Disclaimer:I don't own Naruto or Drak souls. Any similarities between real people, living or dead, or places, standing or demolished, in this story are just coincidences.

But if you like what I do and want to support me, you are more than welcome to donate on Place of Patrons.

Chapter no.32 To Be a Knight

Naruto's thoughts spun like leaves in a storm, but one clarity pierced the whirlwind in his chest. I need to go back to Lordran.

The idea didn't feel like a choice. It was a pull; cold, quiet, insistent. After Tsunami's words, after what he'd seen, he knew he wouldn't find the answers here. Not yet. The wind brushed across his face as he stepped into the courtyard. Kiba was near the edge of the yard, tossing a stick for Akamaru, who barked with joy as he bounded after it.

"Oh, you're back. Did you get the stuff?"

Naruto handed over the bags without meeting the Inuzuka's eyes. "Yeah. All yours."

"You alright, man?"

Naruto didn't answer right away. "Where's Oscar?"

Kiba pointed a thumb over his shoulder. "Last I saw, he was roasting himself in the fireplace again."

Naruto gave a small nod and moved toward the house. He'd barely taken a step when Kiba called out, quieter this time.

"Hey. If you wanna talk or… y'know, vent or whatever, I'm around."

Naruto snorted. "What, did I punch the sensitivity into you?"

"No," Kiba said, serious for once. "You've got blood on you. And your face… looks like you left something behind."

"Protection duty," Naruto said.

Kiba shrugged. "So, you did your job."

"Yeah. A job."

Without another word, he turned away. "I'm taking Oscar for a walk. Guard duty's all yours."

Kiba gave a casual salute, only half joking, then turned just in time to see Tsunami approaching the house. His grin faded a little, watching the woman's quiet, thoughtful expression.

Inside, Naruto found Oscar nestled deep in the fireplace, coated in soot like a sleeping lump of coal. The little crystal lizard blinked up at him lazily, his normally radiant shell dulled by ash.

Naruto crouched beside the hearth. "You filthy little gremlin," he muttered, though there was fondness in his voice.

Oscar gave a small chirp and tilted his head, his tail curling in the warmth.

"You in there 'cause it's warm?"

Oscar chirped again, content.

With a sigh, Naruto scooped him up. Oscar wriggled in protest but settled as soon as he felt Naruto's familiar hands.

"Alright. Let's get you cleaned up."

The stream near the house was still and shining under the afternoon sun. Naruto knelt at the edge, lowering Oscar into the clear water.

The lizard thrashed instantly, letting out a sharp, offended squeak.

"Come on. Don't be dramatic," Naruto said, splashing water over his back. "You're not made of sugar."

Oscar puffed up indignantly like a tiny balloon, his crystals refracting sunlight in fractured rainbows. He whipped his tail and splashed water directly into Naruto's face.

"Really? That's your payback?"

Oscar sulked, but he stopped struggling. Naruto worked gently, fingers brushing over slick, soot-stained crystal until the little lizard gleamed again.

"There," Naruto said. "See? You're shining like treasure now."

Oscar chirped again, this time in what sounded suspiciously like reluctant agreement.

Wrapped snugly in a towel, Oscar was set down beside him, clean and gleaming like a polished gem.

Naruto sat beside him on the grass and hesitated.

"Hey," he said softly. "We are going back to Lordran again."

Oscar tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly in that weirdly intelligent way.

"Don't be scared, alright?"

Oscar blinked slowly. Then, to Naruto's surprise, he let out a low, content chirp and nudged his hand with his head.

"Thanks, partner."

He pressed two fingers to Oscar's crystal-studded back and focused his chakra. With a faint poof of smoke, the lizard vanished, safely sealed in a scroll now resting in his inventory. Naruto stared at the empty spot beside him for a long moment. Then, in silence, he reached into his coat and pulled out the Darksign.

He didn't hesitate.

The sigil flared to life, and golden light enveloped him, dissolving the world around him in a quiet roar. He was going back. To the place where pain had a voice, and fire had memory. To Lordran. Where answers and dangers waited in the dark.

The crackling warmth of the bonfire greeted Naruto as he opened his eyes. He stood slowly, the weight of the elite knight armor settling comfortably on his frame. The rhythmic sound of Andre's hammer echoed through the air.

Naruto immediately retrieved Oscar from the scroll. The lizard appeared with a puff of smoke and scurried over to the bonfire, nestling close to the flames.

Naruto chuckled, folding the blanket and placing it near the fire. "How do you feel, buddy?"

Oscar chirped in response, clearly pleased to be back near the warmth. "I'll take that as an okay."

After making sure Oscar was comfortable on the folded blanket, Naruto turned and headed toward the closed fortress, finding a figure gazing intently at a glowing green soul drop. This was how Naruto managed to go around the problem of losing his souls, especially since he couldn't waste the ring of sacrifice. He just asked Seigmeyer to protect it.

"Sir Seigmeyer," Naruto called out, his voice lower than usual, burdened. He bowed with quiet respect.

The knight turned, the ever-cheerful lilt in his voice already ringing out. "Mmm… mm! Oh-hoh! My bright-eyed friend from beyond the veil!" He opened his arms with familiar mirth. "What a joy it is to see you again, truly!"

Naruto gave a faint smile but didn't return the warmth.

"Now then, my good squire. What weighs so heavily upon that brow of yours?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Indeed. Heavier than your sword, I'd say."

Naruto hesitated, then began to speak. He told him everything. The Wave. The pickpocket. The gang. The villagers. Tsunami's words. How his code, his path, felt cracked beneath his feet. He didn't hide the guilt. Nor the anger.

Seigmeyer listened without interrupting, arms crossed beneath the rounded bulk of his helmet, his posture patient and quiet. When Naruto finished, the knight did not immediately respond.

"…A heavy tale, that," Seigmeyer said at last, voice subdued. "Tell me, young knight… this 'Wave Country.' Do you hail from it?"

"No," Naruto muttered. "I'm from the Land of Fire. Konoha."

"And yet your heart bled for strangers," Seigmeyer mused."A foreign land, a foreign people… and yet you chose to act. Hah, the mark of a true knight indeed."

"I didn't come here for praise," Naruto snapped, sharper than intended. "I came because I don't know anymore. Tsunami, she said I might've made things worse. That I stirred up danger. And maybe she's right."

Seigmeyer didn't flinch. "Mmm. And did you protect someone?"

"Yes."

"Face down cruelty when none else dared?"

"Yes."

"Then you did what a knight must," Seigmeyer replied. "Even if the world fails to understand it."

"But what if I should've done nothing?" Naruto pressed. "What if all I did was stir the pot and get someone else hurt later?"

Seigmeyer let out a low chuckle, not mocking, but tired. "Ah, yes. The age-old question: the group or the individual. Safety or sacrifice. Action or endurance." He paused. "Let me ask you this: when you strike down a hollow beast that offers no fight, how many souls do you gain?"

Naruto blinked. "Barely any."

"And when you slay something dangerous? Something that fights back?"

"…A lot."

"Therein lies a truth this world does not hide," Seigmeyer said. "What is the value of a soul that kneels and bleeds for survival, but never raises a hand? What worth has a life that endures without ever daring to live?"

Naruto's lips parted, but no words came.

"The people of Wave have been beaten into fear. That woman, Tsunami, she doesn't speak from strategy. She speaks from scars. From losing someone. From watching her world crumble. But what she fails to see is that her silence... feeds the very evil she fears."

Naruto looked away.

"The thief wasn't stealing for greed, was he?"

"No," Naruto said. "He was desperate. He needed food."

"And Gato's men? Would they have punished him with mercy?"

"No. They wanted to make an example of him."

Seigmeyer nodded. "Then evil was already setting fire to the village. You merely chose to pour water where others turned their backs. And she chose to scold you for it. Because you dared to do something that made her feel again. Dared to fight when she had already surrendered."

Naruto's fists clenched at his sides.

"She says your actions stirred danger, but what she fears is the burn, not the blaze. She's already living in ashes. She just can't admit it."

Naruto's voice cracked. "But what if I made it worse? What if someone gets hurt now because of me?"

"Then let me ask: if you'd done nothing, would they not be hurt tomorrow?"

Naruto said nothing.

"Gato doesn't need an excuse to harm," Seigmeyer said. "He does not wait for rebellion. He punishes to remind people of their place. That's how tyrants maintain power... through example, not justice."

The sunlight flickered in Seigmeyer's visor.

"So I say this: what is the value of a soul that cowers and allows itself to be chained? Meager. Pitiful. Small. In this world and in yours, it is those who resist that carry the weight. That earn their place. That shape the world."

Naruto took a slow, shaky breath.

"You acted," Seigmeyer said, his voice steady. "That alone places you above those who chose silence. But do not stop there. A single act is not enough. Be consistent. Be bold."

Naruto looked to the flame. "But… I'm still not sure what the right thing is."

"Then be a knight," Seigmeyer said. "Not because the world is watching, not because you seek to prove a point but because something within you knows it is right. Swing your sword not for glory, not even for justice but to defy the lie that says fear must win."

"And if I'm wrong?" Naruto whispered. "If I fail?"

"Then fail as yourself, not as someone else's echo."

Seigmeyer stepped forward, placing a gauntlet on Naruto's shoulder. "You bind your ideals too tightly to the knight who gave you your code. Oscar is a fine spirit, but he is not your purpose. You are not his shadow. Your path is your own. Your mistakes will be your own. That is what makes you real."

Naruto swallowed, hard. "But... if I walk that path… I might hurt people."

"You will. And when you do, own it. Learn from it. A knight who never falters learns nothing. A knight who never questions becomes a tyrant."

"I… I think I understand now," Naruto said softly.

"Then go," Seigmeyer said, his voice warm again. "Not because you're certain but because you're willing. Walk into the storm. Swing your blade. And if the world asks why… let your soul answer for you."

Naruto bowed low, the weight in his heart beginning to lift. "I will."

The heat of the forge rolled over Naruto like a wave as he stepped into the stone chamber, the rhythmic clang, clang of Andre's hammer ringing out through the hall. Sparks danced in the air as the blacksmith pounded away at a half-forged blade.

"Well, hello again. You seem to be doin' all right. Need anything forged?"

Naruto approached with Oscar tucked in one arm. "I've got something for you to look at," Naruto said. "But first, uh… this is Oscar."

"Mmm? What's this, then? A pet?"

"Yeah. He's… family."

Andre leaned over the anvil and studied the lizard for a moment. "Well, I'll be. That's a crystal lizard, sure as steel. But I've never seen one sit still. Let alone let someone cuddle it."

Naruto chuckled. "He's different. And before you ask, no. You're not melting him down."

"Hah! What do you take me for, lad? A butcher?"

Naruto gave him a wary look. "A merchant once told me how valuable they are to blacksmiths."

"Aye, true enough. Their scales make fine shards. But you can't forge trust with a hammer, can you? Don't worry, your little friend's safe here."

"Good. Anyway, I came about this."

He pulled the Drake Sword from his inventory, setting it on the bench with a dull clunk.

"Hoh… now that's a fine piece. That's a Drake Sword, sure as the day is long." The old man ran a gloved hand along the damaged blade. "But... mm. You've done it a number, haven't you?"

"I might've used the special attack… a lot. And, uh, also tried channeling chakra through it."

"Hrrrm… yes, that'll do it, lad. That'll do it. These ain't no ordinary blades. Weapons like this... dragonborn well, they've got a heart, see? Not the beating kind, but the kind that remembers."

"What does that mean?"

Andre gestured at the blade. "That blast you've been firing? It don't come from nowhere. You're drawing from the sword's essence. Its will. And each time you do… you chip away at it."

Naruto frowned. "So every time I use it, I'm breaking it from the inside out?"

"Aye." Andre nodded solemnly. "Think of it like swingin' your own life force. It's powerful, sure. But no weapon, no matter how grand, can take that forever. Even the strongest steel has its breakin' point."

Naruto sighed. "Can you fix it?"

"Aye, I can. And I've just the trick."

He wiped his hands on his apron and strode to the side of the forge, grabbing a set of empty Estus flasks.

Naruto tilted his head. "What are you doing with those?"

"Goin' to fill them," Andre said matter-of-factly. "Estus'll heal more than just bone and blood, lad. This sword's part dragon, its soul will drink from the fire like you do. Won't restore it to new, mind you, but enough to mend the cracks."

Naruto raised a brow. "Estus works on weapons?"

Andre laughed as he climbed the stairs. "Don't overthink it. Magic's funny like that. You'll go mad tryin' to sort every why and how. Just trust the craft." He stopped at the top of the stairs and looked back. "And don't touch anything while I'm gone. Not unless you want to be wearin' your fingers on your belt."

Naruto held up both hands. "Noted."

As Andre disappeared up the steps, Naruto turned back to Oscar, who was curled happily near the furnace.

"Stay put, buddy. I'll be back in a bit."

Oscar nudged his hand with a warm, soot-smudged nose, then nestled back into the forge's warmth.

Naruto stood, curiosity tugging at him, and made his way down the stone steps that led deeper into the abandoned church.

The air grew cooler, and the light from above barely reached the chamber below. The room was vast and desolate, broken pillars scattered across the floor like the ribs of a long-dead beast. Moss and vines clung to the damaged walls, and faint echoes whispered through the darkness.

In the center of the room, Naruto saw it.

The creature was massive, its body made of jagged, blackened stone. Two crescent-shaped horns jutted from its faceless skull, and it dragged itself across the ground with a grotesque limp, one leg severed long ago. In its hands, it held a massive polearm, its circular blade incomplete, like a broken moon.

Naruto's breath caught as the creature turned, its horns beginning to glow with a sickly yellow light. Sparks crackled between them, and the air became charged with the scent of ozone. His Way of Focality screamed at him to move.

"Crap!"

Naruto channeled wind chakra into his armour to reduce air resistance, leaping back up the stairs just as a bolt of yellow lightning struck the spot where he'd been standing. The impact shattered the stone floor, sending shards of debris flying in every direction.

He stumbled back, his heart pounding in his chest, as Andre appeared at the top of the stairs, holding the Estus flasks.

"Oh, looks like you met the prowling demon."

"Demon?!" Naruto gasped, still catching his breath.

Andre worked methodically, dipping the Drake Sword into a bucket of Estus-infused liquid, the orange glow of the healing concoction reflecting in his eyes.

"Some folks call it the Titanite Demon," Andre said. "Others call it the Prowling Demon. Whatever name you use, it's a damn nuisance."

Naruto kept his helmet on, fingers tightening around the hilt of the Zweihander. "Why is it even down there?"

Andre set the sword down, turning the blade over to inspect his work. "Ah, that's on me, I suppose. The ones who brought me here handed me this strange slab one day... demon titanite, they called it. The stuff's useless for regular smithing, only works on special weapons. But it was radiating some kind of magic, and I didn't want it mucking up my forge, so I tossed it into the ruins below."

Naruto tilted his head. "And then the demon showed up?"

Andre grunted. "Aye. The slab started humming, and before I knew it, the thing burst out of the ground. Destroyed half the bloody pillars down there in the process." He shook his head. "It's been lurking ever since, dangerous as sin. I'm no fighter, so I just leave it be."

Naruto nodded, his mind made up. With a firm tug, he secured the straps on his armor, the sound of steel buckles echoing in the forge.

"You're going to fight it?"

"Yeah," Naruto said. "Give me some practice before I get back and give Gato some justice."

"Well, I won't stop you, but be smart about it, lad. That thing's no ordinary beast."

Naruto turned toward the stairwell, his armored boots clanging against the stone floor as he descended.

"And don't get yourself killed, lad. Neither of us wants to see you go Hollow."

Naruto's footsteps echoed faintly as he entered the ruins below the church.

The smell of ozone hit him like a wave, sharp and acrid, as the air became charged with power. The demon released a deafening roar, though it lacked a mouth. Lightning gathered between its horns, forming into a bolt that screamed toward him with the force of a thunderclap.

"Shit!" Naruto dived behind a crumbling pillar as the lightning bolt struck. The impact detonated with a sound like the heavens splitting apart, sending a shockwave that rattled his armor and knocked loose chunks of stone from the pillar. Even behind cover, the heat and force of the strike made him flinch, his ears ringing.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto channeled wind chakra through his armor, reducing the drag on his movements. He darted out from behind the pillar, moving like a blur as he closed the distance to the demon. His Zweihander gleamed in the torchlight.

The blade struck the demon's torso with a resounding clang, sparks flying from the impact. But the Zweihander bounced back, unable to pierce the stone-like flesh.

The demon responded instantly, pushing off with its single leg and arm in a surprising display of agility. It jumped back, the massive polearm spinning in its grip. With a wide sweep, it sent the weapon whistling through the air, aiming to crush Naruto in one devastating blow.

Naruto leaped back, narrowly avoiding the strike. The polearm smashed into the ground where he'd been standing, pulverizing the stone and sending debris flying. Seeing an opening, Naruto surged forward, aiming a thrust at the demon's exposed side.

But the Way of Focality screamed in his mind, slowing the moment to a crawl. He saw it clearly... the horns glowing brighter, electricity arcing along the polearm as it spun back toward him.

The demon's trap was flawless... a calculated lure, exposing its side just enough to draw him in. The true threat was the lightning bolt, concealed within its feint. With the speed of lightning, the attack was nearly impossible to evade, leaving no room for error.

"Damn it!" Naruto twisted at the last second, angling his body to avoid a direct hit.

The lightning bolt slammed into his shoulder.

Agony erupted through his body, a searing, blinding pain that tore a guttural scream from his throat. His armor buckled under the force, the lightning searing through the metal and flesh alike. Blood splattered the ground as his right shoulder was obliterated, leaving his charred arm dangling by a few shreds of muscle and tendon. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, nauseating and acrid.

Naruto stumbled, his vision swimming, but the demon wasn't finished. It swung the polearm in a backhanded strike, the sheer force of the blow sending him hurtling through the air. He smashed into the church wall with a sickening crunch, the breath knocked from his lungs.

Pain lanced through his body, his chest heaving as he struggled to stand. The demon closed in, dragging its massive weapon behind it. The polearm gleamed with electricity, its jagged edge crackling as it raised the weapon for a finishing blow.

Naruto's instincts took over. Using what little chakra control he had left, he ran up the wall, his feet finding purchase on the crumbling stone. The polearm stabbed into the wall beneath him, the incomplete circular head scraping as the demon tried to catch him.

Naruto flipped forward, the Zweihander in his good hand. The weapon sank into the demon's shoulder, cutting deep enough to crack the stone flesh and expose the glowing energy beneath.

The demon's massive hand grabbed Naruto and yanked him free of the blade. With a violent motion, it hurled him across the room like a ragdoll.

Naruto's body hit a boulder with enough force to splinter the rock, his vision blurring from the impact. He slumped to the ground, blood pooling beneath him as he struggled to catch his breath.

Naruto ducked to the side just as another bolt of lightning screamed past him, the air vibrating with the crackling energy. The bolt slammed into the boulder behind him, shattering it into fragments that flew in all directions. Dust and stone filled the air as Naruto stumbled, reaching for his Estus flask.

With trembling hands, he downed one flask, then another, the golden liquid sliding down his throat like liquid fire. Warmth spread through his body, knitting his destroyed shoulder back together. By the time he drank a third, his shoulder was fully restored, though his body still ached with the memory of the demon's brutal attack.

"Why isn't it chasing me?" Naruto muttered under his breath, crouching low as he peeked around the entrance of the stairwell. His breath caught when he saw the Titanite Demon slowly dragging its massive body up the stairs, its polearm scraping along the stone with an ear-splitting screech.

"You alive down there?" Andre's voice called out.

"Yeah, I'm alive," Naruto yelled back. "But why isn't it coming after me?"

"Who knows? Maybe it doesn't think you're worth the trouble."

Naruto scowled. "Whatever. Is the Drake Sword ready?"

"It's done."

"Then throw it to me!"

"No." Andre's response was blunt and immediate.

"What do you mean, 'no'?!"

"I've got a better idea. Your lizard can bring it to you."

Naruto stared up at the ceiling in disbelief. "Are you insane? Oscar will get killed by that thing!"

"Don't worry," Andre replied. "It'll dig its way to you."

Before Naruto could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed above. His jaw dropped as Andre, massive hammer in hand, leapt down the stairwell, landing with enough force to crack the stone floor beneath him.

"Old man, what are you doing?!" Naruto yelled.

The blacksmith didn't answer. Instead, Andre charged the titanite demon head-on, his massive frame moving with a speed and grace that seemed almost unnatural. As the demon's horns crackled with energy, a bolt of lightning erupted toward him with a deafening roar.

Andre shifted his weight to the side in one fluid motion, his body weaving just out of the bolt's path. The air around him sizzled, the ground where he'd stood moments before erupting into charred stone and smoke.

Is he... dodging lightning?!

The titanite demon snarled, dragging its polearm along the stone as it unleashed another strike. Andre ducked low, his head snapping to the side as the bolt tore through the air where it would've struck his chest. He bobbed and weaved, his movements so smooth and precise that it seemed as if he was dancing around the deathly strikes.

The demon screeched in frustration, slamming its weapon into the ground, sending sparks cascading in all directions. But Andre, calm and focused, slipped around the attack with the ease of a seasoned fighter who had seen it all.

Naruto's awe deepened as he watched the blacksmith's feet shuffle quickly, keeping his stance balanced and ready for the next move. His thick arms were loose at his sides, his fists clenched and ready as if preparing to strike. Andre wasn't just dodging—he was toying with the titanite demon, closing in and drawing its focus with every step.

"Come on, you lumbering beast," Andre taunted. Another bolt arced toward him, and with a sharp pivot, Andre avoided it by a hair's breadth. "That's all you've got? You hit like a rusty nail!"

While the demon roared and continued its relentless assault, Oscar scurried through the chaos. The crystal lizard darted into a hole Andre had smashed into the floor, its small form expertly maneuvering through the broken stone. Naruto could hear the faint scrabble of claws as Oscar made his way toward him, unharmed and determined.

Andre, satisfied that Oscar was clear, gave the demon one last dodge—a clean sidestep that made it look foolishly slow—before retreating back toward the stairs. He didn't even look winded, his steps steady and casual.

"Guess I'm not as out of shape as I thought," Andre said with a chuckle, giving Naruto a quick wave as he climbed the stairs, his hammer resting on his shoulder like an afterthought. "Good luck down there, lad."

Naruto shook his head in amazement, muttering to himself, "Not a fighter, that was such a lie."

The boy exhaled deeply, finally taking a moment to absorb his surroundings. The titanite demon, thankfully, had retreated back to its original position, its movements slow and disinterested now that Andre had left.

The ruins of the old church stretched out before him, but beyond the broken walls lay something else entirely.

The air here was different. Thick with moisture, it smelled of moss, damp earth, and faintly sweet flowers. The ground was a carpet of vibrant green moss, dotted with ferns that swayed gently in an unseen breeze. Tall trees loomed overhead, their ancient trunks twisting toward the sky like reaching arms. Their dense canopies allowed only slivers of moonlight to filter through, creating an otherworldly interplay of shadow and glow.

Moss-covered stones jutted from the earth, some forming crude pathways that led deeper into the garden.

One flower, in particular, caught Naruto's attention.

Nestled among the moss and shadows was a small, delicate bloom. Its slender stem swayed faintly, supporting a cluster of petals that shimmered softly, as though lit from within.

The petals were a pale, translucent white, tinged at the edges with soft hues of gold. They seemed to drink in the surrounding darkness, casting a gentle light on the damp earth around it.

The orange soapstone at his waist began to hum faintly, and words etched themselves onto the stone's surface:

[ ?? :Follow the shining flowers. ]

Before Naruto could dwell on the message, the sound of water splashing reached his ears. Then, something shot out of the darkness.

A vine, thick and sinewy, lashed toward him like a striking serpent. It coiled around his neck in an instant, the force of it snapping his head back. Naruto's hands flew up, clawing at the vine as it tightened, cutting off his air.

The next thing he knew, he was being dragged. The world spun as he was pulled off his feet, the mossy ground scraping against his armor as he was yanked into the shadows. The splashing sound grew louder.

Naruto managed to free one hand, his fingers sparking with wind chakra. With a desperate slash, he severed the vine around his neck, falling to the ground with a heavy thud.

He gasped for air, his lungs burning as he staggered to his feet.

In the dim light, the creature emerged—its body a twisted mass of dark, gnarled branches and tangled vines. Damp moss clung to its jagged limbs, and sharp twigs jutted out at chaotic angles. Its uneven legs dragged like broken tree trunks, and its head, a misshapen cluster of branches, loomed eerily above.

"Sometimes," Naruto muttered, raising his Zweihander, "I really hate this place."

The creature lunged.

Naruto gritted his teeth, his breath ragged as he tightened his grip on the Zweihander. Fighting this thing was maddening. Each time he swung, the creature dissolved into the shadows of the dense forest, its vine-like limbs whipping out from unseen angles. The vines lashed at the ground on either side of him, gouging deep grooves into the dirt, their speed and power enough to keep him constantly on edge.

The thing was tough, too—its sinewy, plant-like body absorbed blows that would have cleaved through stone. As one of its vines shot toward his neck, Naruto sidestepped, twisting his body to avoid the strike. The vine coiled around his Zweihander instead, and Naruto seized the opportunity. He pulled with all his might, dragging the creature forward and into his range. With a roar, he brought the massive blade down in a devastating arc, the steel biting deep and cleaving off the top portion of its humanoid form.

Naruto barely had a moment to catch his breath before the creature's remains began to writhe. Vines and bushes flailed like thrashing serpents, the severed parts moving as though alive. He stumbled back, quickly equipping the talisman into his palm and unleashing the Force Miracle. A burst of white energy exploded outward, shoving the creature's writhing mass away and buying him a precious few seconds.

Suddenly, a hole began forming in the dirt behind him. A small shower of earth erupted as Oscar, his crystal lizard companion, clawed his way through the ground, dragging the drake sword tied to his tail. The lizard chirped triumphantly as he emerged, his tiny claws kicking up more dirt with each movement.

Naruto let out a breath of relief. "Good job, buddy," he said, snatching up the drake sword. Its weight felt comforting in his hands, a promise of power.

But there was no time to celebrate. The legs were retreating deeper into the forest. The sound of splashing water echoed through the trees as it fled.

"Oh, no, you don't," Naruto growled, taking off after it.

The forest path sloped downward, the moss underfoot growing slick with moisture. The creature's gnarled legs stumbled forward in an awkward gait, but Naruto was faster. Closing the distance, he swung the drake sword in a wide arc, bisecting the creature's legs. The severed limbs tumbled to the ground, but instead of blood, they dissolved into a writhing mass of foliage, their forms unraveling into a tangle of vines and bushes.

"What are you?" Naruto muttered, his brow furrowed. He glanced around, expecting a soul drop to materialize, but there was nothing.

His thoughts were interrupted by a change in the air. A chill wind swept through the area, carrying the scent of damp earth and faintly sweet flowers. The trees began to thin, and Naruto stepped out onto a narrow, windswept cliffside.

Before him stretched a breathtaking yet ominous view. The jagged cliffs fell away into a swirling abyss of fog, the mist rolling like waves on an unseen sea. Small clusters of glowing flowers dotted the cliffside, their gentle light illuminating the rocky path ahead. Beyond the fog, Naruto could just make out the faint silhouette of a bridge-like structure spanning a deep chasm. Above it loomed the shadow of something enormous, a creature with broad, fluttering wings. It hovered silently, its form indistinct, like a ghost haunting the horizon.

Wow...

But his wonder was short-lived.

A sharp whoosh cut through the air as a vine shot out of the fog. Naruto barely had time to react, hacking at the vine with a desperate swing of the drake sword. He severed one tendril, but another wrapped around his waist, yanking him forward.

The monster burst from the mist, its "mouth" parting as though bushes were peeling away to reveal a writhing abyss of inky darkness. Naruto's instincts screamed at him to act, and he reached into his pouch, pulling out a firebomb.

"Eat this!" he snarled, shoving the bomb into the creature's maw.

The explosion was instantaneous. Flames erupted from the creature's head, setting its vines ablaze. The force of the blast freed Naruto, sending him sprawling onto the rocky path.

Gasping for air, he scrambled to his feet, ready to press the attack, but the sound of hissing stopped him cold.

From the darkness, another figure emerged. It was identical to the first, its twisted, plant-like body shrouded in shadow.

Naruto realized the horrifying truth. The first creature had faked its death, retreating to lure him into a trap.

The monsters flanked him, their vine-like limbs writhing in anticipation. Way of Focality slowed the world around him as he analyzed their movements, his mind racing for a solution.

The creatures attacked simultaneously, their vines slicing through the air with deadly precision. Naruto grabbed Oscar, rolling to the side just as the vines struck the ground, carving deep gashes into the stone.

He backed up onto a small rise, the glowing flowers casting their pale light on the scene. The creatures advanced, their steps slow and deliberate. Naruto's foot brushed against the edge of the cliff, and he felt the ground shift beneath him.

Suddenly, the dirt gave way, and he fell.

For a terrifying moment, he thought he was plunging into the abyss, but his feet hit solid ground. He looked around, realizing the cliff's edge had hidden a narrow path carved into the rock face. It wound alongside the chasm, leading back upward.

Naruto allowed himself a brief moment of relief, but it didn't last long.

The creatures leapt down after him, landing with a sickening thud. Their glowing eyes locked onto him, and their vines lashed against the narrow walls, sending small rocks tumbling into the fog below.

Naruto gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The path was too narrow for the drake sword's special attack. It would destroy his only footing.

Fine, then. A simpler plan.

Naruto turned and ran, his boots pounding against the uneven path. He glanced over his shoulder, the creatures in close pursuit. "I'll throw you both off this cliff," he muttered. "And then I'll go back for that titanite demon."

Naruto's breaths came fast and heavy as he ran down the narrow, uneven path. His boots scraped against loose dirt and jagged rocks, but he didn't falter.

"Oscar, I need you for this!"

The path ahead widened into a more open clearing, just enough space to make his next move.

Naruto reached into his pouch, pulling out a smoke bomb. With a flick of his wrist, he threw it toward the ground between him and the approaching bush-like monsters. The bomb hit the dirt with a soft thud before detonating, unleashing a dense cloud of smoke that mingled with the mist of the Darkroot Basin. The two forces of vapor coiled and twisted together, creating an eerie, swirling shroud that consumed the space.

The ents, confused by the sudden obscurity, hesitated. They lashed their vine-like limbs blindly, the sharp crack of their strikes echoing in the dense air. They felt the ground rumble beneath them, a faint vibration growing stronger as Oscar burst from the earth. The crystal lizard slammed into one of the creature's legs, throwing it slightly off balance.

Naruto didn't waste the opportunity. With the smoke still thick around him, he charged forward, his movements swift and precise. The first ent barely had time to react before Naruto leapt into the air, twisting his body mid-jump. He unleashed a devastating tornado kick, the full force of his momentum slamming into the ent's chest. The creature staggered back, vines writhing desperately, before it tumbled off the cliff's edge. Its twisting body disappeared into the foggy abyss below.

The smoke began to dissipate, revealing the second ent advancing through the haze, its twisted frame illuminated by the faint glow of the nearby flowers. Naruto didn't hesitate. He drew a kunai and hurled it with practiced precision. The blade embedded itself into the creature's body, carrying with it a firebomb strapped to the handle.

The explosion was immediate. Flames engulfed the ent, the fire spreading quickly across its plant-like form. It thrashed violently, pieces of burning foliage scattering in all directions.

As the last flickers of fire died out, Naruto approached cautiously. He knelt beside the remains, absorbing the soul drop that materialized from the creature. In the center of the charred foliage, something caught his eye: a Purple Moss Clump.

The moss was unlike anything he'd seen before. Its texture was thick and spongy, the deep purple color shimmering faintly in the dim light. Tiny dew-like droplets clung to its surface, giving it an almost ethereal quality. He reached down and picked it up, examining it for a moment before tucking it into his pouch.

Turning back to the path, Naruto called out, "Oscar, let's head back!"

There was no response.

Naruto frowned, scanning the area. "Oscar?" he called again, his voice tinged with concern.

He walked forward, the path widening as it twisted downward. His gaze drifted beyond the chasm of the valley, where the fog thinned just enough to reveal a distant structure. It was massive, a sprawling fortress-city perched on jagged cliffs. Its stone walls were ancient and weathered, yet imposing, even shrouded in mist. The bridge connecting it to the mainland was unmistakable—the place where he fought the Taurus Demon.

I really did cross a lot of ground...

A sudden scurrying sound pulled his attention back to the path. He turned to see a crystal lizard darting away, its shimmering body glinting faintly in the dim light. Naruto ran forward, quickly scooping up the small creature.

"Oscar, what's gotten into you?" he asked, holding the lizard up and inspecting it. The little creature squirmed in his grasp, clearly agitated. "Did you get hurt or something?"

Naruto flipped the lizard over to check for injuries but froze mid-motion. His eyes widened as Ayame's voice echoed in his mind, reminding him how to tell if a lizard was male or female.

"WHY ARE YOU... a WOMAN?!"

Realization hit him like a brick.

"Wait... if you're not Oscar, then where the hell is he?!"

His heart raced as he scanned the area, his eyes finally landing on a twisted path leading down into the darker parts of the garden. And then he saw it: vines wrapped around a familiar, squirming figure.

"Oscar!" Naruto yelled, his voice echoing in the stillness.

The crystal lizard clawed desperately at the cliffside, its small legs struggling against the ent's relentless grip. Naruto didn't hesitate. He threw a kunai, slicing through the vines, and sprinted forward. As the ent recoiled, Naruto leapt, his drake sword glowing with wind chakra.

"Get away from him!"

The drake sword's special attack tore through the ent with a violent roar, the sheer force of the wind-charged blade carving a devastating arc. The impact didn't stop there—the ground beneath the creature erupted, the dirt and rock exploding outward like shrapnel from a cannon. The path itself trembled under the attack, leaving a jagged, gaping wound in the cliffside where the ent had stood moments before.

Naruto stabbed the drake sword into the cliffside, steadying himself as he reached out and caught Oscar with his free hand. The lizard clung to his arm, trembling slightly.

"You okay, buddy?"

Oscar chirped softly, his gaze drifting downward. Naruto followed his line of sight to the ruined path below.

Maybe I overdid it.

He placed his boot firmly on the rocky ledge, chakra seeping into the jagged stone to hold his weight as he began his descent. Oscar chirped softly from his arms, the crystal lizard's small claws flexing against Naruto's gauntlet. "I know, buddy. I want to absorb its soul too. After all the trouble that thing caused us, it's the least we deserve."

Oscar chirped again.

"Better safe than sorry, though," Naruto said, pulling out an Estus Flask. He tipped the warm golden liquid into Oscar's open mouth.

Carefully lowering himself further, he reached the base of the cliff and approached the soul drop, its pale luminescence pulsing gently like a heartbeat.

But his eyes were soon drawn to another sight—just beyond the remains of the ent lay a weathered corpse.

Naruto crouched beside the corpse, his fingers brushing against the leather armor. He recognized the design immediately—this was the equipment of the hunter class.

A memory stirred, unbidden: the strange, ethereal void where he had first chosen his pyromancer class.

His fingers tapped the chest plate of his elite knight armor as a stray thought crept into his mind. If I'd chosen the hunter class instead... would I have woken up here? On this ledge? He shook his head, trying to push the idea away. The notion that his physical body hadn't crossed over, but something closer to his soul, was unsettling. But at the same time... it felt oddly plausible.

"Nah," Naruto muttered. "I'm just overthinking it. Let's do some looting."

[ You have acquired: ]

[ Pharis's Hat ]

[ Leather Armor ]

[ Leather Gloves ]

[ Leather Boots ]

[ Longbow ]

[ Feather Arrows × 16 ]

Naruto dropped down into the basin, the cool, mist-laden air brushing against his face as his boots hit the ground with a soft thud.

In the distance, a tower loomed against the backdrop of the fog. Naruto paused mid-step, narrowing his eyes as the shape struck a chord of familiarity.

"Wait a second..." Naruto muttered, leaning forward, the binoculars in his hand rising instinctively. Through the haze, the outline of the tower came into sharper focus. "Is that... the weird tower with the locked door? The one from before I fought the Taurus Demon?"

Oscar chirped from his perch on Naruto's shoulder.

"Yeah," Naruto murmured, nodding, "it's the same one. The place where I found you."

He took a step forward, the sound of a distant waterfall growing louder with each passing moment. Around him, the basin opened into a wide, mist-filled expanse. Sparse trees dotted the rocky terrain. The mist swirled and danced in the air, partially obscuring the view of the massive basin beyond.

Oscar chirped again, shifting uneasily as the sound of rushing water grew deafening.

"Don't worry, buddy," Naruto said, giving him a reassuring pat. "I'm just going to check out that tower. Nothing to be scared of."

Naruto jogged toward the looming structure, its weathered stone walls shrouded in a faint blue glow. The door stood tall and imposing, just as he remembered it, its surface marked with intricate carvings that seemed to hum faintly with energy.

"Let's see if this thing finally opens."

The moment his hand touched the door, a shimmering wave of blue light rippled outward, sending a faint jolt up his arm. Naruto winced and stepped back as the barrier flared briefly before settling into an ominous glow.

"Stronger than before," he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. He tried channeling chakra into his hand, but the barrier instantly rejected his attempts. Even the shadow clone distance trick had failed last time he tried it, as the barrier killed the clone before it could fully form.

"What is it with this place and locking every door?" Naruto grumbled, stepping back to glare at the tower as if that might change its mind.

Oscar chirped, drawing his attention. The crystal lizard had turned his head toward the misty expanse of the basin, its body tense.

"What is it, Oscar?"

The sound of the waterfall grew louder, almost thunderous, as Naruto pulled out his binoculars. He scanned the distant lake beyond the mist, his eyes widening as he saw it.

There, rising from the still waters, was a creature unlike anything he'd ever seen.

The hydra loomed like a nightmare given form. Its seven long necks writhed and twisted like serpents, each ending in a monstrous head. Gaping mouths filled with uneven, razor-sharp fangs dripped with saliva, and glowing eyes burned with malevolent intelligence. Its massive, scaly body glistened like wet obsidian, dwarfing anything Naruto had encountered before.

And it was staring straight at him.

The hydra's middle head opened its maw, a guttural roar echoing across the basin. Naruto's blood turned to ice. Nope. Nope, nope, nope. We're not dealing with that.

Without warning, the heads spit powerful water projectiles, each one slicing through the mist like a drill. The ground behind Naruto erupted as the first blast landed, tearing through dirt and stone and sending chunks of earth flying into the air. The shockwave sent Naruto tumbling forward. He rolled with the momentum, pushing himself back to his feet as another projectile whistled past him, narrowly missing his side.

"I think we're fine sticking to the titanite demon, thanks!" Naruto yelled, his voice tinged with panic as he pushed himself faster, zigzagging to avoid the onslaught.

Reaching the slope leading back to the upper basin, Naruto vaulted onto higher ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He glanced over his shoulder, but the hydra had retreated into the misty waters, its glowing eyes barely visible.

Oscar chirped softly, and Naruto laughed despite the lingering adrenaline. "Yeah, we're definitely not fighting that thing today."

As he made his way back toward the church, Naruto caught sight of the area where he'd first encountered the female crystal lizard. He smirked, glancing at Oscar. "You interested in a girlfriend, buddy?"

Oscar tilted his head in confusion, chirping in response. Naruto scanned the area but found no sign of her.

"Looks like she took off," he said, chuckling. "Tough luck, Oscar. Maybe you'll find her again someday."

Oscar chirped again, and Naruto gave him a playful pat before turning back to the path.

The ascent back to the church was uneventful, though Naruto couldn't shake the image of the hydra's massive form from his mind. As he climbed the final slope, the familiar figure of the titanite demon came into view, its hulking back still turned to him.

"Well, back to this guy," Naruto muttered, tightening his grip on the drake sword. He glanced down at Oscar, who chirped softly in response. "No rest for the wicked, huh?"

Naruto tightened his grip on the drake sword, wind chakra swirling violently along its blade.

With a mighty swing, he brought the sword down, releasing a devastating arc of razor-sharp wind. The attack tore through the crumbling floor and shattered what remained of the church's staircase, slicing through debris before slamming into the titanite demon. The explosion of dust and debris momentarily obscured the hulking figure. But before Naruto could move to follow up, something shot out of the smoke with terrifying speed. The demon's catching pole struck like a serpent, the pronged head locking around his torso with a resounding clank.

"What?!" Naruto's breath was knocked from his lungs as he was yanked into the air. The titanite demon held him aloft, its horns crackling with ominous electricity. The air was thick with the acrid smell of ozone as the creature unleashed its attack.

A surge of raw lightning coursed through Naruto's body. He screamed, his muscles seizing as his nerves lit up with unbearable pain. His limbs felt like they were on fire, his vision blurred with spots of white, and the world around him dissolved into a haze of agony. His grip faltered, and the drake sword slipped from his hand, clattering to the ground.

Oscar, watching his friend suffer, sprang into action. The little crystal lizard darted toward the fallen blade, biting down on its hilt with surprising determination. The weight of the weapon nearly dragged him down, but Oscar dug his claws into the ground and jerked his head forward, dragging the drake sword into position.

With one final effort, Oscar tilted the blade just enough to activate its special attack. A powerful shockwave erupted from the blade, slicing through the air and slamming into the titanite demon's body. The shockwave was enough to stagger the beast, causing it to lurch forward and release its electric discharge on Naruto momentarily.

Gasping for air, Naruto struggled to regain his senses. His body felt sluggish, his nerves still raw from the electricity. His muscles ached with every movement, as if his entire body had been scorched from the inside out.

"Just like Kakashi taught you," he muttered through gritted teeth, recalling the fundamentals of escaping bindings. Focus. Push your chakra outward to loosen the hold.

Focusing his dwindling energy, Naruto channeled wind chakra through his body, letting it ripple out like a sharp gust. The chakra shredded the demon's catching pole in a burst of whirling air, the metallic prongs crumbling like brittle twigs.

Freed, Naruto dropped to the ground but wasted no time. With a fierce roar, he surged forward, chakra enhancing the gauntlet on his hand as he aimed for the demon's neck. Summoning every ounce of strength in his body, Naruto slammed his hand into the thick, stone-like slab of the titanite demon's head. The impact sent a deafening crack echoing through the chamber. His muscles, enhanced with chakra, bulged under the strain as he pulled upward with the force of a landslide.

"Flip the table Jutsu!" he shouted, adrenaline coursing through him as he tore through the titanite demon's neck. The slab crumbled beneath his gauntlet, and the beast let out a guttural, inhuman sound before its entire body began to disintegrate. Chunks of its stony frame collapsed inward, turning into dark sand that spilled across the floor. Naruto landed heavily in the pile of crumbled remains, breathing hard as pain wracked his battered body. His shoulders burned from the strain, and his armor was cracked and scorched.

[ You have killed hostile Enemy - Prowling Demon ]
[ Dropped Items ]
[ - 2000 Souls ]
[ - Demon Titanite ]

Oscar scampered over, chirping in concern as Naruto reached down to pat his head.

"Thanks for the backup, buddy," Naruto said, his voice hoarse as he reached for an Estus Flask. He gulped down the golden liquid, feeling its soothing warmth spread through his body as his injuries began to heal.

As the pain receded, Naruto turned his attention to the demon titanite lying among the remains. The slab was heavy and rough, covered in strange symbols that glowed faintly. Grabbing the titanite with a grunt, Naruto dragged it up the stairs and back to Andre's workshop. His boots scraped against the stone, and his breathing was heavy as he finally reached the blacksmith.

"Good work out there, lad. You're still in one piece."

Naruto dropped the titanite on the floor with a loud thud before removing his battered armor and setting the drake sword on the workbench.

"Fix it," he said simply, his exhaustion evident.

Andre nodded.

Naruto trudged toward the bonfire, collapsing onto the ground next to its warm glow. Oscar chirped softly, curling up beside him as the boy stared into the flames.

[ Item: Demon Titanite]
[ Description: Special titanite stolen from a faceless stone beast known as a Titanite Demon. When the nameless blacksmith deity passed, from several Slabs, great beasts arose. The power of titanite remains within them, and they still roam Lordran today.]

Naruto hummed quietly to himself as he tucked the demon titanite into his inventory, its faint glow vanishing behind the system's golden shimmer. He descended the worn stone steps to Andre's workshop, the rhythmic clanging of the blacksmith's hammer echoing like a steady heartbeat through the hollow walls.

Andre stood hunched over the anvil, working a red-hot pauldron with short, practiced strikes. The scent of scorched leather and burnt oil clung to the air like smoke.

Naruto dropped into the nearby chair with a sigh. "Hey."

"Mmm. That elite knight armor of yours took a beating, lad. Did you roll through a bloody avalanche?"

"Ran into some weird plant monsters that tried to strangle me."

"Ah... the ents," Andre muttered, turning the pauldron with long-handled tongs and giving it another few precise hammer blows. "Nasty things, those. Some say the gods made 'em to guard the deep woods. Others reckon they're remnants of Oolacile's twisted magic. Me? I think they're angry shrubbery with no manners."

Naruto chuckled. "Whatever they are, they don't go down easy."

"That's the Darkroot Garden for you," Andre said, setting the metal aside and reaching for a battered cuirass. "Beyond that lies the basin. Dark, quiet... too quiet. No one who's gone down there ever climbed back up with their mind still whole."

"Yeah... lucky me," Naruto muttered, gaze dropping to Oscar, who chirped and climbed onto his boot.

"You've got somethin' rattling around in that head of yours, lad."

Naruto hesitated. His fingers ran gently along Oscar's back, over the smooth, shining ridges of crystal. "I just... I feel dumb. For not knowing what's coming. For knowing I'm not strong enough if it does come."

Andre didn't stop his work, now inspecting Naruto's greaves for fractures. "Aye, well, you're not the same lad who went charging at that titanite demon without a plan. That counts for something."

Naruto gave a quiet sigh. "I think I might have to fight someone soon. Someone I can't beat. Not with this." He raised his cursed hand, twitching slightly from the residual ache.

"Then it's time you learned how to lean on your steel."

He reached into a pouch on his belt and tossed something toward Naruto.

[ Item: Titanite Shard. ]

[ Description: Titanite shard for weapon reinforcement. Most common titanite material. Reinforces standard weapons to +5. Titanite shards are fragments of the Legendary Slabs. Titanite is etched into weapons to reinforce. ]

Naruto picked it up and turned it over in his palm, eyes narrowing at the etched, weathered surface. "You want me to reinforce my weapon."

"Aye," Andre said, already reaching for Naruto's Zweihander and laying it across the long stone bench. "You either make yourself strong, or you make your weapon stronger. That's the way of it. So… which'll it be?"

Naruto glanced at his cursed arm, at the thin scars now glowing faintly beneath the skin. "For now… the weapon."

"Hah. Smart lad." Andre pulled a whetstone from a drawer and began methodically cleaning the blade. "There are two types of reinforcing. The first is reinforcement... basic, dependable. Strengthens the blade. Makes it last longer, bite harder. Any blacksmith worth his beard can do it."

"And the second?"

"Ascension," Andre said, pulling a file and beginning to work along the spine of the sword. "That's the fine art. Changes what the blade is, not just what it does. Fire, lightning, chaos, magic. That's the territory of we smiths. A grindstone won't help you there."

Naruto watched intently as Andre finished smoothing the surface of the Zweihander, wiping away the last traces of soot and ash with a cloth. The old blacksmith then retrieved a small metal plate from beside the forge, thick, rectangular, and already heated to a dull red.

"Right," Andre muttered, holding up the titanite shard between his fingers. "First step's separation."

He set the shard on the plate and, with a small tapping hammer and chisel, began scoring along its edges. Each strike was precise, splitting the titanite into smaller fragments, thin slivers that shimmered like veins of obsidian. Once satisfied, Andre set the chisel aside and picked up a small Estus flask.

"Now for the bonding…"

He poured a single golden stream from the flask across the metal plate, the liquid sizzling on contact. Instead of evaporating, the Estus clung to the shard slivers like a living thing, binding them with molten fire. The plate glowed brighter, the edges humming faintly with ethereal energy as the titanite began to soften, not melt, but yield. With careful precision, Andre lifted one of the glowing, softened slivers with blacksmith tongs and placed it against the fuller of the Zweihander. Then, holding a graver in one hand, he began etching a channel along the groove, pressing the softened titanite deep into the steel. The sword sparked violently, rejecting the foreign material at first.

"Stubborn girl," Andre muttered.

He tipped the flask once more. A few more drops of Estus flowed into the etched groove, and with a low, vibrating hum, the titanite fused... threads of black metal knitting into the steel like veins being drawn into bone. The fusion spread down the blade in a slow pulse of golden light. When the light faded, a thin black line, subtly glowing where the Estus had been used, now ran cleanly down the center of the Zweihander.

Andre stepped back, wiping his brow. "There. Reinforced with etched titanite and sealed with Estus. She'll bite deeper now and last longer too."

Naruto was immediately reminded of Seigmeyer's Zweihander as he ran a thumb along the center of his own.

"Hey, Andre," Naruto asked. "Does the Zweihander turn black as you reinforce it more?"

"Aye, that it does. The more titanite you fuse into it, the darker it grows. It's not just metal anymore... it becomes somethin' else." He turned fully now, wiping soot from his beard. "Reinforce it five times, lad, and you'll be ready for ascension. That's when a sword stops being a weapon… and starts becoming a legacy."

"Any way to reinforce the Drake Sword too?"

Andre scratched his jaw. "Mmm. Not with what I've got here. You'd need dragon scales… or something worse. I don't exactly stock things born before the gods, y'know."

Naruto sighed, turning the Zweihander over in his hands. "Whatever. This one's more than enough. It'll cut Gato down. And his whole gang, too."

Andre chuckled. "Well, do what you Astoran knights always do, thennannounce it like it's divine law, eh?"

That drew a crooked smile from Naruto. "You've met knights from Astora before?"

Andre let out a soft grunt as he stood. "I was smith to a noble house once. Long time ago. Squires used to gather outside the forge, bangin' on their bloody chestplates and yellin' their precepts like I was deaf." He gave a short laugh and shook his head. "Tried to get under my skin. Didn't work but they were good lads."

Naruto's smile lingered as a question tugged at him. "Why do masters give precepts to their squires anyway?"

Andre leaned against the anvil, hands resting on the haft of his hammer. "They're not just rules, lad. They're… declarations. A foundation. The words a knight offers before he gives you his blade. They're meant to guide, give shape to what you'll become. But they're not the full story."

Naruto looked down at Oscar, who rested beside the forge, his crystals catching the flicker of flame. "My master gave me a few… and I held onto them like they were everything. But now I don't know. Like I missed the point."

Andre's expression softened. "Honoring your master ain't about bein' his echo. It's not about followin' his words so close that you forget your own. It's about actin'. Livin'. Testin' those precepts against the world… and finding out which ones hold."

Naruto blinked, and Andre continued.

"You don't pay tribute to a man like Oscar by bein' his shadow. You honor him by carryin' the flame forward. Maybe you'll burn somethin'. Maybe you'll light the way. But either way, you've got to walk your own road."

Naruto was quiet, his fingers curling around the hilt of his blade. The tears didn't fall this time. But they were there, in the wetness lining his eyes, in the tremble of his breath. "Thanks, Andre. I… think I needed to hear that."

Andre nodded solemnly. "Then we've done good work today."

Naruto stared down at his reflection in the sword. "I still don't know the answers."

"You're not meant to," Andre replied. "Answers don't live in books or scrolls. They live in choices. Go make some."

Naruto stood slowly, slinging the Zweihander across his back. "I'm going back. I've got a job to finish. Doesn't matter if Zabuza comes. I can't die anyway."

Andre narrowed his eyes. "What d'you mean?"

"I'm not from here. Not really. It's… complicated." Naruto glanced at Oscar as he sealed the lizard. "Do me a favor?"

"If it involves scrubbin' your armor again, the answer's no."

Naruto gave a tired smile. "Keep my soul drop safe."

"Your what now?"

Before Andre could react, Naruto turned the blade inward and thrust it into his chest. There was no scream. Just a thunk of steel meeting flesh… and a soft gasp.

Naruto collapsed to the ground, his body dissolving into motes of light. A moment later, a soft green glow shimmered where the body had been... a small, flickering soul drop.

Andre knelt, slowly and carefully, and picked it up. The light flickered in the dark like a quiet ember. He stared at it, his brow furrowed. "Another world," he murmured. "Another bloody world." Andre chuckled. "…Huh. I wonder what kind of booze they sell over there."