I'm Happy

Seeing this, Uchiha Gen thought, Hmm, that did seem a little stingy. He then sighed. "If there's anything you like, take a serving and eat it. Consider it my treat. If you run into Dosu Kinata during the matches, go easy on him if you can."

He could always buy more later.

"Hehe! You think I'm stronger too, right? Right? But... who's Dosu Kinata? Don't worry, if I see him then, I'll definitely go easy on him." Seeing that someone thought he was strong, Naruto was so happy he nearly jumped onto the stool, only to be pulled back by Jiraiya.

"Dosu Kinata..."

Jiraiya rested his chin on one hand and sized up Uchiha Gen. When he noticed the forehead protector on his arm, he asked, "You're from Otogakure?"

Uchiha Gen froze for a moment, as though only just realizing it. "Sorry, that was rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jiya, and I'm the Jonin leading Otogakure's team in these Chunin Ninja Exams."

Hearing that, Naruto's smile gradually faded. His slow brain finally caught up. Sound Ninja, Dosu Kinata... so he was with those three guys. The memories were not pleasant. Naruto muttered to himself, This guy's a little stingy, but he's pretty polite. How could he be the Jonin leading those three guys?

Jiraiya nodded, then turned to lecture Naruto. "Naruto, good kids shouldn't take other people's things for free."

At the same time, he thought, A Jonin at that age... Even if it's a small ninja village, its foundations seem surprisingly solid. I don't know whether he means us harm, but it can't hurt not to eat his food carelessly.

As though he had seen through Jiraiya's thoughts, Jiya watched as the ramen was brought over, then nodded toward Teuchi and pointed at Naruto.

The moment the ramen arrived, Naruto's eyes lit up. He looked pleadingly at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya helplessly nodded. Naruto instantly brightened up, grabbed the ramen with his chopsticks, and shoved it into his mouth. Through a mouthful of noodles, he said to Jiya, "Thanks, mister!"

Even though he had already eaten six bowls earlier.

"???"

Uchiha Gen's expression stiffened slightly. Him? Mister? Unable to hold back, he said to Naruto, "I'm not even twenty-one yet. If you have to call me something, it should be big brother."

"Okay, mister."

"..." Uchiha Gen watched Naruto eat with gusto. So he had not been listening at all?

Jiraiya pondered for a long time beside them. Then, as though he had suddenly thought of something, his expression turned enlightened. He stared at Uchiha Gen as if he had seen through everything.

Just as Uchiha Gen was left utterly confused by his stare...

Jiraiya put on a serious face and confidently said, "Since you recognized my identity, what's your purpose in trying so hard to please me?"

Uchiha Gen blinked at him. "Your identity...? Could it be that you're Naruto's grandfather?"

"..."

At that moment, Jiraiya understood exactly how Jiya had felt earlier. It was like suffering a heart attack. Though, going by seniority, it was not entirely wrong, but that was not the point!

Jiraiya's expression fell. In a seemingly casual tone, he said, "I'm not his grandfather. Since you don't know me, why did you want to treat Naruto to ramen?"

Jiya's tone was exceptionally sincere, his face not red and his heart not racing—though he did not have those functions anyway. "Because I wanted to make a friend. And because I'm happy today~"

Jiraiya choked. Fine, that was a good reason. A powerful one. Just because he was from another ninja village, did that mean he was not allowed to be in a good mood and treat someone?

"By the way, old man, since you're not Naruto's grandfather, what did you mean earlier about your identity?" Uchiha Gen immediately asked back, not giving Jiraiya time to think. The more he said, the more likely he was to make a mistake.

Hearing that, Jiraiya temporarily set aside some of his doubts. "Ahem~"

Jiraiya cleared his throat, just about to put on a show.

However, Naruto was eating noodles beside them and had developed a little goodwill toward Jiya. He slurped up a mouthful, then listlessly muttered, "He says he's the Toad Sage, but I found out he's just a perv—"

Before Naruto could finish, Jiraiya covered his mouth with one hand. Naruto protested with muffled "Mmph, mmph" sounds!

"That's right, hahaha! The legendary Toad Sage is none other than myself!" Feeling soup smear onto his hand, Jiraiya's brow twitched. This brat... Though he had tricked him a little, one bowl of ramen should not have been enough to buy him off! The opening speech he had prepared had been ruined just like that.

The exclamations of amazement he had expected never came.

Uchiha Gen blinked. "What's a Toad Sage? Did you turn into a toad?"

Jiraiya's expression gradually became awkward. "..."

At the same time, he began wondering whether he had grown old and fallen behind the times. Did young people nowadays no longer know who he was?

Naruto pried Jiraiya's hand off and muttered, "What the heck? You said you were amazing, but he doesn't even know you!"

Then, Uchiha Gen finally seemed to remember something and suddenly realized. "You're Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha?!"

Naruto said, "Huh? The Legendary Sannin of Konoha?"

Jiraiya's awkward expression instantly vanished. He put on a solemn face. "That is correct."

It seemed the title of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha was more famous. He should use a different title next time.

As Jiraiya lowered his gaze in thought, he suddenly saw Jiya holding out paper and a pen. "?"

Jiya wore a serious expression, with a hint of excitement at meeting his idol. "I've heard the legends of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha for a long time. Could I ask Lord Jiraiya for an autograph?"

Jiraiya was stunned, then burst into laughter. His vanity was greatly satisfied, and he felt that he had finally regained some face in front of Naruto. Still, he suddenly put on airs. "As for an autograph, wait until later. If fate allows, I'll give you one the next time we meet."

Uchiha Gen did not press the matter. He nodded with an exceptionally earnest expression, secretly deciding to find a way to run into him later. Maybe he could even score some kind of trial pass.

Seeing Jiya's expression, Jiraiya rubbed his chin. No way, did this kid take something I casually said seriously? It feels like he has ulterior motives, but something is off... I just can't put my finger on it...

Come to think of it, why did he keep feeling a cold, gloomy aura from him? That feeling reminded him of an old friend.

"What are the Legendary Sannin of Konoha?" Naruto asked curiously from the side. "Mister, is Jiraiya really strong?"

Jiya bent slightly at the waist and replied with a smile, "Of course. If you want specifics... let me think—if Lord Jiraiya were willing, he could become Hokage at any time!"

Naruto's expression collapsed. He stiffly turned his neck toward Jiraiya. "What? He can become Hokage?"

Jiraiya, thoroughly displeased, gave Naruto a sharp knock on the head. "Brat, what kind of look is that?! Finish eating and get back to training!" With that, he strolled away.

Naruto clutched his head with a wronged expression. After saying goodbye to Uchiha Gen, he ran after Jiraiya.

Uchiha Gen slowly ate his noodles. When Teuchi came to collect the bowls, he suddenly remembered that Naruto had not paid for the ramen he had eaten earlier!

Seeing Teuchi's stiff expression, Uchiha Gen slurped up a noodle and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing. I just forgot to collect the money earlier." Teuchi gave Uchiha Gen a helpless smile.

Uchiha Gen waved a hand. "Put those on my tab too. The Chunin Ninja Exams are almost over. I might not get another chance to eat your ramen afterward, so I can afford to pay for a few bowls."

Teuchi smiled. "If there are no more conflicts between the nations in the future, maybe I'll open a branch restaurant where you are. When that happens, I'll treat you to free ramen."

"Huh? Dad, did you just say you wanted to open a branch?" Ayame came out from the kitchen upon hearing that. The girl had black eyes, and her long brown hair was tied back beneath a headscarf. She looked full of energy.

Teuchi gently shook his head. "I was just saying." Saying it was easy, but in reality, it would probably be difficult to achieve.

When Uchiha Gen saw Ayame, his eyes lit up. He asked Teuchi, "And this is?"

Teuchi proudly said, "This is my daughter, Ayame."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Ayame." Ayame smiled politely.

Uchiha Gen smiled and returned the greeting. "Nice to meet you. My name is Jiya. And by the way, Miss Ayame, you're very beautiful!"

"Huh?"

Ayame's expression went blank for a moment, and her little face reddened slightly. Once she recovered, she said, "Thank you for the compliment~"

Seeing this, Teuchi felt both pleased and wary. His eyes fixed directly on Uchiha Gen. The kid was decent enough, but he was from another ninja village after all. Opening a branch restaurant was still nothing but wishful thinking. If Ayame really fell for this kid, that would be troublesome.

Fortunately, Uchiha Gen did not cause any trouble afterward.

"I'm finished eating. Thank you for the meal." After paying the bill, Uchiha Gen left, making Teuchi breathe a sigh of relief.

Ayame looked puzzled. "What's wrong?"

Ahem, he could not exactly tell Ayame what he had been thinking. Teuchi rubbed his forehead to hide it. "Maybe I'm a little tired. Let's close early today."

Ayame obediently nodded and went into the kitchen to start cleaning up.

Still, that kid had good taste. Their Ayame really was beautiful. Teuchi gave Jiya a silent thumbs-up for that.