After being caught peeking, Naruto quickly looked away, feeling a bit uneasy and shivering slightly.
Upon realizing he was continuously being stared at, Naruto didn't dare to breathe loudly.
Although the person was not much older than him, he found them incredibly intimidating.
This intimidation, how to say, wasn't due to a difference in strength, but rather like facing a strict elder, timidly not daring to talk back.
"Do you want some candy?"
In this tense and uneasy atmosphere, Ichihime broke the awkwardness by speaking to Naruto.
"Eh?"
Naruto stared dumbly, looking up at Ichihime.
"Do you want some candy?"
Ichihime asked again.
"Um... Are you talking to me?"
Naruto asked excitedly.
He has always been fearful and anxious toward strangers.
He doesn't understand why, but many adults in the village detest him, and even many children in the school have been influenced by those adults, often stealthily throwing stones at him, mocking him as a 'fox freak.'
Honestly, he's clearly human, how could he be a fox freak?
As a result, not only in the village but also at school, he has very few friends to play with.
Therefore, when a stranger talks to him and expresses kindness, he feels so excited and happy.
Seeing him like this, Ichihime did not know what to say for a moment, only casting a sympathetic look.
Such a Jinchuriki, perhaps just a bit of kindness would easily lead him astray from Konoha.
"Choose one, this is a very delicious candy with varied flavors. I specially asked the old man to make it for me."
Ichihime took out a palm-sized bag from somewhere, untied the knot, revealing numerous candies inside.
Every candy was wrapped in delicate packaging, looking very appealing.
Placing it in front of Naruto, inviting him to pick one.
"Thank you, big sister. Then I'll choose one."
Naruto joyfully reached into the bag and picked one.
Unwrapping the packaging, he saw a crystal-like transparent and beautiful candy, and he gulped.
This candy was too good-looking; he had never seen such a beautiful candy before, and it looked delicious.
Without hesitation, he put the candy into his mouth.
All of a sudden, a huge wave of sourness filled his entire mouth, twisting Naruto's smiling face into a knot, tears unconsciously welled up due to the sourness of the candy.
Naruto harbored various grievances against Ichihime in his heart.
So sour!
This big sister, is she trying to kill him?
Why is there such a sour candy? The old man who made this candy must be a bad person.
"Looks like you got the sour flavor candy, what a pity, your luck isn't great."
Ichihime, seeing Naruto's agonized face, revealed a satisfied expression.
Kids should understand the harshness of society.
That way, they won't be deceived by adults.
Educating kids with this method, I'm really too kind.
"Big sister, you're a liar, this is not tasty at all."
Naruto, on the verge of tears, looked at Ichihime.
The sourness remained in his mouth for less than a minute, and Naruto had never tasted such awful candy.
"That's just bad luck, you picked a sour candy. Want to try again? There is a super delicious candy hidden in here, only smart kids can taste it."
Ichihime looked at Naruto with a smile.
Super delicious... candy? Naruto looked at Ichihime suspiciously.
Also, what does being smart have to do with tasting the best candy?
However, a ninja won't be defeated twice in the same place.
With that thought, he grabbed another candy from the bag, unwrapped it, hesitated for a moment, then put it in his mouth.
"Naruto, your miso chashu ramen is ready..."
Teuchi came over with a large bowl of ramen.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!"
Naruto suddenly let out an extremely hoarse scream.
"It's so spicy! So spicy! I'm burning up!"
His tear ducts seemed to malfunction, tears flowed uncontrollably.
His mouth was red and appeared swollen.
Naruto jumped up from his seat and climbed onto the counter, urgently pleading with Teuchi:
"Te, Teuchi Uncle, water, give me water quickly!"
"Naruto, don't mess around, the ramen will spill!"
Teuchi was startled by Naruto's actions.
"Give me water quickly! I need water! It's too spicy!"
Naruto continued to howl, not caring if his ramen spilled. He just wanted water to wash away the spiciness in his mouth.
Soon, Ichihime came out carrying two packaged large bowls of ramen, completely ignoring the chaos in the ramen shop.
"How can you easily believe an adult's words, you foolish kid."
Nine-tailed Jinchuriki, completely defeated.