The scent of fresh-cut grass mixed with the mellow rustling of leaves in Konoha's quieter outskirts. Beneath the shade of an old tree that spread like a natural umbrella, three young children sat in a triangle—casual, but closely knit.
Kaizen had prepared lunch for all three of them: warm rice balls, grilled fish, and simple but delicious miso soup, neatly packed in reusable containers. His cooking was surprisingly good for someone his age, but he had practiced, using his system to improve on the basic cooking skills he'd had in his previous life. The meals were nourishing, neat, and balanced—not extravagant, but enough to make the other two eat like it was a feast.
Naruto, dressed in a slightly oversized white T-shirt and blue shorts with pockets, dug in with wild energy. "Man! This is so good, you know!" he exclaimed, cheeks stuffed. "Kaizen, you gotta teach me how to cook like this sometime!"
Kaizen smiled lightly. "I could... but then I'd lose my leverage over you two."
Hinata giggled softly behind her hands, and Naruto grinned, mouth still full.
"I remember you," Naruto suddenly turned toward Hinata, pointing his chopsticks at her. "You're that kid I saved one time, right? I mean, I got beat up pretty bad afterwards, but still, I saved you!"
Kaizen raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eye. "Ho? You also saved her? What a heroic little idiot."
"Hey! I'm not an idiot!" Naruto pouted before scratching the back of his head. "Okay, maybe a little. But I did save her!"
Hinata looked down, a soft red tint brushing her cheeks. "Th-thank you... again," she murmured. "Back then, I didn't even get to say it."
"It's fine!" Naruto waved it off with a big grin. "I don't need thanks. I mean, that's what heroes do, right?"
Kaizen chuckled. "Trying to be a hero without a forehead protector or even Academy admission? You really are in a hurry, huh?"
Naruto puffed up. "Tch! I'm gonna join the Academy soon, and then I'll become the Hokage! Just you watch!"
Kaizen leaned back against the tree, smiling as he gazed up through the branches. "You really want that seat, huh?"
"Of course!" Naruto shouted, almost choking on his rice ball. "Everyone in the village will respect me then, you know?"
Kaizen's smile dimmed slightly, becoming more introspective.
"You know, Naruto…" he said slowly, "Being the strongest doesn't mean others will respect or acknowledge you."
Naruto blinked, clearly confused.
"They might fear you. Use you. Or ignore you even more. You have to earn their respect—every bit of it. And being Hokage? That title's not a reward, it's a responsibility."
Naruto stopped chewing.
"If all you do is chase people's approval, they'll just keep moving the finish line. You'll never win. So don't do it for them. Do it for you. Become someone you're proud of first. That's when the world starts to change."
There was silence under the tree for a moment, the wind whispering between the leaves.
Naruto looked down at his lunch. "...You sound like some old monk or something, you know."
Kaizen laughed, a deep, calm sound for a boy his age. "Guess I'm a little weird that way."
Then he leaned forward, eyes shining with challenge. "But I should tell you—if you want to be Hokage, I won't make it easy. That's my goal too. And you? You're probably the strongest opponent I'll ever have."
Naruto's eyes widened before a massive grin broke across his face. "Heh! Then we'll both work hard and see who wins, yeah?!"
"Yeah," Kaizen nodded. "We'll rise together."
Off to the side, Hinata watched them with quiet awe. Her eyes flitted between Kaizen's thoughtful expression and Naruto's boundless energy. She felt something stir deep in her chest—like a door slowly creaking open inside her.
She had spent so much of her life trying to please her father. Trying to follow the expectations of the Hyuga Clan. Studying. Training. Being quiet. Being obedient. Even when they asked her to one day defeat her own little sister—Hanabi.
Hanabi…
Hinata clenched her small fists on her lap.
She couldn't hurt her. Not ever. Not after seeing the way the branch family was treated. Not after Neji's smiles faded into cold stares and bitter words. She had hoped—if she just worked harder, just behaved—things would get better. But nothing ever did.
Yet… here was Kaizen.
Telling Naruto the opposite of everything she'd been taught.
> "Don't do it for them. Do it for you."
Those words echoed in her bones.
Maybe… if I become strong like Kaizen-kun… if I get smarter too… I can help Father understand. I can protect Hanabi. I can find my own path.
Her eyes sparkled—not with tears, but with something new.
Hope.
Maybe… with Kaizen-kun's help… I can change, too.