After leaving the Senju Clan Compound, Uchiha Kō went to a spot that appeared in all kinds of fanfiction: Ichiraku Ramen.
Ichiraku Ramen wasn't yet the permanent shop seen in the anime. It was just a small cart, a little stall where the noodles were made and cooked to order.
Even so, the cart was surrounded by villagers and shinobi, and the place was bustling with activity.
"Teuchi! One of your signature tonkotsu ramen, please! I've been on a mission lately, and I've been dying for a bowl!"
"Oh! Boss, there are so many ramen shops, but I still think yours is the best! Two bowls of miso chashu ramen! My grandson's been crying and begging me to buy some!"
"Teuchi, your cooking is incredible! How did you come up with all these flavors? One bowl of your signature tonkotsu ramen for me, too!"
The people in front of the stall were talking over one another, but it was precisely this kind of scene that made Uchiha Kō realize Ichiraku Ramen really was popular!
A young man wearing a white, flat-topped hat called out with boundless enthusiasm, "Coming right up, everyone! The most delicious Ichiraku Ramen, just for you!"
As he spoke, the young man took out some dough he'd prepared earlier in front of everyone. It was clean and neat, with each piece the same shape. Just looking at it made people smile.
Then, bracing his stance, he repeatedly stretched and pulled the dough in front of the crowd. Before long, it had become ramen noodles of even thickness.
After that, the young man put the noodles into the prepared bone broth, then started cutting the toppings: narutomaki and boiled eggs, both ready-made, sliced evenly.
About four minutes later, he lifted out the noodles, poured on the bone broth, and placed narutomaki, egg, and the other toppings in a paper bowl.
Finally, he handed the bowl to the shinobi who'd just returned from his mission. The young man smiled and said, "Thanks for all your hard work. I added an extra egg for you. Be careful on your next mission!" His smile was sincere and kind.
The shinobi stared at him blankly, then his eyes reddened. He bowed. "I will! I'll come back next time!" Then he went to eat at a nearby table, tears streaming down his face as he ate.
The young man smiled and nodded, then carried on making ramen. You've probably guessed by now: this was the man who appeared throughout the entire Naruto series, Uncle Teuchi.
Oh, no, he should've been called Brother Teuchi. He didn't look very old, but his kindness was already on display.
He was just a small-time vendor, and his family wasn't well-off, yet he was still willing to give an extra egg to a shinobi who'd worked so hard on a mission.
It was proof of his love for the village and his respect for the shinobi who risked their lives to keep it safe.
Everyone in front of the stall had noticed what happened. Their lips curled into smiles despite themselves. The boss really was a good man!
"Next! Your miso chashu ramen. I know your kid can eat, so I added a little extra noodles for you!" Teuchi's voice rang out, bright and full of energy.
Watching this, Uchiha Kō nodded. No wonder he made money! No wonder he was so popular! There weren't many owners like him in this world!
Uchiha Kō looked up at the sky. The setting sun blazed like fire, bathing all of Konoha in orange. Then he looked at Teuchi and the smiling villagers, and his own lips began to curl upward.
Peace is wonderful~ Uchiha Kō thought.
"Ah, peace is wonderful!" a voice said.
Uchiha Kō turned toward it and saw a shinobi approaching. His hair was a rare white, and the setting sun lent his expression an extraordinary gentleness. He wore a green jōnin uniform.
"You're... Lord Sakumo!" The man's hair and face had first made Uchiha Kō think of Kakashi, but at this point in time, Kakashi was probably still a child. So this had to be Hatake Sakumo!
Although Hatake Sakumo was a jōnin, he was a genuine Kage Level fighter. His Hatake Kenjutsu was peerless, and even the Third Hokage couldn't take him down quickly in a fight.
His fame began during this Second Shinobi World War, in the battle against Sunagakure. He killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law single-handedly to obtain information, only to discover that the two had been protecting their child, Sasori, rather than the intel.
He earned the title Konoha's White Fang, and his Kage Level strength was universally acknowledged.
It drove Sasori from a pure and kind child into a cruel, embittered man. Chiyo's hair turned white overnight, and she hated Konoha's White Fang so much that she wanted to tear him apart with her bare teeth!
"Oh? You've heard of me?" Hatake Sakumo scratched his head. He knew he was strong, but he couldn't remember ever meeting this kid.
Uchiha Kō nodded. "Lord Sakumo's swordsmanship has reached the highest level. Your Hatake Sword Style, paired with the White Fang in your hand, makes your enemies tremble."
"Haha, those are just rumors. Don't take them seriously!" Hatake Sakumo had just returned from the Hokage Building. He'd spotted Uchiha Kō as he passed Ichiraku Ramen, and seeing the scene before him, he couldn't help wanting to chat with the young man.
"Lord Sakumo, I..." Uchiha Kō had just started to say something when his stomach rumbled.
"Grrr..." Uchiha Kō's face turned red. This was so embarrassing. His first meeting with a legendary shinobi, and this was how it went.
Damn stomach! He couldn't help getting irritated.
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "All right, kid. Meeting like this must be fate. Let me buy you some ramen!" As he spoke, he looked toward the Ichiraku Ramen stall.
"Teuchi, one miso ramen and one tonkotsu ramen!" Hatake Sakumo's voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention.
The shinobi recognized Hatake Sakumo and bowed to show their respect. The villagers looked him and Uchiha Kō over. When Teuchi saw him, his eyes lit up. "Coming right up! Please wait a moment!"
Teuchi set to work, while Hatake Sakumo waved for everyone to carry on with what they were doing. Then he turned back to Uchiha Kō.
"I don't know what flavors you like, so I ordered both kinds Teuchi makes. Pick whichever one you like, and I'll have the other. I'm not picky." Hatake Sakumo smiled.
Seeing Sakumo like this stirred something in Uchiha Kō. Sakumo was so cheerful and kind. If he got the chance, he'd help him out. He couldn't let him die so tragically, just like in the original story!
Teuchi was quick. In less than ten minutes, the two steaming bowls of ramen were ready. Hatake Sakumo took them, then asked Uchiha Kō, "Which one do you want?"
Uchiha Kō looked at the tonkotsu ramen first and couldn't help swallowing. The pieces of meat in it were so big! Then he looked at the miso ramen, which had far less meat.
So Uchiha Kō pointed to the miso ramen. Hatake Sakumo understood what he meant and smiled. "I had barbecue for lunch, so I'm a little tired of meat. I feel like the miso ramen."
Then he handed the tonkotsu ramen to Uchiha Kō. Uchiha Kō froze. He wasn't a little kid anymore; he knew Hatake Sakumo had said that on purpose.
Warmth filled his heart. He looked at Hatake Sakumo, who was still smiling gently. "Take it, kid. We can eat and talk at the same time!"
He pointed to a nearby table and chairs. Uchiha Kō took the tonkotsu ramen Hatake Sakumo offered him, feeling a warmth spread through him.
"Thank you, Lord Sakumo!" Uchiha Kō said earnestly. Hatake Sakumo blinked. "No need to thank me." His voice was gentle, making him feel like a warm spring breeze...
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