Traveling through Naruto, I am Uchiha Obito?

"Let me take you to see the place where I lived when I was a child. Although it's just an inconspicuous little village, very poor, it's... really a wonderful place."

"Where did Rubik's Cube Brother live when he was a child?"

Naruto was so excited that he danced around.

"I want to go! I absolutely must go!"

"Ouch!"

Naruto was jumping around when he tripped over himself and fell flat on his backside.

His clumsy yet energetic appearance made Rubik's Cube unable to hold back his laughter, and his hearty laughter gradually echoed in the training field.

Chapter 61 Iruka's Entrustment

Chapter 61 Iruka's Entrustment

In the early mornings of Konoha, the air is cool and refreshing, always bringing a sense of comfort that soothes the mind and body. How wonderful it would be to stay home and sleep in on such a beautiful day!

This was a heartfelt remark from Iruka Umino. On his day off, he had intended to sleep until late morning, but his empty stomach protested. A single man too lazy to cook, he ultimately succumbed to his stomach's call and headed to his regular haunt, Ichiraku Ramen.

Sometimes, a man's most devoted object is not necessarily his wife, but the restaurant he frequents most.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Here's your ramen, please enjoy!"

The youthful and energetic Ayame placed a steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen in front of Iruka, and seeing the expectant look on her old customer's face, she smiled proudly.

Iruka stared at the fragrant bowl of noodles in front of him, couldn't help but swallow, and then eagerly began to enjoy it.

"I won't be polite! Ah~ it tastes just like this, so satisfying..."

He sighed contentedly, but his chewing slowed down. He felt...something was missing. Iruka's gaze unconsciously drifted to the empty seat beside him.

It seems like just a short while ago, that blond boy was sitting here, slurping noodles and excitedly describing his dream of becoming Hokage.

Looking back now, it seems like a long time ago. Although I found his constant chatter annoying at the time, now, thinking back on it, I feel a strange, indescribable loneliness.

Iruka sighed softly.

"Ok?"

Uncle Ichiraku, who had been watching Iruka wolf down his food with a smile, immediately frowned and pressed his face almost against Iruka's when he caught the sigh.

"What's going on, Iruka? Does it taste wrong?! I knew I shouldn't have switched to that batch of kelp! Tell me quickly, what's different from usual?!"

Uncle Ichiraku's exaggerated reaction startled Iruka, who hurriedly waved his hands to explain:

"No, no, no, Uncle! The ramen was delicious! It's just... I suddenly thought of Naruto. It's been so long since he graduated. It feels like just yesterday I was bringing him here to eat ramen all the time. Time really flies. I'm just feeling a bit sentimental..."

"Oh, that's how it is."

Uncle Ichiraku breathed a sigh of relief, his expression softening, and then remarked with emotion:

"Yeah, Naruto has really changed a lot. Not long ago he was a worrying little brat, but now he seems like a capable young man."

Sweet flag, standing to the side, also chimed in with a smile:

"Yeah, yeah, Naruto has really grown a lot! Not long ago, he even brought a handsome black-haired teacher over for noodles! He even looks a bit like Naruto. Maybe Naruto will grow up to be that stylish and handsome guy someday!"

"Hey! What handsome guy? Changpu, explain yourself!"

Uncle Yi Le immediately became nervous.

"Hey! Dad! You're so annoying! There are still guests here, stop it!"

Changpu stood with her hands on her hips, looking helpless.

"But……"

Watching the father and daughter bickering as usual, Iruka couldn't help but smile, recalling the times he and Naruto used to joke and bicker together.

He must be training hard right now, striving to become Hokage… Thinking of this, Iruka's laziness vanished instantly. As his teacher, he couldn't afford to slack off like this!

He picked up the bowl and devoured the remaining noodles in a flash.

"Thank you for your hospitality! I'll be going now!"

Iruka waved goodbye to Ichiraku and his daughter with great enthusiasm.

"Oh! Take care, Iruka-sensei!"

"Bye-bye, Mr. Iruka!"

……

"Oh! Isn't this Iruka-sensei? It's been a long time!"

Kiba Inuzuka greeted him cheerfully.

"Teacher Iruka, don't you have to go to work today?"

Aburame Shino asked calmly.

"Hello, I...Iruka-sensei."

Hinata Hyuga greeted her softly.

"Kiba, Shino, Hinata! Long time no see! How are you all doing?"

Iruka looked at the three students he hadn't seen in a long time with surprise and delight.

"Long time no see..."

Shino had just opened his mouth.

"It's been a long time, Iruka-sensei!"

Kiba's enthusiastic words interrupted Shino's speech, and Akamaru, who was originally perched on his head, affectionately let out a "woof" and lightly jumped into Iruka's arms.

"Oh, Akamaru! It's been a long time, you look much stronger!"

Iruka smiled and ruffled Akamaru's hair.

"Right, right?"

Kiba proudly patted Akamaru's head, even happier than when he himself was praised.

"It's been training really hard lately!"

Shino, who had been interrupted, pushed up his sunglasses. Although his face was expressionless, the low pressure emanating from him seemed to form a tangible shadow.

"Zhi, Zhinao,"

Hinata comforted her softly.

"He...he didn't mean it..."

"I know, Hinata."

Shino's voice was calm and even.

"I didn't care."

Hinata silently added to herself, "I clearly care a lot..."

As Iruka chatted with Kiba, he gave Shino a helpless look, feeling apologetic.

The two started by talking about interesting things at the Ninja Academy, and gradually moved on to their current situations, as well as the thrilling Chunin Exams that had taken place not long ago.

"Naruto, that loser..."

Ya's tone was filled with complex resentment.

"I never expected him to become so strong. Even Neji was defeated by him."

It felt like your best friend, who had always been at the bottom of the class, suddenly turned around and became a top student, leaving you with a sense of frustration at being left behind.

Since the Chunin Exams, he has been training relentlessly, and he is currently on his way to the training grounds.

Shino, standing to the side, nodded slightly, as if wanting to add something:

"Indeed, Naruto..."

"Naruto-kun really worked hard!"

Hinata suddenly mustered her courage and raised her voice much higher than usual, interrupting Shino.

"For Sasuke's sake... he's training with the Hokage's disciple now, exhausting himself to the point of falling asleep every day! He'll definitely continue to grow stronger and become Hokage! Ah...!"

Realizing she had said so much and attracted everyone's attention, Hinata's face instantly turned bright red. She hurriedly lowered her head, wishing she could hide herself.

Iruka looked at Hinata and smiled with satisfaction:

"Hinata has grown a lot too. She's not as introverted as she was at the Ninja Academy. I'm really happy for you."

These words made Hinata bury her head even lower, almost hiding it in her collar.

……

"Well then, Iruka-sensei, we'll be leaving now!"

Ya waved goodbye.

"Oh, goodbye!"

Iruka responded with a smile.

Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Iruka suddenly thought of something, stroked his chin, and muttered to himself:

"Speaking of which... how did Hinata know that Naruto had exhausted himself to the point of falling asleep?"

He felt like something was missing, but couldn't quite remember, so he shook his head.

"Forget it, I don't want to."

...In the end, Shino still couldn't get a word in edgewise. He silently followed behind Kiba and Hinata, adjusting his sunglasses, the lenses reflecting a desolate light.

Iruka arrived at Konoha's training ground, and sure enough, a familiar figure was leaping around in the arena.

Naruto was engaged in a fierce sparring match with the black-haired boy.

As Naruto exchanged blows, his combat skills and experience visibly improved significantly. His focus and sharpness were enough to make him an excellent ninja.

Iruka, hidden in the shadows of the trees, watched silently. The scene before him overlapped with his memories…

That blond brat who clumsily practiced the Shadow Clone Technique at the ninja academy and was always causing trouble has now grown up to be this big.

A deep sense of pride and indescribable satisfaction, like warm spring water, quietly filled his heart.

What exactly are these feelings for this child? Is it the expectations a teacher has for a student? Or the concern an older brother has for his younger brother?

Iruka himself struggled to understand that this feeling had long transcended a simple definition.

As the sun sets in the west, it bathes the training ground in a warm golden-orange hue.

The intense training finally exhausted Naruto, and he collapsed onto the ground, falling into a deep sleep with soft snores.

The Rubik's Cube was finished, and the gaze was precisely fixed on the direction of Iruka's hiding place in the bushes:

"Come out, you've been watching there for a long time. Naruto is asleep."

Iruka, his face flushed slightly with embarrassment after his whereabouts were exposed, walked out while scratching the back of his head.

Just as he was about to introduce himself, Mo Fang said with a knowing smile:

"It's Iruka-sensei, right? Naruto often mentions you. Why didn't you meet him earlier? He would have been very happy to see you."

Iruka's gaze fell tenderly on the sleeping Naruto, his voice full of affection:

"Seeing him so engrossed in his practice, how could I bear to disturb him? As his teacher... or rather, as the older brother who watched him grow up, being able to silently protect his growth and witness his efforts is enough."

"That's not necessarily true,"

Rubik's Cube gently shook its head, its tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

“You hold a much heavier place in Naruto’s heart than you realize. Spend more time with him these next few days. He’ll be coming to the Land of Water with me soon, and we’ll probably be staying for quite a while.”

"The Land of Water?!"

Iruka instinctively voiced his concern, but then realized the strength of the boy before him and quickly changed his words apologetically.

"I'm sorry, I was too impatient..."

"No need to apologize, I understand."