Naruto: Kōkai

by Ken Miyamoto

After the failure of the Sasuke Retrieval Mission the Council of the Hidden Leaf decides to punish Naruto with banishment from the village forcing the hand of Tsunade. Now alone and no longer a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Naruto decides to take his newfound life into his own hands. Follow Naruto Uzumaki as he tries to find his place in the ninja world.

38. Chapter 38

Yo, it's Ken.

I for one will be the first to say it but I highly underestimated my new role and how much time it would give me to write for Naruto Kokai and other stories by a lot haha that being said I'll be moving the upload dates back to Sundays for now while squeezing in a Wednesday upload where I can so they chapter dates will be updated from here on until I get that figured out.

Anyway, let's get to reviews!

Dragonkeeper10: Another epic summary as always, good to see you! Interesting that you mention that detail about Haruka, but you already know the rules, and so do I you'll have to read to find out. The clash between Naruto and the Bandit King is a highly awaited one for me and I'm glad you seem to be looking forward to it too, it'll be epic and who knows the old man's words could apply to it... Thank you for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

InsaneMakaioshin: Hey there I sure can, I know having to sift through so many interacting in the story can be a bit much, so I'll leave that for you and anyone else at the bottom of the chapter, so I don't take up a ton of room up here. We'll have to see after all this talk about the Bandit King he finally steps up to the plate, look forward to it. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Samuel Santillian: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Tayuya is very unaware of what's going on with her, she doesn't have any experience with anything like this, but she can tell that something is different, but she can't put her finger on it yet. That being said I did enjoy writing Tayuya getting like that haha. You bring up an interesting point here, after everything that was said about the Bandit King not mentioning that he beat Shomei himself. It may be time to step but we'll see you'll have to read to find out. Regarding Konoha I have their perspectives set up like this for a reason and we're getting closer to finding out that reason, but you'll have to stay tuned! Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Imperial-samaB: Interesting indeed, here's the next one for you! Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Kabundio: Poor Tayuya haha, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! I'm definitely looking forward to the chapter you're about to read as this is the big build up, I've been working tosince the beginning of the arc so I hoep you enjoy. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Alexander4443: Thanks as always bro! Thank you for reading I'll see you in the next one!

Engulfing Darkness: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! I'm sucker for redeemable villains, I'll admit it but there's something about writing despicable characters that hits just right, and I'll say it here first these villains are supposed to be despicable with some cases of not here and there but no spoilers haha. I'm glad you hate Shomei, I did my job now here goes with the Bandit king. The Konoha crew are on the trail, and I've been enjoying their perspective and writing it, so you'll be seeing more as we start to reach the climax of the arc and it'll be worth it, trust me. Lastly, when it comes to romance while it may not look like it, I have a plan. Pay attention to the names you listed and just know I'll be circling back to them soon. Fluff is a guilty pleasure of mine and better, yet I can use it here to develop characters so nothing but wins for me. I'm glad you appreciate those scenes as well. Thank you reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Krieger Techpriest: Krieger! Good to see ya. That's an interesting theory for Tayuya's survival right there, I wasn't expecting that answer but I'm glad to see it. Guess you have to find out by staying tuned haha. Ah good ole Tsubasa and our gal Fu, you're dead set on it and I can't say I hate it. keep on keeping on my friend haha. Naruto's growth in the series so far up to this point astonishes even me and I wrote the kid haha there are some people int he world that learn things at different times and he's learned a lot, but he hasn't learned everything he's still got a ways to go. Boro and Yugito huh? You're crazy and I'm a fan, don't stop being you. I'm glad you had so much fun with this chapter, this next one should be even more fun for you. Thank you again for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Zipzapdoowoop: It's always refreshing reading these! One thing I wanna point out is there's a method to the madness, I don't believe in the normal character arc style where a situation happens, the character's thoughts get challenged and then all the sudden they overcome it, and they're set. I believe that a good character arc has the character face multiple situations throughout the story, and they grow a little more from each one, this is my opinion of course but that's how I'm trying to handle a lot of the character arcs here. Haruka's character has only been introduced and she'll develop further, trust me. I'm also glad you pointed that out about Naruto, it's a deliberate choice I'm making that I want you to continue to pay attention to that as we approach the end of the arc, and you'll see what I'm doing. Speaking on love interests I wouldn't really call Haruka a love interest since to me that means more like a two-way thing rather than one side pining for the other but I digress, you know my rule about spoilers. Lastly, I'm aware that this isn't negative, even if it was, I'm open to criticisms of all types and will react accordingly, so please continue to be honest in how you feel. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

As always, I really appreciate all of you guys and everyone that reads this story that has come a long way since I started it. If you have any questions, thoughts, or criticisms feel free to leave a review I read through all of them and will try to get to as many of them as possible in the next chapter.

You guys are probably sick of hearing this by now, but I've been looking forward to this chapter for a long time and even now it feels super exciting to get to this point as we begin to approach the climax of the arc and all of the story elements building up to this arc. The Bandit King finally arrives and he'll be leaving an impression.

I won't go into too much detail but I'm looking forward to what happens next.

Thank you all again for reading and I hope you enjoy

-Ken

Next Time! Chapter 39: Resolve (10/20/2024)

{...}

Chapter 38: Consequences

A journey consisting of a million miles always begins with a single step.

Wise words that detail that in order to begin a journey one must be willing and ready to take the first step no matter how daunting it may seem, to allow the journey to just take its time instead of rushing it to the conclusion you wanted.

Whoever was the person who said these words… She wanted to strangle them.

Relearning how to walk was a pain in the ass.

"Tayuya, I know it sucks but just work with me here."

Naruto said while Tayuya held onto the bars with an annoyed glare on her face before she looked at her legs, "Why is it so damn hard to just put one foot in front of the other! Ugh, it's like my body is refusing to cooperate. My legs get fixed, and I still manage to find a way to piss myself off." the girl spoke, slapping one of the bars.

"You don't have to be so hard on yourself, you were kind of in a wheelchair for a year. It's not like even with your legs fixed your brain isn't going to be a fan of having to know how to walk again. Or maybe I spoiled you with all the carrying and you're being difficult because you still want to be carried…You can admit it."

Naruto teased while Tayuya rolled her eyes, "You must think you're real cute, don't you?" the girl said while the blonde chuckled before he grinned at her.

"And if I said I did?"

Naruto joked, causing a small chuckle to come out of Tayuya's mouth, "Shut up and take my hands, Mr. Charm. Flirting with my legs isn't going to make me walk properly any faster." the girl spoke while the blonde held his hands out toward her.

"Hey, you never know. Incentives are a good motivator."

Naruto said while Tayuya blinked, taking his hands with her own, "Oh? So, I can kick Boro hard in his ass once I've got this down?" the reddish haired girl joked with a growing smile on her face as Naruto laughed.

"If it helps then sure, go crazy."

Naruto spoke while he and Tayuya could have sworn that they heard a sneeze come from downstairs when he said that causing them both to laugh, the reddish haired girl then took a wobbly step while Naruto held on to her hands gently.

Tayuya winced a little, taking a step breathing out of her nose as she lined up another step, Naruto slowly backed up allowing Tayuya to take another step toward him. She could feel that her legs were getting a bit stronger with every step she took.

She looked up toward Naruto who grinned while looking down at her feet before he looked her in the eyes, his blue ones met her brown ones before Tayuya quickly broke eye contact opting to stare at her sock covered feet while walking.

For some reason they were easier to look at.

Tayuya took a few more steps before they reached the end of the bars, "Damn, over already? That was quick." the girl said brushing off her shoulder with one of her hands impressed with herself while Naruto nodded his head grinning.

"Tayuya, that was awesome. At this rate you'll be back up and ready to go in no time. See? All you need is a little patience and some effort, and this is no big deal at all."

Naruto said while Tayuya hummed before she looked down, "I wanna try again." the girl spoke while the blonde tilted his head.

"We've gone a few times already, you sure you aren't feeling sore? You can rest y'know?"

Naruto said while Tayuya looked up toward him, "I want to do it by myself. Walking to you." the girl said while the blonde raised an eyebrow.

"Tayuya."

"You just said I was kicking butt, I wanna try."

"I know I said that but-"

"Hey. Shut up and trust me."

"...Alright alright."

Naruto said taking Tayuya back to the starting point as the other side of the bars before he walked away to the other side standing there waiting for her while the reddish haired girl sucked in a deep breath before she looked at the blonde.

Tayuya took a step, Naruto flinched as he was about to move to catch her, but she didn't fall causing him to relax as she took another step more confidently. Her brown eyes almost sparkled as she took another step while the blonde adopted a surprised look on his face.

Tayuya chuckled before she slowly took her hands off of the bars, Naruto watched as she looked at him again before she took another step and then another. Naruto's smile grew as Tayuya kept taking steps toward him with more confidence.

She could make it.

She was going to make it.

"Tayuya! You're doing it!"

Naruto raised his voice while the girl smirked at him, "Of course I am. I'm the-" Tayuya was cut off as she suddenly stumbled right as she was in front of Naruto. She reached her arms out allowing Naruto to catch her before he looked at her.

"The strongest. Right?"

Naruto finished her sentence with a smile while Tayuya suddenly laughed a little, "Don't you ever forget it." the girl said while Naruto shook his head laughing before Tayuya held on to his back with her hands and pressed her head to his chest.

"Tayuya?"

Naruto asked while the girl held onto him, "When this is all over… You beat the bad guy and free the people or whatever the hell. We're still going to Uzushiogakure, right?" the reddish haired girl asked while the blonde teen nodded.

"Yeah, I didn't forget. At this rate we'll be walking side by side when we get there."

Naruto said while Tayuya smiled to herself, "You did say incentives were good motivators." the girl spoke while the blonde held on to her.

"Yeah, I'm sure you're ready to toss that wheelchair out of the window."

Naruto joked while Tayuya's smile faded, "Naruto… do you really have to constantly risk your life for people?" the girl asked while the blonde suddenly looked down at her head.

"Tayuya… Of course I do. I have to, because If I don't, who will?"

Naruto asked while Tayuya closed her eyes, "Do you? It just makes me wonder… When can't you be strong? Constantly fighting for others until you're almost dead… When do you get to be fought for?" the girl asked while the blonde looked up.

"I'm strong because I don't need to be fought for, I don't want anyone to have to fight or get hurt for my sake. So, I'll continue to get stronger and make sure that doesn't have to happen."

Naruto said while Tayuya looked up at his face, "That's not fair… We have each other's backs, remember? Stop trying to carry the weight of the world all the time. I know you want to make it a peaceful place, but what happens if you buckle under that weight?" the girl spoke while the blonde grinned.

"I can handle it."

Naruto said while Tayuya used one of her hands to pull his face down so he could look at her, "I'm going to get my strength back and this walking thing down… so that if you do ever fall, I can be there for you." the girl said while the blonde's eyes widened a bit before he chuckled.

"Alright."

Naruto caved while Tayuya exhaled out of her nose, "In the meantime, I'm sick of falling." the girl said while the blonde laughed looking at her.

"You're heavy too."

Naruto joked while Tayuya scoffed, "It's all muscle." the girl said while the blonde laughed before he looked her in the eyes again.

"It's ok if you do fall though, because matter how many times you do. I'll catch you."

Naruto said, causing Tayuya's expression to melt into a surprised and touched one while the blonde gave her a reassuring look, and just like that again this guy just had a way of completely shattering her demeanor with a few words and a look.

That damn look.

"... Good morning."

Haruka spoke from the door while Naruto and Tayuya jumped from the sudden voice causing them both to look toward her direction, the brown-haired girl had an awkward look on her face as she looked between the pair of teens.

"I um… Breakfast… it's ready... If you both are ready of course!"

Haruka spoke quickly before she turned around walking quickly away from the room while Naruto and Tayuya looked toward each other again, "Look what you did, scaring away girls. Way to hit a new low." the girl joked while Naruto rolled his eyes.

"How was breakfast made? I didn't cook anything."

Naruto pondered while he sat Tayuya down in her chair, "You know you aren't the only one who does stuff around here, be grateful." Tayuya said while Naruto began to push her.

"Hey Tayuya?"

"Yeah, Shithead?"

"I noticed you've had this smug look on your face since Haruka left, what's up with that?"

"...What look?"

{...}

Fu walked toward the dining room table where Tsubasa, Yugito, and Boro were sitting together, she was balancing multiple plates in her arms. Each plate had a combination of pancakes and eggs on it while the green haired girl smiled brightly.

"Seriously, I have no idea who drew these, but they went into way too much detail with my face… It makes me look like an actual dog!"

Boro complained while holding onto a wanted poster that had his face on it, a recent addition to the Renegades posters that had been added to several villages in the Land of Lighting. Along with Tsubasa's and even Fu's. Tsubasa looked toward the poster leaning from his spot to look at it before looking at Boro's face.

"...Looks about right."

Tsubasa said plainly while Boro narrowed his eyes at the teen, "Haha Captain Comedian. Do the world a favor and don't quit your day job. Yugi, please look at this and tell me it looks nothing like me!" the brown-haired teen said while Tsubasa felt a smile crack across his face.

"Don't call me that and I'm inclined to agree with Tsubasa."

Yugito spoke while she was almost meditating with her eyes closed at the other side of the table, "Not you too, you're not even looking at it!" Boro yelled while Fu walked over, placing a plate in front of the brown-haired teenager.

"Breakfast is served."

Fu said before she gave as close to a curtsy as she could, causing Boro to smile at her, "Definitely, the cutest server out there. You take tips?" Boro asked while Fu blinked at him before she tilted her head at him in confusion.

"Like… Life advice?"

Fu asked while Boro stared at her before he closed his eyes with an expression of pure bliss appearing on his face, "Never change, you precious creature." the yellow eyed teen said while Tsubasa looked between Fu and Boro before he looked away.

"Gross."

Tsubasa said while Boro's forehead ticked, "You're just full of jokes today, aren't ya?!" the brown-haired teen yelled while Fu giggled causing Tsubasa to smile again.

"Here you go, your food is served sir."

Fu said continuing her attempt at being fancy while Tsubasa gave her a look, "Thank you." the teen said while Fu tapped on his cheek with her hand before she placed Yugito's plate in front of her receiving a silent thanks from the woman.

"Wait, can't forget the best part!"

Fu exclaimed while she ran toward the kitchen, she quickly returned with a glass bottle filled with a semi-transparent brown liquid.

"Syrup!"

Fu yelled out while Tsubasa watched the girl pour the syrup on Boro's pancakes, "I didn't think the Land of Lightning would have had anything like this considering it's a northern product." the teen asked while Fu poured the syrup on his food.

"The Land of Lightning as particular as it is, still specializes in multiple different cuisines. Trading for stuff in the north isn't all that uncommon."

The woman said while Fu was about to pour the syrup on her food, but she stopped her, "Fu, I appreciate you, but I have no need for the syrup. I'm used to eating my food plain anyway." Yugito spoke while Fu gave her a look.

"Yugito, you're with us now. You don't have to hold back."

Fu said while Yugito shook her head, "I'm both a ninja and an adult. I don't need to indulge and I'm not holding anything back." the blonde woman said while she looked at Fu who was giving her a puppy dog look while blinking.

Yugito was a woman born and raised into the toughest of training, having both body and mind broken to hone her multiple talents that she utilized to execute on her orders given to her as a shinobi of the Hidden Cloud to her highest degree. Such manipulation surely wasn't enough to throw her off after everything.

Yet Yugito shattered in an instant.

"...Just a little."

Yugito spoke in a small voice while Fu grinned, pouring the syrup on her pancakes before she walked back to the kitchen, the woman stared at her covered pancakes before she picked up a piece with her fork slowly taking a bite from it.

She closed her eyes and the faintest of smiles appeared on her face, Yugito then quickly opened her eyes looking toward Boro who was grinning at her. "So, secret sweet tooth huh?" the brown-haired teen said before he received a death glare.

"Forgive me, Miss Yugito."

Boro said while he was pale before she went back to her food trying to hide her face as she ate, Tsubasa had an entertained look on his face as he ate, meanwhile Haruka was slowly coming down the stairs from the floor above.

"I gotcha!"

Fu exclaimed while she reached Haruka on the stairs taking her hand to help her down the rest, "Thank you." the brown-haired girl said while Fu nodded her head helping her down the steps. They reached the kitchen while Boro leaned looking toward Haruka.

"Hey there, Mom. The dynamic 'will they-won't they' duo coming down? The food's going to get cold."

Boro asked while Haruka tilted her head before she realized he was referring to her, "O-oh. Yes. I just spoke to them… Tayuya's finishing her therapy." the brown-haired girl said while Boro sighed.

"Let it take as long as it can. My ass is in danger."

Boro said trying to be humorous while Haruka only politely smiled at him, causing his expression to drop at his failed attempt at humor, "Forgive me." the honey eyed girl said, putting her hands together while Boro lifted his hand shaking his head.

"Nah… I'm fine."

Boro said with a pained expression while Haruka felt bad, "Don't worry about him, he's always like this." Fu said, giving the girl a nudge while Haruka looked a little more relieved at Fu's smile.

Naruto and Tayuya then came down the stairs as Fu set their plates down at the large table, "Come and eat!" Fu said while the blonde took Tayuya to her spot at the table before he started walking toward the kitchen rolling up his sleeves.

"So, whose plate is next? I'm surprised you guys were able to get all this done."

Naruto tried to help but was stopped by Fu pointing her chopsticks threateningly at the blonde, "Nope, you go sit down. No helping. Also, you can thank Haruka, she got up and made all of this so I'm helping her." the green haired girl spoke with a smile while Naruto blinked looking toward Haruka.

"Really?"

Naruto asked while Haruka froze looking toward him before she nodded her head, "It was the least I could do." the brown-haired girl said while the blonde smiled.

"Thank you."

Naruto said, causing Haruka to smile before he was being pushed out by Fu, "Go. Get outta here. Go eat!" the girl said while the blonde laughed at her pushing before, he caved putting his hands up.

"Alright. I'm going."

The teen said with a smile as he made it to the table, Fu then finally took her plate and Haruka's plate before they were all sitting at the table together. Her orange eyes looked around the table taking in the sight of everyone around her.

Boro looked toward Naruto pointing a finger at him, "Before you just go and sell someone's soul ask first." the yellow eyed teen said while Tayuya smirked at him, "Why? Cause you know I'm coming for ya?" the girl said while the blonde laughed.

"You heard that?"

Naruto asked while Tsubasa watched them with an entertained look on his face while Yugito did the same. She even saw how Haruka, as quiet as she was also giggling at their antics, never really realized it but this table they were at…

Was filled with people.

"Fu… Are you ok?"

Tsubasa asked while Fu looked toward him, she then noticed that her face was wet to the touch. She looked at her fingers before she looked back up toward the other side of the table.

At first the only thing she saw was a campfire with no one else around it, it was just her in the middle of the forest alone. That scenery then quickly changed to everyone at the other side of the table looking at her causing Fu to close her eyes and smile.

"No… It's nothing."

Fu said while Naruto quickly got up walking to the other side of the table before he sat next to Fu wrapping an arm around her shoulder rubbing it, "Stop, you're going to make me cry for real." the girl said while the blonde exhaled out of his nose.

"Go ahead."

Naruto said while Fu laughed as more tears came out, Yugito reached over rubbing the girl's hair. "Sorry, It's just… I'm not used to sitting and eating with this many people… I'm just a little overwhelmed with happiness, that's all." the girl said while Naruto continued to rub her shoulder.

Everyone smiled at the girl wiping her face before breakfast continued, the light from the sun poured in filling the room with natural light as the Renegades ate and laughed together. Meanwhile, someone approached the compound from a distance.

The figure got closer and closer to the compound before Naruto's ears perked as he turned around toward the approaching figure.

"Mr. Boushi?"

Naruto asked while the hat wearing man stood just outside giving a bow, "Good morning… I hate to interrupt but I've received big news." the man said while Naruto raised an eyebrow while the rest of the Renegades gave the man a look.

{...}

"An auction?"

Naruto asked while Boushi sat at the other end of the table before Tsubasa slammed his fist on the table, "Is it true? He's going to be there? The Bandit King himself?!" the gray-haired teen raised his voice while Fu gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

"It's not exactly uncommon for these auctions to take place, it's how many other bounty hunter groups gather their forces and how the Hidden Cloud picks up more new bloodlines via their deal with him."

Boushi said, causing Yugito to look away from the man, "However he's sent out the largest invitation he's ever sent out for this auction, usually these dealings are hidden quite well but this one seems to be an attempt to draw your group out according to what I was told..." the hat wearing man said while Naruto clenched a fist.

"You're telling me that he basically has all of these people he's just selling like merchandise? And they're all going to be in the same place? I don't care if he's trying to lure us out, we'll be there."

Naruto said while the rest of the Renegades looked toward him, "If Naruto sounds like that then I guess there's no choice, I'll try to come up with a catchy one liner for when this all finally ends for that bastard." Boro said while Fu's eyes brightened.

"After taking out his goons one by one we're finally here! That guy is going down for everything he did, not only to all those people but to my friends. We won't let you down!"

Fu exclaimed while Tayuya huffed, "Does it gotta be now? The bastard is going to be dead before I get a lick in myself. Hey, save his body until you get back to me, I got a punch waiting for that asshole." the reddish haired girl said while Yugito slightly smiled.

"This Bandit King has been nothing but a stain on the lives of the Land of Lighting, I'll be glad to be rid of him in this encounter. I follow behind you, Naruto."

Yugito spoke while she looked at Naruto who nodded, "While I appreciate you more than anything Renegades, there's something I have to say about the Bandit King… He is not your normal ninja, he's a monster with the ability to demonstrate his power only equal to his brutality. He's a killer through and through and isn't the kind of man to fall without a struggle." Boushi said while the blonde teen shook his head.

"This isn't my first time dealing with a guy like this. I assure you, we the Renegades are going to make sure this guy is taken down. We're going to win."

Naruto said while Boushi smiled a little before bowing his head, "I… I don't know how the village- no, this land would ever thank you for all you all have done for us." the hat wearing man said while the blonde boy smiled pointing at him.

"Just be free and happy. I can't really ask for much after that."

Naruto said while Boushi continued to bow before he sat up looking toward them, "I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your confrontation, you truly live up to your moniker you've gained." the man said, causing Naruto to raise an eyebrow.

"Moniker? Like a new one? I got a few already."

Naruto said scratching the back of his head while Fu and Boro laughed at the teen, "The location is Cumulon Village, it's just north from here." the man said, producing a map that Naruto took from the table dragging it over to himself to look at.

"Then we'll be leaving soon."

Naruto said looking at the map all the while Haruka just stared at the blond boy speechlessly as there was a hint of multiple different emotions in her eyes that her expression wouldn't portray.

Later on, the Renegades were gearing up for their latest fight to finally take down the Bandit King once and for all, "Man, you really weren't joking when you said one more. That mountain bastard died and all of a sudden the guy is just sick of it and finally came out from hiding to face us." Boro said while Tsubasa beside him was sharpening his sword silently.

"So, it's finally time. How are you feeling, bud?"

Boro asked while Tsubasa looked at his blade as it shined in the sunlight, "I… I've had this since that day. Before any of my other weapons, before I even learned how to fight. I always had this blade. The one I swore would be used to kill them all, it ironically enough feels like the last part of them. It's all I have left and finally it's time to kill him with it… How do you feel, with your past and all?" the gray-haired teen asked while Boro tapped his chin while thinking.

"I've always been a killer since I was a child, I killed the two most important people in my life. All that bastard did was show up to give me some half assed purpose, he made me his dog. I personally don't really hold some epic grudge against the guy because any of the damage done, I did to myself, but now that you guys are all I have, and he's been hurting a pregnant woman. I'm going to enjoy taking his life, maybe a little too much."

Boro said while Tsubasa looked away, "Don't worry about the whole purpose thing just yet man, we still have to kill the guy. Start thinking about it once he's buried." the brown-haired teen said while he gave the teen a smile.

"Yeah! Once this is done then in a sense, you'll be free too!"

Fu exclaimed, placing her hands on his shoulder causing his eyes to land on her smile, "Let's get something good to eat once it's all done with." the girl said while Tsubasa nodded his head before the girl jumped in the air pumping a fist into the air.

"Heck yeah! This is kinda cool! Sorry I'm so excited but doesn't this feel like the big climatic battle between good and evil like from the books!? It's a little strange being one of the good guys… but I'm ready!"

Fu exclaimed while she struck a cool looking pose at her words, her enthusiasm leaking off of her frame in waves as Boro began to laugh. Tsubasa smirked at the girl's antics while from their side Yugito walked to Fu's side casting a glance toward the trio of teens.

"I understand you all must be feeling strongly about this fight, but I want you all to stay focused and remember. This Bandit King is a powerful ninja from what we've been told, make sure to keep that in mind as we clash with him."

Yugito said while the trio of teens gave her a look before nodding at her causing Yugito to look at them before looking away, "...But. If we do our best. We'll certainly succeed." the woman said, doing her best to try to sound inspiring before Fu pulled her into a hug while Boro and Tsubasa smiled at the woman from the floor.

"I was being serious with what I said."

"I know."

Naruto said while he looked down at Tayuya in her chair, "This Bandit King guy has been a thorn in our side for far too damn long. He's caused a hell of a delay in our trip, I'll say that." the reddish haired girl said while the blonde teen chuckled.

"You're that eager to get back on the road to camping again? Uzushiogakure isn't exactly running anywhere."

Naruto said while Tayuya's expression shifted into a more serious one, "Knowing you, this fight shouldn't exactly be an issue but the way that Boushi and hell even most of his goons have talked about him. He sounds more dangerous than anyone we've encountered as of yet…" the girl said while the blonde smiled at her.

"So… Ferry or walking?"

Naruto asked while Tayuya raised an eyebrow at him, "I'm trying to be serious here, Shithead. This guy doesn't sound like he's just some joke." the girl said while Naruto nodded his head.

"I'm aware. However, we're going to win… I know it's going to be a harsh struggle, but we'll get through it. We always do, so the only thing I want you to think about is how you want to make the trip. We'll take care of the rest."

Naruto said reassuringly while Tayuya huffed, rolling her eyes, "You know damn well, that isn't going to be the only thing going through my mind." the reddish haired girl said while the blonde looked into her eyes.

"I know."

Naruto said while Tayuya looked back into his eyes before she gave him a gentle punch to his chest, "I better not be putting you back together when you get back." the girl said while the blonde laughed.

"You've got Haruka, right? In case anything happens, I trust you of course if anything happens."

Naruto said while the girl huffed, "Shut up… Yeah I got her, Mr. Worrywart." Tayuya said while the blonde young man smiled at her before his gaze went to Haruka who was staring at him.

"One sec."

Naruto said while Tayuya watched as he walked over to the brown-haired girl, she huffed slightly at the sight of the pair before she rolled toward the rest of the Renegades. "Naruto." Haruka said while the blonde walked over to her.

"You're worried… I can tell. It's only been a little bit since we pulled you away from his grasp, I'm sure he's still affecting you deeply."

Naruto spoke while the honey eyed girl looked at the rest of the Renegades before she looked back at the blonde, "Naruto… that man… You don't know what he's capable of… what he's done. The kind of monster that he is…" Haruka said while Naruto shook his head.

"You're right, I don't. I do know that anyone who has to hide behind that many people are weak themselves. I can't let him get away with what he's done, not to you or anyone else. I'll make sure of it."

Naruto said while Haruka's honey-colored eyes looked into his almost pleadingly, "You don't understand… I've seen it… I've seen what he's done to his enemies. He's not like Shomei. His words don't just make him sound like a monster; he just is one. If I can look at you and not see a demon… then the only thing I see when I think about him is one." the girl said while the blonde grabbed her shoulders gently.

"Well, it's a good thing that it takes monsters to fight monsters. We won't let him get to you. He's never going to be able to hurt you again, Haruka."

Naruto said while Haruka looked back into his eyes, "I still don't know what I've done to deserve your kindness." the girl said while the blonde chuckled, placing a hand on her head.

"This world, it doesn't have to be war. I believe that if there's effort that is needed to make the world a kinder place then people will put in the work to make that happen. It's got to start somewhere, so I'll be kind to everyone so they could be kind to someone else. Anyone who tries to ruin that, is someone I'll win against. Believe it."

Naruto said his catchphrase while Haruka stared at the blonde for a moment before she nodded her head, "Be careful." The brown-haired girl spoke softly while the blonde gave her hair a little rub before he smiled walking toward the rest of the Renegades.

"Alright guys! Let's finish this!"

{...}

Sweat rolled down the brow of a young man who was breathing in a rhythm to call himself down as his eyes peered at a curtain in front of him.

He was finely dressed wearing a black dinner jacket with a white shirt that had a rosebud in the front pocket and a pair of jet-black sunglasses over his eyes, another hand dabbed at his forehead with a small towel wiping the sweat away.

This wasn't his first rodeo.

He's done auctions like these before… far too many if you asked him. Yet the nerves never got any better for him, he didn't think they ever would. There was something about this particular auction that was unnerving him even more than usual.

Maybe it was finally getting to him? He was tired of the performance he had to put up for the sake of the auction and the Bandit King, tired of seeing the faces. Tired of seeing them look at him as he sold their lives away to others.

He didn't have a choice though; this performance is the only thing that was keeping him alive. He couldn't fight back; he knew that they would kill him the minute he even thought about rebelling. Even if he had to keep receiving their looks and feeling the guilt.

He had to continue to perform.

The young man slicked back his dirty blonde hair, before his assistant did a few more adjustments to his clothes. "You're on." the young woman said while he looked at her and nodded before she walked past several chained-up people.

The young man gave them all a passing look before he tugged at his collar turning toward the curtains slowly opening in front of him.

"Forgive me."

The dirty blonde man spoke before the lights of the stage revealed him quickly shifting to a more jovial personality, "Welcome one and all! On behalf of our lord, I present a special auction filled with the highest quality of merchandise!" the young man called out while he looked at his audience.

In the crowd there were several different gang leaders, leaders of several other small villages from the Land of Lightning, and Hidden Cloud shinobi that had been working for the Bandit King. However, the main focus of the rarely seen head of the event, a heavily guarded elevated seat inside the tower with an opening toward the stage.

Where the Bandit King himself was going to be watching the auction from creating even more stress on the young auctioneer.

"I won't waste any of your precious time with small warm-ups and will begin with our biggest items just to get the blood pumping! Hailing from this very village you are standing in I present our first three items each with their own innate techniques!"

The auctioneer called out while the buying crowd below him watched as three people were pulled out from the backstage area, one was a beaten looking older man with dark gray hair, another was a young woman with blue hair, and the last a young boy with dust colored hair who looked terrified.

All the while the villagers who lived there could do nothing but watch from their homes as they watched their own people standing on stage ready to be sold, helpless to do anything.

"Here we have product number 1! Who utilizes a special Kekkei Genkai that allows him to take on traits of various creatures and gain limited access to their abilities! Standing at 197cm at the age of 53, he has the strength of an ox, The speed and ferocity of a tiger, and the fluid movements of a snake!"

The auctioneer called out while the older man merely glared into the audience who began talking about him, the auctioneer gave him a nervous look while the older man continued to glare.

"Hey uh… the people need a showcase of your ability. If you could please just do that really quick."

The auctioneer said while the older man's dark eyes flicked toward the shorter man, "I won't act as entertainment to any of these fools. Including that blasted false king." the older man said while the auctioneer looked at the audience breaking a sweat.

"Look, if you don't do this. They'll kill all of you. Starting with the girl and the kid."

The auctioneer said, causing the older man to jerk toward him, bull horns stuck out of his head before the stage shook from him pulling at his chains toward the auctioneer. The dirty blonde-haired man flinched before he quickly recovered, displaying his hands toward the man.

"There it is! He carries with him experience and a heavy sense of loyalty, once you've broken past his stubborn demeanor, you'll find an incredible asset!"

The auctioneer said while the older man gave the young woman and the scared boy a concerned look before he looked away, "500,000!" "650,000!" a bunch of voices were beginning to yell out amounts while the auctioneer lifted his hand.

"I understand you are all eager but there's still two more items before bidding begins! Next standing at 154cm aged 24! Dubbed the blue dancer for her swiftness and fierce fighting style on the battlefield before the end of her career as a shinobi. Product number two utilizes a Hiden that allows her to manipulate water not only out of thin air but within any object that contains water such as other people making her a force to be reckoned with!"

The auctioneer called while the young woman looked away in shame at the mention of her past, while the young boy beside her gave her a look. "It's ok… We'll find a way out of this… I won't let them hurt you." the blue haired woman said while the auctioneer gave her a nod before she took a breath.

She gracefully allowed her hand to glide through the air, the audience watched as water began to form small bubbles around her before she lifted her hand into the air. The orbs of water lifted into the air growing larger before she closed her fist causing them to violently burst sending water back down like rain.

She looked down while the audience spoke excitedly among themselves, the young woman then looked toward the dust-colored haired boy trying to give him a reassuring look before the dirty blonde auctioneer stood in front of him.

"Item number 3 may look young but don't let that take away from the sheer amount of potential he holds within him! Standing a 132cm at age 9! He utilizes a Kekkei Genkai that allows him to cover parts of his body with hard steel, unbreakable to normal blades!"

The auctioneer called out while the young boy began breathing faster, "Hey… it's ok just show them. It'll be really fast." the young woman said to him gently while the young boy looked at her before he looked at the crowd.

Their eyes stared into his soul waiting for him to give them a show making it harder for the boy to breathe as he began to slightly hyperventilate, "I… I can't." the young boy said while the auctioneer turned toward him with a look of concern.

"Yes, you can. Look at me, yes you can. You can do it. It doesn't have to be long at all."

The young woman continued to speak to him reassuringly before the auctioneer stared toward the boy, "Kid, you gotta do it. It's for your own sake." the auctioneer said while the boy closed his eyes shut while shaking his head.

"I can't! I'm too scared I can't!"

The young boy panicked while the audience began speaking amongst themselves again, the dirty blonde man then noticed a Hidden Cloud shinobi walking up the stage. In his hands he held an axe making the auctioneer break a sweat.

"Kid!"

"I can't breathe."

"Listen to me, it's ok. You can do this."

The three of them spoke while the older man watched the ninja with the axe walking closer, he tugged at his restraints while the shinobi grew closer to them. The young boy continued to panic while the young woman and the auctioneer continued to try to console him.

The shinobi was now standing in front of the boy pushing the auctioneer out of the way before lifting his axe, The ninja then swung it downward on top of the boy while the blue haired woman's eyes widened as she reached toward the man pulling on her chains.

It was too late, however.

The axe shattered to pieces as it made contact with the boy's now steel covered arms, the audience looked on in surprise while the boy cried. The older man and the blue haired woman stared at the boy while the auctioneer quickly turned.

"What a display indeed! With a heavy swing of an axe, he easily shattered it to pieces with merely a technique! With time and training, this boy could prove to be quite the weapon on the battlefield one day!"

The auctioneer played off the situation while the older man glared darkly at the crowd before the auctioneer stood in front of the man, "Now that we have your attention. We can start the bidding! Could we start with 700-" the auctioneer was suddenly cut off by the sound of chains breaking behind him.

He suddenly felt the tight grip of an arm wrapping around his neck, the auctioneer choked while the older man held him. The Hidden Cloud shinobi on the stage was about to attack him but he felt his body bending unnaturally before he was suddenly pinned to the ground.

The blue haired woman glared while she held her hands out toward him, the young boy watched as the older man stepped forward. His dark eyes seemed to flare as he stared down at the audience, "I understand you are just as much of a hostage as we are… however I can't stand for this any longer." the man addressed the auctioneer before he took another step forward.

"This auction… Selling souls… endlessly killing and for what? Your king? The coward who hides away in the shadows and controls your entire world through fear alone? Who promises you something to gain in a world where only he stands above all else? I'm tired. I'm tired of it all. I'm tired of watching him place his boot on the spines of those who defy him! Tired of watching his power run rampant and being too afraid to do anything while he takes it all away!"

The older man yelled while the audience stared at him, he walked closer to the edge of the stage letting the auctioneer go before he pointed a finger at the tower where the Bandit King was sitting gritting his teeth as he growled.

"You! For far too long this land has allowed you to get away with too much! All I wanted was a life away from war! I just wanted peace! These people just want peace! Yet you take that away because you believe you're unstoppable, you believe that no one can stand up to you! That's not the case anymore, is it?! You're here because you have something you're afraid of now! You're trying to drown us and everyone in fear to hide your own, because you know he's coming for you!"

The older man yelled before he looked at the audience again, "We've heard the stories, we've seen the results, and we know that he's coming! The one thing that even a king like yourself fears. The strength of someone who can defeat you and end your reign of terror! We won't hide away in fear anymore! We won't be afraid of you because when he comes then you'll understand that you're just like the rest of us and that your power means nothing!" the man continued to yell while villagers in their houses listened to him.

"Even if I don't survive this… I have hope. If even this kills me, I'm already aware. There's a change that's come to this land, a change that will allow it to finally be free away from the hands of a dictator like you. A change that comes in the form of a demon."

The older man said while the audience had various reactions to the word causing the man to smirk, "That's right… You all are already aware of him yourselves. You already know of the death of the God of the mountain. The deaths of all of the King's closest men. All because of… your fears made flesh. Approaching you to burn away your stain on the land, to bring peace instead of your false freedom. The man who'll take that crown off of your head and end your reign… Naruto Uzumaki…" the older man tailed off as he looked back up toward the tower.

"The Usurper!"

The older man yelled out while the audience stared at him silently for a moment before they all started to laugh at him, his eyes widened while they continued to mock the man standing in front of them. "The Usurper? That fool isn't coming to save you!" "You'll die alone and in vain, you old bastard!" "Our king isn't afraid of anything!" the various voices called out while Hidden Cloud shinobi appeared on the stage.

"I see… Even still. I believe… You'll be meeting your end, False king. So will the rest of you who follow him."

The older man said while the crowd continued to mock the man while the young boy looked at him with a glimmer of hope in his own eyes, the same with the blue haired young woman as the older man closed his eyes as the ninja approached.

However, no blows had landed. Instead, the only thing that the old man felt for a moment was a change in air pressure.

Naruto flipped, landing directly in the middle of the stage blasting the ninja backward from the stage while the older man looked at the blonde in surprise, the audience suddenly went silently staring at the blonde standing in front of them.

"What's wrong? I thought this was some kind of bid. You guys are really quiet for people who were just trying to buy these guys… So, I'm here now. Name your prices."

Naruto spoke while the audience continued to stay silent as the young boy looked at Naruto with a bright surprised expression while the young woman breathed a sigh of relief at the blonde who walked on the stage waiting for a response from them.

"No one, huh? Well, I'll name my own price then."

Naruto said while he stopped looking up toward the tower before he narrowed his blue eyes at it slowly pointing his finger at it.

"His crown."

Naruto said while suddenly from both sides, the rest of the Renegades appeared. The audience panicked as the team attacked them, all the while the older man kept his eyes on the blonde teen's back as the light shined around him.

Naruto meanwhile never took his eyes off of that tower.

{...}

The sound of weapons clashing filled the air as the Renegades clashed with the buyers from the auction, the older man quickly grabbed the boy and the young woman from the stage.

"You guys stay back!"

Naruto yelled while he dashed into the fray, the young boy continued to stare in wonder at the blonde who actively moved toward the fighting.

Boro spun his hatchets as he deflected a sword swung from one of the buyers, he elbowed the man in the face before sweeping his leg from underneath him. The brown-haired teen then flipped slashing into the downed man before cutting through the swinging blade of another buyer.

The blade shattered to pieces as Boro quickly turned, slashing the buyer's throat, "Jeez, let's try not to get worn down by these guys. The big fish is still waiting!" Boro yelled he pulled rocks from the ground making them sharp before he launched them toward more buyers.

Fu blocked several strikes with her wings before she unfolded outward striking multiple buyers before she took in a deep breath, "Scale shot!" The girl yelled before a large cloud of scales came out of her mouth. The buyers were engulfed by the scales before they started to shimmer, they suddenly exploded before Fu flew through the explosion of scales.

She planted a heavy kick into the chest of another one of the buyers as she turned her vision toward the large wooden structure, her eyes slowly resembling Chomei's as she nodded her head. "There's someone in there! Looks like he's watching!" Fu yelled while Tsubasa's eyes widened from where he was fighting.

Tsubasa turned his glare toward the buyers before he instantly slashed through a few of them standing in his way as his sight narrowed on the tower, after all this time. After everything that had happened to them it was finally time to come face to face with that man again.

Nothing would stand in the way of that.

Tsubasa cut down a few more of the buyers standing in his way before he suddenly blocked a strike from a curved blade, his feet slid backward slightly from the impact before he lifted his head to glare at his attacker who swung his blade and chain.

"Tsubasa of the Renegades, I won't allow you to get any closer to the bandit king. Your group's reign of terror ends here."

The Hidden Cloud shinobi spoke while Tsubasa growled, "Get out of my way!" Tsubasa raised his voice while his blade ignited with his flames, the shinobi's blade sparked to life with electricity before both the blade and the chain he was holding was covered by lightning.

Tsubasa's feet ignited with flames before he was about to dash at the ninja who began approaching him, but he was stopped by the sound of an impact that the Hidden Cloud shinobi blocked, "You!" the ninja said while the smoky-haired teen spotted Yugito standing in front of the ninja.

"Tsubasa… Go. We can't let that man escape again. This ends here."

Yugito spoke while the teen's orange eyes looked at her with surprise before he narrowed them into a serious look. He dashed leaving only a trail of fire in his wake as the blonde woman turned her attention back toward the Hidden Cloud ninja.

"What is the meaning of this, Yugito? You stand with these Renegades now? After everything they did? They're here to sabotage our deal that we had with that man, if they reach him, we'll lose all of it."

The ninja spoke while Yugito's eyes flashed a blue color before her nails grew, "Anyone who takes part in dealings regarding people's lives… Is no ninja." the woman said while the shinobi growled, spinning his blade quickly before launching the weapon of the blonde.

Yugito easily avoided the weapon stabbing toward the ninja with her nails, the ninja barely avoided the attack before he tugged his blade backward. Yugito ducked under the blade allowing it to return to the ninja who spun the lightning-covered weapon into a tight circle trapping the blonde in its radius.

Yugito's eyes quickly watched the weapon's path as it spun around her before she started to weave through the attacks as the ninja spun it harder trying to strike Yugito with the weapon, the attacks carved into the ground while the ninja added more speed to it.

Yugito continued to glare at him while she didn't falter in avoiding the attacks, she narrowly dodged another attack before the weapon was pulled back toward the ninja. The lightning cracked loudly as it intensified on his blade before he swung it downward on top of Yugito bringing a large lightning bolt down with it.

The ninja jumped backward out of the smoke, staring toward it as he held his weapon out defensively, "She'll be on the attack again at any secon-" the ninja's words died in his mouth as blood shot out from the side of his neck suddenly.

He looked to his side with shock, spotting Yugito had already landed on her feet a little further behind him, he then grabbed onto his bleeding neck as he dropped to his knees. He choked a little before he landed face down on the ground.

"As Shinobi, I understand we have a responsibility to our land… but since when did that mean treating other people's humanity as a sacrifice for our own? This deal for their lives…"

Yugito trailed off as she spotted several more Hidden Cloud approaching her with their weapons drawn ready to attack her, for a moment she thought about Killer Bee and then Naruto as she turned to face them, her nails cloaking with blue flames.

"I'll tear it apart with my own hands."

Yugito said as she charged toward the men, meanwhile Tsubasa was getting closer and closer to the tower. He cut down as many buyers and ninja that stood in his path as possible before he was almost there, he was so close to reaching it.

To reaching him.

A few more Hidden Cloud ninja intercepted Tsubasa who was ready to cut them down only for Naruto to land in front of the ninja crashing into the ground on top of one of the ninja. The two teen's eyes met with an instant understanding as Tsubasa continued ahead toward the tower.

"All eyes on me. I'm not letting you guys stop him, this ends here."

Naruto spoke while the ninja looked toward him almost fearfully while they drew their weapons to attack him. The blonde teen met them in kind while he watched Tsubasa run closer to the tower, finally reaching it before he started to climb.

"Go Tsubasa!"

Naruto yelled while the gray-haired teen climbed up the tower as quickly as he could. The only thing on his mind was that night, the look on his face as he watched his home burn down around him. The way that he taunted him to burn.

After this it would be over.

He would kill him, and it would finally be over!

Tsubasa made it toward the top of the tower kicking the door down as he entered the room, wood splinters flew past his face as an almost blind rage had taken him over. There a man stood cloaked in the shadow of the room, his cape touching the ground as he barely turned to face the gray-haired teen.

"Long time no see. King."

Tsubasa growled out as he immediately dashed toward the man, the flame on his blade blazed violently as he attacked.

Naruto dusted his hands off as the ninja who attacked him were laying on the ground, Fu dashed over toward him while she was looking around. "Hey! Did he make it?" the girl asked while the sound of an explosion caught their attention.

The tower had burst into flames engulfing the entire thing in Tsubasa's fire, "...Guess that answers that." the girl spoke while the blonde was about to move toward the explosion, but his ears suddenly perked. His eyes turned red as red chakra bubbles on his back forming an orange tail.

He made his tail larger covering both himself and Fu from a large fireball that suddenly slammed against the blonde's guard, Naruto moved his tail narrowing his eyes at the attackers before he spotted, they had the young boy from the stage hostage.

"You didn't honestly think that this was just a mob of pushover bounty hunters, did you? For someone who has it out for the king you sure are foolish… and soft."

The bounty hunter said while he had two of his own men holding down the older man and the blue haired young woman, "It's really simple. You let us kill you and these people get to live. The boy doesn't have to get hurt; I know how your type of people works. Protecting the innocent and what not. Do the smart thing and just surrender. Unless you're really that confident in you-" the bounty hunter was cut off by the sound of two impacts.

He looked around himself, spotting two of the men standing behind him and holding down the older man and young woman were already crashing into the ground, his eyes widened in shock before he looked ahead of himself, spotting only red eyes as Naruto stood directly in front of him.

"This stuff gets old. Fast."

Naruto said while the bounty hunter didn't even have time to react before suddenly the boy was gone from his arms, the bearded man stared at his open arms in shock before he turned around, the blonde teen was already standing behind him walking toward the older man picking himself up off the ground.

"Run. Seriously this time."

Naruto said while the older man took the boy from the blonde teen's arms with a look of amazement, the blonde felt as if he was a force of nature to them while the bounty hunter's eyes widened at the teen approaching him.

No one should be that fast.

His movements almost felt instantaneous, far faster than any ninja he's met so far. What exactly was the rank of this kid? He didn't move like a high B-rank or even a genin, He clearly has to be A-rank but even then, that still didn't feel like enough to describe the sheer amount of strength that came off of him.

Could he be closer to an S-rank?

The bounty hunter pondered as Naruto was in front of him already, the man gritted his teeth and immediately struck at the teen point blank with a fast jab only for the blonde to dodge it. The bounty hunter's eyes widened as he threw multiple attacks at the boy at their extremely close range, only for none of his attacks to reach the blonde who moved through them like the guy was attacking in slow motion.

Naruto leaned backward from another punch before he smashed a fist into the bounty hunter's side, the man's eyes went wide before he coughed up blood flying into the ground cratering it underneath himself. The bounty hunter stood up forming hand signs.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

The bounty hunter yelled, firing the flames at Naruto who swiped his hand cutting through the fireball, another one of the bounty hunters jumped behind Naruto spinning before kicking the blonde in the back of his head. Barely phased, the teen looked back at the bounty hunter with his red eyes before he snatched the man out of the air, smashing him into the ground while three more bounty hunters rushed him.

Naruto blocked and deflected their attacks from three sides while the leader of the bounty hunters got back to his feet running to flank Naruto as he weaved more hand signs, the blonde dodged before he countered one of his attackers holding him in place before using his free hand to plant three quick punches sending him flying backward.

Naruto then deflected another attack before slamming an elbow into another one of the bounty hunter's chests causing the attacker to cough before holding his gut, Naruto then dodged the last bounty hunter's attacks before he opened his palm in front of him.

The man was blasted by a hard impact of wind sending him flying through several trees, Naruto then landed a kick on the second attacker who was still holding their chest smashing them into the ground, "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!" the head bounty hunter yelled, firing a large stream of fire at Naruto who looked toward it.

The flames engulfed the teen while the head bounty hunter only focused on blasting him with the flames adding more chakra to them to make them hotter and bigger, the stream of fire roared while the head bounty hunter noticed it flicker before Naruto's fist came out of his slamming against his jaw.

The rest of the fire stream died in his mouth while Naruto attacked again, pelting the bounty hunter with a series of jabs and hooks that he could barely defend against while the blonde attacked relentlessly pushing the man backward as more and more attackers landed on him before another punch sent him into the stage.

"I just don't get it… How can you do it… How could anyone do it? Taking pleasure from the misery of others. How do you even force yourself to be ok with that? All of it for what? Power? Status? I just really don't get why these people have to suffer for you or your king's sake."

Naruto said while the bounty hunter chuckled from the ground, "Just as taking hostages gets old for you, hearing platitudes gets old for me… You just don't know what kind of a blessed life you've lived if you seriously managed to convince yourself that there's still good in this world. That you can make any kind of difference in it. You haven't had to dig yourself into the grim just to survive, hell you don't even truly understand what it means to be free... To just want to live in this damned world. That's why he's our king… this world he gets it. The only true way toward living in this world is through him and I won't let anyone take that from me!" the bounty hunter yelled before he finished his discreet hand signs.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The head bounty hunter yelled while he shot out a large fireball shaped like a dragon's head; the other downed bounty hunters fired several Wind Style jutsu at the fire making it grow massive before it spun in the air changing its direction toward the houses of the villagers.

"In order to live, I'll do whatever it takes! Would you, Demon?!"

The head bounty yelled while Naruto looked at the massive fireball falling toward the village below it, the blonde gritted his teeth before he blasted himself into the air toward it. The rest of the Renegades and the villages watched from below as Naruto held his hands out toward the fall mass of fire.

It roared while Naruto pushed against the sheer amount of heat coming off of it, Naruto and the jutsu fell closer to the village while the blonde blasted wind chakra against it. The fireball kept consuming the wind chakra that the blonde was trying to contain it in making it bigger.

"Damn it!"

Naruto yelled while Fu spread out her wings, "Naruto!" the girl yelled while the blonde kept blasting wind chakra against it as it fought back against the wind. Harder, he had to push harder. He wouldn't let a single one of these villagers get hurt. Even more wind chakra blasted from the blonde's palms as they got closer to the village.

"Come on!"

Naruto yelled as one of his eyes turned blue again before even more wind chakra blasted against the fireball, the dragon head roared as the massive flame was being contained by the large wind chakra. Everyone on the ground watched the fireball become compressed in the wind chakra becoming smaller.

The head bounty hunter watched in shock as the blonde spun with the smaller ball of fire rotating around him, Naruto's one blue eye and his one red eye glared toward the head bounty hunter who closed his eyes before he opened them again ready to fire another jutsu.

"You idiot!"

Naruto roared while he kicked the fireball down directly on top of him and the stage, the fireball exploded only sending its flame down the middle of the large road in the middle of the village destroying the stage and the main gate at the back of the village but avoiding any of the homes.

Naruto had a slightly disappointed look on his face while he landed back on the ground, he watched was left of the stage crackle before he sighed looking back toward the rest of the village.

{...}

A breeze went through the open door leading to the dining room of the Renegades compound, Tayuya had her eyes closed as her hair moved slightly at the wind while Haruka was sitting the flowers in the gras ahead.

It was peaceful.

A rare setting for her situation they were in all things considered, but she decided she would blame Naruto for this sense of peace. Hopefully he doesn't take too long getting back this time.

A sound suddenly caught her attention making her open her eyes, it was a cracking noise. She looked over at a vase holding one of the yellow flowers Haruka had brought it that Naruto potted for her, the reddish haired girl looked at the pot curiously.

It had suddenly formed a crack in it.

"Huh."

Meanwhile back at the village Naruto's eyes filled with a realization that his tail was still swinging, and his whiskers were still enlarged while he looked toward the crowd of people who were staring toward him, he had no idea what their reaction was going to be.

He slightly flinched as the crowd of the villagers began to applaud him.

The blonde teen looked around at the crowd as they began to cheer, his eyes landed on the smiling faces of the grateful villagers while he chuckled. He… wasn't expecting this. His friends were one thing, but he used the Nine Tails chakra around normal people, and they weren't afraid to see it.

They were cheering for him instead; a village was cheering for him even after the fact.

"He's more than earned it."

Tsubasa spoke while walking toward the gathering Renegades with a small smile on his face while Boro sighed with a grin settling on his features as well.

"That's Naruto for ya, what a guy."

Boro said while he gave the gray-haired teen a look, "Wait… What happened to the Bandit King? Was it seriously that easy to go in there and blow him up? The guy died kinda fast even for me." Boro said while Tsubasa adopted a disappointed look on his face.

"The bastard started laughing the minute I attacked him… It wasn't him. It was someone who was acting as a body double, I guess he still refuses to face us. This was probably some kind of distraction while he gets something else planned."

Tsubasa pondered while Boro stared at him before he sighed in relief, "If I'm going to be honest with you… I kind of wasn't feeling a big climatic battle today, a guy could use a break after all the action we've gone through. Besides… today still lead up to a good moment." the brown-haired teen joked before Tsubasa caught the vulnerable expression on Naruto's face.

"...Yeah."

Tsubasa said with a faint smile on his face while Fu started to cheer for Naruto as well from her spot next to Yugito who looked toward the honored expression the boy had on his face.

The praise for doing the right thing.

She could tell he wasn't used to being accepted like this after utilizing the Tailed Beast chakra, he must feel a deep relief knowing that these people weren't just looking at a monster.

A man who had wanted to help them.

Yugito found herself smiling toward the boy as well while Naruto continued to look around with a mixed expression on his face.

"Don't any of you worry… I swear. As long as we're around, that Bandit King won't control your lives anymore! Believe it!"

Naruto shouted while the crowd continued to cheer at the blonde's declaration, The older man holding on to the kid from earlier walked toward the blonde teen standing at the front.

"Naruto… I… We're so grateful. I just don't know how to express how grateful we are. Not just as a village but as a land. After everything he's done, everything he's taken away from us. I… I almost lost hope that anything could save us. The Renegades... You all brought that hope back."

The older man said while he had slight tears forming in his eyes, "Mr. Naruto… it's true right? The Bandit King… you can beat him?" the young boy asked while Naruto stared into his eyes before he nodded his head at the boy.

"I swear. We're not going to give up until we do beat him. Your lives aren't things for someone else to take control over to destroy whenever they want, all of you. You all deserve a chance to live however you wish without anyone threatening to take that away from you. As long as I'm fighting for that. We'll win."

Naruto explained while the boy broke into a big smile, "I want to be a hero like you one day!" the boy yelled while the blonde teen huffed bashfully as a result.

"Naruto. Whatever you and the Renegades need, I swear we'll back you. You've brought hope back to this land. The belief that we can stand against that tyrant! Your story is spreading across the land, soon he'll lose his power and influence and he'll be left with nothing as he falls. We'll stand with you and soon this land will stand with you! To the Usurper!"

The older man yelled while the rest of the crowd began to yell 'Usuper' as well, Naruto gave the village a surprised expression while they continued to cheer.

They started a movement, before this land thought they stood no chance against the Bandit King through the actions of himself and his friends they were able to begin to push back against the odds. They gave people the will to fight, they could strike back against the Bandit King and end his reign.

They could do this.

They could win.

That thought alone brought a smile to Naruto's face as the crowd continued to cheer and applaud the young man as well as the rest of the Renegades who were now standing together watching the blonde.

"Wait… you're telling me all this praise is for him? We're kind of a team and fought together, didn't we?"

"Shut up Boro."

"I'm pretty sure it's for the whole team, but if you really need it then I'll praise you guys too! Great job Renegades!"

"Never change… you angel."

"Let's not take long, I'd rather we figure out our next move to push toward the Bandit King before he's able to come up with anything to counter us."

Boro, Tsubasa, Fuu, and Yugito talked amongst themselves while Naruto turned his attention toward the sound of footsteps he turned, spotting the hooded figure who came out of the crowd slowly before he wrapped an arm around the teen's shoulder.

"Hey, no need to worry... We took care of those guys. There's no more danger."

Naruto tried to reassure the man who held onto him for a few moments as a sigh came out of his mouth. The ground crumbled as Naruto's face slammed into the earth in an instant causing the applauding to stop as they stared toward the cloaked figure.

"No more danger? …Well, I guess you were right for a minute honestly. After all…"

The cloaked man slowly pulled off his hood revealing dark gold-colored eyes and brass colored hair as a smirk sprouted across his face.

"I did just arrive."

The man spoke while the rest of the Renegades flinched, staring toward the man as he looked down toward Naruto in the crater he was in. The man's face looked almost bored while he slowly looked up toward the rest of the group and the surrounding villagers.

"What the hell… is this feeling?"

Yugito asked while Boro and Tsubasa looked at the man in shock while he was just standing there yet a heavy oppressive feeling seemed to be crawling off of the man, His eyes seemingly piercing into their souls while Boro trembled looking toward the brass haired man who scoffed.

"Hey there traitor, life treating you well?"

The man said while Boro took a step back before falling backward onto the ground, "You… you're…" Boro trailed off struggling with his words while Tsubasa growled.

A visage of his home burning while a man grinned into the flames when Tsubasa was a small child went through his head as his eyes flared.

"BANDIT KING!"

Tsubasa roared with fury while the man turned toward the smoky-haired boy with an annoyed look on his face from his sudden roar.

"So damn loud… quit your yelling."

The brass haired man demanded in an even yet dark tone while Fu's eyes flicked back and forth between the man and the downed blonde boy, her body trying to move yet she couldn't almost as if she was keeping herself from moving in his presence.

'Why can't I move? I have to grab Naruto… but I can't.'

Fu thought to herself while the man's eyes flicked over to her, "Poor thing… trembling like a leaf. Give me a sec, would ya? I'm going to kill that traitor real fast. Then the piece of shit on the ground right along with the burning brat and the beautiful blonde. Then I'm going to take my time tearing you apart..." The man said while Fu took a step back.

This guy didn't feel like a human being at all, he was like a monster in human form.

The ground shifted as Naruto suddenly blasted to his feet standing in front of the rest of the group while panting. The almost bored look on his face remained while the blonde pointed a finger toward him paired with a glare.

"You're the Bandit King huh? The bastard terrorizing these people?!"

Naruto growled while the man looked toward the blonde, "Fast… so we finally meet. The Blue-Eyed Demon, I've been hearing so much about you lately. You're the bastard ruining all my hard work." The king fired back while Naruto glared at him.

"Hard work? You call enslaving these people and tormenting them hard work?!"

Naruto barked while the man waved his hand in the air, "Quit your whining... Tormenting? Is that what they're calling it? I freed these people, they're all mine now. This isn't torment. It's love." The man spoke while he turned toward the people staring in fear toward him.

"Ain't that right?"

He spoke lowly while no one in the crowd uttered a word while Naruto gritted his teeth, "You bastard!" The blonde yelled while the king looked back toward Naruto.

"You know, I have to apologize… I was lying before. You know when I said I just got here… I was here for it all. Your epic arrival, the big speeches, all that stuff about hope these people were spewing. It nearly brought me to tears; it was so precious."

The Bandit King taunted while Naruto clenched his fist, "You think this is some kind of joke?!" the blonde teen raised his voice while the brass haired man chuckled and shrugged.

"I actually do. It's not my fault I'm the only one who finds it funny… Watch this... Listen up all of you! If even a single soul moves before I snap my fingers, then… Well, you know..."

The brass haired man said casually while the villagers stayed frozen in their spots, "See? They listen to commands rather well, don't they? Seems pretty loyal to me." The king spoke while Naruto growled again.

"Ugh that look again… like you're some righteous existence fighting for the greater good. I'm sick of it honestly. This is what it means to be king, Demon. Loyalty." The man said while Naruto took a step forward.

"You're threatening their lives!"

"I'm giving them mercy."

The king rebutted while Naruto growled again, "The Hidden Cloud used to steal these people away you know? Taking them and forcing them to fight as ninja. I put an end to that. The only thing I asked for is their loyalty and they gave it to me." The man said while Naruto pointed a finger at them.

"You call this loyalty?! Stomping on these people's lives with your boot, taking everything, they ever worked on and stealing it away from them?! You're no king! You're just a monster!"

Naruto yelled while the brass-colored hair man stared at the blonde for a moment before he nodded his head slowly

"I'll tell you what… Believe it or not I came here in a forgiving mood, you getting in the way of my plans and stuff, don't worry about that. I forgive you for all of it, I barely even care at this point including that 'monster' bit."

The king spoke while he rubbed his hands together before stroking his chin, the rest of the Renegades stared the man down still not moving themselves, he seemed so casual about the way he moved yet they could all still feel that sickening presence come off of him.

"Demon… you have something of mine, I lost recently. A girl around your age, pretty face, great hair, heh she should be ready to pop pretty soon... So, because I'm kind I'll make you a deal."

The king said while Naruto glared toward him as he lifted a finger, "You see, that girl is currently carrying my child. It would be rather unfortunate to not raise the child myself. Believe it or not I'm a family man and would love it and be so grateful if you gave them back to me." The man explained while Naruto's face shifted into horror while he thought back to Haruka's crying face.

"So, deal time, the fun part… I'll let you fight me and if you can hurt me once in our fight then I'll drop everything… I'll 'free' these people, leave the land, hell I'll even let the girl go with you. However, if you can't get a hard-hitting blow before I tear you apart. Then I'll kill everyone here and have you hand deliver the girl to me yourself before you die too. Fair? Sounds fair to me."

The man said while Naruto trembled in rage, "You… you were the one… who did that to Haruka?" The blonde growled while the man grinned.

"Good, you being pissed off means you're more than ready. So, attack with all your might, Demon. Your time starts now."

The brass haired man said as the sound of a sonic boom cracking the air was heard as in an instant Naruto was already in front of the Bandit King launching a kick. The Bandit King grinned, snatching Naruto by the leg before the kick made contact, 'He's this fast?' Naruto thought as he was then slammed into the ground.

Naruto coughed before a heavy kick smashed into his chin sending him sliding on the ground kicking up dirt as he rolled.

Tsubasa was about to move but he was met with the glare from the Bandit King's eyes, "I said don't move." The king said slowly while Tsubasa gritted his teeth, he didn't move the same applied to the rest of the Renegades from the sheer amount of menace coming off of the man.

The sound of clones being formed got the king's attention as he turned toward Shadow Clones dashing toward him. The clones aggressively swung a series of punches and kicks at the King who weaved through the shower of attacks with a grin on his face while they glared at him.

"Clones huh? They move pretty good too."

The king said as he leaned backward avoiding a kick as he smashed his fist into the chin of the first clone before he kicked through the other clone causing them both to turn into smoke before Naruto appeared out of the smoke throwing a punch as the sound barrier broke behind him.

The Bandit King allowed a smile to crack across his face while he was able to grab Naruto's wrist, he pulled the teen to the ground while the breeze from his punch made the king's hair merely sway in it. Naruto nearly coughed out blood as two hard knees slammed into his gut, his face was then grabbed before he launched through a house.

The Bandit King then opened up his palm, a small breeze came from his open palm toward the house Naruto tore through, the house suddenly exploded violently while the brass haired man huffed boredly as wood splinters flew past his face.

"You put on such a display back there. Come on, don't tell me you're holding back because of these people? That's not a great idea."

The Bandit King said while he watched the rubble explode upward as ice blue eyes glared at him, "That's a good look." the man said while he started moving toward Naruto. Tsubasa meanwhile moved slightly ready to assist Naruto, but he stopped as dark gold peeked toward him.

The brass haired man then lifted his hand toward one of the villagers as a hole suddenly opened up in her body, the color left Tsubasa's face as the woman fell dead to the floor. Her blood pooled onto the feet of the other villagers as they screamed still not moving.

"You flinched."

The king said casually while Tsubasa dragged his fingers through the dirt as he gripped it, at the same moment the air pressure changed while the grin returned back to the Bandit King's face as Naruto threw a kick the brass haired man blocked before the blonde quickly spun continuing to attack him.

The king struck back counters against Naruto's onslaught as he attacked faster and faster, the brass haired man continued to fight back against his attacks while suddenly several clones appeared they attacked him as well before even more clones appeared from them as they began to mob the man with their attacks.

The clone kept swinging and attacking before they all suddenly became smoke as large rock spikes shot out form the ground around where the Bandit King was standing while only lifting a single finger up with a grin on his face, 'Wind and Earth Style?' Naruto said making an observation of his opponent while he landed blocking just in time to defend against one of the rock spikes.

The spike broke against Naruto's guard only for the blonde to cough as a fist slammed into his abdomen, the blonde coughed even more before the Bandit King pushed him over gently with his foot on to his back. Naruto coughed again while the brass haired man stomped a foot on him.

"You're embarrassing yourself… Even worse, you're embarrassing me. Get up."

The Bandit King said while he stomped on Naruto even more beginning to crack the ground around him, the blonde quickly formed a hand sign before the brass haired man looked surprised before an explosion suddenly went off.

The Bandit King jumped backward landing on his feet he watched as an object flew into the air, the object opened up Naruto quickly swiped it pulling his sword that he summoned from his scroll. The Bandit King raised his eyebrows as Naruto quickly shifted into Wind Stance.

"Wind Stance: Formless Gale!"

Naruto yelled before he slashed his sword at the Bandit King who just stared at the blade coming down toward him. The blonde's hand holding onto the sword suddenly stopped before the king chuckled at him while the teen's blade wasn't moving at all.

It was stuck in the air just in front of the man's chest.

"Come on… almost there. Keep pushing, you'll get it."

The king taunted while Naruto applied more strength into his swing with both hands on his sword, but the blade still didn't move being stuck in midair just in front of his opponent's chest.

"And here I thought that was going to be interesting… Boring, show me some more tricks. Clown."

The Bandit King smacked Naruto's face with a hard backhand sending the blonde flying backward while he glared toward the man.

'My sword… it couldn't touch him at all! Is he covering himself with a chakra layer?'

Naruto thought to himself while he landed on his feet, he formed several more clones before reaching into his pouch. "Formation 7!" Naruto yelled while his three clones dashed forward toward the Bandit King who scoffed at the approaching clones.

"Shuriken Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto yelled while he threw multiple shuriken at the Bandit King while the clones attacked the king who began to dodge.

"Trying to overwhelm me huh?"

The man said before he turned his back toward the shower of shuriken being thrown at him to deflect the blows of the clones, Naruto's eyes widened as the shuriken he was throwing broke into pieces in the air before making contact with the Bandit King's back.

The king meanwhile was deflecting the attacks of the clones, he formed two rock spikes destroying the two clones before two more clones rushed him with their swords. They both weaved through another wave of rock spikes reaching the Bandit King only for their blades to stop just in front of him again.

The Bandit King reached out grabbing one of the clones by the throat squeezing until it popped into smoke, he then swiped through the other clone that began to glow before it exploded violently. The Bandit King slid while Naruto thrusted his blade upward through the smoke.

The brass haired man merely leaned toward the blade as it stopped again, the blonde pushed even harder enhancing his pushing with wind making the ground underneath his feet crack, but the tip of the blade wouldn't get any closer.

"You didn't honestly think that was going to work a third time, did you? My turn."

The Bandit King taunted as he grabbed Naruto by his hair punching him in the face twice before he jumped into the air spinning before he aimed Naruto's face toward a house, the Renegades and the crowd of villagers watched as Naruto was dragged through multiple buildings face first before he threw the teen into the middle of the road.

Was there really nothing they could do but watch?

Naruto spat out blood while a kick slammed into his face before a hand pulled him to his feet, The Bandit King kept a grin on his face as he slammed heavy punches into Naruto's body. Every punch felt like it was launched out of cannon as the Bandit King swung, Naruto deflected a punch and tried to strike back but was quickly overwhelmed by more hard punches.

The Bandit King cackled while he wailed on Naruto, he smashed the teen's face with several more punches. He threw another punch noticing Naruto didn't flinch as much at the last one, the teen turned his face revealing his frayed hair and red eyes.

The Bandit King's eyes widened as he grinned again, noticing that Naruto was no longer in his sight, "You were just breaking the sound barrier, you're telling me you can still get faster? How fun!" the man yelled while he was able to react to his attack.

Naruto and the Bandit King stared at each other before they were gone, they both fought each other at high speed with Naruto still striking hard against the Bandit King with him still deflecting and countering the blows even after he got even faster.

An explosion separated the pair. The Bandit King slid sighing while Naruto flipped, planting his feet on the wall of the house he landed on, the entire house crumbled as Naruto moved off of the wall.

"What? No comments? You were very quick to talk before I showed up. Something about you'd win?"

"You're gonna pay."

"Very good."

They exchanged before they blasted toward each other again. Naruto attacked but he could still feel the gap between them as the Bandit fought against him with a grin on his face, multiple clones with Rasengans forming in their palms formed above Naruto and the Bandit King.

The clones landed the attacks on them in the middle of the clash creating a massive explosion of chakra, Naruto flew back into the air as he felt the Bandit King's hand punch through his shoulder. Naruto roared in pain while the Bandit King kicked him to the ground.

The Bandit King waved his hand swiping Naruto's blood off of it onto the ground while the blonde panted, the wound in his shoulder twisting as it healed right before his eyes.

"You… You're going to be a pain in the ass healing like that, you damn monster."

The Bandit King taunted as Naruto exploded toward him, "Let's see how much you can handle!" the Bandit King yelled, kicking Naruto in the stomach before he grabbed the teen's arm, breaking it. The teen yelled as the Bandit King jab his hand through his gut.

The Bandit King then tossed him aiming a hand at the blonde before a blast of wind shot another hole into his body, Naruto coughed out blood as he hit the ground. The teen was a bloody mess on the ground as his arm repaired itself as well as the other holes in his body.

"Scary, that barely took any time too."

The Bandit King said as Naruto blasted back to his feet trying to headbutt the Bandit King who dodged before slamming a punch underneath his jaw sending him flying upward, the brass haired man then jumped up throwing more punches into Naruto's body before throwing him downward.

Naruto flipped through the air downward toward the burning tower while the Bandit King held his open hand toward him, "Wind Style: Vacuum Cutter." he said as thin wind blades shot out of his hand slashing into Naruto making him go faster toward the tower until he tore through it from the very top.

Naruto went through the entire structure as the Bandit King dropped down landing on top of Naruto with his feet as they went through the rest of the tower bringing down the entire structure on top of them.

The villagers watched in a horrified silence as the dust kicked through the air, they then saw a silhouette moving through the smoke before Naruto was tossed out of it. Large wood pieces stuck out of his body while the brass haired man walked out of the dust clapping his hands together.

"Let me introduce to you the other side of me! The side that's apparently stronger than you! Not even worthy of my rivalry!"

The Bandit King yelled out as he grabbed Naruto by his hair lifting him up to display his bloodied face as he coughed up more blood, Yugito's eyes flashed blue as she gritted her teeth in fury while Fu's wings stood up as tears ran down her face.

Tsubasa looked at the teen with a guilty and hurt expression while Boro couldn't look clenching his fist to his side. The villagers too could barely look at Naruto as the Bandit King continued to display the heavily wounded blonde to them.

"Is this your hero?!"

The king yelled out while he was only met with silence as his expression became bored again as he dropped the teen to the ground, "How disappointing, eh Hero?" the brass haired man said while he watched red chakra bubble on his back as the wood pieces left his body.

The Bandit King narrowly avoided a tail swiping as Naruto stood back to his feet wiping the blood off of his mouth, "You done? 'Cause I ain't dead yet!" the blonde yelled while the Bandit King looked at the blonde with shock before he began to chuckle before he laughed.

"You're just too much!"

The Bandit King yelled while Naruto moved, swinging a punch that the Bandit King could barely see as it went past his face, it almost felt like it was pure luck that he dodged that. The look in Naruto's eyes had changed too, he looked calmer than he did before even behind those red eyes.

This demon was dangerous.

He was starting to get close.

"Looks like it's about time to wrap this up."

The Bandit King said while he blasted Naruto backward with a gust of wind, the blonde slid coming to a stop before he launched himself at the Bandit King again. The brass haired man before forming hand signs different than the ones Naruto saw from his other jutsu as the Bandit King dodged his attacks.

"You know… I'm not the type that believes in trump cards. I say if you are going to fight someone then you just go ahead and go all out. It wastes less time and it's more time to get back to whatever you want."

The Bandit King said as Naruto attacked him but didn't land any hit as the king continued to dodge still forming hand signs, unaware to the blonde the broken shrunken pieces on the ground around them began to lift from the ground.

"I do believe in finales though. You should count yourself lucky, Demon. I don't grant these to just anyone, but you earned the privilege, and it seems like a man like you can handle it, right?."

The Bandit King spoke while more objects began to lift from the ground even where the villagers were, Yugito could feel chakra sweeping over her that made her eyes go wide. Tsubasa meanwhile looked at the hand signs the Bandit King was making in a horrid nostalgia.

"Naruto! Naruto!"

Tsubasa yelled while the blonde was kicked backward as he looked back toward them, that's when he noticed the pieces floating in the air by him and all the way back where the rest of the Renegades and the villagers were. The gray-haired teen was a kid again.

He remembered the Bandit's first entrance into his village at the shrine, how he while just walking tore through their walls all while just forming those hand signs. The Bandit King meanwhile was finishing up his hand signs as Naruto looked back toward him.

"This is a bit of a big one so, decision time. Me… or them? Think fast."

The Bandit King said while Naruto spotted floating pieces behind him where the villagers were panicking as well as where the Renegades were standing, they were surrounded by these pieces while Naruto could feel a sickening chakra coming off of the Bandit King.

"Naruto! DON'T LET HIM CLOSE HIS HANDS!"

Tsubasa screamed while Boro and Fu looked toward the smoky haired teen's panicked look at Yugito's flaming blue tails exited from her back, at the same moment as fast he could the blonde turned to dash toward the Bandit King.

It was too late.

"I will confess just one more thing, Demon… You were pretty fun in the end."

The Bandit King said right as Naruto appeared right in front of him, his fist moving in slow motion right as the brass haired man's hands closed with a wicked smile on his face.

Yugito was quick to react just a moment before covering her and the Renegades with her tails as the pieces of shuriken and other objects began to rapidly cut through the air violently at an insanely fast speed as they tore apart what buildings were left as well as the villagers by those buildings.

The pieces tore into Naruto as well as the Bandit King continued to grin at him wickedly, blood flew out of Naruto who roared out in pain as he was caught directly in the attack as the pieces continued to shred through while the buildings around them were little more than dust as Yugito continued to protect the Renegades.

"NARUTO!"

Fu screamed as she was able to see the teen being torn into before Yugito held onto the girl the jutsu went on until it died down. Naruto coughed out blood as shrapnel stuck out of him where he stood before he fell to his knees right in front of the Bandit King who looked down on him.

He was about to turn but he heard gasping from Naruto making him turn around, "You're still alive? After all that? Golly. Talk about a die-hard… wanna see who didn't die hard?" the Bandit King said as he snatched Naruto by his collar turning him toward the rest of the village.

Other than the renegades…

There wasn't a single other soul left alive.

Naruto looked at their shredded bodies among the rest of the rubble of what used to be an entire village, he coughed again while a tear ran down his face.

"It's your fault you know. They could have lived if only you hadn't showed up and tried to make them believe in something other than me. They were just fine exactly where they were, now they're all dead."

The Bandit King taunted Naruto who could only cough again as he looked at the carnage, he spotted the bloodied hand of the boy as he clenched his teeth.

"Believe or not it gets worse. These people… even after I saw you all beaten and broken… They died believing in you still. Talk about a disappointment, Mr. Hero. I'm sure they won't hold any grudges in the next life, right?"

The Bandit King spoke more as he dropped Naruto to the ground, Yugito dropped her tails to glare at him while Fu made a mad dash to Naruto.

"You have a week and half to bring me the girl. If you don't, I'll finish the job and this time… you're last. See you soon."

The Bandit king said while he turned to walk away, Fu got to Naruto grabbing a hold of him while he breathed shallowly right as the Bandit King stopped. He felt a slight sting on his face as he lifted his hand to his cheek, he touched it as his eyes widened.

He saw blood when he looked at his fingers.

The Bandit King examined his hand before he turned toward the wounded blonde and Fu "Ah, I almost forgot." the brass haired man then snapped his fingers while looking around before huffing his dark gold eyes landing on Naruto.

"Guess I was a little late."

{.}

Character Descriptions:

Name: Tsubasa

Age: 16

Date of Birth: Nov. 19th

Appearance: Tsubasa was originally born with darker colored hair however after being exposed to his flames for a prolonged period of time his hair is now a permanent smoky grey color almost resembling ash. He stands at 178 cm with a slim yet toned frame, he has several small scars on his chest and his knuckles. He is the tallest of the Renegades. his eyes are an orange color with tiny flecks of yellows and red resembling fire.

Name: Boro

Age: 16

Date of Birth: March 27th

Appearance: Boro's dark brown hair is styled wildly being in a constant state of bed head, he refuses to style it in any other way strictly because he has no idea how and has no interest in learning how to as he can't see the point of it. Boro's eyes are a pale-yellow resembling that of a wolf's eyes color. Boro stands at 176 cm with a skinny frame making him the second tallest in the Renegades.

Name: Haruka Nanokohana

Age: 17

Date of Birth: May 4th

Appearance: Haruka's hair is style in a way that resembles royalty akin to a princess similar to the 'Hime Cut' in Japanese culture the main difference being Haruka's hair is wavy in contrary to the traditional straight, her hair color is brown leaning more toward the bark color of a Sakura Tree in shade. Haruka's eyes are honey colored almost resembling a light amber in shade. Haruka is fair skinned with a lithe figure, and pale know in her homeland to be the most beautiful in the village she grew up in standing at 163 cm tall. Making her the second shortest in the Renegades barely beating Fu.