Naruto: Saving the Universe by Stealing Attributes

(T/N: I didn't miss anything, it was the author who skipped part of it)

Dark, heavy clouds almost completely blocked out the sunlight, and the relentless drizzle had turned the ground into a muddy mess. In the distance, occasional flashes of fire lit up the scene. Scattered houses either lay in ruins or smoldered, reduced to ashes. The land stretched out before him, desolate and barren.

Splash!

A faint ripple spread through a puddle as a young man, wearing the crest of the Uchiha clan, walked through the rain.

"So, this is the Land of Rain?"

"This place should be thriving with life, yet all I see is ruin."

The boy sighed softly. In this world, where only the strong survive, such was the plight of smaller nations. Nestled between the Lands of Fire, Earth, and Wind, the Land of Rain became the inevitable battleground during every major shinobi war.

And this time was no different.

To avoid collateral damage in their own lands and prevent sneak attacks from Iwagakure, both Konoha and Sunagakure had agreed to make the Land of Rain their battleground. Helpless and weak, the Land of Rain naturally became the sacrificial pawn in the struggles between greater powers.

As he continued walking, occasionally stepping around the bodies strewn across the muddy ground, Mirai couldn't help but sigh,

"Hanzo is getting old, it seems."

"No, it would be more accurate to say the harsh realities of this world have ground down his spirit."

Once upon a time, Hanzo the Salamander had been known as the "Demi-God of the Shinobi World," boldly launching the Second Great Ninja War on behalf of Amegakure. He was so powerful that he had bestowed the title of "Legendary Sannin" upon the strongest warriors of Konoha. But now, as his homeland faced invasion, the once-fearsome "Demi-God" cowered with his forces, too weary to fight back.

Perhaps Orochimaru was right.

People change. If someone never changes, it's only because they died before they had the chance to.

Suddenly, a piercing cry of a newborn echoed through the desolation. Mirai turned his head to see a woman clutching a baby, cowering in terror in a corner of the rubble.

Mirai stepped closer, reaching into his pouch.

"P-Please, don't kill me… please… if you must, spare my child… she's just a baby, she doesn't even know how to speak…"

The woman's voice trailed off when she saw that Mirai, the man wearing a Konoha headband, wasn't holding a kunai, but rather a small gray pouch.

"These are ration pills. They don't taste great, but they'll help keep up your strength," Mirai said, opening the pouch and placing it on the ground in front of her.

"Wait!"

The woman grabbed the pouch, kneeling before Mirai. "Can you… take my daughter with you?"

"She won't survive if she stays with me."

Mirai pointed at his headband. "I'm a shinobi from Konoha. You should hate me."

The woman shook her head. "I don't understand any of that. All I know is you've given me hope to survive."

"My daughter knows nothing of these things. If you take her back to Konoha, I'm sure she'll repay you someday."

Glancing up at the sky, Mirai stepped around the woman, his voice calm. "If I were you, I'd take these pills, find a safe place to hide, and avoid letting others see you have them."

"Otherwise, you might be killed for it."

With that, Mirai turned and walked away without a backward glance. He had killed many before, and he would kill many more in the future. But helping this woman, if only in a small way, did not trouble him.

Beyond this, though, their survival was up to luck and fate.

As she watched his figure disappear, the woman traced the symbol on his clothing onto the ground. After staring for a while, she popped a ration pill into her mouth and felt a bit of strength return. Gently, she touched her infant's sparse violet hair.

"Hana, one day, you too must become a ninja."

"In this world, only with power can you live freely and openly… like that kind soul who just saved us."

Murmuring to herself, the woman wiped away the symbol she'd drawn, cradled her child, and disappeared into the rainy shadows.

In the heart of a ruined village, Mirai stopped and leaned against an intact wall.

"How long do you plan on following me?"

His words echoed through the empty streets, but there was no answer. Mirai chuckled coldly before vanishing in a blur. The next moment, he reappeared around a corner, his fist slamming toward a hidden shinobi.

Poof!

His fist struck nothing but air as the ninja dissolved into a flock of paper birds, which then reformed midair. Standing there, with long blue-violet hair and clad in a black cloak, was a woman. Mirai raised an eyebrow.

"Konan?"

"What do you want?"

His killing intent faded as he recognized her. He hadn't expected to encounter Konan here.

"You're Uchiha Mirai of Konoha?" Konan's cool voice cut through the air, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Seeing the spirited glint in her eyes, Mirai found himself surprised. Compared to what he knew of her, this Konan had a vibrant quality.

"Hey, I asked you a question."

Konan frowned, irritated at Mirai's silence.

Mirai regained his composure, a dangerous look crossing his face.

"If you know who I am, you should realize that stalking me is… unwise."

Konan, however, covered her mouth with a small laugh. "My intuition tells me you won't harm me. After all, didn't you spare that woman and her child?"

"That's because they're mere civilians."

"And I'm a shinobi of Amegakure," Konan replied, "not an enemy of Konoha."

Mirai shrugged indifferently. "So why have you been following me?"

Konan's expression grew serious. "Uchiha Mirai, I'd like to ask for your help."

Mirai's voice was nonchalant. "Go on."

"Could you help me arrange a meeting with Konoha's leaders? I have something important to discuss."

Mirai looked skeptical. "You?"

Sensing his doubt, Konan quickly explained. "I speak on behalf of the organization behind me—'Akatsuki.'"

"Akatsuki is a group of ninjas who desire peace. War has brought nothing but suffering and scars to everyone."

"We hope to help Konoha and Sunagakure end this conflict through negotiation."

"Oh, right," she added, as if remembering. "I'm Konan, a shinobi from Amegakure. 'Akatsuki' is my organization, and our aim is true peace for the world."

Mirai shook his head, smiling. "Don't be naive, Konan."

"Peace isn't achieved through talks… it's won through battles!"

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