Naruto: Uzumaki Yuji [EN]

At the moment Yūji had left, a black and white being was barely protruding from the tree. The white part was much more expressive compared to the dark side.

" Did you find what you were looking for? Was it that boy? " The white side, with greenish hair and yellow irises, spoke curiously in a softer voice, looking at its counterpart.

But there, in silence, the one that appeared to be made of a denser material, with that single yellow eye inside a featureless circle, stared deeply at the spot where the boy had been. It had watched him meditate and enter an unconscious state.

Others might not have been able to sense what the boy manifested, but for this being, what he emitted was unsettling. For a moment, it believed the boy might be a tailed beast, but having been present and recognizing his energy as chakra ruled that out.

This energy was something far more sinister. The being, still silent, let out a guttural growl.

" No... nothing to worry about. " It didn't want to tell its counterpart anything. That foolish White Zetsu, who always spoke directly to Obito, was something it preferred to keep hidden.

Because this was a deeper concern.

It felt that boy was hiding something. His chakra was far too abundant, like an unrestrained river, but seeing him in that concentrated state...

Despite glimpsing something so faint —a shifting light of red, blue, and black— what it witnessed and felt was not chakra.

That energy, which was supposed to be the only vital energy on the planet, pure and distinct from all else, had surrounded the boy while he was unconscious, resembling an aura known as chakra.

" We'd better leave... I don't think it's anything concerning. " Calmly, a guttural voice emerged from the dark counterpart's torn throat. White Zetsu smiled calmly. " As you say. For now, we should focus on verifying the events in all the villages, gathering information to report to Obito. I'm sure he will appreciate it. "

Amid White Zetsu's chatter, a black cloak with a red detail was visible. Slowly, they disappeared into the tree, their voices drowned out by the heavy rain pouring over the area.

But before vanishing, Black Zetsu's pupil-less eye gazed into the distance, where that boy had left behind that foul aura.

" I'll have to investigate him thoroughly later... For now, he's just a brat. He won't ruin what I've been planning for so long, " Black Zetsu thought to himself. He believed there was still plenty of time before everything came to pass.

His grand plan, which had been in motion for a thousand years since his birth and was now only a few steps away from his mother's revival, would not be ruined by a mere child.

And so, both disappeared from the desolate land that held only a few scattered trees.

_________________

Several days had passed, and Yūji still had questions about what was happening to his own body and chakra. In class, even though he paid attention most of the time, the young boy was evolving rapidly.

In sparring sessions with his classmates —those who once mocked him for being arrogant— signs of surprise began to show. They watched as Yūji went from wearing a curious and confused expression to displaying skill in shurikenjutsu and taijutsu. At first, he was weak, only landing four out of ten hits. Then six out of ten, seven out of ten... until that day.

One week was enough for Yūji to develop, not into an incredible marksman, but far superior to his peers. A four-year-old achieving such feats in such a short time, gradually fulfilling his promise to become the strongest.

Now, they were in another joint taijutsu class. At that moment, Yūji's face was tense, his slightly chubby cheeks taut.

In the past few days, with Konan-sensei, the topic of what had happened to him was never brought up again. However, his teacher was teaching him things he had never imagined learning.

From Yūji's modern perspective, it was as if she were teaching him martial arts! Except these martial arts were... sinister. Konan-sensei had told him that taijutsu training was meant to teach him how to strike weak points and ensure a quick kill.

Just hearing that last part dampened his enthusiasm significantly. Even though he had vowed to live in this world, it felt strange that his teacher was instructing him in such lethal methods. And even though she said she wished they could live normal lives, in this world…

They had to fight to survive.

And that was what Yūji despised.

He had his morals. As in his past life in Japan if he had never listened and eaten Sukuna's finger, maybe…

Maybe he would still be alive.

He would have had a family, grown up without problems, and lived freely without fear of being killed at any moment.

Now, living in this place, as Konan-sensei explained, the current ninja world was relatively peaceful. But there were still conflicts between the five great ninja villages. He could still hear the bitterness in her voice when she spoke of how those villages used people like them as pawns to sow chaos.

Life in Amegakure was much better than before, but even then, he suffered from occasional hunger, and the village remained impoverished. He couldn't help but imagine a worse version of Amegakure.

Just thinking about it filled him with sadness, knowing that innocent people suffered under the oppression of the great villages.

That was why he wanted to become strong. Just like before, with Gojo-sensei and his friends, he wanted to protect them. He wanted to live and overcome the curse.

Unfortunately, he succeeded, but in the end, the result was still death his own, along with the deaths of all his loved ones, friends, and countless innocent people...

He wouldn't let it happen again. That's why he had to fight.

" Are you ready? " He heard the voice of his sensei, Rokushō. He had been too lost in thought about how they were being trained to kill people, children who should be enjoying their childhood, playing with their parents, acting like kids.

He shook his head. He had to stop thinking so idealistically. His gaze sharpened as he took his stance, fists clenched. Just as Konan-sensei had taught him, his small body was poised for action, watching as the other boy took his stance as well.

" Now! " Rokushō-sensei signaled the start with a hand motion.

In that rain-soaked, muddy terrain, the two children sprinted with astonishing speed. Yūji's eyes were sharp as he moved swiftly. The older boy, two years ahead of him, didn't lag behind. Though taller and leaner, he moved unpredictably to throw the redhead off.

PZZHUM!

Yūji's punch landed sharply. Instinctively, despite his small frame, the red-haired boy could deliver powerful blows.

Rokushō observed, analyzing the combat styles of both children. While Iizen was fast, he lacked the strength to counter attack, something Yūji was using to overwhelm him.

Nobumi, standing beside Uguma, watched as his small friend moved with incredible speed for his age. His eyes were wide as he saw how serious and pressured Iizen looked. He placed a hand on the black-haired boy's shoulder and spoke:

" I can't believe Yūji has improved so much in just a week. It's incredible how his strength keeps growing. "

Unlike other villages, where battles began and ended with ritual seals of respect, Amegakure had no such customs. Rokushō-sensei always made it clear at the beginning of every taijutsu match.

They had to give everything to survive. They had to fight as if their lives depended on it. And none of the children objected.

They were all tired of being used. They wanted to be strong and defend themselves against the wicked ninja from the great villages.

And now, in this fight, Yūji attacked with rapid punches. Left arm blocked by Iizen's right. Right arm blocked by Iizen's left.

Kicks, punches, targeting vulnerable areas. Though breathing heavily, Iizen was visibly exhausted, lacking endurance.

Jumping back, the black-haired boy was covered in mud from the rain. Yūji also stepped back, still poised to strike.

But Yūji wanted to finish the match. Sprinting forward, his thin legs carried him at an even greater speed. Iizen's face showed shock, he was even faster than before.

Before he could react, he felt Yūji grab his ankles, squeezing painfully. A pained groan escaped his lips as he found himself airborne.

Before he could move

The red-haired boy leaped, spun twice in midair, and drove his heel into Iizen's chest.

With the force of the impact, the boy was sent crashing into the ground, a resounding thud echoing through the rain-soaked battlefield.

And on the ground, unconscious, with a trickle of blood coming from his mouth, was Iizen. Everything happened in just a few seconds, with Yūji standing, watching in pain as he had to leave the boy behind.

But Rokushō didn't intervene in the fight because she knew that Yūji would attack her, but not to kill. In just a week, she had come to realize that this boy was not like the others—he was basically a sun that had fallen into the Rain Village, caring for people, helping them, always showing a smile.

That's why, in every combat practice, he always ended up knocking out his opponent, causing only minor injuries.

The Jōnin sighed but smiled, raising his hand to announce, "Yūji has won this battle."

Uguma approached the boy, who was also walking toward him with a big, happy smile. "You did great, Yūji."

The boy smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "It was nothing, I've just been working really hard to keep up with you all."

That was partly true and partly not. After all, with taijutsu, he had incorporated his classic moves from fighting curses a habit that, despite being reincarnated, he could never get rid of. He loved using his fists. He wasn't very tactical, but if he wanted to survive and become strong, in the end, he had to master taijutsu.

Of course, it was his master's taijutsu. She had said herself that she preferred using ninjutsu, but she wanted to train him in all areas, something Yūji was grateful for. She was nothing like the childish albino teacher from Japan.

With a sideways smile, Yūji looked very happy.

He loved being around people. Over the past week, he had gotten to know both Nobumi and Uguma a little better. So far, they were the ones who best matched his personality.

Slowly, he watched as everyone took their turn at the taijutsu test, always cheering on his friends with a bright smile. The sounds of punches and the children's grunts were the only things heard in the rain, along with occasional slips.

Just another normal day in the Rain Village, where they had to become strong so that the tyrants from the great villages wouldn't trample them.

...

" Alright, I have your results. I have to say, I'm impressed with your progress in taijutsu. You all did very well. " said the green-haired Jōnin with a smile as he looked at his list. The children listening had big, excited smiles.

" Well. Tomorrow's practice will involve using a weapon. You'll fight in pairs so that you can support each other, teach one another, and improve your weapon-handling skills. " the teacher explained calmly, looking in all directions before finally fixing his gaze on the one student he was sure would someday inspire the great villages,Yūji.

The boy had a bright smile, his white eyes giving him a cheerful glow.

" Alright, that's all. Don't forget what I just mentioned. " the teacher said with a smile.

All the children stood up happily, but the biggest difference was the new treatment Yūji was starting to receive.

" Incredible fight, Yūji-chan! "

" I hope we can be training partners! "

" That move was amazing! "

Every word spoken as the children headed toward the exit was directed at him. The little redhead blushed slightly, watching as they approached him before dashing outside the small academy.

Yūji did the same, though he had to wait at the entrance. As he stood in the pouring rain, he watched his classmates and a few upper-level students leave and reunite with their families.

Family…

Yūji's smile slowly faded, leaving a blank expression as he witnessed some of his classmates with their parents. Some had only a mother, others only a father, and the luckiest had both.

But there were many, like him, who had neither.

With his hair slightly damp from the rain and his eyes now showing a hint of sadness, he noticed how the lucky ones smiled and how their parents smiled back at them.

He clenched his own hand as he watched the scene before him.

" What does it feel like to have a family…? " he wondered melancholically, watching as a few of his classmates walked away, hand in hand with their parents.

When he was Itadori Yūji, he had only his grandfather. All that time, his grandfather had taken care of him.

But more than once, he had wondered, what had happened to his parents? When he was a child, just like he was now, he always questioned what had become of them and why they had left him with his grandfather.

And now, here he was again, watching the backs of strangers, lucky to at least have a family.

What does a mother's warmth feel like? What do mothers even do? ...And a father? Who would his father be?

Longing that was what the little boy felt. With sad eyes and no smile, feeling a little down, he sensed that something in his heart was missing. In his memories, he could faintly recall his mother's face from when he was a baby. Though blurry, she was beautiful. She had a happy face whenever she looked at him.

And in every memory, he saw how she gradually deteriorated. But she always gave him a smile.

Even with his melancholic expression, standing in the pouring rain, he didn't snap out of it until he felt a weight on his left shoulder. His eyes widened in surprise as he was pulled out of his thoughts.

Turning his head, he saw Karin, giving him such a kind and gentle smile. Her red eyes behind her glasses and her beautiful red hair matched perfectly.

That bright, love-filled smile.

Yūji's surprised expression softened, his smile returning, warmer than the sun.

Yes, he didn't need parents because his family was already complete.

Having only Karin, his only family, was all he needed to feel whole. After all, she had been like the mother who had never been able to raise him and the father who had never been present in his life. She was basically his everything.

His beloved older sister.

" You're soaking wet, Yūji. When we get home, you're taking a bath so you don't catch a cold. " Karin said lovingly, though with a hint of concern.

Their walk was different from that of other children orphans of war and human cruelty, holding their small hands together.

" Karin, could you make something really good for dinner today? "

" Of course! Rokushō-sensei told me about your great effort in training. I'm so proud of you, Yūji. "

The siblings didn't need anything else because, to them, only they existed in the world. Both showed their love as the family they were, walking calmly under the rain.

For Karin, her world was her brother.

For Yūji, Karin was the only thing he needed to feel the warmth of family he had been wondering about.

He didn't need parents or anyone to miss. Only her.

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[Today's Illustration! ♡

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