That guy running Ichiraku... he's so young...
That was Chiba's first thought as he stepped into the small ramen shop.
"Alright, here's your ramen. Since it's Kushina, I gave you extra chashu," said the young man behind the counter with a friendly smile as he placed four steaming bowls in front of them.
"Thank you, sir!" the three students chorused.
"Thanks, big bro," Kushina added cheerfully.
As the bowls hit the table, Chiba's stomach growled loudly. After his morning training and on an empty stomach, it was only natural—but being around two girls, he couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.
He sneaked a glance sideways. Thankfully, no one seemed to have noticed. All eyes were fixed on the ramen.
"I'm digging in!" Kushina announced brightly as she snapped apart her chopsticks.
"I'm digging in."
"I'm digging in."
Hirohiko and Yukina echoed in turn, breaking their own chopsticks.
Chiba blinked, slightly late to the cue, then muttered, "I'm digging in..." before hurriedly snapping his chopsticks and diving in.
For a boy who'd been surviving on dry buns and water for weeks, this Ichiraku ramen was divine. He slurped like a man possessed.
God, how long has it been since I had real meat?
Tears nearly welled up as the rich flavor of the broth and tender chashu filled his mouth.
He'd been living like a monk to save up for his heavy training gear—those damn things ate through nearly 80% of his food allowance. There wasn't even enough left over for broth most days.
Yukina ate the most delicately, befitting a proper heiress of the Hyūga clan.
Hirohiko was neat and precise, every motion mechanical and measured.
Compared to them, Chiba looked like a half-starved wolf.
Oddly, Kushina didn't eat at all. She just sat there watching them with a warm smile.
Even the young Ichiraku guy stood nearby, arms crossed, grinning at the scene.
Chiba, unsurprisingly, finished first.
Yukina was only a third through her bowl, and Hirohiko about halfway.
Still only half full, Chiba sighed inwardly.
If only I could have another bowl...
He glanced at Kushina, unsure if it'd be rude to ask—when another bowl was placed in front of him.
Steam rising. Broth gleaming. Extra chashu glistening on top.
Chiba looked up in surprise.
Kushina was still smiling. "Go on. Eat."
He blinked, glancing at the bowl, then back at her.
She must've given him her ramen.
"You're not eating, sensei?"
"I just remembered—I had a really big breakfast," she said casually, waving it off.
Chiba frowned, hesitant.
"C'mon, before it gets cold." Kushina smiled again.
But Chiba narrowed his eyes and asked bluntly:
"You haven't even touched it, have you?"
He wore an expression like, "I'm not eating your leftovers, Sensei."
Kushina's hair instantly bristled upward. Her fist curled.
"BAM!"
A loud crack echoed as a second lump rose on Chiba's head, smoke wisping off the top.
"Just eat it already!!"
Chiba crouched down holding his head, tears in his eyes—but a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
He muttered, "I'm digging in..." again and dove into the second bowl.
Watching him slurp happily, Hirohiko and Yukina both caught sight of the subtle smile hidden under Chiba's messy bangs.
Their eyes met. And they nodded.
Then, with absolutely no warning—
Yukina stabbed her chopsticks into Chiba's bowl and snatched a piece of chashu.
"I'm out of pork."
"So am I," Hirohiko added coolly, grabbing at another slice.
But—
"Clack!" Chiba's chopsticks flashed, snatching both slices back without even looking up.
Swipe!—one reclaimed from Hirohiko.
Snatch!—one taken back from Yukina.
Neither was willing to back down.
More chopsticks darted in. Chiba countered every one.
Before long, the three were locked in a chashu tug-of-war over a single bowl of ramen.
"WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!"
All three heads got smacked from above—Chiba now sported two lumps, one on each side, resembling a red-haired gourd.
"Eat like normal people!" Kushina barked, fists still smoking.
"Y-yes, ma'am..." the trio mumbled, shrinking into their seats and obediently slurping their noodles.
But none of them could hold back their grins.
Kushina's expression softened as she looked at Chiba again.
Seeing him laugh so openly, she was reminded of her own younger days—bullied for being a foreigner, called a jinx, isolated just like him.
I need to keep a close eye on this kid...
Then she glanced at Hirohiko and Yukina.
They, too, had likely spent their lives under the pressure of expectations and the loneliness of talent.
Each one of them needs someone to believe in them.
And so she smiled again.
Moments later, all three bowls were drained to the last drop.
"Clack."
All three of them placed their bowls down in unison.
"Full?" Kushina asked.
"Full," Chiba replied, patting his stomach.
The others nodded as well.
"Great," Kushina grinned. "Now it's time for some digestive exercise!"
...Wait. What?
Chiba immediately felt something was off.
The other two looked just as wary.
Something about that smile... didn't feel "kind."
They exchanged glances—and understood without saying a word.
One hour later.
Kushina led them to a training field bordered by thick trees and underbrush.
She turned to face them.
"We'll start now," she said.
The three of them stared at her, unease growing stronger.
"You three, stay right there."
She backed up twenty meters.
"Here are the rules: If any of you can land a hit on me, the exercise ends."
"And if we don't?" Chiba asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Then it doesn't end!" she said brightly.
So… we run around until we collapse?
The three exchanged looks again.
Sounds simple enough...
That illusion lasted exactly three seconds.
Kushina formed a hand seal.
"POOF! POOF! POOF!"
A dozen smoke clouds exploded around the field.
When they cleared—there were at least thirty Kushinas, all smiling the exact same mischievous grin.
Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Chiba's eyes twitched.
Seriously?! Thirty clones?
He recognized the jutsu immediately.
To make this many... the chakra reserves required...
Uzumaki chakra was no joke.
Chiba could only sigh.
Man, I'm jealous.
"All right then—let's begin the after-meal exercise!"
Thirty Kushinas shouted in perfect sync.
The three genin stared helplessly.
Chiba's thought?
We're doomed.