Naruto: The Flame That Reshapes Fate

Morning in the Hidden Leaf Village carried a peaceful, joyful atmosphere.

Children heading to the Ninja Academy chased each other through the streets, their bright laughter echoing between alleys and rooftops. That cheerful energy spread unconsciously to the passersby and shopkeepers, bringing smiles to everyone's faces—until it was broken by the appearance of two distinct figures.

The large flame fan crest on the back of a black robe was impossible to ignore, like the image of some evil spirit or demon, seemingly carrying a strange power that erased the joy from other's faces.

"We really aren't welcome at all, huh."

Rēn walked with his hands tucked inside his sleeves, casually chatting with Shisui as they passed down the street. He glanced at the wary stares from villagers and the sudden busyness of shopkeepers ducking inside their stores.

"See this, Shisui? Our clan's reputation is so bad now, we're practically on par with the local hoodlums"

"If you know that, then why take the main road? Could've gone across the rooftops."

Shisui sighed endlessly.

It wasn't just because of the clan's terrible reputation. His frustration also came from the clan head's annoying sense of humor.

"What's the rush?"

"Didn't you say the sooner we go, the sooner we get back?"

"I changed my mind. Can't I?"

Rēn stopped at the end of the street. His gaze settled on the blond-haired boy standing under a power pole, head down, drawing circles on the ground with his toe. Rēn raised his hand and called out, "Yo, Naruto!"

"Rēn-nii!!"

The little blond boy looked up and lit up instantly, running over in excitement.

At this point in time, Naruto and the Uchiha shared a similar place in the village. Both were unwelcome.

The difference was that the Uchiha still had power, which made people wary. No one dared to openly spit at them. Naruto, on the other hand, couldn't walk a block without receiving stares full of hostility. The villagers made no attempt to hide their disgust toward him.

"What're you doing standing here? If you don't hurry, you'll be late for school and get punished."

Rēn placed his hand on Naruto's head and gave it a good rub. The kid's hair was already messy anyway, though it was clean—clearly, he washed it but never bothered to comb it. Or maybe he didn't even have the concept of combing his hair.

"I'm waiting for Fujika!"

Naruto answered loudly, full of energy.

"Waiting for Fujika?"

"Yeah, we agreed yesterday after class to meet here this morning."

"I see. Well, you're gonna be waiting a while. Fujika loves to sleep in. She probably just got up. If you get tired of waiting, just head to school yourself. No need for both of you to be late."

"It's fine! We promised, and I'm not afraid of being punished!"

Naruto was completely unbothered.

Rēn took a close look at him. The boy wasn't faking it—he was genuinely fearless.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that."

"Heh heh…"

Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.

Compared to cold stares and hatred, something like standing as punishment was nothing. What really caught him off guard were words of praise. He'd never really been complimented before.

"Big bro!!!"

That voice, so familiar it had practically worn calluses into his ears, came from behind.

Rēn turned his head and sure enough, his beloved little sister came barreling forward like a cannonball.

"Fujika, didn't I tell you not to run in the street?"

Rēn caught her head in one hand and stopped her in place like a charging mini missile. "Why are you up so early? I thought you'd just be getting out of bed about now."

"Grandpa woke me up!"

Fujika slapped away his hand and pouted, using her delicate fingers to fix her messy bangs. "You're the one to talk! You promised to take me to school, but you didn't come home at all last night, you liar!"

"Sorry, sorry. Something urgent came up last night… How about I buy you cake after school?"

"I want strawberry cake!!!"

"No problem. You can have just strawberries and no cake if you want."

Satisfied by his promise of sweets, and not catching his last comment, Fujika dashed off toward the Ninja Academy like the wind. Naruto hurried after her, not even stopping to say goodbye to Rēn.

Rēn watched them disappear around the corner, then said, "Alright, Shisui. Let's get moving."

With that, he leapt up, quickly bounding across rooftops.

Shisui followed behind, hesitating to speak.

Eventually, unable to hold it in, he asked, "Rēn, were you dragging your feet earlier just to wait for Fujika?"

"What else?"

Rēn responded without looking back.

"You didn't think I enjoy being looked at like something filthy, did you? I hate being avoided like the plague. But I promised Fujika I'd walk her to school. You know how last night went—I didn't even have time to go home. So this was the only chance I had to say something to her."

Hearing this, Shisui fell silent.

"What? You think I'm too soft on personal matters?"

"No… not at all."

"Hmph. Whether you think it or not, let me tell you this: family is the most important thing. People who don't cherish family are some of the worst people on this planet. When Fujika was born, she was just this tiny thing. I'd just come back from the front lines. I didn't even dare hold her, afraid I'd hurt her by accident."

"I've watched her grow up little by little. Watched her learn to talk. And to be honest… Shisui, I want to avoid conflict with the village even more than you do. I'm terrified of a battle spiraling out of control and hurting Fujika, or our parents. I'm afraid we'll destroy Konoha and she'll be forced to wander with us from place to place. I'm afraid everything I've done will be for nothing."

"But the more afraid I am, the more I understand that this is exactly when we can't take a single step back. Only by showing we're willing to risk everything, that we're prepared to burn together if pushed, can we make those so-called 'fishermen' realize that the fish they think they're reeling in are ready to bite back."

"So—"

"Shisui."

"Don't get in my way."

That soft, almost weightless voice drifted into Shisui's ears.

A chill ran down his spine.

He met Rēn's gaze—those blood-red eyes weren't joking in the slightest.

"I understand… Clan Head."

Shisui swallowed hard.

His heart tightened as he silently prayed that nothing would go wrong from this point on.