The Bond of Ramen

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Naruto! Your Miso Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen is ready."

Inside Ichiraku Ramen, steaming heat and rich fragrance rushed over him. Uncle Ichiraku cheerfully set down a bowl of ramen billowing with white steam. Thick slices of golden chashu covered the noodles, while the soft-boiled egg had been cut into perfect half-moons, its edges glistening invitingly.

"Thanks, Uncle."

Naruto accepted the bowl with both hands and thanked him with feigned calm. He stared at the gently swaying noodles in the broth, trying hard to control his facial muscles.

Just as I expected! Just as I expected! Just as I expected!

No, I can't laugh yet... At least not until I get home!

Just moments ago, the instant Naruto stepped into Ichiraku Ramen, a crisp notification had sounded in his mind.

Ding!

Congratulations, Host: You have formed a bond with the original character "Teuchi (Uncle Ichiraku)" (Level 5)!

Points obtained: 500!

Just as I thought!

Suppressing the urge to pump his fist in celebration, he lowered his head and took a huge mouthful of noodles. The scalding broth burst across his tongue, and that familiar sense of happiness instantly filled his chest—but what made his heart race even more was the skyrocketing number on the system interface.

He hadn't expected this bond to already be Level 5... worth five hundred points!

That was right. If one were to list Naruto's earliest bonds, Uncle Ichiraku would undoubtedly rank first. Ever since Naruto had been a child rejected by the villagers, this tiny ramen shop had been the only place where no one looked at him with disgust.

It seemed the deeper the impact on the plot, the more points he would receive. The bond level was essentially a reflection of favorability.

Although Uncle Ichiraku's bond was as high as Level 5, five times Satsuki's, it had also earned only 500 points. But on second thought, when it came to influence on the original plot, no one could compare to his future rival and closest friend—Uchiha Sasuke... who should now be called Uchiha Satsuki.

In this world, aside from his long-deceased parents, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, Uncle Ichiraku was the first person to show Naruto kindness proactively and without asking for anything in return.

After all, in an era when even some ninja who didn't know the truth showed disgust toward Naruto, Uncle Ichiraku, an ordinary man, had never believed the rumors about some "demon fox." He had simply used his own kindness to warm the lonely Naruto.

It could be said that aside from Iruka, Uncle Ichiraku's contribution to keeping Naruto from going down a dark path could not be overlooked.

Even though he had already eaten a lunch box, Naruto still stuffed ramen into his mouth in huge bites. The steaming noodles were coated in rich broth, and the chashu was fatty without being greasy. It truly deserved to be one of Konoha's oldest establishments, a place even the Hokage frequented. The taste was absolutely flawless.

However, for a three-year-old who had just eaten a lunch box, finishing an entire bowl of ramen was a little too much. By the time he was halfway through, Naruto's movements had clearly slowed, and his little belly was already round and swollen.

Uncle Ichiraku poked his head out from the kitchen and asked with narrowed eyes, "What's wrong, Naruto? You're having such a hard time eating. Is today's ramen not to your liking?"

"No, that's not it!" Naruto hurriedly shook his head. "Uncle's ramen is just as delicious as ever! It's just..." He scratched his head sheepishly. "I brought a lunch box today, and after I finished it, I still didn't feel full. But now..."

Uncle Ichiraku smiled knowingly and said kindly, "I see. You didn't judge the portion of your lunch box properly. Well, as long as there wasn't anything wrong with the ramen's taste. If you really can't finish it, it's fine to leave the rest. It wouldn't be good to make yourself sick from overeating."

But Naruto shook his head firmly. "No, I'll finish it."

Uncle Ichiraku was visibly stunned, though it was hard to read any change in expression from his narrowed eyes. Naruto lowered his head and began eating in big mouthfuls again. Though he had to pause for several seconds after swallowing each bite, he persisted until even the last drop of broth had been drunk clean.

"Thanks for the meal!"

Naruto patted his bloated little belly in satisfaction, then skillfully counted out seventy-five ryo from the small wallet at his waist and arranged them neatly on the table.

After Uncle Ichiraku cleared away the bowl and chopsticks, he said with a hint of reproach, "Naruto, children really can ruin their stomachs by eating and drinking like this. Why didn't you leave some? It's only a bowl of ramen."

Naruto lowered his head. "...Because it was really delicious, so I didn't want to leave any."

"That's certainly a reason that makes me happy," Uncle Ichiraku said as he wiped his hands, concern showing in his narrowed eyes. "But you can't use it as an excuse to mistreat your body."

"Mm..." Naruto raised his head, his azure eyes shining with sincerity. "Then, Uncle's ramen is really healing. Can that count as an excuse?"

"Healing?" Uncle Ichiraku smiled helplessly and shook his head. "That's a bit exaggerated. Ramen is delicious, sure, but it isn't that good, is it?"

"No, I'm serious." Naruto suddenly sat up straight, his little face filled with solemnity. "Because Uncle Ichiraku's ramen really is healing."

His voice gradually lowered. "The first time I came to eat Uncle's ramen... I don't know why, but nobody in the village would sell me anything then. It was raining that day, and they wouldn't even let me go inside anywhere to take shelter from the rain..."

Uncle Ichiraku's movements froze. A scene from his memory surfaced vividly: that tiny figure soaked through by rain, standing all alone outside the shop, golden hair plastered against pale cheeks, looking pitiful beyond words.

"My stomach hurt from hunger, and I was shivering from the cold..." Naruto continued. "Uncle was the one who invited me into the shop. You even treated me to a steaming bowl of ramen..."

His voice suddenly brightened, and a dazzling smile bloomed across his face. "That was when I realized that ramen tasted this amazing when you ate it on an empty stomach!"

"So—" Naruto braced both hands against the table, his eyes sparkling and his voice filled with irrepressible excitement. "Every time I eat Uncle's ramen after that, I feel especially happy and especially warm! That's why I absolutely don't want to leave even a single bite of every bowl of ramen Uncle makes for me!"

After Naruto finished speaking, Uncle Ichiraku turned away, his back to him, and his shoulders trembled slightly. He deliberately said in a helpless yet indulgent tone, "All right, all right. Looks like you've convinced me. Put that way, I really couldn't leave any ramen either..."

Where Naruto could not see, Uncle Ichiraku raised a rough hand and quickly wiped at the corners of his eyes, which had grown a little warm. Then he pulled a small card from his apron pocket and carefully wrote a line on it with a ballpoint pen.

"Here, Naruto." He turned around and held the card out to him, his narrowed eyes brimming with amusement. "Take this."

Naruto's eyes widened. "This... could it be?!"

Uncle Ichiraku nodded, his voice gentle. "That's right. There is nothing that makes a chef happier than having someone like his ramen this much. Consider it... a special gift for a customer who knows how to appreciate good food."

The card was written in clear lettering.

Ichiraku Ramen Special Invitation Ticket

· Miso Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen (One Serving)

· Validity Period: Permanent

It was Naruto's favorite flavor.