The hallway was quiet except for the soft sound of sandals tapping against the floor and Naruto's endless chatter.
"We're gonna crush this class, I'm telling you! I bet I'll beat everyone here on the first day! I'll be the best student they've ever seen!"
Ren walked just behind him, hands in his pockets, silent.
He wasn't really listening.
Not to Naruto, anyway.
His eyes drifted along the hallway walls, worn from generations of shinobi passing through. His mind, though, was somewhere else.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi..."
The Third Hokage.
To everyone in the village, he was the wise old leader, the balance after chaos. The man with the will of fire.
But Ren knew better.
"He let this happen."
Six years of watching the village neglect its heroes' sons.
Six years of being stared at like a mistake — while their parents' names were never even whispered.
"Minato Namikaze. Kushina Uzumaki."
Ren knew. He had always known. The memories of his past life gave him the truth the moment he opened his eyes in this world.
But he said nothing.
"Naruto doesn't know. He doesn't need to. Not yet."
He looked ahead at his brother, who was practically bouncing in place.
"He still smiles. Still dreams. If he knew the truth… would that change?"
Ren had already made his decision. He would carry the truth — for now.
When the time was right… he'd tell Naruto everything.
But not today.
They reached the classroom door. Loud voices spilled out from the other side.
Naruto grinned. "You ready?"
Ren shrugged. "You're the one yelling about crushing the class."
Naruto pushed the door open with both hands — dramatically, as if he were stepping onto a battlefield.
Inside, dozens of eyes turned toward them. Kids from every corner of the village.
Uchiha Sasuke, brooding in the back row.
Shikamaru yawning near the window.
Hinata sitting quietly in the middle, eyes wide.
Kiba smirking. Ino gossiping. Choji chewing.
Sakura blinked. "Ugh… Naruto?"
Naruto beamed.
"I'm gonna be the best ninja in this class, dattebayo!"
A few kids snorted.
Ren just walked in behind him, expression calm, eyes scanning the room with quiet precision. He caught every face. Every reaction.
And he smiled — just a little — at how chaotic Naruto was.
"Same as always."
He took a seat quietly behind Naruto, who sat front and center like he owned the room.
Moments later, the door slid open again.
Iruka-sensei entered, clipboard in hand, expression already tired.
"Alright, everyone — settle down! We're starting."
The voices dimmed.
The academy had officially begun.
And the twins had taken their first step into the world.
One loud and bold like fire.
One silent and sharp like a blade in the dark.