Some have been complaining about the Jutsus being in Japanese, so let's settle it, English or Japanese?
Chapter 61: Malice and Kindness
Naruto stood at the counter, clutching something in his hand as if preparing to pay. Hearing his name called, he spun around with a start, a flash of panic crossing his eyes.
"Iruka-sensei?!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Iruka noticed something was wrong—Naruto quickly hid whatever he was holding behind his back, both hands clenched tightly behind his waist. That furtive behavior was completely at odds with his usual mature demeanor.
"Hm? What's wrong, Naruto?" Iruka deliberately slowed his approach, his gaze falling on the boy's tense arms. "Why are you hiding your hands behind your back? What good stuff did you get?"
Naruto's eyes darted sideways as he shuffled half a step away, his voice becoming evasive. "This? It's nothing! Just some... nothing worth mentioning!"
"That tone doesn't sound like 'nothing worth mentioning.'" Iruka couldn't help but smile slightly, deliberately putting on a stern face. "What are you hiding?"
"Come on!" Naruto took a small step backward, muttering indignantly. "This isn't even school—Iruka-sensei doesn't have jurisdiction here, right?"
"Hah? What kind of stupid thing are you saying?" Iruka stepped forward twice, his tone carrying some teacherly authority. "As your teacher, I don't have any..."
"Ahem!"
A deliberate cough suddenly cut through the air. Iruka turned toward the sound, and what he saw made his heart sink.
The shop owner stood behind the counter, his eyes churning with undisguised malice as they pierced toward Naruto.
"No chatting in here. Leave immediately." The owner's voice was cold and harsh, every word dripping with disgust.
Iruka's fingertips unconsciously tightened. So this was how the villagers treated Naruto according to the rumors? That rejection he'd only heard about in whispers was now spread naked before his eyes.
He couldn't help but turn to look at Naruto, only to see the child's face showing no obvious expression. He simply walked silently toward the register, placing what he'd been hiding behind his back onto the counter.
"Uncle, how much for these two things?"
Iruka moved closer to see clearly—just a notebook with a gold-embossed cover and a dull gray lump of clay. It was the material commonly used by beginner ninja practicing earth-style jutsu, something perfectly ordinary that could be stored in the body for earth technique coordination.
The owner pressed his lips together and said nothing.
"Uncle?" Naruto called softly again.
"Whatever! Just hurry up and get out of here!" The owner finally exploded, his voice sharp and aggressive.
"I understand." Naruto responded quietly, pulling coins from his pocket. He counted out what seemed like the market price, gently placed them on the counter, then picked up the notebook and clay before turning toward the door.
Just as he was about to cross the threshold, a lowered but clear voice came from behind. "Monster."
Naruto's departing step visibly hesitated. Iruka's heart clenched, but the child only paused for half a second. Without saying anything or looking back, he simply pulled open the door and walked out.
The door creaked shut, and immediately the shop filled with the owner's grumbling curses. "What bad luck. Why does he have to come buy things from my shop? Who knows what he'll do next."
As he spoke, he hurried to the entrance, grabbed the salt shaker by the door, and scattered a handful onto the floor.
Iruka watched the owner's salt-scattering ritual, feeling like something was blocking his chest, making it hard to breathe. So this... was the situation Naruto faced every day?
That rejection hiding in the corners had now manifested as such blatant malice that just watching it made him feel suffocated.
He no longer had any desire to shop for practice ninja tools. Turning around, he rushed out of the stationery shop, his gaze sweeping frantically across the street—not far away, Naruto was walking slowly forward, his pace steady, showing no signs of distress.
"Hey! Naruto! Wait up!" Iruka called in that direction, quickening his steps.
Naruto turned around at the sound and stopped to wait for him to approach.
Iruka ran up to him and looked into Naruto's clear eyes, remaining silent for several seconds before speaking, trying to keep his tone light.
"So... what you bought was just a notebook and clay? Really now, those aren't anything shameful. Why were you hiding them from your teacher earlier?"
Naruto laughed at this. "Iruka-sensei, these aren't just ordinary notebooks and clay... They might look unremarkable now, but they'll soon become something different."
"I see..." Iruka nodded thoughtfully, then pointed ahead. "Well then, it's almost lunchtime anyway. Want to grab some ramen? Teacher's treat."
"Eh? Really?"
"Of course. Your teacher can certainly afford a bowl of ramen." Iruka smiled and patted his shoulder.
Seeing the caring smile on Iruka's face, Naruto understood—Iruka was deliberately trying to comfort him.
Truth be told, what happened in the shop just now was nothing at all. Since his earliest memories, he'd grown accustomed to those kinds of stares and words. Like eating meals or training, they'd long since become an unremarkable part of daily life. He couldn't call it hurtful, and certainly didn't take it to heart.
But at this moment, with Iruka's deliberate invitation to ramen, his gentle tone and eyes showing not the slightest insincerity—that genuine concern, carrying warm temperature, gently wrapped around Naruto's heart.
He couldn't help but break into a wide grin, his steps light as he followed Iruka toward Ichiraku Ramen. "Sure thing, Iruka-sensei! For Uncle Teuchi's miso ramen, I want double char siu!"
"You little troublemaker."
Iruka was charmed by his energetic appearance and shook his head helplessly. "Alright, alright, double char siu it is. Who told me I'm your teacher?"
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