The two Anbu operatives finished their task swiftly.
"You're dismissed," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, nodding toward them.
The masked shinobi glanced at each other, bowed, and turned to leave the Hokage's office. As they reached the door, the Sandaime spoke again.
"By the way, where's Kakashi? Find him and tell him to come see me."
The Anbu saluted before vanishing in an instant, leaving Hiruzen alone.
The old Hokage stood silently, pipe in hand, his back turned to the door as he gazed out the window. The setting sun bathed Konoha in orange light. No one could tell what weighed on the Professor's mind at that moment.
Meanwhile, after Iruka and his group handed the Forbidden Scroll back to the Anbu, they returned toward the village. Yamashiro Aoba, Ebisu, and the others dragged Mizuki—his face swollen and bruised—to the T&I unit for interrogation. Izumo Kamizuki returned to his duties at the village gate.
That left Iruka and Naruto standing awkwardly in the street, staring at each other without speaking. Finally, Iruka broke the silence.
"Naruto… it's been a while since I treated you to ramen, hasn't it? How about we celebrate tonight? For making it out alive—and for you mastering the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique." Iruka gave a warm smile and patted his chest. "It's on me."
Naruto's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really, Iruka-sensei?! Great! I'm gonna eat until I drop!"
Naruto laughed, his stomach already growling. Wasting a free meal was unthinkable.
At the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen
Naruto stopped in front of the small stand, staring up at the familiar sign. Though he had been here countless times, it always felt a little surreal.
"What's wrong, Naruto? Haven't been here in a while—did you miss old man Teuchi?" Iruka asked with a grin.
"No, I was just wondering how many bowls it'll take before Iruka-sensei goes broke," Naruto joked, flashing a mischievous smile.
"Haha! Eat as much as you want. Iruka-sensei may not have much, but he'll never run out of ramen money!"
Naruto's grin widened. Together, the two lifted the curtain and sat at the counter.
Teuchi greeted them warmly. "Well, if it isn't Naruto! What'll it be today?"
"Uncle, give me ten bowls of miso pork ramen to start with!" Naruto declared confidently.
Teuchi blinked in surprise. "Only ten? That's less than usual. You're not sick, are you?"
Naruto crossed his arms. "Don't worry, Uncle! That's just my appetizer. Iruka-sensei's paying today, so I'll go easy on him."
Teuchi chuckled and nodded. "Alright then. Coming right up."
"Hey, Naruto!" Ayame called cheerfully as she brought over the first steaming bowl. She set it down with a smile.
"Thanks, Ayame! Don't forget—extra pork!" Naruto said eagerly.
"Hehe, of course. I always give you the best cuts, don't I?" she teased.
Both Teuchi and Ayame knew Naruto well. They had seen the lonely boy struggle, shunned by much of the village. When he couldn't pay, they fed him anyway. To them, Naruto wasn't the demon the villagers whispered about—just a mischievous but kindhearted kid with a huge appetite.
Iruka, however, nearly fainted when he remembered Naruto's legendary ramen consumption.
"I'm such an idiot," Iruka muttered under his breath. "I forgot how terrifying Naruto's appetite is. Can I take back my offer to treat him…?"
Naruto, catching his expression, smirked. "Something wrong, Iruka-sensei?"
"Of course not!" Iruka forced a smile, though his wallet ached. "Eat all you want. Your teacher can handle it!"
Teuchi set the first bowl in front of Naruto. "Here you go—piping hot and fresh. Dig in!"
Naruto pressed his hands together. "Itadakimasu!"
Then, with chopsticks in hand, he attacked the ramen with his usual unstoppable enthusiasm, slurping noodles as though inhaling them.
While he ate, his eyes flicked up now and then to Teuchi, who continued working the pot with practiced ease.
You know, one of the long-running jokes in the Naruto fandom is that Ichiraku Ramen isn't just a humble noodle shop. Some say Teuchi's real name is Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku, and even the Sage of Six Paths would have to bow to him before leaving!
After all, when Pain reduced Konoha to rubble, what was the first place to reopen? That's right—Ichiraku Ramen. Fans often joke that the shop is indestructible, a sanctuary immune to war. Some even say that if a nuclear bomb fell, as long as you were inside Ichiraku Ramen, Uncle Teuchi would keep you safe.
At the counter, Naruto stared at Teuchi with fiery eyes, practically sparkling.
The old man flinched under the intense gaze. "Wh-what is it, Naruto? Is the taste off today? Or…?"
Naruto suddenly grinned. "Nah, I just think Uncle Teuchi looks super cool when he's cooking ramen!"
Teuchi blinked, then burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! You've still got that silver tongue, Naruto. Fine then—I'll double the pork in your next bowl!"
Men his age loved being complimented, especially when the words came straight from a child's heart. And Naruto's words, even when playful, never felt like empty flattery.
"Thanks, Uncle Teuchi! Oh, and add five bowls of beef ramen too! Extra beef!" Naruto said enthusiastically.
"Coming right up!" Teuchi replied, smiling even wider. A big order meant a busy kitchen, but also joy—Naruto's energy was infectious.
Meanwhile, Iruka stood off to the side, his face paling as he processed Naruto's words. His stomach dropped, and one thought echoed in his mind:
It's over… my wallet's doomed.