Episode 2: Play My Tricks

  Late at night, Nato is sitting at his desk as he stares at the Hidden Leaf headband in his hands.

  Nato: (Finally made it! I'm a real ninja... I'm a real adult...)

  Ruto: Hey, Nato! You Up?!

  Nato: Yeah!

  Ruto: Can I come in?!

  Nato: Sure! What's up?!

  Ruto runs into the apartment from the balcony.

  Ruto: Check out my New Jutsu!

  Nato: (A new jutsu? And, from Ruto?)

  Ruto transforms into a naked woman, complete with a feminine voice, and Nato bashfully looks away.

  Ruto: Sexy, ain't I? Just wait 'til you see it with my Shadow Clones!

  Nato: That's Fine! You can Transform back now.

  Ruto: Come on! I'm not a real woman, you know. Gaze upon me as you will.

  Nato: (He's right. It's just a Transformation. I've definitely seen worse in those mags, but this is...) Yeah, I get it. You can stop now.

  Ruto Transforms back and puts his hands behind his head.

  Ruto: Man! I thought you'd be totally into it!

  Nato: It's less sexy when you know there's a quill behind the peach. That said, it was pretty well detailed. How did you... Never-mind.

  Ruto: Go on. Ask me!

  Nato: No.

  Ruto: Why? 'Cause, you know we have the same centerfolds?

  Nato: … You should call it the “Sexy Jutsu.”

  Ruto: Heh! That's pretty good. Maybe I will.

  Nato: Hey, you know how you had that seal on you? Why do you think they did that?

  Ruto: Probably 'cause I got Kurama inside me. You know, the Nine Tailed Fox.

  Nato: I... How did-

  Ruto: How many guys do ya know who have fox whiskers? Plus, he's been tryin' to speak to me since he was unsealed. Got him on hold, though. Kind of a creepy murder pooch... *Pounds chest* Yeah, yeah. Fox.

  Nato: Maybe we should see the Hokage about that?

  Ruto: Nah! I got it handled. Congrats on graduating, by the way.

  Nato: You too! Can't believe you're not wearing your headband. You worked so hard for it.

  Ruto: You bet I did. That's why I can't scratch it! Anyway! Gotta get to sleep for picture day tomorrow. What kinda makeup are ya wearin'?

  Nato: Makeup?

  *Click*

  Ruto appears before the 3rd Hokage and Iruka, having taken the greatest yearbook photo ever.

  Ruto: Come on, old Sarutobi! You know it's the best one you've seen all day!

  Iruka: Ruto, you can't-

  Sarutobi: What is the purpose of this makeup of yours?

  Ruto: It's to show I'll be a real demon on the battlefield, you know? Like one of the Hokage! Strike fear in my enemies.

  Iruka: You're not wearing makeup like that into battle, Ruto.

  Ruto: Why not?! Vikings wore makeup into battle.

  Sarutobi: You'll have to take it again, Ruto.

  Ruto: What?! You're kidding me!

  Sarutobi: This is a matter of public record. If anything obstructs your face at all, it will impede the ability of our other ninja to notice you on the field.

  Ruto: Ah, Man!

  Just then, a little kid bursts in with a shuriken.

  Koru: Today's Your Day, Old Man!! My Time Is-Ack!!

  The kid trips on his face, dropping the shuriken.

  Sarutobi: (Why today, Konohamaru?)

  A generic-looking man runs in behind the kid.

  Ebisu: Honored Grandson, what are you doing?!

  Koru: Shut Up, Ebisu!! That guy tripped me! Get him!

  Ruto: Me?! You tripped on your dumb scarf, Doofus!

  Koru: Don't call the next Hokage Stupid, You Idiot!!

  Ruto: Who're YOU Callin' an Idiot?!

  Ruto picks Konohamaru up by his shirt.

  Ebisu: Set Down The Hokage's Grandson!!

  Ruto looks at the Hokage.

  Koru: (That's Right! Back off like all the others)

  Ruto: This your kid?

  Sarutobi: He is indeed the son of my son.

  Ruto: Good!

  Ruto headbutts Konohamaru, drops him on the floor, and walks to the door as Ebisu helps the kid stand back up.

  Iruka: Ruto! You-

  Sarutobi: Where are you going, Ruto?

  Ruto: To Get The Stupid Photo Retook!

  Ruto leaves as Konohamaru rubs his head.

  Ebisu: Are you-

  Koru: Get your hands off of me!

  He shoves away Ebisu and runs off.

  Sarutobi: Ebisu?

  Ebisu: Y-Yes, sir?

  Sarutobi: Do keep your student under control.

  Ebisu: Yes, sir, Honorable Hokage.

  Ebisu leaves.

  Iruka: I'm sorry about Ruto's behavior. He, uh-

  Sarutobi: He reminds me of another young shinobi who would do anything to gain attention from others. One who was also orphaned by the Nine Tailed Fox.

  Iruka: …

  Sarutobi: I was there that night... He has that same fire in his eyes.

  Iruka: Are you thinking about doing something to him? Having something done to him?

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Sarutobi: … Have you heard of a “Jinchuriki?”

  An hour later, Ruto walks down the street when he spots something odd, then he keeps walking.

  Ruto: Give it up, kid. I know you're there.

  Konohamaru sets down his sheet, which looks like a fence, and follows Ruto.

  Koru: How'd ya know it was me?!

  Ruto: Think you made that trick? I've played that one a thousand times, and with way better paint. Now, stop followin' me!

  Koru: Show me how to pull tricks better!

  Ruto: Why on Earth would I do that?

  Koru: I'm the 3rd Hokage's grandson! I can get you anything you want!

  Ruto: Like I Care!! You want something, you work for it. Go read a book!

  Koru: You did a hundred Shadow Clones, right? Show me how to do One!

  Ruto: Just, go to school like a normal person.

  Koru: But, You're The King Of Shadow Clones!!

  Ruto turns to Konohamaru.

  Ruto: … King?

  Koru: Y-Yeah! You're the coolest guy around!

  Ruto: Alright! Flattery like that will get you nowhere... Buuut, I might as well show you One trick.

  Konohamaru's eyes brighten. Meanwhile, Nato picks up some rice at a store when he spots Hinata looking at vegetables.

  Nato: (She's there! She's here... I spoke to her once. I can do it again)

  Nato walks up to Hinata on her right side.

  Nato: Hey, thanks again for helping us graduate.

  Hinata: Oh, hi. It was nothing.

  Nato: Sure was something to Ruto. Mouth hasn't closed in days and he's treating his headband like it's made of gold... That's a cool way to wear it, by the way.

  Nato adjusts his headband, which is around his head, as Hinata touches the one around her neck.

  Hinata: Well, others were doing it like that already... He hasn't let the fox out, has he?

  Nato: I think he's actually making friends with it.

  Hinata: Really?

  The two walk together as Ruto and Konohamaru find a cabin in the woods with dried blood on the front of it.

  Koru: Where are we?

  Ruto: Man! You should've seen it. A while back, Iruka and I fought this “Mizuki” guy around here. Iruka almost died. It was So Sick!! *Clap* Anyway! I'll teach ya somethin' even better than the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Something guaranteed to stun Any opponent, as long as they're a guy. I call it my Sexy Jutsu!

  Koru: Yeah!... Sexy?

  Nato picks up some milk.

  Hinata: Get one towards the back. They always expire later. That one's going bad in three days.

  He does as she says.

  Nato: Two weeks. Well, how about that. That's the second time you've saved my life recently.

  Hinata: That's a little dramatic, isn't it?

  Nato: … So, got any clue who you'll be paired up with?

  Hinata: They haven't told anyone yet.

  Nato: Anyone you wanna team up with?

  Hinata: Um... Just someone nice, I hope.

  Nato: You feeling down today?

  Hinata: Huh?

  Nato: You just seem quiet, or sad, or something.

  Hinata: I'm fine. That's just how I am.

  Nato: (I know, but why?) You're normally sad?

  Hinata: … I... Uh...

  Nato: (Too Far! Too Far! Too Far!) You know, a good game or movie always cheers me up. There was this one recently about these guys in court.

  Hinata: Nato?

  Nato: Yeah?

  Hinata: Do you know what it's like to not be what others want you to be?

  Nato: … I know what it's like to not be what I wanna be. I want lots of friends and to protect them, but I'm just kinda drifting through life right now.

  Hinata: How do you deal with it?

  Nato: … Does being lazy and eating count?

  She smiles and he's taken aback.

  Hinata: I don't think so.

  Nato: (My Gosh! That smile...) I guess I need a better coping method, then.

  Konohamaru turns into a short, round woman in a bikini.

  Ruto: No! No. All wrong! Curves in all the wrong places, face is all kinds of rough, And the underwear's still on!

  Konohamaru turns back.

  Koru: I don't know what all that looks like!

  Ruto: You're kiddin' me! How don't you?!

  Koru: How DO you know?!

  Ruto: …

  Ruto pulls a dirty magazine out from inside his jacket.

  Ruto: (Is it really a good idea to show a kid younger than me something like this just for a jutsu?... Definitely!) Hey! Check this out!

  Nato's groceries get checked out at the store's counter.

  Nato: You can put yours up there, too. I don't mind paying.

  Hinata: Oh, you don't have to.

  Nato: I know. Now, put 'em up there.

  She blushes and complies.

  Hinata: Thank you.

  Nato: Don't mention it.

  After paying, the two walk outside.

  Hinata: See you tomorrow.

  Nato: Hey, uh... If we're not on the same team, we should stay in touch. Maybe go to the arcade? You know, as friends.

  Hinata: *Smiles* Sure. I can try that.

  Nato: Cool! See ya-Oh! And, you have a nice smile... 'Kay, bye!

  He quickly walks away as she blushes.

  Hinata: (I should come to this store more often)

  Just then, Ebisu finds Ruto and Konohamaru.

  Ebisu: What are you doing with the Honored Grandson?!

  Ruto: I'm-

  Koru: Teaching me a new trick! Even you'll like This one. Check it out!

  Konohamaru Transforms into a naked female model to Ebisu's anger.

  Koru: Admit it! I look good, don't I?

  Ebisu slaps Konohamaru, making him Transform back.

  Ebisu: How DARE You Use Such A Perverted, Bottom Of The Barrel Technique?!!

  Ruto: Hey!! You Can't Just Hit Him Like That!!

  Ebisu: You've done Enough, Ruto!

  Ruto: Have I?!!

  Ruto summons a Clone and charges at Ebisu, who drops Konohamaru, picks the two up, and slams them together. The Clone disappears as Ebisu throws Ruto on the ground.

  Ebisu: I'm a Chunin level ninja. You're barely a Genin. Don't try me, Ruto.

  Ruto stands up defiantly.

  Ruto: Hmph! Guess I gotta give ya the real stuff! Take This! Harem Jutsu!!

  Ruto summons 20 Clones, all being naked women, and disappears in the crowd.

  Ebisu: What The-!

  Ebisu reaches for a kunai when Konohamaru throws a rope over him.

  Ebisu: What're you-

  As he looks back, the Clones grab the rope and wrap it all around Ebisu before Ruto kicks him onto the ground. The Clones then disappear as he stands over Ebisu.

  Ebisu: Y-You Won't Get Away With This!

  Ruto: Ah, shut up, will ya!

  Ruto tapes his mouth shut. The two kids then walk a few feet away and sit down.

  Koru: How long until he escapes?

  Ruto: Probably a few minutes. You should get outta here before he gets mad.

  Koru: … I don't care. What about you?

  Ruto: Same here.

  Koru: You know, this is the best day I've had in a while. Thanks.

  Ruto: It was nothin'. *Smiles* … Did you really wanna kill old Sarutobi earlier?

  Koru: I don't know...

  Ruto: What's your beef with him?

  Koru: That idiot gave me a Stupid name that nobody cares enough to use. It's Konohamaru, by the way.

  Ruto: After the village?

  Context: The Japanese name for the Hidden Leaf Village is “Konohagakure.”

  Koru: Yeah. Everyone just calls me “Honored Grandson” this, “Honorable Grandson” that. They just see me as another version of him, not me. One day, I'm gonna kill him and be the next Hokage.

  Ruto: C'mon. You don't Really wanna kill your family, do ya?

  Koru: …

  Ruto: Besides, you can't Just become Hokage. You've gotta be the best of the best. That means, you gotta beat Me. Well? Think you're up to the task?

  Koru: (You wanna be Hokage too?) … *Grins*

  The two get up.

  Koru: Heh! I guess that makes us arch-rivals then! But, I'm gonna train up first so we can Really fight next time I see you!

  Ruto smiles as the two fist-bump and Ebisu frees his hands.

  Ruto: Sounds like a plan, Konohamaru.

  The two run away as Ebisu gets up.

  Written By: Joshua F. R. Chitwood

  Inspired By: Naruto

  Thank you for reading!

  Episode Listing

  Episode -4: Twin Worlds

  Episode -3: The Night of Nine

  Episode -2: Family Man

  Episode -1: A Murder at the House of Hyuga

  Episode 0: Pain and Sorrow

  Episode 1: Fragile Mind

  Episode 2: Play My Tricks

  Episode 3: New Routine

  Episode 4: That I've Learned

  Episode 5: To Understand and Know

  Episode 6: As We Move On

  Episode 7: Heavy Pulse

  Episode 8: Sweaty Clothes

  Episode 9: Bloody Eyes

  Episode 10: Rest Your Head On Me

  Episode 11: Wake

  Episode 12: I'm Not Here

  Episode 13: There Must Be Some Mistake