Konoha.
Today was another warm, sunny day.
On the village streets, Naruto dragged Iruka along in a mad sprint, kicking up a cloud of dust behind them and drawing the attention of the passing villagers.
"Tch! Who are those two? So annoying!"
"Hey, isn't that Iruka? What's he doing with that brat?"
"Ugh, no wonder it felt unlucky today!"
"Seriously, why does Lord Hokage even bother keeping that trash around?"
But the moment they caught sight of the shiny new forehead protector on Naruto's head, with the familiar, yet jarring, engraved leaf symbol, the villagers' expressions twisted in disbelief.
Shock.
Disbelief.
A complete inability to process what they were seeing.
That eternal loser, the village's infamous dead-last… had become a genin?
The very people who had just been badmouthing Naruto now found their faces burning with embarrassment. They wished they could dig a hole and bury their heads.
And though their contempt didn't vanish entirely, they did rein it in.
After all, a true shinobi, even a rookie genin, was no longer someone mere civilians could afford to provoke.
But Naruto didn't care about their looks or whispers.
All he wanted was to run faster. He couldn't wait to tell his big brother, Yuuta, the good news,
That he was finally, truly… a ninja!
Even Yuuta himself probably hadn't realized:
In Naruto's heart, Yuuta's importance now rivaled even Iruka-sensei's.
Soon, the humble little shop across from the bustling Ichiraku Ramen came into view.
Iruka's first reaction was simple and direct:
This place is dead!
Compared to the long line outside Ichiraku, Yuuta's place was deserted, visibly empty.
"Naruto, is your big brother's ramen really that good?"
Iruka raised an eyebrow, masking his concern beneath a casual tone.
He'd never heard of Naruto having an older brother before. As a teacher, Iruka felt obligated to step in. He needed to assess whether this so-called "brother" was a bad influence.
Naruto, of course, had no idea what Iruka was thinking. The moment he heard doubt in Iruka's voice about his idol, he exploded.
"Iruka-sensei! That's because you haven't tried it! It's the most delicious ramen in the whole world!"
The poor kid's been scammed hard, Iruka sighed inwardly.
He had already made up his mind, this so-called "Yuuta" must be a con artist. A despicable man who preyed on innocent kids to make money.
No way! I have to expose his lies and protect Naruto before it's too late.
The teacher's spirit within Iruka roared to life.
Alright then. I'll start with this so-called ramen of his.
His gaze sharpened like a drawn blade, glinting with determination.
The two soon arrived outside Yuuta's small restaurant.
Iruka surveyed the surroundings and frowned.
The shop didn't even have a name.
There were only two tables.
No decorations. No ambiance.
Only a lonely menu posted on the wall.
And then… Iruka saw the prices.
A bowl of beef ramen: 128 ryo.
A cup of ice cream: 250 ryo.
What the hell is this?!
Iruka almost choked.
No wonder this guy was tricking Naruto! At these prices, no sane person would eat here!
At last, he felt he'd uncovered the truth.
A shady con man using sky-high prices to lure gullible children.
Just then, Naruto's excited voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Big bro! I'm officially a ninja now! Iruka-sensei's treating me today, so I'm gonna feast!"
Naruto beamed with pride as he looked at Yuuta.
"Congratulations, Naruto," Yuuta smiled. "You've taken your first step toward becoming Hokage."
"So, what would you like to eat today?"
Naruto scanned the menu, stopping at the unfamiliar item.
"Huh? Big bro, what's this new thing? Ice cream? Why is it so expensive?!"
Yuuta replied calmly,
"Oh, that's a premium dessert from the Land of Snow, only nobles and royals get to eat it. Want to try one?"
"Hmm… Sure! Since Iruka-sensei's paying, I'll have one of everything!"
Iruka's face twitched.
What noble-tier dessert?! That was clearly a made-up sales pitch!
And those absurd prices, was this daylight robbery?
Iruka couldn't just let Naruto order freely. Not without burning a hole in his own modest teacher's salary. He didn't want to be kneeling on a washboard tonight…
After all, that one order was practically a tenth of his monthly income!
His heart bleeding, Iruka intervened.
"Wait, Naruto… maybe we should think about this a little first."
"Huh? Iruka-sensei, what are you saying? You're not going back on your word, are you?!"
Naruto glared, puffing up in defiance.
Their eyes locked.
Through Naruto's fierce little scowl, Iruka suddenly saw something else,
A wounded beast hiding its pain, baring its fangs so no one would see it cry.
And in that moment, Iruka remembered…
How Naruto vandalized the Hokage Monument, just to get someone, anyone, to look his way.
At the end of the day, he was still just a kid.
Iruka's heart softened.
"Alright," he exhaled, as if making a major life decision.
"Fine. Let's give it a try and see if this food is really as good as you say."
He gritted his teeth and forced out the next sentence like it cost him years of his life.
"Don't worry, I'm buying."
"Woohoo! I knew Iruka-sensei was the best!"
Naruto cheered, instantly tossing away all doubt and stress.
Seeing his student so joyful, Iruka felt a rare sense of peace.
What could be more important than a student's happiness?
Resolved, Iruka looked at Yuuta and said,
"I'll have one bowl of beef ramen, please."
Even so, he couldn't summon the courage to order the ice cream.
He really didn't want to face a washboard tonight.
Good thing I've got a little emergency fund saved up…
He chuckled dryly to himself.
"One moment, please," Yuuta said with a smile.
Today was definitely his lucky day.
His rent was due soon, and without new income, he might've been evicted.
But now…
Yuuta's first real customer had arrived.
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