Chapter 2 (Prologue 2)

The sudden opening of the door, accompanied by loud sounds of a baby's cry bursting into the corridor, made the broad-shouldered man sitting nervously on the bench in the standard attire of the Waterfall Village shinobi jump. His luxurious deep red mane, almost burgundy in color, pulled into a tight ponytail at the nape of his neck left no doubt about the man's affiliation with the renowned Uzumaki clan.

"Congratulations! Your firstborn has arrived strong and healthy!" the middle-aged woman appearing at the threshold in the typical attire of a medic and a Nara clan member announced.

However, it was doubtful that anyone else would attend the birth of the clan head's relative.

"May I...," the hesitant happy father stood up and approached the doorway.

Until then, the rather dim light in the corridor did not allow determining the man's age, but near the entrance to the room, it became clear that he was quite young — around twenty-two or three years old.

"Of course, come in, but bear in mind that Sae-chan and the baby need rest," the medic reminded sternly, stepping aside. "And don't stay too long."

Affirmatively nodding, the Uzumaki tiptoed past her and in an instant found himself at the bed where the tired mother lay with the busy baby. Ceasing to cry, he contentedly suckled, attaching himself to his mother's full breast.

"A true Uzumaki always finds time to eat," the man murmured affectionately, casting a loving glance at the pair.

"He even got the hair color from you, let alone the appetite," Saya happily smiled, "what shall we name him, Ryuta?"

"Hmm... I can't think of one right away," Ryuta cunningly squinted, "but maybe if I hold him, something will come to mind!"

Nara skeptically shook her head, but still detached the son from her breast and, despite his disgruntled cries, handed him over to his father. Ryuta carefully took the squalling bundle and lifted him above his head, which served as a cessation of the auditory assault and a curious gaze of little eyes at the unfamiliar red spot nearby. Small hands reached out and began to pat dad's hair.

"My little curious dragon!" Uzumaki chuckled, hearing the accompanying grumble from the baby. "Ryu Nara! A worthy name for our son, isn't it, Saya?"

"Ryu... it's a good name," the woman smiled, taking the baby and allowing him to resume his interrupted meal, "but why don't you want to name him Ryu Uzumaki? Or Uzumaki-Nara?"

"Well, that would be unfair to you," Ryuta smiled, sitting on the bed, "not only did he inherit my red hair and kekkei genkai, but I named him as well. Taking away his affiliation with your clan would be simply unfair."

"Thank you. But are you sure he has the Uzumaki kekkei genkai?" Nara became serious, stroking the head of the busy baby, who had fallen asleep during the meal.

"You know I'm a sensor," the Waterfall shinobi shook his head, "even at such a young age, children have chakra that can be felt. And without a doubt, his is almost indistinguishable from the chakra of a pure-blooded Uzumaki from our family. Almost certainly, my son will be a sensor like me, my grandfather, or my father. Even among the inhabitants of Uzushiogakure, this is a rare gift, considered a real treasure for any shinobi."

"I can't say I'm disappointed — every mother wants her son to live as long as possible," Saya smiled, stroking the baby who had fallen asleep during the meal — obvious signs of kinship with the clan of lazy geniuses.

"But it's better not to let anyone know about it. You have the best sensors from the Hyuga clan and some from the Yamanaka, but none of them can travel more than ten kilometers without additional means," Uzumaki shook his head. "Unfortunately, the tense situation in the political arena doesn't allow me to stay in Konoha long enough to engage in proper training for Ryu, but I'll leave my scrolls with you."

"When do you have to go back?"

"I doubt I'll stay with you for more than a year or so," Ryuta sighed, "but I'm glad we have at least this time together."

"Okay, let's not dwell on the sad," Nara perked up, "you and Ryu are here, and that's all I need!"