Rashomon

The Anbu stood on the eaves, loyally guarding all directions as if nothing had happened.

Knock knock.

Naruto Uzumaki curiously opened the door. Unless it was time to eat, he really did not want to go outside or face those hateful stares.

Who was knocking?

Was it Grandfather Third Hokage?

"Big Brother Akira!"

Naruto Uzumaki broke into a delighted smile. "Why are you here? Come in, quick! I prepared a gift for you!"

As he spoke, he pulled Uchiha Akira inside and presented him with a cup of ramen as though offering up a treasure.

It was a cup of ramen unlike the others, with a pretty design on it and a slightly larger serving.

It seemed to have been designed specifically for adults.

"Big Brother Akira, hurry and try it!"

Naruto Uzumaki urged him eagerly.

"This is a limited-edition instant noodle cup I bought at great cost!"

He had spent so much money on it.

Big Brother Akira would definitely be happy. Naruto Uzumaki was already delighted at the thought of Uchiha Akira's happy expression, but the next instant, a chop landed on his head.

Thud!

Even with Naruto Uzumaki's tough body, it still hurt.

He cried out, "Big Brother Akira, what are you doing?!"

Uchiha Akira sighed helplessly. "Are you an idiot? You spent that much money on limited-edition instant noodles? The money for one cup could buy enough rice balls to feed you for three days, okay?"

Naruto Uzumaki's eyes widened as though he had discovered a whole new world, disbelief filling his gaze.

Then what had all those years of going hungry been for?

And what had buying limited-edition instant noodles every day been for?

"Enough. Don't buy limited-edition instant noodles again. I bought some things—I'll make you a meal."

Uchiha Akira raised the groceries in his hand. They were enough to make a simple meal.

He immediately began preparing it. Half an hour later, Naruto Uzumaki stared blankly at a bowl of black sludge while Uchiha Akira nodded. "Mm, as expected, I really have no talent for cooking."

"Come on, let's go eat out instead!"

"Wait a second. I need to notify someone first."

Uchiha Akira looked at Naruto Uzumaki with an unreadable expression.

"You two might have something in common."

One was an early-game genius, while the other was an early-game dead last. What changes would occur when they came together this time?

Summoning Technique!

Uchiha Akira placed his palm against the wall. Summoning runes instantly appeared, and a black crow emerged with a series of caws.

"Go. Tell Neji to come eat."

Afterward, Uchiha Akira casually picked a barbecue restaurant with excellent reviews. Because of Uchiha Akira, even if the owner had an issue with Naruto, he could only keep it to himself. Neji also hurried over.

The two little ones looked at each other.

Seeing the adorable Naruto Uzumaki, Neji frowned.

Hmm?

Is this the guy here to steal my teacher? Why does he somehow feel familiar?

Seeing Hyuga Neji so clean and composed, Naruto lowered his head.

Of course.

Everyone naturally liked clean children, didn't they?

"You two sit down first. I'll go order the food~"

Uchiha Akira glanced at the two little ones' very different expressions, looking puzzled. Why did they seem like they did not get along?

"You, are you here to steal Teacher Akira?"

Hyuga Neji frowned, his kneeling posture leaning slightly forward with an oppressive air.

"I will never allow anyone to take Teacher Akira away!"

Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi were adults, so it was different.

"No, I'm not."

Naruto Uzumaki's little face was full of grievance, and tears were about to fall.

"Of course, I'm never welcome anywhere. Everyone calls me a demon fox. I... I just don't want people to hate me."

Huh?

No.

Demon fox?

Hated?

"Y-you... you're Naruto Uzumaki?"

Neji remembered, and he instantly panicked.

That child who was always bullied by the villagers. If it really came down to it, Naruto had it even worse than he did. At least he never had to worry about food or clothes, but Naruto would even be driven away when trying to buy things.

Bastards!

He had actually spoken to such a pitiful child like that just now!

"I-I-I was wrong, okay? I don't hate you."

The coldness vanished completely from Hyuga Neji's little face as he stammered.

"From now on... from now on, I'm your friend. No one can bully you!"

He really did not know how to comfort people.

After saying it, even he felt a little embarrassed.

"Really?"

Naruto Uzumaki stopped crying at once. His blue eyes seemed to sparkle with stars as he slowly scooted closer to Hyuga Neji.

"I-I have a friend too!"

When Akira returned, he saw Naruto Uzumaki enthusiastically hovering around Neji, while Neji's usually aloof little face actually carried a trace of indulgence.

"This is unbelievable."

He scratched his head, finding it absurd. "So it really is one thing restraining another, huh?"

Forget it.

As long as the two got along peacefully, it was a good thing. Naruto Uzumaki wolfed down the food, leaving Uchiha Akira amazed by his appetite. After the meal, Uchiha Akira smiled.

"Alright, now that we're full and satisfied, let's head home and train to work off the food!"

The three of them headed toward the Senju Clan.

"Training?"

Naruto Uzumaki followed closely behind, his little face blank and full of curiosity. "What's that?"

Hyuga Neji explained seriously, "It's a way to make yourself stronger. Teacher Akira is the person who teaches me how to grow stronger. Once you become a powerful ninja, you can protect yourself, break free from every restraint, and avoid being bullied by others!"

Only by becoming stronger.

Could he possibly break free from the Caged Bird Seal.

"Can becoming stronger stop people from bullying me?"

Naruto Uzumaki's azure eyes lit up. With a mixture of unease and anticipation, he looked at Uchiha Akira. "Big Brother Akira, c-can I learn from you too?"

He did not want to be bullied.

Nor did he want to go hungry every day. He wanted to grow stronger and become a normal person like everyone else!

[Ding! A plea from the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Helping the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki grow stronger is Lord Hashirama's responsibility. Please help Naruto Uzumaki master the Nine-Tails and become a powerful ninja capable of standing on his own!]

[Mission Reward: Summoning Technique!]

[Summoning Technique: Summons the Rashomon from hell, which can be used to defend against powerful physical attacks!]

Rashomon?

Hell?

Uchiha Akira halted. The three had already returned to the Senju Clan. His eyes flickered as he nodded.

"Of course. But first, we need to deal with a little problem inside your body. Otherwise, your training speed will be too slow."

Naruto Uzumaki's little face went blank. "Deal with... a problem inside my body?"

Slap.

Uchiha Akira placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder, and his consciousness instantly entered Naruto's body.

When he opened his eyes again.

He stood within a cramped underground sewer. The murky water was like filth itself, stretching onward toward a massive prison gate. A pair of scarlet beast eyes radiated absolute malice and hatred!

"Damn Uchiha Clan! How dare you come into my territory!"

"I'll kill you!"

The corners of Uchiha Akira's mouth curled upward. His Wood Release was already itching for a fight.