Hokage's office.
"Knock knock knock~!"
"Come in."
"Third Generation Master, long time no see."
"Ah! Boss Chiba."
Seeing Chiba walking into the office, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled kindly.
"Long time no see."
After greeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen put out the cigarette in his pipe and put down the stem.
"It's been half a year since we last met. How was your field trip to the Fire Nation?"
Tetsuya smiled and shook his head.
"To be honest, Third Generation, I am very disappointed with this field trip."
"Oh, if you don't mind, could you tell me what happened?"
"Well, nothing actually happened. It's just that the world outside the village is a little different from what I imagined."
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen showing a curious expression, Tetsuya articulated to Sarutobi what he felt and experienced in the past six months.
"Anyway, after this trip, I feel that Konoha leagues better than the outside world.
As for the world outside the village, except for those large cities, I don't think other places can be called towns. "
After hearing what Tetsuya said, Sarutobi Hiruzen was also quite melancholic.
"Alas, Boss Chiba, what you see is actually the true visage of the ninja world."
"Third Generation Master speaks the truth. this investigation However, did yield some results. I have confirmed several feasible locations."
"Haha, really? That's good, that's good. I wish Mr. Qianye a prosperous business in advance."
"Thanks for the blessing."
Tetsuya smiled and took out his wallet from his pocket.
"Let's not tarry on, Third Generation Master, let me settle the commision for this mission first."
Seeing the money, Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"Haha, no problem."
After paying the fee, Tetsuya left the Hokage building.
Chiba Ramen Restaurant. Although Tetsuya originally planned to go home and have a good sleep, he decided to take a look when he passed by the ramen restaurant.
"Welcome."
Ichisama bent down and bowed to welcome the customers into the store. When he looked up, his eyes widened and he took off his hat excitedly.
"Ah, it's the boss! Boss, you're back!"
"I'm back. Thank you for your hard work during the past six months."
Tetsuya also smiled slightly and patted his shoulder.
His clone disappeared on the eleventh day after he left Konoha. It can be said that he has been running the store independantly with his hands for the past six months.
"It's nothing difficult. My boss taught me the craft, and I help him run the store while improving my craft. This is my blessing."
Tetsuya also smiled and said, that's a good point, Ichisama is simply the ideal worker.
"By the way, boss, please wait a moment."
He ran quickly into the counter and then ran out with an account book.
"Boss, here are the accounts for the past six months. Please have a look."
Looking at the account book in my hand, it is filled with notes. Tetsuya shook his head and pushed the account book back.
"I don't need to see it, I believe you."
Seeing that Tetsuya believed in him so much, he bowed deeply to Tetsuya again.
"Thank you for your trust, boss."
Tetsuya smiled.
"I still prefer you calling me teacher like when you apprenticed under me."
"Okay, teacher."
Tetsuya took a look at the store, thought for a moment and said.
"Ichisama, how about I hand over this store to you from now on?"
"Teacher? Are you going to ..."
"Don't easily jump to conclusions."
Tetsuya sat down and said.
"I plan to open a branch in the capital of the Fire Nation. When the branch opens, I can't possibly run back and forth between the two places, right?"
"What the teacher said makes sense, the capital is indeed a bit too far from Konoha."
"So, to solve this problem, I plan on promoting you to store manager in Konoha."
"Me?! the store manager, can I do it well?"
"Didn't you do perform splendidly in the past six months?"
"Do you really think so boss!"
"Haha, well, don't celebrate too early. It will take some time to open a branch."
"Boss Ichisama, bring me a bowl of signature ramen."
A familiar figure, the carefree Jiraiya walked into the store.
"Oh——! Boss Chiba!"
Jiraiya immediately opened his mouth when he saw Chiba.
"Hey, long time no see, Jiraiya."
Tetsuya smiled and waved.
"I haven't seen you in half a year. You've grown taller."
"Boss Chiba, long time no see. I heard that you have been traveling around the Land of Fire in the past six months. Is it fun outside?"
Jiraiya looked at Tetsuya with curiosity brimming in his eyes.
Tetsuya thought for a while and smiled.
"Jiraiya, everyone sees the world from a different perspective. Maybe what I think is fun, may not be fun for you. So, whether it's fun or not out there, it's better to wait until you see it in person."
"What? I just want to ask you what's going on outside. Why are you speaking in riddles?"
Listening to Tetsuya's great Dharma, Jiraiya curled his lips.
Looking at Jiraiya like this now, Tetsuya pictured the future Jiraiya who would search the world for the Son of Destiny and couldn't help but shook his head.
"Forget it, you want a bowl of signature ramen, right? I'll make it for you myself."
Saying that, Tetsuya walked towards the kitchen.
"Teacher, I'll do it."
Ichisama wanted to make ramen for Tetsuya, but Tetsuya stopped him.
"What, you want to take steal my job before I even open a branch?"
"No, no, that's not what I meant."
"Haha, calm down, it's just a lighthearted joke. I haven't made ramen seriously for a long time. Let me do it."
Seeing this, Ichisama had no choice but to sit down even though he was anxious.
Soon the aroma of ramen wafted from the kitchen.
shortly after, Tetsuya came out with two bowls of ramen, one bowl was handed to Jiraiya, and the other was handed to Ichisama.
"Teacher, I..."
"I haven't made ramen for a long time. I didn't control the quantity well, so I made a bowl for you. Just give it a try and taste if my craftsmanship has deteriorated."
Ichisama nodded and picked up the chopsticks.
"I'm starting."
In a blink of an eye, Jiraiya had already taken several bites.
"Well, as expected of Boss Chiba, the taste is mouth watering."
Tetsuya sat aside and watched the two eating noodles with a smile.
Jiraiya was making a lot of noise and looked like he reincarnated as a starving ghost.
It is estimated that this kid stayed at Mount Myōboku for a long time, eating meal worm.
Ichisama's eating speed is much slower and more controlled, as if carefully tasting each sip and bite.
"I'm done eating!"
Jiraiya put down his bowls and chopsticks, licked his lips with satisfaction and patted his belly.
"I've finished eating too, thank you for the treat."
Ichisama put down the chopsticks in his hands and said with great admiration.
"Sure enough, my craftsmanship is still not up to par as the teacher's. Although I use the same materials, I don't know why the ramen made by the teacher is more delicate and richer in flavor than the one I make.
Maybe that's why a teacher is called a teacher. "
Tetsuya smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Stop flattering me. Okay, If you had your fill, let's go back to our homes. It's time to rest."
"It's time for me to go home, boss Chiba, boss Ichisama, goodbye."
Jiraiya waved his hand and left the ramen shop contentedly.
Tetsuya also left the job of closing the store to Shou Da and left first.