Naruto was lying on a bed, covered in bandages that ran from his chest to his neck, and his arms were also bandaged. The room was small, barely lit by the dim light of a lamp in the corner. The masked person watching him moved stealthily, each step measured, almost as if he were floating. His piercing eyes focused on every detail of Naruto's body, noticing how every muscle was trained to perfection. Despite being injured, his body remained in an enviable condition: neither too robust nor too thin, the perfect balance between strength and agility.
The masked figure, with a look of intense curiosity, moved closer to the bed. From that distance he could better observe the defined contours of Naruto's muscles, how his chest rose and fell gently with each breath. Each scar and mark on his skin told a story of past battles, of effort and sacrifice. The light from the lamp played with the shadows on his body, further accentuating the details of his figure.
The masked person's gloved hand reached out for Naruto's blonde hair, his touch light, almost reverent. But at that moment, something caught his attention. A strange mark on Naruto's neck. The figure leans closer, focusing his gaze on that mark. It was a dark mark, contrasting with the young shinobi's fair skin. Without thinking, his hand reaches out for the mark, intending to touch it and understand its nature.
The instant his fingers were about to brush Naruto's skin, Naruto's eyes snapped open. There was a noticeable change in his gaze: his right eye, which was normally a deep emerald green, now glowed with an amber hue. This abrupt change in the color of his iris gave off a palpable sense of danger. The atmosphere in the room immediately changed, becoming dense and charged with tension.
Before the masked person could react, Naruto moved with impressive speed, grabbing the figure by the neck. In one swift, precise move, he slammed her into the wall, pinning her down with unrelenting force. Naruto stared at her, his eyes dripping with a coldness that seemed to freeze the air between them. Through the mask, the figure's eyes showed shock and fear.
Silence took over the room, each second stretching out like an eternity. Naruto did not loosen his grip, his expression unfazed, almost cruel. The room seemed to contract around them, leaving only room for the tense confrontation that unfolded. The masked person, still held firmly against the wall, tried in vain to free herself from Naruto's grip. The young shinobi, without looking away, noticed every small movement, every attempt at resistance.
Naruto's amber eye seemed to pierce through the mask, laying bare the masked figure's intentions and thoughts. His breathing was calm and controlled, in contrast to the accelerated heartbeat of the masked person, whose chest visibly rose and fell under the pressure of Naruto's hand. The tension was palpable, like a rope about to snap.
The masked figure tried to speak, but the words choked in his throat. Naruto tilted his head slightly, as he assessed the situation, his grip showing no signs of weakening. The amber eye still glowed with that menacing intensity, a silent but clear warning.
Finally, Naruto spoke, his voice low but laden with authority and menace. "Who are you and what do you want?" he asked, his words sharp and precise. The masked person gulped, his eyes flickering behind the mask, searching for an answer that wouldn't escalate the situation further.
"I was just… I was just checking your wounds," the figure stammered, his voice shaking slightly. Naruto didn't seem convinced, his amber eye continuing to observe every micro expression, every small gesture. "Don't touch that mark again," he warned, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Slowly, he loosened his grip, allowing the masked figure to breathe more freely but not moving too far away.
The tension in the room eased just a little, but the atmosphere was still heavy with distrust and caution. The masked figure rubbed his neck, where visible marks remained from Naruto's pressure. "I'm sorry," he murmured, lowering his gaze. Naruto didn't answer, he simply stared, his amber eye returning to its original emerald color, but the sense of danger didn't completely disappear.
"Where is the injured child who was with me before you found me?" Naruto asked, his voice firm and demanding, the tone allowing no hesitation. The masked figure hesitated for a moment, as if weighing the answer or fearing the consequences of his words. Before he could articulate a response, however, something changed in the atmosphere of the room.
Suddenly, Naruto felt a cold, metallic pressure on his shoulder, near his neck. He turned his head slowly, cautiously, to find himself face to face with the cause of that icy feeling. There stood Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Mist, holding his sword, the gigantic Kubikiribōchō, in a firm, sure hand. The blade was dangerously close to Naruto's neck, so close that a single false move could be fatal.
The room fell into absolute silence, broken only by Zabuza's calm but controlled breathing. Naruto kept his gaze fixed on Zabuza's eyes, his own heart pounding but his exterior remaining serene. There was no room for fear, only a careful assessment of the situation and his chances.
Zabuza held the sword in place for a few seconds that felt like an eternity. Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the next move. Finally, Zabuza removed the Kubikiribōchō from Naruto's neck and placed it on his own shoulder, a sardonic smile forming on his lips. "Relax, kid," Zabuza said, his voice hoarse but full of authority. "You don't want to start a fight here and now, not in your current state."
Naruto didn't look away, his eyes showing a mix of distrust and defiance. Despite the wounds and obvious exhaustion, his fighting spirit hadn't broken. "What do you want?" he asked, his tone having not lost its firmness.
Zabuza chuckled lightly, a sound that echoed in the small room. "I want nothing more than to avoid an unnecessary fight. Look at you, you can barely move with those injuries. I doubt you can win against me in your current state," he said, his tone was mocking but also held an air of truth that Naruto couldn't ignore.
The masked person, who had so far remained silent, stepped forward. "Zabuza-san, I think we should let him rest. He's been through a lot," he suggested, his voice calm but with a note of urgency. Zabuza looked at the masked figure, his expression unreadable behind the mask.
"Who is he?" Naruto asked, directing his question at both Zabuza and the masked person. He wanted to understand the situation, to understand why he was there and what the purpose of these individuals was.
Zabuza didn't answer right away, his gaze assessing Naruto. "You're a curious boy, Naruto Uzumaki," he said finally. "But not everything can be explained so easily." He turned to the masked person. "Haku, make sure you don't try anything stupid."
Haku ascended, his attention turned completely to Naruto. "We mean you no harm, Naruto," Haku said, his voice soft and conciliatory. "The injured boy is safe, we are taking care of him. But you need to rest and heal."
Naruto frowned, his mind working quickly, trying to connect the dots. "Why would you help me?" he asked, his tone filled with suspicion.
Zabuza smiled again, that cold, calculating smile. "Because sometimes, even enemies have to work together to survive. This is not the time or place for more bloodshed," he explained, though not all the truth seemed to be in his words.
The room was still permeated with palpable tension, but Zabuza seemed to be relaxed, confident in his position of power. Naruto knew that, in his current state, he didn't have much of a choice. Accepting help, even if it came from enemies, might be his best chance of surviving and protecting his own.
"It's fine," he finally said, his voice firm but resigned. "But don't underestimate me. If I try anything, I won't hesitate to fight."
Zabuza chuckled lightly again. "I hope so, Naruto. I hope so," she said, her tone almost admiring. She turned to leave the room, but not before casting one last glance at Haku. "Keep a good eye on him."
Haku walked over and inched closer to the bed, his gaze soft but alert. Naruto continued to watch every movement, his mind never ceasing to analyze the situation, looking for any possible threat or sign of betrayal.
The door closed behind Zabuza, leaving Haku and Naruto in the room. Haku sat down in a nearby chair, his posture relaxed but ready to act if necessary. "You should try to get some more sleep," Haku suggested. "I need to regain my strength."
Naruto moved forward slowly, though his mind was still filled with questions and worries. He closed his eyes, trying once again to find some rest. He knew that every moment of recovery was crucial. However, his senses remained alert, aware of Haku's presence and the possibility of Zabuza returning.
The silence in the room was thick, only interrupted by the soft sounds of their breathing. As the minutes passed, Naruto allowed himself to relax a little more, his body sinking into the bed, seeking the relief of rest. But his mind didn't stop working, recording every word, every gesture, trying to understand Zabuza and Haku's true intentions.
Time seemed to drag on, the tension in the air lingering, but Naruto finally began to feel the effects of fatigue. His eyelids grew heavy, and slowly, the darkness of sleep enveloped him. Despite everything, he kept a part of his mind alert, ready for any eventuality.
Haku, meanwhile, watched silently, his thoughts an enigma. The masked figure was there, fulfilling his duty, but there also seemed to be genuine concern in his eyes. The complexity of the situation was palpable, and each of those present knew that the immediate future was uncertain.
In that small room, the fates of several were intertwined. Naruto was finally asleep, but his spirit remained vigilant. Haku continued his vigil, aware that the decisions made in those moments could have significant repercussions.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Three days had passed since the tense encounter with Zabuza and Haku. During that time, Naruto had dedicated himself to rest and recuperation, allowing his body to heal from the injuries and accumulated exhaustion. As the days progressed, he noted with satisfaction that his strength and mobility were gradually returning. The rest, combined with gentle exercises to keep fit, had paid off, and Naruto was beginning to feel more like himself.
However, his attention remained divided between his own recovery and the injured boy who had been rescued alongside him. Despite his efforts, the boy still remained unconscious, his pale and calm face reminding Naruto of the fragility of life and the weight of responsibility he felt towards those who needed help.
To keep his skill and strength at optimal levels, Naruto had opted for light, discreet training, away from curious eyes that might be interested in seeing him in action. With his sword in hand, he dedicated himself to perfecting his movements, seeking fluidity and precision in every strike and defense. The gleaming blade sliced through the air gracefully, following the fluid movements of its owner.
But one day, while training in a secluded corner, a voice echoed in his head, calling his name. Naruto stopped dead in his tracks, his muscles tensing instantly. He snapped his teeth, looking up in the direction the voice came from. To his surprise, he wasn't alone.
A short distance away from him, he found a familiar yet disconcerting figure. It was a woman, almost identical in appearance to his own. The same bright blue eyes, the messy blonde hair, the confident and defiant stance. Yet, there was a distinct aura about her, a mix of confidence and mystery that intrigued him.
Naruto frowned, his mind working at full speed, trying to understand who this person was and why she looked so much like him. Finally, a name popped into his mind, a word that seemed to fit the situation perfectly. "Mordred," he said quietly, testing the name in his mouth.
Mordred laughed mockingly at the way Naruto said his name. "It almost seemed like you didn't miss me, did it?" he replied with a mischievous smile on his lips. "Though we both know that no matter how much you deny it, it will always be a part of you."
Naruto's gaze grew intense as he watched Mordred. There was something about her presence that made him uncomfortable, something that went beyond simple physical similarity. He knew that Mordred represented a part of himself that he would rather ignore, a dark and complicated part that he often preferred to keep hidden.
"No matter how much I deny you, it doesn't change who you are," Naruto said, his voice firm and determined. "But that doesn't mean I have to accept you completely."
Mordred simply smiling at Naruto's words, as if he had expected that response. "Always so stubborn, Naruto," he commented, his tone light but with a note of complicity. "But you know that it will always be here, somewhere inside you."
The tension between them was palpable, each assessing the other with a mix of curiosity and distrust. Though they were the same person at their core, their experiences and choices had led them down different paths, creating a gap that seemed unbridgeable.
Naruto lowered his sword and faced Mordred with determination. "You may be a part of me, but that doesn't mean we have to agree on everything," he said, his voice carrying a hint of defiance. "I have my own path to follow, and I won't let anything or anyone sway me from it."
Mordred slowly steps forward, as if accepting Naruto's words. "I understand," he said, his voice soft but laden with meaning. "But remember, I will always be here, in your mind and in your heart."
With those words, Mordred slowly faded away, leaving Naruto alone with his thoughts. The young shinobi stood there, staring at the empty space where Mordred had been moments before. I knew that this would not be the last time they would meet, that their paths were destined to cross again and again because it was not for nothing that they were the same person.
And end of the chapter