Bang!
At the forest training grounds, a loud impact rang out. Uzumaki Renka raised both hands in surrender and said helplessly,
"I lost."
"Hahahaha! What an exhilarating match! This is what youth is all about!"
The embodiment of youth himself, Might Guy, pulled back the fist he had held in front of Renka's chest and laughed up at the sky.
Renka climbed up from the weeds, brushed the dirt off his clothes, and complained bitterly—like someone who had just been thoroughly bullied.
"Couldn't you have gone a little easier? My bones are about to fall apart."
Am I developing some kind of weird masochistic tendency?
He had trained the entire night, then rushed straight over in the morning to keep Guy's appointment. Thinking about it, Renka felt a chill run down his spine—his thin body shuddered involuntarily.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Guy said, flashing a set of perfectly white teeth.
"You've been improving too fast. If I held back, I wouldn't be able to beat you anymore."
"Still, learning to accept defeat is also a part of youth! You're not far from opening the Gate of Opening, are you?"
Years of relentless training had forged Renka's body into something tough and resilient. Though he looked slender and weak on the surface, anyone who actually fought him could feel the explosive power hidden within.
"More or less," Renka replied casually.
"After all, I've made plenty of trips to the hospital this past year."
He was in a pretty good mood. Being able to fight Might Guy—arguably the strongest taijutsu specialist in Naruto—to this extent already exceeded his expectations, even without opening any Gates.
"How long are you planning to stay in the village this time?" Renka asked.
"Not sure. I'll wait for the Hokage's orders. Either way is fine," Guy said cheerfully.
"Renka, you know—going on missions is also a form of youth!"
The two walked together, but Guy's nonstop chanting about youth completely crushed Renka's desire to have a normal conversation.
...
"Hey! Brat! Stop right there!"
"Only an idiot would stop! Bleh!"
A kid wearing bright orange clothes and goggles—his face resembling a mischievous tanuki—stuck out his tongue at the angry shop owner chasing him, then darted smugly into the crowd. Chaos erupted along the street, with people shouting and cursing.
Having just entered the busy district, Renka pretended not to know and asked casually,
"Who's that kid causing trouble in the village?"
"Oh, you mean Naruto?" Guy said with admiration.
"Even after all these days, he's still as youthful as ever!"
Renka turned his head away, giving up on responding to someone who couldn't open his mouth without mentioning youth.
As Uzumaki Naruto ran closer, Renka felt as though fiction had stepped straight into reality. The Naruto from his memories made the so-called "main character" feel unexpectedly familiar and close.
"Idiot! Idiot! Get out of the way!"
Seeing his path blocked by Guy and Renka, Naruto shouted in panic—he couldn't stop in time.
From the crowd, ANBU members tasked with secretly monitoring Renka stiffened in alarm, terrified that Naruto might lose control and crush him with a single swipe.
"Go report this to the higher-ups."
From different directions, two figures vanished—one heading toward the Hokage's office, the other toward Root.
At the same time, Renka watched Naruto crash straight into his arms.
Instead of dodging, Renka calmly restrained him from behind and waited for the shop owner to catch up.
Someone is definitely watching me right now—maybe even Danzō's people.
I have to be careful. Naruto is the village's jinchūriki; nothing can happen to him.
Besides, the kid just wants attention. His willpower is strong—he won't lose control so easily.
In that case… I should get closer to him. He can become a counterweight against Danzō.
With that thought, Renka put on what he believed to be a warm, friendly smile.
"Sir, what did this kid do to make you chase him like that?"
"Let go of me! Let go!" Naruto struggled violently.
"You idiot! Moron! Stupid jerk—!"
This brat's mouth is filthy… I kind of want to punch him.
Renka's eyes curved into crescents as he smiled. He raised his right hand without hesitation—
Thwack!
He flicked Naruto on the forehead.
"Ow! What was that for, you idiot?!"
Naruto clutched his head in pain. Among the onlooking ANBU, hearts shot straight up into their throats.
How does he dare? That's a monster capable of destroying the entire village!
Is this ignorance—or sheer guts?
The shop owner finally caught up and exhaled heavily.
"Oh… Renka. So it's you. This brat pulls pranks every day—I usually let it slide. But today he broke an antique I worked incredibly hard to obtain. That thing cost me a fortune!"
"I didn't do it on purpose!" Naruto shouted back.
"I was just buying something! You dropped it yourself—why didn't you hold onto it properly?!"
"You're still arguing?!" the man snapped.
"If you weren't running around yelling and flailing, would it have broken? I've let small things go before, but not this time! Even if we go to the Hokage, I want an explanation!"
He reached out to drag Naruto away.
People around them began whispering.
"It's that kid again… always causing trouble."
"I don't know why the Hokage keeps that monster around."
"What if he hurts someone one day?"
"You're not allowed to play with him!"
Naruto suddenly stopped struggling.
He went quiet.
His eyes dimmed.
Seeing this, Renka remembered Naruto's story. Sympathy welled up in his chest—along with admiration.
"The antique breaking is mostly the kid's responsibility," Renka said calmly.
"But he's still young. Kids make mistakes. Sir, please forgive him this once. I'll pay for the damage."
He rubbed Naruto's head gently.
"Alright. Enough sulking. Don't pull stunts like this again."
"I'll take responsibility this time—but if it happens again, I won't be able to help."
"…Understood," Renka added softly.
"Go ahead. Apologize to the owner."
Naruto looked up.
For the first time, he truly looked at someone.
Seeing the genuine warmth in Renka's expression, emotions he had suppressed for years burst free. It felt like sunlight finally breaking through endless darkness—grievance, bitterness, and sadness all surged at once.
His nose burned. Tears streamed down his face.
"I… I'm sorry…"
Renka asked the price, then handed over nearly half his savings to settle the matter.
"Well… if Renka says so, let's forget it," the shop owner sighed.
"You too—be more careful next time."
The man wasn't truly bad—just furious over his damaged treasure. With the anger gone and Naruto's apology reminding him that he was arguing with a child, the incident finally came to an end.
The crowd dispersed, returning to their daily lives.
"Renka, that was extremely youthful of you just now!" Guy said, giving a thumbs-up with a toothy grin.
"Nice eyebrows!"
Naruto, naturally optimistic and open-hearted, quickly bounced back despite everything—proof of why he would one day become a savior.
"Hey, Old man—what's your name?"
Naruto asked.
"Everyone seems to know you."
Renka looked at him and said,
"Before asking someone's name, you should introduce yourself first."
"And I'm not an 'old man.' You can call me big brother."
"You're way older than me. Shameless."
This brat…
Renka clenched his fist at his side, seriously tempted to hit him again.
Naruto puffed out his chest, pointed his thumb at himself, and gave an energetic introduction.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto! I love ramen! And my dream is to become Hokage someday—so everyone in the village will acknowledge me!"
Hearing those familiar words, Renka couldn't help smiling.
"Uzumaki, huh? Then we're family."
"My name is Uzumaki Renka. Let's get along."
"I thought I was the only Uzumaki in the village!" Naruto said excitedly.
"Don't worry—since we're family, I'll take care of you! You can be my little brother!"
This kid—!
Renka flicked him again.
Naruto clutched his head while Renka felt much better—though the ANBU watching in secret were sweating bullets the entire time.
"We'll part ways here," Renka said.
"I'm going to eat."
After chatting a bit and splitting up with Guy, Renka noticed a small shadow following him.
"Why are you following me?"
"W-who says I'm following you?! My house is this way! You're the one following me!"
Naruto protested stubbornly.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Renka gave him a knowing look, making Naruto squirm. Then Renka's gaze shifted to Ichiraku Ramen nearby.
He walked straight in.
"Uncle Ichiraku, one bowl of ramen."
---
Hokage's Office
An ANBU shinobi stood respectfully before the Hokage, mask on.
After hearing the report, the Third Hokage frowned slightly, his eyes sharpening.
"You're saying Renka met Naruto… and cleaned up his mess?"
"Did they know each other before?"
"No, Hokage-sama. It was their first meeting. Guy was with Renka. He asked Guy about Naruto's name."
"For the past three years, we've been monitoring Renka. Naruto has also been under protection. If they'd met before, we would know."
Hiruzen raised his pipe.
"Does Renka know about Naruto's situation?"
"He does. Many people in the village recognize Naruto. Some even told him about the 'monster'."
"Hmm?"
Hiruzen's presence turned cold.
"Naruto is a hero's child. Others may not know—but you do."
"If I hear the word 'monster' from your mouths again, you can report directly to Danzō."
The ANBU immediately broke into cold sweat and accepted the order.
"You may go. Call Guy here."
---
At Root...
"That boy is getting close to the Nine-Tails?"
Danzō's wrinkled face twisted into a smile.
"The Nine-Tails is the village's greatest threat. Hiruzen lets it roam free… now two unstable factors are mixing together. Disaster is inevitable."
"I can't control the Nine-Tails—but that boy…"
"This is a perfect chance to force Hiruzen to let him join Root."
His eyes flickered.
"Notify those two old men. Prepare to visit the Hokage."
"Yes, sir."
---
Unaware that forces were already moving against him, Renka was happily eating ramen with Naruto at Ichiraku.
"Renka-bro… thanks for the ramen."
With two red bumps on his head, Naruto slurped noodles enthusiastically, his gratitude only half-hearted.
"No need to thank me," Renka said with a chuckle.
"You did call me bro, after all."
Renka withdrew his left hand, smiling as he looked at the now well-behaved Naruto.