"Kushina, is Naruto kicking too much today?"
Minato asked gently as they waited for their ramen, his hand resting over hers on the counter.
Kushina rubbed her belly, a soft smile gracing her face. "Oh no, our baby is being very good. I think he's going to grow up to be just like Master Jiraiya, full of energy."
"You've worked so hard," Minato whispered, his eyes full of adoration. "I can't be by your side every day."
"Don't be silly. You're doing it for the village," Kushina replied, squeezing his hand. "You're the Hokage now. And soon, you won't have to go on dangerous missions anymore."
The couple gazed into each other's eyes, lost in their own world.
Teuchi watched them with a nostalgic smile, stirring the broth.
Tonbo, however, was struck speechless. He had to endure this public display of affection while kneading dough.
Well, he thought, a pang of sadness hitting him. It's not bad. At least I can witness their happiness. In the future, even Naruto won't get to see this.
Swish!
Driven by a mix of sentimentality and chakra control, the dough in his hands danced. He pulled and folded, transforming the lump into perfectly uniform strands of noodles in seconds.
Slap!
He presented the batch to Teuchi. The older man checked the elasticity and nodded with approval.
"Here you go. Tonkotsu Ramen. Enjoy."
Teuchi placed the steaming bowls before the couple.
"Thank you, Boss," Minato said politely.
Just then, the shop curtain parted. Ayame walked in, carrying a delivery box. She looked flushed and tired.
Tonbo's eyes lit up. He abandoned his station and hurried over.
"Let me take that. You look exhausted."
He took the heavy box from her hands with one smooth motion. With his other hand, he pulled a tissue from his pocket and gently dabbed the sweat from her forehead.
Ayame didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into his touch, smiling.
"Thank you, Tonbo-kun."
"Don't mention it, hehe."
Tonbo grinned, his cheeks flushing red beneath the bandages.
Their intimate moment naturally caught the attention of the two super-ninja at the counter.
"Look, Minato," Kushina whispered, her eyes twinkling. "That boy is just as gentle as you are."
Minato blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "Haha, was I really like that?"
He glanced at Tonbo. So that's why a Chunin from the Intel Division is working in a ramen shop. He found love.
Earlier, Minato had briefly wondered if Tonbo was an undercover guard assigned by Danzo. Now, he realized it was just teenage romance.
"Ayame! Can you give me a hand?" Teuchi called out from the back, breaking the mood.
"Coming! I'll help Dad first. We can hang out after closing," Ayame whispered to Tonbo.
"Hehe, today is the Hokage's inauguration. I have the day off, so I'm helping too."
Tonbo followed her to the prep area. "Look, I already learned how to knead and pull noodles!"
He showed off his handiwork.
Ayame poked the dough, impressed. "Amazing! It took me ages to learn that!"
Tonbo preened under her praise. Having a transmigration-enhanced brain made picking up manual skills a breeze.
He glanced back at Minato and Kushina.
Just affection. I can show that too.
"Oh, by the way," Minato turned on his stool, addressing Tonbo. "You were classmates with Kakashi, right?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Tonbo replied, his tone respectful but conversational. "And Obito and Rin. I heard they studied under you."
He injected a hint of envy into his voice. "Kakashi grew into a Jonin so fast because he had a great teacher. Talent isn't everything; battlefield experience needs guidance."
Minato's smile faltered slightly at the mention of his team.
"Obito... is gone," Minato said quietly.
"Ah... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to offend," Tonbo bowed his head instantly.
So it definitely happened. The timeline is intact.
"Are Kakashi and Rin okay?" Tonbo asked, keeping up the act of a concerned classmate.
Minato offered a sad, weary smile. "They're managing. No one is immortal in war. That's why we have to get stronger—to protect the comrades we have left."
"That's right. Damn this war," Tonbo agreed with genuine feeling.
He hated war. He would rather be a loafer in peacetime than a dragon in wartime.
Minato seemed to appreciate the boy's candor. Tonbo was talented, calm, and quick-witted, but he also had a solid moral compass. And crucially, he didn't ask sensitive political questions.
They chatted for a while longer, with Kushina occasionally chiming in with a joke or a laugh. Ayame watched Tonbo conversing easily with the leader of the village, her face glowing with pride.
He looks so handsome when he's serious.
Eventually, Minato and Kushina finished their meal. They paid and left, disappearing into the night to attend to the endless duties of the Hokage.
Tonbo watched them go.
Rin is still alive. That means the Three-Tails incident hasn't happened yet. And Kakashi wasn't with them... he must be on a solo mission.
"Alright, you two get out of here," Teuchi grumbled, wiping the counter. "The rush is over. I can handle the rest."
The sun had set, and the lanterns of the night market were flickering to life.
Teuchi felt like a third wheel watching his daughter make googly eyes at the bandaged boy. It was better to send them away.
"Okay, Dad! Come on, Tonbo!"
Ayame grabbed Tonbo's hand and dragged him out of the shop.
"Tonbo-kun, can you take off the bandages while we walk?"
"Of course. For a date with Ayame-nee, I have to show my face."
"Yay!"
They strolled through the festival atmosphere of the village. They caught goldfish (Tonbo used chakra control to cheat slightly). They threw darts. They ate takoyaki and sushi.
The moonlight bathed them in a soft glow, witnessing their blossoming romance.
It was perfect.
Unfortunately, Tonbo had no luck.
"Yo! Isn't that Captain Tonbo?"
A familiar, teasing voice shattered the mood.
"You... you actually have a girlfriend?"
Tonbo froze. A black line of annoyance appeared on his forehead.
He turned slowly to see Seishi standing behind them, a smirk plastered on his face.
"Seishi..." Tonbo growled. "Don't you have a Genjutsu to practice?"