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1, [Ryūto...kun?]

Every year, around 50 children are orphaned in Konohagakure. Roughly five would be eligible for the Shinobi Academy. Of those five, three would survive into their chunīn years, and one would go on to become a prodigy of its generation.

Sarutobi Hiruzen kept these statistics in mind as one orphan after another entered his office, all hoping to be selected for this year's Shinobi draft.

"Next," he called, dismissing the latest candidate. No, the young Hokage thought, watching the skinny kid slink away. With a sigh, he picked up a pen and began to prescribe the child's fate.

Quiet footsteps approached his desk. "Sit down, please."

The newcomer obeyed, settling down with a soft plop, wordlessly watching Hiruzen work.

Inadequate respect for authority, and lack of ambition. Recommended action: deferment from the shinobi program. Hiruzen finished his previous assessment and looked up- straight into one of the strangest faces he'd ever seen.

Paler than the paperwork on his desk, the boy should've appeared sickly. But his short, messy jet-black hair was sleek, and though his eyes were an unsettling shade of amber, they were bright and focused. Sharp cheekbones and a straight nose accentuated his serpentine aura. A tint of purple lined his slanted eyes, though Hiruzen doubted it was makeup.

For a dizzying second Hiruzen was hit with a strange sense of familiarity, but it faded almost instantaneously, leaving Hiruzen with a fluttery feeling of nostalgia.

"What's your name, son?" Hiruzen asked, taking a deep draw from his pipe.

"It's Ryūto."

"Ryūto?" Hiruzen echoed, combing a hand through his chestnut-colored hair. Oh.

The child shrugged. "It's girly, but whatever."

"Oh no, not at all. It's just an uncommon name." Whew. The young Hokage let out a tobacco-scented breath of relief.He glanced down at the profile on his desk to make sure- Ryūto was male, indeed. "How old are you, Ryūto-kun?"

"Doesn't it say on the paperwork?"

"Sometimes the Orphanage lies so that the kid has a better chance." Hiruzen answered patiently.

Ryūto glanced at the evaluation form on the Hokage's desk. "How old does it say I am?"

"Nine." A far stretch really, considering the child's height.

"Huh. I'm eight." Ryūto said, scratching his head.

"Really?"

The child nodded vigorously.

"You look a bit small to me." Hiruzen teased.

There was a flash of anger in the child's eyes. "With all due respect, Hokage-sama, it's a bit hard to bulk up on rice and pickled vegetables. Kids need protein to grow. Meat."

"You're being underfed at the Orphanage?"

"Yeah. That's why a lot of us are-" Ryūto clapped two pale hands over his mouth and glared at the Sandaime Hokage, as if he was at fault for Ryūto's slip of tongue.

Hiruzen blinked, assessing the situation. After a moment of contemplation, he relaxed, reclining on his chair and opening up his posture. Ryūto soon subconsciously followed in suit, mimicking Hiruzen's body language. Perfect.

"Would you like some tea, Ryūto-kun? We'll be in here for awhile." The young Hokage offered.

"Sure," the boy accepted, though he scanned Hīruzen's face warily. Calculated mistrust. A good sign.

Soon, the promised beverage came, along with a plate of steaming pork buns. Ryūto eyed the food hungrily.

"Go ahead," Hīruzen motioned.

"If I eat this," Ryūto picked up a bun, turning it around in his hand. "Do I have to do anything?"

"Well, I'd appreciate it if you tell me about the orphanage's food situation."

Ryūto eyed him, and then the bun. "This is from Kouji-san's stand, right? She makes the best buns around."

"Correct. You recognize the smell?"

"Uh...actually, there was a takeout box on your secretary's desk. It had Kouji-san's emblem on it."

For the first time since Ryūto's arrival, he smiled. Hiruzen returned it with a chuckle, and the boy relented, biting into the bun. "I guess I can't really hide anything from you, Hokage-sama. So..."

"...I kinda had to tell Hokage-sama about the stealing. Sorry, guys."

Finishing my tale, I scanned my ragtag audience of orphans to gauge their reactions. As their kind-of-sort-of leader in our food heists, I felt obliged to retell my meeting with the Hokage. There were about twenty of us in all, sitting in a giant circle under the shade of the overgrown oak tree in the Orphanage's courtyard.

"Ugh, are you fucking serious, Ryūto?" Of course Warui was the first to react. The barrel-chested brunette was always a feisty one. "You dumb snake!"

"Fat ass," I flipped him off- a universal sign of love and companionship in the Orphanage.

"It's ok, Ryūto-nii. We'll find another way. Did you get drafted, at least?" Momo asked, always the mediator. She was a nice kid, but don't let her missing tooth and strawberry-blond pigtails fool you. You should see her snatching peaches from the fruit vendors- that girl is freaking fast.

"Of course." I smiled, allowing myself to bask in near egoistical pride.

"You're going to be a ninja?"

I nodded. Everyone cheered rowdily- being the alpha orphan had its perks.

However, the cheering soon died down. "Wait, what's gonna happen to us?"

"Well, the Hokage's gonna have us eat breakfast and lunch with the Academy kids from now on. For dinner, we still have to deal with Orphanage portions, but-"

"We're gonna eat with the Academy kids? Are you serious?"

"That's like letting us eat with the kings and queens, man!"

"Good job, Ryū!" They all gathered around for playful punches and hugs of congratulations.

Something clenched inside of me. Seeing these kids so excited for mediocre school cafeteria food has reminded me once again that this world was not a forgiving place. As they drifted off to other activities, I was suddenly hit with a pang of nostalgia.

It's been eight years.

Eight years in the wrong body, wrong era, wrong place, wrong world. Eight years trying desperately not to fulfill the destiny this body. Six years spent with the wrong parents, two more spent under a guise of masculinity...

"I guess this is the end, eh, Ryūto-nii?" I almost jerked. Momo was still there, watching me with wide hazel-colored eyes. All the others have gone.

"What do you mean, Momo-chan?"

"I mean...we won't see each other anymore." A dejected tone crept into her voice. The ball of pain and guilt and remembrance in my chest tightened. Oh, god. She reminded me of my sister from so long ago, my kind little sister...

"Of course we will," I said, giving her a small smile. "The Hokage's promise, remember? We'll eat breakfast and lunch together everyday, with all the other guys, too."

"That's not what I mean," Momo frowned, wiping a dirty sleeve across her eyes. "I love you, Ryūto-nii. Ever since you came to the Orphanage, you've made everyone nicer. You showed us how to get more food so we won't be so angry and sad all the time, and you're so nice to everyone." Then, she threw her scrawny arms around me in a light hug.

Genuinely touched, I rubbed her back soothingly. "Thanks. I'll miss you, Momo-chan."

Suddenly, the small girl pulled away with a pout on her lips. "That's not what I wanted you to say! You don't understand!" With that, she dashed away, her hiccups turning into full-blown sobs.

I blinked. Wait, what?

There was a low whistle in the air. I turned towards the source and saw the current bane of my existence- Akane, a lanky redheaded girl who manipulated, lied, and sweet-talked her way into the Matron's favor.

"Never thought you were the type, Ryūto-kun." Akane quipped, swaggering over to me. I regarded her cautiously. Dealing with her was like dealing with a viper- you never know when it will strike. "That poor Momo-chan! You broke her little heart."

For a second I just stared at her. Then, it hit me- all of those earnest looks and smiles and fuck. "She likes me? Like that?"

"Uh-huh. And you just walked right over her little heart."

I almost snickered, if I weren't for the fact that Akane would use my reaction against me. Oh, if only she and Momo knew...

"Stop looking like that and go apologize."

I frowned. "Don't order me around. Why are you doing this for her, Akane?"

"Because I like her. She's nice to me, unlike you."

I gave her an incredulous look before standing up, patting the dirt off my shorts. "Well, you're not exactly a ray of sunshine yourself."

"Not to a freak like you, Ryūto-kun." I rolled my eyes and stalked away. Oh, Akane. If only she knew how close to the truth she was...

Sticking close to the Orphanage's high walls, I evaded the children and slipped past the gate, where the Matron and some other staff were lounging about, keeping a close eye on their charges. I would soon be gone from their watchful gazes, moved to an apartment complex that would no doubt be filled with other shinobi.

But before that, there were people I needed to see.

Traveling the streets and alleys of Konoha, I kept to myself, avoiding the rowdy bars, the street entertainers, and the noisy food stalls alike. Three carved faces stared down at me from Konoha's landmark monument, serving as a reminder that in its earlier days, Konoha was a much seedier, messier establish.

As I walked, my mind drifted back to Momo. She'll get over it eventually. Childhood crushes were as fleeting as they were silly. After all, I would hesitate to call myself attractive. She'll forget about me, I reassured my bruised conscience. Besides, liking her back was impossible, since-

"COME BACK HERE, YOU LITTLE PERVERT!"

My thoughts scattered, I was suddenly aware of sprinting footsteps behind me. I moved to step aside, but it was too late- someone slammed into me from behind, sending us flying face-forward into the ground in some sort of cliché dog pile.

"OW!" The person on top of me bemoaned as our skulls crashed together. From the pitch, I could tell it was a boy, probably no older than me.

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?" With a push, I heaved off the deadweight. Ignoring the sharp pain on my back and stomach, I whirled around, anger flaring. "Watch where you're going, you-"

I stopped. The little boy sitting in the middle of the street looked oddly familiar, with his fluffy white hair, green-lined robe, and geta sandals. Two red tattoos streaked halfway down his cheek like teardrops, and looped on his left arm was a throng of colorful bras. A green, polka-dotted one slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

"Oh," I managed. "Uh-"

"Aw, man!" He screamed, jumping up. "I was doing fine until you-" Cue accusatory finger at me. "Showed up!" The expression on his face changed as he studied my face. "Uh, what's up with your face, man? Are you an albino or something? And why are your eyes yellow?"

I ignored his crass observations. "Me? You were the one who decided to steal those." Cue accusatory finger at the underwear.

The boy reddened, as if he hadn't realized what he had been carrying. "It's not what it looks like, man!"

"Oh yeah?" I challenged, bending down to pick up a bra that had fallen off earlier. "What is this, then, pervert?" I twirled the garment around my finger for emphasis.

"You don't understand!" His blush deepened. Oh, this is too funny. "I had to steal this! It...it was part of Sakumo's challenge, and I can't back down!"

Sakumo? I paused. That name sounds familiar... "Who's that, your rival or something?"

"Yeah, sort of-"

"WHERE ARE YOU, YOU WHITE-HAIRED FREAK?"

It was the same shrill female voice again, this time closer. A lot closer. Suddenly there she was, panting, red hair out of place, lipstick smeared, and eyes murderous.

"YOU! WHY ARE YOU HELPING HIM? GET BACK HERE, BOTH OF YOU! THOSE WERE EXPENSIVE!"

We exchanged a look.

"Let's get out of here!" Before I could react, the boy grabbed my arm and started sprinting down the street. I was about to protest when I realized I was still holding the bra I'd picked up earlier. So I ran.

Now, I was pretty fit from years of outrunning angry shop owners, but this guy was fast. We dove in and out of hidden alleys, carefully maneuvered around thick crowds, but it still wasn't enough to lose our pursuer. After several minutes, the lady was still hot on our heels.

My new partner-in-crime noticed this, too. "Yo!" He called, white hair bouncing as he leapt over a cart full of carrots. "It's not working! We gotta go up!" He pointed to the roofs.

I blanched, dodging through a throng of women before answering. "I can't!"

"What? Oh. I thought..." His expression turned troubled. I chanced a glance behind; the crazy lady was closing in, bowling people over.

"Who is she?" I yelled, panting in exertion.

"Never mind that! Hold on, I gotta idea!" In an instant he was by my side, a burst of bright blue dying at the soles of his feet. Chakra? Grabbing my hand, he guided us up a few stacked crates, and jumped.

I screamed. According to physics, I should've dropped like a deadweight in that second-long ascent, but somehow, we both landed on top of the two-story hotel. As if nothing had happened, he resumed the breakneck pace. We dashed and jumped across several more roofs before finally dropping in the middle of an empty courtyard.

"You lost, Jiraiya."

Winded, I collapsed on the warm soil, catching my breath. Wait a second! I blinked, processing what I'd just heard. Jiraiya? It's Jiraiya! No wonder why he looked so familiar!

"Dammit Sakumo!" Jiraiya tossed the underwear at the smirking boy. With silver hair a few shades darker than Jiraiya's head of snow white crack and steely grey eyes, Sakumo's features were monochrome. His navy shirt, forest green vest, and loose black pants added to his bland appearance.

"I won again." Sakumo announced. "That would make 23 wins for me, and...18 for you." Sakumo caught the bras, tossing them into a sizable pile behind him. "You're usually not this late, though."

"Well, Miko caught me while I was leaving her room, and chased after me. I was doing well until I ran into him," he gestured towards me. "And we ended up running away together. But he couldn't roofhop, it slowed me down. How did you get here so fast?"

Sakumo's smirk widened. "I waited until you lured Miko out, of course. Thanks for distracting her for me." I blinked again. Miko...red hair...I got up.

"Screw you!"

Sakumo laughed. "No thanks, Jiraiya."

"By Miko...do you mean Uzumaki Miko? Mito's sister?" I stared at the green bra I was still holding. It was...kinda small.

"Who else?" Sakumo grinned. "Do you know another Miko?"

"Good thing her chakra's sealed away right now, or else we would've died." Jiraiya added. "Still. I can't believe we actually beat her."

Guilt suddenly wracked my body, and I tossed the bra into the pile, turning away from the pranksters. "That's...a terrible thing to do to her. She's already suffering so much from her punishment."

"She deserved it." Sakumo hissed, tone dark. "She was the one who killed Shodai-sama."

"Not exactly," I chose my next words carefully. "Shodai-sama never quite recovered after his battle with Madara, and the First Shinobi War was already weakening him even before it happened."

"She lead four jinchuuriki into the Shodai's battle against an entire Mist platoon." Sakumo's grey eyes glinted dangerously. "Shodai-sama was seriously wounded trying to fend off hundreds of shinobi and four monsters because of her mistake."

"It wasn't just her. She was simply following her troop. The rest of her team were picked off one by one by the jinhuuriki as they ran for cover."

"She should've stopped running away and sacrifice herself to delay them."

I furrowed my brows, exasperated. "Even if it were her fault, does it justify putting her in solitary confinement for two years and sealing away her chakra for three?"

"She should've died from that battle, not the Shodai!" Sakumo snarled.

At the silver-haired boy's outburst, I was suddenly aware of how politically charged this conversation was becoming. There were eyes and ears everywhere in this world of shinobi...

"Calm down, you two. I don't think we should talk about this here." Jiraiya stepped in. Sakumo scoffed and turned away.

I took a deep breath, suddenly remembering that there was still business to attend to. "Yeah, sorry about that, Sakumo. I have to get going, anyways."

"See you around, uh..." Jiraiya trailed off.

"Ryūto."

"Hello, kaa-san, tou-san," I greeted, bowing low to the twin gravestones. "It's been awhile."

Crouching, I laid down some flowers on the gently sloped mounds. A gentle breeze blew through the isolated clearing. Their graves were in a secluded area near the Hokage monument, a private spot that had cost me most of my modest inheritance.

"I came to tell you something. I got drafted for the Academy. Tomorrow, I will be moving out of the orphanage." I broke the news. "It'll be the start of a new chapter in my life."

With a sigh, I laid down in the space between the two graves. "I don't know if I'm going in the right direction. Actually, I don't know if Konoha is going in the right direction." I thought of Miko- a perfectly good, if rash, soldier, with her power sealed away. "War's been over for two years. But you should see the people- they're still haunted by it. Sarutobi-san is a powerful man, but he hasn't won the people yet. There are dissidents, unhappy with shinobi rule. If someone units them, there might be a civil war..."

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. "Anyways, enough of that. I'm still Ryūto-kun. Ryūko-chan won't be back until Ryūto-kun learns how to protect himself. Young orphan girls are just too easy to kidnap and traffick. But a young orphan girl with chakra and the right jutsu..."

Of course I've tried to use the single most overpowered and versatile thing in this world. Who wouldn't? But, when I reached for the untapped energy within, I found nothing. I've tried every single method I could get my hands on but...nothing.

It was almost like I didn't have chakra.

I scoffed at myself. "That's nonsense. Orochimaru definitely did. So do you." Yellow eyes flickered open, revealing slightly slitted pupils. "I will have power. I not become him."

I see so many opportunities to expand the Narutoverse- especially the hidden dark side/politics in Konoha, Sage mode, and Orochimaru's parents. Seriously. There had to be an explanation for them...like, one of them was a snake or something. Any feedback is welcome!