Chapter 60 - N

It doesn't matter how many missions he's had in which he had to travel for long distances, surviving with little food and water; always following a routine and fitting certain roles. It doesn't matter how being outside, walking or running, has become more of a second nature to him. Because it doesn't matter how much time passes, he doesn't think he'd ever think less sacredly of that first shower after spending so long without them. Seeing all the grime pooling on the tiles that are always there on his body even when one tries so hard to be clean among nature is cathartic. Dry skin being thoroughly scratched until it turns red and healthier feels like paradise. Trading fingers across clean, soft hair makes an exhale of pure bliss leave his lips.

Showers are glorious.

He doesn't stop the content hum echoing in the small room that leaves him. Everyone is awake so he's not worried about waking anyone up like he was yesterday night with Clementine being the first to shower and the first to fall asleep. Michonne was the last, though it took some convincing on their part. By the time it was Naruto's turn, Andrea and Clem were already enjoying the bed. Naruto knew how he got while showering after a long absence of it, so with a resigned sigh and a curse at how close the bathroom was to the room, he took the floor to sleep on.

Now though, with being able to clean himself properly, Naruto can let some of the weight he's been carrying fall from his shoulders. A weight he hasn't known was still there. Although… how long has it been since he last showered? A day before he went to fight the fourth shinobi war? A week before all the whole ordeal blew upon their faces. How long has he been running from one mission to another; worry after worry?

The war only lasted less than a month, but they barely had tents to sleep in at night, and showering was nigh impossible. A quick water technique was enough to clean the sweat from the body so as to not alert the enemy of their presence even if they hadn't known exactly if the white Zetsu or the Edo Tensei shinobi were able to smell them. A month, then? That doesn't sound right though. It's been longer. So much longer since he returned home. Practically months in which fighting, running, and just plain surviving had been his only thoughts. Then he's came to this world and had to worry about how to return home while trying to ignore the loneliness of his situation. Luckily, he's met new people to befriend and while he worries constantly about their safety, teaching them whatever can be used for help is not so hard. Especially while he's also able of learning everything he can about this new world he finds himself in.

It's not been hard for him, though he admits keeping watch at night while leaving them to rest more hasn't been good to his health. But he can't whine about it; he's the one bursting with energy, after all. He can easily survive with only four hours of sleep a day, unlike them. They're strong, he doesn't deny it, but they're still civilians and he's a shinobi. His job is full of danger and used to this kind of thing. And although being a shinobi makes one used to certain things that are so far from the level of normality is not even funny, it's also the same mindset that takes as important things others ignore while classifying them as weird or unimportant things most wouldn't.

Like enjoying a simple shower for the wonderful experience that it is.

The water is cold as the room, but as he lets his forehead rest against the wet tiles and breathes in, he can feel some peace flowing through him. The energy of nature around him easily accepts his half-assed meditation attempt and welcomes him as one of his own. His mind is clear of concerns for the first time in a long and he can feel some type of closure is happening. One he hasn't realized he needed to do.

Kaguya is sealed alongside Zetsu. All the Tailed Beasts are free. Madara is gone, too. The Edo Tensei is free to return to their rest.

The war in his world is over.

Yes, the war is over, he accepted this long ago, but for some reason, it now feels more real. This change in the atmosphere makes it clear for some reason. And while there were a great number of injured, even with all he did to help them by shrouding them with Kurama's chakra, he's not really anxious to search for a solution to return to the Elemental Nations. Not really. It doesn't mean he won't do his best to return—because he will.

Yet… he can find it in himself to be worried because, well, his friends are there. He's concerned about their safety, of course, but he trusts them to be fine and do well.

And isn't that the wonderful thing about friendship?

He doesn't know how it works in this world but he's sure that the bond one forms while fighting is one of the strongest. Because believing in the strength of others to watch one's back takes a great deal of trust. And he trusts a lot of people in his own world. In the same way, they trusted their future to him, he trusts them to build something from the ruins of the war.

The war is over.

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Trying to get back to writing... Still, nine more chapters on my patreon~