Chapter 123: Masamichi Yaga
The man's voice was deep, heavy, and full of authority, as if every word he uttered carried weight that could not be denied.
The tall man had a muscular build, his skin a rich shade of brown. The hair on the top of his head was short, spiky, and dark brown, while the rest of his head was shaved clean, making the shape of his skull look even harder, more intimidating.
His thick eyebrows sharpened the impression of firmness on his face, while his facial hair—neatly trimmed mustache and beard—further reinforced his resolute character. A pair of black sunglasses rested over his eyes, rendering his gaze mysterious yet commanding, as though it could pierce through the soul of anyone who dared to look too long.
He wore a simple gray T-shirt, but his broad, muscular chest made the fabric cling tightly, outlining every contour of his physique. Over it, he donned a black jacket left unzipped, paired with black trousers and sturdy black shoes. His presence was so imposing that it seemed as though the room itself had shrunk just because he stood there.
"What?" Souta was stunned—truly, utterly stunned. His body stiffened for a moment, his eyes widening in disbelief while his breath caught in his throat as he stared at the man standing at the podium. Souta's face was a tangled storm of emotions: astonishment, confusion, disbelief, and, buried deep in his eyes, a faint trembling of fear.
Souta knew this world was not entirely the Naruto world. From the very first time he laid eyes on Makima, the aura of that woman alone had been enough to make him realize this was an Alternate World—or, more precisely, an Alternate Universe.
But seeing Masamichi Yaga standing before him now, Souta's feelings grew even more chaotic. An overwhelming urge surged within him to shout—to release a cry that was equal parts awe and disbelief—but he swallowed it down with all his strength, until his throat felt parched and dry.
How could he not? With Makima present here, it meant there was a strong possibility that other characters from Chainsaw Man could also appear. That thought alone was enough to unsettle him.
But with Masamichi Yaga's sudden appearance, it implied something far greater: characters from other anime could potentially emerge in this world too, a world that was supposed to belong solely to Naruto. Slowly, this world was twisting into a strange stage where the boundaries of fictional realities blended together.
This made Souta question himself violently within his heart: how could something like this even happen? Yet, almost immediately, he realized no answer awaited him here, not now.
Reality stood firmly before his eyes, undeniable and absolute. The only thing he could do was accept it, and hope this world would not collapse into uncontrollable chaos.
"What's wrong? Come on, let's get out of here." Masamichi Yaga's voice resonated, heavy yet calm, like that of a teacher long accustomed to handling curious students. He stepped forward slowly, his broad frame shifting as he made his way toward the classroom door.
Souta, Pakura, and Makima instinctively rose from their seats, the chairs scraping against the wooden floor with sharp friction. The three of them followed behind Masamichi, their footsteps echoing in unison, though each of their hearts was weighed down by unspoken questions.
They made their way up the staircase leading to the roof of the Ninja Academy. The air grew cooler as they ascended the final step.
At the heavy iron door that led to the rooftop, Masamichi paused. From his pocket, he produced a key, slid it into the lock, and turned it. The soft squeal of metal grated in the silence before the door creaked open.
As it swung wide, the warm glow of the late afternoon sun washed over their faces.
From the rooftop, the vast expanse of Sunagakure spread out before them—a desert village with its characteristic sand-colored buildings, towering protective walls circling the settlement, and golden rays of sunlight cascading across the horizon, glittering off drifting grains of sand.
The desert wind swept across gently, carrying with it the warm scent of sand and the subtle sting of fine dust.
...
Chapter 124: The Dream of the First Female Kazekage
"Wow... The view from the rooftop of the Ninja Academy building is truly beautiful!" Makima spoke in a light, almost playful tone. Her lips curved into a soft smile, yet her eyes held a depth that made it difficult to discern what truly lingered behind them.
"We'll begin with self-introductions," Masamichi said as he stood tall before them, his arms folded firmly across his chest. His commanding gaze swept over each of the children standing in front of him, one after another, like a seasoned warrior assessing the strength of his unit. "I'll introduce myself once more. Each of us will give our name, what we like, what we dislike, and what our dream is."
"Yes," replied Souta, Pakura, and Makima in unison. Their voices overlapped, yet each carried its own distinct tone—Souta's stiff and uncertain, Pakura's brimming with confidence, while Makima's came out calm, almost casual, but laced with a mysterious serenity.
"My name is Masamichi Yaga," the man began, his voice even, heavy, and filled with authority.
"I like simple things, such as creating Kugutsu. I also have a collection of sunglasses that always gives me a sense of satisfaction." For a brief moment, Masamichi paused. His lips curved ever so slightly—an almost imperceptible smile—though his face remained as stern as stone. "I also enjoy small, cute things, though perhaps that's something you wouldn't expect from someone with a face like mine."
His gaze sharpened, turning colder for an instant. His voice dropped lower, firmer, every word carrying weight. "What I dislike are overly sweet alcoholic drinks... and people who look down on my students."
Then, his tone shifted again, growing deeper, as though it resonated from the core of his heart. "My dream is simple—I only wish for all of my students to work hard, grow strong, and survive in this harsh world."
His words lingered in the air, carried away by the dry desert wind that swept across the Academy rooftop. There was sincerity in them, a hidden warmth woven into his heavy, seasoned voice. The atmosphere subtly shifted; the rooftop no longer felt like a place for mere introductions—it had become a place where something greater was shared.
Souta and the others fell into silence as Masamichi's heartfelt declaration washed over them. For a moment, it felt as though time itself had stilled.
None of them had expected that their mentor—the man who at first glance seemed intimidating, with his hard features and commanding voice—would reveal such a side of himself. A side that was firm, yet caring; stern, yet quietly devoted to the growth of his students.
"Now, we'll start with you." Masamichi slowly raised his hand and pointed at Makima. His voice remained steady, yet his eyes carried an undeniable weight of authority. The atmosphere on the rooftop thickened, charged with an almost solemn seriousness.
"Uh... Hem..." Makima let out a small sigh, folding her hands gently in front of her stomach as though to keep her nerves in check. Yet, despite her faint hesitation, a soft smile played on her lips—a smile sweet enough to charm, though tinged with a subtle, elusive mystery.
"My name is Makima. What I like... Hem... I like eating sweet foods." As she spoke, she lowered her head briefly, her eyes glinting with a faint sparkle, as if she were recalling some pleasant memory from long ago.
"What I don't like... maybe salty foods, and the smell of cigarette smoke. Every time I inhale cigarette smoke, I end up coughing uncontrollably." Her words were accompanied by a small, measured laugh—light, delicate, but carefully restrained.
"My dream... I want to become the first female Kazekage!" Makima declared, her smile widening as she lifted her head. Her eyes locked firmly with Masamichi's, filled with a confidence so radiant it was nearly contagious.
Souta, upon hearing this, found himself frozen. His gaze instinctively drifted toward Makima, but what filled his eyes this time was not admiration—it was confusion, a strange unease stirring deep within his chest.
For as long as he had been in this world, Souta had always felt something was off—too many things didn't add up, too many contradictions that gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. In his memories of his previous life, Makima was never someone who carried such warmth. She had been depicted as cruel, manipulative, a cold-hearted figure who bent others to her will.
And yet now?
Here before him stood a girl who loved sweet foods, hated cigarette smoke, and carried a noble dream of becoming the first female Kazekage.
This contradiction rattled Souta.
Makima's presence was like a puzzle piece that didn't fit, a truth that clashed against everything he thought he knew. It was as though the world itself was mocking him, presenting him with a version of Makima that was almost too good, too pure, too far removed from the image engraved in his memory.
And Souta could do nothing but stare in silence, a storm of questions swirling in the depths of his heart.
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