After sending Naruto off, Yuuta began tidying up the shop, preparing to close for the day.
Just then, the system chimed again with a ding.
[Congratulations, Host! You've completed F-Rank Achievement: "I Haven't Been a Boss in Years."]
Achievement: "I Haven't Been a Boss in Years"
Description: In the Naruto world, the host has become a big brother figure to an important character.
Current follower count: 1. Upgradable.
Reward: Basic Ninja Techniques, Substitution Jutsu, Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu.
"…System, does your mom know how stingy you are?"
Yuuta narrowed his eyes at the reward, unimpressed.
Honestly, basic jutsu?
That barely moved the needle for him.
Can't you at least give me something cool, like the Great Fireball Technique?
He'd been envious of the Uchiha clan's flashy fire-style jutsu for ages.
Powerful and stylish, nothing screamed "chick magnet" more than fire jutsu.
The system paused for a second, as if genuinely considering his complaint.
[Apologies. The host cannot acquire any jutsu through external sources.]
Yuuta sighed deeply.
"I knew it… Shouldn't have pinned my hopes on you."
He took a breath and calmed the frustration in his chest.
As one of the many transmigrators out there, his circumstances were already rougher than most. Maybe not the first to suffer, but certainly a top contender for the title of "most tragic isekai chef."
With his stomach grumbling from all the chaos earlier, Yuuta channeled his anger into hunger and decided to make himself a fresh bowl of beef ramen.
First step: dough.
Yuuta measured out the flour, sifted it with a bit of salt, and shaped it into a little mound.
With practiced fingers, he carved a crater in the center like a volcano. Into that well, he cracked an egg and poured in just the right amount of water.
Spreading his fingers, he gradually folded in the surrounding flour, forming it into a clumpy, snowflake-like texture, tiny clusters the size of grapes.
Next came the real grind: patience.
Bit by bit, he added more water to the remaining flour, repeating the motion until the entire mixture became evenly hydrated.
Eventually, it all came together into a soft dough.
But the job wasn't done yet.
Yuuta took the snowflake clumps and kneaded them firmly. Bit by bit, they fused into a smooth, elastic dough ball.
He let out a long breath.
God, this really is back-breaking work.
For someone still skinny and undernourished, kneading dough was torture. Especially since it required both yang strength and yin control.
The perfect dough needed both.
He'd give today's effort a solid 80 out of 100, not bad for his current condition.
Moving on, Yuuta grabbed a knife and halved the dough. Then, taking a rolling pin, he flattened the halves into thin, circular sheets.
This, too, was harder than it looked.
Though soft to the touch, the dough resisted his efforts, fighting every press and roll.
From time to time, he sprinkled dry flour over the sheet, folding it gently like a fan. He repeated this step over and over, pushing and pulling the pin until the sheet reached the desired thinness, almost as delicate as wonton skin.
He folded it once more and sliced it into even noodles.
With the noodles ready, everything else was a breeze.
Yuuta boiled a pot of water, tossed the fresh noodles in, and cooked them until just right. Then, he strained them and dunked them into a bowl of cold water.
That shock of cold tightened the noodles, giving them a springy, chewy texture.
Once chilled, he lifted them out and placed them into a bowl of prepared broth.
But this wasn't just any broth.
It was made from the bones of a low-tier summoning beast, an ox-type creature native to the Naruto world. The resulting broth was crystal-clear and free of any impurities.
He gently layered thin slices of beef on top of the noodles, then sprinkled green onions for color and aroma.
And there it was.
A piping hot bowl of beef ramen, steaming with fragrant promise.
Yuuta was instantly enveloped by the rising mist, steam rich with the scent of meat, onion, flour, and seasoned stock.
The history of beef ramen ran deep. Its allure had touched generations.
Beef ramen had been around for generations, passed down through quiet kitchens and family tables. Its recipe changed with time, but the comfort stayed the same.
And that belief… was Yuuta's confidence.
No way. No matter what Ichiraku serves, there's no way it can beat my own beef ramen recipe!
Without hesitation, Yuuta picked up a slice of beef and popped it into his mouth.
As his teeth sank in, an explosion of juice burst forth.
The texture, slippery, tender, firm, was perfect. It wasn't just meat; it was like biting into savory chewing gum.
With every chew, rich juice gushed out, flooding his tongue and numbing his taste buds in the most delicious way.
Next came the noodles.
Threaded with tiny green onions, they practically glowed with aroma. The smell was so strong it made Yuuta's mouth water uncontrollably.
Slurp!
He swallowed a whole mouthful.
Perfection.
The noodles were elastic, smooth, and full of bounce. Like eating gourmet rubber bands, in the best way possible.
Finally, he brought the bowl to his lips and took a sip of broth.
It was exactly what he'd hoped.
Made from summoning beast bones, the soup was clear but not bland, rich but not greasy. It warmed his throat, filled his belly, and left him in a cocoon of cozy satisfaction.
Yes. This is the taste of victory.
THUNK!
Just then, a kunai came flying in from outside.
It embedded itself deep into the floorboards.
Tied to it… was a note.
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
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