Chapter no.53 Dark Souls

Chapter no.53 Between a Rock and a Hard Place

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Naruto’s eyes cracked open, his body heavy and weak as though he were buried beneath an invisible weight. The world around him felt distant, his mind blank and foggy, trying to piece together what had happened. One second he was trapped in Zabuza’s water prison, the next was nothing but searing pain and darkness.

His right arm felt… wrong. Numb and dead, like it wasn’t even part of his body anymore. It was a strange sensation, as though he were trying to move a limb that wasn’t there. Forcing his sluggish mind to focus, Naruto tried to move his fingers. A faint, tingling sensation flickered through his arm, distant and weak, but there. Barely.

What the hell happened to me? Naruto thought, trying to fight through the haze clouding his memory.

His body felt like lead, and as he shifted slightly, a new, overpowering sensation hit him—his stomach twisted painfully, his insides churning like a storm. He knew this feeling all too well. The last time he’d been knocked out in a spar at the academy, he had woken up hours later in the same predicament. Only this time, it was worse. Much worse.

He needed to go. Now.

“Naruto!” a voice gasped, dragging him fully to the present. His head lolled to the side to see Sakura leaning over him.

Sasuke was already on his feet. “Dobe, can you hear me? How do you feel?”

Naruto tried to answer, but the words came out as a garbled mumble. His lips felt heavy, numb, like they weren’t fully connected to the rest of him.

“What’s he saying?”

“Naruto, can you repeat that?”

Naruto’s lips moved again, forcing out the words with great effort. This time, his voice was just barely audible.

“I want to take a massive dump.”

Sasuke and Sakura stared at him.

Naruto groaned, trying to sit up as his stomach gave another painful lurch. “No, like, I’m serious. Get me to the bathroom, or this bed is going to experience the Naruto storm.”

Sakura’s face contorted as she tried to decide whether to laugh or be horrified. “Naruto… that’s…” She stopped herself, exhaling in resignation. Kakashi had warned them about this. After prolonged unconsciousness, the body slowed down intestinal processes, leading to… situations like this.

“Naruto, try to hold it in. I am not cleaning your mattress,” Sakura said, moving to help him up. She grabbed one arm while Sasuke grabbed the other, both supporting him as they guided him to his feet.

“Where are we?” Naruto muttered, his legs shaky beneath him. He forced himself to move, not wanting to put all his weight on them.

“Tazuna-san’s house,” Sakura explained. “You’ve been out for three days. Don’t start walking on your own—you’ve got muscle atrophy. Take it slow.”

Naruto blinked. “Three days?” His voice was incredulous.

A new voice chimed in as they reached the hall. “Oh, looks like you’re awake.”

Naruto turned to see a woman with long, dark blue hair and kind eyes. She wore a short-sleeved pink shirt with red trim and a long blue skirt.

“Miss Tsunami,” Sakura said quickly, “can you tell me where the bathroom is?”

“It’s outside,” Tsunami replied.

Naruto froze, his face turning red. “Outside?! What kind of place puts the bathroom outside?”

Outside, Kakashi stood near the entrance with another group of shinobi—Team 8. Naruto barely registered them as his focus remained entirely on not embarrassing himself.

“Sensei! Naruto’s awake!” Sakura called out.

Behind her, Sasuke emerged, still supporting Naruto as they stepped into the misty evening air.

“Seriously… who the hell puts the bathroom outside?”

“It’s called an outhouse, dobe,” Sasuke replied dryly. “Maybe if you read a book for once, you’d know that.”

Naruto glared weakly at him. “After I take my dump, I am kicking your ass.”

Sasuke rolled his eyes but kept his arm steady around Naruto’s back, supporting him without comment.

Suddenly, chakra flared.

“Man-Beast Taijutsu: Fang Over Fang!”

Naruto blinked as Kiba, surrounded by spinning chakra—but then froze mid-air. Or rather, didn’t move at all. He stood rooted to the spot, yelling at the top of his lungs.

“Naruto!” Kiba roared, his body still locked in place.

Naruto would’ve laughed if his stomach didn’t feel like it was trying to murder him. “Guys, can we joke later?” he groaned, clutching his stomach. “I’m about to explode here!”

Sasuke’s Sharingan spun to life as he flickered to Kiba’s side, delivering a powerful kick—only to hit empty air.

Naruto frowned, his sluggish mind piecing it together. “Genjutsu,” he muttered. He was too focused on his current emergency to care much, though. He forced himself to stand straighter, despite the sharp protest from his muscles, and equipped his Estus Flask. The golden liquid glowed faintly as he downed it in one gulp.

His body responded immediately, strength flooding back into his limbs as the muscle atrophy faded. The pain in his legs eased, but his stomach gave another sharp twist, reminding him of the real priority.

Kurenai’s voice cut through the commotion as she scolded Kiba, but Naruto barely heard her. Without waiting for an apology or explanation, he shoved past her, his face red with urgency.

“Where the hell is the bathroom?!”

Hinata’s hand trembled slightly as she pointed toward the outhouse at the edge of the yard.

“A-Ano… it’s over there.”

Naruto’s blue eyes locked onto hers for a brief moment, his expression frantic but sincere. “Thanks.”

Without another word, he bolted, slamming the outhouse door shut behind him.

The next hour was pure agony. Naruto sat on the rickety wooden seat, gripping the edges as his body finally began to purge itself of three days’ worth of backlog. It was intense, painful, and utterly miserable.

Honestly, Naruto thought bitterly, wiping sweat from his forehead, I’d rather fight the Asylum Demon again.

Now that the ordeal was over, Naruto had other problems to deal with.

Still seated in the cramped outhouse, he opened the HUD, hoping for some clue as to what had gone wrong. The faint golden glow of the interface filled his vision, and his eyes scanned through everything.

It didn’t take long to notice something unusual. His right-hand weapon slots were greyed out.

[R1 Weapon: Zweihander]

[R2 Weapon: Pyromancy Flame (Cursed)]

“Guess that makes sense,” Naruto muttered, staring at his right hand.

Experimenting, he swapped the Zweihander to his left-hand slot. To his relief, the change worked; the massive greatsword’s weight felt just as familiar in his left grip as it had in his right. But when he tried the same thing with the Pyromancy Flame, the interface refused. No matter how much he fiddled, it stayed locked.

Curious, Naruto opened the item description, hoping for answers.

[Item: Pyromancy Flame (Cursed)]

[Description: A flame born of an unnatural hunger, warped by chakra and bound by the curse of the witch. This flame, once a tool of creation, now seeks destruction, feeding on the body and soul of its wielder. It whispers of demonhood, promising power at the cost of humanity. The transformation was interrupted, leaving only a grotesque remnant—a hand touched by chaos.]

Naruto stared blankly at the text, his mind grinding to a halt.

He exhaled shakily, closing the HUD and running a trembling left hand through his hair. His thoughts began to spiral.

It’s my fault.

He tried to push the thought away, to reason with himself. It had been the heat of the moment. He’d been trapped. Zabuza had been relentless, and his life was on the line. What other choice had he had?

But no amount of rationalizing changed the truth. You forced chakra into the Pyromancy Flame. You knew something felt wrong, and you still did it.

Naruto clenched his jaw, his breathing uneven. He wanted to punch the wall, to vent his frustration, but even the thought of moving his injured arm sent a phantom wave of pain through him. He forced himself to stand, every muscle in his body protesting, and pushed open the outhouse door.

The cool air hit him like a slap to the face, but before he could take a step, a hand gripped his shoulder.

“Come on,” Kakashi said, his tone gentler than usual. “Kurenai’s going to check you over.”

Naruto allowed himself to be pulled into the small kitchen of Tazuna’s house, where Kurenai waited. Her red eyes softened as she saw him, but Naruto could only look at the floor.

“Sit down, Naruto,” she said, gesturing to a stool.

He obeyed silently, his mind still racing.

Kurenai moved behind him, placing her palms lightly against his back. Her hands glowed faint green as the soothing warmth of her chakra flowed into him.

“Sensei,” Naruto asked, his voice quieter than usual, “what’s she doing?”

“This is the Mystic Palm Jutsu,” Kurenai explained. “It’s a healing technique. By covering the hands in chakra and channeling it into the wounded area, she can repair tissue and promote recovery.”

Naruto barely processed her words. His thoughts were still stuck on the cursed description of the Pyromancy Flame.

Suddenly, Kurenai gasped.

Kakashi stiffened immediately. “What is it?”

“He’s completely healed,” Kurenai said, surprise evident in her voice.

“Good and what about the arm?”

Naruto’s body tensed as she moved toward his charred limb.

“Wait!” Naruto blurted out, making both Kurenai and Kakashi pause.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-I was just wondering… Sensei, is there chakra inside chakra paper?”

Kakashi tilted his head slightly at the sudden, seemingly unrelated question. “Yes, Naruto. Chakra paper has trace amounts of chakra in it. That’s how it reacts to your chakra nature.”

Naruto froze. His thoughts immediately snapped back to what had happened the last time he injected Pyromancy Flame energy into chakra paper. That horrifying, demonic reaction…

He didn’t even want to think about what would happen if Kurenai, someone else’s chakra, got too close to his cursed hand.

“Naruto,” Kurenai said gently, her hands still hovering near his arm. “I know this is uncomfortable, but we need to assess the damage. I promise to be careful.”

“I think this is a bad idea,” Naruto said firmly, his voice shaking slightly as Kurenai’s hands hovered near his charred arm. “This happened because I tried to inject chakra into my fire. I don’t want to hurt you, Miss Kurenai.”

Kurenai blinked at him, then smiled softly before reaching out and pinching his cheek. “Thank you for your concern, Naruto, but I’m a professional. I know what I’m doing.”

No, you don’t. Naruto wanted to scream it, but the words stayed locked in his throat. Pyromancy Flame wasn’t chakra, and no amount of training or expertise would prepare anyone for what might happen.

His eyes darted to Kakashi, pleading. “Sensei, please—“

“Naruto, how else are we supposed to figure out what’s wrong with your arm? We need to understand it if we’re going to help you.”

“I know what it is,” Naruto said. “It’s a curse.”

The room fell silent. Kakashi’s gaze softened, but there was no sign of understanding in his expression. To everyone else, it must’ve sounded like a tantrum—an overwhelmed genin grasping for an explanation.

Kurenai, however, took a different approach. She studied Naruto carefully, noting the tension in his shoulders, the way his voice wavered slightly. He wasn’t being stubborn—he was scared.

“Naruto,” Kurenai said gently, her tone taking on the calmness of a medic. “I know this is hard, but I need you to trust me. If you’re hurt, it’s my job to figure out how to help you.”

Naruto opened his mouth to protest again, but before he could say anything, Kakashi suddenly wavered on his feet.

“Sensei!” Naruto shouted as Kakashi collapsed, and Kurenai moved quickly to catch him before he hit the floor.

“What’s going on?” Sasuke’s sharp voice called as he, Sakura, and Hinata rushed into the room.

Kurenai’s hands lit up with the green glow of Mystic Palm Jutsu, her focus entirely on Kakashi’s limp form. She grimaced as she assessed his condition.

“What… happened?” Sakura asked, her voice trembling.

“Chakra exhaustion. He’s been holding himself together with chakra pills.”

Sasuke frowned. “But he hasn’t used any big jutsu in days.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Kurenai said bluntly, her tone taking on an edge. “Your sensei’s been in this state since his fight with Zabuza. He’s been running on fumes, and I’m honestly surprised he lasted this long.”

“Will… will he be okay?”

“Yes,” Kurenai said to Naruto. “But he needs rest—at least a month of it. He’ll have to eat healthy, avoid any strenuous activity, and let his body heal naturally. No exceptions.”

Her words hung heavy in the room. The reality of their situation hit her like a wave. Not only were they in enemy territory, but their strongest ally was now a liability. On top of that, there was Naruto’s mysterious injury to figure out and the mission to protect Tazuna.

Kurenai pressed her lips into a thin line, her mind racing. Do I call for more backup? What about Naruto’s arm? And the mission? And—

“Ma’am?” Naruto’s voice broke her out of her thoughts. “Can I get some fresh air?”

After a moment, the beautiful older woman nodded. “Yes, you can go, Naruto.”

Naruto turned to leave but paused when Kurenai spoke again. “Naruto,” she said softly, “you don’t have to call me ma’am. You can call me Kurenai-sensei.”

Naruto’s hand froze on the door handle. He glanced back at her, his blue eyes unreadable. “You have to earn the right to be my sensei.”

The room went silent.

“Naruto!” Sakura scolded, stepping forward. “That’s rude!”

But Kurenai didn’t flinch. She watched Naruto quietly, her expression thoughtful. As the door closed behind him, she let out a slow breath, turning to the others.

Sakura looked horrified, muttering an apology on Naruto’s behalf, but Kurenai shook her head. “No need,” she said firmly. “He’s right.”

Sasuke and Sakura stared at her, confused.

Kurenai’s crimson eyes hardened with resolve. “I’ve been treating this like any other mission—focusing on tactics, on logistics. But this isn’t just a mission. These kids… they’re putting their lives in my hands, and I can’t take that lightly. I’ve been so focused on doing my job that I forgot what it means to lead.”

Her hands tightened into fists. I’m a Jonin. I was chosen for this. Whether it’s too much responsibility or not, I don’t have the right to falter. If they’re going to trust me, I have to earn it.

She straightened, her resolve clear. “Hinata,” she said, her voice steady. “Come here and check Kakashi’s chakra network. Tell me where it’s most strained so I can help.”

“Y-Yes, Kurenai-sensei.”

As Hinata activated her Byakugan and moved to Kakashi’s side, Kurenai glanced toward the closed door where Naruto had disappeared. His words echoed in her mind. You have to earn the right to be my sensei.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Challenge accepted, Naruto.

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Naruto sprinted to the outhouse, heart pounding. He wasn’t just desperate to relieve himself—he needed to get to Lordran. Someone in that world must know how to fix my hand.

But the moment he opened his inventory, his heart sank.

[ Souls: 500 ]

Naruto grimaced. If he used the Darksign now, he’d lose every last one of them. Sure, 500 souls wasn’t a fortune, but it was still something. The thought of losing even a small amount stung. And what if he gathered more souls in this world? Would he have to sacrifice everything every time he needed to return?

There has to be another way, he thought, tapping his foot anxiously. He scrolled through his inventory, hoping for an alternative. His eyes landed on something that sparked an idea.

[ Item: Homeward Bone ]

[ Description: Bone fragment reduced to white ash. Return to the last bonfire used for resting. Bonfires are fueled by the bones of the Undead. In rare cases, the strong urge of their previous owners to seek bonfires enchants their bones with a homeward instinct. ]

Naruto held the item in his hand, scrutinizing it. “Will this even work?” he muttered. He wasn’t sure how the mechanics of this item functioned here. Still, he didn’t have much to lose.

“Take me to the bonfire,” he said aloud, feeling a bit foolish.

For a moment, nothing happened. But just as he was about to give up, the bone fragments began to glow. A warm, golden light enveloped him, and a moment later, he felt the familiar, soothing heat of a bonfire on his face.

[ Souls: 500 ]

Still there. He let out a relieved sigh. “Well, guess that works. I’ll save the rest of these bones for emergencies, though. Dattebayo.”

Looking around, Naruto’s heart sank. The portcullis was raised, the passage empty. Solaire was gone.

“Guess Sunbro couldn’t wait forever,” Naruto muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment. He glanced down at his hand, flexing the fingers of his unburned left. Gotta stay focused. First things first—find someone who can fix this arm.

A faint growl broke him out of his thoughts. Turning toward the bridge, Naruto spotted a group of three hollows. Two wielded crossbows, while the third carried a spear. Behind them lay a couple of tempting treasures: a corpse clutching a sword, and a faintly glowing soul orb.

“Of course there’s a trap,” Naruto muttered, rolling his shoulders. He equipped the Zweihander. He took a step forward, ready to fight, when he froze. Wait.

His eyes widened in realization. No jutsu.

Without his right hand, Naruto couldn’t form hand seals.

“Crap,” he muttered as Way of Focality kicked in, predicting the trajectory of the incoming projectiles. Two bolts were flying straight for his shoulder.

Thinking quickly, Naruto twisted his body, angling his back toward the bolts. His wind chakra cloak reduced air resistance, allowing him to move faster than usual, and the arrows bounced harmlessly off the shield strapped to his back.

A hollow armed with a spear lunged at him, its rusted weapon aimed straight for his chest. Naruto shifted his stance into the low guard, the Zweihander held low but angled forward. As the hollow closed in, he channeled wind chakra into the blade, the energy crackling faintly along its edge.

With a powerful upward arc, Naruto swung. The Zweihander cut through the spear hollow effortlessly, the force of the strike continuing into the crossbow hollow beside it, splitting both enemies in one clean sweep.

The third hollow, now alone, seemed to realize its situation. Dropping its crossbow, it turned and began to flee.

“Oh no, you don’t,” Naruto growled, his wind chakra cloak propelling him forward. Even without Shunshin, he was fast, closing the distance in seconds. The hollow knelt mid-run, attempting to reload its crossbow.

Naruto shifted into the high guard, the massive sword raised above his shoulder. With a downward slash, he brought the Zweihander crashing down. The blow cleaved the hollow cleanly in two, its body crumpling to the ground.

Breathing heavily, Naruto wiped his brow and stepped toward the treasures the hollows had been guarding.

[ You have obtained ]

- [ Claymore ]

- [ Soul of a Nameless Soldier ]


Naruto jumped back, narrowly avoiding the spear thrust aimed for his chest. Two spear-wielding hollows advanced on him, their movements erratic but relentless as they paced back and forth, searching for an opening.

Naruto’s eyes flicked between them. He couldn’t take both of them on at the same time in such close quarters. Thinking quickly, he unequipped the Zweihander and grabbed a firebomb from his inventory.

“Let’s see how you like this!” he muttered, hurling it at the hollow closest to him.

The firebomb exploded on impact, flames engulfing one of the hollows. Its body jerked and twisted in agony, but it still wasn’t down. The second hollow lunged at Naruto, its spear aimed straight for his gut.

Naruto sidestepped the attack, re-equipping the Zweihander in a single fluid motion. Shifting into the low guard, he delivered a sweeping slash that cleaved through the unburned hollow, its body crumpling lifelessly to the ground.

He turned just in time to see the flaming hollow staggering toward him, its charred spear raised. “Persistent, aren’t you?” Naruto muttered, reaching for another firebomb.

The hollow lunged, and Naruto threw the firebomb at point-blank range. The explosion sent the flaming hollow flying backward, its body collapsing into a smoldering heap.

Naruto sighed, rolling his shoulders to shake off the tension. “Okay, that’s done.” He glanced around, taking in his surroundings.

Two options lay before him.

He could go up, back to the bridge where the Taurus Demon had once towered, and fight his way through the gauntlet of hollows. Again.

Or…

Naruto turned to the side, his eyes landing on a hidden pathway tucked behind a crumbling wall. A narrow staircase spiraled down into the dark.

“Guess it’s time for some exploring,” Naruto said. He walked cautiously down the stairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing faintly.

The staircase split into two paths. To the left, a walkway led beneath the bridge. To the right, an open doorway revealed another flight of stairs leading further down.

Naruto hesitated, feeling the familiar pull of his gut instinct. Something about the stairs to the right called to him. Shrugging, he followed them, descending until he stepped onto a small stone platform.

The sight before him stopped him in his tracks.

He was staring at a familiar, crumbling staircase—and beyond it, the second bonfire he had rested at earlier.

Naruto blinked, realization dawning on him. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered. “There was a shortcut the whole time?”

His gaze shifted upward, noticing for the first time the red metal ladder bolted to the wall above.

“Of course,” he groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “If only I’d bothered to look up.”

But then he paused, letting the thought sink in. Sure, this shortcut would’ve saved him time… but he wouldn’t have fought the Taurus Demon. He wouldn’t have faced the Black Knight. He wouldn’t have found his cute little crystal lizard.

“Guess it wasn’t such a bad thing to take the long way around.”

He walked to the ladder and kicked it down with a loud clang. The metal screeched as it extended, hitting the ground below with a satisfying thud. Naruto climbed down to the bonfire, sitting down to rest for a moment.

He placed his empty Estus flasks on the ground, watching as the bonfire’s warm light filled them back up. He felt the soothing warmth of the flames seeping into his body, easing some of the tension in his muscles.

After a moment, Naruto stood and walked out of the small chamber, back into the familiar open area with its crumbling walls and narrow pathways. His eyes immediately landed on the crossbow hollow standing at the far edge, its weapon already aimed at him.

“Really? We’re doing this again?”

Fifteen minutes later, Naruto stood victorious. Every hollow in the area lay dead.

His Zweihander resting against his shoulder, Naruto made his way down the familiar staircase that led to the merchant’s hidden nook.

“Alright,” he muttered under his breath. “Let’s see if that creepy guy knows how to fix a hand.”

Naruto walked to the merchant’s corner.

The merchant, now restored to his human form through the use of humanity, turned to Naruto with a sly grin. His unkempt brown hair, squinted eyes, and scraggly beard gave him the same shifty, scheming look as before, only now with a bit more life in his pale features.



“Wow. You’re even uglier than before.”

The merchant barked out a laugh. “Ha! Good one, boy. Always quick with the tongue, aren’t you? But I see that arm of yours has seen better days.” His eyes lingered on Naruto’s hand, his grin faltering for just a moment before returning.

“Yeah,” Naruto replied, raising it. “Tried to add chakra to my pyromancy flame for extra firepower. Big mistake.”

“Playing with fire, were you? Foolish. But that’s the curse of youth, eh? Always tinkering, always breaking things.”

Naruto sighed. “Alright, funny guy. Any idea how to fix this?”

The merchant rubbed his chin theatrically, making a show of deep thought. “Fix it, you say? Hmm. Well, no. Pyromancy isn’t really my thing. Too much fuss, too much fire. But—“ He raised a finger dramatically. “I did meet a pyromancer recently. A curious fellow, that one. If anyone can help you, it’d be him.”

Naruto’s face lit up with hope. “Great! Where is he? Can you point me in the right direction?”

“Eh…” The merchant gave a noncommittal shrug. “People around here don’t leave maps or forwarding addresses, boy. Lordran’s a big place, full of little hidey-holes. You’ll just have to search for him yourself.”

Naruto groaned. “Of course. Thanks for nothing.”

The merchant chuckled, ignoring the jab. “Or…” He leaned closer. “Why not cut it off?”

“Cut it off? Are you insane?!”

“Think about it,” the merchant said. “Hack it off, clean and simple. Start fresh. I could even whip you up a prosthetic, eh? With my skills, it’d be a marvel to behold!”

“Your skills? You mean the same skills that made the ‘Reinforced Club’?”

“Of course!” the merchant replied, puffing out his chest. “A masterpiece of engineering, that club is! Reliable, strong, and oh, so fashionable! Nee hee hee hee!”

Naruto snorted. “So the prosthetic would just be a stick tied to my arm with leather straps?”

“Hmph! You’ve no taste, boy. But fine, if you don’t want a marvel of craftsmanship, I’ve got something else that might help.” He reached into his cluttered wares and pulled out a small, glowing orange crystal. “Feast your eyes on this.”

“What is it?”

“An Orange Guidance Soapstone. A simple tool, but powerful. Lets you write and read messages left by others in this cursed land. Perhaps someone, somewhere, has written a little tip about curing your ailment, eh?”

“How much?”

“100 souls.”

Naruto glanced at his HUD.

[ Souls: 1630 ]

He grinned. “Deal.”

The merchant handed over the soapstone, cackling softly. “Thank you kindly! Nee hee hee hee!”

Naruto examined the crystal in his hand as a notification appeared:

[ Item Acquired: Orange Guidance Soapstone ]

[ Description: A common tool favored by wandering clerics and errant paladins. Enables the carving of messages into the very fabric of the world. In the fractured lands of Lordran, where the flow of time bends and breaks, these messages serve as lifelines—words of guidance, warning, or deceit. Trust is a fragile thing in Lordran. Be wary. ]

“Anything else?”

“How many firebombs can I get for 500 souls?” Naruto asked.

“Ten firebombs for 500 souls? A bargain, if I do say so myself.”

Naruto nodded, making the deal. While the merchant counted out the firebombs, the boy asked, “So, anything new going on around here?”

“Treacherous in these parts, boy. A horrible goat demon’s moved in below. Felt its presence not long ago—nearly gave me a heart attack, I tell ya”

“Well, once I fix my arm, I’ll go and kill that goat demon.”

“For my safety, is it?”

“Nah, just for the souls.”

“Spoken like a true fool. Don’t go dying, now. I still have to scam you out of your souls!” The merchant let out another sharp laugh before suddenly tossing something at Naruto.

The boy caught it—the reinforced club.

“One-handing that massive sword of yours will get you killed,” the merchant said. “Take that club. Easier to use with one hand, and it’s got a nice bite to it.”

Naruto smiled, slipping the club into his inventory. With a flick of his wrist, he took out a cup of ramen and tossed it back to the merchant.

“What’s this?” the merchant asked, holding it up and squinting.

“Ramen,” Naruto replied “Food of the gods.”

The merchant snorted but pocketed the cup. “Many thanks, but I prefer booze. Real food’s wasted on me.”

“I’ll bring some booze next time I stop by.”

The merchant chuckled, already turning back to his wares. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, boy.”

Naruto left, equipping the reinforced club as he walked. The weight felt natural in his hand, easier to wield than the Zweihander. For now, it would do.

A few minutes later, he climbed the familiar stone stairs, returning to the bonfire on the bridge, its flickering warmth greeting him like an old friend.

Sitting down, he pulled out the Orange Guidance Soapstone and activated it. Three faint orange lines appeared on the ground before him, glowing softly. He tapped one with the soapstone, and a familiar message appeared:

[ Solaire: My dear brother, I await you at the Undead Church for some jolly cooperation. ]

Naruto sighed, his breath escaping in a visible puff of mist as he stared down the unfamiliar path. He wasn’t sure why he was walking toward the route Solaire had taken—it wasn’t like he could follow him now with his arm the way it was. Still, curiosity got the better of him. Maybe getting a lay of the land would help when he returned.

The path wound upward, stairs carved into ancient stone leading to an imposing set of castle walls. The sheer size of them loomed like a reminder of how small he was in this world. Naruto hesitated as his eyes landed on a massive doorway ahead, wide and tall enough to accommodate something far larger than a man.

Naruto’s moment of reflection was cut short as a hollow soldier that stood guard ran forward, sword raised. Without hesitation, Naruto hurled a firebomb, the explosion consuming the hollow in a burst of flame. Another firebomb finished the job, leaving the charred remains crumpled on the ground.

“Easy enough,” Naruto muttered. He turned back toward the bonfire, ready to leave Lordran behind for now, when he felt it.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as a wave of pressure washed over him. Way of Focality told him that something was coming. Something big.

The air grew still, heavy, as if the very world was holding its breath.

BOOM!

The ground quaked as something massive landed in front of him, kicking up a cloud of dust that obscured everything. Naruto staggered back, his heart hammering in his chest as he tried to peer through the haze.

Then he saw it.

A hulking figure emerged from the white cloud, its jet-black armor told him what the enemy was— The black knight.

But this one was different. It carried no sword. Instead, it wielded a shield—a massive, jagged monstrosity. The shield’s large, rectangular surface tapered slightly at the top and bottom, with wicked, serrated edges extending outward like cruel spikes. It wasn’t just a defensive tool; it was a weapon in its own right, designed to crush and tear.



“Oh, hell no.”

Without a word, it began to advance, its heavy footfalls reverberating through the stone path like the toll of a death knell.

Naruto didn’t wait. He turned and sprinted toward the open courtyard ahead, desperate to put distance between himself and the knight.

He burst into the courtyard, his eyes scanning the area for an escape route—and then his heart stopped.

The courtyard stretched out before him, an open expanse of stone bordered by pillars and walls. Fires burned in iron braziers on either side, casting shadows that seemed to dance mockingly. To the right, stairs led upward toward a narrow path.

But it wasn’t the architecture that caught Naruto’s attention.

It was the thing standing at the far end of the courtyard.

An enormous, grotesque boar.

The creature was a monstrosity, its body covered almost entirely in gleaming steel armor. Plated metal encased its thick neck and shoulders, jagged and cruelly designed to deflect any strike. Its glowing red eyes burned like embers in the dark, and its tusks, each as long as Naruto’s forearm, curved upward in a wicked arc. Steam hissed from its snout as it scraped a hoof against the stone ground, lowering its head in preparation to charge.



Naruto’s stomach twisted as the boar let out a guttural, bestial snarl that echoed through the courtyard.

“Are you kidding me?” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his own heartbeat.

Behind him, the black knight entered the courtyard, its jagged shield glinting ominously in the firelight.

Naruto’s head snapped back and forth, his panic mounting. On one side, the knight; on the other, the armored boar. Both predators slowly closed the distance, their movements deliberate and methodical, as if savoring the hunt.

[Souls: 1120]

“I can’t die,” Naruto thought, panic clawing at his chest. Normally, death in Lordran was an inconvenience at best—a reset button that let him try again. But that was only because his shadow clone carried the effect of the Ring of Sacrifice, allowing him to avoid losing his hard-earned souls.

Now, with no shadow clone and no way to exploit the ring, the stakes were higher. If he died here, his souls could be lost forever—taken by a hollow or worse… the armored boar.

“How the hell am I going to survive this?”

He was trapped. The black knight to his rear, its massive jagged shield glinting ominously in the firelight. The armored boar ahead, its tusks gleaming as it lowered its head in preparation to charge.

Both threats were advancing. Both intent on tearing him apart.

Naruto’s mind raced, grasping for a plan, a solution, anything.

But the only thought that surfaced was one word:

Fuck.

The courtyard erupted into chaos.