Slurp…
Slurp…
Naruto noisily slurped his noodles, looking utterly delighted.
Natsuki finished a bowl of tonkotsu ramen—it was indeed rich and flavorful, though he wasn't used to the taste. He could only manage to eat it out of courtesy. Sasuke, meanwhile, was nibbling on some side dishes.
Just as Naruto was about done, the shop's curtain was lifted.
In walked a silver-haired ninja with a "broom head," wearing a mask. He sat down in the farthest corner.
"Boss, please. One bowl of miso char siu ramen."
Natsuki turned his head and glanced at Kakashi.
Tch. Are they so nervous they had to send even Kakashi over?
Burp!
Naruto let out a loud belch, clapped his hands together.
"Thanks for the food!"
The vitality of the Uzumaki clan really was something else.
That "grand slam" ramen bowl was bigger than Naruto's head by two sizes, and packed full of ingredients. Even Natsuki would have needed quite some time to finish it—yet Naruto, only five years old now, had eaten it clean.
Naruto loved ramen. Partly because it was delicious, partly because Teuchi and Ayame were among the few people who didn't discriminate against him. And, it was one of the cheapest meals he could afford.
For Naruto, ramen was about all he could eat.
"Hey, Naruto, are you full?" Natsuki asked with a smile.
"Hehe, Natsuki-senpai, I'm stuffed." Naruto rubbed his belly. He had never felt such happiness before.
"Say, Naruto, Sasuke tells me you're always being naughty, huh?"
Sasuke was dumbfounded. I only just met you today! When did I say that?
But one look from Natsuki was enough to shut him up.
"I, uh… ahahaha." Naruto scratched his head awkwardly. He couldn't possibly explain that all those pranks were just his way of seeking attention.
"Sorry, Natsuki-senpai. I won't be naughty anymore."
Natsuki didn't scold him. Instead, he waved Ayame over. "Excuse me, the bill please."
He pulled out twenty crisp thousand-ryō bills and handed them to her.
Ayame quickly waved her hands. "It's only 320 ryō in total."
Ichiraku ramen was dirt cheap. The grand slam was just 200, while Natsuki's and Sasuke's bowls were only 60 each.
But Natsuki waved her off.
"Keep the rest here. From now on, whenever Naruto and Sasuke come by, just let them eat as much as they want. Deduct it from this."
"This… is that really okay?" Ayame glanced at her father Teuchi, who only smiled and nodded. Only then did she accept the money.
"Listen, Naruto. I've stored some money here. From now on, you and Sasuke can eat here freely."
"What!? Natsuki-senpai, I can't take your money!" Naruto was stunned.
Natsuki scowled.
"Who's giving you money? You're Sasuke's friend. What, when you two come here, Sasuke eats and you just watch?"
"Ninja Academy is starting soon. You'll both be busy with classes. Isn't it easier if you can come here for a quick meal?"
"Uh… oh… I guess…"
Naruto felt something about this didn't quite make sense, but couldn't put his finger on it.
Natsuki's face softened into a smile.
"Sasuke doesn't have many friends. I'll be counting on you to keep him company, alright?"
"And don't go making trouble everywhere. Once you're in the Academy, study hard."
"Got it! I'll play with Sasuke a lot! I'll study hard too!"
Things he couldn't understand, Naruto decided not to think about.
This was the first time anyone had entrusted him with something. It filled him with boundless motivation—his heart warm and happy.
Sasuke, on the side, pouted. "Who wants him to play with me? Hmph."
Natsuki was used to Sasuke's tsundere attitude.
Shaking his head, he led the two boys outside.
Kakashi quickly finished his ramen as well and followed them out, trailing behind.
The Hokage had urgently summoned him earlier, telling him to investigate. Why was Natsuki suddenly being so nice to Naruto? What was his purpose?
But all Natsuki did was treat Naruto to ramen, then take him to Konoha's Eighth Street.
That street was lined with Uchiha-owned shops, one of the most bustling districts now. Uchiha patrols from the Police Force were stationed nearby.
Everyone they passed bowed respectfully. "Lord Natsuki."
Natsuki waved them off casually.
By the time they reached the street entrance, Kakashi and several ANBU were growing anxious. Their numbers were increasing.
Natsuki had no desire to clash with the ANBU just yet.
He pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, you've been away a while. Go buy yourself some new clothes—pick up a couple sets for Naruto too."
"I've got some business to take care of. I'll be back later."
He shot Sasuke a meaningful look. Sasuke blinked, unsure if he understood or not.
Natsuki stepped off toward the edge of the street and gave an order to a nearby Uchiha.
"Some ANBU will be watching Naruto soon. Don't interfere."
"Yes, sir!" the patrol saluted.
After walking some distance, Natsuki called out behind him.
"Come out, Kakashi."
Kakashi revealed himself. "Vice Clan Head Uchiha Natsuki, you know me? Why are you approaching Naruto? What's your aim?"
Natsuki looked him up and down. Kakashi was still in his ANBU garb, though without the mask. His forehead protector hung low, covering his left eye. The visible one looked lifeless, dull, and dead.
Thinking of Naruto's miserable childhood, Natsuki felt a surge of disgust.
With a sudden flicker of speed, he appeared in front of Kakashi and kicked him to the ground.
Caught off guard, Kakashi hadn't expected the sudden attack. He was knocked down easily.
Natsuki spat at him. "Tch! I've been sick of you for a long time."
Letting out a breath, he sighed. "Ah… that feels better."
Kakashi scrambled back up, face burning with anger.
"Natsuki! Why did you attack me!?"
But he held back. The Uchiha's relationship with the village was already fragile—if Natsuki was trying to provoke him, he couldn't fall for it.
"Why?" Natsuki sneered.
"Because you're ungrateful. Cold-hearted. A treacherous ingrate—" He stopped short, swallowing the last word.
"Me!? Ungrateful!?" Kakashi was bewildered. "I don't even know you. Where's this ingratitude coming from!?"
Natsuki stroked his chin, looking Kakashi up and down.
This… thing… is the son of Sakumo Hatake?
"Tell me, aren't you the disciple of Minato Namikaze?"
"I am. So what?" That wasn't a secret; the Uchiha clan all knew.
"Oh, so you do remember you're Minato's disciple." Natsuki's tone dripped with sarcasm.
"His orphan gets bullied every day, eats expired food—you blind to that?"
Kakashi fell silent. "That's the Third's orders. Naruto, he—"
"Cut the crap! Don't feed me that nonsense about keeping his identity hidden."
Natsuki snapped impatiently. "What does that have to do with him eating spoiled food and garbage meals every day?"
"He's grown this much without decent clothes, never properly fed or kept warm."
"The Third sure knows how to 'take care' of the Fourth's son. And you—you sure 'take care' of your sensei's child!"
"You just sat there, watching as the Hokage seized your teacher's inheritance, watching Naruto starve, drinking sour milk, eating lunches mixed with sand. You did nothing. You're still a Hatake? You make me sick."
"I…" Kakashi was speechless. He truly had no excuse.
Ever since Obito's death, he had drowned in despair, living like a hollow shell. He barely managed to function, mechanically carrying out missions. He didn't even take care of himself, let alone Naruto.
The Hokage gave the orders, he followed them. No thought required. No thought allowed.
Kakashi steadied himself. "Even so, that's not a reason for you to approach Naruto."
Natsuki waved dismissively.
"When I was young, Kushina-neesan helped me. All I want is for Naruto to eat well and wear properly. You're overthinking things. I'm not as filthy as you lot."
"Let the ANBU monitor me all they want. I don't care."
Kakashi relaxed slightly, though his expression remained complicated.
Natsuki folded his arms behind his head, strolling leisurely back toward Eighth Street.
"But if someday, Naruto decides the Uchiha treat him better—well, that's up to him."
Kakashi froze, a chill running down his spine.
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