Chapter 3: Ichiraku Ramen
Pushing aside the curtain, a rich, warm aroma of food wafted over, instantly dispelling the chill from outside.
The Ichiraku Ramen shop was brightly lit, a stark contrast to the dim, cold snowy weather outside.
"Yo! Naruto, you're here so early!"
Teuchi-ossan, wearing a headband, immediately showed a kind smile upon seeing his familiar young customer.
Naruto, accustomed to the place, plopped down in the center seat at the counter and ordered loudly: "Teuchi-ossan, one bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, extra narutomaki and bamboo shoots!"
This was his most familiar and luxurious configuration.
Naruto in his original world didn't like bamboo shoots, but it was fine as long as he liked them now.
Bamboo shoots are so fragrant!
After ordering, he quickly turned to Hinata, who was carefully sitting next to him, and his tone became slightly lighter: "What about you, Hinata? The Miso Ramen and Chashu Ramen here are also very delicious!"
Hinata's hands were neatly placed on her knees. Feeling the curious gazes from Teuchi and Ayame, her fair little face flushed slightly.
She lowered her head and said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, yet clear enough for those nearby to hear: "As for me... I'll have the same as Naruto-kun..."
"Old man, she said the same as me."
"Alright! Two bowls of special Tonkotsu Ramen, with extra narutomaki and bamboo shoots!"
Teuchi-ossan nodded cheerfully and began preparing the ramen, while giving Naruto a meaningful glance, as if to say, "This kid actually brought a little girl today, that's impressive."
The previous Naruto had also brought Kiba Inuzuka, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and... who was it again? Someone from the Aburame clan, he couldn't remember the name, these friends had been here before.
But this was the first time he'd brought a little girl!
The rising steam, the aroma of food, and the vibrant presence of the blonde boy beside her made Hinata's tense nerves unconsciously relax.
This small ramen shop seemed to become a warm, secluded haven in the icy world.
Wind and snow howled outside the ramen shop's curtain, bringing gusts of cold.
Two figures silently appeared at a nearby street corner. The leader was none other than Hiashi Hyuga. His expression was calm, and his steps were steady as he walked towards the warmly lit shop.
However, just as he took a few steps, a hand holding a pipe blocked his way.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had appeared there at some point, holding his pipe, a thin layer of snow on his Hokage hat, indicating he had been standing there for a long time.
"Lord Third."
Hiashi Hyuga's eyes flickered, and he immediately stopped, bowing to the Third Hokage along with the Hyuga clansmen behind him.
The Third Hokage reached out, gently but firmly holding his arm, stopping his further courtesies.
"No need for formalities, Hiashi."
Hiashi straightened up, his Byakugan eyes looking towards the warm curtain, his tone steady: "That person's identity is special... it might be inappropriate for my daughter to be too close to him. I will take her back now."
"Hiashi."
The wind and snow howled between them, but could not conceal the weight in the Third Hokage's calm words.
"We shouldn't interfere too much with children's matters."
He took a deep puff from his pipe, the orange-red ember flickering rapidly in the dimness, then slowly exhaled a long stream of smoke.
His gaze was distant. As the cold wind rustled the curtain, he clearly saw the two children sitting side-by-side, enjoying their steaming ramen.
One's smile was like sunshine, the other's like a crescent moon.
"Although he's ostracized, Naruto is remarkably cheerful."
The Third Hokage's tone carried a hint of subtle emotion.
"But because of his 'special identity,' there are very few people in the Village who are truly willing and brave enough to approach him and become his friends. But even the Nara boy has become his friend, what are you still worried about?"
His voice paused slightly, and his gaze shifted to Hiashi's all-seeing Byakugan. His tone became even deeper: "I remember, your daughter Hinata, in the Ninja Academy, also seemed to be unsociable and didn't have many friends due to her introverted personality, right?"
Without waiting for Hiashi's reply, the Third Hokage continued, his voice carrying a guiding persuasion: "You see, two lonely children have met at this moment.
One stepped forward to protect the other, and the other sincerely expressed gratitude.
If they can become friends because of this fate, and form a precious bond..."
The glow of the pipe illuminated the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, and also reflected the profound meaning in his words.
"Isn't this a good thing for both of them?
Lonely hearts need the warmth of companionship.
This bond might become the strength to support them on their respective paths."
Hiashi's pure white eyes flickered slightly. The Byakugan's ability allowed him to 'see' the scene behind the curtain more clearly than the Third Hokage.
His daughter Hinata's slightly curved brows and eyes greatly surprised him.
Indeed, it had been a very long time since he had seen his daughter display such an unclouded, relaxed, and happy expression.
Seeing that Hiashi still didn't respond, merely staring blankly at the light inside the ramen shop, the Third Hokage sighed silently in his heart.
The Hyuga Clan members were impeccable in their loyalty and strength, and undoubtedly loyal to the Village, but sometimes, this overly rigid adherence to tradition, this burden of a great clan, made them stubborn.
He put the pipe back to his mouth, and white smoke mixed with his exhaled breath swirled before his face.
He gave Hiashi a meaningful look, his tone still peaceful, but now carrying an undeniable decisiveness.
"Let them finish this bowl of ramen in peace!"
He repeated, his voice not loud.
"Consider this... a Hokage's order."
The words "Hokage's order" carried immense weight.
Hiashi's body stiffened slightly, pulled back to reality from his complex emotions about his daughter.
He was silent for a moment, finally withdrawing his gaze from the warm curtain. When he turned back to the Third Hokage, his eyes had regained their usual calm and restraint.
He bowed slightly, his voice low but clear:
"Yes, Lord Third."
The wind and snow continued, but the interference that sought to intrude had been quietly blocked outside.
With the hot ramen in their stomachs, even their fingertips felt warm again.
Naruto patted his stomach contentedly, grandly pulling out his small wallet, carefully counting the money, and placing it on the counter: "Teuchi-ossan, Ayame-neechan, thank you for the meal!"
Teuchi-ossan smiled as he took the money, his gaze gentle as he looked at the two children sitting side by side.
Ayame, on the other hand, gave an aunt-like smile, her gaze flitting between the somewhat shy Hinata and the cheerful Naruto.
Stepping out from behind the warm curtain, the wind and snow outside seemed to have lessened compared to when they arrived, but night had already fallen, and the streetlights on both sides of the road appeared especially warm against the backdrop of the accumulated snow.
The cold wrapped around him again. Naruto looked at the small Hinata beside him and naturally thought of what to do next.
He pulled his scarf tighter and said with a frank and firm tone: "I saw where your house was when I was training with Guy-ossan in the Village before."
He pointed in the direction of the Hyuga Clan Compound. "It's so dark and cold now, I'll walk you home!"
Hinata was slightly startled, looking up at Naruto.
The streetlight cast a faint halo on his golden hair, making him look like a little winter sun.
She instinctively wanted to refuse, feeling she shouldn't trouble him further, but looking at Naruto's clear blue eyes, filled with sincerity, the words caught in her throat, replaced by a strange sense of reassurance.
She gently lowered her head, unconsciously fiddling with the end of her scarf, and responded softly, her voice mixed with shyness and a trace of reliance she hadn't even noticed herself: "Mm... then I'll trouble Naruto-kun."
The two walked side by side, silently treading on the accumulated snow.
Their boots crunched in the snow, making a distinct sound in the quiet night.
Just as they turned the corner onto the main road leading to the Hyuga Clan Compound, Naruto's steps abruptly halted.
Under a streetlight not far ahead, two figures stood silently in the wind and snow, as if they had been waiting for a long time.
The leader wore traditional Hyuga Clan clothing, his Byakugan eyes appearing especially cold in the dim light. It was none other than the Hyuga Clan head—Hiashi Hyuga.
Beside him stood a solemn-faced Hyuga clansman, staring directly at Naruto and Hinata like a silent statue.
[end of chapter]