Ichiraku Ramen and the Battle Power Unit Kakashi

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, two kilometers outside of Konohagakure.

Kazama Kaguya stood on a treetop, gazing at the most prosperous and powerful ninja village from afar, identifying the giant Hokage Rock carvings one by one.

"One, two, three, four..."

"First Hokage Hashirama Senju, Second Hokage Hashirama Senju, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze."

From the First to the Fourth, each had a highly recognizable appearance; even from a distance, they could be identified at a glance.

The rough granite stood tall, the colossal heads of the four Hokage overlooking the entire Konohagakure, like Mighty Lions surveying their territory.

This sight deeply shocked everyone who arrived at Konohagakure for the first time.

Kimimaro exclaimed with awe, "No wonder Lord Kazama wanted to come to Konoha to see the Hokage Rock carvings. They are indeed magnificent."

He pulled out a small scroll, crossed out the first line of writing on it, and whispered, "Hokage Rock carvings, check. Next up is Kumogakure's thunder, and the three great Summoning Holy Lands. I must accompany Lord Kazama to experience them all, one by one."

Kisame Hoshigaki caught up and looked at Konohagakure with a grave expression. "Konoha is covered by a barrier. Any Chakra above Jonin level will attract the attention of the security forces and the Anbu. I can't go in. I'll retreat to the Forest of Death and lie in wait for an opportunity. You'd best be cautious these few days."

Kazama Kaguya nodded. "What if an emergency occurs?"

"Take this."

Kisame Hoshigaki handed over a glass jar about the size of a fist. Inside, a mini shark, no longer than a finger, swam around. "This is my Summoned Beast. If an emergency arises, just break it, and I'll immediately infiltrate Konoha to rescue you."

His expression turned somewhat ugly, and his eyes kept darting to Kazama Kaguya's legs as he muttered, "If I broke your legs now, would you still go to Konoha?"

"Heh, even if my legs were broken, I'd crawl in."

Kazama Kaguya snatched the glass jar and turned to leave.

"Let's go, Kimimaro. From now on, we are Rogue Ninjas."

"Yes, Lord Kazama."

Soon, the gates of Konoha appeared before them.

On the high walls, two large gates carved with the symbol of the Konoha ninja village stood open. Ninja from the security forces patrolled the surroundings, most of them wearing clothes embroidered with the Uchiha Gunbai, looking down disdainfully at the passersby.

Merchants, civilians, beggars, ninja – all sorts of people were present.

A vast, almost imperceptible barrier covered the sky, monitoring every pedestrian entering and exiting.

Occasionally, a Jonin would pass by, drawing questioning glances from the security forces. Otherwise, Konoha paid them no mind.

Whether you were a Rogue Ninja or a spy from another country, Konoha didn't care.

For this powerful ninja village, individuals below the Jonin rank had extremely low destructive power and intelligence-gathering capabilities. Even if they harbored ill intentions, the Anbu, Root Organization, and the Security Forces could easily subdue them.

Kazama Kaguya and Kimimaro swaggered through the gates of Konoha as if they owned the place, and not a single person questioned them.

Kimimaro exclaimed in astonishment, "Lord Kazama, this place is completely different from Kirigakure."

Ever since Kirigakure implemented the Blood Mist Policy two years ago, its channels for external communication had been sealed, making entry and exit extremely difficult.

The mist-shrouded Kirigakure was like a rotting piece of meat covered in mold, filled with slaughter and death everywhere.

Konoha, on the other hand, despite experiencing several major wars, remained the most prosperous place in the ninja world.

Kazama Kaguya surveyed the densely packed shops and the ceaseless flow of pedestrians around him, sighing, "So, this is Konohagakure. Even though its roots are rotten, at least its exterior looks decent."

"Where do we go now?"

"We've been walking all day. Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen for a meal first. We need to eat to have the energy to work."

"Ichiraku Ramen? Lord Kazama seems to really like ramen."

"Haha, if you come to Konoha and don't eat Ichiraku Ramen, then isn't it a wasted trip?"

As the two chatted and laughed, their figures disappeared into the crowd.

After entering Konoha, the anxiety of being chased by death that Kazama Kaguya felt in his heart subsided considerably.

Although he still had one month left to live, he was already in Konoha, so there was no harm in taking time for a meal.

Besides, some things were best done in the dark.

Ichiraku Ramen shop.

The moment Kazama Kaguya and Kimimaro stepped through the door, a young girl immediately greeted them.

"Welcome!"

She wore a pristine white chef's uniform, her sweet voice brimming with youthful energy.

From inside the kitchen, the owner, Teuchi, who was kneading dough, turned around upon hearing the voices, a warm smile on his face. "What would you two guests like to eat?"

"Two Tonkotsu Miso Ramen, please."

This was something that Naruto Uzumaki would eat for many years, and Kazama Kaguya had long wanted to taste it.

"Please wait a moment. Ayame, come and help."

"Okay."

A few minutes later, two bowls of ramen, topped with nori, tempura, yakitori, a boiled egg, and green vegetables, were placed on the table.

The rich aroma filled the air, causing his saliva glands to go into overdrive.

Kazama Kaguya picked up a strand of noodles and took a bite, finding it unexpectedly delicious.

The tonkotsu broth was fragrant and full of flavor, with a milky white sheen. The ramen was cooked perfectly, with a satisfying chewiness. Topped with seaweed, grilled chicken, and tempura, the flavors became rich and diverse.

"This is even tastier than the last bowl I had from Teacher Kisame," Kazama Kaguya commented sincerely.

Teuchi, the shop owner, and Ayame watched the customer devour his meal, their faces breaking into satisfied smiles.

Just then, a young man walked in, greeting them familiarly.

"Uncle Teuchi, Ayame, the usual, one Tonkotsu Miso Ramen, no tempura."

"Certainly, please wait a moment, Kakashi."

Hearing the name, Kazama Kaguya subconsciously thought of a certain stat on his evolution panel.

[Chakra: 0.3 Card]

He immediately turned to look.

A young man with white hair, a mask covering his mouth and chin, and a forehead protector slanted over his left eye walked in.

A hint of gloom lingered on his face. He carried a short sword on his back and held a novel in his hand, the title reading: Icha Icha Paradise.

"Kakashi Hatake."

Kazama Kaguya's gaze lingered on the covered left eye for a few breaths, immediately drawing Kakashi's attention.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. Not seeing any forehead protectors on Kazama Kaguya and the other person, he thought to himself, A Rogue Ninja?

However, after briefly sensing their weak power, he let down his guard.

Konoha never prohibited Rogue Ninjas from entering, so it was normal to encounter two at Ichiraku Ramen.

Kazama Kaguya also withdrew his gaze and continued eating his ramen.

Kakashi sat down next to them. He first secretly sized up Kazama Kaguya's sickly appearance, then his gaze stopped on him and Kimimaro.

"White hair, green eyes, round red eyebrows?"

He frowned slightly, feeling like he had seen someone with this appearance before, but couldn't recall where.

Since the Battle of Mount Kibana, he had joined the Anbu and hadn't been on the front lines for several years.

Today, the Kumogakure negotiation team had come to Konoha. Kakashi didn't want to witness the politicians bickering and exchanging favors, so he'd taken the opportunity to sneak out for a bowl of ramen.

Before long, Kazama Kaguya and Kimimaro finished their meal and left.

Kakashi remained behind to enjoy his food alone, his attention having shifted away from the two of them.

After leaving, Kazama Kaguya reached a street corner and happened to glimpse a masked Anbu ninja quickly entering Ichiraku Ramen out of the corner of his eye.