Chapter 3: Growing Stronger

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Hello to chapter 3 of this fanfiction. Yes I know that people are worrying about my other fanfictions but I really don't want to abandon them all. Even so this was the easiest to pick up from due to not much work having gotten done before my laptop broke down like he did.

Regarding the Review about the first dungeon, two things: First of all, the dungeons are different dimensions if Naruko creates them, they don't have any relation to Konoha itself so this is simply "Gaia" going by popular fantasy and RPG rather than what fits the world. Secondly: I could have used zombies, which is in "The Gamer" the first dungeon, but we are talking about two ten year old girls, I think we can agree that fighting undead ninja in a post-apocalyptic Konoha wouldn't be good for their experience. And as stated above, this is training for the girls, neither Yugao nor Hayate are supossed to take action unless it is absolutely necessary. The boss wasn't inciting this because Naruko had the Jutsu that is effective against it and managed herself.

I hope this clears that up and we can continue with the chapter rather than argue about this, ne?

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Yugao and Hayate entered a short time after parting with their young charges the Hokage tower to report to the Sandaime about their first dungeon experience.

Entering the room they found the old man doing what he appeared to do most of the time: Paperwork. It was quite sad that "The Professor" in such a sorry state but neither would trade with him. Then again, Naruko wanted his job for some reason. Why? They didn't know but Yugao suspected that she wouldn't care anyway because it still was the Hokage position. And probably would find a solution to paperwork too.

"Hokage-sama, we come to report on our latest assignment." Stated Yugao respectfully and could see the relief of her superior at the distraction.

Activating a privacy seal the aged leader of Konoha sat back and beckoned them forward. "Well? How went the first dungeon?" Asked Sarutobi with a smile on his face as he looked at the pair of ninja that were standing before him in interest.

Yugao stepped forward, as usual she was the one between them who talked more. "Yes Hokage-sama. The dungeon was rather easy to be honest, we believe it was meant from the get-go to be used by low level people, which also explains the boost of three levels when they formed a party." Explained Yugao to the old man who frowned, none the less interested in hearing.

Yugao then begun to explain what happened in the dungeon, how the girls rather easily dispatched of the various slimes encountered before Naruko, quite literally, single-handedly took on the boss of the first part of the over all dungeon. Sarutobi was surprised that, in the end Naruko actually managed to do something like that but it also made him proud of her for that accomplishment.

"Finally, the victory unlocked a new function though it appears it didn't include either Hayate-kun nor me." Explained Yugao finally coming to the most important paprt of this whole explanation. "Naruko and Hinata can exchange certain points for Kekkei Genkai, Naruko-chan wants to ask Hiashi-sama to let her use this to obtain the Byakugan." Explained Yugao and Sarutobi paled slighly. Naruko, obtaining the Byakugan?

"Yugao-san, please sent an alarm to the Anbuu, Case Alpha Omega Foxtrot could happen." Stated Sarutobi and Yugao blinked before her brain processed what he meant. The near weekly training exercises of Naruko pranking the Anbuu HQ would, if this case really happened, become actually dangerous to everyone involved. Fuck.

She swallowed and nodded to the aged village leader. "I- I will do so. But I am not sure whether Naruko-chan will-" She stopped as a message appeared before her and Hayate.

[Event Alert: Party Leader Uzumaki Naruko earned the [Byakugan] Kekkei Genkai]

She sighed. "Never mind, she convinced Hiashi-sama to allow her to get it." Stated Yugao with a sigh. Well, that meant only that the Anbuu would now be unable to hide from her. "Hokage-sama, another thing. Naruko-chan has learned about the Kyuubi, she read a entry in the bestiary about Jinchuriki which listed her." Explained Yugao sadly, knowing that this had thrown the girl for a loop at the time.

Sarutobi whinced, so much for the plan to wait until she was a Chunin. Now she wasn't even a Genin and a bestiary listed her as a Jinchuriki. "What did that bestiary say?" Asked Sarutobi, hoping it didn't do anything stupid like saying they were the Bijuu.

"It explained Jinchuriki rather well all things considered, but did list her as the only one she knew personally it seems. She was also the poster child in the list." She explained with a sigh, not liking how it went south that way. "Luckily Hinata-chan appears to have been taught enough about sealing to know the difference, I think that helped Naruko." Explained Yugao and Sarutobi nodded, sighing slightly.

Then a sly smirk appeared on Yugao's face. "I kind of mentioned how the Sandaime treats his own son though. I suggest we postpone any visits from him or keep her in a dungeon during those times or else he will find himself pranked so badly that not even his golden sand can save him anymore." Informed Yugao her superior who shuddered at the idea of Naruko takinig revenge in the stead of her fellow Jinchuriki.

"Good idea, I will inform you two when that happens to arrange such actions." He explained to the two and they just nodded. He sunk back in his seat and then asked: "What are your plans tomorrow? Another dungeon exploration?" Asked Sarutobi the two, he had arranged with Iruka to exclude Hinata and Naruko for the next week from class so they could train with Yugao and Hayate. It was also a good exercise for later after all.

"We thought about doing some real tutoring. Naruko-chan needs a bit of help with her different skills and I read that having a "Tutor" will actually give benefits." Explained Yugao to the old man and Sarutobi nodded in understanding, that could be actually helpful.

"How many tutors can they have at the same time? And what exactly are the benefits?" Asked Hiruzen interested, looking at the two that had been tasked with helping the girls during training.

"Up to five different teachers." Answered Hayate, followed by a fit of coughing. Ever since the last war his lungs had been like that, a poison had been used by Hanzo the Salamander and it had burned at his lungs like acid. He was saved but retained a incurable illness from it. "It doesn't stack up though if they are similar like boosting EXP." Explained Hayate, having read up on this himself.

Yugao nodded in agreement and explained: "I myself give a boost in form of five times more experience points, but I must first officially take them on as apprentices. I also give apparently a boost to people I teach the Hakage-Ryu style to through the skill associated with it. Same with Hayate but in that case it apparently stacks up." She explained, still confused about all this but apparently skill related bonuses were different.

"I see, anything else to report?" Asked Sarutobi, looking at the two before him but at their shake of their heads he dismissed them. Once they were out he sighed tiredly and leaned back. "I am getting too old for this kind of stress. Where are Tsunade and Jiraya when I need them?" He muttered but then sighed again, his head hitting the table before him.

"Oh yeah, one is going around for information, no matter what that information is, and the other is still reeling from the loss of her brother and fiance. I really should take Naruko up on her offer, at least for a week." Muttered Sarutobi to himself, feeling all of his years bearing down on his old shoulders.

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Naruko sighed contently as she woke up, a message informing her as usual about the refilling of her HP and CP as well as the healing of [Extreme Muscle Overexertion].

Strangely it said she had been healed by 50% because she had slept on a Futon. Why did she sleep on a Futon? Then it hit her, the last day rushing back into her awareness. After getting the Byakugan and the scroll, Hiashi had offered for her to stay for the night as it was getting late at that point. She didn't last a second after hitting the pillow, falling asleep instantly.

She sat up, yawning as she stretched. She had been given a Futon in Hinata's room because Naruko had been shown to be unable to sleep in foreign environments unless someone close to her was in the same room. Looking to the clock she found it was only 7:30 AM, give or take a few minutes. Hinata was already out of bed and so Naruko decided to use her new eyes to check where she was.

The sensation of the Byakugan was really alien to Naruko, it disorientated her for a moment when she perceived everything around her at the same time! It took her a minute or two to get a hang on the whole thing and focus it around to look for Hinata.

With that finding her was rather easy, Naruko recognized her due to the height and from the smaller person striking at her and being struck, she was sparring with Hanabi and if Naruko was to take a guess, Hinata was actually beating Hanabi back. Hinata had a very high dexterity stat which allowed her to use greater speed and, well, dexterity while Naruko saw her use her point to enhance her Byakugan more.

Naruko hadn't done that, she wanted another Kekkei Genkai after all. It would add work for her but another power like that was great. She stood up, and was about to grab her clothes that she had discarded for the spare pjama that Hinata kept in her room for such occassions, not the first time really, she found a pair of spare clothes that she definitely knew belonged to Hinata.

Seriously. She knew Hinata's wardrobe better than her dad. Really.

She once mentioned while visiting a nice looking, orange dress and Hiashi had been bewildered his daughter had something orange. She gave it to her a few years ago for christmas, if you wonder. So be fair to him.

She put those clothes on, a bit large on her rather small body but, well, who cares? And went to the backyard.

As her newly upgraded eyes had shown, Hinata was sparring with Hanabi and a short check on Hinata revealed that her current Byakugan level was 60, probably rounded upward or something. Hanabi had a impressive 53 but that still wasn't up to par with Hinata's own level at the Kekkei Genkai. Thank Gaia for the [Gamer] ability. Right?

"I see you noticed their training." Stated Hiashi, startling Naruko into jumping up and around which was quite funny to him. "I talked last night with Yugao-san and Hayate-kun, they agreed that you can train during the morning here since they already were informed by your ability about the Byakugan." He explained to the girl who nodded but looked still a bit surprised.

"Anyway, I will be going this afternoon to talk with Hokage-sama about your living arangements, because you will be charged with protecting our heir and also helping her train, not to mention that your Byakugan puts you in danger too, it will be necessary for you to move into the Hyuuga compound. It will also allow you to start training earlier." He explained to the girl who looked a bit dumbfounded.

To be honest, that face reminded him of a puppy and he could imagine dogears on her head with one raised, the other to the side in confusion. Just a tilt of the heaaaaad- yeah! There it was! Perfect Confused-Puppy™ look right there. "That also means you will stay with our family." He added and a happy realization eclipsed her confusion. He should get sunglasses, that brightness could blind him.

With Hanabi and Hinata occupied, Hiashi took Naruko to the side. He knew she would take a while to really get a hang on her Byakugan due to the side-effect of her Byakugan having been added artificially. Just as he was about to get her to get into a proper stance a pop-up appeared before her.

[Do you want to add [Hyuuga Hiashi] as a Tutor?]

[Tutor Perk: x2 Byakugan & Jyuuken skill levelling]

[Yes] – [No]

Naruko looked to him but then clicked on [Yes] and to Hiashi appeared a small list in his field of vision. [Students: Uzumaki Naruko, Hyuuga Hinata, Hyuuga Hanabi ; 3/10]. Hiashi could only guess that meant he could take ten students over all.

"Well Naruko-chan, that appears to settle your little problem with the growth." Stated Hiashi, it made things easier in his mind. After all, Naruko had a penalty on those skills and the Kekkei Genkai against leveling them because of not being actual part of the clan. The next hour was spend with Naruko trying in vein to use both the Byakugan, the style and her personal approach to Taijutsu to strike him.

Evading? No problem, the girl was harder to hit than a fly with jetpack. Hitting? His defense was too dense. According to her skill, he had his Byakugan maxed out, a contrast to her level 12 Byakugan. Said eyes were, aside of color, the same as any born Hyuuga, the same veins, the same seeming strain on her eyes. Even the same abilities just that she was at times still adjusting to the Kekkei Genkai's strange visuals.

It was funny in a way to him seeing a ten year old struggle with offensive but being the most evasive fighter he saw so far. And the best? Whenever he did hit her, she just jabbed at that point quickly to reopen it. She was so resistant to pain that she could just do it herself and that was impressive if also sad. Twice during the next four hours a notice would appear about her leveling up her Byakugan, while the same held true to the Jyuuken.

Hiashi was quite pleased with the progress, Naruko had the stamina to go on for another few hours he guessed, she didn't even look winded yet. "Alright, that is enough for now Naruko-chan." He stated, letting his own stance go while Naruko, bruised all over as she was, relaxed too. "You did quite well for a beginner, Naruko-chan, especially in the defense." He commented on her ability to adapt to the fighting-style.

Normally it would be frowned upon to change the style but considering Naruko never trained in it before, or even was a actual Hyuuga. So it could be forgiven that combined her dodge-tank approach with the Jyuuken. And it was frustrating to fight against to be honest. But even then this was quite a good method of fighting since it provided her with defense that she would lack otherwise.

Naruko beamed at him for that and seemed more than eager to continue training in one way or another. "Thanks Hiashi-sama!" Replied the girl who was quite eager. Hiashi knew that she would be go and probably do something that didn't involve sitting around in a classroom. Luckily she didn't need to go there for a while to be honest. Really good that they had allowed Naruko and Hinata to stay out of school for this training.

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Two days after Naruko moved into the Hyuuga compound the results of the training were astounding.

For one, due to Yugao and Hayate becoming their "Tutor's", their EXP rose five times as fast. Furthermore, the effect of the area actually stacked up with Yugao and Hayate's so they actually got twice as much than just with them.

Seeing as it could be useful to not rely just on Taijutsu, Hinata had picked up the sword which Hayate thaught her. She learned much faster than she had any right to, to be honest, and roped Naruko also into the training but she had a different favorite weapon: The Bo. The bo was the staff, a basic, simple weapon on first glance but it had the reach that a Katana lacked.

In the hands of a versatile and quite imaginative girl? It become the Sweezer army knive of Ninja. Club, staff, shield, wannabe spear. It become all that and more by just a change of the grip. It even could become a wooden replacement for a sword when she grabbed it as if she held a sword in her hands. It was this day that Naruko found herself with free time, for the first time in a long while.

And what did she do? She went to the Hokage. She was peeved for not being told and that showed nicely and made people avoid her more than usual because, you know what? Angry Naruko is Angry, with all the additions! And everyone knew that a emotional Naruko was worse than Anko if you drop her Dango. The only thing lacking would be a fire aura around her while she stomps so hard the ground shakes.

Sadly for the general Shinobi populace, Naruko has a short attention span, and the moment you hang a sign on a door stating "Don't Enter" then you can be guaranteed that she would go in just to see why she wasn't allowed to.

An hour or so late Sarutobi Hiruzen walked along that same corridor when he saw it: Naruko leaving the room. "Naruko! What in the name of the sage are you doing there?!" Asked the old man shocked, panic growing in him as Naruko's slightly altered eyes turned to him.

"Jiji!" Shouted she suddenly and he remembered that she had been seen angrily walking here. Oh shit. "Why didn't you tell me about the furball in my guts? Didn't I have a right to know it? And what about the Uzumaki-clan? One of my perks calls me the heir of that clan so why didn't you tell me?!" Asked Naruko angrily and Sarutobi found himself facing a little dragon. Fangs and claws included.

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Three hours after this Sarutobi sighed as he finished telling Naruko the general reason why he didn't tell her, mainly because it was dangerous if people knew of her heritage.

He also questioned her what she did, even though he saw it already. She had absorbed every scroll in the room where he stored the Forbidden Scroll but the only Jutsu she had managed to sort out so far was Kagebunshin no Jutsu, the rest were just hanging around in her mind.

What come after he finished his long explanation was surprising to Naruko, who had added him to her party to show him the confusing list of Jutsu she had.

[Congratulations! Hidden Quest completed: [Letting the Fox out]]

Goal: Interrogate Sarutobi for his Reasons (Complete)

[Rewards: 800 EXP, +1 Skill Point, +10 Stat Points, Sarutobi Hiruzen can be taken as a Tutor]

Naruko starred at this, she didn't even know that there was such a quest to begin with. Then again, this was a "Hidden Quest" so it was probably just normal for it to be the case.

"Well, seems like the game wants to tell us something here." Remarked Sarutobi, looking at the message from his position while Naruko looked a bit confused. "Let's see what my own boons as a teacher would be." He commented and opened his own menu, having played with it while he had it the day that Yugao took on Naruko and Hinata.

[Sarutobi Hiruzen]

Rank: Hokage (+10 [Loot] when killing monsters, no Level Penalty, [Bojutsu] skill EXP bonus: x4)]

He blinked at this information, it wasn't all there was but it was the most important he needed. His Level was also 1942, by the way, but there were penalties, like [Advanced Age] which gave him huge decreases in his stats. Well, he had to exercise more in the future it seemed.

"Whoa! Does that mean you could teach me Bojutsu?" Asked Naruko excitedly and he was ripped out of his thoughts by her. Her and her doom-gaze-Puppy-Eyes. Yes, he called it that. She was too cute and effective. He could bet even Orochimaru wouldn't be able to resist! Hell, even Danzo he wouldn't be able to do that easily.

"Yes, I am considered a master of the art. Does that mean you want to learn it?" Asked Sarutobi, interested what the little girl wanted to do but she already opened her menu and he saw her work her inventory. It was so useful this inventory, until a certain threshhold was reached, you could carry anything around. Treshhold meaning a number of items equal to your own STR stat.

Stackeable weapons (Throwing weapons) always were put as one item in stacks of up to 999 items. Naruko herself could carry 85 items. She finally mateialized what she wanted and caught a Bo staff, roughly three feet long but generally just a simple piece of wood straightened into this shape. It was a clear training Bo but from what he could tell it gave a higher boost than the ordinary ones he knew.

"Where did you get that?" He asked curiously as the child held it with a wide grin on her face.

"The first boss had this neat key for a chest with the true treasures!" She explained to the old man who smiled fondly at her enthusiasm, especially as he now found himself a willing student for Bojutsu, which he had lacked among his last three students who didn't pick up his art.

"Well Naruko, I think if you really want to learn the art of Bojutsu, then I will gladly teach you." He told her, to which she cheered. He didn't know of the monster he had unleashed upon the world.

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A day after the confrontation found Naruko, Hinata, Hayate and Yugao on Training Ground 14 once again.

It was time to challenge the next stage of the dungeon and they didn't waste time standing around. The moment they arrived at the gates they were again in [Fields of Slimester] and again a killing counter was set but they ignored this.

Moving into the city, which was decrepit to the naked eye, they got a new Message:

[King Slimesters Country]

Bonus: +20% Experience Points

Current Level: Slimesters Capitol Slimania

Timelimit until Boss Appearance: 30:00 Minutes

Goal: Destroy as many enemies before the boss appears as possible to reduce the amount of enemies swarming you during the fight.]

They looked at that message and then to one another. "Okay, that is mean." Stated Naruko, not sure what to think about that new version of the boss conditions.

"If I had to guess, I would say that we should hurry." Stated Yugao and the others nodded.

"Alright, all out assault! Kagebunshin no Jutsu!" Shouted Naruko and five clones appeared around her, dividing her points by 6 that way. With a base stat of 4135 that gave each clone and Naruko herself, 689 CP to use. "Okay girls! Swarm out and take out as many enemies as possible!" Shouted Naruko and a collective "Hai!" followed the command to which the clones jumped off in all directions.

"Alright, while Naruko's clones take out monsters you go and put up traps and the like." Ordered Yugao with Naruko nodding. After the recent prank she played on the village elders, which involved unheard amounts of backing powder and paint, she discovered that this translated into a skill: [Grandmaster Trap Builder].

It basically made her able to make anyone fall into a trap, which included pranks. But unless she wanted to make it lethal it wasn't. She could kill you with pepper spray, just so you know. It was absolute mastery and the origin of her [Prank Queen] perk. In other words: She is awesome.

Also, the whole "Downloaded the whole Archieve around the Sealed Scroll" incident blew over after discovering the [Scroll Creation] skill which allowed her to create instruction manuals for all Jutsu and skills she had. Using that she had given Hinata a copy of the [Katon: Kakyo no Jutsu] scroll, so she could use it now too. The same went with the [Medium Trap Builder] skill, which was the limit to how advanced a manual she could make.

Because of that Hinata helped her when they begun to use wreckage of the surrounding area to make the trap, a trap for the boss and it's helpers if any.

The clones on the other hand encountered new types of enemies. Namely [Small Purple Slime], [Small Orange Slime] and [Small Yellow Slime] as well as their medium sized counterparts. Aside of those there were also [Necroslime Guard] mobs, which were the animated corpses of armored humans wielding a variety of weapons indicating a outlandish weaponry.

They, like the boss of the prior dungeon, were controlled by black slimes, [Necroslime] to be exact. Less frequently than most they dropped their weapons, such as spears, swords, some shields, helmets and the like. Between Jyuuken attacks and [Katon: Kakyo no Jutsu], the enemies were easy pickings. Even so it took quite some time to get those annoying slimes down.

While this was happening, Yugao and Hayate were investigating the cities buildings. In them they found a rather macabre piece of information: This country once was inhabited by humans. Many houses still held pictures of families, clothes, even skeletons huddled together as if in their last minutes of starving. Many houses had been broken in by slimes at some point, but most showed signs of people having stayed there until running out of food.

In many building they found [Necroslime] controlled zombies, including woman and children in simple peasant clothes. In armories they found larger numbers of [Necroslime Knight] mobs and very good loot but it showed a grim picture. From what they found, it indicated that this once was supossed to be a prospering country until those slimes showed up.

The natives, who only had steel weapons and no Jutsu or Chakra, were unable to fight back against the maleable slimes. Escape routes they found indicated that people may have escaped, but for many, especially the guards and soldiers, it had been the last days of their lifes. It wasn't until the timer showed 01:01 minutes left that they returned to the gathering point.

As usual no one could make out the large number of traps Naruko had made, neither of the two adults had an idea where the traps were due to the absolute mastery of the skill. "Naruko-chan, report." Ordered Yugao finally, they had about a minute left for it.

"Hai, Yugao-sensei." Answered the girl before explaining: "The traps are all set, we were attacked a few times but Hinata-chan was able to defeat all of the [Necroslime Guard] enemies as well as the different slimes. My clones also report no further slimes in the city from what we know. The enemies all had special abilities once again." Explained Naruko to Yugao who nodded, knowing that much.

Hinata was who picked up after Naruko: "The [Purple Slime] mobs are venomous, the [Orange Slime] mobs can harden like rock apparently but become immobile and are also the slowest so far, while the [Yellow Slime] mobs appear to be capable of Raiton ninjutsu." Explained Hinata and the two adults nodded, this did coincede with their own observations so far.

"Alright, everyone take a [Soldier Pill], we need to refill our Chakra." Ordered Yugao and the group did just that. Normally those pills would be unavailable to Hinata and Naruko but due to the situation Yugao and Hayate went to the trouble of purchasing low level ones for the girls to replenish their Chakra with them.

Just as their Chakra had regenerated a loud buzzing noise drew their attention up the street, to the large doors of the castle in the middle of the city. Those opened up and out stepped, or slurched, a pair of animated corpses, over their heads hung the name [Necroslime Royal Guard], level 6 monsters.

Following them was something grotesque. Again it was a corpse, but this one was nothing but a skeleton with black ooze filling in the clothes. On top of it's head was a crone and it held a scepter like mace in it's hand.

[Boss Appearance!]

[Necroslime Queen: Elezaroth III] (7)

There was the queen it appeared and both Yugao and Hayate realized that this probably meant that the royal family had been probably killed and now housed the leaders of the slimes.

Luckily it was still rather weak, lower than any of the team so it was no trouble. "Okay, take out the adds, we will keep the boss busy." Ordered Yugao, deciding it was best to get the additional enemies out of the way before the boss was taken on.

The boss itself was apparently a tank, having 20.000 HP. Why she was that way showed soon, the moment a guard was killed by Naruko she shrieked loudly and another two appeared. "Great *Cough* she spawns new ones if the old ones die." Muttered Hayate as he blocked the sloppy swing of the mace wielded by the boss.

Yugao kept on her toes, frowning as she dodged the clumsy swings of the skeleton animated only by the slime. The thing didn't even have that good of a control over the body. "New plan, you two get the boss, Hayate and I will go take on the adds. Naruko, plan "Iron Chain Bind" is a go!" Shouted Yugao before disengaging and switching places with Naruko who had taken on the pair while Hayate did the same with Hinata.

Naruko, with a flick of her wrist, shot a orange colored chain from her sleeve of the newest armor she had made. The new armor, [Thick Leather Jacket] was a part of a new set of clothes that raised her DEF from 20 to 39. Anyway, the chain itself was made of her Chakra, one of the two Kekkei Genkai she used her points for. The first was Jiton, the Magnet Release and the other was Chakra Chains.

According to the description it was a rare ability manifesting mostly in female members of the Uzumaki Clan. They fed both on the Chakra of the user as well as gaining strength based on the Chakra levels of the opponent. You could bind a Bijuu easily with them actually. Because the chains were still part of her own Chakra, she could both easily manipulate them and didn't spend too much Chakra on them.

She planned to threaten the Kyuubi with it should she ever need to contact him for a bit of assistance and he was stubborn. Anyway, the Chain was tipped with a short blade which struck a patch of Earth and as if on command this sent a huge trunk of a tree suddenly flew out of nowhere, bowling over the boss and taking out a solid 2000 points out of her.

Hinata followed this up by using Jyuuken on the boss who was mostly slime and didn't wear armor. It was a bit annoying but apparently, whatever materials the inhabitants used for their armor, were Chakra resistant to an extent. That wasn't true for the ordinary clothes even if the queen wore some nice regalia. When the queen prepared launch another strike at Hinata, Naruko quickly used her chains to stop her.

Even without Chakra from the one held, the chains were more than enough to stop a lowly slime controlled skeleton. Another thing she learned with her chains was altering them. Within seconds the chains grew blades on the sides that cut deep into bone and slime alike, making the queen wail in pain.

"Hinata! Out of the way I activate "Rolling Stones"!" Called Naruko over to her best friend who quickly put distance between them while Naruko chucked a Kunai at a nearby house, cutting a hidden string and from nowhere suddenly a large boulder crushed the queen from above. Naruko didn't really care where the boulder was stored, she also didn't care how it stayed up there or become invisible. It works, so why not?

With this all but instant kill attack that pulverized the bones of the queen and squashed the entire thing to pudding. That did it, total annihilation emptied the remaining 7593 points of the boss in one go. Naruko sighed in relief at seeing the message appear.

[Congratulations! You defeated [NecroSlime Queen: Elezaroth III]!]

Bonus Goal: Last Attack Bonus!

Reward: 3000 EXP ; Access to [Slimesters Treasury] obtained ; Access to [Slimesters Castle: Hoogenwald] unlocked

Bonus Goal: Familiar System Unlocked]

They all looked at each other and then went to the spot where the queen had been squashed. The guards had been evaporated with her passing.

Storing the boulder in her inventory they found a bundle of keys and when Naruko picked it up, four keys dangling from it, a door appeared to the immediate right of the large entrance of the castle. They looked at each other before entering the room beyond the door.

Inside there were several coats of arms, full armors and dozens of chests. They each had a different design on them but only four fit with the keys they had. "Do you think that we should have killed more?" Asked Naruko, seeing as the number of opponents killed in the end seemed the same as the number of keys.

"Probably. Let's just take what we get." Stated Yugao with a sigh as the four went to each of the chests with one of the keys.

Naruko took the key which corresponded to a chest with a fox on it. She had taken it because, you know, irony wasn't unknown to her and she was the Kyuubi Jinchuriki. Opening the chest she found a golden ring with a red gem in it, 2000 Ryo and a pair of bracelets made of steel. Using [Observe] on the bracelets showed that they were [Glove] type items, armor technically but with low damage output, which each could fire a burst of fire or Ice.

The ring though was much more interesting:

[Ring of Power]

Rarity: Super Rare

Type: Accessoire

Description: A ring that was passed down in the royal family as a treasure. No one could use this artifact because it only activates by using Chakra. If Chakra is put into the ring, it will give a 50% boost to physical strength and endurance for 40 minutes but needs 2 hours after running out before being activated again.]

Naruko grinned, she was the Tank between Hinata and herself, and with that ring she would be even more Tank'ier! Wait, was that a word? Oh whatever, she was THE Gamer, she had the right to invent her own words if she wanted to!

Hinata on the other hand had also opened her chest, it also contained 2000 Ryo but instead of bracers like Naruko got them, her own chest contained a pair of cutlass like weapons. They were black and white respectively, identical in shape but while one looked as if had scales, the other had waves on it. Next to it lay, like with Naruko, a ring, this one held a blue gem in it.

Considering her own chest had a wave design on it she wouldn't complain.

[Kansho and Bakuya]

Rarity: Unique

Type: Noble Phantasm

Damage: 20-40

Description: The "Married Twin Swords" as they are often called, are powerful weapons of unknown origin. They were gifts given to the kingdom by a strange man in red and black and said to return to each other no matter distance. Any regular weapon that so far tried to compete with them broke on contact, said to be because of their status as "Noble Phantasm" though the meaning is unknown.]

Hinata blinked at this description, that was a pair of very powerful weapons. And if they were twin swords then they would have to be wielded together so they were unlike what she had trained.

Even so, she had long ago learned that it was better to have some killer weapons than just concentrate on having those who fit you. So, while she preferred to use a single, onehanded sword normally, she would keep them if she needed the extra boost.

Looking to the ring she also analyzed it.

[Ring of Fire (1)]

Rarity: Super Rare

Type: Leveling Item

Details: A strange "Magical" ring that can cast weak fire "spells". This strange artifact in fact can create pseudo Katon Ninjutsu but only if fuelled with Chakra will it perform powerful attacks. Currently it is limited to Katon: Kakyo no Jutsu but if used repeatedly will unlock more Jutsu.]

Hinata blinked at this piece of information, a item with a level? Well, not one to complain Hinata equipped the ring to herself, it would certainly help to have Katon ninjutsu on her side with this item.

Yugao herself had chosen the key with a sun emblazoned on it, which opened a similar chest. The chest contained, once again, 2000 Ryo as well as a pair of shoes and a pair of earrings.

[Phantom Knights Swift Boots]

Rarity: Super Rare

Type: Foot Wear

Details: A pair of shoes said to contain a ancient knights soul. It raises DEX while using a sword by 20% and allows to summon [Phantom Knights of Swift Boots] to assist you in battle. While [Phantom Knights of Swift Boots] is summoned the bonus from [Phantom Knights Swift Boots] is negated.]

Read the information on the shoes and Yugao found herself impressed, this item appeared to be rather useful, especially to her as a swordswoman. The earrings were next on her list to check out.

[Phantom Knights Mystic Ears]

Rarity: Super Rare

Type: Accessoire

Details: Mystic pieces of jewelry that are said to contain the spirit of a ancient knights soul. It raises DEF by 20% while using a sword and allows to summon [Phantom Knights of Mystic Ears] to assist in Battle. While [Phantom Knights of Mystic Ears] is summoned the bonus from [Phantom Knights Mystic Ears] is negated.]

She frowned, that was pretty much a series it seemed. But why phantom items in a sun themed chest? She would never understand this logic.

Hayate on the other hand got a moon decorated chest for himself and found also the 2000 Ryo in it. What else he found was a Katana, [Swift Claw] was it's name which had stats that were astronomical compared to his own sword. There was also a item called [Emblem of Knights] which gave a 1% boost to all stats but was stackeable, so it was probably a item that could be found more often.

With that done, the group left the dungeon since the gold and other valuables weren't moveable apparently. Like in most games probably.

XXXXXoooXXXXX

Finally the week off from the academy ended and Naruko and Hinata found themselves again on the way to the academy.

By this point Naruko had started working on more simple clothes and her [Leather Craftsman] skill had advanced to [Advanced Leather Craftsman], which made even better armor than before and now she could even make things that didn't look necessarily like super armor but were even better! … Well, the panties weren't necessarily her best idea.

On another note, she had finally started on working on Puppet cases which she had until now put on hold. Funnily enough, the first day they went to the academy again they would have a Taijutsu test that was mixed in terms of gender. Well, it wouldn't be so lame.

It took about 30 minutes for Naruko to be called up. Her opponent was the class 'prodigy' Uchiha Sasuke. He was the currently only person in the Uchiha Clan that she could built a "Friendly" reputation with for the Sharingan. He was pretty arrogant though, she also didn't know what other girls liked about him so much. The rules of the engagement? Neither Ninjutsu or Genjutsu were allowed. Bukijutsu of any sort was allowed though.

[Alert! Quest Boss appeared: Uchiha Sasuke!]

Quest Goal: Defeat Uchiha Sasuke

Losing condition: Lose to Uchiha Sasuke

Notice: You cannot use Genjutsu or Ninjutsu. You cannot die. You MUST go through this quest.]

She dismissed the notice with a thought before taking one of the scrolls she was given by Yugao and unsealed her Bo. "Bojutsu? Do you even know how to hold that?" Sneered Sasuke as Naruko moved into the base stance of her style with the staff diagonal to the ground with the end facing backward lifted up.

"Don't you worry Uchiha, I have trained a lot since the last time you saw me." Retorted Naruko confidently to which the arrogant brat frowned before taking out a pair of kunai in a reverse grip. Well, he didn't have any other training with any kind of weapon so far.

"Hajime!" Shouted Iruka, getting out of the way and not a second too late.

Sasuke was already half way to Naruko's side of the ring when Naruko appeared below him. Chakra trailed after her feet as she had used it in a reverse version of the "Tree Climbing Exercise" to blast herself forward. This was a "Mutation" that was unlocked at level 80 of any skill. In this case she had taken the "Chakra Burst" instead of "Steadfast like a Rock". She liked speed and it also allowed her to change direction mid-air actually.

She hit him hard in the stomach, making him stumble and stagger back. Sasuke staggered back while she flipped her staff over to return into the ready stance while Sasuke caught his breath. She didn't want to overdo it after all so she didn't press it immediately. "Observe." She whispered while Sasuke caught his breath to see his level.

[Uchiha Sasuke]

Job: Ninja

Level: 13, next level: 6336/40.000

Rank: Academy Student

Specialization: N/A

HP: 694/900

CP: 1500/1500

STR: 120/102

VIT: 45

DEX: 156

INT: 126

WIS: 65/130

LUK: 12

DEF: 8

Titles:

N/A

Perks:

Uchiha Heir: +20% Reputation with [Konohagakure], +20% EXP on [Sharingan], -40% [Rationalism]

Curse of Hatred: EXP x4, Weak Will (+50% chance to be persuaded with power), Inferiority Complex (+50% rage towards someone superior to you, enables [Mad Enhancement]), Superiority Complex (+50% Chance of being ambushed or surprised during battle, +50% chance of falling for a trap), Lower Logic (-50% WIS)

Status Effects:

Would be Avenger: You are filled with hatred and the wish for revenge, this obsession negatively impacts your health. -50% VIT Growth per level, -40% DEF.

Description: Uchiha Sasuke, the last Uchiha loyal to Konoha, at least as long as that holds. He is arrogant, self righteous and you find him a huge pain in the ass. He is also your current opponent and a "Event Boss", as such his strength was upped but his other stats not due to either being too high or a penalty hanging to them.

Stat Points: 0

Skill Points: 1

Kekkei Genkai:

Sharingan (12): The Sharingan is one of the three great Dojutsu and the Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan. Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi are the only natural bearers of this Kekkei Genkai left on the planet. It is awakened normally under extreme stress such as fear for ones life as in Sasuke's case. While this Sharingan is awakened, the user cannot use it yet in it's single Tomoe state.

+12% Learning capability

+12% analytical skills]

So, his Sharingan was actually already awakened but he couldn't use it yet, huh?

"So, Uchiha-kun, can you use your Kekkei Genkai yet?" Asked Naruko with a grin as she circled the boy who had recovered by now and glared at her. She could see a flash of red in those eyes, interesting.

"What would you know Dead-Last?!" Snapped the boy angrily as he picked up his two Kunai he had dropped earlier due to her strike.

"A lot more than you think. And this Dead-Last just hit you hard enough to make you double over so I think that is a good reason to stop calling me that, teme." Stated Naruko with a smirk of her own. She punched a whomping 200 points out of him, even a bit more, with a single hit of her training bo. "Besides, never looked at my eyes much, huh?" Added Naruko which drew his confusion.

"You see, no one knows my parents, so it did come as a surprise when I awakened this." Smirked Naruko as she formed a half-ram seal with her right hand. "Byakugan!" She shouted, her veins bulging around her eyes. Now with the Kekkei Genkai active, she could tell that Sasuke was flooding his body with Chakra, and she also could tell he was panicking.

"How do you have the Byakugan? You are not from a Ninja Clan!" Exclaimed the boy, enraged that even she had a Dojutsu that worked!

Naruko picked the explanation they worked out a while ago: "Well, no one knows my parents, do they? For all that is known one of them could have been a Uchiha. Just so happens that I appear to have been descended from a line of Hyuuga whose Byakugan was lost until I awakened mine. Because of that my eyes look different now." Explained Naruko with a smirk on her face while the other boy growled at her cocky attitude.

"Whatever, that is cheating." Stated Sasuke, confident that he would win for that but Naruko continued smirking and Iruka didn't interrupt.

At his confused look she explained: "The Byakugan in itself has no offensive power, it is supplementary only, for Taijutsu to be exact. And Kekkei Genkai are generally allowed. But if you are afraid of a beginner at this technique..." She trailed off at the end, provocatively as she deactivated the Kekkei Genkai again with her eyes turning back again.

Sasuke growled and then dashed forward but he forgot something: Unless you can get really close, Kunai are useless against poles. She brained him so hard with the staff that he flew a few feet back, she flinched at that as he skid to a halt with both Kunai flying off. "Note to self, no matter the arrogance, he isn't smart enough to keep away from my woodstick." She muttered to herself as Sasuke stood up again, bleeding on the forehead now that she had hit him that hard.

"Sasuke-kun!" Come horrified shouts from the crowd as Naruko rolled her eyes. Fangirls. They were a true epidemic those days.

"He will be fine, he is a Uchiha after all, right?" Asked Naruko, taunting him once again. One thing she learned was that angry opponents were less concentrated and easier to beat. With a warcry, Sasuke showed that yes, he was this stupid.

Two more whaks to the head later Naruko stood above a unconscious Uchiha with one foot on his back and turned to the others. "Say, do you think he would make a good trophae for my home? I am not sure, he looks a bit too ugly for it." She stated with a smirk while everyone just starred how the "Dead-Last" beat Uchiha Sasuke in under four minutes.

It was finally Iruka who reacted first, smiling proudly at the ridiculous progress his student went through. "Winner is, Uzumaki Naruko!" Declared Iruka loudly while Naruko smirked as she gave everyone a victory sign.

This was a clear sign: Naruko had grown stronger, and she was still growing stronger. "Next up are Hyuuga Hinata versus Inuzuka Kiba." Announced Iruka and Hinata stepped up to the ring while her opponent followed. Kiba was a boy their age with short, brown hair and feral, dark eyes. He wore a gray jacket with the hood pulled up.

Hinata wore her usual outfit but hidden under the material were leather pieces that Naruko had put on them to add more defense to it. The battle was one-sided, but again not as people expected. Hinata was the timid, nice one of the class. Never wanting to hurt anyone, often letting herself be hit in spars. Well, now she was showing the dog that was Kiba who was the Alpha between the two of them.

The battle wasn't brutal, but neither was it gentle from Hinata's side. It looked so easy as she blocked and countered every move Kiba made so easily it looked as if she was bored. To be honest? After sparing for a week with Yugao and Hayate, she was bored. Kiba was like a puppy being compared to a Rotweiler, no offense but he was anything but threatening to her.

Hinata ultimately just knocked him out with a chop to the neck, having closed just about any Tenketsu in his arms she could see anyway. That he could move them at all was a wonder to be honest. "Winner: Hyuuga Hinata." Proclaimed Iruka, smiling at the astounding progress of the two girls. The others in the class muttered among themselves, cursing that the easy wins were suddenly no longer easy considering how easy they had it against two competent opponents.

Fan-freaking-tastic. Gone were the easy wins apparently.

[Congratulations! You defeated [Uchiha Sasuke]!]

Bonus Goal: Don't get hit!

Reward: 1000 EXP ; -200 Reputation with [Uchiha Sasuke] ; [Uchiha Sasuke (Academy)] unlocked for [Boss Arena] Dungeons

Bonus Goal: +500 EXP]

Naruko accepted the message and looking to Hinata she saw that she also had the message but even from a distance she knew that there was no new boss for the arena for them to fight. They still hadn't tried to tackle the enhanced bosses there.

Hinata returned to her friends side and both decided to take on Sasuke later in the arena. He was the strongest boss so far by level, but he also was just a student so far so he couldn't be as hard as he sounded.

XXXXXoooXXXXX

Later at night Naruko sat at a table where she had her laptop built up.

Laptops, and a international data network called Internet, were rather new to the Elemental Nations. From what the Hokage told her it was a invention of the Abyss Auction too, to simplify their sales. She had on their website a account apparently, it was send to her by E-Mail a while ago.

The Account Name, which wasn't optional, was [The Gamer]. She had already changed her password weeks ago but hadn't come to buy anything until now because she was busy and had still to sort out all those Jutsu she learned from the scroll. Luckily the Kagebunshin were more than happy to help her sort it out and so far she had about 10% figured out. Sadly of those 10%, which meant 300 or so Jutsu, she only had access to about 10, half of that was Taijutsu styles.

All other information was too advanced or she didn't have access yet to them because she didn't have prerequisites. Quite some of them required actually a mastery in Fuin Jutsu in one way or another, others were Medical techniques but she had a bad Chakra control. The way things were, even while mastering all exercises, she would need a INT stat of over 9000 to have a Chakra Control that reduced Chakra consumption by over 60%!

She was currently browsing through the collection of scrolls when she found one thing that had grabbed her attention like a fist to the face: [Uzumaki Clan Instruction Set]. She quickly opened the description. The set, 20 scrolls from Uzushiogakure's Ninja Academy, were offered by [Dusty Rock], apparently the guy was ancient or something if the time since he had been added to the site was anything to go by.

The prize for those scrolls, which were apparently sealed with a blood seal only a Uzumaki could open, were 20.000 Ryo. She had currently, from various micro quests and furniture she had made and sold recently, 50.492, so this was way within her budget. She quickly tapped on instant purchase, she could have gone for the auction but some crazy bunch had already driven that up to 840.205 Ryo!

Instantly the items were transferred to her inventory and she quickly skimmed through them. 10 of the scrolls were simple instruction on how to train by Uzushio's standards, they were also the largest as they went through a lot more information than any scroll about academy training methods. They didn't teach anything much, but there were many different things that were completely different from what she knew.

There were also different Chakra exercises, all of them required ridiculous amounts of Chakra to be applicable. Which she could have done apparently when she was four from just the Chakra requirements of them. Yes, she had checked her growth curve. Her Chakra had a habit of growing before she gained her Gamer ability. Constantly grow at that. Because of that her Chakra was so gigantic.

Another six were instructions on clan unique styles, particularly for Kenjutsu and Taijutsu. If she wasn't mistaken this would mean Kenjutsu was common in her clan. Three others contained Jutsu, dozens of Jutsu with mainly Wind and Water affinity. There were also quite a number of Kenjutsu based techniques listed. The final scroll had a seal within it and when she unsealed the content she was amazed.

There, before her, lay a Ninjaken, a Katana like looking sword with a straight, single edged blade. It was within a ornate scabbard in light blue with a red swirl, the clan symbol, near the blades crossguard that also had a spiral design on it and was a bit wider than usual. With it appeared text on the scroll in the now empty middle of the seal where previously had been the Kanji for Fuin (Seal).

[Dear Uzumaki Survivor. I am Uzumaki Tazume, as of this letter I was the head of the Uzumaki Clan. To read this letter and hold the sealed sword in your hands, shows that you are one of our clan, for anyone else breaking the seal would mean death. That you triggered this specific message also shows that you are of the head family of our clan, therefore heir or new head of what may be left of the Uzumaki clan.

If you wonder, why this scroll is hidden among Academy scrolls, I did it knowing that, despite our best efforts, the village is lost. I am in hope that those scrolls find their way one day to you and entrust to you the Hana sa Rokka (Petal Wing), the honor sword of the Uzumaki Clan. Be aware that it's form will change when handed to a new heir, it is your goal to unlock all ten stages of the blade to access it's full power.

I wish you only the best of luck young Uzumaki, and may you succeed at reuniting our clan.]

Naruko's eyes had by the end of the message bulged out dangerously, her mouth stood wide open and she couldn't help but stare at the message. The honor blade, a heirloom of her clan. She had known she was the heir, it was one of her perks for crying out loud! But now she had the proof, no one could rebuke this anymore. Hana sa Rokka was literally in her hands.

Slowly she removed the blade from it's scabbard, met with a strangely translucent blade. In fact, she could see right through it but touching it felt just like normal steel. "Observe." She whispered and before her appeared the information on the blade.

[Hana sa Rokka] (0)

Type: Family Heirloom ; Sword

Damage: 5-40

Special Property: Leveling Item ; Indestructible

Description:

[Hana sa Rokka] is one of the 28 [Sho Tenken] (Great Iron Swords) of Uzushiogakure, the legendary honor blades of the 28 families that composed the Uzumaki clan. Hana sa Rokka was the direct heirloom to the main family and passed to the heir of the clan in all. It is also the most powerful when fully awakened. Currently it's power will vary between 5 and 40 due to having not yet unraveled it's first power. Even so it is said be comparable to the monkey clans legendary adamantine staffs in hardness and durability with no known way of destroying them.]

Naruko's eyes nearly jumped out of their sockets to make sure that it was truly what was written there. That was the base ability? How broken were the other ten? Right then she noticed ten sockets in the blades side, it looked as if there was supposed to be something in it, or put in it.

She frowned, perhaps the levels would manifest something? She dismissed the by now rather annoying info that her INT and WIS went up by a point. So yeah, definitely would fill up with her achievements. Did her ability think she was stupid? Alright, she didn't have the greatest stats at the beginning but she was approaching fast the top of the class, or second to top as Shikamaru had a INT and WIS stat of each over 9000!

XXXXXoooXXXXX

Geko Hayate and Yugao had been a bit put out when, once they restarted lessons on weekend, they found Naruko practice with a honest to god Ninjaken against Hinata. And she wielded it in one hand while keeping her Bo staff in the other as if planning to dual wield.

The weirdest? As crazy as it sounded, she was actually very good at keeping Hinata at a distance with the Bo and trying to hit her with the flat of her sword. The transparent blade though confused both, it made it harder to see the sword itself but only by a bit. To be honest, the style was a bit sloppy, clearly her attempting to combine a newly learned Kenjutsu style, as the stances for the sword usage were still amateurish looking, with the Bojutsu the Hokage taught her.

She still managed to whack Hinata a good dozen times before Yugao stepped in with Hayate. "Okay girls, what is this about?" Asked Yugao with a smile as her two pupils turned to them with smiles on their faces. Yugao also noted the Samurai-style attached scabbard, very ornamental and now that she looked, so was the sword itself actually.

"Naruko-chan wanted to try this out, something about a show she watched on the Internet where someone wielded two spears*." Explained Hinata while rubbing her left upper arm, Naruko aimed always at the shoulder area to her chaggrin.

"And where did you get this sword Naruko-chan? It doesn't look like a ordinary weapon *Cough*." Asked Hayate, eyeing the sword which... had spirals... on it...?

"This is Hana sa Rokka, the honor sword of the Uzumaki and the heirloom of the main family. Wha! Hayate-sensei! Yugao-sensei! Why are you fainting! Hello? Wake up!" …

To be Continued...?

XXXXXoooXXXXX

Omake: Thank you Dusty Rock

XXXXXoooXXXXX

"A thank you letter to Dusty Rock? That is a strange request." Stated the Auction hired courir ninja standing before Naruko.

"It is very important sir. He returned something very valuable to my clan to me, so I want to thank him." Explained Naruko with a smile on her face, a smile that would make a certain cat envious.

The man shrugged before taking the letter and payment. "Sure, whatever little lady." With that, he was off. The Auction and it's employee's were the only ones who knew the identity of all people it cartered to. The youngest yet, the probably most OP "Natural Ability User" on this planet, was also the weirdest.

In Iwagakure [Dusty Rock], was sitting in his office. He was a short man, and by short I mean: Naruko looks tall compared to shorty McGrumpbeard. He had a Asian, aristocratic looking hairstyle, a short pointed beard and also a similar pair of mustaches under his large, red nose.

He was just floating off his chair, yes floating, to get a book from a shelf when a whooshing sound announced the arrival of a ninja. Looking to him he immediately recognized him as a Abyss Courir ninja who were only identifiable by the Abyss Auctions mark on their uniforms. "Tsushikage-sama, a letter from [The Gamer], she insisted for it to be delivered fast." Explained the man, placing the letter down before vanishing again.

[Dusty Rock], or rather, Oonoki the Tsushikage of Iwagakure, frowned until he remembered that [The Gamer] was the person who bought that old set of scrolls he had found to be loot from Uzushiogakure all the way back in the war. He still was sad for the destruction of so many lifes, but their fate would have been sealed in the third if they hadn't destroyed the village.

Not to say that the Pyrhus victory they achieved with Kumo and Kirigakure as their allies was much better. Uzumaki were terrifying for their seals. But sadly they were even better prankster and used that for traps. Half the loses were because people tripped over tripwires, and fell into spikes that come out of the ground. Or rolling boulders. Damn those Uzumaki and their traps! He shuddered remembering one childs acid water balloon trap!

Anyway, he opened the letter and adjusted his glasses. "Dear [Dusty Rock]. In the name of my clan I thank you for returning- for returning Hana sa Rokka? To the rightful heir?!" Shouted Oonoki and his screams attracted his attendants as he had a stroke. The Uzumaki were still alive and kicking! God damn it!

XXXXXoooXXXXX

So, and here ends the chapter. Hope you enjoyed it all, and see you later.

* Yes, Diamuid of Fate/Zero is the inspiration for her attempts at dual wielding. It is on Nintube (Ninja Youtube) XD