Chapitre 164: Chapter 160: Just Chill
Chapter 160: Just Chill
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Aoi's room, casting a warm, golden glow across the lavish furnishings. Aoi sat at the small, ornate table, her breakfast spread out before her. The scent of freshly brewed tea mingled with the aroma of buttered toast and ripe fruit. She ate slowly, savoring each bite, though her mind was far from the food.
Malik sat across from her, watching her with a relaxed smile. He seemed to enjoy simply observing her, as if her presence alone brought him some form of quiet satisfaction. Aoi could feel his gaze on her, not in an invasive way, but with a sense of interest that she found both comforting and unsettling.
As she finished her meal, Malik leaned forward, his expression turning more serious. "Aoi," he began, his tone gentle but firm, "I need you to stay here for a while. It's not safe for you to leave, not yet."
Aoi looked up, meeting his eyes. "Why? What's going on?"
Malik sighed, folding his hands on the table. "I have to head back to the Hidden Leaf. But you… you're wanted in both the Hidden Leaf Village and most likely in the Hidden Rain Village as well. You stole the 'Sword of the Thunder God,' and you've killed and tortured more than a few of their ninja. If I brought you back with me, Tsunade would slap me through several walls."
Aoi blinked at the image that conjured up but nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "So, what am I supposed to do? Just sit here and wait?"
Malik smiled warmly, his demeanor softening. "For now, yes. I need time to pull a lot of strings, more than a few, actually. But I promise you, I'm working on it. You're safe here, and you'll have everything you need. I've made sure The Demon Brothers, Gōzu and Meizu, will stay here just in case anything happens—not that I expect anything to, but better safe than sorry."
Aoi glanced at the two chūnin, who were standing silently by the door, their presence reassuring in its own way. She sighed, a mixture of relief and frustration washing over her. She wasn't used to sitting still, but she understood that for now, it was necessary.
"And I'll also have someone come by to fix your gear," Malik added, standing up. "It's the least I can do after everything."
Aoi watched as Malik moved to the door. He turned back to her, blowing her a playful kiss before opening the door. But instead of revealing the hallway, the door opened into a location she didn't recognize—a place that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal light.
Malik stepped through the doorway, giving her one last reassuring smile before he disappeared, the door closing behind him with a soft click. Aoi stared at the door for a moment, a strange mixture of emotions swirling inside her. Malik was a puzzle—one she wasn't sure she'd ever fully understand.
With a sigh, she turned back to the remnants of her breakfast. The room felt a little emptier now, but she knew she had to be patient. For now, she would wait and see what Malik had in store for her, trusting that he would find a way to make things right.
But until then, she had no choice but to stay here, in this lavish room, in a place that felt both like a prison and a sanctuary. And for the first time in a long while, Aoi felt something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years—hope.
Malik materialized in his mansion, his presence immediately noted by the attentive staff. They approached him with the usual deference, updating him on everything that had transpired during his absence.
"Master Malik," one of the attendants began, "Sakura, one of your fiancées, is currently at the hospital attending to one of her teammates."
Malik nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you," he replied with a warm smile, already thinking of how to reach Sakura as quickly as possible.
Once outside, Malik summoned GrubGrub with a flick of his wrist. The small pink ball of light zipped out from his chest and transformed into a sleek, winged creature, large enough to carry him. Without wasting a moment, Malik mounted GrubGrub and took off into the sky, soaring toward the hospital.
Instead of landing and making his way through the maze of corridors, Malik decided on a more direct approach. Hovering outside the window of Sakura's hospital room, he tapped gently on the glass, his figure barely visible in the misty rain that had begun to fall. Inside, he saw the familiar forms of Sakura and Mikoto Uchiha.
Sakura looked up at the sound, her green eyes brightening as she recognized Malik. She moved to the window, sliding it open to let him in. "Malik," she greeted warmly as he stepped inside, rainwater dripping off his clothes.
Malik wasted no time, wrapping Sakura in a tight embrace and planting a kiss on her lips. His hands slid down to her ample curves, but she quickly swatted them away with a playful glare. "Behave," she chided, though her smile remained.
He grinned at her, unrepentant, before turning his attention to Mikoto. "Mikoto," he said warmly, stepping over to her. He pulled her into a hug, intending to give her a kiss as well, but before their lips could meet, Sakura's quick reflexes had him in a firm chokehold.
"Not so fast," Sakura whispered into his ear with mock sternness, tightening her grip slightly. Mikoto raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at her lips as she watched the scene unfold.
Malik chuckled, knowing better than to struggle against Sakura's formidable strength. "Alright, alright," he conceded, patting her arm in surrender. Sakura released him with a light push, though her smile showed she wasn't truly upset.
Rubbing his neck, Malik turned his attention to Sasuke, who lay in the hospital bed, silent and unmoving. His face was calm, but there was a storm brewing beneath the surface, something dark and festering.
"How is he doing?" Malik asked, his tone shifting to one of concern.
Sakura and Mikoto exchanged glances before Sakura spoke up. "He's been like this for two days now," she explained. "Physically, he's fine, but he's been ignoring us, not speaking or responding to anything since he got back from the Land of Tea."
Malik stepped closer to Sasuke, his keen senses as an Incubus picking up the waves of anger and resentment rolling off the young Uchiha. It was a bitter taste, the kind of emotion Malik found difficult to digest. He preferred feeding on positive emotions—love, joy, even lust—but this… this was like trying to swallow bile.
He sighed softly, knowing all too well what was eating away at Sasuke. The boy was consumed by his lust for power, driven by the fear of being surpassed by Naruto, a boy who only sought his recognition. But Sasuke, in his pride, would never give Naruto that satisfaction, not if it meant admitting his own perceived weakness.
Mikoto watched Malik carefully, noticing the furrow in his brow. "Malik, do you know what's wrong with him?" she asked gently.
Malik hesitated, debating whether or not to reveal what he knew. The truth was simple, but it was also something that could hurt them both deeply. "Sasuke's struggling," he began slowly, choosing his words with care. "He's fighting with himself… with the idea that Naruto might be stronger than him. It's… complicated."
Sakura frowned, her worry deepening. "But why would he push us away? We're here to help him, to support him."
"It's not that simple," Malik replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Sasuke's pride won't let him accept what he sees as weakness. Right now, he's trapped in his own mind, trying to make sense of it all. He's angry, frustrated… and honestly, he doesn't know how to deal with it."
Mikoto sighed softly, brushing a hand through Sasuke's dark hair. "I never wanted this for him. I thought… I thought I could protect him from all of this."
Malik's heart ached for her, for both of them. He knew how much Mikoto loved her son, how much she had hoped to shield him from the darkness that seemed to be inevitable for the Uchiha. But some paths, it seemed, could not be easily altered.
"All we can do is be here for him," Malik said gently. "When he's ready, he'll come around. But until then… we just have to be patient."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Sasuke's turmoil pressing down on them all. Malik stayed close, offering what comfort he could, knowing that this was only the beginning of a much larger battle yet to come.
Sakura was about to leave the room, her mind set on grabbing some food to bring back, but then she paused, remembering something. A small smile crept onto her face as she turned back to Malik. "Wait a second, you can just make snacks with your magic, can't you?" she asked, a playful tone in her voice.
Malik grinned, giving her a wink. "You caught me," he replied. With a simple wave of his hand, a plate of delicious snacks materialized in the air, floating gently into his grasp. The assortment included rice balls, sweet dango, and some fresh fruit, all perfectly prepared and beautifully arranged.
"Impressive as always," Sakura commented, taking a piece of fruit from the plate. "This should keep us going for a while."
Before they could fully settle into their snacks, the door to the hospital room creaked open, and Naruto stepped inside, his usual energy subdued by the weight of the situation. "Hey, how's he doing?" Naruto asked quietly, his gaze fixed on Sasuke, who lay on the bed, his face turned away from everyone.
As soon as Sasuke heard Naruto's voice, something inside him snapped. He turned his head sharply, his eyes narrowing in anger. Seeing Naruto standing there, looking so concerned, only fueled the fire of jealousy and frustration that had been burning inside him since their return from the Land of Snow. The memories of his humiliating encounter with Itachi and Aoi's taunts flooded back into his mind, the weight of his perceived inadequacy crushing down on him.
In a sudden burst of rage, Sasuke slapped the plate of snacks out of Malik's hands. The plate shattered against the wall, scattering food across the floor. The sudden noise and movement caught everyone off guard.
"Sasuke!" Sakura gasped, her voice filled with shock.
Naruto looked taken aback but quickly masked his surprise with a forced grin. "Oi, Sasuke, what's your problem?" he asked, trying to sound casual but unable to hide the hurt in his voice.
Sasuke ignored Naruto's question, his mind swirling with bitterness. He could hardly stand the sight of Naruto, who had somehow surpassed him—Naruto, who had been the dead last in their class, now the one who had defeated Aoi and Dotō Kazahana. It was an insult, a reminder of how far behind he had fallen.
Sasuke's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. He sat up, glaring at Naruto with a mix of fury and determination. "Naruto," Sasuke hissed, his voice low and dangerous, "fight me. Now."
Naruto blinked, confusion crossing his features. "What? You're still recovering, Sasuke. Now's not the time for that."
"I said fight me!" Sasuke shouted, swinging his legs off the bed and standing up, though his body still showed signs of weakness from his recent ordeal. The desperation in his voice was palpable, fueled by the overwhelming need to prove himself.
"Sasuke, this isn't the place—" Sakura started, but Sasuke cut her off.
"Stay out of this, Sakura!" Sasuke snapped, his eyes never leaving Naruto's. "This is between me and him."
Malik, sensing the tension escalating, stepped forward to intervene, but a glance from Sasuke told him that this wasn't something that could be stopped easily. Malik could feel the swirling emotions within Sasuke—the anger, the pain, the deep-seated need for validation that drove him to such extremes.
Naruto sighed, his usual carefree demeanor slipping away to reveal the seriousness underneath. "Fine," he said quietly, his voice laced with a mixture of resignation and determination. "If this is what you want, Sasuke."
They moved outside to the open rooftop, the rain still falling steadily, adding to the tension in the air. The cool droplets mixed with the heat of their building confrontation. Sasuke wasted no time, charging at Naruto with a Chidori already crackling in his hand. The raw energy of the technique lit up the night, the sound of a thousand birds chirping filling the air.
Naruto responded in kind, summoning the Rasengan in his palm, its swirling energy glowing with a fierce blue light. The power of the two jutsu clashed, their energies crackling and surging as they approached each other at full speed.
Just before the two attacks could meet, Kakashi appeared between them, his eyes sharp and focused. He grabbed each of their arms, redirecting the Chidori and Rasengan into opposing water towers nearby. The force of the impact shook the rooftop, sending water spraying into the air.
Sasuke stumbled back, panting heavily. He glanced at the water towers, initially believing his Chidori had caused more damage. But as he looked closer, he saw that while his Chidori had made a deep dent in the front of the tower, Naruto's Rasengan had completely blown out the back of his.
The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Naruto had surpassed him. The frustration, the jealousy, the helplessness—it all surged within him, overwhelming his rationality. Without a word, Sasuke turned on his heel and walked away, leaving everyone behind. He couldn't stand it anymore—the feeling of being left behind, of being weak.
As Sasuke disappeared into the distance, Malik, Sakura, and Naruto watched in silence. The weight of the situation hung heavily over them, each of them knowing that things were rapidly spiraling out of control. Malik could only hope that something would change before it was too late, but deep down, he knew that Sasuke's path was now more uncertain than ever.
The rain continued to fall, creating a steady rhythm on the rooftop where Kakashi and Mikoto stood, their conversation about Sasuke filled with concern. Kakashi's usually relaxed demeanor was tinged with worry, while Mikoto's face was a mask of maternal concern, her eyes distant as she thought of her son and his recent behavior.
Meanwhile, Malik, noticing Sakura's distress, approached her with a soft smile. He gently took her hand, pulling her away from the tension that lingered in the air. "Sakura," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth, "Sasuke shouldn't talk to you like that. If I'd had my way, I would've smacked him upside the head for disrespecting you, even if his mom was right there."
Sakura squeezed Malik's hand but didn't respond immediately. Her mind was too occupied with thoughts of Naruto and Sasuke. Her teammates had been through so much together, and now it seemed like everything was falling apart. Sasuke was gone, driven by his own demons, and Naruto had just stormed off, his usually bright spirit dampened by the tension and unresolved conflict.
Malik noticed the faraway look in her eyes, realizing that she was only half-listening to him. He understood that her heart was with her team, her bond with Naruto and Sasuke something deep and unshakeable, despite the current turmoil.
As Malik watched Naruto jump off the roof, heading off in another direction, he gently tugged on Sakura's hand, pulling her out of the rain and into the cover of the rooftop's shelter. He waved his hand, using his magic to dry her off, the warmth of his spell chasing away the cold dampness that had clung to her clothes.
"Hey," Malik said, lifting her chin so she would look at him. His eyes, that warm, familiar pink, held hers with a comforting sincerity. "Boys will be boys, Sakura. They've got their own battles to fight, and sometimes those battles are with themselves."
Sakura blinked, her eyes focusing on him as he continued. "Everything happens for a reason," Malik said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Sometimes, it's hard to see why things are the way they are, but you've got to trust in fate. And if trusting fate feels too uncertain, then trust in me."
A small smile tugged at Sakura's lips, despite the worry that still weighed on her heart. "Malik," she whispered, "thank you."
Malik smiled back, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "I'll always be here for you, Sakura," he said. "No matter what happens, you can count on that."
Sakura nodded, feeling a little more at ease. She knew Malik meant every word, and even though her heart ached for her teammates, she found comfort in knowing that she wasn't alone. Malik's presence, his unwavering support, was a reminder that there was still hope, even in the darkest of times.
As they stood together, sheltered from the rain, the world outside seemed a little less daunting. Malik's words lingered in Sakura's mind, a quiet reassurance that, despite everything, things would eventually be okay. And for now, that was enough.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone