Naruto Locke: "Yo? Is this really a cursed resurrection? This is the first time I've encountered a world like this. Where did the character card come from?"
The Boys Locke: "Don't ask me. I'm still trying to fully control Megumi Fushiguro's Domain Expansion. But more importantly, are you okay over there?"
Naruto Locke: "What's there to be afraid of? We can't die. I just saved six hundred points. And according to our experiments, pretending to be... showing off in front of people really does increase popularity points."
The Boys Locke: "True. The three who died earlier only gave eighteen popularity points total. The Kumogakure ninja after them were clearly of similar strength, but each gave over twenty-five points. The last one I took down gave three hundred. It seems I've been wasting opportunities."
One Piece Locke: "But is it really okay if you die? I don't even want to think about the black robe's experience—death really doesn't feel good."
Naruto Locke: "Overall, I'll definitely upgrade and restore my condition as soon as possible. But it just occurred to me: since I chose the role of a sorcerer, why not think like one?"
As soon as he said this, a famous line from the world of Jujutsu Kaisen instantly surfaced in all their minds—the iconic words of the modern era's strongest, the 2.5 prison realm's Satoru Gojo.
"The growth curve of a sorcerer isn't necessarily smooth. With a solid foundation, a little inspiration and imagination, and then just a small chance for transformation."
Just like themselves. The Lockes instantly understood Naruto Locke's train of thought and sighed one after another:
"You've been influenced by cursed energy, haven't you? That's insane—using death as a stepping stone for growth. You're already a qualified sorcerer."
Naruto Locke: "Of course. It turns out my idea was correct."
As he spoke, Hokage Locke manifested a long knife, then slashed it across his own neck. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he slowly revived.
Naruto Locke: "Reverse Cursed Technique—pushing toward the strongest path. It seems we can completely break out of the system's predetermined upgrade framework and become stronger in ways we never imagined."
Watching Hokage Locke, the corners of The Boys Locke's mouth curled slightly.
"But now's not the time to talk about this. Even though time in the dream is almost infinite, I still can't wait."
With that, the black-robed Locke made a gesture of invitation.
"How can we keep them waiting? Hurry up and link with them. This time, we still need to see blood flow like a river!"
"What else do you need? Of course, we need to entertain them properly."
[Extreme Situation Detected]
[In accordance with the Host Protection Clause, emergency character cards are now available]
[Please select a suitable character card from the following options]
[Geralt of Rivia] (5/min)
[Tezcatlipoca] (15000/min)
[Shadow Flow Master: Calamity] (350/min)
Hokage Locke: "Hey, are you seeing the consumption rates now? It seems that with more of us, the system can keep upgrading."
Naruto Locke: "But now's not the time to talk about that."
Making the only choice, a vortex appeared behind Hokage Locke. As the wind swept through the dream, Hokage Locke left them with a mad grin and said:
"Everyone, see you later."
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
"Perhaps I'll never forget him for the rest of my life."
The Third Raikage stood before Locke's corpse, his expression extremely complex—admiration for Locke, rage at him for killing so many of his good men, and regret that he would never get to fight a fully grown Locke.
He also considered whether to save him, to take him back to the village as a seed. If there was a child who could inherit his talent—and his ninjutsu wasn't a bloodline limit—then this loss might not be a loss at all.
Unfortunately, in just half a minute, Locke's death would become absolute. No matter how skilled a medical ninja, they couldn't save him. And now, their best medical ninja couldn't bring him back from death.
"A!! I'll kill you! I swear I'll kill you!!"
Looking at the old friend before him, A paid him no mind. He simply appeared before him, crouching down to talk, as if catching up with an old acquaintance.
"I'm sorry, Choza. I truly admired that kid. It's a pity—I got a bit too excited, my hand was a little heavy."
"I—!"
Facing Choza's watery attack, A didn't bother to dodge. He took the blow directly to the face.
"Anyway, we've known each other for years. I've never seen you this angry, not even when your teacher died in battle. It seems he was more than just a genius to you."
"You're not worthy to speak of my teacher! Shut your filthy mouth!"
"So noisy!!"
The Third Raikage hadn't even reacted when his two bodyguards finally couldn't hold back anymore. They were about to teach Choza a lesson when they suddenly noticed the shadows beneath their feet slowly receding like black mist.
The one who reacted faster than them was the Third Raikage. His lightning-release chakra mode fully activated, and the shadow clone was instantly severed.
But this time, it was just a feint. The moment he launched his attack, Locke, now the Shadow Flow Master, had slipped through the shadows with Choza, rescuing him and leaving them without their only hostage.
After A cut down the shadow clone, he immediately went on alert. He turned his head and saw that Choza had vanished. His gaze shot to the tree hollow where Locke had been embedded.
As he suspected, the hollow was empty. Only blood that had yet to dry remained.
"Impossible! Your chakra was nearly depleted. Without a medical ninja of Tsunade-hime's caliber, you had no chance of survival!"
"What the hell are you?!"
An incredulous roar instantly pierced through the forest. The Kumogakure ninja who could still move immediately sensed something was wrong. They gathered around the Raikage like startled birds, warily watching every shadow around them, terrified that Locke might leap out and kill them.
Their pupils suddenly contracted, their faces full of ghostly fear. In the midst of this stagnant terror, the Shadow Flow Master, surrounded by thick black mist, slowly rose from the shadow before them. The crimson pupils beneath the mask were piercing, locking onto them tightly, making everyone forget to breathe.
"I am Nara Locke."
His eerie voice, wrapped in coldness, burst forth from the shadows, spreading into their ears: "Did you forget?"
Before the words could fade, shadow clones born from the secret techniques of another world burst forth like a tidal wave, instantly flooding the entire forest.
Some stood on the ground, some crouched on tree trunks, some hung upside down among the tangled branches and leaves—layer upon layer, airtight.
"Thanks to you—" The tail of his voice stretched into a bright smile, shadow mist swirling madly around his body with his words. "I've come back from hell... to kill my way back!"