Haruto, when he sat down at the counter in Ichiraku Ramen, saw no one else was present. He didn't have much time to think about how it must be a quiet hour as a slender girl with long, dark brown hair, and black eyes wearing a white robe approached him.
"Hello I'm Ayame Ichiraku," Ayame greeted cheerfully. She gained a surprised look on her face when she saw a very rich kid judging by the clothes he was wearing, sitting in her family's establishment. "What can I get for you today?"
"This is my first time having ramen, so what would you recommend that I have?" Haruto asked, smiling at the waitress.
You don't need to be so polite to the peasant you know, Morgana commented. Haruto simply ignored her, used to her comments about peasants by now.
He's going to be very handsome when he grows older, Ayame thought absentmindedly upon seeing his smile, before mentally shaking her head to get rid of such thoughts.
"I would recommend the miso ramen since it's one of our most popular dishes," Ayame said, proud of her cooking skills.
"One medium miso ramen then please," Haruto said. Ayame smiled hearing this and set to work.
"I hope you don't mind me asking but where you are from since you're clearly foreign and wearing robes like that isn't exactly normal around here," Ayame said hesitantly, afraid she might offend her customer.
"You don't need to worry I'm not offended, I'm from outside the Elemental Nations, I come from a country called Great Britain," Haruto said.
Ayame's eyes light up hearing this. "I've heard from some of my shinobi customers that Great Britain is full of wizards that can use chakra, but they call it magic instead don't they?" Ayame asked, wondering if she remembered her facts correctly.
"You are correct, we call chakra magic in our country," Haruto said amused as she became excited.
"That's so cool I've never met a wizard before, you are a wizard aren't you?" Ayame asked.
"I am a wizard, yes, I think the robes are a dead giveaway," Haruto commented dryly. Ayame blushed in embarrassment before proceeding to glare playfully at him.
"I never got your name," Ayame said, having forgotten to ask earlier.
"I am Lord Haruto le Fey," Haruto said. Ayame stumbled a little bit in surprise from hearing her customer is a Lord.
"Y-you're a Lord," Ayame said, flabbergasted.
"Yes I am Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Revered House of le Fey," Haruto said calmly holding up his Lordship ring for Ayame to see.
Ayame looked like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "That makes you the first Lord to ever eat at this establishment."
"Lucky me then," Haruto said smiling.
Haruto only had to wait a few minutes for his ramen to be finished cooking before Ayame put the bowl in front of him.
"Here you go one miso ramen, I'm positive you'll enjoy it," Ayame said optimistically. Before Haruto could even try the ramen he heard a loud shout.
"RAMEN," a girl's voice shouted as an orange mixed with red blur shot into the restaurant. Haruto studied the girl that was bouncing in her seat in excitement and saw she was around nine years old. She has blonde hair that went down to her mid back, blue eyes that were full of youthful curiosity, and whisker markings on her cheeks. The girl was wearing an orange tracksuit and was a few inches shorter than Haruto.
She certainly likes her ramen, Haruto thought.
"Ayame a bowl of miso ramen," the girl said impatiently if slightly rude, but Ayame didn't seem bothered by her rudeness in the slightest.
"You'll have to wait a few minutes for your ramen Naruko," Ayame said smiling upon seeing Naruko huff in annoyance.
"Fine," Naruko said before noticing Haruto sitting next to her. "Who are you?"
"Naruko be polite, this is Lord le Fey," Ayame said. Naruko looked surprised to find out the boy next to her was a Lord.
"Nice to meet you Lord le Fey, I'm Naruko," Naruko said finishing with a bow, gaining a look of surprise from Ayame for her sudden change in behaviour. My parents would complain about how I embarrassed the family by acting improperly in front of a noble if I wasn't polite, and I don't want to deal with that after our last argument.
See this peasant shows the correct amount of respect for someone at your station, Morgana commented pleasantly, Haruto ignored her comment as usual.
"You don't need to bow, and it's nice to meet you as well Naruko," Haruto said. Naruko let out a sigh of relief and slouched down in her seat, seeing as she no longer had to act so formally in case she offended him.
"So what's a Lord doing eating here? This doesn't seem like the usual type of place a Lord would visit," Naruko said casually.
"I'm not like most Lord's, and this place was recommended to me, so I thought I would try my first bowl of ramen here," Haruto replied before trying his ramen. This ramen is quite delicious. I can see why people like it here.
"WHAT you've never had ramen before, what's wrong with you?" Naruko asked, leaning into his face, where she then gained a mystified look. "You have very beautiful eyes." She then blushed realizing what she had just said.
Dejavu, Haruto thought sadly, thinking about Ilya saying the same thing.
Naruko looked down at her feet in embarrassment. "Sorry I've never seen such beautiful crimson eyes before."
"Has Naruko got a crush already, should I inform your parents about the wedding?" Ayame asked teasingly.
"AYAME," Naruko shouted embarrassed. "I don't have a crush on him. I just thought he had very beautiful eyes." She then blushed, even more, when she realized she had said it again.
"So you think I have beautiful eyes do you?" Haruto asked to join in on the teasing. For the next few minutes, Ayame and Haruto would tease Naruko who would get continuously redder in embarrassment. When it looked like steam would come out of Naruko ears Ayame decided to take some pity on her.
"That's enough teasing for now. Naruko's miso ramen is ready, let her enjoy it in peace," Ayame said, chuckling a little bit while handing Naruko her ramen.
That was the first time I've been teased by a boy good-naturedly, and not spitefully, Naruko thought happily.
"Can I have a second bowl of miso ramen please?" Haruto asked.
"I told you, you would like it. If you asked Naruko here she would say we serve the best ramen in the entire village," Ayame replied, getting ready to cook some more ramen.
"Ichiraku ramen is the food of the gods," Naruko said boastfully.
"Good to know," Haruto said, ignoring her boasting. "By the way, I was wondering if you are training to be a kunoichi, as I couldn't help but notice the weapon pouches you're carrying."
"That's right, I'm currently a student at the ninja academy, where I'm training to be a kickass kunoichi," Naruko said, throwing punches and kicks around to demonstrate how far into her training she is.
"I'm sure you'll go far, you wouldn't happen to know if the library has any books on how to use chakra would you?" Haruto asked
Naruko looked at Haruto curiously. "There should be beginner scrolls there, why?"
"I want to learn how to use chakra," Haruto answered.
Naruko shot him a puzzled look. "Why would you want to learn how to use chakra? If you need something done you can just hire a shinobi to do it for you."
"I dislike the idea of relying on someone else to complete a task for me when I could do it myself," Haruto said. After a few moments of studying him, Naruko smiled.
"You're not like the rest of those stuck up nobles are you, in fact, you seem like a pretty decent person to me," Naruko said, clapping Haruto on the back.
"Thank you, your opinion means so much to me," Haruto commented dryly, earning a pout from Naruko.
"There's no need to tease me," Naruko said.
"I wasn't teasing you," Haruto said, smirking.
"Yes, you were," Naruko said, getting annoyed.
"No, I wasn't."
"You were."
"I certainly was not."
"You were so."
"I was not."
They were interrupted from continuing by Ayame who had burst out laughing. Haruto and Naruko looked at her oddly wondering what she was laughing about.
"You two argue like an old married couple, it's so adorable," Ayame said laughing. They both blushed but smiled at each other having enjoyed their banter.
"You can call me Haruto, you don't need to refer to me by my title," Haruto said after their blushes had disappeared, causing Naruko to smile happily.
"Good to know because you weren't really acting like a Lord a minute ago," Naruko said jokingly.
"Well at least I'm not a midget like you," Haruto said, getting a gasp from Naruko but before they could continue their banter an ANBU appeared next to him.
"Lord le Fey you have been requested by the Lord Hokage to meet with him now," the ANBU said in monotone.
"I'll meet with the Lord Hokage after I finish my meal, not before," Haruto said coldly, acting like a Lord dismissing an underling.
"The Hokage said now," the ANBU replied more strongly this time.
"I am not one of his ninjas so he can't give me orders, and I thought he requested my presence, not ordered it," Haruto said coldly, looking the ANBU in the eye. The ANBU shivered slightly from the cold look in Haruto's eye.
"I'll let him know you on your way after your meal," the ANBU replied before vanishing in a Leaf Body Flicker Technique. When Haruto turned around he saw stars in Naruko's eyes.
"That was amazing, you told off that ANBU like it was nothing and he actually left, but aren't you worried you'll offend the Hokage?" Naruko asked, worried about Haruto.
"I'm not one of his ninjas, this means he can't punish me, and what right does he have to summon me at any time he wishes," Haruto said, annoyed by the audacity of the Hokage.
"I guess you're right, by the way, are we friends," Naruko asked timidly at the end. Haruto thought it over for a few moments before replying.
"I would be happy to be your friend," Haruto said. For some unknown reason, he just feels really comfortable around Naruko.
"Good, that means I can show you all the best spots around the village," Naruko said excitedly. Glad she finally had a friend.
"I'll have to visit the Hokage first, but afterwards that sounds like fun," Haruto said. Naruko and Haruto chatted for the next several minutes, before finishing their meals and Naruko guiding Haruto to the Hokage tower.
While Naruko was guiding Haruto to the Hokage tower he couldn't help but notice the angry, fearful, and disgusted stares she was receiving from the villagers. Haruto decided he would ask Naruko what she did to deserve such stares at a later date.
"Here's the Hokage tower, just ask the secretary and she will let you in to see the Hokage, anyway I'll find you later so I can show you all the best spots in the village," Naruko said before walking off in another direction.
"Wait, how will you find me?" Haruto asked, confused.
"I have my ways," Naruko said, trying to act cool and mysterious but failing thanks to her massive smile on her face making her look cute instead.
After shaking his head at the antics of his new friend Haruto cooled his face to make himself look more presentable as a Lord. He then walked elegantly and gracefully into the building where he approached the secretary's desk.
"Hello I am Lord le Fey, and I have an appointment with the Lord Hokage," Haruto said formally and slightly coldly at the same time. The secretary looked surprised to be addressed in such a manner but quickly checked her notes to see if the Hokage was free.
"The Lord Hokage will see you now," the secretary replied, seeing that the Hokage had no current appointments.
"Thank you," Haruto said, walking past her without another glance.
When he entered the Hokage's office he saw a large oval room that had a desk in front of a large window. At the desk sat a man with bright blue eyes, spiky blond hair and jaw length bangs framing either side of his face. He wore the stand Leaf uniform with a white haori on top of it. Feeling the amount of magic the Hokage has was a huge surprise to him. He had never felt a person possess so much magic before.
This is the power of a Kage then. Impressive but nowhere near my level, Morgana said.
You're even stronger then Minato, no wonder you were called the most powerful witch to have ever lived, Haruto replied impressed.
Don't forget you'll surpass me one day, and become the most powerful wizard in the world, Morgana said.
"Welcome Lord le Fey I'm glad you've finally arrived, please take a seat," Minato said pleasantly with a charming smile while indicating to the chair in front of his desk.
"Thank you very much, Lord Hokage," Haruto replied formally.
I can already tell I'm not going to like this meeting, by the Goddess how I hate formal meetings, Haruto thought annoyed.
You'll have to get used to it eventually, and at least he should underestimate you since you're a child. That will give us an advantage when negotiating for what we want, Morgana replied comfortingly.
"I must say it was a surprise when you turned up to my village unannounced Lord le Fey, especially since the British Ministry of Magic has been looking everywhere for you," Minato said as the Daily Prophet had been talking about Lord le Fey nonstop for a while now.
"I can't say I'm surprised, it's not every day a Lord of a Most Ancient and Most Revered House appears out of nowhere," Haruto said.
"I'm sure things will calm down soon enough back in Britain," Minato said, giving Haruto a polite smile. "So what brings a Lord like yourself to my village today?"
"I've come to this great village, to learn how to use chakra," Haruto answered. Minato was surprised by the answer though he didn't show it.
"Why would you want to learn how to use chakra? Surely a Lord such as yourself has no need for such a thing," Minato asked. What reason could he have to want to learn chakra?
"I wish to learn all the different types of magic there are in the world, and seeing as chakra is a form of magic I decided to come here to learn about it," Haruto said, not giving Minato any more information than necessary. While I do want to learn chakra it's not for a purely academic reason, I need to be as strong as possible that way when I reclaim Avalon no one can take it from me.
"An admirable goal, wanting to learn all the different types of magic there is in the world, but why come to the Hidden Leaf Village to learn about chakra. I'm sure there were many other options that were available to you," Minato said.
There were no other options as I couldn't go to another Hidden Village, seeing as Great Britain is allied with the Leaf Village, meaning they would have refused me on principle, Haruto thought annoyed.
Minato knows that he's hoping to catch you off guard, as you admitting that it would give him an advantage in this talk, Morgana commented.
"After carefully considering my options I decided to come to the Hidden Leaf Village since it is the strongest village in the Elemental Nations, and due to the village's strength I imagined this was the best place to learn about chakra in the world," Haruto said.
Good work on complimenting his village, Morgana said.
Even if he learns chakra here he won't become a shinobi of the village, meaning resources would have been spent on training him for no benefit. Nonetheless, I could use this opportunity to create a friendship between him and Menma, having a Lord of Great Britain as a friend will surely help her in the future with her destiny, Minato thought.
"For the next week I'm training my daughter in the use of chakra, therefore why don't you join us? You could use this opportunity to learn about the basics of chakra," Minato proposed.
Why would he invite me to train with his daughter, and not recommend another way to train in the use of chakra? There has to be a reason for it, Haruto said.
He probably wants to create a friendship between you and his family, as it would be good for their reputation to have a Lord on friendly terms with them, Morgana replied, used to the way of politics.
I might as well agree, I get basic training on how to use chakra, and I don't necessarily have to be friendly with them afterwards if I don't want to, Haruto said, seeing no downside to this deal.
"Thank you for the gracious offer Lord Hokage, I accept," Haruto said, earning a smile from Minato.
"One last thing before you go, would you like to come around to my home tonight for dinner? You could get to know my daughter, who would be your training partner for the next week during that time," Minato offered.
"It would be my pleasure," Haruto said. I don't want to, but I can't say no if I want your training.
"Good I'll send an ANBU to guide you to my house later this evening then," Minato said, happy with how things have turned out.
"I'll be staying at one of the hotels in the village, you can send your ANBU there to collect me later tonight," Haruto said before standing up gracefully and leaving the Hokage's office.
Now I'll just have to let Lily know we'll be having a guest over for dinner tonight, Minato thought, looking at all of his paperwork that needs completing and feeling despair at the amount that was left to complete.