Chapter 12 – Exploring Konoha
‘Hmm, what will I do today…’ – Azuma mind
Azuma was rolling on his futon thinking on what are his plan is for the day. Until his mother called him…
“Dear, come and have breakfast and then we will get you ready for your first distance journey.” – Yuna
“Ah, where are we going mum?” – Azuma
“Hehe, we will be going to a ninja village called Konoha. It will be your first distance journey.” – Yuna
‘!!!, KONOHA! Oooh I have been wondering about it since I knew about where I am in this world…’ – Azuma mind
“Distance journey?” – Azuma
“Yes dear, we will be travelling with a supply convoy to resupply Konoha with our products. It will be about a day journey to Konoha, we will stay there for a few days before going back home.” – Yuna
“Ah!...” – Azuma
“So let’s have breakfast then get ready for the journey will we?” – Yuna
“Yes mum~” – Azuma
…
‘The first time I journeyed to Konoha was with my mother and the business convoy when I was one years old. I still remembered it well, my first time looking at Konoha… Aaah the feeling… the downside of it is that I cannot actually do my exploration. The only thing I do there is visit Naruto and his family. I do make sure to tag around with my mother for business dealings by hook or crook so I can see more of Konoha rather than be with that baby Naruto.’ – Azuma mind
‘But today it will be different, I am three now, and this time I will be also tagging along with the convoy with my mother to Konoha. Hehe my Konoha grand adventure will begin now.’ – Azuma mind
“Mum I am going out.” – Azuma
“Ok dear, be careful remember to be home before dinner.” – Yuna
“Yes mum~” – Azuma
‘Oooh I am here… now where do I want to go hmm… let me remember back what I know about this place…’ – Azuma mind
“… ah the ramen shop, what is the name already?...” – Azuma
While Azuma was figuring out the name of the popular ramen shop that Naruto liked to go to…
“Hmm… sniff… this smell...” – Azuma
“Otchan okawari!” – ?
“Ooh that voice… Naruto!” – Azuma
“Uh… oh Azuma you are back, come and join me. This ramen is the best.” – Naruto
“You no need to say it twice, the purpose I am here is for this.” – Azuma
“Ojisan can I have one bowl of what he is having.” – Azuma
“Oh, you’re Naruto friend? Welcome come and have a seat, your bowl will be ready in no time. Ayane another bowl for our customer.” – Ojisan (Teuchi)
“Thanks ojisan.” – Azuma
“So Azuma how long will you be here for.” – Naruto
“I do not know, but I think I got at least one week.” – Azuma
“Oh, then let’s go and play later.” – Naruto
“… how about bringing me around Konoha, I haven’t been to many other places.” – Azuma
“Ok.” – Naruto
“Thx” – Azuma
“Here’s your bowl of charsiew ramen” – Teuchi
“Thanks, itadakimasu~” – Azuma/Naruto
‘What in the… Ooh the soup is just too good, the milky look is a proof that the meat bones has been boiled for a very long time giving it a deep flavor with a hint mix vegetables and miso flavor. Oh wow the noodles is al dante, the soup brooth are being absorbed in the noodles as well. How about the char siew… !!! wow its great, you can pick it up with your chopstick but when it enters your mouth…oooh it melts, it have the right amount of soyou and mirin with the slight taste of garlic, ginger and onions within the each piece… Oooh the glory of eating this piece of meat. No wonder Naruto actually eat it always if possible. The quality…’ – Azuma mind
“Slurp~~ huh!” – Azuma
‘… I did not notice I have finished… this is the first time…’ – Azuma mind
“Ojisan, this is the best ramen I have eaten. Seriously, my first time, I do not think anyone can compete in you in this. The capital ramen just pale in comparison to this.” – Azuma
“Oh, such a high praise. Alright this meal is free for you both.” – Teuchi
“Thank you otchan~, Azuma (tumbs up)” – Naruto
“Ojisan really this is my first time, when I get back to Owari you will be sure that this will be in my recommendation by me for people visiting Konoha. This ramen is godly.” – Azuma
“You are praising me too highly…” – Teuchi
Azuma continued his praises and small talk with Naruto, Teuchi, and Ayane…
“So where are do you want to go now?” – Naruto
“Hmm, I remembered a place that my mother told me about. It was a place she brought my dad for a date the first time… ah yes the dango-ya.” – Azuma
“Oh that dessert shop, my mom always goes there after eating ramen to meet up with her friends.” – Naruto
“So you want to go there now? It is quite near here” – Naruto
“Hmm no maybe later we just finish eating so why don’t we go for a walk to digest our meal. We will come back later for it.” – Azuma
“Sounds good, so any other place you want to go.” – Naruto
“Hmm… how about the Hokage Mountain, I haven’t been there up close.” – Azuma
“Eeh… why there… ah anyway come follow me I know a shortcut there.” – Naruto
“Oh, okey.” – Azuma
…
“Come we need to go up the stairs here then we will reach a viewing spot… eh, Shikamaru, Choji, you’re here?” – Naruto
“Hm, Naruto? Why are you here and you are…” – Shikamaru
‘Oh so they are Shikamaru and Choji when they are kids. Nice’ – Azuma mind
“Hi, I am Uzufuyuki Azuma from the capital Uzufuyuki family. Nice to meet you.” – Azuma
“Oh you’re from the capital Uzufuyuki. I am Nara Shikamaru from Konoha Nara clan. Nice to meet you.” – Shikamaru
“I am Akimichi Choji from Konoha Akimichi clan. Nice to meet you.” – Choji
“So why are you two here, Naruto, Azuma?” – Shikamaru
“Naruto brought me here as he say it’s a shortcut to go see the Hokage Mountain.” – Azuma
“Hokage Mountain? Indeed, there is a spot for you to see the hokage faces from here. You just need to go up from here to there and from there you could see it.” – Shikamaru
“Oh thank you.” – Azuma
“Shikamaru, Choji want to join us, after this we will be going to the dango-ya for some desserts.” – Naruto
“DESSERTS! Yes we will come as well.” – Choji
“…sigh… troublesome…” – Shikamaru
…
‘So this is the Hokage mountain…’ – Azuma mind
“Azuma, look at that. Isn’t that great, look that’s father.” – Naruto
“… indeed that’s uncle Minato…” – Azuma
‘… so I wonder what is Naruto’s dream now, in the original timeline he wanted to be a Hokage to get the recoginition he wanted by everyone, but now…’ – Azuma mind
“From the looks of it, do you want your face to be there as well Naruto?” – Azuma
“Eh… hmm… I do not know, but I dream to be the greatest ninja in Konoha… hmm… be a Hokage…” – Naruto
‘Shit did I just made him think about it… oh well I guess it’s his destiny of sort…’ – Azuma mind
“How about you guys, ever thought to be a Hokage?” – Azuma
“Nope too troublesome.” – Shikamaru
“Eh, me too. I do not think I want to be one. I just want to be with my friends.” – Choji
‘Hokage mountain… anyway I think that’s enough just to be here looking at it… it is more like as a fan being here is enough, there is nothing more to it… Hokage… I don’t ever want to be one…’ – Azuma mind
“Let’s continue on, I think the walk was enough to digest the ramen so it’s time for desserts.” – Azuma
“It’s about time. Desserts here I come, Azuma follow me I’ll bring you there. After bringing you there why not we go for Yakiniku!” – Choji
“… I think you got the orders wrong then, why not we go for Yakiniku first. As for the dessert, I think I can go later. I still got a week here.” – Azuma
“Oh a man of foodie culture. Azuma! (Thumbs up)” – Choji
“Sigh…” – Shikamaru