The two outcasts

Danzo spread rumors from the shadows, while Hiruzen Sarutobi tacitly allowed them and did nothing, leading the ordinary villagers to believe them.

There were two Demon Foxes in the village, and the countless casualties during the Nine-Tails' Rampage had left the villagers terrified.

The brothers, Meihui and Naruto, suffered for it.

"Repeat a lie often enough, and people will believe it. Sigh... Naruto, let's go. There's hardly anything left to eat at home. Let's buy some food."

Meihui had searched every room in the house without finding a single bite to eat.

It really was like that saying: even a thief breaking into their house would have to bring them two bags of rice.

So he decided to take Naruto out and buy some food with what little money they had left.

And that money would only stretch to some instant noodles. There was nothing he could do-Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't give them any money.

By the time he took Naruto outside, evening had already fallen.

He walked down the street with Naruto, where a few scattered people still lingered.

When they looked at Meihui and Naruto, their gazes were cold.

Some even hurled abuse at them.

"Hey, you two walking disasters! Stay away from me!"

Meihui knew the plot of Naruto, so he knew how unhappy Naruto's childhood had been and how miserably he had lived. But only after experiencing it himself did he truly understand Naruto's pain and helplessness.

Yet there was nothing he could do now except try his best to protect his little brother, Naruto.

Faced with these villagers who didn't know the truth, Meihui didn't want to argue with them. There was no point-they wouldn't listen.

He simply ignored them and took Naruto into a shop to buy some things.

But the owner chased them out.

"Get out, get out! Don't ruin my business. What rotten luck!"

"Hey, how can you talk to us like that? We just want to buy a few things. Is even that not allowed?" Meihui couldn't stand it anymore.

But he hadn't expected the owner's response.

"Buy things? I'd never sell my goods to you two Demon Foxes. Get lost!"

Meihui was furious. He clenched his teeth and was about to explode.

Then he saw a rock flying toward them, followed by eggs, rotten vegetable leaves, and even bricks.

They were only three years old. What strength did they have to fight back?

All they could do was dodge, but a brick struck Naruto in the head.

Crimson blood streamed down Naruto's head, staining his golden hair red.

Naruto touched his head. When he saw his hand covered in blood, he burst into tears of fright.

Meihui was startled too and hurried over to check Naruto's injury.

But the people who had attacked them had already fled.

"Naruto, don't be scared. I'll take you to the hospital." With that, Meihui hoisted Naruto onto his back and rushed toward the hospital.

Naruto kept crying. He was terrified.

When Meihui reached the hospital, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Someone get a doctor! My little brother was hit in the head, and he's bleeding!"

Hearing the shouting, a medical worker came out, examined Naruto's wound, and bandaged it.

When it was time to pay, Meihui was embarrassed. He barely had any money.

Rei Sarutobi emerged from the shadows wearing an ANBU mask, paid the bill for Meihui, and left without a word.

Naruto might not have known who she was, but Meihui did. She had looked after them since they were babies.

Meihui didn't ask any questions and simply took Naruto home.

On the way, Naruto lay silently on Meihui's back, lost in thoughts Meihui couldn't guess.

"Onii-chan, why did they hit us?"

"Naruto, does it still hurt?" Rather than answer Naruto's question, Meihui changed the subject.

"It doesn't hurt anymore, Onii-chan. Good thing I have you. Hehe."

"All right, silly little brother. Let's go home."

Beneath the setting sun, two golden-haired figures moved along.

Once they were home, Naruto hurriedly jumped down from Meihui's back and ran into the room. Meihui had only just closed the door.

Then he heard Naruto shouting.

"Onii-chan, this is bad! A thief broke into our house!"

"A thief? That can't be right. We're dirt poor."

When Meihui went inside, he found food and daily necessities on the table.

He immediately guessed who had left them.

Meihui stroked Naruto's head and said,

"Naruto, a thief didn't break in. Someone is helping us. It was the big sister who paid your medical bill today."

"Oh? Where is that big sister? I want to thank her."

"Yes, we should be grateful, Naruto. Make sure to thank her the next time we see her."

Outside the house, Rei Sarutobi heard those words and smiled faintly beneath her mask.