Naruto: In the future world

Scene Twenty

.

.

.

Betrayal

.

.

.

Kiba and I entered the school as the last two from our group, while Sakura was chatting with Ino and Tenten.

Hinata and Neji had already disappeared inside the school grounds, and Shion and her crew were walking around.

"I'm heading to the principal now. Do you need anything, Kiba?" I asked while glancing at him, but he shook his head, so I went on my way.

After walking through the school corridors, I reached the principal's office where several teachers were gathered.

Some I didn't recognize, but others I knew well—Hatake Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, and Might Guy, for instance.

And of course, the principal was Sarutobi Hiruzen—or in my other world, the Third Hokage.

I greeted the teachers, then stood near the principal.

"May I know what's the matter, young Naruto?" he asked.

"No need for formalities, Grandpa Sarutobi. I actually came to ask you something."

"And what might that be?"

"I heard that a boy named Jin transferred this year. Do you happen to know which school he went to?"

"Oh, that young man. They said he suffered a terrible accident and was bedridden for days with fractures and injuries. But he transferred to Shinshoku High after the semester ended."

"I see. Thank you, Grandpa."

I smiled at him kindly and turned to leave, but he stopped me, speaking slowly:

"Young man, you didn't have anything to do with what happened to Jin, did you? Let me warn you—it's best not to get involved with someone like him."

I looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a mysterious smile and said, "Of course not. I was just curious since I knew him."

Kakashi gave me a suspicious glance, but I held my cryptic smile. They couldn't read me.

"I understand. Just be careful. He has influence comparable to a major clan."

My eyes sharpened slightly at that, and I walked away.

That would explain Jin's arrogance—even knowing Sakura's not an ordinary girl, with her family's vast power and influence.

He wouldn't dare do what he did without having strength of his own—or perhaps even greater.

I need to be cautious around him.

I left the room with a sigh and continued down the corridor—only to stumble upon something shocking.

It was Neji and Tenten.

They were embracing intimately, kissing with passion, while Neji's hand was slipped under Tenten's shirt, fondling her modest chest—sometimes squeezing firmly, other times gently.

My cheeks flushed, and I felt a twinge down below.

I'm still a man—of course a scene like that would affect me!

Setting aside my friend "down there"... What the hell were those two doing in this place!?

I was hidden behind the corridor wall, so they hadn't noticed me.

Part of me wanted to keep watching to see how far they'd go, but footsteps approaching snapped them out of their moment.

A petite girl with long, shimmering blue hair moved gracefully toward them—Hinata.

"Neji, Tenten—there you are. I've been looking for you," she said, stopping in front of them.

"Sorry I'm late. I told you I was going to the restroom, but I ran into Tenten by chance and we started talking."

Liar! You were flirting in broad daylight!

"I see," Hinata smiled innocently, unaware of what had just happened between them.

Neji took Hinata's hand and pulled her into his arms. He smiled at her gently as she blushed shyly in his possessive hold.

"Sorry, my sweet Hina. Shall we continue?" he said, planting a kiss on her cheek.

A moment later, the two walked off hand in hand.

Tenten clenched her fist silently, watching the scene unfold. I was amazed she could bear watching it unfold right in front of her.

No, the real scumbag here is the one playing both girls—Neji! You bastard, you womanizing jerk!

Tch, this really ruined my mood. Damn him for having two girls wrapped around his finger. Yeah, I hate him!

I shoved my hands into my pockets and walked off, grumbling and scowling.

.

.

.

Scene Twenty

.

.

.

Betrayal (End)

.

.

.

---

Students began calmly searching for their class assignments. Based on skill and intelligence, the top class was 2-A, while the lowest was 2-D.

There were a total of four classes: 2-A, 2-B, 2-C, and 2-D.

Naturally, I was in Class 2-A, along with Sasuke, Sakura, and the others. It seemed Hinata and Shion were placed in the same class as well—1-A.

I entered my classroom with a quiet sigh and glanced around. Most faces were familiar, so I greeted them and then coughed a bit before heading in.

There was an empty seat in the middle, flanked by Karin to my left and Ino to my right.

"Good morning, Ino. Good morning, Karin."

I greeted them politely, and both girls responded in kind.

Shino was sitting in front of me. Actually, someone else had been there earlier, but as soon as I sat down between Ino and Karin, Shino switched seats to sit directly ahead.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing, Shino?" I whispered to him in surprise.

"What do you mean? I moved here so we can communicate easily if something happens with the Breakers. You don't still think you're just a regular high school student after what happened with Jin, do you?"

He spoke coolly and quietly to avoid being overheard. Keeping my dark side hidden was still important.

"Alright, I get it," I replied helplessly, and Shino turned forward again in silence.

Damn it—I was only two minutes late and everyone grabbed the good seats.

Sakura was in the same spot as last year near the window, but Sasuke sat in front of her this time.

To her right was Ino, then me, then Karin.

Next to Sasuke was Kiba, then Shino, and Rock Lee sat in front of Karin.

But why does everyone like sitting at the back?

I leaned on my hand, annoyed, and looked over at Sasuke.

Our eyes met briefly before he gave me a cold, hostile glare and turned forward.

Ugh, what's with that guy? Why does he still treat me like an enemy after what happened a year ago?

I sighed and decided not to dwell on it. What mattered now... was Sakura!

Another year had passed with no progress. Ugh, I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere with her.

On the bright side, Sasuke no longer paid her any special attention—he barely acknowledged any of us now.

I lowered my head onto my desk, eyes closed in exhaustion.

Then I felt a poke on my arm. I looked up.

Ino was staring at me with a smile.

"What is it, Ino?"

"Nothing. Just watching you turn your head left and right like an idiot was entertaining."

Huh??

I blinked in shock, my face turning red. "Y-You were watching!?"

"Since the beginning. So this handsome guy has childish habits too, huh?"

She smirked at me teasingly.

Ugh, my face is burning.

"Can you please forget you saw that?" I looked at her with pleading, flushed cheeks.

"Hmm, I wonder..." she tilted her head in thought, then smiled slyly.

"But I might let it go... if you do something for me."

I knew it! This scheming girl...

"Just tell me what it is, Lady Ino!"

---

Meanwhile, as students were in class...

Somewhere in a distant district from Konoha High, a secret organization had gathered again.

In a room we'd seen before—but beneath it lay another hidden chamber.

On its wall was a large display screen.

There were nine chairs—though three remained empty for now. The other six were already taken.

"So the old man called us again. What does he want this time?" asked one of the seated members in boredom.

"If he summoned us, it means there's a new member... or a major mission ahead."

"Shut up, you're all annoying. Let's listen to the boss—I can't stand trash like you."

"Oho, you're feisty, huh? Hahaha!"

There was a brief pause.

Then one man pulled out a gun and aimed it at the laughing one—who was already aiming back with his own weapon.

"Come on, shoot me! Let's turn this meeting into a war!"

"Tch..."

They stared each other down for several seconds, then finally lowered their weapons.

"That's enough, Fifth. And you too, Hidan."

The laughing man was Hidan. The other was referred to as Fifth.

A voice echoed from the screen, now glowing blue. The leader had arrived, silencing the room.

The two returned to their seats.

"As Kakuzu mentioned earlier, I summoned you all today for two reasons—not one."

That made the six seated members open their eyes in surprise. It was rare for two major events to occur at once.

"First, I've located Senju Tobirama—the grandson of Hashirama Senju!"

"What?!"

The shock rippled through them. One of them even stood up in disbelief.

"What's wrong, Fourth?"

Kakuzu, seated with arms folded, eyed him deeply. As if he already suspected something.

"Could it be… you knew and didn't tell us?"

"That's not true! I'm shocked because I thought Tobirama was already dead! That's what our sources said after the mission!"

"Either way, he's been in hiding. But I managed to track him. Four of you will go and bring back his head."

"Understood."

"And second—I've found three candidates for the remaining seats in Akatsuki. The rest of you will retrieve them, whatever it takes."

"Yes, sir!"

"Until next time."

The screen went dark, leaving the secret chamber in eerie silence once again.

---

.

.

.

Scene Twenty-One

.

.

.

A Filthy, Perverted Man

.

.

.

We finally left school after classes. I was walking down the hallway with a sluggish pace, glancing around warily—hoping not to run into Ino today.

I wandered, hoping I'd come across Sakura or one of the others, but it seemed I'd be heading home alone.

Maybe I'd swing by the gang's hideout later. It's been a while, and Shino would be on my case if I kept dodging.

Just then, I spotted a girl walking slowly ahead of me. Her steps were so delicate it was as if she didn't want to leave this place.

She didn't notice what was in front of her, so I quickened my pace and came up right behind her.

With a soft smile and closed eyes, I leaned close and whispered near her ear:

"Hey, beautiful. What are you doing here all alone?"

Startled, the girl turned around quickly to see who had interrupted her thoughts.

Hinata froze in place, staring at me wide-eyed, while I smiled gently at her.

She remained still for a few moments, so I spoke calmly:

"Is something wrong with my face? You're staring awfully hard."

She snapped out of it, turned away, and replied,

"Sorry for looking at you so rudely."

"Hehe, I don't mind. I wouldn't mind a pretty girl like you staring all day."

She went silent for a moment… then gave me a terrifying glare. God, that sent shivers down my spine!

"You pervert!"

She said it flatly, then turned away and walked off.

Huh?

Wait—did she just call me a pervert!?

"Hold on! You misunderstood me!" I rushed after her to explain.

"Stop following me, you pervert!" she snapped, still marching forward, barely watching where she was going.

"Wait! Stop for a second!" I reached out as she glared at me like I was some bug.

But I ignored it and grabbed her arm, pulling her into my chest.

She gasped, her face turning crimson.

"L-Let me go, you pervert!"

"You idiot! Look in front of you! You almost fell down the stairs!"

I shouted at her seriously, pointing out the danger.

She paused, then yelled in frustration:

"You think I'm blind!? I saw the stairs!"

"Yeah? But did you see the puddle of water right next to them? You could've slipped and fallen!"

I pointed to the small slick spot on the floor.

Hinata blinked, then said, "Oh… you're right."

"You were spacing out, so I thought you hadn't seen it. And where are the janitors? Who leaves a puddle in such a dangerous place?" I muttered irritably.

"F-F-Fine! I get it! Now let go of me!" she whispered shakily, cheeks burning.

My chest was pressed against her back, one arm around her waist, wrist brushing her stomach, and my face near her ear.

I hadn't realized how intimate the hold was until now.

As soon as I did, I pulled away in a panic.

"Ah—sorry! I didn't mean to! My body just moved on its own!"

Hinata took a deep breath, hands on her chest, then looked up at me shyly, her face red.

"You're not a pervert… but you're still a filthy, perverted man!" she shouted in embarrassment before running off, carefully avoiding the puddle and dashing down the stairs.

I scratched my head awkwardly and muttered, (What a weirdo… and scary, too.)

.

.

.

Scene Twenty-One

.

.

.

A Filthy, Perverted Man ( End )

.

.

.

To Be Continued…