Naruto Birdcage

"A mission for me?"

Rin looked at the mission scroll handed to her by the ninja in front of her with surprise.

Ever since she had been stationed in the village, she hadn't thought she would receive another mission.

"The frontlines need a new batch of medical ninja. You've been selected for the roster. Departure is tomorrow morning, so prepare yourself today."

"Understood," Rin replied.

After the ninja left, Rin couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Back to the frontlines again...

She thought of Kakashi and Minato-sensei, as well as Kurenai, Asuma, Guy, and Genma.

Having experienced War with Iwagakure Shinobi, Rin didn't feel much resistance to returning to the battlefield.

She believed it was her duty as a Konoha ninja.

After leaving the hospital, she changed course and headed to the Hyuga compound.

It had been a while since she'd been there.

She still thought the Hyuga clan's gates were quite imposing, but the area in front was eerily quiet.

Ever since the incident with Hyuga Hiashi, the villagers had avoided passing near the Hyuga compound.

"Hello, I'm here to see Makoto-kun," Rin said to the Hyuga clan member who opened the door.

The person was surprised to hear that she was looking for Makoto.

He didn't recognize Rin, but after some thought, he replied, "Lord Makoto is not in the clan compound right now."

Lord Makoto?

Carefully, Rin asked, "May I ask if you know where Makoto-kun is at the moment?"

"And you are?"

"My name is Nohara Rin. I'm a friend of Makoto-kun's."

"Lord Makoto is likely with the Hokage right now."

Leaving the entrance of the Hyuga compound, Rin couldn't help but feel a bit incredulous.

She distinctly remembered that Makoto's status within the Hyuga clan hadn't been that high.

Back when she and Makoto had returned from the frontlines, she had visited the Hyuga compound as a guest several times and clearly remembered that the Hyuga clan members treated Makoto rather indifferently.

How had he suddenly become "Lord Makoto"?

Moreover, that person seemed old enough to be Makoto's elder.

Rin found it difficult to understand.

She pondered for a while but suddenly recalled Minato-sensei's reminder to keep her distance from Makoto.

However, Rin didn't feel any aversion toward Makoto—especially since he had just saved her life yesterday.

Rin arrived outside the Hokage's office and hesitated for a moment before deciding to wait for Makoto to come out.

Yet, one hour passed, and the sun was already setting.

Rin even started to suspect that the person earlier had lied to her.

"Are you waiting for me?"

The familiar voice suddenly sounded near her ear, causing Rin to quickly turn around.

"Makoto-kun!"

"I was busy with some things earlier," Makoto said.

Rin quickly replied, "It's fine. I came here on my own. I went to your place earlier, but I was told you were here."

She then gave a slightly shy smile.

"About what I said yesterday—treating you to a meal.

Do you have time? I'm heading to the frontlines tomorrow, and I don't know when I'll be back."

"What are we eating?" Makoto asked.

"What would you like, Makoto-kun?"

After a brief moment of thought, Makoto replied, "Ichiraku Ramen."

"Ramen?" Rin repeated, surprised.

Rin felt that taking someone out for ramen didn't seem very appropriate for a formal meal invitation.

Makoto gave a faint smile and asked, "What's wrong?"

Rin smiled back. "Nothing. If that's what you'd like, Makoto-kun, then Ichiraku Ramen it is."

After all, this was Makoto's suggestion, and since she was treating him, it made sense to go with what he wanted to eat.

"Rin," Makoto suddenly called her name.

"Eh?"

"I've called you that before, haven't I?" Makoto said.

Rin stared at him blankly, not understanding what he meant.

"If you think our relationship is close enough, then there's no need for formalities," Makoto added.

"…"

Rin gave an awkward laugh. "Alright… Makoto."

The two chatted casually as they made their way to the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen.

Rin's thoughts suddenly grew complicated as memories surfaced of when she used to come here often with Kakashi and Obito.

That guy Obito was always late, which would make Kakashi really angry…

"Welcome! What can I get for you two?"

"The house special ramen," Makoto said after glancing at the menu on the wall and noticing there weren't any new additions.

"I'll have the same," Rin added.

Teuchi turned around and started working at the counter.

"Makoto… do you really like ramen?" Rin asked, initiating the conversation.

"I like anything that tastes good," Makoto replied.

"Besides, I think this place is unique."

"Of course it is," Teuchi interjected, joining the conversation.

"My ramen-making skills are one of a kind!"

Rin smiled and chimed in, "That's true—Teuchi-san's ramen is especially delicious."

Teuchi squinted his eyes and smiled.

"Rin, it's been a while since you've been here. What about Kakashi and Obito?"

Rin's smile froze instantly, and her expression turned somber.

"Kakashi is on the frontlines," Makoto replied on her behalf.

With the constant battles plaguing the village, Teuchi immediately understood the situation from Rin's reaction and sighed softly.

That loudmouthed kid who always declared he'd become Hokage… Teuchi had quite liked him.

Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen were placed in front of them.

The aroma was mouthwatering, and the owner had even added an extra slice of chashu for each of them.

Seeing Rin still looking downcast, Makoto spoke up, "Rin."

He turned slightly to look at her. "Let me show you something interesting."

Rin collected herself and asked, "What is it?"

Makoto extended a single finger and gently swiped it through the air.

To her astonishment, the noodles in his bowl began to float on their own, slowly rising and delivering themselves into his mouth.

Rin was immediately amazed. "How did you do that?"

She even waved her hand over Makoto's bowl to check for any transparent threads or tricks.

Makoto chuckled lightly. "Want to try?"

Rin hesitated. "I don't know how."

Makoto then controlled the noodles again, making them float one by one toward Rin.

"Open your mouth."

Rin's eyes widened in disbelief, but she unconsciously opened her small mouth.

The noodles floated right in, and she chewed and swallowed them.

She felt a warm sensation flow through her body but assumed it was just because the ramen was hot, paying it no mind.

She took a deep breath but found there were too many noodles to finish in one go, so she bit them off.

Seeing the remaining noodles return to the bowl on their own, Rin didn't even have time to voice her amazement before suddenly realizing… that was Makoto's bowl.

And Makoto had bitten the noodles earlier, hadn't he?

"How is it?" Makoto asked with a faint smile, effortlessly controlling the floating noodles like second nature.

Rin's face turned red with embarrassment and shyness.

It wasn't that she was disgusted—she just felt uneasy knowing the situation.

"It's… impressive…"

"Um, how about I eat that bowl instead?"

Rin pointed at Makoto's ramen, her voice hesitant and apologetic.

Makoto raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised but understanding her concerns.

The girl in front of him was so pure, as were most girls in this world.

In his previous life, sharing the same drink, meal, or even bed with someone of the opposite sex wasn't a big deal, but here, it clearly carried a different weight.

Finding her reaction amusing, Makoto replied, "But I've already eaten from this bowl."

Rin's embarrassment deepened, and she stammered, "I—I already ate from it too. I didn't mean to! My bowl is untouched. Why don't you take mine instead?"

Saying this, she quickly pushed her bowl of ramen toward Makoto and took his bowl in exchange.

"Let's just eat." Rin lowered her head and began eating her ramen.

The steam from the hot noodles made her face itch, but she didn't dare lift her gaze to meet Makoto's.

Makoto noticed that although Rin tried to maintain a calm expression, when she tucked her hair behind her ear, it revealed an ear flushed red.

Even the back of her neck, covered in fine, soft hairs, was also tinged with crimson.

"When are you leaving tomorrow?" Makoto decided to stop teasing her and changed the subject.

"In the morning."

"Be careful on the frontlines."

"Ah, I will," Rin replied with a smile.

What she didn't know was that the mission had been assigned to her by Makoto himself.

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