Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing Bass waking up and seeing where he now is, with him obviously not going to be happy about it, before seeing him and Naruto reaching an agreement. So, without further ado.
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Naruto sighed as he finished the last of his energy drink, setting the now empty can down next to the others all while not taking his eyes off of his computer as he continued typing.
'That seems like everything I'm able to do.' Thought Naruto, looking over Bass's data before turning to his docked PET.
After he'd finished his homework last night, the Uzumaki went back to working on Bass's repairs, now doing them manually as opposed to using Recovery Chips. Knowing that while they were good for helping repair NetNavis in an instant, they weren't perfect and could miss some damage. Or there was damage that Recovery Chips couldn't repair, given they were only meant to help Navis recover during Net Battles.
With Naruto having spent the rest of the night and early morning repairing as much of Bass's data as he could, before performing one last scan to make sure he did everything he could.
'Bass is definitely stronger than most Custom NetNavis, but after being infected with that Bug, he's no where close to what he was before.' Naruto thought with a frown, seeing that Bass had still been heavily weakened by the Virus.
While he still had some of his abilities the rest had been wiped out by the Bug, leaving him in a weakened but still powerful state. Though Naruto did his best to try and restore as much as he could, he was limited in what he could do on his PC.
But if he had access to a more powerful computer and more powerful programs, he might've been able to fully restore Bass's strength. Unfortunately the only places the whiskered blonde could think of that'd have such software are SciLab, AyanoTech and BlazeQuest Games. And Naruto doubted any of those places would be willing to let him access something like that.
'There's nothing I can really do, right now. The only thing that can be done is for Bass to simply work to get back up to his previous level.' Naruto thought while letting out a sigh, knowing it'll just be another thing Bass will be angry about.
Before Naruto looked at his PET when he saw Bass was starting to wake up, preparing to deal with a very enraged NetNavi.
*With Bass*
While inside the PET, Bass grunted as he began moving and getting up, dragging a hand down his face as he soon opened his eyes and looked at himself.
'Why am I not deleted?' Bass thought, not expecting to still be alive after his Life Aura was brought down and ShadowMan infected him with that Virus that was deleting him from the inside out.
Only for the Black Shadow to tense when he noticed his surroundings, seeing he was no longer at the location of his battle nor was he locked inside a cage. Instead he saw screens of data showing e-mails, voicemails, money, and other personal data.
'No…no, no, no…NO!' Bass thought, shooting up to his feet as he looked around and began realizing where he was.
That he was in a cage, one that's even worse than what he imagined.
His fears only being confirmed as he saw at another screen that showed Naruto looking at him.
*Real World*
"Hey, glad to see you're-" Naruto said, smiling at Bass only to be cutoff by the NetNavi.
"Let me out of here, human! Let me out now!" Yelled Bass, enraged that he was inside of a PET, that some human had actually managed to capture him.
He would've prefer being deleted than to suffer such a humiliating fate!
"Easy, just relax, I swear I'm not your enemy. I just needed to put you there to keep you safe-" Said Naruto, only for Bass to cut him off again.
"Safe?! You put me in a cage! Trapped me in here with no way out! How?! How did you get me in here?! How did you find me?!" Bass demanded, believing the whiskered blonde had purposefully captured him.
"I just saw your fight while on the Net. Some of the Killer Eye Viruses I have saw a large group of NetPolice fighting and I was curious about what was going on. But when I saw they were fighting you along with those four Custom NetNavis, I kept watching to see why they were all going after just one NetNavi. Though when I saw you being overwhelmed and then infected with a Virus, I couldn't just do nothing. So I used some Battle Chips to get them off of you before covering you with Cyclone and Blower Battle Chips then used a Jack Out Program to jack you out to my PET." Naruto explained, with Bass scoffing and glared at him suspiciously.
"Well how convenient is that?! I'm attacked by Navis that have specific Battle Chips perfect to take out my defenses and then infect me with a Bug, one that apparently was made just for me! And you just happen to see my fight and "help" me escape! You probably had a hand in it to capture me!" Retorted Bass, refusing to believe that it was all just a coincidence.
Believing Naruto had a hand in him being attacked and the Virus used against him, he just didn't know for what purpose. Though the Black Shadow figured the human would hand him over to SciLab to be rewarded for capturing him, or maybe he wanted to take apart his data and see how he worked.
"If I had any part in you being attacked, then why would I remove the Virus or repair the damage done to you?" Naruto asked, catching Bass off-guard at hearing this.
"What?" Bass said, still looking at him suspiciously but now wanted to know what he meant.
"Yeah, after I jacked you out, I began working on helping repair you. Starting by removing the Bug and then using some Recovery Chips to start repairing the damage. After that I began working to continue repairing the damage manually, fixing as much of it as I could. I even used the Bug to create a Navi Customization Program I loaded into you, that way something like that couldn't happen again." Replied Naruto, surprising Bass before he frowned and narrowed his eyes while looking around Naruto's room.
Seeing it was rather standard from what he'd expect of a human boy, not seeing any sign of anything too advanced or suspicious.
"I see… You seem to have a good amount of knowledge and skill in programming, especially with NetNavis if you were able to do all that, even more so with the resources you have." Bass stated, still feeling suspicious of the Uzumaki.
Given that he's one of the very first Solo NetNavis, not even counting his power and potential, Bass knew he possessed very complex data that few would be able to understand. Let alone decipher enough to repair him or upload Customization Programs into him.
'Yet he was able to do all of that in what seems like a single night. Just who are you, human?' Thought Bass while regarding Naruto suspiciously before shaking his head as he glared at Naruto.
"I have my answers, now release me from this cursed device. And maybe, if I'm feeling generous enough, should I stumble onto you while you're in danger, human, I will offer my help. But only once!" Said Bass as despite his suspicions, the Black Shadow couldn't deny he owed the whiskered blonde for saving him.
No matter how much just the thought of being indebted to a human made him want to violently vomit out his own data.
Only for his glare to intensify when Naruto smiled nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"Uh…while I would release you now that you're feeling better, I…don't think it'd be a good idea. Since while I did repair as much of the damage done to you as I could, there was still a limit of what I could do. So, while you are alright now. With the damage from the Bug, you aren't at the level you were at before." Naruto revealed while preparing for Bass to blow up.
With Bass going completely still at hearing this, the only movement being his eye as it began twitching before he began running a scan on himself, hoping this was just a trick. Only to discover that Naruto was telling the truth, finding how much of his power and abilities were wiped away.
'Fif…teen…years. Fifteen years of training…taking the abilities of NetNavis and Viruses I've fought and deleted…all gone.' Thought Bass, using every ounce of willpower he had to resist cursing everything and everyone on Earth and CyberWorld.
Instead thinking of all the NetNavis that were either foolish enough to challenge him or those he sought himself to increase his own strength. Each and every one he's ever deleted or those lucky enough to Log-Out before he could land a killing blow. Before his train of thought ended on Serenade, the only one that ever defeated him without resorting to underhanded tactics or catching him off-guard and overwhelming him.
'Five years of growing stronger, preparing to face Serenade again and finally take her power as well… ALL OF IT IS GONE!' Bass mentally screamed that all of the blood, sweat and tears to get powerful enough to one day delete her had been undone in an instant.
Losing basically everything he worked to gain, putting him back to where he started, only for Bass to shake his head when his scan revealed something else.
'I'm not even as weak as I was when I was first created! I'm weaker than I ever was before!' Thought Bass, now that he's aware of his weakened state, he could feel that he's weaker than he ever was.
Including the moment of his creation.
While he'll still be stronger than most Custom NetNavis, there will now be a good number of NetNavis that will be equal to him or even stronger.
'I'm…weak…' Bass thought, struggling to even remain standing at this revelation.
For the first time in his entire life, not even when he was first created, Bass was faced with his own mortality.
"Uh…I'm sorry I wasn't able to do more for you. But if you want, you could stay with me until you've fully recovered your strength." Naruto offered, pulling Bass from his thoughts as he looked at the whiskered blonde.
With it taking all of his willpower to simply shout "NO!", to snap at the human and curse him for even suggesting that he'd willingly stay trapped in a PET. But while Bass wanted nothing more than to refuse, he knew that there's no way he could return to CyberWorld like this. Knowing if it's discovered he's still alive then he will surely be deleted if he's attacked again.
And despite how he's honestly considering that over being stuck working with a human, Bass refused to give up that easily. To give up on his revenge, especially since he now had several more targets to direct his vengeance towards as well.
"…You…helped prevent my deletion human…and did what you could to restore my strength. So…as repayment for your assistance…I am giving you the chance to become my temporary NetOp until I'm fully recovered. Consider it an honor you are receiving such an offer, human." Said Bass, reluctantly accepting the offer.
But he refused to simply accept the offer, what little pride he had left wouldn't let him simply bend and take any offered help from a human. Instead he would give the Uzumaki the honor of being his temporary NetOp until he's completely recovered.
"O…kay? Then if you'll have me as a temporary NetOp, then I accept your offer." Naruto said, laughing sheepishly that he's the one accepting the offer, but knew Bass was trying to salvage what's left of his pride.
Knowing with how long he's been alone, having nothing but his hatred and lust for power to keep him going, this was likely very devastating for Bass.
'I'm surprised he hasn't broken down yet.' Naruto thought, being able to see that while Bass was trying to act strong, he could still see the subtle signs he's close to breaking.
The way he moved more mechanically as if he's just going through the motion of moving, how his legs trembled slightly to stay standing, and how tightly he was clenching his fists. So, Naruto knew it's likely taking everything Bass has to not break down.
"Well…I'm Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto introduced, with Bass merely glancing at him before looking away.
"…Bass." Replied Bass, making Naruto nod glad that they were properly introduced.
"It's nice to meet you, Bass. I hope we'll be able to work well, together." Said Naruto before he got up and grabbed some clean clothes.
Before the whiskered blonde headed to the bathroom to take a cold shower, both to help him wake up and clean up after his all-nighter, as well as to give Bass some time to himself.
With Bass watching Naruto leave, waiting until the door was closed and waited until he heard running water to make sure he was really gone. Once he did, the Black Shadow collapsed to his knees and hunched over with his entire body shaking. Placing a hand over the side of his head, Bass suddenly leaned back and began laughing hysterically and sorrowfully.
"GONE! IT'S ALL GONE!" Bass screamed as tears streamed down his face while he kept laughing, not believing this happened.
Everything he worked towards, his revenge against humanity, defeating Serenade and taking her power, his pride that drove him to prove he was the strongest and didn't need anyone. In just a single moment, he'd lost all of it.
Though Bass was unaware that Naruto's door wasn't closed all the way, with Kushina peeking through with a solemn expression. Being able to recognize Bass as the Solo NetNavi her father-in-law had created, along with the only NetNavi her son ever wanted as his partner.
She and Minato were fully aware of Naruto's desire to find Bass after Cossak's death, something they did give their silent support of. Keeping it secret from Naruto that they knew he had been searching for Bass, knowing he didn't tell them out of fear they'd make him stop. And so he wouldn't both his parents and make them worry.
'He really does take on too much by himself.' Kushina thought while mentally sighing, knowing Naruto had a habit of trying to solve things on his own rather than asking for help.
It had even taken nearly all of Naruto's time in searching for the Black Shadow, leaving barely any free time at all. The only time he wasn't on the Net searching for Bass was when he was hanging out with Lan, Mayl, and Dex. Other than that the only time Naruto would stop is to eat, workout, bathe, and use the bathroom. It honestly made Kushina glad that her son didn't end up becoming a complete NEET.
'Hopefully now though he'll finally start relaxing and sleeping more. Maybe this will help them both.' Thought Kushina, glad Naruto was able to finally find Bass and hoped they'll be able to help each other.
Before the redhead snuck away, making sure to stay quiet to avoid Bass knowing she saw him break down.
*With Naruto*
Meanwhile, Naruto had gotten in the shower, sighing contently despite it being cold and feeling his drowsiness fading away. Running a hand through his matted hair, the Uzumaki began getting cleaned up while showing to be rather fit and good shape for a boy his age.
Though he soon heard Bass's pain-filled laughter, making Naruto look in the direction of his room in concern.
'He's really taking it hard.' Thought Naruto, feeling sympathetic for Bass but kept himself from pitying the Solo NetNavi, knowing he wouldn't want to be pitied.
Once he'd finished getting cleaned and rinsed off, Naruto turned off the water and wrapped a towel around his waist while using another one to dry his hair. And while he didn't like it, as he dried off the Uzumaki couldn't help but have a rather morbid and pragmatic line of thought. Knowing that what happened to Bass might be for the best as otherwise there'd be no way Bass would even give him the time of day, let alone be his NetNavi, if something hadn't happened to humble the Black Shadow and couldn't put him in a situation where he couldn't refuse.
'I can't believe I'm actually thinking like that.' Thought Naruto, scowling at his reflection in the sink mirror before he punched it in self-punishment, while drawing blood from doing so.
Taking out the glass shards in his hand and washing it, the whiskered blonde wrapped it up with some gauze before he finished getting dried off and dressed in the clean clothes.
Returning to his room, Naruto looked at Bass, seeing the Black Shadow had finished his break down and recomposed himself, though he could still see some tension in his body.
"Are you alright?" Naruto asked, unable to help himself.
"I'm fine." Bass muttered, preferring to try and keep their interactions to a minimal unless absolutely necessary until he's recovered and can leave.
"You sure? Since…well it's probably a lot to take in with everything that's happened." Said Naruto, making Bass look at him in annoyance.
"I'm perfectly able to process everything just fine on my own." Said Bass, knowing while he's weak now, he just needed to bide his time to regain his strength.
"I'm sure you can. But after an attack like that and then learning of the affects, anyone would-" Naruto said before Bass cut him off.
"Well I'm not anyone! I survived for years on my own, long before I ever knew you existed human! And I'll continue surviving long after I'm free from you!" Bass retorted while glaring at the Uzumaki, with Naruto raising his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay. I understand. But I just want you to know that if there is something bothering you, you can tell me. Even if it is just temporary, I'm still your NetOp and would like to help you with anything if I can." Said Naruto, figuring he should stop while he can otherwise Bass is more likely to ignore him entirely.
While Bass was caught off-guard by the offer, even after how he snapped at him the human still wanted to help him. Before he recomposed himself and scowled before turning away from Naruto.
"Whatever. Just worry about yourself, human." Bass muttered, unable to help but glance at Naruto with narrowed eyes.
'Why?' Thought Bass, wondering why this human was being so nice to him even when Bass made it perfectly clear he wants nothing to do with him.
Still being convinced that the Uzumaki has some ulterior motive for helping him, but hasn't seen anything to insinuate it as such. Making Bass wonder if this was some elaborate trick or he just had something else planned, not believing for a second Naruto was being genuine.
'Whatever you're planning, human, I'll be ready.' Bass thought, intending to be prepared for whatever trick or plan Naruto had in store for him.
*Later*
Once he was ready, Naruto grabbed his PET and went downstairs, having breakfast with his mother before heading out for school.
"You know, we're going to have to come up with a cover story for where you came from. Since if that fight was anything to go by, then the NetPolice and other NetNavis seem to be after you. And while they might believe you were deleted, that won't last long when people start seeing us. Especially given the fact that yesterday I didn't have a NetNavi, now today I do." Said Naruto while looking at Bass, with the Black Shadow frowning in annoyance.
"Then just tell anyone that asks I'm a Custom NetNavi you had commissioned. That you saw me before in CyberWorld and wanted a Navi that looked like me." Bass said, willing to agree it would be a problem if he was discovered to still be alive.
"I was thinking the same thing. Anyone that asks I'll just tell them I designed you to look like the "real Bass" after seeing "him" on the Net. Besides, who wouldn't want a NetNavi that looks as cool as you?" Said Naruto while smiling at Bass, who merely grunted and looked away.
Though the Uzumaki didn't notice how he passed by a familiar truck, being driven by someone he knew who had overheard the conversation between him and Bass.
The person was a seventeen-year-old girl, with fair skin, long green hair with hime-styled bangs, and green eyes. With her attire being a dark blue kimono dress with white trimming and long white sleeves held closed by a brown sash, dark brown pants with lighter brown patches on her knees, brown shoes, and a brown headband with a brown spiral on the front.
This was Sal the owner of a local flower shop and, unknown to most, a Net Agent that worked to help protect the CyberWorld and deal with criminals.
With her having spotted Naruto on his way to school and planned to greet him, only to stop when she saw he seemed to be talking to his PET. Something that surprised her given how he doesn't have a NetNavi before hearing just who it was, much to her shock.
Before she quickly pulled out her communicator to contact her superior about what she just heard.
"Commander Beef, I think we have a serious problem on our hands." Sal said, knowing they needed to meet as soon as possible.
*Later-Net Agent Headquarters*
After contacting Commander Beef, Sal had made her way to their headquarters, finding Commander Beef already there along with another Net Agent, Miyu Kuroi.
Miyu is an eighteen-year-old girl with pale skin, long turquoise hair held in two braids on either side of her face with two rings hanging from them, and dark violet eyes. With her wearing a long-sleeved black dress that was dark violet around her collarbone and chest, with white designs on the shoulders and white rings around her wrists, x-shaped laces on the sides and volet triangle patterns along the bottom, a black belt with her skull emblem, black leggings, purple boots, and a black hat that was violet on the front that also had her skull emblem.
While Commander Beef is an adult man with tanned skin, a thin black mustache, and pink lips. With him wearing a red helmet with a black visor and fish fins on his head, a long-sleeved blue shirt, green pants, white boots and white gloves, and a purple cape.
With all three of them being on edge after Sal told them what she heard from Naruto and Bass, given their own ties to the Uzumaki. With him having visited Sal's shop with his friends, Commander Beef given his interactions with Naruto, Lan, Mayl and Dex in his public persona, and with him also visiting Miyu's antique shop due to his interest in the supernatural.
"Are you absolutely positive it's Bass?" Commander Beef asked while looking at Sal, wanting to sure that Naruto's NetNavi is Bass.
"I'm positive, Commander. He mentioned how Bass had been attacked by the NetPolice and some other NetNavis, and that they needed to make a cover story to make sure no one believes he's the real Bass but just a Custom NetNavi that looks like him." Replied Sal, making Commander Beef and Miyu frown gravely.
"Have you seen anything, Miyu?" Said Commander Beef while turning to Miyu, wondering if she's seen any visions of the future only for the psychic to shake her head.
"I'm afraid not. I hadn't seen anything about Naruto meeting Bass or what could come from it." Miyu said with it having always been something that frustrated and intrigued her, that no matter how hard she tries she could never get a vision involving Naruto.
It made it basically impossible to predict what he'll do or anything that involves him, making him truly unpredictable. But this is something even she couldn't have ever imagined would happen.
"Commander, are we going to act and try capturing Bass before he tries something?" Sal asked, concerned about Naruto having Bass as his NetNavi with Commander Beef sighing as he sat down, thinking over their options.
"…I believe that at the moment we can only sit back and observe, trusting that Naruto can handle himself and knows what he's doing with having Bass around. We know that Bass would never ally himself with a human, not unless it benefitted him in some way. And it's doubtful he knows that Naruto is Dr. Cossak's grandson, so we can cross revenge off the list." Stated Commander Beef.
Given that after he was disgraced and excommunicated, Cossak had gone to great lengths to keep his family's ties to him hidden so that they wouldn't be persecuted for being connected to him. With it helping that it aligned with the higher-ups' desire to cover up all knowledge of Bass and PharaohMan from the general public.
Though that didn't stop some underground organizations from eventually discovering Bass's existence.
"I don't like it, as doing nothing just means Bass will have more time to plan something." Sal said with a frown, with Miyu nodding in agreement.
"Agreed. While it might be good to wait and see, it also gives Bass the advantage to act more freely if he has nothing to worry about." Added Miyu, with Commander Beef sighing and nodded.
"I understand your concerns and share them. But as it stands, there's nothing we can do for the moment. As it stands, there should be no reason Bass would have any interest in Naruto or his family, and if he's willing to stay with Naruto as his NetNavi it's not because he's benefitting from it. But rather because it's possible he needs to stay, even more so if they want to make sure no one believes he actually is Bass. So for now, it would be best we wait and see, while trusting that Naruto will be able to handle himself." Commander Beef said, making Sal and Miyu reluctantly nod in agreement.
There should be no reason Bass would be interested in Naruto and his family, and is likely only with the whiskered blonde because he has no choice.
"If that's all, then you're dismissed. But both of you make sure to keep your eyes open, as I get the feeling that something big may be happening soon." Said Commander Beef, with Sal and Miyu nodding in response before they all left.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see that Naruto was up all night finishing his homework and continuing repairs on Bass, only to be unable to fully repair him with his current resources, leaving Bass in a weakened, but still powerful, state.
Before we see Bass waking up and growing angry to find he's in a PET, demanding to be let out, while Naruto gives a cover story and half-truths of how he helped Bass against the NetPolice and repaired him, along with extracting the Bug and turning it into a Navi Customization Program. Though Bass is still suspicious and wants to be released, though does offer to help Naruto if he's in danger and he's in a good mood.
Only to learn the damage done to him by the Virus had greater consequences as he's been severely weakened, losing the majority of his power and abilities, being even weaker than when he was first created. Though still being stronger than most Custom NetNavis, there'll now be those that are equal or even stronger than Bass.
This leads to Naruto offering to let Bass stay with him until he's fully recovered, something Bass instantly wants to reject, but knows he doesn't have much of a choice, knowing he can't return to CyberWorld as he is now. Though his pride refuses to have him just accept and instead make it seem like he's giving Naruto the honor of being his temporary NetOp until he's recovered, which Naruto accepts.
We then see Naruto going to take a shower, with Bass breaking down once he was alone, laughing sorrowfully that he's lost everything he's worked for years to gain. Now knowing that Kushina is peeking through the door, revealing she and Minato were aware of Naruto's desire to find Bass, silently supporting him in his goal, while hoping that now he's succeeded they'll be able to help each other.
We also see Naruto hearing Bass's break down and unable to help but have a morbid though that it was for the best Bass was weakened, knowing otherwise he'd never even consider being his NetNavi, leading to Naruto punching the mirror in self-punishment. Along with offering Bass to talk to him if he ever needs it, confusing Bass at why he's being so nice, being convince it's a trick or Naruto's plotting something.
Finally we see Naruto and Bass going to school, while coming up with a cover story that Bass is actually a Custom NetNavi based on the "real Bass" he saw on the Net. Unaware he walked past Sal's truck and she overheard his conversation, leading her to contact Commander Beef, telling him and Miyu what she heard.
Something that worries the Net Agents given they connections to Naruto and what Bass could be up to, with Commander Beef deciding the best they can do is sit and wait, putting their trust in Naruto to handle himself, something Sal and Miyu reluctantly accept. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out