Chapter 27
"...You have to connect these characters if you want to have a foundation for your seals."
"Right..."
"Make sure your ink isn't dripping. Even a single drop can be enough to ruin the seal or destabilize it enough to cause an explosion."
"R-right."
"..."
"..."
"...Move slowly. You want the characters to align perfectly. Off by even an inch and the seal won't work."
"F-fine."
"..."
"..."
"...That character is wrong."
"For fucks sake, I'm trying-"
"Don't swing-"
*BOOM*
Ash filled the room as the seal went off, the blonde and redhead remaining in place while covered from head to toe in ash.
"-the brush." Naruto wheezed out, ash spilling from both of their mouths as they coughed. "If you're not careful, the seal will destabilize and explode."
"T-then why the hell *cough* didn't ya say that earlier?!"
"I did. Literally a minute ago. You just didn't listen." Shaking the ash from his hair, the blonde dusted off the part of the floor they were using and placed down another piece of chakra paper. "But this is progress. Your calligraphy isn't the best, but your hand is steady. We can improve on that first."
Ayu grumbled under her breath, but, to the blonde's surprise, she did not argue further.
"Oi," both Uzumaki turned to the voice to see a head poking out of the ground...well, out of the attic door, but it was still funny to visualize. Kimu blinked at them rapidly before observing their surroundings in slight awe.
"What do ya want, shithead?" Ayu asked, annoyed at the interruption.
"Thought you two bit the dust. Looks like I was wrong." The teen's remark was met with a middle finger from the redhead as she went back to her writing. "Don't be like that. I actually needed something."
"Then say it and fuck off." She replied irritably, much to Kimu's amusement.
"Hachi wants a group meeting at the usual tonight. Be there or be square."
"Got it. Now fuck off."
"Yes ma'am," Kimu saluted, but couldn't resist getting in one final jab, "Make sure you kids don't do anything I wouldn't-" he ducked out of the attic just in time to not be skewered by the paint brush that was sent flying at his head.
"Fuckin' rodent." Ayu cursed before picking up a spare brush to continue her work.
"So this is where you were." Both heads turned to the new voice, spotting Kakashi on the window seal to the only window in the attic. "I was wondering what you two were getting up to. Though I must admit, this is a little disappointing."
"Piss off, perverted shit-stain." The redhead growled.
"Now now, there's no need for name calling. I'm just here to pass on a message." Kakashi said, an eye smile in place. "I've decided that we'll be staying for a few more days. Until the baby arrives, at most."
Naruto raised a brow at that, "Why the sudden change?"
"No special reason. Just thought you kids could use a longer break, is all. I know, you can thank me later."
"How generous." The redhead said under her breath, much to the amusement of the Jonin.
"I do my best. Now, I'll leave you kids to it. And remember, do everything I would do." With that, he disappeared—just in time to dodge the paint brush flying his way.
Naruto watched yet another brush disappear into the unknown before turning back to see the redhead retrieving yet another one from the dwindling few at her side.
"...If you keep doing that, we're going to run out." He cautioned, yet went ignored as she dipped the brush once again to continue-
"Uzumaki."
*SNAP*
Naruto looked to the broken brush, to the face of the now shaking and thoroughly pissed-off redhead, to the third interruption of their session.
"It is imperative that I speak with you." Kagero spoke, her voice holding a sense of urgency and impatience.
"Can't. It. Wait?" Ayu growled out through her teeth, glaring daggers at the Jonin.
"It cannot. There are matters we must discuss that cannot be ignored. Now." The Shimura put heavy emphasis on the last word, telling the blonde that there was no room for denial. In the end, he relented, much to Ayu's visible dismay.
"H-hey, we ain't done!" She protested, standing to her feet the same moment the blonde moved.
Making a hand-sign, another blonde appeared in the room, its creator immediately giving it orders, "I'll be back in a few. Make sure she doesn't blow up the house."
The clone gave a salute, much to the redhead's consternation. Not a moment later, the two vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving a gaping Ayu and a ready clone.
"So...ready to continue?"
...
In the barn house, Naruto twitched as the memory of his clone hit him full force, causing him to dismiss the phantom pain of his groan getting kicked in.
"Ma, took you two longer than expected." Kakashi greeted them upon their entry, his book, for once, nowhere to be seen.
"Why tell me to retrieve him if you were going to seek him out anyway?" Kagero immediately interrogated, seeking answers for the act of childishness from her superior.
"Did I do that? Sorry, it must have slipped my mind."
'Like hell it did,' Kagero thought to herself, but did not allow herself to fall into the man's trap.
"Why have you called us here, Kakashi-san?" Tenten called, making herself and Neji known to the rest of the group as the barn door closed behind them.
Kakashi waited no time, thankfully, and explained the situation at hand, "Well, to start, it would seem we have found ourselves in the middle of, let's say, an operation."
"What?" Came the collective response from the younger Shinobi.
"Yes, I know. Surprising for newbies like yourselves, but not very uncommon in the field. In this case, it would appear that the town harbors a secret just underneath our noses."
"And that is?" Neji inquired.
"That, I do not know. However, I can take a guess. I'm sure you've all noticed the 'peculiar' state of the elderly here."
"You mean how they're all kinda forgetful?" Tenten asked, to which the Jonin confirmed.
"Correct. Can't yet say the cause, but I'm almost positive Tsubaki's father is one of the victims, leading me to believe that they are closer than we think. And we can't very well leave our allies behind with that knowledge—especially in Tsubaki's condition."
Kakashi allowed that to sink in for the Genin, all three taking the information better than even he had expected.
"Do you wish for us to investigate?" Neji suggested, to which the Jonin shook his head.
"I've done all that is required of our team. The proper specialists for situations such as this have already been sent word and should arrive within the next three days. All I need from you three is to act normal and remain vigilant while Kagero-hime and I make sure the situation doesn't escalate."
"So we're sidelined, is what you're saying?" The Hyuga summarized, not hiding the discontent he felt at the assignment, while Kakashi gave an eye-smile.
"Don't take it personally. In any other situation, I wouldn't hesitate to use your Dojutsu. Unfortunately, whoever it is we are dealing with has taken quite the precaution in ensuring they wouldn't be found. Trust me, I've tried."
Neji had no idea what technology or Jutsu out there that could stop the All-Seeing Eye from seeing through their defenses. In fact, he was sure there was no such Jutsu or technology, which brought skepticism to the Jonin's claim. However, Hatake was a veteran who had likely seen more missions than all of their ages combined, so he would give the man the benefit of the doubt.
"And I believe it goes without saying that this conversation does not leave this room. And watch who you trust." Kagero added, her stare square on the Uzumaki at her last warning.
"Does Tsubaki-san and Mizuki-sensei know?" Tenten brought up an important question, one which the two Jonin shared a look.
"It is best that they continue to go unaware for the time being." Kagero said, not missing the displeasure the brunette showed.
"Is that safe, considering the situation? Shouldn't they be made aware?"
"Tsubaki is already stressed enough as it is. So much so that we were prepared for an early arrival while on the road. It is best we do not put unnecessary strain on her when her delivery is around the corner." Kakashi answered.
"Then why not safely escort her back to the village? I'm sure there's a safe way to do so without harming her." Naruto suggested.
"If there were such a method, we would not be tiptoeing around the matter. We cannot risk her delivering while on the road, especially when there's a possibility of pursuers. Remember, it is not just our lives that are at stake here, but the lives of both our contractor and friends." Going unsaid was the fact both Jonin were not entirely sure said 'allies' were even that.
"It will all make more sense once our reinforcements arrive. In the meantime, act normal, and do not do anything that will compromise our operations or draw suspicion. Am I clear?" Kagero warned.
"Ma, I don't think you're the one who gets to say that, Kagero-hime." The woman turned in unison with her Genin to Hatake, the man ignoring the woman's gaze to address the Genin. "Everything will fall into place once our reinforcements arrive. In the meantime, try not to draw any unwanted attention to yourselves, alright?"
A round of agreement was given by the kids, while Kagero remained unmoved.
"That concludes our briefing. You kids are free to go." He waved, the Genin doing just that while the man watched them leave. Turning back to his female partner, he smiled, not at all phased by her staring, "We should get back to work, don'tcha think?"
"...Be wary, Hatake," she warned without any internal inflection. "You mock me far too often."
"BINGO!"
"How the FUCK?!"
"HAHAHAHAHA, you're far too young to think ya can outsmart this old man, girlie!"
"It's Bingo, you old shit! How the fuck do you outsmart someone in a game of luck?!"
They hadn't been gone for long, but it was apparently long enough for a game to be set up in the dining room and a victor to be crowned.
"Oh, back already?" Tsubaki greeted them from beside her lover and father while the old man continued his boasting.
"Sorry we interrupted." Tenten apologized on their behalf. "What are you guys playing?"
"A game for winners, girlie! You wouldn't know anything about that." The old man shouted, causing Tsubaki and Muzuki to chuckle while Ayu glared at the card in her hands. "Come on, ya white-haired pretty boy! My fingers are achin' ta give these youngin's another taste of bitter reality! The one where these lowborns acknowledge the King for who he is!"
"I'll show you lowborn when I stick my foot up your wrinkly old-"
"Ayu," the call of her name by Hachi not only stopped her, but completely cooled her anger while shrinking in on herself.
"Can I play?" Naruto asked, walking over to the table and taking the seat opposite the old man.
"Ah, think you can step up to the king, brat?" Was his challenge, the blonde simply grabbing a card and looking to the old man with a twinkle in his eye.
"No, but I think I can show you what a real winner looks like."
"Hoh, big words for a brat. Alright, we'll see how you play. Hachi! Get us new cards and start callin' dem numbers! And newbie! Put down yer cash! Gotta teach you brats disappointment while yer still wet behind the ears!"
Hachi chuckled before acquiescing to the old man's demands while Naruto added a few ryo to the pipe he hadn't noticed in the middle of the table.
Soon, everyone at the table were given new cards, and a new game was called. Not even a whisper was spoken as the white-haired caretaker began calling out numbers through draws from a box. Spots were filled and grumbles were Not even a whisper was spoken as the white-haired caretaker began calling out numbers through draws from a box. as time went by until eventually-
"Bingo again, suckers!"
"Ain't no fuckin' WAY!" Ayu slammed her hands against the table, looking at her own card before looking at the number caller while the old man laughed uproariously. "Hachi, you gotta be riggin' this shit, right? Ain't no way this old shit is pulling luck out of his ass!"
"How many times ya gonna cry 'bout it, girlie? I already told ya, the King doesn't lose! It's science!"
"It's BULLSHIT! I don't know how, but you're pullin' a fast one on us, old shit!"
"Hahahahahaha! This is just the King's natural talent comin' to light! Now, ya gonna put down more cash or ya gonna keep bitchin'? I got all day ta take her money!"
"Fuck that! You're not takin' another ryo from me till I find out how you're cheatin'! Hachi, check the old bag's sleeves or somethin'!"
"I can assure you that there is no way to cheat in a game such as this." Hachi attempted to placate.
"And I assure you that that is bullshit!"
While the two went back and forward, Naruto observed the old man's board closely. Nothing about it seemed off. There was no Genjutsu present or any kind of Jutsu that would make him believe the card had been tampered with, which meant the old man had nothing to do with his constant victories.
So he turned his attention to the caller. He failed to see how he had anything to do with the old man's victory considering he was simply pulling numbers at random. Even stopping time to check every ball individually bore no fruit because they were all different, not even one matching another. He would have investigated further and more thoroughly, but highly doubted Sothis would be pleased he used her power for such a trivial matter.
"Can we continue, please?" His voice caused Ayu to turn her glare at him while the old man chuckled.
"Yeah, girlie. Stop wastin' tike and do as the..." The old man looked momentarily confused, looking back to the blonde with a thousand-yard stare. "...Who are you again?"
"It's Naruto, Father?" Tsubaki helped, to which the old man squinted at the Genin before ultimately shrugging his shoulders. "Doesn't matter what kinda topping you are, yer money is just as good in my pockets!"
Naruto allowed the old man to sing while he got another card. This time, instead of paying attention to the old man, he watched the caller carefully. After thoroughly shaking the box and looking away, the caretaker reached in a pulled a number. Predictably, the old man chuckled to himself while Ayu grumbled. There was nothing out of the ordinary with the draw, yet there was a slight movement in the man's muscles that had the blonde paying even closer attention to the next draw.
"Wooooooooooooooh!"
"Damn it!"
...Ah, so that's how it is.
The game was rigged.
They were never playing a game of chance, nor was the the old man was a lucky in any measure of the word. The game only had one winner and that was because the referee made sure it was so.
And the thing is, he wasn't so sure the old man was in on it. His expression of smugness didn't seem to be that of someone who knew the odds were always in his favor, but of a man who was having the time of his life. So, if he wasn't in on it, then that could only mean-
"BINGOOOOOOOOO!"
"AAAAAAAARGH!"
The end of their second game closed with a very predictable winner. Boasting occurred, quickly followed by an angry rant before Naruto found himself being dragged to his feet.
"Come on, shithead. This old fart isn't taking anymore of our money." Ayu declared while dragging the blonde towards the stairs, the old man giving his last remarks before they disappeared.
"Come back whenever ya wanna throw away yer money, girlie! Yahahahahaha!"
"Come on, shithead! Real that fucker in!"
"You got this, kid! Don't you dare let that catch get away!"
"It's about to break the surface! Quick! Grab the net!"
"Already got it! Don't you dare drop that catch, Blondie!"
With a mighty pull, a fish nearly the size of Naruto himself plopped right out of the pond to land safely onto the dock. Immediately, trio went to wrestle the fish into submission before throwing it into the large bucket holding the rest of their catch for the evening. The bucket shook multiple times, trio fearing it would somehow leap from its container. To their relief, the movement settled and the bucket remained unmoving with one final *click* ending the ordeal altogether.
"LET'S FUCKIN' GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Ayu and Kimu let out a victorious cry of joy while Naruto stood in the center with his hands on his hips and chest puffed out proudly.
"Well done, team," Kimu clapped, "It looks like we've caught a bountiful catch."
"Damn right!" Ayu boasted, patting the bucket and reigniting the fish inside instincts to escape.
"Y'know what, I don't care what anyone says about you, Blondie. You're OK in my book." Kimu said, giving Naruto several pats on the back as a show of camaraderie.
"It's all about patience." The blonde boasted, basking in the praise he was receiving.
"Patience, huh? Gonna have to remember that for the next trip. Alright, let's get this catch home! Can't wait to see the look on that old shit's face when he sees how much we've caught."
Naruto and Ayu felt the same, making their way back into town while making sure not to jostle the catch too much.
As fate would have it, they met their adversaries halfway to their destination. Being wheeled forward by Hachi was the father of Tsubaki, the Mountain standing next to him with a bucket similar to the size of the one the previous trio were carrying.
"Looky here, Hachi. Looks like the brats wanted ta admit defeat before we even had the chance ta make it back!" The old man remarked in a laugh, only causing the smirks on Ayu and Kimu's face to grow wider.
"Sorry to burst your bubble old man, but I think we finally got the drop on ya this time." Kimu announced, much to the old man's growing amusement.
"Oh, is that right, brat? Then why don'tcha show us what you brats caught, hmm? Bet it ain't even half of ours!"
The first group of three gave each other a knowing look before presenting their bucket in front the group of adults with a slam of their bucket. To add extra flare, Ayu propped her foot on the lid, giving the adult team a devilish grin, "17, plus a bluefin tuna."
The way the old man's eyes widened brought a joy to the trio unlike anything they were capable of describing.
"That's it?" A joy that was very shortly lived by the old man's casual words. "And here I was a bit worried for a minute."
"Th-the hell you goin' on about, old man! 17 is a lot!" Ayu tried defending, only for the old man to laugh louder.
"That ain't nothing compared to what we got! Now, watch a real winner in action! Come on, ya big oaf! Show em'!"
The Mountain immediately did as he was told, removing the bucket from his back and slamming it right in front of the trio. The sound alone was enough to tell the kids what they likely already knew. Looking into the bucket only sealed that fate.
It was full. Countless fish stacked to the top, the heads and tails of multiple tuna sticking out almost as if to prove their superiority. Three mouths hit the ground simultaneously while Yushima laugh was uproarious.
"I...did it." Ayu looked flabbergasted, for a moment not believing what laid before. "I, I really did it." She whispered once again in disbelief after seconds of the paper not blowing up in her face. Slowly, her face morphed from disbelief to joy, one so genuine it made her look like a completely different person to the blonde. "I fuckin' did it, shithead! I did it!"
"Yes, you did." Naruto congratulated, giving her his nod of approval as he picked up the seal she had completed for the first time in their two day session. It could use some work, especially around the edges, but to do it in two days... "Good job."
Huh, pride in someone else... Definitely a new feeling. So lost he was in that thought, he completely missed the slight dusting of pink on the redhead's her cheeks. She immediately cleared her throat, trying to hide her embarrassment with vibrato, "W-well, it's to be expected. I'm a real Uzumaki after all."
"...And what is that supposed to mean?" The blonde couldn't help but retort.
"It means I was born for this. It's in my blood. Bet it took you years to get this done, huh?"
"...It took me less than an hour." Naruto admitted, causing the 'true' Uzumaki to splutter. It did take him about an hour, maybe less, to complete this seal in the beginning. He just didn't mention the time he spent in a Pulse or dream.
"Stop bullshittin'! You're just a half breed!"
"...And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means what it means! Ain't no way you got this faster than me! I refuse to believe it!"
"Not really asking you to, but okay." His dismissal of her did not go well, as usual.
"Then how about a bet? A bet to see who can finish any seal in that book of yours the fastest."
Naruto stared at her owlishly, "Have you not learned your lesson when it comes to gambling?"
"What? Suddenly chicken or somethin'? 'fraid yer blood can't match up to the original?"
"More like I'm starting to think you have a problem...but fine. What are we betting?"
"Same as our earlier wager. You win, I owe you. I win, you owe me. Deal?"
"Fine, but if I win, the favor I want is for you to start calling me 'sensei' during these sessions. Deal?"
Ayu's expression dropped to neutral, but responded with, "...Weird kink, but fine. Get your arm ready, cause ain't no way I'm losin' this!"
She lost, of course, and no amount of cursing would make him change his mind about their bet conditions. Despite that, she had gotten a bit faster, which meant it wasn't a complete waste, so he would call this a win—in more ways than one.
Night duty found Naruto perched on the roof of the house, looking on aimlessly as the lights in town dimmed one after the other—nothing in particular occupying his thoughts. For a while, he had watched the stars, but even their beauty in the countryside did not keep his attention for longer than a few minutes.
So now, his eyes were on the town...and was already thinking of something else he could do to pass the time. Even performing frivolous acts such as twirling his sword through his fingers or singing in a way that aways urked Sothis brought him no satisfaction.
...Wow, he never truly realized how boring life was when his haughty poltergeist wasn't around. That thought alone would have had him reprimanded.
'I am not a ghost you flat-faced fool', she would say, to which he would jab back with, "Not very convincing coming from the invisible girl, not to mention you're floating." That would, in turn, get her angrier as she shouts, 'do not treat me as a spirit when I am more powerful than all your gods combined!'.
"Says the same God trapped in a child's body."
'S-say that again in Fodlan! I'm sure to change your tone!'
"I thought the Church of Seiros preached that you saught forgiveness and pacifism, not violence."
'It is not violence if it is divine retribution!'
"Now abuse of power? What would your followers think if they knew how immature their Goddess actually behaved?"
'Y-y-you would DARE spread such slander?! To my own people no less?!'
"It's not slander if its-"
"Is, this a bad time?"
Naruto blinked briskly out of his act to look to the window leading from the attic. White hair poked out from the crevice, Hachi staring owlishly at the blonde who mirrored his expression.
"...Did you hear all of that?"
"If you're referring to your...monologue, then I heard enough to question your sanity."
"Oh..." An embarrassing amount of time passed before Naruto could gather his thoughts, leaving the two to simply stare at one another aimlessly. "...Wanna come up?"
Hachi let out an amused breath as he safely climbed through the window and onto the flat incline. Soon he arrived safely at the blonde's side to sit, gazing at the stars much like the blonde had before his self-monologue.
"It's truly fascinating," Hachi was the one to speak first, his eyes never leaving the sky. "A world full of unsightly horrors, yet still holds countless breathtaking wonders the likes no man can explain. It makes you wonder what force is out there for such a balance to exist."
"...I believe that's what they mean when they say 'every cloud has a silver lining'." Naruto parroted.
"I suppose that is a fitting metaphor. In truth, I find such things to be a marvel—that all things have a reason, be it an explanation we can't yet comprehend or a simple coincidence."
"You mean like you and the old man?" Naruto pointed out.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Hachi answered innocently.
"When the balls were being drawn, you replaced the one you pulled from the box with one you picked up behind it—conveniently always being a number the old man had. I'm guessing there was some meaning to that which I didn't catch?"
Hachi smiled at him, "Tell me, Uzumaki-san, what is it that makes you happy? Something that no matter the time of day, just the thought of it brings you joy?"
The blonde didn't respond immediately, taking a moment to think the question over. There were many things that came to mind, Ramen and fulfilling his time as a Shinobi being at the top of that list. Each were things he cherished, but he felt as if there was something even higher than his love for either. Something that made even his unbeating heart pump with joy.
Multiple faces came to mind, and he immediately knew his answer.
"...I'd say spending time with my precious ones. When I'm with them, I don't really worry about anything else. I have fun, and I like doing the things that they like, even if I'm learning something new."
"Then that would make you the happiest you could ever be, would it not? To do those things with them and make them happy?"
"That would." The blonde agreed.
"Then what happens when you're unable to do those things anymore? If you could never see the people you love ever again? How would that make you feel?"
The image of the Sothis, Flayn, Seiros, Fū, his team, the Hokage, and even his Sensei flashed in his mind. He'd never even thought of the possibility that they would no longer be by his side. In fact, the thought of them being gone was null—an impossibility, even. They were always going to be there because he had the power to make sure they would. He had the means to make sure they would be together forever, and he would do anything in his power to make sure that happened.
But what if that wasn't true? What if his borrowed power wasn't enough? What if, something, happened? Something out of his control? What if he wasn't there? If he never even knew that they were gone in the first place? That he could never see them again, no matter how many Divine Pulses he had left?
A hand went to his chest absent-mindedly. He felt pain, the likes of which no wound he'd suffered had ever given him. It compressed, making him cringe despite the fact that there was nothing beating in his chest.
"...Horrible." He whispered the only word that came to mind for the sensation he was feeling. "Like the world is ending. I don't think I could stand losing them forever."
Hachi observed the blonde curiously before an understanding smile spread on his face, "Then I'm sure you can understand my actions." He turned his attention back to the field, gazing longingly into space. "Yushima-san is elderly. What is worse is that his memory is slowly failing him. He is not long for this world, and he knows. However, there are two things that he loves more—two things that make the time he has left worth living for. His daughter, and the joy of victory."
Hachi looked back to the blonde, chuckling a bit at his flat expression.
"I understand it's not exactly what you expected, but it is the truth. To Yushima, victory, even if it is as simple as a game of Bingo, brings a smile as bright as it does whenever Tsubaki-san is around. It is a joy that is unfiltered and raw, something many in this day and age struggle to find during adversity. I wish for him to continue feeling that joy by whatever means necessary."
"I doubt Ayu-san's wallet feels the same way."
This time, the laugh that left the white-haired man was loud and filled with mirth.
"I suppose not, but sacrifices must be made in pursuit of happiness, am I wrong?"
"In this case, I guess you're right." Naruto lips twitched slightly upward at the remark. "Want to hear a joke?"
Hachi raised a brow, "I never thought you the type for humor."
"I've read that humor is a great way to keep conversations alive, so I tell jokes...even if they regularly tend to end the conversation a lot faster."
"Then consider me intrigued." Hachi gave an encouraging smile, waiting patiently for the blonde to set up.
"What has two butts and kills people?"
"I'm, not sure?"
"An assassin."
Hachi stared blankly, his smile having been replaced with an expression of bewilderment, as if expecting the answer to have been much different. Something that had more of a...punch—not this awkwardness he was feeling as time slowly passed in their silence.
"...Not funny either, eh." The blonde lamented, mentally scratching out the joke from the list he had built over the years.
"Not, the best I've heard. Though I can't comment further seeing that my sense of humor is fairly dry. I'm sure it is a joke either of my fellow workers would enjoy, though."
"I've tried with them to. The Mountain wasn't amused, I couldn't tell if scar-face was laughing or mocking me, and Ayu-san...she said I'm better to look at when my mouth is closed."
Despite not meaning to, the last part briefly had the white-haired man's shoulders shaking in mirth as he tried mumbling his laughter over a hand.
"That does indeed sound like something Ayu would say. Consider the fact she didn't curse your name to mean she likes you."
"If that's how she acts when she 'likes' someone, then I'd hate to see what she's like when she 'hates'."
"Then may we never live to see that day."
"Amen."
An amicable silence fell between the two as they both turned back to gaze at the field—the stars twinkling in the dark abyss while the moon shined brightly above. It was so peaceful and relaxing that it was easy for the blonde to forget he was supposed to be on lookout.
"You are a good person, Uzumaki Naruto." The blonde turned to Hachi at the comment, the man still staring out to the field. "Despite your career, you have empathy. It is both a weakness, yet your most powerful attribute. I pray you never lose that."
"Thanks," was all Naruto said to the kind words before turning back to the scenery, continuing their silent tranquility until his shift swap an hour later.
Two days later...
"Why, hello there, young man."
Naruto stared tacitly at the elderly cashier of the grocery market, silently observing her despite the way she continued to try to make conversation.
"Oh, you're a Shinobi, I see? So young and yet so ready to protect. Your village is lucky to have you."
The blonde remained quiet, silently searching for something in the woman's features that would hint at any troubles she could be hiding.
"How are you and your family enjoying the town? Is everything to your liking? We are a quiet town, but we have many delicacies you may not be able to find outside of those walls of yours."
There was no twitch to any of her features—no flinches of pain or any sign of abuse. Even using a pulse to check under her clothes born no fruit. She was truly a regular, happy, talkative old lady who simply had the unfortunate ailment of short-term memory loss.
"My, if you keep staring at me like that, even this old lady will blush." She said, a hand coming to cover her mouth as she chuckled at her own jape.
"...Can I ask you something, miss?" His sudden question made the woman stop her laughing, her kind expression returning along with a bit of curiosity.
"Of course, dear. Ask me anything."
"Are you happy here?"
"Why, of course I am, dear. Every day I get to see the faces of the young and old is a blessing. My only regret is that I'm no longer young enough to enjoy activities with the younglings."
Naruto observed her expression once again, trying to find any hint of a Jutsu or coercion. Still, there was none, which caused the blonde to be a bit more bold with his questioning.
"...Is anyone forcing you to say that?"
"Ohohoho, now why would you think that, dear?"
"Because you said the same thing yesterday, word for word."
The old woman paused, her expression shifting into intense confusion. It was a look one would give to someone who had spoken an absurdity, yet the blonde told no lies.
It was by chance the first time he asked the question. He hadn't meant to, simply trying to speak to the woman as he would normally. In spite of that, he became curious about her 'condition', one shared by every old folk he'd met in the town so far—eventually leading to this single question.
Now, repeating a statement once or twice isn't necessarily something to cause suspicion, especially after a Divine Pulse. Humans typically have an answer already programmed in their heads before a question is even fully processed. It wasn't the same for everyone, but that was the general consensus. Despite that, the wording of a question tends to change the answer to most questions, even if it's the same answer but worded differently.
That being said, it was a 1 in 10 chance that the same answer could come from a person if he worded that exact same question slightly different, a 1 in 100 chance if he did the same thing, and a 1 in 1,000,000 chance to do it six times in a row. If he didn't think something was fishy before, then this was more than enough confirmation that something was going on behind a scene he wasn't invited to see.
"I, am afraid I, don't understand your question. Have, we met before, young man?" She tried, the confusion in her voice now matching the look on her face.
The blonde ignored the question and repeated his earlier one, "Is someone forcing you to say what you said before?"
"I...I don't..." A hand went up to the old man's head, her fingers rubbing against her temple as she seemingly tried to ward off a headache. "...My...apologies. I think I'm getting a bit of a headache, dear. Who were you again?"
"Please remember, ma'am." Naruto pushed. "Do you remember who did this to you? Where they are right now? Please, give me something and I can help you."
"Th-that's-" the woman stuttered, now gripping her head as if in physical pain, "...my apologies, b-but have we-"
"It's OK, ma'am," Naruto reassured, reaching out to grab her hand while pushing healing mana into her to ease her apparent migraine. "I can help you, but I can't if you don't give me information."
"I, I don't, I-I can't. We...we d-d-deserve-" her response came out choppy, the woman's expression contorting into one of sheer panic and agony. It was such a drastic change that the blonde almost let go, worried he was hurting her instead of helping.
"The fuck are you doin'?"
Two heads turned in the direction of the voice, Ayu walking up to them along with another Naruto carrying multiple bags in both arms. Her question held no anger, just curiosity—one Naruto was quick to reassure her of.
"She was having a migraine, so I was trying to comfort her." Ayu raised a brow at that, but did not question it further as she and the clone walked up to put their groceries on the counter.
The old woman's face practically changed in a blink. Her smile was back, and her body language was no longer tense as she greeted the redhead, "Oh my, it's so very good to see you again, Ayu-chan. You've grown so much since I've last seen you, dear."
Naruto was slightly taken aback at the genuine joy on the old woman's face. He wasn't sure if it was because Ayu was someone familiar to her or because she knew the redhead on a personal level. Either way, the blonde had a strange feeling in his gut—something he didn't want to acknowledge.
"Yeah, yeah, old bag. Just ring me up so we can fuck off."
"Ohohoho, as fiery as ever. Let me see..." The woman rang them up as usual, trying to start small talk while Ayu continued blowing her off. Eventually, they paid, and Ayu walked off with his clone close behind before the old lady could even say goodbye. "She's a good kid, Shinobi-san."
Naruto before he could follow, looking back at the woman giving him a smile that radiated warmth—even more so than before.
"...Even despite how she treats you and the others?" Naruto queried, surprised the old woman could say such a thing despite how she'd been treated.
"Shinobi-san," the way the woman spoke his title had him paying attention to her, even more than he had before. Her smile was still present, yet it held an emotion he wasn't able to discern. "They are good children—all of them. Please, remember that."
...
"You gonna say somethin', or are ya gonna keep spacin' out?"
Naruto snapped from his reverie and looked up to see Ayu staring him down—her lack of expression somehow more worrying than her typical angry countenance. At least he could take small satisfaction in the fact she was no longer cursing his name whenever they were together.
"Sorry, what were we talking about again? I was distracted." He tried, yet Ayu was clearly not amused if her flat stare was anything to go by.
"...Forget I said anything." She dismissed, idly nursing the tea brought to them by the waiter of the restaurant she'd insisted they stop at.
The silence that followed afterward was uncomfortable, more than he remembered ever being with the redhead. He took constant sips of his drink to pass the time and keep him focused on the girl in front of him, yet all he could think of were the old lady's passing remarks. It was the only clue he'd had since their meeting with Kakashi, and yet he hadn't heard any news about the situation since. The only silver lining is that reinforcements were likely on the way, taking the situations out of his hands entirely.
It left a bad taste in his mouth.
He didn't understand why—it just did.
It did not help at all that it was affecting his sleep. The constant worrying for the old folks, along with whatever was happening back in Fodlan since Sothis left was testing his mental fortitude. Even now, his eyes drooped. If this continued, he would be in no condition to perform if things were too bad.
"Oi." Naruto looked up through half lit eyes, finding it increasingly difficult to keep his eyes open, "Yeah?"
He could see her opening her mouth opening and closing several times before she stopped altogether to gather herself. "The old bag... Did she, say anything...?"
"Hm?" The blonde hummed, his eyes going down as he thought back to the old woman. What did she say again? Was it anything important? No, no he didn't think it was... Maybe... "Nothing... particular."
"Oh..." It was her turn to look away, her eyes cast downward. He thought nothing of it until she did it again, this time the look on her face almost pained, "...When...did you say you guys were leaving again?"
"Tomorrow...most...likely..." His voice trailed off as he slowly lost the ability to even formulate a sentence. "But don't...worry. I'll keep...in con...tact. You're...family."
"Oh...cool..."
He heard her say something more, yet it sounded far away. By now, his the fog in his head had nearly completely taken over while his head slowly tilted forward.
"...Naruto," he heard his name, yet he couldn't even tell who it was coming from anymore.
"These last three days," his head was now on the table, yet he could still hear her voice, "They've...they've been, well, not, shitty..."
He didn't hear those last words. Darkness had claimed him long before, taking him into dreamless slumber while Ayu looked on—expressionless while the bustling of the restaurant patrons and staff filled the air in place of the blonde's breathing.
A/N: Well, this is it. The last chapter before the climax of everything hits our protagonist like a raging hammer. I've built his character for over 30 chapters and am happy to FINALLY be where we are today. In 3 chapters, the moment I've been dying to write for since the beginning will FINALLY BE HERE! I just hope it is all to your liking and I don't flop.
Not much to say here. Want to thank those who reviewed and a special thanks to the ones defending this story in the comments. You guys are awesome :)
Nedt chapter is an Interlude, the last, actually. It will regard events in Fodlan and be about 3k long.
As always thank you all for the follows, favs, reviews, and hope you have a DAMN good day!