As the sun climbed to its zenith, the heat began to rise from the training field. Three boys, looking as if they had been pulled out of the water, dragged their leaden legs and shuffled out of the training field.
I sweated so much, my throat was parched, and my stomach was pounding, protesting that all the energy I had that morning had been burned away.
"I can't take it anymore, I'm starving..." Naruto was the first to yell, hanging weakly on Rock Lee's arm, his blond hair dripping wet across his forehead, and his blue eyes glazed over with hunger.
Rock Lee was exhausted, but he was still full of energy. He licked his chapped lips and glanced at the street. "I need to eat something! Replenish my energy so I can keep burning with youthful vigor this afternoon!"
Shira didn't speak, she just nodded; her throat was also dry and sore.
My gaze swept over the shop signs on both sides of the street until I saw the familiar " Ichiraku " sign with its red background and black lettering, and the warm-colored curtain at the entrance.
The aroma wafting from the shop is rich and mellow, a blend of pork bone and seafood broth, along with the bubbling sound of ramen noodles simmering in boiling water.
This taste, ah~
"There it is." Shira raised her chin expectantly.
" Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto's eyes lit up instantly, as if his blood had been pumped back to normal. He let go of Rock Lee and charged forward, shouting, "Hooray! Teuchi's ramen is the best!"
Three mud-covered boys lifted the curtain, and an even stronger aroma of food and warm, moist steam wafted out, instantly enveloping them.
The shop wasn't big; there were seven or eight bar stools in front of the counter, and not many people were around at the moment. A kind-looking Teuchi- aged man with a headscarf and a pretty young woman were busy behind the counter.
Seeing them enter, especially Naruto was leading the group, the man smiled familiarly, "Yo, Naruto, you brought friends? Come on in, have a seat!"
"Hmm! Teuchi Uncle! Same as always, miso chashu ramen, extra-large bowl!"
Naruto, familiar with the place, darted to the innermost seat and sat down, patting the stool next to him to call out to Rock Lee and Shira, "Here, here!"
Shira and Rock Lee sat down next to him. The stool was a bit high, Naruto's feet just touched the ground, dangling back and forth. Rock Lee sat upright, curiously looking at the simple furnishings of the shop and the menu posted on the wall.
Shira watched as the Teuchi uncle skillfully grabbed the noodles, rinsed them, poured soup over them, and added char siu and side dishes. His movements were fluid and graceful, exuding a reassuring, down-to-earth charm.
Soon, three steaming bowls of ramen, piled high like small mountains, were placed in front of them.
Naruto's bowl was especially impressive, with thick slices of char siu, a perfectly round soft-boiled egg, and garnished with vibrant green scallions and seaweed flakes. The rich, white broth exuded an irresistible allure.
"Let's eat!" The three of them said almost in unison, grabbed their chopsticks, and started slurping down the food, not even caring that it was hot.
For a moment, the only sounds in the shop were the slurping of noodles, the slurping of soup, and satisfied sighs.
The fatigue and hunger after training were soothed by this bowl of piping hot, delicious, chewy noodles and rich soup.
Sweat was still flowing, but it was the sweat from a hearty meal.
"Ah! I'm alive again! What a satisfying lunch!" Shira couldn't help but exclaim with satisfaction.
Naruto had already devoured most of his bowl. He looked up, his lips glistening with oil, a bit of broth on the tip of his nose, his blue eyes narrowed into crescents. "Uncle Teuchi's noodles are the best in the world!"