Giggles echoed through the dark forest, and Naruto couldn't help but laugh louder, aware of how ridiculous he must have looked—alone and laughing under the moonlit trees. But none of that mattered—not tonight. Because after countless failed attempts and frustrations, he'd finally done it: he'd made a stupid clone that actually worked.

He stared at the figure before him, barely containing his excitement. It was a perfect mirror image: those three distinctive whisker-like lines on each cheek that marked him as... well, him, gave it a somewhat feral look. His spiky, bright yellow hair seemed to almost glow in the dim light, and those blue eyes of his... they were just as vivid on his clone. Dressed in his signature bright orange jacket with blue shoulders and the white fur collar, it wore the exact mesh armor undershirt and blue open-toed sandals.

"It's perfect," he whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Great, with this I can become a genin," he began, only to be cut off by his own clone, "I'll take my first step into becoming Hokage."

Naruto blinked, taken aback. Since when did clones talk back? This was new.

He tentatively poked it, half-expecting his hand to pass through an illusion, as had happened so many times in class when he'd walk through the clones just to annoy everyone. But not this time. His finger met solid flesh.

"My clone is solid... and can talk," he concluded, a wide Cheshire grin spreading across his face. "You know what that means, right?"

The clone nodded, seemingly as excited as he was.

"My clone jutsu is better than everyone else's."

That thought alone filled Naruto with a deep, satisfying pride. He watched, intrigued and a bit confused, as his clone moved towards the forbidden scroll of seals—a large, ominous-looking scroll with dark green highlights, nearly as tall as him.

"What are you doing?" Naruto asked, even though the answer was probably as clear as the night sky above them.

"We have some time before Mizuki-sensei comes. Let's learn another jutsu," it suggested, its voice eerily similar to his.

"Let's do it!"

Naruto's initial excitement to dive into some epic jutsu from the forbidden scroll crashed hard against the reality of these stupid lines—seals, complicated ones, way beyond the simple tricks he used for his pranks. They weaved through the parchment like some complex web designed to keep him out.

As his clone diligently spread the scroll across the forest floor, he struggled with the urge to tell it that it was useless. Those seals were a lock he couldn't pick. But just as he was about to give up hope, the entire scroll unfurled, revealing its secrets layer by layer.

"It's like an onion," the clone muttered, and Naruto couldn't help but agree. The scroll, once fully opened, displayed not just one, but multiple layered seals. There was an individual seal on each section of the scroll and a massive one overarching everything. A spark of recognition flickered through his mind—it was a storage seal. He didn't fully understand the mechanics, but he knew enough: this seal could store things, kind of like a pocket, and you just needed to pump chakra into it to work it.

Considering the size of this seal, it would probably take a ton of chakra. But chakra was something Naruto never seemed to run out of. He recalled how his classmates, even Sasuke, that show-off, would be panting and dragging after using just a handful of sealing scrolls. Sasuke could manage twenty-four at his best, while most others couldn't handle more than six. Him? He could laugh his way through a hundred of those scrolls without breaking a sweat.

So, standing there with his clone beside him, both of them staring down at this massive, intricate seal, a reckless grin spread across his face. "Well, it looks like it's just a matter of chakra," he said, more to himself than to the clone. "And if there's one thing I've got plenty of, it's that."

"Let's open this up and see what cool item is inside."

He and his clone placed their hands on the center of the seal, ready to channel their chakra into it. It felt like inserting a key into a lock, turning it, and waiting for the tumblers to fall into place.

As they pushed their chakra into the seal, Naruto could feel the familiar surge from the pit of his stomach, traveling up through his arms. It was a sensation that had become almost second nature to him—this flowing, pulsing energy that was the source of all his abilities. But this time, something was different. The seal didn't just accept his chakra; it pulled on it, greedily drawing more and more.

The drain was intense, more forceful than anything he'd ever experienced. His clone, unable to sustain itself, dissipated in a puff of smoke. A sharp pain shot through him as he struggled to maintain the flow of chakra, the strain overwhelming. For the first time, he truly felt what chakra exhaustion was like. It clawed at him, sapping his strength and leaving him gasping for breath.

Then, as abruptly as it had begun, the pulling stopped. The seal had taken what it needed, and with a final greedy gulp, it opened. A thick puff of smoke erupted from the scroll, and Naruto collapsed onto the ground, his body hitting the dirt hard. Lying there, every breath was a battle. The forest around him spun slightly, the trees blurring into dark smears against the night sky.

Pain throbbed through his limbs, and his head felt like it was stuffed with wool. He was drained—more drained than he had ever been in all his pranks or training sessions. This was a new frontier of weakness for him, and as he lay there, trying to regain even a shred of energy, he realized just how much he had underestimated the power of that seal. The cool earth beneath him was a minor comfort to his overheated skin, and he closed his eyes, focusing on just drawing breath after ragged breath, trying to center himself and recover from the ordeal.

The thing that really ticked Naruto off was that after all that effort, after all the chakra he poured into that seal, it opened to absolutely nothing.

"Bastard seal, you took my chakra, now give me your secrets!" he shouted at the scroll as he quickly sat up, furiously brushing the dirt off his clothes. As his chakra started trickling back, he couldn't help but think about his classmates who always complained about chakra exhaustion. Guess their recovery speed isn't as great as the great Naruto Uzumaki.

That thought briefly cooled his anger, giving him a moment of smug satisfaction. But it only lasted a second before he went back to glaring at the seal.

He didn't expect what happened next, though.

The phenomenon unfolding before Naruto was mesmerizing. At first glance, it appeared as a flow of fire, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that this was not ordinary flame—it was chakra, tinged with a vibrant orange hue that radiated a palpable heat. The chakra spiraled upward, weaving and dancing like a living entity, its movements graceful yet charged with energy. As it ascended, it began to coalesce into a ring, floating serenely above the seal.

This ring of chakra was not just a simple circle; it pulsed with life, expanding and contracting rhythmically as if breathing. The edges of the ring shimmered with a lighter orange, almost golden, creating a stark contrast against the darker core. The entire spectacle emitted a soft, warm glow that illuminated the surrounding area, casting dancing shadows and painting everything in hues of fiery orange.

It was like watching the sun itself being forged.

Drawn to it instinctively, like a moth to a flame, his hand reached out slowly. The moment his finger touched the ring of fire, there was a massive flash of light that blinded him.

Suddenly, everything went dark.

Naruto found himself in complete darkness, and he didn't like that at all. Not that he was scared of the dark—he'd spent plenty of time alone at night—but this was different. He was confused.

Where am I? Is this a dream? Did I get knocked out? What was that ring of fire?

So many questions swirled in his head, and as usual in his life, for all his questions, he was only met with the silence of the dark.

As Naruto walked through the enveloping darkness, it felt less like a forest and more like he was stumbling around inside a vast, unlit room. "I'm pretty sure Ayame would be terrified of this place," he muttered to himself, half-trying to crack a joke to ease his own creeping nerves. Even as he walked, his steps seemed to make no difference; he couldn't tell if he had moved an inch.

"Jiji, are you there?" His voice echoed slightly, a lonely sound in the thick darkness. "Is this some kind of punishment for knocking you out with the sexy jutsu? I'm sorry." He pinched his ears, a gesture of contrition, though it felt silly doing it alone in the dark. But the silence that followed was disheartening, pressing in around him with an almost physical weight.

"Is anyone there?!" His voice cracked, a weak, trembling sound that he hardly recognized as his own. He was scared, more scared than he liked to admit, more scared than he ever wanted anyone to see.

Just as the unease was about to overwhelm him, something lit up the darkness. Naruto flinched hard, his heart leaping into his throat as a sudden light burst through the blackness. His eyes, adjusted to the dark, squinted painfully against the brightness, and he instinctively threw his arms up to shield his face.

The light was stark, harsh, cutting through the shadows like a knife as Naruto saw it—ten rings of fire arrayed before him, their flames flickering with the same intensity as the fire he'd brushed against just before stumbling into this strange place.

Curious, he approached one of the rings, and as he did, it expanded. Blinking in astonishment, he saw a figure that looked like him—or a clone of him—but decked out in a way he had never seen before. He wore armor, complete with a chest plate, shoulder guards, and gauntlets, all forged from what looked like steel. In his right hand, he held a sword, a classic straight blade that gleamed with a sharp edge. Naruto had always dreamed of wielding a sword. In his left hand, he carried a shield, rounded and made of reinforced metal.

"This is so cool," he muttered under his breath, his eyes wide with wonder, yet confused about why the ring of fire was showing him this illusion.

"Do I get the cool sword if I touch it?" he asked aloud, half-expecting an answer, but the silence that followed was answer enough.

Pausing, Naruto turned to survey the other nine remaining rings, a spark of curiosity igniting within him. Just then, a scroll unfurled in front of him, looking like ancient parchment. The words etched upon it read:

Warrior Class: Weapon Expert. High strength, dexterity.

He glanced back at his armored self, piecing it together in his head.

"I think I get it now, dattebayo!" he exclaimed, excitement bubbling up. "If I touch you, I get to be a weapon expert and be super strong and…" he stumbled over the next word, "dex-something." He didn't know what dexterity meant, but the promise of high strength was more than enough to capture his interest.

Naruto, however, moved toward the nine remaining classes, each step fueled by the thrilling possibility of discovering what other strengths and skills he might gain from these mysterious rings of fire.

Next up was the knight class. The scroll declared it as: "Low ranking knight, high HP, solid armor. Not easily toppled."

This illusion wore much more metal than the warrior—practically encased in steel. Naruto scratched his head, wondering, "What the hell is a knight?"

But not finding an answer in the silent flickers of flame, he shrugged and moved on to the next class.

Wanderer: Wields scimitar, High dexterity.

This time, the figure he decided to call by their class name—Wanderer Naruto—was clad in dark leather armor with a hood, very different from the flashy metal of the knight. He held a curved sword, which Naruto guessed was the scimitar. His shield, bizarrely, looked like a bowl of ramen.

Naruto snorted at the sight.

Dressed in these dark, emo-ish clothes, he looked way too much like that teme, Sasuke. "At least if I pick this class, I could use the shield as a ramen bowl," he mused, a smirk playing on his lips.

Then came the thief class—described as: "High critical hits, Has master key."

Thief Naruto was armed with a dagger, only slightly bigger than a kunai, and carried a shield that was laughably small compared to the others. Frankly, he wasn't impressed by this class at all, though he was a bit curious about what this master key could do.

Next in line was the bandit class—tagged as: "High strength. Wields heavy battle axe."

Glancing at the muscular figure before him, Naruto couldn't help but joke to the empty air, "Do I get that body if I choose this class?"

He wasn't exactly scrawny, but Bandit Naruto was on another level of muscular—frankly, his bicep was bigger than both of his arms combined!

He eyed the illusion up and down. The armor ensemble included a chainmail hauberk that covered the torso, hanging slightly below the waist for added protection. Over the chainmail, Bandit Naruto wore a leather belt that cinched the loose fabric of his tunic, which fell in rugged layers. Metal pauldrons shielded his shoulders and upper arms, while his lower body was clad in padded fabric trousers tucked into heavy leather boots. To complete his battle-ready appearance, he held a shield adorned with a distinctive spider emblem and a single-headed axe that looked incredibly dangerous.

Naruto was seriously tempted to select this one. The cool shield, the menacing axe, and those muscles… he couldn't deny the appeal. He could almost picture it: Sakura-chan seeing him like this and immediately forgetting all about that emo, Sasuke. The thought made him giggle.

With a reluctant sigh, Naruto pulled himself away from the bandit's enticing offer.

There were still more classes to check out, and he couldn't make up his mind just yet.

As the next ring of fire revealed itself, the hunter class appeared—Bow-wielding hunter, decent at close range but weak with magic.

The illusion before Naruto was dressed in leather-padded armor, holding a bow and arrow, with a quiver full of green-dyed arrows slung across his back.

"Wait, weak to magic?" he muttered, scratching his head. He was more curious about what that meant than the actual class. Magic? In his world? The idea sparked a flurry of questions, but before he could dwell on them, the next class appeared.

Sorcerer of Vinheim Dragon School. Casts soul sorceries.

The illusion that materialized almost made Naruto's excitement crash and burn—Sorcerer Naruto looked, well, like a nerd, especially with that ridiculous hat and those drab clothes. It wasn't that he was mad, just… disappointed. The class description sounded so cool—Dragon school?! Soul Sorceries?!—like something straight out of a fantasy. Does that mean free ninjutsu for him?

"Let's just move to the next," he sighed, feeling a bit heartbroken, though the idea of soul sorceries and a dragon school kept replaying in his mind. He couldn't shake off the images: Dragon school? If I choose this, does it mean I go back to school but get taught by flying lizards?

Next in line was the pyromancer class—labeled as "Swamp pyromancer. Casts fire spells and wields a hand axe."

The illusion, Pyromancer Naruto, clutched a wooden shield in one hand and an axe in the other. He was built pretty solidly, though not as muscular as Bandit Naruto had been. His attire consisted of padded armor and a weird greenish hood that was frayed at the edges.

"You look homeless," Naruto remarked to the illusion, who, predictably, didn't respond. His eyes were drawn to the detail about casting fire spells.

Now, that caught his interest.

He still remembered the day he caught Sasuke training with those damn fireballs. Despite himself, Naruto had to admit, Sasuke's fire jutsu were awesome. And here he was, never taught anything so cool back in the academy.

Then came the cleric class—described as "Cleric on Pilgrimage. Wields a mace and casts healing miracles."

Naruto glanced at Cleric Naruto.

The illusion was… bald.

"Nope. Not going bald."

The last class was something called deprived—labeled "Unclothed enigma. Only armed with a club and old plank shield."

"Gaaa!" Naruto yelped, shutting his eyes tight as soon as he saw Deprived Naruto. The illusion was nearly naked, clad only in a loincloth, holding a club and what looked like part of a broken fence rather than a proper shield.

He quickly stepped back, shaking his head vigorously.

There was absolutely no way he wanted to see himself like that, ever.

"What the hell were the last two classes? Bald and naked?" he grumbled to himself, a frown creasing his forehead as he surveyed the ten rings of fire again.

Naruto didn't need to agonize over this decision for too long.

It boiled down to two exciting options: Bandit class, which looked absolutely awesome, or Pyromancer, because the idea of flinging fire jutsu just to one-up Sasuke had its own appeal.

"My fireball is going to be better," he mumbled to himself, even though he had no clue what specific fire jutsu he'd get.

It didn't matter. The thought of showing Sasuke up was too good to pass up.

"What should I choose?"

The choice gnawed at him. Choices, choices… He pursed his lips, deciding to resolve it with a little rhyme, something to cut through the indecision.

"Which one should I choose?

Just as the Hokage says,

Clones go pop pop pop,

Bombs blast boom boom boom,

Throwing kunai whoosh whoosh whoosh, You lose!"

He had his eyes closed, letting his hand hover and move back and forth above the two options. He could almost hear the flickering flames urging him to decide. When he finally stopped and opened his eyes, they landed on Pyromancer.

A big, goofy grin spread across his face as he placed his hand firmly on the Pyromancer class.

The ring of fire before him flickered in response, acknowledging his choice.

"I can't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when they see my awesome fire jutsu."

A flash of light exploded around Naruto, more intense than anything he'd ever seen. He braced himself, anticipating the familiar scents and sights of the forest to greet him. But when the light dimmed and his eyes adjusted, he realized he was nowhere near home. This place was alien, and the air was thick with a foul stench that hit him like a physical force.

He almost gagged, pinching his nose to shield himself from the overwhelming odor. The source, he discovered with a grimace, was close by—a dead rat, its body bloated and decaying, lay near an old bucket that seemed to have been repurposed as a makeshift toilet. The sight was revolting, and the smell made his eyes water.

He had seen many unpleasant things in his short life, but this was a new level of disgusting.

Turning away, Naruto took in the rest of his surroundings, hoping for a less nauseating view. However, the dungeon that held him was no better. The walls were damp and covered in a thick coat of moss that crawled up from the ground and merged into the shadowy arches of the ceiling. These stone walls told stories of neglect and decay, and the air felt heavy, moist, and cold against his skin.

Dim light trickled in through cracks in the ceiling, casting an eerie glow that barely illuminated the dungeon. Each ray of light seemed to struggle to penetrate the gloom, highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air but doing little to warm the chill that had settled deep in his bones. Directly in front of him, an old, rusted metal door stood as the only barrier between him and the unknown. Faint torchlight seeped through the edges, painting a line of gold on the floor that seemed both inviting and mocking.

I don't think I'm in Konoha anymore, he whispered to himself.

As Naruto tried to stand, a harsh clinking sound echoed in the small space, and he looked down to see chains around his ankles. He was not only trapped in this dungeon; he was a prisoner, literally chained to the ground. Dressed in the pyromancer clothes from the vision in the fire rings, he felt a surreal connection to a choice that seemed made in another lifetime.

How? But more importantly, why am I chained up?

The questions circled in his mind like vultures. Is this my punishment for stealing the scroll? he wondered, though the thought seemed ridiculous the more he considered it. The Hokage wouldn't condemn me to such a fate. Jiji's not that harsh…right? Doubt crept in, but he shoved it aside. This has to be something else, some reason.

Sitting back down, Naruto forced himself to look away from the dead rat and the revolting bucket, focusing instead on the damp, mossy stones and the slivers of light.

As he sat there, trying to collect himself, a line of woodlice started crawling toward the rat corpse, their tiny bodies inching along the damp dungeon floor. Where's a fire jutsu when you need it? The idea of using a fireball to incinerate the swarm seemed increasingly appealing, if only to save himself from the creeping disgust.

He paused, looking down at the pyromancer clothes he'd chosen in that ring of fire. Wait, I should have gotten a fire jutsu, right? I got the clothes… He frowned, realizing he was missing the axe and shield that should have come with the outfit. Weird.

Choosing to ignore that for the moment, Naruto jerked his hands toward the advancing bugs and screamed, "Fireball!" Nothing happened. Not a spark, not a flicker of flame—nothing but the echo of his own voice in the cold, stone chamber.

He blinked, staring at his palm as if it had betrayed him.

Where's my fireball?! How can I one-up that emo bastard now? How can I change my status?

The moment the word status left his mouth, something unexpected happened. A screen appeared in front of him—a black and gold screen that shimmered slightly in the dim light. It looked like something out of those magazines about new technology from the Land of Snow, something called a video game. He'd never seen one in person, but this screen right in front of him reminded him of those descriptions.

He stared at it.

How did saying 'status' summon this thing? What even is this screen?

Maybe this screen could help him figure out where his fire jutsu was, or even better, how to get out of these chains and this dungeon.

His heart pounded as he reached out tentatively toward the screen, half-expecting it to vanish like a mirage. But it stayed, solid and glowing softly in the dark.

"Okay, let's see what you can do."

[ Name: Naruto Uzumaki ]

- [ Covenant: None ]

- [ Level: 1 ]

- [ Souls: 0 ]

[ Attributes: ]

- [ Vitality: 10 ]

- [ Attunement: 12 ]

- [ Endurance: 11 ]

- [ Strength: 12 ]

- [ Dexterity: 9 ]

- [ Resistance: 12 ]

- [ Intelligence: 10 ]

- [ Faith: 8 ]

- [ Humanity: 0 ]

[ Stats: ]

- [ HP: 573 / 573 ]

- [ Stamina: 93 ]

- [ Equip Load: 8.0 / 51.0 ]

[ Weapon Stats: ]

- [ R Weapon 1: 20 ]

- [ R Weapon 2: 20 ]

- [ L Weapon 1: 20 ]

- [ L Weapon 2: 20 ]

[ Defense: ]

- [ Physical Defense: 73 (20) ]

- [ VS Strike: 78 ]

- [ VS Slash: 73 ]

- [ VS Thrust: 73 ]

- [ Magic Defense: 73 (13) ]

- [ Flame Defense: 99 (21) ]

- [ Lightning Defense: 59 (16) ]

[ Resistances: ]

- [ Poise: 0 ]

- [ Bleed Resist: 104 ]

- [ Poison Resist: 194 ]

- [ Curse Resist: 35 ]

[ Miscellaneous: ]

- [ Item Discovery: 100 ]

- [ Attunement Slots: 2 ]

[ Attunement Slot 1: Fireball × 8 ]

[ Attunement Slot 2: Empty ]

Naruto blinked in confusion as he stared at the numbers and terms on the screen, not understanding what any of it meant. But his eyes locked onto the one familiar word—fireball—listed under something called an "attunement slot."

Okay, so I have a fireball, but how do I use it?

He tapped on the screen, hoping for some additional info to pop up, but nothing happened. Just as he was about to give up and try something else, the entire room filled with a blinding light. He squinted upwards, shielding his eyes, and as his vision adjusted, he saw him—a knight, armored in a patchwork of gleaming steel and worn leather that fit him like a second skin. His helm, a sculpted piece of metal with narrow slits for eyes, hid his face, but the set of his jaw was unmistakable—this guy meant business. He rested one gauntleted hand on the pommel of his longsword, and in his other hand, he held a shield emblazoned with a golden lion.

"Hey, who are you?" Naruto called out, his voice echoing slightly in the dungeon.

"Oh, you haven't gone full hollow?" the knight asked, his voice filled with surprise.

"What does that mean?" Naruto shot back, but before the knight could explain, he threw down what looked like a corpse at Naruto's feet.

The blonde jumped back, his heart racing. The corpse's skin was pallid and sagging, its eyes hollow and lifeless, and it wore tattered clothes that hung off its frame like rags.

"Hey, weirdo! What's the big idea, huh?" Naruto yelled, his anger flaring up as much as his fear. The knight, unfazed, pointed toward a key hanging from the belt of the corpse.

A key? Yatta, I can finally go free. Oh, Jiji owes me a lot of ramen for making me go through this shit.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, the entire room began to shake violently, dust and small pebbles raining down from the ceiling. It felt like something massive was moving above them, threatening to bring the whole place down.

The knight quickly moved away from the hole in the ceiling through which a sliver of sunlight had been shining. Glancing up, Naruto saw something huge nearly blocking out the light, its massive silhouette ominous and foreboding.

He needs my help! Naruto thought instantly. Without another moment's hesitation, he summoned his shadow clones.

"Let's go."

With a nod to his clone, Naruto motioned for it to run and leap. As it reached him, he clasped his palms together, using them as a step. Channeling chakra into his muscles to enhance his strength, he propelled the clone upwards with all the force he could muster, launching it toward the hole in the ceiling.

"Come on, you guys do the same," he called out to the other clones, watching them replicate the maneuver, helping each other reach the roof. His attention then snapped to the key lying near the chains—a large, rusted piece with a bulky circular handle, its surface marred by dried blood. He grimaced as he picked it up.

He hurriedly unlocked the chains binding him, the metal clinking loudly in the quiet of the dungeon. Once free, he wondered what to do with the key, ultimately deciding to shove it into his pocket. But as soon as he did, the weight of it vanished. Puzzled, he tapped his pocket and even pulled it inside out—nothing.

Where did it go? he muttered, scanning the ground to see if he had dropped it, when a deep, thunderous roar echoed through the dungeon, cutting through his thoughts. The sound was monstrous, full of rage and pain, vibrating through the very walls.

"I'll find the key later, dattebayo."

Naruto sprinted toward his clone, the rapid drumming of his footsteps echoed in the otherwise silent chamber. The clone was ready, hands clasped tightly together, forming a makeshift step. With precision, he planted his right foot into the cupped hands, feeling the push-off as the clone boosted him upwards with a powerful thrust.

The world around him blurred into a whirl of stone and shadow as he was launched into the air. The force of the ascent was intense, rocketing him upward so fast that his stomach flipped with the suddenness of it all. He could feel every muscle tense as he cut through the air, his focus entirely on the small patch of light growing rapidly larger as he approached the hole in the ceiling.

Wind whipped past his ears, a loud whooshing sound that filled the brief flight. For those few seconds, there was nothing but the rush of ascent, the physical reality of moving through space with such speed. It was exhilarating and disorienting, a burst of adrenaline that sharpened his senses and heightened his awareness.

Naruto had done this kind of thing enough times to know how to land without losing his bearings.

With a quick pull, he hauled himself up and onto solid ceiling, landing in a crouch. The rush of the climb didn't throw him off; he was used to this, the sudden shifts in movement, the need to adapt quickly. This was a ninja's bread and butter.

But he didn't have time to take in his surroundings. His gaze was fixed on the thing standing in front of him. Whatever he'd expected when he rushed up here to help the knight, it sure as hell wasn't this.

Towering above him, the creature was a monstrous sight, its skin a grotesque patchwork of bulging, mottled flesh, each fold glistening with a slick, oily sheen. The bloated mass of its body seemed ready to burst, its limbs so twisted and swollen they looked barely capable of supporting its immense weight. From its head, a horrific face leered down at him, crowned with a chaotic tangle of horns that jutted upwards like the gnarled branches of a dead tree. Its eyes burned with a sinister, red glow, full of malevolence. In its gargantuan hand, it held a massive club—more like a weaponized tree trunk—studded with spikes and wrapped in ragged strips of leather. It looked like it was built to crush everything in its path, bone and spirit alike.

Naruto gulped, his throat suddenly dry. This thing was bigger than his entire house back in Konoha.

Every ounce of bravado he usually had evaporated. He found himself rooted to the spot, frozen in a way he'd never been before. He'd fought bullies, sparred in training, faced off against other students. But this—this was different. This was real danger. This was life and death. And for all the big talk he usually spewed, he was terrified. The thought of that monster's club smashing down on him, splintering him into pieces… He couldn't move, couldn't think, couldn't breathe.

It's going to kill me.

Then, in a blur of motion, the knight slid between the creature's massive legs, his longsword flashing like silver lightning. He struck hard, the blade slicing into the demon's thick, fleshy calf. Dark blood spurted out, a sickening spray that hit the ground with a wet splatter. The creature let out a deafening roar, stumbling backward as it swung its club wildly, its movements erratic and pained.

Naruto could still feel the fear gripping him, but it wasn't the same all-consuming terror from moments before. Seeing the knight's blade bite into that grotesque mass, watching the demon flinch and stagger… it shattered the image of an unstoppable monster in his mind. This thing could be hurt. It wasn't invincible. His fear didn't vanish, but it shifted, becoming something else, something more manageable.

He could still feel his heart hammering against his ribs, still sense the sweat slicking his palms, but he wasn't frozen anymore. This wasn't just some nightmare he was helpless against. He wasn't helpless. The demon was big, terrifying, but it could bleed. And if it could bleed, it could be beaten.

[ Name: Asylum Demon ]

[ HP: 2,000 / 2,195 ]

Naruto blinked as the window of information flashed in front of him, barely having time to process what it said before the world slowed to a crawl. The Asylum Demon was moving, its massive arm raised high, preparing for a devastating backswing. He could see every muscle in its grotesque form tense as it wound up for the strike, the knight standing there, completely exposed.

It all happened in slow motion—the demon's arm pulling back, its massive weapon glinting in the light as it swung. Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline flooding his veins as he watched the knight stand unguarded, no time to react. No! his mind screamed, but before he could even move, there was a puff of smoke, and the knight was gone. In his place, one of Naruto's shadow clones appeared via substitution jutsu, taking the full brunt of the swing.

The demon's attack was so powerful that the shockwave nearly knocked Naruto off the ceiling, the wind whipping violently past him as he struggled to stay grounded. His clone was obliterated instantly, turning into a puff of smoke, dispersing into nothingness. Huh? the knight muttered, clearly confused about what had just happened.

Naruto didn't wait.

His voice rang out, sharp and full of urgency as he shouted to his clones, "Get that fucker!"

Without hesitation, they rushed the demon, attacking with everything they had. Meanwhile, the knight stood there, looking more confused than ever.

"Come on, let's get out of here!" Naruto grabbed his gauntlet, pulling him along as they jumped into the hole together. Channeling chakra to his legs, he braced for the impact, softening the fall so that neither of them would be shattered by the drop. He landed with a thud, but thanks to the chakra, his legs held firm.

The knight, still in shock, stared at Naruto like he'd just seen the impossible. Meanwhile, Naruto scrambled to find the key, his hands moving frantically across the floor.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to find the key! We need to get out of here before that thing—" He didn't finish. The wind roared as the demon swung again, and Naruto grabbed his head, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of memories flooding back from his clones. He didn't even know that was possible, but in an instant, he saw everything—none of his clones had even scratched the demon. It had wiped them all out with ease, each one vanishing into smoke with a single swing.

"Don't worry," the knight said, his voice strangely calm. "The demon won't come into the asylum."

"What?" Naruto looked up, his heart hammering as he followed the knight's gaze. The demon's massive form loomed above the hole, its eye staring down at them. For a moment, sheer terror gripped Naruto. He couldn't move. It felt like those eyes could swallow him whole, like the weight of its gaze alone could crush him.

But, like the knight said, the demon didn't move. It stared for a moment longer, then slowly turned and lumbered away. Naruto was still trembling, his breath shaky, his mind trying to catch up with everything that had just happened.

"Are you okay?" the knight asked, his voice cutting through the haze of thoughts racing in Naruto's head. He took a deep breath and forced a wide grin onto his face, masking the storm of confusion that had taken hold of him.

"Of course! You think a measly demon can scare the great Naruto Uzumaki?"

"Naruto Uzumaki," the knight repeated, sounding out the name like he was testing how it felt on his tongue.

"Yep, that's me! And I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage in Konoha," Naruto added, puffing out his chest. But the moment the words left his mouth, he noticed the knight tilt his head slightly.

"You are a strange one, aren't you?" the knight said.

"Well, this strange one just saved your life, dattebayo!" Naruto shot back, crossing his arms.

The knight chuckled, the sound almost warm despite the grim surroundings, and he stretched out his hand. "That you did. My name's Oscar, Knight of Astora. Pleased to meet you."

"You're not from Konoha?" Naruto asked as he grabbed Oscar's hand and shook it. His grip was firm but not crushing.

"I'm not aware of this Konoha you speak of. I am a proud elite knight of Astora, here on my pilgrimage to Lordran."

Lordran? Astora? None of it made any sense. Naruto blinked, trying to process the words, but it was like trying to read a scroll in a language he'd never even seen before. His mind reeled, every question he had piling up on top of each other like a mountain he couldn't climb.

How did I get here? What happened to Konoha? Where is this place?!

He could feel panic rising inside him, but somehow, he didn't let it show. That was new. Usually, his emotions were right there for everyone to see, no filter. But this time, the chaos inside him stayed bottled up. Even he was surprised by how calm he seemed on the outside.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," Naruto lied, though the word felt hollow even as it left his mouth.

"Then why are you still shaking my hand?"

Naruto blinked and realized with a start that he hadn't let go of Oscar's hand. His face flushed with embarrassment, and he quickly pulled his hand back, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Sorry, I just...," he stammered, scrambling for words, the weight of everything he didn't understand pressing down on him. But instead of spiraling, he quickly switched gears. "Where's the key?"

Changing the topic was easier than confronting the questions pounding in his head. He'd figure it out later. Right now, he just needed to focus on getting out of here.

Naruto paused, his eyes flicking back to the glowing system window that floated in front of him. Curiosity gnawed at him, a thought bubbling up from the back of his mind. "I wonder..." he whispered, barely audible even to himself. "Item."

To his shock, the command worked.

[ Inventory ]

— [ Consumables ]

— [ Upgrade Materials ]

— [ Key Items ]

— [ Spells ]

— [ Weapons ]

— [ Ammunition ]

— [ Armour ]

— [ Rings ]

Naruto selected Key Items and clicked on the Dungeon Cell Key.

In an instant, the key materialized in his pocket, as if he had summoned it from thin air. He felt it for a second, still marveling at how this weird system responded to his words. Without another word, he held it up for Oscar to see.

Oscar didn't say anything, but his face showed clear surprise. Naruto could tell the knight had no idea how he'd just done that, and frankly, he didn't either.

"Come on, let's get out of here," he said as he unlocked the rusted metal gate and pushed it open with a creak.

As soon as the door opened, the hall stretched out before him, and he froze. The dungeon was massive, its walls arching into the ceiling like the ribs of some ancient, long-dead beast. Prison cells lined the walls, each one filled with broken metal bars that looked as if they had been wrenched apart by sheer force. Torches flickered along the corridor, casting eerie shadows that danced across the stone floor.

But what really caught Naruto's attention were the figures shambling in the distance. They weren't human—at least, not anymore. Their flesh was peeling away, leaving patches of raw, red meat exposed. Some had barely any skin left at all, their bodies twisted and grotesque. They clutched broken sword hilts in their decaying hands, their eyes hollow and lifeless. The only thing they wore were tattered loincloths, their forms hunched and pitiful.

"What... what are these?" Naruto muttered under his breath, the sight sending a chill down his spine.

"Hollows," Oscar said as he stepped forward, gripping his longsword with both hands. The blade gleamed faintly in the torchlight.

"Hollows?"

"An undead that has lost its purpose."

Naruto stared at the creatures, his mind racing. An undead that had lost its purpose… something about that hit hard, though he couldn't explain why. Shaking the thought away, he glanced at Oscar's sword, an idea forming in his head.

"Can I... um, maybe use your sword?"

"Why?" Oscar asked, not unkindly, but curious.

"I've never used a sword before and…"

Oscar cut Naruto off. "Very well," he said, handing over the longsword.

"Huh, you agreed that easily?"

"Of course. You saved my life," Oscar said with a nod. "And I think teaching you some basic sword skills would be a fair way to repay my debt."

Naruto grinned despite the tension hanging in the air.

"Really? Alright! Let's do this, dattebyo!" he said, gripping the sword, feeling its weight in his hands.

Oscar glanced at the hollows, who stood idle, almost as if they were waiting.

"They are docile hollow," he said, eyeing them carefully. "Perfect test subjects."

Naruto's face lit up like a firework. No one had ever really bothered to teach him anything when he asked. The academy teachers mostly ignored him or brushed him off. But here was Oscar, actually taking the time to show him how to wield a sword.

He felt... grateful. Really grateful.

"This is the Astoria Straight Sword."

Naruto grabbed it, feeling the cold metal grip in his hand. It was heavier than he expected, the weight almost pulling his arm down. He tried to adjust, gripping it tighter, but the sword felt awkward, almost like it didn't belong in his hand. The blade seemed to resist every motion, like he was trying to force it to move in ways it wasn't meant to. The hilt was firm and sturdy, but as he shifted his grip, the sword wobbled slightly in his hand, revealing just how inexperienced he was with it.

"So, what kind of special move are you going to teach me?" Naruto asked, doing a couple of wild swings. They were sloppy, and he knew it. The sword felt too heavy, too clumsy, and the way he swung it only made it more obvious that he'd never held one in his life. He could barely keep it steady as he brought it around.

"I remember when I was younger, I had the same thoughts. Trying to master some amazing sword technique that looked flashy."

Naruto paused, listening closely. Oscar wasn't like the teachers back at the academy. He wasn't lecturing him or making him feel stupid. He actually wanted to teach him, and Naruto wasn't going to waste that. He promised himself he would take this seriously, to repay Oscar for the time he was giving him.

"But life on the battlefield has taught me something important," Oscar continued. "The basics of a weapon are more valuable than any fancy technique."

He raised two fingers in front of Naruto. "Let me teach you two basic techniques that will keep you safe. These apply to any weapon you might use."

Naruto nodded, trying to lock in every word. Two techniques. Got it.

"The first," Oscar said, lifting his sword with one hand, "is the weak attack." He stepped forward and swung horizontally in a swift, clean motion that seemed effortless. The blade moved in a direct line, cutting through the air with precision. "A weak attack uses one hand for a quicker strike. The goal is speed and efficiency—getting the blade to your opponent before they can react. You want to minimize the distance between you and the target, striking quickly and recovering just as fast."

Naruto watched closely as Oscar demonstrated, noticing how he kept his movements compact. His stance was solid, and he didn't waste energy.

"A weak attack isn't about power," Oscar added. "It's about speed, control, and keeping yourself ready for whatever comes next."

Naruto nodded, trying to absorb the lesson. Speed, not strength. That made sense, especially for him. He wasn't exactly the biggest guy around, but he could be fast.

Then, Oscar shifted his stance, this time gripping the sword with both hands. "Now, the strong attack."

He brought the sword up high and drove it down in a powerful vertical strike, his whole body behind the motion. The blade sliced through the air with force, and Naruto could feel the weight of the swing even from where he stood.

"A strong attack requires more strength and endurance," Oscar explained. "You commit more of your body to the swing, using both hands for maximum impact. The goal is to deal significant damage, to break through defenses. It's slower, but the power behind it makes it difficult for an opponent to block or counter."

He alternated between stabs and upward swings, showing Naruto how to use the full range of motion with a strong attack.

"The key to a strong attack," Oscar said, "is timing. You need to know when to use it. It leaves you open, but if timed correctly, it can end a fight quickly."

"You think I'll be able to do this?" Naruto asked, staring nervously at the hollows.

"Of course," Oscar said, his voice steady and confident. The way he spoke, like he genuinely believed in Naruto, sent a jolt of determination through his chest. If Oscar thought he could do it, then he was going to give it his best shot.

He took a deep breath, gripping the sword tightly in his hand. "Okay, weak attack," he muttered to himself, stepping forward. He swung at the first hollow, aiming for a quick, precise strike just like Oscar had shown him, but he misjudged the distance. The sword barely grazed the hollow's side, the swing off-balance and sloppy. He nearly tripped over his own feet, his heart pounding as he stumbled backward, expecting the hollow to lunge at him.

But it didn't move, just stood there, swaying slightly. Naruto gulped, the near-miss making his stomach twist.

"Failure is part of learning, young Naruto. Don't let it define you—learn from it and do better."

"Yeah," Naruto whispered to himself, taking another deep breath. He stepped forward again, raising the sword and focusing on the hollow in front of him. This time, he swung with more control, keeping his movements compact. The blade connected solidly, cutting into the hollow's side with a quick, clean motion.

"Good," Oscar said, his tone approving. "Remember, keep your stance steady and use your body to guide the sword, not just your arms. You want to be quick, but stay balanced."

Naruto nodded, adjusting his footing and trying to follow Oscar's advice. There was another hollow nearby, and he turned to face it, taking a moment to center himself before attacking. This time, the weak attack felt smoother, his grip more secure as he drove the blade forward. The hollow crumpled under the strike, and he felt a rush of satisfaction.

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"Excellent," Oscar praised. "Now, the strong attack. Use your whole body. Don't rush it—focus on power and precision."

With Oscar's words echoing in his head, Naruto turned toward the last hollow at the end of the hall. He raised the sword high, gripping it with both hands. "Here goes nothing," he muttered, and then he swung down hard, using all his strength. The sword cut through the air and struck the hollow with a force that reverberated up his arms. It wasn't perfect, but it was a huge improvement from his earlier attempts.

Standing at the top of the stairs, Naruto let out a breathless shout, his heart racing with exhilaration. Swinging a sword is awesome!

He felt alive, the thrill of the fight buzzing through him like lightning.

He turned, ready to ascend the stairs, when Oscar's voice stopped him. "Wait, young Naruto."

Naruto blinked, remembering the sword in his hand. "Oh, yeah. This is your sword. I should give it back."

But Oscar shook his head. "No, you forgot to claim your prize." He pointed to the hollows Naruto had defeated. Naruto followed his gaze and saw a strange white light swirling above the fallen enemies, forming into small orbs.

"What is it?"

"This is a soul," Oscar explained. "Souls can be used to strengthen your abilities. By spending them, you can enhance aspects of your body, like strength, dexterity, and more."

Naruto glanced at the status screen that had appeared earlier, at the numbers that represented different attributes of his body. Maybe, if he collected these souls, he could make those numbers go up and get stronger.

"How do I claim this soul?" Naruto asked eagerly, his eyes fixed on the glowing orbs.

"Just grab it."

Naruto reached out and touched one of the white orbs. It seemed to dissolve, the light sinking into his skin and spreading through his body. It felt warm, a strange, almost tingly sensation that surged through him like a jolt of energy.

"Okay, how do I get stronger?"

"Let's wait until we're in a safe zone," Oscar replied calmly. "Then I'll show you."

Naruto nodded, understanding. There was no point in powering up if they were about to get attacked again.

"Do you still want your sword back?" he offered again.

But Oscar just pointed down the hall. Naruto turned to see another hollow, this one moving toward them, its steps uneven and jerky.

Naruto grinned, feeling a surge of confidence. "Looks like I've got a moving target now!"

----------------------------------------

Naruto grumbled as he climbed up the cold, metal ladder, his muscles still aching from that ridiculous fight earlier. He could hear Oscar trying—and failing—not to laugh behind him. The fight with that moving hollow had been a disaster. He'd missed his first swing completely, and the hollow went berserk, flailing its sword around like a madman. It nearly ended with Naruto getting skewered in the butt, all because he panicked and tried to run away. Thankfully, the substitution jutsu saved his ass, literally. He sighed, shaking his head at the memory.

But as he continued to climb, a strange feeling washed over him, something warm and familiar, like being wrapped up in a blanket on a cold night. It felt... safe, like being home. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Looks like there's a bonfire near us," Oscar said, his voice calm and reassuring.

"Bonfire?" Naruto echoed, confused. What did a fire have to do with this weird sensation? He pushed on, finally reaching the surface, and the sight that greeted him took his breath away.

He found himself in a vast, ancient courtyard, silent and still, like the world had forgotten this place existed. The stones beneath his feet were worn smooth, their surface polished by countless footsteps from a time long past. Crumbling walls, standing defiantly against the march of time, surrounded the space, their once-great height now broken and jagged. Ivy crawled up the weathered stone, clinging desperately to the remains of archways and columns that spoke of a grandeur long faded.

Naruto stared at the architecture in awe. It was huge, imposing, yet... so broken. The sight hit him harder than he expected. Was this what Konoha could become someday? A place of proud history reduced to ruins? He'd always seen Konoha as this bright, strong home from the top of the Hokage Monument. Was this the fate that awaited it, too? The thought sent a chill down his spine.

"Let's take a rest," Oscar said, breaking Naruto's reverie. He pointed towards a strange sword embedded in the ground.

"Is this place safe?" Naruto asked, the unease still lingering.

"Of course. There's a bonfire here."

"The sword?" Naruto asked, his confusion deepening.

Oscar walked up to it, removing his glove. Naruto blinked in surprise when he saw Oscar's hand—it looked like those hollows they'd fought earlier. He wanted to say something, but it felt wrong, like pointing out something personal and painful. He kept quiet, not wanting to disrespect Oscar after all he'd done for him.

Oscar didn't seem to notice Naruto's silence. He sliced his palm and let the blood drip onto the base of the sword. As the drops touched the ground, the sword suddenly ignited, flames bursting forth from its base, casting a warm, inviting glow over the courtyard.

And then, that sensation of safety overwhelmed Naruto. The tension drained from his body, the stress and fear that had been gnawing at him since he arrived in this strange world melted away. He let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and sank to the ground, the exhaustion hitting him all at once. He lay back, staring up at the sky. His mind was blank, for the first time in what felt like forever, and he just let himself feel the warmth and peace wash over him. No worries, no fears, just the quiet crackle of the fire and the sense that, for now, he was safe.

Naruto closed his eyes, the stone beneath him surprisingly comfortable, and for the first time in what felt like ages, he didn't think about what came next. He just let himself be.

The peaceful warmth from the bonfire was shattered in an instant. Naruto's eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright, heart racing. He glanced over to see Oscar calmly filling a few bottles—with fire. Fire, just casually flowing into the bottles like water.

Naruto rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. "Sensei..."

"I know," Oscar replied, his voice steady. "I saw it too."

Just moments before, they had both caught a glimpse of the Asylum Demon soaring through the sky, heading toward the massive door in front of them. The same door they were supposed to go through. And from the look of it, the demon was waiting right on the other side.

"What now?" Naruto asked, his voice uncertain as he watched Oscar stand up and brandish his sword. What was he doing? Was he actually planning on fighting that thing?

"Sensei?"

Oscar turned to him, his expression serious but calm. "Naruto, can you tell me what the most important thing is in a battle?"

"Uh… not getting hurt?"

"Awareness," Oscar corrected, and for a moment, Naruto was more confused than ever. Oscar stepped forward, his sword gripped lightly in one hand. With a swift motion, he stabbed forward, but it was just a light jab—more of a poke than a real attack. Naruto was about to question it when, in a sudden flick, Oscar twisted his wrist, turning the stab into a quick slash. The blade grazed Naruto's cheek, just enough to draw a small line of blood.

"Hey!" Naruto yelped, stepping back and pressing a hand to his cheek.

"Awareness," Oscar repeated, his tone firm. "It's about knowing everything that's happening around you—where your enemies are, what they're planning, and how to react before they even strike. You could be the strongest fighter in the world, but if you're blind to your surroundings, you're as good as defeated."

Naruto blinked, the sting of the cut still fresh, but Oscar's words began to sink in. He thought back to the fight with the hollows, how he'd missed his swing and nearly got himself impaled because he wasn't paying attention to what the hollow was doing. Yeah, he was strong, but he hadn't been aware. He hadn't seen the bigger picture.

"I get that… but why are you standing up for this?"

"I'm going to teach you a technique that will help you always be aware of your enemy. It's something I developed, a technique that earned me the title of knight."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat, excitement bubbling up inside him. A special technique? One that could help him stay aware of everything around him? This was huge. "Is it a powerful technique?"

Oscar chuckled softly. "You can judge that for yourself."

"What's it called?"

"The Way of Focality," Oscar said, "is awareness born from focus."

Naruto tilted his head, confused. "Focus? Like… what does that even mean?"

Oscar nodded, seemingly expecting the boy's confusion. "To me, Focality makes the world disappear. You only see your enemy, and no matter what move they make, you'll see the path. You'll know how to respond."

His words sounded impressive, but honestly, the theory flew right over Naruto's head. He tried to picture it, but all he could see in his mind was a blank void with some enemy in the middle of it. It didn't make sense. He scratched the back of his head, unsure how to even start learning something like that.

Oscar saw Naruto's confusion and chuckled. "I thought as much. Well then, the only way to truly understand it is through experience. Let's begin."

Before Naruto could protest, Oscar drew his sword, and Naruto instinctively gripped his tighter. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized what Oscar meant—he was going to teach him through battle. Real-life battle. No theory, no long-winded explanations, just the cold, hard edge of a blade.

Naruto took a deep breath, bracing himself as Oscar took a stance. His movements were calm, deliberate.

Naruto made the first move. A quick, weak attack—just as Oscar had taught him. He swung horizontally, aiming to catch Oscar off-guard. But Oscar moved with such ease, sidestepping the strike and countering with a light tap of his blade against Naruto's wrist. It wasn't enough to cut him, but it was a clear message: Naruto had left himself wide open.

"Stay focused."

Gritting his teeth, Naruto adjusted his grip and went in again, this time with a strong attack. He raised the sword high and brought it down with all the force he could muster, hoping the extra power would catch Oscar off balance. But again, Oscar deflected the blow effortlessly, his blade turning Naruto's aside with a swift motion that left Naruto stumbling forward.

Oscar didn't even move much. It was like he could predict everything Naruto was going to do before he even did it.

Frustrated, Naruto launched another weak attack, this time trying to follow up quickly with a second strike. His plan was to overwhelm Oscar with speed. But Oscar's sword was already there, meeting his with a clang before twisting and redirecting the swing. The next moment, Naruto felt the flat of Oscar's blade press gently against his side.

"Focus," Oscar repeated, his voice calm and patient. "You're thinking too much about your moves. Feel the flow of battle, not just the mechanics of it."

Naruto was trying, really trying, but every time he swung, every time he attacked, Oscar was two steps ahead.

Again, Naruto raised his sword for a strong attack, this time hoping to break through Oscar's defense. But Oscar was already moving before Naruto could even fully commit to the strike. His sword arced in a clean, precise motion, knocking Naruto's aside as though it were nothing. In that instant, Naruto realized how far ahead Oscar truly was—how completely outmatched he felt.

"You're too powerful, sensei," Naruto grumbled, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Don't be discouraged—"

"Discouraged?!" the blonde cut him off, his voice rising. "I don't even know the meaning of that word!"

Oscar tilted his head, about to explain. "Discouraged means—"

"Are you stupid or something?" Naruto interrupted, shooting him a look.

"You're the one who said you didn't know the meaning."

Naruto huffed, refusing to back down. "Well, let's see if you can explain the meaning of this ass-whooping! Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

In an instant, the courtyard was filled with twenty of Naruto, all grinning confidently. He spread his clones out, trying to surround Oscar. This time, he thought, I'm going to overwhelm him. No more losing!

Oscar raised an eyebrow. "A little unfair, don't you think?"

"This is fair, dattebayo!" all the clones shouted in unison before charging forward.

But that confidence quickly faded.

As soon as Naruto's clones started swinging their swords, things got... messy. They bumped into each other, some slashing too close, causing clones to pop in quick bursts of smoke. It was chaos. Inexperience was written all over the battlefield. Half of the army wiped itself out before even getting close to Oscar. By the time Naruto realized how bad things were, only a few of them were left standing.

Oscar didn't even seem fazed as his sword flashed, stabbing one of the clones, which burst into smoke.

"You need to learn battle formations for these... doppelgangers," he said as he casually struck down another clone with a precise jab.

"I think I'll get the hang of it!" one of the remaining clones shouted as it rushed forward with a horizontal attack.

With a slight twist of his wrist, Oscar parried the sword, knocking it aside with a sharp clang. In the same motion, his sword shot forward in a clean, practiced thrust, catching the clone in the chest. The clone barely had time to register the hit before it popped into smoke.

Oscar dodged the kunai Naruto threw, but before he could recover, the clones launched a barrage of shurikens, filling the air with spinning blades. Naruto grinned, feeling like he finally had the upper hand. But just as he thought he had Oscar, the knight whipped out his shield, effortlessly blocking the kunai. Naruto's smile faltered.

Then, Oscar charged—shield in front.

Three of Naruto's clones rushed him, each using a heavy attack. For a moment, Naruto thought this would be it. Three against one! But Oscar blocked all three with ease, his shield taking the brunt of the attacks. Before Naruto could react, Oscar kicked the middle clone hard enough to make it pop into smoke.

The remaining two clones swung horizontally, hoping to catch him off guard. Oscar parried one of them with his shield, and to Naruto's shock, he turned his back to the other clone. Naruto expected the clone's sword to land a solid hit, but the blade clanged uselessly against Oscar's armor. That's when it hit Naruto—armor wasn't just for show. It could turn an attack into nothing.

Oscar moved swiftly, popping the second clone with a stab and gut-punching the last one so hard it dissolved into smoke. The courtyard was empty, nothing but the faint trails of dissipating chakra left behind.

Oscar stood in the center of the courtyard, looking around.

"Student," Oscar muttered under his breath, and Naruto couldn't help but grin from his hiding spot. He was calling him his student now.

Hidden slightly to the side, Naruto was using the Transformation Jutsu, coating himself in a thin layer of chakra to reflect and refract the light around him, effectively camouflaging himself. He'd always used this jutsu as a gag—turning into a sexy woman for laughs. But now, he realized why they'd been taught this technique. It was actually useful.

Naruto watched as Oscar scanned the area. He was getting closer… closer… Now! Naruto sprang from his hiding spot, going for a stab with all the force he could muster. But Oscar wasn't surprised.

He didn't even flinch. Instead, he stepped back just as Naruto's sword missed, and without hesitation, Oscar returned with another stab.

It happened so fast that Naruto barely had time to react. His hands moved on instinct, reaching for the sealing scroll in his pocket. He activated it, releasing a puff of smoke and summoning a log in his place, the substitution jutsu saving him at the last second. The log clattered to the ground as Naruto used the chakra burst from his ankles to dodge to the side, his body surging with a short burst of speed.

Tunnel vision hit Naruto hard.

The world around him seemed to blur, fading into the background as his focus narrowed to one thing—Oscar's sword. His eyes dilated as adrenaline pumped through him. Oscar's blade, sharp and gleaming, was so close Naruto could feel the cold steel brushing past his face. Time seemed to slow down, each movement of the sword as clear as day.

Naruto could see the path of the attack. Oscar wasn't just going to stab—he was going to follow through, slice upward, and the Uzumaki was right in the way.

In that instant, Naruto moved purely on instinct. His blade came up just in time, clashing with Oscar's. The force of the deflection sent a jolt up his arm, but he managed to push Oscar's sword aside, just enough to save himself. His breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, his heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his throat. His body was trembling from the adrenaline rush, but he'd done it. He'd survived.

"Congratulations," Oscar said, his voice steady. "You've experienced Focality for the first time."

Naruto gave a weak nod, still trying to catch his breath. His mind was racing, replaying the last few seconds over and over in his head. That sensation—everything narrowing down to the sword, to Oscar, to the moment of impact—it was like nothing he'd ever felt before.

"A physician in Astora used to tell me that the human body is capable of so much more, and in near-death scenarios, these limitations are lifted," Oscar explained, his words sinking in slowly. "The Way of Focality works in the same way—enhancing your ability to perceive the world, to focus entirely on your enemy."

Naruto couldn't hold back his thoughts. "How is that a technique?" he blurted out, confused. It didn't seem like something you could just turn on whenever you wanted.

Oscar didn't seem bothered by Naruto's bluntness. "Because that's not the Way of Focality itself. What you just experienced was a glimpse of Focality. The technique I developed is a breathing method that allows you to maintain that state of heightened awareness—without the need for near-death experiences."

Naruto nodded, his curiosity piqued. A breathing technique?

"Now, breathe in," Oscar instructed, his voice soft but firm. "And maintain."

----------------------------------------

Standing in front of the massive iron door, its surface a mix of rust and decay, Naruto couldn't help but feel small. The door was marked with the scars of battle—deep dents and gashes crisscrossed its once ornate design. It was intimidating, but not as intimidating as what waited on the other side.

He glanced at Oscar, who already had his hand on the door, ready to push it open. "Sensei, I still haven't mastered the Way of Focality. I've barely managed it twice," Naruto said, his voice shaking slightly.

"The Way of Focality is mastered on the battlefield, my student," Oscar replied, his tone calm but firm. "With your strange abilities, I'm sure you'll survive. If anything, it's I who should be afraid of dying."

"Don't say that!" Naruto nearly yelled, his hands trembling. The thought of Oscar dying—of being alone again, was too much to bear.

"Are you afraid?" Oscar asked, his voice gentle, but Naruto could feel the weight of his question. He wanted to lie, to seem braver than he was, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"I am… I'm scared."

To his surprise, Oscar didn't admonish him or call him a coward. Instead, he nodded. "Good. Only the fool and the arrogant aren't afraid of the enemy. And remember, both don't live long."

Naruto nodded, feeling a little steadier as Oscar's words sunk in. Fear wasn't a weakness—it was a sign he understood the danger. He could work with that. Together, they pushed the heavy iron doors open, the groan of metal echoing in the empty space.

On the other side was a massive, open-ceiling courtyard. The tiled floor beneath them was cracked and weathered, with a layer of dust and debris covering most of it. Tall stone pillars lined the edges, and to the left, a massive metal door stood closed, like a prison gate. Old, broken pots littered the space.

Then came the roar.

The asylum demon landed with a thundering crash, its hulking form blocking the massive black door at the far end of the courtyard. Naruto took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. Shadow Clone Jutsu!

His clones sprang to life, each one taking up position with shields interlocked, forming a makeshift wall between them and the demon. The shield formation felt solid, like a barrier that could withstand anything. Oscar had given Naruto the shield, and now, they were their first line of defense.

The demon roared again, and before Naruto knew it, it leaped into the air. His heart dropped as he watched its massive form come crashing down toward them, hammer first. The clones held steady, but the impact was enormous. The ground shook, and a deafening crack rang out as the hammer slammed into the formation. Most of the clones popped on impact, their forms vanishing into smoke, but the shield wall had done its job. The shockwave was dulled, and through the smoke, Oscar and Naruto saw their chance.

They moved as one. From the sides, they flanked the demon. Naruto slashed with quick, precise horizontal attacks, while Oscar raised his sword high with two hands and brought it down with a heavy, downward strike on its leg.

[Name: Asylum Demon]

[HP: 1980 / 2,195]

The demon's HP dropped, and for a brief moment, Naruto felt a surge of hope.

They were doing it!

But that hope was short-lived. The demon flapped its massive wings, lifting its grotesque body a few feet into the air.

"Ha, scaredy cat!" Naruto thought, the adrenaline making him bold. But that thought immediately turned into regret as the wings suddenly stopped and gravity took over. The demon came crashing down with the force of a house falling from the sky.

Run!

Naruto barely had time to think, as his body acted on its own. He sprinted, but the shockwave that followed its landing was devastating. The ground rippled like an earthquake, and he felt himself lifted off his feet, slammed face-first into the hard, cracked tiles. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and his vision blurred.

Naruto tried to push himself up, groaning from the pain that shot through his body. His arms and legs felt heavy, like lead, and every breath hurt. His head pounded, and he could feel blood dripping from his lip. He forced his eyes open just in time to see the demon raising its hammer, ready to swing it down on him.

Move!

Years of practicing the quick draw for substitution jutsu saved him. Naruto's hand instinctively reached for Oscar's shield.

The next thing the boy knew, he was thrown backward, the force of the impact sending him flying through the air. His body hurtled toward one of the stone pillars, and he barely had time to reinforce his arms and back with chakra before he slammed into it. The pain was intense, like a shockwave of agony radiating from his spine. But the chakra reinforcement saved him—without it, he would've snapped like a twig.

Naruto slid down the pillar, gasping for breath, his hands shaking from the adrenaline. His heart pounded in his throat, and he could feel sweat dripping down his face. He was alive, but just barely.

The asylum demon leaped from one side of the courtyard to the other. The blonde barely had time to react as he dodged and sprinted up a nearby pillar, the stone trembling beneath his feet as the demon's massive hammer crashed down with a thunderous slam.

"Why are you after me?!" he shouted, panic lacing his voice as he jumped off the pillar just before the demon's hammer shattered it to pieces. He landed behind the demon, panting heavily.

In that brief moment, the Way of Focality kicked in, and Naruto saw the demon's next move in his mind—a backspin attack. But even though he could see it coming, he wasn't ready. Pain shot through his back, a sharp reminder of how beat up he already was. His muscles screamed in protest, making it impossible to roll out of the way.

The pain was like fire spreading across his spine, making every movement feel like he was tearing himself apart. He could barely move, let alone dodge the attack. His chest tightened, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the demon spun its giant hammer toward him.

Just when Naruto thought he was done for, he felt Oscar's hand grab him, yanking him forward. The demon's backspin slammed into the metal door with a deafening crash, the impact so powerful it created a massive hole, revealing a new path—a potential way out.

Naruto and Oscar locked eyes, both knowing what to do without saying a word. Naruto summoned a group of shadow clones, sending them to distract the demon as he and Oscar sprinted toward the opening.

As they ran, the asylum demon rammed its hammer into the wall, creating an even bigger hole in the process. The ground shook as the wall collapsed, blocking the demon's path but leaving them to feel the vibrations of its rampage. The staircase beneath them trembled, each step rattling as if it might give way at any second.

"Are you okay?" Oscar asked.

"I'll live," Naruto managed, his voice shaky. But the second he stopped, all the pain came rushing back. His back throbbed, his legs ached, and his head felt like it was going to split in two. Basic chakra control and body reinforcement weren't enough to protect him from all the injuries. He healed fast, sure, but he still hated the pain.

Something warm touched his lips. Naruto opened his eyes to see Oscar offering him one of those strange bottles he'd filled with bonfire earlier. He hesitated but took a sip, immediately feeling a rush of warmth flood through him. It was like the bottle had lit a fire inside him, burning away the pain and healing his injuries in an instant. His muscles relaxed, his breathing steadied, and it felt like every ache and bruise vanished.

"Better?"

"Yeah," Naruto sighed, the relief flooding through him. "I would be if I had some Ichiraku ramen."

Oscar hummed in response, probably not understanding Naruto's craving. They descended down the staircase, which led into a room filled with old, stagnant water. The place smelled like it hadn't seen fresh air in decades, the water murky and dark.

Naruto wrinkled his nose at the sight of it. "How likely am I to die if I drink that water?"

"You'll live," Oscar said, knowing undead don't exactly get diseases.

Naruto laughed, despite himself, and jumped out of Oscar's arms, bending down to scoop up some water. Before he could take a sip, a sharp sound pierced the air—a high-pitched whistle.

Naruto froze. His heart skipped a beat as he saw Oscar catch an arrow, just inches from where his head had been. His pulse pounded in his ears.

"Can't this world just give me a break?" Naruto groaned, looking up to see the hollow archer responsible for the shot. The hollow, holding a bow and arrow, had the nerve to turn and run as soon as it saw him notice.

"Get it," Oscar said.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Naruto grumbled, bolting after the hollow. The ground beneath his feet was cracked, uneven, with stones and debris scattered everywhere. His footsteps echoed as he sprinted along the broken pathway, the hollow always just a few steps ahead.

Naruto could feel the anger bubbling up inside him, and he was about to unsheathe his sword, ready to impale the hollow out of pure revenge. But then something caught his eye—something shiny.

An axe, lying in the hands of a hollow that had long since died. His heart skipped a beat. Isn't that my class item? Naruto thought.

He didn't care how or why it was here—he grabbed the axe without hesitation, its weight feeling solid in his hand.

Just as Naruto hefted the axe, another arrow came whistling through the air. His instincts kicked in. He swung the axe, cutting through the arrow with a satisfying thunk. The hollow archer took aim again, but this time, Naruto could see the entire path—the Way of Focality showed him everything.

The hollow let loose the arrow, and Naruto dove to the side, rolling up to his feet with ease. In one fluid motion, he charged forward and swung the axe, decapitating the hollow in a single, clean strike. The head rolled to the side, and Naruto stood there, breathing heavily, his heart still racing from the fight.

"Yeah," he muttered to himself. Maybe I am getting the hang of this, dattebyo.

Naruto glanced to the side, his curiosity piqued as he noticed a path leading to an upper floor. "Isn't that…" he mumbled to himself, before calling out, "Sensei, come here!"

A minute later, Oscar joined him at the stone edge, both of them peering down. They were standing on the upper floor, looking directly at the bonfire below.

"Should we go down? I think I have some ninja wire."

But Oscar shook his head, and Naruto quickly followed his gaze. The asylum demon was still down there, thankfully oblivious to their presence for the time being. It hadn't spotted them yet, but Naruto knew that could change in an instant.

"So, what now?" Naruto asked, feeling the weight of the situation press down on him. Oscar looked up. Above them, there was another floor—another potential path.

"We should do a sneak attack," Oscar said, his voice calm and steady.

"From the sky?" Naruto felt a spark of excitement at the idea. He could already picture it in his head—dropping down on that giant demon from above like some kind of super ninja. Oscar nodded, confirming his thoughts.

They quickly scanned the area, their eyes darting left and right. Both paths seemed to lead upward, to the top of the building. Without waiting for Oscar to say anything, Naruto took off toward the right. His footsteps echoed lightly off the stone as he reached the stairs, only to find them broken in places, the path ahead jagged and incomplete.

But something caught his eye—a weird ring, sitting right in the middle of one of the upper stairs. His fist lightly tapped his palm as he remembered the ring section in his inventory.

This had to be important, right?

He summoned some shadow clones and had them form a ladder, their bodies interlocking to help him reach the ring. Climbing up, he grabbed it—the rusted iron felt rough and old in his hand, like it had been sitting here for centuries, forgotten.

"Sensei, what is this thing?" Naruto called out, holding the ring up as he jumped back down.

Oscar, however, was already deep in thought, going through various stances as if preparing for some kind of powerful sneak attack.

"That's a magic ring."

"You're kidding!"

"No, I'm surprised you found one. Magic rings are incredibly rare treasures, created by beings who can imbue pieces of their soul into the item, creating a magical phenomenon," Oscar explained, his tone calm, though Naruto could tell even he hadn't expected this. He seemed intrigued, though he didn't stop preparing for the attack.

"Yay!" Naruto cheered, excited by the prospect of owning something so rare and powerful. Without hesitation, he slipped the ring onto his finger, feeling the rusted metal press against his skin. He waited, expecting something to happen—maybe a rush of power or a flash of magic.

But… nothing. He stood there, staring at the ring, waiting for some kind of sign. Anything. But it just sat there on his finger, as ordinary as any old piece of junk.

"This is worthless!" Naruto groaned, feeling like the world had just pulled a cruel joke on him. He was ready to cry at the sheer unfairness of it all. How could a magic ring do absolutely nothing? He glared at it in frustration, about to yank it off when, suddenly, a system window popped up in front of him.

[ Item: Rusted Iron Ring ]

[ Description: This iron ring was used to shackle the guilty. It is terribly rusted, and faintly stained with blood. Those who find this strange ring to their liking will be pleased to find it easier to gain footing on poor ground such as swamps. ]

Naruto blinked slowly, still holding the rusted ring in his hand, and glanced at Oscar.

"Do you want this useless piece of junk?" he asked, feeling more annoyed than curious now.

"You are its finder, my student. Let's wait and see what its magic effect is."

Naruto sighed, glancing at the system window. "It helps me gain footing on poor ground…" he muttered, clearly unimpressed. "Useless."

Without warning, Oscar shoved him, catching Naruto off guard. His body reacted instinctively, and he immediately caught his balance.

"Hey! What's the big deal?" Naruto snapped, annoyed, as he looked at Oscar. But Oscar just pointed at his feet.

"What?"

"You regained your footing immediately when I pushed you."

"Yeah?" Naruto said, still not understanding.

"The ring helped you regain your footing. If you're ever in a situation where you're about to trip or fall, you can regain your balance. That's the magic of the ring," Oscar explained.

Naruto frowned for a moment before it clicked.

"I need to see the usefulness even in things that seem useless, right?"

"No," Oscar said flatly, surprising Naruto.

"Hey! Then what was the lesson?" Naruto asked, narrowing his eyes.

Oscar glanced at the ring. "That is a stupid ring."

Naruto could tell Oscar was joking, so he played along, clutching the ring dramatically. "But it's my precious, you can't have it!"

They both chuckled as they walked towards the right together, but their lighthearted moment was interrupted by a heavy rumbling sound in the distance—a low, menacing noise. They turned just in time to see a giant iron ball rolling down the stairs—fast. Way too fast.

Naruto barely had time to react before it was upon them.

The ball slammed into him like a freight train, throwing him to the side. His body crashed against the wall, and he hit the ground hard, gasping for air. Everything spun, his vision blurred. Then, he looked down—his leg was bent at an unnatural angle, twisted in ways it wasn't supposed to go.

At first, Naruto didn't register the pain. It felt distant, like it wasn't even his leg. But then, the pain hit all at once, like a sledgehammer to his nerves. Searing, blinding agony shot up his leg, burning through him. Tears welled up in his eyes as he tried to breathe through the pain, but it was unbearable, all-consuming.

Oscar was there in an instant, grabbing Naruto with one arm and shoving an Estus Flask into his hands with the other. "Drink," he said firmly.

Naruto downed the flask, and the warm liquid flowed through him like molten light. A bright, golden glow surrounded his leg as the bones snapped back into place with sickening cracks. The pain vanished almost instantly, replaced by a strange numbness as his leg healed before his eyes.

Oscar charged at the hollows that had pushed the iron ball, leaving Naruto behind. Still shaken, Naruto sat there, staring at his leg. It was completely healed, as if nothing had happened.

"This thing is awesome," he muttered, glancing at the now-empty flask in his hand.

But as he looked at the flask, something caught his eye. His reflection. He froze, staring at the distorted image of his face in the glass. Beneath the pyromancer's hood, his skin was thin and reddish, like a hollow. His eyes widened in horror. His face—his actual face—was ugly. Rotten.

"No!" Naruto gasped, dropping the flask, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What's wrong, Naruto?" Oscar's voice broke through Naruto's panicked thoughts, and he quickly came over.

The blonde yanked his hood down dramatically, revealing his face—or what was left of it.

"I'm ugly!"

Oscar just stared in silence, and for the first time in a long while, Naruto felt embarrassed. Oscar had been worried about him, and here he was, freaking out over his looks. But Naruto couldn't help it. How could he not? Seeing his face look like a hollow would freak anyone out!

After what felt like forever, Oscar finally spoke, his voice calm but serious. "Naruto, you're not from this world."

Naruto blinked, turning to Oscar in disbelief. "What? How? What do you mean?" he stammered, completely caught off guard. He had always assumed this place was some hidden part of his world—a secret village or weird dimension. But another world? His mind spun as he tried to process the idea.

Oscar knelt down in front of him, and for a second, Naruto flinched, unsure of what was coming next. Was it bad that he wasn't from this world? Was Oscar upset?

"That explains a lot," Oscar said, sitting down beside him. His voice was steady, as though he had just solved a puzzle that had been on his mind for a while.

"Like what?"

"Well, for starters, your strange abilities, then your lack of pyromancy, and your view of the world is… very bright. Even the children of Astora don't joke and fool around in the face of danger. They're cautious, untrusting… scared."

Naruto blurted out without thinking, "What kind of stupid world is this?"

His words came out harsher than he intended, but the thought of kids not being able to joke around, not having any fun, was crazy to him. Sure, his life hadn't exactly been perfect in Konoha—he had spent most of his life being ignored or hated. But even then, he had still found ways to joke around, to be a fool just to get some attention. It was better than sinking into loneliness.

But in this world? Where even children couldn't joke to distract themselves from the pain of their lives? Naruto couldn't even imagine how hard things must be here.

But as all those thoughts whirled through his head, one question burned brighter than the rest. "How am I here?"

Oscar didn't respond right away. Instead, he slowly took off his helmet, revealing something Naruto didn't expect. Oscar's face—hollowed and decayed, just like Naruto's—but there was something else. Something that made Naruto pause.

Blonde hair… like mine, Naruto thought, and despite everything, a small smile crept onto his face. It felt strangely comforting, knowing that he and Oscar had something in common, something familiar in this bizarre world.

"Let me tell you a story," Oscar began, his voice deep and steady, drawing Naruto in immediately. "In the Age of Ancients, the world was unformed, shrouded by fog. A land of gray crags, Archtrees, and Everlasting Dragons."

Naruto blinked, already trying to follow along, but the words felt strange. This kind of storytelling was different from anything he was used to.

"But then, there was Fire," Oscar continued, "and with fire came disparity. Heat and cold, life and death, and of course, light and dark. Then from the dark, They came and found the Souls of Lords within the flame."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Souls of Lords?"

Oscar nodded. "Nito, the First of the Dead; the Witch of Izalith and her Daughters of Chaos; Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight, and his faithful knights. And then, there was the Furtive Pygmy, so easily forgotten."

Naruto tried to keep up, but Oscar's words were starting to swirl around in his head, like trying to grab hold of fog.

"With the strength of Lords, they challenged the Dragons. Gwyn's mighty bolts peeled apart their stone scales. The Witches weaved great firestorms. Nito unleashed a miasma of death and disease. And Seath the Scaleless—one of the Dragons—betrayed his own, and the Dragons were no more."

"That's… awesome," Naruto muttered, imagining the incredible power it would take to bring down those massive dragons. He couldn't help but think of the Hokage stories—how the 4th Hokage faced the Kyubi and came out on top. But this? This was on another level. The Age of Fire? Lord of Sunlight? His mind was spinning, but he couldn't deny how epic it all sounded.

"In the Age of Fire," Oscar continued, "the Witch of Izalith and Lord Gwyn created their own 'everlasting' kingdoms, while Nito returned to the depths of the Catacombs, an immense necropolis, to slumber within the Tomb of the Giants."

Naruto nodded again, though he was starting to lose track of where this was leading. "Okay, cool. But, uh… how does this connect to me being here?"

Oscar paused for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "Last of the Lords, the Furtive Pygmy, used his Lord Soul as a beacon."

"A beacon?" Naruto tilted his head, confused. Why would someone use something so powerful just to light the way? If he had a Lord Soul, he'd probably use it to cook the biggest bowl of ramen ever.

"Think of it like a light at the end of the tunnel," Oscar explained. "But in this case, the tunnel connects with other worlds, across the infinite cosmos."

Naruto blinked, his mind struggling to grasp the scope of what he was hearing.

"So… did this Pygmy guy bring me here?"

"Patience," Oscar said, continuing. "The Furtive Pygmy, during the Age of Ancients, brought many people from other worlds, just like you. He shared with them parts of his soul—the Dark Soul—and this gave birth to a new faction: humans."

"Humans?" Naruto echoed. What did that mean for him? Was this ugly hollow form considered human in this world? Did I just kill humans?

"As Gwyn's war against the Dragons dragged on, it became a bloody conflict. At one point, the Lord of Sunlight was forced to integrate humans into his ranks."

"That's good," Naruto said, nodding along, but Oscar wasn't finished.

"Despite winning the war against the Dragons, Gwyn eventually turned against the Pygmy and his descendants. He feared the power of their Dark Soul, afraid it could undermine his future dominion over the world."

"That's stupid," Naruto muttered. Oscar just shrugged.

"Gwyn's fear of humans and the potential of their souls grew stronger. In time, he made an even more extreme move against them: using the Flame to 'mark' their Dark Soul and bodies with a Darksign."

Oscar knelt down and traced a symbol on the ground. Naruto's eyes widened instantly—it was the same ring of fire he touched before he came to this world.

"That's the ring of fire I touched before I came… here," Naruto said, the realization hitting him like a punch to the gut.

Oscar glanced at him, nodding. "Maybe touching the Darksign triggered something that sent you to this world."

Naruto frowned. "Is this common here?"

"It used to be during the Age of Ancients and Fire, but it's been hundreds of years since the last invader came."

Naruto didn't know what to think. "So, how do I… go back?" he asked, trying to sound casual. He didn't want Oscar to think he was abandoning him. But deep down, Konoha, his home, felt so far away, and even if things weren't perfect, it was still his home.

Oscar gave him a small smile. "Do you miss your home?"

Naruto looked away, biting the inside of his cheek. "Well, it's not like there's anyone there to greet me," he admitted quietly.

"You're an orphan?" Oscar's tone was soft, but it hit hard.

"Yeah…" Naruto responded, the word feeling heavier than he expected, like he was admitting it for the first time.

Oscar's eyes softened. "That explains why you're so happy," he said, and at first, Naruto didn't get what he meant. But then he saw it—in Oscar's face, the same loneliness Naruto had seen reflected in his own.

"Yeah…" Naruto said again, this time with a small grin. It was the kind of grin you give when you've lived through hell and made it out anyway. "It beats the alternative."

For a while, there was silence between them. Not the awkward kind—just… understanding. They both knew what it was like to be alone.

"Do you still want to go back?" Oscar asked after a while.

Naruto shrugged. "Yeah. My home might be crap, but it's better than this. Plus, the ramen is great there." He tried to laugh, but it came out weaker than he wanted.

Oscar looked down, like he didn't know how to say what came next. "I'm sorry, but… I don't know how you can go back to your home."

Naruto took a deep breath, scratching the back of his head. He wasn't sure how to feel. Part of him wanted to freak out, but another part… "Well, a break from Konoha does sound nice," he said, half-joking but half-meaning it.

Oscar watched him closely, probably trying to figure out if Naruto was putting on a brave face or if he really meant it. Honestly? Naruto wasn't sure either. He'd always looked on the bright side of things, and maybe this was just another thing to deal with. Or maybe… his life back home wasn't all that great, and he didn't mind the idea of a break from it.

Oscar stood up, his armor clinking softly. "Well, it doesn't matter," he said firmly, his voice filled with resolve. "As long as you're here, I'll stand beside you as a teacher and as a friend."

He held out his hand. For a second, Naruto just stared at it. No one had ever offered him something like that before—someone to stand beside him, to teach him, and to call him a friend. A genuine smile spread across Naruto's face, wider this time. He clasped Oscar's hand, and Oscar helped him to his feet.

"Let's go kick this demon's ass," Naruto said, his grin full of determination.

As they walked up the stairs, Naruto couldn't help but glance around, confused. "Sensei, where's the hollow?"

Oscar pointed to the side, and Naruto nearly burst out laughing. The hollow had been kicked off the high ground. Naruto could easily imagine Oscar just booting it down without a second thought. The image was ridiculous, but he had to admit—it worked.

As they continued, Naruto followed Oscar through a metal-barred door, stepping into a broken hall under a sky that seemed forever gray. The roof had long since crumbled, leaving debris scattered across the floor like ancient bones. But what caught Naruto's attention wasn't the destruction—it was the land outside.

Instead of the lush green forests of Konoha, all Naruto could see were jagged mountains, rising like prison bars around the asylum, trapping them in. The air was cold and sharp, with a biting wind that whipped around him, tugging at his clothes and cutting through his skin like a kunai.

Suddenly, Naruto felt warmth—a faint heat in the icy air. He turned, his eyes locking onto a corpse slumped against the wall. Unlike the hollows they'd fought before, this one looked more… human. But that wasn't what caught his eye. It was the hand—embers glowing faintly on the fingers, as though they were still clinging to life even after death.

"Pyromancy Flame," Oscar whispered, breaking the silence beside him.

Naruto looked at him, confused. "What's that?"

"It's an item that can help you use flame arts."

Immediately, it clicked in Naruto's mind. That's what I need to use fireballs!

Without thinking, Naruto rushed forward, excitement bubbling in his chest. But something stopped him—a gut feeling, a sense that something wasn't right. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the corners of the hall. Something felt off.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement. Instinct kicked in, and Naruto hurled a kunai toward the shadows. The sound echoed through the area, and sure enough, a few hollows began limping toward them.

"Good call," Naruto muttered to himself as he grabbed a few more shuriken. It was as good a time as any to practice. He flung the shuriken, watching as they sliced through the air, but the hollows didn't fall immediately. One of them dropped after the third kunai, while the other kept coming—until Oscar stepped in and cut it down with a clean swing of his sword.

Naruto turned, eyes scanning for more threats. That's when he saw it.

The last hollow at the end of the hall was different. It was armored, holding a spear and shield—more prepared, more dangerous. Naruto's instincts told him this wouldn't be like the others.

"Remember, Naruto," Oscar said calmly, his voice steady. "There are two ways to deal with a spear, or any weapon with long reach."

Naruto listened closely, absorbing the lesson.

"One is to keep your distance. The other is to get so close that the weapon's range becomes its weakness."

Naruto nodded, fully understanding the strategy. Neither he nor the hollow moved. It stood there, waiting, its spear tip gleaming in the dim light.

"Your turn," Oscar said, stepping aside.

"Oh yeah!" Naruto shouted as he suddenly remembered the pyromancy flame. Without wasting a second, he sprinted toward it.

The pyromancy flame still glowed faintly on the corpse's hand, the embers flickering like the last gasp of a dying fire. Naruto reached out and touched it, and as soon as his fingers made contact, the embers seemed to come alive. They slithered like snakes, crawling up his arm, their heat warming his skin. The ashes covering the corpse's hand blew away in the wind, swirling in the air before magically attaching themselves to his hand.

For a brief moment, Naruto saw something strange—a beautiful pattern, like vines etched into his skin—but just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. All that remained was his hand, now looking ashy and strange.

"Naruto!" Oscar called from behind him, pulling his attention back to the battlefield. Naruto turned to see the undead spearman marching toward him, its eyes glowing with a dull, lifeless light.

Naruto grinned. "I'm going to do a fireball, sensei! Back up, I don't want you to get hurt." With that, he stretched his hand out in front of him.

The moment he did, something clicked. He instinctively knew how to use this new power. It wasn't like chakra—this energy was different, more violent, more chaotic. It roared inside him like a wild flame, eager to burst out.

Naruto focused, pulling that energy into his hand. A beautiful orb of fire formed in his palm, flickering and crackling like it could explode at any moment. The heat radiated from it, making the air shimmer.

The undead soldier took another step forward, raising its spear. Naruto didn't wait. With a swift motion, he hurled the fireball. As it left his hand, he felt a little disappointed—it wasn't as big as Sasuke's fireballs, nowhere near as cool. But that disappointment vanished the moment it hit the soldier.

Boom!

Flames erupted in a massive explosion, scorching the entire area. The blast was so intense that the walls themselves were charred black, and the undead soldier was engulfed in the inferno. Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "Holy shit," he muttered. "My flames are definitely stronger than Sasuke's, right, sensei?"

"It's not dead," Oscar said calmly, his eyes fixed on the flames.

Naruto turned, and sure enough, the soldier walked out of the fire, its armor and spear melted, dripping like molten metal. But it didn't stop. It started running toward him, faster than Naruto expected. His heart leapt into his throat as it charged. Acting on instinct, he swung his sword, slicing its neck clean through.

The soldier dropped, its body crumbling into a lifeless heap at his feet. Naruto stood there, breathing heavily.

Oscar walked over, giving him a nod of approval. "Always make sure the enemy is down. Don't turn your back on them until you're certain."

Naruto nodded, taking Oscar's advice to heart. That had been way too close for comfort.

Suddenly, the entire place shook, the ground rumbling beneath their feet. The knight and the boy turned to the side, and there down below, pacing back and forth, was the asylum demon. It was restless, moving with a kind of impatience, like it was waiting for something.

Naruto's hand tightened around his sword. "Looks like our friend is getting anxious."

Oscar glanced at him, his calm demeanor never faltering. "This battle will be different, Naruto. Are you ready?"

Naruto grinned, the thrill of the fight returning. "You bet! Let's take this thing down for good."

Oscar moved before Naruto could even blink, launching himself into the air and driving his sword down in a vicious plunge attack onto the demon's head. His blade cut deep, slicing off part of the demon's tree-like horns—if they could even be called that. The impact was so powerful it sent a spray of blood and ichor splattering across the ground, the demon roaring in pain.

Oscar landed in a roll, quickly making his way toward the gate as Naruto summoned dozens of shadow clones. They leaped toward the asylum demon, but none of them attacked. Instead, they popped, creating a massive cloud of smoke that engulfed the monster.

From the high ground, Naruto released a fireball, using the smoke as cover. The fireball soared through the air and exploded on the demon's face, flames licking up its grotesque features. But the demon was tougher than expected. It roared in fury, and its hammer shot up, smashing into the platform where Naruto stood. The ground beneath him shattered, crumbling into rubble. But the Way of Focality had kicked in—Naruto saw it coming. He jumped just in time, narrowly avoiding being crushed as the upper floor was obliterated beneath him.

Naruto caught a glimpse of the demon's face as he landed, its mouth open wide. Jagged, rotten teeth lined its maw, dark smoke curling from its throat like it was about to unleash something far worse than any attack so far.

Acting on instinct, Naruto summoned more clones and used them as a launchpad to propel himself back into the fight. Meanwhile, Oscar charged in with a two-handed grip on his sword, delivering a devastating horizontal slice across the demon's midsection. The blade cut deep, blood spraying from the wound as the demon let out a guttural roar of agony.

"Sensei, dodge!" Naruto shouted as he landed, seeing the demon wind up for another attack. Oscar rolled to the side just in time, and Naruto took the opportunity to hurl another fireball. This time, he aimed for the Achilles tendon, the fireball exploding on impact. A chunk of the demon's leg was blown off in a fiery blast, blood and chunks of flesh flying everywhere as the massive creature collapsed to one knee, roaring in pain.

The demon's wings flared open suddenly, and Naruto knew what was coming next. The demon began to rise, preparing for its shockwave attack. Oscar and Naruto were near the gate, just outside the immediate area of effect, but even from where they stood, they could feel it—the wind, the deafening sound, the dust filling the air as the demon crashed back down.

"Now!" Naruto shouted, and his clones responded instantly, hurling fireballs at the demon. Each fireball exploded on contact, covering the creature in flames. The demon's body was engulfed, the flames spreading quickly, but it wasn't done. With a savage roar, it lunged toward them, massive and terrifying.

Naruto barely had time to react when he felt Oscar's boot hit his back, shoving him forward. He stumbled, his jaw dropping as he saw Oscar do the impossible. Oscar parried the demon's giant swing, his sword cutting cleanly through the head of the demon's massive hammer. The weapon splintered, the hammer's head falling to the ground with a heavy thud. In one fluid motion, Oscar moved in for the kill, his blade plunging deep into the demon's stomach.

The demon screamed—a horrendous, bloodcurdling sound—as its stomach split open. Blood poured out, thick and dark, pooling on the ground beneath it. Tendons were severed, its intestines spilling out in long, grotesque ropes, steam rising from the exposed flesh. The creature's body convulsed, twitching as the flames continued to burn through its skin, charring the muscle and bone beneath.

It was chaos—violent, bloody chaos.

[ Name: Asylum Demon ]

[ HP: 980 / 2,195 ]

For a moment, Naruto almost felt sorry for the thing in front of him—almost. But then, something shifted, and the air around him felt wrong. The hairs on his arms stood on end as the asylum demon lifted the broken handle of its hammer. His heart pounded in his chest, his instincts screaming that something was coming. He watched in disbelief as the handle began to twist and warp, almost like it was alive. The demon's hammer morphed into a staff, pulling the broken pots around them into its grip, fusing them together to form a jagged, sharp edge.

[ Bindings of Lord Gywn have been broken ]

[ Name: Stray Demon ( 2nd Phase ) ]

[ HP: 980 / 2,195 ]

Naruto's breath caught in his throat. It can change its weapon?

Without wasting a second, he threw his hands together and shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Dozens of clones appeared in a puff of smoke, charging toward the demon in unison. His heart was racing, but he kept his focus. We've got this!

The demon swung wide with its new staff, and most of Naruto's clones dodged it with ease. But then—Bang!

A deafening explosion ripped through the air. His ears rang, his head spun, and he barely registered the red flash of light before he hit the ground, hard. His body screamed in pain, and he gasped for breath, trying to figure out what had just happened. His clones... most of them were gone. They had popped almost instantly, wiped out by whatever that blast was.

This demon can use spells?

The thought clawed its way through the haze in his mind as he staggered to his feet. His body felt heavy, unsteady. Everything hurt, and his vision blurred. Before he could fully gather himself, he saw the demon again, gripping its staff like a baseball bat. He could barely react as it swung towards him, the jagged edge of the staff gleaming as it cut through the air with terrifying speed.

Naruto tried to move, but his body felt like it was moving through mud. His muscles refused to listen, still reeling from whatever weird spell had knocked him down. His chest tightened, and the cold realization hit him hard: I can't dodge this.

Is this the end?

The thought raced through his mind as he watched the staff coming at him in what felt like slow motion.

Suddenly, he felt a hard shove from the side—Oscar's hand on his shoulder. Naruto stumbled backward, gasping as he saw Oscar leap in front of the attack, his shield raised. The demon's staff connected with a horrifying crack, the impact so violent that Oscar was sent flying through the air like a ragdoll, slamming into the second-floor wall with a sickening thud.

"Sensei?!" Naruto screamed, his voice raw with panic. His breath came in ragged gasps as he tried to focus through the terror clawing at his chest. His eyes darted back to the demon, and it grinned at him—a grotesque, mocking grin. Naruto's blood boiled.

Something inside him snapped. Chakra surged through his body, blue flames of energy exploding around him, crackling with raw power.

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

A hundred—no, a thousand clones burst into existence, filling the courtyard. The sound of battle cries echoed around him as his clones charged, hand axes raised, each one filled with the same rage that burned in his chest. This demon wasn't going to get away with this.

The asylum demon slammed its staff into the ground, and Naruto felt a shift in the air—something dark and powerful. The staff began to glow, a deep, pulsing red light emanating from it. Before Naruto could even process what was happening, the demon raised the staff high, and an orb of red energy formed at the tip. It hovered there for a brief second, crackling with power.

No…

Then it exploded.

The shockwave hit Naruto like a tidal wave, and in an instant, he felt everything—every single clone, every single perspective, every single bit of pain and panic—all at once. Their thoughts, their memories, their fear, it all flooded into him like a crashing wave. Hundreds of lives, hundreds of viewpoints, merging into one chaotic stream. His mind felt like it was being torn apart, the sheer overload too much to handle.

I… can't… breathe…

The orb's energy surged through him, erasing his clones one by one, and then… it reached him. The sensation was like nothing he'd ever felt before—like his body was being unraveled, piece by piece, thread by thread.

Naruto felt cold. His skin, his muscles, everything was being erased. There was no heat, no sensation, just a growing void where his body should've been. His mind screamed for something to hold onto, but there was nothing—just the cold emptiness spreading through him. He couldn't even tell where his body ended and the nothingness began.

His vision blurred, and all the sounds of battle—the cries, the clash of weapons, the crackling energy—faded into silence. There was no more pain, but it wasn't relief. It was terrifying.

[ YOU DIED.]

----------------------------------------

Naruto blinked and suddenly found himself back in the forest. His mind was a blur, everything that had just happened feeling distant, like a dream slipping through his fingers. The Northern Undead Asylum, Oscar… was it real? It all felt so hazy. He shook his head, trying to make sense of it.

"Naruto!" Iruka's voice cut through the fog in his mind like a splash of cold water. His tone was sharp, almost angry. Naruto looked up, only to see Iruka storming toward him, his hands gripping the boy's shoulders tightly. His eyes bore into Naruto's with an intensity that made his stomach twist. It was rare to see Iruka-sensei like this. The young Uzumaki would've flinched under that stare if he wasn't still trying to process whether everything around him was real.

"Do you know what you've done?" Iruka demanded, his voice edged with something Naruto didn't recognize—panic? Anger? Both?

"What?" Naruto barely had time to respond before a barrage of shuriken whistled through the air toward them. His instincts kicked in. Without thinking, Naruto shoved Iruka out of the way, and even he was surprised by the force. He landed hard, spinning to face the source of the attack.

"Well, well," came a voice from the shadows. Mizuki stepped out, a twisted grin on his face. "I didn't expect that. I'm impressed you found this place, Iruka."

"Mizuki!"

Mizuki's grin widened as he locked eyes with Naruto. "Naruto, give me the scroll."

"Don't!" Iruka's voice cracked with urgency as he positioned himself protectively in front of Naruto. "Naruto, never give him that scroll. It's dangerous. Mizuki used you to get it for himself!"

Naruto stared at the scroll, his mind still swimming, trying to piece everything together. Mizuki… used him?

"Naruto," Mizuki interjected smoothly, "Iruka's just afraid of you having that scroll."

"Huh?" Naruto blinked, trying to make sense of what he was saying. It didn't make sense. Iruka-sensei wouldn't be afraid of him, would he?

"Don't do it!" Iruka shouted, pulling out a kunai. "That scroll holds jutsu collected by past Hokage, techniques too dangerous to use! Mizuki's lying! He used you!"

Naruto's mind reeled as he looked between them. Mizuki's grin turned sinister, his gaze cold.

"There's no point in delaying this," Mizuki said darkly. His eyes locked onto Naruto's, and something shifted in the air. "Naruto, do you know why the whole village hates you?"

Naruto froze. His stomach churned at the question. The whole village… He always wondered why. He'd always felt their stares, their whispers. But no one ever told him why.

"No, Mizuki, stop!" Iruka shouted, panic lacing his voice, but Mizuki ignored him.

"Roughly twelve years ago," Mizuki began, his voice low and dripping with malice, "you know about the Kyuubi no Kitsune, right? The monster that attacked Konoha?"

Naruto nodded slowly, his heart pounding harder in his chest.

"Well, the Yondaime Hokage couldn't kill the Kyuubi, so he sealed it away… into the body of a baby. And that baby was you."

Naruto's blood turned to ice. Everything clicked in an instant—why the villagers glared at him, why parents pulled their children away from him, why he was always treated like some kind of monster. All the whispers, the dirty looks. He thought it was because he was a troublemaker, because he didn't fit in, but this? He wasn't just disliked. He was hated because he was the Kyuubi. He was the monster.

"That's why everyone despises you, Naruto," Mizuki sneered, his voice sharp and mocking. "You're the dreaded Kyuubi no Kitsune."

It felt like the world was collapsing around him. His chest tightened, and his breath hitched. Demon child… That wasn't just a cruel nickname. It was his reality.

"How dare you," Iruka's voice snapped through the suffocating silence, filled with more anger than Naruto had ever heard from him before.

Mizuki grinned as he drew a giant shuriken from his back, his intentions clear. "And now, I'll kill you and become a hero to the village."

"Don't listen to him, Naruto!" Iruka yelled, stepping protectively in front of Naruto, his body tense. "He's lying. He's the traitor here."

Mizuki just laughed, his voice cold and cruel. "Why protect him, Iruka? He's the one who killed your family."

Naruto froze again, the weight of Mizuki's words pressing down on him like a mountain. He… killed Iruka-sensei's family? No… it wasn't him. It was the Kyuubi. But he was the Kyuubi, wasn't he?

He was a demon… just like the asylum demon.

"I'm not letting an idiot like you get that scroll!" he spat, his voice shaking with fury.

"You're the idiot, Iruka," Mizuki sneered. "Naruto is a monster, just like me."

"Anyone with that scroll can do whatever they want. The Kyuubi would abuse its power," Mizuki goaded, his words sharp and cutting.

"You're right," Iruka said suddenly, and Naruto's heart sank.

But then Iruka's voice changed, his tone stronger, more certain. "But Naruto is different. He's one of my best students. He works harder than anyone. He's not the Kyuubi. He's Uzumaki Naruto of Konohagakure."

Naruto looked up, stunned. Iruka-sensei… believed in him?

Mizuki's face twisted with rage. "Then die!" he screamed, hurling the giant shuriken with deadly force.

Suddenly, the familiar feeling of Focality washed over Naruto, sharpening everything. It was like time slowed, and he could see the path of the fuma shuriken flying toward him. More importantly, he saw Iruka-sensei moving—he was going to jump in, using his body as a shield to save him.

Naruto didn't need any more proof. That was all he needed to know Iruka was on his side, that Mizuki had betrayed them.

Without thinking, Naruto's hand shot out, grabbing Iruka mid-jump. He twisted his hips, jerking his arm forward as he felt the surge of pyromancy flame building inside him. It flowed to his hands like a rush of heat, and suddenly, a fireball erupted, blasting through the air and destroying the fuma shuriken in one fiery explosion.

"So, the demon child got his hands on a Fire Style jutsu, huh?" Mizuki sneered, his voice full of malice. He moved his hands through a series of hand signs, quick and deliberate. "Let me show you how a real fireball is done."

He blew into the ring formed by his thumb and pointer finger, and a massive fireball roared toward them, the heat radiating from it in waves.

Iruka prepped his Earth Style, already ready to raise a defensive wall, but Naruto wasn't about to just stand by.

Iruka's jaw dropped as he saw it—Naruto's fireball, smaller but concentrated, blasted right through Mizuki's like it wasn't even there. The explosion was huge, a burst of flames and smoke that lit up the entire clearing. For a moment, the boy couldn't see anything. But then, in a blur, Mizuki appeared behind him in a flash, using the Body Flicker Technique.

His kunai was cold against Naruto's neck.

"Got you now," Mizuki growled, thinking he had already won. But he didn't see Naruto's eyes—he didn't see the Focality still guiding him, showing him exactly what to do. Naruto didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, his hand axe sliced through the air, the blade cutting cleanly through Mizuki's wrist.

Mizuki's hand, along with the kunai, hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Mizuki screamed in pain, clutching the stump where his hand used to be. His face twisted in agony, and without thinking, Naruto grabbed him by the mouth, his palm pressing against Mizuki's face.

"Fireball."

The word came out quietly, almost instinctively, as if Naruto's body moved on its own. Heat surged through his hand again, and he felt the fire erupt from his palm, engulfing Mizuki's head. The flames roared for a moment, and then… boom... then silence.

Iruka had closed his eyes, turning away. He didn't want to see it.

When everything was still, Naruto looked down at what was left of Mizuki's body. His head—there was nothing left. The fireball had turned it to ash, his skull gone, only charred remains scattered around. Naruto stood there, covered in blood and bone shards, the heat still lingering on his skin. There was a blankness in him, a numbness as he looked down at the body.

He bent down and grabbed something from Mizuki's corpse. His soul. It was there, almost glowing, and he absorbed it. The energy flowed into him like a rush of power, and he stared at the system window that popped up in front of him.

[ You have killed hostile Enemy — Mizuki ]

[ Dropped Items ]

[ - Fuma Shuriken ×2 ]

[ - Incomplete Cursed Seal ]

[ - 200 Soul ]

Naruto didn't know what to feel. The blood was still clinging to his skin, drying in patches on his hands, his clothes, everywhere. But inside… inside, he felt nothing. Not anger, not regret, not even relief. Just… emptiness.

Nothing at all.

Killing Mizuki—it didn't feel real. It was just like killing a hollow. Just another fight, just another enemy. But it wasn't, was it? Mizuki wasn't a hollow. He was… human.

His mind raced, but there was no room for emotions. Everything was happening too fast. His thoughts were scattered, and one thing kept echoing in his head.

Oscar.

He had to go back. He had to save his teacher… his friend. But how? How did he get here in the first place? There was no clear answer, no path in front of him. Just blood and confusion.

Hollows, Oscar, that world… how do I get back?

Naruto stood there, lost in the chaos, the weight of what he'd done pressing down on him, but not in a way that made him feel anything. It was all so hollow, just like the enemies he'd fought before, but now… it felt like he was trapped between worlds.

Where was he supposed to go from here?