Growing up with no parents and no one to care for him made Naruto crave the things he never had in his childhood attention, validation, and most importantly... love.
To avoid feeling invisible, Naruto pulled countless pranks, played the fool, and acted out all so someone, anyone, would acknowledge him. But what had it amounted to?
Nothing.
It was still the same, wasn't it?
No matter what he did, people looked at him with that same disgusted gaze... or worse, ignored him completely.
Just like Sakura had done moments ago.
His thoughts were spiraled, chaotic and heavy. Everything he'd done so far suddenly felt Meaningless.
Since childhood he had always set Sakura as a kind of goal.
He believed that if someone like her could like him, if he could win her over, then maybe just maybe he wasn't the monster everyone thought he was.
That maybe then, the whole village would accept him too.
But after today… that belief was cracking. Maybe it was time to give up on that dream.
The more he thought about it, the more it felt right. But as that thought settled in, something else rose up in his memory—
Haku's words.
He remembered the words Haku had said to him before he reunited with his team.
"Recognition is a powerful desire. But chasing the acknowledgment of everyone… it's like trying to grasp mist.
You'll exhaust yourself, and in the end, some people will still never accept you."
"What truly matters are the people you care about, and those who care about you in return.
Even if it's just one person. If you can protect that bond, that connection… you'll find a strength far greater than recognition."
Back then, Naruto had only nodded, not fully understanding.
But now… he did.
People who cared about him. And people he cared about.
Maybe… Sakura was one of those people who would never truly recognise him.
He glanced at her. She was still looking at Sasuke, her expression soft and full of affection.
Naruto smiled bitterly looking at Sasuke.
'Lucky bastard…'
Sasuke, noticing the strange smile, shivered slightly.
'What the hell's that idiot smiling like that for?'
Naruto turned his gaze away.
'If I keep chasing people who'll never see me… I'll miss the ones who already do,'he whispered to himself.
As he thought about the people he cared about, their faces slowly came to mind.
The first one to pop in his head was
Sasuke
???
Cough! Cough! There's no such person in that list.
Yes, Iruka-sensei was the first one who came to mind. That warm smile of his… the first person to truly acknowledge him.
He remembered how genuinely happy Iruka had been when he graduated and how that joy made Naruto feel truly happy, too.
Grandpa Hokage. Although he could be stern at times, smoked a lot, and was maybe a little bit perverted, in Naruto's eyes, he was still a good person someone who had always been there for him
Still, the more he thought about it, the more names started to come. Not many—but a few.
Maybe not everyone ignored him and hated him.There were still people who cared.
Thinking this, Naruto finally let out a deep breath, as if releasing a weight he'd carried for far too long.
He glanced back at Sakura one last time and smiled calmly.
Maybe Haku was right.
Maybe it really is good to let go sometimes.
"Okay! Sorry for interrupting," Naruto called out, waving with a grin. "You guys go on. I'm starving time for some Ichiraku ramen!"
With that, he turned and walked off.
Sasuke watched his back as he left, silent.He didn't say anything. Just stared for a while.
Then shook his head.
Ichiraku Ramen
Naruto had expected some changes at Ichiraku Ramen after giving such a large donation but what he expected didn't happen."
The shop still looked the same as ever warm, cozy, and filled with the familiar aroma of broth and noodles.
The only visible change was the presence of two new staff members working under Ayame's guidance.
As soon as Ayame spotted Naruto entering, she smiled brightly.
"Oh, Naruto, you're early today. The usual miso ramen, right?"
"Mhm! Yes, Sister Ayame my usual deluxe miso ramen!" he said cheerfully.
"Just wait a few minutes," she said, gesturing toward the new workers. "They're still learning, so it might take a little longer."
"It's okay, I can wait as long as it takes as long as I get to eat ramen!" Naruto grinned, taking his seat with anticipation.
Seeing that Ayame wasn't too busy at the moment, Naruto decided to bring up the topic he had on his mind.
"Sister Ayame, why haven't you used the money I gave you?" he asked curiously.
"I am using it, Naruto," she replied. "Where do you think I got the funds to hire new staff?"
Naruto blinked. "Sister… I think you could open branch shops with the kind of money I gave you."
Ayame gave him a suspicious squint. "Naruto… did you somehow grow a brain overnight? Why are you talking like that?"
Naruto's face twisted in mock offense. "Sister Ayame! I was born smart!"
Seeing Naruto puffing his cheeks up, Ayame chuckled. "I'm just teasing. Naruto is really smart."
(ˇ⊖ˇ)
Naruto nodded proudly. "That's right. I am smart!"
Then Ayame's tone softened. "But that money wasn't mine it's yours. I still need to return it someday."
"No need, Sister Ayame. It's yours now," Naruto said with a big smile.
"I already got what I wanted unlimited ramen! Hehe. And besides, I still have plenty left."
Ayame blinked in disbelief. She could hardly believe that Naruto still had plenty of money left, even after giving away so much
"Wait… Naruto… how much do you still have left?"
Naruto leaned in slightly and whispered, "From what I remember last time… around 445 million ryo or so."
"..."
A long silence followed.
"Naruto… you're not joking, right?" Ayame asked, almost in a whisper.
A bead of sweat rolled down her temple as she genuinely questioned if Naruto had accidentally kidnapped a daimyo during a mission.
"Not at all! I'm being completely serious," Naruto replied, just as the steaming bowl of ramen was placed in front of him.
He looked at the miso ramen like it was treasure. His mouth watered.
"Miso ramen is the best~" he mumbled as he devoured the whole bowl within minutes, slurping with pure joy.
Ayame watched him, deep in thought.
She knew now that Naruto wasn't in any kind of financial trouble not with that kind of fortune, if he wasn't lying.
But she still didn't feel right accepting such a huge amount without giving him something in return.
Then it clicked.
She smiled and leaned over the counter.
"Hey, Naruto why don't you become an official partner of Ichiraku? That way, I won't feel guilty about accepting your money. You'll be part owner of the shop!"
Naruto, already halfway through his seventh bowl, lifted his head mid-slurp.
"As long as you think that's okay, Sister Ayame," he said, grinning.
"That's settled then," she said, chuckling.
"Congratulations, Naruto you're now also an owner of Ichiraku Ramen."
-----~-----
Can you guys give me your views on how Naruto will act when he becomes smart? I have already started writing the chapters with him becoming smart.
I think his IQ should be more focused on changing his battle style and strategies, along with some minor shifts in personality and views.
I just don't want him to become another edgelord after he gains intelligence.
Also on his views on the villagers and the village itself.
I can still edit a few chapters if I get some inspiration from you guys, as I finally have a day off.