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Chapter 4 - Followed on the Way Home

The next morning, at dawn.

Uchiha Jin yawned, pushed open his door, and filled his lungs with the crisp air. Another day, full of energy.

After a quick wash, he headed for Ichiraku again. First things first, fill the stomach.

"Ugh, what bad luck."

"Ran into that disgrace of the Uchiha again. Why does he not just drop dead?"

"Forget it, ignore him."

"…"

Clanmates tossed jeers at him all along the way.

No one actually rushed up to challenge him.

Not for lack of desire, but because there was no way to win.

Jin's skin was too thick, like a city wall.

No matter how they mocked him, it did nothing.

Pick a fight, demand a duel?

Before they could make a move, he would concede with a straight face, without a shred of honor.

Damn it.

They could not just beat him for no reason either.

Uchiha pride would not allow a public disgrace to the clan.

So they could only stew.

Cursing from afar was the most they could manage, and even that had grown infrequent.

"…"

Jin's eyes narrowed.

He looked around at the clan and grinned wider.

He loved that look they wore, annoyed at him yet unable to do a thing.

So satisfying.

Since no one made a real move, he had no interest in stirring the pot. With a dismissive smile, he stepped into Ichiraku.

"Teuchi-san, I am back."

"Anything will do. I am starving."

Jin made himself at home, flopping into a seat and calling into the back.

Teuchi greeted him with a smile and went to cook.

Ayame, on the other hand, came storming out.

"Uchiha Jin, you are too much."

"My dad took pity on you back then, but you cannot freeload breakfast every morning."

"This is outrageous."

Ichiraku served only lunch and dinner. Mornings were closed.

Seven or eight years ago, fresh after arriving in this world, Jin had come to negotiate with Teuchi.

He promised to eat lunch and dinner there every day and asked if Teuchi could make a little extra breakfast when cooking for the family.

He paid, of course.

Teuchi had seen a pitiful orphan with no parents and a boldness rare for a child who came to bargain alone.

Even an Uchiha with a bad reputation was, in the end, just a lonely kid.

So Teuchi waved it off.

Breakfast was on the house.

For lunch and dinner he charged near cost.

Tabs could run until month's end, and even then Teuchi would charge less.

In short, Jin had eaten there for almost nothing.

Which was why he could not act tough with Ayame now.

He gave an awkward grin and hurried to speak.

"Ayame-nee, do not be mad."

"I have graduated. I am a proper shinobi and can take missions to earn money."

"From now on, Teuchi-san is my real dad and you are my real little sister. I will treat you both well for life."

"Teuchi-san's retirement is on me."

He said it with swagger.

He meant it.

He had never forgotten the kindness of Teuchi's family.

He was not an ingrate and would repay it.

Ayame: "…"

She rolled her eyes so hard it hurt.

Good grief.

"Do not get ahead of yourself, brat."

"I will take care of my dad. We do not need your thick skin."

"Wait, no."

"I am older by a few months. You should call me big sister. Since when did I become the little one?"

Jin laughed.

They bantered back and forth, and the shop filled with easy laughter.

For a moment, he felt a taste of the home he had known in his previous life.

As for the Uchiha compound?

Not worth mentioning.

"All right, that is enough," Teuchi said, bringing out the food. "Both of you, wash up and eat."

At his word, they traded a look and a huff, then obediently went to wash their hands.

An hour later.

The three finished eating, and Jin did not leave.

He stayed to help the father and daughter prep for the noon opening.

When it was nearly lunchtime, he downed a quick bowl, patted his belly, and started home.

Truthfully, he meant to keep helping.

In the past he would eat and run because he had no system and had to grind training just to survive.

Now things were different.

With the system backing him, there was no need to work as hard.

Too bad Teuchi would not hear of it.

Since Jin was now a shinobi and headed for the front in a few days, Teuchi insisted he go home and prepare.

Jin could only shrug. Some things could not be explained.

He turned to go.

Walking the busy street, he could not help frowning.

He had sensed eyes on him since morning, when he first arrived at Ichiraku.

They were still there.

Who could it be.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Shimura Danzo.

Orochimaru.

Names flickered through his mind.

No answer.

He prided himself on keeping a low profile. He should not have drawn attention.

After a moment's thought, he settled on a course.

Respond by not responding.

He was a useless Uchiha on paper, so he would act like he had noticed nothing.

In the past, being tailed would have rattled him.

He had needed to train every day, afraid someone would discover his hidden strength.

Now it was different.

With the Lie Flat and Slack Off System, he did not need daily practice at all.

Surveillance would gain nothing.

The realization drew a faint smile to his lips.

Calm again, he yawned and strolled home.

Ten minutes later.

He returned, collapsed onto the sofa, and shut his eyes for a nap.

A good habit from his previous life. He had not dared take breaks in earlier years. Now he could pick it back up and cultivate it.

WHOOSH!

At that moment, a figure appeared outside the small courtyard.

Black combat gear, a green flak vest, and the Uchiha crest stitched at the cuffs.

Red and white. The fan of flame.

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