At night, at the Haruno residence.
Mebuki had given up on Kizashi. It had been several days since she had asked him to do it, but he had refused for various reasons. So, starting today, she would not ask him again. She even told him to sleep on the couch.
Kizashi ended up sleeping on the couch, while Mebuki relaxed on her bed with green tea and sweet snacks, reading the book she had bought.
Mebuki closed her book.
She sighed.
'Really, a tragic ending.' Mebuki thought. Everything ended tragically just because they weren't honest with their feelings. Of course, this was also caused by other people. But, as Mebuki said, even if there were people who wanted to take revenge on their clan, they could at least be together if they were honest and willing to compromise.
Wasn't it the same for her and Souji? Mebuki shook her head. 'No, no. I've been honest with myself, and I will accept Souji-kun.'
Seeing the book in her hand, however, she became interested in trying another one because reading books helped her fill her free time after cleaning the house.
'This is quite fun.' Mebuki thought.
"..."
"..."
———————————————————
Uchiha residence.
It had been several days since Mikoto had slept alone because Fugaku had been so busy that he couldn't go home. Dinner was just her and Sasuke. Sometimes, Itachi would join them if he wasn't on duty.
Mikoto didn't feel lonely because of Fugaku, and what she thought about was not being able to meet Souji. It had been almost two weeks since she had seen him, it's because Mikoto had also been helping her clan. Especially after hearing that the Uchiha would participate in the war on the front lines, Mikoto and the others had to prepare the ninjas from the Uchiha clan for the upcoming war.
Also, based on what Itachi said, the coup plan that Fugaku and the others were going to carry out would likely fail because they had to go to war. This made Mikoto happy and relieved.
'I hope this all ends quickly.' Mikoto thought, 'I wonder if Souji-kun is looking for me.'
"..."
"..."
———————————————————
Morning, Naruto's apartment.
Naruto was happy this morning. Last night, he visited his mother. They talked late into the night, and Naruto fell asleep in his mother's arms with Akebi, of course.
When he woke up in the morning, it was no longer a sad and painful time for Naruto. He has a father, a mother, and a little sister. Even though his family looks abnormal to people, Naruto now really has a family.
Thanks to his family, and especially his father, people's hatred toward him has decreased slightly. He can buy things from the village shops, and he has good friends. All of Naruto's hopes had come true, and he hoped the happiness he felt would last a long time.
Yes, life is sometimes unexpected for Naruto.
He is grateful for his difficult life, because that, he learned how valuable a family is. Now, he has a complete family.
He really appreciates that and tries not to disappoint or make his family sad.
That is Naruto's belief.
"..."
"Naruto, let's go." Souji called.
"Yes, Dad!"
"..."
"..."
———————————————————
At the ninja academy.
Souji and Naruto entered the classroom and greeted the others, who greeted them back.
They walked toward their seats and saw that the Ino-Shika-Cho trio was already in class.
"Oh? You guys got here so early?" Naruto asked.
Shikamaru, who had been resting his head, stood up and looked at Naruto. "Haa... This is because Ino... Troublesome..."
"Huh? What's going on?" Naruto asked curiously as he looked at Ino, who appeared sad.
When Ino saw Souji looking at her, she came to her senses and approached him. "Souji-kun... I feel so sad..."
She hugged his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. Seeing this, Souji gently patted Ino's head. Ino closed her eyes and enjoyed the gesture.
"..."
Those who saw this fell silent. Naruto scratched his cheek and asked, "Does anyone know, why Ino is sad?"
Shikamaru explained, "Ha... Aunt Noriko said that Ino was sad, because she had read a book she bought."
Naruto nodded his head and said, "Yes, I understand how Ino feels. I was sad when I read the story, too."
Ino, who had been listening, opened her eyes and said, "See? Even Naruto has felt what I felt. Hmph."
"..."
Shikamaru looked at Naruto and asked, "Did you really read the book?"
"Hey, Shikamaru. Somehow, I feel like your gaze is belittling me." Naruto said.
"That's just your feeling, Naruto. My gaze is indeed like this." Shikamaru evaded.
"Heh...? I really know from your gaze..."
"I told you, it's just your feeling. Can you tell me how you stopped feeling sad after reading the book?" Shikamaru tried to change the subject.
"Oh, that? Hehehe." Naruto laughed lightly. "That's because my Dad said he would buy me another book." Ino, who had overheard this, looked at Souji and said, "Ne, Souji-kun, what book do you want to buy for Naruto?"
"The bookstore owner told me directly that a new book will be sold, and at least the story has a happy ending." Souji continued, "I don't know exactly how it ends, but I heard that it's the same author who wrote the tragedy of love."
"I can't wait for that book to be released! My mom won't even lend me her books, so I have to buy it myself." Ino complained to her friends.
"Eh? Really, Ino?" Naruto scratched his cheek and said, "Maybe she doesn't want you to be sad?"
Ino thought about it. "Yeah, it seems like that."
After that, Ino and Naruto talked about the stories in the book while the others listened and occasionally responded. Soon, Hinata joined their group and listened in as well.
Ino recommended the book she and Naruto had read to Hinata, who nodded in agreement.
"Iruka-sensei will be here soon!" one of the students shouted as he entered the classroom, prompting the others to return to their seats.
"..."
"..."
———————————————————
At the Hokage Office.
"How are the preparations, Shikaku?" Hiruzen asked.
"Everything is going well. In about two or three days, you should be able to depart." Shikaku replied.
"Report from the front lines?"
"The troops led by Jiraiya-sama have retreated further back. The special forces are currently facing the forces from Taki." Shikaku continued. "If Taki doesn't use their Jinchuriki, the special forces have a better chance of winning. It should wrap up in two or three days. Besides the troops you lead, Jiraiya will also receive reinforcements from the special forces."
"Then we can launch a concentrated attack on the main forces of Iwa and Kusa."
Hiruzen nodded. "I hope it all goes as planned." Shikaku sighed. "I hope so, too."
Humans can only plan and do it. The outcome? Nothing is certain.
For Shikaku, there will always be unpredictable variables, whether beneficial or not.
"Shikaku, please inform the teacher at the ninja academy that I will call Souji during the break."
"Hai, Sandaime-sama." Then, Shikaku left.
"..."
"..."
———————————————————
Land of Fire, Kusa medical ninja camp.
Uzumaki Mariko was an ordinary civilian from Uzushiogakure, a village that no longer exists. She and her husband left Uzushio before its destruction and wandered from place to place, looking for a home.
She considered going to Konohagakure because she knew it was an ally of Uzushiogakure. However, her husband refused because he hated Konohagakure for not helping Uzushiogakure. In the end, they continued walking.
Once, they encountered bandits on the road. Her husband sacrificed himself to give Mariko time to escape. She eventually arrived in the Land of Grass.
She decided to stay in Kusagakure because she was pregnant. However, she didn't know that her decision would bring her, the suffering and fear.
Because of her unique body, she became a blood and healing reserve for the Kusa ninja. They would bite her and suck her life energy. If she refused, they threatened to make Karin her replacement.
All of this happened because of her mistake. At first, she didn't intend to tell them about her advantages. However, there was someone who always helped Mariko, and he was injured. Mariko, who had heard about it, healed him to repay his kindness. However, the reality was far more painful. The person that Mariko healed, reported it to the village, and now? she is waiting, for her death to arrive.
She couldn't do anything to save Karin or to get her out of here.
"Whoever, please help me..." She said softly, lying weakly on the floor.
Even if she couldn't survive, she hoped that Karin could. She was really at her limit.
"I found her." Mariko heard a voice, but she couldn't open her eyes.
"Wait a moment. What about the others?"
"The other targets have been found, too."
"Good. Let's go."
Mariko could only hear the conversation. Then, she felt her body being lifted. She thought she would be thrown away.
'Karin...forgive me...' Mariko thought sadly.
"..."
Elsewhere, at the Kusa medical ninja camp...
There was a tent guarded by two Kusa ninja.
Suddenly, their bodies collapsed, blood pouring from their pierced throats.
"..."
'I thought the guard was tight, but it turned out to be... Pathetic.' Souji's shadow clone thought. 'Do the Kusa ninja not have brains at all? How could they underestimate this?'
If Souji were the leader of Kusagakure, the abilities of Karin and her mother would be invaluable.
But look at them. They used them carelessly until Karin's mother died in the Naruto series. However, he hoped he could still save her here.
Not to mention their ridiculous decision to send Karin with two trash ninja to participate in the Chunin Exam in Konohagakure. Did they not understand the concept of value?
How could trash like them be left alone?
'Ha... I forgot to tell clone number three to flatten Kusagakure.' Thought clone number two. 'But I will blow up their camp. At least I want to vent my frustration.'
Clone Number Two entered the tent and found Karin leaning against the wall of the tent, sitting on the floor and hugging her legs.
She felt someone staring at her and looked toward the entrance of the tent. She saw Souji's Shadow Clone staring at her.
He and the others were in transformation jutsu and wearing all-black clothes with red Oni or demon masks.
"Are you Karin?" Clone Number 2 asked gently.
Karin nodded. "Come with me. Your mother wants to meet you."
"Mama?! Is she okay?" Karin asked worriedly.
"Yes, your mama is fine. Come on." He himself didn't know how Karin's mother was doing, he just hoped the others had saved her.
Karin nodded and got up from her seat.
Before she could leave, though, Clone Number 2 used the Shadow Clone Jutsu again and ordered his clones to attach explosive tags to each camp.
Where did clone number two get the explosive tags?
During their travels, they occasionally encountered ninjas from Iwa who were delivering supplies to the front lines. Souji's Shadow clone hunted them down, forcing some of Iwa's main forces to retreat and guard their supply lines. Of course, it didn't work because the shadow clones moved effectively thanks to soul sense and astral projection. They might not have been able to kill many Iwa forces, but the losses they caused were far worse than the war they were fighting with Konoha.
Onoki even suffer the back pain when he heard what had happened to their supply lines, causing a delay in their advance.
"Konoha! This must be Konoha's doing!" That's what Onoki said.
If Souji's Shadow Clone hadn't an important task, perhaps they would have gone deeper into the Land of Earth and emptied Iwa's supplies.
"..."
"Will the Mystical Palm be useful?"
"Just try it."
Souji's Shadow Clone is now in the forest, quite far from Kusa's medical camp. They are trying to restore Mariko, whose condition is critical.
The shadow clone also tried using the Mystical Palm technique on Mariko.
"..."
"Is there any change?"
"Let me check." Clone Number 1 said. He held Mariko's arm and inserted a little of his chakra to check if her chakra flow was normal.
"..."
"Normal." Clone Number 1 said. The other clones could finally breathe a sigh of relief and use their mystical palm again, to ensure her safety.
"..."
"..."