Naruto: Stormbreaker

Chapter 303

Once we reached Takemura’s house, he looked at Naruto and said with a warm smile, “This is where you will live. It is a big house with lots of free rooms, so choose the one you like the most.”Naruto’s eyes widened as he asked guardedly, “Really? Any room?”

Takemura nodded and said, “Yes, you can even take this idiot’s room if you want.”

Genta protested, “What? It is the closest to the bathroom! Naruto, do not do your wise big brother this dirty!”

Naruto laughed at Genta’s exaggerated tone. His emotions were rising at the unusual warmth and care he had seen so far, and he had not even spent a day in this place yet. He was worried when he was told that he would be moved to live with some distant relatives that he did not know about, but now he looked like he was warming up to the place fast. Some people not being aggressive against him was all it took for him to feel like he could fit in.

Takemura then pumped his chest and said, “I will make you my village-famous Ochazuke. A raw egg cracked over warm rice and some soy sauce! You will eat your fingers after cleaning the plate.”

Genta’s eyes sank and sweat appeared on his forehead as he said, “Father, Noa has already prepared a lot of food. How about I take Naruto and we eat there for now?”

Takemura looked downcast as he said, “What about the cooking I have done?”

Genta wanted to argue that preparing unseasoned white rice is not really cooking, but he was wise enough not to say it aloud. He just said, “We do not want to trouble you, Dad, and Noa’s food is already done, so...”

Takemura sighed in defeat as he said, “Fine, but get back here right after so we can set Naruto up in a room of his own.” Genta nodded as we left.

For the entire walk to my place, Naruto kept looking around while Genta explained and described the house. Genta used his humor and easy-to-approach tone to encourage Naruto to ask questions, and soon enough, a huge smile was on the boy's face. I, on the other hand, was still scared. I was so afraid that I stopped using chakra sense altogether. This was hard to do since I had a habit of sending out chakra pulses at random intervals to improve my sensing, range and check for any irregularities, making it second nature to me.

My house was not too far, so we made it there in no time. I walked in, almost running towards the kitchen, while Naruto started to explore the house with Genta accompanying him. Not long after, I heard Genta’s complaint, “Come on Noa, I am starving!” Naruto’s laughter accompanied Genta’s antics.

Finally, I came out with the food. First came the fried chicken, then some pan-seared dumplings accompanied by soup and some savory omelet rolls. Naruto’s eyes widened first at the food, and then he realized that multiple copies of me held and introduced the dishes. Amazement showed clearly on his young face as he asked, “What is that? How can there be more than one of him?”

Genta laughed and said, “It is the Shadow Clone Jutsu. A very powerful but very demanding jutsu.” Naruto looked with wonder as he asked me, “Can you teach me that jutsu, please?”

A strained smile appeared on my face as I sat down. Genta was already diving headfirst into the food, so I replied with a panicked tone, “I will, but eat first or your wise big brother Genta will finish everything before you get to taste any of it!” Naruto panicked and immediately dug in, eating a rolled omelet before he gasped, his eyes shining. “So tasty!”

He eyed another roll, however, Genta was already going for it. Naruto shot for it first, declaring the start of a chopstick war. Genta was most likely just trying to get Naruto to open up and calm his worries. After all, changing homes cannot be easy for a five-year-old orphan, and Genta was doing a great job of it judging by the loud laughs of Naruto, who started to show some fighting spirit over one of the dumplings.

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I slowly ate, focusing on the bright-eyed, young Naruto. I was almost disbelieving that I had him at my home while the sun rays shone through the windows, making the scene feel unreal.

Naruto lay on the ground, imitating Genta with his stomach protruding as he breathed heavily. He complained, “Big brother Genta, I ate too much.”

Genta laughed and said, “That is weak of you! Shinobi eat a lot to help with their growth. You have to out-eat your enemies.”

A thoughtful look appeared on Naruto’s face as he replied in a tone that made it clear he believed Genta’s ridiculous wisdom. “I never thought of it like that. You are smart, big brother Genta!”

Genta nodded proudly. “Exactly! No one ever realized that. If you did, then you must have a bright future ahead of you, young Naruto!” He then started laughing like an idiot.

However, a moment later he stopped and looked at me. “Noa, where is the dessert?”

Naruto’s eyes widened as he shot up. “We get dessert, too?”

A strained smile appeared on my face as one of my shadow clones came in with shiny, fish-shaped cakes stuffed with sweet red bean paste. Naruto jumped around while holding one of the hot cakes. He impressively ate it in one go before shouting, his eyes almost tearing from burning his mouth, “This is so tasty!” Genta, meanwhile, kept popping them into his mouth like they were small rice crackers.

Naruto was now almost falling into a food coma. He looked like he was in bliss as he glanced at me and said with a guarded tone, “Thank you, big brother Noa.”

I smiled back and replied, “Since we ate together, it can be said that we are not strangers. So, just call me Noa.”

Naruto looked touched by my gesture. However, the truth was that to me, my sister was the only one allowed to call me brother. I did not want to hear it from someone else.

Naruto looked at Genta, who raised his nose up. “Keep calling me wise big brother Genta! Now, it is time to get back home before my father gets angry and blames me for the delay. I have the perfect room for you.”

Naruto, who had a satisfied look on his face, nodded and waved goodbye as he followed Genta. Genta shouted, “Thanks Noa, that was heavenly!” as they disappeared into the compound.

Once they left, I felt my legs become weak. As I dropped to the floor, I remained mostly silent. For the entire time, I had felt the fox’s hateful eyes on me through Naruto’s own. He was observing me because I could sense the seal and even probe the array with my chakra.

My hands trembled as I held my head, my breathing coming in shallow, ragged bursts. I felt disconnected, like my mind was trying to float away from the weight of that malice and the impossible reality that the Naruto from my old world's stories had just been sitting there, eating my food. My thoughts were spiraling and the very foundation of my world felt unstable as I fought to suppress the mounting dread while my heart hammered against my ribs.

I thought to myself, “I should find Shizuru for a walk. That would probably take my mind off things and stabilize my grip on reality. Also, I need to practice some breathing exercises and meditation.”

I focused on grounding myself. “I have to get better at handling this. Otherwise, if I keep reacting like this around Naruto, I will start distancing myself from him. Then, he would think I am treating him just like the rest of Konoha does.”

I looked into my hands as I opened and closed them, smelling the leftovers of the food hanging in the air. I felt the cool floor under my legs, the sound of the cascade in the small garden outside, and the dust motes flying through the sunbeams. I was here. I was real.

After a few deep inhales and exhales, I reached a solution. I should create a Dampening Seal that will limit my chakra sense. I will apply it to my body while Naruto is around and, with time, try to reduce its use so I can get used to the Nine-Tails' presence at a reasonably gradual pace.

I groaned, and since I was tense and anxious, I spoke aloud to myself, trying to hear my own voice in this world as a desperate measure to lower my heart rate. “Now I will have to spend the rest of the day, and maybe even two more, to research and design a Dampening Seal that suits my unique senses, and not work on my Stormdrive seal array.”

I smiled, my mood swinging toward the positive at the thought of Fuinjutsu research. “Oh well, who knows? Maybe that will help me someday,” I said as I walked toward Master Shuzo’s Scroll of Seals.

A/N It's time for my weekly day off. Unfortunately, our story rank is still a bit low (though this was expected). If you are enjoying the story and haven't dropped a rating yet, please take a few seconds to do so <3 A written review would be absolutely amazing, too. Hopefully, our rank improves soon so more people can discover the story and share the awesomeness with us hehe. I also have a proposition. If we return to our old rank, which only needs 3 or 4 more ratings plus the same number as reviews, I'll drop a bonus chapter on my off day (Wednesday) So, if you want an extra chapter this week, you know what to do. Take care and stay pretty ;)