Ichiraku Ramen, Want to Go? My Treat!

Ichiraku Ramen, Want to Go? My Treat!

Xu Fan frowned. He had thought the sign-in reward meant the same thing as mastery in DNF.

"Check."

After he gave an affirmative answer, a panel appeared before Xu Fan, answering his doubts.

There were four tiers of proficiency.

Mastery, Proficient, Exceptional, and Ultimate.

His current level was Proficient, allowing him to easily learn ninjutsu below B-rank. Exceptional applied to A-rank, while Ultimate applied to S-rank.

However, it did not explain how he could improve.

"Looks like I'll have to keep signing in to receive more rewards."

Only after the system's explanation did Xu Fan understand what was going on.

He was also filled with anticipation for future sign-ins.

Ding! A new sign-in mission has been issued!

No time limit. Please proceed to Ichiraku Ramen to sign in!

Upon successful sign-in, you will receive a sign-in reward!

Ichiraku Ramen was practically famous throughout Naruto.

Quite a few Naruto fans had even come up with all sorts of wild theories.

For example, Ichiraku Ramen's owner was actually named Otsutsuki Ichiraku, and his true strength far surpassed that of the Sage of Six Paths.

He had merely grown tired of everything in the ninja world, so he chose to retire in Konoha and pass the time by making ramen.

There was also another theory: Naruto Uzumaki was Asura's reincarnation, which meant he was essentially the Sage of Six Paths' son.

Ichiraku was the Sage of Six Paths' older brother.

So...

Ichiraku was basically Naruto Uzumaki's granduncle.

"Cough, cough..."

Just as Xu Fan's imagination was running increasingly wild, Iruka cleared his throat and drew everyone's attention.

"Alright, today's combat training ends here."

"School's out."

At Iruka's announcement, every student cheered and began leaving one after another.

Sasuke could not help glancing at Xu Fan, but he said nothing and strode away.

Meanwhile, the female students who liked Sasuke all shot Xu Fan dirty looks.

"Alright, Senju." Iruka took a deep breath and walked over to Xu Fan. "Make sure you come to class on time tomorrow too."

Although Iruka felt that Xu Fan's strength and talent had already far surpassed his own, this was, after all, a direct order from the Third Hokage.

"How surprising..."

Mizuki also walked over at that moment and began acting friendly with Xu Fan.

But how could Xu Fan possibly think highly of Mizuki? Not only was he deeply jealous, but he was also full of schemes.

"Want to grab a meal together?" Mizuki invited Xu Fan.

"Haha, Mizuki-sensei is being unusually generous today." Iruka teased.

Although Mizuki was usually gentle and cheerful, this was the first time Iruka had seen him treat a student to a meal like this.

"No." Xu Fan smiled and shook his head, declining Mizuki's offer.

Although he had transmigrated here and the Senju Clan had already fallen into decline—

A starving camel was still bigger than a horse.

Even without any income over the past five years, Xu Fan was not short on money.

Not to mention that prices here were not particularly high to begin with.

In fact, Konoha's currency was called ryo.

Even the lowest D-rank missions paid between five hundred and ten thousand ryo.

The cheapest bowl of ramen at Ichiraku Ramen cost only fifteen ryo.

In other words, even if a genin completed only two missions a month, it would be enough to cover living expenses.

Much less someone like him, a descendant of the Senju Clan.

"Ah, is that so?" Mizuki smiled without showing the slightest embarrassment. He exchanged a few perfunctory pleasantries with Iruka before bidding them farewell.

Iruka chatted with Xu Fan a while longer before returning to the office to sort out the grades.

"Hmm?"

Xu Fan had originally planned to leave the Ninja Academy and head to Ichiraku Ramen to sign in.

But just as he turned around, he saw Naruto Uzumaki walking forlornly toward the swing at the Ninja Academy, his shadow stretched long by the sunlight.

Xu Fan was not heartless.

Naruto might have been the protagonist of Naruto, Konoha's hidden prince, and a character from an anime.

But to Xu Fan now, he was a living, breathing person!

A six- or seven-year-old child who had lost his parents and been despised by the entire village!

Many times, Xu Fan felt that if he were Naruto, forget staying optimistic and wanting to become Hokage.

If he did not fly into the sky and shout, "How many floors can one bag of rice carry?" it would already count as mercy.

The Fourth Hokage's orphan. The hero's son. Forced to become a Jinchuriki for the sake of the village.

And he had not even concealed his identity. His surname was Uzumaki from the start.

Did they seriously have no damn clue? Did they not know Naruto was Kushina's son?

No one was asking them to remember some great debt of gratitude. At the very least, they could treat Naruto like a normal person.

Was that too much to ask?

Even if the Nine-Tails had destroyed the village, was that Naruto's fault?

"Sigh."

Xu Fan sighed helplessly. Seeing Naruto sitting on the swing, he could not help walking straight over.

"Yo, Naruto." Xu Fan greeted him. "Why aren't you heading home?"

"Huh?"

Even Naruto had not expected Xu Fan to come over.

Although Xu Fan's earlier support for his dream had moved him, they were still just classmates.

And Xu Fan had defeated Sasuke in a single move. Why would someone like him talk to a person like Naruto?

So when Naruto saw Xu Fan standing before him, he froze.

"I... I've always wanted to have this all to myself. Haha, I finally got the chance." As he spoke, Naruto swung himself hard on the swing.

But soon, his stomach let out a loud growl.

Naruto's face instantly reddened, and he looked rather embarrassed.

Watching Naruto pretend to be strong, Xu Fan suddenly felt a complicated mix of emotions.

"I was just about to get some ramen. Want to come with me?" Xu Fan paused. "My treat."

"Really?!"

Naruto's eyes immediately lit up, and excitement surged through him.

It was not merely because he loved ramen. Someone was willing to treat him to ramen!

Especially the way Xu Fan looked at him—it was completely different from everyone else.

Neither cold nor distant.

But the next second, Naruto's mood sank again. "Is that really okay?"

He suddenly remembered that someone had said the same thing to him before.

But before he could agree, that person had been dragged away by their parents, who even warned them never to play with him again.

"Of course it is." Xu Fan smiled. "Or do you actually not like ramen? That would be a real shame."

"I do! Of course I do! Ramen is my favorite!" Naruto immediately shouted without hesitation.

Not far from the two of them, several Root members were watching them in secret.