The click of Tsunade's high heels had barely faded around the street corner.
Naruto pulled a note from his pocket, quickly scratched a few lines onto it with the tip of a kunai, then flicked his fingers to summon a Shadow Clone.
"Take this to the Hyuga Clan, for Hinata." He wiped his mouth and waved at the clone. "Tell her to meet me at our usual spot at Ichiraku Ramen. I'll be waiting."
The Shadow Clone vanished with a whoosh.
Naruto sauntered back into the shop, sat down in his previous seat, and tapped the table. "Old man, another extra-large char siu ramen, with double eggs!"
Teuchi had just climbed up from the floor and was shakily gathering up the pots and bowls. At Naruto's words, his hand trembled, and the ladle fell into the pot again.
He looked up at Naruto, his eyes full of fear. "Y-you're back again? Didn't Lady Hokage leave?"
"Just because she left doesn't mean I can't come back for ramen, right?" Naruto blinked innocently. "Besides, you said it was free for life. You're not taking that back, are you?"
Teuchi's mouth twitched. He cursed Naruto hundreds of times in his heart, but could only force out a smile uglier than crying. "I'm not taking it back, I'm not! I'll make it right away!"
I knew this brat was up to no good! He schemes against the Hokage, then turns around and comes back to fleece me! What kind of sin did I commit?!
Ten minutes later.
The ramen shop door was gently pushed open.
Hinata walked in, clutching the hem of her clothes, her face red. The moment she saw Naruto, her eyes lit up, and she softly said, "Naruto-kun..."
"Hinata, you're here! Come sit!" Naruto warmly waved her over and patted the