Chapter 15

Don't call me a zero

I'm gonna be a hero

Like Phil Esposito or the Kennedys

I'll be incorporated

And I'll be imitated

And overrated, but that doesn't bother me

All the jaws will drop

And all the girls will scream

And there will be commotion when I show up on the scene

All that you will see is a celebrity

-Barenaked Ladies, "Celebrity"

 [Hmm. Pretty young for a Speaker. He worth the title?]

 As things turned out, it had been fairly easy to reach the mountain lair of the ferret chief, who was now looking up at Naruto with a pair of half-lidded eyes. The spiky-haired boy hoped it was because Lord Yama was still sleepy and not out of distrust, as it had been with Lady Sunflower.

 The Ebon Shadow nodded, perhaps more confident than his master because he knew the ferret better.

 [You have my word, Lord Yama. He is ready for the task.]

 The ferret combed its whiskers lazily with its paws, Naruto's instincts deciphering the movement as a yawn. Like all of the chiefs he had seen so far, Lord Yama was twice the size of his normal subjects, although he was taller rather than longer, as Lady Sunflower had been. The ferret chief also boasted a sleek coat of pure white fur, which the Ebon Shadow had told him was the mark of the ferrets' ruling family.

 [You're the know-it-all. I'll take your word for it. Hail to the chief, and all that. So whatcha doin' up here? Bears get on your case when ya tried to give 'em the Blessing?]

 Naruto gaped down at the furry animal, stunned at the ferret's knowledge.

 "You already know about that?"

 [Nah, common sense. They've been getting their asses kicked pretty bad. A new Speaker's only gonna make 'em complain harder about havin' to fight the wolf Clans. Me, I say they wouldn't have so many problems if they'd just learn to loosen up already.]

 "Well, that's their problem. My problem is I gotta find the wolves a leader, and I was hopin' to find a pal of mine to maybe see if he's heard the rumors about an oasis in the desert. You know a kid ferret called Itachi?"

 [Sounds familiar. The half-breed, Rooster's kid?]

 "Yeah, that's him. You know where he lives, don't you?"

 [Not a clue.]

 Naruto picked himself and the Ebon Shadow off the ground from where they'd facefaulted before he responded.

 "You're the chief! Shouldn't you have to know that stuff?"

 Lord Yama shrugged, managing to look cute and nonchalant at the same time.

 [Ain't my fault his pop's too lazy to bring the little punk up here and gimme the details. Relax, Speaker. I gotcha covered. Rooster's probably out chasin' a chicken dinner by now, but his brother should still be home. He'll know where your boy is.]

 "His brother? You mean Itachi's Uncle Sushi?"

 [Yup. Sushi's got scavenging down to a science, but he has to wait until the dinner rush for the big score. Sun ain't set yet, so he'll be under the sushi place snoozin' until dusk. Come on, I'll take ya there.]

 "Take me there? I figured you'd just send me down and go off to eat."

 Lord Yama snorted, scampering up Naruto's legs and onto his shoulder, where he curled around the young Speaker's neck, only slightly heavier a burden than Itachi usually was.

 [Why do that when I can get in good with the Speaker and get a bite to eat at the same time?]

 Naruto pondered the thought for a moment until he caught the ferret's meaning.

 "I know you didn't just say I gotta buy dinner for you, Lord Yama."

 [Come on, what's the point of bein' such a big shot if ya can't treat your buddies to a meal once in a while? I don't eat much – well, not for a Human, anyhow.]

 Naruto shrugged and turned back towards the village, looking up as the Ebon Shadow rose into the air to follow.

 "You know, you only said I had to handle the big problems, not break the bank buyin' meals for every hungry animal in the Konoha Forest."

 The raven was still laughing when they reached the foot of the mountain.

* * *

 [Oi, Sushi! Get out here. The new Speaker's gotta find that half-breed nephew of yours.]

 [What'd he do this time, Boss?]

 Naruto listened intently, and barely made out the second, faint animal voice over the racket coming from the Niko Sushi restaurant. He was rather distracted at the moment, as Niko Sushi, coincidentally enough, sat right across the street from the familiar curtain of the Ichiraku ramen stand. Between the chatter of customers at both restaurants, the growling of his stomach, and Lord Yama shouting in his ear, it was kind of difficult to hear anything at all.

 The ferret chief sounded amused with that response.

 [What, is there something I should know about?]

 Sushi's reply surprised none of them.

 [Eh, ask Rooster. It's his kid.]

 Naruto had an easier time hearing that, as he saw a furry black-and-white shape emerge from underneath the Niko Sushi building. Itachi's Uncle Sushi had, it appeared, finally roused himself. Lord Yama greeted him with a chuckle.

 [Ah, he didn't do nothin'. I'm just messing with you. Speaker wants to ask him about some rumors goin' round the forest. Where's the kid live?]

 [That all you wanted to know? Check that flower shop down on Tsuruoka Street. I seen him messin' around with some Human girls in that neighborhood, gettin' fed and cuddled. So when I ask him about it, he says he hangs out there 'cause Human girls are always comin' in and out to buy flowers. It's the perfect place for him to score treats and stuff.]

 Naruto shook his head disgustedly.

 "First a perverted sensei, and now a perverted sidekick. People are gonna start thinking it's rubbing off on me!"

 For the second time that day, several animals had a good laugh at the blonde boy's expense.

* * *

 "Itachi! Get your furry, perverted butt out here! Your little vacation's over."

 Yamanaka Ino blinked briefly as she heard Naruto's yell come through her window, on the second floor of the flower shop. Who was the hyperactive boy talking to? Nobody named Itachi lived at her house. Just as she was about to ignore it, Naruto shouted again. This time, the sound was even closer, which meant he was definitely talking to someone inside.

 "Itachi, I know you're in there! Your Uncle Sushi told us where you live, so get out here already! I ain't got all *#&!#@$ day!"

 A large sweatdrop formed on the back of the blonde kunoichi's head. Uncle Sushi?

 Naruto was really confusing her now. And if there was one thing Ino wasn't in the mood for, being out of the Chuunin Exam and ticked at Shikamaru, it was having a loudmouthed blonde Genin yelling stuff through her window that didn't make sense. Storming over to the window, she threw it open and leaned out into the street with a yell of her own.

 "Would you shut up already, Naruto? There's nobody named Itachi in my family, and I certainly don't have an Uncle Sushi! Go annoy someone else!"

 "Who said anything about your family? I ain't talking to someone in the building, I'm talking to someone under it."

 Under the building? Another sweatdrop joined the one already on the back of Ino's head. Just as she was about to yell at him again, the blonde girl looked down – and did a double take. Beside Naruto stood a gigantic raven; a white ferret bigger than any she'd ever seen was perched on his left shoulder. And down by the rose bushes her mother had planted in front of the flower shop, a smaller gray ferret had emerged, swiftly racing up onto Naruto's right shoulder.

 "Took you long enough. What were you doing, taking a dump?"

 [Hey, I'm not a morning ferret. I'm not even an afternoon ferret! You wake me up from a sound sleep, how fast do you think I'm gonna be moving?]

 [Faster than that, next time your Speaker's got a job for you. Got it, brat?]

 The younger ferret did his own double take when he heard his chief speak.

 [B-B-B-B-Boss? What're you doin' here?]

 [Missin' out on valuable eatin' time because your punk ass was sleeping in. What else?]

 "Okay, Lord Yama, leave him alone. Ain't his fault I never asked him where he lived. Now that I know, I won't need to drag you away from the mountain to find him anymore…and I won't have to buy you dinner either."

 [Psh. Where's the fun in that?]

 Ino watched in growing puzzlement, having only heard what Naruto was saying. What was he doing with two giant animals accompanying him, and why was the boy acting like he was having a conversation with them?

 "Did all those punches from Sakura finally scramble your brain? What is this, Naruto's Wild Kingdom? You can talk to the birdies now?"

 Naruto looked up at her and snorted.

 "Just birds? What do I look like, Shino or Kiba? I'm friggin' multilingual!"

 THAT wasn't what I figured he'd say. Yamanaka Ino often thought she had been named wrong, and not just because Sakura called her a pig all the time. It was more because she really liked cats. Certainly her curiosity, like a feline's, was now really getting ahold of her.

 "You're serious about this. You can talk to them?"

 Now Naruto was just being sarcastic.

 "No, I like to hear the sound of my voice. Of course I can talk to them! Whaddaya think I am, crazy?"

 "Well, you look crazy!"

 "WHAT!?"

 "Who else would go around with a bunch of gigantic animals and have conversations with them in broad daylight?"

 Naruto turned his head slightly as Lord Yama's voice intruded on his argument with Ino.

 [She's got you there, kid.]

 "Would you stay out of this? You're not helping!"

 "There, Naruto! You see what I mean? The ferret didn't even say anything!"

 Naruto threw his hands up in exasperation.

 "THAT'S BECAUSE YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE'S SAYING! Geez, this is getting me nowhere."

 Lord Yama's ears perked up at that.

 [Really? Good, then we can go eat. I'm starving.]

 Naruto clapped a hand to his forehead.

 "Is your stomach the only thing you can think about? Someone thinks I'm a nutcase here!"

 [So explain it to her! Worst that could happen is she thinks you're a loon, which she already does.]

 Silent so far, the Ebon Shadow contributed some advice of its own.

 [Lord Yama may be on to something. Why not ask her to let you explain the situation in detail?]

 "Is that even allowed?"

 The raven flapped its wings, its version of a shrug, and replied with the faintest hint of a smirk in its voice.

 [I think we can make an exception here, to keep you from being committed to an asylum.]

 The spiky-haired boy rolled his eyes.

 "Oh, funny. You're a real comedian. But I ain't got any better ideas…why not?"

* * *

 "I still can't believe I'm doing this."

 Naruto glanced over to where Ino was walking beside him on the way to Setsuna's restaurant.

 "Come on, even if ya don't believe me, why pass up a free meal?"

 The kunoichi bristled at that.

 "What do I look like, a beggar? I can get free meals at home!"

 "Yeah, but can you get free meals of Grade A ramen? Trust me, my aunt's restaurant has a great cook. He sucks at playing cards, but he can cook like nobody's business."

 Ino couldn't help but smile at that. Only Naruto would consider ramen to be gourmet cuisine. But something he had said just now was still bothering her.

 "You say you have an Advanced Bloodline, and that's how you can talk to animals. But which parent did you get it from? I've never even heard of a clan that can do that."

 Careful, Naruto. Don't want to disobey Dad's orders and spout off that you're the son of a Hokage. Naruto hated to lie, especially now that he was trying to convince Ino he wasn't crazy, but his father's words had been clear – he was not to just tell people who and what he was for merely personal reasons. Without being able to talk to Arashi, he couldn't figure out if talking to the blonde girl counted as personal. Why bother taking the risk of angering his father?

 "Well," he began, scratching his head, "that's the weird part. I've never known who my parents were, and nobody wants to tell me when I ask. All it takes to activate my bloodline limit is the user's belief that the wild animals in the forest aren't just mindless creatures, but living, thinking, feeling beings. So I'm sitting there in the forest a little while back, and I started to wonder what it'd be like if all that birdsong was really birds tryin' to tell each other something like we do. Before I know it, I'm hearing voices instead of chirping, and now I got the problems of an entire forest firmly planted on my shoulders."

 Ino looked skeptical, as he'd figured.

 "Even assuming I believe that, why wouldn't the animals have told you at least which side of your family gave you the Bloodline Limit, so you could research it yourself?"

 "Wild animals don't see much to like about humans, Ino. I'll leave you to figure out why, but it means they don't take much stock in remembering our names. Their memories are more focused on what's going on in their world. It didn't exactly help that most of the animals that knew my parents personally are dead. I asked all I could, but I could only get vague physical descriptions. And if the people in the village weren't gonna answer me when I asked about names, they sure as hell ain't gonna help me with matching a name to a vague face."

 "Why not? Isn't it a valid question? You couldn't even ask Hokage-sama?"

 "I've tried," Naruto sighed, "but even he always says he's too busy."

 Which was technically true – Naruto had discovered who his parents were directly from Arashi, and the Third had simply admitted it. Every other time before, like when he was in the Hokage's office for some prank or fight, the old shinobi had stonewalled him. That, at least, had been understandable. Arashi had asked the Third not to tell anybody, least of all Naruto. The reactions he got from the rest of the village were less clear, and Naruto figured he'd better let Ino know about it.

 "Don't ask me about the village either. I never killed anybody, or did anything some paint or glue couldn't fix, but people seem to hate me anyway. It's like there's some kind of conspiracy to shut me out of everything."

 Ino knew that much. Naruto had been an outcast well before their days at the Academy. When other children were having playdates in preschool, he had always been on his own. But there was a difference between not knowing who your parents were and being able to talk to animals all of a sudden.

 "I still say you're going to have to do better than some weird 'I just believe' explanation to make me think you're not a lunatic."

 Naruto made a noise that was halfway between a growl and a snarl.

 "Oh, forget it. I'm hungry. Let's get something to eat, and then I'll start over from the beginning. Maybe repeating it'll get you to change your mind."

* * *

 Slinger Ozaki made a face as Naruto stepped into Setsuna's restaurant.

 "Come to collect on that poker game, kid?"

 Naruto just grinned. He hadn't known his aunt's former boss or her fellow waitress Miki for long, but hanging around them since Setsuna had arrived had given him three times the family he'd had before. He enjoyed their company – when Slinger wasn't pestering him about ninjutsu or trying to win a bet.

 "Sure, unless you feel like you wanna go for double or nothing, old man."

 A feral grin spread over Slinger's face, and the broad-shouldered cook produced a deck of cards from one of his apron pockets.

 "Is that so? Okay, here's the rules. Seven card stud, deuces and jokers wild..."

 The frizzy-haired waitress sighed as she saw her former boss getting ready to go further into debt.

 "Slinger! Don't you think you're already in a deep enough hole?"

 "Come on, that was beginner's luck. He can't beat the master card shark twice in a row!"

 Shinobi and chef sat down at the first open table and cards began to fly. It took all of ten minutes for their impromptu game to end.

 "So let's see. That's twenty bowls of ramen, the scroll about Stone Village jutsus, ten new kunai and the deed to your apartment you owe me, on top of the five bowls of ramen I came to collect on."

 "Prove it!"

 "Hey, you're the one with the rules card. Straight flush beats a full house!"

 "Naruto, dear, couldn't you take a little pity on him? You know how Slinger is at poker."

 Naruto shrugged, looking up to see a pleading expression on Miki's face. The red-haired woman reminded him of a cross between the Hinata of old and the one that had emerged during the preliminary matches, and she was much easier to get along with than either Slinger or Setsuna. Oh, why not? 

 "Fine, he can keep the kunai and the apartment. I already got a house."

 Behind Naruto, Slinger, and Miki, four equal-sized sweatdrops rolled down the heads of a kunoichi, two ferrets and a raven.

 Slinger wore a distinctly sour expression as he and Miki brought out five large bowls of ramen to Naruto's table, which the blonde boy noticed.

 "Slinger, I kicked your butt fair and square. You better not have spit in the ramen or something."

 Miki giggled, and the cook grumbled something unintelligible.

 "Honestly, Naruto. You know I wouldn't let him do that."

 "I know you wouldn't, Aunt Miki. Sore Loser Man behind you is a different story."

 The Ebon Shadow looked over at the steaming bowls laid out on the table, and hopped off the table.

 [It looks clean, at any rate. I'll be off now for my meal, Speaker.]

 "You ain't staying to eat?"

 [Unfortunately, I cannot eat Human food like Lord Yama and Itachi can. I will be waiting for you at the Uzumaki house when you have finished.]

 "Suit yourself, Shadow. This is good stuff."

 [I'm sure it is. Nevertheless, my taste runs more to carrion.]

 "Well, everybody's got their quirks. See you on the way back out."

 The raven hopped over to an open window, spread its wings, and flew out of the restaurant.

 Ino's curiosity perked up again (it helped that she was already done with her ramen).

 "Way back out? Where are you supposed to be going?"

 "Actually," Naruto muttered, pointing to Itachi, who he had handed a bowl of ramen to, "that's where Lazybones here was supposed to help me out. I'm lookin' for an oasis near the Wind Country border, to resolve one of those forest problems I told you about. Only problem is, there ain't any detailed area maps, so I got no idea where I'm supposed to go. Figured if anyone would know about a rumor in the forest, a ferret would."

 "Is that all you need to know? I could tell you that much!"

 Naruto, chopsticks halfway to his mouth, stopped dead in his tracks, joined by both of the ferrets.

 "Are you serious? You know how to get to the oasis?"

 The kunoichi muttered a few curses under her breath. She knew how to get there, all right. Each and every step of the six miles it took each way to travel there from her house. For some odd reason, Yamanaka Inoshi believed meditation in that godforsaken place actually helped the Shintenshin work better. And if there was one thing Ino's father was strict about, it was improving the family jutsu.

 "If you go six miles straight northeast from my house, you'll hit it eventually. My dad always makes us go out there to meditate, you know, because of the Shintenshin."

 "Yeah. Your Bloodline Limit, right? Plus you got that funky move you busted out against Sakura. Whatcha call that again, the Dream Weaver?"

 Ino wasn't sure what surprised her more, the fact that Naruto knew her family's ability, or the fact that he still remembered the techniques of someone not in his team. Before she could say anything, the blonde boy continued to talk.

 "I gotta say, that was pretty cool. You nearly had her broken down into a quivering mush and you barely had to lift a finger."

 Why would he say that about his own teammate? I thought Naruto was in love with her!

 "Should you be saying that about Sakura? I mean, you're on the same team. Why would you compliment me instead of her?"

 Naruto shook his head.

 "Who said I was on her team anymore?"

 "Now you're making even less sense than before."

 "How plain do I have to make it? I quit Team 7, and resigned from Kakashi-sensei's command, effective the day after the preliminary matches."

 Ino's jaw would have dropped all the way down to the table if that had been physically possible.

 "How is that possible? You can't just up and change teams. Genin don't have that right."

 "True. But when I pass the Chuunin Exam, I ain't gotta worry about that, do I?"

 "And what if you don't pass?"

 Naruto shrugged.

 "Hokage-sama said he'd look into placing me with a team that someone got promoted out of, but worst case, I go back with Sasuke and Sakura. Still, it ain't like I'm gonna worry about that. I'm workin' my ass off during this break, and I'm gonna pass. I have to."

 This was certainly a change from the way she'd seen him act in the forest. Why would he suddenly want to get away from his teammates so much?

 "Is it really that important?"

 For once, the hyper Genin actually looked serious, catching Ino's attention.

 "Yeah, I'd say so."

 "Why? You've got a great team! You guys can handle just about anything."

 "You're right and you're wrong. We can handle a lot, but we're no team. Sakura's fixated on Sasuke, Sasuke doesn't take notice of anybody, and I ain't too fond of either of them. We just look like a team because me and Sasuke wind up having to pull Sakura's butt out of trouble so often. That's no way to work, Ino. If the three of us are gonna grow and become stronger, being kept together is only gonna slow us down. We don't have enough in common to make it work right, so someone has to go. Just happens that I was the first one to have the idea."

 Ino shrugged, and as she did, her eyes drifted over to where Lord Yama and Itachi were both chowing down on their ramen. Were the animals the reason why Naruto was acting so strangely? The kunoichi resolved to find out what was going on.

 "You still haven't convinced me you're not nuts, Naruto. Who would be crazy enough to leave their team just on a whim, except someone who thinks he can talk to animals?"

 Naruto stacked his second bowl of ramen inside the empty bowl that he'd just polished off, shrugging his shoulders.

 "What else am I supposed to do, tell 'em all to line up and do a dance for you? Is it so hard to believe a Bloodline Limit could give somebody this ability? It ain't like I got something to gain by makin' people think I'm nuts."

 Too busy arguing, Naruto and Ino failed to notice Itachi finishing up his ramen and slipping underneath the table. All too soon, however, Naruto heard the ferret's voice through the wood.

 [Hey, Naruto! Tell her pink panties are out of style. All the girls in the village switched to white ones months ago.]

 Ino looked up in surprise as the blonde boy spit out an entire mouthful of soup.

 "Are you nuts, Itachi? I'm not gonna tell her that!"

 "Tell me what? What did he say?"

 Naruto hemmed and hawed before answering tentatively.

 "You don't want to know."

 Ino's response was dripping with sarcasm.

 "Oh, I get it. Trying to cover your ass, huh?"

 "I'm warning you, you WON'T like it."

 She really wasn't in the mood to be played with like some blonde bimbo (which she wasn't, no matter how many times Sakura said it).

 "Oh, come on! Prove it already or let me go home!"

 Naruto sighed, and mumbled something quickly.

 "Hesdyrwrngpnkpntes."

 "What did you say!? I couldn't hear you."

 "HE SAID YOU'RE WEARING PINK PANTIES, ALL RIGHT?"

 Ino's only reaction was to blink her wide, stunned eyes several times, and then calmly pick up her empty bowl, which soon bounced off Naruto's forehead with an audible thwack.

 Looking on, Miki winced, and Slinger chuckled.

 "Now I'm really glad we got plastic stuff instead of porcelain."

 "Hey, I SAID you weren't gonna like it! Whatcha chucking a bowl at me for?"

 "First you come to my house acting like a crazed maniac, and now you're telling your pet to peek up my skirt! Forget crazy, you're just a pervert!"

 It was Naruto's turn to bristle now. Standing up, he slammed his hands down onto the table, palms down, a loud crack echoing through the room.

 "You've been sitting here the entire time! I'm not a damn psychic! If I'd told him to go down there, you woulda heard me say it!

 "You know what? Forget it. Why should I have to explain any of this to you or anyone else? Nobody in this village cares what I think, or what I've done. All I am to you people is a demon, a pervert, or just plain crazy! No matter what I do, everyone finds another reason to hate me! Think whatever you want, Ino, but I'm not gonna be around to hear it. I've got better things to do with my time. Have a nice life."

 Before she could say anything, Naruto had wheeled about on one heel and vanished, the ferrets scampering along behind him.

 Ino sat there for a while, not moving, thinking about the situation over again. The more she reviewed what Naruto had said, the more something came back to her. The wild animals in the forest aren't just mindless creatures, but living, thinking, feeling beings. Anything like that would have a mind of its own by nature, just like a human. Had the ferret really gone down there on its own, like Naruto had said? If it had, she owed the other Genin an apology – and maybe (just maybe) her belief.

 "You know, dear, Naruto sounded angry, but I think he was really more unhappy than anything else. He doesn't have many friends, you know."

 Ino turned to see Miki, holding a tray and clearing the empty bowls off the table.

 "But we're…not friends. Just acquaintances, really."

 The waitress sighed, shaking her head.

 "That's a shame. I haven't known Naruto very long, but if he's anything like his aunt, he's a good boy – even if he doesn't always look like it. He's nice to me, anyway. You really should try to trust him, at least, even if the two of you don't become friends. I think that would help him."

 Miki looked over at Slinger for a little support. After some hesitation, the cook chimed in.

 "Eh, she's right. The kid's a hyper little punk, and he probably cheats at cards, but he doesn't complain when I bug him about jutsus and crap a no-talent slag like me won't ever learn. Hell, he tries to help me get it anyway. A lot of people could stand to learn from him."

 Yamanaka Ino looked down at where her bowl had been sitting. Was she one of those people?

* * *

 The Ebon Shadow looked up from its perch on the Uzumakis' roof as Naruto leapt down from the trees, Itachi on his shoulder.

 The young Speaker hefted the bag of survival gear that was on his back and nodded up at his avian friend.

 "Let's get going."

 Hearing the curt tone in Naruto's voice, the raven guessed what had happened.

 [I take it the Human girl still does not believe you?]

 "I don't want to talk about it. Let's just head out and find Moon Gazer. That, at least, I can handle."

 Even the bird knew when to back off and let things simmer down.

 [Then let us be off.]

 "I'll say this much for Ino. She's narrow-minded, but she gives great directions."

 Naruto, Itachi and the Ebon Shadow had been on the move for some time, hampered by the lack of trees to jump off, like in the forest. With Naruto's foul mood not improved by the journey, the last few hours had been spent mostly in silence. Now, as a stand of palm trees loomed before them, the young Leaf-nin had finally spoken.

 [Indeed. I can see moonlight shining off the water. If Moon Gazer really is still alive, we are getting close.]

 [Finally! A ferret could die of thirst out here.]

 "Come on, Itachi. It's the middle of the night. You want to bitch about thirst out here, do it at noon."

 As boy, raven and ferret began to continue forward, a voice rang out in the darkness.

 [Halt, if you value your lives!]

 Not one to be challenged in his duties, the raven chief snapped back a response.

 [Who dares challenge the presence of the Mother's Chosen? Speak your name and state your business, or else be gone!]

 Naruto grinned, fishing a lighter, some rags and a tree branch from the bag he was dragging behind him, now full of gear and firewood.

 "Temper, temper, Shadow. Ain't like Moon Gazer needs more incentive to head for the hills."

 Wrapping the rag around the branch, Naruto lit his makeshift torch, revealing a wolf standing at the edge of the water. Just as he was about to greet the animal, the Ebon Shadow spoke softly.

 [Do not be hasty, Speaker. That is not Moon Gazer.]

 "What? I thought he was the one they were all talking about."

 [Moon Gazer was male. That wolf is female.]

 The wolf that had spoken bowed its head and spoke again, this time in a softer voice.

 [If you have come for my mate, you will not find him.]

 Naruto and the Ebon Shadow glanced at each other before the Speaker responded.

 "Your mate? I thought Moon Gazer was disgraced and in exile. Where is he if we can't find him here?"

 [You will not find him anywhere. He has been gone from this world for three years.]

 "He's dead!? Well, that's just flipping great. Blood Claw's gonna be pissed."

 [Blood Claw? What would the Lord of the Crimson Moon want with Moon Gazer? He is the reason that we came here, and not the mountains or forest.]

 [A question first, if I may. We were under the impression that none of the Golden Moon's family or retainers had followed Moon Gazer into exile. Who exactly are you?]

 The female wolf, her coat a blend of black and gray, lay down by the water's edge and looked up at the moon.

 [I am the mate of Moon Gazer, the true Lord of the Forest. Among the tribe, I was known as Swift Wind.]

 When the Ebon Shadow spoke again, it was in a hushed, stunned tone.

 [It seems we are in the presence of two ghosts tonight. Your father reported you as dead, my lady.]

 Swift Wind's retort oozed sarcasm and hinted at bitter memories.

 [How else would he deal with a daughter's rebellion? The mighty Shadow Chaser, Lord of the Hidden Fang Clan, who would rather have seen me dead than with Moon Gazer after his fall?]

 "So that's it? The Golden Moon Clan is finished?"

 For someone who had delivered such bad news, Swift Wind sounded oddly calm when she answered.

 [Hardly. The Clan is as strong as it ever was.]

 Naruto snorted.

 "Yeah, sure. We're gonna end anarchy among every Clan in the tribe with a ghost who tucked his tail between his legs to save his ass."

 [You can't talk about my father that way! Take it back, Human!]

 A smaller wolf emerged from the shadow of the trees, standing beside Swift Wind, teeth bared in feral rage. The Ebon Shadow chuckled.

 [So the Clan does live after all. Moon Gazer's son, I assume? What shall we call him?]

 [I named him Deathstrike, so that he would remember his duty.]

 Naruto scratched his head at that.

 "Come again?"

 [To strike down the shame of the Golden Moon Clan, and restore the honor of his ancestors.]

 [Fitting, considering the circumstances. My lady, there is no time to tarry. Would you allow your son to take his father's place in what we had come to request of him?]

 Swift Wind raised her head and looked directly at Naruto.

 [If the Chosen so wishes, let him ask it of my son. Deathstrike is old enough to make his own decisions.]

 Naruto glanced over at the young wolf, still snarling at him although Swift Wind had subtly placed herself between boy and cub.

 "Seems we've got a problem here, Deathstrike. You want me to stop saying your father was a coward, but the truth is the truth. I could no more lie to you than I could any of the tribal chiefs. If you want to change what's comin' out of my mouth, you're going to have to do it yourself. I'm not the one you need to be growling at. Save it for the Clans."

 [What would you know about it? My father was always ready to help the animals at this oasis! He was no coward!]

 "To you, maybe not. You never saw that side of him, and your mother hasn't had reason to tell you differently. But think about it. Would you be out here if the Clans hadn't had a good reason to want him gone? Bravery without logic or smarts is useless even to a wolf, I think."

 [All I know is what I've heard, Human! You wouldn't understand; you probably have a father who can tell you things and help you train and everything.]

 "Don't be so sure, cub."

 [What do you mean?]

 Naruto rose slowly, pulling more wood out of his bag and laying it in a small circle, piling rocks around the outside. After the circle was complete, the Genin lit the improvised campfire with his torch. In the light of the dancing flames, Deathstrike could see the odd expression on the human's face.

 "Ask your mother. Ask her what happened to my mother the day your father turned tail and ran. Ask her what became of my father. Then, if you still have the gall to tell me Moon Gazer was no coward, I'll have nothing more to say, because you're a lost cause."

 [Mother…?]

 Swift Wind bowed her head, looking out over the water.

 [Twelve years past, Haruka-sama and the Fourth Hokage died to save both the Humans and the forest from the Ninetailed Demon Fox. The Chosen has never known either of his parents.]

 "Moon Gazer was your father. You want him to be a hero, a good guy. I get it, believe me. But you can't just try to invent things that aren't true, Deathstrike. Everyone's got stuff they ain't proud of. If you just ignore that, you're twisting that person into whatever you want them to be. That's no way to honor someone's memory, least of all your own father."

 Naruto grinned up at the sky before continuing.

 "You show me someone who's 'perfect,' and I'll show you a jackass who won't admit to his own faults."

 Not ten miles away, atop a cliff in the same desert, Uchiha Sasuke sneezed.

 [So what do you want me to do?]

 "It's not really me, cub. It's the other tribes that need you to step up. Every time I talk to a wolf, I hear you talking about being the rightful rulers of the forest. Well, let me tell you, your people are doing a lousy-ass job of ruling. Tribes are being hunted to extinction, living in fear, getting ready to unite against the wolves. You can stop it. Your mom's already told you how. The question is, how badly do you want it? Do you want to redeem your dad?"

 [Do you even have to ask?]

 "No, I guess not. Can you fight, cub? I guarantee you the Clans ain't gonna take anyone from the Golden Moon back without a battle."

 Swift Wind sighed.

 [I have taught him what I could, but I am not the fighter my mate was. Truthfully, I fear for my son's safety.]

 Naruto thought about it, and then turned to the raven that sat by the fire.

 "Shadow, I need you to head into the forest and find Blood Claw. Explain the situation to him, and do what you can to get him out here. If he was really serious about wanting to bring the Golden Moon back, there's no better time for him to prove it than right here, right now."

 [I suspect he will probably be more willing than if you had asked him to see Moon Gazer. What will you do in the meantime?]

 Naruto's only response was to form a hand seal.

 "Henge!"

 Immediately, a male wolf replaced the blonde boy, looking much like Blood Fang had in Arashi's memories.

 "Me? Hey, I don't know jack about wolf fighting, so the least I can do is give the kid a practice target. Just try and get back quick, will ya? I've got my own battles to train for, and there ain't much time left."

 [I will do what I can.]

 Without another word, the raven leapt into the sky, great wings beating a path back towards the forest.

* * *

 "Are you sure three days of training is enough, Blood Claw? You said the proof of Moon Gazer's bravery was to defeat a Leader from every Clan. No way Deathstrike is ready for a challenge like that, even with your help."

 The old wolf shook his head, looking back behind Naruto to where the young wolf and his mother followed.

 [If enough of my brothers are with me, I should be able to make the test somewhat easier than normal. The cub will still need to endure many things, but if he is a true scion of the Golden Moon Clan, he should prevail.]

 "It's your show. But understand that if he loses, I'll intervene to keep him from getting killed. The cub's had enough hardship in his life as it is, and Swift Wind too."

 [Agreed. If you will excuse me, then, I will go and speak to as many of the Clan Leaders as I can before the meeting begins.]

 "You do that."

 Naruto sat down on a fallen log as the old Clan Leader moved off into the forest. Looking over at Deathstrike, the Speaker grinned.

 "Well, you've got one last decision to make. Head back to the oasis, or stay here and wait for the Clan Leaders to arrive."

 [I'm here, aren't I? You can stop trying to make me look like your image of my father.]

 Not usually serious, Naruto's grin disappeared.

 "Just understand something. It's your life, cub. You want to improve your father's image, do it, but when it's over, let it go. The Golden Moon Clan is yours now, and you oughta run it how you see fit. Don't go trying to kill yourself makin' everyone else see your father the way you do. Rule 'em well enough, and their memories of him will change. They'll see him in you."

 [What about you? You were talking about your father all the time in the desert. It sounded like you wanted to be just like him.]

 "True. But I got an advantage, Deathstrike. The Clan Leaders look at you, and they can see what you are, what Clan you represent. Wish I could say the same for people in the village. Nobody there knows or cares who my father is. I got nothing to live up to but my own expectations. Hell of a lot easier, if you ask me."

 [Oh, sure, rub it in.]

 [Enough, Deathstrike. I can hear the Clan Leaders coming. You must be ready, and remember what Blood Claw taught you.]

 [Yeah. Kick ass and take names.]

 "Couldn't have said it better myself."

 Once all the formalities of a meeting among wolf Clan Leaders were out of the way, Blood Claw walked to the center of the circle the tribe had formed.

 [We are gathered here on a momentous day. The Golden Moon Clan has returned to the tribe, ready to test its worth to lead us all. I ask that Lord Shadow Chaser speak for the tribe and announce what the test shall be.]

 A smaller, pitch-black wolf emerged from the circle, looking askance at Swift Wind, almost uncomfortably. Naruto noted the wolf's expression and grinned. Didn't expect her to come back at all, and especially not as the mother of the potential tribal chief, did we? Blood Claw's got a knack for public humiliation.

 [As the one who claims to be Golden Moon is but a child, he will not be required to prove his strength as an adult male wolf would. The strongest five Clans will put forth champions – the strongest son of their Leaders. The challenger will fight them all in turn, and if he manages to be victorious, he faces one final task. That will be revealed if and when the time comes – which I doubt.]

 Deathstrike laughed as his grandfather finished speaking.

 [Easy to talk down to someone you don't have to fight, isn't it, you toothless old weasel?]

 Shadow Chaser sneered at the younger wolf's insults.

 [Why they believe you are the hope of the tribe, I will never understand. One as uncouth, uncultured and foolish as you could never be a scion of the Golden Moon Clan. You are obviously the spawn of some mongrel dog my disgrace of a daughter lowered herself to be with in the desert.]

 [Hey, I didn't say anything about your smarts. I wanted to spare your dignity. You had the chance to look like a hero to my mother and me. You chose to be a jackass instead. Don't blame me when I take that public.]

 The Clan Leader stalked back to the edge of the circle without a word. A wolf about Deathstrike's size replaced him, howling a challenge.

 [I am Footpad, the son of Grim Prowler, Leader of the Shadow Stalker Clan. I have proved my worth in battle seventeen times with the hated bears…]

 Footpad's introduction was cut off as Deathstrike crouched slightly, adopting the battle stance Blood Claw had taught him.

 [Who gives a damn how many times you've been in battle with a bunch of bears? You've never fought me. That's all I know. So shut up with the boasting, come and back it up, or stop wasting my damn time.]

 Watching the two young wolves posture and preen, Naruto whispered an aside to Blood Claw.

 "Should he be so cocky right off the bat? Footpad's got way more experience and it's against larger and stronger opponents."

 The old wolf chuckled at the confused expression on the Speaker's face.

 [Hardly. When wolves fight bears, it is not one-on-one. Footpad does have experience, but it is mostly with fighting as part of a group, not alone. As he is the son of a Clan Leader, I doubt he has actually had to face down a bear from the front yet. He will have been assigned to restrict the bear's mobility by slashing tendons in its limbs, or acting as a decoy at best.]

 "If you say so."

 [Have faith. Deathstrike is Golden Moon. The blood of our common ancestors, the great dire wolves of the ancient times, runs strongest within the Golden Moon Clan. They are stronger, faster, and have more stamina than any other Clan, even at Deathstrike's age. He will prevail, even if he only knows the basics of what I will eventually teach him.]

 "Well, that's why I called you in on this. Let's see what he does with it."

 [Indeed.]

 [You call a fight where one risks his life irrelevant?]

 [Yeah, when the one who's spewing hot air about it couldn't have possibly taken out seventeen bears all by his lonesome. Stop making yourself sound like such a badass when all you've been doing is helping course the bear. I could kick your tail right now, and even I'm not dumb enough to think I can take a bear or do anything useful against it to "prove my worth."]

 [I have had enough of this insolence! You will fall before me!]

 Deathstrike yawned and grinned at his opponent.

 [Promises, promises. Bring it on.]

 Blood Claw smiled as Footpad charged, Deathstrike doing the same. He has grasped the basics of combat without my teachings. Unnerve your foe, and you will be victorious. Brother Blood Fang, your skills have bred true after all. Too bad they skipped a generation.

 Within seconds, the two wolves had met, Footpad coming away with a nice, parallel set of claw marks on his right flank.

 [Well, you can run. But can you fight? You'll never take out a bear coming head-on at him, moron.]

 The smaller wolf's only answer was a howl of rage and another charge.

 [Tried the nice approach, but I guess it's lost on you. You're just gonna have to go down!]

 Footpad's second charge was stopped cold as Deathstrike slipped underneath his enraged foe, and slammed his front paws upwards, catching his opponent on the chin, and knocking him down. Deathstrike turned to Blood Claw, a hint of a gleam in his eye – the bloodlust that was in the soul of every dire wolf.

 [Say the word and he's dead. You never said whether or not this was a lethal combat, Teacher.]

 Blood Claw nodded.

 [Lord Shadow Chaser did not finish his description. These fights are not to be to the death. You have beaten him; leave it at that. The next challenger will come forward!]

 Deathstrike spared his next foe the insults he'd peppered Footpad with. This one said nothing and walked up slowly, sizing up the Golden Moon scion.

 [You have nothing to revile me with?]

 [I save taunts for the ones they'll work on. The last one was a dimwit. You walk like Blood Claw. Like someone who's seen real battle.]

 [Of course.]

 [Got a name, tough guy?]

 [Red Shadow. Eldest son of Blood Claw, Leader of the Crimson Moon Clan. I do not need to boast of my accomplishments as Footpad did. You will see for yourself.]

 [Lookin' forward to it. Teacher ain't given me much to work with, but it'll have to do!]

 Both wolves surged forwards, Red Shadow easily stepping aside from Deathstrike's opening claw swipe, leaving claw marks of his own on the challenger's flank as he'd done to Footpad.

 [Do not simply parrot what my father has taught you. I know all of that. Be original, and not just aggressive.]

 Deathstrike grinned through the fire that was burning his left side, claw slashes gleaming with his blood in the sunlight.

 [Are you an examiner or a tutor?]

 [Both. My father wishes for you to end the chaos, so I will help you grow. But I will not let you have what you want unless you prove that you are more than a mere courageous brute. Come. Show me why the Golden Moon is supposed to be strongest among us.]

 [Gladly.]

 Vary techniques. Don't just come at him with something he knows…or, do that, and change just as he reacts!

 Charging as he had against Footpad, Deathstrike watched as Red Shadow crouched to leap aside – and jumped upwards instead. Spinning in midair, he caught his opponent in the same spot as Red Shadow had marked him, landing in the same ready stance.

 Blood Claw's son nodded, not seeming to notice the shallower scars on his side, as befitted a veteran fighter.

 [You learn quickly, but can you continue to grow?]

 Deathstrike laughed, a howl of mirth bursting forth.

 [We'll see! Come on, I ain't through with you yet!]

* * *

 Naruto watched as the fighting continued, Deathstrike finally getting Red Shadow to surrender after a spectacular front-rear combination slash that had laid open a huge stretch of the older wolf's back and right leg. The other three opponents had been even tougher, sons of Clan Leaders that had been older and more experienced than even Red Shadow. Somehow, what Blood Claw had predicted was coming true. Deathstrike was still on his feet, bleeding from every part of his body, but standing – barely. Looking over at Shadow Chaser, he gasped out a challenge.

 [Five down, old weasel. Please tell me you're the last test, so I can rip you apart. It'd be the perfect ending to a long day.]

 The old wolf snarled, the faintest hint of a sneer in his voice.

 [Me? I would sooner dine on a scavenger like that ferret than dirty my paws with your blood.]

 On Naruto's shoulder, Itachi stirred with an insult of his own.

 [Try it, Toothless Wonder! You couldn't catch me with an hour's head start!]

 The Speaker silenced his sidekick with a low hiss.

 [Stay out of this, Itachi. The rebel Clans would love any excuse to get us all out of their hair. We gotta let the cub do his thing. This is his fight, all the way.]

 Blood Claw stepped forward silently, until he stood face to face with his pupil of three days.

 [I agree. This bickering is useless. I will tell you what your final test is, Deathstrike.]

 [And that would be…?]

 [You will challenge me. Pass, and you prove your courage and bloodline to us all.]

 Naruto's eyes shot open, and he held Swift Wind back; the female wolf had tensed as if to spring forward and defend her son.

 "Hang on. Blood Claw was counting on this; he's one to follow his word. Something is being planned. Wait for it and trust him."

 [You ask me to trust the one who broke my mate's spirit and turned him into the wretched creature he became?]

 "He's not the same anymore. This is a guy who's so broken up about what he did and what happened to the forest that he thinks of nothing but dying. And right now, he's Deathstrike's only shot at getting out of this clearing alive. Trust that, not your memories."

 [Very well.]

 Deathstrike looked through a red film that was quickly crusting over his eyelids and clouding his vision. Whether it was his own blood or that of his opponents didn't matter now. It was down to one last fight, against a foe even stronger than Red Shadow and the others had been. But what other choice is there? The thought of turning around and going back to the oasis had never crossed his mind. Yeah, right. Be King of the Desert rather than Lord of the Forest? Some tradeoff. I'm not going back.

 [I don't know what your game is, Teacher, but if you think I'm going to become my father, then you have the wrong wolf.]

 [As you so eloquently put it to Footpad, cub, you should "bring it on." Talk is cheap.]

 What was the point? He couldn't win. Not even if he'd been in perfect condition, rather than beat up, bleeding and tired from taking out five wolves that had all been older than him. But then…maybe that's the whole point.

 Something made him look over at Naruto, but the Human's face was inscrutable – no expression at all, other than a faint gleam of amusement in the Speaker's eyes. What's so funny?

 Then it hit him. This is the tenth exam question – or at least it's Blood Claw's version of the tenth exam question Naruto mentioned in his life story. If I'm right, I may be able to win after all. If not…well, I knew what I was getting into when I accepted the challenge.

 Naruto saw comprehension dawn on the young wolf's face and grinned. Now try and come up with a suitably corny and stirring speech, and make the rebels see what you really are. Win them over, and you win your place as chief.

 [You think you can cow me into running away like my father? Moon Gazer isn't the only one I share my blood with. My grandfather was Blood Fang – Lord of the Forest. I've come to restore the glory that was his. And if Footpad, Red Shadow, the other punks and my weasel of a grandfather couldn't stop me, neither will you! The Golden Moon Clan is mine. The tribe is mine! And bloody, beaten, or not, I will fight for it! So come on! Someone's going down, and it won't be me without a hell of a battle!]

 Gathering himself to charge, Deathstrike stopped cold when all but two of the Clan Leaders rolled over, presenting their throats upwards, laughing. All except for Shadow Chaser and Blood Claw, anyway.

 [What's the meaning of this?]

 Naruto chuckled.

 "You need it written out for you, cub? To the victor goes the spoils, the respect and the power. You win. Your answer to the final exam question was correct, in a manner of speaking."

 Blood Claw nodded, smiling at his student.

 [The Chosen speaks wisely. It is one thing to face everyday battle and fight when you are at your peak, confidence and power at their youthful maximum. It is quite another to face the things that must be done, even if they cost you your life or something personally important, such as dignity. That is true courage, what is demanded from the Lords of the Forest. You have grasped what your father regrettably could not. I recognize the challenger's claim, and I recognize the Golden Moon Clan.]

 Shadow Chaser gritted his teeth and said the same, before wheeling and stalking out of the clearing, not followed by the rest of his Clan. All around the young wolf, the other Clan Leaders declared their recognition, each voice louder than the next.

 Naruto grinned over at Swift Wind, who had visibly relaxed.

 "Satisfied, my lady?"

 [Relieved is a better term. I had held out hope for this day all this time, but I think even I had given up by the time you and Lord Shadow arrived. Never have I been so glad to be proven wrong.]

 "We all have our bad times. Just makes the good times even sweeter, although I think your dad might not agree."

 [He is stubborn. But I know somewhere in his heart, he is proud of his grandson, even if he is also too proud to admit he was wrong to treat us as he did.]

 "He'll come around, if only to take some of the credit for giving the kid his genes."

 [I suppose so.]

 Naruto looked over at Blood Claw again, to see the old Clan Leader standing by Deathstrike's side, propping the exhausted cub up.

 "Well, old warrior? Am I fit for my job title or not?"

 [Absolutely. You have my thanks, and those of the Clans, Chosen. We will accept the Blessing, and grant you our power and trust, as we did Haruka-sama, and Kotaro-sama before her.]

 "You? Isn't Deathstrike the chief?"

 [Aye, but the cub is young yet. A few of the older warriors will act as his Regents and tutors until he is truly ready to assume a leadership role. What is important for now is that he has restored the esteem of his Clan, and regained the respect of his subjects. The rest will come much more easily.]

 "That's the hope, anyhow. How do I give the Blessing?"

 [You already have, by uniting us. It varies from tribe to tribe, of course, but it basically boils down to whether the chief feels you have done something to benefit their people. I think you have long since done that.]

 Looking over at a group of grizzled old wolves his age, Blood Claw looked a question over to them, and each nodded in turn. Now let me see if I remember what my brother said to Haruka-sama, once upon a time.

 [I am Blood Claw, and I represent the Wolves before the Mother. Her Chosen has come before us and Blessed us with his light and wisdom, the compassion in his heart and respect in his soul. This we accept with humblest thanks, and grant in return our power, and our champion. Henceforth we are at his command, willing servants and allies. Let the bond be made!]

 The gathered wolves howled their agreement, the forest ringing with sound. As they did so, Naruto felt a subtle tingling in his right arm, a little like heat being applied. Looking down at his arm, he saw something glowing on it, bright light shining from a patch of skin, suddenly flashing and resolving into a single character: Ookami. The Wolf. But before he could say or do anything, the character began to glow again, and suddenly the tingling became a burning sensation, feeling as though the fires of the sun itself were scorching his arm. The blonde boy dropped to one knee, holding his arm to his side.

* * *

 Halfway across the forest, the Ebon Shadow felt the huge power surge and smiled to himself.

 [Well done, Naruto. I accept the Blessing you bestowed when you accepted me as Lorekeeper. I am the Ebon Shadow, and I represent the Ravens before the Mother. Henceforth I am at the Chosen's command, willing servant and ally. Let the bond be made!]

* * *

 In his mountain home, even Lord Yama felt the power rising from the forest. The ferret chief burped, remembering what the young human had done for him. Feeding him and showing him respect, among other stuff, as very few Speakers had ever done for a smaller tribe like the ferrets. I could get to like eating that ramen stuff. Why not?

 [Naruto, I accept the Blessing you gave me when you fed me the bowl of ramen. I am Lord Yama, and I represent the Ferrets before the Mother. Henceforth I am at the Chosen's command, willing servant and ally. Let the bond be made!]

* * *

 Back in the clearing, Naruto stared at the ground, resolutely trying not to scream from the searing pain in his arm. His gaze was so intently fixed downwards that he failed to notice two more characters appearing on his right arm: Karasu (Raven) and Itachi (Weasel/Ferret).

 "What the hell's going on? This thing's killing me!"

 Blood Claw's voice was solemn, the weight of age evident in his tone.

 [It is a reminder, Chosen. To let you know that we are not simple tools, but living beings, which feel pain and die as you do. The pain is temporary, but your duty and ours is not. I implore you to remember that.]

 Naruto gritted his teeth, and forced out a word or two of his own. "I get it, old warrior. Just make sure the kid does too."

 Blood Claw inclined his battle-scarred head.

 [He that is the chief must know such things. I will teach him. As well, too, since he is our champion. When you summon the wolf, you will summon him.]

 "How do I do that?"

 [Produce some of your blood and put it on the mark of the tribal champion you wish to summon. Place the hand with the blood on it on the ground, and the champion will be summoned to your side. Then, depending on how much chakra you wish to expend, the champion will grow in stature. I have heard of some Chosen being able to get their champions to be up to fifty of your Human feet in height. Even then, because of the power the Mother gives you, the chakra expense is slight. So long as you use this power wisely to do your duty, the animals of this forest will never fail or overburden you.]

 "Do I have to say anything special?"

 [That I do not remember. It will likely come to you when you attempt to summon a champion. Do you wish to try?]

 "You even have to ask?"

 Naruto rose slowly, a fierce pride cutting through the pain in his limb. Biting his left thumb quickly, he blindly swiped his bloody digit over the spot where the mark of the wolves had appeared. As he did, something rushed into his mind – and he knew what to say.

 "As I do my duty, I call on the champion of the Wolves to do his! The battle is joined! Let the Mother's Child and Chosen fight as one! Ougi: Shizen Kuchiyose no Jutsu – Ookami (Secret Technique: Nature Summoning – Wolf)!"

 Deathstrike disappeared from beside Blood Claw, reappearing next to Naruto. The blonde Genin grinned savagely.

 "Time to grow up, cub. Let's show the world what we're made of."

 Pouring as much chakra as he could into the bond he felt between himself and Deathstrike, Naruto watched as the young wolf vanished again – to be replaced by a massive, sixty-foot tall version of himself.

 [Cool. I can see the oasis from here.]

 The Speaker laughed, any notion of pain vanishing as he looked at the legacy his mother had left him. Today's a day for celebration, for continuing bloodlines. Damn if it ain't gonna be fun using mine.

 Around them, the assembled heads of the Clans raised their heads and howled - not the savage cries of rage that had lately shaken the forest, but a sound of joy and celebration, perhaps the signal that one Clan's honor - and the hope of the wolves - had been restored.

 [IT IS WELL!]

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