ALO
Floor 27
Sleeping Knights HQ
After asking for Naruto's and Asuna's help, Yuuki dragged them to the HQ of her guild. Now Asuna and Naruto are standing before the members of the guild while Yuuki began to the introduction.
"Asuna-san, Naruto-san. This is my guild. Sleeping Knights" said Yuuki proudly with a wide smile.
Some members seeing that Naruto is in front of them widen their eyes in disbelief. They couldn't believe that the living legend is standing right in front of them. Upon noticing the intense gazes on him, Naruto started to scratch the back of his head in nervousness.
The brown haired boy with brown eyes wearing a red armor decided to stand up and introduce himself.
"I am Jun. Nice to meet you Asuna-san, Naruto-sama. It's an honor to have you two in our guild"
Naruto sighed and then looked up said.
"Don't add the -sama suffix to my name. It's felt really...uncomfortable for me. Just Naruto is ok"
"U-um, I am Talken. N-nice to meet-Ow" said a nervous green haired boy wearing glasses, but he was interrupt by the girl that was sitting next to him that shoved her elbow to his ribs.
"Stop being so nervous all the time, Tal. When you talk to a girl sometimes it happen" said the Spriggan girl next to Talken with her head in her palm. Then she turned to Asuna and said."I am Nori. Nice to meet you, Asuna-san". After that she turned to Naruto with a flirtatious look and said slowly" And of course, I am glad you are here as well, handsome"
Naruto hearing that chuckles nervously while rubbing his head. He could imagine the furious looks of his three girlfriends if they found out about this. Just the thought, gives him the shivers down his spine.
"Nice to meet you two. I am Siune" said an Undine girl with a soft smile.
"I am Tecchi. Nice to meet you two" said a big guy of the group.
"And I am Yuuki. The leader of the guild, Sleeping Knights" introduced Yuuki with a big smile. Then Yuuki began to approach Asuna and catch her hand then looked at her with puppy eyes and said." Asuna-san, actually we want to defeat the boss on this floor. With just one party, which are 8 people"
Normally in ALO the max members in one party are 7. But Naruto helped to expand it to 8 in the new update. Asuna hearing that shouted out in surprise at their request, while Naruto widen his eyes and grin widely at the request.
"You guys knows that the boss fight normally need about 5-7 parties right? I don't think to fight the boss with just one party is possible" complained Asuna.
"Not really" said Naruto with his eyes closed. At that everyone began to look at him questionably. Naruto then opened his eyes and replied."Have you forgotten who fight the boss solo thrice, eh nee-chan?"
Asuna was opened her mouth to retort, but the closed it. Then she looked up at Naruto and said.
"Not everybody is as invincible as you, Naruto"
"But it's really possibly with one party to fight boss. After all we challenged the 25 and 26 floor boss with one party as well" said Yuuki smiling while scratching the back of her head.
At that Asuna and even Naruto widen his eyes in surprise.
"W-what? With only the six of you?" Asked Asuna incredulously.
Yuuki just nodded her head in affirmative. Naruto whistled loudly in respect at their skills.
"But whenever could finish the boss of as the big guilds always interfered" said Yuuki sadly.
"Why are you guys want to defeat the boss so much?" asked Naruto curiosly.
"We first met in a certain game's net community, and we all became fast friends. But unfortunately we will only able to adventure together until spring" said Siune. But Yuuki for some reason looked down at her cup and hold it tighter."Everybody will be busy with their lives. So before that happens, we all decided to make a memory that we'd never be able to forget"
"And that's a boss fight?" asked Asuna.
"Hai. If you defeat a boss then you name will appear on the Swordsman's Memorial on the Black Iron Palace, in the Town of beginnings right? What we want is to have our names engrave on the Swordsman Memorial as well..." said Siune, as she was about to continue, but Naruto decided to interrupt her.
"Oh, I understand now. Because the memorial will only write the names of the leaders of the party, if there were many of them. That's why in order to have all the 8 names on that memorial. You need to defeat the boss with only one party. Am I right?"
"Hai, it's everything like Naruto-san said. Because of that we need 2 more strong members in the party to help us. That's why Yuuki made an arena and challenging people in order to find strong fighters" said Siune.
"And you guys know what? Naruto is string beyond imagination. He defeated both me and Asuna even when he was outnumbered" said Yuuki recalled the memory with excitement in her eyes.
Everybody looked at Naruto with wide eyes for a while. Then Jun chuckled and said
"Well, as expect from the legendary Battousai. I know from the very beginning that even Yuuki won't be a match to him"
Naruto decided to raise his arrogance a little and puffed his chest in pride. That action was actually everybody to giggle.
Siune then looked at the two of them and asked.
"Will you two help us? I know we don't have anything to repay you with.."
With that said she sent an invite to both of them.
"Well, I won't be actually fighting, but only will act when you guys in trouble. I wouldn't want to take the thrill of the victory over the boss from you all" said Naruto and pressed 'Accept'.
"And don't worry about the repayment. Just save it, you need lots of money to prepare for boss fight after all" said Asuna.
Everybody began to smile as Asuna and Naruto accept the invitation.
"Then you two will help us?" asked Siune hopefully clasping her hands.
Naruto looked at everyone in front of him and saw that this boss fight meant very much for them. But he also recalled the near death experience when fighting bosses in SAO. He recalled the time he went to the 60 floor alone to confront the boss in order to complete his Hiten Mitsurugi ryuu training. But he also remembers that now everything is different. Nobody will die from the boss fight anymore, nobody will need to fight like his life is on the line, the will be no tragedy in boss fights anymore. He looked up and then replied with a smile.
"Yeah, I will help you with a goal"
Asuna also thinking the same line as Naruto. Even right now she thinks how
to fight safely, to fight so that they will achieve a certain victory. She then glanced at Naruto and was sure he also thought like her. She nearly forgets one fact that the game was created to have fun and Yuuki knows better than her about that.
"Ok, let's give it a try" said Asuna with a smile.
Yuuki immediately widen her eyes in happiness hearing her response and clasped her hands and said.
"Arigato, Asuna" then she turned to Naruto"And you too Naruto".
"It's nothing really. I always help my friends when they are in need" said Naruto smiling foxily.
Asuna suddenly remembered something and decided to ask Yuuki.
"Ne, Yuuki. You duel so that you could find strong fighters to help your guild right?"
"Yes, that's right" answered Yuuki
"But if that is true then there were plenty of strong people out there. For example, the Spriggan in black clothes that was carrying two swords" said Asuna.
"Yeah, I remember him very well. But he won't do" replied Yuuki
"Why?" asked Naruto curiously.
"Because he had figured out my secret" answered Yuuki solemnly. Naruto narrowed his eyes at hearing that fact.
Asuna just blinked owlishly not really get what she said.
Time skip
"Ok, then we will meet here at 1:00 ok?" offered Asuna.
"Ok"
"Roger"
"Uhm, actually I maybe late a little by that time. I still need to make sure my girlfriend has recover. So if by that time I still not arrive just head to the boss room. I will catch up" said Naruto.
"Ok, Naruto" said Yuuki.
With that they all disband. Asuna decided to write a message to Kirito and the girls that she will explain everything later. Suddenly she felt the connection was out. Someone has yank the cord. Asuna opened her eyes in surprise in real work and saw her mother was standing in front of her with impassive face.
"Why did you do that kaa-san" asked Asuna clearly not pleased with her mother's action.
"I told you already. If you ever late for dinner using that machine again, I will cut the power" said Kyoko.
"I am sorry. I lost track of time. But it's not necessary for you to yank the cord. You could just shook me or shout in my ear and I will feel it" complained Asuna.
"Last time I did that it took 5 minutes for you to wake up. I actually don't understand why do you think that the real world is less important than that game of yours" said Kyoko with a sigh.
Asuna looked down and apologized silently.
"I am sorry. I will be careful next time"
"Don't let it repeat again. Next time if this still happen I will take your machine away" said Kyoko.
Asuna widen her eyes in horror then looked down helplessly. Then her mother said that she should have a dinner, but Asuna refused. Her mother just said do what you want and left her room. Asuna went to her wardrobe and wore the clothes and went out to refresh her mind.
Naruto's apartment
Naruto is sitting next to Shino and feeding her. When Shino has done he took her hand asked.
"How do you feel Shino-chan?"
Shino smiled gratefully at him and tighten the grip of his hand and said
"I am feeling better now. Thank you for feeding me, Naruto"
"You are welcome" said Naruto smiling.
"So did something happen while I am absent?" asked Shino curiosly.
"Well, I challenge both Zekken and nee-chan to the duel and won. Then I was dragged by Zekken to her guild and joined it" said Naruto.
"Anything else?"
"Tomorrow, I and nee-chan will help them to defeat the boss on 27th floor. They just really want to get their name of the memorial in the Black Iron Palace" said Naruto.
"Well, it's late already. I will go to sleep now. And Naruto?" said Shino.
"What?"
"I love you" said Shino with a soft and sincere smile.
Naruto smiled back at her than kissed her on the lips softly, separate and whispered
"And I love you too"
Shino smiled widely at that and fall to sleep. Naruto went out and closed the door softly.
Next day
Asuna has arrived at the Sleeping Knights HQ and everyone was already there except Naruto. They planned the attacking positions and head to the boss room.
Floor 27
Dungeon
Sleeping Knights members are going to the boss room with ease. They didn't have any problem with defeating the minions at all.
"Wow, everyone is so strong. I don't think we will even need Naruto for the boss fight" said Asuna. Yuuki just smiled proudly then decided to ask one thing that was on her mind since yesterday.
"Ne, Asuna? Why did Naruto call you nee-chan? Is he your brother? But he didn't resemble you at all"
"That is because Naruto is not actually my blood related brother. But even so I think of him like one" explained Asuna.
Suddenly she stopped Yuuki when she found something is not right ahead. She casted a speed that call a fish familiar and sent them ahead. Immediately there revealed three players hidden under a camouflage. Asuna narrowed her eyes at them. They immediately said that they are not here not fight. Asuna then said for them to drop their weapons to prove their point. They did just that. Asuna decided to ask.
"If you are not Pks then why need to hide?"
The Sylph of the group responded.
"We are waiting for someone. We didn't wanting to fight mobs so we decided to hide"
"Fine. We are here to fight the boss. So you guys could go now" said Asuna. The foreign party pretend to leave but the Sylph quickly cast a lizard and sent it to follow Sleeping Knights.
They opened the door to boss room and
went in not noticed that there was a mini lizard went in as well. When the door closed itself the torched began to lit up and the boss appeared. It was a huge ogre with two head, it also has four hands with hammers in the upper hands and the lower hands hold a chain. It began to roar loudly
"Alright, let's go" said Asuna.
"Yeah" said everyone with that they charged at the boss.
Time skip
The party has failed to defeat the boss and was forced to return back.
"Oh, man we lost completely. What the heck is that attack. It's not fair nor at all" complained Nori while shaking the poor Talken.
"Not only that, bit his defense is powerful too. Is it work in pattern?" wondered Tecchi.
"And we tried so hard too" muttered Yuuki. Suddenly she was yank to Asuna.
"I wondered if Naruto was with us. Would we have won?" wondered Nori tapping her chin.
"Everyone get here quickly" said Asuna with a serious face
Everybody looked at her in surprise but still approach her.
"You remember the three guys before we went to the boss room right? Those guys are scouts for guilds that fight bosses and also spies on other parties to report back the the guild about the information they gathered. When we were fighting the boss I noticed a mini lizard on the floor. They had been using us" explained Asuna.
"So that's why after our fight with the 25 and 26th floor bosses were so easy to defeat" Yuuki realized in grieve
"Yes, they had been using you guys to reveal the bosses weakness and attack patterns" said Asuna.
"And this time, we was used as well?" wondered Siune in grimace
"No. Not necessary. The time is still too short for a large guild to build a necessary party to confront the boss. We will return the boss room before they could gather the party" said Asuna. At that Yuuki began to smile widely
Floor 27
Dungeon
Sleeping Knights has decided to return the boss room but when they were in front of the boss room there were plenty of players there already. Asuna walked to the big guy that was nearest to then and asked.
"Excuse me. But could you guys move aside. We'd like to challenge the boss here"
"Sorry. But this place is off limits right now" answered the guy.
"And why is that?" asked Asuna with narrowed eyes. She deduced that those three guys has already report to their guild and right now are waiting for their boss hunt party.
"Our guild is about to fight the boss. We are getting ready. So you guys just wait here for a while" said the guy.
'Just as I thought' thought Asuna angrily. "For a while? How long?"
"Well, an hour or so... I don't really sure. It depends how strong the boss is" replied the guy while tapping his chin in thought.
"An hour? We don't have time to wait. If you guys are going in right now is the other matter, but you guys just waiting right now. So let us through if not challenging the boss" retort Asuna.
"Sorry. But we can't. The order from the top. If you have a problem with that just go the the guild HQ and discuss that with the leaders. Our guild is in Ig City." said the guy.
"It will take an hour to get there. We don't have time to waste" complained Asuna. Yuuki put her hand on her shoulder then step forward and said.
"Hey, you. In other words no matter what we say you won't move right?"
"Well, basically, yeah" said the guy a little nervous now.
"Ok. Fine, then" said Yuuki and began to unsheathe her blade preparing for PK." You guys leave me no choice. Let's fight then"
Everybody widens their eyes in surprise at her decision.
"W-wait Yuuki. That's-" retort Asuna, but Yuuki interrupt her.
"Asuna, sometimes the problem could only be solve through fighting" said Yuuki then turn her head back a little looking at her guild members." I am sure that they also felt the same"
Sleeping Knights began to smirk and preparing for PK.
"These guys are willing to protect this place down to the last men. Is that right?" asked Yuuki with a smile.
"We are.." The guy tried to negotiate
"Go ahead. Draw your sword" said Yuuki with a serious look.
The guy was hesitate to fight her and was about to make a move. Yukon leaps forward and slash him to the chest. The guy was about to raise his axe to attack but Yuuki was faster. She deflected the strike and used Quadruple Pain to send the guy to the ground.
"T-that wasn't fair. It was a surprise attack" complained the down guy.
With that everyone preparing for the fight. One of the guy heard a foot steps that was about to approach here and smirked.
"Oh, no. The reinforcements has arrive" Nori said worriedly.
"Sorry, Asuna. For getting you in this mess. But I don't regret it" said Yuuki.
Asuna looked back and suddenly saw a black portal appears. She smirked and said.
"Don't worry. Our trump card also has arrived"
The reinforcement decided to stop as they were curios what is that appears in front of them all of a sudden.
From the black portal, Naruto stepped out with an arrogant smirk. The Sleeping Knights members began to cheer loudly. Naruto turned back to his comrades and apologized.
"Sorry, I am late" then he turned back to the reinforcements and said.
"Sorry, but as of this moment this place is off limits. If you want to get in. Defeat me first"
Kirito that was still in the middle of the crowd sighed and then smirked.
'That Naruto, always like to show off. He will never change'
The reinforcements began to feel nervous as in front of them was the legend of the VRMMO, Naruto the Battousai himself.