The forest where the battle had taken place was now the training ground for Naruto and his team. The ground was still scarred from their previous fight, a testament to the intensity of their battles. Naruto had chosen this place deliberately—every shattered tree, every scorched patch of earth was a reminder of what they had faced and how much stronger they needed to become.
Asura, his body having grown significantly stronger after the last fight, could now lift ten tonnes without much strain. Naruto noted the improvement but knew it wasn't enough. With a simple gesture, he reinforced Asura's training weights, making them even heavier. Strength alone wasn't the goal—he needed his team to be adaptable, to withstand pressure at all times.
For comparison, Naruto himself was currently moving under the pressure of one thousand tonnes without tapping into his full power. If he did, his body could withstand five thousand tonnes with ease. Digimon were creatures of immense power, and their strength varied greatly. Most Champion-level Digimon could lift anywhere between one thousand and twenty thousand tonnes, while Ultimate-level Digimon could casually move mountains. Mega-level Digimon were in an entirely different class, capable of lifting celestial bodies like the moon—or even the Earth itself. And beyond them were the Ultra-level Digimon, whose strength was so vast that even such feats were effortless, as if everything they touched were as light as a feather.
Naruto understood the scale of power they were dealing with, and he refused to let his team fall behind.
Using his elemental control, Naruto prepared the area for training. He conjured roaring flames, intense and scorching, feeding them directly into Asura, Rambo, and Arthur. These were not ordinary flames but ones crafted specifically for their growth. Naruto's flames could reach temperatures of six thousand degrees, containing immense amounts of energy. They weren't just hot—they were dense, filled with concentrated power that Digimon could absorb.
For Asura, these flames were like lifeblood, strengthening the very core of his existence. Normal Meramon were typically born in areas with temperatures between two thousand and six thousand degrees, but Asura was evolving beyond those limits. As Naruto's flames grew in potency, so did Asura.
It was a fortunate thing that Naruto could generate these flames freely. In the human world, he had never been able to experiment without restraint, but here, he was free to push his limits. Every moment spent refining his abilities was another step forward, another piece of his potential unlocked.
Once they had finished absorbing the energy, the real training began.
With the added weight pressing down on their bodies, they ran through an obstacle course designed by Naruto himself. It wasn't just about endurance—it was about agility, control, and pushing beyond their limits. The ground shifted beneath them, forcing them to adapt. Fire, wind, and stone became unpredictable obstacles in their path.
They ran countless rounds, pushing themselves further with each lap. The moment their muscles screamed for relief, Naruto allowed them a short break—but only for a moment. As soon as they caught their breath, they dove straight into the next phase of training.
Close-combat drills followed, each move refined through battle. Asura had improved tremendously, but he still lacked the experience needed to truly master his abilities. Rambo, on the other hand, was already well-versed in close-quarters combat, and he quickly adjusted to his new fighting style.
Once they had gone through countless exchanges, Naruto switched gears. Now, it was time to refine their techniques further.
Rambo needed to master his new equipment, and Naruto personally oversaw his adjustments. His enhanced armor, upgraded weapons, drones, and shields had changed the way he fought, and he needed to integrate them seamlessly into his combat style. Meanwhile, Asura worked on honing his flames and chains, refining his control until his attacks became second nature.
Naruto handled all of this without the use of shadow clones—he didn't need them. Instead, he relied on a far simpler trick, using illusionary projections created with Academy-style Clone Jutsu. Unlike real clones, these were just images, but they moved and acted according to his will, allowing him to split his attention across multiple tasks.
In truth, Naruto didn't need clones to multitask. His mind was already capable of splitting into ten separate thought processes, allowing him to be in multiple places at once without losing focus. It was this ability that let him train Rambo and Asura simultaneously while also refining his own techniques.
Even as his partners pushed themselves to the limit, Naruto worked on his own growth. He pushed his chakra to its limits, forcing his body to adapt faster, making his reserves grow even further.
After another round of training and a well-earned break, Naruto called for a sparring session. This time, the human partners began stepping back, allowing their Digimon to take center stage. The bond between Tamer and Digimon was growing, and their coordination was improving.
Instead of fighting directly, the Tamers took on a support role, using cards to enhance their partners. It was a step toward the ultimate goal—Bio-Merging.
Naruto knew that once they achieved that level, everything would change. Their abilities would evolve to an entirely different level, allowing them to merge with their Digimon and unlock their full potential. Until that day, they had to keep pushing forward.
Goku, too, was part of this training. Ever since Young had joined his life, his growth had accelerated. Naruto had enhanced him, and now Goku had reached an incredibly high level of power.
During training, something within Goku clicked. It was an instinctual realization, a moment of clarity. He wasn't at the end of his path yet, but for the first time, he felt how far he could go. The destination was still distant, but now he understood the road ahead.
Goku had always had an affinity for wind-based abilities, but he had never truly refined them. Naruto took this time to help him unlock his true potential in wind manipulation. Meanwhile, Luna continued working on a different path, striving to merge the opposing forces of Yin and Yang.
Naruto had long since mastered the concept of Yin-Yang energy, though he rarely used its advanced applications. He could form Yin-Yang Discs and Balls, malleable black-and-white constructs with incredible durability. However, true Yin-Yang techniques were incredibly costly to use. The weaker versions were simply dense and flexible, but the real ones…
The real ones could rewrite existence itself.
Despite this, Naruto preferred using natural elemental forces in battle. It was more efficient, more sustainable. But in the right circumstances, when he found himself in an environment rich in Yin-Yang energy, he could tap into its full power.
For now, he would let Luna take the lead in exploring those abilities. She was beginning to grasp the delicate balance between creation and destruction, light and darkness.
The training continued deep into the night.
Every punch, every flame, every clash of steel and chakra—everything brought them closer to perfection.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of deep violet and gold, the warmth of the crackling campfire wrapped around the four friends. They had trained hard all day, pushing their Digimon to new heights, and now it was time to relax. The air smelled of roasted meat, courtesy of Naruto's hunting skills, and a gentle breeze rustled the trees around them.
Naruto stretched his arms behind his head, leaning back against a log. "Man, nothing beats a campfire after a long day. Good food, good company, and the peaceful sounds of nature."
Takato nodded, poking the fire with a stick. "Yeah, it's nice. Makes everything feel… normal, you know?"
"Speak for yourself," Rika smirked, shooting him a sideways glance. "You're the one still getting used to all this."
Takato chuckled. "Hey, I've adjusted a lot! But, you gotta admit, going from being a normal kid to fighting in a digital war is kind of a big jump."
Henry, who had been quietly sipping on a drink, smiled. "That's an understatement."
Naruto grinned. "Eh, you get used to it. Especially when you've got people you care about backing you up."
Takato glanced at him, a teasing glint in his eye. "Speaking of people you care about, how's it feel to be officially dating Rika now?"
Naruto barely had time to react before Rika gave Takato a glare. "Excuse me?"
Takato held up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just saying, it's a big deal! I mean, everyone saw it coming, but still—"
Naruto smirked, slipping an arm around Rika's shoulders just to see her reaction. "Feels great, actually. She's amazing."
Rika gave him a deadpan look before elbowing him in the ribs—though not hard enough to actually hurt. "Don't push it, whiskers."
Henry shook his head, chuckling. "I gotta admit, it was a surprise when you two actually got together."
Takato nodded. "Yeah! I mean, Rika always acted like she didn't care about romance, but look at her now."
Rika crossed her arms, leaning back against Naruto but pretending it was just coincidence. "It's not a big deal."
"Oh, it's a huge deal," Naruto teased. "She's all tsundere about it, but deep down, she loves it."
Rika shot him a glare, but there was the faintest tint of pink on her cheeks. "Keep talking, and I'll make sure you sleep in the dirt tonight."
Takato laughed. "See? Classic tsundere."
Henry smirked. "It's actually kind of cute."
Rika groaned. "Not you too."
Naruto grinned. "Face it, Rika, you're officially one of us now. You can't escape the teasing."
Rika sighed, rubbing her temples. "I regret everything."
Takato leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You know, that just leaves Henry. He's the only one left without a girlfriend."
Naruto's grin widened as he turned to Henry. "Oh yeah, that's right! My man, what's the deal? You've got the cool and collected vibe going on, girls should be all over you."
Henry sighed dramatically. "Not this again."
"Oh, definitely this again," Rika smirked. "Even Takato got a girlfriend before you."
Takato blinked. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"
Rika shrugged. "You know exactly what it means."
Takato grumbled, crossing his arms. "Just because I needed a little push…"
Naruto patted Henry's back. "Don't worry, bro. We'll find you a nice girl. Maybe a cute hacker type? Or maybe someone who's secretly a martial artist—"
"Or maybe," Henry interrupted, giving them all a flat look, "I'll find someone when I'm ready, and you guys won't have anything to tease me about."
Takato grinned. "Oh, we'll still find something."
Naruto nodded sagely. "That's just how friendship works."
Henry shook his head with a chuckle. "Why do I even put up with you guys?"
Rika smirked. "Because you love us."
Henry sighed, but there was a small smile on his lips. "Yeah, yeah."
The fire crackled, filling the silence that followed. Despite all the teasing, there was warmth in their words—a closeness that had only grown stronger with time. They had been through so much together, and no matter what happened next, they would always have each other's backs.
As the flames flickered, casting their shadows against the trees, the four of them sat together under the digital night sky, laughter and friendship carrying them through the night.
The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows over the quiet campsite. The others had long since drifted into sleep, leaving Naruto alone with the night—at least, that's how it seemed. But he knew better. He could feel the weight of a familiar gaze on him, one that had been lingering from the moment the others had dozed off.
A knowing smirk tugged at his lips. "You can come out now, Ruri."
From the darkness, a figure emerged with effortless grace, moving like a whisper in the wind. Ruri Mercury stepped into the firelight, her golden eyes reflecting the flames as she regarded him with that usual cool, unreadable expression. But there was something more in her gaze tonight—something softer, something deeper.
"You're too perceptive for your own good," she murmured, stepping closer, her voice carrying a subtle warmth that wasn't always there. "But I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less."
Naruto chuckled, tilting his head up to look at her. "It's not just perception, Ruri. I can feel you." His voice dropped slightly, teasing but laced with sincerity. "You think I wouldn't notice when my lover is watching me so intently?"
Ruri's lips curved into the smallest of smiles, but she didn't answer right away. Instead, she lowered herself gracefully, kneeling beside him, so close that he could feel the faint warmth of her body.
"I wasn't just watching," she admitted after a pause, her voice softer now. "I was waiting."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Waiting for what?"
Her golden eyes locked onto his, unblinking. "For everyone else to fall asleep."
A slow grin spread across his face. "Oh? And what exactly do you plan to do now that they have?"
For the first time that night, Ruri's composed mask faltered just slightly. Not out of hesitation, but because her feelings were too strong to be hidden. Slowly, she reached forward, her fingers ghosting over his hand before finally intertwining with his.
"I don't get much time like this," she confessed, voice barely above a whisper. "Not when duty always comes first. Not when I have to stay in the shadows while others get to be by your side openly."
Naruto squeezed her hand gently, his teasing demeanor giving way to something more serious, more tender. "You're always by my side, Ruri. Whether in the light or the shadows—it doesn't matter."
Ruri let out a soft breath, her fingers tightening around his as she leaned in just slightly, close enough that he could see the flicker of emotions in her golden eyes. "It matters to me," she murmured. "I don't want to just watch over you from afar. I want to be with you, Naruto. Not just as your maid. Not just as your protector. But as your woman."
Naruto's eyes darkened slightly, his grip on her hand tightening. "You already are," he told her, his voice firm. "You've always been."
Ruri searched his face for a moment before she moved closer, closing the small distance between them. Her free hand lifted, brushing against his cheek as her fingers traced along his jaw. "Then let me have this moment," she whispered, her breath warm against his lips.
Naruto didn't hesitate. He closed the final gap between them, capturing her lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. Ruri melted into him, her usual guarded nature slipping away as she allowed herself to be vulnerable, to be open. Her hand slid into his hair, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened, slow yet filled with unspoken promises.
When they finally pulled away, Ruri's breath was slightly uneven, her golden eyes filled with something raw and unguarded. Naruto rested his forehead against hers, his thumb tracing slow circles against the back of her hand.
"You don't have to wait for moments like these," he murmured against her lips. "You can have them whenever you want."
Ruri's lips curved into a soft smile, one meant only for him. "Then I'll take them," she whispered, her voice carrying a quiet determination. "Every chance I get."
Naruto chuckled, pulling her against him, letting her rest against his chest as the fire continued to crackle softly beside them. The night stretched on, and for once, Ruri didn't think about duty or responsibility.
Tonight, she was simply his.