Chapter 16: The Ramen Shop and the Transfer Order
In the afternoon, business at the Ichiraku Ramen Shop was a bit slow.
Just as Haruko was debating whether to sway on his rocking chair all afternoon or go fishing, Hinata's figure appeared at the door.
"Brother Haruko..."
Two other Clan Members, one older and one younger, were with her.
A little girl who looked only three or four years old was curiously sizing up everything in the shop.
The other was a woman in her early twenties, wearing a white maid's apron over her kimono. (Image)
"Oh, Hinata, welcome." Haruko stood up to greet them. "Brought some friends today?"
The woman bowed slightly. "Hello, I am Hyuga Natsu, responsible for Lady Hanabi's daily life. This is Lady Hinata's younger sister, Lady Hanabi."
Hyuga Hanabi blinked her large Byakugan eyes and called out in a milky voice, "Hello, Brother Haruko."
Haruko squatted down. "Hello there, little Hanabi. What would you like to eat?"
While they were talking, Kin came out of the kitchen carrying tea.
When she saw the way Hinata looked at Haruko, a subtle sense of crisis welled up in her heart, making her instinctively stand by Haruko's side.
This was a woman's intuition, making her vaguely feel that this girl before her seemed to have unusual feelings for Brother Haruko.
Hinata also noticed a little girl about her age standing closely by Haruko, and an inexplicable emotion quietly grew in her heart.
Haruko didn't notice the undercurrent between the two girls; his attention was entirely captured by Natsu's outfit.
'A maid... not bad."
He subconsciously glanced at Kin. A long-black-haired little loli, wearing this outfit, then saying "Goshujin-sama"... Tsk tsk tsk. (Image)
'Forget it, it'll just attract a bunch of flies."
During the meal, Haruko noticed that Hinata ate exceptionally little today, and her demeanor was overly dignified.
'Looks like she can't relax in front of her family."
The meal was soon finished.
Natsu glanced at the clock on the wall and said to Hanabi, who was still playing with her Mung bean paste with a small spoon, "Lady Hanabi, it's getting late. We should head back for your afternoon lessons."
"Eh..." Hanabi pouted, looking reluctant.
"My Lady." Natsu's attitude was firm.
Seeing the atmosphere turn a bit stiff, Haruko turned and went into the back kitchen, soon returning with an exquisite paper-wrapped package.
"Hanabi, you have to work hard on your lessons when you get back. Once you've finished your classes properly, have Sister Natsu give this snack to you, okay?"
Hanabi blinked her big eyes, staring at the paper package in Haruko's hand, and asked softly, "Is it sweet?"
"It's refreshingly sweet; you'll definitely like it." Haruko smiled and handed the package to Natsu. "This is a new Mung bean cake we're testing in the shop. It's not too sweet, so children can eat it too."
Natsu was stunned for a moment and waved her hands hurriedly. "How could we...?"
"It's fine, it's just a trial product." Haruko placed the package gently in her hand, his tone natural. "Please try it and let me know what you think so we can make improvements."
Since he put it that way, Natsu couldn't refuse anymore and could only accept it. "...Alright, thank you very much."
"Hinata, you should have some too."
Haruko leaned down and handed Hinata a package as well, whispering as he got close, "If you're hungry, just make do with these for now."
"Ah... thank you..."
Hinata's face turned beet red, steam practically rising from her head, as she stiffly reached out both hands to take it.
After seeing off the Hyuga family, Haruko stretched, only to turn around and find Kin staring straight at him.
"You have some too, I saved some for you."
He rubbed her head, and only then did a smile reappear on the little girl's face.
...
The moon was bright and the breeze was clear as the customers gradually dispersed.
The door curtain was lifted, and the person who walked in was none other than Itachi. He was in casual clothes, his face showing obvious exhaustion, and his eyes were bloodshot.
'This guy, he's been coming more and more frequently lately."
Haruko sighed inwardly, knowing that this double agent had come to seek spiritual solace again.
"Oh, Itachi. The usual?"
"Yes. And an extra order of Fried dumplings and five Meat skewers."
Itachi's voice sounded a bit raspy in the empty shop.
"Whoa, sounds like you're really hungry."
Haruko teased him while deftly handing him a bowl of ramen, then turned to start making the Fried dumplings and skewers.
Itachi shook his head and didn't speak, just silently ate the ramen in front of him.
"Busy with missions lately?" Haruko asked casually as he served the dumplings and skewers.
"Mm," Itachi responded briefly and continued eating silently.
After a long time, he finally put down his chopsticks and looked up.
"Haruko, how do you... view 'duty'?"
'Finally starting to seek psychological counseling, huh."
He shrugged with feigned nonchalance. "Duty? Just hearing the word gives me a headache. Me, I just want to lie down comfortably, eat well, and drink well. As for those troublesome matters, I'd naturally avoid them if I can and push them off if I can."
"But..." Itachi's voice was hesitant, "some responsibilities cannot be shirked."
"If you can't shirk them, then find someone to share the burden with." Haruko tapped the table. "For example, this shop. The shop belongs to the old man, and serving the customers is his duty, but he can find me to help him share that burden."
"I understand," Itachi said softly, his tone carrying a hint of relief.
He knew Haruko was hinting for him to find someone to help and not carry all the pressure alone.
Seeing the light flash in Itachi's eyes, Haruko quickly added, "But, you have to be careful about who you choose to share it with. Don't go looking for someone irresponsible or unreliable."
"Mm, I will. Thank you."
Haruko watched Itachi leave the Ramen Shop; his footsteps seemed a bit lighter.
'I hope he can figure things out, otherwise him running here every day is going to be a problem. I don't want to get dragged into it eventually."
...
Over the next few days, Haruko always felt a bit uneasy.
'I'm still being watched..."
He lay on his rocking chair, eyes slightly open.
'The one across the street should be Anbu, and the one behind the house... is Root, right? Looks like the old geezers have their eyes on me."
Finally, a transfer order arrived in Haruko's hands: report to the Eastern Border Station immediately.
"No way?!" He wailed, his face full of annoyance.
Border patrol was a thankless job—long hours, harsh environments, lots of trouble, and little pay.
"So annoying! My life was just starting to look up, and these old schemers are coming to mess with me!"
A job like border patrol, where one might encounter hostile Ninja, should theoretically be B-rank, but it was actually classified as C-rank, something even a Genin could do.
The reason was simple—too much manpower was needed, and Konoha didn't have that many Chunin or that much money.
But recently, the Land of Water to the east was clearly restless. It was obvious they shouldn't send a rookie like him; this mission was clearly suspicious.
Intuition told him this was a test from the Konoha higher-ups.
He was getting too close to Itachi, and the Sandaime and Danzo were starting to notice him.
"But of all places, why the east..."
For Haruko, this mission held another hidden danger.
Since arriving in Konoha, Haruko had never used the power of the Shikotsumyaku, so it was unlikely his origins would be exposed.
But going to the east was different. After all, he had stayed in the Hidden Mist Village until he was six and was considered a genius, leaving an impression on many people.
Although many years had passed and his appearance had changed quite a bit, his signature white hair was still very eye-catching. He might be recognized if he ran into Hidden Mist Ninja!
He was already being suspected; if his Hidden Mist origins were exposed now, it would be like yellow mud falling into my pants; even if it's not shit, it certainly looks like it.
But as for whether to go or not, he still had to go.
Unless Haruko didn't plan on staying in Konoha anymore, he had no choice but to accept this transfer order.
"What a pain... Anyway, I should make some preparations first."