Tenten walked calmly through the evening streets of Konoha, which was coming to life with the colors of twilight. A refreshing breeze lifted short strands of her chestnut hair, but the thoughtful expression on her face refused to fade. As she passed various shops, she heard the loud voices of merchants eagerly calling out their wares, yet her thoughts were far from the present moment. Far from reality itself.
What happened to Lee?—that was the question occupying her mind.
Tenten didn't fully understand why she was so curious about him, but for some reason, the change in him made her heart ache. The normally cheerful, bushy-browed boy had suddenly become distant, and it unsettled her. Yet earlier today, right in front of the academy, he had greeted her with a goofy smile, as if nothing had changed. But...
Only now did she realize that his smile had been fake. He wasn't truly happy.
Lee has grown stronger and more ruthless, and when he was finally acknowledged, he pushed everyone away and refused to connect with them... But before, all he ever did was seek recognition and friendship... Yet... everyone mocked him and laughed at him. And me... I was always so cold to him, just ignoring him... she sighed internally, fully admitting that she was just as much to blame as the others.
This, in turn, revealed that Tenten wasn't a bad person—far from it. In her thoughts, she was softer and more vulnerable than she appeared on the surface. She had started to worry about someone who, until recently, had seemed like just another classmate. So much so that she suddenly stopped in the middle of the crowded street, blushing as she vigorously shook her head, trying to banish unnecessary thoughts.
I'm thinking about Lee way too much... Could it be... am I falling for him? For him?! That bushy-browed, big-eyed fool?! No, no! That can't be!—thankfully, she quickly found a more reasonable excuse for her concern, which she muttered under her breath:
"I'm just a soft-hearted future kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf, that's all."
Nearby, children played in the courtyards, waving small sticks in the air and shouting that they were ninja wielding kunai. Watching them, Tenten felt both warmth and a deep sigh escape her lips. Even at twelve years old, she understood all too well that not all shinobi were noble warriors from the stories—they were more often brutal assassins serving under the Daimyo's command.
But who was she, compared to the Daimyo? The answer was obvious.
Without power, without a title, without special abilities, she was nothing in the eyes of those who ruled. And Tenten, lacking the naïveté common to children her age, knew this and accepted it as the only reality she had ever known.
That's why I want to become as legendary and powerful as Tsunade of the Senju Clan!—she declared in her mind, clenching a small fist. Ambition surged through her once more.
Then, her gaze fell upon a small restaurant. The sign above it announced that they served ramen. A modest establishment, nothing particularly eye-catching. But her stomach growled in protest, and more importantly, when she looked closer, she saw him—the very person who had occupied her thoughts for so long.
Rock Lee, in the flesh. And what's more—he was genuinely smiling, sitting in the company of a loud blond boy with whisker-like marks on his cheeks, dressed in an absurdly bright orange jumpsuit.
Seeing no reason not to grab dinner there, Tenten stepped through the noren curtain at the entrance. The moment she locked eyes with Lee, however, she froze in place, awkwardness filling the air. The blond boy, on the other hand, paid no mind, slurping down bowl after bowl of ramen as if nothing else in the world existed. Even Lee, usually composed, stopped moving his chopsticks for a moment.
"Hey. Grabbing a bite before training?" Lee asked with his usual friendliness. "Join us, Tenten."
As he spoke, an elderly man in a white chef's hat arrived at the counter, smiling in a fatherly way. After that, Tenten felt like she couldn't refuse. Lee was being so polite, so different from how he had acted after his recent victory in sparring.
"Uh... yeah, sure. I'll have a medium bowl, please," she said, her hesitation fading as she politely placed her order and took a seat beside Lee and the unknown blond boy.
"Tenten, this is Naruto Uzumaki. I just met him recently," Lee introduced. Then he turned to the blond with a sharp tone. "Naruto, this is Tenten, my classmate. And you, you bottomless ramen-eating black hole, could at least properly greet her."
The so-called Naruto nearly choked on his noodles from the sudden elbow jab Lee gave him.
"Huh? Oh, right!" Naruto exclaimed loudly, wiping grease from his face with his sleeve instead of the napkins right next to him. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! Future Hokage, believe it!"
"Nice to meet you... I guess," Tenten sighed, but at least she had learned something interesting from their brief conversation.
So Lee is treating him to ramen, even though they only just met? Ha... Maybe his change isn't as bad as I thought. Lee is still just as kind as before.
And what's more, he wasn't rude to her. He was warm, welcoming.
Why? Because Tenten wasn't a bad person. Sure, she had the stubborn pride common among many girls her age, but that was all. And to Lee, that was enough. She had never mocked him or looked down on him like so many others did. Because of that, he respected her and would gladly be her friend—if she was willing.
Besides, they were destined to work together in Might Guy's team.
As for Naruto, meeting him had been pure chance—maybe even fate. But they had clicked instantly over a shared meal, which led to an unexpected friendship. Perhaps it was worth telling the story of how it all happened...
After his usual morning run through Konoha, Lee had felt the familiar pangs of hunger and decided it was time to refuel. That's how he ended up at Ichiraku Ramen, a humble but well-loved place rumored to serve divine noodles at affordable prices.
As absurd as it sounded, those rumors turned out to be completely true.
And so did another legend—the infamous claim that Naruto Uzumaki practically lived at Ichiraku Ramen. Whether it was a fan joke or just village gossip, it didn't matter.
Good thing I got that 20,000 ryo reward earlier... Otherwise, the Fourth Hokage's starving son might have left me broke today.
Lee thought dryly, listening with half an ear as Naruto eagerly ordered another large bowl, praising the dish as the ultimate source of energy.
"You eat way too much, don't you think, Naruto?" Lee remarked, shaking his head as he twirled his chopsticks in the broth before taking a bite.
"Maybe! But I wanna be strong, and strong people need to eat a lot! Especially sacred ramen, dattebayo!" Naruto declared proudly, pounding a fist against his chest. "That's what my academy sensei told me!"
"Well, I suppose that makes sense. I'll let it slide this time," Lee chuckled, deciding there was no point in questioning the blond's bottomless appetite any further.
Then again, he is a Jinchuriki. Eating a lot is probably good for him.
With that, Lee enjoyed his meal for a moment before turning to Tenten, who was struggling with her chopsticks, noodles slipping between them as she fumbled in her nervousness.
"Tenten, you fought well in today's practical lesson. I was impressed," Lee said. "Your shuriken and kunai throwing skills are nearly on par with the Hyuga clan's, which is really commendable."
"Thanks, Lee... But compared to you, my taijutsu is still pathetic," she admitted with a sigh, willing to set aside her pride and acknowledge her weaknesses.
"You'll improve! The Power of Youth is with you, Tenten!" Lee declared with a dazzling grin and a thumbs-up.
And strangely enough, that made her feel better.
P.s: If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 17+ at patreon.com/c/Lucius01