Naruto was shocked to see Sakura sharing the bed with him, after all, Naruto slept thinking that Sakura wouldn't come back from the Hokage Office since she was busy preparing things for Chūnin exams and for the five kage meeting.
"Why did you do this?" Sakura asked with a tear-soaked face with a blanket covering till her throat where she held it
She looked at Naruto with anguish, "Why?"
"I uh…" Naruto observed Sakura's face which seemed to be roughed up
"N-naruto…" Naruto heard another voice at the moment. But this one shook him to his core. Naruto then turned around like a robot struggling to turn its head.
"Hi-Hi-Hinata," Naruto was shocked once again, seeing Hinata with a shocked expression at the entrance of the bedroom.
"H-How could you…" Hinata asked, breathing heavily from the shock.
"Hinata, I can explain," Naruto quickly got up from the bed and ran towards Hinata.
(Bang!)
Naruto was smacked down to the floor by an unexpected arrival.
"Ouch!" Naruto grunted in pain. He then looked up to be shocked once again. It was none other than a different version of himself.
"Menma…" Naruto called out instinctively remembering he was in the limited Tsukuyomi.
"I risk my life on a mission, and here I see someone with my wife on the bed?" Menma asked.
Naruto turned back to see Sakura who was curled up within the blanket, silently sobbing.
("WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?")
("WHY??") Naruto was screaming internally.
TTRRRRIIIINNNNNGGGG!!!!
The alarm rang.
"Whoah!" Naruto sprang up from his bed with wide eyes, panting heavily from the experience he had.
Naruto looked around the room and then towards the empty space by his side.
("Oh, It was all a dream…") Naruto sighed with relief, following which he then tried recollecting what had happened earlier.
He then got up to look at himself in the mirror, thinking back to what had happened in the dream. He couldn't help but sweat at the thought of seeing it happen, but Naruto knew that he would always be loyal no matter what.
"Hmm?" Naruto's eyes spotted something shiny on the table below the mirror.
"A ring?" Naruto picked it up and observed from every angle.
("It's an Akatsuki Ring,") Naruto identified upon seeing a character inscribed on the gem of the ring.
Sh*
A mechanism activated on the ring.
"Menma," the voice called out.
"Yeah?" Naruto asked trying to find out the identity behind the voice.
"It's good that you have picked this ring,"
"I have been trying to contact you for the past two days," the voice spoke.
"Mm," Naruto hinted that he was listening to the other party.
"Listen up, There's word from the intel division that they've made a few discoveries on that case you sent them on," The voice said.
"Go on," Naruto said.
"You were right Menma,"
"There's some traces of the Ōtsutsuki's heritage in that village,"
"Unfortunately there's nothing concrete, only some legends about them, probably made up over time," The voice said.
"I see…"
"We are still trying to decipher what we have on hand,"
"I'll get back to you once we get some results," the voice concluded.
"Thanks," Naruto said following which the gem on the ring deactivated.
("Who was that I wonder…") Naruto thought following which he turned towards the window and stared at the stone faces far off in the distance.
…
Soon, Naruto changed into his casuals and left the house.
("First up, I need to explore the village and see if there is anything else different,")
("After I've done that, I'll try doing the deliveries today and see if there is anything else I can uncover…") Naruto thought.
A few minutes into exploring and Naruto felt a familiar presence.
"Shikamaru!" Naruto called out upon seeing Shikamaru in his familiar beige coat.
"Menma?" Shikamaru turned around with a surprised expression.
"It's been a long time," Shikamaru said.
"Yeah…" Naruto nodded.
"So how long are you staying here?" Shikamaru asked.
"A week at most," Naruto said while imagining that would be the time by which he would find a way out of this dimension.
"A week huh, that's the same as me," Shikamaru chuckled.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
"There are twelve guardian ninjas for the feudal lords as you know,"
"six of them active at all times while the other six are reserve forces,"
"I asked them time off for the chūnin exam, and they granted it," Shikamaru said.
"Oh," Naruto nodded.
"Well, that's only after I make some arrangements for the lord's arrival for the exam," Shikamaru said.
"Oh, so you are going to the Hokage office then?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah…" Shikamaru nodded.
"…"
"Menma," Shikamaru called out.
"Mm?"
"How about we have a boy's night out like the old times?" Shikamaru asked suddenly.
"…" Naruto stared in silence.
"It's been months since we all last hung out," Shikamaru said.
"Sure…" Naruto answered slowly.
Naruto didn't want to risk sticking out like a sore thumb, but this was what he promised Obito the previous night, that he would cover up for Menma.
"We'll call them after we come back from the Hokage office," Shikamaru suggested.
"We?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, we," Shikamaru said.
Then it suddenly clicked.
Naruto looked at Shikamaru.
"Why do you want me to go with you to the Hokage office?" Naruto asked.
"…M-Menma, don't you want to see your wife?" Shikamaru asked with a sly smile.
"I can go see her later, right?" Naruto asked.
"Menma, please, I want you to come with me right now," Shikamaru begged.
"hehe, it's Ino, isn't it?" Naruto asked.
"Of course you already knew it,"
"Why would you ask?" Shikamaru asked as though he had been wronged.
Naruto, on the other hand, was a bit hesitant after what he had seen in the morning, He questioned himself if it was good to visit Sakura or not.
"Please, Menma, help me," Shikamaru begged.
Naruto stared at Shikamaru for a moment before finally agreeing.
"Thanks, man, You're a lifesaver," Shikamaru said.
"hehe," Shikamaru grinned.
("It always works!") Shikamaru thought to himself.
"?" Naruto noticed Shikamaru's grin which sent goosebumps down his spine.
("What did I get myself into now…") Naruto thought.
"Let's go," Shikamaru stepped out with vigor.
"Wait!" Naruto stopped Shikamaru.
"What?" Shikamaru stared at Naruto.
"I need to get something from my house," Naruto said.
"Oh…" Shikamaru nodded.
…
Shikamaru and Naruto walked side by side down the street.
"Isn't your house the other way?" Shikamaru asked, seeing Naruto turn into a different direction.
"We are going to my parent's house," Naruto said.
"…"
Naruto continued to walk a few meters before finally turning back.
"What?" Naruto asked.
"Whew♪" Shikamaru whistled.
"Are you going to tell me or not?" Naruto asked.
"Have you forgotten Menma, there's no way I'm meeting your monster of a mom," Shikamaru said at the thought of a flaming Kushina.
"What did she do now?" Naruto asked.
"It's been this way since the beginning," Shikamaru complained.
"…" ("He's too much of a coward…") Naruto thought.
However, only Shikamaru was aware of what had happened to him since his days with Menma from the beginning.
Naruto looked at Shikamaru.
"You either follow me home or go meet my wife in the office along with Ino," Naruto said.
Shikamaru raised a white flag.
"I give up," Shikamaru said.
("Just how much scary is this Ino?") Naruto asked himself as he mentally compared an angry Kushina against his imagination of Ino's sadist version.
Soon the two reached Menma's house where Minato and Kushina lived.
"I'm Home!" Naruto announced as he opened the door.
"Menma?" Kushina stepped out from within only to stop in one place and stare with fiendish eyes towards the spot next to Naruto.
"Shi-ka-ma-ru," Kushina called out his name.
"H-He-Hello," Shikamaru greeted like a scaredy-cat.
"You have guts," Kushina raised a fist.
"What happened, mom?" Naruto asked.
"L-long story," Shikamaru said in a timid voice.
"Long cleanup for me," Kushina growled in a low voice.
"…" Naruto stared with a poker face, not knowing what had happened between these two in the past.
…
*Sh!*
Shikamaru had a plump swelling on top of his head, which was a result of Kushina's fist.
"So what brings my son here today?" Kushina asked in a sweet voice.
"Mom, I uh…"
"Wanted to bring some food for Sakura…" Naruto said slowly.
"Say no more,"
"I'll take care of it," Kushina said as she headed into the kitchen.
"Sorry," Naruto said to Shikamaru.
"Ah, it's nothing…" Shikamaru shook his head.
"How's Shikadai doin?" Kushina asked from inside the Kitchen.
"He's doing good, in fact, the entire village is hyped about those two," Shikamaru said.
"huh?" Naruto was confused.
"Hanato and Shikadai," Shikamaru said.
"Those two are strategy types,"
"Even though my son excels by just one more point in IQ, your son more than makes for it in terms of firepower," Shikamaru praised.
"whoah…" Naruto was surprised.
"In fact, the Feudal Lord is really hyped about those two, that he is setting aside huge funds to bet on who would be the winner between the two…" Shikamaru said.
"Hanato is that popular?" Naruto asked.
"You don't know how popular he is…" Shikamaru said as he stared at the ceiling, imagining the rivalry that existed between the two…
Soon, Kushina was done packing the boxes.
"Here, Menma, One for Sakura-chan and the other for Irina-chan," Kushina said.
("Wait a minute!")
("Who the hell is Irina now?") Naruto panicked.
Hey Guys,
thanks for noticing the part that I had messed up in half sleep. Yup, I didn't intentionally write Naruto, I was supposed to write Menma, but I was typing the chapter in half sleep. Anyways, that gave me an idea to extend the chapter by a few words, so Thank you guys for the comments.
Hopefully I can figure out what to write for the next chapter.
_______________________
Hey guys,
Sorry for not posting chapters for the past two days. Uni is getting Hectic at the beginning itself now, so I guess releases might be affected from now on. I will still try my best to post 1 chapter per day, so don't worry, I won't drop this novel anytime soon. As for the new arc, it's taking a lot out of me, after all, I need to rethink a lot of times before I write something since there are a lot of changes and new characters. It's not easy to write characters in stories since the characters need to have their own personality and quirks. This arc will focus on character developments of those from the older generation and younger generation since this will be like Boruto movie of some sorts, though it is Hanato in this case, so yeah the entire thing is like a combination of Road to Ninja and Boruto- Naruto the movie of some sorts with new characters and whatnot. I will try my best to make this a satisfying arc for you guys so please stick around for a while and keep reading till the sports festival arc resumes.
Another thing I wanted to inform is that I will be shortening some chapters to like 1000 words range instead of 1500+ since it is challenging to write that much on a tight schedule. This chapter below is an example of 1000+ words. That's all for now.
_________________________
("Who is Irina-chan now?") Naruto panicked internally as he took the two boxes from Kushina.
"All right, let's go then," Shikamaru turned to head out of the room.
"Oh… Thanks, mom," Naruto smiled.
"Go and set things right between you two," Kushina said.
("What the…")
("Menma and Sakura also have a problem in between them?")
("Now what am I going to do?") Naruto panicked.
"Coming or not, Menma?" Shikamaru asked.
At this moment, Naruto had other thoughts, should he run away or not. Naruto regretted promising to Obito he would take care of Menma's troubles. He only wanted to look out for a fellow like him who faced almost the same problems.
"Menma?" Kushina looked at Naruto.
"I will be back later," Naruto smiled.
"Sure," Kushina smiled at Naruto as well.
Soon Naruto and Shikamaru left towards the Hokage office.
On the way,
Naruto and Shikamaru chatted about a few things from which Naruto learned more information surrounding his comrades. As Shikamaru continued to speak, Naruto asked.
"Shikamaru, did you go home yet?" Naruto asked.
"I was planning to, but there's this arrangement I have to discuss," Shikamaru referred to the arrangements he had to make with Sakura about the Lad of fire's daimyō's visit.
"Wouldn't Temari get angry at you?" Naruto asked.
"Temari?"
"You know how it is…" Shikamaru smiled wryly.
"troublesome?" Naruto asked.
"I can't admit that now, can I?" Shikamaru asked.
"Aren't you admitting to it right now?" Naruto asked.
"…" Shikamaru didn't answer.
————————————
Hidden Leaf, Ninja Academy…
"All right, everyone, gather on the field," a teacher announced.
Azami then thought back to what Naruto had said the previous night.
("Dad told me to not give up,")
("Azami will become friends with her today,") The girl thought to her self.
Soon the class was outside, and Azami noticed the girl stood apart from the rest. The girl was alone underneath a tree staring at the rest of the class practicing their routine exercises.
Azami's gaze was drawn to the girl's eyes. Her eyes though otherworldly, seemed human as it reflected her longing to be with the class.
As Azami hesitated to approach the girl, at this moment, she noticed a man approaching the girl. It was her class's instructor.
"Uchiha Hazuki," the man in the green Konoha vest, respectfully called her.
Hazuki looked up at the man who was twice as tall as her.
"Yes, sensei?" Hazuki responded.
"Do you plan to fail this time as well?" The man asked.
"…" Hazuki answered with silence.
Azami frowned at the conversation that took place. She didn't want to eavesdrop on them, but the discussion concerned the girl's future and what might be Azami's last chance to befriend her. However, it wasn't that Azami wasn't aware of the girl's failure. Azami knew that the girl didn't want to be a ninja in the first place. Even though Hazuki surpassed her peers in all ninja abilities and tests, she hesitated to take the final exams. Rather than hesitation, she wanted to quit being a ninja. She was very similar to how Azami was back in the original timeline.
The man looked at Hazuki.
"Please don't hold the others back Hazuki,"
"There are those who want to become ninjas with all their hearts," The man explained.
Hazuki was naive and indecisive, but she was also kind and didn't want to hurt others.
"I will take the exam," Hazuki said.
"You always say that, but you don't put the effort,"
"If you try even one percent, you can surpass others completely, that's how talented you are Hazuki," The man said with a smile.
"…" Hazuki remained silent.
"Please Hazuki, for your parents' sake,"
"For the sake of the village, please pass and become a ninja," The man begged.
The man seemed to be forced into making the girl say yes, but it could be understood that it wasn't the man's fault. With such a talented being appearing all of a sudden with eyes that seemed to be more legendary than their history was aware of, which village wouldn't want to cultivate such young talent.
"I will pass this time…" Hazuki said with hesitance.
The man stared at Hazuki for a moment before sighing.
"Please do so,"
"I can't hold back the others for long," The man said following which he turned around and walked away.
Hazuki then looked at the sky, almost feeling like she couldn't take the burden anymore.
"Hi," a voice interrupted Hazuki's thoughts.
"…" Hazuki turned around only to see a young pink-haired girl approaching her with a smile.
"Hi," Hazuki greeted back with a weak voice.
Hazuki had been with Azami in the same class for a long time. Azami had approached Hazuki before, but Hazuki would never have a good conversation since she would try to avoid many that approached her.
Hazuki looked at Azami,
"Are you angry?" Hazuki asked.
"Why?" Azami asked back.
"I held everyone back," Hazuki said slowly.
"…"
"Nope," Azami said with a playful laugh.
"Huh?" Hazuki was surprised.
"What does Hazuki want to become?" Azami asked.
"What do I want?" Hazuki asked with doubt.
"Yeah?" Azami asked.
"I-I…"
"I want to become a teacher," Hazuki said.
"A teacher?" Azami asked.
"Yeah," Hazuki answered.
"A teacher who will teach, not to fight," Hazuki answered.
"That's great!"
"Hazuki should become a teacher," Azami cheered.
"But, I can't," Hazuki said in a low voice.
"Everyone wants me to become a ninja," Hazuki said.
"Then become a ninja teacher," Azami said.
"huh?" Hazuki was confused.
"Teach in the ninja academy,"
"Teach them, not to fight," Azami said.
"Bu"
"BuHahahahaha…hahaha," Hazuki blurted out laughing.
"Hahaha," Azami also laughed at the same time.
"You are funny," Hazuki said.
"hehe," Azami smirked.
…
"Hazuki," Azami called out.
"huh?"
"Will you be Azami's friend?" Azami asked.
"…"
"Okay," Hazuki nodded, following which Azami extended her right hand.
"Hmm?" Hazuki stared at Azami's hand.
She then lifted her head to see Azami with a smile.
Hazuki then shook her hand with a smile as well.
"Yay, Azami is now friends with Hazuki," Azami announced.
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