Naruto: In the future world

#Naruto's Perspective

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In the cold back courtyard of the school, a gentle breeze softened the otherwise heated air.

Inside the storage room, Shino and I stood facing each other, our hands extended in a handshake — the official seal of our alliance!

With that handshake, our alliance was now formal. And from this point forward, it was time to put our plan into motion.

A bitter plan, one that required me to use Sakura for its execution. But I had to do it — for her sake, and to protect everyone from the hidden darkness looming over us.

I sighed slightly and brushed away the intrusive thoughts trying to lead me astray, then looked at Shino, who awaited my next words.

"First of all, how many members are in Jin's gang?"

"Well, they're around 300 strong. But if we include the 200 members from the Red Devil gang, their total rises to about 500. However, I do have allies among them, roughly 280 to 290 in number."

I pondered his words for a moment, then said, "We'll add Sasuke and Kiba to our side. I don't think we'll be in serious danger with them around."

"That's right. I'll count on you to convince your friends. As for Sakura, keep her in the dark. It's better that way."

I closed my eyes, let out a slow sigh, and nodded in agreement. No matter what, we had to execute this with near perfection — the enemy must not detect our strategy.

"I'll take my leave first then."

Shino turned aside and exited without another word.

Minutes later, I followed and made my way to the dining room.

I didn't know why, but a deep worry clung to me in those moments. How would I explain the plan to Sasuke and Kiba? And what would Sakura's reaction be if she found out?

More importantly, what would happen if we failed to save her?

With hesitation, I pushed open the door and stepped inside, trying to ignore the thoughts gnawing at my mind.

Their anxious gazes greeted me, and for a fleeting moment, that look of concern gave me warmth — warmth that instantly turned to guilt and sorrow for what I was about to do to my dear Sakura.

She was the first I looked at, and I could tell she noticed the injury on my forehead… and the slight tremble in my eyes that I tried to suppress.

Sakura quickly stood up and approached, her voice tinged with concern: "Naruto? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Sakura. Don't worry about me."

I smiled faintly and closed my eyes in an attempt to hide my unease.

"A-ah, I see…"

She stepped aside, allowing me to return to my seat — the one that had remained empty since I left. I sat down quietly, not expecting anyone to notice the shift in me.

"What happened between you and Shino, Naruto? You two didn't get into another fight, did you?"

Kiba asked, trying to get a feel for the situation.

"It was nothing like that, man. He just came to apologize."

I scratched my head, spouting a lie so obvious it was barely believable.

But the others knew I didn't want to elaborate, so they didn't press further after Kiba's question.

"Alright, let's finish lunch — the food's gone cold," I said quickly, hoping to steer the topic away. I grabbed my spoon and began eating hungrily, eyes shut.

They followed my lead in silence, eating their meals quietly.

Was my decision the right one?

Was staying silent the right thing to do?

I didn't know.

I was hesitant to involve them.

That's why I said nothing about my deal with Shino during that lunch.

That was the decision I came to at the time.

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#Scene_Sixteen

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#Shino's Plan (End)

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#Narrator's Perspective

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Hours later, not far from that school…

A massive gathering of delinquents had formed inside an abandoned building — a horde of them, hundreds strong.

At a slightly elevated area, where cars were parked neatly to form a command post, sat a red-haired youth.

It was none other than the Red Devil of Konoha High School.

Beside him, a leadership seat remained empty — for now.

From within the crowd, a figure emerged. He had lazy-looking honey-brown eyes and jet-black hair.

He wore his school uniform with a long coat that fluttered with his steps.

"Bow before our leader — now!"

shouted the Red Devil, standing with respect. Instantly, all the delinquents bowed in reverence.

Neither Shino nor Rock Lee were present at that moment.

"He is the great and mighty man, the one with unmatched influence and overwhelming power over all delinquents in Tokyo!"

declared the Red Devil proudly, introducing the long-coated youth.

"He is King Jin!"

The Red Devil pointed toward Jin, who stood coldly, gazing down at his followers.

"We salute King Jin!!"

The crowd shouted in unison, a sign of their extreme loyalty to their so-called king.

At that moment, the warehouse door opened quietly. Someone was sneaking in.

"I've gathered you all here to deliver an important message. Tomorrow marks a special day for me — my eighteenth birthday."

Jin smiled, then continued, "And someone has already surprised me with a very fitting gift for the occasion."

Two individuals emerged from the crowd, dragging a large sack.

They climbed onto the cars until they stood near Jin, awaiting his next words.

"Wait, aren't those… Shino the Invincible and Rock Lee the Drunk?"

"But didn't they part ways with the king a while ago?"

"Maybe those were just rumors…"

Jin grabbed the sack and opened it in front of everyone.

A human body emerged — a girl with pink hair and grass-colored eyes.

It was Sakura.

Tears filled her eyes. She looked drugged, completely powerless.

"Yes… Shino the Invincible and Rock Lee the Drunk were kind enough to bring me a bride. On the night I turn eighteen, I shall take this girl as my wife."

Jin laughed with uncontained delight.

The gang members were speechless, stunned beyond belief. They doubted what they saw, but Jin's unrelenting laughter told them otherwise.

He stopped laughing and gently laid Sakura on a prepared bed, tying her down, then looked at his stunned followers below.

"Was my announcement really that shocking?"

His tone suddenly turned cold, and the atmosphere shifted. The crowd was reminded — this man before them was no joke.

Jin smirked at the fear reflected in their faces, then turned his gaze back to Sakura, as if silently telling her that no one could stop him from doing what he pleased.

The gang members swallowed nervously. None dared to breathe too loudly.

"Is it time yet?"

"No, not yet… We need to wait for the perfect moment."

"Things are about to get ugly. We need to move soon."

"I know. Just hang in there a bit longer."

"And where is he in all of this? He told us to be on time, and then vanished!"

"How should I know? That idiot…"

Sakura stared at Jin as he approached her with a lecherous look.

She couldn't protect herself.

Every instinct screamed danger, but the drug rendered her helpless.

She could only shut her eyes… and pray for a knight to come rescue her.

Jin raised his hand and looked at his watch — it was minutes away from midnight.

From within the crowd, a figure in black clothes and a hat emerged. Quietly, he climbed toward Jin.

His stealth was perfect.

Everyone else was too stunned to even monitor their surroundings.

They were all too consumed by what Jin intended to do.

The figure reached the top of the piled-up debris where Jin stood.

In his hand was a long metal rod.

Raising it high, his piercing blue eyes radiated an intense killing intent as he brought it down hard on Jin — a direct, devastating blow!

"Wha—?!"

The crowd gasped in utter shock.

No one saw it coming.

No one even considered the possibility.

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Several Hours Earlier — After Classes Ended

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Students had broken off into groups, each heading off to handle their own business or simply returning home tired.

Two young girls walked together, chatting animatedly, not caring much for the world around them.

Suddenly, the sound of a ringing phone cut through their conversation.

It came from the pink-haired girl's bag. She quickly pulled out her phone to see who was calling.

Her screen lit up with a name that made her heart flutter.

Blushing, she quickly answered.

"Hello? Naruto?"

"Hey, Sakura. Yeah, it's me."

A gentle smile formed on her lips, her excitement barely contained.

"What's up? You already left campus?"

"That's right. I'm not nearby, so I had to call — I need to ask you something important."

She sensed tension in his voice. Something wasn't right.

"Sakura? What's going on? Is something wrong?"

Ino, who had been walking silently, brought her back to reality with a concerned question.

"Huh? Oh, no, it's nothing, Ino. Just give me a minute to hear what Naruto wants."

"Sure, just don't flirt too much, okay?"

Ino teased with a wicked grin as Sakura stepped a few feet away to continue her call in private. Sakura flushed in embarrassment.

"Stop talking nonsense, you idiot!"

Naruto chuckled on the other end, clearly amused by Ino's teasing.

Sakura panicked and tried to shift the subject quickly.

"A-anyway, what did you want to ask me? Was it urgent enough to call?"

"Kinda. Yeah."

Naruto paused for a moment before continuing,

"Can we meet at Ichiraku Ramen? In 20 minutes?"

"Of course."

"Great. I'll be waiting — don't be late."

With that, he ended the call, and Sakura slowly slipped her phone back into her pocket.

"So? What's going on, my dear?"

Ino crept up beside her, curiosity burning in her eyes.

"It's nothing, dear."

Sakura brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear, looking down with flushed cheeks.

"He just wants to meet me at a restaurant. I-it doesn't mean anything!!"

Ino smirked wickedly, clearly not buying it.

"Oh really? A romantic date, huh?"

"It's not a date! I told you to stop trying to embarrass me!"

Sakura pouted, turning away to walk off.

"Relax, I was only teasing!"

Ino laughed, following her friend.

"Don't talk to me, dummy."

Sakura crossed her arms, causing certain soft parts of her chest to jiggle — and Ino, of course, noticed.

Still giggling, Ino pressed on.

"Come on. Don't tell me this isn't love?"

Sakura stopped walking, forcing Ino to bump into her.

"My feelings for Naruto… can't be love."

She spoke quietly.

Ino rubbed her nose from the impact. "Ouch… And why not?"

"Because love doesn't happen overnight."

"Then what about your feelings for Sasuke? Were those never love to begin with?"

Sakura continued walking in silence, lost in thought.

Ino didn't get an answer. She sighed and followed.

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Later…

"I'll head off from here, then," said Ino, waving her friend goodbye.

"See you tomorrow at school, Ino," Sakura replied with a soft smile.

She walked off alone, a strange presence trailing behind her.

She felt it.

And when it drew close enough, she clenched her fist and turned quickly to strike — but stopped halfway.

"N-Naru—"

She gasped. It was Naruto. But before she could say more, someone from behind him pounced and pressed a cloth to her mouth.

"Mmmmf! Mmm…!!"

She struggled, but in vain. Numbness soon spread through her limbs.

Her eyes locked with Naruto's.

There was a pained look on his face.

"I'm sorry… but I'm doing this to protect you."

That was the last thing she heard before everything went black.

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#Scene_Seventeen

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#Fight_to_the_Death

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She had been unconscious for some time.

As she awoke, she realized she was stuffed in a large sack — and when it opened, a strange man stared down at her with hungry eyes.

Just as all hope faded from her, she saw those same dazzling blue eyes — filled with seething hatred.

The boy's strike came fast and hard, toppling the self-proclaimed king instantly.

His eyes burned with the fire of vengeance.

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#To_Be_Continued...