When Ron heard the boy's voice, he subconsciously looked up.
This was…
Naruto?
He and Jiraiya came from the Naruto world.
The future Seventh Hokage.
Jiraiya's disciple.
The reincarnation of Asura's chakra.
The so-called Child of Prophecy.
Because he was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—and an orphan—
he had been shunned by the villagers since childhood.
At the moment, he was traveling with Jiraiya, training on the road.
Ron smiled and replied,
"Yes. This tavern is the one that sent you the invitation."
"My name is Ron. I'm the owner here.
Welcome."
"Hi! I'm Naruto!"
Seeing that Ron meant no harm, Naruto finally relaxed.
He walked over and sat at the bar, deliberately choosing a seat far away from the Holy Lord and his son, as well as Black Little Tiger.
There was no special reason—
it was just a child's instinctive fear when facing demons and ferocious beasts.
This left the Holy Lord's family and Black Little Tiger feeling slightly wounded…
"What would you like to drink?" Ron asked gently.
Naruto shook his head vigorously.
"I'm not old enough to drink yet."
Naruto was only twelve years old.
Just the aroma of alcohol in the tavern already made him feel a little dizzy—
actually drinking was out of the question.
"Um…"
"Could I get a bowl of ramen?"
"I didn't really eat enough tonight."
Naruto scratched his head, his face turning red as he asked.
"Sure," Ron nodded and turned toward the kitchen.
"Rem, make a bowl of noodles."
"Understood, Master,"
came a soft, gentle voice from the kitchen.
Before long, the fragrance of food drifted out, mixing with the scent of alcohol and making mouths water.
Soon, Rem came out carrying a steaming bowl of ramen and placed it in front of Naruto.
"Your noodles. Please enjoy."
"Thanks!"
Naruto flashed a bright smile and immediately started slurping.
Maybe because he was hungry,
the entire bowl disappeared in no time.
"So good…"
Naruto leaned back in his chair, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Training is tough, right?" Ron asked.
"It's not too bad," Naruto replied with a grin.
"Pervy Sage isn't that strict, and what he teaches is pretty interesting."
But a hint of sadness flickered in his eyes.
"Still…"
"No matter how hard it is, I have to keep going."
"I have to catch up to that guy—
and bring him back to Konoha!"
Ron smiled knowingly.
"You're talking about Sasuke, right?"
Judging by the timeline, Naruto was training with Jiraiya,
while Sasuke had already left Konoha to train under Orochimaru.
In two and a half years, they would meet again.
Hearing that familiar name, Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Boss, you know him?!"
Ron didn't hide it.
"You could say that."
Naruto crossed his arms and pouted.
"Sasuke is really so—"
The word 'arrogant' never came out.
Instead, he lowered his head slightly, looking a little down.
Ron smiled and comforted him.
"Don't be sad. You'll bring him back."
"Can you tell me about him?"
Naruto looked up again, a smile returning to his face, and nodded firmly.
"Of course!"
"Back at the ninja academy…"
"Every day after school, the other kids would be picked up by their parents."
"And in the end, only Sasuke and I were left behind, sharing that loneliness."
"Back then, we weren't even friends yet."
"But…"
"Just knowing there was someone beside me who was the same—
that made it feel less lonely."
"That was the first bond I ever formed,
when I had absolutely nothing."
After that, Naruto talked for a long time.
About the battle with Haku—
when Naruto collapsed, and at the critical moment,
Sasuke stepped in front of him and took the deadly needles.
He didn't hesitate.
Didn't even think about revenge for his clan.
It was pure instinct.
About the bell test—
when Naruto was tied to the post.
Even though feeding him meant failing,
Sasuke still gave Naruto food without hesitation.
And many more moments…
One story after another.
Every memory involved Sasuke.
Perhaps…
it was because Sasuke had given Naruto his first warmth.
Just like Hinata, Naruto's devotion asked for nothing in return.
Sasuke never cared whether Naruto was a demon vessel or a future hero of Konoha.
He simply treated Naruto as a friend.
Eventually, the story reached its end—
Sasuke leaving Konoha,
and Naruto beginning his journey with Jiraiya.
After taking a sip of water, Naruto said firmly,
"No matter what, I'll bring Sasuke back to Konoha!"
Ron smiled.
"Do your best. You'll succeed."
Though in truth—
Naruto chased Sasuke for seven hundred episodes.
Just then, the system's notification sounded in Ron's mind.
[Ding. Guest: Uzumaki Naruto has finished his confession.]
[Ding. Guest: Wang Zhi has finished his confession.]
[Ding. Guest: Kaido has finished his confession.]
[Guest Wang Zhi: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki—select one.]
[Guest Kaido: Conqueror's Haki, Observation Haki—select one.]
[Guest Uzumaki Naruto: Rasengan, Sexy Technique, Reverse Harem Technique, Thousand Years of Death—select one.]
Ron thought briefly and said,
"Let's make a ball."
"Select Rasengan."
As for Kaido and Wang Zhi,
he chose Conqueror's Haki from both.
As time passed, the sun slowly set.
The evening light reflected off the sea, scattering golden ripples across the water.
Afterward, Naruto chatted with Ron for a while longer.
Because he needed to go drag a drunken Jiraiya back from a pleasure district,
Naruto reluctantly stood up.
"Boss, I really enjoyed talking with you."
"I'll come back when I have time."
"And… the ramen was really good!"
He reached for his wallet—
only to realize it was gone.
No doubt Jiraiya had stolen it again to visit "kind-hearted ladies."
Ron smiled.
"This one's on the house.
You're welcome anytime."
Normally, Ron would've made Naruto wash dishes.
But…
Jiraiya's books weren't read for nothing.
"I'll pay double next time!"
Naruto scratched his head shyly and ran out of the tavern.
After that, no new guests arrived.
The Holy Lord and his son, Liang Bing, Kesha, and the other regulars all left one after another.
After dinner, just as Ron was about to close the tavern for the night—
The bell rang again.
Ding-ling…
The door slowly opened a crack.
And a pair of short little legs stepped inside.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/ZoroTL442