The battlefield stretched out as far as the eye could see, a grim expanse littered with the remains of those who had fallen long ago. Broken weapons and shattered armor lay scattered among skeletal remains, their vitality and souls long since devoured by the cursed armor that had wrought destruction for centuries. The air was thick with an oppressive energy, a lingering echo of death and despair.
Naruto stood at the center of this macabre scene, his figure tall and imposing, radiating a dark power that seemed to pulse with life. His eyes glowed faintly, a mixture of Yin chakra and the unholy essence that now coursed through him. His voice, calm yet filled with disdain, broke the heavy silence.
"So many souls of the damned, moving around and trying to bring me down," he muttered, his gaze sweeping over the spectral forms that hovered in the periphery, grudges of the dead. These were not just the souls of those Naruto had personally killed since arriving in this new world but also countless others who had perished by Hina's hand. They swirled like a storm of rage and sorrow, clawing at the edges of his perception.
A cold smirk played on his lips as he continued, "You were not strong enough to resist my power in the real world, so the thought that you could influence me here is laughable."
Raising a hand, he gestured dismissively toward the wailing spirits. "Worms that hide in their holes, disappear from my sight."
As he spoke, a wave of oppressive energy radiated outward from him, the grudges recoiling as though struck by an invisible force. Their ghostly forms flickered, then dissipated entirely, leaving only silence in their wake. Without sparing another glance, Naruto turned his attention forward, stepping through a glowing gate of light that had opened before him.
The light enveloped him, and for a moment, all was still.
Naruto's eyes snapped open to the real world, his senses sharpening instantly. He stood amidst the battlefield once more, but now his presence felt different—more powerful, more complete. The skeletal remains surrounding him bore the unmistakable marks of decay, their vitality and souls long consumed by the armor's relentless hunger. It was a scene of utter devastation, yet Naruto felt a sense of satisfaction as he surveyed the results of his rebirth.
'I feel stronger than when I had a flesh body,' Naruto thought, his lips curling into a small, confident smile. He flexed his fingers, feeling the flow of Yin chakra within him. Though it was weaker than the regular chakra he had once wielded, it held its own potential. 'Hina's power has integrated well. So many new abilities at my disposal... Life should be easier now.'
His mind turned to the others as he considered the possibilities. 'If I could help them develop chakra systems of their own, we would have a significant advantage over our enemies. Perhaps it's time to create a new foundation for power.'
Looking around, his gaze fell upon Adam, Drake, and Shiro, who sat a few meters away, their eyes fixed on him. The tension in their stances told him they were uncertain of what to expect from his revival, but Naruto merely gave them a faint nod, acknowledging their presence before turning inward.
Within the soul realm, Naruto found himself in a tranquil setting of his own creation. He stood in a serene field bathed in golden sunlight, the air filled with the sound of rustling leaves. Hina appeared before him, her expression a mixture of relief and joy. She was dressed in casual clothing, a stark contrast to the armored form she wore in reality.
"Naruto!" she cried, rushing forward to embrace him tightly. Her voice trembled with emotion as she clung to him, unwilling to let go.
Naruto wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "Calm down," he said softly, his tone soothing as he ran a hand through her hair. "I'm here now, and we'll be together for a long time."
"Hina was so scared," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please don't leave Hina again."
"Yes, yes," Naruto replied gently, his voice steady despite the weight of her emotions. He pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes as he spoke. "You've done well, Hina. I'm proud of you. But you don't need to worry anymore. I'll stay with you."
Hina nodded, her grip on him tightening briefly before she let out a shaky sigh.
Knowing she needed reassurance, Naruto made a decision. Splitting his consciousness, he left one part of himself within the soul realm to stay with her, giving her the attention and companionship she craved. The other part of his mind returned to control his physical body, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Back in the physical world, Naruto straightened, his movements fluid and deliberate. His gaze returned to Adam and the others, his expression unreadable but exuding confidence. Though his heart still carried the weight of loss and longing, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The battlefield was just the beginning, and his next steps would shape the world in ways no one could yet imagine.
Naruto approached the group with deliberate steps, his expression calm but carrying an undeniable authority. His voice, though soft, held a weight that drew their attention immediately.
"Nice to see you guys again," he said, a rare gentleness in his tone.
Adam stood up, a grin spreading across his face. "Same here. Honestly, I expected you to wake up sooner, but I'm impressed you didn't start a rampage the moment you opened your eyes."
Naruto chuckled lightly. "Restraint is a virtue... sometimes." His gaze swept over the group before settling on Drake, who was busily chewing on a large piece of meat.
Drake paused mid-bite, looking up. "Now that you're back, what's the plan?" he asked, his tone eager but cautious.
Naruto's lips curled into a confident smile. "We conquer the world."
The bold statement hung in the air for a moment, and Drake nearly choked on his food. "Are you serious?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Shiro, leaning casually against a tree, raised an eyebrow. "I'm curious too. How exactly do you plan to pull that off?"
Naruto began walking past them, his movements unhurried but purposeful, a silent command for them to follow. "Trust me," he said over his shoulder. "I have a plan. The marines can't be everywhere at once. You've seen how their system works—flawed, corrupt, and overstretched. The elite camp has been disbanded by Z, which means no more specialized meddlers interfering in key areas."
His confidence was contagious, and without hesitation, the group fell into step behind him.
The ship cut through the ocean waves, its sails catching the wind as they sailed toward Naruto's chosen destination. Along the way, they stopped at a small port town to pick up Smoker, who stood waiting at the docks with a young girl beside him. She had black hair tied back neatly, a modest outfit suited for practical travel, and a sword strapped to her hip. Despite her quiet demeanor, her eyes held a spark of determination.
Naruto stepped off the ship to greet them, extending a hand toward the girl. "I wasn't expecting this," he said in a friendly tone as she shook his hand politely.
Smoker crossed his arms, his usual sternness softened slightly. "I couldn't leave her behind in that place. It would've stunted her growth, both as a swordsman and as a person."
Naruto nodded, understanding the unspoken depth of Smoker's care for her. He turned to the girl, his gaze assessing but kind. "Thank you for joining us. What's your name?"
"Tashigi," she replied, her tone formal. "Thank you for receiving us. It's an honor to make your acquaintance."
Naruto gave her a warm smile, his hand gently patting her head. "No problem. It's good to have more people with potential. We're short on crew members as it is."
Tashigi flushed slightly at the unexpected gesture but quickly composed herself, bowing her head.
With introductions complete, Naruto turned to address the crew. "Good. Now, let's set sail for the East Blue."
As the ship pulled away from the dock, Naruto stood at the helm, gazing toward the horizon. He had no doubts about their course or the challenges ahead. His mind, always calculating, had already begun laying the foundation for the next steps in his grand plan.
Tashigi, watching him from the deck, felt both curiosity and a strange sense of security in his presence. Though she didn't fully understand the path they were on, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was part of something far greater than she had imagined.