The familiar aroma of ramen hit Naruto as he stepped into Ichiraku. Ayame froze mid-motion, eyes widening in surprise.
"N-Naruto? It's you… It's been so long!" she exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and delight in her voice.
"If you hadn't paid attention, you probably wouldn't have recognized me," Naruto replied with a grin. He had grown taller, more mature, but the mischievous spark in his eyes remained unchanged.
Ayame ran forward, touching his hair. "You're taller than me now… three years have passed since we last met! I almost didn't recognize you!"
Naruto chuckled. "It's been busy, but some things never change. I'm here for my favorite Ichiraku ramen." He gave a thumbs-up, confirming his love for the shop had never wavered.
Ayame smiled knowingly. "You've grown clever, Naruto… maybe even a little sly. Don't tell me you've been charming all the little girls, too?"
Naruto felt his face heat instantly, caught off guard. "O-Okay! Okay, no more teasing!"
She laughed lightly, still keeping her composure. "Then, tell me, Naruto—what do you want to eat?"
"Anything. You know I always like what you serve," Naruto replied casually, already running through plans in his mind.
Ayame returned to the counter to help her father, Teuchi, bustling about as usual. Naruto sat quietly, yet his thoughts were far from idle. He simulated countless strategies, planning for every possible outcome. Even in a place as familiar as Ichiraku, caution was never wasted.
The shop buzzed with activity—customers came and went, orders flew out continuously. Amidst it, a familiar voice called out.
"Naruto!"
Naruto turned, slightly disoriented, then recognition struck. "Kurenai-sensei! Long time no see."
"Yes… Long time," Kurenai Yuhi said, concern etched on her face. "You seem deep in thought. Are you… worried?"
Naruto raised a hand, signaling he would explain later, and asked Ichiraku for an extra serving for her. Kurenai nodded silently, and the ramen was soon delivered.
"Thanks, Uncle Teuchi," Naruto said with a smile as he dug in. Taking a hearty bite, he turned to Kurenai. "I've been thinking, but don't worry about me. The important thing is you—stay strong, you'll get through this."
Kurenai lowered her eyes, emotions stirring as she thought of Asuma. The memories of what had been, and what might have been, weighed on her heart. Naruto's words were comforting, yet they reminded her of her loss.
"Don't worry," Naruto continued, calm but firm. "Shikamaru, Ino, Choji… they've all told me to make sure you stay strong too."
Kurenai offered a faint smile, grateful for the encouragement. Then Naruto added something that made her pause.
"And, Kurenai-sensei… if you were carrying Asuma's child, you'd raise it well, right? That would be a kind of spiritual support."
Kurenai blinked in shock. "Naruto… I'm not pregnant with Asuma's child," she said, her voice tight with embarrassment.
Naruto's eyes went wide. He practically leapt from his seat. "What?! You're not? But… wasn't the child supposed to be…" His voice rose sharply, drawing glances from nearby customers.
"Kurenai! Sit down, you're embarrassing me!" she hissed, hiding her flushed face.
Naruto's mind raced. Something had changed—something subtle but significant. Events hadn't unfolded as they should have. Kurenai was not carrying Asuma's child, even though by all logic, she should have been.
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. The timeline… It's shifted. Something I did has altered the past without anyone noticing.
Kurenai noticed his sudden quietness, tilting her head in confusion. "Naruto… what did you change?"
"Ah… It's nothing important. Eat your ramen," he replied casually, though his mind continued spinning through contingencies. Any disruption to the original events could ripple outward, and he had to account for it all.
Ayame bustled back, laughing lightly. "Naruto, you were so loud just now! Don't scare Kurenai-sensei."
Naruto glanced between Ayame and Kurenai, his expression calm. No more distractions. Eat, rest, think… and plan. Patience is part of the strategy.
As the two women chatted quietly, Naruto allowed himself a brief moment of calm. Even here, in the familiar warmth of Ichiraku, his mind never truly rested. The Akatsuki were out there, plotting, hunting. And Naruto had to be ready.
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