He is soon betrayed by her, however, and becomes falsely accused of taking advantage of her. When the heroes are provided with resources and comrades to train with, Naofumi sets out with the only person willing to train alongside him, Malty Melromarc. Naofumi Iwatani, an otaku, becomes cursed with the fate of being the "Shield Hero." Armed with only a measly shield, Naofumi is belittled and ridiculed by his fellow heroes and the kingdom's people due to his weak offensive capabilities and lackluster personality. The four heroes are respectively bestowed a sword, spear, bow, and shield to vanquish these Waves. Melromarc is a country plagued by the Waves of Catastrophe that have repeatedly ravaged the land and brought disaster to its citizens for centuries. The Four Cardinal Heroes are a group of ordinary men from modern-day Japan summoned to the kingdom of Melromarc to become its saviors. Now, Ash must find a way to rescue them and continue his investigation into Banana Fish, but will his history with the mafia prevent him from succeeding? Soon, Dino's men storm the bar, and in the ensuing chaos kidnap Skip and Eiji. However, their conversation is interrupted when Shorter Wong, one of Ash's allies, calls to warn him about Dino. At the bar, Skip, Ash's friend, introduces him to Shunichi Ibe and his assistant, Eiji Okumura, who are Japanese photographers reporting on American street gangs. However, his inquiries are hindered when Dino sends his men after Ash at an underground bar he uses as a hideout. Now 17 years old and the boss of his own gang, Ash begins investigating the mysterious "Banana Fish"-the same two words his older brother, Griffin, has muttered since his return from the Iraq War. Now Akatsuki, the mysterious organization of elite rogue ninja, is closing in on their grand plan which may threaten the safety of the entire shinobi world.Īslan Jade Callenreese, known as Ash Lynx, was a runaway picked off the streets of New York City and raised by the infamous godfather of the mafia, Dino Golzine. It has been two and a half years since Naruto Uzumaki left Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village, for intense training following events which fueled his desire to be stronger. Come whatever may, Naruto will carry on with the fight for what is important to him, even at the expense of his own body, in the continuation of the saga about the boy who wishes to become Hokage.
Although Naruto is older and sinister events loom on the horizon, he has changed little in personality-still rambunctious and childish-though he is now far more confident and possesses an even greater determination to protect his friends and home. Now Akatsuki, the mysterious organization of elite rogue ninja, is closing in on their grand plan which may threaten the safety of the entire shinobi world.