Chương 35

"…You are avoiding government attention."

"Correct." Rei nodded lightly. And more specifically— Hydra. Though obviously Rei didn't explain that part openly yet. Because somewhere hidden beneath SHIELD systems still existed Arnim Zola's half-dead algorithmic intelligence monitoring unusual patterns globally. Sudden appearance of impossible citizens with no traceable history could absolutely trigger investigations eventually.

And if he even started explaining what AI intelligence was and how this world was so much technologically advanced, their brains would fry for sure. All in due time they would learn.

"…WAIT WE GET OTHER WORLD HEADBANDS?!"

"…Those are passports." Sakura corrected weakly. Rei had already told them that they wouldn't wear headbands outside as it would be absurd and also their attire would be changed when they go out.

"…They look less cool."

While the things had settled here, Rei had decided to go back to his origin world, for handling Haku and his affairs. The bridge mission still existed and more importantly, Zabuza himself still remained unconscious back in the original world. Of course he talked with Kakashi and they hashed out how they would complete the mission. The rest had already lost their interest to the mission the moment Rei had said he would deploy Haku as the guard.

They had seen how that beautiful guy fought and knew the others had almost no chance. The children were allowed to take rest after a day of excitement while he decided to return alone. The warm sunlight and ocean breeze of Malibu disappeared instantly and got replaced by cold mist and the smell of wet wood. Rei landed near the unfinished bridge once again. Nearby, Haku sat beside the restrained Zabuza silently. The masked shinobi immediately stood up the moment Rei returned.

He looked emotionally conflicted regarding everything. At this point Haku probably wasn't even sure what category Rei belonged to anymore. Human barely qualified. Meanwhile Zabuza still remained unconscious nearby while heavily restrained with sealing ropes. Rei quietly looked toward the giant swordsman afterward.

"I'll deal with him later." Haku's body tensed slightly.

"You promised not to kill him."

"And I meant it." Rei replied calmly.

"But Zabuza is too dangerous currently. I need to properly defeat him first before taking him under my wing. As you have seen my contract." Haku hated hearing that. Rei could tell immediately. The words themselves sounded humiliating toward Zabuza. But despite the hatred quietly hidden behind Haku's calm expression… there was absolutely nothing he could do about it anymore. The full contract made sure of that. So after checking the restraints once more, Rei finally looked toward Haku directly afterward.

"You are responsible for the bridge workers now." Haku blinked slightly.

"…What?"

"Tazuna. The construction crew. The village itself." Rei explained calmly.

"If anything suspicious happens, you stop it." Haku stayed silent briefly afterward.

"…And if enemies appear?"

"Then contact me immediately." That part genuinely surprised Haku slightly.

"…You can feel it?"

"The contract." Rei nodded lightly.

"It works both ways to some extent. If you actively seek my attention through it, I'll notice."

"…Understood." Rei then quietly looked toward the unfinished bridge stretching across the ocean. Workers had already slowly resumed construction now that Zabuza's threat disappeared temporarily, as they saw him being tied down and one shinobi near him. After taking care of everything and also making sure Haku and Zabuza had enough to survive for the coming days, he returned to MCU. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The next day"Rei! This metal staircase is moving!" Ah yes. Escalators. The true final boss of shinobi civilization apparently. Currently Naruto stood near the escalator inside one of the larger malls nearby while looking personally betrayed by modern engineering. Sakura meanwhile had already adapted disturbingly quickly and stood several steps ahead carrying beauty bags while looking spiritually enlightened. Rei had given all of them cash and now thought he did the right thing, giving these people money.

Sasuke acted calm externally but Rei already noticed him discreetly staring at almost everything around. The giant glass stores, the lighting, the moving advertisements, the sheer amount of civilians casually walking around without fear. For shinobis raised in militarized villages, huge modern malls genuinely looked absurd. There were shops for sure in their village, some big enough for them to buy groceries and some clothes, but never these huge malls.

Meanwhile Kakashi quietly walked behind everyone with hands inside pockets while pretending to casually read a magazine he bought five minutes ago. Rei had promised him by taking him to a good book store. And Rei had already shown him dreams about great stories and books which would tingle his spine for sure. Then there were the Demon Brothers. Surprisingly they adapted faster than Naruto. Mostly because unlike Naruto, they already understood the importance of not embarrassing themselves publicly.

Naruto meanwhile almost lost a war against automatic doors earlier.

"…The wall opened by itself..." Naruto wanted to shout but Rei had given warning earlier.

"It sensed low intelligence approaching." Sakura replied dryly.

"… OI!" Sakura became increasingly savage the more comfortable she got here. Before leaving the mansion Rei had established strict conditions. Because bringing literal child shinobis into public American society sounded like a disaster waiting to happen otherwise. Condition one. Naruto would not scream constantly and run around like a hyperactive gremlin. If he got lost or attracted too much attention, Rei would immediately send him back.

Naruto argued for nearly ten minutes afterward before finally agreeing dramatically like he was signing peace treaties. Condition two. Sakura needed to wear a wig. Not because pink hair was impossible here obviously. But a naturally pink-haired child walking around alongside several suspiciously looking kids and a white haired masked adult sounded like unnecessary attention. Sakura hated it initially. Then Rei showed her modern fashion stores. Suddenly the wig became acceptable. Condition three. No headbands.

No shinobi clothing. Complete attire overhaul.

"…Why can't I wear orange?" Naruto complained loudly while staring at the modern clothes Rei handed him.

"Because traffic cones shouldn't become fashion inspiration." Rei replied instantly. Daniel almost choked hearing that. Meanwhile Sasuke adapted surprisingly well to modern clothing. Kakashi just removed the forehead protector and got an eye patch, changed into casual clothes while still somehow radiating exhausted veteran energy. Some things transcended universes apparently. And thus… the outing officially began. The first true casualty? Naruto's ramen loyalty on the line.

Because the moment Rei took everyone toward a proper taco stand nearby, Naruto immediately looked skeptical.

"…This doesn't look better than ramen."

"Eat first." Rei replied calmly. Naruto narrowed his eyes suspiciously before taking a bite. Then another... Another...

"…OH MY GOD." The betrayal in Naruto's eyes afterward genuinely looked historical.

"You traitor." Sasuke muttered while eating tacos himself.

"NARUTO SOLD HIS SOUL FOR MEAT!" Sakura immediately accused.

"Ram never said that life could taste like this too!" Naruto said dramatically. Even Kakashi looked slightly amused watching Naruto spiritually collapse over tacos. Meanwhile the Demon Brothers discovered burgers. That was somehow worse.

"…Why is the meat inside bread?" Gozu asked suspiciously.

"…Because civilization evolved." Daniel replied tiredly. Five minutes later both brothers were eating in complete silence like sacred rituals were taking place. American fast food might singlehandedly destabilize shinobi loyalty long term.

"…THIS PLACE HAS FIVE FLOORS?!"

"Yes."

"…FOR CLOTHES?!"

"Yes."

"…THIS WORLD UNDERSTANDS PRIORITIES!" Naruto and Sasuke immediately regretted allowing Sakura near shopping districts. Meanwhile Kakashi quietly observed modern bookstores and technology stores with increasingly thoughtful eyes. Rei eventually noticed the jonin staring toward cameras and laptops displayed behind glass.

"…Interesting?" Rei asked quietly.

"Very." Kakashi admitted calmly.

"This world compensates for lack of chakra through information systems." He was genuinely impressed and relaxed. In his life, this was the first time he didn't have look behind for someone trying to stab him or assassinate outside his home/village. Rei had explained and showed how the laws worked around and though he also spoke of wars, and they still existed around, this world was much safer and connected than the world he was born in. For a moment he felt jealous of the people around. Rei noticed it immediately.

This world felt peaceful to him and them too by some extent, especially Sasuke and the Demon brothers. Not truly peaceful obviously. Rei knew better than anyone how insane MCU eventually became. But right now? Compared to shinobi villages where child soldiers became normal before puberty? This world looked peaceful. And perhaps that was why Sasuke suddenly asked quietly while everyone rested near the food court afterward.

"…Could people from our world actually live here normally?"

"Hmm.. Maybe.. But remember difficulties will always remain everywhere. Without struggle there is no success." And just like the whole team with Daniel and Rei, including the brothers spent the entire day roaming around, laughing enjoying, riding the car around, see the beautiful city and love the sights that the world had given them. But this world wouldn't be so beautiful in the future because this world would soon go to shit and Rei was here for it. To witness. To survive. To overcome. To adapt.

Yes, I am Bear Grylls.