Chapter 28: The Tree, the Axe, and the Traitor
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"The world isn't perfect. But it's there for us, doing the best it can… that's what makes it so damn beautiful."
— Roy Mustang, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
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Location: River Clearing – Noon, A few Days After the Bear Fight
Snow still clung to the edges of the grass as Otis stood shirtless, arms crossed, staring at the flattened ruin of what used to be his hut.
The bear — Yuki-box… cough' chan— was curled up near the edge of the forest, belly up, snoring. Its one leg twitching from a dream that probably involved fish.
Hinata and Sayuri hadn't arrived from the academy yet.
Just him.
He exhaled.
"Time to rebuild."
Otis walked to the side where scattered remains of his hut lay..
He crouched, rummaging through the debris, until he found something.
"Found it," he muttered.
from Beneath rubble he pulled out an axe, it was old and chipped,
Its handle was made of wood, and its head was of iron
"Still better than a punch."
He picked it up.
The handle groaned slightly.
"Alright, let's test how soft these trees are in the ninja world."
He approached the nearest one. He picked his target — a thick tree near the edge of the clearing. — tall, wide, and bark rough as iron scales. Thick enough to shame any tree back home.
Otis remembered the myth that all the trees in Konoha were made by the First Hokage's jutsu.
He stepped close. Took a breath. Raised the axe — and swung.
THUNK.
The Bark chipped off in small curls. The tree didn't even seem to notice.
Otis adjusted his grip and took another swing.
THUNK.
Another chip.
"Okay. this world's trees are… built different."
He rolled his neck, then really dug in.
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
A groove started forming. Sweat formed at his brow.
"Back home, this'd be done by now."
He stepped back, wiped his forehead.
Yuki-chan snorted in her sleep behind him.
He raised the axe again—
CRACK—SNAP.
The handle of the axe split mid-swing. The force of the blow twisted the head sideways — and it shot off, spinning into a bush flying.
Otis stood there, holding half a handle and a very bitter expression.
He exhaled and looked at the broken tool.
"…Well."
He looked at the tree — which now had a dent about the depth of his thumbnail.
He looked at his hand.
Then muttered, "What the hell are these trees eating? Chakra supplements?"
"Guess trees hit the gym in this world too."
He stared at the bark.
"Should've known. Everything else is oversized here. Bears, ramen bowls… trees…"
He walked to the bush, grabbed the axe head, and turned it over. It was still intact — mostly.
"At least the metal's good. Great. Guess we're doing this your way, Otis-style."
He picked up a river stone — flat, smooth, and heavy.
Turned back toward the tree.
"You think I need tools? I am the tool."
He raised it to throw —
Then stopped himself. thinking.
If he threw it, he'd just destroy the tree.
He needed clean wood for the hut, not splinters.
And cutting wood with an axe was good training, anyway.
Behind him, Yuki-chan snorted again in her sleep.
"Laugh again and you're breakfast."
Later…
Otis decided to go to the village since he need a new axe, and he would shop for groceries too.
Otis adjusted the strap on his back. The axe head clinked against a pouch of his meager savings.
As he starts walking towards the village:
."Need a hammer. Rope. and an axe that doesn't snap like a twig mid-swing…"
His voice trailed off as the village gate came into view. Vendors were setting up for midday, shinobi and civilians moved along the path, and steam rose from ramen stalls
The sounds of village life reached him — distant chatter, the clatter of market carts, laughter, scolding. Otis rolled his shoulders, already preparing himself for the noise, the crowds, and—
"–GIVE THAT BACK, YOU MENACE!!"
Otis stopped.
From the trees to his left came crashing footsteps, some swearing, and—
"HAAAHAHAHA YOU'LL HAVE TO CATCH ME FIRST, OLD MAN!"
An Orange blur.
Coming straight toward him.
It was Naruto
Otis already knew that trouble was coming. He just stepped slightly to the right.
Naruto zoomed past him, skidding to a stop as soon as he realized who he'd just passed.
"Wait… Wait–OTISh?!"
Otis turned halfway.
"Naruto."
The blond spun on his heel, two apples stuffed in his jacket and one clutched between his teeth like a kunai. He grinned wide.
"I wash jusht—uhh—training! Shpeed drillsh! Totallhy not shtealing phruit."
Otis raised an eyebrow.
"Naruto. speak after pulling the apple out of your mouth"
Naruto blinked. Pulling the apple out— and then broke into loud laughter.
"Man, I missed you! You haven't been around the market in days! I thought you died or something!"
And then Naruto heard footsteps approaching. He quickly turned and whispered,
"Cover for me, Otis, please!"
A group of angry villagers appeared, clearly agitated, moments later.
"Excuse me, sir," one puffed, eyeing the towering boy. "Did you see a kid in an orange tracksuit run this way? He stole from us!"
Otis raised an eyebrow, glancing casually toward the crate where Naruto's ridiculous outfit was barely hidden. A hint of spiky blond hair stuck out.
Like any good, law-abiding shinobi of Konoha—and, more importantly, like a good friend—Otis did what needed to be done.
"Oh, him?" he said, raising a hand to his mouth in mock surprise, stifling a laugh. "Yeah… he's definitely not behind that crate over there." He pointed straight at it.
The villagers ran toward it — catching sight of Naruto just as he tried to sneak away.
They chased and caught him, while Naruto yelled back:
"TRAITOR!" Naruto screeched as they grabbed him, dragging him and their stolen goods away.
Otis turned and walked off without a second glance.
"I'm not your friend, Naruto."
A while later...
Otis was going about his shopping, and Naruto followed behind him — now with a few comical bumps on his head, a contribution from the loving villagers.
Naruto grumbled, "So, Otis, where are you going?"
Otis was walking, but he decided to humour him
"I need an axe, my hut broke and I had to fistfight a polar bear."
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(A/N)
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