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Chapter 7: Naruto
🕑 Added 2025-02-20 14:17:16 +0000 UTCChapter 7: Naruto
Naruto’s level of poverty honestly shocked Haruta.
If he remembered correctly, Naruto was supposed to receive a stipend from the village, wasn’t he?
So why did he seem this broke?
"Huh?"
Hearing a voice behind him, Naruto shuddered and turned around, looking at Haruta and Yuugao with a bit of confusion. Then, as if realizing something, he instinctively took two steps back.
"Who… who are you guys?"
"We were on our way to Ichiraku for some ramen and happened to see you."
Haruta shrugged nonchalantly, rubbing his chin as he glanced at Naruto’s frog wallet.
"We were thinking of getting to know you, maybe even letting you treat us… but then…"
"…"
Naruto’s eye twitched as he looked at his pitifully empty frog wallet.
Even if he emptied it out, it wouldn’t be enough to cover a meal for all three of them.
But he didn’t dare say that out loud.
He had already suffered enough ‘heavy-handed lessons’ from the villagers. So, with a miserable expression, he lowered his head.
"Sorry… I spent my money on other things, so I don’t have any left…"
Seeing Naruto like this, Yuugao felt momentarily lost.
She had spent most of her time training in Anbu. Although she went home occasionally, she had never interacted with Naruto. All she knew were the rumors.
And honestly, even if she had encountered him before, she probably wouldn’t have approached him.
Her heart was still full of hatred toward the Nine-Tails.
But… this kid didn’t seem at all like the rumors described.
"I see."
Haruta wasn’t surprised by Naruto’s response.
Even though he sometimes wondered if Naruto had been hit by a Kotoamatsukami, he had to admit—Naruto was truly the sun of the ninja world.
"Man, you’re really dirt poor. What did you even spend all your money on?"
"…"
Naruto remained silent.
He never understood why the entire village seemed to hate him so much.
Just being able to buy things was already a luxury for him.
So whenever he got the chance, he would buy a bunch of stuff all at once… which, of course, left him completely broke.
But he didn’t dare say anything.
He was afraid of another beating.
However, to his shock, the older boy in front of him suddenly spoke up.
"Forget it. Since you’re an orphan too, I’ll treat you today. But you better pay me back later."
"Uh… huh?"
Naruto stared at Haruta in disbelief.
"You’re treating me?"
"Yeah. So, are you coming or not?"
Haruta shrugged and started walking toward the ramen stand, not even waiting for Naruto’s response.
"If you’re not, that’s fine. I’ll save some money…"
"I’M COMING! I’M COMING!"
Before Haruta could even finish his sentence, Naruto shouted and immediately ran after him.
He was overjoyed.
It wasn’t often in Konoha that he met someone who didn’t hate him—let alone someone willing to buy him food!
---
Inside Ichiraku Ramen, the three of them sat at the counter, having already placed their orders.
Teuchi greeted them warmly, while his daughter, Ayame, curiously observed the trio.
For one, they weren’t familiar faces.
And second, she was surprised—aside from her father, who else in the village would treat Naruto to a meal?
---
As they waited for their ramen, Naruto, unable to contain his curiosity, started chatting.
"Big Bro, Big Sis, are you guys ninjas?"
"We?"
Haruta glanced at himself, then at the silent Yuugao.
Since neither of them was wearing a headband, he casually shook his head.
"Nope. We’re not ninjas."
"…"
Yuugao nearly choked on her own breath.
As Anbu, they usually wore masks instead of headbands.
And since they had just come from the Hokage’s office, they hadn’t been wearing them.
But how did that make them not ninjas?!
"Aww, that’s too bad."
Naruto pouted but quickly perked up, clenching his fists with determination.
"One day, I’m definitely gonna be a ninja! And not just any ninja—I’m gonna be Hokage!"
"But…"
Haruta smirked, ready to throw a bucket of cold water on Naruto’s enthusiasm.
"Before we talk about becoming Hokage, shouldn’t you at least have enough money to eat?"
"Think about it—ninja training costs money. You need money for weapons, for food, for nutrition.
And right now? You can’t even pay for your own ramen. You—"
"Damn it…"
Naruto’s face scrunched up in frustration.
But he was stubborn.
"I’ll make enough money! One day, I’ll treat YOU to ramen every day!"
"How about you start by paying me back for this meal first?"
Haruta smirked again, crushing the little blond’s spirit once more.
Seeing Naruto looking completely defeated, Yuugao finally decided to step in.
"Alright, stop teasing him. Once he enters the Academy, things will be fine."
Then, she turned to Naruto, curious.
"Why do you want to be a ninja so badly? And why aim for Hokage?"
"I’m not just saying it!"
Naruto pouted, rubbing his growling stomach.
"I don’t know why… but it feels like most of the village doesn’t like me.
I don’t want to be ignored anymore.
I want people to notice me.
I want them to acknowledge me.
Grandpa Hokage told me that if I become Hokage, everyone will accept me.
So I have to become Hokage!"
Yuugao was stunned.
She hadn’t expected that answer.
"He just… wants to be acknowledged?"
For the first time, she wondered…
Had everyone misunderstood this kid?
Meanwhile, Haruta pressed his lips together.
"Then why, when you got to the Academy, did you start following those little brats and pulling pranks all the time?"
Sure, it got you attention… but was that really the best way to earn recognition?
---
Just then, Haruta sensed something and looked up sharply.
Yuugao noticed it too.
They both turned to see a silver-haired man with a mask approaching.
And in the distance, another person was watching from the shadows.
"Kakashi-senpai?"
Yuugao immediately recognized him.
And Kakashi, after glancing at Naruto, simply shrugged and said,
"So, this is where you guys were. Hope I’m not interrupting anything.
I know this is a bit sudden, but you should probably meet your new teammate now, don’t you think?"
"New teammate?"
Yuugao looked toward the hidden figure in the corner.
Haruta, without hesitation, stood up.
"Alright then, let’s go, Senpai."
Naruto, on the other hand, was completely dumbfounded.
"Wait… teammate? Hold on—you guys ARE ninjas?! But you just said—"
"Kid, consider this your first lesson."
Haruta smirked as he ruffled Naruto’s hair.
"Ninjas aren’t playing some kids’ game. You need to observe carefully. And most importantly, never blindly trust what people say."
"But—"
"No buts."
Haruta cut him off.
"You lost this one, kid. And as punishment… you’re eating all three bowls of ramen by yourself."
"Huh…?"
Naruto blinked in confusion.
Then, realization dawned on him—
"Wait… how is that even a punishment?! That’s a reward!"
But before he could say anything, he saw Haruta giving him a knowing smile.
Naruto’s eyes stung a little.
For the first time…
It felt like someone acknowledged him.
"Crap! I forgot to ask their names!"
Meanwhile, Kakashi watched silently, then turned to leave.
He had a complicated feeling about Naruto, but one thought lingered in his mind.
"That kid… he's not bad."
Just then, Teuchi suddenly ran out.
"Wait, Kakashi-san!"
"Hmm? What is it, Teuchi?"
"That’ll be three extra-large bowls of ramen. Your total comes to—"
"…"
Kakashi’s lone visible eye twitched.
"Maybe I judged Haruta a little too soon…"
