Chapter 01: The Velvet Room

Tuesday April 4th, 63 ME

Morning

Loud chattering could be heard as plenty of preteens sat in a classroom, no doubt waiting for their teacher to show up so they could begin their class. Just about everyone was hanging out with their friends with a few exceptions. One of them stayed away from others thinking he didn't need them while another was ostracized for events that were completely out of his control.

However this particular story stars a different preteen who sat by himself in the far upper left corner of the room, green eyes reading a book as messy black hair covered his head, he wore simple glasses and a simple black shirt and blue jeans.

Slowly he turned the pages of the book rereading the next page despite having read it so many times, he still found this to be a well-liked escape from reality. A habit he built up over the years despite training to be a Shinobi of his home, Konohagakure the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

A Shinobi-or Kunoichi depending on Gender-was a technical term for Ninja which was what they were all training to be and that meant they were to be the Soldiers of their village, Mercenaries or Bodyguards to others and even in some cases Assassins, it's not a profession for the faint of heart and it could get a bit dark and gruesome at times, but due to the peace going on in this generation it seemed that a lot of people overlook that as a lot of kids see Ninja's as being a 'Superhero' when that's the farthest thing from the truth.

The boy looked up as the door opened showing their teacher, a young man wearing a green flak Chunin Jacket over a blue shirt and pants, a scar going across his nose with his dark brown hair in a ponytail.

Seeing that class was going to begin, the boy respectfully closed his book and got ready to take notes, idly wishing that he could continue to read.

Umino Iruka looked at the class with a smile, his gaze lingering on a small blonde student longer than the rest. "Before we start the lesson I want to remind you all that the Graduation Exam is only two weeks away," He began with excited whispers circulating around the room. "All of you came far these last few years so I expect every single one of you to work hard to overcome this last hurdle of your Academy years."

With that said he began to get the rollcall out of the way as the boy tuned him out, hearing the names of the other kids like Aburame Shino, Akimichi Choji and Hinata Hyuuga seeing them answer in their own way.

Eventually the boy heard his name. "Naoko Masato?"

"Present." The boy said in a bored tone, not putting too much effort out there.

After all why bother? He was nothing more than an Average Academy Student in a room full of Prodigies, most of them coming from the famous Clans that live in Konoha.

He wasn't the fastest nor the strongest. He didn't get the best accuracy with Shurikens and Kunai. His Chakra Control was subpar at best and he could barely keep a Henge up for maybe twenty seconds. His Taijutsu was absolute crap and he never bothered to learn Genjutsu unless it was to dispel it.

There were a few others who weren't from clans like Haruno Sakura but she was easily the Kunoichi of the Year. He supposed he could count that Uzumaki Naruto guy who was the dead last of the class but he never really interacted with the guy so he didn't count him.

Besides he was warned to stay away from him by his Dad… Although at times he questioned why? Sure the guy was a devious prankster and at times a world-class idiot with how he acted but the way he's hated just seemed a bit unnatural and messed up.

Still he preferred being by himself, less issues that way.

That was the reason he always hung out in the background, he did it so much that if it wasn't for Iruka-Sensei's rollcall people wouldn't realize he existed.

After sitting there for two hours of listening to theory on the basics of Chakra, Masato began to pay more attention as their teacher was calling some people down for spars that would take place outside.

He could see Naruto, the blonde haired dead last in the orange jumpsuit going for the Rookie of the Year Uchiha Sasuke who had dark hair and wore a blue shirt and white shorts and Masato found himself rolling his eyes as he knew that Naruto was going to get his ass kicked yet again because while he was determined and got back up that stuff can only get you so far without proper technique which Sasuke had. The Academy Taijutsu wasn't that refined compared to the Uchiha Clan Taijutsu.

But Iruka had Sasuke pair with someone else much to Naruto's ire as Iruka scanned the crowd looking to put Naruto up with someone he hasn't fought before-.

Masato bit back a groan when Iruka's eyes landed on him. "Naoko get down here you haven't participated in a while." He said with the preteen sighing and standing up as Naruto frowned at not getting to fight Sasuke but then he got ready when Masato walked right past him as if he wasn't there making him gape.

Naturally that didn't sit too well with the blonde. "Hey at least say something! -ttebayo!"

Masato just looked at him before exiting the room, wanting to get this over with so he could get back to his book.

Naruto took that as an insult and gritted his teeth.

Oh he was going to kick his ass.

Masato yawned as he stood across from Naruto who had his arms crossed after at least four spars happened with them showing their turn.

"Alright… Hajime." Iruka said with Naruto beginning to charge but he stumbled when Masato spoke.

"I forfeit."

"Huh?!" Naruto looked at him. "What the hell, aren't you going to fight?!"

"Don't really feel like it." Masato said with another yawn. "I'm tired and you're like a hamster hyped up on caffeine, I think we all know who would win here."

Iruka felt his eye twitch as he wondered if Masato was secretly a Nara because this wasn't the first time he pulled something like that.

"Tch, wow so the Dead Last won a spar because of a forfeit, should've known." One of the other students whispered making Naruto shake before he glared at Masato.

"Hell no, I am not taking a forfeit. -ttebayo." He said rushing at Masato whose eyes widened as he used the only one of the three Academy Jutsu's he actually mastered.

The Kawarimi No Jutsu or rather the Substitution Jutsu, so Naruto ended up punching a log that appeared right where Masato was the log cracking quite a bit, the preteen appearing behind Naruto, but not attacking just putting some distance between him and the blonde knucklehead.

He looked at Iruka who shook his head showing that he wasn't going to let him forfeit making the preteen grimace.

Well he probably should've expected something like this.

Naruto wasted no time in charging at Masato who sighed right as the fist drove itself into his cheek, sending him on his back where Masato took extra care to roll out of bounds wincing in pain as he did so.

Say what you want about Naruto, he has a hell of a left hook.

That did it as Iruka had to end it there despite how Naruto didn't look too happy.

"Winner from out of bounds is Uzumaki Naruto," Iruka said with a sigh. "Naruto. Masato. Give the Unison sign."

Pushing himself up, Masato rubbed his jaw while holding his forefinger and middle finger out, waiting as Naruto frowned before doing the same as their fingers crossed like if a little kid did a pinkie promise.

"Why?" Naruto muttered softly, only Masato hearing him.

"Hm?" Masato asked the two separating as Iruka called the next two for a spar.

It truth he was half-expecting for Naruto to leave him alone out of annoyance that he didn't really try, just about everyone else did so.

"I'd figured you'd be happy you won." Masato scratched his cheek as he spoke.

"What kind of win is it if the other person doesn't even try?" Naruto said not liking this. "How can I be Hokage if a person I fight only lost because he didn't feel like trying?!"

Oh right, Masato forgot that Naruto wanted to be Hokage, he only yelled it every day since he started at this Academy.

The Hokage is the term for the leader of the Village and it's only given to the strongest and wisest of Shinobi. There have been a total of four Hokages in Konohagakure, and the current one is the Sandaime Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi who had to come back after the death of the Yondaime Hokage twelve years ago. It was kind of impressive as the Sandaime was nearly in his seventies and was still considered the strongest Shinobi in the Village Hidden in the Leaves although much of his former power dwindled due to him being way past his prime.

The Sandaime was also a part of the first generation of Shinobi that this village produced showing that he had a lot of experience in the matter and has survived the all three Shinobi World War leading the village in the last two.

Laughter could be heard as both Masato and Naruto looked over to see a random Academy student passing by. "Oh please you Hokage? As if a dead last can do that, you'd be better off being a Civilian."

"What was that -ttebayo?!" Naruto snarled while the student walked off, still laughing.

Masato just sighed and walked off, lightly fixing his glasses as they were crooked from the spar.

Tuesday April 4th, ME

Afternoon

The rest of the day at the Academy passed by quickly as Masato walked through the halls, not paying that much attention to the other kids who were passing through. He idly saw a lazy looking kid with dark hair walking with another kid who was big-boned, eating potato chips and a blonde haired and pink haired girl following after Sasuke who just left.

Just the same routine on another day.

While he was watching them however, Masato ended up walking into someone. "Sorry."

"It's fine." A female voice said as he looked up to see what looked to be a pale-skinned sixteen year old girl in what had to be the strangest outfit he's seen.

The girl had black hair that was put in a ponytail, held by a pair of chopsticks and bright red eyes wearing a sleeveless blue dress with gold edges, she gave off an air of elegance for some reason.

The girl however paused and picked up a slip of paper. "You dropped this." She said with Masato hesitantly taking it, accidentally brushing against her fingers, to see it was a title of a book he had written down to get.

"Thanks."

"It was no trouble, you should be more careful with your belongings," The girl said before she began to leave and Masato found it odd that no one seemed to be reacting to this girl, it was as if she wasn't there. If that girl was walking around there then the ANBU and other Shinobi must know about it.

As Masato watched her leave however he stumbled, feeling a bit lightheaded as he placed a hand on his head, not knowing his eyes flashed bright yellow for a split second.

Shaking his head, Masato left the Academy and soon Masato was walking the streets of Konoha wondering if he should head to the bookstore or head home for the day. He really wanted to get the book he had written down but his head was beginning to really hurt.

'Maybe it was from the small hit I took from Naruto?' Masato theorized the headache slowly getting worse. 'Did I get a concussion or something or is it just me overthinking things?'

Masato paused, coming out of his thoughts as he realized something.

It was quiet… To quiet and he was in the midst of Konoha.

Turning around he noticed that everyone was frozen stiff, not moving hell not even breathing as Masato took a step back his eyes wide. Thinking he might've got caught up in a Genjutsu he made the seal. "Kai." He shouted pumping out Chakra but nothing changed. "... Kai!"

Seeing as that was doing nothing, Masato dropped his hands honestly feeling a little scared and that was before blue flames erupted nearby making him stare as a figure rose up in it.

Slowly the figure turned towards him with Masato seeing his own face with a cruel grin and just like that it was gone and people were moving again while Masato stood there, paled face and sweating.

… He's going to skip the bookstore and just head home.

Tuesday April 4th, ME

Evening

It took some time before Masato made it back home to see a man in his early thirties with dark hair and hazel eyes, wearing a blue jacket and jeans sitting down with a cane nearby. "Masato-Kun how was the Academy?" The man asked looking up as he was painting.

"It was fine Otousan." Masato said to his father, Kin Naoko who quirked a brow, especially at seeing a bit of a bruise on his cheek.

"Did you have a spar today?" Kin asked curiously his son giving a nod in response. "With who?"

"Just some random student didn't really get a name," Masato said not planning to say it was Naruto as his father was one of the people who seemed to dislike the blonde. "I'm heading to bed Otousan."

If Kin found that weird he didn't say anything with Masato heading up, not wanting to talk anymore.

Making it to his room, Masato laid down on his mat, looking around the room seeing just how empty it was. All he had really was a mini-fridge, a dresser and a bed along with a few books.

'Maybe I should try to decorate a bit,' Masato thought idly his headache getting more evident at the thought while his eyes were beginning to grow heavy. 'M-Maybe.'

Soon, Masato let sleep take him. As he fell into the numbing darkness of sleep however, Masato felt like he was falling as a blue butterfly flew past him making the dark abyss take on a haze of blue.

Immediately Masato woke up, knowing that something was wrong.

This wasn't his room.

Slowly sitting up, Masato looked around and recognized where he was. This place looked just like the room where the Konoha Civilian and Shinobi Councils have their meetings-they took a bit of a trip there once during class to show the inner-workings of the Village.

But why was he here? Who painted this place blue?

… Why were there chains hanging from the different seats?

Standing up, Masato walked around the room, his footsteps echoing with each move he made-.

Masato spun around hearing a slight chuckle, looking in the seat between the Civilian and Shinobi seats where the Hokage usually sits to see what had to be the strangest man in Masato's life.

It was a rather gangly, but eerie old man dressed in a black suit, white gloves covering long fingers curled together underneath the extremely long nose making Masato think of a Tengu. The only patches of hair that could be seen was the graying hair on the sides while his bloodshot eyes bored into Masato.

~Play The Poem of Everyone's Souls~

"Welcome to the Velvet Room." The man greeted a wide smile on his face as if he knew something that Masato didn't-which was most likely the case. "My, my what an interesting guest, pretty young too-I daresay you might be the youngest guest we've had the pleasure of serving here."

Masato took a step back, fear evident on his face that the man took notice of.

"No need to be alarmed my dear 'guest' you are currently fast asleep in the real world," The Tengu Man said to Masato. "This place dwells between dream and reality. Mind and matter. Only those that are bound by a contract may enter here."

Finally Masato found his voice. "C-Contract? I haven't signed anything though."

The Tengu Man just chuckled. "A fair point however here you stand in this room and nothing happens here without a reason," He said to the boy before snapping his fingers. "Ah but where are my manners? My name is Igor and I am delighted to make your acquaintance dear 'guest'."

Igor then looked down at Masato with a scrutinizing gaze, his smile never leaving his face while Masato looked a bit unnerved.

"We have so much to discuss but not enough time to do so I'm afraid," Igor said with a sigh. "But this is only the first of many meetings."

"Igor-San," Masato spoke gaining the man's attention who looked pretty amused by the added suffix to his name. "What exactly is this place?"

He got that this was happening in his head but it felt too real for it to be just that.

"Ah the Velvet Room is the representation of the 'Guests' heart, as such it has taken many different appearances." Igor explained the smile growing a bit wider. "In the very distant past it has taken the form of an Elevator, guiding our guest to their destination against the odds. A Limousine that drove through the fog to find the hidden truth through the roads of uncertainty. And finally it has taken the shape of a Prison to help another guest rehabilitate themselves to freedom."

"So this is my heart?" Masato looked around the blue Council room.

"Indeed I find this very interesting don't you?" Igor asked making a show of looking around. "The goal that you seek however is beyond my knowledge as it is my job to help you shape it in the coming days. It is in this very room that your ideals will take shape and flourish."

'My ideals?' Masato thought not really getting it.

Just why was he here? What help would Igor give? Why was his heart like this?

There were so many questions that Masato wanted to ask when Igor leaned back.

"We'll have to attend to the other details another time I'm afraid," He said with Masato's vision beginning to get blurry. "Until next time."

Wednesday April 5th, ME

Morning

Masato stared at the ceiling with the alarm ringing in his ear before he slowly turned it off.

That was… The strangest dream he has ever had.

Velvet Room? Igor? Mind and Matter?

It was all unbelievable but Masato couldn't help but feel that really happened.

After all he never remembered his dreams that much and even the few that he did they were never so lucid. Whatever that place was it really happened and he was there.

…

Great, just what he needed. Weird dreams that speak in riddles.

Sitting up, Masato figured he should probably head to school.

Heading downstairs, he saw Kin drinking some Green Tea while some eggs were on the table for Masato. "Ah morning Masato-Kun, hungry?"

"Starving." Masato muttered as he didn't eat any dinner the other day and the smell of eggs made his stomach growl.

As his son began to eat, Kin placed his drink down. "Just two weeks right?"

Knowing what he was asking, Masato just nodded, keeping his eyes on his plate.

"Soon you'll be a Genin and leave your mark on this world," Kin said with a wistful smile. "I can't tell you how proud I am that you got this far Masato-Kun, you just need to graduate and your life will really begin."

Masato said nothing at that, just finishing his breakfast at record speed. "I need to go, Otousan."

Once more Masato had his book in his hand while in class, but he frowned.

He just couldn't focus, that dream kept bothering him. So with a sigh he closed his book and pinched his nose to relieve some stress.

Reopening his eyes, Masato idly listened to to their Instructor who had shoulder-length white hair with a tinge of blue and green eyes, wearing the standard Chunin outfit.

Mizuki was currently teaching them about the theories of Genjutsu, idly taking time out of his schedule to tell off troublemakers.

"Now who can tell me the most effective ways to escape a Genjutsu?" Mizuki asked, looking through the crowd of students to see if he could catch anyone that wasn't paying attention before his eyes landed on Masato who was still staring into space a bit. "Naoko how about you?"

Giving a start as the attention seemed to be on him, Masato sighed and answered. "The victim's Chakra flow, pain and smell."

It was an easy answer after all.

Mizuki gave a nod with a smile. "Correct, using your Chakra is the most used technique to escape a Genjutsu along with the incantation of 'Kai' but it's far from the only way, pain takes your mind off of it and strong smells can counteract plenty of them, remember this will be on the written exam." He said to the class making them scramble to write it down.

Masato couldn't help but feel a bit smarter when he leaned back.

Wednesday April 5th, ME

Afternoon

Masato left when class ended only to see Mizuki talking with Naruto and while he wasn't one for eavesdropping he paused because right when the blonde approached the teacher he saw Mizuki's face twist to disgust before adopting a pleasant smile.

"Ah Naruto-Kun how can I help you?" Mizuki asked with a fake chipper tone.

That alone made Masato frown.

Something about Mizuki just bothered him ever since he met the man from his fake smiles to how he would sometimes drop them to sneer at others, but he never brought it up thinking it wasn't his problem. Hell it still isn't, but if he tried to move the man would know he was there. In fact he was pretty sure Mizuki hasn't sensed him yet was because he was distracted by Naruto otherwise the Chunin would've definitely realized he was there as Masato wasn't exactly hiding.

Naruto fidgeted a bit, a rare sight from what Masato knew of the blonde. "I need help on the Bunshin Jutsu." He admitted in embarrassment.

Masato blinked, thinking back to whenever they would do the Bunshin No Jutsu-Clone Jutsu-Naruto would always fail that one as he could barely make one and it's dead while the other Academy Students-himself included can make up to three healthy ones. It was one of the requirements for passing the Graduation Exam.

"I'd love to help you Naruto-Kun, but I can't because people would call out on favoritism," Mizuki said his face adopting an apologetic expression as Naruto's face fell. "Didn't Iruka tell you?"

Naruto looked down as the Instructor did tell him but he was just hoping to get advice because no matter what he did he would always screw this one up.

"H-Hai Mizuki-Sensei," Naruto muttered before faking a smile to hide any fear of failing the exam a third time due to this. "Don't worry I'll work extra hard and pass this one! -ttebayo!"

Mizuki laughed. "That's the spirit," He said taking the time to mess with Naruto's hair-a bit roughly if the boy's 'ow' was anything to go by. "I'm sure you can do it."

Naruto grinned widely at that not seeing through the fake praise as he was just happy to have someone besides the Old Man and Iruka believe in him. "You got it -ttebayo." He said running off.

As soon as Naruto was out of sight, Mizuki let his disgust show. "Bah, damn Demon brat." He muttered leaving.

After Mizuki left, Masato looked on in thought-happy he didn't have to be quiet anymore.

In truth he felt a little sorry for Naruto, Mizuki obviously didn't like him and the boy didn't even realize it. But to call him a Demon? That was a bit much.

Turning towards where Naruto ran off, Masato contemplated something before deciding it wouldn't hurt and left to go after the blonde. In his hurry however he didn't notice the same woman in blue from the other day watching him with little to no expression on her face.

It didn't take long to catch up to the Blonde who made it to the Academy Training Grounds and was currently trying to make a Bunshin, but like always it ended up looking dead and pale with its tongue sticking out.

"Dammit!" Naruto cursed making it disappear before going to try it again.

Masato watched before seeing how much Chakra was beginning to swirl around the blonde as he made another failed attempt. "You're trying too hard."

His voice surprised Naruto who snapped his head towards Masato, scowling a bit. "What do you want Masato-Teme?"

Masato blinked a bit surprised by that as Naruto usually reserved the 'Teme' card for Sasuke… He probably made a bit of a impression the other day he supposed. Still he came this far.

"I overheard you talking with Mizuki-Sensei," Masato began not saying that the man was faking how he acted with the blonde as he didn't want to deal with that. "And well I'll admit curiosity got the better of me."

"Are you here to poke fun at me -ttebayo?" Naruto asked expecting that as a lot of the Academy Students do that as he couldn't do this simple Jutsu.

"Actually I thought I'd help but if you don't want me to." Masato adjusted his glasses with Naruto's eyes widening.

"H-Help?" Naruto asked not sure if Masato was messing with him or not.

Deciding to take that as a sign to continue, Masato spoke. "You're using way too much Chakra for a Bunshin, that's why it ends up like that," He said to the blonde. "You're practically overloading the technique."

"I am?"

Giving a sigh, Masato did the Hand Signs to focus his Chakra. "Watch." He said with his eyes closed. "Bunshin No Jutsu."

An illusion of a clone appeared next to him.

"See how much Chakra I used compared to you?" Masato asked with Naruto actually seeing the difference. "Try using less Chakra."

"Got it." Naruto said excited as he wanted to get this technique down and did so. "Bunshin No Jutsu."

He used less but it was still a lot-definitely more than Masato has ever felt given how the clone still looked braindead.

The guy was definitely a Stamina Monster.

"Oh come on." Naruto complained while Masato rubbed the back of his head.

"You're still using too much, didn't you get down the basics of Chakra Control?"

"Chakra Control?" Naruto's confused look was all the answer Masato needed.

"It was a class in our first year-how the hell did you miss it?" Masato asked a bit in disbelief.

If he didn't know Chakra Control and he had this much Chakra then it's no wonder he never got the Bunshin Jutsu mastered, it would be a miracle in itself if he ever mastered it at this point let alone in two weeks.

"Bunshin No Jutsu!" Masato blinked as Naruto tried again, attempting to use even less Chakra but it was the same result.

Masato was about to suggest the Leaf-Balancing Technique when he felt another presence and turned along with Naruto-the blonde ended up feeling the same to see the same woman from the other day. "Oh it's you."

"You know her -ttebayo?"

"Yeah, I bumped into her yesterday." Masato said, giving a small frown. "Didn't get a name though."

"It is time." The woman said confusing the two. "Ruin approaches in the far future."

"Ruin?" Masato asked while Naruto placed his hands behind his head.

"Lady are you alright?" Naruto asked not sure what was going on.

The woman just smiled. "Do you have the courage to challenge the fated end?"

"... What?"

"You didn't say no, that's enough for the contract." The woman mused and just like that it clicked into place.

Contract. Blue clothes. Air of elegance. Velvet Room.

Seeing his widened eyes, the woman gave a calming smile. "Oh don't worry this contract only binds you into accepting full responsibility for your actions." She said closing her eyes. "The distortions are a never ending battle, only those with the courage and will to challenge it stand a chance at winning. Hiding won't do anyone any good."

"What is she talking about-ttebayo?" Naruto asked a bit loudly, his impatient nature getting the best of him right as the woman made a hand seal as if using a Jutsu.

"I wish you luck on your awakening," She said as darkness began to erupt around her snaking its way towards Masato and Naruto the two boys weren't even given a chance to react as they disappeared. "Fate is a hard being to escape but it is possible to change."

With that said she faded from view, her every action unseen by anyone who might've been watching.

To Be Continued…

Alright, next chapter will be the awakening scene and I hope you all liked this opening of a story for this Persona/Naruto story. It was inspired heavily by both Persona 5-played the crap out of that game-and the RWBY/Persona story Hands of Fate by Inferno167 which inspired me to make an OC and place him in the Naruto world and throw in Personas, hope you liked everyone's characterization and the small interactions that are thrown in there.

I have up to Wave planned so far as two more people getting their Personas besides Masato and Naruto. Oh and the first 'Dungeon' will take place right before the first episode of Naruto and I think you can guess who the first Shadow they face is. Here's a hint his human self appeared already.

Anyways here's a small list of Masato that will appear every chapter, basically to help people keep up-but if it gets too long I'll just place it on my Fanfic account page.

Jutsu Arsenal

Kawarimi No Jutsu (Substitution Jutsu): Allows for Masato to swap himself with a random object-mostly a log-to avoid attacks, it's the one that he uses the most.

Bushin No Jutsu (Clone Jutsu): By focusing his Chakra, Masato can make up to three illusionary clones to fool enemies but they have no footsteps or shadows making it easy to tell which ones are fake if given the opportunity.

Henge (Transform): Another illusion technique, this allows for Masato to take on the form of anyone provided he has enough details, but it usually dispels after a single hit.

Social Links

None as of yet.

Social Stats

Knowledge (Rank 1): Ignorant.

Courage (Rank 1): Timid.

Charm (Rank 1): Plain.

Understanding (Rank 1): Basic.

Proficiency (Rank 1): Clumsy.

Alright that's enough out of me, see you all next time. This is Spidey Signing Out!