From the age of four, Haruto has borne the weight of a life destined for sacrifice. During the Third Great Shinobi War, he lost both of his parents, and his infant younger brother perished alongside them, leaving young Haruto to face a world of shinobi clans, hidden powers, and political intrigue alone. At eight, he also lost his twin sister, and soon after, he and his twin brother were separated, forcing him to navigate a life filled with enemies, uncertainty, and betrayal.

By twelve, Haruto is no ordinary boy. Haunted by past losses and thrust into deadly conflicts, he must survive relentless hunters, uncover the treachery of trusted leaders, and confront enemies that strike from both shadow and light. Alongside friends—and secret allies whose loyalty is tested to the extreme—he fights to restore peace while struggling with the heavy burden of responsibility no child should bear.

Even as victories are won, dark forces stir. Hidden rebellions, ruthless political schemers, and mysterious powers from beyond the known world threaten everything he holds dear. With each mission, Haruto learns that true strength isn’t just skill—it’s the courage to protect those you love, even when the world seems determined to tear them away.

As Haruto grows, so do the scale of his battles. Friends lost, secrets unraveling, and enemies waiting in every corner, he must prepare for a war that could change the very balance of his world—and discover the truth behind his own mysterious powers before it’s too late.

They all sat on the sofa—three figures waiting in the same silence.


"Ayame came down earlier," she said. "She asked about him."


"She said… he always comes back late when he's hurting."


Akari's head snapped toward the hallway.


Haruto immediately whispered, tired and annoyed,


The light from the living room reached them—and everything stopped.


The one holding him looked exactly like him—same face, same build—but with blue hair and red eyes. He carried Haruto easily, carefully, like he had done it many times before.


Haruto's head rested against his shoulder, eyes half-open, exhausted.


Renjiro stared, disbelief tightening his jaw.


Raizen's eyes never left the other figure.


"So you finally showed yourself," he murmured.


The blue-haired Haruto stepped fully into the living room and gently lowered Haruto onto his feet. Haruto wobbled but stayed upright.


The other Haruto kept one hand lightly on his back.


Haruto glanced around, finally noticing them.


The blue-haired Haruto spoke instead, quiet but firm.


For a heartbeat, the two stood side by side.


The blue-haired figure began to fade—not like smoke, not like light—just… thinning.


"I'm not leaving," he said. "I'm going where you can, I will be there when you need me."


"I'm home," Haruto said again—this time to them.


And this time, the house finally let him stay.


Chapter 83 - The One Who Walks Beside Me, Part8