Fantasy Realm – Infinite Worlds Adventure
Chapter 308: Getting Nervous

Alex, Jewel, and Menchi stare at Naruto, who is busy wiping away drool as he gazes hungrily at the group’s food.

Meanwhile, his stomach continues to rumble loudly, as if trying to join the conversation.

Is this really the main character of this world?Queen Jewel is not impressed!

They always start like that. Still, he's already decently strong. Don't be deceived just because he looks and acts like a moron... to be honest, he pretty much is a moron. But a very strong moron.

Princess Jewel is very sceptical, but she can agree with this.

Naruto stares at Menchi and notes, “Wow, sister, you also eat three bowls at once? When I have a lot of money, I sometimes do that too! I respect you!”

Menchi, who is only halfway through her bowls, smiles. “Tired of waiting for your own? Feel free to finish mine!”

“Really? Thank you!” he shouts, walking over in excitement. He grabs the bowls and hurries back to his seat, immediately digging in.

In just a few minutes, he clears everything out, leaving not even a drop of soup behind.

Would a ninja really just accept random food from a foreigner?These ninjas are really the opposite of ours, who are supposed to have killed off their emotions and act stealthy. This guy is honest to a fault. And those clothes... the worst thing you can wear if you don't want to be noticed. Anyone who glances at him even once would remember him instantly.

“Something wrong?! You keep staring at me! Sorry if you wanted it, but the sister gave it to me!” Naruto says, a hint of suspicion creeping into his voice.

“No, it’s not that. You look kind of strong, and judging by your headband, you are a ninja, right? You seem tough,” Alex says.

Is Soulmate plotting something?! Queen Jewel likes it when Soulmate tries one of his schemes!

Not really scheming, Jewel. I'd just rather stay on good terms with the main character. Makes things easier.

Really, Soulmate? Soulmate also manipulated Harry during the last mission.

...Really? Maybe a little, but it wasn’t with bad intentions!

Which is why Queen Jewel likes Soulmate so much. ❤️

“Really?! You think so?! Thanks! I’m Naruto Uzumaki, and I’m gonna become the Hokage!” Naruto says with a proud, beaming smile.

“I believe it,” Alex says, fighting back a grin.

“You do?! Great! I like you! You two are new to Konoha? This is the best place to get ramen! Believe it!”

“I believe that as well!” Alex responds with a nod, trying hard not to laugh.

Thankfully, the Realm does the translation. I'd cringe a little if I heard "Dattebayo", but somehow, in this form, it's actually kind of charming.

“We’re just visiting,” Alex explains casually. “We’re requesting help from Konoha to finish a certain bridge. The builders need protection. It will benefit a lot of good people who want to live better lives.

You look like you just graduated from the academy though, so you probably won't get the chance to join... what a shame. We need heroes willing to save the Land of Waves.”

“I am a hero! I will save your country!” Naruto says with a determined expression.

“Really? Then maybe you’ll be chosen for the mission after all. I hope so! Anyway, we need to leave now. See you around, Naruto!” Alex says, giving a short wave.

“Wuuuuaah! There’s a spider on your head! Believe it!” Naruto suddenly screams, pointing towards Jewel.

Okay, it’s already starting to get annoying. That lost its charm quickly.

As Alex and Menchi walk away, Alex chuckles and raises his hand. “Just my pet!”

The group continues their shopping trip, visiting various restaurants and stores around the village.

Alex quickly explains his approach to Menchi and Jewel.

“To cover the most ground, we need to quickly scan for shops that might have what we want. We can't afford to linger too long — it's already getting late.”

“Well, I won’t argue,” Menchi says with a teasing smile. “You’ve been lucky, but also smart, gathering loot in the past. I’ll just follow along and enjoy the food. I’m analyzing it properly though—my Hatsu helps me. The more food, especially mysterious food from other worlds, I get to experience, the better I become at cooking.”

“Good. But don’t push yourself too hard, Menchi. The stressful part of this mission will begin soon. So learn what you can, but enjoy yourself too.”

Alex smiles as he successfully obtains a few useful items from two different shops, spending only the almost-worthless Ryō in the process.

[Hanami Dango]

World: Naruto

Quality: Light Green

Effect: Increases all regeneration by 20% for 30 minutes. Can only be used once every 2 hours.

Note: A beloved treat among the people of Konoha, sold in the Dango Shop. However, a certain female customer, often dressed in inappropriate clothes, sometimes appears and buys out the remaining stock, angering not only the store owner but also other customers. This eventually led to an order limit per customer.

Note: Limited to 5 per player

[Yakiniku Meat-platter]

World: Naruto

Quality: Light Green

Effect: Heals 60 HP over 10 minutes. Must be eaten outside of combat. The effect vanishes if the player engages in battle during the healing duration.

Note: One of Konoha’s largest restaurants, known for serving copious amounts of meat every day.

Note: Limited to 3 per player

Alex also tries to experiment by giving the items to Menchi and buy them again, but apparently the system counts Menchi as part of himself, preventing this workaround from being successful.

Deep into the night, the group finally gives up and heads back toward their hotel.

"Not bad. I wasn’t expecting much, but these food items are decent. Might as well sell them all. They obviously can’t even begin to compare to yours, Menchi," Alex says, sounding quite pleased with the results of his first—and probably last—day in Konoha.

Menchi, however, looks deep in thought. “These Dangos... we all bought them and ate them. Aside from being delicious they are quite effective. The system confirmed it. They don’t just increase HP or MP regeneration — they boost all regeneration. Of course, there’s a cooldown, but this item is extremely valuable! I need to somehow replicate this.”

"Now that I think about it, food items that scale with players are incredible.

A 20% increase in regeneration would stay valuable even for late-game players. I could probably sell these for at least twice, maybe even three times as much as a regular Light Green food item... or maybe we should just keep them?" Alex realizes, seeing the item in a new light.

"I’ll create something better, I promise!" Menchi says, a serious look of confidence radiating from her.

Alex smiles. "Can’t wait to see it, once you’re done!"

The group finally reaches their hotel and quickly enters their room.

As usual, Jewel immediately climbs into Alex’s arms, and the two quickly fall asleep.

A few hours later, the group wakes up, quickly readies themselves, grabs a bite of their prepared provisions, and heads back toward the Academy, just as instructed.

I have to completely follow Tazuna’s rhythm here. I can’t influence his timing or his decisions. I think the Realm won’t screw me over, but if we somehow mess things up so badly that we get assigned a different team... that would be a complete disaster. Without Kakashi, the story mission would become impossible to complete. If that happens, I have to stick around just long enough, give up the story mission at the right time, and somehow kill the opposing player to survive this mess.

Queen Jewel acknowledges Soulmate’s concern. Soulmate must stay passive until things clearly go according to Soulmate’s plan. Menchi, please avoid drawing too much attention inside the Academy.

Menchi looks over at Jewel and gives her a small, understanding smile.

When they arrive at the same place where they had placed their mission request, the receptionist immediately calls for someone.

A shinobi leads them into a small waiting room, where Tazuna sits at the front, visibly nervous.

He’s scared his lie will be exposed... I think.

Alex calmly walks to a corner of the room, choosing the spot closest to the center of the building.

“Well... this might take a while. Might as well get some practice in. I’ve found out how useful En can be,” Alex whispers to Menchi and Jewel as he sits cross-legged on a chair and begins to practice En.

Alex quickly feels like an all-knowing spectator. He becomes aware of many students, teachers, ninjas, and various staff members all throughout the building.

Damn, I need to concentrate. It’s hard for my mind to handle this much information at once. I need to focus.

It’s probably smartest to use most of my attention on the areas I’m interested in, while still keeping a light sense over the rest.

The group waits patiently.

Alex switches between En and Zetsu from time to time, just to pass the hours. Jewel does the same while perched on top of his head.

Menchi simply closes her eyes, maintaining her Ten while meditating.

Only Tazuna seems unable to sit still, nervously fidgeting with his fingers, occasionally getting up to pace back and forth.

It takes half the day. From time to time, different people come and go, quickly handling their own matters.

Finally, someone approaches Tazuna.

"It’s time," the worker says.

Tazuna jolts up from his seat, almost stumbling forward as Alex and Menchi quietly follow him.

This guy really is nervous. I guess that’s why he showed up drunk in the original story — just to calm his nerves.

As they finally arrive in front of the Hokage, Alex instantly sighs in relief.

He sees Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto all standing there.

Naruto immediately spots Alex, Menchi, and Jewel, his eyes widening in surprise as he points a finger straight at them.