Naruto had never liked being alone. While some might relish solitude, it had always been an unwelcome part of his life—not a constant companion, but an occasional visitor—one he had stopped trying to keep at bay. Over the past few days, he had grown numb to it. Normally, he would do anything to chase away this loneliness—acting the class clown, pulling pranks, even enduring the scolding—anything for a moment's respite from the isolation that enveloped him.

But since this system entered his life, everything had changed. He didn’t know how or why he had it, but that didn’t matter. It had shielded him from his loneliness. It had given him a new identity tied to the Uzumaki clan and had brought him a friendship with Hinata. Because of this, he had become numb.

Numb to the villagers steering their children away from him as he walked down the street. Numb on the days when he was completely ignored. It didn't bother him anymore. Let them stare until their eyes bled, let them hate all they wanted. It didn’t touch him anymore. Their disdain couldn't break him, strip away his newfound pride, or sever the connections he had with his friends, his mentor, and his loved ones. All they had was their hate, and he didn’t care about that.

A small grin replaced the frown on his face as he walked through the relatively empty streets of Konoha, a village that wakes early. Many here made a living either producing or selling goods. A perfect example was Ichiraku Ramen. Despite being a small restaurant that seated only about six people, making most take their food to-go, it had been around for decades. Ayame and Mr. Teuchi, who ran the place, lived above the shop but were mostly found downstairs, serving up bowls of ramen to the early risers and late-night crowds alike.

The morning chill cut through his jacket and trousers, sending a shiver down his spine. Winter was not yet in full swing, so there was no snow, but a white frost covered the grass and fog clung to the windows of the village houses as he walked through the streets. He entered the shop through the back door, carefully locking it behind him.

Teuchi had noticed how customers often left whenever Naruto walked in during the busy morning hours. Since most of the patrons were civilians, he had suggested Naruto use the back entrance during those times. He was grateful for his thoughtfulness; perhaps it was because he had loudly declared that he was going to tell everyone who left last time, or maybe it was simply because Teuchi wanted to keep the peace. Either way, his intervention made things easier for everyone.

The warmth inside hit his face, a stark contrast to the cold outside, and he quickly shrugged off his jacket, struggling to hang it on the rack behind the door. A light voice chuckled at his struggle.

"I must be dreaming; the great orange connoisseur is wearing some new clothes for once."

"You like?"

"It's an improvement, but why is it dyed like that?" Ayame asked, her soft brown hair framing her warm, chocolate-brown eyes that always seemed to carry a friendly spark.

He looked down at his new jacket and pants, which were a mess. He had botched the chakra dye process by forgetting to add enough vinegar to the powder, which was supposed to turn the powder a certain color and then just leave the clothes in for five minutes. Apparently, you also have to refine the powder hundreds of times to get the brightest color. So, his new clothes ended up looking like... well, diarrhea.

"It's a working process."

"Dad's in the middle of making some ramen broth, but we've got last night's leftovers in the fridge if you want them. Unfortunately, there's no miso, but there's tonkotsu and salt. Which one do you want?"

"Tonkotsu," he replied with a smile, to which Ayame shook her head in amusement.

"Come in and help me."

"Really?"

"No cooking, Dad is mad about last time," Ayame warned.

"Okay, so what am I helping you with?"

"Dishes," Ayame said as she clasped her hands together and gave him a mischievous smile. He knew all too well that she detested doing dishes and would try everything in her power to get him to wash them. But that wasn’t much of a chore for him since he was often bribed by the opportunity to taste her experimental ramen recipes, like the lemon honey pepper ramen.

They moved into the kitchen where Mr. Teuchi stood over four boiling pots with a mesh sieve in one hand. Every so often, he would scoop the scum off the top of each pot and empty it into the sink.

He guessed Mr. Teuchi couldn't hear them over the sound of the bubbling pots.

With the morning cold at his back and the kitchen's warmth at his front, he watched as Mr. Teuchi tossed a whole onion, about two cloves of garlic, and a ginger stick into each pot. Eventually – when he had placed a lid over each pot – he noticed Naruto.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Oh!" He wiped his hands on his apron. "Hello there, Naruto. Would you like me to make you a bowl for breakfast?"

"Don't worry, Ayame nee-chan is bringing me a tonkotsu bowl," Naruto reassured Teuchi as he eyed him, suspecting Ayame was avoiding dish duty.

"Dishes?" he probed, and Naruto initially shook his head 'no.'

"Naruto," Teuchi pressed further, and with a sigh, he nodded in acquiescence.

"Hey, if this ninja thing doesn’t work out, maybe I’ll fire Ayame and hire you," Teuchi joked, only to receive a sharp glare from Ayame as she placed his breakfast bowl in front of him.

He muttered a brief thanks and began eating, his mood dampening at the thought of the school day ahead. The sting of onion filled his nose, and suddenly Ayame snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"Huh?" he wiped the tears from his eyes, caused by the strong onions.

"Who are you and what have you done with Naruto?"

"Well, I was just thinking," he replied, noticing Ayame and Teuchi exchange worried glances. Their concern only made him chuckle.

"What are you thinking about, oh great orange philosopher?"

He paused, absent-mindedly stretching his tongue to clean his teeth.

"Ayame, you're a girl, right?" he asked innocently, causing Teuchi to suppress a laugh.

"No, I am not," Ayame replied sarcastically.

He nodded seriously, then turned to Teuchi. "Old man, why is Ayame niisan crossdressing as a girl?"

Teuchi couldn’t hold back anymore; he burst into laughter. Ayame, feigning annoyance, grabbed a spring onion to playfully hit him on the head. Naruto quickly covered his head with his hands.

"Mercy, mercy!" he screamed, and Ayame stopped, exhaling a deep sigh.

"What did you want to talk about with a woman?"

"What kind of gifts do women like?" he blurted out, seeing Ayame's face light up as she brushed her hair behind her ear. "Aww, Naruto, I would love a new..."

"It's not for you," he corrected quickly, watching as her smile froze and then dropped.

"Okay, explain," Ayame said, her tone now all business. He told her everything about his dilemma with Hinata—he had no clue what to gift her.

"Okay, what gift were you going to initially give?" Ayame asked.

"A dress?"

"Too much," Ayame shot back quickly.

"A sword?"

"Does she use swords?" Ayame asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugged, unsure.

"How about a bowl of ramen?" Teuchi chimed in, smiling at his own suggestion. Naruto brightened at the idea, but Ayame was quick to dismiss it.

"No," she said firmly, then turned back to him. "What does she like?"

He shrugged again, at a loss.

Ayame sighed. "Naruto, it's alright not to give her a gift. You've been friends for what, four days?"

"Four days," he confirmed.

"Okay, that... I don't think Hinata would like to get a gift after just four days of being friends. She could get overwhelmed by the gesture," Ayame advised wisely.

He nodded, taking in her advice, when suddenly the chime of the system notification.

[ Alert: World Quest ]

[ Quest Title: Don't Be Late ]

[ Objective: Arrive at the Academy on time. Time limit: 10 minutes. ]

[ Rewards: 10 Experience Points. Enhanced reputation with Class. ]

[ Penalty for Failure: Decrease in reputation with Class. ]

[ Action Required: Acceptance or Declination of Quest ]

"Gotta go," he said quickly, as he finished the last of his bowl, grabbed his jacket, and headed out to the academy.

Ayame watched him leave, then turned to her father with a small smile.

"Really, a bowl of ramen?"

Teuchi shrugged and replied with a chuckle, "It worked on your mom."

----------------------------------------

[ Ninja Academy ]

[ Lunch ]

Lunchtime found Naruto alone with Iruka in the classroom, his head thudding against the table in frustration.

"Okay, what's wrong?" Iruka asked, his voice a blend of concern and slight irritation.

"It's Hinata," Naruto mumbled into the table.

"What about her?" Iruka leaned in, trying to understand him better.

"I don't know what to get her," Naruto admitted, finally lifting his head from the table.

Iruka gave a small sigh at Naruto's dramatic woes.

"How about you get to know her a little better and then find her a gift?" he suggested.

"I'll do that, sensei," Naruto replied, feeling a bit relieved by the practical advice.

"Good. Now, is there anything else I can help you with?" Iruka shifted the topic, hoping to move on.

"I can't learn Bunshin," Naruto blurted out, another pressing issue on his mind.

"I'm sure if you put some real effort into it, you could learn. Now, stop causing a scene," Iruka dismissed his concern lightly.

"But sensei," Naruto protested, feeling misunderstood, "I have too much chakra for it."

"There's no such thing as too much chakra, only not enough control," Iruka corrected him gently.

"So, how do I improve my control?" Naruto asked, the frustration clear in his voice.

"I've already taught you this. Try to remember," Iruka replied, a hint of exasperation in his tone.

Naruto frowned, trying hard to recall the lesson. "Was it that stupid leaf thing?"

"Yes, that 'stupid leaf thing' is a very basic chakra control exercise," Iruka confirmed. "I suggest you spend some time working on it if you want to improve your control enough to use Bunshin correctly."

Naruto groaned inwardly, not thrilled about revisiting such a simple exercise, but knowing it was necessary.

[ Alert: Path Quest ]

[ Quest Title: Mastery of Chakra Control ]

[ Objective: Perform the Leaf Chakra Control Exercise. This exercise involves focusing chakra to the soles of your feet to stick a leaf to them without using your hands. Demonstrating mastery in this will be crucial to your development as a shinobi. ]

[ Rewards: ]

- [ New Skill Unlocked: Chakra Control ]

- [ Experience Points (Exp): 200 ]

[ Penalty for Failure: Incomplete mastery of Chakra Control, hindering progress in advanced jutsu techniques. ]

[ Action Required: Acceptance or Declination of Quest ]