Chapter 5
Danny found himself dragged into the white zone—a blank, featureless mental space that Naruto had claimed as his domain. He was unceremoniously flung onto a plush white sofa, which stood in stark contrast to the endless void surrounding them. Danny glared at his tormentor, but his body refused to move, weighed down by fear and a growing sense of futility.
"Relax on the sofa and watch carefully," Naruto ordered, his tone a blend of command and amusement. "We're going to discuss our futures."
Danny clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling over. "Damn you, demon," he muttered under his breath, though he barely dared to raise his voice above a whisper.
Naruto's sharp ears caught the insult, and his lips curled into a smirk. "I heard that," he said smoothly. "But next time, try screaming. Who knows what might happen?"
Before Danny could process the threat, a jolt of electricity coursed through his body. It wasn't enough to cause lasting harm, but it was sharp, biting, and impossible to ignore. He flinched, his breath hitching as the phantom pain lingered for a moment longer than it should have.
"Consider that a warning," Naruto said, his golden eyes glowing with an almost playful menace. "You're here to learn, not to waste my time with petty resistance."
Danny swallowed hard, his throat dry as he nodded weakly. His mind raced with curses and grievances, but he kept them firmly locked away. He had no desire to test the boundaries of Naruto's patience—or his power.
He sat back against the sofa, his body stiff with tension. The idea of relaxing was laughable, but he knew better than to argue. The weight of Naruto's gaze bore down on him, a constant reminder of his precarious position.
'This is so far from being a hero,' Danny thought bitterly, his shoulders slumping. 'I'm just a puppet—his puppet. How am I supposed to gain confidence or anything like this?'
Naruto paced in front of him, his movements deliberate and purposeful. "Listen, Danny," he began, his tone shifting to something that resembled seriousness. "I could force you to act like a hero. I could make you take every step forward, every punch, every decision. But that wouldn't be your choice, now, would it?"
Danny looked up at him, his expression a mix of confusion and skepticism. "Then why are you doing this? If you want me to change, why not just take over all the time?"