The Future: Naruto Fanfiction

Chapter 79 SARADA'S TURMOIL

The Hidden Leaf Hideout

Sarada is on the verge of collapse, even an idiot could see that. The cumulation of injuries, fatigue and her lack of sleep have hurt her in a way that few individuals can do. Yet Elliot is forced to watch her go in with amazement. There is little point driving yourself forward like this, especially considering all the pain that Sarada must have been feeling at late. He concludes that she must be one of those exceptional rare people you meet in life. She is one of those people who is just born with something that cannot be learnt or taught, born with another gear, something bestowed by the heavens. She is just like Lara, Clyde and Naruto.

"Your scouts are finding our shinobi cooperative?" Sarada asks, jotting down some notes on the paper before her. The notes, meaningless and nonsensical, serve no purpose other than keeping her awake.

"Oh yes, very much so" Elliot praises the shinobi scouts. "It's surprising really, I hadn't expected them to be so willing to work with us".

Sarada would smile if she weren't so tired but she registers the happiness in the back of her mind. The shinobi who have no control over divine energy have almost all become powerless in the face of this threat with only the best such as Tsunade and Mitsuki having any chance to fight back. It would be easy for them to complain and make demands, but they don't, they just keep their heads down and work.

"They are the best" Sarada says, "They always have been the best, they wouldn't play mind games at a time like this".

"There is clearly someone they trust at the top".

"He has the ability to inspire people" explains the 9th Hokage, clearly in reference to Naruto. "I wish I had the same ab…".

"He's not the only one they look up to" Elliot comments, surprising Sarada again with his helpfulness. "They have good reason to admire their leaders. Don't underrate the skills you have in that Circle, you are all worthy of being followed".

Sarada nods to Elliot and then walks away.

Elliot's comment latches onto the truth about the difference between their worlds. This world is a purely talent-based society, where even the hardest working people would struggle. A society of lions. The pocket world was a place where the hard-working can surpass the talented, where you can scrap for power, where it's always worth it to keep going for one more second. A society of hyena.

As Sarada walks past a tent, she is caught by her favourite homeworlder, General Sheer.

"Hey Sarada" Sheer says, slightly cautious of her friend's condition. "Are you alright?".

"I've had better days Sheer, worse ones too".

"Right, I probably had a hand in those" Sheer admits, awkwardly handing a flask of liquid to the last Uchiha.

Sarada carelessly wastes some of her sparse energy using her Sharingan to examine the content of the flask. It didn't feel warm. As one of the leaders of the village, she's hardly had time for relaxing beverages lately.

"It's not much and you probably shouldn't be drinking anyway" Sheer says, "But it might help take the edge off, help you relax a bit".

Sarada hesitates. "You don't owe me anything, you know that don't you?".

"Don't be ridiculous. Look around here and tell me again that I don't owe you anything" the General chuckles. A camp full of the mightiest military force from both their worlds. "I've only come this far because you've dragged me alongside you".