I Want to Be Stronger
Xu Fan turned around and saw that the person approaching wasn't just anyone—it was none other than Naruto Uzumaki.
Naruto had his eyes shut, gripping a stick tightly in his hand. He let out a loud yell and charged forward.
"Naruto?"
Xu Fan was taken aback. What was Naruto doing here? Shouldn't he be enjoying a bowl of ramen at Ichiraku?
Kakashi, who stood nearby, quickly recognized him.
"I'll leave this to you," Xu Fan said, glancing at the lifeless body on the ground. Without waiting for a response, he tossed the body toward Kakashi and rushed forward.
Naruto was still just a child. Letting him witness a corpse—especially one from the Root organization—could leave a deep psychological scar.
In just a few strides, Xu Fan grabbed the stick from Naruto's hand, spun around, and maneuvered their positions so that Naruto's back was facing the corpse and Kakashi.
But even with his view blocked, Naruto didn't calm down. Instead, he clenched his small fists and swung wildly.
Xu Fan sighed, dodging the punches with ease. He casually tossed the stick aside and reached out to restrain Naruto's hands.
"It's me—Xu Fan."
He took a deep breath and spoke gently, hoping to make Naruto recognize him.
The moment Naruto heard his name, his movements froze. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
When he saw Xu Fan standing right in front of him, his eyes welled up with tears. Within seconds, he burst into uncontrollable sobs, his cries as fierce as a river breaking through a dam.
"Xu Fan…"
"I thought…"
Tears streamed down his face as he choked on his words.
Xu Fan glanced at Kakashi, who had already started dealing with the bodies, moving them into the nearby woods. Kakashi then gestured at him, signaling for him to comfort Naruto.
Nodding in understanding, Xu Fan released Naruto's hands and crouched down, gently wiping his tears.
"A man shouldn't cry so easily," Xu Fan said softly. "Why did you come here? Wasn't the ramen good?"
Judging by Naruto's reaction, it was clear his arrival wasn't an accident.
"I…"
Naruto sniffled before explaining.
Xu Fan was the first friend he ever made—the first person his age to invite him for ramen.
To Xu Fan, Naruto might be just one of many friends.
But to Naruto, Xu Fan was the only friend he had.
So, when he saw those Root ninjas take Xu Fan away, worry gripped him.
He ran out of Ichiraku, following them all the way until he saw them attacking Xu Fan.
And in that moment, he froze.
"I'm sorry, Xu Fan…"
Naruto sobbed harder.
When he saw Xu Fan being attacked, his first instinct wasn't to help—it was to run away in fear.
Even though Xu Fan was his first friend, when it mattered most, he had been too scared to stand by him.
"That's why you're crying?"
Xu Fan was momentarily stunned. He didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Those Root ninjas weren't much of a threat to him, but Naruto didn't know that.
To Naruto, Xu Fan was just a little stronger than Sasuke—not an invincible warrior.
The fact that Naruto had run in fear only proved how helpless he must have felt.
But even so, he came back.
That kind of courage wasn't something just anyone could summon.
Because he knew what it felt like to be alone, Naruto understood the pain of helplessness.
Because he had been isolated, he cherished the bonds he formed.
"Alright, alright," Xu Fan said with a gentle smile, wiping away Naruto's tears. "Didn't you come back to save me?"
"But…"
Naruto sniffled, trying to turn his head, but Xu Fan placed a hand behind his head, preventing him from looking back.
Naruto stared at Xu Fan's reassuring smile and, in that moment, he understood.
"It's okay," Xu Fan whispered. "Thank you, Naruto, for not abandoning me in a crucial moment. In my eyes, you're already the bravest person in the world."
"Thank you."
Naruto's eyes widened. His heart pounded.
This was the first time anyone had ever thanked him.
The first time someone had called him brave.
The first time he had been praised like this.
At that moment, Xu Fan felt like an angel who had descended just for him.
No one could be better than him.
And yet, that only made Naruto cry even harder.
"Okay, okay," Xu Fan said, standing up and gently ruffling Naruto's hair.
Meanwhile, Kakashi finished his task and disappeared into the grove.
Xu Fan didn't rush Naruto. He let him cry, knowing this wasn't just about tonight's events.
Naruto's sadness wasn't only about his fear of running away.
It was years of loneliness, weakness, and isolation piling up all at once.
It was his longing for acceptance and connection.
He had felt this way with Sasuke. With Sakura. With Jiraiya.
And now, with Xu Fan too.
Even Xu Fan didn't know how long Naruto had been crying. By the time he stopped, the sky had darkened, and Xu Fan's chest was soaked in tears.
"Xu Fan…"
"I'm here," Xu Fan replied. "Are you ready to go back?"
Naruto remained silent for a long time, as if he were struggling with a decision.
Xu Fan didn't push him, waiting patiently.
Finally, Naruto took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and asked,
"Can you teach me?"
"Hm?"
"I want to be stronger." Naruto's eyes burned with determination. "I want to be stronger…"
"To become Hokage?" Xu Fan teased, expecting Naruto's usual answer—that he wanted to be Hokage and gain the village's recognition.
That was who Naruto was.
But this time, his response surprised Xu Fan.
"Yes, I want to be Hokage and surpass all those before me—to earn everyone's approval. But…"
Naruto inhaled deeply, his fists tightening.
"If I become stronger, I won't have to be afraid anymore. Xu Fan… I want the strength to protect my friends."