The Fox of Sixth Street

Chapter 10

Hello, long time no updates.

06/17/25:

Grammar reworked, pacing.

Massive change from the original chapter 10.

New Eridu Days chapter 7 and 8 are also up if you didn't know.

Disclaimer, first chapter!

ZZZ

Dead End Hollow, a Companion Hollow to Cretan Hollow, located near Canvas Street. Unlike its parent, this one had earned a far darker reputation, thanks to the presence of the infamous Dead End Butcher.

A rift tore open within the Hollow.

Naruto stepped out, a katana clutched in his prosthetic left hand. He gently set Eous down, allowing either Belle or Wise to sync with the construct.

"You sure you can keep up, meow?" Nekomata asked beside him, stretching lazily.

"Eh, dunno. Haven't been in a Hollow for years. Might be a little rusty," he shrugged.

"No, no. After what you pulled off a few days ago, 'rusty' isn't the word I'd use..." Wise said, cutting in.

"Whoaaa... This is cool..." Nekomata praised. "Never seen a Proxy who's able to communicate in a Hollow before... No wonder Nicole says you're the best in New Eridu."

"Appreciate it," Wise chuckled. "Alright, let's cut the chatter. We've got a train to stop. Quick recap of the plan."

"Understood!" Nekomata saluted, and they went over the steps one last time.

Meanwhile, Naruto scanned the wrecked train yard. He'd heard all about the Dead End Butcher, and part of him couldn't wait to see if the rumors were true.

He couldn't help but grin, until Wise's voice yanked him back to reality.

"Naruto? You good?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, don't worry. What's up?" he grinned.

"You remember the plan, right?" Wise asked again.

"Yup. Redirect the train, force it through the tunnel, hop on, shut it down." Naruto recited it from memory, but the crease forming on his brow said otherwise.

"If you've got a better plan, now's the time to speak up."

"Nah, mine's a bit too destructive. Trust me, you don't wanna know." Naruto smirked, and Wise visibly shuddered at the look on his face. "Let's just stick with your plan."

"You're making me curious..." Belle chimed in with a faint laugh through Eous.

"Nope! No time for this, meow! Let's move!" Nekomata cut in before Naruto could respond.

Eous led the way, following the route Fairy had mapped out for the Proxy. Naruto and Nekomata trailed behind the Bangboo.

It was slower than Naruto liked, but maybe the change of pace wasn't such a bad thing.

The Hollow was eerily quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps and the wind rustling through the wreckage. Nekomata kept getting caught on things since Fairy's route was clearly based on how the place used to be, not how it was now.

"It's too quiet..." the girl whispered.

"Duh, it's night. What were you expecting? A parade?" Naruto rolled his eyes before smirking. "Hey, where's the 'meow'?"

"Oh, come on!" She groaned.

"Still not hearing it~"

"...Meow!" she hissed, clearly done with his teasing.