Chapter 12 - Art is an ingurgitation, Katsu! (1/2)

”Slurp...Slurp...Ah, that hit the spot after such a tough battle” Exclaimed Tsume, patting her stomach, satisfied.

”You're...slurp...right...slurp...slurp...It's the best ramen of my life!” Kushina was crying waterfalls while eating. She finished her bowl, and adding it to the gigantic mountain that she formed, she then begun another one. Such a good ramen, even Uzushiogakure, which was surnamed the Ramen Civilization, has no ramen of this level. She was truly glad for having come to Konoha.

Minato, Tsume, and Mikoto sweatdropped at Kushina. The latter two wondering how can she eat this much, while the former thinking that the anime truly didn't exaggerate some of the characters' reactions.

'And how was she able to eat this fast without making it flying everywhere? Is it what they called opposites always exist 'Art is an ingurgitation, Tsu-Ka'?'

Mikoto...Yes, Mikoto. After finishing school, Minato proposed to try the new ramen stand that opened not long ago 'Ichiraku ramen'. And Kushina, considering Mikoto her friend already, and as good to her friends, dragged her by force with them even if she said having some clan matters.

Mikoto was sneaking glances at Minato, thinking of asking him how did he became so strong. He, of course, sensed them and knew what she was thinking, but he has no intentions to train them yet. After all, even if he wanted to think that they will not betray him, his already hardened heart will not falter in front of some 'ifs'. Let's not even talk about that, even if they didn't want to betray him, the mentality of this world is clan and village first, oneself later. Even if it means suffering from his wrath, they will still report all things to their clans head or Hokage if asked, just because society is like that.

So teaching them some things that will let them really improve is super complicated. He must add a failsafe in case of betrayal, and make them accept it. After all, he doesn't want to have a relationship based on secrets and control, if not he will just have chosen to become the strongest and enslave the female population creating a gigantic harem for his pŀėȧsurė.

And he must hide said failsafe from the higher authority because if they discover it, he is screwed. Furthermore, he must trust they will not remove the seal behind his back... Even if he has the knowledge of a fuuinjutsu's master, he just has low chunin chakra level, so everything that he creates could be broken with a bit of power.

'Aaah...Being a good guy sure is complicated. In my old life, because I was a loner that didn't have to care about anything, I did whatever I wanted. But, well...Being in their company isn't so bad, at least it's far more amusing than brooding and plotting hidden in the darkness' Looking at Tsume and Kushina arguing and which pranks they have done is better, and Mikoto amusedly watching and interjecting sometime, Minato couldn't help but smile. It has been far too long since he has enjoyed a real friendship with no benefits hidden behind it.

”Hey Minato, what's with that womanly smile and faraway look. Are you a maiden in love?”

Kushina's comment brought him out of his thoughts. Now was not the time to reminisce his past, it's all behind him, he has a whole new life ahead of him, and he must profit off this second chance!

”Hm, yeah. I've fallen for Tsunade Senju, the Hokage disciple. She sure is an eye candy, I hope she will not find anyone before I grow up”

Seeing Kushina and Tsume face stiffened, he couldn't help but explode in laughter.

Understanding that he fooled them, they couldn't help but fly in rage and they began a cursing contest. (They try to hit him as a good anime girl would do...but unfortunately for them, he doesn't like being hit)

--

Later that evening, in his apartment, Minato was having multiples emotions. Opening his fox wallet, his lips were twitching. There was nearly no more money! He has just enough to buy groceries for 1 week, far from enough to finish the month with. And recalling what happened back there, his lips twitched involuntarily.