Despite it All

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Kabuto's POV (Trial of Nio Starting Point)

Kabuto watched patiently as his team limbered up. As far as he could tell there were no notables in them. At least their chakra levels seemed to suggest they were more average Genin than most. He supposed most would be concerned about such a thing, but he felt it would work out nicely in this case. One was a confident martial artist from the Sand shinobi named Shira. He was an older Genin who wasn't particularly skilled in ninjutsu or genjutsu. But used an odd style of Taijutsu he seemed rather proud of. Next was a slightly more interesting man named Benottio who spoke like a thug and even wielded a straight razor. He seemed to be rather quick and intelligent but hailed from the Village Hidden in Waterfalls. So likely was lacking in the power category. Lastly was a Mist shinobi under the name of Chojuro. He was shy and nervous. He seemed rather unreliable. Enough so before they even seemed to plan much Benottio and Shira had decided he would be the lord. Being the "weakest". The leader had been elected to be Shira as the oldest.

The samurai that had led them to the starting place of the exam. He had explained that whenever traveling the Lord must be on a horse. Explained the wristbands they all had been outfitted with, that would glow in stripes as points were scored. As well as if they got injured they had tags that would allow them to be withdrawn from the game and treated. A kindness not often given during the Chunin Exams but inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Kabuto would not allow such things to happen after all.

Kabuto and his group had been led to their path. The group decided that Benottio and Chojuro would ride on the horse while Kabuto and Shira patrolled the forest on both sides. Kabuto had been wracking his brain on how to pass the exam before he felt a burning sensation on his shoulder. A signal given to him from his master. He had been a Genin for a while now and had been told he would be given a chance to act outside of his identity. He smiled at this as he stopped suddenly. Before moving at speeds that no Chunin hopeful could match. It was nice to finally move at his own speed. Benottio and Chojuro did not even notice him as he flew back across the path. Shira, perhaps sensing Kabuto's killing intent, suddenly spun as Kabuto arrived behind him.

"HA! You scared me to death there." Shira said merrily, not even noticing Kabuto suddenly flying in and placing a hand on his chest. By the time he finished his sentence, he was collapsing. Kabuto had used his chakra scalpel to slice his heart in two. Shira was dead before he even hit the ground. His mouth spitting out his lifeblood.

"You have no idea." Kabuto replied cheerily to the now dead corpse. His eyes trailed up to the two remaining teammates suddenly body flickering behind them as they made eye contact. Chojuro stopped his horse with a skid as the two looked at the man in front of them. "We should stop for now." He said cryptically with a smile.

"W-why?" Chojuro asked nervously.

"There is no need for dumb questions. This bastard isn't on our side." Benottio answered.

"What do you mean?" Chojuro asked as Benottio hopped off the horse. The man pulled his straight razor and took a stance against the smiling Kabuto.

"He has a stain on his outfit, I'm almost certain it's blood. We would've heard combat so he must've sneaked and attacked someone. Notice anything else?"

"W-wait, where is S-Shira?" Chojuro asked as he seemed to be considering running. 'Shira would have surely shown up by now! Where was he?!'

"Dead." Kabuto replied simply. "You two will be joining him of course. Once I've had my fun though. Do you have any idea how hard it is to pretend to be a weakling? I mean it's like purposely walking on one leg. Oh wait, you're both weak. I'll make sure to hold back against you. I want to stretch my legs!" He said with a smile as he activated his chakra scalpels.

"Funny bastard should've snuck us too." Benotti said.

"I'm not weak." Chojuro said with a frown as he drew a katana.

There were no more words. The three men charged each other as Benottio and Kabuto closed the distance first. Benottio flashed forward with several slices. Kabuto weaved around them with ease, preparing to use his scalpel to kill the man. Before he could though, he ducked a katana Chojuro swung to behead him and rolled away while Benottio attempted to stab him in the chest. As Kabuto stood he deflected various kunai thrown by Chojuro before he heard a call from Benottio as he came from above now.

"Wind Style: Flying Wind Spear!" He called as visible wind flew from his razor at high speed. Kabuto dived out of the way just dodging the attack by a hair's breadth, but leading him into the path of the falling Benottio who slashes at him with his razor, attempting to slit his throat. Kabuto merely smiled as he met this slash with his scalpel cutting through it and slicing through the tendons throughout Benottio's hand. As the two fell Benottio screamed out in pain. The man grasped his hand in pain. Kabuto prepared to finish him before a water dragon flew towards him. He managed to substitute himself with a log appearing behind Chojuro surging forward to slash across the muscles in his back. Chojuro spun as he slashed at Kabuto's head. Kabuto's eyes widened, noticing how fast he managed to react to it. 'This mere Genin is this fast?' He managed to duck just in time and attempted to slice through the blade of Chojuro. But his chakra scalpel is stopped in place.

"Your technique is impressive. But a true swordsman can strengthen their sword with chakra." Chojuro lectured. "Also, arrogance is unbecoming of a shinobi." As he finished, Benottio appeared and stabbed Kabuto in the throat with a kunai. Kabuto stumbled back, gurgling blood, before collapsing on the ground seemingly dead.

"Good work nervous wreck! He destroyed my damn razor! That bastard was a monster…" He suddenly stopped speaking.

Chojuro turned to see what stunned him and discovered Kabuto standing and smiling. Seemingly unperturbed by the blood covering him. His throat which had been nearly split open now looked pristine.

"H-how?" Chojuro asked, confused.

"Oh, an attack like that could never kill me. I had truly intended to kill both of you. But I guess you're lucky." Kabuto responds pleasantly. "Though you did surprise me. You're lucky my mission today isn't to kill you weaklings." Kabuto responded pleasantly.

"Like we're gonna let you leave, bastard!" Benottio screamed as he charged forward. But Kabuto started to sink into the ground while smiling.

"Oh, you will very much have your hands full already." Kabuto informs. "Wish you luck, teammates." He finished with a smile as he fully slid under ground.

The two men were silent waiting to see if he would reappear. Before they heard the sound of hooves hitting the pavement filling the air.

"You're fucking kidding me." Benottio complained as they realized what was happening. "We gotta run!"

"It won't work, we have to ride the horse and they are surely faster than it. We'll have to attempt to fend them off!" Chojuro stated as he seemed to prepare himself for the battle ahead.

"That would be correct." A voice called out as another group arrived on the path a short distance away from the two men. "Sorry, but Shinobi play for keeps." Temari lectured as she rode in the scene. Ino, Shino, and Omoi landed around her facing the group.

"It would be wise to surrender and allow us our points." Shino informed.

"Like hell, we will!" Benottio cried as he charged forward angrily. Chojuro sighed at this before joining him.

"Oh no, we're gonna kill them and be disqualified." Omoi worried out loud as Ino and he met their charge. He and Chojuro locked blades as Ino and Benottio engaged in a one-sided series of blows. Benottio slashed with a kunai but Ino easily disarmed this and threw the man with a shoulder throw. The waterfall shinobi quickly rolled to his feet and attempted to throw an overhand at the women. But Ino, using a roundhouse kick to the head of Benttio, sent him flying back.

"No, we're not! Just gonna do what you gotta!" As Benittio screamed as scores of insects covered his body draining him of his remaining chakra. Chojuro jumped back, seeing Benottio had fallen. He sighed once again.

"Enough we surrender." He called. The group stopped as Shino walked forward carefully. He approached Chojuro, both being surrounded by his insect allies. Chojuro did not react to this, nor react to Shino tapping him three times. As he did so all of Team One saw a band that had been wrapped around their forearms glow. Signifying their completion point-wise. At this, Shino nodded.

"Thank you for not making us harm you further." Shino said simply.

"I-it doesn't matter," Chojuro stated, seemingly uncaring about failing. He picked up the unconscious Benottio and loaded him onto the horse. He then drew the tag given to them earlier. Activating it sent off a flash of light. After a short time, several samurai arrived providing first aid as they, with Chojuro and Benottio, were led into the woods. Not once did the defeated Mist shinobi so much as complain.

"That didn't seem… I don't know… is it totally weird to anyone else?" Ino asked quizzically.

"It really was…" Omoi started. "Perhaps he's some kind of super villain?"

"SHUT UP!" Ino and Temari sound off at once. Omoi flinched at this, dropping to the ground. Both women nodded at each other.

"It's better we continue. We may have what's needed to pass, but the other teams won't." Shino added. "That would mean we are prime targets."

"Right, let's go, team!" Temari called. Both the leader and lord of team one. Team One continued on the move. Unknowing of what had truly happened to Team Three.

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Naruto's POV (Trial of Nio Mountain)

Naruto hadn't truly felt too nervous for the exam. He had always been a more simplistic guy. The villagers had never been cruel to him or his mother. They weren't well known and as such lived in relative peace. Naruto had felt lonely often with just him and his mother. But such was life. As such he had been him and his mother. Honestly, it had been enough for him but Kushina seemed to want more for him than that. So Naruto decided to find something to become strong and beloved. So his mother would be happy and maybe he could find some other people to be happy with. It hadn't taken long to decide on his goal. It had been a meeting with Hiruzen that had been the deciding factor. He may have been old but he had a powerful presence, seemed to know everything, and even acknowledged him! It had been clear to him that he needed to become Hokage. He remembered his mother had originally been against it. But even as a child he had been stubborn and eventually, he had won her over. With that goal in mind, he had trained hard. It hadn't been easy; often he had struggled pitifully. He supposed he simply wasn't a genius. In time he had grown and now had a chance to be closer to his dream. As if that hadn't been motivation enough his mother informed him the exams held a level of importance very few things in his life had. If he managed to become a Chunin she would finally tell him about his dad. As much as he longed to know before, he loved his mother too much to push her on it. Instead, he waited trusting she would let him know one day. Now if he did things right he would finally know. The first part had been something he simply couldn't offer too much help with. While he wasn't stupid he simply wasn't as smart as all these damn "geniuses". But is a survival exercise about protecting? Yeah, that was much more his style.

The selection of the lord of their group had been a relatively easy choice. Gaara had shown to have remarkable defensive skills in his and Naruto's brief conflict and no one in the group felt particularly safe with him watching their backs. With Gaara broadly declaring he wouldn't have to worry about Fuu or Naruto dying. And simply didn't care if Samui did. Selecting a leader was also a simple process. Fuu and Gaara had no interest in leading. And while Naruto would one day be Hokage he wasn't the best leader quite yet. Leaving only the aloof Samui as the choice. It worked out well. The woman was personable enough, intelligent, and calm to a fault. Quickly deciding to have the group summarize their abilities. So she could devise the best approach. She decided heading up the mountain as quickly as the horse could manage would be best. The paths throughout it often intersected meaning the group would likely not have to be concerned with finding a team. They were more likely to be attacked after all. With that in mind, the group summarized themselves and their abilities.

Naruto had proudly decided to go first. Despite his recent growth he just couldn't help but brag when an opportunity was presented. He described his ability to make a small army of clones. His unique Kenjutsu-Ninjutsu style. It wasn't quite honest to his full abilities but Naruto felt he should keep that to himself since Gaara had often remarked an intent to fight him at some point.

Fuu had gone next. Naruto had met various people in his life and despite his best efforts he often annoyed them. Perhaps it was his obnoxious nature, blunt honesty, or endless energy but he often rubbed others the wrong way. He had been overjoyed to get along with Team Seven. Even further to have made quick friends with Samui. Honestly, it had made his day! Now it got even better. Fuu was possibly the most positive person he had ever met. She matched his energy, was full of smiles, and generally was kind of awesome! It was like he had met a female version of himself! She even held the same pain in her eyes. Of someone who had been lonely. She described she could fly, had incredible strength, and said she was hard as steel. Naruto questioned what this meant and Fuu had cheerfully told him to hit her. Naruto being the man, quickly slugged her before realizing what he had done. But to the shock of the group she ate the punch without budging an inch or even flinching. Naruto felt like he had found the sister he never knew he wanted.

Samui and Naruto had hit it slightly during their tenure into the first test. He knew she was cool, aloof, and intelligent. As well as using the same kind of blade as him. She fought similarly to him, She used her kenjutsu and intelligence to outmaneuver her opponents. Naruto felt she was likely holding something back. He supposed he wasn't the only one hiding his full abilities.

Gaara went last. And his summarization left much to be desired. He merely stated his sand was an absolute defense that would protect him from threats. Then boldly declared he, unlike others, was openly the jinchuriki of the One Tails. It felt like a jab to Naruto but he witnessed Fuu flinch for a moment. Gaara merely smiled and looked at Fuu causing the group to realize the oddness of this team. They held three jinchuriki. The group had gone silent and to Naruto, it seemed they were likely not going to work well together in this test. He had no clue what to say but knew he had to say something to the group.

"Guys, I get what you're thinking." Naruto started as he walked in front of the group facing all three of them down. "We're hiding things from one another. As much as we may get along we all aren't necessarily allies. And it's dangerous to be open. I get that!" He started smashing his fist into the mountain causing a crack where he struck. "But dammit we all wanna become Chunin! We all are here and on the same team! So screw all this not ally sneaking shinobi crap! We gotta be a team for now. Let's show we got what it takes. When the time comes for us to separate we do it with no hard feelings. We all have our reason for being here! So for now let's work towards it together!" He finished with a heave.

The group stared back at him silently before Fuu flew forward and hugged the blonde happily. "Of course, we can be buddies silly! Friends are a great thing to have!" Fuu said as she bodily spun the blonde around.

"Hell ya, we're friends! Let's kick ass ya know?" Naruto replied happily, the two cheering loudly.

"You know, maybe it's not that cool to be super friendly." Samui said as she looked towards Gaara." But I like it a lot more than being cold." She then walked over to the group happily greeted and hugged by Fuu who immediately decided Samui was her friend as well.

Gaara stared at this in silent shock. While he had expected the rookie jinchuriki to bond together. For the filthy human to do so as well was odd. As far as he knew the two simply were natural enemies. Humans used them as a tool to destroy. Jinchuriki eventually crushed humans like the pests they were. He had intended to show them the only ones they could trust was their kind but it seemed they were steadfast in loving pests. For now, he would wait. The chance to break the two was something he would relish. Then he would guide them to the light.

With that all done Samui launched into her leader role. Gaara was to travel the path on the horse with Samui following nearby to be backup and communication. Naruto with an army of clones would traverse the woods of the mountain on both sides of the trail. Providing them with a defensive perimeter. Fuu with her unique ability of flight would fly above the group, altering them to any approaching opposition or any promising prey. Naruto would readily admit he thought it a winning strategy.

And so they had set off making impressive progress. When Samui's stamina was an inevitable question it was solved by various Naruto's carrying her to save her stamina and keep her fresh. And the group had a fantastic time. But Naruto and Fuu, both hyperactive and impulsive, had settled on playing 20 questions. Fuu carried the blonde since his clones could act without his input.

"Ever been kicked out of a store?" Fuu posed with a smile.

"Umm… kinda my mom was there and she ended up wrecking the place. She spent months doing missions to pay for it! My ma can be very scary." Naruto answered happily.

"Man, your mom sounds so awesome!" Fuu replied excitedly.

"She really is! My turn… Ever done pranks?" Naruto asked with a smirk.

"Um, no the villagers don't like me. I doubt it'll end well." Fuu replied awkwardly.

"Haha! That's why I did it back in the day. If people wanna ignore me might as well get their attention another way. But eventually, my ma caught me and…" Naruto visibly shivered at this. "So scary…"

"From what I've heard parents can be that way." Fuu supplied.

"You don't know yours?" Naruto asked bluntly.

"Nope. They died after I was born." Fuu replied just as bluntly.

Naruto sighed somberly,"I'm sorry. I never knew my dad either, he died as well." Naruto replied looking up at the sun as if it knew the answers.

Fuu didn't know how to deal with that! She hadn't even talked to someone human in a while much less comfort someone who had was talking about his dead father. So, she went with the most logical and sympathetical gesture she could think of.

"It's ok. Life can be tough but one day it gets better. So you can't give up, you never know when things will turn around. One day everyone gets lucky." Fuu replied with a strained smile.

"Good point, believe it!" Naruto replied.

Both suddenly flinched, stopping the conversation. "You felt that too?" Fuu asked with a small frown.

"One of my clones was just destroyed." Naruto said with a matching frown. "Let's report it to Samui and Gaara. A team is coming our way. My clones are slowing them down for now. I think we can take them. I know two of them." At this Fuu slowly lowered them, her seven wings slowing to allow them to descend. "Hey, we have company approaching! They know where we are and are looking for trouble. One of them can track our scent!" Naruto informed the group.

"Good, I was getting bored. Let's wait for them." Gaara replied, making his horse stop and climbing down from it. Samui slid to a stop next to him with a frown as she pondered this.

"We may as well. We need points and it would be uncool to withdraw." Samui noted. "How long?"

"Should be about two minutes. My clones can be threatening but they're too fragile to hold 'em much longer." Naruto replied.

"Alright! Time to rock!" Fuu cheered happily, spinning in the air after throwing a fist in the air and giggling at her own gestures.

"Cool, more than enough time to prepare. Naruto, Fuu I have an idea I need the two of you to do something. Gaara could you hold your own long momentarily?" Samui asked with a look back at the redhead oddity.

"I will likely kill them before you can get involved." He replied simply.

"Hey, two of them are my friends. I'll kick your ass if you try!" Naruto informed Gaara angrily.

"Ya don't be a jerk to Naruto!" Fuu replied behind the blonde. Staring at Gaara from behind his shoulder. The redhead freaked her out.

Gaara sighed heavily at this. "I do not know what's wrong with you two. But I'll spare the two friends. I assume Leaf? he asked with a smile. Naruto merely nodded at this which Gaara nodded at as well.

Team Two was an interesting group.

Kiba knew he was kind of an odd guy. The Inuzuka clan respected their dog partners to the highest degree. They were treated as equals as any good companion should be. As such they had over the years adapted their qualities. Not just in the physical or ninjutsu way but even in their personalities. Back in the day, they were more savage but these days it was more tempered. Before they would often try to be alphas and such but now they used it in a more healthy competitive way. As such Kiba just had to see if Naruto had truly grown as strong as Ino and Neji had claimed. There was simply no way he had surpassed him! He had always been ahead of the blonde in the academy and despite their friendship, he enjoyed it. It seemed his rival had grown some! Time to establish who was who. Choji and Sen had been against it. Choji due to his friendship with Naruto. And Sen due to thinking it would be wiser to set a trap. Luckily Ayuma felt such methods were dishonorable and Kiba managed to convince them to launch the attack.

His group flew into the part of the trial Team Two resided. Gaara stood proudly in front of them.

"I wouldn't suggest trying to score points off of me. Pests such as you get crushed by predators like me." Gaara states annoyed. "Leave now and I may let you live."

"It seems they left their lord. Cowardly of them, I shall combat this one." Ayuma stated simply. The waterfall shinobi pulled out a metal bo staff.

"Unnecessary," Sen stated as she fanned in front of her a powdery substance filling the air around Gaara. "He's already caught in my genjutsu. He's lucky to even still be standing."

"Shameful but I may as well finish him off." Ayuma stated flying forward with his bo staff, twirling to unleash a devastating swing to the head of the dazed Gaara. As the staff came close a tendril of sand blocked the blow. Unphased Ayuma unleashed a quick series of blows at various levels but each was blocked by the sand. The last blow the staff became caught in the sand. "Impressive you can still defend yourself this well." Ayuma reported grimly as he yanked, attempting to get his staff back.

"The sand truly does most of the work. I can barely tell where you are. An impressive genjutsu for pests. But from what I can see…. the two of you aren't Leaf!" Gaara screams as the tendrils of sand sent Ayuma flying into Sen. Freeing Gaara from her technique. He smiled as his wristband suddenly gleamed, showing it was the girl who was the lord. "I scored a point already, this game may be too easy."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, ginger!" Kiba screamed as he prepared to barrel into Gaara with a flying kick. But suddenly was snatched from the air. Akamaru barked at his master being taken. Jumping up to climb a tree to get him. Being carried high into the air by Fuu. At first, he threw several punches at the girl but she ate them all without any reaction. "What the hell are you made of?!" He complained.

"Those punches won't work on me! I'm lucky!" Fuu replied with a smile.

"THAT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE!" Kiba yelled angrily.

"Besides, look where we are." Fuu replied sweetly.

Kiba looked around in bewilderment. He was high in the air way over even the mountain. "WHAT THE FUCK!"

"Goodbye now." Fuu said with an airy giggle as she dropped him.

"Fuck!" Kiba screamed like a girl in extended fear as he flew towards the ground quickly. No question a fall from this height would kill him! Just as he came close he felt a hand grasp his ankle stopping descent. Fuu smiled down at the exasperated Kiba. "Fine…. I'll… give it to you… for now… just….. don't do that again!" He complained, hung upside down and disorientated.

Choji wanted to help Kiba but it was best he stopped them from getting Sen. Ayuma ran back as he held his now dented staff. He swore angrily as he attacked Gaara's seemingly unstoppable defense.

Choji grew himself to be about ten feet tall as he punched into the ground breaking it. He picked up a man-sized piece and hurled it at Gaara. To his shock, the rock suddenly crumbled. Naruto flew through the remains with his tanto glowing. Stating with a smile. "Uzumaki Style: Instant Erosion! Hey there buddy, sorry but I'm your opponent for now."

Sen dodged several slashes from the blonde woman pursuing her. She had already been hit once. And while she couldn't be eliminated through getting scored on it was a mark of dishonor. She sincerely doubted Shira would get hit nor did she believe that Yome would want her to fail! But the woman was absurdly quick. Keeping much too close for her to use her genjutsu. Her fans allowed her to hold her own for now. She growled as she flowed chakra into them. "Cactus Spine Shower! She called as several thin beams of chakra flew towards Samui the number and close range of the attack almost assured it would hit!

Samui merely smiled at this. "Sorry but, Cool Counter!" She said calmly as her blade suddenly flashed through the air, splitting each chakra strand with ease and even knocking her fans out of her hands. Samui then threw a back kick, driving it into the torso of Sen for extra measure and sending her sliding back. All of Team Two smiled further as another point totaled for them.

"Well done." Sen said with a gasp. "Fortunately you played it too loose." She said with a smile as Akamaru suddenly grabbed her and flew back.

At this, the struggling Choji and Kiba both flew back, the group retreating. Samui, Naruto, and Fuu prepared to pursue them to get the final point before a scream broke their concentration.

They looked back to see Ayuma screaming in pain, one of his arms completely gone. Blood pumping from where it once lay. He tried to run but sand wrapped around his ankles lifting him into the air. Gaara smiled cruelly as he clenched his fist. The sand holding the ankles of Ayuma crushed in the sound of bones shattering filling the area. Samui and Fuu were stunned by the violence. Naruto raced forward and angrily attempted to grab Gaara. His sand stopped this action, however.

"What the hell are you doing?" Naruto asked furiously at the heartless torture of another human.

"He loses that means his life is forfeit." Gaara stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "For beings like us life holds more. But for a pest like him? Well, they deserve to die." Gaara said darkly.

"Put him down. Or I'll kill you myself!" Naruto declared angrily.

"Oh, you'll kill me?" Gaara said his killing intent filled the area. Samui collapsed on her knees. Fuu flinched at the power. Naruto flinched as well, Gaara smirking at this. "Be careful with your words friend." While they had argued none realized the sand had raised the struggling Ayuma high into the air. Wrapping around his mouth to keep him silent.

"No-" Naruto started but flinched as Ayuma hit the ground head-first with a disgusting splat. The body was pulverized by the fall. The group all except Gaara marched forward to look away.

Gaara walked past them and climbed onto his horse calmly. "I didn't kill your friends, you could never kill me, and don't assume because we are kin I won't kill you." He said as he started to trot on with his horse.

Gaara felt that while the others seemed to hate how this event went down, it went down the best way it could've so far. Now they knew what line not to cross. Shortly after they elected to set up camp. The day turned to night and things got ice cold. Gaara agreed to take shift, wanting this time to himself. He explained he could not sleep and would watch for the night. The group didn't feel fully comfortable with this but seemed to realize it was best to agree for now. Gaara had formed a shelter out of stone for them and the horse. Naruto managed to catch various fish. His mother taught him survival skills at a young age. Fuu had gone and found safe drinking water. Samui had started a fire to warm the odd structure. She seemed incredibly on guard being left with Gaara. He also knew at least twenty clones were watching them. Ten more following Fuu. It seemed the blonde intended to protect the team even against itself. But he had behaved and things went well. Now deeper into the night, he was able to relax. He suddenly felt the presence of others coming and with a smile stood. He created a sand clone to watch over his teammates as he climbed onto his steed and rode out to meet them.

It seemed this exam would serve his vice as well as his goal!