NARUTO: The Saga of Crimson Monarch

POV: Zuzuki Botan

The morning was quiet, save for the soft sounds of waves gently lapping against my small tarai-bune—a traditional tub boat I used to fish. My name is Zuzuki Botan, and I'm a simple fisherman. This was supposed to be a good day; the sea had always been generous to me, providing enough fish to feed my family and even sell to the market. But today… today was different. I hadn't caught a single fish. Not even the smallest one. The water seemed empty, and my heart felt heavy with worry. My family relied on me for food, and without a catch, I feared they'd go hungry.

Frustration gnawed at me as I sat slumped in the boat, staring at the empty nets. That's when I noticed something in the distance. It was a blur, far off on the horizon, but moving fast. I squinted, trying to make sense of it, but it was impossible to tell what it was. It moved too quickly, almost like a shadow crossing the sea.

Fear gripped me instantly. My instincts told me it wasn't anything natural. My mind raced. Was it a storm? Or worse—a ghost? I had heard stories of wandering spirits in these waters, vengeful beings that took those who trespassed on their domain. Panic set in, and I scrambled to row my tarai-bune as fast as I could, trying to flee to safety.

But whatever it was, it was faster than I could have imagined. Before I knew it, the vast presence was standing right there in my boat, as if it had appeared out of thin air. My heart skipped a beat. I froze, staring up at the figure who now towered over me. My breath caught in my throat. "Please let me go, Evil Spirit-sama," I cried, my voice trembling. "I have a family... I can't die yet. I beg of you. Please, let me live."

I pleaded desperately, my hands shaking as I clutched the edge of my boat, tears threatening to spill. Yet, the figure remained silent. A suffocating stillness enveloped us. I wasn't sure if it was a curse, a spirit from the depths, or something worse.

Still, there was no response, and I raised my voice in an attempt to appeal to whatever deity or spirit stood before me. "Please, Evil Spirit-sama," I sobbed,"I never meant to disturb your territory. I swear, I won't come here again. Please, let me go!"

Just when I thought my pleas had fallen on deaf ears, the figure spoke.

"I'm sorry, haha." The voice was smooth, almost amused, but not at all what I had expected from a vengeful spirit. It was… human. I dared to lift my head, my eyes widening in shock. The person before me wasn't some ghastly apparition, but a young man. His appearance was unlike anyone I had ever seen—his haori, the traditional men's jacket worn over a kimono, looked exquisite, finely woven with intricate designs that I could not understand. But it wasn't just his clothing that took my breath away. His face, young but marked with a scar over his left eye, held an air of elegance and confidence I could barely comprehend.

I quickly dropped my gaze, bowing deeply, unsure of how to react. Was this man a noble? A warrior? My heart raced with both fear and awe. His presence was overwhelming. "Please forgive me for my rudeness," I said hastily, lowering my head in a deep bow. "I did not know. I meant no offense. I was just…"

But the young man only smiled, his expression kind but enigmatic. "I told you, I'm not an evil spirit," he said with a quiet chuckle.

I was stunned, trying to grasp what was happening. I had so many questions, but none of them seemed appropriate now. "How... How did you… get here so fast?" I finally managed to ask, my voice soft, hesitant. I had no idea how he could have possibly traveled such a distance so quickly. It seemed impossible. A part of me wondered if he was a son of some noble family, trained in techniques passed down through generations. That was the only explanation I could think of for how effortlessly he moved.

He just smiled again, a subtle, knowing smile, and didn't answer. I couldn't help but feel envious. What kind of world did he come from? A world where such power was normal. As I stared at the man, I realized I had been wrong about him. He was not a spirit, not a ghost. He was just a person, a person with skills far beyond my understanding.

I bowed once more, humbled by his presence, still unsure of what this encounter meant for me. I had never expected anything like this. The young man remained calm, his demeanor serene, but there was something about his eyes—a quiet depth that made me feel like I was in the presence of something much greater than I could comprehend.

He didn't say anything more, and neither did I. The air between us was filled with uncertainty, but in some strange way, I felt a sense of calm. He wasn't an enemy. He wasn't a spirit. He was just… someone I had never imagined encountering.

I glanced at the man again, still wondering about the world he came from and what his journey was. But for now, I was just a simple fisherman, left to contemplate this strange, surreal meeting that had unfolded before me. My life had changed in ways I could not yet understand, but somehow, I knew this was only the beginning.