After Team 7's four members left, Ichiraku Ramen didn't immediately enter its peak hours, but customers gradually started to increase.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the fabric curtain, casting warm patches of light on the counter, and the aroma of pork bone broth in the air grew richer and more enticing.
Shigure skillfully tied his apron and began his day's work as an "outstanding employee of Ichiraku Ramen."
It must be said, the effect of [Basic Physical Enhancement Lv1] that he exchanged from the [Dream Master System] last night was simply immediate.
He could clearly feel that his originally somewhat weak, young body seemed to have been injected with new vitality overnight.
Thinking back, in the first year after he transmigrated, let alone helping with kneading dough or flipping woks.
Just helping to wash the mountain of dishes every day would leave him utterly exhausted, panting after a short while, with an aching back, and at night, lying in bed, he felt like his bones weren't his own.
Back then, almost all the large and small tasks in the shop relied on Teuchi and Ayame-nee.
He had felt guilty about this and wanted to train his body hard to take on more work, but the foundation of this body was simply too poor, and the training effects were minimal; there was even one time he tried to show off and help move a bag of flour in the back kitchen, and almost sprained his old back, scaring Ayame-nee so much that she wouldn't let him touch heavy objects for several days.
But today, it was completely different.
Shigure felt as if he had inexhaustible strength throughout his body.
Whether it was kneading the dough, effortlessly moving a soup barrel weighing dozens of pounds onto the stove, or quickly chopping vegetables, preparing ingredients, cooking noodles, and draining them... he completed all the tasks with ease and even felt he had plenty of energy to spare.
Not only was he not tired, but he even felt... more energetic the more he worked?
Is this the effect of Lv1? If it reaches Lv10... wouldn't he be able to dance directly?
He not only efficiently completed his own duties but even had energy left over to help Teuchi make broth and prepare char siu.
"Hmm? Shigure, you're... quite nimble today, aren't you?"
After the lunch rush, the shop became a bit quieter.
Teuchi, wiping sweat, looked at Shigure, who had almost finished tidying up the back kitchen, with some surprise, and couldn't help but tease, "Not bad, not bad. Have you been secretly training lately?"
"Hehe..." Of course, he couldn't tell anyone about the System. Shigure showed a shy yet slightly smug smile, scratching his head, "I have indeed been secretly training my body lately, thinking I could help out a bit... Now it seems the effect isn't bad."
"Oh?"
Teuchi was first startled by the words, then a deeply gratified smile appeared on his face.
He had always treated Shigure as his own son, knowing that although the child usually seemed a bit wild, he was actually very sensible deep down.
What a... good child.
Teuchi walked forward and firmly patted Shigure's slightly thin shoulder with his large hand, his eyes filled with approval and affection: "Good boy, you know how to care for your old man and sister now."
He laughed heartily and said generously, "However, just training isn't enough; nutrition must keep up. How about this, tonight, your old man will make you something good to properly replenish your energy!"
"Really? That's great! Thank you, Dad."
Shigure's eyes instantly lit up when he heard about the extra meal.
Just as they were enjoying this warm moment, the fabric curtain at the entrance was lifted, and a beautiful figure walked in.
"I'm home! Dad, Shigure!"
It was Ayame-nee.
She was carrying a large bamboo basket that looked quite heavy, and there were fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
Seeing Teuchi and Shigure smiling at each other in the shop, she asked curiously, "Oh? What's so happy about?"
"Ayame-nee, you're back." Shigure immediately dropped the rag in his hand and went to meet her. "Dad said we're having an extra meal tonight."
As he spoke, he naturally reached out to take the vegetable basket from Ayame's arms: "Let me help you carry it, Sis, you look tired."
"You?"
Ayame looked at him with some suspicion and subconsciously guarded the vegetable basket, "Can you carry it? Don't overexert yourself and sprain your back again!"
Clearly, she was still traumatized by Shigure's previous 'achievements'.
"Don't worry, Sis." Shigure confidently flexed his arm, "This much weight is a piece of cake."
"Hahaha, that's right." Teuchi also chimed in with a laugh, "Ayame, don't worry. Shigure is much stronger now; he's a true man."
Ayame released her grip, half-believing, half-doubting.
Shigure chuckled and effortlessly took the vegetable basket, which weighed at least thirty to forty pounds, and steadily carried it back to the inner storeroom.
After coming out, he lifted the fabric curtain again, and indeed, there was a small horse-drawn cart parked outside, loaded with about a dozen heavy boxes of various ingredients.
Under Ayame's astonished gaze, Shigure walked to the cart, took a deep breath, grabbed two of the largest wooden boxes with both hands, and lifted them with a sudden burst of strength.
"Up!"
Those two heavy wooden boxes were actually lifted clear off the cart by him.
"Wow..."
Ayame couldn't help but cover her mouth, her beautiful eyes filled with shock, "Shigure... you... when did you get so strong?"
Teuchi also looked proud and smug, folding his arms and saying, "I told you, this kid has grown up."
Shigure returned to the back kitchen with steady steps, his face confident, and set down the boxes.
Going back and forth, it wasn't long before he had efficiently moved all dozen or so heavy boxes of vegetables and ingredients from the cart into the back kitchen storage.
Throughout the entire process, he barely even breathed heavily.
Ayame watched Shigure's busy and energetic back, and the confident, sunny smile on his face, her heart filled with emotion.
Yes... this child has truly grown up.
He was no longer the little one who needed her and her father's constant care three years ago.
She was genuinely happy for Shigure.
Shigure moved the last box of ingredients into the warehouse, looking at Teuchi, who was still busy, and Ayame-nee, who was about to come and help, and a warm current surged in his heart.
'Sigh... After being cared for so selflessly by Teuchi and Ayame-nee for three years, it's no wonder they could treat Naruto without any prejudice.'
Three years of living together had made him deeply appreciate the simple kindness of this father and daughter.
Although their life was ordinary, they always treated those around them with the greatest goodwill, including him, an orphan of unknown origin, and also the fox demon shunned by the entire village.
However...
After three years of subtle observation and probing, Shigure could basically confirm it.
Teuchi was indeed not Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku.
Nor was he Six Paths Teuchi.
...