The Uchiha clan's residence was tucked away in the northeastern part of the Hidden Leaf Village, along the banks of the lower Naka River. It was a good distance from the village center, meaning Naruto had quite a trek to get home. Sending a five-year-old kid to walk that far alone? Yeah, that's pretty irresponsible.
Especially since Naruto was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
If anything happened to him on the way, the Uchiha clan wouldn't have enough excuses to talk their way out of it.
To play it safe, Sogen decided to escort Naruto home himself.
"Be careful out there, Sogen."
The old man, pushing seventy, was still sharp as a tack, standing tall and unyielding like a blade forged through countless battles. He stood at the doorway, looking at his grandson who'd already surpassed him, and gave a heartfelt warning. "It's getting dark. Watch yourself on the night road!"
"I will, Grandpa."
Sogen flashed a light grin. "I've got my trusty gear with me." He wore the classic Uchiha blue-black robe, the flame fan emblem proudly displayed on the back. A long sword hung at his waist, but the real eye-catcher was the massive, bandage-wrapped thing slung across his back, looking like a freaking door.
"…Good enough."
Uchiha Genshi didn't say more, turning to head back inside.
A guy who'd survived the battlefield didn't need more than a quick reminder. No point in wasting words.
"See ya at school tomorrow, Naruto!"
Fujika popped out to say goodbye to her one and only underling—or rather, friend—at the Ninja Academy.
She waved as she called out to him.
"Yup, see ya at school!"
Naruto nodded enthusiastically, practically buzzing with excitement.
This was the first time he'd sat at such a lively dinner table, eating food that wasn't instant noodles or ramen. He was over the moon, happier than he'd ever been. Even his usual wariness around Sogen had melted away, though he wasn't exactly chummy with him yet.
By the time Uchiha Masashi and his wife, Uchiha Saki, came back inside with their daughter, only Sogen and Naruto were left at the entrance.
"Alright, Naruto, time to head home."
Sogen reached out and ruffled Naruto's head, messing up his already wild, spiky hair. Despite looking a bit scrawny and malnourished, the kid's hair was surprisingly healthy. Gotta be that Uzumaki blood at work, right?
As they walked toward Naruto's place, Naruto kept sneaking glances at Sogen. After about a hundred steps, he finally mustered the courage to speak. "Um, Fujika's brother… I, uh…"
"What's up? Gotta pee? Number one or number two? Forget toilet paper?"
"No way, that's not it!"
"Ha!"
Sogen burst out laughing at Naruto's flustered reaction.
"Relax, kid. I'm not some bad guy. I'm actually glad you're friends with Fujika. She's ten years younger than me, the baby of the family, and a girl to boot. Grandpa, Dad, and even me—we've all spoiled her rotten since she was little. Now she's got this wild, untamed personality…"
Sogen's smile faded, his tone turning serious. "I was worried she wouldn't make any friends at the Academy, that she'd get isolated or deal with some cold-shoulder nonsense. The fact that you can handle her attitude and still be her friend? Man, that's a huge relief. Thanks, Naruto."
"…Fujika's brother, I'm the one who should be thanking you!"
Naruto kicked a pebble as he walked, his voice soft. "I had so much fun today. I made my first friend at the Ninja Academy, got invited to her house for the first time, and ate those amazing fried chicken nuggets for dinner… I'm the one who should say thanks!"
Sogen shot a surprised side-glance at Naruto, who was looking down at the ground.
*Is this really the same hotheaded, stubborn idiot from the future?* This kid's got a sensitive side that even Fujika, a girl, can't match!
"And, um… I'm sorry. Fujika really does see me as a friend, but most of the other kids in class run away when they see me… It's my fault Fujika can't make other friends. I—"
"You're Fujika's friend, and she's the one who invited you over. If you've got something to say, say it to her, not me. Listen up—I hate playing messenger. If you've got words, spit 'em out yourself. Don't make me pass notes like some errand boy."
"…Fujika's brother, you really don't mind me being friends with Fujika?"
Naruto looked at Sogen with wide, disbelieving eyes.
Up until now, when he played with kids his age at the park near his apartment, it was usually a one-time thing. The moment their parents spotted him, they'd whisk their kids away, never to return to that park again.
"I already told you, whatever's between you and Fujika's got nothing to do with me. It's not like *I'm* the one making friends with you. But, kid…" Sogen's tone turned sharp, a warning in his voice. "Fujika's my precious little sister, so don't get any funny ideas!"
Funny thing was, the warning didn't quite land.
Naruto had no clue what "funny ideas" even meant. He wasn't the future prankster who'd invent the Sexy Jutsu to grab attention. At this age, a five-year-old didn't think twice about boys and girls sharing a sleeping mat!
Naruto didn't get the second half of Sogen's words, but the first half? That he understood. Sogen wasn't against him being friends with Fujika. Growing up under constant glares and whispers, Naruto had a knack for sensing hostility. But he didn't feel that from Sogen—not the disgust or rejection he got from other parents.
Even his earlier fear of Sogen came from a different instinct, a gut feeling of danger. It was like the time last summer when he stumbled across a water snake by a forest stream. Similar, but not the same.
From start to finish, Naruto never sensed the kind of malice from Fujika's family that made him feel crushed or hopeless.
"Fujika's brother, thank you!!"
"…Thank me for what? You're just a kid, so act like one. Stop trying to play grown-up." Sogen didn't hold back, landing a light knuckle-tap on Naruto's head. But Naruto didn't get mad. Instead, he rubbed his head and let out a goofy chuckle.
"Um, Fujika's brother… Fujika said you're a super awesome ninja. Is that true?"
"You bet it's true."
Sogen puffed out his chest.
"Did you really take down six mosquitoes with one swing?"
"Is it true your sword catches fire? Doesn't that burn your hand?"
"And, and—"
Sogen's temple twitched, veins practically popping. *This kid talks a mile a minute!* His little mouth was like a machine gun, firing off questions nonstop.
And what the heck had Fujika been telling Naruto? They'd known each other for, what, a day? How did she spill *all* his secrets already?
And so, they kept chatting—or rather, Naruto kept yammering—as they made their way along the road. They soon left the Uchiha clan's territory behind.
The path ahead was empty, not a soul in sight. The new spot the Uchiha had moved to was pretty remote, with no one but clan members living nearby. After leaving their grounds, there was a long stretch of desolate forest before reaching any populated areas.
Sogen glanced around, his eyes narrowing slightly.
This…
This was the perfect spot for something to go wrong.
(End of Chapter)