Ichiraku Ramen

"Lord Hokage"

The Anbu arrived at the Hokage's office and handed over the information they had obtained from the gatekeeper to Orochimaru. They then knelt to one side, awaiting Orochimaru's orders.

"Um?"

Orochimaru frowned briefly upon seeing the intelligence in his hand, but quickly regained his composure.

Seeing the change in Orochimaru's expression, Minato also became interested in the information. Now that Minato was the captain of the Anbu, he was spending more time with Orochimaru and his understanding of Orochimaru was becoming more and more profound. For a piece of information to make the usually calm Orochimaru change his expression, this information must be something special.

Orochimaru didn't Minato time to guess; after reading it, he handed it over to Minato immediately.

"Minato, you should take a look too!"

After Minato took the report, he immediately read it from beginning to end. After Minato finished reading, Orochimaru asked...

What are your thoughts?

After saying that, Orochimaru leaned back in his chair, one of the few times Orochimaru relaxed.

"At least the strength of an elite ninja. I feel like I've seen this person somewhere before."

Minato looked at the portrait thoughtfully.

"His name is Kakuzu, he's a bounty hunter, and a regular at the Bounty Hunter's Guild."

As for why Orochimaru recognized him, well, Orochimaru was also short of money and would occasionally change identities to earn some pocket money. It was during that time that Orochimaru learned about Kakuzu's legend.

"However, he suddenly disappeared a few years ago. Rumor has it that he was murdered. I never expected him to appear here."

After hearing Orochimaru's words, Minato remembered this person, because Kakuzu had also accepted the mission to assassinate Minato, but Kakuzu failed against Minato who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Minato. That's why Minato remembered Kakuzu.

"I suspect that Kakuzu's strength has already reached the Kage Level."

Minato doesn't underestimate anyone; as he improves, so do others. During the Third Shinobi World War, Kakuzu was already an elite Jonin; now he's definitely Kage Level.

"The key is that he's that white-haired young man's bodyguard, and that white-haired young man is definitely not simple."

Regarding the goalkeeper's report that the white-haired youth had no Chakra, Minato raised a question mark. There are many ways to hide Chakra in this world, and no one knows if the white-haired youth also knows this method.

"To be able to hire someone with Kage Level strength, his identity must be extraordinary."

"That's right, that's what I think too. Konoha can't withstand any more destruction right now."

Orochimaru managed to make Konoha so prosperous, collecting more taxes than previous Hokage. This allowed Orochimaru to carry out his many experiments smoothly, and he wouldn't allow anyone to sabotage them.

"Minato, you should handle this personally. Even if the worst happens, your Flying Thunder God can minimize the losses."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Brush."

Minato and the members of the Anbu simply disappeared from the Hokage's office.

After the two left, Orochimaru used Summoning Technique to summon a small white snake. The snake swallowed the scroll and then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Orochimaru, who was conducting experiments in the laboratory, knew that his shadow clone must have encountered something unusual when he saw the white snake suddenly appear. That's right, the person working in the Hokage Building was Orochimaru's Shadow Clone; the real Orochimaru was always conducting experiments.

Taking the wet scroll from the snake's mouth, slippery with saliva, Karot had repeatedly tried to persuade Orochimaru to change this method of transmitting information. However, Orochimaru seemed to thoroughly enjoy it and ignored all advice, continuing to do as he pleased. Perhaps this was the persistence of a genius.

After Orochimaru finished reading the scroll, it burst into flames, turning into wisps of smoke and disappearing into the air. Orochimaru didn't find anything wrong with the clone's actions. Minato was also the most suitable person to carry out this mission. The reason for passing the information to Orochimaru was simply to let him know, since the clone couldn't leave work yet.

Karot, along with Kakuzu, followed the route he remembered, winding their way to Ichiraku Ramen.

Standing at the door Karot could already smell the aroma of ramen. Karot took a deep breath, and the fragrance instantly flowed Karot his body through his nose. Karot felt as if he were immersed in an ocean of ramen.

"It smells good. I hope it's not just good in smell."

Kakuzu praised the ramen shop, saying that the aroma was indeed the best he had ever smelled, but the taste could only be known by tasting it, because many delicious foods only smell good but taste terrible.

"Why say so much? You'll know once you eat it."

Karot couldn't stand Kakuzu's slander of Ichiraku Ramen, so he grabbed Kakuzu's hand and pulled him into the ramen shop.

"Welcome, welcome."

The familiar voices of father and daughter. Uncle Ichiraku's eyes looked even smaller, while Ayame had grown into a graceful and youthful young woman.

"Long time no see, Uncle Ichiraku, Sister Ayame."

Upon hearing the voice, the father and daughter looked up and saw the white hair, the same hairstyle he never had before. They immediately recognized the person.

"Karot."X2

The two happily called out Karot's name.

Karot pretended to pick his ear.

"You two are shouting so loudly, you're almost deafening me. I don't care, you two have to buy me a bowl of ramen."

Karot revealed his true intentions.

"You brat, you're trying to take advantage of me again. Let me tell you, that's impossible."

Uncle Ichiraku made a firm statement, determined not to waver.

"Ignore him, Karot, it's your treat."

Ayame emerged from behind the counter, staring at Karot's body.

"You've lost weight; you've suffered out there, Karot."

Kakuzu was shocked to hear such irresponsible words from Ayame's mouth. "Miss, you should take your eyes to the hospital. He's so thin! He eats more than anyone else."

"Yes, that's why our whole village came here first."

Karot feigned a pitiful expression. After all, being able to eat a super-sized bowl of ramen like this was worth the sacrifice.

"Okay, I'll let you eat your fill today."

Ayame rolled up her sleeves, revealing her strong arms.

Seeing this, Ichiraku knew it would be another busy day. Just thinking about Karot's appetite made Ichiraku feel like his hands were going to be ruined. Ichiraku's eyes suddenly widened as he stared intently at Karot, hoping Karot would change his mind, but Karot turned his head away.

Before long, two bowls of noodles were placed in front of Karot and Kakuzu.

"Is this discrimination? Why are the two bowls of noodles different sizes? Karot's bowl is clearly twice the size of mine."

Kakuzu only thought about it in his heart; he dared not say it out loud, after all, it seemed that the relationship between this father and daughter and Karot was unusual.

"I'm starting." x2

The two picked up their chopsticks and started eating ramen, while Ichiraku and his daughter began kneading and pulling dough, worried that they wouldn't be able to keep up with Karot's appetite.