Naruto: In the future world

#Naruto's Perspective

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My second year of high school has begun!!

I hope it won't be like the previous one. This year, my cousin Mikael's daughter, Yuha, is joining our school.

Meanwhile, Tera has just one year left until graduation—she's a year older than me.

Of course, since my identity had been hidden, I didn't interact with my cousins at school before. Our relationship was very shallow. No one knew who I really was except Sasuke, Kiba, and Sakura.

I also plan to tell Shino, but I hope I can trust him a little more than I do now.

It's not that I don't trust him at all, but there's a limit to the trust I can give others. After all, they're not the same people I once knew.

As I sighed while walking, a gentle, soft voice beside me broke my thoughts.

"Naruto, are you okay? You seem lost in thought."

I looked toward the source and found my sweet cousin, Yuha. Unlike the others who used to treat me badly, Yuha never did.

Though she wasn't like Ela, who cared for me so much she developed a little-brother complex over time, Yuha had her own quiet way of caring.

I got so lost in thought that I forgot to respond. Her eyes looked sad when I didn't answer, so I quickly spoke up.

"Ah—sorry, Yuha. I was spaced out. Yeah, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about," I gave her a small, gentle smile.

That made her smile with ease and turn her gaze ahead.

Tera remained silent and didn't speak to me.

My relationship with my family had always been like this—no real connection. I hope someday we can all come together in peace, but that dream feels so far away right now.

As we neared the school, the two girls took the direct path, while I headed off on a different route.

While walking alone, I saw a girl with shiny blue hair cascading down past her lower back. I couldn't help but notice the bounce of those two soft... well, masses. I was momentarily stunned and curious, walking a little closer to get a better look.

But I changed my mind when I saw two other people walking beside her. There was no other way to describe her—she was a beautiful mermaid.

(Well, it's only natural. A whole year has passed since we started high school.) I smiled sentimentally and continued on toward school, my mood lifted.

---

In another part of town, in a small and cozy house that wasn't exactly new—this was where Ino lived.

Ino lazily opened her eyes, having forgotten that today was the first day of school. She had stayed up all night playing games and catching up on idol gossip—especially about Immoral Scarlet.

Because of that, she had overslept. After tossing and turning a bit, she glanced at the clock and saw it was already 7:30.

She opened and shut her eyes, trying to deny the reality, but it was no use.

"OH MY GOD!!!"

She screamed in shock and rushed—ripping off her clothes—toward the bathroom for a lightning-speed shower.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it! I overslept!!"

She emerged from the bathroom in a miraculous five minutes, changed clothes in another five, spent five more on her hair, and another five checking her outfit and doing... other things we needn't mention now.

By the time she left and locked the house, there were only ten minutes left until the school bell rang.

"Ughhh, damn it! Why didn't I ask Sakura to pick me up today?!"

Ino rushed through alleys. She passed a couple making out passionately and snapped, "Get a room, it's morning, for God's sake!"

The lovers were on the verge of getting steamy, but Ino's terrifying interruption made both of them jump and stare at the crazy girl who'd screamed at them.

She dashed past the alley, then abruptly stopped to straighten her skirt and blouse.

Suddenly, the chaotic mess of a girl transformed into a refined, polite young lady holding her bag demurely.

A different Ino emerged from the alley—now just 20 meters away from school.

"Ah, Ino. Good morning."

A girl greeted the blonde, who turned toward the voice and smiled sweetly. "Good morning, Ten Ten."

---

At the Haruno household, the cherry blossom had just stepped outside, waving goodbye to her parents.

Sakura walked down the road, holding her bag and glancing around.

(Everything seems peaceful right now,) she thought, until she sensed movement nearby.

Her eyes sharpened slightly as she turned, sensing someone approaching fast. When she focused on the figure, it was none other than the brown-haired boy trying to surprise her.

"Huh? Kiba? You scared me!!"

Sakura gasped, stepping back a few paces.

"Agh, how did you know I was close?! I wanted to surprise you a little ~ tch…" Kiba's ambush failed miserably.

But the presence Sakura had felt initially wasn't his. That made her wonder—who had been watching her?

"By the way, where's Naruto? I called him this morning, but he said he wouldn't be coming with us today."

"Maybe he's with a relative or something, so he didn't join us."

"Oh right. He is an Uzumaki after all."

"Exactly. Keep it a secret, Kiba, or we'll be in big trouble!"

"Yeah, yeah—I know that already!"

Kiba groaned, annoyed at being talked to like a little kid.

After walking together in silence for a bit, he decided to break it with a chuckle: "Isn't this the first time it's just the two of us going to school? Doesn't it feel a bit weird? Usually, Naruto or Sasuke is with us."

Sakura thought for a moment before replying, "Yeah, I think you're right. Usually, one of them is around."

Kiba laughed softly and joked, "We kinda look like a new couple right now. Though if Naruto heard me say that, he'd probably kill me."

"What are you saying? Are you that desperate for a relationship or something?" Sakura giggled gently.

"What? Everyone wants to be in a romantic relationship eventually! I'm no exception." Kiba raised his eyebrows, then added quickly, "And besides, I'm not into you, okay? Don't get the wrong idea!"

"Of course. So, work hard and get yourself a girlfriend."

"You say that like you're not interested in finding a boyfriend too," he looked at her with irritation, which made her a bit flustered.

Noticing this, Kiba smirked and asked, "Haah? Just as I thought—you are interested in someone. So, who is it? Naruto or Sasuke?"

"I don't have to answer that! And it's none of your business who it is—or even if I'm interested in anyone!" she said shyly, fleeing the conversation.

"Hahaha! I knew it! Even girls care about this stuff!" Kiba laughed triumphantly, then frowned at himself. "I made a girl blush like that. I should be ashamed."

While walking after her, he noticed a group of people Sakura was about to pass.

"Hmm… if I'm not mistaken, those are—wait!! That girl? What the hell is she doing here??" He blushed furiously at the sight of someone and rushed to catch up with Sakura.

---

Near the grand gate of the Uchiha clan, four figures stood speaking among themselves.

"Shisui, did you bring what I asked for?" Sasuke asked coldly, staring at Shisui, whose one eye was covered.

"Yeah, don't worry. But why do you need it? It's not like you to take this with you."

"That's none of your business." Sasuke snatched the item from Shisui's hand roughly and stuffed it into his pocket with icy indifference.

"Hey, watch it! What do you think you're doing, treating your cousin like that?" Karin snapped, glaring at Sasuke in frustration.

But he gave her a hostile look without replying and walked away.

"Ugh! What's wrong with him? He changed so much over the past year." Karin sighed, hands on her hips, frustrated with her brother's behavior.

"Maybe he's just going through a rebellious phase," Izumi replied with a weak smile, her face lifeless.

Though the others had somehow moved on…

She hadn't. How could she possibly move on from what her beloved had done?

She and Sasuke were the ones most deeply affected by what happened with Itachi. Neither could truly move forward without him.

Shisui glanced at Izumi, unable to find words that could lift her spirits.

"Anyway, I'm heading to school with my brother," Karin said, then glanced at the bandages wrapped around Izumi's wrist and the faint knife-like scars on her arm. She finished quietly, "Take care of Izumi, Shisui. She has to be ready for when my brother Itachi returns to us."

Shisui nodded gently and offered her a faint smile. Karin then walked off, following her brother who showed no concern for anything around him.

Shisui placed a hand on Izumi's shoulder, and the two quietly left.

Meanwhile, Sasuke walked down the road, fragmented memories flickering in his mind:

Family gatherings. A strange letter.

Then, expressions of shock here and there…

Fugaku ripping the letter to shreds in furious rage.

The memories faded as Sasuke thought, (Why… why did you leave this world, brother?)

"Wait up, Sasuke! I'm right behind you!" Karin called, trying to match her brother's stride, though he walked on without caring, hands tucked in his pockets.

He didn't slow down, but Karin eventually caught up and walked beside him.

"Why were you so rude to Shisui?"

"None of your business."

"Stop acting like a child, brother," Karin muttered, shooting him a mildly cold glance.

"As if I'd treat someone like him kindly," Sasuke replied calmly.

"I knew it. You still blame him for what happened to Itachi."

Sasuke said nothing. Karin kept walking next to him, adding, "You know there was nothing Shisui could've done. He even lost one of his eyes."

Sasuke clenched his teeth. "Losing one eye is a cheap price if he had succeeded. But in the end, he failed—completely."

"I told you—it's not his fault! Even if you'd been there, you might've made things worse… or maybe you wouldn't even be alive right now."

"That doesn't matter."

"At least show me some respect and talk to me like a normal person, you idiot brother!" Karin yelled, exasperated, but he ignored her and kept walking toward the school.

She trailed behind him, staring at his back, then whispered quietly, "Just… at least answer me..."

---

In a faraway part of town from Konoha High School, stood a prestigious and luxurious academy no less grand than Konoha's.

One of the four great high schools of Konoha.

Inside, two people were having a conversation about a certain matter.

The first person spoke with a faint smile, "Hmmm, so you're saying the Red Devil Gang joined another gang called the Crushers? And they have a new leader named Naruto?"

The second person, whose voice revealed she was a girl, answered, "That's right. It seems it happened after the battle with King Jin a year ago. The Crushers only announced their new leader a few days ago. It was a massive surprise across the city."

"What is Shino the Invincible planning?"

"I don't know. He refused to join any of the Big Four gangs before. And now, he's absorbed the Red Devil Gang? Was his plan all along to take over Konoha High?"

The first girl smiled deeply. "Shino isn't the type to seek power or influence. That must mean... his boss is the one pulling the strings."

She leaned back comfortably in her chair, crossing her legs and revealing long, graceful thighs, leaving no doubt she was a woman too.

"Naruto, huh? I'm curious to meet the person who defeated Jin."

---

In front of Konoha High's grand gates, several familiar faces had already gathered.

I—Naruto—stood among them.

I spotted Ino chatting with Ten Ten. Looks like they already knew each other.

I saw Sasuke and Karin entering the school grounds.

Sakura was approaching Ino and Ten Ten, while behind the trio walked Kiba, looking awkward, maybe even embarrassed.

Just ahead of the girls, a beautiful young lady walked beside a tall boy with long brown hair—it was Neji, guiding his cousin Hinata around.

I smiled at how everyone seemed to be growing closer.

I also saw Shikamaru and Choji walking together, entering the school just after Sasuke and Karin.

Then I noticed a blonde girl striding in, followed by several other girls like her personal entourage.

Is that… Shion? No way—is she really here too?

She walked right into the school gates. That must mean… she's joining our school too? And she even brought a whole group of girls with her. She looks like a queen.

I decided to ignore all that and headed toward Kiba, slapping him on the back as I shouted, "Good morning, Kiba! What's got you down on such a beautiful morning?"

Kiba yelped in pain and glared at me. "You idiot! Can't you be a bit more gentle?!"

"Look who's talking about being gentle—Mr. Kiba himself," I said, narrowing my eyes with mock disbelief.

"Just shut up." He glanced over at Hinata, cheeks tinged with pink.

I smirked mischievously. "Falling for her, are you? Never thought you'd be the romantic type, brother-from-another-mother."

"Leave me alone. You don't know what could melt a heart as frozen as mine. But given how I've always felt… doesn't a goddess like her deserve my pure love?"

"Don't go turning poetic on me—or I'll roast you with my own verses. Talking about pure love? Man, you wouldn't know love if it hit you with a shuriken."

"Just leave me be! Celebs like you would never understand!"

"Oh, so now I'm a celeb? Trying to drown me in sorrow now? After all these years together, you still push me away?"

"Okay, that's enough, you two! Are you seriously fighting? Are you planning to spend the whole day bickering?"

Sakura waved at us with a small smile, breaking up our poetic war.

I smiled sheepishly and waved back. "Yeah, yeah—we're coming."

"Hey Naruto," Kiba whispered, "Help me get closer to Hinata, alright?"

I felt a little pang in my chest—was that jealousy? I honestly wasn't sure.

But I couldn't say no to him. He's my best friend in this world.

"Of course. Let's win her heart together, brother!"

Kiba smiled at me with so much gratitude, he looked like he might cry.

"Thanks, Naruto."

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#To_Be_Continued