'Man, Konoha's really vibrant at night,' Sabuko thought as he weaved through the crowd, scents wafting past his nose—grilled skewers, soy, roasted chestnuts.
Then, a low growl.
He clutched his stomach.
'Ahh... Damn it. Should've eaten something. Or stolen something before I left the house. Guess I'll eat at Takos' place in exchange for something else. I just need to ask someone where those... what was it, his family name? Burger Ninjas? Burgers... something...'
Another growl. He drooled at the thought.
'Burgers...'
'Huh?' His eyes locked onto a ramen stand.
The sign read: Ichiraku Ramen.
'NO.' His grin twitched up. 'NO FUCKING WAY. I ACTUALLY FOUND IT.'
He scanned the stools.
An orange blur sat hunched over a bowl, devouring noodles like a starving animal.
'There he is... Naruto. Good. This must be before the Zabuza mission. Probably still catching cats or something with his team.'
'Perfect timing. I can learn Kage Bunshin from him NOW.'
He stepped up.
"Well, if it isn't Naruto!" Sabuko called out as he approached.
Naruto turned with cheeks puffed full of noodles, eyes going wide. "Oh... Sabuko...!!"
Sabuko took a seat next to him. "Haha, you remember my name, eh? I heard from my dad that you passed the Genin exams. Congratulations. How'd you pull it off?" He patted Naruto on the shoulder.
"Uh… Uhm… I… uh…" Naruto looked away, visibly flustered.
'…Huh? Not ready to talk? Damn. I thought he'd be more open. Guess Naruto's more conservative than I figured.' Sabuko clicked his tongue quietly.
"WELCOME!" Iruka's voice rang out warmly. "Are you one of Naruto's friends?"
'Haha... I'm actually talking with Naruto and Ichiraku. And his eyes are closed just like in the show…' Sabuko thought, containing a smile.
'But…'
"Ah… I… uh…" Sabuko scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.
'How do I answer that...? Hm. Better just be honest.'
"Uh, I guess we're acquaintances. We studied together at the Academy, but I wouldn't call us friends—"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Naruto's voice cut in, firm but trembling.
Sabuko turned, surprised.
"You're… one of my best friends, dattebayo… Don't… talk like we're strangers."
'Ah…' Sabuko's eyes widened.
'Uh... Ah... I... I guess my plan worked?'
Sabuko swallowed, blinking as he looked away.
'I guess I'm the first one who said stuff like that to him, so naturally he'd be grateful...'
"Haha, sorry, sir. I guess we are f-... friends then," Sabuko said with a smile.
"Ohh! I see! Would you like some ramen?" Ichiraku offered kindly.
"A-ah… no, I don't have any coin on me. I just saw Naruto and wanted to say hi," Sabuko replied with a forced chuckle, scratching his cheek.
Ichiraku's smile dimmed slightly as his eyes shifted to the small trash bag Sabuko had set down beside him.
'I'll be at Takos's place soon anyway. No need to bother him or Naruto.'
Before he could gather his thoughts, a steaming bowl of ramen was gently placed in front of him.
"Here—eat up!" Ichiraku said warmly.
Sabuko blinked.
'Eh… Eh?'
His stomach growled on cue.
"But... but sir, I can't pay for this," Sabuko protested. "I don't have a single ryo on me."
"That's fine, that's fine," Ichiraku waved it off. "You're one of Naruto's friends, and you seem like a good kid. This one's on the house. Dig in."
"HEY, NOT FAIR! I ALSO WANT A FREE BOWL!" Naruto complained, his usual personality seems to shine once more.
"I already gave you one the other day, Naruto! You shouldn't be greedy!" Ichiraku scolded.
"Cheee..!" He folded his arms, looking away with a pout.
"Ah…" Sabuko let out as he looked at the steaming, abundant bowl.
His lips trembled.
'H-haha…' He forced a chuckle, breaking the chopsticks apart with shaky hands.
The scent of meat and warm broth swirled around him.
He raised a bundle of noodles, blew on them, and slurped them in. Salty and savory broth covering his whole mouth with soft and soaked noodles.
'It's so… damn… tasty…' he thought, eyes welling up.
'Damn it… I came to learn Kage Bunshin so I could get railed by mommy domme foxgirl clones with cocks… If you knew it... You'd throw this ramen in my fucking face...!' He clenched his fist under the table.
"Old man Ichiraku's ramen is…" Naruto chimed in beside him, mouth full and smiling, "damn delicious, ain't it?" He gave Sabuko a hearty slap on the back.
"Yeah…" Sabuko muttered, quickly wiping his eyes as tears slipped down anyway. "Yeah…"
Ichiraku smiled warmly as his back was turned, working on the noodles behind the counter.
'They taste just like I imagined when I used to watch Naruto… Damn it…'
Before long, the bowl was squeaky clean.
"Thanks for the meal, sir. I won't forget it," Sabuko said, bowing respectfully.
'When I get some money… I'll always eat here. I'll have my clone harem fund Ichiraku's. I'll give this man a ramen empire.' He decided it right then and there.
"Of course, kid! Come back anytime," Ichiraku replied with a warm grin.
'But now. More importantly...'
"…Naruto," Sabuko said, still sitting beside him.
"What's up?" He answered with a full mouth.
"How'd you pass the Genin exam?" He looked over at him, genuinely curious.
Naruto straightened up with a proud grin as he swallowed.
"Hmph!" He pointed at himself with his thumb. "I actually learned a really strong jutsu! All by myself!"
"Huuuuuuuuh…?" Sabuko raised an eyebrow, voice low. "Didn't you need Bunshin no Jutsu to pass?"
"Yeah! I learned Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! Used it to beat someone who threatened Iruka-sensei—and Iruka-sensei passed me! You better believe it!"
"That's… cool." Sabuko nodded slowly. "Kage Bunshin's high-rank though, right? It's super useful…"
He leaned against the counter, sighing.
'Wink wink... Get the hint...'
"I wanna learn it sooo bad…" He groaned a little, frustration leaking out. "You're so damn lucky… I wish I knew it…"
"Oh!" Naruto perked up. "Then I'll teach you! It's actually really easy! You'll get it in no time—you better believe it!"
Sabuko turned to him, eyes wide.
'Yessss gotcha!' He thought in triumph.
"R-really!? But that's a Jonin-level jutsu…! C-Can I really learn something that cool?"
Naruto nodded with enthusiasm, fists on his hips.
"Hmm! Hmm! I'm a great teacher! And with enough practice, you can do anything! If I'm gonna be Hokage someday and get everyone to acknowledge me, then I have to be able to teach!"
Then, muttering under his breath with a sideways glare, he added,
"...Besides, I bet you're way less annoying than a certain someone."
"..?"
'Ah—he's probably talking about Konohamaru. They've met, then.'
Sabuko raised his hand with a smile. "Then—I'm in your care, Naruto-sensei!"
Naruto blinked, eyes widening a little at the gesture.
"Y–…"
'Shit. Was that too much?' Sabuko winced inwardly. 'Since Konohamaru called him 'boss,' I figured this was normal…'
"SURE!! I'LL MAKE SURE YOU MASTER IT—YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!" Naruto shouted with a grin, gripping his hand firmly.
'Phew...'
"And..." Naruto added, his tone more serious, "Besides Iruka-sensei, you're the first person to acknowledge me." He let out as he looked away.
"..."
"Something like this is the least I can do... you better believe it," Naruto added, his voice softening near the end.
Sabuko took a breath.
"It's not that I acknowledge you or not, Naruto," he said quietly.
"Huh?" Naruto looked up at him, blue eyes widening slightly.
"No one needs to 'acknowledge' you just to treat you like a human being. You're fun to be around, who cares about the rest?"
"...!"
Naruto's eyes went wide, his mouth slightly agape.
"Sabuko... W-.."
"What are you even saying? I didn't understand any of that. I'mma be Hokage, so acknowledge me then!" Naruto scratched his head.
Sabuko deadpanned.
'... Dumbass.'
Ichiraku smiled again as he worked on the noodles.
'He's a good kid, isn't he?' He thought to himself while looking at Sabuko.
Sabuko turned to the counter, as if brushing the moment off.
"Well, I guess I don't question your abilities, Naruto." Sabuko sighed, "Sexy Jutsu's unrivaled. I think people seriously underestimate how powerful it actually is."
"I KNOW, RIGHT?! FINALLY someone elsewho sees my genius!" Naruto beamed.
"Oh? There are more men of culture out there?" Sabuko asked, feigning ignorance.
"Oh yeah! His name's Konohamaru — and get this, he's—"