Chapter 5: Souta's Decision to Ask
Souta's mind drifted to various possibilities. This world was not just a fantasy or a story he had ever watched. It was a harsh reality, a place where death could come at any moment. If Souta did not have power, sooner or later, he would just become forgotten dust in this desert.
Slowly, Souta stepped forward, looking at the view of Sunagakure Village. His gaze swept over the landscape of Sunagakure from the second floor of his small apartment.
This village... is truly sad.
The standing buildings looked simple, made of sand and clay arranged into dome-shaped and square houses. Most of them had already eroded due to the constant sandstorms that plagued this village.
The streets were filled with sand blown by the wind, and only a few people were seen passing by, most of them wearing long robes and head coverings to protect themselves from the scorching sun.
Compared to other villages in the Naruto world, Sunagakure was clearly the weakest and the poorest. There were not many resources, the land was barren, and the climate was harsh. Souta truly could not understand how the people here managed to survive.
However, amidst the desolate scenery, Souta's eyes caught sight of a figure that piqued his interest.
Not far from Souta's apartment, in a small yard surrounded by low walls, a girl was sitting cross-legged on the ground, her back straight, and her hands resting on her thighs. Her eyes were closed, and her face looked so serene.
Pakura.
Souta recognized her immediately. Pakura's distinctive green hair was tied into a high bun with long hairpins piercing through it, with several strands of long and short hair with orange tips framing her face. Pakura's rather revealing clothing showcased her petite athletic body, but what caught the most attention was the atmosphere surrounding Pakura.
Souta observed closely. There was something vaguely flowing around Pakura's body, something invisible but palpable.
Chakra...! Pakura can use chakra!
Souta's heart raced. If Pakura could use chakra, it meant Souta had a chance to learn. This was the world of ninjas, and chakra was everything. If Souta could not use it, then he would have no hope of survival.
However, even as hope surged within Souta, a doubt began to emerge.
"Will Pakura teach me?"
From what Souta remembered in the original Naruto story, Pakura was not someone who was easy to approach. Especially for Souta, who always felt awkward when facing others.
Souta bit his lip, his hands clenched tightly. He had to do it. If he wanted to survive in this world, he had to find a way to become strong.
With determination growing stronger, Souta stepped down from his apartment, carefully descending the stairs to avoid making noise. The dry morning air greeted him as soon as he stepped outside.
The sand whispered beneath his feet as Souta walked slowly toward the yard where Pakura was meditating. The closer he got, the clearer it became how focused the girl was.
The shadow of the tall buildings protected Pakura's small body from the scorching sun, providing shade that made her look like an unshakeable statue.
Souta swallowed hard.
He remained silent. Although Pakura had opened her eyes and glanced in Souta's direction, she did not say anything. Pakura simply took a slow breath, then closed her eyes again, continuing her meditation as if Souta's presence was not something to be acknowledged.
And Souta understood. Pakura did not want to be disturbed.
Souta chose to remain standing in his place, just observing Pakura from a distance while waiting.
The shadow of the tall buildings around the yard made the air here cooler than in other parts of Sunagakure.
...
Chapter 6: Souta Waits
There wasn't much sunlight directly hitting the ground, making the sand beneath Souta's feet feel cooler than what he usually stepped on in the village streets.
This courtyard wasn't very large, but it couldn't be called cramped either. It was an open space surrounded on three sides by buildings, leaving only one direction open to the street from which Souta had come.
With the tall stone walls surrounding it, this place felt like a small oasis protected from the scorching heat of Sunagakure.
The cool morning air slowly began to change. The sun rose higher, and the dry wind typical of Sunagakure started to blow, carrying small grains of sand that rustled along the streets. Although not as strong as a sandstorm, this wind was enough to make someone squint and pull their collar tighter.
Yet, this place remained quiet.
There were no sounds of merchants offering their goods. No sounds of children playing. No bustling village noise like what was usually heard in Konohagakure.
And it was at that moment that Souta became aware again.
Sunagakure was indeed a poor village.
Compared to other larger villages, the population of Sunagakure was much smaller. This was not only due to its arid and inhospitable terrain but also because life here was too harsh.
Kumogakure, despite being in a mountainous area, still had land for farming and livestock. Kirigakure was surrounded by the sea, giving them access to fish and other seafood. And Konohagakure? No need to ask. That village was the most fertile of them all, surrounded by dense forests with land rich in resources.
But Sunagakure? Sand.
Just sand as far as the eye could see.
This land couldn't be cultivated, water sources were very limited, and trade with other countries was not always reliable. That's why the population of Sunagakure was smaller compared to other villages. Although it wasn't completely empty, it was still hard to say that this was a 'lively' village.
And due to the limited resources, life here was tough.
If someone wanted to survive in Sunagakure, there were two main options: trade or become a ninja.
Trading could earn money, but not everyone had goods to trade.
Becoming a ninja could provide a decent income, but that job was full of risks and there weren't always missions available. If conditions worsened, many ninjas were forced to remain unemployed for long periods, or—in the worst-case scenario—forced to take on missions that were far more dangerous than they should be.
That was the reality of Sunagakure.
Souta clenched his fists tightly. He didn't want to live like that.
Souta didn't want to live in uncertainty, always depending on circumstances.
Souta wanted to be stronger. Souta wanted to survive.
And the only way to do that was to learn to use chakra.
Souta's gaze returned to Pakura, who was still meditating peacefully in the shadow of the building.
If there was someone who could teach Souta, it was Pakura.
But...
Souta bit his lip, feeling hesitant for a moment.
Would Pakura be willing to teach him?
Souta was nobody. He had no great name, no connections to anyone. Just an ordinary boy in the midst of this harsh Sunagakure.
However... if Souta didn't ask, he would never know the answer.
Souta took a deep breath, trying to calm his anxiety.
He then decided to wait.
Souta would not disturb Pakura while she was meditating. But once the opportunity arose, he would try to ask.
With his determination growing stronger, Souta stood still in his place, patiently waiting in the shadow of the building, hoping that Pakura would provide the answer he sought.
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