The sun hung low over Konoha, painting the village in tones of fading gold and soft rust. The market stalls were beginning to close, shutters creaking as vendors packed away their goods for the evening. The laughter of children echoed faintly in the distance, somewhere near the river.
But near the Academy gates, it was quiet.
Ren Uzumaki leaned against the tall wooden post by the entrance, arms crossed, one foot resting back against the wall. His Konoha forehead protector was tied neatly across his forehead, just like his brother wore his — a quiet symbol, nothing flashy, but clear.
A small dusting of dirt clung to his sleeves from the in-village mission he had finished earlier — another quiet courier job. Nothing hard, nothing loud.
But he didn't go home.
He never did.
Because this was routine.
This was tradition.
He always waited.
Across the street, two chūnin passed by and nodded to him with quiet respect. Even a few villagers, the ones who used to look through him, now looked at him — some with curiosity, some with silent recognition.
Ren ignored them all.
His eyes were on the gate.
Then the bell rang.
And right on time, the double doors burst open with a familiar chaos.
"GET BACK HERE, NARUTO!"
"I SAID I DIDN'T DO IT—OKAY I KINDA DID BUT—HEY!"
Naruto tore out of the Academy yard like a cannonball, trailed by dust and one very angry instructor chasing him with a clipboard.
He jumped the steps two at a time, grin wide, frog-patterned scarf flapping behind him.
Then he spotted Ren.
Skidded to a stop.
Grinned wider.
"Yo!"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Get in trouble again?"
"Just a tiny bit."
The clipboard slammed behind the gate. Someone shouted, "Uzumaki!!" from the building.
Naruto cleared his throat. "Anyway, what's up?"
Ren turned and began walking. Naruto jogged to match his pace.
"Mission done?" Naruto asked.
Ren nodded. "Courier run. Nothing interesting."
"Did you fight anyone?"
"No."
"Did anyone try to fight you?"
"No."
"Lame."
Ren smirked. "You ask me that every time."
Naruto grinned. "You wait here every time."
"...Yeah," Ren said, softly.
They walked side by side through the village streets, the sky above turning amber. No words for a while — just steps on stone, the quiet rhythm of two boys moving as one.
Same as always.
Because no matter how far Ren got ahead…
He always came back.
To walk Naruto home.