"Naruto-kun, I really didn't expect you to be this amazing."
Ayame-nee was resting on a chair.
She watched as Naruto-kun, with just a few words, made those fierce-looking men surrender on their own.
For a moment, she felt as if the child she once knew had truly grown up.
Back then, Naruto-kun used to stand outside the shop, clutching a small amount of money, and it was Ayame who had first noticed him.
She never expected that, after only a few years, Naruto-kun would become so formidable.
Naruto-kun then asked her, "Ayame-nee, do you want to become a ninja?"
Ayame instinctively felt a surge of excitement when she heard that.
However… she quickly calmed herself down.
Ninjas who could run across walls and rooftops were certainly cool.
But Ayame cared more about her father's feelings.
She also didn't want to leave Teuchi alone in the ramen shop, making noodles by himself.
Naruto-kun noticed her initial excitement fade into hesitation.
Seeming to understand her worries, he said gently,
"Teuchi-ojisan doesn't want something like this to happen again either. If you were a ninja, you'd be able to protect yourself, wouldn't you?"
"Besides, those people aren't good news. What if they get desperate and go after Teuchi-ojisan?"
"I might not be around, and even if we tried to hire a ninja, it could already be too late…"
Hearing this, Ayame's expression hardened with resolve.
"Okay! I want to become a ninja!"
"Mm." Naruto-kun nodded in satisfaction.
For Ayame, even the strength of a genin would be enough.
However, what Naruto-kun truly meant by preventing those people from bothering Ayame again—
Wasn't about training her as a ninja.
Instead…
Naruto-kun took out a Flying Thunder God kunai and handed it to her.
"Big Sis, take this."
Ayame accepted the sharp kunai and awkwardly swung it a few times.
She was more used to holding a kitchen knife.
"Naruto-kun, is this for training?" she asked curiously.
Naruto-kun explained seriously,
"This is my Flying Thunder God kunai. It's like…"
"Well, let's put it this way—it's like my summoning device."
Ayame: "..."
Naruto-kun laughed.
"When you become a ninja, you'll learn something called chakra. If you ever encounter danger, just pour chakra into this kunai, and I'll appear to protect you!"
"Ah?" Ayame's chubby cheeks instantly flushed, and she subconsciously lowered her head shyly.
Although Naruto-kun was explaining earnestly and seriously—
To Ayame's ears, it sounded like something completely different.
She quickly snapped out of it.
No, no, this won't do.
Ayame reminded herself to stay grounded.
She was just a chef's daughter.
Naruto-kun was the Hokage's son—and incredibly strong.
This was like a fairy tale between a prince and Cinderella, except tragically…
She didn't even have glass slippers.
"Ayame-nee?" Naruto-kun waved his hand in front of her face.
"What are you thinking about?"
Ayame snapped back to reality and quickly said,
"Nothing, Naruto-kun. Are you going to teach me ninjutsu now?"
Naruto-kun thought for a moment, then said,
"To become a ninja, you need a foundation first."
"But if you go to the Ninja Academy now… you're already too old."
Hearing that, Ayame felt another wave of inferiority wash over her.
Indeed.
Not only was she a Cinderella without glass slippers—
She was also too old.
Thinking about it made her feel extremely depressed.
Naruto-kun continued,
"But don't worry. I have a very enthusiastic friend—she'll definitely be willing to help you get started."
To be precise, that person was only enthusiastic toward Naruto-kun.
That's right.
It was Sakura Haruno.
After bringing Ayame back to Ichiraku Ramen, reassuring Teuchi-ojisan that she was safe—
Naruto-kun took Ayame to find Sakura Haruno, who was in the middle of training.
"Become a ninja?"
Sakura Haruno rested her chin in her hand, emerald eyes filled with curiosity as she stared at Ayame, thinking deeply.
A slightly plump figure, ordinary looks, and still wearing a restaurant uniform.
However…
Sakura knew Ayame.
She was Naruto-kun's friend—someone who had helped him a lot when he was younger.
Wait a second?!
Helped Naruto-kun a lot?
A chill instantly ran down Sakura Haruno's spine.
A sense of mortal danger descended upon her.
"Naruto-kun!" Sakura suddenly asked, "You don't like Ayame-nee, do you?"
Ayame: "..."
Naruto-kun: "..."
Hey.
Could you be any more direct?!
Naruto-kun's mouth twitched as he instinctively raised his hand to knock Sakura on the head.
Sakura dodged reflexively—
But then realized Naruto-kun hadn't actually hit her.
Waaah! Disappointment! ┭┮﹏┭┮
Unable to hold back anymore, Naruto-kun said,
"Sakura, don't overthink it. Although Ayame-nee is very cute…"
As he said this, a sharp light flashed in Sakura Haruno's eyes, locking directly onto Ayame's face.
Three seconds later.
Sakura Haruno gave Ayame a meaningful look, then nodded at Naruto-kun.
"Don't worry, Naruto-kun. I'll take full responsibility for Ayame-nee."
"Good." Naruto-kun nodded and ruffled Sakura's head.
"But don't be too strict. Ayame-nee just needs to be able to protect herself."
Sakura Haruno made an OK gesture.
Then Naruto-kun left.
Sakura circled Ayame twice before openly declaring,
"Well then—starting today, I, Sakura Haruno, will be responsible for your training, Big Sis."
"You can just call me Sakura."
"Also… due to your special circumstances, I can't teach you theory yet."
"Go run first. Run until you can't run anymore."
"Because Naruto-kun doesn't like chubby girls."
"Huh?" Ayame had thought Sakura was talking about ninja training.
Sakura Haruno chuckled mischievously.
"Ayame-nee, don't be shy We're all adults here. I know what you're thinking I understand Ah I understand~~"
Seeing Sakura's raised eyebrow, Ayame couldn't help but feel—
This person might be a bit… unreliable?
Still, a ninja really shouldn't be too overweight.
And being overweight wasn't very attractive either.
What if she couldn't even find a boyfriend?
That thought troubled Ayame deeply.
So—
She started running, exactly as Sakura Haruno instructed.
Kurama Yakumo's favorite place was Hokage Rock.
From there, she could see all of Konoha.
She loved to draw—not only because of her Kekkei Genkai.
Becoming a ninja had always been her wish.
A wish born from the desire to protect her family.
If she weren't a ninja, Kurama Yakumo's greatest hobby would simply be drawing.
But ever since her parents passed away, her visits to Hokage Rock were no longer so simple.
It wasn't just for the scenery.
Nor just for art.
She used drawing as a way to soothe the guilt in her heart.
At that moment, Naruto-kun's voice sounded from behind her.
"Let's go."
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