Chapter 5: Mutant Among Mutants

As Naruto waited for his combat test, the upper echelon of the Digimon Association convened in a high-tech observation room. Mitsuo Yamaki, the stern and methodical head of the Association, stood at the forefront, his cold gaze fixed on the large screen displaying Naruto. Beside him stood his wife and secretary, Reika, a composed woman whose calm demeanor often softened Mitsuo's rigid nature.

Ordinarily, tamer trainees were monitored by mid-level personnel such as Na So Ri and Yu Sook Yeong. However, Naruto's group was exceptional, warranting the attention of the top brass. The unusual circumstances had been communicated beforehand by Kim Mi Jung, the team leader overseeing the test. She understood the significance of Naruto's trial and its potential to impact the Association's strategy moving forward.

The stakes were high. Depending on the Digimon a tamer bonded with, the Association provided varying levels of support and protection. A strong tamer with an exceptional partner could become a prime target for criminal organizations in both the human and digital worlds. Safeguarding such talent was a priority.

Mitsuo's voice broke the silence. "How was his health check-up?" His tone was calm but carried an edge of authority. Clad in a sharp black suit, his imposing presence commanded respect. Despite his harsh reputation, Mitsuo was fair and held himself and others to the highest standards.

Reika, holding a tablet with the results, glanced at her husband. "Better than expected. His stats exceed all prior records."

Na So Ri, a blonde woman from Korea with an air of pride about her, couldn't hide her incredulity as she reviewed the data. "Sir, is he even human?" she blurted, her polished demeanor momentarily slipping. This was her first time seeing Naruto's test results, as Yeong typically handled his reports.

Naruto's data painted a picture that defied logic. His strength, speed, and endurance far exceeded the norm for even the most advanced New Type rookies. The sheer magnitude of his capabilities left her stunned.

Kim Mi Jung, a seasoned official who had followed Naruto's progress since his first assessment, grinned at the reaction. "He's a mutant among mutants," she said, clearly enjoying the shock on Na So Ri's face. Mi Jung had always been fascinated by Naruto's potential, and her enthusiasm for his growth hadn't waned.

Mitsuo nodded thoughtfully, his sharp eyes never leaving the screen. "Indeed. We're witnessing the evolution of a new breed of tamers. What we see in him today could become the standard for future generations. We must study this carefully."

Naruto's mutation was an anomaly. There had been no unusual phenomena at his birth—no Digimon battles nearby, no Digital Aurora, no interference from high-level entities like the Royal Knights. Despite this, Naruto had achieved unprecedented growth, baffling even the most seasoned researchers.

"Update his rating," Mitsuo said, his voice firm. "Change it to C-rank."

The room fell silent. Mitsuo's words carried significant weight. A C-rank designation was unheard of for someone who hadn't even bonded with a Digimon yet. After a moment, the gravity of the decision sank in, and the staff quickly began updating Naruto's profile.

On the screen, Naruto's sparring session played out, showcasing his precision, power, and strategy. His opponents—a set of well-trained Digimon and simulated adversaries—were utterly outmatched. The match was so one-sided that some of the observers felt sympathy for the defeated Digimon.

Reika finally spoke, her voice soft yet tinged with admiration. "He's not just talented. He's extraordinary."

Mitsuo folded his arms, his cold expression softening just slightly. "Extraordinary or not, talent must be nurtured. Keep a close watch. We cannot afford to lose him to outside forces."

In the room, the significance of Naruto's presence was clear. He wasn't just a promising tamer—he was a glimpse into the future of humanity's relationship with Digimon.

Naruto stepped into the new room, which shimmered with digital energy before stabilizing into a lush grassland with a river cutting through the terrain. The sky above was a soft gradient of oranges and blues, creating an almost serene atmosphere—an ironic backdrop for the fierce battle about to unfold.

The space was a pocket dimension in the Digital World, tailored specifically for combat tests. Unlike the standard evaluation, which usually involved Rookie-level Digimon, Naruto's test pitted him against a Champion-level opponent. The evaluators deemed a weaker foe pointless for someone of his caliber.

Standing across the battlefield was Leomon, a tall, muscular lion-like Digimon clad in light armor and wielding a dagger. Known for his skill and honor in combat, Leomon's reputation as a mid-tier Champion Digimon was well-earned. His mere presence exuded strength and confidence.

Naruto, in contrast, wore a sleek, futuristic gray armor that enveloped his entire body. Lightweight yet durable, it offered protection without hindering movement. Along with his armor, he had an arsenal of tools at his disposal: smoke bombs, poison bombs, grenades, time bombs, an electric whip, an electric spear, and a plasma gun. Despite the advanced weaponry, Naruto chose to face his opponent unarmed initially, confident in his abilities.

Leomon locked eyes with Naruto, his instincts flaring. The tension was palpable as the test began.

Without hesitation, Leomon charged at supersonic speed, his dagger glinting as he aimed for Naruto's neck. For most, the attack would have been a blur—impossible to counter. Yet, Naruto saw the movement as though it were in slow motion. His chakra-enhanced body reacted instantly.

With a swift punch, Naruto struck Leomon's hand, the force of the impact breaking the Champion's fingers and sending the dagger clattering to the ground. Leomon roared in pain, retreating a step, but Naruto followed up with a spinning kick aimed at his abdomen.

Sensing the danger, Leomon leaped back, his feet skidding on the grass. A powerful roar erupted from his throat, channeling his energy into a stunning sonic attack. The sound waves rippled through the air, aimed at immobilizing Naruto.

Naruto responded calmly, his hands weaving a light wind manipulation technique. The sound attack dissipated harmlessly, leaving him unscathed. Seizing the opportunity, he picked up Leomon's discarded dagger, infused it with chakra, and hurled it with precision. The dagger became a blur of deadly intent.

Leomon, sensing the danger, roared again and unleashed his Fist of the Beast King, sending a lion-shaped energy blast to intercept the dagger. The two attacks collided mid-air and neutralized each other, the resulting shockwave rustling the grass.

"Don't act so shocked," Naruto said, smirking. "That was nothing special."

Closing the distance in an instant, Naruto delivered a powerful punch to Leomon's abdomen. The impact sent the Digimon flying into the nearby river, the force fracturing his ribs.

Leomon rose from the water, battered but undeterred. His golden eyes burned with determination as he clenched his fists. The humiliation of being outmatched so easily fueled his desperation. With a deep roar, he activated his ultimate move.

Fist of the Beast King Barrage—a relentless flurry of lion-shaped energy blasts erupted from his fists, each one radiating destructive power. The attacks raced toward Naruto in rapid succession, leaving no room for error.

Naruto remained calm. He tossed a kunai into the sky, substituted his position mid-air, and flung another kunai directly at Leomon. The blade, enhanced with explosive tags and time bombs, cut through the air faster than sound.

The kunai embedded itself in Leomon's skull, but the Digimon's tough hide prevented it from piercing through. For a moment, the battlefield seemed to freeze.

Naruto landed gracefully, his smile faint but ominous. "Such a thick skull, but I'd be careful if I were you."

The time bombs detonated. A deafening explosion ripped through the grassland, the shockwave shaking the terrain. Smoke and dust filled the air as the blast subsided, revealing Leomon's prone form. The once-proud warrior lay on the ground, his injuries severe. Blood trickled from his fractured skull, and his melted eyes emitted pained growls of anguish.

Naruto approached the fallen Digimon, his steps measured. "I really don't like doing this," he muttered, his voice tinged with regret.

Reaching Leomon's side, he placed his hand gently on the Digimon's chest, directly over the heart. With a precise application of chakra, Naruto caused Leomon's heart to rupture. The Champion let out a final, quiet gasp before going still. The battle was over.

The pocket dimension dissolved, returning Naruto to the sterile, white testing room. His armor bore light scuffs, but Naruto himself appeared untouched. He exhaled deeply, his expression neutral but his mind reflective. Despite the victory, the weight of taking a life—even in a test—was not lost on him.

The evaluators watching through the monitors were stunned into silence. Mitsuo Yamaki, ever the composed leader, broke the quiet.

"Change his rating to C-rank," he ordered, his voice resolute.

Naruto had once again proven that he was not just a prodigy—he was a force of nature.