-The Angel Shot-

It was just another day in Konoha.

Both villagers and ninjas were walking beside each other in the afternoon.

Going on their way to do their daily tasks or going on another mission.

Yup. Just the usual.

A very young Naruto grumbled as he rubbed his belly, both in pain and in hunger. Hunger because he did not eat anything since breakfast, but where did the pain come from?

It was from that jerk Sasuke!

Naruto himself couldn't believe that he was knocked out of the ring with several kicks! He could have sworn that he got that jerk on the ring when he charged at him.

Sadly, he was kicked out again under the sigh of his teacher and the giggles, laughter, and mocking voices of his peers.

"Damn you, Sasuke!" Naruto growled with fire in his eyes, "I'll beat you some day!"

Despite his declaration, he became a little bit helpless a few seconds later.

There's no way that that Duck Hair is invincible right? Yeah. That has to be the case! It's just how… how was he supposed to beat that guy then make Sakura and everybody else in class finally notice him!

Through his thinking, he began to pass by a wine restaurant when suddenly his ears jerked up upon hearing a weird conversation. Ignoring the judging stares of everybody on the street, he not-so skillfully snuck close to an open window.

"I…I am telling you that it is real. That he is real!" in the restaurant by the window was a drunk middle-aged civilian. He spoke to his son who was a Genin in a drunken slur.

"Sure he is dad." The Genin, who finally wanted to spend quality time with his father after his team disbanded for the day, was looking at his dad with a helpless gaze.

"Boy!" The dead beat dad took a swing at his wine, bent his head down with flushed cheeks.

"The Angel Shot is real I tell ya. It's just for some reason this new generation doesn't even talk about him anymore. It's as if they are unaware that he actually exists! Listen, he goes by Teuchi now. He's running a Ramen shop even after all these years. He's got a pretty daughter too named Ayame, She's a nice girl, I tell you what. I remember when I ordered Beef Ramen a few days ago she even gave me a big slice. It was just that good."

The tired son's eyes looked at his father with a twitching eye. "Yeah. Uh-Huh."

Excitedly, the dad's eyes lit up in sparks as he recalled a time when even a civilian could take on all these Shinobi's.

Ninjutsu? Swordsmanship? Summoning?

Heh. Chakra?!

Please.

All of that is meaningless in front of the Angel Shot!

But now that has been decades before, this new age doesn't even care about some old man right now.

But he will never forget the legend.

"... Ah forget about it," waving off at his son, "just eat your meal then we'll go home to meet your mother."

A smile blossomed on the young Genin's face, he picked up his dumplings with his chopsticks, but before he could place it in his mouth, his dad suddenly leaned forward. He just stared into his son's eyes with a look that means that he is thinking of something.

"But if you were to have any problems, especially problems that wear the color blue! Okay. Don't forget that. The color blue, you can always head down to Mr. Teuchi and ask for an Angel shot!"

Outside, little Naruto stood up and ran forward with glittering eyes.

Angel Shot?

What is that? Some type of new food?

But anyway, that drunken geezer says that the old man Teuchi will solve any problem that wears the color blue.

And it just so happens that the jerk Sasuke also likes to wear blue, so maybe the old man can help out on his revenge plan. Hehe.

Finally after a long distance run, Naruto finally made it to the Ramen shop where the old man Teuchi was washing dishes in the back.

"Hiya, Old Man." Naruto leapt into an open stool.

"Wha? Oh, haha! Naruto my boy! How are you?" Teuchi greeted back with a fatherly smile before focusing on the dirty dishes in front of him.

"Anyway, what will you have? Beef Ramen? Shrimp Ramen? Vegetable Ramen?"

Naruto grew a twinkle in his eyes before slamming his palm onto the countertop. "Not any of that old man. I want something new! I want to order…. An Angel Shot!"

Not even seconds later, the atmosphere in the shop suddenly became chill and silent.

Naruto didn't notice as he was looking at the old man with glittering eyes.

At the sink, Teuchi, for the first time in many years, opened his eyes widely.

His pupils that were shown into the world flashed through several explosive emotions that speared right through him before his eyelids drooped once again.

"An Angel Shot, huh?" wiping his hands onto a towel, Teuchi turned around to face Naruto with the same familiar smile that the blond boy was so used to.

"Yup!" Naruto looked left and right before leaning over the counter. Almost sliding into Teuchi's vision. "I also heard that when you order one of those, uh, Angel Shots, you can also take care of a problem for me. And it just so happens that the jerk I am talking about also wears blue, bwahaha!"

"...Who?"

Huh. Is the Angel Shot a real order? At this, Naruto practically hopped in his seat. He can already imagine Sasuke being pulled into something embarrassing, and that this time he will be laughed at and not him!

"Sasuke Uchiha! He's an arrogant guy who sits next to me at school, always showing off and stuff and stealing Sakura's attention! He is also wearing blue, but I warn ya. He can be pretty aggressive most of the time."

Teuchi nodded with a serious look before flipping his notepad with his brush. "Sasuke Uchiha of the Uchiha Clan. Hm. That's a tough one, but for a loyal customer like you…"

Teuchi trailed off while creating so many strokes of ink onto the pad while adding a 'For Free' note on the side. "I'll do it, but of course. It's going to take a few years."

"Heheh- huh. Wait. A few years?"

"Sorry Naruto, but I got to go now."

Under surprised and confused eyes, Teuchi stepped out of the shop, walking in a single direction before merging with the crowds of people on the street.

Reaching home he didn't even greet his daughter before making his ways upstairs. In his room, he knelt down before pulling a rusty old metal box out from underneath his covers.

Opening it, wrinkled frowns appear upon his forehead before opening the box, pulling out a weapon that is not commonly used in these parts, a pistol.

Sliding some ammunition into the pistol, the shining black barrel reflected in his eyes.

"Alright, just this last time. But… the Uchiha ain't one to open up to folks like me, so I will just have to form a 'bond' first then get close."

Teuchi nodded before whipping his trusty old lover again, making a clicking sound, before placing it into the case again.

To hide it until the moment was right.

The next day.

A young Sasuke walked down the road amidst the stares and mutterings of the villagers around him.

His gaze was sharp and cold while walking to his Clan's Household.

Suddenly it started raining and the crowd soon dispersed.

Grumbling further, Sasuke suddenly felt a palm land on his head. A shadow came over to block the incoming rain from hitting him again. Looking up, he saw a kind smile from an elderly man.

That smile brought a feeling that he hadn't had for a long while, warmth.

"Hey kiddo, whatcha doing in the rain over here. Come on, I'll take you to your home."

Teuchi shook a dazed Sasuke on his little head before laughing. He moved the umbrella so that little Sasuke doesn't get wet from the showers.

Yet underneath his eyelids, a calculative gaze was lifted.

'Step 1: Encountering the subject, now onwards onto Step 2: Being familiar…'

A few years passed, and a 12 year old Sasuke was walking home with a smirk. Even though that fan girl and that loser was part of his team, he can deal with it.

Brandishing his headband, Sasuke clenched his fist.

A cold glint appeared in his eyes.

Finally almost there and then he will pay for everything he has done.

But first…

"Oh. If it isn't the rookie of the year! Hahaha! Look at you, my boy. You're finally a ninja of Konoha, so proud! Here. Let me give you a dish. On the house of course!"

"Thanks… Mr. Teuchi." The cold eyes shifted to a pair filled with warmth.

Ever since his entire clan was done for, he always thought he would be all alone in the village with no care, love, or support.

But who would have thought that a civilian chief would have made his stubborn heart gradually open up.

Mr. Teuchi has always been there for Sasuke ever since he was young.

Bringing kind smiles, warm food and support while understanding him.

It's like… hard to explain it.

Like… how a father showers his son with affection.

Affection that Sasuke never experienced from even his father before.

Gazing at the back of the Ramen Chief, Sasuke was very thankful to have him in this life.

"Oh by the way, Sasuke. I was actually planning to go night-fishing for more ingredients. I was wondering if you'd be interested in coming along with me?"

"Hm, night fishing? Sure."

"Hahahaha! You'll love it." crescent eyes looked back to Sasuke, but as Teuchi turned around, those eyes became dark.

"Soon. Soon." Teuchi muttered as he cooked Sasuke a meal.

Tonight was finally the night.

The night when the Angel Shot will be finally ordered up!

At night.

"Hey, Mr. Teuchi. I'm here, also… what's with the clothes?"

"Haha. It's nothing." dressed in all black, Teuchi still gave that same old fatherly smile, glancing to the side where his box is hidden on the wooden boat.

He pointed his thumb back. "Anyway, I also got the fishing rods ready! Let's grab some kelp and fish and I'll make us some midnight meal with tomatoes, how does that sound?"

Sasuke's eyes shone at the mere mention of his and his mother's favorite food, tomatoes. "Sounds good." with that, walking forward before he stepped into the boat.

"That's the spirit." Teuchi laughed before pushing the boat into the lake before hopping in as it slowly drifted on the calm waters under the night sky.

Under the silver full moon, Teuchi sat on one end and Sasuke sat on the other end. Their backs facing each other as they looked at the fishing lines in the water.

Half an hour later, the boat was settled in the middle of the large lake.

Still staring at the fishing line, Sasuke smiled, even though he didn't see any of those fish yet, it was nice being out with the old man.

He looked so relaxed sitting there, his menacing thoughts about his clan's death and his fugitive brother was away at the moment.

"Hey Sasuke…"

"Hm?"

"...I've got a bullet for you…!"

"What's that?" Sasuke turned around.

*boom!*

*splash*

On that night, the water was dyed red.

The next morning, Ninjas were running around the village in distress.

Even the 3rd Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was out searching around the village with a look of both anger and panic.

"I wonder what's going on?" Naruto muttered before sitting at his stool. "Everyone is acting all weird and I didn't even see Sasuke today?" shaking his head, he slapped a palm onto the countertop. "Hey, Old Man, Get me a large Beef Ramen bowl, extra beef please!"

"Haha! Sure, Naruto!" After making the meal, he placed it in front of Naruto.

Naruto grabbed a pair of chopsticks, but before he can dig in, a cough escaped from Teuchi.

Naruto looked up, only to see the wide smile of one old and kind Ramen Chief.

"Anyway, Naruto, order up! One Angel Shot has been delivered!"

Soon, Teuchi whistled innocently while walking back to chop some vegetables, leaving a blinking Naruto behind.

Teuchi patted his chest while ignoring the sound of many ninjas and civilians gossiping outside the shop.

"Ha! This old man still got it!"

-The End-