As the rain gradually subsided, Naruto gulped down a huge bowl of miso ramen and let out a satisfied sound.
"This is great. It's a beautiful day."
Yes, for Naruto, a good meal was happiness.
And today, he had met someone who didn't hate him, which made it even more beautiful.
Kakashi was speechless as he watched Naruto polish off the ramen from a bowl nearly the size of a basin.
Where on earth did Teuchi find such a big bowl? He had never seen it before.
Also… was Naruto's appetite modeled after a Saiyan? The yellow hair did make the comparison suspicious.
"Thank you so much, Brother White Fang and Uncle Teuchi!"
Naruto folded his hands in gratitude.
"Well, you're welcome. After eating my noodles, we're friends from now on."
Naruto was stunned. Friend? Such a distant and unfamiliar word.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Naruto's frozen expression, Kakashi couldn't help but ask.
"No... it's nothing."
"Alright then. You full?"
"Yeah, I'm full."
"Then let's go."
"Go? Go where?" Naruto asked, a bit confused.
Kakashi knocked him lightly on the head. "You knucklehead. Didn't I just say I'd teach you ninjutsu?"
Naruto's eyes lit up. He leaned in eagerly. "Really? Right now?"
"Of course it's true. If you want to learn ninjutsu, follow me."
With that, Kakashi strode out of the shop, moving so fast Naruto could hardly react.
"So fast! That's amazing! I've got to learn how to do that!"
Determination lit up Naruto's face, and he bolted out the door.
"Brother White Fang, wait for me!"
Teuchi watched them leave, a warm smile on his face, and muttered, "It's fate."
From behind the counter, Ayame tugged at Teuchi's sleeve.
"What is it, Ayame?"
"Dad, I don't think Brother Kakashi paid."
Ayame's soft voice shifted Teuchi's mood instantly. He growled, "That rascal! Eating and running? Next time, I'm collecting payment upfront!"
Kakashi hadn't meant to skip the bill—he just genuinely forgot. That giant bowl was eaten by Naruto anyway, though Kakashi did say he'd treat.
Outside, a chase scene played out between two figures.
Kakashi moved quickly, but deliberately kept himself just visible enough for Naruto to see—but not catch up.
It wasn't long before Naruto was panting heavily.
After all, how much stamina could a four-year-old have? Even in the ninja world, children had limits.
Leaning on his knees, sweat dripped from Naruto's brow and pooled on the damp ground.
"Darn it... I can't catch up! No! I can't give up now! If I do... this chance might disappear, and…"
Naruto raised his head again and pushed himself to keep running.
How could something like this stop me?
I need to earn Brother White Fang's approval!
Kakashi, up ahead, smiled faintly. That's Naruto Uzumaki for you… That perseverance isn't something just anyone has.
In post-rain Konoha, two figures—one tall, one small—ran through the streets, kicking up splashes in their wake.
Eventually, Kakashi came to a stop—at a location full of significance.
Training Ground Seven.
When he turned around, Naruto had finally caught up, soaked and disheveled, his blond hair dull from sweat and rain.
But those sky-blue eyes still burned with determination.
"I... caught up... with you... Brother White Fang."
Naruto panted heavily, chest heaving like it might burst.
"Well done. Welcome to Training Ground Seven."
Kakashi's hands were in his pockets, and that signature crescent-shaped eye curve appeared again.
Naruto glanced around. Besides the trees, there were three wooden training posts in the center. It looked a bit empty, and Naruto had no idea why Kakashi had brought him here—but he didn't ask. He was too tired to speak.
"Having this kind of stamina at your age is impressive," Kakashi said. "But becoming a ninja isn't easy. Are you ready?"
"Of course! I... definitely... will succeed!"
Exhausted though he was, Naruto held firmly to his resolve. Even if his body failed, his words carried his unshakable will.
"Good. Then let's begin our first lesson."
"What is it?"
Naruto looked up with eager anticipation. He'd seen ninjas leap between rooftops and vanish in puffs of smoke, but never understood how they did it. He envied them with all his heart.
"Lesson one is about nindō."
Kakashi looked up at the sky, freshly washed by the rain—clear and blue.
"Nindō? What's that?"
The young Naruto clearly didn't understand. His bright eyes filled with confusion.
"Hmm... how do I explain this? It's like your personal code, your belief. The way of your ninja path."
Kakashi's laid-back voice somehow gave the moment a dreamlike air.
"Belief? I have one!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled as he quickly answered.
"Oh? Already? What is it?"
Kakashi was genuinely curious. He didn't expect a child with Naruto's hardships to have already formed a belief. Was his tough life making him mature faster?
"Of course I have one! If being a ninja means belief, then Naruto Uzumaki's way of ninja is to charge forward bravely—say it and do it!"
At that moment, Naruto's small body seemed to radiate a massive energy. The simple words hit Kakashi with unexpected force.
To think Naruto had already established a nindō at his age... truly remarkable.
"That's a strong nindō. You'll become a great ninja, Naruto."
"Really? I think so too!" Naruto beamed, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish smile.
He looked innocent and adorable.
But even more than cute—he was genuinely determined.
"Since you have your nindō now, let's begin the real training. The most important thing for a ninja: chakra…"
As the sun began to set, the two figures in the training field continued their lesson.
One spoke with care; the other listened with passion.
It was a gentle moment.
Their shadows stretched long across the ground—Naruto's little one swallowed up beneath Kakashi's.
The young eagle hadn't learned to fly yet.
But under the shelter of a powerful wing, it could begin to grow.
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