Hey y'all. I have returned from the depths of Hell, intact. That is, I've returned from my 2-3 months in Boot Camp. COVID was difficult to deal with while I was there, considering all the regulations we had to follow to avoid it/it spreading. But overall, I enjoyed my time there and that was my entry into my Military Career (I'm not telling you guys to go join the Military, I'm just saying that it is my entrance).
I've been given a little bit of time (and my phone and computer :D) for doing my own thing, and because of that I am able to write for all of you guys once again! That is, I've gotten a bit more inspiration and I hope that you all enjoy the story once again, thanks for all your support.
Let's begin, shall we?
Naruto strode through the forest. His companion walking nearby as he traversed the green expanse around him. It's only been a few days since he's left YuanHan, and already he misses his home. His long, pale blonde hair swaying with every step that he took. Similar to how his cloak fluttered in the gentle breeze which passed by. But even with this seemingly relaxing atmosphere, Naruto was still tense. He kept one of his hands, covered by the metal of his gauntlet, on the hilt of the sword, and the eyes behind his porcelain fox mask shifted to every spot.
"You're rather tense aren't you?" He heard the deep, gravel of his companion. He looked down to the Orange Fox with red eyes by his side, all nine tails shown off... but he was about the size of a fully grown dog. The blonde scoffed as he took a deep breath to relax.
"You're one to talk, Kuruma. Being all Angry locked up in my belly..."
"Hmph! How would you feel after being imprisoned again?" The Fox would reply, baring his teeth at his Jinchuriki. The latter rolled his blue eyes and continued to walk. The banter he had with his friend seemed to clear the air ever so slightly as they continued to stride. Given the amount of time the two had been travelling, the hunger and thirst began to set into the human.
"I do hope we find a village... or a town soon." He'd say as he walked through the wooded area. The smell of water would subtly make its way to his nose, and with the trees around him he began to get a sense of Deja Vu as to where he was.
"We're close." The Fox would say, sensing the area around him as he looked up at his Jinchuriki. "Is something wrong?" The blonde would stay silent... he'd then make his way forward, not answering the question and continuing to walk before coming across an expanse of water... and a bridge. The sound of the air shifted from that of a gentle breeze to that of flowing water... and conversation. His eyes widened slightly at the sight... and guilt filled his heart at the sight of it.
"Nami no Kuni." Naruto would say to himself... His first real mission. He shook his head slightly, sighing at the memories. But that just meant that he was one step closer to his destination... He shook his head again, trying to get those thoughts out of his head.
He walked into the town. It was a lot more busy than when he last visited, a lot more developed with more buildings and more businesses open. Naruto smiled under his mask, allowing himself to enjoy the overall happier atmosphere of the people. However, the more he looked, the more he began to notice people carrying flowers and walking in the same direction... The blonde felt himself out of place.
"Excuse me mister?" He heard a young voice call out. Naruto turned to whoever called him out. A young boy looked at him, black hair and dark eyes looking at him. Something about him seemed so familiar to the blonde, but he couldn't place a finger on it.
"You look lost." He says in an innocent tone. Naruto stared at her for a second, before relaxing, his body visibly sinking.
"I... am new to the town. What's going on?" He asked the boy, motioning a hand to the crowd which carried flowers.
"Oh... it's Naruto Day." The boy would say. Naruto felt himself stiffen as he heard this.
"Who?" He would find himself asking.
"Uzumaki Naruto. A ninja from Konoha. A few years ago, he and his team came by and saved the town from the tyranny of Gato. The village named the bridge after him... but..." He trailed off as he looked away. Naruto looked at the boy.
"But?" He inquired.
"Apparently, he passed away. Since then, once a year we've gone here to place flowers by the bridge. It hasn't a tradition in Nami no Kuni been too long... but it's one that the entire village participates." He would say, tears forming at his eyes... He brought a hand up to wipe away a tear. Naruto didn't know why...
"You okay?" He asked the kid. The young boy nodded.
"Y-yeah... it's just. That he was my hero. He taught me to be brave... and he helped me defend my family when Gato's men attacked my home. Since then I've lived my life how he taught me. To be brave and to fight for what I believe in... you know?" He asked, turning to look at the blonde. The kid tilted his head to see the masked stranger stare at him...
Inari? He said to himself in his mind behind his mask. The boy had grown a lot. And he didn't mean in terms of physical appearance... but in terms of maturity. Naruto smiled behind his mask, bringing up a gauntleted hand and placing it on top of the boy's shoulders, giving it a squeeze.
"That's a good way to live your life. Keep doing so... and you'll achieve your dreams." He would say, nodding.
"Naruto day huh?" He says, seeing the people paying their respects to a portrait of him that was placed on a post by the bridge, surrounded by the flowers... It touched him. Nodding...
"Thanks for letting me know. Just to make sure, Konoha is across said bridge right?" He would ask the young, dark-haired boy.
"Yeah, that's right." The bridge-builder's grandson would reply, raising an eyebrow at the stranger.
"I see. Thanks Inari." He would say, before walking towards said bridge.
"No proble-" Inari would turn to head somewhere, and then processed what the stranger said. He looked back and saw the stranger gone...
"Was it... my imagination? How did he know my name?"
Hey y'all. It's been a hot minute. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I know it's a bit shorter than usual, but I need to get back into my rhythm.
I hope you guys enjoyed.
Nitrous Dragon
