Watching Minato

Just as Karot was enjoying his meal, Minato arrived outside Ichiraku Ramen.

"Is the target here?"

Minato directly questioned the Anbu in charge of surveillance.

"Yes, Minato, the target has just gone inside."

"Um?"

Karot sensed Minato's presence and paused slightly. However, this didn't affect his ramen-eating speed; after all, eating was the most important thing right now.

Kakuzu noticed Karot's unusual behavior. Just then, Kakuzu finished his ramen and asked Karot about it.

"Has something happened?"

"It's nothing serious, just make sure there aren't too many people outside."

After saying that, Karot called out to Ayame.

"Another bowl, please."

Kakuzu hearing Karot's words, he instantly understood their meaning. He hadn't expected to be monitored by Konoha so soon after entering the Konoha. Konoha's vigilance amazed Kakuzu. Kakuzu turned to look at Karot, who was eating ramen, and his worries subsided. After all, he was no longer alone, and Karot was also a member of Konoha.

"I'll go inside and take a look. If there's any problem, you're responsible for cleaning up the scene."

Minato knew that waiting here would be fruitless; only close-range probing could break the deadlock.

"Yes."

After receiving a reply from the Anbu, Minato entered Ichiraku Ramen.

Kakuzu could get lost in thought, Minato walked into the ramen shop. But what caught Minato's attention the most were the towering stacks of bowls. It was hard to imagine that anyone could eat so much.

No, there is someone who can do it. Minato quickened his pace, pulled out a chair, and sat down next to Karot.

"Welcome, welcome, Minato."

Ichiraku greeted Minato, who was a regular customer at his Minato.

Minato seemed not to have heard Ichiraku's words, continuing to stare at Karot.

"Karot?"

Minato asked. "Karot looks quite different now than before, like a grown-up Son Goku. However, Karot's clothes and hairstyle haven't changed, and besides, Minato and Karot aren't very familiar with each other, so he can't be sure."

"Minato- senpai, even if you keep staring at me like that, I won't like you. I like girls."

Minato wasn't sure at first, but as soon as Karot Minato, he was certain, since only Karot would speak like that.

"Long time no see, Karot. Welcome back."

"Really? Since you're welcoming me back, shouldn't you pay for my bill?"

Karot climbed the pole, eager to get ahead. Having someone pay for it was a very welcome thing; after all, why should he pay for a free meal?

"Hahaha."

Minato awkwardly said that paying for Karot's bill was something he absolutely couldn't do. He had learned his lesson once Minato, and that experience had brought Karot to the brink of bankruptcy. Now that he was married and had Minato family to support, he couldn't repeat the same mistake.

Seeing that Minato didn't respond, Karot knew there was no hope.

"Give him a bowl too, it's on my tab."

Karot said to Uncle Ichiraku, "After all, we can't let Minato just watch him eat and do nothing."

"Really? That's great!"

Minato was overjoyed. After getting married, his allowance dwindled at a visible rate, and he could only afford to eat at Ichiraku Ramen a pitifully small number of times. Kushina kept saying that eating out was unhygienic and that he had to eat at home every day. However, Kushina's cooking skills left Minato in awe! But since it was his wife Minato could only grit his teeth and eat it.

"It's so delicious!"

After taking a bite of ramen, Minato exclaimed in admiration.

"If you like it, eat more."

Judging from Minato's appearance, Karot knew that Minato's married life was probably quite frugal, but he had a formidable wife who commanded respect. The ninjas of Konoha should all thank Minato for marrying Kushina.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Karot noticed that Minato was staring at him with Minato eyes, and couldn't help but ask.

Minato didn't say anything, just stared at Karot, making Karot feel uneasy. If it weren't for the fact that they were from the same village, Karot would have wanted to kill him. We're both men, and you're looking at me like that, as if I've let you down.

Those Kakuzu sharp eyes spotted the problem and gestured for Karot to look at the bowl in the Minato.

"I see!"

Karot said, "I know what the problem is."

"Eat without worry, today's bill is on me."

"Really? The whole audience?"

"I asked Minato."

Karot didn't understand the implication of "the whole place" in Minato's words. After all, there were only three customers here, and even if they ate the whole place, it wouldn't cost much.

"Yes, all the purchases today will be on my tab."

Karot's words were like opening Pandora's box. Minato immediately stood up and pulled back the curtain of the noodle shop.

Karot didn't know why Minato was doing this, but Minato's next words made Karot want to slap himself.

"Come and eat ramen, everyone! Jonin Karot is treating everyone to ramen today."

At Minato's command, a dozen members of the Anbu arrived at the ramen shop.

Thank you for your hospitality.

As they spoke, they bowed to Karot. As Anbu, they naturally understood the significance of the name Karot. They were very familiar with Karot's deeds, and being invited to a meal by such an important figure was something they could never imagine.

"Please sit down, order whatever you like, eat until you're full."

Karot saw in their eyes the adoration for him, like a fan meeting an idol.

"Yes."

Uncle Ichiraku became even busier after that. Originally, only Karot needed to be busy, but suddenly so many more customers appeared. It was a happy problem! Uncle Ichiraku used all his skills to satisfy the customers.

"Minato- senpai really dug a huge hole for me!"

"No, no."

Minato waved his hands repeatedly, but Minato grin widened, revealing his immense joy.

"So what if I tricked you into paying the bill once? You've held a grudge for so many years. And you call yourself the Little Sun of Konoha? A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years!"

Karot thought to himself, "I can't afford to offend Minato again."

"Goodbye, Karot, I'm going back to report now."

After eating and drinking his fill, Minato greeted Karot and left with his men.

"Uncle Ichiraku, are you alright?"

What do you think?

Ichiraku's hands are now shaking, and she can't muster any strength.

Every time Karot comes to eat, I have to rest for a day. The workload is too heavy, and the speed requirement is too fast.

"Then I'm leaving too."

"Go away, I can't be bothered to look at you right now."

After paying, Karot and Kakuzu quickly disappeared; an angry chef can be quite terrifying.

"Karot, where do we go now?"

As this was Kakuzu Konoha, his itinerary was naturally arranged by Karot.

"Go home."