Naruto:Good and Evil

After Kenji Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha faced each other, silence enveloped them again, and the atmosphere returned to its original tension.

Just then, the door opened, and a teenager about 17 years old who resembled Sasuke by seven or eight points stepped out.

Both Kenji and Sasuke looked at the teenager at the same time. Sasuke excitedly ran up to him, saying, "Brother, I was practicing my sword techniques. Are you free? You promised to teach me."

Kenji recognized this young man as Itachi Uchiha, the most loyal and idealistic person to the Hidden Leaf Village in the Naruto story. For his ideals, he bore the burden of slaughtering his own clan.

Itachi Uchiha was a perfect figure in Kenji's mind, a perfect ninja, as great as his father. They shared the same weakness: their loved ones.

Itachi would risk returning to the village to warn Danzo not to harm his brother, just as Minato Namikaze used the "Reaper Death Seal" to ensure Kushina and Kenji could watch over Kenji as he grew up. Both were remarkable individuals.

Itachi tapped Sasuke's forehead with two fingers, smiling, "Forgive me, Sasuke, next time." Sasuke, hearing this, pouted like a child and remarked, "You always say that, humph." He turned his face away in discontent.

Kenji watched the interaction between the brothers, feeling envious. This kind of familial love was something he had never experienced in his three lives.

Itachi noticed Kenji's envious gaze and the takeaway box in his hand. He smiled and said, "You're here to deliver food, right? Come in." With that, Itachi led the way into the house, and Kenji followed silently. Sasuke, not wanting to be left out, followed as well.

Itachi gestured to the table in the hall, saying, "Just put it here." After Kenji placed the box down and took out two bowls of ramen, he prepared to leave. But Itachi spoke again, "Why not stay and eat with Sasuke? I have to go out, and you two are about the same age. I think you could be good friends."

Sasuke immediately protested, "Brother, what are you saying? You think I can be friends with this weird guy? Don't joke."

Kenji, hearing Sasuke's comment, retorted, "What did you say? You cocky brat, calling me weird and a fool?"

Sasuke, with a dismissive look, replied, "In this hot weather, you're wearing a cloak, a hat, and a mask, covering yourself up with only half your face showing. If that's not weird, then what is? You're silly, a fool."

After hearing Sasuke's words, Kenji wanted to argue back but found himself at a loss for words since Sasuke was stating the facts. Frustrated, Kenji angrily took off his black cloak and threw it out the window.

Glaring at Sasuke, he was ready to refute him but saw Sasuke staring at him oddly. Kenji asked, "Hey, what's wrong with you, idiot? Why are you staring at me?" Sasuke snapped back to reality and said, "Oh, I thought you were a girl. You sure are pretty."

Kenji nearly choked on his own indignation. "I'm a man! A man, damn it!"

Sasuke, unconvinced, questioned, "You're a man?" Kenji, fiercely, "What's with that suspicious look?" Sasuke shrugged, turning his face away, mumbling, "Who looks that pretty as a man? Anyone would mistake you, except for your fool's face."

Kenji, infuriated, retorted, "You little arrogant brat with a sharp tongue!" and turned his face away.

Meanwhile, Itachi watched their interaction with amusement and said, "Well, you two enjoy your meal. I have to head out." He then turned to Sasuke, "Remember, next time for sure." Itachi smiled, "Sure." He left after speaking.

Sasuke watched his brother leave and only turned back to Kenji after Itachi closed the door, asking, "What's your name, idiot?" Kenji replied calmly, "I'm Kenji Uzumaki, and you're a conceited brat." Sasuke, equally calm, said, "I'm Sasuke Uchiha, and no need to call me names, idiot."

Kenji replied lightly, "Fine, but don't insult me either." Sasuke didn't respond, simply saying, "Let's eat. I'm starving." Sasuke sat down and began eating the ramen. Kenji followed suit, and they ate in silence.

After finishing, Sasuke went outside to practice his sword techniques. Kenji, observing Sasuke's training, joined in. Sasuke noticed Kenji practicing alongside him but, after a brief pause, continued without comment.

However, Sasuke noticed that Kenji's sword techniques were no weaker than his own, and he had more skill. This fueled Sasuke's competitive spirit, always wanting to be the best.

Kenji, too, was surprised by Sasuke's rapid progress. Initially, Sasuke could only hit six or seven targets out of ten, but soon he was hitting all of them. His improvement was remarkable.

Throughout the day, the two boys pushed each other to new heights, gaining mutual respect. They continued until evening, nearly dark.

During this time, Itachi returned, but they were so focused they didn't notice. Later, a man and a woman arrived—it was Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha.

Itachi was about to speak when Fugaku signaled him to wait. Watching Sasuke's sword techniques grow stronger was incredible. Such progress wasn't typical for Sasuke.

Beside him, Kenji, the child of his friend Minato, was also making astonishing progress. After observing for a while, Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi retreated, unnoticed by Kenji and Sasuke.

As the two were engrossed in their training, a gentle voice called from behind, "It's time to eat, Sasuke, and Kenji." The boys snapped out of their focus to see the woman behind them.

Sasuke called out, "Mom." Kenji was momentarily stunned. Mikoto, smiling, took Sasuke's hand and offered her other hand to Kenji, leading him inside.

By the time Kenji returned to his senses, they were already seated at a round table. He sat with Sasuke, while opposite them were Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi. Mikoto encouraged them, "Come on, eat up. What are you waiting for?" Kenji looked at the food in his bowl, unsure. Sasuke seemed a bit hesitant too.

Fugaku's voice came, "Mikoto, your sudden enthusiasm might overwhelm the boy." Realizing her mistake, Mikoto laughed, "I might have been too excited. Seeing Kenji and Sasuke getting along, and Kenji growing up safe and sound, just made me so happy."

Fugaku looked at Kenji and explained, "You might find this strange, but your parents were our closest friends. Before you were born, we hoped you and Sasuke would be like brothers." Sasuke found this hard to believe, but Kenji remained calm.

Fugaku was surprised by Kenji's calmness. "You're not surprised at all?" Kenji replied calmly, "I saw deep pain and love in Aunt Mikoto's eyes and relief in Uncle Fugaku's eyes. Such expressions exist only when elders look at their own. Unlike others, you don't look at me with cold disgust or hatred. So, I assume you had a deep connection with my deceased parents."

Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi were shocked, marveling at Kenji's intelligence. It was almost terrifying. They thought of Minato and could only sigh, "He truly is Minato's child, with such a brilliant mind. Well, let's eat."

Kenji politely said, "Thank you, uncle and aunt, for your hospitality. Although I want to ask about my parents, I know you won't tell me."

Fugaku met Kenji's gaze, "Though I wish I could tell you, we really can't. I'm sorry, Kenji."

Though slightly disappointed, Kenji replied calmly, "I understand. I apologize for putting you in a difficult position."

Fugaku reassured him, "It's alright. Though we can't tell you, you can consider us your family. Sasuke is your brother, Itachi your brother, and Mikoto and I will watch you grow."

Turning to Sasuke, Fugaku asked, "Sasuke, would you like him as your brother?" Sasuke, surprised by his father asking his opinion, quickly thought it over.

He replied, "Though he's a bit of an idiot, I'll accept him. After all, he's not that bad." Kenji was touched. Though Sasuke's words annoyed him, they were heartfelt.

Fugaku then asked Kenji, "Will you be part of our family?" Kenji, warmed by Fugaku's sincerity, gently answered, "Yes."

Fugaku, hearing their responses, momentarily let his calm demeanor slip, but quickly regained composure, nodding, "Let's eat." Fugaku's hidden emotions were noticed by Kenji, who was keenly observant.

Kenji realized why Sasuke was so proud; he was always with his father. Feeling a bit speechless, Kenji focused on his meal, wondering if he was too eager to accept Fugaku's proposal out of longing for affection.

After dinner, with a promise to meet for training the next day, Kenji returned to his hut. Lying in bed, he thought of the love in Fugaku and Mikoto's eyes, feeling warmth in his heart.

Kenji murmured to the moon outside the window, "Looks like the plan has changed a bit."