At the first hint of dawn, a faint glow spread across the horizon. The land awoke from its slumber, as if welcoming a brand-new beginning.
Isho rarely got up early during the holidays. After a quick wash, he grabbed some money and hurried out.
"Let's see... milk, instant noodles... Naruto probably won't know how to cook anything else."
As he walked along the street, Isho looked around and quietly considered what to buy as a gift for his visit to Naruto.
After their friendly conversation the previous night, Isho had suggested that he and Naruto train together today.
The Third and Naruto had both been surprised. The former had smiled, thinking that his talk of the Will of Fire hadn't been in vain, while the latter had been rather excited.
Isho soon reached the meeting place, carrying a large bag with all kinds of food peeking out of the top.
He knew what Naruto needed most right now, so the bag was full of food.
"Looks like Naruto might've overslept. That guy's as unreliable as ever."
Isho set down the big bag, looked around, then found a comfortable spot to sit and wait.
By the time the sun was shining across the land, a figure was rushing through the streets and alleys.
My alarm's acting up again. I hope Big Brother Isho hasn't left without me. Naruto thought in frustration.
It was worth mentioning that Isho was eight this year, while Naruto was seven. So, with the Third as witness the night before, Isho had taken Naruto on as his little brother.
Maybe because they'd hit it off, Naruto had grinned foolishly the whole time. The Third had simply watched in silence, without saying much.
Isho had been waiting so long that he'd dozed off against the wall. Just then, Naruto's excited shout rang out: "Big Brother Isho, I'm here!"
Isho, who'd been dozing for who knew how long, slowly opened his eyes and yawned. Then he looked at Naruto, who was drenched in sweat, and said with a smile:
"Naruto, you're late. Not keeping your word isn't a good habit."
Naruto's cheeks reddened as he explained sheepishly, "My alarm clock just broke. I set an alarm, but it didn't ring."
"All right, but don't let it happen again," Isho said sternly.
Naruto nodded firmly. Seeing that Isho wasn't really angry, he soon stopped looking so awkward.
Isho glanced up at the sky and saw that it was nearly noon. He rubbed his empty stomach and looked at Naruto helplessly. "Come on, let's get ramen from Uncle Ichiraku. My treat."
Naruto instantly perked up, waving his arms excitedly. "Okay!"
After they finished their ramen, Isho went to Naruto's place and put away the food he'd bought that morning. Then the two headed to the training ground together.
Along the way, all sorts of fools—young and old, men and women—pointed at Naruto and whispered. Isho got caught up in it too.
If Isho hadn't known who was behind the rumors, and if the villagers weren't so foolish in general, he wouldn't have minded making them "carry a thousand pounds of rice up several floors" ahead of schedule.
[Ding! System task triggered]
[Task One: Find the person spreading the Nine-Tails rumors and reform him by having him do 50 good deeds. Reward: 40 Luck. Failure penalty: Lose 80 Luck.]
[Task Two: Make the rumor spreader and the person who just hurled the nastiest verbal abuse shed tears of remorse, then give him a loving hug as encouragement when parting. Reward: 20 Luck. Failure penalty: Lose 40 Luck.]
[Task Three: Avoid conflict and take a detour from now on. Reward: +5 Luck.]
[Time limit: 40 days]
Isho glanced at the system tasks that had appeared, his face full of question marks and exclamation points.
"System, are you malfunctioning?"
[Ding! System tasks are issued at random. The host may choose whether to accept them.]
Before Isho could answer, Naruto, who'd been silent the whole way, asked in a dejected voice after they reached the training ground:
"Big Brother Isho, why are you helping me so much? And why does everyone hate me?"
Isho's expression remained gentle. He patted Naruto's right shoulder with his left hand and spoke softly to comfort him:
"I think everyone might have misunderstood you. Even Lord Hokage believes in you. What reason do they have to hate you?"
"As for why I'm helping you, it's because I want to be friends with you, Naruto. Friends should help each other," Isho added.
Naruto's expression brightened a little, but Isho was cursing furiously inside.
Damn it, those foul-mouthed bastards. Just wait—I'll make you pay soon enough. And that old Third is definitely spying on us with the Telescope Technique.
Isho had never been one to take things lying down. Before, he hadn't been able to get back at anyone. Now, he wasn't afraid of anyone in Konoha.
And his guess was right. In the Hokage's office, one old man and a huge pile of files stood out the most.
But instead of dealing with the files, the old man leisurely held a pipe and stared intently at the crystal ball on his desk. Inside it was a high-definition image of Isho and Naruto. This man was none other than the Third, one of the Shinobi World's infamous peeping toms.
The Third took a few puffs on his pipe from time to time, his other hand stroking the crystal ball as he watched the clear image of Isho and Naruto inside it.
"But... they all say I'm the Nine-Tails Fox." As Naruto said this, his expression darkened further.
"That might be why everyone misunderstands you."
"Naruto, didn't you say last night that your dream was to become Hokage? To be someone everyone recognizes? I believe you can do it, future Lord Hokage."
Isho spoke with conviction, as if Naruto were already Hokage.
Naruto froze. Isho's words swept through his heart like a spring breeze, filling him with warmth and encouragement.
"And aren't we friends? I'll do everything I can to help you achieve your dream," Isho said, encouraging him.
"I always keep my word. That's my ninja way. Big Brother Isho, thank you. I won't let you down."
Naruto clenched both fists, his gaze bright and focused, as if making a vow. His eyes showed determination and resolve, as though he were displaying his conviction and perseverance to Isho.
"From what I can see, letting them spend time together is a good choice. If the Uchiha Clan all had Isho's insight, who knows how strong Konoha might become?"
The Third looked out the window, his voice deep and subdued.
Knock, knock! The door, silent for a long while, suddenly sounded with a knock. The Third calmly said, "Come in."
An Anbu member wearing a frog-like mask hurried in and bowed to the Third.
"Lord Hokage, two Root agents came looking for Uchiha Isho. We stopped them."
The Third furrowed his brow and looked at the desk for a few seconds. Then he said, his authority unmistakable:
"Tell Danzo that Uchiha Isho is my student now. Root is not to approach him without my permission."
Underground in Konoha, in a secluded place.
Danzo stared darkly at the two Root agents who had returned to report Sarutobi Hiruzen's exact words. In a low voice, he said:
"Both of you, go back and continue monitoring the Jinchuriki and that Uchiha brat named Isho. Report to me immediately if anything unusual happens."
The two nodded and said, "Yes, sir," then immediately carried out Danzo's orders, heading toward the place where Isho and Naruto were.
"That brat actually dared to ruin my plans. The Jinchuriki can only serve his purpose best in my hands. The Monkey really is old, letting the Jinchuriki spend time with the Uchiha so easily."
Danzo voiced his displeasure to the empty air, his expression dark as he walked toward the end of the shadowy corridor. As if something had occurred to him, his left eye narrowed slightly.
"Uchiha Itachi and that mysterious person shouldn't have failed. Hiruzen's attitude and the timing of that brat's discharge both confirm that there's something special about him."
"Too bad I can't just take direct action and capture that brat for examination."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had only forbidden Root from contacting Isho. Danzo understood his limits. The Third might dislike him sending people to monitor Isho and Naruto, but he wouldn't say much about it.
Besides, Danzo believed it was his duty and contribution, as head of Root, to protect Konoha.
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