SWNOVELXO Chapter 11: Chapter 11
Bonding through battles was a time-honored tradition, and the trio of Danny, Sam, and Tucker had truly strengthened their connection through their shared experiences. The recent events had been a wake-up call for all three, igniting a fierce motivation to grow stronger and carve out their place in the world. They realized that if they didn't take control of their destinies, they would remain vulnerable—mere pawns to be used and discarded by those more powerful.
For Tucker, this revelation hit especially hard. As he poured over the materials Danny had given him, he found himself in awe. The instructions weren't the basic, surface-level tutorials he had expected. Instead, they were in-depth guides, filled with complex techniques, nuanced terms, and strategies that even seasoned professionals might struggle to compile.
"These are his hard work for a year or two," Tucker thought, clutching the notes with reverence. "And he's shared them with me. I won't let him down."
In truth, the meticulous plans were the result of Naruto's experience and guidance, but Tucker didn't know that. To him, it was a gesture of friendship and trust—a gift that made him feel both honored and determined.
The systematic approach laid out in the notes made everything feel achievable. Tucker could see the path to improving his skills, step by step. He imagined himself creating intricate gadgets, hacking into high-security networks like a secret agent, and becoming someone who could truly stand beside Danny and Sam as an equal.
His excitement was palpable, his mind racing with possibilities. But then his eyes landed on the section about physical training and sparring. His enthusiasm faltered.
The diagrams and timelines made Danny's expectations clear. Tucker winced at the brutal regimen outlined for him—push-ups, sprints, sparring drills. Danny hadn't just written these down; he had planned them with precision and intent.
"Danny's really serious about this gig," Tucker muttered to himself as he walked alone, the weight of the situation settling over him. A pang of loneliness crept in. His best friend now had a girlfriend, and while Tucker was happy for him, it left a void.
Tucker sighed but quickly shook his head, determination flaring in his chest. "Damn couples and damn Danny. I'll find a girl soon—with my new skills and body."
The thought made his blood boil with excitement again, and he couldn't suppress a grin. With Danny's guidance and his own resolve, he would transform himself into someone worthy of respect, admiration, and maybe even love.
With renewed vigor, Tucker hurried off, his feet carrying him like the wind. There was work to be done, and he wasn't about to waste another second. Today's tasks awaited, and for the first time, Tucker felt ready to face them head-on.
Sam was similarly affected by the day's events. The sight of her boyfriend beaten and bruised while she stood helpless had been a harsh blow to her pride. As someone who prided herself on her independence and strength, this helplessness stung deeply. She left without much encouragement, her mind swirling with thoughts of vengeance and self-improvement.
Danny watched her go and felt a pang of guilt but also a strange sense of relief. Compared to earlier, he felt noticeably better. The food he had eaten helped replenish his energy, and Naruto's mysterious abilities had healed some of the damage. However, this rapid healing came with a cost—an insatiable hunger.
As soon as he got home, Danny rushed inside, tossed his bag onto the sofa, and headed straight for the kitchen. His parents weren't home, which gave him free rein to raid the refrigerator. He found some leftover meat from the night before and a few fresh fruits, quickly microwaving the meat while slicing the fruit.
Sitting down, Danny wolfed down the large portions, portions that would have seemed absurd for him before. Now, he needed food for more than just himself.
"I prepared some weights for you to wear starting today," Naruto's voice echoed in his mind. "Check under your bed."
Danny froze mid-bite, narrowing his eyes. "Weights? Already? Isn't it too soon for that?"
"Kid, you're healing by eating. Your body is adapting rapidly—common sense doesn't apply anymore."
Danny glanced at his half-eaten plate of food, then sighed. "Yeah, you're right. Common sense is officially dead. Rest in peace, June 2010."
The absurdity of the situation was overwhelming, but Danny pushed through. He couldn't afford to cling to old ideas when his life was changing so dramatically.
After finishing his meal, Danny changed into some gym clothes—though they weren't ideal for training—and pulled out the weights from under his bed. The metal rings were surprisingly well-made and weighed about 3 kilograms each.
"Where did you even get these?" Danny asked suspiciously.
"I made them myself."
"How?"
"With your body."
Danny's stomach sank. "Wait, you're using my body while I'm sleeping?"
"Is that a problem, young padawan?"
Danny groaned. "No, sir. Just...curious."
He strapped the thick rings onto his ankles and wrists, gritting his teeth as he felt their weight immediately. "Which workshop did you break into for this?"
"Don't worry—they'll be compensated...by you."
Danny muttered under his breath, his expression difficult to read. He had no choice but to comply. His body felt energized, almost demanding physical activity—a clear influence from his new teacher.
Following the instructions flowing through his mind, Danny began with basic exercises: push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and planks. The added weight made even these simple movements challenging, but he pushed through. Then he transitioned to martial arts drills, repeating the techniques ingrained in his mind.
For an hour, he trained relentlessly, his body drenched in sweat by the end. As he collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air, he realized just how far he had to go.
As Danny lay sprawled on the floor, his body aching from the intense workout, a sense of accomplishment welled up inside him.
"I can't believe I did it for an hour," he thought, a mix of disbelief and pride in his tone.
"Good job," Naruto's voice resonated, his praise surprisingly warm. "Keep it up, and soon you'll be able to beat Dash."
That statement lit a spark in Danny's chest. "How long?"
"Two weeks," Naruto replied calmly. "The boy has a very strong body, good balance, and plenty of experience in fighting. Your reactions and speed aren't sharp enough yet to capitalize on your higher skill level."
Danny's determination didn't waver. "No problem. I can wait that long."
Naruto chuckled darkly. "That was the original plan, but since you've shown me your spirit, I've decided to provide full support. With my help, we'll take him down in seven days."
Danny's confidence wavered, a flicker of panic flashing through his mind. "Please take that support and throw it into the ocean."
"No refunds allowed," Naruto replied, his tone as smug as ever.
Danny groaned, sensing what was coming. "There's more training, isn't there?"
"Of course," Naruto confirmed, almost gleefully. "This was just the beginning."
Before Danny could protest, his body, completely drained, betrayed him. Darkness overtook his vision, and he lost consciousness.
An hour later, he woke up screaming. His muscles screamed louder, every fiber of his being protesting against the previous exertion.
Danny bolted upright, his heart pounding and his breathing erratic. "Why does everything hurt?!"
Naruto's voice returned, unfazed. "Good, you're awake. That means you've recovered enough to continue."
Danny groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Why do I feel like I signed up for the worst gym membership ever?"
"Because you did," Naruto replied, amusement lacing his words. "Now get up. We've got work to do."
Danny stared at the ceiling, his mind a mix of dread and determination. He could feel the weight of the challenge ahead, but alongside it came a flicker of hope. Seven days to beat Dash? It sounded impossible, but with Naruto pushing him, Danny was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, he could pull it off.
He groaned again, dragging himself to his feet. "Let's get this over with."
Danny had spent the hours battling his own body and mind, pushing past limits he had once believed were impossible. The pain, the exhaustion, the constant challenge – it had all been overwhelming. But today, something was different.
Naruto's voice, soft and almost soothing, pierced through the tension. "You managed to bear through it. As such, today, I will let you experience a part of my life and learn the skills, if you can."
Danny's body stilled at the unexpected warmth in Naruto's words. He had always thought of his mentor as a cold, relentless force— a demon with no empathy, no softness. But this? This was different.
He felt a strange, healing sensation wash over him, something he hadn't expected from Naruto. The negativity that had plagued his mind, the doubts, the fear, were suddenly blasted away. It was as if the weight of his past was being lifted off his shoulders. In an instant, Danny could feel his soul healing, as though he had found a sanctuary in this moment.
The thought struck him, unbidden. "I feel... good."
Naruto's voice responded, low but steady. "Yes, you are great. You will be great to the world, as that is your destiny."
Danny couldn't help but grin, a wide, almost goofy smile spreading across his face. For the first time in a long while, he felt confident. He had always thought of himself as just another cog in the machine of life, insignificant, powerless. But now, it seemed his path was leading somewhere far greater.
'Could it be?' he thought, his mind racing with the possibilities. 'Could I really be destined for something more?'
Naruto, as if sensing his thoughts, continued. "You will be the guardian of this world, Danny. Not just another fighter. You will lead, protect, and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. The innocent."
Danny blinked, trying to process the weight of Naruto's words. "What kind of hero am I supposed to be?" he finally asked, his curiosity and confusion spilling out.
Naruto's tone shifted, growing more serious. "You will be the savior of the world. You will lead the innocent to safety and peace. And when there are those who refuse to change— when evil threatens to destroy all that is good—you will make the hard decisions."
Danny felt a knot form in his stomach. "You mean... kill them?"
Naruto didn't flinch. "If necessary. You will convince the evil ones to cease their actions, but if there is no other choice between their lives and the innocents, you will cleanse them. You will fight, not like Batman or Spider-Man, but as someone who will lead this world to a better future."
Danny's mind raced. 'This is… this is too much.' He had expected to be a hero in some small, localized way, fighting petty criminals and supervillains. But ruling the world? Leading it?
"Are you sure you didn't get the wrong person?" Danny asked, disbelief evident in his voice.
Naruto's response was swift and confident. "I don't make mistakes. And with me as your teacher, you will walk this path, no matter how difficult. You will shape the world with your hands, Danny. You have the potential. I'll teach you, guide you. You'll see soon enough."
Danny's heart thudded in his chest. 'Could I really do this? Could I really lead the world?' The enormity of the responsibility felt suffocating, yet at the same time, something inside him clicked into place. It felt right.
Naruto seemed to sense Danny's internal conflict and continued. "Since you asked, I'll let you in on the dealings of the night. There's more to this world than just fighting. Learn, and you will see how deep the web truly goes."
Danny nodded, a part of him still in awe of the man before him. "I'm ready."
As Naruto's presence filled his senses, Danny felt his body relax for the first time in days. He sank into the bath, feeling the warm water soothe his aching muscles, but more importantly, he felt himself slipping into a different state of mind— one of purpose.
The future, it seemed, was no longer something he had to simply survive. It was something he was going to shape. And with Naruto guiding him, he knew that this path, no matter how dangerous or difficult, was the one he was meant to walk.