"Gi... Giant!" The residents of Konohagakure stared at Whitebeard in shock. They had never seen anyone as tall as a two-story building, which defied their imagination.
He exuded an overwhelming presence, especially with Whitebeard's rippling muscles and the fierce scars on his chest.
Having just gone through the Marineford War, Whitebeard radiated a murderous aura.
Just standing there, he made people shiver.
"How is there a giant in Konoha? Are there really giants in the Shinobi World?" Someone couldn't help but step back, their face full of shock: "How did he appear in Konoha?"
Some were frightened: "Is he an enemy? Did other shinobi villages invade Konoha? But the war ended years ago, didn't it?"
"Hurry! Notify the Uchiha Police Force!"
"Wait! He's carrying that kid on his shoulder! That unlucky star who brings misfortune!"
"Is the demon fox causing trouble again? He should be kicked out of Konoha!"
"The demon fox brought back a monster!"
Naruto's hard-won smile disappeared again after hearing these disdainful and angry shouts.
Feeling down, he tugged gently at Whitebeard's crescent mustache.
Whitebeard frowned deeply, unable to understand why adults would direct such malice at a child.
Naruto was only five, yet the entire village was bullying him.
The mentality of this village was severely twisted.
Did the "Hokage Grandpa" Naruto mentioned do nothing about this? What a worthless guardian!
Whitebeard's impression of the Third Hokage worsened.
"Naruto, are you okay?" He glanced at Naruto on his shoulder.
Naruto sniffled, pushing away his sadness and forcing a smile: "Dad, I'm fine! I'm used to it, I don't care what they say."
"I'll become Hokage one day! How could a future Hokage be affected by them?"
This kid...
So mature it was heartbreaking.
"Naruto, what do you want to eat? I remember you mentioned a place called Ichiraku Ramen. Do you want ramen?" Whitebeard changed the topic to keep Naruto from dwelling on the negativity.
As for the so-called Uchiha Police Force...
Whitebeard assumed they were similar to the Navy. But he didn't care at all.
"Yes!" Naruto's spirits lifted immediately.
...
Kakashi Hatake wasn't in a good mood today. During his nap, he dreamt of Rin, Obito, his mentor, and his father... Remembering those he had lost darkened his usual dead-fish eye.
He was sitting in Ichiraku Ramen. His Anbu mask hung casually at his waist.
He waited for Teuchi, the owner, to prepare his ramen while listlessly flipping through a provocative novel, finding it less attractive than "Icha Icha Paradise."
Nineteen-year-old Kakashi had lost interest in other books after reading Jiraiya's masterpiece, "Icha Icha Paradise."
Jiraiya's "Icha Icha Paradise" took the shinobi world by storm a year ago.
Kakashi received a copy as a gift from Jiraiya.
"Hmm?" Kakashi frowned, turning his head.
He heard some commotion outside, but the curtain of Ichiraku Ramen blocked his view.
"Forget it... Not my business."
Kakashi didn't move. He had become numb since the Third Shinobi World War ended.
Suddenly.
Sunlight poured in as someone lifted the curtain.
Teuchi, the ramen shop owner, quickly greeted the newcomers: "Welcome! What would you like to... Ah?"
Teuchi was stunned, his expression as if seeing an alien.
Even his swift ramen-making movements halted.
Kakashi sensed something was off.
He turned around again.
And froze.
Because when he looked back, he saw no one behind him. But when he raised his gaze, he realized it wasn't that there was no one but that the person was tall.
Ridiculously tall!
Kakashi tilted his head exaggeratedly to see a large, unfamiliar face. He estimated the person's height to be at least 6 meters!
He also noticed the giant was holding an enormous naginata, which looked like a small tree if not for the blade.
The upper body was bare, covered by a simple cloak, revealing battle-hardened muscles and scars.
The crescent mustache was highly distinctive.
Impossible to forget at a glance!
"That is..." Suddenly, Kakashi noticed someone familiar sitting on the giant's shoulder. His pupils shrank slightly: "Sensei's... child?"
"Gurararara! So this is Ichiraku Ramen? It's so small!" Whitebeard's hearty laugh seemed to echo down the street.
Looking straight ahead, he could see the third floor of Ichiraku Ramen at his height!
He had to lower his head and eyes to see the interior barely.
Whitebeard leaned his naginata against the building.
He blew on the ground.
The gust blew away all the dust, and he sat cross-legged on the ground. Even sitting, his head almost touched the ceiling.
After setting Naruto down, Whitebeard said to the shop, "Gurararara! Boss, bring a few bowls of your best ramen for my foolish son here!"
"And bring me dozens of bowls too!" Whitebeard said. "These bowls look too small; one isn't even a mouthful for me!"
"Huh?" Teuchi was still in shock and unable to respond.
"Ichiraku Uncle, it's me! It's me!" Naruto waved at Teuchi, smiling brightly: "My dad is treating me to ramen!"
Teuchi swallowed hard, his eyes shifting from Whitebeard to Naruto.
He recognized Naruto.
Among the many people in Konoha, some were kind-hearted. Teuchi and his daughter Ayame were among the few who didn't discriminate against Naruto.
"Naruto, this is your dad?" Teuchi was bewildered: "Didn't you say you were an orphan?"
Naruto's smile grew even brighter: "This is the dad I recognized today. From now on, we're family! Ichiraku Uncle, I have a family now! I have a father!"
Naruto's smile made Teuchi pause.
He had known Naruto for some time.
It was the first time he saw Naruto so happy.
Each child's smiles were heartbreaking; it wasn't easy for him to be this strong!
Suppressing his surprise, Teuchi smiled: "Congratulations, Naruto! Today, you and your father must try my best ramen!"
At this moment.
Kakashi: "???"
...
...