Chapter 175: Talk no jutsu...I am really not good at it.

HOMURA: YO!

Homura tried to cheerfully greet Naruto, but the latter was unresponsive to his attempts.

NARUTO:…..

Homura, having just exited the academy premises, noticed a forlorn Naruto occupying the swing set near the main entrance. It was a spot Naruto frequented whenever melancholy settled upon him.

Seated there, Naruto would silently observe the other children engaged in play or departing with their families. He seemed to be absorbing their joy vicariously, attempting to live through their experiences by keeping a distant watch.

Homura, who had, on occasion, found solace in a similar act, couldn't help but empathize.

It was something as he also was an orphan could easily relate, deep down he also longed for a family, a place to truly belong.

The contrast, however, was stark. While Homura had a network of people he considered family, having grown up with them and even approaching the semblance of a true family at one point (though now clouded with painful memories), Naruto lacked the luxury of such a choice.

After losing any hope of finding his true parentage, Homura just buried those feelings deep inside. Tried as hard as he could to forget even the emotions themselves.

Homura often chose solitude, yet Naruto never seemed to possess that option. The weight of isolation was thrust upon him, a burden he carried without respite.

Thus, he knew not what to say, let alone cheer up someone who did not experience warmth from a truly loved one.

Naruto's pain was something Homura could relate to but not truly understand.

Homura was not just seen as a genius; he unabashedly referred to himself as one. While such assertions might ring hollow for many, in Homura's case, they held true when measured against his peers. He truly stood out as a genius.

With such distinction came immense expectations from those around him. Yet, these aspirations often morphed into a breeding ground for self-hate and doubt. Homura constantly felt the pressure to surpass himself, to never falter and always strive for perfection. Remarkably, he managed to meet and even exceed these expectations.

His genius wasn't solely innate; it was nurtured with talent and support. While this didn't exempt him from hard work, knowing he possessed the necessary attributes made the labor more manageable. For Homura, it was the physical prowess inherited from his parents that equipped him with the tools to excel in the realm of shinobi. This became a source of pride, a foundation for his hopes and dreams, despite the mystery surrounding his parentage.

Even though the identity of his parents eluded him, Homura found solace in understanding enough about himself to sustain hope. He embraced the potential within him.

In stark contrast, Naruto faced a different narrative. Viewed by most as a nuisance rather than a person, he garnered few believers and accrued more disdain than he could comprehend. This was the harsh reality Naruto had known throughout his life.

It was a reality he yearned to escape but seemingly couldn't. Failing a test wasn't just a setback for Naruto; it lent weight to the disdainful words and cold stares constantly directed his way. It amplified the negativity that he struggled to silence within himself, intensifying the internal battle against doubt and insecurity.

How could Homura not be at a loss for words? When even Naruto's dreams and hopes seemed to be at an all-time low?

HOMURA:….

NARUTO:….

An awkward silence settled between the two friends. Homura, feeling the tension, decided to break away, taking slow steps away from Naruto. Descending the stairs, Homura left the building and strolled past the front door where parents and their children chatted and laughed. Their destination was Naruto, who remained immersed in his thoughts.

Naruto, seemingly oblivious, continued staring at the floor. Undeterred, Homura approached and, with a resigned sigh, settled onto the swing adjacent to Naruto's.

HOMURA: sigh Guess it didn't go well.

The silence persisted, prompting Homura to reflect. (No response? Depressed Naruto is the worst. He always hides his sadness with overconfidence, so I never had to experience the silent treatment from him.)

HOMURA: ...you know I wasn't always good at studying...back in the orphanage, before I became fully aware of my…before I became…this version of myself… I was always... the shortest, weakest…the least capable one among the guys my age. I was pretty weak, I couldn't do any shores…even the most menial of tasks seemed too great for me to understand…back in those days everyone seemed to see me as a nuisance…I couldn't even talk right…*sigh* I felt mostly worthless and it was how some of the bigger kids talked and even picked on me. Back then, I would cry for hours, alone… at the time, even if I didn't fully realize it but I thought it was my fate. That I was destined to be that way. (Not true! I have always been awesome and a genius... I mean most of it is...true. No! I was just bad at reading and writing those Japanese characters. Wait a sec! Japan doesn't exist here... so what exactly is the lang—argh! It doesn't matter! I have to finish my talk no jutsu!)

Homura turned their gaze toward Naruto, searching for any sign of a reaction. Unfortunately, Naruto's expression remained unchanged.

HOMURA: I still remember being the last in almost everything, I had difficulties reading and writing... the other students called me dumb and played pranks on me all the time (though Saya would often meddle and my treatment would get way worse)... because I could never remember how to write the kanji characters properly. Do you know what I did?

Naruto: ....what did you do?...

HOMURA: (Phew! Finally!) ... at first, I faked it. Pretended I didn't care, but it didn't work. So I took action. I decided to change myself and wait for a chance. Ultimately, a day came where everything changed for me.

Naruto: .....

HOMURA: So if hard work and luck can make me... the... biggest loser of the orphanage... into the top student of our class, who is to say you won't... I am your chance might con...

Naruto: ...but I tried so hard... and it wasn't enough...

HOMURA: Naruto...What I am trying to say is that I didn't give up…I would never give up.

Homura stared at Naruto seriously for the first time.

NARUTO:….

HOMURA: And I know that you will never give up too. You're the only person I've truly acknowledged as an equal. I am sure your opportunity to change your fate might come faster than you think. (Ok! Talk no jutsu is not my thing. In the manga, Naruto seemed to be able to dish those out super easily, but in real life, it is another thing completely.)

Despite several attempts, Homura failed to elicit much of a reaction from Naruto. The other guys, seemingly sensing the tension, invited Homura to join them in celebrating.

Using this as an opportunity to gracefully exit, the HOMURA fist-bumped Naruto and left to spend time with the others. As they left the academy, strolling down the shopping district, HOMURA couldn't help but contemplate their next move.

HOMURA: (C, can you track Naruto through the skin cells I left with him during that fist bump?)

C: (Affirmative, Uzumaki Naruto is 1,567 meters to the east from your actual position. Which indicates that the target is now within the premises of the academy.)

HOMURA: (And Mizuki?)

C: (Subject also within the premises of the academy.)

HOMURA: (Good! Immediately inform me if they cross paths. )

This marked the inception of phase 1 of the protagonist's master plan. Their aim was to gain insight into the forbidden scroll that Naruto would eventually attempt to steal by the end of the day. If Naruto succeeded, his handprints would be all over it, allowing Homura to leave their own cells on the scroll. This, in turn, would create an opportunity during Orochimaru's attack on the village to infiltrate the Hokage's office. However, to ensure the plan's success, Homura couldn't help but worry about the possibility of the scroll being moved or meticulously cleaned.

Furthermore, Homura harbored a desire for a fully grown Sharingan with swift release, a notion that had been percolating in their mind. Despite the ethical dilemma of using Naruto for their own ends, Homura deemed it a safer alternative to getting entangled in the chaos created by Naruto, Mizuki, and Iruka-sensei.

As anticipation for the following day built, Homura eagerly looked forward to confirming the success of their intricate plan. The prospect of navigating through the intricacies of their plot presented both a challenge and a source of excitement.

chapter end