Chapter 2 – The Secret of the Chain of Fate
The night breeze in Konoha forest blew gently, carrying the scent of damp earth after the evening rain. Beneath the moonlight, Akira Renjiro stood, clutching the secret scroll.
Mizuki smirked, his eyes filled with deceit.
Mizuki:
"Renjiro, with that scroll, you can master forbidden jutsu. Everyone will acknowledge you. No one will ever look down on you again."
Akira (snorting, glaring sharply):
"Your words are sweet… But I know you're only trying to trap me."
Mizuki froze. He didn't expect the usually foolish and naïve twelve-year-old boy to speak so sharply.
Mizuki (frowning):
"Hmph, so you're getting smart now. But don't pretend you don't want it, Renjiro! You want people to stop hating you, don't you? You want them to recognize your existence too!"
.....
At that moment, hurried footsteps came from behind the trees. Iruka appeared with a worried expression.
Iruka:
"Renjiro! Put that scroll down, quickly! You've been deceived!"
Mizuki (laughing slyly):
"Hahaha! Too late, Iruka! I'll reveal all of its secrets! This child… is not just an ordinary brat! He is the vessel of the monster that killed hundreds! He is… the Kyūbi no Kitsune!"
Those words sliced through the night.
Renjiro simply stood still. No shock, no tears. He only smiled faintly.
Akira:
"So you finally said it, Mizuki… the secret I've already known for a long time."
Both Iruka and Mizuki were stunned.
Iruka:
"W-What do you mean, Renjiro?"
Renjiro looked at Iruka with eyes full of calmness.
Akira:
"I know I'm not ordinary. I know this village hates me for something that was never my fault. But listen carefully, Iruka-sensei…"
He gripped the scroll tightly.
Akira:
"A fox may dwell inside my body, but I'm the one who decides who I truly am. Not them. Not sensei. Not Mizuki. And certainly not the past."
.....
Mizuki fell silent for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Mizuki:
"HAHAHA! What nonsense is that?! Do you think words can change reality? You're nothing but a monster that happens to resemble a human!"
Akira (smiling faintly):
"Wrong. I am a human… who just happens to have a monster inside this body. The difference is, it's very, very big."
.....
Iruka was stunned by that answer. On the face of the boy he had always seen as a troublemaker, now shone the gaze of maturity… a gaze more fitting for a grown man.
Iruka felt his chest tighten. Something deep within him was moved.
Iruka (in his heart):
"Renjiro… Those words… did they really come from a twelve-year-old boy?"
.....
Mizuki raged, then hurled a giant shuriken at Renjiro.
Iruka:
"RENJIROOOO!!!"
But with calm reflexes, Akira raised his hand. Blue chakra burst forth, forming a swirling light.
Akira:
"In that case… I'll show you something far more real than mere words!"
In an instant, the swirl turned into a small Rasengan—though imperfect, it was enough to make the ground tremble as he struck the shuriken.
BRAAAK!!!
Dust exploded into the air, sending Mizuki tumbling back.
Mizuki (shocked and terrified):
"That's… not an Academy student's jutsu! How is this possible?!"
Akira (coldly):
"I am not just an Academy student. I am… Akira Renjiro."
.....
As the dust settled, Iruka looked at Renjiro with teary eyes.
Iruka:
"Renjiro… You've grown stronger than I ever imagined. I… I misjudged you all this time."
For the first time, there was warmth in Iruka's voice.
Renjiro smiled faintly, his heart trembling.
"This… may be the first time someone has truly acknowledged me in this world."
.....
But before the atmosphere could grow warm, suddenly voices came from the distance.
Sakura:
"Eh? What's happening here?"
Hinata (hiding behind a tree, her face flushed):
"R-Renjiro-kun…"
Ino (narrowing her eyes, curious):
"Tsk, that boy again?"
The three Academy girls happened to pass by during their night training. They witnessed firsthand how Renjiro protected Iruka from Mizuki's attack.
Sakura (astonished):
"Wait, don't tell me… Renjiro, who always failed… just pulled off that incredible jutsu?!"
Ino (snorting, but her cheeks red):
"Hmph, stupid idiot… but, why… does he look so cool?"
Hinata (in her heart, blushing deeply):
"I-I knew it… Renjiro-kun is different…"
.....
Akira could only remain silent. He understood what this meant—this was the beginning of his h****n.
Yet he maintained his composure.
Akira (smiling faintly):
"You all saw that, right? Then… don't underestimate me again."
.....
But just as he was about to close the secret scroll, a strange light radiated from within it.
Golden grains of sand swirled, just like the mysterious hourglass that had once brought him into this world.
Akira (in his heart):
"Wait… why is this light appearing again? Could it be… my journey through time is already ending?"
His body began to be enveloped in light.
Iruka:
"Renjiro?! What's happening to you?!"
Sakura:
"Hey! Don't tell me he's going to—"
Hinata (panicking):
"Renjiro-kun!!!"
The light grew brighter. Akira looked at them one last time, then whispered softly…
Akira:
"If this truly is my fate… I will still protect you all. Whether in this world… or another."
And… the light swallowed his body once more.
...
TO BE CONTINUED....