"Yes, yes, Iruka-sensei, I know," Naruto replied impatiently.
He understood that Iruka meant well, but wasn't this the age for a little mischief? A harmless prank like this wasn't too much, right?
With Iruka and Mizuki's help, the massive task of cleaning Hokage Rock was finally completed before nightfall.
"Naruto, be at the academy on time tomorrow. Your team leader will be introduced then," Iruka instructed seriously before turning toward his home.
"Got it! See you, Iruka-sensei!"
Naruto waved him off and headed toward Ichiraku Ramen.
It was long past mealtime, and his stomach was growling in protest.
"I'll definitely have two bowls of my favorite char siu ramen tonight. Gotta treat myself properly!" he thought happily.
Just as he was about to leave, Mizuki's voice stopped him.
"Wait, Naruto, you're just going to walk off without even saying goodbye to me?" Mizuki called out, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Naruto had practically ignored him despite all the effort he had put in to help.
Naruto turned around, feigning surprise. "Ah? Mizuki-sensei, you're still here?"
It wasn't that Naruto was avoiding Mizuki—he just didn't have the patience to sit through the man's Academy Award-winning performance of Totally Not a Backstabbing Traitor. Watching Mizuki act friendly was like watching a wolf try to convince a sheep it just wanted a hug.
[Mizuki's Anger Value +16]
A flicker of irritation flashed across Mizuki's face, but he quickly replaced it with a smile.
"Naruto, I haven't had dinner yet. Why don't I treat you to some ramen?"
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Oh? Well, if you insist—thanks a lot, Mizuki-sensei!"
A free meal? What a deal.
It was the end of the month, and the allowance from the Third Hokage was running low. Originally, Naruto planned to limit himself to two bowls, but if Mizuki was offering, he saw no reason to hold back.
The moment they arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto lifted the curtain at the entrance and shouted, "Uncle! I'll have six bowls of char siu ramen and six bowls of beef ramen!"
[Mizuki's Anger Value +36]
"Sure thing, Naruto! Looks like you're in a great mood today," Teuchi, the ramen shop owner, greeted warmly.
Teuchi and his daughter, Ayame, were among the few people in Konoha who treated Naruto well. Maybe it was because Naruto loved their ramen so much, but they always welcomed him with a smile.
Mizuki, on the other hand, nearly choked. "Naruto, isn't that a bit too much? I can't eat that much!"
Naruto blinked innocently. "Oh, Mizuki-sensei, you misunderstood. That order was for me. If you want something, just order it yourself."
Mizuki's lips twitched in frustration, but he forced a smile. "Fine, I'll have one bowl of beef ramen."
Internally, he was screaming. A single bowl cost 60 ryo, and Naruto had just ordered twelve. That was 720 ryo—almost a fifth of his monthly pay!
"Naruto, your ramen's ready! One bowl of char siu and one bowl of beef—eat up!" Teuchi placed the first two steaming bowls in front of them.
The rich aroma of the broth filled the air, making their mouths water.
"Thanks, Uncle! Itadakimasu!" Naruto wasted no time digging in, slurping the noodles hungrily.
Mizuki, however, had no interest in the food. His mind was elsewhere.
"Naruto, congratulations on graduating," he said, trying to sound casual.
"Thanks, Mizuki-sensei," Naruto mumbled between bites, not particularly interested in the conversation.
But Mizuki wasn't going to let the conversation die.
"Naruto, I know you've had a tough time in Konoha."
"You've been mistreated, ignored, and even hated by many people."
"I understand how you feel. I went through something similar when I was your age."
"But do you know what I did? I found a way to silence everyone—by becoming stronger."
Mizuki spoke with a voice full of false sympathy, even dabbing at his eyes as if he were holding back tears.
Naruto, however, saw right through it. He wasn't some naive kid.
"Become stronger?" Naruto scoffed internally. Mizuki's just a Chunin. How strong could he possibly be?
It was obvious he had ulterior motives.
Still, Naruto played along, pretending to be intrigued.
"Really? Mizuki-sensei, how did you do it?" he asked, widening his eyes. "I want to be strong too! I don't want to be bullied anymore!"
Mizuki's eyes gleamed for a split second before he quickly masked his excitement.
"Eat your ramen first, Naruto. I'll tell you after."
"Okay!" Naruto grinned and went back to inhaling his food.
Mizuki's reluctance to explain things here was obvious—he wanted Naruto to steal something for him, something secret. Naruto could already guess what it was.
One by one, the empty bowls stacked up. By the time he finished all twelve, Naruto's stomach was round like a watermelon.
"Uncle, thanks for the meal!" he said, patting his full belly and letting out a satisfied burp.
Mizuki grudgingly paid the bill, then led Naruto out of the village toward a secluded forest.
"Hey, Mizuki-sensei, where are we going?" Naruto asked, his voice tinged with fake nervousness. "It's so dark… I'm kinda scared."
Acting like an innocent naive kid, he followed Mizuki deeper into the woods.
(End of Chapter)