Xiao Jing gave Rainbow a lecherous look, then impatiently waved at Ichiraku. "Stay away from us. Don't ruin my appetite for noodles."
Only then did Ichiraku let out a long breath and hurriedly pull Rainbow back into the kitchen.
"That was really close," Rainbow said, still shaken.
"Yeah. From now on, whenever Xiao Jing comes, hide in the kitchen and don't come out. I'll deal with him outside," Ichiraku said.
Ye Lan could no longer stand watching. "Isn't that bald guy being way too arrogant? Uncle Ichiraku and Sister Rainbow are known throughout Ninja Village for being kind to everyone, yet that thug bullies them like this!"
Ye Lan was furious!
Iruka continued, "There's nothing we can do about it. It wouldn't be appropriate for us to interfere."
Ye Lan glanced at the people around them. "Would these people rather just watch than help?"
"Most of them are ordinary people, mainly merchants. There are barely any ninjas among them. When something like this happens, it's normal for them to mind their own business. If they casually stepped forward to defend someone, Bald Bully might retaliate against them afterward."
"What about you?" Ye Lan asked. "As a ninja, won't you do anything either?"
Iruka sighed. "Sigh, I have no choice either. As a ninja, I naturally have to follow the ninja code. Our purpose is to maintain the village's peace and protect it. We generally do not interfere in disputes between ordinary people. If Xiao Jing were a ninja, I could still step in and teach him a lesson. Unfortunately, he isn't."
After Iruka finished speaking, Ye Lan was somewhat disappointed. Although ninjas held a respected status in the village, they were also bound by many restrictions.
At that moment, Iruka clenched his fists and spoke again. "However, if he does something even more excessive than before, then even as a ninja, I will never stand by and do nothing!!"
Ye Lan's favorable impression of Iruka deepened once more.
For Iruka to say such things while bound by the ninja system was already highly admirable.
Ye Lan deliberately ate slowly. He intended to leave only after Bald Bully and his group had finished eating and gone, to keep them from giving Sister Rainbow trouble again.
Ye Lan did not do this because he possessed some especially noble character. He simply had a good impression of Uncle Ichiraku and Sister Rainbow.
Bald Bully and his group ate quickly. After finishing, they directly wiped their mouths with their sleeves. Before leaving, Bald Bully shouted toward the kitchen, "Rainbow, burp~ I'm leaving now. I'll come see you again next time. I hope you won't be so shy next time, hahaha..."
Naturally, there was no response from the kitchen.
Bald Bully did not care. With a loud laugh, he led his lackeys toward the entrance.
Ye Lan stood and quickly walked up to Bald Bully, blocking his path.
"Are you not going to pay after eating?"
Bald Bully looked down at Ye Lan, picked a bit of takoyaki from his teeth with a toothpick, then put it back into his mouth and ate it. Only then did he slowly say, "Where did this brat come from?"
Ye Lan did not answer and asked again, "I asked whether you're not going to pay after eating?"
Bald Bully sneered, clearly unwilling to waste more time with Ye Lan. He directly waved his large hand, intending to shove Ye Lan aside.
But then he discovered that, despite his strength, he could not push Ye Lan at all.
Bald Bully released him and looked Ye Lan over again. This kid looks frail, but his legs are actually pretty strong!
Before you continue