Naruto: Chronicles of the Lost Library

Naruto stepped through the narrow stone arch. His chest still tight. His heart still pounding after seeing Kazuki.

The door behind him closed with a soft sound.

No wind. No light. Not even the feel of chakra in the air.

Just silence.

He took a single step.

"Why weren't you strong enough?"

Naruto froze.

That voice was his.

But younger. Maybe eight. And full of hurt.

He turned around quickly. Nothing.

Another step.

"You said you'd protect them."

It came from behind his ear. Like someone was right there. He spun again. Still no one.

The chamber was huge. Round. The walls were covered in black panels like mirrors. His footsteps echoed again and again…

But they didn't sound right.

The echoes weren't just repeating.

They were talking back.

"You forgave them," one voice snapped. "They laughed at us, and you let it go."

Naruto's hands balled into fists.

"Shut up," he muttered.

The echoes hit back louder.

"You'll die here. Alone."

"No one's looking for you."

"They've already forgotten. Just like they forgot me."

He shut his eyes and breathed hard.

"I'm not that same scared kid anymore."

One final answer from the walls:

"Then prove it."

Naruto opened his eyes.

In every mirror, he saw a different version of himself. All younger. All broken.

The boy sitting on that swing.

The kid who failed his first mission.

The one who watched Sasuke leave and couldn't stop him.

He stepped forward. Then again. And again.

The voices got louder. Meaner. Colder.

But he didn't stop.

In the center of the room stood a stone pedestal. Just tall enough to reach his waist.

Something was carved into it — rough, like it was scratched in a hurry.

Three lines.

You are not the first

You are not the flame

– K.Z.

Naruto stared.

His jaw clenched.

Then he whispered, low and angry:

"Then I'll burn loud enough that no one ever forgets me."

The room didn't talk back this time.

Just silence.

And one small door opened in the far wall.

He didn't look at the mirrors again.

He just walked forward, and the old versions of him watched quietly as he faded into the dark.