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Naruto: The Chosen Undead
- Thread starter Adamos_Amet
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Wardemer
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
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I like the new jutsu showed, the test was pretty similar, the only difference happened after the trio was beaten, and a Sakura slighly more skilled.
The only "weird" part was when Sakura was attacking Kakashi and Sasuke cooperated with her, but i consider that being more of Sasuke using Sakura than any teamwork.
So there was not that much of a difference between what you did and cannon
The only "weird" part was when Sakura was attacking Kakashi and Sasuke cooperated with her, but i consider that being more of Sasuke using Sakura than any teamwork.
So there was not that much of a difference between what you did and cannon
Adamos_Amet
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What I meant by "capture the vibe" was if you thought I wrote the scene in a way that felt authentic. Did the dynamic feel real? Did the back-and-forth flow naturally? How was the characterization of Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura? That's what I meant when I used "vibe" as a catch-all term.
Now, about the idea that it was "the exact same as canon, but Naruto made a few little craters with his sword this time"—nah, I have to disagree. Naruto showed off his new skills and had a logical progression, which Kakashi can help with. Kakashi, on the other hand, did more than his canon self—he used elemental ninjutsu, gave actual advice, and was more involved. Sasuke used his Sharingan, learned a few new jutsu like Shunshin and Call of the Siren (even if it's not usable yet), and Sakura actually did something instead of fainting like in canon.
Sakura also got a reality check, and the back-and-forth between Sasuke and Kakashi added some world-building. Like, it explained what fire jutsu actually is, why every Sharingan user can't just copy-paste every jutsu they see, and why Kakashi being the Copy Ninja is such a big deal. Just because the fight hit similar plot beats as canon doesn't mean I didn't change anything.
Anyway, I'm curious—anything specific you'd want to see happen in the story?
Wardemer
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
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New jutsus, we have a copy ninja who in the series used just a few jutsus, the same as his current oponent instead of those who may counter those and a sharingan skill.
I would say the same for lots of ninjas who just us one or two jutsus, and there should be thousands more, won't ask for a thousand jutsus but that there are more than just a few and bloodline abilities.
Or just more regular skills, because a lot of the jutsus shown scream "magical warrior" instead of "Magic ninja", and i always found it funny that they are suposed to be stealth fighters and are more loud than Luffy most of the times XD
I would say the same for lots of ninjas who just us one or two jutsus, and there should be thousands more, won't ask for a thousand jutsus but that there are more than just a few and bloodline abilities.
Or just more regular skills, because a lot of the jutsus shown scream "magical warrior" instead of "Magic ninja", and i always found it funny that they are suposed to be stealth fighters and are more loud than Luffy most of the times XD
Chapter no.9 Naruto
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Adamos_Amet
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Chapter no.9 A Bitter Kind of Silence
The streets of Konoha were bathed in soft moonlight, quiet and almost magical. The usual hustle and chatter of the day had given way to a peaceful stillness, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the faint whisper of a passing breeze. A few shinobi moved through the shadows, silent as ghosts, their forms blending seamlessly with the night. Some of them glanced at Naruto as he walked by, their eyes lingering for a moment on his armour, but no one said a word.
Naruto sighed as he trudged along. Normally, the quiet felt lonely, like the world was reminding him of all the things he didn't have. But tonight… tonight felt different. The stillness wrapped around him like a blanket, soothing in a way he didn't quite understand.
Why is this so… nice? he thought, letting his steps slow as he looked up at the moon. He allowed himself a rare moment to enjoy the peace as he made his way home.
It didn't last.
As Naruto approached his front door, he froze. Lying on the ground, curled up like a cat, was Konohamaru. The kid was sound asleep, drooling on a worn camo blanket he'd been using as a pillow. The blanket itself looked like shinobi gear, the kind that worked with the Transformation Jutsu to create a camouflage illusion. It was impressive for someone so young, but the fact that Konohamaru had chosen his doorstep to camp out on was less impressive.
Naruto sighed, scratching his head. "What's this little brat doing here?" he muttered to himself, tiptoeing toward his door. He carefully reached for the handle, trying not to wake the kid up. But the door, as always, had other plans.
Creeeeeaaak.
"Boss!" Konohamaru's voice cut through the silence like a kunai, startling Naruto mid-step.
Naruto turned, giving the kid a flat look. "What are you doing here, you little runt?"
Konohamaru shot up, his face lighting up like a firecracker. "Boss! You have to teach me how to become Hokage! Please, please, please!" He clasped his hands together in front of him, his eyes wide and sparkling with the kind of desperation only a little kid could pull off.
Naruto groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Hokage? Seriously? You're gonna pick my house to whine about this at midnight?" Without another word, he opened the door and slammed it behind him, shutting out Konohamaru's excited pleas.
Inside, Naruto muttered to himself as he made his way to the bathroom. "Hokage. This kid…" He turned on the shower, letting the hot water rush over him, washing away the sweat and grime of the day. The soothing heat worked wonders for his muscles, but the moment of peace didn't last.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Boss!" Konohamaru's voice rang out, muffled but persistent.
Naruto gritted his teeth, grabbing a handful of soap as the banging continued in rhythm. If he keeps this up, I'm gonna fireball his scrawny butt into next week, he thought, scrubbing with more force than necessary.
By the time he got out of the shower, the banging was still going strong. Towel wrapped around his waist, Naruto stomped into the kitchen, ignoring the noise as he set a pot of water to boil for some instant ramen. He cracked an egg into a pan, trying to focus on anything other than the incessant knocking.
"Boss!" Konohamaru's voice was more high-pitched now, his persistence nothing short of impressive.
"Shut up!" Naruto yelled, slamming his hands on the counter. For a brief moment, the banging stopped. Naruto sighed, relieved—until he smelled something burning.
"Damn it!" He turned back to the stove and flipped the egg, revealing a blackened, crispy bottom. He stared at it for a moment before muttering, "Perfect. Just perfect."
Then, right on cue: Bang. Bang. Bang.
Naruto's patience snapped. Slamming the pan down on the counter, he stormed toward the door, yanking it open with enough force to rattle the hinges. "What?!" he bellowed, glaring down at Konohamaru.
The kid looked up at him with big, innocent eyes, completely unbothered by Naruto's outburst. "Train me!" he said again, this time with a grin so wide it was almost blinding.
Naruto stared at him for a moment, utterly dumbfounded. Then he slammed the door shut in his face. "Nope," he muttered. "Not in the mood to beat up a six-year-old right now."
He turned back toward the kitchen, only to catch another whiff of burning. "Oh, come on!" He rushed to the stove, but his egg was already ruined, charred to an unrecognizable crisp. He sighed, scraping the burnt mess into the trash.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, "now I am in the mood to beat up a six-year-old."
Naruto stomped back to the door and flung it open again, this time with a mischievous grin on his face. "You want me to train you?" he asked, crossing his arms.
Konohamaru's eyes lit up as he nodded eagerly. "Yeah! Please, boss! Please!"
"Great," Naruto said, cracking his knuckles. "Dodge."
"Wait, wha—"
Before Konohamaru could finish, Naruto's fist flew toward him. It wasn't hard enough to seriously hurt, but it was enough to send the kid sprawling onto the ground with a loud thud. Konohamaru lay there, dazed, his eyes wide with shock before they fluttered shut. He was out cold.
Naruto stood over him, shaking out his hand. "That felt… surprisingly good." He let out a smug chuckle, but the realization hit him a moment later. Wait. Did I just knock out a six-year-old?
His eyes darted around the street, panic creeping in. "Oh, crap. If anyone saw that…" His brain raced for a solution. What if I dumped him near a dumpster? Yeah, perfect! He'll look like he passed out there after getting into trouble. Totally believable.
Then a cold breeze hit him, and he realized he was still in just a towel. "Ugh, great," he muttered, dragging a hand down his face. Resigning himself, Naruto grabbed Konohamaru by the leg and dragged him inside.
"Can't believe I'm doing this," he grumbled, shutting the door behind him. The quiet of the night returned, leaving only the faint sound of Naruto muttering curses under his breath.
A few minutes later, Naruto stood in his small kitchen, stirring the ramen he'd finally managed to cook. He cracked an egg into the steaming broth and gently whisked it in, watching as the ribbons of yellow swirled through the soup. At the counter, Konohamaru sat on a stool, two tissues stuffed into his nose to stem the bleeding. His legs swung back and forth as he watched Naruto work, his wide eyes filled with fascination, as if Naruto were performing some kind of ancient shinobi ritual.
Naruto gave him a sideways glance. "See, the trick is to add the egg while the broth's still hot," he said, trying to sound sage-like. "The heat cooks it just right, makes it all fluffy, and gives the soup more richness. It's simple, but this is sacred ramen knowledge."
Konohamaru nodded solemnly, as if Naruto had just handed him the meaning of life. "Sacred ramen knowledge… Got it, Boss."
Naruto smirked as he poured the finished ramen into two bowls. Steam rose, carrying the comforting aroma of savory broth and egg. He slid one bowl toward Konohamaru, handing him a spoon. "Alright, kid, dig in."
Konohamaru didn't hesitate, scooping up a bite and stuffing it into his mouth. His eyes widened in pure delight as he chewed. "This is amazing, Boss! First, you tested my speed, and now you're teaching me the secret art of ramen-making!"
Naruto chuckled, sitting down on the other side of the counter with his own bowl. He felt a little burst of pride—he didn't get called awesome often, and hearing it from Konohamaru wasn't so bad. As the boy took another eager bite, Naruto leaned back slightly and asked, "So, why'd you want to learn from me?"
Konohamaru paused, his spoon hovering over the bowl. His face grew serious, and he stared down at the swirling broth. "Well… you're the first person who's ever treated me like me," he said quietly.
Naruto frowned. "What do you mean?"
Konohamaru set his spoon down, his small hands clenching into fists. "My grandpa gave me the name Konohamaru—after the village. Everyone knows my name, but when they talk about me, all they see is the Hokage's grandson. No one ever sees me. They bow, they smile, but it's all fake. I'm sick of it! That's why I want to be Hokage, so they'll see me for who I really am."
Naruto sat back, letting the boy's words sink in. He didn't say anything right away, just stared at his ramen. That hit a little too close to home. Naruto knew what it was like to want recognition, to want people to see him, not some version of him they made up in their heads.
The quiet stretched between them, the only sound the soft clinking of their spoons against the bowls. Naruto opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, his front door slammed open.
"YOUNG MASTER!" Ebisu stormed in, his glasses slightly askew, his usually prim demeanor looking thoroughly ruffled. "I've been looking for you for hours! The entire Sarutobi clan is worried sick!"
Naruto blinked in confusion, setting his spoon down. "Uh, ever heard of knocking?"
"Don't interrupt me!" Ebisu snapped, adjusting his glasses as he turned his sharp glare on Konohamaru. "Honorable grandson, let's go. You've wasted enough time here. Stop this foolishness and return to the clan."
Konohamaru shot up from his stool, his fists clenched. "No! I'm not going back until I'm strong enough to defeat Grandpa and become Hokage! And Boss is teaching me how!"
Ebisu groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was dealing with an unruly toddler. "Honorable grandson—"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Konohamaru shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. "I'm not just 'honorable grandson.' I'm Konohamaru!"
Naruto watched the boy tremble with anger, and something inside him shifted. Placing a hand on Konohamaru's shoulder, he gave him a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, let me handle this," he said softly.
Konohamaru looked up at him, hesitating for a moment before nodding and stepping back. Naruto stood, turning to face Ebisu, his expression calm.
Ebisu scoffed, his nose wrinkling as he regarded Naruto with disdain. "And what are you going to do, deadlast? You're nothing but a fool playing ninja. I'm far more skilled than the likes of you."
Naruto's eye twitched, his hand curling into a fist. Who does this guy think he is? But instead of getting mad, he let out a slow breath, an idea forming in his head.
He took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "Oh, ho, you're approaching me?" Ebisu sneered, crossing his arms.
"I can't kick your ass unless I come closer," Naruto replied, taking another step. His voice was calm, almost casual, but his words dripped with challenge.
Ebisu's smirk widened. "You're welcome to try, demon brat. But don't think for a second you stand a chance."
"Teach him, Boss!"
Ebisu's scoff turned into a chuckle, his tone mocking. "Teach me? Teach me what?"
Naruto cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Lesson one: Don't underestimate your enemy."
The light of the miracle glowed white-hot around Naruto's knuckles, the energy humming faintly in the still night. Ebisu's smirk didn't last long—before he could even react a shockwave that struck him square in the chest. The impact was instantaneous. Ebisu was launched clear out the door, his body hurtling through the air like a ragdoll.
"W-Whoa… Boss!"
Outside, Ebisu groaned, staggering to his feet. His glasses were askew, and his usually neat appearance was now completely disheveled. He clutched his stomach, wobbling as he tried to steady himself. Naruto wasn't about to give him the chance. In an instant, he equipped his armor, the pieces forming around him with a low, resonant clink. The weight of it felt natural now, as though it had always been part of him. Without hesitation, he disappeared in a blur of speed, the Shunshin no Jutsu propelling him Ebisu could even register the movement, Naruto closed the distance. His knee shot up in a swift, brutal arc, slamming into Ebisu's jaw with bone-crunching force. The sound echoed in the night—a sickening crack that made Konohamaru flinch.
Ebisu's body flew backward, slamming into the metal railings outside with a deafening clang. The railings bent under the force, creaking ominously as his body toppled over the edge.
"Don't worry," naruto said casually. "There's a dumpster down there. It'll break his fall."
A dull thud echoed up a second later. Naruto winced. "Or… the concrete."
Konohamaru looked up at him, stunned, before breaking into a wide grin. "That. Was. AWESOME!"
"Eh, he had it coming."
"Alright, kid, lesson two: never let a jerk like that boss you around. Got it?"
"Got it, Boss!"
The boy's excitement seemed boundless, and he practically bounced as he followed Naruto into the living room. "You were awesome, Boss! Can you teach me how to do that? That jutsu was insane!"
"You're not ready for that yet, brat. Why don't we focus on getting you home first? It's way past your bedtime."
Konohamaru paused, his grin fading slightly as he looked guilty. Naruto followed his gaze to the counter and froze. The ramen bowls they had just eaten from were now completely empty, and one of them looked like it had been licked clean.
"I needed something to eat while you fought," Konohamaru giggled nervously, letting out a tiny burp.
Naruto's eye twitched. "This kid…" He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. But before he could finish exhaling, an idea struck him. "I think…" he began, reaching for his inventory, "you need to run."
"Run?"
With a low hum, Naruto summoned his Zweihander, the massive blade materializing in his hands with a heavy thud against the floor. The room almost seemed to darken under its sheer weight and presence as Naruto pointed the blade at Konohamaru.
"Run!" Naruto roared, his grin widening into something that was far too gleeful.
Konohamaru's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, Boss!" he yelped, spinning on his heel and bolting out the door.
Naruto chased after him, the Zweihander over his shoulder, his laughter echoing through the quiet streets. "Come back! I just want to talk!"
"I said I'm sorry!" Konohamaru's voice trailed off as he sprinted away, his little feet slapping against the cobblestone streets.
Eventually, after several blocks of chasing, Naruto caught up to the boy and threw him over his shoulder like a sack of rice. Konohamaru didn't even struggle; he just clung to Naruto's back, laughing between gasps for air as Naruto walked them toward the Sarutobi clan house. The moonlight illuminated the streets, and the gentle hum of the village at night filled the space between them.
After a while, Konohamaru's giggles faded, replaced by a thoughtful quiet. His small arms wrapped around Naruto's neck as he adjusted his position. "Boss… what's your dream?"
Naruto paused for a moment, pretending to focus on his steps. He didn't want to talk about it, but Konohamaru wasn't the type to let things go.
"I heard people say your dream was to become the greatest Hokage," Konohamaru pressed.
Naruto exhaled slowly. "Yeah," he muttered, keeping his voice low. He didn't feel like explaining himself.
"Well, sorry, Boss," Konohamaru said, his proud tone returning. "But I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage. You're just gonna have to settle for second place."
Naruto huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. "It's not that easy, dumbass. The title of Hokage isn't something you just decide to take. It's something you earn. Everyone has to acknowledge you first. Do you think that's easy?" His voice softened as he added, "I've had a hard enough time just getting one person to acknowledge me."
"So, what do I do?"
Naruto adjusted his grip on the boy and kept walking. "Prepare yourself. There aren't any shortcuts to becoming Hokage."
The boy went quiet, chewing on Naruto's words, until the grand Sarutobi clan gates came into view. The carved wooden doors stood tall and imposing, intricate symbols lining their edges. Two guards stood on either side, their expressions neutral. They nodded politely as Naruto approached, but both raised their eyebrows when they saw Konohamaru perched on his back.
Standing in front of the gates, arms crossed and looking more tired than usual, was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
"Konohamaru," the Third Hokage said, "do you even know what time it is, young man?"
Konohamaru slid off Naruto's back, standing sheepishly in front of his grandfather. "Sorry, Gramps. I was hanging out with Boss so he could teach me how to beat you."
Naruto winced, giving the Hokage an awkward salute. "Uh… he's not wrong."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two of them. "I see." He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "This will be the last time I overlook this sort of mischief, Konohamaru. Tomorrow is your first day at the academy, and you need to rest."
"Tomorrow's also my first step to becoming Hokage!"
Hiruzen chuckled softly, shaking his head. "We'll see about that." He turned to Naruto. "Thank you for bringing him home, Naruto-kun. I hope Ebisu didn't trouble you too much."
Naruto smirked, biting back a laugh. "Nah, that guy's fine. Probably just… lying low right now."
"Lying low" was one way to describe it. Ebisu was unceremoniously hurled into a dumpster by one of Naruto's clones, landing with a crash that sent the lid clanging shut above him. Inside the rank, dark space, he groaned, shoving a banana peel off his head, only for a half-eaten apple core to plop onto his shoulder. His glasses were cracked, one lens dangling uselessly, and his normally pristine outfit was smeared with something he hoped was just dirt.
Ebisu sat up slowly, glaring at the walls of the dumpster like it had personally insulted him. "Damn brat," he muttered weakly, trying to summon whatever dignity he had left—just as the dumpster's lid creaked open, and a stray cat peered down at him, its eyes glowing eerily in the moonlight.
The cat let out a judgmental mrrrow, then leaped in, landing squarely on his face.
"GAH!" Ebisu yelped, flailing as the cat bolted, knocking over a bag of garbage that promptly spilled onto his lap. A carton of spoiled milk popped open, drenching him as he slumped back against the dumpster wall, utterly defeated.
"One day," he wheezed, peeling a wet noodle off his cheek, "one day I will have my revenge…"
From the alley, Naruto's clone peeked over the rim of the dumpster, snickering. "You good in there, or should I find a second dumpster for backup?"
Ebisu let out a strangled groan, raising one trembling fist. "Damn… brat…" he muttered before slumping fully into the trash pile, his pride officially dead.
Back at the compound, Hiruzen gave Naruto a puzzled look but let it go. "Good night, Naruto-kun. Konohamaru, inside. Now."
"But—" Konohamaru yawned halfway through his protest, his defiance fading as his eyes began to droop.
"Go to bed, dumbass," Naruto said, nudging him gently toward the door.
Konohamaru looked up, scrunching his nose. "Blah, stop acting like you know everything, Boss…" His voice slurred as he rubbed his eyes. "I'm not letting you be my boss anymore…"
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah!" Konohamaru blinked sleepily but still managed to grin. "From now on… we're rivals!"
Naruto's smirk softened into a smile. He reached into his pocket, palming his green goggles from his inventory. Without drawing attention, he handed them to Konohamaru.
"These are my favorite goggles," he said as the boy's eyes widened. "When the day comes that we're fighting for the Hokage title, I want them back."
Konohamaru's face lit up as he slipped off his helmet and put the goggles on. "Then you'll have to win them back, Boss!"
Naruto laughed, holding out his fist. "Looking forward to it, Konohamaru."
The boy bumped his fist against Naruto's before turning and running inside, his laughter echoing behind him. Naruto stood there for a moment, watching him go.
Hiruzen's voice broke the quiet. "He looks up to you, you know."
Naruto nodded silently, his eyes drifting toward the moonlit village in the distance. The quiet between him and the old man stretched, heavy and awkward, like a weight neither wanted to lift. He shifted his feet, ready to leave, but Hiruzen's voice stopped him.
"Wait, Naruto."
Naruto froze, his body stiffening. "What do you want?"
Hiruzen stepped forward, his robes shifting slightly in the breeze. Without the Hokage's hat, he looked different—less like the leader of the village, and more like an old man weighed down by years of regret.
"I need to talk to you about something," Hiruzen said. He gestured toward the wooden bench near the compound's entrance. "Would you mind sitting for a moment?"
Naruto didn't move. "I'm fine standing," he said curtly, his voice colder than usual.
Hiruzen didn't push the matter at first, letting the silence settle between them. "It's about what happened with Kiba," he said. "I heard you… almost killed him."
Naruto's face remained impassive, like Hiruzen had just told him the sky was blue or that water was wet. There wasn't a flicker of guilt, worry, or even surprise in his expression.
"Naruto, this is serious. You nearly killed a fellow shinobi of the Leaf—in what was essentially a stupid fight. Do you understand the gravity of that?"
"That wasn't just some stupid fight," Naruto said, his voice low and simmering with anger. "Kiba disrespected someone important to me. Someone who taught me about honor and strength—things this village pretends to care about but doesn't actually live by. I wasn't going to let him get away with that."
Hiruzen studied him carefully. "While I understand that Kiba may have been out of line, Naruto, attacking and nearly killing him is inexcusable," he said. "Words can hurt, yes, but they don't justify violence. If you want to grow into a shinobi people can trust, you need to learn to control yourself. A true ninja doesn't let their emotions dictate their actions."
The words stung—not because they were wrong, but because they dismissed what had actually happened. This wasn't about anger. It wasn't even about Kiba. It was about respect. It was about Oscar.
"And who the hell are you to tell me any of this?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Hiruzen's gaze hardened, and for the first time that evening, he allowed the weight of his authority to press down on Naruto. The air felt heavier, suffocating, a stark reminder of who Hiruzen Sarutobi truly was—not just an old man, but the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, the professor, the protector of the village.
"I am the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Genin Naruto!"
For a moment, Naruto felt the weight of that title crash down on him, the enormity of it making him feel small. But the anger burning in his chest refused to be extinguished. He straightened, his voice steady but trembling with restrained frustration.
"So, is that it?" Naruto asked. "I have to take responsibility? I have to deal with it all? The child has to be the adult?"
The question cut deeper than Hiruzen expected. His jaw tightened, guilt flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth to respond, but Naruto didn't give him the chance.
"I'm the one who has to 'control myself.' I'm the one who has to 'be fair and just.' I'm the one who has to suck it up and move on, while the rest of this village gets to throw their crap at me and pretend I don't exist. That's what being a ninja means, huh? Just keep taking it, over and over, because that's the Will of Fire?"
"Naruto, that's not what I meant…" Hiruzen's voice softened, his tone almost pleading as he took a step closer, raising a hand.
But Naruto didn't flinch. "Then how did you mean it, old man?" he asked, his voice quieter now but no less biting. "Because it sure sounds like you're telling me I have to carry everyone else's baggage while they get to treat me however they want. That I'm the one who's supposed to be better than them. That I'm supposed to act like a hero for a village that's never done anything for me."
The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze.
"You're right," Hiruzen said finally, his voice heavy with regret. "I wasn't there for you the way I should have been. And neither was this village. For that, Naruto, I am truly sorry."
Naruto flinched, his eyes widening slightly. He hadn't expected that—not the apology, not the raw sadness in the old man's voice. But it wasn't enough. It couldn't be enough.
"Sorry?" Naruto echoed bitterly. "That's it? You think 'sorry' makes up for everything? For the years I spent alone? For —" His throat tightened, and he couldn't finish the sentence.
"No, Naruto," Hiruzen said softly. "I know it doesn't make up for anything. I know I can't undo what's been done. But I want to do better. I want to help you find your place in this village."
Naruto's gaze dropped to the ground, his fists trembling as conflicting emotions swirled inside him. Anger, frustration, sadness—he didn't know which to hold on to, which to let go of.
"You still want to be Hokage, don't you?"
The question hung in the air, a quiet attempt to gauge just how deep the damage truly ran.
Naruto hesitated, the question cutting through him like a blade. Did he? Once, being Hokage had meant everything to him. It had been his dream, his proof that he could matter. But now? Now, it felt ironically hollow.
"What does being Hokage even mean to you?"
Hiruzen's gaze turned distant as he looked out at the moonlit compound gates. "The Hokage is the person who embodies the Will of Fire," he said. "The belief that everyone in this village is part of one family. That we protect and care for each other, no matter what."
Naruto felt a bitter laugh rise in his throat but swallowed it down.
"The Hokage carries the burden of protecting the village," Hiruzen continued. "Of guiding it, ensuring that the Will of Fire is passed down to the next generation. It's a chain that stretches back to the First Hokage, and one I hope will continue long after me."
"So, has Konoha failed me? Has the Hokage failed me?"
Hiruzen's breath hitched.
"I don't think I ever felt the 'warmth' of family when I cried myself to sleep, Hokage-sama," Naruto continued, his voice trembling, not from fear, but from the weight of everything he had held in for so long. "I don't think I ever felt 'protected' when the villagers glared at me like I was a monster. Like I wasn't even human."
Hiruzen's face fell, the regret pooling in his eyes.
Naruto's voice softened, but that only made it worse, the pain in his words sharper for how calm they were. "You talk about fairness," he said, the faintest tremble in his tone betraying the storm brewing underneath, "about justice, about family… but where was all of that when the innocent needed it? Where was the Will of Fire when the ones who truly needed it were left to fend for themselves? Where was it when I needed it?"
Naruto raised his hand, gesturing vaguely toward the Hokage's nonexistent hat. "That hat…" he began. "That hat once meant something to me. It represented hope. A dream that maybe, one day, I could be more than the village outcast. More than just the kid everyone hated for no reason. That maybe, just maybe, I could be someone who mattered."
His gaze locked onto Hiruzen's then, raw, unflinching, and full of unshed tears. His bright blue eyes seemed to bore into the Hokage, demanding he look at the truth he had ignored for so long. But Naruto didn't let those tears fall. He refused to give Hiruzen—or the village—the satisfaction of seeing just how much they had hurt him.
"But now?" Naruto's voice cracked, the bitterness bleeding through as he forced the words out like broken glass. "Now, it's just a hat. Nothing more. A hat worn by a man who preaches fairness and justice but doesn't live it. A man who lets his village turn its back on a child. A man who talks about family, but doesn't even know what the word means. That's what the Hokage's hat is to me now. Nothing. Just an empty symbol."
Hiruzen stood there in silence. He didn't argue. He didn't deny it. How could he? Every word Naruto said was a truth Hiruzen couldn't refute. Every accusation struck deeper than the last, cutting through the ideals he had spent his life trying to uphold. And now, those ideals crumbled under the weight of the boy's pain.
Shame painted itself across Hiruzen's face. It seeped into every line etched into his weathered features. Shame not just as the Hokage—the leader who was supposed to protect and nurture every soul in his village—but as a man. A man who had failed a boy who needed him the most. A boy he had promised to look after and had let down in every way that mattered.
But worst of all, shame as the man Naruto once called "grandpa." That name had been a gift—a sign of trust, of affection, of the hope that maybe, despite everything, Naruto still believed in him. And Hiruzen had thrown it away. Through his inaction, his silence, his complacency, he had let that precious gift rot away until there was nothing left.
"I don't hate you, old man. I should, but I don't." He paused. "What I feel is worse. Disappointment."
He let the word hang in the air like a blade suspended above Hiruzen's head, cutting deeper than any weapon ever could. Then, with no further words, Naruto turned away.
For a moment, he thought to call out, to stop him, to say something—anything—to make this right. But no words came. No action felt sufficient. He remained frozen, bound by the weight of his own failings. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the great Hokage, the Professor, the man who was supposed to guide his people, felt completely powerless.
It wasn't a new feeling, but that only made it worse. He recognized it too well—the same powerlessness that had plagued him when his relationship with his own son, Asuma, had crumbled, built on unspoken expectations and words left unsaid. The same powerlessness that gnawed at him whenever he thought of Tsunade, how he had failed to guide her through her grief and let her leave the village, carrying her pain with her. The same powerlessness that weighed on him every time he remembered Orochimaru, the student he'd let fall into darkness because he couldn't bring himself to act decisively when it mattered most.
And now… now it was Naruto.
This was his great flaw, the one that defined his many regrets: his inability to repair the bonds that should have mattered most to him. Time and again, he had let the people who needed him slip through his fingers, too afraid, too hesitant to confront the mess he had allowed to grow. He always told himself it was for the greater good—that his duty to the village outweighed his personal relationships—but in truth, he simply didn't know how to fix what was broken.
Naruto paused mid-step, his back still turned to the old man.
"If Iruka-sensei hadn't stopped my axe from hitting Kiba," he said, "I would've stopped myself." He glanced over his shoulder. "Not because of anything you taught me. Not because of anything this village stands for. But because I live by the code of someone who believed in me. Someone who gave me hope when no one else would. I wouldn't dirty his code—not even for my anger."
The finality in his voice landed like a hammer blow, reverberating in the space between them. Naruto's eyes lingered on Hiruzen for just a second longer, piercing and resolute, before he turned and began walking again. His steps were deliberate, unhurried, as though he were leaving behind more than just the conversation.
"Good night, Hokage-sama!"
Author's Note:
Hey, everyone! Wow, this chapter was intense, wasn't it? Writing the confrontation between Hiruzen and Naruto has been on my mind for ages. I really wanted to dig into the raw emotions and messy dynamics between them, and honestly, it hurt in all the best ways to write. Did Hiruzen's guilt hit you like a truck? Does Naruto calling him out feel like the turning point it should be? Let me know in the comments—don't hold back!
So, what's next? The next chapter drops on December 16th! And it's gonna be a good one. We'll be shifting perspectives, dealing with the fallout of this confrontation, and ramping up into some major moments. Get hyped!
BUT… if waiting is not your thing (and let's be real, who likes waiting?), Chapter 44 on Patreon
For those of you who don't know, I'm a few chapters ahead over there, so if you want to binge the upcoming twists right now (and trust me, some spicy stuff is coming), you can join for as little as a dollar. Plus, it really helps me stay consistent with writing (shoutout to my patrons, y'all are MVPs).
No pressure though! You do you. But if you want early access to the chaos, it's there.
Alright, that's it from me for now. See you all on December 16th for the next update! Until then, drop your theories and thoughts in the comments—I love reading what you all come up with. Let's keep this hype train rolling!
—Adamo Amet
The streets of Konoha were bathed in soft moonlight, quiet and almost magical. The usual hustle and chatter of the day had given way to a peaceful stillness, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the faint whisper of a passing breeze. A few shinobi moved through the shadows, silent as ghosts, their forms blending seamlessly with the night. Some of them glanced at Naruto as he walked by, their eyes lingering for a moment on his armour, but no one said a word.
Naruto sighed as he trudged along. Normally, the quiet felt lonely, like the world was reminding him of all the things he didn't have. But tonight… tonight felt different. The stillness wrapped around him like a blanket, soothing in a way he didn't quite understand.
Why is this so… nice? he thought, letting his steps slow as he looked up at the moon. He allowed himself a rare moment to enjoy the peace as he made his way home.
It didn't last.
As Naruto approached his front door, he froze. Lying on the ground, curled up like a cat, was Konohamaru. The kid was sound asleep, drooling on a worn camo blanket he'd been using as a pillow. The blanket itself looked like shinobi gear, the kind that worked with the Transformation Jutsu to create a camouflage illusion. It was impressive for someone so young, but the fact that Konohamaru had chosen his doorstep to camp out on was less impressive.
Naruto sighed, scratching his head. "What's this little brat doing here?" he muttered to himself, tiptoeing toward his door. He carefully reached for the handle, trying not to wake the kid up. But the door, as always, had other plans.
Creeeeeaaak.
"Boss!" Konohamaru's voice cut through the silence like a kunai, startling Naruto mid-step.
Naruto turned, giving the kid a flat look. "What are you doing here, you little runt?"
Konohamaru shot up, his face lighting up like a firecracker. "Boss! You have to teach me how to become Hokage! Please, please, please!" He clasped his hands together in front of him, his eyes wide and sparkling with the kind of desperation only a little kid could pull off.
Naruto groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Hokage? Seriously? You're gonna pick my house to whine about this at midnight?" Without another word, he opened the door and slammed it behind him, shutting out Konohamaru's excited pleas.
Inside, Naruto muttered to himself as he made his way to the bathroom. "Hokage. This kid…" He turned on the shower, letting the hot water rush over him, washing away the sweat and grime of the day. The soothing heat worked wonders for his muscles, but the moment of peace didn't last.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Boss!" Konohamaru's voice rang out, muffled but persistent.
Naruto gritted his teeth, grabbing a handful of soap as the banging continued in rhythm. If he keeps this up, I'm gonna fireball his scrawny butt into next week, he thought, scrubbing with more force than necessary.
By the time he got out of the shower, the banging was still going strong. Towel wrapped around his waist, Naruto stomped into the kitchen, ignoring the noise as he set a pot of water to boil for some instant ramen. He cracked an egg into a pan, trying to focus on anything other than the incessant knocking.
"Boss!" Konohamaru's voice was more high-pitched now, his persistence nothing short of impressive.
"Shut up!" Naruto yelled, slamming his hands on the counter. For a brief moment, the banging stopped. Naruto sighed, relieved—until he smelled something burning.
"Damn it!" He turned back to the stove and flipped the egg, revealing a blackened, crispy bottom. He stared at it for a moment before muttering, "Perfect. Just perfect."
Then, right on cue: Bang. Bang. Bang.
Naruto's patience snapped. Slamming the pan down on the counter, he stormed toward the door, yanking it open with enough force to rattle the hinges. "What?!" he bellowed, glaring down at Konohamaru.
The kid looked up at him with big, innocent eyes, completely unbothered by Naruto's outburst. "Train me!" he said again, this time with a grin so wide it was almost blinding.
Naruto stared at him for a moment, utterly dumbfounded. Then he slammed the door shut in his face. "Nope," he muttered. "Not in the mood to beat up a six-year-old right now."
He turned back toward the kitchen, only to catch another whiff of burning. "Oh, come on!" He rushed to the stove, but his egg was already ruined, charred to an unrecognizable crisp. He sighed, scraping the burnt mess into the trash.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, "now I am in the mood to beat up a six-year-old."
Naruto stomped back to the door and flung it open again, this time with a mischievous grin on his face. "You want me to train you?" he asked, crossing his arms.
Konohamaru's eyes lit up as he nodded eagerly. "Yeah! Please, boss! Please!"
"Great," Naruto said, cracking his knuckles. "Dodge."
"Wait, wha—"
Before Konohamaru could finish, Naruto's fist flew toward him. It wasn't hard enough to seriously hurt, but it was enough to send the kid sprawling onto the ground with a loud thud. Konohamaru lay there, dazed, his eyes wide with shock before they fluttered shut. He was out cold.
Naruto stood over him, shaking out his hand. "That felt… surprisingly good." He let out a smug chuckle, but the realization hit him a moment later. Wait. Did I just knock out a six-year-old?
His eyes darted around the street, panic creeping in. "Oh, crap. If anyone saw that…" His brain raced for a solution. What if I dumped him near a dumpster? Yeah, perfect! He'll look like he passed out there after getting into trouble. Totally believable.
Then a cold breeze hit him, and he realized he was still in just a towel. "Ugh, great," he muttered, dragging a hand down his face. Resigning himself, Naruto grabbed Konohamaru by the leg and dragged him inside.
"Can't believe I'm doing this," he grumbled, shutting the door behind him. The quiet of the night returned, leaving only the faint sound of Naruto muttering curses under his breath.
A few minutes later, Naruto stood in his small kitchen, stirring the ramen he'd finally managed to cook. He cracked an egg into the steaming broth and gently whisked it in, watching as the ribbons of yellow swirled through the soup. At the counter, Konohamaru sat on a stool, two tissues stuffed into his nose to stem the bleeding. His legs swung back and forth as he watched Naruto work, his wide eyes filled with fascination, as if Naruto were performing some kind of ancient shinobi ritual.
Naruto gave him a sideways glance. "See, the trick is to add the egg while the broth's still hot," he said, trying to sound sage-like. "The heat cooks it just right, makes it all fluffy, and gives the soup more richness. It's simple, but this is sacred ramen knowledge."
Konohamaru nodded solemnly, as if Naruto had just handed him the meaning of life. "Sacred ramen knowledge… Got it, Boss."
Naruto smirked as he poured the finished ramen into two bowls. Steam rose, carrying the comforting aroma of savory broth and egg. He slid one bowl toward Konohamaru, handing him a spoon. "Alright, kid, dig in."
Konohamaru didn't hesitate, scooping up a bite and stuffing it into his mouth. His eyes widened in pure delight as he chewed. "This is amazing, Boss! First, you tested my speed, and now you're teaching me the secret art of ramen-making!"
Naruto chuckled, sitting down on the other side of the counter with his own bowl. He felt a little burst of pride—he didn't get called awesome often, and hearing it from Konohamaru wasn't so bad. As the boy took another eager bite, Naruto leaned back slightly and asked, "So, why'd you want to learn from me?"
Konohamaru paused, his spoon hovering over the bowl. His face grew serious, and he stared down at the swirling broth. "Well… you're the first person who's ever treated me like me," he said quietly.
Naruto frowned. "What do you mean?"
Konohamaru set his spoon down, his small hands clenching into fists. "My grandpa gave me the name Konohamaru—after the village. Everyone knows my name, but when they talk about me, all they see is the Hokage's grandson. No one ever sees me. They bow, they smile, but it's all fake. I'm sick of it! That's why I want to be Hokage, so they'll see me for who I really am."
Naruto sat back, letting the boy's words sink in. He didn't say anything right away, just stared at his ramen. That hit a little too close to home. Naruto knew what it was like to want recognition, to want people to see him, not some version of him they made up in their heads.
The quiet stretched between them, the only sound the soft clinking of their spoons against the bowls. Naruto opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, his front door slammed open.
"YOUNG MASTER!" Ebisu stormed in, his glasses slightly askew, his usually prim demeanor looking thoroughly ruffled. "I've been looking for you for hours! The entire Sarutobi clan is worried sick!"
Naruto blinked in confusion, setting his spoon down. "Uh, ever heard of knocking?"
"Don't interrupt me!" Ebisu snapped, adjusting his glasses as he turned his sharp glare on Konohamaru. "Honorable grandson, let's go. You've wasted enough time here. Stop this foolishness and return to the clan."
Konohamaru shot up from his stool, his fists clenched. "No! I'm not going back until I'm strong enough to defeat Grandpa and become Hokage! And Boss is teaching me how!"
Ebisu groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was dealing with an unruly toddler. "Honorable grandson—"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Konohamaru shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. "I'm not just 'honorable grandson.' I'm Konohamaru!"
Naruto watched the boy tremble with anger, and something inside him shifted. Placing a hand on Konohamaru's shoulder, he gave him a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, let me handle this," he said softly.
Konohamaru looked up at him, hesitating for a moment before nodding and stepping back. Naruto stood, turning to face Ebisu, his expression calm.
Ebisu scoffed, his nose wrinkling as he regarded Naruto with disdain. "And what are you going to do, deadlast? You're nothing but a fool playing ninja. I'm far more skilled than the likes of you."
Naruto's eye twitched, his hand curling into a fist. Who does this guy think he is? But instead of getting mad, he let out a slow breath, an idea forming in his head.
He took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "Oh, ho, you're approaching me?" Ebisu sneered, crossing his arms.
"I can't kick your ass unless I come closer," Naruto replied, taking another step. His voice was calm, almost casual, but his words dripped with challenge.
Ebisu's smirk widened. "You're welcome to try, demon brat. But don't think for a second you stand a chance."
"Teach him, Boss!"
Ebisu's scoff turned into a chuckle, his tone mocking. "Teach me? Teach me what?"
Naruto cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Lesson one: Don't underestimate your enemy."
The light of the miracle glowed white-hot around Naruto's knuckles, the energy humming faintly in the still night. Ebisu's smirk didn't last long—before he could even react a shockwave that struck him square in the chest. The impact was instantaneous. Ebisu was launched clear out the door, his body hurtling through the air like a ragdoll.
"W-Whoa… Boss!"
Outside, Ebisu groaned, staggering to his feet. His glasses were askew, and his usually neat appearance was now completely disheveled. He clutched his stomach, wobbling as he tried to steady himself. Naruto wasn't about to give him the chance. In an instant, he equipped his armor, the pieces forming around him with a low, resonant clink. The weight of it felt natural now, as though it had always been part of him. Without hesitation, he disappeared in a blur of speed, the Shunshin no Jutsu propelling him Ebisu could even register the movement, Naruto closed the distance. His knee shot up in a swift, brutal arc, slamming into Ebisu's jaw with bone-crunching force. The sound echoed in the night—a sickening crack that made Konohamaru flinch.
Ebisu's body flew backward, slamming into the metal railings outside with a deafening clang. The railings bent under the force, creaking ominously as his body toppled over the edge.
"Don't worry," naruto said casually. "There's a dumpster down there. It'll break his fall."
A dull thud echoed up a second later. Naruto winced. "Or… the concrete."
Konohamaru looked up at him, stunned, before breaking into a wide grin. "That. Was. AWESOME!"
"Eh, he had it coming."
"Alright, kid, lesson two: never let a jerk like that boss you around. Got it?"
"Got it, Boss!"
The boy's excitement seemed boundless, and he practically bounced as he followed Naruto into the living room. "You were awesome, Boss! Can you teach me how to do that? That jutsu was insane!"
"You're not ready for that yet, brat. Why don't we focus on getting you home first? It's way past your bedtime."
Konohamaru paused, his grin fading slightly as he looked guilty. Naruto followed his gaze to the counter and froze. The ramen bowls they had just eaten from were now completely empty, and one of them looked like it had been licked clean.
"I needed something to eat while you fought," Konohamaru giggled nervously, letting out a tiny burp.
Naruto's eye twitched. "This kid…" He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. But before he could finish exhaling, an idea struck him. "I think…" he began, reaching for his inventory, "you need to run."
"Run?"
With a low hum, Naruto summoned his Zweihander, the massive blade materializing in his hands with a heavy thud against the floor. The room almost seemed to darken under its sheer weight and presence as Naruto pointed the blade at Konohamaru.
"Run!" Naruto roared, his grin widening into something that was far too gleeful.
Konohamaru's eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, Boss!" he yelped, spinning on his heel and bolting out the door.
Naruto chased after him, the Zweihander over his shoulder, his laughter echoing through the quiet streets. "Come back! I just want to talk!"
"I said I'm sorry!" Konohamaru's voice trailed off as he sprinted away, his little feet slapping against the cobblestone streets.
Eventually, after several blocks of chasing, Naruto caught up to the boy and threw him over his shoulder like a sack of rice. Konohamaru didn't even struggle; he just clung to Naruto's back, laughing between gasps for air as Naruto walked them toward the Sarutobi clan house. The moonlight illuminated the streets, and the gentle hum of the village at night filled the space between them.
After a while, Konohamaru's giggles faded, replaced by a thoughtful quiet. His small arms wrapped around Naruto's neck as he adjusted his position. "Boss… what's your dream?"
Naruto paused for a moment, pretending to focus on his steps. He didn't want to talk about it, but Konohamaru wasn't the type to let things go.
"I heard people say your dream was to become the greatest Hokage," Konohamaru pressed.
Naruto exhaled slowly. "Yeah," he muttered, keeping his voice low. He didn't feel like explaining himself.
"Well, sorry, Boss," Konohamaru said, his proud tone returning. "But I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage. You're just gonna have to settle for second place."
Naruto huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. "It's not that easy, dumbass. The title of Hokage isn't something you just decide to take. It's something you earn. Everyone has to acknowledge you first. Do you think that's easy?" His voice softened as he added, "I've had a hard enough time just getting one person to acknowledge me."
"So, what do I do?"
Naruto adjusted his grip on the boy and kept walking. "Prepare yourself. There aren't any shortcuts to becoming Hokage."
The boy went quiet, chewing on Naruto's words, until the grand Sarutobi clan gates came into view. The carved wooden doors stood tall and imposing, intricate symbols lining their edges. Two guards stood on either side, their expressions neutral. They nodded politely as Naruto approached, but both raised their eyebrows when they saw Konohamaru perched on his back.
Standing in front of the gates, arms crossed and looking more tired than usual, was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
"Konohamaru," the Third Hokage said, "do you even know what time it is, young man?"
Konohamaru slid off Naruto's back, standing sheepishly in front of his grandfather. "Sorry, Gramps. I was hanging out with Boss so he could teach me how to beat you."
Naruto winced, giving the Hokage an awkward salute. "Uh… he's not wrong."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two of them. "I see." He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "This will be the last time I overlook this sort of mischief, Konohamaru. Tomorrow is your first day at the academy, and you need to rest."
"Tomorrow's also my first step to becoming Hokage!"
Hiruzen chuckled softly, shaking his head. "We'll see about that." He turned to Naruto. "Thank you for bringing him home, Naruto-kun. I hope Ebisu didn't trouble you too much."
Naruto smirked, biting back a laugh. "Nah, that guy's fine. Probably just… lying low right now."
"Lying low" was one way to describe it. Ebisu was unceremoniously hurled into a dumpster by one of Naruto's clones, landing with a crash that sent the lid clanging shut above him. Inside the rank, dark space, he groaned, shoving a banana peel off his head, only for a half-eaten apple core to plop onto his shoulder. His glasses were cracked, one lens dangling uselessly, and his normally pristine outfit was smeared with something he hoped was just dirt.
Ebisu sat up slowly, glaring at the walls of the dumpster like it had personally insulted him. "Damn brat," he muttered weakly, trying to summon whatever dignity he had left—just as the dumpster's lid creaked open, and a stray cat peered down at him, its eyes glowing eerily in the moonlight.
The cat let out a judgmental mrrrow, then leaped in, landing squarely on his face.
"GAH!" Ebisu yelped, flailing as the cat bolted, knocking over a bag of garbage that promptly spilled onto his lap. A carton of spoiled milk popped open, drenching him as he slumped back against the dumpster wall, utterly defeated.
"One day," he wheezed, peeling a wet noodle off his cheek, "one day I will have my revenge…"
From the alley, Naruto's clone peeked over the rim of the dumpster, snickering. "You good in there, or should I find a second dumpster for backup?"
Ebisu let out a strangled groan, raising one trembling fist. "Damn… brat…" he muttered before slumping fully into the trash pile, his pride officially dead.
Back at the compound, Hiruzen gave Naruto a puzzled look but let it go. "Good night, Naruto-kun. Konohamaru, inside. Now."
"But—" Konohamaru yawned halfway through his protest, his defiance fading as his eyes began to droop.
"Go to bed, dumbass," Naruto said, nudging him gently toward the door.
Konohamaru looked up, scrunching his nose. "Blah, stop acting like you know everything, Boss…" His voice slurred as he rubbed his eyes. "I'm not letting you be my boss anymore…"
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah!" Konohamaru blinked sleepily but still managed to grin. "From now on… we're rivals!"
Naruto's smirk softened into a smile. He reached into his pocket, palming his green goggles from his inventory. Without drawing attention, he handed them to Konohamaru.
"These are my favorite goggles," he said as the boy's eyes widened. "When the day comes that we're fighting for the Hokage title, I want them back."
Konohamaru's face lit up as he slipped off his helmet and put the goggles on. "Then you'll have to win them back, Boss!"
Naruto laughed, holding out his fist. "Looking forward to it, Konohamaru."
The boy bumped his fist against Naruto's before turning and running inside, his laughter echoing behind him. Naruto stood there for a moment, watching him go.
Hiruzen's voice broke the quiet. "He looks up to you, you know."
Naruto nodded silently, his eyes drifting toward the moonlit village in the distance. The quiet between him and the old man stretched, heavy and awkward, like a weight neither wanted to lift. He shifted his feet, ready to leave, but Hiruzen's voice stopped him.
"Wait, Naruto."
Naruto froze, his body stiffening. "What do you want?"
Hiruzen stepped forward, his robes shifting slightly in the breeze. Without the Hokage's hat, he looked different—less like the leader of the village, and more like an old man weighed down by years of regret.
"I need to talk to you about something," Hiruzen said. He gestured toward the wooden bench near the compound's entrance. "Would you mind sitting for a moment?"
Naruto didn't move. "I'm fine standing," he said curtly, his voice colder than usual.
Hiruzen didn't push the matter at first, letting the silence settle between them. "It's about what happened with Kiba," he said. "I heard you… almost killed him."
Naruto's face remained impassive, like Hiruzen had just told him the sky was blue or that water was wet. There wasn't a flicker of guilt, worry, or even surprise in his expression.
"Naruto, this is serious. You nearly killed a fellow shinobi of the Leaf—in what was essentially a stupid fight. Do you understand the gravity of that?"
"That wasn't just some stupid fight," Naruto said, his voice low and simmering with anger. "Kiba disrespected someone important to me. Someone who taught me about honor and strength—things this village pretends to care about but doesn't actually live by. I wasn't going to let him get away with that."
Hiruzen studied him carefully. "While I understand that Kiba may have been out of line, Naruto, attacking and nearly killing him is inexcusable," he said. "Words can hurt, yes, but they don't justify violence. If you want to grow into a shinobi people can trust, you need to learn to control yourself. A true ninja doesn't let their emotions dictate their actions."
The words stung—not because they were wrong, but because they dismissed what had actually happened. This wasn't about anger. It wasn't even about Kiba. It was about respect. It was about Oscar.
"And who the hell are you to tell me any of this?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Hiruzen's gaze hardened, and for the first time that evening, he allowed the weight of his authority to press down on Naruto. The air felt heavier, suffocating, a stark reminder of who Hiruzen Sarutobi truly was—not just an old man, but the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, the professor, the protector of the village.
"I am the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Genin Naruto!"
For a moment, Naruto felt the weight of that title crash down on him, the enormity of it making him feel small. But the anger burning in his chest refused to be extinguished. He straightened, his voice steady but trembling with restrained frustration.
"So, is that it?" Naruto asked. "I have to take responsibility? I have to deal with it all? The child has to be the adult?"
The question cut deeper than Hiruzen expected. His jaw tightened, guilt flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth to respond, but Naruto didn't give him the chance.
"I'm the one who has to 'control myself.' I'm the one who has to 'be fair and just.' I'm the one who has to suck it up and move on, while the rest of this village gets to throw their crap at me and pretend I don't exist. That's what being a ninja means, huh? Just keep taking it, over and over, because that's the Will of Fire?"
"Naruto, that's not what I meant…" Hiruzen's voice softened, his tone almost pleading as he took a step closer, raising a hand.
But Naruto didn't flinch. "Then how did you mean it, old man?" he asked, his voice quieter now but no less biting. "Because it sure sounds like you're telling me I have to carry everyone else's baggage while they get to treat me however they want. That I'm the one who's supposed to be better than them. That I'm supposed to act like a hero for a village that's never done anything for me."
The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze.
"You're right," Hiruzen said finally, his voice heavy with regret. "I wasn't there for you the way I should have been. And neither was this village. For that, Naruto, I am truly sorry."
Naruto flinched, his eyes widening slightly. He hadn't expected that—not the apology, not the raw sadness in the old man's voice. But it wasn't enough. It couldn't be enough.
"Sorry?" Naruto echoed bitterly. "That's it? You think 'sorry' makes up for everything? For the years I spent alone? For —" His throat tightened, and he couldn't finish the sentence.
"No, Naruto," Hiruzen said softly. "I know it doesn't make up for anything. I know I can't undo what's been done. But I want to do better. I want to help you find your place in this village."
Naruto's gaze dropped to the ground, his fists trembling as conflicting emotions swirled inside him. Anger, frustration, sadness—he didn't know which to hold on to, which to let go of.
"You still want to be Hokage, don't you?"
The question hung in the air, a quiet attempt to gauge just how deep the damage truly ran.
Naruto hesitated, the question cutting through him like a blade. Did he? Once, being Hokage had meant everything to him. It had been his dream, his proof that he could matter. But now? Now, it felt ironically hollow.
"What does being Hokage even mean to you?"
Hiruzen's gaze turned distant as he looked out at the moonlit compound gates. "The Hokage is the person who embodies the Will of Fire," he said. "The belief that everyone in this village is part of one family. That we protect and care for each other, no matter what."
Naruto felt a bitter laugh rise in his throat but swallowed it down.
"The Hokage carries the burden of protecting the village," Hiruzen continued. "Of guiding it, ensuring that the Will of Fire is passed down to the next generation. It's a chain that stretches back to the First Hokage, and one I hope will continue long after me."
"So, has Konoha failed me? Has the Hokage failed me?"
Hiruzen's breath hitched.
"I don't think I ever felt the 'warmth' of family when I cried myself to sleep, Hokage-sama," Naruto continued, his voice trembling, not from fear, but from the weight of everything he had held in for so long. "I don't think I ever felt 'protected' when the villagers glared at me like I was a monster. Like I wasn't even human."
Hiruzen's face fell, the regret pooling in his eyes.
Naruto's voice softened, but that only made it worse, the pain in his words sharper for how calm they were. "You talk about fairness," he said, the faintest tremble in his tone betraying the storm brewing underneath, "about justice, about family… but where was all of that when the innocent needed it? Where was the Will of Fire when the ones who truly needed it were left to fend for themselves? Where was it when I needed it?"
Naruto raised his hand, gesturing vaguely toward the Hokage's nonexistent hat. "That hat…" he began. "That hat once meant something to me. It represented hope. A dream that maybe, one day, I could be more than the village outcast. More than just the kid everyone hated for no reason. That maybe, just maybe, I could be someone who mattered."
His gaze locked onto Hiruzen's then, raw, unflinching, and full of unshed tears. His bright blue eyes seemed to bore into the Hokage, demanding he look at the truth he had ignored for so long. But Naruto didn't let those tears fall. He refused to give Hiruzen—or the village—the satisfaction of seeing just how much they had hurt him.
"But now?" Naruto's voice cracked, the bitterness bleeding through as he forced the words out like broken glass. "Now, it's just a hat. Nothing more. A hat worn by a man who preaches fairness and justice but doesn't live it. A man who lets his village turn its back on a child. A man who talks about family, but doesn't even know what the word means. That's what the Hokage's hat is to me now. Nothing. Just an empty symbol."
Hiruzen stood there in silence. He didn't argue. He didn't deny it. How could he? Every word Naruto said was a truth Hiruzen couldn't refute. Every accusation struck deeper than the last, cutting through the ideals he had spent his life trying to uphold. And now, those ideals crumbled under the weight of the boy's pain.
Shame painted itself across Hiruzen's face. It seeped into every line etched into his weathered features. Shame not just as the Hokage—the leader who was supposed to protect and nurture every soul in his village—but as a man. A man who had failed a boy who needed him the most. A boy he had promised to look after and had let down in every way that mattered.
But worst of all, shame as the man Naruto once called "grandpa." That name had been a gift—a sign of trust, of affection, of the hope that maybe, despite everything, Naruto still believed in him. And Hiruzen had thrown it away. Through his inaction, his silence, his complacency, he had let that precious gift rot away until there was nothing left.
"I don't hate you, old man. I should, but I don't." He paused. "What I feel is worse. Disappointment."
He let the word hang in the air like a blade suspended above Hiruzen's head, cutting deeper than any weapon ever could. Then, with no further words, Naruto turned away.
For a moment, he thought to call out, to stop him, to say something—anything—to make this right. But no words came. No action felt sufficient. He remained frozen, bound by the weight of his own failings. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the great Hokage, the Professor, the man who was supposed to guide his people, felt completely powerless.
It wasn't a new feeling, but that only made it worse. He recognized it too well—the same powerlessness that had plagued him when his relationship with his own son, Asuma, had crumbled, built on unspoken expectations and words left unsaid. The same powerlessness that gnawed at him whenever he thought of Tsunade, how he had failed to guide her through her grief and let her leave the village, carrying her pain with her. The same powerlessness that weighed on him every time he remembered Orochimaru, the student he'd let fall into darkness because he couldn't bring himself to act decisively when it mattered most.
And now… now it was Naruto.
This was his great flaw, the one that defined his many regrets: his inability to repair the bonds that should have mattered most to him. Time and again, he had let the people who needed him slip through his fingers, too afraid, too hesitant to confront the mess he had allowed to grow. He always told himself it was for the greater good—that his duty to the village outweighed his personal relationships—but in truth, he simply didn't know how to fix what was broken.
Naruto paused mid-step, his back still turned to the old man.
"If Iruka-sensei hadn't stopped my axe from hitting Kiba," he said, "I would've stopped myself." He glanced over his shoulder. "Not because of anything you taught me. Not because of anything this village stands for. But because I live by the code of someone who believed in me. Someone who gave me hope when no one else would. I wouldn't dirty his code—not even for my anger."
The finality in his voice landed like a hammer blow, reverberating in the space between them. Naruto's eyes lingered on Hiruzen for just a second longer, piercing and resolute, before he turned and began walking again. His steps were deliberate, unhurried, as though he were leaving behind more than just the conversation.
"Good night, Hokage-sama!"
Author's Note:
Hey, everyone! Wow, this chapter was intense, wasn't it? Writing the confrontation between Hiruzen and Naruto has been on my mind for ages. I really wanted to dig into the raw emotions and messy dynamics between them, and honestly, it hurt in all the best ways to write. Did Hiruzen's guilt hit you like a truck? Does Naruto calling him out feel like the turning point it should be? Let me know in the comments—don't hold back!
So, what's next? The next chapter drops on December 16th! And it's gonna be a good one. We'll be shifting perspectives, dealing with the fallout of this confrontation, and ramping up into some major moments. Get hyped!
BUT… if waiting is not your thing (and let's be real, who likes waiting?), Chapter 44 on Patreon
For those of you who don't know, I'm a few chapters ahead over there, so if you want to binge the upcoming twists right now (and trust me, some spicy stuff is coming), you can join for as little as a dollar. Plus, it really helps me stay consistent with writing (shoutout to my patrons, y'all are MVPs).
No pressure though! You do you. But if you want early access to the chaos, it's there.
Alright, that's it from me for now. See you all on December 16th for the next update! Until then, drop your theories and thoughts in the comments—I love reading what you all come up with. Let's keep this hype train rolling!
—Adamo Amet
Retalom
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yeaaah is anyone gonna confront him about oscar? it just comes of as weird the way he keeps ranting about someone they don't know and they just let it slide during all those conversations, or maybe it's just me who thinks it's weird?
Adamos_Amet
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Nah, it's not weird, my dude. I think you missed a big plot point from earlier chapters. Hiruzen straight-up told Kakashi to subtly dig into who the hell Oscar is. Basically, every notable character is overthinking Oscar hardcore because Naruto's abilities just don't add up to what they know. Like, a normal fire jutsu takes months to learn, but here's Naruto pulling out "space-time ninjutsu" (a.k.a. inventory swapping), rocking insane armor and weapons, and even busting out killer intent like it's nothing.
From their POV, there's no way Naruto picked all this up in such a short time—it'd take years. So now they're left wondering: How long was Naruto playing dumb? Who the hell is this Oscar guy? And when did he show up in the picture? They can't just bring it up casually because Oscar seems like someone Naruto's been tight with for years. To them, this isn't just some random dude Naruto started mentioning—it's a whole mystery they think they need to tiptoe around.
The ironic part? If they just asked Naruto directly, he'd probably spill everything without a second thought. But you know how ninjas are with their paranoia—it's all shadows and whispers. Makes it hilarious, honestly.
Spam123
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Great chapter, it's nice to see a story where naruto actually doesn't care for the hokage position. Because even without oscar, most of the time with everything he has to go through treatment wise and how much is hidden from him, it boggles my mind in alot that he still wants to be hostage and doesn't despise it.
Retalom
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That's the weird part tho paranoia justifies only so much, no one is asking naruto about it, hiruzen not asking because he doesn't want to risk pushing naruto away further makes sense, but no one else? not even iruka asks naruto about it? ok it's your story i gave my feedback and i like the story anyway
Chapter no.10 Naruto
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Adamos_Amet
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Chapter no.10 Hawk's Gambit
In the outer ring of Konoha's civilian district, amidst unassuming shops and buildings, lay a small, nondescript bar tucked between a bakery and a butcher shop. Its wooden sign swung slightly in the breeze, the kanji for Willow Rest visible under the moonlight. Inside, the bar was dimly lit, its air thick with the quiet murmur of patrons nursing drinks. A cloaked figure entered, leaning slightly on a cane. Shimura Danzo had returned to Konoha.
The bartender froze, his hand tightening on the glass he was polishing, before quickly bowing. Without a word, Danzo moved toward the back of the establishment. His cane tapped against the wooden floor in rhythmic intervals. He paused before a worn brick wall, his lone eye scanning it until his cane tapped three times in a circular motion. A faint glow appeared, spiderwebbing into a complex sealing array. The bricks began to shift, twisting and rearranging themselves. Slowly, a narrow door materialized, creaking open to reveal a stairway descending into darkness.
Danzo stepped through without hesitation, the door sealing itself behind him with a quiet hum. The stairway opened into a vast underground chamber, lit by lanterns casting eerie shadows on the damp stone walls. Hundreds of masked figures appeared seemingly from nowhere, kneeling silently as their collective voice echoed in unison:
"The unseen ones who support the great tree of Konoha from the depths of the earth. We are the Root."
Danzo's expression remained as stoic as ever. With a single, deliberate tap of his cane, the masked figures stood, silent and awaiting orders. At the center of the room stood a high-ranking Root operative, their mask etched with intricate patterns marking their rank. They held a scroll in their hands, bowing as Danzo approached.
"Report."
"Lord Danzo, the target has been under continuous surveillance. Sai has compiled a detailed report. Agent Sai, step forward."
From the shadows, Sai flickered into existence, kneeling with mechanical precision. "Lord Danzo," Sai said, his tone devoid of emotion.
"Deliver your findings," Danzo commanded, unfurling the scroll and scanning its contents with his lone eye.
"Target Uzumaki Naruto has been observed in his home, his classroom, and in various public interactions. I have documented all noteworthy behaviors, relationships, and rumors surrounding him. The first section includes detailed points of interest."
Danzo's gaze lingered on the mention of Naruto's team: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura.
Kakashi… Danzo muttered internally. Proceed with caution. That man sees too much.
He moved on, his expression hardening as he read about Naruto's display of killer intent. He tapped his cane again, sharp and deliberate.
"Agent Fu."
Another masked figure materialized from the shadows. "Yes, Lord Danzo?"
"Erase any civilian memories of Naruto's killer intent."
The words hung in the dim chamber, cold and final. The Root operatives didn't flinch, didn't hesitate. They simply nodded. Danzo calculated that the clan shinobi would keep such knowledge contained. Their loyalties were bound by tradition, honor, and the subtle fear of losing face within Konoha's strict hierarchies. They would whisper, certainly, but only within the confines of their compounds. Their suspicions wouldn't reach the streets.
Civilians, however, were a different matter entirely.
They were Konoha's weakest link—a necessary part of the village but untrained, undisciplined, and dangerously prone to gossip. Whispers among traders at the market or murmurs over sake in the taverns could spread like wildfire, twisting and growing with every retelling. By the time those whispers reached other ears—ears outside Konoha, perhaps—they could turn into something uncontrollable.
Naruto's killer intent wasn't just a threat to his enemies; it was a threat to Konoha's image itself. A boy who was already mistrusted and feared by many civilians now showing killer intent? That wasn't a narrative Danzo could afford to let take root.
"Understood."
Danzo rolled the scroll shut, his grip tightening slightly. He stared into the shadows, his voice calm but heavy with authority.
"Sai. Fu. Analyze Uzumaki's mental state. Draft a letter. It must encourage trust and curiosity. No lies."
"The truth, Lord Danzo?" Sai asked.
Danzo's gaze shifted to him, piercing. "Yes. The truth wounds deeper than any lie. Use it carefully."
Normally, the answer would be simple. If there was information to gather, he would extract it cleanly and thoroughly. Root operatives were experts in such matters. A mind could be unraveled with Yamanaka techniques, every thread of knowledge plucked clean and cataloged. Failing that, he had other methods.
Kotoamatsukami.
It was the ultimate tool of manipulation, one that could not be traced or resisted. A single command, flawlessly embedded, would turn even the most unruly soul into a loyal servant. With it, he could plant the seeds of allegiance deep in Naruto's mind. He could sculpt the boy into exactly what Konoha needed—a weapon with no equal, bound to the village and to Danzo himself.
But this was not a luxury he could indulge.
Danzo's eye flickered toward the masked figures kneeling before him, their stoic silence awaiting his orders.
The Kyuubi.
It always came back to the Kyuubi. The beast complicated everything. Its presence in the boy's body created a barrier of unpredictability. The sealing process that tied it to Naruto was layered with intricate protections crafted by the Yondaime. Any attempt to interfere with Naruto's mind—even subtly—risked destabilizing that seal. To gamble on such an approach would be reckless, even by his standards.
And then there was the boy himself.
Danzo didn't yet understand the scope of Naruto's new abilities. The sheer weight of his presence during combat reports. It wasn't just the Kyuubi anymore; the boy was becoming something else. Something unknown. And Danzo knew better than anyone that the unknown was dangerous.
No, Naruto could not be manipulated the way others could. Not yet.
"Root exists to serve Konoha. This mission is no different. Do not fail."
As Naruto trudged through the streets of Konoha, the quiet stopped being soothing. Rather, it was suffocating, pressing down on him like a heavy weight he couldn't shake. He felt like a foreigner in his own village.
"Humans," he muttered bitterly, kicking a loose pebble that skittered across the cobblestones. A humorless laugh escaped his throat, raw and sharp. He'd rather face a horde of Hollows or even a demon than deal with people. Monsters, at least, were straightforward. They didn't hide their intentions behind fake smiles or whispered insults.
The sting of tears burned at the corners of his eyes, but he blinked them away quickly. He wasn't weak. He didn't have time to be. Emotions won't keep me alive; focus will. He reminded himself of that as he walked toward his house, his pace quickening as if he could outrun the storm in his head.
When he finally reached his apartment, something caught his attention immediately. A red envelope, bright against the dull wood of his front door, was pinned in place with a thin kunai.
Naruto froze, his hand hovering over the doorframe. His eyes darted to the rooftops, to the shadows pooling in the alleys, but there was nothing. No chakra signatures, no signs of lingering presence. Whoever had left it had long since gone.
A frown creased his brow as he pulled the envelope free. The kunai was clean and ordinary, the kind anyone in the village might carry. The envelope itself was neatly folded, almost pristine, with writing on the front in small, careful handwriting:
To Naruto, from a secret friend.
Naruto's stomach tightened, the frown deepening. Secret friend? It could mean anything—a threat, a trap, or just another cruel joke. He had no shortage of people in the village who'd take a cheap shot at him under the guise of kindness.
For a moment, he considered throwing it away, but curiosity won out. He shoved the envelope into his pocket and unlocked his door.
Inside, the small space felt colder than usual. It always did when he returned alone after a long day. He shrugged off his armor, setting it down carefully by the wall, and dropped onto his worn couch. The letter felt heavy in his hand, far more than its weight should have been.
Why do I even care? he thought bitterly, running his thumb over the edge of the envelope. But he did care. No matter how many times the world spat on him, a small part of him still wanted to believe there was something good waiting for him. Something worth trusting.
He unfolded the letter with steady hands, though his mind churned with unease. The paper was smooth, almost unnaturally so, like whoever wrote it had gone out of their way to make it perfect. And then his eyes landed on the first line, and his breath hitched.
[ Hello there, Naruto. You don't know me, but I know you. I was a great friend of your parents. ]
He froze.
My parents... He'd never really thought about them. Not deeply. He knew they had to exist, but he never let himself wonder. It was easier to accept they were gone, probably in the Kyuubi attack or something. But now, this "friend" decides to contact him? Why now? Where were they the last decade or so?
He read on, his fingers tightening on the letter.
[ I'm sure you have many questions, but unfortunately, I must keep myself hidden, in the shadows, to keep you safe… to keep your parents' legacy safe. But, Naruto, I can tell you this: your parents would be proud of the man you've become. ]
A strange, stinging warmth filled his chest, and he felt tears pricking at his eyes. Proud?!
The thought that his parents, who he'd never met, might feel proud of him was… overwhelming. He blinked hard, biting his lip to keep himself together.
[ Naruto, I want you to know this, but you must not trust Hiruzen Sarutobi. That man has kept a lot from you—more than you even know. ]
He drew in a sharp breath, the name jolting him back to the present. Hiruzen…? Naruto glanced at the old man's apology, fresh in his memory, still stinging like salt on a wound. The letter's words felt like they were feeding on every bit of anger, every ounce of frustration he'd been holding onto.
[ I know this is sudden, but with the lies Hiruzen has fed you, I know my time has come. I can't help you directly—if I did, Hiruzen would try to kill me. I can only provide you with information, the truth about who you are, Naruto Uzumaki. Don't you want to know? ]
He felt a lump rise in his throat.
Who am I?
He'd been searching for that answer his whole life. The old man never told him anything. He didn't even know his parents' names. Everything he thought he knew about himself felt like it was slipping through his fingers, and he had no idea what was real anymore.
Naruto stared at the letter, his jaw tightening as his eyes scanned the words again.
[ Naruto, you have two choices before you. Below this sentence is a storage seal where I've stored the first answer. ]
His gaze dropped to the intricate storage seal below the writing. The faintest shimmer danced across its surface, as though it was holding something that wanted to be free.
The next line, however, stopped him cold.
[ Even if you choose the second option of not opening the seal, let me tell you this—the Uzumaki are the only people who can hold the Kyuubi. ]
Naruto's fingers twitched, the letter crinkling slightly as he clenched his fist. That one line—it was deliberate, a hook buried deep in his curiosity. It wasn't just some vague hint or cryptic phrase. It was a fact, one he didn't fully understand, but it dangled in front of him like a carrot on a stick. Whoever had written this knew exactly how to bait him.
And it was working.
[ The choices are simple. Don't open the seal, and the story ends. You go on believing whatever lies Hiruzen wants you to believe. Or, open the seal, and I'll show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. ]
His hands shook as he stared down at the seal.
A war raged inside him—one side demanding he find out, the other reminding him of every lie he'd been told, every half-truth, every door slammed in his face. But the choice was clear. He had to know.
Whatever it takes, I'm done with half-truths.
Naruto poured his chakra into the seal, expecting the usual swirl of smoke. But instead, the letter suddenly burst into flames. He jerked back, and there, in his hands, he found himself holding a book with a note attached to the front. He pulled it off, reading the words with a mix of curiosity and unease.
[ Naruto, you chose wisely. I know you're hungry for more, but I want to test you—to see if you're truly ready for answers that are considered village secrets. Information that can cause war... like who your parents are. ]
He swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around the note.
War? Just knowing my parents could do that? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
[ Naruto, your test is simple. Keep our conversations a secret. No one must know that you're receiving this information. I know it will be hard; I know you want to demand the truth from Hiruzen. But don't. Don't give that liar a chance to fool you. ]
His jaw clenched as he read that. That liar. If there was even a shred of truth to this, maybe it was time to stop trusting what he thought he knew.
[ Naruto, I want you to remain silent for the next month, and then you'll receive information about who your mother is. If you can't do that, if you tell Hiruzen or anyone else, I won't help you. Don't disappoint me, Naruto. From your friend, from your guardian, the Hawk of Konoha. ]
Naruto stared at the note, the words blurring as his grip tightened. The Hawk of Konoha. He turned the phrase over in his mind, tasting the bitterness it left behind. A "friend"? A "guardian"? No. This was no ally. He couldn't afford to believe that.
A part of him wanted to laugh—sharp, hollow, and humorless. Trust? After everything? After all the stares, the whispers, the betrayals, the endless solitude? The very idea was a cruel joke.
And yet… somewhere, buried under the layers of his resentment, something desperate clawed at him. Maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.
He hated that part of himself. Hated the hope that still flickered like a stubborn ember, refusing to die no matter how hard he tried to smother it.
His gaze fell to the book in his lap: The History of the Uzumaki Clan. Just seeing the title made his chest feel tight, his breath shallow. It was too much. Too big.
A legacy? A clan? A family?
The words felt like a cruel mockery of the life he'd known.
The book slipped from his trembling hands, hitting the floor with a dull, resounding thud. He didn't move to pick it up. He just sat there, staring at it, frozen.
This was real. It had to be. The weight of it, the implications—it hit like a hammer blow. All his life, he had fought for scraps. For acknowledgment. For a fleeting glance of respect. He had fought to exist in a village that wished he didn't.
And now, now, he was staring at the truth of what they had hidden from him. A clan. A family. A place he belonged.
No one had ever told him. No one had even whispered it. They'd buried it, buried him, and pretended he didn't exist.
A sharp, burning pain bloomed in his chest, like something tearing its way out of him. His fists clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms, but he barely noticed. His breath hitched, his vision blurred, and then, like a dam breaking, everything poured out.
A single tear slipped down his cheek, unbidden and unwelcome.
Anger surged up, hot and vicious, swallowing the sadness whole. His fist slammed into the floor with enough force to shatter the wood beneath it, splinters flying outward in jagged, chaotic lines. The pain in his knuckles barely registered.
"Why?!" The word ripped from his throat, raw and hoarse, filled with years of bottled-up fury. His voice cracked as it carried through the room, unanswered.
Naruto's chest heaved as he struggled to pull himself together, the storm inside him refusing to settle. He thought of the villagers' scornful eyes, the hateful whispers, the way they looked at him like he was less than human. He thought of the teachers who dismissed him, the peers who mocked him, the endless loneliness that had shaped his life. He thought he had made peace with it—thought he'd grown numb to it—but now it came rushing back with brutal clarity.
He looked down at his clenched fist, blood smearing against the cracked floor. Was this all he was worth? Was this all he'd ever be—a forgotten ghost of something great?
He reached down, grabbing the book again. His hands shook as he pulled it back into his lap, the weight of it grounding him.
Fine, he thought bitterly. I'll play their game. I'll keep quiet. I'll read every page, memorize every line, and carve the truth out of this village with my own two hands if I have to.
The Hawk of Konoha. Naruto's gaze drifted back to the note, his eyes narrowing. Could he trust them?
He already knew the answer—No.
Trust had to be earned, and this Hawk had done nothing to deserve it. If they thought a few words and a hidden book would win him over, they were as delusional as the villagers who thought they could keep him chained in their ignorance.
Oscar's voice echoed in his mind. "Precept the Tenth: Trust in yourself, your weapon, and your code—for yourself, and for those you protect."
Naruto let out a slow breath, his fingers curling around the flickering pyromancy flame that danced in his palm. The heat licked at his skin, wild and untamed, but he forced it under his control.
"If this is another lie…" Naruto's voice was low, cold, and razor-edged. The flame cast shadows across his face.
"…I'll clip this Hawk's wings and leave them to crawl in the dirt, regretting every breath they've ever taken."
He didn't yell. He didn't scream. It wasn't a threat. It was a certainty.
The room fell silent, the only sound the faint crackle of the pyromancy flame in his hand. Naruto stared down at the book, his resolve hardening like steel. Whatever this was, whoever this Hawk claimed to be, he would find out.
And if they were lying, if this was just another betrayal in a lifetime full of them…
Naruto's grip tightened on the flame.
…he would burn them to ash.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone!
First of all, thanks for reading this chapter—I really hope you enjoyed it.
Now, let me just say: Naruto isn't too far gone. Sure, he's angry, hurt, and carrying enough emotional baggage to fill a storage seal, but there's still hope for him. Whether or not he finds his way back depends on a lot—and I mean a lot. At this point, it's going to come down to Kakashi, Team 7, and maybe a few others stepping up to the plate. But the question is: can they pull it off?
Also, what did you think about Danzo's scheming in this chapter?
The next chapter is dropping on December 20th!
If you can't wait that long and want to read ahead, Chapter 46 is already up on Patreon:
Chapter 46 on Patreon
Thanks again for all the support! Let me know your thoughts on this chapter in the comments—I love hearing your theories and seeing how you think things will unfold.
Until next time,
Adamo Amet
In the outer ring of Konoha's civilian district, amidst unassuming shops and buildings, lay a small, nondescript bar tucked between a bakery and a butcher shop. Its wooden sign swung slightly in the breeze, the kanji for Willow Rest visible under the moonlight. Inside, the bar was dimly lit, its air thick with the quiet murmur of patrons nursing drinks. A cloaked figure entered, leaning slightly on a cane. Shimura Danzo had returned to Konoha.
The bartender froze, his hand tightening on the glass he was polishing, before quickly bowing. Without a word, Danzo moved toward the back of the establishment. His cane tapped against the wooden floor in rhythmic intervals. He paused before a worn brick wall, his lone eye scanning it until his cane tapped three times in a circular motion. A faint glow appeared, spiderwebbing into a complex sealing array. The bricks began to shift, twisting and rearranging themselves. Slowly, a narrow door materialized, creaking open to reveal a stairway descending into darkness.
Danzo stepped through without hesitation, the door sealing itself behind him with a quiet hum. The stairway opened into a vast underground chamber, lit by lanterns casting eerie shadows on the damp stone walls. Hundreds of masked figures appeared seemingly from nowhere, kneeling silently as their collective voice echoed in unison:
"The unseen ones who support the great tree of Konoha from the depths of the earth. We are the Root."
Danzo's expression remained as stoic as ever. With a single, deliberate tap of his cane, the masked figures stood, silent and awaiting orders. At the center of the room stood a high-ranking Root operative, their mask etched with intricate patterns marking their rank. They held a scroll in their hands, bowing as Danzo approached.
"Report."
"Lord Danzo, the target has been under continuous surveillance. Sai has compiled a detailed report. Agent Sai, step forward."
From the shadows, Sai flickered into existence, kneeling with mechanical precision. "Lord Danzo," Sai said, his tone devoid of emotion.
"Deliver your findings," Danzo commanded, unfurling the scroll and scanning its contents with his lone eye.
"Target Uzumaki Naruto has been observed in his home, his classroom, and in various public interactions. I have documented all noteworthy behaviors, relationships, and rumors surrounding him. The first section includes detailed points of interest."
Danzo's gaze lingered on the mention of Naruto's team: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura.
Kakashi… Danzo muttered internally. Proceed with caution. That man sees too much.
He moved on, his expression hardening as he read about Naruto's display of killer intent. He tapped his cane again, sharp and deliberate.
"Agent Fu."
Another masked figure materialized from the shadows. "Yes, Lord Danzo?"
"Erase any civilian memories of Naruto's killer intent."
The words hung in the dim chamber, cold and final. The Root operatives didn't flinch, didn't hesitate. They simply nodded. Danzo calculated that the clan shinobi would keep such knowledge contained. Their loyalties were bound by tradition, honor, and the subtle fear of losing face within Konoha's strict hierarchies. They would whisper, certainly, but only within the confines of their compounds. Their suspicions wouldn't reach the streets.
Civilians, however, were a different matter entirely.
They were Konoha's weakest link—a necessary part of the village but untrained, undisciplined, and dangerously prone to gossip. Whispers among traders at the market or murmurs over sake in the taverns could spread like wildfire, twisting and growing with every retelling. By the time those whispers reached other ears—ears outside Konoha, perhaps—they could turn into something uncontrollable.
Naruto's killer intent wasn't just a threat to his enemies; it was a threat to Konoha's image itself. A boy who was already mistrusted and feared by many civilians now showing killer intent? That wasn't a narrative Danzo could afford to let take root.
"Understood."
Danzo rolled the scroll shut, his grip tightening slightly. He stared into the shadows, his voice calm but heavy with authority.
"Sai. Fu. Analyze Uzumaki's mental state. Draft a letter. It must encourage trust and curiosity. No lies."
"The truth, Lord Danzo?" Sai asked.
Danzo's gaze shifted to him, piercing. "Yes. The truth wounds deeper than any lie. Use it carefully."
Normally, the answer would be simple. If there was information to gather, he would extract it cleanly and thoroughly. Root operatives were experts in such matters. A mind could be unraveled with Yamanaka techniques, every thread of knowledge plucked clean and cataloged. Failing that, he had other methods.
Kotoamatsukami.
It was the ultimate tool of manipulation, one that could not be traced or resisted. A single command, flawlessly embedded, would turn even the most unruly soul into a loyal servant. With it, he could plant the seeds of allegiance deep in Naruto's mind. He could sculpt the boy into exactly what Konoha needed—a weapon with no equal, bound to the village and to Danzo himself.
But this was not a luxury he could indulge.
Danzo's eye flickered toward the masked figures kneeling before him, their stoic silence awaiting his orders.
The Kyuubi.
It always came back to the Kyuubi. The beast complicated everything. Its presence in the boy's body created a barrier of unpredictability. The sealing process that tied it to Naruto was layered with intricate protections crafted by the Yondaime. Any attempt to interfere with Naruto's mind—even subtly—risked destabilizing that seal. To gamble on such an approach would be reckless, even by his standards.
And then there was the boy himself.
Danzo didn't yet understand the scope of Naruto's new abilities. The sheer weight of his presence during combat reports. It wasn't just the Kyuubi anymore; the boy was becoming something else. Something unknown. And Danzo knew better than anyone that the unknown was dangerous.
No, Naruto could not be manipulated the way others could. Not yet.
"Root exists to serve Konoha. This mission is no different. Do not fail."
As Naruto trudged through the streets of Konoha, the quiet stopped being soothing. Rather, it was suffocating, pressing down on him like a heavy weight he couldn't shake. He felt like a foreigner in his own village.
"Humans," he muttered bitterly, kicking a loose pebble that skittered across the cobblestones. A humorless laugh escaped his throat, raw and sharp. He'd rather face a horde of Hollows or even a demon than deal with people. Monsters, at least, were straightforward. They didn't hide their intentions behind fake smiles or whispered insults.
The sting of tears burned at the corners of his eyes, but he blinked them away quickly. He wasn't weak. He didn't have time to be. Emotions won't keep me alive; focus will. He reminded himself of that as he walked toward his house, his pace quickening as if he could outrun the storm in his head.
When he finally reached his apartment, something caught his attention immediately. A red envelope, bright against the dull wood of his front door, was pinned in place with a thin kunai.
Naruto froze, his hand hovering over the doorframe. His eyes darted to the rooftops, to the shadows pooling in the alleys, but there was nothing. No chakra signatures, no signs of lingering presence. Whoever had left it had long since gone.
A frown creased his brow as he pulled the envelope free. The kunai was clean and ordinary, the kind anyone in the village might carry. The envelope itself was neatly folded, almost pristine, with writing on the front in small, careful handwriting:
To Naruto, from a secret friend.
Naruto's stomach tightened, the frown deepening. Secret friend? It could mean anything—a threat, a trap, or just another cruel joke. He had no shortage of people in the village who'd take a cheap shot at him under the guise of kindness.
For a moment, he considered throwing it away, but curiosity won out. He shoved the envelope into his pocket and unlocked his door.
Inside, the small space felt colder than usual. It always did when he returned alone after a long day. He shrugged off his armor, setting it down carefully by the wall, and dropped onto his worn couch. The letter felt heavy in his hand, far more than its weight should have been.
Why do I even care? he thought bitterly, running his thumb over the edge of the envelope. But he did care. No matter how many times the world spat on him, a small part of him still wanted to believe there was something good waiting for him. Something worth trusting.
He unfolded the letter with steady hands, though his mind churned with unease. The paper was smooth, almost unnaturally so, like whoever wrote it had gone out of their way to make it perfect. And then his eyes landed on the first line, and his breath hitched.
[ Hello there, Naruto. You don't know me, but I know you. I was a great friend of your parents. ]
He froze.
My parents... He'd never really thought about them. Not deeply. He knew they had to exist, but he never let himself wonder. It was easier to accept they were gone, probably in the Kyuubi attack or something. But now, this "friend" decides to contact him? Why now? Where were they the last decade or so?
He read on, his fingers tightening on the letter.
[ I'm sure you have many questions, but unfortunately, I must keep myself hidden, in the shadows, to keep you safe… to keep your parents' legacy safe. But, Naruto, I can tell you this: your parents would be proud of the man you've become. ]
A strange, stinging warmth filled his chest, and he felt tears pricking at his eyes. Proud?!
The thought that his parents, who he'd never met, might feel proud of him was… overwhelming. He blinked hard, biting his lip to keep himself together.
[ Naruto, I want you to know this, but you must not trust Hiruzen Sarutobi. That man has kept a lot from you—more than you even know. ]
He drew in a sharp breath, the name jolting him back to the present. Hiruzen…? Naruto glanced at the old man's apology, fresh in his memory, still stinging like salt on a wound. The letter's words felt like they were feeding on every bit of anger, every ounce of frustration he'd been holding onto.
[ I know this is sudden, but with the lies Hiruzen has fed you, I know my time has come. I can't help you directly—if I did, Hiruzen would try to kill me. I can only provide you with information, the truth about who you are, Naruto Uzumaki. Don't you want to know? ]
He felt a lump rise in his throat.
Who am I?
He'd been searching for that answer his whole life. The old man never told him anything. He didn't even know his parents' names. Everything he thought he knew about himself felt like it was slipping through his fingers, and he had no idea what was real anymore.
Naruto stared at the letter, his jaw tightening as his eyes scanned the words again.
[ Naruto, you have two choices before you. Below this sentence is a storage seal where I've stored the first answer. ]
His gaze dropped to the intricate storage seal below the writing. The faintest shimmer danced across its surface, as though it was holding something that wanted to be free.
The next line, however, stopped him cold.
[ Even if you choose the second option of not opening the seal, let me tell you this—the Uzumaki are the only people who can hold the Kyuubi. ]
Naruto's fingers twitched, the letter crinkling slightly as he clenched his fist. That one line—it was deliberate, a hook buried deep in his curiosity. It wasn't just some vague hint or cryptic phrase. It was a fact, one he didn't fully understand, but it dangled in front of him like a carrot on a stick. Whoever had written this knew exactly how to bait him.
And it was working.
[ The choices are simple. Don't open the seal, and the story ends. You go on believing whatever lies Hiruzen wants you to believe. Or, open the seal, and I'll show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. ]
His hands shook as he stared down at the seal.
A war raged inside him—one side demanding he find out, the other reminding him of every lie he'd been told, every half-truth, every door slammed in his face. But the choice was clear. He had to know.
Whatever it takes, I'm done with half-truths.
Naruto poured his chakra into the seal, expecting the usual swirl of smoke. But instead, the letter suddenly burst into flames. He jerked back, and there, in his hands, he found himself holding a book with a note attached to the front. He pulled it off, reading the words with a mix of curiosity and unease.
[ Naruto, you chose wisely. I know you're hungry for more, but I want to test you—to see if you're truly ready for answers that are considered village secrets. Information that can cause war... like who your parents are. ]
He swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around the note.
War? Just knowing my parents could do that? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
[ Naruto, your test is simple. Keep our conversations a secret. No one must know that you're receiving this information. I know it will be hard; I know you want to demand the truth from Hiruzen. But don't. Don't give that liar a chance to fool you. ]
His jaw clenched as he read that. That liar. If there was even a shred of truth to this, maybe it was time to stop trusting what he thought he knew.
[ Naruto, I want you to remain silent for the next month, and then you'll receive information about who your mother is. If you can't do that, if you tell Hiruzen or anyone else, I won't help you. Don't disappoint me, Naruto. From your friend, from your guardian, the Hawk of Konoha. ]
Naruto stared at the note, the words blurring as his grip tightened. The Hawk of Konoha. He turned the phrase over in his mind, tasting the bitterness it left behind. A "friend"? A "guardian"? No. This was no ally. He couldn't afford to believe that.
A part of him wanted to laugh—sharp, hollow, and humorless. Trust? After everything? After all the stares, the whispers, the betrayals, the endless solitude? The very idea was a cruel joke.
And yet… somewhere, buried under the layers of his resentment, something desperate clawed at him. Maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.
He hated that part of himself. Hated the hope that still flickered like a stubborn ember, refusing to die no matter how hard he tried to smother it.
His gaze fell to the book in his lap: The History of the Uzumaki Clan. Just seeing the title made his chest feel tight, his breath shallow. It was too much. Too big.
A legacy? A clan? A family?
The words felt like a cruel mockery of the life he'd known.
The book slipped from his trembling hands, hitting the floor with a dull, resounding thud. He didn't move to pick it up. He just sat there, staring at it, frozen.
This was real. It had to be. The weight of it, the implications—it hit like a hammer blow. All his life, he had fought for scraps. For acknowledgment. For a fleeting glance of respect. He had fought to exist in a village that wished he didn't.
And now, now, he was staring at the truth of what they had hidden from him. A clan. A family. A place he belonged.
No one had ever told him. No one had even whispered it. They'd buried it, buried him, and pretended he didn't exist.
A sharp, burning pain bloomed in his chest, like something tearing its way out of him. His fists clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms, but he barely noticed. His breath hitched, his vision blurred, and then, like a dam breaking, everything poured out.
A single tear slipped down his cheek, unbidden and unwelcome.
Anger surged up, hot and vicious, swallowing the sadness whole. His fist slammed into the floor with enough force to shatter the wood beneath it, splinters flying outward in jagged, chaotic lines. The pain in his knuckles barely registered.
"Why?!" The word ripped from his throat, raw and hoarse, filled with years of bottled-up fury. His voice cracked as it carried through the room, unanswered.
Naruto's chest heaved as he struggled to pull himself together, the storm inside him refusing to settle. He thought of the villagers' scornful eyes, the hateful whispers, the way they looked at him like he was less than human. He thought of the teachers who dismissed him, the peers who mocked him, the endless loneliness that had shaped his life. He thought he had made peace with it—thought he'd grown numb to it—but now it came rushing back with brutal clarity.
He looked down at his clenched fist, blood smearing against the cracked floor. Was this all he was worth? Was this all he'd ever be—a forgotten ghost of something great?
He reached down, grabbing the book again. His hands shook as he pulled it back into his lap, the weight of it grounding him.
Fine, he thought bitterly. I'll play their game. I'll keep quiet. I'll read every page, memorize every line, and carve the truth out of this village with my own two hands if I have to.
The Hawk of Konoha. Naruto's gaze drifted back to the note, his eyes narrowing. Could he trust them?
He already knew the answer—No.
Trust had to be earned, and this Hawk had done nothing to deserve it. If they thought a few words and a hidden book would win him over, they were as delusional as the villagers who thought they could keep him chained in their ignorance.
Oscar's voice echoed in his mind. "Precept the Tenth: Trust in yourself, your weapon, and your code—for yourself, and for those you protect."
Naruto let out a slow breath, his fingers curling around the flickering pyromancy flame that danced in his palm. The heat licked at his skin, wild and untamed, but he forced it under his control.
"If this is another lie…" Naruto's voice was low, cold, and razor-edged. The flame cast shadows across his face.
"…I'll clip this Hawk's wings and leave them to crawl in the dirt, regretting every breath they've ever taken."
He didn't yell. He didn't scream. It wasn't a threat. It was a certainty.
The room fell silent, the only sound the faint crackle of the pyromancy flame in his hand. Naruto stared down at the book, his resolve hardening like steel. Whatever this was, whoever this Hawk claimed to be, he would find out.
And if they were lying, if this was just another betrayal in a lifetime full of them…
Naruto's grip tightened on the flame.
…he would burn them to ash.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone!
First of all, thanks for reading this chapter—I really hope you enjoyed it.
Now, let me just say: Naruto isn't too far gone. Sure, he's angry, hurt, and carrying enough emotional baggage to fill a storage seal, but there's still hope for him. Whether or not he finds his way back depends on a lot—and I mean a lot. At this point, it's going to come down to Kakashi, Team 7, and maybe a few others stepping up to the plate. But the question is: can they pull it off?
Also, what did you think about Danzo's scheming in this chapter?
The next chapter is dropping on December 20th!
If you can't wait that long and want to read ahead, Chapter 46 is already up on Patreon:
Chapter 46 on Patreon
Thanks again for all the support! Let me know your thoughts on this chapter in the comments—I love hearing your theories and seeing how you think things will unfold.
Until next time,
Adamo Amet
Nicohals J Westerberg
(Local Lurker)
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Chapter no.11 Dark Souls
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Adamos_Amet
Know what you're doing yet?
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Chapter no.11 Undead Burg
Naruto opened his eyes to the familiar sight of Firelink Shrine. The soft, steady glow of the bonfire crackled in front of him, its warmth washing over him. This place… it was starting to feel like his new Hokage Monument. A place where he could just sit, take a breather, and think without anyone bothering him. Well, except for maybe Alexander.
He glanced around, half-expecting the ever-gloomy crestfallen warrior to be muttering something depressing about fate or despair. But the shrine was quiet. Too quiet.
"Huh. Guess ol' Alexander finally stopped sulking and decided to go out for once," Naruto muttered with a shrug. "Good for him, I guess. Maybe he finally got his life back on track after eating that cup of ramen—proof that even in a cursed world, ramen fixes everything."
Naruto shook the thought from his head and stood up, brushing off his hands. "Alright, time to get to work," he said, cracking his knuckles.
He made a cross-sign with his fingers, concentrating as he pushed a big chunk of chakra out of his body. The feeling was intense, like forcing water through a narrow pipe. The mechanism behind the Shadow Clone Jutsu was complicated, but in his head, it was like blowing a bubble: his body was the wand, his clone was the bubble, and chakra was the solution. Lots of chakra.
Then, with a sharp exhale, he released it.
Poof!
Standing before him was his clone, grinning back at him like he'd just been born for mischief.
"You ready for the plan?"
"We're going grave robbing, dattebayo!" the clone declared, throwing a fist in the air like it was something to be proud of.
"Can you not make it sound so… so bad?! It's not grave robbing! We're just… strategically scavenging stuff that nobody's using!"
The clone just grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "Strategic grave robbing. Got it."
"Just… go do your job, will you?"
The clone gave a mock salute. "Aye-aye, boss!" And with that, it took off toward the graveyard, disappearing into the shadows with more enthusiasm than Naruto was entirely comfortable with.
He slumped back down by the bonfire, letting his chakra pool refill. That particular clone had taken a lot of chakra—not enough to leave him dry, but enough to make him feel it. It was fine, though. That clone was smarter and tougher than the average ones. It'd even make more clones if it needed backup. Meanwhile, Naruto leaned back, letting his body recharge.
His gaze drifted to the Estus Flask hanging at his side. The thing had already saved his life more than a few times by healing his injuries, but something had been nagging at him. If it could restore his body… could it restore his chakra too?
"Only one way to find out," Naruto muttered, pulling the flask to his lips and taking a swig. Warmth spread through his body, the familiar sensation of healing. But this time, he focused inward, on his chakra.
And there it was.
His eyes widened in shock as he felt his reserves refill, a rush of fresh energy flowing through him. He stared at the flask like it was the Holy Grail of ninja tools.
"This… this thing is amazing," he whispered in awe, his lips curling into a grin. "Oh, I'm definitely keeping you around."
Placing the now-empty flask in front of the bonfire, Naruto watched as it slowly refilled itself. He chuckled. "You, my friend, just became my new best friend. Sorry, ramen."
Before he could plan his next move, he heard the distant BOOM of an explosion. A smug grin spread across his face as memories from his clone flooded into his mind. Apparently, the cemetery skeletons were proving to be a pain, but his clones had blown a few to bits using explosive tags.
"Stupid skeletons," Naruto muttered with satisfaction, leaning back against a rock. "That's what you get for messing with Naruto Uzumaki."
Another set of memories hit him—this time of the loot the clone had grabbed. He felt a tingle of excitement as he sat up straighter, rubbing his hands together like a kid about to open a birthday present.
"Strategic scavenging, huh? Yeah, that's got a nice ring to it."
[ Item: Winged Spear ]
[ Weapon type: Spears ]
[ Description: A long-hilted spear with a barbed point. Long reach, and can be used with shield up. Effective against hard exteriors, and hits for high damage at the right moment of an enemy's swing. But the hit radius is small, and it is easily blocked by shields. ]
Naruto hefted the spear in his hands, feeling its weight. It had a long, sturdy shaft, with a sharp, narrow tip that gleamed faintly in the light of the bonfire. Just below the blade, small, wing-like protrusions flared out on either side, giving it an almost elegant design.
"Looks pretty badass," Naruto muttered, turning it over. He gave the tip an experimental jab at the air, but his enthusiasm faded quickly. "But… seriously, am I gonna use this?"
He pictured himself lugging it around in battle and immediately cringed. It just didn't feel right for him. The Zweihander was his weapon—big, heavy, and full of destructive power. This? This was too… precise.
"Yeah, not really my style," he decided, letting the spear rest against the side of the bonfire. "Guess it's backup, or maybe… can I sell this stuff?"
He rubbed the back of his head, wondering how selling even worked in Lordran. He'd have to figure that out later. For now, though, it was just one more thing taking up space in his inventory.
[ Item: Caduceus Round Shield ]
[ Weapon type: Small Shield ]
[ Description: Round wooden shield crafted in Lordran. Decorated by an ancient blue Caduceus. The giant trees in Lordran are distant offspring of the great stone archtrees. This shield inherits their properties, and the wood greatly reduces magic damage. ]
Next, Naruto picked up the shield. It was small and round, made of wood with a faded green background. The design on its face—a pair of curved lines resembling snakes meeting at a "U" shape—was faint and worn, but still visible. The edges of the shield were reinforced with a thin rim of metal, though it had seen better days.
"Huh," Naruto said, giving it a once-over. "Not bad. Feels pretty sturdy, I guess." He rapped his knuckles against it, hearing the dull thud of the wood. "Wonder if this thing could hold up against a jutsu."
But he frowned, already feeling its weight dragging on his arm. It wasn't that heavy, but still—he'd need to pump more points into strength before he could wield it comfortably alongside the Zweihander. And, honestly? Shields just weren't his thing.
"Yeah, probably not gonna use this either," he muttered, setting it down with the spear.
[ Item: Binoculars ]
[ Description: Binoculars made of Brass. Use to peer at distant scenery.
This advanced device was built by a famous craftsman of Astora. Its utility is singular, but its applications many. The value of these specs depends greatly on the imagination of their owner. ]
Finally, Naruto picked up the binoculars. They were made of brass, slightly worn but still solid, with two cylindrical eyepieces connected by a small hinge in the middle. He turned them over in his hands, feeling their smooth surface.
"Binoculars?" Naruto muttered, squinting at them. "What am I supposed to do with these?"
His mind wandered for a moment, and then a wicked grin crept onto his face. He remembered the onsen near his apartment in Konoha.
"I mean… I could test these out there… Just, you know, for research purposes," he said to himself, chuckling quietly. But the thought made him blush, and he quickly shook his head. "Nope, nope, bad idea. Focus, Naruto!"
Grinning at his own ridiculousness, he brought the binoculars up to his eyes, curious to see what they could do. He aimed them at the bonfire—and immediately regretted it.
"ARGH! My eyes!" he yelped, pulling them away as spots danced in his vision. The light of the bonfire had practically burned into his retinas. He blinked furiously, wiping at his eyes until the pain subsided.
Once his vision cleared, he raised the binoculars again, this time aiming them at the far edges of the shrine. Through the lenses, he could make out winding paths carved into the massive stone walls surrounding the area. The paths twisted and turned, disappearing into the distance like trails leading to the unknown.
Naruto lowered the binoculars, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, looks like I know where I'm going next," he said, standing up and stretching. He stashed the binoculars in his pouch and gave the bonfire one last glance.
"Let's go see what this world's got for me next!"
Naruto made his way to the cliffside where Alexander had once stood guard over his soul drop. The ground sloped sharply, giving way to a sheer drop below, and just ahead, the massive castle wall loomed like a giant sentry. The dark stone was ancient, scarred by battles long since forgotten, and stretched so high that it vanished into the thick, cloudy sky above. Naruto tilted his head back, taking it all in, feeling impossibly small in its shadow.
"Man," he muttered to himself, "this place always knows how to make you feel tiny."
As he stepped closer, his sharp eyes caught sight of a set of staircases carved right into the cliffside. They clung precariously to the rock face, winding upward toward a series of ancient, crumbling archways that disappeared into the castle walls. The steps themselves were a mess—cracked, uneven, and overgrown with tufts of wild grass and moss.
Naruto let out a deep breath, rolling his shoulders.
He stepped onto the first stair, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of the Zweihander strapped to his back. His senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning the shadows ahead. He didn't have to wait long. A few hollows shuffled into view, their vacant, hollow eyes staring at nothing, their battered armor barely clinging to their decayed bodies. They gripped rusted short swords with hands that shook as if they'd forgotten how to fight.
Naruto smirked, his confidence swelling. "Pfft, this is gonna be easy," he said under his breath. These hollows were barely holding themselves together, and he figured he wouldn't even need chakra to deal with them. This would be a good warm-up.
He took a step forward, hand on the Zweihander, ready to attack. Then it came—a sharp whistling sound cutting through the air.
BOOM!
The explosion slammed into the ground beside him, a burst of searing flames and heat that sent Naruto stumbling backward. The blast hit his chest like a hammer, forcing the air out of his lungs as flames licked at the edges of his armor. Smoke filled his lungs, and his instincts screamed at him to move.
"Damn it!" Naruto coughed, patting at the charred edges of his armor as he tried to regain his balance. His skin tingled from the heat, and his head pounded from the force of the blast. He barely had time to recover when one of the hollows lunged forward with a crazed howl, its short sword swinging wildly.
The first blow slammed into his shoulder plate with a harsh clang, and the hollow didn't stop. It hacked at him relentlessly, the strikes landing with the ferocity of a wild animal. Naruto gritted his teeth, his arm vibrating with every impact as he tried to block and hold his ground. The hollow's attacks were so wild, so frenzied, it almost pushed him off the edge of the staircase.
Then, with a sharp snap, the hollow's rusted sword shattered against his chest plate. The creature froze for a split second, almost as if it were confused, and Naruto seized the moment. With a burst of chakra, he disappeared in a blur of motion, shunshining backward to put some distance between them.
"Alright, that's enough of that," Naruto muttered, his breath ragged. His smirk was gone, replaced with a hard glare. "These guys are supposed to be pushovers, so what the hell's going on?"
Movement above caught his eye. Another hollow was scrambling down the upper staircase, its empty gaze fixed on him. Below, a second hollow—this one clad in dented, rusted armor—emerged from the shadows.
Naruto didn't wait for them to close in. Triggering the pyromancy flame in his hand, he hurled a fireball at the staircase. The explosion rocked the stone steps, engulfing the two hollows in flames. Smoke and embers filled the air, and Naruto charged through the chaos, his Zweihander raised high.
The first hollow, still stumbling forward, didn't stand a chance. With a roar, Naruto brought the Zweihander down in a devastating swing, cutting the hollow clean in half. Blood sprayed across the stone, the creature's remains crumpling to the ground as Naruto's focus sharpened. His Way of Focality screamed in his head—more attacks were coming from all sides.
But those attacks landed on nothing but smoke. His clone had taken his place.
BOOM!
Another firebomb went off, consuming the area where his clone had been standing in a burst of flames. Using the distraction, Naruto appeared behind the group of hollows, his Zweihander already in motion. The massive blade swept in a wide arc, slicing clean through two hollows in one fluid motion. Their heads hit the ground before their bodies even registered the impact.
The Zweihander crashed into the stone floor with a heavy thunk, dust and blood scattering in all directions. Naruto stood still for a moment, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.
But it wasn't over. Above him, another hollow was already prepping another firebomb. Naruto glanced up, his eyes narrowing. "Not this time," he muttered.
Letting go of the Zweihander, he pulled a kunai from his pouch and flung it with precision. The kunai struck the firebomb mid-air, detonating it in a fiery burst that sent the hollow stumbling back. Naruto didn't hesitate. He sprinted up the staircase, the wind whipping past him, his legs pumping hard as he closed the distance.
His smirk returned as he thought about what he was going to do. "Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this," he muttered under his breath, picturing himself tossing the hollow right off the edge.
The hollow raised its arm to throw another bomb, but before Naruto could close the gap, a massive axe swung out from behind the staircase. His instincts screamed, and he substituted, vanishing in a puff of smoke just as the axe cleaved through where he had been.
Naruto reappeared mid-air, just in time to watch the hollow with the axe get slammed by the firebomb intended for him. But it barely flinched, its bony face turning toward him with soulless rage.
He landed on the upper staircase, his feet skidding against the stone. "Alright," he growled, summoning the Zweihander into his hand, "no more games."
Chakra surged through his muscles as he charged forward, raising the massive blade. The hollow swung its axe, but the Zweihander cut clean through it, the blade continuing its arc and splitting the hollow's body in two. The strike shook Naruto's entire frame, but he held steady, his grip firm.
Another firebomb came his way. Naruto ducked into a low crouch, just like Kakashi had taught him, the bomb sailing harmlessly over his head. He glared up at the hollow, his patience officially gone.
"You really wanna keep throwing stuff, huh?" he growled, stalking toward the hollow, fists clenched.
The hollow hesitated, but Naruto didn't. He closed the distance in an instant, slamming his fist into its jaw. The impact sent it staggering, and he followed up with a quick left-right combo, each punch landing with a satisfying crack.
"Here, let me help you with that whole 'falling apart' thing!" Naruto snarled, delivering an uppercut that sent the hollow flying off the edge of the cliff. He watched as it tumbled into the abyss below, its limbs flailing uselessly.
A smirk crept onto his face. "Yeah, that felt good," he muttered, brushing off his hands.
Naruto trudged up the stairs, the metallic clink of his armor ringing out with every step. At the top, the faint sound of running water reached his ears, and something glimmered at the edge of the platform caught his eye—a soul orb. Naruto's face split into a grin.
"Well, don't mind if I do," he said, stepping forward.
But then he noticed something odd. Deep claw marks etched along the edge of the platform, gouged into the stone like something—or someone—had tried to claw their way back up. Naruto frowned, leaning over the ledge, and sure enough, there was a corpse lodged awkwardly in one of the archways below. Its body was twisted, limbs hanging limp, but what caught his eye was the faint glow of something valuable near it.
With a sigh, he created a shadow clone. "Alright, you know the drill," he said, waving the clone toward the edge. "You go grab the shiny stuff, and I stay up here looking heroic."
"You mean lazy," the clone quipped before leaping down.
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto called after it. "Don't get stuck like that guy, alright?" He plopped himself down at the edge of the platform, letting his legs dangle over as he took a moment to catch his breath.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to center himself. Oscar's precepts echoed in his mind—words of duty, discipline, and honor. He'd started repeating them like a mantra to keep himself grounded, especially in this world where everything wanted to kill him.
"Every mistake could mean death," he murmured, opening his eyes to stare out at the horizon. But the thought didn't weigh him down like it should've. Instead, he scoffed, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, sure. Like dying even matters here."
Dying just meant he'd respawn at the bonfire. Big deal. But… what if he died in Konoha? Would he just wake up back here? That thought stuck in his mind for a second longer than he liked.
Before he could dwell on it, a low, grating squeak echoed through the air. His head snapped toward the doorway behind him, and his eyes widened.
"What the—?"
It was a rat. No, not just a rat—a massive rat.
"What are you, the Akimichi clan's secret mascot?"
The creature's wild, beady eyes glinted in the light, and its fur was filthy—matted and streaked with blood. It scurried into the room on clawed feet, leaving scratch marks on the stone floor as it darted left and right, like it couldn't decide whether to charge or skitter away.
Naruto wrinkled his nose as the stench hit him—a sour, damp smell that clung to the air like it belonged there. The doorway behind the rat led into a dark, slimy space, with walls slick with algae and water pooling at the edges. He spotted a rusted cage in the distance, and slumped against the bars was a body—or what was left of one.
"So the rat eats corpses," Naruto said, raising his pyromancy flame to light up the area.
The rat hissed, crouching low before lunging at him. Its claws swiped the air, and Naruto jumped back, waving his flame to keep it at bay.
"Whoa, easy there!" he said, trying not to step into the gross puddle behind him. "I don't do hugs, especially from giant sewer rats."
The rat reared up on its hind legs, standing almost as tall as his waist. Its claws swiped again, but this time Naruto didn't back down. He reached into his pouch and hurled a kunai, the blade slicing clean through the air before embedding itself into the rat's head.
The creature let out a horrible screech before collapsing in a twitching heap.
"Gross," Naruto muttered, eyeing the dead rat warily. He spotted something glimmering near its meal—a soul orb.
"Yeah, nope. Not touching that," he said, creating another shadow clone. "Hey, you! Go grab that for me."
"Sure thing, boss. Glad I'm disposable, huh?"
"Yeah, that's why you are a clone," Naruto said with a grin, watching the clone step into the muck to retrieve the orb.
Naruto moved farther along the wall, spotting another set of bars blocking an opening.
"What the hell is this place?" he muttered, gripping the bars. He gave them a push, but the familiar system window popped up in front of him: "Does not open from this side."
He groaned, slamming his hand against the cage.
With a sigh, he moved on, climbing a staircase that led up to a path. Light spilled in from the right, revealing a distant tower framed by dark, swirling clouds.
That's when he heard it.
A low, grating sound—metal scraping against stone.
Naruto froze, every nerve in his body on edge. His hand hovered near the hilt of his Zweihander as he strained to listen. The sound was slow, deliberate, and it was getting closer.
"Alright," he muttered under his breath, his heart pounding. "Let's do this the smart way…"
Naruto tossed out a shadow clone with a grin. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was how to make a scene.
Switching the Zweihander for the winged spear, he gripped the long, slender weapon awkwardly in his hands. It felt… strange. Not bad, just not right for him. It was like trying to use chopsticks after eating with his hands his whole life. He gave it a testing spin, grimacing at the imbalance.
"Man, this thing is weird," Naruto muttered under his breath. "Guess I'm not gonna be pulling off any fancy moves with this. But hey, pointy end goes into the bad guys, right?"
Ahead, his clone was doing its job, waving its arms like a maniac and shouting taunts. "Oi, you ugly sacks of bones! Come get me! What, scared of a little ninja like me?"
Naruto smirked as the hollows were drawn toward the clone, their jerky, unnatural movements almost pitiful. The first hollow dragged a filthy axe along the ground, its emaciated body swaying as if it might fall apart any second. Through the shared memories with his clone, Naruto spotted the second one, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Classic ambush setup," Naruto muttered, crouching low.
Pushing chakra into his legs, he surged forward in a blur of motion, his Shunshin closing the gap before the hollow even realized he was there. The spear's tip drove straight into the hollow's skull with a sickening crack. Naruto winced as he felt the resistance of bone and flesh give way, the spear skewering deep. Its body slumped onto the spear, dead weight pulling against his grip. Blood oozed down the length of the weapon, thick and dark, but Naruto held steady, using chakra to anchor himself. The second hollow leapt from the shadows, its rusted sword swinging wildly. Naruto barely had time to adjust, bracing his legs as the attacks rained down on him. Each strike hammered against the hollow corpse still stuck on his spear, rattling up his arms.
Naruto dismissed the spear into his inventory. His now-free hand lit up as he summoned the pyromancy flame, the orange glow casting eerie shadows across the hollow's gaunt, mindless face.
The fireball hit the hollow point-blank. Flames erupted across its body, making it screech as its skin bubbled and cracked. But even as it burned, the thing staggered forward, undeterred.
"Seriously?" Naruto groaned, frustration bubbling up alongside his chakra. "What does it take to put you down?"
With a roar of effort, he threw a punch straight into the hollow's chest. His gauntlet connected with a satisfying crunch, the force sending the hollow flying backward. It hit the wooden bridge just as a firebomb exploded against its back, flames bursting outward in all directions. Finally, the creature collapsed into ash.
Who's handing out firebombs to these guys?!
As if on cue, another hollow at the far end of the platform raised its arm, a firebomb already cocked and ready. Naruto's eyes narrowed.
Shunshin carried him forward, and his boots slammed into the hollow's chest with enough force to send it flying. He felt the crunch of ribs giving way beneath his weight as the hollow tumbled off the edge, flailing uselessly before disappearing into the abyss below.
He didn't even have time to enjoy the moment. Another hollow lunged from the shadows, its rusted sword slicing downward in a vicious arc. Naruto ducked just in time, feeling the blade whistle past his head. Rolling to the side, he instinctively summoned a weapon—and cursed when the winged spear materialized in his hands again.
The hollow swung again, but Naruto ducked low, sweeping his leg out in a wide arc. His foot connected with the hollow's shin, sending it tumbling backward in a flailing mess of limbs. Before it could recover, Naruto grabbed its bony ankle with a firm grip.
"Time to take out the trash," he quipped, swinging the hollow around like a sack of rice. With a grunt, he flung it off the ledge, watching as it spiraled down into the darkness below.
Finally, silence.
Naruto took a deep breath, straightening up as he scanned the area. His muscles ached, his armor was scratched up, and he was pretty sure he smelled like whatever foul sludge the hollows were living in.
"Definitely need to work on my taijutsu when I get back," he muttered.
The path ahead was littered with broken barrels and rotting crates, leading to a series of small, crumbling buildings. The windows were dark, the wooden beams sagging under the weight of decay. He summoned a few shadow clones, sending them off to search the smaller buildings while he continued forward.
Crossing a rickety wooden bridge, he stepped into a larger room, the air stale and thick with dust. A stone staircase spiraled upward to his left, parts of it broken and crumbling. Beneath it, a pile of broken barrels covered something—or someone.
Naruto crouched down, nudging the barrels aside to reveal the crumpled body of a humanoid. Its limbs were twisted unnaturally, its hollow eyes staring blankly ahead. Near its hand, a soul orb glowed faintly.
Reaching out, Naruto grabbed the orb, feeling the familiar pulse of energy run through his fingers. He frowned, his thoughts darkening for a moment.
"Were they like me?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did they come here thinking they could make it out alive? Did they want to ring those Bells of Awakening too?"
The thought left a sour taste in his mouth. Naruto sat down on the cold stone, letting the silence wrap around him. He just let himself sit there, scrolling through his inventory, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his chest.
[ Item: Ring of Sacrifice ]
[ Description: This mystical ring was created in a sacrificial rite of Velka, the Goddess of Sin. Its wearer will lose nothing upon death, but the ring itself breaks. ]
Another magic ring. Naruto rolled his eyes, tossing it back into the inventory. One-time use, maybe, and considering what he had to do to go back to Konoha, it'd be best not to waste it. Next up. His finger flicked across the screen, landing on another find.
[ Item: Humanity ]
[ Description: Rare tiny black sprite found on corpses. Use to gain 1 humanity and restore a large amount of HP.
This black sprite is called humanity, but little is known about its true nature.
If the soul is the source of all life, then what distinguishes the humanity we hold within ourselves? ]
Naruto tilted his head as he read the description. "Okay, that's… cryptic," he muttered, pulling off his gauntlet to inspect his hand.
He frowned. His skin looked off—ashen and rough, like a hollow's. "Wait a sec… didn't I just reverse my hollowing?" He flexed his fingers, turning his hand over to get a better look. "Is there, like, a time limit on this thing, or did it reset because I died?"
He let out a groan and moved to the next item on the list, his eyes narrowing as he read the name.
[ Item: Rubbish ]
[ Description: Rubbish with no value.
Who in their right mind would bother carrying this around? Perhaps you need help. ]
Naruto grumbled, "First of all, fuck you, system. And second, I didn't pick this crap—my clones did."
Still, he pulled it out of the inventory, intending to throw it away. In his hand was a pile of junk—a moldy piece of paper with strange, childlike drawings on it, scraps of metal twisted and broken, and some shards of pottery with faded patterns. It looked like... memories. Memories that had been abandoned, left to rot. The longer he stared, the more unsettling it felt. The quiet around him stopped feeling like peace and started pressing in, cold and heavy.
What happened to these people? The question formed in his mind before he even realized it. This world was full of mysteries, echoes of history, culture, and life that didn't fully make sense. But staring at that moldy piece of paper, something about it felt different. Real, in a way that got under his skin. He let out a slow breath, pushing the "rubbish" back into his inventory, but the thought lingered. What will happen if I ring the Bells of Awakening?
Naruto stood up, brushing off the dust and taking a deep breath. I'll find my answers by ringing the bells, right? The thought ran through his mind as he took each step, feeling more certain, more determined. Whatever this world held, the bells would be the key to understanding it.
He climbed up the stairs, his footsteps echoing against the cracked stone. The path opened up into a cold, empty walkway shadowed by a towering castle. High, rough walls stretched up on both sides. The whole place felt… forgotten. Barely visible in the gray mist ahead were crumbling towers, hints of a place long abandoned. There was no sound, just the faint, hollow echoes that broke the stillness.
And then, he heard it.
A loud, bone-rattling roar from the left, shaking the entire walkway. His mind went blank, his body frozen.
What the hell…
Naruto felt his stomach twist in dread, and then he saw it—a massive, dark red creature, dragon-like but far more monstrous than any story he'd ever heard. Its body was covered in rough, spiked armor, dark as blood, with sharp bone-like protrusions along its head and neck, pointing backward like jagged thorns. Where its eyes should've been, there was just a smooth, bony surface—no eyes, just an empty, blind stare. Somehow, that made it even worse, as if it could still see him, feel him standing there, paralyzed.
Is that... a dragon? Naruto's mind struggled to process what he was seeing. Oscar had told him about dragons, but seeing one was completely different from hearing about one.
It didn't feel real. It was like a dream, one where he was caught between terror and awe, just staring, unable to look away.
The dragon didn't notice him—or didn't care. It stretched its massive, scarred wings, leathery and worn, and with a powerful beat, it lifted off the ground, soaring into the gray sky. Naruto watched as it flew over the stone arch, its silhouette dark against the towers, vanishing into the mist as if it were returning home.
He stood there, heart racing, staring at the spot where it had been.
Did that… actually just happen?
The awe he felt was ripped away in a flash as pain erupted in his knee. It was sudden, blinding—like his whole leg had been set on fire. His gaze shot down, and there it was—a damn arrow lodged deep in his knee.
Great, he took an arrow to the knee!
The pain was unbearable, searing up his leg and into his spine, making his vision blur. He felt a rush of anger and frustration. Without hesitation, he grabbed the arrow shaft and yanked it out in one harsh pull, biting down a scream as blood flowed from the wound. His breaths came short and ragged, every nerve in his body still singing with pain.
Stupid hollows and their stupid arrows, he thought, gulping down an Estus Flask as fast as he could. The warm, healing energy flooded through him, knitting up the wound and finally numbing the burning ache. He took a deep breath, the pain easing enough to think straight.
"I hate hollows," he spat, his eyes locking onto the hollow that dared shoot him. One of those soulless creatures was running toward him, its skeletal frame rattling with each step. Rage surged through him. Oh, you picked the wrong target.
Gripping his Zweihander tightly, he lunged forward, swinging the blade in a brutal downward arc. The impact sent a satisfying crunch through his arms as the blade cleaved the hollow in two, a splatter of blood marking the stones beneath it.
But just as he took a moment to catch his breath, something whizzed past his neck, close enough to graze his skin—a second arrow, barely missing him. His head snapped up, fury igniting as he caught sight of the archer.
Naruto barely had time to process it before two more hollows rushed him from the sides. He brought up his Zweihander, blocking their strikes as the metal screeched against his own blade. But he couldn't focus entirely on them; every few seconds, another arrow came hurtling toward him, the archer clearly intent on skewering him alive.
These guys are really pissing me off.
Naruto clenched his teeth, fighting back with one hand while his other reached for an explosive tag. With one quick movement, he slapped it onto the nearest hollow's chest, pushing back with all his strength as he leaped away. "Fuin!" he barked, triggering the tag.
The explosion tore through both hollows, bits of bone and dust scattering in the air. The blast gave him just enough cover to sprint up the stairs toward the archer, his eyes set on the damn hollow that had the nerve to shoot him.
As he got closer, he could see it fumbling with its weapon, hands barely steady as it tried to notch another arrow. The thing was holding a battered crossbow, the kind that looked like it had fallen apart ages ago and been haphazardly pieced back together. Its bony fingers struggled to attach the arrow to the crossbow's string, its entire movement slow and clumsy.
Naruto didn't waste a second and went in for the kill. But then, his Way of Focality screamed at him, and he instinctively ducked as a firebomb came flying from above. He cursed under his breath.
If I ever find the bastard who invented firebombs, he thought furiously, I'll shove a dozen of these things up his ass and light the fuse. Let's see how he likes it!
With no other choice, he lunged forward, tackling the hollow with his shoulder and slamming into its frail body with all his weight. It staggered, but instead of falling away, its hands clamped onto his armor with a death grip. He tried to shake it off, but its bony fingers wouldn't budge. With a jolt, he felt them both tumbling off the ledge.
Welp, I'm dead, he thought, bracing himself for the worst.
But luck was on his side.
They landed hard on a balcony just below, his armor clanging against the stone as the hollow squirmed beneath him. He wasted no time, slamming his Zweihander down, pinning it through the chest. The hollow's body went limp, but he wasn't finished.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a humanoid corpse slumped against the wall, a wooden shield clutched in its lifeless hand. The shield was long, oval-shaped, with a simple design carved into the wood. Its surface was worn and rough, the faded lines barely visible.
"Thanks," he muttered to the corpse, prying the shield from its stiff grip. With a growl, he bashed the still-twitching hollow under him until it was nothing more than scattered bones.
Great, a new shield. That I'll probably never use.
With one last breath, he stood up and headed back to the stairs, determined to find the remaining hollows. He climbed up, his eyes scanning every shadow, his muscles tensed with anticipation. Alright, where are you, firebomb-throwing assholes?
Reaching the top, he finally saw them. A few hollows perched above, each one fumbling with firebombs, their lifeless eyes fixed on him. His blood boiled as he prepared to strike back.
But then, something caught his eye—a familiar, hopeful glimmer.
An unlit bonfire, hidden in a small room just to the side. His heart skipped a beat, and a grin spread across his face.
Yes! He didn't have to restart from Firelink Shrine. He darted into the room, the flames flaring to life under his touch.
With renewed energy, he turned back to the hollows perched above, his hand reaching for his own firebombs.
Alright, you're done.
They'd be getting a taste of every sharp tool he had on him, firebomb by firebomb, if it was the last thing he did today.
Bring it on.
Almost ten minutes later, Naruto dusted himself off, wiping a bit of grime from his armor as he surveyed the carnage. His stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence, and he sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Man, I'm starving," he muttered. "Guess that's my cue to head back."
Naruto took a deep breath, standing at the edge of the broken bridge.
"See you soon, Lordran," he muttered under his breath, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. And then, without hesitation, he leaped into the void.
The wind whipped past him, cold and biting, but he didn't flinch. The falling sensation was almost comforting now, a reminder that he could leave this cursed place whenever he needed to. The world blurred around him as the blackness swallowed him whole.
And then, silence.
Back at the bonfire, the flames danced quietly, their warmth a sharp contrast to the desolation surrounding them. Slowly, the world began to reset. The hollows Naruto had slain clawed their way back to unlife, their battered forms shuffling aimlessly across the ruined landscape. Bones clicked back into place, broken weapons reformed, and lifeless eyes lit up without any purpose.
Among them, the crossbow hollow stirred. It stumbled toward the place where Naruto had jumped, its movements slow and mechanical. There, nestled among the shattered stones, was a faint, glowing soul drop.
The hollow hesitated, its head tilting slightly as if sensing something. Then, with a jerky, almost reverent motion, it reached out and absorbed the soul. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, its posture straightened. Its movements became… different. More deliberate. More alive.
In Lordran, time always returns to its stagnant state. Death becomes life, and life becomes death, in an endless, unchanging cycle.
But change… change is always inevitable.
Author's Note:
This isn't canon, but it's my personal interpretation of the Shadow Clone Jutsu—similar to how I reimagined the Transformation Jutsu as a reflection and refraction of light jutsu. Picture the Shadow Clone Jutsu like a bubble of chakra. The Academy-style Clone Jutsu is just the empty bubble, while a Shadow Clone is that same bubble filled with chakra.
This interpretation helps logically explain why Naruto, who was labeled talentless, managed to master the Shadow Clone Jutsu in Episode 1. It's because Naruto already had the foundation for the technique from his Academy training—he just needed to fill the bubble with chakra. And it also explains why Shadow Clones are so fragile, disappearing in one hit—like popping a bubble!
What do you guys think about this explanation? Does it make sense to you, or do you prefer the classic approach?
Now, let's talk about the binocular moment. I'm tired of fanfic authors pretending Naruto is some innocent, clueless kid who doesn't understand certain things. This is the guy who invented Sexy Jutsu, a transformation into a naked woman covered in clouds, and we've seen him peeking at magazines. Let's be real—Naruto is a bit of a perv, and that's part of his charm! So yes, the binocular moment was a nod to his cheeky personality, true to his character.
Now, onto the bigger questions:
Next Chapter: Dropping on December 24th!
If you can't wait that long and want to read ahead: Chapter 48 on Patreon
Thanks so much for the support, as always. You guys make writing this story such an incredible journey.
Until next time,
Adamo Amet
Naruto opened his eyes to the familiar sight of Firelink Shrine. The soft, steady glow of the bonfire crackled in front of him, its warmth washing over him. This place… it was starting to feel like his new Hokage Monument. A place where he could just sit, take a breather, and think without anyone bothering him. Well, except for maybe Alexander.
He glanced around, half-expecting the ever-gloomy crestfallen warrior to be muttering something depressing about fate or despair. But the shrine was quiet. Too quiet.
"Huh. Guess ol' Alexander finally stopped sulking and decided to go out for once," Naruto muttered with a shrug. "Good for him, I guess. Maybe he finally got his life back on track after eating that cup of ramen—proof that even in a cursed world, ramen fixes everything."
Naruto shook the thought from his head and stood up, brushing off his hands. "Alright, time to get to work," he said, cracking his knuckles.
He made a cross-sign with his fingers, concentrating as he pushed a big chunk of chakra out of his body. The feeling was intense, like forcing water through a narrow pipe. The mechanism behind the Shadow Clone Jutsu was complicated, but in his head, it was like blowing a bubble: his body was the wand, his clone was the bubble, and chakra was the solution. Lots of chakra.
Then, with a sharp exhale, he released it.
Poof!
Standing before him was his clone, grinning back at him like he'd just been born for mischief.
"You ready for the plan?"
"We're going grave robbing, dattebayo!" the clone declared, throwing a fist in the air like it was something to be proud of.
"Can you not make it sound so… so bad?! It's not grave robbing! We're just… strategically scavenging stuff that nobody's using!"
The clone just grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "Strategic grave robbing. Got it."
"Just… go do your job, will you?"
The clone gave a mock salute. "Aye-aye, boss!" And with that, it took off toward the graveyard, disappearing into the shadows with more enthusiasm than Naruto was entirely comfortable with.
He slumped back down by the bonfire, letting his chakra pool refill. That particular clone had taken a lot of chakra—not enough to leave him dry, but enough to make him feel it. It was fine, though. That clone was smarter and tougher than the average ones. It'd even make more clones if it needed backup. Meanwhile, Naruto leaned back, letting his body recharge.
His gaze drifted to the Estus Flask hanging at his side. The thing had already saved his life more than a few times by healing his injuries, but something had been nagging at him. If it could restore his body… could it restore his chakra too?
"Only one way to find out," Naruto muttered, pulling the flask to his lips and taking a swig. Warmth spread through his body, the familiar sensation of healing. But this time, he focused inward, on his chakra.
And there it was.
His eyes widened in shock as he felt his reserves refill, a rush of fresh energy flowing through him. He stared at the flask like it was the Holy Grail of ninja tools.
"This… this thing is amazing," he whispered in awe, his lips curling into a grin. "Oh, I'm definitely keeping you around."
Placing the now-empty flask in front of the bonfire, Naruto watched as it slowly refilled itself. He chuckled. "You, my friend, just became my new best friend. Sorry, ramen."
Before he could plan his next move, he heard the distant BOOM of an explosion. A smug grin spread across his face as memories from his clone flooded into his mind. Apparently, the cemetery skeletons were proving to be a pain, but his clones had blown a few to bits using explosive tags.
"Stupid skeletons," Naruto muttered with satisfaction, leaning back against a rock. "That's what you get for messing with Naruto Uzumaki."
Another set of memories hit him—this time of the loot the clone had grabbed. He felt a tingle of excitement as he sat up straighter, rubbing his hands together like a kid about to open a birthday present.
"Strategic scavenging, huh? Yeah, that's got a nice ring to it."
[ Item: Winged Spear ]
[ Weapon type: Spears ]
[ Description: A long-hilted spear with a barbed point. Long reach, and can be used with shield up. Effective against hard exteriors, and hits for high damage at the right moment of an enemy's swing. But the hit radius is small, and it is easily blocked by shields. ]
Naruto hefted the spear in his hands, feeling its weight. It had a long, sturdy shaft, with a sharp, narrow tip that gleamed faintly in the light of the bonfire. Just below the blade, small, wing-like protrusions flared out on either side, giving it an almost elegant design.
"Looks pretty badass," Naruto muttered, turning it over. He gave the tip an experimental jab at the air, but his enthusiasm faded quickly. "But… seriously, am I gonna use this?"
He pictured himself lugging it around in battle and immediately cringed. It just didn't feel right for him. The Zweihander was his weapon—big, heavy, and full of destructive power. This? This was too… precise.
"Yeah, not really my style," he decided, letting the spear rest against the side of the bonfire. "Guess it's backup, or maybe… can I sell this stuff?"
He rubbed the back of his head, wondering how selling even worked in Lordran. He'd have to figure that out later. For now, though, it was just one more thing taking up space in his inventory.
[ Item: Caduceus Round Shield ]
[ Weapon type: Small Shield ]
[ Description: Round wooden shield crafted in Lordran. Decorated by an ancient blue Caduceus. The giant trees in Lordran are distant offspring of the great stone archtrees. This shield inherits their properties, and the wood greatly reduces magic damage. ]
Next, Naruto picked up the shield. It was small and round, made of wood with a faded green background. The design on its face—a pair of curved lines resembling snakes meeting at a "U" shape—was faint and worn, but still visible. The edges of the shield were reinforced with a thin rim of metal, though it had seen better days.
"Huh," Naruto said, giving it a once-over. "Not bad. Feels pretty sturdy, I guess." He rapped his knuckles against it, hearing the dull thud of the wood. "Wonder if this thing could hold up against a jutsu."
But he frowned, already feeling its weight dragging on his arm. It wasn't that heavy, but still—he'd need to pump more points into strength before he could wield it comfortably alongside the Zweihander. And, honestly? Shields just weren't his thing.
"Yeah, probably not gonna use this either," he muttered, setting it down with the spear.
[ Item: Binoculars ]
[ Description: Binoculars made of Brass. Use to peer at distant scenery.
This advanced device was built by a famous craftsman of Astora. Its utility is singular, but its applications many. The value of these specs depends greatly on the imagination of their owner. ]
Finally, Naruto picked up the binoculars. They were made of brass, slightly worn but still solid, with two cylindrical eyepieces connected by a small hinge in the middle. He turned them over in his hands, feeling their smooth surface.
"Binoculars?" Naruto muttered, squinting at them. "What am I supposed to do with these?"
His mind wandered for a moment, and then a wicked grin crept onto his face. He remembered the onsen near his apartment in Konoha.
"I mean… I could test these out there… Just, you know, for research purposes," he said to himself, chuckling quietly. But the thought made him blush, and he quickly shook his head. "Nope, nope, bad idea. Focus, Naruto!"
Grinning at his own ridiculousness, he brought the binoculars up to his eyes, curious to see what they could do. He aimed them at the bonfire—and immediately regretted it.
"ARGH! My eyes!" he yelped, pulling them away as spots danced in his vision. The light of the bonfire had practically burned into his retinas. He blinked furiously, wiping at his eyes until the pain subsided.
Once his vision cleared, he raised the binoculars again, this time aiming them at the far edges of the shrine. Through the lenses, he could make out winding paths carved into the massive stone walls surrounding the area. The paths twisted and turned, disappearing into the distance like trails leading to the unknown.
Naruto lowered the binoculars, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, looks like I know where I'm going next," he said, standing up and stretching. He stashed the binoculars in his pouch and gave the bonfire one last glance.
"Let's go see what this world's got for me next!"
Naruto made his way to the cliffside where Alexander had once stood guard over his soul drop. The ground sloped sharply, giving way to a sheer drop below, and just ahead, the massive castle wall loomed like a giant sentry. The dark stone was ancient, scarred by battles long since forgotten, and stretched so high that it vanished into the thick, cloudy sky above. Naruto tilted his head back, taking it all in, feeling impossibly small in its shadow.
"Man," he muttered to himself, "this place always knows how to make you feel tiny."
As he stepped closer, his sharp eyes caught sight of a set of staircases carved right into the cliffside. They clung precariously to the rock face, winding upward toward a series of ancient, crumbling archways that disappeared into the castle walls. The steps themselves were a mess—cracked, uneven, and overgrown with tufts of wild grass and moss.
Naruto let out a deep breath, rolling his shoulders.
He stepped onto the first stair, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of the Zweihander strapped to his back. His senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning the shadows ahead. He didn't have to wait long. A few hollows shuffled into view, their vacant, hollow eyes staring at nothing, their battered armor barely clinging to their decayed bodies. They gripped rusted short swords with hands that shook as if they'd forgotten how to fight.
Naruto smirked, his confidence swelling. "Pfft, this is gonna be easy," he said under his breath. These hollows were barely holding themselves together, and he figured he wouldn't even need chakra to deal with them. This would be a good warm-up.
He took a step forward, hand on the Zweihander, ready to attack. Then it came—a sharp whistling sound cutting through the air.
BOOM!
The explosion slammed into the ground beside him, a burst of searing flames and heat that sent Naruto stumbling backward. The blast hit his chest like a hammer, forcing the air out of his lungs as flames licked at the edges of his armor. Smoke filled his lungs, and his instincts screamed at him to move.
"Damn it!" Naruto coughed, patting at the charred edges of his armor as he tried to regain his balance. His skin tingled from the heat, and his head pounded from the force of the blast. He barely had time to recover when one of the hollows lunged forward with a crazed howl, its short sword swinging wildly.
The first blow slammed into his shoulder plate with a harsh clang, and the hollow didn't stop. It hacked at him relentlessly, the strikes landing with the ferocity of a wild animal. Naruto gritted his teeth, his arm vibrating with every impact as he tried to block and hold his ground. The hollow's attacks were so wild, so frenzied, it almost pushed him off the edge of the staircase.
Then, with a sharp snap, the hollow's rusted sword shattered against his chest plate. The creature froze for a split second, almost as if it were confused, and Naruto seized the moment. With a burst of chakra, he disappeared in a blur of motion, shunshining backward to put some distance between them.
"Alright, that's enough of that," Naruto muttered, his breath ragged. His smirk was gone, replaced with a hard glare. "These guys are supposed to be pushovers, so what the hell's going on?"
Movement above caught his eye. Another hollow was scrambling down the upper staircase, its empty gaze fixed on him. Below, a second hollow—this one clad in dented, rusted armor—emerged from the shadows.
Naruto didn't wait for them to close in. Triggering the pyromancy flame in his hand, he hurled a fireball at the staircase. The explosion rocked the stone steps, engulfing the two hollows in flames. Smoke and embers filled the air, and Naruto charged through the chaos, his Zweihander raised high.
The first hollow, still stumbling forward, didn't stand a chance. With a roar, Naruto brought the Zweihander down in a devastating swing, cutting the hollow clean in half. Blood sprayed across the stone, the creature's remains crumpling to the ground as Naruto's focus sharpened. His Way of Focality screamed in his head—more attacks were coming from all sides.
But those attacks landed on nothing but smoke. His clone had taken his place.
BOOM!
Another firebomb went off, consuming the area where his clone had been standing in a burst of flames. Using the distraction, Naruto appeared behind the group of hollows, his Zweihander already in motion. The massive blade swept in a wide arc, slicing clean through two hollows in one fluid motion. Their heads hit the ground before their bodies even registered the impact.
The Zweihander crashed into the stone floor with a heavy thunk, dust and blood scattering in all directions. Naruto stood still for a moment, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.
But it wasn't over. Above him, another hollow was already prepping another firebomb. Naruto glanced up, his eyes narrowing. "Not this time," he muttered.
Letting go of the Zweihander, he pulled a kunai from his pouch and flung it with precision. The kunai struck the firebomb mid-air, detonating it in a fiery burst that sent the hollow stumbling back. Naruto didn't hesitate. He sprinted up the staircase, the wind whipping past him, his legs pumping hard as he closed the distance.
His smirk returned as he thought about what he was going to do. "Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this," he muttered under his breath, picturing himself tossing the hollow right off the edge.
The hollow raised its arm to throw another bomb, but before Naruto could close the gap, a massive axe swung out from behind the staircase. His instincts screamed, and he substituted, vanishing in a puff of smoke just as the axe cleaved through where he had been.
Naruto reappeared mid-air, just in time to watch the hollow with the axe get slammed by the firebomb intended for him. But it barely flinched, its bony face turning toward him with soulless rage.
He landed on the upper staircase, his feet skidding against the stone. "Alright," he growled, summoning the Zweihander into his hand, "no more games."
Chakra surged through his muscles as he charged forward, raising the massive blade. The hollow swung its axe, but the Zweihander cut clean through it, the blade continuing its arc and splitting the hollow's body in two. The strike shook Naruto's entire frame, but he held steady, his grip firm.
Another firebomb came his way. Naruto ducked into a low crouch, just like Kakashi had taught him, the bomb sailing harmlessly over his head. He glared up at the hollow, his patience officially gone.
"You really wanna keep throwing stuff, huh?" he growled, stalking toward the hollow, fists clenched.
The hollow hesitated, but Naruto didn't. He closed the distance in an instant, slamming his fist into its jaw. The impact sent it staggering, and he followed up with a quick left-right combo, each punch landing with a satisfying crack.
"Here, let me help you with that whole 'falling apart' thing!" Naruto snarled, delivering an uppercut that sent the hollow flying off the edge of the cliff. He watched as it tumbled into the abyss below, its limbs flailing uselessly.
A smirk crept onto his face. "Yeah, that felt good," he muttered, brushing off his hands.
Naruto trudged up the stairs, the metallic clink of his armor ringing out with every step. At the top, the faint sound of running water reached his ears, and something glimmered at the edge of the platform caught his eye—a soul orb. Naruto's face split into a grin.
"Well, don't mind if I do," he said, stepping forward.
But then he noticed something odd. Deep claw marks etched along the edge of the platform, gouged into the stone like something—or someone—had tried to claw their way back up. Naruto frowned, leaning over the ledge, and sure enough, there was a corpse lodged awkwardly in one of the archways below. Its body was twisted, limbs hanging limp, but what caught his eye was the faint glow of something valuable near it.
With a sigh, he created a shadow clone. "Alright, you know the drill," he said, waving the clone toward the edge. "You go grab the shiny stuff, and I stay up here looking heroic."
"You mean lazy," the clone quipped before leaping down.
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto called after it. "Don't get stuck like that guy, alright?" He plopped himself down at the edge of the platform, letting his legs dangle over as he took a moment to catch his breath.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to center himself. Oscar's precepts echoed in his mind—words of duty, discipline, and honor. He'd started repeating them like a mantra to keep himself grounded, especially in this world where everything wanted to kill him.
"Every mistake could mean death," he murmured, opening his eyes to stare out at the horizon. But the thought didn't weigh him down like it should've. Instead, he scoffed, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, sure. Like dying even matters here."
Dying just meant he'd respawn at the bonfire. Big deal. But… what if he died in Konoha? Would he just wake up back here? That thought stuck in his mind for a second longer than he liked.
Before he could dwell on it, a low, grating squeak echoed through the air. His head snapped toward the doorway behind him, and his eyes widened.
"What the—?"
It was a rat. No, not just a rat—a massive rat.
"What are you, the Akimichi clan's secret mascot?"
The creature's wild, beady eyes glinted in the light, and its fur was filthy—matted and streaked with blood. It scurried into the room on clawed feet, leaving scratch marks on the stone floor as it darted left and right, like it couldn't decide whether to charge or skitter away.
Naruto wrinkled his nose as the stench hit him—a sour, damp smell that clung to the air like it belonged there. The doorway behind the rat led into a dark, slimy space, with walls slick with algae and water pooling at the edges. He spotted a rusted cage in the distance, and slumped against the bars was a body—or what was left of one.
"So the rat eats corpses," Naruto said, raising his pyromancy flame to light up the area.
The rat hissed, crouching low before lunging at him. Its claws swiped the air, and Naruto jumped back, waving his flame to keep it at bay.
"Whoa, easy there!" he said, trying not to step into the gross puddle behind him. "I don't do hugs, especially from giant sewer rats."
The rat reared up on its hind legs, standing almost as tall as his waist. Its claws swiped again, but this time Naruto didn't back down. He reached into his pouch and hurled a kunai, the blade slicing clean through the air before embedding itself into the rat's head.
The creature let out a horrible screech before collapsing in a twitching heap.
"Gross," Naruto muttered, eyeing the dead rat warily. He spotted something glimmering near its meal—a soul orb.
"Yeah, nope. Not touching that," he said, creating another shadow clone. "Hey, you! Go grab that for me."
"Sure thing, boss. Glad I'm disposable, huh?"
"Yeah, that's why you are a clone," Naruto said with a grin, watching the clone step into the muck to retrieve the orb.
Naruto moved farther along the wall, spotting another set of bars blocking an opening.
"What the hell is this place?" he muttered, gripping the bars. He gave them a push, but the familiar system window popped up in front of him: "Does not open from this side."
He groaned, slamming his hand against the cage.
With a sigh, he moved on, climbing a staircase that led up to a path. Light spilled in from the right, revealing a distant tower framed by dark, swirling clouds.
That's when he heard it.
A low, grating sound—metal scraping against stone.
Naruto froze, every nerve in his body on edge. His hand hovered near the hilt of his Zweihander as he strained to listen. The sound was slow, deliberate, and it was getting closer.
"Alright," he muttered under his breath, his heart pounding. "Let's do this the smart way…"
Naruto tossed out a shadow clone with a grin. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was how to make a scene.
Switching the Zweihander for the winged spear, he gripped the long, slender weapon awkwardly in his hands. It felt… strange. Not bad, just not right for him. It was like trying to use chopsticks after eating with his hands his whole life. He gave it a testing spin, grimacing at the imbalance.
"Man, this thing is weird," Naruto muttered under his breath. "Guess I'm not gonna be pulling off any fancy moves with this. But hey, pointy end goes into the bad guys, right?"
Ahead, his clone was doing its job, waving its arms like a maniac and shouting taunts. "Oi, you ugly sacks of bones! Come get me! What, scared of a little ninja like me?"
Naruto smirked as the hollows were drawn toward the clone, their jerky, unnatural movements almost pitiful. The first hollow dragged a filthy axe along the ground, its emaciated body swaying as if it might fall apart any second. Through the shared memories with his clone, Naruto spotted the second one, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Classic ambush setup," Naruto muttered, crouching low.
Pushing chakra into his legs, he surged forward in a blur of motion, his Shunshin closing the gap before the hollow even realized he was there. The spear's tip drove straight into the hollow's skull with a sickening crack. Naruto winced as he felt the resistance of bone and flesh give way, the spear skewering deep. Its body slumped onto the spear, dead weight pulling against his grip. Blood oozed down the length of the weapon, thick and dark, but Naruto held steady, using chakra to anchor himself. The second hollow leapt from the shadows, its rusted sword swinging wildly. Naruto barely had time to adjust, bracing his legs as the attacks rained down on him. Each strike hammered against the hollow corpse still stuck on his spear, rattling up his arms.
Naruto dismissed the spear into his inventory. His now-free hand lit up as he summoned the pyromancy flame, the orange glow casting eerie shadows across the hollow's gaunt, mindless face.
The fireball hit the hollow point-blank. Flames erupted across its body, making it screech as its skin bubbled and cracked. But even as it burned, the thing staggered forward, undeterred.
"Seriously?" Naruto groaned, frustration bubbling up alongside his chakra. "What does it take to put you down?"
With a roar of effort, he threw a punch straight into the hollow's chest. His gauntlet connected with a satisfying crunch, the force sending the hollow flying backward. It hit the wooden bridge just as a firebomb exploded against its back, flames bursting outward in all directions. Finally, the creature collapsed into ash.
Who's handing out firebombs to these guys?!
As if on cue, another hollow at the far end of the platform raised its arm, a firebomb already cocked and ready. Naruto's eyes narrowed.
Shunshin carried him forward, and his boots slammed into the hollow's chest with enough force to send it flying. He felt the crunch of ribs giving way beneath his weight as the hollow tumbled off the edge, flailing uselessly before disappearing into the abyss below.
He didn't even have time to enjoy the moment. Another hollow lunged from the shadows, its rusted sword slicing downward in a vicious arc. Naruto ducked just in time, feeling the blade whistle past his head. Rolling to the side, he instinctively summoned a weapon—and cursed when the winged spear materialized in his hands again.
The hollow swung again, but Naruto ducked low, sweeping his leg out in a wide arc. His foot connected with the hollow's shin, sending it tumbling backward in a flailing mess of limbs. Before it could recover, Naruto grabbed its bony ankle with a firm grip.
"Time to take out the trash," he quipped, swinging the hollow around like a sack of rice. With a grunt, he flung it off the ledge, watching as it spiraled down into the darkness below.
Finally, silence.
Naruto took a deep breath, straightening up as he scanned the area. His muscles ached, his armor was scratched up, and he was pretty sure he smelled like whatever foul sludge the hollows were living in.
"Definitely need to work on my taijutsu when I get back," he muttered.
The path ahead was littered with broken barrels and rotting crates, leading to a series of small, crumbling buildings. The windows were dark, the wooden beams sagging under the weight of decay. He summoned a few shadow clones, sending them off to search the smaller buildings while he continued forward.
Crossing a rickety wooden bridge, he stepped into a larger room, the air stale and thick with dust. A stone staircase spiraled upward to his left, parts of it broken and crumbling. Beneath it, a pile of broken barrels covered something—or someone.
Naruto crouched down, nudging the barrels aside to reveal the crumpled body of a humanoid. Its limbs were twisted unnaturally, its hollow eyes staring blankly ahead. Near its hand, a soul orb glowed faintly.
Reaching out, Naruto grabbed the orb, feeling the familiar pulse of energy run through his fingers. He frowned, his thoughts darkening for a moment.
"Were they like me?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did they come here thinking they could make it out alive? Did they want to ring those Bells of Awakening too?"
The thought left a sour taste in his mouth. Naruto sat down on the cold stone, letting the silence wrap around him. He just let himself sit there, scrolling through his inventory, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his chest.
[ Item: Ring of Sacrifice ]
[ Description: This mystical ring was created in a sacrificial rite of Velka, the Goddess of Sin. Its wearer will lose nothing upon death, but the ring itself breaks. ]
Another magic ring. Naruto rolled his eyes, tossing it back into the inventory. One-time use, maybe, and considering what he had to do to go back to Konoha, it'd be best not to waste it. Next up. His finger flicked across the screen, landing on another find.
[ Item: Humanity ]
[ Description: Rare tiny black sprite found on corpses. Use to gain 1 humanity and restore a large amount of HP.
This black sprite is called humanity, but little is known about its true nature.
If the soul is the source of all life, then what distinguishes the humanity we hold within ourselves? ]
Naruto tilted his head as he read the description. "Okay, that's… cryptic," he muttered, pulling off his gauntlet to inspect his hand.
He frowned. His skin looked off—ashen and rough, like a hollow's. "Wait a sec… didn't I just reverse my hollowing?" He flexed his fingers, turning his hand over to get a better look. "Is there, like, a time limit on this thing, or did it reset because I died?"
He let out a groan and moved to the next item on the list, his eyes narrowing as he read the name.
[ Item: Rubbish ]
[ Description: Rubbish with no value.
Who in their right mind would bother carrying this around? Perhaps you need help. ]
Naruto grumbled, "First of all, fuck you, system. And second, I didn't pick this crap—my clones did."
Still, he pulled it out of the inventory, intending to throw it away. In his hand was a pile of junk—a moldy piece of paper with strange, childlike drawings on it, scraps of metal twisted and broken, and some shards of pottery with faded patterns. It looked like... memories. Memories that had been abandoned, left to rot. The longer he stared, the more unsettling it felt. The quiet around him stopped feeling like peace and started pressing in, cold and heavy.
What happened to these people? The question formed in his mind before he even realized it. This world was full of mysteries, echoes of history, culture, and life that didn't fully make sense. But staring at that moldy piece of paper, something about it felt different. Real, in a way that got under his skin. He let out a slow breath, pushing the "rubbish" back into his inventory, but the thought lingered. What will happen if I ring the Bells of Awakening?
Naruto stood up, brushing off the dust and taking a deep breath. I'll find my answers by ringing the bells, right? The thought ran through his mind as he took each step, feeling more certain, more determined. Whatever this world held, the bells would be the key to understanding it.
He climbed up the stairs, his footsteps echoing against the cracked stone. The path opened up into a cold, empty walkway shadowed by a towering castle. High, rough walls stretched up on both sides. The whole place felt… forgotten. Barely visible in the gray mist ahead were crumbling towers, hints of a place long abandoned. There was no sound, just the faint, hollow echoes that broke the stillness.
And then, he heard it.
A loud, bone-rattling roar from the left, shaking the entire walkway. His mind went blank, his body frozen.
What the hell…
Naruto felt his stomach twist in dread, and then he saw it—a massive, dark red creature, dragon-like but far more monstrous than any story he'd ever heard. Its body was covered in rough, spiked armor, dark as blood, with sharp bone-like protrusions along its head and neck, pointing backward like jagged thorns. Where its eyes should've been, there was just a smooth, bony surface—no eyes, just an empty, blind stare. Somehow, that made it even worse, as if it could still see him, feel him standing there, paralyzed.
Is that... a dragon? Naruto's mind struggled to process what he was seeing. Oscar had told him about dragons, but seeing one was completely different from hearing about one.
It didn't feel real. It was like a dream, one where he was caught between terror and awe, just staring, unable to look away.
The dragon didn't notice him—or didn't care. It stretched its massive, scarred wings, leathery and worn, and with a powerful beat, it lifted off the ground, soaring into the gray sky. Naruto watched as it flew over the stone arch, its silhouette dark against the towers, vanishing into the mist as if it were returning home.
He stood there, heart racing, staring at the spot where it had been.
Did that… actually just happen?
The awe he felt was ripped away in a flash as pain erupted in his knee. It was sudden, blinding—like his whole leg had been set on fire. His gaze shot down, and there it was—a damn arrow lodged deep in his knee.
Great, he took an arrow to the knee!
The pain was unbearable, searing up his leg and into his spine, making his vision blur. He felt a rush of anger and frustration. Without hesitation, he grabbed the arrow shaft and yanked it out in one harsh pull, biting down a scream as blood flowed from the wound. His breaths came short and ragged, every nerve in his body still singing with pain.
Stupid hollows and their stupid arrows, he thought, gulping down an Estus Flask as fast as he could. The warm, healing energy flooded through him, knitting up the wound and finally numbing the burning ache. He took a deep breath, the pain easing enough to think straight.
"I hate hollows," he spat, his eyes locking onto the hollow that dared shoot him. One of those soulless creatures was running toward him, its skeletal frame rattling with each step. Rage surged through him. Oh, you picked the wrong target.
Gripping his Zweihander tightly, he lunged forward, swinging the blade in a brutal downward arc. The impact sent a satisfying crunch through his arms as the blade cleaved the hollow in two, a splatter of blood marking the stones beneath it.
But just as he took a moment to catch his breath, something whizzed past his neck, close enough to graze his skin—a second arrow, barely missing him. His head snapped up, fury igniting as he caught sight of the archer.
Naruto barely had time to process it before two more hollows rushed him from the sides. He brought up his Zweihander, blocking their strikes as the metal screeched against his own blade. But he couldn't focus entirely on them; every few seconds, another arrow came hurtling toward him, the archer clearly intent on skewering him alive.
These guys are really pissing me off.
Naruto clenched his teeth, fighting back with one hand while his other reached for an explosive tag. With one quick movement, he slapped it onto the nearest hollow's chest, pushing back with all his strength as he leaped away. "Fuin!" he barked, triggering the tag.
The explosion tore through both hollows, bits of bone and dust scattering in the air. The blast gave him just enough cover to sprint up the stairs toward the archer, his eyes set on the damn hollow that had the nerve to shoot him.
As he got closer, he could see it fumbling with its weapon, hands barely steady as it tried to notch another arrow. The thing was holding a battered crossbow, the kind that looked like it had fallen apart ages ago and been haphazardly pieced back together. Its bony fingers struggled to attach the arrow to the crossbow's string, its entire movement slow and clumsy.
Naruto didn't waste a second and went in for the kill. But then, his Way of Focality screamed at him, and he instinctively ducked as a firebomb came flying from above. He cursed under his breath.
If I ever find the bastard who invented firebombs, he thought furiously, I'll shove a dozen of these things up his ass and light the fuse. Let's see how he likes it!
With no other choice, he lunged forward, tackling the hollow with his shoulder and slamming into its frail body with all his weight. It staggered, but instead of falling away, its hands clamped onto his armor with a death grip. He tried to shake it off, but its bony fingers wouldn't budge. With a jolt, he felt them both tumbling off the ledge.
Welp, I'm dead, he thought, bracing himself for the worst.
But luck was on his side.
They landed hard on a balcony just below, his armor clanging against the stone as the hollow squirmed beneath him. He wasted no time, slamming his Zweihander down, pinning it through the chest. The hollow's body went limp, but he wasn't finished.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a humanoid corpse slumped against the wall, a wooden shield clutched in its lifeless hand. The shield was long, oval-shaped, with a simple design carved into the wood. Its surface was worn and rough, the faded lines barely visible.
"Thanks," he muttered to the corpse, prying the shield from its stiff grip. With a growl, he bashed the still-twitching hollow under him until it was nothing more than scattered bones.
Great, a new shield. That I'll probably never use.
With one last breath, he stood up and headed back to the stairs, determined to find the remaining hollows. He climbed up, his eyes scanning every shadow, his muscles tensed with anticipation. Alright, where are you, firebomb-throwing assholes?
Reaching the top, he finally saw them. A few hollows perched above, each one fumbling with firebombs, their lifeless eyes fixed on him. His blood boiled as he prepared to strike back.
But then, something caught his eye—a familiar, hopeful glimmer.
An unlit bonfire, hidden in a small room just to the side. His heart skipped a beat, and a grin spread across his face.
Yes! He didn't have to restart from Firelink Shrine. He darted into the room, the flames flaring to life under his touch.
With renewed energy, he turned back to the hollows perched above, his hand reaching for his own firebombs.
Alright, you're done.
They'd be getting a taste of every sharp tool he had on him, firebomb by firebomb, if it was the last thing he did today.
Bring it on.
Almost ten minutes later, Naruto dusted himself off, wiping a bit of grime from his armor as he surveyed the carnage. His stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence, and he sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Man, I'm starving," he muttered. "Guess that's my cue to head back."
Naruto took a deep breath, standing at the edge of the broken bridge.
"See you soon, Lordran," he muttered under his breath, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. And then, without hesitation, he leaped into the void.
The wind whipped past him, cold and biting, but he didn't flinch. The falling sensation was almost comforting now, a reminder that he could leave this cursed place whenever he needed to. The world blurred around him as the blackness swallowed him whole.
And then, silence.
Back at the bonfire, the flames danced quietly, their warmth a sharp contrast to the desolation surrounding them. Slowly, the world began to reset. The hollows Naruto had slain clawed their way back to unlife, their battered forms shuffling aimlessly across the ruined landscape. Bones clicked back into place, broken weapons reformed, and lifeless eyes lit up without any purpose.
Among them, the crossbow hollow stirred. It stumbled toward the place where Naruto had jumped, its movements slow and mechanical. There, nestled among the shattered stones, was a faint, glowing soul drop.
The hollow hesitated, its head tilting slightly as if sensing something. Then, with a jerky, almost reverent motion, it reached out and absorbed the soul. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, its posture straightened. Its movements became… different. More deliberate. More alive.
In Lordran, time always returns to its stagnant state. Death becomes life, and life becomes death, in an endless, unchanging cycle.
But change… change is always inevitable.
Author's Note:
This isn't canon, but it's my personal interpretation of the Shadow Clone Jutsu—similar to how I reimagined the Transformation Jutsu as a reflection and refraction of light jutsu. Picture the Shadow Clone Jutsu like a bubble of chakra. The Academy-style Clone Jutsu is just the empty bubble, while a Shadow Clone is that same bubble filled with chakra.
This interpretation helps logically explain why Naruto, who was labeled talentless, managed to master the Shadow Clone Jutsu in Episode 1. It's because Naruto already had the foundation for the technique from his Academy training—he just needed to fill the bubble with chakra. And it also explains why Shadow Clones are so fragile, disappearing in one hit—like popping a bubble!
What do you guys think about this explanation? Does it make sense to you, or do you prefer the classic approach?
Now, let's talk about the binocular moment. I'm tired of fanfic authors pretending Naruto is some innocent, clueless kid who doesn't understand certain things. This is the guy who invented Sexy Jutsu, a transformation into a naked woman covered in clouds, and we've seen him peeking at magazines. Let's be real—Naruto is a bit of a perv, and that's part of his charm! So yes, the binocular moment was a nod to his cheeky personality, true to his character.
Now, onto the bigger questions:
- What do you think happens if Naruto dies in Konoha? Would he respawn in Lordran like he does here, or would something completely unexpected happen?
- How do you think Naruto will deal with the soul drop problem? If hollows can absorb his soul and grow stronger, doesn't that create an even bigger problem for him later? Will he need to figure out a way to prevent hollows from feeding on his soul, or maybe even take revenge on the ones that do?
Next Chapter: Dropping on December 24th!
If you can't wait that long and want to read ahead: Chapter 48 on Patreon
Thanks so much for the support, as always. You guys make writing this story such an incredible journey.
Until next time,
Adamo Amet
Alchto
I want money so I can get some pussy ~ peep
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I think if naruto dies in his world it would probably be game over 
, maybe I'm reading this the wrong way but I feel like the version of naruto that can die is just his manifestation in the dark souls, what with him becoming muscular and looking like an adult and stuff while in the "real world" he materializes all the stuff from ds "on" his real body
, maybe I'm reading this the wrong way but I feel like the version of naruto that can die is just his manifestation in the dark souls, what with him becoming muscular and looking like an adult and stuff while in the "real world" he materializes all the stuff from ds "on" his real bodyWardemer
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
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I feel he should not? if he has a Dark Soul, that means that he should pretty much be immortal. And i want a scene were he dies, the group goes back to their camp just to see a reforming Naruto XD