The sun had climbed higher, casting long beams over the quiet training field.
Naruto sat cross-legged in the grass, leaf in hand, brows scrunched like he was trying to mentally slice the thing in half.
Ren stood a few paces away, arms crossed, watching with that usual unreadable expression.
"Okay… steady… chakra sharp like a blade… yeah…"
Naruto focused.
The leaf crumpled.
Again.
"Ugh! Why does this wind thing have to be so annoying?!"
"Because you're forcing it again," Ren replied.
Naruto fell back into the grass with a groan. "This would be easier if I had ramen…"
"It would be easier if you were in class," came a new voice.
Both brothers turned sharply.
Iruka-sensei stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, expression hovering somewhere between tired and betrayed.
"Naruto. Do you even remember what time class starts?"
Naruto shot upright. "Uh—Iruka-sensei! Yeah, uh, see, I was doing important training!"
Iruka raised an eyebrow. "With your brother, who's a genin?"
Naruto grinned.
"Yeah! We were working on my wind chakra nature! It's super cool, right? The paper split and everything!"
Silence.
Ren's head turned slowly, his face unreadable — but the stare he gave Naruto could've melted steel.
Naruto blinked. "…What?"
Ren exhaled through his nose.
"You said it was supposed to be a secret."
Naruto's smile faltered. "Oops?"
Ren pinched the bridge of his nose. "Unbelievable."
Iruka blinked. "Wait. You already did a chakra nature test?"
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Ren gave me one! Mine's wind! Like slicing and stuff!"
Ren stepped in, calm but firm.
"Can you keep that between us?"
Iruka looked between them, surprised. "Why?"
"Because he's not ready to show it. He doesn't even know how to control it yet. If word gets out, people start pushing him… before he's prepared."
There was a pause.
Then Iruka sighed and nodded.
"Alright. Fine. I won't say anything."
Naruto let out a breath. "Whew…"
Ren glanced at him again. "You're not off the hook."
"I said oops! That's like an apology!"
Iruka turned to walk off. "Naruto — back in class tomorrow. No skipping. No wind slicing. Just sit down and stay awake."
Naruto grumbled. "Fine…"
Once Iruka was gone, Ren walked past Naruto, tossing him another leaf.
"Now try again. And if you say anything else like that in public…"
Naruto laughed nervously. "I know, I know — you'll throw me into a tree."
Ren didn't respond.
But he didn't say no, either.