The system's task requirement was to be the first customer to eat at "Ichiraku Ramen." Lin Yu felt he definitely wouldn't be able to complete the mission if he went now. Forget it, he'd queue up a day in advance. No one could be more insane than him...
At Ichiraku Ramen, Teuchi was making the final adjustments to the shop. This was a crucial moment in his life, and he couldn't be careless. He had to inspect every minute detail to provide customers with a great dining experience!
Deep in the night, Teuchi finished inspecting the last area and lightly wiped the sweat from his brow. Finally, he could rest easy and wait for the opening day.
As Teuchi was about to lock the door, a sudden thunderclap startled him, causing him to tremble and almost insert the key into the wrong part of the lock.
Teuchi's expression was one of helplessness, as if he had heard it before. He turned his head to look at two tent-like bulges in front of him, from which thunderous snores intermittently erupted.
Rumble, rumble!
Grind, grind!
The two snores were different! It was truly... truly something that made Teuchi love and hate them! The two tents housed Choza Akimichi and his father. They had found this spot days ago and set up camp, determined to be the first to eat ramen!
Because of this, Teuchi was touched by their sincere passion for food and, in a daze, went along with it. Now, he regretted it more and more. He didn't know what to do. Should he go find Lin Yu tomorrow for a solution?
Rumble, rumble!
Grind, grind!
Never mind! He'd deal with it tomorrow. He couldn't stay here any longer. Teuchi's figure vanished into the night as if fleeing.
...
Tap, tap, tap!
"Who is it? Knocking so early in the morning." Lin Yu rubbed his eyes and stumbled towards the door, completely oblivious to the bright sun outside.
"Huh? It's Teuchi-bro... Big brother, why are you here so early? Has the ramen shop opened ahead of schedule?" Lin Yu patted his cheeks to wake himself up. If the ramen shop opened early, it would disrupt many of his plans, so he had to clarify.
"Ah, no, it's not about that. The opening time hasn't changed."
Teuchi pointed at the sun again and said, "It's already past nine in the morning. You're waking up too late, kid."
"Ahaha, I was too tired from doing missions yesterday, so I overslept!" Lin Yu said, touching his conscience. It hurt a little, but he shouldn't die from it, right!
Teuchi's gaze towards Lin Yu shifted slightly as he said, "I didn't expect you to have such a sense of responsibility, Lin Yu. Then I won't bother you further. Just remember to come on opening day."
Seeing Teuchi about to leave, Lin Yu quickly stopped him. "Big brother Teuchi, what's wrong? Just tell me. Besides, I'm well-rested. I can do seven or eight more missions today!" Mikoto, I'm sorry, let's go!
Teuchi saw that Lin Yu genuinely didn't look tired and organized his thoughts. After a long pause, he said, "I don't know how to explain it. Come with me, and you'll see."
Lin Yu thought, Then why were you hesitating for so long!
Lin Yu followed him somewhat reluctantly. After all, his mission depended on Teuchi pulling some strings. A doubled hand-seal speed would significantly boost his combat power, even though his strongest attacks barely required hand seals...
Teuchi's ramen shop was some distance from Lin Yu's house. However, the Hidden Leaf Village was small, so distance was not an issue for Lin Yu. It was just a bit strenuous for Teuchi, an ordinary person.
Lin Yu couldn't help but wonder why there were computers, radios, and all sorts of sophisticated instruments in the ninja world, yet no telephones!
It seemed he would have to push Orochimaru more on research in the future. Orochimaru: I'm in R&D, but not technology!
Upon arriving at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen, Lin Yu stared blankly at the two small mountains in front of him. What was going on?
Had they really gone to the extreme of setting up tents to queue? As for who it was, Lin Yu felt that besides the Akimichi clan, there was no one else in the Leaf Village.
How was he supposed to complete his mission like this!
Seeing Lin Yu deep in thought, Teuchi stepped forward and asked softly, "What do you think? Is there a way for them to eat ramen without queuing?"
I wish I knew such a way! I want to be the first one to eat too! This isn't like buying tickets for a concert...
Tickets! Lin Yu suddenly had a brilliant idea. If it worked, his mission would surely be completed, and the current predicament would be resolved!
Lin Yu leaned towards Teuchi's ear and whispered, "We just need to do this... this... and then the queuing problem will be solved!"
Teuchi's eyes lit up as he listened to Lin Yu's suggestion. This was indeed a good idea. It would solve the problem of the two "mountains" and prevent the congestion caused by queuing. It was perfect!
Teuchi patted Lin Yu forcefully on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "Good kid, why didn't I notice you had such ideas before?"
Heh, isn't it just because I didn't order your ramen last time! Lin Yu grumbled inwardly.
"Big brother Teuchi, how many seats do you have here? A lot of important people might be coming later." Lin Yu said.
"Important people?" Teuchi laughed, thinking Lin Yu was introducing some ninjas he knew. He casually replied, "My shop can seat about 15 people. Don't worry, it'll be enough!"
If it's just the people I invite, then it's indeed enough, but there's Kushina's side too, a group of potential stars. Moreover, Lin Yu has a bad feeling that the opening of Ichiraku Ramen will cause quite a stir.
Lin Yu was a little uneasy and said, "Big brother Teuchi, there might be a lot of people then. I suggest you rent this open space in front first. We can set up some tables and chairs."
"Will there really be that many people?" Teuchi was a little surprised. The rental fee wasn't expensive; he was just astonished that Lin Yu had so many ninja friends.
"Heh, probably..." Lin Yu thought there would be even more. He shouldn't have told Kushina that Hiruzen Sarutobi would also be there.
Alas! He hoped nothing would go wrong then. Lin Yu was very optimistic about Ichiraku Ramen!
Pfft! You're optimistic about this and that, Lin Yu, but when have you ever been pessimistic!
Lin Yu: Everyone can be redeemed! But Danzo can't! Danzo is destined to bear this burden! Even Hiruzen can't save you, I, Lin Yu, have spoken!
"What? We can't queue anymore! What are numbered tickets?" Choza Akimichi was woken up by Teuchi from his tent. As for his father, he had long since left the tent. After all, as the clan head, he didn't have much free time, but for the sake of delicious food, he had to let his son take his place!
Teuchi explained the meaning of seat numbers to Choza Akimichi. Hearing this, his eyes lit up, and he said, "So, as long as I get this numbered ticket, I don't have to queue here anymore, and I'll still be the first customer on opening day?"
Choza Akimichi's eyes gleamed. Although skipping class was fun, he hadn't treated Shikaku for several days, and he missed it.
"Yes, the first ten people are the first batch of customers and can eat first," Teuchi said with a smile.
He strongly agreed with Lin Yu's suggestion. This way, his workload wouldn't be too heavy; he just needed to prioritize the dining needs of ten people and could even take some time to rest. It was perfect!
"That's great! Then I want that numbered ticket now, and one for my old man!" Choza Akimichi said anxiously.
"Uh... this..."
"The numbered tickets are still on their way and should arrive tomorrow," Lin Yu said with a smile, helping Teuchi out of a difficult situation.
"Is that so? Then I'll stay another day."
Choza Akimichi looked at Lin Yu and exclaimed in surprise, "Red hair? Are you Uzumaki Lin Yu, whom Uzumaki Kushina always talks about beating up?"
Lin Yu's forehead twitched: Kushina!