"Hey! Naruto, wanna grab dinner together?"
Andrew nudged Sasuke lightly as they approached Naruto. Despite their young age, the bond between the boys—so reminiscent of Ashura and Indra—was already beginning to form. Their interaction lacked any formality, but perhaps that was the beauty of it.
"Ah—me? Eat? With you two?" Naruto blinked rapidly, his face full of surprise and uncertainty.
Joy danced in his bright blue eyes—this was the first time someone had actively invited him to do something. For a boy ostracized by an entire village, the offer struck like a miracle. But his joy quickly faltered under another emotion: hesitation.
Because the truth was… Naruto was broke. Most days, he ate instant noodles and expired milk, scraping by on the meager stipend the Third Hokage provided. Villagers rarely sold to him willingly. Prices were inflated. At times, he went to bed hungry.
But before he could voice his concern, Andrew grinned.
"Don't worry. It's my treat. Eat to your heart's content."
Andrew knew the Third Hokage was still spying through his Telescope Technique. Since he invited Naruto using Sasuke as the middleman, he made sure to stay hands-off—he'd play the role of a bystander and nothing more.
"Uncle Ichiraku! I brought my friends this time!"
The moment they stepped inside, Naruto's enthusiasm filled the tiny ramen shop. Originally, Andrew had considered taking the boys to Uchiha Industrial Street where his clan's businesses operated—but many in Konoha still frowned upon Naruto. That included shopkeepers.
Ichiraku Ramen, however, was different. It had never turned Naruto away. He treasured this place more than any other.
From behind the counter, Teuchi leaned out, smiling warmly. "Oh, Naruto! What'll it be today?"
The shop was quiet, with only Teuchi and his daughter Ayame prepping the kitchen.
"Senior! The ramen here is amazing. I love tonkotsu and chashu. Everything's good, really!" Naruto beamed as he turned to Andrew, eagerly selling the ramen as if it were the most precious thing in the world. He didn't forget to include Sasuke either.
Despite the years of being shunned, Naruto's instincts were sharp. He could feel that Andrew and Sasuke had no prejudice against him. That warmth, that rare and fragile sincerity, meant everything to him.
"Tch… can you stop yelling already? You're so annoying," Sasuke muttered, crossing his arms in fake irritation.
But Naruto just grinned. This wasn't the same disgust he'd seen in the villagers' eyes. It was different. It didn't sting. It almost felt… friendly.
Andrew eyed the ramen stall curiously. In his previous life, there had been memes about Teuchi being an Ōtsutsuki. Now, standing here, it was clear he was just a kind man with no chakra anomalies.
"Since everything sounds good, let's order one of each. Boss, bill it separately," Andrew said politely.
He had tasted Ichiraku ramen before. Honestly, it was decent—not extraordinary. But for Naruto, it was more than food. It was happiness.
"Long live, Senior! One day, I'll treat you to all the ramen too!" Naruto exclaimed, nearly bouncing off the ground.
This—this was his dream come true. Eating Ichiraku ramen with people who cared.
He glanced at Sasuke, momentarily envious of how effortlessly the boy carried himself. Naruto's eyes dimmed slightly.
How lonely had his life been, that a bowl of ramen made him this happy? It was a sobering thought. Andrew couldn't help but sigh internally. Why hadn't Naruto turned dark under such circumstances? Was it Ashura's chakra guiding his soul, or simply that Third Hokage's subtle manipulations had shaped him?
Before long, their empty bowls sat stacked on the counter. Just as they were about to leave, a new presence appeared beside them.
It was Kakashi.
"Naruto, since you're friends with Sasuke now, I expect you to behave in school," Kakashi said with a gentle tone. "No more pranks. You're growing up. It's time to act like it."
Andrew arched an eyebrow. Third Hokage must have sent Kakashi personally. Clearly, Andrew's proximity to Naruto had rattled the old man more than expected.
"Senior… you know all about that?" Naruto mumbled, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"The village isn't that big," Andrew said calmly. "Of course I know. But I'm not blaming you. You're still a kid. Being a little mischievous is fine. Just… try to study hard. Make some friends. Like Sasuke here."
Andrew reached out and ruffled Naruto's messy blonde hair.
If you're going to ruin Sasuke's hairstyle, Naruto's has to suffer too. Equality, after all.
Kakashi tensed up. He nearly stepped in to stop Andrew but relaxed when the Uchiha pulled his hand back.
Letting the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki hang out with an Uchiha was already risky enough. Physical contact? That was terrifying.
"I will, Senior! I'll get along with Sasuke!" Naruto declared with fire in his eyes.
Andrew blinked, surprised. That intense gaze—he hadn't expected such resolve from the boy. Could it be… his small kindness today sparked something deeper within Naruto?
"Alright, then. That's enough for today. Want me to walk you home?"
Kakashi's presence made it obvious: this was a soft warning from Hiruzen. They were watching closely.
Andrew's system suddenly buzzed.
[Ding! Negative Feedback Received from Sarutobi Hiruzen: +2894 Feedback Points]
[Ding! Negative Feedback Received from Sarutobi Hiruzen: +3045 Feedback Points]
[Ding! Negative Feedback Received from Sarutobi Hiruzen: +3289 Feedback Points]
Andrew's grin widened. Hiruzen was basically sponsoring him at this point. With feedback like this, he'd max out the system in no time.
"No need, Senior. I live nearby. I can go home myself. You and Sasuke should go on ahead," Naruto said with a forced smile.
Deep down, he really wanted someone to walk him home. But he didn't want to be a burden, so he pretended it didn't matter.
After Naruto disappeared down the street, Andrew turned to Sasuke. "Head home. I'll meet you later."
Then, without turning around, he called out:
"Come out, Kakashi."
The silver-haired Jōnin stepped forward without resistance.
"Was this really necessary?" Andrew asked calmly. "They're just children talking. And you, a personal monitor?"
"You know why," Kakashi said grimly. "The Nine-Tails incident still lingers between the Uchiha and the village. Letting someone like you—an elite Uchiha—get close to Naruto is dangerous."
Konoha's scars from the Nine-Tails attack hadn't healed. Countless people had lost family. The fact that a Sharingan had controlled the Nine-Tails was more than enough reason for villagers to harbor suspicions.
"So what now? You'll just keep avoiding the truth forever?" Andrew narrowed his eyes. "That Sharingan in your socket… remember who it belongs to. It was lent to you by Uchiha. One day, I'll take it back myself."
Kakashi didn't flinch. "This eye was entrusted to me by a comrade. I'll cherish it as long as I live. But you… you stay away from Naruto."
His tone was firm, but there was no malice. Only duty.
Andrew smirked. "No promises. I'm busy, anyway. But if Naruto comes to me, what do you suggest I do? Kick him away?"
Third Hokage, you brought this on yourself. You left Naruto alone in the world, and now you panic when he accepts Uchiha kindness?
"When you neglect the seeds, you don't get to complain about who waters them."
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