CHAPTER 3: What Tomorrow Brings

The entire fiasco at the hospital consumed an entire day, forcing them to postpone their departure until the following day. As the sun began to rise, casting a picturesque backdrop over the city, a sense of tranquility enveloped the surroundings. The gentle rustling of leaves, the tightly packed buildings standing shoulder to shoulder, the slightly damp breeze, and the distant hum of awakening city life all contributed to the serene morning atmosphere. Accompanied by Tsunade-sensei and Shizune, he had traversed the Land of Fire extensively, but it was in the capital that they had spent the most time, drawn by the superior hospital facilities where he could hone his skills.

Grateful for Tsunade-sensei and Shizune's uncharacteristic offer to handle the final preparations and protective wards at his house, he left with a sense of relief. The wonders of Fuinjutsu proved to be truly magical and invaluable. Leaping across rooftops in the capital city was heavily frowned upon, and even illegal. However, who in their right mind would dare to arrest him? Such was the privilege bestowed upon him. With a subtle pulse of his chakra, he ensured the guards wouldn't be alarmed as he made his way towards the tallest building he could find.

Standing atop the highest vantage point, he marveled at the awe-inspiring view that stretched before him. As the colors of dawn painted the sky, he couldn't help but be swept away by a wave of nostalgia, prompting memories of his very first journey in this world.

An orphan, he had arrived in this foreign realm, disoriented and confused by conflicting memories, only to find himself seated amidst a pile of rubble and scattered bodies. Before he could fully comprehend what had transpired, his attention was abruptly captured by a fierce battle unfolding before him. Two groups of ninja clashed, one wearing green vests and the other adorned in brown vests over red attire. Frozen in a state of bewilderment and disbelief, he couldn't shake the feeling that the scene playing out before his eyes seemed utterly unreal.

People breathing fire, water being conjured from thin air, the earth taking tangible form, and gusts of wind strong enough to cleave a person in two. And there he stood, a mere child, observing the spectacle as if it were a scene from an anime—an unfamiliar term that had now etched itself into his mind.

{—Issue Fixed. Reestablishing Connection. Success. Process Resumed. Error}

What's happening?

{Error. Error. Error. Error. Error. Error}

Ah.

{Administrator Authority Invoked. Issue Fixed. Success. Reestablishing Connection. Success}

Wait! What's going on?

{Skill Already Granted. Confirm Skills}

…Tensura? Is this from the Tensei Slime Universe?! What they're using looks different from magic?!

{Confirmed. Unique Skill [Surpasser] acquired}

I want Raphael! No, damn it! I want Ciel!!

{Confirmed. Unique Skill [Analyst] acquired}

I want Justice King Michael, you hear me!!

{All Skills Granted. Success}

Hey! WHERE'S MY AKASHIC REC—

The deafening boom of an explosion nearly rendered him deaf, while small fragments of debris scraped against his skin. Gazing towards the epicenter, he witnessed the battle reaching its climactic conclusion, still slightly dazed from the explosion and the influx of information bombarding his mind.

(Copy), he instinctively demanded before fully comprehending the weight of his actions. Suddenly, another torrent of knowledge flooded his consciousness. Hand signs, chakra movements, and the name of a B-Rank Earth Ninjutsu, the Light-Weight Rock Technique, materialized within his thoughts.

Surprised by the unfolding events, a mixture of trepidation and excitement coursed through him. (Copy), he commanded once again, driven by an unwavering will to survive. (Copy), (Copy), (Copy), he repeated in his mind, ignoring the growing weakness that began to plague his body. Unaware of the reasons behind these newfound abilities, one thing was clear—prior to copying their skills, he was incapable of turning his fist into rock or spewing fire from his mouth. Thus, he resorted to copying in order to ensure his survival, dammit.

The lifeless bodies of the ninjas in green vests lay strewn across the battlefield. He attempted to move, desperately searching for cover or any form of shelter, praying they wouldn't notice him. But, alas, he knew deep down that he was utterly screwed.

As the remaining two survivors closed in on him, a profound sense of helplessness washed over him. What could he possibly do? Was he fated to die here? Unconsciously biting down on his bottom lip until it bled, a sudden realization struck him.

"Analyze it!" he fervently wished, and his subskill, (Analytical Appraisal), came to his rescue. Although the adversaries before him were formidable, both were severely wounded. He mustered what energy he had left to launch a counterattack, a single strike. Surprisingly, his energy reserves seemed to be replenishing at an astonishing rate, though not quite fast enough.

Positioning themselves one behind the other, brandishing a sharp dagger-like weapon, they advanced towards him, mere meters away. In his mind, he swiftly formed the required hand signs, aided by the unconscious activation of his other subskills, ensuring that his one chance at survival would be successful.

Channeling his energy in accordance with the forcibly acquired knowledge through handsigns. What an odd way to invoke magic, he repeated the words, "Fire Jutsu: Fire Dragon Piercing Breath," focusing every ounce of his energy into this single devastating assault. It was his sole surprise attack, the last card up his sleeve. What he witnessed next was nothing short of mesmerizing.

Flames erupted from thin air, taking the shape of a majestic Eastern Dragon's head. As its fiery maw opened wide, gathering air and heat into a single focal point, it unleashed a torrent at such tremendous speed that even his eyes struggled to keep pace. The scorching blast pierced through both adversaries, immolating their bodies before they had a chance to crumble to the ground.

The flames showed no signs of abating, raging onward, consuming the surrounding trees and rocks with an overwhelming and tyrannical fury. A surge of exhilaration and joy coursed through him as he realized that he had caused this chaos.

Yet relief couldn't settle fully before it was swiftly drowned in pure dread. His instincts alerted him to the presence of two additional surges of energy hurtling toward him at an alarming rate. Perplexed for a moment, he couldn't help but feel bewildered by their speed, considering the dense forest should have impeded their progress. One of the energies was not just massive, but monstrous, akin to the blazing sun in the pitch-black expanse of space. It was terrifying, reducing the battling ninjas he had encountered before to nothing more than minuscule ants.

Uncontrollable tears welled in his eyes, and all he could do was gaze downward, overwhelmed by despair. He sensed the enormous, monstrous energy hurtling towards him, surpassing anything he had faced thus far. He had no more energy left to think, to employ his skills, or to conjure a miracle. He had leapt out of the frying pan and into an infernal fire of hell.

Unfortunately, in his current state of exhaustion and disorientation, he failed to notice or comprehend why one of these cataclysmic energy sources was hurtling towards him with such breakneck speed. Unaware that he possessed the ability to "feel" and partially "understand" these energies, had he paid closer attention, he would have immediately recognized the immense energy as both frightening and nostalgic. It resonated with him, as if they shared a subtle bond—a resemblance in shade, emotion, or perhaps even history.

With little energy remaining, he didn't bother lifting his head as the "monster" found him, succumbing to exhaustion and collapsing from where he stood. He had resigned himself to the inevitability of death, his hope drained to the last drop.

.….

A firm hand landed on his shoulder, jolting him slightly as he was lost in his reminiscences. Being a ninja, it was embarrassing to admit that he had been caught off guard. Turning around, he encountered a pair of warm brown eyes filled with concern. Ah, right. In a swift motion, he activated invisible seals that spread around them, casting a silencing ward in their vicinity. She appeared taken aback, clearly surprised by his mastery of Fuinjutsu. Those senju scrolls had truly proven invaluable, he mused silently.

"Do you remember when we first met?" he asked her, attempting to ease the tension that weighed upon him. Before she could respond, he added with a hint of humor, "I thought you were a monster." She raised an eyebrow, unamused by his comment. "I had just killed a pair of jonin and chunin, and before I could even celebrate, I sensed an immense ball of chakra hurtling my way," he continued, deadpan. "I was shitting myself" They shared a brief chuckle.

"It's crazy, isn't it? How everything can change in the blink of an eye," he remarked, snapping his fingers. "That helpless, lost boy transformed into..." He gestured toward himself, searching for the right words, "...a less helpless, only sorta lost boy." She burst into laughter, finding his self-deprecating humor irresistible. She had laughed waaaay too hard, so he shot her a playful glare. "It's because I had a wall to lean on," he admitted, taking a deep breath and savoring the coolness of the early morning air. "A home to return to, an exceptional teacher who imparted her knowledge to my overworked brain." He turned his gaze back to her. "You gave me that. You gave me a chance and everything I needed to thrive." His voice faltered slightly under the surge of emotions that flooded him.

Gently gripping her hand, he conveyed through the touch that he was alright. "As much as it pains me to say it... I'm going to miss this place." A moment of silent understanding passed between them. He tightened his grip on her hand for a brief moment. "But if there's one thing I've learned from our journey," he whispered, momentarily subdued by the overwhelming weight of cherished memories. "A home isn't defined by a physical place, sensei. It's wherever the people you care about are." He offered this explanation softly, hoping to assuage her concerns.

"Yes, technically I'm leaving both of you," he continued, his voice gaining strength. "But we'll visit each other, won't we? Or I'll come back here. We can even meet at Shikkoutsu Forest whenever we want." A smile played on his lips. "I want to explore the world too, to experience the place you once called home," he declared.

"I want to meet the people who inhabit it, to witness the supposed legacy left behind by the man who is revered by so many. I want to examine the withered roots of the forest, the remnants of greed that consumed those who destroyed the tree from within," he said, his eyes growing clearer. "I want to forge connections, to make friends and even enemies," he chuckled, growing slightly anxious as he noticed her lack of response. "I want to discover if there are people truly deserving of help or if I should let them drown in the consequences of their own actions." He fixed his gaze upon the person who had stood by his side, then, now, and forever.

"I want to grow," he murmured softly, as if he simultaneously dreaded and acknowledged the significance of his words. "I want to find my place and understand who I am." The title he had been given, 'Ember,' flashed through his mind—a spark that could ignite life or unleash destruction. He flared his chakra in a pattern that only the two of them knew, a trick he used to provide comfort, especially when she's in 'therapy'. Her chakra responded in kind, nearly melding with his own—an act only possible for high-level chakra masters or those with some form of connection.

"I want to know what kind of fire I will be, whether I will bring destruction or offer hope. Or maybe I'll be the sun. Just… silently watching. From afar," he added softly, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. The thought of assuming a more passive role, observing and influencing events from a distance, intrigued him. Perhaps there was power in silent guidance, in illuminating the path without direct interference.

His words lingered in the air, carrying a sense of introspection. The sun, a celestial observer, radiating light and warmth without imposing its will upon the world. It was an alluring notion—one that resonated with his desire to understand and navigate his place in the grand tapestry of existence.

Meeting her gaze, he sought confirmation and understanding. Their eyes locked in a profound moment of connection, silently affirming their unspoken bond. She nodded in response, conveying her support and acceptance of his chosen path.

With newfound clarity, he released her hand, yet the memory of their touch remained imprinted upon his senses. Taking a step forward, he embraced the uncertainty that lay ahead. Each footfall became a declaration of resilience, a testament to his unyielding spirit.

As they both slowly absorbed the weight of his conviction and her lingering reluctance, they silently agreed that this was the right path to take. No words needed to be exchanged. They turned their backs on the bustling city and the people whose names he had come to know during his years there.

And so, they began to walk—a new journey shrouded in mystery, accompanied by guaranteed dread and, with luck, perhaps even hope.

But they kept walking. Because that's what life was all about. They persevered, refusing to let the cruelties of life defeat them. They couldn't allow it to win. So, damn the fear, damn the unknown, damn the trauma, and damn fate itself. He would continue to walk, even if it meant dragging his sensei along, as he had done in their early years together. And he would do it again and again, regardless of what tomorrow might bring.