Mission End

Konoha has begun installing utility poles, and residents can now apply for electricity. Once someone comes by to wire the house and install sockets, an Electric Fan can be put to use immediately.

Hyuga Shinichi wandered around for a while, but finding nothing else of interest, he returned to the inn.

The members of the merchant caravan resting in the lobby were curious when they saw Hyuga Shinichi return with two Electric Fans, and they crowded around to take a look.

Hyuga Shinichi asked the inn attendant to locate a socket and demonstrated the Electric Fan in front of everyone. The group was shivering from the cold breeze and soon retreated to their rooms; after all, it was still lightly snowing in the Land of Iron.

Over the next two days, the Shanxi merchant caravan finished stocking their goods and planned to rest for the night before departing for Konoha the next morning. Inuzuka Gai and Aburame Tomohiro dragged Hyuga Shinichi along to buy Electric Fans.

The same bearded, dark-skinned man was there, and seeing Hyuga Shinichi return with others, he offered no resistance. He sold the remaining two units to them at the same price Hyuga Shinichi had paid previously.

As long as he could make a decent profit, it was fine. Due to the high price of the appliances and the previous incident where people were driven off, the last two Electric Fans had sat on the shelf for two days without anyone daring to ask about them.

Now that someone was actually buying, he wanted to sell them off quickly so he could go back and stock up on other goods to sell in the Land of Iron. Time is money.

Early the next morning, the caravan finished breakfast and set off for the village. Relying on the three scouts, they encountered no accidents on the way back and arrived safely in Konoha by the afternoon.

The three of them and the dog bid farewell to the Shanxi merchant caravan. With Electric Fans in hand, they headed toward the mission hall, the envious gazes of passersby greatly satisfying their vanity.

Although the pedestrians didn't know what the items were, they could tell these must be the trendy appliances everyone was talking about lately.

When they reached the mission hall front desk, the attendant saw the three of them had returned to submit their escort mission and collect their reward. Just as the attendant was about to speak:

"How did you know I had an Electric Fan?" X2

Aburame Tomohiro, who hadn't said a word, held his Electric Fan high and pushed up his black goggles.

This display left the attendant and everyone in the mission hall speechless. Even Black Charcoal pretended not to know them, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself.

After collecting their reward, the three and the dog went home to store their Electric Fans before heading to Maruda's ramen cart.

"Uncle Maruda, we're here."

"Ho-ho, it's you boys. What will you be having today?"

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

"Alright, just a moment."

Teuchi was in the ramen cart today, preparing ingredients with a serious expression. While boiling the noodles, Uncle Maruda would occasionally teach him the essentials.

Although Uncle Maruda's face was stern while teaching, the upturn of his lips couldn't hide his happiness. Teuchi listened intently and put the lessons into practice.

"Looks like it won't be long before I get to eat Teuchi-ge's ramen."

"Hahaha, Teuchi still has a long way to go."

"Yes, I still have a lot to learn from Father's craft."

"Then I'll look forward to Teuchi-ge's cooking when the time comes."

Just then, a surprised voice came from behind. The three of them turned to look at the blond-haired boy who had spoken.

"It really is Shinichi-ge! When did you get back?"

"Oh, it's Namikaze Minato. We just got back from a mission and are grabbing some ramen. Are you here with your friends?"

Namikaze Minato wasn't alone; behind him followed a chubby boy, a boy with his hair tied up, and a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy. Judging by the clan symbols on their clothes, they were from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans.

Could these be the peers of Namikaze Minato? The three children soon provided the answer.

"Hello, I am Nara Shikaku."

"Hello, Senior Hyuga Shinichi. I have admired you for a long time, I am Yamanaka Inoichi."

"Hello, I am Akimichi Choza. My hobby is eating, hehe. Namikaze Minato didn't lie to me; it smells so good here."

As expected, it was the classic Ino-Shika-Cho. The current Ino-Shika-Cho trio in the village hadn't retired yet and were still the heads of their respective clans. Judging by the chakra levels of these three children, they were likely being groomed for the future.

"Yeah, I told them there was a super delicious ramen stall, so I brought them over."

"Is that so? Then as your big brother, I'll treat you all. Don't be shy, sit down."

Seeing so many people arrive, Maruda, who was inside the ramen cart, had Teuchi bring out a folding table and wooden stools for the four children.

"Shinichi-ge, wouldn't that be too expensive for you?"

"Don't worry about me. I have nowhere to spend my savings anyway. Treating you to a meal won't even put a dent in the reward from this mission."

While waiting for the ramen, everyone got to know each other through conversation, and the three young Ino-Shika-Cho members began calling the three of them 'big brother'.

Soon, seven bowls of Deluxe Tonkotsu Ramen were ready. Hyuga Shinichi, his two companions, and Teuchi carried four bowls out for the four children to start eating.

"Thank you." X4

"Akimichi Choza, right? If it's not enough, just say so. I'll make sure you're full today."

"Thanks, big brothers! I'm digging in!"

Akimichi Choza was already drooling. Hyuga Shinichi didn't disturb them; he ruffled Namikaze Minato's thick blond hair before returning to the ramen cart to eat his own portion.

Uncle Maruda added an extra slice of chashu pork to everyone's bowl. The fourteen slices of pork exhausted Uncle Maruda's entire stock for the day, and throughout the meal, Akimichi Choza was the fastest eater of them all.

He was initially too embarrassed to order more, but eventually, Inuzuka Gai noticed, and Hyuga Shinichi smiled and ordered another bowl for Choza.

In the end, Choza ate three bowls before he was satisfied. Seeing such a hearty eater made Uncle Maruda very happy; children need to eat plenty to grow strong.

The other three companions had also finished their portions and drank all their soup, their energy depleted from the physical education class this afternoon.

Hyuga Shinichi left alone after paying the bill and saying goodbye to the group, but to his surprise, Namikaze Minato chased after him.

"Wait a second, Shinichi-niisan, are you free tomorrow?"

"I'm not taking any missions for a while; I plan on resting for a bit. Come to think of it, I am free. Is there something up, Minato?"

"Yeah, Shinichi-niisan. Tomorrow is the weekend and school is out. Could you come and guide me?"

"No problem. Shall we meet at the waterfall tomorrow morning?"

"Great, thank you, Shinichi-niisan! I'll go back and prepare. See you later, Shinichi-niisan."

Before parting ways with Namikaze Minato, Hyuga Shinichi ruffled that thick mop of yellow hair once more. Walking home, he recalled what Mito had said when he returned the Electric Fan earlier—it seemed Tsunade would be returning from her mission tonight.

"Hmm, I should buy some groceries and make some snacks for Tsunade-nee."

Ever since Hyuga Shinichi cooked a meal once, the whole family had been conquered by his culinary skills. So, for these past few years, whenever Hyuga Shinichi was home, he was the one in charge of cooking.

Tsunade was currently so busy with missions that she didn't even have time to gamble, but whenever she returned to rest, she would still enjoy a little drink. Peanuts alone couldn't satisfy her, so she always insisted that Hyuga Shinichi prepare the side dishes for her drinks.

"What should I buy to take back?"

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