Kakashi the Ingrate

"Slurp..."

"Slurp..."

Naruto made a loud slurping sound as he happily devoured his noodles.

Shamu ate a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen. The broth was indeed rich and delicious.

Still, Shamu wasn't quite used to it and could only make do.

Sasuke had ordered some side dishes and was eating them beside him.

Just as Naruto was nearly finished, the curtain was lifted.

A ninja with silver broomstick hair and a mask came in and sat in the farthest corner.

"Boss, please give me a bowl of Miso Chashu Noodles."

Shamu turned around and glanced at Kakashi.

Tch, are they that nervous? They even sent Kakashi over.

"Burp..."

Naruto let out a full burp and pressed his palms together.

"Thanks for the meal!"

The Uzumaki Clan's constitution really was no joke.

The bowl for this Grand Special Ramen was two sizes larger than Naruto's head, and it was packed with generous toppings.

Even Shamu would need quite some time to finish it, yet Naruto had already cleaned his bowl. Naruto was only five years old now.

Naruto liked ramen partly because the ramen here was delicious.

But more importantly, Teuchi and Ayame were among the few people who did not discriminate against him.

And the ramen here was especially cheap.

It was about the only thing Naruto could afford to eat.

"Naruto, are you full?" Shamu asked with a smile.

"Hehe, Shamu, I'm full already." Naruto rubbed his stomach. He had never felt so happy before.

"Naruto, Sasuke told me you often get up to mischief?" Shamu asked.

Sasuke was full of question marks. I only met you today. When did I ever tell you that?

But one look from Shamu made Sasuke shut his mouth.

"Me, um... ahahaha." Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.

After all, he couldn't tell Shamu that those pranks were just his way of getting people to notice him.

"Sorry, Shamu. I won't be naughty anymore."

But Shamu did not blame him. Instead, he beckoned Ayame over. "Please, the bill."

Shamu directly took out twenty large 1,000-ryo notes and handed them to Ayame.

Ayame repeatedly waved her hands. "It only comes to 320 ryo."

Ichiraku Ramen was very cheap. Aside from the 200 ryo Grand Special Ramen, Shamu's and Sasuke's meals had only cost 60 ryo each.

Shamu waved his hand.

"Keep the extra here. Whenever Naruto and Sasuke come in the future, let them eat whatever they want. Deduct their expenses from this."

"Th-this... is that all right?" Ayame turned her head and saw Teuchi nodding with a smile before accepting the money.

"Naruto, I've left some money here. From now on, you and Sasuke can eat whatever you want whenever you come here."

"Shamu, how can I accept this? I can't take your money."

Naruto was greatly shocked.

Shamu's face darkened.

"Who said I was giving you money? You're Sasuke's friend. When you and Sasuke come here to eat, is Sasuke supposed to eat while you stand beside him and watch?"

"The Ninja Academy will be starting soon. You and Sasuke will have classes every day, so it'll be more convenient for you to eat here."

"Ah... oh... this..."

Naruto's little brain felt that something about this was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Shamu put on a smiling face again.

"Sasuke doesn't have many friends, so I'll have to ask you to spend time playing with him."

"And stop causing trouble everywhere. Once you start school, study hard."

"Oh! Okay! I'll come play with Sasuke often! I'll study hard!"

Naruto decided not to think about what he couldn't figure out.

It was the first time anyone had entrusted something to him. He felt endlessly motivated, his heart warm and happy.

Sasuke curled his lip beside him. "Who wants him to come play with me? Hmph."

Shamu had already grown used to Sasuke's tsundere attitude.

Shaking his head, he led the two children outside.

Kakashi hurriedly finished his noodles as well and followed them out.

He tailed Shamu and the others the entire way.

The Third Hokage had urgently summoned him back just now and told him to come take a look.

Why was Shamu being so nice to Naruto for no reason? What was he plotting? What was his purpose?

Yet after taking Naruto out for ramen, Shamu brought him to Konoha Main Street.

The entire street was lined with Uchiha shops, and Konoha Main Street was now the busiest street in Konoha.

That was because the Uchiha's remaining Military Police Force patrolled nearby.

Everyone who saw Shamu respectfully came forward to greet him. "Lord Shamu."

Shamu waved each of them away.

When Shamu reached the street entrance, he sensed that Kakashi and the others were getting anxious. The number of Anbu was also increasing.

Shamu did not want to come into conflict with the Anbu just yet.

He took out a stack of money from his pocket and gave it to Sasuke.

"Sasuke, you haven't been back for so long. Go buy some new clothes on the street. Mm, buy a few extra sets. Get a couple of sets for your good friend Naruto too."

"I have something to deal with. I'll come back in a while."

As he spoke, he gave Sasuke a meaningful look. Sasuke's eyes shifted, though it was unclear whether he understood or not.

Shamu walked out of the street and gave an order to a nearby Uchiha.

"The Anbu will come to check on Naruto later. Don't interfere."

"Yes!" The Uchiha from the Military Police Force saluted.

After walking a little farther, Shamu called out behind him, "Come out, Kakashi."

Kakashi revealed himself. "Uchiha Shamu, Vice Head of the Uchiha Clan, you know me? What is your purpose in getting close to Naruto?"

Shamu looked Kakashi over from head to toe. Kakashi was still dressed as an Anbu, though he was not wearing a mask.

His forehead protector had been pulled down to cover his left eye. The visible eye was dead, dispirited, and vacant.

Thinking of Naruto's miserable life over the past few years, Shamu felt a surge of disgust toward Kakashi.

In a flash, he appeared in front of Kakashi and kicked him to the ground.

Kakashi had not expected Shamu to attack so suddenly. Caught off guard, he was knocked down.

Shamu spat viciously. "Ptui, I've been sick of you for a long time!"

Then he let out a breath. "That feels better."

Kakashi rose to his feet, his face full of anger.

"Shamu! Why did you attack me?"

Kakashi restrained himself. He was afraid Shamu was deliberately provoking him into attacking. The relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha was extremely sensitive right now.

Shamu's face was filled with mockery. "Why did I attack you?"

"Because you're ungrateful, heartless, dis..." Shamu curled his lip and swallowed the rest of his words.

"Me? Ungrateful!?"

Kakashi looked puzzled. "I don't even know you. How am I ungrateful?"

Shamu stroked his chin, looking Kakashi up and down, then down and up again.

What the hell is this? This is Hatake Sakumo's son?

"Aren't you Minato Namikaze's student?"

"So what if I am?" It was no secret. The Uchiha Clan all knew about it.

"So you still remember that you're Minato Namikaze's student." Shamu's tone dripped with sarcasm.

"His orphan gets bullied every day and eats expired food. Are you blind? Can't you see it?"

Kakashi fell silent. "It was the Third Hokage's order. Naruto, he..."

"Oh, bullshit. Don't give me that crap about how his identity can't be revealed."

Shamu said impatiently, "What does that have to do with him eating garbage and expired food every day?"

"He's grown this big and doesn't even have a few decent sets of clothes. He can't eat enough or stay warm."

"The Third Hokage sure knows how to take care of the Fourth Hokage's orphan. And you sure know how to take care of your teacher's son."

"You watched the Third Hokage seize your teacher's property. You watched Naruto go hungry and suffer, drinking expired milk and eating bento boxes mixed with sand, and you did nothing. You call yourself a member of the Hatake Clan? You disgust me."

"I..." Kakashi was speechless. He truly had nothing to say.

Ever since Obito died, he had been utterly despondent, living every day like a walking corpse.

He merely carried out missions mechanically each day. He did not even take proper care of himself, much less Naruto.

Whatever the Third Hokage told him to do, he did. He did not need to think, and he did not think.

Kakashi forced himself to focus. "That still isn't a reason for you to get close to Naruto."

Shamu waved his hand.

"When I was little, Sister Kushina helped me. I'm only letting Naruto eat better and dress better. You people are overthinking it. I'm not as filthy as you are."

"I don't care how your Anbu choose to watch me."

Kakashi relaxed completely, his expression complicated.

With both hands behind his head, Shamu leisurely walked toward Yachi.

"But if Naruto thinks the Uchiha treat him better in the future, that's Naruto's business."

Kakashi shuddered in alarm!