Chapter 8: Chapter 8
Naruto stood in the center of the battlefield, his mind sharp and focused. He had fought many opponents in his time, but none like this. The woman before him, Eliza, radiated an ominous energy that sent a chill down his spine. Her delicate, seemingly fragile appearance contrasted sharply with the dark power that flowed through her. Her claws were still covered in the blood she had savored, her red eyes glowing with a predatory gleam that promised danger.
King, who had been observing from the sidelines, couldn't remain passive any longer. She stepped forward, her body poised for action. "Naruto, she is a vampire. Don't let her catch you," King warned, her voice steady and firm despite the tension in the air. With a swift motion, King's leg snapped, releasing cutting Ki blades that shot toward Eliza with deadly precision. The attack, capable of slicing through metal with ease, should have overwhelmed any ordinary opponent.
But Eliza's reaction was nothing short of astounding. Her hands, delicate and unassuming, moved with a fluid grace to intercept the attack. The Ki blades, which would have easily cleaved through anything in their path, were stopped with a mere slap of her palm. The force of the block sent the Ki blades careening back toward King. Already prepared for this, King leaped away, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles. The blast of Ki that followed, however, was too powerful. It obliterated the surroundings, collapsing the building they stood near as it carved through the concrete and steel with ease.
Eliza's eyes glinted with amusement as she observed the destruction. Her senses seemed to come alive with the power of the battle. She could feel the blood pumping through Naruto's veins, the power of his spiritual energy. It was intoxicating. She had been waiting for this moment for centuries. Her hunger, once dulled by her prolonged slumber, had awakened in full force.
Eliza's thoughts raced as memories of her long, deep sleep surfaced. She had once been a powerful vampire, feared and revered in her dark world. However, when she found herself trapped in the human world, her powers had begun to fade. She had tried to restore herself by feeding on the blood of others, but it wasn't enough. What she needed was the blood of someone with a powerful spiritual force, something that could bring her back to her former glory. But such a person seemed impossible to find—until now.
Naruto, with his boundless energy and formidable presence, was exactly what she had been searching for.
"Finally, I have found you," Eliza purred, her voice thick with longing as her eyes fixed on Naruto with hungry intensity.
Naruto, sensing the threat in her gaze, couldn't help but respond with his usual playful nature. "Why don't you introduce yourself first before looking at me like that? My maiden heart feels very shy now." He chuckled, but inside, he was calculating his next move. He had dealt with powerful enemies before, but this was different. Eliza's power was unlike anything he had encountered.
"My name is Eliza," she replied, her tone languid and seductive. "And you, my dear, look like a treat. Why don't you let me have a drink? You're really too delicious. I've never come across such a fine dish in my long life."
A shiver ran down Naruto's spine as he watched her eyes glimmer with an almost childlike anticipation. "What are you?" he asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and caution.
"I am a vampire," Eliza answered, her words slow and deliberate, as if savoring the very idea of her existence. She flashed a wicked grin before she moved—fast, faster than anyone could track, her form blurring as she shot toward Naruto.
The ground beneath her cracked and shattered from the force of her speed, and the air around her exploded in a sonic boom. It was clear that Eliza was no ordinary vampire. She was a force to be reckoned with, and her speed alone was enough to overwhelm anyone in her path.
Naruto's eyes widened slightly as he saw the attack coming. His instincts kicked in immediately. With a quick hand sign, he summoned his clones to shield the others from the shockwave of Eliza's movements. The clones moved quickly, grabbing King, Poison, and the others, pulling them to safety as the ground continued to rumble beneath them.
"Interesting ability," Eliza murmured, her voice filled with curiosity as she watched Naruto's clones swiftly evacuate the bystanders. Her predatory gaze never wavered from him, and she was clearly excited by the challenge he presented.
King, hovering nearby, called out, "Naruto, do you need help?"
Poison, ever the opportunist, also spoke up, offering her assistance. "Boss, we can help out if you need."
Naruto shook his head, his expression calm and determined. "I can handle it. You guys get to safety, and I'll meet you later." His clones continued to move the others away from the battlefield, but Naruto remained, his attention fixed solely on Eliza.
The atmosphere around them crackled with tension as both combatants sized each other up. Eliza, with her vampiric strength, speed, and predatory instincts, and Naruto, with his unique blend of ninja techniques, chakra, and battle-hardened skill. The fight had only just begun, and already it was clear that this would be a battle like no other.
Eliza's grip on Naruto tightened, her arms like iron bands, yet her touch was surprisingly gentle. She spoke with a hint of both hunger and allure, her words dripping with desire. "Are you finished?"
Naruto, breathless but not defeated, managed a smile. "Yes, thanks for obliging to my request."
Her smile widened, but there was something almost predatory in it. "I do not want weaklings to ruin my meal." In an instant, her right leg shot up, aiming for his chin with a powerful kick. Naruto barely had time to react as she caught his hands in hers, but he quickly countered with his own leg, blocking her attack.
The sheer force of the impact sent tremors across Naruto's body, his muscles straining under the power of her kick. It was immediately clear to him that her physical strength surpassed his, even with his chakra-enhanced body. Her base power was higher, and with the dark energy she wielded, the difference was magnified. Naruto, however, was no stranger to fighting opponents with higher stats—this wasn't a new challenge for him, even if the fight was more difficult than most.
Eliza's movements were swift and fluid, and before Naruto could fully regain his balance, she lunged forward with a headbutt. He quickly braced himself, but she was faster. Pulling back, she ensnared him in a bear hug, her grip tightening around him like a vice. The force of it made Naruto's vision blur for a moment, but he refused to show weakness.
Both of them crashed to the ground, Eliza pinning Naruto beneath her. Her body was a weight pressing down on him, but there was something almost paradoxical about the situation. Her closeness, her scent, everything about her was alluring. Yet, her strength was overwhelming. As she mounted him, her eyes locked onto his with an intensity that was both beautiful and haunting.
"What are you going to do?" she purred, her voice soft yet filled with dangerous intent.
Naruto, slightly breathless, stared into her eyes. "Are you not scared that I was planning to kill you?" she asked with a teasing smile, clearly enjoying their interaction.
"No, I don't feel your desire to kill," Naruto replied, maintaining a calm expression despite the intense pressure of her hold.
Eliza's smile faltered slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on him. "I need you alive. There is no other person who can give me what you have. So let's come to an agreement," she said sweetly. "I don't want your taste to be ruined by despair. I'll let you live, and you'll feed me. Is that clear?"
Her words, spoken with such charm, made Naruto hesitate for a moment. She looked so innocent in her expression, but there was a darkness lurking beneath that beauty. The aura of power she exuded was unmistakable. Despite her sweet demeanor, Naruto couldn't ignore the danger she posed. She was not just a vampire; she was a predator, and he was her prey.
But before he could even react, Eliza's legs coiled around him like a snake, and in an instant, she had him trapped. She applied more pressure, pushing his head into a chokehold while her legs secured his arms. His body was pinned, and with alarming speed, she sank her fangs into his neck, drawing blood.
Naruto's immediate reaction was surprise. He had expected pain, but instead, he felt a strange wave of pleasure coursing through him. It was disorienting—his body wanted to resist, but the sensation was almost overwhelming. Her dark energy seeped into him, clouding his mind, slowing his movements.
'Damn, how stupid of me,' Naruto berated himself silently. He had forgotten the importance of eye abilities, thinking they wouldn't apply in this new world. But Eliza's control over him, her ability to manipulate him with that aura, was too much to ignore.
Naruto's body felt heavier as he fought against the pull of the vampire's influence. But despite the pleasure clouding his mind, he focused. "I will not give in," he thought, narrowing his focus. His chakra began to surge outward, forming a golden aura around him as he pushed Eliza off with sheer willpower. She was knocked back momentarily, giving Naruto enough time to summon clones to handle her while he regained his bearings.
'She's too strong physically,' Naruto thought as he observed her, his clones immediately engaging her. 'Her combat skills are higher than mine when I'm alone, and even our speeds are now equal. I can barely reach Mach 4 in combat, and Mach 5 with acceleration at my peak. I need more than just speed to fight her.'
Naruto felt his mind racing. He had fought opponents stronger than him before, but Eliza was a different kind of challenge. She was skilled, fast, and powerful—more so than many enemies he had faced. He couldn't afford to take her lightly.
Eliza, however, was enjoying the chase. Her red eyes gleamed with genuine desire, but Naruto could sense something else beneath her words. There was a certain vulnerability in her need for him, and yet it was hard to ignore the intensity of her hunger.
"Why won't you consider my offer?" she asked again, her voice almost childlike. "I'm offering you my companionship. Isn't that an honor? I really need a drink, and I'd rather not fall asleep for who knows how long. Please, don't make this harder than it needs to be."
Naruto didn't respond immediately, considering his options. Should he restrain her? Should he flee? The battle was getting more intense by the second, and they were dangerously close to the city. A fight like this could cause irreparable damage if it continued unchecked.
Instead of answering her, Naruto asked a question of his own, trying to probe deeper into her origins. "Do you know anyone with the ability to travel dimensions?" he asked, his voice steady. The way she spoke, the age-old knowledge in her eyes—it all pointed to a being far older than she appeared. Naruto had a feeling she was much more than just a mere vampire.
Eliza paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as if considering his question. "Dimensional travel?" she mused aloud. "Now, that's an interesting question. Why do you ask?" Her lips curled into a sly smile, but there was no malice in her tone—just curiosity.
Eliza's expression softened into a smile, her lips curling up as she walked toward Naruto with an air of confidence and grace. "Dimensional travel, are you interested in such a thing? Then I can satisfy that desire," she purred, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "I know of two beings that can travel dimensions, but both are far beyond your capabilities and are quite dangerous." Her tone was light, almost teasing, as she walked closer to him, a sense of satisfaction radiating from her. She had just fed, and her energy had returned in full force, a vitality that made her feel more alive than ever.
Naruto narrowed his eyes, sensing the shift in her demeanor. There was a hunger in her, not just for blood, but for something deeper—something that intrigued him. "I accept your request," he said, his voice steady. "But in return, help me when I'm ready for them."
Eliza's smile widened, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Wonderful," she said, her voice like honey, smooth and inviting. "Then don't mind if I take another bite." With that, she clapped her hands and embraced Naruto, her body pressing against his as she sank her teeth into his neck once more.
The contact, the sensation of her body so close to his, left Naruto momentarily stunned. Her curves pressed into him, and despite the situation, his body reacted to the proximity, a flush of warmth spreading through him. He could feel the sharpness of her fangs, but it wasn't the pain that overwhelmed him—it was the pleasure that accompanied her bite, the strange sensation that pulsed through his veins.
Eliza, unfazed by the physical reaction she caused, ignored the hardness pressing into her stomach. She had experienced it before, and it was a mere byproduct of her nature. Many men would react this way, especially when touched by someone like her. Her fangs pulled away after a moment, and she gave him a soft, satisfied smile. "Thank you for the meal," she said, her voice thick with contentment. "Now, could you guide me to your quarters?"
Naruto, still processing the encounter, nodded, feeling the effects of her bloodsucking fade quickly. His body, powerful as ever, was beginning to heal almost immediately. "I suppose it's time to leave then," he muttered to himself.
Leading Eliza to a hotel nearby, Naruto broke into a room that was currently unoccupied. It was the quickest option, and his transformation jutsu made it easy to slip inside unnoticed. He set her down on the bed, the soft mattress creaking under her weight as she settled in, making herself comfortable.
Eliza looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You're a thief, huh? I presumed you were a hero," she commented, her tone teasing yet filled with curiosity.
Naruto raised an eyebrow, perplexed by her comment. "Why would you think that?" he asked, his mind still distracted by the strange pull she had on him.
Eliza sat up slightly, her eyes narrowing as she seemed to think carefully before answering. "I can tell from the taste of your blood," she said, her voice thoughtful. "It tastes of purity, with no impurity."
Naruto paused, considering her words. "I'm a shinobi," he replied, trying to brush off her insinuations. "Stealing isn't much to us."
Her eyes gleamed with understanding. "I see," she murmured, her gaze softening. "If you wish, you can leave now. I will find you tomorrow, or you can come back in the morning." Her tone had shifted to something more relaxed, more casual, as though she were allowing him a choice.
Naruto stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of the situation. He had never encountered someone quite like her—dangerous, alluring, and paradoxical all at once. His thoughts were racing, and he was no longer sure what to make of her. "I think I'll leave for now," he said finally, his voice tinged with uncertainty. He had to clear his head, to think through everything that had happened.
As Eliza lay back on the bed, closing her eyes with a contented sigh, Naruto couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "She didn't want to sleep, but now she's sleeping. Habits really are hard to break."
Turning, he walked to the window, his mind still whirling with everything that had just transpired. With a quick hand seal, he activated the Transformation Jutsu, morphing into a bird and flying out of the window, leaving the room and Eliza behind for the night. His wings carried him through the cool night air, the city lights glinting below. He needed time to think—time to understand the enigmatic vampire and the dangerous path he might now be walking.