Naruto

Meanwhile,

Ichiraku Ramen was soon served at the table. The mouthwatering aroma made Josuke swallow eagerly for a long while.

Itachi gently transferred the ramen into small bowls, then poured broth over it. He knew the two little ones had already been weaned, so eating ramen was perfectly fine.

Josuke didn't hold back. "Let's eat."

And with that, he became a little eating machine. Seeing his older brother start, Sasuke naturally didn't want to fall behind.

He, too, began eating in small bites. The moment the ramen touched their tongues, both their eyes lit up!

It really was the best ramen in Konoha! Delicious!

It looked like ordinary ramen, yet it was so delicious! Josuke had to learn how to make it.

After all, inside his little body, besides the desire to grow stronger, there was also a dream of becoming a chef.

Itachi ate his ramen elegantly. Even though he'd tasted it many times, he couldn't help but marvel.

Ichiraku Ramen really was better than the ramen at other shops.

"Is it good, Sasuke?"

Sasuke nodded with his cheeks puffed out, making a muffled sound.

Itachi smiled, then looked at Josuke. Josuke didn't say anything; he just gave a thumbs-up.

Itachi understood. Just then, a small figure seemed to gather up a great deal of courage.

He slowly walked toward Ichiraku Ramen.

Josuke was so focused on eating that he didn't notice anyone approaching, but Itachi spotted the skinny little figure.

His heart jumped.

What was he doing here?

The little figure had yellow hair and whisker-like markings on his cheeks.

A pair of goggles sat on his forehead, and he wore an old T-shirt. He was small and skinny.

Now he was staring at them nervously.

"Um... I... can I sit next to you?"

The sudden voice made Josuke look over.

What the heck?

Guess who this is?

Isn't this our Kizaru-sama? Even though he was just a little kid, Josuke was surprised.

But when he thought about it, it made sense. Naruto was Ichiraku Ramen's number-one fan, so it was only natural for him to show up here. Josuke was pretty lucky, too—he'd only just gone out once and already run into Naruto.

In Josuke's plans, he absolutely had to befriend the Crown Prince—and become close to him, too. It'd be best to form some kind of bond with him. Sure, right now he was just as useless as Josuke, but later on, the Crown Prince would rise to the top!

Still, Naruto was way too skinny for a three-year-old. Josuke and Sasuke were both chubby, while Naruto was clearly malnourished.

Konoha really did deserve its reputation.

Sasuke looked at him with some confusion.

He was filthy and so skinny. Was he here to steal Big Brother Josuke from him? Hmph! He absolutely couldn't let that happen.

Sasuke spoke in a fierce little voice.

"No!!"

Naruto looked dejected and lowered his head, beginning to doubt himself. Was he really the Fox Demon Disaster Star the villagers said he was?

Josuke glanced at his little brother.

"Sure! This ramen shop is really good. You should try some!"

Hearing that, Naruto looked up in disbelief, his eyes already glistening with tears.

"I... I really can?"

Josuke nodded, motioning for Naruto to come over. Naruto slowly approached, tears slipping down his cheeks.

Itachi simply watched it all calmly.

Seeing Naruto like that, Josuke couldn't resist teasing him.

"So you're a crybaby after all."

Naruto hurriedly wiped his eyes with his hand and stubbornly said, "I'm not! The wind just blew sand into my eyes."

Josuke smiled and didn't call him out on his excuse.

Sasuke looked at Naruto with disdain. Because of him, Big Brother Josuke wasn't playing with Sasuke.

Naruto was a regular at Ichiraku Ramen, too, and the owner welcomed him warmly. In Konoha, Uncle Ichiraku was definitely one of the few who didn't discriminate against the Crown Prince.

And so, the two of them got to know each other. They introduced themselves to one another.

They chatted on and off.

The mood was a little awkward, so Josuke thought of something to say.

"Naruto-kun, what's your dream?"

"My dream...?"

Naruto looked at Kage Rock in the distance.

Excitement crept across his face.

"I'm going to become Hokage!"

He flashed his trademark grin. Sasuke, sitting beside him, couldn't stand it and said indignantly, "I'm the one who's going to become Hokage!"

"Huh?"

Naruto was shocked that someone else shared his dream.

Watching the two of them, Josuke couldn't help laughing.

...(After they finished their ramen, well, I really couldn't think of anything else to write.)

"Josuke, Sasuke, aren't you going to say goodbye to your friend?"

Itachi took the two little boys by the hand and asked gently.

Sasuke put on a cool expression and turned his head away.

Josuke smiled and waved goodbye in Naruto's direction.

"Goodbye, Naruto. Let's play together sometime."

Naruto was terribly reluctant to part, but he still waved goodbye to the three of them. As he left, he called out loudly,

"Remember, my name is Uzumaki Naruto! I'm going to become Hokage!"

With that, he ran off without looking back.

He ran so fast to hide the tears on his face. I... I, Naruto, finally made a friend. I finally have a friend!!!!

Naruto could hardly contain his excitement. Josuke, Sasuke... He silently repeated their names to himself.

And so, their bond was formed. The two of them would face all kinds of crises and challenges in the future, but that's a story for another time.

Back at home,

Fugaku and Mikoto were chatting in the living room. When they saw the three of them return, Mikoto hurried over to greet them.

"You're back?"

Mikoto stroked her younger son's head and said affectionately,

Itachi nodded slightly.

"I took my little brothers to eat Ichiraku Ramen, and they made a new friend..."

Mikoto was surprised. She hadn't expected her two younger sons to make a new friend on their very first trip out. She wondered if it was a girlfriend—and if she was pretty... Heehee (*╹▽╹*).

Ahem, what was she thinking?

Mikoto hurriedly pushed the thought out of her mind.

Josuke spoke with an innocent expression. "That's right. His name is Uzumaki Naruto, and he wants to become Hokage, just like my little brother!"

Fugaku: ?

Naruto? The faces of the Fourth Hokage and Kushina flashed through Mikoto's mind, and she couldn't help feeling a little sad...

But she hid it from the children. Even though the villagers hated Naruto, she had no objection to the two of them befriending him. Fugaku didn't object either; after all, they'd meet him sooner or later at the Ninja Academy.

Hearing his older brother say that, Sasuke protested, "Big Brother, I'm definitely going to be Hokage someday!!"