Mission Complete

Konoha had started putting up telephone poles, too. Anyone who needed electricity at home could apply, and workers would come install the wiring and outlets. That meant you could buy an electric fan and use it as soon as you got home.

After looking around for a while and finding nothing else that interested him, Hyuga Shinichi returned to the inn.

The caravan members relaxing in the lobby spotted the two electric fans Hyuga Shinichi had brought back and crowded around, curious to see them.

Hyuga Shinichi asked the inn's staff where the outlets were, then demonstrated the fans for everyone. They all shivered in the cold breeze and went back to their rooms. After all, it was still snowing lightly in the Land of Iron.

Over the next two days, Shanxi's caravan finished stocking up. They planned to rest for the night and leave for Konoha the next morning. Inuzuka Gai and Aburame Tomohiro also took Hyuga Shinichi along to buy electric fans.

The same swarthy, bearded shopkeeper was there. When he saw Hyuga Shinichi come in with two others, he didn't put up a fight. He sold them the last two fans at the same price Hyuga Shinichi had paid for his.

As long as he made a decent profit, that was good enough. The appliances were so expensive that after being driven off last time, no one had dared ask about the two remaining fans in the shop for the past two days.

Now that someone had come to buy them, he'd better sell them while he could. Then he could go back, bring in some other goods, and sell them in the Land of Iron. Time was money.

Early the next morning, the caravan set off for the village after breakfast. Thanks to the trio's scouting skills, they encountered no trouble on the way back and safely reached Konoha that afternoon.

The three men and one dog said goodbye to Shanxi's caravan, then headed for the mission hall, each carrying an electric fan. The envious looks of passersby gave them a huge boost to their vanity.

The passersby had no idea what the fans were, but they could tell these must be the appliances that had been all the rage lately.

When they reached the mission hall's front desk, the clerk realized they'd returned to turn in their guard mission and collect their pay. She was just about to speak when—

"How did you know I had an electric fan?" X2

Aburame Tomohiro, who hadn't said a word, raised his fan high and pushed up his dark goggles.

The trio's antics left the clerk and everyone else in the mission hall speechless. Even Black Charcoal pretended not to know them, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself in it.

After collecting their pay, the three men and one dog went home to put away the fans, then headed to Uncle Maruda's ramen cart.

"Uncle Maruda, we're here!"

"Oh, it's you guys! What would you like today?"

"The usual—three bowls of Deluxe Tonkotsu Ramen."

"Sure, just a moment."

Teuchi was at the ramen cart today, carefully preparing the ingredients. As Uncle Maruda cooked the noodles, he would occasionally teach him a few pointers.

Uncle Maruda's expression was stern as he taught, but the corners of his mouth gave away how pleased he was. Teuchi listened attentively and put his advice into practice.

"Looks like I'll be able to try Teuchi's ramen before long."

"Hahaha, Teuchi's still got a long way to go."

"That's right. I still have a lot to learn from my father."

"Then I'm looking forward to trying your ramen someday, Teuchi."

A surprised voice sounded from behind them. All three turned to look at the blond boy who had spoken.

"It really is you, Zhenyi! When did you get back?"

"Oh, Minato! We just got back from a mission and came to get some ramen. Are you here with your friends?"

Namikaze Minato wasn't alone. A chubby boy followed him, along with a boy with his hair tied up and another blond, blue-eyed boy bringing up the rear. Judging by the clan crests on their clothes, they belonged to the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans.

Could those three be Minato's classmates? The boys soon confirmed it.

"Hello, I'm Nara Shikaku."

"Hello, Hyuga Shinichi-senpai. I'm Yamanaka Inoichi. I've admired you for a long time."

"Hello, I'm Akimichi Choza. I like eating. Hehe, Minato wasn't lying—the smell alone tells me how good this place is."

They really were the next generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. The current members of the village's Ino-Shika-Cho team hadn't retired yet, and they were all clan heads. Judging by the three boys' chakra reserves, their clans were already training them.

"Yeah, I told them there was a great ramen shop, so I brought them here."

"I see. Then, as your big brother, I'll treat you all. Don't be shy—take a seat."

Seeing so many customers arrive at once, Uncle Maruda had Teuchi bring out a folding table and some wooden stools for the four boys.

"Zhenyi, won't this cost you too much?"

"Don't worry about me. I've got money saved up and nowhere to spend it. Treating you won't even take much out of what I earned on this mission."

While they waited for the ramen, everyone chatted and got to know one another. The three Ino-Shika-Cho boys also started calling the trio "big brothers."

Before long, all seven bowls of Deluxe Tonkotsu Ramen were ready. Hyuga Shinichi, his two companions, and Teuchi brought four bowls outside for the boys to eat first.

"Thank you!" X4

"Akimichi Choza, right? If you're still hungry, just say so. I'll make sure you leave full today."

"Thank you, big brothers! I'm digging in!"

Choza had already started drooling. Hyuga Shinichi didn't want to disturb the boys, so he ruffled Namikaze Minato's thick blond hair and went back inside the ramen cart to enjoy his own bowl.

Uncle Maruda had added an extra slice of chashu to every serving. Those fourteen slices used up all the chashu he had for the day. Choza was the fastest eater of them all.

He'd been too embarrassed to order another bowl, but Inuzuka Gai noticed. Hyuga Shinichi smiled and ordered one for Choza.

In the end, Choza needed three bowls to feel more or less full. Seeing such a little boy eat so much made Uncle Maruda very happy. Kids had to eat plenty to grow big and strong!

The other three boys had gym class that afternoon, and after burning off all that energy, they finished their bowls and drank every last drop of broth.

After paying and saying goodbye to everyone, Hyuga Shinichi left on his own. To his surprise, Namikaze Minato hurried after him alone.

"Wait, Zhenyi! Um, are you free tomorrow?"

"I won't be taking any missions for a while. I'm planning to take some time off, so I'm free. Is there something you need, Minato?"

"Yeah, Zhenyi. Tomorrow's the weekend, so we don't have school. Could you come train me?"

"Sure. How about we meet by the waterfall tomorrow morning?"

"Great! Thanks, Zhenyi. I'll go get ready, then. See you tomorrow!"

Before saying goodbye to Namikaze Minato, Hyuga Shinichi ruffled his thick blond hair again. As he walked home, he thought about what Mito had told him when he'd gone back to put away the fans. It sounded like Tsunade would be returning from her mission that evening.

"Then I'll buy some groceries and make a few snacks for Tsunade to have with her drinks."

Ever since Hyuga Shinichi had cooked a meal once, his family had been won over by his cooking. So for years now, whenever he was home, he was the one who cooked.

Tsunade was so busy with missions that she didn't even have time to gamble, but when she came home to rest, she still liked to have a drink. Peanuts alone weren't enough for her, so she always insisted that Hyuga Shinichi make her something to eat with her drinks.

"What should I buy?"