The moment the lesson concluded, Ryoto saw a flock of girls making a beeline for him. At their head was the one called Rin. The third time! This is the third time she has pursued me! What could she possibly want?! But whatever it was, Ryoto spun on his heel and bolted. A dash, a leap through the window, and a perfect landing—all executed in a single, fluid motion.
In his brief, limited, and arduous life, Ryoto had come to understand a singular truth: one should not concern oneself with the opinions of others, but rather focus on how to live one's own life in comfort. Having been reborn into a clan of dog-users, why not embrace this "canine" philosophy to its fullest? In a word, he understood everything. The key is a clear mind. So why avoid these girls? Was it so bad to be the center of their attention? Not at all, but they weren't leggy beauties, so his interest was nil. Ryoto preferred mature, older-sister types; even thousand-year-old elven lolis or multi-millennial dimwit goddesses were outside his zone of interest.
In the grass of a flowerbed lay a small, silver puppy. He watched as Rin emerged from around a corner, her face etched with anxiety as she scanned her surroundings for someone. So why did he make a point of avoiding her in particular? When you know you are approaching a whirlpool that will surely drown you, why not steer clear of it? Avoid her. He must avoid her. Absolutely, unequivocally, avoid her. Nohara Rin would not live to see her fourteenth birthday. Her life would be cut short forever on the battlefields of the Third Shinobi World War.
This was not some unavoidable destiny. Ryoto didn't believe in such things, even in this world steeped in fatalism. However, behind Rin's death, its direct cause, stood a man named Uchiha Madara. And as long as Obito loved Rin, Madara would do everything in his power to see her killed. Thus, it was better not to form bonds, for they would only deepen the eventual solitude.
Ignoring Rin, who was searching for him in the schoolyard, Ryoto lay in the grass of the flowerbed with his eyes closed, savoring a moment of tranquility. His ears twitched slightly, catching the sounds of the world around him. Training was not to be neglected under any circumstances—it was the most crucial asset for survival. But training to the point of exhaustion was for fools. As someone who had endured a rigorous selection process in his past life, Ryoto had his own secrets to learning: one must know how to rest well and study well. To constantly push oneself was to break, for both the mind and body have their limits.
Although… Might Guy was an exception. That guy was a monster of willpower. Watching the green "watermelon head" run laps around the yard during break until he was drenched in sweat, Ryoto raised his canine eyebrows. Found your path this early, huh? Now all that's left is to run with all your might. How wonderful…
Timing it perfectly, Ryoto returned to the classroom just before the bell rang, using the same window route, and stood in the corner by the back wall. Kakashi, seeing this, thought for a moment and then stood in the corner by the front. A few girls had just stood up when the bell rang and Takeru entered the classroom. The next two lessons were humanities, mainly focusing on literacy. Over the previous week, most children from ordinary families had mastered the syllabary, and now it was just a matter of reinforcement. As usual, Ryoto idled during lessons and escaped during breaks.
At lunchtime, Smarty brought a bento prepared by his mother. Ryoto, who had already begun to worry about his meal, was nearly moved to tears. Mom loves me. The bento was still warm, freshly made—Inuzuka Rin was so thoughtful. A whole box filled with a mother's love. Taking the bento and Smarty, he headed to the school roof and picked the lock on the door. Since he had the chance to attend school again, he had to eat his bento on the roof like a proper protagonist; otherwise, something would feel missing. A pilgrimage to the holy sites; the ritual was important.
Except… a boy and a dog sat before the fence on the deserted rooftop, sharing a single bento, taking bites in turn as they watched the students below. After finishing their meal, Ryoto sat cross-legged. Smarty curled up in a ball on his lap. Ryoto, propping his cheek on his hand, watched their vibrant youth with a smile.
Naruto is a story of dreams, of passion, of bonds. Everyone here, no matter who they were, fought for something their entire lives and were bound by that very thing. But the shinobi world is a cruel and realistic place. That is why they failed. It wasn't like his past life, where failure at worst meant depression, not death. So, was it worth fighting to the death for something this time? No. Ryoto wanted neither to lose his own life nor for anyone to lose theirs because of him. World peace, mutual understanding, happiness, protecting his mother—that was all he needed for a simple and quiet life. It was enough to be in a safe place at key moments. To clear this wretched game solo and reach the finale with ease. So why complicate his life and subject himself to suffering? There was absolutely no need.
"These kids are so persistent…" Ryoto murmured, stroking the head of Smarty, who lay on his lap. It was all because of her.
At the entrance to the roof stood Rin, a bento in her hands. She looked at Ryoto sitting on the ground, hesitating to approach. His entire figure seemed to radiate an aura of "do not approach." An immense sense of loneliness, as if he were alone in the entire world. No, it was more like he existed outside this world, not participating in it. Rin couldn't fully comprehend it, but she felt something intuitively. He seems so lonely.
"Ryoto-kun…" Rin stepped forward, a smile gracing her lips.
At that moment, Ryoto turned his head and looked at her. His beautiful golden eyes had narrowed into vertical slits. He stared at the girl in silence, a wordless warning. Having taken only a single step, Rin froze. Ryoto-kun's gaze was severe, just like on the first day they met—bestial, yet even more dangerous and calm.
"Extroverts like you are truly annoying."
Ryoto wasn't a sociophobe, just a bit of a homebody. When he went wild, he scared himself, and then he wanted to die of shame. Rin didn't understand what an "extrovert" was, but she understood one thing. He doesn't like me! Sometimes, kindness can be the cruelest thing, which means cruelty can also be a form of kindness.
"Nohara Rin, right?"
This was the most difficult hidden storyline, especially at this moment. If he could clear it, he might be able to trigger the finale ahead of schedule. But he didn't have the strength for it, you see? Ryoto turned away and looked back down at the yard below. A great distance separated them on the roof, and the old, cracked tiles were webbed with fine fissures. Rin stood rooted to the spot, her feet feeling as if they were filled with lead, unable to move. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Although I don't know what you've been imagining, I must clear up this misunderstanding."
Ryoto patted Smarty on the head and said:
"Transform, Suzu."
"Woof!" Smarty yipped and leaped from his lap. Only now did Rin notice the small, silver dog. Smarty barked at Rin and, to her utter astonishment, transformed into Ryoto, crouched down, and scratched behind her ear. That familiar posture… What in the world is happening?!
"I think you understand now. You didn't see me. If Suzu did something impolite, I apologize on her behalf. By the way, Suzu is a sweet girl; she couldn't have done anything bad to you."
Rin understood everything. It wasn't Ryoto-kun who licked me, but a puppy. It was acceptable, yet at the same time, somehow unbearable. What have I been thinking all this time?! I've even picked out names for our children!
"Waaaaah!!!" a loud cry erupted. Rin burst into tears. From somewhere, she found the strength, and her heavy legs could move again. She turned and ran away, sobbing loudly.
This was for the best. Ryoto gazed at the yard below.
"I'm truly sorry that I can't save you."
A long while later, the bell for class rang. Ordering Smarty to take the bento box home, Ryoto stood up. After lunch was physical training: a level assessment and monotonous physical exercises. Rin's eyes were red and swollen; she sniffled throughout the lesson while Kurenai fussed over her. During the run, Ryoto dawdled at the very back, just ahead of him was Obito. At the edge of the field lay two "corpses"—the exhausted and collapsed Miyoko and Mai. Leading the run was the white-haired Kakashi.
After breezing through a day of classes, Ryoto returned home.
…
"Mom! I'm home!"
The living room smelled of an unfamiliar guest. Smarty, Zato, and Masao greeted Ryoto at the door. Tossing his backpack and kicking off his shoes, Ryoto burst into the living room and grabbed a can of juice from the refrigerator.
"No respect at all! Get over here!" Inuzuka Rin shouted.
Ryoto walked over and saw a tall guest sitting with his back to him on the sofa. His white hair was particularly noticeable.
"What is it? I still have homework to do!"
"Come here, Ryoto," Inuzuka Rin said. "This is the teacher I found for you!"
Ryoto approached his mother and looked at the man across from them. He was a very ordinary-looking middle-aged ninja, with spiky white hair tied back in a small ponytail and a gentle demeanor.
"This is… the Jōnin Commander… the White Fang of Konoha… Hatake Sakumo," Inuzuka Rin introduced him.
She left out one detail: one of the most likely candidates for the next Hokage, the future Fourth, whose only rival was the cold Orochimaru. Staring at this man with a short-lived destiny, Ryoto was dumbstruck. The White Fang looked at Ryoto with interest. What's with that look, as if he's seen a ghost?
When you know you are approaching a whirlpool that will surely drown you, why not steer clear of it?
"Mom! I don't want to!"
A fist immediately descended upon Ryoto's head! He clutched his head and crouched down, hissing in pain!
"What nonsense are you spouting! If you don't want to, you'll be made to!" Inuzuka Rin looked at the White Fang. "Brother Sakumo, please forgive the scene. My son is a bit disobedient; when you teach him, don't hold back."
There was no escape! Dammit! Crouching on the floor, Ryoto felt the ground give way beneath him. The Inuzuka Clan had chosen its side.