The meeting at the Hokage Building ended in a slightly heavy atmosphere.
Chiya stood up first and gave Mikoto a look. She immediately understood and followed behind him. Under the complicated gazes of the village's higher ups, the two of them left the meeting room together.
The setting sun covered Konoha in a warm golden orange glow, and the streets were still filled with the joyful atmosphere of Victory Day.
Chiya naturally took Mikoto's hand and slowed his pace as they walked toward the now famous Ichiraku Ramen shop in the center of the village.
"I'm a little hungry. I'll take you to try Teuchi's cooking."
Chiya turned his head and smiled gently at Mikoto.
The glow of the sunset outlined his handsome profile, softening his usual cold expression.
Feeling the warmth of his hand and looking at his relaxed face, Mikoto's heart was filled with peace and sweetness. She softly replied, "Mm," and let him lead her along.
Before they even reached Ichiraku Ramen, they could already hear the lively crowd from afar.
The small shop was already packed with customers. There was even a line outside, filled mostly with ninja who had just returned from missions or were celebrating the victory. The air was filled with the rich aroma of pork broth and cheerful laughter.
When Chiya and Mikoto appeared at the entrance of the alley, a sharp eyed ninja noticed them immediately.
"It's Lord Chiya!"
"Lady Mikoto is here too!"
"They're here!"
"..."
In an instant, it was like a drop of water falling into boiling oil. The whole place exploded with excitement!
The people waiting in line automatically moved aside, making a path for them. Every pair of eyes was focused on the two of them, filled with excitement, admiration, and joy.
"Lord Chiya!!"
"Thank you for everything you've done for Konoha!"
"Lord Chiya, you're our hero!"
"..."
Greetings and words of gratitude rose one after another, and every face was filled with sincere smiles.
To these ordinary ninja and villagers, Uchiha Chiya was the symbol of peace and victory. His appearance alone was enough to excite everyone.
Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, was busy cooking noodles. Hearing the commotion outside, he stuck his head out.
When he saw Chiya, his face immediately broke into a wide smile. He quickly wiped his hands with a towel and personally came out to greet them.
"Lord Chiya! Lady Mikoto! Please come in, please come in! What an honor to have you here!"
Uncle Teuchi greeted them enthusiastically in a loud voice.
"What would you like to eat today? It's my treat! I'll use only the best ingredients!"
Chiya smiled and waved his hand.
"Teuchi, there's no need to be so polite. Rules are rules. Give us two bowls of your signature tonkotsu ramen, with an extra serving of chashu in each."
His tone was relaxed, without the slightest hint of arrogance.
"Right away! It'll be ready soon! Please come inside. I'll prepare the best seats for you!"
Teuchi cheerfully responded and quickly cleared the best small table inside for them.
The customers in the shop also stood up excitedly to greet them, their eyes filled with admiration.
Chiya nodded to each of them in return and led Mikoto to the newly cleared table.
Although the shop was small, the atmosphere was especially warm and lively.
While they waited for their ramen, Chiya's thoughts moved.
"System, open my character panel."
[Name: Uchiha Chiya]
[Age: 25]
[Chakra: 91 Kakashi]
[Special Skills: Indra's Chakra, Uzumaki Clan Bloodline, Senju Clan Physique, Sharingan (Eternal Mangekyō), Storm Style, Ice Style, Lava Style, Boil Style]
[Skills: Divine Art: Kagatsuchi
Mangekyō Eye Techniques: The Far Shore of the Yellow Springs, Cycle of Cause and Effect, Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu
Forbidden Techniques: Izanagi, Izanami
Master of Sealing Techniques, Master of Swordsmanship, Susano'o, Master of Medical Ninjutsu, Master of Fire Style, Master of Genjutsu, Master of Ninja Tools, High Speed Body Flicker Technique (Body Flicker Technique), Shadow Clone Jutsu, Three Bodies Technique, etc.]
Looking at his chakra value of 91 Kakashi, Chiya could not help but sigh a little.
He had never expected that defeating the four great ninja villages would reward him with Indra's Chakra.
It had directly increased his chakra by the equivalent of twenty Kakashis.
Even stealing Kushina away recently had only given him the Uzumaki bloodline and sealing techniques, which were worth just five Kakashis.
Naturally, he knew who Indra was.
The eldest son of the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, and the ancestor of the Uchiha Clan.
Because he was not chosen as the successor of Ninshu, Black Zetsu manipulated him into abandoning the teachings of Ninshu, which connected people's hearts through chakra. He then created ninjutsu.
After that, he fought Asura in a decisive battle.
Even after Indra died, his chakra did not disappear. Instead, it continued to possess outstanding descendants.
The most memorable examples were Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Sasuke.
"Hm?"
Thinking this far, Chiya suddenly froze.
Indra was the eldest son of the Sage of Six Paths, and the Sage of Six Paths was Kaguya's eldest son.
The Uchiha Clan were descendants of Indra.
And now he had obtained Indra's chakra.
If he revived Kaguya in the future, then what would their relationship even be?
Thinking about it made Chiya feel like his head was about to split open.
'Should we just each follow our own family tree?'
"Chiya nii, what's wrong?"
Seeing him suddenly lost in thought, Mikoto quietly asked.
"Nothing."
Chiya returned to reality.
"I was just thinking about some family relationship issues."
"Family relationships?"
Mikoto blinked in confusion.
She could not understand what he meant.
Soon, two steaming bowls of fragrant ramen were placed on the table.
"Let's eat."
The ramen immediately drew both of their attention.
The rich pork broth, soft boiled eggs, thick slices of chashu, and bright green chopped scallions looked incredibly appetizing.
"Let's eat."
Chiya picked up his chopsticks and looked at Mikoto.
"Let's eat."
Mikoto replied gently.
The two sat across from each other, enjoying this rare peaceful moment.
Chiya ate quickly, yet his movements remained elegant.
Mikoto took small bites, but her gaze often drifted toward him, her eyes so gentle they almost seemed to melt.
She remembered what her grandfather had told her a few days ago.
Now that the war was nearly over, it was time to think about the future of the clan.
The meaning behind those words was obvious.
Mikoto was far too clever not to understand.
But something like that could never happen through her efforts alone.
She still needed Chiya nii.
Occasionally, Chiya looked up and met her eyes.
He did not notice the little thoughts hidden in her heart.
The two smiled at each other, and the air between them was filled with affection that needed no words.
The noise around them seemed to become nothing more than background sound.
Just then, a pleasantly surprised yet timid girl's voice came from beside them.
"L... Lord Chiya? Senior Mikoto? It's really you!"
Chiya and Mikoto looked up at the same time.
Standing beside the table was a beautiful young girl with rare black hair and ruby red eyes.
Her lovely face was filled with excitement and shyness. It was none other than Yūhi Kurenai.
She had apparently just returned from a mission, and tiny beads of sweat still covered her forehead.
"It's Kurenai."
Chiya smiled at her.
"Haven't eaten yet?"
"Y... Yes!"
Kurenai nodded repeatedly.
Her eyes could barely leave Chiya. Her cheeks were bright red, as though she had finally met the idol she had admired for years. She was so nervous that her fingers were tightly intertwined.
"I never thought I'd meet you here... Lord Chiya! I watched today's welcome ceremony. You... you were incredible! You're the role model of every young ninja!"
She was so excited that her words came out in a rush, and her eyes were sparkling with admiration.
Seeing her adorable expression, Chiya smiled and pointed to the empty seat beside them.
"Sit down and talk. If you haven't eaten yet, why not join us?"
"C... Can I? Really?"
Kurenai widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Of course."
Chiya nodded.
Kurenai awkwardly walked over with stiff movements and carefully sat down on the empty stool.
Her back was perfectly straight, but she still could not hide her excitement.
Mikoto looked at her with a gentle smile.
"Don't be nervous. Chiya nii isn't going to eat you."
Chiya also smiled.
"That's right. Relax. I heard you've been training your genjutsu lately. If there's anything you don't understand, you can come ask me."
Hearing that Chiya actually knew about her training made Kurenai blush even more, but she also relaxed a little.
Her idol's kindness and attention greatly shortened the distance she had felt between them.
"Can I really? Wouldn't I be bothering you too much, Lord Chiya?"
Kurenai asked softly, though the corners of her mouth could not stop rising.
"Compared to everything you've done, my little progress doesn't amount to anything.
How did you become so strong? You defeated so many enemies all by yourself."
Once the young girl's curiosity and admiration were unleashed, question after question followed.
From her initial nervous respect, she gradually became more talkative and began asking about battles, training, and cultivation. Her eyes were filled with admiration for great power and curiosity about Chiya himself.
Chiya did not become impatient.
Instead, he chose a few things that could be shared, avoiding the bloodier details, and answered them casually.
From time to time, he also gave her a few tips about chakra control and genjutsu techniques.
Kurenai listened with complete fascination, nodding over and over as the admiration in her eyes grew even stronger.
Mikoto quietly ate her ramen while watching the scene before her.
Seeing Chiya show such gentleness and patience toward a younger ninja, and seeing Kurenai's undisguised admiration, she felt no jealousy.
Instead, she found it warm and rather amusing.
Even the powerful Chiya nii had such a gentle side.
The evening sunlight streamed through the ramen shop's windows and fell across the three of them.
The steam rising from the bowls, the lively voices around them, the young girl's bright questions, and the man's calm, gentle answers came together to form a warm scene filled with everyday happiness.
At this moment, the shadow of war seemed to have completely disappeared, leaving behind only the peaceful routine of life and quietly growing bonds with different meanings.
Kurenai felt that this evening would become one of the brightest memories of her life.
And seeing the natural closeness between Chiya and Mikoto, while filling her with admiration, also left her with a tiny bit of indescribable longing that belonged to a young girl.
Just then, a mechanical voice echoed inside Chiya's mind.
His movements suddenly paused.
[Mission Triggered: Steal Yūhi Kurenai]
[Mission Reward: One Random Divine Art.]
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