I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Good luck? Naruto wouldn't call it that.

"That's not luck; it's one of the many abilities tied to the Uzumaki lineage," Naruto thought. While the Uzumaki clan lacked a bloodline limit like the Uchiha or Hyuga, their innate traits more than compensated. They were renowned for their massive chakra reserves and unparalleled mastery of sealing techniques.

Their perception abilities were another remarkable feature. With techniques like Kagura's Mind Eye, an advanced Uzumaki could locate enemies kilometers away, a skill comparable to the Hyuga clan's Byakugan. However, Naruto had yet to master such techniques. For now, his sensory perception only allowed him to detect general directions, far from precise.

What intrigued Naruto more at the moment was the sudden cooperation from the Nine-Tails.

After some thought, Naruto asked, "Hey, Big Fox, can you sense their exact locations?"

"Of course…" Kyuubi opened his eyes, his expression curious. "Why? Are you planning to deal with the Anbu watching you? If you'd just accept my power, none of this would be a problem."

"No thanks. I'd rather stay alive," Naruto replied dryly, already suspecting Kyuubi's ulterior motive. It wasn't hard to guess: the fox likely wanted control of Naruto's body to rampage through Konoha, leaving Naruto to face the consequences.

Kyuubi, amused by how quickly Naruto saw through him, didn't push further. Instead, he provided a detailed account of the Anbu team's positioning, revealing there were only two members assigned to monitor Naruto.

"Just two?" Naruto thought, surprised. "I thought it was always a three-man team. Guess one left to report to the old man…"

Naruto understood the Anbu's presence was less about spying and more about protection. Yet, he couldn't help but feel frustrated. These Anbu ensured his safety but turned a blind eye to the villagers' hostility toward him—a reflection of the Third Hokage's passive approach to his situation.

"I need to focus on the future," Naruto resolved. But his thoughts shifted as he caught sight of the Ichiraku Ramen shop ahead. His stomach growled, and the decision was made.

Pulling the curtain aside, Naruto stepped inside, catching the attention of all the diners. Their frowns deepened as they recognized him. Even Teuchi and Ayame seemed momentarily surprised.

"Hey, old man Teuchi! One super-sized ramen, please!" Naruto called out, taking a seat.

Teuchi recovered quickly, offering a warm smile. "Got it! It'll be ready in about ten minutes."

The other diners, visibly uncomfortable, ate quickly, clearly wanting to avoid sharing the space with Naruto. Their disdain didn't bother him—in fact, their unease lifted his mood.

While waiting, Naruto spoke to Kyuubi. "Big Fox, are those Anbu still watching me?"

"Not from where you're sitting. They can't see you now."

"Hmm, but I feel like someone else has been watching me since I entered the village."

After a pause, Kyuubi replied, "You're right. The old man—the Third Hokage—has been keeping tabs on you."

"Can you let me know when he's observing me?" Naruto asked.

Kyuubi hesitated, sensing Naruto's desire to evade the Hokage's surveillance. Before responding, Teuchi placed a steaming bowl of ramen before Naruto, cutting off the conversation.

The aroma of the broth immediately lifted Naruto's spirits. Taking a sip, he savored the salty richness of the soup. Picking up a naruto fish cake with his chopsticks, he noted its soft texture and subtle sweetness, a perfect complement to the ramen. Yet, after a few bites, it felt a bit too rich. Turning to the bamboo shoots, he found their tangy, slightly sweet flavor more exciting, cutting through the heaviness of the broth.

"Between naruto rolls and bamboo shoots, I'll stick with the latter," Naruto mused.

Finishing the meal, Naruto noticed the shop had emptied, save for one depressed-looking man at the far end. Placing his payment beneath the bowl, Naruto stood and called out, "Thanks for the ramen, old man! I'll be back for more!"

Teuchi smiled warmly. "Come back anytime, Naruto."

After Naruto left, the remaining diner turned to Teuchi. "So, that's Uzumaki Naruto, the demon fox everyone talks about?"

Teuchi frowned. "Demon fox? That's just baseless gossip. He's a child who lost his parents, nothing more. People in this village just need a scapegoat for their frustrations."

The man sighed. "Who knows what really happened? Maybe his parents were heroes who died protecting us, or maybe they abandoned him. Either way, they'd regret leaving him to this fate."

Teuchi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Do you know anything about his parents?"

The man shook his head. "I'm just speculating. But I agree—his parents couldn't have been ordinary people."