Chapter 1: A sack of trash

"The rules are simple, the player with no cards at the end of the game wins. I will now go through the rules before we commence.

Rule number 1: any card with the number 8, causes the next player to miss their turn.

Rule number 2: a King changes the direction of which the game is being played.

Rule number 3: a black Jack causes the next player to pick up 5 cards and a red Jack cancels any pick up card.

Rule number 4: a Queen, is known as a whore, one must cover her up with another card of the same suit.

Rule number 5: any card with the number 2, causes the next player to pick up 2 cards.

Rule number 6: a player can bring another player back by either a reverse card or a pick up card.

Rule number 7: the game will start from a card from the pick up deck, if a player does not have a card in their possession with the same suit or number then they must pick up one card from the pick up deck.

Rule number 8: an Ace allows a player to change the suit of cards being put down, however cannot put down another card above that until their next turn.

Rule number 9: A joker can embody any card of a player's desire whether it be a black Jack or a number card.

Rule number 10: all players begins with 7 cards due to the limited participates.

My God and my prince, do you accept these conditions?"

"I do". A blond boy spoke with undying determination. He was going to win. Failure was no longer an option with his freedom at stake.

"I do". Spoke an older male. 'Losing' was a word that did not exist in his dictionary. Therefore obtaining full control of his son's future was as simple as torturing impure souls.

"I will begin the game by shuffling the cards and placing a starting card down, any player can place a card down after I've done so".

The headless dealer gave 7 cards to each player. His action ended once he placed a card-face up at the centre of a circular blood-coloured table with two immortal beings sitting opposite to each other.

The card revealed...

The 7 of hearts.

A 16 year old boy woke with a frown present on his face. His eyes rapidly scanned every inch of the room which now bore over 350 participants. He was in an exam, well waiting to take an exam. The thought calmed him and a sterner, emotionless expression took control of his face. Just as he have learnt from his father when experiencing flashbacks, he should never reveal anything sentimental and always build up your guard, that he surprisingly dropped.

"Naruto, you need not worry, have you forgotten about the task you had given me? I was ordered to watch over you whilst you slept". His behaviour felt familiar.

"My apologises Kurama, It seems my dream, no my flackback of the game between father and I, spurred me to act pathetically".

"My prince—".

"Naruto". The sapphire-eyed boy corrected.

"Of course... Naruto, you have no reason to apologise. I too would act similarly— no far worse if I dreamt of that daunting day".

"Let us move from that matter, any updates about our situation?" The blond teen telepathically inquired to petit fox on his lap.

"As you can see, the number of participants has increased. I have memorised all their names and numbers for further uses. Would you like me to educate you of these new arrivals?"

"No, this is enough. Are there any entertaining mortals that I should befriend?". Naruto gracefully stood up. He back left the stone wall and the fox-demon that was once on his lap carefully climb onto his head, ensuring his claws didn't harm his master.

"For the meantime, I believe it's best to stay as you are, there are currently 4 that I have picked out for you, but their personalities may drive you to committing a crime".

"That just drives my curiosity Kurama." A smirk took form on his peachy lips. His eyes that were once soulless now preached mischief when landing on a fascinating looking man.

"What about the clown that's sitting across me? How is he like?" Naruto leaned his back against the wall in his standing position, with his boss-like attire. He wore simple black trousers accompanied with a white dress-shirt and black vest. His sleeves were folded to his elbows and a black chain hung on his neck with its back hidden under his collar and front revealing a black ring. Its centre was also pitch black. On his hands were butler-like gloves. At first glance, anyone would mistake him for a 'young master' or even a hitman.

"The air around him appears dangerous to regular mortals. He has also been sneaking glances at you, however he does this to other applicants".

"So he's analysing his potential opponents?"

"In a way, yes".

Kurama received a hum as an answer. The demon couldn't help but also sneak glances at his master. He was so breathtaking with his pale-yellow hair that ended at his lower back and crystal blue eyes that remained cold to anyone other than his loved ones. Kurama sat within the category of 'loved ones' since, from their first meeting, always stood by his kit and protected him. He was, at times, jealous of the God that was given the title 'father' by his kit, but still favoured his current status: Naruto's first friend and trusted partner. Occasionally, the demon was forced to call the boy prince so the word often slipped from his tongue, however Naruto's correction delighted him and reminded him of their closeness.

"Hey, number 1!" The shout of an older man entered his ears, pulling the demon away from his thoughts.

"My name is Tonpa, applicant 16, what's your name?" This introduction caught the eyes of a few other who were either sniggering or entertaining themselves by watching. The clown was under the second category.

"Naruto". His words were short. It lacked interest as well as emotion despite its sweet tone. "You're a rookie, right? If you were going to ask why I know this, then it's because I've taken this exam numerous of times so I can easily spot any new faces".

"Hn". Naruto's gaze moved away, showing that he wished to end the conversation. Kurama's slit orbs still observed the heavily-weighted man.

Tonpa's mood dampened but soon shifted once he realised it. He continued smiling, hiding a disgusting grin behind his facade, "do you want a drink, you seem a little thirsty. If you're not, then you can keep it for when you are later". The Kyūbi watched the man pull open his bag and grab a can of expired drink. The rotten smell was almost nonexistent to most humans' noses, however for Kurama, one sniff of the air surrounding it was enough to recognise the man's plan.

He was trying to sabotage his kit!

The sniggers in the background grew and the number of eyes watching multiplied to 18. "Here". The man extended his arm to give the boy, but froze when a tail wrapped around this wrist.

"Calm down Kurama".

Naruto softly petted the snout of the one-tailed-fox whom's fangs were released and was growling deeply. He had moved away from playing with the ring by his chest to soothing his partner's predicted rage.

Silence engulfed the room. No laughters were heard and people who were talking realised other's shocked gaze and quieted to spectate as well.

"I-Er c-can you tell your pet to move its tail?" Tonpa was now sweating raindrops, now realising that foxes had strong snouts so smelling the expired drink was possible.

A pulse of blood ran to Naruto's head. But he had to remain calm. Murdering a human because he assumed Kurama was a pet was not a justified reason to avoid possible disqualification.

"Kurama". The boy did not say anymore as he knew the fox understood its order. The demon did as it was told and reluctantly released the man. The latter shedded a small smile and raised his hand to offer the drink to the boy.

Naruto accepted it which internally pleasured the man; causing his hidden grin to grow more foul. He watched the teen open the can... and pour it over his head until its final drop. Tonpa's eyes became as large as oranges, his mouth gaping open at the boy's action. How did he know?

"Next time you try food poisoning an applicant, ensure they don't see that revolting grin that you're trying so hard to hide. Also target people without a pet, the the rotten smell could be spotted by a fox a mile away". Tonpa was scared, no shocked. His plan has been foiled, and now that this had happened, he looked back at the participants that were on his list to sabotage next, he couldn't crush any more rookies. This damned kid. Tonpa's cheeks reddened with embarrassment as well as anger.

One of his hands closed into a fist and rushed to the beauty's face. Before both could connect, Tonpa's hand was stopped by a tail that once against held his wrist, but this time more firmly. The older man struggled for less than a minute before remembering the existence of his other hand and aimed at the boy who was playing with his ring just as before. This damned kid! His rage piled up, strengthening his attack.

Just like before, his wrist was caught by a tail, shocking the older man and some who were spectating. The fox laying on the blond's head now had 9 tails. The 7 dangled by Naruto's left side of his face whilst the last 2 (on the right) stopped Tonpa's punches.

"W-what, how?" He asked but wasn't verbally answered. Instead, was forcefully kicked from his stunned mind when his head crashed against the ground below him. His nose was now bleeding and teeth and lips were coloured with a familiar scent of red. Above him was Naruto with his hands in his pockets, looking incredibly bored. One of his foot was pressing against his head, increasing his pain. W-when, How?! Who is this kid?!

Naruto had sent the man an axe-kick; he first flexibly sat his heel on the man's head before, flicking his leg downwards, sending the older man to his current position and kept him there with a foot on his head, after telepathically telling Kurama to let go. He didn't like the attention they were gaining so shutting the mortal up was a good decision. He moved his foot towards the latter's neck and strengthened the pressure.

Tonpa breathing hitched, causing him to wiggle under the boy's foot, attempting to escape his grasp. The air in his body drastically deteriorated due to his movements causing him to quickly weaken.

A minute later and Tonpa was now unconscious. In some minds, he was dead, however the light pulse that ran through his body said otherwise.

"Mortals are disgusting, should I bring you a change of shoes since your current ones touched that sack of trash?"

"No need for that Kurama." But Naruto couldn't help but rethink his answer when glancing at his newly-brought shoes that were a little wet underneath.

"It is the drink that you emptied on the mortal's head."

"Right... perhaps I should change them."

"Immediately I propose, the smell is irritating my nose. I'm surprised you're not feeling any similar."

Naruto brought his hand over his lips to hide his chuckle. "Benefits of having half of my power removed. To think I might agree with father's decision of making me weaker."

Moving away from the stench, Naruto bluntly ignored the golden orbs that followed his figure.

"A blooming fruit", the male's eyes lingered on the boy, even when he stopped moving; having arrived at a corner to change a piece of his outfit, "a little too delicious to finish at our first encounter."

His face grew a grin, as his body trembled with complete excitement; not caring about the attention he was drawing. "Naruto...

What should I do with you?"