19 - It's on the house kids...

Konoha...

Twins' house...

After finishing the first task given by Saito Sensei, Kirito went through a change that night, but he didn't know it.

Currently, Kirito is going to the park with Naruto as usual.

"Are you sure you don't want to eat any meat?" Naruto asked as they arrived at the park.

"Yes, I am. Anyway, I promised to give Choji some meat, remember," Kirito replied, feeling a bit off.

"Yes, but it is really good meat, brother. Anyway, can't do anything about it, right?" Naruto said as they entered the park.

"Well, they are here," Kirito said, spotting Shikamaru and Choji entering the park with smiles.

"Shikamaru, I smell something good," Choji said right after entering the park, his face lighting up.

"Is it some kind of food?" Shikamaru asked with a smile, knowing his friend well.

"Yes, it's roasted chicken," Choji said, nodding excitedly.

"Look, Naruto and Kirito are there," Shikamaru said, spotting the twins as Kirito signaled at him.

"Do you think Kirito brought it for me?" Choji said eagerly and ran toward the twins.

"Wait for me, Choji," Shikamaru shouted, following closely behind.

"Here, Choji, as I promised, you can have these four chickens," Kirito said, handing Choji a bag with a smile.

"It really is you guys," Choji said and started eating happily.

"So, you finished your first challenge?" Shikamaru asked after seeing Choji enjoying the chicken.

"Yes, thank you, guys. Here, thank you, guys," Kirito said, giving Shikamaru a bag.

"Hey, it is too much," Shikamaru protested when he saw two chickens in the bag.

"No, it's alright. After all, you helped me a lot with your Shadow Possession Jutsu," Kirito said, shaking his head. "Also, can you give this bag to Ino?"

"No problem, I can do that much," Shikamaru said, taking the bag.

After that, they played for a while and then returned home early to avoid wasting the food.

[Note: Shadow Possession Jutsu is used by Shikamaru to help the twins catch the chickens]

After they went their separate ways, Naruto and Kirito arrived in front of Ichiraku Ramen.

"Hey, Kirito, do you think it's okay for us to eat ramen here today?" Naruto asked with a hopeful tone.

"Well, let's eat here for once. We'll manage it, I think," Kirito replied, also feeling a bit down.

"Okay, let's go in," Naruto said, entering the shop.

"Welcome," they were greeted warmly by the old man, Teuchi.

"Give us your best ramen, old man," Naruto said with a laugh, looking at Teuchi.

"Yes, Uncle, we would like to have your ramen again if you don't mind," Kirito said, not wanting to provoke the old man with Naruto's disrespect and get thrown out of the shop again.

"No problem, kids, just sit and wait there," Teuchi said and started preparing the cooking.

After some time, they got their ramen in two large bowls...

"Isn't it the best ever, Kirito?" Naruto said while eating with delight.

"Yes, brother, it is," Kirito replied, eating quietly.

"Glad you like it, kids," Teuchi said with a laugh, pleased to see the smiles on the kids' faces while eating his cooking.

"Hey, Kirito, can I have a little more?" Naruto asked when he was done eating half of his bowl.

"Yes, go ahead. Slurp," Kirito said as he drank his soup.

"You heard him, old man, give me one more," Naruto said, continuing to eat.

When Naruto finished his first bowl, Teuchi immediately gave him the second. "Here you go, kid."

"I am full," Naruto said after finishing his second bowl and turned toward Kirito, asking, "You are too slow, Kirito. Look, I have finished two bowls, and you haven't even finished your first bowl."

"I am not slow. It's just that I am enjoying my food, unlike you, who ate as fast as he can without savoring it," Kirito said, earning a good impression from Teuchi for appreciating his food so much. He added, "Also, I don't want to eat my food without properly tasting it."

"Well, it was too tasty, so I couldn't do it, you know," Naruto said, finding Kirito's point reasonable.

After finishing the meal, Kirito stood up and said, "Thanks for the meal, uncle."

Naruto said, "Thanks for your ramen, you know your ramen is my favorite food."

After that, Kirito asked, "So, how much is it, uncle?"

"It's okay, kids. You don't have to pay," Teuchi said with a smile.

"No, how could it be? We can't do that," Kirito said, shaking his head.

"Don't worry, kid. Just think of it as on the house, and I'm not going to change my mind," Teuchi said with a smile, sounding serious.

"Okay, uncle, see you next time. Take care," they said and left, arguing a bit about paying.

"Take care, kids…" Teuchi bid them farewell with a smile.

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