Ichiraku Ramen.
It was lunchtime, peak business, and the restaurant was packed with diners. As Naruto drew back the curtain, the aroma of steaming broth, accompanied by a wave of heat, instantly made him even hungrier.
He hopped onto the high stool in front of the counter with familiarity, then casually called out, "Teuchi-san, three bowls of ramen to start, and double the chashu!"
"Okay!" Teuchi's cheerful voice echoed from behind the stove.
Beside him, Ayame smiled sweetly. "Naruto, you're really early today."
Naruto smirked, scratching his head. "Hehe, since someone's treating me, of course I have to eat more!"
"Don't listen to him, Ayame-san," Sakura said, sitting down beside him with a helpless smile. "Naruto always eats as much as he can, no matter who's treating him."
"That's true," Ayame chuckled softly.
She turned back to swiftly help her father prepare the ramen. Her slender figure in her apron exuded a tranquil beauty.
At that moment, a clear, gentle voice interrupted, "What good thing happened? Naruto, you're in a good mood today?"
Naruto turned and saw a familiar face peek out from behind the counter. It was a boy of about fourteen, with a clean, handsome face, smiling at them.
"Shigure!"
Naruto beamed even more brightly upon seeing him. "Hehe, of course I'm happy today! Because—"
He lowered his voice mysteriously, drawing out his words to whet his appetite. Then, he suddenly straightened his back, excitedly pumping his fist, and announced, "I'm about to learn a super powerful ninjutsu! I'm sure to astonish you!"
Shigure was stunned by the words, then raised an eyebrow with interest. "Oh? Super powerful ninjutsu? Sounds impressive. What is it? Can you tell me?"
Naruto puffed out his chest and grinned triumphantly. "Hehe, I'll keep it a secret for now! But it's sure to be incredibly powerful! Anyway, just wait and see. I'm sure to—well, make you drop your jaw!"
As he spoke, his azure eyes burned with fighting spirit and anticipation, completely betraying the gloomy expression from his defeat at the training grounds just moments before.
Shigure looked at the confident blond boy before him and couldn't help but be infected by his emotions, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
"Really? Well, I'll have to wait and see."
"Hmph, you're bragging again." Haruno Sakura folded her arms and mercilessly rebuked him. "Naruto, you're so bad at even basic chakra control! Don't let yourself get blown away by the training!"
"I won't!" Naruto retorted, blushing. "This time is truly different! Sakura, just wait and see!"
Seeing the two about to argue again, Kakashi, sitting on the other side, coughed helplessly. "Ahem, Naruto, let's not talk about training over a meal."
Naruto muttered, shutting up. He was truly starving; any further arguments would mean no time to enjoy his meal.
Meanwhile, three steaming bowls of ramen had been placed on the counter. The fragrant broth and tender white noodles captivated Naruto. He cheered and immediately dove in. His chopsticks flew, barely making out the noodles as he devoured the entire bowl in a flash.
"Another bowl!" he exclaimed, raising his empty bowl and licking the broth with relish.
"Alright!"
Moments later, another overflowing bowl of ramen was placed before Naruto. Naruto immediately began slurping it up again.
Shigure and Ayame couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's rapt, engrossed look. Sasuke glanced at Naruto coldly, a look of deep thought.
Then, Kakashi's nonchalant voice rang out, "Naruto, that ninjutsu you just mentioned... did anyone teach you?"
Naruto, his mouth full, mumbled, "Gulp gulp... huh? Yes... ah, no, I'm practicing on my own."
Kakashi's eyes flickered at this, and he glanced back at the ball in Naruto's hand. In such a short time, Naruto had already entered the second stage of training. It was incredibly fast.
Before long, after three bowls of ramen, Naruto burped contentedly.
"Huh—I'm full!"
Naruto stretched comfortably, then he remembered something belatedly, turned to Kakashi, and asked, "By the way, Kakashi-sensei, what mission do we have to do this afternoon?"
Kakashi lazily opened "Intimate Paradise" and said casually, "It's still the same mission as yesterday."
"What -?!" Naruto almost fell off the chair when he heard that. "Is it another job to help people repair their yards, find lost kittens, or something like that?"
Kakashi glanced at him. "What else? As a Genin, these most basic commissions are also part of the training."
"Tsk..." Naruto curled his lips and complained in a dejected voice, "It's so boring... I might as well practice more ninjutsu..."
"Naruto! Stop complaining!" Sakura knocked him on the head, frowned, and lectured him, "We are ninjas; we have to take even odd jobs seriously."
Naruto covered his head and muttered reluctantly, "I know, I know, I was just saying it casually..."
Kakashi smiled silently, closed the book, and stood up and said, "Okay, everyone, it's time to go. The location of the afternoon commission is a bit far from here."
Several people stood up, and Kakashi paid the money. Naruto rubbed his stomach contentedly and walked out of the ramen restaurant, waving to the hand-beating uncle and Shigure and the others: "Boss, Ayame, Shigure, we're leaving! Thank you for the treat!"
"Be careful on your mission, Naruto." The hand-beating uncle smiled and stuck his head out to remind him, "Come and eat again next time."
"Yeah! Definitely!" Naruto nodded vigorously and gave a big thumbs up with full of energy.
After watching Naruto and the others leave, Shigure's friendly smile gradually faded.
"Things are getting more and more interesting..."
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