After leaving the Uchiha district, Namikaze Kirito walked alone through Konoha.
Even at night, the village was brightly lit.
Lanterns glowed softly along the streets, and the atmosphere appeared peaceful—almost deceptively so.
Walking casually, Kirito's thoughts drifted to a single person.
Uzumaki Naruto.
His little brother.
By now, Naruto should already be attending the ninja academy.
As Kirito passed through the streets, his steps slowed.
Ahead, he saw a familiar figure.
A boy around twelve or thirteen stood quietly in front of Ichiraku Ramen. He wore a simple T-shirt and shorts, his messy blond hair standing out sharply under the lights.
His eyes were filled with longing.
Passersby cast disgusted, avoidant glances in his direction.
Who else could it be?
Little Naruto had just finished classes that day. He was starving and wanted nothing more than a bowl of ramen but the monthly relief funds were already gone.
At home, all that remained were expired instant noodles and sour milk.
A faint sadness crept into his bright blue eyes.
"What are you doing standing here, little guy?"
The gentle voice came suddenly.
Naruto froze, then looked up.
Standing before him was a red-haired young man wearing a black windbreaker, chest slightly open, smiling warmly down at him.
For some reason...
The moment Naruto saw him, he felt strangely at ease.
"Ah… nothing!" Naruto replied quickly, forcing a grin.
"I—I was just taking a walk!"
Gurgle—
His stomach betrayed him instantly.
Naruto's face flushed bright red.
Kirito laughed softly.
"Haha… looks like you're hungry."
"Come on," he said. "I'll treat you to ramen."
A trace of pain flickered in Kirito's eyes.
"N-No!" Naruto waved his hands nervously, tugging at the hem of his shirt.
"Big brother, thank you, but… I can't repay you."
This was the first person who had spoken to him so gently.
He didn't know how to respond.
Usually, whether classmates or villagers, all he received was hostility.
This warmth made him feel awkward… and afraid.
"It's fine," Kirito said softly.
"You don't need to repay anything."
He reached out and lightly ruffled Naruto's hair, then took the boy's small hand.
"Let's eat."
Naruto followed him into the ramen shop in a daze.
In a shadowy corner nearby, several figures appeared.
"The demon fox was touched! Report this to the Hokage immediately!"
"Wait—no. That man… he looks familiar."
"Red hair… that face…"
"…Isn't he the Fourth Hokage's son?!"
"Notify the Hokage—now!"
The ANBU's pupils shrank.
The red hair was unmistakable.
And that face—
It carried traces of both Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
As intelligence operatives, there was no way they wouldn't recognize him.
Nearby, another figure had also noticed.
A kunoichi with black hair stood quietly at the edge of the street. She wore a red-and-white outfit that highlighted her mature, graceful figure. Snow-white bandages wrapped around her hands, and her crimson eyes were calm yet sharp.
Yūhi Kurenai.
A jōnin of Konoha.
An expert in genjutsu.
Her father, Yūhi Shrinku, had once been one of Konoha's greatest illusionists—his skill surpassed by only the White Fang.
He had died protecting the next generation during the Nine-Tails incident.
Kurenai knew the truth.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was not a monster.
He was a child.
But knowing the truth didn't mean she could change the village.
For the sake of "protection," Naruto was forced into isolation.
Seeing a stranger approach the Jinchūriki at night, Kurenai followed—entering the ramen shop quietly.
Meanwhile...
Inside the Hokage Tower.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, still burdened by the Uchiha crisis, received an ANBU report.
Danzō arrived almost immediately.
"That brat has returned," Danzō said coldly.
"And he's made contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Hiruzen, this cannot be ignored. Let me bring him into Root."
Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
Of course Danzō would say that.
But he couldn't allow it.
Not only was Kirito the Fourth Hokage's son—he was also Tsunade's disciple.
If Root acted rashly, Tsunade and Jiraiya would never stay silent.
Tonight alone had already involved the Uchiha… and a masked man.
Now adding the Sannin?
Konoha couldn't withstand it.
"Danzō," Hiruzen said firmly,
"enough."
"I've already contacted Tsunade."
"Kirito won't expose the Jinchūriki's identity."
"And if anything happens to him inside the village—Tsunade and Jiraiya will not forgive us."
Danzō fell silent.
He coveted Kirito's strange bloodline ability—had for years.
Something capable of manifesting such power in so little time…
How could he not desire it?
But Hiruzen was right.
Now wasn't the time.
Once Kirito left the village—
Life or death would be his own responsibility.
Inside Ichiraku Ramen.
Kirito and Naruto sat side by side, two large bowls of ramen steaming in front of them.
The shop was unnervingly quiet.
Villagers watched from the corners of their eyes.
But under Hokage orders, no one dared say anything.
Kurenai ordered a simple dish and sat nearby, observing calmly.
"It's so good!" Naruto said between mouthfuls.
"Thank you, big brother!"
Kirito smiled.
"Eat as much as you want," he said.
"Eating well makes people happy."
Naruto was still on his first bowl.
Kirito was already halfway through his second.
The door burst open.
A few drunken men staggered inside.
"Tch. Bad luck," one sneered.
"The demon fox is eating here?"
"Boss, is it really okay letting that thing sit here?" another laughed.
Naruto's hands trembled.
He clenched his chopsticks, teeth grinding as he fought back tears.
"Hey," Kirito said quietly.
"Look up."
"Eat your noodles."
Naruto sniffed and looked at him.
"Big brother…" he whispered.
"Thank you for the meal… but everyone says I'm a demon fox."
"You should stay away from me."
The words came out painfully.
This was a child who desperately wanted affection—
And had learned to reject it first.
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