[i]I do not fight because I need to prove something to myself, nor do I fight for enjoyment or money. I fight for a cause, which is why I dislike doing this so.

The ninja of Fire country, the ones that Lao-Deng Sheng ran into, the ones that Jian wants removed in exchange for Sheng's life, they are thugs. Their art, ninjitsu, is a tool for killing and nothing else, unlike the schools of Kung Fu that Wu plays host to. Killing any of these thugs would be doing the world a favor, but for every felled ninja, another will take her place. No, there is no honor, no nobility in this task. But there is honor in saving a friend and a student.[/I]

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Hinata wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. All she knew was that she finally had the man she loved right next to her, watching the entire city from above, and no one was going to interrupt. No angry family members, no pink haired girls needing a rebound, just those two. She had a Naruto-doll all to herself, and once she shrank...

It was amazing that after all this time, she didn't feel any hint of fatigue. Chouji's clan, the Akimichi, had a similar technique, but they couldn't get nearly as large, and the jutsu required a very large amount of energy, which is probably where the clan's infamous appetites came from. Here, she didn't feel any of that. But she did feel something.

[I]I can say it, right? I mean, I know what he wants, and I know what I want, so...[/i]

The feeling that emerged from Hinata wasn't her courage though. It was fear. There was someone in front of them, with a cruel intention. But he didn't attack. He just looked up at the giantess and her date.

"Hinata Hyugga, is it?"

"Y...yes," Hinata replied, both with annoyance and concern over who this strange man was. His hair was white and his clothes made of the same silk as the one her cell fought the other day. His presence radiated a serene energy, yet underneath it hid a vast power. In a sheath at his side was a straight sword, its blade long and thin, ready to pierce any target its wielder wanted.

"I have no personal quarrel with you," the man spoke, his tone soft but firm, "but I must kill you and take the scroll you stole."

"The scroll was stolen from us sir," Hinata answered, Naruto only looking on. Who was this moron? And why did he want to kill Hinata? Sure the girl came off as a bit weird, but she was good company. This guy needed a talking to.

"Hey! Who do you think you are anyway?" Naruto shouted from his perch on Hinata's chest, the giantess still laying down.

"N...Naruto-kun."

"Be silent thug," Jen answered "or you will join her in death. I would prefer not to kill you, but if you get in my way, you will die."

"Don't talk to Naruto-kun like that!" Hinata shouted, standing to her full height. Su Huan-Jeng merely scoffed at the sight.

"Your size is nothing to me. The same as your murderous ninjitsu is nothing to the kung-fu of Wu, your stolen techniques will not avail you."

Hinata knew that the man, diminutive as he may have seen, was not boasting idly. Cupping her hands, she set Naruto down on the ground.

"Naruto, go! I'll...I'll fight him."

"You'll die is what you mean," Jeng answered, drawing his sword. "If it helps you any, know that I take no pleasure in this task."