When The Dam Bursts (A Reika Namikaze Story) Book 2

5

"Hey, Reika-chan!" Said woman was meditating under a tree with a few beads of sweat dripping down the sides of her face when she heard a boisterous blonde boy call out to her.

She peaked an eye open to see Naruto running up so her while waving. She opened her eyes fully as she noted the material in his hands. She gestured for him to sit next to her once he had gotten close enough.

Naruto was grinning from ear to ear as he sat down next to her. "So, uh, I need you to sign this for me." He handed the slip of paper to Reika who grabbed it with cautious hands.

She read it quickly and signed it. 'Chunnin exams, eh.' She handed him the paper as she watched him squirm a bit. She tilted her head. "What is it?" She asked gently.

"Um, I was wondering for a while now about exactly why you chose to take care of me is all, ttebayo." He was clearly nervous as Reika looked ahead of her.

She didn't say anything at first, but when she did, she asked, "Naruto, why do you think this world is so dangerous?"

"Huh?" He had looked to her confused but then closed his eyes to think it over. "Isn't it because people are always trying to hurt others."

"Not exactly. Someone once said that the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." She had quoted Albert Einstein.

Naruto looked in understanding as he can relate to the quote as he has seen both. "I agree with the quote" he said crossing his arms. "I mean, I have had people hurt me, but the ones who watch and do nothing hurt me more, believe it!"

Reika gave him a saddened gaze as a frown graced her features. She knows all too well what he is referring to. She brought her hand up and pat his head gently ruffling his hair. "Trust me, I know." She whispered. Naruto looked to her his heart aching. He can see the amount of pain in her eyes.

"I hear the first part of the chunnin exams is a written portion" she said changing the subject.

"What? Well, I'm gonna ace it since you have been helping me believe it!" He yelled getting up and making a few clones to study while he then looked to Reika expectingly.

She gave him a very tiny smile as she stood up. She herself has been training and decided she was gonna teach Naruto a wind jutsu if he would help her out with it.

Naruto had helped her out tremendously and so, he wants his reward.

"Alright Naruto, I know a jutsu that as an Uzumaki, you should be able to do." She stated as she began training him in the Uzumaki chains. She had demonstrated it to him proving that she is indeed half Uzumaki like himself.

During their training, Itachi of the Akatsuki was standing in front of Pein with a neutral expression. "She seems to rely on her clones, but she is alive."

"Well, I must admit, she does know pain. She must still be recovering if she is relying on her clones." Pein looked to Itachi as he thought to what he said.

'One must learn to accept how to embrace the fear of feeling about what it's like to contemplate what it is to know true pain, because when I had nothing and no one, I always had pain.' He narrowed his eyes dismissing Itachi. "But Reika knows all too well what pain is. She even uses that pain to ensure others don't feel it."

Konan looked to Pein a bit confused but figured that he didn't mean to say that out loud. 'This Reika is an enigma with unrivaled strength and skill. If she cannot become an ally, we will lose this fight for peace.' She thought solemnly closing her eyes.

Back in Konoha, Reika looked to Naruto who had several clones working on the chains and others working on more reading with observant eyes. "Well, now that I know where your chakra control is at, I need you to make five clones.