Hinata had been reading the various references she needed for a long time. Even though this accumulation was not enough to make her saw a new path of improvement, her vision and insight were broadened.
After returning the last book to the shelf and seeing the seal array activated, Hinata was about to leave. She turned around and was surprised to see a well-built male figure that she had not noticed before.
Hinata spontaneously apologized for nearly bumping into him. "Ah, sorry!"
This male figure was dressed in Anbu clothing. He had a wolf-shaped mask. From the mask, his eyes glowing red could be seen.
"It doesn't matter." The man spoke coldly.
The Anbu figure immediately ignored Hinata to put the book he brought back to the shelf.
Hinata slightly disliked this man's aura. Her female instincts told her that this man was not a good person. However, she did not think long. An Anbu would generally be cold and emotionless. They were originally created as killing machines.
Hinata wouldn't be surprised even if this man had really taken many lives. What she was sure of that her husband couldn't possibly ask the Anbu to do dirty and immoral things.
Anbu was like a knife. As long as the one wielding them didn't have any malicious intentions, these knives could be used to cut delicious ingredients.
Hinata knew that time had long passed in the library. It's late and she had to make dinner. Even if she intended to improve her skills as a Shinobi, that didn't mean she would abandon her duties as a housewife.
For her, the main motivation that drived herself today was family.
One day passed quickly.
Yesterday evening, Naruto came home. The reason was because his agreement with Boruto must be obeyed. He told Boruto to meet him under the Valley of the End waterfall.
Somewhere near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Sound, there was an area called the Valley of the End.
The Valley of the End had been a silent witness to the battle of the four strongest Shinobi in history.
In the era when Konoha was early established, the two peak level Shinobi of that time fought life and death in the Valley of the End. The two people are Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
Their fight changed the plains that were originally mountains into valley with waterfall flowing to form river.
After the fight, both were reportedly seriously injured and hid until their death came.
Many Shinobi at that time were amazed by their power and took the initiative to call that place the Valley of the End. Konoha shinobi even deliberately made a giant statue tens of meters high to commemorate the fight between the two strong men.
At the end of the 4th Shinobi World War, two other strongmen also fought it out in this place. They were Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
The impact of their battle was even more devastating than that of their predecessors. The topography, which was originally in the form of a valley with waterfall, was flattened into barren land.
Fortunately, unlike the results of their predecessor's battle, the battle between the two sides actually resolved the conflict of different points of view that had occurred so far.
Several months after they reconciled, the Valley of the End's topography was restored by the two. Their strength was already at the pinnacle of the world so destroying and creating the topography was no big deal.
Today, although there were no giant statues in the Valley of the End, at least the river and waterfall still made observers stared in awe.
Naruto sat cross-legged on the river water. He closed his eyes and meditated. The gurgling sound of the waterfall in front of him didn't seem to disturb his concentration at all.
Naruto's consciousness slowly fell into the subconscious mind. The subconscious place that he was heading to right now was even deeper than the place where he and the nine-tailed fox used to communicate.
This place was at the deep end of his heart. The nine tailed fox couldn't even enter here. The power of a unique jutsu that could control mind from the Yamanaka Clan also won't be able to access up to here.
Perhaps, only high level Genjutsu like Kotoamatsukami or Mugen Tsukoyomi could cause ripples in this place.
Naruto entered a dark place that was only lit by a dim light. The light was himself.
A familiar voice greeted Naruto "Yo, it's been a long time."
Naruto still took a meditative position. His eyes opened slowly when the voice sounded.
The light around his body expanded in a radius of several feets.
A familiar figure appeared before Naruto. It was himself. It's just that his other self looked different.
A pair of black eyes with red pupils could be seen from his other self.
Naruto returned the figure's greeting. "Yes, it's been a while."
The figure smiled broadly. His smile looked extremely cold and evil. "What's wrong with you, my good-self?"
Hearing the figure's called, Naruto smiled too. Only, his smile felt warm and friendly. "Am I not welcome here, my evil-self?"
The evil Naruto laughed out loud. "Hahaha ... of course you are welcome."
"Since I was accepted, you must also know the purpose of my visit." The good Naruto stated.
"Tch, you don't want to mince words and get straight to the point. It's boring!" The evil Naruto sulked.
The good Naruto still calm and asked, "So, what do you think of our next step to go further?"
The evil Naruto gazed at the good Naruto with a look full of interest. "Why bother asking? You know the answer too."
The good Naruto sighed. "Hah ... I still want to hear it from you. After all, this is an important step for both of us. It wouldn't be fair for me to decide on my own."
The evil Naruto laughed again as if he had heard the funniest joke ever. "Hahaha ... what's so unfair? Do I need to say this? You're just scared. You're afraid that if you take that step, there won't be the Naruto Uzumaki that everyone knows anymore."
"Naruto Uzumaki, huh? Sometimes I don't know if my life's path so far is really worth it?" The good Naruto shook his head questioningly.
"Humph! I just know you shouldn't regret anything that had happened. To progress further, what is needed is your own strength.
On our first meeting at that time, I was really sick of seeing my own naivety. So, I want to devour this trait and exterminate it.
Unfortunately, you are stronger. I cannot devour you and instead tolerate your kindness and naivety.
You know what we lack? So far, it always be me accepted you, but you have never fully accepted me."
Hearing his evil-self's lengthy lecture, the good Naruto exhaled. "Hah ... I'm sorry. The right time hasn't come yet. I still owe the family a lot. There's no way I'm leaving them anytime soon. Be patient."
The evil Naruto had a flat face hearing that reply. He then sneered. "Don't worry, I'll always be patient for you. When the time comes, don't have any regrets or we won't be able to go any further. Let go of all the burdens within us.
I emphasize, everything! Friends, relatives, family, ties, positions, and powers that are not your own!"
The good Naruto was speechless. Then, his consciousness began to recover slowly.
"Looks like, our time is up. Boruto has come. When the time comes, I'll see you again. Good Bye!" The good Naruto's consciousness disappeared from that place. The light source also disappeared and left only a silent darkness.
Boruto walked on the water carefully. He approached his father's position while shouting, "Father! Did you hear? Oi...."
Naruto opened his eyes and replied, "You've come already? What's taking so long? Father got tired waiting for you."
"Tch, I ran as fast as I could. It's your fault for choosing a place far away from the village." Boruto complained.
"Sorry, sorry. I can't think of a better place to teach you Kagebunshin techniques than here in the Valley of the End." Naruto said regretfully.