Chapter 24 – Naruto
Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Hey, crybaby. Why are you such a mess?"
Naruto quickly wiped the gloomy look from his face.
"Huh?. Where have you been lately, idiot? I haven't seen you by the lake."
Sasuke and Naruto had known each other since childhood. Sasuke often trained by the lake, practicing his Fire Style techniques. But lately, he had been absent. Naruto had noticed.
Lately, dark rumours have surrounded the Uchiha clan. To children, rumours usually just meant something bad.
"My father sent me out for a bit. Other than that, I've been locked up at home. It's been so boring," Sasuke said casually.
Naruto asked cautiously, "Sasuke… is something wrong at home?"
Sasuke almost snapped, but seeing Naruto's concerned face, he only snorted coolly.
"No. I'm an Uchiha. I'm fine."
Naruto had always envied Sasuke for having a family. He had no father, no mother—just the Third Hokage who visited now and then.
He didn't understand why people called him a "fox demon" or why no one wanted to be friends with him.
But Sasuke, Choji, Shikamaru… they never bullied him. They were the few he could be close to.
He worried that something had happened to Sasuke's family. He didn't want Sasuke to end up like him—alone, unwanted.
Unbeknownst to them, several ANBU were perched on the treetops nearby. They had been ordered by the Hokage to monitor the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki 24/7. Everything Naruto did—what he said, ate, and even whom he met—had to be reported.
Watching nearby was Uchiha Kaien.
Fugaku had asked Kaien to take Sasuke as his disciple. But first, Kaien wanted to observe Sasuke for himself.
So far, he saw only a kind-hearted kid—a bit arrogant, sure, but still a child. Sasuke had received elite training at home: shuriken, Fire Style, the works.
Yet he chose to drive away bullies with just taijutsu.
Then, he comforted Naruto.
Kaien stroked his chin. Perhaps he had been too harsh in his earlier judgments. After the massacre, Sasuke had no one to guide him. His mistakes weren't entirely his fault.
This Sasuke, untouched by tragedy, was still a good kid.
There was still time.
With a decisive motion, Kaien dropped from the tree—startling both boys.
Sasuke instinctively stepped in front of Naruto, wary, until Kaien revealed his Sharingan.
"Sasuke, do you recognise me?" Kaien asked.
The Sharingan was proof. Clan.
"…Kaien-senpai?" Sasuke squinted. The memory clicked.
"I heard you're… deputy clan leader now?"
Kaien waved the title off.
"What's that matter? Just call me senior."
Sasuke smiled. "Okay, Kaien-senpai."
Kaien raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I tell you to head straight home when you got back to the village? What are you doing here?"
Sasuke hesitated. "I… heard things. So I came here, a bit upset…"
"No more of that. You must be hungry. I'll take you to eat."
He ruffled Sasuke's hair.
"Okay…" Sasuke grumbled, trying to dodge the hand, but didn't move away.
Naruto stood awkwardly to the side, eyes filled with envy and sadness.
"I'll go home for dinner, too," Naruto said, trying to sound cheerful. "There should be a cup of instant noodles at home."
"Wait a second," Kaien smiled. "You're Sasuke's friend, right?"
Naruto sniffled. "Yeah uncle! I'm Uzumaki Naruto! I'm gonna be Hokage someday!"
"Uncle?" Kaien twitched.
He was the same age as Kakashi! In a world where people married young and fought even younger, he could tolerate it, but still...
Ignoring the title, Kaien had already sized Naruto up. Dirty clothes, pale face. If he hadn't inherited the Uzumaki's resilient body, he'd be sick by now.
He cursed the Third Hokage internally. Useless old man.
"Well then, Naruto," Kaien said kindly. "How about I treat you to ramen?"
"Really!? For real, Uncle— I mean, Kaien-senpai!?" Naruto's eyes sparkled.
Kaien gave a pained smile. "Just call me senior, not uncle."
Naruto beamed. "Okay! Kaien-senpai!"
He could sense who genuinely cared, and Kaien's sincerity touched him.
"Let's go, Sasuke," Kaien waved, already walking. Sasuke stuffed his hands back in his pockets and followed, cool as ever.
"Hmph. What a pain."
But he didn't object. Seeing Naruto happy, he chose to stay silent.
As the three left the woods, the ANBU looked at one another.
"Uchiha Kaien is getting close to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki…"
"Report to the Hokage immediately!"
"Yes!"
Ichiraku Ramen Shop
The curtain was pulled aside. Kaien entered with Sasuke and Naruto.
No other customers were there—just Teuchi and Ayame.
"Old man Ichiraku! I'm here again!" Naruto yelled.
Sasuke cringed, turning away like he didn't know Naruto.
Teuchi chuckled. "Naruto, what'll it be today?"
Naruto grinned, then caught Kaien's sharp gaze.
"…Kaien-senpai, can I have pork bone ramen?"
Kaien glanced at the menu, then shook his head.
"Not the pork bone ramen."
Naruto's face fell.
"…Is that a no?"
Kaien pointed at the menu. "He'll have the Grand Slam."
A luxurious ramen with meat, eggs, chicken, chashu, and more.
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Long live Kaien-senpai!!"
It was more than he had ever eaten.
Kaien chuckled. "One pork bone ramen for me. Sasuke, get whatever you want."
Just then, Kaien felt a chakra sweep over them.
He didn't look up.
"The Third's crystal ball, huh?" He smirked.
"Not there when Naruto was starving. But show up when someone finally cares. Typical."
….
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Translated By – Ancient Lores
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