Chapter-48

Opening his eyes, Naruto glanced down to see that the pre-tournament games were still in progress. He was perched on the high walls of the stadium, observing everything from above. When he first heard about the "Recreational Games," he had expected something more exciting, but what he found were 15-year-old kids playing children's games like scavenger hunts and races.

Initially, he considered it rather silly, but viewing it from an analytical perspective, he realized that this was meant for entertainment. The kids down there, laughing and having fun, were enjoying these simple moments. They were still young and lived in a society filled with peace, devoid of major wars or internal conflicts – a realm of tranquility.

However, this peace could be a double-edged sword. While they relished it, the consequence was that it softened and distorted the harsh reality. "In peace, the weak live and grow old... in war, only the strongest survive," a phrase often spoken by Uchiha Fugaku, the father of Itachi and Satsuki. Naruto couldn't find a way to refute that saying even today.

With a deep sigh, Naruto vanished in a blur of leaves, unseen by anyone, and reappeared in the Class-A locker room. As he entered, he noticed several of his classmates already there, waiting for the tournament to commence. Some were more nervous than others. Making his way through the room, he opened a locker and retrieved another sports jacket, as the previous one had been damaged during Bakugo's attack in the cavalry battle. Once he had what he needed, he left the room.

"Phew." Momo exhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves. She was seated away from the door and had relaxed a bit when the blonde with the mustache left the room. Her hands were resting on the table as she anxiously tapped her thumbs, her gaze fixed on the wall clock. There were only about three minutes left until the tournament began.

Uraraka, sitting next to her, spoke in a reassuring tone. "No one will think badly of you if you don't want to fight..." She wore her sports festival outfit, like Momo. "I should be fighting Bakugo... but I feel that facing him is less risky than going up against Uzumaki-san." She glanced uncertainly at the explosive teenager seated a short distance away.

"But are you going to fight him anyway?" Momo inquired, nibbling on her lower lip while her legs shifted restlessly. She wondered why she felt such fear. She had witnessed her upcoming tournament opponent's battles and knew that victory was improbable. What truly frightened her were the potential consequences, as well as the looming prospect of failure before a packed stadium eagerly anticipating a spectacular showdown she might not deliver. Glancing at the brunette teenager beside her, she noticed the same uncertainty in her eyes.

"Yes... I can't miss this opportunity... What about you?" He inquired again, prompting the black-haired girl to look down briefly before rising from her seat.

"I don't know..." With that response, she exited the room. Time was running out, and she couldn't afford to be late. Gathering all the courage she could muster, she left for the extensive hallway that led to the arena. Unbeknownst to her, just a few hallways away, another conversation was unfolding.

Naruto observed with curiosity as Momo headed straight for the arena to face her opponent. "You must be proud of her," he remarked aloud, then turned to scrutinize a serious-looking Majime Yaoyorozu, who stood nearby. The businesswoman was clad in a dark formal suit with a knee-length skirt.

"I am," she replied promptly, adjusting her jacket. "Have you considered my proposal?" She inquired, her gaze fixed on the teenager while her daughter's battle was underway.

"I'm not interested," came the Uzumaki's sharp response. He shifted his attention to the mother of his class president.

"You should give it some thought. I'm offering you not only a substantial sum of money but also a powerful ally. We both know that the only reason you're not in jail is because I extended a helping hand... Now, I simply ask that you return the favor," tension hung in the air between them. At no point did the dark-haired woman waver as she met the cold blue eyes of Naruto.

"Are you suggesting I become your daughter's guardian? The infamous Uzumaki Naruto, a murderer and monster who should be imprisoned for the rest of his days, all for the sake of a pampered high-society child's safety..." Naruto's words dripped with sarcasm and cynicism, causing Majime to furrow her brows. "If you're trying to make me laugh, you're heading in the wrong direction." With that, he turned away and began walking.

"They will return!" The Uzumaki halted at the shout from the elder Yaoyorozu. He cast another glance at her, noting her unwavering seriousness. "The League of Villains has already set their pieces in motion, and this is just the beginning. Sooner or later, they'll strike again. I can't pull my daughter out of UA without crushing her dream of becoming a heroine... but if there's someone powerful enough to step in if needed." The implication made the one-eyed blonde raise an eyebrow.

"Don't you have faith in your daughter?" Naruto countered with a hint of mockery, his ears catching the sounds of the spectators in the seats, signaling that the tournament was about to begin.

"I have faith in my daughter, but like any mother, I worry about losing her..." Majime stated firmly, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with the shinobi who still had his back turned.

"So intelligent, self-assured, and cunning... but at the same time, so blind." Naruto resumed his stride, making his way toward the exit leading to the arena. Without glancing back at the older black-haired woman, he simply raised a hand in farewell. "We'll see how much your daughter can handle..."

Majime clenched her teeth in frustration, then headed to her VIP area to observe the tournament. "This isn't over yet," she thought to herself before making her way to her designated seat, where she would watch her daughter's impending battle.

[ If you want to read advance Chapters then go to Pat reon and support me there as I have already uploaded advance Chapters there.

PAT REON I'D:- Skythe ]