One Punch to Send Flying, Part 2

The group of people nodded hastily, then fled Ichiraku Ramen as if afraid Ye Lan would change his mind.

Ye Lan smiled, then walked back to Iruka's side. Iruka gave him a thumbs-up.

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

With that, Ye Lan and Iruka turned and walked towards the door.

Ichiraku snapped out of his daze and quickly walked behind Ye Lan, calling out to him. Ye Lan turned his head to look at Ichiraku.

"Thank you so much for today!"

Ichiraku didn't say much, just gave Ye Lan a deep bow.

Ye Lan quickly helped Ichiraku up, laughing, "It's only right to help someone in need. Besides, there's no such thing as a free lunch, let alone a free dinner. No one can get away with eating for free, and I can't stand baldies who bully the weak and fear the strong."

Iruka laughed from the side, "Well said! 'It's only right to help someone in need.' Uncle Ichiraku, now you can finally run your ramen shop in peace."

Ichiraku's face beamed with joy. Today, Ye Lan had helped him solve a big problem.

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

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

Ye Lan looked at the card in his hand. It was a year-long free ramen card, which meant he wouldn't have to pay for ramen for a whole year. Iruka's card was for half a year, essentially a bonus.

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

Ichiraku smiled, "You guys helped me solve this big problem today. I'm endlessly grateful, but I couldn't think of anything else to give you, so I decided to give you these free passes."

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

"It's alright, just take it."

Ye Lan laughed helplessly, "Uncle Ichiraku, if you give me a year's worth of free passes, aren't you afraid I'll come here every day? Won't you lose money that way?"

Ichiraku chuckled, "You've got it all wrong. Think about it, that brat Xiao Jing comes here every other day to eat for free, and he always brings a few people with him, and they never pay. That's been going on for years. Compared to that, what's one free pass to you?"

Iruka said from the side, "Ye Lan, Uncle Ichiraku is right, just accept it."

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

"As the saying goes, one shouldn't accept rewards for undeserved merit. Here, take this one too."

Ye Lan didn't stand on ceremony and casually accepted it.

"Then thank you, Uncle Ichiraku."

"We won't bother you any longer."

Ichiraku gave his signature smile, "Welcome again!"

After leaving Ichiraku Ramen, Iruka couldn't help but say, "Ye Lan, you were really great today. I can't help but admire you!"

Ye Lan chuckled, "Because I know you actually wanted to step in, but because of your position, otherwise they wouldn't have been so rampant until now."

Iruka smiled, taking it as a tacit agreement.

"But, aren't you afraid that Xiao Jing will try to take revenge on you in the future?"

Ye Lan smiled freely, "Anyway, I'm all alone. If I don't have the strength, it's nothing to get beaten up. Besides, if I can't even beat Xiao Jing right now, then I don't deserve the Forehead Protector you gave me today."