After Keiko's unremitting efforts, she finally cleaned up the two little ones.
It's just that there were no suitable clothes for Naruto to wear at home, so besides his face being clean, his clothes were still colorful, making him look a bit out of place.
"Naruto, if you don't mind, I can lend you a skirt to wear."
Chizhao suggested from the side, a playful smile on her face.
"Ah? No way! I'll just go back and change later."
"That's a real shame..." Chizhao shrugged, putting the small skirt back.
Just then, Keiko brought the finished lunch to the table.
The delicious dishes emitted an enticing aroma, making Naruto's mouth water, and his stomach rumbled appropriately.
He quickly covered his stomach in embarrassment and walked towards the door: "Um, Chizhao, I'll be leaving now... I'll come back to play with you later."
"Why are you leaving?"
Chizhao looked at the somewhat embarrassed Naruto in front of her, guessing that he must be trying to hide his identity as an orphan, afraid of being disliked, and that's why he wanted to run away.
Naruto stammered an explanation: "Because... I also have to go home to eat... I won't bother you anymore..."
Chizhao, however, grabbed Naruto's wrist and enticed him: "My Grandma's cooking is the best in the whole world, are you sure you don't want to try some?"
Looking at the colorful, aromatic, and flavorful food on the table, Naruto, who almost only ate instant noodles, swallowed hard.
In a daze, he seemed to really see the steaming white mist transform into little hands, beckoning him.
Keiko placed the last dish on the table and smiled, calling out to Naruto:
"Naruto, come and eat! Consider it a reward for cleaning the wall, and a celebration for meeting Chizhao for the first time."
Keiko remembered Naruto's background, which Chizhao had secretly told her, and her heart grew especially fond of the child.
Naruto looked at everything before him rather foolishly, wondering if he was dreaming.
Because everything here was developing just as it did in his dreams, giving him an uncontrollable urge to cry.
"Why are you still standing there foolishly? It won't taste good when it gets cold."
Chizhao gently patted Naruto's back.
This light yet firm touch brought Naruto back to his senses. He nodded and sat down at the dining table with Chizhao.
After table manners were observed, Naruto picked up a beef patty and put it into his mouth. A feeling of happiness suddenly erupted from his mouth, forming a warm current that flowed throughout his body.
"So delicious! I've never eaten anything this good!"
Seeing Naruto's satisfied expression, Chizhao's lips curved into a smile.
It seemed Grandma Huizi's delicious food had successfully captured another loyal fan.
"But... Ichiraku Ramen still suits my taste better, after all," Naruto suddenly added.
"Huh?"
Chizhao looked at Naruto, a little annoyed, "Is Ichiraku Ramen really that good? I don't believe it's better than Grandma's cooking."
Naruto lifted his head from his bowl, grinning at Chizhao.
"Then I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen tonight! Since you've come to Konoha Village, you have to try the local specialty, right! Of course, I'll treat Grandma Huizi as well!"
Keiko smiled, looking at Naruto's greasy mouth, and handed him a tissue:
"I'd also like to try the specialty you mentioned, but I have something to do tonight, so just the two of you go. Just remember to come home early."
The two exchanged smiles and quickly devoured the delicious food in front of them.
After lunch, Naruto and Chizhao strolled together along the roads of Konoha Village.
Naruto patted his bulging stomach, a satisfied smile on his face.
Looking at little Naruto, Chizhao couldn't help but tease, "I didn't realize, you're so small, but you have quite an appetite."
Naruto scratched his head with a silly grin: "It's all because Grandma Huizi's cooking is too delicious."
Chizhao smiled helplessly, and the two continued to walk along the bustling street.
Naruto, along the way, became a little tour guide, introducing her to various places in the Village.
The occasional whispers from around them were completely ignored by Chizhao.
Until they arrived near a training ground, three ignorant brats appeared in front of them.
"Hey! You're new, aren't you?"
Looking at the trio blocking their way, Chizhao raised an eyebrow. It seemed she could pull the 'bad deeds' progress bar again.
"Yes? What about it?" Chizhao replied nonchalantly, already anticipating what would happen next.
"Just a friendly reminder, the one next to you is a fox demon."
Naruto's pupils constricted. He nervously shielded Chizhao, his expression agitated: "What nonsense are you talking about?! I'm not a fox demon!"
Another boy stepped forward, pointing at Naruto's nose and scoffing: "You're just an orphan with no parents, unwanted! You should be thrown out of the Village!"
"Exactly!"
Naruto trembled with anger, gritting his teeth, he let out a shout and was about to throw a punch.
However, just then, a force from behind pulled him back, and leaping up in front of him was none other than Chizhao, a mischievous smile on her lips.
I was waiting for you to say that.
Chizhao's punch landed on the boy's face, instantly stunning everyone present.
"Ow, why did you hit me! I didn't say anything about you!"
The poor boy who was hit clutched his cheek, tears welling in his eyes, looking incredulously at the girl standing before him.
"Because I'm also an orphan," Chizhao said calmly, standing in front of the three.
Naruto froze. He looked at Chizhao's back in front of him, a mix of emotions in his heart.
【Bad Deed Progress +2】
The other two children, intimidated by Chizhao's powerful aura, were too scared to move, unsure how to react.
"Hmph, if you don't want to lose your teeth, you'd better disappear quickly! Otherwise..."
Chizhao leaned forward, startling the boy on the ground who sprang up, clutching his cheek and muttering threats indistinctly: "New... new kid, and you, fox demon! Just... just you wait for me......"
"Hey? I think you're still asking for a beating! Take this!" Chizhao said, feigning another charge.
"Run!!!"
Seeing the rookie trio run off into the distance, Chizhao gave them a disdainful look.
Why are there people like this everywhere? Are Jinchuriki truly inherently discriminated against in this world?
Turning around, she saw Naruto looking at her with complex eyes, and she couldn't help but feel puzzled. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Naruto, realizing himself, quickly averted his gaze and chuckled: "What? Chizhao, you're so amazing! You knocked that guy down with one punch."
"He was just being too much."
With that, she took Naruto's wrist and left the training ground, heading towards the back hillside.