Chapter no.3 Dark Souls

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Chapter no.3 The Dark Sign

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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."

"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."

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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!

Months 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 corpse 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." 

"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? What do you mean I'm… not from here?" he stammered, completely caught off guard. This whole time, he'd just assumed this place was some hidden part of his world—a secret village, a weird prison maybe. But another world? His mind spun, and he looked at Oscar as though the knight could somehow explain away the shock.

Oscar knelt down in front of him, his armor creaking slightly as he lowered himself. For a moment, Naruto flinched, unsure what to expect. Is this guy about to fight me? Was it bad I'm not from here? But Oscar only looked at him with a quiet, almost solemn understanding.

"That explains a lot," Oscar said finally, easing down beside Naruto. "Things that didn't quite fit… like the strange way you handle power, your… unusual view of the world."

"Unusual?" Naruto echoed, frowning. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Oscar's lips quirked in a faint smile. "Naruto, you're… brighter than anyone I've met in Lordran," he said, like he was choosing his words carefully. "You joke, you laugh… even when you're in danger. No one here acts like that. Even the children of Astora don't fool around the way you do. They're cautious. Untrusting. Afraid."

Naruto snorted. "What kind of stupid world is this?"

He hadn't meant it to come out so harshly, but he couldn't help it. The thought of kids not being able to mess around, not getting to laugh, to be kids… it was wrong. Sure, he hadn't exactly had the best childhood in Konoha, but he'd found ways to make it fun. He'd been a prankster, a fool, just to get a reaction. Just to get noticed. Even if it was for the wrong reasons, it was better than sinking into loneliness.

But here? Where even kids had to be afraid and serious just to survive? That wasn't a life.

Oscar seemed to sense his frustration, and his expression softened. "Life here… is harsh. Fear can become a shield, but it's a heavy one to carry, especially for children."

Naruto shook his head, the injustice of it all gnawing at him. "But… why's it gotta be like that?"

Oscar sighed. "That… is a long story." He hesitated, then slowly reached up, removing his helmet. Beneath the metal was a hollowed face, sunken and decayed—an eerie reflection of Naruto's own form here. But despite the wear and darkness, there was something familiar.

Blonde hair.

Naruto felt a strange warmth at the sight. He's like me, he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Guess we've got more in common than I thought, huh?"

Oscar leaned back, his eyes distant, as if he could see across time itself. "Naruto, have you ever wondered what the world was like in the beginning?"

Naruto tilted his head, brow furrowing. "Uh… I dunno? Pretty shitty, since they didn't have ramen?"

Oscar chuckled, a low sound that echoed softly in the empty space around them. "I suppose, yes… there wasn't much to enjoy back then. But it wasn't just about food. It was… different. Imagine a world shrouded in fog. No sun, no warmth, no cold. Just gray crags, towering Archtrees, and the Everlasting Dragons ruling over all."

"Dragons? Like, giant fire-breathing lizards?"

"Sort of," Oscar said. "But these dragons were more than that. They were eternal, untouched by time or fire. They lived in a world that never changed… until one day, something new appeared."

"Let me guess—someone showed up and kicked dragon butt?"

"Not quite," Oscar replied, his tone thoughtful. "It started with fire. Fire brought change—things like heat and cold, life and death, light and dark. And from the dark, beings came forward, drawn to the flame. They found power within it—souls as old as the fire itself. The Souls of Lords."

"Lords, huh?" Naruto muttered, trying to wrap his head around it. "So, they were, like, the big shots?"

Oscar nodded. "Yes. The first to claim these souls were Nito, the First of the Dead; the Witch of Izalith and her daughters; and Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight. Each of them was… powerful, beyond anything we could imagine."

Oscar paused, as if debating whether to continue, then sighed. "There was one more. The Furtive Pygmy. He wasn't like the others. Smaller, weaker… easily overlooked. But he found something within the flame as well: a Dark Soul."

"A Dark Soul?" Naruto echoed, trying to piece it all together. "So… this guy didn't go around fighting dragons, then?"

Oscar shook his head. "No. While Gwyn and the others used their power to go to war with the dragons, the Pygmy did something else. He hid in the shadows, kept his power secret. And in time, he… shared it."

"Shared it?" Naruto blinked, intrigued. "Like… with who?"

"With others, like you."

Naruto's jaw dropped. "Wait, me? You mean—?"

"The Pygmy used his Dark Soul to create a new kind of being," Oscar explained. "A whole race. He created humans."

Naruto sat back, letting the weight of that sink in. "So… humans came from this Dark Soul thing? From this guy?"

"Yes. But it's a bit more complicated," Oscar replied, his voice a low rumble. "The Pygmy's Dark Soul was a beacon—a light in the darkness, one that stretched across worlds. Over the years, people from other places, other worlds… they felt its pull. They were drawn here, across time and space."

Naruto's eyes widened. "So… you're saying he brought people here? Like… like me?"

Oscar nodded. "Exactly. You're not the first, Naruto. Many have been drawn here, especially in the early days of the world. Humans, warriors, seekers of power… even heroes."

"Heroes?"

Oscar smiled faintly, sensing his thoughts. "Yes. But as time went on, things changed. The Age of Fire brought kingdoms, power… and fear. The Lords grew wary of humanity. Especially Gwyn."

Naruto frowned. "Wait, why? Didn't they all fight together?"

"They did… for a while," Oscar admitted. "But humans carried pieces of the Dark Soul, a power that Gwyn and the others feared. He began to worry that the strength of humans could one day surpass even his own."

"So what'd he do? Kick 'em out?"

Oscar's face hardened. "Worse. Gwyn tried to control humanity. He marked them with a brand… something called the Darksign." He reached down, tracing a fiery circle in the dirt—a symbol Naruto recognized instantly.

Naruto's eyes went wide. "That's… that's the ring of fire I touched before I came here…"

Oscar nodded slowly. "The Darksign binds humans to this world. It keeps them here, traps them in cycles of life and death… until there's almost nothing left."

Naruto stared at the symbol, feeling a chill run through him. "So… that's what brought me here? This… Darksign?"

"Maybe," Oscar replied, his voice soft. "Or maybe the Pygmy's beacon still calls to those with enough spirit to hear it. Either way… it's no accident you're here, Naruto."

Naruto let out a long breath, trying to process everything.

"So… how do I go back?"

He tried to sound casual, but even to him, the question sounded desperate. Konoha was so far away now, but it was still his home. He didn't belong here in this place of endless decay.

Oscar gave him a small, understanding smile. "You miss it, don't you? Your home?"

Naruto bit his lip, looking away. "I mean… it's not like there's anyone waiting for me," he admitted quietly, his voice barely a whisper.

Oscar's face softened. "You're an orphan?"

Naruto nodded, the word hanging heavily between them. He'd said it so many times before, but here, in this strange, desolate world, it felt like he was admitting it for the first time.

Oscar's gaze was filled with a rare sympathy. "That explains why you're so… full of life," he said softly.

Naruto frowned, caught off guard. "Full of life? What's that supposed to mean?"

Oscar smiled, a gentle, almost wistful look in his eyes. "When you've known loneliness… true loneliness… sometimes all you can do is laugh. It's the only way to keep the darkness from swallowing you whole."

Naruto looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the same loneliness he'd seen in his own reflection so many times before.

"Yeah…" he murmured, his voice barely audible. "Beats the alternative, right?"

They sat in silence after that, a silence that spoke louder than words. In that moment, they both understood something unspoken, something that went beyond words, beyond worlds. They both knew what it was to be alone and, somehow, to keep going.

For the first time since he'd arrived, Naruto didn't feel quite so far from home.

"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!"