The sun blazed overhead, two kilometers from Konoha.
Kaguya Kazama stood on a treetop, gazing at the most prosperous and powerful Ninja Village in the world. He carefully picked out each face carved into the enormous Kage Rock.
"One, two, three, four..."
"First Hashirama Senju, Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze."
From the First to the Fourth, each face was distinctive. Even from a distance, they were easy to recognize.
The rough granite rose high above the ground, the four Hokage's enormous faces looking down over all of Konoha like lions patrolling their territory.
Anyone visiting Konoha for the first time would be deeply awed by the sight.
Kimimaro was equally amazed. "No wonder Lord Kazama wanted to come to Konoha and see the Kage Rock. It really is incredible."
He pulled out a small scroll and crossed out the first line, murmuring, "I've seen the Kage Rock. Next, there's Kumogakure's thunderous storms and the Three Great Summoning Holy Lands. I'll make sure to accompany Lord Kazama to experience them all."
Kisame Hoshigaki caught up and gazed at Konoha, his expression grave. "Konoha is covered by a barrier. If anyone with Chunin-level chakra or higher passes through, the Military Police and Anbu will investigate. I can't go inside. I'll hide in the Forest of Death and wait for an opportunity. Be careful over the next few days."
Kaguya Kazama nodded. "What if something urgent happens?"
"Take this."
Kisame Hoshigaki handed him a fist-sized glass jar. A tiny shark, about as long as a finger, swam inside. "This is my Summoned Beast. If you run into trouble, break the jar and I'll sneak into Konoha to rescue you right away."
His expression darkened. His eyes kept drifting to Kaguya Kazama's legs as he muttered, "If I break your legs now, maybe you won't go to Konoha?"
"Heh. Even with broken legs, I'll crawl inside."
Kaguya Kazama snatched the jar and turned to leave.
"Come on, Kimimaro. From now on, we're wandering ninja."
"Yes, Lord Kazama."
Soon, Konoha's gates came into view.
The two gates, marked with the emblem of the Ninja Village, stood open in the high wall. Ninja from the Military Police patrolled nearby, most of them wearing clothes embroidered with the Uchiha Gunbai. They watched the people coming and going with disdain.
Merchants, civilians, beggars, ninja—people of every kind passed through.
An enormous, nearly invisible barrier covered the sky, monitoring everyone who entered and left.
Only the occasional Jonin drew questions from the Military Police. Konoha paid no attention to the rest.
Whether you were a wandering ninja or a spy from another country, Konoha didn't care.
To this powerful Ninja Village, anyone below Jonin rank posed little threat and had little ability to gather intelligence. Even if they harbored bad intentions, the Anbu, Root Organization, and Military Police could easily subdue them.
Kaguya Kazama and Kimimaro strolled through Konoha's gates without a single person stopping to question them.
Kimimaro stared in astonishment. "Lord Kazama, this place is completely different from Kirigakure."
Ever since Kirigakure had adopted the Blood Mist Policy two years ago, it had closed itself off from the outside world. Getting in or out was extremely difficult.
Wrapped in thick fog, Kirigakure was like a rotting chunk of meat covered in mold, filled with killing and death.
Konoha was different. Even after several major wars, it was still the most prosperous place in the entire Ninja World.
Kaguya Kazama looked around at the countless shops and streams of passersby and sighed. "This is what Konoha is like. Its roots may be rotten, but at least it still looks fine on the outside."
"Where are we going now?"
"We've been walking all day. Let's eat at Ichiraku Ramen first. We'll need our strength to get things done."
"Ichiraku Ramen? You seem to really like ramen, Lord Kazama."
"Haha, coming to Konoha without eating at Ichiraku Ramen would be a wasted trip."
The two chatted as they disappeared into the crowd.
After entering Konoha, Kaguya Kazama felt much less anxious about the death that had been chasing him.
He had only a month left to live, but they were already in Konoha. Surely they could spare enough time for a meal.
Besides, some things were best done in the dark.
At the Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
Kaguya Kazama and Kimimaro had barely stepped through the door when a young woman came to greet them.
"Welcome!"
She wore a spotless white chef's uniform, and her sweet voice brimmed with youthful energy.
In the kitchen, the owner, Teuchi, was kneading dough. Hearing her, he turned around with a warm smile. "What would you two like?"
"Two bowls of Tonkotsu Miso Ramen."
It was the kind of ramen Naruto Uzumaki would eat for years. Kaguya Kazama had been eager to try it.
"Just a moment. Ayame, come give me a hand."
"Sure."
A few minutes later, two bowls of ramen topped with seaweed, fried tempura, grilled chicken, boiled eggs, and green vegetables were set on the counter.
The rich aroma filled the air, making their mouths water.
Kaguya Kazama picked up some noodles and tasted them. To his surprise, they were delicious.
The pork-bone broth was fragrant and creamy white, and the noodles were perfectly cooked, with a satisfying bite. The seaweed, grilled chicken, and tempura toppings added extra flavor and made each mouthful a little different.
"This tastes better than the one I had last time, courtesy of Teacher Kisame," Kaguya Kazama said sincerely.
Teuchi and Ayame watched their customers dig into the noodles, smiling with satisfaction.
Just then, a young man walked in and greeted them like an old friend.
"Teuchi, Ayame, the usual—one bowl of Tonkotsu Miso Ramen, no tempura."
"Sure. Just a moment, Kakashi."
At the name, Kaguya Kazama instinctively thought of one of the stats on his evolution panel.
[Chakra: 0.3 Kakashi]
He immediately turned to look.
A white-haired young man walked in, a mask covering his mouth and chin. His forehead protector was tilted to cover his left eye.
A hint of gloom lingered in his expression. A short sword was strapped to his back, and he held a novel titled Icha Icha Paradise.
"Kakashi Hatake."
Kaguya Kazama's gaze lingered for a few moments on the young man's covered left eye. Kakashi noticed immediately.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. Seeing no Forehead Protectors on either of them, he wondered, Wandering ninja?
But after sensing how weak they were, he let his guard down.
Konoha never barred wandering ninja from entering, so running into two at Ichiraku Ramen was perfectly normal.
Kaguya Kazama looked away and went back to his ramen.
Kakashi sat down nearby. He first studied Kaguya Kazama's sickly appearance, then shifted his gaze between him and Kimimaro.
"White hair, green eyes, red round eyebrows?"
His brow furrowed slightly. He felt he had seen someone with that appearance before, but couldn't remember where.
Ever since the Battle of Kikyo Pass, he had been assigned to the Anbu and hadn't gone to the front lines in years.
The Kumogakure delegation had arrived in Konoha that day to negotiate. Kakashi had no interest in watching politicians haggle and trade favors, so he'd skipped out to get some ramen.
Before long, Kaguya Kazama and Kimimaro finished eating and left.
Kakashi stayed behind to enjoy his meal alone, his attention already off the two of them.
After leaving the shop, Kaguya Kazama reached a corner in the road. From the corner of his eye, he spotted an Anbu Ninja in a mask hurrying into Ichiraku Ramen.
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