The Dollmaker [Naruto Fanfic]

Chapter 13

The Dollmaker | Chapter 13

Sarah knew her next destination, the last before she ran out of time. Fortunately, she didn't have to look far to find the Genin, thanks to Nao. However, when she reached his room, she hesitated as always, when it came to anything related to Minato.

Due to the delay, the boy noticed her first, lingering in the doorway before she could make up her mind. A wide grin stretched over his lips at the sight of her as his hand rose to wave at her, wildly. "Sarah-san!!"

For a selfish moment, she saw another blond male, smiling at her, 'Sarah-chan!'

The Genin ran to her and reduced the distance, "What are you doing here?!"

"Naruto... I came to visit you."

The male's eyes widened at the answer. There was a moment of satisfaction to know that she came for him. Him, who was always viewed as a monster by everyone. Yet she, a practical stranger, one of the strongest kunoichi he knew, came to see him. Hearing what Sakura and Sasuke expressed about how the older girl might actually find Naruto annoying, was a harsh blow to him, who took an interest in her immediately. Thus, words cannot explain how relieved he is to see her come to him instead of him chasing after her.

"Hehe, you didn't have to. I'm okay! These injuries are nothing, dattebayo!!" The usual energetic and outspoken Genin, felt true shyness for once. "By the way, you were really amazing at the Chunin exam! You took down that lady effortlessly!" he continued, his nervousness making him more talkative. "My next opponent is actually really strong too... hahaha, but I'm really strong as well!!"

Sarah didn't have to search deep to see how uncertain he suddenly became. She knew the boy was starting to doubt himself after seeing so many strong Genins at the exam. Her thoughts were confirmed when he continued, "Sarah-chan... do you think I can beat him?" he paused, looking down at his feet, "I may appear strong but it's because I act all tough because I'm so frustrated from always failing..."

Naruto wasn't entirely sure why he was asking her this at this very moment, though he felt like he needed an answer. Something, anything to erase his doubts. But what if... she thought he wasn't strong enough? After all, barely anyone knowledged him and his strength.

If she calls him weak at this moment, he might not recover.

Seeing her quiet for so long, his heart dropped as he mustered a forced grin, scratching the back of his neck, "Haha, never mind! Sorry for asking a weir—"

"You're strong."

Naruto halted, his eyes widening as he snapped his head to look into her eyes. If only to see if she's telling the truth.

"The circumstances of your birth..."

Naruto flinched; he's an orphan that everyone made fun of, they called him a 'Monster' for having a creature in him. He wasn't sure how she knew but he felt ashamed.

Watching his expression carefully, Sarah continued, "I have seen many give in to the anger, the hatred for the circumstances they cannot control. I have seen the shinobi considered the strongest fuel with anger for something they can't change." She thought of a certain child prodigy that was not chosen to be his father's successor give into bitterness, she thought of a certain man not chosen to be the next Hokage, she thought of many, many, shinobi. None of which she could remember their name. "But you... you are different, Naruto." She stepped closer to him and lifted his chin, gently like she was holding something fragile, something precious. "You did not give in to their mockery, their disdain. Instead, you chose to better yourself. To aim to become someone strong enough to be acknowledged, to prove everyone that doubted you wrong."