Chapter 29: The New Journey
—impossible " .Biju /Beast Talking.
—" for her " Thought of characters.
—" How can I forget you?" Thoughts of Biju/Summoning/Beast.
— interesting".Character speaking.
—No character from Naruto or the RWBY series belongs to me, this work is for mere entertainment, thank you in advance for reading this fanfic
The sun filtered through the leaves of the trees, creating bright spots on the path. The group of adventurers made their way through the forest, their boots sinking into the damp earth. Nora, with her tangled orange hair, marched beside Naruto, the leader of the group. Although they shared the same cause, their personalities constantly clashed.
Nora was impulsive and passionate. She was always hungry, and her stomach seemed like an insatiable black hole.
Naruto, on the other hand, was more reserved. His blue eyes hid secrets, and his defiant attitude made it clear that he wouldn't give in to anyone's demands, not even Nora's... to be honest, the two were more alike than they wanted to admit.
The bun in question was a small delicacy they had found in a nearby village. Nora had seen it first and, as was her custom, had devoured it without a second thought.
But Naruto had another one stashed away, too, and his greed had been piqued. He wasn't about to share it, not after having secreted it away overnight while Nora slept.
The argument began with Nora shouting,— "Give it to me, give it to me!" Her eyes were shining with tears of frustration.
Naruto looked at her with disdain.— "I already told you that he's mine, Nora." His voice was firm, but Nora wouldn't give up that easily.
—"But it's not fair! You have a cupcake and I have nothing." Nora crossed her arms, her brow furrowed like that of a spoiled child.
—"Of course you don't have any. You ate it a second ago. I'm not going to give you mine just because you're greedy enough to finish it so fast. Right now, when I have any chance to give you a single sweet, you should appreciate it, savor it. It might be weeks before I give you another one." Naruto crossed his arms defiantly.
Nora was not intimidated. Her eyes filled with tears.— "How cruel! We both know it's not true. I know you're hiding more candy in there. You just don't want to give it to me."
—"For obvious reasons I'm not going to give them to you. These are supplies, they have to last for months." Naruto stood firm.
—"I know how much candy you have there. I've seen you devour it at night while we sleep. And you talk to me about being greedy!" Nora clenched her fists.
—"It isn't true".
—"Liar!".
—"Of course not".
—"Liar!".
Naruto was lying, of course. But he wasn't going to give in. —"I'm not lying." He took the bun and ate it in one bite. It was amazing how something that big could fit into his mouth so easily.
Nora screamed in frustration and lunged at him. Naruto barely had time to defend himself from the brat's attacks.
—"Get away, you damn witch!" Naruto snapped.
Ruby, the third in line, watched the scene with an arched eyebrow. —"They're fighting again? Why am I not surprised?" Her tone was more one of entertainment than concern.
Ren, the quiet boy of the group, sighed wearily. —"Just one muffin, and we're already in the apocalypse."
The tension between Nora and Naruto grew like a bubblegum about to burst. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if it knew something big was about to happen. The other members of the group kept their distance, mixing nervous laughter with worried looks.
Nora, her eyes sparkling with anger, pointed an accusatory finger at Naruto. —"Idiot! How can you be so selfish?"
Naruto, on the other hand, seemed immune to the insults. He crossed his arms and gave her a smile that could melt the ice of the North Pole.— "Beautiful, you don't need to put on that angry face. It doesn't suit you."
A blush crept up Nora's cheeks. How could he be so shameless? And why, despite everything, was her heart beating faster? She didn't want to find him attractive, but his cheeky smile and those blue eyes unnerved her. It wasn't fair! He took advantage of her good looks like a naughty cat who knows he's adorable.
—"Mean," Nora growled, trying to regain her composure.
But Naruto didn't stop. He took a step closer to her, and his voice became soft, almost intimate.— "Pretty glutton, be careful. I really like women with a little fat in the right places."
Nora didn't know if she should hit him or shoot him. Well, maybe both options were valid. How could he be so irritating and at the same time so... intriguing?
—"What are you up to, Naruto?" Nora clenched her fists. —"Why don't you share the bun?"
Naruto shrugged with a mischievous smile.— "Because a man protects what is his, no matter who it is."
—"You're a...!" Nora couldn't find the right words to continue. Instead of answering, Naruto took out a piece of cake and ate it in front of her, as if he were challenging her.
—"Bastard!" Nora muttered, feeling her world shake between rage and disbelief.
At that moment, Ren, the quiet boy of the group, deigned to intervene. He raised an eyebrow as if he were calculating the exact amount of drama he could take before losing his patience.— "Can we just stop fighting over stupid things and focus on saving the world? Thanks."
It's been two months since the invasion of the kingdom of Vale, and Ruby still can't believe that everything went to hell in the blink of an eye. Pyrrha's death was like a punch in the stomach, and Ruby fell into an induced sleep that lasted a whole week. When she finally opened her eyes, she was met with a bleak sight: the kingdom reduced to rubble, as if a giant had played Jenga with the buildings.
The streets, once filled with laughter and commerce, were now a maze of rubble and broken memories. Not a rock was left unturned, and not a corner of his memory was left intact. It was as if someone had wiped the hard drive of his brain and then stomped on it with steel boots.
But the hardest blows came later. Yang, her sister, had suffered a wound that was not fatal in the physical sense, but that left deep scars on her soul. Yang was no longer the same. Her arm, from hand to elbow, had been torn off by a White Fang leader. Ruby remembered the lost look in Yang's eyes, as if she had seen the abyss and did not know how to get back.
Weiss, on her father's orders, had to return to the kingdom of Atlas. Ruby could do nothing to stop her. Weiss simply left, and the feeling of abandonment still tormented her. How could it be that her team, her family, was crumbling like a house of cards?
And then there was Blake. The mysterious, elusive Blake. One day she was there, and the next she was simply gone. No explanations, no goodbyes. Ruby searched for her in every shadow, every dark corner of the kingdom, but Blake had vanished like a ghost. What had happened? Why had she walked away?
Ruby found herself in a world torn apart, like a puzzle piece lost on the couch of life. Her team, once a solid unit, now lay fragmented.
But the most devastating blow was not the group's fracture, but Naruto's vision after the invasion of the kingdom of Vale. The image of his friend, wounded and battered, was etched in his mind like an indelible scar.
The cause of Naruto's condition was simple and brutal: Sasuke. Nora and Ren shared what they knew, though it was little. Sasuke, the one responsible for the tragedy, had pitted Naruto against each other in an epic battle.
Ruby didn't know any more details; only that she had screamed helplessly, wondering why they hadn't intervened. The answer was stark: they would be a hindrance. Naruto had to face Sasuke without distractions, without worrying about his safety. Though it hurt, Ruby understood the logic behind that decision.
The reality was even more cruel. According to his companions, Naruto's condition was worse than she saw. She didn't want to imagine it. Fortunately, her friend recovered, although the word "recovery" seemed insufficient. He was "fine", but vaguely. As if the wound had left an indelible mark on his spirit.
Ruby understood that she could not allow events to go unpunished. Cinder Fall, with her now familiar face and a price on her head, posed a threat to the entire kingdom of Vale. Ruby was determined to stop her, even if it meant facing the unknown. She was willing to risk everything to prevent another tragedy like the one she had experienced with Naruto. Melancholy gripped her heart, but so did determination. It was time to act.
Following her instinct, Ruby decided to head to the kingdom of Mistral. She packed her bags and embarked on an uncertain journey. Ren and Nora, without needing to be asked, were already waiting for her at the ruined gates at the edge of the kingdom.
However, the most surprising thing was that Naruto didn't want to accompany her. His answer was blunt: he would travel faster alone. Before he took the first step, Nora scolded him in a forceful manner. It was incredible how this woman could tame even someone like Naruto. Ruby couldn't help but think that she would like to have that power over him.
How would they get to the kingdom of Mistral? Ruby hadn't planned beyond reaching her destination. But the distance between the kingdom of Vale and Mistral was considerable. Walking would be a journey of many kilometers, practically a year of travel on foot. Still, Ruby was determined.
Naruto opened his eyes in shock.— "Idiot," he snapped. She tried to defend herself, but Naruto continued to insult her. The tension between them was palpable, and Ruby knew that this trip would be much more than a simple geographical journey. It was a journey into the unknown, where challenges and emotions would intertwine in unpredictable ways.
Naruto considered several ideas, one worse than the other. Riding a horse was out of the question, as was using a hot air balloon. None of them knew how to fly them, and according to Naruto, he could. Ruby didn't believe him and called him an idiot. The last option was to steal a bullhead and fly to Mistral.
However, this plan had two flaws. First, none of them knew how to pilot a bullhead, even though Naruto claimed he could. Second, they couldn't steal anything, as the few burger joints left in the shattered kingdom were used to bring in supplies from neighboring villages.
The kingdoms of Atlas and Mistral refused to lend any assistance. Their concerns revolved around strengthening internal security, and Vacuo followed suit. Thus began their journey, and a month had already passed.
The group was mired in sadness, and she struggled to keep her makeshift team's spirits up. Luckily, she wasn't alone in her loneliness. Naruto, always optimistic and cheerful despite the losses, remained a source of support. Ren, on the other hand, was just going with the flow, as always.
—"I still haven't forgiven you for what you've put us through these damn months!" Nora exclaimed, grabbing Naruto's shirt. He tried to get away, without losing his smug smile. — "We ran out of supplies and you resorted to your survival methods! We ate insects, larvae, disgusting worms!"
—"Pure protein, Nora. Insects are very nutritious, even if you find it hard to believe," Naruto replied unfazed.
Ren and Ruby shuddered at the memory.
—"You wretch! While we were eating that rubbish, you were secretly hiding provisions," Nora shouted, her tears of anger. She had not gotten over the situation.
—"I already apologized. Is this any consolation? Were you seriously planning to cross half the world with such limited supplies, no money, and without knowing how to read a damn map?" Naruto reprimanded, which only infuriated Nora further.
—"That's not fair. You have this strange technique of keeping things in paper scrolls. You're a cheater! There weren't supposed to be any secrets between us," Nora accused.
—"And yes, it is true."
—"Then why did you hide from us what you call a storage scroll?"
— "I forgot," Naruto admitted, before Nora lunged at him again, intending to knock him down and hit him.
It was fun, despite the adventures Naruto had put them through. She knew he was having fun. Besides, Naruto had been training them throughout the trip. Although he was strict, he was also a good teacher.
—"Ruby, help me!" Naruto pleaded.
Ruby just stuck her tongue out at him. —"Sure, sure!" she replied.
—"To think that after killing Naruto I feel slightly in a good mood," a man spread his arms towards the setting sun, looking at the waves on the cliff's shores. His heart was resonating.
—"This is perfect, nothing can stand in my way now. From now on, the enemies that might knock on my door are nothing more than flies... Hahaha!"
—"You seem to be happy," a voice caught his attention from behind. He didn't have to know who it was; he recognized that voice.
—"Siena, my dear, how could I not be? It's a magnificent day."
—"I see it like any other day. But these last few days you've been laughing like an idiot more often than usual," Siena mocked without malice.
—"I have to be happy because things have been going well lately. News of the fall of the kingdom of Vale arrived recently. The situation is bad, but this time is ideal for our purpose," the man said.
—"It was surprising to see such a powerful kingdom like that destroyed in an instant. But I don't quite understand the happiness on your face," Siena said.
—"I don't understand you, you don't seem to share my joy," the man replied.
—"Your plan is to help the survivors of that kingdom. To be honest, I care very little about the miserable lives of those humans. The problem here is that building boats to sail open waters will take a lot of time and materials, not to mention that they are very scarce here," Siena said in a harsh voice.
—"I still don't understand," the man insisted.
—"Our logistics, our numbers are not enough! Not only do we have to build ships to reach the kingdom of Vale, but even if we were to build that entire fleet, we would not have the provisions we plan to bring to those immune people. Menajerie is an inhospitable place, except for a small region where Kuo Kuana settled. Feeding everyone with that amount would take years. This is not feasible; I would rather feed my people than them," Siena emphasized.
The silence stretched between the two of them. The man's response was quick and decisive—"The fleet of ships is being built; they will be able to do so. The food will be enough." He approached the current leader of the White Fang, standing beside her on her right hand. They both looked out at the horizon, at the beautiful sea.—"Don't worry about that. I will make everything possible. The doubts you have should not wrinkle your beautiful face."
Siena, with a mixture of skepticism and admiration, looked the man up and down. Although she snorted at the compliment, she also gave a tired smile.
—"I don't understand how you're not overwhelmed. When Sasuke told me about you, he mentioned that you were very competent, and I have to admit that's true. However, he didn't mention that you were so naive and unrealistic," Siena commented.
The man replied solemnly, but also with a hint of amusement,— "I can't blame you for doubting my words. But trust in the little I've accomplished since I came to these lands. Life in Menagerie has improved significantly, just as Sasuke promised you."
Siena nodded. Ever since this man had set foot on her territory, everything seemed to prosper under his influence. Every word of his, no matter how far-fetched, was translated into positive results. Although she felt jealous at first, those feelings soon turned into admiration. This foolish and naive man, with a sincere and enormous heart, had achieved what she, as the leader of the White Fang, had not been able to.
—"You're keeping all your promises. However, Sasuke did mention that he would lay the world at my feet to avenge the oppression of our people by the humans," Siena said, no malice in her voice, just genuine curiosity.
The man replied firmly,— "Sasuke's words were just that, words. He was cruel and ruthless, I was unable to see the darkness he harbored in his heart and the destruction he would cause. The fall of the Vale Kingdom was timely for our purposes, but I take no pleasure in the tragedy that occurred there. He had another way of making our cause known to the world. However, he brought death and destruction to a village where, although there are evil people, there are also innocent ones who live peaceful lives. Whatever Sasuke promised you, I will not fulfill it in that manner."
Siena determinedly held the man's gaze. Although he didn't seem intimidated, but rather amused, it bothered her somehow. Not in a negative way, but in a strange way.
— "What if I want that specific promise to be fulfilled?" Siena insisted.
The man replied firmly, "Are you planning on going to war? We both know how this will end. I will not participate, and this time the fauns will not win. In the ancient Great Revolutionary War, we had the advantage thanks to our natural abilities. Our enemies couldn't do much against us, and yet, we still lost a lot of people. You yourself know that." He was talking about the fight for freedom and the rights of the fauns, a war they had won according to the history books.
—"That war happened almost 80 years ago. Even facing a destroyed or ruined kingdom would be complete suicide. Weapons have evolved, technology has improved. Our physical advantages can now be countered. You will lose," the man stated with conviction.
Siena tried to retort, but he interrupted her, "Even if you won, we couldn't call it a victory. The loss of life would be massive."
Although it was hard to accept, Siena knew he was right. A night attack by the fauns would no longer be as effective as it had been in the previous war. The nocturnal version of their abilities was useful, but the humans had developed more destructive ways of locating invaders. Even if they won, the victory would not be sweet.
The man looked at Siena with determination and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him confused, not fully understanding what he was trying to convey.
—"Do you see the sea in front of us?" he asked.
—"Of course I do," Siena replied.
— "If you saw what I see, if you looked at the same sea through my eyes, you could visualize the future I plan to forge," the man continued.
Siena didn't know what to expect, but she was ready to laugh at what was sure to be an out-of-place icebreaker.
—"Let me tell you my vision: on this sea, I see a fleet of enormous ships built by our people setting sail. They are loaded with food and supplies for the inhabitants of a kingdom in tragedy. I see our fauns arriving at the ports of that kingdom. They will ease the burden of those people, satisfy their hunger and comfort them," the man described. Siena was engrossed, imagining that scene like a fairy tale.
—"Those inhabitants will know the name of the one who, despite their differences, deigned to help them in their worst moment. They will whisper your name, Siena, Siena, Siena, comrade architect of this kindness. They will love you and, above all, your people. Little by little, the gap between fauns and humans will disappear. You will be the cause of that, for in you was born the providence of heaven that helps the afflicted and gives rest to the tired, and gives food to the hungry," the man concluded, his words resonating with beauty.
Siena, though skeptical, felt a surge of happiness. The vision seemed impossible, but her heart, surrounded by thorns, longed for something so beautiful to be real. She almost wanted to cry at the possibility of such a world.
Siena, with determination, uttered,—"That is foolishness; that act of kindness will be forgotten. Rather, if I show vengeance and anger to those who hurt my own, they will beware. It is better to be feared than loved."
The man you met didn't seem affected; instead, he smiled and sensed the doubts in her. — "Tell me, do you want me to fear you?"
Siena's eyes widened. A deep, unspoken response echoed in her heart, as swift as thunder and as loud as a hurricane. Finally, her lips uttered,— "No, you don't."
Siena found herself caught in a dilemma. The darkness of her past haunted her, and now, in front of this enigmatic man, she felt like her fate was hanging in the balance. Their eyes met, and in that instant, the world seemed to stop.
The man approached slowly, as if measuring each step. His gaze was intense, and Siena couldn't take her eyes off him. — "You will not fear those who do not fear you," he whispered, his voice echoing in the air like a distant sound.
In terms of efficiency, you cannot always expect the same results from different people, especially when these people are so diverse from each other.
It's not that he's discovered anything new, but it's certainly a little discouraging. Besides, it would be hypocritical to say that he hadn't seen this coming, since he was exactly like them too: inefficient. At least they had someone to guide them, and they were smarter than him. Above all, they were much less rebellious.
Over the years, he has gotten much better at this rebelliousness, but it is still part of his nature. There are times when, out of sheer inertia, he wants to do something reckless or say something obviously inappropriate. He can't control it, so sometimes he is slow to respond to situations that require seriousness.
That's just the way he is, and he can't change that, no matter how hard he tries.
Fortunately, he now has friends who understand this aspect and keep him on the right path. Although they sometimes play along, mainly because he persuades them to do what he wants. Of course, there is scolding later, but they always forgive him.
However, at this moment he couldn't afford to be reckless or take things lightly. If he became distracted or soft, it could cost his friends their lives.
—"Nora! Don't lift the hammer unless your enemy is completely immobilized or has no more strength! Because if not, that movement will only be a point that can be used to hurt you," Naruto shouted in a commanding voice and kicked Nora in the abdomen.
—"Ren! Don't give up! Keep going. Your muscles ache, your heart is about to explode, and you're lacking oxygen, but you don't have time to stop. You need to improve that stamina!" Naruto shouted again. He was running around a clearing in the forest, where he had placed small obstacles. Ren was carrying almost 500 pounds on his back as weight, and he could barely hold on. It felt like he was running like a zombie.
A fist was blocked with great ease. Naruto held that fist, unimpressed. He sighed in disappointment. It had been almost a month since he started all this training, and this fist had barely managed to increase in strength.
—"Ruby, I don't understand how, despite all the training I've had you do, this is all you've managed to achieve. You can't rely on your weapon all the time, because at some point someone much more skilled could take it away from you. Your only available weapons are your fists, and by the looks of it, this is a big weak point of yours. You're useless without your weapon," Naruto said in a stern voice. With a quick movement, he delivered a strong blow to Ruby's chest, making her gasp for oxygen and sending her to the ground.
Frankly, I was disappointed. I don't want to sound presumptuous, but this is ridiculous. Maybe in his original world, he wasn't the most skilled or the smartest, let alone the strongest, but at the age of 13, he far surpassed the strength of all of them right now. Although I wouldn't say it out loud so as not to hurt them, they are trash right now.
At that moment, the sound of an object falling to the ground was heard. Ren, exhausted, fainted. —"Ruby, pick Ren up and give him some water. As soon as he regains energy, he can go back to training," Naruto said in a cold voice. Ruby felt almost antipathy towards all of them.
Naruto dodged another attack from Nora and, with a quick movement, struck the girl's right rib, knocking her to the ground. But Nora didn't give up. She didn't get up that fast, though.
—"Enough. You will do the same training as Ren," Naruto said with an unspoken order.
—"Run the obstacles with 500 kg of weight, understood?" nora seemed excited.
—"With 800," he added.
Nora's smiles disappeared instantly.
—"Ruby, you will do exactly the same, but in your case it will be 900 kilograms," Naruto declared.
—"Why?", stammered Ruby.*
—"Because I'm angry," Naruto replied before turning around and heading into the forest.
The walk into the forest lacked a specific purpose; he simply wanted to distract himself. He felt frustrated. Why was he here? Why was he wasting his time with these people instead of leaving without saying goodbye?
Initially, his idea was to simply set off on an aimless journey, not to administer anything in particular, but to hunt down the one responsible for Pyrrha's death: Cinder Fall. After eliminating her, he intended to search for Sasuke, no matter where he was hiding.
Facing someone like Sasuke, however, required getting stronger. He feared what Sasuke was learning and improving as he embarked on this absurd journey with Ruby.
Before he took a single step, Nora reprimanded him. Strangely, he obeyed her without resistance.
The anger he felt, hidden behind his smile during the trip, grew more and more. But he had to stay strong for his friends.
The bonds they shared were both a strength and a weakness. She could have gone off alone, but what would become of them? The dangers on their way to Mistral would not be insignificant; they would be in the wilderness, where any enemy, be it human or Grimm, could appear.
He had set out to train them and make them as powerful as possible. However, so far, he has only met with disappointment after disappointment. He has trained them as best as he could, but there seems to be no great improvement.
—"Kurama, I need help," Naruto said as he continued to wander through the forest. He confessed that he couldn't ask for help from anyone but the beast inside him.
— "Behave like a man, stop feeling miserable and go train ," Kurama replied. Naruto couldn't help but laugh at that answer. It was exactly what he expected, even if they were harsh words. But, as we well know, the truth is never true.
—" I need your help. My enemy is far superior to me and I need you to teach me everything you know ," Naruto pleaded. It wasn't common for him to ask for help, but he didn't have many options left.
—" I'm teaching you everything I know ," Kurama replied with some questioning. During all this time, they had formed a sort of alliance.
— " But this time I won't complain anymore. I took it for granted that in this world there would be no challenge capable of hurting me, and so it was. Strangely enough, the only being that could cause me significant harm came out of me. I let this peace turn me soft, but now I need to regain my shinobi spirit , " Naruto's gaze darkened. Although in the elemental lands he had not personally killed anyone, it was in this world that he began to be a true shinobi. Now, he must return to his roots.
The beast simply laughed, as if it was tired. This was exactly what it had been warning Naruto about for a long time, but it seemed like something hopeless had to happen for Naruto to wake up.
—Of course I will , the beast replied. —"I told you that your inaction would have consequences. But it is also my fault for not pushing you harder. I will make you stronger than you ever imagined, and the power I will grant you will elevate you to the status of a god on this earth."
—"I don't need to be a god or even remotely like one. I need to be a monster."
— "Trust me, you'd be surprised how those two words can mean the same thing."
At that moment, a deer appeared from the bushes. It looked at Naruto curiously, but immediately backed away as it sensed the danger emanating from this person. Without time to react, its head was severed.
—" And to think you could hunt animals, but you'd rather do nothing and wait for your friends to eat insects..." , Kurama said amused.— "Why are you so cruel to them?"
—"Why? Because when there are more precarious situations, they will depend on me more. It is very likely that in the future they will see me doing things that they will not like. I am preparing them little by little with difficult situations so that they know that my actions are not simply cruelty."
— "Yuck! Hahaha, what the hell was that? Some dialogue taken from a movie?" Kurama mocked.
—"Ha, okay, I admit it. I just like seeing these guys suffering; it puts me in a bit of a good mood," Naruto admitted with a smile.
Picking up the animal's body, Naruto returned to his friends, who were curiously now simply sitting on the ground. Naruto's gaze was completely flat as he walked over to them and threw the animal's body away.
—"Hahaha!" Ruby yelled,—"What's that, Naruto?"
"A deer will be our dinner today," he replied. He immediately took a small knife from his pockets and began to cut the meat off the animal.
—"Could you please not do that around us?" Ren said with a hint of revulsion.
—"Shouldn't you be training like I told you?" Naruto asked in annoyance.
—"We did it! We've been running for four hours," Nora exclaimed, raising her arms.
—"What, it's been that long?" Naruto opened his eyes. Boy, had he been rambling on about Kurama for a long time. He pulled out a storage scroll from his pocket and tossed it to Ren. "Set up camp, Nora get some wood, and Ruby start the fire," he ordered. "You guys put in a lot of effort today, you deserve a good meal. I'll make something out of this deer. Anything else you guys need?"
—"Ah, I'd like a sweet... yes... do you have one hidden somewhere, please?" Ruby said shyly. Naruto's response was a smile that reassured her.
—"I have a couple of things I can give you."
—"Hey! Wait! Why do you give Ruby candy when she asks for it, but not me?" Nora shouted indignantly.
—"Because she asked me nicely! You just gave me the order to give it to you. You should learn a little more gratitude, Nora. I'm supposed to be your leader, you should respect me. But all I get is a vulgar order from a sexy orange-haired girl. Just because you're cute doesn't give you the right to do something completely shameless. You think you can get away with trying to seduce me with that body of yours? Believe me, not even Yang could do that feat. You don't stand a chance against me. I'm immune to feminine charms." Wow, that was surprising. Naruto said it with a lot of passion.
—"B-But, I've never tried to seduce you! I'm not doing anything against you. You're trying to embarrass me. Ren, tell him something!"
—"Oh yeah? So what about Naruto, give me that thing in your hand," Naruto said trying to imitate Nora's voice with authority,—"So what about Naruto, you look great today. But it's not good for you to be alone here. I can keep you company; we could share that thing you have in your pocket," Naruto imitated in a softer, more flirtatious voice,—"You see? I'm really lucky that Ren isn't a jealous man. Because if he was, I think we'd have a lot of friction on this team. Ren, don't worry, I'm not trying to do anything with Nora. If anything, she's trying to do something with me. You should talk to her."
—"Nora, don't try to seduce Naruto."
—"Don't play along, damn it! You're a mean, mean man!? A mean, mean man!" Nora reproached like a child with a red face from embarrassment. God, Naruto always plays along with her and always gets his way. She plays pranks back at him, but they very rarely work on him.
—"Trust me, you haven't seen even a tiny bit of how evil I can be," Naruto said as he raised his left hand, dipping it into the blood-stained flesh and entrails of the deer. He slowly approached Nora, who backed away.
—"Don't come any closer, Naruto. I'm serious. I'll break your fucking legs."
Naruto continued to approach.
—"Naruto, I'm warning you. I'll go crazy if you come even a little closer." The fear was evident, as was the repulsion.
And he kept coming closer.
—"I still have my weapon in my hand, Naruto. I have no problem using it against you," Nora threatened, although Naruto didn't see her as a threat.
—"Nora, come closer. You shouldn't be scared of the blood, but of where you think I'm going to touch."
He lunged at her, and the forest echoed with a desperate cry.
The atmosphere is heavy with danger, the feeling that death lurks around every corner. Is it a figment of the mind or a palpable reality? The echo of children's laughter, as if the girls were sharing a secret behind your back, clings to your ears.
This is how this place looks.
As you take your first step into the far reaches of the Lost Lands, the grim and devastated domain of the Grimm creatures, uncertainty looms over you. What mysteries lie in the shadows? What secrets do the shadows hide?
The reputation of this place precedes anyone who dares to venture into its domain. Horrible creatures, some of them possibly never before seen, lurk in the shadows. Records vehemently warn: "Do not enter." Those brave enough to explore this forest have returned with physical and mental scars, unable to endure even a day within.
However, Sasuke made the first move.—"This place is repulsive," he thought as he scanned the surroundings. Despite the expected Grimm infestation, there was no sign of them. The stillness was eerie, as if the forest held something more sinister at its heart.
The Grimm Forest stretches out before the eye like an endless continent. Its sinister-looking trees bear black leaves that seem to ooze a dark liquid, similar to pus from a wound. However, this is not the case; the substance is not sap, but something darker.
Sasuke senses the agony of the forest, as if it were crying out for mercy, yearning for someone to purify it with fire. This place is sick, but he has no intention of intervening.
He moved forward aimlessly, going deeper and deeper into the forest. As he came closer, his soul seemed to resonate, as if something was trying to knock him down, dragging him to the ground to crawl like an animal. The pressure was intense, but he did not give in.
—"Hehehe," his laugh was spontaneous, unquestioning. He didn't stop to analyze the strange sensation. In an instant, it was gone as if it had never been there.— "Interesting," he mused,— "it seems that a part of my essence bows to what inhabits this place… But I will not allow that to happen."
Sasuke
a fearless adventurer.
He entered the dangerous and unpleasant forest without fear. To him, the threats that lurked were like stones in his path, easily pushed aside with a simple movement of his foot. Before his hearing, he decided to explore the surroundings, humming a tune as he entered the unknown. The mortality that terrified others was to him something mundane.
The crackling of the meat against the embers was soothing and, above all, delicious. Ruby and Nora watched Naruto grill the meat like a professional chef, their eyes shining with anticipation, as if they were little girls waiting for sweets from their father.
—"Is it ready yet?" Ruby asked.
—"Not yet, Ruby. Just a few more minutes and you'll be able to enjoy it," Naruto replied with a smile. The starry night and the local meat made this barbecue especially enjoyable.
He remembered those days of missions with his old team in his previous world. Sometimes, he even missed Sasuke, that self-centered and grumpy jerk. It seemed that the negative things weren't as terrible as he remembered them.
Nora whispered softly into Ruby's ear,— "Why don't we just let Naruto feed us from now on?" Ruby didn't object; Naruto took good care of them, after all. During that month of hardship, they had survived by eating what nature provided, enduring hellish rains and the scorching heat of the region. The esteem they felt for Naruto, which was already considerable, had grown even more.
Sure, they had gotten mad at him when Nora found out that Naruto was eating sweets at night while they were sleeping. Plus, he kept supplies in those strange paper scrolls that defied all logic and natural and physical laws.
After that incident, Naruto began sharing his supplies with them and teaching them about his survival gear.
Wow, Naruto really knows how to surprise! I imagine Ruby and Nora were left speechless when he opened that scroll with strange writing on it and out of nowhere, a huge tent appeared. More than just a tent, it looked like a giant circus tent, perfect for sheltering from the rain or for camping. They had enough room to sleep apart but not too far away.
Naruto didn't spare any details on how the storage scroll worked. When Ruby and Nora asked him what it was, he simply showed them the scrolls and tried to teach them how to create their own. However, try as they might, they were unable to replicate his ability.
Although they felt a certain envy, it was in the best possible way.
Naruto called out loudly, — "That's it, guys! Come eat." Everyone gathered around and took their plates with large pieces of deer meat, accompanied by rice, vegetables, and cups of coffee.
Ruby took the first bite and it was glorious. This food made her feel closer to home, though she still felt a bit guilty for having abandoned her father to embark on a journey to Mistral and, straight, to Heaven Academy. Plus, she had left her sister alone, especially in the state she was in.
—"This is delicious!" Nora exclaimed, nibbling on her meat with her mouth full.— "I knew you were good at cooking, Naruto, but eating this in the middle of the forest after a day of training just makes me want to keep training more."
—"Nora, make sure you eat the whole dish, not just the meat," Ren reminded Nora. Even he couldn't hide his small delight, as they didn't always have access to such meals in the middle of nowhere. They were grateful to Naruto for introducing them to this delicacy. Although Ren was also a survivor in the forest, he was no match for Naruto in skill.
—"Guys, don't stop complimenting me. You're right, I am amazing," Naruto replied with a bright smile. He was delighted with the compliments. —"We've worked hard this month. We're not expecting a long trip. The next destination is 10 km away. We'll stop there to get supplies and..."
—"…to help people. We can exterminate the Grimm in that area," Ruby interrupted. Her smile was so bright that even the moon could feel jealous. Unfortunately, that light didn't dazzle Naruto.
Naruto spoke with authority, — "No, Ruby, we have a plan. It's simple: from the Kingdom of Vale to the Kingdom of Mistral, and then to Heaven Academy. Follow the plan and don't deviate." However, Ruby couldn't hold back:
—"But if others need help, it is our duty as hunters to provide it. We cannot ignore the problems of others..."
—"Yes, yes we can," Naruto interrupted. Nora and the others looked at their leader and Ruby. Although they shared Ruby's thoughts, it was not the right time to contradict him. Naruto had suffered greatly in the fall of the Kingdom of Vale, as had they. Although he acted as if everything was fine, they knew he was hiding his pain. They didn't want to pressure him; they preferred to give him time to heal. So, silently, they continued to follow the plan.
—"How can you say that?" she growled in annoyance. She couldn't believe her friend's words. She knew he wouldn't just sit back and watch someone in need. —"If we can help, isn't it our duty to try?"
—"Of course I do," she was excited to hear those words from Naruto's mouth. —"But are you in a position to help anyone?" Those words made Ruby's heart clench. Naruto glanced at Ren and Nora out of the corner of his eye, as if the words were meant for them as well. —"You're not hunters, you're not a hunter. You're a Hunter in training and you'd hardly be someone completely competent."
—"But I can...", Ruby tried to speak, but Naruto didn't let her.
—"But you can what? Die?" I understand your reasoning, and believe me, I share it with you. But you are too naive, too inept, too lacking in skill. Right now, simply acting like a hero could bring you serious consequences if you are not prepared."
Ruby lowered her head. Hearing those words actually hurt even more coming from Naruto.
— "I've been training you for the past month, all of you. Don't even think about doing heroic things when I can't even land a hit on you guys," Naruto sighed tiredly. His eyes were filled with fear. — "I'm not going to risk any of you perishing under my command. You have a lot to mess up. It's better for you to mess up when I'm around. I know you're complaining about how harsh I'm being on you, but believe me, I'm not doing this out of spite or to get even. My inaction cost us, it cost us our precious teammate. If only I had been a little stricter, maybe she would have won that battle. I won't make that mistake with you."
The words echoed in the silence of the plains. The crackling of the flame that warmed their bodies seemed to cool, and sadness flooded Nora and Ren's eyes.
Ruby felt the weight of pain in Naruto's words as well. For a moment, she became vulnerable. She wanted to hug him, but she knew he would pull away, like always. He seemed to want to simply distance himself from all of them.
—"I understand," Ruby sighed. —"But if it is within our means, and only when you agree, would you allow us to help the villages we pass through on our way?" Ruby spoke with a hint of hope, and that hope was reflected in the reassuring smile Naruto sent.
—"As long as I agree and feel that you're ready, don't worry, Ruby. And above all, thank you," those words spoken by her friend puzzled her a little. What did he mean by that 'thank you'?
She took a breath and continued, —"Listen, guys. I never say this very often, and it's so easy to just say these words and not mean them. But honestly, thank you so much to all of you for keeping me in your lives. I'm having more fun than ever. I hope that life is long enough for me to give back to you all the good things that have happened to me, because you've been there for me."
Ren simply offered a reassuring smile, but Nora was more vocal.
—"Lucky! You owe me quite a bit, so as an advance payment, could you give me another piece of deer meat?" She brought her plate closer. Contrary to what one would expect of how Naruto would react, he simply smiled. Although it might not seem like it, Nora's actions, as rude as they may seem and sometimes out of place, made him heal.
And so, a couple of hours passed until everyone was satisfied. The leftover meat was stored in a storage scroll. They asked if the meat wouldn't spoil, but Naruto surprised them by saying that, in fact, inside the scroll everything is timeless; it doesn't spoil or change.
—"I'm full. Now I just want to sleep," Ruby lay down on the moorland ground.
—"It's been a tiring day, just like the previous days," Ren sighed.
—"Weaklings, I still have energy for many things. Hahaha!", like a villain, Nora stood up jumping like a child.
—"Really? Then I don't think you'd mind training with me anymore," Naruto's smile was sinister.
—"I'm already sleepy, it would be better to rest," yes. She wouldn't even risk training now, all her bones hurt even though she didn't want to admit it.
—"Hey Naruto, where did you get those clothes? I'm not saying they look bad on you, but it's a bit of a curious design," Ruby pointed her finger all over Naruto's body, examining his new outfit.
The waiter's or bartender's suit had been left behind, replaced by a tight black long-sleeved T-shirt. Over this, he wore a kind of sleeveless sweater with several pockets, like a bulletproof vest. The black men's trousers and shoes had been replaced by black leg warmers and sandals.
Naruto wisely explained,— "This outfit is specifically designed for combat and long-term survival."
—"It suits you," Ren admitted, yes, Naruto looks very good.
—"It's amazing, you look like a hunter, before you looked like a waiter," Ruby had to mock.
Naruto's new appearance was liked by many; it was closer to his true essence and looked natural, as if the clothes had been designed exclusively for him.
However, Nora expressed nostalgia for Naruto's old waiter outfit: —"I really liked the way you looked before," she commented. "This new outfit isn't bad though; it makes you look badass and cool."
Naruto agreed with Nora and added,— "This uniform is awarded to a select group of high-ranking individuals who have passed difficult trials. In my training days, those who wore this attire were considered the best of the best."
—"What were these guys doing?" Ruby asked innocently, and Naruto reluctantly turned his gaze towards them with a dark expression.
—"Mercenaries," everyone gasped, except Ren.— "They were the elite, the best of the best. Their skills were exceptional. I never rose to the rank of wearing this uniform, but with recent events, I have long felt worthy of wearing it."
—"What do you mean by 'mercenaries'?" Ruby asked nervously. She had a rough idea of what Naruto was trying to convey, but she needed more clarity.
—"The mercenaries, without any frills, carried out tasks according to the demands of their clients: murder, robbery, kidnapping. Everything was allowed for a price."
—"And you were part of that group?" Nora asked fearfully. She had always been okay with Naruto sharing more about his life, but sometimes the revelations were so sad that she would rather not know more. Knowing that he had been in such a group left her unsure of how to react, beyond fear.
—"That group I belonged to no longer exists. You don't have to be afraid. It was before I entered the Empire Academy, and I never got to do those kinds of missions because of my low rank." Naruto
—"If the uniform represents those mercenaries, why are you wearing it?" — Ren's question is a sensible one. Why wear a uniform of unscrupulous people? Why dress like that with pride?
—"I don't have the courage to share experiences from my life. There are things I'm not very proud of. Soon I will reveal details that will be so hard to believe that you will think that this is not me... Sasuke completely surpassed me. I took many things for granted when I arrived at Beacon Academy."
—"Naruto, what are you trying to say?", Ruby interrupted, clearly uncomfortable with what Naruto was about to reveal.
—"I became weak... The quiet days I spent with you made me soft. I don't blame you, because that's how you are: simply good. But I let that get to me and I went with the flow... I need to go back to being the same monster I once was. Sasuke won't be defeated if I keep playing at being a hunter."
Silence reigned after those words. Hearing them did not sit well with the girls at all; they looked noticeably shaken. They did not want to think of their friend as a monster.
Shocked, Ren continued the conversation. A question was on the tip of his tongue.— "Sasuke…" He felt a chill as he said that name. He still hadn't gotten over that primal fear that person caused him. — "He spoke as if he knew you, as if you knew things about him and he knew things about you."
Naruto replied slowly, — "In a way, I know Sasuke. I won't go into further details; you don't need to know more about it, as it won't be a problem in the future very soon."
Although implicit, the message was clear: he will kill Sasuke.
Ruby was about to protest and say what one would expect from her: that it was wrong to kill someone, that they should be brought to justice, that they should find another method, and so on. However, Nora stopped her, reminding her that this was not the right time to discuss it.
Ren looked into his leader's eyes and said,— "He also told me something that hasn't left my mind: a title he uttered in that battle with you. He said that you were a shinobi."
Naruto listened attentively to Ren's words. He showed no surprise, rejection, or fear. He was simply listening.
Ren continued, — "You are a very strange man. I appreciate you as a friend and a leader, but something is not right here. I have seen how powerful Sasuke is, something out of this world. However, you have been able to stand up to him. You have enough skills to be the strongest man in this world, and I say that without joking."
Ren stared at Naruto and asked,— "Who are you really, Naruto?"
Naruto was silent for a moment, his eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and determination. Then, he exhaled deeply.
—"I am a traveler from another dimension."
I've written another chapter of this story again!
You took too long, idiot!
Yes, I know, but I also have other stories to write and creating new ideas is actually not as easy as one thinks, now we will concentrate on another new adventure
I apologize for any spelling mistakes and invite you to share your ideas for improving the story.
I warn you that some things may not make much sense, so I appreciate any suggestions.
I also inform you that I have taken some creative liberties with some characters and that I will not follow the original canon to the letter.
I thank you for your support. I hope you like what I have written so far and that you will join me on this literary adventure. Best wishes!
— Leave your comments!
Thanks for reading.