Scene Two
#Memories – (2)
#Author's Perspective
"We've arrived home, Naruto-dono."
The driver of the luxurious white limousine spoke coldly as he glanced at the six-year-old Naruto sitting in the back seat with the elegance of a rich man's son.
"Thank you,"
Naruto replied with an innocent smile and stepped out of the car after it was parked in its designated spot before the massive and lavish palace gates. Even though Naruto had seen it in the memories of this body, he couldn't help but feel slightly awed by the grandeur of the place.
As he walked toward the palace, which still seemed a bit far, he felt several hidden gazes watching him from all directions—predatory, patient, waiting like hunters for the perfect moment to strike.
"They're being extra cautious after what happened yesterday, huh?"
He lowered his head and smiled faintly. After regaining this body's memories, he was deeply affected by what had happened to its former owner. Naruto had changed—no longer the boy who believed kindness could win over even his enemies. That part of him might never return—at least, not now.
What happened yesterday had been a devastating shock to the terrifying Uzumaki clan. The disappearance of their only male heir in this generation was a severe blow.
The clan had already suffered through an entire generation without a single male successor—until this boy, Naruto, was born.
And despite the grudges many held against him, they had no choice but to protect him well, fearing the wrath of the current clan leader.
Naruto sighed and continued walking toward the distant palace with slow, cautious steps—or rather, toward the great prison he hadn't left in a long time.
"Naruto-kun?!"
He heard a girl's voice call to him. Smiling brightly, he turned once he confirmed the voice in his mind.
A red-haired girl with large, beautiful crimson eyes stood there, her gaze gleaming like twin diamonds in the light. She seemed about fourteen or fifteen years old and wore a gentle smile.
"Ella-chan! I'm so happy to see you."
Naruto spoke and rushed to hug her tightly. She was his sweet cousin—his mother's niece—and the dearest person to Naruto. She had always been gentle with him, just as he remembered in the memories of this body.
Ella hugged him back tenderly, concern in her voice as she patted her cousin's head.
"I heard what happened yesterday… Are you really alright, Naruto-kun? Everyone was so worried when you suddenly disappeared."
Naruto replied with a smile,
"Yes, I'm totally fine. There's no need to worry anymore. I believe the poison has completely left my body, and I'm not in any bad condition at all—though I was unconscious for hours."
"I was shocked to hear that the Namikaze clan kidnapped you to poison and kill you!
Even if things between us are tense… you're still their child too!"
Naruto's expression darkened slightly—so subtly that Ella didn't notice. He whispered,
"I was scared too…"
"Don't worry, Naruto-kun. I'll always be by your side. I'll protect you no matter what."
Ella smiled sweetly and gently patted his hair again.
"You're so kind, Ella-chan."
Naruto smiled back.
They continued walking together, but suddenly, Naruto sensed someone approaching them with clear murderous intent. His expression darkened slightly, his eyes filled with tension.
He grabbed Ella's hand tightly and muttered,
"They're back… again!!"
Ella's eyes sharpened with seriousness, and the two of them began quickening their pace, trying to escape the shadows lurking in the thick, vision-obscuring darkness.
But the footsteps behind them were growing faster… and closer.
Naruto noticed figures blocking their way up ahead as well. The darkness hid them from view, so he quickly turned left, pulling his cousin along.
"Let's go this way, Ella-chan!"
Ella nodded, and they started to run toward the palace. But the shadows kept appearing in front of them suddenly, blocking their path and forcing them to change directions over and over. It was clear—they were being lured away from the palace on purpose.
"They're persistent… these assassins!" Ella said, glancing behind her.
Soon, the two saw the palace walls in the distance—far from the building itself. Their pursuers had succeeded in separating them from safety. They stopped, panting heavily, and Ella said,
"Naruto-kun… you have to leave tonight."
"Leave? But where would I go, Ella-chan?"
Naruto asked, clearly worried. "And what about you? Where will you go?"
"I'll distract them for you. They won't harm me. The darkness is thick—even they can't see well in it, so they'll be forced to split up.
You just need to find any adult—anyone at all—who can take you safely back to the palace.
I'm sure they won't harm you if an adult is with you."
She smiled warmly, then turned and ran in the opposite direction, the footsteps chasing after her instead.
The pitch-black night with no lights would hide her well enough—for now—and give Naruto a chance to escape.
Naruto slipped out through another path and started running before the masked pursuers could follow.
As he ran, he saw a man strolling nearby, reading a magazine, with a girl beside him.
The magazine, of course, was about flirting techniques.
Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief, and tears welled up as he shouted joyfully,
"Ka—Kakashi-sensei!!"
He ran straight toward the stunned Kakashi and embraced him tightly.
"Kakashi-sensei, it's really you!!"
Kakashi and the girl beside him were shocked by Naruto's sudden appearance.
"Who are you, kid?" Kakashi asked, confused.
Then Naruto remembered…
This wasn't Konoha.
This wasn't the same world.
And this body's memories held no trace of Kakashi at all.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei…"
Naruto looked at him, awkward and uneasy, and stepped back.
"How do you know me, kid? And how do you know I'm a teacher?"
Kakashi narrowed his eye suspiciously, sharp as ever.
"I… I can't tell you that,"
Naruto murmured, staring down, emotions swirling within him.
He had to be careful. These were not the same people he once knew.
They might be completely different.
Even though he knew this Kakashi wasn't his former mentor…
Naruto clenched his fists and raised his head with determination.
"But… I want to ask you for a favor, Kakashi-sensei.
And I promise I'll repay it one day!"
"But kid…"
"Kakashi…"
The girl beside him smiled gently, silently urging him to listen to the boy who pleaded so sincerely.
Kakashi scratched his head, sighing in surrender to Rin's smile, then closed his eye with a soft nod.
"Alright. I'll do it—for Rin.
What's your request?"
"Take me home… please!!"
#Memories – (2) End.
To be continued...