With the battle concluded, the battlefield bore the scars of destruction. The land was barely recognizable—craters stretched across the earth, flames still flickered despite Naruto's efforts to extinguish them, and the scent of scorched ground lingered in the air. The devastation spanned nearly ten miles, a testament to the power of the Champion-level combatants. While the Rookie-level battles had been more contained, Asura and Dame's clash had been on another scale entirely. Their sheer speed had carved through the terrain, the intensity of their attacks setting entire sections of the forest ablaze.
Naruto sighed as he surveyed the damage. With a wave of his hand, the remaining flames flickered out, vanishing as if they had never existed. He dismissed Asura into the Digivice, allowing his exhausted partner to finally rest. The small but mighty Candlemon had fought relentlessly for the entire day, battling an opponent well beyond his usual level. Rest was well deserved.
Meanwhile, his newest partner, Commandramon, was settling into the quarters Naruto had prepared in advance. He had come into the forest specifically for this Digimon, knowing full well that capturing him was a calculated risk.
The room designed for Commandramon was spartan and practical—just as a soldier would prefer. It contained an assortment of weapons, including rifles and daggers, alongside data files and battle footage related to mechanical implants. A training chamber had also been set up, allowing him to test out his skills and familiarize himself with new equipment.
Despite the preparations, Commandramon sat still, his back pressed against the cold wall, his rifle resting in his grip. He didn't move, didn't speak. His eyes, barely visible beneath the visor of his helmet, were locked in thought as he silently processed everything that had happened.
Naruto didn't disturb him. Commandramon would come to terms with his situation on his own. For now, he turned his attention toward his team.
Goku had sustained only minor injuries, nothing that required concern. Arthur, however, had suffered a greater loss—his tail had been severed in the battle. The pain had left him weakened, but Naruto had already treated him with medicine data to aid his recovery. He was now resting, his body working to repair the damage.
Takato was in even worse shape. He had completely drained his stamina, his body barely able to hold itself up. He had pushed himself past his limits, and Naruto could see the exhaustion weighing on him.
Without hesitation, Naruto placed a hand on Takato's shoulder, allowing his energy to flow into the younger Tamer's body. A warm sensation spread through him, and before he could protest, his consciousness faded. Naruto gently moved him beside Goku, ensuring he was comfortable.
Turning his gaze to the edge of the battlefield, Naruto spotted Henry inspecting the area. Tesla was nowhere in sight, likely recalled to his Digivice, and Henry himself looked drained. The bloodstains on his ears suggested he had pushed his powers too far. His techniques, powerful as they were, came with the risk of internal strain.
"Henry, go take a rest," Naruto said, stepping beside him and placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Henry shook his head, his balance faltering slightly. "Can you help me with that? My sense of balance is all over the place."
Naruto immediately understood—his inner ear had been affected by the concussive force of the battle. Explosions had that effect, especially combined with the strain of using his abilities at full power.
Rather than waste medicine data on something temporary, Naruto opted for a more efficient solution. With a focused pulse of chakra, he stabilized Henry's equilibrium, allowing the younger Tamer to regain his footing. Henry let out a relieved sigh as the dizziness faded.
"Thanks… Sorry for leaving the rest to you."
Naruto simply smiled. "It's my duty as the leader, so don't worry about it. You did an excellent job today, Henry. You deserve the rest."
Without warning, he pulled Henry into a brief hug, causing the tired Tamer's expression to soften. Henry was stubborn—he wanted to keep going, to stay alert despite his exhaustion. But Naruto had other plans.
With a subtle touch of chakra, he gently guided Henry's body into relaxation. Fatigue crashed down on him, his mind finally succumbing to the rest he had been denying himself. His legs gave out, and Naruto caught him effortlessly.
Now asleep, Henry was delivered to the others in a manner that left Goku wide-eyed in shock. The earth beneath Naruto's feet rippled like liquid, forming a wave that carried Henry toward the group, gently setting him down beside Goku.
Goku had seen many things, but Naruto's sheer mastery over the elements still astounded him. There were no hand signs, no grand displays—just effortless control over nature itself. He was at a level beyond what Goku had ever seen, and that realization sparked something in him.
Watching Naruto, Goku made a silent vow to study him closely. If he wanted to reach his next evolution, he needed to learn.
Naruto had seen everything. While Rika and Luna sat atop the tree branches, looking calm and composed, he knew the truth beneath their outward appearances. They were exhausted, having pushed themselves beyond their limits. Rika had narrowly escaped death multiple times, and Luna… Luna had taken direct shots at point-blank range.
The injuries she had sustained weren't minor—holes in her knees, arm, and even her gut. Yet she had fought on, standing her ground against four of those little dragons from the D-Brigade. It was a testament to her strength and Rika's skill as a Tamer.
Most would have been wiped out in a four-versus-two battle against such opponents. The D-Brigade wasn't known for easy fights—these were training exercises for them, not life-or-death struggles. If their members were getting slaughtered, they wouldn't call it training. The fact that Rika and Luna had managed to emerge victorious, completely annihilating the enemy, was nothing short of remarkable.
"How did I do?" Rika smirked, flipping her ponytail as she looked down at Naruto.
He appeared in front of her in an instant. His speed had grown exponentially, now rivaling his child form when he had first left with Jiraiya. His physical strength had already surpassed what he had when he fought Pain, though he lacked the chakra reserves he had back then. But that was changing. Soon, he would have enough to use Sage Mode again, a power that would place him at the lowest tier of the Ultimate Digimon rank.
"You were wonderful," Naruto said with a warm smile. "But it can be better with more experience."
Rika's smirk widened, satisfied with his response. Without hesitation, she hugged him.
She had expected nothing less from him. If he had told her she was perfect, she would have taken it as an insult. Perfection didn't exist in her mind—there was always room for improvement. Always a way to grow stronger.
Naruto wrapped his arms around her and sat down, pulling her into his lap. She didn't resist.
"Luna, you can take a rest," Naruto said as he extended his chakra, healing her wounds.
Luna glanced at Rika instead of responding.
She had immense respect for Naruto, but she knew he wouldn't have suited her as a partner. He was too kind, too warm. Their personalities would have clashed. Asura suited him, just as she suited Rika.
Rika, sensing Luna's hesitation, spoke in a softer tone. "Take a rest, Luna. You did well."
Luna nodded, her form flickering as she retreated into the Digivice.
Naruto held Rika close, his chakra gently enveloping her, soothing her fatigue and replenishing her strength. He wasn't just helping the Digimon partners grow stronger—he was doing the same for his team. Even though they would never reach his level, he wanted them to be strong enough to stand as equals to Champion-level Digimon.
"Was the experience up to your expectation?" he asked, brushing his fingers through her long hair.
Rika sighed, her frustration evident. "I thought we could have done better. We made some slip-ups here and there—could have gotten killed without the barrier."
Naruto understood her annoyance. She was prideful, and the fact that she had nearly died to a squad of Rookies—no matter how well-trained they were—didn't sit right with her.
He kissed her neck softly. "I would never allow that to happen. Second, you'll do better next time. This was your first time in a battle of this scale, so it's natural that it was hard to focus."
Rika turned her head slightly, her eyes sharp despite her exhaustion. "What about you? You didn't seem different at all. There's a secret, isn't there? It can't just be some ability anymore."
She had been thinking about it ever since they entered the forest. Naruto's reactions weren't normal. He moved like someone with years of combat experience, someone who had been through countless battles. But that didn't make sense. He shouldn't have that level of experience—not with the life he had lived in this world.
Her curiosity got the better of her, and she finally voiced her thoughts.
Naruto smiled. "Hmm, you're not wrong. It's something I'll share with you when we've gotten stronger."
Rika stared at him for a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck. "Can you also get experience from consuming data?"
It was her first guess.
Naruto could consume data, and if that also gave him the experience of those he absorbed, it would explain everything. His unnatural instincts, his knowledge, the way he fought like a seasoned warrior.
"Maybe."
She clicked her tongue at his teasing response but didn't push further. Instead, she sighed, resting against him. "I understand. Sorry for asking."
Naruto shook his head. "No, it's not your fault. It's normal to question things that don't make sense. Just wait a little longer, and I'll share everything with you. Give me a year—exactly."
He ran his fingers through her silky red hair. He had always admired long hair. Beautiful eyes, too. He didn't have a particular preference when it came to body types, but he had always been drawn to a certain… fullness. Maybe because of his old obsession with Hinata.
Rika had all three—beautiful eyes, long, flowing hair, and a body that had developed in all the right places. Sitting in his lap, he could feel her weight in just the right way.
She smirked, resting her head against his chest. "Heh, guess you didn't forget."
"I would never forget."
Rika liked things to be exact. She hated vagueness.
That was why, when she started developing feelings for him, she had confessed immediately—to confirm if it was real. Then, to make absolutely sure, she had another girl kiss him, just to test her reaction. The moment she felt her jealousy flare, she knew her feelings were real—and promptly kicked the girl for actually going through with it.
She was weird like that.
They talked for a while before Rika eventually fell asleep in his arms.
Naruto remained awake, watching over his team. His aura expanded through the region, a silent warning to any Digimon nearby. It wasn't Kurama, but the feeling was similar—the oppressive presence of a powerful Champion-level being. None dared to come close.
The night was quiet.
For now.
As the others slept peacefully, Young decided to stay awake and keep Naruto company through the night. The atmosphere was calm, with the occasional rustling of leaves breaking the silence. The night carried a quiet sense of accomplishment, but also a hint of anticipation for what lay ahead.
"Thanks for lending Goku. He was a great help," Naruto said, leaning against the tree trunk with Rika still sleeping in his arms. His voice was relaxed, yet appreciative.
"You're welcome, but honestly, I'm the one who should be thankful," Young replied. "This is helping him feel better. He's been a lot more energized since following you."
Naruto chuckled. "I'm glad. It's the least I can do for a friend. And how's everything going on your end?"
"The usual," she said with a slight sigh. "Nothing much has changed… except Na So Ri's attitude. I guess you made an impression on her."
Naruto raised a brow, sensing something in her tone. "Why do I feel like you're implying something else? Are you feeling jealous?" He smirked, teasing her lightly.
Young was silent for a moment before replying in a soft, almost whisper-like voice, "Yes."
Naruto blinked, surprised by her honesty. She had been thinking about this for a while, that much was clear.
"You don't have to feel like that," he reassured her. "I like you more." His voice was warm, sincere. "What have you thought about over the week?"
Young hesitated. It wasn't just about emotions—it was about practicality. She knew that in the Tamer world, it was common for strong individuals to have multiple partners. It was a survival thing. But that didn't mean there weren't complications.
She had grown to like him more over the past week. The way he spoke to her regularly, the way he encouraged her—it made her feel special, even after she had initially rejected his offer.
"…What about your parents?" she finally asked. "I'm a weak Tamer."
Naruto sighed. He could tell this was weighing on her.
"They have nothing to do with this," he stated firmly. "And your strength has nothing to do with my choice. I'm just being greedy and following my desire." He met her gaze. "I want to help you become stronger."
Young felt a warmth spread through her chest. It wasn't just that he liked her—he believed in her. That was something she didn't expect.
Not many people would continue offering support after being turned down. Not many people would invest time in someone with no immediate benefit.
She had also noticed how Na So Ri had changed after getting closer to Naruto. The girl had been holding herself back, trying to present a more composed image, but Naruto had encouraged her to be her true self.
Maybe… she could allow herself to experience something new, just like Na So Ri did.
"…Fine," she said after a long pause. "But don't regret it."
"I won't. And you won't either," Naruto said with confidence.
With that, the conversation settled, and Naruto gained not only a new Digimon but also a student.
It was a good ending to the day.
As the night deepened, Naruto continued talking with Young until she eventually became too tired. Once she fell asleep, he closed his eyes and began meditating, letting the quiet night wash over him.