Hello, Drinor here. I'm happy to publish a new Chapter of A Shinobi of Paradis.
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"You are lying, cat boy. I never thought of you as a liar."
"And I'm telling you, ugly freckles. They say that when the full moon comes, you can still hear her cries from the well—still calling for help to this day. When you get close, she calls your name, wanting you to join in the well with her. They say she still wears the red dress." Naruto finished his little scary story. Ymir didn't look impressed, but Krista was hugging her legs tightly.
"That wasn't that scary," Eren commented, but from the way he looked around, it seemed the story had gotten into him. Armin looked a little terrified, while Mikasa looked indifferent. Reiner started laughing while Bertholdt, who seemed a little spooked, the bonfire cracked, embers dancing in the wind. Jean didn't seem as scared, and the same was true for Marco, but Connie and Sasha seemed the most terrified out of all of them.
"What happened next?" Annie asked with a hidden smirk behind her arm; she enjoyed the way almost everyone else was afraid of the scary story.
When Naruto first told them to gather around a fire to tell stories, she thought it was silly, but then Naruto started his story, 'The Dancer in the Well. '
"Do you really want to know that badly, Annie?" Connie asked with a shaking voice as he looked around the darkness, almost expecting someone to jump on them.
"He's right, w-what if someone jumps on us. What if Instructor Shadis comes here." Sasha agreed right away, looking around terrified, trying to see if someone was nearby.
"Well, the story isn't finished; the ending is as important as the beginning and the end." Armin said wisely. Despite his fear, he seemed to want to know the ending.
"Pfff, only you can say something so corny, Armin." Ymir said with an eye roll, getting a playful punch from Krista.
"I thought it was smart, and he's right. The ending is important. So, this man heard her calling his name, and when he looked at her, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but unknown the the man. This dancer lady appeared differently to everyone, she would always appear as the most beautiful woman or man depending on who is looking at her-" Naruto kept telling the story until he reached the end.
"Then the story ends with the dancer lady dancing in a pile of bones, calling out more names to dance with her." After he finished the story, Sasha looked absolutely terrified, while Connie seemed on the verge of running away to the safety of his bed,
"Jeez, if that's the case. Perhaps Krista is that dancer." Reiner commented in a teasing voice; Ymir glared at him before giving her precious Krista a side hug as if trying to hide her from his eyes.
"You might be onto something, Reiner. Krista is beautiful." Naruto ran his mouth more than he should have, and he realized that immediately when Annie gave him a glare, and Krista turned bright red.
"H-How about another story? But this time more cheerful." Armin asked with a shaky voice. Unlike Connie, he seemed to be handling himself quite well.
Naruto put his finger on his chin and seemed to be thinking deeply about something. "Well, I can always tell the story of the old lady who controlled the blood of the people of a village and forced them to walk to a mountain, where she would consume their blood to live longer." Everyone looked at him as if he had gone mad. Even Mikasa seemed a little uncomfortable.
"Where the hell are you finding these stories, Naruto?" Jean questioned, sounding genuinely concerned.
"What is your favorite story, and please don't tell me that it's another scary story?" Marco asked in an uneasy voice. Naruto chuckled in amusement before shaking his head.
"The opposite, actually; my favorite story is a romantic one." This quickly earned the attention of Krista and Sasha. Mikasa was paying attention, too, but she was much better at hiding it.
"One of my favorite stories I have read is about two lovers who found their love during a revolution," Naruto added with a blush of embarrassment, much to the shock of everyone, while Eren rolled his eyes.
"That sounds boring. Why would anyone read boring romance stories?" Eren questioned with a scoff at the end; Armin seemed to disagree, and Krista disagreed even more.
"Romance stories are the best, I used to read them all the time when I was little," Krista added, her face turning red, much to Ymir's amusement.
"What's this story about, Naruto?" Sasha asked eagerly. "Please tell me it involves food." She added at the end, much to the amusement of everyone around her.
"I read this five years ago. The one I'm talking about, well is a story of a girl who was raised as a boy by her father, because he wanted an heir, but since she was born a girl-" Naruto went on and explained how the girl had grown to be a captain of the guards, but eventually as she grew up, she fell in love with her childhood friend, Andre, but when a rebellion started between the poor and the royalty. The two were caught in the middle of it and died fighting for the people.
"In the end, they were buried together on top of a hill." Naruto finished. Sasha seemed on the verge of tears, while Marco seemed touched.
"Wow, that's quite a sad story," Reiner commented while Krista was crying, with Ymir trying to comfort her.
"I used to read books about farms and how to grow food," Marco chimed in before saying that he eventually decided to join the Military Police when one of them saved his life from a bandit.
"I was buying food in the market. I was younger and more stupid and took a shortcut. A thief was there, as if waiting for me. He told me to give him everything, but as I was searching in my pockets. A police came to my rescue, and arrested the thief." Marco said, with Jean calling him stupid for taking a shortcut.
"Never took you for one to read romance, Naruto." Connie teased with a smile.
"In the world we live in, stories are the only window we have, to see a small glimpse of a world without Titans." Naruto answered.
"I still think the walls could benefit from you, Naruto. As you said, you read books, I'm sure someone like you can become a Commander of the Military Police in no time." Jean said with a slightly downcast look; he didn't seem pleased. Recently, he had started talking to Naruto more and more about joining the MP and becoming officers together.
Only three months were left, and by this point, everyone knew in which Military Branch everyone would join. Naruto opened his mouth, but a certain someone wasn't happy that Jean was trying to convince Naruto not to join the Survey Corps.
"Well, Naruto is not a coward like you-" "Eren!" Naruto interrupted him before they started another pointless fight, which would likely result in Mikasa and Armin trying to calm down Eren, with Marco doing the same for Jean. Reluctantly, he sat down but still glared at a smirking Jean.
"Jean, the life behind walls, and just sitting around warming eggs is not the life I want. I understand you want to live safe behind the walls. There's more to life than just living for the sake of it." Naruto explained, Jean merely nodded but he still seemed a little displeased.
"The training's been brutal lately," Marco sighed, stretching his sore muscles. "But I guess that's what we signed up for."
"At least we're getting stronger," Naruto said, adjusting his father's glasses on his shirt. "Though I still think some of Shadis' exercises are excessive."
Marco gave him a concerned look. "You know, Naruto, you could've become a doctor without joining the military. That's what you really wanted, right?"
"I know that, Marco, but we all die someday, and I want to live this life to the fullest and live it how I want to live it."
The others fell quiet at Naruto's words. Reiner, who had been listening intently, leaned forward with an unusually serious expression. "How do you see life, Naruto? What do you think is the perfect way to die?"
The question caught Bertholdt off guard, and he shot a quick glance at Reiner, wondering where this line of questioning was going.
"Life is fleeting," Naruto said softly, his fingers absently brushing his father's glasses. "This world existed long before us and will continue long after we're gone. When my time comes, I want to look back without regrets. To have experienced everything life offers – adventure, love, family." His voice grew wistful. "Maybe two daughters and a son someday."
He paused, his gaze finding Annie's across the firelight. Something flickered in her blue eyes – a shadow of pain he couldn't quite understand.
"And in the end," he continued quietly, "I'd want to die in the arms of the woman I love."
Reiner fell into contemplative silence. Eren groaned dramatically, throwing his hands up. "Not more romance talk!"
"It's getting late," Armin interjected diplomatically. A sudden breeze extinguished their bonfire, leaving only wisps of smoke curling into the night sky. The group dispersed toward their dormitories, but Annie caught Naruto's sleeve, leading him into the forest.
"Such grand dreams for a simple soldier," she teased once they were alone, but her voice held a gentleness reserved only for him.
"Well, I've always dreamed big—" Naruto's attempt at wit was cut short as Annie pressed her lips to his. He responded immediately, arms encircling her waist, drawing her closer. The night air was cool, but their shared warmth created a bubble of heat between them. His lips traced a path along her jawline, down to the sensitive skin of her throat.
Annie felt herself getting lost in the sensation. What had meant to be a simple kiss was rapidly becoming something more intense, his gentle nibbles sending shivers down her spine. With considerable effort, she pulled away.
"You're no fun," Naruto pouted playfully.
Annie's lips curved into a small smile. "Goodnight, Naruto."
Walking back to her dormitory, Annie couldn't suppress the unfamiliar warmth blooming in her chest. Her fingers touched her lips, still tingling from his kisses. This feeling – this happiness – was entirely new to her.
'This is foolish,' she thought, her mission crashing back into her consciousness like a wave of cold water. She knew how this would end – with his heart broken and his trust shattered. Yet she couldn't bring herself to end it. These moments with him, this warmth she'd never known before... she wanted to hold onto them just a little longer.
It was selfish, knowing the pain that awaited him, but Annie had always known that about herself. She was selfish enough to steal these moments of happiness, even knowing the price they would both eventually pay.
Months Later
As Annie paced hurriedly through the dense forest, her heart raced with frustration as she made her way toward the so-called "friends" who were waiting for her. Her eyes narrowed into a heated glare as she approached the duo, who were casually lounging against a tree, seemingly unaware of Annie's mounting fury. Her gaze lingered on Reiner, leaning against the tree lazily before he finally straightened up at the sight of her.
"While you two were busy playing soldiers with your friends. I almost got caught doing my job." Annie spoke with clear irritation; since it was the last day of their free days, Reiner had suggested that Annie go to the interior and look for clues, hoping to find the identity of the real king of the walls.
Annie had thought she was discrete enough, but it seemed someone had seen right through her. She had only seen a glimpse of his face, but she could feel in her bones that the man who almost caught her was bad news. He had been able to dodge her kick, something only a few people could do.
The way he had chased after her, Annie knew the man hadn't really tried to capture her; he was playing with her rather than chasing her.
"Someone saw right through my disguise. He is good. If I join the Military Police, and he's there. I won't be able to do much." Annie spoke grimly as she sat down on a wooden log. Exhausted, she would much rather do something else than act like a dog for Reiner and Bertholdt.
Reiner seemed to be considering her words with a thoughtful look before he looked at Bertholdt, who seemed concerned for Annie.
Reiner's voice broke the silence. "In that case, we have no other choice," he said, his voice steady and determined. "We must destroy Wall Rose to force the Founding Titan to take action." Bert and Annie stared at him in disbelief, their minds racing with the implications of what he had just said. It was a risky plan, to say the least.
"How do you know for sure that he will do something? He didn't do anything when we destroyed Wall Maria." Annie reasoned, feeling a lump forming in her throat.
"He will have to. If he doesn't, then we will destroy Wall Sina too. Eventually, we will find him. At last, our mission is near its end. After five years of living amongst devils. Soon we will return to our families." Reiner spoke with a hint of warmth in his voice.
As the blonde girl contemplated the idea of causing harm to Naruto, her heartbeat quickened, and she felt a rush of conflicting emotions surge through her body. She couldn't help but think about him, the many memories they had together since their first kiss; she could almost feel his lips against her; she knew it was silly, but she still felt good to be with him. Despite his silly jokes, she always found herself chuckling with him when they were alone.
Destroying the Wall could easily result in him dying. She could imagine him being devoured by Titans. Despite trying to shield her heart, he had managed to break her shell.
Annie's voice quivered slightly as she posed the question to her companion, "Are you sure?" She knew the answer would be difficult to hear, but she had to ask. "Many of your friends will die."
With a stern expression, Reiner slowly crouched in front of Annie, meeting her gaze with a level stare. As he locked eyes with her, he spoke in a monotone voice that betrayed the emotionless facade he was trying to maintain.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Annie?" he asked, his voice ringing out through the quiet room. "They're not my friends. But it serves us to earn their trust." Though he tried to sound convincing, Annie could see right through him - the cracks in his mask were all too obvious.
"Really, because I have seen the way you look at Krista. How you try to give her private lessons just to spend time with her." Annie countered with a cold glare, not trusting his words.
"And the same doesn't go for you and Naruto?" His tone was laced with a hint of bitterness and annoyance as he scrutinized her every move. Annie felt a pang of discomfort at his words, unsure how to respond. She took a deep breath, steeling herself before meeting his glare with one of her own.
Annie's eyes narrowed as she glared at Reiner, her arms tightly crossed in front of her chest. She had grown tired of his indecisiveness and lack of straightforwardness.
"If you want to say something, Reiner," she said through gritted teeth, "then do it." Her words were like knives. She was sick of his endless dancing around the bush, of him never getting to the point. She was ready to take action, to kick his face in if he dared to utter the wrong words.
Bertholdt looked at them nervously. He knew Annie and Reiner had no friendship left, but he hadn't thought it would be to this extent. Annie threatening Reiner.
"I found it strange the way you are around Naruto, the way you train him in private, far away from everyone else, and the rumors. Perhaps you two have already-" "Reiner." Annie interrupted with the deadliest glare.
"Shut up, or these will be your last words," Annie threatened, her voice laced with venom as she held up her hand to reveal a glinting blade concealed within her ring, causing Reiner's heart to race with fear. But it was the sight of Annie's bleeding finger that made him pause.
Reiner gulped, backing away before his eyes widened, surprised with what he just said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Y-you're right. I'm sorry, but as long as you won't let your personal feelings get in the way, then we are good."
Annie pulled away the hidden blade of her ring, healing her small cut with steam. She turned on her heels and started walking away, not wanting to be in their company any longer than necessary. She was soon followed by Reiner and Bertholdt, the latter looking at the ground, his arms shaking.
"You know," he said, his eyes darting nervously around the forest, "I keep having the same dream, the man who hanged himself." A shiver went down his spine as he recalled the image of the haunting figure that plagued his subconscious night after night.
"But last night was...different," he continued, his voice cracking at the end as he struggled to compose himself.
"What was different?" Reiner asked, his eyes flickering at Bert, who gulped loudly.
"Naruto, I don't know why, but I see him using ODM Gear in an open field with Titans and he's gripping my hand. He was furious with me, he was talking to me but I couldn't hear what he was saying, suddenly he lets go of me, and everything goes dark."
"Don't worry, Bertholdt. It was just a dream. Nothing more," Reiner reassured Bert with a comforting hand on his shoulder. Bertholdt reluctantly nodded in agreement, his mind still clouded with the vivid, haunting images of his nightmare.
Annie kept quiet; she hoped she could meet with Naruto soon. She was tired and wanted to relax for a few days.
Months Later
Shadis gazed at the fresh-faced cadets before him with a firm yet encouraging expression.
As he surveyed the group of new soldiers, he could feel their eagerness and determination to serve humanity.
With a commanding voice, he bellowed, "Dedicate your hearts!" His words hung in the air for a moment before the cadets responded in unison, their voices ringing out with conviction and patriotism.
They stood at attention, their arms snapping up in a crisp salute.
"Yes, sir!"
The sound of their unified response echoed through the training ground, filling Shadis with pride and hope for the future of humanity.
As Shadis went on with his detailed explanation of how all the trainees who successfully passed the rigorous training corps could select three preferred military branches, Naruto's mind wandered off, uninterested in the other options.
"Number ten is Sasha Blouse." The relief that flooded through her was overwhelming, and she let out a deep sigh as the weight of her worry lifted off her shoulders. She knew she would never again have to worry about going hungry.
"Number nine is Connie Springer." The Shorty sighed in relief; he couldn't wait to see his parent's faces; he knew they would be proud of him.
"Number eight is Marco Bott." With a swift movement, Marco wiped away the beads of sweat from his forehead, and with a confident smile, he stepped forward, knowing he could serve the king.
"Number seven is Jean Kirstein." Jean couldn't help but glare at Eren, knowing the suicidal bastard had shown better skills than him, but nonetheless, he was looking forward to joining the Military Police.
"Number six is Eren Yeager." Despite not being in the top five, his green eyes gleamed with determination, knowing the time had come to fulfill his promise and kill all the Titans.
"Number five is Bertolt Hoover." his back was straight, and his eyes were fixed firmly on the horizon; he couldn't help but look up at the sky, wondering how much longer this mission would last.
"Number four is Annie Leonhart." Her face remained stoic, without bothering to look at anyone around her.
"Number Three is Reiner Braun." He glanced briefly at Krista before looking south, knowing all this would end soon, and he would return home to his family.
"Number Two is Naruto Yeager." He took a deep breath and gripped his father's glass hanging from the hem of his shirt. He wondered what his father would think of him now. Well, it seems I became a soldier father, not really a doctor, but I can still heal friends of the Survey Corps, Naruto thought, trying to keep a straight face. Not quite what he wanted to become, but at least he would be there to watch over Eren and use his ability to fight the Titans and heal people.
"Number One is Mikasa Ackerman." The girl wasn't surprised to hear that; everyone knew who would be the best of them.."
NOTE: While the Breach of Trost Arc will have minor changes, The Female Titan Arc is where the first Major Change from the Canon will start.
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