"How long has it been?" Liuxi looked up at the sky, her heart filled with confusion.
She remembered when she died, cherry blossoms fluttering, painting the blue sky, it seemed so beautiful. The boy with dark green long hair, who liked to tie deep blue ribbons in his hair. His expression remained indifferent, the hilt of his blade dipped in her crimson blood, staining the white blade belt wrapped around it, and coloring her pink kimono brightly, vividly red. She still remembered the intense mist in the boy's eyes, he was always such an enigmatic person.
That boy was her closest person. She tilted her head, lost in thought.
Even though he had cold eyes and always carried a noticeable scent of blood, he never hesitated when killing, nor did he let a drop of blood stain his pristine kimono—because of his cleanliness, and somewhat crazily fondness for white. But whenever she touched him, he would always show a childish smile—her only little brother, Liuguang.
She remembered the sacred ritual, where men and women danced joyously. The boy named Hill was just a shy and timid young man, with light brown hair and eyes, who blushed easily. He was completely different from her brother Liuguang. Of course, he was the one she was going to marry.
And Liuguang was the chosen holy son of the Santaro clan, destined to live under the light. He was not only her pride as a sister but also the pride of the clan; he was a born warrior.
But, when he killed her, even though his eyes were cold, he did not avoid the splattering blood. Perhaps it wasn't that he couldn't avoid it, maybe he just didn't want to. Perhaps he was starting to regret a little. Liuxi pursed her lips, thinking, but that blood, it made his skin even whiter, giving him a kind of enchanting beauty.
"I said, betrayal equals death."
The intermittent words echoed in her ears, and Liuxi felt her vision slowly blur. The boy's cold eyes, his blade-like features, gradually receded. The last thing she saw was Hill slowly falling. At that moment, she suddenly realized that all beautiful things are fragile, just like the bond between them.
"I'm sorry…"
Her once beloved little brother, possessed an indescribable possessiveness towards me.
And the ritual required blood, especially, the blood of the most beloved person.
But, Hill...
"I'm sorry…I'm cruel too. For the sake of the entire clan, sacrifices must be made. Whether it's you or me."
Liuxi murmured softly.
So, what's happening now? Liuxi stood still, looking at her golden short hair and deep blue eyes in the mirror, feeling lost. Finally...
She finally felt that something was wrong.
A boy…
She turned into, a boy.
Ah. Is this a possession?
Then, where is the other soul? The original owner of the body?
But, male or female, it doesn't matter…she thought absentmindedly.
There was no difference in her understanding between men and women from an early age. In her village, men and women were equally capable. Perhaps gender didn't matter to the Santaro clan. The only thing that mattered was strength. The strong preyed on the weak, and only absolute strength could rule the world.
As Liuxi stared blankly at her hands, a voice sounded from within her body.
"Summoning you…"
Liuxi felt her consciousness slowly drifting away. The last thing she saw was the dirty ceiling.
"Drip…" The sound of dripping water echoed on the ground, creating small blue ripples on the dark surface. She blinked, darkness, spreading endlessly. And the air was filled with a musty smell. She frowned slightly and sank into her thoughts. Until she heard the voice again, "Woman, come here…"
Without any hesitation, she walked forward slowly. Any hesitation was unnecessary, as long as she moved forward.
In front of her was a spreading fiery red.
The fiery red fur and golden upside-down pupils reflected in Liuxi's eyes. It was a fox, a giant fox. It grinned, looking quite surprised. But, it gave Liuxi a sense of familiarity.
"Woman, you're finally back. Are you satisfied with this brat's body?"
"You are…Nine-Tails," the familiar hoarse voice stirred Liuxi's memories. Liuxi wrinkled her brows and tried hard to remember. It seemed that it was a fox she had saved when she was a child, she called it Nine-Tails because of its strange nine tails. At that time, its sudden speech had made her mistake it for a monster.
Thinking back to the first meeting, she smiled slightly.
Sensing the curve of Liuxi's lips, the fox didn't speak, but its eyes showed astonishment. Where was the difference? He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"What's wrong?" Looking at the child in front of her, Liuxi felt a fondness for him, her gaze softened, her tone gentle. The Nine-Tails locked in the cage beside her sneered. Hmph, this kind of meaningless sympathy, woman, you'd better keep it to yourself. It's completely useless.
Naruto, in his[previous] confusion, looked up at Liuxi, his eyes shining with unparalleled brilliance. He finally understood. What was different? That soft and gentle thing, was it called—gentleness?
"Don't…don't leave me again. It's too lonely…" Naruto[previous]raised his head stubbornly, tears and snot flowing freely down his face, he was somewhat panicked as he reached out to wipe them, but in the end, he could only bite his lip and stubbornly cover his face.
Liuxi suddenly felt that the boy's appearance was very much like the proud little cat in her family at that time. She sighed softly and walked up to him, squatting down, and leaning her forehead against his.
The warm temperature passed through her skin. "You need to learn to face it, Naruto." From the moment she touched this body, Liuxi received the memories of this body. Those memories surrounded by beatings, abuse, disdain, fear, and loneliness... The six-year-old child raised his face, the golden hair crossed the darkness, bringing a special radiance.
She thought, this child, was somewhat similar to her.
"I really want to prove myself..." Naruto[previous]'s voice slowly faded, his fingers began to disappear. His eyes began to look terrified. Although he really didn't want to live under those scornful eyes, he kept telling himself to be stronger. To be braver, and he really didn't want to die.
"Ah ah ah, what is this, why..." Unknown fear made him unable to resist shouting loudly. He unconsciously grabbed the girl next to him tightly.
Liuxi felt the pain in her arm but hugged the golden-haired boy, "It's okay, don't be afraid." She tried to transfer her spiritual power to him.
"So warm..." Naruto[previous]'s eyes sparkled, and he began to like the girl in front of him a little. If it was her, it wouldn't be bad to entrust everything to her, including, his most important thing. "You're so warm...don't leave me, it's too lonely..." His voice gradually faded, "You must remember, you must...let everyone recognize...me..." Naruto[previous]noticed that his voice was almost inaudible, but he still tried to widen his eyes, finally seeing a blackness, and then closing his eyes contentedly. Liuxi stared blankly at her empty palm, furrowing her brows.
"Nine-Tails, you've gone too far..." She stood up, looking coldly at the Nine-Tails in front of her, who gave her a disdainful "hum," "Boring. Just a human."
Yes, to Nine-Tails, I am his savior, a person who must be repaid, an important person, and the other guys are just dispensable. ——Liuxi thought.
"And, don't get me wrong. Woman," sensing Nine-Tails' suddenly cold tone, Liuxi looked into the cage, the golden light in the fox's dangling pupils made it impossible to look directly at them. "I'm just repaying you for saving this body. As a Tailed Beast, I am very loyal."
Liuxi silently turned her body and said softly, "Let me out."
In an instant, the rotten smell slowly dissipated, and when Liuxi opened her eyes, she saw the dirty ceiling.
"From now on, Liuxi will be Naruto." Liuxi smiled faintly, thinking so in her heart.
But "Gurgle~" a rumbling sound made her instantly embarrassed.
Ah, but most importantly, I have to fill my stomach.
Well, Naruto, since this result has been created, we, who are powerless to change it, must ultimately accept it. But, Naruto, I will definitely realize your thoughts. I will prove to everyone here that you are you, and I am me.
So, from now on, I am Naruto Uzumaki.
Liuxi raised her face, revealing a brilliant smile.