The boy's small legs carried him as fast as they could, feet thudding against the forest floor. The sound of eight others followed close behind — hunters, their laughter echoing through the trees.
He ducked under a branch, leapt over a root — and froze.
Three figures stood ahead, blocking his way. He skidded to a stop, chest heaving.
"There's no need to run," said the one in front, his tone sharp and commanding — the captain. "We'll catch you either way."
The boy frowned. "Why are you even chasing me? What did I do?"
"You did nothing," the captain replied calmly, resting a hand on his weapon. "But you're from the clan we're targeting."
The boy tilted his head. "Targeting? Why? I didn't hurt anyone."
The captain smirked. "Your clan's one of the strongest around. We hunters make our name by taking down the strong — even if that means wiping them out."
The boy lowered his head, shoulders shaking — then started laughing.
A quiet chuckle turned into open laughter. "Hahaha! You're joking, right?"
The hunters exchanged puzzled glances.
"Why are you laughing?" one asked.
Another scratched his head. "Captain, maybe his team's nearby?"
"Idiot," the captain snapped. "He's alone."
Still laughing, the boy wiped a tear. "You guys... you look the same age as Miri."
The captain frowned. "Who's that?"
He shrugged. "No idea. But she's eight. Guessing you are too, right? And you're telling me you can wipe out a whole clan? That's hilarious!"
The hunters stiffened, insulted.
"Watch your mouth," one muttered. "We're here because you're the weakest one left."
"Oh, I see," the boy said, pretending to think. "Then why can't I call for help? Just because we're in a forest?"
The captain smiled thinly. "No. Because, to your village... you're already dead."
The boy's smile faded. His small frame trembled. "...What did you say?"
"You never came back after the Third Shinobi War," the captain said flatly. "Your village assumes you're gone."
For a moment, silence ruled the clearing. Then, in a quiet, shaking voice, the boy said,
"If I'm already dead to them... then what's the point of fighting?"
He looked at each hunter in turn. "You don't have to be my enemies. I don't care about what people say. I just want to live — laugh — maybe even have friends."
Sas, the youngest of the hunters, hesitated. The captain's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"You're wasting your breath," he finally muttered. "Words won't change the mission."
The boy smiled faintly. "Maybe not. But they might change your hearts."
He took a deep breath, his eyes steady now. "I'm alive. I'll return home, to my family. You can try to stop me if you want, but you'll fail — every single time."
The captain's smirk returned. "And what makes you so sure?"
"Because..." The boy swallowed hard. "I won the running race in my academy." He forced a shaky grin. "So yeah — I can run."
Sas snorted. "Lucky. I never even finished a race."
Another hunter, Ren, sighed. "That's because you never joined one."
"Oh... right," Sas mumbled.
The boy blinked. "That's sad."
He straightened, voice soft but honest. "Listen, I don't want anyone hurt. You can come with me if you want — or keep chasing me. Just remember: don't make me fight. I don't like violence. But if you push me... I will defend myself."
Sas looked at the captain. "Cap, what now?"
"If he runs, we chase," the captain said instantly.
"Cap, we've already chased him two kilometers," Sas complained.
The captain chuckled. "Try four."
The boy's lips curved into a grin. "Then good luck."
And with that, he turned and sprinted, vanishing between the trees.
"Hey—wait!" Ren called, but his words were swallowed by the wind.
A single dry leaf drifted down, spiraling between them. The forest fell silent, and the screen faded to black.
The screen faded from black, and a small voice broke the silence.
"Hi, I'm Kaito Inazuma."
A soft yawn escaped him as he stirred awake. Only four years old, tiny and still half asleep, he blinked at the empty futon beside him. His cheeks puffed out in frustration — he'd overslept again. Groaning, he rolled off the futon and hurried to wash up. Cold water splashed on his face, chasing away the last of his dreams.
The morning air was cool against his feet as he tiptoed down the hall, trying not to wake anyone.
"Caught you! Late again, sleepyhead!"
Kaito turned to see Ayame, sitting cross-legged on the floor, stacking wooden blocks into a tall, wobbly tower. Her hair fell over her shoulders as she balanced another block with trembling fingers.
Kaito grinned. "Ayame! You're already playing without me?"
"Today it's going to touch the ceiling!" she declared proudly.
"The ceiling?!" His eyes widened. "That's impossible!"
Ayame smirked. "Not if we keep building."
They sat side by side, stacking block after block. The tower swayed dangerously, but never fell. Sunlight spilled through the window, painting the room gold as their laughter filled the air.
Halfway through, Kaito froze. "Wait — I gotta pee!"
Ayame blinked. "Oh! Me too!"
"Then why didn't you go before?" he asked.
"Because... you said I shouldn't go alone," she admitted shyly.
He sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I'm going first!"
He dashed off, fumbling with his shoes.
"Wait! You wore them wrong!" Ayame yelled — only to realize hers were wrong too.
Kaito pointed, laughing. "You did the same!"
She went red. "N-no I didn't!"
Before either could fix it, he shouted, "Race you!" and sprinted down the hall.
"Hey! No fair!" she shouted, chasing after him.
Kaito reached the small restaurant first — and stopped. Ayame was already there, smirking.
"You're slow," she teased.
Ignoring her, Kaito ran to Yuji, the shop owner. "Yuji-san! I really need to go!"
Yuji laughed, taking his hand. "Alright, alright. Let's go before you explode."
While they were gone, Ayame spotted Miri, Yuji's daughter, playing near the wall.
"Miri... can I play with you?" she asked softly.
Miri hesitated, then shook her head. "No... not today."
Ayame's smile faltered, but she didn't argue. She just waited quietly for Kaito.
Moments later, he came bouncing back. "We're gonna eat rice balls, right, Yuji-san?"
Yuji grinned. "And today, you're eating them without paying."
Kaito puffed his cheeks. "Then you eat them yourself!"
He plopped down beside Ayame as Yuji chuckled and went toward the kitchen.
But Miri tugged at his sleeve.
"Papa... why do you always give them food? They're not even family. Everyone says they're weird... and that Kaito's a monster. When I played with them, the other kids called me names. I don't know what to do..."
Yuji knelt to her level, his tone calm but firm.
"Miri, those two are my best friend's children — that makes them family to me. People say cruel things when they don't understand someone. But kindness doesn't need permission. If someone needs help, we help."
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "And about those names... you decide who someone is. Don't let the world choose for you."
He stood, balancing a tray of freshly made rice balls. "And remember," he said with a warm smile, "Kaito isn't a monster. He's just a boy with a big heart."
Yuji set the plate of rice balls on the table, smiling kindly at the twins.
Kaito's eyes sparkled as he grabbed Ayame's hand for a second before reaching for the food.
"Go ahead," Ayame said softly.
"Eat slowly," Yuji reminded.
They nodded, eating quietly side by side. For a while, only the soft sound of chewing and the breeze from the window filled the room.
When the last rice ball was gone, Kaito wiped his mouth and grinned. "Let's finish it!"
Yuji blinked. "Finish what?"
"Our mission — the blocks! They're going to reach the ceiling!" Ayame said, giggling.
The two placed their coins on the table and dashed out of the restaurant.
Outside, older kids whispered, "That's the monster boy."
Ayame glared back, unbothered. Kaito kept his head low, silent.
Back home, they scattered blocks across the floor.
"Ready?" Ayame asked.
"Always!" Kaito said.
Piece by piece, they built — higher, steadier, brighter. The tower swayed, but didn't fall.
Finally, when the last block was placed, Kaito gasped. "Look! It's touching the sky!"
Ayame laughed. "Then don't sneeze, or it'll fall on us!"
They burst into laughter, turning cushions into mountains, chairs into race cars. Their little home became a world of adventure.
When the chaos settled, they lay side by side, exhausted.
"See? We did it," Ayame whispered proudly.
"Yeah," Kaito said, brushing a pillow aside. "We're unstoppable."
Sunlight warmed the room. Their laughter faded into quiet peace. Whatever the world said about them — monsters or not — they still had each other.