Chapter 4: First Steps

Dawn had not yet dawned when Ren completed his twentieth lap around the small lake near his home. His breathing, surprisingly regular for a five-year-old, was creating little clouds in the morning mist.

'Amazing how quickly this young body recovers,' he reflected, wiping off his sweat. 'In my previous life, after two cigarettes I couldn't even climb stairs. God, how I miss those damn cigarettes...'

He sat down on the lakeshore, beginning his series of sit-ups. He had established a precise routine: running, floor exercises and finally swimming. Swimming had been a natural addition - after all, he was in the Village of Mist.

'Fifty sit-ups, thirty push-ups, twenty squats...' he mentally counted. 'Not bad for a five-year-old body. The presence of chakra must also influence physical development.'

The sun was just beginning to rise as he plunged into the lake for the last part of his workout. The water was cold, but he had become accustomed to it in recent months. Half an hour of swimming and his morning routine would be complete.

Later, in his mother's store, Ren was arranging a new delivery of kunai when the door bell rang.

"Ah, Tatsumi-san!" His mother's voice greeted the visitor. "Has the new shipment arrived?"

Ren looked up with interest. Tatsumi was the Sealmaster who supplied the store with scrolls and explosives. An older man with a long gray beard and hands covered with small scars, signs of years of practice in fuinjutsu.

"Yuki-san," smiled the man, placing a heavy box on the counter. "I brought what was requested." He paused, noticing Ren. "The little one is growing, I see."

Ren watched in fascination as the man pulled several scrolls from the box. Some were standard explosive seals, others were preservation scrolls. But what caught his attention were the intricate ink patterns that decorated each seal.

"How do they work?" The question escaped him before he could restrain himself.

Tatsumi raised a surprised eyebrow. "Oh? Are you interested in fuinjutsu, boy?"

"Very much," Ren nodded. "It's...like writing a command to the universe, isn't it? Like programming reality."

' Years of Naruto begin to bear fruit!'

Tatsumi's eyes lit up. "An interesting description for such a small child." He turned to Yuki. "Your son has a special way of seeing things."

'Of course, would you believe it if I told you I Transmigrated from another world?' thought Ren wryly.

"Mother," Ren turned to his mother. "Can I learn?"

Yuki exchanged a glance with Tatsumi, "If the master was willing to take such a young apprentice..."

'Please, please pleaseee, I don't know how long I've been waiting for this opportunity' [Ren].

"Hmm," the elder stroked his beard. "Come back in a few months. If you keep this interest, we can talk about it."

Before Ren could respond, the store door opened again.

His father entered, shaking the moisture of the fog from his cloak. "Ah, Tatsumi-san," Toshiro greeted with a respectful bow. "It is always a pleasure to find you here."

"Mizutani-san," replied the Sealmaster, returning the greeting. "I was just talking to your son about fuinjutsu. He has an...interesting way of looking at things."

Toshiro cast an intrigued glance at Ren, then turned to Tatsumi. "I hope he is not disturbing your business."

"On the contrary," smiled the elder, starting to gather his things. "It is refreshing to see a young man so interested in the art of seals. With your permission, I might consider teaching him something in a few months."

'Well, I have secured another resource for the future' [Ren].

After Tatsumi had taken his leave, Toshiro turned to his wife. "I finished this morning's mission earlier and thought we could have lunch together. There's a new kiosk near the academy that serves great ramen."

Yuki smiled, starting to set up the counter, "That sounds like a great idea. We can close for lunch, the store is quiet today. "

Soon after, the Mizutani family was sitting at the ramen stand. As they waited for their order, Ren noticed another child not far away, probably his age, eating with what appeared to be his father. He had brown hair and a serene expression.

"That's young Utakata," his father whispered, noticing his interest. "His master is Harusame, one of the best jonin in the village."

Ren almost choked on the tea he was drinking.

'Utakata? The future jinchūriki of the...six tails if I remember correctly?'

"It's rare to see him around," his father continued. "He usually trains in the eastern part of the village with his master."

Ren watched the future jinchūriki with renewed interest. The child looked so...normal. Nothing foreshadowed the tragic fate that awaited him.

'Another piece of the puzzle,' he reflected as he began to eat his ramen. 'Yagura is not yet Mizukage, and Utakata is not yet a jinchūriki. We are soon to enter a brief period of peace before Madara takes over Yagura, I can take advantage of this period to grow without too much danger.'

"How is the morning training going?" asked his father, interrupting his thoughts.

"Fine," Ren replied. "Although I'd rather be able to learn some techniques..."

Toshiro smiled. "All in good time. You need to develop your chakra first. But if you keep this up..." He cast a meaningful glance at his wife. "Maybe we could start with some basic exercises."

Ren's heart sped up.

'At last! With chakra completanting active I should be able to progress quickly, I wonder what exercises are used here in Kirigakure for chakra development'

As they finished their lunch, Ren noticed that Utakata was watching him curiously. Their gazes crossed for a moment before they both returned to their respective meals.

'I wonder,' Ren thought. 'If things go as they did in the original story, in a few years this boy will carry a huge burden. Maybe -- maybe there is something I can do to change his fate -- but first, I have to become strong.'