Chapter 141: One Joy

I didn't expect that.

I merely had a thought in my heart and reported this discovery to the family.

It would have such great benefits!

Should I pick a Fire Release scroll or a Genjutsu scroll tomorrow? Or maybe picking some sealing techniques, symbols, cursed seals and such wouldn't be bad either!

His whole body submerged in the hot spring, Dong Shilang's mind occasionally fantasized.

After bidding farewell to Uchiha Fugaku, Dong Shilang headed straight to the hot spring district; after tossing about at sea for a month, he was really somewhat exhausted.

After finishing business, taking a comfortable hot spring bath to properly reward myself, easing the nerves that have been tense these days~

Picking up a cold drink from the floating tray beside me, I downed it in one gulp, feeling the icy chill that rushes to the heavenly crown and the temperature of the hot spring~

This is what life is……

He had already decided that he would still cling to the family's thick thigh; the Will of Fire and such had nothing to do with him, not a penny's worth.

The family side is more reliable; thinking about that treasure in the secret room~

He had been eyeing it for far too long……

Early the next morning, Dong Shilang woke up early, finished today's homework, and came to the streets of Leaf Village.

Preparing to purchase some supplies he might need in the future.

Feeling the surroundings, the streets looked much more desolate than before the war broke out; Dong Shilang couldn't help but think that, in that world, war's harm to people is all-encompassing.

At this time on the market, some necessities such as food and meat have seen their prices nearly double compared to before the war.

This forced those housewives responsible for shopping to start pinching pennies, which also made business increasingly difficult for those merchants.

Walking along, suddenly Dong Shilang saw a scene that looked somewhat familiar.

Outside a ramen shop, at that moment a long line was waiting. And the shop's sign boldly wrote the four characters 'One Joy Ramen'.

I didn't expect the famous 'One Joy' to appear here in Leaf Village at this time.

Seeing the words 'New store opening, half price to welcome guests' written nearby, Dong Shilang, who hadn't eaten breakfast yet, decided to give it a try, to see if the fame was deserved.

"Yo! Isn't that Kai, Shizune, and Asuma? How is it~ the taste of this new shop?"

Seeing a few little ones like himself also waiting in line, he greeted them~

"Senior Dong Shilang!"

After seeing him, these little brats hurriedly greeted Dong Shilang, at the same time calling him senior.

Since the battle in the 'Small Grove' years ago, Dong Shilang's fame has spread among these brats, gaining quite a few admirers~

"The flavor of this shop is quite good! Definitely worth a try~"

"Yeah! Yeah! Not only is the taste good, but the price is also very reasonable~ especially their beef-flavored ramen~ just thinking about it makes my mouth water……"

"Nonsense! Their clearly best is the seafood ramen……"

Seeing a companion voice a different opinion, the few brats immediately fell into an argument, wildly cheering for their favored flavor…

This bunch of roughly eight-year-old brats don't have much time left to argue so carefree.

If he remembers correctly, within this year or two, this bunch of brats will all graduate early, most of them becoming cannon fodder in this war……

Of course, this certainly does not include Asuma.

"It's just ordinary ramen, you guys are exaggerating too much~"

An ill-timed voice interrupted the brats' argument.

Everyone turned around, and just happened to see Kakashi emerge from the crowd, voicing his opinion.

This brat, compared to a few years ago when the White Fang had just passed away, is now much more normal in condition.

Back then, Kakashi was practically unapproachable by strangers; after time's washing, he now will crack some not-small jokes.

He ignored his former classmates, nodded at Dong Shilang, and also prepared to try this newly opened ramen shop, wondering how the taste would be……

{Eh~ Although the person has become a bit more open…… but…… still aloof……}

Since the last Chunin Exam, Kakashi occasionally seeks out Dong Shilang to spar in swordsmanship; after a while, the two can be considered nodding acquaintances~

"Mm! You came at just the right time, you aren't raising some spirit beasts, are you? I happen to have some questions in this area that I need your help with……"

Upon seeing the other party, Dong Shilang's eyes lit up; he had been worrying, not knowing how to raise that big bird of his!

This is where non-professional talent shows up~

As for his spirit beast, other aspects are easy to talk about, but how to get it to speak, to enable mutual communication, that point has stumped him.

A spirit beast that cannot communicate and lacks much wisdom has limited utility; one can't always cast a genjutsu on it every time it appears~

Although this way one can control it, if some accident happens at a crucial moment, that could be deadly~

Just as he was planning to further communicate with the other party, a troublemaker appeared at this moment.

"Kakashi! Mission!"

A voice that sounded like a gentle spring breeze came from behind them, interrupting Dong Shilang and Kakashi's continued exchange.

Looking back, three figures clad in special combat uniforms silently appeared behind them.

The leader had a head of striking blond hair.

That was none other than Namikaze Minato, who served as the proctor during the previous Chunin Exam.

Beside him stood Younv Zhiwei and Qiudao Dingzuo.

Looking at these three's attire, combined with this situation.

{Is it already time for the Loulan Mission to begin at this point? }

{Yeah! Should be correct! }

In this mission, Namikaze Minato should encounter his future son.

Just……

I don't know whether, after having my own little butterfly, the future will follow the plot's direction…

Nodding toward Dong Shilang again, as a farewell, not even acknowledging his former classmates, Kakashi ran toward Bōfēng Shuǐmén and left.

Yong Dai Mei, on the other hand, gave them a friendly smile, then took her few companions and disappeared on the spot.

"What the heck! Kakashi, that guy~"

Regarding the fact that they were ignored by the other party, these brats were quite dissatisfied.

If the other party hadn't already disappeared, I would definitely go up and have a good argument with them...

Ignoring the complaints of the few people around him, Dong Shilang's thoughts drifted away. Kakashi's mission went onward...