The warehouse sat silent under the moonlight, a hulking silhouette against the dim city skyline. Inside, dust and debris floated lazily in shafts of pale light that filtered through cracked windows. Naruto moved carefully, Purgatory in hand, eyes scanning every shadow, every corner. Lower-level demons had already been dispatched earlier, but something about this place felt… different.
"Feels like someone's been waiting for me," Naruto muttered softly, toes lightly tapping the ground as he advanced. His golden eyes flicked to the faint magical residue on the floor. "And judging by the smell… not someone friendly."
A low, resonant growl echoed through the warehouse, vibrating against the cracked walls. From the far corner, a figure emerged—a demon taller than the others, hunched, with blackened skin and jagged, almost skeletal claws. Its glowing red eyes tracked him, and a twisted grin revealed sharp, yellowed teeth.
Naruto crouched slightly, letting Purgatory rest lightly against his shoulder. His calm, confident demeanor never wavered, but his senses sharpened.
Kurama's voice whispered in his mind, smooth and slightly amused:
Kurama: "Looks like you've finally found someone worth worrying about."
Naruto smirked faintly, replying silently.
Naruto: "Yeah, no kidding. Keep your claws to yourself for now. I don't need your help just yet."
Kurama: "Don't get cocky. You know I'll step in if this goes sideways."
"Noted," Naruto said, moving forward. His boots barely made a sound on the dusty floor. The demon advanced with a slow, deliberate gait, testing him. Naruto's hand tightened on the hilt of Purgatory, feeling the familiar hum of the jagged sword.
Without warning, the demon lunged. Its clawed hands aimed for his chest, swinging with brutal force. Naruto stepped lightly to the side, letting the momentum carry him past, and delivered a horizontal slash that caught the creature across the shoulder. Sparks flew, and black smoke hissed as the wound opened.
The demon roared In fury and swung again, faster this time. Naruto rolled under the attack, coming up behind it with a rising strike that disintegrated one arm into curling shadow. The creature staggered but remained standing, its movements slower but more erratic, almost desperate.
Kurama's voice came again, calm but cautionary:
Kurama: "You're pushing it. That one isn't like the others. Don't take it lightly."
Naruto: "I know, I can feel it. Just… let me have a bit of fun first."
The demon lunged again, claws slashing wildly. Naruto's strikes were fluid, precise, and relentless. Purgatory cut through flesh and shadow with each swing. Sparks erupted as metal met demonic tissue, black smoke curling around his boots. He didn't speak. He didn't hesitate. Every movement was calculated to disable, not just survive.
But the demon's resilience was surprising. It caught one of his slashes with a jagged arm, screeching as the impact reverberated up Naruto's wrist. He gritted his teeth, eyes narrowing, golden flames of focus almost flickering over his skin.
Kurama: "I told you… this one's strong. You can handle it, but don't push too far without a backup plan."
Naruto: "Yeah, yeah. You'll get your turn if I need it."
The demon charged again, faster this time, its claws slicing through the air. Naruto ducked, rolled, and struck upward, sending sparks flying. With a swift pivot, he delivered a series of precise cuts, jagged edges tearing at the creature's limbs. Slowly, agonizingly, it began to weaken, smoke hissing as its blackened form started to unravel.
He stepped back, breathing evenly, watching it wobble. Even though it was a higher-level threat than the ones he usually faced, he didn't panic. Every strike, every dodge, every pivot had been calculated. Experience mattered more than brute force—and Naruto had plenty of it.
Finally, the demon lunged one last time. Naruto met the charge head-on, Purgatory striking diagonally through its torso. Black smoke erupted, filling the warehouse with the acrid scent of dissipating darkness. The creature shuddered, then collapsed, dissolving completely.
Kurama's voice chuckled faintly, though it carried a hint of respect.
Kurama: "Not bad. I might actually start calling you a proper hunter."
Naruto: "Don't get used to compliments from you. You're still my backseat driver."
Kurama: "Fair enough. But don't act like I didn't warn you."
Naruto sheathed Purgatory, brushing dust from his coat. He moved to inspect the remains, searching for residual magical traces or clues about the demon's origin. The warehouse was silent now, the faint echoes of battle fading into the night.
The faintest glimmer of movement at the far door caught his attention. Naruto's golden eyes focused, muscles coiled, ready for any additional threat. But it was only a rat scuttling past—a mundane reminder that not everything in the shadows was supernatural.
He exhaled slowly, allowing himself a brief smirk. "One step closer to answers," he muttered. "And I haven't even broken a sweat."
Kurama: "Careful with that attitude. The next one might actually make you sweat."
Naruto: "Then I'll enjoy it even more."
He stepped outside into the cool night, breathing in the damp city air. The streets stretched before him, quiet but alive with distant noises—sirens, cars, the faint hum of neon. His investigation wasn't over. The demons he had faced tonight were stronger than the usual lower-level threats, suggesting something—or someone—was orchestrating the attacks.
The city's shadows waited, stretching and twisting as if aware of his presence. Naruto adjusted the strap of his coat, Purgatory resting at his side, and began walking toward the next lead. Calm, skilled, and always aware, he was ready for whatever the night brought next.
Kurama's voice came one last time as they moved together through the city:
Kurama: "Keep your eyes open. There's more coming, and I want front-row seats for your next fight."
Naruto: "Always, buddy. Don't blink."
The night swallowed him, the city alive with unseen threats, and Naruto the calm, experienced, slightly quirky private investigator moved like a shadow, hunting the darkness, one precise step at a time
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