Chapter 6: A High Moral Standard

Chapter 6: A High Moral Standard

The sun was already high in the sky, nearly noon. Having barely slept the night before, Mizuki was still catching up on rest. Physical exhaustion was one thing, but mental fatigue required true peace of mind to recover from.

Just as he was enjoying his sleep, a loud knock on the door jolted him awake.

Annoyed, Mizuki groggily got out of bed, his eyelids still heavy, and made his way to the door. "Who is it?" he grumbled.

"It's me, Mizuki," a female voice responded.

"Ah, Tsubaki?" Mizuki opened the door to let Chihiro Tsubaki inside. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"It's already noon, and I took the afternoon off." Tsubaki's face was filled with worry. "Mizuki, I heard about what happened this morning—you manipulated Iruka's student and even attacked him. Is that true?"

"News travels fast, huh? You already heard about it?"

Tsubaki stepped closer, her expression anxious. "Did you really do it? Mizuki, were you arrested? Are you hurt?"

She's worried about injuries at a time like this? Mizuki sighed internally. She really has a high "romance IQ."

"I'm fine, no need to worry."

"Are you sure? You're not… leaving Konoha, are you?"

"Of course not. Stop overthinking it—it's all over now." Mizuki smiled and gently ruffled Tsubaki's hair.

She's quite pretty, but that vest really ruins the look. Ponytails are cute, but with her face, it seems a little mismatched… His relaxed state led his mind to wander, and he found himself internally critiquing her fashion choices.

"Is it really over?"

"Of course it is. When have I ever lied to you?" Mizuki chuckled. I even told you about my connection to Orochimaru… This Mizuki guy sure had a questionable "romance IQ."

"I see… Then, give me a second—I'll freshen up," Mizuki said, heading off to wash his face.

By the time he returned, the room was already neatly tidied up, with Tsubaki waiting patiently.

"I'm hungry. Let's go out to eat."

"Huh? That's wasteful. I can cook for you," she offered.

"We're out of ingredients. Let's just eat out. I want ramen."

Mizuki had long admired the legendary Ichiraku Ramen—a place that remained open from the first episode to the very last. Though his memories told him he had visited before, experiencing it firsthand felt different.

Moreover, Mizuki was genuinely curious about Teuchi, the ramen shop owner, and Ayame, his daughter—two non-ninja civilians who somehow had more presence than he did in the original story.

This is like meeting a celebrity… or witnessing history firsthand.

Before today, Mizuki had dreaded meeting Tsubaki. After all, no one knew him better than his fiancée. There was always a chance she'd sense something was different.

But now, things were different.

After such a major event, some changes in personality were to be expected. If he played his part well, any lingering suspicions would only fade over time.

Sitting in Ichiraku Ramen, Mizuki felt exhausted.

He was already on his second bowl, yet the ramen shop's owner Teuchi was still chatting away.

I never heard this guy was a talker… If he had become a ninja, he would've been an expert at Talk-no-Jutsu. Is he the real inventor of the ultimate persuasion technique?

"You don't come here often, do you, young man?" Teuchi asked with a grin. "I don't recall seeing you before. Have you been here before? Ah, you have! But wait, if you've been here before… was there something you didn't like? My recipe is a centuries-old family secret, passed down through generations! We never share it—not even with sons-in-law! Only sons inherit it!"

"Centuries?" Mizuki's eye twitched. "What, did the Sage of Six Paths eat your ramen too?"

Teuchi chuckled heartily.

"If it's really been passed down for generations, that means your family's ramen legacy ends with you, huh? That's a shame," Mizuki said, nodding toward Ayame, who was busy working.

Teuchi paused.

"…Well, actually, if you marry Ayame, I might consider making an exception."

"…Wait, I thought you said the secret recipe doesn't pass to sons-in-law?"

Teuchi gave a shameless grin.

I need to leave. This guy is willing to sell off his daughter just to keep his ramen legacy alive?

Mizuki hastily paid the bill.

Pulling Tsubaki along, he quickly exited the shop.

Behind them, Ayame and Teuchi waved. "Come back again soon!"

Mizuki muttered, "Yeah, I definitely won't."

As they walked, Tsubaki asked, "Do you have anything planned next? Iruka is still in Konoha Hospital. Do you want to visit him?"

Mizuki thought for a moment. "Sure."

After Teuchi's rambling, his mood was surprisingly good, so he casually agreed.

"…By the way, Tsubaki," Mizuki mused, "do you think I should change my hairstyle?"

Tsubaki stiffened. "Mizuki, are you thinking about Ayame from the ramen shop? Are you trying to marry into her family? Are you bored of me?"

"…What? Where did you even get that idea?" Mizuki was speechless.

I was just thinking that my middle-parted hair looks too much like a typical villain's hairstyle!

This topic was dangerous.

"…Let's go see Iruka," he quickly said, changing the subject.

Inside a hospital room, Iruka Umino stood near the window in his hospital gown, basking in the afternoon sun.

Spring weather had a way of making people feel sleepy in the afternoons.

Just as Iruka was about to return to bed, a knock sounded.

"Come in, the door's open," he called.

Tsubaki entered first, holding a bouquet of carnations.

"I didn't expect to see you again so soon," Iruka said warmly. "Didn't you already visit this morning?"

"I'm sorry, Iruka… Mizuki caused you trouble. But this time, I'm not alone."

Mizuki stepped in.

Iruka's eyes widened slightly. "You?"

"You look surprised," Mizuki smirked. "What, were you expecting me to be in prison?"

Iruka sighed. "Mizuki… I still don't understand. People told me what happened, but I still don't get it. What were you trying to do? You did all of this… just to fight me?"

Tsubaki bowed apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Iruka…"

Mizuki stopped her. "Seeing that you're still alive and well, I feel relieved."

Iruka crossed his arms. "Naruto isn't here either. You think he'd visit me after what he did?"

"He just left," Iruka explained. "He's registering as a ninja and probably getting his ID photo taken."

"Oh," Mizuki replied absently, glancing around the hospital room.

This world's technology is so weird… Some things feel medieval, but they can still perform complex eye transplants and clone entire bloodlines. Just how messed up is their technology tree?

Suddenly, Mizuki grinned. "Hey, I heard Ayame from the ramen shop is looking for a husband. Want me to set you up?"

"Shut up, Mizuki," Iruka rolled his eyes.

Mizuki grinned wider.

Iruka's smile faded. "…You still haven't answered my question."

Mizuki sighed dramatically. "Fine. You really want to know?"

Then, with an exaggerated pose, he declared:

"To prevent the world from being destroyed! To unite all people within our nation!"

Iruka facepalmed.

"…I give up. You're insufferable."

Tsubaki giggled softly.

As they left, Iruka suddenly called out:

"…We're still friends, right, Mizuki?"

Mizuki didn't answer.

Tsubaki bowed politely before following after him.

As they walked, Tsubaki whispered, "Mizuki… you've changed."

"Have I?"

"Yes… but you don't seem burdened anymore."

Mizuki laughed softly.

"Sorry for making you worry."

For once, Mizuki felt at peace.

But to survive in this world… I still need more power.