Hey everyone! Thunderito here and welcome to the sixth chapter of Naruto: The Shadow Blade! This chapter features the fight on the 50th Floor. On with the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Sword Art Online. They belong to their respective owners.
Chapter 6: An Outcome of Pain
Boss Room
It was time. Time for half of the game to finally be cleared. All the preparations had been made. Each player stood outside the Boss room, armed to the teeth and ready for battle. They had gathered 75 players for this event, all of them the highest Level clearers of SAO. It was a massive Raid, as it was one of the first times where more than 60 people had gathered. Asuna's calculations on the Party's came true, while she gained an Extra Tank Party and an Extra Long Range Assault Party. Naruto, Kirito and Asuna formed a party of their own, being support and Command and were called Group X. Speaking of which, they were right in front of the door, waiting to go 11:59 am. They had four minutes left. Asuna smirked "This will be just like old times." she said, causing the two boys to smirk as well.
The last time they teamed up like this was at the Third Floor Boss battle. After that, Kirito left as a solo player, with Naruto joining him at the Fifth Floor. Asuna joined the KoB, while the two travelled on their own, grinding and completing missions. Kirito and Asuna mostly saw each other on meetings. Naruto, on the other hand, saw both of them at least once a week. He saw Kirito when they tag teamed to grind and Asuna during tasks. They had all progressed very far. Asuna had reached Level 47, Kirito Level 45 and Naruto Level 53. They each had gone very far. Naruto eventually gave up on curved blades, having gained the Katana skill and switched to Japanese Swords, while still keeping the Straight Sword Skill and Martial Arts. He had progressed the Light Metal Equipment, while also adding Battle Healing, Hiding, Searching and Parry, complimenting his grinding. The group were currently talking of their strategy, deciding to keep the same strategy as always of switching, unless it proved to be useless.
They were stopped when Asuna's alarm showed up, saying it was 11:59. She coughed loudly, everyone turning to look at her. "Alright everyone! It is time! After this battle, we will have shown all who feel too weak or too powerless to join us, that hope still exists! We will defeat this Buddha abomination and emerge victorious!" she said, as men started banging their blades on their shields and their spears on the ground. "You're all the best Clearers of SAO. You have all bled, fought and lost friends, so that the day can come when we go back to our world, when we avenge them! Fight! Let us defeat this boss and be halfway done. Halfway done… with Sword Art Online!" she said, as many cheered. Naruto clapped "Smooth." he said, getting a playful glare from Asuna, while Kirito opened the room. As they entered, Kirito spoke "Into the belly of the beast.", with Naruto responding "And out of the demon's ass." he said, as they made their way into the darkness.
As the entire group entered, Asuna spoke "Tanks, in front, Short Assault in the rears, Long Assault behind Tanks." she said, as they followed her command, albeit with difficulty through the darkness. Suddenly, the room lit up, as torches appeared on the pillars, illuminating the red brick room with a dim, purple light. Suddenly, a Buddha statue appeared. It was tall, standing at 15 feet. It was made of black metal, with purple lines glowing with energy, going all over his body and appearing to come from two purple jewels, a large one on his chest and a small one on his forehead. It had six arms, each holding a pitch-black longsword with grey edges. It approached them slowly, as Asuna raised her arm "On my mark… go!" she yelled lowering it, as the players roared and charged. The battle for the 50th floor had begun.
"Group A and B! Hold the line! Group J and K! Attack! Group E and F, go behind him and attack his legs! Group X, attack the jewels!" she said, as the players followed her commands. The tanks raised their shields, holding the line with difficulty, against the rapid attacks. Whenever it went close, the players would use spears to push it back, while the close range fighters attacked the legs. Kirito went under it and started to climb it using skills to attack his back, while Naruto rushed ahead. He jumped on one blade, before jumping high in the air and diving on the chest, swinging his Nodachi at the jewel, before starting to spin, hitting the sides of the boss like a buzzsaw as he descended into the ground. Kirito climbed his neck, jumped on his head, the jumped to the ground, while lowering his sword, striking from the jewel to the stomach, forming a thin line. The statue roared, releasing from his body a sonic wave that pushed everyone back. Naruto sent his palm to the ground, ascending into the air to gain his balance back, as he skidded to the ground. 'This is going bad.' he thought.
They had been fighting the boss for half an hour and it proved to be the hardest battle they fought so far. The power of the boss seemed unreal. With two direct hits to the chest or head, it could kill any player. It was strong enough to clear through a wall of Tanks when it used an attack that slammed all 6 blades to the ground simultaneously. And for a 15 feet tall Buddha made of Black Steel, it was incredibly fast as well, swinging the blades like they weighted nothing. The more blades he used, the higher the attacks became. They only depleted one HP bar, with the Buddha now using three blades at the same time instead of two. Naruto assumed by the time he would reach red, he would use all six blades at once. He didn't want to think about it, as they had lost already 6 people, 3 Tanks two Long Attackers and One Short Attacker. He didn't want to think about what would happen by then, not at all.
He turned to Asuna "Asuna! This isn't working well! We need to change tactics! They're too cramped in!" he yelled, as she nodded. She turned "Everyone! Scatter! Tank Parties split in groups of three and move around, blocking attacks! Attackers do the same, but attack him when you get the chance! Circle him, make him attack randomly, create openings!" he said, as they nodded, instantly switching the tactics.
This tactic proved far more successful in dealing damage. The Buddha had to keep spinning, using his blades to attack the circling players, creating many openings, giving Attackers the chance to cause lots of damage. Kirito and Asuna used the Switch tactic, attacking his back, while Naruto sneaked upon his chest, repeatedly striking his chest, as the Tanks used their Howl ability on full force to keep the Boss focused on them, as Naruto's attacks steadily and surely dropped his Health. "We got this!" yelled Asuna, seeing only the last bar remaining after 40 minutes "Hang on a while longer!" she said, as the players roared, attacking with more vigor. Naruto turned "Asuna, Kirito, get in front!" he said, as they nodded. They came, noticing the large scars that Naruto caused. He jumped forward, stabbing the boss's chin, as it roared, with Asuna and Kirito doing a barrage on his chest, while the players used their strongest attacks on his lower parts, as it helplessly stabbed his five blades at five players, causing them to die. Naruto saw it and growled, twisting the blade, before removing the entire chin, as a humongous rοar sent them all flying, just before Asuna pierced his chest, causing his health to go red. His blades started glowing, along with his eyes, as purple aura smoke came from his purple lines. He rushed at Asuna, swinging his blade, as she blocked it, only to be in vein as she was sent flying, crashing into a wall.
"ASUNA!" yelled Naruto, as he rushed at her side, Kirito following. He held her in his arms, as she groaned in pain, her health almost gone. He widened his eyes, before giving her his last potion, tears falling from his eyes. Kirito appeared at his side, as he started clenching his teeth. "Kirito guard her, tell everyone to fall back." he said, his voice full of malice. Kirito gave her a potion, turning to him "Naru-" " NOW !" he yelled, causing Kirito to gulp and nod. He turned "Everyone! Fall back! Get away from the boss!" he yelled, as they nodded and fell back, with Naruto firing a throwing pick at the statue, turning the hate to him. He slowly rose, gripping his sword tightly, as his eyes became icy-blue, Killing intent rising from his body. He roared, charging the boss on his own, ignoring Kirito's cries.
He swiftly approached the boss, as it stabbed it's blades at his position, Naruto leaping into the air, twisting his body to dodge two more blades, before kicking the 5th blade, blocking the final with his Nodachi, as he used the power behind the kick to come before the statue's face. With a roar, he stabbed the jewel, jumping directly upon the head. With a roar, he started swinging his sword furiously at the top of the Buddha's head. Each swing, each thrust, each followed the picture of an almost dead Asuna. 'Faster. Faster!' he though, increasing the speed and carving deep enough to hit the jewel. 'Faster! For Asuna!' he thought, roaring and stabbing the jewel from inside the head, as cracks appeared, before an explosion of purple light destroyed the entire head, as Naruto jumped to the floor. In mid-air, however, he noticed the boss had a single HP bar left, as it's blades dropped to the ground and it punched Naruto, sending him flying. "Naruto!" yelled Kirito, catching him. Agil and Klein started using potions on him, as Kirito narrowed his eyes, rushing at the boss. With a roar, he stabbed the jewel on his chest using Vertical Square, splitting the last jewel in four parts, before the Buddha roared one final time, disappearing in green particles.
Naruto groaned, rising slowly. He saw everyone tending to wounded. 'What happened?' he thought. 'I was fighting the boss and… Asuna!' his eyes widened. He rose from the ground, looking around frantically. He saw her to the side, Kirito next to her. He rushed at her and hugged her, as she looked surprised. She could hear him sobbing and smiling, she held his head "I am here." she whispered. "I thought I lost you. I am sorry. I wanted to protect you." he said, crying. Tears started falling down her eyes as well "Don't cry Naruto-kun. Please don't cry." she said, sending a look to Kirito. Kirito nodded and gently helped her and Naruto stand "Naruto, I realise your pain, but we need to deal with the raid now." he said, as he nodded, letting go and wiping his tears. They turned, seeing the players in the room. They had lost 22 players, one of their biggest losses yet. Players all around them cried for the loss of their brothers. 3 KoB members, 5 DDA, 2 Solo Players and 12 members from random guilds died. Luckily, none of the Fuurinkazan members died, or people they knew personally.
Naruto turned to Kirito, who was checking an item. He looked over it and his eyes widened "Elucidator… you got the Last Hit didn't you?" he asked as he nodded. "This blade is incredible, but my STR isn't enough to wield it." he said, getting a nod. Naruto checked it's stats "700 Attack, 1350 Durability, 750 Weight, 28+ Agility and 45+ Strength. This sword is probably one of the five best blades you can get in SAO from Monster or Player." he muttered. Kirito smirked "Perfect for the battles to come." he said, Naruto nodding in return. He looked at his own Nodachi. He sighed putting it back and taking out a simple Wakizashi, holding it around his waist.
They turned as Asuna stood in the center of the room. With a sigh she spoke "We won. But the price was heavy. You have three days to weep your fallen ones. After that, we need to start clearing the floor. I shall activate the Teleportation Crystals." she said, going up the stairs to the 51st Floor. Naruto frowned, looking at Asuna's back. He went back to the 50th Floor without a word, his eyes hidden behind his bangs, as Kirito looked at him. "What's wrong?" asked Agil, appearing next to Kirito along with Klein. "Asuna almost died and Naruto snapped." he said, as Klein looked sad "Leave him for a while. If you feel something is wrong, search for him." he said, getting a nod.
51st Floor
Naruto was currently observing the 51st Floor. It was a floor with 4 different environments. The north was covered in ice, the south was a desert. The east was filled with tall forests full of rain, while the west was filled with grass plains, the sun shining. He was currently on the east part, fighting monsters. He had returned to his home, grabbing his stuff. He also left a note to Kirito's house, along with a recording device. He was currently battling them with a Katana, his Wakizashi broken. He was battling monster like a man possessed. He didn't care that they had red or purple cursors, his only thoughts were to kill. He was surrounded by what looked to be reptilian, bipedal beings, with long necks. They were green, with large claws and fangs. A unique characteristic was their tails who were spear tips dipped in poison and two curved blades at their elbows. They roared, charging at him. He swung his sword quickly, decapitating one, before dashing to the right, dodging a downward swing. He stopped, turned and stabbed another in the stomach, before twisting the blade, taking out from it's side and swinging it while twisting his body, slicing diagonally another's chest. He turned, leaping back and dodging a swing, before dashing forward, piercing the being's chest. He turned, taking out the blade, blocking three claws, before doing a quick spin, outstretching his blade and killing 5 at once. He stopped, only to growl as they slashed his back. He turned, killing one, only for two to slash him diagonally from behind. He grabbed one and sent him at two more, before skewering all three at onces. He growled, as they stabbed with their claws his calf, as a picture of a fallen Asuna appeared for a second. He growled, taking the blade off the three, while lifting the being with his arm. He stabbed it's neck, before decapitating it and cutting the neck off another, only to get a blade at his shoulder. He turned his blade, stabbing a beast behind him, before turning to his right.
He looked at three more, only those had red skin. They roared, as they disappeared and appeared behind him, as three slice marks appeared on his chest, his health dropping to yellow. He growled, looking at three, as they rushed on him. He disappeared, stabbing one, only for the other two to slice his ribs. He roared, before cutting one in four parts, only for the last to cut off his arm. With a roar, he threw his blade right at its head, killing it. Naruto fell to the ground, taking an HP potion and drinking it, his health going to yellow. He panted, as he saw the Katana sporting cracks, it's durability red. He slowly walked to the entrance of the forest, as he saw two large bears, their furs red blocking the entrance. He disappeared, slicing one of the bears in half, only to get a punch that sent him crashing into a tree by another bear, getting his health back to red. He rose slowly, before roaring and dashing to the bear, with a Sonic Leap, breaking the Katana at it's head, effectively killing it. He threw the disappearing handle to the side, panting. He rose, drinking a potion.
He looked at the forest, as lightning appeared on the sky. He looked at his hands, as images of Asuna kept appearing on his mind. He took out the Nodachi he used against the Buddha, looking at the cracked blade. He looked up on the sky, muttering "I am sorry." before slamming the sword at his open palm, breaking it. He looked at the open wound, which was slowly closing due to his Battle Healing. He closed his fist tightly, closing his eyes, making a vow to himself. Slowly, he opened his eyes and entered the forest. Unknown to him, his eyes flashed red as the lightning tore the sky.
KoB HQ
The Headquarters of the Knights of Blood were located on the countryside of the 39th Floor. It was a small house, surrounded by a fence. It contained the bunkers, the armory and the offices of the Leaders. Outside, you could see Kirito running, his eyes wide and his breathing ragged. They let him through, as High Level Clearers were allowed to enter. He quickly made his way into the top floor, approaching Asuna's office. He breached in, Asuna looking at him with a raised eyebrow, as she was completing some paperwork. "Asuna! Naruto's gone!" he yelled. She widened her eyes, rising from her seat "How?" she asked. He gave her a letter, as she started reading it.
' Dear Asuna,
By the time you will read this, I will be gone. I have left everything. The battle, the Clearing, Kirito, my friends, but mostly importantly, you. For that, I am most sorry. I am sorry, I couldn't protect you. You almost died and I did nothing to prevent it. People claim I and Kirito got the best reflexes, yet I couldn't do anything to protect you. I know what you're gonna say, that you couldn't do anything, but that only makes it worse. I can't stand the thought of you dying and me being unable to do anything. I must fix that. I will be gone for quite a while. I need to find inner peace, as I can't even think straight right now. I am sorry. Sorry I won't be there with you. Sorry I can't show you how much I love you. I love you Asuna, with all my heart, my mind and my soul. I love you more than life itself. I want to always be with you. Yet, I don't want to be by your side, without being able to protect you. I know you would think this is selfish thinking or that I am perfectly capable to protect you but I know better. Until I am sure I can stand next to you without fear, to spend my days with you in peace, I won't appear. If you hate me, I will understand. If you love someone else, I will support your choice. Just so you know, I am sorry. I will always love you.
Naruto'
The letter, filled with tears, old and new, dropped from Asuna's trembling hands. Kirito approached her and held her, as she cried on his chest. "Baka! Naruto-baka!" she cried "Why? Why leave me? Why? WHY!" she yelled, as Kirito patted her head, his eyes also sad. "Don't you care about my feelings? Don't you care about how much I love you? Come back to me! I need you!" she said, crying in Kirito's arms and chest. She kept going for minutes, crying and yelling his name.
After a while, Kirito rose her to her feet "I won't say I know how you feel, but he loved you. I am sure of that. If he left, he had no choice. He would never leave you easily. I know he wouldn't." he said, as she looked at him, her eyes red from tears. "I know Naruto. He will always love you. He will return. I am sure. And he will never stop watching over us." he said, as she nodded, still crying.
Algade
Kirito sighed, sitting in front of a table in his home in Algade. Fifteen minutes had passed since he left Asuna, as she needed some time alone. In front of him laid a teal crystal, a Message Record Crystal. He found it along with the letter, but he told Asuna nothing of the message. He played it one more time, as it glowed a light-green colour.
" Hey Kirito, how are you? What am I saying, if you read that letter you won't be alright. Not one bit. Now, to business. First, don't tell anything to Asuna about this message, show her the letter only. Now, regarding what happened. I left the frontlines. I will disappear in the world of Sword Art Online. You will hear of me, but not like you think. And when you do hear of me, don't say anything to Asuna. Lie if you must. I don't want her to get a lead and start searching for me. Don't worry my friend. I will return one day. And I will help you beat this game. In the meantime, become strong. You're my partner and my rival. But most of all, you're my friend. Tell Asuna how much I love her and protect her. Until we meet again.'
The crystal stopped glowing, as the message ended. Kirito sighed, hearing the message for the third time. He looked outside the window, on the night sky. 'Naruto, I don't know what you're thinking. I never truly did. But I know you won't make the wrong decision. I just hope you come soon, for Asuna needs you.' he thought.
Done! Hope you guys enjoyed this Chapter! I don't know if you expected it, the idea just appeared in my mind. Naruto will become truly Uber-Godlike from the next Chapters. I promise you that. As for the Dual Wielding, it has been decided, but I won't say what it is. I have another favour to ask you. What race do you want Naruto to be? The natural would be for him to become a Sylph, but if you guys like something else better, I see no reason for him not to use it. Cait Sith are an exception. Now, if you have any questions regarding this Chapter, feel free to make them known. Until next time, Thunderito out!