The mist clung to the valley floor like a living blanket, curling around rocks and twisted trees. Naruto advanced cautiously, the faint hum of his sword's demonic aura cutting through the silence. Each step echoed with purpose, a hunter marking his path. Even restrained, the golden flames of the Kyubi stirred beneath his skin, a reminder of the power coiled within him, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
The landscape was alien, filled with jagged cliffs, twisted ruins, and the faint stench of death. This world did not adhere to the rules he had known; its demons were crueler, unpredictable. But Naruto had learned quickly—patience and observation were as vital as strength.
A sudden rustle caught his attention. From the shadows, several small demons skittered forward, blackened claws scraping the cracked stones. Their eyes glimmered with malice.
Naruto crouched, drawing the sword in a single fluid motion. The crossguard's spiral and skulls seemed to shiver with anticipation. He felt the faint pulse of the Kyubi urging him on, whispering strategies he might not have thought of alone.
With a swift arc, the jagged edges tore through the first demon. The others hissed and lunged, but Naruto was already moving, pivoting, striking with precision. The sword's demonic aura flared slightly, enough to force the last of them to retreat. He exhaled slowly, keeping the Chakra Link Form dormant for now. Even a short surge was draining in this world where chakra was scarce.
The valley opened into a wider plain, littered with ruined buildings and the remnants of a battlefield. He could feel it—something larger, older, and far more dangerous stirring beneath the ground. Naruto flexed his claws, the magatama on his collarbone glowing faintly as his heartbeat synced with the Kyubi's.
"This is where legends are born," he murmured.
Night fell quickly, the sun disappearing behind jagged peaks. The shadows lengthened, and Naruto's golden eyes glowed faintly, catching movement in the distance. Two figures emerged from the fog—humans, but not ordinary ones. They moved with purpose, weapons drawn, aura sharpened.
Naruto tensed. They weren't here to hunt him—they were hunters themselves. He could sense the precision, the confidence in their stance. One had long, dark hair and sharp features, her eyes scanning the valley for threats. The other was smaller, agile, and moved with a grace that suggested skill over brute force.
Future allies, he thought. Or future rivals.
He did not approach, instead observing from the shadows. The two hunters—though they did not notice him yet—were undoubtedly experienced. They spoke in low tones, planning, strategizing. Naruto's instincts told him they were competent, and their aura hinted at hidden power.
As he stepped silently onto a ridge above them, he allowed a faint smile. Patience. The time to reveal myself will come.
The night deepened, and the two hunters disappeared into the valley. Naruto lowered his stance, the Kyubi's energy settling into a coiled readiness. He sheathed his sword slowly, the jagged edges glinting in the moonlight. There was work to do. He would hunt the smaller demons first, learn the patterns, and prepare for the larger threats that lurked in the shadows.
He moved eastward again, over rough terrain and through ruined settlements. Villagers were sparse, terrified, or long gone. When he passed abandoned structures, he could feel the residual energy of past battles, a faint echo of lives lost. Each encounter honed his senses, strengthened his resolve, and deepened his bond with the Kyubi.
By the time he reached a small ridge overlooking a river, he paused. The valley below was shrouded in fog, but faint, unnatural ripples hinted at creatures lurking beneath the surface. Naruto crouched, placing a clawed hand on the ground. The chakra within him pulsed faintly, sensing disturbance in the natural energy of the world—a world where demons thrived unchecked.
He allowed himself a brief moment to summon a fraction of the Kyubi's chakra, enough to extend his awareness without entering full Chakra Link Form. His vision sharpened, the golden flames beneath his skin flickering softly. He could see movements in the mist—figures darting between shadows, waiting, watching. Predators in a predator's world.
Naruto's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Looks like they're ready for me. Good. I'm ready for them too."
Hours passed as he tracked these lesser demons, testing his sword, timing his attacks, and learning the limits of his power in this foreign world. Even without using full Chakra Link Mode, his golden aura flared occasionally, letting him strike with precision and control. Every battle was a lesson, every victory a step closer to mastering the delicate balance between him and the Kyubi.
As dawn broke, Naruto paused on a cliff overlooking the plains. The fog had lifted slightly, revealing the jagged ruins of a city long abandoned, but faint signs of demonic life still lingered. He felt a flicker of something in the distance—movement, but not natural. A hint of intelligence, planning, perhaps a greater threat waiting to rise.
He adjusted the strap of his sword and flexed his claws. The magatama glowed faintly, the swirl over his stomach pulsing like a heartbeat.
Soon, he thought, eyes narrowing. Soon, I'll find the ones worthy of testing my full strength.
For now, Naruto continued eastward, every step deliberate, every motion controlled. Alone, yet not powerless. The Kyubi stirred in quiet anticipation, ready for the day when its full power would be unleashed. The world was vast, dangerous, and unforgiving, but Naruto's resolve burned brighter than any flame: he would carve his legend, face every demon, and become a force unmatched.
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