A Knucklehead Journey to Laugh Tale

by johnsingh4642

After getting transported to an unknown world by a seal during a trip to his mother's ancestral land. Naruto Uzumaki has to find a way back to his world, while also making sure to show those puny 'gods' that one doesn't simply mess with Naruto Uzumaki and expects to not get their ass beaten by him.

2. first Day

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N: Just a heads up, some of you might not like how i have protrayed Naruto in this fic. Especially, with the way how he is serious at times, then suddenly reverting back to his goofy and jovial self, despite a serious and tense situation. I made him act like that, as i don't want to write him as an emo type of character, and want him to be as close to his canon personality with some grey added to it.

Don't think too hard about how Naruto knows about guns. Naruto universe most probably have guns, as they have lots of jutsu's referencing to guns and bullets. 'Probably' being the key word here XD

Most of the characters will be using japanese honorifics.

Also, this chapter also doesn't have too much actions, as it mostly focuses on what Naruto can do and cannot do. On that note, check the long ass bottom A/N to know more about that.

Hope you guys like this chapter.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The loud snap of the whip echoed in the air, cutting through the quiet streets like a knife. Naruto's fists clenched, his knuckles whitening beneath the bandages as his body instinctively tensed, the urge to intervene strong.

But he didn't move. Not yet.

Patience wasn't his strong suit, but he knew charging in without understanding the situation would only worsen things. He had to figure out where he was, who these people were, and what kind of power controlled this place and this world as a whole. His narrowed eyes swept over the grim landscape, his mind racing.

'A labor camp.' The realization hit him like a blow, the term resonating in his thoughts. 'Just my luck,' he thought bitterly, 'Of all the places I could've landed…'

A tug on his sleeve jerked him out of his thoughts. Soran, the small girl who had taken it upon herself to be his guide, stared up at him with wide, concerned eyes. Her fingers pressed urgently to her lips, silently pleading for him to follow, to move, to stay quiet.

Naruto sighed, exhaling slowly through his nose. He gave her a quick, apologetic smile, nodding in acknowledgment. 'For now,' he told himself. 'For now, I'll follow.' But as he glanced one last time at the guards patrolling the streets, a burning promise ignited within him. 'These people won't remain shackled for long. That much, I swear.'

And Naruto Uzumaki never went back on his word.

They darted across the shadowed street, ducking low to avoid the guards' watchful gazes. Soran led him through winding alleys before pulling him into a large, heavy-doored building. The thick stone walls muffled the world outside, trapping the cold and the echoes of oppression in the air.

Inside, Naruto's eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim, flickering light. The space was large and bare, more of a makeshift mess hall than a home, with long wooden tables scattered haphazardly around the room. The air reeked of stale bread, sweat, and a bitter staleness that the blonde couldn't quite place, the scent clinging to the walls and furniture.

Exhausted women sat at the tables, their eyes hollow, dressed in worn-out maid uniforms frayed at the edges. Some were slumped over in fatigue, others quietly picking at meager portions of food. The flickering candlelight threw dancing shadows across their faces, hardening their features into stone masks of weariness and survival.

Naruto's heart sank. The sight before him was all too familiar. It took him back to the Land of Waves, where the faces of those oppressed by Gato had been similarly etched with despair. These women weren't any different—survivors of hardship, clinging to whatever scraps of hope remained.

As Soran pulled him further into the room, the soft murmur of the room died as their attention shifted entirely to the two newcomers. A woman with short, cropped hair at one of the central tables sat up straighter, eyeing Soran with a mixture of frustration and concern.

"Soran!" she called out, her eyes narrowing. "Did you go out without permission again?" There was a reprimand hidden in her tone, but it was layered with worry as well, as if this were a common occurrence with Soran.

The girl ducked her head slightly, guilt flashing across her face. "I'm sorry, Aunty Lin," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.

"You can't keep on doing that, you know?" The thin woman next to Lin spoke up, her voice strained with concern. "You hid from the officers, right?"

"Yes." Soran nodded quickly, like a child trying to avoid further scolding, as the women let out a sigh in relief.

Naruto shifted uncomfortably, his earlier anger at the state of the place melting away, replaced by an awkward self-awareness. Their gazes were on him now, scrutinizing every inch of his presence. Some of the women looked at him with open suspicion, while others seemed too tired to care, their eyes merely drifting over him before returning to their food.

"Who's this?" A large woman at the same table finally spoke, her brow furrowed as she looked Naruto up and down.

"Seems like he's from somewhere else," another woman muttered, her tone edged with suspicion as she scrutinized his unfamiliar clothing and the way he held himself.

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, a familiar nervous gesture, before raising a hand in a small, awkward wave. "Uh… hey there," he started, voice faltering as he felt all the eyes in the room lock onto him. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I kind of, uh… got lost on the road of life and ended up here."

The silence that followed his introduction was deafening.

The women stared at him, their expressions ranging from confusion to indifference, as if trying to process whether they had actually heard what he said. Even Soran, who had been pulling him along with such enthusiasm, now blinked up at him with wide, blank eyes. The room, already heavy with exhaustion and sorrow, didn't seem the place for jokes—especially ones that landed as flat as that.

The blonde laughed awkwardly, the sound sticking in the air like it didn't belong. "Heh… yeah, that was pretty lame, huh?"

The large woman who had spoken before just raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Lost on the road of life?" she repeated slowly, her voice deep and skeptical. "Is that supposed to mean something?"

A soft groan escaped from one of the older women, her hands resting on her lap as she leaned back in her chair. "Great, just what we needed—another weirdo," she muttered under her breath, though loud enough for Naruto to hear.

Naruto's shoulders slumped, the air around him growing awkward. He hadn't expected a warm welcome, but this was more uncomfortable than he had imagined. He had faced powerful enemies, stood before tyrants, and dealt with the toughest of challenges, but a room full of tired, suspicious women? That, somehow, felt more daunting than anything he'd faced in battle.

Soran, still at his side, shifted uneasily. Her fingers clenched around the fabric of her robe, and her eyes flickered nervously between her guest and her 'aunts'. "He's… um… not from here," she said, her voice trembling slightly as if she wasn't sure how to explain. "I found him outside in the snow. He seemed injured and exhausted, so I brought him here to rest." Her words, though sincere, seemed to only deepen the women's wariness.

The murmurs started immediately. Eyes darted between Naruto and each other, their faces hardening with suspicion.

"A drifter?"

"Could be a criminal on the run."

"I've heard there were dissidents in the country lately. Maybe he's one of them…"

Naruto couldn't help but sweatdrop, his hand instinctively rubbing the back of his neck as he listened to their whispered accusations. Dissidents? Criminals? He sighed inwardly. Man, what kind of reputation do I have here already? His gaze slid toward Soran, hoping for some kind of explanation, but she looked just as lost and overwhelmed as he felt.

Lin, stood with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Though her stern expression didn't falter, there was a brief flicker of something in her gaze—sympathy, perhaps? "If he had any sense, he wouldn't have come here," she muttered gruffly, her voice edged with both warning and pity. "This isn't a place for people to just wander in and expect kindness."

Naruto feeling he tension creeping up his spine, turned to Soran with a small, rueful smile, his tone deliberately light despite the pressure mounting around him. "Looks like your aunties aren't too keen on me sticking around," he murmured, though loud enough for the others to catch. "Thanks for helping me out, but I don't wanna cause you any more trouble. I think it's time for me to move on."

The girl's eyes widened at his words, the color draining from her face for a split second before determination sparked in her gaze. Her hands shot forward, gripping his tightly. "No!" she said, more forcefully than before, her voice steadying. "It's okay, Naruto-nii, you can rest here. I'll take care of you." There was no hesitation in her words now. She stood taller, turning to face her aunts with a resolute expression. "You don't have to worry. I'll take all responsibility for him."

The room fell Into an uneasy silence. The thin woman blinked, taken aback by Soran's boldness. "Don't be selfish, Soran!" she hissed, her brows furrowing in frustration. "Do you even realize the risk you're taking? What if the officers find out we're sheltering a stranger? What then? You'll put all of us in danger!"

Soran's jaw tightened, her face set in defiance. "I understand the risks," she replied firmly. "But I won't turn my back on someone in need. Not when I can help." She squeezed Naruto's hands slightly, as if drawing strength from him, even though he was the one who had arrived seeking refuge. "I'll bear whatever comes. You won't have to."

The larger woman let out a long, weary sigh, rubbing her temples as though trying to fend off an impending headache. "She's hopeless…" she muttered under her breath, throwing a glance at Lin, who remained silent but watchful. "Stubborn, like always."

Lin's sharp eyes flicked between Soran and Naruto, her lips pressing into a thin line. "It's not just about you, Soran," she said, her voice softer but still stern. "It's about all of us. What you're asking for puts us all at risk, not just yourself."

Soran didn't back down, her gaze unwavering. "I know. But I'm still asking."

Naruto, sensing the gravity of her words, gave Soran a soft smile, humbled by her unexpected loyalty. "You've done enough, Soran. Really." He glanced around the room, his gaze landing briefly on each of the women. "I don't want to make things harder for anyone here."

But Soran held firm, her grip on his hands tightening ever so slightly. "You're not a burden, Natuto-nii. And I won't let them send you away, no matter what."

The tension hung thick In the air, the unspoken fears and doubts of the women echoing in the silence. Yet in the little girl's eyes, there was a flicker of something strong, unyielding—an unspoken promise.

Lin's eyes softened, just for a moment, as she looked at the little girl standing so resolutely. "You better be sure about this, Soran," she finally said, the faintest hint of resignation in her tone. "Because once this decision is made, there's no going back."

"I am," Soran replied, her voice unwavering.

"And where are you going to hide him anyway?" Lin asked, her tone not accusatory but genuinely intrigued.

The girl blinked, taken aback by the question. It was clear she hadn't considered the logistics, but then her face brightened as an idea struck her. "In my room!" she declared, her voice filled with sudden conviction.

Lin raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. "In the loft?" she repeated, her voice cautious.

Soran nodded eagerly. "Yes, he can stay up there. No one ever goes in my room."

The large woman hummed thoughtfully, tapping her chin as she mulled it over. "That might actually work," she mused. "It's out of the way, and he could probably rest there for a while without being noticed."

The thin woman, who had been watching the exchange in disbelief, threw up her hands, exasperated. "Are you people serious?" she demanded, her voice rising. "We should turn him in before it's too late! This is madness!"

Lin let out a long, resigned sigh, her expression softening slightly as she glanced at Soran. "It's already too late," she said quietly, but firmly. "He's already in our house, and the moment we took him in, we crossed a line. There's no undoing that."

The large woman glanced at Naruto, who was awkwardly watching the exchange, her eyes filled with sympathy as she noticed his tattered clothes and exhausted appearance. She gave the thin woman an apologetic look. "I don't want to regret turning him away later, Karen," she said softly. "The boy looks like he needs rest. Just a little while won't hurt."

Karen stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "Keep me out of it!" she growled, her voice laced with frustration. Clutching her bowl tightly, she stormed away from the table, leaving the room in tense silence once more.

Soran's shoulders sagged slightly as she let out a sigh of relief, glancing gratefully at Lin "Thank you, everyone," she said, her voice laced with earnestness.

Lin's expression, however, darkened as she narrowed her eyes at Soran. "But don't get any ideas," she warned, her tone firm. "He has to leave as soon as his wounds heal, understood?"

Soran nodded quickly, her smile fading into seriousness. "I understand," she said, casting a quick glance at Naruto, who stood beside her, still unsure of his welcome.

"Come on, Naruto-nii," Soran beckoned, a glimmer of excitement returning to her voice. "Let's go to my room!"

Naruto nodded, his heart warming at the little girl's kindness and enthusiasm. He turned to the women around the table, bowing slightly in gratitude. "Thank you for letting me rest here," he said earnestly. "I'll make sure not to cause any more trouble for you all."

The women's exchanged a brief, cautious glance, but they offered him only muted nods as they returned to their food, the tension still lingering in the air. Lin's stern demeanor softened just a bit as she added, "You better."

—Line Break—

Naruto followed Soran up the narrow staircase, his footsteps soft on the creaking wooden planks. As he entered the loft, his heart sank. The room was far from what he had expected for a child. Instead of the warmth and comfort a little girl deserved, the space was cluttered with wooden crates stacked carelessly against the walls, casting long, uneven shadows in the dim light. It felt more like a forgotten attic than a bedroom, the air thick with the scent of dust and old wood.

His eyes swept over the room—no proper bed, just a pile of folded blankets in the corner that served as a makeshift sleeping spot. The only light came from a small lantern and a small, dirty window set into the roof, through which a sliver of moonlight barely filtered in, casting a pale glow on the floor. The room felt cold, not just in temperature, but in spirit—a stark contrast to the bright, hopeful child who had brought him here.

Naruto's chest tightened with a mix of sadness and anger. How could anyone let a child live in such conditions? It reminded him too much of the loneliness he once felt, the cold, empty spaces where no one cared whether he had warmth or light.

"Here, Naruto-nii."

Soran's soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see her standing in front of him, a small, threadbare blanket in her hands, her eyes filled with innocent kindness. The blonde knelt to her level, accepting the blanket with a gentle smile, though inside, the sight of her offering what little comfort she had stirred something deep within him.

"Thank you, for helping me," he said quietly, gratefully accepting the blanket. His voice was warm, but his resolve had hardened. This wasn't just a visit anymore—he was going to change her life, one way or another.

She smiled back, a light in her eyes that seemed out of place in such a bleak room. "It's the right thing to do," she said simply. "To help people in need."

Naruto chuckled softly at her words, the warmth of her kindness easing some of the tension in his heart. "Yeah, you're right," he replied, nodding in agreement. "It is."

Soran's smile grew a little brighter, her small frame still radiating warmth despite the cold surroundings. "Rest here for a bit," she said, her voice light and caring. "I'll go downstairs and bring you something to eat."

Naruto nodded gratefully. "Thank you," he murmured once more, his heart aching for the girl who had so little, yet offered so much. He watched her small figure disappear down the narrow staircase, the wooden steps creaking softly beneath her light steps.

As the room fell silent again, the blonde sighed and wrapped the threadbare blanket around himself, feeling its thinness against his skin. He moved to one of the stone pillars near the window, resting his back against it. His gaze drifted up toward the small, dirty window as the faint moonlight illuminated the falling snow outside. The delicate flakes danced in the wind, drifting silently in the cold night air. Naruto found himself lost in the quiet beauty of the scene, though the biting chill of the room reminded him of the harsh reality Soran and the other 'prisoners' lived in.

"Well, that was quite an awkward welcome."

The amused voice of his partner broke through his thoughts, drawing a chuckle from Naruto.

The blonde snorted, "That's an understatement," his tone playful as he lightly accused, "You were enjoying my earlier predicament, weren't you?"

Kurama's deep, rumbling laugh echoed in his head. "Of course I was. Watching you squirm awkwardly under the suspicious gazes of those old women was a hilarious sight. If only I could have seen your face."

Naruto chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You could've helped, you know."

"Help? Why would I interfere when you're doing such a fine job of embarrassing yourself?" Kurama teased, his voice carrying a mocking edge, though Naruto could sense the underlying fondness.

"Thanks, partner," The blonde replied dryly, though his smile lingered.

Naruto's playful banter with Kurama was abruptly interrupted as he caught sight of two bowls placed carefully at the entrance of the loft. His gaze shifted upward, spotting Soran's familiar blonde hair climbing the narrow staircase, her small frame silhouetted against the dim light filtering in from the window and the warm glow of the lantern that was placed on one of the wooden crates.

As she reached the top, Soran carefully balanced the bowls in her hands, steam rising in soft tendrils that mingled with the chilly air. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold and the exertion, and she approached him, the warmth of her breath visible in the cool room. "Here you go," she said softly, extending one of the bowls toward him, a hint of shyness in her voice. "I… um… hope this is enough. Most of the food has already been eaten by others."

Naruto took the bowl gratefully. The rice porridge looked simple but comforting, its warm beige contrasting beautifully against the cold wood of the loft. Bits of colorful vegetables peeked through the soft surface, and the aroma wafting from it was soothing, a stark contrast to the bleakness of the room. "Soran, it's perfect," he reassured her, waving away her concern with a smile. "You didn't have to worry about me, ya know. I really appreciate it."

Her eyes sparkled with relief, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in her expression. "I just… I wish I could've brought more. It's not much, but it's all I could find."

"Hey, you did great," Naruto said, his voice gentle but firm. "I've had plenty of meals in my life, but I can tell this one will be special." He took a careful spoonful, savoring the warmth that spread through him as he tasted the porridge. It wasn't just the food; it was the thought and kindness behind it that made his heart swell with gratitude.

Soran's smile grew a little brighter, her earlier worries fading as she watched him eat. "Really? You like it?" she asked, a hint of eagerness dancing in her tone, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"Absolutely!" Naruto nodded enthusiastically, his mouth full. "It's like a warm hug in a bowl." He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with genuine joy.

Soran giggle at his exaggerated description, the sound brightening the dimly lit room. Suddenly, she paused, her nose scrunching up as she took a small whiff of him, still cradling her bowl of porridge in both hands.

"Umm…What are you doing?" Naruto asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.

The little girl glanced up at him, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I just smelled something," she replied sheepishly.

Naruto blinked, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. He quickly took a sniff at his armpit, unsure if he might smell bad. "I hope it isn't me," he muttered awkwardly, grimacing slightly as he examined his underarm.

Soran didn't respond right away. She sat down on the opposite side of the stone pillar, her expression pensive. With a slow, deliberate motion, she scooped up another spoonful of porridge, savoring the taste before glancing back at Naruto. "It's not you, Naruto-nii," she said softly, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Maybe it's just the scent of the outside world."

Naruto let out a relieved sigh, though a hint of curiosity tugged at him. "The outside world?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Soran nodded, her eyes distant as she stirred her porridge. "I've never left this country since I was born," she admitted, her voice tinged with both longing and resignation. "So, I've always wondered what it looks like… or smells like."

Naruto's heart sank a little at her words. He had a sinking feeling he already knew the reason for her confinement. This was a labor camp, after all, a place meant to break spirits rather than nurture them. He managed a soft smile, trying to lift the mood. "The world outside… it's vast," he began, his voice warm and gentle. "It's filled with sights and smells that would take a lifetime to explore."

Soran looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. "Are you a traveler, nii-san? Did you come here from a warm country?"

Naruto nodded at Soran's hopeful question, a soft smile tugging at his lips as memories of Konoha flooded his mind. The warmth of the sun-dappled streets, the smell of fresh ramen wafting through the air, and the sight of the Hokage Monument towering over the village. It was home—his sanctuary, filled with people he loved and moments he cherished.

"Yeah," he answered, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "I come from a village called Konoha. It's nestled among tall trees, with a clear blue sky that stretches forever. The mornings there are always warm, with the sun lighting up the rooftops, and in the evenings, there's this breeze that carries the smell of blooming flowers and fresh rain." His eyes softened, the weight of all those memories reflecting in his gaze. "It's a place where everyone knows each other. You can always hear laughter, see people bustling around, and feel… safe."

The little girl's expression grew wistful as she listened, her fingers tightening slightly around her spoon. "It sounds like a dream," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "A place like that… I can't even imagine it."

Naruto's smile faltered for a moment as he watched her, feeling the distance between her reality and the world he had taken for granted. He leaned forward slightly, his tone soft but firm. "One day, you'll see it, too. The outside world—places like Konoha—they're not out of reach. There's more out there for you, Soran. This cam…country it's not the end."

Soran's eyes flickered with a mixture of hope and doubt. "Do you really think so, Naruto-nii?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling slightly.

Naruto's gaze met hers, steady and resolute. "I know so," he replied, his words filled with quiet conviction.

Soran's wide eyes sparkled with a rare glimmer of curiosity, the weight of Naruto's words settling deep in her chest. For a moment, her world, confined by the walls of the camp, seemed to stretch beyond the horizon. She wanted to ask more—to dive into every detail of his home, to picture the animals that roamed freely, the flowers that blossomed under Konoha's skies, the colors of the outside world she had never seen.

"What kinds of animals are there, Natuto-nii? Are the flowers really as bright as—"

Her words were abruptly cut off by the harsh clanging of a bell that reverberated through the quiet loft, breaking the moment between them. Naruto's expression shifted to confusion as he glanced toward the source of the sound, his brow furrowed slightly.

Before either of them could react, Lin's voice rang out from below the loft, cutting through the noise. "Soran! The break is over! Hurry and get ready!"

The little girl flinched at the interruption, her hands curling into small fists in her lap as reality snapped back into focus. The fleeting hope she had felt just moments before seemed to dissipate like mist in the morning sun. She stood quickly, pushing aside whatever question she had been about to ask. "It's…it's time to work," she muttered, her tone subdued, as if the brief glimpse of freedom had already begun to slip away.

Naruto watched as the girl stood up, placing her still-filled bowl of porridge carefully on the floor. A small pang of concern struck him as he took in her small frame, her features slightly shadowed by the dim light of the loft. "Do you really work so late at night?" he asked, the surprise evident in his voice.

Soran nodded, a mixture of weariness and determination in her eyes. "We work all day and night," she replied, her tone subdued as she began to walk towards the loft entrance, glancing down the stairs.

Before she descended, she turned back to Naruto, a slight smile flickering across her face. "But you should rest, Naruto-nii," she urged gently, her voice barely above a whisper.

As she started to climb down the stairs, the blonde's gaze lingered on her, filled with unease. But just as she reached the last step, Soran paused, turning back to him. Her expression brightened, a spark of hope igniting in her gaze. "Can you please tell me about the outside world later?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity, as if the idea of the world beyond the camp could somehow manifest just from his words.

A small smile crept onto Naruto's face, and he nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! I'll be waiting for you to tell you all about it," he assured her, his voice warm and encouraging.

Soran's face lit up with gratitude, her heart feeling a little lighter. "Thank you, Naruto-nii," she said softly, the weight of her day-to-day burdens momentarily lifted. She turned and hurried down the stairs, her footsteps echoing softly against the wooden steps.

As Soran disappeared from view, Naruto leaned against the cold stone pillar, his gaze drifting back to the half-filled bowl of porridge she had left behind. Concern etched deeper into his features as he considered her weary state; she had barely touched her meal, yet she was preparing to plunge back into the long hours of toil that awaited her and all the others trapped in this grim labor camp.

Shaking his head, he reminded himself that now was not the time to lose himself in his emotions. He had to grasp the reality of this new world Kurama and he had stumbled into. The questions loomed heavily in his mind: Where were they? What kind of people had created this labor camp? And most importantly, how could he free Soran and the others from their plight?

He groaned, attempting to dispel the clouds of doubt and unease that threatened to envelop him. Gathering information was one of his specialties, after all. His resolve solidified; he needed to be proactive if he wanted to bring about change in this place and better understand this world—or dimension.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he placed his own half-eaten bowl of porridge on the ground beside Soran's. The cold stone felt unyielding against his back as he took a moment to focus, breathing steadily, centering himself as the familiar chakra surged within him. His fingers moved deftly, forming the signature hand seals that had become second nature.

In a puff of smoke, six clones materialized in front of him.

"Alright," Naruto muttered, his voice steady with an unusual seriousness as he pointed to the first two clones. "You two, blend in with the guards and prisoners using henge. I want you to figure out what exactly this place is. Get a sense of its layout, any key locations, and see if you can listen in on their conversations. Don't get caught."

The first pair nodded, their eyes sharp with focus. "Yes, boss!" they replied in unison, saluting before flickering away into the shadows.

His attention shifted to the remaining two clones. "And you two," he said, his tone sharpening, "find out who's in charge here. I need to know if we can reach them, and how tightly this place is guarded. Get a rough count of the guards, the prisoners, and anyone else of importance."

The remaining two clones saluted as well, their expressions just as resolute. "Got it!" they said, before disappearing into the cold night.

Naruto exhaled slowly, leaning against the pillar once more, his mind racing through possible plans.

"You know," Kurama's deep voice rumbled in his mind, tinged with irritation, "you could just kill all the guards, free the prisoners, and call it a day."

The blonde snorted softly at the suggestion, the corner of his mouth tugging into a smirk. "Weren't you the one who told me not to act recklessly?"

Kurama let out a low, contemplative hum. "Yeah, I did. But this place… The negativity here is overwhelming—the fear, the despair… It's so thick I can practically taste it. And it's really starting to piss me off."

The blonde grimaced, his expression hardening. He didn't need Kurama to tell him how foul the atmosphere was. He'd felt it the moment they arrived. It wasn't just a prison; it was a place where hope came to die. The urge to tear it apart and reduce it to rubble gnawed at him constantly. He could do it, no doubt—but the consequences…

"Believe me," Naruto said, his voice low and grim, "I'd love to tear this place down. But we don't know the full scope of what's going on here. If we make the wrong move, we could hurt the people we're trying to save."

Kurama's presence stirred, his voice laced with a mocking edge. "So, you're playing it the old shinobi way, huh? All stealth and strategy."

Naruto allowed a small, humorless chuckle to escape. "Yeah, the old way." His eyes hardened again as he straightened up. "Can't afford to be reckless—not with lives on the line."

Closing his eyes, Naruto focused on gathering natural energy, his mind slipping into a meditative calm despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. He felt the energy in the air, slowly pulling it into his chakra network, preparing to enter his Sage Mode.

Kurama's voice broke through again, this time softer but laced with a tinge of disapproval. "You're really going all in on this, aren't you? Trying to save these people when we could be looking for a way out of here."

Naruto's lips curled into a small grin, his concentration never wavering. "You know me too well, partner."

The nine-tails grunted, a reluctant note of approval in his tone. "Just don't lose focus, brat. We've got our own problems to deal with. Don't forget that we're stuck in this dimension with no clear way home."

Naruto's grin faded, his mind flashing back to the moment they'd been pulled into this unknown world. He still didn't know how it had happened or how to get back, but he knew one thing for certain: people were suffering here.

And if there was one thing he couldn't stand—it was letting innocent people suffer when he had the power to do something about it.

"I won't forget," he muttered under his breath. "But we help them first."

As the natural energy slowly merged with his chakra, Naruto settled into a focused stillness. He waited, and waited, nearly three minutes ticking by like an eternity as he concentrated on filtering out the huge amount of negative energies interwoven with the natural energy permeating this place.

The heaviness in the air was palpable, each breath he took feeling thick and burdensome. Finally, after what felt like hours of intense focus, he opened his eyes. His pupils now resembled those of a toad, and the familiar rush of Sage Mode flooded through him.

"Damn," he thought with a hint of concern. It had taken him far longer to enter Sage Mode here than it ever did back in his world, where he could slip into it within mere seconds.

His partner's voice broke through his musing, deep and rumbling. "Don't be that surprised, brat. Didn't I already tell you that this world has no chakra in the air? No wonder it took you that long to activate your Sage Mode. Not to mention all the negative energies emanating from this place."

Naruto simply grunted in response, the realization settling heavily on his shoulders. "That might turn out to be a problem in the long run," he sighed, running a hand through his hair as he thought aloud, "I should really try to find a way to shorten the time."

Without waiting for a response from his partner, the blonde extended his senses, trying to get a better feel for this new world. He focused, sending his awareness outward, trying to grasp any hint of chakra or familiar energy. Yet again, he felt that odd absence—this world had no chakra, and that continued to unsettle him. Even more jarring was the fact that the people here, had no trace of chakra within them. It was like he was operating in a completely foreign system.

Naruto frowned, pushing his senses even further, trying to find anything that might give him more information. What he sensed instead was a vast stretch of sea—a seemingly endless ocean that sprawled in all directions. Sea creatures swam beneath the surface, their life forces faint blips in his mind, but there were no signs of land.

He continued searching, pushing his Sage Mode to its limit. Finally, after several moments of concentration, his senses brushed against something more tangible: the faint life signatures of humans, far in the distance, scattered on what he could only assume were islands. But it was surrounded by more sea—endless, empty, foreboding.

"Damn," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "This world is huge compared to ours." He couldn't even sense the full depths of it, something that unsettled him deeply. Back home, everything felt within reach with his sage mode, even the farthest mountains or hidden villages. But here, it was as if the world stretched on forever, mocking his efforts.

A part of him felt an unexpected thrill despite the unfamiliarity. This world, as intimidating as it was, had so much potential. New lands. New challenges. New adventures. Since the end of the war, he'd been longing for something like this, something to break the monotony of peace. Yet, excitement mixed with caution. He had no idea what dangers lurked here, and his partner earlier warnings echoed in his mind.

"Kurama," he mentally reached out to his partner, "this place is on a completely different scale. I can't even reach the edges with Sage Mode."

The nine-tails grunted, unimpressed. "I told you not to waste your chakra, Naruto. There's no telling how long it'll take to recover it in this dimension. This isn't like back home where you've got everything handed to you by nature itself."

Naruto sighed, his hand lowering from his hair as the weight of the situation settled in. Kurama was right. He couldn't afford to push himself too hard, especially when there were no easy ways to recharge. Sage Mode, while powerful, would burn him out faster in a place like this, where natural energy was tainted by the overwhelming negativity in the air.

"Still," he said quietly, determination lighting up his eyes, "we've got a job to do. And we're not leaving until these people are safe."

Kurama rumbled in his mind again, this time more supportive. "You're as stubborn as ever. Just remember, I won't be able to save your skin if you push yourself to the brink. We've got to play this smart."

Naruto gave a small chuckle at that, his lips quirking back into a grin. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you. Let's just find out more about this place and see if we can't figure out how to get home and help these people."

After scanning the vast ocean and islands with his Sage Mode and finding it difficult to pinpoint anything beyond basic life signatures, Naruto clicked his tongue in frustration. "Tch, this won't do," he muttered under his breath.

His brows furrowed as he realized that he needed something more precise, more powerful. Steeling himself, Naruto closed his eyes, centering his chakra, then opened them, entering Sage of Six Paths Mode. The shift was instantaneous—power surged through him, his senses sharpening to a razor's edge. But he deliberately held back from activating Kurama's chakra cloak, knowing he needed to conserve energy.

Sensing the surge, Kurama growled from within. "Didn't I just tell you to take it easy on your chakra, you dumbass!?"

Naruto laughed, sheepish. "Yeah, I know," he said, rubbing the back of his head, "but I need more range to sense that weird 'stele' energy you were talking about."

Kurama huffed, though there was a trace of amusement beneath his annoyance. "Fine, but don't come crying to me when you burn through your reserves too soon."

Ignoring the warning for now, the blonde expanded his senses in his Six Paths state. The world unfolded before him in ways even Sage Mode couldn't compare—every heartbeat, every shift of wind, every living thing pulsing with life. It was overwhelming yet exhilarating, the sheer depth of perception almost too much to handle.

Then, something familiar touched the edge of his awareness—a chakra so distinct, so ingrained in his memory, that Naruto's heart skipped a beat. A smirk spread across his face. "Teme," he breathed, recognizing the familiar energy even from this vast distance, across dimensions. The realization filled him with relief. "If I can sense him, he'll definitely find us."

His partner, however, wasn't as optimistic. "Don't get ahead of yourself, brat. Didn't I tell you? Even that Uchiha won't be able to reach us here. This place isn't just far—it's on a different plane altogether. His chakra alone won't be enough."

Naruto's grin only widened. "Maybe. But I can still feel the Hiraishin kunai I left behind. It's faint, but it's there." That simple fact reassured him. If his connection to the kunai still existed, there was always a way back. Kurama had said it would take years to recharge his chakra, but Naruto was willing to be patient. After all, he also needed to perfect the Hiraishin technique.

With renewed resolve, Naruto stretched his senses further, seeking the elusive 'stele' energy that had pulled them into this dimension. His chakra reached out, spreading across the world, until—there. It was faint, almost buried beneath the natural energy of the world, but unmistakable.

"There," Naruto whispered, eyes gleaming. "I found it. Just like you said, Kurama."

Kurama's earlier skepticism shifted into curiosity. "And?"

"There's not just one source," the blonde continued, eyes narrowing. "There are several, scattered all over. It's the same energy that dragged us here. If we follow the trail, maybe we can piece together what it is."

Kurama grumbled approvingly. "Hmph. So, we track them down. But don't let your guard down. This world is bigger than you think, and we don't know what else might be lurking out there."

Naruto nodded, his determination unwavering. "I know. But if this energy brought us here, then it can take us back. We just need to figure out how."

With a new found hope, his eyes flickered, momentarily on the verge of deactivating his Six Paths Sage Mode. But something tugged at the edge of his awareness, making him pause. His expression shifted, narrowing in concentration as his senses extended once more across the vast expanse of the unfamiliar world.

"What the heck?" Naruto muttered under his breath, disbelief coloring his tone.

Kurama, noticing the change in his partner's demeanor, stirred. "What now, brat?"

Naruto's fists clenched at his sides as he focused on the swirling emotions he had just detected. There, far beyond the immediate area, in three distant locations, he felt it—waves of overwhelming despair. People were crying out, their voices filled with helplessness and agony. It was a familiar kind of suffering, but here it felt magnified, as though the very air in those places was thick with sorrow and misery. The oppressive weight of it was almost suffocating, and Naruto could sense their despair on a scale he had rarely encountered before.

"They're in pain," Naruto growled, his teeth gritting in anger. "It's like they're drowning in it, Kurama. The negative emotions in those places… it's almost a hundred times stronger than here."

Kurama's eyes narrowed, his voice low with suspicion. "Despair that potent doesn't happen naturally. You're saying it's deliberate?"

Naruto nodded, his senses brushing over the ill-intent lurking in those distant places. Malevolent presences surrounded the suffering, as if reveling in the despair. It wasn't just cruelty—there was an enjoyment to it, a pleasure taken in the suffering of others. The sheer darkness of it made his blood boil.

"Yeah," Naruto replied, voice thick with barely contained rage. "However, it seems, some people are doing this on purpose. I can feel them… they want these people to suffer."

Kurama rumbled deep in Naruto's mind, his anger rising as well. "Tch. Typical. This world may be on a different plane, but it seems your species evil and vile tendencies are all the same."

Naruto's fists tightened further, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to hold back the instinct to charge straight into the darkness and free those people. He wanted to be there, to break through whatever forces were causing that suffering, but deep down, he knew he couldn't. Not now. Especially not without the full strength his and Kurama's chakra. Without more information about these places, charging in blindly would only get him killed. That wasn't something he could afford—not yet.

The weight of his current situation pressed down on him. He still had people depending on him here, like Soran and the others he'd promised himself to free. If he died now, everything would be for nothing.

Kurama, sensing Naruto's inner conflict, rumbled again. "You're not invincible, Naruto. You know better than to rush into something without thinking. These people, as much as it sickens me to say it, aren't going anywhere. Focus on what's in front of you."

Naruto exhaled slowly, releasing some of the tension in his body. Kurama was right. He couldn't help them yet. But one day, when he and his partner had their full strength back, when he knew what kind of evil he was dealing with, he'd make sure those people were saved. He would bring justice down on whoever was causing this suffering in those places.

"I'm not going to forget this," Naruto growled softly. "Not any of it. When the time comes, I'm going to find those places. I'm going to tear them down, and I'll save everyone I can. Then only… I'll leave this world and return home."

For now, though, he would focus on his current mission and maybe get some rest.

—Line Break—

(Next day)

As the sun's early rays filtered through the small, grimy window of the cramped room, Naruto let out a low groan, his back stiff from leaning against the cold stone pillar all night. His body ached, the coldness from the stone having seeped into his muscles, but he quickly shrugged off the discomfort. Yawning lightly, he stretched his arms above his head, blinking away the last vestiges of sleep. His sharp eyes scanned the room, noticing something was off—Soran wasn't there.

His brow furrowed in concern. Where could she have gone? But before his mind could dwell on the possibilities, a sudden rush of information surged through him. His clones had dispersed overnight, their gathered knowledge flooding into his consciousness.

A heavy snowstorm had hit last night. He recalled it now, the biting cold and the howling winds battering the outside, while his clones moved in the shadows. He rubbed his temples as the influx of memories from the clones poured in—disguised as guards, eavesdropping on conversations, blending into the flow of the prison camp, gathering everything they could about this forsaken place.

Tequila Wolf.

This wasn't just a country—it was a stone bridge. A massive one, centuries in the making, stretching across the East Blue. The sheer scale of it boggled his mind. For 700 years, this colossal structure had been under construction, a symbol of relentless ambition or perhaps pure cruelty. Slaves—people from countries that weren't allied with the World Government, or simply criminals—were being forced to build it, generation after generation.

"Seven hundred years…" he muttered under his breath in disbelief. It was hard to comprehend the scale of the suffering that had taken place here. The purpose of the bridge was still unknown, even to the guards who were overseeing its construction. All that was clear was the endless misery inflicted upon the countless lives trapped here.

Naruto exhaled slowly, shaking his head. Learning the grim history of Tequila Wolf could wait—his priority was freeing the slaves, not dwelling on the past suffering this place represented. He filtered out the clones memories, only focusing on what mattered now: the guards, the layout, and leader or the warden of this place.

"220 guards… 550 prisoners…" Naruto muttered, processing the numbers. Though, he wasn't sure whether to be thankful or saddened at the realization that Soran seemed to be the only child in this place.

His clones could be unpredictable—some too eager, some too rebellious—but this time, they'd been methodical. They had uncovered everything: the guards' rotations, the layout of the quarters, the armory, even the warden's exact location. Naruto's fist tightened at the thought of confronting him. 'Do I plan this out carefully, or just break in and knock him out?' Either way, that information was crucial.

But what truly snagged the blonde's attention was the last piece of intel: five or six guards behaving… differently. Subtly kind. Not openly defiant, but not following the brutal, sadistic mold of the others running the camp.

"Interesting…" Naruto muttered, leaning back against the cold stone pillar, deep in thought. He remembered Lin and the other women's mentioning rumors of dissenters within the country. Could these guards be part of that? Or just decent people stuck in a terrible situation? He couldn't be sure. Yet. He mulled over the idea, considering the possibility that there was an underground resistance—people who were against the regime but hadn't yet found the strength or numbers to openly rebel.

"Dissenters, huh?" he mused for a bit, wondering if these guards could be potential allies. If he played his cards right, maybe they could help him from the inside, or at least turn a blind eye when the time came. But as he thought it over, he frowned and shook his head.

He didn't have the time or patience to unravel their motives or gamble on their loyalty. For all he knew, they could be biding their time for their own reasons. And frankly, the stakes were too high for second-guessing.

"No," Naruto muttered, his gaze hardening. "I can't afford to wonder what their deal is."

In his mind, every guard, every person wearing that red uniform, was the enemy—until proven otherwise. His mission wasn't to save or find a few potential allies; it was to free the prisoners. Everyone standing in his way was a threat, and he'd deal with them accordingly. If these dissenters really existed, they'd have to prove it when it mattered.

Naruto's fingers tapped idly against his knee as he sifted through the memories and information from his clones. His mind raced, planning and strategizing for what needed to be done. But just as he was beginning to piece things together, a familiar voice cut through the fog of his thoughts, dripping with sarcasm.

"So, genius, you have any sort of stealthy plan after all that clone snooping, or are we just winging it like usual?" Kurama's deep voice rumbled through his mind, sounding both amused and exasperated.

Naruto smirked, rolling his eyes at the fox's remark. "You're awake pretty early, you old fox. I was beginning to enjoy the silence."

Kurama snorted loudly, the sound almost echoing in Naruto's head. "Silence? You? Please. You never stop thinking, kid. Besides, you're planning to take down an entire prison camp with this plan? You're not exactly the picture of subtlety, you know?"

Naruto chuckled, shaking his head. "What, no faith in me? I've pulled off crazier things." He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as his mind returned to the task at hand. The cold from the stone pillar still clung to his back, but it no longer bothered him as his body warmed from the excitement building inside him.

He paused for a moment before speaking again, his eyes narrowing as he focused on noise from the camp outside. "We'll wait until the sun goes down," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "Once it's dark, we move. I'll strike at the important locations all at once— the armory, the guards' quarters, and the warden's tower. I'll use my clones to hit them simultaneously, so they won't know what's happening until it's too late."

Kurama hummed in approval, his interest piqued. "Not bad… but what about the 'slaves'? You know the guards might use them as shields if they catch on to what you're doing."

Naruto nodded, already considering that. "I'll make sure no guards are near the prisoners when I start the attack. I'll use the fires from the burning buildings to draw them out. They'll rush to the armory and the warden's tower, thinking they're under attack from the outside."

"And once they're gathered?" The nine-tails asked, the hint of a growl in his voice, eager for the fight to come.

Naruto's grin widened, a flicker of his old mischievous energy sparking to life. "Then I beat them all down to a bloody pulp before they even realize what hit them."

Kurama chuckled darkly. "Now that's the Naruto I know. Just try not to burn the whole place down while you're at it, will you?"

"I'll do my best," Naruto said with a 'mental' wink, standing up and rolling his shoulders. The ache from leaning against the pillar all night was forgotten as adrenaline pumped through his veins. He stretched his arms above his head, his mind already in motion, visualizing every step of the plan. The clones, the timing, the strikes—it all had to be perfect.

However, his eyes flicked toward the loft stairs, when the creak of wood interrupted his thoughts, narrowing momentarily, but then softened as he saw who it was. A fond smile tugged at his lips when Soran came into view, though it quickly shifted to a concerned frown when he noticed her dirty and shabby appearance, her shoulders hunched from exhaustion.

Soran paused at the top of the stairs, giving Naruto a sheepish, almost apologetic look. "Sorry if I woke you, Naruto-nii." she murmured, her voice quiet and tired.

Naruto shook his head, standing straighter and offering her a reassuring smile. "Nah, I was already up a few minutes ago," he said softly, his voice carrying warmth despite the cold that crept into the loft. His brow furrowed slightly as he studied her more closely. "But… have you been working all night? Even during the snowstorm?"

Soran nodded slowly, fatigue etched into every line of her face. She trudged over to the stone pillar opposite him and sat down, her body moving as though weighed down by more than just exhaustion. "Yeah," she whispered, her breath a cloud in the cold air.

Naruto's brow creased with concern, but he swallowed any questions he had as Soran suddenly looked up at him, her fatigue momentarily forgotten. Her eyes sparkled with a kind of innocent wonder, completely at odds with her shabby, worn-out appearance. "Naruto-nii," she asked, her voice suddenly bright, "can you please tell me more about your home? And the outside world? Please?"

Naruto blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in her demeanor. For a few moments, he just stared at her, the exhaustion in her eyes replaced by a childlike wonder that tugged at his heart. Then, a small smile formed on his face. He couldn't deny her request, not when she looked at him like that.

He sat down across from her, his back resting against the stone pillar, and took a moment to mull over where to start. His home… it wasn't entirely different from this world, at least not from what he had sensed so far. He could speak about Konoha and the Elemental Nations without straying too far from the truth. Maybe a few details would need to be glossed over, but for her, he didn't mind.

"Well… I guess I could tell you more about Konoha," he began, his voice soft but steady. "Like i've said before...It's my home, a village hidden in a vast forest, surrounded by tall walls. But beyond the walls, there's a whole world. We're situated on a large continent, filled with different villages, landscapes, and people. Each place has its own culture, its own way of life."

Soran's eyes lit up, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten as she hung on to his every word. She shuffled closer, her tired posture now straightening with interest. "Have you seen many islands, Naruto-nii?" she asked, her voice brimming with curiosity.

Naruto chuckled lightly, nodding. "Yeah, I've been to a few islands in my travels. Some were peaceful, with beaches and warm weather, while others were more dangerous, with storms and hidden dangers." His eyes drifted as he recalled his time at sea. "There was this one island, a place where the skies were always clear, but it had creatures I'd never seen before—giant birds, massive turtles… The world's a big place, Soran. There's a lot more out there than just snowstorms."

Soran's face lit up even more at the mention of the islands, and its animals, her exhaustion almost forgotten. Suddenly, she jumped to her feet and hurriedly ran toward one of the wooden crates in the corner of the room. Naruto watched in mild confusion and interest, unsure of what the little girl was searching for.

After a few seconds of rummaging through the crates, Soran emerged, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She clutched a couple of wooden planks to her chest, her eyes sparkling as she approached Naruto. With a hint of shyness, she gently placed the planks on the floor between them, revealing a series of sketches etched into the wood.

Naruto leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity as he reached for the wooden planks. "What are these?" he asked, his tone light but filled with genuine interest.

Soran beamed, her eyes still sparkling with excitement. "They're drawings of islands from all over the world!" she declared proudly before her voice grew softer, tinged with a bit of embarrassment. "But… I've never actually left this place, so I drew them all from my imagination. When I sketch an island, it feels like I'm visiting it, even if just for a little while. It helps me forget how tough things are here."

Naruto smiled softly at her explanation, touched by the innocence and hope in her words. He picked up one of the wooden planks, carefully scanning the intricate coal sketches of fantastical islands. Each one was unique—some with towering cliffs, others with lush forests or winding rivers and some were even floating among the clouds. There was a whimsical charm to them, as if they were places straight out of a storybook.

"These are beautiful," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "You've got a real talent, Soran. It's like I can feel the adventure in each of them."

"Really? You think so?"

Naruto nodded, handing the plank back to her with a gentle grin. "I know so. You may not have traveled beyond these walls, but through your drawings, you've already seen the world in your own way."

Soran bashfully glanced away, her cheeks tinged with a light pink. "Thank you, Naruto-nii…" she muttered, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the wooden plank. Her eyes then flicked back up to him, filled with a mix of excitement and wistfulness. "One day, I want to travel to all those islands and countries… see all the amazing things you've mentioned. It must be incredible to experience so much of the world."

"Everyday…" she hesitated, her voice growing quieter as her eyes dropped to the floor. "Every day, the guards push us to work until we're exhausted. But… when I think about it…making the bridge isn't so bad."

She glanced toward the window, her eyes distant as she stared almost longingly at the horizon beyond. "When the bridge is finished and it links to distant lands, anyone will be able to cross it, right? Maybe then, people like me will be able to travel freely… to see the world."

Her voice grew quieter, but the spark of excitement shone in her eyes. "Then… I'll travel to all those places and draw pictures of actual islands, not just ones I dream about."

Naruto's heart swelled as he listened to her. He looked at her with a fond smile, admiring her hopeful spirit despite the hardships she endured. He saw a reflection of his own past struggles in her—someone who, despite everything, still dreamed of a brighter future.

"That's a wonderful dream, Soran. I know you'll see all those places someday," he said, his voice full of encouragement.

The girl eyes lit up with gratitude, and she nodded eagerly before turning to Naruto with a hopeful expression. "Could you… tell me more about your adventures?" she asked, her excitement evident as she leaned in closer. "I want to hear all about it."

Naruto chuckled at her enthusiasm, his own heart lightening. "You want to hear more?" he teased, grinning as the little girl nodded quickly, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"Alright, alright," Naruto said, preparing to launch into another story of his world when he suddenly noticed movement from the corner of his eye. He glanced toward the loft entrance and was surprised to see Lin and the three other women from last night peeking at them, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Lin smiled sheepishly as she caught Naruto's gaze. "Would it be alright if we listened too?" she asked, her voice hesitant but full of interest. "We'd love to hear about your adventures in the outside world as well."

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle again, shaking his head fondly. "Of course," he said with a warm smile, gesturing for them to come down and join. "That's the least I can do for all of you letting me rest here."

The women quickly made their way down, finding spots to sit around Soran and Naruto, eager to hear his stories. Naruto leaned back slightly, scratching the back of his head before grinning again.

"Alright," he said, his voice carrying a lighthearted tone. "Let me tell you about this place call…."

—Line Break—

Naruto lost track of time as he shared story after story about his world and his adventures. He told them about the bustling Hidden Leaf Village, the vast deserts of the Land of Wind, the forests that stretched endlessly in the Land of Fire. Of course, he made sure to left out the details of his shinobi life—no tales of battles or missions that ended in bloodshed—but there was still so much wonder to share.

The women sat captivated, hanging on every word. Soran, in particular, seemed lost in her own imagination, likely picturing the scenes he described. Naruto could see her drawing in her mind, sketching the landscapes he spoke of, islands she'd once only dreamed of but now seemed real.

Naruto paused for a moment to sip the drink they had given him earlier, chuckling as he noticed how intently they all watched him, waiting for more.

"You sure you're not getting tired of my rambling?" he teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Soran shook her head vigorously, her expression serious. "No way! I want to hear more! Tell us about the most beautiful place you've ever seen!"

The four older women nodding in agreement as well. They all wanted to hear more, his stories and description about the outside world giving them a brief reprieve from their hellish life in this place.

Naruto grinned, thinking for a moment. "That's a tough one… There are so many. But if I had to choose…" He trailed off, his thoughts drifting to a fond memory of a distant land, but before he could continue, a loud commotion from below broke the serene atmosphere. The walls vibrated as the noise of shouting and scuffling of boots echoed through the stone 'house'.

The women all looked toward the door, their expressions darkening with concern. Soran tensed, clutching her wooden sketch boards to her chest. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lin, cautiously made her way toward the loft stairs. She peered down, her body tense as she surveyed the scene unfolding below. The shadows of men could be seen moving about, their voices rising in a mixture of authority and aggression.

With a sudden gasp, Lin turned back to the others, her face pale. "Someone must have told the officers! They're here to capture him!"

Panic surged in the small room. Naruto's mind raced as he processed her words. 'Shit… I didn't account for this happening in my plan!' The thought echoed in his mind like a drumbeat. He glanced at Soran and the other women, their eyes wide with worry.

"What should we do?" Soran asked, her voice trembling as she turned to Lin for guidance.

The older woman didn't hesitate. Her voice was firm, carrying the weight of urgency. "Naruto, you need to go out the window and hide on the rooftop. We'll cover for you. Just keep low and stay out of sight!"

"But—" The blonde started to protest, but Lin cut him off.

"No time! We can't let them find you here. If they find you here, then we'll all be in grave trouble!"

Naruto, though unsure, nodded. His mind raced with possibilities, but he knew this wasn't the time for arguments. Swiftly, he moved to the glass window and unlatched it, pushing it open with quiet precision. Snowflakes tumbled in, carried by the chill wind, and the roof beyond was blanketed in a thick layer of snow.

With a quick glance back at the women's, his eyes met Lin's stern gaze, and Soran's nervous one. He gave all of them a reassuring nod, though the tension in his chest was mounting. In a fluid motion, he climbed out, feeling the slick, cold surface beneath his sandals. The snow crunched softly as he crouched low, shutting the window behind him as quietly as possible.

He flattened himself against the snow-covered roof, the cold biting through his tattered clothes as he strained to listen to the voices below. The wind howled softly around him, carrying snatches of conversation from the house.

Inside, the footsteps grew louder, the wooden stairs creaking under the weight of the approaching guards. Lin stood in the center of the room, her hands clenched tightly at her sides, while Soran and the other women exchanged anxious glances. The air in the room was thick with fear.

Suddenly, they saw three guards stepped inside the loft, their presence filling the space with an oppressive weight. The lead guard, the captain, was a large man with a scar running across his jawline, his eyes gleaming with a mix of suspicion and cruel amusement.

"What do you want, captain?" Mary, one of Soran's aunts, demanded, stepping forward. Her voice was steady, but there was an underlying edge of nervousness as she faced the guards.

The captain smirked, taking a step closer to her, his boots thudding against the wooden floor. "I heard," he began in a slow, sadistic drawl, "that you're hiding a suspicious man in this house." His eyes darted around the room, scrutinizing each woman in turn. "These days, people opposed to the construction of the bridge are causing a lot of trouble. Threatening it, even. We can't have that, now can we?" His voice turned colder. "Turn him over."

Mary's jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing in defiance. "We don't know what you're talking about," she shot back. "No man here, just us. You're wasting your time."

The captain's smirk widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Is that so?" he said, voice dripping with false politeness. He glanced back at his men, then slowly scanned the room, taking his time as if savoring the fear emanating from the women and Soran. "Well, I think we'll have a look around anyway." He gestured to his two men. "Search the place."

From outside, Naruto could hear the two guards quickly rummaging through the cramped loft, their boots clomping against the wooden floor as they turned over crates and belongings, looking for him.

Inside, Lin glared at the captain, defiant despite the danger. "It's no use searching here!" she spat. "We're tired, so leave us alone!"

One of the guards, a man with a cruel sneer, didn't hesitate. "Shut your mouth!" he barked, raising the butt of his rifle and striking her on the head with a sickening thud. She crumpled to the ground in pain.

"Aunty Lin!" Soran cried, rushing forward, while the other women gasped, moving quickly to help her.

Naruto eyes widened as the sound reached him, the instinct to leap down and deal with the guards nearly overwhelming. But before he could act, a familiar sarcastic voice echoed in his mind.

"What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into now, brat?" Kurama grumbled, his voice thick with annoyance. "I just went to sleep for a few minutes, tired of listening to your happy little stories, and when I wake up, you're hiding from some puny humans!?"

Naruto almost snorted at Kurama's comment, his lips twitching in a suppressed smile despite the tense situation. "Now's not the time, Kurama," he muttered under his breath, straining his ears to listen to the commotion inside. The sound of scuffling feet and muffled cries only heightened his concern, and he wondered whether he should blow his cover to help them.

Inside the loft, the captain's sneer deepened as he surveyed the frightened women. "If you don't cooperate, we'll have to arrest all of you and question you one by one," he threatened, pulling out his whip with a swift flick of his wrist. The crack echoed ominously in the cramped space, sending shivers down the spines of those present. "You know what we do to get the information we want, right?"

The tension escalated as one of the guards moved toward the window, a suspicious glint in his eye. He grabbed the window and began to pull it open, sending a jolt of fear through Soran and the other women's as they froze, their breaths hitching at the thought of Naruto being discovered.

Outside, the blonde narrowed his eyes, adrenaline coursing through him as he saw the guard attempting to open the window. In a split second, he brought his right hand into a half-ram seal, muttering under his breath, "Transparent Escape Technique!" His body shimmered, blending seamlessly into the snowy rooftop, camouflaged against the white backdrop.

The guard opened the window and peered outside, his gaze scanning the area. "Where are you, you little pest?" he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. He let out an exasperated tch as he saw nothing but snow and emptiness, closing the window with a dismissive huff.

"I didn't know you could do that, kid." Kurama remarked, a note of surprise in his tone.

Naruto exhaled slowly, relief washing over him as he replied mentally, "Well, when you travel for two years with a perverted spy, you tend to learn one or two of his spying techniques."

"So, it was a peeping technique you picked up? Typical." Kurama snorted, an amused growl rumbling from deep within him.

"Hey, it's not my fault! I had to survive out there!" The blonde shot back mentally, a grin breaking through his worry.

Inside the loft, realizing that Naruto had successfully hidden himself, Soran and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief, though they fought to keep their expressions neutral.

However, Soran's eyes widened in panic as she saw one of the guards stoop down, picking up the wooden panels scattered on the floor—her sketches. Her heart pounded in her chest as the guard turned them over, his brow furrowing in curiosity.

"Captain, I found this," the guard called out, striding over to the sneering officer and handing over the wooden boards.

The captain took them with a lazy glance, but his expression quickly twisted into one of disgust as he examined the images. "What is this crap? Islands?" he scoffed, tossing one of the boards carelessly to the floor. "You're wasting your time drawing these useless things!?"

Soran's fear was momentarily replaced by a flash of anger. Without thinking, she stood up abruptly, her voice sharp. "I drew them! Give them back!"

The captain raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her outburst. His lips curled into a mocking grin as he held the remaining board just out of her reach. "Oh? You drew them, huh? Well, little artist, maybe we should have a closer look at what you've been wasting your time on."

"I said, give them back!"

The captain's sneer deepened as he crouched down to her level, his eyes gleaming with malicious amusement. He waved the sketch boards in front of her face mockingly. "Tell me where the man is hiding," he said with a chillingly calm tone, "and you'll get your little drawings back."

Soran's breath hitched, but she glared at him, defiant. "I don't know where he is!" she retorted, her voice firm despite the panic rising in her chest.

The captain's smile twisted into something darker as he held one of the board between his hands, fingers slowly tightening around the edges. "Wrong answer," he said, the wooden board giving a low creak in his hands. With a wicked grin, he pressed harder, and the board snapped in two, the sound like a thunderclap in the silent room.

Outside, Naruto's eyes narrowed at the sound of the snap, the crack of Soran's sketch board echoing louder in his mind than it should have. His heart clenched as he remembered how she had shown him those sketches—her dreams of islands far beyond this grim and oppressive place, her escape. For someone to break them so callously—it wasn't just destroying pieces of wood; it was crushing a child's dream.

It was something that he could never forgive.

"Stealthy plans be damned!" Naruto growled under his breath, his fists tightening. "I'm going to wring that bastard's neck!"

He exhaled slowly, narrowing his eyes at the window. In the quite space of his mind, he muttered, "Kurama…it seems there's going to be a slight change in our previous plan."

His partner's deep chuckle rumbled through his consciousness, his voice dripping with anticipation. "Heh, I was hoping you'd say that. Let's give them hell!"

Inside the loft, The captain's sneer deepened as he picked up another wooden board, a gleam of sadistic delight in his eyes. "Let's see if this one breaks easier," he taunted, lifting it high as if it were a trophy. "Now, once again, where's that man hiding?"

Soran bit her lip, trembling as she fought to keep the tears at bay. "I told you, I don't know!" she shouted, her voice cracking.

The captain merely grinned wickedly, seemingly reveling in the despair etched across the little girl's face. Just as he was about to snap the board in two, the loft window suddenly flew open with a deafening bang, rattling the room. A single gust of wind blew through the open window, carrying an ominous chill with it.

The captain's smug grin faded into a cautious frown, his eyes narrowing at the disturbance. He gestured sharply to his men, who immediately raised their guns, aiming at the open window. Soran's heart raced, her breath coming out in short gasps. She glanced at her aunts, who stared back at her with wide eyes, filled with panic and confusion.

Moments passed in tense silence. Then, the captain, growing impatient, signaled to one of his men to check the window. "Go see what's out there," he growled, his voice low. But before the man could move, the captain's body jerked to a halt, a strong hand clamping down on his shoulder with an iron grip.

"It's not very nice to pick on a little girl, you know."

The voice was calm, almost casual, but it carried an edge of steel that sent a shiver through the room. Everyone turned toward the source. The captain's eyes widened in shock as he craned his neck to look over his shoulder. There, standing behind him as if he'd materialized out of thin, was a tall, blonde man, his piercing blue eyes gleaming with a cold intensity that made the captain's blood run cold.

The two guards, startled by the newcomer, swung their guns toward him. But there was something about the man—something in the way he stood so confidently in the middle of the room, so utterly unbothered by the weapons aimed at him—that made them hesitate. Every instinct they had screamed at them that they were outmatched.

The four women gasped, their panic now mixed with disbelief. Why is he here? They thought. The blonde should've been hiding like they have told him to—out of sight, away from the danger. But here he was, standing boldly in front of the captain and the two guards.

The captain swallowed hard, trying to suppress the rising panic in his chest. Those blue eyes weren't just cold—they were calculating, as if he could see right through him, peeling back every layer of bravado and cruelty until only fear remained. The captain could feel a pressure, an overwhelming force weighing down on him, and it wasn't just the firm grip on his shoulder.

"Who…who the hell are you?" the captain rasped, trying to maintain control, but his voice faltered.

The blonde man's grip tightened just enough to let the captain know who held the power in the room. He smiled, but it was a smile that didn't reach his eyes—just a faint, chilling curve of the lips. "Me?" His voice dripped with mock amusement. "I'm the one who's going to kick all of your asses and free everyone you are keeping here."

The captain blinked, the words sending a jolt through him. His fear ebbed, replaced by anger at the audacity of the blonde. He dropped the wooden boards, letting it clatter to the floor. His left hand shot down to his belt, drawing his whip, "You don't know who you are dealing with, boy," he spat. "Take your hands off me and apologize, or I'll make sure you regret ever steeping foot here!"

Naruto didn't move, nor freed his grip from the captain's shoulder. Instead, his smile deepened, amusement flickering in his cold eyes. The captain's sneer grew, his confidence returning as he barked, "What are you two idiots waiting for!? Shoot him down!"

Naruto's grip on the Captain's shoulder didn't waver, but his head tilted slightly to the two guards. They were trembling, their rifles unsteady in their hands, but the sharp glare from their captain forced them to raise their weapons.

However, it was already too late.

A shadow clone appeared behind them in a puff of smoke, and before the guards could even register his presence, the clone delivered Swift, yet hard chops to the back of their necks. Their eyes widened in shock and pain, the world around them quickly fading into darkness as both of them crumbled to the floor, unconscious.

The occupants inside the loft gasped, their jaws dropping to the floor for entirely different reasons.

Soran wide eyes darted between the Naruto holding down the captain and the other Naruto standing over the incapicitated guards. 'Did Naruto-nii have a twin!?' the little girl thought in wonder.

While, Lin and the other women, were shocked not only the sight of the clone, but they also felt a creeping sense of dread tighten around them. This wasn't some skirmish in a back alley. The blonde had not only touch and offended the captain with his words, but he and his accomplice had also attack the guards! In Tequila Wolf, such an offence was nothing short of a death sentence.

The Captain, meanwhile, trembled uncontrallably. Th ease with which the identical blonde had appeared and incapacitated his two men left him shaking in shock and terror. Sweat dripped down his face as he tried to process what had just happened, his mind racing to make sense of it. Finally, a grim realization hit him like a hammer.

Gulping, the captain tuned slowly toward Naruto, his voice shaking and barely managed to stammer out, "Y-You...y-you're a...a devil...frui—"

Before he could finish, Naruto's knee slammed into his face with a brutal force. The captain's words were replaced by a muted scream of pain as blood erupted from his mouth and nose, his body flying backward like a ragdoll. He hit the stone wall with a loud thud, the impact crumbling the stone bricks behind him as he slumped down, completely unconscious.

For a brief moment, the room was in stunned silence as the occupants couldn't comprehend the grave actions of th blonde, their eyes fixated on the unconscious form of the captain. His body lay crumbled on the floor, blood slowly pooling from his broken nose and mouth, while bits of stone from the shattered wall scattered around him.

Soran, still wide-eyed clutched at the sleeves of Lin's tunic, completely shocked and surprised by Naruto's sudden action.

Meanwhile, the four older women, felt their previous dread spike to unbearable levels. Their eyes darted toward the unconscious form of the captain and with eachother, silently communicating their shared terror. They have seem both men and women executed in Tequila Wolf for far less—the captain's, no less. Now it was certain in their mind, that the captain's brutal fall will surely bring the wrath of the Warden down upon them and Naruto.

Lin's wrinkled hands trembled violently as she turned towards the blonde. "Naruto!" she rasped, her voice laced with terror and disbelief. "Do you even realize what you've just done!?"

Her panicked words broke the trance, snapping the other women out of their shock. Soran clutched Lin's tunic with white-knuckled fingers, while Mary teetered on the brink of collapse, her lips quivering as if she was on the verge of screaming The silence was suffocating, and the unconscious form of the captain, lying in a pool of blood, as well as the two guards, was a chilling reminder of what had just transpired.

Naruto, however, remained unfazed. His cold, steely blue eyes, which had shown no mercy moments earlier, softened as they met the terrified gazes of the women. He gave them a light, reassuring smile. "I know," he said calmly, his voice steady and quiet. "And honestly… I don't care."

Mary's breath hitched, and she stumbled backward, her face draining of color. "The Warden… the Warden will never forgive this!" Her voice cracked, a hysterical edge rising in her words. "You've doomed us all!"

Naruto's smile didn't falter. He turned to Mary and then to the others, his expression now serious but brimming with unwavering confidence. "Don't worry about the Warden. Or anyone else. No one's going to harm any of you."

All of them stared at him, their faces a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

Naruto's gaze hardened. "Because today, I'm going to free all of you from this hellish place." His voice rang with a quiet intensity, every word spoken with certainty. "I promise. No one will ever hurt you or force you to work like slaves ever again."

Lin, still trembling, stared at Naruto in stunned disbelief, her voice shaky as she tried to form words. "How… How are you going to do that?" she demanded, her tone filled with a mix of uncertainty and desperation. "Free us from this place? You have no idea what you're up against! The Warden, the guards, they—they'll hunt you down. They'll kill us all!"

Naruto simply grinned, the same confident smirk playing across his lips. He folded his arms, his expression unwavering. "By kicking all of their asses, of course."

The four women balked at his bold declaration, their terror briefly giving way to astonishment. Soran, despite the overwhelming dread that still clung in the room, couldn't help but let out a soft, breathy giggle at Naruto's absurd confidence.

"Are you serious?" Lin's voice was incredulous, almost a whisper. "You can't just fight the entire Warden's forces on your own! That's madness!"

Naruto tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with playful determination. "You'll see. Trust me."

Soran, still clutching Lin's sleeve, glanced at Naruto, her fear momentarily overridden by curiosity. Her gaze shifted between him and the clone casually leaning against the wall, hands in pockets, looking completely at ease despite the tension in the room. "Umm… Naruto-nii, is he your twin?" she asked timidly, pointing at the second blonde.

Her innocent question cut through the oppressive atmosphere, momentarily snapping the women out of their fear. Lin, Soran, and the other two women all turned their eyes toward the shadow clone, now grinning widely and jovially waving at them.

Naruto quirked his eyebrows, his mouth twitching slightly at Soran's innocent question. Shaking his head with a small smile, he replied, "No, he's not my twin. He's just a shadow clone of me."

The confusion on Soran and the women's faces deepened. Lin, Mary, and the other two exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding what a shadow clone was or how it worked. They stared at the clone, then back at Naruto, completely puzzled.

The blonde chuckled at their expressions, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll explain it later, I promise. But right now, I've got quite a bit of work to do," he said, his tone reassuring but focused.

Soran nodded hesitantly, her curiosity still piqued, while the other women remained skeptical. Lin opened her mouth, clearly about to question and reprimand him for the absurdity of his plan of fighting against the warden and the many guards of Tequila Wolf.

Before she could say anything, Naruto's attention shifted to his clone, who was still grinning and waving jovially. He shot the clone a light glare, exasperation in his voice. "Oi, what are you doing over there? Instead of goofing off, you should be securing these three with ropes." He pointed his finger toward the unconscious guards and their captain, sprawled out on the floor.

The clone snapped out of its carefree demeanor, straightening up with a sheepish grin. "Right! Sorry, boss," the clone said, moving quickly to bind the guards. However, it paused mid-action, a light glare forming as it glanced up at Naruto. "Boss, how am I supposed to bind them without any real rope or ninja wires? You do know my ropes will just disappear when I dispel, right?"

The blonde sweatdropped, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "Ah, right... I completely forgot about that," he muttered, quickly motioning for the clone to hold off for a second.

Soran and her aunts—Lin, Mary, and the other two—watched the interaction with flabbergasted expressions, completely lost on what the two blondes were even talking about. Their heads turned from Naruto to the clone, then back again, trying to wrap their minds around the absurdity of the situation.

Naruto, rubbing his neck in embarrassment, glanced at the bewildered women before deciding to speed things up. He formed his signature handseal and lightly called out, "Multi-Shadow Clone Technique!"

With a puff of smoke filling the cramped loft, 20 clones of Naruto appeared, each taking up different positions around the room. Some casually sat on the wooden crates, others leaned against the walls, and a few even sprawled lazily on the floor, grinning.

The women's jaws dropped in utter disbelief, their eyes nearly popping out at the sight of so many identical Narutos. Lin, her face pale and her mind racing to comprehend what she had just witnessed, muttered numbly, "Wh...what kind of sorcery is this...?"

Mary, overwhelmed by the shocks piling one after the other, couldn't handle it any longer. With a faint gasp, she collapsed, unconscious. The other two women looked equally on the verge of fainting, their faces frozen in a mix of astonishment and confusion.

Naruto sweatdropped, glancing at the unconscious Mary, then at the other three wide-eyed women. He sighed, realizing he may have overdone it. But before he could apologize for surprising them, he noticed Soran staring at the clones with bright, curious eyes, completely captivated.

"Is this some sort of outside world magic?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

The blonde chuckled, seeing the wonder and curious glint in Soran's eyes. He grinned and replied, "Not really, it's just one of my many awesome techniques."

Soran simply nodded, her awe unwavering. She didn't doubt him for a second, her gaze still locked on the clones with a mixture of fascination and admiration.

Just as Naruto was about to bask a little longer in the admiration, one of the clones, lounging lazily on a crate, shot him a look and said with a slightly annoyed tone, "Boss, stop trying to toot your own horn by impressing the kid and instead start with our plan before the other guards realize we've kicked one of their captain's asses."

A tick mark formed on Naruto's forehead at the comment, but he quickly calmed himself, knowing that the clone was right. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah, I know. No need to remind me."

With a more serious expression, Naruto turned to his clones, quirking an eyebrow as he spoke, "You guys all know the plan, right?"

The twenty clones nodded eagerly, their identical whiskered faces grinning in anticipation of the chaos they were about to unleash. It was the kind of reckless plan Naruto excelled at, one that combined strategy with just the right amount of mayhem.

Five clones would create explosions at the armory and the guards' quarters to draw attention and divert the guards. Another five would scour Tequila Wolf for every slave, ensuring their safe passage to this hideout. Two of the clones were tasked with infiltrating the prison to free the prisoners, while another five would handle any guards who didn't take the bait and stayed behind to patrol. The final three clones would remain at the house, protecting the rescued slaves and securing the area.

The beauty of the plan was its flexibility. If things went south, and they needed more manpower, each one had enough chakra to create additional clones on the spot. The plan was simple, efficient — and anything but stealthy.

It was, as Naruto would call it, a "fuck around and find out" kind of plan.

"Alright," Naruto cracked his knuckles, the air around him thrumming with energy and excitement. "Let's do th..."

Before the blonde could finish his chant, he was interrupted by a singsong voice, "Boss… Boss…"

He sighed, slightly annoyed that the mood was ruined. He turned to the first clone he had created, now bouncing on the balls of his feet with an overly eager expression. "What?"

The clone made some sort of twisting motion with his hand, as if he were trying to untangle a mess. Naruto's irritation flared. "Speak clearly!"

"Ropes!" the clone finally exclaimed, and asked, "What about the ropes?"

The blonde twitched, exasperated. He placed his right hand on the tattoo on his left forearm and channeled some chakra, summoning a puff of smoke that quickly dissipated to reveal a scroll in his hand.

With a quick flick of his wrist, he tossed the scroll to the clone. "There are some ninja wires in that scroll. Use those to bind the guards," he instructed, then paused for a second, thinking. "Also give some of them to the other clones as well," he added, his voice firm.

The clone caught the scroll and nodded vigorously, a grin spreading across his face. "Got it! Ninja wires for everyone!"

Suddenly, another clone, which had been sprawled on the floor, shot up with a look of utter disbelief. "Wait! Does this mean we can't kill any of the guards?!"

Naruto's eye twitched again, and he gritted his teeth in annoyance—not just at the question but also at the thought of his clone mentioning 'killing' in front of a child nearby. He quickly glanced over to Soran, hoping she hadn't heard it.

A booming, dark laughter echoed in his mind, making his irritation flare even more. "Bhwa... haha! I like this one!" Kurama's voice reverberated, amusement evident.

'Of course you would…' The blonde sighed, massaging his temples as if that would ease the rising headache. 'Why do my clones have to be so troublesome?'

Don't get him wrong...He wasn't inherently averse to killing; as a shinobi, he have learned and understood that sometimes lethal force was a grim necessity. But cold-blooded murder? No, he couldn't allow himself to go that far. Most of the guards—despite their cruelty—were just following orders from their superiors, pawns in a cruel game played by those in power.

Naruto took a deep breath, inhaling through his nose and exhaling through his mouth, willing the frustration to melt away. He focused on the clone, which was now looking at him expectantly. "No! Absolutely not!" he replied, a firm edge to his tone. "Just try to knock them out quickly, okay? We don't have time for anything else!"

The clone's shoulders slumped, and he looked deflated. "But can we at least... you know... hurt them a bit more than necessary? Just because of how they've let the people suffer here?" His eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and hope, as if he believed that appealing to Naruto's sense of justice would sway him.

The blonde hesitated, mulling it over. Images of the some of the guards' cruel treatment of the slaves and the prisoners flashed through his mind. The injustice they had inflicted gnawed at his conscience. With a reluctant sigh, he relented, the words escaping before he could fully process them. "Alright, you can do that. Just... make sure they won't be able to get back up anytime soon, got it?"

The clone's expression transformed from disappointment to exhilaration. "You got it, boss!" He punched the air with excitement, the earlier doubts forgotten. "I'll make sure they feel it!"

"Just don't go overboard!" Naruto cautioned, his brow furrowing. He then watched as the first clone enthusiastically distributed the ninja wires to the other twenty clones.

"Alright, listen up!" he called out, his voice firm. "You all know what to do. Get to work and don't slack off!"

The twenty clones nodded in unison, a collective grin spreading across their faces as they reveled in the task ahead. With a synchronized mock salute, they vanished in a swirl of leaves, to start the first phase of the plan.

As the last of the leaves dissipated, one cheeky clone turned back for a moment, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Hey, boss! If we slack off, it's just because we're replicas of you. ya know!"

Naruto felt a familiar twitch in his brow, exasperation mounting as he crossed his arms. "I'm not slacking off! You better not either!" he exclaimed, but the clone was already gone.

The blonde sighed, shaking his head as he turned toward Soran and the other four older women. He sheepishly scratched his cheeks, feeling a flush creep up his neck. Their expressions were a mix of confusion, shock, and something else he couldn't quite place—perhaps disbelief at the antics of his clones.

"Ah…sorry about that," he said, forcing a sheepish grin. "My clones can sometimes get a bit too weird."

The women nodded numbly, still processing the display they'd just witnessed. Just as the tension began to settle, Lin shook off her confusion and stared at Naruto, her eyes sparkling with a flicker of hope as they had now witnessed his strange yet, powerful abilities. "Are you really going to free us from this place?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she feared the answer.

Naruto's grin widened, the confidence radiating from him like sunlight. "Of course!" he replied, his voice steady and reassuring. He noticed the subtle shift in their expressions—the way their eyes lit up with newfound hope. "Just believe in me."

Taking a step closer, he crouched down in front of Soran, gently messing up her messy blonde hair in a playful manner. "And I've promised Soran that she'll get to travel and see the outside world, so I'm going to fulfill that promise."

Soran's eyes sparkled with excitement as she beamed at him. "I believe in you, Naruto-nii!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with unrestrained enthusiasm.

Naruto playfully winked at her, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "That's all I need to hear," he said, standing up and puffing out his chest with exaggerated pride. "With your belief in me, I can take on anything!"

The atmosphere shifted as the other women began to smile, inspired by Soran's faith in Naruto. Their gazes softened, and for the first time in what felt like ages, there was a glimmer of hope where despair had once reigned.

"BOOM!"

"BOOM!"

Suddenly, the room trembled with the sound of multiple explosions erupting from a distance, causing everyone inside to jump in surprise.

Naruto simply grinned, his sharp blue eyes flicking toward the window. "Looks like my clones have already started their work," he said with a chuckle, casually rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck, clearly unfazed by the commotion outside. "Perfect timing."

He glanced at the first clone, who was diligently securing the unconscious bodies of the two guards and their captain with ninja wire, ensuring they wouldn't wake up anytime soon. The clone finished his task with precision and looked up, awaiting orders.

Naruto's expression turned serious, his demeanor shifting as he locked eyes with his clone. "Take care of everyone in here, got it? Keep them safe."

The clone grinned back, flashing a thumbs-up before saluting with mock seriousness. "Yes, boss! I'll guard them with my life!"

Naruto smiled, satisfied with the response, and then turned to Soran and her aunts. "Stay here with my clone," he instructed, his voice firm yet reassuring. "He'll make sure nothing happens to you. I'll take care of the rest outside."

Lin and the others nodded in understanding, their earlier fear now replaced by a sense of trust in the man before them. They believed him—how could they not after everything they'd seen?

"I'll be back soon," Naruto added, flashing one last confident smile before heading toward the loft stairs. "Just sit tight, and don't worry about the noise. That's just the sound of things going right."

They nodded in understanding, though Mary couldn't help but ask, her concern evident in her tone, "Where will you be going ?"

The blonde grinned, his expression both playful and confident. "Well...I'm just going to clean this house a little and have a chat with the warden."

The woman though not entirely sure what he meant, sensed the underlying intent behind his words. She gave a cautious nod, trusting him despite the cryptic reply.

Soran, visibly anxious from the sound of explosions echoing outside, spoke up with a tremble in her voice. "Good luck, and take care, Naruto-nii."

Naruto's grin widened, and he gave her a reassuring thumbs-up. "Don't worry. I got this." He then swiftly leapt down the loft stairs, eliciting a surprise yelp from the occupants.

He landed softly on the cold stone floor, his sharp gaze fixed ahead as faint voices reached his ears from the mess hall. He grinned, already knowing that his clones had secured the place. His footsteps echoed lightly as he walked toward the mess hall, where the faint sound of metal scraping against stone grew louder.

As he approached the entrance, the familiar sight of his three clones came into view, casually binding four unconscious guards with ninja wires. Their work was efficient and clean, as expected. Beyond them, the other occupants of the room, mostly women, watched with mixed expressions. He recognized a few from the night before, and their faces were etched with worry and confusion, yet a flicker of hope shone in their old weary eyes.

His clones had likely explained what was really going on, but the reality of the situation hadn't fully settled for them yet. The silence in the room felt heavy, tense even, as the sound of explosions and gun echoed outside. Naruto took a deep breath before stepping fully into the hall, his presence drawing the eyes of everyone inside.

"Looks like my clones did a good job, huh?" he said, his tone light but firm as he glanced at the bound guards. His sharp blue eyes then turned to the 'prisoners', offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. We're going to get you all out of here safely."

The clones nodded in unison, finishing their task. One of them stepped forward, crossing his arms. "They've been filled in. Still a little shaky, though."

Who wouldn't be shaken? After hearing the loud explosions and witnessing a group of identical blonde guys beating the hell out of the guards who had tormented them for decades, declaring their intent to free them, it was a surreal situation to be in.

Naruto nodded, keeping his tone calm. "It's understandable." He glanced back at the occupants. "You've all been through a lot, but you're safe now. We're not going to let anything happen to you."

One of the 'prisoners', a middle-aged women, took a tentative step forward. "You… You're really going to get us out of here? All of us?"

The blonde grin widened as he gave a firm nod. "Believe it. I've got this place locked down, and I'm not leaving until you're all free."

—Line Break—

(A few seconds later)

Naruto strolled leisurely along the snow-covered road, his breath visible in the biting cold, though it didn't seem to faze him. His eyes were fixed on the looming silhouette of the Warden's tower, a dark, foreboding structure that stood in stark contrast to the pristine snow around it. The distant sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed in the air, punctuated by the shouts and panicked cries of guards. The chaos was almost rhythmic, a violent symphony of destruction—yet the blonde walked through it all like it was a peaceful stroll through the countryside.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. His clones were clearly having too much fun.

Ahead, a group of prisoners emerged from the corners, sprinting toward the safe house his clones had established. Their steps were frantic, their breaths labored, but there was something different in their eyes now—hope. Naruto's gaze shifted to one of his clones perched on a nearby rooftop, quietly overseeing the escape. The clone gave him a small nod, silently confirming that everything was going according to plan.

As Naruto passed by the escaping prisoners, he caught sight of several more working alongside his clones, tying up subdued guards with ropes and ninja wires. They moved with purpose, no longer just fleeing for their lives but actively fighting for their freedom. The change in them, from desperate fugitives to determined combatants, widened his grin.

He paused for a moment, watching the scene unfold with quiet satisfaction. This wasn't just about breaking out prisoners—it was about breaking the chains that held them down, both physically and mentally. Every step forward felt like a step toward something bigger than just escape. He could see it in their eyes: they weren't running anymore. They were taking back their lives.

"You could have done this right from the start, you know?" Kurama's voice rumbled gleefully in his mind, clearly thrilled by the mayhem Naruto had stirred. "Instead of wasting time being all subtle and stealthy..."

The blonde chuckled at the fox's excitement. "Well, I just wanted to make Shika and Kakashi-sensei proud," he replied, his tone light but thoughtful. "They've been hammering the importance of planning into me—said it's a must if I ever want to be Hokage. Figured I'd give it a shot, you know? See how the whole strategy thing works."

"But in the end, you're just winging it with a half-arsed plan, aren't you?" The nine-tails let out a sarcastic huff.

The blonde couldn't help but laugh at that. "Well, you know me well. That's just my style." He crossed his arms, and continuedhis casual stroll to the warden's tower. "But seriously, why are you so excited about all of this? Weren't you the one telling me repeatedly to conserve my chakra and avoid unnecessary trouble?"

Kurama snorted, his deep voice vibrating with amusement. "That may be true," he admitted. "But I got bored... and let's be honest—these weaklings won't even make a single dent in your chakra reserves. So, why not enjoy the show?"

"Guess you've got a point there." Naruto rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the grin on his face.

"Boss!" The clone stationed on the rooftop called out, and informed casually as Naruto glanced up at him, "Just so you know, three guards are approaching from the right alley."

Naruto turned his attention to the alley, weighing his options, "Alright, i'll deal with them. Just keep an eye on the prisoners," he replied in an measured tone getting a thumbs up from the clone.

"I guess a warm-up before dealing with the warden won't be so bad..." Naruto mused and halted his stroll, centering himself as he awaited the guard's arrival.

Within moments, the three guards emerged from the alley, their faces pale and wide-eyed from the pandomonium his clones had unleased in Tequila Wolf. They exchanged frantic glances, clearly shaken by the confusion and destruction surrounding them.

One of the guards, barely keeping his composure, shouted, "Shit! There's another one of those blonde bastards! Shoot him!" His voice cracked with panic.

In an instant, they raised their guns, their hands trembing as they aimed at the blonde

figure calmly standing before their path. Just as their fingers tightened around the triggers, Naruto vanished from their sight in a blur of speed.

Before they could even register his disappearance, he appeared right infront of the guard in the centre, his sudden presence forcing te man's breath to hitch in fear. Without hesitation, Naruto drove his knee hard into the guard's stomach. The force of the blow was so powerful that the guard's eye bulged as the wind was knocked out of him. His body was about to be hurled backward by the force, when Naruto swiftly grabbed the front of his jacket, spinning on his heel and launching my much larger man effortlessly over his shoulder.

The man flew through the air like a ragdoll, crashing into the guard on the right, who hadn't even fully processed what had happened yet. Both of them collided on the wall behind them, the sound of their bodies slamming against brick echoing in the alley. They slammed on the snow covered ground, unconscious.

The remaining guard, standing to the left, was now visibly trembling, his face drained of colour. His hands shook violently as he aimed his gun at the blonde, eyes wide with terror. "D_Die, you demon!" he screamed pulling the trigger in a blind panic.

Naruto, unfazed, simply tilted his body to the side with almost casual ease, allowing the bullet to whistle harmlessly past him. The projectile struck one of the already downed guard in the arm, eliciting a pained scream from the man as he was brought back to consciousness due to the pain.

The terrifed guard blinked in disbelief, his gun barrell still smoking in his hands.

Naruto glanced briefly at the downed guard, noting the bullet wound with a slight frown of concern. He hoped it hadn't struck anything vital, but there wasn't time to check. His eyes shifted back to the remaining guard, trembling in terror, still gripping the gun tighthly, though his hand was shaking too violently to aim properly.

"Tch.." Naruto sighed, his expression hardening as he looked at the pitiful man before him. Just an hour ago, this guard, just like the others, had probably been enjoying the suffering of the 'prisoners' in this place, taking pleasures in their pain. Now, stripped of his bravado, the man was a broken mess—too paralyzed by fear to even consider running.

The blonde walked toward him with deliberate, unhurried steps, the sound of his feet crunching in the snow echoing through the alley. The guard's leg refused to move, frozen in place by fear.

Naruto stopped in front of him, his face unreadable, a mask of cold indifference. For a moment, the world seemed to pause, the guard's terrified eyes locked on him. There was no need for words—no explanation, no plea. The man's fear, the despair in his eyes was punishment enough.

—To Be Continued...

A/N: If anyone of you have managed to read this chapter without skipping, congratulations. Lmao. I'm really sorry, if this chapter felt very incoherent and repetitive during some portions. I simply Wasn't able to improve or cut those parts. But, i promise that i'll try to do a bit better in the next chapter.

Now, i would also like to point out the things(powers) that Naruto has and doesn't, as most of you were very concerned about how strong he is gonna be. Some of you might not like it, but i think he is strong enough.

firstly, as shown in this chapter, it would take him time to enter sage mode, nor he would spam jutsu left and right due to his reserves taking longer than usual to refill.

Secondly, he can use SOSP mode, i.e, the base mode without the kurama cloak version for much of the story. He can enter this mode in an instant, however it does cause his chakra to drain by quite a bit (it does in canon). Moreover, he won't be using it anytime soon, cause, honestly...apart from the top tier One piece characters, i don't think he will have much trouble against any opponents, even in sage mode or say...his boil release Unrivalled strength 'mode'. Not to mention, he can fight even in water or underwater.

Thirdly, he will be able to use some D-A rank technique from the five primary elements. He also has, and can use Boil, Lava, and Magnet release.

Thirdly, he doesn't have Truth-seeking orbs. Just, No! Its too much.

Fourthly, Naruto can use hiraishin, but he wont be really 'good' at it for the time being.

Fifthly, (It can change later, idk) Naruto wont be having Conqueror, nor Observation Haki. Cuz, ya know, he is from a different universe and all. His and Kurama's killing intent would suffice as a 'Somewhat' version of the Conqueror haki. His sage mode and SOSP negative/ill-intent/emotions sensing abilities, along with the enhanced awareness granted by them would act as an observation haki. of course, he wouldn't have future sight!

Lastly, the current timeline is ...there is a war going on between the Marines and White beard.

There are some more things i would like to add, but i'll leave it for the next chapter.

FYI: The Transparency Escaping Technique is a real technique which Naruto uses in the Blood prison movie.

If there are any concerns or criticisms about the chapter or the fic itself, do leave a review or PM me. Thank you.