Chapter 16 : Dungeon bug
The houses in Konoha sprawled outward in a gentle, harmonious rhythm. Wooden roofs stacked in a patchwork mosaic. A blend of classical design and subtle modern touches.
From high above, the village looked almost unreal, Peaceful, Orderly. As if war had never touched it. As if ninja were just legends, not daily reality.
Sitting on the rooftop, Haruto inhaled deeply, catching the faint freshness in the wind. He exhaled slowly, eyes scanning the horizon.
"It's really... peaceful." He muttered.
Today, he skipped class with Shikamaru under the classic excuse of "cloud watching." But while Shikamaru looked up, Haruto preferred to look down. Down at the living world, at Konoha's soul.
The longer he stayed in this world, the more he discovered its quiet charm, sincere friendships, shared dreams. A family that joked, fought, laughed—and stayed. A girl who waited quietly, her love unshaken.
Compared to his previous life—gray, distant, emotionless—This world felt alive.
It was rough, yes, but also warm. Still... not everything was perfect.
Haruto's eyes dimmed slightly as he thought of Itachi. Peace without power was just a fantasy.
Without strength, all good things were fragile. His brief tranquility broke when he heard a familiar panting.
"Boss! There you are!" Naruto climbed onto the roof, hands on his knees. Then turned and shouted down, "He's up here!"