As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the inner room slid open.
Naruto poked his little head out, already dressed in clean clothes.
His little face had been washed clean too.
"Uncle Xuandou! I'm ready!"
He bounded out, hugged Xuandou's leg, and looked up, his eyes sparkling:
"Let's go eat ramen!"
Xuandou smiled and ruffled his hair:
"All right, let's go."
He looked at Kushina:
"Come on, join us."
Kushina paused. She had wanted to decline, but when she saw Naruto's expectant eyes, she finally nodded.
The evening sun sank toward the west.
The three walked side by side.
Naruto held his mother's hand in one hand and Xuandou's in the other, his little face full of excitement as he skipped along now and then.
Xuandou and Kushina walked on either side of him, looking just like a family of three.
Villagers passed them from time to time, their eyes openly showing disgust and indifference when they saw Kushina and Naruto.
Some even deliberately walked around them, muttering something under their breath.
Kushina lowered her head, her steps faltering.
Naruto remained completely oblivious, still pointing excitedly at the little shops along the street:
"Mom, look! That shop has new toys!"
Noticing something was wrong with Kushina, Xuandou gently squeezed her hand.
Kushina's hand trembled slightly, but she did not pull away.
She looked up and met Xuandou's gentle gaze, and her heart inexplicably felt a little more at ease.
"Which way?"
Xuandou asked Naruto.
Naruto let go of their hands and ran ahead to lead the way, waving his little hand:
"Follow me!"
After they turned down two streets, a little shop with a blue entrance curtain came into view.
The curtain bore the name "Ichiraku."
"This is it!"
Naruto cheered and rushed inside.
Xuandou and Kushina