Naruto briefly recounted what had happened on the street earlier: Konohamaru bumped into someone, he stepped in to stop it, the other party backed down, and the people from Sunagakure left on their own.
Iruka breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, but his expression remained serious. "The Genin sent by Sunagakure this time are not simple. Their leader is the Jonin Baki, I saw his name at the registration office yesterday. He holds a very high position within Sunagakure. Students led by him personally will definitely not be weak."
Naruto nodded.
Of course, he knew the Sunagakure candidates weren't weak. Gaara was the strongest candidate in this Chunin Exams, bar none. And Baki was not only the Jonin leader for Gaara and his team, but also Sunagakure's leader for the Konoha Crush Plan.
But these were plot points for the future, now was not the time to discuss these with Iruka.
"Back to business."
Iruka set down the water cup, his expression becoming serious. "Naruto, your Jonin instructor, Kakashi, has already submitted the Chunin Exams application forms for the three of you."
"The main reason I pulled this stunt today was because of this. I was worried about you participating in the Chunin Exams, so I wanted to test your strength and ability to handle unexpected situations myself."
"As for the results... how should I put it?"
Iruka gave a wry smile. "Each of you exceeded my expectations, especially you, Naruto."
Naruto smiled slightly. "I went to the Land of Waves and experienced some things. I saw what real ninja combat looks like, and I saw how truly powerful ninjas survive on the battlefield. I suppose it was from that point on that I felt I had wasted too much time in the village before."
Iruka looked at Naruto and remained silent for a long time.
He had taught Naruto for several years. From his first day at the Ninja Academy, to when he stole the Scroll of Seals for a make-up exam, to when he finally put on his headband and was assigned to Team 7, Iruka had been there for every stage.
He understood the kind of environment Naruto had grown up in. Precisely because he understood, seeing Naruto like this now, the sense of relief and pride welling up in his heart was so strong that his nose felt a little sore.
"Naruto..."
Iruka's voice softened. "You've grown up."
He sat up straight on the bed and patted his knees. "Although I was almost knocked out by you today, I can still afford to treat you to a meal. Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen, all you can eat."
Naruto smiled.
—
As night fell on the streets of Konoha, streetlights turned on one after another, casting yellow light across the cobblestone path.
Iruka and Naruto walked side by side on their way to Ichiraku Ramen.
The aroma of soup wafted out from behind the curtain, and the whole street could smell it.
Iruka lifted the noren curtain, and Naruto followed him inside.
Teuchi was wiping bowls. Hearing the curtain move, he looked up, and as soon as he saw that blonde head, his eyes lit up immediately.
"Yo! Isn't this Naruto? Long time no see."
"Uncle Teuchi, long time no see." Naruto sat down on a stool and smiled.
In Konoha, Ichiraku Ramen was one of the few places where the original Naruto didn't have to worry about how others looked at him.
Teuchi and his daughter, Ayame, never treated him differently because he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. His money was money, just like anyone else's. Here, he was no different from any ordinary customer.
The original Naruto had once considered Ichiraku Ramen one of the most important things in his life. Besides Iruka, Teuchi and Ayame were probably the only people he could feel at ease with.
This feeling of being treated with sincerity was something the current Naruto also took to heart.
"Uncle, two bowls of Tonkotsu ramen, please." Iruka sat down next to Naruto and held up two fingers.
"Two bowls of Tonkotsu ramen coming right up!"
Soon, two steaming bowls of Tonkotsu ramen were placed in front of Iruka and Naruto. They were filled to the brim, and there were five slices of chashu pork arranged on top.
"Let's eat."
Iruka snapped his chopsticks apart and put his hands together.
Naruto also put his hands together, then picked up a chopstick-full of noodles, blew on them, and put them into his mouth.
The noodles were firm, and the Tonkotsu broth was rich but not greasy—exactly the same taste as what the original Naruto had eaten in his memories.
He picked up a slice of chashu. It was a perfect mix of fat and lean, melting in his mouth, and the yolk of the soft-boiled egg, half-set and runny, coated the noodles. One bite, and his satisfaction was maxed out.
"How is it? Not bad, right?" Iruka asked with a smile as he watched Naruto's expression while eating.
Naruto swallowed the noodles in his mouth and nodded. "Delicious, and plenty of toppings too."
"You used to eat messily, shouting 'I'm going to be the Hokage' while you ate."
Iruka reminisced while eating his noodles, his eyes squinting behind the rising steam.
"You're much quieter now, and your table manners are much more refined than before."
"The past is the past. After all, a ninja has to grow up, Iruka-sensei." Naruto picked up some bamboo shoots with his chopsticks, his tone casual.