C28 Teuchi Ramen

After making sure they were alone, Naruto Uzumaki stared at Tenno in disbelief. He pointed to himself and asked with uncertainty, "Are you talking to me?"

Tenno let out a silent sigh. Here was the son of the Fourth Hokage, treated like this in his own village. The people of Konoha had truly crossed a line.

"Yes, you're the one who lost his money, right? I'm feeling generous today, so I'll treat you to some ramen. I can afford it," Tenno said, casually showing off his bulging wallet.

Naruto's eyes lit up with hope and gratitude. This was the first time anyone in the village had offered to buy him ramen, the first time he'd been treated with such kindness. Hungry from losing his money, he was so touched he nearly cried.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go eat," Tenno encouraged.

"I'm coming!" Naruto's face lit up with a brilliant smile. He sat down beside Tenno and with a grin said, "Then let's eat!"

Uncle Chiraku quickly brought over two bowls of steaming ramen. Tenno and Naruto picked up their chopsticks and said in chorus, "Let's eat!" They slurped down their ramen, the sound of their eating crisp in the air.

Fresh from a fight with Guy Might, Tenno's chakra was nearly spent, and he was famished. He wolfed down his ramen with zeal. Naruto, clearly just as hungry, matched him slurp for slurp.

Tenno's training in body techniques had increased his appetite significantly. At just seven years old, he was already eating like an adult.

Finishing his first bowl, Tenno was only a third full. He still had a ways to go. He knew Naruto was famous for his big appetite too, and now he watched longingly at the Teuchi Ramen in another bowl, obviously not satisfied with just one.

"Uncle, two more bowls, please!" Tenno called out, eager for another round as he and Naruto finished their first serving. Chiraku Ochan was quick to accommodate with more ramen.

"Dig in!" Tenno slid one of the steaming bowls of ramen across to Naruto.

Naruto hesitated, his expression one of confusion. "Is this bowl for me?"

With a casual shrug, Tenno replied, "Of course it is. I promised you a ramen treat, didn't I? Make sure you eat up. The noodles will get soggy if you wait too long."

"Thanks!" A warm blush tinged Naruto's cheeks as he smiled broadly.

A surge of joy filled him. Today was his lucky day, having crossed paths with such a kind person. Not only did Tenno not scorn him like the others, but he was also willing to share a meal with him. He was truly a good Samaritan!

"Uncle, two more bowls, please!" Tenno shouted after ten minutes had passed.

After polishing off five bowls for Tenno and three for Naruto, both were contentedly full. Teuchi Ramen truly was delicious.

Feeling revitalized with a full stomach, Tenno's fatigue from the earlier fight seemed to fade away. This was the joy that only food could bring!

Naruto looked up at Tenno with eyes full of admiration. "Wow, you can really eat! Five bowls of ramen, just like that? You're amazing!" he said with enthusiasm.

"You did great yourself, downing three bowls," Tenno complimented.

Naruto scratched his head, his face lighting up with an honest, simple smile. "I don't have much money for extras, so I usually only eat once a day. You really saved me today; otherwise, I'd have gone to bed hungry." He added shyly, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm going to be Hokage one day! What's your name?"

"Tenno, can we be friends?" Naruto asked, his voice tinged with hope yet laced with uncertainty.

He struggled to comprehend the life Naruto must have led before.

What heartless acts had Hiruzen Sarutobi committed over the years?

A wave of sympathy washed over Tenno as he reflected on Naruto's misfortune, his gaze softening with compassion.

"My name's Tenno."

"Tenno, can we be friends?" Naruto asked, his voice tinged with nervousness, as he cautiously approached Tenno.

Naruto felt uneasy; the villagers had always been reluctant to befriend him.

It was rare for him to find someone willing to get close. Would Tenno reject him because of the rumors, too?

"Absolutely!" Tenno replied, smiling reassuringly.

"But aren't you scared that I might be a fox demon?" Naruto blurted out, unable to contain his concern.

Naruto suspected that Tenno might be unaware of the widespread belief that he was a fox demon.

And it was for that very reason he felt compelled to bring it up now.

He already considered Tenno a friend and didn't want to keep this from him.

His greater fear was that Tenno might distance himself upon learning the truth about the fox demon.

"Naruto, aren't you just a kid, like me, right now?" Tenno said nonchalantly, dismissing the rumors as if they meant nothing.

Naruto stood frozen, then tears began to stream down his face.

"Why the tears?" Tenno inquired, puzzled.

"I'm sorry, it's just... I'm overwhelmed," Naruto managed to say, dabbing at his eyes with his sleeve.

"For the first time, someone sees me as Naruto, not as a fox demon. And for the first time, someone wants to be my friend."

"Come on, no more crying," Tenno said, patting Naruto on the shoulder with a chuckle. "Later on, I'll introduce you to my friends. You'll have plenty of friends then! They're all great people, too."

"Is that true?" Naruto asked, his eyes wide with amazement.

"Absolutely," Tenno assured him, smiling warmly at Naruto Uzumaki.

Just then, three system notifications echoed in Tenno's mind.

"Mission issued: Establish a friendly relationship with Naruto Uzumaki."

"[System Reward: Shadow Clone Shuriken blueprint.]"

"Mission completed!"

"[System Reward: Shadow Clone Shuriken blueprint.]"

"Quest Announcement: Collect the Chakra of the Nine-Tails (simply infuse the Chakra into the Kunai)."

"The system has awarded you the blueprint for the Multiple Shadow Clone Shuriken technique."