❝ you are not alone. ❞

it was already mid-autumn, Midorima Shizuka's favorite season. She's currently walking in the middle of a maple forest, her pastel green hair contrasting with the charming red leaves. The wind fell past gently as she pulled her light brown cardigan closer. The temperature is also getting colder each day.

Many events have passed, such as the death of Asuma, Naruto who has mastered his new jutsu, Orochimaru's death, Itachi Uchiha's death, and many more. Most of it is an occasional death. It's nothing new in this ninja world.

After the Summer Festival, Shizuka also felt something strange about Uzumaki Naruto. Somehow he likes to call her. Then tell her to accompany the boy to eat or practice together.

But she didn't say that she did enjoy it though.

Shizuka had arrived at the Hokage's office, she opened it, noticing that there were only Tsunade, Sakura, Shizune, Yamato, and two toads. That made her frown in confusion, she also saw a giant toad outside the building.

Shizuka instantly had a bad feeling.

"Good, now we just need to wait for Naruto and Kakashi," said Tsunade.

A few minutes later, the two of them entered. "Is that kid Jiraiya-chan's student?" the older toad asked, staring at Naruto.

"Yes, this is Uzumaki Naruto," Tsunade confirmed, politely.

"I'll just get to the point," the elder exhaled heavily before giving Naruto a serious stare. "Jiraiya-chan was killed in the battle."

Everyone fell silent, the atmosphere in the room immediately felt heavy, and Shizuka automatically glanced at Naruto who looked taken back by it. "What, what did you say?"

"I know that this is very sudden so I understand if you don't believe me," he said calmly. "for some time now rumors have been circulating that the leader of the Akatsuki was operating out of the Rain Village, so Jiraiya-chan went there in person to verify whether these rumors were true."

"The leader of the Akatsuki was in the Hidden Rain Village?" asked Sakura in disbelief.

"As I recall, that village is difficult to infiltrate. A village closed to the outside world," Sai recalled, who was given a nod of agreement from Shizuka and Yamato.

"Yes, however, Jiraiya-sama was skilled in infiltration and espionage tactics," Kakashi spoke.

Yes, but he used that skill to spy on women...

"Exactly," Fukasaku continues. "Jiraiya-chan encountered with Pain, the Akatsuki leader. However, Pain was one of Jiraiya-chan's former students from many many years ago."

"Still, to corner such a great shinobi like Jiraiya-sama is..." Kakashi mumbled beside her. "Just what the hell is this 'Pain'?"

"I don't know the particulars but he called him Nagato," said Fukasaku, before giving them a death stare. "And he possesses the Rinnegan."

"What?!" The adults plus Shizuka stared at the toad in disbelief. The Rinnegan eye is believed to be the eye possessed by the Sage of the Six Paths and is said to have extraordinary strength.

"The legendary ocular jutsu, The Rinnegan... Its power was beyond imagination. Not only that, there were six of them who possesses the Rinnegan."

"How can that even be possible?"

"Perhaps, there's a trick to it," he spoke. "Most likely, only Jiraiya-chan, who was there, discovered their secret. But, even after he had his throat crushed by Pain, Jiraiya-chan left a message before he died." The elder opened his robe and turned his back to them. Showing them the numbers printed on his back. A code. "I'm sure it was so Pain wouldn't catch on. And that's it for Jiraiya-chan's efforts."

"...you let him go, Granny?" Naruto, who had been silent, opened his voice. His deep voice sending shivers down their spines.

"That's right."

"Why'd you let him take the risk?" he continued, raising his voice little by little. "You know Pervy Sage better than anyone! How could you send him to such a dangerous place, alone?!"

"Stop it, Naruto!" Kakashi scolded him. "You of all people ought to know Tsunade-sama's feeling."

"Tch," he tsked. Walking towards the door. "If Pervy Sage had been the Fifth Hokage, he wouldn't have let Granny Tsunade take such risk, I know it!" and he left with a loud bam of the door closing.

Shizuka watched him leaving. Her feet twitching, wanting to catch up with him. But she knew Naruto needed time.

○○○

She didn't expect it to be this long. It's been a week since the sad news. And the boy still had his gloomy face, didn't speak, and was mostly in the forest. Don't know what he was doing there.

That night, Shizuka noticed that Naruto was looking across the village from the top of the Hokage Rock. Clad in all black clothes —a black t-shirt and black tracksuit pants— like letting everyone knows that he's still mourning.

His eyes looked tired like there was no life in them. His complexion is pale. And he let his hair messy.

The girl decided to come closer and sit next to him. Looking at the village of Konoha at night. And nobody opened the conversation. Just silent, enjoying their moments.

The sound of the wind and owls echoed, bringing music into the lonely night. As if everyone is still saddened by the death of the Sage.

"..." Naruto chuckled. "I didn't expect that it would hurt this much."

The girl next to him turned her head, surprised that he opened the conversation first. She just hummed, telling him to carry on.

"I don't have a parent since I was born. So I'm used to feeling alone and jealous of others. But this ..." he chuckled again, fighting back the tears that wants to escape. "This hurts so much. I don't like this feeling."

"I understand," said Shizuka. "That feeling you mean. I understand."

"My clan was slaughtered during the third ninja war. And the survivors fled to Konoha. My father was killed on a mission when I was 4 years old. My mother, grandmother, and grandfather were murdered when I was 6 years old. And at that point, I become the only Midorima," she exhaled deeply, noticing Naruto's shocked gaze. "I knew it was hard. It hurts. But you also know, just because you lose someone doesn't mean you lose everything. You're not alone. You have Kakashi, Sakura, Yamato, Sai, Tsunade-sama, and you have... me. You're not alone, Naruto."

Stunned. That was how Naruto felt now. He really did not think that a stiff girl like her could be like that. How she tried comforting him, how gentle and soft her voice is...

Naruto's gaze returned to the sky. "What about revenge? Have you ever felt like wanting to get revenge? On them?"

"Revenge? Maybe. But I don't want to do it, I think it's useless," Shizuka answered honestly. "I'm sure everyone has experienced the desire for revenge. Is a natural human response. It depends on your action actually. The most important thing is, don't use revenge as your only life goal. Use that revenge as a step for you to accept his death. Your actions won't bring him back to life. And remember, there are other ways to come to peace with your loss. Revenge will only further violence."

She finished with a deep stare at Naruto. Shizuka was sure that the boy wanted to get revenge. Yes, it would be great if his revenge on the leader of an organization that threatened the world. But if you're blinded by it, you will only make a fool of yourself.

"You're right," he exhales. Running his fingers through his hair.

Shizuka took a red bean taiyaki from the plastic bag she was carrying and thrust it in his face. "Here. Don't misunderstand. I accidentally bought more so I gave it to you, nanodayo."

Naruto fell silent again. His eyes blinked several times, before chuckling, and took the taiyaki out of her hands. "Thanks, Shi-chan ... I didn't know that you care about me."

"Tch, I did this because you make everyone worried. And it's getting annoying," she scowled, eyebrow twitched in annoyance. But Naruto noticed how her ears were red, making him smile a little.

She's right, I'm not alone.