Time had flown by. It had already been two months since Veigar last consulted Minato about training in wind-nature chakra transformation.
During this time, Veigar had adapted well to life in the ANBU.
Aside from missions, most of his days were devoted entirely to honing the transformation of his chakra into the wind element.
Diligence never goes unrewarded.
After two months of unrelenting effort, Veigar had finally taken his first real steps toward mastering wind-nature transformation.
Thin, sharp, and cutting.
Inside the ANBU headquarters—
Veigar extended his right hand, fingers half-curled like a claw.
"Wind Release: Rasengan."
Zzzzzz—
In an instant, chakra pulsed to his will, forming a sphere in his palm. At the same time, he tried channeling his newly developed wind-nature chakra into the Rasengan.
The normally pale-blue sphere darkened slightly in hue.
But the moment lasted less than a second, before the Rasengan unraveled into nothing.
It hadn't been canceled on purpose.
Veigar simply couldn't maintain both the Rasengan's form and inject wind-nature chakra simultaneously, his multitasking hadn't yet reached that level.
"Failure."
"Expected, though."
His failed first attempt didn't frustrate him in the slightest.
On the contrary, it sparked a fire in him, a relentless urge to try again.
He lowered his gaze in thought.
"Should I do what Naruto did?"
But he quickly shook his head.
Using Shadow Clones to jointly perform the Wind Release: Rasengan would let him master it much faster, but it would also be a shortcut.
And what Veigar desired above all was to perfect the jutsu through his own hands alone.
Just like Kakashi's Chidori, a true fusion of chakra form and nature transformation.
Only by taking the longer path could he build an unshakable foundation.
"Besides clones, I do have another option..."
Just as Veigar prepared to test his new idea—
Bang. Bang.
"Akuto, the Hokage requests your presence."
A knock came from the sealed chamber's door. The voice belonged to Tenkaku.
"Understood."
Veigar sighed inwardly and shelved his training, quickly exiting the chamber.
...
Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hadn't summoned Shōgetsu or Tenkaku, just Veigar alone.
"Akuto, I have a mission for you. Would you be willing to accept it?"
Willing to accept?
ANBU missions were usually assigned directly.
Slightly puzzled, Veigar nonetheless answered immediately:
"Yes, Lord Hokage. Please issue the orders."
Sarutobi offered a gentle smile.
"This mission isn't technically under ANBU jurisdiction. It's ranked A-Class."
"Normally, you wouldn't be involved."
"But since you're willing, report to Minat, —he'll be your squad leader for this mission."
In an instant, Veigar understood.
This wasn't an ANBU operation. No wonder Sarutobi had asked for his consent.
"Understood. I'll make preparations immediately."
...
One hour earlier—also in the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen had debriefed Minato, who had just returned from a mission, and entrusted him with the assignment.
Originally, the mission team was set at three members. But at Minato's request, it was expanded to five.
"Lord Third, may I bring Kakashi and Veigar along on this one?"
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen agreed.
"Kakashi is fine. As for Veigar, I'll ask him personally."
That was the reason for the earlier conversation with Veigar.
...
That evening.
After leaving Minato's house and confirming tomorrow's mission details, Veigar made his way home through the village streets.
Suddenly, a loud voice caught his attention.
"Come one, come all! Don't miss this!"
"Tomorrow's the grand opening of Ichiraku Ramen! Bring your coupon and get a full bowl for just one-tenth the price!"
Turning toward the voice, Veigar spotted a newly adorned ramen shop, proudly displaying the two characters for "Ichiraku."
"Is this the legendary Ichiraku Ramen I've heard about?"
"So it opens tomorrow..."
Chuckling to himself, Veigar walked over.
"Hey, old man, can I get a coupon?"
The owner of Ichiraku, delighted, handed him one.
"Here you go, young man. Please take it."
"Thanks. I'll definitely stop by tomorrow."
Veigar waved goodbye and turned to leave.
"Looking forward to it!" the shopkeeper called after him, resuming his energetic shouting.
Even from a distance, Veigar could still hear his voice.
"Come one, come all…"
...
The next morning, pre-dawn.
Veigar stood outside the ramen shop before it had even opened. As an early riser, he had become Ichiraku Ramen's very first customer.
"Finally, I get to try the ramen that's been mythologized in my past life."
"Old man! I'll take one of every kind of ramen you've got!"
As he stepped inside, Veigar placed his outrageous order without hesitation.
The shopkeeper blinked in shock.
"Wait, you want one of each? You sure you can finish them all?"
Flashing a wide grin, Veigar boomed:
"Don't worry, I may be small, but my appetite is enormous."
"And make them all large bowls, please."
Seeing how confident Veigar looked, the old man clenched his jaw and nodded.
"Alright then! Please wait a moment, I'll get started right away."
He vanished into the kitchen.
Moments later, the first steaming bowl arrived.
"Seafood ramen. Enjoy."
The sight and smell of the rich, ingredient-packed ramen made Veigar's stomach growl.
Chopsticks in hand, he dug in without hesitation.
It didn't take long for the first bowl to disappear.
"Old man, your ramen is incredible!"
He praised the chef earnestly just as the second bowl arrived.
One bowl. Then two. Then more…
An hour passed. Then another.
By the end, Veigar had devoured over 60 large bowls of ramen, leaving everyone at Ichiraku stunned by his bottomless appetite.
Customers came and went, each one baffled by the small figure eating like a demon.
Outside the shop, a line had already started to form.
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