Naruto Rolls and Dried Bamboo Shoots
Good luck? Naruto didn't think so.
That wasn't luck—it was just one of the many abilities of the Uzumaki clan's resilient physique. Though the Uzumaki clan had no obvious Kekkei Genkai, they were known for their massive chakra reserves and natural affinity for sealing techniques.
In terms of sensory perception, their abilities were remarkable.
A fully trained Uzumaki ninja, with access to the secret technique Kagura Shingan (Kagura's Mind Eye), could pinpoint enemies from several kilometers away—comparable to the Byakugan of the Hyūga clan in its own way.
Unfortunately, Naruto had never mastered Kagura Shingan. He could only sense the general direction of chakra signatures, rather than track specific targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Right now, though, he was more interested in something else—Kurama, the Nine-Tails, was actually cooperating with him.
After exchanging a few words, Naruto asked, "Oi, Big Fox, can you sense their exact locations?"
"Hmm… Sure," Kurama rumbled, cracking an eye open and studying Naruto with mild curiosity. "Why? Are you planning to take action against these ANBU watching over you? If you'd just accept my power, this wouldn't even be a concern."
"No thanks, I'd like to keep living," Naruto muttered.
He didn't need to guess what Kurama was implying—if he gave in, the fox would take over, go berserk, and slaughter the ANBU. Then Konoha's Jōnin would suppress him, just like they had with Gaara of the Sand. In the end, he'd be caged like a beast, completely at their mercy.
Even though Kurama was sealed inside him, he was surprisingly reckless.
Kurama wasn't offended by Naruto's wariness. He was simply stating a fact. Konoha had enough power to keep him in check, and both of them knew it.
After scanning the area, Kurama reported, "There are two ANBU agents watching you—not a standard three-man team. Hmph, they're cutting corners with your surveillance."
Naruto scowled. Only two? Even if he was still a Genin, this seemed lazy.
He almost asked Kurama for their chakra levels but decided against it. It didn't matter. Against ANBU, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Time passed quickly as he immersed himself in training.
Afterward, Naruto wiped his sweat with a towel, downed some salt water to replenish his energy, and left the training ground.
On the way home, he practiced his sensory abilities, scanning potential hiding spots and occasionally asking Kurama where the ANBU were positioned.
At first, Kurama answered patiently, but after a while, he huffed in irritation. "Brat, one of them just left. You're down to a single watchdog now."
The other one probably went to report to the Third Hokage, Naruto thought.
He understood that the ANBU's surveillance was meant to protect him, but that didn't make it any less frustrating. They were always there when it came to watching him, yet nowhere to be seen when the villagers treated him like dirt.
Then again, he couldn't blame them entirely. The real problem was the Third Hokage's inaction. The old man could have stepped in, but he never did.
With that thought, Naruto sighed. He needed to start thinking ahead.
Just then, he stopped in front of a familiar shop—Ichiraku Ramen.
His stomach grumbled. Training had drained his energy, and he needed a good meal.
Pushing aside the noren curtain, he stepped inside. Immediately, the chatter in the shop quieted. Some diners frowned, and a few people—like Tate and Airi—gave him wary glances, surprised to see him.
"Yo, Teuchi-jiji! One extra-large bowl of ramen!" Naruto announced, plopping down at the counter.
Teuchi blinked in surprise before chuckling. "Alright! One super-large ramen, coming up! It'll be about ten minutes."
The other customers stiffened.
No one spoke, but their discomfort was obvious. They didn't want to sit in the same room as the "demon fox," yet they couldn't say anything outright. The tension in the air was thick.
Naruto smirked inwardly. If his mere presence unsettled them, well… that was their problem.
He watched Teuchi knead the ramen dough while speaking to Kurama.
"Big Fox, can those ANBU still see me from here?"
"No," Kurama replied. "At this angle, they've lost sight of you."
"Huh… but I still feel like someone else is watching me. I've had this feeling ever since I got back to the village."
Kurama was silent for a few seconds before muttering, "You're not wrong. There's someone observing you. And that someone is the old man who frequently visits your apartment."
Naruto frowned. "You mean the Third Hokage?"
Kurama didn't respond immediately.
"Big Fox, if he ever watches me again, can you let me know?"
Kurama didn't answer, as if weighing his options. If Naruto was trying to avoid Hiruzen's surveillance, that was probably in Kurama's best interest too.
While the fox hesitated, Teuchi set down a steaming bowl of ramen in front of Naruto.
The aroma alone made his appetite skyrocket.
He took a sip of the broth—rich, salty, and full of umami. Then, he picked up a Naruto roll with his chopsticks. The pink-and-white fish cake was soft, slightly sweet, and carried a mild seafood flavor. It was a classic topping, and it was the origin of his name, after all.
Still… after a few bites, it got a little boring.
That's when he noticed the menma—seasoned bamboo shoots among the toppings.
Compared to the Naruto roll, the dried bamboo shoots had a sharper taste. A mix of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors cut through the broth's richness, making the ramen even more enjoyable.
So… which was better?
Naruto decided he preferred the menma.
By the time he finished, he was only about seventy percent full. Glancing around, he realized the only other customer left was a middle-aged ninja, looking worn-out and dejected.
It seemed the rest of the diners had lost their appetite.
Placing his meal payment beneath the bowl, Naruto stood up and called out, "The money's right here, Teuchi-jiji. Your ramen's really good—I'll be back!"
Teuchi grinned. "Glad you liked it, Naruto. Come by anytime!"
As Naruto walked out, the middle-aged ninja turned to Teuchi. "That kid… he's Uzumaki Naruto, right? The so-called demon fox?"
Teuchi sighed, wiping down the counter.
"What demon fox? That's just nonsense. He's just a kid… a kid who lost his parents. The villagers use him as a scapegoat because they don't know the truth."
The ninja hummed. "You think his parents were important?"
Teuchi glanced at him. "Don't you?"
The man gave a small, humorless chuckle. "Who knows? But if his parents could see him now… I wonder if they'd regret everything."
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