Lots of Acquaintances in the Village

On the streets of Konoha, the ramen shop Mikoto discovered had a style very similar to Ichiraku Ramen.

However, the four large characters on the sign read "Yejuan Ramen."

The "Otsutsuki Ichiraku" he had just seen was naturally a young apprentice at this noodle shop.

The age of "Otsutsuki Ichiraku" was even slightly younger than Fucheng.

Fucheng was quite happy; going out on a date and being able to see Konoha's golden supporting character, "Uncle Teuchi," was a pleasant surprise.

A bit younger than Teuchi was another apprentice delivering food to the tables. Named Bajiao, he was essentially Teuchi's junior fellow apprentice in the kitchen.

The youthful Teuchi didn't look much different from the "Uncle Teuchi" of many years later.

His eyes were still tiny.

When he smiled, they looked like mere slits, giving him an honest and reliable appearance.

Since this was the workplace of the young "Otsutsuki Ichiraku," the taste must be quite good.

Fucheng decided to order two extra bowls, choosing the miso ramen and tonkotsu ramen that Uzumaki Naruto loved most.

Mikoto, meanwhile, ordered beef ramen and fish cake ramen.

One shouldn't imagine Japanese-style ramen portions to be as large as those of Lanzhou beef noodles in China.

For an average adult, a single bowl of ramen is definitely not enough to be full.

Someone like the future Crown Princess, Hyuga Hinata, could easily eat dozens of bowls every time she visited.

Fucheng wasn't particularly hungry, so he and Mikoto each ordered two bowls of different flavors, intending to taste them first.

It's no wonder ninjas have such large appetites; two bowls of ramen posed absolutely no pressure for Fucheng and Mikoto.

Just as the two were ordering a third bowl, a girl with fiery red hair walked in from outside.

"Huh? Uzumaki Kushina!"

Mikoto greeted her happily, "Come, Kushina, come sit over here."

Seeing Mikoto greet her, Fucheng also recalled the connection.

It seems Mikoto really is best friends with the 'Red Hot Habanero' Kushina. It looks like these two have known each other for quite a while.

At this point, Uzumaki Kushina had been in Konoha for five years, and unlike in the beginning, there were few people left who dared to discriminate against her red hair.

Because of this, Kushina now stood with her hands on her hips, looking full of self-confidence.

Seeing her dear Mikoto-nee after such a long time, the little pepper was naturally overjoyed.

"Mikoto-nee, long time no see! I heard you went to the Sand Ninja battlefield."

Uzumaki Kushina had a straightforward personality; while greeting Mikoto, she leaned over to peek at Uchiha Fucheng beside her.

Mikoto smiled and introduced the two.

Pointing at Fucheng, she said, "This is my fiancé, Uchiha Fucheng! He is the clan head of the Uchiha clan."

"My god!" The little pepper Kushina covered her mouth in surprise, "This handsome guy is your fiancé?"

Mikoto nodded with a smile.

She pointed at Kushina and introduced her, "Kushina is my best friend from the Ninja Academy. Uzumaki Kushina is in the same grade as Uchiha Inabi.

Don't let her age fool you; she's incredibly capable and very protective. Because I transferred to Konoha later, I had a bit of a unique accent, and some of the local kids used to bully me. It was always Kushina who helped me fight them back."

Mikoto waved her fists happily.

Fucheng smiled and reached out to shake the little pepper's hand.

"Just call me Fucheng; no need to be so formal. You are also welcome to attend the engagement ceremony for Mikoto and me next week."

Kushina was still stunned by the news of Mikoto's engagement, shaking Fucheng's hand in a daze.

Seeing the expectant look in Mikoto's eyes, Kushina nodded repeatedly with joy.

"Of course, no problem! I will definitely, absolutely, certainly be there.

Mikoto, you're amazing! To think you're getting engaged at such a young age."

As she spoke, Kushina looked at Uchiha Fucheng on the side with a beaming smile, saying heroically, "Big Brother Fucheng, please take good care of my Mikoto-nee. If there's ever anything you need from me, Uzumaki Kushina, I will definitely not shirk my duty..."

With a strange expression on her face, Mikoto hurriedly covered Kushina's mouth.

"What are you doing? You girl, how are you acting like a little gangster at such a young age? Be a lady, be a lady!"

Fucheng burst into laughter.

This Uzumaki Kushina's temper was truly quite interesting.

Unlike the relaxed and comfortable time Fucheng had been having over the last two days.

Having returned to Konoha, Hatake Sakumo appeared exceptionally anxious.

As the due date approached, the health of Hatake Sakumo's wife, Hatake Daohe, had shown no signs of improvement.

Perhaps because Hatake Sakumo was in such grave danger on the Land of Wind battlefield, Hatake Daohe, while pregnant with Kakashi, fell into mental exhaustion, severe insomnia, and intense morning sickness multiple times.

In the two months approaching her due date, she even developed life-threatening gestational hypertension.

Seeing his wife's body weakening, Hatake Sakumo even summoned Tsunade.

However, Tsunade's current medical ninjutsu could only alleviate and mitigate the symptoms; it could not completely resolve the dangers of Hatake Daohe's labor.

As the time for the child's birth drew nearer, Hatake Sakumo grew increasingly anxious.

Hatake Jiangyi also tried to persuade the White Fang.

"Uncle, why don't I go and beg Lord Fucheng? I've heard that Lord Fucheng can treat very serious injuries. If I go and ask for his help, perhaps it could make Aunt safer."

Hatake Sakumo pondered in silence. Seeing that Hatake Jiangyi could no longer sit still and was about to head toward the Uchiha clan, he finally reached out to stop his nephew.

"There is no need for you to go. Help me look after the house; I will go and ask Uchiha Fucheng myself."

Hatake Sakumo seemed to view Fucheng as the final hope for saving his wife.

Once his mind was made up, he did not hesitate for even a moment and headed straight for the Uchiha compound.

"Lord White Fang!"

The Uchiha ninja guarding the compound happened to have served under Hatake Sakumo's command during previous campaigns.

He recognized the Konoha White Fang from a great distance.

After inquiring about the reason for his visit, the Uchiha ninja immediately led Sakumo to the clan head's residence within the compound.

"Lord Hatake Sakumo is here to visit!"

After the announcement, they did not make Hatake Sakumo wait; a few seconds later, someone came out from the courtyard to welcome him.

"I didn't expect Lord Sakumo to come today. Please, come in!"

The person who came out to welcome him was none other than Uchiha Fucheng himself.

Fucheng's reception moved Hatake Sakumo deeply.

"My apologies, Clan Head Fucheng, for suddenly disturbing you with this visit."

Looking at Hatake Sakumo's slightly anxious expression, Uchiha Fucheng had long since understood the purpose of his visit.

Yet, Fucheng still needed to maintain a facade of reserve.

"How could it be a disturbance? I was actually planning to discuss the business cooperation between my Uchiha clan and the Hatake clan with you, Lord Sakumo. And here you are, just in time. Please, come in."

As he spoke, he ushered Sakumo into the room.

Fucheng summoned the Uchiha ninja responsible for security and gave a few instructions. Not only did the guards leave the scene, but even Mikoto and Hezi, who were planting flowers in the courtyard, moved far away.

Watching the increasingly authoritative Uchiha Fucheng, Hatake Sakumo realized the prowess of this newly appointed Uchiha clan head.

"Lord Sakumo, please, have some tea."

Personally pouring tea for Hatake Sakumo, Fucheng sat down across from him at the small table.

Hatake Sakumo sighed first, downed the tea in one gulp, and seemed heavy-hearted before he even spoke.

"I have come this time to beg for your help, Clan Head Fucheng. My wife Daohe's physical condition has taken a sharp turn for the worse, and I wish to ask you to treat her..."

Fucheng did not hesitate, answering without even the slightest pause.

"No problem!"

In Fucheng's view, if you are going to grant a favor, you should do it completely.

Only by giving the other party a response that exceeds their expectations can you discuss other matters later.

Being too hung up on the return on investment would only make one seem petty.

At this very moment, Hatake Sakumo was stunned by Fucheng's crisp and decisive agreement.

He had originally thought that Fucheng would have concerns about his Mangekyo Eye Technique, or that he would hope to use the treatment as a bargaining chip for some interest-based exchange.

He had not expected Fucheng to agree without the slightest hesitation!

Hatake Sakumo wanted to say something, but he choked up.

Great kindness needs no thanks.

Hatake Sakumo silently vowed in his heart.

From this day forward, Fucheng's enemies shall also be Sakumo's enemies!