Naruto Uzumaki

As a regular at Ichiraku Ramen, Qiu Shan Uchiha naturally knew both Teuchi and Ayame well. Whenever Teuchi got busy, Ayame helped add toppings and serve the noodles. If she had not been his daughter, someone probably would have reported him for employing child labor long ago.

Qiu Shan Uchiha thanked her and was about to dig in when he noticed that his bowl had one more egg than usual. He looked up to find Ayame giving him a knowing glance before hurrying back to work.

Watching the little girl bustle around with sweat covering her forehead, then looking at the extra egg in his bowl, Qiu Shan Uchiha could not help grinning. As he ate, he teased Teuchi, "Teuchi, Ayame is already so sweet and caring at her age. You have to save her for me. Once she grows up, let me marry her."

Teuchi cast an affectionate glance at Ayame and replied with a chuckle as he worked:

"Qiu Shan, stop teasing my daughter. She's still little. Besides, it's not as though I don't know how your Uchiha Clan works. You may not strictly forbid marrying outsiders like the Hyuga Clan does, but marrying someone outside your clan still isn't that easy. And for a famous Uchiha prodigy like you, there's even less chance they would allow it."

Hearing Qiu Shan Uchiha and her father talking, Ayame's already rosy cheeks flushed even redder. She quickly lowered her head and kept working, though her hands grew a little flustered.

Qiu Shan Uchiha had only meant to tease Ayame, but Teuchi's words left him somewhat silent. Teuchi was right. The Elder might have given him wholehearted support after seeing him awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, but if he wanted to marry an outsider, those stubborn old men would be the first to jump up and stop him.

Still, that was only fair. If he enjoyed the help and advantages his clan provided, he also had to shoulder his responsibilities to it. For clans with inherited Kekkei Genkai like the Uchiha and Hyuga, preserving the purity of their blood was naturally necessary to maintain that power. Otherwise, their Kekkei Genkai would grow increasingly diluted, eventually leading to the clan's demise.

Of course, this was not the time to think about such things. By the time Qiu Shan wanted to take a wife, his strength would probably have reached a level others could only dream of attaining. Then he would no longer be following the rules-he would be making them.

At that thought, Qiu Shan Uchiha felt that the noodles tasted even better. They certainly lived up to their reputation as one of Konoha's famous foods. The noodles were springy, the broth rich, and even the toppings were outstanding. Unless someone simply disliked noodles, they would absolutely fall in love with Ichiraku Ramen.

Just as Qiu Shan Uchiha finished the noodles and began drinking the broth, little Ayame carefully brought over his second bowl. Looking at her rosy cheeks, he thanked her with a smile. After setting the bowl down, she quickly glanced at her father. Seeing that he was not watching, she discreetly pointed at the noodles to signal that something was hidden at the bottom, gave Qiu Shan a radiant smile, and turned back to her work.

Seeing Ayame's gesture, Qiu Shan Uchiha secretly lifted the noodles with his chopsticks, revealing what lay underneath. Good grief! He had already ordered the extra-large deluxe ramen, which came with plenty of toppings, yet another layer lined the bottom of the bowl, packed with sliced meat, meat rolls, and eggs. Startled, Qiu Shan hurriedly covered them with the noodles again, afraid Teuchi would notice and fly into a rage on the spot.

Just then, Qiu Shan noticed Ayame glance his way. He quickly gave her a discreet thumbs-up to thank her. While Teuchi was not looking, little Ayame playfully stuck out her tongue to show Qiu Shan that she had received his thanks.

With some effort, Qiu Shan Uchiha finally finished his second extra-large deluxe bowl. Eating two extra-large portions had already been a struggle, and with so many extra toppings in the second bowl, he ended up thoroughly stuffed.

After putting down his bowl, Qiu Shan let out a satisfied burp, paid for his meal, said goodbye to Teuchi and Ayame, and headed outside.

Just then, Qiu Shan Uchiha noticed a small figure peeking around the entrance to Ichiraku Ramen. The kid wore orange clothes and had golden hair. His face and clothes were filthy, and his expression was timid, yet his sky-blue eyes filled with longing as he looked into the shop.

Qiu Shan Uchiha recognized the kid lingering at the entrance at once. He was the protagonist of Naruto, the Child of Prophecy, the son of the Fourth Hokage, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki-Naruto Uzumaki.

Right now, however, he was merely a somewhat underdeveloped little kid. The Third Hokage had hidden his identity as the Fourth Hokage's son, while word of his identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had spread, leaving Konoha's villagers full of malice toward him. The food he bought was always expired. He had no parents and no one to rely on, only loneliness and fear. Even when bullied, he could only endure it in silence. Darkness never stopped shrouding him.

He was a hero's son, yet he was treated like a prisoner. If not for his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, it would have been entirely unsurprising if he suddenly died one day.

Qiu Shan Uchiha silently sighed but did not approach him. Relations between the Uchiha and the village were already tense. As a prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, he could be considered a representative of its younger generation. If he rashly approached the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and provoked the already sensitive nerves of the Third Hokage and Danzo, there was no telling what they might do.

Besides, Qiu Shan Uchiha's Sharingan had only reached the Mangekyō level. He was not yet capable of controlling the Nine-Tails. To match strength with it, or rather, to suppress it, he would need at least the eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

Qiu Shan Uchiha looked at Naruto Uzumaki's thin, frail body, but the image that surfaced in his mind was that of the Fourth Hokage: a prodigy from a commoner background, with extraordinary talent, exceptional combat prowess, and genuine warmth toward everyone.

If the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had not already died before Qiu Shan arrived in this world, he would have tried to save his life no matter what. It was not merely because of Minato's friendly attitude toward the Uchiha, but also because of his personal charisma. Had the Fourth Hokage not died so early, the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village would never have deteriorated to this extent.

Qiu Shan Uchiha felt the coupons in his pocket that Teuchi had just given him. Since he was a regular who not only came often but always ordered the expensive dishes, Teuchi frequently gave him coupons.

Without looking at Naruto Uzumaki again, Qiu Shan Uchiha headed straight outside. As he passed Naruto, a stack of coupons seemingly slipped out by accident and fell beside the boy. Qiu Shan Uchiha appeared not to notice at all, continuing outside without the slightest pause in his steps.