Chapter 2: the Store

Ren watched the rain beat against the window of his mother's store as a customer examined a set of kunai displayed on the counter. The clink of weapons mingled with the steady rhythm of the drops.

Three years after his birth into this world, he finally had a clear picture of the situation. No, it was not a dream; in fact, he was about twenty years before the events he knew, at a crucial time for Kirigakure. Yagura had not yet become Mizukage, but tensions in the village were already palpable.

His mother, Mizutani Yuki, ran one of Kirigakure's weapons stores. It was not as luxurious a place as the Tenten's store in Konoha, but its strategic location and reputation for quality ensured a steady stream of customers, mainly Chunins and Jonins.

"Ren-chan, can you bring me that box of senbon needles?" asked his mother, pointing to a low shelf.

He got up from his usual position by the window and carefully picked up the requested box. Despite his young age, he moved with unusual grace for a two-year-old.

His father, Mizutani Toshiro, was an elite chunin. Belonging to the third caste, he was always off on dangerous missions. This meant that he was often away from home for weeks at a time.

'His absences have increased in recent months,' Ren reflected, watching his mother serve the customer. 'Tensions with other villages are probably growing.'

The store had become a valuable source of information. The ninjas who came in often talked freely, underestimating the presence of such a small child. He had learned much about the political situation in the village and the various clans by listening to their conversations.

The door bell rang again. A young jonin entered, completely soaked from the rain. Ren recognized him: he was Ao, one of the most skilled sensor ninjas in the village.

"Yuki-san," he greeted with a nod, then his stern gaze softened slightly when he noticed the child. "And little Ren-kun. I see you've grown since last time."

"Good morning, Ao-san," Ren replied politely, bowing as his mother had taught him.' It is curious how the first "canon" Naruto character he met was actually AO,' Ren watched with interest as the jonin was served by his mother. Ao did not yet have the byakugan eye that he would get in the future, but his reputation as a sensor ninja was already established.

'If I can form a good relationship with him ,' Ren thought, 'I might understand how he develops his sensory skills. They might come in handy in the future.'"I need explosives," said Ao, returning to his usual professional tone. "I have a mission tomorrow and my supplies are almost exhausted."

"Certainly, Ao-san," Yuki replied, heading toward the back of the store. "We just received a new shipment of high-quality explosive seals."

The day continued between occasional customers and routine work. While arranging a new kunai arrival with his mother, Ren reflected on his current situation. The chakra had not yet manifested, but he could feel it flowing within him, like an underground river waiting to emerge. He had decided not to force its awakening: at this time in Kirigakure, being considered a prodigy could be as dangerous as being considered weak.

As the light outside diminished and the rain intensified, Ren helped his mother close up store.

"Dad should be back this week," Yuki said as she locked the door. "He promised to bring you something special."

Ren smiled. His father's gifts were always interesting items collected during missions: blank scrolls, small ninja tools, sometimes even basic books of genin techniques that he "accidentally" forgot to bring back to the village administration.

As they walked home in the pouring rain, Ren shook his mother's hand. Family. A new feeling for him, and for now, his priority was to learn as much as possible while remaining in the shadows. The time to emerge would come, but not before he was ready to face the challenges this world would present him with.