I OWN NOTHING
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-Watson District Streets-
Neon lights shone down on the dark streets of Night City. One lone figure stood in the middle of one of its poorest districts, sourly looking at the screens displaying the newest ads for prosthetics. Being in the high-tech society of such a city, it was no surprise people like him would be looked down on. As much as anyone could and would complain, there was people who made sure to make things worse. Even if only two people were alive in the streets, one would devour the other. However, he had dreams of a better, bigger future which to many like him was unattainable, but those who accepted their lot in life without feeding their drive and hunger were doomed…
"Get your ass back here so I can kick it!" roared an angry 20-year-old.
"Just get fucked, you shit-stain!" snapped back the picture definition of a thug.
Everyone turned to see two figures running down the streets in the middle of the night. One being a tall if obviously shady muscular man in rags. Lines across his body indicated he possessed cybernetics which made him not only good at running, but also a danger. And yet, he was dashing away from his pursuer, a rather young man in a police uniform. Donning the blue outfit with the black bulletproof vest and body armor was a hopeful youth wishing to do something with his life.
Determined blue eyes narrowed at the escaping criminal who was clutching a bag under one arm. The officer's blond hair was shaven at the sides, but remained a set of spikes akin to an urchin's at the top of his head. Six whisker-like birthmarks adorned his lean, sun-kissed face while the two runes on his neck indicated he possessed the bare minimum cybernetics for his current challenge. Despite carrying a gun, a criminal with cybernetics was no laughing matter, but the officer continued giving chase.
Watching the purse snatcher leap over a car… as well as a bus and the rest of the street, the officer had to think on his feet, almost literally, "Come on, choom, make it easier for you!" the blond snapped right as he leapt to a nearby motorcycle to use as a step, jumped over a moving car to a speeding taxi with a surprising balance before hopping like a frog at his target to latch onto him, "Gotcha!"
"Let go of me, pig!" the thief snarled while trying to shake him off.
Clenching his jaw, the officer put the criminal in a headlock, "You're under arrest for stealing a granny's purse, attempting to escape arrest, and now resist-"
Before he could've continued, the forearms of the robber split open to free a pair of blades. Air was cut when the steel popped out, attempting to slice the officer who finally let go of his objective to not get a life-changing shave. Gritting his teeth, the policeman drew his gun and-
"That's enough, Uzumaki…"
Gaping when his surroundings turned black, the blond observed the town turn into pixels as things got darker and darker. Clicking his tongue, he shut his eyes and reached to his face, pulling a pair of high-tech glasses off his face with a frown. The sound of snickering and giggling from others broke whatever immersion there could have been, but he knew what it was for.
"I had him," he defended himself back in the real world, a padded room with other policemen and the instructor. "Come on, Iruka-sensei, that gonk was-"
Sighing deeply, the instructor, a policeman in the same uniform but with a horizontal scar across the bridge of his nose and his brown hair in a ponytail which gave his head a pineapple-like appearance, spoke firmly as he aimed at the new recruit, "I know, but regulations call for you to-"
"Not swear?" the whiskered youth asked in annoyance.
"Actually, sir, there were several," a smarmy recruit chimed in with a smug smirk aimed at the blond man. "For starters, Uzumaki here failed to register the woman's call for help, properly instructing her of the charges for our services, and-"
"For fuck's sake, we're here to serve and protect," the rowdy recruit growled and pointed at the badge on his chest. "Private corpo or not, we're-"
"Naruto," the instructor pinched the bridge of his nose. "Stand outside as we finish the simulation… We will talk once class is over."
"Right…" the blond said dejectedly with an obvious grudge in his eyes.
Moments later, once nighttime had arrived and the neon was the only source of light in the city, Iruka approached Naruto. The former had a patient look on his face with pity in his eyes, clenching his jaw as the latter sat on the floor with his gaze upwards to the ceiling. It made him stand out in the totalitarian, utilitarian police force system which the city had. After all, they charged five Eurodollars to people who called for their services. Of course, someone like the young man wouldn't fit.
"So," Iruka started, rubbing his chin. "Why insist on not following the rules?"
"Because whoever made them is free to kiss my ass," Naruto dully retorted.
"Can you take this seriously?" the police instructor chastised him, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do you actually want to be a police officer? Then you have to follow the protocol."
"Protocols about prioritizing who pays us and not who needs us?" Naruto scoffed. "Be real and just do what you came here for. So, when will you send me back another year?"
"Unbelievable…" Iruka slid his hand down his face. "Naruto, you should've known what you asked for the moment you came in here."
"Hey, I came here to be looked up to like a hero, what's so wrong with that?" the blond retorted.
"Actually, he makes a good point, Iruka," said a new voice.
"Mizuki, don't encourage him," Iruka sighed at another instructor whose chin-length hair framed a rather feline face.
"Why not?" the second instructor asked good-naturedly with a dismissive wave. "Kid's got good reflexes, is ridiculously fast on his feet for not having too many implants, and he has been quite decent in fights with chromed-up targets. Besides, why fault good service for the community?"
Enthusiastically nodding, Naruto pointed at the other instructor, "See? He gets it!"
"Let's not forget our duties and responsibilities," Iruka warned them sternly. "Offenses like this could have you not only fired, Naruto, but you'd be given a criminal record."
"What's so wrong with being a hero?!" the blond snapped before rubbing his face with both hands. "Ah, forget it, I'm going to do push-ups until you tell me to stop!"
"Hey, we're not- Naruto!" Iruka shouted, but the recruit was long gone. Pinching the bridge of his nose yet again, he aimed a frustrated glance at Mizuki, "Did you really have to encourage him? You know how the higher-ups get with loose cannons."
"But he's so eager and sincere, we ought to give him the chance," Mizuki told him with a placid grin. "Oh well, I know you're a stickler for rules, so I won't ruin your fun of being a stick in the mud."
"Can it," rubbing the back of his head, Iruka turned to where Naruto left. "That kid could be someone who changes this city for the better, but he's got to play by the rules."
"I know I'll get in trouble saying it, but I can admire him not obeying the norm blindly," Mizuki chuckled.
"On that note, careful the higher-ups don't consider reassigning you for that comment," Iruka stated as he left for his next class. However, before he did, the scar-faced man turned to his colleague, "Care to keep an eye on this batch? I fear something stupid's going to happen."
"Do you even need to ask?" Mizuki retorted with a friendly smile and a playful salute. "Knock some words of wisdom into that youth to make him a real hero, sergeant."
"That's drill sergeant to you, future detective," Iruka nodded and went after Naruto.
In the police department there were few places where one could relax, and the locker room could be a safe haven… if one had connections. Naruto stood out like a sore thumb around the many men with runes all over their bodies hinting at how heavy and expensive their cybernetic modifications were. He barely had any implants in comparison save for one on his back, a basic spinal chrome job. Steel coated his vertebrae to give him an edge, but…
"Ugh, why is my locker not opening?" he growled while standing in front of the small metal door.
"Most likely because you haven't updated your software," said another recruit.
"Piss off," Naruto wasn't in the mood and just banged his locker, hoping it'd open.
He was immediately greeted by a screen and a cartoonish depiction of an officer who spoke to him with a prerecorded message, "Damage to any and all police property will result in a penalty. Please deposit the amount of required Eurodollars before the end of the week or you shall be-"
Kicking the door, Naruto shut off the screen and opened his locker at last, leaving a dent on it and causing his fellow recruits to gape, "Are you going cyberpsycho?!"
"If I have to pay for this shit, I may as well do something worth the cash they're milking me for!" Naruto snapped and pulled out his clothes. "And I'm not walking home in my uniform, they charge you up the ass for it."
"Could've thought of that before," Iruka groaned when seeing the state of the locker.
"Haven't you got a class?" Naruto asked genuinely curious.
Sighing deeply yet again for what would not be the last time that day, Iruka shook his head, "Let's grab a bite to eat, my treat."
On the real streets of Watson, both Naruto and Iruka sat down at a small, family-run ramen stand under the sunny sky. Cozy described it best, as in it was barely bigger than a garden tool shed. Five stools, father and daughter as the only staff, and good if cheap food. Both men sat with Iruka still in his uniform and Naruto slurping ramen in civilian clothes. If anyone saw them, they'd have thought a policeman had offered a recently arrested youth food for a bit of intel. The blond couldn't look legit even if he tried to.
"So, not that I hate you buying, but what's up?" Naruto asked the older man through a mouthful.
For comfort and because he liked the color, the blond wore a high-collared orange jacket with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, halfway zipped to reveal a white t-shirt. Under it he wore a pair of black cargo pants and short orange boots while he covered his hands with black gloves. All in all, he looked more in place with delinquents than in a desk at the station. Iruka for his part made no mention of it and finished his bowl calmly, though he eyed that his student was starting on his third.
"Naruto, do you truly want to be a police officer?" the instructor bluntly asked while placing his chopsticks on top of his bowl.
"Damn right," Naruto confirmed while pointing with his own chopsticks at the man. "I'm going to be a legend of a cop. Wait and see, I'll have everyone bow to me."
"Arrogance like yours will make reality hit harder," Iruka warned him with a stoic expression. "Do you remember what we're told when joining the force?"
"We look after the citizens," Naruto recalled dully, having that speech drilled into his head.
"Look at this city and tell me if the force wants you to care for them," Iruka pointed at a group of vagrants and bums loitering. Some were injecting themselves in broad deadlight, their glassy eyes speaking of the effect of the drugs, while others didn't even look alive, "This city cares for the ones who pay the most, never the ones who stay below."
"I see that," Naruto sourly replied… then smirked at Iruka. "Bunch of bullshit, though. Am I supposed to just not do something because there's a stupid system telling me what to do?"
"You-"
"Should I really care?" Naruto replied with a wave, widening his grin. "Those morons at the station don't think highly of me, and the feeling's mutual." Glaring into his bowl, the blond sighed as he lost some of his appetite, "If I need to think about money first instead of being an actual cop, what do we even have this job for? Besides doing what those jackasses who fired half the force tell us to do…"
"How can you do that when your first reaction to a locked door is kicking it open?" Iruka reminded him like a disappointed but never mad father would his son. "Your one and only solution to problems is to act first, and think never. Naruto, I'm not saying you can't try to make a difference, but you don't even know how to begin such a path. And with your current track record, you WILL have to stay behind yet another year."
"Come the fuck on, that was the station's shittiest locker, not the worst thing I've broken," Naruto groaned with a hand rubbing his face.
Massaging his temples in disbelief, Iruka was almost too shocked to speak, "I can't believe you would use the augmented reality system which you corrupted with your supposed update as a good point."
"Point proven, I've done worse," Naruto reminded him with the flawed logic of a child.
And he was against an actual adult, "You're suspended for a week, Naruto, and that's final." The man said to end any and all further discussions, getting up to place the cash on the counter, "Here, have a bowl or whatever you want on me, but don't come to classes tomorrow."
"Shit…" Naruto slumped his head on the counter at that.
-Watson Residential Zone-
A simple setting, a Japanese dojo filled with samurai, ninjas, and karate masters. In the middle of it stood Naruto minus his boots holding a katana. On his head was an old VR headpiece from an off-brand market. With a sneer, he motioned for the first enemy to attack him, and a spear-wielding guard did.
"Fuck-head!" Naruto snapped after ducking under the stab to his head, swinging his sword upwards to throw his enemy off balance before sliding forward and beheading him, then proceeding to get truly wild in slicing the body. "Gonk! Asshole!"
The video game jingle and the 2500 experience points he won were ignored in his attempt to vent out on virtual opponents. Evading blows and slicing and dicing was cathartic in itself, and good practice since he could use real swordplay skills for once. Ninjas would throw shuriken and needles for him to sweat to the side, followed by him dashing and weaving his blade around their daggers and own swords to cut off heads. As the game went on, he didn't register the sound of his door opening. He was so into getting all his rage out on imaginary enemies that he didn't even hear the sigh of disappointment.
"You're still too impulsive."
"Huh?!" Naruto was brought back to reality when his arms were stopped mid-swing. Blinking owlishly, he took off the headset with his non-dominant hand, the other holding a bamboo sword, and then grunted, "Old fart."
"Is that any way to greet your elders?" said a short man with a deep frown.
In front of Naruto was a man with zero implants and who could be confused with a monkey. Donning an expensive black suit with tie, he covered the bold spot on his head with a matching trilby hat. He had a goatee and spiky hair pointing at the sides, giving his wrinkled face a rather simian look. On his right hand was a cane and on his left the practice sword which the recruit used to play with.
"Oh be still my beating heart, it's the old fart," Naruto quipped cynically with a dull expression. Ruffling his hair, he asked, "Did Iruka tell you about-"
"What he had to do so you wouldn't be fully expelled, yes," the elder told him with a sigh.
Naruto said nothing, he merely walked to the mini-fridge in his small, minimalistic apartment. It was just a one-room flat with a bed, the washing machine which doubled as a dryer in the bathroom, and a kitchen with countless cups of instant ramen. Pulling out a can of beer, he tossed one to the old man who didn't even turn to grab it before the two sat side by side on the dusty couch.
"So…" Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, closing his eyes. "How much do I owe you?"
"Money hasn't been an issue for me, Naruto, your attitude is," the elder stated before the two took a drink from their cheap brew. Once he sighed from the refreshing cold, the man continued, "You are twenty, and I can't take care of your bills or tantrums forever. Either you grow up and become a man who can truly trust in himself to lead his life, or-"
"Living on the streets, right?" Naruto retorted with a lazy grin. "Sheesh, Sarutobi, aren't you a high-ranked policeman or the likes? Why are the other officers such pussies while you still have the balls to speak up as an old fart?"
"Because we have to keep order by following the law," Sarutobi stated dryly before the two took a sip yet again. "And I want you to keep that in mind. Order is what this city needs."
"Order can kiss my ass if I can't save a granny who's getting shot by an overdosed jackass with a boner," Naruto crassly stated.
"Amen to that," Sarutobi shrugged and held up his can, which Naruto bumped with his. "It is not perfect by any means, but it's the only thing we've got. You can't let emotions cloud you if you want to make a change in this city."
"Kissing corpo ass is not my thing," Naruto scoffed. "If this society runs on that bullshit, I'd rather not be an adult, then."
"There are benefits to being mature, Naruto," Sarutobi stated.
"Getting a discount for meds?" the blond quipped.
"Experience," Sarutobi said and stood up, finishing his beer before tossing the can into the trash can. "I see you still lack a lot of it when it comes to your swordplay."
"I'm more than capable of kicking your wrinkly hide, old man," Naruto warily stood up, clenching his bamboo sword. "Did you come here because you were bored?"
"Perhaps," Sarutobi held his cane upwards like a sword in a fencing stance.
Holding the practice sword in both hands, Naruto took a standard combat step with his sword held at waist level, the blade pulled back and to the side for the incoming swing. Dashing forward, the blond slashed at the elder, who merely waited until the last second.
"Don't get predictable," Saturobi instructed when deflecting the strike with a swift move of the wrist. "Remain focused on me, don't make it easy for your opponent to read you, and learn."
Dealing strike after strike, Naruto advanced while Sarutobi merely took slow steps back, moving his cane in a rhythm which matched the recruit's. All the while, the elder observed the whiskered youth without a hint of disappointment, anger, or pity, but appraisal. He could see the skill in the young man before him and wanted to see it realized. Both blunt weapons collided with loud smacks, but it was the older of the two swordsmen who held the advantage.
"Ora!" Naruto tried to be smart and flipped over the elder to land behind him, spin around, and attempt to use the momentum for a swing.
Sarutobi merely stepped forward and placed the end of his cane half an inch from the younger man's neck, "Let your emotions and impulses guide you, and you'll make it easier for those who live long in this city to exploit you."
"Come on, are you here just to make yourself look good?" Naruto groaned.
"I'm here to teach and guide you, Naruto," Sarutobi told him with a melancholic expression. With his cane still in hand, he lifted the blond man's sword to return to their stance, "Remember, your opponent is always going to use everything you show them against you. The more you allow your emotions to lead you in combat, the easier it'll be for them to end you. Now… let's try it again…"
"Fine, I could use the pointers," Naruto smirked and took his stance.
After yet another round, Naruto and Sarutobi were atop the building with beer cans in hand looking at the neon-lit streets of Night City.
Just two men standing and taking in the sights with their own weight on their lives, "So… you really are retiring?" the blond asked his elder. "No fanfare or confetti for you?"
"Times move fast, meaning they would want someone with implants and more dedication to the order set by this city's laws," Sarutobi somberly told him. "I fear this is the last time I can help you, Naruto… Another reaction like this out of you, and you'll be on your own."
"You know, I wanted to be a hero like you," Naruto smiled nostalgically and leaned against the railing. "Having everyone looking up to me, people talking about me as a man who can do the impossible… If you can do that, why should I let the new system take it from me?"
"Because as humans we must adapt and learn," Sarutobi stated before drinking from his beer. "Still… yes, it is a load of bullshit."
"Maybe if I had been born to be a cop in 2022…" Naruto commented and smirked at an idea. "I could have gotten Johnny Silverhand's autograph."
"And worried your mother sick for attending a terrorist's concerts," Sarutobi said.
Lowering his head, a bitter smile crossed the blond man's face, "Heh… I'm sure I'd be disappointing her and dad a lot, then."
"Truth is… she would be proud of the man you try to be," Sarutobi told him sincerely. Once they finished the last of their beer, throwing the cans into the dumpster on the streets, he added, "Use this chance to think what your next move will be, Naruto. Once I step down, it's up to you what to do with your life. And I truly hope it's something which truly makes you earn the admiration of others."
"Can that be possible in this city?" the blond asked melancholically.
"I don't know… I don't see you trying," Sarutobi retorted before the two shared a short laugh. With a deep, tired breath, he tried to be as honest and optimistic as he could, "This is a city ruled by desire, a flame for moths to gather. As you grow older, you see what glitter is and isn't gold."
"Deep talk like that won't make you cool," Naruto quipped but nodded nonetheless. "Although, I may as well take my chances if this truly is the city of dreams."
"Fair enough."
-Kabuki-
Despite the Japanese origin for the name of one of Watson's many and poorest parts, most of the food, wares, and people in the district were Chinese. Several of them tended to the needs of many during the day, but at night their interests were focused on the shadier deals. Black markets would never stop being common in big cities. Not a single merchant in any establishment could be considered legit when it came to Kabuki, or if they were then some of the local thugs would easily fix that by extorting them for money or using their business as a front for darker transactions. A police officer there, even a recruit, had to be either gutsy or stupid to go. One would call Naruto both.
"Can't believe you're braindead enough to come here," said a ridiculously busty woman.
"Missed ya too, Granny," Naruto grumbled at the seemingly middle-aged lady before him.
Seemingly a still young and beautiful woman, she was graced with mammary glands as large as her head, a round but strong face with deep brown eyes, and her pale blonde hair pulled in two small pigtails. For modesty's sake, and as the only thing she could wear for her oversized bust, she put on an eastern green vest which was practically unzipped and two paste-on black cups. Gray slacks, flat white shoes, and a doctor's coat was the only thing indicating she worked in the health department, but not a fully legal one. Naruto was at a back-alley clinic behind a reinforced iron door, practically walking into a bunker which had a Japanese theme for a surgery room.
"What do you need, chrome or an actual checkup?" the woman asked dryly, looking up from the TV on the wall displaying the newest lottery game, which ended with her tearing her ticket in two.
"Actually, I was looking for Tenten," Naruto informed her and grabbed the trash can for her to throw in the losing ticket along equally worthless ones.
"Do you want to be an actual cop?" the woman asked quizzically.
"I'm short on cash as I am, and I could use a gunsmith," Naruto grumbled. "So, is she here or do I need to go to the usual place?"
"What do you think?" the woman scowled before turning. "Oi, Tenten, there's a familiar dumbass looking for you to check his equipment!"
"Coming, Lady Tsunade!" shouted a brunette. And she blinked in surprise when seeing Naruto, a second later, her reaction turned into one of frustration, "What did you do this time?"
"Hey, I'm coming for the usual maintenance stuff," Naruto scoffed while pulling out a heavy caliber revolver, a Mateba which was customized by the Chinese girl before him.
Tenten was a relatively short young woman a year older than him with her hair in a pair of ox horns, a tomboyish appearance, and traditional Chinese clothing. Due to her round face and brown eyes, she had a rather mousey appearance. She wore a white long-sleeved jacket and red kung-fu pants, but what he knew everyone checked her over was what was packed underneath. No, she didn't have Tsunade's gifts.
Pulling back a sleeve, Tenten revealed her cybernetics when her arm split in two with several tools for weapon maintenance to pop out, "Every time I see you, there's a new fucking scratch in this beautiful gun!" she chastised him like a disappointed big sister with her cheeks puffing up, "Seriously, do you try to break it at times?!"
"Give my balls a break!" Naruto snarled. "Besides, I've done my best to take care of it this time."
"No, you haven't, the barrel's slightly loosened and it would throw your aim off by an inch every ten to twenty yards," Tenten corrected him while inspecting the revolver, her eye analyzing the gun without any implants. "Sheesh, what kind of bullets have you been feeding this poor baby?"
"If I have to fight a cyberpsycho, I need the stopping power," Naruto retorted.
"Urk, you better pay this time, no more freebies," Tenten growled while Tsunade nodded in solidarity.
"Yeah, you still have a tab with me, choom," the blonde woman glared.
"Fine, I'll transfer the eddies now if you want me to," he hung his head low in defeat, knowing better than angering those he owed something to. His left eye flashed as he went to his bank account to wire the money, "Jesus Christ, does everyone in this city need to talk about Eurodollars all the time?"
"It's how we pay the taxes which the Arasaka lapdogs make sure we pay," Tsunade scoffed and brushed her hair back. "Anyway, your money's good. Tenten, go ahead and do what you must. If anyone needs me, I'll be at the bar and checking the new lottery tickets."
"Don't buy more than ten this time, please," the brunette pleaded, but the blonde was already out the door. "Why do I feel like most of the money you sent us will be gone soon?"
"Are you sure you want me to answer?" Naruto retorted.
"Fine, let's get this baby back in tiptop shape, and you a proper lesson in gun maintenance," Tenten sharply told him with her glare telling him to just dare to run.
"Motherfucker…" the blond whispered under his breath as he let his head drop, but he still followed the Chinese girl. "And I just got some rest from people drilling words into my head."
Once the lesson was over, Naruto was an extremely dull boy, but he was still allowed to shoot his revolver in the shooting gallery under the clinic under the strict Tenten's supervision, "And that's how you make sure there's less recoil."
"Be honest, do you sleep with your guns?" Naruto asked her with a blank expression.
He received a punch to the face from the blushing Tenten, "Don't you do tact?!"
"Ah, damn it, that actually woke me up!" he exclaimed, blinking in surprise.
"How did you even black out when you were shooting?!" Tenten was flabbergasted that he actually fell asleep in her lesson. "Did you not hear a word I said?!"
"Say things in ten words or less, woman!" Naruto snapped.
"Start using your head, that's four words you need in life," Tenten fired back in frustration.
"Just make it shorter next time, alright?" Naruto grumbled and turned to leave, placing his revolver in the holster inside his jacket. "Anyway, I'll see if I can upgrade. Got any tips?"
"Other than steering clear from obvious Scavengers, that you keep your iron at hand and don't let it go cold," the Chinese woman replied with a shrug.
Looking around the sub-district, Naruto was tempted to grab a bite to eat, but reminded himself that cash didn't grow on trees. Making his way through the establishments, he was observed with distrust in every face from the less open-minded merchants. Japanese, Chinese, American, Latino, it didn't matter in the city. What really did was whether one had the money to pay for what they needed or if they had the right allegiance. Being a recruit for the police force made sure he wasn't fully welcomed. Every single citizen had reasons to hate someone, almost none could do shit about it.
Unless you were on their side, most people in Night City would want your head on a stick or a dick, and in the latter's case it didn't have to be theirs.
"Huh?" the blond blinked once he received a call, his eye's inbuilt display showing a name he did not expect to see that late at night.
Placing a hand to his head as if rubbing it would give him a clue, he arched a brow answering, "Naruto, so nice to see you! I see you still frequent Kabuki for cheap implants."
"Are you going to tell Iruka?" Naruto already dreaded the talk with his instructor.
"I know that you're given an allowance and told to be responsible with it, so don't worry about me being a snitch," said the smiling Mizuki, who waved playfully on his side of the world. Letting out a sigh, the cheerful officer lowered his gaze with a remorseful expression, "Naruto, you're not a cop yet, but your sincerity in helping others and doing the right thing is something no one can deny, and it is why I ask for your help. Trust me when I say I would never ask you of this unless I had someone else to believe in."
"What have you even gotten into?" Naruto asked worriedly.
"Something we can't discuss, for I fear there are some spies in the force," Mizuki warned him worriedly.
Despite how much he wanted to be a good cop, Naruto could see the rotten apples in the force, "Alright, I can lend you an ear, but what's got you so spooked?"
"Trust me, it's best if you come and see," Mizuki urged him.
Seeing the desperation in his eyes, Naruto let out a sigh, "I'm on my way."
-Watson, Northside-
Large industrial areas were to be expected of Night City, and the abandoned types were also common. A nest for some gangs, the buildings and facilities served as homes for criminals as well as playgrounds or laboratories for whatever little experiments or testing they needed. Northside belonged to some of the most fearsome gangs in all of Night City, and thus Naruto made sure to load high-caliber bullets during his trip to meet up with Mizuki. Said man was already waiting for him near the entrance to a warehouse, checking on new implants on his arms while still donning his uniform. The blond almost paid it no mind, mentally preparing himself for the worst.
"You can't believe how glad I am to see you, otherwise doing this would've been quite scary," Mizuki told him nervously, trying to joke despite the strain in his voice.
"What's got you so jittery?" Naruto confronted him, looking at the man in the eye.
"Believe me, the less involvement with officers, the better," Mizuki started with a nervous glance aimed at the warehouse. "There are Scavengers in that building who have been trying to get some serious tech to sell to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, they are planning on taking it straight from the source. We've got no time to waste, so I need help with someone who can help me charge in…"
"And not even Iruka-sensei would help you?" Naruto asked dumbfounded.
"I've seen some of the people inside sporting police uniforms, Naruto," the man told him. "And they were helping move the body along those Russian bastards."
"Couldn't they have been arresting them?" Naruto had trouble believing that, but Mizuki's panic seemed too real to be fake.
"Even if they were, they'd not let those criminals handle the body," Mizuki urged him. "Naruto, I need your help or else a life will be lost."
Gritting his teeth, Naruto shook his head to regain his composure, "Alright, then let's raise some Hell."
Regret was shoved aside to focus on what was important since Mizuki had been a kind officer so far and his concern for whoever was the victim didn't seem fabricated. Lifting his revolver, he waited for the other man to lead him into the warehouse, which his superior did. Both leaned against the walls next to the door, with Naruto breathing evenly to calm himself. It was with a nod from the silver-haired man that the blond did something he wished to do since he saw it in movies.
Kicking down the door, he aimed at the cyberpunks inside singlehandedly, holding his revolver next to his hip, "Hands in the air!" he heard Mizuki snap while the criminals jolted. "You're surrounded, so-"
"Fuck you, pigs!" one Russian accented man roared.
Every Scavenger had one thing in common and it was the green holographic image covering their faces like a mask. Most wore little in the way of clothing other than what was necessary, and carried every tool needed to open up a body. The repertoire of instruments included shotguns which they aimed at the cops, but Naruto wasn't trained for nothing. Mizuki and he opened fire at once, with the blond actually fanning the hammer like in a western film. High-caliber bullets flew and the three Scavengers before him watched their guns fly off their hands. In the split second which followed, the whiskered youth shot them through the thighs, shoulders, and knees, keeping them from moving and ensuring they wouldn't dare to get off the floor.
However, "Bastard…" one of the criminals gasped before collapsing backwards with a hole where his heart should be.
Mizuki frowned as he pumped his shotgun, ejecting the empty shell, much to Naruto's shock, "Let's go before it's too late."
"Okay," Naruto nodded somberly, not used to seeing a non-virtual life taken.
"I know it's your first rodeo, but I need you focused," Mizuki warned him. "These scumbags won't have second doubts in putting you down. Every single one of these bastards already rips off every piece of valuable chrome out of anyone and leave them in ditches to die. Do not mourn them."
"Alright, alright, I just…" Naruto felt his vision blur, but Mizuki slapped him.
"Don't just enjoy feeling pity!" the man growled. "Either we move, or we die! They're on high alert!"
"Right!" Naruto focused back on the action, and in good time as he heard more footsteps.
They were in the middle of a room filled with containers with several conveyer belts and forklifts laying around. Once Naruto heard the sound of a shotgun being placed firmly on the other man's shoulder did he reload. Luckily, he had a speed loader to not waste more than a second in getting ready to shoot at the incoming Scavengers. Russian curses flew as some of them jumped into view from atop the crates filled with whatever goods they had stolen, and the action returned.
"Behind you!" Naruto turned to see a Scavenger had sneaked around him, trying to grab him from behind and use the blond as a human shield.
"Let go!" Naruto snarled and slipped out of his jacket by letting himself fall down, aiming his revolver at the Scavenger's exposed shoulders and thighs.
Luckily for him, his jacket was unharmed as the cybernetics harvester collapsed in a pained heap. Mizuki wasn't idle, in fact, he was quick to pull the trigger and eliminate as many enemies while the two advanced. Of course, the whiskered youth took it easier on the criminals and went for kneecaps, hands, and any soft spot which would disable but not kill them. It was pure chaos as the two ran through the warehouse, the high-caliber revolver doing its job by not leaving a single Scavenger wishing for a second round while shotgun shells made sure to blow every single vital point and drop bodies efficiently.
And, as soon as it began, it ended with Naruto breathing raggedly and Mizuki reloading his shotgun, "I can't believe my luck… Did these punks really take it?" he groaned with a shake of his head, looking at the rookie, "Hey, are you still with me?"
"Just… not used to shooting at people…" he admitted weakly, doubling over. "I know it's part of the job, but it doesn't mean I have to like it, you know?"
"Either you kill and keep scum from ruining the world you enjoy, or you let them kill you and destroy your dream," Mizuki told him calmly before cracking a friendly smile. "You did good, rookie. Better than those recruits packing serious chrome."
"G-Give me a moment," Naruto sat down, holding his head.
"It seems you can get it, that's everyone so far," Mizuki told him and hefted his shotgun on his shoulder.
And that was enough to get the blond to snap out of it, "Wait, what about the cops you mentioned?"
"Crap!" Mizuki cursed, looking panicked as he turned to Naruto. "They must have moved already! Get the entrance, I'll check the back!"
"Right!" Naruto turned and started to run…
"Damn, you made it too easy."
Pain invaded Naruto's entire nervous system from the shotgun shell aimed straight at his spinal cord, which remained mostly safe if not for the damaged implant on his back. Yelling silently, the blond hit the floor hard with agony shooting through his every nerve. Every part of his body felt like it was on burning due to the broken cybernetics, which prevented him from getting up.
"Gah…" he gasped out, his eyes wide and glaring at Mizuki. "You… bastard…"
"Thank you, Naruto," Mizuki smirked at him. "Honestly, I needed someone to take the fall for this, and you truly were the right call."
"Asshole, what… are… you up to?" Naruto struggled to speak through the pain, twitching on the floor as the silver-haired officer crouched.
"Look at this," Mizuki growled when pointing at his badge. "Barely minimum wage and all I get from the citizenship is insults while the higher-ups scoff at my hard work. And then, there are people like you too eager to die being heroes. It's sickening… So, I'm getting a new update."
"What?" Naruto groaned, trying to move his arms while his body remained limp. "You… gonna work for the Maelstrom or… these Scavengers?"
"Oh, while this place is those techno junkies' turf, I aim higher," Mizuki stated. "See, these scumbags did take a very important implant which people will kill for. To be honest, they got lucky. Although, thanks to you, their good fortune ran off."
To make his statement, Mizuki aimed at one of the Scavengers Naruto had spared and didn't hesitate to blow his head off, followed by another, and another, much to the blond man's shock, "Son of a bitch…"
"Harsh," Mizuki told him with a smirk once he was done and reloaded his weapon. "Still, be glad all I'm killing is garbage. It's not like they can help being trash. Born trash, living as trash, and dying as shit. And you, you're the one who will be remembered here."
"You son of a-" Mizuki smirked at the downed Naruto as he gripped his exposed implants, the metallic spinal cord which he had fried with his shotgun.
"I hope this hurts," the silver-haired crooked cop smirked and, with his cybernetically enhanced arms, yanked it out!
If Naruto felt agonizing pain from the shotgun blast, having his spinal column exposed was enough to nearly kill him from the sheer suffering… and yet, he remained conscious through it all, his eyes threatening to pop out as he foamed at the mouth. It made the crook smirk when tossing aside the busted piece of metal. Slinging his shotgun on his shoulder, Mizuki walked to a large container resembling a suitcase behind one of the Scavengers he had killed. With a scoff, he fired his shotgun to blow off the wrist and hand still holding the case before opening it… and paled. Cold sweat covered his bug-eyed face, his lips trembling at the sight of the empty space in the box. He couldn't even form a sentence as everything he did just hit him like a freight train.
"No…" he croaked pathetically.
And in the middle of that, someone approached the whiskered man.
"So, you're the only one alive, huh?" Naruto opened his eyes to see he had gotten a call which he had been forced to answer.
It was an unknown number, the picture on the ID screen revealing a red glow and a black 9 with a single name: Kurama. He was in too much pain to speak properly, but the call was private and allowed him to communicate without Mizuki hearing him. So, he responded with a message.
"The fuck are you?" was his bitter response.
"At this moment… your guardian angel," the voice replied and Naruto finally saw the caller slide forth.
It was a black spinal cord implant moving on its own like a snake, "The fuck? An AI?"
Naruto's response was from the shock of seeing the artificial vertebrae slithering towards him and dragging one odd piece of equipment. It looked like half a bike's handlebar, a white cylinder with a handguard, red and blue highlights, and a grip fashioned like a katana's. There was something off about it, even more than it being pulled by the tail of a metallic spinal cord. However, the blond couldn't say much considering he was about to be framed for murder with the psycho responsible panicked behind him. As Mizuki hyperventilated, kicking the case with a furious snarl, he knew time was of the essence.
"Do you want this bastard to walk away a free man or drag him to Hell with you?" the AI told him with a sinister chuckle. "Your call, but I know what I want. If I have to be locked in that box or forced to work for that bitch, I'd rather take my chances with a walking corpse. Make no mistake, I don't like you, but I would rather see that motherfucker eat shit. So, what say you? Care to let me in? Are you willing to put me on and live long enough to kill this bastard? Or do you want to let him walk free?"
Clenching his jaw, Naruto glared at the spinal cord and spoke up, "Let's… give him Hell…"
"Just what I wanted to hear, ahahahaha!" the spinal cord jumped atop him, thankful that Naruto was face down and mostly shirtless.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto prepared himself for a third even more painful shot of insufferable agony when screws drilled into his spine, connecting the cybernetics to his nervous system and returning the sensation of movement to his body. Once the connection was complete, the blond flexed his fingers… and gripped the handle of his new weapon.
"Where is it?!" Mizuki snapped as he turned to a crate, tossing aside different pieces of hardware which the Scavengers had taken from others.
"Right behind you, asshole," Naruto growled as he held the hilt in his hand. "Kurama, huh? Is that what you were looking for?"
"You have it?!" Mizuki snarled and aimed his shotgun… only to hear an empty click when he pulled the trigger. "Shit! Shit, shit, shit!"
"Alright, asshole, you're going to answer for all of this," Naruto aimed the hilt and clenched his hand. "Dead or alive…"
Upon giving it a mental command, the strange hilt extended a long, thin if sturdy pole akin to that of a fishing pole. However, from the grip came not a line, but a beam of pure light which went along the length of the iron like the edge of a sword. It was not just science fiction, it was a dream come true.
"Do you think you've got what it takes to use that Sandevistan prototype and the beam katana?" Mizuki growled and bent his shotgun in his hands, snapping it in two when his arms expanded and revealed that he had upgraded.
Before Naruto stood a much burlier version of Mizuki who looked like he lived at a gym. Implants over implants made his once slim frame larger and stronger like a bodybuilder. His clothes were torn to shreds as metal plates popped out to cover his new form, leaving him with only the bulletproof vest and murder in his eyes. With a smirk, the corrupt cop grabbed the piece of his shotgun and compressed them into a ball with his bare hands just to intimidate the blond. For his part, the shirtless whiskered man aimed his new katana singlehandedly at the crook.
"Looks like he's been with the Animals," Naruto heard Kurama say in his head. "Hehehehe, this should be fun now! Come on, let's try this new bond of ours already! I want to feel your body plumping blood!"
"Read… my mind," Naruto smirked despite his ragged breathing and the pain coursing through his body as he took a single-handed fencing stance, keeping an aloof posture and expression to anger Mizuki.
It worked, as the traitorous psychopath launched the compressed shotgun like a cannonball straight at Naruto, who swung his new sword downwards. That was all he needed, for the sphere of iron was cut perfectly in two with a smoldering glow on the spot it had been cleanly sliced. And all it did was piss off the buffer Mizuki further, seeing such a set of weapon and implants on a stupid punk.
"Think you're hot shit, that you can win because you upgraded?" the backstabber growled.
"I'm not… the one trying to… look tough," Naruto retorted.
Charging at him, the beefed up Mizuki threw a wild haymaker which the whiskered blond saw coming as if it was in slow motion. Even with the new Sandevistan forcefully screwed and fused into his spine, Naruto wouldn't let pain stop him. Grinding his teeth, he sidestepped the punch, going low while keeping his new sword close to his body… and then swung upwards.
"Shit!" the silver-haired traitor exclaimed when a large red hot glowing gash appeared on his chest, diagonally across his vest, forcing him to stagger back. Holding the new wound only to wince from the intense heat, he turned to glare at the blond with lunatic rage, "You… are dead…"
"Still not scared of you," Naruto quipped.
Dashing forward, Mizuki took on a boxer stance with his arms covering his chest and neck, going low for a liver blow which would break ribs… all he saw was his fist connect with a metal crate and leave a dent in it the size of a human torso.
"Piece of-" Mizuki sneered while violently turning to look everywhere for the blond… and found him right in front of him, "-SHIT!"
With a swipe of his saber, Naruto cut off Mizuki's head, watching it bounce off the ground and roll to a stop next to the bodies whose lives the traitor had ended… and, letting out a heavy sigh, the whiskered man allowed himself to fall to his knees.
"Fuck… this still… hurts like a motherfucker…" he said through clenched teeth.
"Eh, you'll walk it off," Kurama quipped. "Let's hightail it out of here before you get even more fucked."
"Asshole, you're hitching a ride with me, at least let me rest," the shirtless blond groaned. "You could try to be nicer, too."
"How about, please stop being a bitch?" Kurama dryly retorted. "Actually, it doesn't matter, since now I can…"
"You what?" Naruto grunted.
"Wait, what the-?" the AI seemingly gasped. "Are you fucking kidding me…? You… you're still mostly organic?"
"So what if I am?" Naruto questioned the snarky AI.
"Bitch, I can't take control over you like this!"
"The fuck?!"
Naruto didn't like that, and Kurama was done being subtle, "Did you think I helped you out of the good of my heart?! I want your body! You're a perfect meat-bag for me to use! That's why I was locked and the Scavengers tried too hard to keep me in that case!"
"Motherfucker…" Naruto groaned. "Fine, I'm taking you off and-"
"Uh… you can't," Kurama winced as best as an AI could. "I made sure to fuse to your spine. You take me out, you're ripping off your entire nervous system, and kill yourself instantly."
"You fuck…" Naruto growled.
"But you won't without me keeping your vitals in check…" Kurama pointed out. "Well… we're screwed, literally in my case. Sonuva… You better not die easily… because you kind of are doing so now."
"What?!"
"Did you think I miraculously cured everything after a shotgun blast to the back?"
"I hate you…"
"Feeling's mutual."
-Tsunade's clinic-
"Go, go, go…" the blonde woman chanted with her eyes glued to the screen on a race… And she could only make a face like that of someone sucking on a lemon when the car she bet on blew a tire and hit a wall, "Motherfucker…"
Even if she should've worried for the safety of a human being, it didn't help her mood at losing money. She wanted to take out her frustration on the first thing she could. Part of her wondered about going into the underground shooting gallery Tenten owned to help test new implants for the shadier clients. However, she couldn't just waste bullets just because she lost yet another bet, the Chinese girl would be chewing her out, not to mention the busty woman's own assistant.
"Maybe that's your cue to quit, Tsunade-sama," said a Japanese woman meekly.
Lacking curves or proportions like the doctor, the assistant wasn't exactly a mere bleep in anyone's radar. She had a cute, round face with a gentleness and nervousness men would want in an innocent young lady. Adding to that the black eyes, black mop of hair in a cute bob, and the black kimono which hid her own implants to help in the business, she was a rather traditional Japanese cutie. Though, one would be better off not taking her lightly if the needles she stashed under her wrists were anything to go by. Cute and meek on the outside, but deadly on the inside.
"Ugh, I have one last bet, Shizune," Tsunade grumbled. "And don't tell Tenten, alright?"
Sighing in distress, the poor assistant shook her head, "You're digging your grave deeper, you know? We are younger than you by several years, and we have to take care of your budget."
"Oh come on, let me enjoy one of my few vices!"
"Your vices are what could put us in bankruptcy!"
Ignoring the younger woman, Tsunade changed the channel to the lottery game… and her eyes grew as wide as dinner plates, "Oh fuck… I won…"
"Huh?!" Shizune shrieked in shock.
Looking at her lottery number, Tsunade felt her heart sink… "Shizune, get me Naruto! Now!"
"Wait, but-"
"I said now!" the woman snapped, growing fearful of the young man's whereabouts and fate. Once her assistant started to run, she glared at the numbers, "Please be safe, you dumbass brat…"
Reaching under her desk, she pulled open a drawer with a bottle of sake which she needed for the call she was about to make, the person on the other end answering in amusement, "Yo, princess, how's it going so far? How's-"
"Don't start," she hissed, the woman was too tired, rubbing the warm bottle of liquor against her right temple with a groan. "Look, it's about Naruto. I have a bad feeling about him. Something's happened or is about to happen… and yes, it's one of my good luck premonitions."
"…alright, anything I need to know about the boy?"
"Just… make sure that he doesn't get into too much shit if you find him," Tsunade requested somewhat gently. "I know what you're doing, and I see a lot of his parents in him… Should he reach that path-"
"He'll have us watching from the shadows…"
Giving a half reassured, half amused sigh, the woman opened the cork of her drink, "Do me a favor and be careful yourself… I hate betting on you morons."
"Ah, but that is part of this business, princess… We're all here to become legends, and not just the living kind… I am sorry, but that is how we chose to live in this city."
"Cut the philosophy and keep an eye on him, alright?" she hung up and took a long sip of her drink. With a groaning sigh, she shook her head, "Don't do anything too stupid, Naruto…"
-Watson, Northside-
"Did you really have to grab the jacket?"
"And walk around without… looking good…?"
"It's an ugly piece of clothing, who goes for that much orange?"
"Feel free… to suck my left nut…"
Growling, Naruto dragged himself forward, limping along a wall with his jacket back on, a bloody splotch on its back. He gritted his teeth tight with every other step, the adrenaline having worn off a long while ago. It hurt like a motherfucker to even keep his spine upright with the newly inserted spinal implant, and Kurama made the trip that much more annoying with his banter. That said, at least the insufferable AI kept his word, allowing the recruit to move forward if only out of necessity.
"You have such a way with words, perhaps you were one of the great philosophers in another lifetime," the AI wasn't going to be quiet. "Also, I'm your backbones now, bitch."
"Why would you even want a human body?" Naruto grunted out as he slumped forward through an open path. "Let alone be desperate enough to try to use me."
"Because idiots are easy prey, and you fell for my and that jacked up jackass' pretty words," Kurama had to snicker at that. "What's that make you, huh?"
"Your only way out of whatever Hell awaits you, dickhead," Naruto pointed out with a weak gasp at the end. "So shut up and help me move or we're both… shutting… off…"
"Oye, hermano, ¿qué carajos te pasó?"
Naruto squinted his eyes, his translator didn't register the Spanish he was hearing. With all his strength, he turned to his side to see a large, burly figure approach him. He was a large man of Hispanic origin, a titan of strength and clad in nearly all black. Jacket, pants, boots, all made it clear he wasn't on the legal side of things when the blond noticed the man's machete strapped on his back, the knife on his right thigh, and what appeared to be a heavy handgun hidden under his jacket. Although, the blond would commend the t-shirt depicting the Virgin Mary, gold accessories on his left wrist and hanging around his neck. The recruit would not really say he approved of the top-knot bun and partially shaven haircut, but to each their own… and this inner monologue proved that he was losing too much blood.
"I think I'm dying…" Naruto croaked before collapsing face forward, only to be caught by the large man.
"Chingada madre, what the fuck are you doing with your life? You look like a coyote chewed you up and shat you downhill…" the man said, then gasped when seeing Naruto's back. "Jesucristo… Tell me that's someone else's blood on you…"
"If you know… Tsunade… in Kabuki…" Naruto struggled to say.
"Okay, compadre, just hold tight," the larger man helped Naruto onto his back, giving him a piggyback ride. "Just tell me one thing, are you here for the tech some Scavengers cabrones have?"
"Got it… stuck on me…" Naruto said truthfully.
"Well, you're officially the dumbest motherfucker alive, but you won't keep that title for long," Kurama groaned at the blond man's honesty.
"Shit… you're either lucky or unlucky I met you, carnal," the man said while moving forward. "Name's Jackie Welles, you?"
"Uzumaki Naruto…" the blond grunted. "And feel free… to take this thing off my back if you can…"
"Don't tempt me," Jackie joked with a half-amused smirk. As they moved, the sound of voices yelling alerted the two to movement nearby, causing the Japanese and Hispanic to curse under their breaths upon seeing more Scavengers, "Hijos de la gran puta, they don't give up!"
"You steer…" Naruto panted and pulled out his revolver. "I'll shoot."
Everything afterwards was a blur involving lots of cursing in English, Japanese and Spanish, bullets flying, a Scavenger crying in Russian about his missing kneecaps, a busted jaw to another Scavenger when one tried to grab Naruto, and Jackie riding his motorcycle while he and the blond man flipped the bird to at least twelve angry criminals. Kurama had the right thing to call the two once they reached a Ripperdoc.
"By any chance are you two siblings?" the AI groaned. "Because you share the same braincell."
"Here, this is, Vik's place…" Jackie wheezed with the blond once he parked. "How are you holding up?"
"Ask me once I get out of that clinic," Naruto chuckled in pain.
"Got some big huevos on you, choom," Jackie said as he picked up the blond, placing him on his back yet again. "I can respect that. Could use a man like you in this biz…"
"You a cyberpunk?" Naruto questioned his new acquaintance.
"¿Pues pa' qué te digo que no?" Jackie cheekily asked.
"I used to be in the police force, a recruit…" Naruto commented, then looked at his gun and the man who was helping him. "You know, they kind of guy who'd be after you with iron in hand."
"Vaya, either I'm more charming than I thought I was, or you got no choice but telling me that," Jackie chortled. "Still, I ain't looking a guy who's that good a shot down on, this stubborn to die, and this honest… Yes, I can tell you're a real hermano."
"Could say the same about you…" Naruto commented, looking up at the skyscrapers with a smirk. "This city… could use a big shaking up, huh?"
"So, I take it you like my offer?" Jackie coyly retorted.
"Oh, I'm in," Naruto held out his hand, which Jackie shook.
"Welcome to the business of being a Cyberpunk," Jackie smirked.
-TBC-
And that's my rap!
Don't worry, Naruto will meet Rebecca soon. I needed to set the stage first, after all.
On a side note, some questions and things to address:
1. Yes, that's a beam katana he's got like in No More Heroes, you can't tell me someone in Night City would NOT try to have a lightsaber ripoff in their hands considering the biochip.
2. I am still digging into Cyberpunk lore – watching playthroughs, reading material, and not just checking the anime, which is great – so do not try to spoil too much for me, but…
3. Feedback is appreciated if it is constructive criticism: tell me where I fucked up and how to address it in as polite a way as you can. I do enjoy Cyberpunk despite being a newbie, so I want to do it justice.
4. Naruto-verse characters will appear in Cyberpunk aesthetics such as Tsunade being a Ripperdoc, Tenten working as an arms dealer, and Iruka being a police instructor – they may have fancy VR programs, but Naruto needs that teacher figure in the man, and having a flesh and blood instructor to put rowdy recruits in line seemed like a good idea.
5. Jackie's that brother from another mother. Don't tell me he wouldn't find a stray and take it home, or that he'd see a half-dead guy and make him his partner when seeing the other choom's shooting skills.
6. Kurama isn't the only sentient AI.
7. Mizuki being a corrupt cop puts into perspective how rotten the system is for Naruto, so now it is time for someone to burn it down… and he'll have a lot of help.
Swordslinger out!