A Sad Dream

Everyone by now knew of Hinata and Kakashi.

Kakashi is still a highly skilled ninja in the Leaf Village. It hasn't been a full year yet, yet his mentorship of Naruto had grown to that of a father figure, which was already blossoming to that of a younger brother.

Their bond was built on mutual trust, respect, and a deep understanding of one another's values and strengths.

Then there was Hinata, who was a kind and caring individual who always put others before herself. Her gentle nature and empathetic personality often made her a target for manipulation, but she persevered when needed.

This drive was particularly inspired by Naruto, whom she greatly admired. In fact, their current relationship with him has already taught her to value herself and her abilities.

Perhaps they weren't dating yet, but she's proven herself to be a more compassionate and understanding person without losing her skills as a Hyūga. And truth be told, thanks to Alexander, she's become quite the skilled kunoichi.

Kakashi and her were still a distance away. Arthur needed to make a decision: should he deliver the killing blow or retreat for the moment?

He stood back up and stepped away from Naruto's vulnerable form, calculating the best tactical choice. He would not make his move just yet; besides, he was the one that currently had them in check.

'How interesting,' he thought.

When they finally reached the clearing, both of them halted abruptly as their eyes widened at the sight before them. The bloodied Naruto lay at Arthur's feet, vulnerable and defeated, while Arthur stood with nonchalance that grated on Kakashi's nerves.

"I recognize you," Kakashi said, stepping forward. Without even hesitating, he lifts up his forehead protector to reveal his Sharingan. "You're John Belfort, a wanted man in several countries."

Arthur adjusted his hair, unfazed by the recognition. He had expected this. Being known by name in the Fire Country by the likes of a Jōnin was rather pedantic in its own right.

"I didn't realize politics was your hobby, Copy Ninja," Arthur replied. "But really, as a former delegate, do you think it's wise to challenge me now?"

Hinata's brows furrowed as she glared at him with an intensified focus from her pre-activated Byakugan. "Get away from Naruto!"

Her voice was strained and filled with concerns, yet Arthur smirked, asking, "How about instead I take the Nine-Tails and then your Byakugan for good measure? I'm sure I can get my hands on that Sharingan, too."

Kakashi stepped closer, undeterred by Arthur's taunts. "So you're after the Nine-Tails? We're not going to let you take anything."

"Hmph…" Arthur scoffed. "You're the same as they say, but… you two alone aren't enough to stop me."

He watched, relishing the tension between them. That's when Hinata announced, "We're not alone!"

Arthur narrowed his eyes at her statement. Suddenly, he felt a prickling sensation of foreboding—a large quantity of chakra from afar, unmistakably Hyūga. Well-trained fighters were en route, something he hadn't sensed until now.

Choices now presented themselves: Should he strike here and risk aggravating a situation that might see him facing an entire squadron? Or would discretion be the better part of valour, allowing him to flee?

If he chose to kill here, he could fully slay Naruto and potentially catch Kakashi and Hinata off guard before any cavalry arrives. And if he just fought to test himself, it might alert the unwanted attention of a player.

For instance, both Kakashi and Hinata had Jada's Flying raijin papers on them.

Then there was another matter: the potential of a player having already time traveled. At any moment, one of them could materialize in a flash and disrupt his plans. Or perhaps they were cloaking themselves among the Hyūga, preventing him from sensing them.

The risk of not knowing whether someone had already time traveled or was en route nagged at him.

But that's where he shined the best: if a player were to show up, they would have done it by now alongside Kakashi and Hinata. Meaning, everything he's done so far was correct.

He'd been so focused on this fight against the strongest Jinchūriki that he hadn't had a moment to truly consider what the other players were doing.

All he knew was that Alice contributed to her end of the bargain. Whether she was the one who tipped the village off about Naruto's potential death, it was highly unlikely. No, these were average reinforcements, of which Arthur was positive that another player was involved in.

Ultimately, he decided that engaging in a fight was too risky—a gamble he wasn't willing to take without further intelligence. Without another thought, he turned on his heel and began to run.

"Stop!" Kakashi shouted, instantly giving chase.

But it was too late. The Copy Ninja was simply not going to be fast enough.

Meanwhile, Hinata ran and knelt beside Naruto's inert form. Her hands trembled as she assessed the damage inflicted upon him.

"Please, Naruto, don't be dead," she whispered in anguish.

The world rushed by in a blur as Arthur cleverly maneuvered around the nearby woods. By the time he made it a safe distance and was away from Kakashi's line of sight, he teleported out using the Flying raijin.

This led Kakashi on a vain chase until he finally decided to return to the clearing. When he returned, he saw Naruto lying motionless, surrounded by seven members of the Hyūga clan. From the looks of it, one of them had knelt and was performing the generic Healing technique on the boy.

Someone else caught Kakashi's attention, someone he hadn't expected, who was also speaking with Hinata.

"Margaret?" he murmured, stepping closer to the scene.

Margaret looked up with a calm expression and wondered, "I assume Naruto was attacked by someone strong?"

"Your assumptions are correct," he answered, catching sight of his fallen pupil. He guided a hand through his silver hair. "If only I had arrived sooner…"

"Don't fret, Kakashi," she said. "I'd just like to know the details."

It was clear by their conversation that Kakashi held Margaret in high regard. That was evident by the fact she hadn't called him "sensei," to which he did not feel offended by.

"John Belfort," he urged, glancing at her. "He was the heir to the feudal lord's title till he investigated under acts of terrorism. From what I've heard, he managed to evade capture by the Mizukage and has been missing ever since."

"John Belfort?" she repeated, questioning how American the name sounded.

Margaret was not fully versed in the political machinations within this world. Whether it was a Japanese name or an American one, she was more into action scenes, the more important characters like Mei, and the events that transpired in the Leaf Village.

It's then Kakashi asked how Margaret and the rest of the Hyūgas knew they would need help.

"I need you both to understand," she said. "It wasn't the Hokage who sent me and the Hyugas as backup; it was Alex."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Alex Hyūga? But how did he know Naruto was in trouble?"

Margaret shook her head, smiling while answering, "He didn't; he was actually looking for Hinata and figured something was off when he found out she had left the village with you. Feeling that something was wrong, he asked me for help and quickly ordered the Hyūgas to follow."

Hinata's cheeks flushed with admiration and guilt. Glancing away, she said in a soft tone, "I… I should have told him I was leaving. I'm sorry about that, Marge."

Margaret crossed her arms, letting her irritation pass. Despite her annoyance at Hinata's reticence, she felt empathy for the girl. After all, this was supposed to be Naruto's wife one day.

"You have nothing to apologize for, really," she said. "It sounds like you had your reasons."

Kakashi nodded, stating, "Alex really had a grasp of the situation."

Margaret cringed inwardly at how old-fashioned that sounded—a credit from one to another. But the urgency of the moment made it all the more poignant.

As the trio delved deeper into speculations, she looked over to see that Naruto hadn't woken up yet. She walked over to the Hyūgas and said, "Watch out, whoever you are. I got this…"

The Hyūga members exchanged glances, but Margaret's intimidating presence was enough to keep their mouths shut. She had made a reputation in the village of being a stubborn hothead. The last thing they wanted to do was argue—especially since Alexander put her in charge.

Reluctantly, they gave her some space.

Glowing chakra pulsed from her hands as she pressed them gently over Naruto's body, activating a more advanced version of their Healing technique. As she concentrated, she pondered just who had enough power to put the boy in this state.

"John Belfort," she said with a low and tight voice, "he's working for the Akatsuki."

Hinata looked bewildered. "What makes you think that?"

"Because he attacked Naruto for a clear reason and fled the moment he sensed you all approaching. If anything, John might as well be an Akatsuki member himself, considering Naruto lost to him."

Kakashi agreed, albeit he wasn't completely convinced without more information. Nonetheless, it was the best lead they had on Naruto's attacker.

"I can believe that," he said. "It's conceivable that John sensed you all approaching and decided to retreat."

"What did you see with your Sharingan?" Margaret pressed.

"It was… odd. Low enough to not be considered a threat, but there was something off about it."

Hinata added the same statement when she had also looked at Arthur's chakra. She then became perplexed as she asked, "So how could Naruto have lost to someone like that?"

Margaret continued concentrating, examining the layers of Naruto's psyche as she healed him. Unable to answer Hinata's question, she began to see deeper into the boy's consciousness.

"It's not just that he lost," she murmured, observing the layers of his being. "It's as if… he was put in a state of a never-ending dream. I'll have to go deeper."

Upon closing her eyes, she plunged beneath the layers of his psyche and instantaneously found herself standing within that familiar dreamlike realm.

"Where are you?" she called out, already used to this scene.

Walking led her to an alleyway. When she turned the corner, she saw Naruto's apartment. Inside, she could smell breakfast and hear laughter. She became a tad sad upon spotting the boy at the center of it, seated at a kitchen table with Minato and Kushina.

"Poor kid," she murmured to herself.

This was honestly her first time seeing the two. They were young and both equally beautiful. To think that Minato resembled his son so much, and that Kushina's hair was just as red as everyone depicted it to be.

In the corner, a miniature Nine-Tailed Fox twitched in its sleep while Kushina brought out plates of pancakes filled with syrup. Naruto was beyond ecstatic as he grabbed his utensils, only to see Margaret standing next to his seat.

"It's time to come back," she implored.

Naruto simply offered her a plate and said, "Want some eggs, Marge? I made them myself, ya know."

As heartwarming as this scene was, Margaret felt frustrated. "You asked for it!" She aimed her fist toward him, charged with chakra, and punched him squarely on the face.

Out of his subconscious, Naruto gasped and finally woke up.

Kakashi, Hinata, and the Hyūga were surprised.

"Marge! Where—what—?"

"You're back is what," Margaret exclaimed with relief.

Naruto just blinked, momentarily bewildered, before he finally recognized the surroundings. It's then that Hinata knelt down and suddenly hugged him. "Naruto, I thought I lost you!" The boy was still a tad dazed from the events that transpired.

Kakashi approached and said with a calm demeanour, "You owe Marge for healing you, Naruto."

"Gee," he said, watching her stand and allowing Hinata to calm down. "Thanks a ton, Marge."

Margaret humbly revealed that all she did was help bring him back from his unconscious state. The truth was, Naruto hadn't had a single scratch on him, hence why the Hyūga healing him prior was unsure of what exactly he was trying to fix.

"Oh," the boy said, smiling, "that's thanks to Kurama."

It wasn't long until he revealed that he was indeed attacked by a man in a suit he had never seen before. While the fight was epic, he honestly couldn't remember much except that his opponent seemed to have an answer for everything thrown at him.

Margaret would undoubtedly tell the others of the matter. And because this involved the Akatsuki, they won't be letting the main character out of their sights.