5 Uzumaki Naruto

'.....'= Thoughts

"....."= Conversations

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"I am famished," Hiroto muttered as he sat down, his stomach craving food. After resting for five minutes, he decided to eat something. It was evening, and the sun was setting slowly. Hiroto didn't even know how time had passed so fast.

"Well, let's go eat the most popular dish in the anime," Hiroto smiled.

Finally, after a little walking, he reached the Ramen Shop. It was empty, and except for Teuchi, the owner, no other customer could be seen. As Hiroto entered the shop, Teuchi looked at him and smiled, "Good evening, kid. A little late this time?"

"I was busy training, Teuchi," Hiroto smiled and sat down on the seat.

"So, do you want to eat today?" Teuchi asked.

"I want a miso ramen with extra pork," Hiroto replied.

"Wait a minute," Teuchi said and got to work, while Ayame, who had just arrived, ruffled Hiroto's hair and went inside to help him.

Soon, a steaming bowl of Ramen was placed in front of him. Being famished, he slowly dug in. It was too delicious. The ramen he had eaten in various Japanese hotels in his past life couldn't even come close to this taste. The heavenly smell and flavor intoxicated Hiroto. Teuchi and Ayame laughed at his expression.

While Hiroto devoured the bowl of Ramen in front of him, he ordered two more bowls. Teuchi immediately prepared the orders and placed them in front of Hiroto. Meanwhile, Teuchi and Ayame, who were engaged in conversation, stopped and turned their eyes towards the corner of the shop.

"Naruto, come inside," Teuchi smiled gently and beckoned to the yellow-haired kid who was peeking from the corner of the shop.

Naruto stopped hiding and cautiously entered the shop, his expression tense as he looked at Hiroto.

Hiroto stopped eating and looked at Naruto, who was standing behind him with a startled and awkward expression.

"You don't have to be so afraid. Even though I may look like a hungry demon now, I don't eat kids," Hiroto said playfully.

Naruto smiled awkwardly at that and asked hesitatingly, "You don't hate me?"

"That's a weird question to ask a person whom you have only met twice in your whole life," Hiroto answered. "Why would I hate you? Anyways, you were quite brave when fighting those kids and protecting Hinata. If anything, I admire your courage," Hiroto sincerely said.

"Thank you," Naruto barely managed to say these two words as he was shocked that Hiroto was actually praising him.

"Naruto, why were you hiding? Do you want something to eat? Are you hungry?" Ayame bombarded the bewildered Naruto with many questions.

"N-no, I am not hungry. I was just passing by," Naruto, who was broken out of his trance, smiled while scratching his head. But the sound coming from his stomach betrayed him. Naruto, feeling ashamed, looked down.

"Come sit here, I will make your special miso ramen," Teuchi said.

"Thank you, Teuchi-san. B-but I don't have any money. I will come back when I have enough money," Naruto replied.

"Don't worry, this one's on me," Teuchi said and started preparing one more bowl of ramen for Naruto.

Naruto was still reluctant, but finally losing to his hunger, he came and sat beside Hiroto.

Hiroto finished eating his ramen and glanced at Naruto, who was sitting beside him.

"Hey!" he said.

"Y-yes?" Naruto said with a tense face.

Hiroto brought his arm forward for a handshake. Seeing this, Naruto flinched, thinking that Hiroto was going to hit him or something.

"Nice to meet you. I am Senju Hiroto. Back then, you ran off quickly, so I wasn't able to introduce myself," Hiroto said.

"I am Uzumaki Naruto. Nice to meet you too," he said, embarrassed.

Naruto's tense expression relaxed after they introduced each other.

Soon, Ayame served a bowl of Ramen to Naruto. Naruto's eyes sparkled after seeing the bowl of Ramen in front of him.

"Itadakimasu!" he shouted happily and started eating.

Naruto devoured the bowl of Ramen much faster than Hiroto. He had already finished eating while Hiroto was only halfway. He looked like a person who had been starved for days.

'I have a much better life compared to him. Due to his Jinchuriki status, he is definitely given the worst treatment wherever he goes. Poor kid!' Hiroto sighed.

He gently pushed one of his uneaten ramen bowls towards Naruto.

Naruto looked surprised by his actions.

"Eat, you seem even more hungry than me," Hiroto said and continued eating his ramen.

"Don't worry about money; consider it my treat," I added.

"Why?" Naruto said.

"Why what?" Hiroto looked at him.

"You know, people call me Demon Fox, right? Everyone hates me and no one wants to be my friend. No one plays with me. People think that I am dangerous and will harm everyone..."

"I don't care what other people think. I will do whatever I like," Hiroto interrupted him.

Though he was surprised by Naruto's sudden outburst of emotions. "Also, you look more human to me than a demon," he continued. Naruto looked touched and on the verge of tears. Hiroto could easily tell that other than Teuchi and Ayame, no one had ever treated him in such a kind manner. Let alone showing kindness, no one in the village would have ever talked to him properly, well except their 'sweet and kind' Gramps.

"Thank you, Hiroto," he smiled brightly and started digging in, though one could see some happy tears threatening to fall from his face.

Teuchi and Ayame smiled as they watched their interaction.

After finishing his bowl of Ramen, Hiroto paid Teuchi and prepared to leave, but Naruto stopped him.

"Hiroto, wait!" Naruto exclaimed.

Hiroto stopped and turned to face him. Naruto seemed hesitant as if trying to find the right words to say. He then looked at Teuchi and Ayame, who were smiling at him, giving him encouragement.

Inspired by their smiles, Naruto gathered his courage and looked at Hiroto with determination.

"Will you be my friend?" he asked.

"Sure," Hiroto replied.

A bright smile lit up Naruto's face upon hearing the response.

"See you later then," Hiroto turned back and started walking towards his house, thinking about what kind of training he would do for his wood release.

"Bye, Hiroto," Naruto shouted happily.

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