The morning sun crept gently across the rooftops of Konoha as the village stirred to life. Vendors lifted stall covers, shinobi jogged along the rooftops, and the distant clang of metal from the blacksmith echoed faintly.
Down the road, Naruto Uzumaki came sprinting around the corner, toast in his mouth, sandals slapping hard against the dirt.
He was late.
Again.
But that wasn't what made him stop short.
There, leaning against the wall just outside the Academy gates, stood Ren Uzumaki — arms crossed, bag casually over one shoulder, wearing simple clothes.
No shinobi vest.
No mission gear.
No pouch or gloves.
Just calm eyes, a faint smile, and absolutely no rush.
Naruto blinked, then quickly swallowed his toast.
"Bro? You got a day off or somethin'?"
Ren looked over at him — quiet, unreadable — and then gave the smallest smile.
"Something like that."
Naruto narrowed his eyes suspiciously, circling around him.
"Wait. You're not skippin' are you? That's my job."
Ren just turned and started walking through the gates.
"Come on. You'll be late."
Inside the Classroom
The usual chaos.
Shikamaru yawning with his face on his desk.
Kiba already mid-rant about how Akamaru "almost caught a bird."
Sakura and Ino arguing — again.
Sasuke silent in the back row.
Hinata sneaking glances at Naruto from the side aisle.
As Naruto bounded in behind Ren, loud and clueless, Iruka turned from the blackboard.
His gaze settled briefly on Ren and he gave a small nod — more like a silent signal than a greeting.
Ren nodded back and moved to the side desk — not a student's desk, but one placed specifically for him.
Naruto, still confused, stared.
"Wait, hold on. You're here? What are you—"
Before he could finish, Iruka clapped his hands.
"Alright, everyone! Settle down."
The noise dropped slightly.
"Today we're continuing our chakra control exercises — but we'll be doing it in pairs."
"Also, we have a new assistant for today."
He gestured toward Ren.
"Ren Uzumaki will be helping me guide you through your techniques. If you're struggling, he'll step in to advise."
A few murmurs spread across the class.
"Wait, Ren?!" Kiba frowned. "Why him?"
Shikamaru sighed. "Because he already graduated, genius."
Naruto blinked.
"...Huh?"
"Ren's a genin," Shikamaru continued. "Graduated early. You forgot?"
"Wait—WHAT?!"
Naruto whirled around to stare at his brother, mouth agape.
Ren glanced at him and gave a small shrug.
"Didn't say it was a day off. Just not that kind of mission."
Naruto flailed slightly. "Man, you really are a ninja now… they've got you teaching and stuff?!"
Iruka cleared his throat, amused.
"Yes, Naruto. And you might learn a thing or two if you stop yelling."
As Everyone Began Pairing Up…
Ren stood off to the side, arms folded.
His eyes swept the room — observing posture, focus, chakra flow attempts. He wasn't here to show off. He was here for something else:
To help.
And maybe…
To understand.
Because sometimes, leading others taught you more than walking alone.