The Darkest Hour Prologue
Naoto's POV
In the depths of Japan, a special phenomenon can be seen by very few once midnight strikes. Time for those seemingly unaffected seems to stop for an hour but for those who are affected, they turn into coffins as ravenous shadow-like beasts feast upon their mind as the next day they are found looking brain dead. The media has no clue behind what they call this ''Apathy Syndrome''. Some say it is a covert up from the government while others are putting their tinfoil hates screaming and trying to warn the masses but only one thing is certain.
During this time of the day, your life is in danger. People are told by officers to avoid coming out late at night. Some say the full moon affects things but no one truly knows. Some say that the electronics stop when it happens and they couldn't be more right as a spiky short-haired blond male with blues walks out of a train before it stops. He is dressed in a school uniform that indicates he belongs to Gekkoukan High School. His face has three whiskers marks like birthmarks on his cheeks as he seems to not even care about the greenish tint as he hurries on foot to where he is supposed to go.
This is Naoto Uzumaki, a young student and aspiring artist who sadly is the last of his world. The fourth Great Ninja War was so brutal that he was the sole survivor. Naoto was no fool either. He had spent many days using his transformed shadow clones to learn all he could including skills he shouldn't have for a teenager here. This was his way of coping as he could remember that Naruto made wishes on the Box of Ultimate Bliss to protect him no matter what.
When he arrived in this new world, he had ID, papers, and everything to not look suspicious. He sighed as he entered the dorm where he was told to be staying. He didn't have much faith in things as he had come across a blue-haired male who had died on the way here with headphones. The poor guy had been attacked and was now one of these apathy syndrome victims.
As soon as Naoto entered the dorm, a voice that was definitively female spoke.
''W-wait...how can you be?! B-But it's...! Don't tell me..!'' She said as Naoto saw her grabbing a weapon and immediately pulled a kunai from his pocket which brought a gasp from the girl before another voice, also female spoke.
''Wait!'' The second female said as the lights turned back on revealing two pretty girls. The first one has neck-length light brown hair and brown eyes. Her outfit consists of a pink cardigan, a loose red ribbon, a black mini skirt, black knee-high stockings with white lines on the outer sides, a heart-shaped white choker, and small white earrings in both of her ears. She seems to be holding her hands behind her back.
The second one has waist-length red that has bangs covering the left side of her face with a wavy mid-back length hair strand resting on her left shoulder and her eyes are brown. Her outfit consists of the Gekkoukan High uniform but she seemed to have customized it with her personal effects as it has: no jacket, a white blouse, a black skirt that goes above her knees, and black knee-high high-heeled boots.
''The lights...!'' The girl in pink says as I put my kunai back in its place. The girl with red hair then started speaking as I listened attentively.
''I didn't think you'd arrive so late... My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm one of the students living in this dorm.'' The now-identified Mitsuru explained as the girl in pink spoke up.
''Who'se he?" She asked as Mitsuru answered for her.
''One of the transfer students we were expecting. They will eventually be moved to the boy's dorm when they can do so by the books.'' Mitsuru answered as the girl asked her another question.
''Is it okay for them to be here?'' The girl asked as Mitsuru answered her question.
''I guess we'll see. This is Yukari Takeba. She goes to the same school and is in the same grade as you.'' Mitsuru said as the girl spoke up.
''Hi...I'm Yukari.'' Yukari introduced herself as I nodded and did the same before asking if the guy I saw was the other transfer student.
''I'm Naoto Uzumaki. Sorry for the weapon but you can never be too careful these days. Speaking of, I saw a guy with blue hair in the same uniform as us. He looked brain dead like those apathy syndrome victims.'' I introduced myself as I also warned them as if it was indeed the other person they were waiting then it was the right thing to do.
''What...?! What train station did you see him like this'' Mitsuru commanded me as I explained what I saw.
''The Station number 3. I think his train arrived a bit before me but he had the looks of those apathy syndrome victims.'' I explained as Mitsuru sighed before speaking up as even Yukari seemed a bit saddened by this.
''Sigh...I guess the chairman will have some extra work. At least now we know. Thank you for telling us. Your room is on the second floor. You should go rest up. Yukari will show you the way and help guide you to school tomorrow as it is an unorthodox road to get there.'' Mitsuru said as Yukari guided me to my room and explained how these work.
''Okay, for starters the men's rooms are on the left side of this corridor while the girls on the right. Same for the bathroom too. Before you go to bed, do you have any questions?'' Yukari asked me after she had explained how things worked and I shook my head negatively as this was all clear to me. She then left me as I entered my room and put my clothes and other stuff in the drawers and noticed a camera in the corner of my room.
So they were spying on me huh? This meant that they knew why everything was weird at midnight but weren't telling me. I quickly went to sleep. Once in the bed, I weaved handsigns and used a Raiton jutsu which destroyed the camera. I didn't like being spied upon.
The following day
I woke up by some knock on the door as Yukari spoke up.
''It's Yukari. Are you awake?'' She asked as I nodded before answering her.
''Yes, but give me two minutes to get dressed from my pajamas'' I said as I got dressed and opened the door to greet her.
''Good morning! Did you sleep well last night?'' Yukari greeted me and asked me as I now was certain that something was up when the surroundings had this tint of puke green. I answered her as bluntly as I could.
''Yes, I did. I didn't like a camera watching me while I slept so when I woke up to go take a leak, I busted them as I like my privacy.'' I said which for a small moment, her face was a bit shocked but recovered as she continued.
''Good... Anyway, today is your first day of school, right? Follow me!'' Yukari said as she guided me to school. I had to say that I never could get used to these trains or whatever they were. I didn't like them but I had to agree they were useful. Yukari seemed to catch me looking at the sea as she spoke up.
''Quite a view huh? See that island over there? That is the school. Pretty great right? I bet you never went to school on an island before right?'' Yukari asked me. I had to admit that she was right. I certainly never went to a school located on an island before.
''That is certainly something.'' I agreed as eventually the train stopped and we entered the school together. I could already overhear some people talking and spreading the rumors. Goddammit! I hated these waterworks as I could hear their gossip.
''Did you see the blonded hunk? A female student asked
''I know and he's with Yukari..! You don't think?!'' Her friend asked as I sighed and Yukari told me what to do next as a transfer student.
''Hey... You should go to the faculty office. That way you can introduce yourself to the teacher and know which class you're in. And... Please... don't tell anyone about last night alright... See ya later!'' Yukari said before leaving.
I then looked where the faculty office was and knocked before entering. There was a young woman who was looking over some papers as she sat at a desk. She has short, light brown hair that reaches to her neck and dark gray eyes; she wears a white turtleneck-like collar shirt, a brown jacket, brown pants, and black high heel shoes. The woman then looked at me as she spoke up.
''Oh? Are you the new student?'' She asked as I nodded and introduced myself.
''Yes! I'm the transfer student, Naoto Uzumaki. I'll be in your care Sensei. I hope we get along.'' I said as she smiled as she spoke up.
''Such enthusiasm. If only some were more like you. I'm Miss Toriumi. Have you seen the classroom assignment? You're in 2-F, That's my class but we shouldn't dawdle. The principal is about to start his speech. Follow me!'' Ms Toriumi said as she guided me to the auditorium. I followed the instructions as we all sat. The principal began his speech as I listened and eventually, someone tried to talk to me.
''Ptss... Hey! You with blonde hair" He said as I knew he was talking to me. The student tried talking to me again.
''I heard you came with Yukari this morning so...what's the dirt...? You two dating?'' He kept asking and quite frankly I couldn't care or be bothered to give a fuck so I just ignored him and eventually a teacher caught him and disciplined him.
''I hear talking. I believe this student is yours Ms. Toriumi'' The teacher said as he told Ms. Torium as the student was then put in detention for this. Well, he was asking for it so he had it coming. The rest of the school day was boring but it would only get harder from here. As I began packing my bag a dude's voice was heard as he talked to me.
''S'up dude. How are ya hanging?'' he asked revealing a teen with dark grayish-black hair, gray-colored eyes, and a goatee He seemed to have both of his hands on his belt. His outfit consists of the school uniform of Gekkoukan High, though his was also modified. He wore the school jacket and pants, but with a blue collared dress shirt, a navy blue baseball cap with a white Triquetra symbol on the front, and he wears several accessories, consisting of a silver necklace, a chain attached to his pants, and black dress shoes. He also seems to be wearing a white belt with an intricate silver buckle and black patterns along the belt.
''It's fine. Just boring I guess.'' I answered him as he nodded and spoke up.
''I getcha... I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet cha. So I heard you came to school with Yukari this morning! Come one! What's up with that? Gimme the dirt'' Junpei said as a groan was heard as a voice knew spoke. It was Yukari. Junpei then spoke up smiling at her before she could talk.
''Hey, It's Yuka-tan! I didn't think we'd be in the same class again.'' Junpei said as Yukari spoke.
''Urgh... there it is again. Did you ever think that you might be bothering someone?'' Yukari asked Junpei as he looked flabbergasted by this and answered her.
''W-what?! But... I was just being friendly...'' Junpein complained as Yukari shrugged him as she spoke to me.
''If you say so... Anyway. Pretty strange coincidence that we ended up in the same class huh? Yukari said to Junpei before asking me I nodded and answered her.
''It is isn't it?'' I said as Yukari smiled which caused Junpei to groan as he spoke up.
''Helloooo! Are you forgetting that someone is there? By the way... I heard you two came together to school this morning. What up with that?'' Junpei asked as Yukari groaned even more as she seemed a bit pissy about the rumors.
''Are people still going on about that? Anyway... lemme borrow him for a while... Yukari said as she dragged me a bit further away before she asked about the events of last night when I arrived at the dorm.
''Hey... you haven't told anyone about that have you?'' Yukari asked me as I nodded and answered her.
''No. Why would I?'' I asked back as my answer pretty much was what she wanted to hear before she spoke again.
''OK... good. Seriously though. Don't tell anyone about last night.'' Yukari said as I saw Junpei's face which was like he heard a felony. I then gestured to Yukari as she asked him why he was doing such a thing even if I knew or suspected why he did.
''What?'' Yukari asked Junpei annoyed as the latter answered her while still having the look of someone having watched someone commit a felony.
''Last Night...?'' Junpei said as Yukari's eyes widened in horror as she understood why he was like this and what her words meant for someone without the context for them. She immediately began trying to correct him.
''W-Wait a Minute! Stop hold on! Nothing of what you think happened... urgh... Listen Junpei!'' Yukari screamed as it took a while for her to get it through his skull but we eventually arrived back at the dorm as someone new greeted us.
It was a bespectacled, middle-aged man with dark brown eyes, long wavy brown hair, and a goatee. He wears a tan jacket over his brown turtleneck. He then introduced himself as he spoke up.
''Ah, you must be Naoto correct. I am the chairman who approved of your transfer. I am Shuji Ikutsuki... Ikustuki...quite a mouthful isn't it. that is why I don't often say it. I even get tongue-tied myself. Now I suggest you rest as you only moved a couple of days ago. As they, the early bird catches the bookworm... please forgive the bad pun.'' he says smiling as Yukari sighs before speaking to me.
''You'll get used to his lame jokes... but he has a point. Traveling does take a toll on you.'' Yukari says as I do as such. I can't prove that they were spying on me concretely as the cameras could be used for safety so I played along and went to sleep. As I faked my sleep, I sent a shadow clone as a rat to spy on a conversation that told me what I needed.
''So, his vitals are still normal huh?'' Ikustuki asked as Mitsuru answered him.
''They are. He hasn't turned into a coffin yet so we know he has the potential but still.'' Mitsuru said as Yukari asked her question.
''Still... is this why he wasn't transferred yet? He told me he broke his camera but I ignored it back then.'' Yukari asked as Ikutuski answered her.
''Even so...we can hear him breathing by the room so we know he wasn't turned into a coffin. Let's wait a couple more days to see if he is a potential recruit.'' He said as a younger man around Mitsuru's age passed them as he exited the dorm as he spoke.
''I'm going out for a bit. Have you seen the newspapers lately?'' The man asked as has short silver hair, gray eyes, and wears a white bandage above his left eye. He wears a slightly modified version of the usual Gekkoukan High School school uniform, where he replaces its standard jacket with a red sweater vest, opting to carry the jacket over his shoulder instead. Similar to other students, his dress shirt underneath alternates between long-sleeved for winter, and short-sleeved for summer. Additionally, he wears the usual black necktie and black gloves.
''Yes. The cases numbers of apathy syndromes are increasing but we both know that this isn't the case.'' Mitsuru said as Akihiko answered.
''That's what makes it exciting! Anyway... I'm out to thin their numbers.'' He says leaving the dorm as Mitsuru speaks worriedly.
''This isn't a game Akihiko...'' She says as I now knew who he was and I took the rat and dispelled it as a shadow clone. I had learned a lot and went to sleep. So they were scouting for special people against the apathy syndrome causes but that still left a question up in the air. What was causing the cases of apathy syndrome then?
Later that night
I woke after hearing a loud noise. I then used my enhanced hearing to hear what was going on as I heard Akihiko being back as I followed the conversation.
''Get ready for a surprise! It will be there any second now.'' Akihiko said as Mitsuru scolded him first before Ikutsuki stood there shocked as he asked him a question.
''This is no time to be joking around Akihiko!'' Mitsuru chided.
''Is it one of Them Akihiko?'' Ikutsuki asked as Akihiko nodded and answered him.
''Yes but... not an ordinary one.'' Akihiko said. Just after he said that, a loud banging was heard on the door which caused Yukari to shriek in fear and ask what was going on as Mitsuru gave her orders.
''Kyaaaa! What is that!?'' Yukari says as Mitsuru enters a commander role handing her orders.
''Yukari! Go wake him up and take him to safety!'' Mitsuru said as Yukari ran to my door but I was already out as she stopped mid-track as she spoke.
''H-How in the?! Nevermind! Follow me. We have to get safety! Oh... before I forget... take this.'' Yukari says as she hands me a gun like the one she had the night I arrived as I follow her. As we climb the stairs a loud monstrous growl can be heard. This forces Yukari to panic as she then speaks.
''That's it..! We have to get on the roof.'' Yukari says as we get to the room where she uses one of her arrows to lock the door. Soon the banging on the door seems to stop as the fighting seems to be dying down. Yukari takes the time to catch her breath before speaking.
''It seems we're safe for now'' Yukari says before a weird climbing sound is heard causing Yukari to freak out as something arrives on the wall.
A black gooey hand holding a face that slowly looks right then left before looking straight at us. Then many more gooey arms came from the beast as each of those arms wielded a sword. The beast then slowly made its way towards us. Yukari then screamed her thoughts before she tried using her gun by pointing it at her own head?!
''You gotta be kidding me! It climbed up the wall!'' Yukari said as she seemed to struggle but the beast then forced her out of his way. I then took the gun and tried what she died by pointing it at my own head as someone began talking to me.
''Per...so...na!''
Was what I heard as I pulled the trigger which caused a humanoid being made of energy to come out with a sword as it spoke.
''I am thou... Thou art I. I am Arthur Pendragon. Use my strength to smite thy foe'' The persona said as I used his Kougaeon on it as it dealt massive damage to it. The creature then tried to attack me but this persona of mine countered and used its Eihageon on it finishing it for good. The beast then died as it melted in a puddle as I fell to the floor panting and I could only hear Mitsuru and Akihiko speak as they broke the door open and they tried coming to help us.
''What the hell happened?!'' Akihiko asked shocked at the power. I could only guess he had a problem with that one specifically.
''This is?!'' Mitsuru said as even the chairman and Yukari had shocked faces but I had enough for the night as I feel asleep or unconscious. Regardless it wasn't like I could stop it as the last thing I heard was a worried Yukari's plights
''Are you okay?! Come one! Answer me!