Ichiraku Ramen.
Naruto was slurping down his ramen with gusto, a blissful expression on his face, while beside him, Kakashi savored his treasured "literature" once more—an old favorite he had read countless times.
Every time he reached a particularly moving part, Kakashi would unconsciously "raise his head" in respect.
"Kakashi, aren't you supposed to accompany the Kirigakure envoys who just arrived?" Ayame refilled Naruto's bowl, her tone calm as she glanced at the silver-haired shinobi engrossed in his book. Well, men had their hobbies, after all.
"They need their own space. Besides, with Shikaku around, everything is fine. Spending some time with Naruto is nice too."
"Kakashi-sensei, don't lie! You're obviously just here to read Ero-sennin's novel, not to keep me company!" Naruto immediately exposed him.
That really ticked Kakashi off.
He snapped his book shut and gave Naruto his classic dead-fish stare, hoping to intimidate him.
Unfortunately, Naruto just kept eating, completely ignoring his glare.
"So that's how it is, huh?" Ayame smirked, amused, though she didn't press further.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen you around lately, Naruto. Where've you been? I was starting to think you didn't like Ichiraku Ramen anymore!"
"Of course not!" Naruto quickly responded. "Ichiraku Ramen is my favorite! That's why when Kakashi-sensei said he'd treat me, I chose to come here!"
Ayame blinked in surprise. "Oh? Kakashi treating someone? That's rare."
Kakashi rolled his dead-fish eyes. "Ayame... Have I ever wronged you? I treat people pretty often!"
Ayame smiled. "Oh? Then tell me, who exactly have you treated?"
Kakashi thought for a moment. "There's Gai, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura... and that's it."
Ayame spread her hands, as if to say, "I've got nothing more to add."
"See, Ayame-neechan? Kakashi-sensei is super stingy! If you ever get married, don't pick someone like him!" Naruto added mercilessly.
Ayame's eyes curved into a crescent as she smiled.
Kakashi shot Naruto a glare, already regretting the three bowls of ramen he'd just paid for.
"Then Naruto, tell me... what kind of man is a good one?" With no one else around, Ayame was happy to chat.
"That's easy—it's Hikari-senpai! I even used one of my secret moves on him today, and it didn't work at all. But Ero-sennin and Kakashi-sensei both got nosebleeds from it!" Naruto bragged loudly, shamelessly exposing Kakashi's shame, much to the latter's annoyance.
'Don't bite the hand that feeds you, you little—'
Did Naruto understand that?
Of course he did.
But he could sense Kakashi was in a heavier mood earlier, so he was just trying to cheer him up.
(Kakashi: Thank you so much, Naruto! But honestly, I was only depressed because Jiraiya's and Hikari's new works won't be out for a few days. I was suffering in silence while imagining a new waifu! You just ruined my moment!)
"So that's the kind of person you are, Kakashi-sensei~?" Ayame's eyes curved in amusement before she turned to Naruto. "Don't worry, Naruto. I'd never fall for someone like Kakashi. By the way, this Hikari-senpai you mentioned—why haven't I heard you talk about him before?"
Upon hearing Ayame's question, Naruto, mid-slurp, flailed his arms excitedly. Seeing this, Kakashi reached over and patted him.
"Eat properly. I'll explain to Ayame."
"The Hikari-senpai Naruto mentioned is none other than Kamizuki Hikari—the one you're quite familiar with, Ayame."
"Oh, I see..." Ayame's smile faltered slightly when she heard that name. "I heard he was away on missions. I haven't seen him since he got back."
"Hikari's been busy. He's handling things at the Hokage Tower and also helping host the Kirigakure envoys. Lots on his plate." Kakashi said, trying to cover for him.
But Naruto, being the kid with no filter, couldn't help himself.
"Kakashi-sensei's lying! We just came from Hikari-senpai's place—he was home sleeping, not busy at all!"
Contrary to Naruto's expectations, Ayame didn't seem happy at that news.
"I understand. Thank you, Naruto."
She went to the back, then returned with a generous slice of pork and dropped it into his bowl.
"Naruto, you're still growing. Eat plenty, okay?"
"Thanks, Ayame-neechan!"
Sensing that her mood wasn't the best, Naruto stayed quiet and focused on eating.
Kakashi sighed inwardly and returned to his beloved book, admiring it in silence.
"Naruto?"
That voice sent a shiver through Naruto's soul.
"Sasuke?"
"Naruto..."
"Sasuke!"
"Na—ouch!"
Unable to stand their shameless back-and-forth, Kakashi smacked Sasuke on the head, interrupting their little scene.
"Speak properly. If you're hungry, sit down and eat. Ayame, another bowl—the same as Naruto's, please."
Sasuke obediently sat down. Not because he feared Kakashi, but simply because he really was hungry.
"Kakashi-sensei, I don't want the same as Naruto. I'll take... seafood flavor!" Sasuke said, a twinge of sourness rising as he watched Naruto eat happily.
'Damn you, Naruto... I've been training so hard, while you're here enjoying ramen. How could you betray me like this? I've been thinking about you nonstop, and you came here with Kakashi instead... Hmph!'
"Alright then. Ayame, one seafood ramen!" Kakashi indulged him while pocketing his book. Not that he was worried—but the shop was filling up, and as one of Konoha's elite, he had an image to maintain.
"Sasuke, starting tomorrow, you, Naruto, and Sakura can head to Training Ground 10 to train with Team 10 if you've got time. Hikari will stop by to give you some pointers."
"Really?" Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. He never expected Kakashi could arrange something like that.
"Of course it's true!" Naruto cut in boastfully. "It's mostly because of my awesomeness. Hikari-senpai mainly wants to train me, and you're just tagging along!"
Sasuke shot him a skeptical look.
"It's true! And it's all thanks to my ultimate technique—Sexy Jutsu! I used it today, and Hikari-senpai realized I'm a one-in-a-million prodigy. That's why he agreed to train me... and let you come along too!"
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