Note: Nature Energy = Ethernano
Chapter 2
It had been almost a month since Naruto arrived in this new world. Focused on perfecting his new jutsu, Faux Baryon Mode, he had neglected exploring his surroundings. He had encountered peculiar animals and species, but given the abundance of life, he wouldn't be surprised to find a human-like civilization. He could only hope they were negotiable—unlike a certain clan from the heavens, the Otsutsuki.
Leaping from tree branch to tree branch, his black sweatshirt with an orange stripe and matching pants billowing in the wind, Naruto reflected on his circumstances. He had been without sandals ever since Kawaki's ocular jutsu sent him and Hinata away. His thoughts often drifted to her, hoping she was safe. While Kawaki's reasoning had been flawed, Naruto refused to see him as beyond redemption. Wherever they had been sent, he believed Hinata would be protected. Whether it was trust, coping, or denial, he wasn't sure, but he clung to that hope.
Using his pseudo-permanent Sage Mode—a necessity for refining Faux Baryon Mode—Naruto sensed three significant presences, larger than any animal he'd encountered. His new jutsu relied on passively absorbing Ethernano through a modified tetragram seal: one component drew in Ethernano, while another siphoned his chakra. The fusion of these energies aimed to replicate the power of his original Baryon Mode.
However, creating a self-sustaining energy system took time and placed immense strain on his body. During this adjustment period, he couldn't use traditional jutsu or fully control Ethernano. Despite these limitations, he remained far from defenseless. His seals granted protection against Ethernano-based attacks, and his taijutsu skills, rivaled only by Rock Lee and Sasuke, ensured he could hold his own.
His ultimate goal was to establish a self-sustaining cycle, converting fused Ethernano-chakra energy back into its components to continuously replenish his reserves. Mastering this required not only precise control but a deep understanding of the balance between Ethernano and chakra. Senjutsu had never been more viable than in this world, and whoever had created this realm, Naruto felt a strange sense of gratitude toward them.
His journey led him to Cait Shelter, one of Fiore's legal guilds. The two other presences he sensed had moved away, leaving the largest one before him: an old man.
"You must be the one responsible for that surge of magic a few nights ago," the old man remarked.
Naruto gulped. Had his training been more conspicuous than he intended? Before he could respond, he noticed something odd—despite the old man speaking a foreign language, Naruto understood him. His brief use of Faux Baryon Mode had granted him deep insight into Ethernano, akin to the Byakugan, Sharingan, and Rinnegan. He hadn't expected it to enhance perception, let alone grant linguistic comprehension. Perhaps it was a side effect of his jutsu or of being in this world—another mystery to ponder.
The old man introduced himself as Roubaul, Guild Master of Cait Shelter. He was small and slim, with a long white beard, mustache, and bushy eyebrows. A tattoo marked his forehead, and his presence radiated wisdom and authority.
Naruto offered a nervous smile. "I hope I didn't cause too much trouble, gramps."
Roubaul chuckled. "It did stir up the girl, that's for sure. Name's Roubaul."
"Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki." They shook hands.
Roubaul studied him. "May I ask what you were doing out in the forest?"
Naruto hesitated. "...Training," he said, exaggerating the gesture for emphasis.
"Training for what? A mission? We haven't had any subjugation requests here recently. Are you passing through, or are you looking to join a guild?"
"A guild?" Naruto asked. "What's that?"
Roubaul raised an eyebrow. "How do you not know that? Aren't you a wizard?"
Naruto froze. "Uh... not exactly. More of a traveler. A hermit. A sage." He chuckled at the word 'sage,' recalling his late, pervy mentor.
Roubaul's eyes softened. "A sage, you say? You look a bit young for one, but I'll humor you. In this land, a guild is a place where individuals of similar talents gather. For wizards—or mages—guilds offer job opportunities, training, and camaraderie. The Magic Council oversees legal guilds and enforces regulations."
"So, it's like a community for wizards?" Naruto asked.
"Precisely," Roubaul confirmed. "There are Legal Guilds sanctioned by the council, Dark Guilds operating illegally, and Independent Guilds that aren't registered but aren't inherently criminal."
Naruto frowned. "Dark Guilds… Lemme guess, criminals?"
"Exactly. They flout the law, endangering our world's peace."
Naruto's brow furrowed. "And Cait Shelter?"
Roubaul smiled warmly. "A Legal Guild. We may not be as large or famous as others, but we value camaraderie and growth."
Naruto glanced around at the rustic architecture and guild members in the distance. "Looks like a close-knit community."
"Indeed," Roubaul replied. "We strive to support each other, much like a family."
Naruto's expression softened. "Family, huh..." He hadn't shared a meal with his own in nearly a month. As much as he longed to return home, he needed information. If guilds operated like villages, he might eventually find someone who could help him. Traversing worlds was rare, usually achieved only by those with ties to deity-like entities like the Otsutsuki. Finding a way back would be like searching for a needle in a haystack—except this haystack was an entire world.
Sensing his unease, Roubaul smiled gently. "If something troubles you, perhaps I can help."
Naruto met his gaze, hesitating before nodding. "I… I could use some help."
"Come," Roubaul gestured toward the guild hall. "Let's talk over a warm meal. You look like you could use one."
As they walked side by side, Naruto couldn't help but compare Roubaul to the Third Hokage. The old man's calm authority, the wisdom in his presence—it felt familiar. "Man… he's like gramps with more wrinkles and less tobacco," Naruto mused internally.
Roubaul's eyes twinkled as if sensing the thought. "You carry a heavy burden."
Naruto straightened, instinctively downplaying his struggles, but something about Roubaul's presence commanded honesty. "Yeah… been carrying it a while now."
Roubaul nodded. "Burden shared is burden lightened. Your heart is strong, but strength alone won't see you through the battles ahead."
Naruto nodded solemnly as they stepped into the lively guild hall, but something about the atmosphere felt... off.
The chakra—or rather, the magical signatures—of the guild members felt faint, like flickering candle flames instead of steady, living presences. It was as if he were watching reflections on a still pond—convincing at first glance, but distorted upon closer inspection.
Was the old man aware of this? Or was he the one orchestrating it?
Naruto kept his expression neutral, choosing to observe for now.
Roubaul led him to a wooden table near the bar, where a steaming plate of food awaited. The aroma was rich and inviting, and Naruto's stomach growled in response. He picked up his utensils and took a cautious bite. Warm, flavorful, real. It had been a while since he'd had a proper meal like this.
Across from him, Roubaul watched with that same patient smile.
"Good?" the old man asked.
Naruto swallowed and nodded. "Yeah… really good."
Roubaul let him eat in peace before eventually offering a place to stay for the night, suggesting they continue their discussion in the morning.
For Naruto, this marked the 24th day since his arrival in this unfamiliar world—and the first time he would sleep in a bed that offered true comfort.
Year X784 – Cait Shelter
The next morning, Naruto was awakened by the sound of high-pitched voices conversing with the guild master. As he opened his eyes, he saw a blue-haired girl and a white, bipedal cat speaking animatedly with Roubaul. Startled, Naruto sprang to his feet; he had encountered summoned animals before, but this was entirely new.
The white cat, with a protective stance, seemed to be reprimanding the old man. "Master Roubaul, how could you let a stranger stay here overnight? What if he's dangerous?"
The blue-haired girl tugged gently at the cat's paw. "Please, Carla, calm down. I'm sure Master Roubaul has his reasons."
Roubaul raised a hand, his expression serene. "Carla, Wendy, I understand your concerns. But this young man means no harm. He was in need, and offering shelter is the right thing to do."
Carla's eyes narrowed as she glanced at Naruto. "We can't be too careful, especially with outsiders."
Naruto, sensing the tension, raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I'm just a… passerby, a traveler."
Wendy stepped forward, her expression gentle and kind, her large, blue eyes shimmering with curiosity and caution. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. My name is Wendy Marvell, and this is Carla. Welcome to Cait Shelter."
Naruto smiled, relaxing slightly. "Thank you. I'm Naruto Uzumaki. It's nice to meet you both."
Carla huffed but seemed to relax a bit. "Just know that I'll be watching you."
Roubaul chuckled softly. "Now that introductions are out of the way, let's have breakfast and continue our discussions."
At Cait Shelter's guild hall, the four of them sat at a wooden table while the morning bustle carried on around them. The air hummed with chatter and laughter, yet Naruto couldn't shake the uncanny sensation gnawing at him. The people here moved, smiled, and spoke like any average person would—but their presence felt hollow. There was no warmth of life, no solid weight of flesh and blood. It was like watching shadows dance on a wall.
The only ones who felt undeniably real were the blue-haired girl and the white cat beside her. The feline's sharp eyes hadn't left him since he sat down, suspicion evident in every glance.
"Master Roubaul," the white cat—Carla, Naruto reminded himself—spoke with a refined tone.
"Who is he exactly?"
Roubaul smiled, folding his hands on the table. "He's a traveler, Carla. One who's lost his way."
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… kinda sums it up."
The blue-haired girl, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke, her voice soft but curious. "Lost your way? Are you trying to get home?"
Naruto met her gaze and saw genuine concern there. He gave her a small, lopsided grin. "Yeah. I've been wandering around for weeks trying to figure things out."
"Where are you from?" she asked, tilting her head.
Naruto hesitated. "A place pretty far from here. Closed off from others," he answered cryptically.
The girl's eyes widened. Carla stiffened beside her, the suspicion in her gaze deepening.
Roubaul chuckled softly. "The mysteries of the world are vast, my dear Wendy. Some travelers come from much farther away than we realize."
Naruto's smile faltered slightly as his gaze flicked toward the lively crowd around them. "Master Roubaul," he began, voice low, "what exactly… is this place? I mean, the guild feels warm, sure—but the people…"
Roubaul's smile held, though the light in his eyes dimmed. "Ah, you've noticed." The old man gestured for Wendy and Carla to give them a moment alone.
"Noticed what?" Naruto asked.
The old man sighed. "The truth of Cait Shelter… is not as it seems."
Roubaul glanced at Wendy and Carla, ensuring they were preoccupied, before leaning closer to Naruto. His voice dropped to a whisper, heavy with the weight of long-held secrets.
"Cait Shelter is... an illusion." He paused, letting the words sink in. "I created this guild to provide a home for Wendy and Carla."
Naruto's eyes widened, but he remained silent, sensing there was more to the story.
"Long ago, I was part of the Nirvit tribe, the creators of the Nirvana magic." Roubaul's gaze grew distant, as if recalling a time long past. "Our misuse of that power led to our downfall."
He sighed deeply, the burden of centuries evident in his expression. "To atone, I used my remaining strength to conjure this guild, its members, and the village—everything you see."
Naruto glanced around, the hollow presences of the guild members now making a haunting sense.
"Wendy was but a child, alone and frightened." Roubaul's voice softened. "I couldn't bear to tell her the truth—that she was the sole human here."
Naruto nodded slowly, understanding the old man's intentions. "You wanted to give her a family."
"Yes." Roubaul's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "But now, with your arrival, perhaps it's time she learned the truth and found a real home among real people."
"To be honest, gramps, I can't say much, but I'm not really going to settle here." Naruto tried to find the right words. "However, I do owe you a good meal, so… I'm going to accompany her for the time being. I promise you that."
Roubaul's expression softened, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Naruto. That means more to me than you know. Truth be told I already knew or have a gist of 'what' you are but I trust my instincts towards you—call it an old man's hunch." the old man humored.
As they concluded their conversation, Naruto couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the old man. Roubaul had created an entire world to protect one girl from loneliness. Now, Naruto would do his part to ensure Wendy found her place and formed her own bonds with real people.
He realized that rushing back to his village empty-handed would be futile. The threat of the Ōtsutsuki clan loomed large, and in his current state, he doubted his ability to protect his home effectively. The Faux Baryon Mode was his key to defeating them, but acquiring the technique would require significant time even more so at mastering it.
In the meantime, he resolved to use this period to guide Wendy to a place she could truly call home. Looking at her, he saw a reflection of his younger self—lonely, yearning for acceptance. The thought brought Kawaki to mind, his adopted son who had also endured a troubled past. Naruto frowned, the weight of responsibility pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Wanted Bandits!
Local bandits are harassing our village!
Reward 10,000 jewels.
Naruto looked at the piece of paper Roubaul handed him. It was a mission request. "Wanted Bandits…" the blonde read its contents. "Jewels?" For a currency, it sounded fancy, Naruto mused.
"Can you accompany Wendy for this mission, Naruto?" Roubaul asked.
Naruto obliged without hesitation. "Of course!"
Chapter End