The middle-aged man smiled warmly.
Then, with practiced skill, she began pulling noodles.
The calamus stuck out its tongue.
[Looking up, she saw Naruto suddenly shoot up in height like a rocket.]
["hateful."]
"In the blink of an eye, he's already a head taller than my sister."
"I used to be able to touch it whenever I wanted!"
"You still follow behind your older sister, calling her 'Sweetie Sister' over and over. Isn't that adorable?"
[Changpu said angrily.]
She didn't tease the boy who had grown up so quickly anymore.
"I'll go pick some of your favorite chopped scallions for you."
Having said that, Changpu hummed an unknown tune and ran out.
Seeing this, the hand typed-out shook his head helplessly.
[Thankfully... although I don't know why Naruto is so late this time.]
[But even someone who typed this out could probably guess that Naruto would be busy with the Chunin Exams.]
Thankfully, Naruto is alone today.
[What if those little guys came along too...]
[He glanced at the clock.]
[Usually... he could only rest around this time.]
Naruto naturally sat down in his usual spot.
I glanced at the irises hopping and skipping outside the window.
A hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.
[Scallions?]
Yes.
Back then, I often asked Sister Changpu to buy things for him.
Because he couldn't buy it.
Even if you could buy it, you'd pay a high price and end up with a defective product.
The scallions and vegetables were leftovers after I said I had enough.
Naruto wanted to take them all as before.
But the calamus refused.
She said she also happened to want to tend a small vegetable garden.
Actually, it was because they were afraid Naruto would waste the money.
What if you want to buy something later and need to rely on yourself, but you don't have enough money?
She doesn't care, but that strong-willed little boy definitely won't accept it.
After that, Naruto didn't appear again for quite some time.
Ayame also went to Naruto's house, worried that something might have happened to him.
[I later learned that the little one had made many friends.]
Those friends were all young masters and ladies from powerful ninja clans.
After that, Naruto got busy.
I rarely go to Ichiraku Ramen anymore.
[Then it became a regular monthly trip.]
[...]
"Naruto, you must be very busy lately?"
The middle-aged man, head down and busy at work, asked a question.
["Feel sorry."]
"Something came up yesterday... I was a little late."
"It's nothing," the middle-aged man said nonchalantly.
[I was just a little curious and worried:]
"Is it because of the Chunin Exams?"
"I heard it's the Chunin Exams."
"There are quite a few unfamiliar faces in the village lately."
["How about it?"]
Upon hearing this, Naruto remained silent for a moment.
He said, "It went very smoothly."
"By the way, Uncle, after the Chunin Exams, I might need to invite you and Ayame-neechan to my house."
[Upon hearing this sentence.]
[Hands froze.]
Then she gave a somewhat forced smile.
"The uncle has been quite busy lately..."
Before the words were finished, Changpu's voice came from outside the curtain.
"Okay~!"
"Are you guys having another get-together?"
"Hmm... Celebrating becoming a Chunin, right~!"
[Typed by hand: "..."]
[broken. ]
The little cotton-padded jacket is letting in the wind!
[Didn't you see your dad's hands moving so fast they're blurry, and he still can't keep up?!]
"The final Chunin Exams are just around the corner."
"I've heard this from many people."
"And, we even saw Naruto on the roster."
"Dad, let's go watch it together then. We'll rest for a day and cheer for Naruto!"
Ayame brought a steaming bowl of ramen to Naruto and sprinkled some chopped green onions on top.
Naruto was taken aback.
That's a good idea.
[Let Uncle Hand-Struck and Ayame go over there, so I can keep an eye on things myself.]
Orochimaru is up to something.
[He's also hanging out with Sunagakure.]
[The old man and Ayame are here; he originally planned to have his wood clone come and keep watch.]
But now that Acorus has mentioned it, it's perfect timing.
[Hahaha~]
[He sighed inwardly as he typed.]
However, there was no change in his expression.
Instead, she chuckled, echoing Acorus's words.
["good."]
"Time flies. In the blink of an eye, Naruto will be taking the Chunin Exams soon."
"Back then, it was..."
[At this point, the typing paused for a moment.]
[Then his gaze softened considerably.]
"If you become a Chunin, I'll treat you to ramen for a week."
"The most luxurious kind!"
[Typed by hand, looking at Naruto.]
It's as if I'm seeing many shadows of the past.
The young Hokage arrived with his girlfriend, who had long red hair, to eat ramen.
[Minato Namikaze...Kushina Uzumaki.]
The young man before me is named Naruto Uzumaki.
[A striking head of blonde hair.]
[It just so happens that their surname is Whirlpool.]
[Ayame, laughing, sat down next to Naruto.]
"It's settled then."
"That way, Dad can also take a day off."
As she spoke, Changpu looked at her elderly father.
[The smile froze as the hand typed.]
He then immediately blushed, his neck turning red, and laughed loudly, "Hahaha~"
"I'm an old man, I don't know how to make anything, except ramen."
"Don't let his appearance fool you."
"When I was young, business was booming, and I'd work all day long."
"There have been instances where it lasted a whole day and night."
"I usually just don't want you guys to eat too fast, it's bad for your stomachs. Looks like I can't hide it anymore."
[Under Ayame's suspicious gaze.]
The middle-aged man patted his chest.
"It's just ramen, right? Don't worry about it, leave it to the uncle!"
[The typist didn't notice that his hands were trembling as he spoke.]
Just then.
Another person entered through the curtain.
"Yo~!"
"Sass, please."
"Just finished your training?"
[When I saw that figure, I wasn't surprised.]
Sasuke nodded, then looked at the blond-haired man with his back to him.
Then he was taken aback.
[Naruto?]
Naruto turned around and looked at Sasuke.
This kid likes to roll around too.
["Sassy~"
[Sass was covered in dirt and looked rather disheveled.]
Clearly, he's still as cunning as ever.
Since you know your weaknesses, then strive to change them.
Sasuke sat down.
There's no need to mention preferences.
[Handwritten comment: "How about some Tsubasa (the bamboo tube of the Otsutsuki clan) ramen?"]
Sasuke nodded.
[The man smiled and lowered his head to get back to work.]
[Sweet flag didn't stay sitting either; she went to help her father.]
"Naruto."
"Chakra nature transformation and form transformation..."
As soon as he sat down, Sasuke couldn't help but start asking questions.
Naruto listened silently.
Finally, I gave him some advice on developing Chidori.
"You want to develop a lightning technique so powerful it's terrifying, ideally one that people won't even have time to dodge?"
"Yes!" Sasuke looked at Naruto expectantly.
There aren't many Lightning Release ninjutsu.
[Furthermore... although it's called Lightning Release, it doesn't seem to be as fast as Wind Release.]
Moreover, wind-style techniques are invisible.
"It's very simple."
Naruto's lips curled slightly.
"I want your Lightning Release to possess the true characteristics of Lightning Release..."
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly, then he held his breath.
His intuition told him that Naruto's next words would save him a lot of trouble.
"Then let's focus on the true 'Lightning Release'."
"Conquer it, control it."