The training field smelled faintly of ash.
Ren Uzumaki stood before a second blackened dummy, sleeves rolled to his elbows, a scroll pinned open beside him. The kanji read:
Fire Style: Flame Bullet (Katon: Endan)
A fast, focused burst of flame — efficient, deadly, and extremely unstable if misfired.
Ren exhaled, eyes narrowing as he began to mold chakra.
This wasn't like Fireball. There was no show of force, no grand display. This was precision. Like a blade of heat.
His hand seals moved cleanly:
"Tiger → Horse → Monkey → Boar → Dragon → Rat…"
His chakra compressed tightly — dangerously so.
"Katon: Endan."
A sudden flash of flame burst forward — quick, controlled, and hot enough to sear a line straight through the center of the dummy. The wood hissed, split, and sizzled from the inside out.
Ren flinched slightly. The recoil had tugged at his lungs — too hard, too fast.
He coughed once, eyes focused.
"Too much pressure on the exhale. Tighten the core, not the throat."
From the tree line, a quiet figure watched.
Iruka Umino, arms folded, half-hidden behind a tree trunk.
He hadn't been called there.
He'd just… followed them.
Farther Off – Naruto's Side of the Field
Naruto stood on a stump with his arms out, trying not to wobble.
"Okay okay… chakra… chakra… concentrate…!"
He bit his lip, focusing hard as a single leaf sat on his palm.
A pulse. A flicker. The leaf trembled — then popped upward and smacked him in the face.
"GAAHH! I had it!"
From behind him, Ren spoke calmly.
"You're overthinking your hands. Focus on your gut."
Naruto turned. "You done already?!"
Ren nodded, approaching. "Tried Flame Bullet."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Did it work?"
"Mostly."
Ren stood beside him, adjusting his stance.
"Balance your weight. Relax your shoulders. Push the chakra through your stomach and let it rise naturally."
Naruto mimicked him. "Like this?"
Ren nodded. "Try again."
This time, the leaf stayed still. It trembled faintly — no wobble, no explosion.
Just… stillness.
Naruto grinned. "I DID IT! I—!"
Poof! The leaf flew again and smacked him in the forehead.
"Ow."
Ren smiled faintly. "Progress."
From the Tree Line – Iruka's POV
Iruka leaned slightly forward, one hand resting on the bark.
He watched Naruto — wild, loud, messy — and Ren — silent, deliberate, composed.
The contrast was stark. But the bond was undeniable.
Still… something bothered him.
"That fire technique…" he murmured. "That wasn't just training. That was close to chūnin level execution."
And the chakra output — smooth, steady, but deep. Far deeper than a ten-year-old should have.
Iruka narrowed his eyes slightly.
"There's more to him. More than even Naruto knows."
He wouldn't say anything.
Not yet.
But he'd keep watching.
Quietly.
As the Sun Lowered
Naruto slumped against a tree, sweat on his brow.
"I'll get it right tomorrow."
Ren sat beside him, arms resting on his knees.
"You did better than yesterday. That's enough."
Naruto turned his head. "You ever gonna tell anyone?"
Ren blinked. "Tell them what?"
"You know."
Ren didn't answer for a while. Then:
"Only if I have to."
Naruto nodded slowly, yawning.
"Then I'll keep it too."
The sky glowed orange above them. No words were needed after that.
Two brothers sat in the cooling light.
And from a rooftop across the village, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his hands behind his back.
He'd read the mission reports. He'd seen the signs.
"Ren Uzumaki…" he whispered.
"You're not just another prodigy, are you?"