4: Chapter 4 The Mask of WarmthThe setting sun cast long shadows as Naruto strolled around, his heart in high spirits, clutching the money he had just "earned" and the new abilities he had acquired.
My stomach started growling at just the right moment.
Hitting someone is hard work, especially when you're so physically weak.
Just as I was wondering where to get something to eat, a familiar voice sounded from behind me.
"Naruto?"
"Iruka-sensei." Naruto stopped, his mischievous expression completely gone, replaced by a smile that matched his original self, a smile that was somewhat silly and awkward.
"Where are you going?Today." Iruka hesitated, clearly the loud sound of the belt hitting the desk in the classroom during the day was still echoing in his mind, "Were you alright in the classroom today."
"Huh?That one!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed but still stubborn, and said, "It's because they laughed so awfully.and they kept calling me a demon fox.I couldn't help myself."
He lowered his head and his voice became softer, like a child who knew he might have caused trouble but felt a little wronged.
He mastered this art of facial expression management without any formal instruction; it was completely natural.
Seeing him like this, Iruka's doubts were greatly diminished, replaced by his usual soft-heartedness.
Yes, Naruto is just a child after all, a child who has been isolated and verbally abused for a long time.It's not entirely incomprehensible that he might act a little extreme.Besides, their mockery was indeed a bit excessive.
He sighed, his tone softening considerably: "Even so, you can't scare your classmates like that in the classroom.Don't do it again next time, understand?"
"I understand." Naruto nodded obediently.
Seeing the dust on his body and his still thin frame, Iruka's sense of duty as a teacher was completely overwhelmed by love.
"You haven't had dinner yet, have you?" Iruka's tone softened completely."Come on, let's go eat Ichiraku Ramen."
Naruto's eyes lit up instantly, and it wasn't an act; they really did!
This bodily instinct, the taste of Ichiraku Ramen, is almost the only light in our barren lives.
"Really?That's wonderful!Thank you, Iruka-sensei!"
He cheered and jumped for joy, following Iruka around.
I was quite touched.Iruka, although a bit weak and a bit talkative, is genuinely kind-hearted and one of the few people in the original story who were truly good to Naruto.
Steaming hot food was being served at the Ichiraku Ramen stall.
"Uncle Naruto!Same old rules, two big bowls of miso chashu ramen!" Naruto climbed onto the high stool with practiced ease and shouted loudly, maintaining his usual style.
"Oh!It's Naruto, and Iruka-sensei too." The middle-aged man greeted them with a smile, then quickly began preparing the noodles.
Iruka looked at Naruto's excited profile.In the warm light of the ramen stall, his blue eyes appeared exceptionally clear, as if the cold and ruthless boy from the daytime was just his illusion.
He shook his head inwardly, thinking that he might be overthinking things.
The noodles were served quickly, and a rich aroma wafted over.
Naruto slurped up the noodles, eating with gusto, his cheeks bulging, his eyes narrowed in satisfaction, and he mumbled indistinctly, "Delicious!So delicious!Uncle Hand-Struck's noodles are the best!"
Iruka couldn't help but laugh as he wolfed down his food: "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."
He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat slowly.
While eating noodles, Iruka asked casually, "Naruto, lately.have you encountered anything unusual?Or.do you feel anything different about your body?"
Naruto paused in his slurping of noodles, then looked up, his face still smeared with soup, his eyes a little blank: "Something special?Nothing.My body?Oh!I feel like I'm a little stronger."
His answer was flawless, and his eyes were clear.
Iruka carefully observed his expression, found nothing unusual, and finally felt completely relieved.
It seems the increased power during the day was just an outburst of pent-up resentment?Perhaps it's just the child's imagination, or.maybe he's really growing?
He breathed a sigh of relief, his tone becoming even gentler: "That's good.But Naruto, if you want to become stronger and gain everyone's recognition, you still need to train using the correct methods.You can't be impatient, understand?"
"Okay, Iruka-sensei!"
Naruto nodded vigorously, grinning carefree."I'll train hard!I'll definitely become Hokage someday!And everyone will recognize me!"
He shoveled another mouthful of noodles into his mouth, thinking to himself: Hokage?Let whoever wants to be Hokage be.That's not what I'm after.
After a bowl of hot ramen, Iruka felt warm, saved money, and his doubts were temporarily dispelled.
Naruto patted his round belly and said goodbye to Iruka with a satisfied expression.
"Thank you for the ramen, Iruka-sensei!See you tomorrow!"
He skipped away, his back view showing that of a happy and innocent young man.
Iruka stood there, watching his figure disappear into the night, a relieved smile on his face.
As Naruto walked away, the silly grin on his face slowly faded, replaced by a calm and somewhat indifferent expression.
The ramen was indeed delicious.Iruka.is a good person, but unfortunately, a bit naive.Maintaining a good relationship is necessary, but expecting him to change anything is unrealistic.The real path.
We still have to rely on ourselves to make it.
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