Land Of Waves :
Herb Clearing :
The herb clearing, once a sanctuary of shared warmth and quiet understanding, had turned into a stage for a cold, clinical betrayal.
Naruto stood over the paralyzed Haku, looking down at a face that had shattered into a thousand jagged pieces of shock and grief. He could see the storm of emotions behind those dark eyes—the disbelief, the agony, the absolute loss of a world Haku thought he understood.
Internally, Naruto's jaw tightened. But soon He shook his head, a silent dismissal of the guilt trying to claw at his periphery.
(Shouldn't hesitate when it risks the safety of your precious ones,)
While looking at Haku , Naruto told himself. He thought of Hinata—her soft voice, her constant hesitation, and the way her hands trembled when she was afraid or in any fight .
( ......Hinata & Haku are a little alike )
His eye twitched, the cold logic of a shinobi winning out as he turned to the side , Where the Two masked shinobi's stood now
"What now?" Naruto's voice was flat , filled with a little exhaustion "Will you torture her for information?"
"No need for that," a voice replied from the Well built Captain with Tiger Mask. "We have a Yamanaka in our team."
Naruto let out a short, huffed breath. ".....That's convenient."
"Hm. It's a team that protects a Jinchuriki, you know," the ANBU replied, the hidden operative's voice steady. "It's prepared for any situation."
"Well, good to know. So, I'll take her back."
"Thank you. That will be for the best."
" Good job, Naruto."
Naruto nodded to Yugao-nee's appreciation ,With a rustle of leaves, the two ANBU flickered away, though Naruto knew they were still there—invisible ghosts guarding his flank. Naruto looked around the clearing one last time, his Kagura's Mind Eye expanding in a wide, desperate sweep.
(I can't feel Zabuza's chakra in my senses. Is he out of range?)
Naruto looked back down at Haku. As he sat on his haunches, he noticed something catching the light in the grass near Haku's feet. They looked like small, shimmering crystals.
Getting in front of him, Naruto realized they weren't ice.
They were tears.
Haku, the boy who could give his life without a second thought, the boy who lived as a cold tool of the Demon , was weeping silently. Naruto's mind shook. Seeing a warrior shed tears of such raw, silent devastation hit a chord he hadn't expected to feel.
( ...I thought I was prepared for everything )
Naruto sighed, a long, weary sound. He reached out and placed his hands on Haku's nape, his fingers glowing with a faint blue light as he loosened the seal just enough to allow the boy's vocal cords to function.
( it seems mental strength is still something I lack )
Haku didn't move. He felt the seal loosen, but the freedom to speak meant nothing to him. He was a prisoner; he was a liability to Zabuza-sama. The tears continued to flow, carving paths through the dirt on his face without a single sob breaking the silence.
Naruto didn't say a word. He turned, leaning down to pull Haku's limp form onto his back. He stood up, taking Haku on a slow, steady piggyback ride.
( ....*sigh* why didn't I reborn in some slice of life anime )
Naruto walked with a slow, deliberate stride. They left the forest behind, passing through the outskirts of the town. By the time they hit the trail leading to Tazuna's house, the salt-heavy air had dried the tears on Haku's face. The silence between them was heavy, a physical weight that Naruto carried alongside the boy's body.
".....What is your name?"
The voice was small, cracked with an exhaustion that went deeper than bone.
Naruto blinked, surprised by the question before the meaning settled in.
(......Haku thinks everything I said was a lie)
Naruto breathed out, his shoulders sagging under the mental fatigue.
"Uzumaki Naruto," he replied simply.
".....Is this really your name??"
"Yes."
Haku looked at the side of the road, his gaze blank as the trees blurred past. The silence stretched again before his voice carried, thin and haunting.
"Naruto-kun, can you tell me... was everything a lie??"
Naruto felt a hollow in his chest but He didn't stop walking.
"Haku-nee, I don't know if you will believe me," he began, his voice low and tired. "But there was not a single word that I spoke to you that was a lie."
Haku's eyes, once dull and vacant, flickered. A tiny, fragile light regained its place in his pupils.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto continued, his voice steady as he stared at the trail ahead. "I am twelve years old this year. I like ramen , my pets , Pranks and good food. I love spending time with my friends..... "
Haku remained silent, listening to the heartbeat of the boy carrying him.
"My dream is to become Hokage of Konohagakure. I want to become Hokage so that everyone acknowledges me, loves me, and respects me. I want them to acknowledge my existence."
Naruto paused, his grip on Haku's legs tightening slightly.
"I also want to be strong," Naruto whispered. "Strong enough to protect my friends, the village, and my precious ones... without sacrificing anything "
Haku's breath hitched. The dim light in his eyes grew warmer. It was a cruel irony—the person who had destroyed him was perhaps the only person who truly understood the burden of his soul. He had opened his heart to a boy who was real, even if that boy was also his captor.
( .....At least I didn't open my heart to some fake )
Naruto looked up at the rising sun, his blue eyes hardening with a familiar, burning resolve.
"That's why I want to become the strongest Hokage of all time."
Haku looked at Naruto , understanding downed on him for today's events , but also some curiosity .
The dusty trail leading back to Tazuna's house was a silent witness to a heavy, unspoken bond. Haku, draped over Naruto's back like a broken marionette, felt the steady, rhythmic thud of the blonde boy's heart against his own chest.
The air was thick with the scent of pine and salt, but for Haku, the world felt as though it were made of glass—
Transparent , Shattered and also sharp .
"....Was there someone precious in your team?" Haku's voice was a mere thread of sound, trembling with a mix of despair and a new, burgeoning curiosity.
Naruto's footsteps paused for a fraction of a heartbeat. He didn't turn around, but the tension in his shoulders was palpable.
"Why would you ask that?"
"Because my heart told me... at that time in the clearing, we were like-minded people," Haku whispered, his eyes fixed on the back of Naruto's neck.
"There was no hostility in you. Since you moved against me anyway... was it because of that precious person? So I wouldn't be a threat? Even if we talked with our hearts?"
Naruto exhaled a long, ragged breath, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "....I don't know, Haku-nee."
"You don't??"
".....Sigh. There is someone in my team who considers me his precious person," Naruto said, his voice dropping into a low, somber register. "Someone who was ready to give his life for protecting me yesterday. But... I don't consider them the same."
Haku's eyes widened slightly. "Why??"
"...He was late," Naruto replied, the words dripping with a cold , wavering detachment . "Twelve years late. When I needed him the most... when the world was just a Cold, dark, empty room I was screaming for anyone to look at me—he wasn't there. he was not there., it's difficult to forgive him."
"Really??"
" *Haaa*... but after yesterday, seeing him bleed for me and ready to die ... I don't know anymore."
"Is that so?" Haku's voice was soft, filled with a tragic understanding. "Then did you act today because of him?"
"At first, it was for information or an ambush," Naruto admitted, his pace resuming, slow and deliberate. "But if possible, I wanted you to attack me."
"....Why?"
"So I could justify my actions," Naruto said "Even if I had to harm you later. It's easier to strike when you tell yourself it's self-defense."
"But you did take action. Even though I didn't strike."
"Yeah. Even if you didn't attack, I still took action. I couldn't risk the variables."
"Naruto-kun... why didn't you just kill me?"
Naruto's expression went flat. "Because... information."
"...Naruto-kun, I am sorry to disappoint you," Haku said, a flicker of his former resolve returning to his dull eyes. "But I will not betray Zabuza-sama. He is my precious person."
"I apologize, Haku-nee," Naruto countered, his voice clinical. "But it doesn't matter whether you talk or not. There is a jutsu that can read memories. My village has experts who don't need you to open your mouth"
Haku fell silent, the weight of his helplessness crushing him , The only help and hope that he can do for Zabuza sama was now gone .
"Haku-nee," Naruto asked 'suddenly' "Do you think I should forgive him? For being late? Should I accept him just because he was ready to give up his life for my safety yesterday?"
There was a long pause. Haku looked at the swaying trees, his voice ethereal. "...Naruto-kun, life is a precious thing. It's not something a single word like 'just' can explain."
Naruto's eyes softened, a flicker of genuine emotion breaking through his analytical shields. "...Yeah. How arrogant of me."
" Naruto kun has Precious people and there are others who consider Naruto kun precious too "
" eh ?? "
"Naruto-kun is very blessed," Haku murmured.
".....Blessed."
The word was a bitter pill in Naruto's mouth. He spat it out with such concentrated loathing that Haku felt a deep, resonant ache in his own chest.
High in the canopy, hidden in the swaying leaves, Yugao felt a sharp pang of grief. To hear the the boy the village had shunned for a decade—speak the word 'blessed' with such venom was almost too much to bear.
Haku spoke again after feeling the bitter resonance
" It seems like , we have quite few things in common "
" ..... who knows "
" Naruto kun "
" hmm "
" Maybe , that person also has his own difficulties "
" ... really ? "
Naruto moved, waiting for a reply that never came. He felt the weight of the world on his shoulders—not just Haku's physical weight, but the crushing gravity of the shinobi reality.
Naruto continued walking , finally understanding the reality of the real shinobi world . It was not some Aura farming , cool jutsu , awesome eyes , Waifu , excitement and winning
( Difficulties )
Naruto remembered his past life memories ,The past of every character , the fillers , The Losses and the emotions
(The Naruto World... maybe it was all about emotions, after all,)
Naruto walked in silence . He thought of the filler episodes, the tragedies of every villain, the losses and the tears he once viewed as mere time-skips. Only now, living it, did he feel the weight everyone carried.
(But... not my problems,) he thought, his mental partitions slamming shut. (Everyone is a hero in their own story, ...just as I am. I will do what I think is right. That's all.)
Naruto's thoughts were broken as A silhouette appeared on the road ahead, emerging from the humid mist.
Naruto's Kagura's Mind Eye flared, recognizing the chakra signature immediately. It was Sasuke. The Uchiha was dressed in his signature high-collared blue shirt and white shorts, but his body was a map of fresh bandages. He walked slowly, hands shoved deep into his pockets, his brow furrowed in a permanent scowl.
(Another broken one in this world,) Naruto thought.
He remembered Sasuke's state the night before. Upon learning about the stolen Sharingan, the Uchiha had suffered a total mental breakdown. If the ANBU hadn't knocked him unconscious, he would have shaken the life out of the comatose Kakashi.
Later after dealing with Kakashi , Naruto also healed Sasuke with medical Ninjutsu , by afternoon
Naruto healed Kakashi , but healing Sasuke was the most difficult part , whole evening and even night was used to patch holes , sewing wounds ,and regenerating tisssues , everything neeeded delicate focus .
( Despite that , Sasuke is already on his feet , but Kakashi is still unconsious )
Naruto expanded his Kagura's mind eye to see Kakashi's chakra , which was the same as when kakashi was unconscious
( well chakra exhaustion did tires anyone ovewhelmingly ....... or is this mental damage ...losing that eye must have affected his mind too )
Sasuke's eyes traveled forward, locking onto Naruto. He wanted answers. He had already interrogated Sakura, but the girl's account was a mess of sobbing and gibberish.
Sasuke wanted to question naruto about yesterday , especailly Kakashi's affairs and what went down , He needed Naruto's clarity that will definitely be much more useful than the gibberish that the Pinky annoyance spoke .
Sasuke continued walking , his mind drifting to Kakashi, Naruto , Sakura , village , will of fire . everything felt unreliable and now there are two things on his list
The Uchiha's Revenge , and the retrievel of Uchiha's legacy , as for how to do it while being surrounded by all these weaknesses
( ... I'll just do it myself,) Sasuke thought, his jaw set.
But then, his gaze shifted. Sasuke saw the figure on Naruto's back. A long haired girl in pink yukata with a face of tragic beauty, her eyes blank, her expression one of total collapse.
(Those eyes...) Sasuke froze. (That look... it's the same face I saw in the mirror after the night I lost everything.)
"Yo," Naruto said, his mood pivoting with dizzying speed. He threw his dark reflections into a side-Mind Partition of his MindHub and donned his mask of mischief.
Sasuke's eye twitched at the Casual greetings , but soon he also started walking with naruto to Tazuna's house , his eyes scanning Haku's form and face
Looking at the girl on pink Kimono , with dried tears on her face , a dim blank look in her eyes and silky black hair , everything looked and felt similar to himself , somehow Sasuke found a strange kind of attraction towards this girl
( So beautiful ....)
Sasuke fell into step beside Naruto, his eyes scanning Haku's face with a strange intensity.
Finally, Sasuke couldn't contain it. "Who is she??"
Naruto's eyes lit up with a wicked, playful light. "Arara, Sasuke-kun! I never thought you were that kind of man!"
".....Hah??"
"You had such an intense date with her yesterday , you even lost your first time under her Charm!" Naruto teased, his voice a flirty, mischievous sing-song.
"...Date??"
"Yeah! She poked you a hundred times with her love" Naruto winked. "And you let out your 'first blood' for her! To think that after such an intense date, you'd forget her that easily... what a heartless man you are, Sasuke-kun!"
Naruto spoke with flirty teasing tone of a friend , Sasuke and even Haku's eyes twitched at the nonsense , Haku thought
( ....is this the pranks that naruto kun likes ...sigh )
Opposite to Haku , Sasuke's thought were on different part , spending weeks with Naruto , the Uchiha also knew and felt his pranks upclose , so he soon deduced the answer with this information
(date yesterday...poke needles... blood the ice mirrors...) Sasuke's face went through a kaleidoscope of disbelief.
(Someone my age... and a girl... did that to me?) Sasuke watched Haku hawkingly , his eyes scrutnising , gone was the appreciation of beauty or attraction , the pride of Uchiha was shattered once again
(First Naruto, and now a girl...)
Sasuke clenched his fists and stopped dead in his tracks. Naruto and Haku both looked back.
"You captured her," Sasuke said, his voice a low growl of confirmation.
"Yup!"
"...I don't see any wounds. Neither on you nor on her."
"Hehe, ain't I awesome?" Naruto grinned, adjusting Haku on his back.
"She was easy! She threw herself into my arms on her own. What a cutie! I simply couldn't stop myself. Sorry, Sasuke, but now she's mine! Hohoho!"
The silence of the road became deafening. Sasuke looked downcast, his pride in tatters. Haku looked even more depressed, his head hanging low. Finally, the silence was broken by the captive.
"Ano..."
Both Naruto and Sasuke turned, focusing on the beautiful, melodic voice of the girl
" I AM a boy....you know "
The world seemed to stop spinning.
"Ehh??" Naruto's jaw 'dropped'
"WHATTTTTT????" Sasuke roared, his voice cracking.
"NANI?!"
The two ANBU in the trees screamed in unison, their professional masks slipping into the abyss of absurdity.
Naruto already considered Haku being a boy , so he didn't lose his composure , But his mind shifted, ready to deliver a crushing follow-up joke—but then he saw Sasuke's face. The Uchiha was shaking. His breath was coming in short, ragged gasps of pure, unadulterated psychological shock.
(Hmm??) Naruto's MindHub flared with a high-priority alert.
( Why is his eyes red????)
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Author's notes :
Had to attend A Cousin's wedding ,
While still being single
It took time to bounce back .
Will try to update 2 chapters a day from tomorrow
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