Chapter 3: Path of Darkness
It had been a month since Rudra found himself in this strange, new world—unfamiliar yet undeniably captivating. The first few days were a chaotic blur of survival and confusion, but fate had been kind enough to lead him to Gramps Ronald.
The old woodsman lived a quiet life at the edge of a dense forest, his humble cabin a sanctuary of calm amidst the unknown.
Over the past month, Rudra's life had settled into a steady rhythm. Mornings began with chopping firewood alongside Ronald, the rhythmic thud of the axe against timber grounding him.
The afternoons were spent in rigorous physical training and relentless practice with a wooden sword, his muscles aching by the end of each day in a way that felt satisfying.
Gramps Ronald, though gruff and unpolished, had quickly become a fatherly figure to Rudra. During their conversations by the fireside, Ronald often spoke about his son—a soldier who had left for the capital years ago.
There was pride in his voice, but also a sadness that lingered in his eyes. Despite this, Ronald treated Rudra with genuine warmth, and the young man found himself drawn to the old man's simple but steadfast way of life.
Now, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, Rudra completed the final swing of his training routine. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his breath came in slow, measured puffs. Lowering his wooden sword, he sank onto the cool grass, crossing his legs and closing his eyes to meditate—a habit he'd adopted to sharpen his focus and calm his mind.
As he delved into his thoughts, a strange sensation rippled through him. Warmth surged in his veins like a hidden river coming to life. His eyes snapped open in alarm as a translucent window materialized before him, its words glowing faintly:
###
Quest: Path of Darkness
Congratulations on awakening your chakra!
Reward: Senju Bloodline, Uchiha Bloodline.
###
Rudra's breath hitched as he stared at the message. What the... chakra? Senju? Uchiha? His mind raced, torn between disbelief and curiosity.
The words lingered in the air as if daring him to respond. Tentatively, he spoke aloud, "System... what is this?"
"Yes, host?"
Rudra took a steadying breath. "I... I'm in the world of Fairy Tail, right?" he asked, his tone edged with confusion. "So why am I receiving rewards tied to Naruto's universe? Bloodlines from two entirely different worlds?"
"Host, I am unable to provide a full explanation at this time. However, understand that this world encompasses elements beyond the Fairy Tail universe."
Rudra let out a long sigh, the weight of the revelation settling on his shoulders. This world was far more complex—and likely more perilous—than he had imagined.
"Fine," he muttered.
He selected the quest rewards without hesitation. A sudden itch crawled across his body, his senses sharpening with startling clarity. He stumbled to a nearby window and froze.
Staring back at him was a reflection he barely recognized. His eyes glowed red, the single tomoe of the Sharingan spinning faintly in their depths. A mix of exhilaration and disbelief coursed through him.
He pulled up his system interface, the glowing panel now displaying his updated status:
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Name: Rudra
Age: 18
Race: Human / ???
Bloodline: Uchiha / Senju
Class: Swordsman / Ninja
Abilities: Perfect Body / Soul of the Sword
Stats:
Strength: D
Endurance: D
Dexterity: D
Agility: D
Intelligence: A
Willpower: B
Chakra: A
Chakra Control: D
Chakra Nature: Fire / Lightning / Earth / Water
Shop: Available
Coins: 500
Quest:
###
The implications were staggering. Rudra clenched his fists, feeling the pulse of energy—raw and untamed—coursing through him.
"I need to master this power," he murmured, his voice filled with quiet determination. "If this world is as dangerous as it seems, I can't afford to waste a single day."
After checking his status, Rudra decided to explore the shop menu for the first time. The interface split into two sections: Weapons and Jutsu.
In the Weapons section, an array of items caught his eye—swords, spears, kunai, and scrolls, each with a brief description and cost. Switching to the Jutsu section, he found an impressive selection of techniques, ranging from beginner-level moves to advanced combat arts.
He carefully browsed through the options, weighing his choices. After much deliberation, he made his purchases:
###
Weapons:
30 KunaiA Kodachi sword10 Scrolls###
Jutsu:
Shadow Clone JutsuFire and Lightning JutsuHand Sign ScrollFūinjutsu KitUchiha Style KenjutsuUchiha Style Taijutsu###
The total cost came to 410 coins, leaving him with only 90 remaining.
"System," Rudra asked, eyeing the dwindling balance, "how can I earn more coins?"
"Host can earn coins by completing quests, defeating enemies, or achieving specific milestones."
Rudra nodded thoughtfully. "Got it. Looks like I'll have to focus on quests for now."
Satisfied with his purchases, he summoned the newly acquired items into his hands. The Kodachi gleamed in the fading sunlight, The kunai and scrolls were neatly stored.
He thought to himself, This should be enough to cover the basics. With my memory, I can replicate other techniques from Naruto's world later.
Eager to begin, Rudra unfurled the scroll for Shadow Clone Jutsu. The detailed instructions outlined the required chakra flow and hand signs. He studied them carefully, committing every detail to memory.
"Let's see if I can pull this off," Rudra murmured, his hands forming the seals with practiced precision. "Ram, Snake, Tiger..."
A surge of chakra coursed through him, and with a puff of smoke, a perfect replica of himself appeared before him.
Rudra grinned, exhilarated by the success. "Not bad for a first try."
Rudra repeated the process, summoning more clones and distributing tasks. Each clone received an item or scroll. With a confident tone, he addressed them collectively:
"Listen up. Your job is to learn everything as quickly as possible. Practice until you've got it down, and when you're done, dispel yourselves one by one."
The clones responded in unison, "Got it."
Without hesitation, they dispersed into the forest, each clone vanishing into the shadows to fulfill its task.
As the last one disappeared, Rudra stood amidst the quiet clearing, the energy from the earlier surge still buzzing through him. He exhaled deeply, feeling both excitement and determination.
With nothing else pressing, Rudra resumed his physical training, pushing his body to its limits. Each swing of his sword was deliberate, every movement precise as he worked to perfect his form. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of amber and violet, Ronald returned from town, his cart noticeably lighter after selling firewood.
Rudra was sitting cross-legged on the ground, gazing at the darkening sky, when he heard the familiar shuffle of footsteps behind him.
"Still out here, eh?" Ronald's gruff yet warm voice broke the silence. "You should head inside after training. It's no good catching a cold."
Rudra turned, a smile spreading across his face. "Gramps, you're back! What took you so long today?"
Ronald chuckled, walking closer as he wiped his hands on his trousers. "Well, I had to stop by a few extra places. But I got something for you." He reached into the bag slung over his shoulder and pulled out a neatly folded black cloak, handing it to Rudra.
"For me?" Rudra asked, his eyebrows lifting in surprise as he accepted the cloak. He unfolded it, letting the soft fabric drape over his hands, the dark color catching the last glimmers of sunlight.
"I thought it might help when you head into town or anywhere else," Ronald said, his tone thoughtful. "You won't have to worry about people staring at your hand that way."
Rudra's eyes flickered to his left hand, where his demonic limb rested, a constant reminder of his burden. He ran his fingers over the cloak's fine stitching and looked back at Ronald, his voice soft. "Thanks, Gramps. This means a lot to me."
Ronald smiled, his weathered face lighting up with warmth. "Don't mention it, boy. You've been a good help around here. It's the least I can do."
Rudra stood, throwing the cloak over his shoulders and fastening the clasp. It fit perfectly, the fabric light yet durable.
"How do I look?" Rudra asked with a playful grin.
"Like a traveling swordsman ready to take on the world," Ronald replied with a chuckle. "But enough of that. Come on, let's head inside. The stew's probably bubbling over by now."
With a nod, Rudra followed the old man back toward the house. The two walked in companionable silence, the quiet hum of the forest and the rustling leaves around them providing a peaceful backdrop.
As they stepped inside, Rudra glanced at the cloak once more, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. This place, this man—it's not so bad after all.