After leaving the Senju Clan Compound, Uchiha Xiao headed to a popular spot in fanfiction: Ichiraku Ramen.
Ichiraku Ramen wasn't yet the permanent shop seen in the anime. It was just a small cart, where the noodles were freshly pulled and cooked to order.
Even so, the cart was surrounded by villagers and shinobi, and the place was bustling.
"Teuchi! One of your famous tonkotsu ramen! I was on a mission recently, and I've missed this taste so much!"
"Oh, boss! There are so many ramen shops, but I still think yours is the best! Two servings of miso chashu ramen! My grandson begged me to bring some home!"
"Teuchi, you've really mastered your craft! How did you come up with these flavors? One bowl of your famous tonkotsu ramen for me, too!"
The people in front of the stall were making quite a racket, but it was precisely this scene that made Uchiha Xiao realize just how popular Ichiraku Ramen really was!
A young man wearing a white, flat-topped cap was full of energy. "You got it, everyone! The most delicious Ichiraku Ramen, coming right up!"
As he spoke, he took out the dough he'd prepared earlier in front of everyone. It was clean and neat, with each portion shaped the same, and just looking at it made people smile.
Then, bracing his stance, he stretched and pulled the dough again and again in full view of the crowd. Before long, it had become noodles of uniform thickness.
Once he was done, the man put the noodles into the prepared bone broth and began slicing the toppings: narutomaki and boiled eggs, cut into even pieces.
About four minutes later, he lifted the noodles out, poured the broth over them, and placed the narutomaki, egg, and other toppings in a paper bowl.
Finally, he handed it to the shinobi who'd been on a mission. The man smiled. "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 in a daze. Then his eyes reddened, and he bowed. "I will! I'll come back next time!" He went to eat at a nearby table, tears streaming down his face as he ate.
The man smiled and nodded, then continued making ramen. You'd probably already guessed: this was Teuchi, the man who appeared throughout the entire Naruto series.
Oh, no—he was still young Teuchi. He didn't look very old, but his kindness was already shining through.
He was just a small-time vendor, and his family wasn't well-off. Even so, he was willing to give an extra egg to a shinobi who'd worked hard on a mission.
It showed how much he loved the village and respected the shinobi who braved danger to keep it safe.
Everyone at the stall had noticed what happened, and their lips curved into smiles. This boss really was a good person!
"Next! Your miso chashu ramen! I gave you a little extra, since your kid has quite an appetite!" Teuchi's voice rang out, bright and full of energy.
Watching the scene, Uchiha Xiao nodded. No wonder he made money! No wonder he was so popular! There weren't many bosses like him in this world!
Uchiha Xiao 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 lips began to curl up, too.
Peace really is beautiful, Uchiha Xiao thought.
"Ah, peace really is beautiful!"
Uchiha Xiao turned toward the voice and saw a shinobi approaching. His hair was a rare shade of white, and the setting sun softened his expression, making him look exceptionally gentle. He wore a green jōnin uniform.
"You're... Lord Sakumo!" When Uchiha Xiao saw the man's hair and face, Kakashi came to mind first. But at this point in time, Kakashi was probably still a child. So this had to be Hatake Sakumo!
Though Hatake Sakumo was a jōnin, his strength was truly at Kage Level. 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 a battle against Sunagakure. He'd gone alone to obtain intelligence and killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law. Only afterward did he discover that the two had been protecting their child, Sasori—not the intelligence.
He'd earned the title Konoha White Fang, and his Kage Level strength was widely recognized.
This had driven Sasori from being purehearted and kind to becoming brooding and cruel. Chiyo's hair had turned white overnight, and she hated the Konoha White Fang so much that she wanted to eat him alive!
"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 Xiao nodded. "Lord Sakumo's swordsmanship has reached perfection. Your Hatake Swordsmanship, paired with the White Fang in your hand, strikes fear into your enemies."
"Haha, those are just rumors. Don't take them seriously!" Hatake Sakumo had just returned from the Hokage Building. He'd spotted Uchiha Xiao while passing Ichiraku Ramen, and seeing the scene before him, he'd felt like striking up a conversation with the younger shinobi.
"Lord Sakumo, I..." Uchiha Xiao started to say something, but just then, his stomach rumbled.
"Grrr..." Uchiha Xiao blushed. This was so embarrassing. He'd just met a legendary shinobi for the first time, and this was how it had gone.
Stupid stomach! He couldn't help feeling irritated.
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "All right, kid. It's fate that we've met. Let me treat you to a bowl of ramen!" With that, he turned toward the Ichiraku Ramen stall.
"Teuchi, one miso ramen and one tonkotsu ramen!" Hatake Sakumo called out loudly, drawing everyone's attention.
The shinobi recognized Hatake Sakumo and bowed to show their respect. The villagers looked him and Uchiha Xiao over. Teuchi's eyes lit up when he saw him. "You got it! Coming right up!"
With that, Teuchi got to work. Hatake Sakumo waved to the crowd, gesturing for everyone to go about their business, then turned back to Uchiha Xiao.
"I don't know what flavors you like, so I ordered one of each kind Teuchi makes. Pick whichever one you like, and I'll have the other. I'm not picky." Hatake Sakumo smiled.
Seeing Sakumo like this warmed Uchiha Xiao's heart. Sakumo was such an open and friendly person. If he ever got the chance to help him, he would. He couldn't let Sakumo die so tragically, as he had in the original story!
Teuchi was quick. In less than ten minutes, the two steaming bowls of ramen were ready. Hatake Sakumo took them and asked Uchiha Xiao, "Which one do you want?"
Uchiha Xiao first glanced at the tonkotsu ramen and couldn't help swallowing. There was so much meat in it! Then he looked at the miso ramen, which had much less meat.
So Uchiha Xiao pointed to the miso ramen. Hatake Sakumo understood at once and smiled. "I had grilled meat for lunch, so I'm a little tired of meat. I feel like having this miso ramen."
Then he handed the tonkotsu ramen to Uchiha Xiao. Uchiha Xiao was taken aback. He wasn't a little kid anymore; he knew Hatake Sakumo had only said that for his sake.
His heart warmed. He looked at Hatake Sakumo, who was still smiling gently. "Go on, take it, kid. Let's eat and talk!"
He pointed to a nearby table and chairs. Uchiha Xiao accepted the tonkotsu ramen Hatake Sakumo had handed him, feeling warmth spread through his heart.
"Thank you, Lord Sakumo!" Uchiha Xiao said sincerely. Hatake Sakumo blinked. "You're welcome." His voice was gentle, making him feel like a warm spring breeze...