Point of View: Shino
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Since I was young, I avoided pointless arguments and didn't care for them. People called me a loner, withdrawn and antisocial.
I trained because I loved it. Building muscle was something I truly desired—it made me feel alive.
Back then, I never thought of becoming a delinquent. But things changed a bit when I entered middle school. One day, a delinquent tried to bully me, thinking I was weak and easy prey.
Well, he was wrong—I beat him to a pulp that day.
From then on, delinquents kept coming at me, one after another… and I kept beating them down.
At some point—I'm not even sure when—I became the leader of a large gang made up of those who followed me after their defeat. We seized our own turf, gave our gang a name, and started playing the games of the underground.
We encountered countless rivals, endured trials and hardships, and eventually made it to where we are now.
And now, one of those bastards from the bright side of the world dares to fight me as if we're equals. That pisses me off. Deeply.
He started talking big, and then we fought. I may have lost, and my face nearly shattered—but I refused to accept defeat just like that.
I won't let that damn kid from the bright side defeat me—I, who live in the shadows. Even if it means taking him out permanently.
I told him it wasn't over.
I saw him trying to shield his girl.
And I thrust my knife at him—intent on killing!!
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#Scene Five
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A Bottomless Gang
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#Point of View: Naruto
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The knife was aimed perfectly at my heart.
Was this where it ends?
No… I'd sensed it from the start.
That someone was watching. Someone who saw where this was headed.
Before the knife could reach me, Shino's arm stopped—caught in an instant by Kakashi, who appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his wrist.
Everyone else froze in shock. Kakashi swiftly disarmed him and smiled faintly.
"Don't play with dangerous toys like that again. You never know who you might hurt."
Shino stepped back with an irritated grunt and spat blood on the ground, showing just how little he cared.
The other delinquents fled in panic, terrified that Kakashi might chase them down.
I exhaled heavily, my breath ragged.
I couldn't keep fighting—I was completely spent.
"Oy, Naruto… you don't think it's over just because you beat me, do you?"
Shino grinned, his face darkening with a menacing look.
I wasn't surprised. I'd expected this.
"You should've just handed the girl over, and none of this would've happened. You're walking yourself into destruction because of your overprotectiveness!!"
With that, he stepped back and left without clarifying his cryptic threat.
I stared after him silently, as did Sasuke, who'd been watching from the side.
"And now… would you mind telling me what's going on here?"
Kakashi looked at me with a calm but mildly annoyed expression.
Rin, who'd apparently been with him all along, stepped forward.
"Yes, it'd be best if you explained everything to us," she said, eyes closed, voice serene.
"Hehehe… the thing is…"
I scratched my head, chuckling awkwardly, and began recounting everything—from meeting Sakura, Shino, and Rock Lee, to the fight that had just ended.
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Elsewhere, sometime later…
In an abandoned warehouse, several delinquent boys had gathered. Among them were Shino and Rock Lee.
The mood was tense. All the delinquents were kneeling in fear—except for Shino and Rock Lee. Though sweating like the others, they didn't show fear on their faces.
"So… not only did you fail to bring me my girl, but you also got beaten senseless? You—and twenty-five of my men—defeated by just three kids your age?!"
The voice belonged to a boy with short black hair and sleepy hazel eyes, who sat lounging on a chair with his chin in his hand.
"Yeah… I couldn't beat Naruto, so we retreated when the teachers showed up—before we could get caught."
The sleepy-eyed boy stood slowly, hands in his pockets, and walked toward Shino, who remained kneeling.
"So that means you won't be able to beat him next time either?"
His expression darkened, and a terrifying killing intent filled the air. The other delinquents trembled. But not Shino and Rock Lee.
"I'm sorry… this might be beyon—!"
Shino didn't finish.
He was kicked in the face, collapsing onto his right side.
"Shut up, you bastard!"
The black-haired boy growled coldly, then grabbed Shino's hair and pulled him close until their faces were nearly touching.
"Haruno Sakura. You'd better bring her to me. Got it?!"
Shino remained silent, his eyes hidden beneath his hair.
After a pause, the black-haired boy released him and returned to his seat with arrogance.
"The meeting's over. Dismissed."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
The gang replied in fear, quickly dispersing.
Their leader left, leaving only Shino and Rock Lee behind.
Lee stood silently by Shino's side.
"Are you sure you won't back out? You could still walk away from this."
"I'm not quitting that easily… not after the humiliation I went through for his sake!!"
Shino clenched his fists, his pride trembling, rage boiling inside him.
He would never forgive the one who humiliated him.
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#Scene Five
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A Bottomless Gang (End)
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That evening, I was walking home with Sakura, Kiba, and Sasuke. Rin had treated our wounds, even though nothing was serious. I now had a bandage across my left cheek.
I looked out toward the horizon quietly, lost in thought.
What's going to happen next?
How long will this fighting continue?
Shino said he was just a subordinate, which meant his boss would come after me too. But more than that… their main target was Sakura.
I glanced at her—she was trying to talk to Sasuke, who remained distant and cold.
I sighed and shook the thought off. I had more pressing worries—like the wave of delinquents we'd be dealing with soon.
We all went our separate ways home.
I wandered alone, completely distracted. I wasn't even watching where I was going.
Suddenly, I bumped into someone.
What startled me most… was that I'd bumped into two very soft objects.
"Ah~"
That moan—a girl's voice.
I opened my eyes.
My head was pressed against a girl's chest. I jumped back in embarrassment, my face burning red.
"S-Sorry! I wasn't paying attention!"
I looked up.
It was Scarlet, smirking slyly at me.
"Oh? You really weren't paying attention? You weren't pretending just to grope me?"
I shut my eyes in panic and shouted, "Of course not, you pervert!!"
Scarlet's eyes welled up with theatrical tears as she whimpered,
"Saying that to the girl you just crashed into, pressing your face into her chest so shamelessly?"
I turned even redder, quickly looking away.
"I told you it was an accident! And if you saw me coming, doesn't that mean you wanted me to bump into you? You could've just stepped aside!"
"My, such excuses from a little boy."
She chuckled mockingly as I blushed harder.
I sighed and asked, "Where were you even going? Your house isn't this way."
"Wanna come with me then?"
Scarlet grinned mischievously. I didn't realize it at the time… but that smile held something more.
"Where to?"
"Just follow me. No questions."
She grabbed my hand and pulled me along. I hadn't agreed—but she didn't care.
This felt more like… abduction.
"Scarlet… you even change your voice when you sing. I get wanting to hide your identity, but I think your real voice might be even more beautiful."
I pushed aside my thoughts and asked something that had been on my mind lately.
Scarlet stopped and let go of my hand. I sensed her change.
She began walking again, slowly.
"I sing this way… because it makes me feel free. If I sang in my real voice, I'd feel trapped. Like I'm doing something I never chose for myself. And I don't want that."
Her words were vague. What did she mean by being "trapped"?
"Is it really that bad?"
"No… it's not hard at all. I could take off my mask and reveal myself. But if I did…"
She suddenly stopped speaking.
I stepped closer, trying to figure out what was wrong. But she surprised me—turning around swiftly.
"If I did that… I wouldn't be able to keep doing these things for you!!"
My breath caught. Our faces were so close.
Was Scarlet about to kiss me?
I shut my eyes instinctively, cheeks burning.
Dammit… why am I so nervous around her?
She sighed in disappointment.
"You're still just a little boy, Naruto–kun."
"S-Stop doing stuff like that, please!!" I shouted, beet red. Am I a girl now or something?!
"Hehehe, sorry~"
She laughed softly… but I knew it was fake.
We continued walking until we reached a large company building.
This was the place.
"Prime Entertainment Company."
That was the sign at the front. Of course—it was one of the most famous companies in the world. Without it, Immoral Scarlet wouldn't have become a global idol so easily.
It was the number one entertainment company in all of Konoha.
We entered. Inside, people were working hard, and many aspiring artists were lined up applying to join.
"This way."
Scarlet led me through the building. We reached the elevator. She pressed floor 8—out of 10.
The elevator rose steadily.
"Where are we going? Last time, when you were filming, it wasn't even in this building."
"Oh, that? This is totally different."
She smiled, avoiding my gaze.
We arrived on the 8th floor.
She led me through a hallway of rooms, stopping at the last one—across from the elevator.
"First off… sorry. Second… we're here."
Why was she apologizing?
"It's fine, but… why are you saying sorry?"
She opened the door without answering. I followed… and found myself in a recording studio.
Something bad was definitely about to happen.
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#To Be Continued