Scene One
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Rebirth
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Thump... Thump...
What is this feeling I'm experiencing right now?
My chest feels incredibly warm… and something strange, like a slow-moving liquid, seems to be flowing from it.
What happened to me...? My memory is utterly hazy. Just moments ago, we were locked in a fierce battle against both Madara and Obito!!
"Naruto!!!"
"Naruto–kun, Naruto–kun!!!"
That voice...
There's no mistaking it…
That's Sakura–chan's voice—and Hinata's?!
What in the name of the underworld is happening to me?!
I forced my eyes open with great difficulty, a terrible pain ripping through me as if my very soul were being drained.
A sharp headache throbbed within my skull. I tried to move even slightly... but I couldn't. I was completely paralyzed.
Slowly, my vision began to clear.
The battle still raged on—not far from here.
There, in the center of the vast battlefield, stood Sasuke, joined by the other Kage, fighting Madara.
And me… I was lying in someone's lap…?
I raised my head slowly once I realized I could move it.
At first, I thought it was the flat chest of some man…
But upon closer inspection, it was Sakura–chan.
She had placed my head gently on her lap.
Her face hovered above mine, filled with sorrow. She was speaking softly, but I couldn't hear her clearly.
Damn it… What the hell is happening to me?!
Memories began to flicker back, faint and scattered.
It started with Madara's attempt to kill Sakura–chan… and then, my act of saving her.
Then Madara used his Susano'o—striking me from a blind spot. I had let my guard down...
I collapsed beside Hinata. And now, Sakura–chan was desperately trying to heal me.
Cough… cough… cough…
I began coughing violently… then gave a faint, bitter smile.
Ah… so that's it… This is death.
Death is closing in on me at an incredible speed.
This is… my end.
"Naruto–kun, please! Hang on!!"
Hinata's voice trembled with worry.
She sat beside me, her face stricken with tears.
She's so concerned for me… she can't stop crying.
If I remember correctly, she's in love with me…
Cough… cough…
My coughing grew harsher. I could feel my life fading…
All my memories were flashing before my eyes.
Fwoooosh...
A rush of wind echoed around me.
And then—suddenly—my father, Minato, appeared.
His expression mirrored Hinata's—shocked, desperate, full of sorrow.
"F-Father…"
Minato stared at me, stunned, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Yes… I would be seeing him again soon—
In the afterlife.
Very soon.
I looked down in agony. Why couldn't I move my body?
When I glanced at myself, I was overcome with shock… and then, hopelessness.
The entire lower half of my body was gone. My left arm was severed as well.
There was no saving me now.
How unfortunate… I wanted to become Hokage.
But I do not regret dying for that dream.
Not one bit.
I looked weakly at Minato and whispered, each word dragging from my mouth with great effort:
"F–Father... I… I'm sorry… it looks like... I'll be joining you and Mom… very soon."
I smiled faintly as my eyes grew heavy.
"Please don't be angry that I came so quickly…"
"No… I won't be…" Minato whispered, tears still falling as he gazed at me.
I lifted my head slowly toward Sakura–chan and said:
"You know… Sakura–chan…
Even though I once said I hated people who lie to themselves...
I just… I can't bring myself to hate you."
"Naruto…"
Sakura's voice trembled, tears pouring down her cheeks.
"And Hinata… lately, I've started to feel drawn to you.
I don't even know anymore… if it's you… or Sakura–chan who truly holds my heart…"
"Naruto–kun…"
Hinata gasped, shocked.
She clutched my hand, sobbing uncontrollably.
Cough… cough… cough…
Ah… yes… the end is near.
If only I could say goodbye to everyone here...
"Sakura–chan... tell Sasuke to take care of the village..."
I whispered, staring into Sakura–chan's eyes.
"Naruto..."
"Naruto–kun..."
I could hear their voices calling out to me, but the sound began to fade…
Everything around me was blurring into silence.
No…
It's time.
The voices disappeared completely.
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Scene One
Rebirth – End
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Why am I in this void?
Am I about to meet my mother?
Or perhaps... Jiraiya–sensei?
Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled—dragged violently from that place into somewhere else,
as if I were being hurled through space and time itself.
Buzzing… buzzing… buzzing…
"What is this?"
"It's his body…"
"Did you poison him?"
"Why did he have to die?"
"Why did you kill him?! What did he ever do to you?!"
"He's not my son!!"
"This is a curse—your whole clan is cursed!!"
What are these voices?
What's happening to me?
It feels like I've lost consciousness.
Who are these people shouting…?
What are they talking about…?
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Scene Two
Memories – (1)
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Buzzing… buzzing… buzzing…
After that, I felt myself being tossed somewhere.
Hours passed in this strange state.
It must be the poison…
Still affecting my body.
I tried to use chakra. I tried to reach out to the Kyūbi…
But nothing. No response.
Has my body changed?
Have I been placed into someone else's?
Slowly, I regained my consciousness.
I opened my eyes with great effort.
Looking around, I found myself in an alleyway between two buildings.
I had been dumped in a pile of trash.
It looked like whoever this body belonged to… was killed and thrown away like garbage.
Wait…
Something's very strange…
I raised my hand and stared at myself.
M–My body… it's small?!
It's really small—I look like I'm four or five years old!
I stood up quickly and examined myself.
Yes… it was true.
As I walked, I stepped in a small puddle.
I crouched down and looked into it.
Th–This face…!!
That's me?!
That's me… when I was a child.
How is this even possible…?
I looked around, stunned.
And then I saw things that shook me to the core—
Towering skyscrapers… crowds of people… strange metallic vehicles moving in every direction.
People were holding glowing electronic devices, wearing clothes unlike anything from Konoha.
What is this place…?
Have I traveled back in time… or forward?
No—it can't be… this must be the future.
Or perhaps an alternate world? A different timeline?
I honestly don't know.
But how could a boy who looks so much like me exist?
I stepped out of the alley, about to go somewhere—anywhere.
And then I saw her.
Sakura–chan.
A younger version of her—perhaps a year younger than I am now—riding inside one of those metallic vehicles.
Her mother and father were with her.
She looked at me kindly, smiled, and waved.
I waved back in shock.
Then the vehicle sped off and vanished from sight.
I kept waving like a fool.
I clutched my head and shouted in frustration:
"Why didn't I say something to her?! Am I stupid?!"
I let out a sharp sigh.
"No… it doesn't matter now…"
I started walking—wanting to find Sakura–chan again.
But then—
A killing intent crept up behind me.
Terror seized me.
Buzzing… buzzing… buzzing…
Suddenly, all the memories of this body rushed into me at once.
Everything that had happened to him—
up until the moment he was thrown into that pile of trash.
I lowered my head, tears slowly dripping from my eyes.
And then, the ones emitting that killing intent reached me.
"Naruto–dono, are you alright? What happened to you?
You suddenly vanished from the palace!"
I raised my head, tears pouring from my face, and smiled faintly.
"Ah… sorry. A strange man asked me to follow him.
He gave me something poisonous to drink… and left me here."
The two men in front of me—dressed in what people of this time call "bodyguard attire"—exchanged glances.
Then they smiled at me coldly.
"I see. Let's return to the palace now, Naruto–dono.
Your mother and father are waiting for you there."
I followed them, smiling back.
"Yes…"
As we walked, a dark expression twisted across my face—
a look filled with hatred and pure malice. A terrifying gaze.
(To the former Naruto… I'm sorry for what happened to you in this wretched, insane world.
You suffered so much, didn't you?
You suffered so much that you wished someone else could take your place.
And the gods granted your wish—
They put me into this body.
Don't worry now.
You can finally rest.
Let me avenge you—
Let me make them all pay, every last one of them.
I'll make sure your soul finds peace in the afterlife.
They'll wish for death a thousand times before they ever think of crossing you again… Naruto.)
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Scene Two
Memories – (1) – End
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#To_Be_Continued.