Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Log Horizon. This is a fanfiction used to help with my writing skills and the fact I enjoy writing stories like these. All I own is the ideas used to make this fanfiction and explore Log Horizon and Naruto in a different way. Also, don't own any of the games and anime I make reference to in this story, but still got to give homage to video games since this is technically a video game fanfiction as well.
Las Boss looked forward, too focused on his thoughts to enjoy the colors of the setting sun. The night beginning to nip the sky with a bit of purple.
It worked, so I now have to hurry and finish it before Kurama runs out of time. Las Boss thought, going through various bits of information he remembered through the ages. The issues now is getting him a physical form. Possibly use a fake body to give me more time? The problem is I have no idea how this body separates health and mana in this world. Could I even make a fake body in time? Even with successfully summoning Kurama out of the seal in his mind, Las Boss knew it was incomplete. The fact he got damage and Kurama disappeared when the time limit finished showed that much. Ah, maybe looking into revival items and spells might help me. Since they cover HP, maybe I can make an artificial body-
"Aeh..." Las Boss gasped, gripping his chest. Pain began to flood his body from his chest. Dammit. It hurts. A lot. Is this backlash?
"[ ]-kun?" Naruko asked, her voice filled with confusion.
What is this pain coming from? Las Boss thought before realizing his consciousness fading. Shit! Don't tell me!
"Gi..." Las Boss threw his reins over his head, hearing Naruko gasped. He leaned down, now heaving with his lungs getting heavy. His throat feeling like it was constricting and his lungs burning. A heart attack? Is it going to take me only or is it taking both of us?
"[ ]-kun! Are you alright?" Naruko shouted, the griffon jerking for a moment. "Shit! [ ]-kun, stay with me," The griffon shifted around before stabilizing itself.
Good. She can fly it. She won't die if I really croak here. Las Boss thought before closing his eyes. He opened them again to find himself on his knees before Kurama. The fox wheezing and withering in pain.
"Brat... I think... It's my time..." Kurama gasped. Las Boss looked around, seeing the white space having devoured what was left of his old mind and now taking over the cage. However, there were odd circuit markings now shooting off the cage and into the white space.
"Shit... Seems I might be going with you." Las Boss said before looking at his status windows. "What?" Las Boss gasped, seeing his HP was fine. In fact, it's base limit was going up along with his MP's with his current HP and MP staying. Is that why I am hurting so much? Wait, don't tell me it's giving me Kurama's health and mana!
"It's... giving you... My chakra..." Kurama said, a grin forming. "Your spell..." Las Boss quickly opened his spell menu and chuckled.
"This might be rough, but I only got one chance at this!" Las Boss shouted, pulling out his staff. "It's going to be you or me, maybe both of us, but I won't let you die without trying!" Las Boss shouted, a large magic circle appearing beneath Kurama. If I apply the concept of what I do know of resurrection and healing spells and healing jutsu and combined the two spells I did before.
"Force Summon: Artificial Resurrection!" Las Boss shouted, green light engulfing the large fox before him. "Yes! Huh?" Las Boss blinked, seeing Kurama's body beginning to static before him and saw on the menu's Kurama's HP and MP depleting at a parabolic rate. "No! That's not what it is supposed to do! Dammit! Heal!" Las Boss shouted, unleashing a healing spell, but was shocked with getting an error message before him. "Nani? What kind of crap is this!" Las Boss screamed, trying to use any healing spell.
"Heh heh..." Kurama weakly chuckled with the Druid. "It seems… this is the end… The world is keeping you from...stopping it." Kurama smiled, seeing Las Boss try to open his travelling chest, but even the drawers would not open. He kept getting an error message.
"Ha ha ha." Las Boss began to laugh, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry... If I hadn't used Force Summon. You would have..."
"Don't care... I got to taste... a bit... of what this... world had to offer." Kurama gave Las Boss a gentle smiling. Las Boss was shocked when the fox softly tapped his head with one of its claws. "And... sorry for... you having... to feel... my pain... I am... thankful I met you... See you once... you finally... Truly die like me… In the afterlife..."
"Huh?" Las Boss asked before the water beside him splashed him. He looked to his side, seeing Kurama's claw next to him. "K-Kurama?" Las Boss asked, looking back at the fox.
The cage was completely gone. Only a massive orb of red with circuit like markings coming off it and turning blue while going into the white space and connecting his memories together. Kurama was motionless, his eyes closed and peaceful expression on his face. "K-Kurama?" Las Boss asked again, touching the huge paw. He found it cold and lifeless. "Kurama!" Las Boss shouted while standing up, looking at his screen to see Kurama's status window flashing death over his HP and MP. Both bars were empty.
"Nature Revive!" Las Boss roared, unleashing his class's revival spell. However, Kurama's body did not even glow. The spell did not take effect with another error message. "Dammit. Kurama, don't-" Las Boss's eyes widen as Kurama's body suddenly broke apart like electronic static. "No." Las Boss watched as the bits of static dissolved away.
Las Boss collapsed back to his knees. The pain going through his body as the markings on his body glowed and shifted did not register to him. "Kurama... He's..." Las Boss slumped down. "Heh... Heh... He's gone... Ha ha ha ha!" Las Boss erupted in a roar of laughter that quickly turned to sobs.
"It's the same thing over and over again! Las Boss screamed, slamming his fists on the invisible ground. "Why? Why! WHY! Why can't I stop this damn cycle? No matter how hard I try, no matter how powerful or weak I am, why those I care about the must suffer due to me!" Las Boss went into rampage as he continued to hit anything he could before completely collapsing to the ground in sobs again.
"Why?... I was prepared to die in his place... Why did it not work? I knew the slight hope of us splitting into two was not going to work, that's why I forcibly did it..." Las Boss whined, heaving between words. "I... bent the rules!...No, broke the rules of the world!... The spell should have been fooled...Aaaaaah!" Las Boss screamed, unable to speak anymore. He could barely breath from the pain and fury, only sobbing gasps came out his mouth.
I broke this world's rules... It should have killed me with being the bigger threat... At least I got to enjoy my bit of my dream world... Kurama... Did not deserve this… Not after what every reincarnation has done to him... The real pain finally reached Las Boss and he gasped. He looked up to see his HP and MP. His base HP was now 105,230 with his MP reaching right at 2,954,500. His level even went up to ninety-two.
I... gained experience from Kurama? Las Boss thought before laughing between his sobs before looking closer to where Kurama was. That can't be, Las Boss crawled, biting his lips in pain before finding what he saw in his teat blurred eyes. "I-It-ems?" LasBoss gasped, picking up several items. Scrolls? Claws? Fur? Bone?... Heh.. He's really dead... He's really gone... for good...He even dropped items like monsters and players who died... Las Boss found his sight fading before his eyes widen.
"AAAAAIIIIIIEEEE!" Las Boss screamed, gripping his head as the pain suddenly increased. The red and blue marking suddenly began to pull back towards the orb. His memories going along with the markings. Nani! What's happening? Don't tell me the world is punishing me by wiping my memories! Las Boss managed to look at the orb and was shocked as within it a small seed appear pulsing in the orb.
"A… seed?" Las Boss whimpered, hitting the ground as his body finally began to shut down from the pain. As his vision began to fade to black, he saw the seed burst, erupting into a growing tree. Ah… Is that… Shinju? I haven't… Finish writing… The back story for the quests… Mimicking Dad's past… Las Boss thought, seeing apples appearing on the tree just before darkness completely engulfed him.
"Delicious!" Las Boss opened his eyes, flinching as his body deeply ached. "What is this? This is fantastic!" Naotsugu voice spiked the headache forming in Las Boss's head.
"My lord, how do I describe this? It's absolute bliss!" Las Boss sat up, finding his body able to move, every muscle and bone protesting in the process. He found he was laying on a sleeping bag inside a tent.
"Nyahaha. There is still more, nya." He opened the flap some to see Shiroe, Naotsugu, and Akatsuki eating in pure joy while Nyanta stood before a grill making kabobs. Naruko and Serara chatting while helping preparing side dishes, giggling at the sight before them.
Ah, Nyanta is a chef. They must have realized he could cook food with taste. Las Boss thought, smiling at the joyful scene before him. Ah… Let's see. Do I still have my memories? Let's see two major ones. Asuka? Yep. Hashirama? Check, much to my annoyance. My last reincarnation, [Na ]. Las Boss's eyes widen in shock. I can remember part of the label?... And part of the memories I cataloged as blocked are back… Ah! Thank goodness! I now remember what my main character of my webmanga looks like!
"Wi…" Las Boss whispered, That's right! I based Menma off my role playing at the academy to hide my distaste with the academy! Though he's not exact to my appearance, he's close to what I look like...But I still have no exact remembrance of my [Na ] reincarnation… Wait, why I am now referring to myself as my last reincarnation? Las Boss pondered before the joyful chatter brought him back to reality.
He looked at the group, focusing on the fire the grill was over. Ah… How selfish of me to be thinking of myself right now. I need to give my brother a proper funeral. Las Boss stood up, activating Nature Walk with his hot key. He moved out of the camp, slowly walking into the woods as his body kept protesting, wanting him to laid down and rest.
I can't spoil their fun. They deserve that joy with succeeding in the quest. Las Boss thought, looking through his item menu. Though… Should I stay with them once we reach Akiba? My curse from every lifetime is still with me. How else would Kurama die in a world where many are able to revive?
Las Boss found a small open area with a large tree. He opened his magic bag, putting out a slab of wood and woodworking tools. This is wood cut from enchanted trees from the Fairy King's orchard. It should stand the test of time. Las Boss though, sitting down and beginning to shape the wood.
I don't think I can handle hurting anymore people, even if it is emotionally done. Las Boss sighed, remembering now the reason he quit the academy. He just couldn't keep up the role of the strong headed, fool hearted kid wanting to become Hokage. Sure, he really did suck at jutsu with his chakra control shot, but he purposely wanted to try and empathize with others his age and kept his knowledge of the past tucked away. He wanted to be a kid, he wanted to enjoy life like the others.
But, when you realize you're labels is what everyone sees you as, not so much yourself… It's too much. Las Boss looked at his handy work. A simple wooden tombstone marker with Kurama's name on it. A simple ninetail fox craving at the top. He stood up, jabbing the bottom end into the ground just before the tree. The instant I let others see the real me, they get hurt and confused. Even Slow-mo Shika got mad at me and hence we stopped playing games after I showed a little of my true self instead of the person everyone thought [Na ] to be. Las Boss pulled out several incense from his bag. I wonder if these will work as they are technically decorations for rooms. Las Boss sighed, snapping his finger for a flame top appear on the end of his finger tip. He put the incense into the ground, putting the flame to the ends to get the smoke going while kneeling down.
"Ie!" Las Boss shook his hand, making the flame go out and see his finger tip red. Still putting too little mana to the finger tip to protect it. Though, finger lighter is still handy. Las Boss thought, sucking on his finger to cool it off. Ah, they do work like real incense. Las Boss sighed, smelling the gentle scent from the incense before him.
He clapped his hands together while kneeling before the grave. Please rest in peace Kurama. You did not deserve this… I might see how I could revive you, but even I understand the rules of this world for NPCs is permadeath… I apologize for not realizing you were sealed inside my last reincarnation and was not able to save you in time so you could enjoy this world. Las Boss said a prayer in his head before hearing footsteps behind him.
"Oie, oie! [Na ]!" Naotsugu said in a mocking tone. "Don't scare us like that. We thought you got a one way trip back to Susukino!"
"...Sensei?" Akatsuki asked, though he focused on the grave before him.
They came at the worse time! Las Boss thought, trying his best to keep the tears back. Ah, what do I say? I can't tell them what happened! It would spoil their happiness of the well deserved success!
"Akatsuki, can I have the kabobs you are holding?" Las Boss flinched with hearing Shiroe's voice.
Shit! Of course my fellow Four-Eyes figured it out! Las Boss thought, hearing Shiroe footsteps before looking to his side to see the Enchanter kneeling down next to him. He put a plate of kabobs before the grave.
"What are you going to do, my lord?" Akatsuki asked as Shiroe did a quick prayer before the stone as well.
"Shiroe, why are you..." Naotsugu stopped in his tracks.
And I ruined it. I should have done the funeral farther away. Las Boss let out a small sigh.
"You should have a last meal to say goodbye to him." Shiroe offer one of the kabobs to Las Boss, picking it up from the offerings before the grave.
Las Boss took the kabob and took a weak bite out of it. Nyanta's cooking is great! He trembled before taking another bite and chewing. But… Kurama won't be able to taste this good food… He will never be able to eat with me… He never got the chance to eat. Tears began to fall from his cheeks as he ripped into the meat. "Ehp... W..." Las Boss collapsed to his knees and began to wail, shocking everyone but Shiroe.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Serara panicked voice alerted to Las Boss that everyone was there, not just the three who came with him.
"Sensei?" Akatsuki asked with deep concern in her voice.
"[Na ], is that a grave?" Naotsugu asked, though confused by why his comrade made a grave. "And who's Kurama?"
"Kurama?" Naruko asked before gasping at the grave. "W-Why did you make a grave for the Fox?"
She knows of Kurama? Las Boss thought, trying to fight back his tears. She's can't remember the title he was called either? So is the filter affect more than just me?
"His summoning spell technically broke the rules." Shiroe said, putting his hand on Las Boss's back. "With summoning companions for Druids, you learn the skill as you increase in level or make the contract for special ones. If you take the concept from Summoners, they have to defeat and form a contact with the creature they want to summon. He went around it and tried using the spell to free Kurama and possibly stop Kurama's death… But, you were prepared to be the one to take the real death, correct?" Shiroe said, his stone cold voice not matching the friendly rubbing Las Boss felt on his back.
Of course, Shiroe would see through me. We been able to see through our real selves since we first met on the forums. Las Boss opened his mouth, "..H..." Las Boss gasped between the sobs, his lungs still burning.
"If I guess correctly from what Naruko-san told me, this world was rejecting Kurama with being a beast of pure chakra and too powerful for even Adventurers to fight." Las Boss weakly nodded, trying to gain control over his sobs. "You were aiming for the world to eliminate you and let Kurama have your place, possibly making him just like a normal player." Shiroe sighed with getting another nod from the Druid.
"...Suicide fes-No! You were committing suicide?" Naotsugu shouted.
"Boss-chi always has a good reason for doing something, nya." Nyanta said before doing a small prayer for the grave as well with Las Boss looking at him. "Though, even I agree this is a bit much, Boss-chi. Killing yourself will never solve anything, nya.
"Sensei... " Akatsuki frowned as Las Bos looked back to see everyone remorseful and sad.
"[Na ]-kun..." Naruko weakly said, frowning and looking away.
I ruined the mood… It's best I explain why. Las Boss managed a sigh between his sobs before making a text box appear above his head. [HE HAD WORSE]. Las Boss watched as it quickly disappeared after appearing for a second or two. Ah, I guess I am more upset than my thoughts seem.
"Who had it worse?" Serara asked, though sniffling with tears going down her cheeks.
"Kurama, right?" Las Boss nodded at Shiroe, rubbing his eyes to try to get the tears to stop. "He did not know your plans, huh?"
[I NOT WANT KNOW. IF I LEARN SOONER.] Las Boss's sobs came back with vengeance. Out of my life times, why have I never figured out a way to reverse time back? So I could prevent all this from happening to begin with?
"You did not have enough time to properly perfect to make it work, right? To save him?" Shiroe sighed, rubbing Las Boss's back to try and help him calm down. "You found out about Kurama when you were knocked out in the Depths of Palms. He was already dying, then." Shiroe said, not needing Las Boss to answer as he kept sobbing.
I also didn't want you guys to know. That death can still happen to this world. Though, that might be clear with the NPCs. They are just as human as us. Las Boss grimaced. He hated being the one to break people down, to destroy their happiness and fun. Why can't even a real game world allow people to be happy when they deserve it? My friends don't deserve to be sad after saving the noob and Naruko. The students who got trapped here with me don't deserve to be slaves. Kurama didn't deserve to die.
"The Fox... had it worse than you?" Naruko asked, genuinely confused. "But, you were shunned by the villagers and-" Las Boss snapped, standing up and glaring right at Naruko.
[TELL ME. BEING DENIED YOUR RIGHT AS AN INTELLIGENT BEING? TO IMPRISONED OVER COUNTLESS CENTURIES? TO BE JUST USED AS A TOOL? HOW IS THAT BETTER THAN JUST BEING SHUNNED?] Las Boss asked in his textbox as tears still went down his cheeks.
"So the Kyuubi lied-"
[HE DID NOT AS I SEEN IT FOR MYSELF OVER AND OVER AGAIN! SOMETIMES BEING THE VERY ONE SEALING HIM! I PLAYED THAT DAMN SHIT GAME OVER AND OVER AGAIN ALL THE WHILE MAKING OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES WORSE INCLUDING KURAMA! HE IS JUST AS HUMAN AS ALL OF US. CAN YOU NOT BLAME HIM FOR HATING HUMANS?] Las Boss looked back at the grave and give one more prayer to it. Calm down, Boss… You'll only end up hurting people.
"[Na ]-kun... I'm sorry." Naruko bowed her head in apologize.
Las Boss got up, slightly swaying and notice the shocked and confused faces of the others. Ah, oops, let that slip. He noticed Naruko had tears in her eyes, slightly trembling in fear. After a few shaky breaths, another box appeared. [IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, NARUKO. IT IS THIS SHIT GAME THAT IS LIFE. I AM SORRY FOR SCARING YOU.] Naruko nodded, though moving back some from him.
[THAT'S WHY I DID NOT MIND GIVING UP MY LIFE TO LET HIM LIVE. HE DESERVED A SECOND CHANCE IN THIS WORLD MORE THAN ME. A GAME ADDICT WHO ONLY CARES ABOUT SOLVING CHALLENGES AND HELPING THOSE AROUND ME EVEN IF I KILL MYSELF JUST TO ATONE WHAT I DID IN THE PAST. I KNOW I HAVE NO VALUE TO BEGIN WITH, HENCE WHY THE OLD WORLD REJECTED ME SO HARD WITH A CURSE. EVEN IF I DID NOT HAVE KURAMA WITHIN ME, IT WOULD BE THE SAME. JUST LIKE EVERY TIME BEFORE.] Las Boss sighed, looking up at the moon. If I was never born, then this whole mess would have never started in the first place. Maybe Kurama and his siblings would have lived far better lives without my brother and I to taking on Dad's powers.
"You're not worthless!" Naotsugu shouted, stomping his foot right in the back of Las Boss's head. Las Boss grunted, hitting the tree before him face first. "Ah, sorry... Not trying to do a Stomp Festival!" Naotsugu helped Las Boss off the tree, his nose slightly bleeding while glaring at the Guardian. "But, you're not worthless at all! You're a mighty Druid who has always been my pal. You pull off the best OP Troll festival."
"T-That's right!" Akatsuki shouted with a stutter. "You are my honorable Sensei. A true ninja. I learned so much from you, Sensei. And I want to learn more and support you like my lord."
"Ep?" Las Boss blinked, confused at their outbursts. Why are they saying that? Even after teasing them so they would keep a distance from me? Las Boss thought, trying to figure out what was going on. He always acted as a bad guy in Elder Tales so people would never get close. He was tired of rejection with his last reincarnation and wanted as few connections with people as possible. Just enough to not be lonely, but not enough to be full on friends. Yet, they still see me as a friend?
"Boss-chi, you always had value in yourself, nya. You just never seen it due to doubting yourself, my man." Nyanta explained, his voice calm and caring like a father. "Though, it is the adult's job to guide the young and help them find themselves. Sadly, it seems the adults of your community have neglected to do so for you. Naruko-chi told us of what those who have chakra beast sealed in them go through, nya. I will gladly be that adult to help you out if you need any, nya." Nyanta petted Las Boss's head.
"Y-Yes! You not worthless!" Serara shouted with a beet red face. "I'm sorry! But, thank you so much for saving me! Same for Shiroe! Thank you so much! I'm sorry," Serara bowed repeatedly, adding apologies to it.
"Huh? B-But I didn't do anything special." Shiroe rejected, not expecting Serara to speak up.
"They are right, [Na ]-kun." Everyone looked at Naruko. "You are a brilliant person who has been always getting the short end of the stick in the old world. You have far more worth to yourself than you think. In fact, so much so that the organization I work for was planning to hold off on extracting Fox-I mean, Kurama-san from you."
"Wait… What?" Shiroe asked, everyone looking at Naruko in confusion.
Wait, don't tell me Naruko is one of those two weirdoes that have been spying on me before we got stuck here? I think [ ] Itachi and [ ] Kisame… Wait, why can't I remember their last names?
"Ah, yes.. Sorry. I'll explain who I am a bit later. It is just I was a ninja spying on [Na ]-kun after the organization I was with managed to discover his spy network and wanted to know more. Not that I was able to gather much as [Na ]-kun is quite good considering he's not an official ninja." Naruko said, slightly blushing while looking away while playing with her fingers.
Her personality does not match either one… Oh, shoot! Las Boss tried to walk, but his knees gave out. Shiroe caught him before he hit the ground. She's both of them! I technically destroy their life here as well with them sharing the body of a girl!. "Hie?" Las Boss asked, Why do you still care for me when I keep ruining people's happiness and lives? Just like Kurama and Naruko? I'm so confused.
"Because we are your friends." Shiroe said, holding onto his friend tightly to keep him from hitting the ground. Las Boss looked at him, thinking for a moment the Mage read his thoughts. "In fact, to me, you're my best friend. Without you, playing Elder Tales would not be as fun for me. Heck, it's not as fun to play Elder Tales alone. It's when you have friends to adventure that it is the most exciting. Even with it now reality." Shiroe looked at the others who smiled back at them, even Naruko. "Kurama knew that, too. He was probably happy with just that moment of freedom. And that you cared to let him have it. Even he saw value in you and wanted you to live." Shiroe watched as Las Boss began to sob again.
"Ei... Ei... Tha... U." Las Boss spoke, his voice barely audible before he cried his heart out. Maybe I should stop running away from people. Maybe that's is the cause of my pain. Just trying to keep so little friends and love ones to keep away from pain. Though, I got to save those classmates of mine and make it up to them. As well as Naruko.
"No problem! That's are what friend do. As well as enjoy panties!-Ow!" Naotsugu held his ribs, wishing he was wearing his armor he had left in camp. Akatsuki ground her elbow deep into his ribs.
"Shut it, Bakatsugu," Akatsuki hissed. "This is sacred ground. Be respectful for the dead."
"Then don't hit me," Naotsugu growled before realizing something. "Wait... Won't this Kurama revive like us?" Las Boss shook his head, making everyone but Shiroe and Naruko pale.
"He was a NPC," Shiroe stated, getting a nod from Las Boss to prove his suspicions. "NPCs don't revive like us Adventurers." Everyone took in what Shiroe said as he rubbed Las Boss's back.
Even though Adventurers can revive, they still feel the pain of death. The NPCs are no longer just random characters that speak premade lines. They are real people just like us. Las Boss thought as the group began to head back to the camp. Shiroe helping Las Boss walk as his body wanted to finally hit the hay and rest. And hence, if you get to know them. You also form bonds with them. You will mourn for them when they die and can't come back like your other friends… But, maybe I am just grim from seeing it happen over and over again from my past lives. Las Boss thought, looking at his friends with a sad smile.
Las Boss became a Druid so he could heal his friends and keep them from dying when Elder Tales was a game. Yet, he couldn't even save the one person who needed his healing spells the most. I'm horrible… But, maybe, I can be my friends' lousy Druid and try to protect them. And maybe see if I can make up for Kurama's death with either finding a way to revive NPCs or even revive Kurama. Las Boss chuckled before finally passing out, hearing Shiroe panic and hitting the ground with being able to hold his weight.