Bab 97: chapter

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Chapter~ Naruto and Shion Part~3

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"Naruto had a smile on his face as he absorbed the memories from his clone, enjoying Shion's joyful voice.

The shrine they were heading to was located atop the volcano mountain. They had to climb all the way to reach it.

Naruto was moving gracefully toward the shrine as he climbed the mountain. There was a narrow path encircling the mountain, leading to its summit.

They had reached the halfway point, yet abruptly, stone soldiers began to materialize on the narrow path, obstructing their progress.

Naruto had seen them with his eyes, but he chose to proceed without stirring any disruption, not wanting to interrupt the flow of their shared moment.

A stone soldier stepped forward, its fist ready to strike Naruto. Naruto easily blocked the punch, but this sudden movement startled Shion, and the shockwave from the punch hit her.

Thrown off balance by the sudden shift, her hold on Naruto loosened, causing her to tumble from his back.

As she dangled in midair, there was nothing but empty space below her. With a heart-stopping plunge, she began her freefall from the mountain's heights, hurtling down from a dizzying altitude of around 500 meters.

As she gazed at Naruto, a wave of anguish washed over her heart. The pain was palpable in her eyes as they met his. "The vision I had about my death... it's becoming real" her thoughts whispered to the surface.

She glanced at Naruto, her mind racing, "I don't want to die. I've finally found someone…" she whispered in a low voice.

Her gaze fixed on Naruto, who promptly leaped off the cliff's edge. Her heart raced as her breath caught in her throat. But in the next instant, Naruto's hand wrapped around her, ensuring her safety even as they plummeted through the air.

* splash *

Amidst a resounding splash, they plunged into the pond located beneath them.

The impact of their descent caused water to surge upwards, creating a spectacular display of rising droplets.

Naruto's hand gently brushed against her back, his touch seeking reassurance.

Shion lay atop his chest,to her it was comfortable.

Astonishingly, despite the tremendous fall from such a height, there were no apparent injuries on her.

Naruto carefully cradled her in his arms and carried her away from the pond.

Gently placing her beneath the shade of a tree, he ensured she was comfortable.

The water in the pond had grown tranquil once again.

After settling Shion beneath the tree, Naruto turned his gaze towards the water's surface, his own reflection staring back at him.

Shaking his head vigorously, Naruto's wet hair swayed through the air, sending droplets scattering in all directions.

Shion gazed at him, watching as his hair swayed and water droplets scattered. A faint smile played on his lips as he shook his head, causing water to dance around him.

She was Mesmerized as she found herself lost in his gaze. He seemed almost celestial, exuding an air of nobility. A blush crept onto her face as her eyes remained fixed on him.

"Naruto... who are you really?" she asked him subconsciously.

Naruto tilted his head slightly and then stood up, his gaze fixed on Shion. With a playful grin, he pointed a finger towards himself and asked, "Me?"

Shion nodded in response, her blush deepening slightly.

Naruto's eyes held a distinct, glowing intensity.

He could sense her emotions, the stirrings of love in her heart. He couldn't deny that he didn't enjoy this feeling. It was evident to him that she needed just a gentle push, and she would be his.

She gazed into his eyes, finding them hypnotic as she lost herself in their depths. Her cheeks began to warm, and she couldn't tear her gaze away from him.

She didn't notice when he came so close; she was completely absorbed in his eyes.

Naruto squatted down in front of her, his playful smile appearing even more beautiful in her eyes.

Naruto approached her, his warm breath brushing against her ear, causing her heart to race and butterflies to flutter in her stomach.

Her face flushed crimson, extending down to her neck, as he whispered softly into her ear, "Aren't I everything to you?"

Her face reddened further as she didn't deny his words. She averted her gaze, looking down at the ground, fully aware that he was speaking the truth.

Naruto observed her flushed expression and found her incredibly cute.

They were incredibly close to each other; Naruto gazed at her while she attempted to avoid his eyes. Naruto's face was just inches away from hers.

"Don't tease me like that, Naruto," she said in a hushed, almost mosquito-like voice.

His breath tickled her nose, and she could feel it. She kept her gaze fixed on the ground, and Naruto found her actions adorable.

"Don't you like it?" he asked.

Naruto gently extended his right hand, tilting her chin upward, and forced her to meet his gaze.

Her eyes locked with his, and as she looked into them, her heart fluttered. She realized she had already fallen for him, and there was no turning back.

Naruto drew closer to her, and she could feel his warm breath on her face. She closed her eyes as she thought 'is he going to kiss me'. Her heart raced in her chest, pounding faster and faster.

Naruto observed her flushed face and closed eyes, finding her incredibly beautiful

He smiled at her and playfully flicked her forehead. She opened her eyes and gazed at his smile.

"What were you waiting for?" he said teasingly.

Shion's face turned beet red with embarrassment. She had been waiting for him to kiss her. She hid her face with her palms, feeling incredibly embarrassed.

Naruto observed her actions and quietly muttered, "Cute."