章 25: The Ungrateful Kakashi

"Slurp... Slurp..."

Naruto was making loud slurping sounds as he ate, enjoying his meal immensely.

Shisui had finished his bowl of pork bone ramen, which was indeed delicious. Sasuke, on the other hand, had ordered some snacks.

As Naruto was finishing up, the curtain was lifted, and a ninja with silvery hair and a masked face entered, sitting in the far corner.

"One miso pork ramen, please," the newcomer ordered.

Shisui turned his head and glanced at Kakashi.

Really? They sent Kakashi because they're that nervous?

"Burp..."

Naruto let out a big burp and clapped his hands together.

"Thanks for the meal!"

The resilience of the Uzumaki clan was genuinely remarkable.

The Grand Slam ramen was two sizes bigger than Naruto's head and packed with ingredients.

Even Shisui would need a long time to finish it, but Naruto had already cleaned his bowl, and he was only five years old.

Naruto loved ramen partly because it was delicious there and because Teuchi and Ayame did not discriminate against him.

Also, this was about the only meal he could afford.

"Hey Naruto, are you full?" Shisui asked with a smile.

"Yup, Senior Shisui, I'm stuffed," Naruto patted his stomach, never feeling so satisfied.

"Naruto, Sasuke told me you've been a bit of a troublemaker?" Shisui asked.

Sasuke looked baffled. He had just met Shisui today; how could he have told him anything? But a look from Shisui made Sasuke zip his lips.

"I, uh... haha..." Naruto scratched his head, embarrassed. He couldn't precisely tell Shisui that his pranks were a way to get attention.

"Sorry, Senior Shisui, I won't be naughty anymore."

Shisui didn't scold him but instead signalled Ayame to come over for the bill.

He pulled out twenty 1,000-Ryo bills and handed them to Ayame.

Ayame tried to refuse, "It's only 320 ryo."

The meal was cheap—besides the Grand Slams at 200 Ryo, Shisui and Sasuke's meals were only 60 Ryo each.

Shisui insisted, "Keep the extra as a tab. Whenever Naruto and Sasuke come in, just deduct it from there."

"Can we do that?" Ayame looked at Teuchi, who nodded in agreement, and she accepted the money.

"Naruto, I've left some money here. From now on, when you and Sasuke come, eat whatever you want."

"Senior Shisui, I can't take your money," Naruto was shocked.

Shisui frowned, "Who's giving you money? Aren't you Sasuke's friend? Are you supposed to just watch him eat? School starts soon; this will make it easier for you guys to eat here."

"Uh... well..." Naruto was puzzled but didn't dwell on it.

This was the first time someone had asked him for something, making him immensely motivated and happy.

Sasuke scoffed, "Who needs him to come and play?"

Shisui was used to Sasuke's tsundere attitude and just shook his head as he led the boys out.

Kakashi hurriedly finished his meal and followed them.

The Third Hokage urgently recalled him to observe why Shisui was being so generous to Naruto without apparent reason.

Shisui took Naruto to the Ichiraku Ramen after their meal. The street is owned by the Uchiha and is currently the busiest due to the remaining Uchiha police force patrolling the area.

Everyone who saw Shisui greeted him respectfully, and he acknowledged them with a wave.

As they reached the end of the street, sensing the ANBU's urgency and growing numbers, Shisui handed Sasuke a stack of money.

"Sasuke, it's been a while since you were here. Buy some new clothes, and get some for your friend Naruto too."

"I need to handle something. I'll be back soon," he signalled to Sasuke, who seemed confused but nodded.

Shisui walked away, instructing a nearby Uchiha, "If the ANBU comes looking for Naruto, you don't need to intervene."

"Yes, sir!" the Uchiha police saluted.

After walking a bit further, Shisui said, "Come out, Kakashi."

Kakashi appeared, "Uchiha Shisui, do you know me? What are your intentions with Naruto?"

Shisui surveyed Kakashi from head to toe; Kakashi was still in his ANBU gear, his forehead protector obscuring his left eye, and his visible eye looked lifeless.

Thinking of Naruto's miserable years, Shisui despised Kakashi and suddenly appeared before him, kicking him to the ground.

Kakashi, caught off guard, fell hard.

Shisui spat beside him, "That felt good!"

Kakashi stood up, furious, "Shisui! Why did you attack me?"

Shisui scoffed, "Why? Because you're a traitor to your own benefactors, an ingrate..."

"I? An ingrate?" Kakashi needed clarification. "I don't even know you."

Shisui mockingly evaluated Kakashi, "Aren't you Minato's disciple?"

"So what if I am?" That was no secret among the Uchiha.

"And you remember that, do you?" Shisui's tone dripped with sarcasm. "His orphan is being bullied, eating expired food, and you're blind to it?"

Kakashi fell silent; he had no response. He had been living a soulless life since Obito's death, merely performing missions without caring for himself or Naruto.

"Following the Third's orders blindly... Don't give me that nonsense about his identity being a secret."

Shisui continued, "What does that have to do with him eating garbage? You see him hungry and cold, eating spoiled food, and you do nothing. You call yourself a member of the Namikaze family? Disgusting."

"I..." Kakashi couldn't find the words, having indeed neglected himself and Naruto.

"That's no reason for you to approach Naruto," Kakashi tried to defend his position.

Shisui waved dismissively, "I'm just making sure the boy eats and dresses well. You're overthinking it. I'm not as dirty as you."

He left Kakashi to ponder as he strolled away, adding over his shoulder, "But if Naruto ever feels better off with the Uchiha, that's his business."

Kakashi was left stunned.