I do not own Danmachi or Naruto of anything related to it.

"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Spellcasting"

"Monster or Demon Speaking"

'Monster or Demon thinking'

"Monster or Demon Spellcasting"

If you enjoy what I do be sure to support me at P AT R EO N its not literally spelled like that but fanic is a bit touchy about that stuff. Just go to the sight and type in Akida Pendragon that's me! Thanks and Enjoy the story!

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XxxxSEVERALYEARSAGOxxxX

It was dark the sun had set and all anyone would see is endless expanse of sand and stone. No trace of life of any kind could be seen but we find one soul wandering this desert. Atop a horse we find Orochimaru weary and gaunt as he directed his horse seemingly aimlessly across the sands. Looking up he brought out a star chart and examined it for a moment. After a few seconds his eyes widened has he twisted in his saddle and with slight aggravation he realized that he's been trotting in the wrong direction. Grabbing his horses reigns he twisted and directed his horse in the proper direction as he took off. Once again silence took over and with silence came madness as voices berated his mind again.

'she's not going to make it.' He growled slightly as he spurred his horse faster in the hopes that the tramping of hooves would drown out the silence. But sands seemed to swallow even that.

'I'm sorry there's nothing we can do.'

"You're not trying." He spoke out loud as the voiced became progressively louder.

'Orochimaru, listen you're not well brother. Come home we're worried about you.'

"Shut up." An image of his oldest friend Jiraiya flashed through his mind and he gritted his teeth in annoyance.

'I understand it hurts but you need to move on.' At the sound of his old teachers voice he screamed.

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!" he screamed his eyes becoming wide and wild as his sudden outburst spooked his horse making it loosed its balance of a dune and they both went tumbling over. Orochimaru was flung from his saddle and as he tumbled he heard a very audible crack and once his fall came to a stop he looked up and saw his horse. Her neck bent in a very unsettling angle as he saw rocks protruding from the side of the dune and he screamed in frustration.

In anger he began beating the ground sand flying in the air and in his face but he didn't stop. He continued to beat the ground and screamed until his throat went raw and tears began streaming down his face.

"Why… why why why why why?" he mumbled to himself as an image of a sickly human woman with blond hair and bright green eyes appeared in his vision.

'Orochimaru? I'm really sorry about what happened if there is anything we can do let us know.' He gritted his teeth hearing the voice of Kushina, her and her husband. The rest of his Familia becoming parents living in happiness. Why was he the only one to have any tragedy befall him, why didn't his goddess save her! He knew full well it was within her power to do so!

"WHY!" he screamed to the sky as nothing but silenced answered him but not for long.

"Ah a question that most scream into the void. A question that seems simple but in reality, is so very complex." Orochimaru whipped his head around seeing a man. He was rather normal looking a simple shirt and heavy coat framed his torso along with a simple scarf. His legs covered by pants with travelers' boots and on his head he wore a peculiar hat with a wide circular rim and round top.

"Who are you?" Orochimaru asked his voice hoarse from his screaming.

"A person of no real consequence if you so desire, or perhaps a friend if your willing." He stated a simple smirk placed upon his lips as he rose from the stone he sat upon and walked around the body of the dead horse and clicked his teeth while examining it.

"What a fine beast, strong. To be taken from this world in such a ridiculous manner. A tragedy to be sure. But I sense that this is not the only story of tragedy that is within my presence." He said turning his attention to Orochimaru who remained on his knees to tired to care to stand.

"Y-you didn't answer my question." Orochimaru said his voice becoming scratchy and difficult to understand.

"Well this won't be any good if you lose the ability to speak." The stranger stated and with a flick of his wrist the soreness in Orochimaru's voice and his fatigue faded.

"Now like I said it is entirely up to you who I am. A simple passerby that you will forget, or a possible ally." Orochimaru turned to look at the man only to find him gone.

"But what about you?" Orochimaru spun around to find the man behind him somehow. "What is your story? What is your tragedy?" he asked and Orochimaru was silent for a moment.

"I… I lost someone." He said lowly but the stranger had no trouble hearing him.

"Ah, the truest of tragedies, to lose the one you love."

"I just said I lost someone. I didn't tell you the significance of this person." Orochimaru was becoming increasingly weary of this individual.

"A lucky guess if you will." He answered as he paced in front of Orochimaru. "Perhaps you will feel more at ease if you could have a seat." Once again, the stranger disappeared from his vision and Orochimaru whirled around but he wasn't behind him this time.

"Are you looking for something?" turning Orochimaru saw the man sitting at a table with two chairs and what appeared to be a tea set. "Please have a seat, I hope you enjoy tea. I personally can't stand the stuff but its quite popular amongst you people or so I hear." He said pouring a cup of tea for Orochimaru as he hesitantly sat down.

"So, tell me how did this great sadness come about?" the stranger asked pouring himself a cup but it wasn't tea it was some dark brown liquid.

"She, well she's been frail all her life. She's always sick and I've been trying to help her but."

"But all of your efforts seemed in vain. I know this disease."

"You do? What is it!?" Orochimaru demanded standing straight up nearly knocking the table over.

"Now now, no reason to become overzealous." He said as Orochimaru found himself tripped and back in his chair as it pushed itself forward.

"Now as for this disease, I am afraid that there was nothing you could've done. She was going to die despite your efforts or the efforts of anyone else for that matter." He said calmly drinking his beverage.

"Then it was hopeless."

"I didn't say that." Orochimaru looked up quite annoyed with his twists.

"Then what are you saying?" he demanded slamming his hand into the table and the man simply smiled.

"You couldn't have done anything nor could any other mortal or even deity, but there are beings that exists that could've helped. Whose power surpasses all."

"Who are these beings."

"Titans." At that world a gust of wind blew through the sands and a crack of thunder split the sky with its shock.

"Titans?"

"Ancient and powerful beings that could accomplish anything! They would've been able to cure your lover most assuredly."

"How does that help me now?" Orochimaru asked and the man's smile widened.

"They could also bring her back." At these words Orochimaru eyes widened and for the first time in a while he felt hope flicker in his chest.

"How do I find them?" he asked all traces of hesitance vanished into thin air.

"I'll tell you what, I will give you all you need to achieve this goal, for a price." He offered and Orochimaru, blinded by this hope this stranger had given him, nodded.

"Name it." the man's smile widened.

"Blood." He said and Orochimaru was confused.

"How much?"

"For this, all of it." the stranger said as with a swirl of shadows a book appeared before him. Bound in what appeared to be skin with a skull surrounded by tentacles in the center. Staring at it he could hear something like faint whispers coming from it.

"If you do this there will be no turning back. Once you forge this contract it will be near impossible to escape. Your life and this book will be forever intertwined. I ask again are you sure?" The man asked as his eyes began to flicker with an eerie pale blue glow. Orochimaru looked down for a moment as an image of the woman once again appeared in his mind. The years she suffered with little to no reprieve or any hope of a cure. But now he could bring her back make her better. Yes, this was the only way.

"I am sure." Orochimaru said and the mans eyes went from a flickering glow to fully enflamed.

"So, it's a deal then?" he asked stretching out his hand and around them the wind began to roar, and the pale glow flashed all around them and the shadows produced from this glow danced around them forming oddly humanoid shapes and faces. Reaching forward and grasping his hand the man laughed and as they shook and when he took his hand back his nails extended and quickly sliced Orochimaru's wrist and blood spilled from it and directly over the book.

Before he could retract his hand instinctively black and green tendrils of energy poured from the pages of the book and grabbed his arms and around his body twisting it so that his body was now facing the ground and his arm held over his head. He could feel it his body was growing cold as more and more of his blood poured onto the book and yet none of it spilled over the edges. It wasn't long till his vision went black. And now voices berated his mind, information flowed through his thoughts knowledge that he couldn't even dream of swimming through his brain.

When he woke, he was alone the stranger gone, the table and chairs gone the only thing that remained was the book from which the whispers he heard was now loud and clear. His mouth split into a sick grin as he began to laugh. Low at first but then it got progressively louder and louder. The laughter evolved from simple laughter to full blown madness as it echoed across the endless wasteland.

XxxxCURRENTDAYWITHNARUTOxxxX

It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining in the sky which was devoid of even the slightest wisp of clouds to block the sapphire skies. Birds chirped happily as they danced from branch to branch. It seemed like the day would be uneventful, at least until a shockwave passed through the trees shaking the branches and sending the birds into a terrified flight. Following the shockwaves, we find a familiar forest clearing.

Naruto and Kurama stood at the edge and in the center, we see Ino and Ryuu. Both women stood in the center before Ryuu bolted forward cracking the ground with her steps and she flipped forward bringing her leg down on Ino who formed an X with her arms to block it. The impact sent a shockwave through the area and caused the ground to crater underneath Ino's feet.

Quickly twisting her hands, she gripped Ryuu's leg and spun her around before flinging her away and jumping up into the air. Before Ryuu touched the ground Ino came down on her planting her feet firmly into her abdomen and driving her into the ground before flipping off. The resulting crash formed a trench in the ground and for a cloud of dust and dirt to be kicked into the air.

Landing back on the ground Ino stood her ground her eyes locked on the cloud waiting for the moment Ryuu would come. However, she never did but Ino never dropped her guard. Hearing a crack and crumbling she looked down but was too late as Ryuu blasted out of the ground her demon eye flashing red as she took Ino by the ankles and spun forward slamming the girl into the ground and then brought her elbow down on her back cratering the ground again.

"You think they're going to hard on each other?" Naruto asked worriedly as he looked over at Kurama who shrugged and flipped a page in her book.

"I'm sure they're fine." She said and Naruto deadpanned knowing that she wasn't even paying attention.

"Kurama they're killing each other."

"That's nice."

"Ino is dead."

"After this chapter okay."

"Kurama I took off my pants." Naruto was surprised Kurama's head didn't go flying off with how fast she whipped up to look. Her perverted gaze devolved into one of disappointment and went back to her book. At least she was until Naruto snatched it from her hands.

"Hey! C'mon don't take my art! Not again!" she wailed reaching for it.

"Then start paying attention." He said as the goddess sighed. Her tails flicking behind her aimlessly though one of her tails wrapped itself around Naruto's.

"It's really nothing Naruto it's going to be a bit rocky at first. When they imagined being with you, they probably didn't count on sharing you."

"I thought Ryuu took it pretty well." He said and Kurama shrugged.

"Well to be fair she doesn't exactly express herself like your average person now does she?"

"Fair enough." He conceded and handed the book back to her and suddenly something went flying right past them knocking a few trees down with them. Turning he saw a panting Ino laying on a bed of broken trunks and dirt and turning back he saw Ryuu with her fist outstretched he demon eye in full blaze.

"Okay I think that's enough training for today." He said as he went to help Ino back to her feet.

"Her power out put is all over the place. She's unbalanced." Ryuu said simply as Ino groaned.

"She's just not used to the changes just yet, she changed two days ago remember." Naruto reminded the elf who nodded.

"Other than that, how do you feel?" he asked leaning her against the tree.

"Everything is loud, and the sun is hurting my eyes. I'm bruised all over but that's healing so no real complaints there. I can smell everything to even when don't want too." That last part she said with a smirk as Ryuu's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.

"Well you'll get used to it in no time. Why don't we head back for now get you two out of the sun." he said addressing both Kurama and Ino.

"Aw you remembered me!" She said with a giggle.

"Yeah, besides I'm sure Fürhen must have come up with something by now." Naruto said helping the two to their feet the group left the forest. They were quiet for the most part until they had reentered the city and Ryuu had to leave to head to the Mama Mia's to start her shift. Eventually they made it to the Den and were just in time to see Bell and Lilli coming out of the Den.

"Bell hey!" Naruto called as Ino and Kurama slightly flinched thanks to being so close with their newly advanced hearing.

"Naruto!" Bell called back as he jogged up to his senior adventurer.

"You two heading out again?" he asked as Lilli nodded.

"Yeah the new place I found is nice I just need to make sure I have enough money to cover it just in case something happens." Naruto sighed he had tried to assure that they were welcome to stay but they both made it clear that they didn't want to mooch off of them. Lilli was doing well but Bell was having a little more trouble than he first thought he would.

"Well, Bell if your not to tired when you get back maybe we can get back to training huh?" Naruto asked and Bell laughed.

"Maybe another time I'm going to train with Ais before she leaves for her expedition today." He said as him and Lilli went on their way. Naruto stood there for a moment to shocked to move.

"You okay?" Ino asked as Naruto came back to reality.

"Yeah, yeah its just. Never thought my heart could be shattered so easily." He sobbed as the girls rolled their eyes.

"C'mon, lets just go meet Fürhen already." Ino said dragging the shattered Naruto to the Den followed by Kurama.

Bell looked back feeling a little guilty about declining Naruto's offer but he did have a training session to get to before they went into the dungeon. Separating from Lilli they planned to meet a little later so Lilli could see if there were any easy quests from the guild that they could complete while they were down in the dungeon.

Bell quickly made his way to the wall of Orario. Making his way to the top he went to greet Ais but found she wasn't there. looking around he saw a small note held down by a stone. Picking it up he read it and sighed. Ais's expedition left earlier than she thought so she couldn't train today. Now Bell felt doubly bad about turning down Naruto. Shaking his head he came down the wall and made his way down to the guild hall. Luckily he was able to make it over pretty easily so he caught up to Lilli pretty easily.

"So she left earlier than you thought."

"Yeah, she apparently got her schedule mixed up." He told her and even though Lilli should've been sympathetic to his disappointment, but she felt only jubilation at the thought of spending more time with Bell and him spending less time with compet… other girls. As they walked towards the dungeon entrance Bell looked around and saw a couple of the Loki Familia members already gathering in front of the dungeon themselves. He didn't see Ais though, her group must've not made it yet.

"So how far are we going to head down today?" Lilli asked as they began their descent.

"Well I think the tenth floor and back should be fine for today right?" he asked and Lilli nodded. It wasn't long before Bell and Lilli reached the first floor and began their exploration. It was pretty mundane to be honest. As mundane as the dungeon could be. A few kobolds and goblins but sinced the first half of the Loki Familia had already passed through here, so the monster count was pretty low for today. After a lack luster two hours they decided to pick up the pace and head to the lower floors where the monster spawns would be faster. Upon reaching the ninth-floor bell began to feel… weird.

Looking around he couldn't explain it but it was similar to the feeling that the silverback monster gave off and the centipede monster as well. Something was down here, and it did not belong at all. Looking around there wasn't any monster on this floor either though that was strange. In the floors above there were stragglers but down here there was nothing.

"The Loki Familia really cleared this place, out didn't they?" Lilli idly wondered out loud and Bell nodded but didn't reply. "Bell are you okay?" she asked.

"I-I don't know, I feel like we're being watched." He said stopping and looking around. Lilli, after hearing this began to look around as well, but she did not feel the same feeling that Bell was. However, she trusted his instincts and went on guard. It didn't take long before they heard a roar and both adventurers turned to the corridor they were going to enter and from around the corner they saw an enormous minotaur stomp out. Its Fur was blood red and its muscle mass seemed to be over built for its skin. On of its horns seemed to have been sliced off and its eyes burned with rage and fierce determination.

Bell stood frozen and stiff at the sight of the monster. Memories flooding his mind of his first minotaur encounter paralyzed him as fear racked his body.

"Bell!" Lilli yelled as she saw the Minotaur begin to paw to ground preparing to charge. "Bell!" she yelled again as she came to him, but his eyes remained locked his body remained stiff and unmoving. The Minotaur roared as it began to charge its hands and hooves pounding against the ground as it charged shaking the corridor as bits of dust and rocks came loose from its powerful charge. As it came closer Lilli used all of her weight to push Bell out of the Minotaur's charge.

However, she couldn't retreat fast enough, and the Minotaur swiveled its head ramming the side of its horn against Lilli's head sending her careening against Bell as they both went flying in the air before crashing on the unforgiving stone floor. Shaking his head to try and clear it he looked down and saw Lilli her face drenched in blood from the strike.

"Lilli!" Bell cried as the Minotaur roared and turned to face them down and charged again. Grabbing Lilli he stood but the Minotaur was moving too fast and at the last second Bell tossed Lilli to the side and out of danger. Holding up his hand he concentrated and felt warmth and power flow to his palm.

"FireBolt!" He chanted as a bolt of fire shot from his hand to the minotaur in a small explosion. Not wanting to let up he fired three more and the Minotaur was obscured from the smoke and dust. It wasn't even a second later that the Minotaur's arm came blasting out of the dust impacting Bell sending him flying into the wall. The force of the strike shattering his white armor as it fell in pieces from his body.

"B-Bell!" Lilli called as she struggled to her feet at the sound of her voice the minotaur growled and began to turn towards her. Then Bell quickly picked up a stone and chucked it at the beast's head earning back its attention.

"Lilli get out of here!" He yelled throwing another stone to ensure that the minotaur focused on him as it growled in annoyance. Lilli's eyes widened at Bells demand and began to shake her head but stopped as throbbing pain wracked her mind.

"No! I'm not leaving you here!" she said as Bell dodged and now the Minotaur stood between him and the exit.

"Just go, don't worry I'll be right behind you!" he yelled dodging another strike from the beast.

"No!"

"GO!" Lilli looked up to see Bell's face all focus on the monster in front of him as he bobbed and weaved and the minotaur not giving him a moment of reprieve. Lilli sat there for a moment her body shaking as she gripped her coat. Turning quickly, she began to run as a sob ripped her throat and Bell allowed a brief smile to cross his face watching Lilli get to safety.

A roar brought his attention back to the Minotaur as he dropped to the floor avoiding a wild swing from the monster and rolled away. Drawing his knifes he prepared to defend himself. Now that Lilli had gotten to safety, he could focus on getting out himself.

'Wait, I can't if I try to escape now then this thing will just chase me and reach Lilli too.'

Back stepping an attack, he went to run around the Minotaur hoping to flank him, but the minotaur had spun and caught Bell with the flat side of his blade sending him to the ground. Before Bell could climb to his feet, he felt a great pain strike his side as the Minotaur kicked him sending him rolling across the ground. His breath left him as he struggled against a stalagmite and stood up seeing the Minotaur gripping its large blade and stalking towards him.

Once Bell's breath had returned to him, he took a swipe at the monster while trying to sidestep the beast, but this Minotaur was nothing like the one he ran from before. It was quicker, smarter and much, much stronger. It was giving him no chance to breath or even to think. As he once again tried to run the Bull struck him with its blade but instead of letting him fly it took its unbroken horn and impaled it into Bell's arm. The pain shot through his entire body as the Minotaur lifted up the adventurer as sickening ripping and squelching sounds filled the air but the pain deafened Bell to everything as he screamed in agony.

Finally, the Minotaur spun and tossed Bell off its Horn as Bell went tumbling towards the ground pain wracking his body. His left arm had a bloody gorge from the Minotaur's attack as blood freely flowed from his wound. Looking up from a haze of pain he saw the beast roar again.

'DAMNIT!'

XxxxWITHNARUTOxxxX

Currently Naruto was listening to Fürhen and his current theories on the strange rock as his experiments weren't yet complete. However, Naruto suddenly felt a chill go up his spin but it wasn't normal. Something was wrong.

'Naruto.'

'What is it?'

'Bell.'

Naruto's Eye's widened as he turned and shot out of the Archives straight through the Mirror faster than anyone could track.

"Naruto!?" Ino and Kurama exclaimed at the same time before they too felt a similar tingle as Naruto but stayed behind.

Naruto moved quick he appeared as a blur to anyone who caught sight of him. In seconds he made it out of his Familia's Home and was racing down the city streets the tall tower of Babel becoming larger as he came closer. But he wasn't the only one who felt a something off.

XxxxWITHAISxxxX

Ais and her Party were making their way down the Dungeon and for the most part it was uneventful. The initial anchor Party had cleared most of the monster so they could all congregate on the 18th floor and make their way down all together. Currently her party was making their way down to the eighth floor when they spotted a small figure slumped against the wall.

As they came closer, they saw it was a Prum and Riveria quickly came forward to inspect her. The Prum looked up and saw them showing her to be Lilli.

"Are you alright?" Riveria asked as she kneeled down and Lilli shook her head.

"I-I am, P-please save B-Bell…" she wheezed out and Ais's eyes went wide.

"What happened?" Finn asked and she pointed down the corridor she just came from.

"B-bell… Minotaur…" she mumbled struggling to form words. Ais didn't need any more information as she suddenly took off down the corridor gaining surprised cries from her group.

"Ais!" Tiona called and chased after her grunting while helping Lilli to her feet the rest of the group followed. Ais for her part soared down the corridor in her mind hoping that Bell was still alive. Her progression however was blocked when a mountain of a man stood in her path almost as if her was waiting.

She looked up to his face and a sliver of fear raced down her spine as she recognized the unforgiving visage of the most powerful adventurer of Orario. The one known as King.

"Ottar!" she breathed out and he took his blade off his shoulder and held it firm.

"Sword Princess." He replied staring her down. "I request a Duel." He said plainly but even the pressure of his voice nearly sent her to her knees.

"Why? Why here and now?" she asked the desperation and need to get past him snaking its way to her voice ever so slightly.

"It is simple is it not? I have encountered a powerful member of a rival Familia, that should be enough to fight… to the death even." He said raising his sword. Ais had no time for this every second she wasted here was a second the Bell was alone with that monster. Not seeing any way around it she drew her sword.

"Tempest!" She chanted and a swirl of green wind like energy enveloped her as she shot forward hoping to catch him off guard. But this was no second-rate adventurer or even a top class on. This was King! The pinnacle of all adventurers in Orario unmatched and unchallenged in his majesty. Every strike was like hitting against a wall of impenetrable steel as he almost lazily deflected every blow she delivered.

He then swung his sword out the force of the swing sending her flying back and blasting the corridor with a gust of wind. Ais readied her weapon but froze at the sight of Ottar slowly approaching her. His guard was down his stroll nonchalant his grip on his weapon loose. He wasn't even trying.

"Your slow… but I will admit that you seem to have grown stronger. If only a little." His stare was uncaring and cold as he approached but was halted when Tiona came sailing over Ais bringing down her Urga which Ottar blocked easily. Though he seemed displeased with her arrival. Taking this chance Ais sprinted past him and Ottar went to strike her but was blocked by Bete.

"Who the hell do you think your pointing your sword at?" he demanded but Ottar just grunted seeing Ais escape down the corridor, Tiona and Bete following close behind.

"Oh! Ottar!" Finn called as he, Riveria and Lilli came around the corner.

"Finn." Ottar said turning to face the Prum.

"I never would've imagined that it was you holding Ais up here." He said as Riveria helped Lilli to walk. "May I ask why?" he asked as the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"I do not need a reason to fight, I did not pick this time nor this place." He answered as Finn stared down this man not intimidated in the least.

"I see, so then am I to assume that this is the will of your Familia? Is it the wish of Freya to elicit a war between our Familia's?" Finn asked his eyes cold and calculating as he stared down the King. Ottar was quiet for a moment but sighed and shook his head. Finn had armed the trap and it was not the will of Freya to set it off so Ottar yielded.

"I acted of my own accord." He conceded and hefted his sword onto his shoulder and walked past the captain of the Loki Familia without another word. Nodded towards Riveria they both made their way to follow their party members. Though they failed to notice Naruto come up on their rear just missing the altercation as he shot past them surprising both of them. It took little time for Naruto to catch up with Ais just as she reached Bell as they both stood in front of the downed adventurer. Ais in front of Bell and Naruto in front of Ais.

Looking up Bell saw both of his mentors standing over him protectively.

"Are you alright?" Ais asked not taking her eyes off the Minotaur.

"We'll take it from here, you did good." Naruto said smiling back at him. Bell looked up at the two of them but didn't feel relief. He felt guilt and anger, anger at himself and his weakness.

'I-I'm being saved again. Because I couldn't save myself.' He thought as he looked up at Ais and images of her saving him from his first Minotaur flashed through his mind.

'I'm going to be saved again? By her? Just like last time? By him, again?' he thought staring up at the two blondes not noticing the rest of Ais's Party enter behind him.

'I need to stand up.' He struggled to his feet. 'If I don't stand here… If I don't reach higher… then when am I going to!' He screamed in his head as he stood and grabbed Ais's arm gaining her attention as well as Naruto's.

"I can't…" he said and looked up square in the eyes of both of the people who had done so much for him. One he had come to know like an older brother, the other a warrior who had captured his heart and spirit. "I can't let you save me again!" he yelled determination burning fierce in his eyes surprising both of them. Bell walked past Ais as Naruto nodded and stood off to the side.

'This is my chance… today for the first time… I am going to have and adventure.' He squared off against the Minotaur before stalking forward. His stalk then transformed into a charge as he shot forward with a cry of determination the Minotaur roaring in response to his charge.

"Huh, I swear I've seen this kid before… wait a minute! I don't believe it, it's tomato kid!" Bete said amused. "Looks like this kid has just got a thing for minotaur's!"

"The one Ais saved?" Tiona asked as Bete laughed.

"That's the one, guess the horn head wanted to see the kid so bad he came all the way up here!"

"Watch your mouth mutt." Naruto warned as the Rest of Ais's party took notice of him and Bete remembering last time backed off. Tiona's eyes widened as she blushed not expecting to see the object of her affection while down here.

"Are you sure this is alright? He is just a level one." She said but when Ais made no action to answer she sighed and began to walk forward.

"Don't." Naruto said and she stopped. "This is something Bell needs to do." He said as he suddenly felt a weight on his leg he looked down seeing an injured Lilli.

"N-naruto, please! Save Bell! Please!" she begged as her consciousness began to slip. Holding her up he handed her to Riveria who began to heal her with her magic.

"Have some faith in Bell." He said turning to see his student. "I know he can do this." He said as Bete tsked and began to walk forward.

"Bete." Naruto warned.

"Look having faith is fine and dandy but this kid has got no chance and I hate the idea of being the guy who just watched instead of acted." He said continuing but stopped when he actually began to pay attention along with the rest of the group.

Bell was like a completely different person. The Minotaur went for a swing which he bent over backwards to avoid then smoothly transitioned into a flip to regain his balance as he took advantage of the opening to slice at the beasts hide but his cuts were to shallow. The minotaur roared as it swung its massive sword over its head down on Bell who took both of his knifes to block the blow and redirect it to the side. He then spun himself along the side of the minotaur stabbing him twice before retreating away.

"Wait isn't he a level one?" Tiona asked no matter who you were if you were a level one you shouldn't have these types of skills.

"One month ago he seemed completely inept and foolish in Bete's eyes but now…" Finn spoke and Bete picked up.

"What the hell happened?" he asked not really expecting an answer but Naruto couldn't help but smile with pride.

Bell stood against the Minotaur as it came at him with a downward slash which he went to block with his long knife, but it shattered after impact but Bell not missing a beat used this to his advantage. As the Minotaur leaned forward due to its momentum Bell jumped into the air twisting his body until he was over the beast's arm. Using the momentum of his spin he stabbed his Hestia knife straight into the monster's arm and used its lack of balance to bring it down.

As the monster roared in pain Bell took the change to twist his knife hearing a squelch from the twisting flesh and a satisfying snap as his blade easily broke the Minotaur's arm. Back peddling away the Minotaur grunted as it tried to grip its sword, but it fell out of its hand as it hung limp and useless at the point of break. Roaring the minotaur went to smash bell with its other hand but Bell danced around the strike spinning on his heel placing himself right where the Minotaur's sword had fallen.

Taking up the sword Bell ducked under a wild swing and took his new blade and slashed the Minotaur in the side making a long red gash that splattered with blood. As the Minotaur whipped around to face Bell he took this chance to run up the chest of the beast before quickly flipping off and kicking the monster in the head and as he flipped around he dragged his sword upwards making a vertical upwards slash on the beasts chest.

It recoiled before kicking Bell away, but he was expecting it and blocked the attack with the large blade and flipped his body mid air to land on his feet. When he looked up he saw the Minotaur with its fist raised to smash him and as the fist came down Bell quickly side stepped and could feel the air around the fist as it passed mere inches from him. He then pivoted on one foot and spun like a cyclone landing three slashes on the beast chest as it roared and grabbed Bell and threw him away.

For a moment it was quiet as Bell and the Minotaur faced against each other. One a salivating beast filled with rage and the other a battered but determined adventurer.

'I will be a HERO!' He yelled in his mind as he charged forward with a battle cry with the Minotaur matching his charge and cry with its own.

[LimitBreaker] Skill Evolution [ARGONAUT]

Suddenly Bell leaped forward with his sword forwards and the group flinched thinking that he made a rookie mistake.

"That idiot." Bete grumbled

"Its alright." Ais reassured as Bell's sword clashed with the beast horn and expectedly shattered and when the Minotaur went to gorge him with its horn he ducked underneath the blow showing and impressive amount of dexterity and agility. Spinning he took his Hestia Knife whose runes blazed bright and blue with slight crackles of energy and he stabbed it into the beast's abdomen. The Beast grunted but could do nothing as Bell made his next move one that both surprised and impressed Naruto.

"FireBolt!" he chanted and channeled his magic through his knife and blasted the inside of the Minotaur causing its body to glow and anger red as tongues of flames snaked their way out of the Minotaur's gashes that Bell had made. With a belch of blood the Minotaur growled as he reached to grab Bell but Bell showed no restraint.

"FireBolt!" He yelled as a gout of flame made its way out of the beasts mouth.

"FireBolt!"

"FireBolt!"

"FIREBOLT!" With each blast the Minotaur began to bulged as more and more power and fire poured into its body and eventually he exploded with a thunderous crack and a tower of spinning flame erupted from the body bathing the room in its light and heat as the Minotaur's lower half dispersed into ash and dust leaving only its crystal behind.

The group stood stunned for a moment, to them Minotaur's weren't any challenge anymore but that wasn't what captivated them. It was the strength of will, the fierce determination and surprising skill. They couldn't explain it but just seeing that battle seeing an adventurer fighting with all they had it reminded them of their early days. Entering the dungeon had become a job for them but they seemed to have rekindled that flame they once had, that excitement of entering the dungeon.

"Bell!" Lilli called as she ran forward and the rest followed her. Coming to his side she saw he was out cold on his feet somehow maybe through sheer force of will power he remained standing.

"Mind Zero." Naruto recognized as he reached Bell.

"Riveria what's his status?" Bete asked and the Elf looked at him perturbed.

"You want me to look without permission?" she asked.

"The guy is practically begging us to take a peek!" he yelled, and the elf sighed but even she had to admit she was curious. Naruto at first felt like he had to stop her but decided against it since he saw his stats when he walked up. Maybe seeing his potential will do something to help gain some respect from them. As Riveria walked up she looked to Naruto who nodded, and she looked at Bell's adventurer's tattoo. She stood there for a moment before she chuckled and looked back at the group with a small smirk.

"Well what are his stats!" Bete demanded and her amused smirk grew ever so slightly.

"All abilities, Are S Rank and above." A shock went through the group as they all gasped. Finn drew his attention to Naruto who couldn't help and smiled at their reactions.

"What was his name again?" he asked Naruto.

"His name is Bell Cranel! Believe it!"

_SCENE_

And there it is ladies and gents the fifteenth chapter and we finally get the legendary Bell vs Bull fight and I really hope to all the gods or Orario and beyond that I did it justice. I really hoped you all enjoyed the fight scene and that little bit in the beginning about Orochimaru's past. I was actually scared to put that in but I really didn't want to put in the whole Orochimaru wants power and is evil because he's evil like so many other stories. I wanted to give him motive and maybe a bit of tragedy. If you have questions about the mystery woman whom Orochimaru was in love with worry not I will flesh out that little plot point in due time. As the for the stranger… just call him "The deal maker" for now. He is integral to the story and is very important so don't think this is the only time he's going to show up! I hoped you enjoyed the chapter if you have any thoughts or concerns please feel free to let me know.

This has been your Average, Ordinary, Everyday Fallen Angel!