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You can now get early access to Chapter 102 of Re: Naruto Uzumaki on my . You can also read up to Chapter 34 of Naruto: Satoru Senju.
"Ah, Reika… it's you," said Naruto, surprised to see her at his doorstep. "How have you been?"
Only a couple of days had passed since Hinata returned to the Hyūga Compound and since the funeral of the Third Hokage.
Reika didn't respond immediately. She stood still, rigid, her eyes drifting over Naruto's shoulder as if expecting someone else to appear behind him.
"Is Hinata not...?" she asked, with a barely furrowed brow, though there was a barely contained tension in her voice.
Naruto looked at her with amusement and shook his head.
"No. She went back to the Hyūga Compound a couple of days ago. I think Karin went to get her this morning about something."
The answer didn't reassure her. Quite the opposite.
Her lips pressed together slightly, and a flicker of irritation crossed her gaze.
Karin hadn't said a single word to her about Hinata leaving. And in theory, they were supposed to be on the same side.
They were supposed to be allies now, sharing information. Or weren't they?
Suddenly, a sharp suspicion stabbed at her chest.
Had Karin purposely left her out? Was she hiding things from her on purpose?
Had she taken the chance to be alone with Naruto?
Reika felt something twist inside her. She didn't like these kinds of games. Or the silent competition.
She was beginning to grow impatient—the control she thought she had over the situation was starting to crack.
Why couldn't she just do what she wanted, without detours?
Why couldn't she just… take what she wanted?
A moment later, the answer hit her hard: nothing was really stopping her.
And that thought brought a small, cold, determined smile to her lips.
"What's going on…?" Naruto barely got the words out when Reika suddenly pushed him awkwardly into the house and, without warning, kissed him.
The kiss was rough, almost desperate. Naruto instinctively backed up and stumbled, falling flat on his back. He nudged the door closed with his foot as Reika fell with him, not pulling away, not stopping the kiss filled with a mix of insecurity and need.
For a moment, Naruto stayed still, too stunned to react. Reika wasn't . She didn't usually act on impulse. She didn't usually show her emotions. And definitely not .
Finally, he raised his hands, took her gently by the shoulders, and pushed her back softly.
"What are you doing...?" he asked, still lying on the floor, Reika on top of him.
She looked at him silently, and for the first time, Naruto saw something in her he had never seen before: vulnerability.
"Don't you like me...?" she murmured with a trembling voice, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Naruto said nothing. Not because he didn't have an answer, but because that question carried more than just doubt—it carried fear, pain, and a wound she had never dared to show until now.
Reika lowered her gaze. The rejection hurt more than she expected. Was it because he already had Hinata? Or because he had never seen her as more than a friend?
A sharp pang gripped her chest at the thought of her—of Hinata. Was this the end? Had she lost to her even before trying?
Naruto noticed how her body trembled slightly, as if something inside her was about to break. He relaxed, heart tight, and without a word, gently stroked her head.
"Idiot," he whispered, hugging her tightly.
Reika froze for a second… and then broke into silent but intense tears, hugging him back desperately, clinging to him as if afraid he would vanish if she let go.
Naruto had never imagined seeing her . He knew she had been in love with him for a while, but he never expected her to surrender to that feeling so rawly. He always believed that if he didn't respond, she would simply move on.
But that wasn't true. It never was.
Reika, who always hid her feelings out of pride, was now holding him like he was the only thing keeping her from falling apart.
"Stay with me..." she whispered, barely audible. "Forget about Hinata..."
Naruto closed his eyes at her plea. It wasn't just a request. It was a cry born from fear, from pain.
And in that moment, Naruto didn't know what to say.
He could only hold her a little tighter.
Fortunately, the group chat vision was disabled. He didn't want to see comments from Hashirama or Tobirama—least of all Madara or Mito—mocking him.
This moment wasn't one to laugh at.
On top of the Hokage Rock, right above the sculpted face of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, two silent figures looked out over the village.
From that height, the view was broad… and the devastation clear. Traces of the destruction Orochimaru had left behind after his attack days ago were still visible: partially collapsed buildings, half-repaired streets, fresh scars in the heart of Konoha.
Both men wore long black cloaks with red cloud patterns, the edges fluttering in the wind.
The high collars of their cloaks obscured part of their faces, and wide straw hats covered their heads.
One of them carried a sword wrapped in bandages on his back, massive and imposing.
The other stood out for the intensity of his gaze: glowing red eyes.
Many would recognize those eyes as the Sharingan, the dōjutsu of the former Uchiha Clan.
"They avoided destruction, but the damage is serious," commented the figure carrying the massive bandaged sword, his voice rough and carefree. He looked at the village below with a crooked smile. "Although honestly... I was hoping to see it in worse shape."
The second figure, quieter, didn't respond. His eyes remained fixed on the village, his expression unshaken. If there was emotion on his face, it was buried beneath a cold calm... perhaps nostalgia.
"Heard the rumors?" Kisame continued, breaking the silence as the wind rustled his red cloud cloak. "They say the Yellow Flash of Konoha has returned from the dead. And he didn't come alone..."
"They're just rumors, Kisame. I've heard them too," his companion finally replied, without taking his eyes off the village.
"Oh? Then I'm sure you also heard the rumors about the Uchiha Clan Patriarch returning, right... Itachi?"
Kisame glanced at him sideways with a playful smile, trying to provoke a reaction. But Itachi remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard him.
That was the only acknowledgment he gave.
Itachi had already decided, after completing his mission and before leaving Konoha, that he would confirm the truth behind those rumors.
Kisame gave a quiet chuckle and looked back down.
"What a waste. A shame Orochimaru didn't turn this place to dust... Don't you think?"
"I pity them," said Itachi, with a coldness that contrasted with his words.
"Wow..." Kisame looked at him in surprise. "Not like you to show compassion, Itachi."
"The village was at its peak. It'll take time to become what it once was."
Without another word, Itachi turned and began walking away. Kisame followed in silence for a few steps… until he broke it with his usual provocative tone.
"Going to visit your little sister...?" he asked with a half-smile. "If you let me, I'd be fine just tasting her blood... or maybe let me mutilate her a bit, just an arm, huh? What do you say?"
Itachi stopped abruptly.
He slowly turned toward Kisame, and as soon as his eyes lit up with the red of the Sharingan, the atmosphere tensed.
"She... is mine. She's my prey."
Kisame felt a stab of danger and raised both hands, stepping back slightly.
"Jeez… relax, man. Just joking. Not a scratch, I promise."
Itachi stared at him silently for a few more seconds, then turned and resumed walking. Kisame took a moment to match his pace again, but soon was walking beside him.
Their official mission was to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki: Naruto Uzumaki.
But Kisame knew his partner had other motives. He always did.
Since the death of Danzō and the rumors about impossible resurrections, Itachi had been uneasy. And that unease had a name: his sister, Reika Uchiha.
Until not long ago, Kisame believed Itachi had a brother: Sasuke Uchiha.
But just as rumors spread quickly, so do whispers.
Reika Uchiha had been at the center of many recent conversations.
"Itachi, Itachi, Itachi..." Kisame sing-songed mockingly, trying to ease the tension. "How long are you going to stay so cold to your dear and loyal partner?"
But Itachi ignored him with the same chilling indifference as always.