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How's life lads?

I brought y'all another chapter to brighten your day.

So let's hop right to it!

Start:

As it had seemed, it wasn't just Naruto and Akeno who had run into a problem. Pretty much the other half of the group had too.

After their harrowing escape from the hotel and the monstrosity that had pursued them, Naruto and Akeno managed to get back in touch with Alfred using their walkie-talkie. Alfred, ever the calm and collected strategist, suggested they reconvene at Rei's house. A few tense minutes later, they did exactly that.

The ride was silent, both of them lost in their thoughts, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away, leaving a gnawing sense of dread in its place.

As they entered the modest house, the familiarity of their safe haven provided a small measure of comfort.

But the comfort was fleeting. Not even a few minutes had passed when the distant rumble of an engine broke the uneasy silence. Naruto and Akeno exchanged wary glances before heading outside. The sight of the Humvee approaching was both a relief and a cause for concern.

The faces of Alfred, Issei, Rei, and Takashi emerged from the vehicle. Alfred's face was a mask of grim determination, while Issei's expression was dark with frustration. Rei and Takashi looked furious, their eyes blazing with barely contained anger. The tension was palpable, a heavy weight pressing down on them.

"I apologize for the incoming rudeness but get in," Alfred said curtly, not wasting any time.

Seeing no reason to refuse, Naruto and Akeno climbed into the humvee, leaving their beloved bike behind. It was a necessary sacrifice, but it still stung. Alfred quickly drove off, the humvee's engine growling as it sped through the desolate streets.

The destination was close but far enough from the mall to ensure a semblance of safety. As they drove, the atmosphere inside the humvee was thick with unease. Naruto could sense that whatever had happened to the rest of the group was just as troubling as their own encounter.

It didn't take a genius to see that the team of four had run into a problem of their own.

The lack of any new additions to their group and the grim, frustrated expressions spoke volumes. Naruto could only imagine what kind of issue they faced and if by chance, they faced anything similar to what he and Akeno had gone through at the hotel.

The silence was discomforting and tense, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Recognizing that they would get nowhere with the silence, Akeno gently questioned, "What happened with you guys?"

Alfred's face remained impassive as he began to explain, his voice cool and collected. "When we were close to the mall, we saw something we didn't expect. The building itself was surrounded by what must have been tens of thousands of the undead. They were in such masses that they blocked all the entrances and exits and everything around it"

Naruto and Akeno exchanged shocked gazes. The sheer number was staggering. Issei looked down in frustration, his hands clenched into fists. Takashi gritted his teeth, a low growl escaping him, while Rei bit her lips, her fists also tightly clenched.

"Naturally, we tried to disperse the hordes, rally some of their attention with the loud noise of the humvee," Alfred continued, his voice steady but with a hint of underlying tension. "But..."

"But they were not moving towards us at all," Takashi interjected, his voice edged with frustration. "No matter how much noise we made, they weren't coming."

"They were acting different than normal," Rei added, her eyes wide with worry. "They weren't like the rest."

Naruto frowned, his mind racing. "How were they different?" he asked, his voice low.

Issei looked up, his expression uneasy. "They seemed... intelligent, that's the best way to put it. When we were making all that noise, they actually noticed us. I saw a few of them turn their heads to look at us for a few seconds before looking away and just simply staying where they were."

The entire humvee went quiet, the weight of Issei's words sinking in. Intelligent zombies? The very thought was chilling.

"It was as though they were contemplating and thinking," Issei continued, his voice almost a whisper. "And then they just... dismissed us."

Naruto's mind raced with the implications. Intelligent undead would change everything. They couldn't rely on their usual tactics if the zombies could think and strategize.

And considering what he and tits had come across back at the hotel…

Rei's expression tightened, a visible scowl forming as she contemplated their grim situation. "We need a way into that mall, somehow," she stated, her voice laced with desperation, the fear for her family's safety pulsing like a relentless tide.

Alfred responded with a reassuring calmness that only years of service could perfect. "Rest assured, Miss Rei, we shall devise a means to secure entry," he promised, his voice a soothing balm in the midst of their anxiety.

Beside Rei, Takashi reached over to squeeze her hand, a silent show of solidarity. She squeezed back, a tired sigh escaping her lips as she expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Takashi... Alfred," she added, nodding towards the driver whose eyes met hers in the rearview mirror.

A heavy silence engulfed the vehicle, each member of the group lost in their own thoughts until Naruto, arms crossed, broke the quiet. "The trouble we're in," he began, his voice serious and commanding attention, "I think it's linked to what tits and I ran into at the hotel."

The silence deepened as everyone turned to him, anticipation mixed with unease painted on their faces.

He shifted his gaze over to the ravenette and Akeno nodded, her expression grave as she turned to the others and started recounting their harrowing experience. "After Naruto and I split from you all, we found a motorcycle which we used to get to a hotel we thought might have supplies."

As she spoke, Akeno gestured to the two large bags beside Naruto, filled to the brim with goods.

Her features tightened with concern as she delved deeper into their ordeal. "We were checking each room on the third floor, one by one. It all seemed fine initially—the entire hallway was completely devoid of the undead, which made it easier for us to gather as many essentials as needed."

Akeno paused, her eyes reflecting the strain of the memory. "We had just finished with the third room and were inside the fourth when..."

She trailed off, the words failing her as she struggled to articulate how quickly things had spiraled out of control. Seeing her difficulty, Naruto took over, his voice low and steady, conveying the gravity of their situation.

"We were extremely quiet," he emphasized. "We didn't speak a word to each other, we made no noise when walking around, and we were careful not to drop anything as we were gathering the essentials. Yet despite that..."

Naruto's pause was pregnant with tension before he continued. "I picked up on a slight noise while we were in the fourth room. Suspicious, I peeked out the door and you can imagine my surprise when I saw two fucking massive hordes of our favorite cannibals at either end of the hallway."

The group listened, rapt, as Naruto described the scene. "The number of them was enormous, squeezed so tightly they were tearing doors apart. It was like a flood—doors were being ripped off their hinges by the sheer force of their numbers as they moved toward our location."

Rei, Takashi, Issei, and even Alfred reacted visibly—eyes widening in shock, though Alfred quickly regained his composure. Issei was the first to break the silence, his voice filled with incredulity. "What happened next?"

Akeno took a deep breath before explaining, "Naruto quickly informed me of the situation and we hid in the nearby wardrobe, bringing the supplies with us. We used perfume to mask our scent and the entire room's scent, hoping it would keep them from detecting us."

Takashi furrowed his brow, confusion evident on his face. "But why? If you were silent, why did it happen? And why perfume when they rely on their hearing?"

The former shinobi met his gaze squarely, the seriousness of his tone underscoring his next words. "You don't understand. Me and tits, we didn't make a single sound, we couldn't have been quieter. What happened shouldn't have happened, but it did. It's like they knew we were there without seeing or hearing us."

The revelation hung heavily in the air, a palpable tension settling over the group as they processed the implications of Naruto's words. The possibility of undead that could detect them beyond the usual means suggested a new, more dangerous threat—one that could change everything about how they approached survival.

Akeno's voice was steady, but the undercurrent of stress was palpable as she continued to unpack their harrowing ordeal. "As Naruto said, we were careful—extraordinarily careful. Not a sound. Yet, somehow, they detected us. It's like they could see or even smell us, which is why we resorted to the perfume."

Takashi's brow furrowed in deep thought, nodding slowly. "So you're saying, despite taking every precaution, it wasn't enough? That's unsettling."

Rei, her face drawn with concern, chimed in firmly. "But at least you both got out after that with no problem, right?"

The ex-shinobi shook his head slightly, his features tightening. "Not immediately. There's more to what happened."

The word "More?" was echoed by Issei, Takashi, and Rei, their expressions a mixture of incredulity, disbelief and dread.

Naruto took a deep breath before continuing, "After the gunfire diverted them, and the halls seemed clear, Akeno and I thought we were safe for a moment. But something... something didn't feel right. It felt like we were still in danger. And then soon enough, that's when we heard it"

Issei leaned forward, his voice tense. "Heard what exactly, Naruto?"

…

…

Naruto clicked his tongue, a grimace settling over his features as he recalled the chilling encounter. "We first heard it as a soft tapping—a subtle vibration in the distance. But those footsteps grew louder, heavier, until the very floor beneath us trembled with each step it took."

The group listened intently, their bodies tensing as they imagined the scene Naruto painted with his words.

"It wasn't just shuffling like the undead we're used to; this was deliberate, calculated," Naruto continued, his voice lowering as if the creature might still be listening. "Whatever it was, it moved with purpose, and when it entered the room where we were hiding... the air changed. It was like the temperature dropped, and the sense of malice in the room... it was suffocating."

And the sad thing was, for as much as an asshole as Naruto was, he wasn't exaggerating or nothing as he told his and Akeno's experience to the rest of the group.

Whatever it was that was outside the wardrobe was monstrous. And even considering his past encounters back in his original home world, something about this… entity, felt very disturbing.

Needless to say, he wasn't looking forward to seeing that thing anytime soon.

Though knowing his luck, he would.

Rei gripped her seat, her eyes wide. "But you couldn't see it?"

Naruto shook his head. "No, we couldn't. We were hidden, and it never directly saw us, but the sounds it made were unlike any undead. It wasn't mindless groaning; these were guttural, predatory growls, like something from the depths of hell itself."

Akeno took up the narrative, her voice steady but her eyes haunted. "It was searching for something—searching for us, I think. It circled the room several times. We could hear it sniffing, the breaths it took were heavy and wet, like it could smell us but couldn't quite pinpoint where we were hiding."

She shivered as she remembered the experience.

Issei swallowed hard, his face pale. "How did you not just run or scream?"

"Believe me, it took everything we had not to." Naruto gave a wry half-smile that didn't reach his eyes. "But we knew making a noise would be the end of us. So we stayed silent, barely breathing, covered in perfume to mask our scent as best we could."

Takashi, who had been silent up to this point, leaned forward. "And then it just left?"

Akeno nodded. "Eventually, yes. After what felt like an eternity, it moved away. The sounds of its footsteps faded, and once we were sure it was gone, we made our escape. But that feeling of being hunted, of being prey... it hasn't left me."

"You guys should have heard the roar it made after we kickstarted the bike engine and got out of there." Naruto stated in a laid back tone much to everyone's chagrin. "That said…"

His gaze sharpened as he looked over at Issei, Takashi, and Rei, his voice carrying an edge of seriousness that demanded attention. "What we faced in that hotel and the hordes that ignored your noises at the mall might be connected. We might be looking at a pattern here, not just random occurrences."

Akeno's brow furrowed in concentration, her tactical mind working through the possibilities. "Could they be evolving? Maybe developing some sort of intelligence?" Her tone was speculative yet laced with a hint of dread at the implications.

Naruto nodded slowly, his eyes still scanning the faces of his younger teammates. "That's one possibility. If true, we're not just fighting the mindless anymore."

Ever the composed and thoughtful presence, Alfred interjected with his usual refined demeanor. "Or perhaps, the entity you encountered is orchestrating these events. It's quite suspicious that two hordes appeared from opposite ends so coordinately. It suggests manipulation rather than random movement."

"Exactly my thoughts, Alfred. And if that's the case, there could be others like it, pulling the strings, using the undead at the mall as pawns." Naruto agreed, his expression grim.

Issei, slightly overwhelmed by the depth of the strategy being suggested, blinked and asked for clarification. "So, you're saying these things could either be getting smarter on their own or someone, or something, is controlling them like a puppet master?"

Alfred nodded, his voice calm yet carrying a weight that underscored the gravity of their situation. "Precisely, mister Issei. Considering both what Master Naruto and miss Akeno experienced and what we encountered at the mall, we may be facing an evolved threat. This entity, or entities, might be directing the undead, using them as tools for larger, more sinister purposes."

"At least… that's one of many possibilities." The shinobi affirmed with a grunt

…

…

The heavy silence weighed on each member of the group, a tangible sense of dread mingling with determination. Rei's voice broke through the stillness, tinged with desperation and resolve. "We can't just sit here and do nothin!. My mom, and who knows how many others, are trapped in that mall. We have to do something."

Akeno, ever the source of calm in the storm, offered Rei a reassuring smile. "We're not going to leave them. We came out here with a purpose, Rei-chan We're going to reunite you and Takashi-kun with your families, come what may. That's a promise."

Alfred, sitting straight and composed at the wheel, interjected with his usual poised demeanor. "To ensure we succeed, we must devise a solid plan. Acting without strategy could lead us into greater peril, especially with these new developments."

Silence enveloped the bus once more, as each member digested the gravity of the situation and contemplated their next moves. The quiet, however, was soon pierced by Issei, who turned to Naruto with a look of deep confusion etched across his face. "But there's still something I can't wrap my head around. Why would this monster, whatever it is, specifically target you, Naruto?"

As all eyes shifted towards Naruto, he shrugged nonchalantly, his face betraying a hint of the weight he carried. "There is only one possible reason that comes to mind…"

Everyone leant in, inextricably curious yet wary.

Whatever it was would hopefully explain the answer to the sudden questions that sprouted from seemingly nowhere.

…

…

Naruto sighed tiredly. "… Probably because of my dashing good looks. The joys of being so handsome that Zeus himself would go green with envy."

…

…

As Naruto's previous attempt at humor fell flat, tension immediately rebounded through the cramped space of the bus. The prominent veins on Takashi, Rei, and Issei's foreheads seemed to pulse with their rising irritation as they glared at Naruto, expecting better from him in such grave times.

"Damn it, Naruto, this is not the time for jokes!" Takashi exploded, his voice rough with frustration and fear.

Rei's scowl deepened, her voice trembling with emotion as she seconded Takashi's sentiment. "Seriously, we need to focus—people's lives are at stake, including my mom's!"

Issei, usually the more easygoing of the group, added his own stern rebuke. "Cut the crap, man. What's really going on? Why would that thing be after you?"

Unfazed by their frustration, Naruto merely shrugged and offered a goofy smile, further managing to piss off the trio while causing Akeno to let out a small giggle at the tension he so effortlessly stirred.

Even Alfred's usually impassive face betrayed a hint of amusement, his lips twitching upward slightly.

But seeing he'd pushed them as far as they'd tolerate, Naruto raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Okay, okay. Chill out, everyone. I was just trying to lighten the mood. But if you want the serious truth," he paused, ensuring he had their full attention, his expression turning grave. "It's probably because I'm immune."

The vehicle fell silent, the atmosphere thickening as every pair of eyes widened in shock, even Alfred's composure faltering for a moment.

"You're what now?" Rei's voice was a mix of disbelief and shock, her earlier anger momentarily forgotten.

Naruto crossed his arms, his gaze steady. "Immune. I think that monster, whatever it is, can sense it somehow. Maybe that's why it's targeting me specifically."

Takashi's skepticism was immediate and sharp, his brows furrowed deeply as he addressed Naruto. "Come on, Naruto, stop pulling our leg. That's not possible," he said, his voice tinged with disbelief and a slight edge of annoyance.

Issei, quick to back Takashi, chimed in with his own doubts, shaking his head vigorously.

"Man, you're telling us you're immune? Like, seriously? Hundreds of millions of people all over the world have died, probably even a billion and more. And Scientists all over are breaking their backs trying to find a cure. And you're saying you just… walked away from a bite?"

Akeno and Alfred remained silent, their expressions a blend of skepticism and curiosity. They didn't dismiss Naruto outright, their demeanor showing a willingness to listen further, even if their minds harbored the same doubts as the rest of the group.

Naruto, unbothered by their skepticism, maintained an even tone, his gaze steady as he responded. "I know how it sounds, but I'm not like most people. My body... it heals differently, faster and better than anyone else's could."

He continued, "On the first day of the outbreak, I was bitten while helping one of my teachers escape. Later, within the next two-three hours, the bite mark healed. Completely. No trace."

"Bullshit, I don't buy it" Takashi spat out, his frustration boiling over. The tension in the air thickened, almost tangible. "Look man, I really appreciate that you came here to help me and Rei find our family and protect us. But that doesn't mean I'll buy what you're selling, it's just not possible."

Without a word, Naruto reached into his gear, pulled out a kunai, and before anyone could react, he pressed the blade against his bicep and drew it across his skin. The sharp edge easily sliced through, drawing a line of bright red.

The group gasped, their eyes widening in horror. "Naruto, what the hell are you doing?" Akeno cried out, her voice laced with shock and concern.

Alfred's voice, usually calm and controlled, took on a stern tone as he chastised, "Master Naruto! this is highly irresponsible. You mustn't treat your well-being so lightly!"

Ignoring the pain and the protests, Naruto held his arm out, blood seeping from the fresh wound. "Just watch," he said firmly.

The bus fell into an uneasy silence, the tension thick as each member processed the audacious move. Naruto extended his arm, the fresh slice still bleeding, his expression a blend of seriousness and a challenge. "Give it a couple of minutes," he stated firmly, his voice steady despite the palpable skepticism in the air.

The group's eyes were glued to the wound. Even in the dim light of the bus, the gash was clearly visible—a vivid testament to Naruto's brash demonstration. Minutes ticked by, the only sound being the faint hum of the bus's engine and the occasional shift of someone adjusting in their seat.

As if orchestrated by an unseen cue, steam subtly began to rise from the wound.

One by one, their expressions shifted from skepticism to astonishment as the cut visibly started to close, the edges pulling together as if being stitched by invisible threads. Within three minutes, the wound had healed completely, leaving behind no trace it ever existed.

A heavy silence followed, everyone still processing the miraculous recovery they'd just witnessed. Takashi, who'd been the most vocal in his disbelief, was the first to break the silence. His voice was low, tinged with regret. "Naruto, I... I'm sorry for doubting you," he admitted, the apology sincere.

Naruto waved off the apology with a nonchalant shrug, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "No sweat, Rotten Cheeseburger. Just remember this the next time you decide to doubt me."

Issei rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish grin forming as he joined in the apologies. "Yeah, guess we should've known better, huh? Sorry, man."

The ex-shinobi waved off the apology with a broad, carefree gesture, his eyes alight with a playful spark. "No worries. It's only natural you'd struggle to grasp the sheer magnitude of awesomeness you're dealing with here," he quipped, his voice rich with a cheeky bravado that somehow didn't quite cross into arrogance.

A soft giggle escaped Akeno, her hand coming up to cover her mouth, eyes twinkling with amusement. Even Alfred, ever the epitome of composure, allowed a rare, amused smile to flicker briefly across his features, acknowledging the lighter mood Naruto's antics brought to the grim atmosphere.

Issei and Takashi exchanged grins, momentarily lifted from the weight of their grim reality by Naruto's characteristic levity.

However, not everyone shared the sentiment. Rei's murmur, barely audible at first, grew louder and more frantic. "He's the cure?... he's the cure?" she repeated, her voice tinged with horror and disbelief as the reality of Naruto's words finally began to sink in. "He's the cure!? Seriously!?"

Naruto turned to face her, his grin widening confidently. "Of course, Humanity needs me. I'm not just a part of the future; I am the key to it, your welcome." He declared, flexing his arms theatrically to punctuate his point.

The action seemed to twist a knife in Rei's emotions. She groaned, a sound filled with frustration and pain, before shooting Naruto a glare that could have melted steel. "I hate you," she spat out, the words heavy with jest and annoyance, but never actually meaning what was uttered.

The truth was, her opinion on the blonde had risen up tremendously with how he had come here to safeguard their safety. And she wasn't lying when she told him she was grateful, because she truly was.

She did not hate him at all, and even liked him quite a bit now. Though he was certainly on the annoying side with how easily he got on her nerves.

With an air of nonchalance, Naruto responded, his voice laden with as much sarcasm as concern. "And I love you too, Annoying Orange. Always so fiery," he teased, his smirk only widening at her reaction.

Rei's fists clenched tightly at her sides, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she looked like she was about to leap across the bus and throttle him. It was clear that, immune or not, Naruto's charm had its limits.

And this was precisely what she meant by him being annoying.

Though Naruto begged to differ.

Performing the finishing move, Naruto blew her a kiss. And he barely quelled a chuckle from escaping him as a large vein throbbed on her forehead.

Before the tension could escalate further with Rei actually throttling the blonde, Akeno stepped in, her voice smooth and calming as she addressed the group. "Alright, let's reel it back in, everyone. We have bigger issues than our interpersonal dramas. We need a plan, and we need it now."

She looked around, making sure she had everyone's attention. "Now does anyone have an idea for how we bypass the hordes?"

…

Silence draped over them like a heavy blanket until Alfred cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him. His face was calm, marked with the lines of many years serving in crises far less apocalyptic but no less intense.

"I believe," Alfred began, his voice steady, betraying none of the unease that the suggestion might stir, "that I have devised a potential strategy to navigate through the hordes and evade whatever presence has targeted us."

Rei's eyebrows shot up, her interest visibly piqued as she leaned forward slightly. "What do you have in mind, Alfred?"

Alfred paused, the gravity of his proposal settling in before he responded. "The sewers," he said simply. The word hung in the air like a foul scent, drawing mixed reactions of disgust and intrigue.

The next phase of the plan was one that nobody was looking forward to.

End.

And that ends this chapter.

Not much really happened in this one sadly, a lot of it was about making it so that the team caught up to what has happened and to finally get the reveal of Naruto's immunity.

It's official, everybody knows!

Putting that to the side, I do hope you all enjoyed this chapter even if not much happened this time.

The next few chapters will get much more intense from here though!

More Chapters are posted on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n Feel free to check it out lads, here's the link

www.#patr#eon.#com/Demon_Knight939 (Just remove all the hashtags)

Anyway, that's all I have to say.

Take care lads!

Peace.