Heibei Village Outskirt

"You know, I shouldn't be surprise anymore."

"Do you guys find yourselves in this situation all the time?" A gentle voice spoke.

"Only if you travel with Naruto, then you'll find yourself in this situation most of the time." Shikamaru reply.

"Screw you guys! How is this my fault again?" Naruto shouted back.

"Shikamaru, I believe the fault lies with me since they were after me before you guys arrive."

"Haku, trust me knowing Naruto for so long, this guy is a trouble magnetic. Eventually we'll run into trouble again." Shikamaru reply.

The now name Haku couldn't help but stare at him and then at Naruto. Who for some reason look sheepish giving by his expression. Staring at them for a moment, Haku started to chuckle before down right laughing, earning a weird look from Naruto and Shikamaru. Though shortly after he started to cough up blood before hissing in pain while holding his wound.

"S-sorry about that, this's my first-time encountering people like you guys." Haku hiss, using his right hand to cover his wound. "S-sorry, but I have to count on you guys to get us out of this situation. My wound is deep for me to use my bow."

"You apologize to much Haku, don't worry leave it to me to get us out of here." Naruto reassure flashing a quick smile, turning his gaze at their surroundings. Currently, the three boys were surrounded by inhabited criminals of Heibei village. '… there's at least 30 of them give or take. This shouldn't be too hard if I was by myself but giving the situation with Haku being injured and Shikamaru I couldn't out right break through this confinement.' Naruto thought.

"Shikamaru, can you carry Haku on your back?" Naruto asks, shocking Haku at the progress. Shikamaru just raise an eyebrow but quickly understand his friend's intention.

"Wait a minute! Not to be rude, but I don't think Shikamaru could handle my weig—" Haku rant was interrupted by Shikamaru.

"Don't worry, I got it cover, just do your part and I'll keep up." Shikamaru walks up to Haku before kneeling with his back facing him. "I may not look like it, but I've been doing physical training since I met Naruto." Looking at his back for a second then at Naruto who nodded his head for confirmation.

"Then, I'll be on your guys care." Haku sigh as he climbs on Shikamaru back. Adjusting himself, Shikamaru rises and gave Naruto a nod.

"Alright, we're ready."

"Great! Now on three follow my lead." Tensing his muscle, Naruto bend his body forward.

"One…." The surrounding criminals prepare their weapons.

"Two…" Shikamaru grip Haku legs tightly, while Haku wrap his left arm with his bow around Shikamaru neck.

"Thre-, you know now I thought about it, these guys haven't moved an inch ever since they got here" Naruto said.

"SHUT UP AND GO!" Shikamaru and Haku shouted simultaneously, startling Naruto and the enemies.

"Hahaha, my bad… and three!" Once the word left his mouth the three boys charge into the enemies ranks.

Xxx 30 minutes ago xxx

"Looks like we were able to make it here before those soldiers did." Naruto said. Staring at the small village from a hilltop. The village wasn't anything special, the village itself looks like it could hold house around hundred people at max. The most noticeable thing is the river located west side of the village, other than that, the village is just a regular run-down village.

"W-w-we've been running for almost four hours. O-of course we will beat them h-here." Shikamaru huffed. The two boys have been running nonstop for the past four hours. Though Shikamaru has past his limit on the two hours mark but push himself to keep up with Naruto. "D-damn, I'm out of breath."

"I ask you, if you want to take a small break an hour ago, but you just brush it off saying there's no time for that." Naruto reply.

"I t-thought the village was closer." Walking up toward a tree, Shikamaru lean back on the three before sliding down. "Just give me a second to get my breath back and I'll be all set."

"Take your time, though I do have a question." Naruto ask, stretching his limbs; loosen his muscle from the run. His voice doesn't sound winded all. That's a given, ever since the fail coup eight years ago, which result of his parents and many retainer's deaths. Naruto has thrown himself into training for the past eight years with his grandfather and the remaining retainers. Naruto has struggle for those past eight years, traveling across China with his grandfather, being abandon in the middle of the woods, or even a bandit camp, Naruto must overcome all these obstacles to get stronger. Not only that, if he wasn't traveling with his grandfather, he's either training with his mentors back home.

"What is it?" Shikamaru on the other hand isn't like Naruto. True, he does keep up with his regular exercise daily, but his workout is like a child play compare to Naruto training.

"Have you ever heard anything about Heibei village before?" Naruto asks. Shikamaru just raise an eyebrow but shook his head.

"No, I have not. I just assume it's a regular village in the state of Qin. I thought you would know about the village since you've been traveling across the country with Lord Jiraya.

"No, during my travels with the old man, I never heard about this village, though given this village is pretty isolated." Naruto voice strained. Shikamaru pick up on the tone of Naruto voice.

"Then what's the problem?" Shikamaru asks. Naruto didn't reply but point his finger down towards the village. Curiosity getting the best of him; Shikamaru force himself on his feet and made his way next to Naruto. Even though it's night, the full moon illuminates the whole terrain. Looking closer, Shikamaru eyes widen as his face turn green. "Are those heads on pikes!?"

"Yep, this village is either run by bandits or outcast of criminals." Naruto scowl. Even though he sees these types of things during his travel, he still isn't immune to these types of things. "What a disgusted sight. People like them shouldn't be given the freedom to live. Don't get him wrong he's all for giving people second chance to change their lives, but these types of people are beyond saving. "Are you sure the king is here?"

Shaking his head, the sight brought back some bad memories from his past, Shikamaru answer. "He got to be here, I hate to admit it, but this is a perfect place for someone to stay low without raising suspicion."

"Why is that?"

"Think about it, no one would of guess an important figure like the king would hideout in the village full of criminals. Most people, would assume the king fled to a nearby town or his loyal retainer residence."

"Then how did the king brother army pinpoint this location?"

"If I remember correctly those soldiers earlier mention an assassin tracking the king. If that's the cast the assassin is probably here or close by."

"I see…." Naruto nod his head, Shikamaru explanation made sense, if the rebellion army isn't here yet, the assassin probably is. "Now, where do we find the king? I highly doubt he be inside the village since it's full of criminals."

Pondering for a moment, Shikamaru trying put himself in the situation. 'If I was in hiding, where would I hide? The village is out of the question since they will either kill me or turn me in for gold.' He thought, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. Until he notices something from afar. "Naruto, I might pinpoint the king location." Naruto was surprise for a moment before he let out a grin.

"Really! Where's the king then!"

"Shh, quiet down will you! Look, do you see where those two rivers connect?" Naruto just nodded his head. "I don't know for sure, but that's the only reasonable place for someone to hide, while easy to spot, and setup rendezvous." Shikamaru explain. Naruto thought it over for a second before giving Shikamaru a thumbs up.

"Alright! Let's head over there then! We can't be wasting any more time that we already have." Naruto stated. Glancing at Shikamaru for a second before asking, "you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'm good now, let's go!" Nodding his head, both boys procced down the hill. If they we're to stay longer they would notice a boy around their age running alongside the river to the same destination.

Xxx

At the same time our two heroes descended from the hill, a lone figure was running along the riverbank. The figure is a young boy around the same age as Naruto and Shikamaru. With spiky black hair with a rat tail on the back. With a sleeveless blue tunic that goes down his leg, and on his feet was a pair of straw sandals. With a sword perch on his back and a wooden sword in his hand.

The young boy name is Shin, no surname. Why is he running towards a dangerous village at the middle of the night? Well, it all started when his childhood friend Piao dead in his arms. In summary Piao has been taken to work for the king faction as his double body. Replacing the king, so he could escape Piao end up getting hunted by the assassin and got seriously injured in the process. But before his death, Piao gave Shin an important task to head towards a location.

So, this is where we find Shin, running for four hours heading to the destination.

"DAMN IT, DAMN IT! Why you Piao!" Shin cries, running down the road. He still couldn't believe how's everything turn out. The two of them was supposed to be the greatest general under the heavens! They were supposed to break their shackle from being servants! "I want answers!" Shin kept running until he spotted figures in front of him.

Three of the figures looks like your everyday criminals with scars and an ugly facial expression. While the fourth was a small looking bird thing hiding behind the other three.

"Oh! What do we have here young boya?" The middleman spoke.

"He really showed up, kukuku." The fat one spoke.

"Coming to a place like this late at night?" The middleman sneers. "Are you stupid or what kid?"

"Kukuku, he's carrying a wooden sword on his hip, but the sword on his back looks pretty expensive." The guy on the right said.

"You did a good job, Daio" The man flick a coin at the weird looking bird boy, making him chase the coin.

Shin just glare at the men blocking his path before asking, "Would this happen to be Heibei Village?" The three men looks at each other bursting out laughing.

"It's a little too late to run away now. If you're good boy and hand over the sword on your back, we'll sell you to a slave trader without hurting you too much." The man smirk widens. "But if you struggle, you might end up swimming with the fishes down the river. So, which one do you—"

The man didn't have the chance to finish his sentence before he felt blunt force hitting his chin. Lifting him up into the air with his teeth sent flying out of his mouth.

"Why you—" the last remaining two raise their weapon to attack but was meant with the same fate as their fellow comrade.

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry." Shin didn't stay long before resume running down the path.

The previous leader of the three raises his head looking at the retreating form of Shin. "Th-that fucking brat!" The man covers his bloody mouth, eyes turn towards the bird boy. "Diao, wake the boys up!" Diao just stare at the man confusingly. "Gather everyone up in the village and bring back that hunting party from the woods! W-we going to kill that shitty brat!"

Naruto and Shikamaru

"You hear that?" Naruto asks, running through the forest with Shikamaru trailing behind.

"H-hear w-what?" Shikamaru manage to breathe out. Sweats pouring down his face as his breathe starting to quicken.

"I swear I heard a whistle just now. Must be my imagination." Naruto shrugged.

The two boys continue to run through the woods in silence with the moonlight shining brightly upon them. The run continues for another ten minutes until they both stop when a scent of iron fills the air, causing the boys to be cautious.

"That's the smell of blood…" Naruto said. Unsheathing his twin swords before proceeding any further. Shikamaru closely follow behind glancing around their surrounding for any surprises. The two boys continue to walk before they came across a trail of corpses.

"What the hell, there's a trail of dead bodies lingering in the middle of nowhere." Shikamaru muttered. Examining each of the corpses. These bodies look like criminals alright. But that wasn't the thing that caught Shikamaru attention. No, what caught his attention was how all these people die. "Naruto, all of these guys died by arrows."

Naruto walks up to one of the corpses, examining the cause of death. True to Shikamaru words, these guys were killed by an arrow. But that wasn't the weird part, what's weird was each of them were killed the exact same way. A single arrow to the heart for each body lying on the ground.

"Each of these guys died by an arrow piercing through their heart. At the exact same spot, no less…" Naruto stated.

"You think they were ambush by another group?" Shikamaru asks. Naruto shook his head; his eyes scan the other corpses in the surround area.

"No, this was done by a single person."

Shikamaru didn't believe it for a second, the only person he could think of was probably Huang Zhong, and probably the ten bows of China. But none of them have any reason in being here.

"Are you sure? The likelihood of someone else besides Huang-sama and one of bows is able to do this is slim to none." Shikamaru question.

"I'm positive. Each of these arrows has hit their target… the heart and with such precision at that too. There's no way a group of archers would hit each person the same exact spot, and not only that, look at our surrounding."

Shikamaru scan his surrounding, he doesn't see anything out of place beside the dead bodies lying on the ground.

"I don't see anything out of place, beside the bodies."

"Exactly, nothing besides the bodies! If there's a group of archers they would be some arrows lingering around the areas, but not even one misses their target." Naruto said, placing his finger against the man skin. His eyes narrowed before rising. "The body is still warm."

Walking towards the corpse Shikamaru place his finger against the man wrist. "You're right, the body is still fresh and was recently killed." Rising, Shikamaru stood next to Naruto. "You think the archers still close by?"

Before Naruto has a chance to answer, he caught a glimpse of a small object heading straight for Shikamaru. Reacting in pure reflects, Naruto swung his sword in front of Shikamaru; scaring the crap out of him in the progress.

"Naruto! What the hell are you doin—" Shikamaru stop mid rant when he notices a half-broken arrow laying on his feet. "What the—" Shikamaru found him being shove onto the ground when another arrow impale itself in the tree behind him.

Without wasting any time, Naruto drag Shikamaru behind a tree for cover. "Well~ does that answer your question~" Naruto reply.

"Fuck you…" Shikamaru reply.

"Ouch"

The two boys stop their bantering and focus on the currently situation.

"Did you see where the arrows were coming from?" Shikamaru poke his head out.

"No, I didn't notice it until I caught a glimpse of the arrowhead reflecting from the moonlight." Naruto poke his head out as well. "Though, I must say having that kind of accuracy with only the moonlight as form of light is very impressive." Naruto praise.

"Well, maybe you should tell him/her that when we can locate them." Shikamaru irate reply.

"Sorry, sorry; I'll focus on the situation now." Naruto sheepish apologize. Shikamaru just roll his eyes but didn't say anything else. "You got any plans to fish him out?"

"Hm, we can always lure him out with one of us as bait." Shikamaru suggested. Naruto ponder on the idea before nodded his head.

"That's the only choice we have anyway. So, I'll be the bait—"

"No, I'll be the bait this time." Shikamaru cut in.

"You sure? You see how accurate the archer was. Dodging those arrows won't be an easy task." Naruto voice his concern. Shikamaru shook his head before rising.

"I know, but out of the two of us you're faster. While I'm dodging the arrows, you have to locate the archer and take him down before he can kill me."

Naruto just stare at Shikamaru if he was crazy but chuckling to himself. After all, he would have done the same thing in any giving day.

"Alright, I'll see you at the other end?" Naruto offer his fist. Stretching out his fist as well the two boys fist pump.

"Yeah, just hurry up, will you?" Shikamaru got a nod in response. Satisfied with his answer Shikamaru poke his head out again; taking a deep breath. '1…2…3' On the count of three Shikamaru sprint towards another tree 3 meters away. Along the run Shikamaru felt a discomfort feeling on his right arm. Choosing to ignore the slight pain, Shikamaru kept running. Closing on the tree Shikamaru slide the remaining distance.

Leaning against the tree Shikamaru check the area where the pain resides. Upon checking on his right arm, he found himself staring at a shallow cut on his arm. 'the cut isn't deep, so no life threaten injury.' Glancing back at the previous tree where he was; Shikamaru was expected to see Naruto but saw no one. 'Heh, he sure works fast… well got to do my part.' Taking another deep breath Shikamaru sprint out behind the tree.

Naruto

While Shikamaru ran off, Naruto kept his gaze in front of him. Despite the moonlight illuminated the area, Naruto couldn't see any further than 20 meters from his location. 'He couldn't be too far… even someone like me; could only see 20 meters give or take.' Naruto thought. No human that he knows; beside him and his grandfather could see past 10 meters during the night. Though, he couldn't fault that statement out, since he hasn't run into anyone else with more enhance abilities like his.

*Whooshh*

Naruto was brought out of his thought when he heard arrows flying. Catching a glimpse of the arrowhead and the position of Shikamaru position, Naruto was able to able to pinpoint a a certain location to his east.

'There you are!' Dashing behind his cover, Naruto began to make his way east of his location; using the shadows of the trees as cover. Enable him to blend into the night without much effort. 'Hold on a little longer Shikamaru!'

Maneuvering through the forest, Naruto follow the sound of arrows whistling through the air. The sound of arrows flying past him; lets him know Shikamaru isn't dead yet. Ducking under the branch, Naruto instinct took over, bringing his swords up to his chest in a 'X' formation; he was able to block an arrow from hitting his heart.

Stumbling back from the force of the arrow, Naruto once again found himself deflecting an arrow aiming at his head. Not wasting any time, he procced to charge forward once again, using the trees as cover Naruto began to zip between the trees.

'Why is he aiming at me!? Shouldn't his focus be one Shikamaru?' Naruto thought, tilted his head to the left as the arrows graze his cheeks. Ignoring the pain kept on charging. 'Unless, Shikamaru is already dead… no that can't be right. All I heard was arrows hitting trees, not flesh.' Naruto brought his left sword up, deflecting the incoming arrow towards his face. But what he didn't anticipate was a second arrow trailing behind. Noticing the second arrow a second to late, Naruto clench his teeth, from screaming as an arrow lodge itself in his right shoulder causing him to drop his sword.

'Fuck! That hurts like a motherfucker!' He internally cried, breaking the arrows in half leaving the smaller piece in his shoulder, forgoing his other sword behind, Naruto kept on running, while dodging or deflecting more arrows. 'I'm getting closer, the arrows are coming faster.' Naruto notice the arrows are rapidly coming faster than before, making him dodge arrow one after the others. Not only that, the momentum of the arrows was quite strong, letting him know the archer was close by.

Dodging another set of arrows, Naruto soon found himself in out in a clearing facing his target.

"Finally! Now prepare for the world of pain – Whoa what!"

Shikamaru

"…. Okay, this is getting a little annoying…" Tearing a piece of his arm sleeves off, Shikamaru was able to cover a deep cut on his left arm as well. It's been at least ten minutes or so he thought, and along those minutes he has been moving from trees to trees while getting shot at. Even though none of the arrows was able to impale him, doesn't mean he was left unscratched. His whole body was cover in cuts with the arrows barely missing him.

"I should really up my training, maybe I could ask Ma Chao for help…" Taking a mental note to up his training Shikamaru poke his head out looking at a certain area. 'I got a good grasp at where you are, though I don't know how far out you are. But with him going after you it should be any second no—'

"Shikamaru! Come out, I got him, uhhhhh I mean her?" Naruto voice rang through the area. Sighing to himself Shikamaru couldn't be anymore relieve. Though he did wonder what he meant by the last statement.

Walking out behind the tree Shikamaru made his way to the direction of Naruto voice. 'I could've been sleeping by now, what a drag.' Sighing, he procced to drag himself along the grass. As he kept walking Shikamaru foot hit something. Glancing down, he saw one of Naruto sword laying on the ground. 'Odd, Naruto never leave his weapons laying on the ground anymore.' Picking up the sword; Shikamaru continue his walking.

The walk only lasted a few minutes before he arrives at a small clearing with Naruto standing over an unconscious person that was leaning against the tree with a wooden bow off to the side. Walking up beside him, Shikamaru was surprise to see a girl(?) around their age probably a year older (15) with long black hair, pale skin, and a slender frame. Wearing a light blue tunic with some arrows quiver on the back, with green pants with a straw sandal on his/her feet. But the most noticeable thing that caught Shikamaru attention was the blood seeping out of from his/her right torso. Overall Shikamaru thought she was one beautiful woman, minus the whole almost killing them part.

"So, I take it, this was the person that tried to kill us?" Shikamaru asks.

Naruto nodded his head; glancing at his friend attire. Nothing life threaten just some cuts here and there with probably one or two big more deep gashes but overall nothing to bad.

"You look like shit." Naruto commented, Shikamaru just snort in response. Handing Naruto his sword back getting a small 'thank you', Shikamaru rest his eyes on the unconscious girl(?).

"I could say the same to you." Looking at Naruto right shoulder; where a half-broken arrow was rested. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll live; I've been through worse."

"Your grandfather?"

"Yep"

Chuckling to himself; Naruto gaze down to the unconscious body in front of them. With only one question going through their mind.

"What should we do with her?" Shikamaru asks, sitting down on the ground, checking over his wounds. Naruto just stood there and thought for a second.

"Well, we could kill her." Naruto suggest, earning a nod from Shikamaru. "But giving the situation before our arrival, there's a chance she mistakes as one of the criminals, and act in self-defense."

"Are you sure it was self-defense? If anything, she could be a thief wanting to steal our procession."

"Nah, when I arrive at the clearing, she has her bow set on me, ready to shoot at any giving time. But once she got a good look at me, she lowers the bow." Naruto said, crouching down to the unconscious girl. Ripping some pieces of his tunic Naruto started to wrap it around her body tightly, hoping to block any more blood from seeping out. "Though, before I got the chance to ask any question she fainted on the spot. So, for now, we'll wait for her to wake up before asking questions." Shikamaru nodded his head as his back hit the ground staring at the starry sky

"Yeah sound like a plan."

With Shin

After beating the first three idiots Shin ran into some obstacle. After hearing a whistle earlier multiply men came running out from their hut with weapons on hands charging at him.

"KILL HIM"

"KILL HIM DAMN-IT"

"It's just one kid get him already!"

"Surround him!"

Various shouts rang through the area as men wielding rusty and broken-down weapons charge at Shin. Without hesitation, Shin swing his wooden sword with such force, the surround enemies went flying.

"He's ridiculously strong!"

"He's freaking fast!"

Ignoring the cries; Shin kept on swinging his sword. 'Of course.' Shin thought, feeling two people holding each of his arm while the third came charging in. With no fear Shin use his overwhelming strength to swing the person on his left at the incoming guy before kneeing the other in the face breaking his jaw in the process. 'My sword is in different level from you hoodlums!' With another swing he broke a man arm before swinging at the man face. 'My sword is… our sword is...' Blocking an incoming strike before retaliated with his own. 'will be known everywhere under the heavens!' With a fierce battle cry Shin defeated the remaining enemies. Catching a few breather Shin glare at the remaining men before taking off down the road. 'We won't lose to anyone!'

Running for a while Shin notice the terrain is starting to thicken with trees. Though that doesn't concern him as he kept on following the river. Hah, hah, hah…. How much longer will his river lead?' He thought while his whole-body cover in sweat and cuts. Running for four hours straight without any break, then fight off half a village of criminals will cause anyone to get tired. Running a little further, Shin saw in the distance of where two rivers has meet. 'Finally, I'm here.'

Jogging the remaining distance, Shin found himself in the edge of the river. 'So, this is the place where the river meet.' Looking down at the hand drawn map in his hand realization hit him. 'Which means that… I made it!' Glancing around Shin spot a small run-down shack to his right. What the hell! It's just some small run-down shack Piao! Why do you want me to come here without getting revenge for you… and without knowing what was going, you sent me here!' Making his way towards the shack, Shin place his hand on the cloth acting like a door. 'Tell me Piao! What did you die for? Why did you lead me here? What could possibly be in this broken-down shack?!' Pulling the cloth to the side Shin eyes widen in shock.

"Th-th-that can't be… that can't be!" Dropping his wooden sword on the ground, Shin took a step back with his back hitting the wall while staring at the person in front of him that was supposed to be dead. "PIAO!"

Xxx

'ughh…. What happen...' Haku thought. The last thing he remember was fighting his way out of Heibei village after getting cut by one of the criminals. Once the night has taken the sky; he was about to blend into the forest with the night providing him cover to start picking each of the criminals one by one. Though, he only manages to kill ten out of the forty hunting members that was chasing him before losing the rest. Then after that he was shooting at…

'That's right, I fainted from blood loss… but before that I saw a kid…' Haku thought. Odd place for someone his age to be here in the middle of a criminal village, though that could be said for him as well. Taking a deep breath, he winces in pain when he felt a sharp pain on his right side.

"Take it easy, your wound is still fresh." Haku heard a voice spoke. With his eyes still close, Haku hands start inching closer to the last place he drops his bow. As his hand inch closer to the spot where he thought he left his bow, only to realize he couldn't find it.

"Don't bother, we've confiscated your bow." Another voice spoke, though this one sound as if he's bored. Sighing to himself; Haku opens his eyes which was brown and stares directly at the two newcomers. The first boy Haku recognize was the blond boy who he saw before fainted, while the black pineapple hair boy was probably the blonde kid friends. Taking a closer look, Haku notice various kind of cut on the black hair kid body.

"Ah, by any chance did I gave you those cuts?" Haku spoke, his voice sound smooth like a cool autumn night breeze, causing both boys to shudder.

"U-uhh y-yeah, no b-big d-deal." Shikamaru blushed. Cursing himself for stuttering in front of an angel. Haku, just offer a apologize smile, bowing his head.

"I apologize for any inconvenient to the both of you." Haku apologize. Naruto and Shikamaru just sheepishly scratch their cheek.

"It's fine, no one got seriously hurt." Naruto reassured. Getting a nod from Shikamaru. "Though, I did get an arrow to the shoulder…"

Haku eyes landed at arrow inside the blonde boy shoulder and couldn't help but feel guilty. "I'm sorry." He mutters while Naruto just wave him off.

"Ma, ma, I felt worse." Naruto reassured. Haku nodded his head but still felt some guilt lingering. "Though, we were hoping if you could answer some of our questions."

Pondering on it, Haku starting to debate whether to answer their question. On one hand they are strangers and he doesn't know if their intention were good or bad. On the other hand, they did wrap his wound and didn't out right kill him while he was unconscious. Seeing how the pro weigh more than the con, Haku made his mind.

"Sure, I don't mind at all." Haku smile, getting another round of blushes from the Naruto and Shikamaru. Not like Haku took any notice. "Before we start, I think an introduction was long overdue." Haku chuckle, though for the two boys it sounds like meddle of bells ringing in their head. "My name is Haku, no surname.

"Wow, what a pretty name Haku!" Haku eyes twitch on the 'pretty' part. Not noticing his twitch Naruto continue. "The name is Uzu-, I mean Naruto just Naruto for now is fine!" Naruto stop himself from revealing his surname. After all his family has many enemies in and out of the State of Qin. His grandfather told him to not reveal his surname for any reason, unless he absolute trust someone with the information.

Haku eyebrows raise on his introduction. Filing for later, he wouldn't prey into someone else personal life, especially when he; himself has his own secret. Turning to the last remaining person in their group.

"Uhh… the name is Shikamaru, no surname." Another no surnames. Either these boys are hiding something, or they really don't have any surname.

"Pleasure to meet the both of you Naruto-san, Shikamaru-san." Haku politely bowed.

"Ma, ma no need for any formally between the three of us. We're all around the same age, just call me Naruto." Naruto insists.

"If you say so Naruto-sa-, I mean Naruto, as long you call me Haku in return." Haku correct himself, getting a smile from Naruto. "Now, I believe you have some questions for me?"

Both boys' glance at each other; nodded their heads, Shikamaru decided to speak up.

"Sorry for asking the obvious, but we want to double check if you were the one who left a trail of corpses back there." Shikamaru carefully asks. Even though the answer was obvious giving by the evidence of his bow and the firsthand experience they went through, he wants to see what kind of person Haku is. Call him paranoid, but his sensei taught him to cautious to anyone that might pose a threat. The best way to win battles is to know your enemies.

Haku smile drop which turn into a thin line, "Yes, I was the one that killed those criminals back there." Haku eyes turn sharp, causing Shikamaru to shiver. "But only in self-defense." He added, Shikamaru gave a curt nod, acknowledging his reason.

"I understand, a second question if you don't mind." Haku nodded his head. "Then, how did end up finding this place." Shikamaru press, this can't be a coincidence, not when the king is hiding around here. Everything that's leading up to this event is no coincidence, there no way possible. With him and Naruto getting called to meet up with his grandfather in the city of Ou, only for Zhou Yun to ditch them which he might add should be impossible; giving by how he treats Naruto. Then end up being surrounded by the kings' younger brother rebel army, which led them to this village. Now, here they are, facing an archer that has a deadly accuracy in the same village where the king is hiding….

'Don't tell me, she's the assassin after the kings head?' Shikamaru eyes narrowed. Why else would she be in village full of criminals in a time like this?

Haku notice the gaze coming from Shikamaru, has his identity been found out? 'Did he figure out who I am? No, it shouldn't be possible since he's around my age… and news shouldn't travel this far into Qin, since it happens across the country.' He could tell Shikamaru is analyzing him for what reason he doesn't know but continue to stay calm and collective.

"I merely stumble upon this village not a while ago actually. You see I don't have any place to call home since I'm a war orphan; so, I've been traveling since I can remember…" Haku explain sadly, his voice full of sadness and loneliness; something that Naruto picked up. "I've travel through states from northern Yan to eastern Qi, then my travel brought me far west to Qin."

"Why are you traveling? Why not settle down somewhere?" Naruto asks. Haku isn't so much different than him, she lost her parents like he did, but he was surrounded by people that he consider family, plus his grandfather. But to lose your parents and then traveling the country by yourself, with no sort of companion to call a friend…

"I don't really know myself, I tried to settle numerous of times, but it didn't feel right. As if I have a bigger calling to just waste my life settling down when I could do something. I don't what that something is, but I'm sure the answer will present itself."

Taking in the information provided to him, Shikamaru try to see any fault in her story. 'I don't know if her story is true or not but giving the way she spokes it sound real. But if she's an assassin, she could easily fake the story and the way she talks… I wouldn't know for sure but right now the like hood of her being an assassin weigh more.' Shikamaru glance at Naruto from the corner of his eyes. 'The problem is how should I tell Naruto without alerting Haku?'

Worrying about that later, Shikamaru ask something that's been bothering him for a while. "I have one last question, who taught you archery?" Haku eyes narrowed, what is Shikamaru getting at? "When we encounter those dead bodies earlier, each of your arrows has end up hitting the same spot in each of the bodies." Shikamaru point his finger against his chest, right above his heart. "Right in the heart."

"Maybe I was just lucky?" Haku reason, but Shikamaru wasn't buying it.

"Luck would be two to five bodies, but you managing to hit all ten in the same spot. Not only that, it was done at night in the forest where it would prove difficult to see far out even with the moonlight." Shikamaru argued he wasn't letting this chance to get answers, if Haku is the assassin they would be able to take her out before she could find the king. "The only people I could imagine that could pull off this kind of thing are the people known as 'Ten Bows of China'.

Haku eyes widens at his analysis, but Shikamaru was done. "But right now, all members of the ten bows are adults, which mean you aren't part of them, but rather you've been taught by one of them." Naruto was quiet throughout the conversation; he might have an idea what Shikamaru was trying to do or trying to expose what kind of person Haku really is. He probably thought Haku was the assassin; which isn't far off from the truth since the display of dead bodies. Though for some reason he doesn't believe Haku was the assassin, but the question remains. Who is Haku?

"Now tell us, who are you really?" Shikamaru stood up, glaring down at Haku, who return his own glare.

"I don't have to answer you!" Haku fiercely reply. Shikamaru eyes narrowed further.

"What, we have the right to know!"

Naruto ears perks when he heard shuffling around them. Glancing to his right; he saw some shadows moving behind the trees. Glancing to his left then back and in front of them, he saw more shadows approaching.

'We're surrounded' Naruto thought, before returning his attention to the arguing two. "uhhh, guys?"

"What right! This is my personal life we're talking! What right do you have!"

"The right to know if you're a threat or not!"

"Guys...!"

"A threat? To whom, I apologize earlier, I thought you guys was one of them!"

"Not at us, but someone else!"

"Guys!"

"Then who!"

"It's confidential!"

"GUYS!" Naruto finally snapped.

"WHAT!" Shikamaru and Haku simultaneous yell back.

"Will you guys stop your intense version of flirting," Shikamaru face start turning red while glaring at Naruto. Haku on the other hand; eyes starting to twitch madly.

'Don't tell me, they think I'm a girl?' Haku thought bitterly. He knows his appearance could be misleading, but he couldn't help it, his body is more feminine. Holding his wounded side Haku made his way towards Naruto with Shikamaru following behind.

"Naruto, she could be the assas—" Shikamaru was interrupted when Naruto put his hands up while Haku twitch at being called a 'she'

"Hold that thought Shikamaru, there's something that needs our attention. Haku and Shikamaru glance each other with a raise eyebrow.

"Which is?"

Unsheathing his sword, Naruto merely point at the group of criminals surrounding the area.

"We have visitors~"

I decide to cut it here! Originally this was supposed to be longer going into, meeting Shin and Sei but I decided to make it a two-part program haha. I know I was supposed to update my other stories as well but it's kind of hard getting back into it especially I have to re-watch or reread them again. So, it's going to take longer than I expected.

Anyway, how you like this chapter? When will the boys find out Haku a man and not a woman? But the million-dollar question is who is Haku? Guess your answer on the review section!

But anyway, some of you guys PM about Naruto personality so I'm going to explain it here.

Naruto is care-free most of the time who love to enjoy his freedom. Since the night of his parent's death, Naruto experience some traumatize stuff, so he was to force maturely. He still loves to pull pranks with some of the younger generation dynasty warrior characters and orange. He will get serious when the situation calls for it. Once the story progress, Naruto will start getting more serious, I'm hoping I can develop his character nicely.

This story is focus around Naruto and his units, so you will see some of what Shikamaru and Haku are doing when they're not with Naruto.

Also, I'm looking for some help on picking out Naruto officers for his units if you guys have any recommendation let me know I'm the comments!

Ja Ne!