On the streets of Konoha, Mikoto had found a ramen shop whose style was very similar to Ichiraku Ramen.
But its name was written in four large characters: "Yejuan Ramen."
The "Otsutsuki Ichiraku" he had just seen was naturally the young apprentice at this ramen shop.
"Otsutsuki Ichiraku" was even a little younger than Fucheng.
Fucheng was also delighted. He had gone out on a date and gotten to see "Uncle Teuchi," Konoha's star supporting character.
A little younger than Teuchi was another apprentice who brought food to the customers. His name was Bajiao, and he was Teuchi's junior apprentice and kitchen helper.
Teuchi as a young man didn't look much different from "Uncle Teuchi" years later.
His eyes were still tiny.
When he smiled, they became slits, and he looked honest and dependable.
Since this was the noodle shop where the young "Otsutsuki Ichiraku" worked, the food was probably pretty good.
Fucheng simply ordered two extra bowls. He got the miso ramen and tonkotsu ramen that Uzumaki Naruto liked best.
Mikoto ordered beef ramen and fish cake ramen.
Don't imagine Japanese ramen portions as being as large as those of Lanzhou noodles from China.
An ordinary adult definitely couldn't get full from one bowl of ramen.
Take the Crown Princess, Hyuga Hinata, for instance. Every time she ate ramen, she could put away dozens of bowls.
Fucheng wasn't very hungry either, so he and Mikoto each ordered two different flavors, planning to taste them before deciding what to get next.
They said ninjas had big appetites, and sure enough, two bowls of ramen were no trouble at all for Fucheng and Mikoto.
Just as the two of them were ordering a third bowl, a red-haired girl walked in through the door.
"Eh? Uzumaki Kushina!"
Mikoto greeted her happily. "Come over here and sit with us, Kushina."
Seeing Mikoto greet her, Fucheng remembered, too.
It seems Mikoto really is best friends with the Little Chili Pepper, Kushina. Those two must have known each other for quite a while.
By now, Uzumaki Kushina had been in Konoha for five years. Unlike when she had first arrived, hardly anyone dared to discriminate against her for her red hair anymore.
So Kushina now stood with her hands on her hips, looking full of confidence.
The Little Chili Pepper was naturally delighted to see Mikoto, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
"Mikoto, it's been so long! I heard you went to the Sand Ninja battlefield."
Uzumaki Kushina was straightforward by nature. As she greeted Mikoto, she peered at Uchiha Fucheng beside her.
Mikoto smiled and introduced them.
She pointed at Fucheng. "This is my fiancé, Uchiha Fucheng! He's the Uchiha Clan Head."
"Oh my gosh!" The Little Chili Pepper Kushina covered her mouth in astonishment. "This handsome guy is your fiancé?"
Mikoto smiled and nodded.
She pointed to Kushina and introduced her. "Kushina was my best friend at the Ninja Academy. Uzumaki Kushina was in the same year as Uchiha Inabi.
"She may be younger than me, but she's incredibly capable and always looks out for people. I transferred to Konoha later, too, and I had a bit of an unusual accent. Some of the local kids always bullied me, and Kushina was the one who fought them off."
Mikoto happily waved her fist.
Fucheng smiled, reached out, and shook hands with the Little Chili Pepper.
"Just call me Fucheng. No need to be so formal. And you're welcome to come to Mikoto's and my engagement ceremony next week."
Kushina was still stunned by Mikoto's engagement news. She shook Fucheng's hand in a daze.
Seeing the hopeful look in Mikoto's eyes, Kushina happily nodded again and again.
"Of course! No problem. I'll definitely, absolutely, without a doubt, be there.
"Mikoto, you're incredible! You're getting engaged at such a young age."
As she spoke, Kushina smiled at Uchiha Fucheng beside her and declared with a bold, swaggering air, "Big Brother Fucheng, please take good care of my dear Mikoto. If you ever need anything from me, Uzumaki Kushina, I'll definitely be there for you..."
Mikoto looked utterly exasperated and hurriedly covered Kushina's mouth.
"What are you doing? You're so young, but you talk like some street thug. Act like a lady, will you?"
Fucheng burst out laughing.
Uzumaki Kushina really did have an interesting personality.
Unlike Fucheng, who had been enjoying a relaxed, carefree couple of days, Hatake Sakumo was extremely anxious after returning to Konoha.
Ever since her due date had drawn near, Hatake Daohe's health had shown no signs of improvement.
Perhaps because Hatake Sakumo had been in such danger on the battlefield in the Land of Wind, Hatake Daohe, who was carrying Kakashi, had suffered several bouts of nervous exhaustion, severe insomnia, and intense pregnancy symptoms.
In the two months before her due date, she had also developed pregnancy-induced hypertension that threatened her life.
Watching his wife's health deteriorate, Hatake Sakumo had even called in Tsunade.
But with the Medical Ninjutsu available to Tsunade at the time, she could only ease the symptoms. She couldn't eliminate the danger Hatake Daohe faced during childbirth.
As the time of the baby's arrival drew closer, Hatake Sakumo grew more and more tense.
Hatake Jiangyi tried to reassure White Fang.
"Uncle, how about I ask Lord Fucheng for help? I heard Lord Fucheng can treat very serious injuries. Maybe if I ask him to help, Auntie will be safer."
Hatake Sakumo fell silent. When Hatake Jiangyi could no longer hold back and started to get up to head for the Uchiha Clan, he reached out and stopped his nephew.
"You don't need to go. Stay home and keep an eye on things. I'll ask Uchiha Fucheng myself."
Hatake Sakumo seemed to regard Fucheng as his wife's last hope.
Once he had made up his mind, he didn't hesitate for a moment. He went straight to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Lord White Fang!"
The Uchiha ninja on guard at the compound had served under Hatake Sakumo in a previous campaign.
He recognized Konoha White Fang from far away.
After asking the reason for his visit, the Uchiha ninja immediately led Sakumo to the head's residence in the compound.
"Lord Hatake Sakumo has arrived!"
After reporting in, they didn't make Hatake Sakumo wait. A few seconds later, someone came out of the courtyard to greet him.
"I never expected you to visit today, Lord Sakumo. Please, come in!"
The person who came out to greet him was Uchiha Fucheng himself.
Fucheng's warm welcome deeply moved Hatake Sakumo.
"I'm sorry, Clan Head Fucheng. I've suddenly shown up and disturbed you."
Seeing the worry in Hatake Sakumo's expression, Uchiha Fucheng already understood why he had come.
Still, Fucheng had to maintain a little decorum.
"How could you be disturbing me? I'd been meaning to discuss a business partnership between the Uchiha Clan and the Hatake Clan with you. And here you are! Please, come in."
As he spoke, he ushered Sakumo inside.
Fucheng called over the Uchiha ninja in charge of security and gave them a few instructions. Not only did all the guards leave the area, but Mikoto and Hezi, who had been gardening in the courtyard, moved away as well.
Looking at Uchiha Fucheng, whose authority was growing by the day, Hatake Sakumo understood how formidable this newly appointed Uchiha Clan Head was.
"Lord Sakumo, have some tea."
Fucheng personally poured Hatake Sakumo a cup, then sat across from him at the small table.
Hatake Sakumo sighed first, then downed the tea in one gulp. His face was troubled before he even spoke.
"I came to ask you for help, Clan Head Fucheng. My wife Daohe's health has taken a sharp turn for the worse. I'm asking you to save her..."
Fucheng replied without hesitation, not pausing for even a moment.
"No problem!"
In Fucheng's view, if you were going to do someone a favor, you should do it wholeheartedly.
Only by giving them more than they expected could you discuss anything else afterward.
Being too concerned about what you'd get in return would only make you seem petty.
At that moment, Hatake Sakumo was shaken by Fucheng's straightforward agreement.
He had thought Fucheng might have reservations about using the Mangekyo Eye Technique, or might want to trade the healing technique for some kind of favor.
He hadn't expected Fucheng to agree without the slightest hesitation!
Hatake Sakumo wanted to say something, but his voice caught in his throat.
I'll never forget this kindness.
From this day forward, Fucheng's enemies would be Sakumo's enemies, too!
Before you continue