Chapter 18
As Danny left Star at her mansion, the weight of exhaustion bore down on him. His body felt heavy, as though the energy he had expended in the last few hours had drained him of everything. Every muscle screamed for rest, and his mind was buzzing with the chaos of the night. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving only a deep, gnawing fatigue.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the fog of his weariness.
"Congratulations on your first job as a hero. I am very satisfied with the performance. With more practice, you can do it better and at an easier pace."
Danny couldn't help but smile widely at the words, feeling a surge of pride. It was the first time he'd received genuine praise, and the weight of his actions felt more significant now. He had saved people—he had truly made a difference. The feeling was exhilarating, and for a brief moment, he could understand the satisfaction Naruto must have felt when he had chosen to protect others. It felt right. He could finally see why Naruto had wanted to save people, why he had devoted himself to such a cause.
Without Naruto's influence, Danny knew that he would have failed. In the heat of the moment, when the danger had been overwhelming, Danny had been pushed to the edge of his limits. He would have panicked, given into fear, and most likely fled. But with Naruto's guidance, he had found a strength within himself that he never knew existed.
"So rest now and enjoy your reward tomorrow," Naruto's voice said again, this time more like a gentle command.
Danny didn't resist. His body felt like it was about to give out, and with that, sleep claimed him almost instantly.
As Danny fell into a deep slumber, his body went through significant changes. Naruto had shared his muscle memory with Danny—especially the martial arts techniques and movement skills that made Naruto's combat style seem effortless. As Danny slept, these skills were engraved into his muscles, so they would respond instinctively, allowing him to move faster and more fluidly.
But it wasn't just his body that was changing. Naruto had also increased Danny's mental capacity, boosting his intellect and reaction speed. He subtly enhanced Danny's knowledge of various subjects, giving him a deeper understanding of the world, even in his sleep. It was a gift—a way to accelerate Danny's development, so he could catch up to the challenges that lay ahead.