ALL NOVEL Chapter 2: 2
Chapter 1: Shadows and Games
The Nara estate was alive with laughter and playful shouts, the sounds of childhood joy filling the serene forest that surrounded their home. Naruto sprinted through the courtyard, his wooden sword brandished like a knight's blade, as Shikamaru trailed behind, feigning annoyance.
"Come on, Shika! You're supposed to be the evil overlord!" Naruto grinned, darting behind a tree.
Shikamaru sighed and lazily swung a stick. "This is so troublesome. Why do I always have to be the bad guy?"
"Because you're too smart to be the hero!" Ino chimed in, her hands on her hips as she observed the unfolding chaos.
"Yeah, Shikamaru," Choji added, holding his hands up like he was casting a spell. "You're the villain, and I'm the wizard who helps Naruto beat you!"
Naruto emerged from his hiding spot, pointing his wooden sword dramatically. "Prepare yourself, evil overlord! Your reign of terror ends here!"
The game devolved into a mix of chasing, laughing, and occasional tumbles into the grass. Other Nara children joined in, creating a chaotic but joyful scene. They split into teams, alternating between hero and villain roles, their imaginations transforming the estate into a battlefield of epic proportions.
Yoshino, watching from the porch, smiled as she folded a basket of laundry. "At least they're burning off their energy," she muttered, shaking her head as Naruto tripped over a root, only to pop back up with an indignant shout.
Shikaku, seated nearby, chuckled. "They got endless stamina. Makes me tired just watching them."
---
The evenings were quieter, filled with more thoughtful pursuits. Naruto and Shikamaru often joined Shikaku, and other Nara clansmen in games of strategy. Shogi and Go pieces were common sights in the estate's gathering room.
Naruto sat across from Shikaku one evening, the shogi board between them. His face was scrunched in concentration as he tried to predict Shikaku's next move.
"Don't overthink it, Naruto," Shikaku said, moving a piece with casual precision. "Sometimes the simplest moves have the biggest impact."
Shikamaru, lounging nearby, chimed in. "He's trying too hard. Just let the game flow, Naruto."
"Easy for you to say," Naruto grumbled, moving a piece. "You've been playing this since you could walk."
Asuma Sarutobi, who often visited for games and conversation, leaned against the doorframe, observing the match. "The kid's got potential, though. He's already better than most grown-ups at Go. You've got a sharp one here, Shikaku."
Naruto's grin widened at the compliment, but his attention remained on the board. He loved these games, not just for the challenge, but for the chance to bond with his brother, Shikaku, and even Asuma.
---
Training in the Shadows
By the time Naruto turned 6, his days were no longer just filled with games. Like all Nara children, he began training in the clan's unique shadow-based techniques. The training was rigorous, requiring patience and precision, but Naruto approached it with his usual enthusiasm.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu," Shikaku explained during a lesson, "isn't about brute force. It's about control, understanding the flow of battle, and outthinking your opponent."
Naruto mimicked Shikaku's hand signs, focusing his chakra into his shadow. Slowly, it stretched across the ground, reaching toward a training dummy.
"Steady," Shikaku instructed. "Feel the connection. Don't force it; guide it."
The shadow latched onto the dummy, and Naruto grinned triumphantly. "Got it!"
"Good," Shikaku said with a nod. "Now do it ten more times."
Naruto groaned but complied. Despite his laid-back personality, he was determined to master the technique.
---
On weekends, Naruto often walked through the village with Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji. The four were inseparable, their bond as strong as any team of shinobi.
The streets were busy, filled with merchants and villagers going about their day. But as Naruto passed, the friendly chatter turned to whispers.
"That's him... The Nine-Tails brat."
"He's dangerous. Why does the Hokage let him run free?"
Naruto felt the weight of their glares, the unspoken accusations in their eyes. He didn't react, his expression calm and indifferent. The dreams he'd been having, the caged beast, the malevolent voice, had already given him the answers. He knew why they hated him.
But he didn't let it bother him. If anything, it only strengthened his resolve to prove them wrong.
"You okay, Naruto?" Ino asked, her voice soft.
He smiled at her. "I'm fine. Let's keep going."
---
At the Academy, Naruto's demeanor was as laid-back as ever. He rarely raised his hand in class, often lounging in his seat with a bored expression. Despite this, his natural intelligence shone through in surprising ways.
Iruka Umino, his instructor, often found himself torn between frustration and admiration.
"Naruto, are you even paying attention?" Iruka asked one day, noticing the boy staring out the window.
Naruto turned back with a lazy grin. "Of course, Iruka-sensei. You were talking about chakra flow, right?"
"Then explain it to the class."
Naruto sighed dramatically but gave a concise and accurate explanation, earning him a mix of laughter and astonished looks from his classmates.
Though he avoided competition, Naruto's relaxed attitude belied a sharp mind that excelled when it mattered most.
---
Naruto's resemblance to Shunsui extended beyond their shared abilities. Like his Zanpakuto-wielding predecessor, Naruto had a mischievous streak that occasionally surfaced in his interactions with others.
He wasn't openly perverted, but Yoshino was quick to notice the sly glances he sometimes gave the older kunoichi in the village.
"Naruto!" Yoshino scolded one day, catching him looking a little too long at a passing market vendor. "Eyes forward, young man!"
Naruto chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, Mom."
"You'd better be. I won't have you turning into some shameless lech." Yoshino
He kept his habits in check after that, though Shikamaru occasionally teased him about it.
---
The foundations of Naruto's life were set, filled with love, friendship, and a growing understanding of his own power. But in the shadows of his dreams, a different journey awaited him, one that would shape him into the shinobi he was destined to become.
___
Chapter 2: The Bloom of Shadows
Naruto stood in the Nara clan's garden, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze calming his restless thoughts. The moon hung high, its pale light casting a serene glow over the estate. His mind wandered to his past life and the bonds he had cherished. Jushiro… Old man Yama… he thought wistfully, the ache of longing settling in his chest.
He couldn't help but wonder if they, too, had been reincarnated into this strange world. "If you're here, Jushiro, I pray you're living a long, healthy life," he whispered to the night. The thought of seeing Jushiro again, free of illness, brought a faint smile to his lips.
---
When Naruto wasn't mastering the Nara clan's shadow techniques, he devoted himself to his swordsmanship. Using a wooden practice sword, he swung with a grace that belied his age. Each movement carried a quiet confidence, as though his body remembered skills he had yet to truly learn.
The younger Nara children often gathered to watch him practice, their eyes wide with awe. Shikamaru, however, leaned against a tree nearby, his expression unreadable.
"What kind of technique is that?" Shikamaru finally asked, breaking the silence.
Naruto grinned. "Just a style I came up with. Cool, huh?"
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow but didn't press further, knowing Naruto well enough to recognize when he was dodging a question.
---
One morning, Naruto decided to wear an eyepatch over his right eye. As he came downstairs for breakfast, Yoshino gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Naruto! What happened to your eye?" she asked, rushing to his side.
Naruto chuckled nervously, holding up his hands. "Relax, Mom! My eye's fine, see?" He lifted the eyepatch to reveal his perfectly fine eye.
She exhaled deeply, her hands on her hips. "Don't scare me like that again!"
Shikaku, watching from a distance, smirked. "What's with the eyepatch, then?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just think it looks cool. ."
Shikaku, who had been observing from the doorway, smirked. "You're quite the eccentric, son."
Naruto grinned. "Thanks, Dad."
Yoshino sighed, shaking her head but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
---
At the academy, Naruto often found himself observing the complicated dynamics of his classmates. Today, his attention was drawn to Ino and Sakura, who were once again arguing over Sasuke.
"It's ridiculous you both can sit next to him," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
"What did you say?" Ino snapped, turning to glare at him.
"Nothing," Naruto replied with a lazy wave of his hand, rolling his right eye.
As the argument continued, Naruto noticed Shino standing off to the side, occasionally glancing at their group. He had seen this pattern enough times to know the boy was curious but hesitant.
"Hey, Shino!" Naruto called out, waving him over. Shino stiffened, clearly caught off guard. "Come join us."
Shino hesitated, glancing at Hinata, who stood nearby. Naruto smiled warmly. "You too, Hinata. We don't bite."
Hinata's cheeks turned pink as she fidgeted, but Shino gave her a reassuring nod before they both approached.
As they settled in, Naruto made a point of including them in the conversation. "So, Shino, any cool bug stories to share?"
Shino blinked, his surprise evident even behind his glasses. "You… want to hear about my insects?"
"Of course! Bugs are fascinating," Naruto replied earnestly.
Shino's shoulders relaxed slightly as he began explaining the abilities of his kikaichū. Hinata, though quiet, smiled softly, her gaze occasionally flickering toward Naruto.
---
Years passed, and the day of graduation arrived. Naruto stood with his friends as they celebrated their success.
"Told you we'd pass," Naruto said with a grin.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, though the faintest hint of a smile played on his lips.
As they left the academy, Mizuki approached Naruto, his tone friendly but overly so. "Naruto, can I talk to you for a moment?"
Naruto glanced at his friends. "Go on without me. I'll catch up."
---
Mizuki's proposition came with a promise of promotion to Chunin if Naruto retrieved the scroll. Naruto saw through the man's deceit but played along, pretending to be eager.
Naruto informed Shikaku of the situation.
"We should report this to the Hokage," Shikaku said, his tone firm.
"I want to handle it myself," Naruto replied.
Shikaku frowned. "It's dangerous, Naruto. You've always said you hate fighting. He quotes what Naruto told him" It doesn't matter whether you owe someone or they owe you; as soon as you start fighting, you are in the wrong either way"
Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "I still believe that, Dad. But sometimes… you have to fight to protect what matters."
Shikaku studied his son for a long moment before sighing. "Fine, but I'm coming with you."
"Thanks, Dad." Naruto's smile was grateful.
Unbeknownst to them, Shikamaru had overheard the conversation. He leaned back against the wall, sighing to himself. Naruto's such a contradiction. Lazy and energetic at the same time. What a drag.
---
Night enveloped the rendezvous point. Naruto stood in the clearing, his twin wooden swords strapped to his back. Shikaku remained hidden in the shadows, his sharp eyes watching for any sign of danger.
When Mizuki arrived, his sneer was evident. "Where's the scroll?" he demanded.
Naruto didn't answer. Instead, he crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Where. Is. The. Scroll?" Mizuki repeated, his tone dripping with annoyance.
Naruto chuckled, he summoned two blades out of thin air. His voice was calm but carried an undertone of challenge as he uttered a poem:
"The flowery winds become disturbed,
The god of flowers sings,
The heavenly winds become disturbed,
The devil of heaven sneers."
In an instant, a flash of light illuminated the clearing. When it faded, Naruto stood wielding two massive, curved black scimitars. Their silver edges gleamed ominously under the moonlight.
Both Mizuki and Shikaku stared, stunned.
Mizuki's sneer returned, though it faltered slightly.
Naruto tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Forget the scroll. Are you up for a game?"
"I don't have time for games," Mizuki snapped.
"You don't have a choice," Naruto said, his tone playful yet dangerous.