From my perch above them, I listened to their conversation. Yuriko was sharp she'd already guessed it was me. A smirk tugged at my lips. Time to make an entrance.
With a swift leap, I landed silently in front of them.
"What the fuck?!" Saya exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to mask her shock. "Why did you come?"
Yuriko, on the other hand, stayed silent. Her composure was impressive.calm and calculating, even with my sudden appearance.
Feigning hurt, I crossed my arms and sighed dramatically. "Of course, you were just telling your mother I'm a 'man,' when I'm clearly still a child. Lying like that do you know how sad that makes me? " I layered on the mock anguish for effect.
Saya's expression flickered between shock and irritation. "Are you seriously trying to guilt-trip me right now?" she snapped, though her voice wavered.
Yuriko's eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. She was definitely taking my sudden arrival a lot more seriously than Saya was.
"Yes," I said with a nod, as if that one word explained everything.
Before I could say more, Yuriko cut in. "Why did you ask her when you've already asked me?"
Saya's head snapped toward her mother, confusion written all over her face. "Wait what? You already talked to my mom?!"
Turning fully to Yuriko, she demanded, "Mom, did he already tell you about… the other world?"
Yuriko gave a small nod, her gaze shifting back to me with an expression that screamed I need answers. Now.
Meeting her stare, I spoke evenly. "Because you and Saya are different."
Saya blinked. "Different? What do you mean?"
"You were both on my list," I explained, keeping my tone steady. "Not just because you're family, but because you're both intelligent. Smart. Strategic. I needed to understand how both of you think."
My words seemed to sink in, and for a moment, they were both silent.
Breaking the quiet, Yuriko turned to Saya. "What do you think?"
Saya hesitated, glancing at her mother before speaking. "I think we should go. Who knows when… he will act." Her voice sharpened on the word, and it was clear she couldn't even call him "father" anymore.
Yuriko took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "When can we leave?"
"In three weeks," I answered.
I don't plan to tell them about the apocalypse.
Why ruin the surprise?
Let them witness their world's destruction with their own eyes. Let them feel the weight of the inevitable as everything they've known crumbles into nothing.
"Oh, and by the way," I added casually, "how much money do you have?"
Yuriko raised an eyebrow. "Enough. Why?"
"Good," I said. "Use it. Buy whatever you might need, because once we leave, we're not coming back. Make it count."
Yuriko nodded, understanding exactly what I meant. "I will," she said .
Saya glanced at me, her brows furrowed in thought. "Are there anyone else who might join us?"
I paused for a moment before answering. "One more, if she makes the choice," I said, thinking of Saeko. "She'll most likely be the one."
I decided not to bring anyone else.
While Shizuka might be helpful, she's not the only one out there in the Omniverse. I can find someone better during my travels if necessary.
After all, I'm not collecting people like Pokémon.
As for sympathy, I'm sorry I'm a killer.
While many see Naruto as an inspiration, they fail to grasp the darkness lurking in this world.
Ninjas aren't heroes. We are weapons. Born to kill, trained to eliminate anyone in our way. Innocent people, the elderly, women, even children there's no room for mercy. No chance to leave behind proof.
Do you remember the Uchiha massacre? Even the newborns weren't spared. A clan erased overnight, no pity, no hesitation.
Regret has no place in this life. If you hesitate, you die. If you pity, you fail. That's the reality of the shinobi way.
Saya's lips twitched as if she wanted to argue, but instead, she muttered under her breath, "Another girl..."
Her words were quiet, but I heard them clearly.
"Jealous already?"
Her head snapped up, her cheeks flushing a deep red. "Jealous?! Of who? You're insane!"
Yuriko, who had been silently observing the exchange, let out a soft sigh. "Saya, focus," she said gently but firmly. "This isn't the time for petty thoughts."
Saya glared at me briefly before crossing her arms and looking away. "I wasn't being petty…" she grumbled, though her voice lacked conviction.
Yuriko's gaze sharpened slightly. "And this girl can she be trusted?"
I nodded. "She's strong, smart, and capable. If she agrees to come, she'll be an asset."
"Alright, enough chit-chat. I'm out," I said, heading straight for the window and disappearing into the night without another word.
As soon as he was gone, Yuriko turned to Saya. "Do you think he'll protect us?"
Saya hesitated, her gaze lingering on the window. "Only if we're useful," she said finally, her voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "We don't know what the future holds… but this is our only chance."
Yuriko's lips curved into a faint smile, a mix of pride and sadness. She reached out and ruffled Saya's hair gently. "You've grown up, Saya. You're stronger than you think."
Saya didn't say anything, but her eyes hardened with resolve. There was no room for weakness now.