First Meeting with Naruto

This was the first time Narak had met Uzumaki Naruto since coming to the world of Naruto.

At that moment, Naruto was covered in dust, with several holes in his clothes and a few bloody scratches on his face and hands. He had suffered those injuries while protecting Hinata.

"Hinata, Naruto, you're both hurt. I'll treat you." As he spoke, Narak used Responded, healing Hinata's and Naruto's wounds one after the other.

Under the white glow of Responded, their minor wounds slowly healed.

"How amazing..." Naruto watched the miraculous scene with awe.

"That's much better. Say, Naruto, it's almost dinnertime. To thank you for protecting my little sister, let me treat you to dinner." Narak invited Naruto.

"Ah... no need. That would be too embarrassing." Naruto smiled and refused.

"Grrr..." As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto's stomach growled.

Naruto covered his stomach with one hand and rubbed the back of his head with the other. He looked up at Narak awkwardly.

"Haha, don't refuse. Come on, I'll take you both to Ichiraku Ramen." Narak laughed.

"Mmm... delicious... slurp..."

Inside Ichiraku Ramen, Hinata, Narak, and Naruto sat side by side. Naruto was wolfing down his ramen.

"Haha, Naruto, slow down. If it's not enough, there's more."

Seeing Naruto like that, Narak couldn't help feeling a little sorry for him.

When Naruto was young, he often went hungry after eating one meal. Without parents, he could only live on the village's relief funds, but that little money was nowhere near enough to feed him. As a result, he often ate expired food. Seeing how hungry Naruto was, he probably hadn't eaten much at all today.

"Mmm, mmm, mmm. Boss, another bowl!" Naruto happily called out to the owner of Ichiraku Ramen.

Half an hour later, Naruto sat on the stool, rubbing his swollen belly with a thoroughly satisfied look.

"Hey, Big Brother, thank you for the meal. I'm so full today."

Naruto turned to look at Narak. Seeing Narak smiling at him, he remembered how he had eaten just now, and an embarrassed expression appeared on his face.

"What are you talking about, Naruto? If anyone should be thanking someone, it's me thanking you. If you hadn't bravely stepped in, who knows how badly those brats would have bullied my little sister."

"By the way, Naruto, do you really like the ramen made by Teuchi?"

"Of course! Big Brother, didn't you notice how delicious the ramen here is? It's practically the most delicious food in the world!" Naruto's eyes shone as he spoke.

Narak thought for a moment before saying to Naruto, "How about this, Naruto? Whenever you feel like eating ramen in the future, come here. It's on me."

Then he turned to Teuchi and said, "Boss, no matter how much ramen Naruto eats from now on, put it all on my tab. When the time comes, come to the Hyuga Clan to collect payment from me."

Hearing this, Naruto hurriedly waved his hands and refused Narak.

"How can I do that, Big Brother? I can't eat your food for free. I helped your sister, and you've already treated me to this meal as thanks."

"Say, Naruto, what did you just call me?"

Seeing Naruto refuse his kindness, Narak smiled and asked him.

"I... I just called you Big Brother... Why? Is there a problem?"

Faced with Narak's question, Naruto thought about it in confusion before answering.

"Haha, then isn't that settled? You called me Big Brother, so from now on, you're my little brother. As your big brother, I'm taking care of you and treating you to meals. What's wrong with that?" Narak said, patting Naruto on the head.

"Big brother..." Naruto murmured the words, his heart jolting as something deep inside him was touched.

Naruto silently lowered his head and rubbed his reddened eyes with his little hands. Once upon a time, those two words had seemed so distant to him.

For three years, ever since Naruto had become old enough to remember things, he had constantly suffered the villagers' disdain.

The adults in the village warned their children that Naruto was a "Fox Demon" and told them to stay away from him. Thus, Naruto had never had any friends, let alone heard such an intimate word as "big brother."

Poor Naruto had no idea what he had done wrong.

Naruto raised his head and asked Narak, "Are you really willing to be my big brother? But everyone else says I'm a Fox Demon and a bad kid."

Looking at the anxious Naruto before him, Narak's smile faded.

"​​Naruto, I know what the villagers think of you. The truth is, they're simply too ignorant.

"Since they reject you now, then work hard to earn their recognition. If you don't know what to do, set a small goal for yourself. For example, become Hokage."

"Hokage... Can I become Hokage?" Naruto stared at Narak in shock.

"Why not? Naruto, you have to believe in yourself. You're no worse than anyone else. In fact, you're better than most people. You have potential far beyond what you can imagine.

"People need dreams to live! Dreams give us motivation. Don't fixate on temporary gains and losses. Instead, have the courage to create a tomorrow of your own. That's how you make your life better, isn't it? So keep going, Naruto. Work hard to show yourself to everyone and let them see a different you."

Narak encouraged Naruto.

"Dreams give us motivation... Create a tomorrow of my own... Make my life better..." Naruto repeated Narak's words, his face filled with thought.

Narak watched Naruto's contemplative expression and shook his head slightly.

In Narak's view, he had only spoken this way because the other person was Naruto. Naruto's personality was naturally optimistic, and he didn't hold grudges. No matter how badly the villagers treated him, he remained firm in his convictions and determined to protect them.

If it had been Narak himself, why would he care what others thought of him? Why would he need to work hard to please them? As long as he was strong enough, he would have the final say in everything.

Naruto gradually raised his head as he pondered. The expression on his little face grew more and more resolute, as if he had made a decision.

Suddenly, he looked up and said, "Ah, Big Brother, you're right. I'll work hard to show myself to everyone. My goal is to become Hokage. Thank you, Big Brother!"

"Oh, that's great, Naruto. Then work hard and strive toward that goal. Give it your all!"

"Yeah! I'll definitely work hard to become Hokage. Big Brother, just wait for that day!"

As the sky darkened, Naruto waved goodbye to Narak after making up his mind, then ran toward home.

Narak watched Naruto's small retreating figure and smiled faintly. He couldn't help wondering how Naruto would show the people of Konoha what he was capable of.

Shaking his head, Narak dispelled his thoughts and took Hinata's little hand. "Come on, Hinata, let's go home. If we don't get back soon, Mom will scold us."

"Mmm." Hinata nodded obediently.

Late at night, Naruto tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep as he wondered how to show himself to everyone. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

"I've got it! I'll do this starting tomorrow." Apparently thinking of a great idea, Naruto broke into a happy smile.

And so, starting the next day, Konoha gained a mischievous brat who pulled pranks all day and gave the entire village a headache!