Chapter 8: Change

The streets of Konoha buzzed with laughter and chatter.

Recently, Konoha had finally signed a peace treaty with the Hidden Cloud Village, bringing a rare sense of calm back to the village. The villagers' faces brightened with relaxed smiles once more.

"This last mission was such a hassle, but at least the Hidden Cloud has settled down for now. Where should we eat today?" A kunoichi stretched and chatted with her teammate, having just returned from a mission.

"Ramen," her teammate answered immediately.

"There you go again. Every time we come back, you're always heading for ramen," she sighed.

"But it's really good... ouch!" The teammate turned to explain ramen's appeal, only to bump into someone he hadn't noticed.

A small figure stumbled backward but, before anyone could react, performed a graceful backflip and landed steadily, standing upright.

"Impressive skills!" The Konoha shinobi's eyes sparkled, though he quickly approached to apologize, "Sorry, kid, I wasn't looking where I was going, and I—"

As he finally got a good look, he froze.

The young boy, already used to such reactions, barely glanced at him, murmuring, "I'm fine," and walked off, unfazed.

As he passed, the shinobi thought he heard the boy mutter, "Ramen, huh?"

"Hey, what's up?" The kunoichi caught up, giving the shinobi a light tap.

"Ah, it's nothing… it's just… the kid is…" His expression was complicated. The young man was a Chūnin now, but four years ago, his sensei had perished in the Nine-Tails' rampage. Seeing this "fox's vessel" brought back memories, yet somehow, resentment felt out of place.

As a shinobi who frequently worked outside the village, he knew a lot more than others. The truth of the ninja world was much darker than a child carrying the Nine-Tails.

"Really? That kid?" The kunoichi's curiosity grew as she looked at the yellow-haired boy fading into the distance. "Doesn't seem all that special. Let's go. So, which ramen shop?"

"... I'm not feeling it anymore. Besides, in this heat…" The Chūnin shook his head with a sigh. "Forget it. How about I treat you to a real meal instead?"

His teammate eagerly accepted.

This was Naruto's daily life.

He had grown accustomed to the villagers' wary glances. Yet, instead of caring about it, he was increasingly curious about himself.

For the past six months, strange things had been happening.

Whenever he drifted to sleep, he'd find himself dreaming of a warm figure, speaking to him gently in ways he could never recall upon waking. Oddly, he'd wake up with new skills—like the backflip he had just performed instinctively. It felt so familiar, as if he'd done it countless times, even though he had no memory of practicing it.

Such oddities were becoming frequent.

Naruto would sometimes encounter things he had never seen yet seemed vaguely familiar. Some symbols or characters he didn't recognize, yet somehow knew how to read.

And… he gazed up at the sun hanging high overhead, surrounded by villagers who took shelter in the shade, yet he didn't feel the heat. Just like in winter when he felt no chill.

But each time he woke up, he'd be starving, as if he'd been running all night.

His stomach growled audibly.

Naruto rubbed his belly, embarrassed, reaching into his pockets and pulling out a few small, slightly stained coins.

"Sigh…" Recalling the shinobi's mention of ramen, he felt a pang of longing.

The village provided him with a small allowance each month, but it barely covered his expenses.

"This is enough for five loaves of bread, but for ramen…" He sighed, torn over what to do.

Meanwhile, in Naruto's mental world, two figures were deep in debate over his dining dilemma.

"There used to be a jutsu that could turn water and earth into edible food using chakra. The taste wasn't great, but it filled the stomach. It was often used on the battlefield." Minato pondered seriously. "If I start teaching him now, Naruto could learn it in a month."

"No. It's too early to teach him jutsu," Kurama objected, rolling his eyes. "You're getting carried away as a dad. Hiruzen isn't about to let the kid starve."

"I should've saved up some money for him. If I hadn't listened to Kushina, I could've left a stash under the bed for him…" Minato muttered, much to Kurama's silent exasperation.

Kurama thought bitterly: Typical. He'd blame me for the village attack rather than admit it was his own oversight.

"Let Naruto handle it. Besides, he's only training in physical skills, nothing that will draw suspicion." Kurama yawned, his tails lazily swaying, and added, "As for sealing techniques, as long as there's no need to use them, Naruto should be fine. Even if he does use them…"

"It's alright. What I taught him is from the Uzumaki clan. Other than the Third Hokage, only Jiraiya-sensei might recognize it." Minato assured. "I'm sure they'll protect him no matter what."

"Jiraiya…" Kurama huffed, but relaxed. "You don't have to tell me. I probably know that guy better than you do. I saw every moment he spent with Naruto."

"Oh, by the way, even though I understand why you want Naruto to learn sealing techniques early, I still have to remind you," Kurama said, eyeing Minato. "Avoid revealing ourselves to him too soon. It could bring a lot of unnecessary trouble."

Minato glanced at Kurama, who returned to his resting position within the seal, seemingly indifferent. But deep down, a question lingered in Minato's mind.

Kurama had entrusted him with teaching Naruto, claiming that he, as a beast, couldn't provide the guidance of a human teacher. But was that really Kurama's sole reason?

If those powerful enemies Kurama hinted at truly existed, why wasn't it more concerned?