Naruto: The Chosen Undead

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Chapter 111 Beneath the Steam of Rice and Rage

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"So… where's Oscar?"

That was the first thing Naruto said as he stepped back into Tsunami's house—not a greeting, not a breath—just that question, direct and sharp.

Sakura froze mid-step, her mouth open, only to shut it just as quickly at the look on Naruto's face. It wasn't just serious. He looked… different. Like he hadn't just returned from a stroll but from a battlefield.

Sakura nudged Sasuke hard under the table. Sasuke sighed. "We kept him in the closet."

"Why?"

"Well, for one, he wouldn't stop hissing at people," Sakura said defensively.

"He tried to bite me," Sasuke muttered. "Well, at least he tried."

"Wow. So this is where we are now, huh? You've really stooped low enough to slander the most precious thing in the world?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "What—ramen?"

"Tch… Touché, bastard."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Actually, we made it cozy! Used blankets, one of Kakashi's shirts… he seemed pretty chill in there."

"I owe you two," Naruto said over his shoulder, reaching for the closet door—only to find it empty.

Naruto turned slowly, like a door creaking on its hinges, and fixed them both with a stare. "This," he said flatly, "is empty."

Sasuke sighed and, with no ceremony, kicked Sakura's shin under the table. "OW—! Fine!" she hissed. "Tsunami-san?"

From the kitchen, Tsunami's voice carried warmly: "Oh! You should check the backyard. I let him out to bask in the sun. Inari's been looking after him."

Before anyone could blink, a rush of wind stirred through the hallway curtains and Naruto was gone—a blur toward the yard.

Outside, the air smelled of damp soil and vegetables. Rows of plants were growing along makeshift wooden beds. A small irrigation pond shimmered near the edge of the yard, fed by a tiny channel from the nearby stream.

Oscar was there, half-submerged on his back in the shallow water, glimmering under the fading sun like a jewel. His crystals glinted softly.

But he wasn't alone.

A small hand reached toward him. Oscar hissed and rolled away. The hand belonged to a boy—spiky black hair, tired dark eyes. He wore a green jumper over a yellow shirt and a striped hat tilted low over his brow.

Tch, the boy huffed. "Really? After all that, and you still won't let me touch you?"

Naruto's voice cut through the air, amused and exasperated. "Oscar, what are you doing?"

Oscar perked up at once. The moment he saw Naruto, he sprang out of the water and sprinted across the yard, launching himself up Naruto's leg. The boy caught him with a laugh, pressing his forehead against Oscar's snout. The lizard chirped happily, his open mouth revealing his gleaming, crystalline maw.

"How did you do that?" the boy asked in disbelief, wide-eyed.

"Uh… who are you?"

Sakura walked up behind him. "That's Inari. Tazuna-san's grandson. He's been helping out, took care of Oscar while we were busy."

Naruto smiled and crouched down to the boy's level. "Thanks, Inari. Really. I hope he wasn't too much trouble."

Inari crossed his arms, looking away. "Whatever. He didn't even let me pet him."

"What've you been feeding him?"

"Fish. I caught them myself," Inari said, puffing up just a bit.

Naruto's grin widened. "You catch fish? Man, that's awesome. When I was your age, I could sit at a stream for hours and barely catch one. You've got real skill."

Inari's ears tinged pink. He tried to hide it.

"Still," Naruto added, "Oscar's a bit... picky. He can eat meat, sure—but what he really likes is metal. Especially things like iron and steel."

Naruto reached into his inventory scroll and pulled out a chipped and broken straight sword. "Wanna feed him properly?"

Inari's eyes widened as he nodded eagerly.

Naruto handed him the sword. "Here—offer it flat, like this."

Inari did as instructed. He held the blade out carefully, his hands trembling with anticipation.

Oscar sniffed it, chirped once, then bit down with a satisfying crunch. In moments, the sword was half-eaten, sparks of crystal forming at the corners of the lizard's jaw.

"That's… so cool!" Inari said, awe filling his voice.

Oscar licked his crystalline teeth and chirped again, nudging Inari's hand in what could only be called a thank-you.

From the house, Tsunami's voice called, "Dinner's ready, everyone! Come and eat!"

Naruto ruffled Inari's hair and stood up. "Come on," he said. "Let me teach you how to do belly rubs on this lizard."

Inari looked up with wide eyes and tried to hold back a smile.

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Kurenai stared at the pale-green toad with blue streaks sitting cross-legged on the wooden table, his tiny arms folded like a messenger carrying the weight of a much larger burden.

Gamaden.

Of all the things she expected today, a summoning from Mount Myōboku wasn't one of them.

Up until now, she'd been quietly hoping—maybe even relying—on someone like Jiraiya to show up. A Sannin. A legend. Someone with the kind of experience and knowledge to make sense of… everything.

Naruto's mysterious injury. Kakashi pushing his chakra network to its limits. The unknown threat still lurking in the shadows. Surely, Jiraiya would understand something they didn't. Maybe he could confirm whether Naruto's condition was tied to the Nine-Tails, like Kakashi had once suspected in his private notes. That's why she hadn't interfered—hadn't tried to step into Naruto's space. She didn't know how.

And now the frog said Jiraiya wasn't coming.

"I'm sorry, Gamaden-san," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But why exactly does Jiraiya-sama need to be in Mount Myōboku right now?"

The toad huffed, visibly annoyed. "Look, lady—I mean, ma'am—this is above your clearance. I was sent by Elder Fukasaku himself. Jiraiya's presence is required on Mount Myōboku. The reason is between him and the Great Toad Sage."

Kurenai exhaled slowly. She was trying to be patient. Truly. "I see. Then… how long will he be away?"

Gamaden scratched his head. "Few days at most. Depends on how long the Great Sage takes with the next prophecy... gah, dammit!"

He slapped a webbed hand to his mouth, realizing his slip. But Kurenai's lack of visible reaction made it clear she had no idea what he meant. No context. Just another strange piece of a puzzle too big for her to solve. With a sheepish shrug, the toad vanished in a puff of smoke.

Kurenai sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She was a Jonin. A genjutsu specialist. A leader of her own squad. And yet lately, she'd felt like nothing more than a nursemaid and a bystander. Should she send word to Konoha for backup? She glanced toward the corridor where Kakashi rested, his chakra signature flickering with exhaustion.

No. She'd wait. Focus on stabilizing him. Focus on what she could control.

"Dinner's ready, everyone! Come and eat!" Tsunami's cheerful voice rang through the house, offering a welcome distraction. Kurenai moved toward the dining room, grateful for something simple. Ordinary.

But what she walked into was anything but.

Sitting at the table, surrounded by rice bowls and pickled vegetables, was Inari—laughing. His face bright, his hands occupied rubbing Oscar's belly.

Is that… a summon? Kurenai thought, eyeing the crystal lizard as it relaxed under Inari's gentle touch.

"I never thought I'd see the day," came a voice beside her.

She turned. "Tazuna?"

The old man didn't look at her; his eyes were fixed on the sight in front of him. His voice, when he spoke, was quiet.

"The smile of my grandson. He's just a kid… but this world's taken too much from him. I thought maybe this bridge, my dream, would be the thing to bring it back. A little hope. But it wasn't. Not really. And now…" He exhaled, a bit shaky. "That lizard—whatever the hell it is—is giving him something I couldn't. Just one night where he gets to act his age. That's more than I ever hoped for."

Kurenai softened. "Don't thank me. This… this is all Naruto. I don't even know what that thing is."

"Well, I'll thank the brat myself, then," Tazuna said with a small, dry chuckle. "Strong one, isn't he? Lost an arm, still walks like he's untouchable."

Kurenai gave a faint nod as she sat beside Hinata, who hadn't touched her food. Her Byakugan active, focused on Oscar.

"Something wrong?"

Hinata hesitated. "I… I don't know how to describe it. Internally, Oscar is made entirely of crystal. Not bone. Just layers of… condensed chakra. Frozen solid, like... crystals."

"Strange you say that," Shino said, lifting a brow behind his shades. "My bugs feel stronger near him. Just proximity alone is stimulating them. Chakra saturation, maybe."

Kiba scoffed, reaching for a rice ball. "It's just a lizard. A weird one, sure. But not worth freaking out over."

They all ignored him.

"Well then, Naruto," Kurenai said, turning her gaze to the boy who was fussing over Oscar's tail, "a proper introduction would be appreciated. What is your little friend?"

"Team 8, this is Oscar. And I'm going to train him to be my ninken."

"Ninken," Kurenai corrected lightly. "That's the term for ninja-trained dogs. For general beasts trained for combat, it's ninchū."

"Oh! Thanks, sense..." Naruto caught himself. "Close. You almost earned the 'sensei' title."

"I'll work harder."

Kiba, not amused, muttered under his breath, "He named the lizard Oscar…"

"Am I supposed to know who Oscar is?" Kurenai asked, glancing around.

"It's… complicated," Shino replied. "Naruto's armor belonged to a man named Oscar. There's history there. And the name has caused… tension between Uzumaki-san and Inuzuka-san."

Kurenai caught it instantly—the way Kiba's jaw clenched, the faint bitterness in his tone. She frowned. There's a story here, she thought. And it's not a happy one.

Meanwhile, Inari, who had been quietly playing with Oscar, glanced up. "Will Oscar fight too?"

"Eventually," Naruto said. "Still gotta train him first. Maybe get some advice from Pakkun. Right, Sasuke?"

"Hn," Sasuke grunted without looking up, idly spearing a pickled onion.

Inari's hand froze mid-pat. His smile disappeared. The brim of his hat lowered over his eyes. "…Just leave!"

The room quieted.

"What did you say?" Kiba's voice was sharp.

"You heard me." Inari's small hands clenched. "Just go. Get out of here before Gato kills you all."

The warmth drained from the air like a dying fire.

"What did you just say, brat?"

Inari glared up at him, a child's defiance blazing beneath a mountain of fear. "You think you're strong? You think you can beat Gato? He owns this place. He owns everything. He'll crush you like bugs."

Kurenai leaned forward slightly. Sakura froze mid-bite. Even Sasuke paused.

Naruto didn't move. He just watched the boy carefully, his expression unreadable. But inside, he understood. That look in Inari's eyes… it wasn't anger. It was terror. Fear that the people you love will die. Fear that no matter how strong you are, it won't be enough. That no one can win. What kind of life had this child lived to make him speak like that?

"I don't know who this 'Gato' guy is, but I'm telling you right now, there's no way some thug like that stands a chance against me."

"What are you, stupid?"

Kiba's nostrils flared. "Listen here, you little..."

"Kiba!" Kurenai's voice cracked like a whip.

But the boy didn't stop. Akamaru barked beside him, rising with hackles raised. Inari flinched at the sound but didn't back down, hands clenched into tiny fists. "If you don't want your mutt to die," Inari said, "then you should leave while you can!"

Kiba growled low in his throat and took a step forward and that was when Naruto moved, stepping in between the two. "Really? Getting worked up over a kid? What, you think you're some tough guy now?"

"Say that again, deadlast!"

Naruto didn't bother. His eyes flicked to Inari and immediately, he noticed something was off. "…Genjutsu," he muttered under his breath. His gaze shifted to the side, Tazuna was frozen too. So was Tsunami.

The others followed his eyes until they all landed on Kurenai, who had just finished her hand signs. "I shouldn't even need to say this," she said, her voice flat with disappointment. "How to behave with a client. The respect and restraint required when dealing with civilians—weren't you taught this in the Academy?"

"You tell 'em," Kiba muttered, clearly assuming she was on his side.

Kurenai exhaled like she was trying not to slap a wall. "I am talking about you, Kiba."

He blinked. "What? I can't be mad the brat threatened Akamaru..."

"He didn't threaten him," Naruto interrupted, earning a sharp glare from Kiba.

Shino replied calmly. "Kiba-san. The boy did not issue a threat. He voiced a fear, born not from arrogance, but experience. You've seen the state of the people here. Do you really think Tazuna's family has been untouched by it?"

Kiba opened his mouth to argue. But the look Kurenai shot him—the silent fury of a woman at the edge of her patience—shut him up. She lifted the genjutsu from the civilians with a wave of her hand. "Let's eat," she said, voice tight.

The table fell into a strained silence. Tazuna and Tsunami tried to smile and play host, but the air was heavy. Everyone ate the modest portions with quiet understanding.

When the meal was done, Naruto stood and gave a slight bow, his voice calm and formal, just as Seigmeyer had taught him. "That was a fine meal, Lady Tsunami. You have my gratitude."

"Oh! Thank you, Naruto-kun. That's kind of you to say."

Kurenai watched him, quietly taken aback. So this was the real Naruto. Not the loudmouth from the Academy, not the unpredictable prankster the village gossiped about; no, this boy was disciplined, respectful, thoughtful. She could see it in his posture, his tone, the way he measured his words. There's a man in there, she thought. Someone taught him well.

"See that?" she said to the group. "That's how you conduct yourself around civilians. You make them feel safe. Respected."

Kiba grumbled. "Whatever…"

"Genin Kiba."

He looked up, shoulders tensing.

"You're on night watch."

He blinked. "…Tonight?"

"Starting now."

Sakura raised a hand hesitantly. "Kurenai-sensei, when will Kiba's shift end? And who'll take over after him?"

"No one," Kurenai said flatly. "He's guarding the house all night. Alone."

Everyone stared.

"Let this serve as punishment for his behavior," she continued, eyes flicking to the rest of the group. "And let it be a warning to the rest of you. You're shinobi. You represent more than yourselves. You act with discipline, especially in front of those you've sworn to protect. Am I understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" the others chorused, backs straightening.

Kiba groaned quietly but said nothing. Akamaru nuzzled his leg.

Naruto watched the exchange in silence, then glanced toward Inari, who was staring down at his half-finished meal. He didn't speak, but he did reach under the table and gently slide a tiny piece of bent iron toward Oscar, who chewed it with a delighted chirp. It was small. But maybe that gesture—the silent way Inari tried to share—was a start.

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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 55, 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!