After leaving the bald man's new apartment, Mitarashi still couldn't understand what kind of strange guy had fallen on her like a bolt from the blue. At first glance, he seemed like an ordinary civilian. But ordinary civilians weren't supposed to take hits from a shinobi so well.
Even though she hadn't used chakra before, it hadn't been necessary-after all, the guy hadn't even taken a defensive stance. He was completely open. Yet when she struck him with nearly full force, Anko felt as if she had slammed into a steel beam. That was very strange...
Of course, Hokage's orders weren't up for debate-her job was simply to carry out the mission. However, the tokubetsu jōnin was consumed by a truly feminine curiosity, which, as everyone knew, was incredibly difficult to suppress. And so, she decided to probe into the identity of her new acquaintance by asking Saitama directly.
To which he replied:
- Sorry, but it's hard to talk about anything on an empty stomach. Let's eat first?
"Men," Anko thought. "Always thinking about their stomachs!"
The kunoichi decided to take advantage of men's natural hedonism and offered to treat the guy to a meal at a not-too-expensive diner. This way, she could extract more information about her new acquaintance-or so she hoped.
The bald-cloaked man gave the girl a puzzled look, but as soon as he grasped the meaning of her words, his expression lit up with a smile. In his past world, of all the mundane pleasures in life, Saitama had loved discounts the most. But now, after some deep reflection, the bald hero realized he had been wrong. Because what he loved more than discounts... was FREE STUFF!
He immediately agreed, assuring the kunoichi that he would tell her everything she wanted to know.
And now, sitting at the counter of Ichiraku, Mitarashi wanted to cry bitter tears at her own naïveté and stupidity. A nervous twitch in her eyelid flared up again. The reason? Saitama was already devouring his tenth (!) extra-large bowl of beef ramen.
The tokubetsu jōnin hadn't yet handed over the money that the Hokage had entrusted to the bald man, and she was seriously considering deducting the cost of this breakfast from the allowance. But then Anko realized that such an act would be unworthy of a true shinobi. Besides, she had to admit-curiosity came at a price.
- What's wrong with your eye? Some kind of disease? - Saitama asked bluntly.
Anko clenched her teeth, making a truly titanic effort not to beat the guy senseless on the spot. She forced the most charming smile she could muster. The surrounding patrons immediately recognized her effort-by breaking into shivers and sweating in terror. Without realizing it, she had unconsciously copied the smile of her former teacher.
- E-e-eat up, Saitama. If you want, you can order more. So... are you finally going to tell me who you are and how you ended up in our village?
At the sound of her voice, some of the other guests decided to hastily retreat. Among those fleeing were even a few shinobi; they knew Anko and couldn't figure out whether the bald guy was an idiot or if his balls were made of chakra-conducting steel.
- Thanks, Anko. You're so kind. You're the first person to treat me like this, - Saitama said, patting his belly before calling out to the shop owner. - Teuchi-san, five more extra-large bowls of ramen, please!
A painful groan escaped from the girl. Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
- As you say, Saitama! - The restaurant owner was a man in his early forties, of average build, with visible gray at his temples. He was dressed in a white chef's outfit with a short hat, on which the "Ichiraku" symbol was displayed. His face was lit up with a bright smile; he seemed oblivious to the young kunoichi's "boiling" frustration and, accordingly, ignored the palpable burst of dark energy she had just released.
The head chef remained calm. There were hardly ever disturbances at Ichiraku. Shinobi usually settled their disputes at training grounds or, at worst, in deserted alleys. Regular civilians avoided provoking "old man" Teuchi with petty fights, as he had a rather compelling argument-his hefty ladle, which he had frequently wielded in his youth against ungrateful customers. Besides, angering the man who fed you required a complete lack of self-preservation.
- You're shaking all over, - Saitama noted. - Now even your other eye is twitching. You should see a doctor...
Anko was on the verge of snapping and knocking the idiot out right there in Ichiraku. "How can you eat this much?! Fifteen servings! Aren't you going to burst, you bald freak?! And I'm the one paying for all this! Do you even have a conscience, or did you bury it somewhere? And you still haven't told me anything about yourself..."
Her frustrated inner monologue was interrupted by the sudden arrival of a carefree blonde boy in an orange jumpsuit:
- Hey, old man Teuchi! I'll have the usual!
- Sure thing, kid. Coming right up, - the head chef responded, passing the order to his daughter. - How'd the exam go? Should I congratulate you on getting a forehead protector?
- Hee-hee-hee... - The blonde stepped closer to the counter, pointing proudly at his brand-new hitai-ate tied around his forehead. - Yep, I'm a real ninja now! Though I had to sit through an earful last night from the old man for attacking a shinobi from our own village... oh. That was supposed to be a secret...
The boy flinched, remembering that the Hokage had strictly forbidden him from revealing any details about the previous night.
Suddenly, he noticed a familiar bald head gleaming to his left, and in an instant, Uzumaki identified the person he'd been looking for-his future teacher. It didn't matter that Saitama had never agreed to teach the loudmouthed boy anything. That wouldn't stop Naruto.
- Whoa, this is awesome, dattebayo! Imagine this-Saitama-san, I was just about to go home, but then I thought, "I should stop by Ichiraku and see old man Teuchi," and here you are... Yay! - The boy practically jumped to the ceiling in excitement. - I didn't think I'd find you so fast. And in Ichiraku, no less! Do you like ramen? I think ramen is the best food ever! Is Ayame-neechan here?..
Saitama turned halfway toward the blonde. With each passing word from the boy's mouth, the hero's usual stone-faced expression shifted to one of sheer exhaustion and despair. Anko, noticing this change, smirked slyly. By the time Naruto had finished his second sentence, Saitama's brain had already stopped processing the incoming stream of words. He was about to shut the kid up, but the approving nods from the head chef and the interested glances Anko kept throwing at the boy made him reconsider.
Just then, a life-saving bowl of ramen appeared before him. Without hesitation, he began devouring it, doing his best to tune out the small, noisy annoyance. The super-sized portion was gone in no time. Leaning back in his chair with satisfaction, he let out a loud burp.
- ...So what do you say? Do you agree? - Naruto finally finished his speech.
Saitama had let every single word go in one ear and out the other. But since he didn't want to argue with a kid-and, more importantly, just wanted him to leave-he decided to pretend he had heard everything and agreed to whatever it was that Naruto had just said.
- Yeah, kid, totally agree.
The cheerful squeal of the little boy echoed through Ichiraku. Saitama, turning to the child, scratched the back of his head in puzzlement, while the jinchuriki finally pulled himself together and, with a serious expression, bowed respectfully to the bald hero.
- Thank you, Saitama-sensei! I'll do everything to become the strongest shinobi. And after that-I'll become Hokage!
- Huh? - The bald guy threw questioning looks at Mitarashi and Teuchi. A bad feeling crept into his soul. - What's up with him?
***
Anko slightly opened her mouth in bewilderment. Then closed it. For a moment, she resembled a fish tossed ashore. The kunoichi simply couldn't grasp what was going on. Meanwhile, the owner of the establishment only smiled mysteriously, slightly closing his eyes.
She kept glancing between the little jinchuriki and the strange bald guy. Her head swarmed with questions. But two stood out the most. How did these two know each other? And why was the little demon tagging along with this Saitama, asking him to be his teacher?
"Maybe that's why the Hokage assigned me to the guy? Maybe he's a new jonin instructor who came from afar. Or a rogue ninja who fled from another village and made a deal with Sarutobi. Probably, I shouldn't ask too many questions for now. I'll figure it out soon enough..."
- Yeah, kid, totally agree.
"Well, now it all makes sense. He agreed so easily. Now it's clear. He's definitely a teacher for the jinchuriki. I wonder what his rank is?"
Anko was snapped out of her thoughts by the wandering gaze of the bald shinobi. Yes, now she was almost completely certain that this guy was likely a shinobi disguised as a civilian. Moreover, he was very skilled at playing the fool. The kunoichi had almost believed in his idiocy. But what if he was playing the role of a fool on the Hokage's orders? That changed things. Mitarashi wouldn't attempt to break the act.
After Naruto's dramatic speech, the bald shinobi feigned confusion and asked what he was talking about. Anko decided to play along with Saitama.
- Well then, Saitama-sensei, you are now the teacher of Konoha's most dangerous blonde.
- H-huh?.. What teacher?
- How am I dangerous? - the boy grumbled indignantly. But remembering that the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was sealed within him, he slumped in disappointment.
- You just agreed to be Naruto's sensei, - Teuchi chimed in, addressing Saitama. - On the house! - The owner of Ichiraku placed a bowl of ramen in front of Uzumaki.
The boy quickly forgot his question and, sitting down on the stool, stared with adoration at the love of his life; all his gloomy thoughts vanished at once.
- Itadakimasu! - the kid cheerfully called out and eagerly slurped up the noodles.
***
Saitama stared at Mitarashi in shock.
- Is this some kind of joke?
- No. You just agreed to be Naruto's teacher. Were you even listening to him? - the kunoichi asked smoothly.
- Uhh... - The Caped Baldy tried to recall what the little blond had been talking about, but in vain. First, he wasn't great at processing long sentences. Second, he had been too busy with his ramen at the time, making him temporarily unavailable to the outside world.
- Of course, I was listening! - Saitama declared firmly.
- Well then, when will you start training him? Maybe right after breakfast? - Anko inquired with a sly squint.
The bald man nodded confidently but then threw a questioning look at Ichiraku's owner.
- Psst, Teuchi, - he called the chef over in a whisper, motioning with his hand. - What exactly am I supposed to be teaching?
The man scratched his chin and offered a suggestion:
- Well, probably taijutsu, ninjutsu, and something else related to shinobi arts.
Saitama took a few moments to process what he had just heard.
- Say what?.. Teuchi, what language are you speaking right now? What the heck are todjutsu-nudjutsu?..
The Caped Baldy was utterly confused. He hadn't exactly been a top student in school. And the last time he applied for an office job, he hadn't really needed to use his intellectual skills much. And now-he was supposed to be a full-on teacher? And in shinobi techniques, of all things? He was completely clueless!
- Thanks, old man Teuchi! Your ramen is the best, as always! - Naruto chimed in after slurping down the last of his broth. - Too bad the portion was so small...
The boy's eyes dimmed slightly. Anko tried to cheer up the little jinchuriki.
- Now, now, kid, don't be so down. After all, your new teacher should treat you to a meal to celebrate taking on a student. Isn't that right, Saitama? You'll buy the boy some ramen, won't you?
Mitarashi grinned at the bald hero, whose eye twitched after her statement. Noticing the amusing sight, the kunoichi mockingly added:
- What's wrong, Saitama-sensei? It looks like there's something wrong with your eye. Maybe you should see a doctor? I know a good medical-nin at the hospital.
- No need, I never get sick, - The Caped Baldy didn't even catch the sarcastic teasing in her voice. He was too busy trying to find a way out of this situation. He had no money. But he really did need to treat the kid. Everyone was staring at him expectantly.
A fresh bowl of ramen was placed in front of Saitama. At that moment, a light bulb went off in his head.
- Of course, - the man began in a serious tone, - as your future teacher, I'll treat you, Naruto. - He slid his own bowl over to the blond. - Eat up, I'm giving this from the bottom of my heart! Never forget my generosity. Teuchi-san will bring you three more of my portions...
Anko grew suspicious. A moment later, Saitama continued:
- ...And Mitarashi Anko will pay for everything. She's the one who invited me here. And she said she was treating!
The kunoichi facepalmed and muttered a quiet curse. Her little revenge had failed.
- Thank you, Saitama-sensei, - the boy's face lit up with a carefree smile.
Before digging into his new portion, the blond asked:
- So, when do we start training? I want to become as strong as you.
- Hm...
Saitama was slowly starting to understand what kind of training Naruto was expecting. He wanted to become strong like him? That depended entirely on the kid. Although, being too strong was boring. And the path to such strength wasn't just difficult and grueling-it was dangerous. Every person had their limits. And to break through them, one had to pay a great price.
Saitama had lost his hair forever.
What price would Naruto have to pay? And why did the kid even need that kind of strength? Did he realize the burden of responsibility that came with it?
The flood of thoughts made The Bald Cape's temples ache, so he decided to drop unnecessary reflections and deal with problems as they arose.
- Finish your ramen, and we'll start training. But be warned. The training will be brutal. So brutal that at times, you'll want to give up everything and surrender-or even die. Are you sure you're ready? - Saitama fixed Naruto with a stern gaze.
His entire demeanor changed. If before he had seemed like a clueless fool, now there wasn't a trace of that former goofiness. The bald guy radiated an aura of overwhelming strength; the experience of countless battles was evident.
Mitarashi and the other customers shivered involuntarily, swallowing loudly. But Naruto, looking straight into his teacher's eyes, answered:
- I will never back down! That is my ninja way, Saitama-sensei!
The Bald Cape smirked. He didn't think the kid would actually endure it. He planned to make the training impossible, so Naruto would give up quickly and leave him alone. After all, having a student-especially such a small one-was way too much trouble.
- Good. Eat up. You'll need your strength soon. I have one request for you.
- What is it?
- From now on, call me... Master Saitama, - a nostalgic smile spread across the young man's face, his gaze drifting into the distance as if reminiscing about the old days.
- Hai! Master Saitama! - the blond bowed before shoveling noodles and meat into his mouth at an astonishing speed.
The boy would do whatever it took to achieve his goals. And nothing would stop him.
And the bald master would become Naruto's new guiding star, lighting his arduous path in this unforgiving world of shinobi.