I died once.
Then I woke up again... in Konohagakure.
Not as a member of some legendary clan.
Not with a powerful bloodline.
Not with a mysterious system.
Not even with Chakra.
I was reborn as one of Konoha's countless ordinary civilians.
No family.
No influential connections.
No hidden talent.
Just another insignificant commoner who could disappear from the world tomorrow without anyone noticing.
Fortunately, fate wasn't entirely cruel.
In my previous life, I had read countless novels, watched endless anime, and consumed enough stories to fill an entire library. Those memories became my greatest treasure.
Using those familiar plots, I became a novelist.
Romance.
Adventure.
Mystery.
Tragedy.
Stories that seemed fresh and revolutionary in this world became instant bestsellers.
The royalties were enough to let me live comfortably without worrying about food or rent.
If Jiraiya himself ever read my novels, he'd probably have to respectfully acknowledge me as a senior writer.
Life wasn't exciting.
But that was exactly how I wanted it.
I had no dream of becoming Hokage.
No clan revenge to pursue.
No older brother who slaughtered my family.
No childhood crush.
No destined rival.
No best friend trying to trap the entire world inside an illusion.
Compared to the disasters constantly unfolding around the ninja world...
My peaceful civilian life was like a perfectly still lake.
And I intended to keep it that way.
Today, I had made one terrible mistake.
Buying an entire month's worth of groceries at once.
The shopping bags dug painfully into my hands as I slowly walked home through Konoha's streets.
Rice.
Bread.
Vegetables.
Fruit.
Writing supplies.
Everything weighed far more than I'd expected.
I should have split the shopping into two trips...
Just as that thought crossed my mind, shouting echoed from the alley ahead.
"...Monster!"
"Don't come near us!"
"Get lost!"
I didn't even need to look.
I'd already witnessed scenes like this countless times.
The victim was always the same.
A small blond boy.
Passing by another bullying incident involving Konoha's civilians for what felt like the hundredth time, I simply kept walking.
Interfering directly wasn't an option.
I wasn't a ninja.
I wasn't strong.
I couldn't fight anyone.
I was just an ordinary writer whose greatest weapon was a pen.
As I walked past them—
Snap.
One of my overloaded shopping bags suddenly split open.
Apples rolled across the street.
Bread scattered everywhere.
One apple bounced directly into the blond child's shoulder.
"...Ah."
I blinked.
That...
wasn't planned.
"Oh no..."
I hurriedly crouched beside the child.
"I'm so sorry."
"My shopping bag broke."
"Did the apples hit you?"
The blond boy immediately curled into himself, covering his head with both hands.
He didn't answer.
He didn't even dare raise his head.
I quietly checked whether he'd been injured.
Thankfully...
Just startled.
Relieved, I stood up and looked toward the group of children surrounding us.
Every one of them had frozen.
Their faces turned red with embarrassment as they stared at me.
Smiling gently, I spoke as though nothing strange had happened.
"I'm really sorry."
"Could you all help me pick up my groceries?"
"I'll give everyone some candy afterward."
Silence.
Then...
Almost as if released from a spell...
The children hurriedly bent down and helped collect everything.
While they worked, I silently reflected.
Buying an entire month's groceries...
Really was a stupid decision.
Next month I'd definitely make two trips instead.
Once everything had been packed again, I took several pieces of candy from my pocket and handed one to each child.
"Thank you."
They accepted them awkwardly.
None of them looked me in the eyes.
"...Eh?"
I tilted my head.
"Is something wrong?"
"It's getting late."
"You should all head home before your parents worry."
The children exchanged nervous glances.
Finally, the oldest among them bowed slightly.
"S-Sorry..."
Then the entire group hurriedly ran away.
Only one child remained.
Still crouching.
Still hugging himself tightly.
I sighed softly before setting my bags down again.
Then I gently patted his messy blond hair.
"Little brother..."
"Why aren't you getting up?"
"Are you hurt anywhere else?"
After several seconds...
He slowly lifted his head.
His whisker-like marks were covered with dirt.
His blue eyes were red.
He had obviously been crying.
Yet the moment he looked at me—
He forced a huge smile onto his face.
"I'm fine!"
"I was just... really hungry."
"So I couldn't stand up."
"Haha..."
"Yeah!"
"That's definitely why!"
He nodded repeatedly as if trying to convince himself.
The smile...
Was painfully forced.
I pretended to believe him.
"Oh?"
"So that's what happened."
I reached into my grocery bag and pulled out several apples and a loaf of fresh bread before placing them carefully into his arms.
"Then these are yours."
"Consider them my apology for accidentally hitting you earlier."
"I'll be heading home now."
"Bye."
Before he could react, I quickly picked up my groceries and continued walking.
Not because I disliked him.
Quite the opposite.
I simply understood one truth.
The closer someone became to Naruto, the more likely they were to be caught in the endless storms surrounding him.
And I...
Had absolutely no desire to become involved.
This wasn't the first time I'd encountered him.
Several days ago...
I saw him trying to buy instant noodles.
He had waited patiently in line.
Handed over the money.
Yet the shopkeeper refused to sell him anything.
Instead—
"It's your fault!"
"You scared away my customers!"
"You still expect to buy noodles?"
"Get out!"
The man practically threw him out of the store.
Even now...
I couldn't understand it.
A customer paid.
Therefore, the goods should be delivered.
Wasn't that the most basic rule of business?
Inside, I was furious.
Outside...
My expression never changed.
I quietly returned the groceries I'd planned to buy.
Then I left.
Not long afterward, I bought two cups of instant noodles elsewhere.
When I found Naruto still standing alone outside the first shop...
I simply stuffed the noodles into his arms.
Then walked away.
Fast.
Without looking back.
He shouted something.
I never heard what it was.
Some people might ask...
Why didn't I help him get his money back?
Really?
You're asking me?
Me?
A civilian who got out of breath after jogging fifty meters?
A novelist whose survival strategy consisted of avoiding trouble?
That shopkeeper looked like the type who solved every disagreement with his fists.
If he punched me...
Within two minutes...
He'd probably be kneeling beside my unconscious body, desperately begging me not to die.
This world belonged to people with Chakra.
Bloodlines.
Secret techniques.
Forbidden jutsu.
Meanwhile...
I was someone who could probably choke to death while drinking water.
Trip over a rock and break my neck.
Or die from exhaustion after staying up all night writing another bestseller.
The elderly lady living next door had a six-year-old grandson.
I was fairly certain that child could outrun me.
So what exactly was I supposed to do?
Nothing.
Surviving five peaceful years in the ninja world was already an achievement.
"Hey!"
"Big sister!"
"Wait!"
Footsteps suddenly approached from behind.
Before I could react...
Half the weight in my hands disappeared.
I blinked.
Naruto had picked up one of my grocery bags.
"...?"
This...
Was unexpected.
After meeting him so many times...
This was the first time he'd voluntarily spoken to me.
I looked down at him.
"Is something wrong, little brother?"
"It's getting dark."
"You shouldn't stay outside alone."
Please go home.
Please.
Pretend I don't exist.
Treat me like a random passerby.
Or better yet...
Like a cloud floating overhead.
Anything except becoming involved with me.
Unfortunately...
Naruto completely failed to understand my hidden meaning.
He grinned brightly.
"My name's Uzumaki Naruto!"
"I'll help carry your groceries!"
"No, really..."
"I can manage."
"It's getting late."
"You should hurry home."
Please...
Go.
Naruto laughed.
"It's fine!"
"I'm going to become Hokage someday!"
"Carrying groceries is easy!"
Then...
His smile weakened slightly.
"Besides..."
"No one's waiting for me at home anyway."
The last sentence was almost too quiet to hear.
But...
I heard it.
Every word.
For a brief moment...
I couldn't think of anything to say.
Finally...
I sighed inwardly.
It's only a short walk.
Children forget things quickly.
He probably wouldn't even remember me next week.
So...
I silently accepted.
As we walked together, Naruto chatted nonstop.
About ramen.
About pranks.
About becoming Hokage.
About how everyone would acknowledge him someday.
Most of the time...
I simply listened.
Occasionally replying with a smile or a few short words.
Despite everything he'd endured...
He still smiled.
Still dreamed.
Still believed.
That stubborn optimism...
Was honestly incredible.
Eventually...
We reached my house.
The journey was over.
I accepted the grocery bag from him.
"Thank you."
He scratched his head.
"Hehe..."
Then he stood there awkwardly.
As though he wanted to say something.
But couldn't find the words.
I smiled gently.
"Goodbye."
"See you."
"Goodbye, big sister!"
He waved enthusiastically before skipping away.
I remained standing outside my house.
Watching his tiny figure disappear beneath the evening sky.
The porch light illuminated only a small patch of ground before my front door.
Naruto's footsteps were just about to leave that circle of light.
Then...
I remembered something.
Earlier, while we were walking...
His stomach had growled loudly.
Embarrassed, he'd scratched his head.
"I got delayed..."
"So..."
"I haven't eaten dinner yet."
Delayed?
By what?
By getting surrounded.
By being beaten.
By being hated for a crime he never committed.
I slowly closed my eyes.
Then took a deep breath.
When I opened them again...
Naruto had almost disappeared into the darkness.
Without thinking any further—
I called out.
"Naruto!"
He turned around immediately.
His face lit up with surprise.
I hesitated for only a second before smiling.
"...Would you like to come inside?"
"I just bought some instant noodles."
"We can eat together."
Naruto froze.
His blue eyes widened.
For a long moment...
He simply stood there.
As if he couldn't believe someone had invited him home.
Then, slowly...
The brightest smile I'd ever seen spread across his face.
At that moment, neither of them realized that this simple invitation would quietly become the first thread connecting two lonely lives—and the beginning of a story that would one day change Konoha itself.