The crimson clouds at the horizon were breathtaking.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri and Ōtsutsuki Kyokusen strolled along a narrow path at an unhurried pace.
This was a small trail atop a riverbank dam. At this hour, there were hardly any people around.
It was dinnertime—
most villagers had already returned home for their evening meals.
"Young Master," Kyokusen said softly as she followed behind Toneri,
"someone has been watching us from the shadows today."
She had noticed it the moment they entered the village—
fleeting gazes, intentionally concealed, yet never fully withdrawn.
Those eyes only disappeared after they entered Yūhi Kurenai's home.
"That's normal."
Toneri replied calmly.
"This is Konoha, after all. Our identities are unclear. Monitoring us is only to be expected."
As the number-one ninja village, Konoha saw an immense flow of people every day.
Those who came to submit missions were countless.
Any unfamiliar face entering the village would naturally be observed for a period of time—
to determine whether they posed a threat.
"Young Master, shouldn't we be paying a visit to the Hyūga clan?"
Kyokusen nodded, then asked again with some confusion.
After all, Toneri's purpose in coming to Konoha was the Hyūga clan.
Logically speaking, they should be heading toward the Hyūga compound right now.
"Kyokusen," Toneri replied in the same placid tone,
"your eyes are far too conspicuous. The Hyūga will come looking for us on their own."
Kyokusen possessed the Byakugan.
Once the Hyūga clan learned of this, they would never be able to sit still.
If for no other reason, then at the very least—
they would want to know how her Byakugan came to be.
Kyokusen nodded and fell silent.
After walking for a while, Toneri suddenly came to a stop.
The corners of his lips curved upward ever so slightly.
He saw it—
that figure.
Not far away, beneath the dam near the riverbank, on a small platform,
a short figure sat with his head lowered.
He wore a blue hoodie.
On the back of the jacket was a striking red-and-white fan emblem.
He sat there motionless,
his entire body exuding a lonely, desolate aura.
At the same time, Toneri turned his gaze forward.
A small blond figure with hands in his pockets was walking toward them,
eyes downcast, staring boredly at his own shoes.
Toneri's smile deepened.
He truly hadn't expected that he had merely come here on a whim,
following a half-remembered scene—
And yet, by sheer luck,
he would encounter these two so early.
The Prince.
And the Second Pillar.
At this moment, the Prince—Naruto—still kept his little head lowered.
No one wanted to play with him.
And he had no family.
So he wandered out alone, hoping to ease the loneliness and emptiness in his heart.
As if sensing something, Naruto slowly raised his head.
What entered his eyes
was a pair of people—so beautiful.
Yes… truly beautiful.
Snow-white, noble robes.
Silky white hair.
Delicate, pale features.
Both of them were beautiful.
Naruto felt a faint sense of envy.
With looks like that, and such an elegant presence,
they must be children from some prestigious family, right?
But… how unfortunate.
He couldn't see that boy's eyes.
Why were they closed?
Naruto lowered his head again and continued walking forward slowly.
Kids from families like that probably wouldn't want to talk to someone like him anyway.
After all
He was the monster fox they whispered about.
Naruto's pure blue eyes dimmed.
He wished—so badly—
that someone would keep him company.
He was so lonely.
So very lonely.
Then, as if feeling something again, Naruto stopped and turned his head.
He saw him.
A black-haired boy in blue.
Sasuke, right?
Tch—this annoying guy, acting all brooding again.
Naruto curled his lips, thinking so.
And yet, for some reason,
his gaze was irresistibly drawn to that figure.
He suddenly felt—
That this annoying guy
was lonely too.
Yes.
Lonely.
At that moment, the boy seated on the platform lifted his head as well,
looking in Naruto's direction.
That dead-last…
Sasuke paused briefly.
Then he turned his head toward another direction—
And saw him.
A boy with delicate, refined features.
Such a gentle smile.
Just like…
Just like back then…
Sasuke stared at that smile, momentarily lost.
That expression reminded him of that man.
Time seemed to freeze strangely.
Under the golden glow of the setting sun,
three boys stood facing three different directions.
Toneri looked at Naruto.
Naruto looked at Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at Toneri.
The gears of fate
finally began to turn at this moment.
Perhaps their futures
had already been decided long ago.
"Prince~"
After a long while, Toneri smiled gently and called out to Naruto,
who was still staring blankly at Sasuke.
"Eh?"
Naruto turned around in confusion and looked at Toneri.
Then he glanced around, confirming there was no one else nearby,
before looking back again.
"Are you… calling me?"
"Yes."
"I'm not Prince."
"I know."
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto!"
"I know that too."
"Huh?"
Naruto scratched his head, his little face scrunching up in confusion as he stared at the clean, refined boy before him.
His brain couldn't quite process it.
If he already knew his name—
then why call him Prince?
And more importantly…
Why did he know his name at all?
They had never met before.