Naruto: In the future world

I left the school alone; it seemed the others had already gone, so I set off without waiting for them.

I decided to take the long route to avoid seeing Ino nearby, and because of that, I ended up in a wealthy neighborhood.

As I walked, I spotted crimson hair. I smiled and approached the owner of the red hair.

"Scarlet, hey!" I said with a smile as I got closer. She turned to me and smiled back.

"Hello, Naruto! It's been a long time since we last met!"

"What are you saying? We were at breakfast together this morning!"

"Haha, what are you talking about? But I'd be happy to have breakfast with you sometime later."

She was deeply immersed in her role; the euphoria of acting really seemed to be a serious thing. I could hardly believe she was the same cousin, Ella.

Ignoring her attempts to differentiate her personalities, I said, "Are you free? I'd like us to eat together if you don't mind."

Scarlet placed her hand over her mouth above the mask, and I could tell there was a mischievous expression on her face as she said shamelessly, "What? Are you inviting me on a date? You're such a flirt!"

I looked at her coldly and started walking away, "Well, never mind, I'll just go on my way."

"Wait, wait, Naruto, I'm just kidding." Scarlet smiled happily and approached me.

I closed my eyes and kept walking as she followed behind me. After a brief silence, Scarlet asked while looking at me:

"Naruto, have you thought about what the director said to you earlier? He asked you to enter the industry..."

I remembered that conversation when Scarlet forced me to act as her lover in a music video.

In that scene, there was a kiss, and it seemed I got so immersed that I reached the state called the euphoria of acting.

Although I didn't understand what happened then because my focus was solely on making the scene work.

"I don't know, I don't think acting suits me much. I probably wouldn't succeed even if I tried."

I replied, trying to hide my feelings. It would be a lie to say it didn't spark my curiosity.

But I don't have enough time for that now; I don't have the luxury of time.

"Alright, looks like you're hesitant, so take your time to think it over. The industry can't be entered too late, and don't forget I entered it right after high school."

"You're right, maybe I'll think about it after I graduate."

Scarlet patted my shoulder and said in an innocent tone, "I hope so, because I'm looking forward to acting with you again someday."

I smiled warmly and softly replied, "Thank you."

---

Meanwhile, Ino was walking nervously, glancing around, but Naruto was nowhere in sight.

(Ah, where did Naruto go all this time?)

She stared ahead and saw someone walking towards her. Her eyes sparkled.

She shyly looked away, thinking, (Did he see me?)

She lifted her head to see the person coming; she was shocked but tried to control her expression, making her flushed face look funny.

(Oh no, is he really coming this way? My heart isn't ready to face him alone now. Damn you, Naruto, you'll regret this!)

Sasuke stood before Ino, who was still sitting tensely.

"Naruto said you wanted me for something, so?"

Sasuke spoke coldly, looking quite uninterested.

Ino hurriedly stood up, shyly looking around, then gathered courage and said:

"I-I want to get to know you better, S-Sasuke. Are you free this weekend? I have two tickets to a movie and want you to go with me."

She realized her speech sounded forceful, so she quickly raised her hands shyly and said:

"J-just if you don't mind."

Sasuke stared at her for a moment, seeing her nervous and stuttering, and easily understood her feelings.

"Why not? Let's exchange contacts, and call me later."

Sasuke pulled out his phone coldly and handed it to Ino, whose face blushed deeper.

"Y-yes!" She quickly took the phone and started typing her contact, then added him to her friends list and returned his phone.

Sasuke put his phone in his pocket and turned to leave but stopped for a moment and glanced at Ino saying, "See you later, beauty."

Then he walked away.

(I'm a beauty to him!) Ino felt her entire being tremble, nearly fading into nothingness.

She sat on the chair, putting her hands on her face shyly, whispering softly, "He accepted! He accepted!"

She stood up and jumped excitedly, shouting happily: "Yes!"

---

The next day...

In the morning, I met with Sakura, and we walked together to school, but Kiba had already gone ahead for some soccer team activities.

"It's been a while since we walked alone like this, Sakura."

I said this with a slight blush on my cheeks, very happy to walk with her like this.

"Yeah, a lot has happened so far."

I wanted to open a topic to talk about, but ahead of us was Sasuke walking coldly down the street.

The first thing that came to mind was seeing Sakura. Her face was so happy, so joyful that I felt defeated.

Sakura wanted to open her mouth to talk to Sasuke, but a girl appeared near Sasuke greeting him warmly.

It was none other than Ino, who immediately silenced Sakura.

"Thanks for yesterday, Sasuke, I was so happy I couldn't sleep. I look forward to our next date!"

Ino said this happily, her eyes closed. Her words made me misunderstand things, as did Sakura, whose eyes darkened strangely.

"Huh?"

Sakura said in shock, but I couldn't say anything to her. What could I say when I misunderstood everything?

Silence filled the path with Sakura, but Ino and Sasuke's path was full of affection.

---

"Ugh, damn it, I hate this kind of work!"

Kiba shouted annoyed, holding a mop.

"Just shut up and do your job, idiot! Your yelling is giving me a headache."

A red-haired girl said angrily, throwing a towel at Kiba's face.

"Karin! You idiot, what are you doing?"

Kiba had his eyes covered, but he kept yelling at Karin who threw the towel and approached him angrily, placing her hands on his face.

"What did you say, idiot?"

"Ouch, stop it, wild one!"

Karin stepped back and sighed annoyed, folding her arms.

"If you keep complaining, you won't train with the team for a week!"

Kiba's face turned blue and he swallowed his anger, saying, "Okay, okay."

He looked aside sadly and muttered, "Damn, why of all creatures did she become the assistant coach!"

"Sorry that my training skills are top-notch." Karin looked at Kiba sideways.

"How did you hear that?"

---

The first class began with Kakashi-sensei, the class was unusually quiet even for Kakashi who was holding his book explaining the lesson.

He looked around and saw Naruto and Sakura looking strange, and also Sasuke staring coldly at the window.

(It seems something happened to those three, I hope it's not serious.)

Kakashi continued explaining the lesson with his sleepy eyes.

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#Scene Twenty-Two

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The Queen's Playfulness

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After school ended, I was a bit tired and dozed off deeply in my chair. Slowly, memories from several months ago came back to me.

I was wounded badly, my body bleeding and feeling like I was close to death.

I heard screams all around.

"King Jin has lost!"

I tried to open my eyes slowly, but it was too painful. Any movement hurt.

I heard a voice speaking to me, then turned toward the source and saw Sakura being carried on Sasuke's back, with Kiba beside him.

Sakura got off Sasuke's back and rushed to me anxiously. That unconscious gesture from her shocked Sasuke, who stared at her as if unable to comprehend what his eyes saw.

"Hey! Naruto, are you okay?"

Sakura said worriedly, holding my head tightly against her chest, tears in her eyes.

"A–ah Sakura, I'm–"

I slowly raised my hand trying to reach out to wipe her tears, but my hand wouldn't move.

"Don't talk, everything's fine now! It's over, you're the winner!"

Sakura smiled happily and leaned her forehead against mine gently.

I was shocked by what she did, leaving Kiba and Sasuke speechless.

"Sakura, I'm…"

I closed my eyes under the warmth of her body, unable to stay conscious.

I fainted again until I woke up in front of Shino.

I opened my eyes slowly feeling saliva on the table, then saw someone pointing a phone camera at me with a smile.

"Huh? Sakura?"

I quickly stood and wiped my drool off my face, blushing.

Those memories just now—could I have really forgotten them until today?

"Hehehe, you looked cute, so I took a photo for you. Hope you don't mind."

Sakura smiled, her cheeks red, then showed me the phone screen.

"I even made it my wallpaper because it's cute."

Sakura laughed gently while showing me the photo, and I blushed deeply.

"A–ah, y-yeah, that's fine, Sakura."

I looked away shyly and slowly scratched my hair.

"Huh? What's wrong? Your face is red..."

I glanced at Sakura with my lingering embarrassment and said,

"D–Do you remember my fight with Jin a year ago?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"It seems I just remembered something I forgot. After defeating him, did you come back with Sasuke and Kiba?"

Sakura slowly recalled that day's memories, then remembered the scene again which made her face turn as red as a tomato.

"T–That was only because I was worried about you and wanted to check your temperature! I didn't mean anything else, don't get the wrong idea!"

Sakura quickly said, waving her hands to deny any misunderstanding.

"Haha, I know, you were just worried. What was I thinking?"

Sakura's embarrassment slowly eased, then she turned aside and quietly said, "Idiot."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Let's go, we're the last ones here."

"Ah, okay, let's go."

We walked together, close to each other. I moved my hand towards Sakura's until our fingers brushed, but she didn't seem to mind. I stared at her, but she avoided looking at me, her face flushed.

I swallowed hard, about to hold her hand, but our moment was interrupted by approaching footsteps, so I moved away a considerable distance.

"Do you think she's in this class? The queen?"

"That's what that guy said earlier. Let's take a look anyway."

A blonde girl entered the class with a condescending and malicious look, followed by her attendants.

Once my eyes met Shion's, she smiled at me possessively, as if looking at a toy that already belonged to her.

I felt danger from this girl, although I had known her before as a shrine maiden, but she seemed completely different from what I remembered.

"Aren't you Naruto?"

"Yes, can I help you with something?"

Shion approached me and grabbed me by the collar without shame and leaned toward me.

That surprised me greatly because she started kissing me!

I was stunned and stepped back in shock, my face blushing slightly, and Sakura's reaction was no better, her eyes wide in surprise.

Shion licked her lips with euphoria and stared at me with eyes full of desire:

"Hehe, be my lover, Naruto, I promise I'll take good care of you and care more about you than anyone else."

"Huh??"

Sakura and I both shouted in great shock at her confession.

"You seem confused, so I'll give you time to think about it."

Shion turned to leave, but I stopped her immediately.

"Wait, you haven't heard my answer yet."

She stopped, smiling, and saw the firm expression on my face.

"Sorry, but I have someone in my heart and I love her dearly."

After saying that, I looked at Sakura who stared at me for a moment then turned away, embarrassed.

"Is that so? But I haven't heard that you're dating anyone yet."

"Not yet..."

I answered confidently.

"Well then, think about what I told you. But for now, I'll be going."

After saying that, she left quietly with her attendants.

Once she left the room, Shion bit her lip angrily and whispered:

"That pink slut, is she the one who seduced him?"

She composed herself and said proudly:

"Tch, she's just an ugly girl. I'll make him realize my beauty and body, then he'll come to kneel before me himself."

Shion smiled quietly and continued on her way with her attendants as usual.

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#Scene Twenty-Two.

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The Queen's Playfulness (End)

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In the school gym, cheers and shouts echoed, mostly from the girls.

There was a basketball training session where a boy with black hair and sharp, beautiful dark eyes stood out.

Most of the cheers were for that iceberg.

Sasuke skillfully passed the players and headed toward the basket, holding the ball in his right hand, and the cheers grew louder.

"Slamm dunk!"

The hall erupted in screams as Sasuke scored the basket after his high jump, and the enthusiasm of the crowd increased until the whole hall shook.

Sasuke wiped sweat from his forehead coldly, and when he glanced at the crowd, he saw a blonde girl looking at him happily.

Sasuke continued playing, but the only person cheering for him was Ino, and no one else.

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#To_Be_Continued.