Naruto: The Chosen Undead

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Chapter no.81 The Soul Drop Discovery

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Ino stood outside Sakura's house, clutching the straps of the small bag she'd brought with her. The sun had barely risen, casting the street in a soft golden glow, and the quiet of the morning made every creak of the wooden porch and every distant birdcall seem louder than it was.

Her heart was racing, her palms slightly damp. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, debating for the hundredth time whether she should turn around and leave. She could still hear her father's words from the night before: You don't have to have all the answers right now, Ino. Just take the first step.

But what if this wasn't the right step? What if Sakura slammed the door in her face, or worse, laughed at her for even trying? They hadn't had a real conversation in years. The idea of facing her old friend—or rival—now felt overwhelming. Ino took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. It's going to be fine, she told herself, but her hands gripped her bag tighter. Sakura isn't the same girl I used to know. She's stronger now, more confident. But I'm not the same either. This doesn't have to go wrong. It's just… talking.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door creaking open. Ino straightened up instinctively, her nervous fidgeting freezing as she saw Sakura step out onto the porch.

"All right, I'll see you both later!"

Ino exhaled, her resolve hardening. This is it. Just talk.

"Hey, there, bill—" she started, but her mouth snapped shut. Years of calling Sakura billboard brow had almost spilled out, and she cursed herself for the slip.

Sakura froze in her tracks, her eyes narrowing.

"What do you want, Ino-pig?"

Ino flinched but forced herself to stand tall. "I just want to talk, Sakura," she said, her voice more earnest than she expected.

Sakura blinked, her hand twitching at her side. "Wait… what?" She pinched her arm through her sleeve, squinting slightly as if to make sure she wasn't imagining things. "This isn't a dream, right? You—you actually want to talk to me?"

"Yes," Ino said, her heart thundering in her chest. "I just want to talk."

"Well, I'm on a tight schedule," she said, her tone turning snippy. "Some of us actually work hard, unlike a certain someone who spends all day arranging flowers."

"I'm serious, Sakura!"

"Okay… fine," Sakura said finally. "Let's just walk and talk. But if I'm late for training, I'm blaming you."

Ino nodded quickly, relieved that Sakura hadn't shut her down completely.

They started walking side by side down the dirt path, the awkwardness between them almost palpable. Ino felt like her words were caught in her throat, her mind racing to figure out how to start.

"So… what do you want to talk about?"

Ino hesitated, looking down at the ground as they walked. "I wanted to say… I'm sorry."

Sakura stopped abruptly. "Sorry? For what?"

"For everything," Ino said, her voice soft but steady. She met Sakura's eyes, her own filled with regret. "For the way I treated you. For the things I said. For… letting Sasuke come between us."

"Wait, Sasuke? Are you saying this is about him?"

"It's not just about him," Ino clarified quickly. "But he was the reason everything fell apart between us. I mean… we used to be like sisters, and then suddenly we were rivals. And for what? For him? A boy who barely even notices us?"

"You were the one who declared us rivals, Ino. I didn't ask for that."

"I know," Ino admitted. "I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. I thought it would make me stronger, more focused. But all it did was push you away."

Sakura looked at her for a long moment, her gaze searching. "Why now? Why are you saying this now?"

"Because… I've been thinking a lot lately," Ino said. "About who I am, about the kind of person I want to be. And I realized that chasing after Sasuke and holding onto this stupid rivalry with you… it's not what I want anymore."

"And what do you want?"

"I want us to be friends again."

"You know… it really hurt, Ino," Sakura said quietly. "When you called me weak. When you treated me like I was nothing compared to you."

"I know," Ino said. "And I was wrong. You've grown so much, Sakura. You've worked so hard, and you've become so strong. I'm… I'm proud of you."

Sakura's eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked completely thrown off. She opened her mouth to respond but closed it again, her emotions flickering across her face like a storm.

They walked in silence for a few moments before Sakura spoke again. "Do you really mean it?"

"Every word," Ino said. "I miss you, Sakura. I miss the way things used to be."

Sakura slowed her steps, her face softening as the tension between them began to ease. "I miss you too," she admitted quietly, almost like it was a secret she didn't want to say out loud.

"So… do you think we can try again? You know, start over?"

Sakura looked at her for a long moment before finally nodding. "Yeah. I think I'd like that."

Ino didn't think twice—she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Sakura. It wasn't the kind of polite, awkward hug you'd give someone out of obligation; this was real. She squeezed her, holding onto the moment like she was afraid it might disappear.

Sakura stiffened at first, caught off guard, but then slowly melted into the embrace, her arms circling Ino's back. The tension that had lingered between them for years seemed to dissolve in that moment.

When they finally pulled apart, Sakura cleared her throat and raised an eyebrow, trying to mask the hint of emotion in her voice. "So, what's in the bag?"

"Oh, these?" Ino smiled, handing it over. "Some new clothes I picked out for you. You know, as an apology gift. I figured it'd be a good start."

"You bought me clothes?"

"Yeah," Ino said, crossing her arms smugly. "I am Konoha's resident fashionista, after all. You can thank me later."

"I should get you something too."

Ino shook her head. "No, you don't have to. This isn't about that."

"Come on, Ino," Sakura said. "If you're going to give me a gift, I should give you one too. Besides…" She looked down at the ground briefly before meeting Ino's gaze. "It's not like I wasn't part of the problem. I... I said a lot of things I shouldn't have, too."

Before she could respond, Sakura's eyes lit up with an idea. Without another word, she turned on her heel and bolted down the road, her chakra-enhanced speed carrying her far out of sight in seconds.

"What the—Sakura?!"

Before the blonde could even wonder where Sakura had gone, the pink-haired kunoichi was back, holding a delicate daffodil in her hand. Its small white petals glistened faintly with dew, the morning light catching them just right.

"I know it's not much, but... to new beginnings."

"You remembered..."

"Of course I remembered," Sakura said, her smile growing. "You were the one who taught me the meanings behind flowers, remember?"

For a moment, they just stood there, smiling at each other like they were kids again, back before everything got so complicated.

"Thanks, Forehead," Ino said softly.

"Don't mention it, Pig," Sakura replied, grinning.

They both chuckled, the tension between them finally gone.

Sakura then peeked into the bag and pulled out the outfit Ino had chosen for her. Her eyebrows shot up when she saw the short red top with its circular design on the chest, the sleeveless cut, and the way it clearly exposed the midriff. Beneath it was a black skirt with a red trim and a small apron-like cloth attached to the front, paired with some stylish open-toe sandals.

"You've got to be kidding me," she said. "This is totally your style, Ino, not mine."

"Oh, come on, Sakura. You've been hiding that figure of yours for years. It's time to show a little skin. Trust me, you'll look amazing in it."

Sakura flushed, trying to glare at her but failing miserably. "You think Sasuke would…?" She trailed off, biting her lip as her blush deepened.

"Oh, he'll definitely notice," Ino said, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously.

"Y-you really are over Sasuke, aren't you?"

"I guess," Ino replied with a confident shrug. "But you're not, so I'll be rooting for you."

Sakura blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in Ino's tone. "Thanks," she said quietly.

"No matter what happens, I've got your back. Okay?"

Sakura smiled, and before she could stop herself, she hugged Ino again.

When they pulled apart, Ino tilted her head curiously. "So, where are you off to this early anyway?"

"Crap! I forgot the time! I can't be late to Barrier Corps HQ!"

Ino's eyebrows shot up. "Barrier Corps? You're training there?"

"Yeah," Sakura said. "I've been learning barrier ninjutsu. It's really intense, but it's worth it."

"Oh, I know that place! Most of the Yamanaka clan works there. My dad says once I make chunin, I'll probably start training there too."

Sakura froze mid-step, her jaw dropping. "Wait, what? Why didn't you tell me that sooner?!"

"Well, you never asked."

Sakura shook her head, already turning to run. "Come on, if you're going to the Barrier Corps eventually, I guess I can bring you along for a sneak peek. Just don't slow me down, okay?"

"Seriously? Yay!"

Thankfully, Sakura had made it on time to the Barrier Corps HQ, and to her relief, Iwashi-sensei hadn't said a word about Ino tagging along. He had merely raised an eyebrow at her presence but let it slide. The routine followed as usual, and Ino had stayed mostly quiet—well, at least for the first hour.

By now, though, Ino was thoroughly bored out of her mind. She'd sat through hours of tedious lectures about barrier construction, seal calligraphy, and chakra theory. Meanwhile, Sakura was as strict and focused as ever, hanging on Iwashi's every word like her life depended on it.

By lunchtime, Iwashi had been putting Sakura through her paces. She stood in front of him, holding a kunai with the Core Seal carefully drawn onto the handle. Iwashi inspected it with a critical eye, then infused it with his chakra. The seal glowed softly, its intricate lines flaring to life.

"Good," he said with a curt nod, his voice gruff but approving. "You've taken the first step. From now on, you'll be remaking the barrier seals alongside me. It'll refine your calligraphy with practical experience, and I'll review your work afterward. Any mistakes, and you'll do it again."

"Yes, sensei," Sakura said firmly, giving him a respectful nod.

"Now, for your next assignment," Iwashi continued. "You'll start filling these core seals during your free time. You need to get used to channeling your chakra into them consistently. Later, you'll learn how to use them to create full barriers."

"Understood," Sakura replied.

"Any questions?"

Before Sakura could answer, Ino asked, "Yeah, why does she have to fill these seals in her free time? Can't she just do it during missions or something? Seems like a waste of downtime."

Iwashi's sharp gaze snapped to Ino, his lips pressing into a thin line. "The reason," he said evenly, though his tone carried a hint of irritation, "is that barriers require an immense amount of chakra to construct. Unless you're a Kage-level shinobi, you can't just create them out of raw chakra in the middle of a fight. That's why the seals are necessary—they store chakra ahead of time, so it's ready when you need it."

"Okay, makes sense. Still seems like a lot of work, though."

"It is," Iwashi replied, his tone clipped. "Which is why Sakura will need to prepare it if she wants to be of any use in the field."

"I understand, sensei. I'll do my best."

Iwashi's expression softened ever so slightly. "Good. Now, I need to cut lunch short. I have to file paperwork explaining why an unauthorized genin"—he gave Ino a pointed look—"was inside the Barrier Corps HQ this morning."

"I'm sorry, sensei. It won't happen again."

Iwashi waved her off. "Don't be sorry. Be better."

Ino huffed as she watched Iwashi leave. "Geez, your teacher really needs to chill out."

Sakura chuckled lightly, pulling out her lunch. "Don't worry, he's actually really nice once you get to know him. He's just… intense about the rules."

"Yeah, no kidding," Ino muttered, shaking her head. She opened her own lunch and took a bite before glancing at Sakura.

"So, what got you thinking about Sasuke?"

Ino paused mid-bite, her chopsticks hovering above her food. She sighed and set them down, her gaze drifting to the horizon. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Not a chance," Sakura said with a small smirk. "Spill it."

"Fine. It was Naruto, of all people."

"Naruto?" Sakura blinked. "What did he say?"

"He asked me why I liked Sasuke," Ino said, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. "And I couldn't answer him. Not really. I mean, I thought I had all these reasons—he's strong, he's cool, he's… well, Sasuke. But when I tried to put it into words, nothing felt right."

"Huh. I guess I've never really thought about it like that."

"You should," Ino said. "I mean, it's not like I'm saying you shouldn't like him, but… maybe it's worth thinking about why. What is it about him that makes us feel this way? Is it him, or is it just the idea of him?"

Sakura frowned slightly, her gaze dropping to her lap.

"I don't know. I've always admired him, you know? He's so driven, so talented. And I do know him, Ino. He's been through so much, and it's not just what people say about him—I've seen it for myself. Sasuke's changing. I can tell," Sakura said, her voice filled with quiet conviction.

Ino frowned, crossing her arms. Naruto's words floated back to her: Sasuke isn't doing anything.

"Don't tell me all Sasuke needed to stop being a jerk was a decent night's sleep."

Sakura blinked before bursting into laughter, covering her mouth. "No! It's not like that!"

"Well, you never know," Ino said. "Maybe he just needed a bedtime story and some warm milk."

Sakura shook her head, still giggling, as Ino said, "But seriously, if you think he's changing, that's good. Just make sure you're not the only one putting in the effort, okay?"

"Yeah. You're right. Thanks, Ino."

For a moment, they sat in silence again, the only sound the rustle of the wind.

"So, how's Naruto doing with your team? I heard he's training with Asuma-sensei now."

"Naruto's still Naruto. But," Ino said, her tone shifting slightly, "he's also… more. I don't know how to explain it."

"What do you mean?"

Ino hesitated, searching for the right words. "I used to think he was so simple, you know? Like, everything he felt was just out there for everyone to see. He's always been so open—about his dreams, his emotions, everything. But now… I don't think he's as simple as I thought."

Sakura leaned forward for the juicy detail. "Continue."

"He's like this river. On the surface, it looks so straightforward—just water flowing in one direction. But if you look closer, there are all these currents underneath, moving in ways you can't see right away. That's Naruto. He's strong, unstoppable, but there's so much more going on beneath the surface."

Sakura blinked, surprised by the depth of Ino's words. "Wow. That's… not how I expected you to describe him."

Ino nodded, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

Sakura's lips curved into a sly smile. "Huh. Sounds like someone might have a crush."

Ino whipped her head around, her face flaming. "What?! No way!"

"Oh, come on," Sakura teased, leaning closer. "You just called him unstoppable, strong, and impressive. That's basically a love confession."

"It is not!" Ino protested, her voice rising. "I'm just saying I respect him, okay? Don't read into it!"

Sakura laughed, leaning back with a smug grin. "Alright, alright. Whatever you say, Ino. But I'm keeping an eye on you."

"You're impossible, you know that?"

"Takes one to know one."

The two friends laughed as Ino gazed out into the distance. Her eyes softened, lost in thought.

I wonder what Naruto is doing.

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The roar of the waterfall echoed in Naruto's ears as he stood at its base, surrounded by his shadow clones. Water cascaded over him, crashing down like thunder, but Naruto was too focused to care. For hours, he'd been trying to cut through the relentless flow with wind chakra, but something wasn't clicking.

He stood still, letting the water batter his shoulders as he concentrated. I've been thinking about this wrong, he thought. I'm treating it too much like the leaf exercise—small, precise, controlled. But this isn't about finesse. It's about power. Momentum.

Naruto closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he dismissed the clones. He raised his palm, gathering wind chakra into it. The energy swirled wildly at first, but he focused, shaping it into something sharper, more forceful. He waited for the right moment, his instincts guiding him.

Now!

With a sharp motion, he pushed the wind chakra forward, releasing it in a single, powerful burst. The air ripped through the waterfall, splitting the torrent cleanly in two. For the first time, Naruto could see the rocks behind the wall of water, gleaming wet and smooth in the sunlight.

"Yes! I did it!"

Naruto thrust his fists into the air, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as pure excitement bubbled up inside him. Without a second thought, he sprinted to the edge of the pool and leapt into the air, tucking his knees to his chest before plunging into the churning water below with an exhilarating splash.

The cold of the plunge pool hit him like a shock, but it only added to the thrill. He laughed underwater, bubbles escaping his mouth as he floated in the currents beneath the waterfall. The water was murky and dark from the constant turbulence, with sunlight barely piercing through the frothing surface.

Kicking lazily, Naruto stayed submerged, relishing his success and the cool embrace of the water. But as he turned his body to look around, something caught his eye—a faint, shimmering light flickering deep below.

Naruto stilled, his breath catching in his throat. The light was faint, barely distinguishable against the swirling shadows of the pool. It wasn't the sunlight reflecting off rocks or bubbles. This was something else.

His instincts kicked in. That's gotta be something important, he thought. No way I'm leaving it down there.

Naruto pushed himself toward the surface, gasping for air as his head broke through the frothy water. He inhaled deeply, steeling himself for what he was about to do.

"All right," he muttered to himself. "Let's see what you are."

Filling his lungs with as much air as he could, Naruto dove again, aiming straight for the faint glow far below. The cold pressed against him, and the further he went, the stronger the currents became, dragging at his body and threatening to push him back.

The glow grew clearer as he descended, but it was still faint, like trying to see a lantern through a thick mist. Naruto squinted against the darkness, angling his body to propel himself forward. The pressure in his ears built as the water grew colder, but he pressed on, his eyes locked on the faint light.

His lungs began to burn, but he ignored it, focusing on the task at hand. The glow flickered again, and now he could make out its source—a small object, no larger than his palm, wedged between two jagged rocks at the very bottom of the pool. It radiated the strange light, pulsing faintly like it was alive.

What is that? Naruto wondered, his mind racing even as his chest screamed for oxygen.

He stretched his hand forward, straining against the currents, but the force of the water was relentless. His body was being pushed upward, and his vision blurred from lack of air.

Come on, come on…

Desperate, Naruto activated the pyromancy flame in his free hand, forming a fireball. The heat fizzled instantly in the icy water, but the burst of energy was enough to propel him downward. His fingers brushed against the glowing object, the light intensifying at his touch.

Naruto's heart pounded as his hand closed around it. The moment he made contact, a surge of warmth spread through him, despite the freezing water. His HUD flashed in the corner of his vision:

[ You have picked up a Soul Drop. ]

Before he could react, the glow intensified, bathing the bottom of the pool in a soft golden light. The flickering light illuminated the dark, turbulent waters around him, and for a brief moment, everything seemed to pause.

But what made him freeze completely was the figure trapped beneath the rocks.

A mummified corpse lay crumpled between the jagged boulders, its body twisted as though it had been caught in its final struggle.

Naruto's breath caught in his throat, the water pressing in on him from all sides. The body, though decayed, was unmistakably human. Its presence felt heavy, oppressive, as if the very air—or water—around it was saturated with sorrow and regret.

The HUD updated again, breaking his frozen thoughts:

[ Soul of Shisui Uchiha acquired. ]

[ You have picked up the following: ]

[ Broken ANBU Armor ]

[ Broken ANBU Mask ]

[ Broken ANBU Leggings ]

[ Taijutsu Scroll - Fist of the Flickering Peregrine ]

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Author's Note:

Wasn't this an emotional rollercoaster of a chapter? Normally, I answer your questions here, but this time, I'd like to turn the tables and ask you: What did you think of the various plot beats in this chapter? Now, onto the Q&A!

1 - Is Ino Naruto's love interest? What about Tenten? Is this a harem?

I know these questions are bound to come up, so here's my answer: The pairing for Naruto: The Chosen Undead is currently undecided. Whether it's a single love interest, a harem, or another type of romance arc is something I'm leaving open for now. My focus is on character development—both male and female.

For example, we had Tenten's development in a previous chapter and Ino's growth in this one. Once the characters are older, I'll consider where the romance should go, or maybe I'll change my mind entirely! I'm constantly refining the story based on feedback, so feel free to suggest what romance you'd like to see. If I come across an idea that resonates with me and fits the story, I'll incorporate it.

And yes, before anyone asks, female characters from Dark Souls are also up for consideration! Whether you're interested in seeing Naruto x Tenten, Naruto x Ino, Naruto x Priscilla, Naruto x Quelaana, or others, let me know in the replies.

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2 - What is the Fist of the Flickering Peregrine?

Remember the chapter where Iruka taught Naruto the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) and mentioned Shisui Uchiha? Naruto had that thought about wanting to become "the next Shisui of the Body Flicker" or even "Naruto of the Body Flicker." That scene wasn't random—it was foreshadowing!

The Fist of the Flickering Peregrine is the technique that earned Shisui his nickname. Naruto has now acquired it, along with the Soul of Shisui Uchiha. The details of the technique and how it works as a Wind Style jutsu will be explained in the next chapter.

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3 - What wind jutsu should Danzō gift Naruto next?

Naruto currently has two Wind Style jutsu:

Vacuum Blade (from Asuma) Fist of the Flickering Peregrine (from Shisui)

But there's room for one more. What Wind Style jutsu should Danzō give him next? Let me know your suggestions! I'm always open to creative ideas.

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We have one more chapter before returning to Lordran and Solaire, so stay tuned! As always, thank you for your support, feedback, and amazing ideas. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this chapter's developments!

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[ Personal Note: First off, thanks a ton to all of you for sticking with this story. Seriously, you guys are awesome. Now, if you're interested in supporting me on P@treon, let me just say that over there, I post these massive 5k-word chapters. But heads up, if you're jumping to P@treon, you'll need to start from Chapter 39, since that's where this chapter lines up with the content there.

To everyone here just reading along, please don't forget to leave a comment! Honestly, your comments make my day, and they let me know you're as invested in this story as I am. So yeah, thanks again, and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day!