The morning sun peeked over the rooftops of Konoha, casting long beams through the window of the small apartment. The scent of warm stone and early light drifted in on a breeze.
Inside, the apartment was already clean. The floor swept, table cleared, the kettle steaming faintly in the kitchen.
Ren Uzumaki was ready.
Clothes pressed. Headband straight across his forehead. Bag slung over one shoulder, light but organized.
He stood by the door.
Waiting.
And behind him…
"Mmmph… five more minutes…"
A lump shifted under the covers on the floor mat — messy blond hair poking out, limbs tangled in a blanket like a defeated frog.
Ren sighed and turned, arms crossed.
"Bro… how many times do I have to wake you up?"
Naruto groaned. "But it's warm…"
"So is the sun. You're going to be late."
"Just five—"
"No."
A pillow flew across the room, missing Ren by a mile.
He shook his head. "Unbelievable."
Ten minutes later, Naruto stumbled out of the washroom, still yawning, hair a disaster, frog-patterned scarf tossed around his neck.
Ren was already at the door, unlocking it.
"Finally," he muttered.
Naruto rubbed his eyes. "We going somewhere?"
Ren turned, locking the door behind them. The morning air brushed past both their shoulders.
"You're heading to class."
"And you?"
"Library first. Studying wind chakra nature... and fire."
Naruto perked up slightly. "Fire too?"
Ren nodded. "Figured I'd start pairing elements. Learning how they counter. How they combine."
Naruto blinked, then gave a grin.
"Don't go turning into a genius on me."
"Too late."
Naruto snorted. "Tch."
Ren turned to him, raised a fist.
"After that, we train."
Naruto grinned, fist-bumped him.
"Got it!"
They stood at the edge of the stairs for a moment, both facing the village below.
Different goals. Same path.
Every day started like this — a door, a fist bump, and another quiet promise to keep moving forward.
Together.