The more you ate, the hungrier you felt.
No wonder Naruto could down ten bowls in the anime. Each serving here was so small it barely took two or three bites. You wouldn't even feed a cat with this portion!
Naruto stared at the bottom of his bowl. At first, he thought ordering ten bowls was too much, but looking at this now… he could easily eat five more!
This shouldn't even be called ramen—it was just a mouthful of noodles!
Still, despite the small portions, the taste was amazing—far better than any noodles he'd had before.
Iruka finished his bowl, tilted his head back, and drank the last drop of broth. He raised his hand toward Teuchi, the ramen shop's owner. Without even turning around, Teuchi lifted his hand in an "OK" sign and got right back to work.
Iruka then glanced at Naruto, who was stretching his neck forward impatiently, waiting for his next bowl. After a moment of thought, he reached up, untied his Konoha forehead protector, and gently tied it around Naruto's head.
Naruto blinked in surprise at the sudden weight on his forehead. Looking up, he saw Iruka fastening the protector for him. For a moment, he froze—then realization struck.
Oh right, this is the part where Iruka gives Naruto his forehead protector… to celebrate his graduation from the Academy.
"Teacher Iruka… this is…"
It was time to put on his best acting face. Naruto's eyes welled up with tears as he spoke, his voice trembling with emotion.
"From now on, Naruto, you are a true shinobi of Konoha." Iruka smiled warmly, relief softening his features.
"Little Naruto, I know I was harsh on you in the past. Thinking back, I realize how poorly I treated you. I feel ashamed. As your teacher, I failed to live up to my responsibility… and for that, I'm sorry."
Iruka's words were slow, heavy with sincerity. The relief in his eyes gradually shifted into deep apology.
"Teacher… please don't say that. You've always been good to me. I'm grateful for your recognition." Naruto lowered his head, embarrassed. Deep inside, he felt guilty. His clumsy act seemed unworthy in front of Iruka's genuine emotions, and he couldn't meet his teacher's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Naruto," Iruka continued. "In the beginning, I let the villagers' hatred influence me. I looked at you differently, like they did. But after today, I understand… you are my student. And you're also a victim of circumstances you never chose."
"You're truly exceptional, Naruto. I'm proud to call you my student."
"I was amazed when you mastered a forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals. That's no small feat. In time, I believe you'll become an outstanding shinobi of Konoha. Maybe even a Hokage—a hero of the village, just as you've always dreamed."
Naruto's lips twitched involuntarily. If not for his transmigration, maybe things would have followed that path. Naruto would have become the Seventh Hokage, married the gentle and beautiful Hinata, and raised a happy family with a son and daughter.
But now… things were different. He couldn't guarantee he'd become Hokage. In fact, he knew he wouldn't remain Konoha's hero at all. His hidden mission was to defect from the village—or else die once time ran out.
Yet, looking at Iruka's hopeful face and hearing his heartfelt words, a sense of reluctance crept in. After all, people were made of flesh and blood. Iruka, once cold and prejudiced toward Naruto, had come to genuinely care for him after the Mizuki incident. That kindness remained unchanged even into Naruto's adulthood. Many fans cherished Iruka for that very reason: whenever Naruto teetered on the edge of despair, Iruka's compassion pulled him back.
But Naruto was no longer the same boy.
"Congratulations," Iruka said sincerely. "You are now a ninja of Konoha."
He placed a fresh, steaming bowl of ramen before Naruto, smiling brightly.
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei! I'll definitely become an excellent shinobi!" Naruto said with teary eyes.
But in his heart, he whispered an apology. He no longer dreamed of becoming Hokage or protecting the village. Instead, he carried the burden of leaving it behind.
"You're no longer a child, Naruto. You're a shinobi now. And shinobi don't cry." Iruka ruffled his hair gently.
"Eat up, future rookie of Konoha—the rising star of tomorrow! Uzumaki Naruto, the great ninja!"
Naruto bowed his head and devoured the ramen with gusto. But as he ate, the memories of the villagers' hatred mixed with Iruka's rare kindness, flickering deep in his heart like stubborn embers.
It's said that if you've once been drenched by the rain, you'll hold out an umbrella for others. To Naruto, Iruka was exactly that kind of person.
But Satoru—now living as Uzumaki Naruto—still carried twelve years of Naruto's memories.
He hadn't forgotten how the villagers of Konoha treated him day after day.
And now that he'd crossed over from modern times into an anime world, especially into the body of the protagonist… there was no way he'd just muddle through life step by step like in the original story.
When you become the main character of a world like this—gifted with power, presence, and a system plug-in—why would you need recognition from others?
No. It should be this world that seeks my recognition!
After all, the power scale in Naruto was enough to shatter the world. One Chibaku Tensei, and Konoha would be reduced to rubble. One Tailed Beast Bomb, and half the village would vanish. The Infinite Tsukuyomi could engulf the entire shinobi world in illusion.
And beyond the battles, this world was filled with so many beautiful kunoichi—slender figures, long legs, alluring charm. Why settle for just one wife? A true ruler deserved three wives and four concubines!
If this was originally a monogamous world, then my arrival is to correct it!
Only I, Uzumaki Naruto, will set the rules of this new world! The laws of the shinobi world will be written by me alone.
Others can cling to their old customs of one husband and one wife—but I, empowered by the system and destined as the strongest force in this world, will not be bound by such limits!
Power is the only truth!
If anyone refuses to acknowledge it, let them stand before me—
—and I'll beat them until they submit!
If they still disagree, then let them prove themselves—by defeating Uchiha Madara!
Unite all nations. Become the supreme sovereign of the shinobi world. That was Naruto's truest conviction after crossing over.
"Hey, great ninja Naruto-sama, you'd better train hard!"
A cheerful voice broke his thoughts. It was Teuchi's daughter, Ayame, carrying a playful smile as she leaned forward, holding a giant ladle piled with beef. With a laugh, she dropped it generously into Naruto's ramen bowl.
"Thank you, Ayame-neechan! You're the best!"
Naruto beamed, his blue eyes sparkling. Meat! Finally, meat! Who cared about plain noodles anymore?
As expected of the ramen beauty of the series—gentle, pretty, and kind.