"Mm! I'm a department store owner who just arrived in Konoha Village. Meeting you must be fate, so you two are the first friends I've made in Konoha. Consider this bowl of ramen a gift for our first meeting." Xiao Xie looked at Naruto's stunned expression and could not help smiling.
"Fr... friends? Iruka-sensei, he said he wants to be friends with me! Boohoo..."
Upon hearing Xiao Xie's words, Naruto froze for a moment, then turned to Iruka with a deeply moved expression and burst into tears.
Xiao Xie's mouth twitched at the sight. He knew Naruto had never had any friends growing up, but did he really need to be this moved?
"Naruto, you idiot! When someone treats you to ramen, you should thank them first!"
Seeing Naruto suddenly burst into tears, Iruka helplessly knocked him on the head. Then he stood up and bowed to Xiao Xie. "I'm Iruka Umino, a teacher at the Ninja Academy. He is my student, Naruto Uzumaki. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of us!"
"Hello, I'm Xiao Xie. My department store is on a street not far from here. If you have time, feel free to come by and visit!" Xiao Xie said with a smile.
"Customer, your noodles are ready!"
Before long, Teuchi finished making three bowls of Deluxe Seafood Ramen and brought them out.
"Naruto, Iruka, I'll be leaving first. Enjoy your meal!"
After paying the bill, Xiao Xie said goodbye to Naruto and Iruka, picked up his packaged ramen, and turned to leave.
"You made a new friend today. That's wonderful, isn't it, Naruto?" Iruka asked with a smile as he watched Xiao Xie's retreating back.
"Mm!"
Naruto nodded vigorously as he ate his ramen.
After Xiao Xie returned to the small courtyard he had