Future Thena's eyes fluttered open as she slowly sat up on the bed, her vision adjusting to the dimly lit room around her. Instinctively, she activated her Sharingan, letting its crimson glow sharpen her sight. The room came into focus — a small bedroom with a layout that seemed… familiar.
She rose from the bed, noticing that her attire was different , no longer the battle suit she was so used to wearing. Quietly, she moved to the door and peeked down both sides of the hallway. The more she scanned her surroundings, the stronger the sense of déjà vu grew… until realization finally struck her.
This was her father's old apartment — the one they had lived in until she turned fifteen.
Thena walked toward the door at the end of the hallway and opened it slowly. Inside, a younger version of herself slept soundly — peaceful and innocent, untouched by the cruelty of the world she would one day come to know.
She stepped inside silently. On the nightstand beside the bed sat a small green notebook titled "Chakra Theory by Max." When she flipped through its pages, a small photograph slipped out and fluttered to the floor.
Thena bent down and picked it up. It was a picture of her and her father — she was eating ice cream, smiling brightly, while Max looked as nonchalant as ever. It was taken the day he took her shopping for the first time, back when she had no clothes of her own.
A trace of sadness crossed her face. She remembered those days — when it was just her and her father against the world, when she didn't even know who her mother was. The memories were so vivid they almost hurt.
Gritting her teeth, she placed the book back and quietly exited the room, closing the door behind her. As she walked down the passage, her fingers trailed along the walls — each touch stirring old, buried feelings.
When she reached the lounge, she found present Max sitting at the table, busy scribbling seals across a parchment. The note she had given him lay to his side.
"Brings back memories, huh?" Max said, not even looking up.
"No, it doesn't," Thena replied sharply. "Why did you bring me back here?"
"If I didn't bring you home, then where should I have taken you?" Max asked calmly.
"I don't have a home anymore," she muttered. "This is your home, not mine."
Max finally looked up. "A home isn't just a building, Thena. It's the people you love — your family. And you are my daughter. No matter the timeline, no matter your age, you'll always be my daughter. So wherever I am… there's your home."
Thena's lips tightened. "Are you done?"
"Not yet." Max set his pen down. "Actually, I have a question for you. You didn't come here just for my eyes, did you?"
He lifted the letter she had brought and showed her the blood seal etched across it.
"That was just a secondary objective," she said coolly.
"Sure it was," Max replied with a faint smirk.
He bit his finger and smeared blood across the seal. It began to glow — motes of chakra rose into the air from it, swirling together before taking shape.
Before her eyes, an older version of Max materialized — hair wilder and spikier than before.His right eye bore a Rinne-Sharingan, his left a Byakugan. He wore a flowing white robe adorned with magatamas on the back and a pair of green Potara earrings gleaming at his ears.
"Hello, Thena,"
"You've grown since the last time I saw you," Future Max said softly.
"You mean the last time we ever saw you—before you disappeared without a word?" Thena spat, her voice sharp with anger.
"Tell me, Father," she continued, her eyes flaring into the Mangekyō Sharingan, "would it have killed you to at least tell us what you were facing? Or to say goodbye?"
"No… it wouldn't have," Future Max admitted. "But I didn't think it was necessary. I didn't want to worry you. After everything we'd been through, our lives were finally peaceful for once."
Thena's jaw clenched, tears forming in her eyes. "And what did that achieve?" she shouted. "It only made things worse. Did you even know Mom was pregnant when you left? I had to watch her stress every day over your whereabouts. She couldn't bear it… and because of that, the baby didn't make it past four months. My little brother… died before I even met him."
She wiped her tears, voice cracking. "After that, she was never the same. On the outside, she seemed fine, but inside… she was broken. And even then, Dad… she still loved you. She still hoped you'd come back."
Her voice faltered. "I wanted to use the Time Ring to go back, to find you, to drag you home if I had to. But I couldn't leave Mom behind. So I trained. Every day. Partly to grow stronger, but mostly to stop thinking about you… and everything you left behind."
Thena's voice shook as she continued. "After your disappearance—four long years—the villains you once kept in check rose again. They banded together to take revenge. Terra died that day. That's when Mom's hope of your return died. She went back to Paradise Island… and I stayed behind."
She took a shuddering breath. "Years later, dark monsters appeared across the planet. They attacked everyone. We fought with what remained of the League. For a time, we were winning… until a wall of light came, destroying everything. I watched as my friends, my team, everyone I knew… was wiped from existence. Only I survived because of this ring. And the worst part? You knew it would happen… and you didn't tell us."
She sank to her knees, sobbing.
Future Max's gaze softened. "I knew your mother was pregnant," he said quietly. "It was one of the reasons I left—to become stronger, to face what was coming. But in doing that… I only made things worse. I wanted to tell you everything, but I couldn't. I felt powerless, like a failure. Still, I refused to give up without trying."
He paused, voice heavy with regret. "Looking back… I wish I had done things differently. I wish I had stayed with you to the bitter end. At least then, it would have been worth it. Instead of struggling against the inevitable… and for that,I will never forgive myself for that. But I am grateful. Grateful that I had a family like ours. Grateful for a daughter like you strong, intelligent, loving."
His expression softened. "There were so many things I wanted to see: you growing stronger, finding love, starting your own family… maybe even holding my grandchildren. I won't see those things now. But having you, your mother, and Terra… I can say I almost had it all. I failed you last time, but I won't fail you this time."
He looked at present Max, who nodded. Then he turned back to Thena. "I truly wish I could have seen your mother and Terra one last time…"
As his form began to fade, tears streamed freely from Thena's eyes.
"I love you, Thena. I always will… and I'm sorry for everything," Future Max said softly. He looked back at present Max.
"I can't tell you much about the future," he said quietly, "but I can tell you this: you're going to face a lot of hardships along the way. Things may even be worse for you than they were for me. You'll need to be strong—for both of us—and do what I couldn't. I trust you'll make it through."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"And always remember… even though we are strong, we can't do everything alone. And beware of Thawne. He's not dead. Take care."
And then, he was gone.
Thena wiped her tears, whispering through the trembling sobs, "I forgive you, Dad… and I love you too."
End of Chapter.
Sorry for the short chapter.but can I atleast get some stones for the effort.