Shisui Uchiha heard Ryosuke's words and remembered that the kid had a special Sharingan, one that could even copy secret techniques.
Instead of getting angry, he smiled.
The group made their way into the village.
Unlike last time, though, they had come to Konoha's main village.
"Teacher Shisui, let's get ramen. I suddenly feel like eating some."
Mihawa pointed at the sign for Ichiraku Ramen by the roadside.
"Oh? Isn't barbecue more expensive than ramen? Are you stupid?" Miyuki teased.
"You're the stupid one. We can eat barbecue back in our village, but they only have ramen here. Besides, Ichiraku Ramen is famous throughout the village, and I've never tried it." Mihawa raised his voice even louder.
The pedestrians nearby jumped at Mihawa's shout and turned curious looks their way.
But when they saw Ryosuke's clothes, they hurriedly left.
"What a buzzkill. Why are you still wearing that outfit?" Mihawa turned his anger on Ryosuke.
"Because it's the only outfit I have," Ryosuke said flatly.
Mihawa froze. He seemed to realize something, then turned his head away.
[ Ding! Temporary Mission One completed. Earned 500 experience points. ]
The system's notification rang out, and Ryosuke couldn't help glancing at Miyuki and Mihawa.
He had thought the mission would be completed once he helped them get the bells, but it had only just completed now.
It seemed that no matter the world, a sob story was more likely to earn people's sympathy, even though he hadn't lied.
"Ryosuke, what do you think?"
Shisui turned to ask him.
"About what?"
"Would you rather have barbecue or ramen?"
Shisui explained.
"Mihawa's right. We can get barbecue elsewhere, so let's have ramen."
"Not bad, Ryosuke. You know what's what. Let me tell you, the ramen here is delicious."
Mihawa suddenly came over and slung an arm around Ryosuke's shoulders, apparently pleased that he'd backed him up.
He really was the sort of guy whose feelings showed plainly on his face.
The four of them went into the ramen shop.
The familiar Teuchi poked his head out. "Welcome! Oh, it's Shisui. Is this a get-together?"
"That's right, Teuchi. It's been a while. These are my three students."
Shisui sat down and introduced Ryosuke and the others to Teuchi.
"All of you are Uchiha Clan elites. Konoha's safety will depend on you in the future. This meal's on me today."
Teuchi spoke with great enthusiasm.
As a businessman, he didn't share the prejudices of the other people in Konoha.
Mihawa and Miyuki both wore rare smiles.
Before long, four large bowls of ramen were served.
"Let's eat!" Mihawa was the first to pick up his chopsticks.
Miyuki and Ryosuke exchanged a glance, then began eating too.
Soon, the shop filled with exclamations of praise.
"This is so good!"
"So delicious!"
"Ramen here really is the best!"
Ryosuke's mouth twitched. He couldn't help thinking how unsophisticated these people were.
He had to admit that the ramen was much better than anything he'd eaten over the past few years, but it still fell far short of the delicacies he had in mind.
If I weren't a member of the Uchiha Clan, I could probably make a lot of money opening a restaurant here. What a shame.
After the meal, the four left Konoha. Everyone except Shisui had found the deliberately encouraging atmosphere unbearable.
"Teacher Shisui, are we training again tomorrow?" Mihawa asked first.
"No. I've already received a mission from the Third Hokage," Shisui said with a smile.
"Seriously? When?" Mihawa exclaimed.
"While we were eating ramen. It's only a C-rank mission, but it's still not easy for beginners."
Ryosuke nodded to himself. That was true. Most ninja teams started with D-rank missions.
Perhaps they were being given special treatment because they were all members of the Uchiha Clan.
"Teacher Shisui, what's our mission?" Miyuki asked.
"This time, it's a reconnaissance mission toward the Land of Lightning," Shisui replied.
"The Land of Lightning? Cloud Ninja? Is this really a D-rank mission?" Ryosuke murmured.
He thought of the Fourth Raikage.
Was this a continuation of the previous incident?
But according to what he knew of events, hadn't the Third Hokage offered someone from the Hyuga Branch Family as compensation to the Cloud Ninja?
Were they still unsatisfied and planning to start a war?
"The circumstances are a little complicated. You don't need to know the details. Just know that Lord Hokage gave the order personally. We only need to watch for any enemies entering the Land of Fire," Shisui said.
That was true. By mission difficulty, reconnaissance wasn't especially hard—particularly for the Uchiha Clan, who had exceptional long-distance vision.
Still, Ryosuke had a feeling this mission wouldn't be that simple.
Whatever the case, this was an opportunity.
Once he was out on a mission, his system could finally be put to real use.
Especially since the Cloud Ninja specialized in lightning-style techniques.
Ryosuke still hadn't figured out his chakra nature.
Maybe this would be the perfect chance.
"All right, everyone, go home and get ready. This mission pays two thousand ryo," Shisui said. He waved to the three of them, then vanished on the spot.
"Did I hear that right? Teacher Shisui said this mission pays two thousand ryo?" Mihawa's eyes turned into pencil shapes.
"And this is only a D-rank mission? So ninjas make money that easily."
"Right. Starting tomorrow, we'll be comrades. Let's work hard together." Miyuki looked at Ryosuke.
Ryosuke nodded without saying anything.
Then the three of them went their separate ways.
When Ryosuke got home, he found a small bag and put his few pitiful ninja tools inside.
That was everything he owned.
"Tomorrow is the beginning of my ninja path. I have to become stronger."
Ryosuke clenched his fist and said to his reflection in the mirror.
Nothing happened that night.
Early the next morning, Ryosuke first walked little Sasuke to the Ninja Academy. Then he asked Sasuke to tell Uchiha Fugaku that he was going on a mission and didn't know when he'd be back.
Only then did he go to the village entrance. Uchiha Mihawa and Miyuki were already waiting there, but Shisui was nowhere to be seen.
Ryosuke sighed inwardly. Every member of their Team One was probably at least a Chunin.
"I hope this mission goes smoothly."
Before you continue