Kid.
Naruto exhaled. He knew what Kurama wanted to discuss as they silently sat on the train heading from the rural suburb and into Tokyo proper. His gaze cautiously gazed at the auburn-haired girl in the tracksuit, silently minding her business as her friend Special sat beside her, pulling out a textbook for her homework.
Suzuka sat peacefully. Almost longfully gazing at the lush and green scenery that gave way to the urbanized steel and concrete of the city.
The Tragedy of Silence Suzuka, huh? Naruto muttered internally, mulling over and putting together what he knew. It wasn't a lot, and it all revolved around this mysterious book.
Glancing down at it, Naruto flipped through the pages. It definitely became a tutorial book on how to assist and train Umamusume. Naruto couldn't explain why it had changed or what force had brought him here, but he had an idea of what it wanted. And it became even more evident as he reached the last page and saw a certificate.
A training license and a note to head to a place called Tracen Academy.
Naruto repressed the urge to scowl. Whatever this force was, it wanted him to assist Suzuka and likely prevent whatever tragedy befell her.
There were still plenty of questions that pounded his thoughts, but the most straightforward and most rational thought came forth. If Naruto helped see this through, there was a chance he could return home after. That wasn't a guarantee, but it was what he had to work with for the moment. He could seek other possibilities and answers along the way. For now…
Whatever is at work here, we just gotta focus. Naruto exhaled, turning his attention to the city outside. His heart, however, sank at the sight of the concrete jungle filled with unnatural light.
This place was an intimidating sight. One that he would have to adjust to and stay out of trouble. And that was something Naruto always struggled with. Even when he wasn't looking for it, it would come and find him. His luck was both a blessing and a curse.
Kid, we ain't in Konoha any more. Kurama muttered, his eyes wavering as he admired the city. Then, with a sadistic grin, he smirked. Say, what do you think these peons would do if they saw a giant fox rampaging through their city?
Kurama… Naruto gave a flat internal glare at the fox. But before he could help it, his lips quivered and curled with faint amusement. It would be like one of those monster movies Hinata likes to watch.
Right? Kurama grinned, attempting his best to cheer up his partner. It might take them a while to find their way back home. He knew how Naruto would be worried about his, presumably pregnant if Kurama was correct, wife. He would have to keep him focused on the task and manage his mood…
And his own. This city looked really fun to have an enthusiastic walk through.
Naruto repeatedly blinked. He absently stared at the metro map for the subway system. What was he even looking at? How did anyone decipher this horrendous travesty?
"It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" Special Week gave a nervous laugh. "I still need help getting around when I don't know the exact route I'm supposed to take. That's why I'm glad that my roommate, Suzuka, can show me around as I'm still new here. I don't know where anything is."
"Uh, yeah. I can understand why." Naruto could only give a vacant nod before glancing down at his book and license. With a deep breath, he forced a chuckle and smile while ruffling his spiky locks. "Say, by chance, would you know how to direct me to Tracen Academy? I was trying to find it earlier and must have taken the wrong train."
"Huh? You are trying to find the academy?" Special Week flinched with surprise.
However, Suzuka, with a steady yet studious look, looked over Naruto. Her gaze lingered over his book and license before she met Naruto's gaze. "I believe there was a rumor this morning that Director Akikawa hired a new trainer."
"Oh, so that was what Gold Ship was talking about at breakfast and why she was on the hunt." Special Week sagely nodded after a momentary pause and a stroke of her chin.
"You'll get used to her… Escentricity." Suzuka politely nodded, holding back a sigh. "Are you by chance the new trainer Director Akikawa hired?"
Naruto had to repress a frown at that tidbit of information. A new trainer was referenced and hired by the school's director? This seemed a little too convenient…
And his internal alarm was on high alert.
Pushing that thought aside, Naruto smiled and lightly laughed. "Hehe, yeah. I'm awful at following directions. I got seriously turned around. The town I live in isn't nearly as big as Tokyo."
"Oh, I know. I was struggling to find my way, and then I got distracted by a race before I found the dorms." Special Week enthusiastically laughed, nodding in understanding before beckoning for Naruto to follow. "Well, if you are going to be one of the new trainers at the academy, we can show you the way. I know how to get there!"
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Naruto lightly smiled, accepting the kind gesture, holding back his sigh as he trailed behind the two students.
Whether or not he was enthused with this situation, this would at least make it easier to keep an eye on Suzuka and less likely to suspect him of following them. And it would make his life a whole lot easier if whatever force had brought him here had set things in motion to ease his transition here.
And perhaps, with a bit of luck, this wouldn't take long, and he could go home soon.
…
Who was he kidding?
Naruto knew his luck. He had a feeling he was gonna be trapped here for quite some time. And all his thoughts kept shifting back to Hinata…
As the sun set, Naruto continued to trail behind Special Week and Silence Suzuka. After having endured the train ride over here, they were finally approaching and walking up the steps and onto the paved path that led to Trace Academy.
Naruto admired the school. It was a little different from the academy back home, but it had many similarities. Obviously, there would be construction differences, but the layout seemed similar.
A central building to focus on classes, a large track flushed with grassy turf situated next to a practice track packed with dirt. Of course, there was another building Naruto assumed was the girls' dormitory for those who attended class and stayed here. It was likely this was either a university or a prep school, given what little he knew. There were also a few other buildings he wasn't quite sure what they were. And there was also a massive garden with what looked like carrots and a few other vegetables.
What he found fascinating, and quite agitating, was that the school was settled in an isolated plot of land on the outskirts of town. And that led Naruto to repress the urge for his eyebrow to twitch.
Was it necessary to take the trains to get here? Naruto internally fumed before shaking his head.
It likely was given what he had seen with traffic, both from vehicles and pedestrians. What he found interesting was that there was a lane where Umamusume could run and keep pace with traffic!
Why weren't they using that?! They would have gotten here so much faster! He saw how fast they were!
…It did have a number on the pavement, though… Were they limited to what speed they could run on the roads?!
What was this world?!
Naruto shook his head of those thoughts. His attention shifted to a young lady in a school uniform, in various shades of blue, approaching them, looking quite unamused. Her luxurious, long hair was quite peculiar, with a softer shade of brown that darkened to an earthy brown at the top, and a single white bang swept to the left side of her forehead.
"You both are almost late. It's almost curfew." The young woman stated flatly with a hint of concern in her tone.
"My apologies, Rudi. We went out for a run, and I lost myself in the view." Suzuka gave an apologetic bow.
"I suspected as much," Symboli Rudolf exhaled, thoughtfully shaking her head. Her attention shifted to Narut,o and with pursed lips. "And who may you be?"
"He's the new trainer that Director Akikawa hired!" Special Week excitedly announced before laughing. "We stumbled upon him when we lost and decided to show him the way!"
"I see. Thank you for the assistance." Rudolf nodded, giving Naruto a once-over glance before frowning. "Forgive me for asking, but I was under the assumption that she hired two trainers. A husband and wife couple, from what I was informed of."
What?! I am not…! Oh… Kurama snarled from within as Naruto's gaze sharpened before he relaxed his demeanor.
"Unfortunately, my wife caught a cold. We didn't think it was a wise idea for her to travel while feeling under the weather." Naruto responded aloofly as he internally seethed over that information.
Not only was he expected, but Hinata was supposed to be dragged into this mess as well? Naruto was none too pleased upon learning that information.
"A pragmatic decision." Symboli gave a curt nod. With a light nod toward Special Week and Suzuka, she gave a subtle gesture, and with a turn of her hips, she held out her hand toward the garden. "I believe the Director is working on a project of hers in the garden. I can escort you and show you where she is located."
"I appreciate it," Naruto anxiously rubbed the back of his neck before giving a light wave to Special Week and Suzuka. "And thank you both so much. Have a good night."
"You as well," Suzuka gave a curt bow.
"Same," Special Week beamed before she jumped in excitement. "Oh, oh! If you start a new team, pick me! I want to show everyone how great a racer I am!"
"Uh, I'll give that some thought." Naruto hesitantly answered.
"Do not rush such matters. Give him time and space. He hasn't been here a day, nor has he had time to scout who he desires to train." Symboli addressed Special Week's overeagerness before frowning. "Besides, there is more to being an Umamusume than just racing skill. You have only been here for a short time. I would advise you to work on your singing and dancing first before worrying about joining a team. The race is what we live for, but the performance after is what makes the show."
"Oh… I guess that makes sense," Special Week meekly responded, recoiling from Rudolf's blunt message. She turned absently and followed Suzuka toward the dorms, her demeanor shaken.
Naruto couldn't help but frown. He understood Symboli was giving Special Week advice, but the way it came off felt… Pompous.
"If you would follow me, please." Rudolf turned, leading toward the garden Naruto had noticed earlier.
Following his escort, Naruto put those thoughts aside. He had other, more pressing issues. And if this Director was aware of his arrival… And the supposed arrival of his wife…
She might have some answers.
Stepping into the garden behind Symboli, Naruto noticed quite a few students were tending to the gardens. His lips quivered, noting one with ankle-length silver hair had attempted to sneak a carrot, only for her friend with lavender hair to stop her and have her accidentally stab herself in the eye.
"Not again!"
Naruto snickered as the girl wailed and writhed on the ground in agony, kicking and screaming.
However, Naruto had noticed that most of the students' attention had shifted to him. There was a murmur amongst those here in the garden. All were wondering if he was their new trainer. A few mentioned how young and attractive he was.
A boost of confidence for Naruto, but he was married. And given what little he had learned since arriving here…
Naruto's attention focused as he was directed toward a young lady with long strawberry blonde hair. She knelt in the garden despite wearing an elaborate ruffled white dress that cut off at the knees, with blue sleeves that served as a jacket.
It showed that despite how fancy she dressed, she was willing to get down and dirty to work. Naruto could respect that.
"Director, one of our new trainers is here," Symboli announced.
Naruto's eyebrow perked upon hearing that this young lady was the director. She looked younger than some of her students! He quickly shook that off. It wouldn't be the first time he met a woman who looked considerably younger than they appeared…
"Ah, thank you, Symboli." Yayoi Akikawa slowly stood up, brushing off what dirt and mud she could from the skirt of her dress. Then, with a bright smile, she gently waved. "It's a pleasure to meet you… I suppose we should speak in the office. You probably have a lot of questions."
Naruto gave a simple nod of understanding. He wanted to say more. However, he was patient, and if she was willing to answer, he could wait just a moment. There was no need to inform anyone else he wasn't from here…
"Gotcha!" A burlap sack snatched something where Naruto had stood before. The same girl who had her eye poked by a carrot confidently grinned before frowning as she held up her almost empty sack, reaching inside it to see what she had snagged. "What the… Where did he go? And why is there a log in here?"
"Gold Ship…" Rudolf glowered, staring harshly at the troublemaker known as Gold Ship. However, her expression relaxed and she lifted her brow, perplexed by what she was witnessing.
"Mah, you're too slow to catch me," Naruto poked Gold Ship on the shoulder. The horse girl screamed in alarm, whirling around and staring at Naruto in fearful wonder. "You ain't the first person who has tried to snatch me before. Gonna have to try harder than that."
"What do you mean, too slow?! I'll show you!" Gold Ship's playful demeanor shifted to rage as she tried to catch Naruto once more, only to swing wildly, missing him and losing her balance. She lost her balance just enough for Naruto to trip Gold Ship and cause her to land face-first into the grass and dirt, a lone twig jabbing her eye.
"Why is it always the eye?!" Gold Ship cried out in agony.
"When are you going to learn?" The lavender-haired Umamusume exhaled, her shoulders slumping as she lowered her head.
"Anyway, shall we?" Naruto, ignoring Gold Ship's wails, looked back at Yayoi and gestured for her to lead the way.
"Seems like things are going to be quite lively for some time," Akikawa muffled her laughter with her hand over her mouth. However, a sigh followed, and her expression turned serious. "Right, let's head to my office…"
"I'm sure you are very confused."
The director's room was cozy. Uncluttered and kept professional, yet had enough decorations to feel comfortable. She sat behind a quaint but straightforward wooden desk, finely polished. Her look was sympathetic before she sighed. "I understand this must be jarring for you, finding yourself in another world…"
"Not really, I deal with strange stuff quite often. I have been thrown back in time and stuck in an illusory, parallel world that is an alternate reality of mine. Currently, I've been fighting aliens who want to suck the energy from my planet dry. Weird things happen to me and back home." Naruto shook his head and shrugged.
As odd as this incident was, it was far from the strangest thing that Naruto had encountered. His reality had become quite peculiar.
"Oh… Wow… I… uh…" Yayoi openly stared at Naruto, slack-jawed. It took her a few moments to recover and take a deep breath. "That's new. Usually, when a new trainer is sent to our world, it's from a world similar to ours."
"Excuse me?" It was Naruto's turn to stare at Director Akikawa, repeatedly blinking awkwardly. Dumbfounded by what he heard. "This has happened before?"
"Yes, this is a regular occurrence." Yayoi winced but confirmed with a nod. "I've never known why, but every few years, this happens. Whether it was my mother or her father before me, we would see a new trainer in our dreams, and within a month, they would arrive, and the previous trainer brought here would return home, their job finished. I can't say if it is a power we have and can't control or something about this academy, but it calls new individuals here every new cycle after the previous story has been completed."
"The previous returns? So does that mean whoever was here before me returned to their world?" Naruto frowned as the director gave a short nod. However, upon hearing Yayoi's explanation, his gaze glanced at the book in his hands.
"A few days ago. I had to inform his old team that he retired. The story he came to this world for was completed. His prized student graduated, ready to take her place in the world." Director Akikawa gave a pitiful sigh, shaking her head.
"A story, huh?" Naruto gazed at the transformed book in his hand before turning his attention. "So, what you are telling me is that through whatever power courses through you or this place, that force sent this book to my world to summon me to help Suzuka?"
"Yes, I'm afraid." Director Akikawa, wincing. "Again, I want to apologize. If I had any idea how this happened…"
"Mah, don't beat yourself up over this. It was out of your control from the sounds of it." Naruto gave the Director a comforting smile. "Yeah, it's off-putting, and I would rather be home, but I can manage. I've kind of learned through situations like these that it is better to solve the problem. And at the very least, from what it sounds like, you saw both my wife and myself so that I won't be stuck in this world without her… Whenever she gets here."
"I was curious about that. I've never had a dream of two individuals myself. My mother did, and they arrived simultaneously." Director Akikawa pursed her lips, confused. Naruto gave a dissatisfied glower upon hearing that information…
Uh… Kid… I think I feel something you might want to sense yourself. Kurama growled from within.
Naruto scrunched his face, but gave a mental nod to his partner. He closed his eyes to feel the world around him to seek what Kurama had sensed, ignoring that the phone on Akikawa's desk rang. "Hello? Oh, Tazuna. I thought you went out with Haru and Rice Shower… You what?"
He suddenly coughed and nearly gagged upon feeling a very familiar, gentle presence he recognized. Naruto's eyes only bulged upon hearing Yayoi's following words.
"You happened to run into our newest instructor looking for her husband?"