aircannonsinc Chapter 297 Ramen
Chapter 297 Ramen
Looking at the profile of Ms. Mito on the podium, Xiao Nan felt as if she were seeing a historical image.
Two families that were once mortal enemies joined hands for a common belief. This requires an incredibly broad mind and an unwavering will.
She recalled the days when she and Yahiko depended on each other for survival during the war, and gained a deeper understanding of the word "homeland".
Nagato looked down at his hands.
Small and fair-skinned.
He always believed that strength was for fighting, for determining victory or defeat.
But today is the first time I've heard that the most powerful forces can be used to create and to protect.
It turns out that building a village is far greater than destroying one.
In the depths of his heart, a seed quietly sprouted.
The school bell rang melodiously, announcing the end of the first day of school life.
The entrance to the ninja academy was bustling with activity, as children poured out like birds returning to their nests, chattering excitedly.
Kushina, carrying a brand-new schoolbag, blended into the crowd.
She had a very happy day, made new friends, and learned a lot of new and interesting things.
Although that guy named Minato Namikaze is a bit strange, overall... Konoha is a hundred times more interesting than she imagined!
She hummed an off-key song and walked briskly home.
The members of the Whirlpool Clan were temporarily relocated to a newly built residential area on the east side of the village, not too far from the school.
As she rounded a corner, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure not far ahead.
With his short, golden hair and tall, upright figure, isn't that Minato Namikaze?
Kushina subconsciously slowed her pace.
Does he live around here too?
The girl was a little confused. Should she walk faster to overtake him, or should she simply slow down and move further away from him?
Just as she was struggling with her decision, Minato stopped at a fork in the road.
When he turned around, he saw Kushina and waved to her as a greeting.
Kushina had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward.
"You...you're going this way too?"
She asked, trying to make conversation.
"Yes, my house is just ahead." Minato pointed in the direction not far away.
And so, the two walked side by side down the street bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
The noise of the surrounding classmates gradually faded away, leaving only the light and heavy footsteps of the two of them, and the chirping of birds returning home in the evening on both sides of the street.
The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
Kushina felt extremely uncomfortable. She secretly glanced at Minato beside her. He was still as calm and collected as ever, walking quietly, his profile appearing particularly soft in the sunset.
No, it's too quiet, this is so awkward!
Say something, Kushina Uzumaki! Aren't you the most talkative one?
Her mind was racing, searching for a topic that could break the silence.
Should I ask him if he understood today's lesson? No, that would make it seem like I didn't understand.
Was she asking him what he wanted for dinner? That's so strange!
still is……
Just as Kushina was struggling with her inner turmoil, an untimely voice echoed throughout the quiet path.
"Gurgle—gurgle—"
The sound was loud and long, with an extremely clear source.
Kushina's steps froze instantly, as if she had been frozen in place.
She could feel that Minato beside her had also stopped walking.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Kushina's face turned bright red at a visible speed, and it was even starting to turn the color of her hair.
My stomach growled at the worst possible time.
Oh no, the company is dead, but Ichiraku Ramen is really delicious!
The sound was crystal clear, echoing through the street, long and easily mistaken.
Glug—glug glug—
Kushina Uzumaki froze instantly.
Oh no, the company is dead, but Ichiraku Ramen is really delicious!
The sound was crystal clear, echoing through the street, long and easily mistaken.
Glug—glug glug—
Kushina Uzumaki seemed to be frozen in place by the Nara family's Shadow Binding Technique, unable to move.
She could feel the blond boy beside her stop walking.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
The last rays of the setting sun had not yet completely faded, casting long shadows of the two. Kushina's face was rapidly turning from fair to bright red, and it seemed to be changing color to match her hair.
It’s over.
It's completely over.
This was the only thought in Kushina's mind.
In the Land of Whirlpools, she was a fearless girl who never lost a fight or argument.
On the fleet, she was an energetic leader of the kids, jumping around tirelessly. When she came to Konoha, she dared to declare in front of the teachers and students that she wanted to become the female Hokage.
But now, all she wants to do is crawl into a hole in the ground.
Why did my stomach have to growl at the worst possible time?
In such a quiet place, in front of such a... handsome boy with a great smile.
That's so embarrassing!
What a shame!
Kushina Uzumaki! Your majesty! Your aura! Have you fed it all to dogs?!
Her mind went blank. She kept her mouth tightly shut, afraid to even breathe, lest she make any more strange noises. She lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the inconspicuous pebble in front of her toes, as if trying to pierce it with her mental power.
Don't laugh, don't laugh out loud...
However, the expected laughter did not materialize.
The air was silent for a few seconds, then a gentle voice with a very faint smile sounded above her head.
"I'm actually a little hungry too."
Kushina suddenly froze.
"I know a ramen shop up ahead that's really good." There was no hint of mockery in Minato Namikaze's voice, only pure, friendly suggestion. "Want to go grab a bowl together?"
Kushina slowly, little by little, raised her head.
In the last rays of the setting sun, the boy's golden hair was edged with a soft glow, and his blue eyes were looking at her gently, clean and clear, reflecting her blushing embarrassment.
There was no mockery, no ridicule.
Only openness and sincerity.
The heat that burned from the base of her neck to the top of her head seemed to find an outlet, allowing her tense body to slowly relax.
"I...I'm not hungry!"
Kushina stubbornly argued, her voice several decibels lower than usual, "It...it was just barking randomly!"
"Um,"
Minato nodded seriously, indicating his understanding. "Then let's treat it as a reward so it won't bark anymore."
This reason...
Kushina found herself unable to refute the argument.
Looking at the pure smile on Minato's face, she finally gave in to the renewed protests from her stomach.
"Well... let's go take a look!"
She snorted, put her hands behind her back, and took the first step, but her slightly reddened ears still betrayed her inner turmoil.
Minato Namikaze watched her feigned composure as she walked away, the smile on his lips deepening as he quickly followed after her.
Turning off a quiet residential alley, the bustling Naruto Avenue comes into view instantly.
The sky had completely darkened, and rows of bright lanterns hung along both sides of the street, illuminating the entire avenue as if it were daytime. People finishing their day's work, children leaving school, and patrolling ninjas mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
The aroma of food wafted from all directions: the Akimichi family's grilled meat, the Uchiha family's desserts, and all sorts of novel snack stalls...
Kushina's attention was quickly drawn to the bustling scene, and she temporarily forgot her earlier embarrassment. Her gaze swept curiously between the various shops; everything here was new and exciting to her.
Minato didn't disturb her; he simply walked quietly beside her, occasionally pointing out the origins of a particular shop.
"That's the flower shop in the mountains. People go there to buy flowers for village celebrations and when visiting the sick."
"That's the Inuzuka family's pet supply store. Their ninja dogs are the best in Konoha."
As Kushina listened, she gained a deeper understanding of the village's structure.
Soon, the water gate stopped.
"We're here, this is it."
Kushina looked in the direction he pointed and saw a very inconspicuous little shop with only a small storefront and a few simple bar seats. Three words were written on the curtain in simple handwriting.
Ichiraku Ramen.
A rich aroma, a blend of pork bone and soy sauce, wafted out from behind the curtain, forcefully penetrating Kushina's nostrils.
Welcome!
A warm and cheerful greeting rang out, and a middle-aged man wearing a chef's hat, who looked very energetic, poked his head out from behind the rising steam.
"Oh? It's Minato! You're so late today!" The shop owner, Shouda, clearly recognized Minato.
"Brother, typed by hand."
Minato greeted her with a smile, then turned to the side and pulled back the curtain for Kushina. "I brought a new classmate over today."
Kushina walked in somewhat awkwardly.
The shop is small, but very clean, and the air is filled with mouthwatering aromas.
"Please have a seat, both of you!" The attendant deftly handed over two cups of hot tea. "What would you like to eat? The pork bone broth is freshly made today; it's absolutely delicious!"
"Then two bowls of tonkotsu ramen, bro," Minato made the decision for Kushina, who was still a little dazed.
"Okay! Please wait a moment!"
With a shout, the hand-beating brother turned around and got to work. He scooped out two large spoonfuls of broth from a big pot of milky white soup, then skillfully grabbed a dough ball, stretched and tossed it on the cutting board, and finally dropped the noodles precisely into the boiling water.
The entire set of movements was fluid and graceful, full of power and a unique focus characteristic of a craftsman.
Kushina was quite engrossed in watching.
The hand-beating uncle scooped out two large spoonfuls of broth from a big pot of milky white soup, then skillfully grabbed a dough ball, stretched and tossed it on the cutting board, and finally precisely dropped the noodles into the boiling water.
The entire set of movements was fluid and graceful, full of power and a unique focus characteristic of a craftsman.
Kushina was quite engrossed in watching.
Soon, two steaming bowls of ramen were served.
A thin layer of oil floats on the milky white broth, with several thick slices of char siu pork, tender green scallions, crisp bamboo shoots, and a soft-boiled egg, all neatly arranged on top of the chewy noodles.
A fragrant aroma wafted over.
Kushina's stomach growled even louder.
"I'm starting!"
She imitated Minato next to her, put her hands together and said something, then eagerly picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a big mouthful of noodles, and slurped it into her mouth.
The moment the noodles entered her mouth, Kushina's large purple eyes widened in shock.
Powerful! Springy!
The noodles themselves have a rich wheat aroma, and are perfectly coated with a layer of delicious broth.
She quickly took another sip of soup.
The rich bone broth melts on the tongue, fresh, fragrant, mellow, and full-bodied. All the flavors explode in the mouth instantly, and a warm current slides down the esophagus, instantly dispelling the evening chill and warming the whole stomach.
It's so...so delicious!
In the Land of Whirlpools, she had eaten the freshest sea fish and the fattest sea crabs, but she had never tasted such a rich and domineering flavor.
Kushina completely let go.
She no longer had any reservations. Head down, chopsticks flying, she ate noodles and drank soup with gusto. The tender char siu, the crisp bamboo shoots, and the sweet soft-boiled egg all gave her an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
Minato on the other side simply ate quietly, occasionally glancing up at Kushina, who was making a fuss, and a smile would always unconsciously slip onto his lips.
He didn't find the girl's eating manners rude at all; on the contrary, he thought they were... very genuine and cute.
That purest love for food, that unreserved vitality, makes people feel happy just by looking at it.
"ha--"
A satisfied sigh.
Kushina put down her chopsticks; the ramen bowl in front of her was completely empty, she had drunk every last drop of soup.
"I'm alive again..." She patted her round belly, her face full of happiness.
"Would you like another bowl?" Minato asked with a smile, having only eaten half of his own bowl.
"Hiccup..." Kushina let out a burp, her face turning red again. "N-No need! I'm already full!"
Minato gave her his portion of char siu pork.
"Here, take this. You seem to really like it."
"Huh?" Kushina looked at the extra meat in her bowl, somewhat bewildered. "N-no need..."
"It's okay, I can't finish it," Minato said matter-of-factly.
The conversation naturally began over this bowl of ramen and this piece of char siu.
"Hey, Minato," Kushina mumbled, chewing on her char siu, "Is Konoha always this lively?"
"Yes, most of the time," Minato replied patiently. "Especially after the war, the atmosphere in the village is even better than before. The Hokage said that peace requires everyone to work together, so he encouraged everyone to open shops and do business."
"Hokage-sama..." Kushina remembered the young man who ruffled her hair on the deck, "I saw him! On the ship! He's amazing! Uncle Danzo said he sank a huge ship with a single blow!"
She vividly described her experiences on the fleet, from the magnificent sight of the giant ships cutting through the waves to the delightful surprise of dolphins leaping out of the water, and the smugness of some of her people suffering from seasickness and vomiting, while she was completely unaffected.
Minato listened quietly, nodding occasionally or asking a question or two to guide her to continue.
Kushina discovered for the first time that chatting with people could be such a relaxing and enjoyable experience.