Naruto Shippuden: The Successor! [Discontinued]

A Father's Kindness

"It's been over two years... Kakashi sensei has requested me to lead Team Ebisu. But I declined the offer. Now, I'm in the middle of nowhere roaming in this village, with creepy people. I should return to the village soon and take up my job as the head of Team Naruto," Naruto says to himself, walking on the streets of the village hidden in the cosmos, Uchugakure. "The head of the village, Wukong passed away a month ago and his assistant Yas has been killed. I just came here two days ago and defeated the bad guys no sweat, but the people of this village have a home no more. They're all scattering into distant lands. It's been so long I've fought past my limits, but this is good too. Peace. Throughout my whole journey, I've seen a lot of smiles, and I'm happy, because, I'm part of the reason for that. Hmm, I guess that's it for me on this journey, I better start back to Konoha, or Sakura will be worried and more than that, I promised her that I'll take her hand after this journey. But first I'll go get something to eat."

A girl dropped her ball on the dusty streets of Uchugakure. It dribbled past the travelers and shop-owners and landed at a girl's feet. She picked it up with a sheepish smile, wondering, whether she could finally find a friend.

"Look, it's that girl," a woman whispered loudly.

Another woman shivered. "She gives me the creeps," she remarks.

The girl looked at the girl that dropped her ball, she wanted to pass the ball back to her. But the girl's father yanked her arm away, and warned, "Come on let's go, don't look at that girl."

Just then, Naruto walked past the street, he looked at the girl, her black hair and black eyes, broken glasses, and rags. "It's the girl," he thought, but before he could walk to her, she ran away. Just another day in Uchugakure. She wanted to yell at the villagers and tell them, "I have a name! It's Sarada!" but it'd be all for naught. The adults would merely glare and ignore her.

Finally, when Sarada couldn't run anymore, she stopped and gasped for air near a ramen stand. She overheard the travelers inside exclaim, "What flavor! It tastes amazing!" as they heartily slurped in the noodles and sharply exhaled, satisfied.

Sarada's stomach growled, so she fished out some leftover coins from her pockets. She's wanted to try the noodles, let alone the soup and broth, ever since the stand opened. Anything other than the mushrooms she foraged and the occasional fish she's lucky enough to catch in the small creeks outside the village. "All the other kids have their mothers and fathers. Why don't I? Everyone else wake up to home-cooked meals for breakfast, and will be tucked in every night by someone."

It's been a week since she last ate, now, her belly grumbled. The girl sighed and pocketed her loose change. She gave one last mournful look at the savory bowls of ramen in the stand. The slices of char Siu pork glistened in the savory broth, the golden strands of noodles seemed endless, and the girl knew she'd eat it all up if given the chance. She grumbled. Suddenly, a voice broke out behind her and happily said, "It looks good, doesn't it?"

Sarada turned around. She saw a tall man with blonde hair in a black shirt, somewhat dirty orange pants and as he bent, she could see the two blue eyes and a goofy smile. It was the Leaf ninja, that killed Kirukai. The ninja smiled at the girl with a grin, "Do you want a bowl?" he suddenly asked.

The girl was surprised. No one outside ever talked to her directly, let alone offer her anything. She shook her head, and stood still, nervous.

"Well, I'm not that hungry. I just want a taste," the ninja said. He scratched his nose, "It's a shame... all that food will get thrown out."

"That's wasteful!" the girl suddenly exclaimed.

The ninja laughed, "I guess so. If only I had someone to give the rest to."

"Give it to me!" the girl demanded.

"I don't know..." the ninja teased, "How do I know you won't finish it? It's a big bowl, after all..."

"I can finish it. Just watch!" the girl declared.

The ninja smirked, "we'll see about that," and the two entered the stand.

Once inside, a few of the other customers glared at Sarada. But Naruto glared back; if they had a problem then they'll have to deal with him. The customers quickly averted their gaze before Sarada realized what happened.

Naruto then made a single order of extra-large miso ramen with Char Siu pork and all the toppings. The cook skillfully prepared the order and rested the bowl right in front of the blonde man. The steam curled up from the giant, ceramic bowl as its warmth seeped into the girl's bones. Naruto then dipped his spoon into the broth and collected a short, stretchy noodle.

The girl's head barely reached the countertop. The ninja could just see Sarada's bright, expectant eyes widen with anticipation. "On second thought..." the ninja started, "maybe you should have all of it," and plopped the liquid back into the bowl. He slid the bowl down to the girl and ushered Sarada to taste.

The girl greedily wrapped as much of the noodles she could with chopsticks and stuffed her face full of them. She sipped the savory, salty broth and swallowed the juicy pork whole. Eating as if this meal were her last. Until finally, all that remained was a bowl of broth, which she raised to her mouth and slurped loudly.

The whole time Naruto didn't say a word but watched as the big bowl covered the girl's entire head. He wondered how the girl managed to fare on her own for this long.

The girl exhaled sharply tearing up, pleased. She just found her new favorite food in the whole world. And nothing would compare to that moment.

The sun started to set once Sarada finished her bowl, and Naruto had to leave. Naruto ordered a medium bowl of Ramen and quickly finished it. But before he left, the girl realized she didn't know the kind man's name. She called out and asked for his name. The ninja teased the girl, "Huh? Why should I tell you? I don't even know who you are."

The girl slowly said, "I'm Sarada!"

"Nice name," the ninja chuckled, and playfully said, "Well, Sarada, I'm Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto turned back and looked at the girl. "Hey, will you come along with me, to my village, I'll get you everything you want, I'll get you more delicious Ramen from the Ichiraku Ramen stand and take care of you," the girl's eyes glistened, widely open as Naruto spread his hand forward and smiled at the girl.

"Thank you sir," the girl smiled, spreading her hand forward.

"From now, I'll take care of you," Naruto replied with an even brighter smile. As she held Naruto's hand, he teleported back to his home in Konoha. It was all cleaned up, with Sakura, Konohamaru, and a few others waiting for his arrival. Naruto arrived back with the six-year girl on his back. As she saw more people, she got frightened and hid behind his shoulder.