Iruka stood at the alley entrance with his hands on his hips, panting from running half the district. Sweat soaked his bangs into damp strands, and the wrinkled printing templates in his hand were nearly torn from how tightly he'd been gripping them. Even the Ichiraku Ramen discount coupons in his pocket were crumpled into near paper balls.
He had searched for Naruto for almost twenty minutes, covering half the backstreets without spotting even a flash of orange. Just as his frustration peaked, the blond troublemaker jogged out of the alley.
Iruka opened his mouth to yell.
"You little brat, where did you run off to?! How many times have I told you not to—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
The boy in front of him still had streaks of blue paint on his face, hair tousled by the wind. But instead of grinning mischievously or trying to weasel out of trouble like usual, Naruto reached out and steadied him first.
"Iruka-sensei, why were you running so fast? Your back acted up last time for three days. Take it easy or you'll strain it again."
Iruka froze.
…What?
Did this kid just worry about his back?
That injury dates back to the Third Shinobi War. He rarely mentioned it—just slapped on ointment when it flared up. Even his closest colleagues only knew vaguely about it.
How would Naruto know?
Iruka squinted suspiciously and pressed a hand to Naruto's forehead.
"You didn't commit some huge disaster, did you? Smash a window at the Hokage Tower? Steal the Third's pipe? If you tossed that precious pipe in the river, I swear I can't save you!"
Every time Naruto had pulled that suddenly obedient act before, it meant catastrophe. Like the time he grilled the Third Hokage's ornamental fish.
Naruto tilted his head away helplessly. "I didn't do anything. I just bought some red bean buns and saw a few older kids bullying someone younger. I chased them off. That's it."
He said it so casually that Iruka half-believed it.
Before he could question further, an elderly woman wobbled toward them carrying two heavy baskets of vegetables—white radishes nearly tumbling out.
Kato Granny.
A war widow who survived on selling produce. She used to scold Naruto relentlessly, calling him "that unmanaged monster." She had even chased him off with her cane before.
Iruka was about to warn Naruto to keep his distance.
Instead, Naruto ran over.
He took both baskets smoothly, stuffed a slipping radish back in, and smiled brightly.
"Kato Granny, heading home? I'll carry these. You live on the west side, right? I'm going that way anyway."
She stared at the blue paint on his face, blinking in confusion. "…No need, I can manage…"
"It's fine. I'm strong." Naruto steadied her arm. "The road ahead's uneven. Careful not to trip."
Iruka stood rooted to the ground.
Naruto chatted the whole way—about her cucumbers growing well this year, about how fragrant her dried radishes smelled last time.
The old woman's guarded expression gradually softened. Before they parted, she even stuffed a freshly picked cucumber into Naruto's hand.
"Good boy. Take it."
Iruka's jaw nearly hit the floor.
When Naruto bounced back moments later, crunching happily on the cucumber, Iruka still hadn't processed what he'd witnessed.
"Come on, Sensei. Didn't you say we're washing this paint off?" Naruto grinned. "Her cucumbers are sweet. Want some?"
Iruka followed him to the river in a daze.
Naruto crouched by the water and carefully washed his face—no splashing, no soaking Iruka head to toe like usual. He scrubbed the blue paint away bit by bit, revealing sharp young features beneath.
"I'll come back after school and clean the Hokage Rock properly," he added. "I won't make you take the blame with the Third."
Iruka leaned against a willow tree, watching the sunlight settle over Naruto's golden hair.
Something in his chest softened.
This boy who used to cause endless trouble… suddenly seemed older.
"Alright, what's going on with you today?" Iruka stepped closer and ruffled Naruto's damp hair. "You're like a different person. Usually you bargain for half an hour before agreeing to clean the Rock."
Naruto wiped water from his face and looked up, eyes bright as stars.
"I used to be immature and cause you trouble. But I've grown up. I'm going to be Hokage someday. I can't keep making my teacher clean up after me."
The words carried youthful bravado—yet somehow felt sincere.
Iruka paused… then laughed, flicking Naruto's forehead.
"You brat. Talking like it's real."
He slung an arm around Naruto's shoulders. "Fine. Since you're so sensible, Ichiraku Ramen. Double chashu. Onsen egg."
"Yes! Iruka-sensei's the best!"
Naruto jumped like any normal twelve-year-old.
Inside the seal, Kurama snorted. "You lectured the Raikage in front of five nations, and now you're playing good boy carrying vegetables. Pathetic."
Naruto ignored him, smiling wider.
If there was anyone he owed most in this life, Iruka was near the top.
Back then, Iruka had defended him against villagers, bought him clothes for New Year's, cake for his birthday—had even shielded him from Mizuki's blade with his own body.
Naruto had once vowed: when I become Hokage, I'll let Iruka-sensei live carefree.
Now he had the chance.
—
At Ichiraku, Teuchi greeted them cheerfully.
"What's the occasion? Naruto causes trouble again?"
"Hey!" Naruto protested. "I helped Kato Granny today. This is a reward!"
Teuchi raised a brow and served a generous bowl—extra chashu, onsen egg, and even an extra ladle of miso broth.
"For being a good kid."
Naruto held the steaming bowl, inhaling the familiar aroma. Warmth spread through him.
Iruka watched him devour the ramen and couldn't help smiling.
Maybe… he really had grown up.
—
On the way back to school, they turned a corner and nearly bumped into the Hyūga sisters.
Hinata clutched the red bean bun Naruto had given her and the polished forehead protector. The moment she saw him, her face turned crimson. She ducked behind Hanabi, peeking shyly with one pale lavender eye.
Hanabi tilted her head. "Big sister, why is your face so red? Are you sick?"
Naruto waved with a grin.
Iruka followed his gaze and nudged him teasingly. "Oh? You know the Hyūga heiress now? Since when did you start talking to girls like that?"
Naruto bit down on his skewer stick, smiling confidently.
"What do you mean? She's someone I'm going to protect."
"Pfft—!"
Iruka spat out a mouthful of barley tea, coughing violently.
He stared at Naruto in disbelief.
Not only had this kid become sensible—
He'd even learned how to flirt?!
Since when was this brat so capable?