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The lanterns cast long shadows across the infirmary walls as Doctor Morris moved methodically from cadet to cadet. The night's events had left them all shaken, though they masked it well behind stoic expressions. The wooden floorboards creaked under his feet as he approached Krista, who sat quietly on one of the beds.
"Miss Lenz," Doctor Morris adjusted his spectacles, frowning at the dark stains on her white shirt. "There's quite a bit of blood here, but I don't see any wounds." His eyes narrowed with professional concern. "Are you certain you weren't injured?"
Krista's blue eyes remained steady, her voice clear and unwavering. "It's not my blood, sir. It belongs to one of the attackers." She held his gaze.
From the next bed over, Jean watched the exchange carefully, his fingers drumming nervously against his leg. Connie and Sasha exchanged quick glances from their spots across the room.
"I see," Doctor Morris made a note on his clipboard. "And how did their blood end up on your shirt?"
"When they fell," Krista replied simply. "I was trying to help them up."
Annie, who was leaning against the wall near the window, couldn't help but smirk slightly at Krista's clever half-truth. The 'falling' part wasn't exactly a lie – the men had certainly fallen after Naruto was done with them.
"You tried to help your attackers?" Doctor Morris raised an eyebrow.
"That's our Krista," Ymir interjected from her position beside Krista's bed, her tone carrying its usual mix of admiration and exasperation. "Always trying to help everyone, even the ones who don't deserve it."
The doctor nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. He moved on to check Jean, who had a few scrapes on his arms from the scuffle.
Naruto sat on the furthest bed, his father's glasses clutched in his hands. He could feel Annie's occasional glances in his direction, but kept his eyes fixed on the floor. The memory of their almost-kiss by the river still lingered in his mind.
"Hey," Eren's voice was low as he sat beside his brother. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Naruto managed a small smile. "Just tired."
"That was quick thinking," Mikasa whispered, positioning herself between Naruto and Annie's line of sight. "Having everyone agree to keep quiet about... you know."
"It's better this way," Naruto replied softly. "At least until we join the Survey Corps. Let's just hope that Commander Erwin will decide to help me when my abilities are finally revealed," he added in a quiet voice.
Sasha, who was being checked for a twisted ankle, spoke up to cover their conversation. "I still can't believe Keith Shadis showed up when he did! Talk about perfect timing!"
"Yeah," Connie chimed in, rubbing his shoulder where the doctor had just applied some ointment. "Who knew the old man could move that fast?"
"That's enough chatter," Doctor Morris called out, finishing his rounds. "You've all been through quite an ordeal. Get some rest, and report to Instructor Shadis in the morning for debriefing."
As the doctor packed up his supplies, Jean moved closer to Naruto's bed. "Don't worry," he said quietly. "Your secret's safe with us. Though I still think you could've gone easier on those guys."
"Jean!" Eren hissed.
"What? I'm just saying—"
"We should all get some sleep," Krista interrupted kindly, standing up. "It's been a long night."
As the cadets began to find their own beds, Annie lingered behind. Mikasa noticed and stayed as well, creating an awkward triangle of tension.
"Naruto," Annie's voice was unusually soft. "A word?"
Before Mikasa could object, Naruto stood up. "It's okay, Mikasa. I'll catch up."
Mikasa's eyes narrowed, but she followed the others out, leaving Naruto and Annie alone in the infirmary.
"About what happened at the river..." Annie began.
"Yeah," Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously. "I wanted to thank you. For what you said. It helped."
"That's not what I meant," Annie stepped closer, her usual ice-cold demeanor softening slightly. "Before Mikasa interrupted..."
Naruto's heart began to race. "Oh, that." He could feel the heat rising to his face. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything—"
Annie cut him off by grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him down to her level. Their faces were inches apart, her blue eyes boring into his. "You didn't," she said simply.
For a moment, they stood frozen in that position, the tension electric between them. Then, footsteps in the hallway caused them to jump apart just as Keith Shadis's voice boomed through the door.
"Leonhart! Naruto Yeager! To your room, now!"
"Yes, sir!" they replied in unison.
As they hurried out, Annie's hand briefly brushed against Naruto's, sending a jolt through him. Despite everything that had happened that night, he couldn't help but smile.
In the shadows of the hallway, Reiner watched them pass, his expression thoughtful. "What do you think?" he whispered to Bertholdt beside him.
"I don't know," Bertholdt replied nervously. "But whatever he is, he's not like any Titan Shifter I've ever seen."
"Keep watching him," Reiner ordered. "We need to know what we're dealing with."
Later
Naruto lay in his bunk, staring at the wooden beams above him, his mind racing despite the late hour. His fingers absently traced patterns in the air, remembering how naturally the wood had responded to his touch during training sessions alone in the forest.
'I could tell them about the trees,' he thought, picturing Jean's likely amazement and Connie's excited reactions. But his father's words echoed in his memory, clear as day:
"The Military Police will do anything to gain power, Naruto. They'll use anyone with special abilities for their own gain. Keep your powers hidden until you're strong enough to protect yourself."
Naruto turned on his side, watching moonlight filter through the window. The MPs would have a field day if they discovered someone who could manipulate wood within the walls. He could already imagine their "scientific studies" and "strategic implementations."
'No,' he decided firmly. 'One secret at a time is enough.'
His thoughts drifted to the river, to Annie's face illuminated by moonlight, to the way her usual icy facade had melted away for just a moment. His heart quickened at the memory of her pulling him close in the infirmary, their almost-kiss interrupted yet again.
"Can't sleep?" Eren's whisper came from the bunk above.
"Just thinking," Naruto replied softly.
"About Annie?" There was a hint of teasing in Eren's voice.
Naruto felt his face heat up. "Shut up."
"Mikasa's just worried, you know," Eren continued, more seriously now. "She doesn't trust easily."
"Annie's different when she's alone," Naruto defended. "She's not as cold as everyone thinks."
"If you say so," Eren yawned. "Just be careful. Annie's... scary."
'You don't know the half of it,' Naruto thought, remembering her story about her father.
From across the room, Jean's voice joined the whispered conversation. "Are we really discussing Naruto's love life at this hour?"
"Nobody asked you, horse-face," Eren shot back.
"Both of you, shut it," Reiner's commanding whisper cut through the darkness. "Some of us are trying to sleep."
Naruto could practically hear Jean rolling his eyes. The barracks fell silent again, but his mind continued to race.
He pictured Mikasa and Annie, both strong, both protective in their own ways. Mikasa, with her unwavering devotion to family, and Annie, with her carefully constructed walls that only seemed to lower around him. Could they ever find common ground?
'Kind of like me,' he realized with a slight smile.
The irony wasn't lost on him. Here he was, keeping secrets about his abilities, while hoping the two most important women in his life could be honest with each other.
"They're both too stubborn," he muttered to himself.
"Who's stubborn?" Connie's sleepy voice piped up.
"Go to sleep, Connie," several voices chorused in annoyance.
Naruto smiled into his pillow.
The silence was heavy until Jean's whispered voice broke it.
"So, about that healing thing..." Jean propped himself up on his elbow. "How exactly did you do that with Krista?"
"Jean," Eren warned from above. "This isn't—"
"No, we have a right to know," Jean cut him off firmly but quietly. "We're all keeping your secret, Naruto. At least tell us what we're protecting."
Naruto sat up slowly, crossing his legs on his bed. The moonlight caught the serious expressions of his friends – Sasha and Connie leaning forward from their bunks, Reiner and Bertholdt watching intently from the shadows, and Annie's piercing gaze from across the room.
"He's right," Naruto admitted, running a hand through his hair. "You all deserve to know." He took a deep breath. "Honestly, I don't fully understand it myself. It's something I've always been able to do."
The barracks creaked softly in the night wind as the group huddled closer, forming a loose circle around Naruto's bunk.
"Let's get everything straight," Jean whispered, taking the lead. "First, the healing. You just... touch someone and they heal?"
Naruto nodded, unconsciously flexing his fingers. "It's like I can feel their injury, their pain. Then something flows through my hands, and..." He trailed off, searching for words.
"And the wounds just close," Krista finished softly, touching her side where she'd been shot earlier.
Reiner leaned forward, his expression intense. "But you can't explain how you do it?"
"My father tried to understand it," Naruto replied. "He ran tests, made notes. In the end, all he could do was teach me about the human body so I wouldn't heal things wrong."
"Wrong?" Bertholdt's voice quivered slightly.
"Like healing a broken bone that wasn't set properly," Naruto explained. "Or closing a wound that needed cleaning first."
Sasha hugged her knees to her chest. "That's actually kind of amazing. But they said you could do more. What about the other thing? With the kidnappers?"
Before their instructor arrived to bring them back, Jean, Ymir, and Reiner had explained what happened to the group that attacked them and how they tried to force themselves into Mikasa. This caused Naruto to snap and kill all of them without much trouble. To say they were shocked to hear that would be an understatement.
The air grew heavier. Marco shifted uncomfortably before speaking. "Your eyes changed. They became... red. And your voice..." He swallowed hard. "It wasn't human anymore."
"Like a demon straight from hell," Connie guessed, earning sharp looks from several others.
Ymir snorted. "Very helpful, Connie."
"Has it happened before?" Annie's quiet question cut through the tension. Her eyes never left Naruto's face.
"No," Naruto shook his head. "Never. When I saw Mikasa in danger, something just... broke loose inside me. Something angry. Something that wanted blood."
Jean ran a hand through his hair. "And you have no idea what triggered it?"
"None. It felt like..." Naruto paused, choosing his words carefully. "Like something was living inside me. Something that's always been there, but I never knew about it."
"Could it happen again?" Bertholdt asked nervously.
"I don't know," Naruto admitted. "I honestly don't know."
"Well, whatever it is," Krista spoke up, her voice gentle but firm, "you're still you. You protected us. That's what matters."
Reiner studied Naruto intently. "These abilities... does anyone else know about them?"
"Just my father knew. And now you all." Naruto looked around the circle. "I'm trusting you with this. If the Military Police found out..."
"They'd dissect you faster than Sasha eating bread," Ymir finished bluntly.
"Hey!" Sasha protested quietly.
"We won't tell anyone," Jean assured him. "Right?" He looked around the group, receiving nods of agreement.
"Your father was right to keep this hidden. The walls have too many ears." Ymir said, her voice quite serious.
"And too many people who'd use you for their own gain," Reiner added, exchanging a quick glance with Bertholdt.
"So we're agreed?" Jean looked around. "This stays between us. Whatever happens."
The group murmured their agreement, but Marco couldn't help adding, "Just... try to warn us if you feel that demon thing coming on again?"
"I'll try," Naruto promised, managing a small smile.
As the group began dispersing back to their bunks, Sasha lingered for a moment. "Your power doesn't make you a monster," she whispered, so only he could hear. "Remember that."
In the darkness, Reiner watched them all with calculating eyes, his mind working through the implications of what he'd learned. Beside him, Bertholdt fidgeted nervously, both of them wondering if their mission had just become more complicated.
The night settled over the barracks, each cadet carrying new secrets and new concerns. But as Naruto lay back in his bunk, he felt oddly lighter. His friends knew the truth – or at least, as much of the truth as he himself understood. Whatever came next, he wouldn't face it alone.
.
.
The sound of dripping water echoed through the massive pipe system as Naruto's footsteps splashed in the shallow water. The metallic walls seemed to pulse with energy, and the air felt thick with a pressure he hadn't felt in years.
"I know this place," he whispered, his voice bouncing off the walls. The red glow ahead beckoned him forward, growing stronger with each step.
When he emerged into the vast chamber, its sheer scale made him feel like an ant. The ceiling vanished into the darkness above, and the massive jail bars before him seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions. The strange seal at the center of the bars pulsed with an ancient power, its symbols shifting and swirling in patterns that made his head hurt to look at.
Then those eyes opened – massive, blood-red orbs with slitted pupils that seemed to pierce straight through his soul. A deep, rumbling chuckle filled the chamber, making the water at Naruto's feet ripple.
"Well, well," the voice was like grinding boulders, laced with dark amusement. "The brat finally returned."
For a moment, he was confused, but then he remembered the one time he had seen those eyes before, the pressure around the room, and the feeling; it was the same feeling he had when he lost control and killed those kidnappers. Naruto's fists clenched. "Four years. It's been four years since I was here."
"And what a boring four years they've been," the creature shifted in the darkness, massive teeth gleaming in a predatory grin. "Until tonight, that is. Tonight was... entertaining."
"You!" Naruto pointed accusingly at the bars. "You made me lose control! You made me kill those men!"
The laugh that followed shook the entire chamber. "Made you? MADE YOU?" The creature leaned closer to the bars, its massive fox-like face now visible in the red glow. "I merely offered you power. You're the one who took it so... enthusiastically."
"That's not true," Naruto stepped back. "I wouldn't—" Naruto saw as more of the creature revealed itself; now he could see nine red tails behind this fox thing.
"Oh, but you would," the Nine-Tailed Fox's grin widened. "I felt your rage when they threatened your precious sister. Your hatred when they dared to touch her. Your desire to tear them apart was all your own, brat. I just... helped you achieve it."
Naruto's hands trembled. "I'm not a killer."
"No?" The Fox tilted its massive head. "Then why did it feel so good? Why did you enjoy watching them break? Why did their screams satisfy you so deeply?"
"Shut up!"
"You can lie to your friends, brat. You can lie to yourself. But you can't lie to me." The Fox's tails swished behind it, casting dancing shadows on the walls. "I am you, and you are me. We've been bound together since your birth."
Naruto sank to his knees in the shallow water, memories of the night flooding back. The rush of power, the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of the kill – it had all felt so natural, so right.
"What... what are you?" he whispered, slowly looking back at the fox. "What's your name?" he finally asked. "You must have one."
The fox's tails swished lazily behind him. "I am Kyuubi," he rumbled, seeming amused by the question. "Though names matter little to beings like me."
The Fox laughed again, softer this time. "I am power incarnate. I am the living embodiment of hatred and rage. I am the Nine-Tailed Fox, sealed within you by your father."
"My father?" Naruto's head snapped up. "What do you mean about my father sealing you?" Naruto pressed, stepping closer to the bars. "How did Grisha?"
Kyuubi's laugh echoed through the chamber, making the water ripple. "Grisha Yeager?" His massive teeth gleamed in what might have been a smirk. "That man may have raised you, brat, but..." He paused, considering the confused look on Naruto's face.
'Not yet,'Kyuubi thought. He knew telling him the truth would be a huge blow, but if he told him right now, it would go to waste. No, he needed to wait until the right moment to tell him, when he was more vulnerable, and knowing the truth would get Naruto in the right state of mind to lose control, so for now, Kyuubi decided not to tell him anything about his father.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Kyuubi said instead, his red eyes glowing with mischief. "But tell me, brat – do you really think you can protect all your precious friends without my power? Those healing tricks and little tree sprouts you're so proud of won't be enough when real danger comes."
Naruto's fists clenched. "I don't need your power! I can protect them with what I have. My healing abilities, and my trees—"
"Are NOTHING!" Kyuubi roared, slamming against the bars suddenly. "Nothing compared to what Hashirama could do with true Wood Style!"
Naruto stumbled back, startled by the outburst. "Hashirama? Who's that? What do you mean by true Wood Style?"
Kyuubi's face split into a wicked grin. "Oh? Did I say too much?" He pulled back from the bars, his tails swaying with dark amusement. "Perhaps that's enough history lessons for one night, brat."
"No, wait! You can't just—"
"I can do whatever I want," Kyuubi growled, his form beginning to fade into the darkness. "And right now, I want you gone. Come back when you're ready to admit you need my power, brat."
"Tell me about Hashirama!" Naruto demanded.
But Kyuubi's only response was a deep, rumbling laugh as the chamber began to dissolve around them. The last thing Naruto saw was those massive red eyes.
"Sweet dreams, brat," Kyuubi's voice echoed as everything faded to black. "And remember – when the time comes, and it will come soon, you'll be begging for my power."
Naruto jolted awake in his bunk, his mind reeling with more questions than answers. Hashirama. Wood Style. The pieces of a puzzle he couldn't even begin to understand swirled in his thoughts.
Mikasa was still watching him from her bunk.
"You said something about wood and someone named Hashirama," she said quietly. "Another dream?"
Naruto stared at his hands, remembering Kyuubi's words about his abilities being nothing compared to true Wood Style. "Yeah," he replied distantly. "Just a dream."
But they both knew it was much more than that. And somewhere in the depths of his mind, Kyuubi's laughter echoed.
Tomorrow
Keith Shadis's office felt smaller than usual as he called them in one by one, his piercing gaze searching for any inconsistencies in their stories. The morning sun cast long shadows through the window behind his desk.
First was Mikasa. "We were ambushed, sir. Naruto and I neutralized the threat while protecting the others."
"Neutralized how?" Shadis pressed.
"Hand-to-hand combat, sir. They weren't expecting trained cadets."
Next came Eren, his green eyes burning with controlled anger. "Mikasa and Naruto moved so fast, sir. The kidnappers didn't stand a chance."
Armin's account was precise and measured. "The attack lasted approximately three minutes. Naruto and Mikasa's combat training proved invaluable."
Jean maintained eye contact throughout. "Those two are monsters in training, sir. It's no surprise they handled it so efficiently."
Marco was earnest and direct. "It happened exactly as the others described, sir. We were lucky to have such skilled fighters with us."
Reiner's account was confident and steady. "Standard neutralization tactics, sir. Just like you taught us."
Bertholdt sweated more than usual but kept his story straight. "It was over before we knew it, sir. Naruto and Mikasa protected us all."
Annie's cold demeanor served her well. "The situation was handled appropriately. No excessive force was used."
Then came Connie, fidgeting in his chair. "T-they just appeared out of nowhere, sir! But then M-Mikasa and Naruto—"
"Speak clearly, cadet!" Shadis barked.
"They saved us, sir! Just like everyone said!"
Sasha was next, her hands twisted in her lap. "It was s-scary, sir, but we're all okay because of... because of..."
"Because of Ackerman and Naruto Yeager's quick thinking?" Shadis supplied, watching her closely.
"Yes! Exactly that, sir!"
Ymir's casual attitude almost seemed forced. "What's there to investigate? Some idiots tried to grab us, and they got their asses handed to them. End of story."
Krista maintained her usual gentle smile. "We worked together as a team, sir, just as we were trained. Naruto and Mikasa simply took the lead."
Finally, Naruto himself sat before Shadis, meeting the commander's intense gaze.
"Something about this doesn't add up, Yeager," Shadis leaned forward. "Professional kidnappers taken down by two cadets?"
"We had the element of surprise, sir," Naruto replied calmly. "They underestimated us because we're trainees. That was their mistake."
"And everyone escaped unharmed?"
"Just some bruises and scrapes, sir. Nothing serious."
Shadis leaned back in his chair, studying Naruto. "Your fellow cadets' accounts match perfectly. Almost too perfectly."
"We all experienced the same event, sir."
"Springer and Braus seemed particularly nervous."
"They were closest to the kidnappers when they attacked," Naruto explained smoothly. "It was their first time facing real danger."
After a long moment, Shadis sighed. "Very well. You're all given today to rest and recover. Regular training resumes tomorrow at dawn."
"Thank you, sir."
Outside the office, the group gathered in a secluded corner of the training grounds, speaking in hushed voices.
"That was close," Connie whispered, still shaking slightly.
"No thanks to you and Sasha," Jean muttered. "Could you have been any more obvious?"
"Hey, lying to Shadis is terrifying!" Sasha defended.
"Keep your voices down," Mikasa warned.
Annie stepped closer to the group. "He suspects something, but he has no proof."
"And he won't get any," Reiner added firmly, glancing at everyone. "Right?"
They all nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry you all had to lie," Naruto said quietly. "Especially to Shadis."
"Don't apologize," Marco replied. "We're in this together now."
"Besides," Ymir smirked, "it's kind of fun having a secret from the higher-ups."
"Ymir!" Krista scolded softly.
"What matters is we're all safe," Armin interjected. "And we have a day off to process everything."
"We should use this time to plan," Eren suggested. "Figure out how to handle situations like this in the future."
"Agreed," Jean nodded. "We need to be better prepared next time."
"Next time?" Bertholdt squeaked.
"There's always a next time," Annie stated matter-of-factly.
As the group discussed their plans, Naruto felt both grateful for their loyalty and worried about the burden he'd placed on them. Kyuubi's words from the night before echoed in his mind: 'When the time comes, you'll beg for my power.'
"Hey," Mikasa's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "You okay?"
"Yeah," he managed a smile. "Just thinking about how lucky I am to have friends like this."
"We're the lucky ones," Krista said warmly.
"Speak for yourself," Ymir teased, but her smile was genuine.
As the sun climbed higher, the group dispersed to enjoy their rare day off. And if Keith Shadis watched them from his office window, noting how they seemed closer than ever, he chalked it up to the bonds forged in survival rather than the truth they were all protecting.
Later
The afternoon sun filtered through the dense canopy as the three warriors met in their usual secluded spot, far enough from the training grounds that no one could overhear them.
Reiner leaned against a massive tree trunk, arms crossed. "We need to talk about Naruto."
Bertholdt paced nervously, his tall frame casting shifting shadows. "W-what kind of Titan power could heal others? I've never heard of anything like that."
"None that we know of," Reiner frowned, running a hand through his blonde hair. "Titan shifters can heal themselves, sure, but healing others? That's new."
"Do you think..." Bertholdt's voice dropped to a whisper, "could he have the Founding Titan without knowing it?"
Annie, who had been sitting quietly on a fallen log, suddenly spoke up. "No."
Reiner's eyes narrowed. "You seem awfully certain about that, Annie. And you've been spending a lot of time with him lately."
"Are you questioning my loyalty, Reiner?" Annie's ice-blue eyes met his, challenging.
"Just asking you to elaborate on your certainty."
Annie stood up, dusting off her pants. "Think about it logically. If Naruto had the Founding Titan's power, yes, maybe he could heal others. But when he healed Krista, did you see any steam? Any of the usual Titan regeneration signs?"
Bertholdt stopped pacing. "No... there was that strange green light in his hands."
"Exactly," Annie continued. "And he said he's been able to do this since he was little. How old is Naruto now? Fifteen? Sixteen?"
"The Curse of Ymir," Reiner's eyes widened in realization. "If he'd inherited the Founding Titan as a child..."
"He would be dead by now," Annie finished. "The thirteen-year limit would have claimed him already."
Silence fell over the clearing as they processed this information.
"Then what is he?" Bertholdt asked, voicing the question they were all thinking.
"Something else entirely," Reiner muttered. "The healing, that strange energy we felt, the way he killed those kidnappers as if they were ants..."
"And the red eyes," Annie added. "Did you notice them during the fight? They weren't Titan eyes. They were different."
"Could there be other powers out there?" Bertholdt wondered. "Things we don't know about?"
Reiner pushed off from the tree, starting to pace himself. "Marley never mentioned anything like this. The Nine Titans are supposed to be the only supernatural power in this world."
"Clearly, they were wrong," Annie said dryly.
"This complicates things," Reiner ran his hands over his face. "We need to report this back—"
"No," Annie cut him off sharply.
Both boys stared at her.
"Annie..." Bertholdt started.
"Think about it," she pressed. "If we report this to Marley, what do you think they'll do? They'll want to capture him, experiment on him. They might even..."
"Kill him?" Reiner finished, studying Annie's face carefully. "You care about him."
"I care about the mission," Annie replied coldly. "And right now, we need more information before we make any moves. If we report this prematurely and we're wrong, we risk compromising everything."
"She has a point," Bertholdt offered quietly.
Reiner was silent for a long moment, considering. "Fine. We watch and wait. But Annie..." he stepped closer to her, "if your judgment becomes clouded—"
"My judgment is fine," she snapped. "Focus on your own conflicting loyalties, Reiner."
The tension in the clearing could have been cut with a knife.
"We should head back," Bertholdt suggested nervously. "People will notice if we're gone too long."
"Agreed," Reiner nodded, but his eyes stayed on Annie. "We'll continue to observe Naruto. Document everything unusual. But no one makes any moves without consulting the others first. Understood?"
Both Annie and Bertholdt nodded.
As they walked back toward the training grounds, Annie fell slightly behind the boys. Her hand unconsciously went to the ring on her finger – her means of transformation. For the first time since receiving their mission, she found herself hoping they wouldn't have to use their Titan powers against their fellow cadets.
Against Naruto.
"Coming, Annie?" Reiner called back, that edge still in his voice.
"Yeah," she replied, quickening her pace.
As they emerged from the woods, they could see Naruto in the distance, laughing with Eren and the others. His bright smile and infectious energy betrayed nothing of the mystery that surrounded him.
'What are you?' Annie wondered, not for the first time. 'And what will happen when we finally discover the truth?'
The answer to that question, she feared, would change everything they thought they knew about their world.
Naruto
The afternoon sun hung high as Naruto sat with his friends, their laughter echoing across the training grounds. Jean was in the middle of some exaggerated story about his hometown, with Connie and Sasha adding ridiculous commentary, while Marco tried to keep the facts straight.
But Naruto barely heard them. Kyuubi's mocking words echoed in his mind: 'Nothing compared to what Hashirama could do with true Wood Style.'
He stared at his hands. Sure, he could grow trees, even shape them into weapons, but was that all? Was he really using his full potential?
"And then I told him—" Jean's story was cut short as Naruto suddenly stood up.
"You okay?" Marco asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Yeah, just... need some air," Naruto mumbled, already walking toward the forest.
"But we're already outside!" Connie called after him, confused.
"Let him be," Sasha said, unusually perceptive. "He's got that look."
Deep in the forest, Naruto found a clearing far from any prying eyes. The memory of Mikasa being cornered by those monsters flashed through his mind, followed by Krista's close call with the bullet. He clenched his fists.
"Never again," he whispered to himself. "I won't let anyone else get hurt."
He pressed his palm against the soil, channeling his energy differently than before. Instead of just pushing it out, he tried to feel the life force within the earth itself.
A single tree vein burst through the ground, then another, and another. They twisted and intertwined, growing thicker and taller. Naruto didn't just let them grow randomly – he focused on shaping them, directing them. The branches wove together like a complex tapestry, forming walls, a floor, even a crude roof.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he added more detail: a door and support beams. Soon, a proper treehouse stood before him, integrated perfectly with the massive tree he'd grown.
"Not bad," he muttered, "but Kyuubi said this was nothing..."
He pressed both hands to the ground this time, closing his eyes. Instead of just pushing his energy up, he spread it out, feeling the network of roots beneath the soil. It was like a vast, living map under his feet.
"If I can feel them..." he concentrated harder, "maybe I can..."
The ground trembled as roots burst forth in a circle around him, but this time they moved like serpents, whipping through the air before plunging back into the earth at different points.
"Control them," he finished, a small smile forming. "But that's not enough."
For the next hour, Naruto experimented. He discovered he could make the wood as hard as steel or as flexible as rope. He could grow trees with hollow centers perfect for hiding, create bridges between branches, even form wooden clones of himself – though they were crude and immobile.
"What else?" he panted, pushing himself further. "What else can I do?"
He thought about defense, about protection. The trees responded to his will, branches weaving together to form a dome around him. Then offense – spikes erupted from the trunk, sharp enough to pierce metal.
But it still wasn't enough. Krista getting hot ringed in his head like a bell: How could wood stop a bullet?
Naruto concentrated harder, trying to make the wood denser, stronger. The tree before him grew darker, more compact, its surface gleaming like polished ebony.
"Better," he gasped, "but still..."
His legs wobbled, and he dropped to one knee. He'd used too much energy, pushed too hard.
'Weak,' Kyuubi's voice seemed to mock him. 'This is why you'll beg for my power eventually.'
"No," Naruto growled, forcing himself back to his feet. "I'll get stronger my own way. I'll protect everyone my own way."
He looked at his creation – the treehouse, the moving roots, the reinforced wood. It was progress, but he knew it was just the beginning. Somewhere out there, this Hashirama person had mastered these abilities to levels Naruto could only imagine.
"I'll figure it out," he promised himself. "I'll get stronger. Strong enough to protect everyone without relying on you, Kyuubi."
As if in response to his determination, one final branch grew from the ground, sprouting leaves that caught the afternoon sunlight like emeralds.
Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow and returned back to the others. He'd need to train like this every chance he got, push his abilities to their limits and beyond. Because next time – and there would be a next time – he wouldn't let anyone get close enough to threaten his friends.
Night
The dining hall buzzed with excitement as cadets crowded around the tables, their dinner forgotten in favor of juicy expedition stories.
"So, what happened out there?" Thomas leaned forward eagerly. "Did anyone, you know..." he made a nervous gesture, "lose control of their bladders?"
"Well, actually—" Eren started with a grin.
"Don't you dare, Yeager!" Jean slammed his hands on the table. "At least I wasn't the one trussed up like a festival turkey!"
"Oh yeah?" Eren stood up. "Who was it that screamed 'Mommy!' when the kidnappers showed up?"
"I did not!" Jean's face turned red. "And who needed to be rescued like a damsel in distress?"
"Says the guy who hid behind a tree!"
"I was taking strategic cover!"
Armin turned to Mikasa, whispering, "Should we stop them?"
Mikasa opened her mouth to respond, but Naruto waved them off, grinning. "Nah, let them go. This is better than the puppet shows in town."
"Taking bets!" Connie announced, holding up a piece of bread. "Who throws the first punch? Three potato rations on Eren!"
"I'll take that action," Franz chimed in. "Jean's looking pretty twitchy!"
"You want to know what really happened?" Jean pointed dramatically. "Mr. Hero here got himself captured because he charged in without thinking, as usual!"
"Oh, that's rich coming from the guy who—" Eren stopped mid-sentence, staring at his plate. "Where's my meat?"
All eyes turned to Sasha, who froze mid-chew, a suspicious bulge in her cheeks.
"Sasha!" Jean exclaimed. "That was my portion you just grabbed!"
She swallowed quickly. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I was just... testing it for poison! You should thank me!"
"Testing for poison doesn't require eating the whole thing!" Jean lunged for his remaining food, but Connie threw himself across the table.
"Protect the rations!" Connie declared, sprawling across the table like a human shield. "No man left behind!"
"That doesn't even make sense!" Jean protested.
Meanwhile, Eren had resumed his tirade. "At least I did something instead of cowering in the woods!"
"I wasn't cowering, I was assessing the situation!"
"Is that what we're calling it now?"
Reiner's booming laugh cut through the chaos. "Alright, alright, break it up you two. Before someone actually—"
Too late. Jean and Eren both reached for each other's collars, but in their haste, they bumped heads with a hollow thunk.
"Ow!" they exclaimed in unison, falling back and rubbing their foreheads.
"Did... did they just knock themselves out?" Marco asked incredulously.
"That's it!" Connie jumped up. "Double knockout! All bets are void!"
"No fair!" several voices protested.
Naruto couldn't contain his laughter anymore. "You guys should see your faces! They're as red as tomatoes!"
"Shut up, whiskers!" Jean and Eren shouted simultaneously, then glared at each other for copying.
"Jinx!" Sasha called out, using the distraction to swipe another piece of bread.
"Hey!" They both turned to her now.
"You know," Ymir drawled from her corner, "for two guys who claim to hate each other, you sure do think alike."
"We do not!" They protested in unison again, causing another wave of laughter.
Krista tried to maintain peace. "Maybe we should focus on the positive parts of the expedition?"
"You mean like how Jean screamed at a squirrel because he thought it was an attacker?" Eren smirked.
"That squirrel moved suspiciously!" Jean defended himself.
"It was eating a nut!"
"Menacingly!"
Naruto wiped tears from his eyes. "Oh man, this is better than training! Hey Mikasa, remember when Eren tried to do a freedom speech and tripped over his own feet?" he asked for something that happened before Wall Maria fell.
"Naruto!" Eren's face went scarlet. "You promised never to mention that!"
"All's fair in love and dinner entertainment," Naruto grinned.
"Speaking of dinner," Jean looked at his plate again, "has anyone seen my potato?"
Sasha suddenly became very interested in the ceiling.
"You know what?" Reiner stood up, still chuckling. "I think we should all agree that everyone had their moments, good and... less good."
"Some more than others," Eren muttered.
"What was that, turkey boy?" Jean challenged.
"You heard me, squirrel fighter!"
As they launched into another round of bickering, Naruto leaned back, content to watch the show. Annie caught his eye from across the room, and he could swear he saw the ghost of a smile on her face before she looked away.
"Just another normal dinner with the 104th," Armin sighed, but he was smiling too.
"Normal is overrated anyway," Naruto replied, discretely sliding his bread toward Sasha before she could attempt another stealth mission. Her eyes lit up like it was her birthday.
The arguing, laughing, and chaos continued well into the night, the tension of the expedition melting away in the warmth of camaraderie and shared embarrassment. Even Shadis, passing by outside, decided to let them be – sometimes the best therapy was simply letting soldiers be kids again, if only for one noisy evening.
One Month Later
In the quiet embrace of the forest, Naruto stood alone. He exhaled deeply, centering himself as he prepared to push his newly unlocked abilities. This wasn't something he'd ever anticipated having access to, but after mastering so many of the basics, he was finally ready to experiment with his creativity.
He closed his eyes, reaching out to the energy pulsing within the earth, feeling it surge up through his feet and course through his veins like a second heartbeat. With a rumble, a sturdy wooden pillar erupted from the ground, stretching toward the sky with the strength and resilience of the trees around him. But this wasn't what he was here to do. He wanted to innovate.
"Alright, let's take this up a notch."
He crouched low and focused his energy. The first idea he had was something he tentatively called Verdant Stranglehold. He envisioned it as a defensive technique, something that could incapacitate a Titan while also allowing him to manipulate the environment around him.
Naruto pressed his hand against the ground, infusing it with his energy, feeling the roots of the nearby trees stir in response. With a sharp exhale, he clenched his fists, and the ground began to tremble. Thick, twisting roots shot up from the earth, writhing like serpents as they wrapped around an imaginary opponent. He adjusted the energy flow, experimenting with the speed and force, making the roots move more like arms with distinct joints and segments.
He grinned as he watched the roots coil and twist, creating a shifting wall of wood that could trap and even crush if he chose. It was versatile—he could create barriers, bind limbs, or immobilize his target completely.
But his mind was already racing to the next idea. This time, he wanted something with more finesse, something that would allow him to deal a powerful blow without causing unnecessary destruction.
He placed both hands together, summoning energy to his palms as he focused his intent. Slowly, he began to mold a sphere of wood, compact and spinning with growing intensity. The technique was rough at first, the sphere splintering and fracturing as he struggled to maintain the shape, but he gritted his teeth and continued.
After several attempts, he managed to create a spinning wooden orb, with blades and spikes subtly embedded in the grain. With an exultant shout, he thrust the wooden sphere forward into a nearby tree. The sphere exploded on impact, sending sharp wooden shards scattering in every direction. It was precise and lethal.
One Week Later
As the afternoon stretched into evening, Naruto continued pushing his limits, his clothes soaked with sweat.
The third discovery came from his earlier attempts to create denser wood. Instead of trying to make solid armor, Naruto created layers of thin, flexible wooden scales that could grow and move with him like a second skin.
"If I can't make it completely bulletproof," he reasoned, "maybe I can make it redirect the impact."
The scales overlapped like those of a pine cone, each one connected to his energy network through microscopic roots that grew painlessly into his skin. When he moved, the armor moved with him, the scales shifting and adjusting automatically. More importantly, he could extend this living armor to protect others, spreading it from his body to anyone he touched.
He watched the wooden scales ripple across his arm like flowing water. "Could have protected Krista."
By sunset, his technique had drained him considerably, but he'd managed to refine it into usable skills. The living wooden armor, while not impenetrable, could absorb and disperse significant impact force, potentially saving lives. Naruto could already think of ways of using it; maybe if he had more energy, he could make armor for the survey corps, and the said armor would save lives from the Titan grasps; it would not make them invincible, but it give them a second chance, that was more than they had right now.
Exhausted but satisfied, Naruto slumped against a tree. "Just watch, Kyuubi," he whispered. "I'll keep getting stronger, my way."
In response, he felt only silent contemplation from the fox, perhaps the closest thing to approval he'd ever received from his tenant.
Later
The forest was quiet except for Naruto's controlled breathing as he focused, palm pressed against a tree trunk. Small tendrils of energy flowed from his hands, causing minute changes in the bark's pattern. He stopped abruptly, hearing footsteps approaching – light, measured, purposeful. He knew those steps.
Annie emerged from between the trees, her blue eyes fixed on him with that penetrating stare that always made him feel like she could see right through him.
"Hey!" His smile was bright, genuine. "Need something?"
"What are you doing out here?" Her tone was direct, but lacking its usual edge.
"Oh, you know... just training, getting some fresh air—"
"Stop." Annie's voice was quiet but firm. "I know there's more to your abilities than healing and that... transformation when you're angry."
Naruto's smile faltered. For a moment, he considered playing it off with his usual goofy grin and a joke, but then he remembered that evening by the river – the way she'd looked at him in the fading light, how close they'd been, the almost-kiss that still made his heart race. Despite everything everyone said about Annie, despite her walls and sharp edges, he'd seen the gentle heart she kept hidden.
He met her eyes and made his decision.
"You're right," he said softly, then knelt and placed his palm against the ground. Concentrating, he channeled his energy into the earth, directing it toward the tree nearest to Annie.
Slowly, impossibly, a small sprout emerged from the bark. It grew before their eyes, unfurling delicate leaves until finally, a perfect blue flower bloomed, its petals catching the filtered sunlight.
Annie's eyes widened slightly – the smallest change in expression, but on her, it was like a gasp of surprise.
Naruto stood, rubbing the back of his neck with a warm smile. "I can control wood, sort of. Not much, and nothing big like the trees themselves, but..." he gestured to the flower. "Small things. Beautiful things." His eyes met hers again. "It's for you."
Annie stared at the flower, then at him, her usual mask slipping just enough to reveal something soft underneath. She reached out, fingers hovering near the delicate petals but not quite touching them.
"Why show me this?" she asked quietly.
"Because I trust you," he answered simply. "And because some things are too beautiful to keep hidden."
He wasn't just talking about the flower and from the way Annie's cheeks colored slightly, she knew it too.
Annie's hand dropped from the flower, her expression closing off slightly, but Naruto could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers curled inward.
"Why?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Why do you trust me?"
"Because you're my friend," he said simply, taking a step closer. "Whether you like it or not."
Annie shook her head slightly. "You don't know me."
"Don't I?" His voice was gentle but firm. "I know you pretend not to hear my jokes during training, but you always listen. I know you claim to hate everyone talking to you, but you've never once told me to go away. I know you roll your eyes at my antics, but there's always a smile hiding behind it."
"That's not—"
"I know you like to hide behind those walls, act cold with everyone, but I believe that behind all of that is a good person with a gentle heart." He took another step closer, his blue eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. "Someone I..." he paused, his heart racing, then finished softly, "someone even more beautiful than all the flowers of the world."
Annie stood frozen, her carefully constructed mask cracking at the edges. For a moment, raw emotion flickered across her face – longing, fear, hope, guilt.
"You're a fool," she whispered, but her voice trembled slightly.
"Maybe," he agreed with a gentle smile. "But I'm a fool who sees you, Annie. The real you."
Naruto gently plucked the flower from the tree and held it out to Annie. "I hope you like blue. I just realized I never asked what your favorite color is."
Annie took the flower, her fingers brushing against his. She looked at the delicate petals, then lifted her gaze to meet his – blue meeting blue, like sky reflecting on still water.
"It's blue," she said softly, and they both knew she wasn't just talking about the flower anymore.
"If you knew..." Annie's voice caught slightly. "If you knew what I've done, you would hate me."
Naruto's hand moved to gently cup her cheek, and to his surprise, she didn't pull away. "Everyone does bad things, Annie. The past can't be changed – believe me, I know that better than most. But the future?" His thumb brushed softly across her skin. "The future is something we can shape. We can still change who we'll become. All it takes is choosing to take a different step."
Annie stared at him, her blue eyes wide and vulnerable in a way he'd never seen before. The walls she'd built so carefully were crumbling, and for once, she didn't try to rebuild them.
The flower was pressed between them as Annie moved forward, closing the distance. Their lips met softly, hesitantly at first, then with growing certainty. Naruto's free hand slipped around her waist, drawing her closer, while hers found its way to his chest, the blue flower still held delicately in her other hand.
It was gentle and sweet and everything a first kiss should be. When they finally parted, Annie's usual mask was nowhere to be seen, replaced by real and beautiful emotions.
"A different step," she whispered against his lips and felt him smile.
"Yeah," he murmured back. "And I'd say this is a pretty good first one."
Note: The Scene Below is a Deleted Scene I wrote for fun. It is not canon to the story, but it is fun to read and has some jokes breaking the fourth wall.
Keith Shadis stood before the assembled cadets, already feeling a headache coming on. "Today's exercise is simple, even for you lot. Each pair must navigate through the forest, locate three specific markers, and make it to the endpoint. You'll need to work together and use your ODM gear efficiently."
As he announced the pairs, collective groans and snickers erupted.
"Yeager and Kirstein!"
"I'd rather partner with a titan!" they shouted simultaneously.
"Jinx!" Sasha called out.
"Shut it, Blouse! Speaking of which - Blouse and Springer!"
Sasha and Connie high-fived. "The Dream Team!" they declared.
"More like the Nightmare Team," Jean muttered.
"Leonhart and Naruto Yeager!"
Annie maintained her usual stoic expression, while Naruto grinned broadly. "Looks like it's you and me, sunshine!"
"Don't call me that," Annie replied coldly, fighting back a small smile.
"Ackerman and Bott!"
Mikasa nodded at Marco while keeping a suspicious eye on Annie, who pretended not to notice.
"Braun and Hoover!"
"We've got this!" Reiner declared confidently.
"Um, Reiner, I think the starting point is the other way," Bertholdt whispered.
"I knew that! I was just... testing you!"
Once all pairs were in position, Shadis gave the signal. "Begin! And try not to embarrass yourselves more than usual!"
---
In the forest:
Eren and Jean immediately went in opposite directions.
"The marker is this way, horse-face!"
"Your sense of direction is as bad as your attitude, suicidal bastard!"
They shot their gear at the same trees, collided mid-air, and ended up tangled in their own cables.
"This is your fault!" they yelled in unison.
"Jinx again!" Sasha's voice echoed from somewhere in the forest.
---
Meanwhile, Sasha and Connie were... well, being Sasha and Connie.
"Look, Connie! This mushroom looks like Keith's head!"
"Pick it! Pick it!"
"But what if it's poisonous?"
"Only one way to find out!"
Shadis, observing from a distance, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why did I become an instructor?"
---
Annie and Naruto moved efficiently through the trees, though Naruto couldn't help but comment on everything.
"You know, Annie, your ODM skills are amazing! Like a deadly butterfly!"
"Shut up."
"A very pretty deadly butterfly!"
Annie tried to maintain her cold demeanor but failed to suppress a tiny smirk. "Focus on the mission, idiot."
"See? You're smiling!"
"I am not."
"Are too!"
"I'm thinking about how to dispose of your body."
"Aw, you're planning our future together!"
Annie nearly missed her next grapple point, cursing internally at how he could make her laugh despite herself.
---
Mikasa and Marco worked efficiently, though Mikasa kept getting distracted.
"Did you see that?" Mikasa narrowed her eyes.
"What?" Marco asked.
"Annie. She almost smiled at him."
"And that's... bad?"
"It's suspicious."
"Mikasa, not everything Annie does is suspicious."
"That's exactly what a suspicious person would say."
---
Reiner confidently led Bertholdt in completely the wrong direction.
"Reiner, I really think—"
"Trust me, I know exactly where we're going!"
"But the sun is—"
"The sun is exactly where it should be!"
"We've passed this same tree five times..."
"It's a very strategic tree!"
---
Back with Eren and Jean:
"If you hadn't pulled left—"
"Me? You're the one who can't tell left from right!"
"At least I can tell a tree from a titan!"
"That was ONE time!"
They finally untangled themselves, only to immediately shoot their gear at the same branch again.
---
Sasha and Connie had somehow ended up hanging upside down from a branch.
"Hey Sasha, if we're upside down, does that mean we're right side up in Australia?"
"Connie, you're a genius! Quick, look for kangaroos!"
Shadis, watching from afar, took a long drink from his water flask, wishing it was something stronger.
---
Annie and Naruto found their second marker with ease.
"See? We make a great team!" Naruto beamed.
"We'd make a better team if you talked less."
"But then you wouldn't get to hear my amazing jokes!"
"That's the point."
"You love my jokes. I saw you almost laugh at the last one!"
"I was thinking about dropping you from a high branch."
"Aw, you want to see me fly!"
Annie bit her lip to stop from smiling, which only made Naruto grin wider.
---
Mikasa continued her surveillance while efficiently completing the course.
"Marco, does Annie seem extra suspicious today?"
"She seems the same as always..."
"Exactly. Suspiciously consistent."
"I don't think that's how suspicion works..."
---
Reiner stood proudly on a branch. "See? I told you I knew where we were going!"
"Reiner, we're back at the starting point."
"All part of the plan! A warrior always... uh... checks his starting position!"
"We've checked it seven times now..."
---
Near the finish line, chaos erupted as multiple pairs converged.
Eren and Jean arrived sideways, still arguing. Sasha and Connie rolled in covered in leaves and mushrooms. Annie and Naruto landed gracefully, though Annie quickly stepped away when she realized how close they were standing. Mikasa arrived with Marco, immediately positioning herself between Annie and Eren. Reiner and Bertholdt finally showed up from the completely wrong direction.
"Well," Shadis announced, "I've seen better performances from a drunk titan, but at least some of you managed not to completely embarrass yourselves."
He glanced at Naruto and Annie's perfect score, then at Mikasa and Marco's close second. "As for the rest of you..."
"Sir!" Sasha saluted with a mushroom. "We found your twin!"
"Blouse, Springer, you're on kitchen duty for a month. Yeager, Kirstein, learn to use opposite trees. Braun... just... just let Hoover navigate next time."
As they headed back, Naruto fell in step with Annie.
"So, same time tomorrow, partner?"
"No."
"Next day?"
"No."
"You're smiling again!"
"I'm planning your murder."
"I love it when you talk deadly to me!"
Behind them, Mikasa narrowed her eyes. "Suspicious..."
Shadis watched them go, allowing himself a small smile. At least two of his cadets showed promise. As for the others... well, they might not defeat the titans, but they'd probably confuse them to death.
"Sir?" A junior instructor approached. "Should we tell them there's a second part to the exercise?"
Shadis looked at Sasha and Connie trying to convince Eren and Jean to try their mushrooms, while Reiner confidently led his group in the wrong direction again.
"Let's quit while we're ahead. Some battles aren't worth fighting."
From somewhere in the distance, they heard Eren and Jean yell "Jinx!" simultaneously, followed by Sasha's delighted squeal.
Shadis sighed deeply. "Very, very far ahead."
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