Rain fell before dawn.
Not a storm.
Just a steady drizzle that turned the streets of Konoha dark and glossy.
Kamui stood beneath the workshop’s roof, watching drops strike the yard.
“…There goes today’s plan.”
The old carpenter walked past carrying a bundle of chisels.
“You had a plan?”
“I was hoping to impress everyone.”
“You’ve had four days.”
“And?”
“You’ve failed.”
Kamui placed a hand over his heart.
“I thought we were becoming friends.”
“We are.”
“…That was friendly?”
“It was gentler than yesterday.”
Kamui laughed.
“I’ll take the improvement.”
The old man disappeared back into the workshop before adding,
“If you’re done talking to the rain, come help sand the cabinet.”
Rainy days meant indoor work.
Daichi measured boards while Kamui sanded them smooth.
The sound of wood against sandpaper filled the room.
Scrape…
Scrape…
Scrape…
After nearly an hour, Kamui finally asked,
“So…”
Daichi didn’t look up.
“So?”
“Does your father always talk like he’s trying to win an argument?”
Daichi smiled.
“He’s nicer than he used to be.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I didn’t either.”
They both laughed.
It was a quiet kind of laughter.
Comfortable.
The sort shared by people working with their hands.
When the rain stopped around midday, the old carpenter stretched his back.
“Enough.”
Kamui blinked.
“We’re finished?”
“The glue needs time to dry.”
“So…”
“So get out.”
“You really don’t like seeing me rest here.”
“I don’t.”
Kamui grinned.
“I’ll be back.”
“You usually are.”
The streets smelled different after rain.
The dust had settled.
The air felt cooler.
Children jumped over puddles while shopkeepers wiped water from wooden signs.
Kamui walked without any real destination.
Some people hurried through life.
He preferred looking around.
Every street taught him something new.
Which shop opened first.
Where the old women gathered to gossip.
Which alley children used as a shortcut.
If he was going to live here…
He wanted to know the village.
Not just its famous places.
Its ordinary ones.
As he crossed a small bridge, a familiar voice reached him.
“Hey!”
Kamui turned.
Naruto stood on the other side of the bridge, breathing hard.
“There you are!”
Kamui looked behind himself.
“…Me?”
“Who else?”
Naruto marched across the bridge until they stood face to face.
Then…
Nothing.
The boy simply stared at him.
Kamui waited.
“…Did you need something?”
Naruto frowned.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
“Why?”
Naruto shoved one hand into his pocket and pulled out a few small coins.
Five ryo.
He held them out proudly.
“I said I’d pay you back.”
Kamui looked at the coins.
Then back at Naruto.
“This isn’t enough.”
“I know.”
“I spent more than this.”
“I know!”
Naruto puffed out his cheeks.
“It’s all I’ve got!”
Kamui couldn’t help smiling.
“So you’re making the first payment?”
Naruto nodded firmly.
“I keep my promises.”
Kamui accepted the five ryo with both hands.
“Then thank you.”
Naruto looked surprised.
“…You’re taking it?”
“Of course.”
“I thought adults always said, ‘Keep it.'”
Kamui slipped the coins into his pocket.
“If someone works hard to repay a debt…”
“…you respect that effort.”
Naruto blinked.
Nobody had ever explained it that way before.
Kamui smiled.
“When you bring the next payment…”
“I’ll take that too.”
Naruto suddenly grinned.
“Then it’ll take forever!”
“I’m in no hurry.”
“…Good.”
For a while, neither of them spoke.
They simply leaned against the bridge railing, watching the water flow beneath them.
Finally Naruto broke the silence.
“So…”
“What?”
“What do you even do?”
Kamui pointed vaguely toward the carpenter district.
“I carry wood.”
Naruto stared.
“…That’s it?”
“Mostly.”
“You’re not a ninja?”
“No.”
“You don’t know any cool jutsu?”
“I know how to avoid dropping furniture on my foot.”
Naruto groaned dramatically.
“That’s so boring!”
“It is.”
Kamui agreed so quickly that Naruto laughed.
“I thought you’d argue!”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because carrying wood is genuinely boring.”
Naruto laughed even harder.
People passing over the bridge glanced toward them.
The loudest laugh belonged to the blond boy.
Kamui smiled to himself.
There it is…
Not the future hero.
Not the jinchūriki.
Just…
A kid laughing on a bridge.
After the laughter settled, Naruto looked toward the Hokage Monument.
“I’m gonna become Hokage someday.”
He said it with complete certainty.
No hesitation.
No embarrassment.
Just conviction.
Kamui followed his gaze.
The stone faces watched over the village in silence.
“Sounds difficult.”
Naruto crossed his arms.
“Tch.”
“I know that.”
“But I’m still gonna do it.”
Kamui nodded once.
“I believe you.”
Naruto looked at him suspiciously.
“…You’re saying it again.”
“Saying what?”
“‘I believe you.'”
Kamui shrugged.
“Should I stop?”
Naruto thought for a moment.
“…No.”
Another silence.
Not awkward.
Just peaceful.
Eventually Naruto stretched.
“I gotta go.”
“So do I.”
Naruto started walking backward.
“Don’t forget!”
“The five ryo?”
“I’m paying the rest!”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Naruto turned and ran down the street, waving one hand high above his head.
“See ya, weird guy!”
Kamui raised a hand in return.
“See you, Naruto.”
The bridge grew quiet again.
Kamui reached into his pocket and looked at the five small coins.
They weren’t worth much.
Barely enough to buy a snack.
Yet he smiled as though he were holding something valuable.
Because he wasn’t looking at money.
He was looking at a promise.
And somehow…
He had a feeling Naruto Uzumaki was the kind of person who would spend years keeping even the smallest ones.