"He was our teacher for two years, damn it! Say something, Naruto! At least say that Sensei meant something to you!"
"..." Silently, Uzumaki broke free from his companion's grip and, raising his gaze, revealed the tears streaming down his face.
"Don't mistake my silence for a lack of pain, Takashi... because we're both suffering because of this. All three of us are." Looking at his companion, the younger blond stopped crying and adopted a more determined expression. "That's why I'm not willing to risk my comrades dying for just an act of revenge... we must leave."
"No." Naruto's dangerous glare didn't affect Takashi, who now looked in the direction where Hidan was. "If we leave now... what guarantees that that monster won't kill thousands more innocent people?" he asked ruefully, now looking at his team captain. Determined, the dark-haired boy drew two kunai, taking one in each hand and assuming a fighting stance. "I know I can't win! I know I'm not as strong as you! I know that better than anyone!" the boy shouted in frustration, remembering all the times he had been surpassed by his teammate, who stood on such a high pedestal that perhaps he could never reach it.
"Huh? What are you babbling about?" Hidan smiled mockingly at the brat's rambling, who apparently had the nerve to want to confront him, although more than nerve... it was simply stupidity.
"But I still have to do it... Because this isn't about winning! If we don't stop you, who will?!"
"Takashi..." Naruto whispered in surprise, clenching his fists tightly as he stared at his companion. What was he doing? This was a lost cause since their sensei died. He was the only one who could have faced this monster. Why was he so determined to fight, knowing he would die?
"You're right," Kimi said, walking to stand beside her companion, ready to face this great threat, even if it cost them their lives. "Leaving would be a cowardly way out... knowing he'd be free, murdering people just for pleasure, we'd be letting others suffer by making the most cowardly decision... and I don't want that on my conscience." With trembling hands, the white-haired girl formed a hand seal, causing drops of water to surround her.
"Hahaha! What heroes! You pair of idiots! You'll die like the trash you are!" Breaking the branch she was standing on, Hidan charged with his scythe, ready to slice the two brats to pieces. Just as his weapon was about to cut off Takashi's head, the follower of Jashin was repelled by a kick that landed squarely on his face, sending him flying into the trees.
"I suppose... once this is over, the last one of us standing will have to carry me back to the village." Landing in front of his companions, Naruto's muscles subtly increased. "Because I won't even be able to walk after this... Kaimon." With the first of the seven gates open, the Uzumaki was ready to give his life to defeat this enemy and protect his comrades. "We'll stop him... right here, right now."
"Yes!" Both teenagers were filled with determination, having the support of their captain. Team Four was now determined to defeat and stop Hidan, who was slowly getting back up among the trees he had knocked down. The real fight was about to begin.
....
It was 2:00 AM, and the UA students were resting after a full day of training and a night of fun, but one of the students was not in his bed, and this was Naruto, who was sitting on the roof of the tallest building in the camp, in the corner of the roof where he had a clear view of the whole place.
The Uzumaki wore only dark pants, leaving his torso exposed. With a lost gaze, he looked at the starry sky. He had slept for only a couple of hours, and after having his constant nightmares about a troubled past, it was impossible for him to fall asleep again. Now he could only wait for time to pass and for a new day to begin.
"I've got him located." The shinobi didn't even bother to turn around to see Mirko land behind him. The rabbit woman wasn't wearing her suit; instead, she was only wearing a simple white T-shirt and gray pants/pajamas. Obviously, the woman had just gotten up when the cameras detected movement, and when they saw that one of the students was missing, they had to move. "You can rest, I'll take care of it." Giving that message to her partners, she turned off the transmitter in her ear.
"I just went out for some air," the blond sighed, staring straight ahead with disinterest, not surprised that in just minutes the pro heroes would be on his tail; after all, he was a 'potential villain.'
"As long as you don't leave the camp or do anything suspicious, I don't care what you do," Mirko shrugged, simply enjoying the cold night breeze that hit his face and moved his hair. "…" Frowning, the rabbit woman saw for the first time the well-known scars of the whiskered brat. She had already seen them on television during the Sports Festival, but seeing them so close up and in more detail was something very different.
"It's a beautiful night to look at the stars, don't you think, Mirko?" Naruto asked in a low voice as he watched the dark-haired woman approach and sit beside him on the edge of the building.
"I've been taking the time to do it for years," the pro hero replied lazily, yawning as she looked up at the starry sky and the crescent moon illuminating the firmament. Turning around, the brunette looked at the large scar that crossed the entire torso of the Uzumaki.
"Sometimes we have so many beautiful things around us, but it's hard for us to appreciate them or even notice them..." Naruto spoke softly, using his hands to lean on the roof of the building and gaze at the stars.
"I don't know if by beautiful things you mean me or the stars, be specific, kid," Mirko said, smiling mockingly. She imitated Uzumaki, lying down and just looking at the stars.
"You don't seem like the type of woman who accepts compliments without lashing out in response."
"You'd be surprised," the girl said, frowning as she turned to look at the teenager. Remembering her conversation with Mt. Lady, she looked at the Uzumaki's hands, which showed calluses, dry skin, and even the occasional mark from a healed wound. "Mt. Lady told me what you did. You have courage, I admit, but... why didn't you just accept all that media attention? It would have helped you clear your name and stay afloat."
"Because I don't care what millions of strangers think of me," the teenager snorted, shaking his head. "Sometimes the opinions of those closest to you are the ones that really matter, or just the opinion we have of ourselves."
"Stop doing that. It sounds like I'm talking to a hundred-year-old man," Mirko commented with distaste at the brat's mature way of speaking. It was strange. "Many would have given an arm to do something similar to what you did, stop a train... it's beyond most people's capabilities."
"Life is more than just seeking recognition for the actions we have taken. Sometimes, just doing the right thing... is enough." With a calm breath, the shinobi relaxed, looking at the sky under the confused gaze of the pro hero.
"You're wiser than you look..." Resting her hands behind her head, the rabbit woman just looked at the sky. "You know, I never thought I'd be so close to a villain and not kick his ass," she commented thoughtfully, earning the bored look of the Uzumaki, who didn't attach any importance to being called a villain.
"Bad experiences with villains," the blond stated, earning a nod from the pro hero.
"I... I had a childhood friend, and we drifted apart when I entered UA. He just went his own way. He was a good guy, but like many, he lost his way and became a villain. A couple of years ago, we had a few run-ins, but I could never catch him... but when I finally did, he told me he was under pressure from the bigwigs of the Yakuza mafia, that he never wanted to be a villain and was being pressured into doing bad things. He asked me for help..." After a moment, Mirko had a sad glimmer in her eyes. "I believed him when he said he would change, and like a fool, I trusted him. He had agreed to reveal information about the biggest hideouts of the most dangerous villains. There were several of us pro heroes and police officers who went to that place, but it was all a trap..."
"..." Naruto silently listened to the story of the rabbit woman, who continued with her tale.
"Five police officers and three young pro heroes died in that ambush. I lived to find that bastard who lied to me, and I beat him so many times I thought I'd killed him... but I managed to control myself and brought him to justice. Now he's in prison serving a 60-year sentence in a maximum-security facility..." Turning her head, she looked at the shinobi, whose gaze met hers. "I swore to myself never to trust a villain... a villain will always be a villain."
"..." Nodding his head, Naruto was able to understand, to some extent, the heroine's hatred.
"But... I think I was wrong about you." The Uzumaki raised an eyebrow upon hearing the rabbit woman's softer tone. "But even so... I can't trust you," were her sincere words as she looked into the Uzumaki's blue eye.
"It's understandable. You can't trust someone overnight..." the blond said calmly, slowly getting up and standing. Mirko imitated this, yawning and shrugging. "Especially someone who beat you so easily..." the shinobi said, smiling mockingly as he began to walk away from the pro hero.
"Bastard..." growled the white-haired girl, letting out a long sigh to calm herself. That brat knew how to provoke her fury. "Where are you going now?" she asked resignedly, following the teenager.
"For a coffee... would you like one?"
"Yeah."
[ If you want to read advance Chapters then go to Pat reon and support me there as I have already uploaded advance Chapters there.
PAT REON I'D:- Skythe ]