the burns while the ape glared daggers at Yihwa.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Matatabi demanded in a booming voice that caused her to flinch. "We are in a small space, and you can't control your powers for shit; your stupid pride has injured Naruto; what is wrong with-" The cat was silenced by a hand coming down on its head, stopping it as the cat turns with Son Gokū to see Saiken sitting on Naruto shoulder as slime covered his arm, slowly healing yet the blonde shows a weak smile.

"Stop, she didn't mean to do it on purpose." His words angered those who were about to talk back but stopped at seeing his weak, pained smile, causing the cat to look down at the ape, only glaring at Yihwa before disappearing in smoke.

"Yihwa..." Naruto stopped, seeing that she had tears in her eyes. She looked down at her hands in horror.

"I didn't mean to... I just wanted to help!" She started to take steps back.

"Yihwa, it's fine, I'm-" He couldn't finish as she turned her back to him.

"I'm sorry..." Was all he heard as she ran into the darkness.

"Matatabi, go after her!" His words caused the cat to look at him like he was crazy, yet the look in his eyes stopped all disagreement, and she reluctantly chased after her, leaving Naruto and Saiken.

"Will they be okay? Chōmei is still with Wangnan, Miseng, Goseng, and Akraptor, and Isobu is with Viole, Prince, and Horyang." Saiken asked as Naruto frowned.

"I think we should give her—" He stopped as the area suddenly shook, but Naruto kept his balance and glanced at his burnt arm before hurrying to the source. He felt worry coming from Isobu.

He looked around the corner with Saiken to see a large mound of dead creatures being stood upon by a single man while Viole, Horyang, and Prince stood before the man on the bottom of the mound of dead flesh. The man was quite tall, his red eyes and muscular body gaining the most attention before Naruto's gaze moved to Isobu, who glanced back at them.

Tailed Beasts: He's...

"Dangerous." Saiken finished as Naruto stared at the guy, radiating aura.

"Let's give up on this exam," Horyang was heard saying to Viole, who stood in front of them, staring at the man.

"I can't give up." Naruto's eyes slowly widened as he watched the Irregular approaching mystery man.

"Please, get away so you won't be put in harm's way. I'll take the exam." His words merely shock the larger man.

"Stop, Viole! We can try again next time!" Viole! Stop!" At that point, the man noticed something behind the three.

"I know you're hiding over there. Come on out!" His words caused Naruto and Saiken to jolt, and the others in the room turned to look behind them at the corner. Once I count to three, I will show no mercy if you don't reveal yourselves." His threat hangs in the air, Viole frowning as he looks at the corner where the two finally revealed themselves. Naruto stepped out with Saiken on his shoulder, and the three saw the injury on Naruto's arm.

"Naruto, what happened to your arm, and where's Yihwa?" Prince asked, but Naruto just looked uncomfortably away before gazing at the man looking at them.

"A new Baby?" He muttered, placing a hand on his chin. "Been a while since I've seen an Anima. Anyway, Babies, if I had known you had such a beauty on your team, I wouldn't have acted so harshly with you. How about this-" He stops at seeing Isobu move to Naruto's side before disappearing in smoke, the sight surprising the man.

"Let's go, Prince."

"Huh?"

Horyang explained to Prince as the two were making their way out of the large room. Naruto looked at them leaving while the man stared at Saiken, still healing his arm, before he spoke loud and clear.

"In a few minutes, the Zigena will flip its body. Fighting a weakling won't be fun, so we'll also play a game." This idea was unexpected. "The Zigena's Flower you're looking for is up there. We'll fall on it as the Zigena flips its body. If you get that Flower before I get you, I'll give you the flower, but if I catch you, I will take your life." A nod was given in response to his words from Viole while Naruto's eyes widened.

"Wait, what?!" Naruto shouted. "What kind of-" The man abruptly cut him off.

"All right. Then let's begin the game as the Zigena flips, boy." Viole stood ready and patient while Naruto stood in the same spot, shocked that he agreed to this.

"I don't like this game." Saiken mutters while Naruto grits his teeth.

"Is there anything I can do?"

Tailed Beasts: There isn't...

"Let's chat. While we wait FUG member, I want to know something. I may only know a bit about your organization involving taking over the throne of Zahard, but what's the fun of being King of the Tower? It's only been run by fuck ups. I want to leave the Tower." He raises and stretches both of his arms out. "There is a huge world, an endless sky, numerous stars illuminating the night. It's a place millions of times more expansive than the tower and freer. Don't you think that such a place exists to make what you guys want seem pretty trivial?" At that point, Naruto remained unresponsive as he stared at Urek, clear surprise on his face.

"I don't need stars, a crown, or the sky. But if someone is trying to hurt those who are precious to me, I'll fight." As Viole spoke, everything started to turn just as Viole made his move, appearing like a dark-blue comet as he passed by Naruto and Saiken, who were falling, both watching Viole heading for the flower that was now below them while the white-haired man watched as he floated in the air.

"One. Two." As he starts to count, he stretches his body, gaining cracks. His gaze moves to Naruto, who is watching, the blonde feeling completely useless. "Three. Four. Five. Six."

As the man continued to count, his eyes started to narrow. Despite the distance between him and Viole, he could see his teammate was falling, yet his back was towards the flower, and his body was facing him instead of focusing on the main game.

"Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten." With that, there was but a single flash of light that drew everyone's attention, with Naruto looking up at the most dangerous person he's ever met who's begun to make his move before back down at Viole, who was falling past Akraptor, who was floating thanks to his Chōmei he was holding onto with Wangnan while Horyang was flying through the air with a single wing and glowing arm, heading towards the foe who was about to go after Viole.

"Stop him before he attacks! Prince!" With that command, the light-pink lighthouses formed around the large man while Horyang was charging up his arm.

"You should at least bring an Opera to stop me for more than a millisecond at the bare minimum." Said the man before effortlessly swiping him away along with the lighthouses. The sight caused Naruto to bring his arms up to defend himself from the shockwave as the man then fell towards Viole and the flower just as Akraptor pointed his umbrella at the man as he fell with Wangnan, who threw his Pokeball at the foe, said ball drawing the mans attention.

"Is that a Pokeball?" Was all he asked before he was consumed by the mini-explosion from the combined attacks that was soon blown away a millisecond later as the man blew through it, going right past the two and catching up to Viole while Naruto could only fall, fear gripping his heart.

(I understand why you did everything you could to go up the Tower by yourself; it's because you don't want to lose more teammates or have more of your friends be used as hostages against you. Out of everyone I've ever met, you're by far the kindest. One day, when you are finally free from what binds you to be with your friends, we can share a drink and talk about our pasts. I feel like we are the same.)

"I have to do something!" As he thinks that, panic sets in as he doesn't know if he can really stop that man's assault.

"You're not running away?!" Questions the enemy who saw Viole preparing an attack. "ALL RIGHT! Then I'll show you the legendary power!" As he shouted, he pulled his arm back, now preparing to strike Viole; the two powered their strikes up.

"Supreme Kings/Floral Butterfly!" The two swung, but at that instant, Naruto, the foe, Viole, Horyang, Prince, and Arkraptor's eyes went wide upon seeing Miseng jump out of a tunnel chasing after another baby Zigena. The two attacks were about to collide, and their eyes turned to Miseng in shock, with Naruto just watching from where he fell.

"NOOOOOOOOoOoOoOoOoOoO!" As that single thought came to mind, a single spark ripped through Naruto. The man's gaze shifted from Viole to Naruto before his attention turned to an orange light appearing between their attacks. Everyone was blinded by the light that soon engulfed everything. Seconds later, the man stood over the injured Viole, who was holding onto Miseng protectively, while his gaze shifted to Naruto on the fleshy floor, unconscious with his beasts gathering.

"What?! " the man thought in surprise as he recalled how everything turned bright orange, followed by an explosion. In the following second, Wangnan landed with Prince Akraptor, Horyang, and Goseng. The group immediately went to Viole and Miseng's side. The girl started to sit up, unlike the unconscious Viole.

"Naruto!" When the man heard that shout, he turned, seeing Yihwa having arrived with Matatabi. The two ran to Naruto, who lay unresponsive on the fleshy floor, with Saiken and Chōmei looking over him worriedly.

"There's no way he would have been able to stop my attack. What did he do? Did he distort gravity and space, or was it time?" He places a hand on his chin in wonder. "Definitely orange in color; I don't think I've seen an orange before, but...hmmm, I could have sworn he had no Shinsu, but that was definitely Shinsu Quality, yet it took the shape of building blocks?" He smiles in amusement before it stops, seeing Yihwa sitting Naruto up with tears in her eyes; it was at that point his eyes widened at seeing it clearly on his back; it is a brand.

"The Workshop symbol, is he a product of their creation?" His train of thought ends as his gaze moves to the baby Zigena hanging from his right hand before Viole and Naruto's comrades, who looked ready for battle, especially Yihwa and the Tailed Beasts, who were glaring at him. His gaze shifts to the flower nearby that he had been watching over before it had hatched.

"Hey, babes, take this flower." He suddenly said, turning away as he glanced back at the flower on the fleshy floor, much to their surprise. "Now that this little one has been born, I no longer need that flower. I'll just give it to you and take the baby with me. This little FUG has shown courage facing me, but that guy has shown something even more extraordinary. The courage to protect a teammate while facing the strongest and someone who even surprised me in all these years." He said, now walking back with a wave; at this point, Horyang and Wangnan realized who that man was due to the tattoo on his back, a name.

[Urek Mazino: Ranked 4th in the Tower.]

As they realized that, Yihwa just held Naruto close to her, looking down at the unconscious blonde in worry.

"Huh...?" Slowly, a pair of eyes opened to stare at the ceiling, and he sat up, his eyes widening to find himself lying in bed. Turning to the side, he saw Yihwa sitting on a chair, leaning on his bed as she slept.

"She never left your side." This got his attention, and he saw Hwa Ryun leaning against the doorway slightly open. "She was so worried about you; surprisingly, a member of her family would act like that for a male."

Naruto doesn't respond but looks at the sleeping Yihwa. He brushes the hair out of her face and slowly smiles before seeing his arm completely bandaged up. He frowns at it before looking at Yihwa with worry. All the while, Hwa Ryun watches in silence just as Yihwa stirs from her sleep, sitting up tiredly before her eyes widen.

"Morning-" He was cut off by Yihwa suddenly taking his hands into her own.

"I'm sorry." Naruto's eyes widened when she saw tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry."

As a few seconds passed, Hwa Ryun had already left them alone, and slowly, Naruto pulled his hands away from her own.

"Yihwa, its fi-"

KIMIMARO THEME-OST

"IT'S NOT!" Her shout silenced him. "I could have killed you if it wasn't for Matatabi, I would have-"

"It wouldn't have worked..." His words almost got a shout of disagreement, only to see the sad smile on his face. "After all, for a time, I tried killing myself..." He removed the bandages on his arm; it was fully healed, much to her shock.

Kokuō: Naruto, are you sure...?

Son Gokū: You want to tell her?

"It's fine..."

"You tried..." She looked at him with disbelief. All the while, he had a sad smile, a tired one at that.

"When you lose the closest people to you in your life, the ones you were raised with and ended up loving more than anything, you lose your reason for existing because they were the reason. Being a creation of the Workshop, I was raised most of my life in a blank room, with no past to speak of but waking up in a test tube and going through experiments once let out. It was painful, yet none mattered when I had them; others, like me, were test subjects. Like them, I was a blank slate, but as we were placed in the same room, our lives slowly changed; they added color to my blank existence, giving me my name, personality, and a reason to live." He could only show a smile but devoid of happiness. "And being told that we had to kill each other one day because there could only be one...in the end, after everything was said and done, being given a chance to climb the Tower, I just couldn't...because my dreams meant nothing without them, my very existence had no meaning. Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Gokū, Kokuō, Saiken, Chōmei, and Gyūki belonged to them, but with their deaths, they came to me while I had Kurama, together they prevented me from trying to end my own life, nothing seemed to work until Matatabi said something to me that has always stuck to me..." He turns to look out the window, seeing the sun.

"Life has no purpose; we have to find that purpose. If I continue living in the Tower, maybe one day I'll find a new purpose. A family, one so big, one so fun, one so wonderful that every day, we can live our lives without the fear of Death, and in turn, I can keep my brothers and sister's memories alive. Everyone will know about them; you don't truly die if the memories of you still exist because, with memories, it proves they really were alive." After he finished saying that, he turned to see Yihwa staring at him with wide eyes. The sight surprised Naruto, who looked away.

"I know it's a lot to take in; it's fine if you aren't-" He stops as a pair of arms wraps around him and pulls him into a hug.

"Huh?" Slowly, he looks up, but his eyes widen at the tears falling from her eyes and onto his face.

"I spent my entire life wanting to be of use to my family, yet I've only thought of myself as some defective product that could never be of any use to my family. But you, all you went through..." Her body shook as the tears increased and fell more on Naruto's face. "I'm so sorry for what you went through. You don't deserve that, nor your family; no one does." Upon hearing those words, a new emotion filled Naruto as he leaned into her hug.

"Finding out my family used the Zigena and made it almost go extinct just for profit, using regulars to clean up their mess that sent groups to their death? How could they be so cruel? Is this what it means to Witness the darkness of the Tower? Is this the sacrifices that they willingly made without a shred of remorse? Have the Ten Families just allowed this? Have they been doing the same to innocent people without even consideration for the lives they could destroy?! This is wrong... Wangnan was right; this Tower needs to change."

OST END

With that said, she separated from Naruto and wiped her tears away, showing clear determination on her face, much to Naruto's surprise, as she stood up.

"My mother once told me that the stronger my power becomes, the more I should be afraid of it." She looks down at her hands. "Because the moment I neglect it, it would hurt everyone, but..." Her hands turn to fists as she looks at Naruto.

"She was wrong; how could I ever master it if I'm afraid of it? I ended up hurting you and many others...I don't want to be afraid anymore or a burden to others or you..." After saying that, Naruto's face starts to heat up just as a cloud of smoke appeared, and they turned, seeing Matatabi wagging her tails on the bed.

"Then it won't be easy." The cat jumps onto Naruto's lap and sticks a paw out towards her. "The training will be grueling and harsh, but if you want to master it, I will help. Remember what I told you when you were running away like a coward? There are those that have faith in you; don't disgrace their faith."

When he heard that, Naruto wondered what happened between them before Yihwa bowed.

"I won't disappoint you." The cat nods in understanding from her words, while Naruto ends up smiling before feeling a paw on his face and looking at Matatabi.

"Now, for you, you'll need to train a lot more as well, or she will end up kicking your ass after I finish training her." Right after that was stated, Naruto was surprised yet nodded while Matatabi jumped on Yihwa's shoulder and leaned to her ear.

"He may not realize it, but Naruto has a thing for strong women, especially with muscle, so you'll be training with weights to get an athletic body." When Yihwa heard that, her face turned red, and Naruto tilted his head in confusion.

"What did she say?" Naruto thought to the beasts.

Tailed Beasts: Nothing.

xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx

Author Message: With this, the next part begins with a time skip, and besides letting me know what you think of the chapter with what went on and specific parts you liked or disliked, let me know writing-wise for grammar how it is used Grammarly to help fix mistakes.