Hey, everyone!
Here's another one.
Disclaimer: We do not own any Franchise. We just love being imaginative.
Chapter – 3
The air was thick with dust and the echo of clinking tools rang through the dimly lit caverns of the Geomarrow mine. Naruto, once on his way to make a living in the city of Belobog, now found himself covered in dirt and grim, working tirelessly alongside a group of weary miners. A few months had passed since that fateful day—an accident that had left him battered and disoriented, even almost losing his life to save a child but he never regretted it and by sheer luck, he was saved by two incredible doctors. One of which had a habit of making him very uncomfortable.
"Ora! Ora! Ora!"
"He's doing it again."
"Let him be, heard he has a huge debt to pay."
The focus of their conversation wasn't just anyone, he was someone who came without anything and managed to only remember his name for now but numerous dreams he had from then kept giving him distant flashes of scenes: the sun shining over a place filled with green vegetation, laughter with friends, and the warmth of camaraderie. But the details slipped through his fingers like grains of sand. The only thing he could grasp was the gnawing weight of his debts—medical treatments that had saved his life but left him shackled in the depths of the underworld.
"If I was told some random kid hauled Geomarrow crystal that only a group of men can do in a day within an hour, I would call them crazy."
"I know, despite his scrawny body. He must be packing quite the raw strength to handle them."
Each day, as the clock hits 9:00 AM, Naruto descended into the mine, donning a worn helmet and taking up a pickaxe. His superhuman strength, a trait he had relied on many times before, allowed him to work faster and more efficiently than his fellow miners. Rock crumbled under his blows, and veins of precious ore yielded to his relentless pursuit. However, the pay was abysmal, barely enough to scrape together food, let alone settle his growing debts.
"Hey, Naruto! You're a beast down there!" shouted Taro, a grizzled veteran of the mines, as he wiped sweat from his brow. "At this rate, you'll be out of here in no time."
Naruto forced a smile, but inside, a flicker of doubt remained. How long would it take? Days blurred into weeks, and the promise of freedom felt like a distant dream. The other miners had grown used to him; they respected his strength and tenacity, but even they could see the shadows behind his bright blue eyes. They whispered amongst themselves; they had heard and even seen how he saved a couple of their own from making a terrible mistake which led them to wonder about the boy who seemed like a hero but was reduced to a mere laborer.
"Oh, he's doing it again."
"When will he ever learn, that chief mining engineer isn't going to listen to anyone? Let alone giving anyone a raise."
A couple of miners got together once in a while to see Naruto going up a two-story office constructed for the head of the mining operation. It was their first time seeing him go up to their boss to ask for a raise and every time was denied with a very loud answer and he ended up getting thrown out or just hysterically getting chased by their boss with a sledgehammer or any tool nearby.
Today marked his hundredth attempt to plead for a pay increase from the chief miner, a towering figure named Goro, known for his muscular build and booming voice. Goro had a reputation for being stern, and he took pride in his leadership, believing in a strict policy of 'earning your keep.
"Hey, Boss!" Naruto called, his voice filled with hopeful determination. "I was thinking—"
"Not this again, Naruto! " Goro interrupted, shaking his head vigorously, a grin breaking through his tough demeanor. "I've told you a hundred times; the pay is fine for what you do. Now get back to work!"
Naruto sighed, undeterred. "But I work twice as hard as anyone else! I've proven myself! Can't you see that I deserve a raise?"
With an exaggerated eye roll, Goro let out a hearty laugh. "Deserve? You think you deserve more than what I give you? You think just because you're some backwater hero, you can slack off and still get more?"
The other miners inside the room chuckled, many stopping their work to watch the scene unfold. This was a regular performance; Naruto was the determined protagonist and Goro the uncompromising antagonist.
"Come on, Boss! You know I can lift more rocks than anyone here!" Naruto insisted, puffing out his chest and flexing his arms.
"Whoever asked you to do that, brat?" Goro replied, crossing his arms and smirking. "But you know the rules. If you want a raise, you've got to show me you can outwork everyone else. And if you can't, well… let's just say you'll be dodging my pickaxe!"
With that, Goro lunged toward Naruto, who, with a quick reflex, turned and sprinted through the narrow space between some of the miners. The laughter of the other miners echoed behind them, the comical chase beginning as Naruto zigzagged between the desks and furniture, Goro hot on his heels.
"WHEN WILL YOU EVER LEARN YOU STUPID BRAT!"
"Ah! You crazy old man!"
The miners watch as a terrified Naruto jumps off the balcony with their six-foot-tall boss carrying a pike following suit with a heated expression that could kill. Despite his superhuman strength and agility, the old man didn't have an issue chasing him.
"Come back here!" Goro shouted, his laughter booming as he chased Naruto through rugged terrain. "You can't just run away from your problems!"
Naruto dodged around a corner, nearly tripping over a pile of rocks but catching himself just in time. "I'm not running from my problems; I'm trying to negotiate!" he shouted back, grinning widely, the thrill of the chase filling him with energy.
As they darted through the mine, the miners watched the spectacle unfold, some slapping their knees in laughter. The camaraderie and shared amusement provided a momentary escape from their tough labor.
Finally, in an unexpected turn, Naruto ducked into a small alcove where a pile of uncut stones rested. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a particularly large boulder, holding it in front of him like a shield. "Alright, that's it! I'm not running anymore. I'll show you who you're messing with. Believe it!"
Goro skidded to a halt, nearly colliding with the wall, and burst into laughter. "That's more like it."
"Let's see if you can withstand my love tap!"
"Bring it on, you bastard!"
!*
Goro's pickaxe smashed down onto the bolder while Naruto lunged forward with his bolder. Both began pushing each other with their superhuman strength.
clap*
"Okay, you two, I think that's enough roughhousing."
A familiar doctor came into the scene and calmly clapped his hand twice to get their attention. He was unusually calm and it seems he had a knack for handling such actions due to his bravery in front of a dangerous quarrel.
"Dr. Vache?"
"Creepy doctor?"
smack!*
"Ow! What the heck!?"
"Watch your tongue brat. Bad-mouthing someone as great as Dr Vache would be the last thing you ever do when I'm around."
Both strong men stop only for the older one to give a threatening sense to the other.
"Chief miner, here I got your next batch. And I do hope your recovery is going well, you're resting well, right?"
The man handed a paper bag full of medicine as well as instructions on their dosage. Despite Naruto's remark on the man, he was indeed a man respected within the underworld due to his excellent but affordable medical treatments. The chief of the miners was one patient who was very grateful to the doctor.
"Ahaha! Of course, those back pains and the other issues hardly ever appeared again. I can't help but thank you enough."
Goro laughed to show how happy he was and proceeded to hand the doctor a pouch full of money with quite a weight to it as well.
"Naruto, you can forget that raise like I said a hundred times. No, means no, and don't think of skipping tomorrow either." Goro after collecting his medicines from the doctors turned to Naruto and reminded him before leaving.
"Oh, come on…"
"Oh my, you're still asking for a raise from that stubborn man?" With a Chesire grin, the doctor laughs at the young man.
"Shut up, I'm trying my best to pay my debt." Naruto still having a sore mood got up and swallowed his pride once more to get back to work.
"Hold on, I also came here to see you."
"What is it this time?"
Naruto also reminds himself he was living in severe debt but fortunately, the people were kind and considerate. You would think he would ignore the doctor but he was living under his clinic for free, thus, he had to do free labor for the doctor from time to time. He would love to do any kind of stuff for Natasha which he still can't believe the doctor was related to.
"Oh, just a few ingredients for regents. It shouldn't be too hard to find them since they are usually around the nook and cranny of the mines."
"Sure, it's not like there are monsters to guarding them."
"…"
"I should've known." Naruto narrowed his eyes at the man who had just forgotten to mention the dangerous part of this errand, "Just hand me the list."
"Oh, thank goodness. I thought I had to return and tell Natasha that you don't want to harvest the ingredients she needed to help our patients." Vache made a fake relief expression like he usually does, "Your sacrifice has always been heaven-sent."
"Don't talk like I'm not going to make it, you bastard!"
Naruto glares at the man and swipes the piece of paper that the list was written on, "I really… don't like you."
List
Blue Lamp Umbrella Mushroom
Zombie General roots
Aroma Ether Grass
Soothing Mushroom
Moonshade Fungus
Nightshade herb
"Well, I like you."
"Grrr…"
Stuffing the paper in his pocket, Naruto put on his miner's helmet once more and headed toward the deeper part of the mines.
"I almost forget, Naruto."
"What now?"
clinking*
The doctor then pulls up the bag of shield coins knowing the sound of the large amount could make anyone in Belobog turn their attention to it.
"I thought you might need some motivation."
!*
"Oh? That wasn't nice Naruto." Still smiling, the doctor dodged a stone that was thrown by his errand boy.
"Bastard, go back already!" Naruto might've cried by now as he was still far from the amount to repay his debt and continue living.
As Naruto stood at the mouth on the deeper part of the mines, he felt the air grow cooler and the shadows deepen. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding with excitement and a touch of apprehension. The mine was rumored to be home to all manner of monsters, but Naruto was not one to back down from a challenge.
He activated one of his powers, the Shadow Clone. Within moments, a dozen copies of himself sprang to life, each ready to tackle their part of the mission. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant echoes of water dripping from stalactites overhead.
"Alright, team!" Naruto shouted, rallying his clones. "You know the drill! Search for herbs and mushrooms from the list the quack doctor gave me, but stay sharp. Those fragmentum monsters are still lurking around."
Together, they ventured deeper into the mine, their senses heightened. The walls of the cavern sparkled with minerals, but the deeper they went, the more they encountered the creatures that came from a fragmentum.
These monsters were born from the remnants of despair, taking on twisted forms that reflected the fears and sorrows of the lost souls trapped within the mine. Each time one fell to Naruto's clones, it dissolved into a swirling mist, but the creature's spirit, howling in discontent and anger before disappearing into dust.
"Let's split up here."
With a chorus of affirmatives, the clones spread out into the dark tunnels. The deeper they ventured, the more sinister the atmosphere became. Crumbling walls, jagged rocks, and the sound of skittering creatures made the air heavy with tension.
Naruto led a few clones down a narrower passage where he had heard whispers of a rare bioluminescent mushroom called the Moonshade Fungus. He recalled how it was said to glow like the stars above, a precious find that could fetch a high price at the market. However, its beauty came with a cost. The area was rumored to be guarded by a monstrous creature known as the Shadow Wyrm, a snake-like beast of darkness that thrived in the mine's depths.
"Ugh, why do they always have to scream so much?" Naruto grumbled, dodging a jagged stalactite as he delivered a well-aimed fireball to a particularly aggressive fragmentum monster.
"Stay focused, Boss!" one of his clones shouted, throwing a steel pipe at another monster that lunged from the shadows.
Meanwhile, other clones ventured into different sections of the mine. One encountered a cluster of Nightshade herbs, their deep purple leaves contrasting sharply against the dull gray of the rock. As the clone began to gather them, a guttural roar echoed through the tunnel, making his heart race.
"Uh-oh, looks like we've got company!" the clone shouted before quickly dispersing into a puff of smoke.
Back with Naruto, they soon reached the cavern rumored to host the Moonshade Fungus. To his shock, he found not just the glowing fungi, but also the Shadow Wyrm, its massive form coiling protectively around the luminescent mushrooms. The creature's eyes glinted with malice, and Naruto could feel the tension rise in the air.
"Alright, guys, we need a strategy!" he said, summoning more clones to surround the beast. "We're not here to fight, but we need those mushrooms. Let's distract it while we grab them!"
As the clones moved in, a flurry of shadows erupted. Some clones darted left, others right, throwing kunai to divert the Wyrm's attention. The creature hissed in fury, swiping its tail with immense force. A few clones managed to evade the attack, but one clone was caught and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Naruto, unwavering, charged forward, channeling his focus to create a condensed fireball. With a swift leap, he hurled the fireball at the Wyrm, striking it and momentarily stunning the beast.
"Now! Grab the mushrooms!"
As his clones gathered the Moonshade Fungus, Naruto maintained his focus on the creature. The large Wyrm, enraged and disoriented, lunged at him. In a burst of instinct, he used another Shadow Clone to shield himself, the clone disappearing under the beast's weight.
Once the mushrooms were collected, Naruto shouted, "Retreat! We have what we need!" His clones raced back, but the huge Wrym was not done yet. It reared back for a final strike, but Naruto managed to create one last clone to delay it with a series of distraction maneuverers.
With the mushrooms secured, Naruto and his remaining clones dashed toward the exit, the roars of the Wyrm echoing behind them. They thought they finally made it back to the mine's entrance but no, they unfortunately got lost on their way back.
"What!?"
"Who's the idiot that got us lost!?"
"Don't look at me, bastard! I was following you!"
"What did you say!?"
"Hey, no fighting here!"
"We should've split up to cover more grounds!"
"Shut up, we're already lost!"
The numerous shadow clones and the original got into a brawl upon realizing they had lost their way. The fight lasted until every shadow clone puffed out of existence and the original was left lying on the ground clearly beaten up by his own clones.
"I hate this…"
Not realizing he was walking deeper into the mines, he came across a narrow passageway illuminated by a soft, eerie glow. The air was thick with tension as Naruto crept forward. Suddenly, he heard voices echoing off the stone walls. Curious, he quietly approached the source.
"…"
"Huh, are there people here too?"
Peering around a bend, Naruto saw a dimly lit chamber where a confrontation was unfolding. A rugged man, his face lined with worry, stood with his fists clenched, facing a younger man whose expression was filled with fear. The older man was shouting, his voice echoing ominously.
"I need that Blue Lamp Umbrella Mushroom! If I don't find it, my family will go hungry!" he pleaded desperately, desperation etched into every word.
The younger man, trembling, held a small sack tightly to his chest. "I found it first! I won't let you take it! I need it too!" he shouted back.
Naruto's heart sank as he sensed the intensity of their argument. He could see the older man was on the brink of violence, desperation pushing him towards a dark choice. Acting instinctively, Naruto stepped out from behind the rock formation, calling out, "Hey! Wait a minute!"
Both men turned in surprise, the tension in the air palpable. The older man's expression softened slightly upon seeing the familiar face of Naruto.
"What do you want, kid?" The younger man growled, still fuming.
Naruto raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm just here to help! Fighting won't solve anything. You're both just trying to feed your families, right?"
The younger man nodded vigorously, his fear slowly giving way to confusion. The older man, however, looked conflicted, the fire in his eyes flickering as he processed Naruto's words.
"I just wanted to make a special noodle dish for my kids," he admitted, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But if I don't have that mushroom, I can't do it."
"And I can't let you take it from me! It's all I have!" the younger man protested, his voice shaking.
Naruto stepped closer, glancing at the sack. "What if I help you both? I can find more mushrooms! And I also know a thing or two about Aroma Ether Grass. How about we work together instead of fighting?"
The room fell silent, the two men exchanging glances. It was a moment that hung in the air, heavy with the weight of their circumstances. Finally, the older man sighed, his shoulders sagging with the burdens of responsibility.
"Alright, kid. Show me what you can do," he said, stepping back from confrontation.
With that, Naruto secretly rallied his clones, leading the group further into the mine in search of both the Blue Lamp Umbrella Mushroom and the Aroma Ether Grass.
As they journeyed together, the three men shared stories of their lives, their dreams, and the pressures of providing for their families in the underworld.
Through their collaboration, they found not just the sought-after ingredients, but also a bond forged in understanding and respect. The two men were confused about how Naruto was able to find so much from his share since they all walked and moved on the same path, and the only thing he replied was that it was a trade secret.
When they finally emerged from the depths of the mine, both men were smiling, the air between them lighter than when they had entered.
"Wait, kid, I want to ask you something." While the younger man already left in a happy mood, the older man approached Naruto with a nervous expression, "Do you remember me?"
"Yeah, I remember. And don't worry, I'm angry about the injury, look," Naruto then showed his wrists that had no injuries or scars, "They're already healed."
"!?" The older man dropped to his knees, "I'm so sorry about what had happened. I'm also very thankful then and now too."
"If it weren't for you, I might never be able to care for my family."
"Come on, it's fine. I was just doing something nice."
Naruto, was clearly embarrassed that someone kneeled to him. Still, he understands the man because of how poor the people in the underworld and the situation hardly getting better.
"I know, why don't I treat you to some noodles? The broth I made is amazing!"
"Sure!"
Though Naruto would have been reluctant to any kind of offer even if they were genuine, the idea of eating free noodles was hard to refuse since it was his favorite food here.
….
In the bustling yet shadowy underbelly of Belobog, Naruto found himself navigating the labyrinthine alleys, a lingering sense of purpose guiding his steps. Not too long ago, he had stumbled upon a miner who almost made a terrible mistake, almost resorting to killing someone who owed him to get money to save his family from a dire fate. With no thought for himself, Naruto had handed over a hefty sum of money, more than enough to secure their safety.
"I quit the mining business since the amount you earned and the time you spent in there wasn't worth it."
"I know how you feel…"
Fate somehow brought the man to him again during his venture into the deeper parts of the mines, the man had invited him to his humble noodle shop as a gesture of gratitude.
As Naruto entered the small establishment, the air was filled with the mouth-watering aroma of broth simmering gently on the stove. The walls were adorned with handwritten menus, and the decor had a makeshift charm to it, but there was an undeniable sense that the shop was still finding its footing. Behind the counter, the man's wife and young daughter greeted Naruto with bright smiles that illuminated the dim space, their gratitude palpable.
"Welcome! Thank you for saving our family!" the man's wife exclaimed, her voice warm and inviting.
Naruto waved it off with a grin, "Just doing what anyone would do! I'm happy to see you all safe."
As they settled into a cozy corner, steaming bowls of noodle soup were placed before them. Naruto wasted no time in diving into the dish, eager to savor the flavors. The broth was rich, infused with spices and herbs that danced on his palate—clearly, the man had mastered this part of noodle making. But as Naruto chewed through the noodles, his excitement waned; they were clumpy and lacked the delicate texture he was used to.
The man, noticing the furrowed brow on Naruto's face, chuckled nervously. "I'm afraid my noodles aren't the best. No one in the underworld seems to have the touch for it. I've tried every recipe I could find, but I just can't get it right."
Naruto swallowed the last piece of noodle and nodded thoughtfully. "I understand! Noodle-making is an art, and it takes practice. I might be able to help you with that."
The man's eyes widened, a glimmer of hope illuminating his face. "Really? You'd do that for me?"
"Of course! I trained at Ichiraku Ramen…" Naruto paused; he wondered what he was even saying. The name 'Ichiraku' pulled a string in his heart.
"Ichiraku Ramen? I never heard it before but if you said it then it must be an amazing noodle shop." The older man felt enthusiastic since he knew how capable the young hero was and he was just excited at the prospect of this opportunity.
"Anyway, I learned a thing or two about making great noodles," Naruto said, excitement bubbling within him. He stood up, determination sparking in his eyes. "Let's head to your kitchen!"
The kitchen was small, cluttered with utensils and ingredients that hinted at the man's earnest efforts. Naruto rolled up his sleeves, eager to get started.
"First, we need to make the dough," he instructed, grabbing a bag of flour and pouring it onto the counter. He added water and salt, mixing it until it formed a rough dough.
"Now comes the fun part!" he said, his smile infectious as he began to punch and knead the dough with precise strength, remembering the countless hours he had spent learning under someone, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen. Even though, he couldn't remember their faces, he could never forget what was imprinted into his very hands. With each strike, he felt the dough becoming softer and more pliable, just as it should.
"Wow, I never thought to do it like that!" the man marveled, watching Naruto with awe as the dough transformed under his hands. Naruto then began stretching the dough into thinner strands, expertly twirling and twisting until it resembled the perfect noodles. The married couple and their daughter were mesmerized at how he was doing it with such precision and confidence.
With the noodles boiling away, Naruto turned to the man. "What else do you think we could add to make the soup even better?"
"Maybe some extra spices? We have some dried herbs from the market and Blue Lamp Umbrella mushroom is a great ingredient too," the man suggested, his enthusiasm growing.
"Let's do it!" Naruto said, rushing to the shelves to gather the herbs. They worked together, infusing the broth with new flavors, laughing, and sharing stories as they prepared the meal. It felt good to connect, to share this moment of creation.
When the noodles were finally ready, Naruto carefully ladled them into bowls, topping them with aromatic broth and a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs. They both stood back to admire their creation, the colorful dish inviting and fragrant.
The moment of truth came when they sat down to taste the new soup. As the first spoonful hit his lips, Naruto's eyes widened in delight. "This is amazing! The noodles are perfect!"
The man took a hesitant bite, his eyes lighting up in disbelief. "I can't believe it! This is incredible!"
The wife and daughter joined in, their laughter filling the air as they relished the rich flavors. In that little noodle shop, a sense of warmth enveloped them, the worries of the underworld momentarily forgotten.
"Thank you, Naruto," the man said earnestly, his voice filled with emotion. "You've not only saved my family but also given us hope for a brighter future. And here I'm supposed to be treating you for what you had already done."
Naruto smiled, feeling a sense of fulfillment swell in his heart. "That's what friends are for! And now, let's show the world what a great bowl of noodle soup should taste like! No, what delicious ramen truly tastes like!"
With a newfound spirit and confidence, the little noodle shop that changed its name to Naruto's Ramen would now begin to thrive, and unbeknownst to its owner drawing in patrons from all corners of Belobog. And every bowl served as a reminder of the bond formed between a hero and a grateful family, brought together by the simple joy of food and friendship.
….
After another day of adventure, our hero saw it was getting and ran with the little stamina he had left.
Panting, Naruto looked at the basket of precious fungi and herbs. "I did it! Let's get these back to the clinic!"
However, he didn't go far as he heard the sweet voice of an innocent child.
"Mom, I'm hungry." A boy who was working with his mother selling something that seemed to preserve Olm's meat in the streets clutched his belly.
"I'm sorry honey, we don't own the meat and we have to sell them." The mother also seems to be desperate but tries to make a brave face for her son, "So, wait a little longer. If we can sell a little more, we can eat some of it."
Naruto saw them and looked at the basket where some of the mushrooms were edible.
"Excuse me, I like to buy some Olm meat. Oh, and here are some tasty common mushrooms, I had extra so it's a waste for me."
Sometimes he acts without thinking much even though he would get back anything. He was selfless but at the same time a little dumb. Though, his reputation was quite great due to his kindness.
"You're late." Outside the clinic stood Vache, he was just chilling and smoking while waiting for him.
"Well, sorry, if you can find anyone other than that can retrieve this stuff in a day. I would bow to you but until then piss off you crazy doctor."
"Oh ho ho, someone seems to have grown a backbone, and what's this."
sniff* The doctor was weird but skilled. Still, the weirdness was more common with people close to him and this was way too close even for Naruto's comfort.
"Hey back off, you creep!"
"That's a nice smell. You'll have to tell me where they make it."
"Sure…"
Naruto then handed the basket full of ingredients both common and rare. The doctor checked the basket and had a knowing expression.
"Hold on, there seems to be some missing from the list."
"I… I…" He couldn't tell the man his reason but at the same time, he couldn't come up with a good excuse.
"Hmm…" The doctor folded his arm and nodded, "Well, I don't mind. You can just go tomorrow to get more."
"O-Oh, sure."
Before he could get far enough, the doctor once more called out to him, "I seen and heard of your deeds in the town Naruto."
"Yeah?" The young man turned to the doctor; he was not sure how he would answer if the man figured he had been handing things away to those who needed them.
"I don't usually mind the small good deeds from time to time but," The doctor got closer and showed he was a little taller than him and stared down at him, "Aren't you a little too arrogant to give out so many handouts from your own pocket like this?"
The pressure he was giving him was as always an uncomfortable feeling but Naruto did not let it bother him.
"So, what? It's coming out from me. It's not like I'm doing anything that could affect you or Natasha. Are you telling me to not do anything if something bad is about to happen to someone or just ignore the people who are just trying to feed their family? And don't berate me about them since I know who deserves help and who doesn't."
grab*
Vache then pulls the young man on his shirt and faces him real close, "Naruto please don't forget we are in a world where survival of the fittest is still a strong principle."
Dropping his hold on the young man, the man pushed him off, "The overworld? The underworld? Everything is the same. Only those who can look after themselves can survive when everything is so limited." The man pulls out his glasses to clean them as if it became a habit when he stresses himself out, "Look at yourself Naruto. Despite your incredible work schedule, you earn so little and give too much. I was once like you. A self-righteous fool."
"But…" Naruto did not like what the doctor was saying.
"I don't blame you. You are kind. The human heart is a fickle thing, you should know." Something in the doctor always seems to be distant as he shares his beliefs as if they came from his own experience, "The emotion and desire to help everyone is there in every single one of us but not everyone can accomplish such an impossible task."
"If you want to survive in this world, you need more than strength and money."
Vache walked closer once more though Naruto stared back and did not flinch as he gave a brave front, "You must acquire the judgment to make the right decisions."
"*tsk*" Naruto ignored him to headed to the door of the clinic.
"If you want to survive in this world, you must become smarter." Vache did not let and shout out his words. Words he truly felt would be useful to the young man who started to grow on him.
Naruto stopped in front of the door, "…"
"This world is no place for fools. That's the reality."
A hazy feeling in him started to surface again, a burning sensation, a sensation he was all too familiar with. A sensation that was trying to protect him but at the same time holding him back.
"I understand." Naruto turned to the doctor, the person he thought was amazing at times but ridiculous on most occasions. But right now, he didn't like the doctor's choice of words.
"That's…"
"Then, I'll remain a fool my entire life."
"!?" Once more, Vache was surprised at the answer he was given. Something he knew very well but only found hard to accept and yet, it was the very answer that was truly right.
Someone also heard their conversation and she made a soft smile because of it.
open*
"Huh? Naruto, you're finally back. Come on, dinners ready."
"I'm back, Natasha!" Naruto did a quick hundred-eighty-degree change in emotions to greet Natasha.
"Hehe, welcome back."
Natasha as always welcomes him back with a smile he was sure belongs to an angel. Though he made mistakes or caused trouble, she always seemed to never get mad at him and only scolded him which he couldn't help but obey them. Her voice was always a welcome tune compared to her brother in his ears.
"If you're done gawking at my sister. Why don't we actually head inside? I had a tough day." Vache who was stunned a while ago pushed his errand boy into the door playfully being back to his usual self.
"I wasn't! And you're not the only one who had a tough day!"
"Sure Naruto, I'm sure you did."
"Boys, no quarreling. You can do that after dinner."
"…"
The day quietly ended with our hero having another adventure of his own while his debt to the doctor had yet to improve anytime soon. Still, the few months in the underworld made him understand them a little bit more and their everyday struggles.
And done…
Age:
Naruto: He looks like a 16-year-old meaning Naruto Shippuden age.
Serval: 13
Gephart: 11
Natasha: 18
Abilities
Shadow clones
Fire manipulation and ignition
Superhuman strength and agility
Bye!