Naruto walked alongside Ino toward Ichiraku Ran, casting a sideways glance at her. "If you're that curious about the secret, how about you buy
dinner at ichiraku?"
Ino shrugged, a mischievous smile forming. "Fine, I'll pay for your ran. But you better spill the beans!"
anwhile, Inoichi had already reached the third Hokage's office and recounted Naruto's experiences that day, his face clouded with worry.
The Third Hokage listened thoughtfully, concern etched across his face.
"This hatred will only drive him further away," the Hokage said, troubled. "If this keeps up, he may lose faith in the village altogether… becoming a rogue ninja is not out of the question."
"Bring Naruto tomorrow, I am going to have a talk with him" the Hokage said.
Inoichi nodded gravely. "Understood. I'll bring him to speak with you tomorrow afternoon."
With that, he left, leaving the Hokage to ponder Naruto's future.
At Ichiraku Ran, Aya greeted them warmly as Naruto and Ino arrived. She flashed Naruto a cheerful smile. "Naruto! It's been a while. How's it going?"
"Hey, Aya! How's your dad?" Naruto asked, noticing her alone.
Aya sighed, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "Dad's under the weather today, and suffering from illness, so I'm running things solo. I barely managed to handle the lunch rush, but with dinnerti… it's going to be even harder."
Naruto smiled and offered, "We'll help you out. Right, Ino?"
Ino raised an eyebrow, clearly unenthusiastic. "Help? Why would I—"
"If you still want to hear the secret, help
help Aya," Naruto cut in, giving her a challenging look.
Ino rolled her eyes but finally sighed in defeat. "Fine, but just this once."
Naruto quickly transford into another boy around his age, and the two of them pitched in as the dinner crowd poured in. They served custors, cleared tables, and they carried trays of ran bowls. Ino was surprisingly skilled, while Naruto did his best to keep up, earning Aya's appreciation.
As the last custor left, both Naruto and Ino looks fine even with the heavy work but Aya looks exhausted. She slumped against the counter, exhausted but grateful. "Thank you both of you! I don't know how I'd have done it without you both." Then, she hesitated but asked them. "Could you… maybe teach
so basic ninja techniques soti?"
Naruto smiled. "Sure, I'll help with that."
Aya bead, and she served Naruto and Ino a bowl of steaming ran each before and she retreated inside.
Ino finally with Naruto alone, she turned to Naruto, her patience worn thin. "Alright, now spill the secret, or I swear I'll punch you right at the face."
Naruto chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll tell you."
After hearing the word secret, aya secretly evesdropped them from inside hiding herself.
Naruto glanced around, unaware that Aya had crept closer, eavesdropping from behind the doorway.
Taking a deep breath, Naruto began, "When I was born, the Fourth Hokage sealed a demon inside ."
Ino's eyes widened. "What kind of demon?"
Naruto's gaze grew distant as he continued. "The Nine-Tailed Fox. It attacked the village, causing destruction and death. The Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself to seal it inside . It was supposed to be a secret, but sohow, people found out. Since then, everyone has treated
like I'm the ninetails itself, blaming
for their loss of family and their property loss"
Ino rembered her mom's words, as her mom always warns her to not to talk with Naruto and not to get close with him. She didn't understand why her mom said those words at that ti. But, now she finally understand it.
A deep silence settled over them, and Ino's expression softened with sympathy. anwhile, Aya listened, heart heavy with empathy. She could hardly imagine the burden Naruto carried since childhood.
Naruto noticed the pity in Ino's eyes and shook his head. "I don't need your pity. You don't have to show it. But there is also another village secret about ."
Ino leaned forward, curiosity reignited, and Aya, though hidden, held her breath in anticipation.
Naruto smirked. "That one's a story for another ti. But right now…" he looked toward Aya's hiding spot, "we've got a snooping cat to catch."
Ino blinked in confusion. "What snooping cat?"
"Aya," Naruto called out, chuckling. "You can co out now."
Aya stepped forward, red-faced. "Sorry, Naruto. I… I didn't an to eavesdrop."
Naruto smiling kindly. "It's alright. It's not exactly a secret anymore if the whole village already knows. But let's keep it between us."
Both Aya and Ino nodded earnestly. "I promise."
She brought them another round of ran, Aya too toke a bowl of ran and sat beside Naruto. As, the three of them sat together, eating and chatting as the night deepened. They shared laughter, stories, and experiences, unknowingly building bonds they'd carry forward.
After they finished, Naruto escorted Ino ho, Ino saw Naruto leaving, She felt a little bond with him unknowingly and she went to her ho inside.
Naruto returned to his apartnt, settling into bed with a rare feeling of belonging. This newfound connection made him feel, even just a little, less alone in the world.
(.....to be continued)
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