Konoha's Dream Weaver!
The Sword Saint of the Leaf
After Team 7 left, Ichiraku Ramen didn't immediately hit its usual lunch rush, but customers started trickling in steadily.
Warm sunlight filtered through the gaps in the noren curtains, casting gentle beams onto the counter. The rich, savory scent of tonkotsu broth grew thicker in the air, mouthwateringly inviting.
Shiyu expertly tied his apron, stepping into his role as the "Model Employee of Ichiraku Ramen" for the day.
Honestly, the "Basic Physical Enhancement Lv1" he redeemed from the Dream Weaver System last night worked like magic.
He could feel it clearly—his young, somewhat frail body was suddenly brimming with newfound energy, as if infused with life overnight.
Thinking back to his first year after crossing over… Forget kneading dough or handling the wok.
Just washing the endless piles of dishes every day was enough to leave him gasping for breath, sore all over, and collapsing onto his futon at night feeling like his bones didn't even belong to him.
Back then, nearly all the work in the shop fell on Teuchi and Ayame's shoulders.
He used to feel guilty about that, wanting to help out more and even tried to train his body—but his physical baseline was simply too poor. No matter how hard he tried, the results were negligible. Once, he even tried to carry a sack of flour from the back and nearly threw out his back. Ayame was so spooked that she banned him from lifting anything heavy for days.
But today… was completely different.
Shiyu felt like his whole body was overflowing with endless strength.
Whether kneading the dough, hefting massive pots of broth onto the stove, slicing vegetables, prepping ingredients, cooking noodles, or fishing them from boiling water—it all felt effortless.
Not only was it easy… he actually felt invigorated the more he worked.
"This is just Lv1… What happens when I reach Lv10? Can I start flying or something?"
Not only did he breeze through his own tasks, but he even had enough energy left to help Teuchi brew the broth and prepare the chashu pork.
"Huh? Kid… you're pretty quick today."
After the lunch rush wound down, the shop finally relaxed a little.
Teuchi wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing at how Shiyu had practically cleaned the entire kitchen. He couldn't help but chuckle, "Not bad, not bad. Have you been secretly working out lately?"
"Hehe…" Of course, there was no way he could mention the system. Shiyu scratched his head, flashing an awkward yet slightly smug grin. "Yeah, been doing some training in secret. Figured I should toughen up a bit… Seems like it's actually working."
"Oh?"
Teuchi blinked, then broke into a wide, proud smile.
He'd always treated Shiyu like his own son. Despite the kid's mischievous side, Teuchi knew he was thoughtful at heart.
"What a good kid."
Teuchi stepped forward, giving Shiyu a hearty slap on the shoulder, his eyes full of approval and affection. "Atta boy. You're finally learning to care for your old man and your big sister, huh?"
He laughed heartily. "But hey, training's not enough. You gotta eat well to grow strong. How about this—tonight, I'll whip up something extra special for ya. Time to bulk you up!"
"For real? Awesome! Thanks, Pops!"
The promise of bonus food made Shiyu's eyes light up like stars.
Right as the atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter, the curtain at the entrance was pulled aside, and a bright, familiar voice called out—
"I'm back! Dad! Shiyu!"
It was Ayame.
She walked in carrying a large bamboo basket that looked heavy, beads of sweat still clinging to her forehead.
Seeing Teuchi and Shiyu laughing together, she tilted her head curiously. "Hmm? What's got you two in such a good mood?"
"Welcome back, Sis!" Shiyu quickly dropped the rag he was holding and jogged over. "Pops said we're having something special for dinner tonight!"
As he spoke, he naturally reached out to take the basket from her arms. "Here, let me help. You look exhausted."
"You?"
Ayame eyed him skeptically and reflexively tightened her grip on the basket. "Are you sure? Don't throw your back out again!"
Clearly, she still hadn't forgotten his… track record from before.
"Relax, Sis." Shiyu confidently flexed an arm. "This much? Piece of cake."
"Hahaha, that's right!" Teuchi laughed from the side. "Don't worry, Ayame. The kid's bulked up. He's a real man now."
Half-believing, half-doubting, Ayame finally let go.
With a cheeky grin, Shiyu easily hoisted the basket—at least 30 to 40 kilograms—and carried it into the storage room like it was nothing.
When he came back out, he peeked past the curtain—and sure enough, a small vegetable cart was parked outside, loaded with over a dozen heavy crates of supplies.
Under Ayame's stunned gaze, Shiyu walked up to the cart, took a deep breath, and grabbed the two largest wooden boxes.
"Up we go—!"
With a grunt, he actually lifted them clean off the cart.
"Wha—"
Ayame clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief. "Shiyu… since when did you get this strong?!"
Teuchi crossed his arms, grinning like a proud father. "Told ya. The boy's grown."
Shiyu marched steadily back to the kitchen, setting the crates down with ease.
Back and forth he went. It didn't take long before he'd carried every single box from the cart into the storeroom.
The entire time… he barely even broke a sweat.
Ayame watched his energetic figure moving back and forth, that confident, sunlit smile on his face… and felt a surge of emotion swell in her chest.
"Yeah… this kid has really grown up."
He wasn't the tiny, helpless boy from three years ago—the one who needed her and their father to take care of everything anymore.
She felt genuinely proud of him.
As Shiyu set the last box down, he glanced back at Teuchi, still working away, and at Ayame, who had come over to help, and a wave of warmth surged in his heart.
'No wonder Teuchi and Ayame could treat Naruto without a shred of prejudice…'
'Three years of living together… I've truly felt how kind and pure-hearted this father-daughter pair is.'
Despite living simple lives, they always treated those around them with the utmost kindness—whether it was him, an orphan with an unknown background, or Naruto, the boy scorned by the entire village.
That said…
After three years of subtle probing and observation, Shiyu was pretty much certain now—
Teuchi definitely wasn't some Otsutsuki Ichiraku.
Nor was he secretly the Ramen Sage of Six Paths.
…