One Punch Sends Them Flying, Part 2

Several people hurriedly nodded, then fled Ichiraku Ramen as if flying, afraid Ye Lan might change his mind.

Ye Lan smiled and walked back to Iruka's side. Iruka gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Ye Lan took out some of the money Kakashi had given him that afternoon, placed it on the table, and called to Ichiraku, "Uncle Ichiraku, your ramen is really delicious. I'll be coming here often from now on."

With that, Ye Lan and Iruka turned and headed for the door.

Only then did Ichiraku snap out of his daze. He hurried after Ye Lan and called out to him, and Ye Lan turned back to look at him.

"Thank you so much for today!"

Ichiraku said nothing more, only giving Ye Lan a deep bow.

Ye Lan quickly helped Ichiraku up and said with a smile, "When you see injustice, you draw your blade to help. It's what I should do. There's no such thing as a free lunch, much less a free dinner. No one gets to dine and dash. Besides, I can't stand the way bald-headed thugs bully the weak and fear the strong."

Iruka smiled beside him. "Well said! 'When you see injustice, draw your blade to help'—what a line. Uncle Ichiraku, now you can finally run your ramen shop in peace."

Ichiraku's face blossomed with joy. Ye Lan had helped him solve a huge problem today.

Ichiraku looked at Ye Lan and said, "Please wait here a moment. I'll be right back."

Ichiraku rummaged around behind the counter for a while, then took out two cards and handed one each to Ye Lan and Iruka.

Ye Lan looked at the card in his hand. It was a year-long free ramen pass, meaning he would not have to pay for ramen for the next year. Iruka's was for half a year, apparently an extra gift.

Ye Lan asked in confusion, "Uncle Ichiraku, what is this?"

Ichiraku smiled. "You helped me resolve such a huge problem today, and I'm deeply grateful. I couldn't think of anything else to give you, so I could only offer you these free passes."

Ye Lan shook his head. "Uncle Ichiraku, this gift is too valuable. I can't accept it."

"It's fine. Just take it."

Ye Lan smiled helplessly. "Uncle Ichiraku, you're giving me a year of free ramen. Aren't you afraid I'll come eat here every day? Wouldn't that bankrupt you?"

Ichiraku laughed heartily. "You've got it wrong. Think about it—Xiao Jing, that bastard, comes here every few days to dine and dash, and he brings several people with him every time. In the end, he never pays. It's been like this for years. Compared to those losses, what does one pass of yours amount to?"

Iruka smiled beside him. "Ye Lan, Uncle Ichiraku is right. Just accept it."

As he spoke, Iruka handed his own card to Ye Lan as well.

"As the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit. You can have this one too."

Ye Lan did not stand on ceremony and casually accepted it.

"Then thank you, Uncle Ichiraku."

"We won't disturb you any longer."

Ichiraku flashed his signature smile. "Come again!"

After leaving Ichiraku Ramen, Iruka could not help saying, "Ye Lan, you were amazing today. Even I can't help but admire you!"

Ye Lan chuckled. "Because I knew you wanted to step in too. It was only because of your position that you couldn't. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to run wild for so long."

Iruka smiled, tacitly admitting it.

"But aren't you afraid Xiao Jing will find a way to take revenge on you later?"

Ye Lan smiled freely. "I'm alone anyway. If I don't have the strength, getting beaten up is no big deal. Besides, if I can't even beat Xiao Jing now, then I don't deserve the forehead protector you gave me today."