Chapter 3

The late afternoon sun stretched long, casting shifting shadows along the rustic road as Naruto, Wendy, and Carla climbed into a weathered wooden wagon. Its patchwork frame—assembled from scavenged planks and mismatched wheels—creaked and rattled with every jolt as they set off on their mission. Beyond the wagon, Fiore's outskirts unfolded lazily, the quiet hum of daily life shimmering with a hint of magic.

Wendy's blue hair danced in the breeze as she surveyed the horizon. Breaking the silence, Carla—the white feline with eyes that scrutinized every detail—asked in a measured tone, "So, Mr. Uzumaki, what can you tell us about yourself?" Her steady gaze seemed intent on unraveling a hidden mystery, while Naruto inwardly cringed at the formality.

Running a hand along his black sweatshirt—its orange stripe catching the fading light—Naruto offered a laid back smile. "I'd say my magic is… unique. I come from a closed-off land, a country sealed away from the rest of the world, where I honed my skills as a close-combat specialist. My magic isn't flashy; it's all about precision and strength in every strike."

Carla's eyes narrowed in thought, but before she could probe further, Wendy interjected hesitantly, "Ummm… is it related to your… weird magic?"

"What do you mean, 'weird'?" Naruto asked, genuine curiosity lacing his tone.

Wendy's gaze dropped, and her voice turned soft. "I… feel weakened around you. It's as if my strength gets sapped the closer I get."

"Must be the seal…" Naruto mused, glancing at Wendy, whose eyes hinted at fatigue despite her determination to stay close. "That's not good." He frowned, aware that the unintended side effects of his modified tetragram seal needed addressing—even if pausing its progress might delay his breakthrough.

Noticing the subtle shift in Naruto's demeanor, Carla pressed, "There's something you're not telling us, isn't there? Come on, spit it out, Mr. Uzumaki." Though Naruto preferred to keep the full details hidden—after all, revealing too much wouldn't change his overall journey—he decided to share at least a glimpse of his dilemma.

"I'm working on a new kind of magic," he began, choosing his words carefully. "It requires me to gather and merge the magic in the environment with my own magic. As a side effect, those near me sometimes feel... weakened. It's not something I intended, but it's an unexpected consequence of the seal I'm refining."

Carla's eyes widened in curiosity. "What kind of magic is it?"

"Nuclear Fusion," Naruto replied simply. The term hung in the air, seeming almost too advanced for both Carla and Wendy. Carla tilted her head thoughtfully. "That sounds… advanced," she commented, while Wendy only managed a curious tilt of her head in response."

"Yeah… maybe…" he admitted, scratching his neck with a laid back grin. "Think of it like… trying to mix oil and fire. Works great till it doesn't."

Carla's ears flattened. "And you thought dragging this volatile experiment near Wendy was wise?"

"Hey, I'm working on it!" Naruto's grin slipped, revealing the edge beneath—the same razor-sharp resolve that had clawed its way out of Kawaki's dimension. "The seal that I made to create 'this'… magic… For starters, it takes the magic in my surroundings and my own, housing it to two different points, then it smashes 'em together till they spark. Boom." He mimed an explosion with his hands, but the flicker in Wendy's eyes—part awe, part fear—made him drop the act. "Look, once the seal has acquired enough resources for self sustenance, the drain stops, but it'll take time... Promise."

Wendy hesitated, then squared her shoulders like a soldier half her age. "Can I… help? I'm good with healing magic, I can do support! Maybe I can help with the—"

"Absolutely not," Carla snapped, fur bristling. "We're not gambling your safety on his science project."

"Alright enough about me, what about you two? What's your magic?"

Wendy brightened cupping her hands, Ethernano swirling into a miniature cyclone of sapphire light. "I'm a Sky Dragon Slayer! I can heal, and empower, and—" The wagon lurched again, her magic sputtering out as she grabbed the edge. "A-and get motion sickness…"

"Oh? There's dragons around here?" Naruto perked. The idea of dragons seemed grand after all their existence would be considered fable or a myth in their world.

Carla's expression turned somber. "Not anymore. Dragons were once numerous, but they vanished over four centuries ago…"

Naruto looked downcast; he had been eager to see one.

"Wendy's magic is unique," Carla continued, her tone softening. "Sky Dragon Slayer Magic grants her abilities beyond typical offensive spells. She can heal wounds, cure poisons, and even boost the physical prowess of herself and her allies. It's a rare and supportive form of Dragon Slayer Magic."

Naruto nodded, impressed. "That's incredible. Healing and support magic combined with combat skills…" She's similar to Sakura, he mused.

"You're quite the versatile mage, Wendy."

Wendy blushed at the compliment, her previous shyness momentarily forgotten. "Thank you, Naruto. I've had a great teacher." Naruto smiled at her then he shifted his attention to the white feline and she obliged like a noble woman. "I use aera magic." And Naruto tilted, zero idea of what "Aera" is. "It's flight magic." Carla clarified in which Naruto nodded, with a gaping mouth. The language of this world sure is a lot, he mused.

The wagon continued its journey, the trio settled into a comfortable silence, with the long journey ahead Carla and Wendy ended up taking a nap next to each other.

The wagon rolled to a halt at the edge of Drought Village, a place that looked as desolate as its name suggested. The land was cracked, barren, and the few houses still standing were in dire condition—patched roofs, broken fences, and an eerie silence that spoke of hardship beyond just a lack of water. The only movement came from weary-eyed villagers who barely reacted to their arrival, their expressions etched with exhaustion and quiet desperation.

Carla sat on Wendy's shoulder, scanning the surroundings with a critical eye. No wonder the reward was so low, she mused. It was obvious that these people barely had enough to survive, let alone pay a hefty price for mercenaries.

Naruto led the group toward the largest structure in the village, where an old man with a hunched back and a weathered face waited. His deep wrinkles and sunken eyes told a story of suffering, but his stance remained firm.

"Wizards? Finally at long last!" the elder's spirit lifted at the sight of the three, his voice raspy yet hopeful.

Naruto gave a nod, his usual carefree demeanor dimmed in the presence of such misery. "Yeah, we're here to take care of the bandits."

The elder sighed in relief. "They've taken everything from us… our food, our supplies, even our people. We can't even trade with the neighboring villages anymore. Every time merchants try to reach us, they're ambushed. Those bastards hoard our crops and sell them elsewhere."

Carla's ears twitched as she listened. "How many of them?" she asked, eyes narrowing.

"Too many for us to fight back," the elder admitted. "At least twenty, maybe more. They move in groups and rotate their watch shifts, making it impossible to catch them off guard."

Naruto crossed his arms, thinking. "Any hostages?"

The elder's gaze darkened. "They took some of our people, mostly young ones. Forced them to work their fields under constant threat. If we resist, they'll…" He trailed off, shaking his head.

A deep silence hung between them.

This wasn't just a matter of beating up some thugs—there were lives at stake. Rushing in head first could get the hostages killed. Naruto knew that all too well.

He exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Alright. We do this quietly."

Wendy perked up. "Quietly?"

Naruto smirked slightly. "Yeah, not really my style, huh?" His expression shifted to something more serious. "But I've done it before. I can take out the patrols one by one without making a sound. If we do this right, they won't even know they're under attack until it's too late."

Carla nodded approvingly. "That would be the ideal approach. If we alert them too soon, they might use the hostages as shields."

Naruto turned to Wendy. "You'll stay back and observe. Learn how to take out enemies without drawing attention. You might need it someday."

Wendy hesitated but nodded. She had an initial assumption that Naruto would be a loud, headstrong fighter, but if he was experienced in stealth tactics, then there was something valuable to learn here.

Naruto's eyes gleamed with determination as he cracked his knuckles. "Alright, Let's hunt some bandits."

Under the cover of darkness, Naruto moved like a shadow. Years ago, stealth wasn't his strongest suit, but experience had shaped him into something far more adaptable. With each silent step, he approached his first target—a sentry leaning lazily against a post, half-asleep.

In an instant, Naruto was behind him. A swift chop to the neck sent the bandit crumpling like a sack of rice. Before the man could even exhale his last conscious breath, Naruto caught him and carefully laid him down. His hands moved swiftly, tying the bandit's wrists and ankles with thick rope.

Then, he felt it.

A strange sensation pulsed through his fingertips, like water being sucked through a straw. The unconscious man's body twitched slightly before his breathing slowed into deep, exhausted snores. Naruto pulled back, flexing his fingers. His modified Tetragram Seal was at work again.

Drain.

He had noticed it before—his body naturally sapping energy from those he touched, but this time, it was different. More precise. More potent. The closer the contact, the stronger the effect. Pressure amplified it. A strike, a grapple, even a mere grip—his opponent's strength bled into him like ink into water.

Naruto cracked his knuckles.

So that's how it is.

His taijutsu had always been formidable, but now? If he fought hand-to-hand, he'd be unstoppable.

A smirk ghosted across his face.

Good.

He slipped through the village like a ghost, taking down each bandit one by one. A blow to the ribs, a chokehold from behind—every move was quick, efficient, and silent. Each time, his seal activated, draining them dry. By the time they hit the ground, their bodies sagged, snoring like spent batteries.

One by one, the hostages were freed. Some stared in confusion, barely able to comprehend their sudden rescue, but Naruto motioned for silence and guided them to safety.

Only one place remained.

The largest building in the village—the elder's home, now under the bandits' control.

Naruto crouched behind a nearby stall, eyes narrowing as he counted the guards stationed outside.

This one's gonna be tricky.

His fingers curled into a fist.

Good.

He was just getting started.

Wendy and Carla watched in awe as Naruto moved with near-perfect efficiency, striking down each bandit with speed and precision. There was no wasted movement, no hesitation—just pure, calculated skill.

Wendy had a gist of the image of Naruto as someone who relied on brute force and overwhelming power, but this… this was different.

"H-he's fast," Wendy whispered, eyes wide.

"Fast is an understatement," Carla murmured. "He's refined. Every strike, every motion—it's like watching a seasoned assassin."

Naruto continued his silent rampage, dispatching another bandit with a well-placed elbow to the temple. The man collapsed before he even realized what had happened, his body drained of energy as Naruto swiftly tied him up.

Wendy covered her mouth in awe. "Amazing…"

She had come here expecting to observe and learn, but instead, she was witnessing a master at work.

The moon hung high, casting a pale glow over the battered village as Naruto crouched atop the roof of the elder's lot. His breath was steady, eyes locked on the lone figure pacing within the dimly lit courtyard. The bandit leader stood surrounded by the unconscious forms of his men—all drained, their energy siphoned away by Naruto's modified Tetragram Seal.

Wendy and Carla watched from the shadows of a crumbled wall, their breaths hushed as they observed Naruto's poised stillness.

"He's like… a wild animal," Wendy whispered.

"Like a predator to it's prey…" Carla murmured, eyes gleaming. "He's hunting, Wendy. Like a hunter who knows exactly when to strike."

Naruto's mind turned over the sensations he'd felt while incapacitating the bandits. The seal worked similarly to his old Baryon Mode, stripping away essence with every touch. Unlike before, it didn't burn his own lifespan; instead, it leeched the ambient magic, shaving away the enemy's vitality. He didn't expect to see the fruits of his labor already but here he was. Alas it's still a far cry from the real one, after all he hasn't even activated the incomplete faux baryon mode yet, the drain was just an unintended effect of the modified seal that happens to function the same as the real baryon mode.

Across the courtyard, the bandit leader grew restless. His eyes darted toward the shadows as he gripped a jagged, rusted blade.

"They're all gone," the man muttered. "How... how did this happen?"

Naruto adjusted his stance, dropping soundlessly to the ground. His presence was like a whisper on the wind, but instinct screamed at the bandit leader.

The man's head snapped toward Naruto's position. "Who's there?!"

"The guy who just dismantled your entire crew," Naruto answered, stepping into the moonlight with an almost lazy stride. His eyes, however, glinted with hard steel. "You like taking from people who can't fight back, huh? Must feel nice bein' king of a wasteland."

The bandit leader snarled. "Don't get cocky, wizard! I'm not like the rest!"

With a guttural roar, his body shimmered with golden light. Plates of armor materialized over his limbs, covering him in steel as a massive halberd appeared in his grasp.

"Requip magic," Carla murmured from the sidelines. "A versatile combat magic that allows the user to swap equipment in and out of a dimensional storage."

"So he's not bluffing..." Wendy's voice trembled.

The bandit leader swung the halberd, cracking the stone beneath his feet. "You messed with the wrong man!"

Naruto exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah, yeah. Big guy, big weapon... heard it all before."

The bandit lunged. The ground shuddered beneath his charge as he aimed a sweeping strike at Naruto's midsection. Naruto twisted effortlessly, sidestepping the blade by a hair's breadth. The weapon cleaved through a support beam, sending splinters flying.

"Fast!" Wendy gasped.

"But Naruto's faster," Carla responded.

The bandit pivoted, bringing the halberd around for a downward slash. Naruto caught the handle mid-swing with one hand. The seal burned to life beneath his palm; energy surged from the weapon into his grasp. The bandit's muscles trembled as his strength bled away.

"W-what... the hell are you?!"

Naruto's expression darkened. "I'm someone who knows what it's like to have everything stolen," he said, voice low. "Your kind? You don't take just food or goods. You rob people of hope."

With a sharp twist, he ripped the halberd from the man's grasp and slammed a knee into his chest. The bandit collapsed, coughing violently as the draining effect intensified.

"Stealing's easy," Naruto continued, crouching beside the downed man. "But taking… it leaves holes behind. In others, sure... but mostly in yourself."

The bandit wheezed. "Screw... you..."

Naruto sighed, eyes softening with disappointment. With a swift, precise chop to the neck, the bandit leader went limp.

The seal flared once more, sapping the last reserves of the man's magical strength before fading.

Naruto stood and turned toward Wendy and Carla. "All clear."

Wendy emerged, wide-eyed. "That was... incredible," she breathed. "The way you just... knew what he was going to do."

"Instinct," Naruto replied with a shrug. "And experience." His gaze drifted toward the unconscious bandit leader. "Never underestimate desperate people. They're always the most dangerous."

Carla walked around observing the downed leader. "Your magic... it drained his power completely."

Naruto flexed his fingers. "Yeah… didn't know my magic would be that… 'potent'. Don't worry I'll be careful around you." he smiled reassuring them.

As dawn crested the horizon, the villagers crept from their homes to find their tormentors defeated and tied in the village square. Their hope, once stolen, began to spark anew.

Naruto watched from the side, arms crossed. Wendy approached him hesitantly. "Naruto?"

"Can you teach me how to…" She swung her arms in an exaggerated motion, mimicking his precise strikes with comically endearing punches. "Wham, whack, and wham?"

Naruto blinked, then chuckled. The girl's nervousness had melted away, replaced by wide-eyed admiration.

Carla crossed her arms with a huff, though her eyes twinkled with unspoken approval. "Hmph. Don't get carried away, Wendy."

Naruto ruffled Wendy's hair. "Sure. I'll teach you the basics when we get back."

The next morning, the village gathered to thank their rescuers. The elder shook Naruto's hand firmly, eyes glistening with gratitude.

"We don't have much, but please… take this." He handed Naruto a pouch of 10,000 Jewels, along with several bundles of dried meat and preserved fruits.

"We can't take all this," Naruto objected.

"Please," the elder insisted. "Without you three, we wouldn't have survived the winter."

Naruto accepted with a nod. As the trio climbed back into their wagon, Naruto glanced at Wendy, who was already practicing her shadow punches with renewed vigor.

He smiled. "Alright, Wendy. Next stop: training."

The wagon creaked forward, leaving the village with lighter hearts and heavier supplies, the road ahead stretching endlessly beneath the golden sun.

Chapter End