Eating Noodles

Qile quietly watched the two people before him. He naturally understood the concerns weighing on their minds.

He had no intention of forcing them to reveal everything. After all, a melon forced off the vine wouldn't be sweet.

If they didn't want to say more, why should he keep pressing and make himself a nuisance?

Just then, steaming noodles were brought to the table. Whatever they tasted like, they certainly looked appetizing. The evenly sized noodles were neatly arranged in the bowl, topped with a layer of inviting meat sauce and bright green scallions. Just looking at them was enough to whet the appetite.

Qile picked up his chopsticks and gently lifted a noodle into his mouth. But the moment it touched his tongue, the texture wasn't nearly as wonderful as he'd hoped. It wasn't disappointing, either—just average.

All things considered, they were still a decent bowl of noodles.

While everyone was absorbed in eating their ramen, Qile suddenly looked up and broke the silence again, asking Kagami, who was seated beside him, "Does anyone from the Uchiha Clan go to school?"

Kagami was taken aback by the question. He then fell silent and slowly shook his head, indicating that so far, none of his clan members had gone to school.

After a long while, as if he'd suddenly remembered something important, Kagami opened his mouth again and replied slowly, "But as far as I know, starting with the next class, some members of the Uchiha Clan should be going to school."

"I see." Qile nodded slightly. He'd already expected as much.

Then he slowly turned his head toward the two people seated across from him, who were focused on their noodles, and asked, "What kind of classes do they teach at the school these days? I'm really curious. I think I'll probably go, too..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen unhurriedly swallowed the noodles in his mouth and paused, as if carefully organizing his thoughts.

A moment later, he answered at a leisurely pace. "There's nothing particularly special. I already know the knowledge and jutsu taught at the school. Besides, most of the teachers are only Genin, so there's only so much they can teach their students. Still, it's useful for people like civilians who haven't learned anything about being a ninja."

After hearing this, Qile couldn't help pondering. It seemed the Ninja Academy was still in its early, experimental stages. Even someone as wise as Senju Tobirama probably couldn't figure out everything the academy needed in such a short time.

However, once the first batch of students graduated, Tobirama would surely be able to adjust and improve the curriculum and its priorities based on their actual performance and progress.

In fact, later lessons at the Ninja Academy—such as teachings about the "Will of Fire," which carried a strong indoctrinating undertone—were mostly added after the Sarutobi Hiruzen sitting before Qile took the Hokage Position.

Even with the First and Second Hokage in charge of Konoha, there had been some ideological indoctrination, but nothing nearly so extreme.

But once Sarutobi Hiruzen took office as the Third, he would bring out the so-called "Will of Fire," a doctrine capable of deeply indoctrinating people, to shore up his already rather weak position and bolster his authority...

Qile himself didn't give the matter much thought. In fact, a thought even crossed his mind: if he were the one to deliver that speech...

Of course, all of that would have to wait for the perfect opportunity...

The group slowly walked out of the noodle shop, sunlight falling over them and casting long shadows. Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke first, smiling. "Those noodles really were good. The texture was smooth, and the broth was rich and delicious. They leave you wanting more."

Shimura Danzō, standing beside him, quickly nodded. "Yeah! They were great. They really tasted good."

Hearing the two of them echo each other's praise, Qile turned to them and said softly, "I'm glad you liked them. I'll treat you again sometime."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō exchanged a knowing glance, then said, "Thanks for treating us today! We'll remember your kindness. If you ever need help with anything, just ask us. As long as it's within our power, we won't hesitate to help."

Qile wasn't particularly concerned by their words. After all, his reason for getting to know them had little to do with the two of them.

He smiled and replied unhurriedly, "It's no big deal. We're friends, after all. But... there is something I'd like to ask you two."

At that, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed slightly. He hurriedly waved his hands and said, "If it's about top-secret matters, we really don't know anything!"

Qile shook his head and quickly explained, "It's nothing like that. I just hope that if you have some free time, you could train Kagami and me. You're both older than us, so you must have more experience."

Sarutobi Hiruzen exchanged another glance with Danzō, thought it over briefly, then said, "If the elders in your family agree, then we have no objections."

"All right. I'll ask my elders when I get back. If they agree, where should I..." Qile's sentence cut off halfway.

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately picked up where he'd left off, speaking quickly. "We train in the forest behind Kage Rock every morning. It's peaceful, with plenty of space—perfect for practicing all kinds of techniques and physical conditioning."

Hearing that, Qile nodded without hesitation. "All right!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned slightly and gently bumped Danzō's shoulder. Then he smiled at Qile and said, "Thanks again for your warm hospitality. We'll be off now."

"Sure. See you at training!" Qile replied with a smile, standing where he was and watching them walk away.

Only after Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō had disappeared from sight did Kagami, who had been silent until then, finally give voice to his concerns. "Qile, setting aside whether they're genuinely willing to train us, our clan elders will never agree to let us train with outsiders so easily."

Qile didn't seem concerned at all. He gently shook his head and replied dismissively, "As long as we get the clan head's approval, that's all we need. Why worry about what the other clan members think? If the clan head has already agreed, would anyone really dare to object?"

"But..." Kagami started to say.

Qile cut him off. "Let's not worry about all that for now. Come with me to the clan head's house first."