I jumped off the circus caravan quietly and ran off to my destination. I was free! I left behind in Konoha a clone, a shadow clone would disappear as soon as the summer holiday began, ensuring that my tracks would be lost. I used some permanent sealing transformation jutsu to change my appearance into that of a red-haired girl, swapping out my old blond self. I even got rid of the whiskers. I could hear the Nine-Tails murmur a confused, What the hell? Within me. Rolling my eyes, I focused on the task at hand. I was determined to make my new life a reality.
My first stop was the Land of the Moon, where I managed to score a job as an assistant to an actor. Child labor laws didn’t exist in this world, and I wasn’t complaining. It was the perfect opportunity to learn about the film industry from the ground up. After making a pit stop to take care of Gato and liberating the Land of Waves, I was ready to dive into my new role.
Time Skip: Three Years Later
I was now twelve, and as I looked up, I heard my boss say, “Time to pitch your idea, Hana Kagame.” I smirked, the excitement bubbling inside me. I was ready to knock his socks off.
Pushing my red hair back, I said, “It’s called A Regressor’s Budding Love Story. Our main character has the power to go back in time. Each time he does, the people around him forget. One day, he saves a woman, and instead of forgetting, she remembers.”
My boss’s eyes widened in disbelief. “YOU GOT THE JOB! Where are we filming?”
“Iwagakure!” I replied, grinning ear to ear. The thought of filming in the Hidden Stone Village made my heart race. It was a perfect setting for a story filled with adventure and romance.
“Pack your bags, we leave tomorrow!” he exclaimed, and I could barely contain my excitement. This was my chance to create something meaningful, something that could change how people viewed the world around them, all while hiding in plain sight.
As I prepared for the journey, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far I’d come. I had gone from being a despised child in Konoha to a budding filmmaker in the Hidden Stone. I was no longer just a vessel for the Nine-Tails; I was a creator, a storyteller, and I was ready to weave my narrative.
With my mind racing, I packed my bags, filled with notes for the screenplay and sketches of the characters I envisioned. The journey was just beginning, and I felt more alive than ever.
As I settled into my new role, I kept my eyes open for any opportunities that would help me grow in this industry, all while staying hidden from those who might recognize the boy I once was. I would build a life, a career, and a name for myself. This time, I wouldn’t be defined by others’ perceptions. I was the director of my fate, and I intended to make every moment count.
As the sun set on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, I felt a rush of freedom, unlike anything I had ever experienced. I wasn’t just escaping my past; I was embracing my future. And with every step toward Iwagakure, I knew I was one step closer to realizing my dreams.
In this new life, I had no intention of revealing my past to anyone. I could never tell anyone I was Naruto Uzumaki; that would only invite danger, drawing me back into a world I had fought so hard to escape. The whispers of my former life would remain buried beneath the surface while I blossomed into Hana Kagame, a talented director with a story to tell.
Upon arriving in Iwagakure, we quickly set up our cameras and prepared to take the first scene of our journey. I finished writing the script just in time, the words flowing from my fingertips like water.
“I need the camera to pan over the desert, then zoom in on our main character as he jumps and saves the female lead... Camera on? ACTION!”
The crew moved with practiced efficiency, the camera operator adjusting the lens while the lighting tech ensured the scene was perfectly illuminated. As the camera rolled, I felt a thrill course through me, the power of storytelling flowing in my veins. This was it—the moment I had dreamed of.
The actor playing the main character leaped into action, and for a brief moment, I lost myself in the narrative. The excitement of directing, of crafting a story that would resonate with others, was intoxicating. With each scene we shot, I felt my confidence grow, and my vision for the film began to take shape.
"Cut!" I shouted, adrenaline surging through me as I clapped my hands together. "That was amazing! Great job, everyone! Let’s take a five-minute break, then we’ll move on to the next scene."
As I reviewed the footage, I couldn't help but smile. I was finally creating something real, something I could be proud of. This was my chance to change not just my fate but perhaps the perceptions of others in this world. I would show them that there was more to life than the shadows of war and hatred.
I glanced up at the clear sky, feeling a sense of gratitude for the journey that had brought me here. Every challenge, every moment of doubt, had led to this opportunity. And I vowed to make the most of it.
With my heart full of hope and determination, I turned back to the set, ready to dive deeper into my role as Hana Kagame, the filmmaker who would reshape her world—one story at a time.
