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"Oh, you haven't gone full hollow?"
"What does that mean?" Naruto shot back, but before the knight could explain, he threw down what looked like a corpse at Naruto's feet. The corpse's skin was pallid and sagging, its eyes hollow and lifeless, and it wore tattered clothes that hung off its frame like rags.
"Hey, weirdo! What's the big idea, huh?" Naruto yelled, his anger flaring up as much as his fear. The knight, unfazed, pointed toward a key hanging from the belt of the corpse.
A key? Yatta, I can finally go free. Oh, Jiji owes me a lot of ramen for making me go through this shit.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, the entire room began to shake violently, dust and small pebbles raining down from the ceiling. It felt like something massive was moving above them. The knight quickly moved away from the hole in the ceiling through which a sliver of sunlight had been shining. Glancing up, Naruto saw something huge nearly blocking out the light, its massive silhouette ominous and foreboding.
"He needs my help!"
Should he use a clone to build a ladder? Would that even work? If only I had my grappling rope...
Right then, the grappling hook appeared in his hand. It was his. His name was scratched into the side.
"Where did you come from?" he wondered, but the thought was cut short when the entire roof trembled overhead.
Naruto clenched the old chain while drawing chakra into his palms and flooding it through his arms. The metal groaned under the sudden pressure.
With a sharp exhale, he twisted and yanked.
The chains snapped apart with a loud crack, fragments clattering to the floor.
Shaking off the last bits of metal, he flexed his fingers.
Naruto crouched down and grabbed the key from the corpse. He stuffed the key into his pocket but the second it was in, it vanished. Confused, he slapped the pocket, then turned it inside out. Empty.
"Where did it go?" he muttered, glancing around in case he had dropped it.
A deep, thunderous roar ripped through the dungeon, silencing his thoughts.
"I'll figure this out later. Dattebayo."
Naruto tightened his grip on the rope and hauled himself through the opening. When he emerged, there was no time to take in his surrounding mountains. His attention snapped instantly to the figure waiting for him.
The creature loomed over the platform, a grotesque mass of swollen flesh stitched together in uneven folds. Its skin was stretched tight and slick, as if it might split open at any moment, and every labored movement sent ripples through its bloated frame. Its face was a nightmare carved into meat. Red eyes burned beneath a crown of jagged horns that twisted upward like the dead limbs of a rotting tree. There was no confusion or hunger in that gaze, only malice.
In one enormous hand, it gripped a club so large it looked less like a weapon and more like a torn-up tree trunk, its sheer size promising that a single blow would be enough.
This thing was bigger than his entire room back in Konoha.
Every ounce of bravado drained out of Naruto. He had fought bullies, sparred in the academy, and faced classmates in training. But this was different. This was life or death. And all the loud words he usually threw around meant nothing here. He was terrified. The thought of that club smashing down and splintering him into pieces shut everything else out.
It can kill me.
Suddenly, like lightning, the knight moved. He slid between the demon's legs. The blade bit deep into the demon's calf. A fountain of dark blood sprayed out with a sickening sound. The creature howled, stumbling back as it swung its club in wide, panicked arcs.
Naruto's heart still pounded against his ribs. But he wasn't frozen anymore. This thing wasn't untouchable. And if it could bleed, it could be beaten.
[Name: Asylum Demon]
[HP: 2,000 / 2,195]
A glowing window appeared in front of him. Naruto blinked, barely able to register it before the world seemed to slow down. The Asylum Demon raised its massive arm. The weapon came up for a brutal backswing towards the knight.
Naruto formed the cross sign as fast as his fingers would allow.
Ninja Art: Shadow Clone Jutsu!
A dozen copies burst into existence across the rooftop.
"Get that ugly bastard!"
The clones swarmed the demon, punching and kicking from every side. But their attacks did nothing. One by one, they were smashed away, vanishing into puffs of smoke.
The knight looked around in disbelief, stunned by what he was seeing.
"Come on! Let's get out of here!" Naruto yelled while grabbing the knight by the arm, and swung them both toward the hole in the roof. The two of them dropped fast. The knight gripped the rope with all his strength, wrapping it around one arm to slow their descent, feet bracing against the wall.
They hit the ground hard, but not broken.
Naruto dropped to his knees and began scrambling across the floor, eyes darting.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to find the key! We need to get out of here before that thing..."
Naruto cried out, grabbing his head. Memories crashed into him all at once, like a wave slamming against a cliff. He saw every clone were destroyed. None of them had made it past a single strike.
He didn't even know that was possible. But he had felt all of it.
"Don't worry," the knight said, calm despite the chaos. "The demon won't come into the asylum."
"What?"
Naruto followed the knight's gaze.
The Asylum Demon loomed above the hole, staring down at them. Its massive eye locked on Naruto, burning with hate. It was measuring him. And it wanted him dead. But the demon didn't move. It stared a moment longer, then slowly turned and flew away.
"Are you alright?"
Naruto wiped his forehead and forced a grin. "Of course I'm alright. You think a fat ugly demon like that can scare the great Naruto Uzumaki?"
"Naruto Uzumaki," the knight repeated, rolling the name around like he was testing the sound of it.
"Yep. And I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage in Konoha!"
"You are a strange one, aren't you?"
"Well, this strange one just saved your life, Dattebayo!"
The knight chuckled and extended his hand. "That you did. I am Oscar, Knight of Astora. Pleased to meet you."
Naruto grabbed his hand and gave it a quick shake. "You're not from Konoha?"
"I know no such place. I am a knight of Astora, on pilgrimage to Lordran."
Naruto blinked. Lordran? Astora? The words spun around in his head, knocking loose every question at once. How did I get here? Where even is here? What happened to Konoha?
His pulse climbed, but he kept his face still. That alone surprised him. Usually his emotions poured out like an open faucet. But now, despite the storm building inside, he kept it contained.
"Is something wrong?"
"No," Naruto said quickly, though it rang hollow even to his own ears.
"Then, why are you still shaking my hand?"
"Oh... uh, right!" Naruto pulled back fast and rubbed the back of his neck, his face turning red. "Sorry, I just... I mean, with everything going on, it's a lot."
He stumbled over the words, then caught himself and pivoted. "Where's the key?"
The questions in his head could wait. Getting out of here came first. As Naruto turned, his eyes drifted toward the glowing system window still hovering in the air. And suddenly a thought hit him.
The grappling hook. It just appeared in my hand like it had been summoned. But I didn't carry it with me. I didn't see it on the ground.
His brow furrowed.
Could it be a storage seal? Some jutsu, I don't understand yet...
Curiosity burned through the panic.
"I wonder..." he whispered under his breath and focused on the thought. Item.
A new line of glowing text flickered to life.
"Okay... now we're getting somewhere."
[ Inventory ]
[ Upgrade Materials ]
[ Key Items ]
[ Spells ]
[ Weapons ]
[ Ammunition ]
[ Armour ]
[ Rings ]
Naruto opened the glowing window and navigated to Key Items. He focused on the Dungeon Cell Key and selected it.
A faint shimmer pulsed as the key had just appeared. Naruto held it up, still amazed by how the system responded not just to his actions but to his thoughts.
Oscar didn't comment.
Is this normal around here or something? Naruto wondered. He'd never seen any jutsu like this. Storage seals were one thing, but this was on a whole different level.
"Come on, let's get out of here," he said, shaking off the weirdness as he turned to the rusted metal gate. He slid the key into the lock, turned it, and pushed the door open with a long, low creak.
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The hall stretched far ahead, the ceiling arching high above. Rows of prison cells lined the walls, their bars bent and broken like something had ripped them apart by brute force. Torches flickered in rusty sconces, casting long shadows across the stone floor.
But what made Naruto's skin crawl were the things standing in the distance.
Figures with their skin peeling away in patches, some revealing raw muscle and bone. Hollow sockets stared out from half-decomposed faces. Their bodies were hunched and malformed, and the only thing they wore were tattered loincloths. Each one dragged a broken sword hilt, moving with a strange, twitchy stillness.
"...What are these things?"
Oscar stepped up beside him, sword already drawn. "Hollows," he said. "The undead that have lost their purpose."
An undead that has lost its purpose...
Naruto didn't know why, but it hit something deep in his chest. He shook it off, and dragged his focus back to Oscar's sword.
He could use the kunai in his inventory, sure. But a sword?
"Man… maybe I should've picked a class that actually comes with one of those," Naruto said. "Could've saved me a lot of trouble. You might've even taught me how to use it, y'know."
"Very well," Oscar said, offering the weapon.
"Huh? Wait, really? I mean… I was joking. Mostly."
"You saved my life," Oscar said simply. "Teaching you is the least I can do. Besides, you should know the basics if you plan on surviving here."
Naruto grinned, practically glowing. He took the sword in both hands, feeling the cold weight of it settle into his grip.
Oscar nodded toward the hollows.
"They're empty and docile. Perfect for training."
No one had ever taken the time to teach him anything before. At the academy, Naruto was just the loud troublemaker. The kid everyone ignored or avoided. But here was this total stranger was offering to teach him something with no judgment and hesitation.
"This is the Astora Straight Sword."
The Astora Straight Sword was a straight, double-edged arming sword. The blade is moderately narrow with a shallow fuller running along its length. Its steel has weathered to a dull, matte finish, yet the edge remained clean and evenly honed. The crossguard curved slightly forward, forming hooked quillons. Fine engravings remain visible along the guard. A small green gem is set at the guard's center.
"So, what kinda special move are you gonna teach me?"
Oscar let out a quiet breath, almost a chuckle. "I remember thinking the same way when I was a squire. Always hunting for some secret strike that would win a fight outright."
Naruto stiffened, half-expecting a lecture. Instead, Oscar's tone stayed calm, almost thoughtful.
"But real fighting teaches you that there are no tricks that'll save you when steel is inches from your throat. What keeps you alive is discipline, structure and fundamentals."
Naruto straightened. I'm not wasting this. I'll take it seriously. Dattebayo!
"Forget spectacle," Oscar said. "Master the simple things, and they will carry you farther than any clever flourish."
He raised two fingers.
"I will show you two cuts. If you can perform these correctly, they will serve you in almost every fight you face."
Oscar drew his sword in one smooth motion, settling into a stance. His feet were shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight centered.
"First," he said, "the light cut."
He stepped forward and delivered a quick horizontal strike, driven by a turn of the hips and shoulders, the blade snapping back into guard almost immediately.
"That's looks kinda basic."
"Because it is. And because it works."
Oscar repeated the motion, slower this time. "This strike is about efficiency. One hand. Minimal commitment. You strike with the edge properly aligned, recover immediately, and remain mobile. Speed and control matter more than strength here. If your edge is wrong, or your balance is off, you are not cutting. You are waving steel."
Naruto nodded, eyes tracking the blade.
"Now," Oscar said, shifting his stance, "the heavy cut."
He placed both hands on the grip, raised the sword above his head, and stepped forward as he brought it down in a powerful vertical strike.
"This one commits," Oscar said. "You put your body behind it. Hips, shoulders and legs. It is slower, but if it lands cleanly, it can end a fight outright."
"And if I miss?"
"Then you pay for it," Oscar replied evenly. "A heavy cut leaves you open. If you overreach, if your footing is poor, your enemy will answer before you can recover. Power always comes with risk."
He stepped back and demonstrated again. A short thrust from guard. A rising cut. Then another controlled downward strike.
Naruto watched closely, absorbing every detail, but a question finally slipped out.
"Hold on," he said. "Why only two attacks?"
"That's enough."
"What about something cool like a spin slash or reverse grip?"
Oscar gave a short breath, almost a sigh. "You want to look cool, or stay alive?"
"Stay alive."
"Exactly. You can learn more when you're not surrounded by danger. Right now, I'm giving you what matters. Solid footing. Clean cuts. Read the distance. Keep your guard up. That's swordsmanship."
Naruto's grip tightened on the hilt. "Got it."
Oscar stepped closer, adjusting his hands. "Keep your elbows loose. Let the blade move. Don't fight it."
Naruto inhaled, then faced the nearest hollow. It just stood there, barely moving.
"Okay, light cut," Naruto muttered while swinging at the first hollow but he misjudged the distance. The sword barely grazed the hollow's side as he nearly tripped over his own feet. His heart pounding as he jumped backward, expecting the hollow to lunge at him.
But it didn't move, just stood there, swaying slightly.
"Failure is part of learning, young man. Don't let it define you. Learn from it and do better."
"Yeah," Naruto whispered to himself, raising the sword and focusing on the hollow in front of him. This time, he swung with more control, keeping his movements compact. The blade connected solidly, cutting into the hollow's chest with a clean motion.
"Excellent," Oscar praised. "Now, the strong cut."
Naruto turned toward the hollow at the end of the hall. He raised the sword high, gripping it with both hands. "Here goes nothing," he muttered, and then he swung down hard, using all his strength. The sword cut through the air and struck the hollow with a force that reverberated up his arms. It wasn't perfect, but it was a huge improvement from his earlier attempts.
The boy let out a breathless shout, his heart racing with exhilaration. "Swinging a sword is awesome!" He turned, ready to ascend the stairs, when Oscar's voice stopped him. "Wait, young Naruto."
"Oh, yeah. This is your sword. I should give it back."
But Oscar shook his head. "No, you forgot to claim your prize."
Naruto followed Oscar's finger and saw a strange white vapour swirling above the fallen enemies, forming into small orbs.
"What's that?"
"This is a soul," Oscar explained. "It can be used to strengthen your aspects of your body, like strength, dexterity, and more."
Naruto glanced at the status screen that had appeared earlier, at the numbers that represented different attributes of his body. Maybe, if he collected these souls, he could make those numbers go up and get stronger.
"How do I claim this soul?"
"Just grab it."
Naruto reached out and touched one of the white orb. It seemed to dissolve, the light sinking into his skin and spreading through his body. It felt warm, a strange, almost tingly sensation that surged through him like a jolt of chakra.
"Do you still want your sword back?"
But Oscar just pointed down the hall. Naruto turned to see another hollow, this one moving toward them, its steps uneven and jerky.
"Looks like I've got a moving target now, Dattebayo!"
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Author's Note I hope you guys enjoyed what I've set up so far.
Now let's get into a short Q and A section where I answer some questions I think you might have, clear up a bit of Dark Souls lore, and explain some of my creative decisions.
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Q. How can Oscar and Naruto understand each other?
This is probably the biggest question most isekai stories love to ignore, so I figured I should address it directly.
The answer is simple: the system handles translation.
Anything Naruto says in Japanese, or whatever language is spoken in the Naruto world, is automatically translated for Oscar. Likewise, anything spoken in Astora is translated for Naruto. From their perspectives, it just feels natural, like they're speaking the same language.
That said, the system isn't perfect.
If a word or concept doesn't exist in the other world, it doesn't get translated. It just carries over as-is. That's why words like sensei don't automatically make sense to Oscar, and why things like dattebayo stay untranslated.
So basic communication works smoothly, but cultural terms, titles, and verbal quirks still stand out. I wanted to keep that distinction because it makes the conversations feel more grounded and avoids turning translation into a handwave that erases cultural differences entirely.
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Q. . Why did Oscar teach Naruto Light Cut and Heavy Cut instead of real swordsmanship?
This one is pretty simple. In Dark Souls, your basic melee options are light and heavy attacks, and I thought it would be a fun nod to build that into the story right from the start.
Also, this is still the prologue. There just isn't enough time for Naruto to learn proper swordsmanship in a meaningful way yet. Right now, basics are enough to get him through what's coming.
That said, Naruto will learn real swordsmanship as the story progresses. He can study kenjutsu back in Konoha, and he can also learn from NPCs in Lordran who actually know how to fight with a blade. This is just the starting point.
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That's It… For Now.
I want to thank you all for taking the time to read, comment, and follow along with this story. Your feedback means more than you know, and it helps push me to make each chapter bigger, sharper, and more true to the worlds of Naruto and Dark Souls.
Until next time,
Praise the Sun.
\-Adam-/