Naruto stood frozen, his small frame trembling as he stared at the massive, menacing boar blocking his path. Its tusks gleamed wickedly in the dim light of the forest, and its eyes seemed to burn with an unnatural intelligence.
He couldn’t outrun it. He knew that. His heart pounded as he thought of Itachi-niisan and Mikoto-obasan. Would they cry when they heard he was gone? Would they miss him?
Do they even know I’m here? Naruto realized with a sinking feeling that no one knew where he had gone except Teuchi.
Summoning every ounce of courage he had, Naruto made up his mind. I have to try. I can’t die here. Not like this.
He turned slightly, ready to bolt, but before he could take a step, a deep, rumbling voice echoed through the clearing.
“Who are you?”
Naruto froze mid-step. His eyes darted around the clearing, searching for the source of the voice, but he saw no one.
The voice came again, louder this time. “Who are you, little one?”
Naruto’s breath hitched as he realized the voice was coming from the boar.
“You can talk!” Naruto excimed, his fear momentarily repced by shock. He jabbed his index finger toward the boar accusingly.
The boar snorted, its massive frame shaking with the motion. “Of course I can talk,” it rumbled, its voice deep and gravelly. “The question is: what are you doing here, human child?”
Naruto blinked, his fear now repced by curiosity. “I came to get mushrooms,” he said truthfully, clutching his small basket tightly.
“Mushrooms?” the boar repeated, tilting its massive head. “You risked your life for mushrooms?”
Naruto nodded, his eyes wide. “It’s for my Itachi-niisan’s birthday! He loves mushrooms, and I wanted to make something special for him.”
The boar stared at him for a long moment, its eyes narrowing.
“Hmm,” the boar rumbled, lowering its head slightly. “You are either very brave or very foolish.”
Naruto puffed out his chest. “I’m brave!”
The boar let out a low chuckle, a sound that made the ground beneath Naruto’s feet vibrate. “Is that so?”
Naruto nodded fervently. “I couldn’t find mushrooms anywhere else, and Teuchi said they grow here. So I came to get them. I didn’t mean to bother anyone.”
The realization that a boar could talk had already blown his mind, but now the boar was speaking about things he didn’t quite understand.
“A summoning animal?” Naruto repeated, tilting his head in confusion. “What does that mean?”
The boar’s voice rumbled like distant thunder as it expined, “I am a summoning animal, bound by contract to a master. But my master is no ordinary summoner. He created a farm deep within this forest, and I protect it from intruders.”
Naruto’s eyes lit up at the mention of a farm. “A farm? Does it have mushrooms?”
The boar paused, tilting its head in thought. “Yes, it does. Many rare and powerful pnts grow there, including mushrooms.”
Naruto’s excitement bubbled over. “Can you take me there? Can you give me some mushrooms?”
The boar regarded Naruto for a moment before nodding. “You are brave, little one, and your intentions seem pure. I will take you to the farm. But you must respect its boundaries. It is not a pce for humans to roam freely.”
“I promise!” Naruto excimed, bouncing on his heels. “Thank you, Mr. Boar!”
The boar chuckled, lowering itself to the ground. “Climb on my back. Hold on tight, and don’t let go.”
Naruto hesitated for a moment before scrambling onto the boar’s broad back, his small hands gripping its coarse fur.
“Ready?” the boar rumbled.
“Yeah, let’s go!” Naruto said, his voice filled with excitement.
With a sudden surge of power, the boar leapt forward, its massive frame moving with astonishing speed. Naruto’s stomach dropped as they shot through the dense forest like a lightning bolt, the wind whipping through his hair.
“WAAAHHHH!” Naruto screamed, clinging desperately to the boar’s back. “YOU’RE TOO FAST!”
The boar let out a deep, amused ugh. “Hold on tight, little one! We’re almost there!”
Trees blurred past them, and the forest seemed to grow darker and denser as they ventured deeper. Naruto’s heart raced, but a part of him couldn’t help but feel thrilled by the ride.
After what felt like an eternity, the boar slowed to a stop in a clearing surrounded by towering trees.
Naruto’s eyes widened as he looked around. The air was thick with an almost magical energy, and the ground was covered in vibrant pnts that glowed faintly in the dim light.
In the center of the clearing stood a carefully cultivated farm, with rows of exotic pnts, herbs, and fungi growing in perfect harmony. Mushrooms of all shapes, sizes, and colors dotted the area, their caps glistening with dew.
“This… this is amazing,” Naruto whispered, sliding off the boar’s back.
“This is the farm, created by my master,” the boar said, its voice reverent. “Everything here is grown with care and protected by the energy of the forest.”
Naruto took a hesitant step forward, his eyes locked on a cluster of mushrooms that looked perfect for his dish. “Can I… can I take some mushrooms?”
The boar nodded. “You may take what you need, but only what you need. Do not disturb the bance of this pce.”
“I promise!” Naruto said, rushing to the mushrooms.
As Naruto carefully picked a handful of mushrooms, he couldn’t help but notice how healthy and vibrant they looked.
“These are the best mushrooms I’ve ever seen,” he said, holding them up to the boar. “Your master must be amazing to grow stuff like this!”
The boar’s eyes glinted with pride. “He is indeed remarkable. Few in this world can match his knowledge and power.”
Naruto tilted his head. “Who is your master?”
The boar hesitated for a moment before replying, “That is not something I can tell you, little one. But perhaps, if fate allows, you will meet him one day.”
Naruto's basket tumbled from his hands as a fireball exploded in front of him, the heat licking at his face. He stumbled back, his heart pounding as he shielded his eyes from the blinding light.
When the fmes finally dissipated, a figure emerged from the smoke—a tall man, cloaked in dark robes, his emerald-green eyes shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
Naruto's jaw dropped. "How cool is that?" he whispered to himself, completely awestruck.
The boar that had taken him to the hidden farm bowed its massive head deeply. “Master, you have come early,” the boar said reverently, its voice low and deferential.
The man turned his gaze to the boar, his expression calm but commanding. “I need some rare medicinal pnts urgently, so I came to collect them myself.”
Then his piercing eyes fell on Naruto. “And who is this little one?”
The boar straightened slightly and replied, “He is a human child I encountered near the forest. He came seeking mushrooms for his brother’s birthday. I judged his intentions to be pure and brought him to the farm to help him.”
The man noticed Naruto staring at him with a peculiar expression, as though the boy were trying to solve a puzzle only he could see.
After a moment, the man arched an eyebrow and asked, “What is it? Do I have ashes on my face?”
Naruto shook his head quickly, but his curious gaze didn’t waver. Finally, he blurted out, “Are you the Harry Pottaru guy Mikoto-obasan talks about sometimes?”
The man’s expression froze, his emerald eyes widening as though he had been struck. For a moment, the forest seemed to fall eerily silent.
“My name is Harry Pottaru,” the man finally said, his voice quieter, tinged with surprise.
Naruto’s face broke into a wide grin. “I knew it! Mikoto-obasan talks about you a lot!” He puffed out his chest proudly. “I’m Uzumaki Naruto, the future Hokage!”
Harry tilted his head, still processing Naruto’s words. “Mikoto… talks about me?”
“Yeah!” Naruto nodded enthusiastically. “She doesn’t say much, but she always smiles when she mentions you. She said you’re smart, strong, and kind—and that you’re super special to her.”
Harry blinked, his mind racing. He hadn’t expected anyone, let alone a child, to recognize him so easily.
Harry crouched slightly, his emerald-green eyes locked onto Naruto with an intensity that made the boy pause. “How did you recognize me so quickly?” he asked, his voice calm but filled with curiosity.
Naruto grinned widely, as though he had just solved the hardest puzzle in the world. “You’re just like Itachi-niisan! You both have the same hair, the same eye color, and even the same nose and chin!”
Harry’s brow furrowed. “Itachi-niisan? Who’s that?”
Naruto tilted his head. “Itachi’s my Itachi-niisan! Mikoto-obasan’s son!”
Harry froze, the words hitting him like a thundercp. For a moment, he couldn’t speak, his mind reeling.
“Mikoto has… a son?” he finally managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! Itachi’s awesome! He’s super smart and strong. Everyone says he’s gonna be a great ninja!”
Harry’s heart raced. Mikoto had a son. His son.
He had always known that his time with Mikoto had been special—one of the few genuine connections he had made in this world. But he had never imagined that their bond had resulted in a child.
“Does… does Mikoto talk about me often?” Harry asked cautiously.
Naruto nodded. “Yeah! She says you’re super smart and kind. And she always smiles when she talks about you.”
Naruto tilted his head, his big blue eyes filled with curiosity. “Hey, Harry, are you okay? You look kinda weird.”
Harry forced a small smile. “I’m fine, Naruto. I just… didn’t expect this.”
“Expect what?” Naruto asked.
“Nothing you need to worry about, kid,” Harry said, ruffling Naruto’s hair gently. “Thank you for telling me about Itachi and Mikoto. It means a lot to me.”
Naruto grinned. “No problem! They’re awesome, so I love talking about them!”
As Naruto turned his attention back to his basket of mushrooms, Harry’s mind churned with thoughts. He had stayed away from Mikoto all these years, believing that it was better for her if he kept his distance.
But now he had a son—a child growing up in a world that could be cruel and dangerous.
Harry crouched slightly, his emerald eyes softening as he looked at Naruto. He had so many questions burning inside him, and Naruto seemed eager to share.
“Tell me more about Mikoto and Itachi,” Harry said, his voice calm but tinged with urgency.
Naruto tilted his head, thinking. “Well, Mikoto-obasan is super nice! She’s always cooking yummy food, and she takes care of me like I’m part of her family. She talks about you sometimes, but she gets kinda quiet when Itachi-niisan asks about you.”
Harry’s chest tightened at Naruto’s words, guilt and longing swirling within him. “And what about Itachi?” he asked. “What’s he like?”
Naruto’s face lit up. “Itachi-niisan is the coolest! He’s super smart, and he’s already a ninja! He can even make trees grow out of nowhere! Everyone says that’s called Wood Release, and it’s super rare.”
Harry froze, his breath catching in his throat. “Wood Release?” he repeated, his mind racing.
“Yeah!” Naruto said enthusiastically. “He used it to save me once when some bad people were chasing me. He’s amazing!”
Hearing about Itachi’s Wood Release confirmed what Harry had already suspected. Itachi was really his son.
The realization hit him like a tidal wave. Not only did he have a child, but that child had inherited one of the rarest and most powerful abilities in this world.
Harry couldn’t help the small smile that spread across his face. “He sounds like a remarkable boy,” he murmured, more to himself than to Naruto.
Naruto nodded eagerly. “He is! Everyone says he’s gonna be one of the best ninjas in the vilge!”
Harry’s smile faltered slightly as he thought about the weight such expectations might pce on a child. I need to see him. I need to understand more.
Harry knelt to Naruto’s level, his expression serious. “Naruto, I need you to promise me something.”
Naruto tilted his head curiously. “What is it?”
“Promise me you won’t tell anyone about me or this farm,” Harry said firmly. “It’s important that no one else knows I’m here.”
Naruto hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Okay, I promise. I won’t tell anyone.”
Harry smiled, ruffling Naruto’s hair. “Good. Thank you, Naruto. You’ve been a big help.”
Before Naruto could leave, Harry reached into his cloak and pulled out a small scroll. The word Crow was written neatly on the front in bold, bck letters.
He held it out to Naruto, who looked at it curiously.
“What’s this?” Naruto asked, taking the scroll in his hands.
“It’s a gift,” Harry said. “For Itachi. Tell him it’s for his birthday.”
Naruto’s eyes widened. “Really? What is it?”
Harry chuckled softly. “Let’s just say it’s something special. He’ll understand when he opens it.”
Naruto grinned, clutching the scroll tightly. “Thanks, Harry-san! Itachi-niisan’s gonna love it!”
Harry nodded, his expression softening. “Take care, Naruto. And don’t forget—this meeting is our little secret.”
“I won’t forget!” Naruto said with a determined nod. “Bye, Harry-san!”
Naruto sat atop the massive boar, clutching his basket of rare mushrooms tightly as the creature moved swiftly through the dense forest.
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