Chapter 16
The siblings had spent three eventful hours together, indulging in a series of lighthearted activities. They had caught a movie, gone shopping for clothes and accessories, grabbed some snacks, and ended their day at a secluded beach. The evening was supposed to conclude on a peaceful note, but their luck took a sudden turn for the worse.
The two thugs Jazz had beaten earlier had returned, now reinforced by a group of their companions. The men took advantage of the deserted stretch of the beach, ensuring there would be no witnesses to their actions.
Jazz's sharp instincts kicked in as they realized they were surrounded. She stepped protectively in front of Naruto. "Danny, you run. I'll hold them off and make a way for you." Her voice was firm, her decision resolute. Even in the face of danger, Jazz prioritized her brother's safety.
But Naruto wasn't Danny. He understood the situation better than she realized. Leaving her to fight alone wasn't an option, and he knew that running would only lead to both of them being caught. Gently, he placed a hand on her waist, pulling her behind him.
"Relax. I'll handle this," he said calmly, stepping forward.
The thugs barely had time to react as Naruto acted. With a sharp kick to the sand, he created a brief distraction and surged forward. His movements were calculated and efficient, striking with precision. Each palm strike landed directly on their chests, targeting their hearts. One by one, the men dropped to the ground, their bodies convulsing as they went into cardiac shock.
The group lay sprawled on the sand, their eyes wide with fear and pain. Though Naruto had incapacitated them, he ensured the strikes wouldn't cause lasting harm. He channeled chakra into his hands, stabilizing their conditions enough to avoid long-term consequences. Healing them took effort, but Naruto wanted to send a clear message without resorting to lethal force.
He crouched near the leader, slipping a card into the man's shirt pocket. "This is your warning. There won't be a next time," he whispered, his tone low and final.
Jazz stood frozen, her jaw slack as she processed the scene. Her little brother—no, the person in front of her didn't seem like the Danny she remembered. He had just taken down ten men with surgical precision, without breaking a sweat or taking a single hit.
Naruto turned to her, his expression softening. Pulling her into a tight embrace, he murmured, "Everything's all right now."
The gesture and his words reassured her, but Jazz couldn't shake the image of his strength and composure. In that moment, a new impression of her brother was carved into her memory—a figure of quiet heroism, someone capable of protecting her when needed.