Chapter:-28

"Watch your words... not everyone listens to the trash you say and does nothing about it." The shinobi pushed the gray-eyed teenager, causing him to fall to the ground. He then lifted his gaze, casting an icy look that left the other students in the class tense and uncomfortable. Without further interaction, he passed by the fallen boy and left the place.

Exhausted...

For a moment, Naruto's expression turned melancholic and sad as he reached the courtyard of the grand academy. He took a deep breath and observed several trees adorning the vast green meadow before him. Listening to those remarks had become draining. It wasn't just dealing with the rejection and fear of his classmates; now, the entire academy and the media treated him as if he were a monster. It wore him down knowing there were hardly any people left who wouldn't point fingers and judge without considering the full story. With a quiet sigh, he leaned his shoulder against a tree.

"Are you okay?" Naruto tensed upon hearing a female voice. Looking down, he spotted a 15-year-old girl with a pale complexion, dark eyes, and unusual green hair that resembled vines. She wore the standard UA female uniform, and a silver cross hung from her neck on a chain, catching Naruto's sharp eye. She held a book in her hands with the word "Bible" engraved in gold on the cover.

"Ummm," Naruto mumbled, curious about the girl's expression, which displayed a mixture of curiosity and slight concern. She sat on the ground, leaning against the tree while reading her book. It was strange. "Yes... it's just a bad day," he admitted, then joined her on the grass, surprised to see that she continued reading, maintaining her gentle smile. "You don't know who I am, do you?" Naruto asked, gazing at the leaves falling from the trees in response to a gentle breeze.

"Yes..." he replied simply, closing his Bible and retrieving a lunchbox from beside him. Opening it, he revealed several pieces of bread and some strawberry candy in a jar. With a knife, he carefully prepared two sandwiches, filling them with the candy. When he finished, he offered one to the shinobi next to him, who accepted it with hesitation. Closing her eyes, the girl whispered a brief prayer before starting to eat.

"You're the first person who hasn't judged or rejected me in days," the shinobi admitted between bites of the surprisingly tasty sandwich. He shrugged and continued eating.

"Do not judge, or you will be judged..." recited the green-haired teenager, giving the blonde teenager an understanding look. "I'm aware of your actions, but I'm not one to judge you. Only our Father in heaven can." She noticed the Uzumaki's puzzled expression and blushed slightly, looking away. "I'm sorry; I was lost in my thoughts. I'm Ibara Shiozashi," she introduced herself, extending her hand to shake the Uzumaki's.

"Uzumaki Naruto…" the shinobi replied simply, still looking curious about the teenager. "Are you some kind of believer?" That was his conclusion based on what he had seen so far. He had encountered that book and necklace before in various places.

"I'm an evangelist or a Christian, whichever term you prefer," she said without hesitation, clutching the Bible in her hands. She was proud of her beliefs, but most people, upon learning about her faith, either distanced themselves from her or pretended to be understanding. Being in Japan and following a religion that less than 0.1% of the population practiced was not easy.

Her parents had come from abroad in their youth, seeking a better life in Japan. She was born in Japan but had always shown a strong inclination for the teachings her parents shared about their heavenly father. She never felt ashamed of her faith and took pride in trying to share it with others, even though she hadn't made much progress so far. Breaking free from her thoughts, she noticed the blonde teenager extending his hand toward her.

"Can I?" he asked, gesturing towards the green-haired girl's book. She hesitantly handed it over to him, and he carefully opened the Bible to read it. As he turned the pages, minutes passed, and the nervous teenager beside him watched him intently. Eventually, Naruto closed the book and returned it to the green-haired girl.

"It's a good path you're following," he commented calmly, surprising the girl who had expected ridicule for her beliefs.

"Thank you... Do you believe in God?" she asked, inching a bit closer to the blonde, who was gazing at the academy.

"We all believe in something. Personally, I consider myself an atheist, but it's never wrong to believe that there's someone up there watching over the people you care about. Ibara-san, don't expect me to declare that your faith is correct... But how do you reconcile your beliefs with the state of this world? Do you truly believe there's a god who allows all this suffering?" he asked, adopting a more serious tone and looking directly into the student's eyes. "The world is filled with corruption, people killing each other, hunger, senseless wars sending young lives to their deaths, women and girls being subjected to horrifying acts... How can I believe?" He posed these questions without averting his gaze from the girl, who clutched her Bible to her chest.

"I don't have answers to those questions. All I know is that our father gave us life and allowed us to inhabit this earth for some purpose. He didn't just grant us life; he gave us the most precious gift of all: free will," Ibara replied. She looked down, gently caressing the small cross hanging from her neck with her fingers. "We can't blame God for the state of the world. Each person must take responsibility for their actions and confront their sins. If our Lord Jesus Christ were to intervene in every decision we make... we would lose the invaluable gift He bestowed upon us. Perhaps He placed us in this world to face the challenges it presents and to overcome them, learning to distinguish between good and evil, so we may be deemed worthy of standing at His right hand in heaven... I understand that believing can be challenging, and doubts about our Father's existence may creep in, but... sometimes, you simply have to have faith." A profound silence lingered between the two teenagers, their gazes locked on each other.

Naruto was taken aback by the strength of the girl's faith. Was it as simple as having faith for her? Believing despite everything? With a furrowed brow, he gazed at the sky. "So, is that why you don't judge me? Because of a commandment in your book?" he inquired, intrigued by the conversation. Did he himself believe in Kami-sama or God? He believed there was something more to this world than met the eye.