Hey, everyone!

Here's another one!

Disclaimer: We do not own any Franchise. We just love being imaginative.


Chapter - 12

The air hung thick with the scent of jasmine and expensive perfumes, a stark contrast to the ramen-stained alleys Naruto usually frequented. These rooftops, tiled in vibrant ochre and deep blue, were a different world, a world he wasn't supposed to be in. But here he was, a shadow against the fading sunset, moving with an almost unnatural grace. He was a whisper of motion, a glitch in the meticulously crafted order of the noble district.

If anyone had truly focused, they would have seen him, a dark figure defying gravity, scaling walls with the ease of a squirrel flitting up a tree. He was a blur of white and black, his signature spiky blonde hair tucked beneath a dark hood. Naruto Uzumaki, supposedly under probation and monitored by a tracking tag he'd somehow managed to shed, was playing hide-and-seek with the city's finest – the Silvermane guards.

He landed silently on a rooftop, the tiles cool beneath his bare feet. Below, the streets were bustling, a symphony of mechanical-drawn carriages and chattering voices. He spotted a pair of Silvermane guards patrolling the street below, their silver armor glinting in the twilight. They were meticulous, robotic in their movements, each step measured, each glance carefully calculated.

He shook his head, a mix of annoyance and amusement bubbling within him. "Seriously? How many guards do these puffed-up nobles actually need?" The sheer density of the Silvermane presence was baffling, almost comical. It was like they were trying to protect a particularly precious collection of goldfish. He heard from Penya how the noble's were descendants of great contributors to the creation of Belobog and thus four main noble household were given extra treatment.

He knew his mission was important. Serval was counting on him. He'd gotten a frantic message from her, a short, coded burst of information smuggled out to him by a kitchen maid. Serval was in trouble, and Naruto had to learn where that the notoriously opulent Landou estate was where his friend was being held. The Landou family, notorious for their ruthlessness and influence, were not known to be kind to their own offsprings. Well, its what Serval told him anyway, thought he believe her as he hadn't had the best of experience with them.

He crouched low, his eyes scanning the landscape. The Landou estate was a fortress of white stone and manicured gardens, its silhouette dominating the surrounding buildings. It loomed like a silent threat, its windows dark and uninviting. The Silvermane presence around it was even more oppressive than within the district itself.

He needed a plan, a way to infiltrate without being spotted. He wasn't about to go barging in, not with the odds stacked so heavily against him. He took a deep breath, the scent of jasmine now slightly tainted with the acrid tang of his own anxiety.

He knew Serval was counting on him. They had an unspoken pact, forged in shared unusual first meeting and late-night ramen binges when he came up to the overworld – they made a deal to have each other's backs. He was going to get his friend out of this gilded cage.

Naruto moved with a speed that seemed born of pure desperation. He climbed, he leaped, he slid, a ghost in the gathering darkness. He used the shadows as his allies, weaving between chimneys and skylights. His senses were on high alert, his body humming with a mix of adrenaline and focus.

He reached the edge of the Landou estate, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He peered over the edge, assessing the perimeter. The walls were high, topped with sharp iron spikes, and heavily guarded. He could spot at least a dozen Silvermanes patrolling the grounds, their movements systematic and predictable.

Too much for a frontal assault, he thought, his mind racing. He needed to think outside the box, to use his skills to their full potential, not just brute force, which was generally his go-to method. He smiled then, a flash of a grin that vanished almost as soon as it appeared.

He had an idea. It was risky, maybe even a little crazy, but that was just the kind of plan he excelled at. He backed away from the edge of the roof, his eyes gleaming with determined mischief. The game was on, and Naruto was ready to play.

He wasn't just jumping across rooftops anymore. He was on a rescue mission, and nothing, not even the elite guards of the noble district, was going to stop him. He was Naruto Uzumaki, and he always kept his promises. Serval was going to be saved by him.

Unfortunately, the sheer audacity of the Landou estate was enough to make Naruto's teeth grind. It wasn't just big; it was a sprawling testament to generations of noble blood, a labyrinth of wings and annexes that felt designed to confuse anyone who wasn't born within its ostentatious walls. His friend Serval resided somewhere within this behemoth, and Naruto, armed with nothing but a vague description of her wing and a growing sense of exasperation, was on a mission.

"Seriously," he muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets, his clothing a stark contrast to the muted grandeur of the estate, "How many rooms does one family actually need?"

He'd started his search with a semblance of order, checking doors and making polite inquiries to the few uniformed servants he encountered. But the sheer volume of rooms, each more impeccably decorated than the last, had quickly devolved his method into a frantic peek into every window he could reach. This, however, had backfired spectacularly.

He'd inadvertently witnessed a maid and a stable hand locked in a passionate embrace amidst a pile of neatly folded linens. Then, a footman and a lady's maid, their whispered endearments punctuated by stolen kisses in a shadowy corridor. His own romantic life, or rather, its complete absence, felt particularly bleak in comparison. Each accidental glimpse into another's budding affection felt like a low blow to his own perpetually single status. He almost wished he could unsee half the things he'd witnessed.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity navigating a maze of polished floors and whispering tapestries, he spotted it. A window slightly ajar, the faint scent of lavender drifting out, and a familiar silhouette hunched inside. Serval.

There she was, slumped in a wooden chair, an oversized shirt swallowing her frame, her knees pulled up to her chest. A profound sadness emanated from her posture.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto positioned himself beneath the window. This was it. The dramatic rescue. He envisioned bursting into the room, a whirlwind of heroic energy, whisking his friend away from whatever doldrums she found herself in. He gathered his chakra, preparing for a dramatic leap.

Now was his moment. "SERVAAAAL! I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU!" he bellowed, launching himself upwards, grabbing the windowsill, and hoisting himself through the opening with more enthusiasm than grace. He landed with a thud, striking a dramatic pose, one fist raised in the air.

The room fell silent. Serval just stared at him for a long, awkward moment. Her usual bright, inquisitive eyes were indeed downcast, but her expression was far from what Naruto had imagined.

Then, a snort escaped her lips. It grew into a giggle, and soon Serval was throwing her head back, a genuine, unrestrained laugh echoing through the room.

Naruto, his heroic bravado deflated, crossed his arms. "Hey! What's so funny? We need to get out of here, not waste time laughing!"

Serval, finally composed herself. "You... you bursting through the window like some kind of… knight in shining… overalls," she managed between chuckles.

She wiped a tear from her eye, her smile still playful. "Naruto, you idiot," she said, shaking her head. "There's nothing to save me from. I sent you that message... it was a hoax, fabrication. I just wanted you here. Didn't think you get here this fast."

Naruto gaped. "A hoax? The message that maid gave me was fake? You made me climb walls, dodge guards, and witness some pretty uncomfortable stuff for a hoax?!" He sputtered, indignation rising like a tide. After a few deep breaths, he managed to calm himself down, realizing shouting at her wasn't going to get him anywhere.

"All a grand performance to get you here." Serval just sat there, her smile never fading, waiting with a knowing glint in her eyes.

Naruto glare at the young girl while Serval just stare back with a confident smirk.

"Okay, okay," Naruto sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair. "Why am I really here then?"

Serval leaned forward, her playful demeanor replaced by a more serious expression. "I heard something, Naruto. Someone hit someone he shouldn't have, and it could cause real problems for the outdoor expedition that's leaving soon." Her eyes held a silent communication, and Naruto understood. She wasn't just talking about a simple fight.

Naruto's face hardened. "That… that jerk, Lev Morozov," Naruto sputtered, his fists clenching. "He hurt Penya. Badly. He broke off their engagement yesterday, said he never loved her, that she was just a stepping stone for his noble connections. He needed her research, her achievements, to impress his family. And then, today, when she confronted him, he…" Naruto struggled to keep his voice even, "he was about to hit her. I couldn't just stand there, Serval."

Naruto clenched fist tighten. "I couldn't just stand there and watch that happen, Serval. He was about to hit her."

Serval nodded slowly, her eyes mirroring his anger. "I figured. I met Morozov once before, he's got that arrogant, entitled air about him." She paused, her gaze intense. "This could be a problem, Naruto. We need to think this through. This expedition... it's important to Miss Penya." She looked at her palms as she was deep in thoughts, and Naruto watched with a concern expression. He knew how much this expedition meant to her as he also understood the need.

Naruto looked to the window as he knew this was not just about him or her but of everyone. He thought back to what Penya had said, of how much this expedition was needed for everyone. "What should we do?" He said with a serious tone.

"Honestly, Naruto," she said, her voice laced with a weariness that belied her youthful appearance, "It's like banging your head against a solid ice wall. This expedition… it's the last gasp, truly. They cycled through the designated time, the allocated fuel, everything. Penya is the only one still pushing for these last few runs."

Naruto followed Serval's gaze to the distant, flickering lights of the expeditionary outpost, small and defiant against the endless white expanse. He knew vaguely what the scientists were trying to do – probe the frozen wastes, analyze the permafrost, desperately search for even the faintest hint of a shift, a sign of some habitable future beyond Belobog's walls. He also knew it was widely considered a fool's errand.

"But… why does she keep going?" Naruto asked, his brow furrowed. He understood dedication, the kind that burned in his own chest, but this seemed… futile.

Serval gave a small, mirthless laugh. "That's Miss Penya for you. She's got this… almost stubborn hope to find something out there, something that could help the future of Belobog. And she's remarkably good at twisting arms and using up favors aside from being a great explorer. But everyone else sees the truth, Naruto. This world… it's done for. It's a frozen tomb. Belobog is our Ark, and we need to focus our resources on making life here sustainable."

Serval gestured around them, to the bustling streets of the Overworld noble district, one of the very heart of Belobog's thriving community. Even within these walls, resources were finite. The hydroponic farms, the energy generators, the intricate recycling systems – all required careful management as most of them use geomarrow.

Naruto once again, he saw the same look Natasha, Vache, and now Serval talking about how it was pointless in regards to their frozen world. Penya's determination was a breath of fresh air after hearing it.

"I know you're not the type to usually poke your head into the administrative side of things," Serval continued, her voice dropping conspiratorially, "but trust me, I've been in that office more times than I care to admit, usually trying to fix something my dad's broken." She rolled her eyes. "And let me tell you, the general consensus is that the expedition is a luxury we can no longer afford. It's draining our fuel reserves, tying up personnel who could be working on more pressing matters, like ensuring the heating doesn't fail again during the next ice blizzard."

Naruto listened intently, his initial confusion slowly morphing into understanding. He'd always seen the expedition as a noble, if perhaps slightly misguided, endeavor. He hadn't considered the practicalities, the hard choices that had to be made in their precarious existence.

Serval's next revelation hit him like a sudden gust of the icy wind. "And get this," she said, her voice hardening. "Just a few hours ago, I overheard my dad talking to the Head of the Morozov clan. After his son was 'impacted' they were discussing… strategies. Strategies to 'redirect resources' and 'ensure the long-term stability of Belobog's infrastructure.' In simpler terms, they're planning on obstructing the expedition. Maybe even shutting it down completely."

Naruto's eyes widened. He knew of the Morozov, one of Belobog's oldest and most influential families, their power interwoven with the city's energy production. Their support, or lack thereof, could make or break any initiative.

"They're going to stop it?" Naruto asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Serval nodded grimly. "It sounds like they've got a multi-pronged approach. Slowing down supply shipments, questioning the validity of the research in official reports, maybe even… planting 'evidence' of some sort of hazard at the outpost." She shuddered. "My dad can be… ruthless when he believes he's doing what's best."

The distant lights of the expeditionary outpost now seemed even more fragile, vulnerable against the vast, unforgiving darkness. Naruto looked at them, and then back at Serval, a new understanding dawning in his bright blue eyes.

He thought of Penya, alone out there in the frozen wilderness, clinging to a sliver of hope in a world that seemed determined to crush it. He pictured her poring over data, her breath misting in the frigid air, her determination fueled by a belief that perhaps, just perhaps, there was something worth finding beyond the ice.

He now understood the kind of pressure Penya was under. It wasn't just the unyielding cold, the technological limitations, the constant threat of equipment failure. It was the weight of an entire city, the quiet disapproval, the looming threat of powerful figures pulling the plug on her last desperate attempt to find a future beyond their walls.

The expedition wasn't just a scientific endeavor anymore. It was a symbol of hope, flickering against the encroaching darkness, and Penya was its solitary guardian. Naruto felt a familiar surge of protectiveness, the same instinct that had driven him to defend his friends and his village countless times. He might not understand the intricacies of her research, but he understood the value of hope, and he understood the injustice of having that hope extinguished by forces within the very walls meant to protect them.

"We need to do something," Naruto said, his voice firm, the usual playful tone replaced with a steely resolve. "We can't just let them…" He trailed off, his mind already racing, trying to figure out how he, even a relatively ordinary citizen of Belobog, could possibly help. But the seed of action was planted, fueled by Serval's information and the stark reality of Penya's lonely struggle against the cold, both outside and within Belobog's walls. The frozen world outside might be unyielding, but the fire of determination was starting to burn in Naruto's heart.

The biting wind from the window, even inside the noble girl's room, seemed to mock Naruto's already chilled bones. Serval, ever the pragmatist, leaned against a flickering monitor, her usual playful smirk softened with something akin to concern.

"Last legs, Naruto. That's what it is," she reiterated, her voice a low hum that barely rose above the background hum of the machinery. "Miss Penya's the only one still kicking for it. Everyone else has accepted the inevitable. Like I said it's a resource sink, plain and simple. It hasn't contributed much and that's all they needed to use against her."

Naruto shifted his weight, his brow furrowed beneath his usual headband. He looked out the reinforced window at the swirling blizzard beyond, the endless white stretching as far as the eye could see. Belobog's protective walls were their only sanctuary, the only place where the fragile flame of life hadn't been extinguished by the eternal winter. The idea of venturing back out there, even for scientific purposes, felt… foolish. Yet, he started to understand Penya. Her passion for discovery, for understanding the mysteries buried beneath the ice, was infectious.

"She really believes in it." Naruto mumbled, more to himself than Serval.

Serval sighed, a puff of air escaping her lips. "Believes in the data they might find. Believes in proving there might be something more than just… this." She gestured vaguely to their surroundings, the sterile corridors, the ever-present chill. "Look, I get it. But logic, Naruto. Hundreds of years of nothing but ice and readings that confirm… more ice. It's not exactly encouraging."

She pushed herself off the monitor, her gaze sharp. "The problem isn't just the lack of results. It's the pushback." Her tone hinted at a network of informants and backroom deals Naruto didn't fully comprehend. "I'm saying they are aiming to shut it down, for good."

Understanding dawned on Naruto's face, chasing away the usual clueless grin. Penya wasn't just facing the apathy of a jaded populace; she was battling powerful forces within Belobog itself. Forces that likely saw the expedition as a drain on resources they'd rather direct elsewhere.

Serval caught his expression and a small, almost fond smile touched her lips. "See? Even you get it eventually, idiot."

"So… they're really trying to stop her?" Naruto asked, the concern in his voice palpable.

Serval nodded. "Which puts Penya in a bind. She's got to get something significant, something undeniable, on this last run. Otherwise…" She trailed off, the unspoken conclusion hanging heavy in the air. The expedition would be scrapped, Penya's efforts deemed a failure, and the little hope she held for finding something more would be buried under the ice along with everything else.

"She will go down hard," Naruto admitted, scratching the back of his head. "After… you know… she went straight to her bed. Didn't even eat."

Serval's smile softened further, a genuine warmth replacing the usual teasing glint in her eyes. "She's stuck in a conundrum."

Then, her usual mischievous spark returned. "But don't worry, Naruto. Your eternally resourceful friend has a plan." She straightened up, a determined glint in her eyes. "We can't guarantee success for the expedition itself, but we can at least make sure this last run goes off without any… external influences."

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "There are three steps. Infiltration, distraction, and destruction." She reached out and playfully tugged on Naruto's ear, pulling him closer. Her voice was low and urgent, weaving a thread of intrigue in the sterile environment.


The next-day quickly arrive and it was quite an early morning for Lark to start his day in his job as a dealing officer/Upper clerk for the administration of Belobog. Though he never even in his years being alive with zero issue would now be kidnapped.

The rough fabric of the sock tasted vaguely of dust and old office supplies. Lark's eyes darted around the cramped darkness of his locker, the metallic scent of the enclosure filling his nostrils. He tried to yell, to protest the indignity, but only muffled sounds escaped the enforced stuffing. Ropes bit into his wrists and ankles, thankfully not too tight, but undeniably restraining.

Above him, a mop of golden hair was just visible through the ventilation slits. The youthful face, framed by whisker-like markings, belonged to the person who had so unceremoniously shoved him into his workplace prison. Lark recognized the man, though vaguely. He'd seen him around the office, a… person under probation, wasn't it? He'd never imagined he'd be on the receiving end of a clandestine operation involving him.

The last thing Lark saw before the locker door slammed shut was the man's lips moving, though the muffled sock prevented him from hearing the words. He could only guess at the meaning – likely something along the lines of 'sorry, no hard feelings.'

Here, look at this photo, this man here. Impersonate him, I mean use that handy ability of yours. He's a dealing clerk that even handles the most important files going through the administration.

Outside the locker, Naruto smoothed down the borrowed uniform of Lark. He felt a slight unease wearing someone else's clothes, especially after just… incapacitating the owner. But Serval's logic was sound, as always. He could trust her judgment, even if her methods were… unconventional.

Naruto, you know your brute strength can't fix everything so trust me on this.

"Serval really knows everything," Naruto thought, a shiver running down his spine despite the slightly itchy fabric. How had she known about his Transformation Jutsu? He hadn't exactly advertised that particular skill to anyone in Belobog. Maybe it was some kind of keen observational skill. Serval did have a knack for noticing details others missed or maybe secretly spying on him?

He pushed the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. "Come on, this shouldn't be that hard." He'd practiced the transformation until it felt almost natural. He even managed a passable imitation of Lark's slightly hunched posture and perpetually worried frown.

Entering the administrative building felt like stepping into a freezer. The air was sterile, the muted sounds of keyboard clicks and hushed conversations creating an atmosphere of tense efficiency. Naruto remembered his first visit, a whirlwind of confusing bureaucracy and paperwork when he was trailed for court. It had been a nightmare, and the underlying tension in the air still prickled at his senses.

As 'Lark,' Naruto navigated the familiar corridors, offering stiff nods and forced smiles to passing colleagues. "Greetings, esteemed colleague!" he chirped to a woman carrying a stack of files, his voice a slightly higher-pitched version of Lark's usual monotone.

"Top of the morning to you, even though it's afternoon!" he declared to a bewildered-looking man near the water cooler. He tried to mimic the short, jerky movements he'd observed in the real Lark, hoping to sell the act. Surprisingly, no one seemed particularly alarmed by his slightly off behavior. Belobog bureaucrats, he surmised, were perhaps too absorbed in their own meticulously organized chaos to notice anything slightly out of the ordinary.

He located Lark's office – a cubicle really, though it did have a door that closed, a sign of his slightly higher status. Inside, the desk was cluttered with stacks of files, neatly organized in a way that made Naruto's head spin. He settled into the stiff chair, the faux leather creaking beneath him.

With a sigh of practiced patience, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, inconspicuous earpiece. He carefully placed it in his ear, adjusting it until he heard a faint crackle. Now came the waiting. The second step in Serval's intricate plan was about to begin, and he was the linchpin. Hopefully, he could pull this off without raising any real alarms. He much preferred fighting interdimensional monsters to navigating the labyrinthine world of Belobog's bureaucracy.

"Next, distraction," Serval voice came from the ear piece, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "While your infiltration is complete, we need to create, shall we say, unforeseen circumstances that will divert the files movement, particularly the file that will instigate the expedition last run. Think… unexpected system glitches, misplaced documents, perhaps even a sudden and very loud alarm in a non-critical area. Enough chaos to throw a wrench in their carefully laid plans."

He adjusted the stiff collar of the clerk's uniform, the fabric feeling alien against his skin. His transformation jutsu was holding strong, the features of the portly, balding clerk, Lark – as Serval had identified him – plastered flawlessly over his youthful face. The earpiece, a small, almost invisible device, buzzed.

"Now then Naruto, are you in position?" Serval's voice, calm and clipped, crackled in his ear.

"Yeah, all good here," he whispered, mimicking Garth's slightly nasal drawl. "The place is a real snooze fest. Where do I go from here, Serval?"

"Right, call one of the peons to your room. Tell them you need the file containing all recent correspondence sent to this office," she instructed.

Naruto swallowed, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. He had no idea what "correspondence" even was. He spotted a young, nervous-looking intern hovering nearby and beckoned him over with a practiced flick of his hand, mimicking Lark's arrogant swagger. "Boy, come here! I need the recent missives. The whole lot."

The intern, eyes wide with trepidation, scurried away and returned moments later with a stack of files that threatened to overwhelm his slender arms. He deposited them on Naruto's desk with a quiet thud.

"Thank you," Naruto managed, doing his best to sound like a disgruntled bureaucrat.

"Alright, Naruto," Serval said, her tone laced with anticipation. "I need you to find the file that refers to 'general correspondence'. I believe that's where the proposal to stop the last expedition will be. I know this sounds like something that's quite bland but trust me on this. I have a strong feeling that it is there."

Naruto scanned the files, his brow furrowing in concentration. He found a folder labeled, "General Correspondence" and felt a surge of relief. "Got it!" he announced, feeling more like Garth every second.

"Good," Serval's voice was now a smidgen gleeful. "Now, I need you to start making some…adjustments. Write some nonsensical errors into the file, like you've misunderstood key information. Then send them back to the archives. Tell them there are discrepancies that 'need fixing'."

Naruto, confused but trusting Serval's process, started writing random phrases and numbers onto the documents. He added a few unnecessary exclamation marks and made sure that the tone of his writing was rather inconsistent. Once he was done, he called back the intern with the files and gave him a speech that was filled with complaining and anger. The intern then scurried back to the archives.

"Okay, that's done," Naruto said, a bit bewildered by the whole ordeal.

"Excellent," Serval replied, a wicked edge creeping into her tone. "Now listen carefully. I want you to discreetly exit the office. There's a maintenance room around the back. It's where they keep the building's servers. You'll know it when you see it, should be a metal door with a no entry sign on it."

Naruto slipped out of the office, the stiffness of his disguise feeling like a cage he was all but ready to shed. With the agility of a seasoned ninja, he evaded any lurking eyes and found the maintenance room precisely where Serval said it would be. With a soft click, he forced his was in, finding the room filled with humming machinery and blinking lights.

"Right," Serval said, her voice now humming with anticipation. "There should be a series of ports on the server units. Find one that looks like it'll fit the pen-drive I gave you. Plug it in."

Naruto stared at the array of ports, completely lost. He had never seen anything like this in his life. "Uh…what's a port? And a pen-drive?" he asked, genuinely confused.

Serval sighed, a mix of amusement and exasperation in her tone. "Didn't we already have this conversation before? The pen-drive is the little stick looking thing I gave you. It's a device to store information. And a port is a small opening where you can plug that device into. Just find one that looks like it'll fit. The ones you are looking for are rectangular and rather thin."

Naruto, after a few moments of staring at the machinery, finally spotted a port that looked like it matched the pen-drive. He carefully plugged it in, not really understanding the importance of his action.

"Good job," Serval said, her voice now laced with a victorious grin. "The second part of the plan is going as smooth as I could imagine it."

Little did Naruto know, the pen-drive he had just plugged in contained a highly sophisticated program designed to wreak havoc on the Bureau's computer systems. For days, simple tasks would be plagued with errors and inconsistencies, files would go missing, and the entire bureaucratic machine would grind to a near halt.

Naruto was still trying to grasp what he had just done when Serval's voice cut through his thoughts. "Okay, now create a shadow clone. You'll need it to maintain the chaos. He needs to look exactly like Lark. Have him keep sending the files back and forth for those 'necessary' fixes."

Naruto performed the jutsu. A puff of smoke filled the maintenance room, and when it cleared, a perfect duplicate of the balding, portly clerk stood next to him, complete with a bored expression. It took a moment for Naruto to actually understand that his clone was also wearing Lark's uniform.

He gave the clone a quick explanation of his assigned task, watching as the clone gave him an annoyed look. He sighed as he realised that his clone was mimicking Garth's expressions and mannerisms.

With the clone in place, the real Naruto was ready to get out of that stiff, stuffy garb. He knew that Serval had more things planned for him which he was excited to do. This was much better than waiting in his room with nothing to do. Now, the final step of Serval's plan was awaiting him.

He paused for effect, her voice twinkling. "And finally… destruction." Her voice dropped to a near whisper. "Not the explosive kind, you idiot. We're not trying to level Belobog."

Serval sighed, pulling out her own device. "Listen, I assume Penya mention about the expedition delay…" Her voice dropped, even though there was no one immediately around. "Despite being finalized days ago. An issue held things back. The Fragmentum activity on the outskirts… it's been escalating rapidly."

Naruto had his attention on her voice, his blue eyes serious. "Escalating how?"

"Bad. Really bad. Scouts are reporting significantly larger and more frequent swarms near the frontline access points. They can't risk a full expedition walking into that and why it was delay for days."

Her voice crackled in his ear again, a separate communication. "Naruto, be careful out there. I know what you can do, but don't… don't push yourself too far. Remember what I told you, you owe no one here." Her concern was palpable.

He met her gaze, something resolute hardening his features. "Penya's last expedition. I have to see it through." He didn't elaborate, but the unspoken grief and determination hung heavy in the air between them.

Serval's expression softened. "I know, Naruto. That's why…" She hesitated, then continued, a spark of strategic calculation in her eyes. "Hypothetically speaking, if those Fragmentum swarms were… neutralized. Wiped out. Then the pre-approved expedition, the one that was finalized, would be able to proceed. Any subsequent orders, any new justifications for delay, wouldn't apply to that already processed file."

"Your point?" He didn't exactly know what she meant.

"You destroy the issue, then Penya's issue will be solve." She dumbs it down for him.

Understanding dawned in Naruto's eyes. It wasn't just about clearing a path; it was about bypassing the bureaucratic gridlock that would inevitably follow the escalating threat assessment. This was the kind of clever workaround he appreciated.

He gave a curt nod. "Understood."

With a final, worried glance from Serval, Naruto slipped into a narrow alleyway. The mundane grey of his borrowed Belobog attire shimmered and flowed, replaced by the vibrant golden and black of his Chakra-mode cloak. Golden chakra pulsed around him, a silent promise of power.

Exiting the city through official channels was always a possibility but why would he willing go outside and into the colder regions, but the current case was different especially when time was of the essence. With a burst of chakra, he launched himself upwards, scaling the towering Belobog walls with practiced ease. His feet barely touched the slick metal as he ascended, a near-invisible blur against the early morning sky. No alarms blared, no guards noticed the fleeting golden streak.

Looking in the direction Serval had indicated – northwest, towards the exposed plains – a wide grin stretched across Naruto's face. This was the part he excelled at. The part that didn't involve endless reports and polite nods. This was raw, untamed action.

Propelled by the explosive power of his chakra, Naruto blurred across the landscape. His speed, honed through years of intense training and countless battles, rivaled even the fastest practitioners of his own world's esoteric arts. He arrived at the designated frontline with almost comical speed, appearing as a sudden gust of wind to the Silvermane Guards locked in fierce combat with a tide of shadowy, ethereal Fragmentum.

The guards, faces grim and weapons flashing, were clearly struggling against the sheer number of the monsters. More were emerging from shimmering rifts in the air, ready to overwhelm their defenses.

Despite the distance and weak signal, Serval's voice crackled in his ear again, this time with a note of urgency. "Naruto, remember! Discreet! No craters! We need to make it look like they just… stopped."

"Got it," he muttered, his eyes already scanning the battlefield. He couldn't use the full force of his Rasenshuriken here. Instead, he materialized a dozen small, swirling Rasengans, each the size of his fist. With precise flicks of his wrists, they shot out, impacting the Fragmentum with silent, devastating force. The ethereal beings dissolved into shimmering particles without a sound, leaving no scorch marks, no craters.

But that was just the beginning. From his back, dozens of glowing chakra tendrils erupted, snaking across the battlefield like living whips of energy. They lashed out with incredible speed and precision, striking down the Fragmentum before they could even fully materialize. It was a mesmerizing dance of destruction, a silent symphony of annihilation. The guards, focused on their immediate threats, barely registered the sudden, inexplicable disappearance of the monsters flanking them.

Naruto moved like a phantom, a golden blur amongst the grey landscape. He didn't engage the guards, didn't draw attention to himself. His only focus was the eradication of the encroaching threat. He extended his senses, feeling the faint, unsettling energy signatures of the Fragmentum spread across the plains.

Three shadows clones emerge exactly with the same power. This was going to be an easy task for him.

For the next hour, Naruto was a force of nature, a silent guardian sweeping across a vast expanse. He obliterated Fragmentum nests hidden in rocky outcrops, dispersed swarms gathering near abandoned structures, and eliminated lone wanderers miles from the frontline. He moved with breathtaking speed, covering a hundred miles in what felt like minutes.

Finally, his senses registered nothing but the familiar hum of the natural world. The oppressive, unsettling energy of the Fragmentum was gone. Vanished.

Back at the frontline, the Silvermane Guards stood panting, their weapons lowered in bewildered silence. The last Fragmentum had simply… faded away. One grizzled veteran scratched his head. "Did… did they just give up?"

Another shook his head. "Never seen anything like it."

Naruto, having completed his task, turned back towards Belobog. He moved with a lighter step now, the weight of his self-imposed mission momentarily eased. A flicker of curiosity sparked within him. How precise was Serval's understanding of his abilities? Her warning about the craters… it was strangely specific.

He scaled the city walls again, dropping silently back into the alleyway where he'd started. The chakra cloak receded, replaced once more by his borrowed attire. It was still relatively early; the city was bustling with the start of the workday.

As he walked towards the designated meeting point for the expedition, a wry smile played on his lips. The plan had worked perfectly. Bureaucracy circumvented with a healthy dose of raw power. And hopefully, by the time he arrived, his shadow clone would have kept up the charade, ensuring no one suspected his brief, explosive detour. He had a feeling Penya would have appreciated the unorthodox approach.


The biting wind of Belobog did little to chill Penya Sergeyevna's resolve. Her breath puffed out in white clouds as she adjusted the straps of her expedition pack, the familiar weight a small comfort against the gnawing unease in her gut. Years she had poured into these expeditions beyond the city walls, seeking a flicker of hope in the desolate landscape, a solution to the creeping decay she saw in their home. Years spent defending them against the rising tide of apathy, the murmurs of waste and futility. And last night, the final straw had seemed to snap.

Lev, her ex-fiancé, the man whose promises of shared dreams had soured into bitter threats, had stood before her, his handsome face twisted with a jealous rage. "No more expeditions," he had snarled, "I won't allow it. Your little game of hope ends here, Penya." He, with his noble lineage and his father's powerful position within the administration, had the resources to crush her ambition like a winter flower.

Yet, the dawn had brought a strange reprieve. When Penya entered her office, the head of her department, a man usually burdened with endless bureaucracy, had greeted her with a rare smile. "The issue have been resolved in the front line, Officer Penya," he announced, "Your expedition is clear to go. There are no further impediments."

The head left as if he had a headache, talking about issues with systems and a long meeting on his way.

It was surreal. No drawn-out delays, no last-minute refusals. It was as if his threats had never existed. A wave of confusion, then suspicion, washed over Penya. Something was wrong, deeply, unsettlingly wrong.

Her gaze landed on Naruto, her new friend, the person she was meant to supervise for this very expedition. He was fidgeting nervously, his usually vibrant blue eyes darting around the room, avoiding hers. He had been with her last night, a sudden, unexpected bodyguard against anyone after her horrible condition that night. He had defended her with a raw ferocity that had almost frightened her, and now, his unusual nervousness was doing the same.

"Naruto," she began, her voice carefully neutral, "Do you know anything about this sudden clearance?"

He startled, eyes widening like a startled deer before quickly looking away. "Clearance? Uh… no, uh, Penya! No idea! Just, uh, really happy for you, you know? Great news, great news!" He punctuated his words with jerky hand gestures, a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor with everyone but her.

Penya narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him. He was acting oddly, almost guiltily. It was as if he was trying to play innocent but something is telling her otherwise. The way he had defended her, the way his golden blond hair ruffled from the night wind as he faced Lev, the intensity in his eyes… it all pointed to a man capable of taking drastic action, and protecting her. A man who, in his own quiet way, has declared that she was in his care.

'Could he have?' The thought was a lightning strike. Could he have somehow… intervened? But how? Naruto was just a troublemaker currently under her wing, with no connections despite the powers. Or so she thought. The frantic energy emanating from him told her that there was more than the eye could see with this young man.

Despite her suspicions, Penya felt a strange warmth bloom in her chest. It was baffling, yes, and unnerving but still felt like warm sunlight penetrating her winter soul. This was not the time for accusations and questions she knew would be met with denials. The expedition was the priority.

She took a deep breath, forcing a soft smile to her lips. A genuine smile, for the first time in days. "The expedition starts at noon, Naruto," she said, her voice laced with a gentle amusement that had a hint of knowing, "Be ready. And perhaps, keep your… talents, at bay. For now."

Naruto practically jumped, his eyes widening again. "Talents? I don't know what you're talking about!" He scrambled to put his gear together, a ridiculous expression of frantic denial plastered on his face.

Penya simply chuckled, a sound that was as rare as the sun in their dim city. She might not know exactly what had happened, or how, but she had a feeling she would, eventually. For now, she had an expedition to lead, a path to forge, and new mysteries to uncover. And if those mysteries involved a golden-haired boy with an intriguing secret, well, that was just another adventure to embrace. As she went outside to check the transport for her expedition, she could not help but have a small smile with a slightly excited expression.


And done…

Age:

Naruto: He looks like a 16-year-old meaning Naruto Shippuden age.

Serval: 13

Gephart: 11

Natasha: 18

Oleg: 38

Luka: 7

Seele: 7

Penya: 22 (No, she will not be interested in Naruto)

Abilities

Rasengan

Multi-Shadow clones

Fire manipulation and ignition

Transformation technique (How he hid his fox features.)

Chakra mode

Bye!