To be honest, Naruto envied that person a little.
Born into a prestigious clan. Naturally talented. Handsome features that made the girls whisper. And most importantly, respected by everyone.
But the guy wore the same cold expression for everyone, like the world bored him.
If someone actually wanted to be Naruto's friend, he'd probably grin so wide his face would hurt.
The image of that perpetual scowl faded from Naruto's mind as he shifted focus to his afternoon training: the Weapon Body technique. This supplementary skill took the concept of the human body as a weapon to its absolute limit, utilizing every single part for combat potential.
The requirements, however, were equally extreme. So extreme that most people's bodies simply couldn't achieve them.
The foundation was flexibility. Fingers folding completely flat against the forearm. The spine bending backward until the head emerged between the legs. Joints rotating in ways that defied normal human limitations.
Training methods that pushed past what the body was meant to do.
The current position Naruto needed to master required him to stand upright, then fold his upper body backward until his head protruded through his own legs from behind.
The System had once explained that certain martial artists in other worlds maintained exceptional flexibility through lifelong training, making such contortions second nature. To demonstrate, it had shown Naruto a memory of a master performing the technique with fluid grace.
Naruto had been stunned into silence for a long moment.
The core principle was simple: the body would never become a limitation. Even with just a single finger, a strand of hair, or one functioning muscle, a master could mount a perfect counterattack.
Of course, these were just the beginner methods. Once someone reached the advanced stages of Iron Body mastery, raw strength would triumph over technique. Pure overwhelming force that crushed all obstacles.
After practicing for a while, Naruto's muscles had recovered from the morning's Mountain Embrace drills. He continued working on the flexibility positions, his body bending in ways that looked impossible.
He glanced toward the cattle in the distance. They were radiating a certain... energetic atmosphere. Definitely not the right time to use them for impact training. He'd have to practice solo for now.
The sun dipped toward the western mountains, painting the sky with streaks of red and orange.
After dinner, Naruto scooped up the Nine-Tails and headed home, the setting sun at his back casting a long shadow on the mountain path.
Ever since the day the Nine-Tails had discovered ANBU "protecting" him, Naruto had gained a vague understanding of things he'd never considered before.
Why would Grandpa Third send people to guard him? Did the Hokage really care that much about one ordinary orphan? Was the relationship between the village leader and a random citizen really that close?
Perhaps what the Third Hokage truly cared about was the Nine-Tails.
Or maybe there was genuine concern for Naruto himself mixed in, but now that the Nine-Tails had been released, there was no guarantee things wouldn't develop in a dangerous direction.
So Naruto had taken precautions. He'd asked the System to restore the seal within his body and create a fake "Nine-Tails" presence to fool anyone checking. As for who exactly would be checking, Naruto didn't know.
When the Nine-Tails had been sealed inside him as an infant, Naruto remembered nothing. Growing up, the Nine-Tails had certainly caused him plenty of trouble.
But he understood now that the Nine-Tails was involved in secrets. Many, many secrets. Probably more than he could handle with his current strength.
So what he needed to do now was act like a normal kid. At least on the surface.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Nothing that threatened anyone's interests.
As for the Nine-Tails that had emerged, as long as it didn't release chakra, most people would just see a cute little fox.
Lost in thought, Naruto arrived at his apartment door without realizing it. Someone was squatting there, looking rather bored.
"Iruka-sensei..."
Naruto had a pretty good idea why his teacher had come. Hiruzen had mentioned that Iruka was concerned about his absences.
"Oh, Naruto! I've been waiting for you..." Iruka stood up and turned around. His eyes immediately locked onto the small orange fox in Naruto's arms, and his pupils contracted sharply.
Unwelcome memories flooded his mind.
"Nine-Ta..." The little fox seemed to sense Iruka's sudden tension and burrowed timidly into Naruto's chest.
"Iruka-sensei, are you okay?" Naruto noticed how his teacher's expression had shifted.
"Oh, it's nothing..." Iruka scratched his head, studying the fox in Naruto's arms. Just an ordinary fox. That's all it was.
"Anyway, Naruto, about your class attendance..." Iruka's face turned serious.
Naruto set the Nine-Tails down on the ground and gestured toward the door. "Go on inside."
The fox scampered through the entrance.
Naruto turned back to Iruka with a bright grin. "Sensei, can I treat you to ramen?"
Iruka's expression remained stern. "Don't think you can bribe your teacher with ramen."
"Its Ichiraku Ramen, Iruka-sensei."
"Let's go. We'll talk more when we get there..." Though Iruka agreed, his face maintained that solemn look.
For Naruto, agreement was good enough. It meant there was still room to negotiate.
Teacher and student walked slowly toward the ramen stand. Along the way, Iruka had planned to use silence to make Naruto uncomfortable, so he walked without speaking.
Before long, they arrived at Ichiraku Ramen. The shop was small, just a simple street-side stand, but Naruto had grown fond of the atmosphere since Iruka had first brought him here.
To put it simply, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen didn't seem to treat him any differently just because he was Naruto Uzumaki.
After his experiences at the pharmacy and other shops, Naruto naturally held a good impression of the Ramen-man.
When they reached the stand, Naruto called out cheerfully, "Uncle Ichiraku! Two bowls of beef ramen, extra beef please!"
"It's not 'Uncle Ichiraku,' you idiot!" Iruka immediately smacked Naruto on the head.
"Huh?" Naruto rubbed his head. It didn't hurt, but he had to play along. He pointed at the sign. "But the sign says 'Ichiraku Ramen'?"
Before Iruka could respond, Teuchi chuckled from behind the counter. "Naruto, the shop is called Ichiraku Ramen, but I'm Teuchi. My name and the shop's name are different."
"Oh! Sorry, sorry! Uncle Teuchi, two bowls of beef ramen with extra beef, please!" Naruto smiled sheepishly.
"Don't worry, the beef portions at my shop aren't stingy." The owner smiled warmly and headed to the kitchen to prepare their order.
Naruto and Iruka found seats at the counter.
As soon as they sat down, Iruka opened his mouth to speak, but Naruto cut him off smoothly. "Iruka-sensei, before eating ramen, you have to maintain a happy mood. That's what makes it taste best."
Iruka paused, considering this. That did seem reasonable. He sighed. "Fine. I'll lecture you after we eat."