Scene Two
Memories – (3)
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"Please... take me home!"
Naruto pleaded, his eyes shimmering with intensity.
He looked like a lost child with nowhere left to return to.
"Take you home… you say?" Kakashi repeated, surprised by the strange request that came from Naruto's small lips.
"Oh dear, are you lost, sweetheart?"
Rin quickly bent down to his level, concern and fear evident in her gentle, round face.
"I–I'm fine," Naruto muttered as his cheeks flushed red.
He averted his gaze awkwardly at Rin's sudden closeness.
After all, though in the body of a child, he was a grown man inside—with thoughts far beyond his apparent age.
His embarrassment stemmed from modesty... from the way she had leaned too close, beyond what felt proper.
"Well then, in that case, why don't you show us the way?"
Kakashi offered a warm smile beneath his mask, trying to ease the boy's tension.
Naruto gave a faint smile, cheeks still flushed, and replied cheerfully, "Okay!"
Rin gently took Naruto's hand, and the three of them began walking toward the grand estate.
As they approached the majestic palace, both Kakashi and Rin were visibly shocked.
They were heading to the residence of the Uzumaki family.
And how could they not be stunned?
It was well known that the Uzumaki family had no male heirs.
"Little one… are you a member of the Uzumaki clan?" Rin couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.
She finally voiced the question that had been circling her mind throughout the walk.
"Yes… I'm from that family," Naruto replied, wearing a faint, almost hollow smile, one heavy with sorrow and resignation.
The words escaped his lips slowly, as if burdened with weight.
He closed his eyes for a moment, the emotion in his expression clearly revealing the sadness in his heart.
"I am of the Uzumaki clan. My name is Uzumaki Naruto. It's a pleasure to meet you both."
Kakashi and Rin exchanged glances, but they merely sighed.
What could they possibly do when dealing with a terrifying family like the Uzumaki?
"My name is Rin, and this is Kakashi Hatake. He's a teacher at Konoha High School," Rin introduced them warmly, eyes closed in a gentle smile.
"Oh, I think we're here," Naruto said, pointing to the palace gates, where two towering, cold-faced guards stood.
They were like solid stone statues—silent, imposing, and terrifying.
Just looking at them sent shivers down the spine.
One of the guards bowed slightly and spoke in a low, chilling voice:
"Naruto–dono, where have you been? I was told you were resting in your room just now."
"I was outside until just now. Thank you for your concern."
A bright, gentle smile bloomed across Naruto's small face.
He let go of Rin's warm hand and stepped toward the entrance.
The other guard opened the gate.
Naruto turned back toward Kakashi and Rin, smiling brightly.
"Thank you both. I'll repay this favor one day, I promise!!"
Then, he disappeared behind the closing door.
As Kakashi and Rin turned to leave, the first guard casually slipped his hand into his pocket—
Fwoooosh!
In the blink of an eye, he drew a short-range pistol and pressed it against Rin's head.
The wind howled suddenly. A terrifying silence filled the air.
Rin, eyes still closed, spoke with remarkable composure:
"What do you think you're doing… Sir Guard?"
Kakashi stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.
"I suggest you both forget this boy exists, starting today."
The guard's voice was cold, his words like sharp ice.
"What do you mean by that?" Kakashi's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp.
"I won't repeat myself," the guard replied. "If rumors of Naruto–dono spread, I hope you're prepared to face the wrath of the monstrous clan known as the Uzumaki."
He slowly withdrew the pistol from Rin's head, his expression returning to its icy stillness as he resumed his place beside the ornate gate.
Kakashi had already reached for the concealed gun in his own pocket,
but Rin grabbed his hand in a swift motion, stopping him before he could make a fatal move.
Kakashi relented once the guard issued his threat.
After leaving Uzumaki territory, Rin exhaled and gave a nervous laugh:
"That was a little scary…"
"Hehh, and the black belt in Taekwondo is scared of a mere guard?"
Kakashi chuckled, teasing her lightly.
"I was scared I'd kill him. I really didn't want to cause any trouble with that family—they're as irritating as a swarm of hornets."
Rin smiled faintly as she replied.
"Let them be. They think they're untouchable just because they're a powerful clan."
Kakashi chuckled again, casually flipping through his favorite romance novel.
"Let's go. Obito's waiting."
"Right."
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Memories – (3) – End
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"Nii–san… Nii–san…"
The cheerful voice of a small child echoed through the great halls of an estate,
full of energy and innocence.
A boy, about Naruto's age, came running and leapt joyfully into the arms of his older brother—
a gentle-eyed fourteen-year-old.
"What's got you so happy, little one?"
The older boy laughed, kindness radiating from his gaze as he held his younger brother.
"I saw a white butterfly in the garden—its wings were so beautiful!
It's the prettiest thing I've ever seen!"
The younger boy giggled as he clung to his brother, his words spilling out quickly with excitement.
"Oh, how sweet," the elder smiled.
He gently set his little brother down and ruffled his hair affectionately.
"In the future, you'll see many things even more beautiful than that butterfly."
His eyes grew distant—dreamlike—
as if a ghost of a memory floated beside him, drawing him into thought.
He whispered:
"And one day, you may see people who are like butterflies—
graceful, free, and mesmerizing.
And you may long to surround them with your hands,
to make one such butterfly yours alone…
forever dancing within the cage of your will."
The younger boy's eyes sparkled with wonder.
He wasn't old enough to understand the full meaning of those words—
but he was old enough to carve them deep into his heart,
as if they were an absolute law that could never be broken.
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#To_Be_Continued.