-One hour ter-

  Pov: Ryū (Kenzo)

  ...

  I lower my head at the Hokage's grave stone, many people are still gathering around it even after multiple days have passed... fitting too- seeing as he was a great Hokage.

  I wear my second set of my ninja outfit with the mask held in my hands- I should probably carve holes in this thing.

  *Tap*

  Someone taps me on the shoulder and I look up to see an Anbu.

  He hands me two scrolls, bows to the grave and flickers away.

  ?

  I guess its time to leave.

  I walk away from the group of mourning people and open a scroll as I walk- inside it reads:

  'Congratutions Kenzo!

  A reward for all your effort and struggle to be recognized as a Chunin! I am gd you made it this far and managed to overcome the hurdles that Konoha has unfortunately given you.

  - Hiruzen Sarutobi'

  Under the writing is a seal... he wrote Hiruzen instead of Hokage? Why did I receive this as Ryū?

  I open the other scroll and gaze at what's written, this one is obviously an Anbu made scroll.

  'Ryū, you will be receiving two things, one in the pce of Kenzo as you are his sensei and the other was from the inheritance that the 3rd Hokage left- it stated in his will that he wished for the Battle-sages to continue as a program and has the approval of the entire council to keep it going and raise budget granted.

  Additionally you will be granted all of Kenzo's saved money as stated in the contract you signed on your completed [Redacted] mission.

  The council of Konoha thanks you for your service.'

  Right... so I will be stuck in Konoha for a bit moving around my finances.

  Haaa.

  I open the seal on the first scroll and unveil what reward Lord Third has granted me.

  *Poof!*

  A golden spear perfectly fit to Kenzo's current... or previous size- a intricately carved bell rests on the back end of it.

  Oh.

  He remembered my first draft.

  What I wanted to be.

  *sniff*

  I'm going to impale Oorochimaru with this thing... I reseal it and wipe the tear on my face before moving again.

  I will spend the rest of today doing finances and then I will head out- maybe I can drop some money off for Naruto... lets give him at least half of Kenzo's money- if he isn't back yet I will leave it with one of his teammates.

  ---

  Pov: Danzo

  *Sm!*

  I smash one of the sizzling pieces of wood with my foot and snarl... seven root agents died with these bases, and all the information they collected went up in cinders.

  What's worse is I can't figure out what happened- no chakra was used here... and how could he control nature so precisely as to blow up these bases so easily?

  Those seals on his body as well...

  "Lord Danzo-sama- I have brought him back, he seems calmer now" A root member gestures to my bodyguard Fu who kneels silently.

  "Are you calm enough now" I ask coldly.

  "Yes sir..." He states.

  "Tell me- what happened to you?" I ask.

  "He- somehow he showed me his memories and I couldn't take the pain..." He says.

  "Expin- the memories" I add.

  "I entered his brain and was drawn in to it deeper, he invited me in like a guest and showed me a memory... he was sitting atop a mountain- I couldn't remember the specific terrain but it seemed like one on the border of the lightning nation- storms where violent and brewing above... then I- he was struck" He says.

  "He was struck by lightning?" I ask confused.

  "Not just once, every time I gained my bearings he was struck again... and again... and again- and again! And again! And again! He was- I don't understand how he could move and sprint down the mountain under those conditions but his mind silently followed through with his training..." He tells me.

  Unbothered by lightning.

  Ha.

  Hahaha.

  Ridiculous.

  Right?

  ---

  -Next day-

  Pov: Kenzo

  ------

  Quest complete! Danzo is scared of Ryū!

  Reward: K-rank instant scroll.

  ------

  Oh- took a bit but it seems he is sparking his own theories in his head and under the current stressful circumstances seems to have a fear of me... or maybe fear is the wrong word.

  Worry? Concern?

  I also got an instant scroll.

  For K-rank.

  That's... tempting to use on a new skill.

  But I should use it on my current skills as I am all over the pce, plus having a lightning skill ready for maxing out lightning mana would be great!

  I'm going to spend those three points on mana as well so better be prepared.

  And an A rank scroll to level up something else... lets have a look to see what I will handle.

  ------

  Skills:

  Unyielding Stare: E×D×C×B×A×S×K×

  Burst Breathing: E×D×C×B×A?S?K?

  Word- Truth: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?

  Kenzo Deflection Jutsu: E×D×C×B×A×S×K?

  Lockpicking: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?

  Juggling: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?

  Ancient Hearing: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?

  Dragons breath: E×D×C×B×A×S?K?

  Lightning Dart: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?

  Bio-Runes: E×D×C×B×A?S?K?

  Ryū Wire-Taijutsu: E×D×C×B×A×S?K?

  Jump: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?

  ------

  Probably burst breathing to A-rank as that will help me be faster with more control and without a time limit.

  And the K-rank scroll... either dragons breath or taijutsu skill.

  My taijutsu skill does help me with my efficiency and allows more time with my power... while dragon breath simply takes far too much power to be usable at my level... its my fault for requesting something clearly above me when I was low on power.

  I open my eyes and look down to the ground... my bird cws gripping onto my bag of scrolls.

  I'm just about to reach that cave hide out again- I should be able to sit inside and use all my scrolls today, then for four days I will train with Jun.

  I fly down past the trees and swoop through the covered and hidden entrance into that darker space before nding on a rock... I unseal one of the scrolls in my bag while I unshift into Kenzo once more.

  *Stretch* *Poof!*

  I don't have my blindfold or jacket anymore, seeing as I will be getting a cloak soon, but the rest of the outfit is still here.

  I fashion the head protector on my forehead where it belongs- sshed as a sign of being rogue now.

  Stats first? Stats first.

  I use all three on my lightning mana, the more I have the better- should be around 13 now with my five extra from my organ.

  *Zzzzt!*

  The lightning crackles around me and I grit my teeth.

  *PHEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!*

  I hear a high pitched whistle as steam bursts from my skin, my veins boil and my head lightens... I haven't... felt this... in a bit.

  *Wrap!* *Tighten!*

  I feel my skin tighten and my heart following its lead- something is happening to my heart- something terrible- something terrific!

  "RAAAHHHHHHH!" I grab the rocks around me and grip them tightly as my back arch's and my heart beats faster than it ever has... fast enough for me to see it bounce up to my ribs and fling through my flesh.

  Hitting multiple organs and bouncing through others, smming into bone, muscle and sometimes peaking through skin.

  *Slip!*

  I let go of the rock and fall asleep.

  ...

  ...

  ...

  *Gasp!*

  I clutch my chest and wake up probably around thirty minutes ter... my heart still beats fast but not like before- I stutter and slowly rise up.

  "Haaa- I almost forgot how hard it is to go through that..." I shake myself in comfort and blink a few times.

  I feel tired... but I need to continue on- A-rank scroll is next on the list, Burst breathing is going for an upgrade.

  I sit down again and unfurl my next scroll, thinking on Burst breathing.

  ...

  ...!

  I am thrown into the orange box and look around before getting up, I listen intently for the scratching and scrawling on the walls or roof.

  *Scratch* *Scrawl*

  I look up to the horrible noise and read the message.

  'One. quick. Breath'

  I tilt my head as the world around me turns to a pure white corridor- I look behind me and see a wall, in front of me is three mannequins and a door.

  Two running at me, one right behind the other and the st holding a gun as it points down the hallway to me.

  *Bang!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts, pain assaults my head and I shake it off.

  *Bang!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts- *Whoo whoo whoo!* I breathe out thrice and rush down the hallway dodging the first shot- I grab the first guy and throw him at the other.

  *Gasp!*

  But the air in my lungs disappear, no matter how hard I try to use them I cannot.

  *Fall!*

  I fall on the floor and clutch my chest as I feel my lungs burn... my gaze fizzle out into nothing.

  "Wha..." I can barely speak a word.

  *Acacakkkk*

  I choke on my own st breath.

  *Gasp!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts, I look around and-

  *Bang!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts, I duck under the first shot and examine my opponents... I rush to the- *Gasp!*

  ...!

  *Gasp!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts, I dodge the first bullet and furrow my brow... what is happening- *Gasp!*

  ...!

  *Gasp!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts, I dodge the first bullet and think.

  *Gasp!*

  ...!

  *Gasp!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts.

  *Bang!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts.

  *Bang!*

  *Gasp!*

  *Bang!*

  *Gasp!*

  *Bang!*

  *Bang!*

  *Gasp!*

  *Gasp!*

  *Gasp!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts, I dodge the first bullet and use the information I have gathered... I only have one breath to complete this hallway and get to the end- the test doesn't stop even when I ignore the enemy, I only have one breath.

  *Whoo*

  I flick past the two and- *Bang!*

  I blink and the scenario restarts, I dodge the first bullet and think once more while holding my only breath.

  ...?

  I can't dodge the second bullet if I waste my breath at the start and charge in... I just don't have time.

  Unfortunately the only way out of this is increasing the time one burst takes me- or by using one burst to the fullest potential.

  ...?

  Haaa- that means doing it until I can.

  I am going to die here.

  A lot.

  *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!**Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Gasp!* *Whoo!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Whoo!*

  ....

  *Whoo!*

  I flick to the wall and bounce off of it and around the first two before using that momentum gained to fling me to the door at the end of the hallway- all it took was perfection... but with one breath I nd low to dodge the second bullet and open the door.

  Haaa- Haaa- Haaa-

  I breath as much as I want... until I look up and see what seems to be a completely white mall entrance with an escator going to the second floor... where there is the only door in this pce.

  I look to see around thirty mannequins aiming revolvers down at me- I blink and read the words on the door as I focus on it.

  'Two. Quick. Breaths.'

  Great.

  Perfect.

  I asked for this.

  I wobble to a stand and crack my neck before jumping forward!

  *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Gasp*

  Yeah this is going to be longer than I thought.

  ---

  Pov: Naruto

  Its been a few days and this dy is nowhere to be found- just how long am I going to be gone?

  I flick my wrists and throw signs that weave my chakra into one of my Kunai- I throw it and release the jutsu!

  *Pooof!*

  Around forty kunai appear next to it and rain down on my target like- like rain I guess?

  "Good job Naruto, you have a knack for that jutsu, you where just struggling with it yesterday and now you have it under control" Pervy sage pats my head and I grumble.

  ...

  "You're wrong ya'know!" I taunt.

  "Hm? You are terrible at this jutsu...?" He asks.

  "No! About Kenzo Dattebayo!" I pout.

  "Naruto..." Pervy sage says sadly.

  "No- Kenzo raised me practically, he was always there! He kept me updated on his situation, when I asked him about stuff he told me- he helped me become who I am and I am meant to believe that he just becomes evil? Wrong!" I cross my arms.

  "Naruto... I got word from Konoha, 'Ryū's' report on his situation... apparently he is acting on instinct, like an animal with a humans brain- we can help him kid-" I cut him off.

  "Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Kenzo is not an animal! He isn't out of control! And he certainly isn't a monster!" I yell at him.

  "Naruto I am telling you the facts- Ryū and Kenzo were trying their best to keep Kenzo sane but he just couldn't... Kenzo tricked Ryū into thinking he was himself and managed to roam Konoha freely- your brother isn't in his right mind and I believe you, I am sure Kenzo is a good person but he needs help... perhaps from the new Hokage we are looking for right...?" Pervy sage kneels down to me and pats my shoulder calming me down.

  ...

  "You don't believe me. Kenzo is in his right mind, I was there with him since day one and I know him! This is some eborate plot! He was probably forced out of Konoha and just so happened to control his stare right after being framed by that look-alike!" I stare down pervy sage.

  I know him.

  I know him.

  I. Know. Him.

  I believe in him.

  "Naruto... that's a bit far fetched you know?" Pervy sage raises his eyebrow.

  "Shut up! That's the best answer I have dattebayo!" I blush a little and pout again.

  Doesn't matter if it sounds fake, I know him better than anyone else- sometimes better then him!

  ---

  Pov: Kenzo

  *Bang!*

  I y on the floor and take another bullet.

  How many days must I spend on this escator?

  I blink and the scenario restarts.

  *Scratch!* *Scrawl!*

  I look down and read the words.

  'The child of prophecy believes in you! A trust so deep none can shake it! A considerable feat to sway the bias of a prophesized child in your favour!

  Reward: Blessing Scroll'

  ????

  Who the fuck is that?

  I thought these scrolls would be hard to obtain but I got one from doing nothing at all?

  Prophesized child...?

  Nope- no idea.

  I'll thank them ter when I see them, for now I have to complete this segment... blessing scroll...? Nope- too close to beating this thing for such brilliant distractions!

  *Whoo!*

  I sprint fast to the railings of the escator- my burst of speed taking me the short distance and nding me on it.

  Now the trick of multiple breaths is timing them- I don't need to let the second breath go without first finding my second target.

  If I had better reaction time I could of been done by now... the again I am as good as maybe half an Uchiha in that regard... if half an Uchiha counts for anything.

  *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*

  I speed walk up the escator and past the bullets being shot at me- with the hand railings sending me upwards I quickly find my way to the top.

  I look left to right.

  *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*

  *Whoo!*

  If I run straight to the door one of the mannequins manage to get me- so I need to us my breath here to whittle them down until I can reach the door quickly.

  I was too ambitious st time and tried to get half of them... but if only ten?

  Yeah I can try.

  *Crash!*

  I nd on the left mannequins chest and kick it into the others, my burst of speed over I must rush through them and get to the door while holding my breath.

  Tough for me to do straining exercise without breath but that's the point I suppose, make my breaths count.

  I punch through one and throw the next behind me before sweeping the legs of the next and picking up the st one to use as a shield.

  *Woooosh!*

  I run backwards to the door as gunshots fire and my wooden shield barely manages to cover me- I drop the weight and open the door.

  ...

  Haaa- Haaa- Haaa- Haaa-

  I made it!

  Yes!

  Fuck you mannequins I did it!

  I look up and scan the room... a completely white museum room it seems, a hanging bone dinosaur, some unreadable texts and stuff on the side- and what seems to be ten mannequins roaming the pce with assault rifles.

  ...?

  I look around for a door but only find writing on the roof.

  'The exit will open when you have taken out ten mannequins with three breaths. Make them count'

  ...

  I look down and breath out a sigh.

  Wait! Only two now damn it!

  I hold my second breath and look around... I just need to take them down? So make them count... make them count... luring a few into the same pce to execute them in one swoop would be good, if I am sitting still or slowly moving about the pce I can hold my breath for minutes.

  Hmmm....

  I scan the pce and look at the dangling dinosaur and the wires holding it up.

  If I use a breath to take out the front wire the head will smash down right there... meaning I need to gather a few in that spot?

  I smile and crack my knuckles.

  *BRRRRRRRRR!*

  Gunshots rapidly fire after I crack my knuckles and knock me down dead- I blink and the scenario restarts.

  No noise, got it.

  Thanks for reading :)