From Present to Future

Chapter 31

A devastated Konoha lay in silence. The place where wind never stopped flowing, where birds never stopped chirping, and the place where rustle of leaves was like a continuous music to people's ear, it now lay in eerie stillness. The occasionally collapsing buildings is the only noise that disturbed the otherwise tranquillity of Konoha. Even the ninjas busied themselves in rescuing the survived population while keeping their silence, a sign of mourning for the loss they suffered. Slugs were healing people but it was to no avail. At present, death seems to be the only inhabitant of Konoha.

And in this deathly stillness, a loud cry reverberated. Another man died. But that didn't stop the working ninjas. They know their Hokage is fighting the one who made Konoha like this. And that is why they want to keep going, so that when their Hokage wins the battle and return home, they can give him a promising Konoha, not a hopeless one.

Choji, too, had the same thought running through his mind. His father was one of the people who lost his life in today's battle. But if he mourn now, it would be dishonoring his tou-chan's sacrifice. His Pa was the first person who taught him the meaning of being a ninja. The value, the sacrifices and the pain that ninja life holds. How can he throw all of that down the drain. So he kept working.

"Choji, this place is done. You should stop and let Katsuyu-san heal you." Shiranui Genma voice called him from behind.

"It's alright, Genma. I didn't get hurt much and can still go on. If we are done here, I should go to the market place....." Choji stopped in the middle. Right now who can tell in this devastation where the previous market place was. It's only rubble everywhere.

"It's alright. Many places have been cleared out already. You are still a kid. You should go and have rest." The tokubetsu Jonin gently patted the boy's back and urged him to leave.

"Genma-sensei. Am I still a kid? I lost half of my family and my friends today. Just yesterday I had a shoulder to rely on. When I fell, I had someone to hold me up. When I stumble in my path, I had someone to show me the way. But today, it's only me. Now I have to relay my shoulder for someone else. I have to hold when someone fall. I have to guide when someone gets lost. How am I still a kid." No one knew a person as carefree as Choji would think so deep. But it wasn't unexpected. Today, many people changed. Like the enemy said, only pain can bring generations together and it did. It brought the people of Konoha closer than ever because today, no one is unharmed. They all are sharing the burden of death and loss on their shoulders.

"Of course you are a kid. A kid who has seen the ugly truth of shinobi world before time. But even then, I know you will do a great job being your people's leader. Just like your father. Choza-san and you are alike in many senses than one. And I have faith in you. Trust yourself, okay." Genma cheered his junior comrade.

Tears escaped from the young Akimichi's eyes. But the boy quickly held on. He wiped his face using his hands and resolved his features. Seeing this, it broke Genma's heart. Patting the boy on back, he once again spoke.

"Cry all you want boy. For today, let your pain out because from tomorrow, you might not have the chance to mourn for your beloved."

Choji nodded at the older shinobi's words. Casting one last look at his surroundings, he left the place to go where his father was. Yes, let him be a kid one last time and mourn for his father. Because from tomorrow, he will have a duty to fulfill, towards his village and his clan people.