Chapter 15
Danny wrapped up the school day spending time with Sam and Tucker, reveling in their camaraderie and mutual progress. Later, as evening descended, he enjoyed some alone time with Sam, her encouraging words a soothing balm after a demanding day. Yet, even this momentary peace was interrupted by the arrival of his first assignment at his new "part-time job."
Naruto had tasked him with dealing with a group of thugs selling low-quality cocaine near the graveyard. Danny wasn't entirely sure why he was given such a dangerous mission for his first task, but Naruto had insisted. There was no room for debate. "It's a test," Naruto had said cryptically. Danny, full of youthful confidence, didn't dwell on the potential danger. He envisioned an easy victory—a stylish takedown followed by a triumphant walk away.
When Danny arrived at the scene, he spotted five men lounging under a tree, smoking and laughing loudly. They looked like the stereotypical lowlifes from a crime show, their movements exaggerated by animated gestures. Not wanting to waste time, Danny charged forward without a second thought. His footsteps alerted the group, and as they turned, he landed a solid kick on one man's back. The thug stumbled forward, shouting in surprise, but Danny's moment of triumph was short-lived.
Before he could process his next move, another thug swung wildly, the ring on his fist cutting into Danny's temple. Pain blossomed across his head, and blood trickled down his face. Staggering back, Danny clenched his teeth. The sting was sharp, but it was the realization of his mistake that hit harder. "Fighting a group is damn hard," he thought, his earlier bravado vanishing in the face of cold reality.
As the men regrouped, Danny hesitated. The idea of running away flitted through his mind, but there was no voice of guidance this time. Naruto was silent. The realization that he was truly alone filled him with dread, yet he forced himself to stay. "I can do it. I can do it," he repeated, steadying his breath.
Danny regained his composure and delivered a knee strike to an approaching thug. He turned to fend off another attacker with a swift kick but miscalculated the angle. One of the men tackled him to the ground, and before he could react, fists and kicks rained down on him. Danny curled into a ball, protecting his vital areas as best as he could, but the relentless blows overwhelmed him.
"You have failed again." Naruto's voice echoed in Danny's mind, laced with a sharp edge that carried more weight than the physical pain he felt. Suddenly, Danny's body moved on its own as Naruto took control. With precise movements, Naruto dismantled the group, his punches landing with devastating accuracy. Each thug crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain. The brief fight ended before they could comprehend what had happened.
Naruto stood over the fallen men, his tone calm yet biting. "This wasn't a difficult task, but you failed to think. What was the point of watching my life if you don't apply what you learned? Did you forget this is reality? You don't have a perfect body to bulldoze through grown men."
Danny remained silent, trembling as Naruto continued. "Never assume you can take on a group without the strength to incapacitate with one hit. You could have waited for them to separate. You could have used a weapon—stones, dirt, or even a stick. Did I ever tell you to rely solely on your body? No."
Naruto's voice hardened further. "What if these were normal people? What if you attacked innocents? You didn't even ask for details. What if I were evil and sent you to commit murder? Would you blindly follow?"
Danny's throat tightened as he tried to respond, but the weight of Naruto's words crushed him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just stop. Please stop, it hurts. It hurts," he cried out, his voice breaking into gasps. His body shook as tears streamed down his face, a mixture of pain, fear, and regret.