Chapter 43 - Iruka: It's alright... I can afford it!
"Let's eat!" ×3
The three little ones picked up their chopsticks and began eating.
Iruka watched the three children eat ramen with a smile, and some of the thoughts quietly fading from his mind.
He even began to reflect on himself as an educator — how could he blame a child because of his own hatred?
He skillfully picked up his own chopsticks, grabbed a noodle, and slurped it into his mouth.
Mmm. That familiar taste. So good.
Iruka slowly savored the spicy, refreshing ramen, completely absorbed — until...
"Big sis, two more bowls of tonkotsu ramen please!"
Iruka's eyes snapped open.
Naruto and Hinata had already finished all the noodles in their bowls and drunk half the soup.
"Iruka-sensei, is that okay?"
(✪ω✪)
Naruto looked at the stunned Iruka, gave a little shimmy, and winked.
Hinata sat beside him, poking her two index fingers together, looking up at Iruka with wide eyes.
Very cute.
"Of course! Teacher is treating, so please eat as much as you like."
"What about you, Sasuke?"
Iruka reminded himself — he had brought his students here to eat, and he wasn't going to send them home hungry.
So despite being a little surprised by the two appetites, he nodded readily and checked in with Sasuke.
Sasuke rubbed his already-full stomach with barely concealed regret and shook his head.
My wretched stomach. It must be your fault that I can't keep up with those two.
Neji gives you a thumbs up.
"I'm almost done, but these two might need a little more time."
Iruka nodded, while Ayame went to tell her father to prepare two more bowls of tonkotsu ramen.
Sure enough, children have smaller stomachs. Though eating too fast isn't good for digestion either.
I'll tell them after we finish.
Hmm... should I have another bowl?
Iruka ate while lost in thought, his head quietly full of ideas.
---
Two minutes later.
"Big sis, two more bowls please!"
Naruto raised his right hand and called out to Ayame again.
Ayame was a little shocked. Do kids eat this much these days?
Neither of these two has the Akimichi surname.
Sasuke covered his face. He wanted to tell Ayame she'd get used to it eventually — but pride stopped him.
Iruka had just finished slurping up the last bite of his noodles and was about to order another bowl when he heard Naruto say "two more bowls please."
He blinked. The two little ones' bowls were indeed completely empty again.
Unbelievable.
Their stomachs didn't even look any bigger.
"Go on... go on, it's okay, teacher is treating, eat as much as you like."
Iruka touched the wallet in his pocket. School had just started and he hadn't received his salary yet — but he should have enough saved up.
Yes. Feeling the thickness of his wallet, Iruka's confidence returned.
It's just a few bowls of noodles. Eat up, eat without worry.
The teacher even wants to join in!
"Ayame, I'll have another bowl too."
Iruka called out to Ayame, who was about to head back to the kitchen.
"Sure thing! You seem to be in a good mood today, Iruka-sensei~"
After all, she had been his student once. Even though she hadn't become a ninja after graduation, she still knew Iruka fairly well.
Iruka-sensei is probably feeling pretty pleased with himself right now.
"Dad, more noodles!"
Ayame turned and headed back into the kitchen, returning shortly with three more bowls of ramen.
---
Naruto finished his third bowl and was already full, quietly wondering if there was any way to bring a bowl back for his teacher.
Probably not tonight. Iruka-sensei has already touched his wallet quite a few times.
Hinata finished her third bowl and drank nearly all the soup as well.
"Teacher, I'm full."
Hinata put down her chopsticks and told Iruka with a small, shy smile.
This was a lie.
Hinata was simply embarrassed to eat too much in front of Iruka. Besides, her father had left food at home for her — so she said that.
Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a glance. Everything understood without a word.
Iruka didn't catch the silent exchange, but he exhaled a long, quiet breath of relief when Hinata said she was done and Naruto didn't call for more.
Okay. We're okay. Not a big problem.
"Ayame, check please!"
Iruka waved to Ayame, who was tidying up nearby.
"Coming right up~ Seven bowls of tonkotsu ramen and two bowls of spicy miso ramen — 200 ryo in total."
Iruka had mentally prepared himself, so he didn't flinch.
He generously pulled out 230 ryo from his wallet, handed 200 to Ayame, and put the remaining 30 back.
---
The moment the three little ones and one big one stepped out of the ramen shop, two figures appeared.
One with eyes that saw everything — and one with eyes that saw even more.
In other words: Itachi, who had come to pick up his younger brother, and Tetsu, who had come to collect the young lady.
Itachi and Tetsu politely thanked Iruka, then left with the two little ones.
"See you tomorrow, Naruto!"
Sasuke waved goodbye to Naruto.
"See you tomorrow, Naruto-kun."
Hinata said her farewell in the warm light of the setting sun. The orange-yellow glow came from behind her, and her quiet smile was very sweet.
Ugh. Blond hair.
That was Hyuga Tetsu's private thought.
"Okay — Sasuke, Hinata, see you tomorrow."
Naruto waved goodbye to the two of them.
Iruka watched Naruto turn to walk home alone and quickly followed.
"Hey, I'll walk you home — you're still just a little ki—"
Iruka stopped himself mid-sentence.
He looked down at Naruto.
...Is this a child?
Naruto turned to look at the frozen Iruka and smiled.
"Iruka-sensei, would you walk me home?"
Iruka, grateful for the way out, nodded.
"Of course. Let's go."
"...By the way. Where do you live?"
"Iruka-sensei, you idiot!"
"Hey, hey! Just give me directions! Which way?!"
Under the setting sun, the shadows of Naruto and Iruka — one small, one large — stretched out infinitely long behind them.
Through his crystal ball, the Third Hokage watched with quiet satisfaction and waved his hand, approving the academy's meal reimbursement.
Iruka: Yay!
---
Sasuke walked home alongside Itachi.
He thought for a moment, then moved a little closer to his brother and said with quiet pride:
"Nii-san, I beat Naruto today!"
In his mind, this was somehow more significant than awakening his Sharingan.
"Oh?!"
"Sasuke is incredible — truly worthy of being my little brother."
Itachi affectionately patted Sasuke's head. The recent situation with the clan and the village had him stretched thin — but his love for his younger brother hadn't changed at all.
"Yes! I am a proud genius of the Uchiha clan!"
Sasuke put his hands on his hips, looking enormously smug.
"Oh, right — there's one more thing. I almost forgot."
Sasuke suddenly remembered that he had awakened his Sharingan today.
"Hmm? What is it?"
Itachi responded while his mind was still half-occupied with the plan Shisui had mentioned.
"My Sharingan activated."
"Oh, amazing. No wonder you're my little brother."
Itachi praised him as naturally as breathing.
A few seconds passed.
Itachi stopped walking.
"Wait — your Sharingan activated?!?"
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