After Team 7's four members left, Ichiraku Ramen didn't immediately enter its peak hours, but customers gradually began to trickle in.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the fabric curtain, casting warm patches of light across the counter. The rich aroma of pork bone broth in the air grew stronger and more mouthwatering.
Aren skillfully tied his apron and began his day's work as an "outstanding employee of Ichiraku Ramen."
It must be said, the effect of [Basic Physical Enhancement Lv1] that he exchanged from the [Dream Master System] last night was nothing short of immediate.
He could clearly feel that his previously somewhat weak, youthful body had been injected with new vitality overnight.
Thinking back to his first year after transmigrating—forget kneading dough or handling the wok—even just washing the mountain of dishes each day would leave him utterly exhausted. After only a short while, he'd be panting, his back aching, and by nightfall, lying in bed, it felt like his bones didn't belong to him anymore.
Back then, almost all the shop's big and small tasks relied on Teuchi and Ayame-nee.
He had felt guilty and wanted to train his body to take on more responsibility, but this body's foundation had been too poor. His training barely helped. Once, he even tried showing off by lifting a bag of flour in the back kitchen, only to nearly sprain his back—so badly that Ayame-nee banned him from touching anything heavy for several days.
But today was completely different.
Aren felt like he had an endless supply of energy flowing through him.
Whether it was kneading dough, lifting a soup barrel weighing dozens of pounds onto the stove with ease, or quickly chopping vegetables, prepping ingredients, boiling noodles, and draining them—he did it all effortlessly, with time and strength to spare.
Not only was he not tired—he actually felt... more energetic the more he worked?
Was this really just Lv1? If it reaches Lv10... wouldn't he be able to dance while juggling ramen bowls?
He not only efficiently completed his own duties but even had energy left over to help Teuchi make broth and prepare char siu.
"Hmm? Aren, you're... quite nimble today, aren't you?"
After the lunch rush, the shop became a bit quieter.
Teuchi, wiping sweat, looked at Aren, who had almost finished tidying up the back kitchen, with some surprise, and couldn't help but tease, "Not bad, not bad. Have you been secretly training lately?"
"Hehe..." Of course, he couldn't tell anyone about the System. Aren showed a shy yet slightly smug smile, scratching his head, "I have indeed been secretly training my body lately, thinking I could help out a bit... Now it seems the effect isn't bad."
"Oh?"
Teuchi was first startled by the words, then a deeply gratified smile appeared on his face.
He had always treated Aren as his own son, knowing that although the child usually seemed a bit wild, he was actually very sensible deep down.
What a... good child.
Teuchi walked forward and firmly patted Aren's slightly thin shoulder with his large hand, his eyes filled with approval and affection: "Good boy, you know how to care for your old man and sister now."
He laughed heartily and said generously, "However, just training isn't enough; nutrition must keep up. How about this, tonight, your old man will make you something good to properly replenish your energy!"
"Really? That's great! Thank you, Dad."
Aren's eyes instantly lit up when he heard about the extra meal.
Just as they were enjoying this warm moment, the fabric curtain at the entrance was lifted, and a beautiful figure walked in.
"I'm home! Dad, Aren!"
It was Ayame-nee.
She was carrying a large bamboo basket that looked quite heavy, and there were fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
Seeing Teuchi and Aren smiling at each other in the shop, she asked curiously, "Oh? What's so happy about?"
"Ayame-nee, you're back." Aren immediately dropped the rag in his hand and went to meet her. "Dad said we're having an extra meal tonight."
As he spoke, he naturally reached out to take the vegetable basket from Ayame's arms: "Let me help you carry it, Sis, you look tired."
"You?"
Ayame looked at him with some suspicion and subconsciously guarded the vegetable basket. "Can you carry it? Don't overexert yourself and sprain your back again!"
Clearly, she was still traumatized by Aren's previous "achievements."
"Don't worry, Sis." Aren confidently flexed his arm. "This much weight is a piece of cake."
"Hahaha, that's right." Teuchi also chimed in with a laugh. "Ayame, don't worry. Aren is much stronger now—he's a true man."
Ayame released her grip, half-believing, half-doubting.
Aren chuckled and effortlessly took the vegetable basket, which weighed at least thirty to forty pounds, and steadily carried it back to the inner storeroom.
After coming out, he lifted the fabric curtain again, and indeed, there was a small horse-drawn cart parked outside, loaded with about a dozen heavy boxes of various ingredients.
Under Ayame's astonished gaze, Aren walked to the cart, took a deep breath, grabbed two of the largest wooden boxes with both hands, and lifted them with a sudden burst of strength.
"Up!"
Those two heavy wooden boxes were actually lifted clear off the cart by him.
"Wow..."
Ayame couldn't help but cover her mouth, her beautiful eyes filled with shock. "Aren... you... when did you get so strong?"
Teuchi also looked proud and smug, folding his arms and saying, "I told you, this kid has grown up."
Aren returned to the back kitchen with steady steps, his face confident, and set down the boxes.Going back and forth, it wasn't long before he had efficiently moved all dozen or so heavy boxes of vegetables and ingredients from the cart into the back kitchen storage.Throughout the entire process, he barely even breathed heavily.
Ayame watched Aren's busy and energetic back, and the confident, sunny smile on his face, her heart filled with emotion.Yes... this child has truly grown up.He was no longer the little one who needed her and her father's constant care three years ago.She was genuinely happy for Aren.
Aren moved the last box of ingredients into the warehouse, looking at Teuchi, who was still busy, and Ayame-nee, who was about to come and help, and a warm current surged in his heart.
'Sigh... After being cared for so selflessly by Teuchi and Ayame-nee for three years, it's no wonder they could treat Naruto without any prejudice.'
Three years of living together had made him deeply appreciate the simple kindness of this father and daughter.
Although their life was ordinary, they always treated those around them with the greatest goodwill, including him, an orphan of unknown origin, and also the fox demon shunned by the entire village.However...
After three years of subtle observation and probing, Aren could basically confirm it.Teuchi was indeed not Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku.Nor was he Six Paths Teuchi....