Chapter Three: Steps on an Unknown Road

Filling Out the Form – Hokage's Office

They asked me to fill out a form.

The paper was blank… just like me.

"Name?"I wrote: Kazuya Hoshino.

"Previous location?"I paused… then wrote: Unknown.I don't want to fabricate a history. I don't have the right to speak of a past I promised to keep silent.Only my uncle's voice still echoes within me:"We are the descendants of reconciliation. Children of a will this world never understood. Even if protection causes us pain… if we ever stop protecting—doesn't that mean we've broken our promises to our ancestors?"

"Specialization?"I wanted to write: Silence.But instead, I wrote: Civilian.To spare my head… from the headache. I just want a quiet life.

After a while, Hashirama said with his usual smile:"Only your photo left to complete the data."A shinobi entered with a camera. I lowered my hood that had been covering my head.Flash of light…Then Tobirama, with his typical coldness, said:"Initial procedure's done. Go explore the markets, but don't wander far. We'll come to you soon."

The house was built on the outskirts of Konoha using Hashirama's Wood Style.I saw trees pierced with seals, trunks twisting to form walls and a roof.

Hashirama worked silently. Tobirama stood next to me from the start.Then Tobirama stepped closer and said:"You've stood here for an hour without speaking… do you like the construction?"I ignored him. I didn't know what he expected me to say. I nodded, then looked at Hashirama and said quietly:"Thank you."

The building was easy…But walking into it wasn't.

Five days passed.

I didn't leave the house. Not because I was depressed…But because I was organizing my chaos.Fixing shelves, cleaning corners, arranging nameless things…As if I was building something inside me—not just walls.

I knew I was being watched.I knew from the first day that eyes never left my window… nor my shadow when I moved.But I didn't mind.I was just waiting… how long would they keep it up?

At sunset on the fifth day, there was a knock on the door.

I opened it… it was them.

Hashirama, Tobirama, and Madara—carrying food and small boxes.

Hashirama said calmly:"We thought we'd visit. Your neighbors are worried since you haven't stepped outside for five days… if you don't mind."

I looked at them silently… then opened the door without a word.

Madara sat quietly, observing. His eyes missed nothing.Tobirama started cleaning corners precisely… trying to understand me from how I arranged my furniture.As for Hashirama… he looked relaxed, opening windows, checking air and light like it was his own home.

We decided to cook together.Madara didn't even know how to start a fire.Tobirama followed recipes to the letter.And Hashirama? Laid-back as always, smiling and asking questions.

As for me…I made a simple dish, with a strong aroma and balanced flavor.

They tasted it.Silence.Then Madara said in his usual dry tone:"You seem like a pro."

I replied without looking at them:"When you have no one to feed you… you learn."

After dinner, I looked at them, narrowed my eyes, and asked:"Since the house was built… I've been watched.Can I know… for how long? Is this normal in Konoha? Or is it just me?"

Silence.Then Tobirama said:"We observe what we don't understand, Kazuya. And you… are interesting."

I said:"Interesting? What does that have to do with this? Don't make me regret choosing to live here."

Hashirama stepped in with a nervous smile:"It's a standard procedure, Kazuya-kun. Konoha is the fruit of many sacrifices… we just want to know who lives in it, nothing more. And don't worry, we'll stop the surveillance soon."

I looked at them for a moment… then said:"Alright, Hokage-sama. But end it quickly."

After a moment of silence, I said:"I want to open a shop. With three sections: books, medical supplies, and ninja tools.A place to learn… to heal… and to protect."

Madara asked with curiosity:"Why those three?"

I answered:"Because that's what shinobi need the most."

Then the air grew tense, so tense that even the friendly Hashirama didn't know how to ease it.Each of them ate in silence… and then left.

When they left, they left behind a strange feeling.I sat alone… my thoughts echoing in the silence:"They're strange… as if they want to attach themselves to me.I don't know why they care about someone like me… in this way."

Hashirama said:"He said he doesn't want to serve as a soldier, yet he wants to help the shinobi. That's strange."

Tobirama replied:"He's still a mystery. His idea is worth supporting… but I'll keep watching him."

Madara, with a distant gaze:"He doesn't want to be understood… and wants to be far from everything."

In the Senju compound, Hashirama said:"If we get close to him, maybe he'll open his heart."

Tobirama replied:"Or reveal something… This is the first time I can't understand someone like this. Not his intentions… not his thoughts… not his actions."

In the Uchiha compound, Madara entered Izuna's room.

He said:"Remember the boy who helped our men in the war… then vanished? He's back now. His name is Kazuya."

Izuna said:"I remember… suspicious. We searched for him for a long time and found nothing. And now… he wants to live in Konoha?"

Madara smiled:"That's what makes him so intriguing…"

Izuna warned:"Be careful, big brother… this shinobi is not like the others."

Madara replied with a smug smile:"Don't forget… I'm Uchiha Madara."

Izuna muttered:"I know you're strong… but caution is necessary."