Chapter 2 :A Bond Forged in sorrow

Chapter 2: A Bond Forged in Sorrow

The village was quiet that morning.

Not the usual silence of a peaceful day, but something far heavier. The kind of quiet that settled after devastation—the weight of loss hanging thick in the air.

Raizen walked through the streets of Konoha, his pace slow, his expression neutral. His body had mostly recovered, though his ribs still ached when he moved too quickly. But he had no complaints. He had been given a fresh set of clothes, his injuries had been tended to, and—most importantly—he had been granted citizenship with little resistance.

The village had suffered too many losses. Too many civilians, too many shinobi. The Hokage had little reason to turn away an able-bodied newcomer.

And today was the memorial.

A ceremony to honor the fallen.

Raizen could see them now—hundreds of people gathering near the Hokage Monument, their faces solemn. Some held incense, others small offerings. Families, shinobi, civilians—all mourning those they had lost.

He exhaled quietly, keeping to the outskirts.

The names of the dead were being read aloud. The Third Hokage stood at the front, his aged face carved with sorrow. The losses were immense. Minato Namikaze. Kushina Uzumaki. Elite jonin. ANBU. Entire families.

The weight of the tragedy was etched into every face present.

And then, amidst the sea of grief-stricken villagers—Raizen saw him.

A small child, wrapped in a white blanket, carried by an older woman.

Naruto Uzumaki.

He was tiny. His blond hair barely visible under the fabric. His face was round, innocent, oblivious to the hatred brewing around him. His blue eyes—so much like Minato’s—blinked at the world, unaware that it had already turned against him.

Raizen felt something tighten in his chest.

This was the first time he was seeing Naruto in real life. Not through a screen. Not as a character in a story. But as a child. A child who had lost everything before he even had the chance to understand what ‘family’ meant.

And the way people looked at him—like he was a curse.

They didn’t whisper, not yet. Not here. But the unease was there. The distance. The hesitance.

Raizen closed his eyes briefly.

I have to take him away from this.

But how? He couldn’t just walk up and take him. The orphanage had already taken custody. The Hokage would be watching closely. Adopting Naruto wasn’t impossible, but it required careful planning.

He needed to act today.

Before the village’s hatred fully took root.

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Later That Day – The Hokage’s Office

Raizen stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, keeping his posture relaxed but respectful. The aged leader studied him with a piercing gaze, his presence heavy despite his old age.

“You’ve requested to adopt Naruto Uzumaki?” Hiruzen asked, his voice unreadable.

Raizen nodded. “Yes.”

Silence stretched between them.

The Hokage’s fingers steepled. “Many have refused to take him in. You are new to this village, Raizen Kurogane. Why would you take on such a responsibility?”

Raizen had expected this. He had thought of a dozen different answers.

In the end, he went with the simplest truth.

“The boy has no one.” His voice was steady. “I may not have much, but I can give him a home.”

Hiruzen’s expression didn’t change. “Raising a child is not easy.”

“I know.” He didn’t, not really. But he would learn.

The Hokage sighed, leaning back. “It won’t be easy. The village… they may not treat him kindly.”

Raizen’s jaw tightened. “That’s why he needs someone to stand by him.”

A long pause. Then—

“Very well.”

Raizen blinked, caught off guard by the quick decision.

Hiruzen met his gaze. “Naruto needs a guardian. If you are willing to take on that burden, I won’t stop you.”

He pulled out a document and began writing. “You will officially be Naruto Uzumaki’s adoptive elder brother.”