The Shinobi Visitor

Chapter 35 - Calm Before The War...

"Here it is."

"Should we really be here?" asked a sad Kuroka as she laid on Medusa's head.

The trio of beauties had just arrived in the town where Naruto mentioned of his friends being residents. Medusa and Kuroka were surprised when Rhea told them that this is where she met Naruto by fighting to take his head off due to a false rumor from her dead grandson.

Another reason they came to Karakura Town was they couldn't stay in Ryozanpaku anymore. The Elder's unexpected banishing Naruto from the dojo caused a wedge between the Titaness and the martial artist. The tension was suppressed for the Furinji family's one-hour reunion by which they enjoyed it as best they could with the circumstances of its happening before the hour limit was reached and the two wives returned to Heaven under Michael's supervision.

Rhea spoke in a determined voice. "Naruto told us to be here to help his friends. And that's what we're going to do."

"I could only hope Naruto returns soon. I miss him." Medusa said as she stroked Kuroka's head.

Rhea placed a hand on the orange-haired beauty. "So do I." What Medusa and Kuroka didn't know was the last possible conversation Rhea and the Elder would ever have prior to their departure. It was actually the elder Furinji pleading the girls to stay, regretting his banishing Naruto after learning of the condition set for his wife and daughter-in-law's 'life' visit. Rhea responded to his begging with a backhand before they left and she didn't look back.

It wasn't only Hayato who felt this way. Shigure was also sad of having her only 'true' disciple leave and Medusa felt the same for leaving her teacher, but she did assured the weapons master of her eventual return and the continuation of the training.

"Where do you suppose Naruto's friends are?" Kuroka finally spoke, scaring Medusa a little since she was in her cat form. "He didn't exactly say who or where they live." She then turned to her thoughts. "And I really wanted some alone time with him after the island." Her ears drooped sadly. "This is really not going as I had hoped."

The trio walked for several blocks after Rhea sensed a huge power somewhere deep in the city. Their search eventually led to a small shop surrounded by tall buildings with a small clearing as its parking space of sorts. Atop the small building was a sign that said 'Urahara's Shop'. This is where the huge power is coming from and most likely, Naruto's friends.

-Unknown Dimension-

"Furinji Oshi Itte!"

Another horde of blurs smashed against a mountainside as dust and debris exploded from the impacts, shrouding the area as a result. A minute later, Naruto ran out of the dust cloud before jumping off a nearby cliff and landed safely on the ground below with a few expertly footing on the nearby rocks and trees.

Crouching behind a felled tree that was big enough to hide his entire person and after looking back for anyone, Naruto sat down as he panted heavy with winces here and there. He removed his left hand over the stomach and showed purple coloring under the skin. Bruised ribs; most likely from Kabuto's Animal Trine Snake technique.

"Son of a bitch… Kabuto really get me back there." Naruto groaned as his left cheek began to swollen as well. "Great, now my face is going to look like a marshmallow."

"I don't get it; my chakra is healing you but… this is going slow, very unusually slow."

"It must be this dimension. The atmosphere must be slowing the healing process." Ashura pointed out as Naruto pulled out a small blade from the bottom of his right sandal. "Naruto, what are you doing with that?"

"Something from a movie I watched. It may be Hollywood, but it's got to have some merit." Naruto winced sharply as he cut him-self on the swollen area while blood fled from the wound. It worked as the swelling disappeared and his cheek went back to normal. "As for the ribs, I could use some pack of ice. Ashura, you just mentioned about this dimension's atmosphere slowing down my healing."

"Yes."

"Can it be the same for why I can't use my chakra?"

"…Maybe."

"'Maybe?'" Naruto whispered harshly after hearing growling not too far away. "I don't want to hear that. Yes or no?"

"If I have to choose… yes."

"That's just great. Now we got another problem." Naruto and Ashura shared a groan as Kurama elaborated, "It's our chakra."

"What?" asked Naruto as the growling grew closer to his position.

"Our combined chakra attracts the creatures here." Kurama spoke. "I can sense several beings of malice coming from all directions to your location."

Naruto sighed heavy as he looked over the tree, scanning for any sign of his attackers. "I don't see them. But something else bothers me."

"What is it?"

"Why the heck do they look human?" Naruto whispered as humans walked out of the thick bush with leaned heads, sniffing for him. "They're obviously not human, but what's with the disguise?" He shifted a little and inadvertently broke a twig doing so. Naruto didn't have to look to know the 'humans' heads staring at the tree he hid behind. "Crap."

Naruto got up and ran in full speed as his attackers chased after him with their sun-glaring eyes directed at his back.

-Urahara's Shop-Karakura Town-

"What did you just say?" asked a dubious Ichigo. He was in the middle of his daily training when two girls and a black cat arrived in the training ground. Ichigo and the others being Orihime, Chad, Renji and Rukia sprang into action until the girl called Rhea informed them of their being allies/friends with Naruto.

That also included the unfortunate news of the blonde's untimely departure.

"He's gone." Medusa repeated for Rhea, both still saddened by Naruto's whereabouts. Kuroka reflected their emotions with a sad meow. "And he won't be back for a while."

"How long is 'a while'?" Renji asked as Rukia pondered about this critical situation.

Rhea shrugged her shoulders. "We don't know."

"Where did he go? Who took him?" asked Rukia, staying alert as did Renji and Ichigo when they sensed the power within the two girls and the cat? "Something is up with that cat. Could it be someone who can transform like Yoruichi?"

"We don't know, but Michael does."

"Michael?" Chad asked until he remembered the time when Naruto's clone was around and mentioned the name. "You mean the Archangel Michael. Did he say anything about Naruto's whereabouts? Any hints?"

"Not really." answered a sad Medusa.

Rhea then remembered the last thing Michael mentioned before taking his leave. "Michael said something about 'the realm where souls are sent for redemption'." She said with air quotes. "But what could that mean?"

"We'll have to figure that soon." Rukia commented as she looked at the new visitors. "Who are you three exactly?"

Renji looked at his longtime friend confusedly. "What are you talking about 'three'? There are only two of them and a cat."

"But that's no normal cat." Rukia kept her gaze and inwardly smirked when the cat showed surprise in its eyes. And she wasn't the only one who noticed it.

"She's right." Ichigo said as he and the others drew their weapons, prompting Medusa to draw her bow and arrow.

Not wanting any bad start from here on, Rhea stood in front of the teenaged crows with her arms spread out. "Stop! We're not here to fight! I told you before: we're Naruto's friends." Seeing no sign of calming down, Rhea sighed deeply. "I'll tell you my name: it's Rhea."

"Wait, did you just say Rhea?" Ichigo asked, getting a nod from the black-haired beauty before he sheathed his weapon. "Everybody… put your weapons away. We can trust her… I think."

Renji got into Ichigo's face, pitting his forehead against the latter's. "What do you mean by that, huh?"

"So you think you can fight against a Titan—the Titan queen specifically—from Greek mythology?" An angry-veined Ichigo spoke through gnashed teeth.

"Eh?!" Everyone shouted in surprise at the sheepish Titaness as she nudged Medusa for her turn.

Medusa stepped forward a little as she looked at the mixed crowd of Shinigami and humans. "I am Medusa, disciple of Shigure Kosaka of Ryouzanpaku and friend of Naruto." She suppressed the incoming blushes and took a deep breath for the last part of her introduction. "I'm also the same Medusa from Greek mythology as well."

Cue the immediate reaction of the Shinigami-Human party covering their eyes.

"I don't have that power anymore." Medusa said, a little hurt by the reactions. She couldn't blame them since her past actions in Ancient Greece had left bad taste in modern times. "Not after Naruto lifted Athena's curse."

"Sorry." Rukia quickly apologized while the others were downtrodden about their reactions. The shorter of the Lieutenants looked at the cat after it landed next to Medusa. "And you are?"

When smoke covered the cat, the Shinigami party was expecting someone plain and normal but instead it was a really hot woman with black hair and cat ears in a revealing black kimono. Rukia and Orihime snorted steam from their noses as the boys practically drooled where they stood while staring the girl.

"Hello, I'm Kuroka, a Nekomata and Naruto's girlfriend." Kuroka said happily.

"Eh?!"

The cheeky Kuroka felt her kimono being tugged and looked to see a dark aura-covered Rhea and Medusa staring at her with red and green eyes. "What was that you said?" Medusa asked threateningly.

"You heard me."

"We know."

After Kuroka's 'treatment', the party moved their discussion to the living room of the upper level and Orihime decided to cheer Medusa and everyone else with cookies and tea. Urahara and his friends soon joined the crowd and received the unfortunate news of Naruto's 'relocation'.

"Any idea where he's at, beautiful?" The sly shopkeeper asked Medusa who simply 'humph' at him. "Feisty. Where did Naruto get his charm to catch not one but three beautiful girls? I'm quite jealous." Urahara chuckled before he put his fan down, showing his serious side as he spoke. "This is really bad timing. Intel suggests Aizen and his forces will invade Karakura Town by week's end. And you say Naruto's disappearance happened three days ago."

"Yes."

"We should go look for him." Ichigo offered quickly.

Urahara looked at the Substitute Shinigami in a scrutinizing way. "Do you have any clues to his whereabouts, Ichigo?" Ichigo shook his head. "Then we have nothing to go on and I doubt that anyone of us can enter let alone find the place Naruto was stashed in." The former Captain turned to his thoughts while Yorouchi began her questioning to the female trio. "If what Michael mentioned is true, no one but Naruto himself can get out of that place. I just hope it's soon."

"Kisuke?" Yoruichi asked her oldest friend. "What are you thinking about?"

Urahara slipped back to his cheerful demeanor. "About the perfect time to take pictures of you ladies in the bathroom."

A second later, an unconscious Urahara with six smoking bumps lay next to the table as everyone drank their tea and ate cookies.

-Hueco Mundo-

Everything was falling into place just as he planned it. His newest additions were almost awakened with their strength returned after centuries of slumber, although he did run into a slight miscalculation regarding his latest soldiers.

"They needed more power than I thought." Aizen mused after the latest footage of his subjects' feeding. 30 unallied Arrancars including seven of his Espada, 50 wild Hollows, and 20 Fallen Angel was what it took for them to reached their full strength in everything. "But it will be worth it once Soul Society falls."

"Of course, Lord Aizen." Tosen said, supporting his leader's statement. Next to him was Gin as the ever-smiling Shinigami stood stiff yet had a playful aura around him like always.

Gin casually said, "Always the loyalist, huh, Tosen?"

"There is nothing wrong with loyalty, Gin."

"Oh no, it's great. Just make to not over-shower it publicly."

Tosen didn't show expression but his body told another story as he slightly turned his head away from Gin. "You're really annoying sometimes."

"I do my best."

Their banter would've continued but a small burst of Spiritual Pressure put a stop to it.

"Gin. Tosen." Aizen called out in his usual demeanor. "Report."

"Reports informed us that Karakura Town is holding a festival on New Years Day as you predicted. It will be the perfect time for our assault. The massive collective of Spiritual Energy will pool in one particular location."

"Our enemies?"

"Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends remain in the city with Lieutenants Rukia Kukichi and Renji Abarai. Most likely they're preparing for our assault." Tosen stated as Los Noches trembled from an unknown source. "Our scouts informed us of unusual activity around the town, but we can't make anything of it yet."

Another tremor shook the massive tower.

"Anything else?"

"That is all, Lord Aizen." Gin answered casually. Aizen released them to leave him be as he stared out to the vast desert that is Hueco Mundo.

"Soon, I will reign all in my sigh for eternal era."

-Unknown Dimension-

"Crap-crap-crap-crap-crap!"

A frantically Naruto looked back and saw a horde of humans chasing him on all fours for better speed, but they looked different than before. Scales of colors from white to black adorned their faces and arms that weren't obscured by the long-sleeved humans. But that's not what bothers him at the moment. It's the whole spewing fireballs at him that has him on the ropes here.

And with no Ninjutsu or Chakra for assistance, all the part of his ninja training falls back to his Taijutsu/Furinji Style skills and his physical prowess.

Reaching a lake ahead, Naruto ran to the nearest tree and felled it with a punch at the roots. He grabbed the grown log and swung it once to hit a non-human through a boulder nearby. Naruto flowed with the momentum as he spun around to knock away three more before throwing the tree like a javelin. A few escaped the trajectory, but the majority of the horde were foolish enough to pool together in a group as the tree javelin slammed them against a nearby felled tree.

"What are you guys?!" Naruto asked aloud as he dodged a claw strike before kicking the non-human into an incoming one nearby. Senses blaring from behind, Naruto turned around and barely stopped a pair of claws from digging into his chest and tearing his heart out as the non-human in front of him snarled in frustration. "You guys don't talk much, huh?"

Cue in another shower of flames chorus from the remaining non-humans.

"Damn!" Naruto had no choice but to fall back and jumped into the surging river. He quickly regretted his decision as the current suddenly got strong and pulled him downstream. The non-humans snarled in frustration at losing their prey and the scent altogether when they saw him disappear further and further down the river until he was gone from their vision.

Flaying and keeping his buoyancy in check as the raging waters try to keep him under its drowning grasps, Naruto turned around in the water and saw nothing but the sky and a vast landscape covered under a dull atmosphere before he felt gravity pulling him down suddenly, causing him to scream as he fell alongside a waterfall to the body of water below.

Moments passed before the wet moss of blonde hair breached the surface, Naruto shot out of the water as he gasped for rapid intake of air into his lungs before gently swimming for land. "Oh…" Naruto groaned after getting out of the water and laid down on the ground as he stared at the sky. "Kurama, how long has it been?"

"48 hours."

"Heh… that long, huh?" Naruto slowly got up and walked away in his drenched and torn clothes, scanning the area and the branches for food. "That's nothing compared to my fighting in the war and I was fighting with all my might that time."

Ashura chimed in as well. "The major difference now is your Ninjutsu; you can't use it in this place. From the beginning till now, you'd been using Taijutsu. That 'Might Guy' you mentioned would've been proud at your prowess."

"Perhaps. Then again, Bushy Brow Sensei would hug me with a sunset in the horizon." Naruto and his tenants shuddered at the memories of Lee and his master's buddy scenes. "I would die by contact for sure." His head snapped to the right when a twig snapped, indicating someone or something nearby. Naruto continued walking after feigning ignorance of it. "Got to find out where I am to begin and if there's a way to escape back home."

The Shinobi continued his stroll through the dense forest, keeping an eye and ear out in his surroundings as the day soon turned to night. Naruto eventually found a clearing beneath a small hill with a cave inside of it and took refuge there after he made sure no one followed him and slept inside for a couple hours' worth of sleep.

At least that was the plan.

A figure covered by the shadows of the pale moonlit trees took silent, long strides toward the cave and entered inside as it looked for the occupant. It didn't take long. Before the figure still covered in darkness, thanks to the cave, stood above the sleeping ninja and pulled out a weapon from its body before pointing it at him.

However, before the shadowed figure could do harm to him with the weapon, 'Naruto' flickered out of existence just as a hand suddenly grasped around its neck while another did the same to the occupied hand. The mysterious figure gasped at the action as it was thrown out of the cave and landed against a tree, shaking its leafs off by the impact.

Naruto's narrowed eyes glued at the one who was following him all day. It was a man who looked rough and had a stiff face that showed the signs of a hardened soldier. A scar etched from the top of his left eyelid to the middle of his cheek that seemed to open and close with each breath. He was wearing a United States Armed Forces battle gear with black emboldened 'United States Navy' on the left shoulder patch.

"United States Navy?" Naruto muttered to himself before speaking to the soldier in English. "Who are you?" The man didn't respond and instead raised his empty right hand, becoming confused afterwards. "You look confused about something." Seeing the man look around him, Naruto couldn't help but snickered. "Looking for this?"

Naruto raised the soldier's weapon that was in his hand. It was a gun, one of humanity's modern and most dangerous weapons. The blonde looked at the black-coated weapon that had a silver anchor on one of its assembled part and some words engraved on it as well.

"SIG Sauer?" Naruto shrugged while he lowered his hand that held the weapon, looking at the soldier who was now glaring at him with stern eyes. "Judging by the hostility you showed me and the things I fought in the past two days, I take it you'd been here for a long time."

"… You're the one who's been fighting the dragons all this time?" The experienced soldier asked in disbelief, getting a nod from the blonde. He did the only thing he could do at a disadvantage now. He laughed. "That's rich! So rich!"

A frantic Naruto tried to shush the soldier to be quiet but the latter refused as he continued to laugh so hard with his arms hugging his sides. Naruto was left with one choice and pointed the gun at the soldier, silencing him albeit with a few snickers here and there.

"Thank you. Now where are we?" Naruto then remembered the soldier's earlier statement. "Did you say I fought dragons? Those things that looked human with the black scales and fire breathing—Oh wow." He slapped him-self in the back of the head. "I'm an idiot."

"Yes you are."

"Was there any doubt about it?"

Naruto grumbled a little. "Jerks!"

"You didn't know?" A shake of the head was his answer. "And you fought them with your bare hands I see." He said after observing the bruising and cuts on Naruto's hands. "And you lived and beat them?"

"Yeah."

"Now I've seen everything." The soldier said before catching the gun from Naruto, pointing it at him a moment later. "That was an idiotic mistake, boy."

Naruto didn't seem worried as he gave a nonchalant shrug. "Perhaps." The soldier pulled the trigger, only to hear a 'click' instead of the trademark 'bang'. Naruto revealed a small rectangular object in his left hand. "Perhaps not."

The soldier sighed while he lowered his now-empty weapon. "Not bad, kid."

"I have my moments." Naruto sat down in front of the soldier. "Now tell me two things I want to know: where are we and who are you."

"…"

"Pal, I bet we could work together to get out of here, but I need to know 'where' here is."

"…You won't believe me."

"I fought a horde of dragons and inexplicably flung you out of a cave with ease." Naruto smartly remarked. "Try me."

"Okay, but you're not going to like it in the end."

-Urahara's Shop-Karakura Town-

Nighttime once again covered the skies over the small town. Stars twinkling like diamonds when the sun shined upon them. It was a time of peace for the exhausted and hard working people to sleep without a care in the world for eight straight hours.

Well… not everyone.

"Hah!"

Rhea performed a palm thrust that sent a shockwave towards one of the boulders within the training ground. The former Titan Queen stared at the heap of rubble before reassuming her favorite martial art stance. Her arms were parallel from each other with one above her head and the other at the bottom, looking like a crescent moon while in a low stance.

The traditional Baguazhang stance: the 'Lion Embraces the Ball'.

After a moment, Rhea stepped forward then swiftly changed directions to the right and left in a zigzag motion as her hands blocked the incoming attacks from shadow figures of different sizes and genders. Although there were few attacks that slipped past her defense, she made up for it with vicious strikes and combos with palm thrusts, elbows, knee strikes, etc.

Her deceased master called it shadow fighting. It was a way many martial artists, especially boxers, use to pretend they're fighting an invisible opponent. This helps the fighter to better themselves and their skills against different styles. Rhea learned this method from her master who happened to have created the original Baguazhang style centuries ago, so kudos for her.

"Hai!"

After thrusting a palm at the last shadow opponent, Rhea couldn't help herself but exert a bit of her power during the motion. Watching her handiwork and feeling satisfied with her training, the Titaness turned around to head for the showers and a good night's sleep.

"ea."

Rhea stopped in her tracks, her surprised eyes scanning the training ground for the person.

"Rh—Ea."

Her eyes slowly changed from surprise to horror when she heard the voice call out her name before it faded.

"Rhea~"

The Titaness ran straight to her temporary room where she, Kuroka and Medusa are currently and covered herself with the futon blanket as she became worried of the one thing she fears the most in this world.

"Naruto… please come back." Rhea pleaded with water-filled eyes. "Please…"

-(The Next Day)-With Medusa-

"What a beautiful day."

Medusa, carrying her bow and quiver full of arrows, stood on one side of a clearing she came across for her daily training. The training ground back in Urahara's Shop worked for her, Rhea and sometimes Kuroka, but today she wanted to change things up a bit. Shigure once told her about changing routine therefore setting challenges. It also will allow her to develop her observational/fighting skills in a faster pace than the regular training methods that are not of Ryozanpaku-related.

There are five apples placed on branches in varying heights of different trees on the opposite of the clearing. The wind is set in a gentle breeze as a shower of leafs floated alongside it. The conditions were perfect now.

Pulling back the string with the arrow at the ready, Medusa performed the breathing technique taught by her master. When she finished exhaling, Medusa opened her eyes and fired the arrow at the first apple, but she didn't stop there as she swiftly fired another a second later followed by three more in fluid motion.

The former priestess-converted warrior walked closer to the trees with a frown appearing moments later. Why? There were three apples on the grass and the remaining two were still on their designated branches. The idea was to hit the apples in the center without knocking them off the branches.

"If master Shigure was here, she would've slashed my clothing off in front of Naruto." Medusa blushed upon the first time the punishment was initiated. It was the day before Christmas Eve and she froze to near-hypothermia, but it wasn't bad overall. That same cold afternoon, Naruto offered her with a blanket, hot chocolate and a blanket for the both of them to snuggle in the main room.

Unfortunately a certain duo of a cat and centuries-old immortal disrupted their alone time and instigated a catfight, one that Naruto and the rest of the male members of the dojo considered to be the best yet.

"Damn that Rhea and Kuroka!" Medusa cursed at the non-present rival beauties. "One of these days, he will be mine!"

"Oh I wonder whom you could be talking about." A familiar voice said behind her.

Medusa's eyes widen in shock after hearing the voice she hasn't heard for centuries… not since the day she was cursed by Athena. She slowly turned around to see the man with the green eyes that seduced her in Athena's temple and felt her anger rise to the surface, but calmed herself down shortly.

"Poseidon."

"Medusa."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"… What are you doing here?" Medusa asked politely with a small angry tone. "How did you find me? What do you want?"

The Olympian seemed to ignore the last question as he looked at the struck apples. "Your archery is impressive. I didn't think you'd take up martial arts."

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me." Medusa replied back, her fingers drumming around her bow, resisting the urge to shoot an arrow through the god's heart. "Again I ask: what are you doing here?"

Poseidon let out a deep sigh. "For something long overdue." He walked closer to his former lover, but stopped when Medusa took a step back. "I'm sorry."

Medusa feigned ignorance with a tilt of her head, prompting Poseidon to specify his apology.

"I'm sorry for what I'd done to you at Athena's temple centuries ago. It was wrong of me."

"That's it?" Medusa asked with her crossed arms, unintentionally pronouncing her breasts more. "Centuries passed by and we haven't seen each other during that time. Now you're here around the time when something big is about to happen…" Her eyes narrowed. "What are you up to?"

Poseidon frowned at the true statement and he wished the circumstances were better. "I'm sorry, but I need you to get a message to my mother and Naruto."

"How did you—"

"—Naruto told me about you and my mother together when he found out about a particular detail I neglected to mention long ago." A curious Medusa tilted her head as Poseidon waved it off. "Putting that aside, I really urge you to pass a message to them. It's of extreme importance."

"For centuries, after you defiled me and ruined my life, I hated you and your family including your parents with a burning passion. I dreamt countless nights of killing you and while I cursed my victims with my gaze. I really hated those who praise or even mention your name." Poseidon solemnly looked at Medusa who was basically trembling at the spot. "But now… that hate is gone."

"Because of Naruto."

"Yes."

"To be honest, I never thought he would lift the curse but I was wrong." Poseidon admitted. "Naruto is something special."

Medusa gave a nod with a small smile. "He sure is." Her finger fiddled with her bracelet Naruto gave her. "He really is." Her smile widened slightly at the Olympian. "So what's the message?"

"Before that, there is someone you should meet that is long overdue. Honestly, he did not want meet you for so long. But after hearing about your recent change, he changed his mind." Poseidon said, getting a confused Medusa in the process.

The confused Medusa tilted her head. "Who is he?" She asked. "And what's that flapping sound?"

"Our son."

A great gust of wind blew over the two immortals, causing dust to slightly cover the clearing. Medusa became wary and slowly shifted her feet as the shadow by the size of it being bigger than her within the dust cloud strolled over to her. Before she could react, Medusa felt something wet and warm lick her entire face from chin to forehead.

"Eh?"

The dust cloud dispersed and revealed the being that was hers and Poseidon's son. There were only two from their union with only one of them having more recognition and fame than the other. The son was a massive stallion that stood before her with its multicolored coat that resembled the rainbow. Its wings matched the rest of its coat and shined like diamonds under the sun.

'Hello mother.'

"Pegasus." Medusa said in awe as her arms wrapped around her son's strong neck. "My son."

Poseidon took a seat against one of the trees and waited as his son and Medusa engaged in a telepathic conversation about their lives.

-Unknown Dimension-

"Please… Please say you're joking." A shocked Naruto pleaded the soldier who only shook his head. The two retreated within the cave for the night's sleep, albeit they couldn't since the two warriors are a little on edge within each other's presence. "You're pulling my chain, aren't you?"

"I wish I was."

"Geez, Mac."

Mac McClan here was a Lieutenant Commander of the United States Navy. He was also a member of Special Operation forces known as SEALs… during Operation Desert Storm. How he came here in this place was a different story but it had one common factor: a stray bolt of lightning struck him while Mac and his unit were in a reconnaissance mission and there was no warning signs of a thunderstorm on that day.

"Trust me. I had the same reaction when a veteran from World War II told me, but you know what they say: 'Seeing is believing'. And after many years in here, I believe what I see."

"Oh man." Naruto said as he soaked in all the new information as much as he could without making a scene. A minute or so, Naruto took a breath. "Wait, what happened to the veteran?"

"Lycans tore him apart."

"Lycans?" Naruto asked with a tilt of the head.

"Werewolves."

"Okay… How do we get out of here, then?" Naruto asked as he began to settle in a somewhat comfy spot despite the wet spots and rocks nearby. Mac was doing the same although a little peeved about his handgun's ammo in possession of the blonde powerhouse.

"If I knew that, I still wouldn't be here right now."

"Good point."

"Although…" Mac said but shook his head in response and Naruto caught it. The blonde gestured him to finish his thought. "One time I overheard the dragons while I was hunting them and—"

Naruto had an incredulous look with a raised hand. "You were hunting the dragons?"

"Hey, a guy's gotta eat here."

"Speaking of eating, I don't feel hungry at all. Since I arrived here, actually."

"Don't worry about that. Hunger kicks in on the newbies much later down the road."

"How long?"

"Usually three weeks in here." Mac answered casually with a shrug.

"I don't want to be here for three weeks." Naruto said. "Anyway you were saying something about the dragons."

"Oh right. As I mentioned before you interrupted me: I was hunting the dragons and before I slaughtered the two, one of them talked about humans who are sent here by accident can leave at any time." Mac responded as intrigue struck Naruto. "They mentioned about a portal that only opens when a human is nearby, but there is a time limit to how long it stays open."

"A portal that only opens when a human is sent here by accident and Mac here seems quite knowledgeable about it." Naruto thought before speaking aloud. "You know a lot about the portal, Mac. If you know how to escape this place, why haven't you done so?"

Mac sighed deeply with closed eyes. "I wasn't sent here by accident. I did some questionable acts during Desert Storm and that's all I have to say about it." He opened his eyes in a stern gaze that left no upcoming argument.

"Got it. But isn't this the place where you have a second chance to redeem yourself? I mean it's been over two decades since Desert Storm. That's plenty of time to redeem yourself."

Mac only shook his head. "I don't want to go back. I'd caused enough pain at home and in the military as well."

"I see." Deciding to change the subject, Naruto asked, "Where is the portal?"

"I'll lead you there tomorrow, but for now let's get some sleep."

Naruto couldn't help but smile a little. "No complaints here. Good night." He closed his eyes slowly as Mac did the same until both pairs shut completely but remained alert of each other.

-(Meanwhile)-

"Found him."

"You sure?"

"Positive." The night's blanket covered the two mysterious figures as they stood atop the climax of a tree with the perfect vantage point… over the cave that shelters their blonde target and his tense associate… miles away. "And he didn't even sense us. What a shame."

"You're sure about that? I would be disappointed if he didn't sense our presence in some way by now." The second voice mentioned as his purple eyes laid on a rocky landscape that was most likely to be the destination of their prey. "He's going over there tomorrow."

His companion gave a nod that couldn't be seen in the shadows. The only sign of his being was his vermillion red eyes. "Yes, but we're going to stop him. He won't escape from here."

"Duh."

-Ryozanpaku Dojo-Tokyo, Japan-

An eerie silence engulfed the usual enthusiastic dojo and its dwelling members. Mostly because of Naruto's harsh exile membership from the dojo before the latter's sudden disappearance by a lightning bolt. Miu and Kenichi continued their daily training with the masters, but their spirit was not at 100 percent into it.

The masters couldn't blame them as their spirits was the same. The worst of all was the Elder. He didn't show it during the reunion with his wife and daughter-in-law, but after their departure he was guilt-ridden of his banishing Naruto just moments before the latter was punished by The Almighty. The Elder remained inside his room in complete solitude and only eats when Miu or Saiga brings him food throughout the day.

As for Kenichi and Miu, a big hole was in their lives but they knew Naruto would say to them whenever they feel down. 'When you're grieving, it is always best to be with people around you. And when you're done, get back out there with a new resolve that's bigger than the previous one.'

Kenichi and Miu slightly smiled upon reminiscing Naruto's words before they continued their kata practice in sync. The five masters were off to the side for their all-round training royale for the duo. Saiga on the other hand stood with a firm gaze upon the duo and saw images of him-self and his wife in them.

Saiga smiled upon seeing that. "Those two are the future." He walked inside the main house while hearing the high-pitched scream from Kenichi moments later. Saiga stopped in front of the room he's been through many times in his youth before walking inside, shutting the door and sat seiza in front of his similarly built father. "Father…"

Nothing came from the Strongest Man in the World.

"You must snap out of it. We need you." Saiga urged his father, only to get answered with silence again. "I know." He noticed the slight perk of Hayato's ears. "I know why you banished Naruto from the dojo." He breathed deeply before exhaling, "It was for our protection: both ours and his. The moment I met him, I knew he was completely different from us. The island proved that."

Hayato slowly lifted his head as his son continued talking about the reason of the banishment.

"Naruto lives in a different world from us and he has enemies beyond our abilities. If by some chance they were watching us on the island, cutting our ties with Naruto probably saved us from their clutches." Saiga closed his eyes briefly before he opened them. "And I'm sure Naruto knows this as well given his reaction when you banished him on the spot. In fact, I think he was even planning to cut ties with us sooner or later him-self."

Hayato sat there as his son left the room to bring lunch for him while remembering the last conversation on the island before everything went chaotic.

(Flashback Begins)

"Master."

Hayato looked at his doorway to see his disciple standing there with a downtrodden look. "Naruto, what is it?"

"There's something I need to tell you. It's been on my mind for a while… actually since I accepted your training." Naruto took a seat in front of his master. "I can't do it."

"Meaning?"

"I can't follow the Katsujinken. Not completely anyway."

Hayato wasn't pleased to hear those words, but his years of experience and calm prevailed as he listened to his disciple's reasoning.

"There are enemies out there… enemies that I face now and will probably face in the future…" Naruto breathed to calm his nerves. "I fear there will come a day when those enemies will commit horrible acts against the innocent to spite me or my friends. Acts that leave no room for second chances and I'm always about second chances to those who are misguided."

"…"

"I understand you're disappointed in me, but the best I could do for you, your family, the masters, and this dojo is a promise. I promise I will never, never use your fighting style and its techniques to harm or kill people." Naruto paused briefly before he continued, "I can only hope you'll forgive me."

The Furinji Elder was alone to his thoughts when Naruto left and long did he think about it.

*Bam*

The Elder stood up and left his room with a smoking and freshly made hole in the floor of his room.

(Flashback Ends)

Hayato looked at the ceiling as if he could see the sky itself as clear as he was outside and prayed for his former disciple's safe return from his punishment, wherever that is.

"May the Katsujinken guide you, Naruto."

-Karakura Town-

It was another session of training for preparation of the upcoming battle against Aizen and his Arrancar forces. It was estimated by the Soul Society's intelligence agency about the enemy forces will breach Karakura Town for its inhabitants and the collective Spirit Energy gathered within the town in three days.

The youngsters sat on the sidelines with lunch prepared by Orihime, Urara and the loud mouth kid who was forcibly laid to nap thanks to Yoruichi's steaming fist. Only Medusa, Kuroka and Rhea was still practicing to sharpen their skills in case Naruto doesn't return from his punishment in time when the battle begins.

Speaking of battles, Medusa and Kuroka made the first strikes against the Titaness with the bow and pink fire balls, respectively. Rhea deflected the arrows and fireballs with her dual bladed fans as she back-stepped to gain distance from her sparring partners while making observations of themselves.

It was quite interesting to see three of them have different approach in combat. Medusa was mainly a long-range fighter and under Shigure Kosaka's teachings, a weapons expert. Although her skill level remains unknown since she hasn't been in combat against a strong opponent. Kuroka was also a long-range fighter while classified by Orihime as the 'magician' of the group since she usually uses her magic of Youjutsu and Senjutsu together instead of hand-to-hand combat. As for Rhea, she knows her specialty to be close combat like Naruto and her weapons of choice are Baguazhang along with other martial art styles including Tessenjutsu; her weapon martial art of Japanese origins.

With the three of them with different fighting styles, they could really help Ichigo, his friends and Soul Society fight Aizen.

However, something was on Rhea's mind as she still couldn't shake off the disturbing voice that called her nights before. She couldn't tell the others because they had enough on their plate to worry about already.

"Hey, wake up!"

"Eh?" Rhea snapped to her senses to see incoming projectiles and dodged them

Medusa fumed as she snorted loudly and looked at the sheepish Kuroka. "Why did you alert her?! We could've gotten her at that moment!"

"But it wasn't fair~" Kuroka pouted as she looked away from her orange-haired counterpart. "She kinda looked out of it for a moment."

A confused Medusa looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"Like she wasn't completely into the sparring."

The two beauties looked at the Titaness who simply stared at them. "What?" Rhea asked before Kuroka and Medusa walked up to her. "What is it?"

"Is something going on, Rhea?" Medusa asked.

"Yeah, w-why?" Rhea tried to wave it off as nothing, but her friends didn't look convinced at all.

Kuroka was next after she and Medusa placed their hands on Rhea's shoulders. "What is it?" Seeing her hesitate, Kuroka insisted, "Given that we all like Naruto and most likely have fun in the bedroom in the near future—" Cue nosebleeds from the boys and blushes from the girls, especially Medusa and Rhea. "—I think it'd be our best interest to trust us and talk if something bothers you. If Naruto was here, he would ask any one of us if there's something bothering us. I know I would tell him."

"…"

"I saw Poseidon the other day." This surprised Kuroka and Rhea greatly since the former priestess had bad memories with the Olympian that led to her being cursed by Athena. Medusa talked about Poseidon meeting her in the woods, his apology and her entire spent evening with her estranged son, Pegasus. "In the end, it was nice."

"See, Rhea?" Said girl looked at her black-haired counterpart. "You can trust us."

"…" Rhea lowered her head, shadowing her eyes from sight.

Moments passed by before Medusa and Kuroka shrugged their shoulders together as they were about to eat their lunch with the others until…

"Two nights ago…" Kuroka and Medusa stopped as they turned around to see a sad Rhea with teary eyes. They quickly hugged her to comfort her. "I heard… I heard a voice. It was a voice I never wanted to hear again."

"Whose voice?" Kuroka and Medusa asked concernedly. Their eyes widened in shock when Rhea whispered the name to them, leaving the trio to have one single thought.

"Naruto, come back soon! We need you here!"

-Unknown Dimension-

Naruto sneezed as he and Mac were hiking through the tough terrain since the break of dawn in this place. Naruto still couldn't believe that he was here: Purgatory. He doesn't know much about Purgatory, but wouldn't let himself be dragged down by his lack of knowledge on the matter. All he can do is to move forward and find out what he must do in order to repent for his action of raising Miu's mother and grandmother from the dead.

Hopefully the Elder would forgive him, but that's a long shot in the dark.

Naruto snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a branch snapped nearby and stopped in his tracks. Mac, who looked back at the blonde at the time, also stopped as well and raised his SIG to load the ammo clip Naruto had given back since their trek as a gesture of faith and trust.

"Trouble?" Naruto nodded, prompting Mac to pull out his combat knife with his left hand. "Where is it?"

"Them." Naruto corrected his associate.

"Them?"

A loud cackle echoed around the duo, putting them more on edge than before. "As expected of you…" Naruto and Mac turned around to see two cloaked figures with hoods that hid their faces from their eyes. "Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto narrowed his eyes at them. "How do you know who I am?"

"You'll find out soon enough after we beat you." The figure on the left replied cheekily.

Naruto raised a brow in response to this. "Me? I think you think you need to learn how to count because there are two of us here: me and Mac." He said with a thumb pointed behind him.

"Mac who?" The figure on the right asked in a casual tone. "Not that I really care how many of you are against us."

"Him." Naruto turned around to see Mac, but there was no one there. Not only that, there were no signs of his being anywhere: no boot marks and visible disturbance in the nature around. "Mac? Mac, where are you?!" Instincts flared as he ducked under a punch before lashing out with a sweep kick to knock his attacker down.

"You're all alone like you've always been."

"Damn it." Naruto assumed his stance as the two figures did the same although they belonged to different martial arts. "Why me?"