In Konoha, Uzumaki Naruto had never been treated as important.
People called him a "demon," a "demon fox," a "monster." He was used to those harsh words, and to the looks of disgust from others.
But today, the handsome big brother wearing goggles had gently called out to him, "Little one."
For a moment, Naruto could hardly believe he'd heard right. He tugged at his shabby clothes, feeling nervous. "Were you calling me? You mean... me, big brother?"
Teuchi and his daughter both froze, clearly startled by what they'd heard. They knew a little about Uzumaki Naruto.
Naruto was usually mischievous and rude. He spoke loudly, didn't know his manners, and often gave people a headache.
They didn't dislike him, but they didn't approve of some of his attention-seeking behavior.
Yet now, he had actually used an honorific like "you."
The boy who had been shunned since childhood was speaking to someone with respect and shyness for the first time.
In truth, Uzumaki Naruto's rebelliousness and boisterousness were just a mask. Whenever people called him a "monster" or a "brat," he put on a tough act, talking back and acting mischievously to hide how vulnerable and lonely he felt inside.
Almost no one in Konoha truly treated him like a child. Even though he was only seven years old.
"Big brother is a Jonin, Naruto. You shouldn't call him that," Ayame gently reminded him.
"Jonin, sir, what did you say just now?" Naruto asked, a little embarrassed.
"I said I ordered an extra-large bowl of ramen with lots of Narutomaki, but I can't finish it," Uchiha Rei said with a smile. "I was wondering if this little one might help me with some of it."
"Actually, I don't like Narutomaki all that much..." Naruto scratched his head, though his eyes were fixed on the steaming bowl of ramen. "But since it's a request from you, big brother, I suppose I'll do you a favor!"
His words were defiant, but he couldn't hide the light in his eyes. He gazed at the lavish bowl of ramen, piled high with chashu, soft-boiled eggs, Narutomaki, bamboo shoots, and seaweed. The aroma was mouthwatering, and he was practically drooling.
"Ayame, how come I've never seen big brother's ramen before?" Naruto whispered to her.
"That's the 'Adult's Special Ramen.' You can only have it once you're all grown up," she explained with a smile, her face reddening slightly.
Naruto grinned and happily picked the Narutomaki out of Uchiha Rei's bowl and put it into his own. He didn't forget to ask politely, "Big brother, do you like bamboo shoots? My teacher says you should share good things."
"I do," Uchiha Rei replied with a warm smile.
So Naruto picked some bamboo shoots from his own bowl and gave them to him.
After a while, Naruto finally couldn't hold back any longer. He lifted the bowl, which was almost half as big as he was, and began eating carefully.
Today, though, he didn't bury his face in the bowl and wolf down the noodles like a typhoon. Instead, he ate slowly, chewing each mouthful thoroughly.
Teuchi and his daughter exchanged another glance, their eyes full of surprise.
That brat had never eaten ramen like this before. Was he... trying to make a good impression on Uchiha Rei?
Uchiha Rei didn't rush him. He quietly kept Naruto company as they ate. His movements were graceful, and his voice was gentle.
Little by little, Naruto ate while sneaking glances at him, his eyes holding an emotion they'd never shown before.
"Is there something on my face?" Uchiha Rei asked with a smile, turning to look at him.
"N-no..." Naruto quickly lowered his head, his voice softening. "I just think... you're really warm, big brother. No one's ever treated me like this before..."
Uchiha Rei paused, then asked softly, "What's your name?"
Naruto hesitated, then shook his head. He was afraid. Once people learned his name and found out who he was, they might avoid him and hate him like everyone else.
Uchiha Rei lowered his head, thinking for a moment, then asked, "Do Teuchi and Ayame know your name?"
Naruto nodded.
"That's enough," he said gently. "Names are just bridges that connect people. You get to know someone by spending time with them."
He paused and looked Naruto in the eye. "I think you're a good, thoughtful little boy. You're polite, and you know how to be grateful. Your name won't change how I see you."
Naruto drew a breath. After a moment's hesitation, he finally spoke. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto."
"I know. You're the village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
Here it came... Naruto's eyes dimmed, and his head slowly drooped.
He's just like everyone else... He'll be afraid of me and hate me...
But the words that came next struck the softest place in his heart like sunlight piercing thick clouds.
"A Jinchuriki is the most sacred presence in the village, the last line of defense for our Konoha."
"You mean I'm... sacred?" Naruto abruptly raised his head.
Uchiha Rei gently nodded. "Do you know where the Jinchuriki came from?"
Naruto shook his head, confusion in his eyes. "No one's ever told me..."
Teuchi and his daughter were curious, too, and listened quietly.
"Simply put, a Jinchuriki is a ninja with a Tailed Beast sealed inside them. There are nine Tailed Beasts, from the One-Tail to the Nine-Tails, and each one has the power to destroy a country."
"The Tailed Beast you mean... is that the thing sealed inside me?" Naruto asked softly.
Uchiha Rei nodded. "That's right. The most powerful of them, the Nine-Tails, is sealed inside you. To become a Jinchuriki, you need an exceptionally strong body and the trust of your village."
"You were born into the Uzumaki Clan, and you have tremendous vitality and a huge amount of chakra. You were born with the qualities best suited to becoming a Jinchuriki. The village chose you because you can withstand the Nine-Tails' power."
"So... I'm not a monster?" Naruto's voice trembled slightly. He had never heard any of this before. No one had ever told him.
Teuchi and his daughter were stunned. No one had ever said these things before. Everyone thought the Nine-Tails was a monster.
"Of course you're not. You're a guardian of the Land of Fire, and the last line of defense for Konoha. Only someone the village trusts most would be entrusted with such an important responsibility."
"Are there other people like me?"
"There are," Uchiha Rei replied with a nod. "The First's wife, Uzumaki Mito, was once a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, too. Other villages have Jinchuriki as well. For instance, Sunagakure's Gaara is the Fourth Kazekage's son, and the Hidden Cloud Village's Killer B is the Fourth Raikage's sworn younger brother."
"Like you, they're the people their villages trust most. The power of the Tailed Beasts can deter other countries and prevent more wars. That's why you are a sacred power that exists for the sake of peace."
Naruto's eyes lit up. He jumped to his feet, his voice rising with excitement. "I'm not a monster! I'm sacred!"
"Mm," Uchiha Rei said with a soft laugh. "Who knows? Maybe someday I'll have to rely on you to protect me, too."
"I'll definitely do it!" Naruto nodded hard, his face filled with a determination and pride he'd never shown before.
"All right, the ramen's getting cold," Rei gently reminded him.
"That's right!" Naruto hurried back to his seat, unable to stop smiling with happiness. This might have been the happiest day of his seven years. That handsome big brother didn't hate him—he even accepted him!
As his mood improved, Naruto's table manners grew familiar again. Without a care, he buried his face in his bowl and slurped up the noodles with gusto, as if he wanted to swallow all that happiness along with them.
Teuchi and his daughter froze once again.
Now that was the real Uzumaki Naruto. He could finally stop pretending and acting prim, and be the carefree, enthusiastic little boy he really was.
"Another bowl!" Naruto shouted with a grin.
Teuchi smiled helplessly. "Sure, but we're out of Narutomaki."
"Huh? Then never mind. I'm full." Naruto rubbed his round belly, but unlike usual, he didn't leave right away.
Instead, he sat quietly beside Uchiha Rei and cheerfully shared the little things that had happened that day:
"Grandpa Third Elder gave me my living allowance again today, but everyone still doesn't want to talk to me."
His eyes flickered as if he'd remembered something else. "Uchiha Sasuke... He's been looking for his brother a lot lately. He seems really sad."
"You mean Uchiha Itachi?" Rei's expression shifted. He spoke softly. "I heard he's become a rogue ninja."
"Yeah." Naruto suddenly fell quiet. "Sasuke has cried lots of times because he can't find his brother. He always acts so cocky, but I feel bad for him."
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