A Soul Full of Resentment
In the world of death, a soul consumed by resentment can degenerate into nothingness. But in the world of Naruto, where chakra and spiritual energy intertwine, what kind of reaction would a resentful soul produce? Naruto was eager to find out.
As he stood over the lifeless body of the bandit leader, Naruto's mind raced with possibilities. He knew Kakashi was watching from the shadows, but he didn't care. This was his experiment, his moment to explore the boundaries between life and death, chakra and reiatsu.
The air around him seemed to ripple, as if the world itself were a lake disturbed by a single drop. No one noticed the subtle shift—no one but Naruto.
To Kakashi, however, Naruto appeared to be trembling slightly, his shoulders shaking as if burdened by the weight of his first kill. Kakashi's visible eye softened with understanding. Even someone as warm and resilient as Naruto couldn't face such a brutal act without feeling its impact. Kakashi remembered how Obito, despite his carefree nature, had been deeply affected after his first kill. Lin, on the other hand, had surprised everyone with her strength.
Give him some time, Kakashi thought. With his character, he'll bounce back soon. With a faint smile, Kakashi melted into the shadows, leaving Naruto to his thoughts.
Once Kakashi was gone, Naruto let out a quiet sigh of relief. His forehead was damp with cold sweat. Kakashi is far more perceptive than I gave him credit for. Controlling the senses is no small feat. This experience only reinforced Naruto's belief in the importance of mastering his spiritual pressure. He needed to find a suitable place to train, somewhere secluded where he could push his limits without prying eyes.
As Naruto focused his reiatsu, directing it into the bandit leader's soul, something extraordinary happened. The soul, still tinged with resentment, began to tremble. Within Naruto's inner world, Aizen observed the scene with keen interest. This was an experiment he had never attempted—a fusion of chakra and reiatsu within a soul.
The leader's soul, infused with chakra, didn't disintegrate as Aizen's previous test subjects had. Instead, a thick white mist began to emanate from it. Naruto frowned, stepping closer to observe the phenomenon.
The soul's body began to contort unnaturally, its joints dislocating with a series of sickening cracks. Its chest swelled grotesquely, and a strange, guttural noise escaped its mouth. Then, with a hiss like burning flesh, the soul's chest caved in, forming a hollow circle. The area within the circle became translucent, as if it were dissolving into nothingness.
The white mist thickened, coalescing into a pale mask that covered the soul's face. Naruto's eyes widened in shock. He recognized the signs immediately.
A Hollow.
In the world of the dead, Hollows were malevolent spirits, characterized by their hollow chests and masks. This soul was transforming into one. Naruto's heart raced with excitement. He had succeeded in creating something entirely new—a Hollow born from the fusion of chakra and reiatsu.
The newly formed Hollow rose to its feet, its masked face turning toward Naruto. Its eyes burned with killing intent, a stark contrast to its previous state. Naruto studied it carefully, noting the presence of both chakra and reiatsu within its body. This wasn't an ordinary Hollow—it was something entirely unique.
"Interesting," Naruto murmured. "But you're too dangerous to keep alive."
The Hollow lunged at him, its claws slashing through the air. Naruto sidestepped effortlessly, his movements a blur. In one fluid motion, he drew Kyoka Suigetsu and struck, the blade passing cleanly through the Hollow's mask. The creature let out a final, guttural scream before its body erupted into white flames, disintegrating into nothingness.
Naruto sheathed his blade, his expression calm. "When the time is right, I'll delve deeper into the research of Hollows and Death. But for now, this is enough."
Outside, chaos had erupted. A mistake by Sasuke or Sakura had alerted the remaining bandits, who now swarmed the streets, armed with an assortment of weapons. Hatchets, sickles, kunai, and long knives glinted in the moonlight as they converged on Naruto.
"How did he get out of the leader's house?" one bandit shouted.
"Did he kill the leader?" another demanded.
"Bastard! We'll make him pay!"
Naruto stood calmly, his gaze sweeping over the angry mob. He spotted Sasuke and Sakura nearby, their faces filled with guilt. It was clear they had made a mistake, but Naruto didn't blame them. Instead, he turned his attention to the bandits.
"Well," he said softly, "if you're going to die, it's better to do so with fear and regret than in your sleep."
With Kyoka Suigetsu in hand, Naruto stepped forward, his movements graceful and deliberate. The bandits charged at him, their faces twisted with rage. But Naruto moved like a shadow, his blade flashing in the moonlight. One by one, the bandits fell, their bodies collapsing to the ground as blood pooled around them.
Sasuke and Sakura watched in stunned silence. Naruto's movements were like a dance, each strike precise and lethal. He moved through the bandits as if they were nothing more than paper targets, his expression calm and focused.
When the last bandit fell, Naruto stood amidst the carnage, his white shihakushō untouched by blood. The moonlight bathed the scene in an eerie glow, casting long shadows over the lifeless bodies. Naruto turned to Sasuke and Sakura, his smile warm and reassuring.
"Let's go home," he said.