Naruto: Infinite Reincarnation

Sorry for the late update ya'll. I've been busy with test and other stuff. I'll try to release another chapter today if I can.

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Daimyo's Castle.

Onochi stared at the dark desert under the full moon's bright light. His eyes, filled with deep thoughts, shifted between the past and the future.

It had been two days since the failed assassination. Two long, restless days. He and his mother stayed inside the castle, waiting for the Dokukuro clansmen. A bigger escort team had been sent. After hearing what had happened, the head of the Dokukuro clan delayed their return. He sent more than ten skilled shinobi to protect his only son and wife.

The cold desert wind blew through the window, but Onochi didn't move. His mind was elsewhere.

Five years…

He looked down at his arms, flexing his muscles, only to feel sharp pain shoot through his shoulders.

"Argh!" he groaned, gritting his teeth.

A dry chuckle left his lips. "I'm back to where I started… Sitting around, wasting my life away."

Another chuckle. "It's like I'm back to being lazy. Doing nothing, having no energy."

His thoughts wandered deeper. Five years. He couldn't do anything for five years. What if, by then, he got too used to doing nothing? What if he lost his will to train? What if he became weak?

But those thoughts faded as quickly as they came. He thought of the battles he had fought. The enemies still lurking in the shadows.

"I can't stop training. If I do, I'll be left behind…" he muttered. "But how? With these shoulders, I can't even get out of bed properly."

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Onochi POV

Creak.

The door opened slowly, the hinges making a soft sound. and I saw a girl staring at me. It was Amara.

"Come in," I said.

The door opened wider, and behind her, a fat kid quietly shut it. It was late. Too late. Around 1 AM. Everyone should be asleep by now.

I frowned. "It's 1 AM. What are you doing here? And how did you even get past the guards?"

Amara stepped forward and bowed. "Thank you. For what you did."

I blinked. I hadn't seen her in days. Not since I first woke up. Since then, she had locked herself away, only opening the door for a maid who brought her food every day.

"What are you talking about? You already thanked me," I sighed, rubbing my temple.

She clenched her dress, her voice firm. "That wasn't enough. You saved my life while risking your own. I am truly thankful."

A small smile appeared on my face. "Yeah, yeah, it's fine. You're welcome."

She lifted her head. Her face, once sad, now looked different. Determined.

"Can you… Can you teach me how to fight?"

Hearing her question, I froze.

Memories of the attack flooded my mind. The blood. The fear. My skin tingled as chills ran down my back.

"Why do you wanna fight?" I asked quietly.

She tilted her head. "To fight?"

"But why?" I pressed.

"To protect myself," she answered firmly.

I frowned. "What's the point of training? You're the Daimyo's daughter. You can hire shinobi from all over the world to protect you. So what's the point?"

"..."

Silence.

"Why don't you just live your life as it is? It's safer that way!" My voice got louder.

However, I was quickly shut down with a few words from Amara.

"Are you saying this to me, or to yourself?"

I stiffened. "W-What? Of course, it's meant for you! You asked to be trained!"

She held my gaze. "We barely know each other. You don't know anything about me, and you don't know what's best for me." Her voice was steady. "So let me ask again. Are you saying this to me, or to yourself?"

"I already told you. It's for you," I said, frowning.

"Are you scared?"

The words hung between us, heavy.

We stared at each other, waiting for my own answer.

I let out a slow breath. "Yes. Yes, I am."

I had already died once. I had lost a life where I couldn't do what I wanted. I wanted freedom. To travel the world. To be with my friends. To finally be with my family.

I was scared. I didn't know if I would ever get the chance to live again. And I wanted—no, needed—to use this life to do all the things I couldn't before.

So yes, I was scared.

What if I died young, without ever doing the things I dreamed of?

A dry chuckle escaped me. "I am scared. I don't wanna die young. I want to live my life. But… in a world full of conflict…"

"You need strength," she finished, smiling slightly.

I let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, that's right."

"But look at me," I gestured at my weak arms. "I can't even use my hands. It'll take five years before I can train again. And by then, I'll be so far behind, I might even lose to kids younger than me."

She climbed onto my bed and patted my back with a grin. "That's why you should train me! This time, I'll be the one protecting you!"

"Ow! That hurts!" I yelped.

"Oops! I'm sorry!" she giggled.

And for the first time in a long while, I laughed too.