“Brother Makoto, where is this feast you promised us anyway?” Obito followed behind Makoto Uchiha, looking around as they walked, drool practically running down his chin.
“Yeah, Brother Makoto, my stomach’s already growling!” Guy sniffled, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Makoto Uchiha walked ahead without turning back.
“What’s the rush?
We’re almost there.” In truth, he wasn’t entirely sure either.
He had only seen Ichiraku Ramen in anime and had never visited it in real life.
Still, since he was here, he felt he would be missing out if he didn’t try it at least once.
*Number one on Konoha’s top ten tourist spots,* Makoto thought to himself.
*If I don’t check this place out, I can hardly call myself a transmigrator.* Since both Obito and Guy had performed brilliantly in the initial exam, Makoto decided to spend a little extra to treat them in celebration.
After turning down three streets, an old two-story building came into view.
Four large characters were written on the curtain hanging at the entrance: Ichiraku Ramen.
“This is it,” Makoto said, coming to a halt.
Obito and Guy exchanged a look, their expressions subtly disappointed.
“Ramen?” Obito muttered softly.
“Brother Makoto, *this* is the big feast you talked about?” “What’s wrong with ramen?” Makoto pushed the door open.
“Ichiraku Ramen is a Konoha institution.
Anyone who eats here loves it.” “But…” Guy scratched his head.
“Isn’t ramen…
really cheap?” “Cheap doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious.” Makoto lifted the curtain.
“Come on in.” The three stepped inside.
The shop was small, with only seven or eight seats, but it was spotlessly clean.
The counter was polished to a shine, and the bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged.
A middle-aged man wearing a chef’s hat was boiling noodles.
Hearing them come in, he raised his head.
“Welcome!” he greeted with a warm smile.
“Young customers, what can I get for you today?” Makoto glanced at him.
Teuchi.
He looked to be in his thirties, with a welcoming smile and bright, lively eyes.
Just like in the anime.
“Three bowls of ramen,” Makoto said.
“Make them the house special.” “Coming right up!” Teuchi called out and immediately got to work.
Obito and Guy sat down, their eyes glued to the menu board.
“Tonkotsu ramen…
Miso ramen…
Shoyu ramen…” Obito read softly under his breath.
“These are all so expensive.” “Even the cheapest plain noodles cost 50 Ryo,” Guy whispered.
“Brother Makoto, why don’t we just get the plain noodles?” Makoto looked at the two of them.
Obito was an orphan living off his grandmother’s pension and clan relief funds.
Guy’s father was an Eternal Genin who earned a meager income.
Let alone eating out at a restaurant, neither of them had much pocket money to begin with.
“Don’t worry,” Makoto said.
“It’s my treat today.
Order whatever you want.” “But Brother Makoto, you’re also—” Obito started to say.
“I have money,” Makoto interrupted him.
“Seriously.” “Then…
I’ll have the Miso ramen,” Obito said after a moment’s hesitation, picking the second cheapest option.
“I’ll have the Shoyu ramen,” Guy added, also choosing a cheaper option.
Makoto didn’t say anything.
He knew these two just didn’t want him to overspend.
“Three house specials,” he said to Teuchi.
“Extra chashu, extra eggs, and extra seaweed.” Teuchi paused for a moment and looked at Makoto.
“Young man, the house special with extra toppings is pretty pricey,” he cautioned gently.
“I know,” Makoto nodded.
“Make it the house specials.” Teuchi looked at Obito and Guy again.
The two boys wore faded clothes, though they were clean enough.
Their eyes burned with craving, yet they looked restrained and self-conscious.
He understood.
“Alright!” Teuchi grinned.
“Three house specials with extra toppings coming right up!” He turned to cook the noodles, his movements swift and practiced.
Ten minutes later, three piping hot bowls of ramen were served.
The broth was creamy white, the noodles golden, the chashu thick, the eggs soft-boiled, and the seaweed vibrant green.
It smelled incredible.
Absolutely delicious.
Obito and Guy’s eyes widened.
“Eat up,” Makoto said, picking up his chopsticks.
The two exchanged a glance and then dug in simultaneously.
“Slurp—” “Slurp, slurp—” “So good!” Obito mumbled with his mouth full.
“Brother Makoto, this is amazing!” “Yeah!” Guy nodded vigorously.
“Tastes way better than what my dad cooks!” Makoto chuckled.
He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite as well.
The broth was rich, the noodles chewy, and the chashu melted in his mouth.
It really was delicious—no wonder Naruto loved coming here so much.
The three chowed down greedily.
Standing behind the counter, Teuchi watched them with a smile that never left his face.
Makoto noticed that all three of their bowls had significantly more meat and eggs than a normal serving.
He didn’t mention it, though.
Full and satisfied, Obito and Guy rubbed their bellies with contented looks.
“Brother Makoto, I’m definitely coming back next time,” Obito said.
“Me too,” Guy agreed with a nod.
“Once I save up enough money, I’ll treat you!” “Sounds good,” Makoto smiled.
“I’ll hold you to it.” He stood up and walked to the counter.
“Boss, check please.” Teuchi wiped his hands and came over.
“Three house specials with extra toppings, that comes to…” “Wait,” Makoto interrupted.
“Boss, include the cost of the extra toppings.” Teuchi blinked in surprise.
“Young man, those extra toppings were on the house.
No need to pay for them.” “You have to charge for them,” Makoto said, pulling out money from his pocket and placing it on the counter.
“Whatever the full price is, take it.” Teuchi looked down at the money, then up at Makoto.
This kid from the Uchiha Clan was a little different.
When other Uchiha came to eat, they were either arrogant and pushy or picky and demanding.
But this boy was quiet, polite…
and remarkably mature.
“Alright then.” Teuchi took the money.
“Thank you for your business.” “I should be the one thanking you,” Makoto bowed slightly.
“The ramen was delicious.” With that, he turned and left, Obito and Guy trailing behind him.
Watching their receding backs, Teuchi chuckled softly to himself.
“An Uchiha who doesn’t act like an Uchiha.” Stepping out of the shop, Obito and Guy were still savoring the memory.
“Brother Makoto, that chashu was so good,” Obito said.
“And the broth was amazing too,” Guy added.
Makoto didn’t respond; his mind was on other things.
He had finally eaten at Ichiraku Ramen, and the food was indeed good.
But what left an even deeper impression on him was Teuchi himself.
Kind, warm, and a bit…
stubborn.
He could have charged full price, yet insisted on giving it away.
He could have given less meat, yet insisted on throwing in extra.
*People like him are rare in Konoha,* Makoto thought.
Just as he was pondering this, a loud commotion broke out up ahead.
“Let go of me!
I didn’t break any laws!” “Didn’t break any laws?
You were cursing in public and disturbing the peace!
Come with me to the Military Police Force!” Makoto looked up.
An Uchiha clan member was grabbing a civilian by the collar.
The civilian was a middle-aged man dressed in rough cloth clothes, his face flushed with rage.
A crowd had gathered around them, pointing and whispering, but no one dared step forward.
“That’s Tonka,” Obito whispered.
“From our clan.” Makoto recognized Tonka.
He was a Chunin working in the Military Police Force.
He was usually domineering and looked down on everyone.