Chapter 18: I Want to Become Strong

Haru turned around and saw that the newcomer was none other than the previous Uzumaki Naruto.

With his eyes closed and a stick in hand, he was shouting loudly as he rushed over.

"Naruto?"

Haru was surprised, unable to understand how Naruto ended up here. Wasn't he supposed to be enjoying ramen at Ichiraku?

Kakashi quickly recognized the visitor as well.

"I'll leave this to you," Haru said, glancing around at the bodies scattered on the ground. He casually tossed this comment to Kakashi, not caring about his reaction, and quickly rushed forward.

After all, Naruto was still just a child. Witnessing the bodies of ROOT members might leave a psychological scar on him.

In a few quick strides, Haru snatched the wooden stick from Naruto's hand, then spun around to switch their positions, placing Naruto so that he faced away from Kakashi and the corpses.

However, this did not calm Naruto down. Instead, he tightened his little fists and swung wildly.

Haru couldn't help but roll his eyes. He tossed the stick aside and clenched his fists.

As a result, Naruto instinctively began to struggle.

"It's me, Haru."

Haru took a deep breath and identified himself.

Upon hearing Haru's name, Naruto paused his struggling, slowly opening his tightly shut eyes.

When he saw that Haru was indeed standing in front of him, his eyes filled with tears, and he suddenly burst into a loud cry.

"Thank goodness…"

"Haru…"

"Wuu wuu wuu… I thought…"

Haru glanced at Kakashi, who had started to handle the bodies, temporarily hiding them in the woods.

At the same time, Kakashi gestured to Haru, indicating he should stabilize Naruto's emotions.

Haru nodded, slowly releasing his grip on Naruto's hands, then crouched down to wipe the tears from the little one's eyes.

"Real men don't cry easily, you know."

Haru's voice was gentle. "How did you end up here? Was the ramen not good?"

From Naruto's reaction, it seemed that his presence here wasn't coincidental.

"I…"

Naruto sniffled and began to explain.

Haru was his first friend and the first peer to invite him to ramen.

Perhaps to Haru, he was just one of many friends.

But to Naruto, Haru was his only friend.

When those ROOT ninjas took Haru away, Naruto was extremely worried.

So, he dashed out of the ramen shop, tailing them until he saw the ROOT ninjas attacking Haru.

Having witnessed such a scene, Naruto was instantly terrified.

"I'm sorry, Haru…"

While crying, Naruto apologized to Haru.

When he saw those people attacking Haru, his instinct hadn't been to help but to turn and run.

Even though Haru was his first friend.

He had chosen to flee out of fear at the crucial moment.

"Just because of that?"

Haru was momentarily taken aback, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Although those ROOT ninjas weren't a match for him, Naruto didn't know that.

In his eyes, Haru was merely better than Sasuke, not a real ninja.

Moreover, Naruto's fear-driven escape was enough to prove this point.

But even so, Naruto had still come back.

Haru thought that this wasn't just about mustering up courage.

Being alone had made him understand the feeling of helplessness.

Because of being isolated, he treated others with kindness.

This applied to Sasuke, Sakura, and Jiraiya.

Now… it also applied to him.

Haru didn't know how long Naruto cried; he only knew that after Naruto fully released his pent-up pressure, it had already grown dark, and his chest was wet with tears.

"Haru…"

"I'm here." Haru nodded. "Are we going back?"

Naruto didn't respond immediately, remaining silent for a long time as if he were grappling with some choice.

Haru was patient, waiting for Naruto.

After a while, it seemed Naruto had gathered all his courage and made up his mind, asking Haru,

"Can you teach me?"

"Hmm?"

"I want to become stronger…" Naruto took a deep breath, clenching his fists, "I want to become stronger…"

"And then become Hokage?" Haru teased, thinking that Naruto must want to become stronger to achieve his dream of being Hokage and gaining recognition from the village.

In reality, that was indeed Naruto's character.

However, Naruto's answer surprised Haru.

"Yeah, I want to become Hokage and surpass all the previous Hokages, gaining everyone's recognition. But…"

Naruto took a deep breath and continued, "If I become stronger, I won't have to retreat out of fear anymore. Haru… I want the strength to protect my friends…"