The Strongest Hokage

"Big Brother... can I buy a small bowl of Ramen from you for five ryo?"

"I'm so hungry... I only have five ryo..."

He looked at the girl, whose face lacked the usual innocence of a child.

Cangwu didn't answer, merely chuckling and asking Uncle Teuchi to make another bowl.

He pushed the deluxe Ramen in front of him towards her.

"No, Big Brother, I can't eat that much. I just want a small bowl."

The girl's voice was weak.

Cangwu looked down at her.

Her clothes weren't from a Ninja Clan; they were civilian clothes.

The clothes were clean, looking like they'd been washed many times, faded from wear.

"It's okay, eat up. Be careful, it's hot."

Cangwu patted the girl's head.

Sensing no ill will from Cangwu, and feeling his gentleness, the girl bravely started to eat.

Ayame, standing nearby, brought a set of child-sized chopsticks and a bowl.

Perhaps because she wasn't wearing a Headband, and due to Cangwu's gentle demeanor, the girl quickly relaxed.

She no longer hid her hunger.

Watching her, Cangwu's appetite was also whetted.

After Uncle Teuchi finished making the other bowl, Cangwu joined her in slurping down the noodles.

It had to be said, Uncle Teuchi's Ramen was indeed delicious.

However, compared to his past life... being from a land of great cuisine, Ichiraku's was a bit too salty.

"Little one, why are you alone?"

"Where are your mom and dad?"

After finishing one deluxe bowl of Ramen, Cangwu felt it wasn't enough and asked Uncle Teuchi to make another.

Uncle Teuchi chuckled, "Our guest has a great appetite. Please wait a moment."

The little girl looked up, her large eyes reflecting the lights.

"I'm going to find my mom."

"I don't have much money left... this is all for you, Big Brother."

Saying that, the little girl stubbornly placed the money in front of Cangwu again.

This time, Cangwu didn't push it back. He quietly put it in his pocket.

"After you finish eating, Brother will take you home."

It was already dark. Although Konoha... forget it, the Root Organization might still be targeting lone civilian children at this hour.

"Mhm~!"

The girl didn't refuse, giving Cangwu a smile.

She was missing a tooth, so cute.

Not far from Ichiraku Ramen, Hinata paused, her pretty face flushing slightly.

She lightly tapped her own head.

So stupid... how could Teacher Cangwu...

Though she thought that, when Cangwu took the little girl's hand and walked out of Ichiraku Ramen, Hinata inexplicably followed them.

Walking through the bustling street and into a dimly lit alley, the girl stopped.

"It's just ahead. You can stop here. Thank you, Big Brother~"

Cangwu nodded slightly, returning a smile.

However, he didn't leave immediately.

He could feel two pairs of eyes watching them.

But he didn't know their exact location.

If he didn't use the Glint-Glint Fruit's abilities, Cangwu was really only a bit stronger than an average Genin.

Even though he didn't know their precise location, Cangwu knew the owners of those two gazes weren't far away.

Seeing the girl still waiting in place, not heading in the direction she pointed, Cangwu, worried that Root Organization members might be lurking nearby, asked gently:

"Little one, why aren't you going home yet?"

"I don't have my key... Dad is still working and won't be back until later."

The little girl lowered her head and said.

"I'm used to it. Dad will be back soon. Big Brother, you should..."

Cangwu shook his head and sat on the ground with the little girl.

"Then I'll wait with you today, Big Brother."

Cangwu looked at the girl who was doodling on the ground with a small twig and asked softly.

"By the way, weren't you looking for your mother just now?"

"Didn't Mom give you the key?"

The little girl continued to doodle on the ground with her head lowered, "Mom is a ninja."

"Dad said Mom is still training and will be sleeping in the graveyard during this time."

Cangwu froze.

"Big Brother, look, I'm done drawing~"

Suddenly, the little girl looked up at the stunned Cangwu.

Cangwu looked at her tender face and instinctively replied, "What are you drawing? Let Teacher see."

He looked down and saw that the girl had drawn a person.

Her drawing skills were very immature.

Yet, Cangwu could tell at a glance that it was a woman.

Cangwu opened his mouth, about to praise the girl.

He then saw the girl curled up on the ground, right in the arms of the woman she had drawn.

"Mommy, hug me."

Cangwu sat on the ground, stunned, as if struck by lightning.

He just stared at the girl curled up.

After a long while, he somewhat numbly reached out and picked the girl up.

A quarter of an hour later, the girl's father returned.

He was covered in sweat and his face was full of anxiety.

When he saw Cangwu holding his daughter, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's a bit late... I'm sorry."

"Thank you."

The man thanked Cangwu solemnly.

Cangwu forced a smile, nodded, handed the sleeping girl to him, and turned to leave.

Not long after Cangwu left, the young girl also left the alley.

On the road, Cangwu looked at the bustling streets around him.

Many thoughts arose in his mind.

Soon, a cold voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Cangwu, the Hokage requests your presence."

Cangwu stopped and looked at the ninja who appeared before him.

The ninja wore an animal mask, the standard armor of an Anbu ninja, and a long sword on their back.

Seeing the purple hair, Cangwu knew who it was.

Uzuki Yugao.

After speaking, Uzuki Yugao gave Cangwu a deep look and disappeared with a Shunshin.

It was still working hours; she was an Anbu ninja.

Cangwu's expression remained unchanged. He changed direction and walked towards the Hokage Building.

'Why would they suddenly summon me?'

Cangwu felt a bit confused.

However, no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure it out.

Besides, Cangwu also had the intention of meeting Nin-bear.

Before long, Cangwu arrived at the Hokage Building, in front of the Hokage's office.

Knock, knock, knock--

"Come in."

An old voice came from inside.

Cangwu pushed the door open and entered.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw that the Hokage's desk was piled high with various documents.

White smoke continuously rose from behind the mountain of papers.

"Cangwu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up, a pipe still clenched in his mouth.

His old face crinkled into a smile.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was immensely fond of this Genin teacher, who understood the Will of Fire so thoroughly.

"Hokage-sama," Cangwu said, approaching the desk.

"Mhm... how has teaching been lately?" the Third asked casually.

Cangwu replied "respectfully," "With your guidance, teaching the Will of Fire has been very smooth. The children deeply admire you, the one who embodies the Will of Fire."

Hearing this, the smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face widened.

"Good, good, good."

"How are the exam papers for the graduation test a week from now coming along?"

"They're ready. The questions are mostly about how you, Hokage-sama, have embodied the Will of Fire during your reign."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then shook his head.

"While I am the strongest Hokage, the exam questions shouldn't be so direct... However, since they're already prepared, there's no need to trouble you with preparing new ones."

Puff—

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and looked at Cangwu with satisfaction.

"How's your training?"