Chapter 33 Ichiraku Ramen

Logan stepped out of the room, briefly greeted several examiners waiting outside, and then left the ANBU's headquarters directly.

'Root really is a place that makes it hard to have a good impression.' On the way home, Logan let out a sigh.

Regardless of the purpose, if Root wanted to coerce Logan into submission in this way, they were underestimating him. Although he always followed the rules, got along well with his colleagues, never acted recklessly or arrogantly just because of his strength, and bullying others at will when he is in a bad mood, but that does not mean that he is a cowardly person who only dared to kill outside but was trapped by the system.

At worst, if he can't work as a Ninja, becoming the personal bodyguard of those Daimyo is also a very lucrative career. Of course that might have been a future he had considered before. Now, Logan still wants to seek the truth, and he wouldn't stubbornly hold onto his emotions because of some sentimentality.

'Come to think of it, I had the opportunity to join Root at the beginning, but I refused back then, and nothing happened.' Logan pondered and rubbed his chin, 'Could it be that I'm really too outstanding? Ah, being excellent is also a kind of crime...'

Putting aside these clichés, Logan walked on the road, his gaze drifting among the pedestrians and shops, while his mind also analyzed the situation.

'Is it because of the Uchiha clan? With the Uchiha showing signs of rebellion, Konoha has begun to make targeted decisions. Is Danzo trying to strengthen his own power?' Logan thought to himself. Elite Jonin has always been a precious resource for the Ninja Village, whether it was Konoha or other Great Ninja Villages.

'Forget it, I really don't want to join Root anyway. It would be really uncomfortable to see Danzo's dead face with 'conspiracy' written all over it everyday.' Logan complained, 'As for that unreliable psychological test, the ANBU's big shots will definitely cover it up.'

Logan's thoughts were not wrong. After he showed no respect to the two Root's members, a report titled 'Doubts about the Psychological Test of Logan' was soon placed on Takeshi's desk.

"Do you have specific data and procedures?" Takeshi frowned, "For example, Mind-Reading Jutsu?"

The Root's members across from him only ambiguously replied, citing confidentiality as the reason.

In response to this, Takeshi naturally could only reply, "Hehe."

In the end, ANBU naturally blocked it. This matter was neither big nor small. In the end, all Root could do was to disgust Logan a bit by reducing some of his salary.

A few days later, Logan went to Takeshi's office, received the news of passing the assessment, obtained the identity certificate of the ANBU's Captain, and was also informed of the handling result of the 'psychological test' incident.

With a reward and a punishment, he was promoted based on actual performance. But surprisingly, his monthly fixed salary was still about the same as before, which made Logan a bit unhappy. Money is just a small matter, but matters of reputation were significant. He originally thought that with ANBU as his backer, there would be no problems for him to argue with Root.

Takeshi gave many explanations and instructions from both a rational and emotional standpoint, analyzing extensively. Logan had some concerns, but fortunately, he was not a hot-blooded youth who had just entered society. So on the surface, he still had to show that, 'Analytical Master Takeshi, you are right and resolute. I'll obey organizational arrangements.'

After leaving the ANBU's Headquarters, Logan pinched the different animal mask on his hand and sighed.

Certainly, his mood was not good. Logan did not go home directly. Looking at the sky, it was almost noon.

After passing through the area of ​​the Hokage Tower, some restaurants on the commercial street were bustling with activity, and the smell of food made Logan touch his stomach.

Usually, when he didn't have a mission, Logan cooked for himself. After living alone for a long time, he had some basic cooking skills. He rarely went out to eat, after all, there were few gatherings, so eating alone was fine.

Not wanting to bother with buying groceries and cooking, Logan took a detour, walked down a street he didn't usually take. After turning a corner, a ramen shop came into Logan's view.

"Oh, Ichiraku Ramen."

Logan exclaimed. This place was well-known among Naruto fans, and he had certainly visited it before. Ichiraku Ramen is also famous in Konoha Village, as the taste is indeed unique and delicious.

After touching his money pouch and getting the reassurance, Logan pushed aside the curtain and walked in.

"Boss, bring me a bowl of... uh."

Logan looked at the person sitting in the corner seat in surprise. He had silver-white hair and a black mask. Who else could it be if it wasn't Kakashi?

"Guest, what kind of ramen do you want?" Teuchi squinted his very small eyes, well, he probably opened them as wide as he could, and looked at Logan in confusion.

"Oh, um, give me a bowl of char siu ramen." Logan came back to his senses and said quickly.

Inside Ichiraku Ramen, there weren't many seats, just a small row. Kakashi sat on the far left, and since there's no other customers, Logan found a seat slightly to the right and sat down.

In no time, the ramen ordered by Kakashi was ready. Kakashi, who is still only in his early twenties, received the steaming bowl of ramen, thanked Teuchi, and then opened his chopsticks.

Stare--

Logan stared intently at Kakashi, who was about to pull down his mask to eat.

Stare--

Kakashi noticed Logan's fiery gaze and frowned, but he still pulled his mask down.

The moment his true appearance appeared, Logan's eyes widened, and then he couldn't help but curse in his heart.

'You are actually a bit more handsome than me!'

Logan had seen Kakashi's face under the mask in the original work, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. After seeing it, Logan could only sigh.

Then, he continued to stare at Kakashi's face with a sad look on his face. Kakashi couldn't bear it anymore and coughed awkwardly, then tilted his body slightly, eating the ramen in a strange manner.

'This man named Raiden Hattori... is he sick?' Kakashi muttered irritably, a hint of displeasure flashing across his young face. He actually knew the person sitting to his right. During the Third Great Ninja War, they were compared because of the Raikiri and Chidori. Now, because they both belonged to the ANBU, they have met a few times, but they hadn't greeted each other yet.

Seeing Kakashi's unusually disgusted behavior, Logan realized that his gaze was a bit too... affectionate. he also knew that he was looking a bit gay. His face turned red, and it just so happened that his ramen arrived at this time, so he quickly took it and started eating to cover up the awkward atmosphere.

For a while, there was only the sound of slurping noodles in the small space. Teuchi looked contentedly at his customers eating noodles.

But unexpectedly, after a while, the curtain of Ichiraku Ramen was lifted again.

A lively, energetic voice rang out.

"Uncle Teuchi, give me a bowl of char siu ramen, a super-sized one!"

With golden hair, goggles, and an orange jacket, the seven-year-old Uzumaki Naruto cheerfully sat between Logan and Kakashi.

"Sure thing, Naruto!" Teuchi was familiar with this regular customer and shouted loudly in agreement, then turned around to make the noodles.

Logan was stunned, and he realized that this kid is Uzumaki Naruto, the protagonist of Naruto.

On both sides of the golden-haired child, the two Jonin stiffened unconsciously.

The mood became indescribable for a moment. Logan covered his face with his left hand for a moment and then put it down, while Kakashi subtly glanced at his deceased teacher's son.

Taking a deep breath, unable to resist his curiosity, Logan turned his head and saw Naruto's bruised and swollen face.

"Yosh!"

"..." The atmosphere took a strange turn.

Ichiraku Ramen wasn't brightly lit, and it was hard to imagine that a face that had been injured and beaten could have such an infectious smile.