Kakashi the Ingrate

"Slurp..."

"Slurp..."

Naruto made loud slurping noises as he happily ate his noodles.

Natsuki had a bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen. The broth was indeed rich and delicious.

Still, Natsuki was not very used to it and could only make do.

Sasuke, meanwhile, had ordered some snacks and was eating them on the side.

Just as Naruto was nearly finished eating, the curtain was lifted.

A silver-haired ninja with a broomstick-like hairstyle and a mask entered and sat in the farthest corner.

"Boss, please give me a bowl of miso chashu ramen."

Natsuki turned his head and glanced at Kakashi.

Tch, were they that nervous? They even sent Kakashi over.

"Burp..."

Naruto let out a full burp and pressed his hands together.

"Thanks for the meal!"

The Uzumaki Clan's physique really was no joke.

The bowl for this Grand Slam ramen was twice the size of Naruto's head, and it was packed full of toppings.

Even Natsuki would need quite a while to finish it, yet Naruto had already cleaned his bowl. Naruto was only five years old now.

Naruto liked ramen partly because the ramen here was delicious.

Another reason was that Teuchi and Ayame were among the few people who did not discriminate against him.

And the ramen here was especially cheap.

It was about the only thing Naruto could afford to eat.

"Naruto, are you full?" Natsuki asked with a smile.

"Hehe, Senior Natsuki, I'm full already." Naruto rubbed his stomach. He had never felt so happy.

"Naruto, Sasuke told me you're always causing trouble?" Natsuki asked.

Sasuke was full of question marks. I only met you today. When did I ever tell you that?

But one look from Natsuki made Sasuke shut his mouth.

"I, um... ahahaha." Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.

After all, he could not tell Natsuki that those pranks were just his way of getting people to notice him.

"Sorry, Senior Natsuki. I won't be naughty anymore."

But Natsuki did not blame him. Instead, he beckoned Ayame over. "Sorry to trouble you, but the bill."

Natsuki directly took out twenty 1,000-ryo notes and handed them to Ayame.

Ayame repeatedly waved her hands. "It only comes to 320 ryo."

Ichiraku Ramen was very cheap. Aside from the Grand Slam costing 200, Natsuki's and Sasuke's meals had only cost 60 ryo each.

Natsuki waved his hand.

"Keep the extra money here. Whenever Naruto and Sasuke come in the future, let them eat whatever they want. Deduct whatever they spend from this."

"Th-this... is that really okay?" Ayame turned around and saw Teuchi nodding with a smile before accepting the money.

"Naruto, I've left some money here. From now on, you and Sasuke can eat whatever you want when you come here."

"Senior Natsuki, how can I accept this? I can't take your money."

Naruto was shocked.

Natsuki's expression turned stern.

"Who said I was giving you money? You're Sasuke's friend. Are you supposed to stand there watching while Sasuke eats whenever the two of you come here?"

"The Ninja Academy will be starting soon. You and Sasuke will have classes every day, so it'll be more convenient for you to eat here."

"Ah... oh... this..."

Naruto's little brain felt that something was off, but he could not put his finger on it.

Natsuki put on a smile again.

"Sasuke doesn't have many friends, so I'll be counting on you to play with him often."

"And don't go causing trouble everywhere. Once you start school, study hard."

"Oh! Okay! I'll come play with Sasuke often! I'll study hard!"

Naruto decided not to think about things he could not figure out.

This was the first time someone had asked something of him. He felt an endless surge of motivation, and his heart was warm and happy.

Sasuke curled his lip beside him. "Who wants him to come play with me? Hmph."

Natsuki was already used to Sasuke's tsundere ways.

He shook his head and led the two children outside.

Kakashi quickly finished his noodles and followed them out as well.

He trailed behind Natsuki and the others the entire way.

The Third Hokage had urgently recalled him just now and told him to come take a look.

Why was Natsuki being so nice to Naruto for no reason? What was he plotting? What was his purpose?

In the end, after taking Naruto out for ramen, Natsuki brought him to Konoha Yachimata.

This street was filled with Uchiha Clan shops. Konoha Yachimata was now the most prosperous street in the village.

That was because the remaining Uchiha Clan Police Force members all patrolled nearby.

Everyone who saw Natsuki respectfully came over to greet him. "Lord Natsuki."

Natsuki waved each of them away.

When Natsuki reached the street entrance, he sensed that Kakashi's group was getting anxious, and the number of Anbu agents was steadily increasing.

Natsuki did not want to come into conflict with the Anbu yet.

He pulled out a stack of money from his pocket and gave it to Sasuke.

"Sasuke, you haven't been back for so long. Go buy some new clothes on the street. Hmm, buy a few more sets. Get a couple of sets for your good friend Naruto too."

"I have something to take care of. I'll come back for you later."

As he spoke, he gave Sasuke a look. Sasuke's eyes shifted, though it was impossible to tell whether he understood or not.

Natsuki walked out of the street and gave an order to a nearby Uchiha Clan member.

"The Anbu will come to check on Naruto later. Ignore them."

"Yes!" The Uchiha Clan member of the Police Force saluted.

After walking a little farther, Natsuki said to the person behind him, "Come out, Kakashi."

Kakashi revealed himself. "Vice Clan Head Uchiha Natsuki, you know me? What is your purpose in getting close to Naruto?"

Natsuki looked Kakashi over from head to toe. Kakashi was still dressed as an Anbu, though he was not wearing a mask.

His forehead protector had been pulled down over his left eye. The exposed eye was lifeless, weary, and hollow.

Thinking of Naruto's miserable life over the past few years, Natsuki felt a wave of disgust toward Kakashi.

He suddenly flashed in front of Kakashi and kicked him hard to the ground.

Kakashi had not expected Natsuki to attack without warning. Caught off guard, he was kicked to the ground.

Natsuki spat fiercely. "Pah! I've been sick of you for a long time!"

Then he let out a breath. "That felt good!"

Kakashi stood up, his face full of anger.

"Natsuki! Why did you attack me?"

Kakashi restrained himself. He was afraid Natsuki was deliberately trying to provoke him into attacking. The relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village was extremely sensitive right now.

Natsuki sneered. "Why did I attack you?"

"Because you're ungrateful, heartless, and..." Natsuki curled his lip and swallowed the rest of his words.

"Me? Ungrateful?"

Kakashi looked confused. "I don't even know you. How am I ungrateful?"

Natsuki stroked his chin and looked Kakashi over from top to bottom, then from bottom to top again.

What the hell is this? This is Hatake Sakumo's son?

"Aren't you Minato Namikaze's student?"

"So what if I am?" That was no secret. The Uchiha Clan all knew it.

"So you do remember that you're Minato Namikaze's student." Natsuki's tone was dripping with sarcasm.

"His orphan gets bullied every day and eats expired food. Are you blind? Can't you see it?"

Kakashi fell silent. "It was Lord Third Hokage's order. Naruto, he..."

"Oh, bullshit. Don't give me that crap about how his identity can't be revealed."

Natsuki said impatiently, "What does that have to do with him eating junk food and expired food every day?"

"He's grown this big already, yet he barely has any decent clothes. He doesn't get enough to eat or enough to wear."

"The Third Hokage really knows how to take care of the Fourth Hokage's orphan. And you really know how to look after your teacher's son."

"You watched the Third Hokage seize your teacher's property. You watched Naruto go hungry and suffer, drink expired milk, and eat lunchboxes mixed with sand, and you did nothing. You call yourself a member of the Hatake Family? You disgust me."

"I..." Kakashi was speechless. He truly had nothing to say.

After Obito died, he had become utterly despondent, living each day like a walking corpse.

Every day, he merely carried out missions mechanically. He did not even take proper care of himself, much less Naruto.

Whatever the Third Hokage told him to do, he did. He did not need to think, nor did he think.

Kakashi pulled himself together. "Even so, that's not a reason for you to get close to Naruto."

Natsuki waved his hand.

"When I was little, Sister Kushina helped me. I just want Naruto to eat better and dress better. You're overthinking it. I'm not as filthy as you are."

"I don't care how your Anbu monitors me."

Kakashi's entire body relaxed, though his expression was complicated.

With both hands behind his head, Natsuki leisurely walked toward Yachimata.

"But if Naruto thinks the Uchiha Clan treats him better in the future, that'll be Naruto's business."

Kakashi was jolted in alarm!