Nicohals J Westerberg
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Learning from your enemies is one of the more satisfying things to experience.
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Naruto: The Chosen Undead
- Thread starter Adamos_Amet
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Chapter no.15 Dark Souls
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Adamos_Amet
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Chapter no.15 Naruto vs The Black Knight
Naruto opened his eyes to the familiar glow of the bonfire. He sat up, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck, his body ready to move even before his mind caught up. Sleep no longer held meaning here. Days and hours blurred together, the sun forever frozen in its place.
The rhythm of Lordran ruled his life now: fight, die, wake, repeat.
And at the center of it all was the Black Knight.
Every death had become a stepping stone, another lesson carved into his mind and body. Naruto's approach was meticulous now. Every time he climbed the Black Knight's tower, he summoned shadow clones—dozens of them. Half engaged the knight directly, throwing themselves into the fight, while the rest stayed back, observing every detail of the battle.
The clones studied everything: the way the knight gripped its greatsword, the subtle shifts in its footwork, the precise timing of its swings.
When the clones dispelled, their memories surged into Naruto's mind in a flood. He felt every clash, every wound, every mistake. Each death left him stronger, shaping his instincts and refining his movements.
Between battles, he practiced. His clones mimicked the Black Knight's techniques, replicating its stances, its slashes, its devastating thrusts. The hollows on the path to the tower became his training dummies, each encounter a chance to perfect what he had learned.
It didn't take long for him to realize how much of Tenten's advice didn't apply to the Zweihander.
It wasn't that she'd meant to mislead him—she had taught him through the lens of her weapon: the katana.
Her advice about a loose grip? Total nonsense. The first time the Black Knight's greatsword had clashed with his Zweihander, it had ripped the sword clean out of his hands.
Her emphasis on stances? Misguided. The Black Knight didn't rely on rigid stances; its movements were driven by precise, fluid footwork.
"Don't rest your sword on your shoulder," she'd said. But the Black Knight always rested its greatsword there, using the position to generate devastating momentum.
The focus on clean cuts? Perfect for a katana, but wrong for a Zweihander. The Black Knight's wide arcs weren't about precision—they were about overwhelming power.
Blade alignment? While important, the Black Knight had shown him that the true key to wielding a Zweihander lay in the weight and hip movement.
Despite the mistakes, Naruto couldn't deny that Tenten's guidance had given him a foundation. The basics she had drilled into him gave him the tools to spot and correct these errors. For that, he was grateful.
Now, with those missteps identified, he could refine his swordsmanship into something uniquely his own.
Naruto grinned, gripping the Zweihander tightly.
"All right, Black Knight," he muttered, stepping toward the bonfire. "Let's try this again."
The Grip
The first thing Naruto learned from the Black Knight was its grip. It wasn't haphazard; it was deliberate. One hand rested near the guard for stability, the other gripped the pommel for leverage. The technique allowed the knight to control the sword's weight, guiding its massive swings with precision rather than brute force.
Naruto mimicked the grip in his next fight, and the difference was immediate. The Zweihander felt lighter, more responsive. Over time, he refined it further. When transitioning the blade across his body, he loosened his hold on the pommel, sliding his hand up to increase mobility.
The High Guard
The next thing Naruto noticed was the Black Knight's high guard. It rested the greatsword on its shoulder, angling the blade forward. It wasn't just a defensive stance—it was an offensive one, meant to dominate the battlefield. Every downward strike from this position carried crushing force.
Naruto mimicked the stance during his next fight. As the Black Knight approached, he rested the Zweihander on his shoulder, angling it the same way.
When the knight swung, Naruto mirrored it, bringing his sword down in a wide arc. But his edge alignment was off. The clash sent his blade vibrating violently, the impact jarring his arms. The knight's greatsword continued its descent, slicing cleanly through Naruto's chest.
[YOU DIED]
The next time, Naruto focused on refining the high guard. He summoned clones to practice edge alignment, learning to keep the blade perfectly in line with his movements. Strength wasn't enough—he needed stability.
The next clash was different. Naruto met the Black Knight's downward strike with perfect edge alignment. Steel met steel in an ear-shattering impact, but this time, Naruto held firm. For the first time, he matched the Black Knight's raw power.
The Forward Point
During one fight, Naruto noticed the Black Knight shifting into a stance where its greatsword was raised high, the tip pointed forward like a spear. The stance created a defensive wall, controlling the centerline.
Naruto never saw the attack coming. The thrust pierced straight through his chest before he even registered the movement.
[YOU DIED]
When he respawned, Naruto clutched his side where the blade had run him through. He realized the forward point wasn't just defensive—it was a stance built for precision and control.
He mimicked the stance in the next fight, holding the Zweihander high with the tip extended forward. This forced him to stay balanced, keeping the blade aligned with the centerline.
The Black Knight swung wide, and Naruto saw his chance. He stepped forward and thrust the Zweihander at its chest. The blade scraped against its armor, but the thrust lacked depth.
The knight retaliated, slamming its greatsword into his ribs and sending him flying into the staircase.
[YOU DIED]
It took six more fights before Naruto began to understand the forward point. He refined his thrusts, loosening his grip on the pommel to extend his reach. Precise footwork and patience became his weapons.
The Fool's Guard
The most puzzling stance Naruto encountered was one he came to call the Fool's Guard. The Black Knight would lower its greatsword entirely, holding it loosely as if uninterested in the fight. Its entire body seemed open, exposed.
The first time Naruto saw it, he charged in recklessly, thinking it was an easy win. He swung with all his might—only to be impaled on a lightning-fast counter.
[YOU DIED]
Naruto quickly realized the Fool's Guard wasn't a weakness—it was bait. A trap meant to lure opponents into overcommitting.
The next time, he tried it himself. He lowered the Zweihander, mimicking the Black Knight's posture. It felt wrong, his entire body vulnerable.
But when the knight lunged, Naruto was ready. He pivoted, stepping back and bringing the Zweihander around in a wide arc. The blade connected, slamming into the knight's armor with enough force to make it stagger.
For the first time, Naruto saw the Black Knight react. Its stance shifted slightly, its movements more aggressive.
Naruto grinned, gripping his Zweihander tightly.
"Let's keep going."
[YOU DIED]
Naruto stared into the flickering flames of the bonfire, the crackling fire filling the quiet room. He exhaled slowly, his grin tinged with exhaustion.
"A dozen deaths," he muttered to himself, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "And four thousand clones popped."
He rolled his shoulders, the Zweihander shifting easily in his grip, its weight no longer foreign. "Time to end this dance," Naruto whispered. Slipping into the Fool's Guard, the greatsword dangling lazily at his side, he marched out of the room.
The moment Naruto stepped onto the bridge, the familiar twang of a crossbow filled the air. He didn't flinch. His left hand shifted slightly, tilting the pommel of the Zweihander to adjust the blade's angle.
Clink.
The arrow ricocheted harmlessly off the edge of the blade.
Naruto's feet twisted sharply, his grip tightening as the Zweihander followed. With a diagonal sweep, the blade carved through the neck of a hollow rushing at him. Blood sprayed in an arc, and the hollow crumpled to the stone floor, lifeless.
Another arrow hissed toward him, but this time Naruto dodged, pivoting on his heel and dropping low. He used the momentum to transition into a thrust, driving the Zweihander's tip clean through the throat of the crossbow-wielding hollow.
He didn't pause to catch his breath. Firebombs exploded behind him, but Naruto kept marching forward, his boots echoing against the stone as his focus remained unshaken.
A hollow burst out from behind a door, its spear aimed for his stomach. Naruto shifted into the Forward Point stance, the Zweihander poised like a coiled predator. As the spear lunged for him, he sidestepped and brought the blade down in a sweeping arc, cleaving the hollow cleanly in half.
Further ahead, the metallic growls of war axe hollows echoed off the walls.
Naruto raised his Zweihander into the High Guard, the massive blade resting on his shoulder as he stepped forward, measured and deliberate. One hollow swung first, its axe slicing down with brutal force.
Naruto pivoted just outside the arc of the swing, and as the hollow overextended, he brought the Zweihander down in a devastating counter. The blade tore through its exposed side, sending it crashing to the ground.
The second hollow didn't hesitate. It lunged with a horizontal slash aimed for Naruto's neck. Naruto shifted into the Low Guard, dropping into a crouch as the axe passed harmlessly overhead. In one fluid motion, he thrust upward, the Zweihander's tip punching through the hollow's chin and into its skull.
Naruto gave a sharp nod, summoning a clone to deal with the hollows inside the shop as he ascended the stairs.
At the top, three hollows waited for him—two with swords and one in the back clutching firebombs.
Naruto slipped into the Forward Point stance, angling his blade to cover his body as the two sword-wielding hollows charged. The first hollow swung high, and Naruto sidestepped left, flicking his blade upward to deflect the attack. The second came in low, aiming for his legs.
Naruto transitioned into the Fool's Guard, his open stance drawing the hollow forward, its blade arcing for an easy strike. He ducked low and twisted, using the movement to bring the Zweihander around in a sweeping slash. Both hollows fell in one fluid motion, their bodies collapsing in a spray of blood.
The firebomb hollow took aim, but Naruto was already moving. He kicked one of the fallen corpses, using it as a shield. The firebomb exploded against it, giving him enough time to close the gap and thrust his blade through the hollow's chest.
Naruto gestured to his clones to deal with the crossbow hollows as he descended the stairs to face three spear-wielding enemies below.
"Let's see how well this works," Naruto muttered, adjusting his grip as he dropped into the Low Guard.
The first hollow lunged with a quick thrust. Naruto sidestepped, angling the Zweihander to deflect the spear's shaft. The second hollow followed immediately, its spear jabbing at his left side. Naruto twisted, raising the greatsword to parry the attack, forcing the weapon wide.
Naruto surged forward, closing the gap. He transitioned into a brutal overhead slash that split the first hollow in two.
The remaining two hollows moved in sync, one thrusting high while the other aimed low. Naruto backstepped, his blade in the Forward Point stance, blocking the high thrust while his footwork shifted to avoid the lower strike.
He pivoted sharply, spinning the Zweihander in a wide, sweeping arc that forced both hollows to retreat. Seizing the moment, Naruto lunged forward, driving the blade through the chest of the second hollow.
The final hollow snarled, its spear snapping forward in desperation. Naruto stepped into the Fool's Guard, the relaxed stance luring the hollow closer. As it lunged, he twisted sharply, bringing the Zweihander up in a vicious uppercut. The blade tore through the hollow, sending it flying backward over the wall.
Naruto exhaled, resting the Zweihander on his shoulder. His eyes flicked toward the familiar tower in the distance, its shadow looming ominously over the battlefield.
"Almost there," he muttered. His lips curled into a grin as he marched forward, ready for the Black Knight.
It felt strange, almost surreal, walking down the stairs toward the Black Knight. Through dozens of deaths and countless battles, Naruto realized he no longer viewed the knight solely as an enemy. It was something more—a master, in its own way.
The familiar figure of the Black Knight came into view, standing as silent and imposing as ever. Naruto paused at the base of the stairs, lowering his blade for a moment. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves as he gazed at the knight.
"I don't know if you can understand me," he began. "But… thank you. You've taught me more in these fights than any teacher ever has. I'll never forget what I've learned from you—even if your lesson ends with me dying again."
He smiled faintly behind his helmet, a flicker of warmth in a place so cold and hostile.
"I stand here as the Squire of Oscar of Astora, and whether I live or die, I'll honor what you've taught me."
Naruto raised his blade, slipping into the Fool's Guard, ready for the battle that awaited him.
The Black Knight closed the distance in two powerful strides, its greatsword cutting through the air in a ferocious downward arc. Naruto pivoted to his left, shifting his weight onto his back foot as he stepped out of the strike's path. The Zweihander shot upward in a sweeping counter-slash aimed at the knight's unguarded flank.
Clang!
The Black Knight twisted at the last moment, its shield catching the blow.
Sparks burst from the collision, and the knight retaliated instantly, transitioning into a brutal upward slash. Naruto barely managed to deflect the strike, sliding his hand up the Zweihander's hilt for better leverage. The impact sent vibrations up his arms, forcing him to backpedal.
The greatsword came crashing down in a savage overhead strike. Naruto barely managed to sidestep, the blade slamming into the stone floor with a deafening CRACK as the boy swung the Zweihander in a horizontal arc.
Clang!
The Black Knight's shield shot up, absorbing the blow. It retaliated immediately, slamming the edge of its shield into Naruto's ribs with bone-crushing force.
The impact launched Naruto backward like a ragdoll, slamming him into the unyielding stone wall with bone-rattling force. His Elite Knight armor absorbed much of the blow, the thick plating denting inward, but the sheer force still tore through his body. A sharp, searing pain stabbed through his side, and he felt the unmistakable snap of at least three ribs. One pierced deep into the soft tissue near his diaphragm, while another pressed dangerously close to his left lung.
Blood spattered from his mouth in a crimson arc as the shock reverberated through his chest. He gasped for air, each breath shallow and wet, and the acrid taste of copper filled his throat. His kidney throbbed fiercely, likely ruptured, and a deep, pulsing ache in his lower abdomen told him that internal bleeding was already flooding his body.
The cracked stone behind him bore the impression of his impact, dust and small fragments cascading around him. For a moment, his vision blurred, the edges darkening as nausea swept over him.
The Black Knight pressed its advantage, charging forward with terrifying momentum. Its blade swung low, aiming to cleave Naruto's legs clean off. Naruto raised the Zweihander just in time, angling it downward to parry the strike. The impact sent a violent jolt through his arms, numbing his fingers.
The Black Knight followed with a spinning underhand slash. Naruto ducked, the blade whistling over his head and carving a deep gouge into the wall behind him. Dust and stone rained down, the already-cramped space growing more chaotic.
Naruto twisted, shifting into the Low Guard as he thrust upward, aiming for the knight's exposed torso. The tip of the Zweihander scraped against its armor, leaving a shallow cut, but the knight responded with a brutal backhanded swing. The greatsword caught Naruto across the shoulder, slicing through his armor and flesh. Blood sprayed in a violent arc as Naruto staggered back.
Stay focused, he told himself, gritting his teeth against the searing pain.
The Black Knight didn't relent. It lunged with a forward thrust, its blade tearing through the narrow space like a spear. Naruto sidestepped, but the blade grazed his side, ripping through his armor and leaving a deep, bloody gash. He hissed in pain, countering with a diagonal slash from the High Guard.
The Zweihander slammed into the knight's shoulder, the sheer force denting its blackened armor. The impact staggered the knight for half a second, but it recovered instantly, twisting its blade into an upward slash. Naruto tried to block, but the strike was too fast, the greatsword ripping through his gauntlet and slicing into his forearm. Blood poured from the wound, dripping onto the stone floor as Naruto growled through clenched teeth.
The two circled each other, their boots grinding against the blood-soaked stone.
Naruto feinted left, dropping into the Fool's Guard again to bait the knight into attacking. The Black Knight lunged, its blade cutting a deadly arc. Naruto pivoted, slipping to its side as he brought the Zweihander around in a wide, sweeping slash.
The blade struck true, carving deep into the knight's side. Blackened blood oozed from the wound, staining the ground beneath it. But the Black Knight didn't falter. It spun on its heel, bringing its massive shield around in a brutal bash aimed squarely at Naruto's chest.
Naruto reacted instantly, shifting his grip on the Zweihander into a half-swording technique. One hand grasped the blade's center while the other held the hilt, angling the flat of the sword to meet the incoming shield.
CLANG!
The impact reverberated like a bell, the sheer force of it vibrating through Naruto's arms and shoulders. Wisps of his chakra escaped from his arms, dissipating into the air like smoke. Steam hissed from his wounds, his body slowly knitting itself back together under the strain.
"You're really not making this easy, huh?"
The Black Knight lunged with a thrust. Naruto dropped into the Forward Point, deflecting the blade with a sharp angle of his sword. The knight's momentum carried it forward, and Naruto twisted his hips, transitioning into a horizontal slash that tore into the back of its knee.
The knight staggered, its balance faltering, and Naruto seized the opening. He shifted into a brutal overhead slash aimed for the knight's neck.
The Black Knight raised its shield at the last second, the impact reverberating like a cannon blast. The force was enough to send the knight sliding back a few feet, but it recovered almost instantly, retaliating with a spinning underhand strike.
Naruto jumped back.
The knight pressed forward, its attacks relentless. A four-hit combo erupted: an overhead slash, a sweeping horizontal cut, a spinning underhand strike, and a thrust.
Naruto's world narrowed to steel and blood. He parried the first strike, sidestepped the second, ducked under the third, and deflected the thrust with a desperate angle of his blade. Each move came with a cost—every parry sent jolts of pain through his battered arms, and every dodge left him open to grazing cuts.
Finally, Naruto saw his chance.
As the knight recovered from its thrust, Naruto dropped into the Fool's Guard, lowering his blade as if exhausted. The Black Knight lunged again, aiming for his heart.
Naruto twisted sharply, bringing the Zweihander up in a vicious uppercut. The blade tore through the knight's torso, blackened blood spraying across the room as the knight staggered back.
Naruto didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, raising the Zweihander into the High Guard. With every ounce of strength he had left, he brought the blade down in a crushing overhead strike.
The Black Knight tried to raise its sword to block, but it was too slow. The Zweihander cleaved through its helmet, splitting it down the middle. The knight crumpled to its knees, its greatsword clattering to the ground.
For a moment, Naruto stood over the fallen knight, his chest heaving, blood dripping from his wounds onto the shattered stone floor.
"It was an honor to fight you," he muttered, raising his blade for the final blow.
With a single swing, it was over.
Naruto reached up, fumbling with the straps of his dented helmet before pulling it off with a trembling hand. Sweat dripped from his matted hair, mixing with the blood streaking down his face from a gash on his forehead. His left cheek was swollen and bruised, smeared with more dried blood from a split lip, while the sharp metallic tang of it filled his mouth.
Naruto coughed harshly, spitting out a glob of blood onto the cold stone floor. His breathing was ragged, each inhale scraping against his ribs, which still throbbed with pain from the crushing shield bash. The armor pressing against his side was sticky with blood, likely from a deep cut just beneath his ribs. He could feel the warmth of it trickling down his torso, soaking into his gambeson.
He stared at the ghostly figure of the knight, his body hunched slightly as exhaustion settled into every fiber of his being. Pain radiated from his arms, his muscles twitching and torn from the repeated strain of wielding the Zweihander. His left knee buckled slightly under him, the joint screaming from where the Black Knight's blade had clipped him in a desperate parry.
Reaching into his pouch with his free hand, Naruto pulled out his estus flask, its warm golden glow a stark contrast to the blood-slicked floor around him. He brought it to his lips and drank deeply, the liquid flowing down his throat like liquid fire.
Warmth flooded through him, radiating from his chest outward. He winced as his body began to heal—the gash on his forehead knitting itself together, the bruises fading, and the sharp pain in his ribs dulling to a faint ache. He flexed his fingers, feeling the strength return to them as the warmth settled into his limbs.
Naruto wiped his bloodied mouth with the back of his hand, his sweat-soaked hair clinging to his temples.
Suddenly, the Black Knight's armored body convulsed violently; then, a faint white light began to seep from the cracks and seams in its darkened armor. Naruto instinctively stepped back, dragging his Zweihander free. The heavy blade scraped against the stone floor as he watched the light intensify.
The knight's body seemed to glow from within, its blackened steel burning with a brilliance that was almost blinding. Then, piece by piece, the armor crumbled into ash, scattering in the faint, cold breeze of the tower.
From the ashes, a figure emerged. A white, spectral image of the Black Knight hovered in place, flickering like dying embers. Its ghostly form was striking—both arms raised high and wide, palms open, chest pushed forward, the Y pose frozen in a triumphant stance.
Naruto blinked, his breath heavy, his heart still hammering from the brutal fight. He tightened his grip on the Zweihander, unsure if this was the knight's final act of defiance or something else entirely.
"Are you… praising me?"
The Black Knight's spectral form didn't answer. It lingered for a moment longer, as if frozen in reverence—or maybe pride—before slowly dissipating into a glowing orb of light. The soul orb hovered, shimmering faintly, before drifting toward Naruto.
He had done it.
After countless deaths, hundreds of clones shattered, and hours of relentless training, he had defeated the Black Knight. The impossible challenge he had thrown himself into was finally over. A grin flickered across his bloodied lips, but it quickly faded as a thought began to take root in his mind.
What were these knights?
Naruto glanced at the pile of ash where the Black Knight had stood, his brow furrowing. They weren't like the hollows. The hollows were mindless, driven by rage and emptiness. The Black Knight was different. Every movement it made, every swing of its massive greatsword, was deliberate. Precise.
And that ghostly form… was it honor? Was it defiance? Or was it something else?
He tightened his grip on the Zweihander, his eyes narrowing. It didn't feel like anger. The knight's stance before it dissolved felt… solemn, like it had acknowledged him. Honored the fight.
Naruto shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He glanced down the hallway. At the far end, something glinted faintly in the dim light. His prize.
Dragging his aching body forward, he reached the item.
[ Item Acquired: Blue Tearstone Ring ]
[ Description: The rare gem called tearstone has the uncanny ability to sense imminent death. This blue tearstone from Catarina boosts the defense of its wearer when in danger.]
Naruto grinned, turning the ring over in his hand. The cracked blue gem gleamed faintly, its surface catching the light like ripples on water. The silver band was simple, almost humble, but there was power in its quiet elegance.
"Not bad," he muttered, his voice rough and tired.
He unslung another estus flask, the cool glass clinking against his armor as he raised it to his lips. The golden light of the flask poured into him, washing over his broken body.
Sliding the ring onto his finger, Naruto flexed his hand, feeling the weight of it settle against his skin. He exhaled, a tired chuckle escaping him as he glanced back toward the hallway where the Black Knight once stood.
"Twelve deaths," he muttered, shaking his head. "Twelve times running the same path, fighting the same hollows, dying to that guy over and over." He paused, staring at the ring. "And now, it's mine."
A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, but his thoughts lingered on the fight.
Then, his eyes flicked to the corner of the screen.
[ Souls: 15,200 ]
The number hung there, glowing faintly. His smirk widened.
"Time to level up," he muttered, slinging the Zweihander over his shoulder as he turned toward the bonfire. Behind him, the remains of the Black Knight lay in silence, its ashes scattered across the cold stone floor.
Naruto ascended the staircase, the blue tearstone ring catching the sunlight as he emerged from the shadowy stairwell into the open air.
He stopped at a landing, glancing between two paths: the familiar descent to the bonfire or the unknown climb ahead. A grin spread across his face, his hand tightening on the Zweihander. "Forward it is," he muttered, taking the first step upward.
The stone stairs wound upward, narrow and claustrophobic, when suddenly a strange rumbling reached his ears.
"What the—?" Naruto barely got the words out before a flaming barrel came hurtling down the stairs toward him, its fiery glow illuminating the shadows as it picked up speed.
"Oh, come on!" Naruto shouted, summoning a fireball with a quick hand sign. Without thinking, he hurled it at the barrel.
Bad idea.
The fireball struck the barrel dead center, and for a split second, Naruto thought it had worked. Then the barrel exploded in a fiery burst, sending smaller, burning chunks of metal ricocheting down the stairs like deadly pinballs.
"Great idea, Naruto!" he scolded himself, leaping backward. He twisted in the air, flipping gracefully before landing on an uneven platform outside the staircase. His foot caught on something, and he stumbled, arms flailing. But the iron rusted ring kicked in, stabilizing him just before he could topple over.
Looking around, he realized he'd landed on a forgotten patch of stone, overgrown with thick weeds and vines. The once-pristine masonry was barely visible beneath layers of moss and decay, like a garden lost to time. Beneath his boots, something solid creaked—an old wooden chest hidden in the undergrowth.
"Well, don't mind if I do!"
He kicked the weeds aside and flipped the chest open. Inside was a small container filled with golden sap, faint sparks dancing across its surface.
[Item: Gold Pine Resin]
[Description: Rare pine resin that emits golden sparks. Applies lightning to a weapon. Effective against enemies resistant to magic or fire, and particularly devastating against dragon-related foes.]
Naruto read the description and let out a low whistle. "Lightning? Oh, this is going to be awesome."
Eagerly, he scooped out a handful of the resin and smeared it along the Zweihander's blade. The effect was immediate—the resin spread like liquid energy, coating the steel in golden light. Sparks crackled and hissed along the edge of the sword, the air around it humming with static.
Naruto flexed his hands as the tingling sensation traveled up his arms. His grin turned feral. "Alright, time to test this baby out."
He spotted his target: a hollow hunched over the top, shoving another flaming barrel into position.
"You!" Naruto yelled, pointing the crackling Zweihander at the hollow. "You're so dead!"
Channeling chakra into his legs, he vanished in a blur of speed, the Shunshin no Jutsu propelling him forward. The hollow barely had time to turn before Naruto's blade came down in a sweeping arc.
The Zweihander sliced through the hollow with ease, the golden sparks igniting as they coursed through its body. The hollow crumpled to the ground, its charred remains smoking faintly, the lightning still dancing along its severed halves.
Naruto stood over the smoldering corpse, raising the crackling Zweihander high above his head. "I have the power!" he shouted, grinning ear to ear.
With the hollow dealt with, Naruto climbed the remaining stairs to find himself on a new floor. A single wooden door stood in front of him, framed by moss-covered stone walls. He grabbed the handle and twisted it, but it didn't budge.
"Locked," Naruto grumbled, shooting the door a glare. "Why is every door in this place always locked?!"
For a moment, he stared at the door, wishing he'd picked the thief class. That master key thing probably would've solved so many of my problems.
Shaking his head, Naruto sighed. "No use crying over bitter ramen—" Then his stomach growled loudly, cutting him off. He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Wait… bitter ramen? That could actually be good. Oh man, when I get back, I'll have to pitch this to Ayame!"
With a grin at the thought, Naruto turned away from the locked door and climbed the narrow, spiraling staircase.
The higher he climbed, the more the tower changed. The cold stone walls gave way to splintered wooden beams and piles of broken barrels. Finally, the stairs came to an abrupt stop, the path to the roof destroyed long ago. Instead, a side passage opened onto a wall walk.
Naruto stepped out, his boots clinking softly against the uneven stone. The path stretched ahead, broken and jagged in places, a relic of a time long past.
To his left, a breathtaking view unfolded. Jagged mountains pierced the fog, their peaks veiled in mist. Pillars of golden light broke through the clouds, casting the valleys below in a dreamlike glow. For a moment, Naruto's worries faded, replaced by awe at the sheer beauty of the world.
To his right, the grand castle loomed. Its towering spires reached for the heavens, their intricate stonework carved with the precision of a master craftsman. The castle was both beautiful and intimidating, a monument to power and age.
Naruto stood there, caught between wonder and unease. "Man… this place really is something else."
Then he heard it.
A deep, thunderous slam echoed across the wall walk, shaking the stone beneath his feet. Naruto froze, his heart skipping a beat as he slowly turned toward the source.
At the far end of the wall walk, a massive creature lumbered into view, monstrous and primal. Its body was a horrifying fusion of beast and humanoid—thick, muscular limbs rippled with raw power, and its rough, dark skin was streaked with patches of fur. Its head resembled a bull, with glowing yellow eyes that burned like embers and two massive, curved horns jutting from its skull-like face.
In its clawed hands, it held a crude, massive weapon—a brutal axe-like blade that looked capable of cleaving the wall itself in half.
The Taurus Demon hunched low, its glowing eyes locking onto Naruto with deadly intent. It raised its weapon high and slammed it into the stone with a deafening boom, shaking loose bits of debris.
For a second, fear crept into his chest. But then the cackle of the lightning on his blade seemed to whisper a challenge of its own.
Naruto grinned, steadying his grip on the Zweihander. "What am I afraid of?" he muttered, his confidence growing. "I've killed the Asylum Demon. I've taken down a Black Knight. And now…" His grin widened as he crouched low, the Zweihander humming with electric energy in his hands.
"…I'm going to add you to the list."
[ Name: Taurus Demon ]
[ HP: 1,215 / 1,215 ]
Naruto stood his ground, taking the Fool's stance, the Zweihander hanging low as if he barely cared to hold it. His body language screamed vulnerability, an open invitation for the Taurus Demon to attack.
It worked.
The beast crouched, its massive legs tensing like coiled springs. Naruto's eyes narrowed.
Here it comes.
The Taurus Demon leapt high into the air, bringing its massive greataxe down in a thunderous vertical smash. Naruto jumped back just in time, the axe slamming into the wall walk with enough force to crack the stone and send dust flying everywhere.
But Naruto didn't wait to admire the destruction. With a burst of Shunshin, he closed the gap, aiming the Zweihander directly at the demon's eye.
The blade shot forward like a spear, but the Taurus Demon tilted its head at the last moment. The Zweihander met the beast's horn with a resounding clang, sparks flying in all directions. The force reverberated through Naruto's arms as he felt the blade deflect, his hands nearly slipping from the hilt.
The Taurus Demon responded with a horizontal slash of its greataxe, the massive weapon cutting through the air with terrifying speed.
Substitution Jutsu!
A split second later, the axe cleaved through a log, turning it into a fine spray of sawdust. Naruto reappeared midair above the demon, his Zweihander crackling with lightning as he prepared a plunge attack.
He brought the blade down with everything he had. Lightning erupted from the blade as it connected with the demon's horn, slicing it clean off. The Taurus Demon let out a deafening roar, staggering back from the sheer force of the attack.
"Ha! Gotcha!" Naruto shouted, his confidence surging as he landed gracefully on the wall walk.
He prepared to go for another strike, but then it happened. A sharp sound whistled through the air.
Way of Focality kicked in, showing him the threat—a pair of arrows.
Too late.
Both arrows slammed into Naruto's bicep, pain lancing through his arm as his grip on the Zweihander faltered. His attention wavered, just for a moment.
The Taurus Demon didn't need more than that. Its greataxe swept across in a wide, brutal horizontal slash, and everything went black.
[ YOU DIED ]
[ Through sacrifice, no souls were lost. Ring of Sacrifice shattered. ]
Naruto groaned as he woke up back in his room.
"Of course, there had to be some stupid crossbow hollows in that fight," he muttered, sitting up and rubbing his temples. "Like, because fighting a giant bull demon with a greataxe isn't hard enough already, right?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. Thankfully, his backup plan had worked. The clone he'd stationed at the bonfire with a Ring of Sacrifice had preserved his souls. It wasn't elegant, but it worked.
"Alright," Naruto muttered, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Should probably be heading to Training Ground 7 right now… but Kakashi's always late anyway."
With a grin, he broke the Darksign in his hand, feeling the familiar pull as he was transported back to Lordran.
"I want my round two. Fair and square, this time feabag. Dattebayo."
Author's Note:
Well, that was an intense chapter, wasn't it? I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did! Now, let's talk about Naruto's swordsmanship:
What he's learning isn't some flashy, made-up anime swordplay. It's actually rooted in real historical techniques from the German school of longsword fighting (Hema enthusiasts, I see you). These stances and methods are the same ones used by knights handling massive weapons like his Zweihander, making them perfect for Naruto's combat style. Here's a quick breakdown:
So, what did you think of the swordsmanship in Naruto's fight with the Black Knight? Did the intensity and difficulty of the battle come across? I really wanted to capture the struggle and brutality of the encounter.
Next chapter, Naruto's going head-to-head with the Taurus Demon, and he's going to meet someone very special. Any guesses who it might be? (No, it's not Solaire—our favorite Sunbro will show up a bit later.)
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Any ideas for future chapters are always welcome—don't be shy!
And if you can't wait for the next update, the next chapter drops on January 20th! You can read ahead to Chapter 58 on Patreon.
Thank you all for your support—you make writing this story such an incredible journey!
Until next time,
Adamo Amet
Naruto opened his eyes to the familiar glow of the bonfire. He sat up, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck, his body ready to move even before his mind caught up. Sleep no longer held meaning here. Days and hours blurred together, the sun forever frozen in its place.
The rhythm of Lordran ruled his life now: fight, die, wake, repeat.
And at the center of it all was the Black Knight.
Every death had become a stepping stone, another lesson carved into his mind and body. Naruto's approach was meticulous now. Every time he climbed the Black Knight's tower, he summoned shadow clones—dozens of them. Half engaged the knight directly, throwing themselves into the fight, while the rest stayed back, observing every detail of the battle.
The clones studied everything: the way the knight gripped its greatsword, the subtle shifts in its footwork, the precise timing of its swings.
When the clones dispelled, their memories surged into Naruto's mind in a flood. He felt every clash, every wound, every mistake. Each death left him stronger, shaping his instincts and refining his movements.
Between battles, he practiced. His clones mimicked the Black Knight's techniques, replicating its stances, its slashes, its devastating thrusts. The hollows on the path to the tower became his training dummies, each encounter a chance to perfect what he had learned.
It didn't take long for him to realize how much of Tenten's advice didn't apply to the Zweihander.
It wasn't that she'd meant to mislead him—she had taught him through the lens of her weapon: the katana.
Her advice about a loose grip? Total nonsense. The first time the Black Knight's greatsword had clashed with his Zweihander, it had ripped the sword clean out of his hands.
Her emphasis on stances? Misguided. The Black Knight didn't rely on rigid stances; its movements were driven by precise, fluid footwork.
"Don't rest your sword on your shoulder," she'd said. But the Black Knight always rested its greatsword there, using the position to generate devastating momentum.
The focus on clean cuts? Perfect for a katana, but wrong for a Zweihander. The Black Knight's wide arcs weren't about precision—they were about overwhelming power.
Blade alignment? While important, the Black Knight had shown him that the true key to wielding a Zweihander lay in the weight and hip movement.
Despite the mistakes, Naruto couldn't deny that Tenten's guidance had given him a foundation. The basics she had drilled into him gave him the tools to spot and correct these errors. For that, he was grateful.
Now, with those missteps identified, he could refine his swordsmanship into something uniquely his own.
Naruto grinned, gripping the Zweihander tightly.
"All right, Black Knight," he muttered, stepping toward the bonfire. "Let's try this again."
The Grip
The first thing Naruto learned from the Black Knight was its grip. It wasn't haphazard; it was deliberate. One hand rested near the guard for stability, the other gripped the pommel for leverage. The technique allowed the knight to control the sword's weight, guiding its massive swings with precision rather than brute force.
Naruto mimicked the grip in his next fight, and the difference was immediate. The Zweihander felt lighter, more responsive. Over time, he refined it further. When transitioning the blade across his body, he loosened his hold on the pommel, sliding his hand up to increase mobility.
The High Guard
The next thing Naruto noticed was the Black Knight's high guard. It rested the greatsword on its shoulder, angling the blade forward. It wasn't just a defensive stance—it was an offensive one, meant to dominate the battlefield. Every downward strike from this position carried crushing force.
Naruto mimicked the stance during his next fight. As the Black Knight approached, he rested the Zweihander on his shoulder, angling it the same way.
When the knight swung, Naruto mirrored it, bringing his sword down in a wide arc. But his edge alignment was off. The clash sent his blade vibrating violently, the impact jarring his arms. The knight's greatsword continued its descent, slicing cleanly through Naruto's chest.
[YOU DIED]
The next time, Naruto focused on refining the high guard. He summoned clones to practice edge alignment, learning to keep the blade perfectly in line with his movements. Strength wasn't enough—he needed stability.
The next clash was different. Naruto met the Black Knight's downward strike with perfect edge alignment. Steel met steel in an ear-shattering impact, but this time, Naruto held firm. For the first time, he matched the Black Knight's raw power.
The Forward Point
During one fight, Naruto noticed the Black Knight shifting into a stance where its greatsword was raised high, the tip pointed forward like a spear. The stance created a defensive wall, controlling the centerline.
Naruto never saw the attack coming. The thrust pierced straight through his chest before he even registered the movement.
[YOU DIED]
When he respawned, Naruto clutched his side where the blade had run him through. He realized the forward point wasn't just defensive—it was a stance built for precision and control.
He mimicked the stance in the next fight, holding the Zweihander high with the tip extended forward. This forced him to stay balanced, keeping the blade aligned with the centerline.
The Black Knight swung wide, and Naruto saw his chance. He stepped forward and thrust the Zweihander at its chest. The blade scraped against its armor, but the thrust lacked depth.
The knight retaliated, slamming its greatsword into his ribs and sending him flying into the staircase.
[YOU DIED]
It took six more fights before Naruto began to understand the forward point. He refined his thrusts, loosening his grip on the pommel to extend his reach. Precise footwork and patience became his weapons.
The Fool's Guard
The most puzzling stance Naruto encountered was one he came to call the Fool's Guard. The Black Knight would lower its greatsword entirely, holding it loosely as if uninterested in the fight. Its entire body seemed open, exposed.
The first time Naruto saw it, he charged in recklessly, thinking it was an easy win. He swung with all his might—only to be impaled on a lightning-fast counter.
[YOU DIED]
Naruto quickly realized the Fool's Guard wasn't a weakness—it was bait. A trap meant to lure opponents into overcommitting.
The next time, he tried it himself. He lowered the Zweihander, mimicking the Black Knight's posture. It felt wrong, his entire body vulnerable.
But when the knight lunged, Naruto was ready. He pivoted, stepping back and bringing the Zweihander around in a wide arc. The blade connected, slamming into the knight's armor with enough force to make it stagger.
For the first time, Naruto saw the Black Knight react. Its stance shifted slightly, its movements more aggressive.
Naruto grinned, gripping his Zweihander tightly.
"Let's keep going."
[YOU DIED]
Naruto stared into the flickering flames of the bonfire, the crackling fire filling the quiet room. He exhaled slowly, his grin tinged with exhaustion.
"A dozen deaths," he muttered to himself, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "And four thousand clones popped."
He rolled his shoulders, the Zweihander shifting easily in his grip, its weight no longer foreign. "Time to end this dance," Naruto whispered. Slipping into the Fool's Guard, the greatsword dangling lazily at his side, he marched out of the room.
The moment Naruto stepped onto the bridge, the familiar twang of a crossbow filled the air. He didn't flinch. His left hand shifted slightly, tilting the pommel of the Zweihander to adjust the blade's angle.
Clink.
The arrow ricocheted harmlessly off the edge of the blade.
Naruto's feet twisted sharply, his grip tightening as the Zweihander followed. With a diagonal sweep, the blade carved through the neck of a hollow rushing at him. Blood sprayed in an arc, and the hollow crumpled to the stone floor, lifeless.
Another arrow hissed toward him, but this time Naruto dodged, pivoting on his heel and dropping low. He used the momentum to transition into a thrust, driving the Zweihander's tip clean through the throat of the crossbow-wielding hollow.
He didn't pause to catch his breath. Firebombs exploded behind him, but Naruto kept marching forward, his boots echoing against the stone as his focus remained unshaken.
A hollow burst out from behind a door, its spear aimed for his stomach. Naruto shifted into the Forward Point stance, the Zweihander poised like a coiled predator. As the spear lunged for him, he sidestepped and brought the blade down in a sweeping arc, cleaving the hollow cleanly in half.
Further ahead, the metallic growls of war axe hollows echoed off the walls.
Naruto raised his Zweihander into the High Guard, the massive blade resting on his shoulder as he stepped forward, measured and deliberate. One hollow swung first, its axe slicing down with brutal force.
Naruto pivoted just outside the arc of the swing, and as the hollow overextended, he brought the Zweihander down in a devastating counter. The blade tore through its exposed side, sending it crashing to the ground.
The second hollow didn't hesitate. It lunged with a horizontal slash aimed for Naruto's neck. Naruto shifted into the Low Guard, dropping into a crouch as the axe passed harmlessly overhead. In one fluid motion, he thrust upward, the Zweihander's tip punching through the hollow's chin and into its skull.
Naruto gave a sharp nod, summoning a clone to deal with the hollows inside the shop as he ascended the stairs.
At the top, three hollows waited for him—two with swords and one in the back clutching firebombs.
Naruto slipped into the Forward Point stance, angling his blade to cover his body as the two sword-wielding hollows charged. The first hollow swung high, and Naruto sidestepped left, flicking his blade upward to deflect the attack. The second came in low, aiming for his legs.
Naruto transitioned into the Fool's Guard, his open stance drawing the hollow forward, its blade arcing for an easy strike. He ducked low and twisted, using the movement to bring the Zweihander around in a sweeping slash. Both hollows fell in one fluid motion, their bodies collapsing in a spray of blood.
The firebomb hollow took aim, but Naruto was already moving. He kicked one of the fallen corpses, using it as a shield. The firebomb exploded against it, giving him enough time to close the gap and thrust his blade through the hollow's chest.
Naruto gestured to his clones to deal with the crossbow hollows as he descended the stairs to face three spear-wielding enemies below.
"Let's see how well this works," Naruto muttered, adjusting his grip as he dropped into the Low Guard.
The first hollow lunged with a quick thrust. Naruto sidestepped, angling the Zweihander to deflect the spear's shaft. The second hollow followed immediately, its spear jabbing at his left side. Naruto twisted, raising the greatsword to parry the attack, forcing the weapon wide.
Naruto surged forward, closing the gap. He transitioned into a brutal overhead slash that split the first hollow in two.
The remaining two hollows moved in sync, one thrusting high while the other aimed low. Naruto backstepped, his blade in the Forward Point stance, blocking the high thrust while his footwork shifted to avoid the lower strike.
He pivoted sharply, spinning the Zweihander in a wide, sweeping arc that forced both hollows to retreat. Seizing the moment, Naruto lunged forward, driving the blade through the chest of the second hollow.
The final hollow snarled, its spear snapping forward in desperation. Naruto stepped into the Fool's Guard, the relaxed stance luring the hollow closer. As it lunged, he twisted sharply, bringing the Zweihander up in a vicious uppercut. The blade tore through the hollow, sending it flying backward over the wall.
Naruto exhaled, resting the Zweihander on his shoulder. His eyes flicked toward the familiar tower in the distance, its shadow looming ominously over the battlefield.
"Almost there," he muttered. His lips curled into a grin as he marched forward, ready for the Black Knight.
It felt strange, almost surreal, walking down the stairs toward the Black Knight. Through dozens of deaths and countless battles, Naruto realized he no longer viewed the knight solely as an enemy. It was something more—a master, in its own way.
The familiar figure of the Black Knight came into view, standing as silent and imposing as ever. Naruto paused at the base of the stairs, lowering his blade for a moment. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves as he gazed at the knight.
"I don't know if you can understand me," he began. "But… thank you. You've taught me more in these fights than any teacher ever has. I'll never forget what I've learned from you—even if your lesson ends with me dying again."
He smiled faintly behind his helmet, a flicker of warmth in a place so cold and hostile.
"I stand here as the Squire of Oscar of Astora, and whether I live or die, I'll honor what you've taught me."
Naruto raised his blade, slipping into the Fool's Guard, ready for the battle that awaited him.
The Black Knight closed the distance in two powerful strides, its greatsword cutting through the air in a ferocious downward arc. Naruto pivoted to his left, shifting his weight onto his back foot as he stepped out of the strike's path. The Zweihander shot upward in a sweeping counter-slash aimed at the knight's unguarded flank.
Clang!
The Black Knight twisted at the last moment, its shield catching the blow.
Sparks burst from the collision, and the knight retaliated instantly, transitioning into a brutal upward slash. Naruto barely managed to deflect the strike, sliding his hand up the Zweihander's hilt for better leverage. The impact sent vibrations up his arms, forcing him to backpedal.
The greatsword came crashing down in a savage overhead strike. Naruto barely managed to sidestep, the blade slamming into the stone floor with a deafening CRACK as the boy swung the Zweihander in a horizontal arc.
Clang!
The Black Knight's shield shot up, absorbing the blow. It retaliated immediately, slamming the edge of its shield into Naruto's ribs with bone-crushing force.
The impact launched Naruto backward like a ragdoll, slamming him into the unyielding stone wall with bone-rattling force. His Elite Knight armor absorbed much of the blow, the thick plating denting inward, but the sheer force still tore through his body. A sharp, searing pain stabbed through his side, and he felt the unmistakable snap of at least three ribs. One pierced deep into the soft tissue near his diaphragm, while another pressed dangerously close to his left lung.
Blood spattered from his mouth in a crimson arc as the shock reverberated through his chest. He gasped for air, each breath shallow and wet, and the acrid taste of copper filled his throat. His kidney throbbed fiercely, likely ruptured, and a deep, pulsing ache in his lower abdomen told him that internal bleeding was already flooding his body.
The cracked stone behind him bore the impression of his impact, dust and small fragments cascading around him. For a moment, his vision blurred, the edges darkening as nausea swept over him.
The Black Knight pressed its advantage, charging forward with terrifying momentum. Its blade swung low, aiming to cleave Naruto's legs clean off. Naruto raised the Zweihander just in time, angling it downward to parry the strike. The impact sent a violent jolt through his arms, numbing his fingers.
The Black Knight followed with a spinning underhand slash. Naruto ducked, the blade whistling over his head and carving a deep gouge into the wall behind him. Dust and stone rained down, the already-cramped space growing more chaotic.
Naruto twisted, shifting into the Low Guard as he thrust upward, aiming for the knight's exposed torso. The tip of the Zweihander scraped against its armor, leaving a shallow cut, but the knight responded with a brutal backhanded swing. The greatsword caught Naruto across the shoulder, slicing through his armor and flesh. Blood sprayed in a violent arc as Naruto staggered back.
Stay focused, he told himself, gritting his teeth against the searing pain.
The Black Knight didn't relent. It lunged with a forward thrust, its blade tearing through the narrow space like a spear. Naruto sidestepped, but the blade grazed his side, ripping through his armor and leaving a deep, bloody gash. He hissed in pain, countering with a diagonal slash from the High Guard.
The Zweihander slammed into the knight's shoulder, the sheer force denting its blackened armor. The impact staggered the knight for half a second, but it recovered instantly, twisting its blade into an upward slash. Naruto tried to block, but the strike was too fast, the greatsword ripping through his gauntlet and slicing into his forearm. Blood poured from the wound, dripping onto the stone floor as Naruto growled through clenched teeth.
The two circled each other, their boots grinding against the blood-soaked stone.
Naruto feinted left, dropping into the Fool's Guard again to bait the knight into attacking. The Black Knight lunged, its blade cutting a deadly arc. Naruto pivoted, slipping to its side as he brought the Zweihander around in a wide, sweeping slash.
The blade struck true, carving deep into the knight's side. Blackened blood oozed from the wound, staining the ground beneath it. But the Black Knight didn't falter. It spun on its heel, bringing its massive shield around in a brutal bash aimed squarely at Naruto's chest.
Naruto reacted instantly, shifting his grip on the Zweihander into a half-swording technique. One hand grasped the blade's center while the other held the hilt, angling the flat of the sword to meet the incoming shield.
CLANG!
The impact reverberated like a bell, the sheer force of it vibrating through Naruto's arms and shoulders. Wisps of his chakra escaped from his arms, dissipating into the air like smoke. Steam hissed from his wounds, his body slowly knitting itself back together under the strain.
"You're really not making this easy, huh?"
The Black Knight lunged with a thrust. Naruto dropped into the Forward Point, deflecting the blade with a sharp angle of his sword. The knight's momentum carried it forward, and Naruto twisted his hips, transitioning into a horizontal slash that tore into the back of its knee.
The knight staggered, its balance faltering, and Naruto seized the opening. He shifted into a brutal overhead slash aimed for the knight's neck.
The Black Knight raised its shield at the last second, the impact reverberating like a cannon blast. The force was enough to send the knight sliding back a few feet, but it recovered almost instantly, retaliating with a spinning underhand strike.
Naruto jumped back.
The knight pressed forward, its attacks relentless. A four-hit combo erupted: an overhead slash, a sweeping horizontal cut, a spinning underhand strike, and a thrust.
Naruto's world narrowed to steel and blood. He parried the first strike, sidestepped the second, ducked under the third, and deflected the thrust with a desperate angle of his blade. Each move came with a cost—every parry sent jolts of pain through his battered arms, and every dodge left him open to grazing cuts.
Finally, Naruto saw his chance.
As the knight recovered from its thrust, Naruto dropped into the Fool's Guard, lowering his blade as if exhausted. The Black Knight lunged again, aiming for his heart.
Naruto twisted sharply, bringing the Zweihander up in a vicious uppercut. The blade tore through the knight's torso, blackened blood spraying across the room as the knight staggered back.
Naruto didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, raising the Zweihander into the High Guard. With every ounce of strength he had left, he brought the blade down in a crushing overhead strike.
The Black Knight tried to raise its sword to block, but it was too slow. The Zweihander cleaved through its helmet, splitting it down the middle. The knight crumpled to its knees, its greatsword clattering to the ground.
For a moment, Naruto stood over the fallen knight, his chest heaving, blood dripping from his wounds onto the shattered stone floor.
"It was an honor to fight you," he muttered, raising his blade for the final blow.
With a single swing, it was over.
Naruto reached up, fumbling with the straps of his dented helmet before pulling it off with a trembling hand. Sweat dripped from his matted hair, mixing with the blood streaking down his face from a gash on his forehead. His left cheek was swollen and bruised, smeared with more dried blood from a split lip, while the sharp metallic tang of it filled his mouth.
Naruto coughed harshly, spitting out a glob of blood onto the cold stone floor. His breathing was ragged, each inhale scraping against his ribs, which still throbbed with pain from the crushing shield bash. The armor pressing against his side was sticky with blood, likely from a deep cut just beneath his ribs. He could feel the warmth of it trickling down his torso, soaking into his gambeson.
He stared at the ghostly figure of the knight, his body hunched slightly as exhaustion settled into every fiber of his being. Pain radiated from his arms, his muscles twitching and torn from the repeated strain of wielding the Zweihander. His left knee buckled slightly under him, the joint screaming from where the Black Knight's blade had clipped him in a desperate parry.
Reaching into his pouch with his free hand, Naruto pulled out his estus flask, its warm golden glow a stark contrast to the blood-slicked floor around him. He brought it to his lips and drank deeply, the liquid flowing down his throat like liquid fire.
Warmth flooded through him, radiating from his chest outward. He winced as his body began to heal—the gash on his forehead knitting itself together, the bruises fading, and the sharp pain in his ribs dulling to a faint ache. He flexed his fingers, feeling the strength return to them as the warmth settled into his limbs.
Naruto wiped his bloodied mouth with the back of his hand, his sweat-soaked hair clinging to his temples.
Suddenly, the Black Knight's armored body convulsed violently; then, a faint white light began to seep from the cracks and seams in its darkened armor. Naruto instinctively stepped back, dragging his Zweihander free. The heavy blade scraped against the stone floor as he watched the light intensify.
The knight's body seemed to glow from within, its blackened steel burning with a brilliance that was almost blinding. Then, piece by piece, the armor crumbled into ash, scattering in the faint, cold breeze of the tower.
From the ashes, a figure emerged. A white, spectral image of the Black Knight hovered in place, flickering like dying embers. Its ghostly form was striking—both arms raised high and wide, palms open, chest pushed forward, the Y pose frozen in a triumphant stance.
Naruto blinked, his breath heavy, his heart still hammering from the brutal fight. He tightened his grip on the Zweihander, unsure if this was the knight's final act of defiance or something else entirely.
"Are you… praising me?"
The Black Knight's spectral form didn't answer. It lingered for a moment longer, as if frozen in reverence—or maybe pride—before slowly dissipating into a glowing orb of light. The soul orb hovered, shimmering faintly, before drifting toward Naruto.
He had done it.
After countless deaths, hundreds of clones shattered, and hours of relentless training, he had defeated the Black Knight. The impossible challenge he had thrown himself into was finally over. A grin flickered across his bloodied lips, but it quickly faded as a thought began to take root in his mind.
What were these knights?
Naruto glanced at the pile of ash where the Black Knight had stood, his brow furrowing. They weren't like the hollows. The hollows were mindless, driven by rage and emptiness. The Black Knight was different. Every movement it made, every swing of its massive greatsword, was deliberate. Precise.
And that ghostly form… was it honor? Was it defiance? Or was it something else?
He tightened his grip on the Zweihander, his eyes narrowing. It didn't feel like anger. The knight's stance before it dissolved felt… solemn, like it had acknowledged him. Honored the fight.
Naruto shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He glanced down the hallway. At the far end, something glinted faintly in the dim light. His prize.
Dragging his aching body forward, he reached the item.
[ Item Acquired: Blue Tearstone Ring ]
[ Description: The rare gem called tearstone has the uncanny ability to sense imminent death. This blue tearstone from Catarina boosts the defense of its wearer when in danger.]
Naruto grinned, turning the ring over in his hand. The cracked blue gem gleamed faintly, its surface catching the light like ripples on water. The silver band was simple, almost humble, but there was power in its quiet elegance.
"Not bad," he muttered, his voice rough and tired.
He unslung another estus flask, the cool glass clinking against his armor as he raised it to his lips. The golden light of the flask poured into him, washing over his broken body.
Sliding the ring onto his finger, Naruto flexed his hand, feeling the weight of it settle against his skin. He exhaled, a tired chuckle escaping him as he glanced back toward the hallway where the Black Knight once stood.
"Twelve deaths," he muttered, shaking his head. "Twelve times running the same path, fighting the same hollows, dying to that guy over and over." He paused, staring at the ring. "And now, it's mine."
A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, but his thoughts lingered on the fight.
Then, his eyes flicked to the corner of the screen.
[ Souls: 15,200 ]
The number hung there, glowing faintly. His smirk widened.
"Time to level up," he muttered, slinging the Zweihander over his shoulder as he turned toward the bonfire. Behind him, the remains of the Black Knight lay in silence, its ashes scattered across the cold stone floor.
Naruto ascended the staircase, the blue tearstone ring catching the sunlight as he emerged from the shadowy stairwell into the open air.
He stopped at a landing, glancing between two paths: the familiar descent to the bonfire or the unknown climb ahead. A grin spread across his face, his hand tightening on the Zweihander. "Forward it is," he muttered, taking the first step upward.
The stone stairs wound upward, narrow and claustrophobic, when suddenly a strange rumbling reached his ears.
"What the—?" Naruto barely got the words out before a flaming barrel came hurtling down the stairs toward him, its fiery glow illuminating the shadows as it picked up speed.
"Oh, come on!" Naruto shouted, summoning a fireball with a quick hand sign. Without thinking, he hurled it at the barrel.
Bad idea.
The fireball struck the barrel dead center, and for a split second, Naruto thought it had worked. Then the barrel exploded in a fiery burst, sending smaller, burning chunks of metal ricocheting down the stairs like deadly pinballs.
"Great idea, Naruto!" he scolded himself, leaping backward. He twisted in the air, flipping gracefully before landing on an uneven platform outside the staircase. His foot caught on something, and he stumbled, arms flailing. But the iron rusted ring kicked in, stabilizing him just before he could topple over.
Looking around, he realized he'd landed on a forgotten patch of stone, overgrown with thick weeds and vines. The once-pristine masonry was barely visible beneath layers of moss and decay, like a garden lost to time. Beneath his boots, something solid creaked—an old wooden chest hidden in the undergrowth.
"Well, don't mind if I do!"
He kicked the weeds aside and flipped the chest open. Inside was a small container filled with golden sap, faint sparks dancing across its surface.
[Item: Gold Pine Resin]
[Description: Rare pine resin that emits golden sparks. Applies lightning to a weapon. Effective against enemies resistant to magic or fire, and particularly devastating against dragon-related foes.]
Naruto read the description and let out a low whistle. "Lightning? Oh, this is going to be awesome."
Eagerly, he scooped out a handful of the resin and smeared it along the Zweihander's blade. The effect was immediate—the resin spread like liquid energy, coating the steel in golden light. Sparks crackled and hissed along the edge of the sword, the air around it humming with static.
Naruto flexed his hands as the tingling sensation traveled up his arms. His grin turned feral. "Alright, time to test this baby out."
He spotted his target: a hollow hunched over the top, shoving another flaming barrel into position.
"You!" Naruto yelled, pointing the crackling Zweihander at the hollow. "You're so dead!"
Channeling chakra into his legs, he vanished in a blur of speed, the Shunshin no Jutsu propelling him forward. The hollow barely had time to turn before Naruto's blade came down in a sweeping arc.
The Zweihander sliced through the hollow with ease, the golden sparks igniting as they coursed through its body. The hollow crumpled to the ground, its charred remains smoking faintly, the lightning still dancing along its severed halves.
Naruto stood over the smoldering corpse, raising the crackling Zweihander high above his head. "I have the power!" he shouted, grinning ear to ear.
With the hollow dealt with, Naruto climbed the remaining stairs to find himself on a new floor. A single wooden door stood in front of him, framed by moss-covered stone walls. He grabbed the handle and twisted it, but it didn't budge.
"Locked," Naruto grumbled, shooting the door a glare. "Why is every door in this place always locked?!"
For a moment, he stared at the door, wishing he'd picked the thief class. That master key thing probably would've solved so many of my problems.
Shaking his head, Naruto sighed. "No use crying over bitter ramen—" Then his stomach growled loudly, cutting him off. He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Wait… bitter ramen? That could actually be good. Oh man, when I get back, I'll have to pitch this to Ayame!"
With a grin at the thought, Naruto turned away from the locked door and climbed the narrow, spiraling staircase.
The higher he climbed, the more the tower changed. The cold stone walls gave way to splintered wooden beams and piles of broken barrels. Finally, the stairs came to an abrupt stop, the path to the roof destroyed long ago. Instead, a side passage opened onto a wall walk.
Naruto stepped out, his boots clinking softly against the uneven stone. The path stretched ahead, broken and jagged in places, a relic of a time long past.
To his left, a breathtaking view unfolded. Jagged mountains pierced the fog, their peaks veiled in mist. Pillars of golden light broke through the clouds, casting the valleys below in a dreamlike glow. For a moment, Naruto's worries faded, replaced by awe at the sheer beauty of the world.
To his right, the grand castle loomed. Its towering spires reached for the heavens, their intricate stonework carved with the precision of a master craftsman. The castle was both beautiful and intimidating, a monument to power and age.
Naruto stood there, caught between wonder and unease. "Man… this place really is something else."
Then he heard it.
A deep, thunderous slam echoed across the wall walk, shaking the stone beneath his feet. Naruto froze, his heart skipping a beat as he slowly turned toward the source.
At the far end of the wall walk, a massive creature lumbered into view, monstrous and primal. Its body was a horrifying fusion of beast and humanoid—thick, muscular limbs rippled with raw power, and its rough, dark skin was streaked with patches of fur. Its head resembled a bull, with glowing yellow eyes that burned like embers and two massive, curved horns jutting from its skull-like face.
In its clawed hands, it held a crude, massive weapon—a brutal axe-like blade that looked capable of cleaving the wall itself in half.
The Taurus Demon hunched low, its glowing eyes locking onto Naruto with deadly intent. It raised its weapon high and slammed it into the stone with a deafening boom, shaking loose bits of debris.
For a second, fear crept into his chest. But then the cackle of the lightning on his blade seemed to whisper a challenge of its own.
Naruto grinned, steadying his grip on the Zweihander. "What am I afraid of?" he muttered, his confidence growing. "I've killed the Asylum Demon. I've taken down a Black Knight. And now…" His grin widened as he crouched low, the Zweihander humming with electric energy in his hands.
"…I'm going to add you to the list."
[ Name: Taurus Demon ]
[ HP: 1,215 / 1,215 ]
Naruto stood his ground, taking the Fool's stance, the Zweihander hanging low as if he barely cared to hold it. His body language screamed vulnerability, an open invitation for the Taurus Demon to attack.
It worked.
The beast crouched, its massive legs tensing like coiled springs. Naruto's eyes narrowed.
Here it comes.
The Taurus Demon leapt high into the air, bringing its massive greataxe down in a thunderous vertical smash. Naruto jumped back just in time, the axe slamming into the wall walk with enough force to crack the stone and send dust flying everywhere.
But Naruto didn't wait to admire the destruction. With a burst of Shunshin, he closed the gap, aiming the Zweihander directly at the demon's eye.
The blade shot forward like a spear, but the Taurus Demon tilted its head at the last moment. The Zweihander met the beast's horn with a resounding clang, sparks flying in all directions. The force reverberated through Naruto's arms as he felt the blade deflect, his hands nearly slipping from the hilt.
The Taurus Demon responded with a horizontal slash of its greataxe, the massive weapon cutting through the air with terrifying speed.
Substitution Jutsu!
A split second later, the axe cleaved through a log, turning it into a fine spray of sawdust. Naruto reappeared midair above the demon, his Zweihander crackling with lightning as he prepared a plunge attack.
He brought the blade down with everything he had. Lightning erupted from the blade as it connected with the demon's horn, slicing it clean off. The Taurus Demon let out a deafening roar, staggering back from the sheer force of the attack.
"Ha! Gotcha!" Naruto shouted, his confidence surging as he landed gracefully on the wall walk.
He prepared to go for another strike, but then it happened. A sharp sound whistled through the air.
Way of Focality kicked in, showing him the threat—a pair of arrows.
Too late.
Both arrows slammed into Naruto's bicep, pain lancing through his arm as his grip on the Zweihander faltered. His attention wavered, just for a moment.
The Taurus Demon didn't need more than that. Its greataxe swept across in a wide, brutal horizontal slash, and everything went black.
[ YOU DIED ]
[ Through sacrifice, no souls were lost. Ring of Sacrifice shattered. ]
Naruto groaned as he woke up back in his room.
"Of course, there had to be some stupid crossbow hollows in that fight," he muttered, sitting up and rubbing his temples. "Like, because fighting a giant bull demon with a greataxe isn't hard enough already, right?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. Thankfully, his backup plan had worked. The clone he'd stationed at the bonfire with a Ring of Sacrifice had preserved his souls. It wasn't elegant, but it worked.
"Alright," Naruto muttered, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Should probably be heading to Training Ground 7 right now… but Kakashi's always late anyway."
With a grin, he broke the Darksign in his hand, feeling the familiar pull as he was transported back to Lordran.
"I want my round two. Fair and square, this time feabag. Dattebayo."
Author's Note:
Well, that was an intense chapter, wasn't it? I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did! Now, let's talk about Naruto's swordsmanship:
What he's learning isn't some flashy, made-up anime swordplay. It's actually rooted in real historical techniques from the German school of longsword fighting (Hema enthusiasts, I see you). These stances and methods are the same ones used by knights handling massive weapons like his Zweihander, making them perfect for Naruto's combat style. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Vom Tag (From the Roof):
This is Naruto's high guard, where he holds the sword above or beside his shoulder, angled forward. It's all about raw power—a stance you'd use for devastating downward strikes or overwhelming counters. Ideal for when Naruto needs to bring the pain in a big way.
- Pflug (The Plow):
This low stance has Naruto holding the sword low but pointing it forward, almost like a spear. It's a defensive position that protects his centerline while setting him up for quick thrusts. It's versatile and great for handling close-quarters engagements or striking low.
- Ochs (The Ox):
Naruto's forward-pointing stance, with the sword held high and the tip aimed at the opponent. This stance is defensive but deadly, letting Naruto maintain range while setting up precise thrusts. He's starting to appreciate how critical range control is in a fight.
- Alber (The Fool):
This one's a favorite of Naruto's. It looks wide open—almost lazy—but that's the trick. It baits opponents into attacking, only for Naruto to counter and punish them hard. It's a stance built on deception and quick reflexes, something Naruto is getting a lot of fun out of.
- Standard Lever Grip:
One hand near the guard, the other on the pommel. This grip gives him precise control over the blade, essential for maneuvering a weapon as large as a Zweihander. Without it, he'd just be swinging dead weight.
- Sliding Grip:
To maintain fluid movement when transitioning the sword across his body, Naruto loosens his grip on the pommel and slides his hand up. This allows for smoother attacks and better adaptability in combat.
- Extended Grip for Thrusts:
For maximum reach, Naruto learned to let go with one hand during a forward thrust. It feels unnatural at first but gives him incredible range, capitalizing on the Zweihander's size.
So, what did you think of the swordsmanship in Naruto's fight with the Black Knight? Did the intensity and difficulty of the battle come across? I really wanted to capture the struggle and brutality of the encounter.
Next chapter, Naruto's going head-to-head with the Taurus Demon, and he's going to meet someone very special. Any guesses who it might be? (No, it's not Solaire—our favorite Sunbro will show up a bit later.)
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Any ideas for future chapters are always welcome—don't be shy!
And if you can't wait for the next update, the next chapter drops on January 20th! You can read ahead to Chapter 58 on Patreon.
Thank you all for your support—you make writing this story such an incredible journey!
Until next time,
Adamo Amet
WhiteWizardIan
Making the rounds.
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Thanks for the chapter!
Marethyu05
Getting sticky.
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Your chapter name is wrong. I really liked the different types of swordsmanship. Can't wait for the Naruto vs Zabuza Showdown.
Chapter no.19 Dark Souls
New
Adamos_Amet
Know what you're doing yet?
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Chapter no.19 Crystals, Chains, and Choices
In the Barrier Corps HQ, the room hummed with activity. Chakra monitors blinked in steady rhythms, operators logged data, and people bustled between stations. Yet one figure stood out—Fu, the ever-stoic sentinel of the Barrier Corps, who was currently… sweating buckets.
"Uh… Fu? You good?"
Fu didn't look up, his face as calm and emotionless as ever. "Yes."
But the sweat told a different story. Fu's fingers hovered over the controls as he worked to mask Naruto Uzumaki's chaotic chakra activity. The boy had been using his space-time ninjutsu constantly for the last few hours, and it was driving Fu to the edge.
"You're sweating like you just ran a marathon."
"I am fine," Fu replied in his monotone voice, dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief.
In reality, Fu's mind was spiraling. Naruto's chakra signature kept blinking on and off the radar like a broken lightbulb. Every time it disappeared, Fu had to tweak the barrier's readings to make sure no one noticed. If he didn't, an automatic report would be sent to the Hokage's office about the boy's "sudden death."
Why? Fu thought as he adjusted the readings for the thirteenth time in as many minutes. Why is he using it so much? Does he enjoy torturing me?
"You sure you're okay? You look like you're about to pass out."
"For the mission," Fu whispered under his breath, the faintest hint of frustration creeping into his usually emotionless tone.
"What was that?" Sora asked.
Fu cleared his throat. "Nothing."
For the mission. For the mission, Fu chanted silently in his mind, trying to keep himself composed. But it wasn't working. This was the first time in years—decades—that Fu had felt anything remotely resembling frustration, and it was all thanks to one loud, unpredictable ninja.
"Stupid boy," Fu muttered under his breath as Naruto's chakra signature blinked out again.
"Wait… did you just talk smack about someone? Are you okay?! Who are you, and what have you done with Fu?"
Fu remained silent, his calm mask slipping for just a moment as he resisted the urge to slam his fist into the console.
Naruto found himself back at the bonfire, a small smile creeping across his face. Sliding on the Ring of Sacrifice, he summoned a clone, as had become his routine.
"So, what's the plan? You running straight to the demon again, or…?"
Naruto shook his head, cracking his knuckles. "Not yet. First, I need to level up and show that oversized bull who's really stronger!"
The clone nodded, watching as Naruto pulled up the glowing system screen. His fingers hovered over the stats list before dumping a massive chunk of his souls into Strength.
[ Strength: 17 → 24 ]
[ R Weapon 1: 169 → 190 ]
The instant the change locked in, Naruto's entire body felt different. His muscles tensed, and a deep warmth surged through his arms and chest, like every fiber of his being had been fortified. His grip around the Zweihander's handle felt more natural now, his arms no longer straining to control its weight.
"Man, I feel like I could punch through a wall right now," Naruto muttered, clenching his fist.
The clone smirked. "Plus, you can finally one-hand that giant slab of steel you call a sword."
Naruto grinned at that thought, but the clone leaned forward, tapping on the floating screen. "Hey, you've got enough for one more level. Maybe instead of just strength, try adding a point to each stat and see what changes. You know, experiment a little."
Naruto considered it, then nodded. "Good idea."
He selected each stat one at a time and scratched his head. "So… let's just go with Dexterity. More damage is always good, right?"
The clone shrugged. "Works for me."
Naruto locked in the point.
[ Name: Naruto Uzumaki ]
[ Level: 11 → 19 ]
[ Covenant: Way of White ]
[ Souls: 1.8k ]
[ ReqSouls: 2601 ]
[ Attributes: ]
[ Vitality: 10 ]
[ Attunement: 12 ]
[ Endurance: 11 ]
[ Strength: 17 → 24 ]
[ Dexterity: 10 → 11 ]
[ Resistance: 12 ]
[ Intelligence: 10 ]
[ Faith: 8 ]
[ Humanity: 1 ]
[ Stats: ]
[ HP: 573 / 573 ]
[ Stamina: 93 ]
[ Equip Load: 39.1 / 51.0 ]
[ Weapon Stats: ]
[ R Weapon 1: 192 ]
[ R Weapon 2: 40 ]
[ L Weapon 1: 57 ]
[ L Weapon 2: 20 ]
[ Defense: ]
[ Physical Defense: 274 (44) ]
[ VS Strike: 267 ]
[ VS Slash: 310.7 ]
[ VS Thrust: 274 ]
[ Magic Defense: 145.5 (44) ]
[ Flame Defense: 153 (44) ]
[ Lightning Defense: 127.7 (43) ]
[ Resistances: ]
[ Poise: 46 ]
[ Bleed Resist: 118.3 ]
[ Poison Resist: 92.4 ]
[ Curse Resist: 30 ]
[ Miscellaneous: ]
[ Item Discovery: 120 ]
[ Attunement Slots: 2 ]
[ Attunement Slot 1: Fireball × 8 ]
[ Attunement Slot 2: Force × 21 ]
Naruto dismissed the screen, standing up and stretching. "Alright, time to see what all this strength can do."
The boy strode out of the room, moving with a newfound confidence. As he rounded a corner, an arrow zipped toward him. He dodged with ease, sidestepping and closing the gap between himself and the hollow archer in an instant.
His fist shot forward in a devastating hook—no chakra, no nothing, just pure, raw strength. The impact tore straight through the hollow's chest, his bloody fist erupting out of its back. Bone splintered, and blood sprayed as the hollow crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Naruto blinked, staring at the gory mess his hand had made. "...Whoa. I'm a freaking monster."
Another hollow lunged at him, sword raised, but before it could get close, a kunai whizzed through the hollow's skull. Its body collapsed as Naruto caught the kunai mid-air, turning to see his clone staring slack-jawed.
The clone pointed. "Did you see that?!"
Naruto smirked, tossing the kunai into the air and catching it again. "I think you're right. We definitely need more of this."
"Agreed."
Naruto turned, cracking his neck as he headed toward the black knight and Taurus Demon. His Zweihander rested on his shoulder. He was stronger now—faster, sharper, and deadlier.
The clone called after him, throwing up his hands. "Wait! What am I supposed to do here?"
"Kick rocks while I kick ass, dattebayo!"
Naruto grabbed the axe-wielding hollow by the arm, spun it around, and slammed it into the stone wall with his bare hands. The impact shattered its bones, the body crumpling like discarded parchment.
As he stepped out onto the narrow balcony, he spotted the familiar, hunched figure of the Undead Merchant.
"It's you!" the merchant snarled, his yellowed teeth bared in an ugly grin. "Still skulking about, eh? You haven't forgotten about that reinforced club, have you?"
"I'm not paying for something I didn't buy," Naruto replied curtly. "But I thought you were all about doing business, not holding grudges."
"Fine, fine," the merchant said. "We'll deal with that little… misunderstanding later. For now, what can I do for you, dear customer?"
"I want to buy that residence key."
"Straight to the point, eh? Good, good! That'll be 1,000 souls. A fair price, wouldn't you say? Especially in these treacherous times! Nee hee hee hee!"
Naruto frowned but pulled up his soul count.
[ Souls: 2354 ]
"Fine," he muttered, reluctantly handing over the souls.
The merchant plucked a long, dark metal key from his wares and handed it over, the jagged teeth glinting faintly in the light.
[Name: Residence Key ]
[ Description: Key to a residence in the Undead Burg. The simple, sturdy locks in the Burg are no match for this common key, capable of opening multiple doors. ]
Naruto turned the key in his hand, examining it. "So, this'll open all those locked doors I've seen around?"
"Some of them, sure. Not all, though."
Naruto nodded. "What about that door that leads down?"
"Ah, you mean the Lower Undead Burg? That one's sealed tight, thanks to some sorcery. Those poor fools were trying to keep out a goat demon, you see."
"A goat demon?!"
"Yes, a real nasty piece of work. It moved in not too long ago. Why, I could feel its foul presence even up here. And it's not the only thing you should be wary of! There's that humongous drake up above, and a bull demon, too. If you stick around these parts, it might just be your grave! Nee hee hee hee!"
Naruto took a mental note of that, but as he turned to leave, the merchant called out.
"Wait, wait! Before you go—look at that big slab of iron you're swinging around. I'd strongly recommend repairing it before it snaps in two like a twig."
Naruto pulled out the Zweihander, giving it a quick inspection. Sure enough, faint scratches and tiny cracks marred the blade's edge. He frowned, pulling out a pouch of repair powder and sprinkling it along the blade. The shimmering golden glow sealed up the cracks, leaving the steel polished and pristine.
"See? Fixed it," Naruto said smugly, sheathing the blade.
The merchant squinted at him, unimpressed. "Hmm. Try that on your armor next, genius."
Naruto hesitated, then pulled off his helmet and sprinkled some powder on it. The glow only filled in the tiniest cracks, leaving larger dents untouched.
"Eh? Thought you'd get away with powder alone? Nee hee hee! For armor, you'll need proper tools." The merchant pulled out a small wooden box, opening it to reveal a grinding stone and rough cloth. "This'll do the trick."
"How much?"
"Three thousand souls," the merchant said, his grin sharpening.
"Figures," Naruto muttered, glaring at the merchant. "You're just trying to scam me to get back at me for that stupid club."
"Ungrateful brat!" the merchant snapped. "Not only are you ignoring sound advice, but you're also refusing to take responsibility. Fine! Keep fighting in that busted-up tin can. I'll be here when it shatters on you!"
"I'll take my chances. Later, rip-off artist."
The merchant's mocking laughter followed the boy as he stalked off. "Don't wait too long, my friend! Remember—broken gear means broken dreams! Nee hee hee hee!"
Naruto groaned under his breath. "Man, I hate that guy…"
Naruto tore through the remaining hollows like clockwork, his movements fluid and efficient. After so many loops, it wasn't even worth drawing the Zweihander anymore—just fists and kata were enough. He sidestepped a clumsy slash, grabbed the hollow by the head, and twisted sharply, the sickening snap of its neck echoing through the narrow hallway.
"Next," Naruto muttered as he made his way toward the black knight, eager to test his new strength.
But the moment he entered, his excitement fizzled. The path was empty.
"What the—?" Naruto muttered, frowning. He scanned the area, expecting the knight to appear from the shadows.
He scratched his head, confusion mounting. "Did I… beat it for good? That doesn't make sense. Doesn't everything reset in this world?"
Still grumbling, he continued up the stairs, hoping for a flaming barrel to come rolling his way. But the staircase was unnervingly still.
Naruto dodged an incoming spear thrust from a hollow at the top of the stairs. His fist shot out, the jab sending the hollow stumbling backward. Before it could recover, Naruto yanked the spear from its grip, pulling the hollow toward him and driving his knee into its chest with bone-crunching force.
"Why is the black knight gone?!" Naruto growled, tossing the hollow aside.
Reaching the tower's locked door, Naruto fished out the residence key he'd bought earlier. Sliding it into the lock, he turned it—and nothing happened.
"You've got to be kidding me." Naruto stared at the door, dumbfounded, before groaning. "Don't tell me I got scammed again!"
Frustrated, he slammed his fist into the door, only to be met with a sudden pulse. A shimmering barrier of blue light rippled across the wood, absorbing the force of his punch.
Naruto blinked. "What the hell?"
The door stood unscathed, the barrier flickering faintly before fading back into invisibility. Naruto huffed, turning away.
"Fine, you stupid door. Guess I'll just take my anger out on the Taurus Demon instead."
Naruto climbed the staircase to the top of the tower, only to find the final section of stairs destroyed. With a shrug, he began walking up the walls themselves, his chakra keeping him anchored to the stone. Reaching the top, he stepped onto the roof just as two crossbow hollows turned and fired their bolts at him.
Naruto disappeared in a flash, reappearing directly in front of the first hollow. He spun into a devastating tornado kick, the force obliterating the hollow's crossbow and sending it flying. Before it could even hit the ground, Naruto followed up with a side kick, slamming the hollow into the stone wall so hard it was reduced to a bloody paste.
The second hollow unsheathed its sword, charging at him with a wild swing. Naruto brought up the Zweihander, blocking the strike with ease. The clash rang out, sparks flying as the smaller weapon glanced off his massive blade. With a swift counter, Naruto cleaved through the hollow, cutting it down in one precise cut.
He exhaled, letting the Zweihander rest on his shoulder as he turned to the real challenge. Across the wall walk, perched atop the far tower, sat the Taurus Demon.
The massive beast glared at him with glowing yellow eyes. For a brief moment, they locked gazes, and then the demon moved.
Naruto's heart skipped a beat as the Taurus Demon leapt from its tower, the stone beneath it cracking under its massive weight. The massive monster soared through the air, its glowing eyes locked onto Naruto.
Nope, nope, nope! Naruto yelled, quickly forming a hand sign. In a flash of speed, he used Shunshin no Jutsu, disappearing just as the demon's massive form crashed onto the wall walk.
Naruto reappeared further down the path, skidding to a stop as he turned around, half-expecting the Taurus Demon's sheer weight to send it crashing through the floor and into the tower below.
But instead of the stone crumbling, his eyes widened in shock. A faint blue shimmer spread across the tower's surface where the demon landed, holding firm against the impact.
"What the hell?" Naruto muttered, staring at the glowing barrier that had briefly flared up. It's like this tower was made to not be broken.
Naruto shook off his surprise, quickly pulling the golden pine resin from his inventory. He smeared the resin along the Zweihander's blade, watching as golden lightning sparked to life, crackling and hissing with energy that made the air feel alive.
The demon raised its massive weapon, adopting a predatory stance as it let out another ear-splitting roar.
Naruto smirked, stepping forward, the lightning on his blade casting flickering shadows across his face. "Alright, you overgrown cow. Let's see what you've got."
The Taurus Demon raised its massive, jagged greataxe above its head—not to swing but to throw. With a guttural roar, it hurled the weapon like a spinning disc, the blade slicing through the air with a high-pitched whine.
Naruto leapt backward just in time, the greataxe slamming into the stone wall walk. The impact was devastating. The stone cracked and shattered, chunks of debris flying in all directions as a massive crater formed where the weapon struck. The force of the hit caused nearby sections of the wall to crumble, leaving jagged edges and exposed gaps.
Naruto's eyes widened as he landed on his feet, his breathing uneven. "Okay… let's not get hit by that," he muttered, his heart pounding. Even with his increased physical defense, he had no doubt that a single hit from that would send him straight back to the bonfire.
The Taurus Demon, unfazed, leapt down from its perch on the tower to retrieve its weapon. The ground shook violently as its massive frame landed with a thunderous crash, dust rising around it like a shroud.
Now's my chance! Naruto thought, activating Shunshin no Jutsu to close the gap. With the Zweihander raised high, he aimed for a precise thrust to pierce the demon's chest.
But it was a trap.
As Naruto's blade neared the target, the Taurus Demon grinned—a grotesque, mocking expression—and yanked its greataxe upward. The axe's blade caught the Zweihander mid-thrust, sending shockwaves up Naruto's arms.
"Crap!" Naruto gritted his teeth as his hands shook violently. His grip nearly faltered, but with a surge of chakra, he managed to hold onto the Zweihander. However, the strain left him staggered, and his Way of Focality warned him too late of the incoming attack.
The Taurus Demon swung its greataxe in a wide horizontal arc. Naruto barely managed to react, forming a quick Substitution Jutsu. In a puff of smoke, he appeared above the demon.
Time for a plunge attack!
But the Taurus Demon had learned from their earlier skirmish. It tilted its massive head upward, its glowing yellow eyes locking onto him with a sadistic gleam. With a roar, the demon dug its greataxe into the stone wall walk and scooped, hurling chunks of stone and debris into the air like projectiles.
Naruto's instincts kicked in.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Dozens of clones materialized around him, each reacting instantly. Clones on the ground deflected the flying projectiles with their weapons, shattering the chunks into harmless pieces. Meanwhile, the remaining clones threw themselves at each other, launching to either side of the wall walk to surround the Taurus Demon.
The real Naruto clung to the side of the tower, chakra anchoring his feet to the stone as he analyzed the chaos. One of his clones on the far side began hurling fireballs at the demon, each explosion lighting up the narrow battlefield.
The Taurus Demon turned, growling, and charged straight toward the fireball-throwing clone. The ground trembled with each thunderous step, and it was clear the demon wasn't flinching—despite taking the full brunt of the fireballs.
"Now!" Naruto thought, pushing off the tower with chakra-enhanced speed. He blurred across the wall walk in a burst of Shunshin, his Zweihander crackling with golden lightning.
The moment the demon reached the fireball-throwing clone, Naruto struck. With a downward slash, he brought the massive blade onto the demon's back, cutting deep into its thick hide. Blood sprayed in an arc as a massive gash opened, golden sparks dancing along the wound.
The demon roared in pain, spinning to face him, but two clones appeared behind it in perfect synchronization.
"Force!" they shouted in unison, their hands glowing white.
Shockwaves exploded from both, slamming into the Taurus Demon and momentarily stunning it. Its hulking frame staggered, caught off balance.
Naruto wasted no time. With another precise swing, he delivered a second downward slash, forming an X-shaped gash on the demon's back. Blood poured from the wound, and the clones moved in for a follow-up, thrusting their weapons toward its exposed sides.
But then, they froze.
[ Name: Taurus Demon ]
[ HP: 100 / 1,215 ]
[ This near-death experience has awakened the memories of the demon under its master. The Taurus Demon casts Pyromancy—Power Within. ]
The Taurus Demon's body began to glow with an eerie red light. Heat radiated off its form as blood ignited along its wounds, forming a fiery aura around it. The clones faltered as a sudden wave of oppressive heat emanated from the demon, melting the air around it.
Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he saw the numbers tick down.
[ HP: 99 / 1,215 ]
[ HP: 98 / 1,215 ]
Wait… is that spell draining its health? Why?!
Before he could process it fully, the Taurus Demon let out an earth-shaking roar. The force of the roar alone sent Naruto flying backward, his clones popping like balloons from the shockwave. He hit the ground hard, coughing as the impact rattled his ribs.
As he staggered to his feet, he got his answer. The demon, now burning with an aura of raw, fiery rage, charged toward him with renewed speed and power.
"The spell's making it stronger," Naruto realized, gripping the Zweihander tightly. "It's do-or-die now."
With golden lightning crackling on his blade and sweat dripping from his brow, Naruto prepared for the final phase of the fight.
The Taurus Demon snarled, hefting its massive greataxe high into the air. With a guttural roar, it slammed the weapon down into the stone wall walk, the sheer force of the strike creating a shockwave that snaked forward like a living serpent, tearing through the path with brutal efficiency. Chunks of stone were ripped from the ground, the cracks spreading fast toward Naruto.
Naruto's hands flew into a seal.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Two clones appeared instantly, both moving in tandem to use the Force miracle. White shockwaves erupted from their palms, colliding with the destructive wave of energy.
For a brief moment, it seemed like they might stop the attack. But the Taurus Demon's overwhelming power melted through their defense like a hot knife through butter. The clones disintegrated, popping in an instant, as the real Naruto used Shunshin no Jutsu to dart toward the relative safety of the tower.
The shockwave smashed into the tower with unrelenting force. Naruto gritted his teeth, chakra anchoring him to the floor as the magic barrier surrounding the structure absorbed the brunt of the attack. The impact rattled his bones and sent a deafening crack through the air. Barrels inside the tower exploded into splinters, wood scattering like shrapnel.
Among the wreckage, Naruto's sharp eyes caught something unusual: a small, stocky creature huddled inside the remnants of a shattered barrel. At first glance, it looked like a lizard, but its appearance was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. The creature's body was squat and covered in rough, uneven stone-like skin, as though it had been carved from a chunk of earth. Four short, stubby legs protruded from each side of its small frame, and its thick tail twitched slightly, curling defensively around its body. What truly stood out were the bright, blue crystals growing from its back, gleaming faintly despite being coated in dust and debris. The largest crystal jutted proudly from the center of its back, while smaller shards clustered around its sides, nestled close to the legs.
Naruto bit his tongue, weighing his options. The dust still filled the air, concealing him for the moment. He didn't have much time.
Two clones materialized beside him.
"You," Naruto whispered to the clone, pointing to the injured creature. "Take that thing and get it to safety. You go up and attack the demon."
The clone nodded, darting forward to scoop up the crystal lizard before leaping down the stairs to tend to its wounds. Meanwhile, Naruto transformed himself into a broken barrel, hiding among the debris as he waited for the dust to clear.
The Taurus Demon snarled, scanning the area, its yellow eyes glowing as the dust began to settle. Suddenly, a fireball streaked through the air, slamming directly into the demon's face. It howled in rage, turning just as the Naruto clone leapt from above, Zweihander raised for a plunge attack.
The demon wasn't caught off guard this time. With terrifying precision, it swung its greataxe upward to meet the incoming blade. For a split second, the Zweihander's edge collided with the demon's weapon, sparks flying as the two forces resisted each other. But the demon's raw power proved too much. The greataxe carved through the clone's body, shattering it in a violent explosion that sent chunks of bloodied flesh and shadow fragments scattering across the wall walk.
The real Naruto seized the opportunity. "Now!" he shouted internally, using Shunshin no Jutsu to appear on the demon's exposed flank. With all his strength, he drove the Zweihander forward in a brutal thrust.
But the demon wasn't done. Its hulking muscles tensed as it shifted its momentum, swinging its greataxe back with terrifying speed and force. Naruto barely had time to process the counterattack before he felt it.
The greataxe connected with his body like a battering ram, catching him square in the chest. The sheer force launched him backward like a ragdoll, the air leaving his lungs in an instant. He crashed into the wall of the tower with a sickening crunch.
The magic barrier around the tower absorbed most of the physical damage to the structure, but the reaction sent the force rebounding into Naruto's body. Pain exploded through him as he slid down the wall, collapsing onto the stone floor.
Every bone in his body felt like it had shattered. His ribs screamed in agony, his arms hung limp at his sides, and his legs refused to respond. His breathing came in shallow gasps, blood dripping from his mouth.
The only reason Naruto had survived was the blue tearstone ring—the magic ring activated in his critical condition, surrounding him with a faint blue aura that shimmered like a protective shield, its energy dulling the force of the otherwise fatal blow.
The worst of it, though, was the state of his armor. The once-pristine armor of Oscar—the armor that had been his shield and identity in this cruel world—was now in pieces. The breastplate had been ripped apart, the gauntlets shattered, and his helmet was missing entirely.
Naruto coughed, spitting blood as his half-exposed face glared at the Taurus Demon. His right eye twitched, blood running down the side of his face. He was angry—no, furious—but deep down, there was fear. Raw, primal fear.
His hands twitched as he tried to grip the Zweihander, but they wouldn't respond. His fingers felt like they were made of lead.
"At least… at least I'm still in the tower," Naruto thought bitterly, slumping against the wall. He had come so far, gotten so strong, and yet here he was again: broken, barely alive, clinging to scraps of survival.
The warmth of the Estus Flask pulled Naruto from the haze of numbness as he felt the golden liquid trickling down his throat. His vision swam as a clone knelt beside him, carefully tilting the flask to his lips.
"Come on, boss. Drink up," the clone urged, its voice steady but laced with urgency. Naruto groaned, his trembling hands too weak to grip the flask on his own.
Golden light spread through his battered body, knitting broken bones and sealing deep gashes. The pain dulled, but it didn't disappear entirely. It took three full gulps—administered by the clone—before Naruto's body had recovered enough for him to lift his head.
"Ugh… I still feel like I got hit by a mountain," Naruto muttered, managing to sit upright, though his ruined armor hung loosely on him.
He saw the clone carrying the unconscious crystal lizard cradled in its arms. "Hey, it's safe!" the clone called out triumphantly, holding up the creature like a prize.
Naruto blinked at it, still trying to gather his strength, and opened his mouth to tell the clone to get the hell out of danger. But before he could speak, the clone grinned and pointed to the system screen floating nearby.
"Boss, look!"
Naruto's blurry eyes focused as the words on the screen came into view.
[ Victory Achieved! ]
— [ 3000 Souls ]
— [ Humanity ]
— [ Homeward Bone ]
— [ Demon Greataxe ]
Naruto stepped out of the tower, his eyes locked on the Taurus Demon's smoldering remains. Flames crawled over the massive corpse, consuming it from the inside out. The air reeked of burning flesh, thick and acrid, while the crackling fire punctuated the silence. The demon's body was crumbling inward, undone by its final desperate spell.
A shadow clone appeared beside him, waving a hand in front of its nose. "Ugh, this thing stinks. Like burnt pork." It smirked, nudging him. "Hey, boss, think we could turn this into Taurus Demon ramen?"
Naruto didn't respond. His eyes remained on the burning wreckage, his fists clenched at his sides.
"What's wrong?"
Naruto exhaled slowly. "We didn't win," he muttered.
"What? It's dead, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Naruto said, his voice tight. "But not because of me. It burned itself out. I just survived long enough for it to self-destruct."
The words twisted in his chest, bitter and heavy. He'd fought tooth and nail against the beast, thrown everything he had at it. But in the end, it wasn't his strength that had finished the job. It wasn't victory—it was luck.
The clone scratched its head. "But… dead is dead, right? Isn't that what matters?"
Naruto didn't answer right away. His gaze lingered on the flames as they devoured the last traces of the demon, leaving only ash. A glowing orb of souls hovered above the remains, and he reached out, absorbing the energy. The rush of power filled him, but it felt hollow.
The ashes scattered in the wind, leaving only scorch marks behind. Naruto's shoulders sagged slightly.
"We're going back," he said finally, his voice firm.
The clone frowned. "Back? But we can keep going now—"
"No," Naruto interrupted, shaking his head. "The merchant said there's a drake ahead. A humongous one."
"You think it's that red dragon from the bridge?"
"Yeah. After this, we're probably going to have to fight it."
The clone was silent.
"We're not ready for that," Naruto continued. "We barely made it through this fight. If we keep going, we'll get ourselves killed. I need to get stronger. Learn more jutsu. Then we'll come back."
"And the Taurus Demon?"
Naruto's eyes hardened. "I'll fight it again. And this time, I'll beat it with my own strength. No dumb luck. No shortcuts. When I'm ready to fight that dragon, I'll know."
The clone nodded, its usual grin replaced with quiet understanding.
Naruto took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders and adjusting the battered remnants of his armor. Without another word, he turned toward the bonfire. Lordran wasn't going anywhere.
But next time, the victory would be his.
And next time, he wouldn't just survive. He'd win.
The undead merchant perched on his stool, lazily dragging his uchigatana along a whetstone. The sharp screech of metal on stone halted as he spotted Naruto approaching.
"Well, well... Look who's back. What do you want this time, boy? Here to lighten your soul pouch again?"
"I need the repair box," Naruto replied flatly.
"Nee hee hee! Told you, didn't I? You should've listened when I warned you, boy. But nooo, you thought you knew better. And now? Broken gear, broken pride, and you come crawling back to ol' me."
Naruto swallowed his irritation, his shoulders stiff. He deserved it, after all. Oscar's armor—his armor—was in shambles because he had assumed Lordran would magically mend the damage.
"Three thousand souls," the merchant said with a smirk, sliding the repair box forward. "Fair price, don't you think? Though I doubt it'll patch up your bruised ego."
Naruto's jaw tightened as he handed over the souls. He turned the box over in his hands, frowning. "How the hell do I even use this thing?"
"Heh! What a greenhorn. Fine, hand over the armor. I'll show you how it's done—for a fee, of course."
Naruto sighed, setting the crystal lizard on a nearby crate and unstrapping the battered armor. The merchant grimaced at the sight of the ruined breastplate, dented helmet, and shattered gauntlets.
"Tch. Did you headbutt a demon or something?"
"Can you fix it or not?"
The merchant's smirk widened as he reached for a mortar and pestle. "Of course I can, boy. But good craftsmanship takes time—and patience, neither of which you have. Sit tight."
Naruto leaned against the wall, watching as the merchant worked. The man poured glittering repair powder into the mortar, followed by a single drop of golden liquid from an Estus Flask. He stirred the mixture until it shimmered faintly.
"What's that?"
"Repair paste," the merchant said without looking up. "Does for metal what Estus does for flesh. Fills the cracks, smooths the edges. If you're lucky, it'll hold 'til you find yourself a proper blacksmith."
"Where do I find a blacksmith?"
The merchant chuckled darkly. "Information like that doesn't come cheap, boy."
"You're already fleecing me for this repair job."
"Fine, fine. Beyond the Taurus Demon, there's a bridge. Follow it, and it'll take you to the Undead Parish. There's a smith holed up near the big church ruins. Can't miss it." He paused. "But if you want the best path, that'll cost you extra."
"I'll take my chances, thanks."
The merchant shrugged, dabbing the paste onto the armor. "Suit yourself. But don't come crying to me when your shiny new armor ends up in worse shape than before. Nee hee hee!"
Naruto tilted his head, watching the paste shimmer as it mended the armor's cracks. "For someone who acts like they hate people, you're awfully good at keeping them alive."
The merchant paused, his bony hand hovering over the armor. "Hmph. Don't mistake necessity for kindness, boy. I couldn't care less what happens to you. But souls don't spend themselves, and dead men don't buy wares."
"Why stay here, then? What's the point of this place?"
"Lordran's for the desperate, the lost, and the mad. Folks come here chasing glory, redemption, or maybe a cure for the curse. But all they find are more questions. The kind that gnaw at your brain when you try to sleep."
"And you?"
"Me?" the merchant said. "I came here to be left alone. Back home, I was just another hollow. Something to kick around. Here, at least the demons are honest. They'll gut you outright. No games."
"Yeah, I get that. Back home… life's complicated. Lordran's simpler."
The merchant's laugh turned into a low hum. "Simple? Oh, boy, you've got it wrong. Lordran's a tangled mess. The harder you dig for answers, the more it gives you questions. But if you're not looking for anything…" The man nodded solemnly. "Well, then anywhere can be simple, can't it?"
Naruto thought back to Konoha, to the time when life had been simple—when he hadn't known about the weight of secrets, the sting of betrayals. He exhaled softly. "Ignorance is bliss, huh?"
The merchant nodded, his hollowed eyes gleaming faintly. "Now you're catching on."
A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by the faint crackle of the repair paste as it hardened.
The undead merchant's hollowed eyes shifted to the shimmering crystal lizard. "Well, now… What do we have here?" he crooned. "How about selling me that shiny little thing? Oh, I could make it worth your while, boy!"
"What would you even do with it?"
"Kill it, of course. Crack it open, see what treasures lie within that glittering heart of its. They say these creatures hold rare materials—ones that smiths would spill blood for. Oh, the profit I could make…" The merchant's voice trailed off, almost salivating at the thought.
"No."
The merchant's smirk faltered, replaced with a frown of disappointment. "No? Bah, what are you planning to do with it, then? Toss it in a pot and make stew? Or perhaps you'll sell it yourself and cheat an honest merchant like me?"
"It's not for sale," Naruto barked. "He's my pet!"
"Your pet? Nee hee! That's rich, boy. Truly. You must be joking."
"Nope." Naruto straightened, defiant. "I've always wanted a pet. And this guy's perfect. He's tough, shiny, and way cuter than your ugly mug. Plus, I want to see if he can be trained like Kakashi's Ninken."
The merchant let out a screeching cackle, doubling over. "Oh, that's a good one! Training a crystal lizard? What's next? You'll teach a dragon to fetch? Oh, wait, wait—hold on!" He wheezed. "You're serious? Nee hee hee hee! Let me laugh even harder!"
"Keep laughing, and I'll throw you off the ledge."
The merchant abruptly stopped, his laughter vanishing as he took a cautious step back. "My, my… What a cruel customer I've got here! Threatening the very man who helps keep your precious armor in one piece. Tch, such ingratitude."
"I didn't threaten you. I promised."
"Still… a pet, eh? Haven't seen someone care about anything in ages. Most folk here… well, they forget. Forget what it means to care for anything—or anyone. Hell, they even forget themselves."
Naruto tilted his head, curiosity breaking through his annoyance. "What about you? Don't you want to go back to how you were? Reverse the hollowing?"
The merchant froze, his breath hitching for the briefest moment before he let out a bitter laugh. "Nee hee hee… Sharper than you look, aren't you? I've thought about it, boy. More times than I care to admit. But humanity doesn't come cheap. And souls? Well, souls are easier to come by. I've made my peace with this face—this wretched, hollow thing." He gestured vaguely at his sunken features.
Naruto reached into his inventory, pulling out a small black wisp of humanity. Without a word, he tossed it to the merchant.
The merchant caught it on reflex, his hollowed eyes widening as he stared at the swirling essence in his bony hands. "This… this is humanity," he muttered. "What's the meaning of this, boy?"
"Think of it as a thank you. This armor? It belonged to my master. Fixing it means more to me than you know."
The merchant's hands trembled slightly as he looked from the humanity to Naruto, his usual mockery replaced by something quieter—something almost vulnerable. "You're a strange one, boy. Most folk wouldn't waste something this precious on a shriveled old corpse like me."
Naruto shrugged. "You're not as bad as you think, old man. Besides, you've been helpful. So… thanks."
The merchant stared at him for a long moment, the faintest trace of a smile creeping onto his face. "Nee hee hee… Helpful, am I? Well, I suppose even an old wretch like me has his uses. But you're gonna need more than gratitude, boy. That armor of yours? It'll keep breaking until you find a proper smith."
"I know," Naruto replied, grinning as he picked up his gear. "But still, you did your part. Thanks."
As silence fell, the merchant continued grinding repair paste, his movements slower, more deliberate. Naruto hesitated for a moment, then scratched the back of his head. "Hey… I also wanted to apologize for throwing that reinforced club off the ledge. I was going for a scare, but…"
"No worries, boy. Accidents happen, even to fools like you." His grin widened as he gestured to the wares around him. "Still, if you're so sorry, why not buy something more?"
"Fine. Let's see… I'll take that chain armor set. It'll make a great gift."
"Gift?" The merchant snorted, handing over the polished chain pieces. "Who in this forsaken land do you have left to gift armor to?"
"Someone I owe an apology to," Naruto said simply, tossing the armor into his inventory.
The merchant handed over the last piece of the Elite Knight set, his tone turning uncharacteristically genuine. "There. All fixed. Good as new."
"What's the price?"
"Well, well, since I'm in a good mood today… let's say free."
Naruto blinked. "The repairs and the armor set?"
"Sure," the merchant said with a lazy shrug.
"What's the catch?"
"Oh, nothing much. Either take it and shut up, or pay me twice what it's worth. Your choice."
"Fine. Thanks… I'll be back soon."
"Ah, thank you very much! Come back anytime, boy! Nee hee hee hee!"
As Naruto's footsteps faded down the stone stairs, the merchant remained still, staring at the black wisp of humanity in his hand. He turned it over slowly, his hollowed eyes gleaming faintly as a long-forgotten warmth stirred in his chest.
"Strange kid," he muttered, his voice quieter now. His fingers brushed the hilt of his uchigatana as his gaze drifted to the empty space beside him. "What do you think, Yulia? Maybe this place… isn't so bad after all."
The undead merchant let out a hollow chuckle, his voice shaking as he pocketed the humanity. "Come again, boy," he said, his tone almost pleading. "And remind me who you are… before I forget what kindness feels like." His hollowed eyes drifted to the cracked floor, and for a moment, he wondered how many more memories he could lose before there was nothing left of him at all.
Author Note: Alright, let's break it down Q&A style.
1. The Taurus Demon is different from the game. Why?
Okay, so for all of you who've played Dark Souls, you probably noticed that this version of the Taurus Demon was way stronger and even got a second phase with Power Within. Why did I do this? Simple: I wanted the Taurus Demon to stand out as an actual boss.
In the game, the Taurus Demon is cool and all, but it's really just a simple fight. Later on, you find Taurus Demons as common enemies in the Demon Ruins, and that kind of takes away its uniqueness. To fix that, I gave this boss some extra love, like Power Within, which is a pyromancy that sacrifices life force for increased strength. I wanted this fight to feel intense and leave a lasting impact on Naruto.
So, expect every single boss in the game to be much harder for Naruto than its game counterpart.
2. The Taurus Demon is technically optional in the game. Why make Naruto fight it? Can't Naruto just skip the entire battle with wall walk?
Good question! The reason Naruto fights it is because I want every boss in this story to matter. Each boss has to leave some kind of mark on Naruto, whether it's physical, emotional, or mental.
Take the Asylum Demon, for example—it ripped Oscar away from Naruto and left him carrying that grief. Now with the Taurus Demon, it's a reality check. Naruto goes in thinking he's getting stronger, and he is, but this fight proves he's still not ready for everything Lordran can throw at him. That failure forces him to pause, reflect, and refocus.
So, what's next? Naruto's going to head back to Konoha to regroup. This break will give him a chance to train, learn more jutsu, and build himself back up before returning to Lordran. Speaking of which—what ninjutsu do you guys want to see Naruto learn during his time in Konoha? Let me know!
3. The Crystal Lizard: Why give Naruto a pet? And are you serious about the crystal lizard becoming Naruto's ninja animal?
Yes, the crystal lizard is going to be Naruto's Akamaru equivalent. This will make for an interesting development when Naruto and Kiba meet again.
Plus, I figured it would be a fun way to balance the dark tone of the Dark Souls story with something lighthearted. For those of you who know, you know that things are going to get intense in the future when Naruto ventures into the extremely hard areas.
And let's be honest—it's just so Naruto to see this weird little creature and immediately decide, "This is my friend now."
Now, for those of you worried that the crystal lizard is just going to become a glorified mascot, I want you to Google "Ravenous Crystal Lizard." They're a mini-boss in Dark Souls 3. So yeah, don't worry—it's going to become a partner to Naruto, and a very powerful partner at that.
Also, I need your help: what should we name this little guy? Drop your suggestions in the comments!
4. The Undead Merchant:
You guys know how much I love fleshing out NPCs—Oscar, Alexander, and now the undead merchant. In the game, he's kind of just… there. But I wanted to expand on his character and give him a proper dynamic with Naruto.
In my version, he's jaded, sarcastic, and a bit of a loner, but Naruto sees past all of that and treats him with decency and respect. I wanted to show how even in a world like Lordran, small acts of kindness can have a huge impact.
What did you guys think of his character and his interactions with Naruto?
Also, yes, the last line of the undead merchant is actually a hint at what happens when you die too much in Lordran—you start to lose your sense of self and identity. Naruto is currently unaffected because of a special reason, but that will change in the future. Keep your eyes peeled because the story is just getting started.
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Any ideas for future chapters are always welcome—don't be shy!
And if you can't wait for the next update, the next chapter drops on January 25th! You can read ahead to Chapter 60 on Patreon.
Thank you all for your support—you make writing this story such an incredible journey!
Until next time,
Adamo Amet
In the Barrier Corps HQ, the room hummed with activity. Chakra monitors blinked in steady rhythms, operators logged data, and people bustled between stations. Yet one figure stood out—Fu, the ever-stoic sentinel of the Barrier Corps, who was currently… sweating buckets.
"Uh… Fu? You good?"
Fu didn't look up, his face as calm and emotionless as ever. "Yes."
But the sweat told a different story. Fu's fingers hovered over the controls as he worked to mask Naruto Uzumaki's chaotic chakra activity. The boy had been using his space-time ninjutsu constantly for the last few hours, and it was driving Fu to the edge.
"You're sweating like you just ran a marathon."
"I am fine," Fu replied in his monotone voice, dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief.
In reality, Fu's mind was spiraling. Naruto's chakra signature kept blinking on and off the radar like a broken lightbulb. Every time it disappeared, Fu had to tweak the barrier's readings to make sure no one noticed. If he didn't, an automatic report would be sent to the Hokage's office about the boy's "sudden death."
Why? Fu thought as he adjusted the readings for the thirteenth time in as many minutes. Why is he using it so much? Does he enjoy torturing me?
"You sure you're okay? You look like you're about to pass out."
"For the mission," Fu whispered under his breath, the faintest hint of frustration creeping into his usually emotionless tone.
"What was that?" Sora asked.
Fu cleared his throat. "Nothing."
For the mission. For the mission, Fu chanted silently in his mind, trying to keep himself composed. But it wasn't working. This was the first time in years—decades—that Fu had felt anything remotely resembling frustration, and it was all thanks to one loud, unpredictable ninja.
"Stupid boy," Fu muttered under his breath as Naruto's chakra signature blinked out again.
"Wait… did you just talk smack about someone? Are you okay?! Who are you, and what have you done with Fu?"
Fu remained silent, his calm mask slipping for just a moment as he resisted the urge to slam his fist into the console.
Naruto found himself back at the bonfire, a small smile creeping across his face. Sliding on the Ring of Sacrifice, he summoned a clone, as had become his routine.
"So, what's the plan? You running straight to the demon again, or…?"
Naruto shook his head, cracking his knuckles. "Not yet. First, I need to level up and show that oversized bull who's really stronger!"
The clone nodded, watching as Naruto pulled up the glowing system screen. His fingers hovered over the stats list before dumping a massive chunk of his souls into Strength.
[ Strength: 17 → 24 ]
[ R Weapon 1: 169 → 190 ]
The instant the change locked in, Naruto's entire body felt different. His muscles tensed, and a deep warmth surged through his arms and chest, like every fiber of his being had been fortified. His grip around the Zweihander's handle felt more natural now, his arms no longer straining to control its weight.
"Man, I feel like I could punch through a wall right now," Naruto muttered, clenching his fist.
The clone smirked. "Plus, you can finally one-hand that giant slab of steel you call a sword."
Naruto grinned at that thought, but the clone leaned forward, tapping on the floating screen. "Hey, you've got enough for one more level. Maybe instead of just strength, try adding a point to each stat and see what changes. You know, experiment a little."
Naruto considered it, then nodded. "Good idea."
He selected each stat one at a time and scratched his head. "So… let's just go with Dexterity. More damage is always good, right?"
The clone shrugged. "Works for me."
Naruto locked in the point.
[ Name: Naruto Uzumaki ]
[ Level: 11 → 19 ]
[ Covenant: Way of White ]
[ Souls: 1.8k ]
[ ReqSouls: 2601 ]
[ Attributes: ]
[ Vitality: 10 ]
[ Attunement: 12 ]
[ Endurance: 11 ]
[ Strength: 17 → 24 ]
[ Dexterity: 10 → 11 ]
[ Resistance: 12 ]
[ Intelligence: 10 ]
[ Faith: 8 ]
[ Humanity: 1 ]
[ Stats: ]
[ HP: 573 / 573 ]
[ Stamina: 93 ]
[ Equip Load: 39.1 / 51.0 ]
[ Weapon Stats: ]
[ R Weapon 1: 192 ]
[ R Weapon 2: 40 ]
[ L Weapon 1: 57 ]
[ L Weapon 2: 20 ]
[ Defense: ]
[ Physical Defense: 274 (44) ]
[ VS Strike: 267 ]
[ VS Slash: 310.7 ]
[ VS Thrust: 274 ]
[ Magic Defense: 145.5 (44) ]
[ Flame Defense: 153 (44) ]
[ Lightning Defense: 127.7 (43) ]
[ Resistances: ]
[ Poise: 46 ]
[ Bleed Resist: 118.3 ]
[ Poison Resist: 92.4 ]
[ Curse Resist: 30 ]
[ Miscellaneous: ]
[ Item Discovery: 120 ]
[ Attunement Slots: 2 ]
[ Attunement Slot 1: Fireball × 8 ]
[ Attunement Slot 2: Force × 21 ]
Naruto dismissed the screen, standing up and stretching. "Alright, time to see what all this strength can do."
The boy strode out of the room, moving with a newfound confidence. As he rounded a corner, an arrow zipped toward him. He dodged with ease, sidestepping and closing the gap between himself and the hollow archer in an instant.
His fist shot forward in a devastating hook—no chakra, no nothing, just pure, raw strength. The impact tore straight through the hollow's chest, his bloody fist erupting out of its back. Bone splintered, and blood sprayed as the hollow crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Naruto blinked, staring at the gory mess his hand had made. "...Whoa. I'm a freaking monster."
Another hollow lunged at him, sword raised, but before it could get close, a kunai whizzed through the hollow's skull. Its body collapsed as Naruto caught the kunai mid-air, turning to see his clone staring slack-jawed.
The clone pointed. "Did you see that?!"
Naruto smirked, tossing the kunai into the air and catching it again. "I think you're right. We definitely need more of this."
"Agreed."
Naruto turned, cracking his neck as he headed toward the black knight and Taurus Demon. His Zweihander rested on his shoulder. He was stronger now—faster, sharper, and deadlier.
The clone called after him, throwing up his hands. "Wait! What am I supposed to do here?"
"Kick rocks while I kick ass, dattebayo!"
Naruto grabbed the axe-wielding hollow by the arm, spun it around, and slammed it into the stone wall with his bare hands. The impact shattered its bones, the body crumpling like discarded parchment.
As he stepped out onto the narrow balcony, he spotted the familiar, hunched figure of the Undead Merchant.
"It's you!" the merchant snarled, his yellowed teeth bared in an ugly grin. "Still skulking about, eh? You haven't forgotten about that reinforced club, have you?"
"I'm not paying for something I didn't buy," Naruto replied curtly. "But I thought you were all about doing business, not holding grudges."
"Fine, fine," the merchant said. "We'll deal with that little… misunderstanding later. For now, what can I do for you, dear customer?"
"I want to buy that residence key."
"Straight to the point, eh? Good, good! That'll be 1,000 souls. A fair price, wouldn't you say? Especially in these treacherous times! Nee hee hee hee!"
Naruto frowned but pulled up his soul count.
[ Souls: 2354 ]
"Fine," he muttered, reluctantly handing over the souls.
The merchant plucked a long, dark metal key from his wares and handed it over, the jagged teeth glinting faintly in the light.
[Name: Residence Key ]
[ Description: Key to a residence in the Undead Burg. The simple, sturdy locks in the Burg are no match for this common key, capable of opening multiple doors. ]
Naruto turned the key in his hand, examining it. "So, this'll open all those locked doors I've seen around?"
"Some of them, sure. Not all, though."
Naruto nodded. "What about that door that leads down?"
"Ah, you mean the Lower Undead Burg? That one's sealed tight, thanks to some sorcery. Those poor fools were trying to keep out a goat demon, you see."
"A goat demon?!"
"Yes, a real nasty piece of work. It moved in not too long ago. Why, I could feel its foul presence even up here. And it's not the only thing you should be wary of! There's that humongous drake up above, and a bull demon, too. If you stick around these parts, it might just be your grave! Nee hee hee hee!"
Naruto took a mental note of that, but as he turned to leave, the merchant called out.
"Wait, wait! Before you go—look at that big slab of iron you're swinging around. I'd strongly recommend repairing it before it snaps in two like a twig."
Naruto pulled out the Zweihander, giving it a quick inspection. Sure enough, faint scratches and tiny cracks marred the blade's edge. He frowned, pulling out a pouch of repair powder and sprinkling it along the blade. The shimmering golden glow sealed up the cracks, leaving the steel polished and pristine.
"See? Fixed it," Naruto said smugly, sheathing the blade.
The merchant squinted at him, unimpressed. "Hmm. Try that on your armor next, genius."
Naruto hesitated, then pulled off his helmet and sprinkled some powder on it. The glow only filled in the tiniest cracks, leaving larger dents untouched.
"Eh? Thought you'd get away with powder alone? Nee hee hee! For armor, you'll need proper tools." The merchant pulled out a small wooden box, opening it to reveal a grinding stone and rough cloth. "This'll do the trick."
"How much?"
"Three thousand souls," the merchant said, his grin sharpening.
"Figures," Naruto muttered, glaring at the merchant. "You're just trying to scam me to get back at me for that stupid club."
"Ungrateful brat!" the merchant snapped. "Not only are you ignoring sound advice, but you're also refusing to take responsibility. Fine! Keep fighting in that busted-up tin can. I'll be here when it shatters on you!"
"I'll take my chances. Later, rip-off artist."
The merchant's mocking laughter followed the boy as he stalked off. "Don't wait too long, my friend! Remember—broken gear means broken dreams! Nee hee hee hee!"
Naruto groaned under his breath. "Man, I hate that guy…"
Naruto tore through the remaining hollows like clockwork, his movements fluid and efficient. After so many loops, it wasn't even worth drawing the Zweihander anymore—just fists and kata were enough. He sidestepped a clumsy slash, grabbed the hollow by the head, and twisted sharply, the sickening snap of its neck echoing through the narrow hallway.
"Next," Naruto muttered as he made his way toward the black knight, eager to test his new strength.
But the moment he entered, his excitement fizzled. The path was empty.
"What the—?" Naruto muttered, frowning. He scanned the area, expecting the knight to appear from the shadows.
He scratched his head, confusion mounting. "Did I… beat it for good? That doesn't make sense. Doesn't everything reset in this world?"
Still grumbling, he continued up the stairs, hoping for a flaming barrel to come rolling his way. But the staircase was unnervingly still.
Naruto dodged an incoming spear thrust from a hollow at the top of the stairs. His fist shot out, the jab sending the hollow stumbling backward. Before it could recover, Naruto yanked the spear from its grip, pulling the hollow toward him and driving his knee into its chest with bone-crunching force.
"Why is the black knight gone?!" Naruto growled, tossing the hollow aside.
Reaching the tower's locked door, Naruto fished out the residence key he'd bought earlier. Sliding it into the lock, he turned it—and nothing happened.
"You've got to be kidding me." Naruto stared at the door, dumbfounded, before groaning. "Don't tell me I got scammed again!"
Frustrated, he slammed his fist into the door, only to be met with a sudden pulse. A shimmering barrier of blue light rippled across the wood, absorbing the force of his punch.
Naruto blinked. "What the hell?"
The door stood unscathed, the barrier flickering faintly before fading back into invisibility. Naruto huffed, turning away.
"Fine, you stupid door. Guess I'll just take my anger out on the Taurus Demon instead."
Naruto climbed the staircase to the top of the tower, only to find the final section of stairs destroyed. With a shrug, he began walking up the walls themselves, his chakra keeping him anchored to the stone. Reaching the top, he stepped onto the roof just as two crossbow hollows turned and fired their bolts at him.
Naruto disappeared in a flash, reappearing directly in front of the first hollow. He spun into a devastating tornado kick, the force obliterating the hollow's crossbow and sending it flying. Before it could even hit the ground, Naruto followed up with a side kick, slamming the hollow into the stone wall so hard it was reduced to a bloody paste.
The second hollow unsheathed its sword, charging at him with a wild swing. Naruto brought up the Zweihander, blocking the strike with ease. The clash rang out, sparks flying as the smaller weapon glanced off his massive blade. With a swift counter, Naruto cleaved through the hollow, cutting it down in one precise cut.
He exhaled, letting the Zweihander rest on his shoulder as he turned to the real challenge. Across the wall walk, perched atop the far tower, sat the Taurus Demon.
The massive beast glared at him with glowing yellow eyes. For a brief moment, they locked gazes, and then the demon moved.
Naruto's heart skipped a beat as the Taurus Demon leapt from its tower, the stone beneath it cracking under its massive weight. The massive monster soared through the air, its glowing eyes locked onto Naruto.
Nope, nope, nope! Naruto yelled, quickly forming a hand sign. In a flash of speed, he used Shunshin no Jutsu, disappearing just as the demon's massive form crashed onto the wall walk.
Naruto reappeared further down the path, skidding to a stop as he turned around, half-expecting the Taurus Demon's sheer weight to send it crashing through the floor and into the tower below.
But instead of the stone crumbling, his eyes widened in shock. A faint blue shimmer spread across the tower's surface where the demon landed, holding firm against the impact.
"What the hell?" Naruto muttered, staring at the glowing barrier that had briefly flared up. It's like this tower was made to not be broken.
Naruto shook off his surprise, quickly pulling the golden pine resin from his inventory. He smeared the resin along the Zweihander's blade, watching as golden lightning sparked to life, crackling and hissing with energy that made the air feel alive.
The demon raised its massive weapon, adopting a predatory stance as it let out another ear-splitting roar.
Naruto smirked, stepping forward, the lightning on his blade casting flickering shadows across his face. "Alright, you overgrown cow. Let's see what you've got."
The Taurus Demon raised its massive, jagged greataxe above its head—not to swing but to throw. With a guttural roar, it hurled the weapon like a spinning disc, the blade slicing through the air with a high-pitched whine.
Naruto leapt backward just in time, the greataxe slamming into the stone wall walk. The impact was devastating. The stone cracked and shattered, chunks of debris flying in all directions as a massive crater formed where the weapon struck. The force of the hit caused nearby sections of the wall to crumble, leaving jagged edges and exposed gaps.
Naruto's eyes widened as he landed on his feet, his breathing uneven. "Okay… let's not get hit by that," he muttered, his heart pounding. Even with his increased physical defense, he had no doubt that a single hit from that would send him straight back to the bonfire.
The Taurus Demon, unfazed, leapt down from its perch on the tower to retrieve its weapon. The ground shook violently as its massive frame landed with a thunderous crash, dust rising around it like a shroud.
Now's my chance! Naruto thought, activating Shunshin no Jutsu to close the gap. With the Zweihander raised high, he aimed for a precise thrust to pierce the demon's chest.
But it was a trap.
As Naruto's blade neared the target, the Taurus Demon grinned—a grotesque, mocking expression—and yanked its greataxe upward. The axe's blade caught the Zweihander mid-thrust, sending shockwaves up Naruto's arms.
"Crap!" Naruto gritted his teeth as his hands shook violently. His grip nearly faltered, but with a surge of chakra, he managed to hold onto the Zweihander. However, the strain left him staggered, and his Way of Focality warned him too late of the incoming attack.
The Taurus Demon swung its greataxe in a wide horizontal arc. Naruto barely managed to react, forming a quick Substitution Jutsu. In a puff of smoke, he appeared above the demon.
Time for a plunge attack!
But the Taurus Demon had learned from their earlier skirmish. It tilted its massive head upward, its glowing yellow eyes locking onto him with a sadistic gleam. With a roar, the demon dug its greataxe into the stone wall walk and scooped, hurling chunks of stone and debris into the air like projectiles.
Naruto's instincts kicked in.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Dozens of clones materialized around him, each reacting instantly. Clones on the ground deflected the flying projectiles with their weapons, shattering the chunks into harmless pieces. Meanwhile, the remaining clones threw themselves at each other, launching to either side of the wall walk to surround the Taurus Demon.
The real Naruto clung to the side of the tower, chakra anchoring his feet to the stone as he analyzed the chaos. One of his clones on the far side began hurling fireballs at the demon, each explosion lighting up the narrow battlefield.
The Taurus Demon turned, growling, and charged straight toward the fireball-throwing clone. The ground trembled with each thunderous step, and it was clear the demon wasn't flinching—despite taking the full brunt of the fireballs.
"Now!" Naruto thought, pushing off the tower with chakra-enhanced speed. He blurred across the wall walk in a burst of Shunshin, his Zweihander crackling with golden lightning.
The moment the demon reached the fireball-throwing clone, Naruto struck. With a downward slash, he brought the massive blade onto the demon's back, cutting deep into its thick hide. Blood sprayed in an arc as a massive gash opened, golden sparks dancing along the wound.
The demon roared in pain, spinning to face him, but two clones appeared behind it in perfect synchronization.
"Force!" they shouted in unison, their hands glowing white.
Shockwaves exploded from both, slamming into the Taurus Demon and momentarily stunning it. Its hulking frame staggered, caught off balance.
Naruto wasted no time. With another precise swing, he delivered a second downward slash, forming an X-shaped gash on the demon's back. Blood poured from the wound, and the clones moved in for a follow-up, thrusting their weapons toward its exposed sides.
But then, they froze.
[ Name: Taurus Demon ]
[ HP: 100 / 1,215 ]
[ This near-death experience has awakened the memories of the demon under its master. The Taurus Demon casts Pyromancy—Power Within. ]
The Taurus Demon's body began to glow with an eerie red light. Heat radiated off its form as blood ignited along its wounds, forming a fiery aura around it. The clones faltered as a sudden wave of oppressive heat emanated from the demon, melting the air around it.
Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he saw the numbers tick down.
[ HP: 99 / 1,215 ]
[ HP: 98 / 1,215 ]
Wait… is that spell draining its health? Why?!
Before he could process it fully, the Taurus Demon let out an earth-shaking roar. The force of the roar alone sent Naruto flying backward, his clones popping like balloons from the shockwave. He hit the ground hard, coughing as the impact rattled his ribs.
As he staggered to his feet, he got his answer. The demon, now burning with an aura of raw, fiery rage, charged toward him with renewed speed and power.
"The spell's making it stronger," Naruto realized, gripping the Zweihander tightly. "It's do-or-die now."
With golden lightning crackling on his blade and sweat dripping from his brow, Naruto prepared for the final phase of the fight.
The Taurus Demon snarled, hefting its massive greataxe high into the air. With a guttural roar, it slammed the weapon down into the stone wall walk, the sheer force of the strike creating a shockwave that snaked forward like a living serpent, tearing through the path with brutal efficiency. Chunks of stone were ripped from the ground, the cracks spreading fast toward Naruto.
Naruto's hands flew into a seal.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Two clones appeared instantly, both moving in tandem to use the Force miracle. White shockwaves erupted from their palms, colliding with the destructive wave of energy.
For a brief moment, it seemed like they might stop the attack. But the Taurus Demon's overwhelming power melted through their defense like a hot knife through butter. The clones disintegrated, popping in an instant, as the real Naruto used Shunshin no Jutsu to dart toward the relative safety of the tower.
The shockwave smashed into the tower with unrelenting force. Naruto gritted his teeth, chakra anchoring him to the floor as the magic barrier surrounding the structure absorbed the brunt of the attack. The impact rattled his bones and sent a deafening crack through the air. Barrels inside the tower exploded into splinters, wood scattering like shrapnel.
Among the wreckage, Naruto's sharp eyes caught something unusual: a small, stocky creature huddled inside the remnants of a shattered barrel. At first glance, it looked like a lizard, but its appearance was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. The creature's body was squat and covered in rough, uneven stone-like skin, as though it had been carved from a chunk of earth. Four short, stubby legs protruded from each side of its small frame, and its thick tail twitched slightly, curling defensively around its body. What truly stood out were the bright, blue crystals growing from its back, gleaming faintly despite being coated in dust and debris. The largest crystal jutted proudly from the center of its back, while smaller shards clustered around its sides, nestled close to the legs.
Naruto bit his tongue, weighing his options. The dust still filled the air, concealing him for the moment. He didn't have much time.
Two clones materialized beside him.
"You," Naruto whispered to the clone, pointing to the injured creature. "Take that thing and get it to safety. You go up and attack the demon."
The clone nodded, darting forward to scoop up the crystal lizard before leaping down the stairs to tend to its wounds. Meanwhile, Naruto transformed himself into a broken barrel, hiding among the debris as he waited for the dust to clear.
The Taurus Demon snarled, scanning the area, its yellow eyes glowing as the dust began to settle. Suddenly, a fireball streaked through the air, slamming directly into the demon's face. It howled in rage, turning just as the Naruto clone leapt from above, Zweihander raised for a plunge attack.
The demon wasn't caught off guard this time. With terrifying precision, it swung its greataxe upward to meet the incoming blade. For a split second, the Zweihander's edge collided with the demon's weapon, sparks flying as the two forces resisted each other. But the demon's raw power proved too much. The greataxe carved through the clone's body, shattering it in a violent explosion that sent chunks of bloodied flesh and shadow fragments scattering across the wall walk.
The real Naruto seized the opportunity. "Now!" he shouted internally, using Shunshin no Jutsu to appear on the demon's exposed flank. With all his strength, he drove the Zweihander forward in a brutal thrust.
But the demon wasn't done. Its hulking muscles tensed as it shifted its momentum, swinging its greataxe back with terrifying speed and force. Naruto barely had time to process the counterattack before he felt it.
The greataxe connected with his body like a battering ram, catching him square in the chest. The sheer force launched him backward like a ragdoll, the air leaving his lungs in an instant. He crashed into the wall of the tower with a sickening crunch.
The magic barrier around the tower absorbed most of the physical damage to the structure, but the reaction sent the force rebounding into Naruto's body. Pain exploded through him as he slid down the wall, collapsing onto the stone floor.
Every bone in his body felt like it had shattered. His ribs screamed in agony, his arms hung limp at his sides, and his legs refused to respond. His breathing came in shallow gasps, blood dripping from his mouth.
The only reason Naruto had survived was the blue tearstone ring—the magic ring activated in his critical condition, surrounding him with a faint blue aura that shimmered like a protective shield, its energy dulling the force of the otherwise fatal blow.
The worst of it, though, was the state of his armor. The once-pristine armor of Oscar—the armor that had been his shield and identity in this cruel world—was now in pieces. The breastplate had been ripped apart, the gauntlets shattered, and his helmet was missing entirely.
Naruto coughed, spitting blood as his half-exposed face glared at the Taurus Demon. His right eye twitched, blood running down the side of his face. He was angry—no, furious—but deep down, there was fear. Raw, primal fear.
His hands twitched as he tried to grip the Zweihander, but they wouldn't respond. His fingers felt like they were made of lead.
"At least… at least I'm still in the tower," Naruto thought bitterly, slumping against the wall. He had come so far, gotten so strong, and yet here he was again: broken, barely alive, clinging to scraps of survival.
The warmth of the Estus Flask pulled Naruto from the haze of numbness as he felt the golden liquid trickling down his throat. His vision swam as a clone knelt beside him, carefully tilting the flask to his lips.
"Come on, boss. Drink up," the clone urged, its voice steady but laced with urgency. Naruto groaned, his trembling hands too weak to grip the flask on his own.
Golden light spread through his battered body, knitting broken bones and sealing deep gashes. The pain dulled, but it didn't disappear entirely. It took three full gulps—administered by the clone—before Naruto's body had recovered enough for him to lift his head.
"Ugh… I still feel like I got hit by a mountain," Naruto muttered, managing to sit upright, though his ruined armor hung loosely on him.
He saw the clone carrying the unconscious crystal lizard cradled in its arms. "Hey, it's safe!" the clone called out triumphantly, holding up the creature like a prize.
Naruto blinked at it, still trying to gather his strength, and opened his mouth to tell the clone to get the hell out of danger. But before he could speak, the clone grinned and pointed to the system screen floating nearby.
"Boss, look!"
Naruto's blurry eyes focused as the words on the screen came into view.
[ Victory Achieved! ]
— [ 3000 Souls ]
— [ Humanity ]
— [ Homeward Bone ]
— [ Demon Greataxe ]
Naruto stepped out of the tower, his eyes locked on the Taurus Demon's smoldering remains. Flames crawled over the massive corpse, consuming it from the inside out. The air reeked of burning flesh, thick and acrid, while the crackling fire punctuated the silence. The demon's body was crumbling inward, undone by its final desperate spell.
A shadow clone appeared beside him, waving a hand in front of its nose. "Ugh, this thing stinks. Like burnt pork." It smirked, nudging him. "Hey, boss, think we could turn this into Taurus Demon ramen?"
Naruto didn't respond. His eyes remained on the burning wreckage, his fists clenched at his sides.
"What's wrong?"
Naruto exhaled slowly. "We didn't win," he muttered.
"What? It's dead, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Naruto said, his voice tight. "But not because of me. It burned itself out. I just survived long enough for it to self-destruct."
The words twisted in his chest, bitter and heavy. He'd fought tooth and nail against the beast, thrown everything he had at it. But in the end, it wasn't his strength that had finished the job. It wasn't victory—it was luck.
The clone scratched its head. "But… dead is dead, right? Isn't that what matters?"
Naruto didn't answer right away. His gaze lingered on the flames as they devoured the last traces of the demon, leaving only ash. A glowing orb of souls hovered above the remains, and he reached out, absorbing the energy. The rush of power filled him, but it felt hollow.
The ashes scattered in the wind, leaving only scorch marks behind. Naruto's shoulders sagged slightly.
"We're going back," he said finally, his voice firm.
The clone frowned. "Back? But we can keep going now—"
"No," Naruto interrupted, shaking his head. "The merchant said there's a drake ahead. A humongous one."
"You think it's that red dragon from the bridge?"
"Yeah. After this, we're probably going to have to fight it."
The clone was silent.
"We're not ready for that," Naruto continued. "We barely made it through this fight. If we keep going, we'll get ourselves killed. I need to get stronger. Learn more jutsu. Then we'll come back."
"And the Taurus Demon?"
Naruto's eyes hardened. "I'll fight it again. And this time, I'll beat it with my own strength. No dumb luck. No shortcuts. When I'm ready to fight that dragon, I'll know."
The clone nodded, its usual grin replaced with quiet understanding.
Naruto took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders and adjusting the battered remnants of his armor. Without another word, he turned toward the bonfire. Lordran wasn't going anywhere.
But next time, the victory would be his.
And next time, he wouldn't just survive. He'd win.
The undead merchant perched on his stool, lazily dragging his uchigatana along a whetstone. The sharp screech of metal on stone halted as he spotted Naruto approaching.
"Well, well... Look who's back. What do you want this time, boy? Here to lighten your soul pouch again?"
"I need the repair box," Naruto replied flatly.
"Nee hee hee! Told you, didn't I? You should've listened when I warned you, boy. But nooo, you thought you knew better. And now? Broken gear, broken pride, and you come crawling back to ol' me."
Naruto swallowed his irritation, his shoulders stiff. He deserved it, after all. Oscar's armor—his armor—was in shambles because he had assumed Lordran would magically mend the damage.
"Three thousand souls," the merchant said with a smirk, sliding the repair box forward. "Fair price, don't you think? Though I doubt it'll patch up your bruised ego."
Naruto's jaw tightened as he handed over the souls. He turned the box over in his hands, frowning. "How the hell do I even use this thing?"
"Heh! What a greenhorn. Fine, hand over the armor. I'll show you how it's done—for a fee, of course."
Naruto sighed, setting the crystal lizard on a nearby crate and unstrapping the battered armor. The merchant grimaced at the sight of the ruined breastplate, dented helmet, and shattered gauntlets.
"Tch. Did you headbutt a demon or something?"
"Can you fix it or not?"
The merchant's smirk widened as he reached for a mortar and pestle. "Of course I can, boy. But good craftsmanship takes time—and patience, neither of which you have. Sit tight."
Naruto leaned against the wall, watching as the merchant worked. The man poured glittering repair powder into the mortar, followed by a single drop of golden liquid from an Estus Flask. He stirred the mixture until it shimmered faintly.
"What's that?"
"Repair paste," the merchant said without looking up. "Does for metal what Estus does for flesh. Fills the cracks, smooths the edges. If you're lucky, it'll hold 'til you find yourself a proper blacksmith."
"Where do I find a blacksmith?"
The merchant chuckled darkly. "Information like that doesn't come cheap, boy."
"You're already fleecing me for this repair job."
"Fine, fine. Beyond the Taurus Demon, there's a bridge. Follow it, and it'll take you to the Undead Parish. There's a smith holed up near the big church ruins. Can't miss it." He paused. "But if you want the best path, that'll cost you extra."
"I'll take my chances, thanks."
The merchant shrugged, dabbing the paste onto the armor. "Suit yourself. But don't come crying to me when your shiny new armor ends up in worse shape than before. Nee hee hee!"
Naruto tilted his head, watching the paste shimmer as it mended the armor's cracks. "For someone who acts like they hate people, you're awfully good at keeping them alive."
The merchant paused, his bony hand hovering over the armor. "Hmph. Don't mistake necessity for kindness, boy. I couldn't care less what happens to you. But souls don't spend themselves, and dead men don't buy wares."
"Why stay here, then? What's the point of this place?"
"Lordran's for the desperate, the lost, and the mad. Folks come here chasing glory, redemption, or maybe a cure for the curse. But all they find are more questions. The kind that gnaw at your brain when you try to sleep."
"And you?"
"Me?" the merchant said. "I came here to be left alone. Back home, I was just another hollow. Something to kick around. Here, at least the demons are honest. They'll gut you outright. No games."
"Yeah, I get that. Back home… life's complicated. Lordran's simpler."
The merchant's laugh turned into a low hum. "Simple? Oh, boy, you've got it wrong. Lordran's a tangled mess. The harder you dig for answers, the more it gives you questions. But if you're not looking for anything…" The man nodded solemnly. "Well, then anywhere can be simple, can't it?"
Naruto thought back to Konoha, to the time when life had been simple—when he hadn't known about the weight of secrets, the sting of betrayals. He exhaled softly. "Ignorance is bliss, huh?"
The merchant nodded, his hollowed eyes gleaming faintly. "Now you're catching on."
A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by the faint crackle of the repair paste as it hardened.
The undead merchant's hollowed eyes shifted to the shimmering crystal lizard. "Well, now… What do we have here?" he crooned. "How about selling me that shiny little thing? Oh, I could make it worth your while, boy!"
"What would you even do with it?"
"Kill it, of course. Crack it open, see what treasures lie within that glittering heart of its. They say these creatures hold rare materials—ones that smiths would spill blood for. Oh, the profit I could make…" The merchant's voice trailed off, almost salivating at the thought.
"No."
The merchant's smirk faltered, replaced with a frown of disappointment. "No? Bah, what are you planning to do with it, then? Toss it in a pot and make stew? Or perhaps you'll sell it yourself and cheat an honest merchant like me?"
"It's not for sale," Naruto barked. "He's my pet!"
"Your pet? Nee hee! That's rich, boy. Truly. You must be joking."
"Nope." Naruto straightened, defiant. "I've always wanted a pet. And this guy's perfect. He's tough, shiny, and way cuter than your ugly mug. Plus, I want to see if he can be trained like Kakashi's Ninken."
The merchant let out a screeching cackle, doubling over. "Oh, that's a good one! Training a crystal lizard? What's next? You'll teach a dragon to fetch? Oh, wait, wait—hold on!" He wheezed. "You're serious? Nee hee hee hee! Let me laugh even harder!"
"Keep laughing, and I'll throw you off the ledge."
The merchant abruptly stopped, his laughter vanishing as he took a cautious step back. "My, my… What a cruel customer I've got here! Threatening the very man who helps keep your precious armor in one piece. Tch, such ingratitude."
"I didn't threaten you. I promised."
"Still… a pet, eh? Haven't seen someone care about anything in ages. Most folk here… well, they forget. Forget what it means to care for anything—or anyone. Hell, they even forget themselves."
Naruto tilted his head, curiosity breaking through his annoyance. "What about you? Don't you want to go back to how you were? Reverse the hollowing?"
The merchant froze, his breath hitching for the briefest moment before he let out a bitter laugh. "Nee hee hee… Sharper than you look, aren't you? I've thought about it, boy. More times than I care to admit. But humanity doesn't come cheap. And souls? Well, souls are easier to come by. I've made my peace with this face—this wretched, hollow thing." He gestured vaguely at his sunken features.
Naruto reached into his inventory, pulling out a small black wisp of humanity. Without a word, he tossed it to the merchant.
The merchant caught it on reflex, his hollowed eyes widening as he stared at the swirling essence in his bony hands. "This… this is humanity," he muttered. "What's the meaning of this, boy?"
"Think of it as a thank you. This armor? It belonged to my master. Fixing it means more to me than you know."
The merchant's hands trembled slightly as he looked from the humanity to Naruto, his usual mockery replaced by something quieter—something almost vulnerable. "You're a strange one, boy. Most folk wouldn't waste something this precious on a shriveled old corpse like me."
Naruto shrugged. "You're not as bad as you think, old man. Besides, you've been helpful. So… thanks."
The merchant stared at him for a long moment, the faintest trace of a smile creeping onto his face. "Nee hee hee… Helpful, am I? Well, I suppose even an old wretch like me has his uses. But you're gonna need more than gratitude, boy. That armor of yours? It'll keep breaking until you find a proper smith."
"I know," Naruto replied, grinning as he picked up his gear. "But still, you did your part. Thanks."
As silence fell, the merchant continued grinding repair paste, his movements slower, more deliberate. Naruto hesitated for a moment, then scratched the back of his head. "Hey… I also wanted to apologize for throwing that reinforced club off the ledge. I was going for a scare, but…"
"No worries, boy. Accidents happen, even to fools like you." His grin widened as he gestured to the wares around him. "Still, if you're so sorry, why not buy something more?"
"Fine. Let's see… I'll take that chain armor set. It'll make a great gift."
"Gift?" The merchant snorted, handing over the polished chain pieces. "Who in this forsaken land do you have left to gift armor to?"
"Someone I owe an apology to," Naruto said simply, tossing the armor into his inventory.
The merchant handed over the last piece of the Elite Knight set, his tone turning uncharacteristically genuine. "There. All fixed. Good as new."
"What's the price?"
"Well, well, since I'm in a good mood today… let's say free."
Naruto blinked. "The repairs and the armor set?"
"Sure," the merchant said with a lazy shrug.
"What's the catch?"
"Oh, nothing much. Either take it and shut up, or pay me twice what it's worth. Your choice."
"Fine. Thanks… I'll be back soon."
"Ah, thank you very much! Come back anytime, boy! Nee hee hee hee!"
As Naruto's footsteps faded down the stone stairs, the merchant remained still, staring at the black wisp of humanity in his hand. He turned it over slowly, his hollowed eyes gleaming faintly as a long-forgotten warmth stirred in his chest.
"Strange kid," he muttered, his voice quieter now. His fingers brushed the hilt of his uchigatana as his gaze drifted to the empty space beside him. "What do you think, Yulia? Maybe this place… isn't so bad after all."
The undead merchant let out a hollow chuckle, his voice shaking as he pocketed the humanity. "Come again, boy," he said, his tone almost pleading. "And remind me who you are… before I forget what kindness feels like." His hollowed eyes drifted to the cracked floor, and for a moment, he wondered how many more memories he could lose before there was nothing left of him at all.
Author Note: Alright, let's break it down Q&A style.
1. The Taurus Demon is different from the game. Why?
Okay, so for all of you who've played Dark Souls, you probably noticed that this version of the Taurus Demon was way stronger and even got a second phase with Power Within. Why did I do this? Simple: I wanted the Taurus Demon to stand out as an actual boss.
In the game, the Taurus Demon is cool and all, but it's really just a simple fight. Later on, you find Taurus Demons as common enemies in the Demon Ruins, and that kind of takes away its uniqueness. To fix that, I gave this boss some extra love, like Power Within, which is a pyromancy that sacrifices life force for increased strength. I wanted this fight to feel intense and leave a lasting impact on Naruto.
So, expect every single boss in the game to be much harder for Naruto than its game counterpart.
- The Asylum Demon can evolve into the Stray Demon.
- The Taurus Demon can use Power Within for a short period of time.
2. The Taurus Demon is technically optional in the game. Why make Naruto fight it? Can't Naruto just skip the entire battle with wall walk?
Good question! The reason Naruto fights it is because I want every boss in this story to matter. Each boss has to leave some kind of mark on Naruto, whether it's physical, emotional, or mental.
Take the Asylum Demon, for example—it ripped Oscar away from Naruto and left him carrying that grief. Now with the Taurus Demon, it's a reality check. Naruto goes in thinking he's getting stronger, and he is, but this fight proves he's still not ready for everything Lordran can throw at him. That failure forces him to pause, reflect, and refocus.
So, what's next? Naruto's going to head back to Konoha to regroup. This break will give him a chance to train, learn more jutsu, and build himself back up before returning to Lordran. Speaking of which—what ninjutsu do you guys want to see Naruto learn during his time in Konoha? Let me know!
3. The Crystal Lizard: Why give Naruto a pet? And are you serious about the crystal lizard becoming Naruto's ninja animal?
Yes, the crystal lizard is going to be Naruto's Akamaru equivalent. This will make for an interesting development when Naruto and Kiba meet again.
Plus, I figured it would be a fun way to balance the dark tone of the Dark Souls story with something lighthearted. For those of you who know, you know that things are going to get intense in the future when Naruto ventures into the extremely hard areas.
And let's be honest—it's just so Naruto to see this weird little creature and immediately decide, "This is my friend now."
Now, for those of you worried that the crystal lizard is just going to become a glorified mascot, I want you to Google "Ravenous Crystal Lizard." They're a mini-boss in Dark Souls 3. So yeah, don't worry—it's going to become a partner to Naruto, and a very powerful partner at that.
Also, I need your help: what should we name this little guy? Drop your suggestions in the comments!
4. The Undead Merchant:
You guys know how much I love fleshing out NPCs—Oscar, Alexander, and now the undead merchant. In the game, he's kind of just… there. But I wanted to expand on his character and give him a proper dynamic with Naruto.
In my version, he's jaded, sarcastic, and a bit of a loner, but Naruto sees past all of that and treats him with decency and respect. I wanted to show how even in a world like Lordran, small acts of kindness can have a huge impact.
What did you guys think of his character and his interactions with Naruto?
Also, yes, the last line of the undead merchant is actually a hint at what happens when you die too much in Lordran—you start to lose your sense of self and identity. Naruto is currently unaffected because of a special reason, but that will change in the future. Keep your eyes peeled because the story is just getting started.
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Any ideas for future chapters are always welcome—don't be shy!
And if you can't wait for the next update, the next chapter drops on January 25th! You can read ahead to Chapter 60 on Patreon.
Thank you all for your support—you make writing this story such an incredible journey!
Until next time,
Adamo Amet
AidoneusHades
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TFTC
That was a neat way of showing that he's on the verge of going completely hollow and Naruto's kindness is allowing him to hold on a little longer, even if it's just to help this weird kid out.