The room was silent, the only sound being the faint scratching of a pen against paper. The middle-aged man sitting behind the desk scanned the documents before him, his face void of emotion as he nodded slightly. The air smelled of old parchment and ink. This was Konoha's administrative office—the place where decisions were made and lives were changed.
I sat beside Kurenai, my hands resting on my lap, fingers lightly gripping the worn fabric of my tattered clothes. This moment was supposed to change my life completely, yet I felt nothing… just emptiness.
"So, the boy's new name will be Kazuki Yuhi, correct?" the man asked, his gaze shifting between the two of us.
"Yes," Kurenai answered firmly. "Kazuki Yuhi."
Yuhi… It felt strange to have that surname attached to me now. A name, a sense of belonging—it meant identity. But as I stared at the documents that now supposedly made it official, I still felt nothing.
The man pressed a seal onto the papers, the deep thud finalizing the process. "Alright. Kazuki Yuhi, you are now officially registered under the Yuhi clan."
Kurenai placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Her touch was warm, gentle, and oddly comforting. "Come on, let's go home."
But first, there was something else we needed to do.
---
Konoha's streets were bustling with life. Vendors called out loudly, advertising their goods, shinobi passed by in casual conversation, and children laughed as they ran through narrow alleyways. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread and grilled meat—so different from the damp, moldy stench of the dark cell I once lived in.
"We need to get you some clothes," Kurenai said, guiding me toward a small shop nestled between two larger buildings. "You can't keep walking around in those old rags."
I looked down at myself. My clothes were thin, worn, and frayed at the edges—like something a beggar would wear.
Without waiting for my response, Kurenai stepped inside. Neatly folded shirts, pants, and jackets lined the wooden shelves. The air smelled of fresh fabric and polished wood. This place… it felt too clean, too organized. Too comfortable.
"Try this on," Kurenai said, handing me a simple dark blue tunic. "And these too." She piled a few more pieces into my arms—pants, a jacket, and a sturdy pair of sandals.
I silently took them and made my way to the changing room. The fabric against my skin felt strange—softer, warmer… different. When I stepped out, Kurenai smiled.
"It suits you."
I nodded slightly, unsure of how to respond. Having something given to me… without expecting anything in return… It was something I wasn't used to.
Kurenai reached out and ruffled my hair lightly. "Alright, let's pay for these and head home."
Home… That word should have meant something. But right now, it was just another concept—one I had yet to fully understand.
---
As we walked through the streets, a delicious aroma filled my nose. I hesitated for a moment, turning my head to locate the source. Not far from us was a small ramen stand. Steam rose from the bowls, filling the air with the rich scent of warm broth. My stomach growled softly.
Noticing my reaction, Kurenai chuckled. "Hungry?"
Before I could respond, she took my wrist and led me to the stand. "Then let's have some ramen."
We stepped inside and took a seat at the counter. Kurenai exchanged a few words with the chef before ordering two bowls of ramen. As the hot steam curled upwards, my stomach clenched with anticipation.
When she handed me a pair of chopsticks, I hesitated for a brief moment. The ramen smelled amazing, but sitting here, eating in a warm place like this… it was unfamiliar.
"Eat slowly," Kurenai advised gently, lifting her chopsticks. "It's hot."
I nodded and took a bite. A burst of flavor filled my mouth—warm, salty, rich… It was like something comforting was spreading inside me. For a brief moment, the weight of my past faded away. Right now, I was here, at this counter, eating a bowl of ramen in a place that felt safe.
Kurenai watched me with a soft smile. "Do you like it?"
I felt the corners of my lips lift slightly without even realizing it. I gave a small nod. "Yeah… It's really good."
For the first time, I didn't feel out of place in my new life. Maybe, just maybe… this was the start of something real.
---
The evening air was cool as Kurenai and I made our way home. The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep shades of navy blue. The village had started to quiet down, and as we walked through the calmer streets of Konoha, I felt a strange sense of peace settling over me.
Kurenai's house was in one of the quieter districts. It had a small garden that led to the entrance, and as we stepped inside, I caught the faint scent of incense lingering in the air.
She removed her cloak, setting it aside before turning to me with a warm smile. "This is your home now too," she said gently. "Let me show you around."
The house was modest but comfortable. A small but cozy living room, a kitchen, and a hallway leading to a few rooms. She gestured towards one. "That's my room," she explained before walking further and opening another door. "And this is yours, Kazuki."
I hesitated at the doorway, taking in the sight. It was simple but inviting. A bed with clean sheets, a desk, a small closet—nothing extravagant, yet it was more than I had ever had before.
"I can help you settle in if you'd like," Kurenai offered, her voice soft with understanding.
I shook my head. "No… I can do it myself."
She regarded me for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
With that, she stepped out, leaving me alone in my new room. I closed the door behind her and slowly walked over to the bed, sitting down on its edge. My fingers trailed over the fabric of the sheets—soft, warm, real. For the first time in a long time, I had a place to rest that wasn't cold stone or dirt.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed those thoughts aside. I had something else I needed to check.
Focusing my mind, I activated the**Slave System.**
A translucent blue screen materialized before me, sharp lines of text appearing in its interface.
──────────────────────────────
**KAZUKI'S STATUS**
──────────────────────────────
➤ **Name:** Kazuki Yuhi
➤ **Chakra:** 100/?
➤ **Points:** 0
[**Physical Attributes**]
◈ **Strength:** 10
◈ **Agility:** 10
◈ **Endurance:** 20
◈ **Intelligence:** 15
──────────────────────────────
**MARKET**
──────────────────────────────
◈ **Slave Chain** – 1500 Points
➝ Strengthens existing bonds.
◈ **Chakra Boost Elixir** – 500 Points
➝ Temporarily increases chakra capacity.
◈ **Rapid Healing Elixir** – 1000 Points
➝ Quickly heals wounds.
──────────────────────────────
**SLAVES**
──────────────────────────────
◈ **Kurenai Yuhi**
➝ Status: [Active]
──────────────────────────────
**INVENTORY**
──────────────────────────────
◈ **Shusui**
I stared at the list, taking in the information before me. My eyes lingered on the section labeled**Slaves**. My mind was still struggling to comprehend the gravity of it.
After a moment, I exhaled and asked out loud, "What exactly does it mean to have a slave? What can I do with them?"
For a brief moment, there was silence. Then, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in my mind.
"Slaves cannot disobey their master's commands. No matter the order, they are bound to carry it out. However, minor commands—such as fetching water—will feel natural to them, as if they are acting on their own free will. More significant commands—such as taking a life—will create a sense of resistance within them, but they will still be compelled to obey."
A chill ran down my spine. Did I… really have this kind of power over someone?
Without hesitation, I made a decision. "Can I disable a slave's status?"
The system immediately responded. "If you do not wish for your slave to follow your commands, you can temporarily disable their status. This will allow them to act as a normal individual, free from system influence."
I didn't hesitate any longer. I needed to do this.
**Kurenai's slave status has been temporarily disabled.**
A breath I hadn't realized I was holding slowly escaped my lips. My body, which had been tense, began to relax.
With the weight of that decision settled, my thoughts drifted to something else—the abilities I had acquired.
"What exactly do my Light Manipulation and Light Form abilities do?" I asked.
The system's response was immediate. "These abilities closely resemble those of Kizaru from the One Piece universe. Additionally, all non-chakra-based physical attacks will now pass through your body without causing harm. However, chakra-based techniques and sealed attacks can still affect you."
I blinked, absorbing the information. So, normal weapons and physical strikes wouldn't harm me anymore? That was… incredible.
For the first time since acquiring this system, I felt an inkling of excitement. But right now, I was too drained to think about it further.
As exhaustion settled over me, I let out a deep sigh and sank into the warmth of the bed.
The softness, the warmth—it was all unfamiliar, yet so comforting.
For so long, I had slept on nothing but stone and dirt, my body aching from the cold. But now, for the first time, I was truly comfortable.
My muscles relaxed, my breathing slowed, and as my mind drifted away, a single thought lingered.
This… this was the first time I had felt safe in year.
---
The morning light filtered through my window, casting a warm glow across the room. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness, my mind slowly registering where I was. A warm bed. A quiet room. I was still here.
I stretched my arms, letting out a slow breath before pushing the blanket aside and getting up. As I dressed in the clothes Kurenai had bought me, I stepped out of my room, greeted by an almost eerie silence. Kurenai was nowhere to be seen.
My eyes landed on a small piece of paper placed neatly on the dining table. I walked over and picked it up.
**"Good morning, Kazuki,
I had to leave early for work today. I should be back by noon. There's food in the kitchen for you—I don't want you going hungry.
Take care of yourself. – Kurenai"**
I held the note in my hands for a few moments before setting it back down. A strange warmth filled my chest. Someone had thought about me—had left something for me. It was such a simple thing, yet it felt foreign. A part of me wasn't sure how to react.
I shook the thought away and decided to take a shower first. Stepping into the bathroom, I turned on the hot water, letting the steam fill the small space. As I stood under the stream, I felt my muscles relax. The warmth seeped into my skin, washing away the lingering stiffness from years of sleeping on hard, cold surfaces. It was comforting, almost too much so.
After drying off and changing into fresh clothes, I made my way to the kitchen. Opening the cupboard, I found a meal Kurenai had prepared for me. I hesitated for a second before sitting down and eating in silence. The food was simple but filling.
As I ate, my thoughts wandered.
What was I supposed to do now?
I had no real goal, no direction… But I did have something new—the Slave System. Maybe it was time to understand it better.
I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes, and focused. "How do I earn points? What do I need to do to purchase things from the store?"
A moment of silence followed before the system responded.
**"In the future, you will receive specific missions. Completing these tasks will reward you with points. The number of points earned will depend on the difficulty of the task. Additionally, under certain conditions, you may receive extra rewards."**
Missions… That meant, at least for now, I couldn't gain any points. But once the system started assigning me tasks, I'd have a way to grow stronger.
I exhaled slowly, processing the information. This was an opportunity—a way to become more than just a lost child with no past.
Pushing my empty plate aside, I stood up. Until Kurenai returned, I needed to occupy myself. My eyes drifted toward the bookshelves in the living room. Quietly, I walked over, scanning the neatly arranged spines before picking out a few. Most were about basic shinobi history and Konoha's past.
I settled down and started reading, letting the words pull me into a world I had yet to fully understand.
Hours passed. I read, wandered around the house, glanced out the window now and then, and did anything I could to keep my mind busy. Kurenai still hadn't returned.
By the time the front door finally opened, the sky outside had already begun to darken. I turned my head as Kurenai stepped in, looking slightly tired. Dust clung to her clothes, a clear sign that she had spent the entire day outside.
Her eyes met mine, and she offered a small, apologetic smile. "Sorry, Kazuki. I got held up at work today," she said, running a hand through her hair. "I didn't mean to leave you alone for so long. How was your day?"
Her voice was gentle, but I could sense a hint of guilt in her tone. She genuinely felt bad about being away.
I shook my head slightly. "I read some books, looked around the house, ate the food you left… and waited."
There was a brief pause before Kurenai nodded, her smile softening. "I see. I'm glad you kept yourself busy."
She removed her cloak and draped it over the back of a chair before stretching her arms. She looked exhausted, but even so, she focused all her attention on me.
A brief silence settled between us before I finally gathered the courage to ask something that had been lingering in my mind all day.
"What… should I call you?" My voice was quieter than I intended. "Should I call you 'Mother'? Or… 'Sister'?"
Kurenai's eyes widened slightly, a faint pink dusting her cheeks. She hadn't expected that question.
Her hand instinctively reached for the back of her neck, her expression slightly flustered. "Well… for now, I suppose 'Sister' would be fine," she said, her voice softer than usual. "I think that suits us best."
She averted her gaze for a moment, clearing her throat as if trying to compose herself. "I mean… we're still adjusting to this, right? But… with time, everything will start to feel more natural."
Despite her words, I could see the warmth in her expression. She was embarrassed, yes, but she also meant what she said.
I felt something shift inside me. A warmth, a sense of connection I hadn't realized I was missing. I gave her a small nod. "Alright… Sister."
Kurenai's lips curved into a genuine smile. "Good. Now, let's not dwell on heavy topics. It's been a long day. You should rest."
She patted my shoulder lightly before heading toward the kitchen. I remained standing there for a moment, letting everything sink in. Maybe… just maybe, I had found something here.
Kurenai turned back toward me after a short pause, her expression thoughtful. "Kazuki, can I ask you something?"
I glanced at her curiously. "What is it?"
She took a deep breath before speaking. "What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you want to live a peaceful life as a civilian, or… do you want to become a shinobi like me?"
The question caught me off guard. I hadn't thought about it much, but as soon as she asked, I felt a spark inside me. Just imagining it made my heartbeat quicken.
To be a shinobi… To be strong, like Kurenai. The idea sent a rush of excitement through me.
My eyes lit up with determination. "I want to be a ninja like you!"
Kurenai blinked in surprise before chuckling. "Oh? So you've already made up your mind?" Her smile grew warmer. "It won't be an easy path, Kazuki. You'll have to work hard."
I nodded eagerly. "I know! But I want to be strong! I want to protect Konoha, prove myself, and… and feel like I belong."
Kurenai studied me for a moment before placing a hand on my head, ruffling my hair gently. "Alright then," she said, her voice filled with quiet pride. "If this is what you truly want, then I'll guide you."
She paused before continuing. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Ninja Academy to enroll. And… we'll start your training. If you want to be a ninja, you'll need more than just academy lessons. You'll have to push yourself beyond that."
Her words sent a jolt of excitement through me. The Academy! I was really going to become a ninja!
"Really?! We start tomorrow?!" I asked, barely able to contain my excitement.
Kurenai chuckled at my reaction, nodding. "Yes. But remember, this won't be easy. Are you ready, Kazuki?"
I took a deep breath, feeling the fire inside me grow. I grinned, my determination unwavering.
"I'm ready, Sister! No matter how hard it is, I'll become a ninja!"
Kurenai's warm smile remained. "Then tomorrow will be a big day. For now, get some rest. You'll need it."
I nodded, heading toward my room, my heart pounding with excitement.
Slowly, my eyes fluttered shut, and I fell into the deepest sleep I had ever known.