(Bonus Chapter For Reaching 50+ Power Stone)
Chapter 25 – Ungrateful Kakashi
Slurp...
Slurp...
Naruto slurped his ramen, grinning with satisfaction.
Kaien took a bite of his pork bone ramen. The broth was indeed rich and flavorful, but he still wasn't used to the taste of Konoha's food. He simply made do.
Sasuke, meanwhile, nibbled on some snacks he'd ordered on the side.
Just as Naruto was finishing up, the curtain at the entrance was pulled aside.
A silver-haired ninja with a masked face walked in quietly and sat in the corner.
"Boss, one miso ramen, please," he said.
Kaien turned his head and glanced at Kakashi.
'Tch, so cautious. They even sent Kakashi to watch me.'
Hiccup.
Naruto let out a loud burp, then clapped his hands together.
"Thanks for the meal!"
The Uzumaki physique was something else.
The "Grand Slam" ramen bowl was almost twice the size of Naruto's head, packed with delicious toppings.
Even Kaien himself would need time to finish it, but five-year-old Naruto devoured it with ease.
Naruto loved ramen not only because it was tasty.
It was also because Teuchi and Ayame, the owners, were some of the rare few who didn't treat him with contempt.
Plus, the ramen here was cheap — something Naruto could afford to enjoy.
"Naruto, are you full?" Kaien asked with a smile.
"Yep! Thanks, Senior Kaien!" Naruto patted his belly, glowing with happiness. He had never felt so content.
"Naruto, I heard from Sasuke that you're quite the troublemaker." Kaien asked.
Sasuke's eyes widened in confusion. 'Huh? I just met you today. Why would you say I said that?'
But Kaien shot Sasuke a sharp look, and the boy kept quiet.
"Uhh… haha..." Naruto scratched his head, embarrassed.
He couldn't exactly tell Kaien that his pranks were just desperate attempts to get attention.
"I'm sorry, Senior Kaien. I won't be naughty anymore."
Kaien didn't scold him. Instead, he called out to Ayame, "Please, the bill."
He pulled out a stack of twenty 1,000-ryo bills and handed them over.
Ayame shook his head rapidly. "No need! It's only 320 ryo total!"
Even the "Grand Slam" was just 200. Kaien's and Sasuke's bowls were only 60 ryo each. Ichiraku Ramen truly lived up to its reputation for affordability.
Kaien waved dismissively.
"Keep the extra. From now on, whenever Naruto or Sasuke comes by, let them eat whatever they want. Deduct it from this."
"Are you sure...?" Ayame asked, glancing at her father, who gave her a nod and a warm smile before she accepted the money.
"Naruto, I left some money here. You and Sasuke can come anytime and eat whatever you like," Kaien said.
"Senior Kaien! I can't! I can't take your money!" Naruto exclaimed, stunned.
Kaien raised an eyebrow. "Who said I gave you money?"
"You came here with Sasuke, didn't you? If he eats and you don't, would that be okay?"
"The academy is starting soon. You'll have classes every day. This will be a convenient place for both of you to eat."
"Uhh… but… this feels…"
Naruto's little brain couldn't quite grasp the loophole, but something felt off.
Kaien smiled again.
"Sasuke doesn't have many friends. Stick with him, okay?"
"And don't cause trouble everywhere. When school starts, study hard."
"Yes! I'll always play with Sasuke! I'll study hard too!"
For the first time, someone had asked something of Naruto — and it filled him with warmth and motivation.
Sasuke muttered under his breath, "Who said I wanted him to play with me..."
Kaien just chuckled. He was already used to Sasuke's tsundere personality.
He led the two children out of the shop.
Kakashi finished his ramen quickly and silently followed them.
The Third Hokage had summoned Kakashi urgently and ordered him to monitor Kaien.
'Why was Kaien so kind to Naruto? What was his goal?'
But all Kaien did was treat Naruto to ramen... then take the kids to Konoha's Eighth Street.
This was the main commercial district, packed with Uchiha-owned shops.
After the massacre, the remaining Uchiha guards still patrolled this area diligently.
Everyone they passed greeted respectfully: "Master Kaien."
Kaien nodded, waving them off casually.
As they reached a street corner, Kaien could sense the increasing tension. More ANBU agents were lurking nearby.
Kaien didn't want unnecessary conflict with ANBU — not yet.
He pulled out a wad of money and handed it to Sasuke.
"You haven't been home in a while. Go buy some new clothes — and get two sets for Naruto, too."
"I've got something to deal with. I'll come back soon."
He gave Sasuke a look. The boy rolled his eyes, unclear if he understood the hidden message.
Kaien turned to a nearby Uchiha guard.
"An ANBU agent will come asking about Naruto soon. Ignore him."
"Understood!" the Uchiha saluted.
Kaien walked a little farther, then said aloud,
"You can come out now, Kakashi."
Kakashi emerged. "Deputy Clan Leader Uchiha Kaien… you know me? Why are you approaching Naruto?"
Kaien looked him up and down — still in his ANBU gear, mask removed, his forehead protector covering his Sharingan.
The visible eye was dull, lifeless.
Kaien thought of Naruto's miserable life and felt disgusted.
Suddenly, Kaien vanished and reappeared before Kakashi — landing a solid kick that sent him sprawling to the ground.
Kakashi hadn't expected the sudden attack and was caught off guard.
Kaien spat.
"Tch. I've been wanting to do that for a while."
He sighed. "Now I feel better."
Kakashi got up, glaring.
"Kaien! Why did you attack me!?"
But he didn't strike back. He was wary — the relationship between the Uchiha and the village was already strained. He didn't want to provoke a serious incident.
Kaien sneered.
"Why? Because you're ungrateful. Because you make me sick."
Kakashi blinked. "What? I don't even know you."
Kaien folded his arms.
"You're Minato Namikaze's student, aren't you?"
"So what?" Kakashi replied. That wasn't a secret.
"And you knew what his orphan was going through. Getting bullied. Eating expired food. You couldn't even be bothered to care?"
Kakashi fell silent.
Kaien's voice grew sharper.
"He had no proper clothes, ate food mixed with mold. Milk past its date. He grew up like that — while you turned a blind eye."
"And you — an elite jonin — the student of the Fourth Hokage — watched the Third Hokage seize your master's legacy and said nothing."
"You just kept following orders like a mindless puppet. You make me sick."
"I…" Kakashi had no excuse. After Obito died, he shut down emotionally. He functioned like a corpse, only carrying out missions — barely even taking care of himself, much less Naruto.
"The Third said it was for Naruto's protection…" Kakashi began weakly.
Kaien cut him off.
"Spare me. What does secrecy have to do with making a kid starve and dress in rags?"
Kakashi stayed silent.
Kaien shook his head.
"When I was a kid, Kushina helped me. Now I'm making sure her son has food and clothes."
"You want to monitor me? Go ahead. I'm not like you. I'm not dirty inside."
Kakashi lowered his gaze, overwhelmed by the guilt.
Kaien turned and walked back toward the street, hands behind his head.
"But if Naruto grows up feeling that the Uchiha were kinder to him…"
He smirked.
"That'll be his choice."
Kakashi stood there, stunned.
…..
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Translated By – Ancient Lores
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