Friends

"Um... hello, Sasuke-kun."

Hinata nodded to Sasuke too, then sat on the living room sofa after getting Naruto's permission.

Naruto was very happy now. Both of his good friends had come to play with him. This was wonderful.

"Um, what should we do next?"

As everyone knew, when three boys got together, a ideas guy was bound to spawn.

But Hinata was a girl. What were they supposed to do about that?

No problem. Naruto had outside help!

It was time to unleash you! Go, Hashikachu!

"Hmm, how about you go gambl-"

Before Hashirama could finish, little Kurama knocked him over with a sweep of his tail.

Kurama: I used to cower, but now I come out swinging!

"Hashirama, have you lost your mind? Sending three four-year-olds to a casino?"

"Kid, don't listen to that bastard teacher of yours. We can catch some fish or go eat at a restaurant."

Sigh. As the evil Nine-Tailed Fox, how had I ended up playing the nanny? What was going on here?

"Oh, I see."

Naruto spoke, then suggested the idea to his two friends.

"How about we go eat barbecue?"

There was a barbecue restaurant on South Street run by the Akimichi Clan, which also worked with the Nara Clan.

That meant their barbecue came in generous portions, smelled delicious, and nourished the body too.

Naruto had been drawn by the aroma of grilled meat while wandering around before, but eating barbecue alone always felt a little lackluster.

Now he could take his two good friends with him. Wouldn't that be fun?

"Huh? We're going out to eat?"

Hinata actually didn't wander around outside very often. After all, she had proper instruction at home.

Hashirama & Kurama: So we're not proper, is that it?

So she actually wasn't very familiar with the village yet.

"The place on South Street?"

Sasuke asked. His older brother had taken him there once for his birthday, and it had been delicious.

"What do you think? I... I'll treat you."

Although the barbecue there might be expensive, he was going with his only two friends, so Naruto decided to offer to pay.

Besides, Sasuke was his little follower, and Hinata was a girl. Of course he should treat them.

"Shut up. Does the Uchiha Clan look short on money? You don't need to treat us."

Sasuke knew Naruto's circumstances. After all, he had come to visit several times already and knew that both his parents were dead and that he lived alone on relief payments.

"Then... let's split the bill."

Hinata timidly suggested, looking at Naruto with her white eyes that held a faint blue tint.

After all, those two were the young master and young lady of major clans. How could they possibly be short on money?

Naruto paused, then nodded happily.

"Okay. Let's go."

Meanwhile, in the Sealing Space, Hashirama held a handkerchief he had produced from who knew where, wiping away his tears of emotion.

"Oh, my little Naruto can finally go out to eat with his friends."

Kurama watched Hashirama's antics speechlessly and sighed to himself.

Well, he was someone who could get along with Madara, after all. I couldn't expect his mind to work all that normally.

Their younger brothers, on the other hand, both had clear heads. Unfortunately, one had died, while the other had been kept down by his own older brother for most of his life.

There were quite a few pedestrians on the road, and many of the dimwitted villagers who had seen Naruto before looked at the three little ones with fear in their eyes.

Naruto was starting to regret coming out. Although both his friends knew his identity as the Nine-Tailed Fox, they had never truly experienced being treated with that kind of hostility.

He was a little worried his two friends would be scared off just like that.

"Hey, what are you staring at? The Uchiha Clan is coming through! Clear out if you've got no business here!"

Sasuke jumped out and shouted at the villagers who were looking at Naruto with hostility.

After all, the Uchiha Clan served as the Konoha Military Police Force, specifically handling civil disputes like these, so they still carried quite a bit of authority among the villagers.

The villagers who saw the Uchiha Gunbai on his clothes lowered their heads.

"Shh, that demon fox has found himself new backers."

"Those two children are from the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, aren't they? Tricked by the demon fox at such a young age. What a shame."

"Why aren't their families' adults doing anything about it? Could their clans be accomplices of the Nine-Tailed Fox too?"

"Keep your voice down. If that Uchiha brat hears you, your house will be raided and sealed off tomorrow."

"Ah, the world is going downhill."

The villagers' chatter reached Naruto's ears. At that moment, regret and worry filled his heart.

Suddenly, a soft little hand took Naruto's right hand.

"Naruto, we won't play with them."

Hinata spoke into Naruto's right ear.

"You're not some Nine-Tailed Fox."

"You're my good friend, Naruto Uzumaki."

Hinata mustered her courage and spoke, her little face reddening as she did.

"Hey, Naruto, ignore these people. I'll have my big brother arrest them all later. Let's hurry up and get barbecue."

Sasuke also took Naruto's left arm and led him along at a faster pace.

A light appeared once more in Naruto's eyes, which had dimmed.

"Okay, let's go."

And so the three little ones arrived at the Akimichi BBQ Restaurant, one holding his little hand and the other tugging his arm.

As soon as they pushed open the door, they were greeted by a slightly plump woman.

Behind the counter, Akimichi Aoi watched the three little ones approach. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, but she immediately spoke.

"Children, are you here for barbecue?"

Her tone was very gentle, completely different from those dimwitted villagers outside.

"Yes! I'm Naruto, this is Sasuke, and this is Hinata."

Naruto nodded happily, though he also let go of Hinata's hand. After all, Sasuke had released his arm too.

Hinata's face was a little flushed, and her ears were almost steaming.

"Oh, I see. Come along, I'll find you a table."

Akimichi Aoi saw a signal from an ANBU member behind the three little ones, then patiently led them to their seats.

Before long, the meat arrived. This was choice beef, its aroma brought out with specially prepared herbs, making all three little ones drool.

"Boo-hoo, Kurama, I want some too!"

Hashirama nudged little Kurama, who was lying beside him, and spoke hungrily.

"..."

Kurama no longer wanted to comment on this.

"Naruto, remember to pack some up and bring it back for your teacher."

Hashirama's voice traveled straight from the Sealing Space into Naruto's mind.

Watching Hashirama trying to get a share of three children's barbecue, Kurama wordlessly covered his eyes with his tail.

How humiliating. To think I lost to this guy back then.