Ichiraku Ramen

"Makoto, where exactly is this feast you promised?"

Obito followed Uchiha Makoto, looking around as he walked, practically drooling.

"Yeah, Makoto, my stomach's already growling!" Guy sniffed the air too, his eyes shining.

Uchiha Makoto walked ahead without looking back. "What's the rush? We're almost there."

In truth, he wasn't entirely sure himself.

He had only seen Ichiraku Ramen in the anime; he had never visited it in real life.

But now that he was here, he felt he would be missing something if he didn't try it at least once.

The top spot on the list of ten must-visit Naruto locations, Uchiha Makoto muttered inwardly. If I don't check it off, I can hardly call myself a transmigrator.

Both boys had performed brilliantly in this first exam, so Makoto had decided to splurge and take them out to celebrate.

After they turned down three streets, an old little building came into view.

Four large characters on its curtain read: Ichiraku Ramen.

"This is it." Uchiha Makoto stopped.

Obito and Guy exchanged a look, their expressions a little odd.

"Ramen?" Obito said quietly. "Makoto, this is the feast you were talking about?"

"What's wrong with ramen?" Uchiha Makoto pushed open the door. "Ichiraku Ramen is one of Konoha's finest. Everyone who tries it loves it."

"But..." Guy scratched his head. "Isn't ramen... really cheap?"

"Cheap doesn't mean it isn't good." Uchiha Makoto lifted the curtain. "Come on in."

The three entered the shop.

It wasn't large, with only seven or eight seats, but it was spotless. The counters gleamed, and the bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged.

A middle-aged man in a chef's hat was cooking noodles. He looked up at the sound.

"Welcome!" he said with a broad smile. "What would you three young customers like?"

Uchiha Makoto took a look at him.

Teuchi.

He looked about thirty, with a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes.

Exactly like he was in the anime.

"Three bowls of ramen," Uchiha Makoto said. "Your signature ramen."

"Coming right up!" Teuchi replied, getting to work.

Obito and Guy sat down, their eyes fixed on the menu.

"Tonkotsu ramen... miso ramen... soy sauce ramen..." Obito read under his breath. "They're all so expensive."

"Even the cheapest plain noodles cost fifty ryo," Guy whispered. "Makoto, how about we get those instead?"

Uchiha Makoto glanced at them.

Obito was an orphan who lived on his grandmother's pension and the clan's relief funds.

Guy's father was a perpetual Genin with a meager income.

Forget eating out-the two barely even had any pocket money.

"It's fine," Uchiha Makoto said. "It's my treat today. Order whatever you want."

"But Makoto, you're also..." Obito trailed off.

"I have money," Uchiha Makoto interrupted. "Really."

"Then... I'll have miso ramen." Obito hesitated, then picked the second-cheapest option.

"I'll have soy sauce ramen." Guy chose a cheap option too.

Uchiha Makoto said nothing.

He knew neither of them wanted him to spend too much.

"Three bowls of your signature ramen," he told Teuchi. "With extra chashu, eggs, and nori."

Teuchi paused and glanced at Uchiha Makoto.

"Young man, the signature ramen is quite expensive," he reminded him.

"I know." Uchiha Makoto nodded. "That's what we'll have."

Teuchi looked at Obito and Guy again.

The two children wore clothes washed so often they had faded, but they were very clean.

Their eyes were full of longing, tempered by a little awkwardness.

He understood.

"All right." Teuchi smiled. "Three signature ramen with extra toppings, coming right up!"

He turned to cook the noodles.

His movements were quick and practiced.

Ten minutes later, three steaming bowls of ramen were set before them.

Milky-white broth, golden noodles, thick slices of chashu, soft-boiled eggs, and vivid green nori.

It smelled good.

Really good.

Obito and Guy couldn't take their eyes off it.

"Dig in." Uchiha Makoto picked up his chopsticks.

The two exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads at the same time.

"Slurp-"

"Slurp, slurp-"

"It's delicious!" Obito said through a mouthful. "Makoto, this is really delicious!"

"Mm-hmm!" Guy nodded vigorously. "Way better than what my dad makes!"

Uchiha Makoto smiled.

He picked up his chopsticks too and took a bite.

The broth was rich and savory, the noodles had a satisfying bite, and the chashu melted in his mouth.

It really was delicious. No wonder Naruto loved coming here so much.

All three tucked into their food.

Teuchi stood behind the counter, watching them with a smile that never left his face.

Uchiha Makoto also noticed that his bowl, as well as Obito's and Guy's, had more meat and eggs than usual.

But he said nothing about it.

Once they had eaten their fill, Obito and Guy rubbed their bellies, looking thoroughly satisfied.

"Makoto, I'm coming here again," Obito said.

"Me too." Guy nodded. "Once I've saved enough money, I'll treat you."

"Sure." Uchiha Makoto smiled. "I'll look forward to it."

He stood and walked over to the counter.

"The bill, please."

Teuchi wiped his hands and came over. "Three signature ramen with extra toppings. That comes to..."

"Wait." Uchiha Makoto interrupted him. "Please include the extra toppings in the bill."

Teuchi paused.

"Young man, those were on the house. You don't have to pay for them."

"Please charge me for them." Uchiha Makoto took money from his pocket and set it on the counter. "Whatever the full price is."

Teuchi looked at the money, then at Uchiha Makoto.

This child from the Uchiha Clan was a little different.

The other Uchiha who came to eat were either arrogant or endlessly picky.

But this boy was quiet and polite.

And... very considerate.

"All right, then." Teuchi accepted the money. "Thank you for coming."

"I'm the one who should thank you." Uchiha Makoto bowed slightly. "The ramen was delicious."

With that, he turned and left.

Obito and Guy followed him.

Teuchi watched them go and smiled.

"An Uchiha who doesn't act like an Uchiha."

Outside the ramen shop, Obito and Guy were still savoring the meal.

"Makoto, that chashu was so good," Obito said.

"The broth was great too," Guy added.

Uchiha Makoto said nothing. He was thinking about something else.

He had tried Ichiraku Ramen, and it really did taste good.

But the person who had left a deeper impression on him was Teuchi.

Kind, welcoming, and a little... stubborn.

He could have charged more, yet he insisted on giving things away.

He could have served less meat, yet he insisted on adding extra.

There aren't many people like him in Konoha, Uchiha Makoto thought.

Just then, a commotion sounded up ahead.

"Let go of me! I haven't broken any laws!"

"Haven't broken any laws? You were insulting people in the street and disturbing the peace. You're coming back to the Konoha Military Police Force with me!"

Uchiha Makoto looked up.

A member of the Uchiha Clan was gripping a civilian by the collar.

The civilian was a middle-aged man in coarse cloth clothes, his face full of anger.

A crowd had gathered around them, pointing and whispering, but no one dared step forward.

"It's Kanehi," Obito whispered. "He's from our clan."

Uchiha Makoto knew Kanehi.

He was a Chunin who worked for the Konoha Military Police Force.

He was always overbearing and seemed to find fault with everyone.