章 20: Chapter 20
*Support me on my patreon.com/Alpha0000Ace*
-----------------------------
[Naruto]
As Itachi disappeared into the blood-soaked night, tears cascading silently down his face, Naruto stepped out of the shadows. His expression was cold and calculating, his movements silent and deliberate. He approached the unconscious form of Sasuke, her small figure sprawled on the ground in the aftermath of her traumatic encounter with her brother.
Naruto crouched beside her, his sharp gaze scanning her fragile frame. Her breathing was erratic, her body trembling even in unconsciousness, a clear sign of the torment she had endured.
"Her mind and heart are in turmoil," Naruto muttered to himself, his voice low and emotionless. "It'll take months for her to recover from this. The trauma will linger... at least, for someone ordinary."
Extending his hand, Naruto pressed his palm gently against Sasuke's forehead and eyes. Channeling his chakra with precise control, he began to ease the searing pain in her mind, soothing her turbulent emotions and stabilizing her fractured psyche. The process was quick but efficient, a testament to his mastery over his abilities.
"You'll be fine," he stated coldly, rising to his feet. His words lacked comfort, more an acknowledgment of her survival than an expression of concern. Without hesitation, he let her fall limply back to the ground, her head landing with a dull thud.
"I'm going home," Naruto declared, turning his back on Sasuke without a second glance. His figure disappeared into the shadows, leaving her lying alone amidst the remnants of her shattered world.
(The Next Day)
The news of the Uchiha clan's massacre spread rapidly through Konoha, a storm of whispers and rumors sweeping the village. Only one survivor remained: Sasuke Uchiha.
To prevent widespread panic, the Hokage addressed the village in a carefully crafted speech, reassuring the populace while concealing the truth. Itachi's role as the perpetrator of the massacre was buried in secrecy, known only to a select few.
The Uchiha compound, once a bustling district, was now a silent graveyard. The Hokage ordered its thorough search, claiming all wealth and resources in the name of safeguarding them for Sasuke's future. Scrolls detailing Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Kenjutsu, sealing techniques, and the clan's secrets were confiscated under the pretense of protection, though none doubted they would be closely guarded for reasons beyond mere security.
That night, the bodies of the Uchiha vanished. Officially, they were said to be buried in a secure location, but the truth was far less dignified. The corpses were sealed away, hidden to prevent spies or enemies of the village from exploiting the Uchiha legacy.
Sasuke was taken to the hospital for a thorough evaluation, her physical injuries minor compared to the scars left on her heart and mind. She sat in silence, staring at her trembling hands, her eyes glazed with the weight of overwhelming grief.
Tears streamed down her pale face, a quiet, endless river of sorrow.
"You're miserable, Sasuke-chan," Naruto remarked as he sat beside her hospital bed, slicing an apple with precise, deliberate movements. His tone was blunt, devoid of sympathy, yet his actions carried an unspoken care.
He held out a slice toward her, his gaze cold yet commanding.
"Eat."
Sasuke hesitated, her tear-streaked face lifting to meet his gaze. Despite his harsh demeanor, there was a strange comfort in his presence—a sense of stability in the chaos consuming her. Slowly, she opened her mouth, accepting the slice.
"You're as harsh as ever, Naruto," she murmured, her voice weak but laced with a faint hint of gratitude.
Naruto said nothing, merely watching her for a moment before eating the half-eaten slice himself. He cut another piece and brought it to her lips.
"You can rely on me, Sasuke," he said, his voice quiet yet firm. "I know it sounds ridiculous coming from me, but if you need anything—if you need someone to rely on—I'm here."
Sasuke's lips trembled as she accepted the next slice, her expression softening. Her small, fleeting smile was a rare sight, a fragile moment of solace amidst her torment. This quiet exchange continued, the rhythm of their interaction providing her a brief reprieve from her anguish.
For Naruto, this display of care was an anomaly. His interactions were usually detached, his emotions tightly controlled. Yet, in these small gestures, he offered Sasuke a glimmer of comfort.
(Later That Day)
Back in his apartment, Naruto observed his slave-disciple with cold calculation. Over the past year, her chakra reserves had expanded dramatically, rivaling those of ten seasoned Jōnin.
She has potential. Best not to waste it, Naruto, Kurama's voice rumbled within his mind.
'I know,' Naruto replied, his eyes narrowing as he examined the glowing system tab before him.
{Quest Completed: Bloodline Purifying Pill has been stored in your inventory.}
'Finally,' he thought. 'Was the system waiting for me to teach her everything I know?' His mind drifted to the grueling training he had put her through. In a year, she had mastered Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, Kenjutsu, and even the dangerous Devouring Abyss technique. That particular training had nearly cost her half her body, but Naruto had intervened just in time.
"Girl, come here," Naruto called out.
She approached immediately, a steaming cup of black coffee in her hands. It had become her routine to serve him without needing instructions.
"Yes, Master," she said, her tone filled with admiration.
Naruto took the cup but didn't sip it. Instead, he fixed her with a piercing gaze.
"What I'm about to say is important. Depending on your answer, I will determine your future role with me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sensei," she replied, bowing her head.
"I will become the Hokage one day," Naruto began, his tone unyielding. "When the time comes, I will wage war against the four Great Ninja Villages. I will either defeat or enslave them. In those moments, I won't need someone to protect—I'll need someone I can trust.
"As my disciple, I expect nothing less than perfection. You will become someone capable of obliterating an entire village on your own. Anything less will tarnish my name and reputation in the future. I want the world to fear my name—and fear those I've trained just as much."
Her body trembled at his words. The weight of his expectations crushed down on her, but alongside her fear burned a fierce determination. To stand by her master's side was her ultimate dream, and though the gap between them was vast, she resolved to bridge it no matter the cost.
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット