However, Shisui wasn't particularly fond of ramen, and given his current mood, he didn't feel like eating.
He politely declined Arata's offer and quietly left.
Arata didn't press him, understanding his state of mind.
Watching Shisui's figure fade into the morning light, he sighed softly, rubbing his slightly warm eyes.
"Maa… no one to eat with me, huh? Fine then. I'll just eat by myself.
And I'm going to get the extra-large deluxe tonkotsu ramen!"
Muttering under his breath, Arata turned toward the village.
The riverside, empty as ever, fell silent once more.
The morning sun shimmered across the rippling surface of the water .....peaceful and serene.
Though Arata had come quite early, Ichiraku Ramen was already bustling.
As soon as he entered, he called out cheerfully, "Hey, Uncle Teuchi! I'll have one extra-large deluxe ramen!"
Then he paused, rubbing his stomach and adding, "Actually, make that two ... one tonkotsu and one miso!"
Arata was still growing, and last night's energy expenditure had been enormous. Two oversized bowls of ramen? Manageable .....with effort.
Most Ichiraku customers were shinobi, and chakra training burned immense energy.
Especially those from the Akimichi clan ....the true gluttons among ninja.
So Uncle Teuchi wasn't surprised at all by Arata's order. At most, he just gave him a mildly curious glance.
Besides, Arata was a regular customer.
Ever since becoming a jōnin, his mission rewards had increased significantly, and with no family to support, he never skimped on food.
Whenever he came, he always ordered ramen with plenty of toppings. So Teuchi didn't bat an eye at the "extra-large deluxe" request.
"Iyami, come out and help," Teuchi called, realizing he was getting busy.
Arata settled onto a stool, waiting patiently. He casually glanced around the shop ..... no familiar faces, no acquaintances.
After a short while, his ramen was ready.
A petite girl wearing a white chef's cap emerged carefully from the kitchen, carrying two steaming bowls.
The heat flushed her cheeks pink as she gently placed the ramen in front of him.
"Arata-nii," she said softly, "your ramen's ready. Be careful, it's hot!"
As a regular at Ichiraku Ramen, Uchiha Arata was naturally well-acquainted with both Teuchi and his daughter, Ayame.
Every time the shop got busy, it was always Ayame who helped out.....adding toppings, serving bowls, running back and forth behind the counter.
If she weren't Teuchi's daughter, people might've already reported him for child labor.
Arata thanked her politely and was just about to start eating when he noticed something unusual....a second egg in his bowl, more than usual.
Glancing up, he caught Ayame giving him a quick wink before rushing back to work, her face flushed from the heat of the kitchen.
Watching the little girl sweating and bustling about, then glancing back at his ramen, Arata couldn't help but chuckle.
"Uncle Teuchi," he called out teasingly, "Ayame's so considerate and adorable! When she grows up, you'd better save her for me!"
Teuchi laughed heartily while ladling broth into another bowl.
"Arata, don't tease my daughter like that! She's still young. Besides, you know how your Uchiha clan is.
You may not forbid marriages with outsiders like the Hyuga, but it's not exactly encouraged either.
Especially someone like you.....a known genius of the clan. The elders would never allow it."
Hearing this, Ayame's face turned an even deeper shade of red.
She quickly ducked her head, pretending to focus on her work, though her hands trembled slightly.
Arata had only been joking, but Teuchi's words hit closer to home than expected.
The man was right....those old geezers in the clan, especially the Great Elder, might support him wholeheartedly now because of his Mangekyō Sharingan, but if he ever dared to propose marriage to an outsider… they'd be the first to block it.
And honestly, it made sense. If he enjoyed the privileges and protection of the Uchiha name, he also bore the responsibility of upholding it.
The Uchiha and Hyuga clans both possessed powerful hereditary kekkei genkai.
To preserve those bloodlines, they had to maintain purity within their lineage.....otherwise, the inherited power would weaken over generations, leading to decline.
Still, Arata wasn't too bothered. By the time he even considered marriage, his power would likely have reached heights beyond anyone's imagination.
When that time came, he wouldn't have to follow the rules....he'd be the one making them.
That thought brought a small smirk to his lips, and suddenly, his ramen tasted even better.
Truly, Ichiraku's fame was well-deserved...the noodles had the perfect chew, the broth was rich, and every topping blended in harmony.
Unless someone outright disliked noodles, no one could resist falling in love with this flavor.
Just as Arata finished his noodles and started sipping the broth, Ayame came over again, carefully carrying his second bowl.
Her cheeks were still rosy as she placed it before him. "Arata-nii, be careful—it's hot!"
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