Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Two Worlds, Two Ninja ❯ Meetings & Rescues ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: Yo! For those of you who want to see a pic of what Sheena looks like, I've put a link in my profile. Also, I'm not going to explain the story line of Tales of Symphonia, nor am I going to describe how things work or why things exist in the game. You want answers? Go and find them yourselves. I don't have time to write out a 10000000000000 word fic just to explain why things are in the game before I start my fic. I'm not exactly in the happiest mood, as some of you can tell. Why? Because of Steve Irwin and Peter Brock. Two of Australia's icons died this week doing what they do best. Most of you may have heard Steve Irwin died from a sting ray wound. That's true. He's the third person in recorded history to die via sting ray wound. This strikes a deep chord with me, as I came very close to taking Steve's place as number three when I was around 8 when I caught a sting ray fishing. I could tell it was rather pissed off, as I could see its bone sticking out of its tail, meaning it was ready to attack. I'm lucky I wasn't stupid enough to try and pull the hook out of its mouth. And then there was Peter Brock. He died in a car accident. Brock was an awesome guy, a very humble and smart guy. Those who flame me, beware. As an ad on Aussie TV used to say; NOT HAPPY JAN!

 

Thanks, Kyuubi no Yoko 9. Life without betas… Wouldn't be very pretty… `Looks back at pervious work'… Uh huh, not pretty at all….

 

Media Miner Review Replies:

 

m-painn: Naruto performs Kage Bunshin this chapter, and will first perform Rasengan when they meet Magnius.

 

Legend:

 

'...Human or Lesser Summon Thinking/Small A/N...'

 

'...Demon or Summon Boss Thinking...'

 

“...Human or Lesser Summon Talking...”

 

“...Demon or Summon Boss Talking...”

 

“...SHOUTING/TWO OR MORE PEOPLE SAYING THE SAME THING/CASTING THE SAME JUTSU/SPELL...”

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&...Scene Change...&&&&&&&&&&&&&& amp;&

 

Two Worlds, Two Ninja:

 

Chapter One:

 

Meetings & Rescues:

 

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Just Outside Iselia:

 

Naruto led Genis, Lloyd and Noishe out of Iselia and into the world beyond. Both of the younger boys were downtrodden about the turn of events and the prospect of fending for themselves. Naruto looked at them and sighed, shaking his head.

 

“Never had to survive of the land before?”

 

Both of them nodded, so Naruto sat down on the beaten dirt path, motioning them to sit down as well. Naruto looked over each of them.

 

“Lloyd, Genis, you do realise if you constantly look behind you, you won't get to enjoy what you're seeing now, right?”

 

Genis nodded slowly, but Lloyd wasn't so accepting.

 

“Arg! I can't believe you! How can you be so calm and rational at a time like this!”

 

Naruto turned to Lloyd and stared at him blankly.

 

“It's exactly at times like this you need to be calm and rational. You know why?”

 

Lloyd looked up to see Naruto was gone and now behind him, making Genis gasp and Lloyd's eye widen.

 

“It's because I moved slow enough for you to detect I was moving, but your sense of judgment was so clouded by emotion you didn't sense me until I could have ended your life. Lloyd, there is a set of laws among my people called the Shinobi Laws. One of them is a very important one: Law number 25: A ninja must not cry or let his emotions show, no matter how stressful the situation is. The mission comes first.”

 

Genis stood up, clearly angry with Naruto.

 

“That's so cold! How can you even live in a village like that?”

 

Naruto looked at Genis.

 

“If you would let me finish, I would have told you that I want to beat some sense into the idiot who made that rule sound so cold.”

 

Naruto walked past Lloyd who was still in shock while Genis slowly sat down after Naruto did. Naruto looked between Genis and Lloyd, a slight breeze ruffling his hair.

 

“I have created my own Nindo, or ninja way with my own rules that I abide by. My version of Rule 25 is this: A ninja will encounter situations that will break the will of many mortal men. It is in those situations that he must control his emotions to benefit him, not hinder him by letting them cloud his judgment. Tell me, which do you think is better?”

 

It was a no-brainer, even for Lloyd. Both of them admitted that Naruto's version was far better. Naruto sighed and sat back, staring at the sky.

 

“Those who try and follow the original laws to the letter are unable to without becoming nothing more than mindless killing machines that are no longer considered sane.”

 

Naruto looked back at them, who were now listening to him with wrapt attention. Naruto's brow furrowed as he thought about their situation.

 

“I have a lot of experience living off the land; however, the vegetation here is very different to where I live.”

 

Lloyd looked at Naruto in incomprehension.

 

“Vegetation?”

 

Genis sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.

 

“The plants, Lloyd.”

 

Lloyd brightened immediately.

 

“Ah!”

 

Naruto looked at Genis, knowing it was better not to trust Lloyd's sense of judgment in this matter.

 

“Genis, what plants in this area are edible and what do they look like?”

 

Genis started recounting several types of plant roots and various berries and fruits that were edible, as well as their physical descriptions. Naruto nodded and stood up, crossing his fingers in x shape.

 

“Kage Bunshin no Jutsu.”

 

Naruto was surrounded by smoke which cleared to reveal 10 clones as well as the real Naruto. Lloyd was staring in admiration while Genis was completely unable to explain what he was seeing. The clones turned to Naruto.

 

“Alright, you heard Genis' description guys. Go and take a look around. Report back in 20 minutes, or if in an emergency, you know what to do.”

 

They nodded and ran off, leaving Naruto there with Genis and Lloyd still staring at him. Naruto quirked an eyebrow.

 

“Never seen a replication before?”

 

Both of them nodded as Naruto sat down.

 

“There are many types of clones where I'm from, depending on which village you come from; you are taught a different one from the base type called Bunshin no Jutsu which creates an unintelligent illusion. There are others that are made of rock and water, being the most common ones. Then there are the rarer ones, such as clones made of sand or ink, or in the case of the one I just used, flesh and blood. Each is useful in a different situation, and has its own weaknesses and strengths. For example, a water clone cannot go too far from it's creator before it loses its ability to hold its form. It also has only 10 percent of the caster's strength.”

 

“Then what's the point of it?”

 

Naruto looked at Lloyd.

 

“It's very, very easy and cheap to make, using up almost no chakra, meaning for close range combat against weak enemies, it's ideal if you don't want to get your hands dirty.”

 

Lloyd nodded and sat back. Naruto looked at Lloyd, or more correctly, his swords.

 

“Lloyd, where did you get those swords?”

 

Lloyd looked startled for a second before smiling.

 

“Oh, my dad made them for me.”

 

Naruto nodded slowly.

 

“Can I see them for a second?”

 

Lloyd withdrew them and handed them to Naruto, who looked over them, tapping certain points along the wooden blade and hilt. Naruto looked back up at Lloyd.

 

“Lloyd, did you dad make these for you as a present, or after analysing how you fought?”

 

Lloyd clearly didn't get it, if the look in his eyes was anything to go by.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Naruto tired to find a way to explain without going into technical details.

 

“I mean, did you dad watch you practice or anything before he gave you these?”

 

Lloyd thought back, and after a moment nodded.

 

“Yeah, come to think of it, he watched me practice with a set of sticks and after I first performed Sonic Thrust, he made them for me.”

 

Naruto nodded and placed one on the ground before holding the other one point downwards over the ground. Both Lloyd and Genis saw mana appear around the blade, extending the blade. Naruto dropped the blade, which buried itself up to the hilt in the ground before Naruto caught it and stopped it going in any further.

 

“I knew it. You have an affinity for wind.”

 

Genis gasped.

 

“No way! Wind is the hardest to control!”

 

Naruto looked at Genis calmly as he began explaining.

 

“Dirk made those blades because he saw that Lloyd had an affinity for wind when he performed Sonic Thrust, which was why I was able to do that, as I also have the same affinity. For a pair of wooden blades, I have to hand it to Dirk; he's damn good to be able to do that.”

 

Naruto handed the blades back to Lloyd, who unconsciously accepted them. Naruto looked at Lloyd.

 

“Lloyd, there is no blade stronger than a blade of wind. No blade made of any material can cut it if made properly. If you want, I can help you learn how to control it.”

 

Lloyd's mind was still trying to get over it.

 

“I have a wind affinity…”

 

Naruto looked at Genis who sighed.

 

“You'll get used to this…”

 

Naruto nodded slowly and accepted the blades Naruto practically slapped into his hand in an attempt to get him to focus back on here and now. Naruto waved a hand in front of Lloyd's face, catching his attention.

 

“Lloyd, despite the fact that you have a wind affinity and swords that can channel it, you still need to train in unarmed combat for when you have to fight without your swords.”

 

Lloyd smirked as he sheathed his swords.

 

“That won't happen.”

 

Naruto gave up, deciding to let Lloyd find out what he meant when it did happen. It might not happen today or tomorrow, but it would eventually happen. It was at that point that a clone came back with an armful of a type of fruit. He dumped it and then remembered something.

 

“When I was hunting, several snakes and a rabbit I'm dead certain was rabid attacked me. I kicked them and they disappeared, leaving behind several coins.”

 

The Kage Bunshin emptied a pocket, revealing 12 worn gold coins. The real Naruto nodded.

 

“Thanks.”

 

The clone nodded and poofed out of existence. Naruto picked up one of the coins, flipping it idly over in his hands, inspecting it casually. Even though the coin was somewhat damaged, he could still read the writing.

 

`1 Gald.'

 

Naruto shrugged and pocketed the coins when he felt a large amount of hatred directed at him from behind, turning to see something he thought he never would.

 

“What the hell is that…”

 

It was an oversized mushroom that had a face on its stalk, apparently it was rather angry at Naruto for some reason. It was backed up with an oversized bee that was buzzing in the air. Lloyd and Genis reacted immediately, both of them preparing for combat. Naruto picked out two kunai and threw them with precise aim at both of them, cutting both of them in half. Naruto's eyes widened as they fell to the ground, vanishing before they hit it, leaving nothing but several coins to drop to the ground. Both Lloyd and Genis stared at Naruto as he got up and inspected the damage, picking up the coin and staring at it in amazement.

 

“Well, will you look at that; Who ever said money doesn't grow on trees obviously never came here…”

 

Naruto pocketed the coins and turned back to them.

 

“Genis, Lloyd, my clones should be coming back fairly soon. Can either of you cook?”

 

Genis nodded.

 

“I can.”

 

Naruto smiled.

 

“Good. Because after my clones are finished, I'm going to be really hungry.”

 

Lloyd looked confused, as did Genis.

 

“What do you mean, `when your clones come back'?”

 

Naruto looked at Lloyd and smiled.

 

“If you essentially did 12 people's jobs at once, wouldn't you be hungry?”

 

Genis caught on immediately.

 

“So the physical exertion of those clones directly affects your own metabolism.”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“Exactly.”

 

Lloyd still didn't get it.

 

“What's metabolism?”

 

Naruto smiled as he looked at Lloyd, just as another clone reported in with a bunch of edible roots.

 

“Lloyd, when you do harsh exercise, what usually happens?”

 

“Well, I get tired and hungry…”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“Exactly. When you eat, the food is turned into lots of things, including the energy you need to do things. That's part of what's called your metabolism.”

 

Lloyd slowly began to understand.

 

“So each clone is basically you, and when you get rid of each one, it passes on how hard it worked and how hungry it was?”

 

Naruto nodded as he dispelled the clone after it handed over the coins to him. He was defiantly starting to feel the hunger set in.

 

“Yeah. I also get all of its memories since it was created. For example, if I created two clones, sent them out of sight and had them play a game of Jyu-Ken-Pou, and then they dispelled themselves, I would know who won and with what.”

 

Genis was already setting up some twigs and dry kindling to start a fire when the next clone came in with the body of an animal that had already been skinned and gutted. The younger boys looked at the animal and paled. Naruto sighed.

 

“One of the things you will have to get used to until we can find a place to restock with supplies is killing animals for meat. Trust me, the way I was taught to do it is a lot kinder to the animal than the ones you're used to eating. Let me give you a hint, never go to an abattoir if you're going to react like that to this. Trust me, after you go in one, you'll come out a strict vegetarian for life.”

 

The serious look on Naruto's face told them he wasn't joking. Naruto grabbed a stick that Genis was keeping next to him and placed it inside the cut. He turned back around and placed it against the fire. The clones came back, handing over anywhere between five and fifteen Gald. By the end of it, Naruto was ravenous, if his stomach and tendril of drool hanging from his mouth was any indication. Once the rabbit was cooked, Naruto slapped his hands together and closed his eyes.

 

“Itadakimasu…”

 

Naruto ripped the rabbit off the fire and tore into it with a zeal that made it clear to both Lloyd and Genis that Naruto was obviously used to doing this. After Naruto had finished his rabbit, while Lloyd and Genis had finished off some sandwiches they had prepared earlier, they sat back, Naruto looked at them both.

 

“Guys, we're going to have to keep a very careful eye on our cash and how we spend it. I've lived alone since I was four, so I know how to manage money. But I'm not going to chase after both of you and tell you what you should and shouldn't spend your money on.”

 

Genis raised an eyebrow.

 

“You've lived alone since you were four?”

 

Naruto nodded and looked at Genis.

 

“And that's as far as that conversation goes. I will tell you in time, however, I will decide the time to tell you about my past.”

 

Naruto's gaze left no room for arguments. Once they had finished their food, they put out their fire and left to search for some signs of civilisation. Naruto looked as far as he could, enhancing his eyesight with chakra. Unfortunately, he was unable to see anything resembling a house. They trudged on, fighting off various forms of semi-sentient mushrooms, bees and snakes, with Naruto giving them pointers as to how to improve their defences and offences. By the end of the day, they had collected several hundred Gald from monsters. When the sun began setting, Naruto looked into the line of trees to their left, and called a halt. Naruto's eyes narrowed but smiled as he saw a red fox run up to him and look at him happily. Naruto smiled and bent down, scratching it behind the ears making it whine in pleasure. Naruto looked into the foxes eyes, almost as if having some sort of unspoken conversation with it. Naruto nodded to the fox, which dashed back off into the bushes. Naruto stood up and looked at a place near the edge of the tree line.

 

“There's someone over there with a caravan. We should go check it out.”

 

Naruto started walking towards the area he had indicated, while Genis and Lloyd looked at each other. They shrugged and followed Naruto. Soon enough, they saw a weak orange light shining out of an alcove in the trees, indicating a fire. Naruto walked inside casually and raised a hand, greeting the only person there, a young woman.

 

“Yo! Sorry to disturb you.”

 

The woman looked up and smiled, shaking her head.

 

“Not at all. Please, take a seat. The closest town to here is Iselia, meaning you must have just come from there.”

 

Naruto nodded in agreement as Genis and Lloyd came into the clearing, seeing Naruto take a seat opposite the fire from the woman. She looked up as they entered, and then back at Naruto.

 

“Friends of yours?”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“Yeah. Sorry to impose on you like this…”

 

The woman shook her head.

 

“It's quite alright. May I ask what three young men like yourselves are doing out here at this time of the night?”

 

Naruto smiled as Lloyd and Genis sat to his left.

 

“Well, we're all looking for something.”

 

The woman looked at all three of them, before looking back at Naruto.

 

“Something? I don't recognise those sorts of clothes, meaning you are not from around this area. Perhaps you're looking for your way home?”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“Exactly. However, until I find that way, I'm helping these two to find their friends while we travel the world.”

 

The lady smiled brightly.

 

“Travelling the world? That is a very admirable thing for three so young.”

 

They talked for another hour or so until the lady stood up, just as the last of the fire died from lack of fuel.

 

“Well, I will be retiring to bed. There is more than enough room in the caravan for all of us to sleep. Please make yourselves comfortable.”

 

All three of them thanked her, taking one of the four beds and drifting off to sleep.

 

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Next Morning:

 

Naruto out of habit awoke at dawn. He quickly came to full alert, but subsided when he remembered where he was. He stirred and got out of his bunk bed, only to trip over Lloyd who was snoring on the ground. Naruto let out a yelp of surprise as he tripped over Lloyd and crashed to the ground, which woke up the others. Everyone came in to find Naruto and Lloyd struggling to get out of a pile of sheets. Naruto called out to Lloyd.

 

“Lloyd, what the hell are you doing sleeping on the floor?”

 

“As if I was sleeping on the floor! You used one of your weird tricks to pull me off my bed!”

 

“Did not!”

 

“Did too!”

 

Genis groaned as both of them bickered. Finally, Naruto was able to separate himself from the sheets and look at Genis.

 

“Does he always sleep on the floor?”

 

Genis nodded.

 

“Yup. Sure does.”

 

“Shut it, Genis!”

 

Lloyd finally reappeared from under his part of the sheets and glared at Naruto, who returned to the glare, blue electricity coming from their eyes and meeting in the middle. Genis sighed, shaking his head.

 

“You two are so childish…”

 

“WE ARE NOT!”

 

Genis looked up to see both boys glaring at him, who then proceeded to glare at each other once he fell back. After another few minutes of bickering, Naruto and Lloyd finally settled for an uneasy truce when they smelt something that made their stomachs growl.

 

“Food…”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“We'll finish this later.”

 

Lloyd nodded and threw the sheets off him, scrambling out the door with Naruto hot on his heels towards the delicious smell of bacon and eggs. Both of them sat at the table, while Genis walked at a more sedate pace, taking the seat between Naruto and Lloyd at the counter-top table. The woman smiled as she served them each a rather large plate of bacon and eggs. They all thanked her and dug in, Naruto slapping his hands together and muttering the usual pre meal prayer before joining Lloyd and Genis in eating. After less than a minute, Genis noticed that both Lloyd and Naruto were demolishing their plates with gusto. Both of them finished at the same time and held their plates out to their host.

 

“SECONDS PLEASE!”

 

They looked at each other and glared again, red electricity coming from their eyes and meeting in the middle. Genis grumbled something about immature adults, but their hostess just smiled and served them up a second lot, taking the last for herself and taking a seat. They ate in silence that was broken only by the sounds of utensils cutting food and the munching of hungry people. After everyone had finished, they sat back, content for the first real meal they had had in almost a day. Naruto looked out the window and saw the sun. Its position indicated it was a bit past seven in the morning. Naruto stood, taking everyone's empty plates and utensils to the sink and began washing up. Their hostess tried to stop him.

 

“Naruto, it's quite alright, I can do it-“

 

Naruto waved her away as he turned off the tap.

 

“It's the least we can do to thank you for your hospitality.”

 

The woman nodded and sat back down as Naruto finished the dishes in record time. He picked a towel off a hook on the door under the sink and began drying them. Not even a single minute had past when Naruto finished the job. Genis scowled at Naruto.

 

“There's no way you could have done that properly in that amount of time, Naruto.”

 

Naruto looked at Genis dead panned.

 

“I told you before. I've lived alone since I was four. You find a lot of ways to do things properly in less time in 15 years.”

 

Genis still didn't believe him, so he hopped up and checked Naruto's work. His eyes widened at the completely clean plates.

 

“Naruto, are you sure you didn't use a spell or something to replace them with new ones?”

 

Naruto shook his head.

 

“Doing that would be far too expensive.”

 

Naruto turned to look at their hostess, bowing to her.

 

“Thank you very much for putting up with us.”

 

The woman smiled and shook her head.

 

“It was no problem at all. Are you leaving?”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“Our friends already had a half day head start on us when we left. If we want to catch up to them, we have to leave now.”

 

The woman smiled as Lloyd got out of his seat and smiled at the woman.

 

“Thanks a lot for that…”

 

The woman nodded at him.

 

“No problems, Lloyd. Take care of yourself, ok?”

 

Lloyd nodded and turned to leave to get his swords and boots. Naruto followed him to get his flak jacket and sandals. Genis thanked the woman for her time and effort and then left to get his kendama and shoes. Once they were ready, they stepped outside. Naruto looked around with chakra enhanced vision, spotting some sort of structure down the road in the direction they were heading. Naruto pointed to it.

 

“We're going to head to that building there.”

 

Genis and Lloyd looked where Naruto was pointing and saw nothing. They blinked, and again saw nothing. Genis looked at Naruto with a look that said `you're hallucinating.'

 

“Uh, Naruto… There's nothing over there…”

 

“Actually, there is a House of Salvation over there just out of visual range. You must have very good eyesight to be able to spot that, Naruto.”

 

Naruto turned around and smiled.

 

“My eyesight's as good as anyone's, but I just know how to improve it temporarily.”

 

Lloyd snorted and turned back around.

 

“One of those weird pill things you have?”

 

Genis looked at Lloyd, wondering what he was talking about.

 

“What pill things?”

 

Naruto shook his head.

 

“Soldier pills, and no I didn't use one. If I did, I could see even further. I used chakra or mana as you guys call it to enhance my eyesight.”

 

Genis' eyes widened as he looked at Naruto.

 

“That's impossible! No one can do that!”

 

Naruto looked at Genis and smiled.

 

“And I suppose jumping up onto Lloyd's roof from the ground, hanging upside down from a tree as if I was walking on solid ground and jumping through trees is impossible too then…”

 

Genis remembered what had happened several days ago at Dirk's house when they had first met Naruto, and how he had made an inhumane leap to the roof of the second story. Genis grumbled and lowered his head and grumbled a complaint.

 

“What is it with people who wear bright clothing and doing weird things…”

 

Naruto snorted catching Genis' attention.

 

“Genis, I can focus mana to my ears too. I heard that.”

 

Genis looked taken aback, as did Lloyd. However, Lloyd got a look of pure determination in his eyes.

 

“Naruto, teach me how to do that!”

 

Naruto smiled at Lloyd.

 

“I will in time. However, your control over mana isn't good enough to do that. If I tried to teach you it now, it could have pretty negative results, such as permanent loss of hearing.”

 

Lloyd looked crestfallen, but Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder.

 

“However, I am going to teach you how to run faster than anyone else, as well as you Genis.”

 

Genis realised what Naruto was implying and smiled.

 

“Cool!”

 

Lloyd agreed. Naruto turned back one last time to their hostess and waved.

 

“We might meet again.”

 

The lady smiled and waved back.

 

“I'm sure we will. Take care!”

 

Naruto nodded and walked out of the clearing with Genis and Lloyd on either side of him. Naruto stopped once they were back on the road.

 

“Ok, I'm skipping the very basics of what we call `chakra control exercises'.”

 

Lloyd smiled, full of confidence.

 

“Yeah! I knew we were too good for the basics!”

 

Naruto looked at Lloyd and suppressed a grin.

 

“Really? Well then, can you walk up a tree using only your feet, or walk atop water as if it were solid land? Because those are the first two exercises, the bare basics.”

 

Genis smiled as Lloyd's confidence completely deflated. Naruto shook his head.

 

“When the time comes, we'll do those. However, skipping the boring theory parts, I'm sure you're aware of how you concentrate mana for attacks, Lloyd?”

 

Lloyd looked up at the sky in deep concentration.

 

“Well, I kind of force my mana into my hand and out through my swords… Apart from that, I don't know…”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“How forceful are you when you thrust the mana out of your body?”

 

Genis snorted.

 

“He has no finesse whatsoever.”

 

Lloyd looked at Genis and glared, but said nothing. Naruto took this into account, coming to a conclusion.

 

“Lloyd, it's natural with a wind affinity, especially when using a medium such as a weapon to want to pump as much mana into your weapon as quickly as you can. However, for this, you need to focus and let your mana concentrate itself in your legs, especially the muscles. Close your eyes and try and feel the mana flowing through your body.”

 

Lloyd shrugged and did as he was told. He scrunched his eyes closed as he concentrated harder. He was stopped by Naruto.

 

“Lloyd, don't push to find it. Start with your heartbeat. Focus on your heart and tell me if you can feel the mana moving every time your heart beats.”

 

Lloyd nodded and closed his eyes. Not 5 seconds later, his eyes snapped open.

 

“Wow! I never knew mana moved like that!”

 

Genis smirked.

 

“Really? And how exactly did it move?”

 

Lloyd thought of a way of explaining it.

 

“It was like the mana was moving around my body in pipes or something!”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“Chakra pathways.”

 

Genis and Lloyd looked at Naruto who gave a brief explanation of what they were as they started walking again.

 

“Chakra pathways are kind of like the blood circulation system. Chakra pathways are mainly focused around your heart and other major organs, but they spread through out your entire body. The more important the area of the body is, the more chakra pathways there are. The ones in the less important areas such as you fingers or toes have practically none, and what ones they do have are very, very small. Unlike your flow of blood, you can to an extent control how your chakra or mana moves, and even how it takes form. For example, if I was to focus my chakra to my leg muscles…”

 

Naruto did so and his speed increased significantly while they were walking. He stopped about ten meters ahead of them and turned around.

 

“I can move faster. However, you have to know when to stop.”

 

Lloyd didn't get the point.

 

“Eh? But isn't faster better?”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“To a point. Lloyd, a person's is only ever able to use their muscles at 20 percent of their limits. If they use them any more than that, their muscles will destroy themselves beyond repair. I had a friend back home who learnt that the hard way. He specialised in hand to hand fighting and was a genius at opening eight areas in the body known as the celestial gates. A person who can open all eight of those gates will become more powerful than the strongest men to have ever lived, as well as many demons and most likely angels as well.”

 

Lloyd's eyes widened.

 

“Wow! I want to learn how to do that!”

 

Genis was a bit more reserved in his judgment.

 

“There's a catch, right?”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“In exchange for the power to destroy entire armies, you completely destroy your own body from the amount of stress you place on it. Once the power runs out, so does your life.”

 

Both boys became immediately sober. Naruto turned around and kept walking.

 

“My friend opened 5 of those gates over 5 years ago at the age of 14. If he was somehow able to face me as I am now when he was 14, I would be almost without a doubt spread over this entire field, which I can tell you would look like a war zone. However, once the power ran out, the medics said he would never be able to fight again, no matter what they did. And they all specialised only in the healing arts, as you call them. If it wasn't for the best medic we ever had, Tsunade, he would not even be able to walk up a flight of stairs unaided for the rest of his life. Lloyd, there is absolutely nothing free in life. Fame, power, money, recognition; all of them cost something. Those who try and gain them through shortcuts will end up regretting it, like my friend did. He was lucky he got another chance at life.”

 

Lloyd nodded solemnly, taking Naruto's advice to heart. Genis was amazed that Naruto took something for granted that had only been theorised about before. Naruto lifted his head up and smiled.

 

“No point focusing on past events. Anyway, both of you try and focus your mana to your legs. Try a little bit at a time, and see how you go from there. Remember, a true warrior turns any opportunity they can get into training.”

 

Lloyd agreed readily, while Genis was a little more hesitant. Like Naruto expected, Lloyd's progress was shaky, trying out different ways of doing it and getting various results. Genis on the other hand, got it first try. After a while, they were able to maintain a pace that would be equivalent to jogging while just walking. By about mid morning, the House of Salvation was in sight, and they all sped up slightly, hoping to get some information about Colette and their group.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&

 

Midday:

 

By about 12 pm, they reached the House of Salvation. Naruto saw that apart from a traveller of some sort and a dog, there was not a single person outside. Naruto looked at them.

 

“Can both of you check with that man there? I'm going inside to ask.”

 

They nodded and approached the man as Naruto walked up to the roughly circular wooden two story house and pushed open the giant double wooden doors, which opened with a creak. Once inside, he saw that apart from an empty reception desk to his right and a spiral staircase leading upwards to his left, the only person there was an elderly man in some sort of clothing that gave Naruto a distinct impression that he was in charge of this place as well as a religious man. Naruto approached him quietly, seeing the man was making a prayer to a golden statue of a winged woman that was on a pedestal surrounded by candles. The man stopped and looked at Naruto with a smile.

 

“Have you come to seek guidance from the goddess Martel, young man?”

 

Naruto smiled but shook his head.

 

“Not today. Right now, I'm looking for information on a group of people that consists of a woman with light blue hair by the name of Raine, a man called Kratos and a young girl called Colette, who is the Chosen. Would you happen to have any information on her? Myself and my two friends outside are from the same town she is from. Unfortunately, it was burnt to the ground several days ago by Desians after confusion on both sides as to who had done what.”

 

The man sighed and offered a quick prayer for the departed before looking at Naruto.

 

“I can tell you are a strong one, young man. The Chosen will need someone like you to protect her from Desians and other perils. They stopped here just last night to rest their bodies.”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“Can you tell me where they were headed?”

 

The moan nodded and looked out the window to his left, where Naruto could see a heat haze signifying a massive increase in temperature.

 

“She claimed they were going to the seal of fire which is in the Triet desert which you can see out the window. They left only several hours ago. If you hurry, you might be able to catch them.”

 

Naruto nodded and bowed to the man.

 

“Thank you very much.”

 

The elderly man coughed once and shook it off.

 

“If it will save us, it is the least I could do. Please be swift. May the Goddess Martel guide your path.”

 

Naruto nodded and turned to leave.

 

“And yours as well.”

 

The man smiled and watched as Naruto walked back outside, having several words with his younger friends before pointing to at the desert and they left.

 

“The world is full of interesting people…”

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&

 

Several Hours Later:

 

Naruto had noticed that the line between open grasslands and desert was far too clear cut for it to be completely natural. However, they pressed on in the heat. Both Lloyd and Genis started to sag under the level of heat, barely having enough strength to fight off snakes and scorpions that seemed intent on killing them. By mid afternoon, Naruto pointed to an area where he could just make out the faint outline of buildings.

 

“Genis didn't you say that there was a town around an Oasis in this desert?”

 

Genis squinted, but couldn't see what Naruto was talking about.

 

“Yeah… It's called Triet…”

 

Naruto nodded and began walking forward, ignoring the blistering heat.

 

“That's it then. I suggest we get moving. If they have an oasis, that means I can teach both of you the tree climbing and water walking exercises.”

 

Both boys groaned and trudged on after Naruto, clearly not liking the idea. By late afternoon, they had arrived and stumbled through the entrance to the town. However, Naruto called a halt to them and indicated a group of Desians. Both Lloyd and Genis went on alert as Noishe whined, backing away. Naruto didn't even need to enhance his hearing with chakra to hear their loud voices.

 

“All right, Lord Forcystus is offering a massive bounty for this wanted criminal Lloyd Irving. His criminal identification number is unknown, but his likeliness is on the wanted posters. However, he has a very powerful blue eyed blond boy with him. The blond is to be regarded with extreme caution, a rank `C' danger and incapacitated if he attacks us. Both of them are to be brought to Lord Forcystus alive. Got it?”

 

“YES SIR!”

 

All of the Desians spread out, while the one who had given them the briefing placed a wanted poster of Lloyd up on the town message board. After that, he began combing the city. Naruto sighed.

 

“Is that all they ever comment on? My eyes and hair? Geez…”

 

Naruto walked up to the poster and snorted, trying to contain his laughter.

 

“That has got to be the worst portrait I have ever seen…”

 

Genis agreed.

 

“They'll never find you with that…”

 

Their bodies were now pumping with adrenaline and the prospect of a meal and a night at the inn. Naruto saw to his left a line of shops, selling just about anything and everything. He turned to have a look.

 

“Guys, let's stock up. We don't know what could happen soon, so it's best to be prepared.”

 

Both of the boys followed Naruto down the street. Naruto walked past a shop selling what could only be called the weirdest things he'd ever seen. Naruto checked his pockets. They had all up about 1750 Gald. Naruto walked past another shop before stopping at a weapons store. The owner woke up at the sight of three potential customers.

 

“Ah! Good day sirs! Are you looking for anything specific?”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“I'm looking for a pair of wind affinity blades as well as several other things…”

 

The man whistled.

 

“You know your weapons. Well, wind affinity weapons are rare and expensive. But I happen to have a single pair that were forged here in Triet several decades-“

 

The man didn't get to finish the sales pitch as Naruto lifted the pair he was talking about and examined them, tapping several key points across the blades before looking up at the man.

 

“Would you mind if I tried channelling some mana through them?”

 

The man shook his head.

 

“By all means, please do.”

 

Naruto nodded and concentrated as mana leaked out of oh his hands and into the sword, forming an extended blade of chakra around it. The man's eyes widened as Naruto shut off the chakra and looked at the man.

 

“What exactly are these blades made of? They're very good conductors for wind.”

 

The man recovered from his shock and answered Naruto's question.

 

“A mixture of Iron and coal that's been treated with mana to form tempered steel.”

 

Naruto nodded, his brows furrowing.

 

“I've never heard of it being done with steel before… Still, these blades will do. How much?”

 

The man nodded.

 

“500 Gald.”

 

Naruto snorted.

 

“250.”

 

The man's eyes narrowed.

 

“500, and I'm not budging.”

 

Naruto smiled. He like haggling on the odd occasion.

 

“250.”

 

The man narrowed his eyes further.

 

“450.”

 

Naruto thought about it before answering.

 

“300.”

 

“400, and I'm not moving. That's it. Take it or leave it.”

 

Naruto nodded and handed over the coins, as the man produced the scabbards for the swords.

 

“They're a good pair. Take care of them, ok?”

 

Naruto nodded and handed them to Lloyd.

 

“Lloyd, these swords are about twice as good as your current ones. The wind channelling abilities of them are far above the ones you have now. If you want, I can save your wooden ones in a scroll for you for sentimental purposes.”

 

Lloyd nodded dumbly and took them, strapping them to his back for now. Naruto looked to Genis.

 

“Genis, I don't know the first thing about kendama. Pick one that you like and I'll look over these for anything I like.”

 

Genis nodded and began browsing the magic weapons section while Naruto browsed the more melee styles of fighting weapons. He spoke to the man as he browsed.

 

“Do you have any other wind affinity weapons?”

 

The man shook his head.

 

“None that are for sale, I'm sorry.”

 

Naruto nodded and looked up.

 

“If you want, I can sell you some weapons that you will never have seen before.”

 

The man snorted.

 

“I've seen every weapon on this planet. I doubt there will be any I haven't-“

 

“Seen?”

 

Naruto pulled out several Shuriken, kunai, and finally a Fuuma Shuriken, laying them on the counter.

 

“This-“

 

He pointed to the Shuriken.

 

“Is called a Shuriken. It's a throwing implement used to lay covering fire, attack at long ranges as well as various other things. For example-“

 

Naruto took one and whipped around, throwing the shuriken straight towards Lloyd's foot, who was making experimental slashes with his new swords. He jumped back as the shuriken whizzed right next to where his foot had been and cleanly cut a scorpion in half. Everyone in the market place had frozen and was now looking at the blond.

 

“Lloyd, remember, sleep with one eye open. That was a little too close.”

 

Lloyd nodded dumbly as he picked up the shuriken and handed it back to Naruto. Naruto took a kunai off the bench and held it up for the owner to see.

 

“This is called a kunai. There are several different models, depending on what they're made for. There are ones used only for throwing, while some, like this are used for both throwing and blocking projectiles, such as shuriken. This, on the other hand-“

 

Naruto picked up the Fuuma Shuriken easily on one hand.

 

“Is a Fuuma Shuriken. It's main use is for causing wide area destruction, capable of cleaving trees in half. It takes a great deal more skill to use than both regular Shuriken and Kunai combined. If you want, test them out on me.”

 

The man picked up a kunai and flipped it over several times in his hand.

 

“I'll be damned… I've never seen a weapon like this, or one so well made… What's it made from?”

 

Naruto smiled.

 

“A mixture of aluminium for light weight and steel for strength with several coats of a special paint to make it nearly undetectable at night.”

The man nodded slowly.

 

“Whoever made these was a very good weapon smith…”

 

Naruto nodded.

 

“She is. She's the weapons mistress of our village, proficient in all forms of armed combat.”

 

The man's eyes widened slightly before nodded, placing them back on the counter and sighing.

 

“I guess I do have one you can have in exchange for these…”

 

Naruto smiled as the man walked back under the cloth roof and pulled out a long, thin box. He placed it on the counter and flipped open the catches. He lifted the lid to reveal a very well designed Pole arm. Naruto smiled.

 

“A lance…”

 

The man nodded.

 

“It's the only one our town has ever produced. Made of the highest tensile steel we could get. Try it.”

 

Naruto nodded and carefully lifted the lance out of the box. It was a fairly simple design, a steel handle wrapped in a carefully cured pelt. The tip was a point of sharpened steel. Naruto tried channelling his chakra through it, finding it surprisingly easy to use his wind manipulation to make the chakra form around it and give it an extended blade. Naruto nodded and stopped focusing.

 

“It's very well made…”

 

The man nodded.

 

“I would know. I made it.”

 

Naruto smiled and pulled out a scroll that only had one open area to seal it. He placed the scroll on the ground with the lance on top of it and formed several hand seals ending in a Hebi.

 

“Weapon Sealing Method!

 

The scroll flashed, making everyone cover their eyes. Once the light died down, people looked back to see that the circle now had the Kanji for `weapon' in it. Naruto nodded at his work and picked the scroll up, placing it in one of his jacket's scroll pouches. Naruto nodded to the man.

 

“It's too bulky to carry around, so I seal things like that away for future use. All I have to do is pull the scroll out and bring it back out when needed.”

 

The man nodded slowly. This was one hell of a weird day. Genis then found what he was looking for.

 

“Naruto, I found one.”

 

Naruto came over and looked at what Genis was pointing to. He looked at it carefully, brushing his hands over the carefully caved wooden handle, feeling a pulse of chakra come back to him, signifying the tree it had been made from was nurtured with chakra from birth. Naruto could see the others were no where near the quality of this one and picked it up, showing it to the man.

 

“How much?”

 

The man thought for a moment.

 

“You know, you're one of the better customers I've had in a long time. Take it. It's on the house.”

 

Naruto smiled and handed it to Genis.

 

“Thanks.”

 

The man nodded.

 

“No problem. Enjoy your day.”

 

“Will do. You to.”

 

The man nodded as they walked off, still not quite believing what had just happened. Naruto went to several other stores, buying various pieces of food like beef, chicken, eggs and some basic vegetables. After he sealed them within a scroll, he walked over to a shop calling itself the `Heat Storm'. From the looks of things, it was an armour shop of sorts. Naruto looked over the inventory, dismissing the larger pieces of armour instantly and going for the more light weight ones. Naruto explained his reason to his two companions.

 

“If we were to take the biggest and best, not only would we be out of money, it would turn us into a living oven, cooking us before we even got out of the town. It would also severely restrict my movement, meaning that my main weapon, my speed, would be useless.”

 

Genis agreed readily, while Lloyd had to admit Naruto was right. After browsing some of the leather armours, Naruto went over to the cloth pieces and accessories. He saw a rack of plain sand brown cloaks. He nodded as he came to a conclusion.

 

“How much for three cloaks?”

 

The man looked over them.

 

“300 Gald.”

 

Naruto thought over this. He took the one of the top of the rack and checked it. For 100 Gald, it wasn't by any means a bad deal. It was well made and would protect them from all but the most violent sand storms.

 

“Deal.”

 

Naruto handed over 300 Gald and took three cloaks. Now, they really only had enough money left for a night at the inn and enough in case of emergency. Naruto was about to call out to Lloyd and Genis when he heard Genis call out.

 

“Wha? What's with this?”

 

Naruto turned around to see that there was a human shaped hole in the wall. If anything it was a female… The man next to it turned to them and began talking excitedly.

 

“Do you see it? It's going to become the next tourist attraction!”

 

All three boys sweat dropped, until Lloyd realised something.

 

“No way… The only one who could do something like this is…”

 

Genis caught on immediately…

 

“Colette… She's such a klutz sometimes…”

 

Both boys turned back to Naruto.

 

“Ok, I suggest we try and find some info on them and then rest for the night at the inn. It's going to get dark soon, and although it's hot now, at night, you'll freeze to death if you stay out there.”

 

Both boys nodded as they headed back up the dead end street and up the path several of the Desians had taken when Naruto gave them the all clear. The oasis came into view. A path wound around it to the right, past a stall selling all types of fish. At the end of the path, there was a single tent. Naruto shrugged and walked in, lifting the flap to see who was inside. The room was filled with all sorts of things Naruto had no idea what they were for, or even what they were. However, in the middle was a woman sitting on a pillow with a crystal ball in front if her. Naruto's eyes widened as he remembered how the Sandaime had one himself.

 

“So, there are far-gazers here as well…”

 

Both Lloyd and Genis looked to Naruto for an explanation. Naruto pointed to the crystal ball.

 

“A very famous man in my home village who passed away several years ago had a ball of crystal like that which he called a far-gazer. He used it from his office to look anywhere within several hundred miles of where he was, seeing anything that was there. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen him do it myself.”

 

Naruto walked up to the woman who seemed to be meditating. He leaned down.

 

“Excuse me, I was wondering if you could use your far-gazer to tell us if the Chosen's group is anywhere around here.”

 

The woman held out a hand.

 

“100 Gald per vision…”

 

Naruto smirked.

 

“Show me you can use it first. Out of all the people of history, there has only ever been one who could do it, the Sandaime Hokage of my home Village.”

 

The woman smirked slightly.

 

“It is true I cannot use it yet, however, for 100 Gald, I can tell you where they are.”

 

Naruto smiled and handed over 100 Gald.

 

“That's better.”

 

The woman nodded and opened her eyes, revealing very bland brown eyes.

 

“They have stopped by here not 2 hours ago. They asked for me to leave a message for three boys of your description should you have followed them that they are heading right now to the seal of fire to the north east.”

 

Naruto nodded and stood up.

 

“Thank you.”

 

The woman nodded slowly.

 

“You are welcome.”

 

The three left the tent and walked back out into the searing afternoon heat. They began walking back to the inn. Once they turned to corner, they heard shouts from behind them.

 

“There they are!”

 

Naruto turned around to see three Desians charging up to them. Naruto looked at them deadpanned.

 

“Desians…”

 

The leader of the group came up to them with his two subordinates directly behind him. He was full of confidence to the point he was up himself.

 

“Well, well, well what do we have here… A blond with blue eyes and Lloyd Irving.”

 

He took a casual glance at the wanted poster he had hung up earlier that was right beside him.

 

“Yup, it's him alright. If we capture both of them we'll be promoted for sure.”

 

Naruto looked at him in a deadpanned expression.

 

“What constitutes an `C' rank threat according to you?”

 

The man's confidence waved.

 

“What? When did you…”

 

Naruto sighed.

 

“You were so loud before that it was impossible not to hear you. Now, are you going to answer my question?”

 

The man regained his composure and began explaining.

 

“An `C' rank threat is someone capable of dealing with several Desian foot soldiers. However, we are not foot-“

 

“That's right. Not for much longer anyway.”

 

The Desians froze and turned around to see Naruto there.

 

“What! But wasn't he…”

 

Behind you? Yes, I was. And still am.”

 

They whipped back around to see both Lloyd and Genis become surrounded by smoke to reveal two more exact duplicates of Naruto. They looked around wildly.

 

“What? This… This isn't possible! All of them have mana!”

 

That was the last thing he said as one Naruto threw a shuriken, catching his whip and ripping it from his hand, pinning it against the wall.

 

“Three foot soldiers? Please…”

 

Before anyone could see what happened, Naruto ripped out the scroll that he had sealed his lance into and pulled it out, deflecting the crossbow bolt one of the fired and charged at them, hitting them in the backs of the necks with the upper part of the handle, knocking them unconscious. He got out of his attack stance and looked at the lance.

 

“I'll have to thank Tenten for training me when I get back…”

 

For the last year, Tenten had agreed to train Naruto with various forms of weapons, from swords to wooden staves. If it wasn't for that training, he wouldn't have a damn clue as to how to use this. Coming back from the `fortune tellers' tent, he'd detected they had been spotted and made a quick diversion by creating two clones and using a Henge on them to transform into his two companions. He'd sent the real two to make sure there were no more near the front of the village, and had asked them to come back after they had checked. The front of the village was just out of sight behind a stable where Noishe was not a minute ago. He became very worried. It shouldn't have taken them that long to check the front and come back…

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&

 

With Lloyd:

 

Lloyd awoke with a pounding headache and his entire body stiff.

 

“Oh man… What happened to me…”

 

Lloyd remembered then what had happened. After Naruto sent them to the front of the village, they had found three Desians and taken care of them. The last thing Lloyd remembered was being fried with electricity and then waking up here. He slowly stood up and wobbled over to the bars of his cell. He could hear several guards up the hall way talking.

 

“Still, you gotta feel sorry for the kid. He's just some shrimp and he's going to be executed with no reason given…”

 

Lloyd's eyes widened.

 

“Executed… What the hell?”

 

The group finished their conversation. Lloyd could hear two pairs of clanking footsteps retreating, while one came closer, just as a guard walked past him, and then back again, obviously on a patrol route. He walked up the hall an then back again, repeating the process. Lloyd checked to see all of his weapons and armour was gone, leaving him with nothing but his clothes and…

 

“The Sorcerer's Ring…”

 

Just before Lloyd had met with Naruto, he had helped Colette, Genis and Kratos receive the oracle at the temple just outside Iselia. After many puzzles, they had found the object that let them proceed to the top floor, the Sorcerer's Ring. Now, all it did was shoot a small ball of fire where he directed it in a straight line. He got an idea as the guard walked past again.

 

“Maybe if I…”

 

Lloyd waited for the guard to pass again, and timed it so that the ball of fire shot out between the bars an hit the soldier's arm, burning the clothing off and singing the arm in a small area around the site of impact. The guard grabbed his arm and grunted, looking around for his attack and seeing only Lloyd sitting with his back to the bars. He cursed and ran up the hall, going to seek medical treatment. Lloyd jumped up and looked for a way to escape. He saw some sort of thing jutting out from the wall that had a glass dome and a green square on it. He reached out through the bars, trying to touch the button.

 

“Just a little further…”

 

Lloyd's finger brushed the button and he fell back as the bars gave a hiss and rose into the ceiling. He looked at it suspiciously before deciding to figure it out later. Right now, he cared more about his gear. He poked his head out to see that he was alone. He slipped out and checked the other two cells next to him, finding some sort of box with a button on top of it. He pressed the button, and the lid clicked open revealing some sort of pelt. He shrugged.

 

“Could be useful…”

 

He took it and jammed it into one of his many pockets before checking the last cell to see it was empty. He started back up the hall way and stopped when he saw a room full of strange cords, massive machines and blinking lights with some sort of bench in the middle of it, where a lot of the cords were leading to. However, there was a box that caught his attention up against the wall. It was the same type as the one back in the cell next to his. He walked over to it and pressed the button to reveal his gear which he smiled at, grabbing and re equipping with haste. Lloyd strapped the wooden blades to his back and put the new steel ones on his belt. He snuck up the hall and rounded the corner where two Desians spotted him. There was silence for a moment. One of the Desians pointed at Lloyd.

 

“It's you! How did you get out?”

 

Lloyd sweat dropped.

 

“Oh damn…”

 

The second Desian readied his weapon and charged in.

 

“Prison break!”

 

Lloyd unsheathed his new set of swords and charged them, deflecting the crossbow bolt that the one to the back had shot at him so it struck the metallic walls. Lloyd blocked the horizontal slice from his closer opponent, sending back a swipe of his own. Lloyd was already way out of his element, and he didn't know what these steel boxes with lights were capable of doing, so decided to not use any special attacks. It was then that he remembered some of Naruto's earlier advice.

 

“A real warrior turns anything he can into training…”

 

Lloyd blocked another swing from the sword wielding Desian, and noticed the other one was loading another bolt. He ran towards him, catching both Desians by surprise as he brought his right sword down in a vertical strike, severing the Desian's weapon in half. With the pommel of his second sword, he slammed it into his stomach, winding him. The second Desian reacted, charging in to help his comrade just as Naruto struck the back of his target's helmet with the pommel of his other sword, completely knocking him unconscious. The second Desian tried to slow down and calculate his next move, which gave Lloyd the time he needed to knock the sword from the Desian's hand and kick him in the stomach, making him slam up against the wall and fall to the ground unconscious. Lloyd panted and smirked at his handy work. He quickly checked both the Desians, finding about 15 Gald on each, which he quickly pocketed. He could hear a voice coming from one of the unconscious Desian's belts, or more correctly, from a black box on his belt.

 

“Prison guard 102, do you copy? Please respond!”

 

Lloyd on impulse grabbed the box and spoke into it.

 

“Prison Guard 102, responding.”

 

“What took you so long?”

 

Lloyd was still panting, which the person speaking out of the box caught onto.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

“Yeah, the prisoner just woke up and started causing a racket. We've managed to get him back in his cell after knocking him out.”

 

There was silence for a moment before the thing talked again.

 

“Well, we're sending down several patrollers in your area just to make sure. Lord Bota was very specific as to that prisoner's status.”

 

Lloyd froze for a second before answering.

 

“It' fine, we've got him under control. The only damage he inflicted was burning one of us with a ring on his hand.”

 

“A ring?”

 

“Yeah. He pointed the ring at us and a small ball of fire came out of it. We've confiscated the ring and made sure he doesn't have anything else on him.”

 

There was silence for a second before a response came in.

 

“How is prison guard 104?”

 

Lloyd assumed he meant the one armed with the crossbow.

 

“He's fine. He's just resting. He got a punch to the helmet which he's recovering from.”

 

Just them, alarms sounded and he heard the black box click. Lloyd cursed and threw it against the wall, making it shatter as he charged up the hallway and through a pair of doors to reveal a room with some sort of blue cone taking up the majority of the room. Lloyd looked around desperately, seeing two doors. He started towards one when he heard shouts coming from it. He froze and jumped down into the hole in the ground that was surrounding the blue cone pillar, hiding from view. Not 3 seconds later, the doors opened and two guards charged into the room. One pointed to the other side of the room.

 

“Check that side and the storage bay door and make sure it's locked from the inside! I'll check this side and the prison area!”

 

The guard nodded.

 

“Yes sir!”

 

Both guards walked around the room. The one checking the storage bay found the door was locked and proceeded around the room to wait at the door Lloyd had just come from. About 15 seconds later, the other guard came out and looked at his companion.

 

“Find anything?”

 

The guard shook his head.

 

“Not a think sir. The door is locked securely from the inside and the panel hasn't been touched in over half an hour.”

 

“What? There's only three doors off this room! One he came out of, the other locked and the other we came through! It's like he vanished into thin air!”

 

The other guard sighed.

 

“We don't know what the kid's capable of. His blond companion is rumoured to have some sort of advanced skill with mana. He might have something to do with it.”

 

The other guard snorted.

 

“This place is rigged up to detect any and all mana used. If that was true, we'd know right away.”

 

The other guard nodded.

 

“That's true… What should we do sir?”

 

The guard gave one last look around the room.

 

“Inform all other guards you meet to be on the look out. I'm reporting this to command. A kid in red like that can't be that hard to miss…”

 

The other nodded and ran towards the door until he groaned.

 

“I forgot… We have to electrocute these damn things in order for the door to open… What a pain…”

 

The other guard nodded.

 

“Yeah, a complete pain in the ass. Take the other one, would you?”

 

The guard nodded and began walking over to the other side of the room. Lloyd heard a crackling sound from next to each of the guards and then a click, followed by a beep as the doors hissed open. Both guards walked through the door and shut, clicking again. Lloyd waited for several more moments before he jumped back up.

 

“Red, red, red, do my clothes stand out that much? Sheesh…”

 

“Lloyd remembered the strange device he's seen right in front of the door he came through and looked back. It looked like a multitude of cyan rings floating in the air, spinning around some sort of light the same colour of Genis's and Raine's hair. He walked up to it and saw two buttons on the upper most ring. Even though the ring was spinning, the buttons stayed still.

 

“What the hell is this place… This is some of the weirdest things I've ever seen… I guess I could try pressing one…”

 

“Lloyd went for the green button and pressed it. The green button disappeared as the ball of light broke apart into many smaller ones, and flew back, before halting and flying right at Lloyd. Lloyd cried out and held up his hands to shield his face. After several seconds, he slowly opened his eyes to see that the sorcerer's ring was now glowing with the same light as the ball. Lloyd waved it around, seeing the occasional small bolt of electricity come from the now lightning blue gem. Lloyd shrugged it off, deciding to figure all of this out later. He saw several flying pieces of metal with flaps attached to the side like wings hovering around the room. All of them had a tube attached to the underside of them and a red light that gave Lloyd the impression that it was an eye of some sort. He remembered the guards saying they had to electrocute them to open the doors. He saw two lines of glass running along the ground from the door to two square blue pads which the flying things flew over every now and again. Lloyd walked up behind one, seeing it didn't notice him. Lloyd followed it until it went over the panel and used the sorcerer's ring, surprised that a ball of lightning came out instead of a ball of fire. It hit the thing just as it was over the middle of the panel and it started smoking. Its flap wings went crazy while it tried to stay in the air. Lloyd saw that the line of glass leading from the pad to the door was now an electric blue. He didn't know how long it would last, so he ran over to behind the other one and did the same to it, and saw the door open. He charged for the door, hoping to make it in time. Just as he reached the door, the first one returned to normal and the door hissed before starting to close. Lloyd sprinted and jumped, rolling through the door just as it clicked shut. After quickly looking around to make sure the hallway was clear he let out a sigh and wiped his brow.

 

“That was way too close…”

 

After Lloyd got up, he saw the hallway branching to the right down a set of stairs and straight ahead, up a set of stairs. He could hear the whine of machinery coming from both so he decided to take the path on the right. Just as he was about to round the corner, he froze as he heard clanking footsteps and voices.

 

“Did you hear? The prisoner got out and they can't find him! How can they miss him in a place like this?”

 

“I have no clue. We've got guards patrolling every single hallway, and we haven't seen him. It's really like he really did disappear…”

 

Lloyd froze as they came up the stairs and passed within three feet of him before walking the other way, up the stairs. Lloyd sighed and headed down the stairs, entering a room that was filled machinery. There was an elliptical doorway at the end, with some sort of track leading to it from a circle of different coloured metal in the centre of the room. After taking this all in, he noticed one of the weird item boxes from before, so he ran over to it and opened it to reveal a pair of Apple Gels with a tag saying `Franks, hands off' on them. Lloyd ripped the tags off and started walking out when he walked by a yellow machine that clicked a whirred. Lloyd looked at it and scratched his head.

 

“There are so many weird things here… Let's see what this one does…”

 

He pressed a button and a black piece of glass came to life, displaying a message.

 

`Welcome to the refresher store. Please enter your ID card for your monthly allowance of gels. Otherwise, please chose from the following selection to buy.'

 

Lloyd was amazed as a list of Gels came up, as well as another item he'd never head of before.

 

“What the hell is a `Magic Lens'?”

 

It was only 10 Gald for one, so he chose it with the button next to it and after selecting two, the screen asked him to put 20 Gald into the coin slot. Lloyd heard a clink and saw that a metal plate had now slipped partially open to reveal a hole big enough for Gald pieces. He deposited 20 and heard the machine whirr again. Two things that looked like golden magnifying glasses came down into a tray near the bottom of the machine. Lloyd picked them up and looked over them, barely paying attention to the thank you message that disappeared before the machine stopped. Lloyd smiled and pocketed them.

 

“Cool! You can buy things from this one!”

 

Lloyd went back out of the room, checking for the guards. He walked slowly up to the junction and just restrained himself from sighing. He'd come at the worst possible time… The guards were now coming on the back leg of their journey. If Lloyd walked back now, they'd hear him and he'd be caught again. All he could do was wait and hope for the best. They drew level with the junction as Lloyd's heart caught in his throat. However, the guards continued walking passed, in the direction Lloyd had originally come from. Taking this as his opportunity, he slipped passed them and quietly up the stairs. When he entered the next room, he saw a blue circle on the floor made of the same stuff the rings were that held the ball of light in the first room. On it were six coloured circles arranged in two rings. Each ring had a blue, green and red circle. The outer circles pointed to pretty much nothing, but the inner circles seemed to point towards the three doors in the room. The red inner red circle pointed towards a door to Lloyd's right, while the inner green circle pointed to a door on Lloyd's left. Currently, both blue circles were aligned and pointing towards the door Lloyd had just come through. He noticed a strange machine coming out of the floor behind the circle as well as three rotating poles with electricity sparking off them randomly. He knew if he took too long, the guards would come back up and find him, so he ran around the main circle and up to the strange machine. He pressed a green button as it began an explanation.

 

`Using Volt Style Mana on the electrical pylons, turn the circles to open the corresponding doors. The poles relate to a 90 degree, 45 degree and 20 degree turn in order from top to bottom-`

 

Lloyd didn't even listen to the rest of it and he grabbed his head.

 

“What is with this place? I didn't get any of that!”

 

Lloyd looked up at the poles and decided to go for it. He could hear the guards returning so he shot the electrical energy from the Sorcerer's Ring at the pole which hummed and crackled violently as he heard a click and the door he came through locked. The outer coloured circles began moving, taking a 90 degree spin clockwise. The green circle aligned with the inner green one and the room's lighting flashed green before Lloyd heard a click and saw the door to his left open. He charged, not caring where it took him, as long as it was away from here. He ran through, entering a small room with metal cabinets that had names on them. He ignored them and straight to a door that said `exit'. He ran up to it, but it refused to open. Lloyd punched the door.

 

“Damn it! After I've come all this way, I can't leave? Gah!”

 

Lloyd turned around and noticed where he was. He saw several partially opened doors to the cabinets and walked up to the, seeing boxes with the green lights on them. He pressed the light and his eyes widened as he saw that it was filled with numerous 20 Gald pieces.

 

“Jackpot!'

 

Lloyd took them, not caring which Desian they belonged too and looked to see another one. He opened it to reveal a bottle of liquid he recognised as a Life Bottle. Pocketing his stolen goods, he ran back into the other room to hear the guards pounding on the door. He paid no attention to them and went back up to the top pole. He saw that there was a circle on the raised platform, with one quarter of it coloured orange. The next one had half of that, while the one after had half of that. Lloyd shrugged and shot the pole again as the circles began moving. None of them lined up, but Lloyd did manage to see something.

 

“Oh, I get it! If I shoot this pole here, the outer thing will go a quarter of the way around! Heh, I'm pretty smart.”

 

Lloyd then noticed that the only door he hadn't tired was the red door. The red light was less than a quarter of a circle away from the inner red circle.

 

“If I use this one again… The Red circles will go past each other and I'll have to go around again… I wonder…”

 

Lloyd stepped off the platform, the guards still beating on the door. He walked up to the third one and shot it, making the red circle move a tiny bit to the right and line up, unlocking the last room. Lloyd smiled as he charged through the door, entering a very well decorated room. He sighed and wiped his brow.

 

“Man that was way too close…”

 

“And who exactly are you?”

 

Lloyd whipped around to see a man with cyan hair drawn back into a pony tail. He wore a black cloak. He raised his gloved hand at Lloyd and started gathering mana in the palm. Lloyd recovered from his shock and struck a confident pose.

 

“Give me your name and I'll give you mine.”

 

The pony tailed man smirked.

 

“You've got guts, I like that. However, I don't see the need to introduce myself to a fool like yourself.”

 

Lloyd smirked.

 

“What a coincidence, because I don't see the need to introduce myself to a moron who doesn't realise how pathetic he is.”

 

The man's face twisted into a grimace.

 

“Why you miserable little-“

 

Lloyd didn't give him the chace and unsheathed his sword, going for a horizontal swing to his mid section. However, the man dodged it with ease, giving Lloyd a dead panned look. Lloyd's eyes widened considerably.

 

`This guy isn't a chump like the rest of them…'

 

At that moment, the door Lloyd came though opened, revealing the man that had attacked Iselia at the temple the day he had met Naruto.

 

“It's you! You're the Desian who attacked Iselia!”

 

One of the several guards smirked.

 

“They still think we're Desians…”

 

The man in grey robes who was known as Bota looked to the other major occupant in the room.

 

“Sire, we've received reports that the Chosen's group has infiltrated the facility. The blond human has completely decimated any forces that have gotten in his way with the help of the Chosen's group. They will be here shortly.”

 

The man nodded.

 

“Our plans will be ruined if he sees me. Bota, I'm leaving the rest to you.”

 

Bota nodded.

 

“Understood.”

 

The man looked back at Lloyd with narrowed eyes.

 

“The next time we meet, Lloyd, you're mine.”

 

With that, the man ran out of the door to the back of the room. Just then, the door flew open, revealing a very pissed off Naruto. Naruto looked at Bota.

 

“So, you're the one running things around here. I'll hand it to you; this place is a work of genius. However, you have no where to run to.”

 

He smirked and withdrew a massive red weapon that looked like a cross between an axe and a sword. Lloyd smiled at Naruto.

 

“Naruto!”

 

Naruto smiled at Lloyd.

 

“I had a feeling you would be fine, Lloyd. We can talk later, for now, let's take care of this guy.”

 

Lloyd agreed and sided up to Naruto, Genis taking his other side while Kratos stepped in behind them. The others split up and tried too keep the swarms of guards out of the room that were coming in from each door. Naruto put his lance into an offensive position, while Kratos unsheathed his steel long sword and Genis started charging a spell. Naruto ran forward, with Lloyd by their side. Kratos was right behind them. Naruto called out to Lloyd and Kratos.

 

“Lloyd, Kratos! I need both of you to keep the underlings off my back! Genis, give them support! Once you deal with them, help me with this one!”

 

All three of them nodded and separated to take care of the foot soldiers, who charged forwards, curved sabres in hand. Kratos' sword met with his opponents several times before he sliced him across the chest, making him drop the sword and clutch his chest. He gasped out and gurgled as blood began filling his lungs. Kratos ended his life by stabbing him through the chest and went to join Naruto with Bota. Lloyd completely severed his opponent's blade near the hilt, making the soldier back away.

 

“No way… That was tempered steel!”

 

Lloyd smiled as he ran up, aiming a slice for his head, but feinted and kneed the guard in the ribs, cracking his sternum and he immediately fell unconscious. Lloyd saw both Naruto and Kratos fending off Bota's massive weapon, while Genis had just completed a trio of fireballs which he launched at Bota. Bota was preparing for some sort of spell as a mana circle formed on the floor around him. Lloyd didn't give him the chance and charged up behind him, letting lose a war cry and thrusting his sword straight at Bota's unprotected back. What surprised him though was that Bota still had the ability to block Lloyd's attack, as well as Genis' with his weapon and keep channelling the spell.

 

“Stalagmite!'

 

Bota brought the blade up and then down as he plunged it into the ground, letting rock chunks fly outwards from the tip of the sword. Lloyd managed to deflect the first few, but the ones after that kept pummelling him and eventually sent him flying back against the wall. He collapsed and groaned as, feeling like he'd just been hit by a boulder. This wasn't exactly incorrect, as he had just been hit by numerous flying rocks. Colette called out to her childhood friend in horror.

 

“Lloyd!”

 

Naruto called back to Colette.

 

“Colette! Focus on your fight! Lloyd's strong enough to survive that!”

 

Colette nodded and went back to throwing her twin chakrams at the incoming enemies. Naruto looked at Kratos, who nodded and fell back, beginning to channel as spell. Naruto focused the chakra blade to extend a little further as he charged inwards to keep Bota off Kratos until he could finish. Naruto would have loved to go all out, and use a couple of Jutsu, but there was far too high a chance of friendly fire if he did. Bota brought his sword around in a sweep, which Naruto met with his lance. The weapons were locked so that the points were directly pointed at each other's heads. Naruto smirked as he let out a cry and announced his spell.

 

“Chakra Lance!”

 

Bota saw the mana come out of Naruto's hand and up the lance, extending the blade with mana. He cursed and dropped downwards, just missing having his head impaled. Kratos finished his spell, which he directed at Lloyd.

 

“First Aid!”

 

Lloyd immediately felt his wounds heal, and he stood back up, giving a nod to
Kratos before charging in, just as Bota recovered.

 

“Take this! Sword Rain!”

 

Bota looked surprised for a moment as Lloyd let lose a lightning fast volley of thrusts, few of which he could block. One of them stuck his forearm, making him drop his weapon. He glared at Lloyd and the others.

 

“I vastly underestimated you powers… We will most certainly meet again. Until then, goodbye.”

 

Bota took advantage of his numerous opponents temporarily lapse of fighting to escape through the door the other man had escaped through. Naruto sighed and deactivated his chakra lance, while the others sheathed their weapons, since the enemies started to retreat. Naruto sighed and smiled at Lloyd.

 

“Not bad, Lloyd.”

 

Lloyd smiled and sheathed his swords.

 

“Speak for yourself. Can you teach me how to do that?”

 

Naruto smirked.

 

“In time. Remember, basics first, and then cool stuff.”

 

Lloyd nodded and turned to everyone else.

 

“So, you guys came to rescue me?”

 

Naruto snorted but nodded.

 

“I can't leave you alone for 2 minutes without something like this happening, can I?”

 

Lloyd glared back at Naruto.

 

“Hey! It's not like I asked for this!”

 

Both boys glared at each other before turning to look at the others. Naruto retuned to normal.

 

“Well, this wasn't exactly how I expected to meet…”

 

Raine nodded.

 

“Yes, it's not exactly the most common meeting place…”

 

Naruto shrugged and turned to the man that was Kratos. Kratos was a rather tall, red headed man with brown eyes. He wore some form of blue suit that had two pointed `tails' of sorts coming down from either side of the back part of his belt. He was armed with a moderate length steel sword and a wooden shield that had obviously seen numerous battles. Kratos had an air of confidence around him, much like Naruto's. The type that could only be gained from many life or death experiences. Naruto looked at Kratos and saw a tinge of something familiar, which he shook off and extended his hand.

 

“So you're Kratos. I'm Naruto.”

 

Kratos took it and gave a firm hand shake, and a slight nod of acknowledgment. Naruto looked at Colette.

 

“Colette, while I can understand that you want to protect Lloyd, I'm extremely disappointed in you that you would lie to me and deny me a way back home to protect him.”

 

Colette looked away.

 

“I'm sorry, Naruto…”

 

Naruto shrugged it off and smiled widely.

 

“Even so, we still ended up tagging along.”

 

Naruto's grin was infectious, and everyone but the stoic Kratos either smiled or smirked. Kratos looked around and then back at the group.

 

“I suggest we continue the introductions and catch up later. For now, we had best leave.”

 

Naruto nodded in agreement.

 

“They could just be looking to regather before assaulting us again. Let's move.”

 

Before they were able to leave, Raine noticed the weapon Bota had dropped, or more specifically, a part of it. She bent down and touched it.

 

“Lloyd, is this gem an Exsphere?”

 

Lloyd looked at it and nodded.

 

“Yeah. Take it with you. Ask Genis how to use one.”

 

Raine nodded and detached the Exsphere from the weapon, running out of the room with the rest of them. Once they had left the room, lining up the way to the exit with the circles and reaching the exit which was still locked. Raine looked over the panel and sighed.

 

“It's locked remotely… I can't do anything…”

 

Naruto nodded and stepped forward.

 

“All of you; get into the room behind me. I'm going to blow it open.”

 

Everyone's eyes widened but they nodded and left while Naruto pulled out several explosive seals, slapping them on the middle of the door. Once the trio of notes were set, Naruto primed them and left into the room behind them where the others were waiting.

 

“All of you stay here, I'm going to set them off.”

 

Naruto pointed two fingers towards the door and his eyebrows narrowed. They heard a massive explosion rock the facility. After a while, Naruto nodded.

 

“It should be fine now. Let's move.”

 

All of the charged through the door led by Naruto and out into the early morning desert sunlight, heading back towards Triet.

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&

 

A/N: Oh my god, this is going to be a very, very long fic. I haven't even gotten up to the point where they release the first seal yet and I've already done 2 over 10k word chapters… Well, I'll catch you around.

 

Ja na,

 

Specula.