Chapter 2 The Hut

He finally relaxed, sitting on the ground, breathing heavily as he tried to process everything that had just happened.

The tension in his muscles slowly eased, but his mind was still racing. The weight of Mikoto's life—and his own—pressed down on him like a physical burden.

They had made it out of the village, but now what? The massacre had thrown everything into chaos, and staying close to the village was out of the question.

They needed to find somewhere safe, somewhere far from anyone who might come looking for them.

Hiro's thoughts turned to a secluded hut.

If his memories were correct, there should be an abandoned hut somewhere deep in the mountains—a place far from any major roads or villages.

It was the perfect spot to hide and plan their next move. The only problem was the distance. It was far, and with Mikoto unconscious, traveling wouldn't be easy.

But he didn't have a choice.

He glanced down at Mikoto, her face peaceful in sleep. It was the first time he had truly looked at her up close, despite knowing her appearance from the memories he had inherited.

Seeing her like this, in person, was something entirely different. Her black hair cascaded over the rough blankets, framing a face that seemed almost unreal in its beauty.

In his previous life, he had seen models and celebrities—women admired for their looks and grace. But none of them compared to the woman lying before him now.

Mikoto's features were delicate yet strong, with a natural elegance that made it hard to believe she was real.

Her long, dark lashes rested against her cheeks, and even in the dim light of the hut, her skin seemed to glow with a warmth that contrasted sharply with the cold outside.

Hiro couldn't help but feel a pang of something—admiration, awe, perhaps even a touch of something deeper.

He wasn't sure what to make of it. He had seen Mikoto in the manga and anime, but this was different.

She wasn't just a character; she was a living, breathing person, someone who had been through unimaginable pain and loss, and yet she still exuded an air of quiet strength.

For a moment, he felt a strange sense of protectiveness wash over him.

He wasn't the strongest or the most skilled, but he had been given the chance to save her, to give her a second chance at life.

And now, looking at her, he felt more determined than ever to see that through.

But alongside that determination was a sense of disbelief.

How had he, of all people, ended up in this situation, with someone like Mikoto Uchiha relying on him? It felt surreal, like he was living in a dream—or a nightmare, depending on how he looked at it.

He reached out hesitantly, his fingers brushing a strand of hair away from her face. It was a small, almost unconscious gesture, but it felt significant.

He would definitely pursue her, but sadly, she was already married. If only he had arrived a little earlier…

But wait. Fugaku Uchiha is dead now? That meant he might still have a chance…

Hiro quickly cleared his thoughts, shaking his head. Now wasn't the time to dwell on such matters. He needed to focus on survival and getting stronger.

Mikoto's safety and his own survival were his immediate concerns, and everything else would have to wait.

Taking a final deep breath, Hiro glanced back at the Hidden Leaf Village one last time. He didn't harbor any personal grudge against it, but there was a part of him that felt… something. Resentment? Anger? He couldn't quite place it.

But he decided to leave it be for now. He had to focus on becoming stronger before he could even think about revenge.

Turning away from the village, he set off toward the mountains. His steps were steady, even though he knew the journey ahead would be long and the path treacherous.

The hut was the only place he knew of where they could stay for some time, and after that… well, he would figure it out. He also needed to work on his skills.

With his current abilities, he could barely fight against a Chunin—and that was only because he was a Chunin. At 18, the original owner of this body hadn't been particularly impressive. He was average, at best.

The night stretched on as Hiro pressed forward, the trees thinning as they began their ascent into the mountains. The air grew colder, the wind biting at his skin, but he pushed through. He had to.

Finally, after what felt like hours of climbing and navigating through the rugged terrain, Hiro spotted the faint outline of the hut in the distance.

It was small and weathered, nestled against the side of the mountain, but it was shelter. And right now, that was all that mattered.

Hiro approached the hut cautiously, checking for any signs of life. When he was satisfied that it was empty, he carefully pushed the door open with his shoulder and carried Mikoto inside.

The interior was sparse and cold, but it was dry and hidden away from the outside world.

He gently laid Mikoto down on a makeshift bed of old blankets in the corner, his own exhaustion beginning to catch up with him.

The hut was far from ideal, but it was safe for the time being.

Hiro sank down beside her, his body finally surrendering to the fatigue that had been gnawing at him.

He leaned his back against the rough wooden wall, closing his eyes for a moment to steady his racing thoughts.

There were so many things to consider, so many dangers still lurking out there. But right now, in this moment, they were safe. And that was enough.

Soon, he fell asleep.

As the sun's rays began to penetrate through the cracks in the hut, Mikoto's eyes fluttered open. Her vision slowly adjusted to the dim light filtering through the gaps.

As she tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness hit her, and she fell back against the rough blankets. Her hands trembled.

"What's happened to me? Why am I...? Where is Sasuke? Where am I? What is this place?"

Hiro, who was nearby, noticed she was finally awake and wasn't sure what to say.

As Mikoto struggled with her confusion, Hiro stepped forward and said, "Hey, are you alright?"

Mikoto looked up at Hiro's face, and recognition flickered in her eyes. She remembered him as a member of the clan.

"Your name…" she began, her voice shaky. "I've seen you around the clan, but I don't know your name."

"Hiro," he answered softly.