Meanwhile, inside Ichiraku Ramen...
"Your ramen is ready, Kakashi. Please enjoy."
Ayame placed the large bowl of ramen on the counter in front of Kakashi and greeted him warmly. Watching the fragrant steam rise from the bowl, Kakashi's visible eye curved above his mask.
"Ah, thanks."
He shifted his gaze to the table next to him. Three people were sitting there... Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Sakura Haruno. Three pairs of eyes stared at him, their gazes burning with intensity.
Snap! Kakashi shut his copy of Icha Icha Paradise with a sharp snap.
"I don't know what's gotten into you three today," Kakashi began, "offering to treat me to ramen. However, I'll accept it as a token of your kindness."
Naruto leaned forward, his hands propped on the table. "Because Kakashi-sensei is always treating us to meals! It's about time we treated you!"
Sasuke crossed his arms and looked away, attempting to mask his eagerness. "Hmph. It's only right. Don't mention it."
"Y-Yeah, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura added, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. "You always take care of us. We thought we'd treat you after today's mission... to show our gratitude."
Hearing this, Kakashi's gaze swept across the three faces. Naruto was grinning, though his smile was a bit stiff. Sasuke had his head turned, but his peripheral vision was locked on Kakashi. Sakura sat bolt upright, her shoulders tense.
'Honestly, they can't hide their expressions at all. They just want to see what I look like under the mask...' Kakashi understood perfectly.
"Well, since it's your treat," he said, picking up his chopsticks, "I'll accept."
He slipped the book into his ninja pouch and pressed his hands together. "Thanks for the food."
He raised his left hand toward his mask. In that instant, Team 7 collectively held their breath, their eyes widening in anticipation.
Naruto leaned even further forward. Sasuke whipped his head around, his gaze locking onto his target. Sakura froze. Three pairs of eyes stared intently at Kakashi's hand, watching its every movement.
Right then—
Sakura felt an arm loop around her neck as a familiar face suddenly popped into her line of sight, entirely blocking her view.
"Hey!" Ino Yamanaka cheered with a joyful smile. "Scared you, didn't I?"
At the same time, Shikamaru stepped directly in front of Sasuke, while Choji slid sideways, perfectly obstructing Naruto's view. Both boys flashed wide, exaggerated grins.
"Long time no see!"
"Didn't expect to run into you guys getting ramen!"
In an instant, Team 10 formed an impenetrable human wall, severing Team 7's line of sight to Kakashi. Their grand scheme was completely crushed.
Sasuke scowled, Naruto's jaw dropped, and Sakura froze in Ino's embrace. A second later, all three jumped to their feet.
"Hey! What are you guys doing?! Get out of the way! Move!"
"Dammit..."
"Ino! Let go of me!"
Team 7 shouted and shoved, desperately trying to push the interlopers aside.
However, by the time they broke free and whipped their heads back toward Kakashi... his ramen bowl was entirely empty. He sat calmly, mask securely in place, reading his book.
The three genin looked utterly defeated.
Ino Yamanaka let go of Sakura and pouted. "What's with that..." She looked at Sakura's expression. "Aren't you happy to see us!?"
Sakura opened her mouth, wanting to cry but having no tears. She glanced at Kakashi, who was quietly reading, and ultimately swallowed her words. Unlike her subtle approach, Naruto was more direct. He turned to Shikamaru and Choji, his face full of frustration.
"Honestly! Why did you guys suddenly pop up?! Do you have any idea how much you messed things up? We were so close! We almost saw..."
Before he could finish, Sasuke reached out and covered his mouth.
Shikamaru took in the chaotic scene with visible confusion. He was just about to ask what they were talking about when an amused voice drifted in from the entrance.
"Oh, how lively."
Jiraiya pulled back the curtain and stepped inside. He swept his gaze over the crowded shop and grinned broadly. "Didn't expect to see Naruto and the rest of you here."
Right after him, Shinichi followed.
Seeing these two, Kakashi immediately closed his book and stood up. "Lord Jiraiya." He nodded in greeting, then turned his gaze to the side. "Shinichi."
His gaze was complex as it rested on Shinichi. Although he hadn't directly participated in the operation that shook Konoha last night, as an elite Jonin, he was already aware of the details and the aftermath.
The others in the shop also looked over. Sasuke let go of Naruto's mouth and nodded slightly at Shinichi.
"Pervy Sage! Shinichi!" Naruto yelled. The others echoed similar, albeit more polite, greetings.
However, among the chorus of voices, Ino's reaction stood out the most. The moment she spotted Shinichi, a bright flush crept up her neck, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her shirt. The advice her father, Inoichi, had given her not long ago echoed clearly in her mind.
Ino took a deep breath and stepped forward, her face flushed. First, she offered a polite nod to the Sannin. "Lord Jiraiya." Then she turned to Shinichi, her eyes sparkling as she smiled.
"Shinichi, when I heard the curtain rustle just now, I thought it was just the wind. But it turns out... it was you!"
As soon as she spoke, the ramen shop fell silent. Everyone looked at Ino in shock. They all knew Ino had feelings for Shinichi, but because he had always been so aloof, her affection was usually limited to subtle concern and casual conversation.
She had never been this incredibly blunt.
Her sudden, undeniable boldness drew everyone's undivided attention.
'Could they actually... be a thing?'
A second later, knowing smirks broke out across the genins' faces as their eyes darted excitedly between Ino and Shinichi.
Jiraiya didn't even try to hide his amusement. His grin was so wide it almost reached his ears!
Sakura looked at her friend's flushed but determined profile, a surge of excitement rising within her. Her Inner Sakura was screaming wildly... 'Way to go, Ino! Go for it! You can do it!'
As the direct target of her sudden flirtation, Shinichi looked down at Ino's bright eyes and crimson cheeks. A rare look of dazed surprise appeared on his usually calm face. The dazed look faded, and his lips twitched, revealing a slightly amused expression.
"Ah... Ino, what a coincidence," he said. "But these words... who taught you that? You... don't usually talk like this."
Seeing Shinichi with such an expression for the first time, combined with the sudden silence of the surroundings, Ino felt a delayed wave of intense embarrassment. She thought of the 'romance tips' her mother had secretly taught her, and her cheeks burned even hotter.
"N-No one taught me!" she stammered, shaking her head defensively as her voice squeaked. "I... I came up with it myself!"
The crowd immediately erupted into hoots and cheers...
"Ooh—!"
"Whoa—!!"
"Way to go, Ino!"
The small shop echoed with relentless teasing.
"Hahahaha!" Jiraiya laughed the loudest. He gave Shinichi a satisfied nudge with his elbow and then gave Ino a thumbs-up. "Not bad! You're Inoichi's daughter, right? Pretty good, you've got guts!"
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden spotlight, Shinichi finally stepped in to rescue her. "Alright, that's enough. Since you're all here, it's perfect. This round of ramen is on me. After all, it might be a long time before we see each other again."
The atmosphere shifted immediately. Sasuke immediately looked up, his brow furrowed in confusion....
"A long time? Aren't you staying in the Village to assist Lady Tsunade with administrative affairs?"
The question drew everyone's attention. After the Chunin Exams, Shinichi's strength and status were common knowledge.
The Third Hokage had even started letting him assist with government affairs, clearly intending to groom him for the Hokage's seat. Even with the Fifth Hokage Tsunade taking office, everyone assumed Shinichi would remain at the core of Konoha's leadership.
Naruto dropped his playful demeanor. "Yeah, Shinichi, weren't you always working in the office with Old Man Third? Why do you say it'll be a long time before we see each other!?"
"The situation has changed," Shinichi explained. "I'll be leaving the village on a long-term mission. It could be a few months, or if it takes longer... maybe a year or two before I return."
A murmur of understanding rippled through the group. No wonder he was buying them farewell ramen. Still, what kind of mission lasted for years?
Before they could press for details, Kakashi stretched his shoulders, preparing to leave. "Well, that's unfortunate. But thanks to my three lovely students, I'm already full." He offered Shinichi a lazy wave. "Sorry, Shinichi. Looks like I'll have to pass on your farewell bowl."
Shinichi nodded nonchalantly. "Next time, then."
Kakashi strolled to the exit. Before stepping out, he pulled back the curtain and glanced over his shoulder at Team 7.
He raised one hand, wiggling his fingers near his mask, and left a highly provocative remark... "Goodbye, my lovely students. Next time you try to treat me, remember to coordinate your timing better!"
The curtain fell shut.
Team 7 gritted their teeth in unison. Naruto shook his fist at the empty doorway. "Dammit! Next time for sure!"
Shikamaru looked at the still-frustrated Team 7 and raised an eyebrow.
"So....what were you guys doing before we came in?"
Naruto immediately began to complain, pointing toward the door. "It's because you guys suddenly popped up and interrupted us! We were just about to see Kakashi-sensei's face!"
He got more upset as he spoke. "We've been his students for so long, and we don't even know what he looks like!"
Hearing this, the three members of Team 10 also looked interested. Even Ino, who had just slightly recovered from her embarrassment, looked up.
"Come to think of it," Shikamaru rubbed his chin, "I've known Kakashi for a long time, and I don't think I've ever seen his face either."
Choji nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he always wears a mask."
"Right, right!? That's why we came up with this plan! Treat him to ramen and watch while he eats!" Naruto seemed to have found allies.
Then, as if remembering something, he suddenly turned to Jiraiya, who was sitting at the counter, and asked, "Pervy Sage! You're super old and you've been in the Village for so long, you must have seen what Kakashi-sensei really looks like, right?"
Jiraiya paused with his teacup halfway to his mouth. A dark tick mark pulsed on his forehead. "Listen here, you little brat," he snapped, slamming the cup down. "What do you mean 'super old'? Just ask the damn question!"
Despite his grumbling, Jiraiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But... now that you mention it," Jiraiya's tone became a bit uncertain, "I don't think... I've actually seen Kakashi's face under the mask either."
"What?!" Team 7 shouted in absolute unison. Even one of the Legendary Sannin hadn't seen it? Their curiosity immediately swelled back to its peak.
Naruto leaned in. "For real? Even you haven't seen it, Pervy Sage? Dammit... Does Kakashi-sensei have buck teeth? Or fish lips? Or a scar on his face? I want to see so bad!!"
Jiraiya shrugged. "Who knows. That kid has been covering his face since he was little."
"Maybe..." he intentionally dragged out his voice, "...he's incredibly ugly and afraid of scaring people."
"Not really," Shinichi's voice rang out, interrupting the increasingly absurd guesses. Everyone snapped their attention toward him.
"On the contrary.... Kakashi-sensei is actually quite handsome."
Sasuke immediately looked at him. "You've seen his face?"
Shinichi didn't answer the question directly, but continued, "He just has a mole on his chin. He thinks it's unsightly, so he keeps it covered with the mask."
"A mole?" Team 7 echoed, completely stunned.
Naruto blinked. "Just... because of a mole?"
Sasuke looked equally taken aback. "That's it?"
Their intense curiosity deflated like a punctured balloon. They had hoped it would be some shocking secret.
"So... that's all it was." Sakura sighed, suddenly bored by the topic. In her opinion, it didn't matter how handsome their sensei was...nobody could be better looking than Sasuke anyway.
With the mystery 'solved,' Sakura shifted her attention back to her friend. A wicked, teasing smile spread across her face as she leaned in close, whispering so only Ino could hear...
"What I'm much more curious about... is you, Ino. What exactly got into you today?"
Ino stiffened, her ears turning red instantly. At this moment, she felt a bit of regret for her actions earlier! Their whispering and movements naturally didn't escape the ears of the others in the shop.
Shinichi's gaze drifted toward the two girls huddled together. His face remained expressionless as he watched quietly. There was no discernible emotion in his eyes...he seemed to simply be observing, lost in his own thoughts.
...
The next day, in the Hokage Office.
Tsunade placed a scroll on the desk. "The route and preliminary intelligence are inside. I'll send follow-up information to you through Katsuyu."
Shinichi picked up the scroll and slid it into his pouch. "Understood."
Tsunade looked at him, her tone softening slightly. "Have you spoken with Chie and Kazuto?"
"Yes," Shinichi nodded. "They know. Besides, my father said my mother's due date is in about eight months... I'll be back in time for that." He paused. "After all, I can't miss the birth of my younger sibling."
A smile appeared on Tsunade's face. "That's good."
Then she regained her serious expression, remembering the purpose of his departure. "Be careful, Shinichi. Don't go and die out there." She crossed her arms, glaring half-heartedly at the paperwork piling up. "I don't plan on being chained to this desk for the rest of my life."
"Don't worry," Shinichi put away the scroll, his voice calm. "I am not that easy to kill."
With that, he turned toward the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. "Thank you... Sister Tsunade."
The door opened and then clicked shut.
Tsunade looked at the closed door and chuckled. She reached into a drawer and pulled out a pair of dice. After weighing them in her palm, she closed her fingers and whispered to herself...'Big!'
The dice tumbled across the flat wood, spinning rapidly before clattering to a halt. One showed a three. The other showed a two.
Totaling five—'Small.'
Tsunade looked at the result, her lips curling upward.
"That kid..."
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