Chapter-43
"Those guys are incredible" in another area of the stadium were the heroes in charge of security who were taking a break to watch the development of the second stage, among them were Kamui, Mt. Lady and Desutegoro, who were looking at the screen where the festival was broadcast, "I wouldn't mind having some of them at my station to try them out, they look promising" commented the wooden hero who was drinking a cup of coffee.
"I'm not entirely convinced, though. That blonde boy who overpowered everyone—apparently, he possesses two Quirks: electricity manipulation and enhanced physical abilities. It's a deadly combination... It's a shame he's already drawn into darkness," Desutegoro's words made Mt. Lady furrow her brows.
"Why do you say that?" she inquired, studying her smoking colleague, who wore a more serious expression.
"He has a long history of crimes, and he's not trustworthy. Even if All Might believes in him, it doesn't mean other hero departments do. Even if he wins this festival in first place, I doubt anyone would want the responsibility of handling that kid..." Desutegoro raised an eyebrow, observing the blonde with the mask who seemed lost in thought while watching the screen showing the Uzumaki carrying the Class-B girl. "I thought you were afraid of that lunatic," he remarked skeptically. He received a sigh in response.
"I was terrified of him... He killed someone with a Quirk similar to mine as if it were a game. When I looked into his eyes, they were as cold as ice, and that sword was drenched in blood..." Desutegoro shuddered at the memory. But now, as he witnessed the boy protect that girl and strive to win, something was different. "I... I think All Might might be right. He saved those children. Perhaps he just needs a second chance, that's all." With that, he returned his gaze to the screen, curious to see how this stage would conclude.
….
Bakugo and the Uzumaki locked eyes, both charged with power. Katsuki's right hand glowed red, poised for a powerful explosion, mirroring Naruto, whose right arm crackled with blue energy. They inched closer, on the verge of an inevitable collision.
"Time!" Present Mic's deafening shout halted the clash, leaving the two blondes mere inches from each other. Katsuki ended up face-first on the ground as the shinobi swiftly sidestepped the confrontation. "The second stage is over, and the winners are the dynamic duo! Who would have believed it?! Darth Vader and Rey! Daredevil and Maggie Murdock! Venom and Peni Parker! The beast and the vigilante! Such an unlikely pairing takes the victory! Uzumaki Naruto and Ibara Shiozashi are our winners!" The crowd erupted in cheers and celebration.
Naruto gently lowered the girl from his back, still in disbelief about their unexpected triumph. As they walked through the arena, she waved and expressed her gratitude to the ecstatic spectators. Meanwhile, Naruto crossed his arms, struggling to comprehend the metaphors and names Present Mic was throwing around.
"I don't understand..." he muttered, sighing and scratching his cheek.
"I do," Izuku, from the Midoriya team, chimed in as he approached them. "I got the references, at least."
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A half-hour break had been scheduled before the third stage of the festival, allowing participants to rest and spectators to stretch their legs. Naruto was sitting on a wooden bench, his gaze unfocused. He sat alone as Ibara had been spirited away by her classmates to celebrate her advancement to the third stage. Despite her attempts to persuade him to join, Naruto declined, feeling the weight of his fame making it challenging to socialize with her classmates.
Sighing heavily, he tightened the bandages on his right arm. Dealing with the young participants hadn't proven to be a real challenge, and he hoped the next stage would provide more excitement. Retrieving a plastic bottle, he took a sip of water.
"What are you doing?" A familiar presence made itself known to Naruto.
"Drinking water. If you want some, just ask," he replied aloud, knowing he was alone. Facing him was Kyubi, the powerful Biju, in her human form. She had striking red hair, an alluring figure, and fox ears and tails that added an exotic touch.
"You've been unusually quiet lately. It's strange," Naruto remarked, offering her the bottle. Kyubi gave him a somber look in response.
Without saying a word, Kyubi smacked the bottle, sending it flying into the distance. Her red eyes locked onto Naruto's deep blue ones, creating an intense and heavy atmosphere that could be cut with a knife.
"You've been quiet for too long. I've known you since you emerged from that wretched Kushina. Do you think that by competing and abiding by this system's rules, you're becoming like them? You've been restraining yourself since you joined those kids."
"Get to the point, Kyubi," Naruto interrupted, his frown deepening as he faced his inner prisoner.
"Teaming up with that nun, assisting and advising that whiny kid... I'll ask you again, what are you doing?" Kyubi questioned, her tone heavy with annoyance. An invisible red aura radiated from her, causing everyone within a 100-meter range to feel an inexplicable sense of fear and discomfort.
"Forgetting and moving forward," Naruto replied simply as he stood up to meet Kyubi at eye level. She was the same height as him. "I'm tired of running away. This is a chance to do the right thing." He gave a haughty look when the redhead waved her tails from side to side threateningly.
"Being something you're not? A hero?" The cold question was accompanied by the redhead's mocking smile, causing the blonde to furrow his brow. "Do you think that helping cats down from trees and 'stopping' villains will change who you are? Where's that cold shinobi who didn't hesitate to lower his sword to eliminate those who stood in his way? Even if you try, you cannot change what you are. You're not a hero, you're not like them, and you'll never be able to leave everything in the past, Naruto."
"How can you never let go of that hatred?" The unexpected question caught the redhead off guard, eliciting a low growl and revealing her fangs.
"Be careful with your words from now on," the Biju warned, her voice echoing as her nine tails moved menacingly around them. Her red eyes, with slit pupils, gleamed in a fiery crimson that reflected immense power. However, the blonde remained unfazed, holding his ground.
"Since when have you carried all that hatred, Kyubi? Since your creation by the Sage of the Six Paths along with your brothers many centuries ago?" The Uzumaki sighed and looked away, running a hand through his hair. "Will you ever let go of the past and give humans a chance? Or, at the very least, tell me your name. The title 'Kyubi' is annoying to repeat." In response, the redhead's hands tightened around his neck.
"You... nor anyone else deserves to know." Her grip tightened further, and he watched as her form slowly faded away. With one last glance at her Jinchuriki, she spoke again. "The day I tell you my name... I will consider you my equal and ally. We both know that will never happen." With those words, she vanished, leaving Naruto sitting in silence, gazing at nothing. This was a small step forward in his relationship with the vixen sealed inside him. With a sigh, he pressed his hand against the seal on his stomach.
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