Published at 16th of September 2024 4:14 pm

Chapter 37 Lost in Reality: Naruto's New Mission

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Naruto walked through the bustling streets of the modern city, his orange jumpsuit drawing stares from the people around him, but he had grown used to it. The strangeness of this world was becoming familiar—cars, smartphones, televisions—but what he still couldn’t get used to was the lack of chakra. The life energy that had once been an integral part of him was now gone, leaving him feeling powerless. Despite this, he had a mission, and his resolve hadn’t wavered.

Finding the portal that could take him back home was only part of the challenge. Akihiro had told him about the "Lost Ruins," a dangerous and abandoned city where the boundaries between dimensions were thin. It was Naruto’s best chance to return to the Hidden Leaf Village, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to help this world before he could leave it behind.

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Days turned into weeks, and Naruto had begun to understand more about this world. People here didn’t rely on chakra but on technology, a kind of power that allowed them to communicate, travel, and even fight wars. The conflicts were still the same—greed, power, division—but without the teachings of shinobi clans or the guiding influence of ninja villages, the world was falling into chaos.

Naruto spent his nights training, trying to access even a flicker of chakra. He pushed his body to its limits, attempting to summon his strength, but it was as if a wall blocked his access to that energy. Kurama, the nine-tailed fox, remained silent inside him, his powerful chakra unreachable. Without his abilities, Naruto had to rely on his physical strength, speed, and instincts—all of which were still formidable.

Despite his lack of chakra, Naruto couldn’t resist getting involved in this world’s problems. One night, while wandering the outskirts of the city, he came across a group of young people being harassed by a gang of thugs. The sight reminded him of how he used to be bullied back in the village as a kid. Without thinking, Naruto intervened, his fists moving faster than the gang could react.

In just a few seconds, they were on the ground, groaning in pain. Naruto stood tall, dusting his hands off, his eyes blazing with determination.

“You don’t have to do that,” he said to the kids, who looked at him with wide, astonished eyes. “Don’t let them push you around. Stand up for yourselves.”

They thanked him profusely, but one boy lingered, his eyes filled with curiosity and admiration. His name was Kenji, a teenager with messy brown hair and a defiant look in his eyes.

“That was incredible! How did you do that?” Kenji asked, his excitement bubbling over. “You moved so fast, like some kind of superhero!”

Naruto scratched the back of his head, embarrassed by the attention. “Ah, it’s nothing special. Just years of training and fighting bad guys back where I’m from.”

Kenji’s eyes lit up. “You’re not from here, are you?”

Naruto nodded, his face growing more serious. “Nope. But that’s a long story. Anyway, you should head home and stay out of trouble.”

Kenji, however, was persistent. “I want to be like you! Can you teach me how to fight like that?”

Naruto blinked. For a moment, Kenji’s eagerness reminded him of himself as a kid, always wanting to be stronger, always wanting to prove something. A smile tugged at Naruto’s lips.

“Alright, Kenji. I’ll teach you some things, but it’s not gonna be easy. You ready for that?”

Kenji’s face broke into a wide grin. “Yes!”

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Over the following weeks, Naruto began teaching Kenji basic martial arts and self-defense. They met in an old, abandoned park near the outskirts of the city, away from prying eyes. As they trained, Naruto couldn’t help but feel a sense of purpose. Even if he couldn’t use chakra, he could still make a difference.

But something was off. Every day, Kenji seemed more anxious, more distracted. Naruto noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the way his hands trembled when they weren’t training. One evening, after a particularly intense session, Naruto decided to confront him.

“Kenji, what’s going on?” Naruto asked, crossing his arms. “You’ve been acting weird lately. You’re not telling me something.”

Kenji looked away, his face clouded with worry. “It’s… my sister. She’s in trouble.”

Naruto’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of trouble?”

Kenji hesitated, then finally spoke. “There’s this group… They’re powerful, dangerous. They’ve been taking people from our neighborhood. My sister… she was one of them.”

Naruto’s stomach dropped. “Taking people? For what?”

“I don’t know,” Kenji replied, his voice trembling. “But they’re connected to the government, I think. They call themselves ‘The Syndicate.’ They control everything from the shadows—money, power, everything. They’re untouchable.”

Naruto’s jaw clenched. This world had its own kind of Akatsuki—an organization that thrived on fear and control. And just like before, Naruto wasn’t going to stand by and let innocent people suffer.

“Where’s their base?” Naruto asked, his voice steely.

Kenji looked at him in surprise. “You can’t take them on! They’re too dangerous. They have weapons, technology—stuff you’ve never seen before.”

Naruto smirked. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve fought scarier things. Now tell me where they are.”

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Naruto and Kenji scouted the Syndicate’s hideout, a sprawling complex hidden within the industrial sector of the city. Security was tight, with armed guards patrolling the perimeter and surveillance cameras everywhere. Kenji had been right—this wasn’t going to be easy. Without his ninja abilities, Naruto had to rely on his wits and physical prowess.

Together, they devised a plan. Naruto would create a diversion, drawing the guards away while Kenji snuck inside to find his sister. The plan was risky, but Naruto thrived on risk.

As night fell, the operation began.

Naruto sprinted toward the gates, drawing the guards’ attention with a loud shout. “Hey! Over here!” he yelled, punching one of the guards who got too close. The others reacted immediately, guns raised as they charged after him.

Even without chakra, Naruto’s speed and agility were unmatched. He weaved through the guards’ attacks, taking them down one by one with swift punches and kicks. He couldn’t help but grin—this felt like the old days, fighting off enemies with nothing but his fists and his willpower.

Meanwhile, Kenji slipped inside the building, his heart pounding in his chest. He navigated the dark corridors, avoiding the security cameras and guards as best he could. Finally, he reached a large steel door, and beyond it, the sound of muffled voices.

Kenji pushed the door open, revealing a cold, sterile room filled with people—civilians, young and old, shackled to the walls. And there, in the far corner, was his sister, her face pale and frightened.

“Kenji!” she gasped.

He rushed to her, freeing her from the restraints. “We’re getting out of here,” Kenji whispered, his hands shaking as he undid the chains.

Just as they were about to leave, a loud alarm blared through the building. Kenji froze. They had been discovered.

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Outside, Naruto was in the middle of a fierce brawl with the remaining guards when he heard the alarm. His eyes narrowed. “Kenji…” he muttered under his breath. He had to get to the kid before it was too late.

Naruto raced toward the building, bursting through the doors just in time to see Kenji and his sister cornered by a group of heavily armed men. But these weren’t ordinary guards—they were outfitted with high-tech gear, their eyes glowing with an eerie red light. It reminded Naruto of the scientific ninja tools he had encountered before, but much more advanced.

“Step away from them!” Naruto shouted, planting himself between Kenji and the attackers.

The lead figure, a tall man with a cold, calculating gaze, smirked. “You must be the one causing all the trouble. Too bad your little heroics end here.”

Naruto cracked his knuckles, grinning despite the odds. “You have no idea who you’re messing with.”

The battle was swift and brutal. Without chakra, Naruto had to rely entirely on his martial skills and reflexes, but even these enhanced soldiers were no match for his determination. Blow after blow, Naruto fought through the Syndicate’s elite, pushing himself harder than ever.

With a final burst of strength, he knocked out the last of the soldiers, leaving them sprawled across the floor.

Breathing heavily, Naruto turned to Kenji and his sister. “Let’s get out of here.”

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Later that night, after they had safely escaped the Syndicate’s hideout, Naruto sat with Kenji and his sister in a small, run-down apartment. The danger wasn’t over—the Syndicate would come after them—but for now, they were safe.

Kenji looked at Naruto, awe and gratitude shining in his eyes. “You saved us. I don’t know how to thank you.”

Naruto smiled, though his mind was already racing ahead. “Don’t worry about it. Just stay safe. I’ve got more work to do.”

Kenji’s sister leaned forward. “Are you leaving?”

Naruto nodded. “Yeah. I’ve got to find a way back to my own world. But I’m not done here yet. Not until I make sure this Syndicate is finished.”

As he spoke, Naruto felt something stir inside him—a faint flicker of chakra. His eyes widened. It wasn’t much, but it was there. His connection to his powers was returning, slowly but surely.

Naruto clenched his fists, feeling that familiar warmth flow through him. He grinned, his resolve stronger than ever.

“I’m going to take them down,” Naruto said, his voice filled with determination. “And then, I’ll find my way home.”

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To be continued...

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