80 Chapter-79

Flash back:

"Get up, shorty!" A young Naruto, just eight years old, tumbled to the ground after a blow that broke his nose. The one who struck him was none other than Hamura Tenko, their team 4 sensei, who, a mere week after becoming their teacher, never gave them a moment's rest. Every day turned into a battle of the three young Genin against their sensei, but, of course, they were no match for someone who had survived the second and third Shinobi World Wars.

"Ahg," the young blonde boy groaned as he struggled to his feet. His two companions weren't faring any better. Takashi sported multiple bruises and a dislocated left arm, while Kimi looked exhausted with blood trickling down her forehead. "This is nothing." Naruto got up, forming a Rasengan in his right palm and charging at their sensei, attempting to strike.

However, the veteran shinobi remained silent, effortlessly catching Naruto's wrist and kneeing him in the stomach. The attack left Naruto's arm trapped and him pinned to the ground, with Hamura's boot pressing down on his head.

"Enough!" Kimi, the only kunoichi in the group, attempted to intervene by rushing in with a kunai. But a swift kick from Hamura sent her flying through the air, though Takashi managed to catch her before she hit the ground.

"Ahg!" Naruto gritted his teeth and tried to rise, but the Jounin's boot bore down harder on his head, forcing him deeper into the ground.

"Do you think you're strong? You're not. Do you think you're special? You're not. Do you know what you are?... Nothing." Old Hamura reached down to grasp Naruto's hair, lifting him off the ground. "If this were real, you would be dead, just like your comrades, and I shouldn't mention what would've happened to your dear friend..." A dark expression crossed Hamura's face as he observed a fleeting red glint in Naruto's eyes due to the Kyubi's chakra, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. "Once we step outside Konoha's walls for a mission, you won't be the child of two Kage, the Jinchuriki of the Kyubi, or the prodigy who became a ninja at such a young age. No, you'll be just another shinobi facing the enemy—a mercenary, a commoner. Shinobi from other villages won't hesitate to end your life when you least expect it, unless you choose to grow, train, and become strong. Otherwise, you'll be forgotten." He released the young boy, turned his back, and walked away.

Naruto stood in silence, kneeling for a moment with his hands on the ground. Eventually, he rose and wiped away the blood from his mouth.

"Tomorrow we start C-rank missions. I hope you won't let me down. You can go; I'll finish the training." The Jounin vanished with a shunshin of leaves, leaving his students behind. Takashi helped Kimi walk, and together they approached Naruto.

"Are you okay, buddy?" Takashi inquired, his concern apparent. Naruto nodded and managed a slight smile.

"Yeah... Do you want something to eat?"

End of flashback:

Narrowing his eyes, Naruto forced a bitter smile. He grabbed his bag, took out his flask, and settled on the living room sofa, drinking in silence. Memories of his time with his team resurfaced—good times that had become nothing more than memories, just like all good things in life.

…..

"*Shff* *Shff*" Yu was awakened by a heavenly aroma that reached her nose. She got up from her bed, dressed only in a snug shirt, and a purple thong, as she preferred to sleep comfortably. She only refrained from sleeping naked because she wasn't alone in her house. She walked with her eyes closed, guided by the tantalizing scent.

Navigating through the hallway, she found her way to the kitchen. When she opened her eyes, her mouth watered at the sight before her. The table was filled with a variety of breakfast dishes: chocolate-covered pancakes with a drizzle of honey, toast with strawberry jam, and bacon and eggs sizzling in the pan, their crispy sounds only intensifying her hunger.

"Why are you crying?" As she entered the kitchen, a composed Naruto was arranging some plates on the table. He walked over to the frying pan, turning off the burner and using a fork to dish out the eggs and bacon. He grabbed salt from a cupboard and sprinkled it over the eggs and bacon.

"It's beautiful..." Mt. Lady exclaimed, dropping to her knees and shedding tears of joy at the sight of something she hadn't experienced in years: homemade food. Amid all the delectable dishes, she barely noticed her lack of clothing in front of the teenager. All her attention was fixed on Naruto as he handed her a plate.

"Emmm, yes," Naruto replied, somewhat uncertain. He allowed the woman to eat, and then he returned to the kitchen to prepare hand-ground coffee with care. Once it was ready, he handed her a cup of coffee, and she remained entirely focused on the table.

With trembling hands, Yu picked up a fork and took a bite of the pancakes, savoring each moment as she chewed slowly. "Mmmmmmm!" she let out a muffled sound of delight. She then took a sip of coffee. After finishing, she looked at Naruto, who was sipping his own coffee.

"I love you, stay with me forever," she said with great earnestness, her eyes shining as she gazed directly at the young shinobi.

"That?" Naruto couldn't help but inquire, taken aback by what he heard. The idea that the 'Pro-hero' perceived it that way might have been a lot to process during this meal. With a sigh, he simply shrugged. "Anyway, this is my way of apologizing for yesterday. I have no right to dictate who you can be or what you can do..." he added, reclining on the kitchen table to watch the blonde eat with enthusiasm. "...as long as I'm here, you'll eat properly. Fast food will lead you to an early grave." Without interrupting his coffee-drinking, he attempted to relax.

"Marry me... and keep feeding me."

...

"Ahhhhhh," Mt. Lady rubbed her stomach with a contented grin as she strolled through the streets alongside the shinobi. She couldn't recall having such a satisfying meal since her days living with her mother. She looked forward to what culinary delights the student under her care might prepare next.

"Where did you learn to cook like that? I'm certain that if being a professional hero doesn't work out for you, you could open a restaurant," she said cheerfully. Her joy over the delectable meal was evident in her light, almost skipping steps, making her appear as though she were a girl.

"I had a younger sister and a mother who worked all day. I took on the cooking and cleaning duties. My father always said that if you're going to do something, do it to the best of your abilities, or don't do it at all," Naruto explained calmly, glancing around at the growing crowd that was taking an interest in their conspicuous presence on the city streets.

"Well, it's impossible to cook better than what you prepared," Mt. Lady said as they continued to walk more casually, while noticing the number of people snapping photos or excitedly greeting the shinobi from afar. "Oh, it seems you're rather famous. You truly deserve it," she added, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.

"I'm not interested," Naruto replied tersely, and he carried on walking. He stopped in front of an electronics store window, where one of the many televisions displayed an image of the 'Hero Killer'. This masked figure had a sharp face, donned tattered clothing, and wielded multiple swords and blades.

"Another hero has been found dead in the city of Yoto, apparently a known figure, the 'hero killer,' is behind the attacks in this area. There have already been 15 fatalities and 20 'Pro-heroes' seriously injured, such as the recent case of Ingenium, who reportedly can no longer use his legs. A significant loss for the hero society and a tragic end for a distinguished hero like Ingenium," the news report detailed.

"..." Naruto remained impassive as he watched the screen displaying sketches and images of the notorious 'hero killer.'

"We must be cautious during our patrols. You never know who we might encounter," Mt. Lady said as she walked up to stand beside the shinobi, both watching the screens. Just as they were about to leave, footsteps approached, and they turned to see a 15-year-old girl with violet hair and dark eyes, slender and dressed in a typical high school uniform.

"Good morning!" The girl bowed respectfully as she walked up to the two blondes. She shyly glanced at the Uzumaki teenager, who remained stoic with his arms crossed. "I'm Mio Karashi... you saved my younger brother and my mother a few days ago during the train incident... and I... I just wanted to say thank you!" She bowed again.

"No problem," Naruto began to reply, but he was interrupted when the girl unexpectedly hugged him tightly. As the seconds passed, the embrace felt awkward or at least uncomfortable for the Uzumaki, who remained rigid while enduring the hug.

"Thank you," the girl whispered, breaking away from the teenager and then hurrying off. As the seconds passed, the blonde watched her reunite with her family in the distance.

"It feels good, doesn't it?" Mt. Lady smiled beside him, observing the shinobi's blank expression.

"Knowing that you help people. I know you don't like it, but I've received numerous calls from important people who want to interview you. They all want to meet you. You're a hero," she insisted. It was the truth. Since she woke up that morning, she had received hundreds of calls and emails, all about the teenager under her care.

"I'm not interested," Naruto replied coldly. He resumed his patrol through the streets, sighing wearily. Mt. Lady followed him. They spent the following hours patrolling, although nothing of significance occurred.

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