A Dilemma of the Future

Haruto and Daichi walked side by side, their steps synchronized as they headed back to the Academy after an intense sparring match. The quiet morning was filled with the sound of their footsteps and the occasional breeze that stirred the trees around them. Despite the hard-fought match, both boys wore easy smiles, their friendship forged in countless hours of training.

"You're getting quicker," Daichi said with a grin, rubbing his arm where Haruto had landed a particularly sharp blow. "But you're still not fast enough to beat me."

Haruto smirked, shaking his head. "I'd say I did pretty well considering the number of water bullets you threw at me. Maybe next time, you'll actually make me sweat."

Daichi laughed, clearly enjoying the banter as much as the fight. His boundless energy made it hard to believe they had just gone all-out minutes ago, but that was typical of an Uzumaki. Haruto appreciated the way Daichi always gave his all, no matter the situation.

Yet, as they walked, a familiar thought crept into Haruto's mind. Daichi wasn't in the anime. The Uzumaki clan had a tragic history, and though Daichi had become his closest friend, there was a gnawing uncertainty at the back of Haruto's mind. Why wasn't Daichi in the future he knew? What if his friend's fate was already sealed by the events to come?

Haruto kept his gaze forward as they walked, but the thought lingered like a shadow at the edge of his consciousness. He liked Daichi. More than that—he valued their friendship. They had grown close over the past year, pushing each other in training, sharing victories and defeats. It was strange to think that this boy who had become such an important part of his life didn't exist in the story he knew.

Would something happen to him?

Haruto had avoided thinking too deeply about the future for a while. He had always believed that sticking to what he knew from the anime would give him an advantage. He could stay one step ahead, knowing key events before they happened. But as time went on, that certainty had started to fade. This world was real. The people here were real. And the consequences of his actions were no longer confined to a story he had watched on a screen.

What if saving Daichi—or anyone else—meant changing everything he knew? Could he risk disrupting the timeline, the one path he knew would eventually lead to peace? Would he be willing to change the future for Daichi?

Haruto glanced at his friend as Daichi continued talking about the next water jutsu he wanted to master. The Uzumaki's enthusiasm was infectious, his optimism unwavering. Haruto smiled slightly, but the question remained in the back of his mind.

If he changed things for Daichi, how far would those changes ripple? And what would the consequences be?

As they reached the Academy gates, Haruto felt the weight of the question press down on him. He wasn't sure what Daichi's future held. Maybe the boy was meant to die in the Third Great Ninja War, or maybe he would meet some other tragic fate before that. The thought made Haruto's stomach twist. Could he really stand by and do nothing if he knew something bad was coming?

The future was uncertain, and every decision he made could change it. But if he chose to act, to interfere, would it make things better or worse?

Haruto didn't have the answers. Not yet.

But as he watched Daichi bound ahead, full of life and excitement, Haruto couldn't shake the feeling that a choice would come. And when it did, he would have to decide.

Would he change the future for the sake of his friend? Could he?

As Daichi turned back to Haruto, a grin still plastered on his face, he called out, "Come on, Haruto! Let's see who's faster to class!"

Haruto blinked, the serious thoughts fading from his mind for the moment. He smirked, letting the playful challenge distract him. "You're on."

They took off toward the Academy, Daichi's laughter ringing in the air as they raced.

Yet even as they ran, the question lingered, unanswered but ever-present.

Would Haruto change everything to save Daichi?