Naruto Multiverse

Inside Z's cabin, the air was thick with quiet anticipation. Z sat across from Shiro, his sharp gaze never leaving her face as he watched the young girl process the gravity of the conversation. It had been some time since he had encountered someone with the potential she held, and though she appeared innocent and playful on the surface, he knew there was more beneath.

"So, you wish to join the marines?" Z asked, his voice measured, as though weighing the sincerity of her response. It was an important decision, one that could shape her future. He needed to know if she was truly committed.

Shiro, who had been sitting with a cheerful demeanor, responded with a bright smile. "Yes, Shiro wants to be a hero like big brother."

Z nodded thoughtfully. A noble aspiration, though Z knew it would take more than a desire for heroism to succeed in the Marines. His expression remained neutral as he probed further. "That's good—a nice goal to work towards. But what does your other self say?"

The moment his words sank in, the shift was almost palpable. The playful look on Shiro's face disappeared in an instant, replaced by a cold seriousness that sent a subtle shiver through the room. She was no longer the innocent girl, but someone else entirely, someone with a deeper, more calculating nature.

"I also wish to join," she said, her voice steady, but with an underlying edge. "For different reasons."

Z observed her carefully, noting the change in her posture and the sharpness in her eyes. It was clear that there was more to this girl than met the eye. Her duality was something Z had heard of but had never encountered firsthand. An ancient clan member, a survivor of an old bloodline that had long since faded into history.

"Hmm, very well," Z said, his voice no longer just a casual observation but tinged with respect. "I would be honored to teach one of the ancient clan members."

Shiro's expression shifted again, a flicker of surprise crossing her face at the mention of her lineage. She had likely expected Z to treat her with the same skepticism most did, but instead, he was acknowledging her for who she was. "Are you going to share this information with the headquarters?" she asked, her voice cautious but laced with the curiosity of someone who had long been hidden from the world.

Z chuckled, the weight of the conversation lightening for a brief moment. "No, don't worry. I will not harm you unless you break my rules. And as long as you get along with the kid, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to make your way here. He will be very helpful in your cause if you could get him to side with you."

Shiro's expression hardened for a split second, her thoughts clearly racing at Z's words. "Are you encouraging me to snatch away your student?" she asked, a hint of a challenge in her tone.

Z let out a hearty laugh, the sound rumbling through the cabin. "Haha! That's not happening, but take it as you will," he replied, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You can go now."

As Shiro turned to leave, her playful, innocent demeanor returned, and she skipped towards the door. Z's eyes followed her, his expression unreadable but with a hint of something more—perhaps hope, or something that had long since been lost to him.

He watched her leave, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than usual. Despite the complexities of her situation, Z had a sense that she was not just another recruit. There was something about her—something ancient, something dangerous—that made her a force to be reckoned with.

For a brief moment, Z allowed himself to believe that maybe, just maybe, this girl could be the key to achieving his goals.

The warship arrived safely at the Marineford and everyone quickly dispersed to their own places while Shiro would not leave Naruto alone and stuck to him like glue. This did not skip Hina's eyes as she felt herself getting more and more frustrated at the Naruto's indecisiveness or inaction.

Naruto seemed to be completely oblivious to it and guided Shiro around the place ending the tour at her place where he left her alone. He walked leisurely to his place and felt really relaxed while dreaming of seeing his new love, Obelisk tomorrow. 'Aah my love I cannot wait to see you. The wait makes my heart feel the ache like someone has stabbed it like that one time.'

"Man I need to find something or I might really become stupid." Naruto talked to no one and when he arrived at his place he could sense Hina who was giving off really intense emotions.

'Should I go or retreat? Really the girl is too hasty and insecure' Naruto thought as he opened the door and entered.

The first thing he saw was Hina who was almost completely naked and was fidgeting as she stood, and filled with nervousness.

"Do you really wish to do this Hina?"

"Yes, Hina will feel better about this once we have consummated this relation." She said with conviction and determination like she was ready to take on the world.

"Very well" Naruto said as he walked to his room and dropped his things along with his clothes leaving his boxer.

"There is no going back Hina even I can't hold back anymore.

The night had passed, and as the first light of dawn streamed through the window, Naruto found himself awake, his mind sharp despite the exhaustion from the previous evening. His body felt strangely at peace, a rare and fleeting sensation after the intensity of the night. He turned to look at the woman lying next to him on the bed, her soft breathing the only sound in the room.

Hina, her face relaxed in sleep, looked vulnerable, almost innocent in the quiet stillness of the morning. For a moment, Naruto felt a pang of conflict. He usually never allowed himself such thoughts, never bothered with the well-being of others unless it was for his own gain. But Hina was different, even if only slightly. He couldn't quite explain it, but there was a part of him that hesitated, unsure whether to let her rest or wake her for their morning training.

The conflict passed in an instant, however, as Naruto stretched his arms and reached out to gently touch her face. The warmth of his hand seemed to stir something in Hina, her skin tingling under his touch. Her eyelids fluttered, and she nuzzled into his palm, a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips, but she remained asleep.

'She's so defenseless… Should I be disappointed, or should I be happy that she trusts me like this?' Naruto's thoughts flickered briefly, before he decided to continue his morning routine. His hand lingered a little longer on her skin, fingers softly caressing her cheek, before he pinched her gently.

"Wake up, Hina," he said quietly, his voice warm, but with a firm undertone that couldn't be ignored.

Instantly, Hina shot up from the bed, her body tense and her eyes wide as she scanned the room, her instincts kicking in as she looked for the enemy. Her combat training had been thorough, and she was always on alert.

"Huh, where's the enemy?" she muttered sleepily, her voice still thick with drowsiness. Then, as the reality of the situation hit her, she winced, feeling the soreness from the previous night.

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. "No enemy, just practice time," he replied softly, handing her a vial of healing salve. He noted the state of his stock and sighed internally. The salve was effective, but its potency had begun to dwindle, and it was no longer as powerful in aiding his physical growth. He would need to find higher-quality ingredients soon.

Hina, still slightly dazed, wanted to complain but restrained herself. The lingering soreness between her legs was undeniable, but she reminded herself of who she was—a Marine, and someone who had made a promise to herself. She nodded gratefully and applied the salve, the cool ointment offering some relief.

The two of them fell into their familiar rhythm as they trained, though today felt different. Their movements were more intimate than usual, the closeness between them palpable as their bodies heated from the exertion. They shared fleeting moments of laughter and stolen glances during the breaks, a gentle, tender dynamic between them amidst the rigorous training.

Later, as they both sank into the warmth of the bath, the water soothing their aching muscles, Naruto leaned forward and kissed Hina's body gently. He knew she was still recovering from the strain, and though he didn't have to, he took the time to help her relax, massaging her sore muscles and offering quiet words of comfort.

Once the bath had done its work, the two of them emerged from the tub, the hot water having done much to ease the tension in their bodies. Hina, now feeling restored, stood beside Naruto as they prepared to continue their training. Though she still struggled with mastering Haki, she was making progress. Even without it, Naruto had helped her develop a heightened sense of awareness. She could now predict his strikes more accurately, covering all directions with her growing instincts.

Naruto, on the other hand, was pushing himself to his limits. He had been working tirelessly on mastering all the Rokushiki techniques, and despite the constant strain on his body, he couldn't afford to slack off. He had added extra resistance with his X armor and springs attached to his arms and legs. Every move was painful, but it was necessary. Strength wasn't just something that came naturally—he had to forge it in the fires of his own suffering.

'The training is going well,' Naruto thought as he sat down to meditate, focusing his Observation Haki. 'But it's still too slow. I need more power, I need a fruit.' His mind drifted to the possibility of acquiring a Devil Fruit, the one thing that could elevate him to the next level of power.

Meanwhile, Hina sat on his lap, content and relaxed in his warmth as she regained her strength. She trusted him implicitly, and the bond between them was growing with every passing day. It was a strange feeling for Naruto, but he didn't mind it as much as he thought he would.

When they finally arrived at the training grounds, the group was already there, and the air was thick with teasing energy. As Naruto and Hina walked together, a chorus of whistles greeted them. The other recruits couldn't resist calling out.

"You guys did it, finally!"

"You ass, I had trouble sleeping because of the noise," one of the recruits added, making the others laugh.

"Bro, you took my advice and finally did it," Adam chimed in, walking over to hug Naruto.

"No need to make such a big deal," Naruto said with a slight smile, pulling away from Adam's embrace. He glanced over at Hina, who seemed somewhat flustered, but Naruto reassured her with a soft look.

Adam shrugged, still grinning. "Well, okay," he said, though the light in his eyes suggested he was happy for his friend.

As the group settled into their routine, Z appeared, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Good morning, students. Today, another recruit will be joining you." Shiro stood by his side, her attire a sleek white skin suit that seemed to shimmer with a peculiar energy.

"Hello, everyone! Let's have fun together!" Shiro said cheerfully, her voice a stark contrast to the tension that usually hung in the air during training.

"That's enough," Z barked, his tone cutting through the levity. "Start running. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you please."

As the recruits began to run in their weighted armor, Shiro rushed over to Naruto, her usual enthusiasm shining through as she hugged him. Hina, who had been walking behind them, stared at the pair with a dull expression, clearly not pleased by the interaction.

"No, and can you not attach yourself to Naruto?" Hina said with an edge to her voice, her tone noticeably sharp as she separated them.

"Aww, why not…" Shiro's face twisted in a pout, but before she could continue, a cold and calculating look replaced her usual cheerfulness.

"I'm thankful for your help," Shiro said, her voice icy, "but next time, I'll make you pay for that slap." Her words carried a palpable sense of suppressed anger, and both Naruto and Hina could feel the weight of her promise.

Naruto couldn't help but note the strange aura around Shiro. Despite her playful demeanor, there was a fierce strength hidden beneath the surface. He had assumed she was weaker due to their previous encounter, but now, he wasn't so sure.

As Shiro started to run with the rest of the recruits, Naruto's thoughts shifted. He knew he had to be careful around her. And as the rest of the group joined in, they all knew one thing for sure: the dynamics on the ship were changing. The competition, the bonds, and the unspoken tension were all growing, and with it, Naruto's own ambitions.