Chapter 697: Demonstrating One

"Shou Da Da Shu, three large bowls of pork miso chashu ramen!"

At Yi Le Noodle House, Naruto Uzumaki said cheerfully.

Yesterday, Grandfather of the third generation just received his Living Expenses, so treating people to a meal was no problem.

If he waits until mid‑month or the end of the month, he'll have no money to treat anyone to a meal.

Usually he spends it all on buying paint.

"Alright, Naruto!"

Shou Da laughed merrily in response and began to seriously make the ramen.

Lian Ye stared at Shou Da for a while, then, with waning interest, withdrew his gaze.

He's just an ordinary person.

He's not as outrageous as the Da Tongmu Yi Le that netizens from previous lives hype up.

"Big brother, what's your name?"

Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head shyly, then remembered to ask Lian Ye's name.

"I'm Lian Ye."

Naruto then looked at the Tuan Cang beside Lian Ye; before he could ask, Tuan Cang answered immediately.

"Kid, I'm Shan Cang."

He really didn't want his good brother to introduce him.

Otherwise he'd probably end up with the embarrassing title "Tuan Tuan."

Lian Ye saw his good brother jump ahead and clicked his tongue in a slightly regretful way.

He had originally intended to help with the introduction, but Shan Cang didn't give him the chance.

Naruto Uzumaki nodded seriously.

He could feel that the two harbored no malice toward him, unlike others who show disgust when they see him.

Of course, the scene that happened on Hokage Rock isn't counted.

Having been an orphan and ostracized since childhood, Naruto's skill at observing people is strong.

He can keenly sense others' disgust, yet he never shows it, often putting on a carefree, indifferent façade.

He only releases his inner feelings when he's alone with someone.

But Lian Ye and Shan Cang are different from others.

They, like Shou Da Da Shu, don't look at him with any other kind of gaze.

That moved Naruto deeply!

"The ramen is ready."

Shou Da placed the three bowls of noodles on the table.

"I'm starting!"

Naruto Uzumaki hurriedly grabbed his chopsticks and, ignoring the heat, began slurping the ramen.

Obviously, he loves ramen.

There may be other reasons, such as Shou Da being different from other shop owners and not looking at him with disgust.

"Tuan Tuan, is it tasty?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang swallowed the ramen and nodded slightly.

After a while, he got used to his good brother calling him by the embarrassing name.

One can only say that human adaptability is truly strong!

"The flavor's good."

For a ramen shop to have this skill, it can truly be called excellent.

It's just a bit lacking compared with his good brother.

Lian Ye, seeing this, grabbed the noodles and ate; the taste was indeed good.

At least it's tastier than what that old guy Qianshou Feijian makes!

I don't know why there's no shop opened by Shou Da in their timeline.

Looks like after returning, they'll have to find someone to investigate.

Naruto Uzumaki quickly finished the ramen in his bowl.

He originally wanted another bowl as usual, but seeing Lian Ye and Shan Cang hesitate...

Having just treated the two to a meal, another bowl would exceed the budget.

Yuanfei Rizhan gave him a normal amount of Living Expenses, which is more than enough for meals.

But using it for other expenses is a bit tight.

He just spent money on paint today, and after treating the two, he should still be frugal.

Otherwise there'll be no money for meals at the end of the month.

Just as he was debating whether to get another bowl, Lian Ye and Shan Cang finished their ramen.

Naruto Uzumaki, seeing this, smiled and said, "Are you full? Want another bowl?"

Although his Living Expenses can't be splurged, treating the two to a meal is fine.

At worst, he'll just stop buying paint later!

"No need, thank you."

Lian Ye and Shan Cang both shook their heads.

"What about you, are you sure you don't want another bowl?"

Lian Ye had just noticed his conflicted expression; seeing the kid, it was clear he wasn't full.

Naruto Uzumaki's cheeks flushed at the words, he scratched his head and said apologetically.

"No... not needed, I'm full."

"Boss, another bowl, please."

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang waved a greeting to the hand‑wielder, who nodded and began the next step.

"Kid, it's on me."

A bowl of ramen is cheap for him, but it's different for a child.

Especially since he's an orphan.

Naruto Uzumaki's eyes instantly grew moist at the sight.

Brother Shan Zang really is a good person!

"The noodles are here."

The hand‑wielder placed the ramen before Tuan Cang, and Tuan Cang directly placed the noodles before Naruto.

"Eat up."

"Thank you!"

Naruto Uzumaki wore a grateful expression, then happily ate the ramen.

He completely forgot that he was the one who originally treated them...

Lian Ye looked at Naruto's demeanor and shook his head helplessly.

The kid's background is indeed pitiful.

Being older, he's more sentimental and can't bear to see this.

It seems he'll need to find time to properly reprimand the inherently evil Uchiha Obito.

Obito, who was in Kamui Space at that moment, inexplicably felt a tinge of restlessness.

The feeling came quickly and left just as fast, leaving him bewildered for a moment.

"It must be an illusion!"

Uchiha Obito refused to admit he felt that inexplicable sensation, and could only soothe himself by calling it an illusion.

He, the illustrious Madara Uchiha, could never have such emotions!

It must be because he hasn't rested well these past days...

Moreover, he is in the safest Kamui Space in the entire Ninja World, so even if danger exists outside, it cannot harm him!

Obito, who possesses Kamui Space, does not believe anyone in the Ninja World can threaten his life.

Even if it were the real Madara Uchiha, he is confident he could retreat unscathed!

Unless the Ninja World has a second pair of Kamui Kaleidoscope Sharingan, no one can threaten him!

After the meal, Naruto Uzumaki prepared to pay the bill, but Lian Ye beat him to it.

Just kidding, he had just earned money from the Akatsuki recently, how could he really let a child settle the bill?

If word got out, where would the reputation of Konoha's richest go?

"Lian Ye brother, you don't need to pay for me."

Naruto Uzumaki hesitated a bit; he really wanted to treat the two of them to a meal.

But in the end, the one who paid wasn't himself...

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"Keep your money for yourself, and don't buy paint again in the future."

Lian Ye patted Naruto's head and said with a smile.

"If you want others to notice you, showcase your own worth, not in this way."

After speaking, he and Tuan Cang turned and left the noodle shop; everything that needed to be said was said, and whether they can hear it depends on the parties involved.

Only Naruto Uzumaki remained at the doorway, staring blankly at their departing silhouettes.

"Showcase one's own worth..."

Tears blurred his vision at an unknown moment, and the two figures vanished completely, as if they had never appeared.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Naruto Uzumaki wiped away his tears and said earnestly.

"Lian Ye brother, I understand!"