Naruto returned to the studio, effortlessly carrying the refrigerator on his shoulders.
Inside, Jiraiya and Sai were engrossed in discussing the plot of the latest novel. The sudden sound of footsteps made Jiraiya look up. He blinked and saw Naruto entering, refrigerator in hand.
"Let me see… Naruto, why did you come back with a refrigerator?" Jiraiya asked, half-amused, half-exasperated.
Naruto carefully placed the refrigerator in the kitchen and smiled. "On the way here, I thought about it… and realized this was the right choice. Definitely the right refrigerator!"
He opened the door, grabbed a bottle of wine, and tossed it to Jiraiya.
"Pervy Sage, here you go!"
Jiraiya caught it with a chuckle, savoring a sip. Naruto grabbed two more drinks and handed one to Sai.
"Originally, I bought this refrigerator just in case you get hungry later," Naruto explained, opening the bottle and taking a sip. "Then you can just put your food in here and eat whenever you like."
"But then I thought about it," Naruto continued with a grin, "this fridge isn't just for the studio—it can also be a gathering place for all of us in the future!"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at Naruto, his expression a mix of amusement and understanding.
Sai, however, looked puzzled. "A gathering place? How does that work?"
Naruto smiled and said, "Sai, once you get married, you'll understand. We won't be sleeping here every night, but having a place to relax, eat, and get together occasionally… it's perfect for that."
Jiraiya nodded, clinking his wine bottle gently with Naruto's. Master and disciple shared a knowing glance; the understanding ran deeper than words.
"Oh, by the way, Sai," Naruto added. "Tenten opened her shop recently, right? She wants a painting from you. Once it's done, it'll hang in her shop."
Sai nodded. "No problem, I can do that."
Naruto smiled, "Perfect. She'll come by later. You two go ahead and work on it. I'm going to lie down for a bit—last night wore me out."
Without another word, Naruto flopped onto a floor mat, closing his eyes.
Jiraiya squinted at him. "You weren't… with Hinata last night, were you?"
Naruto exhaled with a tired smile. "No! Sasuke had some personal business, so he called me for help. That's why I was delayed. Nothing more. You guys focus—I'll just nap."
Though the Nine-Tails Chakra could easily restore his energy, Naruto preferred a natural recovery. There were no battles to fight today; there was no need to push himself unnecessarily.
Jiraiya, seeing Naruto's focused rest, returned to his manuscript. The publisher had been pressing for the latest volume of Intimate Paradise, so he busied himself with writing.
Sai began revising his drawing according to the ideas he had just discussed with Jiraiya. The advantage of Ninjutsu painting was apparent: by channeling Chakra, Sai could continuously erase, redraw, and perfect the artwork. Time seemed to slow as he worked meticulously.
Suddenly, Naruto twitched in his sleep, a frown crossing his features. His entire body quivered, and a faint sound escaped his lips.
Both Jiraiya and Sai noticed immediately.
Jiraiya exchanged a look with Sai, then put down his pen. "Naruto? Naruto!"
Naruto's movements became more frantic, and he emitted a frightened sound. Jiraiya recognized it instantly: a nightmare. He quickly stood, squatted beside Naruto, and reached out to wake him.
Naruto's eyes snapped open—and before Jiraiya could react, he threw a punch. Quick as ever, Jiraiya caught it just in time.
"It's me! Jiraiya!" Jiraiya reassured him.
Naruto's chest heaved as he stared at Jiraiya in shock, eyes wide and trembling. Slowly, Jiraiya guided his arm down and spoke softly, "It's okay. Everything's okay."
After several deep breaths, Naruto calmed himself.
Sai leaned closer, concern etched across his face. "Naruto, what's wrong?"
Naruto murmured, still catching his breath, "Just… a nightmare. It's okay, really."
Jiraiya studied Naruto carefully. "Was it… about things you've experienced before?"
Naruto met Jiraiya's gaze and nodded.
Jiraiya patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Relax. Whatever your mind dwells on, it can appear in dreams. But that doesn't mean it's real. What's done is done. You've saved so many lives, and I'll always be by your side. If defeat comes, we'll face it together—there's no shame in relying on others."
Sai, inspired by Jiraiya's words, set down his brush. "Yes, Naruto. When that day comes, we'll be with you, no matter what."
Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes. Over the past few days, he had deliberately tried to relax, trying to forget the past—but even in sleep, his heart reminded him of all he'd endured.
But he realized now: if he couldn't let go, he could at least face it with courage.
He was surrounded by allies—Jiraiya, Sai, Neji, and countless others. His rebirth had altered the destinies of those around him, and now, their presence by his side made him fearless.
As Naruto was about to rise, a sudden voice came from downstairs.
"Is anyone there? Naruto!!!"
A knock followed. Naruto, Jiraiya, and Sai hurried to the Gate of Opening. Outside stood Tenten, Neji, and Lee.
"Jiraiya-sama!" all three greeted simultaneously. Jiraiya laughed heartily. "Come in, come in!"
Tenten and the others greeted Naruto and Sai. Tenten quickly explained her purpose: she wanted a painting done for her shop. Sai nodded, ready to start immediately.
Jiraiya, uninterested in small talk, returned upstairs to continue his manuscript.
Naruto escorted Neji and Lee downstairs before heading back upstairs to fetch drinks. Once back, they stood near the door, chatting.
Neji held a wine bottle. "I still don't understand… why are you supporting them opening a store?"
Naruto shrugged casually. "Everyone needs something to do. Be busy living, or be busy dying."
Neji took a sip and frowned. "You said there would be a battle in the future. Are we supposed to just stay here? Should I ask Kakashi—or rather, Lord Sixth Hokage—to let me train at the Allied Forces Training Center?"
Naruto looked at Neji in confusion. "Wait… why are you suddenly thinking about that?"
Lee smiled. "Tenten said once the store is ready, Neji should come see it with her. That's why."
Naruto watched Neji's face darken as he sipped his drink. Suppressing a laugh, Naruto said, "Relax, Neji. It's just a store. You don't need to overthink it."
For the first time in days, Naruto felt satisfaction. The world before his rebirth had been grim: Neji had died in battle, and Konoha had a single, overworked woman managing a ninja shop.
Now… the future looked brighter. A confident, strong boss lady with a devoted husband by her side would guard the shop. Life had changed, and Naruto could finally see the happiness his rebirth had brought.
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