Morning light spilled across the streets of Konoha, painting everything gold. Market vendors shouted over one another, children ran past with sticks, and the smell of simmering miso and roasted fish drifted through the breeze. Raven stood near a food stall with Yumi, her fox companion watching intently with bright eyes.
Ahead, a commotion brewed in the middle of the street.
Ino Yamanaka, small and loud, had her fists raised, shouting at a scrawny boy clutching a steaming bowl of ramen like it was the most precious thing on Earth.
Yumi flicked her tails. "So, are you going to do something about Ino bullying Naruto?"
Raven's violet eyes narrowed slightly, but her voice was light. "Of course I'm going to do something. After all—he's my son."
Ino jabbed a finger at Naruto's face. "Naruto, give me your ramen right now or I'll punch you in the face!"
Naruto bristled, holding the bowl tighter. "No way! It's mine! I paid for it with my own money!"
Raven stepped into view, her voice calm and firm. "Hey—how about I buy you a bowl of ramen, Ino? You don't need to take his, do you?"
Ino paused, turning to the source of the voice—and blinked in surprise at the tall, white-haired girl with glowing violet eyes.
"Wow… you're so beautiful. I love your hair."
"Thanks," Raven said. "I love your yellow hair too—it's very unique and exotic."
Ino grinned proudly. "Thanks!"
Naruto frowned, arms crossed. "You're really gonna buy her ramen? What about mine?"
"I'll buy you one too, little guy."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Who are you calling little? I'm three years old! That's practically an adult!"
Raven rolled her eyes. "Follow me, mister adult."
Yumi padded along beside them, muttering under her breath. "This should be entertaining."
The scent of pork broth, green onions, and fresh noodles filled the air as they arrived at Ichiraku Ramen. Customers sat elbow-to-elbow at the counter, laughing and chatting between slurps.
Raven placed her hands on the wood counter. "Hey, boss! Three bowls of ramen, please—one for me, one for Ino, and one for him."
Teuchi looked up and grinned. "Three bowls coming right up!"
Naruto clambered up onto a stool with both hands, feet swinging wildly as he barely managed to see over the counter.
"You're really treating me to ramen?" he asked, looking suspicious.
"Sure am."
Raven pulled out a small coin pouch from her coat and counted aloud as she pulled out the bills one by one. "One, two… fifteen Ryō." She dropped them onto the counter with a clean slap.
Teuchi nodded, amused. "This more than covers it, young lady."
"Keep the change, boss."
As Teuchi began ladling hot noodles into bowls, Yumi jumped up onto the counter beside Raven and watched with gleaming eyes.
"Yoink," she said casually, snatching Raven's bowl the moment it was set down.
"Hey! You can't just take my ramen like that—that's rude!"
"Please," Yumi said, already slurping happily. "I'm saving you from explaining to your parents why you smell like ramen instead of pizza when you get home."
Raven froze. "Oh… good point. Fine, you can have it."
"Thought so."
With a sigh, Raven leaned her chin in her hand as Ino and Naruto slurped their noodles beside her. The sound of clinking bowls and hot broth filled the space.
"I hope you like your ramen, Ino," she said softly.
Ino smiled brightly between bites. "This is delicious! You're Raven Kamazaki, right? I've seen you at the Krusty Kunai. My parents buy those fortune-cookies from your parents all the time."
"Yeah, they make good money off that. Glad to know the Yamanakas are loyal customers."
Naruto blinked. "Wait—your parents run that pizza place?"
Raven arched an eyebrow. "As if you didn't know! They run the number-one restaurant in Konoha—the Krusty Kunai. They're the creators and sellers of pizza—our family's original recipe."
"I've never had pizza before," Naruto admitted. "I always eat ramen—it's all I can afford."
"You live at that orphanage, don't you?"
Naruto shook his head and gulped another bite. "Not anymore. They kicked me out a while ago. I live on my own now in an apartment. The village gives me money to help with expenses."
Raven's expression darkened slightly. "They kicked you out of the orphanage?"
"Yeah, but the lady who ran it still helps me. She gives me extra money, cleans my place, does laundry, cooks if I need it."
Raven's lips quirked at the edge. "Excellent. Then I won't need to kill her."
Naruto choked mid-slurp. "What did you say?!"
"Nothing, nothing," Raven replied, waving her hand airily. "Just talking to myself."
Yumi wiped her whiskers with her paw. "You really need to work on your indoor voice."
As the meal continued, the tension eased. Naruto devoured his first bowl in record time and reached for a second, earning a laugh from Teuchi behind the counter.
"That kid eats faster than anyone I've ever seen!" Teuchi said with a smile.
Raven turned to Ino, her voice a little more serious. "Thanks, Ino, for eating with us."
Ino tilted her head. "Thanks, Raven, for buying me a bowl of ramen."
"No problem. You're Ino Yamanaka of the Yamanaka Clan, right?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"Are you training in your family's signature Mind Transfer Jutsu yet?"
Ino pouted slightly. "Yeah, but it's really hard using psychic abilities."
"Don't worry. You'll get it eventually. I might have a few tricks to help you out."
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