Naruto Multiverse

Naruto advanced cautiously through the dense forest, daggers held firmly in each hand. The air was thick and humid, filled with the earthy scent of leaves and soil. This island, though only one among the many in the archipelago, was massive. It reminded him of the Forest of Death back in Konoha, but the dangers here were of a different kind—unknown, untamed, and deliberately placed to test him and the other recruits.

The initial parts of the forest were bustling with the noise of recruits and their movements, but as Naruto ventured deeper, the sounds began to fade. The silence was unsettling. He hadn't encountered another recruit since entering, and the realization didn't sit well with him.

Naruto's sharp eyes caught glimpses of the monitoring devices hidden within the canopy. Small, metallic spheres nestled among the branches, their lenses swiveling silently to track his every move. He studied one briefly before shrugging it off.

"This whole archipelago must be manmade," Naruto thought, inspecting the unnatural arrangement of the forest floor. "The trees, the terrain, even the creatures—they were brought here on purpose. Everything is tailored for this exam."

He crouched low, examining the faint tracks on the ground. The patterns in the soil confirmed his suspicions. The forest had been moved here, likely along with its monstrous inhabitants. He straightened and continued forward, his senses on high alert.

As Naruto ventured deeper, an unnatural silence settled over the forest. The rustling leaves and distant calls of birds were gone, replaced by an oppressive stillness. His grip on the daggers tightened, and his sharp instincts told him something was watching.

A glint of red caught his attention, and he spun around to find a pair of blood-red eyes staring at him from the shadows. The creature emerged slowly, stepping into the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees.

It stood over two meters tall, its muscular frame covered in coarse, dark fur. Its face was a grotesque blend of human and bull, with curved horns that gleamed menacingly. Naruto recognized it immediately—a Minotaur.

The Minotaur's blood-red eyes locked onto Naruto, and with a bellowing roar, it charged. Its hooves pounded the ground, shaking the earth as it closed the distance in an instant, aiming to impale Naruto with its massive horns.

Naruto moved with practiced ease, sidestepping the charge with precision. The Minotaur's horns rammed into a tree behind him with a deafening crash, splintering the trunk.

Before it could recover, Naruto leaped into the air, spinning with agility. His heel came crashing down on the creature's spine in a devastating axe kick.

Crack!

The Minotaur roared in fury, staggering but not falling. Its sheer durability was impressive, and the damage seemed to only enrage it further.

It turned, eyes blazing with rage, and charged again. This time, it swung its massive arms, aiming to tear Naruto apart. But its movements were sluggish compared to Naruto's speed.

Darting around the beast like a shadow, Naruto created an opening and hurled both daggers with all his strength. The blades cut through the air with a sharp whistle, breaking the sound barrier before embedding themselves in the Minotaur's eyes.

The creature howled, thrashing blindly, blood pouring from its ruined sockets. Yet it still didn't fall.

"You're a tough one," Naruto muttered, approaching cautiously.

The Minotaur swung wildly, its strength undiminished despite its injuries. Naruto dodged with a fluid motion, sidestepped its last desperate charge, and delivered a precise punch to its chest.

His fist slammed into its flesh with the force of a cannonball, the shockwave traveling straight to its heart. The beast's roar died in its throat as it collapsed, lifeless.

Naruto stood over the fallen Minotaur, catching his breath. He examined the creature, noting its high durability and resilience.

"That should give me high points," he said to himself. "Minotaurs aren't easy to deal with."

Kneeling beside the corpse, he worked quickly to remove its horns, tucking them away for future use. They would serve as trophies, materials, or perhaps weapons.

Satisfied, Naruto rose and wiped the blood off his daggers. The jungle was still eerily quiet, as if even the forest acknowledged the death of its predator.

In the observation room of the warship, multiple screens displayed live feeds from the surveillance devices scattered across the island. The recruits' actions were monitored closely, each movement recorded and analyzed. One screen caught the attention of former Admiral Z—a feed showing Naruto's encounter with the Minotaur.

"Menma Uzumaki killed Level 2 monster: Minotaur."

The notification blinked briefly on the screen before fading away. Monsters on the island were classified into five levels based on their strength, agility, and durability. Level 1 monsters were the weakest, while Level 5 monsters were formidable enough to rival even the elite recruits.

Each level corresponded to a different score:

Level 1:1 pointLevel 2:2 pointsLevel 3:3 pointsLevel 4:4 pointsLevel 5:5 points

For a recruit to take down a Level 2 monster solo was commendable, but what intrigued Z wasn't just the result—it was the way Naruto had fought.

Z leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he replayed Naruto's fight. The young man displayed a blend of precision and adaptability, dispatching the Minotaur with a mix of speed, power, and calculated attacks.

"His power is good," Z remarked, his voice calm yet carrying a note of approval. "Better than most of the recruits in the ordinary camp, I'd say. It seems this child has changed a lot in just a month."

Beside him, Vice Admiral Garp was grinning broadly, his signature laugh filling the room. "Gahaha! He's got guts, I'll give him that. Brute force, quick thinking—my kind of guy!"

Z chuckled at Garp's enthusiasm but maintained his measured demeanor. "High potential, yes. To achieve this level of improvement in such a short time is impressive. But raw talent and power aren't enough. Let's see how he performs over the next three days. Only consistency and adaptability will decide his future."

Z's standards were high, as one would expect from a man who had once trained the current admirals. He had seen countless recruits with promise falter under pressure or fail to maintain their momentum.

"This Menma Uzumaki might have skill," Z muttered, "but talent alone doesn't make an elite. It's the accumulation of experience, strategy, and resilience. Let's see if he can meet the mark."

Garp, on the other hand, seemed less concerned about details. "He's got fire in his belly, Z. That's what matters. Let the kid show us what he's made of!"

The two seasoned Marines continued to watch the screens, their sharp eyes analyzing not just Naruto, but every recruit's performance. For Naruto, this was just the beginning—a single point in a grueling assessment. The real challenge lay in maintaining his momentum and proving his worth over the next three days.

As the feed switched to another recruit's fight, Z's gaze lingered on Naruto's screen for a moment longer. The young man had caught his attention, but earning his approval would be an entirely different matter.

Naruto crouched on a sturdy branch, his keen senses tingling as he detected a dangerous presence approaching. His gaze sharpened, and soon, the source of the threat came into view—a monstrous bunny-like creature with unnaturally long arms and a muscular frame that radiated power. Its eyes glowed with a feral intensity, and it moved with an eerie grace that belied its size.

"Man, what's up with these weird-ass animals," Naruto muttered under his breath.

Without wasting time, he drew a dagger and took aim. With a flick of his wrist, the weapon tore through the air at blistering speed, heading directly for the beast's eye. However, the creature reacted swiftly, raising one of its elongated arms to block the attack. The dagger embedded itself in the beast's forearm, but it didn't flinch. Instead, it turned its attention toward Naruto, its glowing eyes narrowing in recognition of its target.

Naruto tensed, his instincts screaming at him as the beast crouched, coiling its powerful legs. In an instant, it leaped into the air, closing the distance between them with shocking speed, its massive arms spread wide like hammers ready to crush him.

He reacted on instinct, launching himself off the branch just as the creature slammed into it, splintering the wood into shards that rained down around them. The bunny was relentless, pivoting mid-air to chase after Naruto before he could gain any ground.

Naruto realized quickly that this was no ordinary beast. Its raw speed was comparable to his own, and it seemed to possess a predatory cunning. However, it lacked combat finesse—an opening Naruto intended to exploit.

Darting through the dense forest, he reached for the weighted chains strapped to his body. The moment he unhooked them, he felt a familiar lightness, his mobility instantly improving. As he weaved between the trees, he threw the chains to either side, embedding the sharp ends into two sturdy trunks. The dense foliage camouflaged his trap perfectly.

The beast, driven by bloodlust, charged blindly after him. The inevitable collision came with a sickening thud as the chains caught the creature square in the chest. Its momentum drove the sharp metal deep into its flesh, drawing a pained roar that echoed through the forest.

Naruto didn't let the opportunity slip. With the beast momentarily immobilized, he spun his spear with practiced precision and drove it into the creature's chest, piercing its heart. The impact sent both predator and prey crashing to the ground, the spear buried deep in the now-lifeless body.

Naruto stood atop the fallen beast, breathing heavily. He yanked the spear free, inspecting its slightly damaged tip with a frown. "Damn, this thing was troublesome," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. His gaze shifted to the monstrous bunny's hulking form. "It would've been nice to tame something like this. Fast, strong, and resilient—it's practically a perfect weapon."

Back on the warship, Z and Garp watched the battle unfold on the surveillance screen. When the notification appeared—

Menma Uzumaki killed Level 4 monster: Savage Bunny.

—Z raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued further.

"That was well done," Z admitted, his tone measured but approving. "That creature had the physical advantage in every category except speed, and he compensated for that with strategy. Setting a trap mid-battle showed critical thinking under pressure."

Garp let out a booming laugh, smacking the table. "Gahaha! Kid's got guts and brains. I like how he didn't lose his cool. That's the kind of thinking that'll keep him alive in the long run."

Z nodded but remained thoughtful. "He's showing promise, but it's still early. A single clever move isn't enough to prove he belongs among the elite. Let's see how he fares as the challenges intensify."

Garp grinned, already enjoying the show. "Oh, he'll deliver. Mark my words, Z. This one's got the fire."

As the feed shifted to other recruits' battles, Z's eyes lingered on Naruto's screen for a moment longer, silently acknowledging the young man's potential. The journey to prove himself had only begun, and each step would demand more from him.

In the dense forest, Naruto finally allowed himself a moment of respite, his body leaning against the trunk of a sturdy tree. His breathing slowed as the adrenaline from earlier battles began to ebb away. However, the calm was short-lived as the rustling of nearby bushes caught his attention.

His instincts flared, and he gripped his spear tightly, his voice cutting through the stillness. "Come out!"

To his surprise, the figure that emerged from the underbrush was not a beast but Hina, the pink-haired girl who had previously warned him about the dangers of the island. She stepped forward cautiously, her hand resting on the grip of a pistol as she scanned the area with vigilance. Her eyes widened as they settled on the enormous carcass of an Antylamon, one of the strongest creatures on the island.

Hina froze, her gaze locked on the lifeless body. Her expression shifted from shock to disbelief as she tried to process what she was seeing. "Isn't this one of the strongest monsters here?" she muttered under her breath, her mind racing.

Unlike Naruto, Hina had a detailed understanding of the combat assessment and the monsters inhabiting the island. She knew their strengths and weaknesses, and the sight of a slain Level 4 beast stunned her. It wasn't until she recovered that she finally noticed Naruto standing calmly nearby, watching her with a faint smirk.

"How?" Hina asked, her voice tinged with awe and curiosity as she gestured toward the fallen Antylamon.

Naruto simply pointed at his spear, his face neutral but his posture radiating confidence.

Realization dawned on her. "Hina apologizes for doubting you. I didn't think you'd survive, let alone take down one of the strongest monsters here."

Her view of Naruto shifted dramatically. She had underestimated him, dismissing him as someone too weak to handle the trials of the island. Now, standing before him, she realized he was far more capable—and dangerous—than she had imagined.

Naruto's casual demeanor softened the atmosphere. "Why don't you sit down and join me for a meal? This beast looks strong; it should have plenty of nutrients to keep us going."

Hina hesitated before nodding. "Thanks. Hina was feeling hungry anyway."

As Naruto began dismantling the Antylamon with practiced efficiency, he spoke without much thought. "You seem like a nice and honest person. Why don't we team up? We can work together here and maybe even after the training. I like having reliable people around."

Hina was taken aback by his sincerity. She glanced at him thoughtfully before replying, "Hina will consider it."

After a brief pause, she added, "But shouldn't we move? The scent of blood will attract other beasts."

Naruto grinned, his confidence unshaken. "That's the plan. It's better to let them come to us than waste energy searching for them."

Hina raised an eyebrow. "Are you confident in such a claim? Hina might have to reconsider your sanity."

Naruto chuckled. "You're free to leave if you want, but staying or going is a choice you'll have to make. Either way, it'll shape what comes next."

Hina pondered his words carefully. Realizing the deeper implications, she eventually nodded. "Fine. Hina will trust you, but if things go south, Hina's running and won't look back."

As the two ate in silence, Naruto busied himself preparing for the inevitable. Using materials from the forest and supplies he carried, he set traps and scattered a fine powder he explained was a paralyzing agent.

An hour later, the forest erupted with the sound of a feral, bloodcurdling roar.

Hina's hand instinctively went to her sword and pistol, her sharp eyes scanning the bushes as tension filled the air. Naruto stood up, calm but energized, and handed her a small herb to chew on.

"This will help with the toxins if you're exposed," he said, tossing more of the powder into the surrounding area. "Get ready. The slaughter party's about to start."

Moments later, the bushes parted to reveal a Giant Green Wolf, its emerald fur bristling with menace. The beast was massive, easily three or four times the size of a normal wolf, and its glowing eyes locked onto the duo with predatory intent. Behind it, a pack of smaller wolves emerged, their movements synchronized and deadly.

Hina felt the weight of the situation. The wolf was a Level 3 monster, and the pack only added to the danger. Her grip tightened on her weapons, but seeing Naruto's calm and confident stance gave her some reassurance.

The fight was brutal and relentless. Naruto and Hina worked in tandem, her precise strikes and quick reflexes complementing his raw power and strategic traps. The paralyzing powder slowed the beasts, giving them the edge they needed to turn the tide.

By dawn, the forest floor was littered with wolf corpses, their blood soaking into the earth. Exhausted but victorious, Naruto and Hina retreated from the scene, their bodies aching but their spirits high.

As they found a stream to cleanse themselves, Hina glanced at Naruto, her earlier skepticism replaced with genuine respect. "You're insane," she said with a faint smile, "but Hina has to admit, you're also impressive."

Naruto grinned, the thrill of battle still burning in his eyes. "Told you it'd be fun."

Three days passed quickly, and the time for the assessment had finally come to an end. The Marine's siren echoed across the island, signaling to the recruits that their time in the forest was over. Immediately, all of the recruits halted their actions and began to make their way out of the forest.

The transformation of the forest over the past few days was significant. The number of monsters had drastically reduced, and on the final day, nearly all of the lower-level monsters had disappeared. The remaining higher-level monsters were hunted down in coordinated efforts by teams of recruits. As the recruits emerged from the dense woods, most were battered and bruised, their clothes torn and ragged from the relentless battles.

Although there had been no fatalities, injuries were widespread. This was a far cry from what would have happened had the assessment been a real battle against pirates—then, the level of casualties would have been far higher. Still, despite the hardships, the recruits had survived, and the fact that no one had died was a testament to their abilities and the training they had undergone.

It didn't take long before the warships returned to the Marine headquarters, where the recruits were gathered in the main square. Those who were heavily injured were still being treated, but the rest stood together in anxious anticipation. The results of their performance had yet to be announced, and the atmosphere buzzed with nervous energy.

The recruits exchanged whispers as they waited for the announcement.

"How many did you hunt?" one recruit asked another, eager to compare their performance.

"I killed at least three Level 3 monsters," came the response. "As for Level 1 and 2, I lost count."

Another recruit chimed in proudly, "I hunted a Level 4 monster."

The others gasped in awe, their eyes widening. A Level 4 monster was rare, and taking one down was no easy feat.

"What about you?" one asked, looking around the group.

"Who do you think will come first?" another recruit questioned.

"It has to be Drake," someone replied with certainty. "I heard he killed a Level 5 monster."

The air thickened with excitement at the mention of Drake's name. He was widely considered the strongest recruit, and his rumored kill of a Level 5 monster only solidified his position as the most powerful. Many recruits turned to look at him in awe, some with expressions of disbelief.

As the murmurs continued to spread, the sound of footsteps echoed through the square. All the recruits fell silent, their attention immediately focused on the rear admiral who was about to announce the results. The rear admiral stepped forward with a serious expression, his gaze sweeping over the gathered recruits.

"The scores have been counted," the rear admiral announced in a calm but authoritative voice. "Your assessment results will be published now."

The recruits held their breath, eagerly staring at the large curtain that concealed the rankings. Some were anxious, some relieved, but all were hoping to see their names among the top contenders.

As the curtain was drawn back, the list of results appeared. Some recruits visibly relaxed, while others tried to keep their expressions neutral. Everyone was searching for their name, but as they scanned the list, confusion spread.

"Let me read the top ten names," the rear admiral continued. His tone was steady, but there was a hint of suspense in the air as he prepared to announce the results.

"Tenth place: Saul."

"Ninth place: Hugh."

The rear admiral continued to read out names, and each one was met with little more than mild interest from the recruits. These were the names they had expected to hear.

"Fourth place: Hughes."

A murmur rippled through the crowd at this announcement. Hughes had been expected to place in the top three, but now he was in fourth. Many recruits exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what had happened.

The rear admiral paused, letting the tension build as he prepared to announce the next name.

"Third place: Drake."

The air in the square seemed to freeze. Shock rippled through the recruits, and a deep silence followed the announcement. Drake, the presumed strongest recruit, had placed third? There was an immediate outcry.

"What? Third place?"

"Is this a mistake?"

"Drake is third? Impossible!"

The whispers grew louder, and many recruits turned to Drake, who stood in stunned silence. He had been confident that he would come in first, but now he found himself in third place, a result that left him baffled.

The rear admiral raised his voice, trying to restore order. "Quiet down!" he barked, his tone sharp.

The recruits fell into a tense silence, though they were clearly still processing the shock of Drake's placement.

"Second place: Hina."

The announcement was met with a mixture of disbelief and awe. Hina? Second place?

Many recruits looked around, trying to comprehend what they had just heard. "Hina scored higher than Drake?" one recruit muttered in disbelief.

"I knew she was strong, but more than Drake? That's unbelievable."

Hina, though proud of her achievement, couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. She had known she was strong, but surpassing someone as powerful as Drake was a true surprise, even to her.

Now, only one name remained. The recruits were on edge, their eyes wide as they waited to hear who had taken first place.

"The first place... Menma!"

Silence.

The announcement hung in the air like a heavy fog, and for a moment, it seemed like time itself had stopped. The recruits stared at the rear admiral in disbelief, their mouths agape.

Menma? The quiet, unassuming recruit who had kept a low profile throughout the assessment? How had he come in first?

The shock was palpable. The recruits exchanged confused glances, and whispers began to spread.

"Menma? Really?"

"Was he hiding his strength the whole time?"

"Damn, what a showoff. Couldn't he have just done it the normal way?"

The disbelief was overwhelming, but as the recruits processed the results, a new sense of respect began to form. Menma had shown incredible skill, and now he was standing at the top, the unexpected victor of the assessment.

Z led Naruto into a small, secluded practice field located on the outskirts of the square, away from the hustle and bustle of the recruits. The room was modest, with only the two of them present, a sense of quiet anticipation filling the space. The door closed with a soft click behind them, cutting them off from the outside world, as the weight of the moment sank in.

Z turned to face Naruto, his eyes assessing the young man with keen interest.

"Who trained you?" Z asked, his voice firm yet curious.

Naruto's response was simple, yet revealing. "No one. I trained by myself."

Z raised an eyebrow, impressed by the boy's words. "Hmm, you are a talented boy indeed if you can do such without any formal training."

Naruto's eyes brightened at the compliment, but he didn't linger on it. He was focused on what lay ahead—the next step in his journey toward greater strength. "Thank you, but I would be happy to receive instructions about Haki and Rokushiki."

Z's gaze sharpened when Naruto mentioned Haki. The boy's words told him everything he needed to know: Naruto was ready. His instincts had been honed, and now it was time to guide him in the right direction. Z's expression softened slightly.

"Good," Z said, nodding approvingly. "Haki is a powerful tool, but it's not something that can be learned in a single day. It requires patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of your own will. I'll guide you, step by step."

Naruto's heart raced with excitement at the thought of finally learning the legendary technique. He had always dreamed of mastering Haki, and now the opportunity was within his grasp.

Z paused for a moment, giving Naruto time to process the words. Then, he continued.

"Before we begin with Haki, however, I suggest you learn about the Marine Six Powers."

Naruto nodded eagerly, understanding that mastering the basics would lay the foundation for his training in Haki.

Z moved with ease, demonstrating the different techniques of Rokushiki with fluid precision. First, he displayed Soru, the technique that allowed for high-speed movement. His form was almost a blur, and Naruto could barely keep up with his movements.

"Soru," Z explained, "allows you to move at incredible speeds, faster than the eye can see. Mastering it requires intense leg strength and precise control over your body's movement."

Next, Z demonstrated Tekkai, the ability to harden the body like iron, making it nearly invulnerable to attacks. Z struck a nearby stone pillar with a powerful punch, leaving no dent, before turning back to Naruto.

"Tekkai," Z continued, "is all about controlling your body's natural defenses. By focusing your energy into your muscles, you can make your body as tough as steel."

Then came Rankyaku, the technique that allowed the user to unleash a powerful, cutting kick. Z performed a swift roundhouse, sending a blade of compressed air slicing through the air with a whistling sound.

"Rankyaku," he explained, "uses your legs to generate a forceful, concentrated gust of air capable of slicing through almost anything."

Z then demonstrated Shigan, the technique that turned the user's fingers into deadly weapons capable of piercing through tough materials. With a single thrust, Z punched through a thick log, leaving a hole in its center.

"Shigan," he said, "allows your fingers to become as strong as a spear, perfect for close-range combat and puncturing even the hardest armor."

Finally, Z showed Naruto the technique that tied everything together: Kami-e. Z moved like a fluid wave, bending his body in ways that seemed impossible as he dodged and swayed effortlessly to avoid incoming attacks.

"Kami-e is the art of evasion," Z explained. "By relaxing your body, you can become as fluid as water, slipping past your opponent's attacks without a trace."

Naruto watched with awe, absorbing every movement, every technique. His body instinctively began to mirror Z's, and his mind raced with thoughts of how these techniques could enhance his combat skills.

Z turned back to him, seeing the eagerness in Naruto's eyes. "You see, all six powers are interconnected. They will enhance your physical abilities and make you a formidable force. Mastering them is the key to unlocking your true potential."

Naruto nodded, a fire igniting within him. He had always relied on his strength and cunning, but now, with these techniques, he could elevate his combat abilities to a whole new level.

"Now, Naruto," Z said, "before we move on to Haki, I want you to train with these techniques. Practice them until they are second nature to you. Only once you have a solid foundation in these powers will you be ready to unlock the true potential of Haki."

Naruto clenched his fists, determination shining in his eyes. He was ready. Ready to train, ready to learn, and ready to become stronger. With Z's guidance, he would master the Marine Six Powers and Haki, two of the most formidable skills known to man.

This was just the beginning of his journey.