Inside Ichiraku Ramen.
Uncle Ichiraku saw so many people entering and greeted them warmly. "Welcome! There sure are a lot of people today! Isn't that Senju Gō? Konoha's hero! This meal is on me!"
"Hey, hey, don't fight me for it, Uncle." Namikaze Minato hurriedly stopped him. "We just got paid recently, so we have plenty of money. I'm paying for this meal today!"
Namikaze Minato chatted familiarly with Uncle Ichiraku for a few moments.
Then he turned to everyone and asked, "What do you want to eat? Order whatever you like! Enjoy yourselves today!"
The children gathered around and announced their preferred ramen flavors one after another.
Senju Gō looked at the lively scene before him, his heart filled with warmth. The brutal memories of slaughter and all the exhaustion from the war seemed to fade away at that moment.
The ramen was soon served, steaming hot and fragrant.
Everyone sat together.
They ate with great relish.
Laughter and cheerful voices echoed through the ramen shop.
Senju Gō and Namikaze Minato chatted while the boys talked among themselves and the girls sat together.
Obito Uchiha was something else entirely. He slurped down his noodles in huge mouthfuls, his face flushed from eating, occasionally letting out satisfied exclamations.
"Delicious! It's just as delicious as ever!" Obito said as he stuffed another large mouthful of ramen into his mouth.
Rin Nohara could not help laughing at the way Obito ate. "Obito, slow down. No one's going to steal it from you."
Her voice was gentle and tender.
Obito stared at her.
A blush unconsciously spread across his face.
He grinned foolishly at Rin Nohara.
"Tsk." ×2
Uchiha Aoi and Inuzuka Bon exchanged glances.
"That Obito isn't one of the Uchiha Clan." Uchiha Aoi whispered, "Our clan doesn't have anyone like that."