Konoha, Ichiraku Ramen.
The steaming ramen arrived at the table, and Naruto eagerly grabbed his chopsticks, shoveling mouthful after mouthful into his mouth.
"Mmm, mmm, mmm! Delicious! Ichiraku's ramen really is the best!"
Genya sat beside him, eating his noodles and glancing across the table to gauge Konan's reaction.
Konan held her bowl, her expression fairly calm.
"What do you think, Konan?"
Genya asked.
Konan swallowed a mouthful of noodles and nodded.
"...Not bad."
"Hehe!"
Even with his mouth stuffed full, Naruto couldn't resist chiming in.
"Ichiraku's ramen is the best in Konoha! No, the best in the whole Shinobi World! Have some more, Konan. It's my treat!"
Konan looked at the excessively enthusiastic blond boy, her gaze softening.
"Thank you."
Naruto waved it off and went back to devouring his noodles.
Sasuke sat beside Naruto, eating his noodles elegantly. Every so often, he looked up at Genya, as though he wanted to say something but held back.
Sakura sat nervously beside Sasuke, stealing occasional glances at Konan and silently comparing herself to her.
This blue-haired woman is so beautiful, and there's something so distinctive about her. Just what is her relationship with Genya?
Konohamaru sat at the far end, taking small bites of noodles, but his eyes stayed fixed on Naruto, his face full of admiration.
Over the course of the meal, Naruto poured out practically everything that had happened over the past few days.
The hardships of training, his annoyance at running into that group from Sunagakure, his anticipation for the Chunin Ninja Exams, and his complaints about Iruka-sensei...
Genya couldn't stop laughing as he listened, chiming in now and then. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
After finishing his noodles, Naruto patted his stomach and let out a satisfied burp.
"Ah, that hit the spot! Genya, can