Naruto continued to kick the bars of his cell. He kept kicking and punching the metal bars, ignoring the warnings or protests of the other boys, ignoring the pain in his leg, in his foot, in his body. Ignoring the blood that inevitably oozed out of him.
It was futile, he realized after many, many attempts. Gasping, tired and sweaty, Naruto sat down at one end of his cell, resting his arm on his knee and gritting his teeth in frustration and anger.
Hm, anger, he was strangely used to that feeling. He could no longer imagine himself without that bitter feeling in his chest or those burning desires inside him, although occasionally they were not strong enough to overpower his body. Although at certain moments of slippage, that strong feeling proved to be dangerous, not only for him, but for the people around him.
The door to the room he was in was opened, and his blue eyes stared coldly at the man, or rather boy, coming down the stairs. He was a teenager, probably not older than twenty. He had dark hair and delicate expressions on his angry face.
- Finally decided to stop this futile attempt to escape. - His voice carried anger and weariness, as well as a slight tone of disgust. He had a tray of food in his hand, which he dragged into Naruto's cell through a small passage at the base of the bars.
- Who the fuck are you?
Naruto asked just as angrily, pulling the tray of food toward him and picking up the apple, taking a generous bite while looking disdainfully at the boy.
- It's none of the business of commoners like you. Have more respect.
The boy spat, and Naruto smiled.
- Oh, I see, you are one of the lord's little toys? You like being treated like a whore by an older man, right?
he teased, something that certainly had an effect on the boy's indignant expression.
- Shut up! How dare you?!
- What? Am I right then? Tsc, tsc, pathetic. I would have cut his throat while he's sleeping by now.
The boy took a few deep breaths, and for a brief moment, Naruto almost felt bad, almost, seeing the pained expression on the older boy's face. But that soon returned with his angry, contemptuous expression.
- You don't understand anything. Eat your food and do us all a favor, shut up, and don't disturb us any more than you already did.
The boy said with a more serious and controlled tone, but with hidden feelings, as he walked towards the door and closed it after leaving that room.
Naruto sighed and finished eating his apple. He arched his eyebrow as he saw the rest of the food, and pushed the tray aside.
- It's not poisoned. He has a strict rule not to harm his possessions without them deserving it.
The boy from before said, and Naruto stared at him. He was sitting on the edge of his cell, next to Naruto. His back was against the wall and his arms rested on his legs pressed against his body, hiding his private parts.
- You never know... how long have you been here?
The boy made a thoughtful expression.
- A few years...
Naruto arched an eyebrow.
- Years? How old are you?
- I'm twelve. I was brought here when I was nine. I was a slave, but the lord saw me and bought me.
Naruto closed his eyes again. Slavery, another thing he didn't understand and didn't care enough to try to understand. It was stupid.
-... Who was that?
The blond boy asked. He wasn't one to talk much, especially after what he had been through. But seeing a boy the same age, in the same situation, as well as other boys, maybe he reached a softer part inside himself.
He felt sympathy for them, hidden behind his cold, angry expression, as well as his rough, commanding voice.
- His name is Hideki. He works for the lord. He chooses the best-looking ones among his boys and keeps them even after they become "adults".
He said, and Naruto was silent for a while, only now realizing that the other boys were asleep. The hours passed, and he didn't even notice.
-... What will happen tomorrow?
The boy sighed.
- You will be taken by some servants to get to know your tasks, as well as your schedule.
- A schedule?
- Yes ... besides the chores you will have to do, you will also have a time to stay with the lord.
Her blue eyes widened slightly. Blue flames burned in his eyes, making it look like he was glowing in the dark.
Soon, Naruto closed his eyes and sighed with some regret, propping his head on the wall. That situation sucked. He felt useless, he couldn't do anything. He hadn't found a way out, he was without his sword... even if he could get out of that cell he probably couldn't get out of that room, since the door was locked and there was no window there.
His mind wandered far away, and he wondered what his father would do in his place. What any of his old gang would do in his place. He didn't know, but he was sure that they would not sit still, would not accept this without a fight, even if it cost them their lives.
So that's exactly what he would do.
- What is your name?
He was brought out of his thoughts by the boy's voice, and Naruto stared at him for a few moments.
-... Naruto.
- Naruto... a unique name for a unique boy... I am Hans.
-... It's good... it's good to meet you... I think.
The boy smiled slightly.
- It's nice to meet you too.
They were silent again, both trapped in their own thoughts. Naruto thought about what he would do, how he would get out of there. The lord had paid for him to be forgotten by the guards, which meant that if he went out the front door, or was seen in the city, no one would do anything.
Well, no one about the guards, maybe some relative of that merchant would try something.
A sigh again escaped his lips, and Naruto didn't even realize he had fallen asleep.
He awoke slightly startled, with images from the day before appearing in his mind. His eyes ran over his surroundings, until a strange feeling permeated his chest as he remembered where he was.
He looked away as he stood up, arching an eyebrow at not seeing the boys in the cell, nor the tray that lay beside him.
"Someone broke in while I was sleeping."
His body tensed and his eyes checked himself... he was the same way as the day before... probably nothing happened. He would know.
As if he was being watched, the door to the room opened as soon as he stood up, and two men dressed a suit similar to that of servants with chains in their hands approached the cell.
Naruto's eyes widened slightly and he stepped away from the door to his cell as one of them opened it.
- Don't come any closer!
he growled, getting into attack position. He didn't have his sword, but he had his teeth, his nails... his arms and legs.
- Do us a favor, kid, and behave yourself.
One of the men said. He had brown hair combed to the side, while the other had dark hair, although he had the same hairstyle.
As soon as the man approached, however, Naruto kicked him in the leg, bringing him to his knees, and landed a hook on his chin, sending the man backwards.
The other tried to fight back, making a move in which Naruto understood that he wanted to grab something. Quickly, the boy moved forward, jumping on a railing beside him and using it as momentum to launch himself toward the man and hit him in the face with a kick. A strong blow, very strong, and the man fell backwards.
It was then that Naruto saw that what he intended to pick up was a piece of wood. It wasn't a sword, but it was better than his fists.
Jumping over the man, he quickly grabbed the piece of wood and the keys on his belt, running towards the door after him and out of that room.
Before he could get far, however, two guards appeared in front of the door, and one of them hit him with a blow to the face, throwing the boy to the ground.
Naruto spat out a small amount of blood as he felt his body pressed against the floor, and gritting his teeth, he tried to get up.
But to no avail, the two guards held him down, while the two servants tied the chains on his arms. Not before they received a few blows from Naruto's strong legs, which certainly drew some blood as they hit them.
- What the hell, kid! Why don't you keep still?!
One of the guards asked angrily after using the chains to lift Naruto, and the blond kicked the unprotected side of his leg. Once again, the guard was taken aback by the boy's strength.
- Oh, shit! The kid is strong!
The other guard exclaimed, holding Naruto tighter and taking his partner's chains. Now, the boy was in total control, chained by two armed guards and being forced to walk down that long corridor.
- Let me go you asshole!
Naruto growled, struggling, kicking the air and biting the chains in pure rage, even though he knew it wouldn't help.
- Damn, if our troops had the same disposition we would be in profit.
He heard a guard say, before having his chains tightened more tightly around his body. This would certainly leave a mark.
He was led into a room, and as soon as he entered, his eyes ran over the other boys already in the room, all with collars around their necks, linked to each other by the chains on these collars. All in a single row, facing a double door, and just like him, all naked.
Naruto gritted his teeth as he was pushed forward, and cursed softly as he felt a collar around his neck being attached to one of the boys he saw the night before. He just acted as if he didn't know him, a serious look focused only on the two doors.
Probably because he was forced not to be distracted. His expression was exactly the same as the expression of the other boys.
Soon, the two doors were opened by guards, and all the boys bowed. All except Naruto and the boys with whom his collar was attached. He just stared at the lord with burning eyes, his chin raised in silent defiance.
The lord stared at him for a while, his dark eyes sparkling for a moment, before his expression became slightly irritated.
- I had expected something like this, although it is still annoying to be challenged first thing in the morning.
The lord sighed, walking over to Naruto and slapping him across the face. To his surprise, however, Naruto did not move. He didn't even seem to feel the slap, and just stared at the nobleman.
An intense blue swallowing the blackness of the noble's gaze. The eye contact was broken when one of the guards forced Naruto to bend down, grabbing him by the hair and pushing him down.
The lord stared at the boy's golden hair for a while longer, until he walked away.
- He needs punishment, but don't hurt his face. I want him in my room by nightfall.
That was the only thing he said as he walked away, and soon, the boys were able to raise their heads again.
- What's the matter with you?
Naruto blinked and looked away, facing one of the boys also chained up. This boy had a slightly angry look in his eyes, but what was predominant was the fear in his greenish eyes, barely visible because of the brown hair that fell over his forehead.
- If you want to be killed, die alone. Don't sink the others with you.
The boy said, sighing as he felt the collar being released from his neck.
- If you want to be someone's whore, do it alone. Don't mix me with you.
He said in a cold voice, staring at the boy threateningly, until he was forced away by two other guards who pulled him away.
- Okay, kid, first day and you're already in trouble.
The guard grumbled, and Naruto snorted.
- Seriously, I understand that it might not be a comfortable situation. But try not to make it worse.
The guard said, and Naruto felt an enormous urge to laugh, but kept quiet. There was no point.
They walked for a while, in which Naruto acquired as much information as he could, focusing his eyes for a few moments on all the exit doors and memorizing them in detail.
Soon, they left the mansion and he was led to a secluded part of the property. A small hut, apparently abandoned, on the edge of the site, hidden by some trees. He was forced down the stairs to the basement, where he was soon tied to a chair after receiving a blow to the back of the head that disoriented him. The place stank of death, he even spotted some rats walking around the corners, as well as bloodstains on the floor and pieces of flesh in an advanced state of decomposition. He had always known that nobles had a rotten side.
Shaking his head, Naruto recovers and starts trying to get out of that chair, forcing his arms to rip those ropes or struggling simply to knock the chair over and annoy the guards. But to no avail.
The sound of tools caught his attention, and the blond boy's eyes widened slightly when he saw a pair of pliers in the hand of one of the guards who was approaching him with a neutral expression.
- Argh, I hate to do this. But those are the rules. Choice, a finger or a toe?
The guard asked, kneeling in front of Naruto, still holding the pliers.
The blond boy, however, spat in his face.
- Go fuck yourself!
He spat, and the guard sighed, crouching down and taking Naruto's right foot, placing the pliers around the second to last toe.
-... I hate to do this.
With that, he squeezed the pliers, and a cry of pain escaped Naruto's throat, who struggled hard as he felt his finger being cut off.
Hours passed, and Naruto remained quiet this whole time, focused on just doing what he had to do and swallowing that growing anger in his chest.
The guards kept an eye on him the whole time, but because of his calm demeanor, they seemed more relaxed at the thought that having a finger ripped off made him put himself in his place.
The boy's golden hair covered his eyes most of the time, he kept his head down in all his dealings, ignoring the insults, or the hints that were sent in his direction.
And then came the time when he was required in the lord's room. He was led towards the bathroom, where he was to clean himself and change his clothes.
The bathroom was spacious and nice, but the boy didn't care.
After making sure he was alone, he walked to the mirror. They said that the next day they would cut his hair and fix his appearance to make him look more... decent. What a fucking joke.
Naruto leaned on the sink and took a few deep breaths. His arms and hands were shaking from the anger he had inhibited for so long. The veins in his arms and neck were bulging, his muscles tensed. His heart was beating hard and he lost count of how many times he almost killed some guard or servant when he had the chance.
"Wait for an opportunity..."
He kept repeating those words in his mind, closing his eyes and trying to calm himself down. At least that situation would be behind him soon.
Sighing, he removes his shirt when he hears knocking at the door and a voice warning him to hurry. Even though he didn't feel like it, Naruto stepped into the tub and washed himself, not sure when the next time he would have the opportunity to take a real bath would be. And since he got to that point, it was easier to play the game they want.
After a while, he came out of the bathroom, already wearing different clothes and much tidier, although his expression was still annoyed and uncomfortable due to the smell of the perfume. Disgusting.
His arms were placed behind his body and tied again with chains, but not as tightly as before.
- Okay, kid. Just try not to irritate the lord and your evening will be peaceful. He doesn't usually hurt his boys. Just behave yourself and maybe you will even enjoy the food in the lord's room.
The guard who was leading him said, and Naruto just stayed quiet, not listening to a word he said.
As soon as they arrived in front of the lord's room, the guard knocked three times on the door, and the man appeared.
- Ah, it took you long enough. - He said with a smile, watching the guard remove the chains from Naruto's arms.
- I'm sorry, sir, it took him a while to get used to his duties.
The guard bowed and the lord arched an eyebrow, staring at Naruto for a while.
- He seems more... calm.
The lord said, patting Naruto's cheek lightly with his hand. The boy closed his eyes slightly, putting his arms behind his body and squeezing hard on his wrist to the point of bleeding. It would be easy to advance on the lord now and rip out his throat with his teeth. But he restrained himself.
- Well, yes, sir. After his punishment he has become well behaved.
- It's a bit disappointing. But it's for the best. Thank you very much, you are dismissed.
The lord closed the door and Naruto closed his eyes again, this time more tightly as he felt his hands on his back.
- No need to be nervous. I don't bite... not much. Haha.
The boy's stomach churned and he felt a sudden urge to vomit, but he restrained himself. Taking a few deep breaths, he opens his eyes and walks beside the lord further into the room.
There was a table with food in front of it. Scented candles and even some Sakura petals on the bed.
- I see that you are impressed with the decoration. Despite the strict treatment outside, in here I do everything to make my boys as comfortable as possible. It's not a very good time when one of the parties is not interested. - The lord said, pulling out a chair and turning to Naruto, motioning for him to sit down.
The boy swallowed his desire to run away and walked briskly towards the lord, sitting down and running his eyes across the table. There was food there that he had never seen before in his life, as well as strange colored liquids and a peculiar smell.
- I always prepare a good dinner. Like a date. I like to meet new people, talk to them in a friendly way in the few quiet moments I have.
The lord sat down at the other end of the table, directly in front of Naruto, pouring a purple liquid into his gold cup. Naruto had heard of that drink, wine, if he remembered correctly.
- I apologize for the rough treatment earlier today, but you, my boy, have not been behaving yourself. - They looked at each other.
Naruto stared at the lord with his eyes wide open, and without realizing it, the man found himself suffocated by the burning blue of his eyes, consuming everything around them until there was nothing left but that intense blue.
-... Try to be captured and forced to do something you don't want to do.
The too cold voice for a boy echoed through the lord's ears, and he felt his body shiver. The threatening tone was clearly present in those words, but apparently the nobleman did not seem to notice.
- Don't think like that. Think on the bright side, I saved you from a much worse life in prison. Normally, the penalty for murder is death. But, since you are a child mercenary, and witnesses said that that merchant tried to assault you, you would be sentenced to a few years in prison. And trust me when I say that it is not something you want.
The lord cut the meat on his plate and brought it to his mouth, without taking his eyes off Naruto. His dark eyes roared, he had a hopeful expression, almost as if he expected something.
Sighing, Naruto picked up his fork and brought some food to his mouth. If it weren't for the situation he was in, he might even be able to indulge in those tastes that he had never experienced before. But he couldn't even if he wanted to... not to mention that that food could very well be poisoned with something lethal or non-lethal.
His body was strong, he knew that, so he just decided to eat some, as proof to the lord that he was allowing himself to be carried away with the situation.
The man looked satisfied and took a sip of his drink.
- We are here, having dinner together on this beautiful evening, and I don't even know your name.
Naruto snapped the bones in his neck.
- Menma... that was my nickname.
The lord arched an eyebrow.
- Nickname? You don't have a name?
-... No.
They were silent for a while.
- Menma, huh? I can't say it suits you, but-
- Do you do this all the time?
Naruto interrupted him.
- Do what?
- This... dinner. You do this every day?
The lord smiled and shook his head.
- No. I don't have that much free time. But whenever I have time, I do. Like I said, I like to make my boys comfortable.
-... I imagined.
The lord blinked a few times, slightly confused.
- You did?
- You called me an hour after my work schedule. It means you care about your boys... in a strange way, and it doesn't make much sense, but you care.
The blond boy forced a smile, and the lord sent him a happy expression, resting his head on his hand and looking at Naruto with bright eyes.
- You get the picture, apparently. And you still have your fierce personality, but with more understanding of your situation. I hate to see my boys get hurt, so I do my best to make sure they obey the orders they are given.
Naruto pretended to drink some water, without taking his eyes off the man.
-... Is my schedule the same as the other boys' or did I leave early because it is my first day?
- No, no, all the boys are released at the same time. They are slaves, in a way, but they deserve their rest. They should be in their cells by now.
A strange gleam ran through Naruto's eyes, and he soon forced another smile.
- Where have you been, boy? I've never seen any man or woman similar to you.
- Around the world, I guess. I lived in hiding because of my appearance.
Naruto replied, taking an apple. That was the safest thing he could eat there.
-... And this scar? As I said, I think it suits your appearance, but... it must have been a difficult situation.
- I was attacked by a beast in the forest. But I... my father killed it.
The lord arched his eyebrows.
- Oh, so the claws on that necklace are real.
- Exactly. They are part of my past, a last memory of my father as well as his sword... if it's not too much to ask, where...?
- Don't worry, I won't let anyone touch your belongings, because they stay with me.
He pointed to a door in the corner of the room, a few steps away from the bed. Nobles and their arrogance, he would never understand.
- How old are you? You're quite young, but... to me, you look like a teenager.
- Ten years old, I think.
The lord arched his eyebrows in surprise.
- Ten... you are quite big for someone so young.
- Yes, my father trained me to be able to defend myself. It's a cruel world out there for a child.
- I see... well, I must say he did a good job. A child going up against all those guards without even an ounce of fear in his eyes is amazing.
Naruto remained silent, glancing up at the balcony.
- Don't you think it's dangerous?
he asked, and the lord looked at him confused.
- Your boys are left alone in a cell, with no one to guard the entrance. Your servants can come and go as they please, has it never happened that one of them hurt your property?
Naruto asked, and the man stared at him for some time.
- Don't get me wrong. My father taught me to be cautious, especially about my brothers, I'm just using what I've learned to help my new colleagues, that's all. They may be older than me, but I am bigger. It's my duty to take care of them.
The man looked at him in surprise, and a gleam of understanding ran through his eyes.
- Do you have brothers?
- I did... not by blood, many were children who escaped from slavery. I have always been big, my father taught me to take care of those smaller than me. Those kids are nice, and they need a little support from time to time.
The man smiled.
- It's great that you think so, you will do well here, better than I thought. No need to worry, the guards escort the boys to their cells, and as soon as they lock the doors, they hand over all the keys to me.
Naruto looked away, staring at the food on his plate, not letting the lord see the glint in his eyes.
- I think I'm comfortable enough.
The lord lowered his fork, staring at Naruto with a hopeful gleam and a bit of doubt.
- Really? Are you sure? You barely touched your food.
- Yes, I am sure.
The lord stood up after wiping his lips with a napkin. His slow steps approached Naruto, standing behind the boy.
Naruto's expression remained unchanged, but he clenched his fist tightly, especially when the lord began kissing and licking his neck. His blue eyes widened and his teeth gritted. His breathing became heavier and the lord squeezed him in his arms, probably thinking that those gasps were suppressed moans.
His stomach churned, and he nearly threw up what little he had eaten.
Naruto didn't struggle when the lord took his arm and helped him up, kissing his cheek as he walked him to the bed.
- You are wonderful.
He said amidst his kisses, throwing Naruto onto the bed as he began to remove his clothes. The boy just lay there, waiting.
- The moment I laid my eyes on you, I could barely control myself. This body of yours... one of the best I have ever had the pleasure to buy.
The lord said, and Naruto, again, almost vomited when he saw the man already without clothes, slowly climbing the bed in a futile attempt to look sexy, perhaps.
- Why are you still dressed?
Naruto used all his strength to look at him and make an expression other than disgust.
- I'm waiting for you to take it off for me.
The lord's desire-filled eyes sparkled, and a smile broke out on his lips as he removed the shoes Naruto was wearing.
Bending down, the lord wrapped his arms around the boy's thighs, breathing deeply in an attempt to smell him more and more as his hands roamed Naruto's body.
- Uh, I love your legs.
Soon, the lord opened both his arms and took hold of the boy's waist, gently touching his skin as he prepared to pull his pants down.
To his surprise, however, Naruto acted quickly, punching him hard in the face just as he lifted his head. The pain and surprise made him stunned, giving Naruto the perfect opportunity to land another punch to his chin and pull him back, entwining the lord's neck with his legs and squeezing him with all his might.
The lord began to struggle and try to scream as Naruto strangled him with his legs, and the boy just stared, unblinking and with cold flames in his eyes at the nobleman's futile attempts to free himself.
- What? Didn't you say you loved my legs?
His voice was so cold that it seemed to be able to blow out the candles around the room. The lord's face grew redder and redder, and his dark, desperate eyes grew fainter and fainter, until they closed completely.
But Naruto didn't stop there, he continued to strangle the lord for a few more minutes, and with one swift and strong movement, he broke his neck violently.
The loud noise of broken bones echoed through the room, and soon, two knocks were heard on the door.
- Sir? Are you all right in there?
The muffled voice of a guard echoed through the room, and Naruto forced himself to fake a moan. The guard seemed to understand what was going on in there, and went back to doing his job.
Naruto kicked the lord's displaced head to the side and got up from the bed, walking with quick, silent steps toward the next door.
As soon as he opened it, his eyes ran through the small closet. There were several personal items in there. Rings, necklaces, clothes, and even toys.
With quick steps, he walks to the end of the closet and picks up his sword, putting it behind his back. Turning around, he begins to run his hands through the necklaces, until he finds the claws of the mountain lion he killed years ago and places the necklace around his neck.
Returning to the wardrobe, Naruto opens a drawer beside the bed, exactly where the lord kept his jewelry. Expensive necklaces and rings.
He puts a few rings on his fingers, and the others that he can't get he keeps in his pocket as well as other jewelry. That was certainly worth a fortune. Checking the other drawers as fast as he can, he finds some keys which he assumes are for the boys' cells, since there are no other keys around.
Turning, he walks to the balcony and analyzes the place. Getting out of there, at that moment, would be easy. It was dark, there weren't many guards up to the wall ahead, and it wasn't too high, he could make his way to the ground.
However, the image of the boys' gazes returned to his mind, and for a few moments, he felt conflicted.
To go out and ensure his escape, or to go back and try to help the others? Surely they had many boys in that mansion.
Looking into the room, Naruto imagines what that man was doing with the boys, all he heard. A sigh of regret escapes his lips, and he turns away from the balcony.
Looking around, Naruto picks up the bottle of wine and pours the drink over the bed and floor. Soon, he grabs a candle and sets fire to the bed. The flames spread quickly, slowly engulfing the lord's body and spreading throughout the room.
Turning, he walks to the door and puts his hand on the doorknob, the other on the handle of his sword.
Naruto breathes heavily a few times, his pupils dilated, and he opens the door. One swift movement, his sword pierced the neck of the first guard he saw.
The other was startled, but not quick enough to react in time, and Naruto slit his throat with his sword.
Both guards fell to the ground, and Naruto grabbed the crossbow one of them had.
Looking around, he pulls the guards' bodies into the room and closes the door, running down the hallway soon after.
There were a few employees still prowling the empty hallways, but it wasn't hard to sneak into the room where the boys were being held. Opening the door, he runs down the stairs as fast as he can.
- Hans.
He calls out to the boy, who looks surprised and stands up.
- Naruto? What the...?
His voice didn't come out when he saw Naruto unlock the door to his cell. The sound of the keys and the rusting bars drew the attention of the other boys who were huddled in the corner.
- Come on, we have to get out of here!
he said, looking at the door to the room. They still hadn't found the bodies, nor did they know what was happening, but he didn't know how much time he had left.
- What? Are you out of your mind? How are we going to get out of here?! Wait, what-
- We don't have time. We have a chance to get out, now choose, do you want to run away from here, or do you want to continue to be a slave and consequently killed when you are of no use?
Naruto's words were like a slap in Hans' face, and the boy, still confused, made a conflicted expression.
-... Right, okay.
He said after a while, standing next to Naruto. The two boys looked at the others still curled up on the floor.
- That goes for you guys too.
Naruto said.
- Where would we go?
The blond blinked, staring at the brown haired boy.
- What?
- There's nothing for us out there. My parents are dead, we would just stay on the street... here at least we have food and a place to sleep.
The boy said with a downcast expression, hugging his own body. His other companions, although they didn't say, seemed to agree with him.
Naruto sighed angrily and for a few moments considered closing that cell and leaving alone... but only for a few moments. Seeing Hans' worried expression, he decided to insist.
- What is your name?
He asked, and the brown-haired boy stared at him for a while.
- Konohamaru...
- Konohamaru, right. - Naruto took a ring from his pocket and threw it in his direction. The ring was made of gold and held a huge shiny diamond.
The boy's confused eyes alternated between him and the jewel in his hands.
- You say there's nothing there, but you didn't make the effort to look for it, you just accepted what the world threw at you. The world is unfair, just fuckin' deal with it. I'm giving you a chance, a chance for all of you.
Naruto took another ring from his pocket, this one sporting an emerald the same size as the diamond, and handed it to Hans.
Konohamaru stared at him for a while longer, closing his hand somewhat tightly and squeezing the ring.
Muffled noises and shouts were heard, and Naruto made an annoyed expression.
- A simple choice, do you want to come, or not!?
he grunted, and soon, Konohamaru stood up and ran towards him, standing right next to Hans.
Naruto stared at the boy for a while, before turning his gaze to the other shrinking boys.
- Is this really what you want?
They didn't answer, and a sigh escaped their lips.
- They have been here all their lives... it pains me to say it, but they don't have much hope.
Hans said, looking with genuine pain at the boys who avoided facing him. Naruto shook his head after a while, and then, closed the cell.
- Okay... stay close to me.
Naruto said, putting his hand on his sword handle as he left the room.
The two boys ran after him. They had to be extremely cautious, because the fire had already spread throughout the lord's room and all the desperate employees were evacuated from the place.
- How many exits does this place have?
Naruto asked, running down the back corridor.
- We can jump over the wall that leads to the river. Or we can go through the sewer, but it's in the opposite direction.
Hans explained, his voice trembling with nervousness and anxiety.
They continued running down the corridor, until they ran into two guards coming in the opposite direction.
Grabbing his crossbow, Naruto shoots the guard on the right and draws his sword from its sheath. Leaping up, he spins his body in the air and severed the left guard's arm. A loud scream of pain echoed through the hall, but was soon ceased by Naruto's sword piercing his neck.
The guard who was hit by the arrow got up and attacked Naruto, however, the blond deflected with his own sword and gave him a low cut on the side of his waist, making the man fall to his knees, and finally, Naruto pierced the back of his head with his blade.
The two boys looked startled and in awe at Naruto. He was swinging a big sword with such skill and violence. For a few moments, the bodies of the two guards didn't even bother them, their eyes focused on Naruto who was putting the sword back on his back.
- Don't just stand there, come on!
He said, causing the two boys to snap back to reality and start running behind him.
They reached the backyard of the mansion, and Naruto ran his eyes up the tree in front of them.
- The river is just beyond these walls!
Hans said, and Naruto clicked his tongue as he saw more guards approaching.
- Go ahead!
he said, running towards the guards and getting into position so that one was in front of the other.
Dodging a piercing attack, Naruto slashes at the side of the first guard's waist. However, he is forced to defend against the second guard's attack and move a few steps away.
He dodges and deflects some of the man's attacks, and then ducks, cutting the side of the guard's leg, who has fallen to his knees.
With one swift movement, Naruto dodges the first guard's attack and cuts his forearm, causing the man to drop his blade in pain.
The boy tried to attack him again, but the guard dodged, and the other one on the ground landed a kick to the boy's stomach.
Naruto gritted his teeth in pain, but soon recovered. Turning his body, he threw his sword at the kneeling guard and ran towards the other one.
As soon as he approached, he threw his body to the ground and tripped him, catching his sword that stuck in the other guard's shoulder and piercing the back of his waist, going through every bone and muscle until the tip of his blade came out the other side.
- Naruto!
Hans shouted, and Naruto pulled his sword back, putting it in its sheath and running towards the boy who already jumped towards the river.
More guards approached, and Naruto gritted his teeth as he climbed the tree.
His eyes focused on the silhouette of the river ahead, just as his ears heard the muffled sounds of the water following its path.
He jumped over the wall, without thinking much, he knew he would hesitate due to the height. But just as he did, an arrow hit him in the side of his abdomen while he was still in the air.
Naruto screamed. The pain coursed through his body, but it didn't bother him for long. The last thing he saw was the water of the river getting closer and closer, and everything went dark.
... daaaaamn... so long.