Path Of War

Preface.

A word before we begin.

This is not your typical Sunday school tale. If you've read the original work, “Conquer the Ninja World,” you'll notice that a lot of elements have been taken from it and implemented into this story.

There is a lot of vivid imagery, both beautifully written and quite brutal to read for certain audiences. Meaning, this book does not cater specifically to our Christian readers. While it may be Christian-themed, that does not mean born-again Christians should read it.

All your feedback from a lot of the books we've released in the past has been accounted for. To make this reading journey memorable, we've tightened the pacing and taken some of your comments to heart.

And know this: this is not mere fanfiction. Under protective laws, it stands alone as its own novel. We do not profit from someone else's work, nor do we promote our work in a manner that would offend or get us into trouble.

We apologize in advance because this novel has only been lightly edited. If you find an error or feel the need to point out a correction via a comment, we'll take it into account and make a change.

By reading this novel, you agree to all of its contents and may not take any action against it.

The genre of this novel is Christian fantasy/sci-fi, but it doesn't shy away from gruesome scenes. The world we live in is full of darkness and evil, so we urge those with a frail mind or weak heart not to read if they can't handle the heat.

Warning: We won't shy away from violent scenes. If you or someone you know has suicidal tendencies, please contact your local police station and seek immediate help. There's a light, and that light is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

***

THE YEAR IS 2025, SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA.

Sunlight radiated through the windows of the Elysium headquarters. In its cool stillness, rows of sleek, metallic pods lined the polished floor.

Elysium was a virtual reality laboratory. Founded by a business magnate named Ursula Von Der Leyen III, they cracked the code on full sensory immersion. Furthermore, they achieved total sensory integration. Their “Elysian Enclave” promised a full-body experience where the virtual felt real.

The previous model, the Enclave Mk. I, had garnered a cult following for its unparalleled realism. Players could feel the wind whipping through their virtual hair, as well as the coolness of digital rain on their skin. But there was a critical absence: pain.

Without the sting of a virtual scrape or the ache of a virtual blow, the world felt incomplete. So, Elysium had taken the next, controversial step: integrating a dampened pain response.

It wouldn’t be crippling; just a slight discomfort would heighten the experience. Enough to make a virtual punch feel like a playful nudge or a fall from a virtual cliff—a jolt of adrenaline. Enough, they argued, to bridge the gap between the real and the unreal.

“And how do you expect the public to feel about this?” a news anchor asked Ursula.

“Well,” she said, “we’re still in the testing phase. Hence the reason why we’ve chosen seven lottery winners across the world to be the first participants.”

The screen showed a display of the seven winners. These were the pioneers, the first who would enter a world of consequence. Nothing life-threatening, but challenging enough to highlight the capabilities of the Enclave Mk. II before its official release.

“I sure would love to be one of those seven,” the news anchor laughed. “Tell us, did you get a chance to speak to these winners?”

“Not yet,” she responded with a hint of amusement. “I reviewed their background, however, and found them to be more than exemplary.”

“Anyone in particular we all should know about?”

“All of them are—”

The television screen abruptly shut off. In a neatly organized apartment bathing in sunlight, Arthur Bennett rose from the couch.

A golden lottery ticket lay across his coffee table. Today was the day, the day he would travel to Elysium and become one of the first to test out their latest invention.

Arthur Bennett was born with a Bible tucked under his arm. Raised in an evangelical household, his childhood was filled with hymns and Sunday school lessons.

Morality wasn’t a suggestion; it was a divine decree, hammered into him by his stern father and loving mother. Their values seeped into his heart, shaping him into a man of unwavering principles without the free-wheeling, self-indulgent world he observed around him.

Arthur wasn’t naïve, however. Early on, the harsh truths of the world stymied his beliefs.

The slick-talking scammer fleeced his mother with false promises of new cookware sets. His own first attempt at literary fame for a novel titled “Follow Christ” ended up gathering dust in a rejection pile. Perhaps the biggest betrayal was when his college sweetheart, the girl he imagined walking down the aisle with, left him for a wealthier classmate.

Each experience chipped away at his trust, leaving behind a calloused cynicism. But Arthur, unlike many, didn’t succumb to bitterness. He clung to his faith, drawing strength from the teachings of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Saviour.

He prayed for wisdom, for the ability to navigate the complexities of the world without compromising his values. He believed, with unwavering faith, that God would guide him. It was this same faith that led him to where he is now—content, healthy, and sharp.

Arthur’s own personality is quite complex. He created his own persona—sometimes appearing cold and calculative, other times brimming with warmth and charm—depending on the situation. He saw these masks not as deceptions but as tools necessary to reach an audience increasingly desensitized to traditional preaching.

His cynicism, however, did not translate into a lack of empathy. He understood the temptations of wealth and the comfort it offered. Yet he himself harboured no desire for riches. His true desire is to spread the gospel and offer hope and redemption to a world that desperately needs both.

People sensed the calculating mind lurking beneath the surface—a soul they couldn’t quite decipher. His convictions and his dedication to his cause earned him grudging respect, even from those who found him difficult to read.

Today, as he stored his ticket to walk out the door with, the weight of his past experiences settled upon him.

He wasn’t just entering a groundbreaking technological experience; he was entering an opportunity. An opportunity to use this platform, this chance to reach a new audience and promote his book, which could help spread the gospel. It was a challenge he wouldn’t shy away from.

Exiting the driveway in his Corolla, he drove on the bustling streets to where Elysium was.

The California sun glinted off the building’s mirrored exterior, making it look like a monolithic mirage in the heat haze. This wasn’t a place he was used to frequenting; these gleaming towers of innovation compared to the church he regularly attended. Yet here he was, a born-again Christian about to delve into the heart of a technological revolution.

Stepping out of his car, he walked towards the front entrance. A young security guard approached him with a polite smile.

“Mr. Bennett?” he asked, glancing at the ID Arthur held up. “Welcome to Elysium, sir. Please follow me.”

The guard escorted him through the sterile lobby. Every surface gleamed, with hardly anyone inside. As they passed a large holographic display showcasing the previous Elysian Enclave model, Arthur felt a tad off. He’d read about the newer version, how it would supposedly take the world by storm.

Finally, they reached the security checkpoint. The guard scanned his ID, and a fax machine printed his papers.

“Alright, Mr. Bennett, you’re all set. Dr. Kapoor is expecting you in testing room one.”

Arthur offered a simple nod before walking forward. A sense of weightlessness settled in his stomach as he pushed open the doors, stepping into a brightly lit room staffed by technicians in lab coats.

A woman, tall and impeccably dressed with a nametag reading “Dr. Kapoor” pinned to her lab coat, turned toward him with a bright smile, saying, “Mr. Bennett? So glad you could make it! We were just starting to worry.”

Arthur apologized, stating that he had discovered yesterday that he had won. Hearing that made Dr. Kapoor’s smile falter for a moment. She blinked in disbelief, saying, “You… only found out yesterday?”

“I did,” he said, his expression unchanged. “There was a delay in retrieving my messages.”

Dr. Kapoor cleared her throat, a hint of annoyance in her voice as she said, “Well, you’re here now, thankfully. Hundreds of millions entered the lottery, and…” she paused, searching his face, “you don’t seem too excited.”

“Excited? Not at all, Dr. Kapoor. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Arthur’s voice was calm and measured, despite his lack of enthusiasm.

“Right,” she said, her smile back in place. “Let’s get you prepped then. You’ll be joining the other participants in the waiting room.”

Arthur followed Dr. Kapoor, his gaze sweeping across the technology around him. Wires snaked like vines across the chrome surfaces, and expensive equipment buzzed. In the center of the chamber were seven sleek pods that looked like something straight out of a science fiction film. This, he presumed, was the Enclave Mk. II.

They reached the doorway, and Dr. Kapoor ushered him inside.

The waiting room was sterile white, with furniture laid out. Six people were already inside. Some sat on the couches arranged in a circle; some fidgeted with nervous energy, while others exchanged whispers.

All heads turned towards Arthur, their expressions a mix of annoyance and curiosity. As Dr. Kapoor introduced him, he returned their gazes with disinterest.

“Everyone, this is Mr. Arthur Bennett, our final participant.”

A woman with red hair scoffed, “Finally! We’ve been waiting here for ages.”

“Calm yourself, Ms. Campbell,” Dr. Kapoor said.

Before Arthur could identify who this girl was, a man in a designer suit rolled his eyes, saying, “Seriously? You couldn’t even get here on time for a revolutionary breakthrough?”

Arthur remained unfazed by some of their hostility. He understood their frustration. Winning this lottery was a coup, a chance to be on the bleeding edge of technology. That didn’t stop his calm demeanour from standing out. 

As a collective sigh rippled through the room, he simply offered a gentle smile. Dr. Kapoor, sensing the tension, cleared her throat to say, “Alright, everyone. Now that Mr. Bennett is here, we can proceed. Please take a moment to review the terms and conditions. Once you all sign the legal documents, we can move on to the next step.”

With that, she excluded herself, leaving the seven participants in an awkward silence.

Arthur retrieved a stack of paper and settled himself at a table in the corner. He began scanning the legalese until a voice broke the silence: “Hi there.” He looked up to see a young man with cropped black hair and a radiant smile extending a hand. “I’m Alex, Alexander Costa, from Portugal.”

Arthur shook his hand, choosing not to return Alex’s warm smile. “Arthur Bennett. Nice to meet you.”

A blonde woman across the room hopped from the couch and joined them, saying, “I’m Jada Schmidt, from Germany.” Her voice was a tad bubbly and very soft. “Don’t take offense to that grumpy guy over there,” she added, gesturing toward the man in the designer suit.

“None taken…”

“He’s Jasper Reza,” Alex sighed, rolling his eyes. “Heir to the Reza Group in Persia. Thinks the world revolves around his oil money.”

Just then, the man slammed his pen down, saying with a sharp voice, “My family may have oil money, but they also have manners. Speak about me in private, not in front of the latecomer.”

Arthur chose to ignore the outburst. Turning back to Alex and Jade, he stated where he was born and raised: “Oakland, Cali, but my family’s originally from Mexico.”

“Can you speak Spanish?” Alex asked with glee.

“A little, but Portuguese and Spanish are kind of different.”

“So, what brings you to a virtual reality experiment?” Jada softly asked.

“I entered on a whim. Didn’t think I’d win, but here I am.”

Alex’s eyes widened with perplexity as he said, “Just a whim?! No lifelong dream of exploring virtual worlds?”

The look on Jada’s eyes hinted at curiosity, but before she could ask, another voice cut in, saying, “You’re the religious type.” Arthur looked up to see a young woman with long brown hair and very tan skin. “Alice Dubois, from France.”

“It’s not religion, but I am interested in how you knew,” he stated.

“There she goes again,” a voice said from across the room. Margaret Campbell, the only teenager here, a girl with dyed red hair and a bored expression. “She stalked all of the winners after finding out who we were.”

“It’s not stalking; it’s doing a quick background check on my competition,” Alice tried to defend.

“But it’s an experiment,” said the remaining man. William Rodriguez from Argentina. He was older than the rest, sporting a neatly trimmed beard and glasses that perched precariously on his nose. “We’re not competing against each other or anything.”

The others eventually returned to signing their documents in private.

A sense of finality settled over Arthur as he scribbled his signature on the last page. He flipped back through the pages, double-checking the seemingly endless legalese—liability waivers, data collection agreements, disclaimers about unforeseen consequences within the virtual world.

Most of it was standard, but a few sections raised his eyebrows. They were strangely specific, asking for Arthur’s dietary preferences, sleep habits, and even his favorite kind of music.

“Is all this really necessary?” Jasper asked, thinking out loud.

“Well, duh,” Alice answered. “The Elysian Enclave Mk. II tailors the virtual experience to the individual, creating a world based on your deepest desires and anxieties. The more they know about you, the more immersive the experience will be.”

Arthur considered this for a moment. It did make sense, in a way. A truly personal virtual experience could be groundbreaking. Still, the level of detail felt intrusive. He shrugged it off and continued, encountering another set of questions that made him pause.

‘Are you familiar with the fictional narrative titled ‘Naruto’?’

Below it was a simple checkbox.

Arthur frowned. Why would an innovative VR experiment care about a two-decade-old ninja anime?

A glance around the room confirmed his suspicions. Alexander and Jada exchanged confused looks. Alice rolled her eyes. Margaret seemed vaguely interested. William remained impassive. No one else seemed to have noticed the odd question.

Without hesitating, Arthur flipped to the first page, leaving the checkbox blank.

DR. KAPOOR FINALLY ENTERED THE ROOM, her smile a little less practiced this time.

“Excellent,” she said, “it looks like you’re all done. We can proceed.”

The room fell silent, the weight of the moment settling in. Arthur glanced around the group; a diverse mix of personalities united by this moment. He saw curiosity in Alexander’s eyes, skepticism from Jada’s, and a slight arrogance from Jasper’s. Alice herself seemed bored, Margaret was impatient, and William was still enigmatic.

Arthur, whose curiosity was piqued by the strange “Naruto” question, handed his forms along with the rest.

Dr. Kapoor had a smile on her face after verifying all the papers were signed. Clapping her hands, she said, “Wonderful! Now, if you’ll all follow me.”

The door shut behind them as they were led to the main room. In the center were seven sleek pods, each circling the other.

“This is the Elysian Enclave Mk. II,” she announced, her voice filled with pride. “Each one is meticulously calibrated to provide a unique, fully immersive virtual reality experience.”

She paused, taking in some of their awed expressions.

“The world you’ll be entering is based on a popular Japanese anime series called Naruto.”

The room erupted in a cacophony of reactions. Alice scoffed, saying, “Anime? Seriously?”

“A cartoon world?” Jasper wondered with contempt. “I signed up for cutting-edge technology, not playtime.”

Arthur, despite his reservations about something that wasn’t faith-based, felt a little curious. He had heard of Naruto before but never bothered watching it.

William piped up, asking, “How did Elysium acquire the rights to use Masashi Kishimoto’s work?”

Dr. Kapoor’s smile was brittle as she said, “Rights? We don’t have any rights. Besides, this isn’t really Naruto. Call it a game that has similar qualities—nothing taken from anyone else’s ideas.”

Despite the grumbles and raised eyebrows, a grudging acceptance settled over the group. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and quibbling over the theme wouldn’t change that. Each harboured their own reasons for participating, some selfless, some more pragmatic.

One thing was clear: stepping into the virtual world of Naruto, which Arthur himself knew little to nothing about, was a risk everyone was willing to take.

Dr. Kapoor, sensing their acceptance, distributed stacks of paper that detailed what this world would consist of—the chakra system, the different villages, and the ongoing conflict. Arthur scanned the densely packed pages, a growing frown showing itself on his face.

The story of a mischievous orphan named Naruto Uzumaki, ostracized by his village for harbouring a sealed devilish fox within him. That same boy’s journey is to become the “Hokage,” the leader of his village.

The document continued to delve into the complex social structure of ninja clans, each with their own unique fighting styles and special abilities called “jutsus.” They had a special system called chakra, the source of their power, and intricate hand signs used to unleash it.

One particular character, named Sasuke Uchiha, caught Arthur’s interest. Sasuke was written to have been a prodigy of the Uchiha clan, a peculiar clan known for their powerful “Sharingan” eye technique and fire manipulation jutsus. His older brother, Itachi Uchiha, massacred their entire clan for complicated reasons. Consumed by his false desire for vengeance against Itachi, Sasuke became consumed, manipulated into abandoning his village for power.

As Arthur skimmed past descriptions of powerful tailed beasts and legendary battles, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of detachment. These characters, these conflicts—they all felt hollow, lacking the moral depth he craved. A pang of disappointment settled in his stomach.

Was this it? Was this the platform he’d been hoping for?

He glanced around the room, catching glimpses of reactions as diverse as the people holding the paper.

Margaret was already halfway through. She seemed to have foreknowledge of what the premise was. No surprise since she was an angsty teenager. Jada was flipping through pages with an optimistic grin. She also seemed to have understood the story well.

Jasper’s reaction was intriguing. His lips moved silently as he read. Even William, the reserved type, was sporting a thoughtful frown. Then, as Dr. Kapoor cleared her throat, Arthur understood what had upset William.

“It’s important to note,” she said, “that the world you’ll experience will be a unique iteration of Naruto. While the basic framework remains—the villages, chakra system, et cetera—the story itself will take unforeseen turns. Consider it an alternate timeline, a ‘what if’ scenario.”

This seemed interesting to Arthur. Perhaps he was entering a virtual world that the others seemed all too familiar with; his lack of knowledge wouldn’t matter much. That same world they were all entering might be significantly altered.

The low murmur in the room ceased as Dr. Kapoor folded her arms, saying, “Now for the core aspect of your experience. Your mission is simple: survive.”

“Survive?” Alice asked, eyes gleaming. “Wait, like fight battles and stuff?”

Dr. Kapoor shook her head, answering, “Not exactly. The virtual environment will be incredibly real. Everything you see, hear, and feel will all be believable. The characters, their emotions, their reactions—all meticulously crafted to create true immersion.”

The idea of a ninja world so real that it blurred the line between what was real and what was a simulation felt exhilarating to others but unsettling to Arthur.

“And the story,” Dr. Kapoor continued, “it’s not static. Our AI is incredibly sophisticated. The narrative will adapt depending on your interactions with the world. The smallest decisions, the choices you make—they can have a cascading effect on the world around you.”

Jada, who had been devouring the information sheet about Naruto with surprising speed, raised her hand to ask, “Missions? Do we have to become ninjas and go on quests?”

“No missions and no quests,” Dr. Kapoor smiled. “This is a free-roam experience. Explore the world, interact with the characters, and forge your own path. There are no rules, no limitations. Everything you experience, from the landscapes to the characters’ emotions, will feel real. Even…” she paused, a playful glint in her eyes, “physical sensations.”

Alex, who had been mostly silent until now, perked up at this. He drawled, asking with a suggestive smirk, “Does that include romantic interactions?”

As Jasper gave Alice a cynical look, William turned red. Dr. Kapoor’s smile widened to answer, “Absolutely. As I said, this is a full sensory experience. Whether you choose to pursue those avenues is entirely up to you.”

Arthur couldn’t care less about useless things like that. His mind was already racing, formulating strategies on how to navigate this new world.

“Before we proceed any further,” she said, “I have a question: how many of you are actually familiar with the Naruto series?”

Alex, Jada, Margaret, and William all raised their hands. Jasper remained stubborn at first, but when he glanced around, he let out an audible cough, sheepishly raising his hand. It was clear that the heir to the Reza Group wasn’t thrilled about admitting his knowledge of the series.

Alice also raised her hand, saying, “I watched it, but I stopped after… What was it called? Shippuden?”

Shippuden is the second part of the Naruto series. The third, called “Boruto,” Naruto’s son, continued the franchise. According to the paper they all read, the simulation would consist of both filler arcs and movies. The third series, however, was excluded due to it being an ongoing one.

Margaret’s eyes glowed with excitement. This was like a treasure trove for true Naruto fans. William, despite being one of those fanatics, remained stoic. His knowledge was likely greater than Margaret’s.

Jada, though initially enthusiastic, offered a sheepish smile, admitting, “I used to be obsessed, but then I grew up.”

The comment felt like a direct blow to William and Margaret. Arthur thought it was a wise choice.

While familiarity with Naruto might offer advantages, it could also create biased expectations. Hence why Arthur himself, who was the only one never to have seen the series, could better navigate this ever-shifting world.

Dr. Kapoor clapped her hands, bringing everyone’s attention back to her, saying, “Wonderful. We have a diverse range of Naruto knowledge among ourselves. But don’t worry, that knowledge will hardly be useful.”

What did that mean? Arthur looked to see Jasper furrowing his brows. Alex was perhaps the only excited one upon hearing that unexpected news.

“Are there any questions?”

“Yeah,” Alex said. “What kind of characters do we get to be? Like, can we choose our fighting styles or appearances?”

“Ah, that, my dear Alex,” she said with a smile, “is a surprise waiting to happen when you enter the pods. We wouldn’t want to spoil the fun of discovery, now would we?”

Anticipation filled the group. The unknown always held a certain allure.

Arthur, however, couldn’t help but finish reading the information sheet he was holding. As he skimmed the details about jutsus and chakra flow, a peculiar thought struck him. Something was off about the original story.

Dr. Kapoor, seeing Arthur reading, asked, “Something troubling you, Mr. Bennett?”

“Yes,” he finally spoke, drawing everyone’s attention. “These descriptions don’t make sense. For instance, where do they get all the logs from using the substitution jutsu? And again, how is it that this is set in the Edo era, yet they have computers during the Pain Invasion arc? I’m also suspicious of how the main character was hated, despite his father saving the village, and bore the last name ‘Uzumaki,’ a clan that helped form said village.”

A stunned silence descended upon the room.

Margaret, the self-proclaimed Naruto expert, looked pale. Jada’s eyes widened in disbelief. Even William, the nerdiest of them all, seemed surprised.

How could they have missed it? It was staring them right in the face all along. And this was only a partial say. Arthur neglected to reveal the more apparent things like unworthy leaders, Naruto’s obsession with Sasuke, and more.

Dr. Kapoor, instead of appearing flustered, offered Arthur a slow, impressed smirk. She clapped her hands once, a sly glint in her eyes, saying, “Bravo, Mr. Bennett… You’ve picked up on the inconsistencies quite quickly. Indeed, as I mentioned earlier, this is not your typical Naruto experience. We’ve taken the core concepts, the basic framework, and adapted them for a new narrative and a new set of rules. Only some of those inconsistencies were addressed.”

“Exactly which ones?” Jasper wondered.

Dr. Kapoor remained silent, giving a professional smile. She was hinting out that they’d have to find out themselves.

“It seems we’ve covered everything,” she announced. “Let’s get you settled into your pods.”

One by one, they followed her, a mix of apprehension and anticipation swirling on their faces. Arthur, still grappling with the revelation about the altered Naruto universe, entered his pod last.

As he settled in, Dr. Kapoor explained the character selection process.

“The system will analyze your biological and psychological data and generate seven distinct avatars best suited for the program. It’s on a first-come, first-served basis.”

That made Arthur frown. First-come, first-served? It seemed like an arbitrary, almost whimsical detail, implying that since he was late, he’d have to choose his character last.

She continued, her voice gaining a more serious tone, “There’s no time limit within the simulation. Your primary directive, as I mentioned earlier, is to survive, so have fun.”

Arthur felt suspicious as he noticed Dr. Kapoor come close to his pod. Her voice was devoid of its earlier cheerfulness.

“Remember,” she said, “try not to die… In there, it’ll be for real.”

The weight of her words slammed into Arthur. Did he hear that correctly? No, he must have heard wrong. But the look she gave him said otherwise—an evil smirk that looked all too serious.

Before he could say anything, the lights within the pod dimmed, plunging him into darkness.