The silence continued.
Finally, Enma spoke, "Fire Country, you say?" He couldn't see the concealed headband beneath Arthur's jacket, seemingly accepting the information without question. "They say a wise warrior knows his enemies. But do you, young one, know what you're asking of us?"
"I believe the Ōtsutsuki clan poses a threat not just to the Fire Country but to all who value peace and balance. This jungle would be a prime target for their exploitation. We can help each other."
Enma led him to the room he was in. It looked more like an office.
He leaned back in his chair, steeping his fingers in a gesture of contemplation.
"Helping each other, eh? A noble sentiment, but one that requires careful consideration. We primates live in harmony with nature, taking only what we need. We are not all capable of fighting, not in the traditional sense."
Arthur understood that although Enma wasn't dismissing him outright, he was opening a room for negotiation.
"But," Enma continued in a firm voice, "we can defend what is ours. We are strong, resourceful, and fiercely protective of our home. Tell me, young one, what role do you see yourself playing in this defense?"
Arthur met Enma's gaze head-on before answering.
"I may not be a warrior like you, but I understand the Ōtsutsuki's tactics. I can help you strategize. Perhaps, more importantly, I can learn from you and your deep connection to this land. Let us combine our strengths so that we might stand a chance."
Enma's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of learning. So he asked, "Learn from us? What exactly do you propose to learn, young one?"
Arthur had already formulated a plan in his mind. This wasn't just about warning the primates about the Ōtsutsuki; it was about gaining the knowledge and skills to survive.
"I'd like to learn the ways of the jungle," he declared. "Your connection to this land, your understanding of nature's power—these are things that could be invaluable."
Enma stared at him for a moment, as if searching for any hidden motives. Arthur, however, remained calm.
Then, just as Enma was about to agree, a door at the back of the room slammed open with a bang.
A female gorilla with tall and broad shoulders strode into the room. Red lipstick painted her full lips, and she wore an emerald dress, far too ornate for the jungle setting.
"Honey!" she boomed. "What in the name of the Great Banyan Tree is going on here? Who is this boy you're fraternizing with?"
"Now, Nala," he began, using a placating tone, "this is Alex, a prophet. He brought us a message… a warning from Elder—"
Nala scoffed, interrupting him as she said, "A message? And what does that confused old macaque have to say—that brought about this undisclosed meeting between you two—without my approval?"
Enma cleared his throat to answer, "The message concerns... a potential threat. From outsiders."
Nala's posture stiffened. Her hand instinctively went to a dagger strapped to her thigh, panicking, "Outsiders? What outsiders? Are you suggesting someone dares to invade our territory?"
Arthur, unsure of the protocol, remained silent, letting Enma handle the situation.
Enma sighed again, saying, "Nala, please calm yourself. There's no need for panic. This young boy simply—"
Nala interrupted him with a hand, saying, "You allowed a young boy in our jungle? Without my consent?! Absolutely not! Honey, you know my stance on outsiders. They bring nothing but trouble. This one can take his message and his prophecy and... well, take them somewhere else!"
Enma straightened in his chair, saying in a firm voice, "Nala, Elder Pepé wouldn't send someone here without reason. Perhaps we should hear him out before making hasty decisions."
Nala glared at Arthur with a disapproving frown.
"Hear him out?" she repeated.
"... Hear him out," Enma finished, trying to be easygoing.
Nala, however, wasn't convinced. In a deep scowl, she said, "Hear him out? No, Enma. We don't need words from an outsider. What we need is proof!"
Arthur's made the connection. This character was undoubtedly Enma's wife.
He had never seen or heard of Enma having one, but it was clear that she was behaving just like monkeys from the earth—territorial. She was clearly not as open to reason as Enma.
Arthur braced himself for dismissal, but Nala surprised him.
Instead of ordering him out, her gaze hardened as she asked, "Are you strong, boy?"
"I wouldn't call myself strong," he admitted honestly. "But I am resourceful and quick-thinking."
Nala's lips curled into a smirk. This unexpected humbleness seemed to pique her interest.
"Resourceful, eh? Interesting. Perhaps you do have something to offer after all." She strode towards him. "I propose a test. A test of strength, agility, and perhaps even a bit of wit. If you pass, I will concede to hearing your message. If you fail—" she trailed off, but the glint in her eyes spoke volumes.
Before she could even finish, Arthur answered, "I won't... I accept your test."
A test from monkeys had never been witnessed in this world before. But regardless of what it was—arm wrestling, tree climbing—Arthur wouldn't back down.
"Good! You have five days to prepare, boy. Prove yourself worthy, young one. Prove you have something to offer beyond words. Then, and only then, will I think about letting you dwell in the village."
She turned to Enma, who remained silent throughout this exchange. There was a conflicted look on his face. Clearly, he wasn't eager to go against Nala's wishes, but Arthur's arrival and Elder Pepé's message were things he couldn't ignore.
"Nala," Enma hesitated, "perhaps we should..."
Nala cut him off with a sharp glare, saying, "This is settled, dear. Now, you," she pointed at Arthur, "you will find lodging outside our city walls. Return in five days, and we shall see what you're truly made of."
Arthur looked toward Enma for some assurance. But the king, caught between his wife and the weight of the prophecy, could only offer a helpless shrug.
Five days in their jungle? That was simply too much time for Arthur to conduct his affairs.
With a resigned nod, he stepped back. He was, by all means, going to play by Nala's rules. Perhaps not fair for the average Joe, but Arthur was by no means average.
After making things official with Riku and departing the town, he walked to the dense jungle looming before him. An untamed wilderness would now be his temporary home. He had five days to prepare for a duel against a queen gorilla, a challenge that seemed utterly ludicrous but was somehow his only path forward.
He pressed on, interlacing his way through the undergrowth until the sounds of the primate city faded.
When he emerged, it was into a clearing with sunlight dappling on the grassy floor. Activating his Tamashii, he scanned his surroundings. No immediate threats, no territorial beasts, and no curious primates.
This strange world held its fair share of dangers, of which there was no doubt. But Arthur, having experienced such threats, wasn't easily intimidated.
He had faced worse.
Survival instincts kicked in. Time to put his limited knowledge to the test.
Glancing around the clearing, his eyes fell upon a small stream gurgling its way through mossy rocks. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.
He walked closer and saw freshwater fish. Unlike their saltwater counterparts, they were surprisingly simple to catch with one's bare hands. It was something he had done before.
He waited patiently, observing the water for any signs of movement. A flash of silver caught his eye: a small fish darted out from behind a rock.
It darted towards a clump of weeds, then paused. An effortless opportunity.
With a swift movement, his hand plunged into the water, and his fingers closed around the slippery fish, its struggle apparent. He held on tight, dragging his prize out of the water and onto the earth.
A meager catch, but enough to sustain him for now.
He carefully cleaned the fish by the stream.
Building a fire without tools was slightly trickier, but nothing impossible since he had chakra.
He gathered dry leaves and twigs, carefully arranging them into a small pile. Then came the most crucial part: creating a spark.
Using shuriken, kunai, flint, and a roll of bandages tucked in his bag, he created sparks on the dry tinder. It took some tries, but a spark caught hold, igniting a small ember.
Gently, he cupped his hands around the nascent flame until it became a crackling fire.
Shelter, food, and fire—he had secured the basic necessities for survival without wasting any precious daylight. In doing so, he gave glory to God, remembering that all things are possible with Christ.
Now came the difficult part: planning.
Arthur sat back against a moss-covered log. Nala's challenge was to be expected, considering most monkeys were territorial creatures.
What he wondered was whether she wanted a brutal fight to the death or was going to make him run an obstacle course designed to test his agility.
One thing was certain: brute strength wasn't going to be enough. He needed to be creative and strategic. Not for her challenge per se, but for their entire village.
He needed to understand the way this society operated and how it came into existence.
But before he could delve deeper into strategy, he began to feel exhausted. The events of the day—the journey from the mountaintop, the encounter with Enma and Nala—had all taken their toll.
He stretched his muscles and listened to the sound of nocturnal creatures beginning to gather.
He then glanced at the setting sun. Five days. That's all he had. Five days to prepare.
It was a daunting task, but Arthur had faced tougher odds before.
He leaned back against the log, nearing the warmth of the fire, casting a glow on his face. He then closed his eyes to take a quick rest.
As the last rays of sunlight faded, Arthur rose to his feet. There was no time to sleep just yet. Shelter was the next priority.
He scanned the surroundings, his eyes falling on a cluster of tall trees with thick branches.
Shelter was about protection from the elements. Without making haste, he began to climb. The training he'd done to tree climb came in handy.
He ascended quickly until he reached a branch thick enough to hold his weight. At the very top, Arthur paused for a moment. The jungle stretched out before him, a vast canvas painted in shades of dark green and brown.
It was somewhat of a lonely feeling, but he had no need for comrades.
Dwelling on what-ifs wouldn't get him anywhere. He needed to focus on the present, on surviving, and ultimately, on destroying the world.
Relaxing, he reached a network of branches that formed a natural platform. With all its leaves and twigs gathered, he fashioned a makeshift bed, arranging them in a way that offered some comfort.
The night almost felt alive with the chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl. The moon seemed perpetual, bathing the entire jungle in a soft glow.
Despite the unfamiliar surroundings and the uncertainty of things, a sense of peace settled over Arthur. He was alone, but he wasn't hopeless. He had skills, knowledge, and, most importantly, his faith in Christ.
As the first rays of dawn shone, Arthur woke refreshed. The fire had died down to embers during his rest. Hunger could be felt, but he ignored it for now.
Today wasn't worth wasting.
He rummaged through his belongings. Aside from his few spare tools, he had brought very little. Nonetheless, it was enough to work with.
He spent the day practicing advance taijutsu movements that he witnessed in the Exams. His body was more than capable of executing the moves, flowing with refinement that belied his lack of weapons.
When he was done, he honed one of his two Kekkei Genkais. The ability to turn into smoke that most couldn't counter was quite invaluable.
He practiced the focusing smoke technique to be faster and more conspicuous, pushing it to its limits, striving to achieve a perfect level that would give him an edge.
As the sun began its descent, Arthur paused in his training. He had adapted—learned to thrive like no other. He was ready, or at least as ready as he could be, for whatever this world could surprise him with.
The question remained: how exactly did the Cayman Jungles come to be? Was it simply crafted by Elysium's AI, or was it a real thing that the writers of Naruto neglected to showcase?
Then, an idea came to Arthur's mind.
Perhaps he could turn this secret realm to his advantage. Perhaps he could use it for a grander purpose. Surely no other player would know about it except him.
And if this were the case, they would have no way to counter his trump card.
As the first stars began to show, Arthur sat by his fire, determined not to let the Cayman Jungle drift from his hands.
Regardless of whether the primates accepted him or not, he would destroy anyone who opposed his might.