Otsutsuki Ichiraku

"That's good, then." Clan Leader Fugaku's voice was calm, but it carried an unquestionable authority. "I've called everyone here today because we face some important decisions."

The atmosphere in the conference room immediately grew even more tense.

Everyone listened closely as Fugaku spoke. "Starting tomorrow, none of you need to come in."

Uchiha Fugaku's words were like a boulder dropped into a still lake, causing an uproar.

"Wh... What exactly is going on?"

"Clan Leader, do you mean..."

"Could it be the village..."

"They've gone too far!"

"Wait, let me finish!" Uchiha Fugaku waved a hand, cutting off the discussion. "I'm giving you all a month's vacation at full pay. It's paid leave, so you can spend it however you like, traveling or keeping your families company. I know you've worked hard day and night and endured a great deal of unfair treatment!"

Fugaku really took his time getting to the point! Koki rolled his eyes inwardly.

Uchiha Fugaku's words were like a warm current, instantly dispelling the tension in the conference room.

They had thought something serious had happened that demanded an urgent response. They never expected the clan leader to give them a whole month off! And with pay!

This was wonderful news! Their nerves had been stretched taut day after day, and they desperately needed an outlet.

"Thank you, Clan Leader!" someone couldn't help cheering, his voice full of gratitude and joy.

"Thank you, Clan Leader!" The crowd's cheers nearly lifted the roof.

The cheerful atmosphere made Uchiha Fugaku smile and nod. "Naoya, arrange the shifts. Just send a squad to patrol the Uchiha Clan's streets each day. Squad leaders, stay behind. Everyone else, go home and rest. Remember, this month belongs to you. Don't let anyone or anything interrupt your vacation. Of course, you mustn't neglect your daily training!"

"Yes, Clan Leader!" everyone answered in unison before leaving the conference room one after another.

Only a little over thirty squad leaders remained in the conference room.

"I know you're all confused right now. Brother Yashiro, tell them what we discussed at the clan meeting," Fugaku instructed.

"Yes!"

Uchiha Yashiro briefly told them what had happened at the clan meeting. After hearing him out, everyone looked at Koki in surprise.

"Is... Is that true?" one squad leader asked, still finding it hard to believe.

"Yes! Koki was the one who made those suggestions!" Yashiro said firmly.

"What an impressive young man!"

"Like father, like son!"

"Not at all. I only did what I should have," Koki said, shaking his head modestly.

"Koki, you're amazing!" someone praised him loudly.

"Koki, you're amazing!" another person echoed.

As everyone's praise grew more exaggerated, Koki leaned to one side and covered his cheeks with both hands, doing his best not to let his feelings show. He felt his heart race, as if it were about to leap out of his chest.

Being the center of everyone's attention felt new and nerve-racking. It was something he had never experienced in his previous life.

He turned to Shisui, a radiant smile spreading across his face. Shisui returned a gentle smile, his eyes full of affection.

"All right, stop praising him, or his tail will reach the sky again," Fugaku said, breaking their exchange of glances. "Tomorrow, when the heads of the major clans go to meet with the Hokage, I'll take the opportunity to resign. If there's nothing else, you're dismissed. Naoya, come here. I have something to tell you. Koki, Shisui, you two go home."

"Yes!"

At Fugaku's words, Koki felt as if he had been set free. He clutched Shisui's hand and ran out.

"Come on! It's noon, so let's get something to eat first. I'll take you somewhere delicious!" Koki wanted to take Shisui to try Itachi's favorite three-color dango.

"Okay!" Shisui replied cheerfully. For some reason, he felt incredibly happy whenever he was with Koki.

Koki and Shisui strolled along the road to the snack street. It was noon, and the streets were bustling with people. All kinds of aromas wafted toward them, and Koki's eyes sparkled with excitement as his stomach began to growl.

"Holy crap! This is..." Looking at the Ichiraku Ramen Restaurant before him, Koki abandoned his plans for three-color dango without hesitation and pulled Shisui into Ichiraku Ramen.

Of course he did. Back when he watched the anime, he had wanted to taste Ichiraku Ramen and find out what made it so delicious that Naruto was so obsessed with it.

He had searched high and low, only to find it without any effort! He had to eat here!

The Ichiraku Ramen Shop was simply decorated and welcoming. The two Uchiha Clan youths sat side by side.

The noodle prices were posted on the wall: regular ramen, 60 ryo; special ramen, 70 ryo; wild vegetable ramen, 65 ryo; tonkotsu ramen, 60 ryo; special char siu ramen, 75 ryo; ramen with an egg, 65 ryo; miso char siu ramen, 90 ryo; rice, 15 ryo.

"Welcome! What would you two like?" As soon as Koki entered, he saw the familiar ramen man.

That was right! This was the place!

But the shop was empty, and business didn't seem very good. Was it because Naruto, the protagonist, hadn't been born yet?

"Sir, I'll have a bowl of tonkotsu ramen. Shisui, what do you want?"

"I'll have a bowl of wild vegetable ramen."

"Coming right up! Just a moment, you two."

As soon as he finished speaking, Teuchi's aura flared as he began cooking the noodles. He seemed like a different person.

Koki stared in astonishment. No wonder people said he was Otsutsuki Ichiraku, the ultimate boss of Hokage!

"Slurp..." Koki narrowed his eyes after his very first mouthful.

As expected of the protagonist Naruto's favorite ramen, it tasted extraordinary. The steaming noodles were wonderfully chewy, the rich broth was fragrant, and the bowl was piled high with generous chunks of meat. The price was extremely reasonable, too. No wonder Naruto still lived on Ichiraku Ramen cup noodles in his office even after becoming the Seventh Hokage.

But Naruto couldn't eat as much as Hinata. In the big eater contest, Hinata had eaten over forty bowls and taken first place! It was ridiculous!

Naruto had eaten until he threw up beside her, and he hadn't even made the top three!

"Sir, another bowl of tonkotsu ramen!" Koki wolfed down the last bite and closed his eyes in satisfaction as he spoke to the young man, who was smiling especially kindly with his eyes narrowed.

"Don't overstuff yourself, Koki." Shisui hadn't even finished half his bowl, and Koki was already ordering a second. He was genuinely afraid Koki would overeat.

"Don't worry! I can finish what I order. It's all because he makes it so delicious, right?"

Koki gave the man a radiant smile. He said nothing, just smiled and gave Koki a thumbs-up.

After devouring his second bowl of ramen, Koki patted his round belly and slumped back in his chair, satisfied.