Naruto: Faint Smile.

Author Note: We are back to the normal order, sorry for the previous mistake.

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I'm currently updating the novel 1 or 2 chapter a day in patreeeeon. On chapter 104 right now.

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Enjoy you sexy bastards.

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[Arata Takeshi - POV.]

I was making my way back to the Tower, enjoying the peaceful quiet of the Forest of Death after having collected almost every scroll in the vicinity. Needless to say, I was… more than disappointed that no one else was putting up a decent fight or even trying to face me. I mean, where was the fun if everyone just gave up without even trying?

As I leaped from one branch to another, I suddenly felt a presence ahead of me—a team of three. They weren't hiding, which was a good sign. Maybe, just maybe, they were ready to fight, instead of just giving me their scroll without a fight. And if they were, I might—emphasis on might—even consider letting them keep their scroll.

They wouldn't be able to pass to the next phase with just one scroll, but it would serve as a token of respect for not being a bunch of cowards.

I felt a grin tugging at my lips as I landed on a branch just above them, watching as they spotted me. It was a Kumo team.

The team was tense, but to my pleasant—and I mean very pleasant—surprise, they didn't immediately surrender or try to run away. Instead, as soon as they noticed me, they shifted into defensive stances, and I could see the determination in their eyes, alongside fear and anxiety, but still… they weren't backing down.

Finally, some backbone!

"I have to say… this is quite the pleasant surprise," I said, still perched on the branch, "Looks like you're not going to roll over like the others. That's good. Really good. The novelty of being feared got old real quick, I tell you that much. I mean, one thing is knowing you don't stand a chance, and another is not even trying, am I right?"

They flinched at my words, but to their credit, they held their ground. I decided to give them a little test, just to see if they were really as determined as they seemed. I mean, if I was going to leave a scroll out, I needed to know if they deserved it. So, reaching into my weapon pouch, I pulled out a kunai and, with a flick of my wrist, sent it flying toward them.

Except… instead of the sharp glint of steel, I watched in horror as a small, fluffy teddy bear sailed through the air, landing with a soft plop at the feet of one of them.

What… the… hell?

The three genin blinked in confusion, staring at the plush toy as if maybe it had another use they weren't aware of. "That… was unexpected," I muttered, as I quickly patted down my pouch, realizing what had happened.

Before the exams, the little princess, Mito, had slipped her teddy bear into my pouch… How had I not noticed? No idea, but… that was her teddy bear of good luck.

I could see the team exchange bewildered looks, one of them even letting out a nervous laugh. I cleared my throat, trying to regain some semblance of dignity. "As fun as… this was, I'm going to need that back."

They blinked at me, then looked down at the teddy bear nestled in the dirt, face down. The one who'd laughed held it up. "This?" he asked.

"Yes," I nodded. "I'm pretty sure that teddy was given to me with the expectation of a return."

"Can… we exchange it for the scroll we need?" The one who I assumed was the leader, a young girl with ebony skin and golden eyes, asked, looking at me nervously.

I blinked at the metaphorical balls she had, then let out a laugh. A real, genuine laugh. "Cheeky," I noted, grinning despite myself. "Alright. Why not, I'll swap you the teddy for the scroll you guys need."

At my response, their faces lit up, pure joy seeping into each of their expressions as their original fear and hesitation left their bodies almost completely. The girl reached into her bag, her fingers gracing a scroll, while the boy awkwardly held out the teddy bear for me to grab.

"So, Heaven or Earth scroll?" I asked, grabbing the teddy bear.

"Heaven," the leader replied.

"Heaven it is," I replied, a faint smile on my face as I handed over one of the many Heaven scrolls I had. With a satisfied nod, she grabbed the scroll and placed it in her bag, meaning our business transaction was complete. "Now that our business deal is done," I said, leaning in closer, "We can move on to our other business, right?"

"Oh, come on!" the girl groaned, realizing what I had meant. "We had a deal!"

Indeed we had, Kumo girl. Our deal was simple—a scroll of your choosing for the teddy bear, and that transaction was completed without breaking the terms of our deal. Alas, your lack of foresight didn't account for what could happen once said deal was done.

Meaning, that I was well within my right to fight them for the scrolls, or at the very least, for their Earth scroll, leaving them in the same predicament.

"That's the thing about deals, you have to be… very clear in what you want," I replied, tilting my head. "All you asked for was a scroll, and sadly, you never specified whether or not I could attack you once our transaction was complete."

"But… but…" the girl muttered.

"Or perhaps," I continued, my fingers idly rolling the teddy bear between my hands, "You simply assumed that I was the type to honor an unspoken agreement. Which, by the way… is a terrible practice… I mean, ninjas are all about lying, tricks, and the like, so… yeah, a bad decision altogether if you ask me."

For a moment, the Kumo team could only stare at me in shocked disbelief. It was almost amusing to watch their faces turn from pure joy to dread as they realized the predicament they were in.

"But that's what this is all about, isn't it?" I chuckled, putting the teddy bear back in my weapon's pouch. "You came here to learn, and learn you have."

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[Uchiha Mito - POV.]

[Three days ago.] 

I was in my room, playing with my toys, when I heard the water running from the bathroom. Big Bwother Takeshi was taking a shower! That meant he was going on one of his super cool ninja missions soon! I knew that because every time he did that, he always made sure to be extra clean. He was funny like that.

But... what if he got hurt? What if there were mean ninjas out there? I didn't like it when Big Bwother got hurt. He always came back with these tiny little cuts and bruises after training, and even though he said it didn't hurt, I knew it did! It had to… right?

Then I looked down at the bestest thing I had—one of my teddy bears. It was the bestest teddy bear ever; it was suppppeeer soft. Big Bwother Itachi had won it for me at the last festival, and I took it everywhere. Teddy was so soft and cuddly and full of good luck! And that's when I got the bestest idea ever.

Big Bwother Takeshi needed good luck, too! If he took Teddy with him, he would be safe, I just knew it! Teddy, as a Shinobi bear, had to go on a mission to protect Big Bwother!

Giggling to myself, I grabbed my teddy bear and toddled over to Big Bwother Takeshi's room. His bag was right there on the floor, open just a tiny bit. Perfect! With all the sneaky ninja skills I learned from watching Big Bwother Takeshi and Big Bwother Itachi, I snuck up to the bag, quiet as a mouse.

I gave Teddy one last big hug. "You gotta keep Big Bwother safe, okay?" I whispered to Teddy. "No getting lost and no coming back until he's home, all better!"

With a determined nod, I carefully tucked Teddy inside the bag, making sure he was nice and snug. He would keep all the bad guys away for sure!

Just as I finished, I heard the water stop. Uh-oh! Big Bwother was almost done! I needed to get out of here before he caught me! Making sure he didn't see me, I quickly ran out of his room, back to mine. I plopped down with my other toys, my heart racing with excitement.

Big Bwother was going to be soooooo safe with Teddy protecting him! I just knew it!

Now… what should I put in Big Bwother Itachi's bag… Mr. Cat or Dr. Dog?

Decisions, decisions... Mr. Cat was good at hiding, and he was quiet, and very soft, just like a real ninja! But Dr. Dog was really brave and good at fighting. He could protect Big Bwother Itachi from anything that tried to hurt him. I chewed on my little finger, deep in thought. This would be a hard choice to make, but one only I could make.