Chapter 41: A New Friend

As Kyojin stood at his door, staring at the familiar yellow-haired boy, Naruto's face lit up with excitement.

"Oi! Kyojin! You live here too?!" Naruto practically shouted, running up to him with an eager grin.

Kyojin simply nodded. "I do now."

Naruto gave a satisfied nod, but before he could say anything else, Kyojin turned and unlocked his door, stepping inside. He wasn't sure what else to say, and right now, he just wanted to see his new home.

However, the moment he set foot inside, Naruto followed after him without hesitation, hands behind his head as he casually looked around.

"Woah, this looks exactly like my place!" Naruto declared as if it were some grand discovery.

Kyojin blinked, his face expressionless. He noted Naruto's stupidity but simply gave him a thumbs-up before moving forward to explore his home.

The apartment was simple—a small kitchen, a living room that doubled as a dining area, a bathroom, and a single bedroom. As Kyojin walked through, he took mental notes.

He had never learned how to cook properly—his meals during his travels had consisted of nothing but roasted meat over an open flame. Looking at the bare kitchen, he realized he had no supplies, no ingredients, and no idea how to make a real meal.

He turned to Naruto, who was still standing in the doorway, rocking back and forth on his heels.

"Do you know any good places to eat?" Kyojin asked.

The moment those words left his mouth, Naruto's entire being seemed to radiate light. Any trace of gloom in Kyojin's apartment was instantly obliterated.

"ICHIRAKU RAMEN!" Naruto shouted, grabbing Kyojin by the back of his kimono like a cat grabbing its kitten.

Kyojin sighed, already getting used to this new method of travel.

In no time at all, Naruto had dragged him across the village, weaving through alleys and streets until they arrived at a small ramen stand nestled between buildings. The sign above read Ichiraku Ramen.

Kyojin stared at it, then turned to Naruto with a look that clearly asked, "This is what got you so excited?"

But Naruto had already stepped inside, grinning from ear to ear. With no other choice, Kyojin followed.

Inside the small stand, a kind-looking old man with a white headband stood behind the counter, along with a young girl, maybe a few years older than Kyojin.

"Old man Teuchi!" Naruto greeted loudly. "And Ayame!"

Kyojin simply nodded in acknowledgment.

"What'll it be, Naruto?" Teuchi asked with a warm smile.

"Miso ramen, of course!" Naruto answered instantly, then turned to Kyojin. "Oi, you gotta try this! It's the best ramen ever!"

Kyojin glanced at the menu. He had never had ramen before. After a moment, he settled on the same thing as Naruto.

As Teuchi got to work, he turned to Naruto. "So, is this your friend?"

Naruto beamed. "Yeah! Kyojin's awesome!"

Teuchi chuckled. "Well then, congratulations, Naruto."

Kyojin listened as the two of them began chatting about something to do with Naruto becoming Hokage. He wasn't particularly interested, so instead, he looked around.

And that's when he noticed it.

Chakra.

There was so much chakra here. It filled the air, much more than back in his village. It pulsed in the walls, in the ground, in the people walking outside. But what truly caught his attention were four distinct chakra sources hidden in the trees nearby, watching him.

Spies.

Kyojin wasn't surprised. He had walked into the village only days ago and suddenly joined the academy. It was only natural that they would keep an eye on him.

As long as they didn't bother him, he wouldn't bother them.

"Order up!" Teuchi's voice snapped him out of his thoughts as he placed two steaming bowls in front of them.

Naruto instantly grabbed his chopsticks and began devouring his ramen at an inhuman speed.

Kyojin, meanwhile, took his time. The broth was good. The egg was good. The chicken was good. He didn't know how else to describe it—just good.

He glanced over at Naruto, only to see that he had already finished his bowl and was enthusiastically asking for another.

Kyojin's eyes slightly widened.

How did he eat that fast?

Deciding not to think about it, he returned to his own bowl.

Naruto turned to him. "So? You like it?"

Kyojin simply nodded, continuing to eat.

By the time Kyojin finished his one bowl, Naruto had already finished his seventeenth, letting out a satisfied burp.

Kyojin reached for his money, but before he could pull it out, Teuchi waved him off. "It's on the house."

Kyojin stared at him for a moment before nodding in gratitude. A small smile ghosted across his lips.

Naruto threw his hands behind his head. "Alright, let's go!"

As they stepped out of the stand, the night had already settled in. The streets were lit up with warm lights, giving the village a peaceful glow.

Without warning, Naruto took off running.

"C'mon, Kyojin! Follow me!"

Kyojin sighed but chased after him. They ran through the streets, past buildings, through the forest, and up a mountain.

When they finally stopped, they stood on a cliff overlooking the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

Kyojin stared.

The village stretched out below, bathed in golden lights, with the massive stone faces of past Hokage carved into the mountain.

For the first time in a long while, Kyojin thought it looked beautiful.

His thoughts were interrupted when Naruto spoke.

"I'm gonna be Hokage."

Kyojin blinked and turned to him. "What?"

Naruto grinned, his thumb pointing to himself. "I'm gonna become someone everyone can look up to! Someone strong enough to protect everyone I care about!"

Kyojin's eyes slightly widened.

Protect… the people he cares about…

A memory surfaced.

His father's hand on his head, telling him he would become a great samurai.

His mother's voice, warm and gentle, whispering goodnight.

Then the image of his father kneeling in the snow, a sword through his stomach. His mother's lifeless body beside him. The burning village. The emptiness.

For the first time in a long while, something stirred in Kyojin's chest.

He pushed the memory down and looked at Naruto.

"You can do it."

Naruto beamed.

And for the first time since losing everything, Kyojin had a thought.

Maybe this time… I can protect the people I care about too.