Here's @riojiyo131, your trusted writer.

You can now get early access up to Chapter 159 of Re: Naruto Uzumaki on my Patreon.

Up to Chapter 11 of Marvel: Star Wars System is also available on my Patreon. Each chapter averages 5,000 words.

patreon.com/riojiyo131

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The first 5 chapters of Marvel: Star Wars System are now available, completely free on my Patreon!

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Upon arriving at the Uchiha Complex training field, Naruto stopped when he saw the scene before him.

Reika was surrounded by the Four Sound Shinobi… Or were they the Five Sound Shinobi, counting Kimimaro?

There's no way everyone in this world has to give their criminal groups such stupid names...

He knew it wasn't the time for distractions… but he couldn't help but notice.

Why the hell, lately, did all his enemies belong to some group that started with The Four…?

Shaking his head, he focused on what mattered.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Reika, placing himself between her and the Four Sound Shinobi.

With a gentle gesture, he lightly pushed her, instinctively protecting her behind him.

"Naruto?" Reika opened her eyes in surprise upon seeing him. "How did you know I was here?"

Naruto didn't answer right away. His gaze was fixed on the Four Sound Shinobi and Kimimaro, serious, with no trace of his usual carefreeness.

Reika could even feel a faint murderous intent emanating from him.

"It's a long story… The important thing is that I'm here now. Take a breather, I'll handle this."

Reika let out a small, amused chuckle without moving fully.

"Do you really think I can't handle this bunch of idiots on my own? I love it when you worry about me, Naruto, but I don't need you to save me every time."

Naruto gave a slight smile without taking his eyes off the front.

"I know… but it's for the sake of our daughter."

After all, he didn't want his daughter to get in trouble from a badly placed blow.

What kind of upbringing had his alternate version given Sarada for her to be so unbearable?

Maybe he wasn't ready to be a father yet…

Maybe he would make mistakes…

But there was one thing he was clear about:

He wouldn't be a bad father!

That was why he didn't understand Sarada's attitude.

Maybe it was teenage hormones?

Hearing him mention his daughter, Reika blushed suddenly. She instinctively brought a hand to her belly, surprised.

"Y-you know...? But I haven't even told my parents yet! And why do you think it's going to be a girl and not a boy?!"

Naruto simply smiled. "It's a feeling," he answered, acting mysteriously.

He hadn't stopped receiving notifications since Reika Alter appeared.

The chat group hadn't gone silent since then, and to his surprise, the most active wasn't anyone else but Itachi.

The usually stoic Itachi Uchiha had transformed into an angry older brother, sending message after message, each more dramatic than the last.

Naruto ignored them all and focused on the ongoing conversation, keeping his guard up.

[Kisame Hoshigaki: So the brat's going to be a dad? They grow up fast…]

[Itachi Uchiha: I can't believe it... My sister is pregnant…]

[Indra Ōtsutsuki: Get over it, whining brat. There's nothing you can do now, you've been crying for like fifteen minutes… As for me, I'm happy for Naruto. I'm sure I'll be the cool aunt in the future.]

[Asura Ōtsutsuki: I'll be the annoying uncle who shows up uninvited and fills her with unnecessary gifts!]

[Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki: Perfect! I call being the grandpa who secretly gives her sweets and spoils her.]

[Hashirama Senju: HA! Well, I'm going to be her favorite, sorry everyone else! I'm definitely the funniest!]

[Mito Uzumaki: Mhpm. Grandkids always like their grandmas more.]

[Madara Uchiha: …]

[Itachi Uchiha: This isn't a game! We're talking about my sister's future… Now also my niece's! I don't accept this relationship! My sister should be a single mother, the family will take care of her and her daughter!]

[Kisame Hoshigaki: Good thing you're dead, Itachi. You'd be the typical annoying brother-in-law.]

[Naruto Uzumaki: I'm starting to understand why my daughter turned out with that personality…]

Naruto's mind was already working at full speed, devising plans to keep Sarada away from all these idiots.

He wasn't going to let Sarada become the Sarada Alter he had known.

But his thoughts didn't last long. Kimimaro's voice cut them off sharply, dragging him back to reality.

"Naruto Uzumaki... How convenient. I was going to come find you, but it seems stupidity brought you to me willingly."

Reika gently grabbed the sleeve of his shirt.

"Be careful. It seems their goal is to bring Orochimaru back using Kimimaro's body. To achieve that, they need the idiot with glasses."

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Kabuto?"

Reika frowned disdainfully.

"Yes, that one. I don't bother learning the names of every insect I run into."

Naruto just smiled, crossing his arms as he looked at Kimimaro with a mix of mockery and compassion.

"Your damaged body is useless to Orochimaru, Kimimaro."

He knew his story well, his childhood. It was a sad story…

He was the last heir of the Shikotsumyaku, the feared Kekkei Genkai of the Kaguya Clan. His own father, fearful of the power his blood carried, locked him in a cage since childhood. They only took him out to fight for the clan, to use him as a weapon.

When the Kaguya Clan was annihilated after attacking Kirigakure, blinded by arrogance, Kimimaro was the only survivor.

Orphaned, locked up, directionless… until Orochimaru appeared.

That encounter marked his life. Kimimaro didn't find a savior, but a master who wrapped him in sweet words. Orochimaru made him his most faithful servant, feeding his devotion to fanaticism.

For Kimimaro, Orochimaru was a father figure.

But for Orochimaru, he was just a container with potential.

Until Kimimaro got sick.

An incurable illness slowly consumed him. Orochimaru, noticing his prized vessel was failing, discarded him. Then, he turned his attention to someone younger, stronger, more viable — Reika Uchiha, then Sasuke Uchiha.

Hearing the same words Orochimaru once told him now coming out of Naruto's mouth, Kimimaro clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white. His teeth ground together as he shut his mouth, and for a moment, a shadow of rage crossed his usually calm face.

Naruto noticed immediately.

"Just as you say… my damaged body is no good as a vessel," Kimimaro murmured in a low voice, realizing his sick body would never help bring Orochimaru back to life.

His eyes lit up with a sickly resolve. Slowly, his gaze shifted toward Reika, fixing on her.

"But now I know what my true purpose has been from the start…" he continued, with a whisper charged with blind devotion and fanaticism. "My mission was never to become the new vessel…"

A pause.

"…but to bring the ideal vessel for Orochimaru-sama."

"Don't even think about it," Naruto growled.

His voice, normally warm and carefree, sounded grave and sharp.

In an instant, his blue eyes stained blood red, and his pupils sharpened like those of a wild beast. The pressure in the air changed.

A crimson aura began to emanate from his body, swirling violently. Kurama's Chakra started to seep through him.

Reika stayed behind Naruto, though a slight smile crossed her face.

She knew that look in Naruto… She knew someone was about to regret ever being born.

As for Naruto, though deep down he wished to reason with Kimimaro, even help him, he knew that was an impossible fantasy.

As long as Orochimaru remained his master, there would be no plea, argument, or threat to divert him from his goal. Unless Orochimaru himself ordered it, Kimimaro would never stop. His loyalty was absolute, and his determination unbreakable.

Naruto understood that.

And that's why he knew he had only one option left: to kill him.

Maybe… when Kimimaro finally joined the chat group, they could talk. Maybe then there'd be a chance to really help him.

But not now.

Slowly, his gaze also coldly swept over the Four Sound Shinobi, as if they were minor obstacles in the way.

Jirōbō, Kidōmaru, Tayuya, and Sakon and Ukon,

Not one of them mattered to him.

"Let's beat the crap out of these idiots, Naruto." Reika gripped the handle of her sword tightly, a spark of excitement shining in her eyes.

But just as she stepped forward, Naruto's arm blocked her path like a barrier.

"Remember, you're pregnant. Stay out of this."

Reika closed her eyes, letting out a resigned sigh as she slowly sheathed her sword. Then, she carefully brought a hand to her belly.

She wanted to fight, she longed to with every fiber of her being. But Naruto was right.

Nothing was more important now than protecting the life growing inside her.

"Alright…" she murmured, with some frustration. "But you better finish quickly. These idiots ambushed me just when I was about to eat. I'm hungry."

Naruto burst out laughing. "Actually, I was interrupted while eating too. Let's eat together when this is over."

Reika nodded but couldn't help raising a finger to warn him.

"We're not going to Ichiraku."

Naruto clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I have cravings, woman. I'm pregnant!" he joked with a mocking smile.