The Takimura kids stood at the gates of Konoha, staring up at the grand walls with wide, sparkling eyes—or more accurately, everyone except Mizuki. She maintained her stoic, indifferent expression. None of them had ever left Takimura before, and seeing the sheer scale of Konoha made them realize just how small their own village was, both in size and population.
The inside was even more mesmerizing. The streets bustled with people, and the air was thick with excitement. With the chunin exams taking place, Konoha was overflowing with merchants and rogue shinobi from all over, turning the village into a vibrant hub of activity. Shops lined the streets, selling everything from shinobi tools to exotic goods—items you could never find in Takimura.
Kaoru’s eyes glimmered with excitement, but for entirely different reasons. [I’m so glad I brought my money... and borrowed some from Maki. I should be able to find some great scrolls and books here.] He could barely contain his giddiness at the idea of expanding his collection. But deep down, he was even more thrilled at the chance to see some of the figures he admired most, especially Itachi. Kaoru didn’t remember much beyond the Naruto series, but the emotions tied to certain characters were still vivid—respect for Itachi and awe at Madara’s strength. As much as he hated to admit it, Kaoru had a soft spot for the Uchiha.
“Ru, let’s go eat ramen!” Akane nearly shouted, bouncing on her toes. “Mizuki, you wanna come?”
Mizuki glanced at Kaoru first, as if his decision would determine hers. When she saw that he was going, she gave a small nod. “Sure.”
“Maki, is it okay if we go?” Kaoru asked earnestly. He’d promised Maki he wouldn’t go anywhere without her permission, and as usual, he was serious about keeping his word—especially to her.
Maki gave him a considering look before nodding. “Go, but meet me in front of the academy in two hours.” She paused for a moment, then added, “If anything happens, use the scroll Yko made. I’ll find you immediately.”
Kaoru grinned. Uzumaki Yko had quickly become one of Takimura’s treasures. Since joining the village, he’d created countless seals, earning the admiration of everyone. At first, he’d been underwhelmed by Takimura’s early development stage, but after experiencing the warmth and respect from its people, he’d settled in comfortably. He even crafted custom storage seals for the genin, refusing to take a single ryo in payment. Naturally, everyone adored him.
The alarm seals he’d made for this trip were simple but effective. Each kid carried one half of a paired seal, while Maki or Shin held the corresponding halves. If a kid’s seal was destroyed, the other half would heat up, instantly alerting their guardians.
“Sugeru, wanna join us?” Kaoru called to his friend.
“No, Kaoru! We’re checking out the scroll shops!” Sugeru yelled back as he, Akito and Yuji bolted toward a vendor.
“Guess it’s just us, then,” Kaoru said, smiling at Akane and Mizuki. He had a specific destination in mind: Ichiraku Ramen. But he couldn’t exactly explain how he knew about it.
Thinking quickly, Kaoru approached a passerby. “Excuse me, could you recommend a good place to eat ramen?”
Akane and Mizuki looked at him in surprise but said nothing. The man grinned warmly. “Tsunagari Ramen is the best, kids. You’ve gotta try it! It’s at the end of this street.” He pointed eagerly.
Kaoru barely held back a frown. The name was unfamiliar, and it wasn’t what he wanted to hear. He plastered on a smile and turned to the girls. “Let’s ask a few more people, just to be sure. We wouldn’t want to fall victim to poor taste.”
They stopped about ten more people. Finally, Kaoru had the results he wanted. Ichiraku Ramen had the most recommendations, with Hokiboshi Ramen coming in second. Tsunagari Ramen only one person had mentioned it—the first guy. Kaoru chuckled to himself. [That guy must own it or be related to the owner.]
Akane couldn’t wait a second longer and rushed toward Ichiraku Ramen, practically dragging both Mizuki and Kaoru behind her.
“Faster, faster, I’m starving!” she urged, pulling them along with surprising strength.
[She’s such a foodie,] Kaoru thought with an amused chuckle. When they finally arrived, Kaoru froze for a moment, his eyes scanning the place. Unlike the small ramen stand he remembered from the anime, this was a fully functioning restaurant. A moment of doubt crept in. [Is this the wrong place?] But the sign hanging above the entrance clearly read "Ramen Ichiraku."
[This is the right place...] he thought, narrowing his eyes slightly. [Why is it so different?] The discrepancy between his memories and reality gnawed at him. [Did he have to sell the place and downgrade to a small shop by the time Naruto was old enough to eat here?]
For the first time, Kaoru experienced a gap between the world he remembered and the one he was now living in. It was unsettling, but more than anything, it annoyed him. [I knew my memories would eventually become useless, but I didn’t expect differences to show up this early.] Kaoru didn’t feel fear—this was his life now. He was Kaoru Takime, and this was no longer the show he used to watch. His memories were a tool, an edge to grow stronger or change outcomes he cared about. But they weren’t absolute, and this was a sharp reminder of that.
“Guys! What are you waiting for? Let’s go in!” Akane’s excited shout snapped Kaoru out of his thoughts. He smiled as her enthusiasm pulled him back to the present.
[Whatever, this is my life now, not just a story. Things are bound to be different.] Letting go of his earlier thoughts, Kaoru followed Akane inside, ready to enjoy the experience.
<<<>>>
“So, has everyone arrived?” asked Hiruzen, standing alone on the roof of the Hokage’s building, looking at the village below.
The moment he finished asking the question, an ANBU Shinobi appeared beside him. “Yes, Lord Hokage. Every village has sent their genin teams... except Kumogakure.”
Hiruzen chuckled softly, interrupting the ANBU shinobi. “So that brat Raikage listened to Dodai, huh? I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” He sighed deeply, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. “I’m starting to think avoiding confrontation with Kumo back then was a mistake. Maybe I’m just getting too old for this (s*hit) job... but my lazy student refuses to let me retire.”
The ANBU waited in silence, giving Hiruzen the time he needed. When the Hokage didn’t continue, the masked shinobi spoke again.
Stolen story; please report.
“There’s an unexpected presence among the delegations, Lord Hokage. Kirigakure has sent two separate groups. One is officially from Kirigakure itself. The other claims to represent a settlement called Takimura.”
Hiruzen’s brow rose slightly in curiosity. “They finally decided to reveal themselves, huh? I wonder what prompted them…” His voice remained neutral, reflecting the stance Konoha had towards this new faction. “And their guardians? Who are they, and how strong?”
“They’ve sent two guardians,” the ANBU reported. “One is a rogue ninja, called Shin. He is a jonin. The other is a woman bearing the Takime clan’s symbol. Her chakra levels suggest she’s jonin-level, but she may be masking her true strength.”
Hiruzen hummed thoughtfully. “One jonin and another who’s at least jonin-level, perhaps stronger. This is getting interesting.” After a brief pause, he added firmly, “Relay a message to Danzo: no moves are to be made against them. Send an Anbu to keep an eye on their delegation, but do not engage unless absolutely necessary.”
The ANBU gave a curt nod and vanished, leaving Hiruzen alone once more.
The Hokage exhaled deeply, his gaze falling to the bustling streets below. “I might have lucked out with this year’s Chunin Exams. If Takimura truly has potential, they could be a valuable card to play against Kirigakure…” he mused aloud.
Hiruzen turned, his eyes drawn to the towering sakura tree nearby, its blossoms swaying gently in the breeze. For a brief moment, his gaze flickered to the Hokage Rock in the distance, where Minato’s face was etched into stone. His expression softened, and a shadow of grief crossed his features.
[I wish it had been me, Minato…] The thought hung heavy in his mind. [I’m truly sorry.]
Hiruzen had experienced too much to shed a tear, but he still felt sorrow. He shook his head, dispelling the dark thoughts. With a resolute sigh, he descended the stairs, his steps steady. The council needed to be informed about this new faction, and Hiruzen had much to consider.
<<<>>>
Akane, Mizuki, and Kaoru reunited with the rest of the Takimura delegation near the academy entrance. Everyone but Shin stood outside, waiting for him to finish registering the kids for the exams. Inside, Shin was handling the paperwork, filling out basic details like names and ages.
“Maki, the ramen was amazing! Why don’t we have something that good in Takimura?” Kaoru exclaimed, still savoring the lingering taste of the meal.
“Ru, maybe you should give up on training and open a restaurant,” teased Maki, smirking. “With your water control, you could make cold drinks and soups in no time.”
“Only if you help me with chopping,” Kaoru teased back, grinning. Then, he turned to Sugeru and asked, “Did you manage to buy anything interesting?”
“I did! I got a fire element scroll for my sister and this satchel for myself. Look how cool it is!” Sugeru beamed as he proudly showed off his new bag. “I’m surprised you haven’t cleaned out the scroll shops yet,” he added with a laugh. Everyone in Takimura knew Kaoru’s obsession with books and scrolls.
“I will, but not yet. I need my money for something else,” Kaoru replied with a mischievous grin. His expression immediately triggered Maki’s big-sister instincts. She shot him a suspicious look, but Kaoru simply smiled innocently.
[Whatever. I’m sure he won’t get into trouble… hopefully,] Maki thought, brushing it off.
Soon, Shin also returned from the academy building, “The first exam is scheduled for tomorrow morning,” he announced. “I suggest you all get a good night’s sleep.”
“Let’s go sightseeing before bed!” Akane suggested. She was already bouncing on her feet, eager to explore every corner of Konoha.
The entire Takimura delegation strolled through the bustling streets of Konoha. Even Shin, who normally avoided such leisurely activities, decided to join, though he walked at a slower pace, keeping an eye on the group from behind. Maki, on the other hand, was at the front, eagerly pointing out interesting shops and landmarks like an overly enthusiastic tour guide.
“This is amazing,” Akane exclaimed, beaming with excitement. “There’s so much to see! How does anyone get bored living here?”
Kaoru chuckled. “I doubt they have time to be bored. Look at all these merchants and shinobi. Konoha’s probably too busy for boredom.”
Mizuki, walking alongside Yuji and Sugeru, raised an eyebrow at Akane. “You’re acting like we’ve never been outside Takimura.”
“Well, we haven’t!” Akane grinned. “And look at this place! The food, the shops, the people—this is a shinobi’s paradise.”
Maki laughed and gestured to a street stall selling weaponry. “You’re lucky I let you drag me out here. That stand looks promising.” She turned to Kaoru. “I bet you’re dying to check out the scroll shops.”
Kaoru chuckled. “I’d love to, but I have to save my money for now.” He paused, then smirked. “Unlike some people who’ll probably spend all their money on snacks.”
Yuji, who was munching on some grilled meat he’d just bought, pointed at himself. “Hey, food is fuel. I’m just being efficient.”
Sugeru chuckled, showing off the satchel he’d bought earlier. “At least I’m investing in practical stuff. Look at this—perfect for storing gear.”
Shin sighed quietly from the back. “You’re all acting like tourists. Don’t forget why we’re here.”
“Relax, sensei,” Maki said, waving him off. “Let them enjoy themselves a little. They’re just kids.”
“Some of them,” Shin muttered under his breath, glancing pointedly at Maki, who ignored him.
The group wandered into a quiet park with tall trees and a serene pond. Akane crouched down near a cat she found, holding out her hand. “Look! They’re so tame. I think it likes me.”
“It probably thinks you’re food,” Mizuki deadpanned, earning a laugh from Kaoru.
After the park, they found a bustling alley strung with glowing lanterns, the air was thick with the aroma of grilled food and spices. Stalls lined both sides of the alley, selling everything from dumplings to rare trinkets.
“Alright, everyone split up and pick something you want to try,” Maki declared, her voice brimming with excitement. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of feast!”
Shin raised a hand. “Just don’t wander too far. Stay within eyesight.”
As the kids scattered, Sugeru and Yuji darted toward a stall selling skewers, while Kaoru headed for a stand displaying an array of scrolls and books. Akane and Mizuki wandered toward a dessert vendor, though Mizuki looked like she was only there to humor Akane.
Maki, meanwhile, leaned against a post with a satisfied grin, watching everyone enjoy themselves. “They’re like a bunch of kids on their first field trip.”
Shin, standing beside her, crossed his arms. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“Of course I am. Look at them,” Maki said, gesturing toward the kids. “This is the first time they’ve been outside Takimura. They deserve a moment to just… be kids.”
Shin glanced at the group as they gathered back together, holding their various purchases and snacks. “Let’s head back. You’ll need rest for tomorrow.”
The kids groaned but followed, chattering excitedly as they made their way back to their lodging. For one evening, the pressures of the exams and the dangers of Kiri seemed far away. They were just a group of shinobi, exploring the world beyond their small village, and for once, they felt free, even Maki and Shin.
**
A/N -
This was the final chapter before the Chunin Exam arc. I haven’t decided yet how grand the arc will be, but you can expect to see a few familiar faces from canon.
The situation with Itachi and the Uchiha clan is also something I’ve to decide. I’m still debating whether Kaoru will involve himself in it, and if he does, to what extent. We’ll have to wait and see how it unfolds!
Character Notes:
Shin - Exhausted - “I came here to keep the kids safe, not babysit Maki’s shopping spree.”
Akane - Foodie - “Konoha has food stalls on every corner? Forget the exams—this place is heaven!”
**