However, right after agreeing, it was as if something occurred to him.
The joy on his face dimmed, and he hesitated before speaking again.
"Um… Uncle, maybe not. Let's talk about it another time."
After saying that, Naruto lowered his head, looking as if he'd done something wrong.
Arata hadn't expected this reaction. He frowned slightly, his tone turning serious.
"Why don't you want to go anymore? Don't you like ramen?"
Hearing the shift in Arata's voice, Naruto grew anxious, afraid that even this kind uncle might start to dislike him. He hurriedly explained,
"I do want to go eat ramen with you, Uncle, but… but a lot of people hate me. I'm scared that if you eat with me, they'll dislike you too."
As he spoke, sweat formed on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with unease.
Arata froze for a moment after hearing this. He had never imagined that this would be Naruto's reason.
Such a young child....and yet he was already thinking from another person's perspective.
Arata looked at Naruto with a complicated expression, then smiled warmly.
"It's alright. I get along well with them. They won't dislike me.
When we have time, I'll take you to Ichiraku Ramen."
Hearing this, Naruto's face lit up again. He nodded firmly.
"Mm! Okay, Uncle!"
Seeing Naruto agree, Arata smiled as well. Then, as if remembering something, he extended his hand toward Naruto.
"Then we're officially acquainted. My name is Uchiha Arata, of the Uchiha clan. I look forward to getting along with you."
Naruto stared at the gesture for a moment, then reached out and shook Arata's hand, copying him as he spoke,
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, of the Uzumaki clan. Please take care of me."
After that, the two exchanged smiles, and the distance between them seemed to shrink instantly.
While Arata and Naruto were chatting, Xingling and Karin came out of the kitchen.
Xingling carried hot tea, while little Karin followed obediently behind, holding some snacks.
After setting everything down, Xingling smiled and asked,
"I could hear you two laughing from the kitchen. What were you talking about? You seem so happy."
Before Arata could answer, Naruto blurted out excitedly,
"Auntie, Auntie! Mr. Arata is the kind uncle I told you about! And now we're friends, right, Uncle?"
Seeing Naruto look at him expectantly, Arata smiled and nodded.
"Naruto is a kind and good child. I like him very much as well."
Hearing this, Naruto's face flushed red with excitement.
He happily said to Xiangling,
"See, Auntie? Mr. Arata even praised me!"
Xingling looked at Naruto with affection. She knew that his happiness came from being acknowledged....something that meant everything to a child who had always been alone.
The group continued chatting, talking about Konoha's environment, public order, atmosphere, and eventually about the Ninja Academy's enrollment and system.
Xingling had already decided to send Karin to the Ninja Academy as well, so she could accompany Naruto.
That way, Karin could make friends and learn useful knowledge, while also keeping Naruto company so he wouldn't be isolated by others.
Arata approved of Xingling's decision.
This was, after all, a world of ninja, where shinobi stood at the center of everything.
Someone as naturally gifted as Karin would be wasting her potential if she didn't walk the path of a ninja.
After finishing a full pot of tea, Arata felt that the time was about right.
He shifted the conversation and finally explained his true purpose.
Setting his teacup down, Arata said to Xingling,
"Madam Xingling, the truth is, my visit today is also part of a mission."
Hearing this, the smile on Xingling's face faded slightly.
After a brief pause, she asked,
"Mr. Arata, what kind of mission is it?"
Arata waved his hand lightly and smiled.
"No need to be nervous. It's just a routine task.
The Third Hokage believes that I'm relatively close to your family, so he entrusted this mission to me."
He chose his words carefully.
"My purpose here is to carry out a periodic inspection of Naruto's seal.
As you know, Naruto's status is special, and the seal requires regular checks.
"In the past, ANBU would perform these inspections at night while Naruto was asleep.
But now that you're here....and effectively his guardian....it wouldn't be appropriate to continue doing that in secret.
"Also, Naruto is reaching the age to attend the Ninja Academy.
It's time for him to learn some things about himself. That's why I accepted this mission...
to speak with you directly."
Before arriving in Konoha, Arata had already explained Naruto's identity as the Nine-Tails jinchūriki to Xingling.
So she was able to understand his words quite easily.
After all, as a member of the Uzumaki clan...and a direct descendant at that.....she knew something about Uzumaki Mito, the First Hokage's wife, who had once been the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
Naturally, she also had some understanding of what it meant to bear the Nine-Tails.
Although Xingling had some understanding of what it meant to be a Nine-Tails jinchūriki, her knowledge was far from complete.
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