Here's @riojiyo131, your trusted writer.
You can now get early access to Chapter 72 of Re: Naruto Uzumaki on my Patreon. You can also read up to Chapter 15 of Naruto: Satoru Senju.
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The next day, sunlight gently filtered through the dining room curtains.
Satoru was sitting on the sofa, back straight and arms crossed, still half-asleep after having gotten up late. In front of him, his aunt Shizune leaned forward carefully, extending a small envelope she held with both hands as if it were something fragile.
"Happy birthday, Satoru," she said with a kind smile, congratulating him for the second time.
Satoru took his gift with both hands, feeling a bit awkward. Not because he was upset, but because birthdays had never seemed like a big deal to him... and this was no exception.
"You didn't have to give me anything, Aunt Shizune..." he murmured, not quite looking at her.
Shizune gently shook her head.
"It's not my gift. It's from your mother," she quickly corrected, as if the clarification was important.
Satoru frowned slightly, the discomfort in his chest becoming more noticeable.
"So she remembered?" he thought silently, not knowing what to feel about it.
With a slow but determined movement, he opened the envelope. A small object fell onto the table with a soft tinkling sound: a pendant.
Satoru observed it closely, lifting it up to his eyes.
It was simple, a green crystal jewel that reflected the morning light with a soft glow.
Shizune brought a hand to her mouth, clearly surprised.
"That pendant...! You shouldn't wear it, Satoru. It was always said to be cursed..."
Satoru tilted his head, still staring at the pendant.
"Then why give it to me?"
"I-I... I don't know..." Shizune replied softly.
Satoru stayed silent for a moment longer, his eyes getting lost in the depths of the crystal. Finally, he closed it in his fist.
"Maybe she just wanted to get rid of it."
"Satoru..." murmured Shizune, hurt by his words.
"But I'll accept it," he added calmly, placing the pendant around his neck, completely ignoring Shizune's warning.
Shizune nodded silently. She knew she couldn't force Satoru to change the way he saw his mother, but at least... he had accepted the gift. It was a step. A small one, yes. But a step.
"Do you want breakfast?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah. But not pork," he joked, looking at Tonton, who was just passing through the hallway.
"Buhi~!" protested Tonton indignantly, making Shizune chuckle softly.
For the first time in a long time, the house felt a little warmer.
As the aroma of freshly made rice and miso began to fill the kitchen, Satoru, still sitting on the sofa, carefully pulled out the letter that had come inside the envelope along with the pendant.
The paper was slightly folded, and the handwriting, though elegant, showed signs of having been written in a rush... or under the influence of alcohol.
Satoru had no doubts: he was convinced it was the latter.
Shizune's soft voice called out from the kitchen.
"Are you going to read it now?"
Satoru didn't answer immediately.
"Yeah..." he finally murmured. "Though I don't expect much."
He fully unfolded the sheet and began to read silently, while Shizune, spoon in hand, glanced at him nervously. She knew anything coming from Tsunade could range from touching to absolutely irresponsible.
The kitchen fell silent, interrupted only by the occasional sizzling from the pan.
"What does it say...?" Shizune asked softly, leaning in a little to look at the letter in Satoru's hands.
For a few seconds, he remained silent, eyes fixed on the page, as if unwilling to let it go.
Then, he simply smiled. One of those almost imperceptible but sincere smiles.
"Nothing important..." he murmured, carefully tucking the letter into the inside pocket of his sweatshirt.
Shizune watched him, saying nothing. She didn't need to ask. Seeing that Satoru neither crumpled the letter nor frowned in annoyance, but instead carefully put it away in his pocket, was enough for her.
Shizune smiled with relief.
After that, they had breakfast together, calmly, sharing a rare moment.
Even Tonton, sitting next to the table with a carrot between her paws, seemed to enjoy the moment.
After gathering his equipment, Satoru said goodbye with a simple nod and left for the Third Training Field.
Shizune watched him leave from the doorway, silently, with a small smile that didn't fade throughout the day.
Today was Tenzō's turn. He and Yūgao would be alternating each day in the mornings, while in the afternoons, Satoru would continue training with Kakashi.
...
[TSUNADE SENJU'S LETTER]
Dear Satoru:
Happy seventh birthday, my son.
First of all, forgive me. I know that once again, I'm not with you on such an important day. You have no idea how much I wish I could be there, see you laugh, hug you, congratulate you face to face.
I can't promise many things, Satoru... but this time, I truly swear: next year I'll be with you. No matter what happens, I'll be there.
Inside the envelope Shizune gave you, you'll find a pendant. It may seem like just a jewel... but it's much more than that.
This pendant has been in my family for generations. Your great-great-grandfather, Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage of Konoha, wore it. He deeply believed in people, in peace, in the bonds forged even in the midst of pain.
For years, this pendant has passed through many hands... and has witnessed many dreams. Joys... but also losses.
For a long time, I believed it was cursed. I kept it away, with fear and resentment.
But over time... I've come to understand that it wasn't the pendant. It was the world. It was the pain. It was wounds that hadn't yet healed deep in my heart.
Today, after much thought, I've decided to give it to you. Not because I want you to carry its story... but because I trust you to write a new one.
I want you to wear it not as a burden, but as a symbol of hope. Of faith in the future. That even if the world is cruel, you can turn it around.
You are my son, Satoru.
And even if I'm not there with you, I love you more than these words could ever say.
With all my heart,
Tsunade Senju, who loves you despite the distance.