Spring had arrived in Konoha. Sakura blossoms bloomed along every street, painting the village with a soothing beauty. Kenji was now five years old, and Naruto had turned one—already beginning to walk on unsteady legs and producing simple words.
"Bro... bro..." Naruto called out while toddling toward Kenji who was sitting on their apartment floor.
Kenji immediately opened his arms, ready to catch his brother if he fell. "Come on, Naruto. Nice and slow."
Naruto made it into his older brother's embrace and laughed happily. "Bro! Bro!"
"Yes, yes. Your brother is right here," Kenji said while gently patting Naruto's head. Moments like this always warmed his heart, making him forget for a little while all the weight he carried.
But this simple happiness wouldn't last forever. Kenji knew that.
Soon, the discrimination against Naruto would begin. People would find out that Naruto was the Kyuubi's jinchuriki. And his little brother's life would turn into a living hell.
I have to be ready.
Kenji stared out the window while holding Naruto. His thoughts drifted to the plans he had been putting together.
The system had helped him develop rapidly over the past year. His weapon-crafting ability had already surpassed Tatsuya's expectations. Even some Chunin had started placing custom weapon orders with him.
But it still wasn't enough.
[System: Crafting Master]
[Master Status]
[Name: Kenji Uzumaki]
[Age: 5 Years]
[Level: 6]
[Ability: Weapons Craftsman Level 4, Material Analysis Level 2, Chakra Manipulation Level 1]
[Available Blueprints: Tactical Combat Knife, Simple Folding Crossbow, Modified Boomerang Shuriken, Chakra Combat Gauntlets]
[Experience Points: 890/1,000]
[Active Missions: Protect Your Little Brother (Lifetime), Fuse Chakra with Weaponry (4 Months Remaining)]
Kenji studied his system status seriously. The mission to fuse chakra with weapons was still unfinished. He had crafted the chakra combat gauntlets according to the blueprint, but hadn't yet managed to channel elemental chakra into them.
"Bro! Play!" Naruto tugged at Kenji's shirt.
"Alright, alright," Kenji smiled. "What do you want to play?"
"Kunai!" Naruto pointed at the wooden toy kunai Kenji had made for him.
Kenji laughed. Even at this age, Naruto was already drawn to ninja weapons. "You really are your father's son."
They played until late afternoon. Kenji threw the wooden kunai at a target he had mounted on the wall, and Naruto clapped his hands every time it hit the mark.
Knock knock knock.
A tap at the door made Kenji stop. He opened it to find Tenten standing there with a wide smile, carrying a basket of bread.
"Kenji! Tou-san just baked bread! I brought some for you and Naruto!" Tenten said cheerfully.
"Thank you, Tenten," Kenji said while accepting the basket. "Want to come in?"
"Of course!"
Tenten came in and immediately ran to Naruto. "Naruto-kun! You've gotten so big!"
"Ten! Ten!" Naruto laughed while stretching out his arms.
Tenten picked him up carefully. "Wow, you're so heavy now!"
Kenji smiled watching them. Tenten was one of the few people who treated Naruto sincerely and without prejudice.
"Kenji, you're coming to the workshop tomorrow, right?" Tenten asked while playing with Naruto.
"Yes. Why?"
"Tou-san said there's something he wants to show you. He said it's important."
Kenji nodded. "Alright. I'll be there."
The following day, after leaving Naruto with Grandma Hana, Kenji went to the workshop. Tatsuya was already waiting there with a serious expression.
"Kenji, there's something I want to discuss with you," said Tatsuya while closing the workshop door.
"What is it, Tatsuya?"
Tatsuya retrieved something from behind the desk—an old scroll that looked worn with age.
"This is my family's inheritance. A weapon-crafting technique passed down from generation to generation." Tatsuya unrolled it, revealing complex diagrams and ancient writing. "Until now, I've only been teaching you basic techniques. But I think... you're ready for this."
Kenji studied the scroll seriously. He could see weapon designs he had never encountered before—not even in his knowledge of the Naruto world.
"What kind of technique is this?"
"A technique for making weapons that can store and release chakra," Tatsuya answered. "Not many smiths have mastered it. Even in Konoha, there are perhaps only three or four."
Kenji's eyes lit up. This was perfect. This was exactly what he needed to complete his mission!
[System: Crafting Master]
[New Knowledge Detected!]
[Analyzing: Chakra-Storing Weapon Crafting Technique]
[Analysis Complete! Knowledge Added to Database]
[New Ability Unlocked: Basic Seal Engraving Level 1]
"Why are you giving this to me?" Kenji asked.
Tatsuya smiled thinly. "Because over the past year, you've shown extraordinary talent. Even surpassing my best students from long ago." He looked at Kenji seriously. "And I feel... you're destined for something great."
Kenji went quiet. Tatsuya's words sounded like a premonition.
"Thank you, Tatsuya. I won't waste this trust," Kenji said while bowing deeply.
"Good. Starting today, I'll teach you this technique. But understand—it's not easy. Even adult shinobi struggle to master it."
The following weeks became the most intensive period of learning in Kenji's life—in this life and his previous one combined.
Every day, Tatsuya taught him how to engrave chakra seals onto metal, how to select the right materials, how to channel chakra with high precision.
Kenji absorbed everything like a sponge.
With the help of the system analyzing and refining every technique he learned, his abilities developed at a speed that even surprised Tatsuya.
"You've... already managed to channel chakra into the blade?" Tatsuya asked one day while examining a kunai Kenji had just made.
The kunai glowed faintly with blue light—a sign that chakra was flowing through it.
"Yes. I followed the instructions carefully," Kenji answered.
"This... this is impossible," Tatsuya murmured. "Even my most talented student needed six months for this stage. You did it in three weeks?"
Kenji only smiled faintly. Of course he couldn't tell him that the system had been helping him optimize every single step.
[Mission Complete: Fuse Chakra with Weaponry]
[Reward Granted: Blueprint — Chakra Combat Gauntlets (Perfect Version), Chakra Manipulation Level 1 → Level 2]
[Bonus Reward: New Blueprint Unlocked!]
[Modern Weapons Blueprint — Basic Level: Simple Mechanical Pistol]
[New Ability Unlocked: Fundamentals of Mechanics Level 1]
Kenji almost jumped when he saw the final reward. A pistol? The system had finally given him a modern weapons blueprint!
He had to hold himself back from shouting with joy in front of Tatsuya.
"Kenji? Are you alright?" Tatsuya asked, noticing his changing expression.
"Ah, yes. I'm just... happy it worked," Kenji answered quickly.
Tatsuya nodded. "You should be proud. This is an extraordinary achievement."
That night, after Naruto fell asleep, Kenji opened the mechanical pistol blueprint he had just received.
The system screen displayed a detailed diagram of a simple handgun—not a modern pistol with complex technology, but a basic mechanical pistol using springs and a simple mechanism to fire small metal projectiles.
[Blueprint: Simple Mechanical Pistol]
[Description: A basic firearm that uses a spring mechanism to launch small metal projectiles. No gunpowder used. Effective range: 15 meters. Penetration: Low to Medium]
[Required Materials: High-quality iron, strong springs, wooden grip, custom metal bullets]
[Difficulty Level: Moderate]
Kenji read every detail carefully. This wasn't an enormously powerful weapon, but it was the first step toward more advanced modern weaponry.
And most importantly—this was a weapon that didn't exist anywhere in this world. A weapon that would give him an edge.
But he had to be careful. If he made this weapon too quickly and too openly, there would be far too many questions.
I have to do this gradually.
Kenji closed the system screen and looked at Naruto sleeping peacefully.
"Naruto... your brother is going to make weapons that will protect you from anything," he whispered softly.
Several days later, Kenji began gathering materials to make the pistol. He did it carefully, buying small amounts at a time so as not to raise suspicion.
Strong springs from a hardware shop. High-quality iron from Tatsuya's supplier. Wood for the grip from the forest.
All the materials were carefully hidden in the workshop, in a spot only he knew about.
One afternoon, when Tatsuya had stepped out for personal matters and the workshop was empty, Kenji got to work.
He locked the door from the inside and began assembling the pistol's components according to the blueprint.
His hands moved with high precision. Every piece of metal cut to the exact right size. Every joint assembled with care.
[System: Crafting Master Active]
[Crafting Guide: Simple Mechanical Pistol]
[Step 1/15: Construct the main frame...]
Kenji followed every instruction with complete focus. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Hour after hour passed.
The sun was already beginning to set when he completed the final step.
In his hands, a small pistol with an iron frame and wooden grip. The design was simple, but functional.
[Congratulations! You Have Crafted: Simple Mechanical Pistol (Quality: Good)]
[Fundamentals of Mechanics Level 1 → Level 2]
[New Ability Unlocked: Sharpshooter Level 1]
[Experience Points +200]
[Level Up! Level 6 → Level 7]
Kenji stared at the pistol in his hands with a mixture of feelings—pride, amazement, and a slight touch of fear.
This was a weapon that had no business existing in this world. A weapon that could change everything.
He loaded one of the custom metal bullets he had made into the chamber. Then he aimed the pistol at the wooden target at the far end of the workshop.
About ten meters away.
Kenji drew a long breath. His hands trembled slightly—not from fear, but from anticipation.
He pulled the trigger.
CLICK.
TWING!
The metal bullet shot forward at high speed and embedded itself dead center in the wooden target.
No explosion like a modern firearm. Only the mechanical sound of a spring releasing and a bullet cutting through air.
But the result was undeniable.
Kenji ran to the target and examined the hole the bullet had made. The penetration depth was about three centimeters—enough to wound, even to kill if it struck a vital point.
"It worked..." he whispered with a sharp intake of breath.
He had successfully made the first firearm in the shinobi world.
But then the workshop door shuddered. Someone was knocking.
"Kenji? Are you in there? Why is the door locked?" Tatsuya's voice.
Kenji's heart immediately pounded hard. He quickly hid the pistol under a cloth and opened the door.
"Sorry, Tatsuya. I was... concentrating on making something and didn't want to be disturbed," Kenji said while trying to appear calm.
Tatsuya looked at him with suspicion. "Making what?"
"A special kunai with a chakra seal. I wanted to try the technique you taught me," Kenji lied while holding up a kunai he had actually made that morning.
Tatsuya examined the kunai and nodded with satisfaction. "Good. The seal work is clean. But next time don't lock the door. It's dangerous if something happens and you can't get out."
"Understood. I'm sorry."
After Tatsuya headed to the back of the workshop, Kenji exhaled with tremendous relief.
That was close.
He glanced at the cloth hiding the pistol. This weapon was too dangerous to leave exposed. He had to hide it properly.
That night, Kenji brought the pistol home carefully, concealed beneath his clothing.
Back at the apartment, after making sure Naruto was asleep, he stored the pistol in his secret hiding place—beneath the loose floorboards.
"Someday, this weapon will protect us," Kenji whispered while sealing the hiding spot back up.
He didn't yet know that his decision to create modern weapons would change the course of the shinobi world's history forever.
[END OF CHAPTER 5]