The tall figure blocked Naruto Uzumaki's view completely.
Golden hair, a gentle, smiling face, and a large hand resting on his head, freely tousling his hair.
The stranger's sudden arrival left Naruto frozen in place.
For as long as he could remember, apart from a handful of people, everyone deliberately kept their distance whenever they saw him, their faces filled with fear and disgust.
This was the first time a stranger had shown him such affection. And the man looked so familiar.
Especially that golden hair-it was exactly like his own.
Who was this man standing before him?
"What are you standing there for? Come home with me, Naruto."
Just then, the man spoke again and withdrew his right hand.
"W-who are you?"
By the time Naruto came to his senses, the man had already walked ahead, and he hurried after him.
His voice trembled with excitement, carrying a hint of hope he himself had not noticed.
This golden-haired man had recognized him at a glance.
Could he... could he be his father?
"Don't recognize me?"
River smiled faintly and continued.
"That makes sense. You'd only just been born when I left the village."
Turning to see the excitement and hope in Naruto's eyes, River slowly crouched down, placed his right hand on the boy's shoulder, and spoke with a serious expression.
"From today on, remember this face, Naruto."
"Because I might be the only family you have left in this world!"
Naruto Uzumaki shuddered all over. Then, as though he had suddenly realized something, he shouted excitedly, "Dad!"
Immediately afterward, he threw himself into River's arms and burst into tears.
Dad?!
Dark lines seemed to appear across River's forehead, and he pushed Naruto away.
"Hey, kid, I think you've misunderstood something."
"I'm not your dad!"
Naruto froze, tears hanging