NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: Temporary Family
Naruto opened his eyes, his eyelids heavy as if they bore the weight of an invisible world. The cracked ceiling of the old house above him remained still, yet his mind was restless. The words of the woman from the night before still echoed in his head:
"What do you know about your origin?"
Those words, simple yet powerful, had torn a gaping hole in his thoughts. His past came flooding back in painful fragments, like shards of a shattered mirror. He knew so little about his parents, aside from their names and their sacrifice. The memories were scarce, almost ghostly. And yet, this woman seemed to know much more. But why was she interested now? And, more importantly, to what end?
Lying on his back, hands crossed behind his head, he stared at the ceiling as if it could provide him with answers. But none came, only the silence of the dilapidated house.
Suddenly, a sound, rhythmic and steady, broke the calm. It resembled a blade slicing through the air or rapid footsteps on a hard surface. Intrigued, Naruto sat up with a grimace; the pain from his bandages reminded him of recent battles.
The golden light of dawn was already seeping through the cracks in the walls. A gentle breeze brushed against his face as he headed toward the source of the noise. Opening the old wooden door, a loud creak echoed, like the sigh of an ancient giant.
Outside, an entirely different world stretched out before his eyes.
A vast green expanse, bathed in the rising sun, rippled gently under the caress of the wind. In the distance, a river meandered peacefully, its soft murmur blending with the melodious songs of morning birds. Not far from the house, a small, well-tended garden added a vibrant touch to this haven of nature.
But what caught his attention the most was the figure in the center of the garden.
She was there, a young woman whose presence seemed otherworldly. Her violet hair, tied in a high ponytail, swayed with the rhythm of her movements. Her golden eyes shone with an almost supernatural intensity, catching the sunlight like two blazing jewels.
Her motions were both fluid and precise. She alternated between defensive stances and remarkably refined attacks. Her feet traced perfect circles on the ground, while her arms sliced through the air with the precision of a blade. Each breath she took was perfectly synchronized with her movements, a testament to years of discipline.
Naruto stood frozen, unable to look away. One thought crossed his mind:
"If I had to fight her… would I even stand a chance?"
Yet, amid his admiration, he felt something else: a strange, almost unsettling intensity emanating from her. As if, behind that perfect mastery, lay a suppressed anger or deep sorrow.
His observation was interrupted by a mocking voice.
"So, you're spying on women now?"
Naruto jumped and turned abruptly. The red-haired woman who had welcomed him here was approaching with a teasing smile.
"What? What are you talking about?" he stammered, caught off guard.
She burst out laughing, crossing her arms in front of him. "Look at you, denying it like a child caught red-handed. And that blush on your cheeks? Adorable."
Naruto instinctively brought a hand to his face. "I... I was just watching her training! Nothing more!"
"Ah, the young man in awe. She's my late husband's disciple, you know. An exceptional warrior… and if I may offer some advice, don't fall for her. You don't stand a chance."
Naruto opened his mouth to retort, but the woman had already turned her back, heading toward the house. "Breakfast is ready. Go call her, since you seem so fascinated by her."
"But I don't even know her name!" he protested.
"Then ask her, while you're at it," she replied with a shrug.
Naruto grumbled under his breath as he turned toward the young woman. He hesitated for a moment before approaching.
"Uh… breakfast is rea—"
Before he could finish, he felt the wind shift. His instincts took over, and he ducked just in time to avoid a spinning kick that sliced through the air.
"What's your problem?!" he snapped as he straightened up.
The young woman froze, her gaze icy. Her golden eyes bore into Naruto with a coldness that made him shiver.
"Pathetic," she muttered, wiping her forehead with a towel.
"What?! You attack me for no reason and call me pathetic? I was just trying to tell you—"
She didn't respond. With calm but assured steps, she walked toward the house without a word, leaving Naruto alone.
He stood there for a moment, fists clenched. Then he let out a loud sigh. "Unbelievable… even Sakura was nicer than that."
As he watched her walk away, a thought crossed his mind.
"She's strong… and completely weird."
Naruto turned and headed back to the house, ready to face a day filled with mysteries.