"Waah…" A young boy with a brown crew cut watched with amazement as a blond seemingly not much older than him took out a man three - no, four times his size. One hit was all it took and his opponent toppled backwards unconscious. "Ne, ne, Shihan Dai, do you think I could ever be that strong?"

"Of course, Zushi." Wing replied though even he was impressed with the clean hit from the feminine, young boy. Even though Zushi was young himself and had skills only 1 out of 100, 000 had… this boy could easily have skills only 1 out of 100, 000, 000 people have. And even with the much strength the boy had from potential realized… he had even more potential deep within him. It was almost scary…

But…

Wing frowned as what was even more scary were those eyes… Those icy blue eyes unbefitting of a child, of a boy with looks like the sun and sky, of a human with the potential to protect so much.

Those icy blue eyes pierced the soul, freezing everything in its midst with presence alone.

…

Zushi and Wing followed the blond through his many fights of the week as he ascended with pure speed and precision only. Even for a trained Nen Hunter, Wing found a bit of difficulty to track the blond who knocked each opponent out with a single chop. The difficulty only increased with each fight as the blond seemed to strain against his limits every fight little by little; his speed quickening and quickening and quickening.

It was exciting. More than. He could always find some part of him cheering for the blond to break his limits and then again and again.

And then the last match of the 190s came. Zushi clenched his fists at his side, quivering with excitement just as he subtly was. The mike finally sounded.

"Saa…" A woman took a deep breath, holding her microphone dramatically in the air before shouting, "It's time for today's greatest match! The rookie Naruto has already advanced to the 190th floor in one week without dropping a fight, without even using more than one attack! Will he be able to keep moving on?" The announcer shouted excitedly into the microphone; heart being just as fast as the entire audience. Even if Naruto's matches always ended fast, damn were they exciting to anticipate for. Not to mention that the kid was a real cutie - even if he was silent and dangerously cold! "Get ready, everybody! Get ready to press your gamble switches!"

Everyone easily chose their winner. There wasn't even a vote for the opposition - the muscular wrestler looking down at the indifferent boy with much infuriation.

"Damn brat! Don't look down on me-"

"AND START!"

The match was over in a second with the blond walking away. An unconscious body underneath him. But the blond didn't look down as he continued walking without emotion or a care. His long autumn orange kimono top fluttered as he walked; the warm leaf patterns on the silky bottom of both sleeves and alongside the hem seemingly dancing with the cool breeze. The ponytail of long, golden wisps of hair swayed as well; only the soft golden spike atop his head remained static amongst the displacement of air as he walked.

Shadows on his loose, black pants rippled softly once he stopped at the corner of the golden arena square, eyeing the referee patiently. The referee gazed critically at the unconscious before calling out,

"Critical hit and down! Three points. Knockout!" The referee shouted, crossing his arms to form an X over his head. He slowly lowered them, waving to the blond, "The winner is Naruto!" There was a silence before the crowds all stood up with loud roars and heavy applause; the blond waiting a moment as the announcer let out an excited shout of her own,

"Once again, Naruto has knocked out his opponent with one attack thereby successfully clearing the 190s! He has advanced to the 200s!"

And then he left.

Zushi pumped his fist in the air, "Go, Naruto-san! You're the best! Shihan Dai, did you see how cool-" The disciple paused before blanking out in confusion, "Eh? Shihan Dai? Where did you go?"

…

Naruto didn't know what to feel as he continued walking. He won again. It wasn't even a challenge; the fight ending too early and too easily. Not an ounce of satisfaction. Not even a pence of the lurking darkness within him emptied.

He felt soulless. He felt… dead.

"It's a horrible feeling, isn't it?"

He gazed to the side to see a man lean against the fancy walls of the 200th floor. The man wore casual formal clothes - a white shirt with a side untidily untucked and black pants. His gray-framed lopsided glasses, though hiding those wise dark brown eyes, matched his messy black hair that spiked to the sides uncombed.

Overall, he had a stance that spoke of experience and strength along with looks that spoke wonders of absent-mindedness.

"The feeling of frustration building up inside of you, screaming to get out, but with no way to." The man continued, standing up straight from his spot so that he could look down at the boy fully, "No one strong enough to help you. No one strong enough to initiate your angry aura so that it could release before it's too late."

"What do you want?"

While he wanted to ask the boy that, he refrained and spoke his purpose, "While I don't know what a child is doing here on the top floors of Heavens Arena or why your eyes are like that, I don't want to see potential like yours squandered. It'd be a waste if you die here."

"I won't then."

"Hard to say. You feel it, don't you? This other power lurking in the air."

The surroundings around him wavered and blurred; lights flickering unnaturally. It wasn't chakra, but something just as profound and life-giving. The pressure weighed down on him as something fundamentally important yet unknowable changed about the man. The short blond breathed for a moment to calm his alerting senses before gazing back up at the man. The area back to normal.

"Does everyone on this floor know how to do that?"

"The fighters mostly do."

"Sou ka." Naruto began walking the other way, "But it doesn't matter. All I want is to do is fight. That's all."

"Oi!" Wing shouted, widening his eyes as the blond began leaving. His hand stretched out, grabbing the blond by his shoulder. Or at least he attempted to; the blond shifting his body to the side at last minute to dodge. As he had in all his fights, all he did was move forward without a care. Wing could only shout, not able to go past the hallway to the rest of the floor that was restricted to all but the fighters."You'll die if you don't learn Nen! Don't be stubborn! Oi! OI!"

But the blond already left for the receptionist's desk.

Naruto sighed as he laid on his bed and stared at the dark ceiling. After a moment's pause, he made a cross seal - using the energy that he long hasn't used. Ten people appeared, carrying varying expressions, but all moving with unspoken commands.

"Nen… huh. More and more power… tempting the world."

…

Zushi bounced in his seat; eyes eagerly gleaming down at the fighting arena holding two males; one noticeably larger than the other. "Lucky! Another fight! Rookies of Floor 200th normally wait a long while before their first fight - but he's fighting right away~ Shihan Dai! Shihan Dai! Isn't it so exciting?!"

Wing, however, took part in none of the festivities around him as he gritted his teeth, "That fool…"

"Shihan Dai?" Zushi finally quieted, noticing that his master was angry and worried; an ominous combination. "What's wrong?"

"Zushi. Name the basic principles of Nen."

"!" And finally the little boy understood as he turned back to the arena, "You can't mean-"

"Yes." Wing nodded solemnly, "All fighters on Floor 200 and above know Nen. What a waste of talent..."

"Why are you saying that, Shihan Dai? Why is he already a waste of talent to you?" He shook with darkened eyes and fists clenched so tight that nails drew blood. Finally, he looked up with fierce eyes; denial cloaking over grim understanding of the inevitable. "You're wrong! Naruto-san will still be fine no matter what! He has to be!"

"Zushi…" Wing softened his demeanor at his solemn student. He sighed and nodded, "I hope you're right then."

Even if no normal person could defend against Nen.

They waited, watched, listened as the announcer introduced the two. The lanky, green-eyed, dark-skinned man finally laughing at his opponent - long braided black hair flying outwards as he lifted his hand and pointed his finger mockingly downward. His confident voice declaring victory already.

…

"You're dead."

Two words and ten screeches - soft in volume, but horribly high in frequency. Naruto widened his eyes as he jumped out of the way. At first, there was no visible sign of anything having been done. And then, the cement tiles tore up; gashes cutting through the area where he once stood.

"Is this Nen?"

Thoughts and questions raised in his mind at the invisible blades; all ending as he ducked from a side kick from his opponent. The man, Vant, laughed loudly; his arms brandishing outwards with a confident flourish.

"Ahahahahaha, you actually dodged it! My power of invisible blades - you may dodge them now… but you haven't seen anything yet!" The large grin dropped to a dangerous smirk "And don't worry! I'll kill you so you'll never have to feel the pain of Initiation!"

Naruto felt the air changed; something small but of many quantity appearing near the man. It didn't take long for him to realize what it could be, highly possible was. He took for the skies just as they were released; hand flat as he landed behind the man and aimed for the neck. Vant coughed from the hard impact behind his neck that brought him down; many more gashes appearing in the ground. Only this time more than 50 appearing.

"Critical hit and down!"

Naruto ignored to call in favor of observing the torn up ground. He narrowed his eyes. It was odd feeling and sensing it, but being unable to see it. He could only trust his instincts and observations with the stealthy attacks. What was Nen anyways-

He widened his eyes, hand slowly rising to feel sticky red liquid beginning to ooze out. He coughed blood as yet another blade launched across the short distance between the man's back and his front. His kimono top torn up as crisscrossing lines of blood splattered out of him. Vant cackled weakly but triumphantly, still holding his neck sore from the chop even though he had used a firm Ten. Damn scary brat-

"Of course, I'm better though~" He hummed contently as he raised his arms in victory. There was no way that the blond could have survived that. "Idiot. I can shoot from behind as well."

The referee quickly shouted, "Critical hit and down!" before moving and bending out to begin the count. The announcer and audience finally found the voice to speak; the woman shouting into her mike,

"Whotto, that was one intense fight of flurries and scurries - so intense that I almost forgot to comment!" She joked sheepishly before narrowing her eyes at the scene. Pity. She liked the new kid… and it doesn't seem like the new kid was ever going to get up again; even brawnier and muscular of men being sliced in two by those mysterious blades, "Vant has once again proven his strength with his invisible blades! He only has to win this fight to become Floor Master and it seems that Naruto won't be rising to stop him anytime soon - AH!"

Incredulous gasps and words of wonder rippled throughout the crowds as they all saw an arm shift and then the boy slowly, but surely stand up again. He stumbled on his feet a bit before standing up straight as if nothing happened. The referee automatically asked though mind was still shocked by the boy's unexpected rise,

"Can you continue?"

The blond reached through his completely tattered, destroyed, and bloodied kimono top's sleeve to pull out a sea blue fan with seemingly wooden panels. He opened it with a quick flick of his wrist, revealing the design of dark blue swirl patterns congregating across its span. The bottom part of his face mysteriously covered as his ice blue eyes seemed to glow from above. The announcer shook her head. It must have been her imagination. Naruto was famous for holding a monotonous expression of indifference.

With his nod, the announcer backed away and she shouted with extra cheer, "What tens have died to; Naruto survives! He has given the nod and the score is at 2 to 2! Can Naruto prevail over the potential Floor Master?! Will he overcome the invisible blades of Vant?! And what is that fan he pulled out?!"

Vant stared with a bit of fear - his mind racing as he rewinded the fight. He hadn't held back at all! Those blades should have dissected him in four! The opponent doesn't even have Nen like the others had! But he shook his head. He couldn't lose against an inexperienced, un-Initiated, kid barely out of his teens. He laughed at the ridiculous thought before standing up more confidently,

"You should have forfeited the moment you stood up. You stand no chance of winning against me! I'm going to become Floor Master!"

The blond didn't speak anything as he slowly walked to the side… before appearing everywhere as apparitions. It was a technique his clone had picked up at Meteor City. An assassin technique.

Vant widened his eyes at the impossible act, wondering where the blond went before just giving up and sending his blades from all directions around him out. His voice loud yet tingling with a trace of desperate fear as he shouted,

"You can't dodge against this! DIE!"

And then, all the apparitions disappeared for one. The blond seemingly dancing among the invisible blades, moving his fan smoothly and gracefully through the air. His blue eyes closed, making him appear in the state of relaxation, as he walked peacefully forward. To the ordinary people, what he doing was just a beautiful albeit random dance among the chaotic events around him of the invisible blades slicing through cement. To Nen users though… Vant's eyes widened in shock as he watched the blond somehow deflect his Nen blades, guiding them to different directions.

"Impossible!"

"Vant has shouted at the incredulous act! Is he just missing or is that fan actually doing something?!" The announcer caught on quickly; heart thumping wilder at the thought that the new kid fighter actually stood a chance. Who knows how many had died or lost in their first match of Floor 200. This could set a new page in history! The youngest Floor Master! It could could could could happen! "Naruto's making his counter and revenge!"

The fear finally burst and Vant lost his confident poise as he stumbled quickly backward. Sweat poured down his brow as he increased his Ten to greater levels for defense. The blond still continued forward at the same, gradual pace…

"Why why why? I should be stronger and better! How is he doing that?! Why am I backing away-"

"OOOOORRAAA!" He shouted, tossing the biggest blade he ever created at the boy. He grinned out of relief. There was no way the blond could dodge or reflect that one-

Naruto's hand glided down the fan, gently moving it upwards towards the ceiling where no lights or people were. A large crack carved its way in as bits of rubble fell to the empty space below. And finally, it was only a matter of time until the blond moved towards the man who was weak on his knees. His fan raised before he smacked the man's forehead with a sickening crack. The fan closed and returned to its hidden place in a flash.

The audience stared in an awed stupor; no one comprehending until the countdown finally ended and the referee called out,

"Critical Hit and Down! Knockout! Winner: Naruto!"

And then, all exploded with cheers and applause and incredulous shouts and roars for the blond; their hands wildly moving with the sudden energy filling them from the extraordinary fight's end. The blond merely walked to the exit and, as always, cooly left without a care for the many shouting out his name.

But this time…

"You're finally smiling."

He glanced up to see the untidy man again; the shirt cuff buttons clicking against each other as the man clapped.

Naruto blinked before touching his face, tracing the curve that his lips made… before nodding,

"That I am. You were right. I was waiting for a strong opponent. For a semblance of meaning."

"That's no good. You shouldn't find meaning in just violence alone. You'll go crazy that way."

"...maybe." Naruto softly admitted. The words reminding him of the past - he shook his head. He didn't want to think about it yet. Or even anytime in the future. Instead, he looked up at the mysterious man and nodded curtly, "I will accept your offer of learning. How did the man conjure blades of wind?"

The man widened his eyes at the blond's observation and quick thinking. How close the boy was… But he smiled secretly, "First, I will have to teach you the basics of Nen for you to understand that. I applaud you for being able to win against a practitioner of Nen without knowing, but…" His eyes narrowed, "Don't do it next time." There was a silence until he smiled again and held out his hand, "My name is Wing, Shihan Dai of the Shingen-Ryu."

Naruto eyed the hand warily before shaking it once, "And Naruto is mine, Wing-san."

"Mm!"

…

"Naruto-san!"

The blond blinked before bowing his head slightly to the kid frozen at the hallway's doorway, "It is nice to meet you."

"W-why are you here?!" Zushi flusteredly waved his hands in the air; all too surprised at the sudden meeting and all too awed by meeting his idol close up. The other looked so much cooler and stronger close up - though he really was small. Perhaps only an inch taller than himself.

"Wing-san brought me here to teach me Nen."

"Shihan Dai did?!" Zushi shouted before looking up to see his master, "Shihan Dai!"

The man smiled at his favorite disciple, knowing how much the other admired the young fighter of Heavens Arena, "Zushi. Introduce yourself."

"Ah! I forgot to introduce myself!" The boy exclaimed, remembering his manners, "Osu! My name is Zushi, Naruto-san!"

The blond eyed the smaller boy before smiling softly at the wide, bright brown eyes and gently patting the innocent boy on the head,

"My name is Naruto, Zushi. It really is nice to meet you."

Both master and disciple stared in shock and amazement at that simple, small smile that radiated with a gentle warmth. So delicate and so rare - both of them having watched all the blond's fights since he first started and having never seen any trace of emotion on the kid's face. Even that one smile that Wing had saw after the fight just minutes ago was nothing compared to this…

The blond walked forward past the entrance and shocked people to look at the humble abode inside. Zushi held his head which his idol patted so gently and blushed. He almost wanted to never wash his head again to keep that lingering sensation.

"Naruto-san really is a good person, isn't he, Shihan Dai."

Wing nodded with a small smile himself. Nen was a dangerous subject that he shouldn't teach to people who would misuse it. Now, he could tell that he hadn't made the wrong decision to share this knowledge to the boy with cold eyes.

"Mm."

"Ah!" Zushi jerked up in remembrance; Wing tilted his head,

"Hm? What is it, Zushi?"

"His injuries! How could you bring him here without sending him to the hospital, Shihan Dai?!"

Zushi quickly ran after his blond hero, worried as he was scared when he thought the blond had died. Wing stared before widening his own eyes in remembrance as well and running after. His teacher had always told him that he was absent-minded, but how could he forget such a major detail.

Once he reached the living room, however, he stopped to stare incredulously at the smooth, vanilla white skin.

"Oi, oi, oi, even if you heal miraculously fast, there should still be dried blood caked all over."

Zushi, who was on Naruto with hands forcing the torn fabrics apart, stared as well. His gaze clouding and going distant in overwhelming confusion. Naruto was unsure if he should push the boy off from the position that could be easily misunderstood or flush in embarrassment at people staring at his chest so intensely.

He chose to wait. Now he understood what the others felt about privacy back at home…. home… He got up, lightly pushing the boy off him to fix his kimono top back on. He'll have to buy a new one after. For now…

"I heal fast." He replied simply though he could tell that the two thought it was the biggest understatement of the year. "I have a fight tomorrow. I would like to learn Nen fast in preparation."

"Tomorrow?!" Zushi and Wing both shouted, knowing that the blond just had an exhausting fight today. Even if it looked as if the blond was dodging and deflecting the wind blades with ease, it still had to have taken a lot of concentration to sense the invisible and Zetsu-ed blades! Especially with no idea what they were and no way to even defend them. Not to mention his big injuries! Even if they were healed, it must have took a lot of energy to heal them - and who knows if the blond wasn't pale because of blood loss!

"You can't fight tomorrow."

"I can." Naruto defied, looking up at the instructor with his monotonous eyes. They had a staring match until Wing frowned as he knew that the boy wouldn't back down no matter what. He sighed,

"Very well. I will teach you all I can in this precious little time. It will be very strenuous… can you do it?"

Naruto nodded, listening attentively to the lecture about Nen, the basics, and techniques after his Initiation.

…

Almost a week and a half passed and Wing watched as the boy helped Zushi learn Gyo. Naruto was a fighting genius, having learned things at a fast rate and then an exponential rate as he fought. It was simply amazing to see his progress in just a few days - already surpassing so many in speed of learning Nen. And now, there was only one thing he had to pass down… The ticking hands on the clock reminding him of how soon it was going to be until Naruto fought his last battle before becoming Floor Master.

It was simply amazing to see how fast Naruto could regenerate as well. Though Wing had to wonder what that unnatural, red aura that always appeared to envelop his most serious wounds was…

Whatever it was, it had allowed him to fight 200th Floor fighters consecutively at full health everyday.

Finally, the clock struck the hour before his match. Blue eyes gazed up at the clock as they always did at these specific times before they moved to look at him. Naruto bowing politely again,

"Wing-san, thank you for your guidance. Your instruction has been helpful."

It was a routine almost. After he said that, Zushi would always-

"Eh? You're leaving, Naruto-san?!" Zushi cried out in horror. Wing smiled at his pupils; both of them seemingly having developed a big-little brother relationship. He had noticed that despite Naruto's wariness and stoic nature, the blond was always extraordinarily nice and kind to kids. Added with how Zushi found it fun to train with a senpai-like other, it was no wonder why the two were so attached. The blond patted his head as always, softly petting,

"It's almost time for my match, Zushi. It's not like this will be our last time seeing each other anyways."

"Really?"

"Really." Naruto nodded with a smile. Their words the same as the days before - so identical that Wing mentally repeated it in his head… "After all, there still is something about Nen that you haven't taught me yet… right, Wing-san?"

…but this time, Wing was going to change a few things up. "Iya. I'm teaching you it right now."

"Shihan Dai!" Wing shook his head at the rebuking shout. He already decided. So he continued,

"You probably noticed Hatsu in almost all the fighters already. Floor Masters are a lot stronger than the regular fighters though. As you will be fighting against the Floor Master today, I want you to be prepared for that. Though… I actually think you're already prepared. It amazes me how much I underestimated your growth rate."

"You have not underestimated me." Naruto cut in with a frown, but Wing shook his head.

"Nope. I definitely have." He smiled before filling a glass with water and plucking a leaf from the vase of flowers. He placed the object on the coffee table before explaining the six types of Nen and Water Divination.

Finally, Wing pushed the glass towards the blond who he thought of as a son, just like Zushi, "Saa, go ahead and try it, Naruto. Who knows if it will help you during your match."

The blond hesitated nevertheless. Wing watched with confusion as the blond's eyes darkened like a prisoner before the board announcing execution dates. His hands slowly, but inevitably applying the necessary Ren. Zushi blinked,

"Eh? Nothing's happening, Shihan Dai."

"No…" Wing began, but his analysis was interrupted as the blond's hands jerked back and he rushed out of the house, seemingly forgetting that he had an audience as he whispered hoarsely,

"I knew it…"

There was a silence as the door opened and closed. Zushi worriedly asking,

"Shihan Dai! What happened?! What's wrong with Naruto-san?!"

Wing shook his head, slowly murmuring, "I'm not sure…" His mind raced miles as he thought and thought. But there was only one thing he could be sure of. Naruto was a Specialist. Question was what kind and why did it make him so sad.

"Could it be… I have made some kind of big mistake?"

Later that day, he and Zushi watched the news reporting on Heavens Arena. A certain blond fighter coldheartedly tortured his opponent before finally killing him with a resounding blow. Wing shivered as a blood-thirsty grin split that young, beautiful face. Mad laughter bursting out just as the clip of the battle ended - turning back to the reporter who announced that Naruto was the youngest Floor Master.

But that didn't matter as the blond never came back to the Heavens Arena as a fighter again.

A golden fox flew across the sky without Wing.

A/N: ...And that is what you call an OP, OOC Naruto. Oh. And I guess I'm willing to explain one thing. He has long hair because he won't cut it until he pays back Sasuke. Kinda like why in some anime the female character cuts off her hair after being rejected or heart-broken except the opposite. Dunno if I have enough ideas to continue this plot bunny though.