"Yes!"
The moment Naruto heard Hatake Satoru's question, he instantly perked up, jumping high into the air.
"How about ramen? Do you like it?"
As he spoke, Hatake Satoru grabbed Naruto's hand and led him toward Ichiraku Ramen.
Naruto blinked and looked down at their joined hands, his heart beating just a little faster.
Just like kids who have parents—this person was holding his hand!
And now, this person was even treating him to a meal.
That had never happened before!
"Hmm?"
Hatake Satoru didn't get a response, so he turned his head in confusion.
But Naruto's face had turned a strange shade of pink, and his bright blue eyes were fixed on the back of Satoru's hand with unusual intensity.
Compared to most ninjas, Hatake Satoru's hands were smoother and fairer—probably because he didn't spend time training with shuriken and other weapons.
Noticing Satoru's puzzled look, Naruto quickly gripped his hand tighter and loudly declared,
"I like eating everything!"
Such an easy kid to please.
Satisfied, Hatake Satoru led Naruto into the ramen shop.
As soon as they sat down, a few scattered customers nearby shifted their seats away, putting some distance between themselves and the two of them.
Naruto was too happy about getting treated to a meal to even notice the reactions around him.
Resting his chin on his hand, Hatake Satoru glanced around at the others and smirked mockingly.
These people were being so rude.
Yet, no matter how unfairly they treated him, Naruto always found a way to forgive them with that kind heart of his.
He needed to fix that way of thinking.
But there was no rush—Naruto was still just a little kid.
It was a big problem, but one that could be fixed over time.
With that thought, Hatake Satoru tapped on the table and turned toward Naruto.
"Ah—just sitting here is kind of boring. Want to hear a story?"
"Yeah!"
Naruto immediately agreed, his face full of excitement as he looked at Satoru in anticipation.
At this point, he was completely won over by the blindfolded man—first standing up for him, and now treating him to a meal.
Was there anyone in the world kinder than this guy?!
Hatake Satoru had no idea he had just been placed on a pedestal in Naruto's heart.
After organizing his thoughts, he started speaking.
"A long time ago, by the edge of a pond, different groups of frogs started fighting over food and territory."
"They fought fiercely, refusing to back down, and each group had its own powerful fighters."
"In one of these groups, there was a yellow frog."
"It was really strong! It knocked out a bunch of other frogs in no time."
Naruto, who had a fondness for frogs, listened intently, his eyes shining with interest.
"After the war between the frog groups ended, they decided to make the yellow frog their leader because of its great achievements."
"But then, out of nowhere, a big cat appeared and destroyed their home."
"To protect everyone, the yellow frog sealed the big cat inside its own child."
"This way, the big cat could never come out and cause trouble again—but the yellow frog lost its life because of it."
Naruto's disappointment was obvious—he clearly liked that yellow frog a lot.
Then, with a hopeful look, he turned to Hatake Satoru and asked,
"What about the frog kid with the big cat inside?"
"Everyone will take good care of him, right?"
Hatake Satoru shook his head and sighed regretfully.
"Not really. Everyone hates that frog kid. They bully him and push him away wherever he goes."
"Just because he has the big cat inside him?"
Naruto shouted, clearly upset.
"Eh—! That's so unfair!"
"The yellow frog did so many good things! And the big cat is locked away anyway!"
His outburst caught the attention of people nearby, but Naruto didn't notice.
Still puffed up with anger, he kept complaining to Hatake Satoru.
"Well, that's just how frogs are."
Hatake Satoru grinned and flicked Naruto's forehead.
Naruto didn't seem to mind at all. He held his head and giggled.
Just then, two steaming bowls of ramen were placed in front of them.
The freshly added seaweed leaned against the edge of the bowl, and a thin layer of oil shimmered on the soup's surface.
The meat, mixed with the rising steam, gave off an irresistible aroma.
"Two bowls of ramen, enjoy."
Naruto's mood shifted as quickly as ever. The moment he smelled the ramen, he perked right up.
In an instant, his earlier complaints were completely forgotten as he eagerly leaned over his bowl.
"It smells amazing! Looks so good!"
So easy to please.
Compared to the Uchihas and his own little brother, Naruto was ridiculously simple to cheer up.
Hatake Satoru snapped apart a pair of chopsticks and handed them to Naruto, who was practically about to dunk his entire head into the bowl. At the same time, he grabbed Naruto's collar and pulled him up a little.
"Here, chopsticks. Lift your head—you're about to fall in."
"Oh... oh, come on, my face is still bigger than the bowl!"
Naruto sat up straight, took the chopsticks from Hatake Satoru, and clapped his hands together with a loud "Itadakimasu!"
His eyes squinted in delight as he started eating, and the whisker marks on his cheeks puffed in and out with each bite.
Yeah, calling him a "big cat" was actually pretty fitting.
"But at your age, shouldn't you be in school? Why are you wandering around by yourself?"
Hatake Satoru stirred the remaining ramen in his bowl, then set his chopsticks down.
Salty food just felt off—sweet stuff was definitely the best.
Naruto put his bowl down, then turned to Hatake Satoru with sparkling eyes.
"Oh, right! In two or three days, I'll be going!"
"So, do you want to be a ninja?"
Hatake Satoru rested his chin on his hand, sounding mildly interested.
"Of course! And not just any ninja—I'm gonna be Hokage!"
Naruto confidently pointed his thumb at his chest.
"Not bad."
Hatake Satoru glanced at Naruto, then pulled out a napkin and wiped the soup off his face.
After breakfast, Naruto, though a little reluctant, still obediently waved at Hatake Satoru.
"I have to go back and get my school stuff ready. See you next time, Satoru-nii!"
"Alright~ see you."
Hatake Satoru grinned and waved back. Then, as Naruto's figure disappeared, his smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful look.
Just as he was about to leave with his hands in his pockets, he suddenly remembered something and glanced at his watch.
"Ah, right. That idiot little brother of mine."
...