What's up lads!?
Last chapter was pretty intense with the ending, namely the introduction with Nemesis, we'll see how that goes but it should be pretty exciting!
Now I could talk all day but that isn't why you've come here, so let's get on with it!
Start:
In the aftermath of their departure from the convenience store, the passage of many harrowing hours had brought Naruto and his companions through a gauntlet of unforeseen dangers.
It has started off peaceful, just simple driving around and enjoying the sights. Simply taking things in stride and all that. Things were calm and nice for a while surprisingly but the ex-shinobi wasn't planning on looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Unfortunately… Not everyone was as wise as him.
Living up to the name 'Annoying orange', Rei did exactly that, annoy Naruto by bringing up how they didn't see any of the gray skinned food extremist people.
Not exactly how she had worded it but that didn't matter, just by simply bringing up the subject, she had jinxed them, and that was precisely what happened not a few minutes too soon.
Their journey, fraught with peril, culminated in an episode that tested their mettle to its utmost limits.
The humvee, their steel-clad chariot of survival, became ensnared in a deadly embrace with steel wires strewn across their path—a trap, perhaps, or the remnants of a world that once was.
What followed after was worse, a nightmare that ensued: a massive, unending horde of zombies, each more ravenous than the last, descending upon them with a voracious hunger for the living.
With their vehicle stuck, and annoying orange being injured and unable to walk due to flying off said vehicle during the vehicle crash ordeal, they were forced to fight, but the sheer number of them was staggering.
Even Naruto, whose prowess in combat was legendary, a shinobi tempered in the fires of countless battles, found his skills pushed to their limits. Each movement, each strike, was a testament to his resolve, yet the sheer number of foes, numbering in the hundreds, threatened to overwhelm even him.
The tension of their predicament, a scene that could very well have been the last for many, was suddenly alleviated by an unexpected arrival.
Saya's mother, accompanied by a contingent of what could only be described as bodyguards or perhaps employees—though their exact roles mattered little in the face of the undead—burst onto the scene.
Their intervention, timely and fierce, turned the tide of battle, evening the odds in a dance of death that saw the last of the zombies fall to Naruto's kunai, a precise strike that silenced its victim forever.
With the immediate threat neutralized, the group found solace in their reunion with Saya's mother. Saya herself, overcome with a mix of relief and joy, rushed to embrace her mother, a moment of pure, unadulterated happiness that belied the horrors they had just faced.
This union, brief as it might have been, offered them a respite, a moment to collect themselves before they continued on their journey to the Takagi estate.
Though Naruto had to inwardly contemplate how grumpy monkey was so grumpy when she had such a cheerful and easy to get along milf of a mom in the form Yuriko Takagi.
The estate itself loomed on the horizon, a fortress amidst chaos, its gates opening wide to welcome the weary travelers.
Standing a short distance away was Saya's father, Souichiro Takagi, a man whose reputation preceded him. His presence alone was enough to stir a surge of happiness within Saya, a feeling that was quickly tempered by the realization of his cool, calculating gaze.
Her initial reaction, one of unrestrained joy, shifted to a more measured, aloof demeanor as she exchanged nods with her father, a man of few words but deep authority.
Souichiro Takagi's eyes, sharp and discerning, scanned the group, taking measure of each member as if assessing their worth, their potential threat, and their place within the sanctuary he had helped forge. His gaze finally settled on Naruto, and in that moment, any semblance of humor or levity within the former shinobi was stripped away.
Replaced by a mutual recognition of strength, of potential allies or adversaries.
Naruto, for his part, met Souichiro's gaze evenly, fully aware of the power dynamics at play. Despite his own formidable abilities, Naruto understood that Souichiro was not a man to be trifled with lightly.
The aura surrounding Souichiro Takagi was one of undeniable authority and command, the kind that inspired both respect and a cautious wariness.
It was not just his physical presence that demanded attention but the air of strategic acumen that seemed to emanate from him, a clear indication of a man who had navigated the complexities of power and survival in a world turned upside down in less than a week.
As the group settled into a moment of precarious calm, Souichiro Takagi's gaze softened momentarily as it landed once more on his daughter, Saya. The stern demeanor of the patriarch slightly relaxed, revealing a hint of underlying concern for his family amidst the apocalypse.
"Saya, it is good to see you unharmed," Souichiro's voice, though steady, carried a weight that transcended his words, echoing the relief and underlying worry of a father reunited with his child in such dire times.
Saya, caught in the emotional gravity of the moment, felt another surge of happiness swell within her. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, her lips trembled as she struggled to rein in her emotions, fighting the urge to cry. "It is good to see you well as well, Otou-Sama," She replied, her voice shaky.
He nodded stoically, his gaze lingering on his daughter for a moment longer before he addressed the group. "We shall speak privately later," He said, his voice firm yet carrying an undertone of warmth reserved for Saya alone. Then, turning to Naruto and the others, he continued, "Thank you for caring and looking after my daughter. You have my gratitude."
Before anyone could muster a reply, Souichiro gestured towards the expansive estate. "Please, consider our home as yours for the time being. Unwind and find solace from your journey within these walls. You are under the Takagi's care now."
Yuriko smiled enthusiastically, her demeanor much softer and warmer than her husband's. "It would be our delight to house the brave souls who protected our baby girl." She declared, her voice filled with genuine appreciation and warmth.
At her mother's words, Saya's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and affection. She turned to shoot a glare at Naruto, who couldn't help but snicker at the wording.
Annoyed, the pinkette huffed before Yuriko's voice once again drew the group's attention.
"I must apologize in advance," Yuriko began, her expression turning apologetic, "But once inside, we'll need to ensure that none of you have been bitten. It's a precaution we take with all new arrivals, for the safety of everyone here."
Kyoko, understanding the necessity of such measures in these times, nodded. "There are no hard feelings. It's understandable why you'd need to check. We're just grateful for your hospitality."
As the group began their walk across the polished pavement towards the entrance of the estate, they couldn't help but admire their surroundings. The estate was a fortress in its own right, with meticulously maintained gardens and robust defenses that spoke volumes of the Takagi's' capabilities and preparedness.
Leaning closer to Naruto, Shizuka whispered, "I'm amazed by the capabilities of Saya's parents. This place... it's incredible."
The male blonde nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the estate and the many people and families who had found refuge within its walls. "Yeah, they've done an impressive job here," He whispered back.
Suddenly, Naruto's danger sense flared, a chilling reminder that threats lurked even in places of relative safety.
He whipped around, trying to pinpoint the source of the killing intent. His gaze settled on the corner of a rooftop, a good distance away from the estate and beyond its defenses. His brow furrowed, concern etching his features as he sensed the malice directed towards them.
Ignoring the confused and worried glances from his group, with Saeko inquiring, "Is everything alright?" Naruto attempted to dismiss their concerns. "I must be tweaking. Ignore me," He smiled reassuringly, though his tone carried an edge of uncertainty.
Up front, Souichiro and Yuriko narrowed their eyes, having sensed the disturbance as well.
Their gaze shifted to where Naruto had been looking, the two of them sharing a silent understanding of the threat that had momentarily revealed itself. Exchanging a nod, they continued leading the group towards the safety of the estate, their minds already strategizing on how to address this new potential danger.
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Nemesis, the aberration birthed from the chaos of a world overrun by the undead, stood like a monolith of death upon the edge of the skyscraper.
Its seven-foot frame loomed ominously against the backdrop of a dying city, a stark contrast to the life it so fervently sought to extinguish. Its white eyes, devoid of any compassion or empathy, fixed intently on the distant figure of Naruto, humanity's strongest champion, now nothing more than a speck on the horizon from its elevated vantage point.
For a fleeting moment, Nemesis allowed itself the luxury of contemplation, its mind, a meld of primal hunger and a sinister intelligence, processed the information before it. Its gaze, ferocious and unyielding, drifted from the retreating silhouette of Naruto to the gates of the Takagi estate, then over the guards and patrols that moved with a vigilance born of necessity.
Beyond the walls, the landscape was peppered with the vulnerable forms of countless families, huddled together in shacks and makeshift tents—a tableau of despair and determination interwoven seamlessly.
A quiet, guttural groan escaped Nemesis, the sound more a declaration of intent than any form of communication.
Then, with a suddenness that belied its monstrous form, it leaped from the rooftop. The force of gravity became its ally as it descended, the wind whistling past its fleshless body, a harbinger of the doom it was poised to bring.
It landed with a colossal impact, the pavement beneath it not just cracking but cratering under the force, the very earth seeming to shudder at the touch of such malevolence. Nemesis's landing, though ferocious, was precise—its feet planted in a sumo-like stance before it straightened, towering once more in the silent street.
Nemesis was more than instinct, hunger, and strength. It was a symbol of renewal, a champion of Mother Earth itself.
Intelligent it most certainly was and by laying eyes on the fortress and the humans that manned the walls, Nemesis had pretty much arrived at the conclusion that it could not attack now…
Not yet anyway.
"AAaaalliiassss" Nemesis gurgled, its voice a grotesque parody of human speech, layered with the rasp of decay and the gravel of unquenched hunger.
It needed allies, creatures just as devoted to wiping the plague of humans upon mother earth.
Though speaking of humans….
Turning its head to the left, Nemesis's gaze found a new focus—a few feet up, behind the fragile safety of an apartment complex window, a human.
The sight of the creature prompted an involuntary, haunting tug of its lips upwards, a grimace that could only be described as a terrifying semblance of a smile. Locking eyes with the frightened, hiding human, a silent acknowledgment passed between predator and prey.
Inside the apartment, the perspective shifted to that of the human who had caught the gaze of the nightmare incarnate.
Heart racing, breath hitched in their throat, they could only stare, transfixed by fear, at the monster that now seemed to acknowledge their existence with a look of unholy amusement. The seconds stretched into eternity, each tick of the clock a thunderous beat in the silence that enveloped them.
The paralysis of fear was shattered by a scream—ripped from their very soul—as Nemesis, with a speed that seemed impossible for a human to achieve, sprinted towards their hiding spot. The world outside the window blurred into a terrifying spectacle of death incarnate charging, its every step an echo of impending doom.
It jumped!
It jumped thirty feet high!
And In that moment, the human's mind raced, thoughts jumbled and chaotic. The human fell back on the floor in shock, crawling back as memories flashed, a montage of a life lived in the shadow of the apocalypse, of loved ones lost and days spent in the constant grip of fear.
Faced with the embodiment of their darkest nightmares, the inevitability of their fate seemed to crystallize.
As Nemesis smashed through the window, its form a monstrous blur of death, the human's perspective narrowed to the horror before them, the rest of the world fading away.
It was a moment of pure, unadulterated terror—a moment in which the fragile thread of hope that had sustained them in this desolate world seemed to snap.
A grotesque parody of life lay before the human's eyes, a figure shrouded in the remnants of its mortality. The creature before him was a horror plucked from the very bowels of nightmare, a zombie whose emaciated form told tales of eons spent in the desolate embrace of death.
Its skin, the color of faded graves, clung to its bones like tattered parchment, with sinewy fibers snaking over its skeletal frame. The zombie's limbs were elongated, almost arachnid, with hands that ended in talon-like claws, each a weapon of untold malice, craving the warm pulse of the living. Its rags—once perhaps the garb of a noble soul—hung in shreds, a morbid testament to its forgotten past.
The creature's head was a macabre trophy, with eyes that gleamed like baleful rubies, peering out from sockets deep and dark as voids.
Its maw was an abyss lined with jagged teeth, an eternal grimace that spoke of insatiable hunger. The scant remnants of hair atop its skull fluttered like withered leaves in a forsaken wind, and the faint, otherworldly light that struggled through the dereliction above only served to cast ghastly shadows upon its visage.
The human, a man whose name was inconsequential, whimpered as he looked down on the floor and submitted to the nightmare that would befall him.
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After completing the thorough full-body checks—a precautionary measure that had been met with understanding nods and murmurs of agreement from the group—Souichiro Takagi had taken it upon himself to give them a brief tour of the estate.
They had traversed through corridors lined with history and tradition, peeking into the lives of those who now called this fortress home.
The tour had introduced them to the living quarters, each tailored to provide a semblance of privacy and comfort in these tumultuous times, the expansive kitchen and dining hall that served as a communal heart of the estate, a library rich with knowledge of both past and present, and a training dojo that echoed with the determination of those who sought to protect this sanctuary.
Now, the Naruto squad found themselves in the medical wing, a stark reminder of the constant battle waged not just beyond the walls, but within them as well. The room was filled with the quiet sounds of healing: the soft murmur of voices, the gentle clinking of medical instruments, and the underlying strain of effort from those tending to the injured.
Souichiro's voice, authoritative yet tinged with a note of regret, broke the silence. "As you can see, we have countless injured individuals who need care. Unfortunately, we're understaffed in this department."
Having positioned herself up front, Shizuka seized the moment. "I was studying to be a doctor." She proclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of eagerness and humility. "I was extremely close to attaining my degree. I could help out here."
The father's gaze met hers, a nod of understanding and appreciation conveying his response. "It would be of great appreciation to have your skillset among us," He affirmed, acknowledging the value of her offer in the face of their current predicament.
Further back, Kyoko, who had been quietly observing the exchange alongside Naruto, subtly turned to him.
She raised one of her forearms in a silent gesture, her eyes darting between Shizuka and Naruto, conveying a message only they understood. Naruto, catching the unspoken question, shook his head slightly and whispered, "Not yet, but I will tell her soon."
Kyoko hummed in approval, a sound that spoke of trust and patience in equal measure.
An hour had since passed, dispersing the group into their newfound routines within the estate.
Saya had joined her parents, Shizuka took it upon herself to familiarize Alice with their temporary and hopefully soon to be permanent haven, Kouta and Kyoko retreated to their respective rooms, and Takashi and Rei had vanished into the vastness of the estate, their whereabouts being only God knows where.
Naruto found himself in the solitude of his assigned room, laying down on the mattress provided, a rare moment of peace enveloping him.
His eyes fluttered closed, savoring the blissful quiet, only to reopen as a silent query nudged at the edge of his consciousness. His gaze shifted towards Saeko, whose form was outlined against the window, her back to him, her piercing gaze seemingly skewering the world beyond the glass.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Naruto's voice broke the silence, tentative yet open.
He was met with a momentary silence, a pause that seemed to stretch, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions.
Then, Saeko turned towards him, her movements deliberate, each step measured with a grace that belied the tension in the air. Her approach was reminiscent of a lioness stalking her prey, a fluid, confident stride that held a promise of intent and purpose.
She sat on the edge of the bed, close to where Naruto lay, her position near his chest section. The proximity didn't seem to faze her, her demeanor calm and composed. Saeko offered him a smile, one that danced with marvel and mystery, an enigmatic expression that hinted at the depth of conversation to come.
Needless to say, the former shinobi was intrigued by why the swordswomen pulled him so they could 'talk'.
"Can you assume the role of a leader if the situation demands it?" Her voice, usually so calm and measured, bore an undercurrent of urgency, a testament to the gravity of her inquiry.
Naruto met her gaze, unflinching, his response immediate and unwavering. "If the situation calls for me to step up, then I'm willing."
He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued by the sudden turn in their conversation. "What prompted this question?"
A dark chuckle escaped Saeko, her eyes tinting with a bloodlust that seemed out of place in the tranquility of their surroundings. "Being around so many people, and with how the world has fallen... There are many monsters around, and not necessarily just the undead,"
"And you think there weren't monsters before the apocalypse?" Naruto countered, his question rhetorical yet pointed, challenging the notion that evil was a product solely of their current predicament.
Saeko shook her head, a wry smile playing at the corners of her mouth, acknowledging the truth in his words. "I know very well," She replied, her smile self-mocking, a reflection of her awareness of the darkness that resided in humanity, even before their world had crumbled.
A brief, unbidden memory flashed through Saeko's mind—a younger version of herself confronted by a man whose intentions were far from noble. The memory culminated with the man lying on the ground, bloodied and beaten, a testament to Saeko's refusal to be a victim.
Snapping back to reality, she caught Naruto's next words just in time, a reassurance that seemed to echo through the room. "Just because there are more monsters out there than ever, and I don't necessarily mean just the dead, that doesn't mean we have anything to worry about."
He sat up straight, his gaze locking with Saeko's with an intensity that brooked no argument. "I won't let anyone harm our group. To even attempt to do so would invoke my full fury," He declared, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
The strength and determination in his voice, in his eyes, stunned Saeko into silence as she peered into his blue orbs, finding a depth of resolve that was both surprising and awe-inspiring.
The room fell into a few seconds of charged silence, the weight of Naruto's proclamation hanging between them until Saeko, regaining her composure, ventured a mischievous question. "Would you be this protective if someone tried to attack me?"
"Yes," Naruto replied, his voice confident and dead firm. The straightforward, unequivocal nature of his response sent a wave of unexpected warmth through Saeko, her cheeks tinting pink as she chuckled at the earnestness in his words.
He pouted, prompting another round of giggles from the purplette.
"Sorry." She apologized lightly, her laughter subsiding as the blonde offered a sarcastic thumbs up in response.
A few peaceful moments passed before the light-hearted moment began to fade as Naruto's expression hardened, a shift that brought an immediate sense of seriousness back to their conversation.
"Be careful and keep your eyes and ears open, just in case, while I don't distrust the Takagi's and they should be good, that doesn't mean that the people around them are good too. Stay on your guard." He ordered, his gaze sharp and commanding.
Saeko nodded, the gravity of his words not lost on her. "I will," She promised. "And that is all for now, I just wanted an answer to this question of mine."
With a final nod, she bid Naruto farewell and walked away, leaving behind a silence that was both contemplative and wary as the shinobi lay back down on the bed.
….
….
Naruto raised his once-bitten forearm above his face, scrutinizing the skin where, not a few days ago, a vivid bite scar was unmistakably present.
Now, there was nothing; no mark, no scar, just unblemished skin as if the teeth that had once torn into his flesh had merely brushed against him instead. The wound that should have been a death sentence or a transformation into the very creatures they fought against had disappeared entirely, healed by a gift that was as much a mystery as it was a miracle.
He let his arm fall back to his side, a physical action mirroring the release of his tightly held composure as his thoughts began to cascade like water breaching a dam. His mind wandered to the state of the world, to the endless hordes of zombies that roamed the streets.
…
And to the countless families and individuals who had fallen victim to the horror that now plagued their existence. A grief-like chuckle escaped him, tinged with the irony of his situation.
Millions out there would have given anything for the gift he possessed—the gift of immunity, the ability to heal from a bite that spelled doom for anyone else. His thoughts turned solemn as he acknowledged that, despite the global catastrophe, his primary concern had always been Shizuka's safety.
It wasn't a decision he regretted, but he couldn't help wishing there had been a way to extend his miraculous survival to others from the moment the world had descended into chaos.
Naruto sighed, a sound heavy with resolve. He decided that he would tell Shizuka about his immunity at the first opportunity. It was a secret he could no longer keep to himself, especially from someone who mattered so much to him. Just as he solidified his resolve, a knock on the door punctured the quiet of the room.
"Come in." The former shinobi called out.
The door swung open, and Shizuka entered, her smile beaming and infectious. 'No time like the present.' He thought to himself, returning her smile, albeit a bit nervously, which didn't go unnoticed by the nurse.
The nurse paused in her tracks, tilted her head slightly, her smile faltering at the edges as she picked up on her most precious person's unease. "Is everything alright, Naruto-kun?" She asked gently, her voice laced with concern, stepping further into the room, closing the door gently behind her.
Naruto sat up, making room for her to sit beside him if she chose to. "Yeah, everything's fine," He began, his voice betraying a hint of the weight he was about to share. "Actually, there's something I've been meaning to tell you... about me."
Shizuka's expression shifted to one of attentive curiosity.
END
I Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, this one mostly served as setup for something truly exciting!
The reaction about the bite would truly be interesting but what's going on with Nemesis!? That has me super excited.
More Chapters are posted on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n Feel free to check it out lads, here's the link
www.#patr#eon.#com/Demon_Knight939 (Just remove all the hashtags)
Anyway, I'll let you all get going on.
Hope you guys are doing well.
Take care lads.
Peace