I don't own Naruto or Highlander

Naruto looked at Inari who just finished ranting about how they were all going to die by Gato hand and he said "Kid, with everything I been through, I'm basically immortal." as he stood up and walked out of the house.

Sakura asked "What did he mean by that Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders as he flipped a page in his book taking a sorrowful look at the door as Naruto slammed the door. Sasuke took a glance at the door with a frown on his face as he took a bite to eat and thought "dobe." before he glared at Inari and said "Kid, shut up, your annoying."

Naruto walked through the woods toward where he and Sasuke had been practicing tree climbing and when he got to the clearing he looked around and thought "stupid brat, claims I don't know what it is like to be in pain and suffer. Thinks stupid Gato is going to kill me......I'm going to go kick that bastards ass just to show Inari he nothing." Naruto turned and began walking toward the village.

When he got there he saw some people walking toward their home scared looking around for danger and Naruto clenched his fist because of painful memories and after searching around town he saw several drunk men with weapons and he thought "those must be some of Gato men." as he jumped up on a roof and crouched down and watched.

After about 20 minutes of drinking and destroying windows and turning over trashcans one of the men said "We need to get back before the boss gets upset. He won't like the fact the bridge is still being built."

Another one said "Screw that little midget. I'm not going anywhere until I finish my beer."

The other men looked at him and one said "Suit yourself." as they all turned and left him there. Naruto was about to follow the men when the one who was still drinking suddenly appeared in front of him on the roof kicking Naruto in the ribs launching him off the roof.

Naruto landed in an alley coughing holding his chest and the man landed near him and said "Stupid kid. Just because I'm not a ninja now doesn't mean I wasn't one. I could feel your chakra coming a mile away." as he kicked Naruto again in the chest sending him down the alley against the wall.

Naruto reached for a kunai only for the man to smash his hand with the beer bottle making Naruto scream as the broken bottle stabbed him through the hand. The man then grabbed the kunai Naruto had dropped when the beer bottle smashed into him and stabbed Naruto other hand and he then the man proceeded to punch Naruto repeatedly in the stomach, chest, and face and Naruto thought "Is this it, is this how I am going to die." as he continued to scream out in pain with each punch the man gave him until Naruto passed out.

When Naruto woke up he was being dragged through a long hallway by one of his leg by the man who had attacked him while the man drank a bottle of beer in the other hand and Naruto drew back and kicked the man with his free leg right in between the legs as hard as he could.

The man who was dragging Naruto screamed as he let go of Naruto to covered himself dropping his beer and Naruto took off running down the hall away from the man.

The man got up holding himself and screamed "Run you little bastard, it won't save you. I'm going to kill you." as he began to slowly chase after Naruto.

Naruto thought as he ran "I got to get out of here. That mans going to kill me. How do I get out of here." As he kept trying door after door trying to find one to let him get away.

The man chasing after Naruto screamed "That's right, run little piggy. I'm going to kill you very slowly." as he got closer and closer to Naruto.

Naruto looked up the hall seeing the man only 30 feet away and he was getting more scared and he started throwing his entire body against each door he reached hoping to get into a room away from the man.

As Naruto reached one of the last door of the hallways he slammed against it with everything he had and the door busted off the hinges and Naruto fell into the room.

The man was in the room moments later and Naruto screamed "No, stay back. Someone help." as he tried to crawl away from the man who pulled out a knife and drew it above his head and Naruto felt his hands land on something sharp as he felt his hand get cut and in an act of pure desperation he grabbed the item ignoring the pain as his hand was cut and thrust it forward.

The man got a shocked look on his face as he was stabbed in the chest and he looked down seeing a rusty sword buried into his chest before he died.

Naruto was shaking scared still holding the sword as he thought "oh my god, I killed him." as he began to go into shock.

Inside Naruto in front of the cage of Kyuubi a man appeared with short brown hair and brownish black eyes wearing a gray cloak, black pants and a red shirt and he looked around and thought "hmm, wonder what kind of fucked up life someone has to live to have this kind of mind." as he saw the sewer and the cage.

He walked over to where he could see some water in front of the cage and he bent down and put some water in his hand and began to drink it and his eyes fluttered a moment and thought "hmm, interesting. This water is his memories." as he stepped into the water.

He watched as Naruto life displayed until the moment he appeared and he chuckled as he looked at the cage and said "So your the big bad Kyuubi huh. I've ate scarier things then you."

Kyuubi opened his eyes hearing a voice and said "How dare you human. I am the great Kyuubi no Kitsune and I will destroy you."

The man eyes hardened and he said "I am Conner Macleod of the clan Macleod, I was born in 1518 AD in Glenfinnan, Scotland near the shores of Loch Shiel. I am immortal. End the end there can only be only one and I was the one. I gained the prize the gods gave me and after seeing the destructive nature of man as they finally prepared to destroy themselves I bound my soul to my sword so I would not have to see the destruction that would fall upon the world and so I could search for someone who I could give my power to from the survivors of the destruction I saw coming and I believe I have found him. The boy you are contained in is the one I believe I will chose and remember these words Kyuubi. In the end, there can be only one." as he stared into the eyes of the Kyuubi who realized what Conner meant.

At that moment bricks began to appear in front of the cage as the Kyuubi screamed out in rage slamming against the cage before he was completely sealed off.

Conner turned and saw Naruto standing there scared and gaping and he asked "Did you get that kid."

A few moments earlier Naruto as he was going into shock felt the world around him change into darkness. He appeared in front of a cage and saw a man standing there as well as seeing the Kyuubi in the cage and he heard the man say his name and everything else he said before the man made a wall of bricks appear cutting off the Kyuubi and turned to Naruto and asked a question. Naruto asked "What happened, where are we and how did you do that."

Conner said "We are currently where your mind and soul meet. Now as for what happened I am the sword you used to kill that man. When you cut your hand on it the blood formed a bond between us allowing me to enter this place and I looked at your memories and saw your entire life and truthfully I think it sucks."

Naruto frowned hearing this as he looked down and Conner said "Which is why I decided I am going to help you."

Naruto asked "Huh."

Conner smiled and said "Look, as I told the fox I am immortal and I was given a gift from the gods themselves to try and help mankind but by the time I won the prize man had doomed themselves. The world as it once was got destroyed with billions of people dying. I have lived hundreds of year watching and waiting until I found someone to pass on the prize to. I think with all the pain and suffering you have went through and still remained so innocent you are who I am looking for so to help you I know things that no mortal has ever known, I can help people understand each other better and so I know a way to help you kill the fox and be free of him. I also know how to fight and I will teach you how to fight the way I do as well as teach you other things that will make you stronger, smarter, faster and a happier person."

Naruto asked "But what do you get out of this deal, why are you helping me."

Conner chuckled and said "In the end, there can be only one kid. One winner, one prize. In the end I will die and be allowed to return to my first wife, my beloved Heather."

Naruto frowned a moment and said "So your saying I will have to kill you."

Conner said "I'm already dead kid. I just haven't passed on yet. Now do you want to be free of the Kyuubi once and for all as well as find out who your parents were and become better then ever."

Naruto eyes went wide and said "You know who my parents are."

Conner said "In a way I do. I saw your memories and saw them but now is not the time to discuss it. Somebody will find you soon along with that man so you need to decide if you want my help."

Naruto said "Yes I do."

Conner said "Good, then when you wake up do what I tell you to OK." and before Naruto had a chance to say anything he found himself back in the room where he killed the man who was on the ground now.

Naruto heard "Alright kid, listen up. Grab that sword that is in the man you killed and pull it out......good, now see that black backpack grab it also......now grab all those cloths and stuff them in the bag as well as those green weights there.......that right, now slip the bag on your back and get the hell out of here."

Naruto asked "Which way."

He heard "Find out yourself. I don't even know how the sword got in this building much less how to get out."

Naruto frowned as he left the room and after about 20 minutes he found a fire exit and he left through the fire exit and saw he had been in some kind of office building. He heard "Get to the woods as far away from here as you can and I will tell you what to do then."

Naruto quickly headed toward the woods and after 2 hours running he stopped and he found himself back in his mind and Conner chuckled and said "I feel like a puppet master pulling the strings. Anyways you asked who your parents were right."

Naruto said "Yeah."

Conner motioned with his hands and Naruto found the room changed to that of a hospital room and Naruto saw a woman with red hair in a hospital bed and he saw a man who made his eyes go wide standing beside her and he said "He's beautiful Kushina."

Kushina who was weak said "I know Minato....he's so innocent, so pure.....I'm going to miss him. I can feel myself growing weaker already."

Minato looked at her sadly and said "I know dear. I won't be far behind you. I wish I could be there for him but to stop the Kyuubi I am going to have to seal it inside him. It's the only way to save him and the village."

Naruto saw this as he had tears in his eyes as Kushina slowly passed away and he watched as the Kyuubi was sealed into him and the room around them turned back into the sewer.

Conner looked at him and said "So you can see who your parents are now huh."

Naruto was silent a few moments and said "My own father.....he sealed the Kyuubi into me. He cursed me with a life of pain and suffering to save the village."

Conner said "And you but you don't actually know what he did that day."

Naruto blinked and asked "What are you talking about." in a rude voice.

The room changed to a little cafe with tea cups on the table with some chairs and he walked over and took a seat and picked up the cup and said "Join me. I will explain some things to you."

Naruto slowly walked over and sat down and he asked "How are you doing that. Changing all this around us."

Conner said "Simple kid. It's a kind of magic." making Naruto glare at him and he chuckled "ha ha ha ha....sorry."

Naruto looked at the tea and he asked "So what is it you want to tell me."

Conner closed his eyes and said "You and I are a lot alike kid. We both were given a burden neither of us wanted, we were both hated for what made us different. We are both Immortal."

Naruto eyes got wide and he asked "What."

Conner sat his tea down and asked "Do you really think that sealing something immortal into a mortal is going to kill the immortal. Sorry kid, don't work that way. The moment the fox was sealed in you and your soul began to mix with his you lost your mortality. You will age and grow older and older and older as your body will get weaker and weaker until you are either killed or kill yourself and the fox there will be freed. The reason no one has told you the truth is nobody likes to talk about Jinchuuriki and before they get to old age they are usually killed and the demons inside of them are placed in another."

Naruto looked down and said "So your saying that my pain and suffering is for no reason."

Conner said "Basically.....however...."

Naruto looked up and asked "However what."

Conner said "There is more then one kind of immortality kid. There are people in the world who can take the organs of other living people and replace their own, there are those who can send their souls into other peoples bodies, there are those who feed on the blood of the living and countless other ways that I know of. Some may not still exist in this day and age but some may. You have to understand I have seen a lot of things in my life and I was given a gift of knowledge as well of every other immortal like I was. I don't know everything but I do know a lot. What I am offering you kid is another form of immortality. The same kind I had when I was still in my body before I sealed my soul to my sword. You won't grow old, you will heal quickly and the only way for you to die is if someone separates your head from your body. It still has it curses though but it also has it benefits."

Naruto asked "Like what."

Conner said "Well, for starters you won't have the Kyuubi in you so people can quit hating you for that. By training under me you will learn some skills that will make you stronger and harder to kill and you won't have to worry about getting weaker as you get older."

Naruto asked "But besides being immortal watching all the other people grow old and die is bad about being immortal your way."

Conner sighed giving a small smile and said "You won't ever be able to have children. The heartache of losing all those you know in time will hurt but I assume you realize that is already going to happen."

Naruto nods slowly and said "Yeah....but I don't really have anyone who cares about me anyways to lose."

Conner said "You got more then you think and you can get more in time. So what do you think. Are you willing to trade one form of immortality for another."

Naruto thought a moment and asked "So the only way I can die is if my head is cut off right."

Conner said "Yeah, there are a few rules you will have to follow though. You can't kill on holy ground. It is neutral ground for our kind even though you will be the last it is still a rule that must be followed. The results are not pretty. Only one on one fights for immortal like us. As for the dying part, I know a few immortals who were burned alive and lived, buried in graves, drowned and we still regenerate but there is a limit to what can grow back. I don't know what would happen if your body is completely destroyed which would be hard but as far as I know the only way to kill us is to take our head and with it our knowledge and power. There might be other ways but I never seen it but that doesn't mean that you should take stupid risk."

Naruto thought a few moments and said "Alright....since I am immortal anyways might as well take the better deal. At least this time I have a choice."

Conner smiled and said "Good kid, now since I told you that you won't age lets work on making you look more like an adult instead of a kid. You don't want to be laughed at for all eternity for being a shorty do you."

Naruto glared at him and Conner said "Good, now here is what I want you to do. Remember what your parents looked like. Now pick what you want from them to make yourself look like an adult. I would suggest taking your father as a basic mold though, he had a good physical body and his height will help you in life. This is your mind so anything you imagine will appear OK."

Naruto closed his eyes and thought of his father and he then thought of his mother. As he was thinking Conner saw Minato appear and he saw that the blond hair on his head got red streaks in it and he watched as one eye stayed blue while another took on a light green. A few other mild changes appeared with Naruto keeping his own nose but the spiky hair became more calmer looking. He was 5'11 and weighted around 155lbs but his body looked like a track runner.

Naruto opened his eyes and Conner asked "So is that the body you want for all eternity. You won't be able to change it after we do the ritual."

Naruto looked it over and Naruto saw the body change a little and he looked at Conner who said "Trust me kid. When you find someone to love you will be thankful for that change."

Naruto said "But you said I won't be able to have kids so....."

Conner said "You can still have sex kid and you won't have to worry about getting sick. You can't."

Naruto looked confused and Conner said "Don't worry about it kid, you will understand later. Now.....I want you and your future body to drink this." as he held out his hand and a gold plated cup appeared and inside of it was a gold fluid.

Naruto asked "What is it."

Conner said "It's the Quickening. It's a kind of magic that binds us together and makes us who we are. It makes as one. It's a bond that can never be broken, even in death. It makes us brothers in a way."

Naruto looked confused and said "I don't understand."

Conner said "Don't worry you will, trust me."

Naruto nods and he takes the cup and he drinks it and hands it to the modified him who takes the cup and drinks it. Conner then holds out his hand and said "Touch my hand, both of you."

Naruto and his clone both touch a hand and gasp as lightning begins to jump between Conner and them and he begins to chant in a language Naruto didn't understand and he lowered his hands and said "Face each other and repeat after me while holding your hands as such."

Naruto and his clone both form a pyramid shape in their hands and Conner said "Through time we come, passing through the ages until the time of the gathering. End the end there can be only one."

Both Naruto and his other self repeated the words and Conner flashes through hand signs and said "Sacred arts:Soul Change." as he shot out lightning from his hands that formed a pyramid between Naruto and his clones and Conner. Naruto felts his body being ripped apart and he felt pain and he blacked out.

When Naruto awoke he looked up at the sky and saw he was in the forest and he looked down and found himself naked and found his body was not his own and he looked over and saw the body of his other self began to stir as a sickness hit him in his stomach and he heard Conner say in his head "Remember Naruto, there can be only one. You are not in your old body and that body now belongs to the Kyuubi. If you do not want him to escape then you must kill him while he is weak the only way an immortal can be killed, remember my words to him."

Naruto blinked and he looked around and saw the rusted sword there on the ground and he quickly grabbed it and he looked at his original body and his body opened its eyes but they were red and he heard the voice of the Kyuubi say "I'm free, I'm free to get my revenge." as it began to have red chakra cover it.

Naruto eyes got wide realizing Conner was telling the truth and he remember what Conner words were and he said "Sorry Kyuubi but there can be only one." as he quickly sliced the head off his original body.

As the head rolled away Naruto felt something stirring around him as he looked around and he saw a mist began to cover the area and the wind picked up as lightning began to shoot from the dead body into Naruto who screamed out in pain and he screamed "Conner." as he felt the lightning shoot through him like it was ripping him apart.

As the lightning destroyed trees in the area setting a few on fire he fell to the ground panting.

After about 20 minutes he felt his insides quit burning and he thought "what was that." as he slowly stood up.

Conner replied "It was the quickening, when you took his head you took his power. You destroyed the Kyuubi Naruto."

Naruto thought "But you said that he would go free when I died right. So wont he come back."

Conner replied "No, remember when I had both you and the clone drink from the cup. That and the ritual made you both into the type of Immortal I am, The ritual I had you both complete created a special type of blood clone in the looks of what you wanted to look like then you switched your soul with that of the clone. The clone then dispelled itself giving your body to the Kyuubi to do as he pleased but he had to break through my wall first so that gave you time but he got through it quicker then I thought he would but see he was in HIS body at that point, not yours so when HE was killed HE died."

A few minutes earlier Kakashi was looking at Sasuke and Sakura at the bridge and thought "where are you Naruto. You should have been back by now."

Just then he felt something to the east and his eyes went wide and thought "no....it can't be, the Kyuubi." as he said "Sasuke, Sakura, stay here and guard Tazuna, I need to check something out." as he shushined away leaving 2 confused students.

When Kakashi arrived where he felt Kyuubi chakra from he saw an open field with a little damage from lightning and he thought "I know this is where I felt the Kyuubi chakra but where is it now and where is Naruto." as he looked around but found nothing before he returned to the bridge.

Once Kakashi was gone Naruto looked at Conner who had appeared smirked and asked "What."

Naruto asked "Why did he not see us and why did you tell me to be silent no matter what."

Conner waved his arm and a cotton shirt and a kilt appeared on Naruto and Conner said "Because your not ready to return to them yet. You have much to learn including how to use your new body. I used an illusion to make it appear that there was nothing here for him to find. What do you think would happen if he saw your original body dead on the ground over there huh. He would have attacked and killed you without ever listening.

Naruto thought "I guess that makes since." and asked "Why am I in a dress." as he looked up and asked " And how are you out here. I thought you were stuck in the sword or in me."

Conner smirked and said "Remember Naruto, it's a kind of magic. As for the dress. It's not a dress, its a kilt, the official clothing of Scotsmen, those are actually my clan colors you are wearing and you will wear them until you learn all I want to teach you. Now we got training to do. Take those weights I had you grab and put them on your arms and legs and then put the sword in your bag and carry it while following me. You will do what I do until you pass out. Then I will train you in your mind. This will be the way things are until you pass my final test and I pass on."

Naruto asked "What is your final test." as he slipped on the arm and leg weights."

Conner said "That is for you to find out later. Now hurry up." as he began to run.

Naruto grabbed the sword and slipped it in the side of the backpack and he slipped it on and began to follow Connor who began to gather wood and Naruto asked "Why are we gathering wood."

Conner said "Trust me kid." as he gathered more and Naruto followed like wise. They then walked back into the clearing where the old Naruto body was and conner began to place the wood on the ground and Naruto asked "What are we doing Conner."

Conner said "We need to destroy your old body so animals don't dig it up and to make sure Kyuubi is dead forever. That fox may have known a trick or 3 to come back to life but if his body is completely destroyed he can't. Were going to burn that body to ash."

Naruto looked down and walked over to his body and began taking the weapon pouches from it and he frowned and said "My hiate is gone."

Conner said "It's probably back at that place we met."

Naruto got up and started to head back to the building where he killed the man and Conner grabbed his arm and shook his head and said "If you go there now it would be suicide. You can get it back later when your ready. OK."

Naruto frowns but nods and he helps conner pile the wood and they pick up his old body and he said "This is weird." as they set the body on the wood.

Conner said "I know but it has to be done." as he snapped his fingers and flames appeared on the body and Naruto was wide eyes as he saw the body began to burn and he got sick smelling the burning flesh and he runs over to a tree and pukes.

An hour later Conner said "Alright kid, lets begin your training, follow me." as he took off to run. Naruto looked at the chard body and thought "Who am I now." as he began to follow Conner.

As they were running they soon came to a beach and ran along it and then some mountain slopes appeared in the distance and Naruto thought "strange, I didn't think there was any mountains in Wave but they sure are beautiful." as he ran.

He soon felt himself tiring and Conner said "Use chakra to keep going. You need to learn to control the chakra in your body making you faster and to keep you going even when you think you reached your limit. In a fight you stop you die. You need to keep going as long as the enemy still has his head. Never stop, never surrender, never give up. There can be only one. Do you understand."

Naruto said in panting breaths "Yeah, I understand."

Conner smirked and thought "you don't even realize we are running in a huge circle Naruto. This is all an illusion but because of the effects of my illusion you and your body think they are real. Oh beautiful Scotland, how I miss you."

When Kakashi returned to the bridge he saw Sasuke and Sakura looking at him and Tazuna asked "Is everything alright Kakashi."

Kakashi said "Yes, I thought I had felt Naruto chakra for a moment so I went to check it out."

At this both Sakura and Sasuke ears perked up and Tazuna asked "Well where is he."

Kakashi said "He wasn't there but....."

Sakura who eyes were wide asked "But what Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi was silent a few moments and said "I don't know. I just got the feeling something happen to him."

Sakura frowned and looked at Sasuke and thought "why does Sasuke-kun look so worried."

Later that evening Naruto was running up a mountain and he fell to the ground he felt his entire body gave out and he thought "that's it, I can't go no more." as he passed out.

As he did so the mountain he had been climbing shimmered and revealed him in a meadow full of flowers.

Naruto appeared in his head and he saw Conner standing there on the mountain that Naruto had been climbing and Conner said "So that was your limit. That was as far as you could go."

Naruto looked down and Conner said "Not bad but not good enough either. There will come times where you will have to fight for days without sleep, times where you will be outnumbered and times where if you fall those who depend on you will die. It is not just physically that you need to get stronger Naruto. It is mentally and spiritually also. Catch." as he tossed a broad sword at Naruto.

Naruto went to catch it but dropped it and after he tried to pick it up he said "It's to heavy. I can't pick it up."

Conner shrugged and said "Then you die." as he pulled out his sword and jumped off the ground he was on and went to strike Naruto who pulled with everything he had and couldn't move it and he screamed out as Conner slashed him across the back.

Conner asked "What's wrong Naruto. I thought you were stronger then this."

Naruto said "I can't pick up your sword asshole." as he tried to covered the wound in his back.

Conner asked "What do you mean MY sword. I have mine right here."

Naruto looked at Conner who had his sword and then at the one on the ground that faded away and Naruto said "It wasn't real."

Conner asked "What is real Naruto. Was that body I had real. Was the mountain you were climbing real."

Naruto asked "Are you saying they were all fake."

Conner said "I told you. It's a kind of magic kid. Illusions are as real or as fake as a person believes they are. I seen a child go their entire life in an illusion once and believed until the day he died the illusion was real. He believed his mother and father was with him, he met a girl, dated, married, had children with and grandchildren and died an old man all in an illusion. The only way to tell if an illusion is real or fake is to fight it, challenge it with another illusion, destroy it, or the person using it cancels it."

Naruto asked "but you can't kill with an illusion....can you."

Conner asked "If one of your Kagebunshin stab someone in the heart, does that make them any less dead."

Naruto said "I guess not."

Conner said "Correct. A Kagebunshin truthfully is a spin off of the illusion I will teach you to use. You use your energy to mold the shape, size, power and weakness of what you want to appear and control it. What I was doing in all those cases was basically the same. A person can die by an illusion just like they can in real life. They can die also from a genjutsu if their mind believes what they see and feel is real. The more real the illusion the more real it will seem to a person. Now a special note, the best illusions are the ones based off of something you can do or something real. The more you experience in life the more your illusions will become real."

Naruto asked "But how do I do Illusions. I can do Kagebunshin no problem but....."

Conner held up his hand and said "OK, lets start with something simple. Thanks to the gift I gave you along with the power you took from Kyuubi the power of illusions will be easy hear in your mind and with practice you can make them as real as they are in the real world normally but with a lot of practice and passing my final test you will be able to make illusion in the real world just as I can...after all your linked to the world now in a way you can never of imagined."

Naruto looked confused and Conner shook his head and said "Relax kid, you will understand soon. Now do you remember your fight with Zabuza when you transformed yourself into a demon windmill shuriken. That was you using your hidden talent of using illusions you were granted from Kyuubi by being his Jinchuuriki. Immortals always have a strong connection with the world around us and it gives us some advantages. Don't worry about it for not but I want you to imagine a weapon for you to use. A sword."

Naruto scrunched his nose concentrating as he looked at the sword on the ground that had reappeared and and the same sword Conner had threw to him appeared in his hand but he could actually hold it and Conner smirked and said "Good, now lets fight." as he charged at Naruto who was instantly put on the defensive and was stabbed in the heart.

He died and after about 20 minutes in his mind his body jerked and he gasped for air as he looked at Conner who was sitting on a rock drinking a cup of tea who said "Alright. Lets see if you can last longer then 3 seconds this time before dying."

As soon as Naruto stood up he was attacked again and again and again.

The next morning Naruto was still passed out in the field when a figure came walking through the field. The figure looked at Naruto and blinked and thought "I may pretend to be a guy and get away with it but there is no way that guy is going to pass as a woman and get away with it.....although he does look familiar." as the woman walked over and looked at Naruto for several minutes when a breeze flew through the area lifting Naruto kilt and her eyes went wide and she thought "oh my god. That's nearly the biggest one I have ever seen. It's as big as a kunai" as she became bright red with a blush.

She turned and started to walk away and stopped looking back one more time at Naruto and thought "but this guy needs to be taught a lesson about cross dressing and modesty." as she walked back over toward Naruto.

A few minutes later the woman left the clearing with a smirk on her face as she continued on her journey.

About 20 minutes later Naruto woke up and Conner appeared and said "You ready to continue your lessons."

Naruto glared at him and said "You killed me nearly 1000 times last night beating the shit out of me after you had me run until I passed out. I haven't eaten in god knows how long and I need to take a leak."

Conner said "Well be my guest. Take care of your business and then we will run some more until we get to a stream and you will catch some fish, eat and then we will continue your training."

Naruto glared at him before walking over to a tree and asked as he looked back at Conner "Do you mind."

Conner snorts and turns around and Naruto raises his kilt and begins to take a leak and when he went to shake himself off he blinked and sweat dropped and said "Um Conner. Why did you do this." as he turned around showing himself to Conner.

Conner looked at Naruto and blinked and blinked again before bursting out laughing and said "Oh my lord, I can't believe that actually happened."

Naruto covered himself up and asked "What happened." in a confused voice.

Conner smirked and sang

Well a Scotsman clad in kilt left a bar on evening fair...........O lad I don't know where you been but I see you won first prize

As he falls on the ground laughing as Naruto turned bright red and asked "So your saying some woman put this here and not you."

Conner said "Like the song said lad, I don't know where you been but I see you won first prize."

Naruto sighed and thought "I will never get that damn song out of my head now." as he asked "So what now."

Conner said "Now, close your eyes."

Naruto closed his eyes and he heard Conner say "Now listen to the forest around you, listen to the wind blow, the earth laying firmly beneath your feet, the water sway, and the sun bring life to the world. Feel your connection to it. Embrace it, accept it as a part of you because you are a part of it. All of it, the world around you is connected to you and you to it. Never forget the feeling you feel."

Naruto felt the control of his body slipping as the world appeared in his mind and he opened his eyes and looked to the right where a wolf was looking at Naruto and Naruto thought "I can hear him. I can feel his heartbeat and his emotions......what is this feeling."

Conner smiled as he saw Naruto looking at the wolf and said "You feel it don't you."

Naruto looks at Conner and asked "But what is it."

Conner said "The prize that we fought and died for. The prize I am giving to you. You feel only a small taste of it now. When there were more of our kind the more we killed the stronger our connection got. We are born to be kings, princes of the universe, Naruto. No man can be our equals."

Naruto looked at the wolf and said "Why does he call me that name."

Conner asked "What name."

Naruto said "Ramirez."

Conner laughed and said "He's not talking about you. He's talking about the blade on your back. Ramirez was the man who taught me what we are. The same lessons I am teaching you. That blade is from this part of the world and is even older then I am. There is only one other blade like it in the world and it belonged to another immortal who was a kinsman of mine. As I told you we are a part of this world, connected to it in ways no one could understand. Even all these centuries after his death Ramirez is still known to this world as one of the true masters of life. He was a scholar, a student, a teacher, a lover, a diplomat, a general, a king, and a peasant. An artist and a philosopher. The blade speaks to that wolf because it is his legacy that I carried in my heart and soul after his death that now you will carry on. We are connected through the quickening. He to I and you to me. Even in death we are connected and the world around us is connected to us. In time you will become like me as I was like him, I was a scholar, a student, a teacher, a lover, a diplomat, a general, a king, a peasant, an artist and a philosopher. In your life you will as well."

Naruto looked at the dragon handle of the blade on his back and thought "so this sword is like an heirloom of great men."

The wolf howls and runs into the woods leaving Naruto and Conner who said "Now come, we have much to do today." as he began to run and Naruto began to follow. The wolf after it left the area shimmered into gold and disappeared. Conner thought "You must learn we are more then warriors Naruto. There is more to life then fighting."

In Gato headquarters he looked at his personal bodyguards as the two men in front of him gave their report and asked "What do you mean someone got inside of my mansion here and killed one of my men. How did this happen."

One of the two men said "We don't know sir. It appears it happened a day or 2 ago. If it was not for the smell we would not have found him. It appears he was killed by a ninja from Konoha sir."

Gato asked "How can you be sure."

The man said "Because we found this sir." as he held up Naruto hiate.

Gato frowned and said "Lets go meet Zabuza." as he got up and lead the other 2 men away.

When they got to Zabuza he was sitting on the side of the bed holding his ribs and Gato said "There has been a change of plans Zabuza. One of the Konoha ninja have made it inside of my mansion and killed one of my men. I want you to find out which one and capture him for me. I want to make an example out of him."

Zabuza frowned as he looked at Haku and asked "What about the bridge builder."

Gato sneered and said "I will have one of my men tonight place explosives on the supports of the bridge and collapse it. That will set them back. We can deal with the bridge builder later. I do not like my home invaded. That could have been me that was killed. Now do as you are paid to or I will contact the Hunter nins myself." as he turned only for Haku to reach for him and Zabuza said "Haku stop." making Haku stop.

Gato said "Keep your bitch on a leash or I will let my men have their way with her." as he walked out.

After he was gone Zabuza asked "What do you think."

Haku said "I think we should kill him and leave Zabuza-sama. I do not trust him and he is already changing our mission without any pay change. I do not think he will pay us."

Zabuza was silent for several minutes and said "I want you to get close to the Konoha nins and see if one of them is missing his Hiate. Report back to me which one and we will go from there."

Haku said "Hai Zabuza-sama."

After Naruto ate some fish and followed Conner some more they came to a shipping dock with several cargo ships and Conner looked at them for several minutes and Naruto asked "What are you looking at Conner-sensei."

Conner looked back at Naruto and said "You know, I think it is time for you to have a bath. You smell like a pig."

Naruto glared at him and Conner laughed as he said "Come, let's go find a river to bath in." as they continued to run.

Later that night an explosion was heard all across the island waking people up. Naruto deep in the woods awoke and thought "what was that."

Conner appeared and said "I'm not sure but it was a good distance away whatever it was."

Naruto frowned and asked "Do you think it was the bridge."

Conner thought a moment and said "Perhaps but I doubt anyone was hurt. The bridge can be rebuilt if it was. Lives can not. We still got a lot of training to do.

Naruto nods and Conner said "Since your awake now lets spar here in the real world." as he made a sword appear in his hand and Naruto pulled his sword out of the pack and Conner said "No, try to make an illusion of a sword. You need to practice that also."

Naruto nods and he closes his eyes and concentrate and he feels a sword appear in his hand and he looked at it and said "Alright, I did it." as he got in a defensive stance. Conner looked at him and swung his sword at Naruto and Naruto sword shattered into a million pieces and Conner sliced Naruto across the chest and said "Again, you have to make it as real as possible to be able to use it effectively. Don't think of it as an illusion. Think of it as reality and think the blade is metal, the handle is wood or ivory and the blade is sharp. If you doubt your illusions they will be your downfall. Now again."

Naruto nods and concentrates hard and another sword appeared and when Conner struck it survived the first strike but then it dissolved and Conner said "When a sword strikes something you will feel it in the handle. If you illusion is not prepared for that reality will destroy it. Remember I told you, the more real an illusion is the more real it will seem." as sliced Naruto across the stomach.

Conner saw Naruto make another sword and smirked as he notice something else and when he struck the sword he parried it away and turned behind Naruto and sliced him across the back and said "Armor is good and all and would help you but it can also be your undoing. You can't protect every angle at once and if your armor is not as real as normal armor." as he stood behind Naruto and ran his sword through Naruto back and out his stomach and the armor he wore dissolved.

Naruto fell to the ground in pain and Conner waited a few moments and he asked "ready."

Naruto glared at him and Conner laughed.

The next morning when Team 7 arrived at the bridge Tazuna sighed in relief and said "Thank god it is still here. I was sure that it was destroyed."

A man walked up toward the bridge and he said "Hello, you must be Tazuna."

Tazuna nods and asked "Who are you."

The man said "My name is not important. I just wanted to tell you that Gato tried to destroy the bridge last night by blowing the supports out of the bridge. The guy who did it was drunk though and he blew himself up doing it but there is some structural damage done."

Kakashi asked "How do you know."

The man said "I noticed it when my new student ran by this morning. He was worried the bridge had been destroyed and I saw the remains of the boat he used and the mans body about 2 miles down the coast line."

Kakashi asked "What are you a teacher of." as he observed the man.

The man said "I am not really a teacher but a worldly advisor. I come from a foreign land on the other side of the world and was merely passing through searching for something that can't be found but has to find you. I recently helped save a young lads life after he had a run in with Gato men. He was injured pretty badly and needs some time to recover and accept the changes that have happened to him thanks to the run in."

Sasuke asked "What does he look like."

The man looked at Sasuke and smirked a moment and said "I could tell you but where's the fun in that." as he began to walk away.

Kakashi said "Wait." as he got in front of the man who stopped and asked "Yes."

Kakashi asked "Is his name Naruto Uzumaki."

The man said "Like I said, where is the fun in that." as he began to walk through Kakashi shocking everyone as he disappeared into gold

Sasuke asked "What the hell was that." in shock.

Kakashi was in shock and thought "what was that and does he have Naruto."

2 weeks later.

Kakashi frowned as he looked at both his students getting into depression and thought "I have no choice. I need someone else to come so I can find Naruto. Our team is falling apart without him since that man showed up that day. Progress on the bridge was sat back nearly a month to repair the damage to the supports. Luckily they put steel inside the concrete or it would have been longer." as he pulled out a scroll and began to write on it and he bit his thumb and flashed through hand signs and slammed his hands on the ground saying "Kuchiyose no Jutsu." as a cloud of smoke appeared and there stood a pug looking dog who looked at Kakashi and said "Yo.....would you like to rub my paw."

Kakashi said "Sorry Pukan but this time I need you to deliver a message to Konoha. I need this scroll taken to the Hokage and only the Hokage."

Pukan asked "Is this about him."

Kakashi nods and Pukan said "Very well, give me the scroll."'

Kakashi put the scroll in the little holder under Pukan collar and he looked around and asked "Exactly how am I suppose to get there from here."

Kakashi looked sheepish and said "Um.....dog paddle."

Pukan growled and raised his hind leg and pissed on Kakashi feet and said "So I can find you later." with a smirk on his face as he ran off the bridge back toward wave and went down to the water and jumped in and began to swim.

After he was gone Sasuke asked "Wait, if you have a summon dog, can't you have him track down the dobe."

Kakashi sighed and said "I already tried. He followed Naruto sent toward town and then we found his blood on the wall and followed a trail to Gato mansion and we followed it away from there into the woods where his scent vanished. I looked in the surrounding area but all I found was the remains of a fire."

Sasuke frowned and Sakura asked "You said you found his blood.....do you think...."

Kakashi said "I don't know Sakura, I don't know. I waited to send word to Konoha to give him time to return but.." leaving the rest unsaid.

Tazuna who was not to far away thought "and so another person has fallen to Gato terrible rule......what the hell." as some men started to scream "It's Gato.

Earlier that day

Conner was leading Naruto through the woods when they came across a shipping dock and he looked around at the ships and his eyes landed on a particular one and Naruto who stopped beside him asked "Why have we stopped Conner-sensei, we still have to make it to the shores of Loch Shiel so we can have our spar."

Conner said "I think it's time for a new lesson. You also need a bath, you smell like a duck."

Naruto blinked and glared at Conner who smirked and said "Come, I will explain on the way."

2 hours later Naruto was under the water and thought "not that this isn't cool but how the hell did he talk me into this." as he grabbed the anchor chain and began to pull himself up out of the water.

When he got onto the boat he looked around and thought "Hey Conner, is this the right one. I mean it don't look like the rest."

Conner said in his head "Of coarse it don't look like the rest. If you would have observed your surroundings earlier you would have realized why this one is different. This is that Gato guys personal yacht. That is why the chain and anchor are smaller then the others that you saw down there. Now we got to work quickly, follow my orders."

Naruto quickly looked around the boat and saw 3 men guarding the boat on the dock below but found no one on the actual yacht. He went into the bridge and turned on the power in standby mode. Naruto then went out to the 3 tow lines that were holding the yacht tied to the docks while staying ducked down to avoid being seen and he cut the lines until they were only holding on by a small thread each. He then went back to the bridge and he thought "Now what."

Conner said "Now create a Kagebunshin and have it sneak over to the ramp and have it cut the ramp free when you start the motors and hit the raise button on the anchor. After that you throw the engines in reverse, grab that wheel and slowly start turning it to the left. When you are facing the opposite direction that you are now throw it slowly in forward and we will take it out of here."

Naruto nods and creates a Kagebunshin and he thought "damn, that took a lot out of me and that was only 1."

Conner said "Remember Naruto. You don't have Kyuubi chakra to boost your own now so you won't be able to make as many as you did before. I say you would be lucky to make 20 at full reserves now but you can get more with more training. Now go."

Naruto nods and after he sent his clone to its task he saw it cut the ramp. At that moment the men on the dock heard the ramp fall against the dock and one screamed "Hey, what are you doing." as they saw the clone stand up and the clone said "Go tell Gato go fuck himself."

Naruto sweat dropped as he hit the raise button for the anchor and started the engine and thought "why does my clone have to be a smart ass."

One of the guards grabbed the tow line and began to climb it and said "Hurry, come on." making each of the other men grab their line but as the yacht began to back up the line the man was on snapped with the other 2 lines and he fell in the water screaming "Ahh."

The clone went up in smoke seeing this and Naruto snickered as he got the memory and blinked a moment and thought "wait a moment, how did I know what he saw."

Conner said "About time you realized that but we need to get out of here remember, focus."

Naruto blinked as he saw the yacht was now turned completely 180 and he put it in forward and began to navigate it away from the dock.

As the man who fell in the water got out he said "Gato is not going to be happy about this."

Another man asked "What should we do."

The third man said "We need to tell Gato."

Both the wet man and the second man looked at each other and looked at the third man and said "You can do it."

The third man said "Fuck that. I quit." as he began to walk away.

The other 2 men looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders and thought "better to run away then to die." as they left as well.