note; Keep in mind that this is a time travel fic, and so stuff won't be the same like the anime. Just informing cuz I totally forgot how the anime goes XD

*

"Hah, that naive Uzumaki kid couldn't possibly do anything about it. Stop being so delusional Danzo."

Danzo glared at the other man, "You have no idea what you're dealing with. Forget it, I'm leaving." said Danzo as he turned around to leave, but Hanzo stopped the man.

"Stop!"

Danzo hid the smirk that was about to appear on his face as he turned around to face Hanzo, the so-called Salamander guy or whatever.

Hanzo didn't like to admit it, but Danzo was even slyer than himself. He was like the cunning fox or the tempting serpent. Either way, he was a devious man who'd go to hell when he died.

"Changed your mind?" Danzo raised an eyebrow, his one eye showing no change in emotion nor any glint of feelings.

"What's so special about that Uzumaki kid, tell me."

Danzo smirked. "It will be my pleasure."

***

"Hokage-sama, we have reports of suspicious chakra from the Anzenna prefecture and it matches the chakra signature provided to the Investigation squad." ANBU bird reported and Minato had a grim expression on his face.

"That's where Rin and her father live. Have you specified the location?"

"I'm afraid not, Hokage-sama..."

"Hmm," Minato sighed deeply, thinking for a while before rising from his seat, "Send Miwako-san and two chunin. If something goes wrong, ANBU will take care of it. And if that doesn't work...well then I'll have to come." he ordered.

"Hai!"

After the shadows had left, Minato fell back on his seat, face stiff in worry.

'I wish I could have a peaceful reign as Hokage...'

***

"W-We don't know! Stop asking us!!"

Naruto sighed for what could be the umpteenth time as Zetsu still refused to answer the Uzumaki.

"I know Kaguya is sealed and I don't think anyone will be unsealing her anytime soon. You've failed in getting Obito and Madara has probably passed away. So what's stopping you from telling me?" Naruto said all at once, this time much calmer than before. The effects of the Kyuubi's chakra was slowly fading and he could feel himself returning back to normal.

Before the creature could answer, Teuya said, "Nevermind. I'll take you to the T&I and we'll sort it out from there."

And with that final statement, the chains protruding from Teruya's back tightened as it lifted the creature up to the air, as he took out untouched seals from his ninja pouch. Teruya looked around, searching for something to write the symbols with.

"I have a pencil in my pocket Teruya-san, if that's what you're searching for."

Teruya flinched but turned around to meet eyes with the owner.

"Oh Obito-kun! I forgot about you! Are you alright?" Questions were asked genuinely from Teruya as he walked quickly to tend to the young chunin. Teruya helped the boy get up as he let the boy balance.

"Wow Teruya-san I think I'm seeing two of you." the boy muttered before he promptly fainted.

"Obito!! Oh my goodness how am I going to carry all these three out of the house?"

"That wouldn't be necessary, Uzumaki-san."

Teruya flinched once again as he did not recognize the voice, "Oh heyy!" he greeted as he turned around to face the shinobi of Konoha, lips tugged into a tired smile. "Thank the Sage of the six ramen bowls. I was getting tired!"

And with that, Teruya followed Obito to dreamland as well, seeing the ground come so close to him before everything became black.

***

"I'm sorry, I keep meddling and causing trouble..."

Kakashi just snorted before turning his head away from the Uzumaki, "Say that when you're not on your deathbed." he muttered.

"Stop saying that Kakashi! I'm just running low on chakra, that's all!" Teruya complained, still bummed out that he was stuck on the hospital bed. Kakashi clenched his hand tightly and stared down the Uzumaki.

"Obito and Rin are going to be fine. We have skilled doctors in Konoha and their chakra coils aren't even developed properly. But you're a different story. Why do you have to go and be so reckless!? You could have died!!"

After the long speech, Kakashi immediately left the room, the door banging shut as he left. Teruya stared at the door the Hatake had just left in, breathless from the words that came out from Kakashi's mouth.

'Am I really worth that much? That'd even make Kakashi angry...?'

And Teruya thought for a while. What did he do wrong? Was he really being that reckless? But wasn't it for the sake of Konoha? For the future? He'd even die for that future to never pass by. He'd kill millions to make sure the Ōtsutsuki never came to Earth.

Why?

It's because you are family to them now Naruto. You've become an irreplaceable part of their lives and they couldn't possibly imagine you dying. You've become theirs, Naruto. Family.

Me? Become family?

Yes, family. Naruto, why don't you live in the present where you're alive rather than a past where you've never existed?

I...I don't know? I just thought it was natural of me to not let the same mistakes happen again. I-I can't allow my friends to die. I can't let the fire of Konoha extinguish. Most of all, I don't want my parents to die.

Think Naruto, think!! Why would you just randomly go back to the past? It's not like you were the special one even though you had a whole ass prophecy about you. Stay humble and think calmly. Use that stupid brain of yours!!

Teruya was so deep in thought that he did not realize that the monologue in his head was the voice of someone that sounded all too familiar.

An old friend, and a comrade of his.

Is it to live properly?

Is that what you think the answer is? If that is, I won't say anything.

Wait what, you're just going to leave like that?

Heh, just do what you have to do. Konoha was always hopeless anyway. Live properly this time.

W-Wait what do you mean—

Goodbye Naruto.

Wait!!

"NO!!"

Teruya woke up startled from the dream that seemed all too real, beads of sweat trailing down his neck and his arm stretched out to the ceiling as dim lights started entering his vision. He was now awake as he stayed still, trying to get used to his surroundings and the headache he was getting after jerking up from bed so suddenly.

"What was that?" he muttered under his breath, memories of that dream he had flooding in. He wanted to cry for some reason. He felt really...wanted in this Konoha. Here, nobody judged him, nobody called him the Demon kid, here, nobody hurt him and no one dared to mock him.

And most of all, he was loved here.

Of course, how stupid of him! Why was he so dense? He was so selfish to even say he'd kill himself if he had to save Konoha.

He had people who loved him here. They couldn't imagine a life with dead Teruya.

"Gosh I'm an idiot." 

***

a lot of scene cuts here so sorry about that. I think i'll start going to the more spicy stuff next chapter, so please do look forward to it. Once again, thank you for reading my story! 

:)

written; saturday 4, november, 2021

published, friday 5, november, 2021