It had been a few days since my return.
On the first day back at school, it felt as though an unofficial grand celebration had taken place. Rumors of my return spread through nearly every high school like wildfire. Was I really that famous?
Fortunately, everything settled down after another two days, and school life returned to normal.
As for Sasuke and Ino's relationship, once the chaos of those high school celebrations calmed down, Sasuke and Ino told us about being together. Contrary to what I expected, they didn't want to hide it—but they didn't have the chance to announce it immediately either. They took some time to talk things through, and finally, they made their decision.
Regarding the Breakers gang, they and Lily's crew now represent every high school gang across Konoha. Our influence has become incredibly strong—perhaps this was the very path Akatsuki had been paving for Jin back then.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Lily and I now lead everything beneath the surface of adult affairs and the real underground syndicates. It even seems some people have already started reaching out to us.
But all of that fell on Shino and Lily's shoulders, so I stayed out of it. It wasn't the right time yet—I had other things I needed to focus on now.
First, I need to graduate from high school. Then, officially take the headship of the Uzumaki Clan. After that, my name will echo across the world—so much so that even Akatsuki won't dare make a move against me the way they always have before. I'm certain their leader isn't foolish enough to risk that.
Second, I need to build my own power. The Breakers are the beginning—they're loyal to me, every single one of them. But that's not enough. Kid gangs won't solve anything; they still need to grow. What I want is a hidden force of my own—something like the ANBU that Danzo controlled in the other world.
Only a power like that can give me the freedom to act against Akatsuki while living a normal life. I don't want to destroy my peace—I don't want to burden my family and friends. I'll shield them from danger no matter what it takes.
Even though I once promised Kiba and Sakura, I'm sorry to say I can't keep that promise. I still have to walk this path alone, protecting our lives by myself. If that means I'm the only one to bleed, so be it. That's a small price for a good ending.
With that mindset, I cemented the course of my life—and my next steps.
It was evening now, and I was walking toward a certain building. It looked like a prison—only less formal.
I entered, and with my forged identity, I had no trouble getting in. I secured permission to see the person I came for.
I walked into the visitation room. A sheet of glass divided the space into two halves, with a table and chairs below. I sat calmly in my chair, resting my hands on the table.
A few seconds passed before I heard the door open on the other side—and then, a voice I never thought I'd hear again spoke coldly:
"Of all people, you came to visit me…"
I lifted my gaze—and there he was. His head was shaved now because of the reform facility's rules. Cold restraints bound his wrists, and he wore ragged brown clothes. But his indifferent, icy stare hadn't changed at all. It was him—the king himself. Jin.
"If I could, I'd wish to never see you again…"
I whispered through clenched teeth, forcing down my emotions. Jin rolled his eyes coldly, sat in his chair, and said flatly:
"Then… if you hate me that much, why are you here?"
"Because I want answers… Why? Why did you do it back then? You… and Tiger…"
Jin didn't look at me. He just stared ahead blankly, as if lost in thought. His silence dragged on, leaving me uneasy. Finally, he replied in an emotionless tone:
"I wonder that myself. If only I had stopped the fight then—beaten you both—I would've been the sole victor. Everything you own now, Naruto, would've been mine… But I wonder. I wonder why I chose to do that. Maybe… I was just tired?"
His words were cryptic, leaving me slightly unsettled. "What do you mean by that, Jin? Tired of what?"
"Maybe I was tired of this life. Maybe I was tired of the goal I chased. I feel empty now. Even those I thought were my allies… turned out to be nothing but fakes who abandoned me the moment I fell to you…"
Every word he spoke was a riddle. I said nothing, just stared quietly as Jin closed his eyes and glanced at the window, as if gathering his thoughts from that day.
"I felt something strange—a feeling that drove me to what I did. That irrational feeling told me you shouldn't become a killer. That's why I moved. That's why I killed him… with these very hands." He lifted his hands carelessly, speaking as though killing was nothing out of the ordinary.
"What does that even mean? Are you telling me you did this just as a favor to me? That's ridicul—" I clenched my fists, about to spit out the very words Jin beat me to. How could he claim that? An irrational whim? A vague feeling made him act? Wasn't that absurd?
"Call it what you want. It's the truth…" Jin didn't defend himself at all, leaving me even more baffled. Since when had Jin become so docile… so calm?
"At this moment, I regret nothing. Don't misunderstand—I still hate you. I still wish for your end. Maybe that feeling will never leave me." He closed his eyes again. "But now… I can say that I feel at peace."
Those words made me slam the table and rise to my feet, rage boiling in me so violently the guard yelled a warning—but I ignored him, roaring:
"What does that mean?! You're telling me that after everything… you don't even feel remorse? Do you realize the weight of your sins? Do you realize how many people shed tears—how many lives were shattered because of your actions?! And yet you tell me you've found peace? Just like that?!"
Jin gave me nothing in return. He simply rose and turned his back, walking toward the door. I slammed the glass with my fists and shouted:
"I'm not done with you! Stop right there, Jin! Do you think your so-called peace will wash away your crimes? You will answer for what you've done! Do you hear me?! JIN!!"
But it was useless. He opened the door without looking back—and left the room empty behind him.
I stopped pounding the glass when the guard placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned aside, frustrated.
I had even forgotten the real reason I came—to ask about his ties to Akatsuki. Now everything was ruined.
I let out a sharp exhale, then turned to leave. There was no point in staying any longer. I decided to go home and gather my thoughts. And so I did.
---
After leaving the correctional facility, it took me some time to reach Uzumaki Clan territory. There, as I walked, a group of five young men passed by—boys in their mid-twenties, their bodies wrapped in bandages.
When I glanced at them, all five bowed deeply and spoke with respect:
"Good evening, young master…"
Of course, I was well known among the branch families. They knew exactly who I was. Thankfully, my uncle Oshino's vile reputation made him despised among them, so I received their support gladly back then—and even now, they still favor me as clan head.
To them, anyone is better—as long as it's not Oshino.
I pushed away those thoughts, wondering briefly why they were so badly injured—but I didn't dwell on it. It wasn't my concern.
---
Narrator's Perspective
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The five kept walking after greeting Naruto, sighing as soon as they were out of earshot.
"Man, I still can't believe an old hag put us in bed for weeks—and we couldn't even say a word. If our parents found out we got beaten that bad by some homeless girl, we'd be in even deeper trouble. All thanks to you, Osu!"
One of the boys grumbled. It was clear now—they were part of the group that tried to assault Izumi after drugging her. But Tsunade appeared just in time and saved her.
Osu—the one who brought Izumi to his place—had a neck brace and a bandage over his lip. He spoke irritably:
"Shut up! No one forced you to join in! Who the hell was that witch anyway? Can't remember anyone that strong…"
"Maybe she's one of those hidden powers that girl mentioned. What if she only pretended to be homeless to lure us in?"
Each came up with his own theory, but in the end, all they could do was complain.
The sun sank, darkness crept in. After returning home, they decided to meet again later at their usual spot.
Past midnight, the five sat in an alley within Uzumaki territory, secretly smoking and drinking.
None of them noticed the presence entering the alley—a figure with long black hair and eyes pale as death.
The figure spoke, cold as steel:
"It was you, wasn't it? The ones who attacked Izumi… the Uchiha girl…"
"Huh?"
One boy blinked in confusion—until a flash of silver tore through his arms like lightning. He stared in shock as his limbs fell to the ground, cleanly severed. Pain crashed over him like a tidal wave—but before he could scream, the stranger's boot slammed into him, knocking him out cold.
"These were the hands that defiled her body, weren't they?"
There was no hesitation in the man's voice as he spoke, no remorse as he mutilated his prey. To him, these five were nothing but criminals deserving punishment. Nothing more.
The four remaining froze in terror, staring at their friend's severed arms as their minds struggled to comprehend the horror. The first to break from the shock tried to flee—but how could he escape those eyes?
A muffled crack and the stench of gunpowder answered his question. A bullet punched through his skull, dropping him lifeless in an instant as blood gushed from the wound.
The three left were paralyzed. They had no idea how to react. Running meant certain death.
The stranger moved toward another boy. With a swift flick of his blade, Osu barely registered a glint slicing across his friend's face before the boy's eyes spilled blood. He didn't even have time to scream—one strike knocked him unconscious.
The gap in power was immense. Osu trembled uncontrollably. He knew without a doubt he'd be next. A foul smell hit his nose—he didn't even have time to realize it was his friend wetting himself in sheer terror.
Just moments ago, they'd been plotting their next victim—a homeless girl to drag home. Now, in the span of a minute, a demon had come for them. The sheer suddenness was suffocating.
"Those eyes that indulged in forbidden pleasures—you enjoyed it, didn't you? Tricking a helpless girl, taking what you wanted from her body, tossing her aside…"
"W-We didn't even do anything! I swear! That blonde freak showed up and saved her—"
"Of course I know. If that woman hadn't stepped in herself, I'd have finished you then. But she was merciful—she only beat you senseless and dumped you in the hospital so I couldn't reach you. But now you're out. And it's time to pay."
The man's words drained what little color remained from Osu's face. He'd planned this from the start—waited all this time to kill them together?
"Who… who are you? What is that homeless girl to you?!"
"Who am I? Just a crow without a nest…"
The man's eyes hardened to ice. With one clean slash, he opened Osu's throat. The boy convulsed, choking on his own blood, staring up at the man as life slipped away.
Osu collapsed in a growing pool of crimson, his last moments drowned in terror. A cruel, agonizing death. The man didn't flinch—not even slightly. He didn't bother killing the rest—leaving them broken, blind, and traumatized instead.
He cleaned the scene quickly, erasing every trace of his presence. Gloves on. Backup weapons used. Every precaution taken.
Once done, he walked away calmly, heading toward a black car parked nearby. Sliding in, he was met by a man who knew him well.
"Finished your little trip, Itachi?"
Itachi gave a small nod and replied, "Let's go. We shouldn't stay near Uzumaki territory for long. Their security's tighter since their son was kidnapped."
"You say that after slipping in and butchering five of their brats without breaking a sweat? Are you mocking them?" The man chuckled—but Itachi didn't care. His gaze stayed fixed ahead as he murmured:
"You wouldn't understand, Kisame."
"Not that I want to~"
Itachi rolled his eyes faintly, his thoughts whispering as the car pulled away:
(I wonder how you're doing now… You must hate me, don't you? But this is necessary. Without this… I can't protect you… Izumi.)
He forced his face to stay cold—but in his eyes lingered the weariness of a man carrying an unbearable weight.
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To Be Continued.