The morning sunlight streamed through the small gaps in the shutters of the inn, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. Kuro opened his eyes, feeling oddly refreshed. Unlike the mornings back in busy dusty town of the earth, where the air was often thick with pollution and the weight of expectations, today felt... lighter. There was a sense of tranquility in the air, something almost foreign to him in the last few years of constant movement.
As he sat up, a faint, glowing notification flickered before his eyes:
> **[Your data is 78% synced.]**
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. *Progress,* he thought. Good thing for him! He stood, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders, the stiffness from yesterday's escapades melting away. The events of the past few days—this strange, new world he found himself in—still felt surreal. At times, it was like he was a spectator to his own life. But the weight of the unfamiliarity was slowly wearing off, replaced by a growing sense of curiosity and something else he couldn't quite place.
Glancing at the other two occupants of the room, he called out, "Hey, anyone up for breakfast outside? I hear the Hidden Leaf has some killer street food."
Reika, who was seated cross-legged by the window with her eyes closed, meditating, opened one eye and sighed. "Food does sound good." She stood gracefully, brushing imaginary dust off her cloak. Her movements were deliberate and calm, the air around her always seeming to carry an aura of control.
Xero, sprawled on the floor with his arms behind his head, looked up lazily. "As long as I don't have to pay." His voice had that familiar casual tone, as though nothing in the world could be urgent enough to make him raise his head from his comfortable spot.
Reika chuckled. "Always the freeloader."
The trio stepped out into the vibrant streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, where the morning bustle was already in full swing. Vendors called out their wares, the aroma of grilled skewers and freshly baked bread filling the air. Children darted between stalls, laughter echoing as they played tag. The village seemed alive, not just with people, but with a sense of community, a stark contrast to the isolation Reika and Xero had grown accustomed to back home.
They eventually found a small eatery tucked into a corner, its modest wooden sign swaying gently in the breeze. The owners were an elderly couple, both with kind eyes, who greeted the trio with warm smiles. Sitting under a wooden awning, they ordered plates of rice balls, tamagoyaki, and grilled fish, the simple dishes far more delicious than Kuro had expected. He could almost taste the love that had gone into preparing them.
"Not bad," Kuro said, savoring the meal. His stomach was uncharacteristically calm, a welcome relief from the gnawing anxiety that often accompanied his travels.
Reika, chewing thoughtfully, added, "The Hidden Leaf definitely knows its flavors. Even the simplest dishes have depth." Her voice was soft, but her words carried weight, like everything she said was measured, precise.
Xero didn't comment, but his quick pace in finishing his plate said enough. The man had an unnerving way of silently consuming food, as though it were just another task to complete. The only thing that seemed to break his stoic demeanor was the occasional glance toward Kuro and Reika, as if to confirm that they were still in sync, still operating as one unit.
As they ate, Kuro couldn't help but feel a strange sense of harmony with the world around him. For the first time since arriving here, it felt as though he was exactly where he needed to be. This feeling, however, was fleeting, as the morning's tranquility was soon interrupted by a rising commotion nearby. Shouts and murmurs rippled through the crowd, drawing attention toward an alley not far from their eatery. The trio exchanged glances before making their way over to investigate.
Pushing through the gathering onlookers, they saw the source of the disturbance: a tall, broad-shouldered man in a black, baggy full-body suit adorned with a red-and-yellow circle emblem. He was holding a young boy by the collar, dangling him off the ground like a rag doll.
Kuro froze for a split second, recognition hitting him like a jolt of electricity. *That's Kankuro. And that kid—Konohamaru!*
On the ground near the man was another boy, on his knees and glaring up defiantly. The familiar blonde hair and whisker-like marks left no doubt. *Naruto Uzumaki,* Kuro thought, his mind racing. *This is playing out just like in the show.*
Kankuro's hood, with its feline ears, added to his menacing aura. His smirk was one of practiced arrogance as he held Konohamaru aloft. "You little brats need to learn some manners. No one messes with me and walks away unscathed."
Naruto stood, clenching his fists. "Put him down, you oversized housecat!"
Kankuro's smirk widened. "What's this? You think you can tell me what to do, kid? I'm from the Sand Village. You don't want to mess with me."
Reika grabbed Kuro's sleeve. "Let's stay out of this," she hissed. "This isn't our fight."
But Kuro shook his head. "We can't just stand by."
His words were laced with an old, familiar urge. It was the same feeling he'd gotten back in Old school days in earth—when someone weaker was being bullied, and he couldn't stand by and watch. A surge of righteousness swelled in his chest, pushing him forward.
He stepped toward the commotion, raising his voice. "Hey, Kankuro! Let the kid go."
Kankuro turned toward him, his expression amused. "Oh? And who are you supposed to be?"
Before Kuro could respond, Xero moved. In a blur of motion, Xero drew his sword and closed the distance between them. His blade slashed through the air, forcing Kankuro to loosen his grip on Konohamaru and step back.
"You shouldn't be picking on kids," Xero said coldly, his stance firm and his sword gleaming in the sunlight. "If you want to fight, fight someone your size."
The crowd gasped at Xero's audacity, murmurs spreading like wildfire.
Kankuro's smirk remained, but there was a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He tightened his grip on the bundle slung over his back. "Looks like we've got a hero in the crowd. Fine. If you want to play, I'll show you what happens when you mess with me."
He reached for the bundle, and Kuro's eyes widened. *That's his puppet!*
Before things could escalate further, Kuro stepped between them. "Wait, wait!" he said, raising his hands. "Let's not turn this into a full-on fight. We're in the middle of the Hidden Leaf Village, remember?"
Kankuro sneered. "And why should I care?"
"You should care because you're already outnumbered," Kuro replied evenly, motioning toward Naruto, who had moved beside him, fists raised and ready. "Plus, starting trouble here won't end well for anyone."
Kankuro hesitated, glancing around. The crowd was growing, and Kuro could see the gears turning in his head. *He's weighing his options.*
Reika stepped forward, her voice calm but authoritative. "Enough of this. You've made your point, Kan-kro or whatever. Let's leave it at that."
As the tension built up and everyone braced for a fight, a figure stepped into the middle of it all, cutting through the charged air. Kuro immediately recognized her—it was Temari. She had that kind of presence that made everyone take notice. Tall and confident, her long blonde hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and her sharp eyes gave off the vibe that she wasn't someone to mess with. The big fan strapped to her back wasn't just for show—it was as much a part of her as anything else.
"Knock it off, Kankuro," she said, her voice steady but with an edge. "If you don't cut the crap, you're gonna get yourself into real trouble."
Kankuro's smirk stayed, but it had a hint of frustration now. He glanced over at a certain spot—Kuro could tell exactly where he was looking.
With a quick shrug, like he wasn't totally happy about it, Kankuro finally dropped his weapons. "Whatever. I'm not wasting my time on a bunch of nobodies," he muttered, stepping back.
He turned and began walking away, leaving Konohamaru and Naruto unharmed. Temari also disappeared along with him.
Naruto turned to Kuro and Xero, grinning. "You guys were awesome! Thanks for the help!"
Kuro smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's no big deal. Just didn't want things to get out of hand."
Xero, still holding his sword, muttered, "I would've taken him down if he didn't back off."
Reika rolled her eyes. "Sure you would've. And then what? A full-scale fight in the middle of the village? You didn't got your enough beating when you face Neji last time?"
Xero didn't respond, sheathing his blade. The moment felt strangely peaceful, but there was still a lingering tension in Kuro's chest. He wasn't sure what he expected after the confrontation, but it wasn't this sense of quiet acceptance that came afterward.