Naruto stood in front of the cracked mirror, tugging his orange jacket straight. It didn't matter how many times he did it. It was still loud, ugly, and stiff at the joints. But today, appearances had to be at least halfway decent.
He needed a job.
The monthly allowance the village gave him—barely enough for food and toiletries—was not going to cut it. Not if he wanted clothes that didn't glow like a safety cone. Not if he wanted sealing materials, chakra paper, or even a second bowl to eat from.
It wasn't even that the allowance was unfair. He just... ate a lot. Always had.
First stop: Ichiraku Ramen.
He pushed the noren curtain aside and peeked in. Teuchi was behind the counter, humming quietly as Ayame prepped ingredients.
"Yo, old man Teuchi!" Naruto called out, mustering a smile.
"Ah, Naruto!" Teuchi grinned. "Didn't expect you so early. Want your usual?"
"Not today." Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Actually, I was wondering if you guys were, uh... hiring?"
Teuchi blinked, surprised. Ayame looked over from the chopping board.
"Well," Teuchi said, a little apologetically, "with just the two of us, it's already kind of tight back here. We manage fine, you know?"
"Oh." Naruto forced a nod. "Yeah. Makes sense."
"Sorry, kiddo. You asking around for work?"
"Yeah. Gotta save up."
"Try the dango place near the academy. Might have better luck there."
Naruto thanked him and left, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
The dango shop turned him away before he even finished asking.
"No openings," the server said flatly. "We don't hire kids."
That stung a little.
Next was Yakiniku Q. He was halfway there when he heard familiar voices.
"Oi, Naruto!" Shikamaru waved lazily from across the street, walking with Chōji and Ino. "What're you doing out so early? Didn't peg you for a morning type."
Chōji offered a half-eaten bag of chips. "Want some?"
"Nah, I'm good," Naruto replied, shaking his head. "I'm looking for a job."
"A job?" Chōji blinked.
Ino raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You're looking for work?"
"Yeah," Naruto said, hands still in his pockets. "Any kind, really. As long as it pays."
Ino gave Shikamaru and Chōji a look. "I'll catch up later."
Before Naruto could react, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him down the street.
"Wh—hey! What're you—"
"You said you want a job," she said over her shoulder. "Come on. I'll get you one."
Shikamaru just sighed. "Troublesome."
Chōji munched another chip. "He's doomed."
Ino brought him into a modest flower shop nestled between a tailor's and a tea house. The air was thick with the scent of fresh petals and damp soil, cool and calming. Baskets of chrysanthemums, lilies, and sunflowers were arranged neatly along the shelves, casting dappled color in every direction.
Behind the counter stood a woman with soft, mature features and long blonde hair tied into a clean bun. She looked up from trimming a bouquet, and for a long moment, her eyes fixed on Naruto.
She didn't say anything at first.
Her hands paused. Her breath caught almost imperceptibly, and her gaze lingered, sharp and distant. Like she was seeing a ghost. A memory.
Naruto held her gaze calmly, watching the flicker in her expression. He knew that look. He reminded her of someone. He could guess who.
In that silence, the shape of Kushina Uzumaki flickered behind her eyes. The same jawline, the same stubborn fire behind the eyes, the same presence, even if the hair and eyes were his father's. But Ayaka said nothing.
"Mom!" Ino called out, snapping the moment in two. "Naruto's looking for a job."
Ayaka blinked. Her composure returned like a drawn curtain. "Naruto... Uzumaki?"
He gave a short wave. "Hey."
She stepped out from behind the counter, wiping her hands on a cloth. Her eyes didn't leave him.
"You're looking for work?"
"Yeah," Naruto replied. "Anything's fine. Just enough to get by."
She looked at him for a moment longer and then smiled, the kind that didn't quite reach the corners of her eyes.
"Well... we could use someone to help organize the back, clean the stems, change the flower buckets, that sort of thing. You'll be at the counter with Ino sometimes too."
Naruto straightened a little. "I can do that."
"But no pranks on customers," she added, raising an eyebrow. "None."
He gave a mock salute. "Understood."
"And if you cause trouble," she said, narrowing her eyes in that parent kind of way, "I will personally throw you out. Deal?"
"Crystal," Naruto replied, grinning.
Then her tone shifted, just slightly softer. "Why are you looking for work, Naruto?"
Naruto glanced away. "The allowance I get. It's enough for food, barely. But nothing else. And it runs out fast."
She was quiet for a beat. Something sad touched her features again, deeper this time. Not pity. Something closer to regret. Or maybe powerlessness.
"I see," she murmured. "That must be hard."
She could've said so much more. But she didn't. She couldn't. The weight of secrets she was never allowed to speak hovered in the air between them.
Ino, oblivious, tilted her head. "Mom? You okay?"
Ayaka looked back at her daughter, then smiled gently. "Nothing, dear."
Turning back to Naruto, she extended her hand. "You're hired. Come by at eight in the morning. Don't be late."
Naruto blinked. "Wait, seriously?"
"Yes, seriously." Then she gave him a softer look. "And don't call me ma'am. Call me aunty. You're Ino's friend, aren't you?"
Ino raised an eyebrow. "Wai. Why is he calling you aun...?"
"Go show him the backroom, Ino," Ayaka said smoothly, already turning toward the counter. "Make sure he learns how to prep the flower buckets too."
Ino huffed. "Ugh, fine. Come on, Naruto."
As Naruto followed her into the back, he caught one last glance from Ayaka. Distant. Warm. And hollow, all at once.
"Sure, Aunty," he said quietly.