"Why don't we run away?"
The moment the Anbu left, Ruichi gathered everyone in the living room for an emergency meeting.
Teuchi frowned deeply.
"Run away? Where would we go? And why would we run?"
"We could go to the Land of Hot Springs—or anywhere, really. Just get away from Konoha for a while."
Ruichi slumped into a chair, casually lifting the teapot from the table and taking a sip.
Although the cat-masked Anbu had stepped in to save them, that didn't mean the matter was settled.
Danzo Shimura is petty to the bone. He definitely won't let this go.
And…
Ruichi glanced at the pitch-black night beyond the window.
Even setting aside the Uchiha clan's future massacre, the coup itself was already a ticking time bomb. No one knew when it would explode.
I have to get Uncle Teuchi and Ayame out of the center of this mess before everything spirals out of control.
He was reluctant to give up Konoha's comfortable living environment, but safety came first. He could always come back once things calmed down.
After listening quietly, Teuchi slowly shook his head.
"No, Ruichi. We can't leave."
"Why?" Ruichi asked urgently. "They've already come to our door! We were lucky someone helped us today—but what about next time? We can't rely on others to protect us forever!"
"But we can't just run away because we're afraid."
Teuchi's eyes were clear as he looked at Ruichi, the way a parent might look at a child trying to skip school out of fear.
"That masked man earlier—he was sent by the Hokage, wasn't he?"
Ruichi froze for a moment, then nodded.
"That means the Hokage already knows what's going on here. Since he sent people to protect us, it means we're safe for now."
Teuchi's reasoning was simple and straightforward.
"If we suddenly close the shop without a word and leave the village, what would the Hokage think? That we're guilty? That we're fleeing from justice?"
Ayame softly added, "Yeah, Ruichi… business is doing so well. It would be strange if we suddenly closed. And what if Naruto and the others want ramen after we're gone?"
Ruichi opened his mouth, but a deep sense of helplessness welled up inside him.
He couldn't explain any further. The source of his information was impossible to justify—and even if he did explain it, no one would believe him.
He couldn't exactly say:
Because I know the Uchiha clan will be wiped out soon, and Danzo will take advantage of it to throw Konoha into chaos.
From the perspective of an ordinary villager, Teuchi's logic was flawless.
In the ninja world, a civilian's greatest pillar of support was the Hokage. Since the Hokage had already intervened, trusting him and staying put was the rational choice.
Is this… the wisdom of ordinary people?
Ruichi smiled bitterly. He possessed knowledge far beyond this era, yet he couldn't translate it into words the people around him could understand.
Teuchi's tone softened.
"Unless… you can tell me exactly when the danger will happen. If you can give me a specific date, we'll do as you say—close the shop early and take a short trip together."
"I…"
Ruichi was completely at a loss for words.
He didn't even know the exact timeline of the Uchiha incident in the original history—and now that he had interfered so much, there was no guarantee it would even happen the same way.
He collapsed back into the sofa, reverting to his usual lazy posture.
"Fine. Then we won't leave."
"But for the next few days, stay alert. Try to remain at home as much as possible, avoid secluded areas, and don't interact with unfamiliar customers—especially anyone from the Uchiha clan."
More than anyone else, those words felt like a warning to himself.
…
Over the following days, life seemed to return to normal.
Ichiraku Ramen opened as usual. Steam rose every day on schedule. Teuchi cheerfully kneaded dough, Ayame greeted customers with her familiar smile.
The Root operatives never appeared again—but the "uncle" who never drew attention to himself continued to drop by for ramen from time to time.
That afternoon, a purple-haired "pineapple" pushed aside the shop curtain and barged in.
"Hey! Kid! Slacking off again?"
Anko Mitarashi casually took a seat at the counter, long legs crossed. Her khaki trench coat barely concealed her striking figure, drawing plenty of glances from the male customers.
"Hm? There are more people now?" Anko immediately noticed Tayuya. "What a cute little girl. Ruichi, you—"
She leaned in close and whispered,
"…you're not a lolicon, are you?"
"No."
Ruichi's face darkened as he shoved Anko back.
"Hmph~ Then what's your relationship with Ruichi~?" Anko clearly wasn't planning to let him off, her face full of gossip.
Before Ruichi could respond, Tayuya exploded.
"Hey! You bitch! Stop harassing my brother! If you're not here to eat, get out!"
"…You're talking about me?" Anko stared at her, momentarily stunned by the contrast between her cute appearance and sharp tongue.
"This has nothing to do with you! Go help Kaede!"
Ruichi grabbed Tayuya and tossed her into the kitchen.
Turning back around, he saw Anko raising an eyebrow.
"She calls you 'Big Brother'~ And who's this 'Kaede'? That sounds like a girl too~"
"They're just staff. Nothing more."
Ruichi acted as if nothing had happened and casually poured Anko a bowl of triple-sugar mung bean soup.
"This one's on me. What are you eating today, Anko-sensei?"
"I'm not here to eat. I'm here on a mission."
Anko slammed a scroll onto the counter.
"This is a mission directly assigned by the Hokage—and it's only for the two of us."
Ruichi nearly rolled his eyes out of his skull.
Again? Can't a man just lie down and live peacefully?
He wiped his hands, picked up the scroll, and skimmed it.
Mission Objective: Locate Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin.
Requirements: Confirm his whereabouts and bring back the latest information. If possible, persuade him to return to the village.
Ruichi closed the scroll and pushed it back.
"I refuse."
Leave the village at a time like this? Was that a joke?
Inside Konoha, at least there were rules—and worst case, he could seek help from the Hyuga clan. But out in the wilderness, he'd be completely exposed.
"Huh?!"
Anko stared at him like he'd lost his mind.
"This is a mission personally assigned by the Hokage! Most people would kill for this!"
She leaned forward, lowering her voice near his ear.
A faint fragrance mixed with the sweetness of mung bean soup drifted over, making Ruichi instinctively lean back.
"Listen, kid. This isn't an ordinary mission. It's the Hokage's way of protecting you."
Her breath brushed against his ear.
"The Hokage said Danzo has been keeping a close eye on you. Sending you out is also a way to hide you for a while."
So… go out and hide?
It seemed the Root incident had been settled privately between the Third Hokage and Danzo.
Danzo couldn't tolerate an unstable element like Ruichi remaining in Konoha. As long as Ruichi stayed in the village, Root would keep stirring up trouble—so it was simpler to send him away.
"Wouldn't it be even easier for Danzo to make a move once we leave the village?" Ruichi frowned. "And what about here?"
Anko grinned.
"Danzo's target is you. That's why the Hokage had me accompany you."
Anko's status really is special… A direct subordinate of the Third Hokage, Orochimaru's former disciple, someone Danzo has to think twice about. Having her as a shield does help.
In truth, Ruichi couldn't refuse the Hokage's request anyway.
Having thought it through, he picked up the scroll again, his expression turning serious.
"Since this is the Hokage's order, then as a Konoha ninja, I have no choice but to accept."
The speed at which Anko's expression changed was so fast it stunned her for a second.
"Good. Then get ready," she said briskly.
"We leave tomorrow morning."
------
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