The familiar aroma of steaming broth drifted through the air as customers came and went in a steady stream.
Ichiraku Ramen was as lively as ever.
"Finally made it."
Naruto's steps came to a halt in front of the little shop, a smile spreading across his face. He lifted the curtain and called out cheerfully:
"Hey, old man! One big bowl of tonkotsu ramen, please!"
Teuchi, the owner, called back immediately, "Got it!" Then he looked up—and his eyes brighten.
"Oh! Naruto! I heard you were out on a mission. So, how'd it go? Mission complete?"
He greeted Naruto with his usual warmth, all while keeping his hands busy at the stove.
A customer had just finished and left, so Naruto slipped onto the vacant stool with a grin.
"Yeah, I was out on a mission," he said, "but something came up halfway, so I ended up coming back to the village."
"I see, I see," Teuchi said, lifting the noodles from the pot with practiced ease. "Then Uncle Teuchi's gonna give you some extra toppings to celebrate your safe return!"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Thanks, old man!"
Before long, a steaming bowl was set before him—rich pork broth, noodles glistening, and piled high with generous toppings.
The scent washed over him, warm and nostalgic.
Naruto's chest tighten; his eyes glistened faintly.
Food like this… sometimes, it was what comforted the loneliest parts of the heart.
He pressed his palms together solemnly.
"Time to dig in!"
Then, snapping apart his disposable chopsticks, he began to eat.
Slurp!Slurp!
Bite after bite disappeared. The rich broth and chewy noodles filled him with warmth, pushing away the shadow of pain left by the Ōtsutsuki.
Teuchi chuckled as he watched the boy eat.
"Eat up, Naruto. If it's not enough, just say so—Uncle'll make you another bowl!"
Naruto nodded between slurps, not shy at all.
To him, Teuchi wasn't just a ramen chef—he was family.
When Naruto had been small and hungry, drawn in by the smell of ramen but too poor to buy any, Teuchi had always treated him to a bowl.
And years later, when Naruto married Hinata, Teuchi had gifted them a lifetime ramen pass.
Draining the last drop of soup, Naruto sighed contentedly.
"Ahh… perfect."
He leaned back with a smile. Ichiraku Ramen—he had grown up on it.
During training, when he needed motivation, or when he felt lost or upset, he'd always come here.
A hot bowl of ramen, and by the next morning, he'd be ready to fight again.
In a way, ramen wasn't just food for him—it was a part of his ninja path.
"Old man! One tonkotsu ramen, please!"
The familiar voice made Naruto glance up—and his eyes widened.
"Iruka-sensei!"
Iruka smiled, surprised.
"Hey! Naruto? Weren't you out on a mission—wait, what's wrong?"
Before Iruka could react, Naruto threw his arms around him.
Images flashed through Naruto's mind—of another life, another time—when Iruka had stood before him, shielding him from certain death.
His throat tightened. "It's nothing, really."
He let go, forcing a smile. "It's just… been a while, Iruka-sensei. I missed you."
Iruka blinked in surprise, then gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.
"What's this? Getting all sentimental on me, huh? What happened? You run into some trouble?"
Naruto waved it off quickly. "Nah, nothing like that."
He grinned again, more easily now.
Teuchi slid a steaming bowl of ramen in front of Iruka, who broke his chopsticks and began to eat, glancing at Naruto between bites.
"Then what's got you like this, huh? Don't tell me—it's about Sasuke again?"
Naruto shook his head. "Not Sasuke this time."
Iruka raised an eyebrow. "Then what? You're acting all gloomy—it's not like you."
Naruto chuckled softly. Around Iruka, he could let his guard down.
This man had been the first to acknowledge him—the first to see him not as a monster, but as a person.
In Naruto's heart, Iruka was more than a teacher; he was like an older brother.
That was why, in his previous life, with Jiraiya gone, Naruto had asked Iruka to stand in as his father at his wedding.
"Really, nothing's wrong," Naruto said with a grin. "I just hadn't seen you in a while and… wanted a hug."
Iruka paused, then smiled. "Heh. You really are something, Naruto."
As they chatted, a loud voice called out from the entrance.
"Big bro!"
Naruto turned and saw Konohamaru rushing in, panting hard, with Udon and Moegi close behind.
"Well, if it isn't Konohamaru! And hey—Udon, Moegi! Long time no see!"
He stepped forward and ruffled Konohamaru's hair fondly.
His "little brother." The future Eighth Hokage.
In the previous life, Konohamaru had fought and died protecting him.
And Udon, Moegi… even if he hadn't witnessed it himself, Naruto could imagine how it must've gone.
When the village burns, no one truly escapes unscathed.
Konohamaru gulped for air and managed to say, "Big bro, I finally found you! I've been running all over!"
Naruto blinked. "What's up?"
"Tsunade-sama's calling for you," Konohamaru said. "She wants you in the Hokage's office—right away."
"So soon?" Naruto sighed, glancing longingly at the empty ramen bowl. "I just finished eating…"
He stood, straightening his headband. "Alright, let's go then. Iruka-sensei, I'll see you later!"
Iruka waved him off. "Go on, Naruto. Can't keep the Hokage waiting."
Konoha — Root Headquarters
In the dim underground chamber, Danzō Shimura stood motionless, leaning on his cane as he stared up at a stone statue.
Behind him knelt an ANBU operative wearing a dog mask, head bowed.
"You're saying," Danzō said slowly, "that the Nine-Tails brat has returned to the village… and brought Jiraiya with him?"
The masked man nodded. "Yes, sir."
Danzō's single visible eye narrowed to a slit. His mind was already spinning with schemes and calculations.
"…Very well," he said at last. "Continue surveillance. Do not let the Nine-Tails out of your sight."
"Yes, sir!"
Whoosh!
The ANBU vanished into the darkness, leaving Danzō alone before the statue, lost in silent thought.
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