An Unexpected Encounter at Ichiraku Ramen

Is Ichiraku Ramen really that good?

You could ask Naruto Uzumaki that question. That guy has been eating there from the Ninja Academy all the way through Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

Of course, Sora Uchiha couldn't travel through time and space to ask Naruto, Besides, he didn't need to ask Naruto, because he was tasting it right now.

That taste... The rich broth exploded on his taste buds with the ramen, like being in military training during forty-degree weather, and then someone hands you an iced tea straight from the fridge.

It felt that good.

"Little Ichiraku, your ramen is truly second to none," Sora Uchiha slurped, giving a thumbs-up to Ichiraku at the counter.

Ichiraku at this time looked to be in his twenties or thirties, quite youthful, but... his signature squint was already present.

"It's not quite second to none, it just happens to suit your taste," Ichiraku waved his hand humbly. "By the way, Sora, I heard you took the lead in the Chunin Exams. Congratulations."

Sora Uchiha asked in surprise, "Little Ichiraku, you pay attention to ninja matters?"

"What are you saying? I'm a member of Konoha, how could I not pay attention to the ninjas who protect our home and country?" Ichiraku rolled his eyes, a move that startled Sora Uchiha, Because rolling your eyes requires exposing your eyeballs, and Sora Uchiha had never seen Ichiraku open his eyes before.

He leaned curiously on the counter, smiling, "Little Ichiraku, tell me, are you like that hidden master who sweeps the floor, a hidden expert in the city?"

This guy, when Konoha was shattered by Pain's Almighty Push in the future, this little Ichiraku shop remained completely unharmed. He strongly suspected Ichiraku was an unparalleled master.

"I've read novels," Little Ichiraku said cheerfully, flicking Sora Uchiha lightly on the forehead. "To celebrate you getting the lead in the Chunin Exams, today's ramen is on the house."

"Tsk, you really know how to do business," Sora Uchiha smacked his lips, thinking Little Ichiraku had quite high emotional intelligence.

"Ichiraku, two bowls of ramen," a man and a woman walked in from outside, calling out to Ichiraku.

The voices sounded a bit familiar. Sora Uchiha turned his head to look, It really was an "acquaintance." Yamashiro Ryuta, whom he had met just last night. The woman beside him wore a forehead protector and was also a ninja.

Sensing something, Yamashiro Ryuta glanced over and saw Sora Uchiha sizing him up. He raised an eyebrow, "Yo, Uchiha brat, what a coincidence."

Sora Uchiha's lips twitched. This nickname wasn't even a tenth as affectionate as Shisui's "older brother."

Yesterday it was because he found it novel, but hearing it again today made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Uncle, we meet again," he said.

"Tsk, you should call me big brother," Yamashiro Ryuta clicked his tongue, his expression darkening slightly.

"Ryuta, who is this little brother?" the female ninja asked curiously.

"Oh, this brat? He's an Uchiha. We met by chance yesterday."

In Konohagakure, the Uchiha name always stirred controversy.

In the past, Uchiha was a title for the strong, and the villagers regarded them with awe.

Now, Uchiha was a title for outsiders. Under the manipulation of the old Third Hokage, the villagers deliberately ignored the Uchiha.

As expected, the female ninja's face, which had been full of interest, immediately faded upon hearing "Uchiha." She gave a faint "oh" and paid him no further mind.

Sora Uchiha naturally noticed the shift in her attitude, but it didn't matter. He didn't know her, so why should he care about her attitude?

In Konoha, only two types of people didn't shun him:

First, Uchiha clan members.

Second, children who had graduated from the Ninja Academy.

He looked up at Little Ichiraku, who was busy inside. He thought for a moment and added a third type:

Third, adults he was familiar with, like his teachers.

These three types of people wouldn't deliberately avoid him because of his Uchiha identity.

Everyone else looked at him as if he were an outsider, like trash.

In a sense, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been quite successful in handling the Uchiha.

No wonder Father wanted Konoha to fall into chaos, Sora Uchiha thought.

Yamashiro Ryuta naturally noticed his companion's displeasure towards Sora Uchiha, but he didn't say anything.

He just waited quietly for the ramen.

"Ryuta, the investigation into the deaths yesterday is complete," the female ninja said at this moment.

Yamashiro Ryuta shook his head. "No. We confirmed one was a Konoha ninja, and the other two were ninjas from other countries."

"We don't know who killed them. If it was a Konoha ninja, that's one thing. But if it was a ninja from another country... Sigh, these are troubled times. Ryuta, you need to be extra careful from now on..."

"Mm..." Yamashiro Ryuta replied absently.

Sora Uchiha lowered his head, eating his ramen in silence, appearing to be an outsider.

In reality, he was quietly listening to their conversation.

Can't find anything?

As expected. After all, I stripped bodies and burned corpses in the dead of night. It would be strange if they could find anything.

"Ramen is here." Ichiraku walked out carrying two bowls of ramen.

Just as Sora Uchiha finished the last sip of soup and was about to greet him and leave, Ichiraku spoke first.

"By the way, Sora, after the Chunin Exams, you'll be heading to the battlefield soon, right?"

"Mmm... there's still some time for us to adjust." he replied.

"Sigh." Little Ichiraku sighed. "Because of the Third Shinobi World War, the Chunin Exams this time around have been much more lax. I don't know how many people will die on the battlefield."

As he spoke, he seemed to recall something and glanced at Sora Uchiha. "Sora, don't overthink it. I'm not cursing you, just reminding you to be careful. Being first place isn't easy.

"When the time comes to leave, come here for ramen one more time. I'll treat you to the most luxurious set meal."

Sora Uchiha smiled slightly. "I couldn't ask for more."

With that, he left.

Yamashiro Ryuta silently listened to Ichiraku and Sora Uchiha's conversation.

After Sora Uchiha left, he turned to Ichiraku and asked, "Ichiraku, are you very familiar with this Uchiha kid?"

"Who?" Ichiraku was stunned for a moment, then realized. "You mean Sora? We're quite familiar. He comes here to eat noodles often, and we became familiar over time."

"He? Eats this often?" Yamashiro Ryuta was taken aback.

The ninja world had a unified impression of the Uchiha clan: cold and emotionally detached.

He thought of the proud Uchiha of the past, actually eating ramen at this small shop so often...

Well, he couldn't imagine it.

Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it and asked again:

"He's the leader for this Chunin Exam?"

"Mmm, I heard he won with overwhelming power."

Yamashiro Ryuta fell into thought. Winning with overwhelming power.

In that case, this Uchiha kid's strength must be considerable, perhaps even stronger than some veteran Chunin.

Speaking of which, he seemed to have returned from the direction of the back mountain yesterday...

Could it be...

Suddenly, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, shook his head, and muttered to himself, Yamashiro Ryuta, Yamashiro Ryuta, he's just a twelve-year-old kid. Don't have those kinds of thoughts about him just because he's an Uchiha.

But soon, he fell into thought again.

What if?