Bonds Beyond Blood

Life in Konoha continued as usual, with no major incidents for four years. Well, that wasn’t entirely true — there was one rather significant event. A year ago, on Hinata’s third birthday, the heiress of the Hyūga Clan was kidnapped by the head ninja of Kumogakure, who had come to Konoha under the guise of signing a peace treaty between the two villages. However, it was all a ruse; the Kumo ninja took the opportunity to abduct Hinata in the middle of the night. Fortunately for her, Hiashi intervened, killing the would-be kidnapper and rescuing his daughter.

But Kumo did not remain silent about the incident. They immediately demanded compensation for the death of such an important ninja from their village. The price? The life of his killer, the head of the Hyūga Clan. After much deliberation between the Hyūga elders and the village leaders, Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi, volunteered to sacrifice himself to protect the secrets of the Byakugan. As a member of the Branch House, his forehead bore the Cursed Seal, which would seal his dōjutsu upon death. For this reason, Hizashi was sent to his fate.

He left behind his then four-year-old son, Neji, who would carry a deep resentment towards the Main House.

Aside from that event, nothing else of great importance occurred. Itachi had become a genin, having graduated from the Academy at just seven years old, while Izumi graduated at almost nine, just a few months ago. Now four years old, Naruto remained as energetic as ever — much to Kakashi’s dismay — and had inherited his mother’s love for ramen as well as her dream of becoming Hokage. Over time, the villagers of Konoha subtly showed their disdain for the Uzumaki boy, not only for his constant pranks but especially because of his status as the Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi. However, their animosity was expressed cautiously, as they did not wish to incur the wrath of his adoptive older brother and his close circle of friends. Speaking of them, the trio continued to hone their skills and train diligently, all aiming to become jōnin. Between them, Kakashi, and Naruto, an almost unbreakable bond had formed — not just as close friends of the silver-haired boy, but because Naruto considered them part of his family.

But now, what truly mattered was what was happening outside Konoha, not within.

A woman and her young daughter — both with striking red hair — approached the main village. They had been traveling for quite some time with minimal breaks, driven by a single goal: finding a new home, preferably a permanent one, in Konoha.

“Mommy, how much longer until we get there?” the little girl whined, clutching her stomach. “I’m hungry.”

“It’s just a few more hours, Karin. Please be strong. If you behave, we’ll find somewhere really delicious to eat.” The woman smiled kindly, but her voice and eyes betrayed her exhaustion and hunger. It’s a shame we couldn’t even have breakfast, but there was no other choice. Just a little longer. Just a little longer, and I’ll finally be able to give my daughter the life she deserves.

Three hours later, they finally reached Konoha's southern gate, where two guards were stationed.

“Halt!” ordered one of the guards, a man with spiky brown hair and a wide, flat nose. “You’re standing in front of one of Konoha’s gates. State your business.”

“I would like to speak with the Hokage, please.”

“Then you must present your identification if you wish to speak with Hokage-sama,” replied the other guard, a man wearing his forehead protector like a bandana and sporting an eye patch over his left eye. His request was met with silence from both redheads. “If you don’t have identification, at least state your names and the reason for requesting an audience with our leader.”

“We seek asylum, and possibly, a place to live in Konoha. As for our names…” The woman hesitated, as if struggling to say the next words. “Our names are Uzumaki Kana and Karin.”

The guards were stunned by their surname, exchanging whispers before looking back at the newcomers.

The shinobi with the eye patch pulled out a radio. “This is Iwana. Bekkō and I are leaving our posts to escort a potential new resident of Konoha and her daughter to the Hokage Tower. Requesting immediate replacements. Over.” Stowing the device, he turned to the redheads with a serious expression. “Please, follow us to the Hokage Tower if you wish to meet with Hokage-sama.”

“Understood.”

“Kana gently held her daughter’s small hand, and they followed the guards straight to the Hokage Tower, where their future awaited them.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was currently locked in a fierce battle with a fearsome foe, one that could strike terror into the hearts of both current and former Kage: paperwork.

Just fifteen minutes ago, the Sandaime had taken a short break to sip some tea and enjoy a puff from his cherished pipe. However, upon returning to his office, the mountain of papers and folders seemed to have multiplied. The old Hokage felt a surge of frustration, tempted to use a Fire Jutsu to burn away the endless documents, but he knew it would only create more problems in the long run.

Damn it. If only I were a few years younger or had an assistant — someone to make this job easier. Hiruzen sighed, yearning for another break. His silent plea was answered when there was a knock at his door. “What is it?”

“A woman and a daughter wish to speak with you, Sandaime-sama,” Bekkō announced respectfully. “I believe you might find this meeting of interest.”

“Let them in.”

The door to his office swung open, and a woman entered, followed closely by a young girl. With a nod, the two chūnin who had escorted them stepped back, leaving to return to their posts.

Observing the pair more closely, Hiruzen immediately understood why they had caught his guards’ attention. Both had striking red hair: the mother’s was straight and fell to her shoulders, while the daughter’s hair was styled uniquely — short and spiky on the right side, long and straight on the left. The older woman’s eyes were a deep purple, while the girl’s eyes were a vivid red. Their clothes were worn and dirty, and their tired expressions suggested that they had been travelling for quite some time.

“How may I assist you, ladies?” Hiruzen asked calmly and professionally.

“Apologies for the intrusion, Hokage-sama,” Kana said, squeezing her daughter’s hand gently but firmly. “My daughter and I have come to request asylum and, if possible, a place to live here in Konoha. Our names are Uzumaki Kana and Karin.”

Hiruzen nearly fell off his chair at the sound of their last names. Had he heard correctly, or were his aging ears playing tricks on him? He knew that after the destruction of Uzushiogakure during the Second Shinobi World War, there were likely survivors of the Uzumaki Clan scattered across the world. This was confirmed when Jiraiya returned from Amegakure, recounting how he had trained someone he believed might be a member of that clan. Never in his lifetime did Hiruzen expect to see other members of the Uzumaki Clan, much less have them request asylum in his village. Yet here they were, standing before him. Perhaps this was a stroke of fate — Naruto might finally have a friend and a mentor who could teach him about the clan's history and jutsus.

The old Hokage composed himself, striving to maintain a professional demeanor. "Forgive me. Your last names took me by surprise, that’s all. I’d like to hear what brought you to my village and learn your story, please."

"I heard about Konoha years ago, Hokage-sama," Kana began. "It’s known as a village that dreams of peace and reducing the number of wars, and it's considered the strongest of the five major ninja villages. However, what intrigued me most was the rumor that there are — or rather, were — members and relatives of the Uzumaki Clan here. That’s why we decided to come. We believed we might face fewer problems here than in other places. As for our history..." Kana glanced around the office, visibly uneasy, as if dreading the tale she had to share.

"Please, take all the time you need," Hiruzen said warmly, offering her a reassuring smile.

If I truly want the Hokage to trust us and grant us refuge, I must tell our story, no matter how much it pains me. There is no other choice. Kana thought, steeling herself. She took a deep breath and began. "As one of the few survivors of Uzushio's destruction, I was forced to flee and find a new home. After a long journey, I eventually arrived in the Land of Lightning, settling in a village called Valley of Thunder. For many years, I lived peacefully and cautiously, even using a false surname to avoid detection. Life was good — I even married a local villager. But everything changed a few months after Karin was born." Her voice faltered, and she bit her lower lip, struggling to hold back tears. "My husband had a problem: he was addicted to gambling. He often traveled to nearby towns with casinos, hoping to strike it rich..."

From the way this story is going, I have a grim idea of how it will end. Hiruzen thought sadly, but he kept his expression neutral. "Please, continue."

"His addiction cost him dearly, leading him to incur debts with dangerous people. Desperate for money to repay even a portion of what he owed, he faced the very real threat of death. One day, he overheard me confiding in a trusted friend about the Uzumaki Clan and admitting that I was a member. My husband knew the high value placed on members of nearly extinct clans, and he was well aware of the fortunes they could fetch on the black market. He planned to sell us... as if we were nothing more than commodities, not his own wife and daughter!" Kana cried out, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. "When I discovered his plan, I fled immediately. Since then, we've been traveling for years, searching for a place we can finally call home. Whenever we pass through a village, we stay for a month or two if we can; otherwise, we camp out. We've journeyed for weeks from the Land of Rivers to reach here. It has been an exhausting ordeal, but please, Hokage-sama, I beg you to let us settle in Konoha!"

Hiruzen remained silent, masking the surprise on his face. He knew how harsh life could be for some families, but this? He wasn’t even sure he could have endured such hardships. “Kana-san, after hearing your story, my decision is yes. You and your daughter are more than welcome in Konoha. I will begin searching for a suitable home for you both, as well as arrange for some furniture.”

“T-Thank you very much, Hokage-sama!” The Uzumaki woman nearly fell to her knees, her legs trembling with relief and joy. “As a sign of good faith, I am willing to offer my skills to the village.”

The Sandaime raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

“I have excellent chakra control. I also have extensive knowledge of the human body and medical skills,” Kana explained seriously. “When I lived in the Valley of Thunder, I worked as a doctor thanks to these abilities. If you wish, I can serve as either a doctor or a medical ninja and contribute to the well-being of Konoha.”

“That was not necessary, Kana-san, but I will gladly accept your offer. In fact, for your honesty, I will share something with you. You and your daughter are not the only Uzumaki in Konoha.”

“W-What!? How?” the woman exclaimed, bewildered.

“That’s right,” Hiruzen continued. “We have a boy around your daughter’s age, Uzumaki Naruto. He was officially adopted four years ago by one of our top shinobi. If you’d like, you can meet him later. I’m sure he would be happy to see you. Naruto-kun has no friends, and I believe he and your daughter could get along well.” Hiruzen smiled, pleased at the thought of the Kyūbi Jinchūriki gaining a potential friend and another adult figure in his life. “In fact, why don’t you take a walk around Konoha? It will help you get familiar with the village.”

Karin tugged at her mother's long skirt, her stomach growling. “Mommy, I want us to go somewhere to eat…I'm really, really hungry.”

“It’s okay, honey. However, we don’t have any money…”

“Don’t worry about that,” Hiruzen said, writing a note on a piece of paper. He stamped it with a seal and handed it to Kana. “With this note and seal, you’ll be able to eat for free at any restaurant or store in Konoha today. It’s only valid for today, but you’ll also receive a monthly income until you secure a job, Kana-san.”

“Thank you for everything, Hokage-sama. You’re very kind…”

“It’s nothing. I just want to ensure a good life for two future citizens of Konoha, that’s all. By the way, if you want my recommendation on where to eat, I suggest Ramen Ichiraku. The food is delicious, the owner and his daughter are kind, and the prices are reasonable. And if you’re lucky, you might even meet Naruto-kun.”

“I’ll take your advice, Hokage-sama.” Kana bowed politely and took her daughter’s hand. “Come on, Karin. How about some ramen for lunch?”

“Great!” Karin exclaimed.

The two redheads left the Hokage’s office, leaving him alone once more. Hiruzen sighed, and when he opened his eyes again, he was horrified to see that the mountain of paperwork on his desk had grown. How did this happen if no new documents were added to my table!? He braced himself mentally and began the inevitable battle, one he was certain he would lose.

On the busy streets of Konoha, a blond boy, around four years old, walked calmly toward his favorite place, Ramen Ichiraku. As he made his way, he received glances filled with hatred and suspicion, thinly veiled with false smiles. But he paid them no mind; he was used to it by now. For as long as he could remember, people had looked at him that way countless times, whispering things every time he passed by. At first, it had been hard to ignore their words and stares, but Kurenai had told him to disregard it all, reminding him that he was stronger than those people and their cruelty.

One Year Ago

A nearly three-year-old Naruto knocked on the door of a house. Kurenai answered, and she almost stumbled when the young Uzumaki suddenly hugged her legs tightly. The brunette was about to ask what was wrong when she felt her legs getting wet and heard soft sobs. It took her a moment to understand what was happening, but then she remembered that Naruto’s third birthday was just a few days away. Wrapping her arms around his small body, she hugged him gently.

“Tell me what’s bothering you.”

“T-The villagers…” Naruto whispered, looking up at her. His eyes were watery and red, as if he had been crying for a long time. “I-I went to the village center because I saw they were putting up pretty lights, and it caught my attention… B-But then people started yelling at me! They asked how I could show up there when it was my fault so many people had died! T-They even called me ‘Fox’ and ‘Demon’!” More tears streamed down his cheeks, and he tried his best to wipe them away with his hands. “W-Why do they treat me and look at me like that, Kurenai?”

Kurenai clenched her jaw, wishing she could go out and teach those villagers a lesson. How dare they treat Naruto this way, blaming him for what the Kyūbi had done? But her priority now was to comfort the child in her arms.

“Don’t listen to them, Naruto. They’re bitter people who have nothing better to do than pick on a little boy because they know it would be easy to win against someone your size.” Kurenai spoke softly, though she kept her anger in check. She made a mental note to tell Asuma and Guy about this when she had a chance. “You’re a thousand times better and stronger than all of them combined. I don’t want you to lose your smile because of their words, so promise me something, okay? From now on, don’t let any of them hurt you, and always keep your positive attitude. Promise?”

Naruto sniffled, then nodded, feeling comforted by her words. “I-I promise, Kurenai! And I never break my promises!”

“That’s the spirit, Naruto!”

In the Present

That moment had been exactly what he needed back then, and because of it, he was determined to keep his promise until the end. Besides Kurenai and Kakashi, there were a few others who liked him just the way he was. His older brother had even promised that once he was a bit older, he would explain why people seemed to hate him so much.

Still, if the people of Konoha wanted to act like that, then they’d better be ready for a good prank!

Naruto continued on his way, already daydreaming about the delicious ramen he was about to devour and how many bowls he could eat before feeling satisfied. If he concentrated hard enough, he could almost smell and taste the savory broth... God, just thinking about it was making him even hungrier! Jumping around in excitement, he didn’t realize he was about to be run over by a green-clad ninja until he ended up on the ground, dizzy from spinning in circles due to the shinobi’s incredible speed. Was it just his imagination, or did he recognize this ninja once his dizziness subsided?

"I'm sorry, sir or madam!" the ninja shouted at the top of his lungs, nearly deafening the nearby citizens. "I must run as fast as possible if I don’t want Yakiniku Q to close before I pick up my order!"

That high-pitched yell was all Naruto needed to identify the person who had nearly run him over. It was Might Guy, the best friend and rival of his brother, Kakashi. Or, as Naruto secretly called him, 'Big Eyebrows,' because this man had the biggest, thickest eyebrows in all of Konoha. He couldn’t remember exactly when he came up with that nickname, but according to Kakashi, it was when Naruto was just two years old. That day, his brother, along with Kurenai and Asuma, had laughed so hard their stomachs hurt for an entire day. Although, of course, Guy hadn’t found it so funny at first and had been rather depressed about it — until he eventually accepted that he’d never escape the nickname.

“Uh…I guess Big Eyebrows must not have eaten until now. Oh well!” Naruto's smile returned, and he started running again. “I hope Old Man Teuchi and Ayame let me eat for free as a birthday present!”

As Naruto continued on his way, he spotted the colorful sign of his beloved ramen shop on the horizon, the large letters spelling out 'Ramen Ichiraku.' The closer he got, the stronger the aroma of Teuchi’s cooking became, making it harder to hide his growing hunger. He was just a few steps away from entering when he overheard a conversation between what seemed to be two girls.

“Come on, Ayame!”
“No, Izumi! I’m not going to help you skip your training by hiding behind the bar!”
“You’re only saying that because you’re crazy about Shisui!”
“T-That’s not true!”

Feeling curious but mostly driven by his hunger, Naruto stepped into Ramen Ichiraku and sat down on one of the stools. He glanced at the two girls. One of them was Ayame, Teuchi’s daughter and apprentice, and the future owner of the shop. She wore a white kimono with rolled-up sleeves, a blue apron tied with bows, and a white bandana in her hair. He had never seen the other girl before. She had long brown hair that reached her back and onyx eyes with a mole under her right one. Her purple high-collared shirt bore an emblem — a red and white fan. And on her forehead, she wore a protector, just like his brother and his friends! Did that mean she was a ninja?

Though, looking closer, Naruto noticed something familiar about the emblem. Wasn’t that the symbol of the Uchiha Clan? Kakashi had told him that the Uchiha were the strongest clan in Konoha and possessed one of the Three Great Dōjutsu. Though, in Naruto's experience, most of them seemed to have sour expressions on their faces.

“YO, AYAME!” Naruto greeted loudly.

“I’m not going to repeat myself, Izumi! Forget about me helpin—” Ayame stopped mid-scold when she noticed the blond boy, quickly putting on a warm, professional smile. “Welcome, Naruto! I apologize if you overheard us. My friend here…” She shot a reproachful look at the Uchiha. “…She doesn’t know when to give up. I’m guessing you came to eat, didn’t you?”

“You read my mind, Ayame!” Naruto grinned widely, licking his lips. “By the way, where’s Old Man Teuchi?”

“Right here, Naruto.” Teuchi, a man in his mid-30s, called out as he appeared through the door leading to the living quarters. “I went to get more chashu pork; we were running low. And from what I see, not only is my best customer here, but my second-best customer is also present!”

Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly at being called the "second-best customer," but he kept smiling. “Old Teuchi, one bowl of the best ramen ever!”

“Hahahahaha! Coming right up, Naruto!” Teuchi laughed as he began cooking.

“I don’t know if a little kid like you can even tell what the best ramen in the world is…” Izumi muttered loudly on purpose, earning a sharp glare from the blond. She snorted, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter. “Oops! Did I say that out loud? My bad! I guess it would’ve been better to keep the truth to myself.”

“Hmmr…” Naruto groaned, feeling as if he’d just been insulted somehow. “As if you would know, anyway! On the count of three, we’ll say what the best ramen in the world is!”

The two locked eyes, and sparks seemed to fly between them.

“One!”

“Two!”

“THREE!”

“Shio/Miso Ramen!” they both shouted at the same time. “Huh!?” They both blinked in surprise, staring at each other.

“H-How… How dare you compare that Shio Ramen trash to the magnificence of Miso Ramen!?” Naruto yelled passionately, as if he’d been insulted in the worst way possible. He couldn’t let this stand — he had a duty to defend the sanctity of Miso Ramen! “Shio Ramen is way too salty! It’s like drinking brine! BLEGH!”

A vein throbbed on Izumi’s forehead. “TRASH!? At least Shio Ramen has more flavor than your precious Miso Ramen! Eating Miso Ramen is like eating sushi without soy sauce and wasabi — absolutely tasteless!”

“You… Heretic!” Naruto stood up on his stool, pointing an accusing finger at Izumi. “Take back your words, or else!”

“Never!”

Ayame looked at the two of them, sweat dropping and nearly facepalming at the ridiculousness of the scene. I can't believe they're seriously arguing over ramen flavors...And with so much passion, too! Why hasn’t Dad tried to stop them yet? Glancing over, she saw Teuchi struggling to hold back his laughter. How is this amusing to you!? Am I the only serious one in this family!?

“I'd recognize that voice anywhere, Itachi. Our dear Izumi didn’t choose a very good hiding spot.”
“Which is why we’ll have to double her training.”

Upon hearing those voices, Izumi’s face turned as pale as a sheet. She frantically glanced around the ramen shop, looking for an escape route. However, she quickly realized that running away was pointless—especially considering who those voices belonged to. With a resigned sigh, she accepted her fate as two Uchiha stepped into view: one older, dressed in the typical Konoha jōnin uniform, and the other her age, wearing a similar high-collared shirt, though his was black and short-sleeved.

“Shisui, Itachi,” Izumi muttered, sounding as though saying their names caused her physical pain.

“Oh, come on, Izumi, don’t use that tone! Everyone’s going to think we’re monsters when we’re the exact opposite!” Shisui teased, wrapping his arm around Izumi’s neck with a goofy grin. The girl gave him an accusatory glare. “Hmm? And who’s this little guy?” Spotting the blond’s whiskered face, a light bulb seemed to go off in his head. “Oh, I know you! You’re Uzumaki Naruto, the village prankster!”

“HA HA! That’s me!” Naruto proclaimed proudly.

That’s not exactly something to be proud of… Ayame thought, her eye twitching slightly. Though, she had to admit, some people in the village definitely deserved Naruto's pranks. “Your Miso Ramen will be ready in a few minutes.”

“Father mentions you quite a lot. And let’s just say his comments aren’t exactly flattering,” Itachi remarked.

"Bah! Why should I care about what some sour-faced adult with no friends and no sense of fun says about me?" Naruto stuck out his tongue, displaying his childish nature. But that was normal — he was only four years old. "You're from the Uchiha Clan, right? And you're ninjas too?! My big brother is a ninja as well!"

"Just as you said, we are Uchiha and also ninjas. Izumi and I are genin, while Shisui is a jōnin," Itachi explained to the boy, who could only stare at them in awe. "It's nice to meet you, Naruto-kun."

"Of course you're happy to meet me! Because not only will I become the most impressive shinobi in Konoha — no, in the entire world — but I'll also be the future Hokage of this village! Everyone will be grateful to me once I make our home even more amazing than it already is!" Naruto declared with confidence and resolve; certain he would achieve his dream one day.

"I believe you, kid. I'm sure you'll make it!" Shisui encouraged him, earning a huge smile from Naruto. "But we should be heading out now — it's time for our training. And you’re not getting out of it this time, Izumi."

"Noooo..." Izumi groaned.

"If you don't try to skip training like you did today, I'll treat you to ramen," Itachi offered, immediately grabbing the attention of the brown-haired girl. "It was nice meeting you, Naruto-kun. Teuchi-san, Ayame-san, we'll be back later."

The three Uchiha bid farewell to the ramen vendors and Konoha's number one prankster, leaving them behind. Naruto was glad to have met them — they weren’t like the usual Uchiha, who always wore stern expressions. Whenever other Uchiha saw him, it seemed like they were holding back the urge to arrest him for what he considered 'harmless pranks.' So, what if he had slipped laxatives into the food of a guy who refused to sell him an orange shirt with the Konoha symbol? The guy deserved it!

"Here's your ramen, Naruto! Extra pork, just the way you like it!" Teuchi placed a bowl of Miso Ramen on the counter, along with a pair of chopsticks.

"Thanks, Old Man Teuchi!" Naruto wasted no time, slurping up a good portion of noodles. "Delicious!"

"Hahaha! I'm glad you like it, Naruto! You're one of my best customers for a reason!" Teuchi chuckled as he began washing kitchen utensils, glancing at his daughter as she chopped vegetables. "Wasn't your birthday just three days ago? The first two bowls are on the house!"

Naruto swallowed a piece of chashu pork. "Why not the fifth one too?"

"Nah, if I did that, I’d be out of business in no time!" Teuchi replied with a serious tone, showing he wasn't joking. "Be happy with the gift I'm giving you! Though if you manage to become a genin, maybe I'll make the first five bowls free!"

"Then I'll ask Kakashi-nii to train me so I can become the best genin at the Academy when I join!" Naruto declared eagerly.

"I look forward to it, Naruto! Though you're still a bit young for the Academy, just hang in there for a few more years, and we'll see," Teuchi said kindly. He had full confidence in the young Uzumaki's words — if anyone was going to become Hokage one day, it would be Naruto! "Want me to make you another bowl of ramen?"

"Yes, please!" Naruto replied, drinking the broth straight from the bowl.

"Alright, alright. But don't talk with your mouth full, or you'll end up choking!" Ayame scolded, wishing the blond boy would show a bit more maturity. "The usual, Miso Ramen, right?"

Naruto nodded eagerly.

Finishing off the last remnants on his plate — Asuma often joked that Naruto was like a giant ramen vacuum — Naruto patiently awaited his next bowl. However, his sharp ears soon caught the sound of footsteps approaching the ramen stand, accompanied by a conversation. Listening closely, it seemed to be between a mother and her daughter.

"Look, Mommy! It says Ramen Ichiraku! That must be the place that man recommended to us!"

"No need to tug on my skirt so much, Karin. I'm not going anywhere," a woman’s voice responded, tired yet kind. "Hokage-sama surely wasn't lying. This place smells wonderful."

With those words, the mother and daughter entered the small ramen shop.

They both took seats at the counter, and Naruto observed them as they settled beside him. Their hair was a vivid shade of red — an unusual color he had never seen before. However, it wasn’t the striking hair color that caught his attention the most; it was the sudden sensation that welled up within him. Something inside was compelling him to speak to them, as if he needed to. It felt as though his very blood was stirring with excitement. Could it be because he had met them when he was younger? It wasn’t impossible; he might have been too little to remember. He had to get some answers about this strange feeling of familiarity.

"Are you new to Konoha?" Teuchi asked curiously, hoping to start a friendly conversation. "I’ve never seen you around before, and I like to think I know all the villagers. If you are new, you’ve chosen the perfect place to eat!"

"We just arrived. My daughter and I came from the Land of Rivers," the woman replied while glancing at the menu.

"From the Land of Rivers?!" Ayame almost squealed in surprise, nearly cutting herself with the knife she was holding. In school, she had learned that the Land of Rivers lay between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire. If they had traveled from there, it must have been a long journey. "You must be starving! Don’t worry — Ramen Ichiraku will definitely satisfy your hunger!"

"You’re right about that. We are hungry, especially my daughter," the woman, Kana, said with a smile, glancing at Karin, who was deliberating over which ramen to order. "Our names are Uzumaki Kana and Karin."

U-Uzumaki?! Both Teuchi and Naruto thought in shock.

They blinked in disbelief, though for different reasons. Teuchi had never expected to hear the surname ‘Uzumaki’ again after Naruto. Unlike most of the villagers, he never bought into the explanation that the Hokage had given shortly after the Kyūbi Attack — that Naruto was given the Uzumaki surname simply to honor its former bearer. Knowing Uzumaki Kushina personally, he was aware she was the only Uzumaki in Konoha and was closely connected to Namikaze Minato, the future Yondaime Hokage. Teuchi had always suspected there was more to their relationship, and Naruto's appearance, combined with his surname, only confirmed it. But this was a complete surprise! If they truly were Uzumaki, it meant Naruto had a chance to meet more of his family. And that thought genuinely made Teuchi happy.

Naruto’s heart felt like it was about to skip a beat. There were more members of his clan standing right beside him! A year and a half ago, he had overheard civilians saying he didn’t belong to any significant family or clan, and that he was fortunate — or rather, in their eyes, it was unfortunate for them — that he had been adopted. At first, he believed their words, but everything changed when Kakashi informed him that, due to his last name, he was part of a powerful and ancient clan. And now it seemed to be true, as the two redheads shared the same surname as him!

"You're Uzumaki?!" Naruto exclaimed, unable to contain his emotions. "Me too! My name is Uzumaki Naruto!"

Karin’s eyes sparkled with excitement, while Kana’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

"Are you really an Uzumaki like me?!" Karin squealed, a huge, goofy grin spreading across her face. "That’s awesome! But you’re not a redhead, and my mom told me that our clan members usually have red hair… Still, I love your hair color! It’s really cool and eye-catching!”

"Not as eye-catching as yours!" Naruto replied with a grin. "If you’re not sure what to order, you should try Miso Ramen! It’s the best!”

"Okay!" Karin agreed, instantly convinced.

As the two children chatted animatedly about all sorts of topics, Kana felt like everything around her had turned into a blur, as if she wasn’t truly present in the moment. And in a way, she wasn’t. The adult Uzumaki was in disbelief. Could this child really be a member of her clan? He didn’t even have red hair! However, the Hokage had informed her that there was indeed a child in Konoha belonging to her clan, and his name was Naruto. Besides, why would a child lie about something like this? What would he stand to gain from it? Furthermore, if this boy had been lying or had any malicious intent, her daughter would have sensed it immediately with her heightened sensory abilities.

So, it’s true. There’s another member of our clan in Konoha… Kana's shock gradually subsided, and a gentle smile formed on her lips.

"Hey, Naruto, I’m back!" Kakashi called from the entrance, kicking off his sandals and setting aside his house keys. "How was your day?"

The silver-haired teen made his way to the living room, where Naruto was deeply engrossed in a popular children’s book titled The Ninja and the Talking Trees. It was a story about a young ninja, around ten years old, who befriended mystical talking trees. The tale was mostly humorous, with bits of wisdom sprinkled throughout, but what Naruto loved most was the book's comedic elements. This was his fifth time reading it. Kakashi preferred him reading that book, as it kept him occupied... Especially since, just a month ago, the little rascal had nearly stumbled upon his stash of Icha Icha Paradise. If Naruto ever found it and blabbed to Kurenai... Kakashi shuddered at the thought.

"Kakashi-nii!" Naruto placed the book on the living room table and ran over to hug his older brother's legs, grinning widely. "I have something to tell you!"

"You’re in an unusually good mood. Come on, tell me."

"I met some really nice Uchiha today! Their names were Shisui, Itachi, and Izumi, and they’re ninjas like you! What’s more, the oldest one is a jōnin, and he’s younger than you!" Naruto excitedly recounted while helping Kakashi put the groceries into the fridge and onto the lower shelves. "Can you believe it? The girl even had the nerve to say that Shio Ramen is better than Miso Ramen!" He puffed out his cheeks in frustration just thinking about the conversation. "Oh! And I also met two members of the Uzumaki Clan!"

Kakashi had been half-listening to his little brother’s chatter, nodding absentmindedly, but his attention snapped into focus at those last words. "Members of the Uzumaki Clan...?"

Needless to say, that was enough to make Kakashi realize he needed to listen more closely to Naruto.