The morning sun cast golden rays over the treetops, illuminating the small clearing where Naruto and his team had camped for the night. It was a new experience for all of them—sleeping in the wild, exposed to the elements and the unseen dangers of the Digital World. Yet, as they stirred from their slumber, there was no exhaustion or discomfort. Instead, a feeling of accomplishment settled over them like a comforting blanket.
The smell of sizzling meat filled the air, drawing sleepy eyes toward the campfire. Naruto had woken up early, hunting small creatures native to the Digital World—rabbit-like beings and other edible animals. Though the Digital World was vastly different from the human one, it operated under its own form of logic. Sometimes, food here was tangible to humans; other times, it would simply turn into useless data upon consumption. Fortunately, the Digivice acted as an intermediary, stabilizing the food so that human stomachs could properly digest it.
One by one, the tamers and their Digimon gathered around the fire, enjoying the warmth and the scent of breakfast. Despite the silence, excitement lingered in the air. Their expressions said it all—pride, exhilaration, and a hint of disbelief. They had done it.
They had fought an army.
They had survived a night in hostile territory.
And they were moving forward at an unprecedented pace.
Not many Tamers would dare to take such risks, especially not within a month of arriving in the Digital World. Yet, here they were, setting records with their rapid progress.
After finishing their meal, the group took turns using the portable showers Naruto had provided—another luxury that made them appreciate just how resourceful their leader was. Once they were refreshed, the Tamers spent time with their Digimon, checking on their condition and going over their progress from the previous battle.
Naruto, too, summoned his partners.
A red glow shimmered in the air before Asura materialized in front of him, stretching and yawning like a feline waking from a pleasant nap. His golden eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Good dreams?" Naruto asked with a smirk.
"Great dreams," Asura corrected, grinning. "That battle was amazing. I can feel my body trying to recreate the power surge from last night. My data digestion is already working on improving my base strength."
It was clear the battle had benefited him. After consuming the data of a Champion-level Digimon, Asura's power had surged. He was still a Rookie, but his growth was anything but normal.
Naruto nodded before glancing to the side. His other Digimon was already there, standing in silent observation.
Commandramon.
Unlike Asura, who radiated raw confidence, Commandramon was still, composed—like a soldier awaiting orders. He had only rested for a short while, adhering to the strict routine ingrained in him: brief sleep, rigorous training, strict meal schedules, and endless combat. It was all he had ever known.
Yet, there was a certain emptiness in his posture.
For the first time, he was without orders. Without a commanding officer. Without a mission.
"Asura, he's our new friend," Naruto introduced, answering the silent question in his first partner's eyes.
Asura's golden eyes flickered with understanding. He tilted his head slightly, sizing up the new Digimon. He could tell that Commandramon was weaker than him. That realization pleased him. While Asura wasn't hostile, he didn't want to risk losing his position as Naruto's first and strongest partner.
"Let's get along," Asura finally said, extending a clawed hand. "You can depend on me."
Commandramon didn't hesitate. His grip was firm but neutral, his gaze unwavering.
He had been cut off.
There was no more communication with the system. No commands. No protocols. The Digital Army had severed ties with him completely, as they did with any member who fell into enemy hands. They couldn't afford to have spies in their network.
Still, he had his training. He had his discipline. That would not change.
"How do you feel now?" Naruto asked, watching his new partner carefully.
Commandramon turned to him, expression unreadable.
"Adequate."
Naruto smirked. He reminded him of Sai—emotionally detached, a weapon rather than an individual. It wasn't surprising. Commandramon had been raised for war.
"I don't like calling you by that number," Naruto said, glancing at the identification on the Digimon's right shoulder.
A simple number. A designation.
Commandramon was taken aback. He had never questioned it before. He was Agent 998, a soldier among thousands. In the current system, new Commandramon were already being numbered in the ten-thousands.
He had outlived many of his comrades.
A name… that was something only given to Sealsdramon.
It was a strange, almost foreign concept to him.
"Rambo," Naruto said suddenly. "How does that sound?"
Commandramon blinked. His mind processed the word.
It was… different.
A name.
His name.
"…Rambo," he repeated, testing it on his tongue.
It felt strange. It felt unfamiliar.
But it also felt… right.
Naruto grinned. "Good. From now on, that's your name. You're not just a number anymore. You're your own Digimon."
Rambo didn't say anything for a long moment. Then, finally, he nodded.
A new beginning.
A new identity.
The Digital Army had cast him aside.
But now, he had a new squad. A new leader. A new mission.
And for the first time in his existence, he wasn't just following orders.
He was making a choice.
Asura tilted his head, his golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Master, where is the name from?"
Naruto chuckled, patting his first partner on the shoulder for playing the wingman in Rambo's introduction. "It's from a very old movie about a soldier who fought alone against a large force and won. It suits him, doesn't it?"
Asura hummed in thought. It was a strange name, different from anything he had ever heard. Commandramon—now Rambo—didn't recognize it either. It was possible that any Digimon that had formed based on that legend hadn't survived long enough to make an impact in the Digital World.
Regardless, the name had a strong presence. It wasn't weak or meaningless. It carried weight. It carried power.
"It is satisfactory," Rambo said, his voice even and controlled.
Asura raised an eyebrow. "Did I also talk like that?"
"Not exactly, but it's similar," Naruto admitted. "He'll change with time, so just talk with him."
With a small tap of his foot, the ground responded to Naruto's will, and chairs rose from it, seamlessly forming seats for them. "Sit down. Now we're going to talk about how things are going to be."
Naruto took his seat, and both Digimon followed his lead, sitting in a disciplined manner.
Rambo, still adjusting to this new environment, spoke first. "Leader, what is my role?"
The question was important to him—not just in terms of strategy, but for his very sense of self. He had always been assigned roles, tasks, and missions. Without a purpose, he felt... empty. It was all he had ever known.
Naruto could see the underlying issue right away. It was the same problem that affected many retired ninja—or even active ninja during peacetime. The feeling of aimlessness. The loss of structure. Without a purpose, many fell into depression.
"You will provide support to Asura in fights," Naruto answered, his voice firm yet understanding. "He's close-range, and you'll cover mid- and long-range combat. I'll also upgrade your equipment, and you'll follow a new training routine to help you grow stronger."
Rambo nodded but hesitated before speaking. "Leader, the training routine of the Brigade is perfect. It has gone through many tests." His tone was respectful, as if speaking to a commanding officer.
Naruto smirked. "It's good, but mine is better. Look at Asura, then look at yourself."
Rambo turned his head, analyzing Asura carefully. The difference was obvious. Asura radiated power far beyond a normal Rookie-level Digimon. His very body pulsed with energy, his flames alive and ever-shifting. The power gap between them was undeniable.
Rambo lowered his head slightly. "Apologies. I spoke out of turn."
Naruto waved it off. "No need to apologize. I like it when you speak for yourself. You don't have to be so uptight." His tone softened, taking on a fatherly warmth. "We'll train, and we'll have fun. From now on, you're one of us. You're family. We care for you, and when the time comes, we'll put our lives on the line for you if needed. Understood?"
Naruto had a gift—a way of breaking through people's walls and connecting with them on a deeper level. Some might call it manipulation, but to him, it was just understanding people and helping them see what they were missing. He could have been a politician, a psychiatrist, or a motivational speaker if life had gone differently.
Rambo, however, was struggling to process it.
He had never been part of something that functioned on emotions or friendship. The Brigade had always been simple. You followed orders. You fought. You won or you died. No room for attachment. No place for personal feelings.
Family.
He didn't know what it felt like.
But the way Naruto spoke… the way he looked at him… something tingled inside him. Something he had never experienced before. It was strange. Foreign. But he didn't dislike it.
After a long pause, he asked, "Isn't it better to leave the weak one as bait? Why give up your life for a replaceable pawn?"
Naruto shook his head. "We don't work like that. Family never leaves anyone behind. There's no such thing as 'replaceable' in a family. Everyone is unique, and everyone has their part to play. So just grow strong and happy with us."
Asura, sitting beside them, smiled faintly. He had learned these things before, but at first, they hadn't made sense. Back then, he had only understood power. But now, it was different. He had emotions. He had bonds. He could never abandon a friend.
Rambo was silent, absorbing the words. He didn't understand everything just yet. But he did understand one thing—this was a team that wouldn't discard its members.
It contradicted his training.
And yet, it made him feel better.
Strangely, it resonated with something deep inside him. The part of him that wasn't just a soldier—the part of him that was a dragon.
"Understood," Rambo finally said. "When do we start?"
Naruto studied Rambo carefully, his sharp eyes reading the Digimon's body language. He could see it—the hunger for power, the thirst for purpose. Rambo wanted to see results now. He wasn't the type to sit around talking about ideals and emotions.
That could come later. Right now, Naruto needed to leave a strong impression.
"Okay," he said with a nod, standing up as he dismissed the conjured seats. "We'll start now."
Asura watched from the side, interested in how his new teammate would grow. Rambo, meanwhile, remained still, but Naruto could feel his anticipation. He wanted this.
Without further delay, Naruto began upgrading Rambo's gear. Unlike Asura, who relied on raw power and physical combat, Rambo was trained in weaponry and tactics. He had technique—he just needed stronger tools.
With a flick of his hand, Naruto altered the Commandramon's standard gear, replacing it with equipment fit for a true warrior.
Rambo's body armor transformed, shifting into a reinforced dark blue and black combat suit. It was made from stronger, more durable material, resistant to both energy and kinetic attacks. The plating was heavier than before, but Naruto had also inscribed weight seals into the suit, ensuring that the added weight would push Rambo's physical growth.
A booster pack appeared on his back, granting enhanced mobility in battle.
Automatic shields formed on his wrists—barriers capable of absorbing attacks and deploying at will.
His combat knives grew larger and sharper, infused with a special cutting edge that could pierce through digital armor like butter.
His assault rifle was swapped out for a stronger model, one that had advanced tracking systems and could fire multiple types of ammunition.
His bombs were upgraded, giving him access to a variety of explosive types—flashbangs, EMPs, incendiaries, and even sticky bombs.
A sniper rifle appeared on his back, enhanced with superior range and armor-piercing capabilities. Beside it, an anti-tank rifle materialized—its firepower capable of taking down even Ultimate-level Digimon with precise shots.
Finally, Naruto equipped Rambo with a set of small, high-speed drones for reconnaissance and tactical support. These machines would allow him to scout ahead, locate enemies, and provide battlefield intelligence.
The transformation was already impressive, but Naruto wasn't done yet.
He placed his hand on Rambo's armored chest, and golden chakra flared to life, surrounding the Digimon in a warm, powerful glow. Naruto's energy seeped into his body, healing every hidden wound, restoring his strength, and leaving traces of power in every fiber of his being.
Rambo felt it—an overwhelming surge of energy, more potent than anything he had ever experienced. It was controlled, calculated, and perfectly tuned to his body's limit. His muscles felt denser, his reflexes sharper. His very core had been enhanced beyond anything the Brigade's training had ever achieved.
It was far beyond any super serum or temporary boost he had received in the past.
When the process was complete, Rambo stood in silence, examining himself.
He looked ready for war.
Even Asura, who had fought countless battles, was impressed. "Damn… Now you really look the part."
Rambo clenched his fists, feeling the new power coursing through him. He was no longer just a soldier—he was a walking arsenal, a force of destruction ready to carve his own path.
He looked up at Naruto, his red visor gleaming.
"This… is beyond expectations." His voice carried something new—excitement.
Naruto smirked. "Good. Then let's put it to the test."