Two days later, Ichiraku Ramen.
The Teuchi uncle prepared three bowls of char siu ramen, which were then served to the guests by Ayame.
Seeing the ramen served, Kurenai Yuhi smiled and thanked Ayame, then took her own bowl and leisurely began to eat.
Across from him, Asuma nudged Kakashi Hatake lightly with his elbow, looking puzzled.
"What's wrong with the old man lately? Has he lost his mind?"
I just led a team to clean up the Land of Fire, and after two days of collecting leaves, Danzo was actually dismissed!
It would be a good thing if he was dismissed, but if he was dismissed, why was a new Hokage appointed to assist him?
Or is he just some random young man?
He doesn't even have a beard, and he looks younger than me—no, he's definitely younger than me!
Although I spent some time as a Guardian Ninja in the Land of Fire, surely I'm not completely unaware of the village's new generation of ninjas?
He's supposed to be Hokage's assistant, but he's not even a Jonin. What's going on???
At this point, Asuma gave a slow, deliberate snort, then swallowed a mouthful of noodles in resentment.
Asuma exhaled a hot breath and sighed melancholically. Was her old man getting sillier with age?
Listening to Asuma's words, Kakashi Hatake gently removed his mask.
He doesn't never take off his mask, otherwise how would he eat?
Many people in the village had seen Kakashi Hatake's face; it was very handsome and popular with girls. The reason why female ninjas of Kurenai Yuhi's generation married later and later was mostly because they had their eyes on Kakashi Hatake and waited for a while.
However, ever since Kakashi Hatake killed Rin Nohara with his own hands, he has been unable to have room for another woman in his heart.
It's not that he likes Rin Nohara.
In fact, Rin Nohara was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, completely destroying the last bit of beauty in Kakashi Hatake's heart!
When Kakashi Hatake first entered the Ninja Academy, his father personally escorted him through the school gates!
Then, that very evening, when Kakashi Hatake returned home, his father had committed suicide on the tatami mat in their own home...
Kakashi Hatake worked hard from then on and became the youngest Jonin that year.
Shortly after becoming a Jonin, his lifelong bond and best friend Obito Uchiha, died on the battlefield.
Before he died, Obito gave one of his Sharingan to Kakashi Hatake, replacing Kakashi Hatake's injured eye.
From then on, the once self-disciplined and silent Kakashi Hatake began to live like Obito.
Obito was late, and so was he.
Obito admires Liu Bei, and he also admires the Imperial Uncle.
Obito always helps old ladies cross the street, and he also helps old ladies cross the street.
Obito deeply loved Rin Nohara, and so did Kakashi Hatake...
In short, after Rin Nohara's death, whether out of remembrance and grief for his friend, or from Obito's perspective, it was a feeling of loving death.
All of these factors led Kakashi Hatake to refuse any woman's advances anymore.
Therefore, outstanding female ninjas of Kakashi Hatake's generation, such as Kurenai Yuhi, have no chance of catching up with Kakashi Hatake.
As a result, Kurenai Yuhi had to choose a partner from among the other oddly shaped fruits and vegetables in the village.
This meal was specially arranged by Asuma for her, even though Asuma is quite foolish, refusing to even offer her a barbecue, and at the same time, he even found the aloof and handsome Kakashi Hatake to be his wingman.
But overall, Red's impression of Asuma wasn't bad.
He is, after all, the son of the Third Hokage, and should be the last heir of the Sarutobi Clan.
Although the Sarutobi Clan declined somewhat under the policies of the Third Hokage, Asuma himself was still quite capable, and the political legacy that the Third Hokage might leave behind in the future is astonishing.
Thinking about it that way, Asuma, with his full beard, actually seems a little more handsome.
If the original storyline had continued, after completing a series of missions outside the village and in the Anbu, Kurenai Yuhi, who had started leading the group, would have agreed to Asuma's advances.
Look at the ninjas of Kurenai Yuhi's generation: Kakashi Hatake is ruthless and emotionless, Guy is youthful and turbulent, Hayate Gekkō is first-rate but really not up to par!
If she doesn't go for Asuma, is Red going to marry Guy?
But now...
Red didn't simply accept Asuma's offer, because she suddenly realized that she seemed to have gained another potential target!
And that target was... Gawain, the newly appointed Hokage's assistant, who was known as the mysterious man who appeared out of nowhere!
Therefore, after hearing Asuma talk about Gawain, Red couldn't help but pay a little more attention!
Kakashi Hatake, standing to the side, slurped up a mouthful of noodles, then shook his head noncommittally.
Kakashi Hatake was a little awkward about Gawain's sudden rise to prominence, but that was all!
Having witnessed Gawain's strength firsthand, he dared not voice any dissatisfaction whatsoever.
Seeing that Kakashi Hatake remained silent, Asuma snorted in dissatisfaction.
Kakashi Hatake is the vice-captain of the Jonin team, and he is a very likely elite ninja who will inherit the position of Jonin team captain and successfully become the future Hokage!
How can we not speak out about this kind of person?
Asuma gave Kakashi Hatake an angry look, thinking, "You're about to lose your Hokage position!"
I'm worried for you, and you don't even seem worried!
As he was thinking, Asuma slammed his hand on the table.
"Hey, Kakashi Hatake, are you really going to do this?"
You can't exactly go back to being a captain in the Anbu after you've taken over a squad, can you?
Who exactly is Gawain? How many missions has he completed, and what contributions has he made to Konoha?
Just kidding, why would this weirdo suddenly become annoyed and need the Hokage's assistance?!
Now that he's an assistant to the Hokage, will he become a team leader, a Hokage trainee, and eventually the Fourth Hokage?
Are you kidding me!
Does he have that ability?
Could he be Jiraiya's illegitimate son, born out of wedlock?
Or is he my younger brother, the old man's illegitimate son?
What the hell...
"Cough cough!!!"
Suddenly, Kakashi Hatake abruptly raised his hand and slapped Asuma on the shoulder!
At the same time, Kurenai Yuhi across from her suddenly couldn't help but narrow her eyes, and her neck unconsciously straightened and became longer.
Outside Ichiraku Ramen, Gawain led a large group of kids and glanced into the Ichiraku Ramen.
Sasuke, Sasuke a cold expression, looked at Asuma sitting in the shop and spoke. (Beside Gawain)
"Grandpa, is that guy also a Jonin from the village? It sounds like he's slandering you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sasuke glared fiercely at Asuma's retreating figure.
Not far from Sasuke, Shikamaru Nara, who was following closely behind Gawain, sighed helplessly. His teacher was indeed spouting nonsense here.
My Pops had emphasized to me many times at home that I must never mess with the village's new Hokage assistant, Gawain.
So, just when Ino Yamanaka, the eldest son of the Ino–Shika–Chō, had finally managed to improve her relationship with Lord Gawain, is her teacher now about to create conflict with Gawain?
This year's teachers are really tough!
When I become the Hokage's secretary in the future, I'll definitely make things difficult for my teacher, right?
Surely it is???
Just as Shikamaru Nara was idly pondering, Ino Yamanaka pitifully pushed past Sakura Haruno and muttered a wronged murmur to Gawain.
"Senior, don't be angry. That's... that's my teacher..."
He didn't mean any harm!
"Hmm, Asuma certainly doesn't have any bad intentions, don't worry."
I was originally planning to take you guys out for barbecue, but since we happened to see your teacher, I'll treat you to ramen instead.
Don't think I'm stingy, it just so happened that I ran into this place~."
Amidst laughter and conversation, Gawain led the six children— Naruto Sasuke, Sakura Haruno, and the Ino–Shika–Chō— into Ichiraku Ramen.
Asuma felt a little embarrassed when Gawain, whom he had been talking about, actually walked over, but he couldn't just ignore his student.
"Oh, haha, what are you three doing here too?"
That's strange. After I gave you a break, did Nian Nian actually go to see that guy?
I really don't know what's so great about that guy. Why are you all going over there? Does he think he can teach you your family's secret techniques?
Can I still help you with quests?
Strange~.
Although it was a bit awkward, Asuma still didn't hold back his words. As the son of the Hokage, he had always been so unruly.
If he hadn't rebelled, he wouldn't have been able to run away from home to become a guardian ninja in the Land of Fire.
Across from Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi covered her face in embarrassment, then stood up respectfully.
"My lord, please forgive Asuma's rudeness. He's always been like this, with a sharp tongue, but he's actually a nice person."
Kurenai Yuhi is not a top-tier elite Jonin like Kakashi Hatake or Asuma; you can tell just by looking at her students.
Kakashi Hatake is a student who was born after the Fourth Hokage's death, the last descendant of the Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, the most talented commoner ninja specially chosen by the Third Hokage.
Asuma was a student who was the eternal backbone of Konoha, the Konoha strategist who contributed the most during the Third Shinobi World War, the Konoha's tank and the strongest support and controller, the Ino–Shika–Chō.
What kind of disciple is Kurenai Yuhi?
That was the incompetent Hyuga family, the Hyuga daughter who was almost abandoned and given to the Fourth Hokage's son as Hyuga, and the family that kept insects and dogs.
While the Inuzuka Clan's ninja dogs and the Aburame Clan family's insects are equally important, they are clearly incomparable to those of other families.
Kurenai Yuhi was far inferior to Asuma in the Jonin rankings, let alone Kakashi Hatake.
It's likely that Hong's current status is only possible because the third generation secretly admires Hong's Kurenai Yuhi.
In short, Kurenai Yuhi's explanation made Asuma so annoyed that he pulled out a cigarette.
"Tch, why explain so much? What do you know about men's affairs!"
Hey, does that Hokage's assistant over there smoke?
As a man, you can't be someone who doesn't know how to smoke, right? Want one? This is a good cigarette my dad got from somewhere, the taste is pretty good, I'll share a few with you!
As he spoke, Asuma tossed a cigarette at Gawain!
Gawain casually took the tobacco, lit it with a flourish, and reached into his pocket to feel around!
A moment later, Gawain pulled out two packs of cigarettes and tossed them back to Asuma.
"Your Pops got those two packs of cigarettes from me, so I'll give you two more now. I don't have any more."
Come on, kids, sit down and order something.
Don't just order ramen; order more side dishes, like pork chops and char siu—I can eat a lot.
Anyway, the Hokage's office will be settling the bill for me, so please don't try to save me any money."
As they were talking, Gawain sat down at the table next to Kurenai Yuhi and the others.
After sitting down, Naruto glanced furtively at Kakashi Hatake. Why was his teacher here too?
"Sense, didn't you say you had a mission to do these past two days? Why are you eating ramen here?"
Was it because I finished the task, or was it because the ramen from the Teuchi uncle was just too delicious, haha!!!
Amidst loud laughter, Naruto proudly raised his right hand.
"Uncle, give me seven bowls of the most luxurious tonkotsu ramen, and two more of each kind of side dish. Don't try to save Grandpa money, he's super rich!"
After saying that, Naruto looked smugly at his former friends.
When you called me a loser, you never imagined that this orphan had such a wealthy grandfather, did you?
Go ahead and be envious!
Just as Naruto was secretly feeling smug, Choji Akimichi, who was sitting not far away, pursed his lips and said.
"Naruto, you can only eat seven bowls? That's a bit little. You won't grow up if you eat so little."
"Teuchi, just give me ten bowls of the most luxurious tonkotsu ramen, and five servings of all the side dishes, that should be enough for me..."
"Why?"
Naruto was completely bewildered. "Damn it, I ordered seven portions, not for Qidian!"
You... you only had ten bowls by yourself???
As expected of the pig from the Ino–Shika–Chō!
Okay, Naruto only knows about the Ino–Shika–Chō, but he doesn't know that Choji Akimichi, that chubby guy, is actually the butterfly waiting to break free from its cocoon.
He thought the Akimichi was called pigs because everyone in the family was fat.
In reality, the Akimichi are fat because they need to use fat to unleash their family's highest-level secret technique.
And every member of the Akimichi who burns fat is actually incredibly handsome!
Ignoring Naruto's surprise, the group of children ordered what they wanted to eat, and Gawain, as usual, sat down next to Kurenai Yuhi, blending right into the adults' table.
Gawain casually snatched a pork chop from Asuma as he Gawain, laughing as he did so.
"How come the three of you have time to eat here?"
I have a ton of low-level tasks piled up for the recent graduates' team to do.
More than a dozen of Daming's cats have gone missing. Without your help, Ming Dynasty's wife is going crazy missing her cats.
To ensure the cats were just lost and didn't accidentally die, the Inuzuka Clan's ninja dogs complained quite a bit. "It's those dogs who are protecting the cats!"
"Tch, why bring that up now? Since you're so outgoing, how about a drink?"
Asuma angrily picked up another pork chop and put it in her mouth, then gave Gawain an even more displeased look.
I'm too embarrassed to sit on the red side, how come you're so overly familiar with me!
Kurenai Yuhi, on the other hand, seemed surprised.
"Why?
Is this how those lost cats got lost?
No wonder their fur was still so smooth even after they'd been wandering for so many days.
"Don't believe that, okay? Those cats are just in heat. Don't listen to this guy's nonsense!"
Asuma interrupted Kurenai, clearly annoyed, and continued speaking.
"I stayed in the Land of Fire for a long time. The cats kept by the Daimyo and other noblewomen would meow incessantly every spring, making people feel uneasy."
That's just how cats are. When they're in heat, they'll go outside to find stray cats or something. They don't intentionally get lost and have ninja dogs take care of them.
The Inuzuka Clan's ninja dogs are too busy; they don't have time for that!
As soon as he finished speaking, Asuma gave Gawain an annoyed look. "You got caught, huh?"
And Kurenai Yuhi...
She blushed and rolled her eyes.
Asuma, you bastard, can't you tell I'm joking?!
There's also the matter of being in heat, or looking for stray cats.
Do I really have to be this direct?!