An Encounter at Ichiraku Ramen

Feeling the power within his body, Naruto could sense that the nutrients he had previously lacked were slowly being replenished.

Moreover, the complete Uzumaki Clan constitution was constantly strengthening his body.

Things were getting better. Slowly, everything would get better.

But it was already late at night. He was still growing, so he needed to sleep early for his body to keep getting stronger!

"Just one more can, then I'll sleep!" Naruto couldn't be blamed for that. He had suffered for so long—what was wrong with enjoying himself a little?

Canned food was so delicious and nutritious. It was only natural!

After finishing the can, Naruto fell asleep with a satisfied smile.

Within the consciousness space he could not see.

The Nine-Tails gradually calmed down. It could not figure out where exactly things had gone wrong.

It had watched Naruto grow up. Logically speaking, it should have memories of everything Naruto had experienced.

Yet recently, Naruto seemed somewhat off. Whenever it observed Naruto, it sometimes felt as though its line of sight had been cut off.

Some special power was stopping it.

And Naruto's body seemed to have grown stronger again?

As the tailed beast inside Naruto, it could naturally sense clearly that something seemed to be changing in Naruto's body.

After all these years, the red pillars of the seal had already loosened somewhat. That was why it had previously been able to leak out a tiny bit of Nine-Tails chakra whenever Naruto's emotions fluctuated intensely.

Quietly prying at the seal.

But tonight, the seal had suddenly been reinforced somewhat. It could sense that Naruto's aura had grown stronger.

It reminded it of the previous jinchuriki, someone it had neither gotten along with nor disliked.

Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki.

After thinking it over for so long, it still could not find the problem.

The Nine-Tails could only lie silently in the sewers. Thinking back on it now, it felt that Naruto had gained a trace of an aura familiar to it. Was it an illusion?

Heh. I am the mighty Nine-Tails, the strongest of all tailed beasts. How could I feel close to a human?

Next time Naruto came in, it would reluctantly have a proper chat with him.

But as it looked at the seal that had been reinforced once more before its eyes.

The Nine-Tails let out a faint sigh like a lonely old man: "If I'd known, I wouldn't have driven him away. This is so boring!"

Its nine tails swished about anxiously. What a tsundere Nine-Tails!

Naturally, Naruto knew nothing about any of this.

Sleeping soundly, Naruto slept until after eleven.

It had been an extremely comfortable sleep. Even in his dreams, his body had felt warm, as though it were still constantly adapting to the complete Uzumaki Clan constitution.

This was really nice.

"I'm a little hungry. Time to eat. I'll go have Ichiraku Ramen. Uncle Teuchi must miss me!"

Naruto got dressed and headed out.

The villagers' pointing and whispering by the roadside no longer affected him in the slightest.

When he had first arrived, he might have cared a little.

But now that he had some strength, and could easily kill these villagers with just a little chakra even without systematic taijutsu training.

Naruto felt there was no need to care. An elephant would never concern itself with an ant's provocation.

Naruto suddenly sensed something flying toward him. Turning his head, he saw that it was another small stone!

This time, even though it had come from behind him, Naruto could sense it clearly. Even without using Kagura's Mind's Eye, his passive perception alone had become extremely sharp.

He merely glared at the group of children.

The children felt as though some terrifying beast had fixed its gaze on them. The feeling was as if their heads and bodies would be separated the very next moment!

Terrified, they ran into their homes and cried in their parents' arms.

Naruto was speechless. You were the ones who threw things at me, and now you're acting wronged?

After easily dodging the stone, Naruto quickened his pace. There was no real threat, but these ignorant villagers were still annoying.

He arrived at Uncle Teuchi's Ichiraku Ramen.

"Uncle Teuchi, give me a bowl of ramen! Add one serving of everything—make it the super invincible deluxe kind!"

Putting on a carefree act, Naruto plopped down onto a stool and shouted at Uncle Teuchi.

When Uncle Teuchi saw that it was Naruto, he did not show any unusual expression.

"So it's little Naruto. Have a seat. Uncle will make it for you right away, just wait!"

Uncle Teuchi began skillfully preparing the ramen.

When the diners nearby saw Naruto Uzumaki, they showed looks of disgust and shouted at Uncle Teuchi, "Hey, boss, why are you still serving the demon fox here? Hurry up and kick him out! If you don't kick him out, we'll never come here again!"

"Exactly! Drive the demon fox away! We don't want to eat noodles with the demon fox!"

Seeing the other customers begin to make a fuss, Naruto did not care much, but Uncle Teuchi had always treated him well. He could not let Uncle Teuchi's business suffer because of him.

"Then, Uncle, I'll leave for now. I'll come back next time!" Naruto politely said goodbye to Uncle Teuchi and prepared to get up and leave.

"Wait, Naruto! Don't go yet!" Uncle Teuchi was somewhat angry after hearing the diners' words. In his eyes, Naruto was such a good child—a child who never wasted food and even drank every last drop of soup. How could he possibly be the demon fox they claimed he was?

He went to each troublesome diner, leaned close, and whispered something in their ears. The diners who had been making a racket instantly fell silent. They looked at Naruto with a hint of surprise, their faces still carrying some unwillingness, but they did not say anything else.

Naruto was very curious about what Uncle Teuchi had said. After his constitution had been strengthened, his hearing was much better than before.

Focusing carefully, he heard Uncle Teuchi's words.

"Naruto has the Third Hokage's permission to eat here. If you don't agree to let him eat here, I'll go tell the Third Hokage!"

So he was borrowing the tiger's power, but Naruto liked it.

He immediately understood why Uncle Teuchi had not said it loudly in front of Naruto.

At present, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not revealed his identity as the Third Hokage to Naruto, and Naruto had to pretend he did not know.

Perhaps Naruto was the only person in the whole village pretending not to know that Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage.

Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangements, anyone who encountered both Naruto and Hiruzen Sarutobi would help conceal the matter.

Thinking about it, an old man was far easier to approach than a lofty ruler of the village.

Then one day in the future, when he suddenly revealed his identity, the foolish Naruto would surely be moved to tears and be endlessly grateful to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Unfortunately, Naruto had known everything long ago. He was merely playing along.

After Uncle Teuchi soothed the other diners, he returned to making ramen.

This time, he brought out a steaming bowl of fragrant ramen.

Every topping had been added once, filling Naruto's bowl to the brim. One look was enough to tell how nutritious it was.

"Thank you, Uncle Teuchi!" Naruto thanked him sincerely.

Then he began to eat with great relish.

Seeing Naruto's satisfied expression, Uncle Teuchi was delighted.

The other diners clearly did not want to stay and eat with Naruto. After quickly finishing their meals, they hurried away. They could not afford to provoke the Third Hokage's order, so they could only slip off.

"Hahaha! Little brother, you eat with real gusto. Interested in competing with my son and me to see who can eat more?"

At that moment, a father and son with similar appearances walked in from outside.

"Oh, it's Choza. Did you bring your son out for ramen today?"

Uncle Teuchi greeted them warmly.

Naruto turned to look at the newcomers.

From Uncle Teuchi's words, he understood that these two should be loyal followers of the Hokage's faction—the Butterfly of Ino–Shika–Cho, Choza Akimichi of the Akimichi Clan, and Choji Akimichi, who would one day become one of the Konoha Twelve.

Choza Akimichi was a middle-aged man with a burly build, developed muscles, short red hair, and a thick beard. His gaze was firm and sharp.

His son, Choji, had inherited his father's build. He was a slightly chubby young boy with a round face and similarly brown short hair. His eyes were gentle and friendly, often carrying a trace of innocence.

Both wore the clan's distinctive clothing—loose garments bearing the family crest. Choji's clothes were also often decorated with various snack patterns, reflecting his love of food.

"Little brother, you don't mind if we sit here, do you? We like making friends with people who eat heartily!" Choza Akimichi asked politely.

"Of course. Please sit, Uncle!" Naruto said, putting on an innocent expression.

On the surface, he continued eating ramen, but inwardly he was wondering what the Akimichi Clan was planning.

After all, the Akimichi Clan supported the Hokage's faction. If they were approaching Naruto, it had to be at Hiruzen Sarutobi's request.

They could not possibly approach someone as sensitive as a jinchuriki without the Hokage's approval.

Thinking of Hiruzen Sarutobi mentioning earlier that Naruto would be sent to the ninja academy, Naruto understood. They wanted to establish a presence in Naruto's life, then have Choji Akimichi become his friend so that Naruto would form bonds in the village, was that it?

Old Third Hokage, old Third Hokage, you really have a way with things.

"Boss, start with five bowls of the same ramen!" As expected of the Akimichi Clan—five bowls right from the start.

"Dad, is this ramen really that good? If it doesn't taste good, I'm going to eat barbecue instead!"

The chubby Choji said to Choza.

"Don't worry. When have I ever lied to you about food?"

Once the ramen was served, Choza began eating quickly.

Choji first took a cautious bite. Then his eyes lit up, and he began wolfing it down as well.

"Dad, you were right. This ramen really is delicious. I can eat four bowls!" Choji said to Choza as he ate.

"Of course. Little brother, do you like ramen too? What's your name?"

"Uncle, my name is Naruto. I really love ramen. I can eat several bowls of this kind of ramen too!"

Hearing that Naruto could also eat several bowls of ramen, Choji immediately became interested.

"Your name is Naruto, right? My name is Choji. Let's compete and see who can eat more! The loser pays, how about it!"

Choji's competitive spirit immediately flared up. Looking at Naruto's small frame, he felt Naruto could not possibly eat more than him!

"Choji! How can you compete like that? Eating is supposed to be an enjoyable process. Don't mix competition into it and affect something so sacred!" Choza earnestly tried to persuade Choji.

"Naruto, just eat normally. I'll pay for everything today!" Choza said to Naruto with a smile.

"It's fine. Competing is fine too. I love ramen. Uncle, bring me four bowls first!"

"Uncle, I want five bowls!" Then Naruto and Choji began their ramen-eating contest.