A week later
After the incident in his old apartment, Naruto was sent to the hospital by Jiraya. So the past week, he was treated in the hospital. Ironically it was the same hospital where he was asked by Kikuoka to research the situation in GGO. Not only that, but the one that assign to take care of him was none other than nurse Aki Natsuki. His two girlfriends also visited him, when they were not busy. But they felt very annoyed that the nurse was clinging to Naruto any minute she could. Also they've punished him for losing control during the tournament.
As for Shino, she also visited him, but chose the time when Rika and Suguha not present. She still feels very nervous about meeting Naruto's other girlfriends, therefore she avoid them. Shino also really surpised when her friend Kyouji was absent since the end of BoB.
Now, she is heading to the place where Endou-san asked her to meet. Of course, she knows that they money from her. Last time, Naruto has stood up to her, but this time she will handle this situation alone. She can't always be dependent on Naruto, even if he said he will stay by her side forever. She went to the bench and sat there waiting for Endou and her gang to appear. She waited for a while, looking at the sky. Suddenly, she heard the sound of laughing ahead of her, she looked at the direction and saw Endou and her hand approaching her. When they saw Shino they stopped laughing and turned to her.
"Don't call me here and keep me waiting" said Shino looking at Endou
One of the girls with Endou hearing that has a surprise look on her face at Shino's tone.
"Asada-san, you've been a little cocky lately, haven't you?" said the girl on Endou's right side.
"Yeah, have you forgot your place?" said the girl on Endou's left.
Endou just looked at Shino and step forward. Shino just looking at her with narrowed eyes.
"It's fine. We are friends after all. And if we were in trouble then you'll help us, right?" said Endou with a cocky expression.
The two behind just smirking widely.
"Well for now 20,000 yen will be enough" said Endou and showed on her hand how many she need.
Shino looked at Endou's hand then looked back at her face and said.
"I told you before. I won't lend you any money"
Endou just looked at Shino then said.
"You know, this time there won't be anybody come for your rescue. Also I did bring my brother's gun today"
"Do what you want. But I am done being bullied by you" said Shino looking at Endou confidently.
Endou smirked and took out a gun from her backpack and pointed at Shino. Shino looking at the gun with fright eyes, the memories of her bloody past returned to her. She began to tremble in fear.
"My brother told me not to pointed at anyone, but you are fine, right, Asada" said Endou with a smirk still pointing the gun at Shino.
Shino still looked dazed and trembling a little in fear.
"Cry, Asada. Now, kneel and asked for forgiveness" said Endou with a triumphant smirk on her face.
Shino then recalled the talk with Naruto about true strength. He also said as long as he is in her heart she won't need to be afraid of anything. Even just the memory of Naruto, caused Shino to snapped back to reality and all the fear vaporized like she was never afraid.
Endou pressed the trigger, but somehow she couldn't activate the gun.
"What's with this thing?" wondered Endou and tried to press the trigger again, but still nothing happened.
Shino took the gun away from her hand and hold it like a pro. She looked at the gun and muttered.
"Government 1911, huh? Your brother has good taste. Though it not suite me at all. Most guns require to take off the safety first"
Shino take off the safety and aimed the gun at the empty can on the trash can. Endou and the other two just looked at Shino surprised at her change of state.
Shino stood in the shooting stance and pressed the trigger. The bullet flew from the gun straight at the target and hit it.
Endou saw that Shino has turned to her and felt scared, she began to back away.
"It's definitely dangerous to point this stuff at the person" said Shino and returned the gun in Endou's hand. With that she turned to leave them. Endou felt too shock and sat on the ground.
As she walked away Shino has a smile on her face. It's like Naruto told her the thought of your precious person makes you feel stronger.
"Thank you, Naruto" muttered Shino with a smile and continued to go ahead.
After school
Shino walked out from the school to the gate. She looked passed the gate and saw someone is waiting sit on the motorcycle. She looked at the girls that gathered around to look at the person. She closely and saw the blond spiky hair at the back. She felt surprise seeing him here.
"Asada-san, who is that?" asked one girl whispered in her ear.
"Is he your boyfriend?" asked the other girl.
At that Shino blushed a little, but then shook her head and approached the figure on the motorcycle.
The person was none other than Naruto. He wore a black vest with high collar and wearing sunglasses. He shoved his hands in the pockets and looking at the sky chewing a gum. Then he inflated a bubble and pop it.
"Ehem, why didn't you say that you will be here? Also what's with sunglasses?" asked Shino approaching Naruto.
"Oh, you are here already Shino-chan? Come on, let's go we need to go to some place" said Naruto turning to her.
Sinon felt annoyed with the sunglasses and took them out from Naruto. Suddenly Naruto's face exposed to the girls. And they immediately recognize him and hearts in their eyes.
"Kyaaa~. It's Naruto-kun"
"Oh my god, it's really him. He is so hot"
"I didn't know he keep Asada-san though"
"What if they are a couple?"
"No way!"
Naruto began to pale and told Shino to sit on the back of him immediately so they could drive away before the fan girls managed to capture him.
"You know, I am wearing those glasses for a reason, Shino-chan" said Naruto annoyed while driving Fenrir.
"Sorry, I forgot you are a celebrity" muttered Shino holding to his waist tightly.
At the restaurant
Kikouka invited Naruto and Shino, so that they can sum up all the incident in GGO. Shinkawa Shouichi and his brother Shinkawa Kyouji were arrested. Shouichi had confessed that the third Death Gun was Kanamoto Atsushi, the former member of LC by the name Johny Black. After the failed attempt to kill Naruto, Kanemoto managed to escape and the police still trying to find him.
Death Gun were born when Shouichi purchased the invisible cape through the real-money trade. Using the mantle and binoculars. Shouichi began to collect the information on players through the panel terminal. Meanwhile, his brother Kyouji had problems in leveling his character. Then Shouichi received a call from the former leader of LC, PoH, and was ordered to lure Naruto to GGO and kill him. Kyouji's avatar was Spiegel and was pure AGI type, so after hearing the speech of XeXeed he hated him with all his being.
When Shouichi heard this, he told his brother the name and address of XeXeed IRL in order to kill him as well as leave the hidden message to Naruto.
Though they still find away to kill a victim that leave no evidence. But one day Kyouji went to his father's hospital and accidently noticed the bottle of succinylcholine on the table. After that, Kyouji sneak in the forbidden cabinet in the hospital and steal both master code card and some succinylcholine. Then he and his brother divide the operation in two. He will log in the Sterben account and shoot at Xexeed through the screen. Shouichi will wait at Shigemura's house and act in the right moment to kill the victim as well as leaving the hidden message. With Usuji Tarako was the same. With Maelstrom Battousai, it was clearly that the player was the former player in SAO and idolized Hitokiri Battousai for his strength. Shouichi decided to kill him, so that this time the message will be decipher. And as he expected Naruto really did log in by the name of Shin. Shouichi knew of Naruto's nature to be a hero, that's why he decided to kill some more people so that Naruto will feel more guilt and eventually snap. His targets were Pale Rider, Yamikaze and Sinon. But because Naruto had managed to deduce and counter his plan, Shouichi only managed to kill Pale Rider. But he predicted that something like that could happen. Therefore he prepared the backup plan that is to stick the advance electro shocker to Naruto's body that link directly to his Amusphere. The shocker will electrocute Naruto each time he received damages from Sterben. Shouichi was confident that he could win against Naruto, because he had researched thoroughly about Naruto's sword style. But he never expected that there was a dark side of Naruto that held so much power.
"All those killings just so that he could kill and make you suffer, Naruto-kun. And the one behind both the incident in ALO not long ago and this incident was all planned by PoH, the former leader of the red guild, Laughing Coffin" said Kikouka looking at Naruto opposite of him.
"So my battle is not over until PoH will be capture huh?" muttered Naruto sipping his tea.
Shino looked at him worriedly.
"The one that kill Pale Rider was Kanamoto, because he lived near the location of Pale Rider's house. Kyouji's targets were Sinon and Shin. Kyouji also has a grudge against you because he was obsessed with Sinon and couldn't accept the fact that there was one more man that was close to her. That's why Kyouji agreed to kill Naruto without hesitation" said Kikouka and put his hands on the table and place his chin on the lock between his hands.
"Did that actually come from Kyouji-kun?" asked Shino sadly.
"No, actually it came from his brother testimony. Kyouji just stay silent" answered Kikouka.
"Is that so..." said Shino.
"So what are you planning to do now. PoH will make a move against you again. Which means until PoH was not captured your life will always be in danger" asked Kikouka looking at Naruto.
Shino also turned to see Naruto's expression.
Naruto closed his eyes then reopened them.
"I've said this before. The current situation happened because of my mistake. My battle will continue. I must correct my past mistake. I won't let anyone innocent to die again. When the time will come we will settle things once and for all"
"Why did the LC members want to kill Naruto so badly? The incident in SAO is already in the past. So why?" asked Shino not understand.
"It's simple. As the red guild, they were feared and respected by other players in SAO. But then Naruto-kun decided to hunt down the PK guilds. Thus makes the other guilds to fear him and began to stop PK. Then they were wiped out by the gathering of the clearing party. Only 10 survivors were left, but then they encountered Naruto-kun by accident and he finished off 7 of their members. Even as the red guild they still valued their members, thus they couldn't forgive Naruto-kun for that action. As the leaders of the guild, the three remain members will try to pay Naruto-kun back ten folds. That's why they won't stop until Naruto-kun was killed" explain Kikouka to Shino.
"By the way Kikouka-san I will continue to work from my object from now on. When the project will be finish I want you to hold the privilege as the administrator. I don't want to be call cheater when it will be finish" said Naruto looking at Kikouka.
"Oh, that will be my honour. So how is it going?" asked Kikouka.
"30% percent. But I have the person that will help to speed the process" said Naruto.
"What are you two talking about?" asked Shino curiously.
"Oh just that Naruto-kun decide to try and create his own VRMMO. I think it calls Shinobi World Online, right!" answered Kikouka.
Shino widen her eyes at that and looked at Naruto.
"Is it true? You will create a new VRMMO?"
Naruto nodded his head and turned to her.
"Though I think it will take a year to finish it"
"Did you guys any questions?" asked Kikuoka.
"What will happen to Kyouji-kun now?" asked Sinon.
Kikuoka thinks for a minute and answered.
"Based on what they do and how they act they likely to be sent to medical reformatory. I don't even think of they know what reality is"
"No, I don't think so. I don't know about his brother, but to Kyouji-kun, GGO was his reality. He threw everything in this world to become the best in GGO. He grind everyday for experience. I am sure he was in a ton of stress" said Shino.
Kikouka looked surprised and asked
"Stress in game? But didn't what you said was the confusion of reality. What can you accomplish in a game?"
Shino nodded her head and continue.
"Yes, I think that Kyouji-kun got this world and the world of VRMMO mixed up"
"Huh? But why?" wondered Kikouka.
"I don't know... Naruto, can you guess it?" asked Shino and turned to Naruto.
Naruto looked at her and said.
"To be the strongest. To earn respect and recognition of all the people in that world. It's rare for people to become famous just like that. But through the VRMMO you can achieve that. After all the same thing happened to me. Though my motive is different I just want to be stronger to protect my precious ones"
"Yes, I was the same. I play GGO to become stronger so that I could be strong IRL too" said Shino.
"Kikouka-san, I'd like to meet up with Kyouji-kun. I want to hear what he will say and what I want to say to him" said Shino looking at Kikuoka.
"Ok. You are a strong person. When he will be allowed to have visitors I will contact you... I am sorry, but I need to go now" said Kikuoka and stood up.
"Yeah, sorry for takeout your time" said Naruto
"Yeah, thank you very much" said Shino.
"No, it's nothing. It's because of me that you two were in trouble after all... By the way Naruto-kun. Death Gun no Shinkawa Shouichi gave me a message for you. Do you want me to read it?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes. Shino looked at him waiting his response. Naruto decide to say.
"Ok, I'll hear it. Read it please"
"Ok, then... This is not over. The Prince of Hell will drag you to his place and you won't be able to do anything but watch as he will destroy everyone dear to you. The Laughing Coffin has fall, but the New Dawn will rise. It's show time. That's all"
Naruto narrowed his eyes and muttered
"New Dawn?..."
Then they say farewell to Kikouka and prepared to drive away.
"Ehm, Shino-chan?"
"Huh?"
"Do you have any plans?" Asked Naruto scratching his cheek.
Shino just looked at him strangely and said.
"No, I don't have any plans. But why do you ask?"
"I think it's time you meet up with some people"
Shino blinked at that and fidget nervously.
"Y-you mean them?"
"Well, actually there will be some more. But that will be a surprise. Plus you can't actually avoid them forever, you know" said Naruto with a wink though you couldn't see it because of sunglasses.
Shino just sigh aloud and said.
"Alright, let's go"
Time skip
Dicey Café
Naruto and Shino stood in front of the door of Agil's cafe.
"So this is the place where you want us meet up huh?" muttered Shino.
"Yeah, let's go inside I will introduce you to them all" said Naruto with a wink.
Naruto opened the door and saw Kirito, Asuna and Rika sat at the table.
"Mou, you are late~. While I was waiting I already ate two pieces of apple pie. If I get fat, I am gonna spend all your money on fitness" complained Rika displeasingly.
"Haa? Why the heck is it my fault that you get fat? You are eating that apple pie on your free will, so how is that my fault!" said Naruto and pointing his finger at Rika.
Then Asuna noticed a girl behind Naruto and said.
"Introduce us please, Naruto"
"Hai, hai... This is one of the three champions of the third BoB, Sinon a.k.a Asada Shino-chan"
Asuna and Rika narrowed their eyes at that.
"S-stop it" said Shino nervously.
Naruto gulped loudly while Kirito giggled silently at his sit.
"These are my friends from SAO. And those two girl sat over there are two of my three scary bosses. The one with brown hair is my in-game wife and the real life girlfriend. The invincible wild tigress Lisbeth a.k.a Shinozaki Rika..."
Rika hearing that gained a tick mark on her forehead and said sweetly.
"Do you really wish to die so soon huh, Naruto-kun?"
Then she charged at Naruto, but he avoided the assault and continued.
"...The girl with chestnut hair is my sister. The super-scary chef and healer Yuuki Asuna..."
"That's mean, saying something like that about your caring sister" complained Asuna with a sweat drop.
"... Last but not list my best friend and rival. The moody super-whipped Black swordsman Kirigaya Kazuto..."
"I don't want hear the whipped comment from you, Naruto" said Kirito roiling his eyes.
"Oy, by the way, why Sugu-chan is not here Kirito?" asked Naruto
"Oh, Sugu actually catch a cold today so she won't be able to come" answered Kirito.
"Is that so?... Well take a sit Shino-chan" said Naruto
Shino sat down and began to feel nervously at the gaze of Rika and Asuna. She looked at Naruto so that he could start first.
Naruto gulp loudly and take a glance and Rika and cough.
"Ehm, Rika-chan, nee-chan there is something I'd like to inform you-"
He was cut off by Rika and couldn't finish his sentence.
"You want to say that Shino-chan is now a third girlfriend right, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto blinked in surprised as well as Shino and asked Rika.
"Ehm, you are actually not against that? I'd thought you will be like want to tear me apart after hearing that information. Also how do you that?"
Rika look at Shino and smiled softly.
"Just a look at her eyes when she looked at you, I could feel her feelings for you. The same look I have a year ago in SAO, at the bottom of the dragon cave"
"S-so you will actually accept me as his third, but what about the other one?" asked Shino looking at Rika.
"Don't worry about that. I am sure that Sugu-chan will also accept you. So now you have three bosses now Naruto-kun, which means everything is triple" said Rika to Shino and turn to Naruto, whose face is began to pale.
"Ah, I forgot to show you guys something interesting" said Kirito with a smirk and brought out the magazine.
"Huh, what is it Kirito-kun?" asked Asuna curiously.
Rika and Shino find it curios and began to wait for Kirito to respond. Kirito opened the magazine and point at the article there. It said: "Who is hotter Hitikiri Battousai or Shin from GGO". And even has a ratings. Naruto looked at the magazine and sweat drop then slammed his head to the table and muttered 'troublesome'. Everybody began to laugh at that.
Kirito recalled there is the third champion of the BoB and asked.
"What about the third champion? Did you guys manage to contact her?"
"Oh, yeah. Mana-san is actually used her real life name like nee-chan. Her full name is Tatsumiya Mana and she lives in Osaka. I actually told her to come to Tokyo, but she said she was busy and couldn't come" said Naruto to Kirito.
Rika then recalls something and said.
"Oh, Naruto-kun, how is your progress with the new VRMMO. I can't wait for the release"
Kirito and Asuna looked surprised at that and asked.
"You actually are creating a new VRMMO? Why the heck is we find out only now?"
"W-well it only at 30%, do still need to work more to finish it. I think it will be done a year later maybe a little later. It depend on my pervert assistant" said Naruto nervously and roiling his eyes thinking about Jiraya.
"I also start to research about full-dive technology. I will try to create a new system for your game by the time it will be done" said Kirito to Naruto.
Naruto smiled widely and said in excitement.
"That will be great!"
"I am very glad that there is one more girl that play VRMMO to join in our company. With the three of us maybe we can chase the fan girls away from Naruto-kun" said Rika with a clap.
"Yeah, from now on we are friends. Don't hesitate to ask us for help. Naruto treasures friendship above all after all. It s been like that since forever" said Asuna smiling at Shino.
Shino just nod her head slowly after looking at the girls. Meanwhile, Kirito and Naruto went to the other table to talk to themselves.
"So the third girlfriend huh? Didn't know you are such a player, Naruto?" said Kirito teasingly.
"Tche? Shut up already" muttered Naruto.
"So what was the berserk attitude back then?" Kirito asked seriously.
"I lost control to my bloodlust and my other personality came out. Didn't even know how that happen" answered Naruto.
"So is the case closed?"
"No. Only one was captured and the other after failed killing me managed to escape. But that's not important, the important thing is that they were under the order of PoH to kill me. But I think his target will not e me alone from now, so be careful" warned Naruto.
"Ok, thanks for the warning" said Kirito and they walked back to the girls.
Naruto then looked at the three of them and nodded.
"You know, Asada no Sinon-san. There is a reason why we asked Naruto to drag you here" said Asuna looking at her seriously.
"A reason?" wondered Shino turning to Naruto.
Naruto looked down then turned to Shino and said.
"I apologized for my action first. I had told your story to the people here. I wanted to help you so asked for their help"
"W-what?" muttered Shino trembling.
"Sinon-san, we actually went to the tien where you used to live" said Asuna.
"W-why did you-" said Shino trembling and about to stand up, but Naruto grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes, said.
"Because I think you hadn't met the person you supposed to meet or heard the words you need to here. Trust me, Shino-chan I would've never done anything that will cause you to suffer as well as the people here"
"The person I need to meet?... The words I need to hear?" muttered Shino.
Naruto looked at Rika and she went to the door and opened it. From the door, a woman and a child came out. Shino looked at then silently as both person began to approach her. The woman and the child sat at the table and bowed their head. Shino looked closely and her but didn't recognize neither the woman nor the child do she decided to ask.
"Who are you?"
The woman looked up and said.
"Nice to meet you again. You are Asada Shino-san right? My name is Osawa Sachie. And her name is Mizue. She is four years old right now"
The child smiled brightly while Shino looked at both mother and daughter.
"Before she was born I worked in the post office..." continued Sachie
Hearing that caused Shino to remember the woman clerk that was being threatened by the robber with a gun. Shino's eyes widen slightly at the memory.
Sachie then looked down ashamely and continued.
"I'm sorry Shino-san. I should have come to see you earlier. I never apologized or thanked you for saving my life back then"
Sachie began to cry slightly. The child just looked at her mother. Then her head was rubbed by her mother and she smiles.
"When it happened, I was pregnant with her. So Shino-san, you not only saved my life, but hers, as well. Thank you... Thank you so much" said Sachie with so much gratitude and bowed down.
"Saved you life?" mutter Shino with wide eyes.
Naruto looked at Shino and decided to approach her.
"Shino-chan, you've always blame yourself. You've always try to punish yourself. But I don't think you deserved that. Yes, it's true that you killed a person. But you managed to save 3 lives because of that. If not for you do you really think that your mother, Sachie-san and Mizue-chan could still stand here? You should forgive yourself, if there is any person deserves punishment. It's me" said Naruto and then looked at his hand solemnly.
Kirito, Asuna and Rikw looked sadly as they realized that Naruto never forgive himself for what happened in SAO. Shino just looked at Naruto's solemn expression and was about to say something, but Naruto raised his hand to stop her from interrupting him.
"It's true I've saved many lives as well, but at the same time I took away many lives. All those PK players in SAO had family. They had the people that wait for them to return. But I end their lives without any remorse. I am not regretting anything I've done. I did what was necessary to protect my friends and the other innocent players. Even if I will go to hell I won't regret anything. But you are a true hero Shino-chan, if that was the other person in your situation I know that they will try to save themselves first. You just need to forgive yourself to start the new page of new life with us. With me" said Naruto looking deep in her eyes.
Shini hearing Naruto's words is nearly on the verge of tears. Mizue then approached her and took out the picture where she draw herself, Shino and her mother holding hands. She then brought the picture to Shino.
"Shino-oneechan, thanks for saving mom and me" said Mizue innocently.
Looking at the picture, Shino couldn't hold back her tears anymore and let it fell on the picture. Mizue grabbed her hand and smiled brightly
Naruto looked at the scene and also smiled. He was glad that Shino finally forgave herself. But he couldn't forgive himself, his sin is unforgivable. He will exist to protect his precious ones. That's the reason he dedicated his life now.
AN: There will be an epic fight between Kirito and Naruto that will last for 3 chapters in Caliburn arc. Then the Mother's Rosario. After that I will start to write about Shinobi World Online.