"Kushina, Naruto didn't cause too much trouble today, did he?" Minato asked while waiting for his ramen.
Kushina patted her stomach. "Oh, stop it! Our baby is very well-behaved; how could he cause trouble? I have a feeling that when he grows up, he'll be a man unlike Jiraiya-sensei."
"You've worked hard. I'm sorry I can't be by your side every day."
"Don't be like that! You're doing it for the village, and now you've become the Hokage, right? You won't have to go out on missions as often anymore."
As the couple chatted, they had eyes only for each other. Watching them, Teuchi wore a nostalgic expression. Only Tobitake Tonbo was left speechless, talk about public displays of affection.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
With that mindset, the dough in his hands moved like a flying dragon. He quickly formed it into springy, chewy noodles.
"Hah!"
He presented them to Teuchi, who inspected them and nodded, very satisfied with the texture. Shortly after, a steaming bowl of ramen was placed in front of Minato.
"Here you go, Tonkotsu Ramen. Please enjoy."
"Thank you, Teuchi," Minato replied politely.
Just then, Ayame walked in through the door, carrying a delivery box for noodles. Tonbo's eyes lit up. He put down his work and walked over.
"Let me help you. You must be tired; let me wipe your sweat." He took the box and used a tissue to dab her forehead.
Ayame didn't pull away; instead, she beamed with a smile. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it, hehe!" Tonbo laughed, blushing. However, since his face was wrapped in bandages, no one could see it.
The intimate scene naturally fell into the eyes of the two elite ninjas.
"Look, Minato, this boy is just as gentle as you are," Kushina said nostalgically. Minato had been exactly like that back in the day.
Minato turned a bit red. Thinking back to doing such things at that age felt a bit embarrassing. "Haha, well, we are both children who have inherited the Will of Fire!"
Minato's gaze swept over Tonbo. No wonder he's a ninja helping out in this shop; he's found love. Earlier, Minato had almost wondered if his own movements had been leaked.
"Ayame, I need help!" Teuchi's voice called from the back.
"Coming! I'll go help first. I'll come find you to play once we close up," Ayame said.
"Humph, today is the day of the Hokage's inauguration, so I don't have to work. I'll stay and help too! Look, I've learned how to knead and pull noodles, hehe!"
Tonbo followed Ayame to the workspace and showed her the dough he had prepared. Ayame poked at it. "Wow, amazing! It took me a long time to learn that!"
Receiving the compliment, Tonbo felt satisfied. A new brain really is useful; learning these things is a breeze. Glancing at the Namikaze couple, he lifted his head high.
"Oh, by the way, you and Kakashi are classmates, right?" Minato asked, perhaps finished with his private conversation.
"Yes. Also Obito and Rin. I heard they were all studying under you, Lord Hokage!" Tonbo's voice held a hint of envy.
Kakashi's rapid growth to Jonin was inseparable from having a great teacher. Even with talent, combat experience on the battlefield doesn't just increase because of potential. A good teacher helps a disciple survive the "rookie period" quickly. Fortunately, Tonbo's own talent wasn't bad; he could make progress through the memories he read.
"Obito..."
Hearing that name, Minato's eyes dimmed for a moment. Failing to protect his disciple was a constant source of guilt. "Obito has already passed away," Minato said.
"Ah—I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to offend," Tonbo apologized repeatedly. Inwardly, he confirmed it: So it really happened. It seemed some things from the original story were still reliable. "Are Kakashi and Rin doing alright then?"
As a classmate, asking this showed his concern.
Minato smiled. "It's alright. No war is without casualties. That's why we must become stronger—to protect our comrades in the village, right?"
"Exactly. This damn war." Tonbo spoke with genuine anger. He truly hated war; he would rather be a parasite in times of peace than a dragon in times of war.
It was rare to chat with one of the most popular characters from the original series. Since Tonbo wasn't breaking any laws, he didn't feel the need to be restrained. He just had to watch his words and not reveal certain information. He spoke eloquently and freely, though he limited himself to casual chat and insights on Ninjutsu. He didn't breathe a word about political trends or the future.
This left a very good impression on Minato. This kid is talented, calm, and quick-witted. And very steady—he doesn't ask sensitive questions.
Minato enjoyed the conversation, with Kushina chiming in occasionally. There was much laughter. Ayame watched Tonbo as he talked, her face flushing slightly. He sounds so handsome when he's serious. And since he was talking to the newly appointed Fourth Hokage, he seemed even more charming.
Bowl after bowl of noodles left Tonbo's hands, and bowl after bowl of ramen left Teuchi's. Before long, the couple finished their meal. After saying goodbye to Tonbo, they departed. As the new Hokage, Minato likely had a mountain of work waiting.
Watching the Fourth leave, Tonbo's mind raced. From the conversation, he knew Rin wasn't dead yet, so "that incident" hadn't happened. As for why Kakashi wasn't there—he was already a Jonin and was currently on a special mission, unable to even make it back for the inauguration.
"Alright, you two go out for a stroll. There aren't many customers now; I can handle things by myself."
The sun began to set, and the lanterns outside flickered to life. The night market was beginning. Teuchi felt a bit awkward seeing Tonbo and his daughter being so close in front of him. Even though he liked Tonbo, he wanted to shoo them out—out of sight, out of mind.
"Then I'm going out with Tonbo, Dad!" Ayame was thrilled. she grabbed Tonbo and ran out.
"Sigh, daughters don't stay at home forever," Teuchi shook his head.
...
"Tonbo-niisan, can you take off the bandages while we walk together?"
"Of course. If I'm accompanying Ayame-mei, I naturally have to show my face."
"Great!"
Ayame had a wonderful time with Tonbo. They caught goldfish, played darts, ate takoyaki and sushi... Even the bright moon could only shine down silently, forced to watch their public display of affection.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans for Tonbo. An unwelcome guest interrupted their private world.
"Yo, isn't this Captain Tonbo? You actually... actually have a girlfriend?"
While they were strolling leisurely, the voice of Shimon rang out.
"..."
With dark lines appearing on his forehead, Tonbo turned around. He saw Shimon standing behind them, his face full of teasing mockery.
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