Chapter 33

On Earth, Ai noticed Naruto's worried expression, and it unsettled her deeply. She loved seeing his carefree smile, a smile that reflected the peace and joy he had worked so hard to bring to others. Naruto deserved a life of tranquility, free from the burdens of fear and frustration. Yet, reality was far from the ideal world she wished for him.

Sitting in the park with Konohamaru's squad, Ai's mood had taken a steep dive. The children played around her, their laughter and energy filling the space, but Ai couldn't bring herself to join in. The weight of Naruto's unease lingered in her thoughts, like a heavy shadow that refused to lift. She could feel his fear and frustration as if they were her own emotions, their presence almost tangible.

She didn't know if her connection to Naruto stemmed from his immense powers or if something within her had awakened to sense such things. Regardless, the sensation left her powerless and conflicted. What could she do to help him?

Just as Ai pondered her next steps, she suddenly felt a pull, as though an unseen force was yanking her from the park. Before she could process what was happening, the world around her shifted.

When Ai opened her eyes, she found herself in a completely different place. Her clothing had changed to a black kimono adorned with delicate floral patterns. She stood beneath the canopy of a large tree beside a still lake, the orange glow of the setting sun casting long shadows on the water.

In the distance, she noticed a woman sitting alone, her shoulders hunched and her expression weighed down with sorrow. The oppressive air around the woman was unmistakable. She had summoned Ai—Hell Girl.

Ai felt the power within her guide her toward her duty. Without hesitation, she approached the woman and explained her purpose with her usual detached tone. "I am Hell Girl," she began, her voice calm and measured.

She handed the woman a small, cursed straw doll with a red string tied around its neck. "This is the vessel of your curse," Ai explained. "If you wish to exact revenge, pull the red string. The one you curse will be sent to hell immediately. However, know this—when you die, your own soul will also be damned to hell for eternity. The choice is yours."

The woman held the doll in trembling hands, tears streaming down her face as she absorbed the weight of Ai's words. Through her sobs, she explained her plight. She spoke of another woman, someone who had used her political power to destroy her life, leaving her with nothing but pain and despair.

"She took everything from me," the woman cried. "My home, my family, my dignity... all because she could."

Ai stood silently, her crimson eyes betraying no emotion as she listened. She had heard countless stories like this one, each laced with bitterness and hopelessness. To Ai, the woman's pain was just another drop in the ocean of human suffering.

The woman's anguish blinded her to the true cost of vengeance. She clung to the cursed doll like it was her only salvation, unable to see beyond the immediate relief of her revenge.

"Humans are beings full of sin," Ai muttered under her breath, her voice almost a whisper. She watched the woman grapple with her decision, her sobs growing louder as her emotions spiraled out of control.

Finally, the woman made her choice. With trembling hands, she pulled the red string, sealing the fate of her target. The act was swift but decisive, and Ai felt the familiar pull of her power activating.

The scene shifted once more. Ai's role was clear—she would carry out the curse, sending the target to hell without hesitation. As she prepared to fulfill her duty, she glanced back at the summoner, who was still crying, now burdened with the consequences of her irreversible decision.

To Ai, it was all so futile. The world of humans, their fleeting struggles, and their inability to grasp the bigger picture—it all seemed so insignificant in the face of eternity. Yet, she remained bound to her role, a silent observer and executor of their sins.

Disappearing from the tranquil lake, Ai materialized near her target—a woman of significant social standing and influence. The woman was the wife of a prominent businessman in the Land of Wind, her life insulated by wealth and power. She was surrounded by guards, including Chunin-level ninja and even a Jounin assigned for her personal protection. However, their skills and vigilance proved futile against Ai.

With a single gesture, Ai ensnared the woman in a pocket dimension. The environment mirrored the real world, designed to deceive and isolate the target while cutting off all interference. Within this alternate reality, the woman's sins were laid bare. Her darkest deeds—manipulations, betrayals, and abuses of power—were replayed before her eyes. The echoes of her victims' suffering filled the air, shaming and tormenting her with the consequences of her actions.

Ai remained silent, her crimson eyes cold and emotionless, watching as the woman crumbled under the weight of her guilt and fear. Finally, Ai spoke, her voice calm but laden with finality:

"Oh pitiful shadow lost in the darkness,

Demeaning and bringing harm to others,

A damned soul wallowing in sin...

Care to give death a try?"

As Ai's words hung in the air, the woman's form was enveloped by a cascade of black and red flowers, their petals swirling around her like a haunting requiem. In an instant, the target vanished from the mortal plane, erased without a trace.

When Ai's task was complete, she found herself teleported to the Underworld. Though it was often called Hell, it was not the true Hell of eternal damnation but a shadowy realm that served as the domain of Lord Loss. Ai had visited this place many times before, yet it never ceased to leave her in awe.

The Underworld was a surreal and haunting reflection of the mortal world, its skies dominated by an eerie moon with a singular, watchful eye. The gaze of the moon seemed to pierce through everything, observing the damned, the tormentors, and Ai herself. The landscape was otherworldly, filled with grotesque abominations, towering structures of despair, and rivers that seemed to flow with liquid shadows.

Ai's gaze drifted from the oppressive sky to the scene before her. The sinner, the woman she had just condemned, was bound by wooden roots to a small, weathered boat. The vessel creaked as Ai rowed it steadily across a dark, viscous river toward the distant red gates of the Underworld. The sinner writhed and screamed, tormented by the spirits of the damned that clung to her, pulling at her and whispering vile accusations.

For most, the atmosphere of this realm would be maddening—the oppressive darkness, the chilling cries of anguish, the sense of endless suffering. But Ai was immune to its horrors, a part of this cruel system herself. Her expression remained stoic as she moved forward, the gates drawing nearer, their ominous red glow a beacon of finality.

The sinner's cries for mercy went unanswered. Ai's role was not one of compassion or reprieve; she was the arbiter of vengeance, the executor of sin. And as the gates of the Underworld loomed larger, she felt the familiar detachment settle within her—a reminder that this was her duty, her existence.

The eerie silence of the Underworld was broken by the voice of Lord Loss, echoing in Ai's mind like a whisper that could not be ignored. His tone was calm, almost soothing, as though he were speaking to an old acquaintance rather than a mere human girl.

"How did it feel, Ai? Isn't it better to live this way? Free from the pitiful emotions, free from pain and fear?" His voice resonated with an uncanny charm, pulling at the edges of her resolve.

Ai's crimson eyes narrowed as she gazed toward the red gates of the Underworld, where she could see a spider lurking—a manifestation of Lord Loss's presence. The compulsion to agree with him was overwhelming, his words entwining themselves around her will like a web. For a moment, she faltered, but then she resisted, her voice trembling but firm.

"No. I want to feel alive," she said, her words a declaration of defiance.

"Is this love?" Lord Loss asked, his voice devoid of anger or impatience. "Is it your affection or adoration for the young sage?"

Naruto's image flashed in her mind, his carefree smile and unyielding determination. Ai clenched her fists.

"I don't know what it is," she replied honestly, "but I want to see the world he wants to show me."

A low chuckle resonated from the shadows, and Lord Loss's tone became almost teasing. "Is that so? But can you truly see it? The world he desires is not something a mortal can witness. His path will lead him to the extremes of mortality and desire. It is not a place for the frail of heart or power… Or, perhaps, you seek my assistance?"

His words dripped with subtle seduction, an invitation to fall deeper into his web. Ai hesitated, the weight of his offer pressing down on her.

"I won't be able to fight with your powers," she said, her voice betraying a mix of caution and doubt. She remembered the terms of her contract with Lord Loss—any misuse of his power came at a heavy price, one she could not afford.

"I can make an exception for you, Ai," Lord Loss offered, his tone smooth, almost tender. "I will allow it for a limited time. But do you truly wish to act now?"

As he spoke, the air shimmered, and an image materialized before Ai—Hinata, dressed in a wedding kimono, standing beside Naruto. They looked happy, their smiles glowing with love and harmony. Ai felt a sharp pang in her heart, an ache she hadn't fully understood until this moment.

Pain twisted inside her, threatening to consume her. Lord Loss's voice crept in like a serpent. "Is this not the future that pains you? The reality you wish to change? All it takes is a single act, Ai. Let go of your self-imposed purity."

Her hands clenched into fists, trembling as the temptation surged. But Ai shook her head and steadied herself. She would not let jealousy or selfishness consume her.

"I will not act like the sinners that you desire to consume. I will become pure like my hero," she declared, her crimson eyes blazing with determination as she glared at the shadowy abomination without an ounce of fear.

Lord Loss's smile widened. "My power always has a price, Ai. To wield it, you must complete the contract."

"I…" Ai hesitated, the weight of her choices pressing down on her. Just as she was about to speak, a hand grabbed her shoulder, pulling her away with force.

Naruto stood behind her, his expression livid and his blue eyes filled with unyielding fury. Without a word, he shattered the dimension, breaking through the barriers with raw power and whisking Ai away.

Lord Loss did not stop them. Instead, he watched with amusement as his web unraveled, a sinister grin spreading across his monstrous face. All around him, the dark dimension stirred. Beings of immense and grotesque power turned their attention toward the disturbance. Even the warped planets beyond the Underworld seemed to shift, revealing themselves as living, malevolent entities.

The entire realm seemed alive and twisted, a pulsating, chaotic mass of corruption. Yet Lord Loss remained composed, his gaze lingering on the place where Ai and Naruto had vanished.

"Grow into the perfect vessel for me, Ai," he murmured, his voice a mixture of menace and intrigue. "Let your emotions guide your powers."

Ai's existence resonated with him, a perfect match for his essence. Though confined to the dark dimension, Lord Loss yearned for the world of light—a place he was forbidden to enter unless the right conditions were fulfilled. Ai was the key, the one he had waited for, and her struggles only made her soul more enticing.

As his laughter echoed through the corrupted skies, the darkness around him shifted, watching, waiting, and hungering. The game had only just begun.

When they returned to Konoha, Naruto's face was etched with anger and worry. His usual calm demeanor had been replaced by a storm of emotions as he turned to Ai, his voice firm but tinged with desperation.

"What were you doing?" he demanded, his tone sharper than intended.

Ai shrank back, startled by the intensity of his words. Her crimson eyes filled with unshed tears as she struggled to find the right response. "I…wanted to help you," she said quietly, her voice trembling.

The sight of her frightened expression struck Naruto like a blow. He realized he had been too harsh, the weight of his fear and frustration spilling out unfairly onto the young girl. Forcing himself to take a deep breath, he softened his tone.

"I'm sorry, Ai," he said gently, his cerulean eyes full of regret. "I was just so worried about you. Please, don't do this again. It's too dangerous to interact with beings like that. Do you understand?"

"But—" Ai began, her voice hesitant.

"Ai, please…" Naruto interrupted, his gaze pleading.

Seeing the pain in his eyes, Ai relented, her own emotions swirling in confusion and guilt. "I understand," she whispered, lowering her head.

Naruto exhaled deeply, relieved but still heavy-hearted. The situation reminded him too much of the past—of Sasuke's descent into darkness and his own failure to prevent it. He couldn't bear to see another person he cared about take a similar path.

"Thank you," he said, pulling Ai into a hug. His embrace was warm and reassuring, but his heart ached with the weight of the situation. "And you don't have to worry. I'll fix this soon. Believe in me."

As Naruto held Ai close, his mind raced with thoughts of Hinata. It had been half a day since her disappearance, and the pressure of not knowing her whereabouts weighed heavily on him. The time spent in the dark dimension had only compounded his stress.

The oppressive atmosphere of that place lingered in his memory—a realm filled with beings of immense power, some even stronger than himself. Even the corrupted sun radiated a twisted sense of life, its presence gnawing at his spirit. Prolonged exposure to that world had made him feel sick, as if his very soul could be warped by its influence.

He was grateful that he had marked Ai with his chakra beforehand. It was the only way he had been able to track her and pull her out of the dimension. His Six Paths abilities allowed him to sense her even across other planes of existence, but that comfort did little to ease his growing frustration.

Despite his best efforts, Naruto had yet to find a solution to the problem at hand. He had tried everything, even using his chakra sonar to locate hidden places around the planet. While his search had uncovered many secret locations, not one of them held any clue about Hinata's whereabouts.

Naruto's fists clenched as he silently vowed to keep searching, to exhaust every option until he brought Hinata back and ensured Ai's safety. For now, all he could do was hold onto hope and his unyielding determination to protect the people he loved.