Three months had passed since that dark night. Three months since Kenji had lost his parents for the second time—though this time it hurt far more deeply because he had truly felt their warmth before they were gone.
The small apartment provided by the Konoha government for orphans felt cold and empty. There was only Kenji, four years old, and Naruto, still a baby at three months.
Kenji sat on the wooden floor while cradling a sleeping Naruto. His little brother's face was so peaceful, completely unaware of how cruel the world had been to them.
"Naruto... you're lucky you're still too small to understand," Kenji whispered while gently stroking his brother's cheek. "But I... I remember everything."
Tears ran down his face. Even with the adult mentality from his previous life, the pain of loss was entirely real. Kushina with her ever-warm smile. Minato who always made him feel safe. All of it gone in a single night.
[System: Crafting Master]
[Master Status]
[Name: Kenji Uzumaki]
[Age: 4 Years]
[Level: 1]
[Ability: Weapons Craftsman Level 1]
[Available Blueprint: Tactical Combat Knife]
[Active Mission: Protect Your Little Brother (Lifetime Mission)]
The system screen appeared before him. Kenji had started getting used to its presence. Over the past three months, he had studied how this system worked.
The system gives missions. Missions give rewards. Rewards come in the form of weapon blueprints he can create. The harder the mission, the more advanced the weapon he receives.
But there was one enormous problem—he was still far too small.
A four-year-old body had no strength to forge metal. Not enough chakra to use jutsu. Even surviving day to day was difficult.
Knock knock knock.
A tap at the door made him startle. Kenji carefully set Naruto down on their small bed and walked to the door.
"Who is it?" he asked in a small child's voice trying its best to sound brave.
"It's me, Kenji-kun. Hokage-sama wishes to meet you."
The voice belonged to an Anbu. Kenji could sense it even without seeing the masked face.
Kenji opened the door slowly. An Anbu wearing a fox mask stood there.
"Come with me," the Anbu said briefly.
"But Naruto—"
"Someone will watch him. Let's go."
Kenji had no choice. He followed the Anbu through the busy streets of Konoha. Several residents watched him with pitying looks. Some whispered about him and Naruto.
"Those poor children..."
"The children of Yondaime-sama..."
"Orphans at such a young age..."
Kenji ignored the whispers. He already knew how people looked at him. Pity mixed with respect because he was the Fourth Hokage's son.
But for Naruto? He knew what awaited his little brother. Hatred. Discrimination. Neglect.
They arrived at the Hokage Tower. The office that once belonged to his father. Now occupied by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Kenji-kun, come in," said a wise old voice.
Kenji entered. The room was filled with stacks of papers and documents. Behind a large desk, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat smoking his pipe.
"Take a seat," said Hiruzen, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Kenji climbed into the chair with some difficulty. His small body made everything feel harder than it should.
"Kenji-kun, I know these past three months have been extremely difficult for you," Hiruzen began with a gentle tone. "Losing your parents at such a young age... no child should ever have to go through that."
Kenji said nothing. His eyes fixed on the Third Hokage with a gaze far too mature for a child his age.
"I want to make sure you and Naruto are doing alright. Is there anything you need?"
"Money," Kenji answered directly. "I need money to buy Naruto's formula, diapers, and food."
Hiruzen paused for a moment, surprised by the blunt answer. "Hasn't the village already been providing a monthly allowance?"
"It's not enough," Kenji shook his head. "Naruto is still a baby. He needs special formula. His diapers have to be changed many times a day. That allowance runs out within two weeks."
Hiruzen exhaled a long breath. "I understand. I'll increase your stipend."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"But there is something else I wish to discuss," Hiruzen leaned back in his chair. "You're still too young to enroll in the Academy. But several Anbu have reported something... interesting about you."
Kenji tensed. Do they know about the system?
"They say you've been seen talking to yourself. Staring blankly at the air. As though seeing something that isn't there." Hiruzen looked at him sharply. "Are you seeing something, Kenji-kun?"
Kenji thought fast. He couldn't tell anyone about the system. That was far too dangerous.
"I... see mother and father," Kenji lied while letting his tears fall. It wasn't difficult—the wound of loss was still raw. "I see them everywhere. I know they're gone but... I still see them..."
Hiruzen's expression softened. "Ah... I understand. That is normal, Kenji-kun. You're still grieving. Perhaps you need someone to talk to?"
"No," Kenji shook his head quickly. "I'm fine. I just... need time."
Hiruzen nodded slowly. "Very well. But if you need anything at all, my door is always open for you and Naruto. You are Minato's children. This village owes a great debt to your father."
Kenji climbed down from the chair. "May I go back now? Naruto has probably woken up."
"Of course. The Anbu will escort you."
Back at their small apartment, Kenji found Naruto already awake and crying loudly. A female Anbu was trying to hold him but Naruto kept crying.
"Give him to me," Kenji said.
The female Anbu carefully handed Naruto over. The moment Naruto was in Kenji's arms, his crying slowly subsided.
"He only recognizes his older brother," said the female Anbu softly. "You take care of him very well, Kenji-kun."
After the Anbu left, Kenji sat on the floor holding Naruto.
"You know, Naruto? In my previous life, I watched your journey from beginning to end," Kenji whispered. "I saw how hard your life was. How lonely you were. How everyone hated you for no reason."
Naruto looked at him with innocent blue eyes, understanding nothing.
"But this time is different. This time you have me. And I won't let anyone hurt you."
[System: Crafting Master]
[New Mission: Craft Your First Weapon]
[Description: Use the Tactical Combat Knife Blueprint to create your first weapon]
[Requirements: Obtain materials — iron, wood, and basic forging tools]
[Reward: Weapons Craftsman Level 2, New Blueprint (Random)]
[Time Limit: None]
Kenji stared at the system screen with serious eyes. This was the moment. He had to start preparing to protect Naruto.
But how could a four-year-old child obtain those materials?
Two weeks later, Kenji found his answer.
In a corner of Konoha, there was a scrap disposal area behind a weapons shop. The shop owner often threw out damaged iron, cracked wood, and tools that were no longer usable.
Every night after Naruto fell asleep, Kenji slipped outside to collect those materials.
He knew this was dangerous. A small child alone at night. But he had no other choice.
Tonight, Kenji found something good—a long piece of iron that appeared to be the remains of a broken sword. Perfect for a knife.
"Hey kid! What are you doing here?"
A rough voice made Kenji jump. A drunk man stumbled out of a nearby sake bar.
"I-I'm just passing by," Kenji said while hiding the iron behind his back.
"Passing by? At this hour?" The man approached with unsteady steps. "You're stealing, aren't you? A little kid like you must be—"
"I'm not stealing! This is scrap that was thrown away!" Kenji stepped back.
"Scrap or not, you're still—wait." The man squinted. "Blond hair... blue eyes... you're the Fourth's kid, aren't you? The one with the little brother who—"
Before the man could finish, Kenji was already running with everything he had.
His heart pounded hard. Not from fear of the drunk man, but from fear that someone would discover what he was doing.
He ran through dark alleyways, past houses already gone quiet, until he finally reached his apartment.
Kenji opened the door, gasping for breath. Inside, Naruto was still sleeping soundly.
"Hah... hah... safe..."
He hid the iron beneath a slightly loose floorboard—his secret hiding place.
There were already several pieces of iron, wood, and even a small hammer he had collected over the past two weeks.
"Just a little more," Kenji murmured while surveying his collection.
A month passed. Kenji finally gathered enough materials.
The problem now—where could he forge? This small apartment was too cramped and he would certainly be caught.
Kenji recalled something from his knowledge of Konoha. There were training forests outside the village. Places rarely visited because they were fairly dangerous for beginner Genin.
But for Kenji, who only needed a hidden location, that was perfect.
The next problem—Naruto.
He couldn't leave his little brother alone for too long.
After thinking hard, Kenji found a solution. He would go out very early in the morning while Naruto was still sleeping, and return before his brother woke up. Babies Naruto's age usually slept long into the morning.
Kenji prepared everything carefully. Bottles of formula were ready. Diapers freshly changed. Naruto sleeping soundly in his small bed.
"I'm sorry, Naruto. Your brother has to go out for a bit," Kenji whispered while kissing his little brother's forehead. "All of this is to protect you."
Carrying a bag filled with materials and simple tools, Kenji slipped out before sunrise.
Training Ground Three turned out to be darker and more unsettling than he had imagined.
Massive trees blocked the sunlight. Sounds of animals came from every direction. Kenji even saw traces of past battles—kunai embedded in tree trunks, blast marks scorched into the earth.
But he didn't turn back.
He searched for a hidden location. After walking fairly deep into the forest, he found a small cave behind thick undergrowth.
"Perfect."
Kenji set down all his materials. Then he began working.
With a small child's body, forging iron was something close to impossible. But the system helped him.
[Tactical Combat Knife Blueprint — Active]
[Crafting Guide Initiated]
The system screen displayed a detailed diagram. Every step explained perfectly. Where to strike. How many times. At what angle.
Kenji followed those instructions carefully.
The small hammer struck the iron. Once. Twice. Three times.
His hands ached. His muscles screamed in protest. Sweat soaked his body even in the cold morning air.
But he didn't stop.
Strike after strike. Hour after hour.
The sun had already begun to rise. Kenji knew he had to return soon before Naruto woke up.
"Almost... done..." he muttered through ragged breath.
One final strike.
TANG!
[Congratulations! You Have Crafted: Tactical Combat Knife (Quality: Common)]
[Mission Complete: Craft Your First Weapon]
[Reward Granted: Weapons Craftsman Level 2]
[Bonus Reward: Blueprint — Simple Folding Crossbow]
[New Ability Unlocked: Material Analysis (Level 1)]
Kenji stared at the knife in his hands. The blade was rough, the handle simple, but this was a weapon he had made with his own hands.
His first weapon in this world.
Tears of joy ran down his cheeks.
"I did it..."
But the celebration had to wait. The sun was already fairly high. Naruto must have woken up by now.
Kenji hid the knife in the cave, then ran back toward the apartment with everything he had.
When he opened the door, Naruto's crying immediately filled his ears.
"Naruto! Your brother is here!" Kenji immediately scooped up his hungry, crying little brother.
While feeding Naruto with his bottle, Kenji smiled.
This was only the beginning.
The beginning of his long journey to become the strongest protector his little brother would ever have.
[END OF CHAPTER 2]