After leaving the hospital, mother and son made their way toward the bustling center of the village. Lanterns were being lit one by one as the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow over the streets.
"Let's go celebrate your birthday, Megumi," Kaede said softly, holding his small hand in hers.
They eventually stopped in front of a familiar barbeque restaurant—Yakiniku Q, a place known for being lively and crowded. Dragging Megumi inside, Kaede ordered three plates of meat and had them brought to their table.
"You should eat," Kaede said with a gentle smile, sliding two of the plates in front of him. "Mommy will pay."
She didn't realize, in that moment, it would be one of her worst decisions.
Megumi dug in as if he hadn't eaten in years, devouring the meat with a ferocity that turned heads.
"Megumi, slow down," Kaede whispered, concern lacing her voice. "No one is going to take your food away."
She was more worried about their budget. Raising him alone already strained her finances, and Megumi's bottomless appetite wasn't helping.
[Host, you truly live up to your title.]
"Huh?" Megumi paused mid-bite, cheeks full, embarrassed by the jab. He was about to fire back at the system when a rough cough caught his attention.
"Cough, cough…"
The sound came from the table directly in front of them.
Megumi stood up, thinking it was someone in distress, but instead found a man lazily smoking while chatting with two young women.
"Excuse me, sir," Megumi said politely, keeping his tone respectful. "Would you mind not smoking here?"
The man, dressed in an expensive kimono, barely glanced at him. He continued talking to the woman across from him as though Megumi didn't exist.
Megumi clenched his fists but swallowed his frustration.
The man kept puffing until one of the women sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the boy lingering by their table.
"Asuma, just deal with him already," she muttered, tossing more meat onto the grill.
"Hey, kid," the man—Asuma Sarutobi—finally spoke, his eyes still fixed on his companion. "Get out of my sight."
Megumi froze. So this was Asuma… He remembered this was the place where Asuma often ate with his friends and students in the future.
His demeanor shifted instantly. The politeness vanished, replaced by sharp defiance.
"Hey, I'm talking to a grown man here," Megumi said coldly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Respect goes both ways. Didn't your parents ever teach you that?"
The table went silent. Everyone stared at the boy whose attitude had just flipped.
"Brat, that's too much for someone your age," the young woman in a netted dress snapped, glaring at him.
Megumi smirked. "I don't remember speaking to you. So mind the way you talk."
Her name was Anko Mitarashi, and though Megumi knew exactly who she was, he didn't care.
Anko's face darkened. She was seconds away from striking him, but restrained herself. Shinobi weren't allowed to harm civilians.
The other woman—Kurenai Yūhi—gently touched Anko's arm. "Let it go. He's just a kid."
Asuma's eyes narrowed. He finally gave Megumi his full attention, studying him. "Wait… You're that boy from the rumors. The one with no chakra."
His lips curled into a mocking grin. "Tell me, chakraless brat, why is my smoking a problem for you?"
Megumi's face stiffened.
"Asuma, that's enough," Kurenai said sharply, noticing the boy's reaction.
But Megumi laughed—a sharp, mocking giggle that made Asuma's expression pale.
"You think calling me names will hurt me? You're dumber than I thought."
That broke Asuma's temper. "You little—!" He lunged, throwing a punch at the boy.
But before his fist could land, another hand intercepted it—firm and unyielding.
Kaede stood between them, her eyes cold, holding Asuma's wrist just inches away from her son. She had been listening the entire time, torn between pride and worry. Pride because Megumi had stood his ground even after being insulted. Worry because he had just provoked the son of the Third Hokage.
Her cough returned. "Cough… cough…" Her illness was worsening by the day, and she didn't have the strength to escalate this.
"I apologize for my son's disrespect," Kaede said quickly, bowing her head. "Please forgive him."
"Asuma, let it go," Kurenai urged again.
Kaede turned to Megumi, her tone sharp. "Megumi, apologize."
"Huh? Why should I be the one to apologize?" Megumi frowned.
"Megumi," Kaede said firmly, anger flashing in her eyes. "As your mother, I'm telling you to do it—here and now."
"…Fine." Megumi's voice was cold. He bowed slightly, his smile empty. "I'm sorry for my actions, senior."
Without another word, he turned and walked out, ignoring Kaede's voice calling after him. His expression wasn't hostile, but it wasn't warm either—just distant, detached.
"I know you're not happy," Kaede said softly when she finally caught up with him. "But that was the best choice in that moment."
"Okay. Let's just go home," Megumi muttered.
But instead of heading toward the Nara clan compound, Kaede tugged his hand in the opposite direction.
"Where are we going?" Megumi asked, surprised. It was already late.
"Don't worry," Kaede replied. "I'll explain everything soon."
After a long walk through quieter streets, they stopped in front of a tall building.
"What are we doing here, Mom?" Megumi asked, staring at the structure.
"This," Kaede said proudly, "is our new house. Do you like it?"
Megumi blinked. "Wait—you bought a new house? What happened?"
"Let's go inside. I'll explain better there."
They stepped in, and before shutting the door, Kaede glanced toward the third house opposite them. Her sharp gaze swept the rooftop where two masked figures crouched.
"Did she just notice us?" one of the ANBU whispered.
"Don't underestimate her," the other replied. "She was once an ANBU captain."
Inside, Kaede activated the barrier seals she had prepared in advance. A faint glow shimmered across the walls before vanishing.
Megumi wasted no time. "So, tell me. Why did you make me apologize to that spoiled brat?"
Kaede's mouth twitched. Hearing a five-year-old call someone three times his age a brat was surreal.
"Because that boy is the son of the Third Hokage," she explained patiently. "And the women with him weren't just anyone either."
Megumi's eyes narrowed, but he stayed silent, waiting.
"The woman in red was Kurenai Yūhi. Her father, Shinku Yūhi, is a powerful jōnin specializing in genjutsu."
"And the other…" Kaede hesitated. "The other is more dangerous. Her name is Anko Mitarashi. She was once the disciple of one of the Legendary Sannin—Orochimaru."
She took a slow breath before continuing. "He betrayed the village. He was caught kidnapping and experimenting on people… including her."
Megumi stiffened. His body trembled as memories of Orochimaru's vile reputation resurfaced. Damn it… I almost forgot about that snake. I just hope I'm not on his list of experiments.
"So why are you telling me all this?" Megumi finally asked. "What I really want to know is why you left the clan… and what happened between you and the Third Hokage."