"I do not understand what that is intended to mean."

"You don't have fun, like, ever, that I've seen. Fun's stuff you enjoy doing just 'cause it brings you joy. Fun's important!"

"'Fun' does not have any bearing on being a better shinobi."

"Naw-aw! Sasuke said fun is really important to childhood development and, like, mental health!"

"Children learn better through play. The same is variably true of adults. Additionally, unrelieved stress impacts every system in the body, usually for the worse. A stressed shinobi is one who makes avoidable mistakes."

"You have strange ideas."

"I'm unsure what part of that sounds strange."

"Stress means your focus is lacking. Further distraction will only exacerbate the problem."

"Cortisol isn't just released in response to unregulated emotions, and laughter does decrease it. It's also more likely you've suppressed your ability to acknowledge and react to emotions, than the hormones and neurotransmitters tied to emotion themselves - if you had no cortisol, dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, or others, you'd be in serious medical trouble. Though a medic would know more." He practically memorized a massive ream of 'have fun someday you fucking idiot' to shove at his sister, after all. Chihiro's argument feels familiar.

"Where did you learn this?"

"I read a lot, and have access to my family's old libraries. There were medics among the Uchiha." All technically true.

"I see."

He shrugs. "Regardless, do you want to join us?"

"...I do not know."

"You don't have to, and it'll probably be loud."

She blinks slowly, several times.

"..I think. That I would prefer. To go with you," she says, haltingly.

He nods.

"Yay! Ramen!" And he takes off.

Chihiro follows, more sedately.

The ramen stand owners seem to like Naruto a lot, chuckling, calling him their best customer, and asking about his friends. He tells them about graduating for real, Ichiraku laughs and says they can each have one bowl on the house...

"Is payment for service not customary?"

"Usually is," Naruto says with a grin.

"Eh, it's not like we're getting rich off this," Ichiraku says, laughing. "And Naruto always orders enough to make up for it."

"I see."

Chihiro will have whatever the default order is.

Naruto gets a bowl of each flavor for himself, having saved up for this since only one's free.

The food's good quality.