To Live For Others

Chapter Eight

I do NOT own Naruto, Kishimoto does.

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Akuno methodically wrapped the white cloth around his ankles, being sure that his black shinobi pant legs were underneath the wraps. He wasn't entirely sure why he did so, but it was something his father and sensei both did. And as a kid he constantly mimicked the adults around him, therefore his choice of clothing and gear haven't changed since then. One thing he did refuse to wear was a jacket like his father's, instead opting for a long sleeve shinobi shirt like his sensei. To him it provided more mobility, sure it was less protective, but he was able to compensate that weakness with a Kevlar undershirt and Kamui.

The only problem with his reliance on his visual prowess was that it drained his chakra quickly. All though he does have an above average chakra reserve, he could still use Kamui for two minutes continuously. It was even worse when he used the original powers of his own Mangekyo. With those jutsus he was only able to use it once or twice depending on where his chakra levels were at. It became to much of a liability in battle, so he was forced to only use it for emergencies.

It was an annoyance to Akuno, that to have such a strong power but only able to use it sparingly. He would be lying if he said he wasn't jealous of Madara, who seemingly had infinite chakra reserves. Every time he's seen him fight; he would constantly spam the power of his eyes. Akuno could only guess it was a main reason why Madara alone was able to successfully fight armies. Then there were his eyes, purple rippled eyes. The Rinnegan. He didn't know the full extent of its power, but the strength that they emitted sent shivers down his spine. He knew that no matter what he did, he would pale in comparison to the Rinnegan's power.

Even his father who, to Akuno was the strongest shinobi he's ever known, was no match. His father was able to use all five elemental jutsu, including yin and yang release, but he was defeated easily by Madara. Hell, if Akuno didn't travel to this dimension he would have died to Madara as well. It wouldn't have mattered if he was fully rested and had all his chakra, he knew the legendary Uchiha would kill him easily, as if he was just taking in a normal breath.

Akuno rose from the chair he was sitting in, maybe he could use this opportunity to get stronger. While the Kakashi he knew was dead, there was still the Kakashi here. He hasn't seen him in action, but if he were to guess there would be no version of Kakashi who wasn't strong. Not to mention that this Kakashi, was familiar enough that Akuno was comfortable around him. Or it could just be the nostalgia of having his sensei around him again.

So far in the weeks that he has been here, Kakashi was the only person he met who he was close to in his world. While he did know of Ino and Shikamaru and their generation, his interactions with them in his world were limited. They were strangers then, and they were strangers now. The only jarring thing was that he was the same age as them now. Even then it was something he could get used to without much work. Even all the differences he could get used to. The one thing so far that has truly been difficult was the fact that his mother died in this world at thirteen. She never got the chance to live a long life. He never got the chance to exist.

Then there was the matter of his father. He has seen no signs of his father's existence here. Akuno assumed he must have perished when the Uchiha clan was slaughtered by Itachi. That or there was never an Uchiha Obito who lived in this world.

Akuno shrugged the rucksack Kakashi gave him over his shoulder. Either way he needed to find out more about the people here. In theory he should be able to compartmentalize the people of this world, from the ones in his. But theory was always easier said, than to be implemented. Who knew what would happen if he met his friends? The ones he went through the academy with. The two who were part of his gennin team. The ones who were all killed without a shred of mercy. Akuno didn't know if he would be able to compartmentalize then. He couldn't separate the two versions of his mother, when he came upon her grave. As much as he tried to hide his emotions behind a veil of indifference, he could never know if the guilt and grief would pour out of him when one of them were to appear before him.