A/N: Sorry for the delayed post. Reason being was due to massively editing the chapter. Improving on the grammar along with word choice and everything else. Please tell me how you guys think of it? Is it too much? Perfect? I would like to know.
Things written like [example of speech] will be indicating another language is being spoken. I will be writing some words in another language due to having it flow better when you read it and imagine it. It's just full sentences I will be doing [ ] too.
IF anything I will translate at the end what was said.
Chapter 4: A second chance at a new life
October 11th 2073
A week had passed since Naruto and Sasuke underwent the neural link and received their cybernetic arms from Vik. As a bonus for being first-time customers, Vik offered them something extra – old and outdated lenses designed to be worn over the right eye. These lenses aimed to mimic the functionalities of an eye implant. Vik explained that these lenses were often given to the less affluent or children who couldn't afford Kiroshi implants or were physically incapable of receiving them. The lenses had their limitations, primarily making calls, messages, and money transfers, with other functionalities being out of reach.
Despite being aware of these constraints, Naruto and Sasuke gladly accepted the gift, promptly having the lenses fitted over their right eyes. Vik emphasized the benefits of implants, but both Naruto and Sasuke expressed their reluctance to take that step for the time being.
Having relented, Vik let the boys go, pondering whether he would ever encounter the peculiar brotherly duo again. Deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that he already knew the answer.
Fast forward to the present day, and the two found themselves back in the rhythm of their usual routine—exploring different city districts and serving as the Moxes' renowned bodyguards. In addition to their regular duties, they had begun experimenting with their cybernetic arms, particularly exploring the possibility of channeling chakra through their chrome cyberware.
Despite the initial success of channeling chakra through their cybernetic arms, two significant challenges emerged. The first hurdle involved the need for their synthetic limbs to accumulate experience to effectively perform most Jutsu. This process resembled a form of learning, reminiscent of their earlier days at the academy.
The second concern was the risk of the arms overheating or potentially self-destructing when subjected to the strain of intense chakra and powerful Jutsu. While certain tasks, such as using seals, presented no issues, attempting techniques like the Chidori or Rasengan could lead to disastrous consequences. The sheer intensity of electricity or concentrated chakra threatened to short-circuit or destroy the cybernetic limbs.
In an ironic twist, the two now possessed functional arms, yet they found themselves unable to fully utilize one for anything beyond the simplest of tasks. It was a situation that left them feeling almost as crippled as they were before, albeit in a different way
~~~SCENE~~~
It was an early morning for the two, precisely eleven o'clock, when a barrage of loud bangs echoed from the shinobi's door.
"Naruto, check who it is," Sasuke grumbled, dragging the blankets over his head in an attempt to drown out the noise.
"I did it last time; it's your turn," Naruto whined, turning toward the wall and already drifting into snores, the banging serving as an odd lullaby.
Hoping the persistent banging would eventually cease, the two remained in bed. However, their wishful thinking was shattered when a voice finally emerged from behind the door.
"I'm not going to stop until someone opens this damn door!" shouted Rita.
"You really have to open the door now," Naruto chuckled, still half-asleep, until a shoe unexpectedly hit him in the back of the head. The impact caused him to spin around, cursing, only to find Sasuke already at the door, poised to open it.
"You both know it's nearly twelve, right?" Rita replied.
"Yeah, we also worked until six in the morning while you had the night off," Sasuke retorted, ready to close the door on the Mox. However, Rita had other plans and smoothly entered, brushing past him. Her hand glided across his chest, eliciting a shiver from the Uchiha.
"What's up, Rita?" Naruto said, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
Rita didn't respond, merely taking a seat on Sasuke's bed and giving Naruto a quick look—a look he caught on to fairly quickly.
"Well, look at the time. I'm going to check on what Judy is doing," Naruto announced, leaping off his bed and throwing on the first shirt he could find, a tank-top with the old samurai band logo. 'Where do they keep finding these shirts for us?' Naruto pondered. It was a mystery; he and Sasuke had accumulated at least three shirts each from the band, despite never encountering the group anywhere else besides the occasional radio play.
Naruto swiftly finished putting on the shirt and slipping into his shoes. Once ready, he made his way to the door but paused, glancing at Sasuke. Doing his best to mimic the Uchiha's smug grin, he walked out, leaving Mox and Uchiha alone.
"So..." Rita began, kicking her feet off the edge of the bed.
"Yes, Rita?" Sasuke responded, anticipating the direction of the conversation. He had already come to terms with the possibility, especially since that day Misty had done that tarot card spread. It had been a wake-up call. While he didn't see it as some divine sign from the sage of six paths, it had prompted him to let go of his old life and move forward.
"Do you maybe want to go out... you know, just the two of us?" Rita asked, her tone reminiscent of a certain pink-haired kunoichi.
"Depends," Sasuke replied, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
"On?" Rita questioned.
"Are you going to keep acting like this?" Sasuke teased.
At that, Rita finally looked up at Sasuke for the first time. Her nervousness dissipated, replaced by annoyance. "The hell do you mean, acting like this?" she retorted.
Sasuke smirked. "There we go."
Hearing his response, Rita scoffed and looked away. "Is that a yes or no, dipshit?"
"What did you have in mind?" Sasuke asked.
Rita, not hearing a definite rejection, felt her heart swell with hope. She jumped off the bed. "That will be a surprise. I'll come by at five," she declared, gliding a finger across Sasuke's chin before walking out of the room, letting the door close behind her.
"I didn't even say yes..." Sasuke sighed.
~~~SCENE~~~
Naruto returned to their shared room an hour later, only to find Sasuke once again in the embrace of sleep on his bed. "So what happened?" he inquired, flicking on the lights.
Sasuke sighed, "Rita wants to take me out somewhere."
"Like a date?" Naruto asked, his voice tinged with a mischievous grin that was almost audible.
Sasuke remained silent, merely covering his face with the blanket.
Unable to contain himself, Naruto burst into laughter. "You know, we never would have thought we would see the day you would willingly be with a girl."
"What's that supposed to mean? And who is 'we'?" Sasuke retorted, turning around to finally face the blonde.
"Well…" Naruto replied, rubbing the back of his head and grinning sheepishly, leaving the answer hanging in the air.
"Tell me, Naruto, or I'll force it out of you," Sasuke shot back.
"Okay, but let me just say, this was years ago," Naruto prefaced, already on the defensive.
"Stop stalling and answer the damn question!"
"Well… maybe, me and the other guys and some of the girls from our class in the academy thought you might have swung the other way…" Naruto explained, his voice growing lower and more hesitant with each word.
"What?!" Sasuke shouted, standing up upon hearing the rumor about him.
"Well, you never gave any attention to the girls. Didn't help that we were obsessed with being better than one another… and then that time we accidentally… you know, in front of everyone," Naruto added, bracing himself for a potential confrontation.
"That's because I was trying to get revenge for my clan! And I didn't kiss you; you kissed me!" Sasuke argued.
"The kiss was an accident! And I tried to argue that for you… but well, Ino and Sakura's egos were bruised…" Naruto defended.
"Wait, Ino and Sakura?" Sasuke asked, realizing that Naruto meant they were the ones who started the whole rumor.
"Ino became sure the reason you ignored her was for swinging the other way… And well, Sakura never denied the claims and just went on about her being your wife. So everyone thought she was trying to turn you straight," Naruto replied.
Sasuke felt a vein in his forehead popping and replied through gritted teeth, "When did this happen?"
"Probably right after Orochimaru attacked the village… it didn't help when you left the village either," Naruto said, tapping his chin with a finger.
As anger surged within Sasuke, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wanted to lash out at Naruto, but he knew there wasn't any point. They were in a new world, and his past life of death and hatred was behind him. "Well, going out with Rita should disprove that."
"Yeah, sure, unless, you know… she takes you shopping," Naruto said, trying his best not to grin.
~~~SCENE~~~
Sasuke sat on his bed, tapping his foot, eyes fixed on the digital clock. It was currently five minutes past five PM, and Rita had yet to bang on their door. Was she running late? In trouble, perhaps, with no one aware? Or was it all a prank, and she would show up the next day laughing about how she'd fooled him?
"Watching the clock isn't going to make her appear faster, Sasuke," Naruto sighed, absorbed in his phone.
"I'm not watching the clock," Sasuke retorted.
"Yeah, is that why you know it's five fifteen?" Naruto replied, his eyes glued to his phone.
"It's barely five O-six," Sasuke replied, only to realize what Naruto was doing.
The blonde let out a snort, "Yeah, not watching the clock… who would have thought, the great mysterious and broody Sasuke would be nervous about a date."
"I'm not nervous, just annoyed that she's late."
"Did I ever tell you about when Obito trapped Sakura and me in this weak version of the infinite Tsukuyomi? It was a world where my dad didn't become Hokage and Sakura's did. Well, in it, everyone was the opposite of themselves. Hinata was Ino, Ino was Hinata, Neji was a perv." Naruto explained, chuckling as he retold the story.
"And you, you were a womanizer… it was honestly kind of hilarious," Naruto finished, turning to look at Sasuke, who stared at him with a deadpan expression.
As Sasuke prepared to respond, a sudden knock on the door interrupted their conversation, prompting both of them to turn their heads abruptly. "We'll discuss this later," Sasuke murmured before heading towards the door and swinging it open.
Upon doing so, an involuntary reaction took over Sasuke's features. His eyebrows lifted, and his eyes widened in surprise. Rita stood in the doorway, a departure from her typical wardrobe of loose-fitting shirts, cleavage-revealing crop-tops, and form-fitting latex-like jeans.
However, today she sported a snug, long-sleeve crop-top that embraced every contour of her upper body, accentuating her curves and leaving little to the imagination. The dark purple sleeves were artfully designed to expose her shoulders, creating a stylish contrast with the lighter purple torso.
Her lower attire mirrored the bold style of her top. Adorning a see-through mesh material that reached up to her navel and extended to her crotch, resembling a provocative type of underwear, she paired it with form-fitting pants. The pants seamlessly transitioned from a deep black hue to a vibrant bright blue towards the legs. The ensemble was completed with shoes that seamlessly blended with the blue tones of her pants.
The attire lacked any formality or class, yet it managed to catch Sasuke off guard, prompting him to perceive Rita in a different light. What added to the impact was Rita's distinctive choice not to fully embrace the chromed-out aesthetics typical of many Moxes. Her arms and torso retained their organic nature, accentuating her beauty even further.
In that moment, a realization dawned on Sasuke as he reflected on his own appearance—basic attire consisting of a shirt, a coat, jeans, and black hi-top sneakers. The stark contrast between their outfits seemed almost intentional, and Sasuke couldn't help but feel a twinge of self-consciousness about his seemingly casual choice of clothing compared to Rita's bold ensemble.
"Sasuke?" Rita inquired, observing his momentary freeze and the lingering gaze directed at her.
Hearing his name shook him out of his trance, forcing him to let out a slight cough. "Yeah, let's go," he replied, walking out the door with her and wondering just what he had gotten himself into.
"Have fun, you two! Use protection!" Naruto shouted before the door closed.
The sound of his name snapped Sasuke out of his momentary trance, prompting him to clear his throat. "Yeah, let's go," he responded, stepping out of the door alongside Rita, his mind swirling with thoughts about the unexpected turn of events.
As they made their way out, Naruto couldn't resist a teasing comment. "Have fun, you two! Use protection!" he shouted, his voice echoing before the door closed, leaving Sasuke with a mix of bemusement and mild irritation.
~~~SCENE~~~
Naruto aimlessly flipped through TV channels, hoping to find something captivating, but alas, nothing managed to grab his attention. A deep, exaggerated sigh escaped his lips, emphasizing his growing boredom. "What to do, what to do..." he muttered to himself, gazing up at the ceiling.
His mind raced, considering various options to alleviate the monotony. Annoying Judy crossed his mind, but he dismissed the idea since he had already done that earlier. Thoughts shifted to Evelynn or Anna, but Evelynn was likely busy preparing for the night, and Anna, well, Naruto suspected she might have ulterior motives. The idea of sharing a bed with Anna crossed his thoughts, but he was aware of her viewing him as a conquest.
"There is that V girl you spoke to," echoed a voice from one of Naruto's clones, currently perched on Sasuke's bed and engrossed in researching on Naruto's phone. It was part of a routine they had devised – creating clones to explore the city or gather knowledge from the vast expanse of the internet when they couldn't.
Naruto considered the suggestion, flipping through channels before responding, "It's only been a week; I don't want to make her think I'm desperate."
His clone couldn't help but retort, "I mean, we kind of are. Sasuke is probably about to have the night of his life with Rita, and you're here in your underwear on our day off." The observation hung in the air, highlighting the contrasting dynamics of their current situations.
"Just because we're in a city that's filled with sex and violence doesn't mean we need the former," Naruto argued with his clone, asserting his perspective.
An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment before the clone retorted, "Why are you arguing with yourself? I am literally saying what you're thinking."
"That's it," Naruto groaned, deciding to put an end to the inner debate. With a dismissive gesture, he dispersed the clone and rubbed his face. "Let's see what night life has to offer me besides the sex." Determined to explore other aspects of the city's nightlife.
~~~SCENE~~~
"Where are we going?" Sasuke inquired, peering out of the window of Rita's Galena, recognizing the bridge that led into downtown.
"That will be a surprise," Rita replied with a mischievous grin, stealing a glance at Sasuke. His response was a mere eye roll, eliciting a small laugh from Rita. Despite the minimal conversation during the date, it felt comfortable for them. Their familiarity with each other allowed silence without awkwardness.
Fifteen more minutes passed, and Rita eventually steered away from the bustling roads of downtown Night City, entering a multi-leveled parking lot. Sasuke surveyed his surroundings and began to realize the parking structure was densely packed.
"Rita... where are we?" Sasuke questioned, casting a hesitant look at the blue-haired Mox.
Rita's small smirk, present throughout the night, blossomed into a slightly larger grin as she turned to gaze at Sasuke. She reveled in the attention, watching his eyes subtly shift from her face to her body and back.
"Like I said, it's a surprise. So stop asking," she teased, her grin widening.
Sasuke couldn't help but groan in response; the mystery of their destination had him stumped. His mind attempted to conjure any possible guesses, but each attempt ended in blank frustration. Despite the uncertainty, he hoped it wouldn't turn out to be something absurd. He was finally giving Rita a chance, and he hoped she wouldn't ruin it. Yet, even if the date took an unexpected turn, he acknowledged his newfound attraction to the blue-haired girl and decided to approach the evening with an open mind.
After a minute, Rita found a parking spot and turned to Sasuke. "Ready?" she asked, not pausing for his response before getting out of the car, prompting him to follow suit.
As they walked side by side, Rita subtly took hold of Sasuke's arm, intertwining it with her own. An instinctive reaction almost had Sasuke pulling back, but before he could act on it, for some inexplicable reason, Misty's words echoed in the back of his mind.
"You are holding yourself back, clinging onto the past without realizing it, and restricting yourself from enjoying something you deserve to indulge in."
Sasuke sighed, allowing Rita to pull his arm into hers, their hands slowly interlocking, her smile growing wider with each passing moment. As they strolled, Sasuke began to pay closer attention to the people around him and Rita. It was a habit he couldn't shake – scanning the surroundings for any potential threats.
Surprisingly, none of the individuals they encountered displayed any exposed weapons, whether guns or melee. This, ironically, raised a red flag for Sasuke. In Night City, where danger lurked in every corner, it was customary for people, especially those who could afford it, to carry some form of weaponry. Vending machines even offered cheap handguns for a hundred eddies each. The absence of visible weaponry struck Sasuke as unsettling and heightened his sense of caution.
"Rita, how come no one is carrying a weapon?" Sasuke inquired, raising an eyebrow as he directed his gaze down at her.
"Weapons aren't really allowed where we're going," she responded with a nonchalant shrug.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Sasuke pressed further, "What if we do end up bringing a weapon?"
"They'll take it away and kick us out if they find it," Rita replied, finally looking at Sasuke. She arched an eyebrow before narrowing her eyes, a hint of suspicion in her expression. "Don't you tell me that you—"
"Brought a gun of my own? Yes, yes, I did," Sasuke admitted, keeping his gaze forward.
Rita hissed in frustration, "Why!"
Sasuke defended himself, "You didn't tell me where we were going. Not my fault."
Rita groaned in exasperation, "I... you... ughhh..."
"It's fine; they won't find it," Sasuke reassured her.
"You better hope not; I have been wanting to come here for a long time," Rita warned, her hiss carrying a mix of annoyance and anticipation.
Sasuke smirked, leading them further on their walk until they joined a line behind others. It was there that he looked up and saw a screen displaying a chromed-out female.
"Performing tonight, Lizzy Wizzy and other artists…" Sasuke read aloud.
Rita couldn't contain her nervousness as she exclaimed, "Surprise!" Her smile held a hint of anxiety, concerned about how Sasuke would react to her choice for their date. Would he hate it? Find it cliché? She was aware of his appreciation for music, as evidenced by the times she had visited his room and heard music playing—Lizzy Wizzy included.
"At least it isn't Ramen..." Sasuke murmured, a playful remark escaping him.
"What?" Rita asked, not catching his words.
~~~SCENE~~~
"Now stopping at Metro: Glen North," announced the automated female voice within the metro cart. Naruto, upon hearing this, nodded and stood up, skillfully maneuvering through the compacted cart of people before stepping out.
"I hate the metro," he complained to himself, voicing his discontent. The thought of traversing the rooftops of Night City had crossed his mind, but the omnipresent surveillance in the city dissuaded him. The idea of leaping from building to building and walking on walls, even with his cyberware, would likely attract unwanted attention.
The blonde observed his surroundings and nodded once again. Finding himself in Heywood, the city district controlled and run by the Valentinos, Naruto acknowledged the limited knowledge he possessed about the gang. All he knew was that they were led by a race known as Latinos, and their principles emphasized family and loyalty above all else.
While Naruto recognized that they were still gang members, individuals who wouldn't hesitate to kill for personal gain, he couldn't help but appreciate their philosophy, finding it more commendable than that of many other gangs saturating the streets of Night City.
"Where to go," Naruto mused aloud to himself as he strolled down the sidewalk, pondering his next move in this unfamiliar district.
He realized he didn't know much about Heywood, specifically the Glen, as he and Sasuke had been gradually exploring each district, getting to know the city and its people. Watson, the territory of Maelstrom and Arasaka, had already been thoroughly covered. They had also explored the City Center and recently the wellsprings of Heywood.
As Naruto walked the streets of the city, nearly thirty minutes passed. Occasionally, he would step into an alleyway and summon a clone to explore in a different direction – a tactic they employed to gather as much information about the district as possible.
"Captain Caliente…" Naruto read aloud, spotting a small diner nestled behind a plaza of shopping stalls. It piqued his interest, and he contemplated checking it out as part of his exploration.
Checking his phone, Naruto noted it was currently 6 PM and decided to grab an early dinner. He doubted he would be seeing Sasuke tonight, unless things went awry, and if they did, he preferred not to be around the angsty Uchiha.
Entering the diner, a symphony of spices and the savory aroma of meat enveloped Naruto's senses. Although every scent in the air was synthetic, his mouth instinctively watered, accompanied by a low growl emanating from his stomach.
"[What can I do for you, Gringo]?" an older Latino called out from behind the counter, greeting Naruto in a language that hinted at the diner's cultural influence.
"Uhhhh, what?" Naruto responded, slightly bewildered. While he recognized the language as Spanish, he couldn't decipher the man's words, aside from the familiar term "Gringo" that Judy had called him in the past.
"You want something to eat or what?" the man repeated, this time switching to English.
Naruto considered his options and asked, "You got anything like Ramen?" He took a seat on a stool, glancing up at the menu, hoping to find something reminiscent of the dish he favored.
"Pinche Ramen..." The man muttered under his breath in disbelief, but a grin soon replaced his initial reaction. "I don't have Ramen, but I got something else," he stated before heading to the kitchen.
In just a couple of minutes, the older man returned, carrying a tray. Placing it in front of Naruto, the blonde looked down to observe the dish before him.
"What is it?" Naruto inquired, curious about the substitute for his beloved Ramen.
"This is better than Ramen; it's called Menudo," the man replied.
"Uh huh, I'll be the judge of that," Naruto said, picking up the spoon and scooping up some of the Mexican soup. He examined the spoon and took a small whiff before deciding to take a bite. As he chewed and swallowed, he smacked his lips a few times, then enthusiastically dived into the food, eventually stopping only to pick up the bowl and pour the broth into his mouth.
"I'll take another bowl," he gasped out, handing the empty one to the man.
"No mames guey," the man laughed, grabbing the bowl and disappearing to fetch another.
~~~SCENE~~~
"Next!" shouted the security guard at the entrance of the concert hall.
Sasuke exchanged a glance with Rita, shrugging his shoulders as he walked through the scanner. A sudden, loud buzzer echoed, prompting the guards to snap to attention, rifles trained on him. Some held their weapons at the low ready, while others had him in their sights, fingers poised on the triggers, ready to act.
"Check him," commanded the lead guard, signaling a thorough inspection.
Sasuke sighed, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender as the nearest guard closed in on him. The guard made eye contact with Sasuke, and to the public, it seemed like a brief misstep before he proceeded with the search. However, Sasuke had already placed the guard in a genjutsu, compelling him to overlook the Unity tucked behind his back.
"He's clear," the man called out, signaling to the other guards to lower their weapons.
"Fucking thing must be glitching again," one of the guards grumbled, expressing frustration as he kicked the large scanner.
Sasuke smirked and confidently walked forward, with Rita following, visibly perplexed as she glanced between the guards and Sasuke. Once they were out of earshot, she couldn't hold back her curiosity.
"What the fuck just happened?" Rita demanded an explanation.
"I told you they weren't going to find it," Sasuke replied, the smirk still present as he looked at Rita.
"You're going to tell me how you did that," Rita declared, her eyes narrowing as she fixed a determined gaze on him.
"Sure, I actually have an ability to hypnotize anyone who looks into my eyes and make them do whatever I want," Sasuke replied casually.
"You don't have to be a gonk about it…" Rita cursed, irritated by Sasuke's nonchalant response that seemed designed to get under her skin.
Ignoring their own banter, the two continued their walk through the crowd until they finally reached the auditorium, the venue for the awaited event.
"Holy-"
"Shit," Sasuke finished, his awe matching Rita's as they both gazed at the massive room they had entered. Walking deeper into the auditorium, they absorbed the sheer scale of the space. The room alone stretched at least a hundred yards in length and fifty yards in width. Rows of seats lined the area from the back, all the way to the front of the stage. The ceiling soared to a height of at least ten stories, adorned with four layers of balconies along the back and side walls. The room was designed to accommodate a staggering fifty thousand occupants, and from the amount of others flooding in, Sasuke and Rita could already tell that tonight's event would reach maximum capacity.
"We need to hurry up; the show is about to start," Rita urged, gently nudging Sasuke forward towards the front of the auditorium.
"Where are our seats?" Sasuke asked, maintaining a firm grip on Rita to stay close.
"Fifth row, seats E23 and E24," Rita replied, relishing the closeness as Sasuke's arm was wrapped around hers, ensuring they stayed connected in the bustling crowd.
They reached their seats in two minutes and settled down. Sasuke looked around, unable to resist asking the question that had been on his mind.
"How much were these tickets, Rita?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," she replied, offering a reassuring smile, hoping to divert him from the topic.
Sasuke was about to speak, but Rita swiftly silenced him by placing her hand over his mouth. "If you're going to say some gonk shit like, 'Oh, I just want to pay you back,' then you can pay me back by having fun and not letting this night be ruined," she said, playfully mocking Sasuke's voice.
"I do not sound like that," Sasuke scoffed, inadvertently sounding somewhat like Rita's playful imitation.
"HA!" Rita burst into laughter. She was tempted to continue, but the lights finally dimmed, prompting her to stop.
"Who's the opening act?" Sasuke asked, peering up at the stage. Although not an expert on concerts, he was aware that there were usually acts before the main performance.
"Some new artist, I think his name was Mr. Kitty," Rita informed Sasuke as they settled in for the opening act.
~~~SCENE~~~
"Thanks for the menudo, Captain!" Naruto called out, expressing his gratitude to the owner as he left the small diner and returned to the public.
The blonde had indulged in eight bowls of Menudo before the owner and cook decided it was time to cut him off due to running out of the delectable Mexican soup.
"Man, I'm gonna have to come back to that if I don't find Ramen," Naruto mused to himself, rubbing his stomach as he walked down a flight of stairs leading to an alley on the side of the diner. Regret settled in as he observed the massive amounts of trash bags scattered around the alley.
The regret didn't stem from seeing the familiar sight of trash that Naruto had grown accustomed to. Instead, it was the realization that his nose had become desensitized to the pungent smell of rotted food and waste. Now, it was just stale air and the pervasive background scent of CHOOH2, the synthetic and chemical fuel source that had replaced basic gasoline.
While Naruto strolled, his thoughts were abruptly disrupted by the unmistakable sounds of a physical altercation unfolding just around the corner. Ready to investigate, he halted and reached into his back pocket. Retrieving the green half mask, he placed it over his face in preparation for whatever he might encounter.
Keeping the masks they had taken from the Tiger Claw gang, Naruto and Sasuke found them to be effective tools for concealing their identities. Given the potential dangers from enemies, particularly those who might threaten the Moxes, maintaining anonymity was crucial.
With the mask secured in place, Naruto turned the corner to confront the source of the disturbance. Before him, five individuals—men and women—were mercilessly beating a larger man. The unmistakable attire and cyberware they sported identified them as Valentinos.
"Your sister hits harder than that, Puta," the larger man laughed defiantly until a knee connected with his face.
"Hey!" Naruto shouted, drawing the attention of the five assailants. The wide alley fell silent, everyone turning their gaze toward Naruto, including the larger man who now breathed heavily, blood streaming from his battered lip and possibly broken nose.
"The fuck do you want, Cabron?" one of the Valentinos shouted, brandishing a large machete in an attempt to intimidate the masked blonde.
"Leave him alone, and you won't have to find out," Naruto shouted defiantly, causing the Valentinos to erupt into laughter. Even the larger man shook his head and sighed, clearly unimpressed.
'Really? Is it that bad?' Naruto pondered, reflecting on a time when he had said similar words and received a comparable reaction.
"Ricky, go and-" one of the Valentinos began, but Naruto swiftly appeared right in front of her. His tanto was poised to strike, aimed at their neck, until Misty's words resounded in his mind.
"If you aren't careful, your goals of shaping the future will be followed by a righteous path of bodies and blood."
She was right. If Naruto wanted to make a positive impact on this troubled city, he couldn't resort to killing everyone in his path. He had to reserve his actions for those who truly deserved it, those who displayed a genuine intent to kill. Judging from the current situation, the five Valentinos hadn't shown that level of hostility yet.
Naruto sighed internally, deciding against a lethal strike. Instead, he moved his tanto away and delivered a powerful punch to the female Valentino's jaw, sending her tumbling into a pile of trash bags.
"Pinche-" one of the remaining four started, only to be cut off as Naruto swiftly appeared in front of him, executing a low crouch and delivering a forceful kick to the ganger's gut. The impact sent him flying backward, crashing into a broken vending machine that sparked at the sudden collision.
Now, only three Valentinos remained standing. The masked figure's speed and strength were not something they encountered every day. It was evident that the cyberware possessed by this masked enigma was of military-grade quality. Yet, despite their awareness of the opponent they faced, they realized there was no escape.
They knew escaping was futile.
Naruto stood there, giving the three a choice. If they chose to run, he wouldn't pursue, but any aggressive move would be met with a matching response. In that tense moment, Naruto observed one of them twitch, reaching for the gun holstered at his side. Reacting instantly, Naruto dashed forward, seizing the cybernetic wrist before the weapon could be drawn.
"One more chance," Naruto pleaded, his voice carrying a low and ominous tone muffled by the mask.
A distinctive click echoed just a few feet from Naruto's head. Swiftly, he spun around, narrowly avoiding a gun aimed directly at him. His instinctive backward lean synchronized perfectly with the discharge of the firearm, causing the bullet to miss its intended target—Naruto's head—and instead striking Valentino, whom Naruto had in a firm grip.
He didn't need to look to know the outcome; he felt the sudden lifelessness in the arm he held onto. The sensation of blood splattering onto his face and mask was both chilling and ironic. Even when he didn't actively seek death, it seemed to find him, relentless in its pursuit, indifferent to the dynamics of the new world. Death, an ever-present specter, continued to cast its ominous shadow over him.
Releasing his grip on the lifeless arm, Naruto sighed and surged forward. In one fluid motion, he drew his Tanto and swiftly sliced the neck of the gun-wielding assailant. The unsettling sounds of a gurgle and the subsequent thud of the body hitting the ground followed.
Now, his focus shifted to the remaining ganger. "Leave," Naruto commanded, observing the ganger take a cautious step back before promptly sprinting away. The clatter of footsteps echoed through the alley, fading as the figure navigated the labyrinth of pathways, nearly tripping several times in haste.
With the immediate threat gone, Naruto turned his attention to the man on his knees, who was gingerly probing his nose for damage. "You okay?" Naruto inquired.
"Mierda!" the man cursed, applying pressure to his nose. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a broken nose is all."
Naruto extended a hand to the man, who accepted the support. "Care to fill me in on what just went down?" Naruto inquired.
"Yeah, but let's delta first, choom... NCPD is bound to be swarming this area after that gunshot," the man replied, limping towards an alley exit.
"Any safe spots nearby?" Naruto asked, maneuvering under the man's arm and offering assistance in walking.
"Yeah, my mom's bar. It's a few blocks down. The place is called 'El Coyote Cojo,'" the man revealed as they moved together through the dimly lit alleys.
"Lead the way," Naruto said.
As they took a few steps, the larger man decided to introduce himself, "Name's Jackie."
"Nice to meet you, Jackie," Naruto chuckled.
"Usually, the other person says their name," Jackie remarked.
"I'd rather not have my identity known after what just happened," Naruto commented.
"You're fine. The one you let runoff was some wannabe gangster. If anything, he's hiding and shitting himself. Honestly, he's just some gonk that acts like he's a Valentino but isn't actually," Jackie explained, holding his side with his free hand
"I'd rather just not have people searching for me," Naruto said.
"Ha, it's Night City. Some gangers being knocked out and two killed ain't gonna cause a manhunt," Jackie reassured.
Naruto sighed, acknowledging the practicality of Jackie's words. He was practically on the other side of town from the Moxes, and in a city with a population of five million, the likelihood of anyone remembering him for this incident was slim. Reluctantly, Naruto removed his mask and stowed it within his jacket.
"Name's Naruto," he revealed.
"Naruto, interesting name, Vato," Jackie commented, testing the name on his tongue.
~~~SCENE~~~
"I haven't had that much fun in forever!" Rita squealed as she navigated out of the parking garage and onto the bustling main roads of downtown.
"It was fun, I can't lie," Sasuke commented, a genuine smile gracing his face.
For both Rita and, surprisingly, Sasuke, the concert was nothing short of phenomenal. Every artist, from the emerging talents to the A-listers, had delivered performances at the peak of their abilities. Sasuke found himself pleasantly surprised; while he knew he would enjoy the experience, he hadn't anticipated having as much fun as he did.
For the first time in possibly many years, Sasuke allowed himself to revel in the enjoyment of the moment without the weight of burdensome thoughts plaguing him.
"...As the hours pass, I will let you know, that I need to ask, before I'm alone..." Sasuke quietly sang to himself, recalling one of the several songs performed by the opening act, Mr. Kitty.
It wasn't his usual inclination to sing, especially in public, but this particular song resonated with the Uchiha. It had a calming effect, prompting him to reflect on the second chance at a new life that he was currently savoring—an existence that allowed him to experience true freedom.
Rita caught on to Sasuke's low singing and couldn't resist joining in, seamlessly harmonizing, "How it feels to rest, on your patient lips, to eternal bliss, I'm so glad to know..." The shared moment of musical connection added a touch of magic to their night.
Sasuke closed his eyes, savoring the final notes of Rita's singing, and couldn't help but smile. Initially hesitant about going on the date, he now felt genuinely glad that he did.
"Want to head back to my place?" Rita asked, her gaze cautiously assessing Sasuke, who kept his eyes closed.
"Yeah," he replied with a nod.
A/N: And that's another chapter in the books. How did everyone enjoy it? Anything you specifically liked? Things you didn't like? Anything you might want to see in the future? Please leave a review or even a PM if you're too shy, and if you haven't please favorite and follow the story.
Also if you guys are curious about Rita's outfit here is a link from the inspiration I took.
pinterest com/pin/440578776062323583/
Translations in order:
Gringo: White boy
Pinche : Fucking
No Mames: No way/you're kidding
Guey: Dude/guy/idiot
Puta: Bitch
Cabron: Asshole/fucker/bastard
Mierda: Shit/Fuck
Vato: guy/dude
REPLIES:
Engulfing Darkness: The Pairings are subject to change. Unfortunately for the boys, they're in Night City and in Night City it isn't that easy to find the one.
Crimsontaicho: I hope I can do frequent updates, but alas work and life are a pain at times.
The1whoknox: That means a lot! I was a bit skeptical of making V the street kid path, but i'm glad it's being well received
FrassYourTass: you're great!
Samuel Santillan: You'll just have to wait and see the changes Naruto and Sasuke will bring
Christopher. : Misty is a mystery for sure. Maybe she is, or maybe she isn't. Only the future will say.
Killermemester: Thank you man, one of my favorite parts of writing is the character building between one another.
Jan2002: Thank you very much
GojiraSerizawa: Yea I agree I need to clean up this grammar a bit. For the darkness, it really isn't more so them being consumed so quickly but a more realistic approach of two teens who were raised since children to be soldiers. Pairings for the two are undecided to be honest. I also don't know if I am onboard with harems. They are nearly impossible to write and no matter how well they are written they also just seem odd. Weapons are to be determined, vehicles will be different… I plan on bringing car's not incorporated into the game but are still world friendly. I plan on Sasuke using the rinnegan and Sharingan in creative ways. I do want to try making some enemies beefed up, but doing so will be tough saying Naruto and Sasuke even in their world are just too OP too the point literal alien gods needed to over take them.
Bahrithariq: That is actually a big reason why I don't want to borg them out. Oh I have something cooking for Genjutsu and cyberware, there are a couple scenes of Sasuke using genjutsu. But I have some things planned on how it mixes with the cyberware soon. It was a bit fast, but at the same time they've been in night city with the Moxes for effectively 3-4 months now. Hearing Rita, Judy, and the others speaking it everyday would almost force them to pick it up. And don't worry you're not rambling, I enjoy the long reviews.
David Saville: I'm so unsure about harems or poly relationships, but that doesn't mean I will try to delve into that with some characters. I mean it is Night City after all. A team is something I'm thinking of but we'll see what happens.
Lil Author Vert: it sure is lol
Shawn. Just shawn: Netrunning is possible without implanted optics, but I also doubt Sasuke would want to be in the backlines as much. He was always a frontliner character. Cyberware is tough, I have ideas but I don't want to really borg them out.
Spellbat: Maybe, maybe not, Naruto and Sasuke will change lives for the better… but there will also be some lives changed for the worse.
Almevo: everyone just loves the Harem idea lol