The carnival had settled into an eerie calm. The bright lights of the rides flickered as they always did, but the atmosphere felt different. The remnants of the last battle, scattered confetti and busted Faygo bottles, had been cleared away, yet the air was heavy with something new. Naruto, still adorned in his Juggalo face paint, could feel the thrum of victory in his veins, but a strange unease lingered.
It wasn't just the battle with Orochimaru and his forces that had Naruto on edge, nor the bizarre appearance of Sharon Osbourne. It was the memory of a single, towering figure—the one whose presence had stuck with him ever since their first encounter: The Undertaker. There was something about him, something deeper than any chakra, that weighed on Naruto's mind.
As he stood at the entrance to a dimly lit tent, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that he was about to step into another world entirely.
"You ready for this, Jugganaruto?" Violent J asked, standing beside him. The usually jovial energy that surrounded him was more subdued. "This is where the Deadman gives his lessons."
Naruto glanced at the dark, flapping entrance of the tent. "Yeah, I think so," he said, swallowing the nerves rising in his throat. "But what's he gonna teach me? I mean, I've been through a lot of battles, learned tons of jutsu. What could be left?"
Shaggy 2 Dope grinned wildly, leaning in with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "The Deadman? Oh, man, you don't even know. His lessons ain't about throwin' punches. They're about understanding death, facing the shadows that live inside your soul."
Naruto gulped, feeling the cold fingers of anxiety wrap around him. He had faced plenty of enemies, but death? Was this a battle he could win?
Before he could dwell on it further, the tent's entrance flapped open, and a figure emerged. Tall, imposing, with eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness, The Undertaker stood before them. His long, black trench coat brushed against the ground as he moved, his silent presence heavy with authority.
"Come," The Undertaker's voice was a low rumble, like distant thunder. Without a word, Naruto followed him into the tent.
Inside, the air was thick and oppressive, making it hard to breathe. Flickering candles lit the interior, casting long shadows that danced along the walls. Strange symbols were scrawled on the floor in chalk, twisting and looping in patterns that made Naruto's head swim. The energy here was different—dark, cold, and powerful.
The Undertaker moved to the center of the room, his gaze never leaving Naruto. "You've come far, Jugganaruto. You've faced enemies, conquered challenges. But there's one lesson you haven't learned."
Naruto's fists clenched at his sides. "What lesson is that?"
The Undertaker's eyes seemed to darken further. "You've fought battles, but you haven't truly faced death. You don't understand the power it holds over life. That is what I will teach you. The way of the Deadman."
Naruto blinked in confusion. "I've fought enemies stronger than me. I've been close to death more times than I can count. What makes this any different?"
The Deadman stepped forward, his towering presence casting a shadow that seemed to engulf the entire tent. "Death is not just an end, Naruto. It's a force. It surrounds you at all times. You can't escape it. But if you learn to face it, to embrace it, you can master it. Only then will you be free."
Naruto felt a shiver crawl down his spine. He'd faced the worst the shinobi world had to offer—pain, loss, loneliness—but something about the way The Undertaker spoke made him realize there was a deeper fear he hadn't yet confronted.
"So… how do I do that?" Naruto asked, his voice steady but uncertain.
The Undertaker nodded approvingly. "Good. You're ready to learn. But understand this: it's not about learning a new jutsu. It's about accepting the darkness inside you, the fear, the anger, the loss. When you can accept those, only then can you walk the path of the Deadman."
Naruto took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He'd fought against the darkness within him his whole life—the burden of the Nine-Tails, the rejection of the village, the deaths of those he loved. But now, The Undertaker was asking him to embrace it.
The air in the tent grew colder as Naruto focused inward. He could feel the weight of death around him, not as a distant threat but as something close and inevitable. Every failure, every loss, every battle—death had been there, waiting in the background.
But instead of resisting it, Naruto did something he had never done before: he welcomed it.
"You're doing well," The Undertaker's voice echoed from the shadows. "Don't fight it. Let it flow through you."
As the shadows around him swirled and danced, Naruto felt an unexpected calm wash over him. He wasn't afraid anymore. By accepting the darkness, the weight of his fears and failures began to lift. It wasn't about giving in to despair—it was about finding strength in it.
For the first time, Naruto felt at peace.
Just as he was beginning to fully absorb the lesson, a familiar voice shattered the eerie silence of the tent.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite ninja!"
Naruto's eyes snapped open, and sure enough, there she was—Ann Richards, striding into the tent with her trademark white pantsuit as immaculate as ever, seemingly untouched by the weight of the atmosphere.
"Ann?!" Naruto groaned. "What are you doing here now?"
Ann Richards grinned, giving a casual wave to The Undertaker. "Howdy, Mark," she said, winking. "Just checking in on my favorite Texan."
Naruto could only stare in disbelief. "Of course… of course, you know The Undertaker."
The Deadman nodded gravely to Ann. "Governor Richards."
Naruto threw his hands up in defeat. "I should've known. It's a Texas thing, right?"
Ann chuckled, patting Naruto on the shoulder. "You're catching on, Jugganaruto."
Naruto sighed, accepting that Ann Richards was just going to pop up wherever the Dark Carnival led him. There was no point in questioning it anymore.
The Undertaker's deep voice pulled Naruto's attention back to the task at hand. "You've taken the first step, but the path of the Deadman is long. Death is not your enemy, but it must be respected. Only those who embrace it can wield its power."
Naruto nodded solemnly. "I understand. I won't forget this."
As the shadows slowly receded, the heavy atmosphere lifting, Naruto felt different. He hadn't learned a new move or technique, but something deeper. He understood now that mastering death meant mastering himself. It wasn't about fear—it was about freedom.
The Undertaker folded his arms, his expression unreadable. "The lesson is over. For now."
Naruto turned to leave the tent, but as he stepped outside, the cool night air washing over him, he glanced back at Ann Richards, who was now chatting casually with The Undertaker.
"You're never going to stop showing up, are you?" Naruto asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
Ann winked. "Not a chance, sugar. Now let's go grab some Faygo."
Naruto sighed but couldn't help smiling this time. Some mysteries were beyond understanding—like a former Texas governor hanging out at the Dark Carnival. But for now, there were bigger things to think about.
As Naruto walked away with Ann and The Undertaker, the weight of death no longer felt like a burden. Instead, it was a tool—a power he could now wield. The darkness was his to command, and his journey into the unknown was only just beginning.