Darkness. Endless, all-consuming darkness. Naruto floated in it, unable to feel his body or the passage of time. Then, like a distant glimmer of hope, he felt something familiar. Warmth. Energy. Chakra.
Slowly, as if emerging from a deep nightmare, the young shinobi began to regain consciousness. The first sensation was cold. The wet floor made him wince, and his heart beat with double the force. His eyes were still closed, but the place was familiar. The inner world of his mind.
I tried to open my eyes and my whole body ached. The murky water around him, the dim light reflecting off its surface. And the huge silhouettes towering above him. Kurama. And not just him.
As he struggled to sit up - his body felt incredibly heavy, as if it were filled with lead - the jinchuriki looked up and froze, feeling a chill run down his spine. All nine of the nine tailed beasts appeared before him. Their eyes glowing in the semi-darkness were fixed on him, expressing a mixture of anger, sadness, and worry. Something was wrong, and that 'something' made fear clench his throat.
- What... what's going on? - A hoarse voice, as if it hadn't been used in a very long time, scratched his throat. - Why are you all here?
Silence. None of the beasts responded - only Kurama let out a low growl that made the water shake. That silence was more frightening than any words.
- Hey, answer me! - My attempt to get up ended with a fall back into the water. Panic was rising, my heart was pounding like crazy. - What happened? Where are we? Where's Sasuke?
At the mention of her friend's name, Matatabi let out a quiet hiss. Sanbi lowered his head as if unable to look at his interlocutor. This silence... it was worse than any pain.
- Kurama, please! - There was desperation in his voice. - Tell me what happened.
The nine-tailed fox stared hard. His huge fangs were bared, and his tails twitched nervously. Never before had this mighty biju looked so... frightened?
- You really don't remember anything, do you, boy? - Kurama finally spoke. His voice was full of a bitterness that made his heart ache.
Closing his eyes, Naruto tried to focus. Scraps of memories floated into his mind like shards of a broken mirror. The battle. Kaguya. Sasuke by his side. And then...
- Pain," he whispered, opening his eyes full of terror. - I remember the unbearable pain. It felt like a thousand blades ripping into me.
Kurama nodded, his gaze softening, but the anxiety didn't disappear.
- Father's mother used a deadly technique on you both. Chakra blades that prevent regeneration.
A lump came to my throat. The trembling hands seemed alien, unreal.
- But, uh. but I'm alive. How?
- Barely," the nine-tailed man muttered. His voice trembled with restrained emotion. - We've all," his gaze swept over the other biju, "given up most of our chakra to keep you alive. It hasn't been... easy. - Kurama paused. - 'And it wasn't just you. I also activated a piece of my chakra inside Sasuke, the one I gave him back on the battlefield. It helped keep him alive, though not as effectively as yours.
Tears began to well up in the young shinobi's eyes.
- Thank you," he said quietly, his voice trembling. - But... What happened then? Where are we and... what about the others?
Heavy silence was the answer. Kokuo let out a long sigh that sounded like a groan. That silence spoke louder than any words.
- Naruto..." Kurama's voice became even more grim. - After Kaguya injured you, she sent you to another dimension.
- Another dimension? - An uncomprehending look, fear clutching his heart. - How's Kamui Obito?
- No," the fox shook his head. - It's something much more complicated than that. We're in a completely different world, or on a different planet. И...
Biju fell silent, as if hesitant to continue.
- So? - his voice trembled with tension. - Kurama, please tell me.
- We've spent the last two weeks in this world, Naruto.
He froze. The ground was gone from under his feet. Two weeks. Two whole weeks had been wasted. No defense, no help. Kaguya was left without opposition.
- No... - a whisper of terror. - No, no, no! It's impossible!
He jumped to his feet, ignoring the pain, and felt panic wash over him like a tsunami. The images flashed before his eyes: Sakura smiling, Kakashi-sensei always late, Sasuke's determined gaze.
- We have to go back! Now! - Her voice trembled with desperation. - Kaguya... She might have already... - The thought was left unfinished.
The memories came like the waves of a raging ocean. Obito's own words echoed in his head, "I won't let my friends die!" And now? Now all that was left to do was to stand here, in the depths of consciousness, helpless and lost, until home... until Kaguya's home, perhaps already...
- Sakura-chan, Kakashi-sensei, all of our friends... - The tears were filling my eyes. - The whole village! Я... I let them all down.
Images of Konoha destroyed, of fallen comrades filled his mind. His heart was torn with pain and fear. Shikamaru, Chouji, Ino, Kiba, Hinata.... Everyone who had been sworn to protect him. Everyone who believed in him.
- How... how could I have let this happen? - There was bitterness and self-recrimination in the whisper. - I promised to protect them all. I gave my word I wouldn't fail. And now...
Falling to his knees, submerged in water up to his chest, the young shinobi slammed his fist into the surface, not noticing the pain. The physical pain seemed insignificant compared to the mental anguish.
"I don't deserve to be Hokage," the thoughts tore through his mind, his lifelong dream crumbling under the weight of the realization. - "I couldn't even protect those around me. How could I ever dream of protecting an entire village?"
A look full of desperation and pleading turned to the bijou.
- Tell me there's a way back," a trembling voice said. - There must be a way! We'll find it! We'll- - Almost a scream, a frantic gaze darted between the tailed beasts, seeking support, hope - anything.
- Naruto! - Kurama's thunderous voice interrupted the flow of words. - Calm down. This is no time to panic.
But how do you stay calm when you know your own vows have been betrayed? How do you stay calm when you have failed everyone you swore to protect?
Panic had already taken over my consciousness, clutching my heart in an icy grip. His whole body was shivering, his breathing interrupted. Closing his eyes, trying to hold back his sobs, the young shinobi felt the tears still flowing down his cheeks, mixing with the waters of the inner world.
At that moment, the young man felt not like a tough shinobi who would save everyone, but just a frightened, lost boy who had failed in his responsibility. Images of a possible future - a world without friends, without Konoha - haunted him, keeping him from breathing.
- Naruto," Kurama's voice sounded unexpectedly soft, "listen to me.
But my mind refused to obey. My thoughts were jumbled, and my heart seemed about to jump out of my chest. My breathing was ragged, my connection to reality thinning.
- Я... I can't... - A strangled wheeze through the fingers clutching my temples. - I've failed them all... Я...
Suddenly something warm enveloped the trembling body. At first, the sensation didn't even penetrate the shroud of despair. But gradually the warmth began to penetrate deeper, as if trying to reach his soul.
- Breathe," Nine-Tails' voice came again, more insistent this time. - Just breathe.
Trying to focus on breathing seemed almost impossible. However, the enveloping warmth grew stronger and stronger, and gradually I realized that it was the chakra of the tailed beasts.
- We're here with you," Gyuki said, his voice full of sympathy. - You're not alone.
The eight-tailed man's words echoed in his mind. Very slowly the panic began to recede. His breathing was still interrupted, but it wasn't so shallow anymore.
- That's it," the fox said approvingly. - Keep breathing.
It was only after a few minutes that I managed to look up at the biju. His eyes were red with tears, his body trembling, but he had a clearer perception of what was happening.
- Я... - his voice trailed off. Swallowing, the young man tried again. - I don't know what to do.
This confession didn't come easy. A lifetime of being the one who never gave up, who always found a way out. And now. completely lost.
- And that's okay," Matatabi said softly. - No one expects you to know all the answers.
Those words, strangely enough, brought relief. Some of the tension had receded. The fear and guilt were still present, but not overpowering.
- But my friends... - whispered, throaty breaths again. - I can't just sit here knowing they're in danger.
- And we're not just going to sit here," Kurama said firmly. - But first we need to understand where we are and what's going on. Panic won't help your friends.
A slow nod. The nine-tailed man's logic was breaking through the fog of emotion. Taking a deep breath, the biju chakra continued to envelope, giving support and strength.
- You're right," his voice was shaky, but with a hint of determination. - You're right, Kurama. I... I need to calm down and think.
The fox nodded approvingly.
- That sounds more like someone I know.
Another deep breath. Fear and guilt remained somewhere deep inside, but now there was a new feeling mixed in. Determination. Hope.
- Okay," he said, slowly rising to his still trembling feet. - What do we need to do?
Ninetail exchanged glances with the rest of the biju.
- First, you need to wake up. Really wake up to reality. - A pause, as if gathering my thoughts. - When we arrived in this world, the locals found us. They picked you and Sasuke up and started treating you. It's thanks to their help and our chakra that you're both still alive.
A surprised look.
- Did the people of this world help us? But why? They don't know us at all.
Kurama shook his head.
- We don't know that. But the fact remains that they saved your life. Now you need to wake up and try to understand who these people are and what they know about our situation.
Nodding, a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
- And you, uh. will you be with me?
- Always," the fox's voice was unshakably confident. - We will always be with you. You will never be alone in this battle.
Tears came to my eyes again, but now they were tears of gratitude. The silent nod spoke more than any words.
- And now," Kurama announced, his voice full of determination, "it's time to wake up. You've got a lot of work ahead of you, boy.
With those words, the inner world began to dissolve, dragging the consciousness back to reality.
The first thing that broke through the shroud of unconsciousness was the quiet, rhythmic beeping of the instruments. Then the pungent smell of antiseptic hit his nose. Naruto opened his eyes slowly and cringed at the bright light.
He carefully raised himself up on his elbows and found himself on a smooth, warm medical bed. His eyes glanced around the strange room: the walls and ceiling were covered with metal panels with built-in glowing elements. Mysterious devices with flashing lights and holographic displays stood around. In the center of the room was a circular platform with some complex equipment.
Thin tubes and sensors were attached to the body. Just reaching out to tear them off, a faint, hoarse voice came from somewhere off to the side:
- Already. awake?
Recognizing Sasuke's voice, the young shinobi instantly forgot his discomfort. He jumped off the bed, almost tangled in the wires, and hurried over to his friend.
The Uchiha was lying on the same bed across the room. His condition was frightening: pale face, dark circles under his eyes, and several bandaged areas of his body. His gaze seemed absent, as if lost in his own thoughts.
- Sasuke!
His gaze fell on his friend's bandaged hands, dark stains of dried blood staring back at him. A drip was standing nearby, slowly injecting medicine into his emaciated body. Naruto clenched his fists and felt a wave of guilt and helplessness wash over him.
The Uchiha slowly turned his head, focusing his gaze.
- Я... I'm fine..." His voice was weak, but there was a familiar resilience in it.
- Xo! I was too weak! - The bitter confession came out of my own mouth.
- Don't talk nonsense," Sasuke cut him short. - Her power was beyond our comprehension.
Lowering his gaze under the weight of doubt and self-recrimination, Naruto took a deep breath and shared the information from Kurama: about the other world and the two lost weeks.
- I see..." was the Uchiha's quiet response.
There was a heavy silence, broken only by the beeping of medical equipment. Each second seemed to last an eternity.
Suddenly the silence was broken by a sharp hissing sound. A hidden door in the wall opened, and two silhouettes quickly entered the room.
- Hey, it's too early for you to get out of bed," the blue-haired creature said. - The words were incomprehensible to both shinobi.
- Wait, Hank, I don't think he understands us," the bald man in the levitating wheelchair stopped him and turned to the confused guest and said in his native language, "I don't think you should be out of bed yet, young man.
After freezing for a moment, Naruto quickly gathered himself, "Who are you?
- Charles Xavier. You are in my facility for gifted mutants.
- Mutants? - There was confusion in his voice.
The blue-haired creature gestured to the recliner. Feeling tired and deciding not to resist, the young shinobi slowly returned to his seat, casting an anxious glance at his friend.
Charles, noticing this concern, calmly said:
- Your friend's gonna be okay. His condition is serious, but he'll survive.
With a relieved exhale and settling into the comfortable bed, Naruto thanked his saviors profusely, but immediately frowned:
- Why did you help us?
Charles smiled, his face radiating calmness and confidence.
- We try to help those in need.
The professor told about the day when his students discovered an anomalous flash of light in the forest. About arriving at the place where they found a huge crater in the middle of the forest. In the center of the crater, among the twisted earth and fallen trees, lay two teenagers - wounded, in tattered clothes, with barely any life in their bodies. The voice grew quieter as they spoke of urgent measures to save lives.
Listening intently, the jinchuriki's face grew more and more serious with each new detail of their condition. Even the Uchiha, normally unflappable, frowned slightly by the end of the story.
- So you know we're from another dimension? - Naruto clarified, still trying to make sense of the situation.
Charles nodded.
- You're safe here.
- Then how do you know our language?
The professor began to explain the concept of parallel universes, using the metaphor of a tree with infinite branches-worlds. He explained how some worlds could have developed similar or even identical languages.
- Uh, I don't get it..." Naruto admitted, scratching the back of his head.
Sasuke, on the other hand, seemed to grasp the gist of the explanation despite his condition. The experience of traveling with Orochimaru helped to connect the new information to the known theories about dimensions and space-time.
- Well, we'll leave that for later," Charles said consolingly. - In the meantime, get well.
- Other worlds... - The jinchuriki whispered, still trying to comprehend what he had heard. His eyes were filled with wonder and worry. - Is there a way to go back? To our world?
The professor looked thoughtfully at his interlocutor, weighing each word.
- Maybe," he replied after a pause. - But I have to be honest with you-it's going to be very difficult. We've never faced a situation like this before.
- What do you mean?
- Interdimensional travel is an area we're just beginning to explore," Charles explained. - We'll have to study your case more thoroughly before we can offer any solutions.
Sasuke, who had been silent until that moment, suddenly raised his voice:
- What if, uh. we can't go back?
Turning sharply to his friend, Naruto exclaimed:
- Don't say that! We'll definitely find a way!
Charles raised his hand, urging calm.
- It's important not to panic right now. We will do everything we can to help you. But you need time to recover and adapt.
- But our friends, our village... - a voice trembling with emotion.
- I understand your concern," the professor interrupted soothingly. - But you can't help them now. Your job is to get better and get stronger.
As the young shinobi lowered his gaze, he felt helplessness and despair set in. The young shinobi felt the powerlessness and despair of the situation, and it was getting harder and harder to convince himself that it was inevitable that he would return home.
- Я... I understand. But as soon as we get better, we'll start looking for a way back. Right, Sasuke?
The Uchiha nodded weakly despite his exhaustion.
Charles smiled, seeing their resilience.
- We'll help you in any way we can. Now get some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us.
As the guests left the room, Naruto turned to his friend.
- We'll manage," he whispered softly, more to himself than to Sasuke. - We'll definitely find our way home.
A COUPLE OF DAYS
Charles waited in the corridor of the medical wing, staring intently at the fitting room door. It had been two weeks since the mysterious young men had appeared, and their recovery was proceeding at an astonishing rate, raising many questions.
The door opened, revealing the guests in new clothes. Their former clothes, tattered to shreds, could no longer be restored. The professor watched the aliens' movements carefully, noting the ease and confidence unlike those of the recently severely wounded.
Naruto seemed full of energy in his bright t-shirt and loose pants. Naruto's eyes glittered with curiosity, and a wide smile remained on his face. But an experienced psychologist didn't need telepathic abilities to see the deep, hidden sadness behind the cheerful mask-the subtle shadows in his gaze, the fleeting moments of a shaky smile.
Sasuke presented a stark contrast. If his comrade tried to hide his sadness behind vigor, the Uchiha remained a mystery. Wearing a dark T-shirt and loose pants of the same color, he stood motionless like a statue. His face remained completely impassive, betraying not a single emotion. His eyes, usually considered the mirror of the soul, were like impenetrable pools-even his extensive experience in reading people made it impossible to unravel their mystery.
- I'm glad to see you've made a full recovery," the professor said with genuine interest in his voice.
In response, the jinchuriki's wide smile and the Uchiha's usual equanimity.
Pointing the chair forward, Xavier continued:
- I imagine you have a lot of questions about where you are. I'm ready to give you a little tour of the school and tell you about our world.
An energetic nod from one and a brief glance at his comrade from the other served as agreement.
The path led down a long corridor of the underground level. The walls of metal with light panels embedded in them and the perfectly smooth floor resembled a mirror.
- Wow! Unbelievable! Datebayo! - Naruto's enthusiastic exclamations were accompanied by attempts to touch the glowing panels.
The Uchiha followed in silence, scrutinizing every detail of his surroundings. The professor stopped at a massive door, almost invisible against the wall. A light touch on the touchpad and the barrier hissed away.
Behind it was a huge spherical hall, illuminated by a muted blue light. In the center stood a strange helmet-like structure surrounded by holographic screens. The hexagonal panels on the walls pulsed with a soft glow.
- This is Cerebro," pointing to the central device, the telepath explained.
- Why are you showing this to us? - Sasuke's tense question ignored the formalities.
The professor froze for a moment, surprised at the directness. In his world, teenagers rarely allowed themselves such treatment of their elders. He quickly reminded himself that they were from another world, where social norms might be different.
- I promised to help you get home," was the calm reply. - Cerebro is the key to that. You can use it to find and contact any intelligent being on Earth.
The Uchiha raised an eyebrow slightly. Such power was reminiscent of the Yamanaka Clan's techniques, but on an incomparably larger scale.
- Are you saying there's someone who can help us? - Anxiety slipped into his voice.
For a split second, his gaze became detached. His fingers trembled faintly, a shadow of doubt flashed in his eyes, but the moment passed quickly.
- Maybe," the telepath replied, approaching the console. - There is a mutant named Ulyana Rasputina. Her abilities are unique - traveling between dimensions at the mere sight of her destination.
The Uchiha's outward calmness was maintained, but his posture gave away his inner tension.
Putting on the Cerebro helmet, the professor activated the system. The room was filled with a quiet humming sound. The electrified air made his skin tingle slightly.
Space was filled with billions of glowing dots like stars - overhead, underfoot, all around.
- Every dot is a mind," the telepath explained tensely. - Every person on the planet.
The jinchuriki's exclamation of admiration was accompanied by wide-eyed stares. The Uchiha remained impassive, but curiosity slipped into his gaze.
- Now let's find the ones that are different.
On command, most of the lights went out, leaving only a few million bright dots across the globe.
- They are mutants," the professor continued. - They are few in number compared to ordinary people, but each one has unique abilities.
Suddenly all the dots disappeared, plunging the room into semi-darkness. After a brief concentration, a holographic projection of a young girl with long dark hair and piercing green eyes appeared in the air.
- And this is Ulyana Rasputina, known as Magik. Her abilities are unique even among mutants.
Both guests scrutinized the image, comprehending the information they had received.
- So what are we waiting for? Let's find her! - Naruto's voice was ringing with enthusiasm.
A sad shake of the head.
- Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Ulyana. She's very cautious and very good at hiding.
- But why is she hiding?
Taking a deep breath, his face grew grim.
- Our world has harsh laws against mutants. The government and special forces are constantly hunting us down. Many are forced to go into hiding to survive. She could be anywhere - in the far corners of the Earth or even in another dimension.
- And there's no way to find her? - He asked disappointedly.
- Not right now, no," was the soft but firm answer. - Cerebro is constantly scanning the world. If Ulyana appears in the detection zone, we'll know immediately.
- How long could it possibly take? - Sasuke frowned.
- Honestly, I don't know. It could be tomorrow, a month from now, or a year from now. But the search won't stop.
Carefully removing his helmet, the professor began to shut down the system. The holographic screens went out one by one, plunging the room into semi-darkness.
- Cerebro is the result of years of research," the telepath summarized. - But even with that power, there are things that remain beyond comprehension. - Drawing closer to the guests, he continued: - I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but please don't give up hope. While the search for Ulyana continues, you will have time to explore our world.
The jinchuriki's face was a mixture of disappointment and uncertainty. The Uchiha remained outwardly calm - he hadn't expected a simple solution. A fleeting clench of his fist betrayed an internal struggle, but it quickly disappeared.
- And now," the professor said, heading for the exit, "I think we could use a little break. Come on, I'll show you the rest of the school and introduce you to the other students.
As he left Cerebro's room, Charles pondered how the presence of these unusual young men could make a difference in the school.
The trio stopped in front of a massive metal door with the words "Elevator" glowing softly above it. The door slid silently aside, revealing a spacious, round cabin.
- Please," the professor invited with a gesture.
Both guests stepped inside, following the wheelchair. A light touch on the control panel and the cabin moved smoothly upwards, almost imperceptibly for the passengers.
The doors opened to reveal a completely different interior. The warm wood-paneled walls were a stark contrast to the cold metal of the lower levels. The procession moved down a wide corridor.
The Uchiha's attentive gaze took note of every detail of his surroundings.
- What is this place? - Curiosity slipped into the normally impassive voice.
Noticing the interest, the telepath smiled:
- This is my school for the gifted - a haven for people with unusual abilities, known as mutants. Here they learn to control their powers.
Through the open doors one could see classrooms where teenagers of various ages were listening intently to the teachers.
- In these classrooms, we educate children, helping them unlock their potential in a safe environment," he explained.
Soon the group came to a vast open area. Dozens of young people were practicing there, demonstrating amazing abilities - levitation, teleportation.
- And this is our recreation and practice yard. Here students can safely experiment with their powers. After all, uncontrolled mutant powers are dangerous to both the wielders and those around them.
Jinchuriki watched with interest while his companion scrutinized the students' every movement. Noticing their reactions, Xavier decided to share more information.
- This peaceful atmosphere is the result of great effort and constant vigilance," there was seriousness in the calm voice. - The school is protected by advanced technology developed by our genius Hank McCoy. The remote location also helps keep the existence secret.
The look became thoughtful:
- However, despite all measures, danger is always around. We teach students not only to control their abilities, but also to be prepared to protect themselves and others.
- And do you often have to, uh. defend yourself? - Sasuke asked.
- Unfortunately, more often than I'd like," the telepath said sadly. - But we never give up hope for a better future, where mutants and humans can live in peace.
The guests exchanged glances. Despite the peaceful atmosphere, the jinchuriki's heart was growing anxious for his loved ones and his homeworld, which had been left in a critical situation.
The Uchiha's features remained impassive, his gaze cold and focused. It was impossible to tell if he was sharing his comrade's worries or if something else was on his mind. Even the most careful observer could not penetrate that mask of calm. Perhaps his worries were no less deep, or maybe his mind was already calculating the next steps in the new, unknown world.
The metal wheels creaked softly on the parquet of the second floor. Naruto's gaze slid over the massive gilt-framed paintings and crystal lamps. Small black boxes with red lights were visible at every turn.
At the door to the living room, the sharp smell of metal revealed the presence of a stout man with disheveled black hair. Despite his slack posture, his tense muscles gave him away as a fighter. As soon as the three entered the living room, Charles caught the attention of those present.
- My friends," the professor broke the silence, "let me introduce you to Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
In response - a broad smile and greeting in the native language from one, a short nod and continued analysis of the newcomers from the other.
- They're... not exactly from around here," the telepath added after a pause.
- What does that mean, Charles? - The metal-smelling man stepped forward, causing the Uchiha to tense momentarily.
The professor covered his eyes for a moment, activating the mental link for translation.
- Their nature. is unusual even for us. Let's just say they're very far from home.
- Far from home? - The young man with the cold aura asked. - Like... from another country? Or... - frost began to form around his fingers," ... from space?
The Uchiha's sharingan automatically activated for a split second, noticing the display of power. Jinchuriki tensed up as well, while maintaining a friendly smile.
- Professor," the blue-skinned creature said, tail twitching nervously, "if they're so far from home... How did they get here? How did they get here?
The question, transmitted through the mental link, brought back unsolicited memories of Naruto's vivid flashback during the battle with Kaguya.
- Bobby, Kurt," Xavier began softly, "the situation is much more complex than it might seem. What's important now is not where they came from, but that they need our help.
The girl approached with a welcoming smile:
- Hi, I'm Kitty.
- Nice to meet you, Kitty-san! - A cheerful response to the translation from the Professor. The Uchiha continued to maintain a wary silence.
- Professor," the tall guy in red glasses stepped forward, "how dangerous are they?
Though the words remained incomprehensible, the distrust in his voice was obvious. The Uchiha's barely perceptible grin appreciated the display of reasonable caution.
- I don't know, Scott," the professor sighed. - But they're not enemies. They're lost, and I feel we must take care of them.
- Well," the metallic-smelling man hummed, moving closer to scrutinize the guests, "at least it'll be interesting. Welcome to the freak show!
The mental translation of the phrase elicited a laugh from Naruto and a slight chuckle even from Sasuke - perhaps they really had found a place where their singularity wouldn't stand out.
The old bed creaked in the dark room of Xavier's mansion. The nightstand was piled with English textbooks and Japanese dictionaries, Naruto's attempts to settle into his new world.
The young shinobi closed his eyes, remembering today's failure. In a desperate attempt to secretly find a secluded spot at the foot of the mountain, the jinchuriki activated the Kurama Chakra Mod. A golden glow enveloped his body as hundreds of shadow clones scattered across the planet: across oceans and continents, across cities and deserts. Naruto could feel a different energy emanating from the mutants than the chakra. Each copy was searching for the one mutant girl whose abilities Xavier had said could help.
With the last clone gone, the bitterness of defeat flooded the ninja's mind. All those hours of searching proved futile. In this vast alien world, the former power that had seemed so powerful at home meant almost nothing. Even simple communication with the locals was becoming an impossible task.
A fist slammed down on the bed with force.
- Hey, kid," Kurama's mocking voice echoed in his head. - Are you giving up already?
- I'm not giving up," Naruto exhaled. - I just don't know what to do next. We're strangers here.
- When has that ever stopped you? - snorted the fox.
- It's different now. I can't even talk normally here.
- So learn," Kurama said. - Or did you think you'd get everything on a platter in the other world?
- Kurama's right," Gyuki interjected. - Start small. Get used to the place.
- What about our world? All those left behind?
- You can't help them now," Eight-tailed said firmly. - First we have to figure out where we are and how to get back.
The young shinobi sat up on the bed. A familiar determination flared inside.
- I'll find a way to get home. I'll find a way home.
- That's better," the nine-tailed man grinned.
The other tailed beasts murmured in agreement, expressing support for their jinchuriki.
He closed his eyes and listened to how he felt. The bijou's words gave him strength, but his anxiety persisted. The familiar reminder of the ninja's path and the inadmissibility of surrender sounded in his head. But in the silence of the night, the questions grew louder. What had happened to Konoha? Are the friends alive? Was it possible to return home?
His breathing became more rapid. The walls of the room were crushing him. The shinobi stood up abruptly, cold sweat trickling down his back. His heart pounded, throbbing in his temples. His gaze fell on the door. Behind it, across the hall, was Sasuke's room. I wanted to knock, to wake my friend, to share my fears. But pride stopped him. The Uchiha was already carrying a heavy load.
He went to the window, his trembling fingers working the unfamiliar latch. The night air rushed into the room, but it didn't get any easier. Staring outside, the jinchuriki tried to catch his breath.
Three stories down. For a normal person, it's deadly. For a ninja, it was nothing. Naruto swung over the window sill in one motion and landed on the grass. The tension released a little, and the coolness of the night cleared his head. His legs carried him onward, unable to see where he was going.
The level lawn stretched in all directions. Such a foreign landscape - not a single tall tree, as in the forests of his native village. Everything about it was a reminder of how far away home was.
Suddenly his gaze caught the moon. It was huge, almost full, and hung low over the horizon. The shinobi froze as he gazed at the familiar shape. A rinesharingan pattern was visible on the lunar surface. Kaguya's eye was looking down from the heavens.
- It can't be here," the words came out in a whisper.
But the eye continued to stare. As he fell on his back, the young man felt the cold grass creeping through his pajamas.
- I'll find a way back," he vowed to the moon and himself.
The sky continued to shine, indifferent to the promise. Naruto lay there, staring at the eerie reflection of the rinesharingan until the chill of the grass penetrated his bones.
Suddenly my keen senses picked up a barely perceptible movement. A shadow slipping silently across the grass. Footsteps. Quiet, almost inaudible. Only an experienced shinobi could move so silently.
Sasuke.
He appeared silently. His dark silhouette stood out clearly against the starry sky. Standing motionless, the last representative of the great clan stared at the moon. Then, without saying a word, he lowered himself next to it. Their shoulders were almost touching.
- Do you see it too? - Naruto whispered, not taking his eyes off the moon.
A short nod in response said more than any words could.
The silence no longer pressed. The presence of a friend, the only one who understood their shared pain, brought peace. The night air grew cooler, but no one moved.
- Do you think," Naruto's voice was hoarse, "are we ever going to get home?
Sasuke hesitated to answer.
- We don't have a choice.
Turning his head, the jinchuriki could see the determined gleam in his friend's eyes even in the darkness. It was empowering. If even the Uchiha believed in coming back, then there was hope.
But the sharingan wielder felt the weight of the unspoken truth. Black Zetsu's words echoed in his head: "Within a week, their life force will be sucked dry...". Clenching his fists, Sasuke reminded himself to see for himself first.
As the sky began to lighten, the Uchiha stood up and extended his hand to his comrade. His gaze was understanding.
Each of them returned to their room. Even though Naruto still managed to fall asleep, his comrade was having difficulty.
The gaze of the last of the Uchiha clan was staring into the emptiness of the room. The internal struggle had not stopped for a moment since he had come to this world.
Closing his eyes, the young shinobi plunged into memories as vivid and painful as if they had happened yesterday. The scene of the battle with Kaguya unfolded before his eyes in great detail.
The dust was slowly settling after the goddess' attack. The young warrior turned and saw Obito's body pierced by a large black pin. A gray stain was slowly spreading around the wound, slowly turning the flesh into ashes.
Naruto was standing behind Obito. - Xo! Xo! - screamed the jinchuriki, desperately trying to channel the healing power into his former enemy's body
At that moment something flashed in my soul that could not be called compassion. It was clear that all attempts were futile. Obito had taken the blow that was meant for them. It was time to act
The activated Susanoo rushed towards Kaguya. The pale face of the goddess remained impassive even under the giant warrior's strike. Her eyes looked through her opponent as if he was nothing more than an insignificant insect
It was then, in the midst of the battle, that Black Zetsu's cold, almost triumphant voice sounded through the rumble and crackle of crumbling rocks
- All of humanity is now trapped in the cocoons of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. - he let out a sinister, venomous laugh, his lips curved into a smirk, his eyes glittering with a cold gleam. - Within a week, their life forces will be sucked dry," he paused, savoring the grim anticipation, "and all that will be left will be withered shells, devoid of soul and chakra
Those words hit harder than any attack. They penetrated deep into the mind, leaving behind coldness and emptiness. For a moment, concentration faltered, and Kaguya took advantage of it, knocking Susanoa back with a powerful stream of chakra
As he fell, his gaze locked on his comrade, still trying to stop the ashes from spreading across Obito's body. He didn't hear Zetsu's words.
Opening his eyes, the Uchiha came back to the reality of the new world.
Two weeks.
So much time has passed in this world.
As he walked to the window, the last member of the great clan gazed out at the unfamiliar landscape. This world was so similar and yet so different from their own. There was no chakra here. Instead, there was a strange emptiness that nothing seemed to be able to fill.
His gaze slid to the door. Across the hall, in the other room, a former teammate slept. Once the plan had been to kill him, to break that bond, to become the only evil in the world. Now Naruto was the last link to the past.
This thought triggered a wave of contradictory emotions. On the one hand, irritation. There shouldn't be this, uh. attachment. It's weakness. The path of a loner, relying only on one's own strength - that was what made one strong, allowed one to make difficult decisions that others could not.
But the thought that the jinchuriki might have learned the truth about the fate of their world was strangely unsettling. Imagining how that eternal fire in his friend's eyes would go out, how that annoying smile would disappear.... For some reason, that image resonated with an almost physical pain.
Past confrontations came to mind. Each attempt to break their bond only made Naruto stronger, more stubborn. He always came back, trying to reach out. And each time, something inside resisted, not allowing him to completely reject the bond.
- Why? - The question sounded hollow, directed at my own reflection in the windowpane. - Why can't I just let it go?
Perhaps it was the fact that this restless shinobi was the only one who always saw something more than just an Uchiha, more than just a vigilante. Even in moments when darkness consumed consciousness, he continued to believe. That faith was like a beacon in a raging sea of hatred and pain.
Irritation was building inside. Now was not the time to think about that. There were more important concerns. Black Zetsu's words were still ringing in his ears, reminding him that their world might no longer exist.
- We need to check for ourselves," the decision came firmly. Not out of concern for his comrade's feelings, no. It was simply necessary to know for sure before proceeding further.
A plan began to form in my head.
My heart beat faster with anticipation of the action. It was a familiar feeling, almost comfortable. It reminded me of the days of confronting the world, when every decision could cost a life.
But it's different now. Now there's a responsibility to more than just yourself. This decision could cost the trust of a friend. Perhaps even destroy the fragile bond that had begun to form between them in this new world.
"But isn't that what I've always wanted?" - the inner voice sounded uncertain. - "To break that bond, to be truly free?"
Deep inside, however, the answer was known. This connection, despite all attempts to get rid of it, had become part of the essence. It was like a second heart, beating in unison with his own. And the thought of losing it brought a strange sense of emptiness.
Shaking his head, the last Uchiha tried to rid himself of the intrusive thoughts. The habit of acting alone was deeply ingrained. If he had to bear the burden alone, so be it. Isn't that what makes you strong? Wasn't it the willingness to make difficult decisions that always made you stand out from the rest?
Itachi's words about true strength coming when there was something to protect came to mind. At the time, the idea had seemed like a sign of weakness. But now... now the meaning of the brotherly words was beginning to take on a new meaning.
Noiselessly walking out of his room, he stopped at his comrade's door. A brief pause. Listening to the sounds from the next room, quiet, even breathing told that the named brother was still asleep.
****
A silhouette gradually manifested in the middle of the forest outside Xavier's school. Chakra pulsed in its left eye. Rinnegan. A power that could open a portal between worlds. A power that could bring them back home.
The last of the Uchiichi clenched his fists. His face remained impassive, but a storm of emotion raged inside. To know the truth, to see it with his own eyes, had become a necessity.
Closing his eyes and concentrating his chakra, the rinnegan wielder opened them again. A sacred pattern flickered in his left eye. Space began to distort, twisting into a spiral. A moment later, a dark oval of a portal formed in the air.
Without hesitating, Sasuke stepped forward.
The bright sunlight hit his eyes, causing him to squint for a moment. When his vision adapted, the sharingan wearer froze, looking around at the scene before him.
Konoha. Or what's left of it.
The familiar streets were empty - no sound, no movement. A sepulchral silence. Only the wind blew scraps of paper and trash across the ground. Sasuke moved slowly forward, his footsteps echoing in the dead silence.
Soon he saw the first signs of disaster. Huge tree roots, growing out of the ground, were piercing the buildings and sidewalks. They stretched upward, intertwining with each other to form a giant net.
And on those roots hung cocoons. Empty, torn cocoons.
Sasuke stepped closer, his hand involuntarily reaching for the hilt of a sword that wasn't there. But the enemy wasn't here either. Just empty shells and...
He lowered his gaze and froze. At his feet lay what had once been a man. Now it was just a withered corpse-the skin tight around the bones, the mouth open in a silent scream.
Sasuke slowly looked around. Everywhere his gaze fell, the same bodies were lying there.
Hundreds. Thousands.
His face remained impassive, but something trembled inside. He closed his eyes, trying to collect his thoughts.
It was over. Their world, their home, everything they had fought for - everything was destroyed.
Sasuke remembered his plans. How he wanted to be the only evil in the world that everyone would unite against. How he was going to kill Naruto to break their bond.
He opened his eyes and looked up at the sky. Just as blue as it always was. As if nothing had changed. Like the world hadn't fallen apart.
Suddenly, the young shinobi felt a deep, all-consuming emptiness. Everything he had been striving for, everything that defined him as a person, was gone in an instant.
He thought he was prepared for anything. That his equanimity and detachment would protect him from any emotional turmoil. But now, standing in the middle of the ruins of his world, Sasuke felt something inside him slowly begin to crumble.
The image of Naruto emerged in his mind. The man who had always believed in him. The man who never gave up, even when Sasuke was ready to give up.
Now he was the only thing linking him to the past. To who he used to be. And it was a link Sasuke didn't want to break anymore.
His mind was still trying to make sense of what he had seen, but something inside him demanded more. He had to see it through to the end.
Concentrating, the Uchiha activated the rinnegan again. The space in front of him distorted, forming a new portal. This time he knew exactly where he wanted to go.
A step forward and the world changed. The bright light changed to gloom and the silence to the distant rumble of the wind.
The battlefield of the Fourth Shinobi War spread out in all its horrifying splendor. The vast plain, once green and vibrant, was now dotted with blast craters and deep cracks. Huge boulders torn from the ground by monstrous techniques were piled everywhere, creating a chaotic labyrinth.
Stepping forward, his gaze slid across the battlefield. Bodies lay everywhere.
The same pattern of bodies that had been in Konoha were scattered haphazardly across the field. They had fallen from the heights as the cocoons of the Infinite Tsukuyomi sucked out the last drops of chakra. Some were still clutching weapons in their hands, others were sprawled in unnatural poses like broken dolls.
He stopped at a group of bodies that had once been Cloud's shinobi. Their shapes were still distinguishable, but the faces.....
Deciding not to stop, he moved on. His steps became slow, almost uncertain. The purpose of the search was clear, but a part of his soul still hoped he wouldn't find it.
Soon they came into view. Four figures lying close together. They were the ones who were supposed to be killed to start the revolution. The young shinobi's throat tightened with bitterness.
A revolution that would change the shinobi world, cleanse it of corruption, pain, suffering, and create a new world order. It was a revolution that would change the shinobi world, cleanse it of corruption, pain, suffering, and create a new world order.
Now, looking at the lifeless bodies of the Kage, he realized the futility of his former ambitions. The world that was supposed to be changed no longer existed. The enemies they had planned to defeat had been defeated by a force far greater than their own.
Kage. The leaders, considered the root of all problems, now lay helpless in the face of the true threat, just like everyone else.
On closer inspection, the bodies resembled ancient mummies, the skin dried and darkened, tightly encasing the bones. Their facial features were indistinguishable, as if erased by time and the horror of their experiences.
Rakikage, the mighty A, had become a shadow of his former self. His once muscular body shrank, looking like a withered tree. Mei Terumi, the Mizukage, lay beside him, her figure unrecognizably distorted.
Tsuchikage Oonoki, already small, now seemed tiny, resembling a shriveled leaf. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, had lost all of her legendary beauty, her body shriveled and indistinguishable from the others.
And finally, Gaara. The young Kazekage, Naruto's friend... Even his youth didn't save him from dire consequences.
Closing his eyes and trying to gather his thoughts, the last of the Uchiichi continued across the battlefield. Soon the thing he dreaded the most showed up ahead. A group of young shinobi lying together.
Naruto's friends.
With his heart pounding furiously, the rinnegan bearer approached the bodies. He could recognize them more by the remnants of their clothes and hair than by their appearance.
Chouji, once large and strong, now looked like a skeleton covered in leather. The armor of the Akimichi clan hung loosely on his withered body.
Ino was lying next to him, her long blonde hair turned into brittle straws. Her arm was outstretched, as if trying to reach for someone at the last moment.
Shikamaru was a little further away, face frozen with an expression of deep thoughtfulness. Even in death, the genius strategist seemed to be trying to find a way out of the situation.
And finally, Hinata. The young shinobi froze in front of her body. The girl who had always loved Naruto lay there, delicate features distorted by an agonizing grimace.
Sasuke knelt down beside the bodies. His face remained impassive, but a storm of emotions raged inside. He remembered them all, alive, full of energy and hope. He remembered how they had fought side by side against Madara. How they had believed they could win.
And now.
Looking up at the sky, which was covered in heavy gray clouds, as if nature itself was mourning the dead, the Uchiha whispered:
- What am I supposed to do? - The words contained all the pain and despair that had been repressed inside for so long.
The image of Naruto reappeared in his mind. The eternal rival, believing in a better future. Never giving up, even when all seemed lost.
To imagine his friend's reaction to this picture of total annihilation was unbearable. Even his indomitable spirit could not bear such a thing.
- I can't tell him," the decision came firmly.
Suddenly the thought of Kakashi and Sakura flashed through his mind. Both had been in Kaguya's dimension during the Endless Tsukuyomi. Cold logic suggested - the goddess would not spare them. A ruthless being who sought only power and control. The thought of former teammates meeting their end in an alien dimension, alone and helpless, made him grit his teeth.
There was a fleeting urge to open a portal to Kaguya's dimension. Just to be sure. But rationality screamed danger.
The opening of the portal could attract the attention of the goddess. And if she detected the presence of an outsider, she might follow into a new world - the world where Naruto was. The only loved one left.
Clenching his fists until his palms ached, the sharingan wielder used the physical sensation as an anchor to distract himself from the agonizing thoughts of Kakashi and Sakura's fate. Risking everything for a ghostly hope was not an option. Even if it meant leaving his former comrades forever buried in an alien dimension.
With a heavy heart, the decision was made. No portals. No risking the safety of Naruto and the new world for the sake of likely dead people. A bitter but necessary truth.
Slowly rising to his feet and taking one last look around the battlefield, the last Uchiha imprinted the picture of destruction and death in his mind forever.
Already preparing to activate the rinnegan to return to that alien world where the named brother remained, the warrior suddenly froze.
A wave of alien chakra, powerful and ominous, rolled in, paralyzing his movements. His eyes widened with horror and disbelief.
- No... That's..." a whisper escaped his lips. But there was no doubt - that chakra belonged to Kaguya. Fear gripped his entire being. - She's still here.
A direct return to the new world had become impossible. If the goddess was indeed approaching and discovered the trail, she might follow the fugitive, endangering not only him, but also Naruto and the entire world that had become their temporary refuge.
The solution came instantly. It was necessary to confuse the trail by moving through several locations before returning.
Activating the rinnegan, the bearer of the ancient dojutsu stepped into the portal without looking back.
The new point was Suna. The desert wind threw sand in his face, and gray clouds covered the sky. The village of Hidden Sand lay in ruins. The huge sand towers, once majestic symbols of power, were now destroyed, their debris scattered across the desert.
There was no point in lingering. New concentration, new activation of the ability.
Kiri was the next destination. A thick fog shrouded everything around them, but even through it, the sharingan could see the extent of the destruction. The water in the village's many canals had turned black and stagnant. Dead silence pressed on his ears.
Straining his senses in an attempt to detect Kaguya's presence, the young shinobi picked up nothing. But there was no risk. Another jump.
The Kumo Mountains met with a new stab of reality. The majestic peaks, once hidden by clouds, stood naked and gloomy. A thick layer of dust covered everything around them, as if life had left these places years ago.
My heart clenched painfully. Each new location only confirmed the horrifying truth-their world was dead.
But there was no time to grieve. The threat, distant though it was, still lingered. It was time to return.
Concentrating all his chakra, the last of the Uchiha opened the final portal. This was the most difficult transition of all, the interworld jump requiring a tremendous amount of energy.
A bright flash, and the familiar forest outside Xavier's school materialized around him. Breathing heavily, his exhausted body leaned against a tree, shivering with exhaustion. What he saw shook him to the core. It was exactly as bad as it had been supposed to be. Worse than imagined. Now the choice was to reveal the truth to Naruto, or to protect him from this devastating truth.
Imagining his friend's face, full of pain and despair, at the news of the fate of their comrades and the whole world... No, this could not be allowed.
It took a few minutes to check his surroundings, trying to catch even the slightest trace of alien chakra. A minute, another. Nothing.
Gradually the adrenaline receded, the tension leaving the exhausted body. The danger seemed to be over. But it was impossible to relax completely.
Keeping his guard up, the clan heir walked slowly toward the school. The coolness of the night refreshed his heated face, and the silence of the forest seemed almost soothing after what he had seen.
The building was in semi-darkness. Footsteps echoed in the empty hallway on the way to Naruto's room. Suddenly there were voices approaching, two female teachers walking toward him, interrupting their morning conversation at the sight of an unexpected visitor.
The young warrior walked past with a nonchalant expression on his face. The women paused for a moment, eyeing the unusual pupil. Their eyes showed a slight surprise and perhaps concern-it wasn't often to see someone wandering around the school at such an early hour.
Without a word, they exchanged quick glances before continuing on their way. Their footsteps and muffled voices faded into the distance, leaving them alone with the weight of their thoughts and decisions.
There's a brief pause at a friend's door.
Silence. Only the measured breathing of the sleeper behind the wall.
My hand hovered over the doorknob. I thought of going in, waking him up, telling him the truth.
About no one waiting at home anymore.
- No," the quiet voice sounded with cold determination, steel ringing in it.
The rinnegan turned away from the door and walked toward his room. Every step was difficult, as if he were carrying an invisible weight, a burden of knowledge that he would have to carry alone.
There was a quiet click of the door closing in my own room. Without undressing, the exhausted body sank to the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
****
The silence of the battlefield was broken by a sudden burst of energy. The air shook, distorting and spiraling. Slowly tearing the fabric of reality, a portal opened. The chakra progenitor emerged majestically, her long white hair fluttering in the invisible wind.
The pale face of the goddess contrasted with the third eye on her forehead, pulsing with power. Her cold and piercing gaze glided across the battlefield, strewn with the bodies of fallen shinobi. Not a shadow of emotion - just a slight bewilderment. A strange uneasiness gripped the Dimension Lord.
- It's weird. I could feel someone's presence here. Familiar chakra," the words came out quietly, almost a whisper.
Black Zetsu emerged from the shadow of the mother figure. His yellow eyes scrutinized the surroundings, trying to catch the source of his creator's anxiety. His anxiety was transmitted to him as well, causing his form to waver slightly.
- There's no one here but the dead, Mom. Maybe you felt residual chakra traces," the creature's voice, though it tried to sound confident, had a hint of doubt in it.
With a frown and narrowed eyes, the deity took a few steps forward without touching the ground with his bare feet. The air around him shook with tension. Every part of his body resonated with the space around him, trying to pick up the slightest trace of an alien presence.
- No, it was more than that. For a moment, I felt. him. - There was steel in his voice.
The dark creature tensed, its form becoming more defined, preparing for action. A wave of anxiety swept through the essence of the loyal servant.
- Sasuke Uchiha? But that's impossible. We saw the portal pull him and Naruto in. They couldn't come back. - The words were a mixture of surprise and fear.
Raising her hand, the ancient goddess began to distort the space around her. Her fingers moved, treading the threads of reality in search of the unseen.
- I feel a faint trace. The portal was only recently opened here. - The quiet voice was full of confidence.
A chill ran through the creature's dark essence. The thought of the Rinnegan host's return made me shudder inwardly.
- What should we do, Mom? If Sasuke is really here.
The Measurement Lord lowered her hand, her face impassive again. But there was a dangerous glint in the depths of her eyes.
- We'll wait. If he's here, he'll try to come back sooner or later. And then we'll be ready.
His gaze drifted into the distance. The power pulsed inside, ready to burst out at the slightest threat.
- This world is already ours. All that's left is to remove the last of the interference.
With those words, the divine entities vanished into thin air. The battlefield was silent again, but now it seemed ominous, filled with the expectation of an imminent storm. Only a subtle tension remained in the air.
****
The new day greeted the Uchiha with a heavy stare. The clock read four o'clock in the afternoon. He lay still, listening to the sounds of the waking building.
Slowly rising, the last of the Uchiha clan sat on the edge of the bed, his thoughts immediately returning to yesterday's discovery. A feeling of emptiness and loss swept over his body. A deep breath helped him focus on the present moment.
The noise in the corridor grew as the school's students scurried back and forth. Voices, laughter, the sound of footsteps came through the door, reminding him of the new reality the young shinobi found himself in.
Every muscle in his body tensed as the heir to the Uchiha clan rose from the bed. As he approached the door, his hand touched the cold metal handle. A moment of silence, listening to the sounds outside, and then the door opened.
The bright light of the fluorescent lamps made me squint. The corridor was filled with students, some hurrying to class, others wandering lazily, talking among themselves. The hum of voices and laughter echoed in my ears, adding to the feeling of alienation.
Moving along the wall and trying not to attract attention, Rinnengan's owner barely grazed some guy's shoulder. He turned around, but didn't get even a glance back.
Finding a door with a picture of a restroom, the young Uchiha stepped inside. The smell of disinfectant hit his nose.
A tall guy with unusually pale skin stood at one of the sinks. The stranger was washing his hands, paying no attention to the newcomer. In the far corner, someone coughed behind the stall door.
Walking over to a vacant sink, the young shinobi turned on the water. The cold stream hit the earthenware noisily. His palms slid under the scalding coolness of the water, splashing it into his face several times.
Droplets dripped down his face, falling onto the collar of his T-shirt and leaving dark stains on the fabric. The black-haired boy looked at his reflection, his hair disheveled, dark circles under his eyes. The rinnengan in his left eye pulsed faintly, contrasting with the plain black of his right.
The shinobi returned to the room and walked over to the table where the books Xavier had given him were lying. Japanese-English dictionaries, grammar books - tools for adapting to this alien world. Gathering them into a stack, the Uchiha felt the heaviness not only physical, but metaphorical as well.
With books in hand, the dark-haired shinobi stopped in front of his friend's door. After hesitating for a second, the door opened without a knock. Uzumaki lay sprawled on the bed, his loud snoring filling the room.
My gaze fell on a glass of water on the bedside table. Without hesitation, the contents flew into the face of his sleeping companion.
Naruto woke abruptly, huffing and coughing. Blue eyes, full of surprise and irritation, stared at the troublemaker.
- What the hell, Sasuke! - exclaimed the jinchuriki, wiping his face.
- Time to get up and study," came the dry reply, accompanied by the throwing of the dictionary and textbooks onto Uzumaki's bed. - I'm off to the library. This hum is annoying.
With those words, the young Uchiha left the room, leaving his puzzled friend alone.
Her footsteps echoed off the walls of the school corridor. His black hair, carelessly disheveled as always, contrasted with his pale skin. Dark eyes stared straight ahead, unfocused on anything in particular.
The corridor was slowly filling up with students. Conversations and laughter filled the air, creating a cacophony of sounds that made Sasuke faintly cringe.
As the young shinobi walked past the group of girls, he didn't notice how they were half-silent as they looked at him. The red-haired, freckled girl blushed slightly and whispered something to her friend. The other, with bright blue hair, stared at his profile, trying to memorize every feature.
Immersed in his thoughts, he didn't even look in their direction. His mind was preoccupied with the memory of yesterday, of that terrible truth.
The solid oak doors of the library promised silence and privacy. The door opened with a quiet creak, and the smell of old books and leather bindings enveloped him, bringing a strange sense of comfort.
The library was almost empty, with only a couple of students sitting at the far tables. The young shinobi walked past the long rows of bookshelves, his gaze sliding over the spines, trying to make out the unfamiliar letters in the book titles.
Choosing a secluded corner by the window that overlooked the verdant mountains, he settled himself at the table and spread out the books and dictionaries in front of him.
The methodical study of words began with an attempt to memorize their sound and meaning. However, despite my best efforts to concentrate, my thoughts kept returning to the images of the destroyed world left behind.
Suddenly his head came up, eyes looking around the library warily. Making sure no one was watching him, the Uchiha covered his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, they flashed the bright red color of the sharingan.
The world around me seemed to slow down, every detail became crystal clear. As I lowered my gaze to the pages of the dictionary, every word, every symbol was now etched into my memory with unnatural clarity. Page after page of information was absorbed into my mind with incredible speed.
As he carefully studied the English alphabet, he compared it to the writing of his world. In English, the same letter could be pronounced completely differently in different words. For example, the letter "a" in the words "cat", "car" and "call" sounded differently.
"It's not like hiragana or katakana," ran through my mind. - "Even kanji, for all their complexity, have more predictable readings." - Memory obligingly suggested how, in his world, most characters had a clear connection between spelling and pronunciation, except in some complicated kanji cases.
This feature of the English language seemed to be an additional obstacle. Not only did he have to memorize the spelling of words, but also their unique pronunciation, which often didn't match the spelling. This discovery made one wonder how difficult it might be to fully master the language, even with the help of a sharingan.
Without stopping at the dictionary, the young man moved on to the grammar book. The rules and structures of the language unfolded before him like pieces of a puzzle, instantly forming a unified picture. His eyes moved along the lines with inhuman speed, absorbing not only the words, but the very essence of the language.
"Twelve times?" - The thought recoiled in bewilderment. In my native language, the temporal system was much simpler. The idea of using different forms of the verb to express the nuances of past, present, and future seemed unnecessarily complicated.
Perfect tenses were particularly puzzling. The concept of an action completed at a certain point in the past or future required a completely different approach to thinking about time than that to which the mind was accustomed.
"Why all this complexity?" - the question arose of its own accord. - "Can't you just tell when something has happened without all these extra forms?"
The rules for constructing questions and negations were the next challenge. The need to change the word order and add auxiliary verbs seemed unnecessarily confusing.
A heavy sigh escaped from his chest. Mastering this grammatical system required not only memorizing the rules, but also a complete overhaul of his approach to expressing his thoughts. Even with a sharingan that instantly memorized the rules, putting them into practice was going to be a challenge.
"It seems this language is designed to make communication more difficult, not easier," the thought reflected frustration before the long process of not only learning but understanding the logic of this new language.
It hadn't been more than an hour, and Sasuke had already mastered the basics of a language that would have taken a normal person months to learn. He blinked, and his eyes returned to their usual dark color.
After the intense use of the sharingan, Sasuke felt not only a slight physical fatigue behind his eyes, but also considerable mental exhaustion. His mind, overflowing with new information, seemed heavy and overwhelmed.
His fingers rubbed his temples, trying to cope with the growing headache. The huge amount of knowledge needed to be comprehended and organized. Words and rules in an unfamiliar language swirled in his head, gradually settling and forming new neural connections.
Despite his fatigue, a sense of satisfaction at the progress he had made filled his mind. It was becoming clear, however, that the use of the sharingan for language learning would have to be rationed so as not to overload the mind.
Sasuke leaned back in his chair, allowing a moment of rest.
My gaze froze in space, "So my brother felt something similar," the realization flashed through my mind. The last image of his brother appeared before his eyes. Bitterness came to my throat. His back straightened, unnaturally straight.
A new, horrifying thought sprang to mind, "Was my brother's sacrifice in vain if we couldn't save what he gave his life for?"
Sasuke closed his eyes. His fingers involuntarily clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. When he opened his eyes, the sharingan colored the world red, the ancient power of the clan reacting to the surge of emotion faster than his mind could suppress it. He slowly unclenched his fists, leaving semicircular nail marks on his palms. Enough of this. He didn't have time for emotions.
His gaze slid to the window, to the green hills of Vermont, the name of the state now easily readable on the map hanging on the wall. It was only the beginning of adaptation, but with the help of the sharingan, the process promised to be much faster and more efficient. Still, the prospect of mastering not only a language, but a whole new culture, was mildly irritating.
****
Uzumaki trudged down the hallway, still feeling the moisture on his face after his sudden awakening.
- Damn Uchiha," he grumbled as his hand wiped the last drops from his chin. - Couldn't wake him up properly? Xo, it's annoying!
The muttering attracted the attention of the students passing by. Curious, surprised, and sometimes wary eyes followed every movement. Whispers in an unfamiliar language and pointing fingers accompanied every step.
- Why do you have to learn this stupid language? - The jinchuriki continued to grumble, ignoring the people around him. - It would be better to look for a way home...
The young shinobi paused at the huge arched window, gazing out at the foreign landscape. His heart sank at the sight of green hills and forests instead of the familiar cliffs with the Hokage's faces on them.
- Sakura-chan, Kakashi-sensei, everyone else... How are they doing without me? - The words came out in a whisper, accompanied by a lump in his throat.
But with a shake of his head, the young ninja chased away the gloom. A loud "Dattebayo!" echoed down the hallway, startling a passing boy who nearly dropped a stack of books.
- You can't lose heart! I'll definitely come back! - My fists clenched and my body filled with renewed determination.
The corridor was bustling with life and movement. Students were rushing to class, chatting at their lockers, some showing off their skills.
"Wow," a thought flashed through my mind, "it seems like everyone here has some special powers. Maybe I'm not so different from them?"
But then the language barrier came to mind.
- Without language skills, I'm like a mute. You can't even ask me how to get out. - If only Sakura-chan were here, she'd learn it all in no time....
He stopped in front of the door, squinting at the unfamiliar letters. He stopped in front of the door, squinting at the unfamiliar letters.
- I hope this is the right door," the nine-tailed host muttered, remembering how he had entered the wrong office a few minutes ago. - Well, I'll have to be patient. The sooner I learn the language, the sooner I can find my way back.
A knock on the door and Xavier's familiar voice gave him confidence. With one last glance at the girl, Naruto entered the office.
The size of the room and the abundance of books boggled the mind.
"Xo! There are more books in here than Grandma Tsunade has in her study!" - A thought flashed through my mind.
A group of students were seated around the oval table, their curious stares causing involuntary tension.
But the attention was immediately drawn to two unusual girls. The first, with fiery red hair, looked like flames. Her pale skin was studded with freckles. Her green eyes shone with intelligence and curiosity.
"Just like Sakura-chan, only redheaded," thought the young ninja.
The second girl seemed even more exotic. Her silvery curls flowed down her shoulders like liquid metal.
Shaking off the daze, Uzumaki smiled widely.
- Yo, Xavier-sensei! - A loud voice was accompanied by a cheerful salute. - I apologize for the intrusion!
The professor sitting in the wheelchair turned around with a friendly smile. The shrewd blue eyes glowed with interest. The tension released the young shinobi a little. There was something about this man that reminded him of the Third Hokage, the same aura of wisdom and kindness.
- What brings you here? - Xavier asked in plain Japanese, causing the other students to look at him in surprise.
His hand scratched the back of his head, gathering his scattered thoughts. Her heart raced with excitement, but the habit of action took over.
- I need a few of the same uh... whatever... Japanese. English dictionaries. The more the better, dattebayo!
Charles raised an eyebrow in surprise.
- Interesting request. May I ask why you need so many of the same books?
- Sure, I'll show you now! - A smirk lit up the jinchuriki's face, anticipating the reaction of those around him. The seal folded quickly, concentrating the chakra. Two identical clones materialized side by side.
The students at the table perked up, eyeing the copies with curiosity. The nine-tailed host winked at the silver-haired beauty, feeling a surge of confidence.
"Now that's what I call making an impression!" - Pride overflowed in my chest.
- The clones' knowledge comes to me when they disappear," he explained with growing confidence. - I'll be able to learn the language faster and stop feeling dumb at this school!
The professor looked interested.
- That's a very ingenious approach, Naruto. I'll be sure to have the books ready for you.
- Great! - The young ninja's enthusiasm burst out in an exclamation. - Thank you, sensei! Soon I'll be able to speak English as well as you, Datebayo!
With a wave of his hand to those present, the young shinobi left the office, leaving behind a slight cheer and a few interested looks.
- Well, the first step has been taken," a quiet voice broke the silence of the hallway as her feet carried her back to the room.
At the next window, the steps slowed - the sunset was coloring the sky orange.
- Wait for me, guys," the whispered words drifted off into the void, thoughts drifting to his friends in Konoha.
- I'll definitely be back.