Working

The next day, looking at his mother Hyuga Yuki's still-pale profile and the way she would occasionally pause while busy, her eyes vacant, he made a decision.

The pension would eventually run out, and for the sake of her health, his mother could not go out to find work, or she would break her body down all over again.

Therefore, he decided to do something to alleviate the financial pressure.

However, he could not let his training fall behind; the capital for revenge was strength, and he needed a job that would earn him compensation without excessively occupying his training time.

After pondering for a long time, a place surfaced in his mind.

Ichiraku Ramen. Although business was good there, the shop was small, so they might need help. Moreover, that Uncle Teuchi seemed to be one of the few elders in the village who did not look at people through colored glasses.

More importantly, he even helped someone like Naruto, whom the villagers loathed; with his kind heart, perhaps he could help him too.

Taking a deep breath, since he hadn't sparred with Neji today and had returned home right after school, it was still early. Ning Xue put down his schoolbag, prepared dinner for his mother, and after explaining that he would be back late that evening, he headed toward Ichiraku Ramen.

Lifting the noren of Ichiraku Ramen, the rich aroma of bone broth rushed to meet him, and together with the warm light inside the shop, it temporarily dispelled some of the chill on his body.

"Welcome!" Uncle Teuchi's enthusiastic voice rang out.

When he saw who had arrived, he was slightly taken aback, feeling that this kid looked somewhat familiar.

Only after carefully recalling did he remember that this was the child from three years ago.

There was no other reason; dull lives are always punctuated by special incidents that leave a deep impression.

"Oh, it's you, white-haired kid, long time no see. What would you like to eat?"

Ning Xue did not sit down to order directly. He stood in front of the counter, bowing his head slightly, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, yet his voice maintained its usual calmness: "Uncle Teuchi, I'm not here to eat. I wanted to ask... do you need a part-time worker here? Like for washing dishes, clearing tables, and the like."

Teuchi paused, carefully observing Ning Xue. He noticed that Ning Xue's eyes had also lost the luster a youth should have, and there was a touch of gloom and imperceptible fatigue in his expression.

This couldn't help but make him wonder if he was also a pitiful child like Naruto.

"A part-time worker, huh..." Teuchi rubbed his chin, looking at Ning Xue, who, despite his cold expression, seemed like a very earnest child.

Recalling the time he had invited Naruto to eat ramen under a pretext, he made up his mind.

He and his daughter could usually manage this small shop, but during the evening rush, things did indeed get hectic.

"Hmm, it does get a bit overwhelming when things get busy in the evening." A hearty smile appeared on Teuchi's face. "If you don't mind the hard work, how about coming to help from every evening until closing time? You'll mainly be responsible for clearing dishes and wiping down tables, and when there aren't many customers, you can also help prepare some simple side dishes. As for the pay... I won't treat you unfairly!"

Ning Xue hadn't expected Teuchi to agree so readily. He looked up, a trace of imperceptible fluctuation flashing in his eyes.

"...Thank you, Uncle Teuchi. I will work hard."

"Then it's settled!" Teuchi clapped his hands. "You can start getting familiar with things today! Here, put on this apron first."

Ning Xue silently took the slightly worn white apron with the characters "Ichiraku" embroidered on it and tied it on with somewhat clumsy movements. As he picked up a rag and walked toward the tables that needed cleaning, he officially began his life as a part-time worker.

Although working would shorten his training time, he quite liked the sense of worldly life here, even if it still felt a bit noisy.

But at least here, he didn't need to pretend; he only needed to put in the labor to gain the meager strength to support himself and his mother as they continued to move forward.