"Hey… that kid…"
"I heard he failed again! The only one who did!"
"Hmph! Serves him right. Imagine if he became a ninja, what a disaster that'd be!"
"You know who he is…"
"Shh! Don't say it out loud. What if he hears us…"
After the graduation exam, the murmurs of parents cut like knives, stabbing straight into Naruto's heart, each word leaving a scar deeper than the last.
Why…? I worked so hard…
I even promised Iruka-sensei... If I passed and became a real ninja, he'd treat me to Ichiraku Ramen…
Naruto's small figure wandered aimlessly through the streets of Konoha. People stepped aside at the sight of him, practically scattering to avoid him. Their eyes were filled with disgust as they glared at the spiky-haired blond boy.
Maybe he was used to it by now. Or maybe today, he just didn't have the energy to lash out.
Without a word, Naruto trudged toward Ichiraku Ramen.
The line outside was as long as ever. Holding his rumbling stomach, Naruto suddenly felt tears blur his vision.
This was his third time failing. According to the rules, he simply didn't have the talent to become a ninja.
If he couldn't become a ninja, he couldn't become Hokage.
And if he couldn't become Hokage, then he'd never earn the villagers' recognition.
Yes, for Naruto, being acknowledged by the village wasn't just a wish.
It was his dream.
His motivation.
His everything.
But maybe it was all just a childish fantasy after all…
Naruto wiped his eyes. He looked up and saw the sour, contemptuous faces of the villagers lining up for Ichiraku. Something inside him snapped.
"Tch! I'm not eating at Ichiraku today!"
And right across the street… was Yuuta's restaurant.
Drawn by something he couldn't explain, Naruto changed direction and walked toward the unfamiliar shop.
It was small, barely 40 square meters. Only two tables, a few stools.
The place was so simple, it almost felt unfinished. No decorations, no cozy lighting. Just bare walls and a menu nailed to one of them.
His stomach growled loudly again.
Naruto didn't even bother inspecting the place any further. He shouted toward the back:
"Boss! One bowl of beef ramen!"
"Sure thing! Coming right up!"
To Naruto's surprise, the tall, lean man behind the counter, Yuuta, smiled warmly and responded without the slightest trace of disdain. His voice was gentle, like a big brother from the neighborhood.
Maybe this place is just unpopular because it opened across from Ichiraku…
Naruto hadn't even looked at the prices, but somewhere in his heart, he felt like giving Yuuta the benefit of the doubt.
Soon, a warm aroma began to drift from the kitchen.
A thin trail of steam curled out into the room, carrying a fragrance so rich that Naruto instinctively took a deep breath.
"Smells amazing…"
His hunger grew unbearable. More than anything, he wanted to know, what did this ramen taste like?
"Here you go, your beef ramen."
With a friendly smile, Yuuta set the bowl down in front of him.
It didn't look like anything special.
The broth was clear. A few thin slices of beef rested gently on top. A sprinkle of green onions added a splash of color.
Just an ordinary bowl of ramen.
Naruto felt a twinge of disappointment. That incredible aroma… was it just his imagination because he was starving?
He shook his head.
"Whatever. I'm digging in!"
Grabbing a pair of chopsticks, he bowed out of habit, then scooped up a mouthful of noodles and slurped them down with practiced ease.
The moment the noodles hit his tongue.
The sweetness of the green onions. The depth of the broth. It all erupted like a volcano in his mouth, spreading flavor in every direction.
"Mmm, ! This is amazing!"
The taste clung to his palate like octopus suckers, overwhelming every corner of his mouth. Each bite sent his taste buds into overdrive, electrifying his senses.
Then he picked up a slice of beef, so thin, it looked like it would tear with the slightest tug.
Cautiously, he opened his mouth and took it in.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"No way… this beef has bite!"
As he chewed, that delicate-looking beef revealed an unexpected texture, chewy, yet tender. And when he bit down, it released a burst of rich, meaty juices.
The broth. The beef. The seasoning.
It all exploded like a firecracker in his mouth.
In that instant, a vision appeared before his eyes:
A vast, peaceful grassland. A lone cow lay lazily in the sun, chewing slowly, rhythmically, at the grass beneath it.
That tranquil image washed over Naruto, chasing away the bitterness of failure and the villagers' hateful stares. For a moment, there was only the ramen, comforting and warm, resting gently in the hollow of his heart.
And then-
SLURP SLURP SLURP
Naruto grabbed the bowl with both hands and devoured it. The restaurant filled with the sound of furious slurping.
Not a single drop remained. Even the broth was wiped clean.
"I'm full… Thanks for the meal!"
Naruto leaned back and rubbed his round belly, his face filled with bliss.
If Ichiraku ever served ramen this good, he would've ordered three bowls on the spot!
But today, one bowl was enough.
More than enough.
Somehow, he felt… healed.
"This place is amazing. Ichiraku's got nothing on it. I'm coming here from now on!"
He leaned back on the stool, eyes half-lidded, lazily eyeing Yuuta's friendly face. Compared to Teuchi, the old man at Ichiraku, Yuuta looked younger, thinner, maybe a little underfed. His cheekbones were sharp, his figure a bit gaunt.
But Naruto didn't care.
Anyone who can cook like this… can't possibly be a bad person.
Or so he thought, right up until that illusion came crashing down.
"Thanks for your patronage. That'll be 128 Ryo for the beef ramen."
"Yeah, sure, wait, what?!"
Naruto's hand froze halfway into his coin pouch. He stared at Yuuta, stunned.
"Boss… run that by me again. How much?"
"128 Ryo for one bowl. Thank you for coming."
Naruto stared, eyes narrowing.
That sunny, big-brotherly smile of Yuuta's suddenly transformed in his mind…
Into the face of an evil villain.