A/N: For the longest time I've wanted to do a fanfiction of Naruto. I've been watching this for a ten or so years but couldn't find myself to do it until I saw the story to the end. I still haven't but I know where it ends and can't wait to get there. I'm starting from the beginning of Naruto around episode two or three. This story will follow canon and filler at times and stretch certain bloodlines to the limits. Hopefully this won't crash and burn as it goes.

Chapter 1: I Awake at Last

I wondered what this feeling was. The weight of my fingers as they began to stir. The spark in my muscles being signaled to start up. The upheaving sensation of a mind restarting for a new day. The feeling of waking from a long slumber is one left unappreciated by most. It feels as if I've been asleep for so long until now. My joints felt a little rattled with each twitch as warm spread from my core to the tips of my fingers and toes. My body slightly heavier than normal, I'd have to say metaphorically. It does feel lighter quiet literally though than what I last remember.

What followed the end of that gentle sleep though was pain. Pain is always second, and it started at my head as the most noticeable. My head hurt so much that I reached up to the spot and applied some pressure to help combat it. The hot thumping in my head, even in my brain, could best be described as if it was split open with a hammer and chisel by an amateur blacksmith after a night and day of drinking.

With the pain then came information and memories of days long past and hopes for the future. I saw my day on the sea as a pirate, the sleepless night spent assassinating my target, and even the times between night and day in the Twilight realm. It took me a minute to figure it all out and realize that what I was experiencing was a harsh and fast-moving play through of all my memories. I never replayed through them in such a fashion before, so why was I going through it now? Suddenly my head hurt twice as much as memories I couldn't recognize filled my mind greatly confusing me to no end.

Who in the underworld is Naruto Uzumaki?

That name is Japanese, as far I can tell with my limited knowledge, but what does it mean to me?

I laid back with my eyes closed as this name poured over my mind like a waterfall. I saw memories of torture by the hands of a mob of sorts. I saw days of loneliness. I saw flashes of someone suffering from starvation, scavenging for food in trash bins and dumpsters. I could relate heavily on what I've experienced from this other side. For some reason he suffered the hate of a large amount of men and women for reasons he couldn't fathom. This boy, Naruto Uzumaki, from what I'm seeing never lived a life because of what happened around him. He was forced into the dark much like how I was. From what I could make out, nothing ever went his way. No matter what he did in the end he was treated the same and given the short end of the stick.

His ninja life is what I found the most ridiculous being it wasn't much of one. The trials leading up to it was strange, nearing discombobulated in format. His days at the academy are pathetic in his attempt to prove himself to others. Being a child though what other choices did he have than to try? His infatuation with this pink haired girl confused me. The relationship was relatively negative. I'm not the most experienced in romance but know the criteria to fit one. His obsession towards one black haired boy I found strange but unsurprising. We all need a goal to focus on less we become beasts.

Names of places, people, and how they relate were next. This was short and sweet but interesting at the same time. The people Uzumaki surrounded himself with aren't the best. I shook my head as the memories came to an end of the boy falling asleep. So far its been a few days since picking up with Team 7. The leader happened to be an openly perverted man that reads this little book filled with smut apparently. This one man can't seem to keep his hands to himself or away from a boy's rear as well. I've never liked humoring men like that in my life so I did my best to avoid them. This Kakashi may be strong but also a fool like many others I've seen in these memories. According to the memories I'm currently in the leaf village and it was close to sun up.

I sighed and stretched my limps out to the familiar sound of snapping bones and joints. Regardless of these strange memories, the screams from oblivion have stopped so I won't let it get to me. I'm no longer swirling around in the abyss and in a physical body once more. That means either my body was either rebuilt and I've returned to it, or that I went to the Great Wheel and forced to be reincarnated with more than few glimpses of my former life. That's not possible though so I put that thought behind me. No one reincarnated in another body would sustain their memories. I'm no special case. I must be back.

The sun wasn't out yet so I let myself up to my feet to take a walk out. My legs felt a bit wobbly at first. I was forced to catch myself on the wall so not to tumble to the ground. My balance was off. I closed my eyes to study my body and tested out the kinks to find my center. Once I did, I pushed off the wall and walked in the center of the room. I've found myself in a strange place. Once that was oddly familiar and not from my memories. A simple little room with, one twin sized bed, a single table eith a chair, and basic kitchen appliances is what I found myself in the middle of. I blinked and looked around until my eyes happened on a small photograph on a nightstand. Strange, because this sort of phenomenon doesn't exist.

I blinked and looked down to my hands and what I was wearing. "What in the cold void is this?" I asked myself. I'm wearing some strange outfit I could only assume is sleepwear. It's atrocious on me and if memory serves again this is what that boy wore to bed. His room, his clothes, and much more as I looked further down to my hands and feet. Quickly, I looked myself over and almost lost it.

"Impossible," I muttered. My skin tone is different. Instead of being darkened brown like it's always been now it's a light tanned color from sun exposure. I reached up to my face and felt down from my forehead to my chin. My forehead if less broad, my chin a bit more angular, and finally my cheeks being fuller. I've three intents etched onto both of my cheeks just like that boy did. I reached up to my hair to it being long enough to take in hand. I physically examined my body nearly begging my Goddess of the Moon and Ocean that this isn't be true. This isn't my own older and stronger one body. I don't live to hope or to pray and so the realization hit me instantly.

I'm in his body. One of Naruto Uzumaki. This couldn't be possible. I can't just inhabit a body with another soul in it, if the soul remains. I can't cross worlds for that's impossible, but the abyss connects to more than one plane of reality. It connects to more than one world. Its very much possible that in my fall I've finally hit solid ground in this plane. "No," I shook my head frantically. Thoughts, feelings, and unstable sensations suddenly cursed my mind. Ones that I couldn't make sense of. Ones the excited an aged old habit spawned from years of fight or flight. I wanted to run right now. I'm not sure why, I'm not sure where, and I'm not sure how but it must happen now. I shot over to the closet and opened it to the bane of my existence; an orange jump suit. If I saw someone other than a civilian wear this I'd have killed that person out of principle.

I sighed deeply before tearing some thing on my head off and tossing it away towards my bed. If this is my next step, and in the body of another, then more than likely, like the rest of my past lives, I'll end up following the trend of struggle like always. Once a completed and unhinged soul enters a body without one it then becomes encased in the confines of that body. I've learned this during my years battling the supernatural. That means I'm stuck in this body. Why though? This boy and I have... a bit more in common than I'd like to admit. That means his future will be... I shook my head again. A dark feeling, one I couldn't place, filled me. I hated it and felt disgusted by it.

No, not this time. I won't go back in the same way as before.

I'm not the scared boy I was before. I've memories, experience, and power to change my destiny. I'm not defenseless like I was as a child. I'm not clueless like I was an adult. I won't be a weapon wielded by the undeserving ever again. I can make this work. I just need to believe I can, and If I follow the proper steps I won't repeat the trend. This body is uneducated and ignorant of the world so the only thing I could probably do now is somehow learn about this world. Take the steps once more to break my mind, body, and spirit. Then seek a goal or mission to keep me focused like I learned so long ago. I need to study and figure out just what is going on. To do that I need a source of information like a library or something. Something where I can think straight and isn't too familiar to confuse me. My mind was everywhere, and this place was clouding me.

The first thing I did was take a walk just to get a feel for my body. As I walked, I started to noticed them. I heard the whispers and felt the eyes on my form as I passed by. It made my shiver and spawned more dark feelings in my stomach. I still don't understand what I'm feeling. I simply need to think this little situation through so not to panic. I was never one to panic so won't. I'll just try to think everything through logically. I mean this wasn't the first time my soul entered the void and was spirted away to another body before. It's not the insane same the dark emotions around me and within me. I just need to preoccupy my thoughts instead. Ignore it the best I can.

In my time "Shinobi" no longer exist as far as the public people know or care. I know that the name Naruto Uzumaki is a Japanese name from my time that can be translated into fishcake like what you put on… something. I don't know what right now. It can translate to Maelstrom with the whirlpool at the end. I can assume that I originated from a watery environment. I mean... what do I mean?

By what the memories tell me, this boy spent by a good chunk of his here but his knowledge lacking in places. Blanks and gaps in knowledge and memories even. The emotions behind them are very potent though. Emotions that are overwhelming me. It's becoming difficult to ignore them all and the looks now. That urge to run as still there. The boy seemed to run a lot when the whispers got too bad. Right now, it's overwhelming me; this emotion inside me.

"I have to get away," I told myself. For a moment, I used an old technique to shift around my energies to make myself transparent to the closed eye. I don't want to be followed, and I believe I remember hearing something about ninja being able to sense energy like I could in my tracker days. While this charka stuff isn't my forte Od, natural spirit energy, on the other hand has always come second nature to me.

As I drew closer to the way out the village I felt the emotion on my chest fading. My mind was settling with each step. How can a place spawn such discomfort? The few memories I can recall answer that fittingly. Suffer enough in a place or because of a person you natural begin to attune that to that word suffering. They or it becomes an example to your own definition. I couldn't take the main gate out, because I was being watched this whole time. Instead I routed around to a small tunnel out that I found… Naruto found as a kid. Once out I felt so much better to get out of that place, away from the stare, away from the looks, and away from the aura. I can feel the adverse intent around me like before clouding my thoughts. This was better, but that desire to run remained. To run away from caused me such pain and unrest. It's unfamiliar but not something to ignore.

With ease, I burst into a full-on sprint through the wood North. I'm sure the village will be fine for a couple hours without me there to bless it with my presence. This run was exactly what I need to catch my thought and won't stop until the pressure ceases. During the couple hours of running I searched my mind for something to answer the crucial questions. First and foremost was parentage. This Naruto longed for a family to call his own. He longed for a mother and father to welcome him home and take care of him. It I could feel I'd probably pity the young man. I searched his mind but can't find anything. Nothing pertaining to his origins exists as far as he knows. I've found no evidence of him ever having immediate family or extended somewhere outside the village. This can be researched later to figure out. Bloodlines are crucial to know your true capabilities.

Naruto searching for family for a moment but stopped for some reason just not a rational one. I can continue the search though. Even if I don't find anything, some form of closer will be nice. It'd be fascinating to see this chapter unfold. I won't blame a child for ignorance but the adults that influenced him. Only two positive ones came to mind. One of which kept him stagnant. Naruto wouldn't have changed if he kept to the way he was going.

So, I need to change my likeness, discover Naruto's bloodline, and find concrete information I can turn into knowledge both now and for the future. This can be a decent start since I've given this body a decent test run. I can procure some clothes that don't hurt my eyes and armor to cover my vital areas. A sword or two can't hurt same with a projectile weapon. I seem recall this one time I saw this one girl who had the ability to bring out ten weapons from one scroll. If memory serves this Naruto Uzumaki was walking around training grounds at the time until he came up to her and her team. That sealing thing would be beneficial. Since I found myself in the world of overpowered mages or "ninja", I might as well take every advantage I can.

The summoning lightning thing I remember this one anbu character did will be very useful; a little flashy in the literal sense. If the flash can be reduced to something diminutive and less sparkly it could be a nice assassination tool to have. Currently, I have only a few of these "jutsu" things. The shadow clone - makes solid clones that fade they're dealt enough damage. Think I might test out the shadow clone soon. It might help me get around the city more.

The henge - shapeshifts the user into a solid form instead of an illusion. That'll be useful as well. If it's solid I guess it would make more sense for it to be called transmutation instead.

My thoughts went to the being within me as well. The Kyūbi is what Mizugi called Naruto. There's a construct powerful enough to destroy a village sealed within this vessel. Even now I can feel it within me. It's like a demon waiting for its moment to take hold of me. It would be sort of worth seeing it in action upon the city just to see its capabilities. Maybe watch it destroy the castle in the distance and crash through the massive buildings full of lights. This city would fall in moments…

Wait, I am in the city right now?

I stopped and noticed that I was in a city and sweating like crazy. I rose my hand to my head and wiped off a massive layer of sweat from my brow. I looked around and up to the sky. The sun is waning placing the time in the evening timeframe. "How long have I been running?" I asked myself a bit mystified. I didn't mean to run so far north or so long that I've reached a new city. I felt my back arc and dropped down to my knees. My breath was completely lost and struggled to catch what I could. I'm heavily winded and tired so I've made been running for more than half the day. Maybe eight or so hours at full burst then. "Goddess," I gasped. Did I, Naruto, desire an escape that badly. My mind was preoccupied, and this body kept moving. That's interesting.

Once my breathing stabilized, I leaned back up to get for a moment to get some form of bearing for my strange surroundings. If culture shock is a real thing then I was suffering from it drastically. I'm used to more English or western surroundings not a modernized China one I'm stuck in the middle of. I'm surrounded by people towering over my smaller frame that I felt a little shaky. My back shivered and my stomach seized. There're too many people in such close confides surrounding me. Way too many. I'm being... What's the word for it? Claustrophobic I believe it was. I used to be towering over a good amount of the people around me. My old body was an inch shy of six feet. I suppose it's slowly getting to me.

I'm unfamiliar with my body, in a relegated body, have terrible control over bodily energies, in strange over the top surroundings, and even worse is that my mind is literally in shambles. I have always pride myself as a master of the human mind. Because of the instances, I was capable of controlling my emotions and mental state. I was a mind breaker after all. With my abilities, in just one touch, I could dive into your mind and body and hijack it. The more weak-minded the individual the smoother dive and deeper I could set my roots. My methods held high probability of death on both sides until I discover that I was lacking on mental fortitude to better shield myself against the backlash from the break. It strengthen the force I needed to put into my dive too.

Now though I'm sure it's going to be a challenge. Just what am I going to do here when I suffer from such disadvantages? How can I unlock the mind of another while my own is incarcerated? I haven't even entered my mind's plane yet. I've been taught how to make a "Home" within my own mind to retreat to. Once learned I spent more than my fair share of time in my mind unlocking and building. I made a home for myself and a library I could store memories in - to relive them. In a matter of moments in the real world I could play out minutes of strategy in my mind in battle. My mind was the key to my success. Naruto Uzumaki; I've rarely encountered a mental space so broken and poorly glued back together in my life. It was like someone took parts of this boy's mind, rearranged them, and then locked the rest away. You can't delete memories once they're made so the pieces are in this mind somewhere. Why do this though?

That's another task to add to the list then. I just need to find those memories then piece this mind back together. This'll take time, months most likely, just from what I feel. Whoever manipulated this boy's mind I'll punish them in due time. For right now I should get to work. As far as I'm standing, I am well past the zero marker in mental fortitude. This mind will require a lot of work but usually the most fragmented of minds carry the most rewards. I suppose I will see.

First things first, I need the essentials if I'm going to stay incognito in this lively city without bringing the guards down upon me. The first thing I need to figure out is why a good amount of the people I passby are looking my way in slight suspicion. It's not the same like in the village. Their stares are born of vehement disgust and hatred. These are more curious. All the eyes flowing towards me are like small little needles on the back of my neck. Most of the focus was on my top half. "They don't recognize this vessel though," I felt strange about. Relieved I believe. I'm not a demon brat here. I'm just another face and that helps vastly. But I've something on me that distinguishes me from the rest of the men and women around me. Their eyes are focusing on something above my torso that much I could tell. Is it the spiraling patch on my shoulder? I noticed with the memories the only people that wore this swirl are the people with those green jests but theirs is red where mine is white. Then again that shouldn't matter in this town without ninja in it.

Ninja. That must be it. I reached up to my forehead and felt warm metal on the palm of my hand. Iruka-sensei's forehead protector was on my head. I don't even remember putting it on when I left the village early this morning. I don't remember doing something like this after so little of a time ago is more of a shock than the action itself. I frowned and walked to a trash can on the side of the road. I rose the lid up and held the Leaf Protector over it. Just as I was about to release it my hand suddenly tightened harshly around the metal. I rose an eyebrow before bringing it back close to my chest. I want to toss it away, but it seems I can't.

"Iruka-sensei gave this to me." I reasoned with myself. "This was the one he earned when he became a genin so I can't just throw it away. He's been too good to me!"

I shook my head of related thoughts that followed. I don't know this Iruka all that well, and I don't care to. It seems the essence that is Naruto Uzumaki remains even though his soul has long left this body. Not since his... death? I think he died. By the pain in my eyes it might have happened. When I think about Naruto the pain increases. Being in the village made it almost unbearable. I reached up to my eye and suddenly felt something wet on it. I pulled my hand back and saw a bit of blood on my finger. Blood that came from my eye. This mind is more damaged than I first assumed if I'm crying blood. This is a bad omen if I've ever seen one for my coming death. I've seen this before on other people all with the same symptoms.

I closed my eyes to recall anything about my day. I don't remember every single step I took today. I don't even remember running or walking. I don't remember getting dressed, even in this jumpsuit. I don't remember so much right now about today and some of yesterday. This doesn't bode well.

What happened to this boy?

What happened to his mind?

I dove into my mind and noticed a common trend in the memory banks. Fragments of conversations without conclusion, incidents that led to a blank space with no climax, and a promise to someone whose face I can't make out. A boy... Naruto promised a boy something.

I shook off these thoughts as I held Iruka's Shinobi Band in front of me. I frowned when my body trembled at the thought of tossing it into the trash bin. I think this thing is useless to me. It serves no purpose other than minor forehead protection, but this won't be enough a reason to dispose of it. If I plan to have some form of head protection a metal plate on a piece of cloth isn't one them. This body won't control my actions, and I won't let it show such emotions of dread so easily. First is fear to discard something like a 'treasure' it received from a brother figure. Such sentimentality is contemptable. It's a weakness, it's a kink in the armor, and the perfect vulnerability for an assassin's blade to slip into.

Another fact that came to mind of which I can't deny is that this body isn't fully under my control. This is another task to add to the list it seems.

I tore the bandana and metal plate apart then pocket the metal plate. I kept the blue bandana in hand. I can use this to cover my most distinguishing feature; my hair. My hair was too long and reached far enough to block my sight just a little. It was enough to force me to hold up my bangs with my hand. I can use this bandana to hold them out of my eyes, but I haven't tied a bandana before. I've never learned how to so maybe I need to go ask someone to help me do this.

I looked around for a moment and spot a meat bun stand to not far from me. The young man and woman behind the counter sort of reminded me of Teuchi-ojii-san and Ayame-oneechan… What in the deathly cold void was that?

I shook my head furiously.

My thoughts weren't my own, again. That's the problem right there; I'm thinking instead of doing.

I took a breath and walked up to the meat bun stand. I waved at the young woman with mixed pale blond and brown hair I can see outside that bandana on her head with light brown eyes. She seemed nice enough to talk to as long as I didn't say or do anything loud, knuckleheaded, and obnoxious. I cleaned my throat and stepped up to the stand. The woman saw me first and waved at me. "Afternoon, how may I help you kid?" The woman spoke invitingly to me which made me flinch.

I'm not used to that. People talking to me like I'm just another one in the crowd. That kid bit as well made my eye twitch a little. I haven't been a kid in over twenty years so to hear this was a little less than amusing. I left it alone for now and presented the woman the bandana. She eyed it with confusion before looking back up to my face but not into my eyes directly. Even though I looked straight into hers she evaded my sight strangely enough. I've the feeling that I'm making her uncomfortable with my gaze, but that was nothing new to me. My heart was always easy to read once you gazed into my eyes. My heart hold nothing, hollow. I'm nothing, feel nothing, and see everything else as nothing other than just another part of the grand scheme.

I cleared my throat before speaking and answering the question. "Can you do me a favor ma'am and tie this over my hair and forehead?" The woman blinked for moment as if digesting what I just said. She rose her eyes back up but then averted them again away from my own. Why did she refuse to look me in the eyes? Was it the emptiness or something else?

The woman closed her eyes for a moment and took a breath before walking around the stand towards me. "So, you don't know how to tie down a rag over your hair?"

"No," I answered quickly. I already saw the question coming before she ever thought about asking me. It wasn't too hard to read this sort of human and just how to approach this to get what I want. I need to put up a much more inviting front if I wish to get my way. I smiled gently and said, "Would you kindly help me ma'am? I'd appreciate it."

The woman blinked at my sudden change in disposition and looked at me closely now. She hesitated to take the blue bandana from my hand but calmed down when I beckoned her to take it with that smile still on my lips. The woman took the bandana and slip behind me. I felt the bandana slip up and around my head then tightened around it at the bottom of my hairline. It covered my forehead and my hair well enough. I opened my eyes and sat the line of the cloth at the edge of my vision. I messed with the knot a bit and shifted the cloth around and nodded with approval. "Thank you, ma'am," I turned to the woman and bowed. "Thank you very much. You're very lovely." The woman smiled brightly at me and nodded. I returned it and turned around to leave.

I fiddled with the fit a bit more before I was satisfied with it. 'This will do now, but I need something to cover my eyes as well.' I mused with my eyes traveling around from one face to the next. I found the answer when I reached into my pockets. I pulled out a pair of green goggles. The sort that this boy carried all the time even after becoming a ninja. The same pair he received on one of his birthdays from an unknown sender. I had assumed he planned to leave them at home once things really began to kick off for his ninja career. Maybe they ended up grabbed out of habit. This body is doing what it wants in the absence of thought. Muscle memory most likely. I pulled the googles over my eyes and secured them with ease. This will do for now no matter how unorthodox this appearance is. The most important thing is to cover features that can incriminate me.

I pulled my hands down and shivered with goosebumps when my palm rubbed against my cheeks. I forgot about the whisker marks on my cheeks. By the goddess these things are sensitive. I think if someone got their hands on these I'd fall to the ends of my life. I need one of those masks those Anbu wear. I wonder if I could even acquire one if I wanted to. Maybe I could buy one, but to do that I need money. What use was money though without knowing a place to spend it? It would take me days to navigate this city. There must be a way to make this easier. I dove into my mind and searched for something to use. I think the answer would be that obvious.

The shadow clone jutsu. The clones could look around to find me a clothes shop, preform basic reconnaissance, and then report back to me later. They could also find a library, a weapons shop, and a place to get some money as well. A casino could do the trick. Team Seven did a D-Rank mission recently so I've my frog bag full of coins. It wouldn't take too long to get some more.

Like I have seen a dozen times, I brought my hands came up to a familiar seal. I reached into the ocean of this chakra stuff in my body and took a piece. I just need to repeat as Naruto did until I figure it out myself. My jutsu released and created a large blast of smoke. So much smoke that I couldn't help but cough a little when it hit my lungs. That's something I should fix as well. When the smoke cleared I was surrounded by a large amount of Naruto's. So many that my jaw almost dropped. I only put a little in that jutsu and somehow, I was surrounded by maybe forty of these clones. How much of this Chakra did he put in that jutsu to do this?

One clone suddenly stepped up to me with a smile. "Sup boss, what ya need?"

"I… ahh." I cleared my throat first to compose myself in front of the silent group of clones. "I need all of you to get a feel of the city. I need for you all to find a clothing shop, a library, a weapons shop or stall, and somewhere to make some cash on the side."

"Clothes shop? Why a clothes shop?" I looked at one of the clones with a deadpanned stare. "What?" He asked apparently not getting the simple reason of the why I or anyone would want to go to a clothes shop.

"You dumbass it's so he could buy clothes," another clone answered with a stiff stare like what I had.

"Why? hat's wrong with our…?"

BAM!

I punched the clone in the face and watched as it shot back onto the ground. On impact with the ground it burst into smoke surprising the other clones around me. "Anyone else have any stupid questions for me?" I looked around and most of the clones shook their heads. "Thank you," I waved them off. "Now off you go. And don't forget to report in."

One clone rose his hand.

"Yes," I sighed.

"Ya boss, how do we report in without radios or something like that?"

That was a good question to which I didn't have a good answer. I shrugged and responded, "You'll figure that out, but in the meantime, go out and walk this city. Remember not to cause a scene and be one with the crowd. If need be use that transfiguration jutsu to appear as someone else to get around, but no one from the memories we all share. Create a new persona from your imagination."

"Yes boss!" All the clones sounded of and then scattered in every direction possible a second later. When all the clones were gone, I rubbed my nose. The same place where I socked that clone with a Ki enforced punch, or I think it was Ki enforced. These clones aren't perfect from what I heard from a couple of them. It seems that a good number of clones have their own personality. One of which I had to deal with firsthand. That one was annoying, and I was happy to punch it into oblivion. Those stupid questions were so annoying, and I think my point was sent to the other clones just encase they decided to get too chatty with me.

With that done, I continued my own little walk through the city. I don't know why, but walking is helping me calm down and get my facts straight. I think because Naruto did it every time he was down outside of going for Ramen. The sound of chimes and among other things took my attention off the road towards a place full of gambling machines. I felt my lips arc upwards. I tossed the bag of money I had and made my way inside. I was told to remove my track suit top and goggles before entering. I quickly used a henge to change my eye color from blue to black and added black patches to the tips of my hair as well. I used some make up I precured to make two black marks on my cheeks to cover the markings. I don't like using a henge much for some reason, but it's what I need to further myself in one task. Once finished I returned and entered without issue.

The machines were simple slots. I just need to put the coins in and pull the lever it seems. I did this and won the Jackpot from five machines. I got bored and made my way to the card tables instead. This game called poker was really interesting. The Aces seemed to like me because I got three of them five times in a row and four of a kind with them. After a good hour or so I left the small casino place with a brown bag full of paper money I had to wrap both arms around to keep steady. I wasn't sure, but I think if I stayed too much longer, I would've made that place go out of business. I had to leave with my small fortune before drawing too much attention to myself. While I have a smirk on my lips at a job well done, I really wish I knew how to seal this money away. Carrying this bag was a bit cumbersome.

During my slot games my clones found out a good way to relay information at me. They dismissed themselves and shared the memories of what they did, heard, felt, saw, and tasted came back to me. It was fascinating, but the drawback was equally devastating. So many of them dismissed themselves at the same time that I spent a good ten minutes at the slot machine nearly brain dead from the mental backlash I was experiencing. The thoughts of 30 different me's all compiled onto one big mountain of memories; that all took me a long time to sort out. In the end, it was worth looking like a drooling idiot in public like that now that I know much more about the shadow clone jutsu and just how advantageous it is. I may be new to this "ninja" thing, but I know an opportunity when I see one.

My clones did good work because they found that the palace in the middle of the city held the largest collection of books I've ever seen in one place. It was a noble's palace that much is for sure, and I doubt they'd appreciate me loitering around their library. Too bad I don't care because with my skills I could be in an out in seconds with what I want. There's one clothes shop not too far from here but for civilians not ninja. The clones also saw a weapon's shop next to another clothing store so I might try that instead. One clone took to the highest points of the town and awed at the scope of it. They were goofing off basically, but it worked out still. I focused on building a map of the city and cross-referencing the points of interests the rest of my clones came across. While it's not complete I'm sure I can find my way around from memory well enough.

I could finally put this money to good use now that I know where to spend it. I can get myself some proper clothing and a hood to shadow my bright hair. Speaking of which, I have to cut this. It's getting annoying especially since my bangs are constantly falling into my eyes every three seconds. That woman at that stall didn't do that well of a job with the knot and my hair kept coming out. A haircut place will be smart stop just to shorten this some and to get the spikes and split ends out. I think a haircut will come first, and then I will buy myself some new clothes. After that I will take a real bath and get rid of this "please kill me" bright orange thing I'm wearing. Maybe get dressed in black, grey, dark blue, red, or at least something more surreptitious than this. White is stealthy than orange and white is even brighter than orange.

I need to pick up a sword to use and to get myself a wrist blade like I had before. I can make one but it would take a few months if I wish to do it correctly and perfectly enough to last me years of use. Maybe even a staff on top of this. My load-out has always been a combination of a short, mid, and long-range set of weapons. Should I do the same in this instance though? I think my bodies protection should come first, because I have my arms and hands as weapons already. I need some well fashioned armor first. Thinking of the armor I could buy, it will be difficult to find good armor for my bod. Being in the body of a child, I'll outgrow the armor in a couple months, especially if that ramen fetish I refuse to have is put to a total stop. My soul as well will force this body to grow as well. Now that I think of it, I'm starving for some meat. I need to quell the meat eater inside of me soon or I might lose my mind.

"Hey you," I drew my eyes towards the voice and saw a man waving at me. "You're that kid from before looking for clothes, right?" I peered my eyes at the man and did recognize him. One of my clones talked to him about the clothing thing and so I shrugged and walked up to him.

"Yeah that's me. I'm in need of something different to wear sir." I replied.

"Well," the man smiled and ganged way for me to enter his shop. "Look no farther because I have some of the best clothes money can buy that will suit your fancy." The man announced proudly.

"We'll see," was all I said as I entered the clothing store to the jaw dropping amount of clothes around me. It was amazing to see such an assort amount of clothes from Japanese kimono, to coats, and dresses among other things. The colors pallet is vast as well. I don't think I'll have any problem finding what I want from this shop.

"As you can indeed "see' you can get anything you need from me so," the man walked to the front of his counter and leaned to rest his arms on top. "What can I do you for?"

"Can I look around?" I asked. The man waved for me to go ahead. I placed my bag of money down on the counter. I glared at the man and he grinned. He won't touch my money, that's what he's saying. I looked around the clothing store and immediately found that I couldn't wear at least seventy percent of the clothing in this store. It was either too frilly or too bright. I couldn't find the right fabric for the trials ahead as well. Silk isn't the best fabric to have in a world of fire shooting ninja. The man watched as I pushed back father into the store to the more tamed clothing instead of the noble and fancy stuff behind me. I spotted some black trousers for me to wear and a belt seeing that the lower wear is sort of big on me as if these orange things aren't.

"Ah, so you want dark colors huh?" The man walked up to me with a wide smile to which I nodded.

"I want to look like a dark character shrouded in mystery," I said but thought on my response. While I could dress just like before, maybe I could add a little color on top of that. I don't see a reason not to stay true to part of what I am now. Maybe orange or red steaks or a scarf or sash for my waist. Something to stay original to the Uzumaki-style. I told the man my thoughts in an instant.d

"Ah, then I got just thing for you then. Something all "dark character' types like heheheh," the man chuckled before flying away like a fairy. The man shot from one end of the store to the other with a growing amount of clothes in his arm with every pass. I'm no master of clothes, but I really think this man is gathering a bit too many without a valid reason. Simple trousers, a blouse, a shirt, a hood, and a belt are enough to satisfy me until I can find a garb to make as my image. I didn't voice this and seeing the growing stack now, it's a bit too late to stop him. I sat back and waited until the man came back with a stack of clothes for me to try on.

"Here you go. I think you might like this here." I nodded and took the clothes and walked away towards the dressing room. It was labeled up top and easy to spot. After sorting through everything I came back dressed in black, but slightly grey in a different light, trousers. The shirt I had was short sleeved and navy-blue nearing black in color which I tucked into my trousers with a fastened black belt. The man didn't have footwear, so I had to make do with the sandals on my feet for now. An outer blouse fitted nicely with the tail and ends falling to my thighs with four buttons in the front. It was almost like robe of sorts that was black with red stitches. It buttoned up nicely for me to wear comfortably with a slit in the front for ease of movement. It reminded me of my original assassin garb, but it was missing something and too big.

I returned to the man and he seemed to have read my mind. "Don't worry about the fit. My wife can take care of it, but I sense that something else is bothering you."

"I need a hood as well as a red sash to go around my waist would be appreciated." The man rose a brow at what I asked but nodded. I left again to the dressing room and came back with the orange thing back on my body and the clothing in hand.

"Give me one day, and I will have it perfect for you," the man declared confidently.

"Thank you, but I also have some modifications done on it as well," I announced firmly.

"Oh? What do you have for?" He questioned.

After explaining a couple of the changes I wanted, additions, and setting a possible re-order ticket, I left the shop with a lighter bag of money. I didn't think what I asked for would cost that much. I only wanted clothing that was resistant to slashes, water resistant, and came with a rain cape as well under a certain color pallet. I always wanted it to take to chakra as well which apparently needs to be special ordered. For now, he can give me a more visual representation of what I want. That'll have to do.

That's part of my task being fulfilled so now I need to arm myself.

I reached the black smith shop that my clones found and walked inside. They found eight of them but this one has an energy I just couldn't ignore. The sound of hammer on metal was soothing to the ear. The smell of sulfur and iron tickled my nose heavenly. I soon found the section for swords to choose from. I saw feudal era style katana and nodachi. The Black Blade – a cursed sword that feeds on the soul and will of the user; it was modeled after a nodachi. I don't think I will get another though. I went for something a bit more compact instead. I took some short swords or tantō, I believe they are called, in hand and tested their balance. I found them to be made of an inadequate mixture of metals or unbalanced from the back end.

"Nope." I was tempted to throw them away but reframed. These are terrible in quality, but these aren't mine to toss about how I wish.

My tour through the store wasn't a total loss. I found some throwing knives and a holster for all seven. Seven is always a good number much like the number three and the number one. The holster is in the style of a shoulder guard coupled with a strap and holster for my left leg. Three on the shoulder and four for the bottom. I found a foot-long knife, close to a short sword, in a scabbard but it isn't of Asian make. It reminded me of a scimitar with how curved the blade is and sharp the edge is to the tip. From what I could gather this metal is a mixture of steel and something else. Maybe volcanic glass to make it light though if made wrong this combination will only diminish its durability. I flicked the metal and heard it sing with barely any faulty vibrations. Yes, I can use this for a means of quick executions and deadly surprise attacks.

I heard a song on the edge of hearing. That energy I felt before as well came from a blade I wondered to. It was very unorthodox. A double-edged sort of hybrid sword. It reminded me of a broad sword almost if not for the boshi and fine Kissaki. The Japanese Tsuka and Kashiara was tinted. The Tsuka ito was vibrant red. It's like someone meshed a Japanese Katana and broadsword into one. I muse a bit as I approached the sword next to a barrel of poorly made swords. It's being sold so cheap with this much power? I found it fascinating and amusing though I don't know why I found it funny. Maybe because I expected a Japanese katana more than anything not something that looks to have been made during the medieval times when knights in shiny armor existed.

Normally, I don't use such swords, but that didn't stop me from taking it from the rack to touch it. I've never personally used a double-edged sword of this length before except this one time. The sword was thrown at me by this unnamed assassin after my life. He did this assuming I would deflect it with my good arm but the shock I saw on his face when I caught the blade and threw it straight back at him much faster than he could dodge was priceless. It impaled the man in the chest, and this was right after he decided to run toward me. He came from my rear flank in hope of catching me with a knife to the ribs only for that to backfire. I left it behind as a marker for the man after I buried him. Respect for the fallen to help them move on to the afterlife.

First thing I did before touching the blade was look at the bin it was in for common low-priced swords. All of them are like 1000 ryo which was the cheapest thing I was looking to get in all the store. "What the underworld is this sword doing in this bin?" I shook my head before reaching for it. I noticed a haze around it and stop. "You can recognize my soul?" I questioned the sword showing an level of sentience. I placed my bag of money down same with the blades I grabbed before. I'm gonna need both hands for this and steel my soul depending on it's will.

Ignoring the slight haze over it, I pulled it from the rack and held it up to the light. The scabbard was only a back loop and sheath for the tip all connected by one cross body strap. It's felt comfortable in my hands and it was a decent fit. The sword honestly is too much for my hands to fill and it felt bulky but felt right in my hands just the same. This is a man's size sword that's for sure. I removed it in seconds and examined the metal. I marveled at the slightly oversized red tsuka. I rubbed up and down its red and black diamond designs of it's wrap up to the golden rectangular habaki. The beginning of the bladed region sort of decorated the hilt a little out of context but this blade is meant to kill not be stealthy. The guard appears to be gold with a twist of the hilt the coloration shifted into something darker like gilded bronze. Maybe the metal is a mixture of one of the two with or something else entirely, I am not sure. The guard is sharp and will pierce into a neck quite easily.

Instead of guessing the metal, finding it irrelevant, I tapped of my finger on the metal to nothing. Not even a chime. These guards are solid, and I guarantee they could take the strongest of attacks without breaking.

Now for the next part of the sword, which just so happens to be the blade itself, left me awed at the how it was made. It was a simple in complexion. One side was for slashing but other side, which is supposed to be dull, was sharpened while still appearing to be dull none the less. Maybe a cutting/bludgeoning mixture. I slide a finger on the sharp side and cut my finger open just at a slight touch. I reversed to the other side and pressed my finger on it to nothing. I pulled back nearly lost the finger to the fine blunt edge, if that's even possible. It's like that bladed edge pushes out while the false end pulls. It hooked into my finger and tried to yank it back the moment I pulled back on it. One side for slashing and one for rending with the center of the sword to the tip arced in such a way that it increases its thrusting and piercing power. The blade from what I could tell hasn't been touched for a while and yet free of rust or any form of decomposition. Not even a speck of rust plagued it's metal.

Interesting.

My patience wore thin and I got tired of taking it slow. With some of that chakra stuff I flicked the center of the blade. I don't know what this sword was made of, what the designs along the blade itself from the tip to the guard meant, or if they impeded the blades durability, but I can at least hear its song. Softly, the blade vibrated a song that was a demented but gentle melody to the ears. It was a song of death and the tragic fate of the owner before me. I'm not sure if having the ability to hear the tale of a sword is what I'd call it is a good power but better to have than not. From what I am hearing this blade's former master… No not a master. This blade was held by men who believed they wielded it in battle, but it was the man that was wielded in the end. In the end that man's life was lost to this sword. Strange, the previous holder of this sword died after a life of betrayal and hate which consumed him in the end.

The tale shown 14 before the last before him leading straight to the true master of this sword many years ago. I can see warring clans, possibly states, and banners flying overhead for the song painted frames. From what I can piece together this was... his? Yes, his blade and the mastery in which he wielded it made someone like me, who was proud in his skills of the blade, seem like baby holding a stick. This happened to be a real hit my pride because I saw myself as a competent swordsman; a hurricane when I wield two at once. Watching this story now I truly know nothing when it comes to the sword other than the pointy end goes into the other man.

Suddenly, I felt a darkness in the mist of the blade that made the grip I had on it seem cold to the touch yet burns at the same time. I'm starting to think that it was maybe the men that corrupted the sword instead of the other way around. Too much blood both of man and not of man has tempered its metal. Demons and monsters exist in this world. Oni and Yokai, I believe they're called, inhabited the past world and this was used to combat a specific one. No matter the past I want this blade for myself, but the irony of my situation wasn't lost on me. Why is it no matter where I go I'm destined to travel with a cursed blade? First the Black Blade and now this one but what to call it. Bloodborne maybe. The blood that's coursing through this blade is stifling to say the least. With how crimson red the hilt is I'm starting to assume it's not because it was painted that way. Looking at the blade, that blood from my finger that hit the blade is completed gone. Almost as if it was licked off.

Interesting.

I sheath the blade and grabbed the scabbard that came along with it. The actual scabbard was nice as well. It covered both sides of the blade with an opening for each on opposite sides. There was a clip on the middle to fasten the hilt down for me to take it out I would have to undo the clip and pulled the blade out with the top one going left and the bottom one going right.

I found a breast plate that might fit. A nice dull silver or grey which doesn't stand out all that much. It'll have to do for now. Then I thought that maybe I won't need this armor at all. The fact being that the armor here wasn't of the finest make, and I think I can find better. Something more studded or scaled might be better. An even mix of fine oiled leather and light but sturdy metal plating in the crucial areas. It shouldn't be hard to find but apparently it was not to be. I might just have to make it myself.

I placed the armor back and looped around to search for something different.

Now I found a good knife I could place on my waist on my back. It was a little longer than my back with the hilt showing out but was well fashioned. It was almost like a short sword with how wide the blade is and the leather scabbard was well oiled ready for quick draw and long use. I had to have it and the fact that the metal was strong and black had nothing to do with it as well.

"Finding everything you want?"

"Yes," I responded without bothering to look back. I've known for the last couple of minutes that the man was watching me. The sound of a hammer hitting metal is hard to miss, especially when it stops, so I took my time gathering all that I could find and brought it to the man. "Do you have a bow?" My question surprised the man greatly enough for me see his brown eyes underneath his dark bangs.

"A bow?"

I nodded. "Yes, the things that fires arrows at short to long distances."

"I know what a bow is brat!" The man yelled.

Did he take offense to my words enough to raise his voice? I can see obvious aggravation pouring out his pores. Logically it had to be because of what I said, but I don't see anything wrong with my words. He asked about what a bow was, and I answered in kind. Maybe he's just upset that I know about such weapons as well. Or maybe it's because I know a little more than he does. I almost shook my head at how emotional this man became. "I was only saying," I said in a calm tone. The same I've been using since I started talking to this man. "I assure you there's no need to raise your voice."

The man clenched his teeth and glared at me. "I- you…" the man couldn't seem to find the right words to finish his incoherent statement. Finally, he just sighed hard and waved off something. "It's fine kid I get it, and no I don't sell bows. If you want one go to some place called Lower Life which is down the street to the right. It'll be hard to miss."

"Thank you," I said in an emotionless tone that made a frown visible show through the man's beard. I mean, he could have just told me that right off the bat instead of getting upset for no apparent reason. Sometimes I wonder about older gentleman and their attitudes. I'm old myself but because of circumstances I've stayed a set age because of the circumstances. I'm older than him and maybe that's why I'm much more mature than him.

I placed the tsurugi on the counter as well as the knife and dagger I took, the holsters and combination harness, and the throwing knives I took as well.

"Hmm, nice haul here and WHAT THE!" The man pointed at the long sword then to me. "Kid, the hell are you doing with that?"

"This is a weapon's shop. I have merchandise that I wish to buy that's why I brought them up to you." I answered evenly.

The man's eye twitched. "Brat, you're starting to piss me off."

"I only wish to make a purchase and leave."

"But with that?" He pointed at the blade again.

"I did bring it up after all," I crossed my arms.

The man scowled, "Whatever brat let me see what you got." The man examined the gear I chose carefully but reframed from touching the sword. "That thing is cursed or so I've heard so good luck," the man spat out. I just shrugged and took the blade into my hands. It seems to be a nice sword no matter how you look at it. I can even wield this one handed despite the weight. I have Ki after all and while this body is lacking formal and informal training the knowledge of my mastery of the human body never fades away.

I left the smithy with a lighter bag again, but funny thing is that owner sold these smaller things for more than the Bloody Blade. Now that I'm armed with clothes on the way now I just need...

"Hey boss!" My clone fell from the sky in front of me with a wide grin on his lips. "Check out what I got ya!"

I looked down and shook my head, "Speak of the devil." The clone had a pair of black boots in hand and black socks from a shoe store I suppose. I took the boots in hand and nodded at the clone. The clone winked and burst into smoke. Clones sure are useful.

With my likeness and arms in the works now I can focus on information and knowledge. If I remember correctly that large palace has what I need. My clone took a bit of a tour of the palace during some festival they are prepping for. That would explain the massive populace of different ethnicities walking around. The prices as well have been inflated in areas. That castle belongs to the lord of this city meaning it's got security. That tour is over meaning all guests have been expelled from the premises.

"I'll need to sneak in and take it then," I stood bemused at the prospect. This might be fun and a good test of my stealth skills. It'll be like infiltrating the ANBU headquarters again but without the masked weirdos lurking around. It will be like a super S-class mission to gather information instead of pranking those assholes who harassed me. Jerks.

I shook my head again. These thoughts are becoming annoying. With them in mind I thought back to my revenge pranks and their execution. Maybe the same can be applied here. If I can slip under the senses of ANBU then normal guards will be a cake walk.

A/N: First chapter of many is done with. Can't wait to get to the rest. I've fixed many of the typos I had and will improve as I go.