One hand reached out—and the loneliest boy in Konoha was pulled into the light.
"Ah—Alaric…"
The moment Hinata Hyuga realized Alaric had taken the seat beside her, her face flushed crimson. She immediately lowered her head, nervously fiddling with her fingers.
As far as Alaric was concerned—
Since he'd already transmigrated into this world, there was no way he was letting her slip by.
Back when snow still covered the streets, he had deliberately brought his household guards out and "happened" to encounter Hinata being bullied. Saving her had not only earned her quiet gratitude—it had also been the moment his golden finger awakened.
What Alaric still couldn't wrap his head around was this village's audacity.
Not just Hinata.
Even Konohamaru.
In the original timeline, both of them had been bullied, mocked, trampled on.
Civilians daring to mistreat clan heirs and the Hokage's own bloodline—
It was beyond stupidity.
Watching Hinata shyly curl in on herself, Alaric knew better than to push too far.
If he startled her into fainting, that would be counterproductive.
Slowly.
Step by step.
He'd make her comfortable first.
—
A short distance away, a blond boy kept sneaking glances toward Alaric.
Naruto Uzumaki.
At this stage, Naruto sat at the very bottom of the Academy's social hierarchy.
Even Shikamaru and Choji hadn't warmed up to him yet. To everyone else, he was just the demon fox—a walking taboo.
Friendless. Isolated.
Yet for some reason, Naruto instinctively wanted to oppose Sasuke.
And because Alaric had crushed Sasuke so effortlessly, Naruto felt an inexplicable fondness toward him.
—
The first class ended quickly.
As the girls began swarming toward Alaric, Naruto mustered his courage and approached first.
"H-Hi… Alaric."
"My name's Naruto Uzumaki."
Looking at the boy's cautious expression, Alaric couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This kid would one day become the savior of the shinobi world.
Konoha really had been blessed.
Bullied like this and still not turning dark—absurd.
Before Alaric could reply, the girls surged forward, shoving Naruto aside.
"Idiot! Don't block Young Master Alaric!"
"Who'd want to be friends with you?!"
"Alaric can't associate with that demon fox!"
"Exactly!"
The jeers came one after another.
Naruto's hand slowly lowered.
His shoulders slumped as he turned back toward his seat.
It felt like this was where he belonged—
Back in the shadows.
Like a nameless little mouse no one cared about.
"I remember you."
The voice cut through the noise like salvation.
"My grandfather talks about you a lot."
Naruto froze.
He snapped his head up, staring straight at the brightest figure in the room.
Alaric.
The crowd instinctively parted.
"Y-Your grandfather… the Third Hokage?"
"Mm."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
For years, in his understanding of the world, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been the only one who genuinely cared about him.
Now—
Alaric didn't look at him with disgust.
Didn't recoil.
That alone was enough to make Naruto's chest feel warm.
Annoyed by the surrounding chatter, Alaric clicked his tongue.
"Come on, Naruto."
"Walk with me."
"Huh? Skip class?"
Naruto hesitated—but when Alaric was already heading out, he didn't think twice before chasing after him.
Their departure left the classroom buzzing.
"Wait… did Young Master Alaric really befriend that demon fox?"
"Why him?"
"Why would Alaric choose Naruto?"
Whispers followed them out the door.
—
On the streets of Konoha, the two walked side by side.
They didn't know—
That everything they did was being watched from the Hokage Tower.
Inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned at the crystal ball.
"What's that brat doing, getting mixed up with Naruto?"
If it had been anyone else, ANBU would've intervened immediately.
But this was his grandson.
And remembering Alaric's outrageous personality, Hiruzen's expression darkened.
If Alaric twisted Naruto into another version of himself—
And the Nine-Tails lost control—
Konoha wouldn't be able to seal it again.
Just as Hiruzen was weighing his options, Danzo Shimura entered the office.
"You still don't understand Alaric?" Danzo said calmly.
"He always has a reason for what he does."
"Don't forget—half the commercial district belongs to our families now."
"That was all Alaric's idea."
"Having the jinchūriki stay by his side is perfect."
"He can become a blade in Alaric's hand."
Danzo's words eased Hiruzen's worry.
Still, Hiruzen eyed him suspiciously.
"You didn't come here just to say that, did you?"
"Spit it out."
Danzo chuckled.
"Yesterday—Alaric's abilities."
"What do you think?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
"You're not planning to target your own grandson, are you?"
"Hmph. I'm not that despicable."
"Don't forget—Alaric has no chakra."
"And the shinobi world doesn't end with Konoha."
Danzo's reminder struck home.
The calm was fragile.
Cloud and Stone were watching from the shadows.
"…Fine," Hiruzen said slowly.
"I'll increase Alaric's protection."
"That's enough."
Danzo turned and left.
Once back at Root, he issued the same order.
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen spoke softly into the empty room.
"Bring Kakashi here."
"I have a mission for him."
A shadow vanished beyond the window.
Hiruzen's gaze returned to the crystal ball.
Alaric and Naruto had already reached the commercial district.
Shopkeepers bowed and smiled as soon as they saw them.
"Good day, Young Master Alaric!"
"Did you come out shopping today, Young Master?"
Naruto stared, wide-eyed.
And the path Alaric was carving for him—
Had only just begun.
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