Zikola was not a city one could get used to easily.
Even after time had passed, even after seeing the people, the streets, and the buildings, there was still something mysterious surrounding everything… as if the city itself was hiding a deeper law than what appeared on the surface.
Asta stepped out of the café, walking beside Rivana, and it seemed that he had regained part of his usual energy. He walked with light steps, looking around with curiosity, as if trying to understand this world in his own way—despite the fact that, deep down, he still understood nothing.
He said, placing his hands behind his head:
"At least… this place isn't as depressing as the execution square."
Rivana didn't answer immediately. She only gave him a brief sideways glance before saying calmly:
"If you think that… then you still haven't understood how dangerous this place is."
Asta smiled, as if he hadn't taken her words completely seriously.
"I don't die easily."
Rivana stopped for a moment, then looked directly at him and said:
"In Zikola… it's not the strong who survive. It's those who understand the game."
Before he could respond—
A sharp, loud scream broke the silence, filled with anger:
"I told you I want ramen!!!"
Asta and Rivana exchanged looks.
Asta raised his eyebrows and said:
"Ramen?!"
Then suddenly smiled:
"Finally… something that makes sense in this world!"
Rivana quickly moved toward the source of the voice without wasting time, while Asta followed with clear excitement.
When they arrived, the scene was strange… but at the same time, a little funny.
A chubby man stood behind a simple cooking table, clearly nervous, while in front of him stood a blond young man, blue-eyed, his face full of determination.
It was Naruto.
He slammed his hand on the table and said:
"How many times do I have to explain?! I want ramen! Just ramen!"
The cook replied nervously:
"I don't know this dish… I've never heard of it before…"
"How have you never heard of it?!" Naruto said angrily, then began explaining with his hands:
"Noodles! Soup! Really delicious! The best thing in the world!"
Asta stood watching, then laughed and said:
"You're not going to get anything like that."
Naruto quickly turned toward him, staring for a moment before saying:
"…You're not from this place either, are you?"
Asta smiled confidently:
"Pretty obvious, right?"
Rivana intervened calmly:
"Calm down. Shouting won't help you."
Naruto looked at her, then exhaled in frustration:
"I just want to eat something normal… this world is weird!"
Asta said:
"Tell me about it."
After a few tense moments…
Naruto began explaining to the cook how to prepare ramen, with exaggerated enthusiasm, guiding him step by step.
Asta watched the scene, amused, while Rivana observed silently.
After a few attempts…
They managed to prepare something close to ramen.
The three of them sat together, each holding a bowl.
Naruto said while eating:
"It's not perfect… but it's good."
Then he looked at them:
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki."
Asta immediately said:
"Asta."
Then pointed at Rivana:
"And this is… the doctor."
She said calmly:
"Rivana."
A brief silence followed, before Naruto said:
"So… you don't know anything about this world either?"
Asta replied:
"We know one thing… it's a crazy world."
Rivana said:
"It's called Zikola. And everything in it depends on intelligence."
Naruto raised an eyebrow:
"Intelligence?"
Then smirked slightly:
"That's not in my favor."
Asta laughed:
"Not in mine either."
After a long conversation…
Rivana stood up and said:
"Come with me."
The two looked at her.
"Where?"
"To my house."
Rivana's house was quiet, organized, filled with books and tools.
She sat in front of them, then took out a small device.
"This will determine your level."
Each of them placed a hand on it.
A light appeared…
Green.
Rivana said:
"Your level is good… but not enough."
Naruto said:
"Not enough for what?"
"For a comfortable life."
Asta looked at her:
"Then what do we do?"
She answered simply:
"You work."
The next day…
Asta was working with enthusiasm, digging and breaking rocks without any sign of exhaustion.
He said with a smile:
"This is easy!"
As for Naruto…
He sat, annoyed.
"This isn't what I want…"
He looked at Asta and said:
"I want to get out of this world."
Asta was silent for a moment, then said:
"Me too."
They sat together…
And talked.
Naruto spoke about ninjas, about Konoha, about his dream…
Asta spoke about magic, about challenge, about becoming the strongest…
And despite their differences…
They understood each other.
Naruto said:
"I won't stay here."
Asta smiled:
"And I won't give up."
Then suddenly stood up:
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"To ask."
When they returned to Rivana…
She looked at them as if she had expected it.
Naruto said:
"Do you know a way out?"
She remained silent for a moment, then said:
"There is someone…"
Both of them looked at her with focus.
"An old man."
"Who is he?"
"He says he's from another world… like us."
She paused for a moment, then said:
"His name is… Isaac Netero."
Naruto froze.
As for Asta, he said:
"Who is that?"
Rivana replied:
"He says he's the chairman of the Hunters… but he seems like he's rambling."
Silence filled the room.
But in their eyes…
This was no joke.
It was…
The beginning of a new path.
Who do you think Isaac Netero really is… and what secrets does he know about this world? 🔥