Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Second Chance
My Life as Naruto Uzumaki - Harem Version
Chapter 23: Second Chance
--------------------------------------------------
[Third Person POV]
"Naruto..." The Nine-Tailed Fox spoke as it saw the actions of its container. Being left speechless by the ruthless extermination of those on the wrong side of his container's anger, his sadness. The young boy who always clamored on about being friends and helping those in need. The boy he thought would never be able to live the shinobi life, peace-loving and sentimental as he was.
He was, however, intrigued to not feel any emotions other than grief from his warden. There was no maliciousness coming from his container, just a desire for justice against those who brought about the unnecessary death of a pure-hearted, loving individual.
The fox began to think that the young man's offers of friendship were worth considering if only injustice and suffering were capable of bringing forth this kind of response from his container.
"... You may prove worthy yet..." The fox withdrew its powers from the young man as he wept for his friend.
--------------------------------------------------
The majestic being was not alone, however, there were two more also watching, hidden in the confines of the seal that kept it from being released into the outside world.
"Oh... honey... " A female voice wept.
"... Naruto... " A male voice spoke through gritted teeth.
--------------------------------------------------
[MC POV]
As I wept for my friend and clutched her body to me, as if trying to keep her soul from passing on, I heard the faint breathing of a person in a state of unconsciousness. I reigned in my emotions and began emergency first aid to try and save my friend; slim as the chances were.
I heard Kakashi and Sakura running towards me and I began to give them instructions on how to proceed with the patient. Sakura, having the best chakra control was using her limited experience with medical ninjutsu to the best of her abilities and we performed an impromptu surgery on Haku's right chest cavity. The lung would need to be removed and a new one would need to be transplanted if she was to ever continue as a shinobi.
I grew dismayed at my actions since almost any of those bandits' organs would've been useful. I was about to stop the procedure when Kakashi handed me a fresh lung and, not wanting to waste a second, I continued the emergency surgery, hoping to save Haku.
The procedure was long and grueling, and Haku nearly died for good a few times, but we were able to complete the procedure thanks to Kakashi's previous field experience and my knowledge of techniques from my previous life.
I wasn't a doctor, but I was a nerd, so I read anything and everything, and if interesting enough, I would watch videos and try to replicate things in a controlled environment where the risks were minimal.
Not much to do in a base when there are no people to kill.
I made sure to check for any issues or changes in Haku's condition for about an hour before I passed out from all sorts of exhaustion.
--------------------------------------------------
I woke up in a room in Tazuna's house by the looks of it. I went to get up from the bed but felt a weight on my chest and found a wild Sakura sleeping on my chest. How I failed to notice her distinctive pink hair before trying to get up is beyond me.
I tapped her shoulder gently to wake her and she slowly got her bearings before staring at me for a moment.
Her lip trembled slightly and she damn near crushed my chest with her hug. "Naruto! You're awake!"
I was confused as to the waterworks but guessed I must've been out for longer than I thought I was.
"H-hey... you're... crushing me... Sakura..." I tried to pry her off me but couldn't break her grip.
*Sniff* "I'm sorry. But I was so worried!" She started to crush me once more.
This time I was sure she was trying to kill me for good.
The door flew open and in came an irritated-looking Sasuke and an alive-looking Haku.
"I see you finally decided to get off your ass." Sasuke huffed before prying the wild Sakura from my soon-to-be corpse.
"Hehe... uh... how long was I out?"
"About a week," Haku said.
I felt my jaw hit the floor. "What?! No way! I couldn't have been that tired..." I mumbled the last part to myself.
"Our best guess was the emotional and physical strain of whatever it was that you did at the bridge exhausted you." Kakashi walked in with Tazuna.
"... I... see... I'm sorry-"
"Don't be, Naruto. You saved this village, its people, and the bridge. You're a hero. Though I know you may not feel like it." Tazuna interjected.
"... How's progress on the bridge?" I chose to change topics.
"It's nearly finished. Another day or two and we should be good to go." Kakashi explained.
"That's good." I sighed in relief.
I couldn't wait to go back home.
"How are you feeling, Haku?" I asked.
"..." She gave me a sad smile that told me more than any words could.
I felt terrible but she approached me and gave me a hug, comforting, vulnerable. I returned it and squeezed. I didn't cry, but I felt a sense of relief.
"I'm sorry about Zabuza..." I said finally.
"... don't be... he did it for me... I... I just wish I could've thanked him..." She separated from the hug and looked me in the eyes.
We stared at each other and she kissed me after some moments. "I hope you'll continue to take care of me..." she said with a small smile that wasn't forced but wasn't happy either.
I nodded and hugged her again. We stayed like that for a while.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone