Chapter : Ghosts, Guns, and Grudges
Moving through the dimly lit house like a shadow, I reached for the pistol at my belt. Safety on, tucked it tight at my side — not exactly part of the usual ninja toolkit, but this world wasn't usual. The black hoodie slid over my head, hood up, face covered with a dark mask. My pale eyes gleamed faintly in the darkness, focused, alert.
My chakra might be weakened here, but I still had enough to sense the bad vibes—threads of malevolence twisting in the air like toxic smoke. Evil had a weight, a signature that only someone like me could pick up. It was like breathing—natural, unavoidable.
Amity Park wasn't your average town. The air here pulsed with yin energy—cold, ghostly ripples in the fabric of reality that no ordinary person would notice. But me? I could see them like flickering shadows, and I knew better than to ignore them. This yin energy was a resource I could draw on, a fleeting fuel for the fire I was trying to rebuild inside myself. It wouldn't bring me back to full strength—not even close—but it helped. Just enough to keep me sharp.
The source was obvious: ghosts. Amity Park was haunted—infested—with spirits. Most were harmless echoes, but others were predators with power enough to tear worlds apart. I'd studied them. I knew the stakes. Absorbing these ghosts would speed my recovery, sure, but to truly restore myself, I'd need the kind of power that could rip open dimensions or summon nightmares long locked away. Mess with that, and you risk unleashing horrors no one's ready for.
One ghost in particular haunted my thoughts—a malevolent force of apocalyptic scale, trapped at the edges of this reality. At my peak, I could have crushed it without breaking a sweat. Now? I'm weaker. Slower. I needed help. More than that, I needed a team who could stand against the darkness when I couldn't. Danny and his friends weren't just my project—they were the world's best chance.
I let my feet carry me forward, past cracked sidewalks and flickering streetlamps, to a mansion surrounded by imposing walls. The owner was a respected man, at least on the surface. Danny's memories painted him like a hero. But my senses? They told a different story—one of corruption and lies wrapped in a shiny package.
"This one's gonna wake up sore," I muttered, a shadow of a grin crossing my lips.
Scaling the wall was easy. Security cameras blinked red, dogs barked, but I was nothing but a ghost tonight—fluid, silent, impossible to catch. Every move was instinctual, precise. This wasn't just a break-in. It was a lesson. The kind of stealth and speed I needed Danny to learn if he wanted to survive what was coming.
Inside the grounds, my presence vanished into the darkness. No footsteps, no noise—just the calm inevitability of a predator. I didn't hold back. Every step, every breath was calculated. Ruthless.
This wasn't just about tonight's job.
It was about teaching the next generation how to fight their shadows without losing themselves. Because in the end, that's the real battle.
------------------
After maneuvering through the mansion's intricate security, I finally reached the master bedroom. The room screamed wealth and indulgence—silken sheets, ornate furniture, the kind of luxury that masked a darker truth. In the massive bed, the mafia boss slept soundly beside his much younger wife, her face peaceful and untroubled, an innocent contrast to the storm about to erupt.
I moved silently to her side and tapped her neck with a controlled pulse of yin energy, sending her into a deeper sleep. No need for chaos here—she wasn't my target.
Turning to the man, I pressed the barrel of my pistol lightly against his temple. The contact jolted him awake. His eyes snapped open, wide with shock, and locked onto my masked face.
"I know this might be surprising," I said, my voice calm but edged with menace, "but I'd appreciate it if you didn't make a sound. Things could get... messy." I gestured toward the sofa. "Sit."
He was no fool—well-versed in the criminal underworld—and quickly realized I wasn't here to kill him. "What do you want?" His voice was steady but simmered with barely contained anger.
"I need money, equipment, and your loyalty," I said coldly, authoritative. "I have a proposal—non-negotiable. It's a path to riches beyond your imagination. I'm sure you don't trust me—no reason to. To you, I'm just some ghost." I leaned forward, eyes glinting in the dim light. "So I'll prove that your life is in my hands. I'll be back tomorrow. Think carefully. Waste my time, and you'll know a fate worse than death."
The boss's pride burned beneath his calm exterior. Had he a weapon close, he wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on me. I could feel his silent vow of revenge swirling in the room.
A faint hiss cut through the tension. Something small clattered across the floor, releasing a creeping smoke. Instinct took over. I kicked the device toward the window, sending it sailing outside before the room filled. The scent told me enough—an anesthetic gas meant to knock us out.
The boss wasn't so lucky. Already sluggish, his sharp eyes dulled as he slumped deeper into the couch.
Then, from the shadows, a figure dropped through the window with graceful precision.
"Batgirl," I muttered.
Her presence complicated everything. If she was here, this man's reach extended all the way to Gotham—a headache I hadn't bargained for. Ironically, I now had to protect the very man I just threatened. Losing him would mean starting from square one.
Batgirl's sharp eyes swept the scene—me, the groggy boss, the pistol in my hand. "Who are you?" she demanded, voice firm and unyielding.
I chuckled softly, mock politeness dripping from my tone. "Apologies, beautiful lady, but this is my business. I can't have you interfering."
She didn't hesitate. A gadget flew toward my legs, designed to entangle, as she charged, baton raised. But I was faster. Sidestepping, I struck her chin with precision.
She hit the ground hard, stunned by the sudden, efficient blow. For a moment, she reminded me of my teacher—someone who fought with a mastery bordering on superhuman.
Crouching beside her, I rested a hand lightly on her neck, voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't want to hurt you. Leave. This man is my pawn, and I won't let you ruin my plans. I'll make sure his wrongs are corrected, but for now, let him be. Consider this a favor—I owe you one."
Her eyes narrowed, mind racing to process my words. Before she could respond, a burst of electricity surged through her suit—a self-defense shock. The jolt coursed through me too, but yin energy reinforced my body, dulling the sting.
In one fluid motion, I grabbed her and tossed her out the window.
She landed gracefully below, shaken but unbroken. A warning shot cracked near her feet, and guards began closing in.
Batgirl melted into the night, vowing to uncover the truth behind the masked intruder.
Exhaling deeply, I let the chaos settle. The close call was a lesson—for Danny. Exposure to poisons, shocks, and fast danger would build his resilience.
Back home, I restored everything as if nothing had happened. Sliding into bed, a small smirk touched my lips.
"He'd hate me for this," I whispered. "But it's for the best."
------------------
Danny:
I jolted awake with a scream that probably scared every poor soul within a three-mile radius. Honestly, I'm surprised the neighbors didn't call the cops—or at least send a priest. My heart was pounding like I'd just run a marathon, but nope, just me, screaming into my pillow because my brain apparently thinks it's hilarious to torture me in my sleep.
Then there was Naruto. Already up, all chipper and way too ready for the day, standing there like he'd just finished a triple espresso. He gave me that grin—the one that says, "You're about to hate me so much."
"Good morning, sunshine. Time to jog," he chirped like this was some Disney musical and not a medieval form of punishment.
I buried my face in my hands. "Why? Why do you hate me?" I croaked, already regretting asking.
Naruto just smirked and stayed suspiciously silent, which in my experience is way worse than any evil laugh.
I thought back to the nightmare that just ripped me from sleep. There I was, an astronaut floating in space, minding my own cosmic business. Then the sky gets all freaky, and bam—Naruto's giant grinning face fills the whole universe. He says all creepy-like, "Well, hello there, Danny. How about a mission?"
Yeah, no thanks. If space was scary, Naruto in space is a full-on horror movie.
"This has to be some kind of cosmic punishment," I muttered. "What did I do to deserve this?"
Naruto crossed his arms like the wise old (and slightly sadistic) sensei he is. "Enough drama. You're nowhere near ready for the real challenges."
"The real challenges?" I squinted suspiciously. This was not sounding good.
"Don't worry about it," he waved me off, like I was a pesky fly. "Relax. Also—I've got a little reward system for you. Points. Earn 'em, spend 'em. Like a weird, life-threatening video game."
Okay, now I perked up. Rewards? Maybe this wouldn't be a total nightmare.
"What kind of rewards?" I asked, eyes half-glazed but hopeful.
Naruto grinned. "Knowledge, skills, gear, cash—you name it. Jogging every day? One point. Clearing big missions? At least five points. Simple."
I nodded like I understood but inside I was thinking, This guy's insane.
"So, what can I get for one point?" I asked, hoping for something cool like a cape or maybe a free pizza.
Naruto chuckled. "Air."
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
"You need five points for anything decent," he said, like that was the obvious part of the deal. "Don't expect freebies. Being my student is the real prize."
Right. So basically, I'm signing up for endless torture with zero swag.
I rubbed my temples. "I thought you were gonna give me equipment for free?"
"Smart move, Danny. But no. I gave you a one-time charity skill because you looked pathetic. Don't get used to it."
Great. Charity. My new favorite word.
I groaned but nodded. Years of dealing with bullies taught me that whining gets you nowhere—except maybe punched.
"Fine," I said, gritting my teeth. "What's next?"
Naruto's grin went full mischievous, like a kid about to pull the ultimate prank. "Now that's the spirit! Keep it up and you'll make my good-boy list."
Yeah, no thanks.
"Thanks... I guess?" I muttered.
"Oh, and you're getting a new mission," Naruto added, way too chipper for my taste. "It's gonna be fun. You'll love it."
My stomach dropped. That word again. Fun.
"Define 'fun,'" I said slowly, already regretting waking up.
"Oh, you'll see," Naruto said, disappearing like the absolute nightmare he is.
I sat there, heart sinking. Why do I feel like today is going to be the worst day ever?