SWNOVELXO Chapter 13: Chapter 13
By the next morning, news had already spread like wildfire about the mysterious figure known as the "Ghost Rider" racing through town and the nearest city. People speculated wildly, some assuming it was just another superhero or villain, while others hinted at the possibility of supernatural forces at play. The eerie, unexplained occurrences and the flame-wreathed bike left many pondering its origin. Was it a new hero or something darker? Some suspected that a supernatural aura was tied to the phenomenon.
Danny, however, was unaware of the chaos until he sat down for breakfast. As he sat at the table, he could hardly escape the buzzing conversation between his parents, who couldn't stop talking about the incident.
"You see, Danny, isn't your father cool?" Jack Fenton beamed with pride, his hands holding up the morning paper. The headline screamed, "Mysterious Ghost Rider Roams the Streets: Is This the Work of a Supernatural Force?" His father was thrilled not just for the sensationalism but because it meant that his expertise as a specialist was in demand. The mayor had even contracted him to investigate any potential clues surrounding the event.
"See, I'm not just some mad scientist. People are starting to recognize my brilliance," Jack continued, a grin plastered on his face as he puffed out his chest.
Despite the ridicule the Fentons received from ordinary people, especially considering their eccentricities, Danny knew that the elite and powerful had always known about the Fenton family's unique skills. Dragons, werewolves, vampires, ghosts—all these creatures and forces existed, albeit hidden beneath the surface of society. Jack and Maddie's work, although often seen as a joke by outsiders, was well-respected in the right circles.
Danny sat at the table, pushing his food around with his fork, trying to keep his thoughts from wandering too far. His parents, as usual, seemed oblivious to how strange their conversation was. He hadn't really taken an interest in their work before, but something about the whole Ghost Rider phenomenon seemed to catch his attention.
"If the Ghost Rider is real," Danny suddenly spoke up, catching his parents off guard, "Shouldn't you be careful? Are you sure about your safety?"
The words came out of Danny's mouth without him meaning to—he'd never expressed such concern before, let alone about his parents' work. Jack and Maddie both froze, looking at him in stunned silence. Danny had always been a kid more focused on his own world, uninterested in the dangerous or bizarre aspects of his parents' professional lives. His sudden concern caught them off guard.
"Dear, Danny's right. We should check up on our equipment before going out," Maddie said with a smile, her heart warming at the unexpected display of care from her son. It was a sign of growth, something that made her genuinely happy to witness. It seemed that her son was becoming more aware of the world around him—and the people who loved him.
"Come, eat more," Jack urged, happily passing more meat to Danny. Despite the rising costs of groceries due to Danny's growing appetite, the Fentons hadn't complained. They were just grateful to see their son growing stronger and healthier, and if it meant more food, they would gladly bear the expense.
Danny didn't say much as he dug into the meal. He noticed his parents' slight concern about the increased costs, but they never voiced it directly. They were just happy he was getting stronger—especially since the incidents involving his powers had only intensified as of late.
But in the back of his mind, Danny's thoughts shifted.
'Tell them you have taken a part-time job.'
'What job?'
'Cashier at a shop.'
Danny felt confused by the suggestion. Was Naruto really suggesting that he should get a job? He wanted to roll his eyes but thought better of it.
'What's the real thing?'
'Good, you didn't just believe it directly. Now the real job is to become an agent for the local mafia and take down the outsiders.'
Danny nearly choked on his food. He swallowed quickly, his face turning pale. 'Mafia? Really? Are you seriously asking me to become a criminal?'
'The mafia is mine. I need you to build up your skills before taking over them and using them for other purposes. The group has already shifted focus to more honest work. They're not involved in the dirty stuff anymore.'
'So all this is happening while I'm asleep? Man, I want to see how you took over.'
Danny's heart skipped a beat as he processed Naruto's words. His fork froze halfway to his mouth, and he could feel the air around him shift as if he had just stepped into another world altogether.
'It's good that you asked since you will be doing that part as your mission tonight.'
Danny blinked, still not entirely sure he'd heard correctly. 'What? No, that can't be right,' he thought, but there it was—Naruto had just confirmed it.
His mind raced with possibilities. Was this some sort of joke? A test? He'd been pushed to his limits before, but becoming the Big Boss of a mafia organization? Was he even ready for that? A sudden unease settled into his stomach, threatening to undo the large breakfast he'd just consumed.
'I shall become the Big Boss,' Danny muttered under his breath, the words feeling surreal. His mouth went dry. He had barely been able to keep up with the daily training and small missions, and now this? This was something he had only ever seen in movies or read about in books, not something a normal teenager could just step into.
His thoughts began to scatter, trying to grasp at any sense of normality, but it was slipping away from him with each passing moment. He wasn't just training to fight anymore. He was about to step into the very heart of a criminal empire, and there was no going back.
'Master, you're sure about this?' Danny's inner voice questioned, trying to make sense of the absurdity of the situation. 'You're asking me to take over an entire underworld operation.'
'Yes, and you'll be great at it,' Naruto's voice came back, calm and reassuring. 'You've already shown a strong will, and that's half the battle. Don't doubt yourself. This is your path now. Embrace it, and you will lead the way.'
Danny felt a strange sense of determination seep through him, though it was laced with a growing sense of dread. The path ahead was twisted, dark, and dangerous, but it was his to walk.
The idea of becoming the "Big Boss" didn't seem so foreign anymore. It wasn't about power for power's sake, not in the way Naruto made it sound. This was about control. It was about using the resources and influence at his disposal to protect the innocent, to cleanse the world of corruption—not just to rule with an iron fist.
With a deep breath, Danny glanced at his parents, who were still absorbed in their conversation about the latest ghost sightings. Their world was full of strange things, and now his own life was about to become a strange new chapter. But as much as he didn't want to admit it, a part of him couldn't deny that he was curious about what came next.
His role in this world was shifting rapidly, and though the thought of it terrified him, it also excited him. Becoming the Big Boss wasn't just about leading a criminal empire—it was about carving a path for himself in a world that was increasingly more dangerous, more unpredictable.
'I'll do it,' Danny finally said to himself. 'I'm ready.'
Naruto's laughter echoed in his mind, dark and knowing. 'Good. Tonight, you start your first mission. You've got a long way to go, but I believe in you.'
As Jazz prepared to leave for the day, Danny called out, "Jazz, don't forget about our arrangement." He had completely forgotten about their plan, but thankfully, Naruto had reminded him at the last moment.
Jazz smiled knowingly. She had assumed Danny would forget, as he often did, but she wasn't about to make a big deal out of it. Her brother's recent behavior had been oddly different—nicer, even, though still a little strange. It was becoming clear to her, and to the entire Fenton family, that something was changing in Danny.
"I know, 5 PM sharp," Jazz replied with a smile, giving him a teasing wink before she left the house.
Danny let out a quiet sigh, staring after her as she left.
'Master, I remember you bragging about bagging many women. Are you... you know?'
Danny froze, his thoughts stumbling as Naruto's voice echoed in his mind.
'Che, I have no interest in such things anymore.'
'Then why are we going on a date with my sister?' Danny asked, perplexed.
'Do you have any experience in dating?'
Danny fell silent. The thought of going on a date with Jazz was something he hadn't really considered in depth. He never thought of his sister in that way, and now Naruto was making it awkward.
'No...' he replied after a moment of hesitation.
'Do you not want to help your sister?'
Danny's mind raced. Was he really doing this just to help her? Or was there something more he was supposed to learn from it?
'This is why you deserve to get bullied,' Naruto continued, his voice sharp. 'You need to learn and establish correct principles as the core of your personality. Right now, your core consists of cowardice, laziness, selfishness, and a small amount of kindness.'
Danny frowned. 'I can't be that bad!'
'Tell me, do you know anything about your parents?'
The question hit him like a slap. Danny immediately shut up, realizing that Naruto wouldn't be making this point unless it was something serious.
His mind flashed back, and he realized just how much he took his parents for granted. How many times had he actually tried to be a good son? How many times had he gone out of his way to understand their work or their feelings? He couldn't recall any specific instances. He just assumed they were the adults and he was the kid, but now it seemed Naruto had a different perspective on the matter.
'Well, you are slowly changing now, learning from your new experiences. Keep at it. But remember, those bad qualities need to go,' Naruto advised, his voice softer now. 'Without persistence, you wouldn't last a week with this training.'
Danny didn't feel like responding. Instead, he felt a gnawing guilt for his past actions. He hadn't been a terrible person, but he knew there was room for improvement. It was a sobering realization that he couldn't ignore anymore.
'I will do my best,' he promised himself. This was the first step—acknowledging his flaws.
'Good, now for the exciting part. You've got a new ride, and soon, you'll get new gear.'
Danny's head snapped up, and his eyes widened as he rushed to the window. The Fireblade—Naruto had told him about it before, but seeing it in the flesh was another thing entirely. His mouth went dry, and he could hardly believe his eyes.
'Oh my God!' he exclaimed, his excitement overwhelming. He darted out of the house and ran toward the bike, inspecting every inch of it, his hands hovering over the sleek frame as if it were a treasure.
'You're not riding it until you pass some missions,' Naruto's voice interrupted his awe.
Danny froze, his heart sinking. 'Your cruel monster!' he yelled, his voice dramatic as he looked at the bike, then back at Naruto.
'I'm just giving you a visible reward as motivation to succeed,' Naruto explained coldly. 'Now you can pull out your full power. You've been holding back, but no more.'
Danny wanted to protest, but he knew better than to argue with Naruto at this point. He had been doing his best, hadn't he? He wasn't sure exactly what Naruto meant by "full power," but the idea of having something so precious dangled in front of him made him more determined than ever.
'So... are we leaving it here?' Danny asked, his voice tinged with reluctance.
'Yes,' Naruto responded flatly.
Danny felt a sinking feeling in his chest. 'Nooooo,' he thought, walking away from the bike, his legs shaking as he glanced back every few steps. It felt like torture, but deep down, he knew he had to do it.
There was no way out of this now. Danny was about to be dragged into a world of responsibility and challenges beyond his imagination, and whether he liked it or not, he was going to have to rise to the occasion.