Chapter 10: The Trial – A Face from the Past

Darkness.

Nick felt weightless, as if floating in a void.

Then—

A sudden pull.

He gasped as his senses returned, and when he opened his eyes, he wasn't in the familiar comfort of his new home.

He was standing in a small, dimly lit apartment.

A place he hadn't seen in a long time.

His apartment.

Nick's breath hitched as he looked down at himself.

This… this wasn't Iruka's body.

It was his own—his original body.

His hands trembled as he reached up, touching his face. The sensation was real. He was back in his own skin.

'What the hell is this?'

Before he could process anything, a voice echoed behind him.

"What is your ultimate goal?"

Nick spun around.

Standing there, arms crossed, was Iruka.

Or rather—the real Iruka.

The man looked exactly like him, but there was something different about him. A presence. Strong. Firm. Unwavering.

He wasn't a simple reflection or illusion.

Nick swallowed hard. "You… you're the real Iruka, aren't you?"

Iruka didn't answer. He just repeated the question.

"What is your ultimate goal?"

Nick's lips parted, but no words came out at first.

What was his goal?

He had come into this world just wanting to survive. But now…

He took a shaky breath and spoke.

"To get stronger. To protect Naruto, myself… and the people I care about."

Silence.

Then—

SMACK!

A sharp slap landed across his face, turning his head to the side.

His cheek stung, but more than the pain—it shocked him.

He looked back at Iruka, wide-eyed. "Wha—"

"Are you sure?" Iruka's voice was calm, but heavy.

Nick froze.

The answer had come to him easily… too easily. Was he really sure?

Doubt crept in.

Was it just about getting stronger? Or was there more?

He hesitated, then said quietly, "...I don't know."

Iruka nodded, as if he expected that answer. "Then let me guide you."

Nick tensed. "Guide me?"

Iruka nodded again. "That answer you gave—it was what I wanted too."

Nick's breath caught.

"But I was a coward," Iruka continued. "Too afraid to change. Too afraid to grow. I convinced myself that staying the same was enough. That being a good teacher was all I needed to be. But you? You're doing what I never had the courage to do."

Nick didn't know how to respond.

Iruka's eyes softened. "I saw your memories."

Nick stiffened. "...You what?"

"You made games, right?" Iruka tilted his head. "You wanted to be the best at it."

Nick swallowed. "Yeah."

Iruka's smirk faded. "And for that… you cut ties with your loved ones."

Nick's breath hitched.

It wasn't a question. It was a truth.

His fists clenched. "...Yeah."

Iruka stared at him. "Was it worth it?"

Nick's heart pounded.

Was it?

He'd worked so hard, dedicated his life to his passion, ignoring everything else. But in the end…

He'd died alone.

Nick lowered his head. His voice was barely a whisper.

"I regret giving up on my loved ones… but I still want the power to protect those I care about. Unlike my last life—where I couldn't."

His fists tightened further.

"And besides…" He raised his head, meeting Iruka's gaze. "I see Naruto as family… which I guess I got from you, right?"

Iruka's expression softened. A small, barely-there smile curved his lips.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "You did."

He paused, then spoke again.

"You know, in your memories… there was a phrase that stuck with me."

Nick blinked. "What?"

Iruka met his gaze.

"Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is."

The words struck deep. Nick's breath caught.

And in that moment—

[Trial Complete.]

[Initiating Awakening.]

Nick's eyes widened as the system's familiar voice rang in his mind.

[Basic Haki Unlocked.]

[Bloodline Enhancement Pills Received.]

A surge of power filled his body. His senses sharpened. His perception expanded. And for the first time…

He felt more.

Stronger.

Complete.

Iruka smiled, stepping back as his body began to fade.

Nick's eyes widened. "Wait—!"

But Iruka simply smirked.

"I leave everything in your hands."

Then—

He was gone.

Nick woke up.

His body jerked upright as he gasped for air, heart hammering against his chest.

Before he could process what had happened—

A pair of arms wrapped around him.

"Iruka-sensei!!!"

Nick's eyes widened as he felt Naruto clinging to him, trembling.

"I-I thought something happened to you!" Naruto choked out, his voice cracking, tears running down his face. "You weren't waking up! I got so scared—!"

Nick's breath caught.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Then, his hands moved on their own.

He gently ruffled Naruto's hair, a soft smile forming on his lips.

"...Idiot," he murmured. "I'm not going anywhere."

Naruto sniffled, still gripping him tightly.

Nick exhaled and glanced at his hands.

They felt different.

He felt different.

Stronger.

Like, for the first time since coming to this world—

He was whole.

End of chapter....

Sorry for the earlier mess I was in such a hurry I didn't notice it . This will be the last chapter where Iruka will be regarded as Nick