Teuchi immediately got up and got to work. Although Ayame was disappointed, she quickly started helping her father. Naruto was bewildered for a moment, then immediately reacted.
"Uncle! Big sis! I've already caused enough trouble, please don't!"
Teuchi laughed.
"I wasn't bothered at all; on the contrary, cooking ramen gives me energy! Wait, I'm preparing it right away!"
Naruto was taken aback for a moment and quickly took money out of his pocket as he spoke.
"T-t-then I'll pay for it!"
He wanted to take the money out and put it on the table, but Teuchi held Naruto's hand and gently pushed it back.
"There's no need! I haven't had a chat like this in a long time! I've already received my payment."
Naruto wanted to insist, but Altay spoke up.
"Don't forget what I told you, kid. Rejecting a gift, especially one from sincere and good people, breaks the other party's spirit. You can just get him a gift later and that will be that."
Naruto was surprised for a moment and wanted to object.
'But Nii-san, this is too much!'
Altay chuckled.
"It might seem that way to you, but Teuchi looks perfectly fine with it; in fact, if you turn him down, you'll upset him. For some people, money is worthless, Naruto, and Teuchi is one of those people. I'll help you prepare a good gift later! That way, you'll feel at ease."
Although Naruto hesitated for a moment, he agreed.
'Okay.'
Altay spoke with a sigh.
"Now, let's focus on our business."
Naruto was startled by this reminder.
"Ah! Right! Uncle Teuchi, what else can you tell me about the White Fang? Can you tell me how he died?"
Even though Teuchi's hand froze for a moment while making ramen, he continued his work and spoke.
"Never mind that, Naruto, how he died isn't important. What matters is that he was an honorable and good man."
Naruto went silent for a moment, but he needed to do this to not disappoint his Nii-san. Just as he was about to speak, Altay chimed in.
"Naruto! Now do this..."
Naruto listened carefully and nodded.
'Understood!'
Already curious about the subject, Naruto spoke without difficulty.
"Uncle Teuchiiii! Pleeeease! Tell me a bit more about the White Fang!"
Teuchi paused for a moment and asked curiously; Naruto had listened to the stories of other strong people quietly, but his persistence regarding the White Fang intrigued him.
"Why did it catch your interest so much?"
Naruto paused for a moment, hesitated, and spoke slightly artificially, repeating what Altay had told him to say.
"Well... Because I felt a connection..."
Teuchi was bewildered.
"A connection? What kind of connection, Naruto?"
Not being very good at lying, Naruto continued somewhat artificially.
"Weeell... I felt like we were similar... I don't know why... It just caught my interest..."
Teuchi was surprised for a moment, but then he understood. When he recalled how the White Fang had been fiercely ostracized by the villagers, it made a little sense to him... But he didn't want to recount a tragedy to a child.
"...Never mind, Naruto! Like I said, he was a good person, how he died doesn't matter... Besides, I don't know anything more about him..."
Naruto was disappointed, but then something came to his mind, and he asked with curiosity and excitement.
"Then who can I learn more from!?"
Teuchi was bewildered.
"Naruto, I said never mind. Besides, what good will knowing more about him do for you?"
This time, Naruto asked with genuine curiosity.
"Because I want to know more about him!"
Looking into Naruto's determined eyes, Teuchi sighed.
"...Maybe Hokage-sama will give you an answer..."
Naruto's eyes lit up, and just as he was about to thank him, Altay spoke.
"Wait, Naruto. I don't want you involving the Hokage in this investigation; he won't tell you any more than Teuchi did. Ask for someone else."
Naruto was bewildered.
'Why?'
Altay chuckled.
"Because the end of the White Fang's story is a mark of shame on the Hokage's career."
Naruto tilted his head to the side in curiosity.
'Nii-san... What is a career?'
Altay sighed with a headache.
"I'll explain it later. For now, just ask the way I told you... I'm telling you right now, I am directing you, but it will end well..."
Altay carefully explained to Naruto what he needed to say. Naruto, after listening with rapt attention, nodded.
'Understood!'
Naruto took a deep breath.
"Uncle... Grandpa Hokage is too busy to tell me stories. Is there anyone else? His family or a friend?"
At the mention of the word 'family', someone disconnected from life, pessimistic, and severely depressed came to Teuchi's mind. Then he looked at Naruto. As he carefully analyzed the idea in his head, an imaginary lightbulb lit up, and he chuckled mischievously.
'Dear Kakashi... Since you are too afraid to look after your teacher's legacy, then I'll just send him right to your door!'
Teuchi cleared his throat and spoke in a serious tone.
"Yes, there is! His son is still alive and is a very strong ninja! In fact, he's the 4th Hokage's student!"
Already a bit curious, Naruto suddenly became entirely attentive at the mention of the 4th Hokage. He didn't know why himself, but his existing curiosity increased exponentially.
"Wow! Uncle! Please tell me! Please, please, please!"
Teuchi smiled and nodded.
"Alright! But first, I'm going to give you a mission! If you accept, I'll tell you!"
Startled for a moment, Naruto spoke with determination.
"I WILL ABSOLUTELY DO IT! DATTEBAYO!"
Teuchi nodded.
"Alright! His name is Kakashi Hatake! Also known as Kakashi of the Sharingan, the Copy Ninja. You'll recognize him when you see him; he's a young man with silver hair who covers his mouth with a mask. The address of his house is... and if you can't find him there, the address of the special building where the Jonin stay is... if you still can't find him, he has a close friend you can ask for help, someone with thick eyebrows and a green outfit. The places you can find him are..."
Naruto listened carefully in a very serious manner. Altay, who was observing the situation inside and taking mental note of the locations mentioned, chuckled.
'Just as expected of you, Teuchi...'
He turned and looked at Kurama, who was examining the chessboard across from him.
"Kurama, could you note down on the reward list that a donation of no less than 50 million should be made to Teuchi?"
Without taking his eyes off the chessboard for a single moment, Kurama took the notepads, tapped the ink pen on his tongue, and wrote.
"Done."
Meanwhile, after carefully listening to all the places he needed to go, Naruto asked curiously.
"So what do I have to do?"
Teuchi smiled mischievously.
"Your mission is simple. Once you find Kakashi, follow him constantly! Don't leave his side for a moment, even if he goes to the bathroom, and make him tell you about his father. Don't get off his back until you learn everything about his father! Do you understand?"
Though Naruto was surprised for a moment, he nodded seriously.
"Understood!"
Teuchi nodded in satisfaction. When he returned to preparing the food, the shop grew quiet. The ANBU continued to observe silently; they would give their daily report to the Hokage when Naruto went to bed. Although they experienced a bit of stress, they were professionals. Besides, they had other things on their minds right now. Three of them found the idea of their cold-hearted, cool-acting, quiet Kakashi-senpai being targeted by a 3-year-old child hilarious, and they began dying to watch the situation unfold. They were as sure as their own names that Tenzo, who had joined them last year, would be ready to give everything down to his underwear just to be here right now. This boring yet important job had suddenly become an entertainment worth watching. They were doing their jobs, keeping an eye on Naruto, and getting to watch their Senpai's difficult moments; what more could they ask for? One of them thought in an amused manner.
'I'll ask Hokage-sama for permission and bring a camera! I will record these moments and make it a family heirloom!'
While the younger generation was thinking this, their captain's mind had been working frantically for the past few minutes.
'I CAN'T COMPREHEND IT! This is so absurd! The more I think about it, the more oddities and inconsistencies emerge in Captain Sakumo's case! What in God's name is going on!'
The ANBU Captain took a deep breath.
'Calm down, Zaraki! Calm down and think, remember what happened back then!'
If you'd like to read the ten chapters in advance, you can find them at p@@tre@@n. The link is in my profile.