Naruto opened his eyes to the familiar sight of Firelink Shrine. The soft, steady glow of the bonfire crackled in front of him, its warmth washing over him. This place… it was starting to feel like his new Hokage Monument. A place where he could just sit, take a breather, and think without anyone bothering him. Well, except for maybe Alexander.

He glanced around, half-expecting the ever-gloomy crestfallen warrior to be muttering something depressing about fate or despair. But the shrine was quiet. Too quiet.

"Huh. Guess ol' Alexander finally stopped sulking and decided to go out for once," Naruto muttered with a shrug. "Good for him, I guess. Maybe he finally got his life back on track after eating that cup of ramen—proof that even in a cursed world, ramen fixes everything."

Naruto shook the thought from his head and stood up, brushing off his hands. "Alright, time to get to work," he said, cracking his knuckles.

He made a cross-sign with his fingers, concentrating as he pushed a big chunk of chakra out of his body. The feeling was intense, like forcing water through a narrow pipe. The mechanism behind the Shadow Clone Jutsu was complicated, but in his head, it was like blowing a bubble: his body was the wand, his clone was the bubble, and chakra was the solution. Lots of chakra.

Then, with a sharp exhale, he released it.

Poof!

Standing before him was his clone, grinning back at him like he'd just been born for mischief.

"You ready for the plan?"

"We're going grave robbing, dattebayo!" the clone declared, throwing a fist in the air like it was something to be proud of.

"Can you not make it sound so… so bad?! It's not grave robbing! We're just… strategically scavenging stuff that nobody's using!"

The clone just grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "Strategic grave robbing. Got it."

"Just… go do your job, will you?"

The clone gave a mock salute. "Aye-aye, boss!" And with that, it took off toward the graveyard, disappearing into the shadows with more enthusiasm than Naruto was entirely comfortable with.

He slumped back down by the bonfire, letting his chakra pool refill. That particular clone had taken a lot of chakra—not enough to leave him dry, but enough to make him feel it. It was fine, though. That clone was smarter and tougher than the average ones. It'd even make more clones if it needed backup. Meanwhile, Naruto leaned back, letting his body recharge.

His gaze drifted to the Estus Flask hanging at his side. The thing had already saved his life more than a few times by healing his injuries, but something had been nagging at him. If it could restore his body… could it restore his chakra too?

"Only one way to find out," Naruto muttered, pulling the flask to his lips and taking a swig. Warmth spread through his body, the familiar sensation of healing. But this time, he focused inward, on his chakra.

And there it was.

His eyes widened in shock as he felt his reserves refill, a rush of fresh energy flowing through him. He stared at the flask like it was the Holy Grail of ninja tools.

"This… this thing is amazing," he whispered in awe, his lips curling into a grin. "Oh, I'm definitely keeping you around."

Placing the now-empty flask in front of the bonfire, Naruto watched as it slowly refilled itself. He chuckled. "You, my friend, just became my new best friend. Sorry, ramen."

Before he could plan his next move, he heard the distant BOOM of an explosion. A smug grin spread across his face as memories from his clone flooded into his mind. Apparently, the cemetery skeletons were proving to be a pain, but his clones had blown a few to bits using explosive tags.

"Stupid skeletons," Naruto muttered with satisfaction, leaning back against a rock. "That's what you get for messing with Naruto Uzumaki."

Another set of memories hit him—this time of the loot the clone had grabbed. He felt a tingle of excitement as he sat up straighter, rubbing his hands together like a kid about to open a birthday present.

"Strategic scavenging, huh? Yeah, that's got a nice ring to it."

[ Item: Winged Spear ]

[ Weapon type: Spears ]

[ Description: A long-hilted spear with a barbed point. Long reach, and can be used with shield up. Effective against hard exteriors, and hits for high damage at the right moment of an enemy's swing. But the hit radius is small, and it is easily blocked by shields. ]

Naruto hefted the spear in his hands, feeling its weight. It had a long, sturdy shaft, with a sharp, narrow tip that gleamed faintly in the light of the bonfire. Just below the blade, small, wing-like protrusions flared out on either side, giving it an almost elegant design.

"Looks pretty badass," Naruto muttered, turning it over. He gave the tip an experimental jab at the air, but his enthusiasm faded quickly. "But… seriously, am I gonna use this?"

He pictured himself lugging it around in battle and immediately cringed. It just didn't feel right for him. The Zweihander was his weapon—big, heavy, and full of destructive power. This? This was too… precise.

"Yeah, not really my style," he decided, letting the spear rest against the side of the bonfire. "Guess it's backup, or maybe… can I sell this stuff?"

He rubbed the back of his head, wondering how selling even worked in Lordran. He'd have to figure that out later. For now, though, it was just one more thing taking up space in his inventory.

[ Item: Caduceus Round Shield ]

[ Weapon type: Small Shield ]

[ Description: Round wooden shield crafted in Lordran. Decorated by an ancient blue Caduceus. The giant trees in Lordran are distant offspring of the great stone archtrees. This shield inherits their properties, and the wood greatly reduces magic damage. ]

Next, Naruto picked up the shield. It was small and round, made of wood with a faded green background. The design on its face—a pair of curved lines resembling snakes meeting at a "U" shape—was faint and worn, but still visible. The edges of the shield were reinforced with a thin rim of metal, though it had seen better days.

"Huh," Naruto said, giving it a once-over. "Not bad. Feels pretty sturdy, I guess." He rapped his knuckles against it, hearing the dull thud of the wood. "Wonder if this thing could hold up against a jutsu."

But he frowned, already feeling its weight dragging on his arm. It wasn't that heavy, but still—he'd need to pump more points into strength before he could wield it comfortably alongside the Zweihander. And, honestly? Shields just weren't his thing.

"Yeah, probably not gonna use this either," he muttered, setting it down with the spear.

[ Item: Binoculars ]

[ Description: Binoculars made of Brass. Use to peer at distant scenery.

This advanced device was built by a famous craftsman of Astora. Its utility is singular, but its applications many. The value of these specs depends greatly on the imagination of their owner. ]

Finally, Naruto picked up the binoculars. They were made of brass, slightly worn but still solid, with two cylindrical eyepieces connected by a small hinge in the middle. He turned them over in his hands, feeling their smooth surface.

"Binoculars?" Naruto muttered, squinting at them. "What am I supposed to do with these?"

His mind wandered for a moment, and then a wicked grin crept onto his face. He remembered the onsen near his apartment in Konoha.

"I mean… I could test these out there… Just, you know, for research purposes," he said to himself, chuckling quietly. But the thought made him blush, and he quickly shook his head. "Nope, nope, bad idea. Focus, Naruto!"

Grinning at his own ridiculousness, he brought the binoculars up to his eyes, curious to see what they could do. He aimed them at the bonfire—and immediately regretted it.

"ARGH! My eyes!" he yelped, pulling them away as spots danced in his vision. The light of the bonfire had practically burned into his retinas. He blinked furiously, wiping at his eyes until the pain subsided.

Once his vision cleared, he raised the binoculars again, this time aiming them at the far edges of the shrine. Through the lenses, he could make out winding paths carved into the massive stone walls surrounding the area. The paths twisted and turned, disappearing into the distance like trails leading to the unknown.

Naruto lowered the binoculars, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, looks like I know where I'm going next," he said, standing up and stretching. He stashed the binoculars in his pouch and gave the bonfire one last glance.

"Let's go see what this world's got for me next!"

Naruto made his way to the cliffside where Alexander had once stood guard over his soul drop. The ground sloped sharply, giving way to a sheer drop below, and just ahead, the massive castle wall loomed like a giant sentry. The dark stone was ancient, scarred by battles long since forgotten, and stretched so high that it vanished into the thick, cloudy sky above. Naruto tilted his head back, taking it all in, feeling impossibly small in its shadow.

"Man," he muttered to himself, "this place always knows how to make you feel tiny."

As he stepped closer, his sharp eyes caught sight of a set of staircases carved right into the cliffside. They clung precariously to the rock face, winding upward toward a series of ancient, crumbling archways that disappeared into the castle walls. The steps themselves were a mess—cracked, uneven, and overgrown with tufts of wild grass and moss.

Naruto let out a deep breath, rolling his shoulders.

He stepped onto the first stair, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of the Zweihander strapped to his back. His senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning the shadows ahead. He didn't have to wait long. A few hollows shuffled into view, their vacant, hollow eyes staring at nothing, their battered armor barely clinging to their decayed bodies. They gripped rusted short swords with hands that shook as if they'd forgotten how to fight.

Naruto smirked, his confidence swelling. "Pfft, this is gonna be easy," he said under his breath. These hollows were barely holding themselves together, and he figured he wouldn't even need chakra to deal with them. This would be a good warm-up.

He took a step forward, hand on the Zweihander, ready to attack. Then it came—a sharp whistling sound cutting through the air.

BOOM!

The explosion slammed into the ground beside him, a burst of searing flames and heat that sent Naruto stumbling backward. The blast hit his chest like a hammer, forcing the air out of his lungs as flames licked at the edges of his armor. Smoke filled his lungs, and his instincts screamed at him to move.

"Damn it!" Naruto coughed, patting at the charred edges of his armor as he tried to regain his balance. His skin tingled from the heat, and his head pounded from the force of the blast. He barely had time to recover when one of the hollows lunged forward with a crazed howl, its short sword swinging wildly.

The first blow slammed into his shoulder plate with a harsh clang, and the hollow didn't stop. It hacked at him relentlessly, the strikes landing with the ferocity of a wild animal. Naruto gritted his teeth, his arm vibrating with every impact as he tried to block and hold his ground. The hollow's attacks were so wild, so frenzied, it almost pushed him off the edge of the staircase.

Then, with a sharp snap, the hollow's rusted sword shattered against his chest plate. The creature froze for a split second, almost as if it were confused, and Naruto seized the moment. With a burst of chakra, he disappeared in a blur of motion, shunshining backward to put some distance between them.

"Alright, that's enough of that," Naruto muttered, his breath ragged. His smirk was gone, replaced with a hard glare. "These guys are supposed to be pushovers, so what the hell's going on?"

Movement above caught his eye. Another hollow was scrambling down the upper staircase, its empty gaze fixed on him. Below, a second hollow—this one clad in dented, rusted armor—emerged from the shadows.

Naruto didn't wait for them to close in. Triggering the pyromancy flame in his hand, he hurled a fireball at the staircase. The explosion rocked the stone steps, engulfing the two hollows in flames. Smoke and embers filled the air, and Naruto charged through the chaos, his Zweihander raised high.

The first hollow, still stumbling forward, didn't stand a chance. With a roar, Naruto brought the Zweihander down in a devastating swing, cutting the hollow clean in half. Blood sprayed across the stone, the creature's remains crumpling to the ground as Naruto's focus sharpened. His Way of Focality screamed in his head—more attacks were coming from all sides.

But those attacks landed on nothing but smoke. His clone had taken his place.

BOOM!

Another firebomb went off, consuming the area where his clone had been standing in a burst of flames. Using the distraction, Naruto appeared behind the group of hollows, his Zweihander already in motion. The massive blade swept in a wide arc, slicing clean through two hollows in one fluid motion. Their heads hit the ground before their bodies even registered the impact.

The Zweihander crashed into the stone floor with a heavy thunk, dust and blood scattering in all directions. Naruto stood still for a moment, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.

But it wasn't over. Above him, another hollow was already prepping another firebomb. Naruto glanced up, his eyes narrowing. "Not this time," he muttered.

Letting go of the Zweihander, he pulled a kunai from his pouch and flung it with precision. The kunai struck the firebomb mid-air, detonating it in a fiery burst that sent the hollow stumbling back. Naruto didn't hesitate. He sprinted up the staircase, the wind whipping past him, his legs pumping hard as he closed the distance.

His smirk returned as he thought about what he was going to do. "Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this," he muttered under his breath, picturing himself tossing the hollow right off the edge.

The hollow raised its arm to throw another bomb, but before Naruto could close the gap, a massive axe swung out from behind the staircase. His instincts screamed, and he substituted, vanishing in a puff of smoke just as the axe cleaved through where he had been.

Naruto reappeared mid-air, just in time to watch the hollow with the axe get slammed by the firebomb intended for him. But it barely flinched, its bony face turning toward him with soulless rage.

He landed on the upper staircase, his feet skidding against the stone. "Alright," he growled, summoning the Zweihander into his hand, "no more games."

Chakra surged through his muscles as he charged forward, raising the massive blade. The hollow swung its axe, but the Zweihander cut clean through it, the blade continuing its arc and splitting the hollow's body in two. The strike shook Naruto's entire frame, but he held steady, his grip firm.

Another firebomb came his way. Naruto ducked into a low crouch, just like Kakashi had taught him, the bomb sailing harmlessly over his head. He glared up at the hollow, his patience officially gone.

"You really wanna keep throwing stuff, huh?" he growled, stalking toward the hollow, fists clenched.

The hollow hesitated, but Naruto didn't. He closed the distance in an instant, slamming his fist into its jaw. The impact sent it staggering, and he followed up with a quick left-right combo, each punch landing with a satisfying crack.

"Here, let me help you with that whole 'falling apart' thing!" Naruto snarled, delivering an uppercut that sent the hollow flying off the edge of the cliff. He watched as it tumbled into the abyss below, its limbs flailing uselessly.

A smirk crept onto his face. "Yeah, that felt good," he muttered, brushing off his hands.

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

Naruto trudged up the stairs, the metallic clink of his armor ringing out with every step. At the top, the faint sound of running water reached his ears, and something glimmered at the edge of the platform caught his eye—a soul orb. Naruto's face split into a grin.

"Well, don't mind if I do," he said, stepping forward.

But then he noticed something odd. Deep claw marks etched along the edge of the platform, gouged into the stone like something—or someone—had tried to claw their way back up. Naruto frowned, leaning over the ledge, and sure enough, there was a corpse lodged awkwardly in one of the archways below. Its body was twisted, limbs hanging limp, but what caught his eye was the faint glow of something valuable near it.

With a sigh, he created a shadow clone. "Alright, you know the drill," he said, waving the clone toward the edge. "You go grab the shiny stuff, and I stay up here looking heroic."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"You mean lazy," the clone quipped before leaping down.

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto called after it. "Don't get stuck like that guy, alright?" He plopped himself down at the edge of the platform, letting his legs dangle over as he took a moment to catch his breath.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to center himself. Oscar's precepts echoed in his mind—words of duty, discipline, and honor. He'd started repeating them like a mantra to keep himself grounded, especially in this world where everything wanted to kill him.

"Every mistake could mean death," he murmured, opening his eyes to stare out at the horizon. But the thought didn't weigh him down like it should've. Instead, he scoffed, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, sure. Like dying even matters here."

Dying just meant he'd respawn at the bonfire. Big deal. But… what if he died in Konoha? Would he just wake up back here? That thought stuck in his mind for a second longer than he liked.

Before he could dwell on it, a low, grating squeak echoed through the air. His head snapped toward the doorway behind him, and his eyes widened.

"What the—?"

It was a rat. No, not just a rat—a massive rat.

"What are you, the Akimichi clan's secret mascot?"

The creature's wild, beady eyes glinted in the light, and its fur was filthy—matted and streaked with blood. It scurried into the room on clawed feet, leaving scratch marks on the stone floor as it darted left and right, like it couldn't decide whether to charge or skitter away.

Naruto wrinkled his nose as the stench hit him—a sour, damp smell that clung to the air like it belonged there. The doorway behind the rat led into a dark, slimy space, with walls slick with algae and water pooling at the edges. He spotted a rusted cage in the distance, and slumped against the bars was a body—or what was left of one.

"So the rat eats corpses," Naruto said, raising his pyromancy flame to light up the area.

The rat hissed, crouching low before lunging at him. Its claws swiped the air, and Naruto jumped back, waving his flame to keep it at bay.

"Whoa, easy there!" he said, trying not to step into the gross puddle behind him. "I don't do hugs, especially from giant sewer rats."

The rat reared up on its hind legs, standing almost as tall as his waist. Its claws swiped again, but this time Naruto didn't back down. He reached into his pouch and hurled a kunai, the blade slicing clean through the air before embedding itself into the rat's head.

The creature let out a horrible screech before collapsing in a twitching heap.

"Gross," Naruto muttered, eyeing the dead rat warily. He spotted something glimmering near its meal—a soul orb.

"Yeah, nope. Not touching that," he said, creating another shadow clone. "Hey, you! Go grab that for me."

"Sure thing, boss. Glad I'm disposable, huh?"

"Yeah, that's why you are a clone," Naruto said with a grin, watching the clone step into the muck to retrieve the orb.

Naruto moved farther along the wall, spotting another set of bars blocking an opening.

"What the hell is this place?" he muttered, gripping the bars. He gave them a push, but the familiar system window popped up in front of him: "Does not open from this side."

He groaned, slamming his hand against the cage.

With a sigh, he moved on, climbing a staircase that led up to a path. Light spilled in from the right, revealing a distant tower framed by dark, swirling clouds.

That's when he heard it.

A low, grating sound—metal scraping against stone.

Naruto froze, every nerve in his body on edge. His hand hovered near the hilt of his Zweihander as he strained to listen. The sound was slow, deliberate, and it was getting closer.

"Alright," he muttered under his breath, his heart pounding. "Let's do this the smart way…"

Naruto tossed out a shadow clone with a grin. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was how to make a scene.

Switching the Zweihander for the winged spear, he gripped the long, slender weapon awkwardly in his hands. It felt… strange. Not bad, just not right for him. It was like trying to use chopsticks after eating with his hands his whole life. He gave it a testing spin, grimacing at the imbalance.

"Man, this thing is weird," Naruto muttered under his breath. "Guess I'm not gonna be pulling off any fancy moves with this. But hey, pointy end goes into the bad guys, right?"

Ahead, his clone was doing its job, waving its arms like a maniac and shouting taunts. "Oi, you ugly sacks of bones! Come get me! What, scared of a little ninja like me?"

Naruto smirked as the hollows were drawn toward the clone, their jerky, unnatural movements almost pitiful. The first hollow dragged a filthy axe along the ground, its emaciated body swaying as if it might fall apart any second. Through the shared memories with his clone, Naruto spotted the second one, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"Classic ambush setup," Naruto muttered, crouching low.

Pushing chakra into his legs, he surged forward in a blur of motion, his Shunshin closing the gap before the hollow even realized he was there. The spear's tip drove straight into the hollow's skull with a sickening crack. Naruto winced as he felt the resistance of bone and flesh give way, the spear skewering deep. Its body slumped onto the spear, dead weight pulling against his grip. Blood oozed down the length of the weapon, thick and dark, but Naruto held steady, using chakra to anchor himself. The second hollow leapt from the shadows, its rusted sword swinging wildly. Naruto barely had time to adjust, bracing his legs as the attacks rained down on him. Each strike hammered against the hollow corpse still stuck on his spear, rattling up his arms.

Naruto dismissed the spear into his inventory. His now-free hand lit up as he summoned the pyromancy flame, the orange glow casting eerie shadows across the hollow's gaunt, mindless face.

The fireball hit the hollow point-blank. Flames erupted across its body, making it screech as its skin bubbled and cracked. But even as it burned, the thing staggered forward, undeterred.

"Seriously?" Naruto groaned, frustration bubbling up alongside his chakra. "What does it take to put you down?"

With a roar of effort, he threw a punch straight into the hollow's chest. His gauntlet connected with a satisfying crunch, the force sending the hollow flying backward. It hit the wooden bridge just as a firebomb exploded against its back, flames bursting outward in all directions. Finally, the creature collapsed into ash.

Who's handing out firebombs to these guys?!

As if on cue, another hollow at the far end of the platform raised its arm, a firebomb already cocked and ready. Naruto's eyes narrowed.

Shunshin carried him forward, and his boots slammed into the hollow's chest with enough force to send it flying. He felt the crunch of ribs giving way beneath his weight as the hollow tumbled off the edge, flailing uselessly before disappearing into the abyss below.

He didn't even have time to enjoy the moment. Another hollow lunged from the shadows, its rusted sword slicing downward in a vicious arc. Naruto ducked just in time, feeling the blade whistle past his head. Rolling to the side, he instinctively summoned a weapon—and cursed when the winged spear materialized in his hands again.

The hollow swung again, but Naruto ducked low, sweeping his leg out in a wide arc. His foot connected with the hollow's shin, sending it tumbling backward in a flailing mess of limbs. Before it could recover, Naruto grabbed its bony ankle with a firm grip.

"Time to take out the trash," he quipped, swinging the hollow around like a sack of rice. With a grunt, he flung it off the ledge, watching as it spiraled down into the darkness below.

Finally, silence.

Naruto took a deep breath, straightening up as he scanned the area. His muscles ached, his armor was scratched up, and he was pretty sure he smelled like whatever foul sludge the hollows were living in.

"Definitely need to work on my taijutsu when I get back," he muttered.

The path ahead was littered with broken barrels and rotting crates, leading to a series of small, crumbling buildings. The windows were dark, the wooden beams sagging under the weight of decay. He summoned a few shadow clones, sending them off to search the smaller buildings while he continued forward.

Crossing a rickety wooden bridge, he stepped into a larger room, the air stale and thick with dust. A stone staircase spiraled upward to his left, parts of it broken and crumbling. Beneath it, a pile of broken barrels covered something—or someone.

Naruto crouched down, nudging the barrels aside to reveal the crumpled body of a humanoid. Its limbs were twisted unnaturally, its hollow eyes staring blankly ahead. Near its hand, a soul orb glowed faintly.

Reaching out, Naruto grabbed the orb, feeling the familiar pulse of energy run through his fingers. He frowned, his thoughts darkening for a moment.

"Were they like me?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did they come here thinking they could make it out alive? Did they want to ring those Bells of Awakening too?"

The thought left a sour taste in his mouth. Naruto sat down on the cold stone, letting the silence wrap around him. He just let himself sit there, scrolling through his inventory, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his chest.

[ Item: Ring of Sacrifice ]

[ Description: This mystical ring was created in a sacrificial rite of Velka, the Goddess of Sin. Its wearer will lose nothing upon death, but the ring itself breaks. ]

Another magic ring. Naruto rolled his eyes, tossing it back into the inventory. One-time use, maybe, and considering what he had to do to go back to Konoha, it'd be best not to waste it. Next up. His finger flicked across the screen, landing on another find.

[ Item: Humanity ]

[ Description: Rare tiny black sprite found on corpses. Use to gain 1 humanity and restore a large amount of HP.

This black sprite is called humanity, but little is known about its true nature.

If the soul is the source of all life, then what distinguishes the humanity we hold within ourselves? ]

Naruto tilted his head as he read the description. "Okay, that's… cryptic," he muttered, pulling off his gauntlet to inspect his hand.

He frowned. His skin looked off—ashen and rough, like a hollow's. "Wait a sec… didn't I just reverse my hollowing?" He flexed his fingers, turning his hand over to get a better look. "Is there, like, a time limit on this thing, or did it reset because I died?"

He let out a groan and moved to the next item on the list, his eyes narrowing as he read the name.

[ Item: Rubbish ]

[ Description: Rubbish with no value.

Who in their right mind would bother carrying this around? Perhaps you need help. ]

Naruto grumbled, "First of all, fuck you, system. And second, I didn't pick this crap—my clones did."

Still, he pulled it out of the inventory, intending to throw it away. In his hand was a pile of junk—a moldy piece of paper with strange, childlike drawings on it, scraps of metal twisted and broken, and some shards of pottery with faded patterns. It looked like... memories. Memories that had been abandoned, left to rot. The longer he stared, the more unsettling it felt. The quiet around him stopped feeling like peace and started pressing in, cold and heavy.

What happened to these people? The question formed in his mind before he even realized it. This world was full of mysteries, echoes of history, culture, and life that didn't fully make sense. But staring at that moldy piece of paper, something about it felt different. Real, in a way that got under his skin. He let out a slow breath, pushing the "rubbish" back into his inventory, but the thought lingered. What will happen if I ring the Bells of Awakening?

Naruto stood up, brushing off the dust and taking a deep breath. I'll find my answers by ringing the bells, right? The thought ran through his mind as he took each step, feeling more certain, more determined. Whatever this world held, the bells would be the key to understanding it.

He climbed up the stairs, his footsteps echoing against the cracked stone. The path opened up into a cold, empty walkway shadowed by a towering castle. High, rough walls stretched up on both sides. The whole place felt… forgotten. Barely visible in the gray mist ahead were crumbling towers, hints of a place long abandoned. There was no sound, just the faint, hollow echoes that broke the stillness.

And then, he heard it.

A loud, bone-rattling roar from the left, shaking the entire walkway. His mind went blank, his body frozen.

What the hell…

Naruto felt his stomach twist in dread, and then he saw it—a massive, dark red creature, dragon-like but far more monstrous than any story he'd ever heard. Its body was covered in rough, spiked armor, dark as blood, with sharp bone-like protrusions along its head and neck, pointing backward like jagged thorns. Where its eyes should've been, there was just a smooth, bony surface—no eyes, just an empty, blind stare. Somehow, that made it even worse, as if it could still see him, feel him standing there, paralyzed.

Is that... a dragon? Naruto's mind struggled to process what he was seeing. Oscar had told him about dragons, but seeing one was completely different from hearing about one.

It didn't feel real. It was like a dream, one where he was caught between terror and awe, just staring, unable to look away.

The dragon didn't notice him—or didn't care. It stretched its massive, scarred wings, leathery and worn, and with a powerful beat, it lifted off the ground, soaring into the gray sky. Naruto watched as it flew over the stone arch, its silhouette dark against the towers, vanishing into the mist as if it were returning home.

He stood there, heart racing, staring at the spot where it had been.

Did that… actually just happen?

Naruto barely had time to process the absurdity of seeing a dragon when a sudden, searing pain exploded in his leg. His knee buckled, fire shooting through his entire limb, up his spine, and straight into his skull.

He stumbled, his eyes snapping down, and there it was—an arrow. Lodged deep in his knee.

"Great," he muttered through gritted teeth. "Now I've taken an arrow to the knee? What even is my life?"

The pain was blinding, unbearable. For a second, the world around him blurred. He shook his head, biting down hard on the inside of his cheek to stay focused.

The fury came fast, replacing the shock and pain. Without hesitating, he grabbed the arrow shaft with both hands and yanked it out in one harsh pull. His teeth clenched, and he bit back a scream as blood spurted from the wound, staining the ground beneath him.

"Stupid hollows and their stupid arrows!"

His hand fumbled for the Estus Flask strapped to his side. He gulped the glowing liquid down, feeling its warmth spread through his body like liquid fire. The wound in his knee began to knit itself back together, the pain dulling with every passing second until it finally faded to a manageable throb.

Naruto exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders as he stood back up. He flexed his knee experimentally—it still stung, but at least it worked again. "Good as new," he muttered. "But I'm never letting that happen again."

His gaze snapped up, locking onto the hollow that had dared to shoot him. The soulless creature was running toward him now, its skeletal frame rattling with each awkward step.

Naruto felt his anger surge, hot and unrelenting. "Oh, you picked the wrong target today," he growled.

The hollow didn't stop. Neither did Naruto.

If it wanted to shoot at him, it had better be ready to deal with what came next. Because arrow to the knee or not, Naruto Uzumaki wasn't about to let anyone—or anything—get the last laugh.

Gripping his Zweihander tightly, he lunged forward, swinging the blade in a brutal downward arc. The impact sent a satisfying crunch through his arms as the blade cleaved the hollow in two, a splatter of blood marking the stones beneath it.

But just as he took a moment to catch his breath, something whizzed past his neck, close enough to graze his skin—a second arrow, barely missing him. His head snapped up, fury igniting as he caught sight of the archer.

Naruto barely had time to process it before two more hollows rushed him from the sides. He brought up his Zweihander, blocking their strikes as the metal screeched against his own blade. But he couldn't focus entirely on them; every few seconds, another arrow came hurtling toward him, the archer clearly intent on skewering him alive.

These guys are really pissing me off.

Naruto clenched his teeth, fighting back with one hand while his other reached for an explosive tag. With one quick movement, he slapped it onto the nearest hollow's chest, pushing back with all his strength as he leaped away. "Fuin!" he barked, triggering the tag.

The explosion tore through both hollows, bits of bone and dust scattering in the air. The blast gave him just enough cover to sprint up the stairs toward the archer, his eyes set on the damn hollow that had the nerve to shoot him.

As he got closer, he could see it fumbling with its weapon, hands barely steady as it tried to notch another arrow. The thing was holding a battered crossbow, the kind that looked like it had fallen apart ages ago and been haphazardly pieced back together. Its bony fingers struggled to attach the arrow to the crossbow's string, its entire movement slow and clumsy.

Naruto didn't waste a second and went in for the kill. But then, his Way of Focality screamed at him, and he instinctively ducked as a firebomb came flying from above. He cursed under his breath.

If I ever find the bastard who invented firebombs, he thought furiously, I'll shove a dozen of these things up his ass and light the fuse. Let's see how he likes it!

With no other choice, he lunged forward, tackling the hollow with his shoulder and slamming into its frail body with all his weight. It staggered, but instead of falling away, its hands clamped onto his armor with a death grip. He tried to shake it off, but its bony fingers wouldn't budge. With a jolt, he felt them both tumbling off the ledge.

Welp, I'm dead, he thought, bracing himself for the worst.

But luck was on his side.

They landed hard on a balcony just below, his armor clanging against the stone as the hollow squirmed beneath him. He wasted no time, slamming his Zweihander down, pinning it through the chest. The hollow's body went limp, but he wasn't finished.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a humanoid corpse slumped against the wall, a wooden shield clutched in its lifeless hand. The shield was long, oval-shaped, with a simple design carved into the wood. Its surface was worn and rough, the faded lines barely visible.

"Thanks," he muttered to the corpse, prying the shield from its stiff grip. With a growl, he bashed the still-twitching hollow under him until it was nothing more than scattered bones.

Great, a new shield. That I'll probably never use.

With one last breath, he stood up and headed back to the stairs, determined to find the remaining hollows. He climbed up, his eyes scanning every shadow, his muscles tensed with anticipation.

Alright, where are you, firebomb-throwing assholes?

Reaching the top, he finally saw them. A few hollows perched above, each one fumbling with firebombs, their lifeless eyes fixed on him. His blood boiled as he prepared to strike back.

But then, something caught his eye—a familiar, hopeful glimmer.

An unlit bonfire, hidden in a small room just to the side. His heart skipped a beat, and a grin spread across his face.

Yes! He didn't have to restart from Firelink Shrine. He darted into the room, the flames flaring to life under his touch.

With renewed energy, Naruto turned his gaze back to the hollows perched above. His hand instinctively reached for the firebombs hanging at his side.

The hollows had been hurling firebombs at him for what felt like forever, and now it was time to give them a taste of their own medicine. Kunai and shuriken alone weren't enough—this time, he'd bring the heat. Firebomb by firebomb, he'd make sure every last one of those undead bastards paid.

"Bring it on."

Almost ten minutes later, Naruto stood amidst the wreckage, his breathing slightly labored, his armor caked with grime and soot. The once-perched hollows now lay scattered and broken, charred remains decorating the shattered stones beneath the ruined battlements. Smoke hung in the air, the acrid scent stinging his nostrils.

He wiped a smear of ash from his cheek, the faint embers still smoldering in a nearby hollow's ribcage catching his eye. A slight grin tugged at his lips. Serves you right.

His stomach growled loudly, breaking the eerie silence of the aftermath.

"Man, I'm starving," he muttered, walking back toward the bonfire, the familiar golden glow already pulling him in like a moth to a flame. He dropped onto the hard ground beside it with a soft clink of his armor.

The fire pulsed, gentle and alive, and the familiar menu appeared before his eyes:

[ Name: Naruto Uzumaki ]

[ Level: 10 ]

[ Souls: 687 ]

[ Required Souls: 900 ]

Naruto stared at the numbers, his brow furrowing slightly. 687 souls. Just short of the amount I need to level up. His hand flexed reflexively, itching to summon another shuriken or firebomb, but he knew better. There wasn't another hollow around that hadn't already been skewered, burned, or broken by his earlier rampage.

"Great," he muttered. "Not enough souls, and I'm too hungry to keep going."

His stomach growled again, loud and insistent, and he groaned, dragging a hand down his face. I should just go back, Naruto thought, glancing at the broken bridge not far off. The comforting glow of the bonfire flickered in his peripheral vision, but it wasn't enough to drown out the nagging thought in the back of his mind: If I go back now, I'll drop my souls.

The memory of the last time he'd returned surfaced—Alexander had protected his souls that time.

He considered the ring of sacrifice tucked away in his inventory. For a measly 600 souls? Yeah, no. The ring's too valuable for something so minor.

Naruto exhaled sharply, his hunger gnawing at his resolve. "Fine, it's just 600 souls. Does it really matter that much?" he muttered to himself, though the words tasted bitter.

He stood, brushing off his armor and stretching his arms over his head. His gaze shifted toward the edge of the broken bridge, the yawning void beyond it waiting for him.

"See you soon, Lordran," he said under his breath, a faint smirk tugging at his lips despite the weariness settling over him.

Without hesitation, he stepped to the edge and leaped into the darkness.

The wind whipped past him, cold and biting, pulling at his tattered cloak as he plummeted. He didn't flinch; the falling sensation was almost comforting now—a strange, grim reminder that in this cursed land, death wasn't the end. The world blurred around him as the blackness swallowed him whole, its void-like embrace as familiar as the bonfire's glow.

And then, silence.

A faint red message etched itself into his vision, the words cutting through the darkness like an unwanted friend:

[ You Died ]

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

Back at the bonfire, the flames danced quietly, their warmth a sharp contrast to the desolation surrounding them. Slowly, the world began to reset. The hollows Naruto had slain clawed their way back to unlife, their battered forms shuffling aimlessly across the ruined landscape. Bones clicked back into place, broken weapons reformed, and lifeless eyes lit up without any purpose.

Among them, the crossbow hollow stirred. It stumbled toward the place where Naruto had jumped, its movements slow and mechanical. There, nestled among the shattered stones, was a faint, glowing soul drop.

The hollow hesitated, its head tilting slightly as if sensing something. Then, with a jerky, almost reverent motion, it reached out and absorbed the soul. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, its posture straightened. Its movements became… different. More deliberate. More alive.

In Lordran, time always returns to its stagnant state. Death becomes life, and life becomes death, in an endless, unchanging cycle.

But change… change is always inevitable.