The Uchiha clan's compound was located in the northeastern part of the Hidden Leaf Village, by the lower reaches of the Naka River—quite a distance from the village center. In other words, Naruto had a long way to walk home. Letting a five-year-old child make that journey alone was clearly irresponsible.
Especially considering Naruto was the Nine-Tail's Jinchūriki.
If anything were to happen to him along the way, not even he could explain it away for the Uchiha clan.
To ensure his safety, Rēn personally escorted Naruto home.
"Rēn, be careful on the road."
An elderly man, nearly seventy years old, was still energetic and stood tall, his back straight like a blade tempered through countless trials. He stood at the door, giving heartfelt advice to his promising grandson. "It's dark now—be careful walking at night!"
"I will, Grandpa!"
Rēn smiled faintly. "I even brought out the treasure I've kept hidden for a long time."
He wore the Uchiha clan's traditional navy-blue long robe, with the fan crest emblazoned on the back. A long sword was strapped across his waist. But what drew the most attention was the massive object wrapped in bandages on his back—it looked as large as a door.
"…Good."
Uchiha Genshi said no more and turned back inside.
Anyone who had returned alive from the battlefield needed only a word of caution—there was no need for extra talk.
"See you at school tomorrow, Naruto."
Fujika had also come out to see off the only underclassman—or perhaps the only friend—she had at the Ninja Academy.
She waved goodbye to Naruto.
"Yeah, see you at school."
Naruto nodded vigorously. He was clearly very happy.
It was his first time sitting at such a lively dinner table, and the food wasn't instant ramen or cup noodles—it was a heartwarming experience unlike any he'd had before. Even when facing Rēn now, he no longer felt that same fear or wariness—though he wasn't exactly close with him yet either.
Once Uchiha Masashi and his wife Saoki led their daughter inside, only Rēn and Naruto were left standing at the doorway.
"Alright, Naruto, time to head home."
Rēn reached out and ruffled Naruto's hair. His messy spikes stood wild and untamed. He looked malnourished, yet his hair quality was surprisingly good. Maybe it was the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan?
As they walked along the path home, Naruto kept sneaking glances up at Rēn. After walking about a hundred steps, he finally gathered enough courage and asked, "Um, Fujika's brother… I, uh…"
"What is it? Gotta use the bathroom? Number one or number two? Forgot toilet paper?"
"No! That's not it!"
"Haha!"
Rēn burst into laughter at Naruto's flustered response.
"Kid, don't be so tense. I'm not some kind of villain. I'm actually glad you became friends with Fujika. She's ten years younger than me, the youngest in our family—and a girl too. Grandpa, Dad, even I—we've all spoiled her since she was little. That's probably why she's such a handful now…"
Rēn's smile faded, and he spoke with a rare seriousness:
"I worry she won't make any friends at the Academy… that she'll be left out, maybe even bullied. So the fact that you're willing to befriend her despite her temper really puts me at ease. Naruto, thank you."
"…Fujika's brother, I should be the one saying thank you!"
Naruto kicked at a stone on the ground as they walked, his voice quiet.
"I was really happy today. I made my first friend at the Academy. It was my first time being invited to someone's home. And the fried chicken was so delicious… I should be the one thanking you!"
Rēn glanced sideways in surprise at Naruto's lowered head.
Was this really that thick-headed, hot-blooded knucklehead protagonist from the future? He was more sensitive than Fujika!
"And also… sorry, um… does Fujika really see me as a friend? Most of the other kids at school avoid me… maybe because of me, she won't make other friends either. I…"
"You're Fujika's friend. She invited you to our home. If you have something to say, say it to her directly. Why are you telling me? Listen up! I hate being a message courier. If you've got something to say, say it yourself—don't go asking others to do it for you."
"…Fujika's brother, you really don't mind me being friends with Fujika?"
Naruto looked at Rēn with disbelief.
He had played with kids his age at the local park before, but the encounters were always brief. Whenever adults saw him, they'd take their children away—and never come back to that park again.
"I already told you—what goes on between you and Fujika has nothing to do with me. You're not trying to be friends with me. But, brat… Fujika is my precious little sister. Don't go getting any funny ideas!"
Rēn warned him. Not that it mattered much—Naruto had no clue what "funny ideas" even meant. He wasn't yet the pervy little brat who'd later invent the Sexy Jutsu just to shock people.
At this age, five-year-old boys and girls could still sleep on the same mat without knowing the difference.
Naruto didn't understand the second half of what Rēn said. But the first half was clear enough: he wasn't being forbidden from being friends with Fujika! Having grown up under strange looks from others, Naruto had learned to sense the malice in people.
He didn't feel any of that hostility or rejection from Rēn.
Even from the start, his fear of Rēn wasn't the same as that directed at adults—it was more primal. Like the instinct he had last summer when he saw a water python by the stream in the forest. The feeling wasn't identical, but similar.
But other than that, from beginning to end, he had never felt that cold, soul-crushing malice from anyone in Fujika's family.
"Fujika's brother… thank you!!"
"…What are you thanking me for, brat? You're just a little kid, don't act like an adult. Kids should act like kids."
Rēn knocked Naruto on the head without holding back. But Naruto didn't get mad—he just rubbed his head and grinned.
"Um… Fujika's brother, Fujika said you're a really, really strong ninja. Is that true?"
"Of course it's true."
Rēn stood tall and proud.
"Did you really cut down six mosquitoes in one slash?"
"Is it true your sword can catch fire? Doesn't it burn your hands?"
"And, and—"
Veins twitched near Rēn's temple. This kid was way too talkative. His little mouth rattled off like a machine gun.
And what the heck had Fujika told him? They'd only known each other for one day—how come it felt like she'd already spilled all her brother's secrets?
And so:
The two of them chattered away as they walked down the road, leaving the Uchiha compound behind.
The path ahead was wide and deserted—no other people in sight. The area the Uchiha had recently moved to was pretty remote. Other than clan members, there were no nearby residents. Between the compound and the rest of the village lay a long, uninhabited stretch of forest.
Rēn glanced around cautiously, narrowing his eyes—
This place…
Was perfect for an ambush.