Written: September 22nd, 2024
Publish: October 11, 2024
Edits:

Words: 2824

"Myougan" Uzumaki Shizuki is Uzumaki Naruto from the future.

He is mute due to the injury on his neck.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

Shizuki flickered through the forest, the adrenaline from the battle still coursing through him. Each leap brought him further away from the clearing, yet the weight of his encounter with Tobi and Zetsu lingered heavily on his mind. The forest around him was alive, yet it felt eerily quiet, as if it, too, sensed the tension in the air.

As he landed on a familiar branch high above the ground, he paused to catch his breath. Memories of Sasuke flooded back, reminding him of their last moments together. "You're strong, Naruto," Sasuke had said, his voice low and reassuring. "You have to keep fighting for what we believe in."

Those words resonated deeply within him, a beacon of hope amidst the storm of emotions swirling in his heart. He leaned against the tree, staring out at the landscape, the sun setting on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.

He shook those thoughts away and began to find another motel to stay in for the night. 

As he leaped through the clearings and the forest, he soon came across a much smaller village, this time it was lively— filled with joy and kids laughing in the background.
It looked like there was some sort of festival going on, and so like any other sane— shinobi, he slipped into the crowd, silently and swiftly moving as quietly as he could to avoid being noticed.

With much success, he reached towards the motel, he looked up at the sign: "Sunny Inn." The warm glow of lights spilled from the windows, inviting and comforting. As he stepped inside, the cheerful chatter of festival-goers faded into the background, replaced by the cozy ambiance of the inn.

Shizuki approached the front desk, where a friendly innkeeper smiled at him. Though he couldn't speak, he offered a polite nod and pointed to a small notebook, writing down his request for a room.

"Of course! We have a lovely room ready for you," the innkeeper replied, noticing the silent exchange. She handed him a key with a welcoming smile.

As he made his way to his room, Shizuki couldn't help but feel the warmth of the village's festivities seep into him. The laughter of children echoed in the halls, mingling with the distant sound of music. It was a stark contrast to the battles he had faced, a reminder that life continued, even amid chaos.

He unlocked the door and stepped inside, taking a moment to appreciate the simplicity of the room—a small bed, a window overlooking the village square, and a faint smell of spices wafting from the street below.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pulled out a small piece of parchment from his pocket. It contained the last words he had shared with Sasuke. He traced the letters with his fingers, recalling their meaning, the weight of the burden and responsibility resting heavily on his shoulders.

Outside, the festival grew louder, drawing his attention. Shizuki stood, moving to the window. He watched as lanterns floated into the night sky, each one a wish, a hope for a brighter future. The sight filled him with determination.

He may have lost his voice, but he still had the power to fight. To protect those he cared about. He was Uzumaki Naruto—just a future version, but still resolute.

With a final glance at the vibrant scene below, he stared at the innocent, carefree kids just running and playing around with various of street vendors, and dragging along their parents.

It reminded him of what Konoha was supposed to be back at his timeline, what it should've been. Happiness among the innocent.. not war torn.
He wished he could've been able to protect them all, like how he should've stopped Zetsu earlier if he had known what was going to happen.

Now, he was given a chance to do so. Make things right. Change, alter the events. Butterfly effect be damned. 

He moved away from the window and sat by the small table. 

He pulled out some blank scrolls and began drawing out seals to seal Zetsu the next time he crosses paths with him. He needed to ensure the seal could forever seal him inside the scroll. 

Shizuki's fingers deftly moved across the blank scrolls, the familiar motions of drawing seals grounding him in the present. Each stroke was precise, a blend of artistry and knowledge he had honed over years of training. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—strategies, memories, and the weight of the future resting heavily on his shoulders.

The soft sounds of laughter and music from the festival below filtered through the window, pulling him momentarily from his focus. He could almost picture the faces of his friends—Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi—all gathered together, celebrating life and the bonds they shared. It was a sharp contrast to the reality he faced, where shadows loomed and danger lingered at every corner.

With a determined breath, he returned to his task. The seals needed to be perfect; any flaw could mean the difference between success and failure. As he worked, he recalled the confrontation with Zetsu. The way the creature had sneered, the darkness radiating from him—it had been a reminder of how vulnerable they all were. Shizuki couldn't allow that to happen again.

He sketched the intricate patterns, each line woven with the intention of binding Zetsu, of trapping him in a world of his own making. The seals glowed faintly as he poured chakra into them, the energy mingling with his resolve. He needed to find a way to prevent the chaos that had consumed his timeline, to protect the innocent lives that danced beneath the festival lights.

As the final seal came to life under his fingertips, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. This was a step forward, a way to reclaim some control over a fate that felt so far from his grasp. He carefully rolled up the scrolls and tucked them away, ensuring they were secure.

Shizuki took a moment to gather his thoughts. He had to be strategic. His mission wasn't just about sealing Zetsu; it was about finding allies, gathering information, and understanding the web of events that had led to his current reality. The villagers' laughter below served as a reminder of what he was fighting for—their happiness, their futures.

With a glance at the vibrant scene outside, Shizuki felt a surge of determination. He would become a protector, not just of Konoha, but of all those who deserved a chance at happiness.

After a moment of contemplation, he stood up, ready to immerse himself in the lively festival. The night was still young, and he would gather intelligence, observe, and perhaps even find a way to connect with others. He stepped to the door, pausing briefly to ensure the scrolls were hidden, then opened it and stepped into the warmth of the village.

As he moved through the crowd, he watched the children chase each other, their laughter ringing like music in the air. He blended in seamlessly, a silent guardian amidst the joy. The colors of the festival—vibrant reds, blues, and greens—swirled around him, filling him with a sense of hope.

With purpose guiding him, Shizuki navigated through the throngs of people, ready to seize the opportunities this festival presented, all while holding tightly to the resolve that had brought him this far. He was not just a mute ninja from the future; he was a beacon of hope, a harbinger of change.

As Shizuki moved through the festival, the atmosphere buzzed with energy—children ran in circles, parents exchanged stories, and vendors called out, showcasing their colorful wares. He watched a group of children excitedly tugging at a vendor's sleeve, their faces lit with joy as they pointed at the assortment of sweets and toys. It was a scene he longed to protect, a fleeting glimpse of the happiness he fought for.

It was a change of pace as he blended with the crowd, there was just so many kids -- laughing and running around, the joy appearing on their faces. It was a sight to see. The sight that Shizuki failed to protect. 

The future that he is going to change for good, and forever. 

After the stroll around the area, Shizuki returned back to his motel room, and resumed crafting the perfect seal until he gets it right.

Shizuki settled back into his room, the quiet sanctuary offering a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos of the festival. The laughter and music faded into a soothing backdrop as he focused once more on his task. The scrolls lay spread out before him, and he couldn't shake the weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders.

As he picked up his brush, his thoughts spiraled back to Zetsu and the dark shadows looming over the future he had witnessed. The innocent faces from the festival haunted him. They reminded him of what was at stake, fueling his determination to ensure that such joy would not be marred by the chaos he had experienced.

With a steady hand, Shizuki began redrawing the seals, layering his chakra carefully into each line. He needed the seals to resonate with power, binding Zetsu in a way that could not be undone. His mind wandered briefly to his friends, the bonds they shared, and the strength they had provided him throughout his journey. Sasuke's voice echoed in his mind, urging him to keep fighting.

As he immersed himself in his work, time seemed to slip away. He sketched intricate designs, the patterns becoming more refined with each attempt. Each seal carried a piece of his resolve, his desire to protect those who couldn't fight for themselves.

At the heart of the seal, he began to draw a circular emblem, its design symbolizing unity and containment. This central motif glowed faintly under his chakra, a beacon of hope for what it would become. He envisioned the power it would hold, ready to ensnare Zetsu's dark energy when the time came.

Radiating outward from this core, Shizuki carefully inscribed several concentric circles, each adorned with ancient runes and characters he had studied for years. These runes, imbued with the essence of binding, would amplify the seal's power, ensuring that Zetsu would remain trapped, unable to escape or wreak havoc. With every line he drew, he felt the weight of his mission—this seal would be the difference between safety and chaos.

As Shizuki meticulously crafted the seal, his focus sharpened, each stroke of his brush imbued with purpose and resolve. The blank scroll lay before him, a canvas for his determination to protect the village from Zetsu's looming threat.

At the heart of the seal, he began to draw a circular emblem, its design symbolizing unity and containment. This central motif glowed faintly under his chakra, a beacon of hope for what it would become. He envisioned the power it would hold, ready to ensnare Zetsu's dark energy when the time came.

Radiating outward from this core, Shizuki carefully inscribed several concentric circles, each adorned with ancient runes and characters he had studied for years. These runes, imbued with the essence of binding, would amplify the seal's power, ensuring that Zetsu would remain trapped, unable to escape or wreak havoc. With every line he drew, he felt the weight of his mission—this seal would be the difference between safety and chaos.

As he traced the intricate paths along the outer edges, he imagined the flow of chakra, each line a channel that would redirect Zetsu's energy back into the seal. The pathways twisted and turned, reflecting the unpredictable nature of his foe. Shizuki knew that Zetsu thrived on chaos; this seal would turn that energy against him, binding him tighter within the confines of the scroll.

The scroll began to shimmer with a soft, bluish glow as he infused it with his chakra. The hues shifted, pulsing gently, responding to the intensity of his emotions. 

He then incorporated binding glyphs that represented the four elements—earth, fire, water, and wind—surrounding the entire seal. These symbols worked in harmony, creating a balanced energy field that counteracted Zetsu's dark nature. Each glyph was a reminder of the strength found in unity.

Finally, as a precautionary measure, Shizuki added an emergency release mechanism. He inscribed smaller symbols at the edge of the seal, allowing for a controlled release of energy if necessary. This feature was crucial; in a world fraught with unpredictability, he had to ensure that, should something go wrong, he could contain the fallout.

With the final stroke, Shizuki leaned back, surveying his work. The seal was a masterpiece—a testament to his skills, his growth, and the bonds he aimed to protect. It embodied not only the power to contain Zetsu but also his determination to change the course of fate.

Feeling a surge of accomplishment, he rolled the scroll carefully and tucked it away in a hidden compartment of his bag. The night outside was still alive with the sounds of the festival, but within him, a sense of calm had settled. 

With the scroll securely tucked away, Shizuki felt an insatiable urge to test the seal he had crafted. He needed to know that it would work, that it was ready to contain Zetsu's dark energy when the time came. The festival noises faded into the background as he focused on his surroundings, searching for a safe and secluded spot.

After a brief search, he found a quiet clearing just outside the village, where the sounds of laughter and music were muted by the trees. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the clearing. It was the perfect setting for a demonstration.

Shizuki knelt down, taking a deep breath to center himself. He unrolled the scroll, its intricate patterns glowing softly in the moonlight. The air around him felt charged with energy, anticipation swirling in the stillness. He could almost hear Sasuke's voice urging him forward, reminding him that this was a necessary step.

With steady hands, he positioned the scroll on the ground and infused it with chakra, the bluish glow intensifying as the seal activated. As the energy surged through him, he imagined Zetsu's dark presence, the chaos he represented, and the need to contain it.

To test the seal, Shizuki focused on creating a small, controlled projection of chakra—a tangible form of energy that would simulate Zetsu's dark nature. He channeled his chakra into the center of the scroll, shaping it into a shadowy figure that writhed and twisted, reflecting the chaotic essence he wanted to contain.

As the shadow took form, Shizuki felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. He knew this was a risk, but he had to see if the seal would hold. He released the projection, allowing it to dance and flicker in front of him, a dark echo of the threat he sought to counter.

With a swift motion, he closed his eyes, focusing on the seal. 'Activate,' he whispered silently in his mind, pouring more chakra into the scroll. The patterns glowed brighter, and the air around him crackled with energy.

The seal reacted almost immediately, drawing in the shadowy figure. The lines of the seal pulsed, glowing fiercely as they began to bind the energy. Shizuki could feel the pull, the powerful force of the seal working to contain the chaotic essence before him.

He watched in awe as the shadow was pulled toward the scroll, the energy swirling and twisting before it was ensnared within the glowing lines. The glyphs flared to life, a radiant barrier sealing the darkness within.

For a moment, doubt crept in. Would it hold? But as the last remnants of the shadow disappeared into the seal, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. The seal had worked perfectly. It glowed steadily, the darkness contained, showcasing the power he had harnessed.

Shizuki knelt beside the scroll, feeling the heat radiate from it, a tangible reminder of the success of his endeavor. He traced the patterns with his fingers, a smile creeping onto his face. This was more than just a test; it was a promise to himself, to the villagers, and to the future he sought to protect.

Gathering the scroll, he carefully rolled it back up, the glow slowly fading as he sealed the power within. Shizuki stood, heart pounding with exhilaration. He had done it. He had created a seal that could contain Zetsu's darkness, a vital tool in his mission.

With renewed determination, he made his way back to the village. He knew that this was just the beginning. Tomorrow, he needed to prepare for the battles ahead. The joy of the festival lingered in the air, and Shizuki felt a deeper connection to it all—a resolve to ensure that such happiness would not be overshadowed by the darkness of his past.

The night was filled with possibilities, and Shizuki was ready to embrace them all.