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'What's the use? I don't need these things.'
Kagaya wanted to say he completely didn't need these useless things, but the words caught in his throat.
After staying in a grey world for so long, had he also started to crave a world of color?
[Will you begin Seeking Bonds now? During the process of Seeking Bonds, your current timeline will completely stop. You will briefly return to the past to observe and change certain events. However, please note that not everything can be changed.]
Kagaya's heart was a tumult of mixed emotions. He wanted to refuse. Yes, he...
He...
'Yes.'
Yet, his body answered the system almost instinctively.
[Then, we begin now.]
An intense wave of dizziness hit him. Within seconds, Kagaya lost consciousness.
*****
When he woke again, Kagaya found he had reverted to his childhood self. He was standing in the center of the Ninja Academy's training ground, forming the Seal of Confrontation. Opposite him was the blond-haired Naruto, also forming the Seal of Confrontation.
'Am I... in a sparring match with Naruto?'
Just as Kagaya processed this, Iruka's voice rang out.
"Then, begin the match!"
As soon as the words fell, Naruto immediately charged at Kagaya with his usual ferocity and recklessness.
Kagaya raised his hand, preparing to seize the moment, grab Naruto's arm, and use Naruto's own momentum to throw him to the ground.
Just like before, effortlessly defeating Naruto in one move.
But for some reason, in the end, Kagaya hesitated. He didn't do it. He sidestepped, evading Naruto's attack.
Instantly, the surrounding students were shocked.
"Wh-What's going on? That deadlast wasn't defeated instantly?"
"No way!"
"That deadlast is facing the genius Uchiha of our year!"
"Damn it, Kagaya must be going easy on him."
Of course he was going easy. Otherwise Naruto would already be eating dirt. But unlike the shocked crowd, Naruto whirled around, glaring at Kagaya with pure fury.
"You! Are you looking down on me? When you face others, you defeat them easily. Why are you going easy on me now? Damn it!"
"You want me to defeat you in one move?"
"No! I want you to go all out, and then for me to defeat you!"
Kagaya's eyes widened slightly. This guy... no matter what happened, he never seemed to hesitate, steadfastly marching towards his goal. The gap in strength between Kagaya and Naruto at this point was immense, impossibly large to overcome. Yet, even so, while everyone else only thought about lasting one move against Kagaya, this guy was still constantly thinking about defeating Kagaya.
When everyone else had abandoned the absurd idea of defeating Kagaya, Naruto persistently clung to the thought of beating him, never changing.
The people around them, hearing Naruto's words, couldn't resist starting to mock him.
"Pfft! This deadlast, is he here for comedy?"
"Does he really think just because Kagaya let him have one move, he can beat him now?"
"Hahahaha, don't make me laugh! Him? Maybe in his next life!"
Various taunts poured in from all directions. But the blond boy in front of Kagaya showed not a trace of dejection on his face. Instead, his eyes sparkled as he looked at Kagaya, seemingly hoping Kagaya would say something.
Kagaya frowned in thought. If it were him... if it were his childhood self facing Naruto at this moment, what would he say?
What would he say? If it were him...
That's right! Kagaya remembered. If it were him, he would...
Kagaya gave Naruto a thumbs-up.
"Keep it up. Don't mind them. Sooner or later, you'll become as strong as me, maybe even stronger."
The moment the words left his mouth, Naruto's eyes seemed to instantly fill with stars, shining brilliantly! In his dark childhood, Kagaya was the only one who constantly encouraged him, believed in him, the only one who never looked down on him. He challenged Kagaya every day, just to get a little closer to him.
That was the only warmth in Naruto's childhood. He had to work hard. He had to get stronger. He had to defeat Kagaya!
Because... because that way, he could finally, fully earn Kagaya's recognition! Naruto wanted recognition from everyone, but more than anyone else's, he wanted Kagaya's recognition. He longed for the day when Kagaya wouldn't say "Keep it up," but instead, "You've become really strong, Naruto!"
For that goal, Naruto was willing to give everything.
Every challenge against Kagaya was the happiest time of Naruto's day, sometimes even the happiest time of his month. Because every time he successfully challenged Kagaya, as long as Kagaya agreed, after defeating him, Kagaya would invariably say some words of encouragement to Naruto.
To others, these encouraging words might be insignificant remarks. But to Naruto, they were a beam of light in a dark world! Precious warmth in a bitterly cold environment! The thing he desired most! His unique, priceless treasure!
Now, faced with Kagaya's encouragement, Naruto replied loudly,
"Of course! Sooner or later, I'll defeat you!"
There was one more thing Naruto didn't say out loud: —And then, I'll earn your complete recognition!
Next, Naruto attacked Kagaya again. This time, Kagaya didn't dodge, cleanly and efficiently defeating Naruto.
"That's enough! Kagaya wins!"
Iruka's voice rang out.
Then, Kagaya and Naruto formed the Seal of Reconciliation.
As their hands approached each other, the surrounding world began turning white. By the time their hands completed the Seal of Reconciliation, everything had turned white. Everyone disappeared. Only Kagaya remained in this white world.
*****
A short while later, the white slowly faded. Kagaya found himself lying in a hospital bed, tear stains seemingly still on his face.
'Is this after Daisuke and Genji died?'
Kagaya suddenly threw off the covers and rushed out of the hospital room. Last time, he hadn't expected the world to turn white so abruptly, but this time, he had to seize the opportunity.
'Brother...'
However, the moment Kagaya stepped outside the hospital entrance, everything vanished, transforming back into a white world.
*****
A short while later, Kagaya found himself lying in the hospital bed again.
Kagaya rushed out once more, but the result was the same. Soon after, he was back in the bed.
He couldn't leave this hospital room!
[Note: When returning to the past, you can only change certain events. Some overly significant events cannot be changed.]
'As I thought...'
Kagaya smiled wryly. He could only change the events he was currently experiencing; he couldn't change other events at this point in time.
*****
A short while later, Naruto entered the hospital room. He had come to visit Kagaya.
"Kagaya, I heard you got hurt and were hospitalized. Are you okay?"
Naruto asked with concern.
Kagaya shook his head.
"I'm fine."
Naruto probably didn't know that Kagaya had also lost two comrades. He only knew Kagaya had been injured on a mission and hospitalized.
"You... next time you're on a mission, be more careful! Wait until I become a Genin too. Then I can go on missions with you, and I'll be able to protect you."
Naruto stared intently at Kagaya as he spoke.
Kagaya couldn't help but laugh.
"By the time you become a Genin, I might not be one anymore. Besides, even if you become a Genin, we wouldn't be in the same team. How could we go on missions together?"
By the time Naruto became a Genin, he wouldn't be a Genin anymore; he'd be a member of the Akatsuki.
"Damn it! I don't care! Anyway, you have to protect yourself! The one who will defeat you in the future is definitely me!"
"Weren't you just saying you wanted to protect me?"
"Damn it! That's after I defeat you!"
"I see. Well then, do your best!"
"Of course! You just wait!"
The blond boy looked at the black-haired boy with sparkling eyes. This person was, so far, the only light in his life. He had to become strong. Sooner or later, he would personally protect the boy before him!