Naruto : The Return of Senju

Walking into the clothing store, I scanned the rows of garments, feeling slightly out of place. This wasn't something I had ever really thought about. Clothes were just clothes, right? As long as they didn't restrict my movements during training, what else mattered?

But standing here now, surrounded by rows of outfits neatly arranged on shelves, I realized that—whether I wanted to admit it or not—this was a part of being a shinobi too. Presentation mattered.

I had never cared about reflections before. My appearance had been an afterthought, something secondary to training, to survival. Even now, a part of me hesitated—was this really necessary? But as I looked at my reflection, I realized this wasn't just about looking good. It was about presenting who I was becoming, about stepping forward with purpose.

I needed to look at the part.

I found myself standing before a mirror, trying on a set of clothes.

For the first time in a long while, I truly looked at myself—not just in passing, not just as a reflection in a training ground puddle, but really looked.

My black hair had been untamed for months, slightly messy from the neglect of someone who never cared about it. But with my new haircut—a neat, textured crew cut—it looked sharp, controlled. It suited me.

Then, there were my eyes.

Deep, striking red.

I had never given them much thought before, but now, as I stared into them, they stood out so vibrantly against my clear skin that it almost felt unnatural. They weren't just expressive—they were intense, a depth in them that made me pause.

My build was balanced. Lean, athletic. My training had carved out definition in my muscles, but I wasn't bulky—I had the physique of someone constantly refining themselves, sharpening rather than overpowering.

I looked… like a shinobi.

I turned my focus back to the clothing. If I was going to do this, I wanted something practical, something that made sense.

I carefully picked out a pair of navy blue pants—loose enough for movement but fitted enough to not get in the way. Matching navy blue ninja sandals followed, sturdy and durable.

For the top, I chose a simple white t-shirt, comfortable but easy to layer. Over it, I pulled on a white, high-collared jacket and zipped it all the way up. The clean lines and structured fit gave me a disciplined, composed look, something that felt… right.

As I adjusted the fit, my eyes landed on something else—a pair of square black polaroid goggles with a faint blue hue.

I picked them up, slipping them over my eyes, then shifting them onto my forehead.

I liked them.

There was something about them that added a subtle, confident edge—not overly flashy, but enough to stand out.

Satisfied, I turned back to my grandparents.

"I'll take these. Also… I want the same outfit in grey, black, and navy blue."

Grandmother blinked in surprise before chuckling. "That's quite a selection, Arashi."

I shrugged. "Neutral colors go with everything. I don't see why people here would wear the same thing every day."

She smiled, nodding approvingly. "A practical mind. I like that."

Then, as we finalized the details, Grandmother made a request of her own.

"Add the Senju clan symbol on the back of his jacket."

The Senju symbol belonged on my back—that much was expected. But the Uzumaki? That was my choice. My father's bloodline. A reminder that I carried more than just one name. I hesitated, my hand hovering over the fabric. Would people question it? Would it set me apart even more? In the end, it didn't matter. This was who I was.

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Then… add the Uzumaki clan symbol on my right sleeve, between my elbow and shoulder." I glanced at my left sleeve, thoughtful. "And the Leaf Village symbol on my left."

Grandmother's expression softened, her pride unmistakable.

As we stepped back into the bustling streets, I adjusted the strap of my jacket slightly, feeling… different.

Not in a bad way.

It was a small thing—just clothes, just a haircut—but somehow, I felt more put together, more prepared to step into the Academy and into the world beyond the compound.

Grandmother reached down, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

"See? Sometimes it's nice to take a step back and just enjoy the world."

I glanced up at her, her warmth settling something inside me, and before I could overthink it, I allowed a small, genuine smile to form.

"…Yeah. It is."

From the corner of my eye, I caught Grandfather watching us. His expression remained calm and composed, but there was something softer in his gaze.

He gave the slightest nod, almost imperceptible. Approval, quiet but certain. Beneath that reserved exterior, I could tell—his heart felt a little lighter.