Sasuke looked at Naruko, a tangle of emotions welling up inside him.
There was surprise, gratitude, and an even deeper unease. He wanted to say something, and his lips shifted.
But Naruko had already briskly pulled out her wallet, paid the bill, and hopped off her stool.
She stood before Sasuke, backlit by the sunlight streaming through the doorway. The smile faded from her face, replaced by a rare seriousness.
Looking into Sasuke's eyes, she said slowly:
"Sasuke Uchiha, remember this. In this world, anyone who can't give anything up is destined to gain nothing."
Her voice was quiet, but her words struck Sasuke's heart like a heavy hammer.
"If you aren't even willing to pay the price of being scolded by your clan and disappointing your father a little, if you don't even have the courage to take a manageable risk and bend a few rules..."
She turned away, leaving one final remark ringing in Sasuke's ears:
"Then you might as well stop dreaming about 'becoming Hokage' and 'changing everything' right now. That isn't for you."
With that, she lingered no longer. She lifted the curtain, and her figure soon disappeared into the crowds and sunlight outside.
Inside the Ichiraku Ramen Shop, the lively chatter and aroma of food remained unchanged.
Sasuke sat alone at the counter, an empty bowl that had already cooled slightly before him.
Naruko's words were like cold spring water, jolting him awake from some of his unrealistic fantasies and forcing him to face the most practical of choices.
He lowered his head and looked at his open palm, its lines crisscrossing, then gave a self-mocking smile.
*In the original timeline, I'd even wanted to become a rogue ninja, yet here I am, getting lectured by a little girl. This comfortable life really has made