Chapter 28 Friends
"Um... Hello, Sasuke-kun."
Hinata nodded to Sasuke, and then, after getting Naruto's permission, sat down on the sofa in the living room.
Naruto is very happy now. His two good friends have come to visit him. This is really great.
"So, what do we do next?"
It's common knowledge that if three boys get together, they're bound to come up with a whole new set of ideas.
But Hinata is a girl, what should we do?
It's alright, Naruto has outside help!
It's time to release you! Go, Pidgey!
"Hmm, why don't you guys go gamble..."
Before Hashirama could finish speaking, Kurama swept him away with a single sweep of his tail.
Kurama: I used to be timid and submissive, but now I strike back with full force!
"Hashirama, are you crazy? Sending three four-year-old children to a casino?"
"Kid, don't listen to your bastard teacher. Let's go catch some fish, or we can go to a restaurant to eat."
Sigh, how did I, an evil nine-tailed fox spirit, end up as a mother hen?
"Oh, I see."
Naruto said, and then shared his idea with his two friends.
"How about we go get some barbecue?"
There is a barbecue restaurant on South Street, owned by the Akimichi clan, which also has a partnership with the Nara clan.
This makes their barbecue portions large, flavorful, and nutritious.
Naruto was once attracted by the smell of barbecue when he was out and about, but eating barbecue alone always felt a bit unsatisfying.
Now that's great, I can take my two best friends out to eat, isn't that wonderful?
"Hey, shall we eat out?"
Hinata doesn't actually wander around outside all the time, since she has proper upbringing.
Hashirama & Kurama: We're being indecent, aren't we?
Therefore, she was not very familiar with the village.
"Is it the one on South Street?"
Sasuke asked, "My brother took me to eat here once before on my birthday. It was so delicious."
"How about it? I...I'll treat you."
Although the barbecue there might be expensive, since it was with his only two friends, Naruto decided to treat them.
Besides, Sasuke is my underling, and Hinata is a girl, so of course I should treat them.
"Enough with the chit-chat. Are the Uchiha clan short of money?
We don't need your invitation."
Sasuke was aware of Naruto's situation, having visited him several times and learned that Naruto was an orphan living on welfare.
"Then... let's split it evenly."
Hinata tentatively suggested, her white eyes, slightly bluish, looking at Naruto.
After all, both of them are young masters and ladies from prominent families, so how could they possibly lack money?
Naruto paused for a moment, then nodded happily.
"Okay. Let's go."
In the sealed space, Hashirama held a handkerchief he had pulled out from somewhere, wiping away tears of emotion that streamed down his face.
"Oh, my little Naruto can finally go out to eat with his friends."
Kurama stared speechlessly at the crazed Hashirama and sighed inwardly.
Well, after all, he's the one who can hang out with Madara, so you can't expect his thought process to be perfectly normal.
However, their two younger brothers were very clear-headed, but unfortunately one died and the other was suppressed by his older brother for most of his life.
There were quite a few pedestrians on the road, and many of the dull-witted villagers who had seen Naruto looked at the three little ones with fearful eyes.
Naruto regretted coming out a little. Although his two friends knew that he was the Nine-Tailed Fox, they had never truly experienced the feeling of being ostracized.
He was a little worried that his two friends would be scared away.
"Hey, what are you looking at? The Uchiha clan is out and about, so please keep your distance."
Sasuke jumped out and shouted at the villagers who were looking at Naruto with hostility.
After all, the Uchiha clan serves as the Konoha Police Force, specializing in managing these civil disputes, so they still wield considerable influence among the villagers.
The villagers who saw the Uchiha fan on his body all lowered their heads.
"Shh, this fox spirit has found a new backer."
"Those two children must be Hyuga and Uchiha, right?
It's such a pity that they were tricked by the fox spirit at such a young age."
"Why don't the adults in their family do anything about it?
Could it be that their two clans are also accomplices of the Nine-Tailed Fox?"
"Keep your voice down, or if that Uchiha brat hears you, your house will be raided tomorrow."
"Alas, the world is going to the dogs."
The chatter of the villagers reached Naruto's ears, and at that moment, regret and worry filled his heart.
Suddenly, a soft little hand grasped Naruto's right hand.
"Naruto, let's not play with them."
Hinata spoke into Naruto's right ear.
"You're not some nine-tailed fox spirit."
"You are my good friend, Naruto Uzumaki."
Hinata mustered her courage and spoke, her face turning red.
"Hey, who's the guy? Forget about these people. I'll have Ni-chan arrest them all later. Let's hurry up and go eat some barbecue."
Sasuke grabbed Naruto's left arm and quickened his pace.
A light reappeared in Naruto's previously dimmed pupils.
"Okay, let's go."
The three little ones, holding hands and pulling each other's arms, arrived at the Akimichi yakiniku restaurant.
As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by a slightly overweight auntie.
Akimichi owner watched the three little ones walk over from behind the counter, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she immediately asked.
"Kids, are you here for barbecue?"
Her tone was very gentle, completely different from the dull-witted villagers outside.
"Yes, I'm Naruto, this is Sasuke, and this is Hinata."
Naruto nodded happily, but also let go of Hinata's hand, since Sasuke had also let go of Naruto's arm.
Hinata's face was slightly red, and her ears were practically steaming.
"Oh, I see. Here, let me arrange seats for you."
Akimichi owner noticed a signal from an ANBU member behind the three children and patiently led them to their seats.
The roasted meat arrived shortly afterward. It was premium beef, enhanced with special herbs to bring out its aroma, making the three kids' mouths water.
"Waaaaah, Kurama, I want to eat it too!"
Hashirama nudged the little Kurama lying next to him and said greedily.
"..."
Kurama no longer wants to talk about this.
"Little Naruto, remember to pack some to bring back for your teacher."
Hashirama's voice traveled directly from the sealed space into Naruto's mind.
Kurama, speechless, covered his eyes with his tail as he watched Hashirama trying to snatch the roasted meat from the three children.
How embarrassing! We lost to this thing back then.
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End of this chapter...