Emperor of Mankind (Naruto X Marvel )

As Hinata stirred awake, her pale lavender eyes fluttered open, only to widen in surprise as she realized her head had been resting on Naruto's shoulder. A light blush dusted her cheeks, and she quickly straightened up, putting some distance between them. Her hands moved instinctively to fix her hair and wipe the corner of her mouth, though there was little that needed tidying.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice soft and tinged with embarrassment. "I just felt so safe and comfortable that I... fell asleep."

Naruto chuckled lightly, his usual carefree smile gracing his face. "I don't mind, Hinata. I'm happy I could help you relax. You've been through a lot, too."

Hinata looked at him, her heart warmed by his understanding. She had changed so much during the war—her usual shyness and hesitation had been tempered by the crucible of battle and loss. She wasn't the timid girl she used to be. She had grown into a pillar of strength, standing beside Naruto even when the world felt like it was crumbling. When Neji had fallen and Naruto had wavered, it had been Hinata who pulled him back to his feet, her voice unwavering and filled with resolve.

In moments like these, Naruto couldn't help but admire her. Beneath her gentle exterior lay an iron will, a courage that burned brighter than many shinobi who claimed to be strong.

"If you ever want to talk, I'm always here," Naruto said, standing up and stretching. His casual tone carried an undercurrent of genuine care, a quality that made him the person people turned to in times of need.

Hinata hesitated, her hands clasping in front of her as she struggled with the desire to keep him by her side. "Thank you, but I don't want to disturb you. You must be very busy now."

Naruto waved her concern off with an easy laugh. "I'm not really busy at the moment, and even if I were, I can always make clones to handle stuff. So, I'm free."

Her gaze dropped, the internal conflict clear in her expression. After a moment's pause, she finally looked up and spoke in a voice just above a whisper. "Then... will you walk with me?"

Naruto nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

The two walked together through the village, their conversation naturally steering toward Neji. They spoke of his strength, his determination, and the quiet kindness he rarely showed but always carried within. Together, they visited those who had fought alongside him, gathering stories that painted a vivid picture of Neji's life.

As they shared memories, Hinata's resolve solidified. "I don't want him to be forgotten," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I want to document everything about him—his life, his dreams, his sacrifices. The world should remember him."

Naruto stopped, looking at her with admiration. "That's a great idea, Hinata. Keeping his memory alive... it's something everyone who cared about him would appreciate."

Her determination sparked something in Naruto. If Hinata could do this for Neji, why couldn't he do the same for those who had shaped his life? The thought of Jiraiya, his parents, Itachi, Obito, and even Sasuke filled his mind. They had all left behind legacies worth remembering, and it was up to him to ensure their stories weren't lost to time.

"You know, Hinata," Naruto said, a thoughtful expression crossing his face, "I think I'll do the same. I'll write about Jiraiya, my parents, and the others. I'm not a great writer like Pervy Sage, but I think it's important to carry on that tradition. He always believed in recording things, even if it was mostly... well, erotica."

Hinata giggled softly, the light sound a balm against the lingering sadness in the air. "I think you'll do just fine, Naruto. You have a way of making people feel connected, even through words."

Encouraged by her words, Naruto felt a sense of purpose settle within him. Together, they walked on, their shared grief transforming into a mission of remembrance. Through their efforts, the stories of their loved ones would live on, inspiring future generations to understand the sacrifices made for peace.

In the Hokage Tower, its looming shadow stretching across the village below, Tsunade stood silently at the window of her office. She stared out at Konoha, its streets bustling with activity as people began to rebuild their lives after the cataclysmic events. Despite the sight of progress and recovery, Tsunade's thoughts were heavy, and her hands rested on the windowsill with a tight grip. Her eyes, sharp and focused, betrayed none of her inner turmoil, but her mind replayed the events that had brought them to this point.

The war had ended, but at a cost so great that victory felt hollow. Konoha stood because of one person, Uzumaki Naruto, yet his survival and success came with a toll that no one could ignore. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, had failed him in ways she couldn't forgive herself for.

If they had prepared better—if the shinobi world had cooperated sooner to counter the threat of the Akatsuki, if the Jinchūriki had been better protected, or if she herself had ensured Naruto was properly trained and equipped to bear the immense burden thrust upon him—so much could have been avoided. But hindsight was cruel, and the weight of her decisions bore down on her.

For years, Tsunade had pushed Naruto away from the harsher responsibilities and rigorous training she knew he needed. She had treated him like a little brother, shielding him from the realities of leadership and war. Now, the consequences of her choices stared her in the face. Naruto had stepped up when the world needed him most, but the burden of saving them all had left scars—ones that wouldn't fade with time.

A sharp knock at her door broke her from her thoughts.

"Enter," she said, her voice steady, though her eyes remained fixed on the horizon.

The door opened, and Yamato and Kakashi stepped inside, flanking none other than Orochimaru. The man moved with a casual confidence, his pale, serpentine features as unreadable as ever.

Tsunade turned to face them, her expression hardening. "Leave us."

Yamato and Kakashi exchanged wary glances.

"But, Lady Hokage—"

"I said leave." Her tone brooked no argument, and the weight of her authority was impossible to ignore. The two shinobi reluctantly bowed and exited, taking positions outside the door.

As the door shut behind them, Orochimaru's lips curled into a thin smile. "It's been a long time, Tsunade. I must say, I'm impressed you survived. Quite the miracle, don't you think? There was a moment when I thought we were all doomed."

Tsunade didn't bother hiding her disdain. "Whose body are you possessing now?"

Orochimaru chuckled, unbothered by her hostility. "Oh, no need to worry about that. I've moved beyond the need for human hosts. I've taken over the body of a Zetsu—a fascinating creation, really. This body won't age or decay. Immortality, at last. Isn't it wonderful? Now we can work together without... complications."

His smugness was infuriating, and before she could stop herself, Tsunade closed the distance between them and seized him by the throat. Her grip was unyielding, and her eyes burned with fury.

"Don't push me, snake," she hissed, her voice dangerously low. "The only reason you're still breathing is because you're useful. One mistake, and I'll make sure you experience a fate worse than death. Do I make myself clear?"

Orochimaru's smile didn't waver, though his tone softened. "Crystal clear, my dear Tsunade. I didn't mean to antagonize you. I simply wanted to say that my past reasons for opposing you no longer exist. Our goals are aligned now. The survival of humanity depends on our cooperation, and I have no intention of letting petty conflicts get in the way."

Tsunade released him, though her glare didn't lessen. His words were logical, but she knew better than to trust him. Still, he wasn't wrong. The events of the war had revealed a truth more terrifying than anything they had faced: their world was not alone. If Kaguya existed, then others like her did as well. It was only a matter of time before they faced threats from beyond their planet, and they were woefully unprepared.

"You may understand the big picture, but that doesn't mean I trust you," Tsunade said coldly.

Orochimaru inclined his head, his smile fading slightly. "Of course. Trust takes time. To ease your concerns, allow me to offer a solution: let Naruto keep an eye on me. He's more than capable of keeping me in check, don't you think?"

The suggestion made her hesitate. Instinctively, she wanted to refuse. Naruto had already endured enough because of Orochimaru. Asking him to stay close to the source of so much of his pain felt cruel. But her responsibilities as Hokage demanded pragmatism, and the logic of Orochimaru's proposal was hard to ignore.

Naruto could handle Orochimaru. More than that, being in close proximity to the snake might teach Naruto valuable lessons about leadership and responsibility—lessons he would need when the time came for him to take on greater duties.

After a long moment, Tsunade exhaled and crossed her arms. "Fine. But know this, Orochimaru: if you so much as breathe wrong, Naruto won't be the one you'll have to worry about. I will personally see to it that you regret every decision you've ever made."

Orochimaru's smirk returned, but there was a flicker of genuine understanding in his eyes. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Tsunade. I'll behave, I assure you."

As he turned to leave, Tsunade's gaze lingered on him. She hated that she had to rely on someone like Orochimaru, but the weight of the world left her with few choices. For now, cooperation was the only path forward—no matter how bitter it tasted.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the Yamanaka clan compound, Naruto approached quietly. The serene atmosphere of the clan's territory, with its picturesque pond and neatly arranged gardens, was a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart. The war had left scars everywhere, some visible, others buried deep within.

Naruto found Ino sitting by the edge of the pond with her mother, their reflections rippling faintly in the water. Both women wore expressions of quiet grief, mourning the loss of their clan head, Inoichi Yamanaka. The air was heavy with sorrow, a palpable reminder of the lives lost in the war.

Naruto hesitated as he observed the scene. It was a private moment, one he felt he had no right to intrude upon. Bowing his head in silent respect, he decided to leave without a word. But just as he turned to go, Ino's eyes caught his.

Her gaze lingered for a moment before she quickly looked away, her expression pained. Naruto froze, understanding immediately what it meant.

"Sorry," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

He knew what she was thinking—what everyone thought when they looked at him now. The Rinnegan. The eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, the most powerful dojutsu, and the ones Naruto had taken after Sasuke's death. To Ino, who had harbored feelings for Sasuke since they were children, the sight of those eyes must have been unbearable.

But to his surprise, Ino responded without anger. "You tried your best, Naruto. There's nothing to apologize for." Her voice was soft, but there was strength in it. "I trust you, no matter what others say."

Naruto blinked, his heart both heavy and light at her words. Ino still wouldn't look at him, her gaze fixed on the pond, but her tone was resolute. She had heard the whispers, he realized—the quiet accusations that Naruto had taken Sasuke's eyes for power, that his actions were driven by greed rather than necessity. Fear of the unknown, fear of the power he now wielded, was spreading among the people.

Naruto clenched his fists at his sides, but not in anger. He understood fear better than anyone. He had lived with it his entire life, the scorn and distrust of the villagers etched into his childhood memories. He had survived it once, and he would survive it again.

"Thank you, Ino," he said, his voice steady. "Your support means a lot. And know this—I'm always here for you, no matter what."

He bowed deeply, a gesture of gratitude and respect, before turning to leave.

As he walked away, Naruto felt a mix of emotions. He was relieved that Ino didn't harbor any ill will toward him, yet the weight of the whispers and the stares of others still pressed heavily on his shoulders. He reminded himself that this, too, would pass. Just as the villagers had once come to accept him as their hero, they would one day understand why he had done what he did.

For now, he would bear their fear and mistrust silently, as he always had. Because for Naruto, protecting the world—even from its own doubts and fears—was a burden he was willing to carry.