Shota followed Rasa along with the five other ANBU who were part of the Kazekage's protection detail. Elder Mina Sabaku walked beside Rasa, talking quietly about diplomatic details.
The group moved through the busy streets of Konoha toward their guest quarters. Shota kept his eyes open for any threats, but his mind was already somewhere else.
He had waited a long time for this moment. He had dreamed about it since he first woke up in this world. Now he was finally here.
He stepped closer to Rasa.
"Kazekage-sama, may I ask for permission to go eat ramen?"
Rasa turned his head slightly. His expression was hard to read.
"You want to go and eat ramen? And you are asking for my permission to go?"
Shota nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir. I have heard a lot about this place from merchants who come from Konoha to Suna. They say it is the best ramen and the best food they have ever tasted."
"Even kages and S-rank shinobi go there to eat it. The place is called Ichiraku Ramen. They say the broth is rich and full of flavor. The noodles are perfectly chewy. The pork is tender and melts in your mouth. The narutomaki is cut just right. The green onions add the perfect fresh taste. They say you can get extra toppings like boiled eggs, corn, or bamboo shoots. The owner is friendly and always remembers what you like. Some people travel for days just to eat there. I have wanted to try it since I first heard the stories. Please, sir, it would mean a lot to me."
Rasa stared at him for a long moment. Shota kept talking.
"The merchants said the miso pork ramen is the most popular. They said the tonkotsu is thick and creamy. The shoyu has a deep, salty taste. They said the ramen is so good that people forget their problems while eating it. I think after the long journey and the mission, a bowl would help me relax."
Rasa's eye twitched slightly.
"You do know that you are here to guard me?"
Shota nodded seriously.
"Yes, sir. And I believe that I would be able to scout out the village as I look for the ramen. It's the perfect excuse too. And I don't think that anyone would be willing to attack a guest kage in their own village. It would be bad manners. Besides, I can keep my eyes open for any suspicious people while I eat."
Rasa thought for a while. He looked at Shota's hopeful posture. He looked at the other ANBU who were pretending not to listen but were clearly interested. Finally he sighed.
"Fine."
Shota's eyes lit up under the mask.
"Thank you, sir!"
Rasa continued.
"Remove your ANBU gear as well as your Suna headband. It would be better for you to scout without it. Besides, everyone already knows you have come to the village and your identity is already revealed. Since Konoha likes making a power move, we might as well make one too. You would dress like a civilian and roam around the village. It would make it so that you won't appear scared of Konoha and are not intimidated by them."
Shota bowed deeply.
"I understand, Kazekage-sama. I will be careful. I will scout the streets, look for any unusual activity, and report back if I see anything strange. I will also bring back a detailed description of the ramen so we can judge if it is worth the hype."
Rasa waved his hand.
"Go. But be back in a couple of hours. You will be accompanying me and Elder Mina to the meeting with the Hokage and his advisors to discuss the alliance between us and the peace treaty."
Shota bowed again.
"Yes, sir."
He was about to leave when Rasa spoke again, his voice a little reluctant.
"Bring… a bowl of ramen for me."
Shota stopped. He turned back.
"Of course, Kazekage-sama. I will get the best one. Miso pork with extra narutomaki?"
Rasa nodded once.
"That will be fine."
Shota started walking away again. Then he stopped. He turned back once more.
"Kazekage-sama, I have not brought enough ryo with me. I had thought that you would be sponsoring this visit for us ANBU."
Rasa stared at him.
'Sponsoring? This is not a school field trip. And no ryo? I saw you take the wallets of the Kumo shinobi you killed just two days ago! I also pay you enough for you to afford all of this.'
Rasa's eye twitched again.
He reached into his robe and pulled out his wallet. He took out several bills and handed them to Shota.
"Here. This should be enough."
Shota took the money and bowed.
"Thank you, sir."
He started walking away. Then he noticed the other ANBU standing nearby. They were fidgeting a little. Their masks hid their faces, but Shota could feel their hope.
Rasa noticed too. He sighed.
"Do you all also want some ramen?"
One ANBU stepped forward.
"Some ramen would be good, Kazekage-sama."
Rasa looked at Shota. Shota nodded quickly.
"I will get more bowls packed for them, Kazekage-sama. I will make sure they get the best."
Rasa handed over more bills.
Shota took them and bowed again.
He was about to leave when he stopped once more. He looked at Rasa's wallet.
Rasa raised an eyebrow.
"What is it now?"
Shota spoke in his most polite, monotonous ANBU voice.
"The ramen is very popular, sir. So it might be expensive. And then there is inflation. I won't be able to get this many bowls with just this many ryo."
Rasa stared at him for a long second.
Then he reluctantly pulled out more bills and handed them over.
Shota bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Kazekage-sama. I will not disappoint you."
With a body flicker, he disappeared.
He reappeared in a quiet alley near the guest quarters. He removed his ANBU gear quickly. He folded it neatly and sealed it into a scroll. He changed into simple civilian clothes: a light brown tunic, dark pants, and sandals. He looked like any other kid in the village.
He looked sideways to see that no one was watching him and pocketed five of the bills into his own pocket and whistled happily.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen and Minato watched the entire scene through a crystal ball.
Both could not help chuckling.
"Isn't he an interesting one, Lord Third?" Minato asked with a smile.
Hiruzen nodded, his pipe in his mouth.
"He is. Somewhere I see why you left him alive. He is an innocent one, that one. Scamming his kage for money to buy ramen in an enemy village. Maybe he might become a renowned figure in Suna as he grows older and that would help their entire village."
Minato laughed softly.
"I don't think there is a maybe there, Lord Third. I am pretty sure that he would become a great figure in the shinobi world in the future."
-----Author Notes---------
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