Sister Rainbow

When Ye Lan saw this, he felt indignant. Just as he was about to step in, Iruka stopped him.

Ye Lan looked at Iruka in confusion, wondering why he was letting this bald Xiao Jing bully people when his intentions were already so obvious.

As if seeing through Ye Lan's thoughts, Iruka said softly, "Ye Lan, it's not time to act yet."

Ye Lan did not understand.

Iruka slowly explained, "Although Xiao Jing is known as a local tyrant around here, he handles many things with restraint. Even the Konoha enforcement team sometimes can't do anything about him, because they can't follow him around all day. That gives him opportunities to take advantage of. And the people he bullies are usually too afraid to report it to the enforcement team, so he's been able to run rampant for now."

Ye Lan gritted his teeth. "Are we just going to let him keep getting away with this?"

Iruka said quietly, "Don't rush. Let's wait and see. If it really comes to it, we'll step in. Xiao Jing is something of a local kingpin, so he won't be easy to deal with. Besides, there are only two of us."

Ye Lan nodded without saying anything.

Before long, Ichiraku's daughter, Rainbow, came out of the kitchen carrying several bowls of noodles.

The moment Bald Bully and his lackeys saw the fresh-faced, adorable Rainbow, their eyes lit up. Some of them slapped the table and laughed loudly while making vulgar remarks that made people blush. The whole group was utterly crude.

Rainbow lowered her head. After setting the noodles on the table, she said, "Please enjoy," then turned to leave.

"Haha, Sister Rainbow, don't be in such a hurry to leave."

Laughing, Bald Bully reached out from behind and grabbed Rainbow's wrist.

Rainbow was clearly startled. She hurriedly tried to pull her hand free, but no matter how hard she struggled, she could not break away.

Rainbow was extremely anxious, yet she did not dare make any other move. She could only keep trying to pull her hand back.

She knew that Xiao Jing had always been interested in her, but there was no way she could ever fall for a thug like him. She had rejected him long ago, but Xiao Jing still stubbornly pestered her. There was nothing she could do.

Although she wanted to refuse him, she had no ability to do anything against him. All she could do was let Xiao Jing bully her like this.

Everyone in the shop looked over, but Xiao Jing acted as if he did not notice at all. Clutching Rainbow's wrist tightly, he said, "Sister Rainbow, you really are beautiful. I've had my eye on you for a long time. Look at you, running a ramen shop with that useless father of yours all day—what future could that possibly have? You might as well follow me. I guarantee you'll never have to worry about food or drink again!"

Rainbow hurriedly said, "Thank you, but please let go of me. We may not be suitable for each other."

Xiao Jing immediately became unhappy. He glared at Rainbow. "What, you think you're too good for me?!"

Rainbow's delicate face was so anxious that she was nearly in tears. She pleaded, "No, that's not it. You're very outstanding. It's just that I'm not good enough for you. I only want to make noodles properly. I don't dare think about anything else."

Xiao Jing's expression visibly changed upon hearing that. Rainbow's rejection could not have been clearer.

Just as he was about to lose his temper, Ichiraku came out of the kitchen in time. Seeing Xiao Jing gripping Rainbow's hand and wearing a fierce expression, he immediately realized something was wrong. He quickly stepped forward, whispered a few words to Xiao Jing, and discreetly slipped him some money. Only then did Xiao Jing's expression soften somewhat.