Konoha, inside a ramen shop.
The rich aroma of steaming tonkotsu broth filled the air.
Shin-chan finally got his wish. He picked up a mouthful of noodles and slurped them down with plenty of broth, making a loud sound.
"I'm alive again." He closed his eyes, a blissful expression appearing on his face.
An ANBU ninja appeared at the entrance.
"Lord Shinnosuke, Lord Third Hokage has summoned you. Report to the Hokage's office immediately."
Shin-chan lowered his head and looked at the bowl of ramen that was still more than half full.
"Can't it wait until I finish eating?"
"Immediately."
"Then can I take it with me?"
The ANBU ninja was silent for a second.
"...You may."
Five minutes later, Shin-chan strolled into the Hokage's office carrying a bowl of takeout ramen.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was standing by the window smoking his pipe.
Hearing the door open, he turned around, his gaze falling on the bowl of ramen in Shin-chan's hands.
"Shin-chan, you brought ramen to report your mission?"
"The ANBU said I couldn't stay at the shop to finish it." Shin-chan placed the ramen on the desk, pulled over a chair, and sat down. "Grandpa Third, do you want a bite?"
"...No, thank you."
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk.
"Minato has already given me a brief explanation. In Rōran, the power of the Dragon Vein sent you back to Konoha Year Ten, where you met the First and Second Hokage."
"Mm." Shin-chan swallowed a mouthful of noodles.
"Teacher Tobirama... was he doing well?"
"Uncle Tobirama was doing great. He was really serious when he taught me ninjutsu, and every time I learned one, he gave me a reward."
"He personally taught you ninjutsu?"
"Yeah." Shin-chan nodded. "Uncle Tobirama still owes me twelve chocolate sticks. I wrote it all down."
The office fell silent for a moment.
The Third Hokage picked up his pipe again, took a puff, and slowly exhaled the smoke.
"You've only just returned, so ordinarily, I should allow you to rest for a few days. However, there is currently an S-rank mission that requires your immediate attention."
Shin-chan's chopsticks froze in midair. The expectant look on his face visibly collapsed.
"I just got back."
"I know."
"I trained at the Senju residence for a long time and travelled more than thirty years through time."
"I know."
"What I need most right now is to soak in a hot spring, eat chocolate sticks, and lie on the roof reading manga."
"You may soak in a hot spring after the mission." The Third Hokage spoke unhurriedly. "The mission reward is..."
He named a figure.
The air inside the office seemed to freeze.
Shin-chan's chopsticks slipped from his hand and landed on the desk with a clatter.
It took him a full five seconds to recover his voice.
"Grandpa Third, that number you just said..."
"Mm."
"Is the mission reward?"
"Yes."
Shin-chan lowered his head and began counting on his fingers.
After counting his left hand, he moved to his right. After finishing his right, he returned to his left.
Finally, he gave up and raised his head to look at the Third Hokage.
"I think that's enough to buy an entire year's supply from a dessert shop."
The Third Hokage added, "Food and lodging are also provided, along with unlimited premium sweets and chocolate sticks."
"No matter what the mission is, I accept. Even if you want me to go to the Land of Lightning and steal the Raikage's underwear, I'll do it."
"No one is going to ask you to steal something like that..."
"Then what's the mission?"
The Third Hokage picked up a document from his desk and opened it.
"Protect someone."
"Who?"
"Princess Ai Suotome of the Land of Fire."
"Ai?"
"His Lordship the Daimyo received intelligence that someone has targeted the princess." The Third Hokage's expression became serious. "Her Highness requires a personal bodyguard until the threat has been eliminated."
"Why did you choose me?"
"Because Her Highness specifically requested you."
Shin-chan froze. "Ai asked for me?"
"His Lordship also personally wrote the mission request."
Shin-chan was silent for a moment.
"Then why is the reward so high?"
"That was His Lordship's own decision." The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe. "He said that protecting his most precious treasure naturally deserved the highest possible compensation."
Shin-chan pushed the ramen bowl aside and stood up.
"I'll go."
"You don't want to ask for more details?"
"No need." Shin-chan turned toward the door. "Ai is my friend."
Several days later, in the capital of the Land of Fire, at the Daimyo's residence.
The steward led Shin-chan through the familiar corridors. The koi in the pond were still as plump as ever.
As Shin-chan walked, he listened to the steward explain the entire layout of the estate and the guards' shift schedules.
"Lord Nohara, that concludes all the security arrangements within the residence. Do you have anything to add?"
"Yes."
"Please tell me."
"Which direction is the kitchen?"
The steward was silent for two seconds before raising his hand and pointing southeast.
"Thank you." Shin-chan immediately turned away. "I'll inspect the logistical support situation first."
"Lord Nohara, Her Highness is still waiting for you in the study."
Shin-chan's footsteps paused. After hesitating briefly, he said, "Fine."
They stopped before a quiet courtyard. The paper doors were tightly closed, and two maids stood outside.
"Her Highness has spent most of her time in the study recently," the steward whispered. "Lord Nohara, please follow me."
The paper door slid open, revealing a study filled with soft light.
Behind a writing desk near the window sat a young woman dressed in a pale-purple kimono, writing with a brush. Beside her lay a kunai that looked entirely out of place in the elegant surroundings.
Seven years had passed.
The young princess who had once run while clutching Shin-chan's sleeve had grown into a graceful young lady.
Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, part of it pinned up with a simple jade hairpin. Her profile was calm, and her bearing was elegant.
Ai heard the movement and raised her head.
The moment she clearly saw the boy standing at the door, scratching his head with an expression that seemed to say, This place is really huge, the hand holding her brush trembled slightly.
A drop of ink fell onto the paper and slowly spread outward.
"Young Master... Shin-chan?"
"Yo, Ai." Shin-chan completely ignored the instantly tense expressions of the steward and maids beside him. "I heard a new sweets shop opened. When are we going to try it?"
The steward: "..."
The maids: "..."
Ai looked into those eyes that had not changed in the slightest.
The dignified composure she had developed through seven years of life at the capital's court seemed to crack open slightly at that moment.
She put down her brush, and the corners of her lips curved into a relaxed smile.
"Welcome back, Young Master Shin-chan."
Shin-chan pointed at the spreading blot of ink on the paper. "That ink blob looks like melted chocolate sauce."
"Who describes it like that?" Ai couldn't help laughing. "I accidentally dripped it there just now."
The steward watched Shin-chan walk directly up to the writing desk without the slightest awareness of status or etiquette. He wanted to remind him, but did not dare.
After all, the Daimyo had specifically instructed them to treat Lord Nohara with the same respect as the princess herself.
Outside the window, the shadows of the trees swayed.
The Daimyo stood beneath the veranda of another building in the distance, lightly waving a folding fan. His gaze rested on the study from afar, an unreadable smile on his face.
"Five years... or perhaps six?" he murmured to himself. "Once they've grown a little older…"