Chapter 4

So.

Weighing everything, he decided it was best to just lay low in the Hidden Leaf Village.

He would defect on the night of the clan massacre, hide in the ninja world for a few years at worst, and return to seek refuge once Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage and the Six Paths of Pain attacked the Hidden Leaf, when the village was weakened.

First.

Tsunade is not Hiruzen Sarutobi.

By then, the shadow of Danzo would also be about to die.

Besides, he had never truly harmed the Hidden Leaf; even his earlier defection was to escape the clan massacre.

More importantly, the Hidden Leaf lacked experts during that period!

As an Uchiha, and given Tsunade's character, she would most likely accept him.

Moreover, there was Sasuke!

With the Uchiha clan completely wiped out, and Sasuke finally having a clan member, would the Hidden Leaf refuse to accept him?

If Sasuke made a move, would Naruto not help?

Upon returning to the Hidden Leaf, he could continue laying low.

No doubt about it, perfect!

Having fully figured out his path forward, he lay in bed and fell into a peaceful sleep.

The next day, dawn.

Naruto Uzumaki yawned, rose, and pushed open the door. Breathing in the fresh air outside, he couldn't help but feel it was another day full of energy.

After a simple wash, he headed once more toward Ichiraku Ramen, planning to fill his stomach first.

"Ugh, what rotten luck."

"Meeting this Uchiha disgrace again. Why doesn't he just hurry up and die?"

"Forget it, don't bother with him."

"..."

Along his entire path, clan members mocked him in various ways.

However.

No one actually charged forward, shouting challenges for a duel or the like.

Not because they didn't want to, but because they had no way!

Naruto Uzumaki's skin was too thick; it was as if he were a city wall.

No matter how they mocked him, it had not the slightest effect.

Should they simply attack and provoke him, challenging him to a duel?

This fellow wouldn't even wait for them to act; he would immediately admit defeat, showing not a shred of honor.

Damn it.

They couldn't just attack and beat him up without cause, could they?

The pride of the Uchiha clan prevented them from doing something that would shame the family's honor.

So, they could only sit there, stuck!

Seeing him from afar and cursing once was enough; saying more was useless.

Even the frequency of their cursing hadn't been as high as before.

Naruto Uzumaki: "..."

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

Looking at the Uchiha clan members around him, the smile on his face grew even brighter.

He loved seeing that frustrated look on their faces: they disliked him, yet couldn't do anything about him.

So thrilling!

Seeing that no one truly charged forward, and having no interest in deliberately picking a fight, he gave a disdainful smile and once again arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.

"Uncle Teuchi, I'm back."

"Just make me something to eat; I'm starving."

Naruto Uzumaki was utterly unpolite.

Sitting casually at the table, he called out to Teuchi Ichiraku inside.

Teuchi Ichiraku smiled, nodded, exchanged a brief greeting with him, and went inside to prepare the meal.

Instead, Ayame rushed out, fuming.

"Naruto Uzumaki, Itachi are too much."

"Back then, my father pitied Itachi, but Itachi can't just come over every morning to mooch food, can Itachi?"

"Really, it's too despicable!"

Yes.

Ichiraku Ramen only served lunch and dinner.

They did not open in the morning.

But this fellow, Naruto Uzumaki, had come directly to negotiate with Teuchi Ichiraku just after arriving in this world seven or eight years ago.

He promised to eat there every noon and night, hoping that when Teuchi Ichiraku cooked for his own family in the morning, he could make a little extra for him.

Of course, he paid for it.

At that time, Teuchi Ichiraku saw the child had no parents and thought he was simply too pitiful!

Moreover, as an orphan, daring to come alone to negotiate with him was quite an achievement.

Although he was from the Uchiha, who had a bad reputation, he was just a pitiful child.

So, with a wave of his hand,

Teuchi Ichiraku waived the cost of his breakfast.

Furthermore, for lunch and dinner, he basically only charged the cost.

Usually, he ran a tab, paying at the end of the month.

But even when paying at the end of the month, Teuchi Ichiraku would charge much less.

Basically, Naruto Uzumaki was eating and drinking for free at this shop.

Therefore.

Facing Ayame before him, Naruto Uzumaki truly couldn't stand his ground.

After an awkward laugh, he quickly spoke.

"Sister Ayame, don't be angry!"

"I have graduated and am now a formal ninja; I can take missions and earn money."

"From now on, Uncle Teuchi is my real father, and Itachi are my real sister. I promise to treat Itachi well for the rest of my life."

"I will cover Uncle Teuchi's retirement!"

Naruto Uzumaki wore an expression of absolute dominance.

He was serious, too.

He had kept in his heart all the kindness the Teuchi family had shown him over the years.

He was no ungrateful ingrate; he would certainly repay them in the future.

So when he spoke those words, they were indeed heartfelt.

Ayame: "..."

Hearing such shameless words, she rolled her eyes in anger.

Good heavens!

Thinking this, he immediately spoke up.

"Uchiha brat, Itachi are overthinking things."

"I, Ayame, will take care of my father; I do not need a shameless brat like Itachi."

"Wait, that's not right!"

"I am several months older than Itachi; Itachi should call me big sister. How did I become the little sister?"

Uchiha Jin laughed heartily.

They immediately started bickering, and the noodle shop was filled with laughter and playfulness.

Just at this moment, Uchiha Jin felt slightly more at ease, experiencing a hint of the feeling of a home from his past life.

As for the Uchiha clan?

Heh, no need to mention it!

"Alright, stop fooling around." Teuchi brought out the bowls of food: "Both of Itachi, go wash your hands quickly and get ready to eat."

Seeing Teuchi step in, the two who had been bickering exchanged a glance.

After each letting out a cold snort, they obediently went to wash their hands.

One hour later.

After the three of them finished eating together, Uchiha Jin did not leave.

He stayed to help Teuchi and his daughter with the preparations for opening the shop at noon.

They waited until noon, just before opening time.

After casually eating lunch, Uchiha Jin patted his belly and headed home.

To be honest.

He had intended to continue helping.

After all, in the past, he would leave immediately after eating because he lacked a system; to gain the strength to protect himself, he naturally had to keep striving.

Now, however, it was different.

With the system's assistance, he no longer needed to work as hard as before.

But, unfortunately.

Uncle Teuchi disagreed.

He believed that since Uchiha Jin had become a ninja, and especially since he was heading to the front lines of war in a few days,

he should go home during this time to prepare properly.

So, there was nothing to be done.

Uchiha Jin shrugged; there were many things he couldn't explain, so he could only helplessly choose to go home.

However.

As he walked down the street, he couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.

Because since he arrived at Ichiraku Ramen that morning, he had vaguely sensed someone watching him.

Even now, it continued.

This made him wonder, who exactly was it?

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi?

Or perhaps, the traitor Danzo?

Or maybe, Orochimaru?

Several names kept shifting in his mind.

But, there was no conclusion.

He considered himself to be extremely low-key; he shouldn't have attracted anyone's attention.

However, after thinking for a moment, he made up his mind.

Respond to all changes with stillness!

He was just an Uchiha waste; he would pretend he hadn't noticed.

If he had been targeted in the past, he would have been afraid.

After all, he had to keep training every day, so he feared being discovered hiding his true strength.

Now, however, it was different!

With the "Lie Flat and Slack Off" system, he didn't need to cultivate at all in his daily life.

Even if they were watching, it would be useless!

Having realized this, a faint smile curled the corners of his mouth.

He smiled indifferently.

Let out a yawn, and walked straight home.

Ten minutes later.

After Uchiha Jin returned home, he lay directly on the sofa.

He closed his eyes, preparing for a nap.

It was a good habit formed in his past life; he hadn't dared to indulge in it in recent years, but now he could pick it up and fully embrace it.

Whoosh!

Just at this moment, a figure walked out from outside the small courtyard.

Dressed in a black combat uniform with a green flak jacket on the upper body, the sleeve cuffs embroidered with the Uchiha clan crest.

Red and white, the Flame Fan!