Changes (5)

He knew he had the potential to change a lot depending on how the cards we're dealt with him. He knew that he wouldn't be able to influence every single event that happened. There were a lot of variables he had to take into account after all. There were certainly somethings he wanted to change, some lives he wanted to save if the opportunity to do so presented itself when the time came.

He was brought out of his thinking by a bunch a sudden shouting. He turned his head towards the direction of a nearby alley it was coming from and walked towards it. As he walked into the entrance of the alley, he saw two grown men standing over a downed kid.

"You damn brat! Why are you even hanging around here!" Shouted one man.

"Do us all a favor and leave you little monster!" Yelled the other.

Ren took a moment to study the kid they were berating, though he already had a very good idea who it was. Sure enough, his hunch was right on the money. Spikey hair as blond as Ren's own, blue eyes, whisker marks on his face. It was none other than the future big damn hero of the world.

Naruto Uzumaki.

This was actually perfect for Ren. One of the things he wanted change was to try to give Naruto a better childhood. In his old life when first saw Naruto's story. He felt it was bullshit that he got treated the way he did. That and the fact the old man Hokage didn't do more to help. When he damn well could have. So Ren decided with the knowledge he had and the resources at his disposal. He was going to try to make things better for the knucklehead. He began his advance on the two men and made his presence known.

"Two grown men beating on a kid the same age as me. How very pathetic of you." Mused the young Yamanaka, gaining the two adults' attention.

"What the hell do you want kid?" Sneered one of them.

"Simple" Began Ren. "Leave him be and go away. I don't know why your beating on him, and I honestly don't care. Do as I say, and things won't get ugly for you two."

"Just what the hell does some punk ass kid like you, get off trying to order around adults?" Snarled one of them.

"More then you think actually." Ren calmly replied as he turned to flash his family crest on the back of his shirt. Ren couldn't help but grin a little when they two grown men reacted in shock when they saw it.

"Oh shit! He's a Yamanaka!" Proclaimed one of them.

"That's right." Mused Ren. "In fact, my uncle is the clan head and one of the high ranking members of the village's torture and interrogation unit. A simple word of mouth to him and he can bring you in and 'ask' shall we say. As to why you were beating on a defenseless kid. I'm sure you wouldn't want that, seeing how people as pathetic as you. Would most likely come out of such an experience a bit broken from it all."

Both men paled and looked rather nervous knowing the child in front of them was speaking the truth.

"So I assume we have an understanding then?" Questioned Ren.

Both men simply nodded in reply.

"Good. Now leave and if I ever catch you doing this sort of thing again. You won't be given any kind of warning." Ren growled out a bit menacingly as he narrowed his eyes into a glare.

Both men immediately turned on their heels and ran out of the alley. With that dealt with, Ren then approached the downed Uzumaki.

"They're gone now and are you okay?" Ren asked as he stopped in front of Naruto.

Naruto for his part was a bit shell shocked from the turn of events. He had no idea who the guy the same age as him was. No one had ever defended him before or even asked if he was ok. Naruto though quickly snapped out of his shock and stood up dusting himself off as he did. Ren noticed he was wearing a worn-out looking pair of green shorts and a faded shirt with a red whirlpool on it.

"Yeah I'm fine and thanks for the help." Replied the jinchuriki.

"Name's Ren Yamanaka, who are you?" Ren asked knowing full well that answer already.

Naruto looked at the mocha-skinned and blond-haired boy in front of him a bit skeptically but ultimately decided to reply. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too Naruto." Ren replied as held out a hand. Naruto hesitated for a moment before taking the hand for a brief shake. "So, do you want to hang out Naruto?"

Ren swore Naruto's face glowed brightly and grinned as he had just woken up Christmas morning to a room full of presents.

"I'd like to! Believe it!" Proclaimed the container of the nine-tails.

"Follow me then," Ren spoke as he turned and headed out the alley. Naruto walking along right beside him. They exited the alley and turned down onto one of the main shopping streets in the village.

"What do you want to do?" Chimed Naruto.

Ren paused for a moment to think about that before he finally had his answer. "Let's head to a ninja supply shop. I'll be starting at the academy soon. Though my uncle will be buying me starting equipment. I want to grab something unique to myself for my ninja look."

Naruto simply nodded. "Sounds good to me. I don't have money to buy anything but I'm happy enough just to have someone to hang out with."

With that said both blonds found the nearest ninja shop and waltz inside. The shop was adorned with all sorts of ninja tools, weapons, clothes, etc. Much to the wide-eyed wonder to the two young would-be ninjas. The counter was managed by a middle-aged man, he saw Naruto and raised an eyebrow. When he noticed Ren and the clan symbol on his back, he chose not to do anything.