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Chapter - 15

The biting wind whipped at their faces as they stood at the edge of the mysterious hole. Doctor Viktor, his spectacles frosted over, peered down into the abyss. Naruto, his breath clouding the air in small puffs, fidgeted excitedly, his hand itching for action. Behind them, three staff members, bundled in thick parkas, nervously shifted their weight. This was it – the first real leg of their snow expedition, and it was already proving to be more intriguing than they'd anticipated.

Days ago, one of Naruto's shadow clones, tasked with scouting the area, had stumbled upon this strange formation nestled among the frost-weave hills. It wasn't a natural crevice, but a large, perfectly circular icy hole, seemingly cut into the frozen earth. Now, as they stood at its lip, the morning sun barely cresting the horizon, the air crackled with an anticipation that rivaled the arctic chill.

"Well, this is...unexpected," Doctor Viktor muttered, pulling out a thick notebook and a charcoal pencil. He ran a gloved hand over the strange carvings that encircled the opening. These weren't the familiar marks of any known civilization. "An ancient dialect from the past," he declared, his voice filled with scholarly excitement. He began to meticulously trace the glyphs, muttering to himself as he did so. Finally, he looked up, his eyes shining. "It translates to... 'Safe Haven from the Frozen World'," he announced.

The three staff members exchanged uneasy glances. Safe haven? It looked more like the maw of some frozen beast. Viktor, however, was undeterred. He was a botanist, yes, but the thrill of the unknown was a powerful lure.

"Climbing down is out of the question," he stated, gesturing at the sheer icy walls. "Too dangerous. Naruto, can you, handle this?"

"…" Naruto look into the abyss and once more use his sensory skill to notice no danger below so jumping down was easy for him, "Sure, I can do it."

Naruto grinned, ever eager for a challenge. He'd been itching to put his abilities to the use again, abilities he'd kept secret from everyone but himself. He had one of his clones tie a hefty rope around a sturdy outcropping of ice, the other end clenched tightly in his fist. "I'm going in!" he declared, his voice echoing against the silence. He took a step forward, then another, and launched himself into the dark void.

The descent was rapid, a rush of cold air whistling past his ears. But instead of fear, Naruto felt a strange sense of calm. As he plunged into the darkness, he could feel the familiar chakra energy swirling within him. Fear wasn't a frequent visitor to Naruto's mind, but the sheer, unknown depth did give him a momentary lurch. He focused, channeling his chakra. He felt the familiar sensation of building energy, a warmth spreading through him. He knew he was close to the ground.

A split-second before he expected to slam onto a solid surface, nine long, fluffy tails materialized from his lower back, their tips acting as powerful springs, slowing his fall and gently cushioning his landing. It was a power he kept hidden, a secret even from his closest allies on this expedition. The landing was silent, impossibly smooth.

With a flicker of thought, the tails vanished, leaving no trace of their existence. He pulled out a large torch and, using a trick he'd learned from when he came into his world, ignited the palm of his hand with a ball of golden fire, lighting up the torch. This power did not use chakra and it felt as if he was borrowing from somewhere making it very convenient. The light danced across the cavern, revealing a wide, flat floor of polished ice. It wasn't an abyss, but a vast chamber.

"Safe!" Naruto yelled, his voice echoing up the shaft, "The rope is secure; the landing is soft! You can come down!" He took a moment to study his surroundings. The walls of the cavern weren't rough or jagged, but smooth and polished, like glass, and adorned with glyphs similar to those outside. This was no mere crevice; it was something…else.

Doctor Viktor's voice came next. "Very good, Naruto! We'll be right down!" There was a note of excited anticipation in his voice. Then came the sounds of the others starting their precarious descent. Naruto waited, the flame from the torch illuminating the space, ready to explore the strange, silent realm that lay before them, and eager to discover the secrets hidden in this 'safe haven' of the frozen world.

One by one, the team members rappelled down the rope, their faces illuminated by the flickering light as they reached the bottom. Doctor Viktor was the last to arrive, his eyes immediately drawn to the intricate carvings on the walls. "This place is incredible," he whispered, his awe palpable. "We must be cautious, but we also have a rare opportunity to uncover the secrets of this ancient civilization."

Abel and Lauran were immediately struck by the sight of the ancient ruins. Walls carved with intricate patterns curved to form a dome-like ceiling, the stone a pale grey now dusted with ice. Doctor Viktor, his enthusiasm ignited, instructed them to set up multiple torches around the perimeter of the chamber. He paced the area, his gaze sweeping over the space, while muttering about the circular structure of the cavern and its design. The flickering light of the torches danced across the walls, revealing even more of the complex carvings and the sheer scale of the space they were in.

"This is incredible!" Lauran breathed, her voice echoing softly in the cavern. She ran a hand over the cold, smooth surface of the wall, marveling at the craftsmanship.

Naruto, ever the protector, stood watch as the others began to explore. The cavern was vast, its interior a hollow area with numerous broken debris. Ice crystals sparkled like stars, and the air was thick with the scent of forgotten magic. As they delved deeper into the darkness around, the team found evidence of a once-thriving community: ancient tools, fragments of pottery, and even the remains of plants that had long since frozen and withered.

But the most astounding discovery came when they come across at the heart of the cavern. There, in the center, stood a massive ice crystal, its surface etched with the same ancient script Viktor had seen outside. As he approached, the crystal began to glow, a soft, blue light that seemed to pulse with life. Viktor's hands trembled as he read the inscription, "Here lies the heart of the frozen world, a gateway to the realm of the ancients."

Naruto, sensing the gravity of the moment, stepped forward. "What does that mean?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I believe this cavern was more than just a safe haven," Viktor replied, his voice filled with wonder. "It was a portal, a way to access the knowledge and power of a civilization that existed long before our time. We must proceed with caution, but we have the chance to uncover something truly extraordinary."

The team exchanged looks, a mix of excitement and trepidation in their eyes. They had journeyed far, braving the harsh elements and the unknown, and now they stood on the brink of a discovery that could change the world. Naruto, with his strength and abilities, felt a sense of purpose. He would protect his team and help them unlock the secrets of this ancient place, no matter what lay ahead.

"This is incredible," Abel whispered, his eyes wide as he took in the strange glyphs and crumbling structures.

"Right," Dr. Viktor agreed, pulling out his journal and a pencil. "We need to illuminate the rest of this place to get a better view of what we are working with. Everyone, place torches along the walls, a few on each side of the wall. It appears to be circular, and we'll need to get a clear picture of its layout."

They obliged instantly. While Naruto with a flick of his wrist and a surge of power that wasn't chakra, three more glowing orbs of fire appeared in his palms igniting their torches. They carefully placed these makeshift torches at strategic points around the perimeter of the circular chamber, bathing the ruins in a warm, flickering glow.

As the light spread, the true scale of the cavern became apparent. It was vast, truly a dome, its apex lost in the shadows high above. The ruins, once fragmented and indistinct, now took on a more coherent form. They could see the outlines of what might have been dwellings, workshops, even a central plaza of sorts. The glassy material of the walls shimmered with trapped air bubbles, giving them an ethereal quality.

Abel, ever practical, pointed to the carvings on the wall. "Doctor, look at these. They seem to depict plants… but unlike any we've seen on the surface."

Viktor rushed over, his eyes widening. The carvings were stylized but undeniably botanical, showing plants with thick, crystalline leaves and glowing, orb-like fruits. "Remarkable! Imagine the adaptations necessary to survive in such conditions. Maybe we might find exotic plants that can endure this world's harsh environment."

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the chamber, and Fragmentum monsters appeared from one of the four doors that lined the circular cavern. The creatures were dark, twisted forms, their eyes glowing with a malevolent light. The team huddled together, their hearts racing.

But before any of them could react fully, Naruto leapt into action. There was no hesitation, no fear in his eyes, only a burning focus. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he roared, the familiar puff of smoke filling the space. In the blink of an eye, a dozen Narutos stood beside him, each one a mirror image, right down to the determined set of their jaws.

This wasn't just any batch of shadow clones though. It was clear, even in the dim light, that these clones were different. They held themselves with a practiced confidence, their stances low and powerful. They moved with the fluidity of veteran fighters.

"Go!" Naruto yelled, a surge of chakra emanating from him, resonating with his clones.

And then the symphony of destruction began. The Narutos lunged forward, fists glowing with swirling, concentrated chakra. They moved with a speed that was almost impossible to follow, weaving between each other, a whirlwind of orange and gold. One clone sent a fist cracking into the chest of a Fragmentum monster, the impact making a wet, ripping sound that chilled me to the bone. The monster shattered into a cloud of black smoke, instantly vanishing. Another clone unleashed an uppercut that sent a different creature flying, before it too imploded into nothingness.

Naruto himself was a force of nature. His movements were precise, his strikes aimed with lethal accuracy. He moved like a blur, each punch and kick infused with raw power, his chakra a blazing inferno. Fragmentum monsters, those monstrous figures that had seemed so terrifying just moments before, were being systematically dismantled, their dark energy dissipating under the onslaught of Naruto's chakra.

It was brutal, efficient, and utterly mesmerizing. They watched, mouth agape, as Naruto and his clones decimated the monsters, leaving nothing but wisps of black smoke behind. It was like watching a master craftsman at work, each blow perfectly placed, each movement a testament to years of dedication and training.

In a matter of minutes, the growling had ceased, replaced by the sound of our own breathing, ragged and heavy. The chamber was still, the oppressive silence even more pronounced than before. The air, once thick with menace, now felt… cleaner.

"Be careful," Naruto warned, his voice steady. "We don't know what other dangers might be lurking here." He then proceeded to lock or block the other three large doors with ropes and anything he could find within the area.

Doctor Viktor nodded, his mind racing with the implications of their discovery. "Let's set up camp near that large glowing crystal in the middle," he suggested, pointing to a luminous formation that pulsed with a soft, ethereal light. "We can gather any important findings in this area first before venturing into the large four doors one at a time."

The team agreed, and they quickly set up a makeshift camp around the crystal. Naruto, Abel, and Lauran began to document the ruins, their cameras and notebooks capturing every detail. Doctor Viktor, meanwhile, studied the crystal, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the intricate patterns etched into its surface.

"The crystal is the key," he whispered to himself, his fingers tracing the patterns. "But what does it unlock?"

As the hour pass by, the team gathered around the glowing crystal, sharing their findings and planning their next move. The air was thick with anticipation, and the shadows seemed to whisper secrets of the past.

The next day, a weak, watery disc, did little to dispel the chill that clung to the air, but it did offer a welcome change from the oppressive darkness of the previous night. Everyone, having taken turns keeping watch, was thankfully rested. The threat of unknown horrors lurking in the shadows had been a tangible pressure, but now, with the sun's grudging appearance, a sense of cautious optimism began to bloom.

Doctor Viktor, his wiry frame seemingly crackling with nervous energy, stood before the jagged opening in the rock face, the same opening from which the grotesquefregmentummonster had emerged the day before. "Now, everyone," he announced, his voice carrying a note of forced cheerfulness, "I hope you had enough rest and replenished your fill. Because we will start venturing through the first door." He gestured to the ominous portal with a gloved hand.

Lauran, always the pragmatic one, voiced her concern. "Sir, is anyone going to stay in the camp?" She glanced back at the collection of bags and equipment clustered near the large, glowing crystal, its light pulsing softly in the dim morning.

Before Viktor could reply, Gilbert, the third member of their little band, raised his hand. "Then I would like to volunteer to stay put." He had been unusually quiet during their trek, but now his voice was surprisingly firm.

Abel and Lauran shot each other worried glances. Gilbert, usually the most talkative of the three, seemed out of character. "What? You're not coming with us?" Abel exclaimed, surprised.

"Yeah, what's up?" Lauran echoed. "You didn't seem to be afraid before."

Gilbert held up his hand, cutting off their protest. "Look," he said, his voice lowering, "we have Naruto with us, he's super strong, right? And someone needs to look after our stuff. It's important, and I think it's the most logical solution."

"No, that won't be required Gilbert," Doctor Viktor interrupted, his voice sharp, shutting down the debate. The three looked at each other and nodded, their words dying in their throat.

"Truth is, it's too dangerous to split up," Viktor continued, unstrapping a small leather bag and digging out a standard notepad. "Naruto might be strong, yes, but putting too much of a burden on him isn't a good idea, or even an option. Besides, this," he tapped the notepad, "will be my map. We need all hands here." He then turned his attention to the young blond man who was still busily slurping noodles from a paper bowl. "Ah, Naruto, have you brought the gears with you?"

Naruto swallowed a mouthful of ramen, his face looking a little gaunt from a night of watching. Even his shadow clone's hard work had taken a toll. "I already packed them in the bags," he replied, pointing at his clones, who were each carrying rucksacks containing their gear.

Viktor nodded with satisfaction. Naruto's clones had been an invaluable asset. "Excellent. The equipment includes short pikes, small shovels, the usual archaeological tools, and, importantly, special glass containers for any hardy vegetation we might encounter. Seems I'm not the only one who's been thinking ahead," he added, a small, almost imperceptible, smile twitching at the corner of his lips.

Doctor Viktor turned his attention back to the door. It wasn't a standard door one might find in a building. Instead, it was a shimmering oval of distorted light, humming with a low, resonant energy that vibrated in their chests. The air around it felt colder, despite the strange warmth emanating from the crystal behind them. Faint, ethereal whispers seemed to emanate from within the shimmering surface, unintelligible but somehow unsettling.

"This… this is it," Doctor Viktor murmured, his eyes wide with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. He ran a gloved hand over the surface of the light, the shimmer rippling outwards from his touch. "The gateway to the unknown. Let's hope it's not as… lively as our welcoming committee." He gestured to the shattered remnants of the fregmentum monster scattered near the doorway.

Lauran shivered, pulling her thick jacket tighter. "What do you think is on the other side, Doctor?"

Viktor smiled thinly. "That's the million-shield question, Lauran. It could be anything. A new ecosystem, a forgotten civilization, or perhaps… something far stranger than we can imagine." He adjusted the strap of his bag and took a deep breath. "Alright then, let's not keep it waiting. Naruto, you're up front with me. Abel and Lauran, you stay close behind. Gilbert, try to keep to the middle, if you would."

Naruto, having finished his ramen, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Ready when you are, Doctor." His clones nodded in unison, their expressions mirroring his own determined but slightly weary look. He hefted one of the bags of equipment onto his shoulder, the weight barely registering.

With a final nod, Doctor Viktor stepped into the shimmering oval. For a moment, his form wavered and distorted within the light before disappearing completely. Naruto followed immediately after, his clones dissolving into puffs of smoke as he passed through the gateway.

Abel swallowed nervously, glancing at Lauran. "Well, here goes nothing."

Lauran managed a weak smile. "Together?"

Abel nodded, and they stepped into the shimmering light, one after the other. They felt a brief sensation of disorientation, a momentary blurring of their vision, before they found themselves on the other side.

The change was immediate and stark. The oppressive grey light from the cavern was gone, replaced by a soft, purple-tinged glow. The air was surprisingly warm and humid, heavy with the scent of strange, sweet flowers and damp earth unlike the cold they were used to. Towering, bioluminescent fungi illuminated the space, casting an eerie but beautiful light on the surroundings. The ground beneath their boots felt soft and spongy, covered in a thick layer of moss-like vegetation. The torches they brought wasn't even needed in such an area.

"Incredible…" Abel breathed, his eyes widewith wonder.

Lauran gasped, pointing to a cluster of floating, jellyfish-like organisms drifting lazily through the air. "What are those?"

Doctor Viktor was already scribbling furiously in his notepad, his eyes darting around, taking in every detail. "Fascinating! The humidity suggests an underground ecosystem sustained by geothermal activity, perhaps? And these organisms… air-borne lifeforms, adapted to this unique environment."

Naruto who was also amazed at any green, ever vigilant, scanned the surroundings, his senses heightened. "Looks peaceful enough," he said, his voice low, "but I would still stick closer together." He looks around the place the ceiling the hidden gaps around the walls, he felt a little unnerve at so many hidden spots. Though, it was mostly just his imagination when he doesn't like things like ghost and stories.

Gilbert, who had been lagging slightly behind, finally stepped fully through the gateway. His breath hitched in his throat. "This… this is amazing." His earlier reluctance seemed to have vanished, replaced by genuine awe.

Suddenly, a high-pitched chittering sound echoed through the cavern. It was quickly followed by the rustling of vegetation nearby. Doctor Viktor's head snapped up, his notepad momentarily forgotten.

"Everyone, stay alert," Naruto warned, his voice tense. "We're not alone."

From behind a large, glowing mushroom, a creature emerged. It was insectoid in appearance, with six spindly legs, large multifaceted eyes that glowed with the same purple light as the fungi, and sharp, clicking mandibles. It wasn't overly large, about the size of a large dog, but its posture was aggressive, its antennae twitching as it assessed the newcomers. But everyone could tell it was a sort of fragmentum creature by the crystal-like body.

Then, another emerged. And another. Soon, a dozen of the creatures surrounded them, their chittering growing louder, more agitated.

"Well," Naruto said, cracking his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like the peace didn't last long." He glanced at Doctor Viktor. "Should we collect a sample, Doctor, or just clear a path?"

Viktor's eyes gleamed with scientific excitement, but practical considerations quickly took over. "Clear a path, Naruto. We have no idea how many more of these… 'chitterers', let's call them, are lurking in the shadows. Let's keep moving and see what else this place has to offer."

The first door had opened to a world both beautiful and dangerous, and their adventure had only just begun.

A flash of movement – a blur of chitinous limbs – and the first creature was on him. It resembled a grotesque fusion of insect and crustacean, all sharp angles and clicking crystal-like mandibles. Its multifaceted eyes glowed with a desire to destroy anything moving as it lunged, snapping its forelegs like razors.

Years of dodging kunai and fighting seasoned shinobi kicked in. Naruto moved instinctively, a subtle shift of his weight, a twist of his torso. The creature's lunge sailed harmlessly past his ear, the air disturbed by its snapping jaws. In the same fluid motion, his arm whipped out. The hunting knife, a blur of steel, met the creature's thin neck where the chitinous plates thinned.

There was a crack, and a viscous, purple like solid crystal dust against the tunnel wall. The creature shuddered violently, its limbs twitching once, twice, then went still. A moment later, the grotesque form dissolved into motes of purple light, leaving behind a single object where its back had been: a luminous mushroom, its cap glowing with an ethereal green light.

Naruto stared at it for a heartbeat. Strange. Really strange. He didn't have time to dwell on it, though. The skittering intensified.

Three more of the insectoid fragmenta emerged from the gloom, their glowing eyes fixed on him. They were faster now, emboldened by the presence of others. They lunged in a disorganized frenzy, a tangle of limbs and snapping mandibles aiming to overwhelm him.

"Alright, alright, settle down!" Naruto muttered, weaving the familiar hand signs with practiced speed.Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!

Instantly, four clones popped into existence beside him, each mirroring his grim expression and the hunting knife held ready in their grip. The narrow hallway was now even more cramped, but it was exactly the maneuver Naruto needed.

The clones moved with a coordinated ferocity that belied their ephemeral nature. They didn't try to overpower the creatures; they used their agility and precision. One clone ducked under a snapping claw, his knife tracing a swift arc across the creature's leg joint. Another sidestepped a lunge, mirroring Naruto's earlier move, and plunged his knife into the creature's thorax.

The hallway became a whirlwind of motion. The creatures, relying on brute force and instinct, were no match for the clones' synchronized attacks. The sharpthwackof metal meeting monster echoed in the confined space, punctuated by the sickening squelch of fatal blows.

Naruto watched his clones work, his own knife held ready but for now unused. He considered his options. Rasengan? Too much risk of a cave-in in this narrow passage. Even a simple wind jutsu could send debris flying, potentially injuring his clones or even himself. He'd learned the hard way in training that wide-area attacks weren't always the answer, especially in tight quarters.

One by one, the fragmentum creatures fell. Each dissolved into purple light, leaving behind its glowing mushroom offering. The clones, having fulfilled their purpose, poof out of existence in puffs of smoke.

Naruto was left alone again, the air thick with the metallic tang of the creature's blood and the faint, sweet scent of the glowing mushrooms. He cautiously stepped over the spots where the creatures had fallen, his gaze fixed on the mushrooms. They pulsed with a soft, internal light, an eerie luminescence that seemed to hum with a barely perceptible energy.

He knelt down and carefully nudged one with the tip of his knife. It felt oddly solid, like a dense piece of fungus. What were these things? And why did these strange creatures leave them behind?

The skittering started again, further down the tunnel. More were coming. Naruto sighed, a weary sound in the oppressive silence. He knew this wasn't over. These hallways were dangerous, and he was alone. But he had his wits, his instincts, and the oddly effective hunting knife.

He picked up one of the glowing mushrooms, its surface cool against his palm. Maybe these things were important. Maybe they held a clue to where he was, or how to get back to his team. He tucked it into his pouch, a bizarre trophy from a strange and unsettling battle.

Drawing a steadying breath, Naruto gripped the hilt of the hunting knife tighter. He might not have his Rasengan, but he had something else now – a newfound respect for the simplicity and effectiveness of a well-placed blade. And in these tight, unforgiving tunnels, that might just be enough. He moved forward, the faint glow of the mushrooms lighting his path into the unknown.

Doctor Viktor, his brow furrowed in concentration, carefully secured the pulsating mushroom within a reinforced glass container. Its bioluminescence cast an eerie glow on his face, highlighting the deep lines etched by years of study and a life lived under the oppressive shadow of the Eternal Freeze.

"Hmm, this isn't like the usual mushroom we normally grow back in the city," he mused, his voice a low rumble against the background hum of scientific instruments. "It's a worthy item we'll need to inspect when we return." He was genuinely excited; discovering such early vegetation was a significant achievement for their expedition.

They had ventured deep beneath the frozen crust of the world, following a long hallway path illuminated by a soft, ethereal glow of moss. Now, they stood at the threshold of a vast cavern, a hidden ecosystem teeming with life that defied the desolate world above. The warm, humid air felt almost alien, a humid embrace in a realm of perpetual winter. Fungi of all shapes and sizes sprouted from the damp earth, their caps a kaleidoscope of colors. Lush grasses carpeted the ground, swaying gently as if in an unseen breeze.

"Geothermal energy can only do so much," Viktor muttered, his eyes wide with wonder. "But how, just how can vegetation thrive here? It's as if... as if life is clawing its way back." He gazed upwards, his eyes scanning the massive cavern ceiling. Jagged patches of ice clung stubbornly to the rock, a reminder of the frozen world above. Yet, even here, water dripped steadily from the frozen surfaces, creating small puddles in the humid air. His thoughts raced, a scientist piecing together a puzzle. Could the heat from the underground source be causing a condensation effect?

"Albel," he called out, his attention shifting to one of his assistants who was busy gathering samples. "When we came down from the hole shaft, the entrance, can you tell me a rough idea of how long the length of that height was?"

Albel, pulled out a small notebook. "Let me check," he said, flipping through several pages. "About 150 ft, sir."

Viktor shook his head, his brow furrowing deeper. "That can't be right. I understand that the geothermal aspect is coming from the deep core of the planet but the affect of the warmth should be a lot deeper in order to access this level of heat. It should be at least a mile or two for that kind of energy to have such a significant impact." He paced back and forth, his mind wrestling with the inconsistencies. It was impossible to have such a concentrated localized heat source so close to the surface.

While the others pondered these anomalies, Naruto was a whirlwind of motion, leaping and spinning through the cavern with his characteristic boundless energy. He'd created a dozen shadow clones, each one scouring different areas for any loose papers, texts, or scrolls. He wasn't sure what the scientists were searching for, but they seemed to care about these scraps of writings.

"Wonder why they need all of them?" he grumbled to one of his clones, picking up a dusty, leather-bound book. "Who would even read through this dusty books anyway?" He flipped a few pages, his eyes glazed over at the densely packed text. He tossed it indifferently into a large bag one of his clones was holding.

Smash!

The sound was almost like a breaking glass, a quick crackle that echoed through the cavern. Naruto and his clones swiveled around, their eyes scanning the area. They were the size of small birds, the crystalline creatures, some glowing red, others blue, swarmed around the cavern, buzzing erratically. He had seen them before in the frozen surface, they seem to be everywhere, even in this hidden haven. They seemed like a nuisance more than a danger.

Naruto smirked, his hand flashing through a series of seals. His clones vanished in a puff of smoke, then reappeared, each one armed with a small, sharpened kunai. They moved with practiced ease, cutting through the air and shattering the crystalline creatures with quick, decisive strikes. The fragments of glass scattered across the cavern floor, reflecting the light in a kaleidoscope of colors before forming into a single shape crystal.

Naruto picked up a few of the smaller fragments and the one shape crystal. "Wonder what these are supposed to be." He tossed them in the bag with the text he found, maybe the scientists would want to look at those as well. He was getting bored already, but he was sure the scientists would soon call it a day and return to the surface. He only kept doing it because their job seem important, they were looking for something he assume was related on how to contribute for Belobog's future.

Doctor Viktor stroked his chin, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. "150 ft," he muttered again, the words tasting like a forgotten equation. "It simply defies the known principles." He paced a short distance, the glowing moss squishing softly under his boots. The warmth, so foreign to the surface world, clung to him like a damp cloth.

Albel, his notepad tucked away, approached Viktor cautiously. "Sir, perhaps there are other explanations? Some sort of localized… phenomenon?" He offered, his voice tinged with uncertainty. The sheer improbability of the situation was making even the most seasoned scientists question their understanding of the world.

Viktor stopped pacing and turned to face Albel. "Phenomena are often just undiscovered principles, Albel. But this... this is like finding a tropical oasis in the middle of a glacial plain. And the source of its warmth is barely beneath our feet." He gestured around the cavernous space, taking in the vibrant green of the grass and the strange, luminous fungi dotting the landscape. "The dripping water is consistent with melting ice, yes, but how is the heat so close to the surface, yet contained enough to allow such delicate ecosystems to flourish?"

As they pondered, a sudden flurry of activity caught their attention. From one corner of the cavern, a series of soft thuds and the faint sound of shattering echoed. They exchanged worried glances. Had some structural instability been triggered by their presence?

They moved cautiously towards the sound, only to find Naruto standing amidst a pile of shattered crystal shards, a sheepish grin on his face. Several duplicates shimmered and faded nearby. He held a stack of surprisingly well-preserved parchment in his hands.

"Oh, hey Doc." Naruto greeted Viktor casually, like he was discussing the weather. "Just uh… tidying up some sparkly bugs." He flicked a stray crystal fragment off his shoulder.

Viktor stared at the scattered remains of the crystal creatures, then at the stack of paper Naruto held. "Other fragmentum monsters, I presume?" he echoed, a bewildered expression on his face. "And what have you there?"

"Just some stories, I guess?" Naruto shrugged, hefting the stack. "Found a whole bunch of them lying around. Figured you guys might want 'em." He gestured vaguely towards the other scientists, who were still engrossed in their sample collection., "And this one looks like a map to me."

Albel, had approached and was peering at the top parchment in Naruto's hand. His eyes widened. "Doctor! These… these are schematics. Technical drawings."

Viktor pushed his glasses up his nose and leaned in for a closer look. The parchment, though old, was remarkably detailed, depicting intricate mechanisms and unfamiliar symbols. "What in the world…?" He reached out and carefully took the top sheet from Naruto, his botanist's hands surprisingly gentle with the aged paper.

The drawings depicted a network of underground conduits, radiating outwards from a central point. Beside the diagrams were annotations in a language neither Viktor nor Albel recognized, yet the precision of the illustrations was undeniable. As Viktor flipped through the pages, his breath caught in his throat. One drawing showed a cross-section of the very area they were in, detailing the layers of rock and… something else. Something that looked like machinery.

"This isn't just about geothermal energy," Viktor murmured, his voice hushed with awe and a touch of fear. "This… this is something else entirely." He pointed to a symbol on the parchment, a stylized droplet connected to a series of lines. "And look at this. It's not just heat being generated. It seems like they were… managing something else down here. Something related to water."

Naruto, who had been idly watching, finally perked up. "Water, huh? Yeah, there's a lot of dripping going on. Maybe they had a leaky pipe?"

Viktor ignored the seemingly flippant remark, his mind racing. The combination of geothermal activity and the intricate network depicted on the schematics suggested a level of engineering far beyond what he had imagined possible in this frozen wasteland. He looked back at the glowing mushroom, safely encased in its container. It wasn't just an anomaly; it was a piece of a much larger, more complex puzzle.

He turned to Naruto, a new light in his eyes. "Naruto, these 'stories', no 'logs' might just be the key to understanding this place. Do you remember exactly where you found these?"

Naruto grinned, happy to be of assistance, even if it meant more reading for the adults. "Sure do! Follow me!" He bounded off towards the far end of the cavern, his earlier demolition of the crystal creatures forgotten.

Lauran, Gilbert and Albel exchanged a look. The mystery of the thriving vegetation, the shallow geothermal source, and even the glowing mushroom seemed to be intertwined with these ancient schematics. The eternal freeze of the surface world had clearly masked a hidden world teeming with secrets, and they were only just beginning to scratch the surface. The journey back to the base camp, with its glowing mushroom and newfound documents, had just become a lot more significant.

Doctor Viktor, his brow furrowed, pushed his spectacles up his nose, the translated words resonating with a chilling weight.

"One key from each room, hidden in plain sight, only the hope of going back and bask in the sunlight once more is where the key is," he read aloud, his voice a low rumble. He'd poured over the recovered texts, painstakingly translating the archaic language of this forgotten civilization. This bizarre, underground complex was unlike anything he'd ever encountered, and these papers, found clutched in the skeletal hand of a long-dead explorer, seemed to be their only guide.

He glanced at Naruto, the young ninja whose boundless energy was a stark contrast to the morbid setting. "Naruto," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency, "Did you, or any of your clones, find anything unusual? A key? A switch? Anything unusual?"

Naruto shook his head, his bright blue eyes reflecting the dim light. "Nope, Doc. Nothing like that. Believe me, we've been all over this place. Smelled every crack, poked every shadow. Only more rocks and moss."

"What did it say exactly?" Naruto pressed, his eyes sharp with curiosity.

Viktor explained, his tone serious. "It speaks of a key, hidden within each room, tied to some sort of hope… a hope of seeing sunlight again. It might be crucial."

Understanding dawned on Naruto's face. "A key? Got it! Alright, clones! Let's go search again!" In a puff of smoke, twenty shadow clones materialized, each a miniature version of the blond ninja, and began an energetic search, their movements a whirlwind of focused chaos. They prodded at walls, tapped on the ground, and examined every nook and cranny.

The chamber erupted in a flurry of orange. Clones scaled the walls, peered into crevices, and even burrowed under loose stones. They chattered amongst themselves, pointing and questioning, a whirlwind of focused energy. An hour passed in a frantic buzz of activity.

Meanwhile, Doctor Viktor had directed his three companions – Abel, Lauran, and Gilbert – to rest near a patch of surprisingly vibrant moss growing near one of the pillars in the area. They leaned against the cool stone, their eyes closed, their faces serene. They had been underground for two days now, and even the rough, damp air felt like a breath of fresh life compared to the oppressive atmosphere of the upper levels. They ran their fingers through the soft moss, marveling at its resilient greenness.

They discussed the implications of the translated text, its strange focus on sunlight, and the long-gone inhabitants of this complex, while vaguely aware of the small chaos Naruto had created.

An hour passed in a flurry of focused searching, and then, a triumphant shout ripped through the silence. "I found something! Look up here, Doc!" Naruto yelled, pointing to the ceiling.

Doctor Viktor squinted, and through the dimness, he saw it - a small, almost imperceptible switch embedded in the center of a detailed mural painted on the ceiling. The painting depicted a clear, blue sky and a bright, radiant sun, a startling image in this lightless realm. A sudden recognition dawned on Viktor. The hope of basking again in the sun… it wasn't just a metaphor.

"Naruto, wait!" Viktor pleaded, but it was too late.

Naruto, his face split into a nervous grin, confessed. "Sorry, I-I already pressed it."

The room began to tremble, a low rumble echoing through the stone. Then, with a sudden, sickening groan, a section of the floor directly beneath where Abel, Lauran, and Gilbert were seated gave way. The three helpers tumbled downwards into the darkness, their shocked cries swallowed by the gaping hole.

"Oh, crap!" Naruto yelped, his eyes widening in horror. Without hesitation, he leaped from the ledge, drawing a thick, coiled rope from his pouch. As he descended, his remaining clones, understanding instantly, scrambled to secure the other end of the rope around a sturdy pillar, knotting it with practiced speed.

Naruto plummeted downwards, the wind ripped past his ears, a deafening roar that barely registered. His focus was a laser beam fixed on the gaping hole that had swallowed the floor, and with it, three of his comrades. The rope sang a high-pitched melody as he plummeted downwards, the tough fibers biting into his gloved hands. He'd anchored it just in time, driven by instinct and a desperate need to keep them safe. He swung out, the momentum pulling him in a wide arc, his powerful grip tightening on the rope as he entered the void.

Looking straight ahead, his heart clenched. Abel, Lauran, and Gilbert were a cluster of pale faces and terrified eyes, clinging to each other in a desperate, tangled mess. They were falling fast, the newly formed hole their gaping maw. Panic flared, hot and sharp, but Naruto pushed it down, replacing it with a surge of powerful resolve. He knew he was their only hope.

Without hesitation, he channeled his chakra, the familiar warmth coursing through his veins. With a surge of strength, he extended his legs and one arm, grabbing each of the falling figures, bunching them together like a clumsy, awkward bouquet. Abel's elbow jabbed into his ribs, Lauran's hair whipped across his face, and Gilbert's small, trembling body pressed against his side, but he maintained his grip, his free hand a vice on the rope. The strain was immense, his muscles screaming in protest, but adrenaline surged through him, fueled by the urgency of the situation. Every fiber of his being was focused on one task: getting them out.

"Hold on!" he roared, his voice rough with the effort, though he wasn't sure they could even hear him over the wind. "I've got you!"

Above, he felt the familiar tug, the synchronized pull of his shadow clones on the other end of the rope. They were working in perfect unison, their strength mirroring his own. Slowly, painstakingly, his clones above pulling with all their might, Naruto began to haul them upwards. The rough, jagged stone scraped against their limbs, sending shivers of pain through them. He heard Abel groan, a muffled sound of raw discomfort, but they held on tight, their fear a palpable thing clinging to the air. Naruto strained even harder, his knuckles white around the rope, his muscles burning like fire. He could almost taste the desperation, feel it crawling up his throat.

Inch by grueling inch, they ascended, the gaping maw of the hole seeming to recede. The wind seemed to conspire against them, trying to knock them loose, but Naruto held on, fueled by sheer will. The image of their terrified faces kept him focused, a beacon in the swirling chaos.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Naruto managed to maneuver them back onto solid ground. His momentum carried them forward and he collapsed them in a heap, a chaotic tangle of limbs and breath. They were shaken, their faces pale and drawn, but they were alive and they were safe.

Naruto rolled onto his back, panting heavily, the effort having taken its toll. His muscles throbbed, his lungs burned, and his hands felt like they were on fire. But a sense of triumphant relief washed over him, a warm wave that chased away the fear.

Abel, Lauran, and Gilbert slowly untangled themselves, their eyes wide and filled with a mixture of shock and gratitude. Gilbert, usually the most reserved of the three, threw his arms around Naruto, burying his face in his chest.

"Thank you, Naruto," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You saved us."

Lauran, her cheeks still pale, managed a weak pout. "You're incredible but you're the reason we fell Naruto," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I thought...I thought we were done for."

Abel just nodded, his usual bravado gone, a look of genuine respect in his eyes. He clapped Naruto on the shoulder, his grip surprisingly gentle. "You were amazing, man. Truly."

Naruto coughed, forcing a weak smile. "Sorry about that, I'll try to be careful next time." he managed, his voice hoarse. He looked at the rope anchoring him to the cliff face, a lifeline that had saved them all. He knew how close they had come, how easily it could have been different.

Doctor Viktor, his face etched with a mixture of relief and concern, rushed over to check on them. "Are you all alright?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. Before anyone could answer the unspoken questions hovering in the air, a collective gasp erupted as they turned their heads towards the pit. A ball of light, shimmering with a warm, golden glow, had emerged from the darkness.

It was unlike anything they'd ever seen. It didn't flicker like a flame, nor did it possess the harsh intensity of the sun. Instead, it pulsed with a soft, inviting light, a living beacon in the oppressive darkness. It circled the newly formed hole, its light dancing across the walls, illuminating the intricate murals they hadn't noticed before – depictions of vast mountains, meandering rivers, and sprawling plains, a vivid tapestry of a world long gone. It was a breathtaking glimpse into history, a moment suspended between two vastly different epochs.

"Quickly, take photos!" Dr. Viktor commanded, his voice a low, urgent rasp, his eyes wide with a mixture of wonder and professional zeal. "We need to document this!" He moved swiftly between them, his focus split between the light and his team, his usual weary demeanor replaced with an almost manic energy. Camera shutters clicked, flashes momentarily banishing the ancient gloom, and amidst the rapid-fire sounds, the light began to move. It drifted across the open space towards the large door they had just entered through, seemingly beckoning them onward.

"Come on!" Dr. Viktor urged, his hand gesturing wildly. "We need to follow it!" He had always been driven by an insatiable curiosity, but now there was a different quality to his obsession, an almost feverish need to understand the spectacle before them. They followed, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the face of this inexplicable phenomenon.

As they exited the door, their breath caught in their throats. The ball of light floated directly towards the large, glowing crystal that sat at the center of their camp area. The crystal, a translucent shard that had always possessed a subtle luminescence, pulsed, its light growing brighter and more intense than they had ever seen it. It throbbed with an inner life, casting strange, dancing shadows throughout the camp. Then, as if drawn in like a moth to a flame, the light seemed to absorb into it, the crystal's glow reaching a crescendo before settling into an even, almost ethereal radiance.

They cautiously approached the crystal, their heavy boots crunching on the loose gravel, their shadows stretching long and distorted in the light. Dr. Viktor reached out a hand, hesitating for a moment before touching its smooth, cool surface. It felt alive, vibrating with a silent energy. He then turned to each other, to his team, their faces illuminated by the strange glow. They exchanged nervous glances, their adrenaline still coursing through their veins. No one could speak, the sheer audacity of what they'd witnessed rendering them speechless.

This was more than just a dangerous pit. This was something else entirely, something bigger and more mysterious than any of them had anticipated. It was as if they had stumbled upon a forgotten heartbeat of the Earth, an ancient power stirred to life by their intrusion. The golden light, the intricate murals, and now, the pulsating crystal – they were all pieces of a puzzle they had yet to understand. And standing there, in the heart of the unknown, they knew their work had just begun. They had come here seeking answers to historical questions, but they had, unwittingly, stumbled into a mystery that transcended time itself.

They gathered back at their camp, settling around a hastily built campfire. The night air felt heavy with unspoken questions. The journal they were transcribing, the mural, the crystal, the light - it was all connected somehow, weaving a tangled web of secrets. They knew one thing for sure. They weren't just explorers anymore. They were now part of a puzzle, a strange and dangerous puzzle that had just become a whole lot more complicated. Their next course of action would have to be carefully planned. They could almost feel the weight of history shifting around them.

And done…

Age:

Naruto: ?

Serval: 14

Gephart: 12

Natasha: 19

Penya: 23 (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.)

Substitution jutsu

Chakra mode

Bye!