Naruto sat on the wall, watching the small genius known as Sasuke happily dash into the yard with a brilliant smile on his face. Then he flipped over the wall. The small folding fan behind the boy jumped along with his movements, reminding Naruto of the slender, pure white fingers of that young Uchiha, and that smile as warm as the March sun.
Family hindrance...
Facing family, the expression on that boy's face was so gentle, completely devoid of the usual severity and coldness. This boy bore too many responsibilities, so much so that he had forgotten what he truly desired. How much he resembled Naruto at that time...
Back then, Naruto was the same, burdened with the fate of death since birth. He had felt pain, resentment, and despair, but in the end, he had accepted it willingly. Because he understood deeply that only with his blood could he awaken his brother's other side, only then could he fulfill the ritual of the chosen one - the inheritance of blood.
This was how the clan could continue. The clan... that mother had given her life to protect...
So, whatever choice the boy made, Naruto had no right to interfere.
However, he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever the choice, the boy would carry a heavy burden.
As Naruto walked home, his heart felt heavy.
The twilight gradually disappeared from the horizon, and slowly, the sky began to darken like ink.
As he approached home, Naruto looked up and saw the silhouette of the ponytailed boy elongated by the streetlight. Then, the ponytailed boy looked up, his face somewhat blurry in the darkness.
Actually, Shikamaru didn't understand why he was here, but he knew that when he saw the boy disappear outside the classroom, he felt a sudden unease. He had always been disdainful of things like friends and companions. Perhaps, that was the arrogance of being a genius. But, it was this boy who had once smiled and said to him, "Only you," "You're my brother now!" And it was also this boy who had smiled at him and said, "Shikamaru, you're actually pretty weird." Then, he felt a warmth in his heart. So, he wanted to stay by this boy's side, he wanted to see this boy's warm smile.
Hey, Naruto, only you understand me. So, don't leave quietly like this... I... will worry too. - Shikamaru chuckled lightly, walking towards the blond boy.
Naruto stood still, staring blankly as the boy approached him. Shikamaru clasped his hands behind his back, his smile lazy, his eyes curved. "Hey. You've been playing all day without me..."
"Shikamaru..." Why did he have a feeling that the boy had been waiting for a long time... just for him.
"When did you get here?" Naruto asked, thinking aloud.
"Not long ago." Shikamaru stood in front of Naruto, his fair complexion appearing somewhat blurred under the dim streetlight. Then Naruto suddenly grabbed Shikamaru's hand, feeling the cold touch in his palm, Naruto lowered his gaze.
Naruto held the boy's hand with both hands and breathed lightly.
"Shikamaru, you're really silly." The warm flow surging in his heart made Naruto feel slightly sour.
Shikamaru stood still, letting Naruto hold his hand, a bright smile appearing unconsciously on his face.
Seeing the curve of the boy's lips, Naruto suddenly had a feeling:
No matter what happens in the future, this boy will always be waiting for me.
This boy named Shikamaru was a scenery that never faded in Naruto's youthful memories.
Later, occasionally, when the boy named Sasuke passed by, there was always a complex glance he habitually cast back at the corner.
Later, life at the ninja school was mundane yet exciting. Every time he was knocked out by Iruka, but he couldn't resist falling asleep next time.
Later, he would still sneak into the Uchiha compound, exchange a few words, listen to the awkward boy's words, then sit quietly and watch the boy throw shurikens, feeling the flow of chakra, watching the azure sky and the drifting clouds. Occasionally, he would pester the boy to teach him a few moves.
Later, Shikamaru would always lean against his house, waiting for him to go to school together.
Naruto always worked hard, often waking up in the middle of the night to practice ninjutsu.
Although the surveillance gaze had disappeared, he knew that the public ninja academy would definitely be monitored by the ANBU members as the Third Hokage had said.
So, he maintained the position of the bottom of the class. And Shikamaru was also mixed in the middle and lower positions.
But Naruto knew that this guy was just lazy.
However...
Naruto glanced at the little Uchiha biting his lip, and suddenly a strange feeling surged through him.
Maybe, this boy was also unwilling, after all, his brother was such an outstanding guy. But this guy probably couldn't understand what his brother was thinking. Could it be that he really didn't notice anything unusual? Or maybe he did but couldn't bring it up...
But, this was the Uchiha family's business...
Naruto knocked his head.
Hey hey hey, when did I start meddling in other people's business? Gossip may be a privilege of girls, but I'm a guy now!
Concealing his chaotic thoughts, Naruto decided to close his eyes and continue his nap.
Until once again, chalk hit his forehead, once again he saw Iruka's veins popping on his forehead, once again he was punished to stand outside, once again he escaped punishment, ran to the Uchiha compound training ground, and stared quietly at the empty target. The boy didn't come today. Uchiha, Sasuke...
Then, Naruto remembered the deep gaze from Sasuke as he left...
The fear in those black eyes was indiscernible, only a faint softness appeared when he saw his brother's figure. Although he always flipped out into the yard before the younger Uchiha entered.
At that moment, a feeling of real terror struck Naruto.
Then, a suspicion arose in his mind. Today, it seems that he didn't see the boy's figure...
Does that mean something is going to happen today?
"Hehehe... Naruto, you're confused again. Humans are so insignificant." The hoarse and heavy voice of Kyuubi resounded.
"Am I... confused..." Naruto sat under a tree, propping his chin, starting to contemplate.
Maybe he was always hesitating about his own purpose of existence and the future. It seems like from his past life until now, he's been someone who takes others' destinies as his own. Have I lost myself...
Thinking about it, Naruto sighed softly, feeling lost in his thoughts.
"Heh, that Sharingan, talking about the Moon Goddess's gift, heh, any power comes with a price, and the Sharingan is no exception. The clan with the Sharingan is a clan doomed to die early. Except for that Uchiha Madara!" Surprised by Kyuubi's teeth-gritting tone, Naruto became curious about this Uchiha Madara, as it was the first time Kyuubi mentioned a human with such respect.
"Uchiha Madara? Who is he?" Naruto asked tentatively.
"Heh, you can also call him the ancient demon. The ancient demon with indescribable power. But I know that his clan also died because of him in the end. Humans, all of them... they're just not worth mentioning in front of us demons." Kyuubi seemed to mutter to himself, his voice gradually fading away.
Looking at the gradually darkening sky, Naruto was a little stunned.
Uchiha Madara, a name that seemed to have been mentioned before. Uchiha, Sasuke... What kind of fate awaited them...
Sasuke stood on the roof of the ninja school, looking into the night sky, the stars faintly reflected in his eyes.
His pale cheeks were stained with a hint of blush, like cherry blossoms in March, swaying gently in the wind. But under the moonlight, the aura emitted from the boy was a little more melancholic.
"Sasuke, let's go home!" a slightly hoarse voice called out to him.
Sasuke's eyes slightly narrowed, then he looked at the night sky for a moment longer before turning his head to face the speaker.
"Shikamaru..." Sasuke called out softly, his voice a little hesitant.
"Let's go home," Shikamaru repeated, his voice still a little hoarse, but with a firmness in it.
Sasuke looked at Shikamaru quietly for a moment, then nodded silently.
The two figures disappeared into the night, leaving only the stars twinkling in the sky.