The Secret to Going Viral

Uncle Teuchi was still good-natured. If Naruto had run into such an arrogant customer, even if he did not let the dogs bite them, he would have spat in their bowl.

Thanks to Fu, Naruto finally got to eat the special Guest Ramen. It was a generous portion, full of sincerity.

Watching the two of them noisily slurp down their ramen, Uncle Teuchi wore a satisfied smile.

To him, having his cooking recognized was the greatest joy.

"Five Ants!" Fu finally clutched her little belly and spoke in a big brother's voice.

"Come again~"

Naruto took Fu out of the ramen shop and continued strolling around. They "happened" to pass by the Hyuga Clan estate, so Naruto went up and knocked on the door.

Unfortunately, Hinata was not there. According to the person who answered, Hinata and Hanabi had left the village with Hiashi to visit friends.

The Hyuga Clan seemed somewhat different from the other clans. They were a shinobi clan, yet they also maintained friendly relations with certain nobles outside the village. Every so often, Hiashi would take his daughters out to "visit."

Naruto wondered what kind of security they had brought and whether they might get ambushed along the way. He could not help worrying.

But then he considered that the Five Great Shinobi Villages were allied now. The major villages probably would not stir up trouble at a time like this, and even if shinobi villages from smaller countries wanted trouble, they likely could not defeat Hiashi. The Akatsuki were after Tailed Beasts, not them. It should be fine.

Reassured, Naruto took Fu around to keep Strolling and Eating. However, he had clearly made a basic mistake.

"Naruto, I can't eat anymore..." Fu blinked her large eyes pitifully, just like Hanabi had when Naruto tricked her before.

"Uh... sorry." Naruto had instinctively slipped into the mode he used when taking Hinata shopping, forgetting that ordinary people had limits.

It was not until evening that Naruto brought Fu home. For the time being, she would probably have to stay with them.

As for why he did not arrange for her to stay at an inn, no matter how simple-minded Fu seemed, she was still a Jinchuriki.

If she stayed outside, no matter how open-minded Minato was, he would still have to send quite a few people to watch over and protect her. It was better to bring her straight home and keep her within sight.

Naruto's family warmly welcomed this carefree girl, especially Karin, who got along very well with her.

Fu seemed to really like the lively dinner table at Naruto's home. "This is my first time having dinner with so many people! This is awesome!"

"If you like it, eat more. Here, try this fish. I made it especially for you~"

"Mhm, mhm! It's delicious!"

"And this one..."

"This is really delicious too!"

Kushina happily piled food onto Fu's plate. She felt Naruto had become less lively and fun after growing up, and now that another energetic little girl had arrived, she had to treat her well.

Seeing how happy the two of them were, Naruto took a few bites of the dish Kushina had just solemnly introduced and casually said, "It's pretty ordinary. No different from usual."

Killing intent!

"Gulp~" Naruto swallowed under Kushina's kind gaze. "I mean, it's just as delicious as usual..."

Whew...

Naruto let out a breath, feeling as though he could finally breathe smoothly again.

Perhaps to bail his son out, Minato smiled and asked Fu, "What do you think of Konoha?"

"Mmph..." Fu blinked, realizing that with her cheeks puffed out, she could not speak. She tried hard to swallow the food crammed in her mouth, but seemed to choke all at once and began pounding her unremarkable chest.

"Slow down, don't rush." Haku handed Fu a cup of water.

Fu's eyes widened. One hand clutched her throat while the other took the cup Haku offered. She tipped her head back and gulped it down. "Ah, thank you! I survived..."

Naruto seemed to see a fist-sized lump slide all the way down Fu's throat, like a snake swallowing prey thicker than itself. That was not scientifically possible, was it? Could a human body really do that?

Only after recovering did Fu answer Minato's question. "Konoha is great! I like Konoha! The food here is so delicious, and the people here are really nice too! I love it here!"

Fu's words left Naruto stunned. She was not some foreign internet influencer, so how had she mastered the secret to going viral so quickly?

Minato said gently, "I'm glad you like it here. Kushina will tidy up a room for you later. You can stay here for the time being."

Before Fu could agree, Karin eagerly said, "No need to go through all that! Fu, how about sharing a room with me? My bed is big and comfortable."

"Huh? Is that okay? I've never shared a bed with anyone before!" Fu said expectantly. "It sounds fun!"

"I think so too!" Karin was delighted to have another girl her age with her. "It's okay, right, Dad?"

Minato thought for a moment, then nodded. "Since Fu does not mind either, all right. Fu will be in your care for the time being."

"Leave it to me!" Karin patted her flat chest. "Come on, Fu, I'll show you our room!"

"Okay!"

The two washboards dashed off in high spirits. They had similar figures and similar personalities, one with red hair and the other with green hair. Red and green together, what a match...

There really was a reason the two of them had become close so quickly.

"So just like that, I'm out of a job as her guide." Naruto looked melancholy. "Then can the village still reimburse today's expenses?"

"Forget about reimbursement. You voluntarily treated a friend to food. What does that have to do with the village?" Minato rejected Naruto's request to eat and drink on public funds.

"You could at least call it entertaining a foreign guest. Heartless Village Chief, exploiting the villagers!" Naruto shouted exaggeratedly.

Minato ignored him and continued, "Besides, you really are not suitable to keep being Fu's guide."

Naruto asked, "Hm? Why? Is there a more important mission?"

Kushina could not help laughing as she teased him, "After today, rumors are spreading all over the village that the Fourth Hokage's son abandoned the Hyuga Clan's eldest daughter after having his way with her, then swaggered around town with a green-haired beauty. You should probably think about how you'll explain this to Hinata when she comes back."

Naruto stared in shock. "Huh? It can't be that ridiculous, can it?"

Even Minato could not help laughing. "What's even more ridiculous is that Jiraiya-sensei got inspiration for his new book from the rumors. Apparently, it's something about an eldest daughter whose engagement was broken off. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—never look down on a poor young girl!"

"..." Naruto's expression twisted with conflicted agony. When he spread rumors about Danzo back then, he had never imagined that one day he would suffer the same fate.

"Hahahaha..." Minato and Kushina, those heartless parents, laughed happily.

"Heh..." Kimimaro and Haku, those heartless older brothers, also leisurely enjoyed their little brother's dramatic expression.

There were too many disappointments in this world, but Naruto's life still had to go on. The sun would rise every day, and hope would always remain planted in his heart.

A new day began with accompanying Old Dad to the hospital to visit the Mizukage.